Voice-controlled system for providing digital audio content in an automobile

• US 7,031,477 B1
• Filed: 01/25/2002
• Issued: 04/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Concert Technology Corporation
• Original Assignee: Daniel Thomas Bagley, Kevin John Caffrey, Matthew Rodger Mella
• Inventors: Bagley, Daniel Thomas, Mella, Matthew Rodger, Caffrey, Kevin John
• Primary Examiner(s): PENDLETON, BRIAN T
• Application Number:
  US10/054,958
• Time in Patent Office: 1,544 Days
• Field of Search: 381/86, 369/6, 369/7, 455/345, 700/94
• US Class Current: 381/86
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/16 Sound input; Sound output speech processing G10L
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0962 having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/26 Speech to text systems G10L15/08 takes precedence

Abstract

A voice-controlled system for providing digital audio content in an automobile is presented. The system comprises a CPU unit that includes a microprocessor programmed to decode and deliver digital media such as MP3s and ebooks to a listener. The CPU unit also includes a storage device for storing the media, RAM and a power supply. The storage device is a “plug-in” unit, such as a hard disc drive, that may be removed and inserted into a home computer for downloading media. The system is controlled using a voice-based input device that interfaces with the CPU unit. The voice-based device is operative to control in a hands-free manner, for example, the selection of the media to be delivered and the volume at which the media is delivered. A display and control unit is suitable for mounting on the dashboard of an automobile and provides an alternative to voice control of the system. The display and control unit also provides a scroll-through list of the available media and information about the media being played such as the title, the artist, the volume at which it is being played and a sound spectrum analysis.

Claims

1. A system for providing digital audio content in an automobile, the system comprising:

a central processing unit comprising (a) a microprocessor for decoding and delivering digital audio content from a single source of MP3 content;

(b) a storage device for storing the digital audio content;

(c) a random access memory for storing temporary data for running one or more application programs;

(d) a power supply for providing power to the central processing unit, wherein the central processing unit is located in the automobile;

an input unit comprising (e) a set of function controls for enabling a user to select one or more digital audio selections;

(f) a receiver for receiving input from a remote control device for selecting one or more digital audio selections;

(g) a voice activated input device for receiving voice commands from a user for selecting one or more digital audio selections;

wherein the voice activated input device further comprises a microphone attached to one or more of a visor and a steering wheel of the automobile and wherein the voice activated input device operates as a voice recognition device wherein one or more specific users are authorized to control the system via the input unit; and

(h) a bar code scanner for selecting one or more digital audio selections; and

wherein the input unit is located proximate to a driver'"'"'s seat of the automobile; and

a dashboard unit comprising a liquid crystal display for displaying media data related to the digital audio content in response to the digital audio selection, wherein the dashboard unit is mounted on a dashboard of the automobile at a location within the user'"'"'s reach;

wherein the digital audio content further comprises video data for display on the liquid crystal display of the dashboard unit.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the digital audio content further comprises an electronic book.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the digital audio selection comprises one or more of volume control and order of play.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is designed to play more than 200 hours of music from the single source of digital audio content.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote control device is attached to a steering wheel of the automobile.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a parallel port for connecting the central processing unit and the dashboard unit for communication.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the storage device is removable for interaction with a remote computer.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more digital audio selections comprises at least a particular musical selection within a collection of digital audio content in MP3 format.