Abstract: A system for balancing current in a circuit is provided.

Abstract: A system for balancing current in a circuit is provided.

Abstract: A compact disc player and a method and an article of manufacture for controlling ejection of a compact disc are provided. The compact disc player includes a temperature sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a temperature of the compact disc player utilizing a temperature sensor. The compact disc player further includes a controller operably communicating with the temperature sensor. The controller is configured to determine an ejection time interval value based on the signal. The controller is further configured to energize a motor coupled to a drive mechanism for a time internal corresponding to the ejection time interval value to induce the drive mechanism to move a compact disc to a predetermined position outwardly from a housing.

Abstract: A vehicle audio system is provided that includes an audio receiver having a radio tuner and random access media reader capable of accessing audio data files such as those stored on a compact disc. The audio system includes a switch selectively operable in at least two modes, the switch operable in a first mode for tuning the radio tuner, and operable in a second mode for fast track searching and selecting for playback one of the audio data files. The audio system also includes software enabling a processor to read the filenames of the audio data files stored on a compact disc, sort the filenames into an alphabetical index, and display and access the audio data files in the order of the alphabetical index.

Abstract: Royalty and other fee collection for software upgrades and updates is facilitated by generating a software package that is unique to the system on which it is to be installed. As a result, when a consumer purchases a software upgrade, the upgrade can only be used on one particular system. In one implementation, distribution of upgrades and updates for a vehicle audio system is controlled by encrypting the vehicle identification number (VIN) of a vehicle into the software package used for the upgrade or update. The software package can only be used to upgrade software residing on the vehicle corresponding to the VIN. As a result, unauthorized distribution of the software package is prevented.

Abstract: In an automotive radio system an amplifier is capable of detecting speaker faults. A fault signal from the amplifier is received by a microprocessor which sends a fault message to a radio display and/or stores fault data which can be accessed via a serial data link by a diagnostic tool. One embodiment of the amplifier has an output pin for outputting distortion signal, and that pin is used when distortion is not likely to also output a fault signal which reveals the presence of a fault. Another embodiment of the amplifier has a data storage register which receives data on the type of fault and the affected channel, and a data bus to send the data to the microprocessor.