Abstract: An FM radio receiver comprises a radio frequency tuning circuit for selecting a frequency modulated signal from an antenna and a local oscillator tuning circuit for tuning to an oscillating signal so as to convert the frequency modulated signal to an intermediate frequency. In the radio frequency tuning circuit, a capacitance variable ratio is set so as to be capable of receiving continuously the frequencies of both a first FM receiving band used in Japan and a second FM receiving band used in the US and Europe. The local oscillator tuning circuit is so constructed that an inductance value and a capacitance variable ratio can be switched so that the receiver is set to lower heterodyne for reception in Japan or upper heterodyne for reception in the US or Europe. As a result, a single receiver design can be configured for reception of FM radio broadcasting in either Japan or the US or Europe using a common front-end circuit, without increasing the number of components.

Abstract: A carrier-based signal is received from a tuner and is digitized to produce a digital intermediate frequency (IF) signal. Automatic gain control is applied to the carrier-based signal either prior to or after digitization. An adaptive intermediate frequency bandwidth control system detects IF signal level after channel filtering. The level is compared to a predetermined threshold having a value related to the known signal level of the AGC'ed signal which is being input to the channel filter in order to provide a measure of either 1) the presence of interfering adjacent channels, or 2) reception or a weak signal which can't be compensated for by AGC. The IF bandwidth is narrowed in either circumstance. Digital FIR or IIR filtering is used. The invention allows bandwidth switching to be done very quickly with minimal transient effects. A threshold value is selected depending upon the IF channel bandwidth being used at any given time.

Abstract: A navigation system for automotive vehicles generates navigation routes between an initial location and a desired destination using a route criteria including a statistical risk index, such as a CAP crime index score. A user of the navigation system can customize their own desired risk threshold to be used in optimizing the navigation route. A particular route segment with a risk index above a risk threshold can be eliminated from potential routes except when the route segment contains the destination or is a freeway segment. In another embodiment, the weight or cost associated with including a route segment in a navigation route is adjusted according to its statistical risk index.

Abstract: A dither signal source generates a dither signal which is spectrally shaped in a desired manner. One or more notches are located at desired frequencies while minimizing the hardware required in a digital signal processor for generating the digital random noise for the dither signal source. The notched dither signal can be added to an analog signal prior to digitization to reduce quantization distortion without adding noise to the frequency range of interest.

Abstract: A robust thick film conductor construction making an electric circuit connection of an electric component (20) to a Ag:Pd conductor (12) on a substrate. A substantially pure Ag conductor (10) is printed, dried, and fired on the substrate, then the Ag:Pd conductor is printed, dried, and fired such that a portion of the latter overlaps a portion of the Ag conductor. A first solder layer (16) is printed over the Ag conductor, including the overlap region (14), and reflowed. A second solder layer (18) is printed over the first printed solder layer at a region where the component (20) is to be placed and is reflowed after placement of the component to thereby join with the component.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a transformer includes a first secondary winding made of stamped and bent metal. This first secondary winding has a coil portion with substantially closed cross section. The transformer also includes a primary winding made of wire and having a coil portion wound around the coil portion of the first secondary winding. A second secondary winding made of stamped and bent metal and having a coil portion with substantially closed cross section has its coil portion disposed about the coil portion of the primary winding. The primary winding further includes a second coil portion wound around the coil portion of the second secondary winding. The transformer thus provided is easier to build and less apt to internal short-circuiting than alternative designs.

Abstract: The invention combines a closed-end loop antenna and an open-end loop antenna in a conformal antenna on the rear window glass of an automotive vehicle above the defogging heater grid. The loops are adapted to receive Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) signals in both L band and Band-III frequency bands with maximum sensitivity to vertically polarized signals while requiring minimal space on the window glass. The antenna uses one substantially continuous trace between a pair of antenna feedpoints to achieve low manufacturing cost.

Abstract: In an adaptive speed control system for a vehicle, a method and system for continued vehicle braking at a vehicle speed below a minimum operating speed threshold when a sensed target disappears. The method and system determine whether the vehicle speed is less than the minimum operating speed threshold, determine whether a sensed target has disappeared if the vehicle speed is less than the minimum operating speed threshold, and generate a phantom target having a range and range rate corresponding to a last known range and range rate, respectively, of the sensed target if the sensed target has disappeared. The method and system also control the vehicle speed based on the range and range rate of the phantom target.

Abstract: An infinite impulse response (IIR) lowpass filter is placed in the audio path of an audio system wherein the upper cutoff frequency of the filter is adaptively controlled based on a comparison between the average audio signal entering the filter and the average audio signal leaving the filter. An adaptive LMS process is used to control the filter bandwidth so that the average output signal reaches a predefined percentage of the average input signal. An adaptation rate is selected depending on whether the filter bandwidth needs to increase or decrease. Adaptation is fastest for increasing bandwidth and slowest for decreasing filter bandwidth to prevent audible breathing and loss of high frequency information on sudden signal transients.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of hermetically sealed electronically active microstructures involves the preparation of a plurality of microstructures and associated conductive paths and lead bond areas on a single wafer such that areas surrounding the microstructures are maintained in a planar condition. A second wafer having a plurality of microstructure-receiving cavities is placed atop the first wafer and fusion or anodically bonded. The microstructures are preferably connected to lead bond pads which lie outside the surround, the second wafer also having bond pad accessing through-holes to facilitate bonding electrical leads to the devices after sawing from the wafer. The lead-connected devices may be further encapsulated by injection molding, potting, or other conventional encapsulative packaging techniques.

Abstract: A technique for determining a gyro zero voltage is provided. A gyroscope ("gyro") is installed in an automobile as a component of an on-board navigation system. The gyro outputs a voltage representing an angular velocity of the vehicle. The gyro output voltage representing zero angular velocity ("gyro zero voltage") is determined by first determining when the vehicle is stationary based upon the amount of noise in the output voltage of the gyro. When the vehicle is determined to be stationary, the gyro zero voltage is measured.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for a motor vehicle security system relating to immobilizing and enabling of a fuel pump for a motor vehicle engine. The system comprises data input means for receiving driver verification data, an engine control unit (ECU) including an ECU processor for controlling engine operation, a pump control unit (PCU) including a PCU processor for controlling the fuel pump, the PCU being separate from the ECU and integrally housed with the fuel pump. Communication links permit communication between the data input means and ECU, and between the ECU and PCU. The ECU processor is activated to control the PCU when valid driver verification data is received. The PCU processor is then activated to communicate a challenge code to the ECU. The ECU and PCU processors then compute respectively a first and a second response code associated with the challenge code.

Abstract: A time-of-day clock assembly 10 having an oscillator 14 which generates resonant signals used to selectively update a time-of-day register 27. The assembly 10 increments register 27 at intervals of time which are temporarily modified in order to correct for fractional and calibration type errors.

Abstract: An RDS receiver having dual tuners and dual antennas operates in two distinct modes, a diversity mode and a non-diversity mode. Diversity mode is when both tuners are tuned to a signal with the same program audio content and the audio from both tuners is blended together in a manner to minimize the effects of multipath distortion. In non-diversity mode, a forcing circuit isolates the tuner output signals so that one tuner provides the audio output while the other can be retuned to any other frequency for purposes of gathering RDS data.

Abstract: A combined compact disc/radio system for an automobile includes a multiple compact disc player, a radio receiver, and a controller. The multiple compact disc player is provided with a magazine having n individual slots for storing n compact discs. The controller has a bezel provided with an eject button, a load button, n memory buttons each corresponding to a respective one of the slots, an information display area, and a single compact disc opening for inserting and removing compact discs from the multiple compact disc player. The memory buttons function as radio tuning preset station memory switches when the radio receiver is operating and function to identify slots to be loaded and unloaded when the multiple compact disc player is operating.

Abstract: An air assisted fuel injector for an internal combustion engine includes a fuel nozzle having a fuel orifice and a targeting section cooperating with the fuel nozzle for targeting atomized fuel within the engine. An angled throttling section in disposed upstream of the targeting section and cooperates with the fuel nozzle. The throttling section throttles assist air prior to the air atomizing the fuel emerging from the fuel orifice and forms a vortex at the injector exit. Thus, any adverse effects on fuel flow from the fuel injector due to back pressure variability downstream of the fuel nozzle are reduced. In a preferred embodiment, an air shroud is fitted on the nozzle of the fuel injector and includes both the throttling section and the targeting section.

Abstract: An interior lamp control using a microprocessor to monitor the ignition switch, door ajar switches, and vehicle speed deactivates the interior lamp if vehicle speed exceeds a speed threshold even though the state of the input switches otherwise indicates that the interior lamp should be illuminated. The lamp will not again illuminate until after the speed decreases below a lower speed threshold.

Abstract: A fuel tank sensor assembly for an automotive fuel tank includes a sensor element mounted below a shear plane of the sensor assembly. In the event that a portion of the assembly is sheared off, the sensor element effectively seals off the sense port extending into the fuel tank thereby restricting liquid fuel from flowing from the tank.

Abstract: A substrate and electrical connector assembly including a unitary panel structure with metal conductors having a rigid main body portion, a rigid marginal edge portion, and a thin flexible section extending between the rigid main body portion and the rigid marginal edge portion. The assembly also includes an at least one conductive lead deposited on a surface of the plastic panel structure which extends from the rigid main body portion across the flexible section to the rigid marginal edge portion. Further included is an at least one conductive terminal affixed to the rigid marginal edge portion which is in electrical connection with the at least one conductive lead. The at least one conductive terminal is adapted to receive a mating connector. The flexible section enables the rigid marginal edge portion to move relative to the rigid main body portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling regenerative energy from an induction motor. The induction motor is connected to a battery, which is intended to capture the regenerative energy of the induction motor. Normally, the induction motor is operated at peak efficiency, to capture as much energy as possible. However, when the battery becomes nearly fully charged, the induction motor is operated at reduced efficiency to prevent overcharging of the battery. The operating point of reduced efficiency of the induction motor is a point at which electrical losses are relatively more located in the stator of the motor than in the rotor of the motor. The stator of an induction motor is generally better cooled than the rotor.