Accessory module for vehicle

Claim 2

A microphone module for an audio system of a vehicle, the vehicle having a cabin, a windshield, an interior rearview mirror mounted to an interior surface of the windshield and a headliner extending along an upper edge of the windshield, said microphone module comprising: a plurality of microphones comprising at least two microphones for receiving audio signals from within the cabin, said at least two microphones generating output signals indicative of sound generated within the vehicle cabin, said output signals being digitized and integrated in order to distinguish the presence of voice signals versus noise signals, said noise signals originating from at least one noise source selected from the croup consisting of engine noise, road noise, wind noise, HVAC noise, a radio, and a turn signal, at least one of said at least two microphones being directed toward an area encompassing the general location of a head of a driver of the vehicle.

Claim 3

The microphone module of claim 1 , wherein said microphone module is fixedly secured such that at least two of said microphones are directed toward the area encompassing the general location of a head of a driver of the vehicle.

Claim 4

The microphone module of claim 1 , including a control which is operable to integrate each of said output signals of said plurality of microphones in order to determine which of said plurality of microphones are receiving voice signals and which are receiving non-voice signals, said control at least partially filtering out the non-voice signals.

Claim 5

The microphone module of claim 1 , wherein said at least one of said microphones is a single directional microphone fixedly secured within said module.

Claim 6

The microphone module of claim 1 , wherein the mirror has at least one electronic accessory associated therewith and is electronically connected to the wiring of the vehicle via a mirror harness extending between the mirror and the headliner.

Claim 7

The microphone module of claim 5 further including a wire cover which extends between said module and the mirror said module being positioned remote from the mirror, the mirror harness being routed within said wire cover.

Claim 8

The microphone module of claim 5 , wherein said microphone harness is connectable to the vehicle wiring via a connector.

Claim 9

The microphone module of claim 7 , wherein the mirror harness is connectable to the vehicle wiring via said connector.

Claim 10

The microphone module of claim 5 , wherein the mirror harness is connectable to the vehicle wiring via a connector.

Claim 11

The microphone module of claim 1 , wherein said microphone harness is connectable to the vehicle wiring via a connector.

Claim 12

The microphone module of claim 10 , wherein said module is removably attached to a mounting member on at least one of the windshield and the headliner.

Claim 13

The microphone module of claim 1 , wherein said module is adhesively secured to the interior surface of the windshield.

Claim 14

The microphone module of claim 1 , wherein said module is removably attached to a mounting member.

Claim 15

The microphone module of claim 13 , wherein said mounting member is a bracket adhesively secured to the interior surface of the windshield.

Claim 16

The microphone module of claim 14 , wherein said mounting member further includes a bracket secured in the headliner of the vehicle, said module being mountable to the windshield adjacent to the headliner.

Claim 17

The microphone module of claim 1 , wherein said audio system is one of a cellular telephone, an emergency communication system and a voice recording system.

Claim 18

The microphone module of claim 16 further including control switches for said audio system on said module.

Claim 19

The microphone module of claim 16 further including control switches for said audio system on at least one of the mirror and said module.

Claim 20

The microphone module of claim 1 , wherein said microphone module includes at least one of a Global Positioning System antenna, a motion sensor, a rain sensor, a video device, an interior light of the vehicle, an automatic toll booth transducer, a security system status indicator, a compass, a compass sensor, a temperature display, a temperature sensor, a tire pressure indicator display, a seat occupancy detection antenna, a seat occupancy detection transducer, and a loudspeaker.

Claim 21

A microphone module for an audio system of a vehicle, the vehicle having a cabin, a windshield, an interior rearview mirror assembly and a headliner extending along an upper edge of the windshield, the mirror assembly including a mounting member and a mirror housing pivotally interconnected to the mounting member, the mounting member being mounted to an interior surface of the windshield, the mirror assembly being electronically connectable to a vehicle wiring harness in the headliner via a mirror harness, said microphone module comprising: a plurality of microphones for receiving audio signals from within the cabin, said plurality of microphones generating output signals indicative of sound generated within the vehicle cabin, said output signals being digitized and integrated in order to distinguish the presence of voice signals versus noise signals, said noise signals originating from at least one noise source selected from the group consisting of engine noise, road noise, wind noise, HVAC noise, a radio, and a turn signal; a microphone housing for mounting said plurality of microphones, said microphone housing being mountable to the windshield at a location that is separate and distinct from the mirror assembly, said plurality of microphones being electronically connectable to the vehicle wiring harness within the headliner; and a wire cover which is adapted to substantially encase the mirror harness between the mirror mounting member and said microphone housing.

Claim 22

A microphone module for an audio system of a vehicle, the vehicle having a cabin, a windshield, an interior rearview mirror assembly and a headliner extending along an upper edge of the windshield, the mirror assembly including a mounting member and a mirror housing pivotally interconnected to the mounting member, the mounting member being mounted to an interior surface of the windshield, the mirror assembly being electronically connectable to a vehicle wiring harness in the headliner via a mirror harness, said microphone module comprising: a plurality of microphones for receiving audio signals from within the cabin, said plurality of microphones generating output signals indicative of sound generated within the vehicle cabin, said output signals being digitized and integrated in order to distinguish the presence of voice signals versus noise signals, said noise signals originating from at least one noise source selected from the group consisting of engine noise, road noise, wind noise, HVAC noise, a radio, and a turn signal; a microphone housing for mounting said plurality of microphones, said microphone housing being mountable to the windshield at a location that is separate and distinct from the mirror assembly, said plurality of microphones being electronically connectable to the vehicle wiring harness within the headliner; and a wire cover which is adapted to substantially encase the mirror harness between the mirror mounting member and said microphone housing.

Claim 23

The microphone module of claim 20 , wherein said wire cover is an adjustable wire cover extending along the windshield between said microphone housing and the mirror mounting member, said wire cover being adjustable to adapt to different mounting locations of said microphone housing relative to the mirror assembly.

Claim 24

The microphone module of claim 20 , wherein the mirror harness is connectable to the vehicle wiring harness via a connector.

Claim 25

The microphone module of claim 22 , wherein said microphone harness is connectable to the vehicle wiring harness via said connector.

Claim 26

The microphone module of claim 20 , wherein said microphone harness is connectable to the vehicle wiring harness via a connector.

Claim 27

The microphone module of claim 24 , wherein said microphone housing is removably attached to a mounting bracket on at least one of the windshield and the headliner.

Claim 28

The microphone module of claim 20 , wherein said microphone housing is adhesively secured to the windshield.

Claim 29

The microphone module of claim 20 , wherein said microphone housing is removably attached to a mounting bracket on at least one of the windshield and the headliner.

Claim 30

The microphone module of claim 20 , wherein said microphone housing includes manual controls for said audio system.

Claim 31

The microphone module of claim 20 , wherein manual controls for said audio system are positioned on at least one of the mirror assembly and said housing.

Claim 32

The microphone module of claim 20 , wherein said microphone module includes at least one of a Global Positioning System antenna, a motion sensor, a rain sensor, a video device and an interior light of the vehicle, an automatic toll booth transducer, a security system status indicator, a compass, a compass sensor, a temperature display, a temperature sensor, a tire pressure indicator display, a seat occupancy detection antenna, a seat occupancy detection transducer, and a loudspeaker.

Claim 33

An accessory module for a vehicle, the vehicle having a cabin, a windshield and a headliner extending along an upper edge of the windshield, said accessory module comprising: at least two microphones for receiving audio signals from within the cabin, said at least two microphones being electronically connectable to a vehicle wiring within the headliner, said at least two microphones generating output signals indicative of sound generated within the vehicle cabin, said output signals being digitized and integrated in order to distinguish the presence of voice signals versus noise signals, said noise signals originating from at least one noise source selected from the group consisting of engine noise, road noise, wind noise, HVAC noise, a radio, and a turn signal; a microphone housing for mounting said at least two microphones; and an interior rearview mirror assembly, said mirror assembly including a mirror wiring harness and a mirror housing, said mirror wiring harness being electronically connectable to the vehicle wiring in the headliner, said mirror wiring harness being at least partially routed within said microphone housing, said microphone housing being mountable to the windshield at a location remote from said interior rearview mirror assembly.

Claim 34

An accessory module for a vehicle, the vehicle having a cabin, a windshield and a headliner extending along an upper edge of the windshield, said accessory module comprising: at least two microphones for receiving audio signals from within the cabin, said at least two microphones being electronically connectable to a vehicle wiring within the headliner, said at least two microphones generating output signals indicative of sound generated within the vehicle cabin, said output signals being digitized and integrated in order to distinguish the presence of voice signals versus noise signals, said noise signals originating from at least one noise source selected from the group consisting of engine noise, road noise, wind noise, HVAC noise, a radio, and a turn signal; a microphone housing for mounting said at least two microphones; and an interior rearview mirror assembly, said mirror assembly including a mirror wiring harness and a mirror housing, said mirror wiring harness being electronically connectable to the vehicle wiring in the headliner, said mirror wiring harness being at least partially routed within said microphone housing, said microphone housing being mountable to the windshield at a location remote from said interior rearview mirror assembly.

Claim 35

The accessory module of claim 31 , wherein said mirror assembly further includes a mounting button for mounting said mirror assembly to an interior surface of the windshield.

Claim 36

The accessory module of claim 32 further including a wire cover which extends between said microphone housing and said mounting button and at least partially encases said mirror wiring harness.

Claim 37

The accessory module of claim 32 , wherein said mirror harness is a spirally coiled cord extending generally downwardly from said microphone housing to said mirror housing.

Claim 38

The accessory module of claim 31 , wherein said microphone housing includes a mirror mounting arm extending generally downwardly from said microphone housing, said mirror housing being pivotally interconnected to a lower end of said mirror mounting arm.

Claim 39

The accessory module of claim 35 , wherein said mirror wiring harness is at least partially encased within said mirror mounting arm.

Claim 40

The accessory module of claim 31 , wherein said microphone housing is adhesively securable to an interior surface of the windshield.

Claim 41

The accessory module of claim 32 , wherein said microphone housing is removably mountable to a mounting member.

Claim 42

The accessory module of claim 38 , wherein said mounting member is adhesively securable to the windshield.

Claim 43

The accessory module of claim 38 , wherein said mounting member is securable within the headliner of the vehicle.

Claim 44

The accessory module of claim 38 further including a connector for electrical connection with the vehicle wiring.

Claim 45

The accessory module of claim 41 , wherein said mirror harness is connected to said connector.

Claim 46

The accessory module of claim 42 , wherein said microphone harness is connected to said connector.

Claim 47

The accessory module of claim 41 , wherein said microphone harness is connected to said connector.

Claim 48

The microphone module of claim 1 including a control which is operable to digitize individual output signals from said plurality of microphones and determine which output signals are the loudest and which have the presence of voice signals verses noise signals, said control being further operable to select signals of individual microphones in response to said individual output signals.

Claim 49

The microphone module of claim 6 , wherein said wire cover comprises an adjustable wire cover, said wire cover being adjustable to adapt to different mounting locations of said microphone module relative to the rearview mirror.

Claim 50

The microphone module of claim 20 , wherein said module is operable to determine which of said microphones are receiving voice signals and which are receiving non-voice signals, said module at least partially filtering out the non-voice signals.

Claim 51

The microphone module of claim 47 including a control which is operable to digitize individual outputs from said plurality of microphones and determine which outputs are the loudest and which have the presence of voice signals verses non-voice signals, said control being further operable to select signals of individual microphones in response to the individual outputs.

Claim 52

The microphone module of claim 47 , wherein at least one of said microphones is fixedly mounted and directed toward an area generally defined by a typical location of a head of a driver of the vehicle.

Claim 53

The accessory module of claim 31 , wherein said module is operable to determine which of said microphones are receiving voice signals and which are receiving non-voice signals, said module at least partially filtering out the non-voice signals.

Claim 54

The accessory module of claim 50 including a control which is operable to digitize individual outputs from said at least two microphones and determine which outputs are the loudest and which have the presence of voice signals verses non-voice signals, said control being further operable to select signals of individual microphones in response to the individual outputs.

Claim 55

The accessory module of claim 50 , wherein at least one of said microphones is fixedly mounted and directed toward an area generally defined by a typical location of a head of a driver of the vehicle.

Claim 56

The accessory module of claim 33 , wherein said wire cover comprises an adjustable wire cover, said wire cover being adjustable to adapt to different mounting locations of said microphone housing relative to said interior rearview mirror assembly.

Claim 57

A voice acquisition system for an audio system of a vehicle, the vehicle having a cabin, a windshield and an interior rearview mirror assembly, said voice acquisition system comprising: a plurality of microphones for receiving audio signals from within the cabin, said plurality of microphones comprising at least two microphones which generate output signals indicative of sound generated within the vehicle cabin, at least one of said at least two microphones being directed toward an area encompassing the general location of a head of a driver of the vehicle, said at least two microphones being one of (i) positioned within the interior rearview mirror assembly, (ii) positioned adjacent to the interior rearview mirror assembly, (iii) positioned in an attachment to the interior rearview mirror assembly, and (iv) positioned within a module mounted to the windshield; and a control which is operable to digitize and integrate said output signals in order to distinguish the presence of vocal signals versus non-vocal signals and to at least partially filter out said non-vocal signals, said non-vocal signals originating from at least one noise source selected from the group consisting of engine noise, road noise, wind noise, HVAC noise, a radio, and a turn signal.

Claim 58

A voice acquisition system for an audio system of a vehicle, the vehicle having a cabin, a windshield and an interior rearview mirror assembly, said voice acquisition system comprising: a plurality of microphones for receiving audio signals from within the cabin, said plurality of microphones comprising at least two microphones which generate output signals indicative of sound generated within the vehicle cabin, at least one of said at least two microphones being directed toward an area encompassing the general location of a head of a driver of the vehicle, said at least two microphones being one of (i) positioned within the interior rearview mirror assembly, (ii) positioned adjacent to the interior rearview mirror assembly, (iii) positioned in an attachment to the interior rearview mirror assembly, and (iv) positioned within a module mounted to the windshield; and a control which is operable to digitize and integrate said output signals in order to distinguish the presence of vocal signals versus non-vocal signals and to at least partially filter out said non-vocal signals, said non-vocal signals originating from at least one noise source selected from the group consisting of engine noise, road noise, wind noise, HVAC noise, a radio, and a turn signal.

Claim 59

The voice acquisition system of claim 54 , wherein said control is operable to select at least one of said output signals from at least one of said microphones and to provide the at least one selected output signal to the audio system.

Claim 60

The voice acquisition system of claim 54 , wherein at least one of said microphones is a single directional microphone and is fixedly mounted and directed toward the area generally defined by a typical location of a head of a driver of the vehicle.

Claim 61

The voice acquisition system of claim 54 , wherein said at least two microphones are positioned within said module mounted to the windshield, said module being positioned between the interior rearview mirror assembly and a headliner extending along an upper edge of the windshield.

Claim 62

The voice acquisition system of claim 57 , wherein said module includes a wire cover extending between said module and the interior rearview mirror assembly, the interior rearview mirror assembly including a mirror harness which is routed within the wire cover.

Claim 63

The voice acquisition system of claim 58 , wherein the wire cover comprises an adjustable wire cover, the wire cover being adjustable to adapt to different mounting locations of said module relative to the interior rearview mirror assembly.

Claim 64

The voice acquisition system of claim 57 further including control switches for the audio system.

Claim 65

The voice acquisition system of claim 54 , wherein said at least two microphones are positioned within a module.

Claim 66

The voice acquisition system of claim 61 , wherein said module further includes at least one of a Global Positioning System antenna, a motion sensor, a rain sensor, a video device an interior light of the vehicle, an automatic toll booth transducer, a security system status indicator, a compass, a compass sensor, a temperature display, a temperature sensor, a tire pressure indicator display, a seat occupancy detection antenna, a seat occupancy detection transducer, and a loudspeaker.

Claim 67

The voice acquisition system of claim 54 further including at least one accessory selected from the group consisting of a Global Positioning System antenna, a motion sensor, a rain sensor, a video device, an interior light of the vehicle, an automatic toll booth transducer, a security system status indicator, a compass, a compass sensor, a temperature display, a temperature sensor, a tire pressure indicator display, a seat occupancy detection antenna, a seat occupancy detection transducer, and a loudspeaker.

Claim 68

The voice acquisition system of claim 63 , wherein said accessory is one of (i) positioned within the interior rearview mirror assembly, (ii) positioned adjacent to the interior rearview mirror assembly, (iii) positioned in an attachment to the interior rearview mirror assembly, and (iv) positioned within a module mounted to the windshield.

Claim 69

The voice acquisition system of claim 54 , wherein the audio system comprises one of a cellular telephone system, an emergency communication system and a voice recording system.