Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system and method that alternately configures an input of the entertainment system as a differential input that is decoupled from a ground point, or as ground referenced input that is coupled to a ground point. A noise detector determines a noise signal value for a ground switch module that alternately changes a switch state between a coupled state that couples the common connection to the ground point, and a decoupled state that decouples the common connection from the ground point, based upon the noise signal value being greater than a threshold.

Abstract: An audio system configured to fade audio outputs and method thereof are provided, wherein the audio system includes a first speaker, a second speaker, a low-frequency output speaker, wherein the low-frequency output speaker is proximate the at least one second speaker, and a receiver configured to alter a signal communicated to the first speaker, the second speaker, and the low-frequency output speaker, such that the audio outputs thereof are faded. The audio system further includes a filter in communication between the receiver and the first speaker, wherein the filter is configured to limit a frequency of the signal communicated from the receiver to the first speaker, and a processor configured to alter a frequency limit of the filter, such that a low frequency portion of the signal is received by the first speaker, and a low-frequency output of the first speaker is increased approximately proportionately to the fade of the second speaker, the low-frequency output speaker, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: An audio system configured to fade audio outputs and method thereof are provided, wherein the audio system includes a first speaker, a second speaker, a low-frequency output speaker, wherein the low-frequency output speaker is proximate the at least one second speaker, and a receiver configured to alter a signal communicated to the first speaker, the second speaker, and the low-frequency output speaker, such that the audio outputs thereof are faded. The audio system further includes a filter in communication between the receiver and the first speaker, wherein the filter is configured to limit a frequency of the signal communicated from the receiver to the first speaker, and a processor configured to alter a frequency limit of the filter, such that a low frequency portion of the signal is received by the first speaker, and a low-frequency output of the first speaker is increased approximately proportionately to the fade of the second speaker, the low-frequency output speaker, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system and method that alternately configures an input of the entertainment system as a differential input that is decoupled from a ground point, or as ground referenced input that is coupled to a ground point. A noise detector determines a noise signal value for a ground switch module that alternately changes a switch state between a coupled state that couples the common channel connection to the ground point, and a decoupled state that decouples the common channel connection from the ground point, based upon the noise signal value being greater than a threshold.

Abstract: A radio with a tuner and other program sources uses a digital signal processor (DSP) to enhance the audio signal and to generate a stream of digital data including audio data and control data corresponding to loudness functions. A fiber optic data link couples the data stream to a plurality of remote DSP modules each of which drive one or more speakers. Each module contains a user programmed DSP, a digital to analog converter and an amplifier for each associated speaker. The DSP modules are identical except for software parameters which establish a transfer function and a loudness characteristic for each speaker. The same DSP modules and the same speakers can be used in several vehicle types and the system audio performance can be optimized by customizing software for each type of vehicle.

Abstract: In an automotive radio system an amplifier is capable of detecting speaker faults. A fault signal from the amplifier is received by a microprocessor which sends a fault message to a radio display and/or stores fault data which can be accessed via a serial data link by a diagnostic tool. One embodiment of the amplifier has an output pin for outputting distortion signal, and that pin is used when distortion is not likely to also output a fault signal which reveals the presence of a fault. Another embodiment of the amplifier has a data storage register which receives data on the type of fault and the affected channel, and a data bus to send the data to the microprocessor.