US5635925A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Volume control of aural guidance of vehicle route guidance apparatus
Assignee: Aisin AW Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1996-02-09
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Granted: 1997-06-03
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Expires: 2016-02-09
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus to facilitate volume control for route aural guidance. When supplying a guidance voice to a loudspeaker 34a, a voice control section 30 disconnects the loudspeaker 34a from audio and outputs the guidance voice through the loudspeaker. A volume control screen is displayed on a display section 28 where the user adjusts the volume by touching the screen. When the voice control section 30 switches a signal to the loudspeaker 34a, a mute circuit 40a is operated to mute the voice output before the voice is output through the loudspeaker 34a. When the user terminates volume adjustment, the voice control section 30 outputs a voice for volume confirmation or check at the adjusted volume through the loudspeaker 34a. The user can check the adjusted volume at this time.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroshi Kishi
- 👤 Toru Ito
- 👤 Shoji Yokoyama
- 👤 Kyomi Morimoto
- 👤 Mitsuhiro Nimura
- 👤 Shigekazu Ohara
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 00:11
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R16/00; B60R16/02; B60R16/037; B60R16/0373; G; G01; G01C; G01C21/00; G01C21/26; G01C21/34; G01C21/36; G01C21/3626; G01C21/3629; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/09; G08G1/0962; G08G1/0968; G08G1/096805; G08G1/096827; G08G1/096855; G08G1/096872
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A vehicle route guidance apparatus which outputs route guidance aurally through a loudspeaker which also outputs an output signal from an audio apparatus, comprising: a voice generation section which generates a guidance voice signal for route guidance through said loudspeaker; volume setting means being responsive to external operation, for setting a level of said guidance voice signal without changing a level of said output signal from said audio apparatus; a circuit change switch for switching an input to said loudspeaker between said output signal from an audio apparatus and said guidance voice signal; muting means for muting said output signal from said audio apparatus; a control section which activates said muting means then switches said circuit change switch to said guidance voice signal when said guidance voice signal is to be output through said loudspeaker, so as to mute said output signal from said audio apparatus before said switching of said circuit change switch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
A vehicle route guidance apparatus which outputs route guidance aurally through a loudspeaker which also outputs an output signal from an audio apparatus, comprising: a voice generation section which generates a guidance voice signal for route guidance through said loudspeaker; volume setting means being responsive to external operation, for setting a level of said guidance voice signal without changing a level of said output signal from said audio apparatus; a circuit change switch for switching an input to said loudspeaker between said output signal from an audio apparatus and said guidance voice signal; muting means for muting said output signal from said audio apparatus; a control section which activates said muting means then switches said circuit change switch to said guidance voice signal when said guidance voice signal is to be output through said loudspeaker, so as to mute said output signal from said audio apparatus before said switching of said circuit change switch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
A route guidance apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: external operation detection means for determining an external operation of said volume setting means; and test voice means for outputting a predetermined test voice at said guidance voice signal level when said external operation of said volume setting means is detected by said external operation detection means, whereby said guidance voice signal level can be checked after said volume setting means is externally operated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A route guidance apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said audio apparatus comprises a plurality of loudspeakers and said guidance voice signal is provided to only one loudspeaker.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A route guidance apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said muting means mutes said output signal from said audio apparatus to said only one speaker which outputs said guidance voice.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
A route guidance apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a display section formed with a touch panel on a surface thereof; wherein said volume setting means comprises volume control indicators displayed on said display section and guidance voice signal level is set by a touch of said volume control indicators.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A route guidance apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said volume control indicators comprise a guidance voice volume increase key for increasing said guidance voice signal level and a guidance voice volume decrease key for decreasing said guidance voice signal level.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A route guidance apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said volume setting means further comprises an indicator indicating a current volume level of said guidance voice signal level.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A route guidance apparatus as claimed in claim 7, further comprising: external operation time lapse detection means for detecting a lapse of a predetermined amount of time after at least one of said external operation of said volume setting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
192 words
A vehicle route guidance apparatus which outputs route guidance aurally through only one of a plurality of loudspeakers which also outputs an output signal from an audio apparatus, comprising: a voice generation section which generates a guidance voice signal for route guidance through said only one of a plurality of loudspeakers; volume setting means being responsive to external operation, for setting a level of said guidance voice signal without changing a level of said output signal from said audio apparatus; a circuit change switch for switching an input to said only one loudspeaker between said output signal from said audio apparatus and said guidance voice signal; muting means for muting said output signal from said audio apparatus; a control section which activates said muting means then switches said circuit change switch to said guidance voice signal when said guidance voice signal is to be output through said only one loudspeaker, so as to mute said output signal from said audio apparatus to said only one loudspeaker before said switching of said circuit change switch without muting said output from said audio apparatus to said plurality of speakers except said only one loudspeaker.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
192 words
A vehicle route guidance apparatus which outputs route guidance aurally through only one of a plurality of loudspeakers which also outputs an output signal from an audio apparatus, comprising: a voice generation section which generates a guidance voice signal for route guidance through said only one of a plurality of loudspeakers; volume setting means being responsive to external operation, for setting a level of said guidance voice signal without changing a level of said output signal from said audio apparatus; a circuit change switch for switching an input to said only one loudspeaker between said output signal from said audio apparatus and said guidance voice signal; muting means for muting said output signal from said audio apparatus; a control section which activates said muting means then switches said circuit change switch to said guidance voice signal when said guidance voice signal is to be output through said only one loudspeaker, so as to mute said output signal from said audio apparatus to said only one loudspeaker before said switching of said circuit change switch without muting said output from said audio apparatus to said plurality of speakers except said only one loudspeaker.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-06-02 | 2000-12-02 | 2001-06-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-06-02 | 2004-12-02 | 2005-06-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-06-02 | 2008-12-02 | 2009-06-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |