Abstract: A system for determining an optimum route to a destination by a navigation system of a vehicle is provided. The system includes a navigation system, a remote information system, and a data communication network linking the navigation system and the remote information system. A method is also disclosed that includes the steps of establishing a communication connection between the navigation system and the remote information system, and determining the optimum route to the destination where the optimum route is determined based on requested information received from the remote information system.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an audio amplifier apparatus including a connector is provided. The apparatus includes a connector having a plurality of first openings. Each first opening being arranged to receive a first fastening mechanism to couple the connector to a first side of an audio amplifier. The connector further includes a plurality of second openings to enable access to a plurality of second fastening mechanisms which provide an electrical output from the audio amplifier. The connector further includes a plurality of terminal channels being angularly offset from the plurality of second openings. Each terminal channel being configured to receive a connection terminal to connect to a corresponding second fastening mechanism to electrically couple the connection terminal to the audio amplifier.

Abstract: A transducer assembly utilizing at least two MEMS transducers is provided, the transducer assembly preferably defining either an omnidirectional or directional microphone. In addition to at least first and second MEMS transducers, the assembly includes a signal processing circuit electrically connected to the MEMS transducers, a plurality of terminal pads electrically connected to the signal processing circuit, and a transducer enclosure housing the first and second MEMS transducers. The MEMS transducers may be electrically connected to the signal processing circuit using either wire bonds or a flip-chip design. The signal processing circuit may be comprised of either a discrete circuit or an integrated circuit. The first and second MEMS transducers may be electrically connected in series or in parallel to the signal processing circuit. The first and second MEMS transducers may be acoustically coupled in series or in parallel.

Abstract: A speaker assembly rigging system is provided with a first frame and a second frame that is adapted to couple to the first frame. The system includes a cam and a link. The cam is pivotally connected to the first frame about a pivot point. The cam includes at least two cam surfaces, and each of the at least two cam surfaces are offset at a different radial distance from the pivot point corresponding to a splay angle. The link has a proximal end that is pivotally connected to the second frame and a distal end having a contact surface. The link extends from the second frame in a deployed position such that the contact surface engages one of the cam surfaces.

Abstract: The invention is a multi-channel loudspeaker system that provides a compact loudspeaker configuration and filter design methodology that operates in the digital signal processing domain. Further, the loudspeaker system can be designed as a multi-way loudspeaker system comprised of a symmetric arrangement of loudspeaker drivers in a two-dimensional plane and can achieve high-quality sound, constant directivity over a large area in both the vertical and horizontal planes and can be used in connection with stereo loudspeaker systems, multi-channel home entertainment systems and public address systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting pitch of an audio signal include detecting input notes in the audio signal, mapping the input notes to corresponding output notes, each output note having an associated upper note boundary and lower note boundary, and modifying at least one of the upper note boundary and the lower note boundary of at least one output note in response to previously received input notes. Pitch of the input notes may be shifted to match an associated pitch of corresponding output notes. Delay of the pitch shifting process may be dynamically adjusted based on detected stability of the input notes.

Abstract: A system is provided for configuring an audio system for a given space. The system may statistically analyze potential configurations of the audio system to configure the audio system. The potential configurations may include positions of the loudspeakers, numbers of loudspeakers, types of loudspeakers, listening positions, correction factors, or any combination thereof. The statistical analysis may indicate at least one metric of the potential configuration including indicating consistency of predicted transfer functions, flatness of the predicted transfer functions, differences in overall sound pressure level from seat to seat for the predicted transfer functions, efficiency of the predicted transfer functions, or the output of predicted transfer functions.

Abstract: Media Clock Negotiation (MCN) Advertise packets may advertise one or more media clock streams. Each media clock stream may include values of a real-time clock sampled according to a first media clock. A second media clock may be recoverable from the media clock stream such that the second media clock is synchronized with the first media clock. One or more transmitters that receive the packets may determine whether the advertised media clock stream meets a set of media clock conditions. If the advertised media clock stream meets the set of media clock conditions, then the transmitter may add the advertised media clock stream to a set of qualified streams. Each transmitter may select a reference media clock stream from the set of qualified streams. By selecting the same reference media clock stream, media clocks at two or more transmitters may be synchronized.

Abstract: A phase plugs or acoustic lens improves the directional audio performance of a loudspeaker. Application of the improved directional audio performance to a sound system in a listening area may improve the performance of the audio system. Configuration of the acoustic lens or phase plug may include both symmetrical and asymmetrical features to provide an improved frequency response and directivity. The improved loudspeaker may provide improved an improved listing location, for example, in a vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving audio data from a nomadic device is provided. The apparatus comprises a first portable speaker for being operably coupled to the nomadic device. The nomadic device receives first information indicative of a first crossover frequency for the first portable speaker and determines the first crossover frequency based on the first information. The nomadic device transmits the audio data to the first portable speaker in accordance to the first crossover frequency. The first portable speaker is configured to playback the audio data at the first crossover frequency.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to scheduling one or more media system for use. The media systems may or may not be in a vehicle. Input may be received at a computing device for scheduling use of multiple media systems. A schedule of media system use may be generated based on the input at the computing device. Use instructions based on the media system use schedule may be transmitted so that use of the multiple media systems is enabled in accordance with the media system use schedule.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to controlling honking of a vehicle horn. A location of a vehicle and a location of one or more points along a route where a vehicle horn is disabled may be received at a vehicle computer. Based on a location of the vehicle and the location of the one or more vehicle horn disabling locations, a determination may be made that the vehicle is in the vicinity of the one or more vehicle horn disabling points. One or more instructions from the vehicle computer may be transmitted to disable the vehicle horn when in the vicinity of the one or more vehicle horn disabling locations. In some embodiments, if the vehicle is in a disabling location, overriding instructions for overriding the disabled horn may be transmitted or executed if an emergency event is detected.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to executing one or more functions on a vehicle computing system. Based on input received at a vehicle computing system associating one or more functions in a vehicle with at least one of a user's contacts or other vehicle functions, one or more vehicle functions may be associated with the contacts or the other vehicle functions. The vehicle functions which are associated with the contact(s) or with the other vehicle functions may be displayed and the one or more associated vehicle functions may be selected for execution. The associated vehicle function(s) may be executed in response to the selection.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to creating and utilizing a vehicle surveillance network to monitor objects and/or events. Messages may be broadcasted from at least one communication system of a surveillance network which is communicating with one or more vehicles of the surveillance network and received in a vehicle. Instructions may be transmitted to at least one vehicle camera to capture one or more images of objects or events outside of the vehicle in response to receiving the at least one broadcasted message. At least one vehicle camera in each of the vehicles of the surveillance network may capture the images of the object and/or events. Further instructions may include transmitting the captured images from the one or more vehicles to one or more event responders.

Abstract: Various embodiments relates to a vehicle servicing auction method and system. Based on vehicle diagnostic information transmitted to a vehicle servicing bidding, a vehicle servicing bidding event may be initiated. The bidding event may include submitting requests for bids to one or more vehicle service providers and receiving bids from the vehicle service providers for servicing the vehicle based on a servicing need determined from the vehicle diagnostic information. One or more bids may be received from one or more vehicle service providers and the bids output at a vehicle computing system. The user may select a bid as acceptance of the bid at the vehicle computing system. In some embodiments, the bids may be sorted by bid amount. Location information for the vehicle service provider who submitted the user selected bid may be output. A route to the vehicle service provider may be generated based on the location information.

Abstract: A high frequency horn for use in a multiple frequency loudspeaker system having a midrange transducer and a high frequency transducer is disclosed. The high frequency horn includes a horn chamber, horn mouth, a horn throat, a tuned resonant cavity, and a port connected to both the tuned resonant cavity and the horn chamber. The horn throat and horn chamber are located on opposite sides of the horn chamber, the port is located proximate to the horn throat, and the horn throat is configured to be connected to the high frequency transducer. The tuned resonant cavity is tuned to reduce high frequency standing waves produced by the midrange transducer within the horn chamber.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to systems and methods for detecting an unauthorized use of a vehicle. One or more facial images of one or more authorized drivers of a vehicle may be stored on a vehicle computing system. After detecting movement of the vehicle, one or more facial images of a driver of the vehicle may be periodically received from at least one in-vehicle camera. The one or more captured facial images of the driver may be periodically processed based on the stored facial images of the one or more authorized drivers to determine if the driver is an authorized driver. If the driver is not an authorized driver based on the periodic determination, vehicle operation may be disabled. If the driver is authorized based on the periodic determination, operation of the vehicle may continue.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to a systems and methods for downloading one or more effects to an effects unit. One or more effects may be received on an effects unit. Audio signals for the one or more effects may be processed based on instructions for processing the audio signals received with the one or more effects. For each subsequent effect received on the effect unit, the processing of the audio signals may be reprogrammed. The one or more effects may be transmitted for output from the effects unit.

Abstract: A passive sound pressure level (SPL) limiter is provided that can be used with audio sources of varying drive levels and headphones or earphones of varying sensitivity. The SPL limiter includes a control circuit and left and right channel limiting circuits, each of which includes a pair of FETS. The SPL limiter may include a balancing circuit that separates the control signal output by the control circuit into left and right channel control signals. The SPL limiter may also include a microphone, for example integrated into an earpiece cable.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to a systems and methods for downloading one or more effects to an effects unit. One or more effects may be received. On an effects unit. Audio signals for the one or more effects may be processed based on instructions for processing the audio signals received with the one or more effects. For each subsequent effect received on the effect unit, the processing of the audio signals may be reprogrammed. The one or more effects may be transmitted for output from the effects unit.