Audio system with removable speaker

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9749734-B2
Application number	US-201514792204-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 6, 2015
Priority date	Jul 6, 2015
Publication date	Aug 29, 2017
Grant date	Aug 29, 2017

Abstract

An audio system for use in an automotive vehicle is provided. The audio system is configured to detect the removal of the removable speaker and adjust the audio signal to the fixed speakers so as to maintain the quality of sound within the vehicle. The audio system includes a signal processor configured to detect the presence of the removable speaker. The audio system distributes the frequency transmitted to the removable speaker to the speakers within the automotive vehicle so as to maintain the same sound quality when the removable speaker is removed.

First claim

I claim:

1. An audio system for use in an automotive vehicle, the audio system comprising:
a plurality of speakers, the plurality of speakers consisting of a plurality of fixed speakers and a removable speaker, the plurality of fixed speakers fixedly mounted within the automotive vehicle and the removable speaker configured to be removed from the automotive vehicle and used independently outside the vehicle;
a signal processor in electrical communication with each of the plurality of speakers and configured to detect each of the plurality of speakers, the signal processor configured to transmit a first signal and a second signal, wherein the second signal is different than the first signal, wherein the first signal is configured to generate a predetermined audio profile within said automotive vehicle when each of the plurality of speakers is in electrical communication with the signal processor, the predetermined audio profile is an audio output having a predetermined amount of treble, bass and fade so as to generate a quality of sound, the second signal is transmitted to each of the fixed speakers when the removable speaker is removed so as to generate the predetermined audio profile within said automotive vehicle such that the same quality of sound is generated even when the removable speaker is removed.

2. The audio system as set forth in claim 1 , further including a sensor configured to detect the presence of the removable speaker, the sensor communicating the presence of the removable speaker to the signal processor.

3. The audio system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the first signal includes a predetermined frequency, and wherein the second signal is configured to distribute the predetermined frequency among the plurality of speakers electrically connected within the automotive vehicle.

4. The audio system as set forth in claim 3 , wherein the plurality of speakers includes a pair of door speakers and the second signal is configured to equally distribute the predetermined frequency to each of the pair of door speakers.

5. The audio system as set forth in claim 3 wherein the predetermined frequency is between 20-200 HZ.

6. The audio system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the signal processor includes an amplifier.

7. The audio system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the removable speaker includes a battery configured to power the removable speaker when removed from the automotive vehicle.

8. The audio system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the removable speaker includes an input for receiving an audio signal from a media device so as to play an audio file remotely from the automotive vehicle.

9. The audio system as set forth in claim 8 , wherein the input is further configured to receive a wireless audio signal from the automotive vehicle so as to play an audio file generated from the automotive vehicle remotely from the automotive vehicle.

10. The audio system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the removable speaker is a subwoofer.

11. An automotive vehicle having a vehicle cabin and a pair of doors, the automotive vehicle comprising:
a plurality of speakers, the plurality of speakers consisting of a plurality of fixed speakers and a removable speaker, the plurality of fixed speakers fixedly mounted within the automotive vehicle and the removable speaker configured to be removed from the automotive vehicle and used independently outside the vehicle;
a signal processor in electrical communication with each of the plurality of speakers and configured to detect each of the plurality of speakers, the signal processor configured to transmit a first signal and a second signal, wherein the second signal is different than the first signal, wherein the first signal is configured to generate a predetermined audio profile within said automotive vehicle when each of the plurality of speakers is in electrical communication with the signal processor, the predetermined audio profile is an audio output having a predetermined amount of treble, bass and fade so as to generate a quality of sound, the second signal is transmitted to each of the fixed speakers when the removable speaker is removed so as to generate the predetermined audio profile within said automotive vehicle such that the same quality of sound is generated even when the removable speaker is removed.

12. The automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 11 , further including a sensor configured to detect the presence of the removable speaker, the sensor communicating the presence of the removable speaker to the signal processor.

13. The automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 11 , wherein the first signal includes a predetermined frequency, and wherein the second signal is configured to distribute the predetermined frequency among the plurality of speakers electrically connected within the automotive vehicle.

14. The automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 11 , wherein the plurality of fixed speakers is a pair of door speakers, each fixedly mounted to a respective one of the pair of doors and the second signal is configured to equally distribute the predetermined frequency to each of the pair of door speakers.

15. The automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 11 , wherein the signal processor includes an amplifier.

16. The automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 11 , wherein the removable speaker includes a battery configured to power the removable speaker when removed from the automotive vehicle.

17. The automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 11 , wherein the removable speaker includes an input for receiving an audio signal from a media device so as to play an audio file remotely from the automotive vehicle.

18. The automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 17 , wherein the input is further configured to receive a wireless audio signal from the automotive vehicle so as to play an audio file generated from the automotive vehicle remotely from the automotive vehicle.

19. The automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 11 , wherein the removable speaker is a subwoofer.

Assignees

• Toyota Motor Eng & Mfg North America Inc

Inventors

• Wippler Erik Anthony

Classifications

• B60R11/0217

  for loud-speakers · CPC title

• H04S1/002

  Non-adaptive circuits, e.g. manually adjustable or static, for enhancing the sound image or the spatial distribution (control circuits for electronic adaptation of the sound field H04S7/30) · CPC title

• H04R2420/05

  Detection of connection of loudspeakers or headphones to amplifiers · CPC title

• H04R1/026

  Supports for loudspeaker casings · CPC title

• H04S7/308

  Electronic adaptation dependent on speaker or headphone connection · CPC title