CA2225224A1 - Device for routing audio signal in vehicle - Google Patents
Device for routing audio signal in vehicle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2225224A1 CA2225224A1 CA 2225224 CA2225224A CA2225224A1 CA 2225224 A1 CA2225224 A1 CA 2225224A1 CA 2225224 CA2225224 CA 2225224 CA 2225224 A CA2225224 A CA 2225224A CA 2225224 A1 CA2225224 A1 CA 2225224A1
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- speaker
- phone
- audio signal
- audio
- receiver
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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- 230000005236 sound signal Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 65
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract 2
- 230000001413 cellular effect Effects 0.000 claims description 42
- 230000002265 prevention Effects 0.000 claims 4
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 claims 2
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 241000282320 Panthera leo Species 0.000 description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 235000008331 Pinus X rigitaeda Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000011613 Pinus brutia Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 241000018646 Pinus brutia Species 0.000 description 1
- 101150014126 incG gene Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/60—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers including speech amplifiers
- H04M1/6033—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers including speech amplifiers for providing handsfree use or a loudspeaker mode in telephone sets
- H04M1/6041—Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use
- H04M1/6075—Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use adapted for handsfree use in a vehicle
- H04M1/6083—Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use adapted for handsfree use in a vehicle by interfacing with the vehicle audio system
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R5/00—Stereophonic arrangements
- H04R5/02—Spatial or constructional arrangements of loudspeakers
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R2499/00—Aspects covered by H04R or H04S not otherwise provided for in their subgroups
- H04R2499/10—General applications
- H04R2499/13—Acoustic transducers and sound field adaptation in vehicles
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
- Telephone Function (AREA)
- Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)
Abstract
This device relates to a device for transmitting an incoming audio signal from a phone through vehicular speaker system, of the type having an audio receiver a speaker. The device comprises a circuit means mountable between the audio receiver and the speaker for interrupting the audio signal being transmitted to the speaker from the receiver by relaying that audio signal to a resistor means. Also, the circuit means has a tripping means which is activated upon the circuit means receiving an activating signal from a phone. The circuit means includes transmitting means for transmitting an incoming phone signal to the car speaker when the tripping means has been activated.
Description
TECHNICAL FlELD
This invention relates to a device for p~ g a pol i Pble cellular phone user to use the pre-existing audio speaker system of a car for projecting the llan ~ ed audio signal of the cellular phone.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Portable cellular phones have been around for several years and, as their use has il~crcased in general, so has their use illcrea~d by people while driving in vehicles. The problem with using cellular phones while driving is that it is dangerous for the driver to both drive and use a cellular phone if he has to hold the cellular phone in his hand while talking.
One proposal to overcG~I.c the above problem has been the introduction of in-car kits.
With an in-car kit, the phone is mo11nted onto a cradle and the driver is able to speak into a microphone and listen to the other caller through a de~icqted speaker. Each in-car kit is specifically configured to suit a particular phone model. The problem with in-car kits is that the sound quality and ~mp1ific~qtion is limited by the c~ _L ~lities of the device and its de~ ted speaker. Furthermore, if the radio or other audio device is playing through the speakers of the car when the in-car kit is to be used, the volume ofthe radio or other audio device must be adjusted by the user so that the sound can be heard coming from the in-car kit.
A more recent proposal has been to use a cq~sette adapter to ll~ S~ the incoming audio sound of the cellular phone through the car speaker system. However, although this is an advance in the art over the in-car kits, this 5~1tf'- ~ ;ve iS ploblem~tic as well. A c~sette adapter system involves a wiring configuration and a G~sette adapter which must be stored outside of the cq~sette deck during non-use. That storage and then the re-insertion of the cq~sette adapter into the G~sette deck for use is a task that can disrupt the driver's attention while driving.
Heretofore, there has not been developed an in-car device which would permit the hands-free operation of a portable cellular phone by ll~n~.";~ the incoming audio of the portable . CA 0222S224 1997-12-18 cellular phone through the speaker system ofthe vehicle by intel-upling any pre-~Yi~ting audio receiver signal already being l~ led to the speaker. Such a system would be simpler and make available the technology of hands-free cellular use not yet r~lized.
SU~lMARY OF THE INVENIION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a device which can be mounted within the car out ofthe way ofthe user and which can be opel~ ly col-l-e~;led to a cellular phone to send an audio signal of an ;.~ g call through the speaker system of the car by intell up~ g, if nece,Ss~.y, any prc ~i~ , audio signal being sent from the audio lec~;;ver to the speakers.
It is also an object ofthe present invention to provide a device that not only illlt;llupls any prc c~ ;np signal being l~Anc..,;1~ed to the speaker, but that also sends an audio signal to the speaker in the absence of any pre-existing signal.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide such a device which is easy to m~nllf~cture and install.
Accolding to the present invention, there is provided: a device for lli.n.~ ;ng an il-co...;~.~ audio signal from a phone through a vehicular speaker system, ofthe type having an audio receiver and a speaker, co...l . ;s:n~ - circuit means moullt~ble belw~ll the audio receiver and the speaker for intellul)tillg the audio signal being ll ~ lll;l led to the speaker from the receiver by relayillg that audio signal to a resistor means, the circuit means having a llipping means which is a~;liv~led upon the circuit means r~e;vL~g an a~ ,aling signal from a phone; the circuit means in~ lin~ ;ng means for ll~ an incoming phone signal to the car spealcer when the llii)plng means has been activated.
. CA 0222S224 1997-12-18 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWlNGS
The invention will be readily understood a~er reading the following description of the invention given in conjunction with the dla~lgs in which:
Figure 1 is a s.-hem~tic illustration showing the components of vehicle which work in conjunction with the device so that sound is ~l; r,...,~ ed from the phone to a speaker;
Figure 2 is an illustration of a person driving a vehicle and speaking into a miclophone of type that could be used with this invention;
Figure 3 is an illustration ofthe plef~,led embodiment ofthe device with input and output audio l~n.~ c;~;on wires to provide for the CG -~tion from a prc r~ p vehicle leceiver and to the vehicle speakers; and Figure 4 is a ,~1-~ ;c illustration illu~ l;ng in a general way the cilwilly ofthe plerelled embodiment ofthe device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As shown in the dla~ ,s, there is the device, generally rèrellèd to by the numeral 8, which is suil~ly ...0~ 1ed in the car and wirèconn~ p~ betw~n a prc ~ g vehicular audio eceivel 10, speaker 12, a portable cellular phone 14 and a microphone 15 (see Figures 2, 4). The device permits the normal operation ofthe audio receiver 10 and speaker 12 when the cellular phone 14 is not being used, but also provides-for the inte,~upting of that signal when the cellular phone 14 is being used so that the audio signal of cellular phone can be l, i~nc. ..;1 led to the speaker 12.
Also provided are jack inlets for the microphone and power cords. In the prere"ed . CA 0222S224 1997-12-18 embodiment, two inlets and outlets are provided for power which is drawn from the car battery.
The pair of inlet sockets 13 is provided to draw power offof the battery regardless of whether the ignition key has been turned, while the other of the pair of ir~et so~1rets, numbered 11, is provided to draw power offofthe battery only if the ignition key has been turned. Power outlet sockets 17 and 19 correspond to inlet sockets 13 and 15 respectively to permit power to be sent to other device, such as a speaker, from the device 8.
Also provided is socket inlet 23 to receive a jack plug from the cellular phone 14 and a microphone socket inlet 25 to receive a jack plug from the ,lliclophone 15.
The device 8 in~ des co.llponents llloun~ed on a circuit board. The device 8, its cGlllponents and circuit board, co-ordinate the interruption and ~ n.~ ;on of audio signals to the speaker 12.
R~f~llhlg to figure 4 which shows the main co,l.pol &~ls ofthe circuit board ofthe device, the ci~.;uill~ ofthe device 8 is signal con~ ed to the audio rec~i~el 10 by lr~ ;on lines 18a, 18b (one live, one ground) Similarly, the circuit board and its components are ope~li~,ly conne.,ted to the speaker 12 by l.~n~...;s.~;on lines 20a, 20b (one live, one ground) V~ri~tions of the number of speakers and the number of ~ cs;on lines are possible, depelldi~lg upon the effect desired or the l;~nit~ti--nc of the system. For ease of des~,liption, the system is being des~ ed in respect of one speaker only.
Further to being con~ ted to the audio receiver 10 and the speaker 12, the device 8 and its circuit board is also connectable to the pol~ble cellular phone 14 so that sound can be ll;.n~ led from the pol ~le cellular phone 14 to the speaker 12 and from the miclopholle 15 to the portable cellular phone 14. In this respect, jack socket 22 is provided for receivil1g a jack plug (not shown) of a stereo cord 26 (see Figure 1) from the cellular phone 14.
The stereo cord 26 is a sl~dard off-the shelf cord used prc3e.,lly by cellular phone users to connect their cellular phone to microphone h-~ lsetc The cord 26 typically has four wires, two of the wires being live wires that l,~",il sound and the other of the two wires being grounding wires for the live wires. One of the pairs of wires (which includes one live wire, one ~ou,~.lillg wire) n~l",bered 27a, 27b in Figure 4 is used to l,a"~" il audio signal origin~tin~ from the user's microphone to the portable cellular phone. The other ofthe two pairs (which also int.llldes one live wire, one gr~ulldillg wire) ~ul~ered 29a, 29b in Figure 4 l,~lv.,.lls audio signal from the cellular phone 14 to the device 8.
In the case ofthe mi.;,~phone 15, audio signal is ~ 1ed to the phone via microphone cord 30 which co""),ises two ~ ;c",:$~ lines 30a, 30b, one ofthe l~n.~ . C- on lines lli...~...;l~;ng audio signal picked up by the miclophone and the other ofthe wires providing a gro~ di~g The hl~ use a jack plug-socket comle~;lion for col1ne.;~ g the l~n~".icr on lines 30a, 30b to the device 8. In this respect, in Figure 4, there is shown a jack socket casing rGplesGl,led by the box llullll)GlGd 25 adapted to receive a miclophon~ jack plug (not shown).
The types of conlle~l;on~ used, ~LG~IIG1 they be jack plug-socket conl-e~l;on.c or tennin block comle~;lions, can be varied to suit the particular ci~ nces or desired spe~ifi~sfion of the user or maker. There is no invention claimed in respect of the type of conl~ ;on~ used because ~ ne,~ of col-l-~ ;r n are old, i,tandald and known in the art.
The plii~ciple of operation for the ch.iuil,~ of the circuit board will now be e~
R~r~ . to Figure 4, power is drawn from the battery ofthe car through power line 41 and passes through an in~ ctor 43. A~er passing through the inductor 43, power is then l~;~ll~lll;lled via lines 45 to the amplifier 47, the timer 49 and the trip generally lGrGlled to by the numeral 51. The inductor 43 provides a protective m~gnetic field which prevents ill effect to the device for power surges that occur from the electrical operation of other devices in the vehicle..
In the normal course, when the cellular phone 14 is not in use and the audio receiver 10 is being used, audio signal is ~ ed along lines 50a and SOb, then along lines 51a, 51b, and the along lines 20a, 20b to the speaker 12, with each pair of lines one l.~ v.,,ils audio signal and the other provides ground.
For the user, there is provided a means for illte~upling the audio signal being ~ ed from the receiver 10 to the speaker 12 and divt;lling that signal to a resistor 54. This interruption occurs when there is a phone audio signal, r~ lli"g from an ih~co""llg call or the user calling out, from the portable cellular phone 14.
When the operation of the portable cellular phone 14 is initi~te-l an audio signal is sent through lines 29a, 29b, enters the device 8 through jack cnnnP~tor 55, l,~ ~"lils along lines 57a, 57b, and encounlers the msgnetic l~ i,ru""er, generally r~ft;"ed to by the numeral 59.
The purpose ofthe ma~netic l~ er 59 is to electro~ lly interrupt the h~.l~ire com e-,tion without inte"upt"~g the l~ .c.~ic~;Qn ofthe audio signal. This interruption reduces signal interference that would be caused by any diLrelel ce in ground impedance between the device ch~;uil~y and the phone cil~;uilly. Because it is prere,~le that this device 8 be adaptable for use with cellular phones of dirrele,~t makes, and because the circuit board of the device 8 has been ~e~ ed using a specific ~bill~y il"~aAsn~, it is conceivable that the eclsnce of a signal produced any particular portable cellular phone may vary from that ;...l~dsnce ofthe circuit board ofthe device 8. The effect ofthat ~a,iance is co,,c;~;led by the ma~netiC ~ sru~ er 59.
After the signal has been tranvro,,,,ed by the ~,ansroll" r 59, it proceeds along line 61 and is then split, at juncture 80, in the direction of lines 82 and 84.
This purpose of the splitting is to send a first derivative signal along line 82 to trigger the interruption of any audio signal prese"~ly being l,~n~...;l led from the audio receiver 10 to the speaker 12 and also send a second delivalive signal to the speaker 12 in place ofthe signal previously being l~i~n~ led from the audio receiver 10. Thus, by intellupling the old signal from the audio receiver 10, and sending a new signal from the cellular phone 14 in its place, sound from the cellular phone is projected through the speaker 12.
Following the first derivative signal along path 82, the signal is converted by a converter (not shown) to DC voltage from AC voltage. A~er the collvel~;on, the timer 49 is initi~ted by the audio signal. The timer 49 in turn initiates and activates the trip trigger, generally rerelled to by the numeral Sl. The length oftime that the trip trigger 51 remains activated, depends upon how the timer 49 has been progl~ l,ed. The progl~ g of the timer 49 is acccslll~lished, in the standard manner, by confi~ring the circuit board. The amount of progl~ullllled time is preferably greater than 15 seconds from the time that DC voltage stops being r~ ed by the timer 49 from the cellular phone 14. As a practical matter, the hlvelllol~ have found it e~r~ilive to pre-program the timer 49 to continually send an a.;livali,lg signal to the trip 51 for a period of thirty seconds a~er leceivh~ the most latest audio signal from the cellular phone 14. So it is that, if no signal is sent from the cellular phone for a period ofthirty secon~1s~ the trip trigger 51 is de-activated.
However, upon and for as long as the trip trigger 51 r~ceives a ~ n~...;lled signal from the timer 49, the trip trigger 51 will cause the relays 53 and their relay pins 55 to illlellu~ l any audio signal being ~ . . .;l led from the receiver 10 from being lli~n ..;I ~e.d to the speaker 24. Further to intellup~ing the signal, the relays 53 and their relay pines 55 redilecl the audio signal from the receiver 10along ~lt~ l;velines57, 59forabsol~,lionbythe resistor54. Theresistor54 absorbs the redilecled audio signal current.
Followving the second deli~alivt; audio signal, along line 84, the audio signal from the cellular phone 10 is amplified by amplifier 47. The amplifier 47 boosts the audio signal current receivt;d from the cellular phone by a pre-progl~ll,lled signal gain for projection from the speaker 12. A~er the boosting by the amplifier 47, the audio signal proceeds along line 61 and is ll~n~...;lled from the device 8 along lines 61, and out lines 20a, 20b to the speaker 12 at the pre-prog.~ led volume.
The relays 53 used for switching the audio signals onto ~h~rn~tive tr~n.~mi~ion paths are st~1dard eight pin relays. No invention is claimed in respect of the relays and their use and incG.~,o.~lion and modification in the relay sperifir,~ti~n to suit ~c.ll".~ ce will be obvious to a person skilled in the art.
In the plerel-ed embodiment, the microphone wiring is routed through the device 8 for convenience of ~-~ge l,ent. Lines 30a, 30b extend from the microphone 15 to the microphone jack 25. From the microphone jack 25, the miclophone audio signal is routed through the jack 55 by lines 63a, 63b and then routed to the phone 14 by lines 27a, 27b.
In ope-~lioll, the phone 14 is connected by the user by pl~gging the jack plug of cord 26 into the socket 23 of the device 8. The mic.ophone 15 has already been conl-P~led to the device 8 by pl~l~in~ the jack plug on the free end of wires 30a and 30b into jack socket 81 of the device 8.
The power connections also having already been made, the device 8 is ready for operation.
When an audio signal originates from the phone 14, it is l-;.n.~...;l led to the device 8 via lines 29a, 29b. Device 8, if ~ ui~d, redil~ts, any signal already being l~n.~ ed to the speakers 12 to its resistor 54. The audio signal emanating from the phone 14 is then l~.-~ ed ul~..l)eded to the speaker 12 so that the user can hear the other caller's voice from the speaker 12. When the user, himself, speaks, his voice is picked up by the microphone 15 and ~ ed through the device 8 and through lines 27a, 27b to the cellular phone so that the other caller can hear the user's voice.
A~er the call has been termin~ted and the programmed duration for timer 49 expires, the tripper 49 and relays 53 interact to permit audio signal, if any, ~ n~ g from the receiver to be again l~;1n~ ed to the speaker 12.
' CA 0222S224 1997-12-18 It will be appalellt that even if the audio rece;~el is not being powered or used, the device 8 will nevertheless ~ snl,l any audio signal from the phone 14 to the speaker 12 as aforesaid. In the plerelled embodiment, the device 8 is powered directly from the battery of the vehicle and its operation need not be restricted by the operation of the audio receiver 10.
The operation of the invention permits the interruption and redirection of the audio signal being ~ Pd to the speaker 12 from the receiver 10 to the resistor 54. With that redirection, the device 8 also permits the tr~n~mi~c1on of an audio signal from the telephone 14 to the speaker 12 so that a person driving a car can hear the caller's voice over his speaker system. The device 8 permits the driver to listen to the hlcollling caller and to speak into a microphone 15 without having to concern himselfwith the operation ofthe radio receiver or the phone. Further, no a~ tmP.nt to the volume of the phone as coming from the speakers is required, regardless of the level of volume that the radio or other audio device was previously being played because the volume has been pre-set by the amplifier 47. (Some volume control, however, will still be available to the user by a~justing the volume control on the phone itself. ) It is understood that the above description is of the prerelled embodiment given for the purpose of e~lail~h~g the invention. Modifications to the prere"ed embodiment still within the scope of the invention are possible. The scope of the invention is as claimed in the appended claims.
This invention relates to a device for p~ g a pol i Pble cellular phone user to use the pre-existing audio speaker system of a car for projecting the llan ~ ed audio signal of the cellular phone.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Portable cellular phones have been around for several years and, as their use has il~crcased in general, so has their use illcrea~d by people while driving in vehicles. The problem with using cellular phones while driving is that it is dangerous for the driver to both drive and use a cellular phone if he has to hold the cellular phone in his hand while talking.
One proposal to overcG~I.c the above problem has been the introduction of in-car kits.
With an in-car kit, the phone is mo11nted onto a cradle and the driver is able to speak into a microphone and listen to the other caller through a de~icqted speaker. Each in-car kit is specifically configured to suit a particular phone model. The problem with in-car kits is that the sound quality and ~mp1ific~qtion is limited by the c~ _L ~lities of the device and its de~ ted speaker. Furthermore, if the radio or other audio device is playing through the speakers of the car when the in-car kit is to be used, the volume ofthe radio or other audio device must be adjusted by the user so that the sound can be heard coming from the in-car kit.
A more recent proposal has been to use a cq~sette adapter to ll~ S~ the incoming audio sound of the cellular phone through the car speaker system. However, although this is an advance in the art over the in-car kits, this 5~1tf'- ~ ;ve iS ploblem~tic as well. A c~sette adapter system involves a wiring configuration and a G~sette adapter which must be stored outside of the cq~sette deck during non-use. That storage and then the re-insertion of the cq~sette adapter into the G~sette deck for use is a task that can disrupt the driver's attention while driving.
Heretofore, there has not been developed an in-car device which would permit the hands-free operation of a portable cellular phone by ll~n~.";~ the incoming audio of the portable . CA 0222S224 1997-12-18 cellular phone through the speaker system ofthe vehicle by intel-upling any pre-~Yi~ting audio receiver signal already being l~ led to the speaker. Such a system would be simpler and make available the technology of hands-free cellular use not yet r~lized.
SU~lMARY OF THE INVENIION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a device which can be mounted within the car out ofthe way ofthe user and which can be opel~ ly col-l-e~;led to a cellular phone to send an audio signal of an ;.~ g call through the speaker system of the car by intell up~ g, if nece,Ss~.y, any prc ~i~ , audio signal being sent from the audio lec~;;ver to the speakers.
It is also an object ofthe present invention to provide a device that not only illlt;llupls any prc c~ ;np signal being l~Anc..,;1~ed to the speaker, but that also sends an audio signal to the speaker in the absence of any pre-existing signal.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide such a device which is easy to m~nllf~cture and install.
Accolding to the present invention, there is provided: a device for lli.n.~ ;ng an il-co...;~.~ audio signal from a phone through a vehicular speaker system, ofthe type having an audio receiver and a speaker, co...l . ;s:n~ - circuit means moullt~ble belw~ll the audio receiver and the speaker for intellul)tillg the audio signal being ll ~ lll;l led to the speaker from the receiver by relayillg that audio signal to a resistor means, the circuit means having a llipping means which is a~;liv~led upon the circuit means r~e;vL~g an a~ ,aling signal from a phone; the circuit means in~ lin~ ;ng means for ll~ an incoming phone signal to the car spealcer when the llii)plng means has been activated.
. CA 0222S224 1997-12-18 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWlNGS
The invention will be readily understood a~er reading the following description of the invention given in conjunction with the dla~lgs in which:
Figure 1 is a s.-hem~tic illustration showing the components of vehicle which work in conjunction with the device so that sound is ~l; r,...,~ ed from the phone to a speaker;
Figure 2 is an illustration of a person driving a vehicle and speaking into a miclophone of type that could be used with this invention;
Figure 3 is an illustration ofthe plef~,led embodiment ofthe device with input and output audio l~n.~ c;~;on wires to provide for the CG -~tion from a prc r~ p vehicle leceiver and to the vehicle speakers; and Figure 4 is a ,~1-~ ;c illustration illu~ l;ng in a general way the cilwilly ofthe plerelled embodiment ofthe device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As shown in the dla~ ,s, there is the device, generally rèrellèd to by the numeral 8, which is suil~ly ...0~ 1ed in the car and wirèconn~ p~ betw~n a prc ~ g vehicular audio eceivel 10, speaker 12, a portable cellular phone 14 and a microphone 15 (see Figures 2, 4). The device permits the normal operation ofthe audio receiver 10 and speaker 12 when the cellular phone 14 is not being used, but also provides-for the inte,~upting of that signal when the cellular phone 14 is being used so that the audio signal of cellular phone can be l, i~nc. ..;1 led to the speaker 12.
Also provided are jack inlets for the microphone and power cords. In the prere"ed . CA 0222S224 1997-12-18 embodiment, two inlets and outlets are provided for power which is drawn from the car battery.
The pair of inlet sockets 13 is provided to draw power offof the battery regardless of whether the ignition key has been turned, while the other of the pair of ir~et so~1rets, numbered 11, is provided to draw power offofthe battery only if the ignition key has been turned. Power outlet sockets 17 and 19 correspond to inlet sockets 13 and 15 respectively to permit power to be sent to other device, such as a speaker, from the device 8.
Also provided is socket inlet 23 to receive a jack plug from the cellular phone 14 and a microphone socket inlet 25 to receive a jack plug from the ,lliclophone 15.
The device 8 in~ des co.llponents llloun~ed on a circuit board. The device 8, its cGlllponents and circuit board, co-ordinate the interruption and ~ n.~ ;on of audio signals to the speaker 12.
R~f~llhlg to figure 4 which shows the main co,l.pol &~ls ofthe circuit board ofthe device, the ci~.;uill~ ofthe device 8 is signal con~ ed to the audio rec~i~el 10 by lr~ ;on lines 18a, 18b (one live, one ground) Similarly, the circuit board and its components are ope~li~,ly conne.,ted to the speaker 12 by l.~n~...;s.~;on lines 20a, 20b (one live, one ground) V~ri~tions of the number of speakers and the number of ~ cs;on lines are possible, depelldi~lg upon the effect desired or the l;~nit~ti--nc of the system. For ease of des~,liption, the system is being des~ ed in respect of one speaker only.
Further to being con~ ted to the audio receiver 10 and the speaker 12, the device 8 and its circuit board is also connectable to the pol~ble cellular phone 14 so that sound can be ll;.n~ led from the pol ~le cellular phone 14 to the speaker 12 and from the miclopholle 15 to the portable cellular phone 14. In this respect, jack socket 22 is provided for receivil1g a jack plug (not shown) of a stereo cord 26 (see Figure 1) from the cellular phone 14.
The stereo cord 26 is a sl~dard off-the shelf cord used prc3e.,lly by cellular phone users to connect their cellular phone to microphone h-~ lsetc The cord 26 typically has four wires, two of the wires being live wires that l,~",il sound and the other of the two wires being grounding wires for the live wires. One of the pairs of wires (which includes one live wire, one ~ou,~.lillg wire) n~l",bered 27a, 27b in Figure 4 is used to l,a"~" il audio signal origin~tin~ from the user's microphone to the portable cellular phone. The other ofthe two pairs (which also int.llldes one live wire, one gr~ulldillg wire) ~ul~ered 29a, 29b in Figure 4 l,~lv.,.lls audio signal from the cellular phone 14 to the device 8.
In the case ofthe mi.;,~phone 15, audio signal is ~ 1ed to the phone via microphone cord 30 which co""),ises two ~ ;c",:$~ lines 30a, 30b, one ofthe l~n.~ . C- on lines lli...~...;l~;ng audio signal picked up by the miclophone and the other ofthe wires providing a gro~ di~g The hl~ use a jack plug-socket comle~;lion for col1ne.;~ g the l~n~".icr on lines 30a, 30b to the device 8. In this respect, in Figure 4, there is shown a jack socket casing rGplesGl,led by the box llullll)GlGd 25 adapted to receive a miclophon~ jack plug (not shown).
The types of conlle~l;on~ used, ~LG~IIG1 they be jack plug-socket conl-e~l;on.c or tennin block comle~;lions, can be varied to suit the particular ci~ nces or desired spe~ifi~sfion of the user or maker. There is no invention claimed in respect of the type of conl~ ;on~ used because ~ ne,~ of col-l-~ ;r n are old, i,tandald and known in the art.
The plii~ciple of operation for the ch.iuil,~ of the circuit board will now be e~
R~r~ . to Figure 4, power is drawn from the battery ofthe car through power line 41 and passes through an in~ ctor 43. A~er passing through the inductor 43, power is then l~;~ll~lll;lled via lines 45 to the amplifier 47, the timer 49 and the trip generally lGrGlled to by the numeral 51. The inductor 43 provides a protective m~gnetic field which prevents ill effect to the device for power surges that occur from the electrical operation of other devices in the vehicle..
In the normal course, when the cellular phone 14 is not in use and the audio receiver 10 is being used, audio signal is ~ ed along lines 50a and SOb, then along lines 51a, 51b, and the along lines 20a, 20b to the speaker 12, with each pair of lines one l.~ v.,,ils audio signal and the other provides ground.
For the user, there is provided a means for illte~upling the audio signal being ~ ed from the receiver 10 to the speaker 12 and divt;lling that signal to a resistor 54. This interruption occurs when there is a phone audio signal, r~ lli"g from an ih~co""llg call or the user calling out, from the portable cellular phone 14.
When the operation of the portable cellular phone 14 is initi~te-l an audio signal is sent through lines 29a, 29b, enters the device 8 through jack cnnnP~tor 55, l,~ ~"lils along lines 57a, 57b, and encounlers the msgnetic l~ i,ru""er, generally r~ft;"ed to by the numeral 59.
The purpose ofthe ma~netic l~ er 59 is to electro~ lly interrupt the h~.l~ire com e-,tion without inte"upt"~g the l~ .c.~ic~;Qn ofthe audio signal. This interruption reduces signal interference that would be caused by any diLrelel ce in ground impedance between the device ch~;uil~y and the phone cil~;uilly. Because it is prere,~le that this device 8 be adaptable for use with cellular phones of dirrele,~t makes, and because the circuit board of the device 8 has been ~e~ ed using a specific ~bill~y il"~aAsn~, it is conceivable that the eclsnce of a signal produced any particular portable cellular phone may vary from that ;...l~dsnce ofthe circuit board ofthe device 8. The effect ofthat ~a,iance is co,,c;~;led by the ma~netiC ~ sru~ er 59.
After the signal has been tranvro,,,,ed by the ~,ansroll" r 59, it proceeds along line 61 and is then split, at juncture 80, in the direction of lines 82 and 84.
This purpose of the splitting is to send a first derivative signal along line 82 to trigger the interruption of any audio signal prese"~ly being l,~n~...;l led from the audio receiver 10 to the speaker 12 and also send a second delivalive signal to the speaker 12 in place ofthe signal previously being l~i~n~ led from the audio receiver 10. Thus, by intellupling the old signal from the audio receiver 10, and sending a new signal from the cellular phone 14 in its place, sound from the cellular phone is projected through the speaker 12.
Following the first derivative signal along path 82, the signal is converted by a converter (not shown) to DC voltage from AC voltage. A~er the collvel~;on, the timer 49 is initi~ted by the audio signal. The timer 49 in turn initiates and activates the trip trigger, generally rerelled to by the numeral Sl. The length oftime that the trip trigger 51 remains activated, depends upon how the timer 49 has been progl~ l,ed. The progl~ g of the timer 49 is acccslll~lished, in the standard manner, by confi~ring the circuit board. The amount of progl~ullllled time is preferably greater than 15 seconds from the time that DC voltage stops being r~ ed by the timer 49 from the cellular phone 14. As a practical matter, the hlvelllol~ have found it e~r~ilive to pre-program the timer 49 to continually send an a.;livali,lg signal to the trip 51 for a period of thirty seconds a~er leceivh~ the most latest audio signal from the cellular phone 14. So it is that, if no signal is sent from the cellular phone for a period ofthirty secon~1s~ the trip trigger 51 is de-activated.
However, upon and for as long as the trip trigger 51 r~ceives a ~ n~...;lled signal from the timer 49, the trip trigger 51 will cause the relays 53 and their relay pins 55 to illlellu~ l any audio signal being ~ . . .;l led from the receiver 10 from being lli~n ..;I ~e.d to the speaker 24. Further to intellup~ing the signal, the relays 53 and their relay pines 55 redilecl the audio signal from the receiver 10along ~lt~ l;velines57, 59forabsol~,lionbythe resistor54. Theresistor54 absorbs the redilecled audio signal current.
Followving the second deli~alivt; audio signal, along line 84, the audio signal from the cellular phone 10 is amplified by amplifier 47. The amplifier 47 boosts the audio signal current receivt;d from the cellular phone by a pre-progl~ll,lled signal gain for projection from the speaker 12. A~er the boosting by the amplifier 47, the audio signal proceeds along line 61 and is ll~n~...;lled from the device 8 along lines 61, and out lines 20a, 20b to the speaker 12 at the pre-prog.~ led volume.
The relays 53 used for switching the audio signals onto ~h~rn~tive tr~n.~mi~ion paths are st~1dard eight pin relays. No invention is claimed in respect of the relays and their use and incG.~,o.~lion and modification in the relay sperifir,~ti~n to suit ~c.ll".~ ce will be obvious to a person skilled in the art.
In the plerel-ed embodiment, the microphone wiring is routed through the device 8 for convenience of ~-~ge l,ent. Lines 30a, 30b extend from the microphone 15 to the microphone jack 25. From the microphone jack 25, the miclophone audio signal is routed through the jack 55 by lines 63a, 63b and then routed to the phone 14 by lines 27a, 27b.
In ope-~lioll, the phone 14 is connected by the user by pl~gging the jack plug of cord 26 into the socket 23 of the device 8. The mic.ophone 15 has already been conl-P~led to the device 8 by pl~l~in~ the jack plug on the free end of wires 30a and 30b into jack socket 81 of the device 8.
The power connections also having already been made, the device 8 is ready for operation.
When an audio signal originates from the phone 14, it is l-;.n.~...;l led to the device 8 via lines 29a, 29b. Device 8, if ~ ui~d, redil~ts, any signal already being l~n.~ ed to the speakers 12 to its resistor 54. The audio signal emanating from the phone 14 is then l~.-~ ed ul~..l)eded to the speaker 12 so that the user can hear the other caller's voice from the speaker 12. When the user, himself, speaks, his voice is picked up by the microphone 15 and ~ ed through the device 8 and through lines 27a, 27b to the cellular phone so that the other caller can hear the user's voice.
A~er the call has been termin~ted and the programmed duration for timer 49 expires, the tripper 49 and relays 53 interact to permit audio signal, if any, ~ n~ g from the receiver to be again l~;1n~ ed to the speaker 12.
' CA 0222S224 1997-12-18 It will be appalellt that even if the audio rece;~el is not being powered or used, the device 8 will nevertheless ~ snl,l any audio signal from the phone 14 to the speaker 12 as aforesaid. In the plerelled embodiment, the device 8 is powered directly from the battery of the vehicle and its operation need not be restricted by the operation of the audio receiver 10.
The operation of the invention permits the interruption and redirection of the audio signal being ~ Pd to the speaker 12 from the receiver 10 to the resistor 54. With that redirection, the device 8 also permits the tr~n~mi~c1on of an audio signal from the telephone 14 to the speaker 12 so that a person driving a car can hear the caller's voice over his speaker system. The device 8 permits the driver to listen to the hlcollling caller and to speak into a microphone 15 without having to concern himselfwith the operation ofthe radio receiver or the phone. Further, no a~ tmP.nt to the volume of the phone as coming from the speakers is required, regardless of the level of volume that the radio or other audio device was previously being played because the volume has been pre-set by the amplifier 47. (Some volume control, however, will still be available to the user by a~justing the volume control on the phone itself. ) It is understood that the above description is of the prerelled embodiment given for the purpose of e~lail~h~g the invention. Modifications to the prere"ed embodiment still within the scope of the invention are possible. The scope of the invention is as claimed in the appended claims.
Claims (12)
- The embodiments of the invention for which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows A device for transmitting an incoming audio signal from a phone through a vehicular speaker system, of the type having an audio receiver and a speaker, comprising circuit means mountable between the audio receiver and the speaker for interrupting the audio signal being transmitted to the speaker from the receiver by relaying that audio signal to a resistor means, said circuit means having a tripping means which is activated upon the circuit means receiving an activating signal from a phone;
said circuit means including transmitting means for transmitting an incoming phone signal to the car speaker when the tripping means has been activated - 2 A device as Claimed in Claim 1 for transmitting an incoming audio signal from a phone through a vehicular speaker system, of the type having an audio receiver and a speaker, wherein:
said transmitting means has ground loop prevention means to separating incoming audio signal ground from device ground to prevent grounding interference of the audio signal - 3 A device as claimed in Claim 1 for transmitting an incoming audio signal from a phone through a vehicular speaker system, of the type having an audio receiver and a speaker, comprising:
there are provided an inductor means, said inductor means preventing the activation of the tripping means as a result of the normal running and use of the vehicle - 4 A device as claimed in Claim 1 for transmitting an incoming audio signal from a phone through a vehicular speaker system, of the type having an audio receiver and a speaker, wherein:
said ground loop prevention means comprises a transformer means which causes the audio current of the incoming phone to be transferred electro-magnetically to break the hardwired connection between the cellular phone and the device without interrupting the transmission of the incoming cellular audio signal. - 5. A device as claimed in Claim 2 for transmitting an incoming audio from a phone through a vehicular speaker system, of the type having an audio receiver and a speaker, wherein:
said ground loop prevention means comprises a transformer means which causes the audio current of the incoming phone to be transferred electro-magnetically to break the hardwired connection between the cellular phone and the device without interrupting the transmission of the incoming cellular audio signal. - 6. A device as claimed in Claim 3 for transmitting an incoming audio signal from a phone through a vehicular speaker system, of the type having an audio receiver and a speaker, wherein:
said ground loop prevention means comprises a transformer means which causes the audio current of the incoming phone to be transferred electro-magnetically to break the hardwired incoming cellular audio signal. - 7. A device as claimed in Claim 1 for transmitting an incoming audio signal from a phone through a vehicular speaker system, of the type having an audio receiver and a speaker, wherein:
there is provided a delay means which prevents signal from being transmitted from the receiver to the speaker through the device until a specified time period has elapsed after the most recent audio signal has been received by the device from the phone. - 8. A device as claimed in Claim 2 for transmitting an incoming audio signal from a phone through a vehicular speaker system, of the type having an audio receiver and a speaker, wherein:
there is provided a delay means which prevents signal from being transmitted from the receiver to the speaker through the device until a specified time period has elapsed after the most recent audio signal has been received by the device from the phone. - 9. A device as claimed in Claim 3 for transmitting an incoming audio signal from a phone through a vehicular speaker system, of the type having an audio receiver and a speaker, wherein:
there is provided a delay means which prevents signal from being transmitted from the receiver to the speaker through the device until a specified time period has elapsed after the most recent audio signal has been received by the device from the phone. - 10. A device as claimed in Claim 1 for transmitting an incoming audio signal from a phone through a vehicular speaker system, of the type having an audio receiver and a speaker, wherein:
there is provided a delay means which prevents signal from being transmitted from the receiver to the speaker through the device until a specified time period of greater than 15 seconds has elapsed after the most recent audio signal has been received by the device from the phone. - 11. A device as claimed in Claim 2 for transmitting an incoming audio signal from a phone through a vehicular speaker system, of the type having an audio receiver and a speaker, wherein:
there is provided a delay means which prevents signal from being transmitted from the receiver to the speaker through the device until a specified time period of greater than 15 seconds has elapsed after the most recent audio signal has been received by the device from the phone. - 12. A device as claimed in Claim 3 for transmitting an incoming audio signal from a phone through a vehicular speaker system, of the type having an audio receiver and a speaker, wherein:
there is provided a delay means which prevents signal from being transmitted from the receiver to the speaker through the device until a specified time period of greater than 15 seconds has elapsed after the most recent audio signal has been received by the device from the phone.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2225224 CA2225224A1 (en) | 1997-12-18 | 1997-12-18 | Device for routing audio signal in vehicle |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2225224 CA2225224A1 (en) | 1997-12-18 | 1997-12-18 | Device for routing audio signal in vehicle |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2225224A1 true CA2225224A1 (en) | 1999-06-18 |
Family
ID=29408940
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2225224 Abandoned CA2225224A1 (en) | 1997-12-18 | 1997-12-18 | Device for routing audio signal in vehicle |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2225224A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1536664A3 (en) * | 2003-11-27 | 2007-01-10 | Sony Corporation | Car audio equipment |
-
1997
- 1997-12-18 CA CA 2225224 patent/CA2225224A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1536664A3 (en) * | 2003-11-27 | 2007-01-10 | Sony Corporation | Car audio equipment |
| US8160267B2 (en) | 2003-11-27 | 2012-04-17 | Sony Corporation | Car audio equipment |
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