AUDIO DRIVER INFORMATION SYSTEM

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the driver information system. More particularly, the present invention pertains to driver information system for playing audio messages in automotive four-wheeled vehicle. The instant driver information system is meant for playing customized warning audio messages depending upon output from various sensors that are located in various parts of the automotive four-wheeled vehicle.

Background of the Invention

In the prior art, there have already been developed vehicles with inbuilt features for rendering risk-free driving and safety to the vehicle and its passengers. One of such inbuilt features may be defined by the door-light indicator already fitted in the vehicle which lits up when any of the door(s) are left or kept open. The already existing door-light indicator would indicate the position of the door only when the same is turned ON. A user or the driver may go un-noticed of the door position during the daytime, thus leaving the door opened and hence inviting the thieves. The present invention has been developed to overcome such problem by playing an audio alarm in the form of synthesized voice message.

US Patent no. 4,426,691 issued January 17, 1984 to Kawasaki, discloses a voice warning device for vehicular occupants that is designed to reproduce a plurality of factory-recorded warning messages in response to pre-selected abnormal conditions of vehicle sensors, and to repeat the last message played at the will of the driver. The device incorporates a record disc as a recording medium.

In the above patent, the driver information system is provided with a dedicated speaker. Providing such a dedicated speaker increases the cost incurred. If the automotive four-wheeled vehicle comprises an audio system and a driver information system both having its dedicated speaker, there may arise a situation wherein both of the said speakers may simultaneously output voice messages. In the above condition, the user/the driver may not be able to distinguish the nature of the message being played by the driver information system and hence may neglect the same.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, the present invention provides a driver information system for playing audio messages in automotive four wheeled vehicle. In one embodiment, the driver information system comprises:
a monitoring system for monitoring at least one sensor placed in the vehicle (not represented) and generating a driver information audio message for playing in response;
at least one audio output device being connected to the monitoring system for playing the driver information audio message; the said at least one audio output device forming part of a pre-existing audio system fitted in the vehicle and being configured to play an audio signal provided by the audio system; and
a switching device configured to disable the audio device from playing the audio signal provided by the audio system in presence of the driver information audio message so generated by the monitoring system.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the driver information system comprises at least one sensor for sensing one or more of the positions of the doors, the position of the hood, the position of the trunk, the position of the seat belt, and/or ignition voltage signal of the said vehicle.

In one more embodiment of the present invention, the audio output device of the driver information system, i.e., a speaker is used for broadcasting the audio signal and/or driver information audio message.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the said pre-existing audio-system of the driver information system is stereo of the vehicle.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the audio output device of the driver information system is directly coupled to the monitoring system and the audio system, and the said switching device is located so as to turn “OFF” the audio system in presence of the driver information audio message.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the switching device of the driver information system is located in an electrical path between the audio system and power supply and the switching device is further connected to the monitoring system.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the switching device of the driver information system comprises a three way switch having a first and a second input terminal and a single output terminal, the said audio output device being connected to the output terminal, the said audio system being connected to the first input terminal and the monitoring system being connected to the second input terminal.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the switching device of the driver information system comprises a 2:1 multiplexer, with its input terminals being connected to the audio system and the monitoring system and having its output terminal connected to the audio output device.

Brief Description of the Accompanying Drawings

In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to exemplary embodiments as illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views. The figures together with a detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate the embodiments and explain various principles and advantages, in accordance with the present invention where:

Figure 1 illustrates the block diagram of the system in accordance with a first embodiment.

Figure 2 illustrates the block diagram of the system in accordance with a second embodiment.
Figure 3 illustrates the block diagram of the system in accordance with a third embodiment.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. Also, in some places, the conventionally known components are represented by way of block diagram for the sake of simplicity.

Detailed Description of the Embodiments

Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in the manner in which various subcomponents are connected to enable playing of the audio message in the automotive four wheeled vehicle.

Accordingly, some of the components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a system that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system. More particularly, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.

With reference to figure 1, it can be noticed that in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the present invention provides a driver information system (100) for playing audio messages in automotive four wheeled vehicle, said driver information system (100) comprising:
a monitoring system (102) for monitoring at least one sensor (114) placed in the vehicle (not represented) and generating a driver information audio message for playing in response;
at least one audio output device (106) being connected to the monitoring system (102) for playing the driver information audio message; the said at least one audio output device (106) forming part of a pre-existing audio system (104) fitted in the vehicle and being configured to play an audio signal provided by the audio system (104); and
a switching device (108) configured to disable the audio device (106) from playing the audio signal provided by the audio system (104) in presence of the driver information audio message so generated by the monitoring system (102).

By way of example, when an ignition plug of the vehicle (both of which are represented in figure 1) is turned ON, power is supplied to the driver information system (100). The driver information system (100) may be configured to monitor the state of the at least one sensor (114) placed in the vehicle and depending upon their state, generate a driver information audio message for playing in response. By way of example, if a door position sensor is located in the vehicle and the same is connected to the monitoring system (102), then the monitoring system may after the ignition plug of the vehicle is switched ON determines the position of the door. In one example, if a particular door is in open state, the door position sensor may be configured to provide a signal indicating the same. The monitoring system in response to receiving the signal indicating door open state may generate a driver information audio message for playing. The exact number of sensors which may be connected to the monitoring system or the natures of the sensors which may be connected to the monitoring system are left open for the manufacturer to decide.

By way of example, in an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one sensor thus provided is selected from sensor(s) for sensing one or more of:
the positions of the door(s);
the position of the hood;
the position of the trunk;
the position of a seat belt;
ignition voltage signal.

It may be noted that the above provided examples of the sensors should not be construed as the only sensors which are capable of being connected to the monitoring system.

Depending upon the number of sensors connected and the natures of the sensors thus connected, the monitoring system may be built to appropriately determine the state of the sensor(s) and the nature of the driver information audio message(s) to be played. As this aspect of the invention is fairly conventional and detailed information regarding the same can be found, for example, in the document referred in the prior art section, further detailed description in this regard is not provided.

In addition to the above, the monitoring system (102) may be configured to produce a driver information audio message welcoming the driver (or the user) of the vehicle. The configuration of the monitoring system to enable the same to produce the driver information audio message welcoming the driver (or the user) can be determined by a skilled artisan.

In an embodiment, the monitoring system (102) and at least one of the said at least one sensor (114) may be provided power supply continuously (i.e. even when the ignition plug of the vehicle is not switched ON). This option could be advantageously adopted for example, when the monitoring system is configured to perform certain activities concerning a central locking system of the automotive four wheeled vehicle.

In another embodiment, the audio output device (106) is a speaker for broadcasting the audio signal and/or the driver information audio message and the pre-existing audio system (104) is a stereo of the vehicle.

In yet another embodiment, based on the ignition voltage sensed by the monitoring system (102), the audio system (104) plays an audio message, for example, a welcome message to the user/the driver.

As can be noticed from figure 1, a first switching device (108) is located in an electrical path between the audio system (104) and a power supply (112). The first switching device (108) may be coupled to the monitoring system (102), which may provide a signal indicative of the time when the first switching device (108) may have to turn “OFF” the audio system. Additionally, the monitoring system may also provide a signal to the first switching device (108) indicating that it can now turn “ON” the audio system. As the first switching device (108) in this embodiment is located in the electrical path which provides power to the audio system, the first switching device (108) may disrupt the power supply to the audio system (104) when the driver information audio message is being played.

Additionally, a second switching device is a three way switch (110) having a first (404) and a second (406) input terminals and a single output terminal (408). The audio output device (106) may be connected to the output terminal (408) and the audio system (104) and the monitoring system (102) may be connected to each of the first (404) and the second input terminals (406) respectively. Both the switching devices work in synchronization with each other, for example, when the monitoring system turns ON the first switching device (108), the second switching device (110) is turned OFF by the monitoring system (102) and vice-versa.

In an alternative embodiment as shown in figure 2, the switching device is a three way switch (110) having a first (204) and a second (206) input terminals and a single output terminal (208). The audio output device (106) may be connected to the output terminal (208) and the audio system (104) and the monitoring system (102) may be connected to each of the first (204) and the second input terminals (206) respectively. In this present embodiment, the switching device (110) does not disrupt the power supply (112) to the audio system (104) when the driver information audio message is being played but disrupts the connection between the audio system (104) and the audio output device (106).

In yet another alternative embodiment as shown in figure 3, the switching device is a 2:1 multiplexer (310) with its input terminals (304,306) being connected to the audio system (104) and the monitoring system (102) and having its output terminal (308) connected to the audio output device (106). In this present embodiment also, the switching device (310) does not disrupt the power supply to the audio system (104) when the driver information audio message is being played but chooses the signal to be played by the audio output device (106).

It will be appreciated that embodiments of the invention described herein (the monitoring system and/or the switching device) may comprise of one or more conventional processors and unique stored program instructions that control the one or more processors to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processor circuits, some, most, or all of the desired functions described herein. Alternatively, some or all of the functions could be implemented by a state machine that has no stored program instructions or in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combinations of certain of the functions are implemented as custom logic.

Of course, a combination of the two approaches could be used. Thus, method and means for these functions have been described herein. Further, it is expected that one of ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology, and economic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein will be readily capable of generating such software instructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimentation.

The foregoing detailed description has described only a few of the many possible implementations of the present invention. Thus, the detailed description is given only by way of illustration and nothing contained in this section should be construed to limit the scope of the invention. The claims are limited only by the following claims, including the equivalents thereof.

Advantages of the Invention:

1. The present invention uses a single speaker for performing multiple task, i.e., playing messages received from the radio or cassette player and messages transmitted by the driver information system, thereby cutting down the usage of battery.

2. Same speaker is being used for playing the cassette player and driver information system messages, thus avoiding the cost involved for requiring a separate speaker(s).

3. As the driver information voice message is played uninterrupted by the radio or cassette player message, this has the advantage that the driver may keep his sight on the road and he is not required to concentrate on the nature of message played while driving in a negligent manner.

We Claim:
1. A driver information system for playing audio messages in automotive four-wheeled vehicle, comprising:
- a monitoring system for monitoring at least one sensor provided in the vehicle and generating a driver information audio message for playing in response;
- at least one audio output device being connected to the monitoring system for playing the driver information audio message; the said at least one audio output device forming part of a pre-existing audio-system fitted in the vehicle and being configured to play an audio signal provided by the audio system;
- a switching device configured to disable the audio output device from playing audio signal provided by the audio system in presence of the driver information audio message so generated by the monitoring system.

2. The driver information system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said at least one sensor is provided for sensing one or more of:
(a) the positions of the doors;
(b) the position of the hood;
(c) the position of the trunk;
(d) the position of the seat belt; and/or
(e) ignition voltage signal
of the said vehicle.

3. The driver information system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said audio output device is speaker for broadcasting the audio signal and/or driver information audio message.

4. The driver information system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said pre-existing audio-system is stereo of the vehicle.

5. The driver information system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the audio output device is directly coupled to the monitoring system and the audio system, and the said switching device is located so as to turn “OFF” the audio system in presence of the driver information audio message.

6. The driver information system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the switching device is located in an electrical path between the audio system and power supply and the switching device is further connected to the monitoring system.

7. The driver information system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switching device comprises a three way switch having a first and a second input terminal and a single output terminal, the said audio output device being connected to the output terminal, the said audio system being connected to the first input terminal and the monitoring system being connected to the second input terminal.

8. The driver information system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switching device comprises a 2:1 multiplexer, with its input terminals being connected to the audio system and the monitoring system and having its output terminal connected to the audio output device.

9. A driver information system for playing audio messages in automotive four-wheeled vehicle as substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Dated this 4th day of February, 2009.

G. DEEPAK SRINIWAS
OF K & S PARTNERS
ATTORNEY FOR THE APPLICANTS

ABSTRACT

AUDIO DRIVER INFORMATION SYSTEM

A driver information system for playing audio messages in automotive four-wheeled vehicle, comprising a monitoring system for monitoring at least one sensor provided in the vehicle and generating a driver information audio message for playing in response; at least one audio output device being connected to the monitoring system for playing the driver information audio message; the said at least one audio output device forming part of a pre-existing audio-system fitted in the vehicle and being configured to play an audio signal provided by the audio system; and a switching device configured to disable the audio output device from playing audio signal provided by the audio system in presence of the driver information audio message so generated by the monitoring system.

Fig. 1