Abstract:
A system of and method for installation and use thereof that provides for application of karaoke system components applicable mobile environments, including integrated or retrofittable components in a manner that allows vehicle occupants to selectively utilize in combination a karaoke system together with audio and related operating systems to provide an integrated karaoke system.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/933,759, filed Sep. 03, 2004. 
     
    
     STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not applicable  
       REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX  
       [0003]     Not applicable  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0005]     The present invention relates to entertainment systems, and more particularly, to entertainment systems for either stationary or mobile use (i.e. in motor vehicles), either as an integral system or for modular application as a retrofit, and for the latter case utilizing in situ vehicle components to support and broadcast one or more sound streams, or at or adjacent a desk top or other location.  
         [0006]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0007]     Karaoke is an increasingly popular form of entertainment which allows enables live participation, to sing along with a desired soundtrack of a virtually unlimited spectrum of songs. Originally conceived in Japan, karaoke is widely enjoyed throughout the U.S. and the world, in private homes as well as in clubs and restaurants. Karaoke is a Japanese abbreviated compound word which translates roughly as “empty orchestra.” “Kara” comes from “karappo” meaning empty, and “oke” is the abbreviation of “okesutura,” or orchestra. Karaoke is used to describe any sing-a-long track which may optionally be displayed on a TV or video screen. Usually, a music recording consists of vocals and accompaniment. Those music recordings in which only the accompaniment is recorded are called karaoke CD&#39;s or karaoke discs.” 
         [0008]     Karaoke systems are known. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,250,747; 5,454,723; 5,473,106; 5,484,291; 5,518,408; 5,609,486; 5,679,911; 5,684,261; 5,739,452; and 5,811,708 all describe karaoke-directed systems which generally allow separate input streams of one or more voices, together with a music soundtrack to be amplified, adjusted and mixed together and outputted to an audio speaker for broadcasting to an audience. U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,633 describes a chamber in a backrest assembly that may receive and support a karaoke system. U.S. Pat. No. 4,866,515 describes an individual entertainment system installed in each seat back of an airplane with entertainment signals transmitted from a central unit to each individual entertainment system.  
         [0009]     It will be appreciated that such prior art apparatuses are generally available in two formats: portable and component style. A prior art portable player, typically available as an “all-in-one player” commonly includes a music soundtrack player in one or more formats including cassette and CD, one or more inputs for a like number of microphones (for solo or duet singing as desired), and a built-in speaker for outputting the combined sound stream. Some prior art karaoke players may also include a recording device to capture the output, pitch controller, reverb controller, and audio output jacks.  
         [0010]     Alternatively, component-style prior art apparatuses component karaoke players are similar to CD players in size and function except that they have several additional features: two or more microphone inputs with separate microphone volume controls and a digital key and digital echo control. The component player does not have its own speaker or amp so it must be connected to a home or professional sound system to drive the sound. Similar to portable karaoke players, the component player has a video output jack for connection to a home TV or to a professional monitor. The typical karaoke component player does not have its own audio recorder so any tapes/CDs must be made using a separate tape recorder.  
         [0011]     The component players are typically multi-disc systems, either carousel or drawer. The component system also has many programmable features that make it easy to cue specific discs and tracks, which are features considered important by professional karaoke “jockeys”.  
         [0012]     Despite the prior art described above, however, there are additional locals and venues where the inventors of the present invention have determined there is a desire to utilize the karaoke concept, including mobile applications. There is known in the prior art a car-mounted audio system wherein the parts which an operator needs for operation of the system i.e., the operator controls such as knobs and buttons, the display section for displaying operational states, and the drive deck (the mechanical components), are provided in a console unit or in the dashboard, and the other parts are provided in hidden-away locations as much as possible. This arrangement provides the freedom of combining each of the units with other units and it is contemplated that various different types of components, e.g., personal radio communication devices, compact disk units and so, can be combined to expand the system as desired. See  FIG. 10 , showing certain prior art structure. In particular, in  FIG. 10 , the components shown in double-line enclosures are provided in the console or dashboard unit, which comprises operator control section  16 , display section  17 , and a deck section  18 . The parts shown in single-line enclosures are provided in hideaway locations. The latter include a tuner unit  19 , a preamplifier unit  23 , a unit  24  for singing an accompaniment to the tune of a melody recorded on a recording medium such as magnetic tape or other recorded media (hereinafter referred to as “the karaoke unit” or “the karaoke apparatus”), a graphic equalizer unit  25 , an ASL unit  26  (an apparatus to control the volume automatically), and a power amplifier unit  27 . These components comprise the audio signal processing portion of the system.  
         [0013]     The units are connected to one another by a connecting cable  20 . The cable  20  is composed of a microcomputer bus line  21  and a two-core shielding connection line  22  which comprises an L &amp; R channel line and a ground line. Microcomputer  1  and a plurality of microcomputers  2  are respectively connected via the microcomputer bus line  21 , wherein the microcomputer  1  works as a master source and each microcomputer  2  works as a terminal satisfying its unit specification.  
         [0014]     Each of the microcomputers  1  and  2  are connected with the circuits  4  to  11  within the units  16 - 26 . When the circuits  4 ,  5  of the operator control section and the display section do not have any signal sources, then they would not be connected with the audio bus line  22 .  
         [0015]     A microphone  12  for the karaoke apparatus is connected with the circuits  9  of the karaoke unit  24 . A microphone  13  for detecting white or pink noise (i.e. ambient characteristics) is connected with the circuit  10  of the graphic equalizer  25 . Further, a microphone  14  for detecting any running or ambient noise is connected with the circuit  11  of the ASL unit  26 . In addition, speakers  15  for the L &amp; R channel are connected with the power amplifier units  27 . When the operator manipulates the operator controls in this prior art audio equipment, each unit is controlled by the microcomputer  1  and a result of the control state is displayed on the display  17 . During operation of deck  18 , an audio signal from the circuit  6  is fed to the audio source bus line  22  shown by the dotted line in  FIG. 1  and is fed to the circuit  8  of the preamplifier unit  23 , wherein signal processing to effect volume control and tone control is performed. The processed signal is fed to the audio signal line  28 , which is connected with the power source. Therefore, conventional audio processing is done toward said signal so that finally the speaker  15  is driven through the power amplifier  27 .  
         [0016]     In the case of the karaoke operation, the audio signal is detected through the microphone  12  connected with the circuit  9  of the karaoke unit  24 . This detected signal is subjected to echo processing and mixing and fed to the audio signal line  28 . The microphone  13  connected with the graphic equalizer  25  is used for controlling the automatic frequency characteristic and detects the pink noise transmitted inside the car. That is to say, the pink noise originated at the circuit  10  is amplified through the power amplifier and put on the air over the speaker  15  in the car. Owing to the fact that the microphone  13  then detects the sounded pink noise, the circuit  10  discriminates the level at each frequency processed by the graphic equalizer and controls the equalizer so as to produce a flat frequency characteristic. Since the microphone  14  of the ASL unit  26  detects the running noise inside the car, the circuit  11  controls the volume and the tone, etc., on the base of the noise for compensating the Masking Phenomenon which is brought by the running noise. Audio signal system processing of the prior art includes audio outputs of the sources, i.e., the deck section, the tuner unit and other source units, are connected to the audio source bus line as the current source through a voltage-current conversion circuit  29 . The signal currents from the plural sources are fed to a current-voltage conversion circuit  30  of the preamplifier  23  to convert the currents into voltage, which are fed to another audio unit through the volume tone circuit  31 . Since the car-mounted audio equipment of the prior art is configured as mentioned above, separate microphones have to be provided for the karaoke unit  24 , the graphic equalizer unit  25 , and the ASL unit  26 .  
         [0017]     However, none of the known prior art of record is adaptable for use with control or non-control surfaces of the motor vehicle to which the equipment is mounted for use. In particular, the prior art fails to provide for application of karaoke system components applicable either as built-in (i.e. integrated) or retrofittable components in a manner that allows the vehicles&#39;s occupants to selectively utilize in combination a karaoke system together with audio and related vehicular operating systems to provide an integrated karaoke system.  
         [0018]     Accordingly, there exists a need for a system of method of installation and use thereof that provides for application of karaoke system components applicable either as built-in (i.e. integrated) or retrofittable components in a manner that allows the vehicles&#39;s occupants to selectively utilize in combination a karaoke system together with audio and related vehicular operating systems to provide an integrated karaoke system.  
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]     Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a novel entertainment system for a motor vehicle.  
         [0020]     It is another object of the invention to provide a novel entertainment system that is integrated into the stereo system of a motor vehicle.  
         [0021]     It is a still further object of the invention to provide a novel entertainment system that may be retrofitted and integrated into the radio system of the vehicle, whereby the components of the entertainment system are selectively integrated into control or noncontrol units and surfaces of the vehicle.  
         [0022]     It is yet another object of the invention to provide a novel entertainment system of the invention that is integrated into a unit for installation into a vehicle when it is being assembled.  
         [0023]     It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a novel input device for use in connection with an audio system, whether mobile or fixed within a mobile vehicle or for fixed land application, the novel input device providing karaoke-style user participation in connection with an audio stream produced by the audio system.  
         [0024]     According to the present invention, a system of and method for installation and use thereof that provides for application of karaoke system components applicable either as built-in (i.e. integrated) or retrofittable components in a manner that allows the vehicles&#39;s occupants to selectively utilize in combination a karaoke system together with audio and related vehicular operating systems to provide an integrated karaoke system. These objects and other objects which will become apparent from the following specification are provided by an entertainment system for a motor vehicle which comprises a radio or other source of downloadable music data, a source of recorded music connected thereto, at least one loudspeaker, and at least one transducer arranged to receive the voice of an occupant of the vehicle and to produce an electronic signal output, and an electronic circuit for receiving said signal and for coupling the signal output to said radio. Operation of the system is provided by input to input devices such as but not limited to impact pads adapted to be fitted to a variety of surfaces of the motor vehicle, such as the steering wheel, dashboard, seat back, console, other interior panels, as well as operating controls such as but not limited to levers, switches, and other controls. It will be appreciated that operation of the system is not limited to the interior of the vehicle, but may be extended to adjacent areas such as a pick-up bed, trunk or even external surfaces of the vehicle designated for use in conjunction with the system. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic view of the entertainment system of the present invention mounted to a mobile environment, such as an automobile.  
         [0026]      FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of operative aspects of the present invention mounted adjacent to a steering wheel of an automobile.  
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is a partial, detailed view of the components and mounting structure shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the percussion components shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , further showing mounting structure for mounting the percussion components to a steering wheel of an automobile.  
         [0029]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of one aspect of the invention, in which the percussion and optionally various karaoke system components are mounted to and supported by a cantilever arm secured to a structure of the automobile in which the system is installed.  
         [0030]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the karaoke system housing.  
         [0031]      FIG. 7  is a front elevational view of an in-dash head unit for the karaoke/entertainment system supported by the automobile.  
         [0032]      FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic view of the karaoke/entertainment system of the present invention, showing input and output elements together with operational circuitry.  
         [0033]      FIG. 9  is a diagrammatic view of the karaoke/entertainment system of the present invention, showing additional input and output elements together with operational circuitry desired to provide a desired conditioned output audio signal as well as visual indicators thereof.  
         [0034]      FIG. 10  is a diagrammatic view of an entertainment system of the prior art, showing common operational elements.  
         [0035]      FIG. 11  is an elevational view of a motor vehicle steering wheel to which the entertainment system of the present invention is installed.  
         [0036]      FIG. 12  is a sectional view of the motor vehicle steering wheel of  FIG. 11 , showing additional aspects of the invention.  
         [0037]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view taken through section  13 - 13  of  FIG. 12 , showing additional aspects of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0038]     Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like and corresponding parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 10  shows a diagrammatic rendering of a related prior art system,  FIGS. 1-9  showing the present invention as will be more fully described below. Specifically, and with reference to  FIG. 10 , the components shown in double-line enclosures are provided in the console or dashboard unit, which comprises operator control section  16 , display section  17 , and a deck section  18 . The parts shown in single-line enclosures are provided in hideaway locations. The latter include a tuner unit  19 , a preamplifier unit  23 , a unit  24  for singing along with a tune of a melody recorded on a recording medium such as magnetic tape (hereinafter referred to as “the karaoke unit” or “the karaoke apparatus”), a graphic equalizer unit  25 , an ASL unit  26  (an apparatus to control the volume automatically), and a power amplifier unit  27 . These components comprise the audio signal processing portion of the system.  
         [0039]     The units are connected to one another by a connecting cable  20 . The cable  20  is composed of a microcomputer bus line  21  and a two-core shielding connection line  22  which comprises, for example, an L &amp; R channel line and a ground line. Microcomputer  1  and a plurality of microcomputers  2  are respectively connected via the microcomputer bus line  21 , wherein the microcomputer  1  works as a master source and each microcomputer  2  works as a terminal satisfying its unit specification. It will be appreciated that additional multichannel music formats including by way of example only, 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1 formats. That is, the terms 5.1, 6.1, and 7.1 mean that there are five, six, or seven main speakers, plus a subwoofer, in the playback system. (A subwoofer reproduces the LFE channel recorded on 5.1 soundtracks, plus any bass the main speakers cannot handle.) The difference in formats is in the number of surround speakers: two in a 5.1 system, three in a 6.1 system, and four in a 7.1 system. An additional format that may be implemented with the present invention includes wall surfaces converted into transducers as will be appreciated by the skilled artisan.  
         [0040]     Each of the microcomputers  1  and  2  are connected with the circuits  4  to  11  within the units  16 - 26 . When the circuits  4 ,  5  of the operator control section and the display section do not have any signal sources, then they would not be connected with the audio bus line  22 .  
         [0041]     A microphone  12  for the karaoke apparatus is connected with the circuits  9  of the karaoke unit  24 . A microphone  13  for detecting so-called pink noise is connected with the circuit  10  of the graphic equalizer  25 . Further, a microphone  14  for detecting the running noise is connected with the circuit  11  of the ASL unit  26 . In addition, speakers  15  for the L &amp; R channel are connected with the power amplifier units  27 . When the operator manipulates the operator controls in this prior art audio equipment, each unit is controlled by the microcomputer  1  and a result of the control state is displayed on the display  17 . During operation of deck  18 , the audio signal from the circuit  6  is fed to the audio source bus line  22  shown by the dotted line in  FIG. 1  and is fed to the circuit  8  of the preamplifier unit  23 , wherein signal processing to effect volume control and tone control is performed. The processed signal is fed to the audio signal line  28 , which is connected with the power source. Therefore, conventional audio processing is done toward said signal so that finally the speaker  15  is driven through the power amplifier  27 .  
         [0042]     In the case of the karaoke operation, the audio signal is detected through the microphone  12  connected with the circuit  9  of the karaoke unit  24 . This detected signal is subjected to echo processing and mixing and fed to the audio signal line  28 . The microphone  13  connected with the graphic equalizer  25  is used for controlling the automatic frequency characteristic and detects pink noise transmitted inside the car. Thus, pink noise originated at the circuit  10  is amplified through the power amplifier and put on the air over the speaker  15  in the car. Owing to the fact that the microphone  13  then detects pink noise, the circuit  10  discriminates the level at each frequency processed by the graphic equalizer and controls the equalizer so as to produce a flat frequency characteristic. Since the microphone  14  of the ASL unit  26  detects the running noise inside the car, the circuit  11  controls the volume and the tone, etc., on the basis of that noise for compensating masking phenomenon which is brought by the running noise. Audio signal system processing of the prior art includes audio outputs of the sources, i.e., the deck section, the tuner unit and other source units, are connected to the audio source bus line as the current source through a voltage-current conversion circuit  29 . The signal currents from the plural sources are fed to a current-voltage conversion circuit  30  of the preamplifier  23  to convert the currents into voltage, which are fed to another audio unit through the volume tone circuit  31 . Since the car-mounted audio equipment of the prior art is configured as mentioned above, separate microphones have to be provided for the karaoke unit  24 , the graphic equalizer unit  25 , and the ASL unit  26 .  
         [0043]     It will be appreciated that the present invention beneficially utilizes this separation of components, in the manner to be more fully described below in connection with the discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0044]     With reference now to  FIGS. 2-9 , and according to the present invention, a mobile environment such as an automobile  50  having a dashboard  51  or center console  52  positioned between the commonly-provided two front seats (not shown) of the vehicle  50  may be provided with karaoke operational controls  55  to  59  ( FIG. 7 ), and a vehicle steering wheel  53  to accommodate the overall installation of entertainment system  40 . Vocal input is provided via microphones  60 ,  62  respectively of the entertainment system of the invention, the microphones  60 ,  62  being mounted where desirable within the confines of the vehicle or even extendable to a location outside of the vehicle such as a pickup-bed or extendable to an extent that enables the vehicle-mounted system to function as part of a sound stage. System controls  55 - 59  adjust the level of signal output from each of the microphones  60 ,  62  in the vehicle  50 . By way of example, control  55  adjusts the output of the microphone  60 . Control  56  adjusts the output of the microphone of the microphone  62 . For retrofitted systems, controls  55 - 59  may be contained in a separate enclosure, and optionally removable to enable vehicle-to-vehicle transfer. To achieve this objective, the bottom (or other portion) of the enclosure may have a removably securable attachment means such as a quick-release bracket or an adhesive strip for attachment to the console or other supporting structure of the vehicle  50 .  
         [0045]     As indicated above, the entertainment system of the invention is suitable for retrofitting to a vehicle. In the system illustrated, the output from microphones  60 ,  62  are controlled by variable amplifiers, which in turn are coupled to a first mixer  64 , the output of which is coupled to, for example, a feedback or squeal suppressor. A receiving antenna is coupled to radio section having a radio receiver  66 , the output of which and the outputs from CD player  68  and cassette player  70  or Bluetooth-enabled output devices  79  (e.g. I-Pod(™)) are coupled to a second mixer  72 , the output of which is coupled to transmitter  74  which in turn is coupled to transmitting antenna  74 . In operation, the variable amplifiers control the amplitude of the output of the microphones in order to adjust the differences in the singing voices of the occupants of the vehicle. The squeal suppressor and/or audio gate and/or echo cancellation serves to suppress the squeal or echo that would be induced in the system by the proximity of the microphones  60 ,  62  and the radio receiver  66 . Through selection of the output from the radio receiver  66 , the CD player  68  or the cassette player  70 , mixer  64  mixes the selected output from the various selected input elements with the output from the squeal suppressor and feeds it to the transmitter, which transmits on an FM frequency on the FM dial that is not used for broadcast. The signal from the transmitting antenna is picked up by the receiving antenna of the car stereo radio (not shown), which is tuned to the selected FM frequency. The signal is amplified and coupled to the internal loudspeaker  80  or external loudspeaker  82  and adjusted by the fader and balance controls already present in the stereo system of the vehicle.  
         [0046]     According to the invention, percussion inputs are provided via percussion pads  200 ,  202  operating through an electronic percussion controller, to generate outputs such as but not limited to acoustic and electronic drums, hand percussion instruments, sound effects or any other prerecorded or generated sampled sound. Percussion pads  200 ,  202  may be obtained from Pintech as Model NR6 Nimrod. As will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, the pads are playable by finger, hand or drum sticks, and outputs are directed via a MIDI, USB, Firewire or other data transmission output for triggering other sound sources, connecting to external sequencer whether contained in a cellular telephone, PDA, laptop computer or outboard musical or electronic device and ultimately being mixed with and outputted with a singer&#39;s voice output. As with other inputs, pads  200 ,  202  may be selectively mapped with different sound outputs to effect a desired sound effect. Pads  200 ,  202  are either selectively affixed to a desired surface, integrally formed therewith, or provided in an accessory. By way of example, pads  200 ,  202  with application to a motor vehicle steering wheel  53  may be affixed directed to the rim  206 , spokes  208  or center hub  210  of the steering wheel, either removably or permanently. According to one embodiment, pads  200 ,  202  are mounted to a cross-bar  212  bridging a circumferential aspect of rim  206 , either temporarily or permanently secured thereto. For a temporary securement, the cross-bar  212  is secured by one or more (two shown) c-clamp structures for partially embracing the rim  206  with a snap fit engagement, which provides only a nominally additional overall thickness to the steering wheel rim and thus does not hamper rotation of the steering wheel through the driver&#39;s hands during typical driving maneuvers.  
         [0047]     Alternatively, the pads may be integrally formed with any of those structures, or even provided within the structure of a steering wheel rim cover. According to yet a further embodiment, pads  200 ,  202  may be incorporated into a partial or full steering wheel cover with fixed or removably secured (e.g. via VELCRO (™) cooperating engagement means) for permanent or temporary affixation as desired. Whatever the securement means, each pad  200 ,  202  includes a transducer section that transmits to a receiver, and that receiver wirelessly relays output signals to the system controller for desired signal mixing and manipulation prior to sound stream outputting. Accordingly, that wireless link enables application of the pads  200 ,  202  in its support housing to movable or non-movable surfaces as desired. According to yet a further embodiment of the invention, it is further contemplated that percussion pads  200 ,  202  may be incorporated into a vehicle structure including but not limited to the dash pad fronting the front passenger seats, or available surfaces in the vehicle&#39;s seats or door panels. Signal input in any of those remote locations is by wireless link (by Bluetooth, WiFi or the like transmission link) as will be appreciated by the skilled artisan. Moreover, no matter what location is selected for the percussion pad(s) (one or more, whether mounted to a structural component or to a vehicle control surface such as a steering wheel rim, hub, or spoke), the entirety of each percussion pad and signal transmitter apparatus may be packaged together in that mounting location, such that inputs received by the percussion pads may be transmitted to the designated signal receiver inside or outside the motor vehicle or other installation in which the apparatus is installed.  
         [0048]     With reference now to  FIGS. 11-13 , there is illustrated yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, including a steering wheel cover  300  incorporating some of the operative elements of the above-described invention for installation on a motor vehicle steering wheel  301 . The steering wheel cover  300  includes a sleeve  302  configured to substantially encompass a circumferential extent of the rim  304  of the steering wheel  301  in the fully-installed condition, and may optionally wrap to the backside of the steering wheel rim  304  or even be secured in a fully-enveloping or partially-enveloping installation about the steering wheel  301  in the manner known to the art. Furthermore, the cover  300  may further extend to the crossbars  306  or hub  308  of the steering wheel, and in this position serve to accommodate some of the operative elements of the present invention. According to this preferred embodiment, percussion inputs are provided via percussion pads  310 ,  312 ,  314  are positioned at an inner surface of the steering wheel cover  300 , to be sandwiched between the inner surface of the cover  300  and the steering wheel rim  304 . Percussion pads  310 ,  312 ,  314  each include transducer sections  311 ,  313 ,  315 , respectively that transmits to the system receiver in the manner previously described. The cover  300  may be fabricated of leather, vinyl or other materials that can be shaped, stretched or molded to the outer periphery of a steering wheel rim  304 , and which can support on the underside thereof one or more percussion pads and transducer sections in a closely-conforming configuration, with good tolerances for operating variations of temperature, humidity, and user handling pressure.  
         [0049]     According to one embodiment of the invention, the percussion pads  310 ,  312 ,  314  are secured in place in preselected positions about the inner circumference of the cover  300 , including but not limited to those hand positions typically adopted by many motor vehicle drivers. This pre-positioning may include circumferential installation positions along an upper circumferential portion of the steering wheel rim  304  facing the driver between the 10 o&#39;clock and 2 o&#39;clock positions, and/or along the relative side portions of the steering wheel rim  304 , and/or along the lower circumferential portion of the steering wheel rim  304 . Moreover, the percussion pads  310 ,  312 ,  314  may be positioned along the crossbars  306  or hub  308  of the steering wheel  301 . Percussion pads  310 ,  312 ,  314  may be sized and shaped to conform with the generally curved periphery of the steering wheel rim  304 , such that the diameter of each percussion pad is about the same as the diameter of the outer periphery of the steering wheel rim  304 , and for a percussion pad with a very thin cross-section, providing a substantially smooth, non-stepped visual and surface appearance of the cover  300  according to one embodiment. Alternatively, it may be desired to provide percussion pads with prominent height characteristics to provide a pronounced visual cue to the user as to the actual location of the percussion pads. According to any of the embodiments of the invention, the user/driver of the invention will be able to have immediate access to any or all of the percussion pads as desired, and to enable him to tap/drum on the percussion pads without removing one or both hands from the desired steering wheel handling positions.  
         [0050]     Alternatively, it is contemplated that the percussion pads may also be slidably adjustable about the periphery of steering wheel rim  304  within the concavity  316  provided between the steering wheel rim  304  and inner surface of the cover  300  to enable the user to reposition one or more of the percussion pads to suit individual positioning requirements. Optionally, temporary or even permanent adhesive may be applied within concavity  316  as may be required by a particular installation. According to any of the so-selected positions about the circumference of the steering wheel  301 , the percussion pads  310 ,  312 ,  314  may be configured with the same or different outputs, either as statically designated outputs or programmable outputs via the input controller of the entertainment system  40 . Moreover, it is contemplated that the entirety of the so assembled steering wheel  301  and cover  300  with one or more percussion pads may be provided as an-aftermarket replacement unit, that may optionally be configured with a concavity provided within steering wheel hub  308  to receive and retain an air bag restraint system common to most modern motor vehicles. No matter the nature of the installation, sleeved or fully installation, the percussion pads transmit output to a receiver either wirelessly or via a wired connection for data mixing and rebroadcasting in the manner previously described. As noted above, no matter what location is selected for the percussion pad(s) (one or more, whether mounted to a structural component or to a vehicle control surface such as a steering wheel rim, hub, or spoke), the entirety of each percussion pad and signal transmitter apparatus may be packaged together in that mounting location, such that inputs received by the percussion pads may be transmitted to the designated signal receiver inside or outside the motor vehicle or other installation in which the apparatus is installed. It is further contemplated that the entirety of the percussion pads and transmitter circuitry may be miniaturized and optionally prepackaged so as to be readily received and secured to a designated location, or which may be installed in a recess sized and shaped to receive an assembly of the so-noted components, whether in a steering wheel covering or installed as OEM equipment within recesses provided in a designated structure of the steering wheel.  
         [0051]     For an off-steering wheel application, a cantilever support  220  is mounted at one end to a suitable support structure of the vehicle  50 , the opposite end supporting the pads  200 ,  202  in the manner previously described, and adjustable via one or more pivot points  222  for the user&#39;s convenience. It will be understood that support  220  may be mounted to the dashboard, center console, floor, seat backs, seat frame, or A-, B- or C-pillars of the vehicular structure.  
         [0052]     In addition, the basic entertainment of the system may be integrated into the automobile&#39;s stereo radio/CD/cassette player. The outputs of microphones are controlled by variable amplifiers, the output of each of which is coupled to the first mixer, the output of which in turn is coupled to the squeal suppresser, which performs the same functions as previously described. The output of the squeal suppresser may then be coupled to additional mixers as necessary and desired. The selected output of the radio, CD player or cassette player is also coupled to the mixers, where the selected signal is mixed with the output from the squeal suppresser. In turn, the mixers are coupled to the output amplifiers, which in turn are coupled to the loudspeakers. The fader controls for the integrated entertainment system of the invention are present on the radio/CD/cassette section of the integrated unit. An input device such as keypad  108  may be utilized for control or labeling purposes.  
         [0053]     Further illustrated is a more sophisticated system intended for retrofitting into a vehicle as well as for desktop or non-vehicular data manipulation. Microphones  91  to  95  are respectively coupled to preamplifiers  161  to  165 , the outputs of which are respectively coupled to pitch controllers  131  to  135 . Pitch controllers and correctors l 31  to  135  are intended to counteract any off-key singing. Pitch controllers  131  to  135  in turn are respectively coupled to echo controllers  136  to  140 , each of which in turn is coupled to USARTs  151  to  155  respectively. USARTs  151  to  156  are present on microprocessor chip  150 , as is ROM  157 . Receiving antenna  97  receives radio broadcast frequencies for radio  98 . Radio  98 , CD  99 , cassette  100  and auxiliary  104  are coupled to multiplex  105 , which in turn is coupled to stereo ADPCM  106 . ADPCM  106  is coupled to USART  156 . An alternative coupling to USART  156  for CD  99  is shown by the dotted line. Also coupled to microprocessor  150  is digital music source  166 , which may be a hard drive or a memory card, etc. Microprocessor  150  is coupled to dual DAC  148 , which in turn is coupled to stereo FM transmitter  102 , which broadcasts via antenna  103  to an unused frequency on the FM dial of the radio of the vehicle. The dial is tuned to receive the frequency being broadcast from transmitter  102 . Also coupled to microprocessor  150  is input/output controller  167 , which receives control input by means of keypad input  168 . The status of the system and the input may be viewed on a display  169 , which may be an LCD display.  
         [0054]     The power source for the systems in may be the vehicle&#39;s electrical system, i.e., the vehicle&#39;s battery. The systems may be connected to the vehicle&#39;s electrical system through the vehicle&#39;s cigarette lighter socket. Alternatively, they may be hardwired to the electrical system. The systems may instead be operated from internal batteries. As described above, non-mobile applications, including but not limited to desk-top applications, according to the invention are contemplated as suitable environments for data manipulation in the manner described.  
         [0055]     The foregoing specification and drawings have thus described and illustrated a novel entertainment system for a motor vehicle. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the subject invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering this specification, which discloses the preferred embodiments thereof. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is to be limited only by the claims which follow.