Methods, systems, and devices for monitoring a portable speaker of a vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12508998-B2
Application number	US-202418595022-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 4, 2024
Priority date	Mar 4, 2024
Publication date	Dec 30, 2025
Grant date	Dec 30, 2025

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices for a portable speaker security system. The portable speaker security system may include a portable speaker and a speaker dock. The speaker dock may hold the portable speaker and electrically connect to the portable speaker. The portable speaker security system may further include a head unit electrically connected to the speaker dock. The head unit may indicate a disconnect when the portable speaker is electrically disconnected from the speaker dock. The portable speaker security system may further include a network access device. The network access device may wirelessly communicate with a mobile device. The portable speaker security system may further include an electronic control unit (ECU) electrically connected to the speaker dock, the head unit, and the network access device. The ECU may transmit a message to the mobile device indicating the portable speaker has been disconnected from the speaker dock when the disconnect is indicated.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A portable speaker security system for a vehicle, comprising:
a portable speaker; a speaker dock located on or within the vehicle and configured to hold the portable speaker and electrically connect to the portable speaker; a head unit electrically connected to the speaker dock and configured to:
transmit audio data to the portable speaker through the speaker dock and/or wirelessly transmit the audio data to the portable speaker, and
indicate a disconnect when the portable speaker is electrically disconnected from the speaker dock;
a network access device configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one mobile device; and an electronic control unit (ECU) electrically connected to the speaker dock, the head unit, and the network access device and configured to:
transmit, via the network access device, a message to the at least one mobile device indicating the portable speaker has been disconnected from the speaker dock when the disconnect is indicated.

2 . The portable speaker security system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one camera electrically connected to the ECU, wherein the ECU is further configured to:
record, via the at least one camera, an image or a video of a surrounding area of the vehicle and/or an area within a cabin of the vehicle when the disconnect is indicated.

3 . The portable speaker security system of claim 2 , wherein the ECU is further configured to transmit, via the network access device, the image or the video to the at least one mobile device.

4 . The portable speaker security system of claim 1 , further comprising an alarm device electrically connected to the ECU and configured to generate sound when the alarm device is activated, wherein the ECU is further configured to:
activate the alarm device when the disconnect is indicated.

5 . The portable speaker security system of claim 1 , further comprising an alarm device electrically connected to the ECU and configured to generate sound when the alarm device is activated, wherein:
the message includes a user selectable option indicating the disconnect was unauthorized; and the ECU is further configured to:
receive, via the network access device, data indicating the user selectable option was selected by a user, and
activate the alarm device in response to receiving the data.

6 . The portable speaker security system of claim 1 , wherein:
the message includes a user selectable option indicating the disconnect was unauthorized; and the ECU is further configured to:
receive, via the network access device, data indicating the user selectable option was selected, and
transmit another message to police indicating the portable speaker has been stolen in response to receiving the data.

7 . The portable speaker system of claim 5 , further comprising a navigation unit electrically connected to the ECU and configured to determine a current location of the vehicle, wherein the another message includes the current location of the vehicle.

8 . The portable speaker security system of claim 1 , further comprising an impedance sensor configured to detect an impedance reading of the portable speaker and/or a circuit that is completed when the portable speaker is electrically connected to the speaker dock, wherein the head unit is further configured to determine the portable speaker is electrically disconnected from the speaker dock when the impedance reading is greater than a threshold impedance.

9 . The portable speaker security system of claim 1 , wherein:
the ECU is further configured to stop transmitting the message to the at least one mobile device when a vehicle key is within a predetermined distance from the vehicle.

10 . The portable speaker security system of claim 1 , further comprising a user interface electrically connected to the ECU, wherein the ECU is further configured to:
display, via the user interface, a prompt to enter a passcode when the disconnect is indicated, and stop transmitting the message to the at least one mobile device when the passcode is entered.

11 . A portable speaker security system for a vehicle, comprising:
a portable speaker; a speaker dock located on or within the vehicle and configured to hold the portable speaker and electrically connect to the portable speaker; a network access device configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one mobile device; at least one camera configured to record an image or a video of a surrounding area of the vehicle and/or an area within a cabin of the vehicle; an electronic control unit (ECU) electrically connected to the speaker dock, the network access device, and the at least one camera and configured to:
indicate a disconnect when the portable speaker is electrically disconnected from the speaker dock,
record, via the at least one camera, the image or the video of the surrounding area of the vehicle and/or the area within the cabin of the vehicle when the disconnect is indicated, and
transmit, via the network access device, a message to the at least one mobile device indicating the portable speaker has been disconnected from the speaker dock when the disconnect is indicated.

12 . The portable speaker security system of claim 11 , wherein the ECU is further configured to transmit, via the network access device, the image or the video to the at least one mobile device.

13 . The portable speaker security system of claim 11 , further comprising an alarm device electrically connected to the ECU and configured to generate sound when the alarm device is activated, wherein the ECU is further configured to:
activate the alarm device when the disconnect is indicated.

14 . The portable speaker security system of claim 11 , further comprising an alarm device electrically connected to the ECU and configured to generate sound when the alarm device is activated, wherein:
the message includes a user selectable option indicating the disconnect was unauthorized; and the ECU is further configured to:
receive, via the network access device, data indicating the user selectable option was selected by a user, and
activate the alarm in response to receiving the data.

15 . The portable speaker security system of claim 11 , wherein:
the message includes a user selectable option indicating the disconnect was unauthorized; and the ECU is further configured to:
receive, via the network access device, data indicating the user selectable option was selected, and
transmit another message to police indicating the portable speaker has been stolen in response to receiving the data.

16 . The portable speaker system of claim 15 , further comprising a navigation unit electrically connected to the ECU and configured to determine a current location of the vehicle, wherein the another message includes the current location of the vehicle.

17 . The portable speaker security system of claim 11 , wherein:
the ECU is further configured to stop transmitting the message to the at least one mobile device when a vehicle key is within a predetermined distance from the vehicle.

18 . The portable speaker security system of claim 11 , further comprising a user interface electrically connected to the ECU, wherein the ECU is further configured to:
display, via the user interface, a prompt to enter a passcode when the disconnect is indicated, and stop transmitting the message to the at least one mobile device when the passcode is entered.

19 . The portable speaker security system of claim 11 , further comprisi

Assignees

• Toyota Eng & Mfg North America
• Toyota Motor Co Ltd

Inventors

• Meng Ming M

Classifications

• H04R2499/13

  Acoustic transducers and sound field adaptation in vehicles · CPC title

• B60R2011/0075

  using a containment or docking space · CPC title

• B60R2011/0005

  Dashboard · CPC title

• B60R2011/0098

  using electric or electronic means, e.g. alarms, codes · CPC title

• H04R2420/07

  Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones · CPC title