U.S. patent application number 09/853974 was filed with the patent office on 2001-10-18 for accessory module for vehicle.
This patent application is currently assigned to Donnelly Corporation. Invention is credited to Deline, Jonathan E., Lynam, Niall R., Spooner, Ralph A..
Application Number | 20010030598 09/853974 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23510126 |
Filed Date | 2001-10-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010030598 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Deline, Jonathan E. ; et
al. |
October 18, 2001 |
Accessory module for vehicle
Abstract
An accessory module for use with a vehicular cellular telephone,
emergency communication device, or other audio device, may be
mounted to an interior surface of a vehicle windshield. The
accessory module houses a microphone and may be positioned adjacent
to a headliner of the vehicle generally above an interior rearview
mirror which is supported therebelow. The accessory module provides
a fixed orientation of the microphone and is easily installed to
the vehicle as it is manufactured or as an aftermarket device. The
accessory module may further include a wire cover, which extends to
a mounting for the mirror in order to substantially encase a mirror
wire harness, thereby retaining the mirror harness and providing a
finished appearance to the mirror and accessory module.
Inventors: |
Deline, Jonathan E.;
(Holland, MI) ; Lynam, Niall R.; (Holland, MI)
; Spooner, Ralph A.; (Holland, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Timothy A. Flory
Van Dyke, Gardner, Linn & Burkhart, LLP
2851 Charlevoix Drive S.E.
P.O. Box 888695
Grand Rapids
MI
49588-8695
US
|
Assignee: |
Donnelly Corporation
Holland
MI
|
Family ID: |
23510126 |
Appl. No.: |
09/853974 |
Filed: |
May 11, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09853974 |
May 11, 2001 |
|
|
|
09382720 |
Aug 25, 1999 |
|
|
|
6243003 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/425.5 ;
340/438 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 11/0247 20130101;
B60R 2011/0026 20130101; B60R 2011/0033 20130101; B60R 11/02
20130101; B60R 11/0241 20130101; G02B 2027/0118 20130101; B60R
11/0217 20130101; H04R 2499/13 20130101; G02B 2027/012 20130101;
B60R 1/12 20130101; G02B 6/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/425.5 ;
340/438 |
International
Class: |
B60Q 001/00 |
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property
right or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A microphone module for an audio system of a vehicle, the
vehicle having a cabin, a windshield, an interior rearview mirror
mounted to an interior surface of the windshield and a headliner
extending along an upper edge of the windshield, said microphone
module comprising: at least one microphone for receiving audio
signals from within the cabin; and a housing for mounting said at
least one microphone, said housing being mountable between the
headliner and the mirror, said at least one microphone having a
microphone harness which is electronically connectable to a vehicle
wiring within the headliner.
2. The microphone module of claim 1, wherein said microphone module
is fixedly secured such that said at least one microphone is
directed toward an area encompassing the general location of a head
of a driver of the vehicle.
3. The microphone module of claim 1, including at least a second
microphone such that said module includes a plurality of
microphones, and a control to integrate each of said plurality of
microphones to determine which of said plurality of microphones are
receiving voice signals and which are receiving non-voice signals,
said control at least partially filtering out the non-voice
signals.
4. The microphone module of claim 1, wherein said at least one
microphone is a single directional microphone fixedly secured
within said housing and directed toward an area generally defined
by a typical location of a head of a driver of the vehicle.
5. The microphone module of claim 1, wherein the mirror has at
least one electronic accessory associated therewith and is
electronically connected to the wiring of the vehicle via a mirror
harness extending between the mirror and the headliner.
6. The microphone module of claim 5 further including a wire cover
which extends between said housing and the mirror, the mirror
harness being routed within said wire cover.
7. The microphone module of claim 5, wherein said microphone
harness is connectable to the vehicle wiring via a connector.
8. The microphone module of claim 7, wherein the mirror harness is
connectable to the vehicle wiring via said connector.
9. The microphone module of claim 5, wherein the mirror harness is
connectable to the vehicle wiring via a connector.
10. The microphone module of claim 1, wherein said microphone
harness is connectable to the vehicle wiring via a connector.
11. The microphone module of claim 10, wherein said housing is
removably attached to a mounting member on at least one of the
windshield and the headliner.
12. The microphone module of claim 1, wherein said housing is
adhesively secured to the interior surface of the windshield.
13. The microphone module of claim 1, wherein said housing is
removably attached to a mounting member.
14. The microphone module of claim 13, wherein said mounting member
is a bracket adhesively secured to the interior surface of the
windshield.
15. The microphone module of claim 14, wherein said mounting member
further includes a bracket secured in the headliner of the vehicle,
said housing being mountable to the windshield adjacent to the
headliner.
16. The microphone module of claim 1, wherein said audio system is
one of a cellular telephone, an emergency communication system and
a voice recording system.
17. The microphone module of claim 16 further including control
switches for said audio system on said housing.
18. The microphone module of claim 16 further including control
switches for said audio system on at least one of the mirror and
said housing.
19. The microphone module of claim 1, wherein said microphone
module includes at least one of a Global Positioning System
antenna, a motion sensor, a rain sensor, a video device, an
interior light of the vehicle, an automatic toll booth transducer,
a security system status indicator, a compass, a compass sensor, a
temperature display, a temperature sensor, a tire pressure
indicator display, a seat occupancy detection antenna, a seat
occupancy detection transducer, and a loudspeaker.
20. A microphone module for an audio system of a vehicle, the
vehicle having a cabin, a windshield, an interior rearview mirror
assembly and a headliner extending along an upper edge of the
windshield, the mirror assembly including a mounting member and a
mirror housing pivotally interconnected to the mounting member, the
mounting member being mounted to an interior surface of the
windshield, the mirror assembly being electronically connectable to
a vehicle wiring harness in the headliner via a mirror harness,
said microphone module comprising: at least one microphone for
receiving audio signals from within the cabin; and a microphone
housing for mounting said at least one microphone, said microphone
housing being mountable to the windshield, said at least one
microphone being electronically connectable to the vehicle wiring
harness within the headliner.
21. The microphone module of claim 20 further including a wire
cover extending along the windshield between said microphone
housing and the mirror mounting member, the mirror harness being
routed within said wire cover.
22. The microphone module of claim 20, wherein the mirror harness
is connectable to the vehicle wiring harness via a connector.
23. The microphone module of claim 22, wherein said microphone
harness is connectable to the vehicle wiring harness via said
connector.
24. The microphone module of claim 20, wherein said microphone
harness is connectable to the vehicle wiring harness via a
connector.
25. The microphone module of claim 24, wherein said microphone
housing is removably attached to a mounting bracket on at least one
of the windshield and the headliner.
26. The microphone module of claim 20, wherein said microphone
housing is adhesively secured to the windshield.
27. The microphone module of claim 20, wherein said microphone
housing is removably attached to a mounting bracket on at least one
of the windshield and the headliner.
28. The microphone module of claim 20, wherein said microphone
housing includes manual controls for said audio system.
29. The microphone module of claim 20, wherein manual controls for
said audio system are positioned on at least one of the mirror
assembly and said housing.
30. The microphone module of claim 20, wherein said microphone
module includes at least one of a Global Positioning System
antenna, a motion sensor, a rain sensor, a video device and an
interior light of the vehicle, an automatic toll booth transducer,
a security system status indicator, a compass, a compass sensor, a
temperature display, a temperature sensor, a tire pressure
indicator display, a seat occupancy detection antenna, a seat
occupancy detection transducer, and a loudspeaker.
31. An accessory module for a vehicle, the vehicle having a cabin,
a windshield and a headliner extending along an upper edge of the
windshield, said microphone and mirror module comprising: at least
one microphone for receiving audio signals from within the cabin,
said at least one microphone being electronically connectable to a
vehicle wiring within the headliner; a microphone housing for
mounting said at least one microphone, said microphone housing
being mountable to the windshield adjacent to the headliner; an
interior rearview mirror assembly, said mirror assembly including a
mirror wiring harness and a mirror housing, said mirror wiring
harness being electronically connectable to the vehicle wiring in
the headliner, said mirror wiring harness being routed within said
microphone housing.
32. The accessory module of claim 31, wherein said mirror assembly
further includes a mounting button for mounting said mirror
assembly to an interior surface of the windshield.
33. The accessory module of claim 32 further including a wire cover
which extends between said microphone housing and said mounting
button and at least partially encases said mirror wiring
harness.
34. The accessory module of claim 32, wherein said mirror harness
is a spirally coiled cord extending generally downwardly from said
microphone housing to said mirror housing.
35. The accessory module of claim 31, wherein said microphone
housing includes a mirror mounting arm extending generally
downwardly from said microphone housing, said mirror housing being
pivotally interconnected to a lower end of said mirror mounting
arm.
36. The accessory module of claim 35, wherein said mirror wiring
harness is at least partially encased within said mirror mounting
arm.
37. The accessory module of claim 31, wherein said microphone
housing is adhesively securable to an interior surface of the
windshield.
38. The accessory module of claim 32, wherein said microphone
housing is removably mountable to a mounting member.
39. The accessory module of claim 38, wherein said mounting member
is adhesively securable to the windshield.
40. The accessory module of claim 38, wherein said mounting member
is securable within the headliner of the vehicle.
41. The accessory module of claim 38 further including a connector
for electrical connection with the vehicle wiring.
42. The accessory module of claim 41, wherein said mirror harness
is connected to said connector.
43. The accessory module of claim 42, wherein said microphone
harness is connected to said connector.
44. The accessory module of claim 41, wherein said microphone
harness is connected to said connector.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to an accessory
module for vehicles and, more particularly, to an accessory module
for mounting a microphone for use in receiving an audio signal
within a vehicle.
[0002] Many vehicles today use hands-free cellular telephones or
other communication devices to avoid problems which may arise when
a driver of a vehicle has to hold a telephone while driving the
vehicle. These hand-free devices include a microphone to receive an
audio signal from within the vehicle. It is known to include
directional or polar microphones in these devices, which constrain
the area covered by the microphone to an area where voices would
typically originate, such as a driver's head area. In certain
applications, these microphones are implemented in an interior
rearview mirror, such that the microphone is positioned in front of
the driver and at approximately the same level as the head of the
driver. However, the location of the mirror may be at a distance
which is beyond the optimal operative range of the microphone, due
to the forward slant of the windshield away from the driver and the
location at which the mirror is mounted thereto. Furthermore,
rearview mirrors are adjustable to account for different sized
drivers, which may result in the microphone being directed away
from the head of the driver or other occupants, and thus receiving
other noises from within the cabin of the vehicle.
[0003] An additional issue with known mirror-mounted microphones
(such as interior rearview mirror assemblies with a microphone
located within the movable mirror housing and/or the mirror
mounting bracket, such as a header mounting bracket) is that
typically, audio or communication devices in vehicles are optional.
Accordingly, separate mirror housings and wiring bundles or
harnesses are required to accommodate the standard mirror and the
optional mirror which includes the microphone or other accessories
such as a vehicle alarm status indicator. This leads to a
proliferation of parts within the vehicle assembly plants, which
further results in increased costs to the vehicle.
[0004] Many vehicles which offer hands-free communication devices
mount the microphones in a headliner console rearward of the
windshield and along the ceiling of the interior cabin of the
vehicle. By mounting the microphones in the headliner console, the
microphones may be in a substantially fixed position and directed
toward the driver head area within the vehicle. However, this
positions the microphone substantially above the driver where it
may not optimally pick up the voice signal of the driver, since the
driver's voice is directed generally forwardly while the driver
continues to view the roadway, while the microphone is directed
generally downwardly from the ceiling. Furthermore, locating the
microphones in a headliner console adds to the vehicle costs, due
to additional installation processes and more costly parts, such as
additional ceiling trim, console components and the like. Also,
locating the microphone in a headliner console fails to avoid the
requirement of at least two separate headliner consoles to
accommodate the optional microphone verses a console without the
microphone.
[0005] Therefore, there is a need in the art for a microphone which
may be mounted generally forwardly of the driver of the vehicle,
and fixedly mounted to maintain proper orientation with respect to
the driver of the vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is intended to provide an accessory
module which preferably mounts along an upper, inner edge of the
windshield of a vehicle to direct a microphone, and preferably a
polar or directional microphone, generally downwardly and
rearwardly toward the driver of the vehicle. The accessory module
is adaptable for use on a vehicle with a rearview mirror which is
separately mounted on the interior surface of the windshield such
as a button mounted rearview mirror, and may further include a wire
cover extending downwardly from the module to the mounting button
of the rearview mirror. The wire cover functions to cover any
mirror wiring harness which may connect the rearview mirror
assembly to a vehicle wiring harness, typically within the
headliner of the vehicle.
[0007] According to an aspect of the present invention, an
accessory module comprises at least one microphone for receiving
audio signals from within a cabin of a vehicle and a housing for
mounting the microphone. The vehicle includes a windshield, an
interior rearview mirror mounted to an interior surface of the
windshield, and a headliner extending along an upper edge of the
windshield. The housing for the microphone is preferably mountable
between the headliner and the rearview mirror. The microphone of
the accessory module (and any other accessory housed within the
accessory module) is electronically connectable to a vehicle wiring
within the headliner. Preferably, accessories, such as the
microphone, are detachable connectable to the vehicle wiring, such
as by a plug and socket connector (for example, a multi-pin
electrical plug and socket connector system), so that the module
can be optionally installed to the vehicle with ease. This is
particularly advantageous in circumstances when the interior mirror
is a non-electrical mirror, such as a base prismatic mirror.
[0008] In one form, the rearview mirror is electronically connected
to the vehicle wiring harness. Preferably, the microphone module
further includes a wire cover to encase a wire harness between the
rearview mirror and the microphone module. More preferably, both
the microphone and mirror are connectable with the vehicle wiring
in the headliner.
[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, an
accessory module for a vehicle comprises at least one microphone
for receiving audio signals from within a cabin of the vehicle, a
microphone housing for mounting the microphone, and an interior
rearview mirror assembly. The vehicle includes a windshield and a
headliner extending along an upper, inner edge of the windshield.
The microphone is electronically connectable to a vehicle wiring
harness within the headliner. The microphone housing is mountable
to the windshield adjacent to the headliner. The mirror assembly
includes a mirror wire harness and a mirror housing. The mirror
wire harness is electronically connectable to the vehicle wiring
harness in the headliner.
[0010] In one form, the mirror assembly further includes a mounting
button for mounting the mirror assembly to an interior surface of
the windshield. The mounting button may be interconnected to the
microphone housing via a wire cover extending between the
microphone housing and the mounting button and at least partially
encasing the mirror wire harness and/or the mounting button
itself.
[0011] In another form, the microphone housing includes a mirror
mounting arm which extends generally downwardly therefrom. The
mirror housing is pivotally interconnected to a lower end of the
mounting arm. The mirror wire harness is at least partially encased
within the mounting arm.
[0012] Accordingly, the present invention provides a microphone
module for installation of a microphone for use with an audio
system, such as a hands-free cellular telephone, audio recording
device, emergency communication device or the like. The accessory
module containing the microphone is preferably mounted above the
mirror between the mirror and the headliner of the vehicle, which
provides a fixed location of the microphone for maintaining proper
orientation of the microphone with respect to the vehicle interior.
Because the microphone module is a separate component from the
mirror and headliner, additional mirror or headliner console
components for mounting the microphone are not required. The
present invention facilitates fewer parts in the assembly plant
since the headliner and mirror assembly may be the same part
regardless of whether the audio or communication device associated
with the invention is to be installed within the vehicle.
Furthermore, because the microphone module does not require special
headliners or mirrors, the microphone module may be easily
installed as an aftermarket device.
[0013] These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features
of this invention will become apparent upon review of the following
specification in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the microphone module of the
present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a side elevation shown partially in section of the
microphone module in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a similar side elevation as that in FIG. 2,
showing an alternate electrical connection and mounting bracket for
the microphone module;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a sectional plan view of the microphone module
taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a similar side elevation as that in FIG. 2,
showing a microphone module without a wire cover but including a
self-coiling wire harness;
[0019] FIG. 6 is an elevation looking forwardly in a vehicle cabin
of a microphone module and mirror housing having controls mounted
thereon;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a side elevation shown partially in section of a
microphone module and mirror housing having various electrical
and/or electronic components therein; and
[0021] FIG. 8 is a similar side elevation as that in FIG. 2 of an
alternate embodiment of the present invention, having a rearview
mirror mounted to an arm extending downwardly from the microphone
module.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Referring now specifically to the drawings, and the
illustrative embodiments depicted therein, a microphone module 10
is mounted adjacent to a vehicle windshield 12, as shown in FIG. 1.
Microphone module 10 may be implemented in the vehicle in
association with a cellular telephone, a recording device, such as
a dictation system, an emergency communication device, such as the
ONSTAR system commercially available in certain General Motors
vehicles, or any other audio device which may include a microphone
or audio receiving device. Preferably, the manually actuated
buttons to operate the ONSTAR system are mounted at a movable
housing 16b of an interior rear view mirror assembly 16, such as is
shown generally at 13 in FIG. 1. The vehicle includes a headliner
14, which at least partially covers the ceiling of an interior
passenger compartment of the vehicle and has a forward edge 14a
which interfaces with an upper edge 12a of windshield 12. An
interior rearview mirror assembly 16 may be mounted to an interior
surface 12b of windshield 12, typically at a position spaced
downwardly from upper edge 12a and the position of module 10.
Microphone module 10 includes at least one microphone 18 which is
fixedly secured within a microphone housing 20 and is directed
toward an area generally defined by the location of a head of a
typical driver of the vehicle.
[0023] Microphone module 10 may further include a wire cover 22
which extends downwardly between housing 20 and mirror assembly 16
to encase or cover a mirror wire harness 24, which may be included
in mirror assembly 16 to provide power or control signals to
components or accessories which may be mounted within or associated
with mirror assembly 16.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, mirror assembly 16 may include a
conventional mounting button 16a and a mirror housing 16b
supporting a prismatic, electro-optic or electrochromic reflective
element. Mounting button 16a is adhesively secured to interior
surface 12b of windshield 12 at a location substantially below
forward edge 14a of headliner 14 and upper edge 12a of windshield
12, as is known in the art. Mirror housing 16b is pivotally mounted
to mounting button 16a via an arm 16c, which is pivotally
interconnected to button 16a or housing 16b, or both. Mirror
housing 16b encases a reflector 16d (FIG. 7) for reflecting an
image of a scene generally rearwardly of the vehicle to the driver
(and with the mirror housing being adjustable by the driver), and a
bezel 16e which retains reflector 16d in housing 16b, as is well
known in the art. Mirror wire harness 24 extends generally upwardly
from mirror housing 16b to headliner 14 for electrical connection
with a vehicle wiring harness 28 (FIG. 3). Mirror wire harness 24
provides electrical power and/or control signals to the mirror
assembly 16 or various mirror mounted accessories within assembly
16, such as power for electro-optic/electrochromic mirrors,
interior lights (such as map lights in the mirror housing), and
displays such as for compass headings, temperatures, passenger
airbag status, or the like.
[0025] Headliner 14 extends along upper edge 12a of windshield 12
and may be a plastic trim panel to secure a fabric ceiling cover
and provide an aesthetically pleasing finish between the windshield
and the fabric ceiling cover of the vehicle. Alternately, headliner
14 may be a forward portion of the fabric cover or a ceiling
console. Headliner 14 may further include other trim or headliner
console components (not shown), for storing various articles, such
as sunglasses, garage door openers or the like or for housing other
components or accessories associated with the vehicle.
[0026] Preferably, microphone module 10 includes wire cover 22
(FIG. 1 and 2), which extends between a lower edge 20c of housing
20 and mounting button 16a of mirror 16. Mirror harness 24 is
encased within wire cover 22 to retain harness 24 and provide a
finished appearance to the electrical connection of mirror 16 to
vehicle wiring harness 28. Preferably, wire cover 22 is
telescopingly extendable and retractable to adapt the length to
different mounting locations of mounting button 16a relative to
headliner 14 on various vehicles. As best shown in FIG. 2, wire
cover 22 may extend or retract by sliding upwardly or downwardly
within housing 20. This facilitates implementation of microphone
module 10 in various vehicles and further facilitates the
aftermarket installation of module 10 in vehicles having a
button-mounted interior rearview mirror.
[0027] Microphone module 10 is preferably secured to interior
surface 12b of windshield 12 at an interface junction 26 between
forward edge 14a of headliner 14 and interior surface 12a of
windshield 12. However, it is envisioned that microphone module 10
may be mounted in other locations. Housing 20 of microphone module
10 is preferably formed with a substantially flat windshield
mounting surface 20a and a curved, concave headliner surface 20b,
such that housing 20 mounts to windshield 12 along mounting surface
20a, while headliner surface 20b substantially uniformly engages
headliner 14 to provide a flush, finished transition between
microphone module 10 and headliner 14. Preferably, housing 20 is
adhesively secured to interior surface 12b of windshield 12, such
as by bonding, pressuring sensitive adhesives, anaerobic adhesives,
double faced tape, or the like. However, microphone module 10 may
optionally be mechanically secured to an intermediate mounting
bracket adhered to the windshield, or may be connected to the
headliner itself, as discussed below, without affecting the scope
of the present invention. Microphone module 10 is preferably a
plastic molded part, which facilitates forming the part in various
shapes to match the headliner/windshield interface and to further
facilitate providing the part in different colors to match optional
interior colors of the vehicles.
[0028] Mirror harness 24 may connect directly to vehicle wiring 28
while an accessory wiring harness 30 may separately connect to the
vehicle wiring to provide power and/or control signals to the
accessories within accessory module 10. Alternately, mirror harness
24 may connect to module 10, which may then be connectable to
vehicle wiring 28, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7. Because microphone
module 10 may be a separate module from the headliner and the
mirror assembly, and because module 10 is preferably connected to
the vehicle wiring independent of wires from the interior rear view
mirror assembly to the vehicle wiring, microphone module 10 may be
easily removed or accessed for serviceability or replacement
without having to remove or replace the mirror assembly. This is a
significant advantage over the prior art because if the microphone
is damaged, the more expensive components, such as the mirror or
headliner console, do not have to be replaced in order to repair or
replace the microphone.
[0029] Microphone module 10 is mounted to windshield 12 such that
microphone 18 is directed downwardly and rearwardly toward the
driver's seat of the vehicle to optimally receive audio signals
therefrom. Preferably, microphone 18 is a directional or polar
microphone, which limits the audio signal received to signals
within the area toward which the microphone is directed. Such
microphones are known in the art and are commercially available as
an AKG 400 Series or a 501T Series microphone from A.K.G.
Acoustics/GMBH in Vienna, Austria. These microphones are operable
to receive audio signals from within the targeted area, while
substantially reducing or limiting the signals received from
outside that area. By mounting microphone 18 within housing 20 and
directing microphone 18 downward and rearward toward a typical
location of a driver's head, the audio signal detected by
microphone 18 will be dominated by a voice signal from the driver
of the vehicle and will substantially limit noise signals
originating from other sources, such as the engine, road, wind,
HVAC, radio, turn signals and the like. Because microphone 18 is
fixedly mounted within housing 20, microphone 18 may be optimally
directed toward the area of interest, and will not be adjusted or
misdirected when the mirror is adjusted for a different driver of
the vehicle.
[0030] Alternately, multiple microphones may be implemented within
microphone module 10 to receive various signals from different
directions. As is known in the audio art, RMF techniques may be
implemented to digitize individual outputs from the multiple
microphones and integrate the outputs to establish which outputs
are the loudest and which have the presence of human audible
signals verses noise. The signals which have the greatest presence
of human audible signals may then be selected over the signals of
the other microphones, thereby providing a voice signal to the
communication device.
[0031] Microphone module 10 further includes a microphone wire
harness 30 (FIG. 3), which extends from microphone 18 through
headliner surface 20b of housing 20 and into headliner 14.
Microphone 18 is preferably interconnectable to the vehicle harness
by microphone harness 30 in a conventional manner. Preferably,
microphone harness 30 comprises a pair of wires for microphone 18.
Clearly, however, if multiple microphones are implemented in
microphone module 10, multiple wires (not shown) will
correspondingly be required.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the audio system may further include a
loud speaker 42 for providing an audible signal to the driver and
passengers of the vehicle. Speaker 42 may be mounted to housing 20
and includes a wiring harness 43 for electrical connection to the
vehicle wiring 28, similar to microphone 18. Speaker 42 may be a
conventional diaphragm speaker, piezo-electric speaker, such as a
piezo-electric ceramic speaker, or the like. Most preferably,
speaker 42 is a piezo-electric ceramic moldable speaker. Additional
speakers may be mounted within the accessory module 10 or in a pod
17 attached to the mirror mounting bracket 16a of the interior rear
view mirror assembly.
[0033] It is further envisioned that the audio system may include
multiple microphones and/or speakers positioned at different
locations within the vehicle to supplement one another in order to
optimally receive and project the audio signals from and to the
desired areas within the vehicle. For example, as shown in FIG. 2,
one or more microphones 18 and/or speakers 42 may be positioned in
module 10, as well as in mirror housing 16b, in mounting button
16a, and/or within a pod 17, which may be mounted to mirror
assembly 16 and extends downwardly beneath mirror housing 16b.
Clearly, pod 17 may alternately be positioned above or to either
side of mirror housing 16b, without affecting the scope of the
present invention. The microphone 18 and speaker 42 may access
and/or share the electronic circuitry of an electro-optic or
electrochromic mirror. By providing one or more microphones and
speakers within the vehicle, the overall effectiveness of the audio
system may be improved, since signals not optimally directed toward
the microphone within the module, may be better received by the
microphone in the pod, mirror housing, or button.
[0034] Referring again to FIG. 3, microphone module 10 may
alternately connect to the vehicle wiring harness 28 via electrical
connectors 32 and 33. For example, a socket 33 may be provided in
housing 20 of microphone module 10, such that vehicle wiring
harness 28 may include a corresponding male connector, such as a
conventional twelve pin connector, which mates with socket 33.
Microphone harness 30 may then extend from socket 33 to microphone
18, while remaining within housing 20. Similarly, mirror harness 24
may extend from socket 33 downwardly through housing 20 and wire
cover 22 to mirror assembly 16. By connecting both the mirror
harness 24 and microphone harness 30 to the vehicle harness 28 with
connectors 32 and 33, microphone module 10 further facilitates
simplified installation of mirror assembly 16 within the
vehicle.
[0035] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, microphone module 10 may be
mechanically secured to window 12 and/or headliner 14. For example,
a bracket 34 may be bonded or otherwise adhesively secured to
interior surface 12d of windshield 12. Window surface 20a of
housing 20 may then be correspondingly formed with bracket 34 to
engage the bracket for removable mounting of microphone module 10
to windshield 12. As best shown in FIG. 4, bracket 34 may include a
windshield mounting surface 34a and a pair of mounting flanges 34b
which are offset from the position of mounting surface 34a and
extend laterally outwardly from a pair of sidewalls 34c, which
extend downwardly and rearwardly from mounting portion 34a.
Windshield surface 20a of housing 20 may then be correspondingly
formed to slidably engage mounting flanges 34b of bracket 34, such
that housing 20 is slidable upwardly along bracket 34 until
headliner surface 20b interfaces with headliner 14. At that point,
one or more mounting pins or fasteners 36 may be inserted through
housing 20 and mounting flanges 34b to substantially secure the
components together. Alternatively, or in addition to fasteners 36,
a headliner fastener 38 (FIG. 3) may extend through headliner
surface 20b of housing 20 and engage a bracket 40 within headliner
14, thereby substantially securing housing 20 to both windshield 12
and headliner 14. Mounting fasteners 36 and 38 may be threaded
fasteners or push-pin or snap fit type fasteners, to substantially
secure housing 20 to the respective brackets 34 and 40. It is
further envisioned that the mounting bracket and microphone housing
may be correspondingly formed to press-fit together or snap or
otherwise lock together as the microphone housing is moved to the
appropriate mounting location relative to the bracket. Clearly,
other mounting brackets and/or fasteners may be implemented to
substantially secure microphone module 10 relative to windshield 12
or headliner 14, without affecting the scope of the present
invention.
[0036] Referring now to FIG. 5, microphone module 10 may be
implemented without a wire cover. The mirror wiring harness may
extend freely downwardly from microphone housing 20 to mirror
housing 16b or may be adhered or otherwise secured or guided along
interior surface 12b of windshield 12 and further along arm 16c to
mirror housing 16b. Alternately, as shown in FIG. 5, a mirror
harness 24' may be implemented to provide an aesthetically pleasing
spirally coiled cord, similar to a conventional telephone cord,
which extends downwardly from lower end 20c of housing 20 and
curves rearwardly toward housing 16b of mirror assembly 16. Mirror
harness 24' may be electronically connectable with vehicle wiring
harness 28 via conventional electrical connectors 32' and 33',
while microphone harness 30 is electronically connected with the
vehicle wiring harness separately, as discussed above with
reference to FIG. 2. Clearly, however, mirror harness 24' and
microphone harness 30 may be connectable to vehicle wiring harness
28 by any other conventional means, without affecting the scope of
the present invention. As discussed above with reference to FIGS. 2
and 3, housing 20 may be bonded to, adhesively secured or
mechanically fastened to interior surface 12b of windshield 12
and/or to headliner 14.
[0037] Although specific embodiments of the microphone module of
the present invention are shown in FIGS. 2 through 5 and discussed
above, clearly the scope of the present invention includes other
means of mounting the microphone module and of covering or guiding
the mirror harness between the microphone module and the mirror.
For example, the microphone module may be mounted to the windshield
between mounting button 16a and headliner 14 and have wire covers
or the like extending from both upper and lower ends of the module
to cover wires between the headliner and the module and further
between the module and the mirror assembly. Alternatively, the
microphone module may be mounted above and adjacent to the mirror
mounting button 16a and include a wire cover which extends upwardly
therefrom to substantially encase the wires extending from the
module to the headliner for connection with the vehicle wiring
harness. It is further envisioned that the microphone module may be
part of a plastic wire cover extending upwardly from the interior
rear view mirror assembly toward the headliner. The wiring
harnesses associated with the mirror assembly and the microphone
may be routed and connected with the vehicle wiring harness by any
known means without effecting the scope of the present invention.
The microphone and mirror assemblies may be implemented as a single
component, which requires fewer assembly plant installation
processes, thereby reducing the costs associated with the vehicle
manufacture.
[0038] Although shown and described above as being implemented with
a button mounted interior rearview mirror assembly, an alternate
embodiment of the present invention may incorporate a mirror
assembly 116 with a microphone module 110, as shown in FIG. 8.
Microphone module 110 preferably includes a microphone 118 and a
microphone housing 120, which are substantially similar to
microphone 18 and housing 20, discussed above with respect to
microphone module 10. However, microphone module 110 further
includes a mirror mounting arm 122, which extends generally
downwardly from a lower portion 120c of housing 120. Mirror
assembly 116 is pivotally mounted to a lower end 122a of arm 122
via a conventional ball and socket connection 116a. A mirror wiring
harness 124 extends from mirror assembly 116 upwardly through arm
122 and further through housing 120 and into header 14 of the
vehicle for electrical connection with the vehicle wiring harness.
A microphone harness 130 may also electronically connect microphone
118 with the vehicle wiring harness, as discussed above with
respect to microphone harness 30. Microphone module 110 and mirror
assembly 116 may be electronically connected to the vehicle wiring
harness by any known means, without affecting the scope of the
present invention. Similar to microphone module 10, a windshield
surface 120a of housing 120 may be adhesively or mechanically
secured along an interior surface 12b of windshield 12.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 6, microphone module 10 may further include
manual controls for the audio or communication device associated
with microphone 18, such as buttons 44 for activating and/or
adjusting the communication device. Microphone module 10 may
further include other manual controls 46 for activating or
adjusting other accessories or devices within the vehicle, such as
interior or exterior lights, or for selecting a function for
microphone 18, such as a cellular phone verses an emergency
communication device or recording device. Mirror housing 16b may
also include controls, buttons or switches, shown generally at 48,
for selectively activating, deactivating or adjusting one or more
accessories associated with the vehicle. For example, controls 48
may activate map reading lights on mirror housing 16b, temperature
displays, compass heading displays or the like, which may be
displayed on a portion of mirror housing 16b and are thus easily
visible to the driver of the vehicle. Alternatively, however,
controls 46 and 48 on microphone module 10 and mirror housing 16b,
respectively, may control accessories or lights which are located
on or within the vehicle and yet are remote from microphone module
10 and mirror 16.
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 7, an accessory module 10' may further
include multiple accessories, components or devices associated with
various control systems of the vehicle and connected with a vehicle
control or the vehicle wiring harness. For example, accessory
module 10' may include a loudspeaker 42, a Global Positioning
System (GPS) antenna 50, a motion sensor 52, a rain sensor 54, a
video device or camera 56, an interior light 58, an automatic toll
booth transducer 59, a security system status indicator 70, a
compass and/or compass sensor 51, a temperature display and/or
temperature sensor 53, a tire pressure indicator display 55, a seat
occupancy detection antenna and/or transducer 57, and/or any other
devices, components or circuitry which may be useful to mount in
accessory module 10'. Preferably, camera 56 is a pixelated imaging
array sensor, such as a CMOS imaging array or the like, a
description of which is disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat.
No. 5,670,935, issued to Schofield et al., the disclosure of which
is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The module 10' may
provide a location for these devices which is highly visible and
eases user interface by the driver or passengers of the vehicle.
Furthermore, mirror housing 16b may also include electrical devices
and electronic components, such as other microphones 18 and
loudspeakers 42, map reading lights 60, compass 62, display 64,
trip computer 66, or other components or devices associated with
the vehicle. Mirror harness 24 may provide power and/or control
signals to these components or devices and may interconnect with
the control circuitry of the devices and of an electrochromic
mirror function control circuitry 68 for electronically adjusting
the reflectivity of reflector 16d within mirror housing 16b.
Display 64 may display vehicle status or information displays, such
as compass headings, interior or exterior temperatures, clock
display, fuel level display, air bag status display, telephone dial
information display, or other status displays of various components
or devices associated with the vehicle. Information displayed in
display 64 may be selectively displayed by an operator via controls
48 (FIG. 6), or may be cyclically displayed or may be displayed
when there is a change in status of one of the devices.
[0041] It is envisioned that accessory module 10' may further
include multiple electrical and/or electronic components, such as
those described in commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patent
applications, Ser. No. 08/918,772, filed Aug. 25, 1997 by Deline et
al., and Ser. No. 09/244,726, filed Feb. 5, 1999 by Deline et al.,
the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference. The mirror and/or the microphone module may communicate
with these or other devices or components within the vehicle as
part of a Car Area Network (CAN) or multiplex system, such as is
disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,575, issued to
O'Farrell et al., PCT International Application published Sep. 25,
1997 under International Publication No. WO 97/34780, by Fletcher
et al., PCT International Application No. PCT/IE98/00001, filed
Jan. 9, 1998 by John P. Drummond et al. and published Jul. 16, 1998
under International Publication Number WO 98/30415, the disclosures
of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference, a Local
Interconnect Network (LIN), or similar communications protocols,
which may support the control of mechatronic nodes in automotive
distributor applications.
[0042] Accessory module 10' may also include an illumination source
70 for a vehicle security system, such as an intrusion detection
system, vehicle alarm system, vehicle antitheft system, or the
like. The illumination source may be an incandescent source or a
nonincandescent source. Preferably, illumination source 70 is a
nonincandescent, solid state source such as a light emitting diode
(LED), an electro-luminescent device or the like. The illumination
source 70 is operable to blink or flash intermittently when the
system is armed. Typically, such systems flash the illumination
source rapidly at first for up to approximately 30 seconds (or
longer) after arming of the system, and then intermittently flash
the illumination source for a continuous period while the system is
activated (for example, once every one to two seconds), thereby
alerting people within the vehicle that the security system is
activated.
[0043] It is further envisioned that the illumination source for
the vehicle security system may be included in a separate module or
pod which may be mounted to the microphone or accessory module the
mirror assembly, or the vehicle headliner. The illumination source
module may be substantially similar to the microphone or accessory
module discussed above and may clip or otherwise be mounted to the
microphone module. For example, the illumination source module may
snap into a mounting aperture in the microphone module or may be
adhesively mounted to a side wall of the microphone housing.
Alternately, the security system activation status source module
may be mounted to the mirror assembly, such as to the mounting
button, arm or mirror housing. The illumination source module may
then be positioned below, above, or to either side of the mirror
housing to facilitate viewing of the illumination source by
passengers within the vehicle. The illumination source module may
otherwise be mounted to the wire cover of the microphone module
such that it is visible above the mirror housing. If the vehicle
includes a header mounted mirror assembly, it is further envisioned
that the illumination source module may be mounted to, or included
as part of, the header mirror mounting bracketry or other mounting
device.
[0044] By providing a vehicle security system illumination source
module as a separate component, greater flexibility is achieved by
the vehicle manufacturers. The separate security system module
avoids the additional expenses required to tool two different
mirror cases for vehicles with or without a security system. The
optional pod or module with the illumination source may be simply
installed as a vehicle option, or as an aftermarket device. Similar
to the microphone and accessory modules discussed above, the
illumination source module for the security system may further
include other components, devices, controls or displays associated
with the security system or other systems within the vehicle. It is
further envisioned that other pods or modules which include one or
more various components or devices associated with other systems or
devices of the vehicle may be implemented to facilitate easy
installation of the components of the systems either in the
assembly plant or as aftermarket devices.
[0045] Changes and modifications in the specifically described
embodiments can be carried out without departing from the
principles of the invention, which is intended to be limited only
by the scope of the appended claims, as interpreted according to
the principles of patent law.
* * * * *