US007979147B1 (12) United States Patent US 7,979,147 B1 (10) Patent N0.: (45) Date of Patent: Dunn (54) ENGINE SOUND REPLICATION DEVICE (76) Inventor: Jul. 12, 2011 OTHER PUBLICATIONS James Francis Dunn, San Rafael, CA (Us) BlueOBD, “bluetooth project based on OBD-2 chipset”, Aug. 6, 2007 (via Webarchiveorg), wwwblueobdcom, entire document.* * cited by examiner * Notice: Sub'ect to any disclaimer, the term of this J patent is extended or adjusted under 35 Primary Examiner * Curtis KuntZ U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days. Assistant Examiner * Jesse Elbin (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm * Risto A. Rinne, Jr. (21) App1.No.: 12/2s7,193 (22) Filed: (51) (57) Oct. 6, 2008 Int. Cl. G06F 17/00 H03G 3/00 G10K 11/00 G10L 21/00 (2006.01) (2006.01) (2006.01) (2006.01) (52) US. Cl. ........... .. 700/94; 381/61; 181/192; 704/504 (58) Field of Classi?cation Search .................. .. 381/61; 181/192, 227, 228; 700/94; 704/504 See application ?le for complete search history. (56) References Cited 5,820,442 A * 2004/0167761 10/1998 Helder .......................... .. 381/61 3/2002 Plugge et a1. ... .... An apparatus for replicating an engine and/or exhaust sound of a predetermined vehicle includes ?les stored in computer readable form in a memory library of the engine and/or exhaust sound of the predetermined vehicle. A microcom puter operated controller receives engine data such as the RPM of the engine of the personal vehicle and continually selects Which ?les to obtain anduse. The controller adjusts the soundpattern to optimally correspond in a preferred Way With the RPM of the engine of the personal vehicle and the con troller provides an output signal that is ampli?ed and fed to a speaker for audio playback of a replicated sound of the engine and/or exhaust sound of the predetermined vehicle in the personal vehicle. A speaker disposed outside the vehicle includes a conical or cylindrical shape. A diagnostic capabil U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 6,356,185 B1* ABSTRACT 381/61 A1* 8/2004 SiZ0v 2006/0074645 A1* 4/2006 Tischer ....................... .. 704/226 . . . . .. ity is also disclosed. Connection to an OBD II connector provides the desired engine data. 703/8 29 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets 1 F Obtain engine RPM data 1 J Determine which predetermined automobile is to be replicated for its exhaust Obtain appropriate recorded sound from memory library Obtain make & model information of personal vehicle Create running real-time output signal that correlates replicated exhaust sound with speed and operating condition of personal vehicle Provide output signal to audio system US. Patent Jul. 12, 2011 Sheet 2 015 US 7,979,147 B1 US. Patent Jul. 12, 2011 Sheet 3 015 US 7,979,147 B1 .0A8l.; m,GE US. Patent Jul. 12, 2011 Sheet 4 015 US 7,979,147 B1 l Obtain engine RPM data l Determine which predetermined automobile is to be replicated for its exhaust l Obtain appropriate recorded sound from memory library l Obtain make A’: model in formation of person al vehicle Create running real-time output signal that correlates replicated exhaust sound with speed and operating condition of personal vehicle l Provide output signal to audio system FIG. 4 US. Patent Jul. 12, 2011 22b Sheet 5 015 70 J i V US 7,979,147 B1 700 —L> WIRED [\FM 102 BLUE T007?! Z IMFI' 7 04 K 10 22b Ek¥110a ‘ > ’\110 l 3 102 108 —d’ 712 FIG. 6 US 7,979,147 B1 1 2 ENGINE SOUND REPLICATION DEVICE Many people prefer a more robust sound to their exhaust and may be inclined to put a louder after-market exhaust system on an automobile that is used on public roads. Doing so places them at risk for citation and ?ne. For all exhaust systems, stock or after-market, the sound volume of the exhaust is not in any practical Way, adjustable. This is because the volume that an exhaust system produces is not a user-controllable variable, other than hoW it relates to RPM and load. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention, in general, relates to motor vehicles and, more particularly, to the exhaust sound produced by automobiles or other types of motor vehicles. Having internal combustion engines, motor vehicles have, since their inception, produced an audible and, at times, dis tinct exhaust sound. The sound that is produced often varies from automobile to automobile. For example, the exhaust For virtually all automobiles, the volume (sound pressure) varies With the speed of the engine and the load upon the engine. For any given engine, the exhaust volume typically rises With an increase in engine speed (RPM) and loWers With a lessening of engine speed. The exhaust volume also typi cally rises With an increase in load upon the engine. For example, most automobile engines Will produce a louder exhaust sound When the engine reaches high RPM during sound from an eight cylinder muscle car, such as an old CHEVROLET CORVETTE, is quite different than the exhaust sound of a modern FERRARI. The exhaust sound that an automobile produces is impor tant to many people. When the MIATA model Was introduced, MAZDA MOTOR COMPANY as the maker of the MIATA, claimed to have tried over 200 different exhaust con?gura tions in an attempt to obtain an optimum sounding exhaust acceleration than it Would at the same high RPM but under no load, such as When the vehicle is in neutral. 20 system. Many people have developed a general preference for hoW erating. Some vehicles may even back?re and produce a an automobile should ideally sound. For example, some people prefer the sound of tWelve cylinder relatively high 25 RPM automobile engines While other prefer the deeper sound of loW RPM large displacement engines. In fact, the sound of a particular vintage automobile may have become associated With a period in a person’s life and, upon again hearing that sound, it may trigger fond memories and thereby, even cause an uplifting of spirit. That person may indeed long for an and engine speed because normal driving conditions vary and 30 some vintage, classic, or unusual automobile. HoWever, that is di?icult to achieve. Vintage, classic, or 35 expensive for most people. With today’s available automo biles, many of the models have similar identical poWer plants (i.e., engines). Accordingly, there may be little difference in the sound among the many models that are available. Even among the various models there may not be an appreciable difference in the sound from one manufacturer to another. As a result people spend a good deal of money purchasing after-market exhaust systems in order to endoW their particu lar car, truck, or motorcycle With a unique sound that they hope Will be pleasing to their ears and also pleasing to the ears of others. The problem is that they cannot knoW ahead of time What comparable to that of other vehicles, thereby raising the street Would not Want their exhaust sound to be excessively 40 loud, less they attract undo attention and possibly receive a citation. HoWever, When the same person Was pleasure-driv ing the same motor vehicle on a remote rural road he or she might prefer a louder exhaust sound. With both stock and 45 50 after-market exhaust systems, this has, heretobefore, been impossible to attain. The exhaust sound is also useful in alerting pedestrians of the approach of a motor vehicle. As such, there is bene?t in being able to audibly detect an approaching automobile. For example certain of the neWer electric or hybrid automobiles, When running only on electricity, are very nearly silent in operation. are basically bound to endure it or replace it With yet another after-market exhaust system. If the ?rst exhaust system is replaced, then its entire cost is typically absorbed by the end-user; not a pleasant situation. The maximum legal volume permitted for a motor vehi impose various loads upon an engine during use. In other Words, if a person had an exhaust system that, at times, Was too loud (i.e., not “street-legal”), the person could not merely drive at idle or very loW engine speeds When on public roads to lessen the volume of exhaust sound. At times, the driver Would have to accelerate in order to reach a safe driving speed exhaust volume beyond an acceptable level. Yet, a long-standing need to vary the volume of exhaust (i.e., engine sound) does exist. A person driving on a busy city the after-market exhaust system Will sound like on their par ticular motor vehicle until after they have purchased it and installed it. Then, if they do not like the sound it produces they louder sound (i.e., greater sound pressure) When decelerating rather than accelerating. With conventional exhaust systems it is not possible to effectively control the volume of exhaust by a control of load automobile that produces the particular exhaust sound of exotic automobiles are in limited supply and are far too Whether the vehicle is accelerating or decelerating also matters. Many vehicles produce an entirely different sound depending upon Whether the vehicle is accelerating or decel 55 This has caused problems because people, unaWare of their approach, have entered into the path of an approaching and especially quiet automobile. This is a problem for normally sighted people and can be especially serious for the visually cle’s exhaust sound (i.e., pressure) is generally regulated for impaired. As a result, a motor vehicle that is too quiet is, at all vehicles that are used on public roads and highWays. Regulations may be set by local governments, the state, or the times, dangerous and this realiZation has prompted the con sideration of legislation intended to require that motor Federal government. These regulations limit the sound pres sure (i.e., volume) that most vehicles can produce. Many after-market exhaust systems are louder than stock vehicles produce some sort of an audible sound. 60 exhaust systems and some after-market exhaust systems may, at times, exceed permissible maximum volume levels (typi cally measured in decibels). As used herein, the term “after market” is broad and includes any exhaust system component that may replace or be added as an additional component to an existing (i.e., stock) exhaust system. There has, heretobefore, been no aesthetically acceptable Way of producing an acceptable sound, such as an exhaust sound, for motor vehicles that is both pleasing to the ear and of appropriate volume so as to be useful in Warning pedestri ans of the approaching vehicle at a safe distance. 65 Also, there is the problem of acclimation and boredom. People get used to the Way their automobile sounds and, consequently, their ability to enjoy the sound of their vehicle US 7,979,147 B1 4 3 diminishes With time. This is the result of becoming accli The need to make an automobile sound different is not mated to the vehicle’s sound and the result is a loss of aWare con?ned to making it sound only like other automobiles. For example, a pilot might Want to make his personal vehicle (car) ness. Drivers may genuinely enjoy the Way their vehicle sounds and over the course of time the same sound that at one sound like a P51 Mustang or some other type of current or time delighted their senses may become boring and even monotonous. Ideally, a driver Would Want to vary the charac ter of exhaust so that it replicates the exhaust sound produces by different vehicles from time to time. vintage airplane. Similarly, a boating enthusiast might Want to make his personal vehicle sound like a vintage boat, for example, an old Chris Craft. Continuing the need, a motor cycle enthusiast might Want his personal vehicle to sound like a Harley-Davidson or some other vintage motorcycle. It is also important to note that the exhaust system and its The ability to instantaneously change the character of exhaust sound and its volume have not been satis?ed by any of the prior art solutions. Sometimes, the driver may Want to alter the sound that is output may be regulated, as previously mentioned, by local, heard primarily in the cockpit (i.e., in the interior) of the state, or Federal laWs, Whereas an audio output may not be regulated or it may not be regulated in the same manner. automobile and not that Which is heard by others, for example, by pedestrians as the vehicle passes by. At other times, the driver may Want to alter the sound that is produced by the vehicle and Which others hear. Still, at other times the certain types of vehicles or it may be prohibited to make modi?cation to the exhaust system that increases the volume of the exhaust noise produced it may be permissible to include driver may Want a combination of the tWo Whereby the sound that is produced in the vehicle’s interior is varied at the same an audio output of any preferred volume that replicates exhaust sound and thereby accomplishes the desired effect time that the exterior sound that is produced externally is also While it may be prohibited to modify the exhaust system for 20 varied. This is because the exhaust sound that a driver typically adequately satisfy various important requirements as hears is a combination of sounds. It includes sounds that are coming directly from the engine compartment as Well as sounds that are coming from the exhaust. Depending on the Without infraction of any laWs. All of the prior art solutions to this date have failed to described above and beloW and, as a result, a desirable solu tion is not yet commercially available. 25 As an example of various additional needs that have not type of vehicle the balance of these sounds can vary. For been satis?ed, there is a need for both rapid and uncompli example, With roadsters and convertibles a larger percentage of the sound that is heard by the driver Will typically emanate plugged into a single connector in the vehicle and be ready for cated installation. Ideally, the device Would require it being from the exhaust While for certain sedans it may include more of the engine sounds coming from the engine compartment. use. 30 It is desirable to alloW driver’s to enjoy Whatever sound If communication betWeen the device and a stereo system in the vehicle Were Wireless, then the need to run electrical combination they prefer and to be able to direct that sound cables and pay for complicated or expensive electrical Wiring primarily in the interior of the vehicle or externally or both. Would be eliminated. The characteristic sound of an automobile is a variable, as Was previously mentioned, because it varies With engine speed and With load. Therefore, it has not been possible to effectively replicate the exhaust sounds of different motor 35 vehicles for use in a dynamic environment. devices as platforms. This can reduce the cost of such a device In other Words, if a particular vintage automobile’ s exhaust sound Was recorded and played through an automobile’ s ste 40 reo system, this Would not be pleasing to a user of such a system because the sound that is being heard Would not cor relate to What the automobile is doing. A driver Would not appreciate listening to the vintage car accelerate While they Were idling at a stop light, nor Would they appreciate the sound of the vintage car at idle While they Were accelerating. To be realistic, the sound that is produced must be synchro niZed With the engine speed of the vehicle in Which it is heard. replication device that helps to ameliorate the above-men tioned problems and dif?culties as Well as ameliorate those additional problems and di?iculties as may be recited in the “OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION” or discussed elseWhere in the speci?cation, or Which may oth 50 herein. Clearly, such an apparatus Would be a useful and desirable device. erWise exist or occur and are not speci?cally mentioned motor vehicle in Which it is overlaid. For example, if a driver is listening to the recorded sound produced by a vintage automobile While driving a personal vehicle, the vintage vehicle’s sound must match the engine speed of the personal vehicle. If the personal vehicle is decel erating, it is desirable that the sound the driver hears re?ect that of the vintage vehicle When the vintage vehicle is decel 2. Description of PriorArt Exhaust systems of all types are, in general, knoWn. Engine 55 erating. Conversely, if the personal vehicle is accelerating, it monitoring equipment is also, generally, knoWn. For example, the folloWing patents describe certain types of engine monitoring devices: US. Pat. No. 6,973,377 to Majstorovic et al., that issued on is desirable that the sound the driver hears re?ect that of the vintage vehicle When the vintage vehicle is accelerating. When the user already has such a platform available. For example, the IPHONETM is a popular device that could be used as a platform. Similarly, the IPOD TOUCHTM is another popular device that could be used as a platform. Accordingly, there exists today a need for an engine sound 45 Additionally, it Would be even more realistic if it Were synchronized and adjusted accordingly With the load of the Ideally, such a device could be installed directly by the user, or alternately, by those With minimum technical exper tise. Additionally, there is a need to use existing technology Dec. 6, 2005; 60 It is desirable at times to have the exhaust volume that is US. Pat. No. 7,013,207 to Majstorovic et al., that issued on externally audible (i.e., to pedestrians) quiet While the Mar. 14, 2006; and The entire speci?cation of US. Pat. No. 6,973,377 is exhaust sound that a driver hears in the cockpit (i.e., interior) hereby incorporated by Way of reference herein as a part of this speci?cation. is loud. The driver may Want to enjoy listening to a loud replicated engine sound that only they hear Without disturb ing those Who are external to the vehicle. This has, heretobe The entire speci?cation of US. Pat. No. 7,013,207 is hereby incorporated by Way of reference herein as a part of fore, been impossible to attain. this speci?cation. 65 US 7,979,147 B1 5 6 These prior art references teach devices and methods of obtaining acceleration and RPM data from an engine that is useful With the present invention. Additionally, US. Pat. No. 5,835,605 to Kunimoto that issued on Nov. 10, 1998 teaches an exhaust sound synthesizer that is used With ?ight simulators and computer games but Which differs from the instant invention in material Ways. For example, it does not include a memory library of engine sounds from a variety of predetermined vehicles but instead Still yet another object of the invention is to provide an engine sound replication device that permits a user to vary the volume of sound that is produced. Yet another important object of the invention is to provide an engine sound replication device that permits a user to replicate a desired automobile exhaust or engine sound in an interior of a personal automobile. Still yet another important object of the invention is to provide an engine sound replication device that permits a user to replicate a desired automobile exhaust or engine sound in includes one basic exhaust Waveform that is taken at different an exterior of a personal automobile. periods and Which is selected depending on speed informa tion supplied by a joystick or acceleration pedal of the game. The selected Waveform is then subjected to an exhaust pipe circuit that appears to introduce delays and reverberation into the Waveform and thereby synthesize an output that sounds like exhaust operating through one particular muf?er (i.e., tailpipe). In short, it is a synthesizer and not a replication device of engine sounds and thereby teaches aWay from rep lication. A ?rst continuing object of the invention is to provide an engine sound replication device that permits a user to repli cate a desired automobile exhaust or engine sound in both an interior and an exterior of a personal automobile simulta neously. A second continuing obj ect of the invention is to provide an engine sound replication device that includes synchroniza 20 Additionally, US Patent Application Number 20050259830 is for a sound enhancement for a single engine sensor and thereby does not include the memory library and other elements of the instant invention as mentioned in the previous comparison With the knoWn prior art. Other related prior art patents and publications include: US. Pat. No. 6,356,185 to Plugge et al., Mar. 12, 2002; US. Pat. No. 5,820,442 to Helder, Oct. 13, 1998; US. Pat. No. 5,237,617 to Miller, Aug. 17, 1993; US. Pat. No. 7,203,321 to Freymann et al., Apr. 10, 2007; US. Pat. No. 7,088,829 to Schick et al, Aug. 8, 2006; engine sound replication device that includes synchroniza tion With the sound that is produced by the device so that it 25 matches the acceleration or deceleration of a personal vehicle in Which it is used. A fourth continuing object of the invention is to provide an engine sound replication device that can make a four cylinder personal vehicle sound like a six, eight, or tWelve cylinder 30 predetermined vehicle. A ?fth continuing object of the invention is to provide an engine sound replication device that can produce a simulated US. Pat. No. 6,959,094 to Cascone et al, Oct. 25, 2005; US. Pat. No. 6,859,539 to Maeda, Feb. 22,2005; US. Pat. No. 6,725,150 to Glandian, Apr. 20, 2004; US. Pat. No. 6,275,590 to Prus,Aug. 14, 2001; US. Pat. No. 5,734,726 to Truchsess, 1998; US. Pat. No. 5,692,052 to Tanaka et al, Nov. 25, 1997; US. Pat. No. 5,635,903 to Koike et al, Jun. 3, 1997; US. Pat. No. 5,371,802 to McDonald et al, Dec. 6, 1994; Patent publication US 2005/ 0259830 to Vaishya, Nov. 24, tion With the sound that is produced by the device so that it matches the current engine speed and/ or operating character istics of a personal vehicle in Which it is used. A third continuing object of the invention is to provide an 35 40 exhaust or engine sound of a predetermined vehicle that is realistic. A sixth continuing object of the invention is to provide an engine sound replication device that can be adjusted to pro duce a simulated or replicated exhaust sound that is loud and Which may exceed a maximum permissible sound pressure (volume level) for street use When the vehicle is used off road or in remote areas Where such restrictions do not apply. A seventh continuing object of the invention is to provide 2005; an engine sound replication device that includes in memory at least one recording of an engine or engine exhaust sound Patent publication US 2007/0147626 to Casey et al., Jun. produced by a predetermined vehicle, a computer that is able 28, 2007; While the structural arrangements of the above described device may, at ?rst appearance, have certain distant similari ties With the present invention, it differs in material respects. These differences, Which Will be described in more detail hereinafter, are essential for the effective use of the invention and Which admit of the advantages that are not available With 45 to access the memory, means for determining the engine RPM of a personal vehicle in Which the device is to be used, soft Ware adapted to produce an output signal by modifying the recording of an engine or engine exhaust sound, and Wherein 50 the output signal can be used to drive a speaker, either directly or by passing the output signal to an ampli?er or a stereo system prior to connection to the speaker, the output signal any of the knoWn prior art devices. being further controlled by the computer so as to correspond With the engine speed of the personal vehicle. An eighth continuing object of the invention is to provide OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 55 It is an object of the present invention to provide an engine sound replication device that is inexpensive to manufacture. It is also an important object of the invention to provide an engine sound replication device that can replicate the exhaust sound of a predetermined vehicle. Another object of the invention is to provide an engine sound replication device that can replicate the engine and/or exhaust sound of a predetermined vehicle. Still another object of the invention is to provide an engine sound replication device that permits a user to select a sound from a library that includes a variety of recorded or digitally encoded predetermined different vehicle sounds. an engine sound replication device that includes in memory at least one recording of an engine or engine exhaust sound produced by a predetermined vehicle, a computer that is able to access the memory, means for determining the engine RPM of a personal vehicle in Which the device is to be used, soft 60 Ware adapted to produce an output signal by modifying the recording of an engine or engine exhaust sound, and Wherein the output signal can be used to drive a speaker, either directly or by passing the output signal to an ampli?er or a stereo system prior to connection to the speaker, the output signal 65 being further controlled by the computer so as to correspond With the engine speed of the personal vehicle, and Which further includes means for selecting from memory the record US 7,979,147 B1 8 7 A thirteenth continuing object of the invention is to provide ing of an engine or engine exhaust sound from a plurality of an engine sound replication device that plugs into a poWer recordings of engine or exhaust sounds produced by a plural ity of different types of predetermined vehicles. A ninth continuing object of the invention is to provide an engine sound replication device that includes in memory at outlet in a motor vehicle and obtains poWer from the poWer least one recording of an engine or engine exhaust sound outlet. A fourteenth continuing object of the invention is to pro vide an engine sound replication device that plugs into a produced by a predetermined vehicle, a computer that is able poWer outlet in a motor vehicle and Which is able to obtain a to access the memory, means for determining the engine RPM of a personal vehicle in Which the device is to be used, soft signal that is representative of the real -time RPM of the engine of the motor vehicle from the poWer outlet. Ware adapted to produce an output signal by modifying the recording of an engine or engine exhaust sound, and Wherein an engine sound replication device that is able to transmit a A ?fteenth continuing object of the invention is to provide simulated (i.e., replicated) automobile sound to the stereo system in a personal vehicle. A sixteenth continuing object of the invention is to provide the output signal can be used to drive a speaker, either directly or by passing the output signal to an ampli?er or a stereo system prior to connection to the speaker, the output signal an engine sound replication device that is able to transmit a being further controlled by the computer so as to correspond simulated (i.e., replicated) automobile sound to speakers that With the engine speed of the personal vehicle, and Which are disposed in an exterior or other location of a personal further includes means for adjusting the volume of sound vehicle. A seventeenth continuing object of the invention is to pro vide an engine sound replication device that is able to obtain engine data from an on-board computer of a personal vehicle by electrical connection thereto, such as by connection to an OBD H type of under dashboard connector, and Wherein the device is able to utiliZe the data thus obtained to optimiZe the replication of an engine or engine exhaust sound of a prede termined automobile. produced by the speaker. A tenth continuing object of the invention is to provide an engine sound replication device that includes in memory at 20 least one recording of an engine or engine exhaust sound produced by a predetermined vehicle, a computer that is able to access the memory, means for determining the engine RPM of a personal vehicle in Which the device is to be used, soft 25 Ware adapted to produce an output signal by modifying the recording of an engine or engine exhaust sound, and Wherein An eighteenth continuing object of the invention is to pro the output signal can be used to drive a speaker, either directly or by passing the output signal to an ampli?er or a stereo system prior to connection to the speaker, the output signal being further controlled by the computer so as to correspond With the engine speed of the personal vehicle, and Wherein the speaker is disposed in an interior of the personal vehicle. An eleventh continuing object of the invention is to provide an engine sound replication device that includes in memory at least one recording of an engine or engine exhaust sound 30 When the personal vehicle is accelerating, decelerating, idling, moving, standing still, under heavy or light load, mov 35 produced by a predetermined vehicle, a computer that is able to access the memory, means for determining the engine RPM of a personal vehicle in Which the device is to be used, soft 40 Ware adapted to produce an output signal by modifying the recording of an engine or engine exhaust sound, and Wherein ing at a steady rate of speed, or changing gears and Wherein the device is able to utiliZe the data thus obtained to better replicate a sound of a predetermined automobile. A nineteenth continuing object of the invention is to pro vide an engine sound replication device that includes at least one speaker that is disposed in an exterior of an automobile and Wherein the speaker includes a shape that resembles the shape of at least a portion of an automobile tailpipe. A tWentieth continuing object of the invention is to provide the output signal can be used to drive a speaker, either directly or by passing the output signal to an ampli?er or a stereo system prior to connection to the speaker, the output signal vide an engine sound replication device that is able to obtain engine data from an on-board computer of a personal vehicle by electrical connection thereto, such as by connection to an OBD H type of under dashboard connector, and Wherein the device is able to utilize the data thus obtained to determine 45 an engine sound replication device that is able to vary the audible sound produced by an automobile Without any modi being further controlled by the computer so as to correspond ?cation to the stock (i.e., original) exhaust system of the With the engine speed of the personal vehicle, and Wherein the speaker is disposed in an exterior of the personal vehicle. vehicle. A tWelfth continuing object of the invention is to provide an engine sound replication device that includes in memory at least one recording of an engine or engine exhaust sound produced by a predetermined vehicle, a computer that is able 50 licated sound as audio in a personal vehicle. A tWenty-second continuing object of the invention to pro to access the memory, means for determining the engine RPM of a personal vehicle in Which the device is to be used, soft Ware adapted to produce an output signal by modifying the recording of an engine or engine exhaust sound, and Wherein 55 A tWenty-third continuing object of the invention to pro system prior to connection to the speaker, the output signal 60 With the engine speed of the personal vehicle, and Wherein the speaker is disposed in an interior of the personal vehicle and including a second speaker, and Wherein the second speaker is disposed in an exterior of the personal vehicle, and including means for directing the output signal to either the speaker or to the second speaker, or to both the speaker and the second speaker simultaneously. vide an engine sound replication device that can replicate the engine or exhaust sound of a predetermined airplane and output the replicated sound as audio in a personal vehicle. vide an engine sound replication device that can replicate the engine or exhaust sound of a predetermined automobile and output the replicated sound as audio in a personal vehicle. the output signal can be used to drive a speaker, either directly or by passing the output signal to an ampli?er or a stereo being further controlled by the computer so as to correspond A tWenty-?rst continuing object of the invention is to pro vide an engine sound replication device that can replicate the exhaust sound of a predetermined engine and output the rep A tWenty-fourth continuing object of the invention to pro vide an engine sound replication device that can replicate the engine or exhaust sound of a predetermined boat and output the replicated sound as audio in a personal vehicle. A tWenty-?fth continuing object of the invention to provide 65 an engine sound replication device that can replicate the engine or exhaust sound of a predetermined motorcycle and output the replicated sound as audio in a personal vehicle. US 7,979,147 B1 9 10 A tWenty-sixth continuing object of the invention to pro engine or related sounds may also be available in the library vide an engine sound replication device that can replicate the engine or exhaust sound of a predetermined truck and output the replicated sound as audio in a personal vehicle. for access and use, such as the sound produced by movement of the internal and external component parts of the predeter mined engine or by any of the component parts that are driven A tWenty-seventh continuing object of the invention to provide an engine sound replication device that can replicate any of the sounds or noises produced by an engine and output by the predetermined engine, including gear changes of the the replicated sounds or noises as audio in a personal vehicle. to a preferred embodiment the library includes a plurality of transmission, and drive train noises (such as the sound of moving drive shafts, universal joints, and the like).According A tWenty-eighth continuing object of the invention to pro recorded predetermined engine sounds in computer-readable vide an engine sound replication device that can replicate the sounds or noises produced by the transmission of an engine form, and example thereof being the use of MIDI ?les. A controller includes a computer and receives real time input and output the replicated sounds or noises as audio in a regarding the engine speed of the predetermined engine of a personal vehicle in Which the engine sound replication device personal vehicle. A tWenty-ninth continuing object of the invention to pro is to be used. The controller determines if the personal vehicle is at idle, driving at a steady speed, accelerating, or deceler ating. If gear change information is available the controller vide an engine sound replication device that can replicate the sounds or noises produced by any of the moving parts of an engine, transmission, or drive train and output the replicated sounds or noises as audio in a personal vehicle. determines that as Well. The controller determines Which of A thirtieth continuing object of the invention to provide an engine sound replication device that can replicate the sounds or noises produced by the transmission of an engine When a gear shift change occurs and output the replicated sounds or the plurality of recorded predetermined engine sounds is to be replicated by user input selection. The controller then obtains 20 and utiliZes appropriate sampling patterns of engine and/or exhaust sounds from the library that corresponds as close as noises as audio in a personal vehicle. A thirty-?rst continuing object of the invention to provide an engine sound replication device that is able to replicate 25 engine and/ or exhaust sounds of a predetermined vehicle in a possible With the engine RPM and operating characteristics (i.e., accelerating, decelerating, or gear changes) of the per sonal vehicle. An output signal is produced by the controller that includes a Waveform of an exhaust or engine sound that is personal vehicle through an audio system and thereby legally suitable to drive a speaker or ampli?er. The speaker may be avoid the restrictions as may be imposed by all laWs and located in an interior of the automobile or at a preferred regulations appertaining to exhaust systems, including muf ?ers, of automobiles. A thirty-second continuing object of the invention to pro location out of the interior of the automobile (i.e., at an 30 vide an engine sound replication device that is able to obtain engine data from an on-board computer of a personal vehicle by electrical connection thereto, such as by connection of an OBD II transmitter to an OBD II type of under dashboard connector, and Wherein the OBD II transmitter is able to obtain and transmit the desired information to a stereo 35 receiver, ampli?er, or other device capable of receiving it using any preferred transmission technology including BLUETOOTHTM, RF, IR, or any other preferred method or 40 protocol. ometer that is able to detect acceleration or deceleration of a 45 A thirty-fourth continuing object of the invention to pro vide an engine sound replication device that is able to obtain engine data from an on-board computer of a personal vehicle by electrical connection thereto, such as by connection of an OBD II transmitter to an OBD II type of under dashboard connector, and Wherein the OBD II transmitter is able to obtain and transmit the desired information to a diagnostic tool as audio, and Wherein the audio information could be used to assist diagnosis and repair of the vehicle. Brie?y, an engine sound replication device that is con structed in accordance With the principles of the present other type of vehicle’s) engine at idle, during steady-state operation at a predetermined speed, during acceleration, and during deceleration. According to a preferred embodiment, the exhaust sound is preferred and other computer-readable vehicle as Well as additional details and optional capabilities of the device are also disclosed including the use of BLUE TOOTHTM and FM transmission to simplify installation and connection to an OBD II type of under dashboard connector to obtain desired engine data of the personal vehicle. Con 50 nection of an OBD II transmitter to an OBD II under dash board connector is also disclosed Wherein the OBD II trans mitter transmits via BLUETOOTHTM protocol the desired 55 engine data to a receiver that can include certain neW on board stereo receivers or other devices that can function as a plat form, such as an IPHONETM or an IPOD TOUCHTM, and Wherein the IPHONETM or the IPOD TOUCHTM can produce the desired engine replication sound that is synchroniZed to the operating condition of the engine of the personal vehicle invention has a library in some form of computer-readable memory that includes the engine sound or the exhaust sound of at least one predetermined engine therein. The predeter mined engine sound can be that of any preferred automobile, truck, motorcycle, airplane, boat, racecar, go kart, or other motor vehicle. The exhaust or engine sound preferably includes a sampling of the predetermined automobile’s (or tion device a preferred listening level is obtained. A suf?cient increase in volume provides an overall combined sound that can be made to appear as if it is primarily that of the prede termined engine or engine exhaust. In this manner, the per sonal vehicle is made to sound like (i.e., to replicate) the sound of any preferred predetermined type of vehicle. Various novel Ways of deriving real-time engine data of the personal A thirty-third continuing object of the invention to provide an engine sound replication device that includes an acceler vehicle in Which the device is installed. exterior location), or both. The volume is preferably adjust able. The driver (user) is able to select Which particular engine and/or exhaust sound pattern is to be replicated. The sound output of the engine sound replication device overlays the ambient sounds that the personal vehicle produces or experi ences. By adjusting the volume of the engine sound replica and transmit the desired engine replication sound via PM to a 60 stereo receiver of the personal vehicle for playback. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagrammatic vieW of an engine sound 65 replication device. FIG. 2 is a side vieW of a personal vehicle With the engine sound replication device of FIG. 1 attached thereto. US 7,979,147 B1 11 12 A preferred source of engine data 22 is obtained from the 12 VDC poWer outlet 22a, also knoWn as a cigarette lighter outlet in older types of vehicles. The 12 VDC poWer outlet 22a is found in an interior of most types of the personal vehicle 12. The controller 14, according to a preferred embodiment, plugs into the 12 VDC poWer outlet 22a and obtains the necessary electrical poWer for operation of the engine sound replication device 10 therefrom. Referring noW also to FIG. 3 and also to the teachings of Majstorovic et al., in Us. Pat. Nos. 6,973,377 and 7,013,207, it is noted that an electrical signal in the form of periodic electrical noise is modulated onto the 12 VDC bus and therefore, the periodic electrical noise is also present on the 12 VDC poWer outlet 22a. The periodic electrical noise appears as electrical spikes, as shoWn in general by the reference numeral 24, on the 12 VDC poWer outlet 22a that occur Whenever any of the spark plugs ?re (not shoWn) in the personal vehicle 12. The rate of the FIG. 3 is a Waveform of the 12 volt electrical bus (plus 12 VDC) of the personal vehicle of FIG. 2 When the engine is running and also the Waveform of an intermediate pulse rep resentation signal. FIG. 4 is a high-level ?owchart of the software for a con troller of the engine sound replication device of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the engine sound replication device of FIG. 1 connected to an OBD II connector. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an OBD II transmitter con nected to an OBD II connector of the personal vehicle and a consumer product that is used as a platform for the engine sound replication device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. 1 and on occasion to FIG. 2 is shoWn, an engine sound replication device, identi?ed in general by the reference numeral 10. The engine sound replication device 10 is intended for use in a personal vehicle 12, automobile, or any other preferred 20 type of a motor vehicle. As used herein the element “personal vehicle” is not lim ited to only cars. The use of the term “vehicle” is intended to include any type of a motor vehicle, such as a car, truck, motorcycle, or other type of the personal vehicle 12. The engine sound replication device 10 is used to change the ambient sound of the personal vehicle 12 and to make it sound 25 as if it Were a different type of vehicle or poWered by a different type of engine and/or transmission. This is described in greater detail, hereinafter. The engine sound replication device 10 includes a control ler 14. The controller 14 includes a microcomputer, RAM, ROM, softWare, ?rmWare, and circuitry as is Well knoWn in the computer arts. The controller 14 is con?gured With cir cuitry and softWare, as necessary, to receive input data (as is identi?ed and described in greater detail hereinafter), utiliZe 30 spark plug ?ring is proportional to the speed (RPM) of the engine 20. The periodic electrical noise occurs because of electrical induction and the sudden discharge of stored electrical energy across the gap of each spark plug. This sudden discharge is preceded by a surge in voltage across the spark plug gap and a portion of this energy radiates outWard. By subsequent induction and also to some degree by capacitance and back EMF, it appears as periodic electrical spikes 24 throughout the 12 VDC electrical bus and elseWhere in the personal vehicle 12. The controller 14 includes circuitry and softWare, as desired, to strip (i.e., demodulate) the periodic electrical noise (i.e., the spikes 24) and to produce an intermediate pulse representation signal, identi?ed in general by the reference numeral 26, in the form of an electrical Waveform (i.e., a pulse 35 pattern) that corresponds to When the spark plugs of the the input data, and to produce an output signal 16. The output personal vehicle 12 ?re. Circuitry and softWare in the con troller 14 demodulate the periodic electrical spikes 24 and signal 16 is also described in greater detail hereinafter as is the convert them into the intermediate pulse representation signal input data that is received by the controller 14. It is necessary to supply real time engine data 18 as the 40 required input data to the controller 14. The real time engine data 18 supplies information as to the state of an engine 20 (dashed lines) of the personal vehicle 12. At a minimum the With su?icient computer processing (by the microcomputer speed that the engine 20 is turning (RPM) is required for the controller 14 to properly function. The reason for supplying the controller 14 With RPM engine data from the personal vehicle 12 is described in greater detail hereinafter. The real time engine data 18 is obtained from any of a variety of preferred sources of raW engine data, as shoWn in 45 general by reference numeral 22 (dashed lines). The source of 50 26. A ?rst burst 24a of the periodic electrical spikes 24 raW engine data 22 can vary depending on Which type of a on Which of the various sources of engine data 22 is preferred for any given con?guration (i.e., model) of the engine sound 55 The raW engine data 22 includes, at a minimum, informa tion useful to determine the speed (RPM) of the engine 20. The raW engine data 22 can include a digital or analog indi cation of actual speed (RPM) of the engine 20, such as from a tachometer, or it can include data that relates to the speed of 60 the engine 20 and by analysis thereof can provide indication of the speed of the engine 20. The raW engine data 22 (here resentation signal 2611, second intermediate pulse representa tion signal 26b, and third intermediate pulse representation signal 260, respectively. The microcomputer includes a pre cise internal clock and is therefore able to accurately deter pulse representation signals 26. information, such as the speed of the personal vehicle 12, the tion under Which the personal vehicle 12 is being operated. includes a ?rst time interval betWeen each spike 24. A second burst 24b of the periodic electrical spikes 24 includes a sec ond time interval betWeen each spike 24. The second time interval is greater than the ?rst time interval. A third burst 240 of the periodic electrical spikes 24 includes a third time inter val betWeen each spike 24. The third time interval is less than the ?rst time interval. The ?rst burst 2411, second burst 24b, and third burst 240 are each converted into a respective ?rst intermediate pulse rep mine an actual time interval betWeen any of the intermediate inafter referred to as “engine data 22”) can also include other gear its transmission is in, When a gear change is occurring, or any other type of information that is indicative of the condi of the controller 14) are included, as required, to ensure that the periodic electrical spikes 24 are detected and are properly converted into the intermediate pulse representation signal vehicle is used for the personal vehicle 12 and also depending replication device 10. 26 that the microcomputer of the controller 14 can use by the use of band-pass ?lters and demodulation circuitry, as is Well knoWn in the electrical arts. The electrical Waveform, as shoWn, is a simpli?cation of that Which can be observed. Additional ?lter circuitry along 65 It can be determined from these three Waveform patterns that the engine 20 is turning at the sloWest rate (in RPM) for the time duration of the second burst 24b and that it is turning US 7,979,147 B1 13 14 at the fastest rate for the time duration of the third burst 240, however the exact rate of revolutions of the engine 20 (i.e., the The on-board computer of the personal vehicle 12 moni tors and regulates operation of the engine 20 to one degree or RPM) cannot be determined by the microcomputer Without another. Some of the information available to the on-board additional information supplied to the controller 14. The additional information that is required is the number of computer of the personal vehicle 12 or Which is provided by the on-board computer may be available on the OED II. The under dashboard connector 22b, therefore, alloWs the control cylinders of the engine 20 of the personal vehicle 12. A cylinder input sWitch 28 is set to indicate the number of cylinders of the engine 20 in the personal vehicle 12. Four, ler 14 to have direct access With any of the data present on the OED II and also to a limited extent With the on-board com puter of the vehicle 12. The under dashboard connector 22b thereby may include information on engine RPM (directly), the gear that the trans mission of the engine 20 is in, When a change in gears is occurring (i.e., When the transmission, either manual or auto six, and eight are the more common number of cylinders. However, some vehicles may have as little as one, tWo, or three cylinders or as many as tWelve. As desired, any input that is user-selectable and Which is supplied to the controller 14 may include a physical sWitch to accomplish the selection process or the input parameter may be entered or set by any other preferred manner, for example, matic is being shifted from one gear to another, either to a higher or loWer gear ratio), and the speed of the personal vehicle 12. This data can be especially useful to optimally enhance the by a menu selection off of a touch-sensitive or other type of a display. The display can be included as an option With the engine sound replication device 10, as desired. It is to be understood that various models of the engine sound replica tion device 10 are anticipated With a corresponding variation performance of the engine sound replication device 10 and is described in greater detail hereinafter. Of course, the engine 20 in pricing and features. fore the under dashboard connector 22b is not limited to the OED II type of connector. A second alternate source of the engine data 18 for the Once the controller 14 is supplied With the number of cylinders of the engine 20 it can convert the varying interme diate pulse representation signals 26 into RPM data for the engine 20. This is because the number of spark plug ?rings per revolution (or ?rings per set of revolutions) of the engine 20 corresponds With the number of cylinders that the engine 20 has. The most common type of engine 20 used in the personal 25 positive indication of When the particular spark plug ?res (that the sparkplug connection 220 is directly connected to) is 30 35 engine that is used can be optionally included as another sonal vehicle 12. A ?rst alternate source of the engine data 18 for the con troller 14 is supplied by connection to an under dashboard connector 22b. The under dashboard connector 22b is 40 45 that is purchased as desired and to Which the controller 14 is connected. In a similar manner When direct spark plug connection 220 is used to supply the engine data 18, a device (not shoWn) is provided and is attached inside the engine compartment to one of the spark plugs. This device is expected to be an 50 accessory item that is purchased separately. The direct spark plug connection 220 is useful if the personal vehicle 12 does not have a 12 VDC poWer outlet, or if the periodic electrical spikes 24 are for any reason especially di?icult to detect, or if there is no under dashboard connector 22b available for use. 55 A variation of the direct spark plug connection 220 is by direct coil attachment. It is possible to determine, again by voltage detection or by induction, When the coil (an inductor) releases stored energy that is used to ?re any of the spark plugs. 60 A third alternate source of the engine data 18 for the con troller 14 is supplied by a radio antenna connection 22d. A radio antenna of the personal vehicle 12 is identi?ed by the reference numeral 23. The radio antenna connection 22d 65 manner similar to that as previously described, the electrical engine sound replication device 10. A corresponding electrical connector or adapter having any desired shape and pin-con?guration is provided, as desired, for use With the engine sound replication device 10 10 and Which receives information (i.e., data) on the rate of ?ring of the sparkplug (if a hard Wire type of connection is not used) and supplies that information in a desired format that is acceptable to the controller 14. The receiver may be included as part of the controller 14 or it may be an accessory device knoWn as an “on board diagnostic” or “OBD”. A current standard includes a protocol knoWn as “OBD II” and it is required for placement on light trucks and cars Within one meter of the steering Wheel. While some of the connections and therefore data in the OED II are de?ned, automobile manufacturers have a certain degree of latitude in the data and con?guration of the OED II connectors for their model vehicles. Information regarding this standard can be found on the Internet. If a source of poWer (i.e., 12 VDC) is available from the OED II connector, it is preferably used to supply poWer to the stroke), the RPM of the engine 20 can be calculated. When direct connection to the spark plug occurs, the output is either connected to the controller 14 by Wire or it is trans mitted to the controller 14 by any preferred manner (RF, BLUETOOTHTM, or other format). A receiver (not shoWn) is optionally included With the engine sound replication device included With most neW model vehicles and it includes con nection to an on-board computer for the personal vehicle 12. A common type of the under dashboard connector 22b is obtained. This can be determined by electrical detection of the voltage spike or by an induction coil that is placed around any of the spark plug Wires. Again, knoWing the number of cylinders (and the type of engine 20, Whether tWo or four lication device 10 is to be used With a tWo-stroke type of user-selectable input for a particular version of the engine sound replication device 10. It is to be noted that, When the engine sound replication device 10 is in operation, the controller 14 is constantly deter mining RPM and changes in RPM. Increasing RPM is asso ciated With acceleration of the personal vehicle 12 and decreasing RPM is associated With deceleration of the per controller is supplied by direct spark plug connection 220 to any one of the spark plugs of the engine 20. In this manner, a vehicle 12 is of the four-stroke variety. The RPM of the engine 20 is calculated by the controller 14 With the default being for a four-stroke type of the engine 20. If the engine sound rep engine (not shoWn), then the type of internal combustion sound replication device 10 can utiliZe any existing or neW (i .e., future) connector protocol including Wireless, and there includes an electrical connection to the radio antenna 23. In a that mates With the under dashboard connector 22b of any Waveform present on the radio antenna 23 is supplied through particular type of the personal vehicle 12. the radio antenna connection 22d and is demodulated to US 7,979,147 B1 15 16 obtain the periodic electrical spikes 24, Which are then con verted into a modi?ed type of intermediate pulse representa mined automobile preferably include a recording of the tion signal (similar to the pulse representation signal 26), and mobile. In a basic version of the engine sound replication device 10 it is possible to record the exhaust sound at a single speed. The single speed may be at idle or at some other desired speed of exhaust sound that is produced by the predetermined auto Which is ultimately converted by the controller 14 into RPM data. The controller 14 is constantly obtaining and using the engine data 18 signal (i.e., information) supplied to it to operation of the engine in the predetermined automobile. The controller 14 Would then obtain from the memory library 30 determine the RPM of the engine 20. It also compares present RPM With past RPM and based on the rate of change that may be occurring determines if the personal vehicle 12 is acceler ating, decelerating, and at What rate it is doing so. It also can determine if the vehicle 12 is being driven at a steady rate of and thereafter adjust the single speed exhaust sound of the predetermined automobile based on a softWare program to reproduce (i.e., to replicate) the sound of the predetermined automobile over a range of engine speeds and to output the replicated exhaust sound as the output signal 16 of the con troller 14. speed. If the RPM is constant and is at an idle speed, the controller 14 can determine that the personal vehicle 12 is at idle. If the RPM is constant at a speed above idle, the controller 14 can determine that the personal vehicle 12 is driving at a steady speed doWn the road. If the controller 14 is also receiving data from the on-board computer of the personal vehicle 12 by connection to the under dashboard connector 22b, it may be able to tell What gear the transmission of the personal vehicle 12 is in and When a gear change is occurring. If the controller 14 observes the points of gear change that are occurring it can compare that With engine speed data as It is especially important to note that the output signal 16 includes a Waveform (analog or digital, as preferred) that is 20 12. Comparable does not mean equal. Different engines turn at different speeds. The maximum safe speed is often referred to 25 Well. For example, if the engine speed is accelerating quickly 30 may be at 4,000 RPM Whereas the other may be at 8,000 RPM. For example, assume that the predetermined vehicle 35 includes the exhaust sound of a vintage large displacement eight cylinder car or truck engine that has a red-line of 4,000 RPM. Assume that the personal vehicle 12 has a higher speed small displacement four cylinder engine that includes a red line of 8,000 RPM. is accelerating rapidly. mation affects the engine and exhaust sound that the personal vehicle 12 (or any other vehicle produces) and is useful in optimiZing performance of the engine sound replication device 10, as is described in greater detail hereinafter. The engine sound replication device 10 also includes a library in some form of computer-readable memory, herein after referred to as a memory library 30, Which includes the engine or exhaust sound of at least one predetermined vehicle (not shoWn). The predetermined vehicle can include any auto mobile, truck, boat, airplane, race car, go kart, or other type of 40 When the engine sound replication device 10 is properly con?gured, if the personal vehicle 12 is operating at it’s redline (i.e., 8,000 RPM), the output signal 16 Will include the exhaust sound of the predetermined automobile When the predetermined automobile’ s engine is turning at 4,000 RPM. This is accomplished by the controller obtaining from the memory library 30 a ?le of the predetermined automobile engine’s exhaust sound recorded at its red line or, alternately, recorded at the highest available rate (RPM). If the highest 45 recorded rate is less than the red line of the engine of the a motor vehicle as may be desired. For the folloWing description, the predetermined vehicle is assumed to be a predetermined automobile (not shoWn). HoWever, the folloWing description is also generally appli predetermined automobile, the controller 14 compresses the highest available rate (RPM) recorded ?le Which, in turn, shortens the apparent time betWeen spark plug ?rings of the cable for use With other types of vehicles that may be used as the predetermined vehicle. The sound of the engine and/or exhaust of the predeter mined automobile are stored as ?les in the memory library 30. as the engine’s “red line”, a speed not to be exceeded. The red line of the personal vehicle 12 may be more or less than the red line of the engine of the predetermined automobile. One While the gears are changing from a loWer gear to a higher gear, the controller can determine that the personal vehicle 12 If there is a sudden acceleration accompanied by a drop in gears, the controller 14 can determine that the personal vehicle 12 is being used to pass someone. All of this infor representative of the engine sound of the predetermined auto mobile and that the output signal 16 is alWays adjusted so that the engine speed of the replicated exhaust sound (i.e., the speed of the engine of the predetermined automobile) is com parable With the speed of the engine 20 of the personal vehicle engine of the predetermined automobile so as to replicate the 50 predetermined automobile engine operating at its red line They may be MIDI ?les or they may be stored or encoded by (i.e., 4000 RPM). any desired format. The only requirement is that they be If the personal vehicle 12 is operating at 4,000 RPM (midrange), the output signal 16 Will include the exhaust sound of the predetermined vehicle When the predetermined accessible to the controller 14 for use on demand. Preferably, the ?les include the recorded sounds of the engine and/ or exhaust of the predetermined automobile. In this manner they Will accurately represent the sound pro duced by the predetermined automobile. The ?les in the memory library 30 can also include sounds of gear changes by 55 the transmission of the predetermined automobile as Well as other engine compartment or drive train sounds. While it is 60 preferred that the engine sounds are actually recorded, and therefore highly realistic, it is possible to include synthesiZed Waveform ?les of the engine and/or exhaust sounds of the predetermined automobile in the memory library 30. The folloWing description focuses on exhaust sound, although other engine and/or transmission sounds may also be used. The ?le(s) in the memory library 30 of the predeter vehicle’s engine is turning at approximately 2,000 RPM (i.e., at or about its midrange). To accomplish this, the controller 14 obtains from the memory library 30 a recorded ?le of the exhaust sound of the predetermined automobile operating at 2000 RPM or the ?le that is closest to 2000 RPM and adjusts it (either increases or decreases the apparent speed of the engine of the predetermined automobile) so that it is equal to 2000 RPM. It is important to note that the recorded ?les of exhaust sound in the memory library 30 are of relatively short dura 65 tion. These ?les are merely repeated (i.e., sampled and obtained again and again from the memory library 30) so as to provide the controller 14 With a continuous stream of engine US 7,979,147 B1 17 18 sounds (exhaust or other) from the memory library 30 that correspond always With the current state of the engine 20 in the personal vehicle 12. In this manner, the output signal 16 is continuous Whenever the engine 20 is running. The output signal 16 is made up of back to back segments (i.e., ?les) of the recorded sounds stored in the memory library 30. These segments vary speeds and during different conditions. For example, the exhaust sound of the predetermined automobile is preferably recorded at idle, mid-range, and at high RPM, during accel depending on changes in real time that occur With the per sonal vehicle 12. also included in the memory library 30, as desired. Similarly, the typical exhaust sound at idle speed (or the closest ?le thereto) of the engine of the predetermined auto variant of the exhaust (and/ or engine) sound of the predeter eration and deceleration. It is also preferable to record the exhaust sound of the predetermined automobile during heavy acceleration and heavy deceleration. Other engine sounds (like engine compartment noise and gear change noise) are In this manner, the controller 14 is able to use Whichever mined automobile that most closely corresponds to the man ner in Which the personal vehicle 12 is being operated at that moment. Whichever variant of the predetermined automo mobile that is stored in the memory library 30 Will be used as the output signal 16 When the engine 20 of the personal vehicle 12 is at idle speed. If the predetermined automobile had a higher red-line than that of the personal vehicle 12, the output signal 16 Will be proportionally correlated in a similar manner except that the RPM value of the output signal 16 Will be at a proportionally higher RPM than that Which the engine 20 of the personal vehicle 12 is revolving. In this manner, the engine sound replication device 10 is able to provide the output signal 16 that is proportionally correlated With the speed of the engine 20 of the personal vehicle 12 as compared With an equivalent engine speed of the predetermined vehicle. As the output signal 16 represents the 20 any given moment in time. The output signal 16 may also include a combined sound that is derived by tWo or more ?les stored in the memory library 30, and Which are both supplied simultaneously (or 25 exhaust (and/or engine) sound of the predetermined vehicle, the engine sound replication device 10 is able to replicate the exhaust (and/or engine) sound of the predetermined vehicle and to overlay the replicated sound With the normal ambient sounds of the personal vehicle 12. This is described in greater bile’s exhaust (and/or engine) sound is used by the controller 14, that signal is adjusted for the RPM of the personal vehicle 12 and is outputted accordingly, as the output signal 16. This greatly improves realism of the replicated exhaust sound. It is to be understood that the output signal 16 is the replicated sound of the predetermined automobile, adjusted to match the speed and condition of operation of the personal vehicle 12 at nearly so) to the controller 14. An example Would be if the controller 14 is aWare that the personal vehicle 12 is operating at, say a midrange RPM, and is experiencing a gear change from a loWer to a higher gear. If available, the controller Would simultaneously obtain and use a ?le from the memory 30 library of the engine of the predetermined vehicle (automo detail hereinafter. For the moment, it is important to note that the correlation bile) operating at its midrange RPM and also of the recorded provided by the engine sound replication device 10 provides riencing a gear change from a loWer gear to a higher gear. In this manner, a highly realistic composite sound Wave for a realistic sound. By Way of contrast, if the personal vehicle 12 Was traveling at a loW, steady speed and an exhaust sound of an accelerating predetermined automobile Was sound produced by the predetermined vehicle When it is expe 35 form is provided as the output signal 16. The audible result is that, to the driver of the personal vehicle 12, it appears as though the sound of the predetermined vehicle’ s transmission as it increases gears, matches perfectly With the gear change of the personal vehicle 12 and that the predetermined auto 40 mobile’s engine sounds (i.e., exhaust or other engine sounds) also match perfectly With the operation of the personal instead incorrectly superimposed, the resultant combined sound Would be unrealistic and, therefore, undesirable. If desired, the controller 14 may include another user selectable input that is for the make and model input 32 of the personal vehicle 12. The make and model input 32 is used to inform the controller 14 as to the make and model the per sonal vehicle 12. This information is stored in memory as vehicle 12. make and model ?les (RAM, ROM, external memory, or additional ?les stored in the memory library 30) and is acces breaks) and especially realistic. As soon as the controller 14 This results in the output signal 16 being seamless (i.e., no 45 sible to the controller 14. The make and model ?les are used to inform the controller as to What is the maximum RPM (i.e., the red line) of the personal vehicle 12. The make and model ?les also preferably include red line information about the predetermined vehicle. The controller 14 is then able to pro portionally correlate the tWo red-line values, thereby auto 50 desired (Which may be faster or sloWer than the engine 20 of the personal vehicle is turning) is again obtained from the matically and optimally matching the respective engine memory library 30 and is used. If desired, any of the ?les obtained from the memory library can be stored in any form (i.e., as intermediate ?les) in a memory cache (RAM) that speeds betWeen the predetermined vehicle and the personal vehicle. If a particular version of the engine sound replication device 10 includes the make and model input 32 capability, it determines that the personal vehicle 12 has completed its gear change, then the ?le of recorded sound produced by the predetermined vehicle When it is experiencing a gear change is no longer used by the controller 14. HoWever, the ?le closest to the speed of the predetermined automobile that is 55 may be provided on the controller 14 to permit faster access. may not be necessary to use, or in some instances to even If desired, all of the ?les appertaining to the selected type of the predetermined vehicle may be stored in the cache during include, the cylinder input sWitch 28. This is because the operation of the engine sound replication device 10. make and model input 32 informs the controller 14 as to What type of personal vehicle 12 the engine sound replication device 10 is being used in, and the information about the personal vehicle 12 that is stored in memory (RAM, ROM, external memory, or memory library 30) Will preferably include information on the number of cylinders in the engine 20 of the personal vehicle 12. It is preferable that the memory library 3 0 include recorded exhaust sounds of the predetermined automobile at different It is important to note that the controller 14 can utiliZe as 60 many ?les from the memory library 30 (or stored in cache) as may be desired simultaneously. It has previously been described hoW a gear change ?le of the predetermined auto mobile can be used simultaneously With a recorded ?le of the 65 engine speed of the predetermined automobile to create a composite sound Waveform as the output signal. Files of the predetermined vehicle during acceleration, deceleration, engine compartment noise, cockpit noise, drive train noise, US 7,979,147 B1 19 20 and others may be combined in any desired Way to further loWer the volume control 36 so that the volume of the repli enhance the composite sound Waveform, and thereby improve realism of the replicated sound. If the predetermined could be, if desired, the sound of the propeller turning. cated exhaust is Within permissible levels. The output signal 16 can be used in various Ways to audibly produce the replicated exhaust sound, a feW of Which are discussed herein. As mentioned above, it is also preferable that the memory library 30 include the recorded exhaust sounds of a plurality of the predetermined vehicles or automobiles, and it is further The output signal 16 can be Wired directly 16a to a stereo system in the personal vehicle 12. In this case the volume on the stereo can be used to control the volume of the replicated vehicle is an airplane, one of the ?les in the memory library 30 exhaust sound that is emitted by stereo speakers 38. The stereo speakers 38 are disposed in an interior (i.e., in the preferred that the plurality of different types of the predeter mined vehicles or automobiles include additional exhaust cockpit) of the personal vehicle 12. and/ or engine sound recordings taken at different engine Altemately, the output signal 16 can be transmitted 16b to speeds and during different operating conditions for the dif ferent predetermined automobiles. By having a plurality of recorded exhaust and/or engine sounds for a plurality of different types of the predetermined automobile stored in the memory library 30, the engine sound replication device 10 provides for an unexpected and valuable bene?t that is vastly different than could occur With any factory exhaust system or after-market exhaust system. The driver of the personal vehicle 12 is able to vary another user-selectable input and to make a selection of the type of the predetermined vehicle 34 that is to be replicated from those available in the memory library 30. In this manner, any of the plurality of recorded exhaust and/ or engine sounds from Which of the plurality of different types of the predetermined automobiles is obtained after selection and is used by the controller 14 as previously described, and outputted as the the stereo system by RF (such as on an FM frequency) or BLUETOOTHTM or by any other desired method. In this case, the engine sound replication device 10 Would include an RF (PM) or BLUETOOTHTM or other type of transmitter that continually transmits the output signal 16. If the vehicle’ s stereo system is tuned to the appropriate RF (i.e., FM) frequency, and if the output signal 16 is being 20 25 output signal 16. In this manner, by the ?ick of a sWitch or by selection from a menu of possible choices appearing on the display of the transmitted via PM, the transmitted signal Will be absorbed by the radio antenna 23. The stereo system Will receive the FM form of the output signal 16 from the radio antenna 23 Which 30 Will be a modulated signal along With the carrier frequency. In normal fashion, the stereo Will strip off the audio portion of the RF (or BLUETOOTHTM or other received signal) and output the audio portion to the stereo speakers 38. The advantage of RF (FM), BLUETOOTHTM, or other transmission of the output signal 16 to the stereo is that minimal Wiring is required. For many applications, the engine sound replication device 10 need only be plugged into the 12 VDC poWer outlet 22a. No other electrical connections are controller 14, the driver can instantly change the output signal required. The stereo Will then output the replicated exhaust 16 from one type of replicated vehicle to another type. In one moment, the personal vehicle 12 can be made to sound like a vintage muscle car. By selection, the next moment it can sound like a truck or like a high-performance racing automo bile. sound to the stereo speakers 38. The driver is able to use the stereo for its normal purposes such as listening to PM, AM, satellite (if so equipped), cassette When desired and can, instead, use the stereo to produce the replicated exhaust sounds When desired by tuning it to the appropriate PM or BLUETOOTHTM input source. Once the engine sound replication device 10 has been installed in the personal vehicle 12, the driver (i.e., user) can instantly select from any of the various exhaust sounds of the various different types of the predetermined automobiles that 35 40 substantially affecting others, such as pedestrians. Instead, the driver and occupants of the personal vehicle 12 are able to customiZe and tailor the engine sounds that they hear so as to make the personal vehicle 12 appear to sound as any other are stored in the memory library 30. No additional modi?ca tion is required to change the Way the personal vehicle 12 sounds. It is, of course, possible to include as many of the different recorded exhaust and/or engine sounds in the memory library 30 as is desired. It is also possible to sell or otherWise provide additional memory (30a, dashed lines) of other or exotic sounding exhaust sounds either in the form of attachable memory cards (i.e. ROM chips) or to doWnload (such as from the Internet) additional exhaust and/ or engine sounds. In this 45 type of the predetermined automobile. 50 engine sound replication device 10, it Will maximize their enjoyment of the engine sound replication device 10 if the exhaust sounds that others (i.e., pedestrians, those in other vehicles) hear Was that Which is produced by the engine sound replication device 1 0 and not that Which is normally produced by the personal vehicle 12. To accomplish this, an auxiliary audio ampli?er 40 may be 55 replication device 10. The auxiliary audio ampli?er 40 is HoWever, it is also expected that for many users of the manner, the customiZing of exhaust and/or engine sound that is produced by the engine sound replication device 10 is possible, possibly at extra cost. Certain people Who Would like to have their personal vehicle 12 sound different or spe cial are likely to pay a premium to replicate unique or exotic includes as a part (or as an option) of the engine sound either connected by Wire to the output signal 16 or it can include a separate ampli?er receiver that receives and utiliZes exhaust sound patterns. If desired, the engine sound replication device 10 includes a volume control 36. The volume control 36 is used to vary and thereby to control the amplitude of the output signal 16. 60 the audio content of the output signal 16 if the output signal is transmitted (via RF, BLUETOOTHTM, or other). The auxil iary audio ampli?er 40 includes a speaker output that is con nected to at least one auxiliary speaker 42. The auxiliary speaker 42 may be in an interior of the personal vehicle 12 or, preferably, it is of Weatherproof design and is located at an exterior location, attached to the personal vehicle 12. In this manner the volume of the replicated exhaust sound can be controlled. For example, if the driver of the personal vehicle 12 is not on a public road and Wishes to increase the volume of the replicated exhaust sound so that it exceeds legal street limits, the driver merely raises the volume control 36 When desired. Prior to again entering a public road, the driver Would ?rst The stereo speakers 38 being in the interior of the personal vehicle 12 permit listening to the replicated exhaust Without 65 A preferred shape for the auxiliary speaker 42 is to include a cylindrical or conical shape that replicates the shape of most common types of exhaust tailpipes. A preferred location for US 7,979,147 B1 21 22 placement of the auxiliary speaker 42 is to the rear of the personal vehicle 12 at a lower location proximate Where the to a limited degree, What it feels like to drive a vintage auto mobile or a high-performance race car or a poWerful (high actual exhaust system (i.e., the exhaust tailpipe) of the engine 20 is/are disposed. horsepoWer) muscle car. The sound that these vehicles pro duce is an important aspect that contributes to the “feel” of If the personal vehicle 12 includes a dual exhaust system, it is desirable to include tWo of the conical shaped auxiliary speakers 42, each one disposed adjacent to one of the driving them. Furthermore, the driver can experience this for different types of the predetermined vehicle merely by making a sWitch (or menu) selection and thereby replicating the sound of a tailpipes. This position provides especially realistic sound distribution to those outside of the vehicle. It can also signi? different one of the predetermined vehicle engine and/or exhaust sounds that are stored in the memory library 30. In this manner, an ordinary type of the personal vehicle 12 can be made to sound like any other type of a vehicle (i.e., any cantly enhance the appearance of the vehicle. For example, if the personal vehicle 12 includes only one exhaust pipe (i.e., if it is a single-exhaust vehicle), the use of tWo of the conical shaped auxiliary speakers 42 that are both disposed in a spaced-apart relationship With respect to each type of the predetermined vehicle). If the personal vehicle 12 is a common type of a car, it can be made to sound like any other at a loWer elevation and to the rear of the personal other type of automobile, racecar, truck, motorcycle, or even vehicle 12 can create the illusory appearance that the personal vehicle 12 has a dual exhaust system. The appearance is further reinforced by the sound that emanates from the tWo like an airplane or boat. conical shaped auxiliary speakers 42 When the vehicle 12 is running and the engine sound replication device 10 is acti In summary, the output signal 16 includes a preferred form of the replicated sound of the preferred predetermined vehicle and that sound is heard by the driver and occupants of the 20 vated (i.e., turned on). If desired, the auxiliary speaker 42 may include a fairly limited frequency response range because the exhaust sounds orboth. If desired, tWo of the auxiliary speakers 42 are used to replicate a dual-exhaust system. In the draWing (FIG. 2) the second auxiliary speaker 42 is disposed behind the one shoWn that are being replicated may be narroW and in some instances may predominantly include base frequencies. In a similar manner, the auxiliary ampli?er 40 may include any desired personal vehicle by audio output of the output signal 16 through the stereo speakers 38 or the auxiliary speaker(s) 42, 25 frequency range and/or poWer output capability. and is therefore not visible. Referring noW to FIG. 4 is shoWn a high-level ?owchart that describes basic operation and one possible con?guration of the softWare for the microcomputer that is used to control Another user-selectable input that can be included is for an internal or external speaker selection sWitch 44. The internal or external speaker selection sWitch 44 preferably includes three positions. A ?rst position is for activation of the interior stereo speakers 38 only. A second position is for activation of the exterior auxiliary speaker 42 only. A third position is for activation of both the interior stereo speakers 38 and also the 30 exterior auxiliary speaker 42. 35 operation of the engine sound replication device 10. The engine sound replication device 10 also provides a further unexpected bene?t in that the controller 14 is continu ally obtaining information on the state of the engine 20 of the It is also possible to directly connect by Wire an output of the stereo of the personal vehicle 12 in certain situations to the personal vehicle 12 and that information can be used to pro vide a diagnostic bene?t. When engine data 22 is obtained from the 12 VDC poWer outlet 22a or by direct spark plug connection 220 to any one of the spark plugs (or coil) of the engine 20 or to the radio auxiliary speaker 42, thereby eliminating the need for the antenna 23, the controller is able to determine and, as desired, analyZe the electrical spikes 24 that are obtained. In this Way, auxiliary ampli?er 40. It is desirable to include an additional driver-selectable sWitch that can turn on or off the auxiliary 40 the quality of the ?ring of the spark plugs can be observed. speaker 42 if the stereo does not already include one. It is also important to note that the output signal 16 can go to a single speaker (i.e., to only one of the stereo speakers 38 This is an essential parameter that contributes to optimum or to only one of the auxiliary speakers 42). In this mode, the output signal 16 is monophonic.Altemately, the output signal 45 performance of the engine 20. The manner by Which the Waveform of the electrical spikes 24 affects the capabilities of the engine 20 can be compared to the Way that the Waveform of an electrocardiogram reveals the performance capabilities 16 can be used to drive (either directly if the controller 14 has of a human heart. an ampli?er included as a part thereof) or the stereo system or The engine sound replication device 10 can include a diag nostic mode that can either be set by user-selectable input or, auxiliary ampli?er 40 can be used to drive a pair of speakers to produce stereophonic replication of the exhaust and/or engine sounds of the predetermined vehicle. If desired, the 50 memory library 30 can include a monophonic or stereophonic recording of the exhaust and/ or engine sounds of the prede termined vehicle (or vehicles). If desired, the recorded exhaust and/ or engine sounds in the memory library 3 0 can also include sounds that are emanating if desired, can alWays operate in a background mode and, When a potential problem is detected, alert the driver by any preferred type of Warning, such as by the presentation of engine performance data on the display screen of the engine sound replication device 10, an audible and/or visual Warning light, etc. The ability of the engine sound replication device from or in the engine compartment of the predetermined 10 to diagnose performance of the engine 20 can occur at idle, at speed, and under acceleration or deceleration, thereby pro automobile or even those sounds Which can be heard in the viding useful diagnostic information. cockpit (i.e., interior) of the predetermined automobile. In When engine data 22 is obtained from the under dashboard connector 22b (i.e., the OED II type of connector) the engine this manner the replicated exhaust sounds of the predeter mined vehicle that are replicated in the personal vehicle 12 and Which are heard through the stereo speakers 38 or through 55 60 sound replication device 10 can utiliZe all available param eters of engine data in a manner similar to that Which cur the auxiliary speaker 42 (or pair of auxiliary speakers 42) can rently available automotive diagnostic tools that rely upon be made even more realistic and representative of the actual sounds that are heard in the predetermined vehicle. connection to the OED II connector presently diagnose The engine sound replication device 10 can provide the driver With a realistic simulated experience of driving the predetermined vehicle. In this Way, the driver can experience, engine condition, including obtaining any “engine codes” 65 that may be stored in the on-board computer of the personal vehicle 12 or in any storage media (i.e. RAM) associated With the on-board computer. The engine sound replication device US 7,979,147 B1 23 24 100 can even be con?gured to clear the “engine codes”, as mechanics Wireless relay is commonly used by mechanics to desired and to analyze any of the engine data that is available on the OED ll connector (or other type of connector) and to present the results of analysis and data obtained to the driver for vieWing, for example, on the display screen of the engine sound replication device 10, if so equipped. In this manner, a preferred hi gher-end version of the engine sound replication device 10 can also be used to perform diagnostic procedures on the state of the engine 20 of the personal vehicle 12 or, if desired, to any otherpersonal type of vehicle (not shoWn) to Which it is temporarily connected. This connect to the OED ll connector 22b and to transmit OBD 11 engine data using BLUETOOTHTM technology and protocol to an engine analyZer to assist in the diagnosis and servicing of engines. The mechanics Wireless relay may be usable as it is or, if desired, it can be modi?ed to more favorably transmit only the desired data from the OED ll connector 22b and provide the OED ll transmitter 106. The advantage of the OED ll transmitter 106 is that a simple plugging in of the OED ll transmitter 106 into the OED ll connector 22b provides the desired data from the engine of the personal vehicle 12 Without the need for any Wiring. This saves time and simpli?es the installation process. The second device includes a commercially available plat capability is useful and is expected to appeal to professional and home mechanics, alike. Referring noW to FIG. 5 is shoWn a block diagram of the engine sound replication device 10 connected to the OED 11 under dash connector 22b. This draWing shoWs the basic Ways of con?guring the engine sound replication device 10 not form 110. The platform 110 is a device that includes a micro processor and su?icient ram and non-volatile memory to anticipated by the prior art. The output signal 16 (of FIG. 1) as device 10. Ideally, softWare can be loaded into the platform 110 so that it is able to function as the engine sound replica tion device 10. This can potentially loWer the cost of the engine sound replication device 10 by a signi?cant degree for those con shoWn includes a Wired 100 output that is Wired to either the stereo system in the personal vehicle 12 or to the auxiliary implement the functionality of the engine sound replication 20 audio ampli?er 40. The stereo system outputs a signal to drive the speakers of the personal vehicle 12 that the stereo is connected to for real time playback of the replicated engine sound. The auxiliary audio ampli?er 40 similarly drives aux iliary speakers 42 that are located either in the personal sumers Who already oWn the platform 110. For a modest investment they can obtain the OED ll transmitter 106 and 25 doWnload the softWare for the platform 110. Using the stereo vehicle 12 or external to it. If the auxiliary speakers 42 are in the personal vehicle 12 a very loW cost Way to enjoy the external, preferably they are mounted proximate the exhaust tailpipe(s), as previously described. engine sound replication device 10 is provided. Additionally, Altemately, the output signal 16 includes an FM Wireless output 102. The PM Wireless output 102 transmits the output signal 16 as an FM radio frequency that the stereo system in the personal vehicle 12 is tuned to and able to receive. most consumers can install and use this con?guration of the 30 A third basic con?guration includes a BLUETOOTHTM output 104 that transmits the output signal 16 using BLUE TOOTHTM technology and protocol. Certain of the neWer A preferred consumer device for use as the platform 110 includes either the IPHONETM or the IPOD TOUCHTM that 35 are manufactured by APPLETM computers. Assuming that the 40 IPHONETM is used as the platform 110, a cradle 112 is also purchased by the user. The cradle 112 is a commercially available product that plugs into the 12 VDC poWer outlet of the personal vehicle 12 for electrical poWer. The cradle 112 connects electrically With the IPHONETM and maintains its electrical charge during use. The cradle 112 also includes the ability to output an audio output signal from the IPHONETM by Wireless FM broadcast. The user Who oWns the IPHONETM is likely to already have versions of the stereo system in the personal vehicle 12 are able to receive this signal and, as described above, drive the personal vehicle’s 12 stereo speakers to produce the repli cated engine sound. It is also possible for auxiliary audio ampli?er 40 to receive the BLUETOOTHTM signal and drive the auxiliary speakers 42. If desired, a different Wireless protocol such as that of 802.11 and often referred to as “WiFi” can be used instead of or in addition to the BLUETOOTHTM protocol. The 802.11 communication standard re?ects an industry communication standard and is commonly used for Wireless communication 45 the cradle 112 because the IPHONETM can be used to store 50 music ?les (i.e., songs) forplayback. The cradle 112 is used to output the songs being played by the IPHONE TM via the FM Wireless output 102 (i.e., by Way of FM broadcast) for recep tion by the stereo system of the personal vehicle 12 and for playback through the personal vehicle’ s speakers. This alloWs With laptop computers, for example. To simplify remaining discussion, it is to be understood that Whenever BLUE TOOTHTM is mentioned herein, that 802.11 (WiFi) or any other desired, similar or different Wireless protocol can be used, either alone or in combination With any other Wireless the user to listen to songs from the IPHONETM While driving. When the IPHONETM has been doWnloaded With the nec protocol standard. essary softWare to replicate the functionality of the engine sound replication device 10 it is placed in the cradle 112. The Referring noW to FIG. 6 is shoWn a block diagram of the engine sound replication device 10 con?gured to obtain the engine data of the personal vehicle 12 from the under the dash 55 OBD ll connector 22b using a commercially available ?rst device to extract the desired engine data from the OED ll connector and another commercially available second device to act as a “platform” to implement the functionality of the controller 14, memory library 32, and other component parts of the engine sound replication device 10. IPHONETM is enabled to run the softWare and replicate the engine sound replication device 10. The stereo is tuned to receive an FM signal on the same FM frequency that the cradle 112 transmits the output signal 16 (of the IPHONETM) on. 60 The OBD ll transmitter 106 is installed into the OED ll connector 22b. When the engine 20 of the personal vehicle 12 The ?rst device includes an OBD ll transmitter 106 that obtains the OED II data and transmits it using BLUE TOOTHTM technology and protocol as a Wireless BLUE TOOTHTM OBD II data transmission signal 108. The OBD ll transmitter 106 is a commercially available product that is commonly referred to as a “mechanics Wireless relay”. The engine sound replication device 10 Without the need for out side technical assistance, thereby saving even more. If outside help is required, the time and therefore the cost should be minimal. 65 is started, the engine data is broadcast using BLUETOOTHTM technology and protocol and received by the IPHONETM. The IPHONETM, functioning as the engine sound replication device 10, combines the engine sounds of the predetermined vehicle (i.e., Whatever type of engine sound is to be repli cated) from memory library 30, processes the engine sounds US 7,979,147 B1 25 26 of the predetermined vehicle to match the RPM and the actual acceleration or deceleration of the engine 20 of the personal The invention has been shoWn, described, and illustrated in substantial detail With reference to the presently preferred embodiment. It Will be understood by those skilled in this art that other and further changes and modi?cations may be made Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention Which is de?ned by the claims appended hereto. vehicle 12 (using the OED II data) and outputs the output signal 16 to the cradle 112. The cradle 112 broadcasts the output signal 16 via PM and the stereo captures it and plays the replicated engine sound over the stereo. The user adjusts the volume on the stereo to suit. When the engine 20 is turned off the OED ll transmitter 106 stops transmitting data and the stereo becomes silent (assuming the stereo still has poWer). The platform 110 (IPHONETM) can be doWnloaded With the softWare by a USB computer connection. APPLETM could, if desired, provide this service for a fee. Similarly, the various engine sounds in the memory library 30 can be updated or exotic sounds added, again preferably for a fee. What is claimed is: 1. An engine sound replication device, comprising: (a) a ?le containing a sound from an engine of a predeter mined vehicle that is readable by a computer, and Wherein said ?le containing a sound from an engine of a predetermined vehicle is stored in a memory library; (b) means for determining information regarding at least some aspect of a present state of an engine of a personal vehicle Wherein said means for determining includes an electrical connection to an OBD H type of connector and Altemately, a detachable memory card can be inserted in or removed from the platform 110 for softWare or memory library 30 storage and updates. Information and speci?cations regarding the OED ll con nector can be found on the lntemet and is provided by the 20 “Society of Automotive Engineers”. connector Wherein said present state includes data regarding the number of revolutions per minute that said engine of said personal vehicle is operating at or data as It is also noted that the IPHONETM includes an accelerom eter 110a therein. As desired, the softWare of platform 110 to Which gear a transmission of said personal vehicle is can be modi?ed to also use an output of the accelerometer 11011 or any remote accelerometer (not shoWn) that the plat form 110 or any other embodiment of the engine sound rep 25 30 In addition to acceleration or deceleration data, the con said personal vehicle to correspond With said data regarding the number of revolutions per minute that said engine of said personal vehicle is operating at or to 35 40 additional operating parameters or states regarding the engine 45 said content of said memory is selected depending on said load of said engine of said personal vehicle, and If desired, other transducers useful in monitoring (i.e., Wherein said controller is able to adjust said content of 50 55 said ?le containing a sound from an engine of said predeter 60 The use of any and all desired parameter or state data that is timely supplied to the controller 14 is used by the controller 14 to modify, vary, and adjust the output signal 16 so that it better correlates With the actual state or operating condition of rience. 2. The engine sound replication device of claim 1 Wherein said ?le containing a sound from an engine of said predeter mined vehicle includes a plurality of ?les containing a plu rality of sounds of said engine of said predetermined vehicle. 3. The engine sound replication device of claim 1 Wherein and vacuum are all potentially desirable parameters or states the engine 20 of the personal vehicle 12 at any given time, thereby improving both realism and enjoyment of the expe said memory library to provide an adjusted output signal that optimally correlates With said load of said engine of said personal vehicle, and Wherein said output signal includes said adjusted output signal. decreasing in overall gear ratio, acceleration, deceleration, of the engine of the personal vehicle 12 to monitor and to communicate in real time (i.e., as close as possible to real time) to the controller 14. aspect of a present state of an engine includes a current load of said engine of said personal vehicle, and Wherein OED ll connector. manual or automatic transmissions and Whether increasing or Wherein said engine sound replication device includes a controller, and Wherein said controller includes a micro computer, and Wherein a content of said memory library is accessible to said controller, and Wherein said means for determining information regarding at least some by extrapolation and comparison of data available from the detecting) any desired parameter or state of the engine of the personal vehicle 12 can be optionally included and connected to the engine sound replication device 10 for use by the controller 14. For example, information about the RPM, load, transmission gear ratio, When changing from one transmis sion gear ratio to another transmission gear ratio for either correspond With said data as to Which gear said trans mission of said personal vehicle is disposed in; and (d) an output signal, said output signal including a replica tion of said engine sound of said predetermined vehicle, Wherein said output signal includes an ampli?er, and troller 14 (for all embodiments) is preferably supplied With of the personal vehicle. Some of the desired parameters or states can be obtained directly off the pins of the OED li connector, While others can be determined or approximated device is operating; (c) modifying said ?le of an engine sound to correspond in a desired Way With said present state of said engine of present state of operation of the engine of the personal vehicle 12. The resultant output signal 1 6 Will better correlate With the state of the engine of the personal vehicle 12. Therefore, the replicated engine sound that is being produced Will seem much more realistic because it Will better correlate (i.e., by altering the output signal 16) With the actual state of the engine of the personal vehicle 12. disposed in, and Wherein said extraction of data regard ing said present state of said engine of said personal vehicle occurs continuously through said OBD H type of connector Whenever said engine sound replication lication device 10 may be connected to also obtain data regarding acceleration and deceleration of the personal vehicle 12 in Which the platform 110 is disposed. The acceleration or deceleration data supplied to the plat form 110 is used by the controller 14 to vary or alter the output signal 16 so that the output signal 16 better correlates to the the extraction of data regarding said present state of said engine of said personal vehicle from said OBD H type of 65 mined vehicle includes an exhaust sound. 4. The engine sound replication device of claim 1 Wherein said ?le containing a sound from an engine of said predeter mined vehicle includes an engine compartment sound. 5. The engine sound replication device of claim 1 Wherein said ?le containing a sound from an engine of said predeter mined vehicle includes a gear change by a transmission of said predetermined vehicle. US 7,979,l47 B1 27 28 6. The engine sound replication device of claim 1 Wherein said ?le containing a sound from an engine of said predeter mined vehicle includes drive train sound of said predeter 22. The engine sound replication device of claim 1 Wherein said ?le containing said sound from said engine of said pre determined vehicle includes a synthesiZed representation of mined vehicle. said sound. 23. The engine sound replication device of claim 1 Wherein said means for determining information regarding at least some aspect of a present state of said engine of said personal vehicle includes generating a diagnosis of saidpresent state of said engine of said personal vehicle, and includes an indica tion of said diagnosis of said present state of said engine of 7. The engine sound replication device of claim 1 Wherein said output signal is continuously provided Whenever said engine of said personal vehicle is operating. 8. The engine sound replication device of claim 1 including means for providing said output signal as an input signal to said ampli?er, stereo system, or speaker for playback as an said personal vehicle. 24. The engine sound replication device of claim 1 Wherein audio replication of said engine sound of said predetermined vehicle. said means for determining information regarding at least some aspect of a present state of said engine of said personal 9. The engine sound replication device of claim 8 Wherein said output signal includes electrical connection through a vehicle includes an OBD 11 Wireless transmitter that is con Wire. nected to said OBD ll connector, and Wherein said OBD 11 Wireless transmitter provides a Wireless OBD II data trans 10. The engine sound replication device of claim 8 Wherein said output signal includes means for transmitting said output signal to a receiver. 11. The engine sound replication device of claim 10 20 Wherein said receiver includes a stereo receiver. BLUETOOTHTM protocol. 12. The engine sound replication device of claim 10 Wherein said receiver is electrically connected to an auxiliary 25. The engine sound replication device of claim 24 includ ing a commercially available device as an operating platform, ampli?er. 13. The engine sound replication device of claim 8 Wherein said speaker is disposed in an interior of said personal vehicle. 14. The engine sound replication device of claim 8 Wherein said speaker is disposed at an exterior of said personal vehicle. 15. The engine sound replication device of claim 14 Wherein said speaker is disposed under a rear of said personal vehicle. 16. The engine sound replication device of claim 15 Wherein said speaker includes a generally cylindrical or coni cal shape that resembles at least a portion of a tailpipe in 25 suf?cient to emulate or otherWise replicate the functionality platform is able to receive said Wireless OBD II data trans 30 signal to produce said output signal. 26. The engine sound replication device of claim 25 Wherein said platform includes an IPHONETM or an IPOD TOUCHTM. mined vehicle includes a sound from an engine selected from 40 boat, airplane, racecar, and go-kart. output signal that optimally correlates With said RPM of said engine of said personal vehicle, and Wherein said output mission signal and Wherein said modifying said ?le of said engine sound to correspond in a desired Way With said present state of said engine of said personal vehicle includes said platform altering a state of said engine sound to correspond With said present state of said engine of said personal vehicle that is obtained from said Wireless OBD II data transmission 35 17. The engine sound replication device of claim 1 Wherein said ?le containing a sound from an engine of said predeter 18. The engine sound replication device of claim 1 Wherein said means for determining information regarding at least some aspect of a present state of said engine of said personal vehicle includes a current RPM of said engine of said per sonal vehicle, and Wherein said content of said memory is selected depending on said RPM of said engine of said per sonal vehicle, and Wherein said controller is able to adjust said content of said memory library to provide said adjusted and Wherein said platform includes softWare and circuitry of said engine sound replication device, and Wherein said appearance. the group consisting of an automobile, motorcycle, truck, mission signal of said present state of said engine of said personal vehicle When said engine of said personal vehicle is running, and Wherein said Wireless OBD II data transmission signal includes a Wireless signal that is compatible With 27. The engine sound replication device of claim 25 includ ing a cradle, and Wherein said platform is adapted to connect to said cradle and Wherein said cradle is adapted to receive said output signal from said platform, and Wherein said cradle includes a transmitter for transmitting said output signal via an FM broadcast. 45 28. The engine sound replication device of claim 1 Wherein said means for determining information regarding at least some aspect of a present state of said engine of said personal vehicle includes selection of at least one operating parameter or state of said engine of said personal vehicle from the group 50 consisting of RPM, load, transmission gear ratio, changing from one transmission gear ratio to another transmission gear signal includes said adjusted output signal. ratio, acceleration, deceleration, and vacuum, and Wherein 19. The engine sound replication device of claim 18 Wherein said memory library includes a plurality of ?les, each of said plurality of ?les containing said sound from said engine of saidpredetermined vehicle, and Wherein any of said plurality of ?les is selected from the group consisting of an engine compartment sound, a transmission sound, a gear change sound, an exhaust sound, and a cockpit sound of said said content of said memory is selected depending on said at least one operating parameter or state of said engine of said predetermined vehicle. 20. The engine sound replication device of claim 19 Wherein said controller is able to simultaneously select and combine any of said plurality of ?les to produce a composite sound Waveform as said output signal. 21. The engine sound replication device of claim 1 Wherein said ?le containing said sound from said engine of said pre determined vehicle includes a recording of said sound. 55 personal vehicle, and Wherein said controller is able to adjust said content of said memory library to provide said adjusted output signal that optimally correlates With said at least one operating parameter or state of said engine of said personal vehicle, and Wherein said output signal includes said adjusted 60 output signal. 29. The engine sound replication device of claim 1 Wherein said ?le containing said sound from said engine of said pre determined vehicle is selected from said memory library by said controller, and Wherein said means for determining infor 65 mation regarding at least some aspect of a present state of said engine of said personal vehicle includes selection of at least one operating parameter or state of said engine of said per
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