Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a loudspeaker assembly including a first loudspeaker and a first acoustic lens is provided. The first loudspeaker is positioned on a first side of a headrest of a first vehicle seat for transmitting a first audio output toward one of a side pillar and a door of a vehicle. The first acoustic lens is coupled to the first loudspeaker and defining a first opening to enable the first audio output to pass from the first opening at a first predetermined angle. The first acoustic lens is positioned between the first loudspeaker and the one of the side pillar and the door of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a contrast mode and a front optimized mode for audio in a vehicle is provided. An audio controller is programmed to transmit first audio content in a first zone seating area and to transmit second audio content in a second zone seating area. The audio controller receives a first indication to transmit the first audio content in the first zone seating area and the second audio content in the second zone seating area in the contrast mode to provide an equal listening experience. The audio controller receives a second indication to transmit the first audio content in the first zone seating area and the second audio content in the second zone seating area in the front optimized mode to increase a quality of sound in the first zone seating area and to decrease a quality of sound in the second zone seating area.

Abstract: A headrest assembly for a vehicle includes a frame having a back side and a front side, the frame having a central axis that defines a first portion and a second portion. A motor is mounted to the frame, a first speaker module is disposed at the back side of the frame and operably connected to the motor for movement along the first portion, and a second speaker module is disposed at the back side of the frame and operably connected to the motor for movement along the second portion. The first and second speaker modules each include a housing having a front face with at least one speaker mounted therein for generating audio output. The first and second speaker modules are translatable between a retracted position along the back side of the frame and a deployed position toward the front side of the frame.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems for combining a prerecorded performance with a live performance within a space (such as a vehicle) are disclosed. A first performance (which may be a prerecorded performance) may be started within the space, and a second performance (such as a live performance) may subsequently be initiated within the space as well. The second performance may be detected, and based upon the detection, one or more volume parameters of the first performance may be modified. One or more properties of the second performance may also be modified, and the modified first performance may then be combined with the modified second performance to create a combined performance.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing content of a vehicle infotainment system are presented. In one example, one or more servers may activate and deactivate hardware components and software modules for vehicle infotainment systems to scale functionality and performance of the vehicle infotainment systems. The servers may receive upgrade and downgrade requests via a plurality of sources.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a system for controlling aspects of a virtual concert is provided. The apparatus includes one or more controllers and at least one computing device. The one or more controllers are positioned in a venue and are configured to control features of a live performance at the venue based on at least one first signal. The at least one computing device is programmed to receive a second signal indicative of a command to control at least a portion of the live performance from directly from a user that is remote from the venue and to transmit the at least one first signal to the one or more controllers to control the features of the live performance.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a system for remotely creating an audio and video mix of a live performance is provided. A media controller is positioned in a venue and being programmed to transmit one or more audio streams and one or more video streams for a live performance at the venue. A server is programmed to receive the one or more audio streams and the one or more video streams from the venue and to transmit the one or more audio streams and the one or more video streams to a streaming platform. A computing device being programmed to play back the modified at least one of the audio properties of the one or more audio streams and the video properties of the one or more video streams for the user.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a portable speaker arranged in a vehicle. In one example, a system comprises a speaker configured to dock mechanically to a docking station in an area of a vehicle, wherein the speaker further comprises a removable battery.

Abstract: A spatial infotainment rendering system may include at least one infotainment device configured to present information to a vehicle occupant traveling along a vehicle route at one of a plurality of infotainment locations within the vehicle and at least one spatial rendering processor. The processor may be configured to receive vehicle location and direction information of the vehicle along the vehicle route, receive event data indicative of an event having a potential to affect the vehicle route, and determine an event location based on event data. The processor may also be configured to select one of the infotainment locations based on the event location relative to the vehicle location and direction to present event information to the vehicle occupant relating to the event at a location spatially related to the event location relative to the vehicle route.

Abstract: A loudspeaker assembly for a vehicle includes a loudspeaker mounted in the vehicle, the loudspeaker having a first side facing an interior of the vehicle and an opposed second side. The loudspeaker is configured to generate an acoustical signal having a front wave directed into the interior of the vehicle and a rear wave directed away from the interior of the vehicle. An acoustic coupler is disposed on the second side of the loudspeaker and extending toward an exterior of the vehicle, the acoustic coupler arranged to transmit the rear wave to the exterior of the vehicle such that the acoustical signal is audible in the interior of the vehicle and at the exterior of the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating sounds in a vehicle or other location are presented. In one example, a single user input may be a basis for adjusting a sound level and a frequency of occurrence of a sound that is stored in controller memory and that is output via one or more speakers.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a system for providing an immersive audio experience at an entertainment venue is provided. The system includes at least one loudspeaker and a server. The at least one loudspeaker is attached to the entertainment venue. The server is associated with the entertainment venue and is programmed to communicate with a mobile device associated with a vehicle occupant and to enable access to the at least one loudspeaker to position the at least one loudspeaker in a vehicle in response to the mobile device being authenticated with the server.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an apparatus and method for monitoring audio content that is played back in a vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes memory and a media controller. The media controller includes the memory and is programmed to transmit first media content as desired by one or more first vehicle occupants positioned in a first zone seating area and to transmit second media content as desired one or more second vehicle occupants positioned in a second zone seating area. The media controller is further programmed to receive an indication from the one or more first vehicle occupants to transmit the second media content in the first zone seating area and to transmit the second media content for monitoring by the one or more first vehicle occupants in the first zone seating area based on the indication.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating sound elements in a vehicle are present. In one example, a method comprises selecting a sound element, the sound element corresponding to a natural environment; and broadcasting the sound element via one or more speakers of a vehicle. In this way, a sound environment may be provided to a vehicle user based on the at least one vehicle state.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a contrast mode and a front optimized mode for audio in a vehicle is provided. An audio controller is programmed to transmit first audio content in a first zone seating area and to transmit second audio content in a second zone seating area. The audio controller receives a first indication to transmit the first audio content in the first zone seating area and the second audio content in the second zone seating area in the contrast mode to provide an equal listening experience. The audio controller receives a second indication to transmit the first audio content in the first zone seating area and the second audio content in the second zone seating area in the front optimized mode to increase a quality of sound in the first zone seating area and to decrease a quality of sound in the second zone seating area.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a contrast mode and a front optimized mode for audio in a vehicle is provided. An audio controller is programmed to transmit first audio content in a first zone seating area and to transmit second audio content in a second zone seating area. The audio controller receives a first indication to transmit the first audio content in the first zone seating area and the second audio content in the second zone seating area in the contrast mode to provide an equal listening experience. The audio controller receives a second indication to transmit the first audio content in the first zone seating area and the second audio content in the second zone seating area in the front optimized mode to increase a quality of sound in the first zone seating area and to decrease a quality of sound in the second zone seating area.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems for combining a prerecorded performance with a live performance within a space (such as a vehicle) are disclosed. A first performance (which may be a prerecorded performance) may be started within the space, and a second performance (such as a live performance) may subsequently be initiated within the space as well. The second performance may be detected, and based upon the detection, one or more volume parameters of the first performance may be modified. One or more properties of the second performance may also be modified, and the modified first performance may then be combined with the modified second performance to create a combined performance.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to loudspeaker devices and configurations. In at least one embodiment, a loudspeaker includes a housing structure having a multi-sided cross-sectional profile, a first speaker configuration coupled to a first face of the housing structure, and a second speaker configuration coupled to a second face of the housing structure. The first face of the housing structure and the second face of the housing structure may be adjacent to each other, and the first face of the housing structure and the second face of the housing structure may be substantially planar, in one or more examples. The loudspeaker may further comprise a controller configured to rotate the housing structure. For example, the housing structure may be rotated about a central axis of the housing structure. Further, the housing may be an elongated triangular structure in at least one example.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a system for providing an immersive audio experience at an entertainment venue is provided. The system includes at least one loudspeaker and a server. The at least one loudspeaker is attached to the entertainment venue. The server is associated with the entertainment venue and is programmed to communicate with a mobile device associated with a vehicle occupant and to enable access to the at least one loudspeaker to position the at least one loudspeaker in a vehicle in response to the mobile device being authenticated with the server.

Abstract: An in-vehicle noise-cancellation system may optimize far-end user experience. The noise-cancellation system may incorporate real-time acoustic input from the vehicle, as well microphones from a telecommunications device. Audio signals from small, embedded microphones mounted in the vehicle can be processed and mixed into an outgoing telecom signal to effectively cancel acoustic energy from one or more unwanted sources in the vehicle. Multiple microphones may be mounted to headrests and spaced apart in one or more directions to give an indication of the direction of incoming sound from one or more listening zones so that sounds from certain zones may be suppressed. Unwanted noise captured by the embedded microphones may be used as direct inputs to the noise-cancellation system. As direct inputs, these streams can, therefore, be cancelled from the outgoing telecom signal, thus providing the user's far-end correspondent with much higher signal-to-noise ratio, call quality, and speech intelligibility.