Integrated communication system for a vehicle

• US 6,363,156 B1
• Filed: 11/18/1998
• Issued: 03/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lear Automotive Dearborn, Incorporated (Lear Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lear Automotive Dearborn, Incorporated (Lear Corporation)
• Inventors: Roddy, Timothy S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harvey, Minsun Oh
• Application Number:
  US09/195,399
• Time in Patent Office: 1,224 Days
• Field of Search: 381/86, 381/71.2, 381/71.4, 381/71.6, 381/71.9, 381/71.11, 381/71.12, 381/94.1, 381/56, 381/57
• US Class Current: 381/86
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/082 to be used in vehicles H04B1/086 takes precedence; holding or mounting accessories B60R11/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/20 for coupling gramophone pick-up, recorder output, or microphone to receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3822 specially adapted for use in vehicles H04B1/3827 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3877 Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6083 by interfacing with the vehicle audio system

Abstract

An audio communication system for use in the passenger compartment of a vehicle providing full duplex communication through a plurality of speakers and microphones while substantially eliminating unwanted external interference and feedback. A digital signal processor further integrates an audio entertainment and mobile transceiver subsystems. The subsystems are operated by the microphone from one or more positions within the vehicle so that each passenger has access to a cellular phone or can control the audio entertainment system.

Claims

1. A communication system for a vehicle passenger compartment comprising:

a first microphone generating first microphone signals located at a first position within said passenger compartment;

a second microphone generating second microphone signals located at a second position within said passenger compartment, said second microphone separated from said first microphone by a first distance;

a digital signal processor receiving said first and second microphone signals;

a first speaker located proximate said first microphone, said first speaker connected to said digital signal processor to output said second microphone signals in response to said digital signal processor;

a second speaker located proximate said second microphone, said second speaker connected to said digital signal processor to output said first microphone signals in response to said digital signal processor; and

an audio entertainment system electrically coupled to said digital signal processor, said audio entertainment system outputting audio signals through said first and second speakers;

said digital signal processor substantially canceling communication of said first and second speaker output from said first and second microphone signals.

2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein said digital signal processor filters said microphone signals between said microphones and said speakers.

3. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein said digital signal processor simultaneously receives input from each of said first and second microphones.

4. The communication system according to claim 1, further comprising an amplifier electrically coupled between said digital signal processor and said first and second speaker.

5. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein said audio entertainment system is reduced in volume when inter-vehicle communication is initiated.

6. The communication system according to claim 1, further comprising an electrically operated component electrically coupled to said digital signal processor, said component being actuated by audio input through one of said microphones.

7. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein said first and second microphones and said first and second speakers have a fixed acoustic relationship within the vehicle.

8. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein said first and second microphones and said first and second speakers have a fixed spacial relationship within the vehicle.

9. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein said digital signal processor filters non-voice audio input to said first and second microphones.

10. The communication system according to claim 9, wherein said first and second microphones remain on standby prior to initiation of inter-vehicle communication.

11. The communication system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of microphones and a plurality of speakers.

12. The communication system according to claim 11, wherein said digital signal processor outputs said first microphone signals to a speaker non-adjacent said first microphone.

13. The communication system according to claim 12, further comprising a controller to select which of said plurality of microphones are electrically coupled to said audio entertainment system, said audio entertainment system being actuated by audio input through said selected microphone.

14. A communication system for a vehicle passenger compartment comprising:

a first microphone generating first microphone signals located at a first position within said passenger compartment;

a second microphone generating second microphone signals located at a second position within said passenger compartment, said second microphone separated from said first microphone by a first distance;

a digital signal processor receiving said first and second microphone signals;

a first speaker located proximate said first microphone, said first speaker connected to said digital signal processor to output said second microphone signals in response to said digital signal processor;

a second speaker located proximate said second microphone, said second speaker connected to said digital signal processor to output said first microphone signals in response to said digital signal processor; and

a mobile transceiver system electrically coupled to said digital signal processor, said mobile transceiver outputting audio through at least one of said first and second speakers, wherein said mobile transceiver system receives audio input from one of said first and second microphones;

said digital signal processor substantially canceling communication of said first and second speaker output from said first and second microphone signals.

15. The communication system according to claim 14, wherein said mobile transceiver system simultaneously receives audio input from each of said first and second microphones.