Theft-resistant audio system for vehicle
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An audio system for use in a vehicle, comprising:
- a digitally controllable audio signal source for providing audio signals from the output thereof,visual display means responsive to d.c. display-controlling signals for controlling said display means to display the status of said audio system,manually-operable switch means for generating d.c. input signals in response to manual activation of said switch means,a microprocessor-based controller having an input responsive to said d.c. input signals from said switch means and an output electrically connected to the input of said audio signal source for providing digital control signals to control said audio signal source, said controller being operative to generate said d.c. display-controlling signals, as an incident to generation of said digital control signals, for controlling said display,speaker means electrically connected to the output of said audio signal source to transduce audio signals output therefrom into audible sound,mounting means for securely mounting said audio signal source and controller in a vehicle to resist removal thereof, andquick-connect/disconnect means for readily releasably electrically connecting and disconnecting said switch means and visual display means to said controller while said audio signal source and controller remain securely mounted to said vehicle for facilitating, on an alternative basis, either (a) disablement of said audio system by disconnection and removal of said switch means and visual display means or (b) selective manual control of said audio signal source in response to manual activation of said switch means and display of the status of said audio system in response to d.c. display-controlling inputs thereto from said controller when said switch means and visual display means are connected, said quick-connect/disconnect means being disconnected from the output of said audio signal source to electrically isolate said audio signal source output from said manual switch means and display means when said switch means and display means are connected to said controller, thereby minimizing introduction of audio frequency interference into said audio signal source from said switch means and display means.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A theft-resistant audio system for a vehicle including a housing or chassis enclosing a digitally-controlled audio signal source and microprocessor-based controller therefor which is securely and permanently mounted to the vehicle behind the dashboard, and a user interface unit containing manual input controls and an audio system status display which is pluggable into the front of the permanently secured housing through an opening in the dashboard to facilitate removal thereof when the vehicle is unattended to thereby render the audio system unusable and hence of little value to a potential thief.
77 Citations
13 Claims
-
1. An audio system for use in a vehicle, comprising:
-
a digitally controllable audio signal source for providing audio signals from the output thereof, visual display means responsive to d.c. display-controlling signals for controlling said display means to display the status of said audio system, manually-operable switch means for generating d.c. input signals in response to manual activation of said switch means, a microprocessor-based controller having an input responsive to said d.c. input signals from said switch means and an output electrically connected to the input of said audio signal source for providing digital control signals to control said audio signal source, said controller being operative to generate said d.c. display-controlling signals, as an incident to generation of said digital control signals, for controlling said display, speaker means electrically connected to the output of said audio signal source to transduce audio signals output therefrom into audible sound, mounting means for securely mounting said audio signal source and controller in a vehicle to resist removal thereof, and quick-connect/disconnect means for readily releasably electrically connecting and disconnecting said switch means and visual display means to said controller while said audio signal source and controller remain securely mounted to said vehicle for facilitating, on an alternative basis, either (a) disablement of said audio system by disconnection and removal of said switch means and visual display means or (b) selective manual control of said audio signal source in response to manual activation of said switch means and display of the status of said audio system in response to d.c. display-controlling inputs thereto from said controller when said switch means and visual display means are connected, said quick-connect/disconnect means being disconnected from the output of said audio signal source to electrically isolate said audio signal source output from said manual switch means and display means when said switch means and display means are connected to said controller, thereby minimizing introduction of audio frequency interference into said audio signal source from said switch means and display means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A user interface unit for an audio system having speakers and a housing securely mounted to a vehicle containing an audio signal source and a controller, comprising:
-
visual display means responsive to d.c. display-controlling signals for controlling said display means to display the status of said audio system, manually-operable switch means for generating d.c. input signals in response to manual activation of said switch means, quick-connect/disconnect means for readily releasably electrically connecting and disconnecting said switch means and visual display means to said controller while said housing remains securely mounted to said vehicle for facilitating, on an alternative basis;
either (a) disablement of said audio system by disconnection and removal of said switch means and visual display means or (b) selective manual control of said audio signal source in response to manual activation of said switch means and display of the status of said audio system in response to d.c. display-controlling inputs thereto from said controller when said switch means and visual display means are connected, said quick-connect/disconnect means being disconnected from the output of said audio signal source to isolate said audio signal source output from said manual switch means and display means, when said switch means and display means are connected to said controller, thereby minimizing introduction of audio frequency interference into said audio signal source from said switch means and display means,a trim panel having access openings for said switch means, said display means includes (a) plural light-emitting elements and (b) plural indicia on said trim panel associated with different access openings and illuminable from the rear thereof by said light-emitting elements, a printed circuit board mounting said conductors in a matrix configuration and light-emitting elements, a reflector panel mounted between said trim panel and printed circuit board, said reflector panel having reflector tunnels in register with said light-emitting elements and said indicia to facilitate illumination of said indicia from the rear thereof by said light-emitting elements, and said switch means extending through said reflector panel in register with points of said conductor matrix on said printed circuit board, said switch means being accessible through said trim panel access openings to facilitate activation thereof. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
-
Specification