Abstract: An application programming interface (API) is disclosed for interfacing a vehicle electronic component with a smartphone, wherein the vehicle electronic component and the smartphone each make use of a short range wireless transceiver for wirelessly communicating with the other, and wherein the smartphone includes an application running thereon. The API has an interconnect API disposed in the electronic component. The interconnect API also has a software library of command and function definitions that are able to be implemented by the API. A connect library is also used which resides within the smartphone and which is configured to communicate with the application running on the smartphone. The interconnect API and the connect library cooperatively operate as a translation mechanism to implement a plurality of functionalities when communicating with the application, according to the electronic device's capabilities.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for selectively inhibiting text message operation of a smartphone being used by a user while travelling in a motor vehicle, where the motor vehicle incorporates a vehicle audio subsystem. A smartphone may have a detection circuit and a processor. The detection circuit detects a signal from the audio system that indicates to the smartphone that the smartphone is located within the vehicle. A navigation system may also be included in the smartphone that generates navigation signals indicating when the smartphone is in motion. The processor receives the navigation signals and, using a software module, inhibits text messaging operation on the smartphone while the vehicle is detected to be in motion.

Abstract: An apparatus for wirelessly connecting a smartphone to a remote FM radio system, for controlling playback of audio content delivered wirelessly to the smartphone via a wide area network, on the remote FM radio system. An apparatus housing receives a DC power signal from a remote DC power source. A control panel has a display and controls for controlling playback of the audio content on the remote FM radio system, at least one of the controls performing a function in common with a playback control appearing on a display of the smartphone. An electronic subsystem communicates with the control panel and wirelessly receives audio content from the smartphone, and communicates the audio content as an FM signal via a user playback command input at the controls of the control panel, to the remote FM radio system.

Abstract: A portable media player and a car media player are disclosed. In either implementation the media player may be used to record digital content as it is streamed over a wide area network (WAN). The recorded digital content may then be played back using the media player and associated controls on the media player. In one implementation the media player makes use of a stored program and an external computer so that digital content recorded by the computer may then transferred from the computer on to the media player for storage and playback.

Abstract: A vehicle system interface, comprising: an antenna for receiving satellite or terrestrial broadcast of digital radio signals; a radio receiver circuit for demodulating and decoding the digital radio signals; a FM audio modulator and transmitter circuit, the FM audio modulator and transmitter circuit being configured to condition and re-transmit audio content of the digital radio signals as a first re-transmitted FM signal containing audio data capable of being transmitted wirelessly; a vehicle bus interface circuit configured to receive and transmit a plurality of operational signals; a housing for the FM audio modulator and transmitter circuit, the radio receiver circuit and the vehicle bus interface; a connector configured to interface with a diagnostic link connector of the vehicle, the connector being in operable communication with the vehicle bus interface circuit; and wherein the vehicle system interface receives and transmits the plurality of operational signals through the diagnostic link connector of

Abstract: A vehicle system interface, comprising: an antenna for receiving satellite or terrestrial broadcast of digital radio signals; a radio receiver circuit for demodulating and decoding the digital radio signals; a FM audio modulator and transmitter circuit, the FM audio modulator and transmitter circuit being configured to condition and re-transmit audio content of the digital radio signals as a first re-transmitted FM signal containing audio data capable of being transmitted wirelessly; a vehicle bus interface circuit configured to receive and transmit a plurality of operational signals; a housing for the FM audio modulator and transmitter circuit, the radio receiver circuit and the vehicle bus interface; a connector configured to interface with a diagnostic link connector of the vehicle, the connector being in operable communication with the vehicle bus interface circuit; and wherein the vehicle system interface receives and transmits the plurality of operational signals through the diagnostic link connector of

Abstract: A vehicle emergency communication device and a method for transmitting emergency textual data utilizing the vehicle emergency communication device are provided. The vehicle emergency communication device includes a diagnostic link connector configured to receive a signal indicating an emergency code associated with vehicle operation and a microprocessor operably coupled to the diagnostic link connector. The microprocessor is configured to determine emergency textual data based upon the emergency code and to induce the cellular phone transceiver to transmit an RF signal having the emergency textual data for initiating an emergency phone call.

Abstract: An integrated laundry center has an integrated cabinet assembly defining a plurality of discrete spaces. Each space can provide a separate module for performing a particular fabric care function. A washing machine is at least partly housed within a portion of the cabinet assembly defining a washer module. A clothes dryer is at least partly housed within a portion of the cabinet assembly defining a dryer module. A plurality of exterior decorative fascia panels are carried by the cabinet assembly and can be selected to coordinate with a decor of an individual's home. The integrated laundry center can also include any number of additional and optional modules providing virtually any desired fabric care function and equipment. The integrated laundry center can also incorporate an optional control system for controlling virtually any function of each of the integrated laundry center modules such as the washing machine functions and the clothes dryer functions.

Abstract: An integrated laundry center has an integrated cabinet assembly defining a plurality of discrete spaces. Each space can provide a separate module for performing a particular fabric care function. A washing machine is at least partly housed within a portion of the cabinet assembly defining a washer module. A clothes dryer is at least partly housed within a portion of the cabinet assembly defining a dryer module. A plurality of exterior decorative fascia panels are carried by the cabinet assembly and can be selected to coordinate with a decor of an individual's home. The integrated laundry center can also include any number of additional and optional modules providing virtually any desired fabric care function and equipment. The integrated laundry center can also incorporate an optional control system for controlling virtually any function of each of the integrated laundry center modules such as the washing machine functions and the clothes dryer functions.