Digital sound processing system for a vehicle

• US 7,853,026 B2
• Filed: 05/28/2009
• Issued: 12/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: March, Philip A., DeLine, Jonathan E., Lynam, Niall R., Spooner, Ralph A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mei; Xu
• Application Number:
  US12/473,843
• Publication Number:
  US 20090232328A1
• Time in Patent Office: 565 Days
• Field of Search: 381/86, 381/91, 381/92, 381/122, 381111-113, 381355-356, 381/359, 381/361, 381/365, 381 711- 7114, 381 941- 943, 362/494, 248/549
• US Class Current: 381/86
• 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 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: 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: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0886 the card reader being portable for interacting with a POS or ECR in realizing a payment transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6075 adapted for handsfree use in a vehicle H04M1/6058 takes precedence; arrangements for holding telephones in a vehicle B60R11/0241
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/74 with voice recognition means voice activated dialling H04M1/271; voice recognition algorithms G10L15/00

Abstract

A digital sound processing system suitable for use in a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror casing having a reflective element disposed thereat. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes at least one microphone, with the microphone located at one of a rear portion of the mirror casing, a bezel portion of the mirror casing, a side portion of the mirror casing, an upper portion of the mirror casing, and a lower portion of the mirror casing. The microphone generates at least one signal indicative of a vocal input with vehicle cabin noise included therewith. A digital signal processor processes the signal and provides an output signal with reduced vehicle cabin noise.

Claims

1. A digital sound processing system suitable for use in a vehicle, said digital sound processing system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a mirror casing having a reflective element disposed thereat;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly includes at least one microphone;

wherein said at least one microphone is located at a location chosen from the group consisting of a rear portion of said mirror casing, a bezel portion of said mirror casing, a side portion of said mirror casing, an upper portion of said mirror casing, and a lower portion of said mirror casing;

wherein said at least one microphone generates at least one signal indicative of a vocal input with vehicle cabin noise included therewith;

a digital signal processor; and

said digital signal processor processing said at least one signal and providing an output signal with reduced vehicle cabin noise.

2. The digital sound processing system of claim 1, wherein said digital signal processor comprises a microprocessor, said microprocessor executing at least one million instructions per second.

3. The digital sound processing system of claim 2, wherein said microprocessor executes at least five million instructions per second.

4. The digital sound processing system of claim 3, wherein said digital sound processing system includes an indicator operable to indicate at least one of clarity and volume of said output signal, and wherein said indicator provides an indication of the status of a security alarm.

5. The digital sound processing system of claim 1, wherein said at least one signal is digitized by an analog to digital converter.

6. The digital sound processing system of claim 1, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly is adapted to mount to one of an interior surface of a windshield of the vehicle and a headliner extending along an upper edge of the windshield.

7. The digital sound processing system of claim 1, wherein said digital signal processor comprises a microcomputer.

8. The digital sound processing system of claim 1, wherein said digital signal processor is included in said rearview mirror assembly.

9. The digital sound processing system of claim 1, wherein said at least one microphone is disposed in a microphone module, and wherein at least a portion of said microphone module is in said mirror casing and rearward of said reflective element of said rearview mirror assembly.

10. The digital sound processing system of claim 1, wherein said at least one microphone provides an input to a vehicular telematics system.

11. The digital sound processing system of claim 1, wherein said digital signal processor is disposed in said mirror casing.

12. The digital sound processing system of claim 1, wherein said digital sound processing system comprises communication with an accessory in the vehicle via a short range radio frequency communication link.

13. The digital sound processing system of claim 1, wherein said output signal is provided to at least one of a cellular phone, an emergency communication system, a voice recorder and a voice command system.

14. The digital sound processing system of claim 1, wherein at least one of (a) said digital signal processor is located in the vehicle remote and distant from said interior rearview mirror assembly, (b) said digital signal processor is located in the vehicle remote and distant from said interior rearview mirror assembly and wherein said digital sound processing system comprises communication between said digital signal processor and said interior rearview mirror assembly via a short-range wireless communication link, (c) said digital sound processing system includes a learning mode, and (d) said at least one microphone comprises a passive sound insulator.

15. The digital sound processing system of claim 1, wherein said digital signal processor processes at least one of an echo cancellation algorithm, a beam forming algorithm, and a noise cancellation algorithm.

16. The digital sound processing system of claim 1, wherein said at least one microphone comprises at least two microphones.

17. A digital sound processing system suitable for use in a vehicle, said digital sound processing system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a mirror casing having an electrochromic reflective element disposed thereat;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly includes at least one microphone;

wherein said at least one microphone is located at a location chosen from the group consisting of a rear portion of said mirror casing, a bezel portion of said mirror casing, a side portion of said mirror casing, an upper portion of said mirror casing, and a lower portion of said mirror casing;

wherein said at least one microphone generates at least one signal indicative of a vocal input with vehicle cabin noise included therewith;

a digital signal processor;

said digital signal processor processing said at least one signal and providing an output signal with reduced vehicle cabin noise; and

wherein said digital sound processing system comprises communication with an accessory in the vehicle via a short range radio frequency communication link.

18. The digital sound processing system of claim 17, wherein said at least one microphone provides an input to a vehicular telematics system.

19. The digital sound processing system of claim 17, wherein said output signal is provided to at least one of a cellular phone, an emergency communication system, a voice recorder and a voice command system.

20. A digital sound processing system suitable for use in a vehicle, said digital sound processing system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a mirror casing having an electrochromic reflective element disposed thereat, said electrochromic reflective element comprising a mirror reflector;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly includes at least one microphone;

wherein said at least one microphone is located at a location chosen from the group consisting of a rear portion of said mirror casing, a bezel portion of said mirror casing, a side portion of said mirror casing, an upper portion of said mirror casing, and a lower portion of said mirror casing;

wherein said at least one microphone generates at least one signal indicative of a vocal input with vehicle cabin noise included therewith;

a digital signal processor;

said digital signal processor processing said at least one signal and providing an output signal with reduced vehicle cabin noise;

a video display disposed behind said electrochromic reflective element;

wherein said video display is backlit by at least one white light light emitting diode; and

wherein said video display is viewable through said mirror reflector when said video display is backlit by said at least one white light light emitting diode.

21. The digital sound processing system of claim 20, wherein said at least one microphone is located at an upper portion of said mirror casing.

22. The digital sound processing system of claim 21, wherein said at least one microphone comprises at least two microphones.

23. The digital sound processing system of claim 22, wherein said digital signal processor processes at least one of an echo cancellation algorithm, a beam forming algorithm, and a noise cancellation algorithm.

24. The digital sound processing system of claim 23, wherein said digital signal processor comprises a microprocessor, said microprocessor executing at least one million instructions per second.

25. The digital sound processing system of claim 24, wherein said at least one microphone provides an input to a vehicular telematics system.

26. The digital sound processing system of claim 20, wherein at least one of (a) said digital signal processor is located in the vehicle remote and distant from said interior rearview mirror assembly, (b) said digital sound processing system comprises communication with an accessory in the vehicle via a short-range wireless communication link, (c) said digital sound processing system includes a learning mode, and (d) said at least one microphone comprises a passive sound insulator.

27. The digital sound processing system of claim 20, wherein at least one of (a) said digital signal processor processes at least one of an echo cancellation algorithm, a beam forming algorithm, and a noise cancellation algorithm, (b) said at least one microphone comprises at least two microphones, and (c) said at least one microphone is located at an upper portion of said mirror casing.

28. A digital sound processing system suitable for use in a vehicle, said digital sound processing system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a mirror casing having an electrochromic reflective element disposed thereat, said electrochromic reflective element comprising a mirror reflector;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly includes at least one microphone;

wherein said at least one microphone is located at an upper portion of said mirror casing;

wherein said at least one microphone generates at least one signal indicative of a vocal input with vehicle cabin noise included therewith;

a digital signal processor;

said digital signal processor processing said at least one signal and providing an output signal with reduced vehicle cabin noise;

wherein at least one of (a) said at least one microphone provides an input to a vehicular telematics system and (b) said output signal is provided to at least one of a (i) cellular phone, (ii) an emergency communication system, (iii) a voice recorder and (iv) a voice command system;

a video display disposed behind said electrochromic reflective element;

wherein said video display is backlit by at least one white light light emitting diode; and

wherein said video display is viewable through said mirror reflector when said video display is backlit by said at least one white light light emitting diode.

29. The digital sound processing system of claim 28, wherein said at least one microphone comprises at least two microphones.

30. The digital sound processing system of claim 28, wherein said digital signal processor processes at least one of an echo cancellation algorithm, a beam forming algorithm, and a noise cancellation algorithm.

31. The digital sound processing system of claim 30, wherein said digital signal processor comprises a microprocessor, said microprocessor executing at least one million instructions per second.

32. The digital sound processing system of claim 30, wherein at least one of (a) said digital signal processor is located in the vehicle remote and distant from said interior rearview mirror assembly, (b) said digital sound processing system comprises communication with an accessory in the vehicle via a short-range wireless communication link, (c) said digital sound processing system includes a learning mode, and (d) said at least one microphone comprises a passive sound insulator.