INTERACTIVE VEHICLE SYNTHESIZER

• US 20150358726A1
• Filed: 08/20/2015
• Published: 12/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: DAVIS, GERALD CLINTON
• Granted Patent: US 9,648,416 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/143 Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/14 Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/01 Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer G06F3/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/13 Acoustic transducers and sound field adaptation in vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/00 Circuits for transducers , loudspeakers or microphones

Abstract

A method of operating an audio entertainment system in a vehicle includes detecting an operating parameter of the vehicle. A sensor signal corresponding to the detected operating parameter is transmitted. Music that is audibly produced within the vehicle is musically modified dependent upon the sensor signal.

Claims

1. A method of operating an audio entertainment system in a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting an operating parameter of the vehicle;

transmitting a sensor signal corresponding to the detected operating parameter to a processor arrangement; and

using the processor arrangement to modify music that is produced within the vehicle, the modifying being dependent upon the sensor signal, wherein the modifying step comprises providing the music with a beat that is dependent upon the sensor signal.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the operating parameter comprises an engine speed, a windshield wiper speed, an acceleration rate of the vehicle, a deceleration rate of the vehicle, a speed of the vehicle, an operating state of an ignition of the vehicle, an ON/OFF state of a windshield wiper, an operating state of a window motor, an open position or closed position of a vehicle door, an open position or closed position of a vehicle sun roof, or an operating state of a vehicle HVAC system.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the modifying comprises selecting a song to play within the vehicle dependent upon the sensor signal.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the music that is produced within the vehicle comprises a pre-recorded song.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the modifying comprises modifying a tempo or playback speed of the music that is produced within the vehicle.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the modifying comprises adding a percussion sound having a beat that is dependent upon the sensor signal.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the modifying includes applying a voltage signal to a speaker such that a coil and a cone of the speaker move.

8. A method of operating an audio entertainment system in a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a sensor within a passenger compartment of the vehicle;

using the sensor to detect a user input, the user input including the user in the passenger compartment moving at least one of his body parts;

transmitting a signal corresponding to the detected user input from the sensor to a processor arrangement; and

using the processor arrangement to modify music that is produced on a speaker within the vehicle, the modifying step comprising providing the music with a beat that is dependent upon the signal.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the sensor comprises a camera, a touch sensor, Theremin, seat sensor, or Wii type input device.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the user input includes the user in the passenger compartment rhythmically moving at least one of his body parts, the modifying comprising providing the music with a beat that matches a rhythm of the movement of the user'"'"'s at least one body part.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the user input comprises the user rhythmically moving at least one of his body parts, the modifying comprising modifying a tempo or playback speed of the music that is produced on the speaker within the vehicle such that the tempo or playback speed matches a rhythm of the movement of the user'"'"'s at least one body part.

12. A method of operating an entertainment system in a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of sensors within the vehicle;

using at least one of the sensors to detect a user input from a user in the passenger compartment and/or an operating parameter of the vehicle;

transmitting a signal corresponding to the detected user input and/or operating parameter to a processor arrangement; and

using the processor arrangement to modify musical entertainment content that is produced within the vehicle and/or video entertainment content that is produced within the vehicle, the modifying being dependent upon the signal, wherein the modifying includes modifying a tempo or playback speed of the musical entertainment content or video entertainment content that is produced within the vehicle.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the musical entertainment content that is produced within the vehicle comprises a pre-recorded song.

14. The method of claim 12 comprising the further step of using at least one of the sensors to detect an environmental condition outside of the vehicle, the modifying being dependent upon the detected outside environmental condition.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the modifying comprises selecting a song or music video to play within the vehicle dependent upon the signal.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein the modifying comprises adding a percussion sound to music or to a music video that is audibly presented within the vehicle, the percussion sound having a beat that is dependent upon the signal.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein at least one of the sensors is associated with a passenger compartment of the vehicle.

18. The method of claim 12 wherein the musical entertainment content and/or video entertainment content is pre-recorded.

19. The method of claim 12 wherein the modifying includes applying a voltage signal to a speaker such that a coil and a cone of the speaker move.

20. The method of claim 12 wherein the modifying includes applying a voltage signal to a speaker such that a coil and a cone of the speaker move with a rhythm that matches a rhythm of a movement of at least one body part of the user.