Ralph A Spooner

US Patent:

6420975, Jul 16, 2002

Filed:

Dec 17, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/466010

Inventors:

Jonathan E. DeLine - Holland MI
Niall R. Lynam - Holland MI
Ralph A. Spooner - Holland MI
Phillip A. March - Holland MI

Assignee:

Donnelly Corporation - Holland MI

International Classification:

B60Q 100

US Classification:

3408154, 3404255, 381 56, 381 86, 381169, 381361, 381365

Abstract:

A digital sound processor is provided to enhance the vocal to non-vocal noise ratio of the signal processed by a vehicle audio system such as a cellular telephone, emergency communication device, or other audio device. Optionally, an indicator is provided for use with the vehicular audio system in order to provide a user of the audio system with a status signal relating to a reception quality of a vocal signal from the user. The microphone of the audio system may be mounted within an accessory module, which may be mounted to an interior surface of a vehicle windshield. The accessory module provides a fixed orientation of the microphone and is easily installed to the vehicle as it is manufactured or as an aftermarket device. The indicator may be mounted at the accessory module or elsewhere at the mirror assembly.

US Patent:

6433676, Aug 13, 2002

Filed:

May 11, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/853974

Inventors:

Jonathan E. DeLine - Holland MI
Niall R. Lynam - Holland MI
Ralph A. Spooner - Holland MI

Assignee:

Donnelly Corporation - Holland MI

International Classification:

B60Q 100

US Classification:

3404255, 381 56, 381 86, 455569, 701 36

Abstract:

A mirror-based audio system for a vehicle preferably includes an electrochromic interior rearview mirror system including an electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly. The electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly includes electronic circuitry for at least adjusting the reflectivity of an electrochromic reflector element. The electrochromic interior rearview mirror system further includes a plurality of microphones for receiving audio signals from within a cabin of the vehicle. The plurality of microphones generate output signals indicative of sound generated within the vehicle cabin. The microphones are positioned at the electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, adjacent to the electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, in an attachment to the electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly, and/or within a module mounted to the windshield.

US Patent:

6466136, Oct 15, 2002

Filed:

Jul 11, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/903336

Inventors:

Jonathan E. DeLine - Holland MI
Niall R. Lynam - Holland MI
Ralph A. Spooner - Holland MI
Phillip A. March - Holland MI

Assignee:

Donnelly Corporation - Holland MI

International Classification:

B60Q 100

US Classification:

3408154, 3404255, 381 86, 381110, 381365, 455567

Abstract:

A mirror-based audio system for a vehicle comprises an interior rearview mirror system including a plurality of microphones for receiving audio signals within a cabin of the vehicle. The plurality of microphones comprise at least two microphones which generate output signals indicative of sound generated within the vehicle cabin. The at least two microphones are (i) positioned within an interior rearview mirror assembly, (ii) positioned adjacent to an interior rearview mirror assembly, (iii) positioned in an attachment to an interior rearview mirror assembly, or (iv) positioned within a module mounted to the windshield. The audio system further includes a control which is operable to distinguish the presence of vocal signals versus non-vocal signals and to at least partially filter out the non-vocal signals.

US Patent:

6650233, Nov 18, 2003

Filed:

Jun 24, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/178924

Inventors:

Jonathan E. DeLine - Raleigh NC
Niall R. Lynam - Holland MI
Ralph A. Spooner - Holland MI

Assignee:

Donnelly Corporation - Holland MI

International Classification:

B60Q 100

US Classification:

3404255, 381 56, 381 86, 381122, 381365, 4555692, 4555759

Abstract:

An interior rearview mirror audio system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly preferably comprising a plurality of microphones, a communication system of a vehicle and at least one manually actuated control input. The communication system includes a cellular telephone system and/or an emergency communication system. The communication system includes at least one communication device. The manually actuated control receives a manual input from an occupant of the vehicle and activates and/or adjusts the communication device of the communication system in response to the manual input. A control is preferably provided for receiving output signals of at least two microphones, the output signals comprising both vocal signals and non-vocal signals, and the control at least partially filtering out the non-vocal signals.

US Patent:

6717524, Apr 6, 2004

Filed:

Oct 15, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/270830

Inventors:

Jonathan E. DeLine - Holland MI
Niall R. Lynam - Holland MI
Ralph A. Spooner - Holland MI
Phillip A. March - Holland MI

Assignee:

Donnelly Corporation - Holland MI

International Classification:

B60Q 100

US Classification:

3408154, 3404255, 381 86, 381110, 381365, 455567

Abstract:

A voice acquisition system for a vehicle includes a rearview mirror assembly, at least one microphone and a control. The at least one microphone receives audio signals within a cabin of the vehicle and generates an output signal indicative of the audio signals. The at least one microphone provides sound capture for at least one of a hands free cell phone system, an audio recording system and an emergency communication system. The control is operable to receive the output signal from the at least one microphone, and is operable to distinguish the presence of vocal signals from non-vocal signals. The control distinguishes the vocal signals from the non-vocal signals by a ratio of at least 2:1.

US Patent:

6906632, Jun 14, 2005

Filed:

Jul 8, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/190809

Inventors:

Jonathan E. DeLine - Holland MI, US
Niall R. Lynam - Holland MI, US
Ralph A. Spooner - Holland MI, US
Phillip A. March - Holland MI, US

Assignee:

Donnelly Corporation - Holland MI

International Classification:

B60Q001/00
H04R029/00

US Classification:

3408154, 3404255, 381 56, 381 86, 381169, 381361, 381365

Abstract:

The interior cabin of a vehicle is provided with a vehicular sound-processing system that comprises an interior rearview mirror assembly, the mirror assembly including a mirror housing and a reflective element. An accessory is located in the interior cabin. The interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a user-interaction site for a wireless communication system, the wireless communication system communicating with the accessory. The user-interaction site comprises at least one microphone for producing an audio output in response to detection of vocal input of a human speaker in the interior cabin with the vehicle cabin noise superimposed thereon. Preferably, the user-interaction site further comprises at least one manually operated control input. The restricted-range wireless communication system preferably comprises one of a radio frequency restricted-range wireless communication system and an infrared restricted-range wireless communication system. Signals indicative of the vocal input detected at the user-interaction site of the interior mirror assembly are wirelessly broadcast to the accessory located in the interior cabin of the vehicle.

US Patent:

7012507, Mar 14, 2006

Filed:

Mar 3, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/792360

Inventors:

Jonathan E. DeLine - Holland MI, US
Niall R. Lynam - Holland MI, US
Ralph A. Spooner - Holland MI, US
Phillip A. March - Holland MI, US

Assignee:

Donnelly Corporation - Holland MI

International Classification:

B60Q 1/00
H04B 29/00
G08B 5/00

US Classification:

3404255, 3408154, 381 86, 381110, 381365, 4555691, 4555759

Abstract:

A voice acquisition system for a vehicle includes a module attached at an inner surface portion of the windshield of the vehicle. The module includes at least one microphone for receiving audio signals within a cabin of the vehicle and generating an output signal indicative of the audio signals. The microphone may provide sound capture for at least one of a hands free cell phone system, an audio recording system and an emergency communication system. A control is operable to receive the output signal from the at least one microphone and is operable to distinguish the presence of vocal signals from non-vocal signals. The module includes at least one additional accessory. The module attaches at the windshield by at least one of a mechanical attachment and an adhesive attachment.

US Patent:

7468652, Dec 23, 2008

Filed:

Mar 13, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/374347

Inventors:

Jonathan E DeLine - Raleigh NC, US
Niall R Lynam - Holland MI, US
Ralph A Spooner - Holland MI, US
Philip A March - Holland MI, US

Assignee:

Donnelly Corporation - Holland MI

International Classification:

B60Q 1/00
H04B 1/00
G08B 5/00

US Classification:

3404255, 3408154, 381 86, 381110, 381365, 4555691, 4555759

Abstract:

A voice acquisition system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly attached at an inner portion of the vehicle. The mirror assembly preferably includes at least one microphone for receiving audio signals within a cabin of the vehicle and generating an output signal indicative of these audio signals, the at least one microphone providing sound capture for at least one of a hands free cell phone system, an audio recording system and an emergency communication system. The system includes a control that receives the output signal from the at least one microphone and distinguishes the presence of vocal signals from non-vocal signals. The system preferably comprises a learning mode whereby a vocal characteristic of a particular driver or occupant of the vehicle is learnt so that the ratio of vocal signals emanating from that particular driver or occupant to non-vocal noise signals received by the system is enhanced.