Apparatus and method for parental monitoring of audio content in a vehicle

Abstract

In at least one embodiment, an apparatus and method for monitoring audio content played in a vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes a memory and a media controller. The media controller includes the memory and is programmed to transmit first media content desired by one or more first vehicle occupants positioned in a first zone seating area and to transmit second media content desired by one or more second vehicle occupants positioned in a second zone seating area. The media controller is further programmed to receive an indication from the one or more first vehicle occupants to transmit the second media content in the first zone seating area and to transmit the second media content for monitoring by the one or more first vehicle occupants in the first zone seating area based on the indication.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62 / 979,838, filed February 21, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The aspects disclosed herein generally relate to devices and methods for monitoring audio content in vehicles. These and other aspects will be discussed in more detail herein. Background Technology

[0004] In a multi-sound-zone scenario, multiple users can each listen to their own audio genre within their designated zone. This reduces or eliminates conflicting audio from other or adjacent zones. A popular use case for multi-sound-zone scenarios in a car involves parents sitting in the front seat listening to music, while one or more children are positioned in the back seat watching a movie. A common issue in this use case involves parental control. Parents may often want to monitor their children, especially teenagers, as they consume media. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In at least one embodiment, an apparatus and method are provided for monitoring audio content played in a vehicle. The apparatus includes a memory and a media controller. The media controller includes the memory and is programmed to transmit first media content needed by one or more first vehicle occupants located in a first seating area, and to transmit second media content needed by one or more second vehicle occupants located in a second seating area. The media controller is further programmed to receive an instruction from the one or more first vehicle occupants to transmit the second media content in the first seating area and to transmit the second media content based on the instruction for monitoring by the one or more first vehicle occupants in the first seating area.

[0006] In at least another embodiment, a computer program product embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, the computer program product being programmed to monitor audio content played in a vehicle. The computer program product includes instructions for transmitting first media content needed by one or more first vehicle occupants located in a first seating area and for transmitting second media content needed by one or more second vehicle occupants located in a second seating area. The computer program product further includes: receiving instructions from one or more first vehicle occupants at a media controller to transmit the second media content in the first seating area and transmitting the second media content based on the instructions for monitoring by one or more first vehicle occupants in the first seating area.

[0007] In at least another embodiment, a method is provided for monitoring audio content played in a vehicle. The method includes: transmitting first media content needed by one or more first vehicle occupants located in a first seating area, and transmitting second media content needed by one or more second vehicle occupants located in a second seating area. The method further includes: receiving an instruction from one or more first vehicle occupants at a media controller to transmit the second media content in the first seating area, and transmitting the second media content based on the instruction for monitoring by one or more first vehicle occupants in the first seating area. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Embodiments of this disclosure are specifically pointed out in the appended claims. However, other features of the various embodiments will become more apparent and will be best understood by taking into account the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0009] Figure 1 A system for providing parental supervision and audio monitoring in a vehicle, according to one implementation scheme, is described;

[0010] Figure 2 An example of a display on a media controller according to one embodiment is depicted, the display enabling a user (i.e., or a parent) to select a corresponding option to monitor audio playing in the rear zone of the vehicle when the user is positioned in the front zone of the vehicle.

[0011] Figure 3 A method for providing parental supervision and audio monitoring in a vehicle, according to one implementation scheme, is described; and

[0012] Figure 4 Another method for providing parental supervision and video and / or audio monitoring, according to one implementation scheme, is described. Detailed Implementation

[0013] As requested, detailed embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein; however, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the invention that may be embodied in various forms and alternative forms. The drawings are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of specific components. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, but only as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to employ the invention in various ways.

[0014] It should be recognized that at least one controller disclosed herein may include various microprocessors, integrated circuits, memory devices (e.g., flash memory, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or other suitable variations thereof), and software that cooperates with each other to perform one or more of the operations disclosed herein. Additionally, at least one controller disclosed herein utilizes one or more microprocessors to execute a computer program embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, said computer program being programmed to perform any number of functions as disclosed. Furthermore, one or more controllers provided herein include a housing and various numbers of microprocessors, integrated circuits, and memory devices (e.g., flash memory, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM)) located within the housing. The disclosed one or more controllers also include hardware-based inputs and outputs for receiving and transmitting data, respectively, from and to other hardware-based devices discussed herein.

[0015] In a multi-sound-zone scenario, multiple users can each listen to their own audio genre within their designated zone. This reduces or eliminates conflicting audio from other or adjacent zones. A popular use case for multi-sound-zone scenarios in a car involves parents sitting in the front seat listening to music, while one or more children are positioned in the back seat watching a movie. A common issue in this use case involves parental control. Parents may often want to monitor their children, especially teenagers, as they consume media.

[0016] The implementation described herein may provide, but is not limited to, a user interface for a human-machine interface (HMI) located in the front zone of the vehicle (e.g., on the dashboard, in the front driver's seat, and / or in the front passenger seat). The user interface may include touchscreen buttons (or touchscreen switches), physical buttons, or other suitable types of human input devices that can be pressed to automatically and temporarily route audio content playing in the rear zone of the vehicle to the front zone. This allows front-seat occupants (e.g., parents) to quickly and seamlessly monitor rear-seat media content without interfering with front-seat content. Additionally, parental controls on the HMI may restrict specific sources that parents do not want their children to access or listen to. For example, Other streaming services or movies with a higher rating than the given one (e.g., PG-13). These and other aspects will be discussed in more detail below.

[0017] Figure 1A system 100 for providing parental supervision and audio monitoring in a vehicle 102, according to one embodiment, is depicted. The vehicle 100 includes a vehicle audio system 104 arranged to play audio within a listening environment 106 (or listening room) of the vehicle 102. The vehicle 100 typically includes a first-zone seating area 110, a second-zone seating area 112, and a third-zone seating area 114. It should be appreciated that the number of zone seating areas located in the vehicle 100 may vary based on desired standards for a particular implementation.

[0018] The first seating area 110 may include a first seat 120a and a second seat 120b. The first seat 120a may correspond to the driver's seat, and the second seat 120b may correspond to the front passenger seat. The second seating area 112 may include a first seat 122a and a second seat 122b. The first seat 122a may correspond to the left rear passenger seat, and the second seat 122b may correspond to the right rear passenger seat. Similarly, the third seating area 114 may include a first seat 124a and a second seat 124b. The first seat 124a may correspond to the left rear passenger seat, and the second seat 124b may correspond to the right rear passenger seat. The first seats 124a and the second seats 124b in the third seating area 112 may form an integrated bench 125 connecting the first seats 124a and the second seats 124b to each other. Although as... Figure 1 The various zones 110, 112, 114 shown coincide with a vehicle row that includes at least two seats; however, it should be understood that such zones 110, 112, 114 may be adapted to coincide with a single seat for the purpose of applying aspects relating to this disclosure and are not intended to be limited to zones having a full row configuration.

[0019] Vehicle 100 also includes an instrument panel 130 and a media controller (or media controller) 132 positioned on the instrument panel 130. Various speakers 134 may be positioned around vehicle 102 to play audio processed by the media controller 132. It should be appreciated that various headrests 126 positioned on seats 120a, 120b, 122a, 122b may include speakers 134 for playing audio to vehicle occupants positioned behind the corresponding seats 120a, 120b, 122a, and 122b. Various displays (not shown) may also be positioned on the headrests 126 to provide desired video content to vehicle occupants in the second and third seating areas 112 and 114. The implementation of the headrest speakers 134 may be optional. It should also be recognized that any or more of the headrests 126 may include a sub-media controller (or sub-media controller) 136 to process audio data of passengers in any or more of the seats 122a, 122b, 124a, and 124b. Various occupants in the vehicle 100 may pair corresponding mobile devices 123 via a wireless communication protocol (e.g., Bluetooth or other suitable protocol), such that the mobile devices 123 provide audio data to the media controller 132 and / or sub-media controller 136 for playback via a specific speaker 134 in the vehicle 100.

[0020] Generally, an occupant positioned in the first seating area 110 can play audio data different from that played in one or more of the second and third seating areas 112 and 114. Similarly, it is assumed that the corresponding seats in front of occupants seated in seats 122a, 122b, 124a, and 124b include corresponding sub-media controllers, allowing these occupants to listen to audio different from each other. A non-limiting scenario in this regard may include a parent located in the first seating area 110 and a child located in the second and / or third seating areas 112 and 114. It should be appreciated that the embodiments disclosed herein are generally applicable to any user located in the first seating area 110 who wishes to listen to and / or watch audio and / or video played in at least one of the second or third seating areas 112 or 114.

[0021] In some cases, a parent sitting in the first seating area 110 may wish to monitor the audio content being played by one or more of the sub-media controllers 136 associated with the corresponding seats 120a, 120b, 122a, 122b, 124a, 124b (or in the second seating area 112 and the third seating area 114). The media controller 132 typically includes a user interface 150 (e.g., a human-machine interface (HMI)) that allows one or more of the parents (or other users (e.g., not limited to parents)) to control the media controller 132 via speakers 134 in the first seating area 110 to transfer the audio being played by one or more of the sub-media controllers 136 located in the various seats 120a, 120b, 122a, 122b, 124a and / or 124b) for monitoring purposes. Media controller 132 can attenuate audio previously played to parents, allowing speaker 134 to play audio data (e.g., the child's audio) currently playing in the first seating area 110 for parental monitoring. In another example, media controller 132 can simply mute audio previously played to parents, allowing media controller 132 to play audio data (e.g., the child's audio) currently playing in the first seating area 110 for parental monitoring. It should also be appreciated that media controller 132 can control a single sub-media controller 136 located in the second or third seating area 112 to divert its playing audio, allowing media controller 132 to play such audio in the first seating area 110 for parental monitoring. This can be particularly useful when two children are located in the second or third seating area 112 and are playing different audio for each other.

[0022] Figure 2An example of a display 200 on a media controller 132 according to one embodiment is depicted, which allows a user (i.e., or a parent) to select appropriate options to monitor audio playing in the rear areas of the vehicle 100 (e.g., the second and third seating areas 112 and 114) when the user is positioned in the front area of ​​the vehicle 100 (e.g., the first seating area 110). It should also be appreciated that the display 200 may also be positioned on (or implemented as part of) a mobile device 123 and may wirelessly transmit instructions to the media controller 132 via a wireless protocol. The display 200 includes an intercom selection field 202 (e.g., a first switch), a listening selection field 204 (e.g., a second switch), and a rear seat adjustment field 206 (e.g., a slider or a third switch). When selected, the intercom selection field 202 enables a parent (or other user) to speak into a microphone (not shown) to transmit audio from one or more users to speakers 134 in the second seating area 112 and / or the third seating area 114. The listen selection field 204, when selected by a user in the first seating area 110, routes audio data playing in the second seating area 112 and / or the third seating area 114 to a media controller 132 located in the first seating area 110, allowing the user (e.g., a parent) to monitor audio played to one or more other users (e.g., children) in the second and / or third seating areas 112 and 114. An example of this feature could involve a vehicle full of adults, and adults in the back seat starting to laugh uncontrollably. In this case, an adult in the first seating area 110 could select the listen selection field 204 to "see what's funny" or "see what's making a fuss" in the back seat.

[0023] In one example, when selected, the rear-seat adjustment field 206 allows a parent (or another user positioned in the first zone seating area 110) to move the field to correspond to a specific seat of interest (e.g., 120a, 120b, 122a, 122b, 124a, 124b), causing audio to be played at the media controller 132 for a specific set of interests in a given zone seating area 112 or 114. In another example, the rear-seat adjustment field 206 may correspond to the volume of audio played from the second zone seating area 112 or the third zone seating area 114 relative to the volume played at the media controller 132 in the first zone seating area 110. The rear-seat adjustment field 206 includes a volume limiting switch 208 that limits the volume of audio being played in the second zone seating area 112 or the third zone seating area 114.

[0024] Figure 3A method 300 for providing monitoring of audio in a vehicle 100, according to one embodiment, is described.

[0025] In operation 302, media controller 132 plays audio to a user (e.g., a parent) located in the first seating area 110, and one or more of the sub-media controllers 136 located in the second seating area 112 and / or the third seating area 114 play audio to one or more passengers (e.g., children, teenagers, etc.) located in the second seating area 112 and / or the third seating area 114. It should be understood that one or more sub-media controllers 136 may be integrated with media controller 132. Alternatively or additionally, one or more sub-media controllers 136 may be configured as independent controllers located separately from media controller 132 in the second and third seating areas 112 and 114.

[0026] In operation 304, media controller 132 determines whether a vehicle occupant (e.g., the driver or first-row passenger) has selected to listen to selection field 204 to monitor audio being played by a user (e.g., a child or teenager) positioned in the second or third seating area 112. If listening to selection field 204 has not been selected, the method proceeds to operation 306. If listening to selection field 204 has been selected, method 300 proceeds to operation 308.

[0027] In operation 306, method 300 moves back to operation 304.

[0028] In operation 308, media controller 132 attenuates the volume of audio being played (e.g., audio that is desired to be played in the first zone seating area 110 for occupants (e.g., parents) in vehicle 104 to enjoy). In another example, media controller 132 may simply mute audio that is being played for users (e.g., parents) in the first zone seating area 110 to enjoy.

[0029] In operation 310, the media controller 132 transfers audio being played for a user (e.g., a child (or teenager)) in a second seating area 112 or a third seating area 114 via a speaker 134 in the first seating area 110 for monitoring by a user (e.g., a parent) located in the first seating area 110.

[0030] In operation 312, media controller 132 determines whether the listening selection field 204 is still selected (or switched) by a vehicle occupant (or parent) located in the first seating area 110. If this condition is true, method 300 moves back to operation 310. If this condition is not true, method 300 moves to operation 314.

[0031] In operation 314, media controller 132 resumes audio playback of the audio in the first seating area 110 to play the audio for the occupant (e.g., a parent) to enjoy. For example, if such audio has been muted to allow audio to play from the second seating area 112 or the third seating area 114, the audio intended for the user (e.g., a parent) to enjoy will be resumed.

[0032] In operation 316, media controller 132 returns the volume of audio playback in the first seating area 110 to the volume at which such audio was previously located before the selection of listening selection field 204.

[0033] After executing operation 316, method 300 returns to operation 304.

[0034] Additional implementations of the disclosed system 100 and method 300 may involve providing an option on the media controller 132 to allow a user (e.g., a parent) in the first seating area 110 to disable audio being played in the second seating area 112 and / or the third seating area 114 if the parent deems the audio content unsuitable for a child listening in the second seating area 112 and the third seating area 114.

[0035] It should be recognized that videos / images played via displays located in the second or third seating area 112 (e.g., on headrest 134) can also be transferred to the display 200 on the media controller 132. In this case, assuming that a corresponding mobile device 123 (e.g., mobile phone, tablet, laptop, etc.) belonging to one or more passengers in the second or third seating area 112 or third seating area 114 is operatively connected to various sub-media controllers 136 (e.g., via Bluetooth or other suitable alternative protocols), the media controller 132 can control the sub-media controllers 136 to transfer the video being played in the second or third seating area 112 or third seating area 114 to the display 200 on the media controller 132. In this case, a user sitting in the first seating area 110 (e.g., a parent) can monitor the video being played by a user (e.g., a child) in the second or third seating area 112 or third seating area 114. Similarly, a user (e.g., a parent) in the first seating area 110 may disable a video playing in the second seating area 112 and / or the third seating area 114 via a selection on the media controller 132 if the user (e.g., a parent) finds such a video unsuitable for a user (e.g., a child) positioned in the second seating area 112 and / or the third seating area 114.

[0036] Similar to the audio example and audio transfer from sub-media controller 136 to media controller 132 noted above, media controller 132 can control a single sub-media controller 136 located in the second seating area 112 or the third seating area 114 to transfer its playing video and audio, such that media controller 132 can play such video and audio in the first seating area 110 for user (e.g., parent) monitoring. This can be particularly useful when two users (e.g., a child) are located in the second seating area 112 or the third seating area 114 and these users are playing different videos / audio from each other. Sub-media controller 132 can transfer audio / video data from the second seating area 112 and / or the third seating area 114 via multimedia communication protocols such as System Transmission for Media (MOST) or other suitable multimedia communication protocols.

[0037] Figure 4 A method 400 for monitoring video and audio in vehicle 100 according to another embodiment is described.

[0038] In operation 402, media controller 132 receives an instruction via display 200 to enable a parent (or other user) positioned in the first seating area 110 to transmit video / audio data playing on mobile device 124 positioned in the second seating area 112 and the third seating area 114. For example, when a user is positioned in the first seating area 110 and listening to audio and / or video (e.g., first media content), the user can select the listening selection field 204 when the user wishes to watch and / or listen to video and / or audio (e.g., second media content) playing in the second seating area 112 and / or the third seating area 114. It should be recognized that users may have the following options: select video and audio for media playing in the second seating area 112 and / or the third seating area 114, select audio only for media playing in the second seating area 112 and / or the third seating area 114, and / or select video only for media playing in the second seating area 112 and / or the third seating area 114. Using the latter option, users can simply decide to watch only the video that is playing, such that any video playing alongside the video does not interfere with the actual audio data that one or more users are playing (and expect) in the first seating area 110.

[0039] In operation 404, media controller 132 transfers video / audio data or video-only data from the second seating area 112 and / or the third seating area 114 to display 200. As noted above, in one example, one or more mobile devices 123 located in the second seating area 112 and / or the third seating area 114 may be wirelessly connected to media controller 132 via a wireless protocol such as Bluetooth or other suitable protocol. In this case, media controller 132 may display the video being received from one or more mobile devices 123 via the wireless protocol. In another example, sub-media controller 132 located in the second seating area 112 and / or the third seating area 114 may transmit video / audio or video-only data to media controller 136 via a MOST communication bus or other suitable multimedia communication bus.

[0040] In operation 406, media controller 132 determines whether the listening field 204 remains validly adopted by the user. Media controller 132 determines whether the listening selection field 204 is still selected (or switched) by the vehicle occupant (or parent) located in the first seating area 110. If this condition is true, method 400 moves back to operation 404. If this condition is not true, method 400 moves to operation 408.

[0041] In operation 408, media controller 132 resumes playback of audio in the first seating area 110 to play the audio for occupants (e.g., parents) to enjoy. For example, if such audio has been muted to allow video / audio to play from the second seating area 112 or the third seating area 114, the audio intended for parental enjoyment will be resumed.

[0042] As stated throughout, for the purpose of monitoring audio and / or video consumption in the second seating area 112 and / or the third seating area 114, one or more users in the first seating area 110 may correspond to, for example, a parent, and one or more users in the second seating area 112 and / or the third seating area 114 may correspond to, for example, one or more children.

[0043] While exemplary embodiments have been described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the terms used in this specification are descriptive rather than limiting, and it should be understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, features of various implementations may be combined to form other embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. A device for monitoring audio content played in a vehicle, the device comprising: Memory; as well as A media controller, which includes the memory and is programmed to: Transmit first media content required by one or more first vehicle occupants located in the first seating area, the first media content including first video data and first audio data; Transmit second media content required by one or more second vehicle occupants located in the second seating area, the second media content including second video data and second audio data; Instructions are received from one or more first vehicle occupants via a user interface to transmit the second media content to the first seating area for playback in the first seating area. Second audio data of the second media content is played based on the instruction, for monitoring by one or more first vehicle occupants in the first seating area; Upon receiving an instruction to enable one or more first vehicle occupants located in the first seating area to listen to the second audio data, while playing the second audio data about the second media content in the first seating area, the volume of the first audio of the first media content in the first seating area is reduced; and While playing the second audio data of the second media content in the first seating area, the volume of the first audio data of the first media content is reduced and the first video data of the first media content continues to be displayed in the first seating area.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the media controller includes a sub-media controller located in one or more seats in the second seating area.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the user interface includes a switch that enables the one or more first vehicle occupants to transmit voice commands to one or more speakers in the second seating area.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the user interface includes a switch that transmits the instruction to the media controller to play the second media content in the first seating area.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the user interface includes a switch that enables the one or more first vehicle occupants in the first seating area to control the volume limit of the second media content in the second seating area while the media controller is playing the first media content in the first seating area.

6. A computer program product embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, said computer program product being executed by at least one media controller for monitoring audio content played in a vehicle, said computer program product including instructions for: Transmit first media content required by one or more first vehicle occupants located in the first seating area, the first media content including first video data and first audio data; Transmit second media content required by one or more second vehicle occupants located in the second seating area, the second media content including second video data and second audio data; Receive instructions from one or more first vehicle occupants from the user interface to transmit the second media content to the first seating area for playback in the first seating area; Based on the instruction, the second media content is played for monitoring by one or more first vehicle occupants in the first seating area; Upon receiving an instruction to enable one or more first vehicle occupants located in the first seating area to listen to the second audio data, while playing the second audio data about the second media content in the first seating area, the volume of the first audio of the first media content in the first seating area is reduced; and While playing the second audio data of the second media content in the first seating area, the volume of the first audio data of the first media content is reduced and the first video data of the first media content continues to be displayed in the first seating area.

7. The computer program product of claim 6, further comprising instructions for enabling the one or more first vehicle occupants to transmit voice commands to one or more speakers in the second seating area via the user interface.

8. The computer program product of claim 6, further comprising instructions for transmitting the instruction to the media controller via the user interface to transmit the second media content to the first seating area.

9. The computer program product of claim 6, further comprising instructions for transmitting the instruction to the media controller via the user interface to play the second media content in the first seating area.

10. The computer program product of claim 6, further comprising enabling one or more first vehicle occupants in the first seating area to control the volume limit of the second media content in the second seating area while the media controller is playing the first media content in the first seating area.

11. A computer-implemented method for monitoring audio content played in a vehicle, the computer-implemented method comprising: Transmit first media content required by one or more first vehicle occupants located in the first seating area, the first media content including first video data and first audio data; Transmit second media content required by one or more second vehicle occupants located in the second seating area, the second media content including second video data and second audio data; At the media controller, an instruction is received from one or more first vehicle occupants to transmit the second media content to the first seating area for playback in the first seating area. Based on the instruction, the second media content is played for monitoring by one or more first vehicle occupants in the first seating area; Upon receiving an instruction to enable one or more first vehicle occupants located in the first seating area to listen to the second audio data, while playing the second audio data about the second media content in the first seating area, the volume of the first audio of the first media content in the first seating area is reduced; and While playing the second audio data of the second media content in the first seating area, the volume of the first audio data of the first media content is reduced and the first video data of the first media content continues to be displayed in the first seating area.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising receiving the instruction from the user interface.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising enabling the one or more first vehicle occupants to transmit voice commands to one or more speakers in the second seating area via a user interface.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising instructions for transmitting the instruction to the media controller via a user interface to play the second media content in the first seating area.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising enabling, via a user interface, one or more first vehicle occupants in the first seating area to control the volume limit of the second media content in the second seating area while the media controller is playing the first media content in the first seating area.

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