Automated system and method for automative time-based audio verification
AssigneeGeneral Motors Corporation
InventorsMichael R. Harrell, Glenn M. Thompson, John D. Tompkins
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A time-based audio verification system used to verify the correct installation of an audio system in a vehicle is based on the principle that the distances between a pick-up microphone and each speaker within the vehicle are different. Sound travels at a constant rate, and the wave is measured that provides the time it takes the sound emanating from each speaker to travel to the microphone. Once it is determined where in the wave each speaker is located, the presence of each speaker in the vehicle can be determined. Additionally, the level of each speaker in the curve can be analyzed to determine individual speaker output quality.
Claims15
A system that determines the presence of an audio speaker connected to an audio generating component that can receive radio signals in a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
- a computer having a memory and a microprocessor;
- a display connected to the computer;
- a signal processor that outputs a frequency sweep in response to a request from the computer;
- a radio frequency generator that is controlled by the computer, whereby said radio frequency generator receives operating instructions from the computer and receives the frequency sweep from the signal processor and outputs a radio broadcast signal;
- a cable that receives the audio broadcast signal at a receive end and carries the audio broadcast signal to an output end, said output end removably connected to the audio generating component, whereby the audio generating component receives the audio broadcast signal from the output end of the cable and outputs the received signal to the audio speaker and the audio speaker outputs the received signal and emits an audio signal;
- a microphone placed in the vehicle and connected to the signal processor that detects the emitted audio signal, said signal processor processes the signal and the emitted audio signal and outputs a waveform to the computer;
- and
- a program stored in the memory that analyzes the waveform from the signal processor and determines the presence of a speaker according to predetermined rules.
A method for determining the presence of an audio speaker in a vehicle having an audio speaker connected to an audio generating component that can receive radio signals, the method comprising the steps of:
- placing a microphone in the vehicle;
- transmitting a computer-controlled radio signal to the vehicle;
- receiving the radio signal at the audio generating component;
- converting the radio signal to an audio signal;
- outputting the audio signal from the speaker;
- detecting the speaker audio signal at the microphone;
- and
- analyzing the detected signal for speaker presence.
A method for determining the performance level of an audio speaker in a vehicle having an audio speaker connected to an audio generating component that can receive radio signals, the method comprising the steps of:
- placing a microphone in the vehicle;
- transmitting a computer-controlled radio signal to the vehicle;
- receiving the radio signal at the audio generating component;
- converting the radio signal to an audio signal;
- outputting the audio signal from the speaker;
- detecting the speaker audio signal at the microphone;
- and
- analyzing the detected signal for at least one of speaker presence and speaker performance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.