Vehicle-based media system

Abstract

A method and system are provided for enabling a vehicle media system incorporating a base media system (BMS) and an external media system (EMS). The method may establish an electronic communications link between the BMS installed in a vehicle and the EMS carried by the vehicle. Communications between the BMS and the EMS may identify one or more media channels for which the BMS receives streaming content from the EMS. The BMS may process the first media stream based on one or more media sources to create a first content stream for the one or more media channels and may receive a second content stream for the one or more media channels from the EMS (via the point-to-point electronic communications link).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates to in-vehicle media systems, including systems capable of playing audio media, such as in-vehicle audio systems. [Background technology]

[0002] An in-vehicle media system (e.g., an in-vehicle multimedia system) may be capable of processing and playing various media signals, such as audio and / or video signals. In various embodiments, the in-vehicle media system may process and play media content (e.g., audio content) to create the impression for a listener of being in and / or surrounded by various atmospheres. For example, the in-vehicle media system may process audio content to create the impression, upon playback, of listening to the audio content while at the beach, or near a waterfall, or at a bustling open-air market, or at a stadium, or at a restaurant, or in the middle of a crowded city, etc. The in-vehicle media system may process the content accordingly to present an augmented reality atmosphere to the listener, e.g., a user of the vehicle.

[0003] In some embodiments, audio signals may be processed to affect the direction associated with a sound or to emulate the environment in which the sound may occur (e.g., by emulating the extent of the spaciousness of such an environment). Some such embodiments may incorporate head-impulse response (HRIR) modeling. Movement of a sound source over time may be emulated accordingly by such audio signal processing. Similarly, in various embodiments, video effects may be adjusted based on the environment in which the video content is being played. Furthermore, for various embodiments, audio and / or video effects may be adjusted based on various environmental conditions (such as weather, time of day, season, geographic location, and / or ambient noise level) and other conditions (such as the category or genre of the audio and / or video content being played). In some embodiments, advanced audio processing may be performed to create the impression that noises produced by a vehicle (e.g., engine noise) are changing.

[0004] Such signal processing may use processors (e.g., central processing units (CPUs)), controllers and / or microcontrollers, and memory and / or storage that may be more advanced and / or robust than may be economically feasible to install in, for example, all automobiles of a given model. While some vehicle buyers may utilize, and thus be willing to pay for, hardware capabilities that may enable or facilitate augmented reality media processing effects and / or other advanced media signal processing effects (e.g., immersive augmented reality audio effects), other vehicle buyers may not be interested in such hardware capabilities and their associated costs. As a result, a manufacturer-installed media system for a given vehicle model may not have sufficient hardware to enable 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 [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] Disclosed herein are methods and systems for enabling 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 various audio outputs based on the processed audio inputs.

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

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

[0008] In other embodiments, the EMS may be implemented as a device separate and / or separable from the BMS. In some embodiments, the EMS may be a portable device within the vehicle with the BMS, such as by being temporarily located within the vehicle or semi-permanently installed in the vehicle (e.g., in a fixture, cradle, or other feature in the vehicle's cabin that may be suitable and / or designed for receiving an EMS). In some such embodiments, the vehicle's BMS may be in wireless electronic communication with a separate EMS device via a relatively high-speed wireless electronic communication link and / or in wired electronic communication via a relatively high-speed wired electronic communication link. Additionally, the EMS device itself may be in wireless electronic communication with an external system, e.g., one or more cloud computing devices located relatively remotely from the vehicle, as described herein.

[0009] Whether the EMS is implemented as one or more remotely located cloud computing devices or as a separate device located in a vehicle and in wireless electronic communication with one or more remotely located cloud computing devices, the cloud computing device may include a collection of signal processing functions, each of which may be used by the EMS to implement an augmented reality media processing effect or other advanced media signal processing effect. When implemented as a separate device (e.g., located in a vehicle), the EMS may download (or otherwise acquire or obtain) one or more signal processing functions from the collection of signal processing functions (e.g., from a multimedia function store on the Internet). Each function may include, for example, one or more signal processing algorithms, parameters for use with such algorithms, and / or a set of data (e.g., audio data and / or video data) that may be used to implement the augmented reality media processing effect and / or another advanced media signal processing effect.

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

[0011] Thus, in various embodiments, a user of a BMS may request access to hardware capabilities for applying advanced media signal processing effects. The request may be forwarded (e.g., via an EMS) to a cloud computing device that includes a collection of signal processing functions. In some embodiments, such a request may include a mechanism for making a payment before gaining access to the functions (permanently or for a limited period of time). In the case of an EMS implemented as one or more cloud computing devices, these functions may be made available to the cloud computing devices implementing the EMS for use in applying advanced media signal processing effects in the cloud. In the case of an EMS implemented as a separate device (e.g., for placement in a vehicle), these functions may be downloaded by the EMS for use locally (e.g., in the vehicle) in applying advanced media signal processing effects.

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

[0013] In some embodiments, a method for vehicular media signal processing may include establishing an electronic communications link between a BMS and an EMS in a vehicle. The communications between the BMS and the EMS may establish one or more media channels through which the BMS receives streaming content from the EMS. At 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 communications link). The BMS may then select whether to provide the first content stream or the second content stream to an output interface, which may be coupled to various speakers (and / or other media sinks). In this manner, hardware limitations of the BMS may be overcome by enabling the BMS to provide output from the EMS.

[0014] In some embodiments, a system for vehicular media signal processing may include various media (e.g., audio and / or video) source devices, various media (e.g., audio and / or video) sink devices, and a BMS installed in the vehicle, the BMS having an output interface coupled to the media sink device. The system may also include one or more processors and 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 one or more media channels for which the BMS will receive streaming content from the EMS via communication between the BMS and the EMS. At the BMS, a first media stream from one or more media source devices may be processed to create a first content stream for the identified one or more media channels. At the EMS, a second media stream from one or more media source devices may be processed to create a second content stream for the one or more media channels. The BMS may receive the second content stream for the one or more media channels from the EMS via the electronic communication link and may select whether to provide the first content stream or the second content stream to the output interface. In this way, the BMS may take advantage of hardware capabilities and / or capacity of the EMS that the BMS itself may lack.

[0015] It should be understood that the foregoing Summary is provided to introduce selected concepts in a concise form that are further described in the Detailed Description. The Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely 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.

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

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a design of a base media system (BMS) and an external media system (EMS) in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a design of a BMS in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 1 shows a schematic diagram of an EMS design in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates the general architecture of a switching circuit for one or more outputs of a BMS, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 5A] 1 illustrates a usage model for a BMS and an EMS, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 5B] 1 illustrates a usage model for a BMS and an EMS, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 5C] 1 illustrates a usage model for a BMS and an EMS, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 6A] 1 illustrates a method of interoperation between a BMS and an EMS, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 6B] 1 illustrates a method of interoperation between a BMS and an EMS, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Disclosed herein are systems and methods for the use of a base media system (BMS) and an interoperable external media system (EMS) in a vehicle. Figures 1-3 show the BMS design and the EMS design, and Figure 4 shows the output portion of the BMS design. Figures 5A-5C show some possible usage models for the BMS and EMS according to the present disclosure. Figures 6A and 6B

[0019] 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 unit 106. Similarly, the EMS 152 may include an EMS media signal processor 154 and an EMS interface unit 156.

[0020] The BMS media signal processor 104 may receive and subsequently process inputs from various media sources. In some embodiments, the BMS media signal processor 104 may process a first audio source A1, a second audio source A2, etc. through a final audio source A1. M In some embodiments, the BMS media signal processor 104 may receive audio input from one or more audio sources 132, from a first video source V1, a second video source V2, etc. up to the final video source V S The video input may be received from one or more video sources 136 up to 100 MHz.

[0021] The BMS media signal processor 104 may generate and then transmit outputs to various media sinks. In some embodiments, the BMS media signal processor 104 may transmit audio from a first audio sink B1, a second audio sink B2, etc. to a final audio sink B3. M In some embodiments, the BMS media signal processor 104 may transmit the audio output to one or more audio sinks 134, from the first video sink W1, the second video sink W2, etc., up to the last video sink W TThe video output may be sent to one or more video sinks 138, up to

[0022] In some embodiments, media sources may be devices separate from the BMS 102, such as microphones, radio receivers, cameras, and / or various media players (both audio and video). Similarly, in some embodiments, media sinks may be devices separate from the BMS 102, such as speakers and / or displays. In some embodiments, media sources and / or media sinks may comprise part of a vehicle infotainment system NNN, which may provide audio and / or video content (e.g., streaming audio and / or streaming video content) to the BMS 102 and may accept audio and / or video content (e.g., streaming audio and / or streaming video content) from the BMS 102. In some embodiments, the BMS 102 may be fabricated to include one or more media sources, such as one or more sources of audio and / or video content (as described herein). Similarly, in some embodiments, the BMS 102 may be fabricated to include one or more media sinks, such as one or more sinks of audio and / or video content (as described herein). In some embodiments, the media sources and / or media sinks described herein may include portable computing and / or telecommunications devices such as smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, laptop computers, and the like.

[0023] However, in some embodiments, the EMS media signal processor 154 may also receive and subsequently process inputs from various media sources. In some embodiments, the EMS media signal processor 154 may process inputs from the first audio source D1 to the last audio source D2. QIn some embodiments, the EMS media signal processor 154 may receive audio input from one or more audio sources 182, such as the first video source E1 through the last video source E2. R In such an embodiment, audio source 182 may be substantially similar to or identical to audio source 132, and video source 186 may be substantially similar to or identical to video source 136. As described further herein, in some embodiments of design 100, EMS 152 may receive some or all of the media signals it processes from the same sources as BMS 102, and may process the media signals received from those sources accordingly, in addition to or instead of processing the media signals received from BMS 102.

[0024] The BMS media signal processor 104 and the EMS media signal processor 154 may be in electronic communication with each other via the BMS interface unit 106 and the EMS interface unit 156. As a result, the BMS 102 and the EMS 152 may be in electronic communication with each other via one or more interfaces (to which the BMS interface unit 106 and the EMS interface unit 156 may conform), which may include the upstream unit 142, the downstream unit 144, and the control unit 148. In various embodiments, the upstream unit 142, the downstream unit 144, and / or the control unit 148 may be implemented via a wired or wireless electronic communication link. For example, in some embodiments, the EMS 152 may be implemented as one of one or more cloud computing devices (e.g., as one or more remotely located servers and / or workstations) located relatively remotely with respect to the vehicle, and the BMS 102 may be in wireless electronic communication with the EMS 152. Alternatively, in other embodiments, EMS 152 may be implemented as a separate and / or separable device from BMS 102, and BMS 102 may be in either wired or wireless electronic communication with EMS 152.

[0025] In various embodiments, a suitable wireless electronic communication link may include a relatively high-speed wireless electronic communication link. In some embodiments, a suitable communication link may comply with various revisions of cellular network communication specifications promulgated by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP®), such as the fifth generation (5G) release of the 3GPP® specifications. In some embodiments, a suitable communication link may comply with various revisions of wireless network communication link specifications promulgated by the Wi-Fi Alliance, such as various portions of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802 specification set.

[0026] In some embodiments, the BMS 102 may be in electronic communication (either wired or wireless) with the EMS 152 via a vehicle network. In various embodiments, data passing through the upstream portion 142 and / or downstream portion 144 of one or more interfaces between the BMS 102 and the EMS 152 may be streamed in substantially real time (possibly with relatively little delay).

[0027] 2 shows a schematic diagram of a design 200 of a BMS 202 (which may be substantially similar to or identical to BMS 102). BMS 202 may include a media signal processor 204 and an interface unit 206 (which themselves may be substantially similar to or identical to BMS media signal processor 104 and BMS interface unit 106, respectively).

[0028] The media signal processor 204 receives the first audio source A1 through the last audio source A2. M , and / or input from one or more audio sources 232 such as the first video source V1 to the last video source V S The media signal processor 204 may also receive and subsequently process input from one or more video sources 236, such as the first audio sink B1 through the last audio sink B2. M , and / or the first video sink W1 to the last video sink W2. T , may generate an output to one or more video sinks 238, such as, for subsequent transmission.

[0029] The media signal processor 204 may be in electronic communication with an EMS (e.g., a media signaling section of the EMS, as disclosed herein) via an interface section 206, which in turn may be in electronic communication with the EMS via one or more interfaces to which the interface section 206 may conform. The one or more interfaces may include an upstream section 242, a downstream section 244, and / or a control section (not numbered). The one or more interfaces may also be implemented by various portions of the interface section 206, such as the upstream section 222 (which may implement the upstream section 242 of one or more interfaces), the downstream section 224 (which may implement the downstream section 244 of one or more interfaces), and / or a control section (not numbered). The one or more interfaces may be implemented via a wired or wireless electronic communication link.

[0030] The media signal processor 204 may have an input unit 212, an upmixing unit 214, a signal processing unit 216, and / or an output unit 218. The input unit 212 may receive various media signals, such as audio signals from an audio source 232 and / or video signals from a video source 236. The audio and / or video signals may include streaming audio content and / or streaming video content (e.g., streams of media). In various embodiments, the audio and / or video signals may be either analog or digital signals. In various embodiments, the input unit 212 may buffer the audio and / or video signals it receives. The input unit 212 may provide audio (e.g., one or more audio streams) and / or video (e.g., one or more video streams) to the upmixing unit 214. In some embodiments, the input unit 212 may provide video (e.g., one or more video streams) directly to the signal processing unit 216 and / or the output unit 218.

[0031] In various embodiments, the input 212 may extract an 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) provided directly to the signal processor 216 and / or the output 218 may include a video portion extracted from the video signal.

[0032] In the upmixing unit 214, the audio provided by the input unit 212 may be mixed to form a set of audio channels. As an example, the upmixing unit 214 may form two channels (e.g., a left channel and a right channel) or six channels (e.g., a front left channel, a front right channel, a front center channel, a back left channel, a back right channel, and a subwoofer channel). In various embodiments, the upmixing unit 214 may form any number of audio channels, and each channel may correspond to at least one speaker in the vehicle. The upmixing unit 214 may provide the set of audio channels to the signal processing unit 216. In some embodiments, the upmixing unit 214 may provide to the signal processing unit 216 audio channels that are based on audio portions extracted from the upmixed video signal as described herein.

[0033] The signal processing unit 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 unit 216 may perform digital signal processing to apply surround effects to the audio channels (e.g., multi-channel streaming audio content) received from the upmixing unit 214. In various embodiments, the signal processing unit 216 may further upmix the audio channels received from the upmixing unit 214, for example, into channels for specific speakers (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 the processed video content) may be provided to the output unit 218.

[0034] The output unit 218 may receive media content, such as audio content (e.g., audio channels) and / or video content, from the signal processing unit 216. In various embodiments, the output unit 218 may receive video content from the input unit 212 and / or the upmixing unit 214. In various embodiments, the output unit 218 may buffer the received audio and / or video content. The buffering may introduce a predetermined delay, such as a delay of 10 milliseconds (ms), in the path to the BMS output, which may facilitate a quick transition between media content processed by the BMS signal processing unit and media content processed by the EMS when interruptions or irregularities occur in real-time media streaming (e.g., downstream). In some embodiments, the output unit 218 may send the received audio and / or video content to one or more digital-to-analog converters (DACs). Output section 218 may also provide protection against output devices (e.g., loudspeakers) being damaged by very high level signals and / or against the DAC having digital signal levels above 1.0 (which may lead to a "clipping" effect, which may be unpleasant to the human ear). Such protection may be provided by special algorithms (e.g., "limiters").

[0035] In various embodiments, at least a portion of the video content (e.g., at least a video portion extracted from the video signal) may be provided by the input unit 212 to the output unit 218, may pass through the upmixing unit 214 and / or the signal processing unit 216, and / or may be processed by the signal processing unit 216.

[0036] 3 shows a schematic diagram of a design 300 of EMS 352 (which may be substantially similar to or identical to EMS 152). EMS 352 may include a media signal processor 354 and an interface section 356 (which themselves may be substantially similar to or identical to EMS media signal processor 154 and EMS interface section 156, respectively).

[0037] The media signal processor 354 receives the first audio source D1 through the last audio source D Q , and / or the first video source E1 to the last video source E R The input may be received from one or more video sources 386, such as a HDMI input, which may then be processed.

[0038] The media signal processor 354 may be in electronic communication with the BMS (e.g., a media signaling portion of the BMS, as disclosed herein) via an interface unit 356, which in turn may be in electronic communication with the BMS via one or more interfaces to which the interface unit 356 may conform. The one or more interfaces may include an upstream unit 342, a downstream unit 344, and / or a control unit (not numbered). The one or more interfaces may also be implemented by various portions of the interface unit 356, such as an upstream unit 372 (which may implement the upstream unit 342 of one or more interfaces), a downstream unit 374 (which may implement the downstream unit 344 of one or more interfaces), and / or a control unit (not numbered). The one or more interfaces may be implemented via a wired or wireless electronic communication link.

[0039] Media signal processor 354 may have an input section 362, an upmixing section 364, a signal processing section 366, and / or an output section 368. Input section 362 may receive various media signals, such as audio signals from audio source 382 and / or video signals from video source 386. The audio and / or video signals may include streaming audio content and / or streaming video content (e.g., streams of media). In various embodiments, the audio and / or video signals may be either analog or digital signals. In various embodiments, input section 362 may buffer the received audio and / or video signals. Input section 362 may provide audio (e.g., one or more audio streams) and / or video (e.g., one or more video streams) to upmixing section 364. In some embodiments, input section 362 may provide video (e.g., one or more video streams) directly to signal processing section 366 and / or output section 368.

[0040] In various embodiments, the input 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 processor 366 and / or the output 368 may include a video portion extracted from the video signal.

[0041] In the upmixing unit 364, the audio provided by the input unit 362 may be mixed to form a set of audio channels. By way of example, the upmixing unit 364 may form two channels (e.g., a left channel and a right channel) or six channels (e.g., a front left channel, a front right channel, a front center channel, a back left channel, a back right channel, and a subwoofer channel). In various embodiments, the upmixing unit 214 may form any number of audio channels, each of which may correspond to at least one speaker in the vehicle. The upmixing unit 364 may provide the set of audio channels to the signal processing unit 366. In some embodiments, the upmixing unit 364 may provide to the signal processing unit 366 audio channels that are based on audio portions extracted from the video signal, upmixed as described herein.

[0042] The signal processing unit 366 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 unit 366 may perform digital signal processing to apply surround effects to the audio channels (e.g., multi-channel streaming audio content) received from the upmixing unit 364. In various embodiments, the signal processing unit 366 may further upmix the audio channels received from the upmixing unit 364, for example, into channels for specific speakers (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 the processed video content) may be provided to the output unit 368.

[0043] Compared to the signal processing unit 216 of the BMS 202, the signal processing unit 366 of the EMS 302 may have significantly greater hardware capacity. That is, the signal processing unit 366 may include a processor, controller, and / or microcontroller, and memory and / or storage that may be more capable and / or robust than the processor, controller, and / or microcontroller, and memory and / or storage of the signal processing unit 216. Accordingly, an automobile manufacturer may install a BMS 202 in most or all of its manufactured automobiles of a given model, and automobile purchasers may subsequently obtain an EMS 302 that interoperates with the BMS 202, thereby providing sufficient hardware capacity to enable or facilitate augmented reality media processing effects and / or other advanced media signal processing effects.

[0044] The output unit 368 may receive media content, such as audio content (e.g., audio channels) and / or video content, from the signal processing unit 366. In various embodiments, the output unit 368 may receive video content from the input unit 362 and / or the upmixing unit 364. In various embodiments, the output unit 368 may buffer the received audio content and / or video content. In some embodiments, the output unit 368 may transmit the received audio content and / or video content to one or more DACs.

[0045] In various embodiments, at least a portion of the video content (e.g., at least a video portion extracted from the video signal) may be provided by the input unit 362 to the output unit 368, may pass through the upmixing unit 364 and / or the signal processing unit 366, and / or may be processed by the signal processing unit 366.

[0046] Specific usage models of the BMS (such as BMS102 and BMS202) and the EMS (such as EMS152 and EMS352) will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0047] 4 shows a design 400 of a switching circuit for one or more outputs of a BMS. In design 400, a first media content stream 492 from a signal processing portion of the BMS media signal processor may be provided to a first input of switching circuit 490, and a second media content stream 494 from an output of the EMS media signal processor may be provided to a second input of switching circuit 490. The output of switching circuit 490 may then be provided to an output 498 of the BMS media signal processor. (In various embodiments, the BMS media signal processor may be substantially similar to or identical to BMS media signal processor 104 and / or media signal processor 204, and the EMS media signal processor may be substantially similar to or identical to EMS media signal processor 154 and / or media signal processor 354.)

[0048] As described herein, in various embodiments, the BMS may provide various media signals (e.g., audio and / or video signals) to the EMS, which may apply signal processing to the media signals, which may return the processed signals to the BMS, which may then output the signals to various media sinks (e.g., speakers and / or displays). The signal processing applied by the EMS may enable and / or facilitate relatively advanced media effects due to the relatively advanced hardware capabilities of the EMS. During normal operation, switching circuitry 490 may provide a second media content stream 494 from the EMS to an output 498 of the BMS.

[0049] Meanwhile, the BMS may continue to process the same media signal, potentially applying less sophisticated media effects due to the less sophisticated hardware capabilities of the BMS. During operation, the EMS may lose connection with the BMS, or portions of the EMS and / or BMS may experience functional issues (e.g., highly annoying audio artifacts such as pops, clicks, or noises that may scare the driver and affect vehicle safety) or other problems, causing interruptions or irregularities in the smooth downstream second media content stream 494 from the EMS. The functional issues may be due to the interruptions or irregularities, which may cause the contents of the associated audio and / or video buffers to become temporarily invalid, which may be referred to as “digital garbage.” Circuit 400 may be adapted to prevent this “digital garbage” from being sent to the output device. In particular, the downstream portion of the BMS (e.g., downstream portion 224 of BMS 202) may include buffering, which may add delay to the streaming of the second media content stream 494. Thus, after an interruption or irregularity is detected, the buffering may be delayed for a period of time before presenting the “digital garbage” in the second media content stream 494 to the output device. During this delay, the switching circuit 490 may smoothly transition to providing the first media content stream to the output portion 498 of the BMS, such that by the time the buffer is about to present the “digital garbage,” the switching process will have finished. Thereafter, upon detecting that the interruption or other irregularity in the downstream smoothness has ended, the switching circuit 490 may smoothly transition to providing the second media content stream 494 from the EMS to the output portion 498 of the BMS.In various embodiments, a disruption or irregularity may be established upon detecting that data is corrupted or that expected data is not received (e.g., using timestamps to detect lost packages, using control sums to detect data corruption, etc.).

[0050] In other words, during normal operation, switching circuit 490 may output the set of media signals processed by the EMS and downstreamed to the BMS, and upon detecting an interruption or irregularity in the set of media signals downstreamed to the BMS, switching circuit 490 may output the set of media signals processed by the BMS, and upon detecting an end of the interruption or irregularity in the set of media downstreamed to the BMS, switching circuit 490 may return to outputting the set of media signals processed by the EMS and downstreamed to the BMS.

[0051] A predetermined buffering delay (e.g., at the output unit 218), such as a delay of at least 10 milliseconds, may facilitate a rapid transition between media content processed by the BMS signal processing unit and media content processed by the EMS, even when interruptions or irregularities occur in real-time media streaming (e.g., downstream).

[0052] The operating principle of circuit 400 may be referred to as "cross-fading" or "cross-morphing." After receiving a command to switch from passing buffered second media content stream 494 to output 498 to passing first media content stream 492 to output 498, an input gain k1 that may be applied to the digital signal of buffered second media content stream 494 may begin to decrease over time (e.g., from 1.0 to 0.0). Meanwhile, an input gain k2 that may be applied to the digital signal of first media content stream 492 may simultaneously begin to increase over time (e.g., from 0.0 to 1.0). To minimize and / or avoid volume changes during the switching process, a k1+k2=1.0 relationship may be maintained during the switching period.

[0053] Similarly, after receiving a command to switch from passing the first media content stream 492 to the output 498 to passing the buffered second media content stream 494 to the output 498, for example, when the interruption or irregularity in the second media content stream 494 ends, the input gain k1 applied to the digital signal of the buffered second media content stream 494 may begin to increase over time (e.g., from 0.0 to 1.0), while the input gain k2 applied to the digital signal of the first media content stream 492 may simultaneously begin to decrease over time (e.g., from 1.0 to 0.0). As with the previous type of switching, a k1 + k2 = 1.0 relationship may be maintained during the switching period to minimize and / or avoid volume changes during the switching process.

[0054] 5A-5C illustrate example usage models for a BMS and an EMS. FIG. 5A illustrates a first usage model 592 that may include a BMS 502 and an EMS 552. (BMS 502 may be substantially similar to or identical to BMS 102 and / or BMS 202, and EMS 552 may be substantially similar to or identical to EMS 152 and / or EMS 352.) BMS 502 may include a BMS media signal processor 504 (which may be substantially similar to or identical to BMS media signal processor 104 and / or media signal processor 204). EMS 552 may include an EMS media signal processor 554 (which may be substantially similar to or identical to EMS media signal processor 154 and / or media signal processor 354).

[0055] The media signal processor 204 may have an input section 512, an upmixing section 514, a signal processing section 516, and / or an output section 518. (The input section 512, the upmixing section 514, the signal processing section 516, and / or the output section 518 may be substantially similar to or identical to the input section 212, the upmixing section 214, the signal processing section 216, and / or the output section 218, respectively.) The BMS media signal processor 504 may receive as input, and subsequently process, media content (e.g., streaming media content) from one or more audio sources 532 and / or one or more video sources 536. The BMS media signal processor 504 may also generate, and subsequently transmit, an output to one or more audio sinks 534 and / or one or more video sinks 538. (Audio source 532, video source 536, audio sink 534, and video sink 538 may be substantially similar to or identical to audio source 232, video source 236, audio sink 234, and video sink 238, respectively.)

[0056] In a first usage model 592, the BMS media signal processor 504 may upmix the media content, for example in an upmixing unit 514, and the upmixed media content may then be provided to an EMS media signal processor 554. The upmixed media content may pass through an interface unit of the BMS 502 (of the type described herein) and an interface unit of the EMS 552, and may be provided to an input unit of the EMS media signal processor 554 (of the type described herein), an upmixing unit of the EMS media signal processor 554, and / or a signal processing unit of the EMS media signal processor 554. The signal processing unit of the EMS media signal processor 554 may process the upmixed media content (as described herein). Finally, an output unit of the EMS media signal processor 554 may provide the processed media content (as described herein) to the BMS media signal processor 504, for example, an output unit 518.

[0057] In other words, in the first usage model 592, the BMS media signal processor 504 may perform some upmixing of the media content, the upmixed media content may be upstreamed to 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.

[0058] 5B shows a second usage model 594 that is substantially similar to the first usage model 592. However, in the second usage model 594, the BMS media signal processor 504 may provide media content to the EMS media signal processor 554 before the media content is upmixed, for example, by the input unit 512. The EMS media signal processor 554 may then upmix and / or process the media content (as described herein) and provide the processed media content to the BMS media signal processor 504. Finally, as in the first usage model 592, the output unit of the EMS media signal processor 554 may provide the processed media content (as described herein) to the BMS media signal processor 504, for example, to the output unit 518.

[0059] In other words, in the second usage model 594, the BMS media signal processor 504 may simply upstream input media content (which may have been buffered as described herein) to the EMS media signal processor 554, the media content may be upmixed 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.

[0060] 5C illustrates a third usage model 596 that 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 may receive as input, and subsequently process, media content (e.g., streaming media content) from one or more audio sources 582 and / or one or more video sources 586 (which may be substantially similar to or identical to the audio sources 532 and / or the video sources 536). The upmixing section of the EMS media signal processor 554 may upmix the media content (as described herein), and the signal processing section of the EMS media signal processor 554 may process the upmixed media content (as described herein). Finally, the output section of the EMS media signal processor 554 may provide the processed media content (as described herein) to the BMS media signal processor 504, e.g., to the output section 518.

[0061] Thus, in various embodiments, the media content that is processed and downstreamed from the EMS to the BMS may be upmixed media content from the BMS (as in FIG. 5A), or input and possibly buffered media content from the BMS (as in FIG. 5B), or media content from an audio source and / or a video source (as in FIG. 5C). Following processing in the EMS (e.g., in a media signal processor of the EMS), the EMS may then downstream the processed media content to the BMS, which may then select whether to output the media content processed by the BMS or the media content processed by the EMS.

[0062] Thus, in various embodiments, a system for vehicular media signal processing may include a set of media source devices (as described herein), a set of media sink devices (as described herein), and a first device installed in a vehicle (e.g., a BMS, as described herein). The first device may have an output interface (e.g., a BMS output, as described herein) coupled to one or more media sink devices. For example, a point-to-point electronic communication link may be established between the first device and the second device (e.g., an EMS, as described herein) via the interface units of the first device and the second device. The system may identify, via communication between the first device and the second device, one or more media channels (e.g., upmixed media channels, as described herein) for which the first device receives streaming content from the second device. The first device may process (e.g., in a BMS signal processor, as described herein) a first media stream from one or more media source devices to create a first content stream for one or more media channels, and may receive a second content stream for one or more media channels from a second device over a point-to-point electronic communications link. The first device may select (e.g., at a BMS output) whether to provide the first content stream or the second content stream to an output interface.

[0063] Similarly, in various embodiments, a system for vehicular media signal processing may include a set of media source devices (as described herein), a set of media sink devices (as described herein), and a first device installed in a vehicle (e.g., a BMS, as described herein). The first device may have an output interface (e.g., a BMS output, as described herein) coupled to one or more media sink devices. For example, a point-to-point electronic communication link between the first device and a second device (e.g., an EMS, as described herein) carried by the vehicle via the interface units of the first and second devices. The system may identify, via communication between the first and second devices, one or more media channels (e.g., upmixed media channels, as described herein) for which the first device receives streaming content from the second device. The first device may process the first media streams from the one or more media source devices (e.g., in a BMS signal processor, as described herein) to create first content streams for the one or more media channels. The second device may process the second media stream from the one or more media source devices (e.g., in an EMS signal processor, as described herein) to create a second content stream for one or more media channels and may provide the second content stream for the one or more media channels to the first device over a point-to-point electronic communications link. The first device may select whether to provide the first content stream or the second content stream to an output interface (e.g., in a BMS output, as described herein).

[0064] 6A and 6B illustrate an example method for interoperation between a BMS and an EMS according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Method 600 may include establishing 605, identifying 610, processing 615, processing 620, receiving 625, and / or selecting 630. In various embodiments, method 600 may also include determining 655, downloading 660, generating 665, processing 670, and / or adjusting 675.

[0065] In establishing 605, a point-to-point electronic communication link may be established between a first device (e.g., a BSM, as described herein) installed in a vehicle and a second device (e.g., an ESM, as described herein) carried by the vehicle. In identifying 610, one or more media channels over which the first device receives streaming content from the second device may be identified, e.g., via communication between the first and second devices. In processing 615, a first media stream based on one or more media sources may be processed (e.g., by a BSM signal processor, as described herein) to create a first content stream for the one or more media channels. In some embodiments, in processing 620, a second media stream based on one or more media sources may be processed (e.g., by an ESM, as described herein) to create a second content stream for the one or more media channels. In receiving 625, a second content stream for the one or more media channels from the second device may be received by the first device via the point-to-point electronic communication link. In selecting 630, a selection may be made at the first device between providing the first content stream or the second content stream to an output interface (e.g., a BSM output, as described herein) coupled to one or more media sinks.

[0066] In some embodiments, the point-to-point electronic communication link may be a wired communication link. In some embodiments, the one or more media channels may be audio channels, the one or more media sources may be audio sources, and the one or more media sinks may be audio sinks.

[0067] In some embodiments, the processing of the first media stream at the first device is by a first digital signal processor (e.g., of a BMS signal processor, as described herein). In some embodiments, the processing of the second media stream at the second device is by a second digital signal processor (e.g., of an EMS signal processor, as described herein).

[0068] In some embodiments, a determination may be made by the first device as to whether the at least one media signal processing feature is available to the second device in determining 655. In some embodiments, in downloading 660, the at least one selected media signal processing feature may be downloaded by the second device from a source external to the vehicle (e.g., following a purchase or subscription with an external system, such as a cloud computing system, via a wireless electronic communications link between the EMS and the external system).

[0069] In some embodiments, processing at the second device is conditioned on enabling a corresponding media signal processing feature. In some embodiments, in generating 665, a list of one or more media signal processing features for a user of the vehicle may be generated by the first device. The list may include features available for the first device to use in interoperation with the second device. In some embodiments, in processing 670, selecting by the user at least one media signal processing feature from the list of one or more media signal processing features may be processed by the first device.

[0070] In some embodiments, in adjusting 675, while switching between providing the first content stream to the output interface and providing the 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 (e.g., by a BMS output unit) to produce a summed adjusted output content stream, and the summed adjusted output content stream may be provided to an output interface (e.g., of a BSM output unit).

[0071] In some embodiments, an intermediate media stream of the first device based on the first media stream (e.g., after being input to the BMS or after being upmixed by the BMS) may be provided by the first device to the second device via a point-to-point electronic communications link.

[0072] Methods may be configured for operation of the systems disclosed herein, and therefore the same advantages that apply to the systems may also apply to the methods.

[0073] The description of the embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Suitable modifications and variations to the embodiments may be made in light of the above description or may be acquired from practicing the methods. For example, unless otherwise stated, one or more of the described methods may be performed by any suitable device and / or combination of devices. The methods may be performed by executing stored instructions using one or more logic devices (e.g., processors) in combination with one or more additional hardware elements, such as storage devices, memories, image sensors / lens systems, light sensors, hardware network interfaces / antennas, switches, actuators, clock circuits, etc. The described methods and associated actions may also be performed in various orders, in parallel, and / or simultaneously in addition to the order described herein.

[0074] It should be noted that the example control and estimation routines included herein may be used in a variety of system configurations. The control methods and routines disclosed herein may be stored as executable instructions in non-transitory memory and performed by a control system including a controller in combination with various sensors, actuators, and other hardware. The particular routines described herein may represent one or more of any number of processing strategies, such as event-driven, interrupt-driven, multitasking, multithreading, etc. Accordingly, the various actions, operations, and / or functions illustrated may be performed in the order shown, in parallel, or in some cases omitted. Similarly, the order of processing is not necessarily required to achieve the features and advantages of the example embodiments described herein, but is provided for ease of illustration and description. Depending on the particular strategy being used, one or more of the illustrated actions, operations, and / or functions may be performed repeatedly. Furthermore, the described actions, operations, and / or functions may be graphically represented as code programmed into the non-transitory memory of a computer-readable storage medium, with the described actions being performed by executing the instructions in a system including various hardware components in combination with an electronic controller.

[0075] The present disclosure also provides support for a method including: 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 one or more media channels for which the first device receives streaming content from the second device through communication between the first device and the second device; processing the first media stream based on one or more media sources to create a first content stream for the one or more media channels; receiving a 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 selecting, at the first device, whether to provide the first content stream or the second content stream to an output interface coupled to one or more media sinks. In a first example of the method, the point-to-point 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, the one or more media sources are audio sources, and the one or more media sinks are audio sinks.

[0010] A third example of the method optionally includes one or both of the first and second examples, wherein the method further includes, at the second device, processing the second media stream based on the one or more media sources to create a second content stream for one or more media channels. A fourth example of the method optionally includes one or more or each of the first through third examples, wherein the processing of the first media stream at the first device is by a first digital signal processor and the processing of the second media stream at the second device is by a second digital signal processor. A fifth example of the method optionally includes one or more or each of the first through fourth examples, wherein the processing at the second device is conditioned on enabling corresponding media signal processing functionality.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 may further include determining, by the first device, whether the at least one media signal processing feature is available to 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, the at least one selected media signal processing feature from a source external to the vehicle.

[0010] A ninth example of the method optionally includes one or more or each of the first through eighth examples, wherein the method further includes, while 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, summing 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.

[0011] A tenth example of the method optionally includes one or more or each of the first through ninth examples, wherein the method further includes providing, from the first device to the second device via a point-to-point electronic communications link, an intermediate media stream of the first device based on the first media stream.

[0076] The present disclosure also provides a method for transmitting streaming content from one or more media sink devices to a vehicle, the method comprising: receiving, at the first device, one or more media source devices; receiving, at the first device, one or more media sink devices; a first device installed in a vehicle, the first device having an output interface coupled to the one or more media sink 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 in the vehicle; identifying, via communication between the first device and the second device, one or more media channels over which the first device receives streaming content from the second device;

[0009] The present invention provides support for a system for vehicular media signal processing, the system processing a first media stream from one or more media source devices to create a first content stream for a media channel, processing 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 at a second device, providing the second content stream for the one or more media channels from the second device to a first device via a point-to-point electronic communication link, and configuring an output interface at the first device to select whether to provide the first content stream or the second content stream. 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, the one or more media source devices are audio source devices, and the one or more media sink devices are audio sink devices.A third example system optionally includes one or both of the first and second examples, wherein the processing of the first media stream at the first device is by a first digital signal processor and the processing of the second media stream at the second device is by a second digital signal processor. A fourth example system optionally includes one or more or each of the first through third examples, wherein the processing at the second device is conditional on enabling a corresponding media signal processing feature. A fifth example system optionally includes one or more or each of the first through fourth examples, wherein the executable instructions, when executed, cause the one or more processors to generate, by the first device, a list of one or more media signal processing features for a user of the vehicle, and to process, 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. A sixth example system optionally includes one or more or each of the first through fifth examples, and the executable instructions, when executed, cause the one or more processors to determine, by the second device, at least one selected media signal processing feature from a source external to the vehicle. A seventh example system optionally includes one or more or each of the first through sixth examples, and the executable instructions, when executed, cause the one or more processors to download, by the second device, one or more media signal processing features from a source external to the vehicle.

[0013] An eighth example system optionally includes one or more or each of the first through seventh examples, and the executable instructions when executed cause the one or more processors to, while switching between providing the first content stream to the output interface and providing the 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.

[0014] A ninth example system optionally includes one or more or each of the first through eighth examples, and the executable instructions when executed cause the one or more processors to provide a first device intermediate media stream based on the first media stream to a second device over a point-to-point electronic communications link from the first device to a second device.

[0077] The present disclosure also provides support for a system for vehicular media signal processing, comprising: one or more media source devices; one or more media sink devices; a first device installed in a vehicle, the first device having an output interface coupled to the one or more media sink devices; one or more processors; and a non-transitory memory having executable instructions, which, 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 receives streaming content from the second device; process, at the first device, the first media streams from the one or more media source devices to create first content streams for the one or more media channels; receive, from the second device via the point-to-point electronic communication link to the first device, a second content stream for the one or more media channels; and select, at the first device, an output interface to provide either the first content stream or the second content stream. In a first example of the system, the point-to-point electronic communications link is a wired communications link. In a second example of the system, optionally including the first example, the one or more media channels are audio channels, the one or more media source devices are audio source devices, and the one or more media sink devices are audio sink 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 the second media stream based on the one or more media source devices to create, at the second device, a second content stream for the one or more media channels.In a fourth example of a system, optionally including one or more or each of the first through third examples, the executable instructions, when executed, cause one or more processors to cause the processing of a first media stream at a first device by a first digital signal processor and the processing of a second media stream at a second device by a second digital signal processor. In a fifth example of a system, optionally including one or more or each of the first through fourth examples, the executable instructions, when executed, cause one or more processors to cause the processing at the second device to be conditional on enabling a corresponding media signal processing feature. In a sixth example of a system, optionally including one or more or each of the first through fifth examples, the executable instructions, when executed, cause one or more processors to generate, by a first device, a list of one or more available media signal processing features for a user of the vehicle, and to process, 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. A seventh example of a system optionally includes one or more or each of the first through sixth examples, wherein the executable instructions, when executed, cause the one or more processors to determine, by the first device, whether at least one media signal processing feature selected by a user is available to the second device. An eighth example of a system optionally includes one or more or each of the first through seventh examples, wherein the executable instructions, when executed, cause the one or more processors to download, by the second device, at least one media signal processing feature selected by the user from a source external to the vehicle.

[0013] A ninth example of a system optionally including one or more or each of the first through eighth examples, wherein the executable instructions, when executed, cause the one or more processors to, while switching between providing the first content stream to the output interface and providing the 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.

[0014] A tenth example of a system optionally including one or more or each of the first through ninth examples, wherein the executable instructions, when executed, cause the one or more processors to provide a first device intermediate media stream based on the first media stream to a second device over a point-to-point electronic communications link from the first device to a second device.

[0078] The description of the embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Suitable modifications and variations to the embodiments may be made in light of the above description or acquired from practicing the methods. For example, unless otherwise stated, one or more of the described methods may be performed by any suitable device and / or combination of devices, such as the vehicle systems and cloud computing systems described above with respect to FIGS. 1-6B. The methods may be performed by executing stored instructions using one or more logic devices (e.g., processors) in combination with one or more additional hardware elements, such as storage devices, memories, image sensors / lens systems, light sensors, hardware network interfaces / antennas, switches, actuators, clock circuits, etc. The described methods and related actions may also be performed in various orders, in parallel, and / or simultaneously in addition to the order described herein. The described systems are exemplary in nature and may include additional elements and / or omit elements. The subject matter of the present disclosure includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various disclosed systems and configurations, and other features, functions, and / or properties.

[0079] As used in this application, elements or steps referred to in the singular and preceded by the English word "a" or "an" should be understood as not excluding the plural of that element or step, unless a specific statement is made that such elements or steps are excluded. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment" or "one example" of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. The terms "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 subject matter that is regarded as new and unobvious in light of the above disclosure.

Claims

1. 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 said vehicle; identifying one or more media channels over which the first device receives streaming content from the second device through communication between the first device and the second device; processing, at 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 a second content stream for the one or more media channels from the second device over the point-to-point electronic communications link to the first device; selecting, at the first device, whether to provide the first content stream or the second content stream to an output interface coupled to one or more media sinks; The method comprising:

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the point-to-point electronic communications link is a wired communications link.

3. the one or more media channels are audio channels; the one or more media sources are audio sources; The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the one or more media sinks are audio sinks.

4. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising: at 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 processing of the first media stream at the first device is by a first digital signal processor; The method of claim 4 , wherein the processing of the second media stream at the second device is by a second digital signal processor.

6. The method of claim 4 or 5, wherein said processing is conditioned on enabling corresponding media signal processing functionality in said second device.

7. generating, by the first device, a list of one or more media signal processing capabilities for a user of the vehicle; 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising: processing, by said first device, at least one media signal processing function selected by said user from said list of one or more media signal processing functions.

8. 10. The method of any preceding claim, further comprising determining, by the first device, whether at least one media signal processing function is available to the second device.

9. 10. A method according to any preceding claim, further comprising downloading, by the second device, at least one selected media signal processing function from a source external to the vehicle.

10. during 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 to produce a summed output adjusted content stream; 10. The method of any preceding claim, further comprising: providing the summed adjusted output content stream to the output interface.

11. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing an intermediate media stream of the first device based on the first media stream from the first device to the second device over the point-to-point electronic communication link.

12. 1. A system for vehicular media signal processing, comprising: one or more media source devices; one or more media sink devices; a first device installed in the vehicle, the first device having an output interface coupled to the one or more media sink devices; one or more processors; a non-transitory memory having executable instructions that, when executed, cause the one or more processors to: establishing a point-to-point electronic communications link between the first device and a second device carried by the vehicle; communication between the first device and the second device, causing the first device to identify one or more media channels over which the first device receives streaming content from the second device; processing, at the first device, a first media stream from the one or more media source devices to create a first content stream for the one or more media channels; processing, at the second device, 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; causing the second device to provide the second content stream for the one or more media channels to the first device via the point-to-point electronic communications link; The system for vehicular media signal processing causes the output interface at the first device to select whether to provide the first content stream or the second content stream.

13. 13. The system for vehicular media signal processing of claim 12, wherein the point-to-point electronic communication link is a wired communication link.

14. the one or more media channels are audio channels; the one or more media source devices are audio source devices; The system for vehicular media signal processing according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the one or more media sink devices are audio sink devices.

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

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

17. The executable instructions, when executed, cause the one or more processors to:

17. The system for vehicular media signal processing according to claim 12, wherein the system causes the first device to provide an intermediate media stream of the first device based on the first media stream to the second device via the point-to-point electronic communication link.

18. 1. A system for vehicular media signal processing, comprising: one or more media source devices; one or more media sink devices; a first device installed in the vehicle, the first device having an output interface coupled to the one or more media sink devices; one or more processors; a non-transitory memory having executable instructions that, when executed, cause the one or more processors to: establishing a point-to-point electronic communications link between the first device and a second device; communication between the first device and the second device, causing the first device to identify one or more media channels over which the first device receives streaming content from the second device; processing, at the first device, a first media stream from the one or more media source devices to create a first content stream for the one or more media channels; receiving a second content stream for the one or more media channels from the second device over the point-to-point electronic communications link to the first device; The system for vehicular media signal processing causes the output interface at the first device to select whether to provide the first content stream or the second content stream.

19. the point-to-point electronic communications link is a wired communications link; the one or more media channels are audio channels; the one or more media source devices are audio source devices; 20. The system for vehicular media signal processing of claim 18, wherein the one or more media sink devices are audio sink devices.

20. The executable instructions, when executed, cause the one or more processors to:

20. The system for vehicular media signal processing of claim 18 or 19, further comprising: processing, at the second device, 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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