Audio system responsive to incoming phone calls
First Claim
1. An assembly suitable for use in a motor vehicle, comprising:
- an audio system including at least one speaker, the audio system being enabled to receive a mute signal and to respond to the mute signal by muting the audio system output;
a control system coupled to the audio system and enabled to respond to a signal indicative of an incoming call or message to any of two or more wireless devices within the motor vehicle by asserting the mute signal to mute the output of the audio system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A motor vehicle includes an audio system and a control system configured to mute the audio system output automatically in response to input signals indicating an incoming call to any of two or more recognized cell phones or pagers. A digital input implementation employs a wire or cable from the cell phone directly to the control system. The cable carries a signal that is asserted whenever an incoming call is detected. An audio input implementation uses a set of audio detectors throughout the vehicle. The control system is “trained” to listen for a cell phone ring that matches any of a list of previously learned cell phone rings. The control system may support infrared and radio frequency implementations as well. In another embodiment, the control system detects the incoming call through the motor vehicle'"'"'s external antenna in parallel with the detection of the incoming call by the cell phone.
89 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An assembly suitable for use in a motor vehicle, comprising:
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an audio system including at least one speaker, the audio system being enabled to receive a mute signal and to respond to the mute signal by muting the audio system output;
a control system coupled to the audio system and enabled to respond to a signal indicative of an incoming call or message to any of two or more wireless devices within the motor vehicle by asserting the mute signal to mute the output of the audio system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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- 13. A wireless communication device including means for transmitting a radio frequency signal, to mute an audio system in proximity to the wireless communication device, responsive to the wireless device receiving an incoming call or message.
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18. An assembly within a motor vehicle, comprising:
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means for detecting a signal generated by any of two or more wireless communication devices responsive to receiving an incoming call or message; and
means for muting an audio system of the motor vehicle responsive to the detecting means. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification