Automobile communication system

• US 8,892,046 B2
• Filed: 03/29/2012
• Issued: 11/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bose Corporation
• Original Assignee: Bose Corporation
• Inventors: Hera, Cristian
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Hai V
• Application Number:
  US13/433,382
• Publication Number:
  US 20130260692A1
• Time in Patent Office: 964 Days
• Field of Search: 455/63.1
• US Class Current: 455/63.1
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 2021/02085 Periodic noise
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 21/0216 characterised by the method used for estimating noise
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 21/0224 Processing in the time domain
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6083 by interfacing with the vehicle audio system

Abstract

In an aspect, in general, an automobile communication system includes a first signal input for receiving an input signal from a sensor, a second signal input for receiving a first signal representing a rotational frequency associated with a portion of an engine of the automobile, an engine noise estimation module, and a transmitter. The engine noise estimation module is configured to determine an estimate of an engine-related component of the input signal based on the input signal and the first signal and to form a modified input signal. The engine noise estimation module includes a signal combination module configured to form the modified input signal, including combining the estimate of the engine-related component with the input signal. The transmitter is configured to transmit the modified input signal as part of an outgoing communication.

Claims

1. An automobile communication system comprising:

a first signal input for receiving an input signal from a sensor;

a second signal input for receiving a first signal representing a rotational frequency associated with a portion of an engine of the automobile;

an engine noise estimation module configured to determine, from the input signal and the first signal, an estimate of an engine-related component of the input signal, wherein the engine noise estimation module includes a signal combination module configured to combine the estimate of the engine-related component with the input signal to form a modified input signal; and

a transmitter configured to transmit the modified input signal as part of an outgoing communication.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the signal combination module is configured to remove the estimate of the engine-related component from the input signal.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the signal combination module is configured to form a harmonically-enhanced version of the estimate of the engine-related component and add the harmonically-enhanced version of the estimate of the engine-related component to the input signal to achieve a desired engine sound.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the signal combination module includes a spectral shaping module configured to form the harmonically-enhanced version of the estimate of the engine-related component including altering the spectral shape of the estimate of the engine-related component.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

an audio input for accepting an audio signal from an audio system of the automobile; and

wherein the signal combination module is further configured to combine the estimate of the engine-related component with the input signal and the audio signal to form the modified input signal.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the first signal is associated with a number of revolutions per minute (RPM) of the engine of the automobile.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the engine noise estimation module further includes

a plurality of harmonic generators for generating a plurality of harmonics based on the first signal;

and

a multi-input adaptive linear combiner for combining the plurality of harmonics.

8. A method of enhancing communications in an automobile communication system, the method comprising:

receiving an input signal from a sensor;

receiving a first signal representing a rotational frequency associated with a portion of an engine of the automobile;

determining, from the input signal and the first signal, an estimate of an engine-related component of the input signal;

forming a modified input signal, including combining the estimate of the engine-related component with the input signal; and

transmitting the modified input signal as part of an outgoing communication.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein combining the estimate of the engine-related component with the input signal includes removing the estimate of the engine-related component from the input signal.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein combining the estimate of the engine-related component with the input signal includes forming a harmonically-enhanced version of the estimate of the engine-related component and adding the harmonically-enhanced version of the estimate of the engine-related component to the input signal to achieve a desired engine sound.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein forming the harmonically-enhanced version of the estimate of the engine-related component includes altering the spectral shape of the estimate of the engine-related component.

12. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

accepting an audio signal from an audio system of the automobile; and

wherein forming the modified input signal further includes adding the audio signal to the input signal.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein the first signal is associated with a number of revolutions per minute (RPM) of the engine of the automobile.

14. The method of claim 8 wherein determining the estimate of the engine-related component of the input signal includes generating a plurality of harmonics based on the first signal and combining the plurality of harmonics using a multi-input adaptive linear combiner.