Abstract: A vehicle messaging method (600) and system (100) can include any number of data sources (101-103), an interface (104) that formats messages and addresses from the data sources, and a corresponding number of messaging servers (111-113) that receive targeted messages intended for a predetermined subset of subscribers associated with a vehicle identification number (VIN). Each messaging server can include a corresponding controller (121-123) programmed to assign (604) targeted messages to a predetermined channel and encode (606) the addresses of the targeted messages to the predetermined subset of subscribers using a VIN or portion thereof. The controller can be further programmed to transfer (608) the targeted messages and addresses to a satellite uplink (107) and satellite (110) via a messaging uplink interface (106) for retransmission and reception by a plurality of selective call receivers 109 addressable individually using a predetermined VIN or portion thereof.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for generating music recommendations based on combining song and user influencers with channel rule characterizations are presented. Such systems and methods output a playlist, which may be delivered as an information stream of audio on a user or client device, such as a telephone or smartphone, tablet, computer or MP3 player, or any consumer device with audio play capabilities. The playlist may comprise various individual audio clips of one genre or type, such as songs, or of multiple types, such as music, talk, sports and comedy. The individual audio clips may be ordered by a sequencer, which, using large amounts of data, generates both (i) user independent and (i) user dependent influencer weightings for each clip, and then combines all of such influencer weightings into a combined play weighting W for a given audio clip, for a given user.

Abstract: Various applications, systems and methods for using, and enhancing V2V communications for various purposes are described. These systems and methods leverage various aspects of satellite radio broadcasts in combination with V2V communications. In some embodiments, V2V-enabled vehicles can receive advertisements or offers from RSEs, or even other V2V enabled vehicles, in a defined Target Region, which may then be played to a user in-vehicle once a given Trigger Region has been entered. By logging all advertisements or offers played to a user and sending the log to an RSE, for example, and from there to a content provider (e.g., an SDARS service operator), verified delivery of advertisements is achieved, which allows the content provider to obtain significant revenues from advertisers.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for efficient cross-fading (or other multiple clip processing) of compressed domain information streams on a user or client device, such as a telephone, tablet, computer or MP3 player, or any consumer device with audio playback. Exemplary implementation systems may provide cross-fade between AAC/Enhanced AAC Plus (EAACPlus) information streams or between MP3 information streams or even between information streams of unmatched formats (e.g. AAC to MP3 or MP3 to AAC). Furthermore, these systems are distinguished by the fact that cross-fade is directly applied to the compressed bitstreams so that a single decode operation may be performed on the resulting bitstream. Moreover, using the described methods, similar cross fade in the compressed domain between information streams utilizing other formats of compression, such as, for example, MP2, AC-3, PAC, etc. can also be advantageously implemented.

Abstract: Systems, algorithms and methods for reclaiming unused portions of a satellite broadcast service's bandwidth for new services, utilizing higher performance coding techniques to yield better throughput, are presented. These systems, algorithms and methods achieve the reclaimed bandwidth in a way that is invisible to a legacy receiver, and that does not interfere with its reception of a legacy signal. In one embodiment, new data may be transmitted within a legacy transmission frame, for example within its cluster structure, using the same modulation and synchronization as used for the legacy data. The new data may be inserted into a channel or other subdivision at a head end. In another embodiment, one or more clusters or subdivisions with only new data may be transmitted, using the same modulation and synchronization as the legacy data clusters, but now employing a higher performing FEC and data interleaving structure on those clusters which contain only new data to yield an increase in available throughput.

Abstract: Various multiple methods of data transport, and combinations thereof, may be used to initialize or update conditional access information on various devices. In an integrated device having both a broadcast receiver, such as an SDARS receiver, and a two-way communications transceiver, such as an LTE, 3G, 4G or 5G modem, or the like, conditional access information for the broadcast receiver may be sent to the transceiver, and then passed to the broadcast receiver, or vice versa. Additionally, for example, the broadcast receiver may be sent, over the broadcast communications channel, a “wake-up” message for the two-way transceiver, which message may then be passed to the two-way transceiver, so as to make it ready to receive conditional access information over the two-way communications channel, or vice versa.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enabling pre-compensation of timing offsets in OFDM receivers without invalidating channel estimates are described. Timing offset estimations may be sent along with the received OFDM symbols for FFT computation and generating a de-rotated signal output. The timing offset estimation may provide a reference point for dynamic tracking of timing for an OFDM signal and estimated based on an integral value associated with the OFDM signal.

Abstract: An enhanced broadcast data service with reports locations of traffic enforcement camera locations (e.g., red light cameras and speed cameras) to users. Traffic enforcement camera information is aggregated, verified (e.g., particularly as to traffic enforcement camera type) and stored (e.g., at a server). A broadcast signal comprising program channels and at least one data channel having traffic enforcement camera information is transmitted to a plurality of receivers. Receivers store at least a subset of the traffic enforcement camera information available from the server and synchronize to it using periodic transmitted updates. Receivers compare receiver location data with stored camera location data, and display or generate audible alerts when the receiver is within a selected geographic range of a traffic enforcement camera. Alerts can be filtered as to camera type. A alerts can employ different color camera icons superimposed on a screen map depending on camera type or whether the camera is newly added.

Abstract: Systems and methods for maintaining synchronization of repeater networks with Global Positioning System (GPS) signals using phase locked loops (PLLs) and based on generation of predicted control words for controlling local oscillator frequencies is described. The predicted control words can be generated based on performing a linear fit of control words generated over a predetermined duration of time. Phase locked loops with additional false GPS pulse identification and GPS signal loss compensation circuitry can enforce a false pulse count threshold and/or an error threshold. The additional circuitry and prediction of control words can overcome errors in GPS receiver outputs and maintain accuracy of signal timings across single frequency networks using inexpensive local oscillators.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a non-data-aided (NDA) approach to advanced OFDM timing are provided. This approach allows for accurate OFDM symbol timing and synchronization by avoiding inter-symbol interference (ISI) in multipath environments where an earliest arriving signal may not be the strongest signal. The NDA approach may rely on generating and applying a bias correction to a combined correlation result of the multi-path signals.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for increasing the geospatial resolution of traffic information by dividing known location intervals into a fixed number of sub-segments not tied to any one map providers format, efficient coding of the traffic information, and distribution of the traffic information to end-user consuming devices over one or more of a satellite based broadcast transport medium and a data communications network. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention detail a nationwide traffic service which can be encoded and distributed through a single broadcast service, such as, for example, an SDARS service, or a broadcast over a data network. Exemplary embodiments include aggregating the traffic data from segments of multiple location intervals, into predefined and predetermined flow vectors, and sending the flow vectors within a data stream to users.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing automatic frequency control are provided. Instead of relying on individual frequency tuners for each channel of a multi-channel receiver system, the present subject matter uses a single frequency tuner for receiving each channel of the multi-channel receiver system. A locked demodulator may be designated as a reference demodulator and frequency offset values associated with the reference demodulator may be applied to other demodulators of the multi-channel receiver. These frequency offset values may be used by individual demodulators of each channel for correcting corresponding frequency offsets.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for cross-fading (or other multiple clip processing) of information streams on a user or client device, such as a telephone, tablet, computer or MP3 player, or any consumer device with audio playback. Multiple clip processing can be accomplished at a client end according to directions sent from a service provider that specify a combination of (i) the clips involved; (ii) the device on which the cross-fade or other processing is to occur and its parameters; and (iii) the service provider system. For example, a consumer device with only one decoder, can utilize that decoder (typically hardware) to decompress one or more elements that are involved in a cross-fade at faster than real time, thus pre-fetching the next element(s) to be played in the cross-fade at the end of the currently being played element.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for sharing the ultra-wide band (“UWB”) spectrum. The systems and methods can include allocating a designated time slice for UWB position determination signals on a primary basis to ensure that the UWB transmissions would be free of interference. The systems and methods can also include synchronizing a plurality of UWB transceivers and emitting synchronized pulses, during the designated time slice.

Abstract: Hybrid file delivery systems and methods divide one or more files into parts for transmission to plural user devices during a first transmission phase employing one or more one-to-many communication paths (e.g., broadcast or multicast), and then transmit missing file parts to designated user devices during a second transmission phase employing respective one-to-one communication paths. User devices are configured with specified criteria for when and how to report file delivery status to a file delivery center that maintains a database of target user devices, file delivery campaigns, and statuses of file delivery completion at the user devices. The file delivery center can employ the database information to determine cost benefit for delivery of a file using two different transmission modalities and control when to switchover to or commence the second transmission phase after the first transmission phase.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for generating a personalized radio channel playlist by simultaneously buffering multiple received channels from one or more source streams, and then selecting songs or tracks to playback from the buffered channels. Users can specify favorite channels for building their personal playlists, or multiple default playlist channels can be provided by genre or channels related in some other way. Navigation tools permit users to skip ahead and backward in the playback stream. A personalized radio channel playlist can be implemented as (1) content selected from buffered channels based on user preferences for artists, songs and the like, or (2) as a Mix Channel in which content from selected buffered channels is automatically mixed for playback in response to selection of a preset button assigned to the Mix Channel.

Abstract: A vehicle messaging method (600) and system (100) can include any number of data sources (101-103), an interface (104) that formats messages and addresses from the data sources, and a corresponding number of messaging servers (111-113) that receive targeted messages intended for a predetermined subset of subscribers associated with a vehicle identification number (VIN). Each messaging server can include a corresponding controller (121-123) programmed to assign (604) targeted messages to a predetermined channel and encode (606) the addresses of the targeted messages to the predetermined subset of subscribers using a VIN or portion thereof. The controller can be further programmed to transfer (608) the targeted messages and addresses to a satellite uplink (107) and satellite (110) via a messaging uplink interface (106) for retransmission and reception by a plurality of selective call receivers 109 addressable individually using a predetermined VIN or portion thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented to facilitate caching of programming from broadcast and/or content streaming services to a user device for local playback. In addition, metadata can be provided to guide the user in selecting, caching, or playing the cachable content. In some exemplary embodiments, a receiver or other user device can automatically select the programming to be cached based on a user's historical topic interest and listening history. In some exemplary embodiments, the metadata can also include DRM information that can limit the ability of a user to playback the content, so as to comply, if necessary, with operative legal requirements related to usage of the content.

Abstract: An enhanced broadcast data service with reports locations of traffic enforcement camera locations (e.g., red light cameras and speed cameras) to users. Traffic enforcement camera information is aggregated, verified (e.g., particularly as to traffic enforcement camera type) and stored (e.g., at a server). A broadcast signal comprising program channels and at least one data channel having traffic enforcement camera information is transmitted to a plurality of receivers. Receivers store at least a subset of the traffic enforcement camera information available from the server and synchronize to it using periodic transmitted updates. Receivers compare receiver location data with stored camera location data, and display or generate audible alerts when the receiver is within a selected geographic range of a traffic enforcement camera. Alerts can be filtered as to camera type. A alerts can employ different color camera icons superimposed on a screen map depending on camera type or whether the camera is newly added.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are provided to alert a user of content delivered on multiple channels to events of interest occurring on channels other than the channel being listened to or viewed. Playback of content in which an event of interest or key event has occurred is time-shifted or delayed at the content transmission source or at the user device. Metadata that identifies events of interest in the content is transmitted to the user device. The user device generates alerts to the user based on the metadata in sufficient lead time to enable the user to not only tune to a channel on which an event of interest is occurring, but to do so sufficiently in advance of an event of interest so as to hear and/or see relevant portions of the content leading up to and/or following such an event.