Abstract: In a simultaneous multi-data stream transmission method and apparatus a first signal is transmitted at a fixed repetition rate from a first transceiver device (14). A second transceiver (33) then receives and demodulates the information embedded in the first signal and transmits a second signal back to the first transceiver device (14). The first transceiver (14) then receives and demodulates the information embedded in the second signal and modifies the repetition rate to another rate. A wireless receiving device (10) detects the another repetition rate of the transmitted first signal and takes action dependent on the designed application.

Abstract: A spectral method, and corresponding system, for knock detection includes acquiring (603) spectral energy associated with vibration caused by a knocking condition from a running engine. Preferably, a sampled data system (105) acquires the spectral energy by converting an output from an accelerometer (101) into data samples (103) in a digital form. Then from the acquired spectral energy, a knock variable is derived from magnitudes of spectral components, representing a characteristic of a combustion chamber located within the running engine. In a preferred embodiment the knock variable is derived from magnitudes of spectral components related by ratios corresponding to Bessel function coefficients. The preferred embodiment includes a Digital Signal Processor (109) applying a Fast Fourier Transform method (503) to estimate a spectral content used to determine the knock variable. Then, a knock indication is provided (509) when the knock variable exceeds a magnitude of a predetermined threshold (507).

Abstract: A first data communication method comprises a step (201) of automatically directing a mobile telephone (24) to switch operation from a first telephone number to a second telephone number to receive a data call placed to the second telephone number. A second data communication method comprises a step (301) of automatically directing the mobile telephone (24) to switch from the first telephone number to the second telephone number to place a security call using the second telephone number. A data communication apparatus comprises a controller (40) to direct the mobile telephone (24) to perform the aforementioned methods.

Abstract: A multi-part reactive device preferably includes a substrate with a first conductive area and a second conductive area. A first conductive element with a first terminal is connected to the first conductive area. The first conductive element has a second terminal connected to the second conductive area. A current loop is formed extending from the first conductive area, through the first terminal, through the second terminal, to the second conductive area. A magnetically-effective core member is captivated by the first conductive element to the substrate between the first conductive area and the second conductive area and encircles the current loop. The first conductive area, the first conductive element, the magnetically-effective core member, and the second conductive area form a first magnetic circuit. Additional magnetic circuits can be formed by adding additional conductive patterns and additional conductive elements.

Abstract: A multiple element sensor for sensing pressure, the sensor has a substrate 201 with a diaphragm portion 203. Multiple sensing elements 205, 207, 209, 211 are each disposed on the diaphragm portion 203 of the substrate 201. These sensing elements 205, 207, 209, 211 each have output terminals 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238 providing signals 371, 373, 375, 377 indicative of the pressure. A combining circuit 217 has input terminals 337, 339, 341, 343 each coupled to the output terminals 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238 of each of the sensing elements 205, 207, 209, 211 respectively. The combining circuit 217 has a combined output terminal 219 for providing an output signal 345 dependent on the plurality of signals 371, 373, 375, 377. By fabricating this structure different pressure sensor ranges can be selected depending on how many of the sensing elements 205, 207, 209, 211 are selected by the combining circuit 217.

Abstract: A fixed site data-aided system and method of GPS signal acquisition from a plurality of broadcasted GPS signals includes lengthening a pre-detection integration interval so that weak signals can be detected by operating coherently on captured signals. Coherency is ensured by relying on the predictability of the satellite signal's data pattern. To speed up both the real-time and off-line correlation process a reduced code replica search space is derived dependent on a reference code phase delay and reference Doppler shift (417), and optionally local time (509) received from a fixed position reference site. Also, the off-line correlation process can be run at a speed significantly faster than the real-time correlation process. A position fix can be either computed locally or remotely at the fixed position reference site.

Abstract: A data-aided system and method of GPS signal acquisition from a plurality of broadcasted GPS signals includes receiving (401) the GPS signals and providing a digitized signal. Then, a first portion (407) of the digitized signal is correlated to a code replica and a real-time code phase delay is determined. A capture start time is determined (411) dependent on a Time Of Arrival (409) based on the determined real-time code phase delay. Next, a second portion of the digitized signal is captured into a memory (413) commencing coincident with the determined capture start time. Then the second portion of the digitized signal is extracted from the memory and correlated to the code replica (411) to determine an off-line code phase delay. A position fix is calculated (417) and includes the off-line code phase delay.

Abstract: The present invention provides an assessment, in real-time, of the integrity of the positioning solution and navigation sensors used to support an Emergency Calling System (ECS) that integrates positioning and cellular phone technology. This integrity information is used, via a warning light displayed to the driver, to indicate when the system will not support Emergency Calling to the accuracies required. The present invention discusses that at least two types of warnings may be generated and provided to the user. The first being an indication that the positioning accuracy will no longer support Emergency Calling. The second being an indication that a sensor or subsystem of the Emergency Call positioning system is malfunctioning and should be serviced as soon as possible whereby such a malfunction may lead to eventual failure of the system.

Abstract: A vehicle (100) includes vehicle systems (11-13) coupled to a vehicle bus (10) and user devices (40-60) coupled to a user bus (30), the user bus coupled to the vehicle bus by a gateway (20). The user bus transports user information and the vehicle bus transports vehicle information. Based on one or more gateway rules, the gateway transports vehicle information to the user bus for the benefit of target user devices. Also based on these gateway rules, the gateway transports user information to the vehicle bus for the benefit of target vehicle systems. The gateway rules are programmed by both user devices and vehicle systems as follows: First, a proposed rule is provided (303) to the gateway. Second, the gateway determines (305) when to accept the proposed rule based on a variety of factors. Third, when the proposed rule is accepted, the proposed rule becomes (307) a gateway rule.

Abstract: A sensor (10) includes a plurality of sensing elements (14-20) deposed on a sensor substrate (12) and an electronic switching circuit (22) electrically connected to each of the sensing elements (14-20) for electrically selecting at least one of the sensing elements (14-20).

Abstract: A vehicle (100) has a plurality of vehicle systems (11, 12, 13) and a plurality of user devices (40, 50, 60), each vehicle system including a unique function. The vehicle also has a vehicle bus (10) and a user bus (30), the vehicle bus coupled to the plurality of vehicle systems, the user bus coupled to the plurality of user devices, the vehicle bus coupled to the user bus by means of a gateway (20). Each function corresponding to each vehicle system is registered in the gateway. As a result, the user devices can determine and interact with the functionality of the individual vehicular devices.

Abstract: A fixed site and satellite data-aided system and method of GPS signal acquisition from a plurality of broadcasted GPS signals includes lengthening a pre-detection integration interval so that weak signals can be detected by operating coherently on captured signals. Coherency is ensured by relying on the predictability of the satellite signal's data pattern. The described method significantly reduces correlation resolution time based on applying information regarding code phase delays from each satellite in view to reduce code search space for other satellites being correlated. A position fix can be either computed locally or remotely at the fixed position reference site.

Abstract: A device, preferably an electronically calibrated sensor (100) includes a sensing element (102) with an output coupled to a calibration circuit (104). The calibration circuit (104) includes an electronically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) (114). An EEPROM fuse (204) is employed in association with the EEPROM (114) which in a programming-disable logical state disables the write/erase program logic (208). The EEPROM fuse (204) may only be erased upon a valid fuse override signal (232) the input for which (224) in a final packaged device is inaccessible.

Abstract: A communication system and method for keyless-entry alarms includes a vehicle-mounted alarm transducer (215) controlled by a vehicle-mounted control system (250) that includes a receiver (207). The system also includes a hand-held R.K.E. transmitter device (200) for transmitting a radio-frequency message. The vehicle-mounted alarm transducer (215) is deactivated when receiving the transmitted radio-frequency message. If the vehicle-mounted alarm transducer (215) was active when it was deactivated, and a deactivate-alarm command code is not received in the radio-frequency message, then the vehicle-mounted alarm transducer (215) is reactivated after the transmitted radio-frequency message is completely received and decoded.

Abstract: A power supply system (300) provides a staged startup of multiple loads (303, 305). Preferably, the power supply (300) is a switching power supply that provides power, in the form of a primary output voltage to a first output terminal (319) and to a second output terminal (325). A first load (303) demands a first startup power from the switching power supply through the first output terminal (319). A voltage comparator (333) provides an enable signal (335) when a primary output signal, present at the first output terminal, exceeds a predetermined threshold (335). A load coupling device, preferably a gateable voltage regulator (331), is coupled to the second output terminal (325). The gateable voltage regulator (331) has an output (327) coupled to a second load (305).

Abstract: A system and method of detecting a leak in an evaporative emissions system for a vehicle includes measuring a physical disturbance of the vehicle with a sensory system and providing a sensory signal (311, 313, 315). Then, comparing the sensory signal (311, 313, 315) to a threshold (405) and generating a diagnosis signal (407, 413) having a "valid test" state, when the sensory signal does not exceed the threshold, and generating the diagnosis signal having an "invalid test" state, when the sensory signal exceeds the threshold. And, executing an evaporative emissions system leak test while the provided diagnosis signal indicates the "valid test" state, and aborting the evaporative emissions system leak test (505) when the diagnosis signal indicates the "invalid test" state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus converts time-resolved sensor signals into transfer functions and/or cumulative transfer function signals which can be attained by computation means such as by using Fast Fourier Transforms. A signal, as a means to assess catalyst performance such as a signal based on sensing oxygen concentration or air to fuel ratio or hydrocarbon concentration in motor vehicle exhaust in accordance with the present invention is in the time domain and has multiple components at different frequencies. The use of Fast Fourier Transforms isolates the various spectral densities which arise from different frequency components of the complex time domain signal. Cross spectral density function and power spectral density function are used to determine the transfer function. The analysis has been found to be substantially independent of operating conditions. The transfer function and cumulative transfer function have been found to be a precise indication of the catalyst performance.

Abstract: A loss-less load current sensing driver and method includes providing current (603) to a load from a power supply through a transistor. A voltage drop is measured (605) across the transistor responsive to the provision of current to the load. A temperature of the transistor is measured (607) and a temperature-indicating signal is provided. The temperature-indicating signal is translated (609) into a predicted transistor on-resistance. A magnitude of the current provided to the load is determined dependent on the measured voltage drop across the transistor and the predicted transistor on-resistance, preferably by dividing (611) the measured voltage drop by the predicted transistor on-resistance.

Abstract: In a circuit, switch (1) switches a current from a reference voltage terminal through an inductive element (3). The energy stored in the magnetic field associated with the inductive element when a current is flowing is transferred on interruption of the current either capacitively or inductively to an energy storage element (4). The stored energy is then returned to re-energize the inductive element (3) when the current flow is restored by the switch (1).