Automobile audio system

• US 7,483,539 B2
• Filed: 11/08/2002
• Issued: 01/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bose Corporation
• Original Assignee: Bose Corporation
• Inventors: Ludwig, Christopher, Stark, Michael W., Kawakami, Seiji, Givens, William L., Westley, Brandon B., Holmi, Douglas J., Greenberger, Hal P., Miyazaki, Hiroshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Mei; Xu
• Assistant Examiner(s): SUTHERS, DOUGLAS JOHN
• Application Number:
  US10/290,989
• Publication Number:
  US 20040091123A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,272 Days
• Field of Search: 381/86, 381/124, 381/61, 381/78, 381/302, 381/307, 381/18, 381/123, 381/17, 381/58, 340/455, 584/55
• 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: H04R 2499/13 Acoustic transducers and sound field adaptation in vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 7/30 Control circuits for electronic adaptation of the sound field
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 7/307 Frequency adjustment, e.g. tone control H04S7/301 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 7/40 Visual indication of stereophonic sound image

Abstract

The invention features a dual-mode audio system for an automobile which in one mode is configured for play while the doors to the automobile are closed, and in a second mode, is configured for play while a door, such as a tailgate, is opened. Additionally, the invention also features a battery monitor which monitors the operating condition of the battery and may estimate the energy capacity of the battery. The system may also take power conservation measures if the system determines that the engine is not running or the operating condition of the batter reaches a predetermined state. The invention also features a remote control integrated within a key fob for controlling the audio system. The invention features various orientations for mounting a pair of loudspeakers within an automobile which directly radiate sound out of a rear opening of the automobile.

Claims

1. An automobile audio system in an automobile having a body with a tailgate moveable between a closed and open position, an engine and a battery comprising,

a plurality of loudspeakers in fixed relation to and on respective portions of the automobile body,

said loudspeakers comprising an audio system attached to the automobile constructed and arranged to have a first signal processing configuration in a first mode when the tailgate is closed and a second signal processing configuration in a second mode when the tailgate is open,

wherein in the first signal processing configuration the audio system is constructed and arranged to process audio signals radiated by a first set of said loudspeakers to have a first system electrical topology and a first frequency response that is different from a second system electrical topology and a second frequency response of audio signals processed in the second signal processing configuration and radiated by a second set of said loudspeakers different from said first set so that an overall frequency response of the audio system perceived outside the automobile with the tailgate open is smoother when the audio system is in the second mode than when the audio system is in the first mode.

2. An automobile audio system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the automobile engine is off during the first mode and the audio system receives electrical power from the battery.

3. An automobile audio system in accordance with claim 1 wherein during the second mode the tailgate is closed.

4. An automobile audio system in accordance with claim 3 wherein the automobile engine is on.

5. An automobile audio system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first speaker set comprises first and second speakers mounted on the tailgate oriented to direct sound through the inside of the automobile when the tailgate is closed and outside the automobile when the tailgate is open.

6. An automobile audio system in accordance with claim 5 wherein the second set of speakers comprises of third and fourth speakers constructed and arranged to direct sound outside the automobile in the second mode of operation.