Base media system for vehicle

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for implementing a vehicle media system incorporating a base media system (BMS) and an external media system (EMS). A method may establish an electronic communication link between a BMS installed in a vehicle and an EMS carried by the vehicle. Communication between the BMS and the EMS may identify one or more media channels for which the BMS is to receive streaming content from the EMS. The BMS may process a first media stream based on one or more media sources to create a first content stream for one or more media channels, and may receive a second content stream for the one or more media channels from the EMS (over a peer-to-peer electronic communication link). The BMS may select between providing the first content stream or the second content stream to an output interface coupled to one or more media aggregators.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to vehicle media systems, including systems capable of playing audio media, such as vehicle audio systems. Background Art

[0002] A vehicle media system (e.g., a vehicle multimedia system) may be capable of processing and playing various media signals, such as audio signals and / or video signals. In various embodiments, a vehicle media system may process and play media content (such as audio content) to give a listener the impression of being in and / or surrounded by any of a variety of atmospheres. For example, a vehicle media system may process audio content in such a way that when played, it creates an impression of listening to the audio content at the seaside, or near a waterfall, or at a bustling open-air market, or in a stadium, or in a restaurant, or in a busy city, etc. The vehicle media system may accordingly process the content to present an augmented reality atmosphere to a listener (e.g., a user of the vehicle).

[0003] In some embodiments, an audio signal may be processed to affect the direction associated with the sound, or to simulate the environment in which the sound may occur (e.g., by simulating the spaciousness of such an environment). Some such embodiments may incorporate head-related impulse response (HRIR) modeling. Thus, the movement of a sound source over time may be simulated through such audio signal processing. Similarly, in various embodiments, video effects may also be conditioned on the environment in which the video content is being played. Additionally, for various embodiments, audio effects and / or video effects may be conditioned on various environmental conditions (such as weather, time of day, season, geographical location, and / or ambient noise level) and other conditions (such as the category or genre of the audio content and / or video content being played). In some embodiments, advanced audio processing may be performed to give the impression that a vehicle-generated noise (e.g., engine noise) has been altered.

[0004] Such signal processing may utilize a processor (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), a controller, and / or a microcontroller, as well as a memory and / or a storage device, which may be more advanced and / or more robust than may be economically feasible to install in, for example, each vehicle of a given model. While some vehicle purchasers may utilize a degree of hardware capabilities that may enable or facilitate augmented reality media processing effects and / or other advanced media signal processing effects (such as immersive augmented reality audio effects) and may therefore be willing to pay for such hardware, other vehicle purchasers may have no interest in such hardware capabilities and the associated costs. Thus, the media system installed by a manufacturer in a given model of vehicle may not have sufficient hardware to implement or facilitate augmented reality media processing effects and / or other advanced media signal processing effects (e.g., audio and / or video effects). Summary of the Invention

[0005] This disclosure relates to methods and systems for implementing or facilitating advanced vehicle media processing. In various embodiments, a vehicle may be equipped with a manufacturer-installed base media system (BMS). The BMS may have sufficient capabilities to accept various media inputs (e.g., audio inputs and / or video inputs), process the media inputs (e.g., including signal processing such as digital signal processing (DSP)), and generate various media outputs (e.g., audio outputs and / or video outputs). For example, the BMS may have sufficient capabilities to accept various audio inputs, process the audio inputs using various DSP algorithms, and generate any of various audio outputs based on the processed audio inputs.

[0006] In addition, the BMS may also have an interface with an external media system (EMS). The interface may include a high-bandwidth upstream streaming portion, a high-bandwidth downstream streaming portion, and / or a control signal portion. In some embodiments, the control signal portion may be integrated within the high-bandwidth upstream streaming portion and / or the high-bandwidth downstream streaming portion.

[0007] In some embodiments, the EMS may be implemented as one or more cloud computing devices located relatively far from the vehicle (e.g., as one or more servers and / or workstations). The vehicle's BMS may wirelessly communicate electronically with a network including the cloud computing devices implementing the EMS via a relatively high-speed wireless electronic communication link.

[0008] In other embodiments, the EMS may be implemented as a device separate from and / or separable from the BMS. In some embodiments, the EMS may be a portable device in a vehicle with a BMS, such as temporarily placed in the vehicle or semi-permanently installed in the vehicle (e.g., in a fixture, bracket, or other features of the vehicle cab that may be suitable and / or designed for the purpose of accepting the EMS). For some such embodiments, the vehicle's BMS may wirelessly communicate electronically with the separate EMS device via a relatively high-speed wireless electronic communication link and / or communicate electronically with the separate EMS device via a relatively high-speed wired electronic communication link. In addition, the EMS device itself may wirelessly communicate electronically with an external system, such as one or more cloud computing devices located relatively far from the vehicle as discussed herein.

[0009] Whether the EMS is implemented as one or more remotely located cloud computing devices, or whether the EMS is implemented as a separate device placed in the vehicle and in wireless electronic communication with one or more remotely located cloud computing devices, the cloud computing devices can include a set of signal processing features, each of which can be adopted by the EMS to achieve augmented reality media processing effects or other advanced media signal processing effects. When implemented as a separate device (e.g., placed in the vehicle), the EMS can download (or otherwise obtain or acquire) one or more signal processing features from the set of signal processing features (e.g., from a multimedia feature store on the Internet). Each feature can include, for example, one or more signal processing algorithms, parameters used with such algorithms, and / or data sets (e.g., audio data and / or video data), which can be used to achieve augmented reality media processing effects and / or other advanced media signal processing effects.

[0010] The EMS can include hardware sufficient to implement and / or facilitate augmented reality media processing. Thus, while a given model of vehicle may be manufactured to include a BMS that does not have the hardware capabilities sufficient to implement and / or facilitate augmented reality media processing effects and / or other advanced media signal processing effects, the EMS can be used in interoperability with the BMS to provide the hardware capabilities to support such effects.

[0011] Thus, in various embodiments, a user of the BMS can request access to the hardware capabilities to apply advanced media signal processing effects. The request can be forwarded (e.g., via the EMS) to a cloud computing device that includes the set of signal processing features. In some embodiments, such a request can include a mechanism for making a payment before obtaining access to the features (permanently or for a limited time). For an EMS implemented as one or more cloud computing devices, those features are available for use by the cloud computing device implementing the EMS for applying advanced media signal processing effects in the cloud. For an EMS implemented as a separate device (e.g., placed inside the vehicle), those features can be downloaded by the EMS for use in applying advanced media signal processing effects locally (e.g., inside the vehicle).

[0012] In some embodiments, a system for media signal processing for a vehicle may include an audio and / or video source device, an audio and / or video aggregation device, and a BMS having an output interface coupled to the audio and / or video aggregation device. The system may also include one or more processors and a non-transitory memory storing executable instructions. The system may establish an electronic communication link between the BMS and the EMS and may identify one or more media channels for which the BMS is to receive streaming content from the EMS (e.g., via communication between the BMS and the EMS). In the BMS, a first media stream from one or more media source devices may be processed to create a first content stream for the one or more media channels. The BMS may receive a second content stream for the one or more media channels from the EMS (e.g., via a point-to-point electronic communication link). The BMS may select between providing the first content stream or the second content stream to the output interface. In this way, a vehicle model may be manufactured to install or otherwise include the BMS, and a separate EMS may make advanced media processing effects available to the vehicle of that model.

[0013] In some embodiments, a method for media signal processing for a vehicle may include establishing an electronic communication link between a BMS and an EMS within the vehicle. Communication between the BMS and the EMS may establish one or more media channels for which the BMS is to receive streaming content from the EMS. In the BMS, a first media stream based on one or more media sources may be processed to create a first content stream for the one or more media channels. The BMS may receive a second content stream for the one or more media channels from the EMS (e.g., via a point-to-point electronic communication link). The BMS may then select between providing the first content stream or the second content stream to an output interface that may be coupled to various speakers (and / or other media sinks). In this way, by allowing the BMS to provide output from the EMS, hardware limitations of the BMS may be overcome.

[0014] In some embodiments, a system for media signal processing for a vehicle may include various media (e.g., audio and / or video) source devices, various media (e.g., audio and / or video) aggregation devices, and a BMS installed in the vehicle, where the BMS has an output interface coupled to the media aggregation device. The system may also include one or more processors and a non-transitory memory having various executable instructions. Some instructions may establish an electronic communication link between the BMS and an EMS carried by the vehicle. Some instructions may identify, through communication between the BMS and the EMS, one or more media channels for which the BMS is to receive streaming content from the EMS. In the BMS, a first media stream from one or more media source devices may be processed to create a first content stream for one or more identified media channels. In the EMS, a second media stream from one or more media source devices may be processed to create a second content stream for one or more media channels. The BMS may receive, via the electronic communication link, the second content stream for one or more media channels and may select between providing the first content stream or the second content stream to the output interface. In this way, the BMS may utilize hardware capabilities and / or capacities that the BMS itself may lack in the EMS.

[0015] It should be understood that the above Summary is provided to introduce in a simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description. This is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is uniquely defined by the claims that follow the Detailed Description. Moreover, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] The present disclosure can be better understood by reading the following description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the design of a basic media system (BMS) and an external media system (EMS) according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing the design of a BMS according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing the design of an EMS according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing the overall architecture of a switching circuit for one or more outputs of a BMS according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figures 5A to 5C shows a usage model of a BMS and an EMS according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0022] Figure 6A and Figure 6B shows an interoperability method between a BMS and an EMS according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Detailed implementation

[0023] Systems and methods for using a base media system (BMS) and an interoperable external media system (EMS) for a vehicle are disclosed herein. Figures 1 - 3 depicts a BMS design and an EMS design, while Figure 4 depicts an output portion of the BMS design. Figures 5A to 5C depicts some possible usage models of a BMS and an EMS according to the present disclosure. Figure 6A and 6B

[0024] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a design 100 of a BMS 102 and an EMS 152. The BMS 102 may include a BMS media signal processor 104 and a BMS interface portion 106. Similarly, the EMS 152 may include an EMS media signal processor 154 and an EMS interface portion 156.

[0025] The BMS media signal processor 104 may receive and may subsequently process inputs from various media sources. In some embodiments, the BMS media signal processor 104 may receive audio inputs from one or more audio sources 132, such as a first audio source A1, a second audio source A2, etc., up to a last audio source A M . In some embodiments, the BMS media signal processor 104 may receive video inputs from one or more video sources 136, such as a first video source V1, a second video source V2, etc., up to a last video source V S .

[0026] The BMS media signal processor 104 may also generate and may subsequently transmit outputs to various media aggregators. In some embodiments, the BMS media signal processor 104 may transmit audio outputs to one or more audio aggregators 134, such as a first audio aggregator B1, a second audio aggregator B2, etc., up to a last audio aggregator B M . In some embodiments, the BMS media signal processor 104 may transmit video outputs to one or more video aggregators 138, such as a first video aggregator W1, a second video aggregator W2, etc., up to a last video aggregator W T .

[0027] In some embodiments, the media source can be a device separate from the BMS 102, such as any one of a microphone, a radio receiver, a camera, and / or various media players (both audio and video). Similarly, in some embodiments, the media aggregator can be a device separate from the BMS 102, such as a speaker and / or a display. For some embodiments, the media source and / or the media aggregator can include parts of the vehicle infotainment system NNN, which can provide audio and / or video content (e.g., streaming audio and / or streaming video content) to the BMS 102 and can receive audio and / or video content (e.g., streaming audio and / or streaming video content) from the BMS 102. For some embodiments, the BMS 102 can be manufactured to include one or more media sources, such as one or more audio content sources and / or video content sources (as discussed herein). Similarly, for some embodiments, the BMS 102 can be manufactured to include one or more media aggregators, such as one or more audio content aggregators and / or video content aggregators (as discussed herein). In some embodiments, the media sources and / or media aggregators discussed herein can include portable computing and / or telecommunications devices, such as smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, laptop computers, etc.

[0028] Meanwhile, in some embodiments, the EMS media signal processor 154 can also receive and can subsequently process inputs from various media sources. In some embodiments, the EMS media signal processor 154 can receive audio inputs from one or more audio sources 182, such as the first audio source D1 to the last audio source D Q . In some embodiments, the EMS media signal processor 154 can receive video inputs from one or more video sources 186, such as the first video source E1 to the last video source E R . In such embodiments, the audio source 182 can be substantially similar or identical to the audio source 132, and the video source 186 can be substantially similar or identical to the video source 136. As further discussed herein, in some embodiments of the design 100, the EMS 152 can receive some or all of the media signals it processes from sources such as the same sources as received by the BMS 102, and thus, in addition to or instead of processing the media signals received from the BMS 102, the EMS 152 may also process the media signals it receives from those sources.

[0029] The BMS media signal processor 104 and the EMS media signal processor 154 can communicate electronically with each other through the BMS interface section 106 and the EMS interface section 156. Accordingly, the BMS 102 and the EMS 152 can communicate electronically with each other through one or more interfaces (to which the BMS interface section 106 and the EMS interface section 156 can be adapted), which can include the upstream streaming section 142, the downstream streaming section 144, and the control section 148. In various embodiments, the upstream streaming section 142, the downstream streaming section 144, and / or the control section 148 can be implemented via a wired communication link or via a wireless electronic communication link. For example, in some embodiments, the EMS 152 can be implemented as one or more cloud computing devices located relatively far from the vehicle (e.g., as one or more remote location servers and / or workstations), and the BMS 102 can communicate wirelessly electronically with the EMS 152. As an alternative example, in other embodiments, the EMS 152 can be implemented as a device separate from and / or separable from the BMS 102, and the BMS 102 can communicate with the EMS 152 via a wired electronic communication link or a wireless electronic communication link.

[0030] In various embodiments, suitable wireless electronic communication links can include relatively high-speed wireless electronic communication links. In some embodiments, suitable communication links can conform to various revisions of the cellular network communication specifications promulgated by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as the 5th Generation (5G) version of the 3GPP specifications. For some embodiments, suitable communication links can conform to various revisions of the wireless network communication link specifications promulgated by the Wi-Fi Alliance, such as various parts of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802 specification set.

[0031] In some embodiments, the BMS 102 communicates electronically (wired or wireless) with the EMS 152 via a vehicle network. In various embodiments, data transmitted through the upstream streaming section 142 and / or the downstream streaming section 144 via one or more interfaces between the BMS 102 and the EMS 152 can be streamed in real time (possibly with a relatively small latency).

[0032] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a design 200 of a BMS 202 (which can be substantially similar or identical to the BMS 102) is shown. The BMS 202 can include a media signal processor 204 and an interface section 206 (which can themselves be substantially similar or identical to the BMS media signal processor 104 and the BMS interface section 106, respectively).

[0033] The media signal processor 204 may receive and may subsequently process inputs from one or more audio sources 232 (such as the first audio source A1 through the last audio source A M ) and / or from one or more video sources 236 (such as the first video source V1 through the last video source V S ). The media signal processor 204 may also generate and may subsequently transmit outputs to one or more audio sinks 234 (such as the first audio sink B1 through the last audio sink B M ) and / or one or more video sinks 238 (such as the first video sink W1 through the last video sink W T ).

[0034] The media signal processor 204 may communicate electronically with the EMS (e.g., the media signal transmission portion of the EMS as disclosed herein) via the interface portion 206 and may thus communicate electronically with the EMS via one or more interfaces adaptable by the interface portion 206. The one or more interfaces may include an upstream streaming portion 242, a downstream streaming portion 244, and / or a control portion (not numbered). The one or more interfaces may also be implemented by respective portions of the interface portion 206, such as an upstream streaming portion 222 (which may implement the upstream streaming portion 242 of the one or more interfaces), a downstream streaming portion 224 (which may implement the downstream streaming portion 244 of the one or more interfaces), and / or a control portion (not numbered). The one or more interfaces may be implemented via a wired electronic communication link or via a wireless electronic communication link.

[0035] The media signal processor 204 may have an input portion 212, an upmix portion 214, a signal processing portion 216, and / or an output portion 218. The input portion 212 may receive various media signals, such as audio signals from the audio sources 232 and / or video signals from the video sources 236. The audio signals and / or video signals may include streaming audio content and / or streaming video content (e.g., media streams). In various embodiments, the audio signals and / or video signals may be analog signals or digital signals. In various embodiments, the input portion 212 may buffer the audio signals and / or video signals it receives. The input portion 212 may provide audio (e.g., one or more audio streams) and / or video (e.g., one or more video streams) to the upmix portion 214. In some embodiments, the input portion 212 may provide video (e.g., one or more video streams) directly to the signal processing portion 216 and / or the output portion 218.

[0036] For each embodiment, the input section 212 may extract the audio portion of the video signal from the video source 236 for use as an audio signal within the media signal processor 204. In some embodiments, the video (e.g., one or more video streams) directly provided to the signal processing section 216 and / or the output section 218 may include the video portion extracted from the video signal.

[0037] In the upmix section 214, the audio provided by the input section 212 may be mixed to form a set of audio channels. As an example, the upmix section 214 may form two channels (e.g., left and right channels) or six channels (e.g., front left channel, front right channel, front center channel, rear left channel, rear right channel, and subwoofer channel). In various embodiments, the upmix section 214 may form any number of audio channels, each of which may correspond to at least one speaker in the vehicle. The upmix section 214 may provide the set of audio channels to the signal processing section 216. In some embodiments, the upmix section 214 may upmix based on the audio portion extracted from the video signal and provide audio channels to the signal processing section 216 as discussed herein.

[0038] The signal processing section 216 may include hardware resources for performing signal processing (e.g., digital signal processing) of the audio signal (and / or video signal). For example, the signal processing section 216 may perform digital signal processing to apply a surround effect to the audio channels received from the upmix section 214 (e.g., multi-channel streamed audio content). In various embodiments, the signal processing section 216 may also upmix the audio channels received from the upmix section 214, e.g., upmix them to channels for a particular speaker (the number of which may depend on the predetermined number of speakers in the vehicle's audio system). The processed audio channels (and / or other media channels, such as processed video content) may be provided to the output section 218.

[0039] The output section 218 may receive media content, such as audio content (e.g., audio channels) and / or video content, from the signal processing section 216. In various embodiments, the output section 218 may receive video content from the input section 212 and / or the upmix section 214. In various embodiments, the output section 218 may buffer the audio content and / or video content it receives. Buffering may introduce a predetermined delay in the path to the BMS output, such as a delay (e.g., 10 milliseconds (ms)), which can facilitate a quick transition between the media content processed by the BMS signal processing section and the media content processed by the EMS if a real-time media stream (e.g., a downstream stream) encounters an interruption or irregularity. In some embodiments, the output section 218 may send the audio content and / or video content it receives to one or more digital-to-analog converters (DACs). The output section 218 may also protect the output device (e.g., a speaker) from damage by extremely high-level signals, and / or may protect the DAC from having a digital signal level exceeding 1.0 (which can cause a "clipping" effect that may not be pleasant to the human ear). Such protection may be provided by a special algorithm (e.g., a "limiter").

[0040] For various embodiments, at least a portion of the video content (e.g., the video portion extracted from at least the video signal) may be provided by the input section 212 to the output section 218, may pass through the upmix section 214 and / or the signal processing section 216, and / or may be processed by the signal processing section 216.

[0041] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a design 300 of an EMS 352 (which may be substantially similar or identical to the EMS 152) is shown. The EMS 352 may include a media signal processor 354 and an interface section 356 (which may themselves be substantially similar or identical to the EMS media signal processor 154 and the EMS interface section 156, respectively).

[0042] The media signal processor 354 may receive and may subsequently process inputs from one or more audio sources 382 (such as a first audio source D1 to a last audio source D Q ) and / or from one or more video sources 386 (such as a first video source E1 to a last video source E R ).

[0043] The media signal processor 354 may communicate electronically with a BMS (e.g., the media signal transmission portion of the BMS as disclosed herein) through the interface portion 356 and may thus communicate electronically with the BMS through one or more interfaces adaptable by the interface portion 356. The one or more interfaces may include an upstream streaming portion 342, a downstream streaming portion 344, and / or a control portion (not numbered). The one or more interfaces may also be implemented by respective portions of the interface portion 356, such as an upstream streaming portion 372 (which may implement the upstream streaming portion 342 of the one or more interfaces), a downstream streaming portion 374 (which may implement the downstream streaming portion 344 of the one or more interfaces), and / or a control portion (not numbered). The one or more interfaces may be implemented through a wired electronic communication link or through a wireless electronic communication link.

[0044] The media signal processor 354 may have an input portion 362, an upmix portion 364, a signal processing portion 366, and / or an output portion 368. The input portion 362 may receive various media signals, such as an audio signal from an audio source 382 and / or a video signal from a video source 386. The audio signal and / or the video signal may include streaming audio content and / or streaming video content (e.g., a media stream). In various embodiments, the audio signal and / or the video signal may be an analog signal or a digital signal. In various embodiments, the input portion 362 may buffer the audio signal and / or the video signal it receives. The input portion 362 may provide audio (e.g., one or more audio streams) and / or video (e.g., one or more video streams) to the upmix portion 364. In some embodiments, the input portion 362 may provide video (e.g., one or more video streams) directly to the signal processing portion 366 and / or the output portion 368.

[0045] For various embodiments, the input portion 362 may extract an audio portion of the video signal from the video source 386 for use as an audio signal within the media signal processor 354. In some embodiments, the video (e.g., one or more video streams) provided directly to the signal processing portion 366 and / or the output portion 368 may include a video portion extracted from the video signal.

[0046] In the upmix section 364, the audio provided by the input section 362 can be mixed to form a set of audio channels. As an example, the upmix section 364 can form two channels (e.g., left and right channels) or six channels (e.g., front left channel, front right channel, front center channel, rear left channel, rear right channel, and subwoofer channel). In various embodiments, the upmix section 214 can form any number of audio channels, and each audio channel can correspond to at least one speaker in the vehicle. The upmix section 364 can provide this set of audio channels to the signal processing section 366. In some embodiments, the upmix section 364 can upmix based on the audio portion extracted from the video signal as discussed herein and provide audio channels to the signal processing section 366.

[0047] The signal processing section 366 can include hardware resources for performing signal processing (e.g., digital signal processing) of audio signals (and / or video signals). For example, the signal processing section 366 can perform digital signal processing to apply a surround effect to the audio channels received from the upmix section 364 (e.g., multi-channel streamed audio content). In various embodiments, the signal processing section 366 can also upmix the audio channels received from the upmix section 364, e.g., upmix them into channels for a particular speaker (the number of which can depend on the predetermined number of speakers in the vehicle's audio system). The processed audio channels (and / or other media channels, such as processed video content) can be provided to the output section 368.

[0048] Compared with the signal processing section 216 of the BMS 202, the signal processing section 366 of the EMS 302 can have significantly greater hardware capacity. That is, the signal processing section 366 can include a processor, a controller, and / or a microcontroller, as well as a memory and / or a storage device, which can be more capable and / or more robust than the processor, controller, and / or microcontroller, as well as the memory and / or storage device of the signal processing section 216. Thus, a vehicle manufacturer can install the BMS 202 on most or all of the vehicles manufactured in a given model; and then a vehicle purchaser can obtain the EMS 302 to interoperate with the BMS 202 and thereby provide sufficient hardware capacity to implement or facilitate augmented reality media processing effects and / or other advanced media signal processing effects.

[0049] The output section 368 may receive media content, such as audio content (e.g., audio channels) and / or video content, from the signal processing section 366. In various embodiments, the output section 368 may receive video content from the input section 362 and / or the upmix section 364. In various embodiments, the output section 368 may buffer the audio content and / or video content it receives. In some embodiments, the output section 368 may send the audio content and / or video content it receives to one or more DACs.

[0050] For various embodiments, at least a portion of the video content (e.g., the video portion extracted at least from the video signal) may be provided by the input section 362 to the output section 368, may pass through the upmix section 364 and / or the signal processing section 366, and / or may be processed by the signal processing section 366.

[0051] Reference is made below Figure 4 - FIG. 6 to discuss specific usage models of BMSs (such as BMS 102 and BMS 202) and EMSs (such as EMS 152 and EMS 352).

[0052] Figure 4 Design 400 of a switching circuit for one or more outputs of a BMS is shown. In design 400, a first media content stream 492 from the signal processing section of a BMS media signal processor may be provided to a first input of the switching circuit 490, and a second media content stream 494 from the output section of an EMS media signal processor may be provided to a second input of the switching circuit 490. Then, the output of the switching circuit 490 may be provided to the output section 498 of the BMS media signal processor. (In various embodiments, the BMS media signal processor may be substantially similar or identical to BMS media signal processor 104 and / or media signal processor 204, and the EMS media signal processor may be substantially similar or identical to EMS media signal processor 154 and / or media signal processor 354.)

[0053] As discussed herein, in various embodiments, a BMS may provide various media signals (e.g., audio signals and / or video signals) to an EMS, the EMS may apply signal processing to the media signals, the EMS may provide the processed signals back to the BMS, and then the BMS may output the signals to various media sinks (e.g., speakers and / or displays). Due to the relatively higher hardware capabilities of the EMS, the signal processing applied by the EMS may achieve and / or facilitate relatively higher-level media effects. During normal operation, the switching circuit 490 may provide the second media content stream 494 from the EMS to the output section 498 of the BMS.

[0054] Meanwhile, the BMS can continue to process the same media signals, and due to the relatively less advanced hardware capabilities of the BMS, relatively less advanced media effects may be applied. During operation, the EMS may lose connection with the BMS, or a part of the EMS and / or the BMS may encounter functional problems (e.g., very unpleasant audio side effects such as thumps, clicks, or noises, which may startle the driver and may affect vehicle safety) or some other problem, resulting in an interruption or irregularity in the originally smooth downstream streaming of the second media content stream 494. The cause of the functional problem may be due to the interruption or irregularity, and the content of the associated audio buffer and / or video buffer may become temporarily invalid, which can be referred to as "digital garbage". Circuit 400 can be applied to prevent this "digital garbage" from being sent to the output device. It is worth noting that the downstream streaming part of the BMS (e.g., the downstream streaming part 224 of the BMS 202) can include buffering, which may add latency to the streaming of the second media content stream 494. Therefore, after detecting an interruption or irregularity, the buffering may delay for a certain time before presenting the "digital garbage" in the second media content stream 494 to the output device. During this delay time, the switching circuit 490 can smoothly transition to providing the first media content stream 492 to the output part 498 of the BMS so that when the buffer is about to present the "digital garbage", the switching process has been completed. Thereafter, when detecting the end of an interruption or other irregularity in the smoothness of the downstream streaming, the switching circuit 490 can smoothly transition back to providing the second media content stream 494 from the EMS to the output part 498 of the BMS. In various embodiments, an interruption or irregularity can be established when detecting data corruption or not receiving expected data (e.g., using timestamps to detect lost packets, using control sums to detect data corruption, etc.).

[0055] In other words, during normal operation, the switching circuit 490 can output the set of media signals processed by the EMS and downstream streamed to the BMS; when detecting an interruption or irregularity in the set of media signals downstream streamed to the BMS, the switching circuit 490 can output the set of media signals processed by the BMS; and when detecting the end of an interruption or irregularity in the media set downstream streamed to the BMS, the switching circuit 490 can return to output the set of media signals processed by the EMS and downstream streamed to the BMS.

[0056] A predetermined latency (such as a latency of at least 10 ms) generated due to buffering (e.g., in the output part 218) can facilitate a quick transition between the media content processed by the BMS signal processing part and the media content processed by the EMS in the case where real-time media streaming (e.g., downstream streaming) encounters an interruption or irregularity.

[0057] The operating principle of circuit 400 can be referred to as "cross-fading" or "cross-morphing". After receiving a command to switch from delivering the buffered second media content stream 494 to the output section 498 to delivering the first media content stream 492 to the output section 498, the input gain k1 of the digital signal applied to the buffered second media content stream 494 can start to decrease over time (e.g., from 1.0 to 0.0), while the input gain k2 of the digital signal applied to the first media content stream 492 can start to increase over time (e.g., from 0.0 to 1.0) simultaneously. The relationship k1 + k2 = 1.0 can be maintained during the switching period to minimize and / or avoid volume changes during the switching process.

[0058] Similarly, after receiving a command to switch from delivering the first media content stream 492 to the output section 498 to delivering the buffered second media content stream 494 to the output section 498 (e.g., at the interruption or irregular end of the second media content stream 494), the input gain k1 of the digital signal applied to the buffered second media content stream 494 can start to increase over time (e.g., from 0.0 to 1.0), while the input gain k2 of the digital signal applied to the first media content stream 492 can start to decrease over time (e.g., from 1.0 to 0.0) simultaneously. As with the previous switching type, the relationship k1 + k2 = 1.0 can be maintained during the switching period to minimize and / or avoid volume changes during the switching process.

[0059] Figures 5A to 5C An example of the usage model of the BMS and EMS is shown. Figure 5A A first usage model 592 that can include the BMS 502 and the EMS 552 is shown. (The BMS 502 can be substantially similar or identical to the BMS 102 and / or the BMS 202, and the EMS 552 can be substantially similar or identical to the EMS 152 and / or the EMS 352.) The BMS 502 can include a BMS media signal processor 504 (which can be substantially similar or identical to the BMS media signal processor 104 and / or the media signal processor 204). The EMS 552 can include an EMS media signal processor 554 (which can be substantially similar or identical to the EMS media signal processor 154 and / or the media signal processor 354).

[0060] The media signal processor 204 may have an input section 512, an upmix section 514, a signal processing section 516, and / or an output section 518. (The input section 512, the upmix section 514, the signal processing section 516, and / or the output section 518 may be substantially similar or identical to the input section 212, the upmix section 214, the signal processing section 216, and / or the output section 218, respectively.) The BMS media signal processor 504 may receive media content (e.g., streaming media content) from one or more audio sources 532 and / or from one or more video sources 536 as input and may then process it. The BMS media signal processor 504 may also generate and may then transmit an output to one or more audio aggregators 534 and / or one or more video aggregators 538. (The audio source 532, the video source 536, the audio aggregator 534, and the video aggregator 538 may be substantially similar or identical to the audio source 232, the video source 236, the audio aggregator 234, and the video aggregator 238, respectively.)

[0061] In a first usage model 592, the BMS media signal processor 504 may upmix the media content, e.g., in the upmix section 514, and may then provide the upmixed media content to the EMS media signal processor 554. The upmixed media content may pass through the interface sections of the BMS 502 and the EMS 552 (of the kind discussed herein) and may be provided to the input section, the upmix section, and / or the signal processing section (of the kind discussed herein) of the EMS media signal processor 554. The signal processing section of the EMS media signal processor 554 may process the upmixed media content (as discussed herein). Finally, the output section of the EMS media signal processor 554 may provide the processed media content to the BMS media signal processor 504 (e.g., to the output section 518 (as discussed herein)).

[0062] In other words, in the first usage model 592, the BMS media signal processor 504 may perform a certain amount of upmixing of the media content, the upmixed media content may be upstreamed to the EMS media signal processor 554 and processed by the EMS media signal processor 554, and the processed media content may be provided by the EMS media signal processor 554 to the BMS media signal processor 504.

[0063] Figure 5BShows a second usage model 594, which is substantially similar to the first usage model 592. However, in the second usage model 594, the BMS media signal processor 504 can provide media content to the EMS media signal processor 554, for example, through the input section 512, before the media content is upmixed. The EMS media signal processor 554 can then upmix the media content and / or process the media content (as discussed herein), and can provide the processed media content to the BMS media signal processor 504. Finally, as in the first usage model 592, the output section of the EMS media signal processor 554 can provide the processed media content to the BMS media signal processor 504 (e.g., to the output section 518 (as discussed herein)).

[0064] In other words, in the second usage model 594, the BMS media signal processor 504 can only upstream the input media content (which may be buffered, as discussed herein) to the EMS media signal processor 554, and this media content can be upmixed and processed by the EMS media signal processor 554, and the processed media content can be provided by the EMS media signal processor 554 to the BMS media signal processor 504.

[0065] Figure 5C Shows a third usage model 596, which is substantially similar to the first usage model 592 and the second usage model 594. However, in the third usage model 596, the BMS media signal processor 504 may not provide media content to the EMS media signal processor 554. Instead, the input section of the EMS media signal processor 554 can receive media content (e.g., streaming media content) from one or more audio sources 582 and / or from one or more video sources 586 (which may be substantially similar or identical to the audio source 532 and / or the video source 536) as input, and can then process it. The upmix section of the EMS media signal processor 554 can upmix the media content (as discussed herein), and the signal processing section of the EMS media signal processor 554 can process the upmixed media content (as discussed herein). Finally, the output section of the EMS media signal processor 554 can provide the processed media content to the BMS media signal processor 504 (e.g., to the output section 518 (as discussed herein)).

[0066] Therefore, in various embodiments, the media content to be processed by the EMS and downstreamed to the BMS can be the upmixed media content from the BMS (as Figure 5A ), or the input and possibly buffered media content from the BMS (as Figure 5B ), or the media content from the audio source and / or the video source (as Figure 5CAfter processing in the EMS (e.g., in the media signal processor of the EMS), the EMS can then downstream stream the processed media content to the BMS, and then the BMS can select between outputting the media content processed by the BMS or the media content processed by the EMS.

[0067] Thus, in various embodiments, a system for media signal processing in a vehicle can include a set of media source devices (as discussed herein), a set of media aggregation devices (as discussed herein), and a first device (such as a BMS, as discussed herein) installed in the vehicle. The first device can have an output interface (such as a BMS output section, as discussed herein) coupled to one or more media aggregation devices. A point-to-point electronic communication link can be established between the first device and a second device (such as an EMS, as discussed herein) via, for example, the interface sections of the first device and the second device. The system can identify, via communication between the first device and the second device, one or more media channels (e.g., upmixed media channels, as discussed herein) for which the first device is to receive streamed content from the second device. The first device can process a first media stream from one or more media source devices (such as in a BMS signal processing section, as discussed herein) to create a first content stream for one or more media channels, and can receive a second content stream for one or more media channels from the second device via the point-to-point electronic communication link. The first device can select (e.g., in a BMS output section) between providing the first content stream or the second content stream to the output interface.

[0068] Thus, for various embodiments, a system for media signal processing for a vehicle can include a set of media source devices (as discussed herein), a set of media aggregation devices (as discussed herein), and a first device installed in the vehicle (such as a BMS, as discussed herein). The first device can have an output interface (such as a BMS output section, as discussed herein) coupled to one or more media aggregation devices. A point-to-point electronic communication link can be established between the first device and a second device (such as an EMS, as discussed herein) carried by the vehicle, for example, through an interface section of the first device and the second device. The system can identify, through communication between the first device and the second device, one or more media channels for which the first device is to receive streaming content from the second device (e.g., an upmixed media channel, as discussed herein). The first device can process a first media stream from one or more media source devices (such as in a BMS signal processing section, as discussed herein) to create a first content stream for one or more media channels. The second device can process a second media stream from one or more media source devices (such as in an EMS signal processing section, as discussed herein) to create a second content stream for one or more media channels, and can provide the second content stream for one or more media channels to the first device through the point-to-point electronic communication link. The first device can select (e.g., in a BMS output section, as discussed herein) between providing the first content stream or the second content stream to the output interface.

[0069] Figure 6A and Figure 6B An example of an interoperability method between a BMS and an EMS according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Method 600 can include establishing 605, identifying 610, processing 615, processing 620, receiving 625, and / or selecting 630. In various embodiments, method 600 can further include determining 655, downloading 660, generating 665, processing 670, and / or adjusting 675.

[0070] In establishment 605, a point-to-point electronic communication link can be established between a first device (e.g., a BSM as discussed herein) installed in a vehicle and a second device (e.g., an ESM as discussed herein) carried by the vehicle. For identification 610, one or more media channels for which the first device is to receive streamed content from the second device can be identified, for example, through communication between the first device and the second device. In processing 615, a first media stream based on one or more media sources can be processed (e.g., by a BSM signal processing section as discussed herein) to create a first content stream for one or more media channels. In some embodiments, in processing 620, a second media stream based on one or more media sources can be processed (e.g., by an ESM as discussed herein) to create a second content stream for one or more media channels. In reception 625, the first device can receive, via the point-to-point electronic communication link, the second content stream for one or more media channels from the second device. In selection 630, at the first device, a selection can be made between providing the first content stream or the second content stream to an output interface (e.g., a BSM output section as discussed herein) coupled to one or more media aggregators.

[0071] In some embodiments, the point-to-point electronic communication link can be a wired communication link. For some embodiments, one or more media channels can be audio channels, one or more media sources can be audio sources, and one or more media aggregators can be audio aggregators.

[0072] In some embodiments, the processing of the first media stream in the first device is performed by a first digital signal processor (e.g., of a BMS signal processing section as discussed herein). For some embodiments, the processing of the second media stream in the second device is performed by a second digital signal processor (e.g., of an EMS signal processing section as discussed herein).

[0073] In some embodiments, in determination 655, the first device can determine whether at least one media signal processing feature is available for the second device. For some embodiments, in download 660, the second device can download at least one selected media signal processing feature from a source external to the vehicle (e.g., after purchasing or subscribing to it from an external system such as a cloud computing system via a wireless electronic communication link between the EMS and the external system).

[0074] For some embodiments, the processing in the second device is conditional upon the enabling of corresponding media signal processing features. In some embodiments, in generation 665, the first device may generate a list of one or more media signal processing features for a user of the vehicle. The list may include features available for the first device to interoperate with the second device. For some embodiments, in processing 670, the first device may process a user's selection of at least one media signal processing feature from the list of one or more media signal processing features.

[0075] In some embodiments, in adjustment 675, when switching between providing a first content stream to an output interface and providing a second content stream to the output interface: the first content stream may be adjusted by a first time-varying gain to produce a first adjusted content stream; the second content stream may be adjusted by a second time-varying gain to produce a second adjusted content stream; the first adjusted content stream and the second adjusted content stream may be added together to produce a summed adjusted output content stream (e.g., via a BMS output section); and the summed adjusted output content stream may be provided to the output interface (e.g., of the BSM output section).

[0076] For some embodiments, an intermediate media stream of the first device based on a first media stream (e.g., after input to the BMS or after being mixed on the BMS) may be provided by the first device to the second device via a point-to-point electronic communication link.

[0077] The method may be configured for operation of the systems disclosed herein. Thus, the same advantages applicable to the systems may be applicable to the method.

[0078] The description of the embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Suitable modifications and variations of the embodiments may be effected in light of the above description or may be acquired in accordance with practice methods. For example, unless otherwise indicated, one or more of the described methods may be performed by suitable devices and / or combinations of devices. The method may be performed by executing stored instructions with one or more logic devices (e.g., processors) in combination with one or more additional hardware elements such as storage devices, memories, image sensor / lens systems, hardware network interfaces / antennas, switches, actuators, clock circuits, etc. The method and associated actions may also be performed in various orders other than the order described in this application, in parallel, and / or simultaneously.

[0079] Note that the example control and estimation routines included herein can be used with a variety of system configurations. The control methods and routines disclosed herein can be stored as executable instructions in a non-transitory memory and can be executed by a control system including a controller in conjunction with various sensors, actuators, and other engine hardware. The specific routines described herein can represent one or more of any number of processing strategies, such as event-driven, interrupt-driven, multi-tasking, multi-threaded processing strategies, and the like. Accordingly, the various acts, operations, or functions shown can be executed in the order shown, in parallel, or in some cases omitted. Similarly, the processing order is not necessarily required to implement the features and advantages of the exemplary embodiments described herein, but is provided for ease of illustration and description. One or more of the acts, operations, and / or functions shown can be executed repeatedly depending on the particular strategy being used. In addition, the acts, operations, and / or functions described can be graphically represented as code to be programmed into the non-transitory memory of a computer-readable storage medium, where the acts described are executed by the execution of instructions in a system including various hardware components in conjunction with an electronic controller.

[0080] The present disclosure also provides support for a method that includes: establishing a peer-to-peer electronic communication link between a first device installed in a vehicle and a second device carried by the vehicle; identifying, via communication between the first device and the second device, one or more media channels for which the first device is to receive streamed content from the second device; processing, in the first device, a first media stream based on one or more media sources to create a first content stream for the one or more media channels; receiving, at the first device via the peer-to-peer electronic communication link, a second content stream for the one or more media channels from the second device; and selecting, at the first device, between providing the first content stream or the second content stream to an output interface coupled to one or more media aggregators. In a first example of the method, the peer-to-peer electronic communication link is a wired communication link. In a second example of the method, optionally including the first example, the one or more media channels are audio channels, where the one or more media sources are audio sources, and where the one or more media aggregators are audio aggregators. In a third example of the method, optionally including one or both of the first and second examples, the method further includes: processing, in the second device, a second media stream based on one or more media sources to create a second content stream for the one or more media channels. In a fourth example of the method, optionally including one or more or each of the first through third examples, the processing of the first media stream in the first device is performed by a first digital signal processor, and where the processing of the second media stream in the second device is performed by a second digital signal processor. In a fifth example of the method, optionally including one or more or each of the first through fourth examples, the processing in the second device is conditional upon enabling a corresponding media signal processing feature. In a sixth example of the method, optionally including one or more or each of the first through fifth examples, the method further includes: generating, by the first device, a list of one or more media signal processing features for a user of the vehicle, and processing, by the first device, at least one media signal processing feature selected by the user from the list of one or more media signal processing features. In a seventh example of the method, optionally including one or more or each of the first through sixth examples, the method further includes: determining, by the first device, whether at least one media signal processing feature is available for the second device. In an eighth example of the method, optionally including one or more or each of the first through seventh examples, the method further includes: downloading, by the second device, at least one selected media signal processing feature from a source external to the vehicle.In a ninth example of the method, optionally including one or more or each of the first through eighth examples, the method further includes: when switching between providing a first content stream to an output interface and providing a second content stream to the output interface, adjusting the first content stream by a first time-varying gain to produce a first adjusted content stream, adjusting the second content stream by a second time-varying gain to produce a second adjusted content stream, adding the first adjusted content stream and the second adjusted content stream to produce a summed adjusted output content stream, and providing the summed adjusted output content stream to the output interface. In a tenth example of the method, optionally including one or more or each of the first through ninth examples, the method further includes: providing an intermediate media stream of a first device based on a first media stream from the first device to a second device via a point-to-point electronic communication link.

[0081] The present disclosure also provides support for a system for media signal processing for a vehicle, the system including: one or more media source devices; one or more media aggregation devices; a first device installed in the vehicle, the first device having an output interface coupled to the one or more media aggregation devices; one or more processors; and a non-transitory memory having executable instructions that, when executed, cause the one or more processors to: establish a point-to-point electronic communication link between the first device and a second device carried by the vehicle; identify, via communication between the first device and the second device, one or more media channels for which the first device is to receive streamed content from the second device; process a first media stream from the one or more media source devices in the first device to create a first content stream for the one or more media channels; process a second media stream from the one or more media source devices in the second device to create a second content stream for the one or more media channels; provide the second content stream for the one or more media channels from the second device to the first device via the point-to-point electronic communication link, and select between providing the first content stream or the second content stream to the output interface at the first device. In a first example of the system, the point-to-point electronic communication link is a wired communication link. In a second example of the system, optionally including the first example, the one or more media channels are audio channels, where the one or more media source devices are audio source devices, and where the one or more media aggregation devices are audio aggregation devices. In a third example of the system, optionally including one or both of the first and second examples, the processing of the first media stream in the first device is performed by a first digital signal processor, and where the processing of the second media stream in the second device is performed by a second digital signal processor. In a fourth example of the system, optionally including one or more or each of the first to third examples, the processing in the second device is conditional upon enabling a corresponding media signal processing feature. In a fifth example of the system, optionally including one or more or each of the first to fourth examples, the executable instructions, when executed, cause the one or more processors to: generate, via the first device, a list of one or more media signal processing features for a user of the vehicle, and process, via the first device, at least one media signal processing feature selected by the user from the list of one or more media signal processing features. In a sixth example of the system, optionally including one or more or each of the first to fifth examples, the executable instructions, when executed, cause the one or more processors to: determine, via the second device, at least one selected media signal processing feature from a source external to the vehicle. In a seventh example of the system, optionally including one or more or each of the first to sixth examples, the executable instructions, when executed, cause the one or more processors to: download, via the second device, one or more media signal processing features from a source external to the vehicle.In an eighth example of the system, optionally including one or more or each of the first through seventh examples, executable instructions, when executed, cause one or more processors to: when switching between providing a first content stream to an output interface and providing a second content stream to the output interface, adjust the first content stream by a first time-varying gain to produce a first adjusted content stream, adjust the second content stream by a second time-varying gain to produce a second adjusted content stream, add the first adjusted content stream and the second adjusted content stream to produce a summed adjusted output content stream, and provide the summed adjusted output content stream to the output interface. In a ninth example of the system, optionally including one or more or each of the first through eighth examples, executable instructions, when executed, cause one or more processors to: provide an intermediate media stream of a first device based on a first media stream from the first device to a second device via a point-to-point electronic communication link.

[0082] The present disclosure also provides support for a system for media signal processing for a vehicle, the system including: one or more media source devices; one or more media aggregation devices; a first device installed in the vehicle, the first device having an output interface coupled to the one or more media aggregation devices; one or more processors; and a non-transitory memory having executable instructions that, when executed, cause the one or more processors to: establish a point-to-point electronic communication link between the first device and a second device; identify, via communication between the first device and the second device, one or more media channels for which the first device is to receive streaming content from the second device; process a first media stream from the one or more media source devices in the first device to create a first content stream for the one or more media channels; receive, from the second device via the point-to-point electronic communication link, a second content stream for the one or more media channels for the first device; and select, in the first device, between providing the first content stream or the second content stream to the output interface. In a first example of the system, the point-to-point electronic communication link is a wired communication link. In a second example of the system, optionally including the first example, the one or more media channels are audio channels, wherein the one or more media source devices are audio source devices, and wherein the one or more media aggregation devices are audio aggregation devices. In a third example of the system, optionally including one or both of the first and second examples, the executable instructions, when executed, cause the one or more processors to: process a second media stream based on the one or more media source devices in the second device to create a second content stream for the one or more media channels. In a fourth example of the system, optionally including one or more or each of the first through third examples, the executable instructions, when executed, cause the one or more processors to: wherein the processing of the first media stream in the first device is performed by a first digital signal processor, and wherein the processing of the second media stream in the second device is performed by a second digital signal processor. In a fifth example of the system, optionally including one or more or each of the first through fourth examples, the executable instructions, when executed, cause the one or more processors to: wherein the processing in the second device is conditional on enabling a corresponding media signal processing feature. In a sixth example of the system, optionally including one or more or each of the first through fifth examples, the executable instructions, when executed, cause the one or more processors to: generate, via the first device, a list of one or more available media signal processing features for a user of the vehicle, and process, via the first device, at least one media signal processing feature selected by the user from the list of one or more media signal processing features. In a seventh example of the system, optionally including one or more or each of the first through sixth examples, the executable instructions, when executed, cause the one or more processors to: determine, via the first device, whether at least one media signal processing feature selected by the user is available for the second device.In an eighth example of the system, optionally including one or more or each of the first through seventh examples, executable instructions, when executed, cause one or more processors to: download at least one media signal processing feature selected by a user from a source external to the vehicle via a second device. In a ninth example of the system, optionally including one or more or each of the first through eighth examples, executable instructions, when executed, cause one or more processors to: when switching between providing a first content stream to an output interface and providing a second content stream to the output interface, adjust the first content stream with a first time-varying gain to produce a first adjusted content stream, adjust the second content stream with a second time-varying gain to produce a second adjusted content stream, add the first adjusted content stream and the second adjusted content stream together to produce a summed adjusted output content stream, and provide the summed adjusted output content stream to the output interface. In a tenth example of the system, optionally including one or more or each of the first through ninth examples, executable instructions, when executed, cause one or more processors to: provide an intermediate media stream of a first device based on a first media stream from the first device to a second device via a point-to-point electronic communication link.

[0083] The description of the embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Suitable modifications and variations of the embodiments can be made in light of the above description or can be obtained in accordance with a practice method. For example, unless otherwise indicated, one or more of the described methods can be performed by suitable devices and / or combinations of devices (such as the vehicle system and cloud computing system described above with respect to Figures 1 to 6B ). The methods can be performed by executing stored instructions with one or more logical devices (e.g., processors) in combination with one or more additional hardware elements (such as storage devices, memories, image sensor / lens systems, hardware network interfaces / antennas, switches, actuators, clock circuits, etc.). The methods and associated actions can also be performed in various orders other than the order described in this application, in parallel, and / or simultaneously. The described systems are exemplary in nature and can include additional elements and / or omit elements. The subject matter of the present disclosure includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the various systems and configurations and other features, functions, and / or properties disclosed.

[0084] As used in this application, an element or step recited in the singular and preceded by the word "a" or "an" should be understood to not exclude a plurality of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is stated. Further, reference to "an embodiment" or "an example" of the present disclosure is not to be construed as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Terms such as "first," "second," "third," etc. are used merely as labels and are not intended to impose numerical requirements or a particular positional order on their objects. The following claims particularly point out the subject matter from the foregoing disclosure that is regarded as novel and non-obvious.

Claims

1. A method, comprising: Establishing a point-to-point electronic communication link between a first device installed in a vehicle and a second device carried by the vehicle; Identifying, through communication between the first device and the second device, one or more media channels for which the first device is to receive streamed content from the second device; Processing, in the first device, a first media stream based on one or more media sources to create a first content stream for the one or more media channels; Receiving, at the first device via the point-to-point electronic communication link, a second content stream for the one or more media channels from the second device; And At the first device, selecting between providing the first content stream or the second content stream to an output interface coupled to one or more media aggregators.

2. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the point-to-point electronic communication link is a wired communication link.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, Wherein the one or more media channels are audio channels; Wherein the one or more media sources are audio sources; and Wherein the one or more media aggregators are audio aggregators.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: In the second device, processing a second media stream based on the one or more media sources to create the second content stream for the one or more media channels.

5. The method according to claim 4, Wherein the processing of the first media stream in the first device is performed by a first digital signal processor; and Wherein the processing of the second media stream in the second device is performed by a second digital signal processor.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, Wherein the processing in the second device is conditional on the enabling of corresponding media signal processing features.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: Generating, by the first device, a list of one or more media signal processing features for a user of the vehicle; And Processing, by the first device, at least one media signal processing feature selected by the user from the list of one or more media signal processing features.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: Determining, by the first device, whether at least one media signal processing feature can be used for the second device.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: Downloading, via the second device, at least one selected media signal processing feature from a source external to the vehicle.

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: When switching between providing the first content stream to the output interface and providing the second content stream to the output interface, Adjusting the first content stream by a first time-varying gain to produce a first adjusted content stream, Adjusting the second content stream by a second time-varying gain to produce a second adjusted content stream, Adding the first adjusted content stream and the second adjusted content stream together to produce a summed adjusted output content stream, and Providing the summed adjusted output content stream to the output interface.

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: Providing, from the first device to the second device via the point-to-point electronic communication link, an intermediate media stream of the first device based on the first media stream.

12. A system for media signal processing in a vehicle, comprising: One or more media source devices; One or more media aggregation devices; A first device installed in the vehicle, the first device having an output interface coupled to the one or more media aggregation devices; One or more processors; And A non-transitory memory having executable instructions that, when executed, cause the one or more processors to: Establish a point-to-point electronic communication link between the first device and a second device carried by the vehicle; Identify, via communication between the first device and the second device, one or more media channels for which the first device is to receive streamed content from the second device; Process a first media stream from the one or more media source devices in the first device to create a first content stream for the one or more media channels; In the second device, process a second media stream from the one or more media source devices to create a second content stream for the one or more media channels; Provide, from the second device to the first device via the point-to-point electronic communication link, the second content stream for the one or more media channels; And At the first device, select between providing the first content stream or the second content stream to the output interface.

13. The system for media signal processing in a vehicle according to claim 12, Wherein the point-to-point electronic communication link is a wired communication link.

14. The system for media signal processing in a vehicle according to claim 12 or 13, Wherein the one or more media channels are audio channels; Wherein the one or more media source devices are audio source devices; and Wherein the one or more media aggregation devices are audio aggregation devices.

15. The system for media signal processing in a vehicle according to any one of claims 12 to 14, Wherein the processing of the first media stream in the first device is performed by a first digital signal processor; and Wherein the processing of the second media stream in the second device is performed by a second digital signal processor.

16. The system for media signal processing in a vehicle according to any one of claims 12 to 15, Wherein the processing in the second device is conditional on the enabling of corresponding media signal processing features.

17. The system for media signal processing in a vehicle according to any one of claims 12 to 16, the executable instructions that, when executed, cause the one or more processors to: Provide, from the first device to the second device via the point-to-point electronic communication link, an intermediate media stream of the first device based on the first media stream.

18. A system for media signal processing in a vehicle, comprising: One or more media source devices; One or more media aggregation devices; A first device installed in the vehicle, the first device having an output interface coupled to the one or more media aggregation devices; One or more processors; And A non-transitory memory having executable instructions that, when executed, cause the one or more processors to: Establish a peer-to-peer electronic communication link between the first device and a second device; Identify, through communication between the first device and the second device, one or more media channels for which the first device is to receive streaming content from the second device; Process a first media stream from the one or more media source devices in the first device to create a first content stream for the one or more media channels; Receive, from the second device via the peer-to-peer electronic communication link, a second content stream for the one or more media channels for the first device; And At the first device, select between providing the first content stream or the second content stream to the output interface.

19. The system for media signal processing for a vehicle according to claim 18, Wherein the peer-to-peer electronic communication link is a wired communication link; Wherein the one or more media channels are audio channels; Wherein the one or more media source devices are audio source devices; and Wherein the one or more media aggregation devices are audio aggregation devices.

20. The system for media signal processing for a vehicle according to claim 18 or 19, the executable instructions that, when executed, cause the one or more processors to: In the second device, process a second media stream based on the one or more media source devices to create the second content stream for the one or more media channels.

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