Patents Assigned to Panasonic Corporation of North America
  • Patent number: 9779565
    Abstract: A motor vehicle controls operation of a mobile electronic device and includes a fingerprint sensor which scans a driver's fingerprint and produces a first electronic representation of the driver's fingerprint. A wireless transceiver receives from the mobile electronic device a first air-borne signal including a second electronic representation of the driver's fingerprint. An electronic processor determines whether the vehicle is in motion, compares the first electronic representation of the driver's fingerprint to the second electronic representation of the driver's fingerprint, and causes the transceiver to transmit a second air-borne signal to the mobile electronic device. The second air-borne signal instructs the mobile electronic device to disable itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventor: Paul George Rabbat
  • Patent number: 9781527
    Abstract: An audio system testing arrangement includes a controller coupled to a communication. bus of a motor vehicle. The controller runs test scripts via the communication bus. The test scripts are for testing features of an audio system within the vehicle. A fault of the audio system is determined dependent upon results of the test scripts, a display and/or speaker annunciates the determined fault of the audio system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventor: Najamuz Zaman
  • Patent number: 9780895
    Abstract: A radio tuning method for a vehicle includes sensing that the vehicle is traveling out of a first broadcast range of a first radio station that a radio of the vehicle is currently tuned to. The first radio station broadcasts first content. A second radio station is identified having a second broadcast range that the vehicle will be in when the vehicle is no longer in the first broadcast range. The identifying includes determining that the second radio station broadcasts second content that is substantially similar to the first content broadcasted by the first radio station. A user of the vehicle is provided with an option to switch tuning of the radio from the first radio station to the second radio station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Eric Williams, Alan Hightower
  • Patent number: 9779719
    Abstract: A method of operating an audio system in a vehicle includes providing m number of microphones disposed within a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The microphones produce a plurality of microphone signals. Within the passenger compartment of the vehicle, k number of loudspeakers are provided. A plurality of convergence factors ? for use in performing active noise control are estimated. The estimating includes calculating an Eigen value ?(?) of an autocorrelation matrix of a passenger compartment transfer function as ? k ? ( ? ) = A k ? ( ? ) 2 2 , wherein Ak(?) is the frequency response of the passenger compartment transfer function. A frequency ?min of a local minimum of ?(?) is determined. A largest stable value for ?Max(?min) is found by experimentation, wherein a rotational speed of an engine of the vehicle, expressed in revolutions per minute, frpm=2??min. A calibration factor is calculated as L=?(?min)?Max(?min).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventor: Darrel Ray Judd
  • Patent number: 9768751
    Abstract: An audio system includes a level controller receiving an input audio signal from an audio medium. The level controller includes a gain adjust module producing an output audio signal based on the input audio signal. A filter arrangement is communicatively coupled to the level controller. The filter arrangement receives the output audio signal and divides the output signal into a plurality of filtered signals. Each of the filtered signals corresponds to a respective frequency band. A multiband dynamics controller is communicatively coupled to the filter arrangement. The multiband dynamics controller receives the filtered signals and applies a respective gain characteristic to each of the filtered signals to thereby produce a plurality of gain adjust signals. The gain adjust signals are combined into a multiband dynamics controller output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Larry V. Craig, Michael T. Burk
  • Patent number: 9762339
    Abstract: A radio tuning method for a vehicle includes sensing that the vehicle is traveling out of a terrestrial broadcast range of a radio station that a radio of the vehicle is currently tuned to. The radio station broadcasts first content. An internet location streaming second content that is substantially similar to the first content broadcasted by the radio station is identified. An estimated period of time remaining until the vehicle exits the terrestrial broadcast range of the first radio station is indicated to the user. A user of the vehicle is provided with an option to switch tuning of the radio from the radio station to the internet location that is streaming the second content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of North America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventor: Eric Williams
  • Patent number: 9699561
    Abstract: A method of operating an audio system having first and second sources includes outputting a first audio signal from the first source on first and second speakers. In response to a listener input, the first audio signal and a second audio signal from the second source are output simultaneously on the first and second speakers. The first signal is output from each of the first and second speakers such that the first signal is perceived by a listener to originate from a first direction toward the listener. The second signal is output from each of the first and second speakers such that the second signal is perceived by the listener to originate from a second direction toward the listener. The second direction is offset at least ninety degrees from the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Shree Jaisimha, Mohammed Reza Kanji, Li Lian Lay, John Morris, James P. Reefe
  • Patent number: 9654064
    Abstract: An audio amplifier apparatus includes an audio amplifier which receives a single audio signal and produces a plus phase audio signal and a minus phase audio signal, both dependent upon the single audio signal. The plus phase audio signal and minus phase audio signal are received by first and second inputs of a speaker, respectively. A current sensing circuit senses a level of current received by the first or second inputs of the speaker and outputs a current sensing signal dependent upon the sensed level of current. An amplifying circuit receives and amplifies the current sensing signal. A mixer circuit receives the amplified current sensing signal and an audio drive signal and produces the single audio signal dependent upon the amplified current sensing signal and the audio drive signal. The single audio signal is produced at a node in-between two resistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventor: Richard Fay
  • Patent number: 9648420
    Abstract: An audio power amplifier arrangement includes an audio power amplification integrated circuit having two loudspeaker outputs. A rectifier circuit includes a first diode having a cathode connected to one of the two loudspeaker outputs and an anode connected to a rectifier output node. A second diode has an anode connected to the one loudspeaker output. A first resistor has a first end connected to a cathode of the second diode and a second end connected to the rectifier output node. A capacitor has a first end connected to the rectifier output node and a second end connected to electrical ground. A second resistor has a first end connected to the rectifier output node and a second end connected to electrical ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Dallas Dwight Hickerson, Kenneth Dale Finlon
  • Patent number: 9648416
    Abstract: A method of operating an audio entertainment system in a vehicle includes detecting an operating parameter of the vehicle. A sensor signal corresponding to the detected operating parameter is transmitted. Music that is audibly produced within the vehicle is musically modified dependent upon the sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventor: Gerald Clinton Davis
  • Patent number: 9636971
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle includes receiving a radio frequency signal and determining that the radio frequency signal has at least one characteristic indicative of the vehicle entering a tunnel. A setting of a vehicle system is automatically modified in response to the determining step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Shree Jaisimha, Mohammed Reza Kanji, Tatsuya Fujisawa, Roopa Chandrashekar
  • Patent number: 9614587
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a power line communication (PLC) system. For example, the PLC system may include a PLC server configured to provide electrical power and electronic communications through a PLC bus to a number of electronic devices, such as an instrument cluster, infotainment interface, rear-seat entertainment console, aftermarket accessories, and the like. The PLC system may also include a power system that may be coupled to an electrical grid for charging a battery associated with one or more of the electronic devices. The power system may be communicatively coupled to the PLC bus, enabling the devices coupled to the PLC bus to communicate with a service provider through the electrical grid. The communications between the devices coupled to the PLC bus and remote devices coupled through the electrical grid may be conducted using a common communication protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventor: Michael T. Burk
  • Patent number: 9602081
    Abstract: A method of operating a single-tuner radio includes tuning into a first frequency. A pause in a first signal associated with the first frequency is detected. Tuning is switched from the first frequency to a second frequency during the pause. Fieldstrength, multipath, adjacent channel energy, frequency offset and FM modulation for the second frequency are measured. Tuning is switched from the second frequency to the first frequency. Tuning is switched from the first frequency to the second frequency dependent upon the measuring step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Shree Jaisimha, Tatsuya Fujisawa, Jason Hingerton, Donald Thomas, David L Ryan, Mohammad Reza Kanji
  • Patent number: 9595145
    Abstract: A method of providing access to a vehicle, including wirelessly and electronically discovering a personal electronic device disposed outside of the vehicle. A remote central controller is wirelessly instructed to wirelessly transmit a certificate to the personal electronic device. The certificate from the personal electronic device is wirelessly received within the vehicle. Validation from the a remote central controller that the certificate from the personal electronic device was transmitted from the remote central controller to the personal electronic device is wirelessly received within the vehicle. An electronic key to the vehicle is wirelessly transmitted from the vehicle to the personal electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: John Avery, Adeel Yusuf
  • Patent number: 9593960
    Abstract: A navigation system for an automotive vehicle that travels on roads includes a vehicle positioning apparatus that determines location data associated with the vehicle. A source of attraction location data provides location data associated with a plurality of attractions that are of interest to a user of the vehicle. A processing device is communicatively coupled to the vehicle positioning apparatus and to the source of attraction location data. The processing device calculates a distance and direction from the vehicle to at least one of the attractions of interest. The calculating is based upon the location data associated with the vehicle and the location data associated with the attractions of interest. A graphical display arrangement is communicatively coupled to the processing device. The graphical display arrangement indicates the calculated distance and direction without graphically indicating orientation of roads on which the vehicle may travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Peter Lucas, Michael McManus, Jeremy Koempel
  • Patent number: 9576047
    Abstract: A computer implemented method is for generating a media playlist including a plurality of tracks to be played on a listener's mobile or stationary client device with Internet radio capabilities, the client device intended to be connected to the Internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Philipp BrĂ¼ll, Arthur Taylor, Chris Dawes, Marcelo Diniz
  • Patent number: 9577609
    Abstract: A method of operating a single-tuner radio includes tuning into a first frequency. A pause in a first signal associated with the first frequency is detected. Tuning is switched from the first frequency to a second frequency. A signal quality metric for the second frequency is measured. Tuning is switched from the second frequency to the first frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Shree Jaisimha, Mohammad Kanji, Donald Thomas, Jason Hingerton
  • Patent number: 9559657
    Abstract: A radio includes a first tuner and a second tuner. A processor compares a first perceivable volume level of a station tuned by the first tuner to at least one second perceivable volume level of at least one background station tuned by the second tuner. The processor enables automatic volume knob changes using a pre-calibrated lookup table that associates a volume step of the volume knob with a difference between the first perceivable volume level and the second perceivable volume level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Shree Jaisimha, Donald Thomas, Kazuo Morita
  • Patent number: 9557872
    Abstract: A human machine interface includes a capacitive touch screen having a capacitive sensor. The capacitive touch screen displays text characters and/or graphical information. A control device is rotatably coupled to a structure such that the control device is superimposed over the screen. The control device includes at least one electrically conductive element. The control device rotates about an axis substantially perpendicular to the screen such that the at least one electrically conductive element follows the rotation of the control device. The capacitive sensor senses a rotational position of the at least one electrically conductive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Larry V. Craig, Sachiko Kurokawa Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9557851
    Abstract: An entertainment system control arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a graphical LCD with a configurable touch screen. The graphical LCD is disposed on the steering wheel. A processor is communicatively coupled to the graphical LCD. The processor prompts a user to select a function to assign to the configurable touch screen. The processor assigns the selected function to the configurable touch screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventor: Mark Goodlein