Harman International Industries, Inc.

Christopher Michael Trestain

Riley Winton

Chris Ludwig

Maxwell B Willis

Christopher Ludwig

David Mossington

Tingli Cai

Bradford Hamme

Jason Choi

Gorm H Jorgensen

James D Pennock

Adam Michael Sachs

Martin Olsen

Elizabeth Cibor

Jeffrey Peil

Robert Pierfelice

Kyle David Kramer

Carl Alexander Sandstrom

Gorm Jorgensen

A headrest assembly for a vehicle includes a head support having a front side, a back side, a left side, and a right side. A left support arm is coupled to the left side and aright support aim is coupled to the right side. A left speaker module is coupled to the left support arm and a right speaker module is coupled to the right support arm, the left and right speaker modules each including a housing having a front face with at least one speaker mounted therein for generating audio output. The left and right support arms are arranged to position the left and right speaker modules in a retracted position with respect to the head support to provide a surround sound mode, a first extended position to provide an individual sound zone (ISZ) mode, and a second extended position to provide a binaural mode.

Vehicle headrest assembly with configurable speaker modules and control for multiple audio modes

In at least one embodiment, a loudspeaker assembly including a first loudspeaker and a first acoustic lens is provided. The first loudspeaker is positioned on a first side of a headrest of a first vehicle seat for transmitting a first audio output toward one of a side pillar and a door of a vehicle. The first acoustic lens is coupled to the first loudspeaker and defining a first opening to enable the first audio output to pass from the first opening at a first predetermined angle. The first acoustic lens is positioned between the first loudspeaker and the one of the side pillar and the door of the vehicle.

Side-firing headrest loudspeaker with omnidirectional lens

Various systems and methods are provided for conducting acoustical measurements via an inflatable mannequin. In one embodiment, a system comprises an inflatable mannequin that comprises a detachable mannequin head, a plurality of inflatable anatomical parts, and a plurality of configurable joints, an inflation system that calibrates and controls inflation of the plurality of anatomical parts of the inflatable mannequin; and a joint control system that calibrates and controls the plurality of configurable joints via joint motors. In another embodiment, a first method comprises selecting a mannequin profile based on sizes of anatomical parts of the inflatable mannequin and second method comprises conducting acoustical measurements with the selected mannequin profile. In this way, acoustical measurements may be conducted to develop audio processing schemes that widen the sweet spot in an interior of a vehicle.

Method and system for obtaining acoustical measurements

In various embodiments, a computer-implemented method comprises receiving a set of two or more first media signals from two or more consoles included in a vehicle, where each of the two or more consoles are included in a common communication session, combining the set of two or more first media signals to generate a composite media signal, transmitting, via a communication link, the composite media signal to a remote destination, receiving, via the communication link, a remote media signal from the remote destination, and causing the two or more first media signals and the remote media signal to be reproduced at the two or more consoles.

In-vehicle communications and media mixing

A computing device for adjusting audio output in a listening environment having a user interface to select a source, from a plurality of sources, to be played at a sound zone in a plurality of sound zones; A processor receives user input source selections to determine combined sources for the plurality of sound zones and adjust audio parameters for the sound zones having combined sources based on combined sources and individual inputs for audio settings from each sound zone. The processor applies adjusted audio parameters to a sound zone algorithm for the sound zones having combined sources, and outputs audio based on the adjusted sound zone algorithm. A designated occupant may select the sound zones to which the adjusted sound zone algorithm is to be applied.

System and method for controlling output sound in a listening environment

Techniques for an augmented media experience in a vehicle cable include a first display surface positioned on a ceiling of the vehicle cabin, a second display surface positioned on the ceiling of the vehicle cabin, a memory storing a media application and a processor coupled to the memory. The first display surface is movable relative to the second display surface. The processor, when executing the media application performs the steps of deploying the first display surface to a deployed position where the first display surface is positioned between a first glass panel in a ceiling of the vehicle cabin and an interior of the vehicle cabin and displaying media content in the vehicle cabin using the first display surface and the second display surface.

Augmented media experience in a vehicle cabin

An apparatus for providing a contrast mode and a front optimized mode for audio in a vehicle is provided. An audio controller is programmed to transmit first audio content in a first zone seating area and to transmit second audio content in a second zone seating area. The audio controller receives a first indication to transmit the first audio content in the first zone seating area and the second audio content in the second zone seating area in the contrast mode to provide an equal listening experience. The audio controller receives a second indication to transmit the first audio content in the first zone seating area and the second audio content in the second zone seating area in the front optimized mode to increase a quality of sound in the first zone seating area and to decrease a quality of sound in the second zone seating area.

System and method for sound zone experience optimization control

In some embodiments, methods and systems for combining a prerecorded performance with a live performance within a space (such as a vehicle) are disclosed. A first performance (which may be a prerecorded performance) may be started within the space, and a second performance (such as a live performance) may subsequently be initiated within the space as well. The second performance may be detected, and based upon the detection, one or more volume parameters of the first performance may be modified. One or more properties of the second performance may also be modified, and the modified first performance may then be combined with the modified second performance to create a combined performance.

Combining prerecorded and live performances in a vehicle

A vehicle loudspeaker system, including at least two microphones forming a microphone array, at least one loudspeaker configured to emit non-human sound, a processor programmed to receive incoming audio signals from the microphone array. The processor further programmed to apply beamforming to the incoming audio signals, determine whether human generated sound is detected within the audio signal, and instruct the loudspeaker to adjust the non-human sound in response to human generated sound being detected.

Voice ducking with spatial speech separation for vehicle audio system

A spatial infotainment rendering system may include at least one infotainment device configured to present information to a vehicle occupant traveling along a vehicle route at one of a plurality of infotainment locations within the vehicle and at least one spatial rendering processor. The processor may be configured to receive vehicle location and direction information of the vehicle along the vehicle route, receive event data indicative of an event having a potential to affect the vehicle route, and determine an event location based on event data. The processor may also be configured to select one of the infotainment locations based on the event location relative to the vehicle location and direction to present event information to the vehicle occupant relating to the event at a location spatially related to the event location relative to the vehicle route.

Spatial infotainment rendering system for vehicles

A loudspeaker assembly for a vehicle includes a loudspeaker mounted in the vehicle, the loudspeaker having a first side facing an interior of the vehicle and an opposed second side. The loudspeaker is configured to generate an acoustical signal having a front wave directed into the interior of the vehicle and a rear wave directed away from the interior of the vehicle. An acoustic coupler is disposed on the second side of the loudspeaker and extending toward an exterior of the vehicle, the acoustic coupler arranged to transmit the rear wave to the exterior of the vehicle such that the acoustical signal is audible in the interior of the vehicle and at the exterior of the vehicle.

Loudspeaker assembly for providing audio external to a vehicle

Systems and methods for generating sounds in a vehicle or other location are presented. In one example, a single user input may be a basis for adjusting a sound level and a frequency of occurrence of a sound that is stored in controller memory and that is output via one or more speakers.

Systems and methods for adjusting activity control parameters

In at least one embodiment, a system for providing an immersive audio experience at an entertainment venue is provided. The system includes at least one loudspeaker and a server. The at least one loudspeaker is attached to the entertainment venue. The server is associated with the entertainment venue and is programmed to communicate with a mobile device associated with a vehicle occupant and to enable access to the at least one loudspeaker to position the at least one loudspeaker in a vehicle in response to the mobile device being authenticated with the server.

System and method for providing an immersive drive-in experience

A dual-zone automotive multimedia system may include a first infotainment device associated with a front zone of a vehicle, at least one second infotainment device associated with a rear zone of a vehicle, wherein the at least one second infotainment device includes a directional loudspeaker arranged facing the rear zone of the vehicle, and a processor programmed to transmit audio signals to the first and second infotainment devices to create sound at each of the front and rear zones, wherein the audio signal transmitted to the directional loudspeaker relates to playback at the rear zone.

Dual-zone automotive multimedia system

Systems and methods for generating sound elements in a vehicle are present. In one example, a method comprises selecting a sound element, the sound element corresponding to a natural environment; and broadcasting the sound element via one or more speakers of a vehicle. In this way, a sound environment may be provided to a vehicle user based on the at least one vehicle state.

Growing community of inventors

Livonia, MI, United States of America

Christopher Michael Trestain