Vehicle audio integrator

An audio integrator connected to a plurality of audio sources, comprising:

• an active audio detection circuit configured to receive an output of each audio source and to output an indication of which audio sources are active;
• a time delay buffer configured to selectively receive the output of one or more audio sources and to output delayed audio;
• a tone generator configured to output a unique tone associated with each audio source;
• an audio multiplexer configured to receive the output of each audio source, the output of the time delay buffer, and the output of the tone generator, and further configured to output a uniquely associated tone prior to switching to an output of a single audio signal to indicate that a switch between audio sources is occurring;
• and
• a controller configured to receive the indication of active audio sources from the active audio detection circuit, and dynamically prioritize the active audio sources, and to control the time delay buffer and the audio multiplexer to switch from a first audio signal from a first audio source to a delayed second audio signal from a second audio source, after playing the tone uniquely associated with the second audio source, in response to determining that the second audio source has a higher priority than the first audio source.

A method of switching audio output between a plurality of audio sources in a vehicle, comprising:

• dynamically prioritizing the audio sources;
• outputting a first audio signal from a first active audio source to one or more speakers;
• detecting that a second audio source has become active;
• outputting a tone uniquely associated with the second audio source indicating that a switch from the first audio source to the second audio source is occurring;
• delaying a second audio signal from the second audio source to prevent the loss of audible information;
• and
• switching from the first audio signal to the second delayed audio signal in response to detecting that the second audio source is active.

A computer product comprising:

• A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising:
• instructions for dynamically prioritizing the audio sources;
• instructions for outputting a first audio signal from a first active audio source to one or more speakers;
• instructions for detecting that a second audio source has become active, the second audio source having a higher priority than the first audio source;
• instructions for delaying a second audio signal from the second audio source to prevent the loss of audible information;
• instructions for directing a tone to the speakers prior to switching from the first audio signal to the second audio signal wherein the tone is uniquely associated with the second audio source and indicates that a switch from the first audio source to the second audio source is occurring;
• and
• instructions for switching from the first audio signal to the delayed second audio signal in response to detecting that the second audio source is active.

An audio integrator connected to a plurality of audio sources, comprising:

• active audio detection means for receiving an output of each audio source and outputting an indication of which audio sources are active;
• time delay buffer means for selectively receiving the output of one or more audio sources and outputting delayed audio;
• tone generator means for outputting a unique tone associated with each audio source;
• audio multiplexer means for receiving the output of each audio source, the output of the time delay buffer, and the output of the tone generator, and outputting a uniquely associated tone prior to switching to an output of a single audio signal to indicate that a switch between audio sources is occurring;
• and
• controller means for receiving the indication of active audio sources from the active audio detection circuit, dynamically prioritizing the active audio sources, and controlling the time delay buffer and the audio multiplexer to switch from a first audio signal from a first audio source to a delayed second audio signal from a second audio source, after playing the tone uniquely associated with the second audio source, in response to determining that the second audio source has a higher priority than the first audio source.