Gentex Corporation

Electro-voice, Inc.

Alan R Watson

Robert R Turnbull

Michael A Bryson

G Bruce Poe

Robert C Knapp

William L Tonar

William R Spence

Wayne J Rumsey

John S Anderson

Jeffrey A Forgette

Mark D Bugno

Philip B Hall

John K Roberts

Jon Harold Bechtel

David J Cammenga

Frederick T Bauer

Eric Jon Walstra

John W Carter

Kenton J Ypma

Harold C Ockerse

David A Blaker

Daniel J Bostwick

David L Plangger

Fredrick T Bauer

John P Overley

Bruce G Poe

A vehicular microphone system () for post processing optimization of a microphone signal includes a first transducer () and second transducer () separated by a predetermined distance within an automotive mirror. A first high pass filter network () is connected to the first transducer () while a second high pass filter network () connected to the second transducer (). A low frequency shelving filter () is used for receiving the output from the second high pass filter (). A first all pass filter () is connected to the low frequency shelving filter () and a second all pass filter () is used in connection with the first all pass filter () for tailoring audio characteristics. A summing amplifier () is used for summing the output of the first high pass filter network () and the second all pass filter network () such that the first transducer () and second transducer () operate with improved directivity resulting in enhanced signal-to-noise performance in a substantially noisy vehicular environment.

Vehicular microphone system and method for post processing optimization of a microphone signal

The rearview assembly of the present invention may include any one or more of the following: a housing for attaching to the vehicle, the housing may define an interior space that is acoustically separated into at least two chambers; a first speaker that may be located in a first one of the at least two chambers of the interior space of the housing; a first microphone subassembly located on the top surface of the housing; a second microphone subassembly located on the bottom surface of the housing; a display positioned in the housing; an audio/data transceiver for transmitting and receiving audio and data signals to/from a portable device; and a control circuit for determining whether a portable device having a predetermined identification code is within the range of the audio/data transceiver, and for exchanging data with the portable device through the audio/data transceiver.

Rearview assemblies incorporating hands-free telephone components

A microphone assembly includes one or more transducers () that are positioned in one or more housings. A preprocessing circuit () includes a inverted comb filter () for eliminating predetermined frequencies between harmonics of the human voice in a predetermined frequency range. A processing circuit () coupled to the preprocessing circuit () is used for outputting an electrical signal such that the transducers () used in combination with the processing circuit () very effectively cancels noise. The microphone assembly can be employed in a vehicle accessory such as a vehicular mirror.

Vehicle accessory microphone

An autobias vehicular microphone system () includes a microphone () which uses an amplifier () for amplifying an output of the microphone. A first feedback path () provides an amplifier output signal to the amplifier input for providing amplifier linearity, and a second feedback path () is used for providing bias to a voltage reference (). The voltage reference () operates to provide an autobias to the amplifier () based upon amplifier load-ing. By holding the bias point to a constant voltage, a constant clip level can be maintained depending on varying load conditions of electronic devices () using the microphone (). Additionally, one or more switches can be used to vary the bias point which can be interpreted to control functionality of the electronic devices ().

Two wire autobias vehicular microphone system having user input functionality and method of forming same

A microphone mounting assembly (A/) include one or more transducers () mounted to a printed circuit board (PCB) () where a spacer () is used having a channel () positioned on the PCB () for allowing acoustical energy to pass through the channel () to a port () in the PCB (). A first cover () is positioned over the channel () for disrupting the direct encounter with airflow into the channel () while a top section () having a second cover () is further positioned adjacent to the first fabric cover () for preventing debris from obstructing the first fabric cover ().

Vehicular directional microphone assembly for preventing airflow encounter

A microphone assembly includes one or more transducers positioned in a housing. Circuitry is coupled to the transducer for outputting an electrical signal such that the microphone has a main lobe directed forwardly and attenuates signals originating from the sides and/or rear. The transducers can advantageously include multiple transducers, which, with the circuit, produce a desired sensitivity pattern. The microphone assembly can be employed in a vehicle accessory.

A rearview assembly includes a mounting structure for attaching to a vehicle. The mounting structure includes a housing that has a rearview element disposed inside for providing a driver of the vehicle with a view to the rear of the vehicle. The rearview assembly also includes a continuously variable slope delta encoder module in or on the mounting structure configured to generate a feedback signal. The rearview assembly also includes a pre-processing module on or within the mounting structure. The pre-processing module is configured to process a source signal and the feedback signal from the continuously variable slope delta encoder module, and to provide a pre-processed signal to the continuously variable slope delta encoder module based on the value of the source signal and the feedback signal.

Method and system for reducing signal distortion in a continuously variable slope delta modulation scheme

A triangular microphone assembly () for use in a vehicle accessory includes a mirror housing () adapted for attachment to the interior of the vehicle. A mirror is disposed in an opening of the mirror housing () and a plurality of virtual digital microphones () are arranged in a substantially triangular configuration in the mirror housing (). A digital signal processor (DSP) () is used for receiving signals from the plurality of digital microphones () such that the digital microphones exhibit directional characteristics for reducing undesirable noise in at least one direction by normalizing the phase of the received signals as a function of signal frequency.

Vehicular microphone assembly using fractional power phase normalization

Various structures for variable reflectance rearview mirrors and variable transmittance windows are disclosed. One embodiment pertains to the provision of a polarized reflector in a rearview mirror. Another embodiment pertains to the provision of a switchable cholesteric liquid crystal element in a window. Yet another embodiment pertains to the provision of a plurality of apertures in a reflector layer of a rearview mirror where the apertures are sized and positioned in alignment with light emitting areas of a display positioned behind the reflector layer. In another embodiment, a moveable display or mirror element is attached to a rearview mirror housing.

Variable reflectance mirrors and windows

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electrochromic rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes an electrochromic mirror having a variable reflectivity, a glare sensor for sensing levels of light directed towards the front element from the rear of the vehicle, an ambient sensor for sensing levels of ambient light, a display positioned behind the partially transmissive, partially reflective portion of the reflector for displaying information therethrough.

Electrochromic rearview mirror assembly incorporating a display/signal light

A rearview assembly for a vehicle including a mounting structure for mounting to a vehicle, a rearward viewing device, and housing with a position sensor, is provided. The position sensor includes first and second radiation emitters, a radiation reception element, and sensor processing circuitry coupled to one of the position sensors and the radiation reception element. The position sensor determines the position of an object in the vicinity of the rearward viewing device.

Optical user interface system for automotive modules

A vehicle communication and control system is provided that may be more readily installed in a vehicle and that utilizes minimal additional wiring. According to some of the disclosed embodiments, the electrical components of the 'brick' of a communication and control system are integrated into a rearview mirror assembly. Preferably, the microwave antenna for the GPS and the cellular telephone antenna are also integrated into the rearview mirror assembly. Various functions and features of the system are also disclosed.

Vehicle rearview mirror assembly incorporating a communication system

A microphone assembly includes one or more transducers positioned in one or more housings. A processing circuit is coupled to the transducer for outputting an electrical signal such that the microphone in combination with the processing circuit very effectively cancels noise. The microphone assembly can be employed in a vehicle accessory.

Growing community of inventors

Buchanan, MI, United States of America

Alan R Watson