Automobile audio system
First Claim
1. A method for operating an audio system in an automobile having a plurality of doors, the audio system including at an audio source that produces a plurality of audio signals, the method comprising the steps of:
- implementing a first system configuration;
receiving input indicating a change in operating mode; and
in response to input indicating a change in operating mode, implementing a second system configuration which is different from the first system configuration, wherein the second system configuration is implemented when one of the doors of the automobile is open.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
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.
76 Citations
112 Claims
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1. A method for operating an audio system in an automobile having a plurality of doors, the audio system including at an audio source that produces a plurality of audio signals, the method comprising the steps of:
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implementing a first system configuration;
receiving input indicating a change in operating mode; and
in response to input indicating a change in operating mode, implementing a second system configuration which is different from the first system configuration, wherein the second system configuration is implemented when one of the doors of the automobile is open. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. A method for remote control of an audio system in an automobile, comprising:
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providing a key fob having a plurality of buttons;
defining a first set of commands corresponding to each button for the plurality of buttons, wherein first set of commands includes a command causing the automobile to actuate its door locks;
defining a second set of commands corresponding to one or more of the plurality of buttons, wherein the second set of commands includes one or more commands for controlling the audio system of the automobile; and
switching between the first set of commands and the second set of commands based on a predetermined condition. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49)
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50. A method for operating an audio system in a vehicle with a battery, the method comprising:
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monitoring one or more operating conditions of the battery;
comparing one or more of the monitored conditions of the battery to a predetermined state; and
if one or more of the monitored operating conditions of the battery reaches the predetermined state, then triggering an alarm. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52)
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53. A method for operating an audio system in a vehicle with a battery, the method comprising:
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monitoring one or more operating conditions of the battery; and
comparing one or more of the monitored conditions of the battery to a predetermined state; and
if one or more of the monitored operating conditions of the battery reaches the predetermined state, then causing the automobile to start its engine. - View Dependent Claims (54)
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55. A method for operating an audio system having a plurality of speakers in a vehicle with a battery, the method comprising:
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monitoring one or more operating conditions of the battery;
comparing one or more of the monitored conditions of the battery to a predetermined state; and
if one or more of the monitored operating conditions of the battery reaches the predetermined state, then turning off a subset of the plurality of speakers. - View Dependent Claims (56, 57)
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58. A method for operating an audio system having one or more equalization signal processes in a vehicle with a battery, the method comprising:
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monitoring one or more operating conditions of the battery;
comparing one or more of the monitored conditions of the battery to a predetermined state; and
if one or more of the monitored operating conditions of the battery reaches the predetermined state, then adjusting one or more of equalization signal processes to change the frequency response of the audio system. - View Dependent Claims (59, 60)
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61. A method for operating an audio system having one or more variable gain elements in a vehicle with a battery, the method comprising:
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monitoring one or more operating conditions of the battery;
comparing one or more of the monitored conditions of the battery to a predetermined state; and
if one or more of the monitored operating conditions of the battery reaches the predetermined state, then detecting the level of one or more of audio signals received from an audio source, and dynamically adjusting the gain of one or more variable gain elements as a function of the level of one or more audio signals received from an audio source. - View Dependent Claims (62)
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63. A method for operating an audio system having a plurality of speakers in a vehicle with a battery, the method comprising:
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monitoring one or more operating conditions of the battery;
estimating the remaining capacity of the battery based on one or more of the monitored operating conditions of the battery;
comparing the estimated remaining capacity of the battery to a predetermined value; and
if the estimated remaining capacity of the battery is equal to or less than a predetermined value, then causing the audio system to take an action. - View Dependent Claims (64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69)
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70. A method for operating an audio system in an automobile having a battery and an engine, wherein the audio system includes an audio source that produces a plurality of audio signals and a plurality of loudspeakers, the method comprising:
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determining whether the engine is running; and
in response to the system determining that the engine is not running, then changing one or more signal processes to reduce power consumption of the audio system. - View Dependent Claims (71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76)
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77. An audio system for an automobile having a plurality of doors and a battery comprising:
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an audio input source;
a plurality of loudspeakers;
a first set of operating conditions for a first mode of operation;
a second set of operating conditions for a second mode of operation, wherein the second set of operating conditions is different from the first set of operating conditions and occurs when one of the doors of the automobile is open; and
a switch for changing between the first and second set of operating conditions. - View Dependent Claims (78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99)
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100. An audio system for an automobile having a passenger compartment and a tailgate hingidly connected to the top portion of the automobile'"'"'s frame comprising:
a first speaker set comprising a first speaker and a second speaker mounted on the tailgate of the automobile, wherein each speaker in the first set of speakers direct sound along a primary axis of radiation and have a fixed orientation such that each speaker'"'"'s primary axis of radiation directs sound substantially towards the passenger compartment of the automobile when the tailgate is closed, and the speaker'"'"'s primary axis of radiation is pointed away from the passenger compartment of the automobile and is angled relative to the plane of the ground when the tailgate is opened. - View Dependent Claims (101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106)
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107. An audio system for an automobile having a passenger compartment and a tailgate hingidly connected to the automobile'"'"'s frame and a rear seat or seats having a front portion and a rear portion:
a first speaker set comprising a first speaker and a second speaker mounted on the rear portion of the rear seat or seats, wherein each speaker in the first set of speakers directs sound along a primary axis of radiation and have a fixed orientation such that each speaker'"'"'s primary axis of radiation directs sound substantially away from the passenger compartment of the automobile towards the tailgate when the tailgate is closed, and the speaker'"'"'s primary axis of radiation is pointed away from the passenger compartment of the automobile and directs sound out of the rear of the automobile when the tailgate is opened.
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108. An audio system for an automobile having a rear seat, a passenger compartment with a floor, and a tailgate hingidly connected to the automobile'"'"'s frame:
a first speaker set comprising a first speaker and a second speaker mounted on the floor, wherein each speaker in the first set of speakers directs sound along a primary axis of radiation and have a fixed orientation such that each speaker'"'"'s primary axis of radiation directs sound substantially away from the passenger compartment of the automobile towards the tailgate when the tailgate is closed, and the speaker'"'"'s primary axis of radiation is pointed away from the passenger compartment of the automobile and directs sound out of the rear of the automobile when the tailgate is opened.
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109. An audio system for an automobile having a rear seat, a passenger compartment with a ceiling, and a tailgate hingidly connected to the automobile'"'"'s frame:
a first speaker set comprising a first speaker and a second speaker mounted on the ceiling, wherein each speaker in the first set of speakers directs sound along a primary axis of radiation and have a fixed orientation such that each speaker'"'"'s primary axis of radiation directs sound substantially away from the passenger compartment of the automobile towards the tailgate when the tailgate is closed, and the speaker'"'"'s primary axis of radiation is pointed away from the passenger compartment of the automobile and directs sound out of the rear of the automobile when the tailgate is opened.
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110. An audio system for an automobile having a passenger compartment with a ceiling, floor, and sidewalls, and having a rear opening comprising:
a first speaker set comprising a first speaker and a second speaker mounted within the passenger compartment in the rear half of the automobile, wherein each speaker in the first set of speakers direct sound along a primary axis of radiation and have a fixed orientation such that each speaker'"'"'s primary axis of radiation direct sound substantially towards rear opening of the automobile and wherein the neither speaker in the first speaker set is mounted on a sidewall of the passenger compartment. - View Dependent Claims (111, 112)
Specification