Abstract: A vehicle media system for use in conjunction with a portable media device is set forth. The vehicle media system includes an input module that is mountable, for example, at a console between the driver's seat and front passenger seat of the vehicle cabin, so that it may be manipulated by a user pursuant to input of system commands. A display module is mountable at a different location within the vehicle cabin, such as on the dashboard. A main module is connected to cooperate with the display module and the input module to facilitate user interaction with the portable media device.

Abstract: In a motion picture subtitle system a shutter such as a mechanical dowser, LCLV, or E/O diffuser is inserted in the optical path between the supplemental projector and the motion picture screen and synchronized to the projection of the subtitles to reduce visual artifacts and enhance the cinematic presentation. A controller is arranged to receive the subtitles from a storage medium, to provide the subtitles to the supplemental projector in synchronism with the projection of the motion picture, and to alternately cause the shutter to pass the modulated light beam during an “on” state in synchronism with the motion picture so the subtitles are superimposed at desired times on desired portions of the motion picture and cause the shutter to attenuate the light beam during an “off” state.

Abstract: In a motion picture subtitle system a shutter such as a mechanical dowser, LCLV, or E/O diffuser is inserted in the optical path between the supplemental projector and the motion picture screen and synchronized to the projection of the subtitles to reduce visual artifacts and enhance the cinematic presentation. A controller is arranged to receive the subtitles from a storage medium, to provide the subtitles to the supplemental projector in synchronism with the projection of the motion picture, and to alternately cause the shutter to pass the modulated light beam during an “on” state in synchronism with the motion picture so the subtitles are superimposed at desired times on desired portions of the motion picture and cause the shutter to attenuate the light beam during an “off” state.

Abstract: Automatic closed loop adjustment of a stereo sound system optimizes the sound quality at a particular listening location as sensed there by a microphone in a hand-held remote control unit. Such automatic capability is particularly beneficial for asymmetrical locations and may be applied to optimization of perceived channel balance with regard to various parameters such as gain, equalization and time delay, and which are thus inconvenient to set up manually. A hand-held remote control capable of adjusting the stereo system, typically via an infrared link, is additionally equipped with a microphone which senses sound from each stereo loudspeaker at the listening location.

Abstract: An automatic method for optimizing coil/gap centering in the manufacture of an electro-magnetic actuator or transducer such as a loudspeaker or microphone eliminates the use of shims. Capacitance measurements between the coil and adjacent magnet poles are utilized to evaluate and optimize concentricity of the coil and its bobbin in the magnetic gap prior to finally affixing the flexible suspension member(s) such as the spider and/or surround to the actuator mainframe, typically by adhesive bonding around the outer edge of the suspension member(s). Optimal concentricity corresponds with the minimum capacitance reading found from a series of capacitance measurements at different locations of the coil assembly within the constraints of interference between the coil with its bobbin and the pole pieces.

Abstract: A filter circuit for reducing power line noise to audio reproduction equipment. Audio reproduction equipment requires a power source without excessive line noise; however, power sources, particularly in the automotive environment, often generate a substantial amount of noise which can degrade audio reproduction quality. The present invention utilizes a filter circuit which regulates and smooths the power in line between the power source and the audio equipment. The regulation and degree of filtering is further controlled by feedback from the power output and/or from the audio output to provide a sufficient quantity of filtering at various audio levels without affecting the power transmission to the audio equipment through excessive power loss. The power output after filtering is sampled and compared to a reference voltage to create an error signal. The degree of filtering is then adjusted in response to the value of the error signal to provide appropriate filtering without excessive power loss.

Abstract: An automatic frequency response plotting system includes control circuitry for controlling the sweep rate during the plotting operation as a function of rapid changes in the amplitude of the output of the device under test. The control circuitry senses the rate of change of the amplitude of the output of a device, which is supplied with a constant amplitude signal at a frequency which is variable at a sweep rate initially selected by an operator. When the rate of change of the amplitude of the output of the device exceeds a selected level the control circuitry automatically slows down the sweep rate until the amplitude rate of change falls below the selected level, when the normal sweep rate is automatically resumed. By reducing the sweep rate during rapid amplitude changes the plotter is able to accurately trace steep amplitude excursions, thus preventing unsuspected sharp dips or peaks in the response from being missed or minimized.