Digital Signal Router for Vehicle Replacement Sound System

• US 20170331238A1
• Filed: 08/03/2017
• Published: 11/16/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Automotive Data Solutions Incorporated (Snap-On Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Automotive Data Solutions Incorporated (Snap-On Incorporated)
• Inventors: Rutledge, Mark
• Application Number:
  US15/668,511
• Publication Number:
  US 20170331238A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/26 for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/00 Coupling parts adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts for dissimilar contact members H01R13/35; supported only by co-operation with a counterpart H01R31/00; with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/90
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 7/007 of digital or coded signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/13 Acoustic transducers and sound field adaptation in vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/04 for correcting frequency response
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/14 Cross-over networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/02 Spatial or constructional arrangements of loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 2400/13 Aspects of volume control, not necessarily automatic, in stereophonic sound systems

Abstract

An aftermarket digital signal router that is installed in a vehicle when a factory loudspeaker system is replaced with an aftermarket loudspeaker system. The digital signal router comprises a first and a second analog signal receiver to receive at least two sources of audio from the vehicle. It also comprises a vehicle data transceiver that receives digital data from the vehicle'"'"'s data network. It processes audio signals based on the data and status of the vehicle'"'"'s data network and transmits the processed audio signals to an aftermarket amplifier. In some embodiments, the digital signal router is flashable with different versions of firmware so that it can work with different types of vehicle while transmitting audio that is compatible to most aftermarket amplifiers. The digital signal router is also adapted to handle potential conflict of two audio streams based on the signals of the vehicle'"'"'s data network.

Claims

1. An aftermarket electronic module to be installed in a vehicle that has a factory amplifier removed, comprising:

a first signal receiver connected to a first audio output of the vehicle to receive a first source of audio from the vehicle, wherein the first signal receiver is connected to the first source of audio in place of being connected to the factory amplifier;

a second signal receiver is connected to a second audio output of the vehicle to receive a second source of audio from the vehicle, wherein the second signal receiver is connected to the second source of audio in place of being connected to the factory amplifier;

a vehicle data transceiver connected to a vehicle data network of the vehicle to receive digital signals from the vehicle data network;

a signal processor connected to the first signal receiver and to the second signal receiver;

the signal processor adapted to process the first source of audio from the first signal receiver and to process the second source of audio from the second signal receiver;

a central processor connected to the vehicle data transceiver and the signal processor;

the central processor adapted to analyze the digital signals from the vehicle data network and to control the signal processor to process audio based on the digital signals from the vehicle data network, wherein the central processor is capable of being flashed with different versions of firmware sent from a remote data source, each version of firmware compatible to a particular type of vehicle; and

an audio transmitter adapted to send processed audio from the signal processor to an aftermarket amplifier.

2. The aftermarket electronic module of claim 1, wherein the signal processor is adapted to process audio without undergoing crossover.

3. The aftermarket electronic module of claim 1, wherein the signal processor is adapted to process audio without undergoing equalization.

4. The aftermarket electronic module of claim 1, wherein the signal processor is a digital signal processor.

5. The aftermarket electronic module of claim 1 further comprises an input-output unit to be connected to a factory radio of the vehicle to detect the activity of the factory radio.

6. The aftermarket electronic module of claim 1 further comprises an external data input to be connected to an external device that is adapted to be in communication with the remote data source, and wherein the central processor is capable of being flashed with different versions of firmware sent to the remote data source, each version of firmware compatible to a particular type of amplifier.

7. The aftermarket electronic module of claim 6 further comprises a key data that contains encryption information that is associated with an encryption of the firmware sent from the remote data source.

8. An aftermarket electronic module to be installed in a vehicle that has a factory amplifier removed, wherein the module is adapted to:

receive a first source of audio and to receive a second source of audio, wherein the first source of audio and the second source of audio are received from a non-factory amplifier;

receive digital signals from a vehicle data network, wherein the digital signals are not passed through a factory amplifier;

process the first source of audio based on the digital signals from the vehicle data network to result in a first processed result;

process the second source of audio based on the digital signals from the vehicle data network to result in a second processed result;

send an output audio that is based on a combination of the first processed result and the second processed result to an aftermarket amplifier.

9. The aftermarket electronic module of claim 8, wherein the module is adapted to process the first source of audio and the second source of audio without undergoing crossover.

10. The aftermarket electronic module of claim 8, wherein the module is adapted to process the first source of audio and the second source of audio without undergoing equalization.

11. The aftermarket electronic module of claim 8, wherein the first source of audio comes from a music player, and wherein the module is adapted to send a command signal to the vehicle data network to cause the music player to pause after the module receives a particular digital signal from the vehicle data network that signifies an incoming of the second source of audio.

12. The aftermarket electronic module of claim 8, wherein the module is adapted to mute the first source of audio after the module receives a particular digital signal from the vehicle data network that signifies an incoming of the second source of audio.

13. The aftermarket electronic module of claim 8, wherein the module is adapted to mute the first source of audio after the module receives a particular digital signal from the vehicle data network that signifies an incoming of the second source of audio.

14. The aftermarket electronic module of claim 8, wherein the module is adapted to fade the first source of audio after the module receives a particular digital signal from the vehicle data network that signifies an incoming of the second source of audio.

15. The aftermarket electronic module of claim 14, wherein the module is adapted to superpose the faded first source of audio and the incoming second source of audio and send the superposed audio to the aftermarket amplifier.

16. An electronic system for a vehicle that has a factory amplifier removed and a factory loudspeaker system replaced with an aftermarket loudspeaker system, the electronic system comprising:

a first audio output from the vehicle;

a second audio output from the vehicle;

a vehicle data network from the vehicle;

a central processor adapted to analyze digital signals from the vehicle data network, wherein the central processor is capable of being flashed with different versions of firmware sent from a remote data source, each version of firmware compatible to a particular type of vehicle;

a signal processor controlled by the central processor;

the signal processor processes a first source of audio from the first audio output and processes a second source of audio from the second audio output;

a transmitter connected between the signal processor and an aftermarket amplifier;

the transmitter adapted to send processed audio signals from the signal processor to the aftermarket amplifier; and

the aftermarket loudspeaker system connected to the aftermarket amplifier.

17. The electronic system of claim 16, wherein the signal processor processes the audio sources without undergoing crossover or equalization;

and wherein the aftermarket amplifier carries out crossover and equalization of the audio signals sent from the transmitter.

18. The electronic system of claim 16, wherein the first audio output comes from a factory radio of the vehicle and the second audio output transmits the vehicle'"'"'s warning signals.

19. The electronic system of claim 16, wherein the central processor is adapted to control the signal processor to process the first source of audio based on a particular digital signal from the vehicle data network that signifies an incoming of the second source of audio.

20. The electronic system of claim 16, wherein the first audio output comes from a music player, and wherein the central processor is adapted to send a command signal to the vehicle data network to cause the music player to pause after the module receives a particular digital signal from the vehicle data network that signifies an incoming of the second source of audio.