Patents by Inventor Dennis L. Kinkead

Dennis L. Kinkead has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8259952
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Thomas Augustyn, Dennis L. Kinkead, B. Neal Rhodes
  • Publication number: 20110206208
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: MICHAEL THOMAS AUGUSTYN, DENNIS L. KINKEAD, B. NEAL RHODES
  • Publication number: 20090121555
    Abstract: A power supply circuit for a vehicle audio system supplies a regulated voltage to a control unit through a series diode and full battery voltage to a power amplifier through a normally-off series power-FET. When the audio system is activated, the control unit turns on the series power-FET to permit operation of the power amplifier. If the control unit detects a sudden voltage drop or an engine crank signal, it prevents audible loudspeaker sounds by immediately turning off the series power-FET and issuing a shut-down command to the power amplifier. If the battery voltage is reversed, the series diode isolates the control unit, and the series power-FET remains off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Michael T. Augustyn, Dennis L. Kinkead, Byron N. Rhodes