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: 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: The present disclosure relates to vehicle speaker systems and configurations. In one embodiment, a vehicle headrest is provided including a head support, loudspeakers, and loudspeaker supports. The loudspeaker supports can position and direct the loudspeakers in at least one of a retracted and extended position.

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: 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 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: 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: Embodiments are disclosed for providing voice calls to users of a motor vehicle. As an example, a method comprises: responsive to a voice call, routing the voice call to at least one phone zone of a plurality of phone zones based on at least one of a user input and a source of the voice call, the plurality of phone zones included in a cabin of a motor vehicle. In this way, sonic interference with a voice call may be reduced, while a main system audio may continue to play for unselected phone zones.

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: 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.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to loudspeaker systems and configurations. In one embodiment, a loudspeaker configuration includes a directional element coupled to the loudspeaker. The directional element can include a plurality of movable elements to passively direct output of the loudspeaker. Another embodiment is directed to a bidirectional loudspeaker having a first loudspeaker configured to output sound in a first direction, and a second loudspeaker configured to output sound in a second direction. The first loudspeaker and second loudspeaker may be arranged in a coaxial arrangement. Methods are provided for controlling a loudspeaker and a movable element. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting a control setting for at least one of a loudspeaker and a movable element associated with the loudspeaker. The method may also include controlling the movable element in response to the control setting including adjusting the movable element to direct output of the loudspeaker.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to loudspeaker devices and configurations. In one embodiment, a loudspeaker includes a housing structure having multiple faces. A first face and second face of the housing are between first and second ends to arrange speaker configurations. The housing structure is configured to rotate to direct at least one of the first speaker configuration and the second speaker configuration for output of audio. In one embodiment, the housing structure is an elongated triangular structure. Loudspeaker configurations can include one or more elements to rotate the housing structure to direct at least one of the first speaker configuration and the second speaker configuration for output of audio. Loudspeaker configurations may also include a controller to operate at least one of the first speaker configuration and the second speaker configuration for output of audio based on position of the housing structure.

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. Audio playing from a known audio stream in the vehicle's infotainment system, in addition to 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.

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: The present disclosure relates to loudspeakers and loudspeaker configurations. In one embodiment, a loudspeaker includes a driver, a basket structure and an acoustic interface surrounding the driver. The outer portion of the acoustic interface can be supported by the basket structure. Loudspeaker configurations provided herein can include a positioning element configured to position the driver in at least one of a first position relative to the basket structure, and a second position relative to the basket structure. Other embodiments are directed to loudspeaker components and configurations. In one embodiment, loudspeaker includes a housing structure and a flexible (e.g., stretch) acoustic interface to surround a driver of the loudspeaker.

Abstract: A system and method for applying an individual volume control setting to individual sound zones as set by a user. When the individual volume control setting differs from a master volume control setting, the individual volume control setting is applied to the low frequency component of the audio signal. Headrest and optional height speakers for each individual sound zone's independent volume setting are applied to the mid and high frequency components of the audio signal.

Abstract: A system and method for tuning an audio system based on a seat position. The system senses and measures any change in seat position from a default seat position and adjusts a set of modified tuning parameters to be applied to the audio system based on the modified seat position. The modified tuning parameters may be mapped to a set of tuning parameters depending on the sensed and measured seat position. Alternatively, the modified tuning parameters may be set somewhere between a minimum set of tuning parameters and a maximum set of tuning parameters based on the sensed and measured seat position.