Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Richard A Close

Frank C Valeri

Matthew R Kirsch

Vitaly Grossman

Ian R Singer

Gregory A Stys

Robert D Cross

Scott M Reilly

Rainer A Glaser

James B Milnar

Runhong Deng

Kristopher M Cook

Deyo D Serrels

Frank A Mills

Dale E Osentoski

Connor Schuman

Mark G Laskowski

Lydia K Gobis

An audio control system for a vehicle includes a processor, a non-volatile memory module having stored therein instructions for controlling one or more vehicle audio components, a sensor operable to detect a change in vehicle configuration, and a control module operable to adjust a vehicle audio component based on the change in vehicle configuration according to instructions stored in the non-volatile memory module.

Vehicle audio control based on sensed physical changes in vehicle configuration

A system of a vehicle includes: a camera configured to capture images within a predetermined field of view at least one of: in front, behind, and beside the vehicle; a license plate module configured to determine license plate information of a license plate attached to another vehicle; an event module configured to: based on at least one of the images, determine whether the other vehicle performed a predetermined type of driving maneuver; and generate an indicator in response to the other vehicle performing the predetermined type of driving maneuver; a reporting module configured to, in response to the generation of the indicator, generate a report including: the license plate information of the license plate attached to the other vehicle; and the predetermined type of driving maneuver performed by the other vehicle; and a communication module configured to wirelessly transmit the report to a server via at least one antenna.

Automatic vehicle alert and reporting systems and methods

A method and apparatus that adjust audio output are provided. The method includes detecting a position of a wing of a headrest, adjusting an audio signal based on the detected position of the wing of the headrest, and outputting the adjusted audio signal.

Method and apparatus that adjust audio output according to head restraint position

One general aspect includes a method for electric overcurrent protection, the method including: calculating, via a controller, a system electric current sum; receiving, via the controller, audio production electric current data; comparing, via the controller, the system electric current sum and audio production electric current data; and when the audio production electric current data exceeds the system electric current sum, invoke a fail-soft action configured to prevent electric overcurrent from being delivered to an audio speaker.

Electric overcurrent protection system and method

A vehicle includes at least one sensor and a body having an exterior portion and an interior portion. The sensor is configured to detect noise existing in the exterior portion and the interior portion, and to output at least one noise signal indicative of the detected noise. The vehicle further includes at least one noise cancellation and enhancement (NCE) controller and an automotive audio bus (A2B) interface. One or more of the NCE controllers are configured to perform at least one noise management signal processing operation based on the at least one noise signal. The automotive audio bus (A2B) interface receives the at least one noise signal and delivers the at least one noise signal to the at least one NCE controller.

Vehicle including noise management system having automotive audio bus (A2B) interface

An audio system of a vehicle includes a total frequencies module that selectively varies a total number of output frequencies based on one or more present operating parameters of the vehicle. An allocation module, based on one or more present operating parameters of the vehicle, determines an allocation indicative of: (i) a first portion of the total number of output frequencies allocated to outputting first predetermined sounds for internal combustion engine operation; and (ii) a second portion of the total number of output frequencies allocated to outputting second predetermined sounds for electric motor operation. Based on the total number and the first and second portions, an audio driver module applies power to speakers of a passenger cabin of the vehicle to: (i) output first predetermined sounds at harmonic frequencies of the internal combustion engine; and (ii) output second predetermined sounds at harmonic frequencies of the electric motor.

Systems and methods for variable engine and electric motor sound control

An assembly for use in a designated listening area includes a body having a frame rail supporting or framing the body laterally adjacent to the designated listening area, and defining a cavity, and a subwoofer assembly having subwoofer speakers each defining a smaller second air volume. The subwoofer assembly is mounted to the frame rail such that the second air volumes are contiguous with and open into the first air volume. A sealing mechanism enclosed the first air volume within the cavity. A method includes providing a subwoofer assembly having subwoofer speakers defining respective second air volumes, mounting the subwoofer assembly to a frame rail laterally adjacent to the designated listening area such that the respective second air volumes are contiguous with and open into the first air volume, and sealing the first air volume with a sealing mechanism.

Frame rail-integrated subwoofer assembly and method

A product is disclosed that may be used in a vehicle and may include a subwoofer speaker driver mounted in an enclosure which is attached to the vehicle's body. A volume of space may define an acoustic chamber in a closure of the vehicle. A duct may be provided between the enclosure and the acoustic chamber. The size of the enclosure may be minimized by using available space in the closure to serve as part of the bass chamber volume for the subwoofer.

Split box subwoofer with body mounted driver

Non-bussed amplifier diagnostics are implemented for a vehicle. The vehicle includes an amplifier that includes a computer processor and a memory unit communicatively coupled to the amplifier. The memory unit stores audio test tones, each of which corresponds to a respective diagnostic test result. The vehicle also includes an input device communicatively coupled to the amplifier via wiring. The input device provides an analog signal indicative of a diagnostic test trigger to the amplifier. The computer processor of the amplifier receives the analog signal and executes a diagnostic test defined by the diagnostic test trigger, selects one of the audio test tones based on results of the diagnostic test, and outputs the selected audio test tone via speakers of the vehicle.

Non-bussed vehicle amplifier diagnostics

A vehicle audio system comprises a loud-speaker, a door assembly including a rigid inner panel and an outer panel joined to the inner panel along a front edge, a rear edge, and a bottom edge. A speaker support defined by a highly rigid panel is configured to receive and support the loud speaker in a speaker mounting opening. The speaker support comprises three sides having mounting points located at each corner such that the speaker support and loud speaker supported thereby, contacts the door assembly at a rigid front edge portion, a rigid bottom edge portion and a front corner defined by the intersection of the two.

Vehicle audio system having door mounted speaker support

An integrated seat speaker includes a cushion, a seat frame defining a first internal air volume, and a speaker enclosure defining a second internal air volume. The second internal air volume is acoustically coupled to the first internal air volume through an air passageway, thus producing a continuous acoustical air volume. An acoustic sealing member is disposed between the enclosure and the frame. The frame includes a closure feature at one end for isolating a portion of the first internal air volume. The cushion includes an outer surface, and the speaker enclosure is enclosed within the seat cushion and at least partially concealed by the outer surface. A method optimizes the acoustical performance of a speaker assembly by acoustically coupling an internal air volume defined by a speaker enclosure to another internal air volume defined by a seat frame to create a continuous acoustical air volume.

Integrated vehicle seat and speaker assembly

A door speaker box includes an enclosure member and speaker operatively attached thereto, such that they define an acoustic volume, into which the speaker communicates. The enclosure member and speaker are configured to be installed as a speaker box unit in the vehicle door, such that speaker box unit seals the door against moisture passage into the vehicle interior. A flange integrally formed in the enclosure member extends substantially around a portion thereof and is configured to seal against such moisture passage. A hardware mounting surface may be integrally formed in the enclosure member, and configured to receive and support a door hardware component. The flange may further define and enclose the acoustic volume, and may be configured to seal multiple access holes in the inner panel, such that the door is characterized by an absence of rain paper or other dedicated water barrier.

Door speaker enclosure with integral water barrier and hardware attachment

A deformable wrench for applying torque to a nut engaging a threaded fastener includes a wrench body having a center portion with at least one wing portion extending therefrom. The wrench body is formed from an elastic material and a socket aperture extends through the central portion between spaced upper and lower surfaces thereof. The socket aperture is configured to cooperate with the profile of the nut to permit rotation relative to the fastener by applying force to the wing portion of the wrench. At a predetermined torque value, the walls of the socket aperture deform to permit rotation of the wrench relative to the nut thereby preventing over-torquing the nut on the fastener.

Deformable wrench

A boot for an antenna assembly is disclosed. The antenna assembly includes an antenna mast having an antenna mast nut attached thereto, a tubular housing extending through an aperture in an automobile body, and a center conductor having a threaded stud attached at one end thereto received by the housing. The antenna mast nut is attached to the threaded stud, and an isolator is disposed between the housing and the center conductor. The boot includes a disk-shaped base member having a cylindrical recess and a first diameter formed from a lower surface thereof and a cylinder-shaped projection extending upwardly from an upper surface of the base member. The projection includes a bore having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter formed therethrough. The base member is operable to seal an upper surface of the isolator, a side surface of the isolator and an outer surface of the housing. The projection is operable to seal an outer surface of the center conductor.

Boot for antenna assembly

An antenna system for a vehicle includes a fastener assembly, antenna modules, a headliner and co-axial cables. The fastener assembly includes a fastener which secures the headliner and antenna system to the vehicle, a grounding strap which grounds the antenna system, and a coat hook. The antenna system, including the antenna modules and the co-axial cables, is mounted to the headliner. The fastener assembly simultaneously secures the headliner to the vehicle and grounds the antenna system.

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Farmington Hills, MI, United States of America

Richard A Close