Harman International Industries, Inc.

Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.

Bfgoodrich Aerospace Fuel and Utility Systems

Bradley F Eid

William N House

Kenneth Carl Furge

Roger E Shively

Scott Robert Durkee

Ryan J Mihelich

Hans-Juergen Nitzpon

Mark George Walker

Keith Patrick Darwin

Radoslaw R Zakrewski

David P McCorkle

Ivan Gregory Dzombak

William Neal House

Roger E Shiverly

A sound processing system for a vehicle includes a sound processor that is configured to mix at least one real audio input signal to form at least one virtual output signal. At least one audio signal that is available to drive at least one loudspeaker may be formed using the combination of the virtual output signal and the real audio input signal. The virtual output signal may be post processed to form a predetermined frequency range of the audio signal prior to being combined with the real audio input signal. The audio signal may be created by mixing the real audio input signal with the post processed virtual output signal. Alternatively, the audio signal may be formed by mixing the real audio input signal to form a real audio output signal, and then summing the real audio output signal with the post processed virtual output signal. Mixing may be performed with a crossbar mixer included in the sound processor.

Sound processing system for configuration of audio signals in a vehicle

An audio system installed in a listening space may include a signal processor and a plurality of loudspeakers. The audio system may be tuned with an automated audio tuning system to optimize the sound output of the loudspeakers within the listening space. The automated audio tuning system may provide automated processing to determine at least one of a plurality of settings, such as channel equalization settings, delay settings, gain settings, crossover settings, bass optimization settings and group equalization settings. The settings may be generated by the automated audio tuning system based on an audio response produced by the loudspeakers in the audio system. The automated tuning system may generate simulations of the application of settings to the audio response to optimize tuning.

Audio tuning system

A sound processing system reduces the instances when only a center speaker is heard. The gain of a volume setting is adjusted for individual speakers in response to one or more input signals. The gain of the center speaker is attenuated in relation to the global volume setting. In addition or as an alternative, the gain of front and/or rear speakers is increased. A virtual center channel is generated for locations where the center speaker may not be heard.

Sound processing system using spatial imaging techniques

An automotive audio controller is provided for receiving an audio signal from an audio source and providing a filtered audio signal that may help compensate for ambient noise in the automobile. The audio controller may have a vibration sensor that generates a vibration signal indicative of vibrations in the automobile. A dynamic filter of the audio controller may receive the vibration signal and the audio signal, and change the gain level and/or tone of the audio signal based on the vibration signal to generate the filtered audio signal. The audio controller also may receive a speed signal, and change the gain level and/or tone of the audio signal based on the speed signal to generate the filtered audio signal.

Automotive audio controller with vibration sensor

A sound processing system reduces speaker distortion at high volume levels by attenuating the filter gain and/or tone of audio and mixed output signals. The sound processing system has one or more filters to attenuate the filter gain and tone in response to the high volume levels. The sound processing system also can attenuate the filter gain and tone in response to a sound pressure level, which may be provided by a microphone.

Sound processing system using distortion limiting techniques

Sound processing systems have been developed that create a surround effect without quality degradation experienced by known sound processing systems in non-optimum listening environments. The sound processing systems may include matrix decoding systems that manipulate input signals prior to converting them into a number of output signals so that the output signals are a function of a greater number of input signals. These sound processing systems may also or alternately include a bass management system that from the input signals preserves the low frequency components of the input signals in separate channels. Both the matrix decoding systems and bass management systems may also produce additional signals. Further, the matrix decoding and bass management systems may be implemented separately or jointly in vehicular sound systems.

Base management systems

A sound processing system adaptively mixes active matrix decoding and passive matrix processing of incoming audio signals. Mixed output signals are generated with active matrix decoding where the audio signals are stereo. Mixed output signals are generated with passive matrix processing where the audio signals are monaural. The sound processing system reduces the degree of active matrix decoding in the mixed output signals where the incoming audio signals are stereo and monaural. The sound processing system also generates virtual stereo signals from incoming audio signals having monaural signals. Mixed output signals are generated of the virtual stereo signals using active matrix decoding.

Sound processing system with degraded signal optimization

A digital sound processing design system for a vehicle audio system includes a computer and a design tool that is run by the computer. The design tool allows a user to define sound processing criteria that is stored in a template file. An audio signal processor is connected to the first and second real channel inputs of an audio source. Memory that is coupled to the audio signal processor stores the template file. The sound processing engine that is coupled to the audio signal processor and the memory reads the template file at run-time to obtain the sound processing criteria. The sound processing engine applies the sound processing criteria to the first and second real channel inputs. The design tool allows a user to create virtual channel inputs and outputs that are based, in part, on the first and second real channel inputs.

Data-driven software architecture for digital sound processing and equalization

A liquid measurement system including interface apparatus for sharing the excitation and signal processing of an ultrasonic transonic transducer and temperature measuring device remotely located at a liquid container is disclosed. The interface apparatus includes a common conduction path coupled to both of the ultrasonic transducer and the temperature device for conducting first excitation signals to the ultrasonic transducer and the corresponding echo signals therefrom, and for conducting second excitation signals to the temperature measuring device and the response signals therefrom, and an interface circuit for governing the conduction of the first and second excitation signals over the common conduction path from their generating sources and for providing a balanced interface for receiving both of the echo signals and response signals from the common conduction path. In one embodiment, the liquid measurement signal includes a processor that is coupled to the interface circuit for receiving the echo signals and the response signals therefrom for determining liquid level in the container based on the received signals.

Liquid measurement system and shared interface apparatus for use therein

A fault tolerant liquid measurement system includes a plurality of sensors for measuring parameters of a liquid in a container; each sensor generating a measurement signal representative of the liquid parameter measured thereby. The sensors are grouped into a number of sets, each set including some sensors of another set. The measurement signals of each set of sensors are processed in a processor to determine for each set of sensors a first estimate signal representative of a likelihood of measurement signal validity for the measurement signals of the corresponding set, and a second estimate signal representative of liquid quantity in the container based on the measurement signals of the corresponding set. The processor further determines a third estimate signal of liquid quantity in the container based on a function of the first and second estimate signals.

Fault tolerant liquid measurement system using multiple-model state estimators

A universal sensor interface system that utilizes a common hardware and software interface to drive many types of sensors. A variety of stimulation signals are generated that are transmitted to a plurality of sensors. The stimulation signals cause the sensors to generate response signals in the form of parametric measurements, which are then converted into a common format. The sensor response signals are processed and output as usable inputs to a data consuming apparatus. A method of automatically determining the sensor configuration in an aircraft sensor system is also provided. During operation the host computer system or digital signal processor is programmed to analyze sensor response signals to detect sensor faults, help predict sensor failures, and determine if there has been a sensor error. The universal sensor interface system is also capable of notifying a system operator of wiring problems with a particular sensor or if a particular sensor is malfunctioning.

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Greenwood, IN, United States of America

Bradley F Eid