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: A computing device for adjusting audio output in a listening environment having a user interface to select a source, from a plurality of sources, to be played at a sound zone in a plurality of sound zones; A processor receives user input source selections to determine combined sources for the plurality of sound zones and adjust audio parameters for the sound zones having combined sources based on combined sources and individual inputs for audio settings from each sound zone. The processor applies adjusted audio parameters to a sound zone algorithm for the sound zones having combined sources, and outputs audio based on the adjusted sound zone algorithm. A designated occupant may select the sound zones to which the adjusted sound zone algorithm is to be applied.

Abstract: Techniques for an augmented media experience in a vehicle cable include a first display surface positioned on a ceiling of the vehicle cabin, a second display surface positioned on the ceiling of the vehicle cabin, a memory storing a media application and a processor coupled to the memory. The first display surface is movable relative to the second display surface. The processor, when executing the media application performs the steps of deploying the first display surface to a deployed position where the first display surface is positioned between a first glass panel in a ceiling of the vehicle cabin and an interior of the vehicle cabin and displaying media content in the vehicle cabin using the first display surface and the second display surface.

Abstract: A dual-zone automotive multimedia system may include a first infotainment device associated with a front zone of a vehicle, at least one second infotainment device associated with a rear zone of a vehicle, wherein the at least one second infotainment device includes a directional loudspeaker arranged facing the rear zone of the vehicle, and a processor programmed to transmit audio signals to the first and second infotainment devices to create sound at each of the front and rear zones, wherein the audio signal transmitted to the directional loudspeaker relates to playback at the rear zone.

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: In at least one embodiment, an audio system is provided. The audio system includes a first loudspeaker, a second loudspeaker, and an audio controller. The first loudspeaker is positioned on first side of a vehicle to transmit a first audio signal to a driver. The second loudspeaker is positioned on a second side of the vehicle to transmit a second audio signal to a passenger. The audio controller is configured to increase an audio experience for only the driver of the vehicle by at least one of controlling a voltage provided to the first loudspeaker to cause a first overall excursion of the first loudspeaker to be greater than a second overall excursion of the second loudspeaker, and limiting an amount of current that is delivered only to the first loudspeaker to prevent the first loudspeaker from temporarily shutting down due to an overcurrent condition.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a moodroof media application provides media content into a vehicle cabin. In operation, the moodroof media application determines at least one state associated with the vehicle cabin based on sensor data from at least one sensor. The moodroof media application then receives media content associated with the at least one state. The moodroof media application further causes visual content associated with the media content to be displayed on at least one display surface positioned on a ceiling of the vehicle cabin.

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 auto-orienting loudspeaker assembly for a vehicle seat includes a housing arranged to be received within a rear side of the vehicle seat, an enclosure rotatably mounted to the housing, the enclosure having a nonuniform weight distribution, and a loudspeaker disposed within the enclosure and having an initial orientation. A change in an angular position of the vehicle seat results in a passive rotation of the enclosure with respect to the housing to substantially maintain the initial orientation of the loudspeaker as the angular position of the vehicle seat changes.

Abstract: An auto-orienting loudspeaker assembly for a vehicle seat includes a housing arranged to be received within a rear side of the vehicle seat, an enclosure rotatably mounted to the housing, the enclosure having a nonuniform weight distribution, and a loudspeaker disposed within the enclosure and having an initial orientation. A change in an angular position of the vehicle seat results in a passive rotation of the enclosure with respect to the housing to substantially maintain the initial orientation of the loudspeaker as the angular position of the vehicle seat changes.

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-car headphone system may include a first headset associated with a vehicle occupant and configured to transmit audio signals to an associated occupant; at least one interior microphone configured to receive an interior audio signal from within a vehicle cabin; at least one exterior microphone configured to receive an exterior audio signal acquired from outside of the vehicle; and a processor configured to receive at least one of the interior audio signal from the at least one interior microphone and the exterior audio signal from the at least one exterior microphone; determine whether at least one of the interior audio signal and exterior audio signal include a trigger command or an alert signal; and transmit the audio signal that includes the trigger command or alert signal to the first headset in response to the audio signals including a trigger command or an alert signal.

Abstract: An in-car headphone system may include a first headset associated with a vehicle occupant and configured to transmit audio signals to an associated occupant; at least one interior microphone configured to receive an interior audio signal from within a vehicle cabin; at least one exterior microphone configured to receive an exterior audio signal acquired from outside of the vehicle; and a processor configured to receive at least one of the interior audio signal from the at least one interior microphone and the exterior audio signal from the at least one exterior microphone; determine whether at least one of the interior audio signal and exterior audio signal include a trigger command or an alert signal; and transmit the audio signal that includes the trigger command or alert signal to the first headset in response to the audio signals including a trigger command or an alert signal.

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: Systems and methods for generating sounds in a vehicle are presented. In one example, a sound or sounds generated external to a vehicle may facilitate generation of sounds within the vehicle. Sounds generated within the vehicle may be generated in a way to indicate a direction of the source of sounds generated external to the vehicle.

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: Embodiments of the present disclosure set forth a computer-implemented technique for providing a personalized audio signal to a user. The technique includes determining a first mood of the user based on a first set of user parameters, selecting, based on the first mood of the user, a first acoustic profile. The first acoustic profile may include a first set of acoustic parameters, and causing an audio output device to reproduce a first input audio signal based on the first set of acoustic parameters.

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 dual-zone automotive multimedia system may include a first infotainment device associated with a front zone of a vehicle, at least one second infotainment device associated with a rear zone of a vehicle, wherein the at least one second infotainment device includes a directional loudspeaker arranged facing the rear zone of the vehicle, and a processor programmed to transmit audio signals to the first and second infotainment devices to create sound at each of the front and rear zones, wherein the audio signal transmitted to the directional loudspeaker relates to playback at the rear zone.