Patent · US Active

Directional based audio response to an external environment emergency signal

US9397630B2 · kind B2 · utility

20Cited by
17References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 8, 2013
Grant dateJul 19, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 30, 2034

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03G9/025
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An audio signal attenuation system and method for detecting an audio emergency warning signal (or alarm) in a vehicle in which an audio signal is being played. Embodiments of the system and method make it easier for a police, fire, or other emergency alarm or siren to be heard in a loud or noisy listening environment when audio signal is being reproduced. This is achieved using selective frequency attenuation, which identifies a frequency of the alarm and then selectively attenuates the alarm frequency in the audio signal. Moreover, direction data that includes information about from which direction the alarm is coming can be used to selectively attenuate the alarm frequency in certain channels (or speakers) of the audio signal. In some embodiments, audio cues are used to alert the listener to the alarm signal and are adjusted based on alarm distance from the vehicle, speed, and the type of alarm.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.