(12) United States Patent
`DeLine et al.
`
`USOO6420975B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,420,975 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`*Jul. 16, 2002
`
`(54) INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SOUND
`PROCESSING SYSTEM
`
`(75) Inventors: Jonathan E. DeLine; Niall R. Lynam;
`Ralph A. Spooner; Phillip A. March,
`all of Holland, MI (US)
`(73) Assignee: Donnelly Corporation, Holland, MI
`(US)
`-
`0
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`This patent is Subject to a terminal dis-
`claimer.
`
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`WO
`WO
`WO
`
`4,187,396 A 2/1980 Luhowy ........................ 179/1
`4,484,344. A 11/1984 Mai et al. ..................... 381/46
`4,736,432 A 4/1988 Cantrell .......
`... 381/83
`4,833,719 A 5/1989 Carme et al. ................. 381/72
`(List continued on next page.)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`31691.99
`7/1991
`10036144. A
`2/1998
`10330131. A 12/1998
`11050006 A 2/1999
`WO 9734780
`9/1997
`WO 98.17046
`4/1998
`WO983O415
`7/1998
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Adaptive Noise Cancelling: Principles and Applications,
`Proc. IEEE, vol. 63, pp. 1692–1716, Dec. 1975 by B.
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/466,010
`Widrow et al.
`Adaptive Noise Cancelling for Speech Signals, IEEE Trans.
`(22) Filed:
`Dec. 17, 1999
`Acoust. Speech and Signal Proc., vol. ASSP-26, No. 5, Oct.
`1978 by M. Sambur.
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Primary Examiner Donnie L. Crosland
`(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 09/449,121, filed on
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm Van Dyke, Gardner, Linn &
`Nov. 24, 1999, and a continuation-in-part of application No.
`Burkhart, LLP
`09/448,700, filed on Nov. 24, 1999, now Pat. No. 6,329,925,
`s
`and a continuation-in-part of application No. 09/433,467,
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`filed on Nov. 4, 1999, now Pat No. 6,326,613, and a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 09/396,179, filed on
`St.R FriaS.S.S.S.", it. A digital sound processor is provided to enhance the vocal
`25, 1999 now Pat. No. 6.243,003.
`to non-vocal noise ratio of the signal processed by a vehicle
`2
`2
`21 - -2
`audio System Such as a cellular telephone, emergency com
`(51) Int. Cl." ............................ B60Q 1700; H04R 29/00
`munication device, or other audio device. Optionally, an
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................................ 340/815.4; 340/425.5;
`indicator is provided for use with the vehicular audio System
`381/56; 381/86; 381/169; 381/361; 381/365
`in order to provide a user of the audio System with a status
`(58) Field of Search ........................... 340/315.4, 425.5;
`Signal relating to a reception quality of a vocal Signal from
`381/71.1, 71.4, 56–58, 86, 91; 379/454,
`the user. The microphone of the audio System may be
`446; 455/74.1, 569,566,567,575, 90,
`mounted within an accessory module, which may be
`99, 100
`mounted to an interior Surface of a vehicle windshield. The
`accessory module provides a fixed orientation of the micro
`phone and is easily installed to the vehicle as it is manu
`factured or as an aftermarket device. The indicator may be
`mounted at the accessory module or elsewhere at the mirror
`assembly.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2.972,018 A
`2/1961 Hawley et al. ................ 179/1
`3,098,121 A 7/1963 Wadsworth .................... 179/1
`4,052,568 A 10/1977 Jankowski ................... 179/15
`
`43 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`RROR-MOUNTED DIGITAL SOUND PROCESSING SYSTEM
`
`
`
`
`
`NCATOR
`
`O85 OBO
`
`WOCA
`SGNATURE
`
`O75 go log O6O 046
`D/A 4. GAL SOUND
`A/D
`
`- PROCESSOR
`
`A
`
`
`
`
`
`s
`
`SYSTEM
`
`
`
`USeR ADJUSTABLE
`ONTROLS
`ONSTAR"
`WOCE-COMMAND
`
`O2S
`MCROPONE
`
`CELLULAR PhONE
`
`N-we-ICE COMPUTER
`
`NTERNet
`
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`US 6,420,975 B1
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`:
`
`4,878,188 A 10/1989 Ziegler, Jr. ............. 364/724.01
`3. A g
`Shield t al
`21.
`- - - -
`etuner et al. .
`2- - - 2
`4977,600 A 12/1990 Ziegler .........
`... 381/71
`5,033,082 A 7/1991 Eriksson et al.
`... 379/410
`5,138,664 A 8/1992 Kimura et al.
`... 381/72
`5,178.448 A 1/1993 Adams et al.
`362/83.1
`5,251.263 A 10/1993 Andrea et al.
`... 381/71
`5,381,473 A
`1/1995 Andrea et al.
`... 379/387
`5.530,240 A 6/1996 Larson et al. .
`... 250/214
`:
`5,546,458 A 8/1996 Iwami ..........
`... 379/390
`5,550,677 A
`8/1996 Schofield etal
`... 359/604
`5,649,756 A 7/1997 Adams et al.
`362/83.1
`5,671996 A 9/1997 Bos et al. .....
`362/83.1
`5,673.325 A 9/1997 Andrea et al.
`... 381/92
`5,673,994. A 10/1997 Fant, Jr. et al. ...
`... 362/831
`5,715,093 A 2/1998 Schierbeck et al.
`... 359/601
`5,715,321 A 2/1998 Andrea et al. ...
`... 381/92
`5,724,187 A 3/1998 Varaprasad et al. ......... 359/608
`
`5,732,143 A 3/1998 Andrea et al. ............. 381/71.6
`5,760,962 A 6/1998 Schofield et al. ........... 359/604
`5,786.772 A 7/1998 Schofield et al. ........... 340/903
`5,796,176 A 8/1998 Kramer et al.
`307/10.1
`8/1998 O’Farrell et al. .......... 307/10.1
`5,798.575 A
`5,798,688 A 8/1998 Schofield ..........
`... 340/438
`5,813,745. A 9/1998 Fant, Jr. et al. ............ 362/83.1
`5,820.245 A 10/1998 Desmond et al. .
`... 362/83.1
`5,825,897 A 10/1998 Andrea et al. .......
`... 381/71.6
`5,877,897 A
`3/1999 Schofield et al. ........... 359/604
`5,878,353 A * 3/1999 ul Azam et al. ..
`455/550
`5,909,495 A 6/1999 Andrea .............
`... 381/67
`5,924.212 A 7/1999 Domanski .........
`... 33/355
`5,929,786 A 7/1999 Schofield et al. .
`340/903
`5,938,321 A 8/1999 Bos et al. ................... 362/494
`2
`5,971,552 A 10/1999 O’Farrell et al. ........... 359/871
`6,091,411 A 2/2000 Carter et al. ......
`... 296/37.7
`6.243,003 B1
`6/2001 DeLine et all
`340/425.5
`24 - -2
`Cille C all. . . . . . . . . . . .
`
`
`
`* cited by examiner
`
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`Jul. 16, 2002
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 16, 2002
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`US 6,420,975 B1
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`FG3
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`72
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`Jul. 16, 2002
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`US 6,420,975 B1
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`Jul. 16, 2002
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`US 6,420,975 B1
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`Jul. 16, 2002
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 16, 2002
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`Sheet 6 of 10
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`US 6,420,975 B1
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 16, 2002
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`Sheet 7 of 10
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`US 6,420,975 B1
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`IPR2022-00602
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`Jul. 16, 2002
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 16, 2002
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`Sheet 9 of 10
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`US 6,420,975 B1
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 16, 2002
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`Sheet 10 Of 10
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`US 6,420,975 B1
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`

`

`1
`INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SOUND
`PROCESSING SYSTEM
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`This application is a continuation-in-part of application
`Ser. No. 09/396,179, filed Sep. 14, 1999, U.S. Pat. No.
`6,678,377 which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser.
`No. 09/382,720, filed Aug. 25, 1999, U.S. Pat. No. 6,243,
`603 and this application is a continuation-in-part of appli
`cation Ser. No. 09/449,121 filed Nov. 24, 1999, and this
`application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending applica
`tion Ser. No. 09/433,367, filed Nov. 4, 1999, U.S. Pat. No.
`6,326,613 and this application is a continuation-in-part of
`application Ser. No. 09/448,700, filed Nov. 24, 1999, U.S.
`Pat. No. 6,329,925 all of which are hereby incorporated
`herein by reference in their entireties.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates generally to an interior
`rearview mirror Sound processing System and, more
`particularly, to an interior rearview mirror Sound processing
`System including a microphone for use in receiving an audio
`Signal within a vehicle and a digital Sound processing System
`for providing a vocal Signature Signal indicative of Speech
`detected by the vehicular microphone with an enhanced
`Vocal content and a reduced ambient noise content.
`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 micro
`phones in these devices, which constrain the area covered by
`the microphone to an area where voices would typically
`originate, Such as a drivers head area. In certain
`applications, these microphones are implemented in an
`interior rearview mirror, Such that the microphone is posi
`tioned 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.
`An additional issue with known mirror-mounted micro
`phones (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 mount
`ing bracket) is that typically, audio or communication
`devices in vehicles are optional. Accordingly, Separate mir
`ror 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.
`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
`
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`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 con
`Sole 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 require
`ment of at least two Separate headliner consoles to accom
`modate the optional microphone verses a console without
`the microphone.
`An additional issue with communication devices in
`vehicles is that when the device is in use, the user may not
`be certain that the message conveyed is properly received by
`the other party. This may be especially troublesome when
`the other party is an automated Voice System which responds
`to a particular voice communication. When a remote receiv
`ing System is operating in Voice recognition mode, it is
`particularly important that alphanumeric Speech text is accu
`rately received and interpreted by the remote party. Thus, for
`example, if the vehicle operator Says “Call Dan at extension
`three-five-Seven-nine-Six', it is important that the remote
`party (which often is a computer-based machine voice
`recognition System that is operating in Voice recognition
`mode) interprets this correctly and initiates the requested
`call, e.g., to Dan at Ext: 35796. In a vehicle environment,
`ambient noise from the like of traffic noise, road noise, wind
`noise, HVAC noise and engine noise can make it difficult for
`the remote party to voice recognize with clarity and accu
`racy the message being telecommunicated.
`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 orien
`tation with respect to the driver of the vehicle. There is also
`a need for a vehicular mirror based Sound processing System
`that reliably and economically receives Sound inputs from
`the vehicle interior cabin while the vehicle is operating, that
`distinguishes vocal Speech input from non-vocal ambient
`noise, and that provides an output that is characteristic of the
`true Speech input being provided, devoid of any confusing/
`interfering ambient noise.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention is intended to provide a vehicular
`Sound processing System, preferably with Some, and most
`preferably with most or all, of the System components
`provided as part of the interior rearview mirror assembly of
`the vehicle. The present invention also encompasses pro
`Viding an indicator for a microphone or accessory module,
`and preferably for an indicator for a microphone mounted in,
`at or on an interior rearview mirror assembly to comprise
`part of an interior rearview mirror System. The microphone
`or accessory module preferably mounts along an upper,
`inner edge of the windshield of a vehicle to direct the
`microphone, which is preferably a polar or directional
`microphone, generally downwardly and rearwardly toward
`the driver of the vehicle, and most preferably, towards the
`head of the driver, in order to best pick up Vocal commu
`nication from the driver's mouth. The indicator provides an
`indication signal, preferably a visual indication Signal, to the
`user of the microphone which indicates whether the voice
`communication from the user is adequately being received
`and preferably whether the communication is adequately
`being discriminated from other audible inputs received by
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`the microphone that are non-vocal. Thus, the indicator
`provides an indication signal that an adequately high Vocal
`Signal to audible non-vocal noise discrimination ratio is
`occurring. 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 mount
`ing 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, typi
`cally within the headliner of the vehicle.
`According to an aspect of the present invention, an audio
`System for a vehicle comprises a microphone and an indi
`cator. The vehicle has a cabin and a windshield. The
`microphone is operable to receive audio signals from within
`the cabin. The audio signals include Vocal Signals generated
`by the human Voices of vehicle occupants. The indicator is
`operable to communicate a receiving Status of the audio
`Signals to a user of the audio System and is adapted to
`indicate to the driver and/or other occupants of the vehicle
`that a voice generated vocal Signal is being appropriately
`received by the audio System that the microphone feeds, and
`that the Vocal Signal is being appropriately and Substantially
`discriminated compared to other audible non-vocal signals
`picked up by the microphone, Such as HVAC noise, wind
`noise, music and the like. The indicator may communicate
`a receiving Status of the microphone and/or a receiving
`status of another party remote from the vehicle. Thus, the
`indicator operates to confirm to the driver that Verbal inputs/
`commands/messages/sentences, as spoken by the driver
`have been received at the microphone and processed by the
`audio system with Sufficient clarity and Volume, Such that
`the Verbal inputS/commands/messageS/Sentences have been
`adequately correctly received. This is of particular impor
`tance when the driver and/or occupants of the vehicle are
`communicating via the microphone/audio System in the
`vehicle via radio transmission to a receiver remote from the
`vehicle. Such remote receivers can provide a variety of
`Services that are Selected by and/or are dependent on clear
`and audible voice input received from the vehicular audio
`System. For example, a concierge-type Service can be
`provided, whereby a restaurant, address, etc., listing can be
`provided. Also, the vehicle occupant may be voice commu
`nicating with an automatic computer based Service, Such as
`45
`airline reservation Services and the like, where the driver
`must Select menu items through Verbal input of an alpha
`numeric (typically a number) input. Lack of clarity and/or
`Volume and/or the presence of noise may lead to an incorrect
`Selection at the remote receiving party, unbeknownst to the
`vehicle based driver and/or occupant. The indicator of the
`present invention thus provides to the driver and/or occu
`pants of the vehicle an indication that Verbal input to the
`audio System in the vehicle is being adequately correctly
`received by the audio System in the vehicle and/or, more
`preferably, is being adequately received after transmission to
`the remote receiver. Thus, by having an adequately clear
`reception by the remote receiver external to the vehicle
`confirmed back to the vehicular audio System, and by having
`this indicated to the driver and/or other occupants by the
`indicator of the present invention, protection is provided
`against inadequate communication, even caused by interfer
`ence during the transmission from the vehicle to the remote
`receiver or receiving party.
`According to another aspect of the present invention, an
`accessory module comprises at least one microphone for
`receiving audio signals from within a cabin of a vehicle, at
`
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`least one indicator, and a housing for mounting the micro
`phone. The vehicle includes a windshield, an interior rear
`View mirror mounted to an interior Surface of the
`windshield, and a headliner extending along an upper edge
`of the windshield. The indicator is operable to communicate
`a receiving Status of the audio signals to a user of the audio
`System. The housing for the microphone is preferably
`mountable between the headliner and the rearview mirror.
`The microphone and indicator of the accessory module (and
`any other accessory housed within the accessory module)
`are electronically connectable to a vehicle wiring within the
`headliner. Preferably, accessories, Such as the microphone
`and the indicator, are detachably 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 circum
`stances when the interior mirror is a non-electrical mirror,
`Such as a base prismatic mirror.
`In one form, the rearview mirror is electronically con
`nected to the vehicle wiring harneSS. Preferably, the acces
`Sory module further includes a wire cover to encase a wire
`harneSS between the rearview mirror and the accessory
`module. More preferably, the microphone, indicator and
`mirror are connectable with the vehicle wiring in the head
`liner.
`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 micro
`phone 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 connect
`able to the vehicle wiring harneSS in the headliner. An
`indicator may be provided for the audio System to commu
`nicate an audio Signal receiving Status to a user of the audio
`System.
`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. The indicator
`may be mounted on at least one of the accessory module, the
`mirror housing, a module/pod attached to the mounting
`button, and the mounting button.
`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.
`Accordingly, the present invention provides an indicator
`for a microphone or accessory module for use with an audio
`System, Such as a hands-free cellular telephone, audio
`recording device, emergency communication device or the
`like. The indicator provides a Signal to a user of the audio
`System which communicates whether a human Vocal audio
`Signal being received by the audio System is above a
`threshold level and/or is at least substantially discriminated
`from other audible noise, So that the Vocal Signal to non
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`Vocal audible Signals received by the audio System from the
`microphone exceeds a predetermined threshold ratio.
`Preferably, this ratio is at least 2:1. Most preferably, this ratio
`is at least 10:1. The microphone and indicator may be
`mounted in the vehicle cabin, and preferably is mounted as
`part of the interior rearview mirror System. The accessory
`module may contain the microphone and/or the indicator
`and 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. The indicator may be mounted at the accessory
`module, a rearview mirror housing, behind the mirror reflec
`tor in the housing So as to illuminate through the reflector,
`a rearview mirror mounting portion or a headliner of the
`vehicle. Because the accessory module is a separate com
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`ponent 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 assem
`bly 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 acces
`Sory module does not require Special headliners or mirrors,
`the accessory module may be easily installed as an after
`market device.
`According to another aspect of the present invention, an
`interior rearview mirror assembly is provided including at
`least one microphone coupled with a digital Sound
`processor, most preferably Supplied as a module comprising
`at least one microphone that provides an output to a
`microprocessor-based control that performs digital Sound
`processing on the microphone output in order to enhance the
`human vocal signal received and in order to reduce any
`non-vocal Signal components from ambient noise in the
`vehicle cabin.
`In one form, an interior rearview mirror digital Sound
`processing System Suitable for use in a vehicle equipped
`with an audio System is provided comprising an interior
`rearview mirror assembly. The interior mirror assembly
`includes at least one microphone capable of producing an
`audio output in response to detection of Vocal input. The
`vocal input signal has vehicle cabin noise (Such as from road
`noise, HVAC noise, wind noise, windshield noise, traffic
`noise engine noise etc) Superimposed thereon. The interior
`mirror assembly further includes a digital Sound processor.
`The digital Sound processor receives a signal indicative of
`the microphone audio output, and the digital Signal proces
`Sor processes the Signal indicative of the microphone audio
`output and provides an output vocal Signal with Substantially
`reduced vehicle cabin noise
`These and other objects, advantages, purposes and fea
`tures of this invention will become apparent upon review of
`the following specification in conjunction with the drawings.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the microphone module of
`the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a side elevation shown partially in section of the
`microphone module in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a similar side elevation as that in FIG. 2,
`showing an alternate electrical connection and mounting
`bracket for the microphone module,
`FIG. 4 is a sectional plan view of the microphone module
`taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3;
`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,
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`FIG. 6 is an elevation looking forwardly in a vehicle cabin
`of a microphone module and mirror housing having controls
`mounted thereon;
`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;
`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; and
`FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an interior rearview mirror
`incorporating the present invention.
`FIG. 10 is a side elevation of an interior rearview mirror
`assembly shown partially in Section and incorporating the
`present invention;
`FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of
`a digital Sound processing System incorporating the present
`invention;
`FIG. 12 is a Schematic diagram of a Second embodiment
`of a digital Sound processing System incorporating the
`present invention;
`FIG. 13 is a side elevation shown partially in section of an
`alternate embodiment of an interior rearview mirror assem
`bly incorporating the present invention;
`FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of an interior rearview
`mirror assembly incorporating the present invention;
`FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of an interior mirror
`assembly linked to an exterior mirror assembly incorporat
`ing the present invention;
`FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a further embodiment
`of a digital Sound processing System incorporating the
`present invention.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`Referring now specifically to the drawings, and the illus
`trative embodiments depicted therein, an accessory or
`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 an
`audio System, Such as a cellular telephone, a recording
`device, Such as a dictation System, an emergency commu
`nication device, such as the ONSTARTM system commer
`cially 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 ONSTARTM system are mounted at a
`movable housing 16b of an interior rear view mirror assem
`bly 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 down
`wardly 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. An
`indicator 72 is included for providing an audio signal
`receiving Status message to a user of the audio System. The
`message conveys to the user whether the audio Signal was
`adequately received by the microphone 18 and/or a receiv
`ing party of the audio System which is remote from the
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`vehicle. The audio system of the vehicle, such as the
`ONSTARTM vehicle system, communicates with the receiv
`ing party, typically via a Satellite transmission of radio
`frequencies or via a terrestrial radio frequency transmission
`System involving multiple receivers, transmitters, and/or
`repeaters. 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 acces
`Sories which may be mounted within or associated with
`mirror assembly 16.
`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 16d. Mounting button 16a may be adhe
`sively 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, such that housing 16b
`is pivotally adjustable about mounting arm 16c. Alternately,
`mounting arm 16c terminates at the vehicle headliner to
`pivotally mount the mirror assembly to the headliner of the
`vehicle. 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 acces
`Sories within assembly 16, Such as power for electrooptic/
`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.
`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