# US 12,771,998 B2 · Enhanced sound performance > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,771,998 B2 - Document ID: US12771998B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/967,841 - Filed: 2024-12-04 - Published: 2025-06-05 - Granted: 2026-10-20 - Earliest claimed: 2023-12-05 - Assignees: Volvo Car Corporation - Applicants: Volvo Car Corporation - Inventors: Markus Rötz; Ralph Haddad; Jonatan Ewald - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12771998B2 ## CPC - H04R 3/04: for correcting frequency response - G01S 11/14: using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves - H04R 3/12: for distributing signals to two or more loudspeakers {(specially adapted for hearing aids H04R25/407)} - H04W 4/80: Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication - H04R 2499/13: Acoustic transducers and sound field adaptation in vehicles - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) - G01S: RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) ## Abstract A method, performed by a vehicle audio system, for playing audio comprising receiving data for being output through at least an internal speaker mounted inside the vehicle and at least another speaker, wherein the at least another speaker comprises one of an external speaker mounted on an outside of the vehicle and another internal speaker mounted inside the vehicle, receiving first data comprising an indication that a target listening area is outside the vehicle, processing the data based on the first data; and controlling the at least internal speaker and the at least another speaker to output the processed data, wherein the data is processed such that a frequency response of an output of the at least external speaker and/or a frequency response of an output of the at least another speaker is adjusted for audio playing outside the vehicle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method, performed by a vehicle audio system, for playing audio, comprising: a. receiving data for being output through a portable audio device located outside a vehicle and one or more internal speakers mounted inside the vehicle; b. determining a distance and/or a position of the portable audio device with respect to the vehicle; c. processing the data based on the determined distance and/or position of the portable audio device; and d. controlling the one or more internal speakers to output the processed data; e. wherein the data is processed such that a frequency response of an output of the one or more internal speakers is adjusted based on a frequency response of the portable audio device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining the position and/or distance of the portable audio device comprises: f. outputting a first audio signal through the one or more internal speakers; g. receiving a second audio signal transmitted by the portable audio device as a response to the first audio signal; and h. determining the location and/or distance based on the first and second audio signals. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein the location and/or distance is determined based on a difference between a first time at which the first audio signal is transmitted and a second time at which the second audio signal is received. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein the processing the audio data further comprises applying a time delay to the data based on the determined location and/or distance. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising establishing a connection between the vehicle audio system and the portable audio device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method according to claim 5, wherein the connection is established via a Bluetooth, a WiFi or an access network. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle audio system comprises one or more filters and the frequency response of the output of the one or more internal speakers is adjusted by selecting a filter among the one or more filters and/or creating a new filter, and wherein the data is processed based on the selected and/or new filter. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method according to claim 7, wherein the frequency response of the output of the one or more internal speakers is adjusted by selecting a configuration for the one or more selected filter and/or new filter, and wherein the method further comprises configuring the selected one or more filters and/or new filter and processing the data with the configured selected and/or new filter. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein an area surrounding the vehicle is divided into a plurality of sub-areas, wherein the determining the position and/or distance of the portable audio device comprises determining a current sub-area wherein the portable device is located among the plurality of sub-areas, and wherein the data is processed based on the current sub-area. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the one or more internal speakers comprise a plurality of speakers located at different positions inside of the vehicle, and wherein the frequency response of the output of each of the one or more internal speakers is adjusted based on the determined distance or location of the portable audio device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the frequency response is adjusted based on prestored data comprising a plurality of filters, and wherein each of the plurality of filters is generated by measuring, during a calibration phase, a frequency response of the output of each of the one or more internal speakers at different positions around the vehicle. ### Claim 12 A vehicle audio system comprising a memory connected to a controller, wherein the controller is configured to perform the method comprising: i. receiving data for being output through a portable audio device located outside a vehicle and one or more internal speakers mounted inside the vehicle; j. determining a distance and/or a position of the portable audio device with respect to the vehicle; k. processing the data based on the determined distance and/or position of the portable audio device; and l. controlling the one or more internal speakers to output the processed data; wherein the data is processed such that a frequency response of an output of the one or more internal speakers is adjusted based on a frequency response of the portable audio device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The vehicle audio system according to claim 12, further comprising the one or more internal speakers. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The vehicle audio system according to claim 12, further comprising the portable audio device, wherein the portable audio device comprises a receiver arranged to receive sound. ### Claim 15 A vehicle, comprising: m. a vehicle audio system comprising a memory connected to a controller, wherein the controller is configured to perform the method comprising: i. receiving data for being output through a portable audio device located outside a vehicle and one or more internal speakers mounted inside the vehicle; ii. determining a distance and/or a position of the portable audio device with respect to the vehicle; iii. processing the data based on the determined distance and/or position of the portable audio device; and iv. controlling the one or more internal speakers to output the processed data; v. wherein the data is processed such that a frequency response of an output of the one or more internal speakers is adjusted based on a frequency response of the portable audio device.