WO2014026165A2

WO2014026165A2 - Systems and methods for vehicle cabin controlled audio

Info

Publication number: WO2014026165A2
Application number: PCT/US2013/054427
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lawrence Robert Hamelink; Brian K. Servis
Original assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
Priority date: 2012-08-10
Filing date: 2013-08-09
Publication date: 2014-02-13
Also published as: WO2014026165A3

Abstract

Some embodiments of the disclosure relate to a method for use in a vehicle. The method includes controllably boosting or cancelling vocal audio from a second vehicle occupant at a first vehicle occupant's seating location, without boosting or canceling the vocal audio throughout the vehicle.

Description

MFTHOIIS FOR VF H If I F f A KI

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

100011 The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/682,094, entitled "Systems and Methods for Vehicle Cabin Controlled Audio," filed August 10, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1 0021 The present disclosure generally relates to the field of vehicle (e.g., automobile) interiors and audio systems for vehicles.

[0003] In a vehicle with multiple occupants, it is sometimes difficult for occupants to hear each other talk, particularly if other conversations are happening in the vehicle. Moreover, one occupant may be on the phone in the vehicle. The occupant on the phone may be disturbing the other occupants of the vehicle and/or may be disturbed by the other occupants of the vehicle. An occupant in the front seat may not be able to hear a discussion occurring in the back seat of the vehicle, or vice versa. Further, in some cases occupants in the front of a vehicle (e.g., parents) may not want to wake, disturb, or be heard by occupants (e.g., children) in the rear of the vehicle.

[0004] It is challenging and difficult to control multi-occupant conversations in vehicle cabins.

SUMMARY

[0005] One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for attenuating a conversation of a first vehicle occupant for a second vehicle occupant. The method includes using a microphone near the first vehicle occupant to detect the presence of the conversation of the first vehicle occupant. The method further includes using an audio control system to cancel the conversation using audio output from a speaker subsystem local to the second vehicle occupant. (0006) In one embodiment of the method, the method further includes using the audio control system and a speaker subsystem local to the first vehicle occupant to cancel background noise received at the microphone near the first vehicle occupant.

[0007} In one embodiment of the method, the method further includes, in response to input received from a user interface device, switching the audio control system from canceling the conversation from the audio output from the speaker subsystem local to the second vehicle occupant to boosting the conversation using audio output from the speaker subsystem local to the second vehicle occupant.

10008} In one embodiment of the method, the method further includes using the audio control system to boost the two-way conversation between the first vehicle occupant and the second vehicle occupant while canceling the conversation from a third vehicle occupant. The method may further include adjusting the magnitude of the boost in response to input received from a user interface device.

}0009] In one embodiment of the method, the speaker subsystem local to the second vehicle occupant includes a trim panel directly coupled to a transducer, wherein the trim panel includes the speaker membrane.

(0010] Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for use in a vehicle. The method includes using an active noise cancellation system in a vehicle to boost the amplitude of a conversation between two occupants while attenuating the amplitude of the conversation for at least a third occupant.

[0011] Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for use in a vehicle. The method includes eontrollably boosting or canceling vocal audio from a second vehicle occupant at a first vehicle occupant's seating location, without boosting or canceling the vocal audio throughout the vehicle.

[0012] In one embodiment of the method, the method further includes receiving input signals from a user interface to determine whether to boost or cancel the vocal audio. In one embodiment of the method, the boosting or canceling is effected by inputs received at a user interface system.

[0013] Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for use in a vehicle. The method includes detecting vocal audio originating in a front row of the vehicle. The method further includes actively canceling the vocal audio in a rear row of the vehicle. The active cancellation obscures a conversation in the front row of the vehicle from passengers in the rear row of the vehicle.

[0014] In one embodiment of the method, the method further includes detecting vocal audio originating in a rear row of the vehicle. The method further includes actively canceling the vocal audio in the front row of the vehicle. The active cancellation obscures a conversation in the rear row of the vehicle from passengers in the front row of the vehicle.

[0015] Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for use in a vehicle. The method includes using first user input to control the amount of noise boosted or cancelled at a first seating location. The method further includes using second user input to control the amount of noise boosted or cancelled at other seating locations.

[0016J Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for use in a vehicle. The method includes, at a speaker subsystem local to a first seating zone in a vehicle, boosting vocal audio signals from a second seating zone in the vehicle. The method further includes at a speaker subsystem local to a third seating zone in the vehicle, canceling the vocal audio signals from the second seating zone in the vehicle.

[0017] Another embodiment relates to a method for improving the audibility of a conversation between two vehicle occupants. The method includes identifying a vocal source location using a first microphone. The method further includes playing back audio received at the first microphone via a speaker subsystem associated with a listening location. The method further includes using active noise cancellation to boost a vocal component of the played back audio and to reduce a non- vocal component of the played back audio. In one embodiment of the method, the method further includes refraining from playing back the audio at another speaker subsystem of the vehicle which is not associated with the listening position.

[0018] Another embodiment relates to an audio control system for mounting in a vehicle including at least first and second vehicle seats. The audio control system includes a first microphone associated with the first vehicle seat and a first speaker subsystem associated with the first vehicle seat. The audio control system further includes a second microphone associated with the second vehicle seat and a second speaker subsystem associated with the second vehicle seat. The audio control system further includes processing electronics configured to receive information from the first microphone and the second microphone and to controllably boost audio received at the first microphone and to cancel audio received at the second microphone.

[0019] In one embodiment of the audio control system, the first vehicle speaker subsystem includes a headrest mount configured to hold at least one speaker transducer near the seat occupant's head, and the second vehicle speaker subsystem of the audio control system includes a headrest mount configured to hold at least one speaker transducer near the seat occupant's head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0020] The disclosure will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, in which:

[0021) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle including the vehicle audio system of the present disclosure, according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0022) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vehicle interior including multiple speakers and microphones of the vehicle audio system, according to an exemplary

embodiment;

[0023] FIG. 3 is another perspective view of a vehicle interior including multiple speakers and microphones of the vehicle audio system, according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0024) FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a vehicle audio system for controlling audio in a vehicle, according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0025] FIGS. 5A-E are headrest mounted speaker subsystems of the vehicle audio system of the present disclosure, according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0026] FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a process for controlling audio in a vehicle, according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0027] FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a process for attenuating audio in a vehicle, according to an exemplary embodiment; 100281 FIG, 8 is a flow chart of a process for boosting audio in a vehicle, according to an exemplary embodiment;

|0029] FIG, 9 is a flow chart of a process for controlling a conversation between multiple vehicle occupants, according to an exemplary embodiment;

(0030) FIG. 10 illustrates a headrest mounted speaker subsystem configuration of the vehicle audio system of the present disclosure, according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0031] FIG- 1 1 illustrates a headrest mounted speaker subsystem configuration of the vehicle audio system of the present disclosure, according to another exemplary embodiment;

[0032] FIG. 12 illustrates a headrest mounted speaker subsystem configuration of the vehicle audio system of the present disclosure, according to yet another exemplary embodiment; and

100331 FIG. 13 illustrates headrest configurations for housing a speaker subsystem of the vehicle audio system, according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

1003 1 Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0035J Referring generally to the figures, a vehicle audio system is shown and described. The vehicle audio system may controllably provide voice enhancement and noise cancellation features for occupants located in different sections of the vehicle. For example, the vehicle audio system may provide a voice enhancement feature that allows a first occupant inside the vehicle to hear amplified audio spoken by a second occupant. Spoken words may be received at a microphone positioned to detect audio from the second occupant. Electronics can receive signals from the microphone and provide a speaker subsystem (e.g., a speaker system channel having a speaker or transducer) near the first occupant with received and amplified audio including the spoken words from the second occupant.

100361 If the intent is to boost the amplitude of the audio spoken by the second occupant at the location first occupant, the electronics provide the audio signals to the speaker subsystem such that constructive interference (e.g., in-phase) occurs between the waveforms of the spoken words from the second occupant's mouth and the waveforms reproduced by the speaker subsystem. This allows one occupant to talk with another occupant without raising his or her voice. The electronics may use express user input (e.g., via voice recognition, buttons, switches or other

predetermined user inputs) to determine when to switch to this boosting mode. The electronics may also or alternatively use an intent estimate to determine when to switch to the boosting mode. The intent estimate may be conducted by determining whether microphone detection patterns in the vehicle indicate a conversation between the occupants is occurring. Detection patterns may indicate such a conversation when there is a prompt and response pattern from the occupants.

[0037] If the intent is to reduce the amplitude of the audio spoken by the second occupant at the location of the first occupant, the electronics provide the audio signals to the speaker subsystem such that destructive interference (e.g., out of phase) occurs between the waveforms of the spoken words from the second occupant's mouth and the waveforms reproduced by the speaker subsystem. In this way, the vehicle audio system may provide a noise cancellation feature that blocks out speech and other noise from an occupant in one vehicle seat to an occupant in another vehicle seat. The vehicle audio system may be used to provide privacy for a vehicle occupant.

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment, each occupant of the vehicle may interact with the vehicle audio system by activating a noise cancellation feature to block out other occupants' voices and other noise or by activating a voice enhancement feature that allows the occupant to be heard by other occupants and the other occupants to be heard by the occupant. The Figures and text below can accomplish one or more of the aforementioned activities using the hardware and processing electronics described herein. Merely because a novel feature is noted with respect to one Figure does not mean that such feature is limited to use with that Figure. In other words, unless the features described herein are technically inconsistent with one another, the features described in different figures can be considered as coexisting or possibly coexisting,

[003 J Referring to FIGS. 1-3, various perspective views of a vehicle 100 and vehicle 100 interior are shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. Vehicle 100 may include a vehicle audio system (e.g., having electronics housed in the center stack of the vehicle and transducers located to drive portions of the headliner). The vehicle audio system may controllably enhance noise (e.g., an occupant's voice) and provide noise cancellation features (e.g., for canceling an occupant's voice or another sound) for different seating zones of vehicle 100 simultaneously.

100401 Vehicle 100 is shown to include a plurality of speaker 104 locations and microphone 106 locations. The speakers 104 may include its own membrane or may use a trim panel (e.g., A trim, B trim, headliner, etc.) of vehicle 100 as its speaker membrane. Using a trim panel as a speaker can include using a transducer (e.g., speaker motor) to accelerate or vibrate the trim panel as if the trim panel were a traditional speaker membrane. Electronics for the vehicle audio system (shown in greater detail in FIG. 4) may include a digital signal processor and multiple amplification channels (e.g., one for each seating zone).

|0041 j The vehicle audio system may further include any number of user interfaces (either independent or integrated with another user interface of the vehicle) that allow an occupant of the vehicle to control noise cancellation or boosting features. For example, an occupant can enable or disable a voice enhancement and/or a noise cancellation feature by pressing a button or switch. The button or switch may be located near the controlling user (e.g., on the side of the seat or on the seat back or head rest, on a vehicle control system 102, on the dashboard, etc.). As another example, vehicle 100 may include a touchscreen (e.g., on vehicle control system 102) that an occupant may interact with to change audio settings. As yet another example, an occupant may provide an audio command to the vehicle audio system relating to audio settings. As described above, the system may also or alternatively use behavior estimates to determine whether to cancel, boost, or cancel for some occupant and boost for another occupant. The behavior estimator of the processing electronics may use microphones near each of multiple seat to determine whether a conversation is being conducted between vehicle occupants (rather than separate conversations).

[00421 In the embodiment of FIGS. 2-3, the input devices and output devices are shown in various locations in vehicle 100. Speakers 104 are shown located above each seat of the vehicle and may be attached to the roof of vehicle 100 or configured to drive a section of headliner. Microphones 106 are shown located in the back of each front row seat back 108 and head rest 1 10. Microphones 106 are also shown located above and between the two front seats. While exemplary locations for speakers and microphones are shown in FIGS. 1 -3, it should be appreciated that other locations may be utilized in varying embodiments. For example, the microphones may be located in headrests, on a dash, in a pillar, etc. The microphones may be omnidirectional in some embodiments. In other embodiments the microphones may be directional. In yet further embodiments both omnidirectional and directional microphones may be used.

100431 Referring to FIG. 2, a voice enhancement feature of the vehicle audio system is illustrated. When an occupant 1 12 in the front of the vehicle speaks, a microphone 106 in the front of vehicle 100 (e.g., a microphone located at a ceiling location) may pick up the voice. The vehicle audio system may receive the voice input 120, process voice input 120, and amplify the resulting audio signals as an output 122 to a speaker 104 located above occupant 1 14 in the rear of vehicle 100. The vehicle audio system may accentuate, enhance or otherwise change the voice to allow rear occupant 1 14 to more easily hear the voice. Output 122 can be timed by the vehicle audio system to be in phase with and therefore constructively support the waveform from the front occupant 1 12's mouth. In an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle audio system may generate out of phase background noise to cancel other cabin noise that may negatively impact rear seat occupant 1 14's ability to hear front occupant 1 12.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 3, a noise and voice cancellation feature of the vehicle audio system is illustrated. Occupant 1 14 in the rear of vehicle 100 is shown talking on a phone, and the voice 124 of the occupant 1 14 may be audible to occupant 1 12 in the front seat of vehicle 100. The vehicle audio system may detect the voice level of rear occupant 1 14 via the voice input 124 at a microphone 106. In a mode selected by either occupant 1 12 or 1 14, the vehicle audio system can cause audio 126 to be played back from the front speakers 104 timed to cancel the rear occupant 1 14's voice for front occupant 1 12. In such an example, rear occupant 1 1 4 may be able to carry on a mobile phone conversation while refraining from distracting front occupant 1 12.

[0045| Referring now to FIG. 4, a block diagram of a vehicle audio system 200 is shown. Vehicle audio system 200 includes an audio control system 202 configured to control noise cancellation or support activities in vehicle 1 00, one or more input devices (e.g., microphones 230 for audio input, user inputs from seat user interfaces (UIs) 232, etc.), and multiple speaker subsystems (e.g. speaker system channels 234). Audio control system 202 may receive an input from any number of microphones 230 located throughout vehicle 100. Each microphone 230 may be designated for a particular seat or location in vehicle 100 (e.g., one microphone may be configured to pick up speech from a passenger in the driver's seat, other front seat, or back seat). In various embodiments, multiple microphones may be configured to pick up audio from a single seat or area, or a single microphone may be configured to pick up audio from multiple seats or areas (and vehicle audio system 200 may include logic for determining the location of the source of the audio).

[0046] Audio control system 202 may further receive user interface inputs from an occupant via a seat UIs 232 . Each occupant of a seat in vehicle 100 may provide an input to audio control system 202 via seat UIs 232. A seat UI may be provided for each seat of the vehicle, according to one embodiment. Alternatively, a seat UI may be provided for just the driver of the vehicle or just for the front seat occupants of the vehicle, allowing one or more occupants to control vehicle audio system 200 for the entire vehicle (e.g., allowing a parent to control the audio system when children are in the back seats). Seat UIs 232 may be or include any number of buttons, switches, touchscreens, etc., that allow the occupant to determine a desired audio setting as described below.

[0047] Audio control system 202 includes an interface 21 8 for receiving the inputs and providing the inputs to processing circuit 204. Processing circuit 204 is shown to include a processor 206 and memory 208 for completing the activities described herein. Processor 206 may be implemented as a general purpose processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a group of processing components, or other suitable electronic processing components. Memory 208 is one or more devices (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash memory, hard disk storage, etc.) for storing data and/or computer code for completing and/or facilitating the various processes described herein. Memory 208 may be or include non-transient volatile memory or non-volatile memory. Memory 208 may include data base components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described herein. Memory 208 may be communicably connected to the processor and includes computer code or instructions for executing one or more processes described herein.

[0048] Memory 208 is shown to include various modules for completing the activities described herein. Memory 208 is shown to include an audio settings module 210 configured to manage audio settings for each occupant of the vehicle. Audio settings module 210 may be configured to receive the inputs from the audio input devices and UIs (e.g., microphones 230 and seat UIs 232) and to modi y audio settings for a seat or area of the vehicle. In an exemplary embodiment, audio settings module 210 may have a different set of settings 212 for each seat (e.g., a first setting 212 for seat 1 , a setting 212 for seat 2, and so forth). In another embodiment, multiple seats or other areas of the vehicle may have the same settings 212 (e.g., the same settings 212 for the back seats of the vehicle and the same settings 212 for the front seats of the vehicle). Audio settings module 210 may further have different sets of settings 212 for different occupants (e.g., settings may relate to an individual occupant rather than a seat or area of the vehicle).

[0049] Audio settings module 210 may receive an input from a seat UI 232 relating to a preferred audio setting of an occupant of the seat. For example, the occupant may provide an input that indicates that the occupant does not want to be disrupted by other occupants. Audio settings module 210 may receive the input and determine that noise cancellation features should be provided to the speaker system channel associated with the occupant and seat. Audio settings module 210 may provide the indication to noise cancellation module 214 to generate an output to block out noise for the occupant, and may store the indication in settings 212 for the individual occupant or seat,

[0050] As another example, the occupant may provide an input that indicates that the occupant wants to hear what other occupants are saying (e.g., an occupant in seat 4 wants to converse with the occupant in seat 1). Audio settings module 210 may receive the input and provide an indication to voice enhancement module 216 to enhance the voice of the two occupants (e.g., of seat 4 and seat 1 ). Further, the indication may be stored in settings 212 for the individual occupants or seats. In other words, audio settings module 210 receives a user input relating to a desired audio setting, and is configured to activate and deactivate noise cancellation and voice enhancement features based on the input.

[00511 In the embodiment described above, each occupant may control audio settings for himself or hersel f in the vehicle. In another embodiment, an occupant (e.g., a driver) may be configured to manage audio settings for some or all of the occupants and seats or areas of the vehicle. For example, an occupant may provide an input relating to a "global" audio setting (e.g., to provide voice enhancement features to each seat and occupant or to provide a noise cancellation feature to each seat and occupant). As another example, an occupant may select another occupant to converse with by selecting to provide voice enhancement features to the seat of the other occupant and to provide noise cancellation features to the other seats of the vehicle. Audio settings module 2 10 may further be configured to determine that the occupant of seat 1 (or another seat) is the "main" occupant and can provide global commands for the system, or may receive an indication from another vehicle control system as to which occupants are allowed to provide global commands.

10052 J Memory 208 is further shown to include a noise cancellation module 214. Noise cancellation module 214 is configured to generate a noise output to provide to one or more speaker system channels 234 of vehicle audio system 200. Noise cancellation module 214 may be configured to receive an audio input and to boost a vocal component of the audio while reducing a non-vocal component of the audio. Further, noise cancellation module 214 may receive an input from audio settings module 210 relating to areas of the vehicle to which a noise output should be provided, and the intensity or volume of the output. Noise cancellation module 214 can therefore be used to provide an clearer audio output to one or more speakers (e.g., an audio output that removes non-voice sounds and voice sounds not directly related to the audio input), and to cancel out unwanted voice sounds.

1005 J Memory 208 is further shown to include a voice enhancement module 216. Voice enhancement module 216 is configured to generate a voice output to provide to one or more speaker system channels 234 of vehicle audio system 200. Voice enhancement module 216 may receive an input from audio settings module 210 relating to the areas of the vehicle to which the voice output should be provided, and the desired volume of the output. Voice enhancement module 216 may further receive the audio input from microphones 230 or another audio source (e.g., a hands- free phone subsystem or module) for enhancement. Voice enhancement may include one or more of increasing the volume of the audio input, changing the pitch or tone of the audio input, or otherwise changing the audio input in any way. The modified audio input may then be provided to the one or more speaker system channels 234.

[0054] Audio control system 202 may be connected with one or more speaker system channels 234 of vehicle 100 via an output interface 220. Each speaker system channel 234 may be or include one or more speakers configured to provide an audio output to a seat or other area of the vehicle. In one embodiment, each speaker system channel 234 may provide an audio output for each seat (e.g., speaker system channel 1 for seat 1 , speaker system channel 2 for seat 2, etc.). While the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2-3 illustrate a single speaker for each seat, it should be understood that there may be multiple speakers in the speaker system channel for each seat, or a single speaker may be used for multiple seats. Each speaker system channel 234 may receive an audio output from audio control system 202. The audio input may be, for example, a noise output generated by noise cancellation module 214 or a voice output from voice enhancement module 216 or a another combination of signals received from the vehicle audio system 200 (e.g., cancelation and enhancement, having hands- free conversation components, etc.).

[0055] Vehicle audio system 200 may further include or be coupled to various other vehicle subsystems connected to audio control system 202 via an interface 222. In one embodiment, a navigation (NAV1) system 240 may be connected to the audio control system. For example, audio control system 202 may receive an input from a user via a microphone 230 (e.g., an audible command) for navigation system 240, and audio control system 202 may process the voice input for navigation system 240. As another example, navigation system 240 may be configured to provide an audible command (e.g., driving directions) to a driver of vehicle 100. Audio control system 202 may receive the audible command and process the command such that the command is played back for the driver of vehicle 100 as clearly as possible (e.g., noise cancellation module 214 may be used to provide noise cancellation features to the driver's seat to allow the driver to more clearly hear the audible command from navigation system 240).

[0056] In one embodiment, a hands-free telephone (HFT) system 242 may be connected to audio control system 202. For example, when an occupant in vehicle 100 is using HFT system 242, both the occupant's voice and the other voice may be processed by audio control system 202 to allow the occupant to more clearly hear the other person on the telephone and to provide the clearest possible audio output to the other person.

[0057] In one embodiment, a media center system 244 of vehicle 100 may be connected to audio control system 202. Media center system 244 may be a system configured to manage various subsystems of vehicle 100 including, but not limited to, a video playback system, the radio, and other visual or audio output. Audio control system 202 may be configured to receive an audio output from a subsystem of media center system 244 and to process the audio output for the occupants in vehicle 100. For example, different seats or areas may have different audio settings, different occupants may choose to listen or not listen to the audio output from the subsystem of media center system 244, etc.

[0058] In one embodiment, a voice recognition system 246 of vehicle 100 is connected to audio control system 202. Voice recognition system 246 may receive a processed voice or other audio input from audio control system 202 and may identify the voice based on the processed audio input. Audio control system 202 and/or voice recognition system 246 may include logic for determining when or if an audio input should be processed by audio control system 202 for identification,

[0059] Audio control system 202 includes interfaces 218, 220, 222 for

communicating with the various other subsystems of the vehicle. Interfaces 218, 220, 222 may be wired or wireless interfaces. For example, interface 218 may be a wired or wireless interface configured to receive an audio or interface input. Interface 220 may be a ired or wireless interface configured to transmit an audio output to one or more speakers. Interface 222 may be a wired or wireless interface configured to communicate with the various subsystems of the vehicle that may make use of audio control system 202.

1 0601 Vehicle audio system 200 as described herein may be used in various scenarios. For example, suppose an occupant in the seat designated at seat 4 may currently be speaking and disrupting the other occupants. An audio input may be provided to audio settings module 202 from the corresponding microphone 230 (e.g., microphone 4). Audio settings module 202 may then use the audio settings at the other seats (seats 1-3) to determine if the audio input should be provided to noise cancellation module 214, if one or more of the occupant activates the feature. If an occupant at seat 1 activates the noise cancellation feature via a seat UI 232 (e.g., seat UI 1), the noise cancellation feature is provided as an output to the corresponding speaker system channel 234 (e.g., speaker channel 1).

[0061] As another example, suppose an occupant in seat 4 wishes to converse with the occupant of seat 1. The occupant of seat 4 may provide an input at a seat UI 232 (e.g., seat UI 4) to initiate voice enhancement features at both the speaker channels 234 of the occupant in seat 4 and seat 1 (e.g., speaker channel 4 and 1). The occupants of seats 4 and 1 may then converse with each other.

[0062] As another example, a driver (e.g., occupant at seat 1) may wish to have a private conversation with the occupant of seat 2. The occupant of seat 1 may provide an input at a seat UI 232 (e.g., seat UI 1) to provide noise cancellation features to every seat but seats 1 and 2. Audio control system 202 may then provide noise cancellation features to the appropriate speaker system channels 234 (e.g., speaker channels 3 and 4) and override the previous audio settings for the seats. Similarly, if occupants are sleeping in the back seats (seats 3 and 4) of vehicle 100, the driver at seat 1 may alert vehicle audio system 200 to provide noise cancellation features to the seats.

10063] F IGS. 2-3 illustrate speaker subsystems for the varying occupant positions in the vehicle which are located in/on the ceiling of the vehicle.

[0064] FIGS. 5A-E illustrate another exemplary embodiment for providing occupant-specific speaker subsystems. A vehicle seat headrest 1 10 is shown to include a mount configured to hold at least one speaker transducer near the seat occupant's head. Using processing electronics such as those shown in FIG. 4 and the headrest mounted speaker subsystems of FIGS. 5A-E, vehicle audio system 200 may be configured to playback audio for voice enhancement or cancellation very locally to each vehicle occupant. In an exemplary embodiment, one or more microphones and speakers of vehicle audio system 200 may be integrated into a headrest device. A headrest mount for the speakers and/or the microphone may be hidden within headrest 1 10 in some embodiments. In other embodiments (e.g., the one shown in FIGS. 5A- E), the headrest mount for holding the speakers extends on the outside of the main headrest body.

[0065] In an exemplary embodiment, processing for the noise cancellation or enhancement may be local to each occupant's seat (e.g., with processing, microphone, and speakers all located within or on the headrest). In other words, with reference to FIG. 4, the vehicle audio system may include multiple audio control systems, each audio control system local to each seat or each area, with each audio control system capable of local noise cancellation and voice enhancement features. The multiple audio control systems may be in wired or wireless communication with one another. By holding the speakers close to each occupant's ears, the noise cancellation and enhancement may be of a lower level such that interference with another occupant's zone or bubble is avoided or reduced. In such an embodiment, referring to FIG. 4, audio control system 202 and the components thereof represent the collective audio control systems and components of the vehicle.

[0066] Referring now to FIG. 6, a flow chart of a process 600 for controlling audio in a vehicle is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. Process 600 may be executed by, for example, audio control system 202 and the components thereof. Process 600 includes receiving an audio input at the audio control system (step 602). In one embodiment, step 602 may include detecting audio from one or more microphones of the vehicle audio system. Step 602 may further include identifying the source of the audio (e.g., which occupant and/or which seat or area the audio originated). In another embodiment, step 602 may include receiving an audio input from one or more vehicle subsystems (e.g., navigation system, media center such as a radio, etc.).

100671 Process 600 further includes receiving audio settings (step 604). In one embodiment, the audio settings may be received from a user input. For example, an occupant may provide a user input via a seat user interface. The occupant may press one or more buttons or otherwise provide an input that relates to a desired audio setting. An occupant may provide a user input for controlling the audio in his or her seat or area, or an occupant (e.g., a driver) may provide a user input to control the audio output in other areas of the vehicle. For example, one occupant may wish to have a conversation with another occupant while blocking a third occupant from the conversation. The user input may then indicate that voice enhancement features should be provided for the second occupant and noise cancellation features should be provided for the third occupant. In another embodiment, the audio settings may be stored in an audio control system and may be applied to any audio input received by the audio control system (e.g., audio settings pre-set for one or more areas of the vehicle).

[0068] Process 600 further includes processing the audio input based on the audio settings (step 606). Step 606 may include boosting the audio input if the audio settings indicate that the audio output should be boosted for an occupant of the vehicle. Step 606 may further include processing the audio input to remove noise from the audio. Step 606 may further include generating an audio output to cancel out the audio in the vehicle for an occupant of the vehicle, if the audio settings indicate that the audio output should be cancelled out for the occupant.

[0069] Process 600 further includes providing audio outputs to one or more speakers of the vehicle (step 608). One or more audio outputs may be used to cancel noise (e.g., a conversation) at one or more seats or areas of the vehicle. One or more other audio outputs may be a boosted audio input.

100701 The steps of process 600 may be executed in a different order or steps may be included or excluded to provide additional audio control functionality. For example, an occupant may provide updated audio settings to the audio control system prior to any audio input being detected by one or more microphones in the vehicle. As another example, an audio input may be received and processed at the audio control system without receiving any user input or other information relating to audio settings.

[0071 J Referring now to FIG. 7, a flow chart of a process 700 for attenuating audio in a vehicle is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. Process 700 includes receiving a user input to attenuate noise (step 702). The noise may be a non-voice noise or may be a conversation. In one embodiment, the user input may be provided by an occupant in the vehicle wishing to cancel out noise at his or her seat or area in the vehicle. In another embodiment, the user input may be provided by an occupant in the vehicle wishing to cancel out noise at another location in the vehicle. For example, one occupant wishing to have a private conversation with a second occupant may provide a user input to attenuate the conversation for a third occupant in another area of the vehicle. The user input may relate to a first area of the vehicle in which noise is to be attenuated, and a second area of the vehicle in which audio that is generated from the second area is to be attenuated for the first area.

[0072] Process 700 further includes receiving an audio input to be attenuated (step 704) and generating an audio output that attenuates the audio input (step 706). Step 704 may include detecting audio in a particular area of the vehicle and determining if the audio is to be attenuated, based on the user input received in step 702. Process 700 further includes providing an output to one or more speakers of the vehicle to cancel noise in an area of the vehicle (step 708).

[0073J Referring now to FIG. 8, a flow chart of a process 800 for boosting audio in a vehicle is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. Process 800 includes receiving a user input to boost noise, such as a conversation in the vehicle (step 802). In one embodiment, the user input may be provided by an occupant in the vehicle wishing to hear a conversation in the vehicle, to hear an output from the radio or other vehicle subsystem, or otherwise. In another embodiment, the user input may be provided by an occupant in the vehicle for another occupant in another area of the vehicle. For example, a first occupant may wish to start a conversation with a second occupant, and the user input may relate to the two areas of the vehicle to provide an audio boost.

100741 Process 800 further includes receiving an audio input to be boosted (step 804) and generating an audio input that boost the audio input (step 806). Step 804 may include detecting audio in a particular area of the vehicle and determining if the audio should be boosted, based on the user input received in step 802. Step 804 may alternatively include receiving an audio input from a vehicle subsystem, such as a media center. Process 800 further includes providing the audio output to one or more speakers of the vehicle (step 808).

[00751 Referring to FIG. 9, a flow chart of a process 900 for controlling a conversation between multiple vehicle occupants is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. Process 900 includes receiv ing a user input to start a conversation (step 902). For example, step 902 includes a first occupant providing a user input to the audio control system that indicates that the first occupant wishes to have a

conversation with a second occupant. The user input may optionally further include an indication to block the conversation from further occupants in the vehicle.

[0076] Process 900 may optionally include providing noise cancellation features to one or more areas of the vehicle (step 904). For example, if the user input at step 902 indicates that the conversation should not be heard by one or more other occupants, the audio control system may provide noise cancellation features to those areas as described above.

[0077] Process 900 further includes receiving an audio input relating to

conversation (step 906). Step 906 may include identifying conversation in an area of the vehicle that corresponds with an area identified by the user input (i.e., identifying speech from one of the occupants in the conversation). Process 900 further includes processing the audio input (step 908) such as boosting the audio and providing the audio output to one or more speakers (step 910). [0078] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be configured to facilitate occupant-to-occupant communication in the vehicle via dynamic

cancelation/ enhancement "bubbles" that are vehicle occupant or zone specific. If one user is estimated to be listening to another user, the system may boost the voice from the speaking user while cutting noise (e.g., conversations, etc.) from other users. Such a system may be particularly beneficial in family vehicles (e.g., large SUVs and vans, etc.) to reduce driver distractions, facilitate better occupant-to-occupant communication, or to allow relatively private conversations between any two or more occupants. As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure may be used to reduce the perceived volume of a telephone conversation being carried on by another occupant of the vehicle (e.g., while enhancing the conversation for the occupant actually conducting the conversation).

[0079] Figure 10 illustrates a number of views of a headrest such as that shown in FIGS. 5A-5E, according to an exemplary embodiment. In FIG. 10, each speaker is associated with a less rounded enclosure (shown as partially within the primary body of the headrest). This more rectangular enclosure may provide increased speaker back-volume relative to the rounder design of FIGS. 5A-E. The speaker housing part may be formed from a plastic material while the headrest body may primarily be a foam covered by a layer (e.g., leather, etc.) for presentation. The soft part of the headrest may include one or more frame structures to which the speaker portions can be mounted. In other embodiments, the speaker enclosures float inside the foam and can be removed (e.g., if the user would like to decrease the headrest width).

[0080] Figure 1 1 illustrates a number of views of a headrest having integrated speakers. The speaker driver is shown as being oval-shaped and at a relative diagonal to ground such that the width of the speaker enclosures relative to the width of the headrest can be reduced.

[0081] Figure 12 illustrates a number of views of a headrest having integrated speakers, according to another exemplary embodiment. The speaker drive is oval- shaped and has an elongated axis perpendicular to the ground (e.g., when the headrest is installed in a vehicle). |0082) Figure 13 illustrates a number of different views of exemplary headrests having integrated speakers. In headrest 1300 the speakers enclosures are wide and the drivers have a round shape. 1300b provides another view of headrest 1300. Headrest 1301 includes a partially tear shaped speaker enclosure. Headrest 1302 includes oval speaker drivers which allow the speaker enclosures to be relatively narrow with respect to the primary width of the headrest body. Headrest 1304 illustrates a three- piece headrest having an upper portion, an inner portion, and a lower portion. The lower portion includes a base for the headrest and the speaker housing or frame assemblies. The inner portion includes additional back-volume or enclosure volume for the speakers. The inner portion may be a material or coated with a material having resonance damping properties (e.g., a plastic housing coated with a rubber or foam). The upper portion may include the primary headrest foam, a mount for the seatback frame or bars which extend into the seatback frame, and/or be covered by a decorative layer (e.g., leather, etc.). Headrest 1305 includes speaker enclosures on the sides of a primary headrest portion. The speaker enclosures are rounded and sized to naturally extend from the primary headrest portion. The speaker drivers are located behind a somewhat acoustically transparent decorative cover (which may be perforated leather, a mesh fiber, or another material). Headrest 1306 illustrates a partially exposed view of a headrest having a partially transparent (visually) and partially transparent (acoustically) material coving the headrest's front face. As can be seen, the headrest includes speakers inside the headrest body.

(0083) The construction and arrangement of the systems and methods as shown in the various exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.). For example, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[00841 The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems and program products on any machine-readable media for accomplishing various operations. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented using existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computer processor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or another purpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure include program products comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media. Machine- executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions. Software

implementations could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps and decision steps.

Claims

1. A method for attenuating a conversation of a first vehicle occupant for a second vehicle occupant, comprising:

using a microphone near the first vehicle occupant to detect the presence of the conversation of the first vehicle occupant; and

using an audio control system to cancel the conversation using audio output from a speaker subsystem local to the second vehicle occupant.

2. The method of Claim 1 , further comprising:

using the audio control system and a speaker subsystem local to the first vehicle occupant to cancel background noise received at the microphone near the first vehicle occupant.

3. The method of Claim 1 , further comprising:

in response to input received from a user interface device, switching the audio control system from (a) canceling the conversation from the audio output from the speaker subsystem local to the second vehicle occupant to (b) boosting the conversation using audio output from the speaker subsystem local to the second vehicle occupant.

4. The method of Claim 3, further comprising:

using the audio control system to boost the two-way conversation between the first vehicle occupant and the second vehicle occupant while canceling the conversation from a third vehicle occupant.

5. The method of Claim 4, further comprising:

adjusting the magnitude of the boost in response to input received from a user interface device.

6. The method of Claim 1 , wherein the speaker subsystem local to the second vehicle occupant comprises a trim panel directly coupled to a transducer, wherein the trim panel comprises the speaker membrane.

7. The method of Claim 1 , further comprising receiving input signals from a user interface to determine whether to boost or cancel the vocal audio.

8. The method of Claim 7, wherein the boosting or canceling is effected by inputs received at a user interface system.

9. The method of Claim 1 , wherein the microphone is located closer to the first vehicle occupant seat than the second vehicle occupant seat in the vehicle.

10. The method of Claim 1 , wherein the speaker system local to the second vehicle occupant is a headrest-mounted speaker system for the vehicle seat of the second vehicle occupant.

1 1. The method of Claim 1 , further comprising:

using a second microphone near the second vehicle occupant to detect the presence of a conversation being conducted by the second vehicle occupant; and using the audio control system to cancel the conversation using audio output from a speaker subsystem local to the first vehicle occupant.

12. The method of Claim 1 1 , wherein the speaker system local to the first vehicle occupant is a headrest-mounted speaker system for the vehicle seat of the first vehicle occupant.

13. An audio control system for mounting in a vehicle including at least first and second vehicle seats, comprising:

a first microphone associated with the first vehicle seat;

a first speaker subsystem associated with the first vehicle seat;

a second microphone associated with the second vehicle seat;

a second speaker subsystem associated with the second vehicle seat; and processing electronics configured to receive information from the first microphone and the second microphone and to controllably boost audio received at the first microphone and to cancel audio received at the second microphone.

14. The audio control system of Claim 13, wherein the first vehicle speaker subsystem comprises a headrest mount configured to hold at least one speaker transducer near a first seat occupant's head.

15. The audio control system of Claim 14, wherein the second vehicle speaker subsystem comprises a headrest mount confi ured to hold at least one speaker transducer near a second seat occupant's head.

16. The audio control system of Claim 13, wherein the processing electronics are configured to use the speaker subsystem local to the first vehicle occupant to cancel background noise received at the first microphone near the first vehicle seat.

17. The audio control system of Claim 13, wherein the processing electronics are configured to, in response to input received from a user interface device, controllably switch the audio control system between modes including (a) canceling a

conversation primarily received at the first microphone from audio output by the second speaker subsystem and (b) canceling a conversation primarily received at the second microphone from audio output by the first speaker subsystem.

18. The audio control system of Claim 17, wherein the modes switched by the processing electronics further include: (c) boosting a conversation conducted using both the first microphone and the second microphone using the first speaker subsystem and the second speaker subsystem.

19. The audio control system of Claim 13, wherein the processing electronics are configured to cause the audio control system to boost the two-way conversation between a first vehicle occupant at the first vehicle seat and a second vehicle occupant at the second vehicle seat, while canceling a conversation or noise from a third vehicle occupant at a third vehicle seat.

20. The audio control system of Claim 13, wherein the processing electronics are configured to adjust the magnitude of the boost in response to input received from a user interface device.

21. The audio control system of Claim 13, wherein the first and second speaker subsystem each comprise a trim panel directly coupled to a transducer, wherein the trim panel comprises the speaker membrane.