Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of an active suspension system for a motor vehicle passenger seat, where the active suspension system comprises an actuator that is constructed and arranged to place force on the seat in a first degree of freedom and a control system that is responsive to a sensor system that detects motor vehicle accelerations in at least the first degree of freedom, where the sensor system comprises an accident detection system that detects motor vehicle accident conditions, where the control system provides control signals that cause the actuator to exert a force on the seat in the first degree of freedom, wherein in normal active suspension operation mode the actuator is controlled to output forces that reduce acceleration of the seat so as to counteract motions of the seat in the first degree of freedom.

Abstract: A detecting circuit measures at least one response characteristic of an output channel in an electro-acoustic transducer system. A memory stores a plurality of equalizations, each equalization corresponding to a known electro-acoustic transducer system associated with at least one response characteristic stored in the memory. A processor in communication with the detecting circuit and the memory selects one of the stored response characteristics matching the response characteristic measured by the detecting circuit. In some cases, an appropriate equalization is loaded based on the selected response characteristic.

Abstract: An external interface to a portable device that has its own native interface is provided. The native interface of the portable device presents options of a first level of a hierarchy, and upon selection of a first one of the options, replaces the display of options with a new display of a first set of options from a second level of the hierarchy, the first set of options from the second level corresponding to the first option from the first level.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a power amplification circuit and a switch circuit wherein the switch circuit is coupled to an output of the power amplification circuit, a bypass input, and a control input, such that the switch selectively couples the power amplification circuit output or the bypass input to an output of the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A portable device interfacing system for use in a vehicle or other environments permits a portable device to be removably connected with another system, such as an audio system. The portable device interfacing system may include features that help to prevent liquid from damaging electronics of the system, align physical connections between the interfacing system and the portable device, safely secure the portable device in position, and/or permit the system to be expanded to support different portable devices.

Abstract: A detecting circuit measures at least one response characteristic of an output channel in an electro-acoustic transducer system. A memory stores a plurality of equalizations, each equalization corresponding to a known electro-acoustic transducer system associated with at least one response characteristic stored in the memory. A processor in communication with the detecting circuit and the memory selects one of the stored response characteristics matching the response characteristic measured by the detecting circuit. In some cases, an appropriate equalization is loaded based on the selected response characteristic.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a power amplification circuit and a switch circuit wherein the switch circuit is coupled to an output of the power amplification circuit, a bypass input, and a control input, such that the switch selectively couples the power amplification circuit output or the bypass input to an output of the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A portable device interfacing system for use in a vehicle or other environments permits a portable device to be removably connected with another system, such as an audio system. The portable device interfacing system may include features that help to prevent liquid from damaging electronics of the system, align physical connections between the interfacing system and the portable device, safely secure the portable device in position, and/or permit the system to be expanded to support different portable devices.

Abstract: Scan a plurality of broadcast signals, select and receive one of the scanned broadcast signals and determine parameters about the received broadcast signal. Assign a priority to the received broadcast signal based on the parameters, and store the parameters and priority in memory. Redetermine the parameters in priority order in a manner that reduces the time for redetermining. Reassign a priority to the received broadcast signal based on the redetermined parameters, and update in memory the redetermined parameters and priority.

Abstract: A method for receiving broadcast signals includes selecting a broadcast signal, and receiving selected broadcast signal. Determine parameters about the selected broadcast signal wherein the parameters are based on supplemental broadcast data. Choose a scan interval based on the parameters.

Abstract: A method of selecting an audio source includes the step of providing an audio system that includes a source of audio data which can be supplied to a speaker to produce sound. A portable audio source device is enabled to be operatively connected to the audio system. When the portable audio source device is operatively connected to the audio system, the audio system automatically stops supplying audio data from the source of audio data to the speaker and starts supplying audio data from the portable audio source device to the speaker to produce sound.

Abstract: Generating a user interface includes integrating elements of a first graphical user interface into a second graphical user interface to produce a combined graphical user interface, where the first graphical user interface is for a portable navigation system and the second graphical user interface is for a vehicle media device, and controlling the vehicle media device and the portable navigation system through the combined graphical user interface.

Abstract: Vehicle data generated by circuitry of a vehicle is received and functions of a personal navigation device, which are otherwise used to process device navigational data that are generated by navigational circuitry in the personal navigation device, are used to process the vehicle data to produce output navigational information. User interface commands and navigational data are communicated between a personal navigation device and a media head unit of a vehicle, the user interface commands and navigational data being associated with a device user interface of the device, and a vehicle navigation user interface at the media head unit displays navigational information and receives user input for control the display of the navigational information on the media head unit, the vehicle navigation user interface being coordinated with the user interface commands and navigational data associated with the device user interface.

Abstract: Vehicle data generated by circuitry of a vehicle is received and functions of a personal navigation device, which are otherwise used to process device navigational data that are generated by navigational circuitry in the personal navigation device, are used to process the vehicle data to produce output navigational information. User interlace commands and navigational data are communicated between a personal navigation device and a media head unit of a vehicle, the user interface commands and navigational data being associated with a device user interface of the device, and a vehicle navigation user interface at the media head unit displays navigational information and receives user input for control the display of the navigational information on the media head unit, the vehicle navigation user interface being coordinated with the user interface commands and navigational data associated with the device user interface.

Abstract: An acoustic device having a heat producing device, such as an amplifier and a heat sink for transferring heat from the amplifier. The acoustic device has a cone having an inner surface, and a support structure defining a volume. The heat producing element and the heat sink are positioned in the volume.

Abstract: A method for receiving broadcast signals includes selecting a broadcast signal, and receiving selected broadcast signal. Determine parameters about the selected broadcast signal wherein the parameters are based on supplemental broadcast data. Choose a scan interval based on the parameters.

Abstract: An acoustic device having a heat producing device, such as an amplifier and a heat sink for transferring heat from the amplifier. The acoustic device has a cone having an inner surface, and a support structure defining a volume. The heat producing element and the heat sink are positioned in the volume.

Abstract: A frame receives a portable media player. The frame includes connection elements to provide electrical connection between the portable media player and a vehicle media system, and a guide to align the portable media player with the connection elements. A case for a portable media player has an interior space configured to accommodate different configurations of portable media players, and an exterior configured to fit within a receptacle of a vehicle. A cup has an interior space configured to receive a portable media player and a coupler to provide electrical connection between the player and a media system. Sending a command to the portable device causing the portable device to enter a sleep state when the vehicle off, reducing a level of drain by the portable device from a power source of the vehicle. A portable media player may be controlled by the vehicle media system.

Abstract: An acoustic device having a heat producing device, such as an amplifier and a heat sink for transferring heat from the amplifier. The acoustic device has a cone having an inner surface, and a support structure defining a volume. The heat producing element and the heat sink are positioned in the volume.

Abstract: The invention features an audio system for a vehicle that includes an audio source. A controller modifies an audio signal from the audio source with one of a first and a second signal processing operation in response to a user input. The first signal processing operation configures the audio signal for listening inside the vehicle and the second signal processing operation configures the audio signal for listening outside the vehicle. A first plurality of transducers is driven by the audio signal that is configured for listening inside the vehicle by the first signal processing operation. A second plurality of transducers is driven by the audio signal that is configured for listening outside the vehicle by the second signal processing operation.