Automatically configured audio system

• US 5,042,070 A
• Filed: 10/01/1990
• Issued: 08/20/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Focht, Robert L., Donaldson, Daniel T., Linna, Dennis J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ng, Jin F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chen, Sylvia
• Application Number:
  US07/590,868
• Time in Patent Office: 323 Days
• Field of Search: 381/55, 381/59, 381/96, 381/104, 381/107, 381/109, 381/28, 381/120
• US Class Current: 381/59
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/00 Gain control in amplifiers or frequency changers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/05 Detection of connection of loudspeakers or headphones to amplifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/13 Acoustic transducers and sound field adaptation in vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 7/308 Electronic adaptation dependent on speaker or headphone connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 7/40 Visual indication of stereophonic sound image

Abstract

An audio system has menu-driven controls using a select button to scan through possible functions and uses up and down adjustment buttons to modify the selected function. The menu of selected functions is automatically altered according to the presence of front and rear speakers to avoid any confusion from presenting a fade function on the menu when in fact there are not both front and rear speakers connected to the system.

Claims

1. Audio apparatus comprising:

power amplifier means having an output for selectively connecting to a speaker;

speaker sensing means coupled to said power amplifier output for providing a signal indicating when a speaker is and is not connected to said power amplifier output;

function selection means for sequentially selecting from a plurality of audio functions for adjustment, said audio functions including a relative gain function for adjustment of the gain of said power amplifier means;

display means for displaying each of said audio functions as they are selected for adjustment; and

control means coupled to said speaker sensing means, said function selection means, and said display means for preventing selection and display of said relative gain function as one of said audio functions when said speaker sensing means provides a signal indicating that no speaker is connected to said power amplifier output.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus comprises a four channel audio system having front and rear channels and wherein said gain adjustment corresponds to a fade function between said front and rear speakers.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said speaker sensing means is comprised of:

a voltage supply;

a resistance coupling said voltage supply to said power amplifier output;

a voltage divider coupled to said power amplifier output; and

comparison means coupled to said voltage divider for providing said indicating signal depending on a voltage from said voltage divider.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said comparison means is comprised of a transistor having its control input connected to said voltage divider and having an output connected to said control means.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said control means is comprised of a microprocessor.

6. A method for determining the presence of a rear speaker in an automotive audio system having a power amplifier for driving said rear speaker, said method comprising the steps of:

connecting the output of said power amplifier to a voltage supply through a resistance;

unmuting said power amplifier;

waiting for a predetermined time to allow the voltage at said power amplifier output to stabilize; and

indicating the presence or nonpresence of a rear speaker depending on said voltage at said Power amplifier output.

7. A method of operating a menu-driven automotive audio system including a menu display, a function selector, and a power amplifier for driving a rear speaker if present, said method comprising the steps of:

connecting the output of said power amplifier to a voltage supply through a resistance;

unmuting said power amplifier;

waiting for a predetermined time to allow the voltage at said power amplifier output to stabilize;

indicating the presence or nonpresence of a rear speaker depending on said voltage at said power amplifier output;

displaying one of a plurality of audio functions on said menu display;

sequencing to the display of another one of said audio functions in response to actuation of said function selector; and

preventing display of any audio function requiring a rear speaker if the nonpresence of a rear speaker is indicated.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said waiting step is comprised of conducting an anti-theft procedure in which a predetermined anti-theft code is input to said audio system by a system user.

9. Audio apparatus comprising:

power amplifier means having a plurality of outputs for connecting to a plurality of speakers;

speaker sensing means coupled to said power amplifier means for providing a signal indicating when a speaker is and is not connected to one of said power amplifier outputs;

function selection means for sequentially selecting from a plurality of audio functions for adjustment, said audio functions including a relative gain function for adjustment of the gain to be provided for said one power amplifier output relative to the gain to be provided for another one of said Power amplifier outputs;

display means for displaying each of said audio functions as they are selected for adjustment; and

control means coupled to said speaker sensing means, said function selection means, and said display means for Preventing selection and display of said relative gain function as one of said audio functions when said speaker sensing means Provides a signal indicating that no speaker is connected to said one power amplifier output.