Mirror-based audio system for a vehicle

• US 6,433,676 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2001
• Issued: 08/13/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: DeLine, Jonathan E., Lynam, Niall R., Spooner, Ralph A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US09/853,974
• Publication Number:
  US 20010030598A1
• Time in Patent Office: 459 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/815.4, 381/86, 381/361, 381/56, 381/110, 381/26, 381/365, 381/122, 381/168, 381/169, 455/74.1, 455/569, 455/567, 455/566, 455/568, 455/575, 455/90, 455/99, 455/100, 379/454, 379/446, 701/36
• US Class Current: 340/425.5
• 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 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0033 Rear-view mirrors
• 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: H04R 2499/13 Acoustic transducers and sound field adaptation in vehicles

Abstract

A mirror-based audio system for a vehicle preferably includes an electrochromic interior rearview mirror system including an electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly. The electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly includes electronic circuitry for at least adjusting the reflectivity of an electrochromic reflector element. The electrochromic interior rearview mirror system further includes a plurality of microphones for receiving audio signals from within a cabin of the vehicle. The plurality of microphones generate output signals indicative of sound generated within the vehicle cabin. The microphones are positioned at the electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, adjacent to the electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, in an attachment to the electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, and/or within a module mounted to the windshield.

Claims

1. A mirror-based audio system for a vehicle, said system comprising:

an electochromic iior rearview mirror system including an electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly including an electrochromic reflector element having electronically adjustable reflectivity;

said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly including electronic circuitry for at least adjusting the reflectivity of said electrochromic reflector element, said electronic circuitry connecting to an electrical power source of the vehicle;

said electrochromic interior rearview mirror system including a plurality of microphones for receiving audio signals from within a cabin of the vehicle, said plurality of microphones comprising at least two microphones which generate output signals indicative of sound generated within the vehicle cabin, said at least two microphones being one of (i) positioned within said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, (ii) positioned adjacent to said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, (iii) positioned in an attachment to said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, and (iv) positioned within a module mounted to the windshield; and

said audio system at least one of (a) accessing at least one component of said electronic circuitry of said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly and (b) sharing at least one component of said electronic circuitry of said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly.

2. The mirror-based audio system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said at least two microphones is directed toward an area encompassing the general location of a head of a driver of the vehicle.

3. The mirror-based audio system of claim 2 further comprising a control which is operable to digitize and integrate said output signals in order to distinguish the presence of vocal signals versus non-vocal signals and to at least partially filter out said non-vocal signals, said non-vocal signals originating 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.

4. The mirror-based audio system of claim 3, wherein said control is operable to select at least one of said output signals from at least one of said at least two microphones and to provide the at least one selected output signal to the audio system.

5. The mirror-based audio system of claim 2, wherein said at least one of said at least two microphones comprises a single directional microphone and is fixedly mounted and directed toward the area generally defined by a typical location of a head of a driver of the vehicle.

6. The mirror-based audio system of claim 2, wherein said at least two microphones are positioned within a module mounted to the windshield, said module being positioned between said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly and a headliner extending along an upper edge of the windshield.

7. The mirror-based audio system of claim 6, wherein said module includes a wire cover extending between said module and said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly including a mirror harness which is routed within the wire cover and connected to the vehicle wiring.

8. The mirror-based audio system of claim 7, wherein the wire cover comprises an adjustable wire cover, the wire cover being adjustable to adapt to different mounting locations of said module relative to said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly.

9. The mirror-based audio system of claim 1 further including at least one control input for said audio system at said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly.

10. The mirror-based audio system of claim 1, wherein said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly further includes at least one control input for at least one accessory of the vehicle.

11. The mirror-based audio system of claim 10, wherein said at least one accessory of the vehicle comprises at least one of a map reading light, a temperature display, a compass display, a global positioning system antenna, a rain sensor, a video system, a tire pressure display and a security system.

12. The mirror-based audio system of claim 1, wherein said electrochromic interior rearview mirror system further includes at least one mirror-based accessory, said electronic circuitry being associated with said at least one mirror-based accessory.

13. The mirror-based audio system of claim 12, wherein said at least one mirror-based accessory comprises at least one of a global positioning system antenna, a motion sensor, a rain sensor, a video device, an interior light of the vehicle, an automatic toll booth transducer, a security system status indicator, a compass, a compass sensor, a temperature display, a temperature sensor, a tire pressure indicator display, a seat occupancy detection antenna, a seat occupancy detection transducer, and a loudspeaker.

14. The mirror-based audio system of claim 12, wherein said at least one mirror-based accessory is one of (i) positioned within said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, (ii) positioned adjacent to said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, (iii) positioned in an attachment to said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, and (iv) positioned within a module mounted to the windshield.

15. The mirror-based audio system of claim 1, wherein said audio system comprises at least a portion of at least one of a cellular telephone system, an emergency communication system and an audio recording system.

16. A mirror-based audio system for a vehicle, said system comprising:

an electrochromic interior rearview mirror system including an electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly including an electrochromic reflector element having electronically adjustable reflectivity;

said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly including electronic circuitry for at least adjusting the reflectivity of said electrochromic reflector element, said electronic circuitry connecting to an electrical power source of the vehicle;

said electrochromic interior rearview mirror system including a plurality of microphones for receiving audio signals from within a cabin of the vehicle, said plurality of microphones comprising at least two microphones which generate output signals indicative of sound generated within the vehicle cabin, said at least two microphones being one of (i) positioned within said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, (ii) positioned adjacent to said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, (iii) positioned in an attachment to said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, and (iv) positioned within a module mounted to the windshield, said audio system comprising at least a portion of at least one of a cellular telephone system, an emergency communication system and an audio recording system.

17. The mirror-based audio system of claim 16, wherein at least one of said at least two microphones is directed toward an area encompassing the general location of a head of a driver of the vehicle.

18. The mirror-based audio system of claim 17 further comprising a control which is operable to digitize and integrate said output signals in order to distinguish the presence of vocal signals versus non-vocal signals and to at least partially filter out said non-vocal signals, said non-vocal signals originating 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.

19. The mirror-based audio system of claim 18, wherein said control is operable to select at least one of said output signals from at least one of said at least two microphones and to provide the at least one selected output signal to said audio system.

20. The mirror-based audio system of claim 17, wherein said at least one of said at least two microphones comprises a single directional microphone and is fixedly mounted and directed toward the area generally defined by a typical location of a head of a driver of the vehicle.

21. The mirror-based audio system of claim 17, wherein said at least two microphones are positioned within a module mounted to the windshield, said module being positioned between said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly and a headliner extending along an upper edge of the windshield.

22. The mirror-based audio system of claim 16 further including at least one control input for said audio system at said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly.

23. The mirror-based audio system of claim 16, wherein said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly further includes at least one control input for at least one accessory of the vehicle.

24. The mirror-based audio system of claim 23, wherein said at least one accessory of the vehicle comprises at least one of a map reading light, a temperature display, a compass display, a global positioning system antenna, a rain sensor, a video system, a tire pressure display and a security system.

25. The mirror-based audio system of claim 16, wherein said electrochromic interior rearview mirror system further includes at least one mirror-based accessory, said electronic circuitry being associated with said at least one mirror-based accessory.

26. The mirror-based audio system of claim 25, wherein said at least one mirror-based accessory comprises at least one of a global positioning system antenna, a motion sensor, a rain sensor, a video device, an interior light of the vehicle, an automatic toll booth transducer, a security system status indicator, a compass, a compass sensor, a temperature display, a temperature sensor, a tire pressure indicator display, a seat occupancy detection antenna, a seat occupancy detection transducer, and a loudspeaker.

27. The mirror-based audio system of claim 25, wherein said at least one mirror-based accessory is one of (i) positioned within said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, (ii) positioned adjacent to said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, (iii) positioned in an attachment to said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, and (iv) positioned within a module mounted to the windshield.

28. The mirror-based audio system of claim 16, wherein said audio system at least one of accesses and shares at least one component of said electronic circuitry of said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly.

29. A mirror-based audio system for a vehicle, said system comprising:

an electrochromic interior rearview mirror system including an electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly including an electrochromic reflector element having electronically adjustable reflectivity;

said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly including electronic circuitry for at least adjusting the reflectivity of said electrochromic reflector element, said electronic circuitry connecting to an electrical power source of the vehicle;

said electrochromic interior rearview mirror system including a plurality of microphones for receiving audio signals from within a cabin of the vehicle, said plurality of microphones comprising at least two microphones which generate output signals indicative of sound generated within the vehicle cabin, said at least two microphones being one of (i) positioned within said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, (ii) positioned adjacent to said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, (iii) positioned in an attachment to said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, and (iv) positioned within a module mounted to the windshield; and

said audio system further comprising a control which is operable to digitize and integrate said output signals in order to distinguish the presence of vocal signals versus non-vocal signals and to at least partially filter out said non-vocal signals, said non-vocal signals originating 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.

30. The mirror-based audio system of claim 29, wherein at least one of said at least two microphones is directed toward an area encompassing the general location of a head of a driver of the vehicle.

31. The mirror-based audio system of claim 30, wherein said audio system at least one of accesses and shares at least one component of said electronic circuitry of said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly.

32. The mirror-based audio system of claim 30, wherein said at least one of said at least two microphones comprises a single directional microphone and is fixedly mounted and directed toward the area generally defined by a typical location of a head of a driver of the vehicle.

33. The mirror-based audio system of claim 30, wherein said at least two microphones are positioned within a module mounted to the windshield, said module being positioned between said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly and a headliner extending along an upper edge of the windshield.

34. The mirror-based audio system of claim 29, wherein said control is operable to select at least one of said output signals from at least one of said at least two microphones and to provide the at least one selected output signal to said audio system.

35. The mirror-based audio system of claim 29 further including at least one control input for said audio system at said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly.

36. The mirror-based audio system of claim 29, wherein said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly further includes at least one control input for at least one accessory of the vehicle.

37. The mirror-based audio system of claim 36, wherein said at least one accessory of the vehicle comprises at least one of a map reading light, a temperature display, a compass display, a global positioning system antenna, a rain sensor, a video system, a tire pressure display and a security system.

38. The mirror-based audio system of claim 29, wherein said electrochromic interior rearview mirror system further includes at least one mirror-based accessory, said electronic circuitry being associated with said at least one mirror-based accessory.

39. The mirror-based audio system of claim 38, wherein said at least one mirror-based accessory comprises at least one of a global positioning system antenna, a motion sensor, a rain sensor, a video device, an interior light of the vehicle, an automatic toll booth transducer, a security system status indicator, a compass, a compass sensor, a temperature display, a temperature sensor, a tire pressure indicator display, a seat occupancy detection antenna, a seat occupancy detection transducer, and a loudspeaker.

40. The mirror-based audio system of claim 38, wherein said at least one mirror-based accessory is one of (i) positioned within said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, (ii) positioned adjacent to said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, (iii) positioned in an attachment to said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, and (iv) positioned within a module mounted to the windshield.

41. The mirror-based audio system of claim 29, wherein said audio system comprises at least a portion of at least one of a cellular telephone system, an emergency communication system and an audio recording system.

42. A mirror-based audio system for a vehicle, said system comprising:

an electrochromic interior rearview mirror system including an electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly including an electrochromic reflector element having electronically adjustable reflectivity;

said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly including electronic circuitry for at least adjusting the reflectivity of said electrochromic reflector element, said electronic circuitry connecting to an electrical power source of the vehicle;

said electrochromic interior rearview mirror system including a plurality of microphones for receiving audio signals from within a cabin of the vehicle, said plurality of microphones comprising at least two microphones which generate output signals indicative of sound generated within the vehicle cabin, said at least two microphones being one of (i) positioned within said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, (ii) positioned adjacent to said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, (iii) positioned in an attachment to said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, and (iv) positioned within a module mounted to the windshield; and

wherein said electrochromic interior rearview mirror system further includes at least one control input for at least one accessory of the vehicle.

43. The mirror-based audio system of claim 42, wherein said at least one control input for said at least one accessory are positioned at said attachment to said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly.

44. The mirror-based audio system of claim 42, wherein said controls for said at least one accessory are positioned at a bezel portion of said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly.

45. The mirror-based audio system of claim 42, wherein at least one of said at least two microphones is directed toward an area encompassing the general location of a head of a driver of the vehicle.

46. The mirror-based audio system of claim 45 further comprising a control which is operable to digitize and integrate said output signals in order to distinguish the presence of vocal signals versus non-vocal signals and to at least partially filter out said non-vocal signals, said non-vocal signals originating 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.

47. The mirror-based audio system of claim 46, wherein said control is operable to select at least one of said output signals from at least one of said at least two microphones and to provide the at least one selected output signal to said audio system.

48. The mirror-based audio system of claim 45, wherein said at least one of said at least two microphones comprises a single directional microphone and is fixedly mounted and directed toward the area generally defined by a typical location of a head of a driver of the vehicle.

49. The mirror-based audio system of claim 45, wherein said at least two microphones are positioned within a module mounted to the windshield, said module being positioned between said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly and a headliner extending along an upper edge of the windshield.

50. The mirror-based audio system of claim 42 further including at least one control input for said audio system at said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly.

51. The mirror-based audio system of claim 50, wherein said audio system at least one of accesses and shares at least one component of said electronic circuitry of said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly.

52. The mirror-based audio system of claim 42, wherein said at least one accessory of the vehicle comprises at least one of a map reading light, a temperature display, a compass display, a global positioning system antenna, a rain sensor, a video system, a tire pressure display and a security system.

53. The mirror-based audio system of claim 42, wherein said electrochromic interior rearview mirror system further includes at least one mirror-based accessory, said electronic circuitry being associated with said at least one mirror-based accessory.

54. The mirror-based audio system of claim 53, wherein said at least one mirror-based accessory comprises at least one of a global positioning system antenna, a motion sensor, a rain sensor, a video device, an interior light of the vehicle, an automatic toll booth transducer, a security system status indicator, a compass, a compass sensor, a temperature display, a temperature sensor, a tire pressure indicator display, a seat occupancy detection antenna, a seat occupancy detection transducer, and a loudspeaker.

55. The mirror-based audio system of claim 53, wherein said at least one mirror-based accessory is one of (i) positioned within said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, (ii) positioned adjacent to said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, (iii) positioned in an attachment to said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, and (iv) positioned within a module mounted to the windshield.

56. The mirror-based audio system of claim 42, wherein said audio system comprises at least a portion of at least one of a cellular telephone system, an emergency communication system and an audio recording system.

57. A mirror-based audio system for a vehicle, said system comprising:

an electrochromic interior rearview mirror system including an electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly including an electrochromic reflector element having electronically adjustable reflectivity;

said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly including electronic circuitry for at least adjusting the reflectivity of said electrochromic reflector element, said electronic circuitry connecting to an electrical power source of the vehicle;

said electrochromic interior rearview mirror system including a plurality of microphones for receiving audio signals from within a cabin of the vehicle, said plurality of microphones comprising at least two microphones which generate output signals indicative of sound generated within the vehicle cabin, said at least two microphones being one of (i) positioned within said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, (ii) positioned adjacent to said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, (iii) positioned in an attachment to said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, and (iv) positioned within a module mounted to the windshield, said electrochromic interior rearview mirror system including at least one accessory selected from the group consisting of a global positioning system antenna, a motion sensor, a rain sensor, a video device, an interior light of the vehicle, an automatic toll booth transducer, a security system status indicator, a compass, a compass sensor, a temperature display, a temperature sensor, a tire pressure indicator display, a seat occupancy detection antenna, a seat occupancy detection transducer, and a loudspeaker.

58. The mirror-based audio system of claim 57, wherein at least one of said at least two microphones is directed toward an area encompassing the general location of a head of a driver of the vehicle.

59. The mirror-based audio system of claim 58 further comprising a control which is operable to digitize and integrate said output signals in order to distinguish the presence of vocal signals versus non-vocal signals and to at least partially filter out said non-vocal signals, said non-vocal signals originating 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.

60. The mirror-based audio system of claim 59, wherein said control is operable to select at least one of said output signals from at least one of said at least two microphones and to provide the at least one selected output signal to said audio system.

61. The mirror-based audio system of claim 58, wherein said at least one of said at least two microphones comprises a single directional microphone and is fixedly mounted and directed toward the area generally defined by a typical location of a head of a driver of the vehicle.

62. The mirror-based audio system of claim 58, wherein said at least two microphones are positioned within a module mounted to the windshield, said module being positioned between said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly and a headliner extending along an upper edge of the windshield.

63. The mirror-based audio system of claim 57 further including at least one control input for said audio system at said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly.

64. The mirror-based audio system of claim 57, wherein said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly further includes at least one control input for said at least one accessory.

65. The mirror-based audio system of claim 64, wherein said at least one accessory comprises at least one of a map reading light, a temperature display, a compass display, a global positioning system antenna, a rain sensor, a video system, a tire pressure display and a security system, and wherein said at least one accessory is positioned within said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly.

66. The mirror-based audio system of claim 65, wherein said at least one accessory comprises a map reading light.

67. The mirror-based audio system of claim 65, wherein said at least one accessory comprises a temperature display.

68. The mirror-based audio system of claim 65, wherein said at least one accessory comprises a compass display.

69. The mirror-based audio system of claim 65, wherein said at least one accessory comprises a global positioning system antenna.

70. The mirror-based audio system of claim 65, wherein said at least one accessory comprises a rain sensor.

71. The mirror-based audio system of claim 65, wherein said at least one accessory comprises a video system.

72. The mirror-based audio system of claim 65, wherein said at least one accessory comprises a tire pressure display.

73. The mirror-based audio system of claim 65, wherein said at least one accessory comprises a security system.

74. The mirror-based audio, system of claim 57, wherein said at least one accessory is positioned within said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly.

75. The mirror-based audio system of claim 57, wherein said at least one accessory is positioned adjacent to said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly.

76. The mirror-based audio system of claim 57, wherein said at least one accessory is positioned in an attachment to said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly.

77. The mirror-based audio system of claim 57, wherein said at least one accessory is positioned within a module mounted to the windshield.

78. The mirror-based audio system of claim 57, wherein said electronic circuitry is associated with said at least one accessory.

79. The mirror-based audio system of claim 78, wherein said at least one accessory is one of (i) positioned within said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, (ii) positioned adjacent to said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, (iii) positioned in an attachment to said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, and (iv) positioned within a module mounted to the windshield.

80. The mirror-based audio system of claim 57, wherein said audio system comprises at least a portion of at least one of a cellular telephone system, an emergency communication system and an audio recording system.

81. The mirror-based audio system of claim 57, wherein said audio system at least one of accesses and shares at least one component of said electronic circuitry of said electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly.