Chrysler Corporation

Chrystler Corporation

James P Muccioli

Lee M Dziekan

Andrew P Person

Gilbert L McCauley

Michael G Moore

Michael B Sestina

Daniel Fekete

James E Van Hout

Andrew D Magic

Harlan E Kifer

Steven F Selby

Alexander J Owski

Terry M North

Michael W Wielgat

George C Lew

Ali Y Bazoun

Yasuhiko Mukaiyama

Mary J Kluka

Richard W Warner

Kazuma Takeda

Lawrence A Warren

In accordance with this invention, a security feature that protects against theft of compact discs (&ldquo;CDs&rdquo;) left in a compact disc player in a vehicle is implemented in a conventional compact disc player that has a CD insertion/ejection servo mechanism, a controller that controls the compact disc player including the insertion/ejection servo mechanism, and an eject switch coupled to the controller. The controller is configured so that it knows the state of the ignition switch, typically from a signal or data from a controller in the vehicle, such as a body controller, engine controller or transmission controller. The controller senses whether the eject switch is actuated when the ignition switch is turned from off to on. Each time that the controller senses that the eject switch is actuated when the ignition switch is turned from off to on, the controller transitions between a security off state and a security on state. When in the security on state, the controller responds to the eject switch being actuated to cause the insertion/ejection servo mechanism to move to the eject position to eject a CD held in the insertion/ejection servo mechanism only if the ignition switch is also on. When in the security off state, the controller will cause the insertion/ejection servo mechanism to move to the eject position to eject a CD when the eject switch is actuated regardless of whether the ignition switch is on or off.

Compact disc player with security system for selectively preventing ejection of a compact disc and related method

An antenna apparatus includes electrical contacts which each have a sliding mast contact portion and a docking contact portion. The apparatus includes a linearly extendable and retractable one-piece mast antenna. The sliding mast contact portions of the electrical connectors make contact with an outer surface of the mast antenna along the full length of the antenna as it is extended and retracted. The docking contact portions of each electrical connector make electrical contact only with a lower end portion of the antenna which has a larger diameter than the remainder of the antenna. The docking contact portions of each electrical connector only make electrical contact with the lower end portion when the antenna is substantially completely extended. In this manner the docking contact portions experience only a small degree of the wear experienced by the sliding mast contact portions, which make contact with the outer surface of the antenna along almost its entire length. The docking contact portions of each electrical contact used in the apparatus help ensure that good electrical contact is made with the antenna when the antenna is fully extended.

One piece mast power antenna having electrical contact with sliding and

An anti-theft device for an automobile audio system automatically prevents the audio system from functioning whenever the audio system is removed from its authorized vehicle and placed into another vehicle. This anti-theft device includes a microprocessor which operates with a bus interface for communicating a vehicle identifier from a vehicle multiplex bus to the central microprocessor. The device also has non-volatile memory within which the first received or authorized vehicle identifier is stored. The subsequently received identifiers are stored on RAM. A battery detector connected to the microprocessor alerts the microprocessor whenever the audio system has been disconnected from the battery source. When the audio system is reconnected to the battery source, the microprocessor automatically compares the vehicle identifier stored within the non-volatile memory to the subsequent vehicle identifier received in the RAM over the multiplex bus, and shuts down the audio system whenever these two vehicle identifiers do not match.

Automotive radio anti-theft device via multiplex bus

A radio speaker short circuit detection system for a vehicle visually indicates a speaker short circuit failure. A microprocessor receives a short circuit failure signal from a short circuit detection circuit. Short circuit failure data can be stored for future diagnostic retrieval.

Radio speaker short circuit detection system

In a vacuum fluorescent display tri-compatible dimming system, a dimming signal can be sent in the form of a multiplex bus message, an analog DC voltage signal, or a pulse width modulated signal. Each form of dimming is accepted by a microprocessor of a lighted automotive module, such as a radio, however, the multiplex bus message takes priority. The microprocessor then sends a dimming signal to the vacuum fluorescent display via a vacuum fluorescent display driver IC.

Vacuum fluorescent display tri-compatible dimming

Combined front surface and control knobs for a radio

A multiplex bus that is corrected to an AM/FM/CD radio. The multiplex bus couples communicating microprocessors in modules, including a body computer, an engine controller, a transmission controller, and other functional components of an automobile. The radio includes components for audio amplified clipping detection and remote control of the volume. The computer controls the volume and clipping features via the multiplex bus. These features, and the programming of the computer with respect to the features are controllable by diagnostic tools external to the system, which may by hooked up to the bus in an assembly plant or an automobile service center. So programmed, the body computer is be able to read the vehicle speed, rpm, transmission gear, and acceleration and decide, in accordance with a predetermined algorithm or programmed instructions, whether to increase or decrease the radio volume. The decision depends on the vehicle characteristics and/or the preference of the prime listener.

Automatic variable radio volume control system

An illumination mechanism is provided for the receiving opening of an automobile entertainment device. The mechanism includes at least one light pipe fitted in the face of the entertainment device in close proximity to the area to be illuminated. This light pipe extends to a lamp or other light source otherwise used in the automobile for other illumination.

Illumination mechanism for a vehicle entertainment device

In an adjustable clip detection system, an audio output signal is sent from a volume control integrated circuit to an amplifier. The output of the amplifier is received by a clip detection circuit. The clip detection circuit monitors the audio output from the amplifier for clipping distortion. If clipping is detected, the clip detection circuit sends a signal to a microprocessor. The microprocessor then sends a signal to a volume control integrated circuit to decrease the voltage level of the audio output until clipping is no longer detected. The amount of attenuation that the microprocessor instructs the volume control integrated circuit to perform is determined by a predetermined programmed parameter. The amount of attenuation to be performed by the volume control integrated circuit can be adjusted by sending the microprocessor a formatted message, through a multiplex bus, corresponding to the predetermined program parameter located in a look-up table.

Growing community of inventors

Farmington Hills, MI, United States of America

James P Muccioli