Patents Assigned to Harman Becker Automotive Systems
  • LOUDSPEAKER
    Publication number: 20120002836
    Abstract: A loudspeaker includes a movable diaphragm, a resilient centering device for centering and guiding the movement of the diaphragm, and a magnet system for controlling the movement of the diaphragm, where the diaphragm is positioned between the magnet system and the resilient centering device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Gilles Milot, Francois Malbos
  • Indoor communication system for a vehicular cabin
    Patent number: 8081776
    Abstract: A system automatically determines an equalizing filter characteristic for a communication system within a vehicle. The communication system includes a loudspeaker and a microphone or microphone array. The system transmits a predetermined test signal through the loudspeaker and receive the test signal through the microphone or microphone array. Based on the predetermined test signal and the received test signal, a transfer function is developed. The equalizing filter characteristic is then developed from the transfer function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Tim Haulick, Gerhard Uwe Schmidt
  • Method for imaging the surrounding of a vehicle
    Patent number: 8081794
    Abstract: A method for imaging the surrounding of a vehicle is provided. The method includes the steps of (i) taking a series of two dimensional images of the vehicle surrounding, (ii) taking a series of three dimensional images of the vehicle surrounding that including depth information, (iii) determining at least one object in an area of interest in one of the series of images and tracking the object in the area of interest, (iv) processing the others of the series of images to retrieve object information from said other series of images, (v) adjusting the objects to be tracked in the one series of images in accordance with the object information received from processing the other series of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Stiegler
  • Electronic map display system
    Patent number: 8078400
    Abstract: A navigation system is provided that includes a storage unit, a processing unit, and an optical output unit. The storage unit includes a first storage portion for storing type definition data for a plurality of object types, the type definition data defining a graphical representation of an object type in terms of at least one basic geometrical shape. A second storage portion includes object data for a plurality of objects, the object data for an object comprising object type data specifying an object type of the object and object position data specifying an object position of the object. To display an object having a specific object type, the processing unit reads the type definition data of the corresponding object type from the first storage portion and generates graphical representations of the basic geometrical shapes that constitute the object type on the optical output unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Hendrik Meyer
  • TRAFFIC INFORMATION CLIENT DEVICE
    Publication number: 20110298637
    Abstract: The invention provides an electronic device configured to operate as a traffic information client. The traffic information client device comprises an interface adapted to receive traffic information messages, where a traffic information message comprises a location code which identifies a location of a traffic event. The traffic information client device further comprises a memory and a relational database stored in the memory, the relational database comprising at least a first set of relations including at least one relation which directly or indirectly associates location codes with location information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Posner, Rico Schuster
  • Loudspeaker
    Patent number: 8073186
    Abstract: A loudspeaker including a frame, a movable diaphragm that oscillates, and a suspension for mounting the diaphragm to the frame, where the suspension comprises a flexible surround having a substantially enclosed space where at least a portion of the flexible surround is air permeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Gilles Milot, Francois Malbos
  • TPEG CLIENT DEVICE AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20110295883
    Abstract: An electronic device configured to operate as a TPEG client is provided. The electronic device includes an interface adapted to receive TPEG messages comprising TPEG event codes. A relational database is stored in memory of the electronic device. The relational database includes at least one relation with a plurality of records, each record associating a TPEG event code with an event text.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Posner, Juergen Welscher
  • INDIVIDUALIZATION OF SOUND SIGNALS
    Publication number: 20110286614
    Abstract: A system and method provide a user-specific sound signal for each of multiple users in a room, such as a vehicle cabin, on a sound system including at least a pair of loudspeakers for each user. The head position of each user is tracked and a user-specific binaural sound signal is generated based on the tracked head position of at least one user. Crosstalk cancellation and cross-soundfield cancellation are performed on the user-specific binaural sound signal to enable a user-specific sound signal to be output on the respective loudspeaker pair for each user. In this way, different user-specific sound signals, which may include completely different audio programs, can be provided for each user in the room.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Hess
  • Locking mechanism for locking a removable data carrier
    Patent number: 8047863
    Abstract: A locking mechanism is provided for locking a removable data carrier in a support structure of an electronic device. The locking mechanism includes a movable locking element, indicating unit and a locking element control unit. The movable locking element is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, where the locking element, in its locked position, prevents the removal of the data carrier from the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Harald Klarner
  • Method for operating a playback unit in a vehicle, for playing back data stored on a data medium
    Patent number: 8036641
    Abstract: A system for use in a motor vehicle includes a wireless receiver that receives, over a wireless communication channel, supplemental information representative of the characteristics of the contents of a playback media, and provides received supplemental information indicative thereof. A playback device receives the received supplemental information and stores the received supplemental information in a non-volatile memory device. The playback unit may generate a request for supplement information in response to and indicative of a playback media inserted into the playback unit. The system may also include a wireless transmitter that receives the request and transmits the received request over the communication channel. In another embodiment, a radio connection is established between a computing device and the wireless receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Guido Hovestadt, Dirk Lappe, Stefan Wolf
  • VEHICLE USER INTERFACE UNIT FOR A VEHICLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE
    Publication number: 20110242102
    Abstract: A vehicle user interface unit for a vehicle electronic device. The vehicle user interface unit includes a three-dimensional (“3D”) display unit having a display, and is configured to display an image for perception by a user as a virtual 3D image. The virtual 3D image is at least partially located in front of the display when the user observes the display. A display control unit is configured to control the generation of the image by the 3D display unit. The virtual 3D image includes a 3D object having at least two regions located in different spatial planes. Each region includes a plurality of interaction elements. An input unit is configured to detect the location of a user-controlled object and to interpret the detection of a predefined variation of the user-controlled object as a selection of one of the interaction elements in the virtual 3D image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Hess
  • Method, device and system for transmitting an emergency call
    Patent number: 8032108
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and an emergency call device for transmitting an emergency call including emergency information from a vehicle using a mobile communication system. Further this invention is related to an emergency call system comprising the emergency call device and an emergency call assistance center. To provide a method for transmitting an emergency call which increases the reliability of data transmission this invention provides a method for transmitting an emergency call including emergency information from a vehicle using an mobile communication system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Kuz, Ralph Behrens
  • AUTOMATIC CORRECTION OF LOUDNESS LEVEL IN AUDIO SIGNALS
    Publication number: 20110228953
    Abstract: Systems and method for adapting a gain of an audio signal containing at least two different tracks with different signal level ranges. An example system includes a loudness determination unit for determining a perceived loudness of the audio input signal based on a psychoacoustic model of a human hearing. The system further includes a loudness adaptation unit configured to determine a loudness adaptation indicator based on the perceived loudness and a predetermined loudness, and to introduce the loudness adaptation indicator into the audio signal to generate an adapted gain signal. A gain determination unit is configured to adapt the gain for outputting the audio signal containing the at least two tracks based on the loudness adaptation indicators in the adapted gain signal at about the predetermined loudness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Hess
  • System for predicting the behavior of a transducer
    Patent number: 8023668
    Abstract: A system for compensating and driving a loudspeaker includes an open loop loudspeaker controller that receives and processes an audio input signal and provides an audio output signal. A dynamic model of the loudspeaker receives the audio output signal, and models the behavior of the loudspeaker and provides predictive loudspeaker behavior data indicative thereof. The open loop loudspeaker controller receives the predictive loudspeaker behavior data and the audio input signal, and provides the audio output signal as a function of the audio input signal and the predictive loudspeaker behavior data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Pfaffinger
  • AUTOMATIC CORRECTION OF LOUDNESS LEVEL IN AUDIO SIGNALS
    Publication number: 20110222695
    Abstract: Systems and method for adapting a gain of an audio signal containing at least two different tracks with different signal level ranges. An example system includes a loudness determination unit for determining a perceived loudness of the audio input signal based on a psychoacoustic model of a human hearing. The system further includes a loudness adaptation unit configured to determine a loudness adaptation indicator based on the perceived loudness and a predetermined loudness, and to introduce the loudness adaptation indicator into the audio signal to generate an adapted gain signal. A gain determination unit is configured to adapt the gain for outputting the audio signal containing the at least two tracks based on the loudness adaptation indicators in the adapted gain signal at about the predetermined loudness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hess, Frank Bähren
  • Audio processing system
    Patent number: 8019454
    Abstract: An audio processing system controls an audio input signal. The audio processing system includes a signal analyzer that detects content information and source information corresponding to the audio input signal. The system generates an analyzed audio signal. A signal processor receives the analyzed audio signal and generates a processed audio signal based on the content information and/or source information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Tim Haulick, Markus Buck, Guido Kolano
  • Loudspeaker
    Patent number: 8019112
    Abstract: A loudspeaker includes a movable diaphragm, a resilient centering device for centering and guiding the movement of the diaphragm, and a magnet system for controlling the movement of the diaphragm, where the diaphragm is positioned between the magnet system and the resilient centering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Gilles Milot, Francois Malbos
  • SECURE NETWORKED SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING MOBILE ACCESS TO ENCRYPTED DATA SERVICES
    Publication number: 20110219430
    Abstract: A networked system for controlling the mobile access to a data service, which may provide encrypted data, is presented. The system may include a mobile device and a mobile access control server, which controls the mobile device's access to the data service by controlling the access information required to access the data service. The system may also include a content server that provides the data service, a certification authority, and a network for enabling communication among the components of the system. To access encrypted data services, the mobile device communicates an access request to the mobile access control server, which determines whether access should be granted, and provides access information to the mobile device, enabling the mobile device to establish encrypted communication with the content server and/or to decrypt the encrypted data provided by the data service via the content server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Kuz, Ralph Behrens, Grit Behrens
  • TRAFFIC SIGN CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20110216202
    Abstract: A method and device are described which are configured to establish whether a traffic sign has at least one graphical feature extending linearly thereon. A portion of image data which represents at least a portion of the traffic sign is identified. Coefficients of a two-dimensional spectral representation of the portion of the image data are calculated. The coefficients of the two-dimensional spectral representation are determined for Fourier space coordinates disposed along a line in Fourier space. Based on the determined coefficients it is established whether the traffic sign has the at least one graphical feature extending linearly on the traffic sign.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Koba Natroshvili, Ayyappan Mani
  • Optimum route determination employing an estimation function
    Patent number: 8014941
    Abstract: A method and system for determining a route from a starting point to a destination on a road network are provided, where an estimation function for vertices of the road network is employed, and where a tiling covers an area in which at least a portion of the road network is contained. A resistance value of each tile of the tiling is provided, and the values of the estimation function for vertices of the road network are determined in accordance with the resistance values of the tiles of the tiling. In an example implementation, the resistance value of a given tile is a lower bound on or the minimum of the costs associated with an optimum route connecting any pair of vertices located on the boundary of the given tile divided by an air-line distance of the pair of vertices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Philipp Harald Nagel, Peter Vorlaender