Abstract: A transmitter device (100) receives an audio signal from an audio source device (112), and transmits the audio signal at a low power over a commercial broadcast channel to a local receiver (120). The transmitter device selects an initial channel by scanning the available spectrum, partitioned into sub-bands (210-206), and measuring the received signal strength in each channel. The channel having the lowest strength is used to set a threshold. The sub-band with most channels meeting the threshold is initially selected, and the channel in the initially selected sub-band with the lowest received signal strength is selected for initial use. A context-based weighting factor may be applied in selecting the initial channel or in selecting subsequent channels when the initial channel conditions degrade.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for rendering, on a display of a mobile communication device, digits and/or characters that may be more easily perceived by a visually impaired user. The display shows a selected digit or character by itself, taking up a substantial part of the display. In an embodiment, the digit or character may be rendered by the display so as to subtend at least 2 degrees of arc at a predetermined viewing distance. In another embodiment a touch screen may be used for digit or character entry. Depending on the portion of the touch screen that receives contact input from the user, a user can select a particular digit or character for entry. In this manner, the digit values could be presented to a visually impaired user, for example, for an account number for online banking, while retaining privacy.

Abstract: A transmitter device (100) receives an audio signal from an audio source device (112), and transmits the audio signal at a low power over a commercial broadcast channel to a local receiver (120). The transmitter device selects an initial channel by scanning the available spectrum, partitioned into sub-bands (210-206), and measuring the received signal strength in each channel. The channel having the lowest strength is used to set a threshold. The sub-band with most channels meeting the threshold is initially selected, and the channel in the initially selected sub-band with the lowest received signal strength is selected for initial use. A context-based weighting factor may be applied in selecting the initial channel or in selecting subsequent channels when the initial channel conditions degrade.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method of maintaining communication with a device. The method comprises the steps of creating a first communication link between a first wireless communication device associated with a vehicle and the device associated with a predetermined destination number; creating a second communication link between a second wireless communication device and the device associated with the predetermined destination number; and terminating the first communication link in response to the step of creating the second communication link.

Abstract: A communication system (100) includes a control unit (101) electronically coupled to a pushbutton switch (129). The control unit (101) includes a wake-up circuit (110) having a signal generator (201) and a signal detector (202). The signal generator (201) generates a digital pulse signal (139) having a predetermined amplitude (303) and a predetermined duration (304) for receipt by the pushbutton switch (129). The signal detector (202) monitors the digital pulse signal (139) to determine whether the pushbutton switch (129) is actuated or not actuated. The communications system (100) maintains a low power consumption mode responsive to determining when the pushbutton switch (129) is not actuated, and enables a normal power consumption mode responsive to determining when the pushbutton switch (129) is actuated.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method of maintaining communication with a device. The method comprises the steps of creating a first communication link between a first wireless communication device associated with a vehicle and the device associated with a predetermined destination number; creating a second communication link between a second wireless communication device and the device associated with the predetermined destination number; and terminating the first communication link in response to the step of creating the second communication link.

Abstract: A telematics communication system (100) for an automotive vehicle includes a telematics control unit (104) electrically coupled to a pushbutton switch assembly (123) via a wire (136) routed in the automotive vehicle. The telematics control unit (104) includes a signal generator (117) and a signal monitoring circuit (106). The pushbutton switch assembly (123) includes a pushbutton switch (124) electrically coupled in parallel to a capacitor (125). The signal generator (117) generates a test signal (129) in the form of a digital pulse signal. The digital pulse signal travels from the telematics control unit (101) over the wire (136) to the pushbutton switch assembly (123) to change an electrical charge on the capacitor (125). A change of the electrical charge on the first capacitor (125) over time generates a detect signal (153) representative of the electrical state of the pushbutton switch (124).

Abstract: A telematics communication system (100) for an automotive vehicle includes a telematics control unit (101) electrically coupled to a pushbutton switch (129) via a wire (133). The telematics control unit (101) includes a wake-up circuit (110) having a signal generator (201) and a signal detector (202). The signal generator (201) generates a digital pulse signal (139) having a predetermined amplitude (303) and a predetermined duration (304) for receipt by the pushbutton switch (129) via the wire (133). The signal detector (202), preferably implemented as a comparator (209), has a first bias circuit (207), preferably formed as a first resistor divider circuit, and a second bias circuit (208), preferably formed as a second resistor divider circuit. The signal detector (202) monitors the digital pulse signal (139) to determine whether the pushbutton switch (129) is actuated or is not actuated.

Abstract: A plastic housing assembly is constructed with a non-plateable plastic wall portion (101), and a plateable plastic wall portion (107) positioned abutting (109) the non-plateable plastic wall portion (101). The plateable plastic wall portion (107) has a via (115) disposed therethrough for thermally coupling an outer surface (111) to an inner surface (113). A heat-generating component (119) is disposed coupled to the second inner surface (113). The via (115) is preferably plated with metal so that heat produced from the heat-generating component (119) is conducted away from the inner surface (113) to the outer surface (111).

Abstract: An electronic control module (10) includes a circuit substrate (12) containing a plurality of thermal vias (36) and a heat-generating electronic device (26) attached to the thermal vias (36). The circuit substrate (12) is attached to a mounting plate (18) by a plurality of electrically-isolated, thermal attachment pads (20) located at selected positions on an electrically insulating layer (16) overlying a metal baseplate (14). A solder layer (22) functions to both mechanically attach the plurality of thermal vias (36) to the plurality of thermal attachment pads (20), and to provide a thermal dissipation pathway for heat generated by the electronic devices (26). The heat is transferred from the circuit substrate (12) through the plurality of thermal attachment pads (20) to the metal baseplate (14).

Abstract: A system for locating electrically conductive features such as device terminals (104) of a semiconductor die device under test (103) includes an array of test terminals (101), an anisotropically conductive material (102) above the array of test terminals (101), and a semiconductor die (103). The array of test terminals has a pitch (203) much smaller than the pitch (204) of the device terminals (104). Individual test terminals (105) of the array of test terminals (101) are scanned to locate the device terminals (104). Once the device terminals (104) are located, the test terminals (105) are configured to send and receive functional signals required for functionally testing the device under test (103).

Abstract: An electrically controlled shift actuator (2) of the type having a rotatable worm gear wheel (22) driven by a motor (M) to a predetermined one of at least two rotational positions, the wheel having an eccentric drive pin (26) moving a reaction member (14) to preload a spring-charged (10) shift member engagement means comprising a slide (6) and ball (8) directly engaged with a shift member (16) to move a shift member to a predetermined one of at least two positions. The control includes a selector switch (36), a pair of position sensing switches (28,30), and an electrically controlled switch (62) for alternatively connecting the motor (M) to a power supply (38) or to a dynamic braking circuit (66-68), but never to both simultaneously.