VOICE ACQUISITION SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE

• US 20110301959A1
• Filed: 08/15/2011
• Published: 12/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: DeLine, Jonathan E., Lynam, Niall R., Spooner, Ralph A., March, Phillip A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,350,683 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 704/275
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0217 for loud-speakers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0247 for microphones or earphones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1284 with communication systems other than radio-receivers, e.g. keyless entry systems, navigation systems; with anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0033 Rear-view mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0077 using adhesive means, e.g. hook and loop fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/101 using cameras with adjustable capturing direction
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0881 characterized by the attachment means on the windshield
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0885 the sensor being integrated in a rear-view mirror module
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0118 comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/012 comprising devices for attenuating parasitic image effects
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/00 Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/54 Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/56 : provided with illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/76 : Addressed sensors, e.g. MOS or CMOS sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 : for receiving images from a single remote source
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/13 : Acoustic transducers and sound field adaptation in vehicles

Abstract

A voice acquisition system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly attached at an inner portion of the windshield of a vehicle equipped with the interior rearview mirror assembly. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes at least two microphones for receiving audio signals within a cabin of the vehicle and generating an output indicative of the audio signals. A control is in the vehicle and is responsive to the output from the at least one microphone. The control at least partially distinguishes vocal signals from non-vocal signals present in the output. The at least two microphones provide sound capture for at least one of a hands free cell phone system, an audio recording system and a wireless communication system.

Claims

1. A voice acquisition system for a vehicle, said voice acquisition system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly attached at an inner portion of the windshield of a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly;

said interior rearview mirror assembly including at least two microphones for receiving audio signals within a cabin of the equipped vehicle and generating an output indicative of said audio signals;

a control in the vehicle, said control responsive to said output from said at least two microphones, said control at least partially distinguishing vocal signals from non-vocal signals present in said output; and

wherein said at least two microphones provide sound capture for at least one of a hands free cell phone system, an audio recording system and a wireless communication system.

2. The voice acquisition system of claim 1, wherein said control is operable to distinguish said vocal signals present in said output from said non-vocal signals by a ratio of at least 10:

1.

3. The voice acquisition system of claim 1, wherein at least one of (a) said voice acquisition system comprises an indicator operable to indicate when said vocal signals are being adequately distinguished by said control, (b) said control is disposed within a mirror housing of said interior rearview mirror assembly, and (c) said interior rearview mirror assembly includes at least one user input for controlling at least one accessory of the equipped vehicle.

4. The voice acquisition system of claim 1, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises an interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly having electrically variable reflectivity, and wherein said interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly includes electronic circuitry for at least adjusting the reflectivity of said interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly, and wherein said at least two microphones at least one of (a) accesses a component of said electronic circuitry of said interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly, and (b) shares a component of said electronic circuitry of said interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly.

5. The voice acquisition system of claim 1 including an illumination source for a vehicle security system, wherein said illumination source for a vehicle security system is one of (i) included in said interior rearview mirror assembly of the equipped vehicle, (ii) positioned adjacent to said interior rearview mirror assembly of the equipped vehicle, and (iii) included in an attachment to said interior rearview mirror assembly of the equipped vehicle.

6. The voice acquisition system of claim 1, wherein said voice acquisition system is operable to communicate with devices or components in the equipped vehicle via a signal carried over a vehicle bus network of the equipped vehicle.

7. The voice acquisition system of claim 1, wherein at least two of (a) said non-vocal signals originate from at least one noise source selected from the group consisting of engine noise, road noise, wind noise, HVAC noise, a radio and a turn signal, (b) said non-vocal signals originate from at least one noise source selected from the group consisting of wind noise, a radio and HVAC noise, said voice acquisition system being operable to automatically adjust at least one of (i) a window setting, (ii) a radio volume and (iii) a fan speed of a blower in response to said noise, (c) said at least two microphones provides sound capture for a hands free cell phone system, (d) said at least two microphones provides sound capture for an audio recording system, and (e) said at least two microphones provides sound capture for a wireless communication system.

8. A voice acquisition system for a vehicle, said voice acquisition system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly attached at an inner portion of the windshield of a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly;

said interior rearview mirror assembly including at least two microphones for receiving audio signals within a cabin of the equipped vehicle and generating an output indicative of said audio signals, wherein said at least two microphones generate outputs indicative of sound generated within the vehicle cabin;

a control in the vehicle, said control responsive to said output from said at least two microphones, said control at least partially distinguishing vocal signals from non-vocal signals present in said output, wherein said control is operable to distinguish said vocal signals present in said output from said non-vocal signals by a ratio of at least 10;

1; and

wherein said at least two microphones provide sound capture for at least one of a hands free cell phone system, an audio recording system and a wireless communication system.

9. The voice acquisition system of claim 8, wherein at least one of (a) said voice acquisition system comprises an indicator operable to indicate when said vocal signals are being adequately distinguished by said control, (b) said control is disposed within a mirror housing of said interior rearview mirror assembly, and (c) said interior rearview mirror assembly includes at least one user input for controlling at least one accessory of the equipped vehicle.

10. The voice acquisition system of claim 8, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises an interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly having electrically variable reflectivity, and wherein said interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly includes electronic circuitry for at least adjusting the reflectivity of said interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly, and wherein said at least two microphones at least one of (a) accesses a component of said electronic circuitry of said interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly, and (b) shares a component of said electronic circuitry of said interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly.

11. The voice acquisition system of claim 8 including an illumination source for a vehicle security system, and wherein said illumination source for a vehicle security system is one of (i) included in said interior rearview mirror assembly of the equipped vehicle, (ii) positioned adjacent to said interior rearview mirror assembly of the equipped vehicle, and (iii) included in an attachment to said interior rearview mirror assembly of the equipped vehicle.

12. The voice acquisition system of claim 8, wherein said voice acquisition system is operable to communicate with devices or components in the equipped vehicle via a signal carried over a vehicle bus network of the equipped vehicle.

13. A voice acquisition system for a vehicle, said voice acquisition system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly attached at an inner portion of the windshield of a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises an interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly having electrically variable reflectivity;

said interior rearview mirror assembly including at least two microphones for receiving audio signals within a cabin of the equipped vehicle and generating an output indicative of said audio signals;

a control in the vehicle, said control responsive to said output from said at least two microphones, said control at least partially distinguishing vocal signals from non-vocal signals present in said output; and

wherein said at least two microphones provide sound capture for at least one of a hands free cell phone system, an audio recording system and a wireless communication system;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly includes at least one user input; and

wherein said voice acquisition system includes connection to a vehicle bus network of the equipped vehicle.

14. The voice acquisition system of claim 13, wherein said control is operable to distinguish said vocal signals present in said output from said non-vocal signals by a ratio of at least 10:

1.

15. The voice acquisition system of claim 13, wherein at least one of (a) said voice acquisition system comprises an indicator operable to indicate when said vocal signals are being adequately distinguished by said control, and (b) said control is disposed within a mirror housing of said interior rearview mirror assembly.

16. The voice acquisition system of claim 13, and wherein said interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly includes electronic circuitry for at least adjusting the reflectivity of said interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly, and wherein said at least two microphones at least one of (a) accesses a component of said electronic circuitry of said interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly, and (b) shares a component of said electronic circuitry of said interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly.

17. The voice acquisition system of claim 13 including an illumination source for a vehicle security system, and wherein said illumination source for a vehicle security system is one of (i) included in said interior rearview mirror assembly of the equipped vehicle, (ii) positioned adjacent to said interior rearview mirror assembly of the equipped vehicle, and (iii) included in an attachment to said interior rearview mirror assembly of the equipped vehicle.

18. The voice acquisition system of claim 13, wherein said voice acquisition system is operable to communicate with devices or components in the equipped vehicle via a signal carried over said vehicle bus network of the equipped vehicle.

19. The voice acquisition system of claim 13, wherein said at least one user input controls at least one accessory of the equipped vehicle.

20. The voice acquisition system of claim 13, wherein at least two of (a) said non-vocal signals originate from at least one noise source selected from the group consisting of engine noise, road noise, wind noise, HVAC noise, a radio and a turn signal, (b) said non-vocal signals originate from at least one noise source selected from the group consisting of wind noise, a radio and HVAC noise, said voice acquisition system being operable to automatically adjust at least one of (i) a window setting, (ii) a radio volume and (iii) a fan speed of a blower in response to said noise, (c) said at least two microphones provides sound capture for a hands free cell phone system, (d) said at least two microphones provides sound capture for an audio recording system, and (e) said at least two microphones provides sound capture for a wireless communication system.