METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING THE VOLUME OF INFOTAINMENT UNITS OF VEHICLES

• US 20100324804A1
• Filed: 06/18/2009
• Published: 12/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: ALBERTSON, WILLIAM C., MC DONALD, MIKE M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,065,416 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/113
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/301 the gain being continuously variable
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/32 the control being dependent upon ambient noise level or sound level

Abstract

A method for controlling a volume of an infotainment unit of a vehicle having an engine having a stop/start capability during operation of the vehicle includes the steps of obtaining information pertaining to a condition of the engine, and controlling the volume based at least in part upon the condition.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a volume of an infotainment unit of a vehicle having an engine having a stop/start capability during operation of the vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

obtaining information pertaining to a condition of the engine; and

controlling the volume based at least in part upon the condition.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the condition comprises whether the engine is running, cranking, or turned off.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein if the engine is turned off or cranking, the condition further comprises whether the engine is in a process of an initial start or a stop/start cranking event following the initial start.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of adjusting the volume comprises the steps of:

providing no adjustment to the volume if the engine is turned off or cranking and the engine is in the process of the initial start;

providing a first level of increase to the volume if the engine is turned off and the engine is in the process of the stop/start event following the initial start;

providing a second level of increase to the volume if the engine is running; and

providing a third level of increase to the volume if the engine is cranking and the engine is in the process of the stop/start cranking event following the initial start.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the second level of increase is greater than the first level of increase.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein:

the first level of increase is at least approximately equal to a first constant value; and

the second level of increase is at least approximately equal to a second constant value that is greater than the first constant value.

7. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of:

determining an amount of time after the engine has begun cranking during the stop/start event, if the engine is cranking and the engine is in the process of the stop/start event following the initial start; and

determining the third level of increase based at least in part on the amount of time.

8. A program product for controlling a volume of an infotainment unit of a vehicle having an engine having a stop/start capability during operation of the vehicle, the program product comprising:

a program configured to;

obtain information pertaining to a condition of the engine; and

control the volume based upon the condition; and

a computer-readable signal-bearing media bearing the program.

9. The program product of claim 8, wherein the condition comprises whether the engine is running, cranking, or turned off.

10. The program product of claim 8, wherein if the engine is turned off or cranking, the condition further comprises whether the engine is in a process of an initial start or a stop/start cranking event following the initial start.

11. The program product of claim 10, wherein the program is further configured to:

provide no adjustment to the volume if the engine is turned off or cranking and the engine is in the process of the initial start;

provide a first level of increase to the volume if the engine is turned off and the engine is in the process of the stop/start event following the initial start;

provide a second level of increase to the volume if the engine is running; and

provide a third level of increase to the volume if the engine is cranking and the engine is in the process of the stop/start cranking event following the initial start.

12. The program product of claim 11, wherein the second level of increase is greater than the first level of increase.

13. The program product of claim 12, wherein:

the first level of increase is at least approximately equal to a first constant value; and

the second level of increase is at least approximately equal to a second constant value that is greater than the first constant value.

14. The program product of claim 11, wherein the program is further configured to:

determine an amount of time after the engine has begun cranking during the stop/start event, if the engine is cranking and the engine is in the process of the stop/start event following the initial start; and

determine the third level of increase based at least in part on the amount of time.

15. A system for controlling a volume of an infotainment unit of a vehicle having an engine having a stop/start capability during operation of the vehicle, the system comprising:

one or more sensors configured to obtain information pertaining to a condition of the engine; and

a processor coupled to the one or more sensors and configured to control the volume based upon the condition.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the condition comprises whether the engine is running, cranking, or turned off.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein if the engine is turned off or cranking, the condition further comprises whether the engine is in a process of an initial start or a stop/start event following the initial start.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to:

provide no adjustment to the volume if the engine is turned off or cranking and the engine is in the process of the initial start;

provide a first level of increase to the volume if the engine is turned off and the engine is in the process of the stop/start event following the initial start;

provide a second level of increase to the volume if the engine is running; and

provide a third level of increase to the volume if the engine is cranking and the engine is in the process of the stop/start cranking event following the initial start.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein:

the first level of increase is at least approximately equal to a first constant value; and

the second level of increase is at least approximately equal to a second constant value that is greater than the first constant value.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine an amount of time after the engine has begun cranking during the stop/start event, if the engine is cranking and the engine is in the process of the stop/start event following the initial start; and

determine the third level of increase based at least in part on the amount of time.