Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America

Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America

Larry Vincent Craig

Michael T Burk

Sachiko Kobayashi

Michael McManus

Jeremy Koempel

Jerry Alan Rathje

Mike T Burk

Daisuke Iino

Jeff Senn

David Taylor

Michael T Burke

A human machine interface includes a capacitive touch screen having a capacitive sensor. The capacitive touch screen displays text characters and/or graphical information. A control device is rotatably coupled to a structure such that the control device is superimposed over the screen. The control device includes at least one electrically conductive element. The control device rotates about an axis substantially perpendicular to the screen such that the at least one electrically conductive element follows the rotation of the control device. The capacitive sensor senses a rotational position of the at least one electrically conductive element.

Capacitive rotary encoder

An audio system includes a level controller receiving an input audio signal from an audio medium. The level controller includes a gain adjust module producing an output audio signal based on the input audio signal. A filter arrangement is communicatively coupled to the level controller. The filter arrangement receives the output audio signal and divides the output signal into a plurality of filtered signals. Each of the filtered signals corresponds to a respective frequency band. A multiband dynamics controller is communicatively coupled to the filter arrangement. The multiband dynamics controller receives the filtered signals and applies a respective gain characteristic to each of the filtered signals to thereby produce a plurality of gain adjust signals. The gain adjust signals are combined into a multiband dynamics controller output signal.

Audio system including multiband audio dynamics processor

A user interface arrangement includes a user interface having a plurality of movable sliders. Each of the sliders corresponds to a respective category of infotainment content. A processor is communicatively coupled to the user interface. The processor presents each of the categories of infotainment content in proportions dependent upon positions of the sliders.

User interface and method for personalized radio station creation

Apparatus and method of operating an audio system

An audio system includes an automatic level controller receiving at least one input audio signal from at least one audio medium. The automatic level controller includes a gain adjust module for producing an output audio signal based on the at least one input audio signal. A difference between a maximum sound level and a minimum sound level of the at least one input audio signal is greater than a difference between a maximum sound level and a minimum sound level of the output audio signal. A filter arrangement is communicatively coupled to the automatic level controller. The filter arrangement receives the output audio signal and divides the output signal into a plurality of filtered signals. Each of the filtered signals corresponds to a respective frequency band. A multiband dynamics controller is communicatively coupled to the filter arrangement. The multiband dynamics controller receives the filtered signals and applies a different respective gain characteristic to each of the filtered signals to thereby produce a plurality of gain adjust signals. The gain adjust signals are combined into a multiband dynamics controller output signal.

Multiband audio dynamics processor

An infotainment system is for a vehicle having a body defining an interior space. The infotainment system includes a playback device receiving and processing a plurality of sets of infotainment data. The infotainment data is organized in a hierarchy. The playback device transmits a plurality of sound signals. Each sound signal corresponds to a respective one of the sets of infotainment data. A plurality of speakers are communicatively coupled to the playback device. Each speaker is disposed at a different respective location within the interior space. Each of the speakers is adapted to receive a respective one of the sound signals and convert the respective sound signal into a corresponding audible sound. A user interface is communicatively coupled to the playback device. The user interface enables a user to navigate between levels of the hierarchy of infotainment data by making selections. Each of the selections corresponds to a respective one of the sets of infotainment data.

Infotainment system with surround sound media navigation

The interface uses a combination of controls. Mode independent controls retain essentially the same function throughout all modes and features and mode dependent controls vary based on the active mode or feature. The arrangement of the mode controls, the soft controls and the display is designed to facilitate the user's interaction with the system. The system provides some redundant controls so that the user can select the control that is most convenient or intuitive for that user. The interface supports a multizone system having a primary zone and one or more secondary zones. Information for the active mode of the active zone is provided via the display.

Growing community of inventors

Plymouth, MI, United States of America

Larry Vincent Craig