Abstract: A method for optimizing the performance of an active HDMI cable. An active cable compensator is provided within the HDMI cable itself. This device applies an individually-adjusted equalizer to each of the TMDS video data lines. A non-equalizing amplifier is applied to the two TMDS clock lines. An accelerator is applied to the I2C data bus. The parameters controlling each of the active components (such as parameters setting gain and frequency distribution) within an individual HDMI cable are set through a programming process. In that process, a calibration source sends known signals through the cable to a programming unit. A programming unit analyzes the signals through the cable and sends commands to the active cable compensator in the cable. The commands adjust the parameters in order to optimize the performance of the individual cable.
Abstract: An interface and corresponding method, where the interface is connected via a first connection to a factory data bus of a vehicle which transports signals according to a first data format, and further connected via a second connection to a data channel of the aftermarket component which transports signals according to a second data format. The interface identifies a factory data bus type corresponding to the factory data bus, out of a plurality of potential factory data bus types. The interface receives digital signals from the aftermarket component via the second connection, the digital signals being in the second data format which corresponds to the aftermarket component. The interface translates the digital signals into the first data format which corresponds to the identified factory bus type. The interface transmits the translated digital signals in the first data format to the vehicle via the first connection.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 14, 2013
Date of Patent:
September 2, 2014
Assignee:
Metra Electronics Corporation
Inventors:
Charles David Daly, William H Jones, Jr.
Abstract: A method for automatically detecting a control signal configuration of a vehicle component includes making a connection to a channel of the component, performing an electrical measurement on the channel, and identifying a control signal configuration based upon the measurement. A method for sending control signals from one vehicle component to another includes making a connection on a channel of one component, making a connection to a channel of the other component, performing electrical measurements on the channels, identifying control signal configurations based upon the measurements, and configuring a control signal interface. A control signal interface includes an input unit, a signal processing unit, and an output unit. The input and output units each can connect to a channel of a vehicle component and perform an electrical measurement. The signal processing unit can determine control commands based upon control signals.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 2, 2012
Date of Patent:
September 3, 2013
Assignees:
Circuit Works, Inc., Metra Electronics Corporation
Inventors:
Charles David Daly, William H Jones, Jr.
Abstract: An interface and corresponding method, where the interface is connected via a first connection to a factory data bus of a vehicle which transports signals according to a first data format, and further connected via a second connection to a data channel of the aftermarket component which transports signals according to a second data format. The interface identifies a factory data bus type corresponding to the factory data bus, out of a plurality of potential factory data bus types. The interface receives digital signals from the aftermarket component via the second connection, the digital signals being in the second data format which corresponds to the aftermarket component. The interface translates the digital signals into the first data format which corresponds to the identified factory bus type. The interface transmits the translated digital signals in the first data format to the vehicle via the first connection.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 14, 2013
Publication date:
August 1, 2013
Applicants:
Metra Electronics Corporation, Circuit Works, Inc.
Inventors:
Charles David Daly, William H. Jones, JR.
Abstract: A method for automatically detecting a control signal configuration of a vehicle component includes making a connection to a channel of the component, performing an electrical measurement on the channel, and identifying a control signal configuration based upon the measurement. A method for sending control signals from one vehicle component to another includes making a connection on a channel of one component, making a connection to a channel of the other component, performing electrical measurements on the channels, identifying control signal configurations based upon the measurements, and configuring a control signal interface. A control signal interface includes an input unit, a signal processing unit, and an output unit. The input and output units each can connect to a channel of a vehicle component and perform an electrical measurement. The signal processing unit can determine control commands based upon control signals.
Type:
Application
Filed:
July 2, 2012
Publication date:
October 25, 2012
Applicants:
METRA ELECTRONICS CORPORATION, CIRCUIT WORKS, INC.
Inventors:
Charles David Daly, William H. Jones, JR.
Abstract: An aftermarket steering wheel control includes a housing that includes a user-operable switch and a control module. The control module is configured to determine whether the user-operable switch has been operated, generate a data frame corresponding to a control signal for operating a vehicle component, and transmit the data frame to a receiver of a control signal interface. Another aftermarket steering wheel control includes a housing with a user-operable switch and a circuit with an output line. The output line is connected to the switch and further connected to a control signal interface. Operation of the user-operable switch changes a resistance on the at least one output line, and the control signal interface is configured to convert the resistance to a control signal for operating a vehicle component.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 9, 2011
Date of Patent:
October 9, 2012
Assignees:
Circuit Works, Inc., Metra Electronics Corporation
Inventors:
Charles David Daly, William H. Jones, Jr.
Abstract: A method for automatically detecting a control signal configuration of a vehicle component includes making a connection to a channel of the component, performing an electrical measurement on the channel, and identifying a control signal configuration based upon the measurement. A method for sending control signals from one vehicle component to another includes making a connection on a channel of one component, making a connection to a channel of the other component, performing electrical measurements on the channels, identifying control signal configurations based upon the measurements, and configuring a control signal interface. A control signal interface includes an input unit, a signal processing unit, and an output unit. The input and output units each can connect to a channel of a vehicle component and perform an electrical measurement. The signal processing unit can determine control commands based upon control signals.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 21, 2009
Date of Patent:
July 3, 2012
Assignees:
Metra Electronics Corporation, Circuit Works, Inc.
Inventors:
Charles David Daly, William H. Jones, Jr.
Abstract: An aftermarket steering wheel control includes a housing that includes a user-operable switch and a control module. The control module is configured to determine whether the user-operable switch has been operated, generate a data frame corresponding to a control signal for operating a vehicle component, and transmit the data frame to a receiver of a control signal interface. Another aftermarket steering wheel control includes a housing with a user-operable switch and a circuit with an output line. The output line is connected to the switch and further connected to a control signal interface. Operation of the user-operable switch changes a resistance on the at least one output line, and the control signal interface is configured to convert the resistance to a control signal for operating a vehicle component.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 9, 2011
Publication date:
December 1, 2011
Applicants:
METRA ELECTRONICS CORPORATION, CIRCUIT WORKS, INC.
Inventors:
Charles David Daly, William H. Jones, JR.
Abstract: An aftermarket steering wheel control includes a housing that includes a user-operable switch and a control module. The control module is configured to determine whether the user-operable switch has been operated, generate a data frame corresponding to a control signal for operating a vehicle component, and transmit the data frame to a receiver of a control signal interface. Another aftermarket steering wheel control includes a housing with a user-operable switch and a circuit with an output line. The output line is connected to the switch and further connected to a control signal interface. Operation of the user-operable switch changes a resistance on the at least one output line, and the control signal interface is configured to convert the resistance to a control signal for operating a vehicle component.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 10, 2010
Date of Patent:
September 6, 2011
Assignee:
Metra Electronics Corporation
Inventors:
Charles David Daly, William H. Jones, Jr.