With Channel Information Storage Patents (Class 455/185.1)
  • Patent number: 11984944
    Abstract: A power receiver is provided herein. The power receiver provides in-band communication with a power transmitter. The power receiver recognizes a change in frequency that identifies a training sequence and determines an impulse response with respect to the training sequence. The power receiver also cancels an effect of the impulse response during the in-band communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: POWERMAT TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventors: Itay Sherman, Elieser Mach
  • Patent number: 11876497
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for progressively transitioning the playback volume based on a background noise level. The device may have a predetermined quantity of volume levels between a minimum volume and a maximum volume. The volume levels may be spaced by predetermined increments, such that there is a predefined difference between adjacent volume levels. A digital gain may be used to adjust the volume level and an analog gain may allow for the playback volume to be adjusted to an amount between adjacent volume levels. The playback volume may progressively transition within the predefined volume levels by an amount less than the predetermined difference between adjacent volume levels. This smaller amount may be the analog gain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Jae Lee, Priya Kasirajan
  • Patent number: 11536749
    Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure are generally directed to circuitry and techniques for voltage-to-current conversion. For example, certain aspects provide a circuit for signal amplification including a first amplifier; a first transistor, a gate of the first transistor being coupled to an output of the first amplifier and a drain of the first transistor being coupled to an output node of circuit; a first resistive element coupled between a first input node of the circuit and an input of the first amplifier; a second amplifier; a second transistor, a gate of the second transistor being coupled to an output of the second amplifier and a drain of the second transistor being coupled to the output node of circuit; and a second resistive element coupled between a second input node of the circuit and an input of the second amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Ramkumar Sivakumar, Jingxue Lu, Sherif Galal, Xinwang Zhang, Kshitij Yadav
  • Patent number: 11510053
    Abstract: Terminal devices can request and receive authorization to transmit on the same channel for which a serving base station that can serve the terminal devices has authorization to transmit. Upon transmit authorization or termination being received from a spectrum administration system, the base station can autonomously update the system information it broadcasts. Thus, terminal devices connected to the serving base station can be informed about the channel that the terminal device should request authorization to transmit on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: David Lewis, Vazrik Hovsepian, Spyridon Kapoulas, Rajeev Jayaram
  • Patent number: 11089267
    Abstract: An internet radio player provides more personalized streaming audio content by assigning play amounts to different streaming media stations, and then playing streams from the different media stations at a playback device for play times corresponding to the respective play amounts. The play time for a given stream is calculated as a user-defined percentage for the associated stream source multiplied by an expected listening period. The different stream sources can include different musical genres and formats, news, sports, weather, or traffic. Play amounts can be automatically adjusted based on user selection of the currently-playing stream source for increased or decreased play. A particular stream can also be played at a predetermined clock time, and the streams can further be ordered for play according to user preference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard D. Wooden
  • Patent number: 11019142
    Abstract: Merging media in a playlist associated with a cloud based media provider of a first mobile device of a first user with media being played on a second mobile device of a second user within a specific proximity, such that the second mobile device receives at least a portion of a media playlist of the first user from the cloud based media provider for merging with the media currently being played by the second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Sean Brown
  • Patent number: 10939178
    Abstract: Minimizing latency when streaming media, such as but not necessarily limited to limiting or otherwise ameliorating polling latency, network response latency and/or other communication related latencies, is contemplated. The latency minimization may include facilitating long polling or otherwise facilitating instantaneously transmitting requested media once available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Cable Television Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Brendan Long, Darshak Thakore
  • Patent number: 10778284
    Abstract: A method includes generating preference information according to each of a plurality of base stations including at least one adjacent base station and transmitting the generated preference information to a serving base station, receiving, from the serving base station, information related to beams of the serving base station and the at least one adjacent base station determined based on the preference information, and receiving a signal by using the information related to the beams, wherein the information related to the beams includes beam information on a partial area in which interference signals transmitted by the at least one adjacent base station are aligned among a whole reception area of the terminal. A serving base station includes a controller configured to configure beams for a partial area in which interference signals transmitted by the at least one adjacent base station are aligned among a whole reception area of the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology
    Inventors: Kwang-Taik Kim, Wan Choi, Myung-Gil Kang, Hyo-Woon Seo, Kyung-Rak Son
  • Patent number: 10097632
    Abstract: Merging media in a playlist associated with a cloud based media provider of a first mobile device of a first user with media being played on a second mobile device of a second user within a specific proximity, such that the second mobile device receives at least a portion of a media playlist of the first user from the cloud based media provider for merging with the media currently being played by the second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Sean Brown
  • Patent number: 10064012
    Abstract: An ultra-wideband (UWB) tracking device, system, and method are provided. The system can include a plurality of anchor transmitters, at least one location device, and a processing system. The anchor transmitters can be arranged in predetermined positions, include a unique identifier, and each transmit an ultra-wide band (UWB) signal including the unique identifier. The location device can receive the UWB signals, and transmit the unique identifiers. The processing system can include a digital map that stores the unique identifiers and the predetermined positions. The processing system can receive the unique identifiers from the location device, and identify a position of the location device based on a comparison of the unique identifiers received and the stored unique identifiers on the digital map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Boston, Brandon J. Smith
  • Patent number: 9996612
    Abstract: Herein, a display device, system and method are described for identifying digital content through comparison of one or more audio thumbnails when the digital content is provided without metadata. According to one embodiment, a display device comprises a display, audio conversion logic and a transceiver. The audio conversion logic is adapted to produce one or more audio thumbnails, which are compact representations of a snippet of audio from that incoming digital content without the metadata. The transceiver is adapted to transmit the one or more audio thumbnails in order to (i) retrieve metadata associated with the digital content from an external source separate from a source of the digital content and (ii) display information provided by the metadata on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Brant Candelore, Robert Hardacker, Christopher Jensen Read
  • Patent number: 9800359
    Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus for identifying content from one or more radio frequency signals. One or more radio frequency signals are monitored for available content. The one or more radio frequency signals with available content are processed to obtain audio or data associated with the one or more radio frequency signals. The obtained audio or data is analyzed. The radio frequency signals are categorized based on the analyzed audio or data. One or more items of information related to the radio frequency signals are identified. The one or more items of categorizing information are stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Inventor: Steven Turner
  • Patent number: 9787278
    Abstract: A technique relates to a lossless microwave switch discussed herein. Multiple ports are included in the lossless microwave switch. Tunable filters are included in the lossless microwave switch. Each of the ports is operatively coupled a corresponding one of the tunable filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Baleegh Abdo
  • Patent number: 9602081
    Abstract: A method of operating a single-tuner radio includes tuning into a first frequency. A pause in a first signal associated with the first frequency is detected. Tuning is switched from the first frequency to a second frequency during the pause. Fieldstrength, multipath, adjacent channel energy, frequency offset and FM modulation for the second frequency are measured. Tuning is switched from the second frequency to the first frequency. Tuning is switched from the first frequency to the second frequency dependent upon the measuring step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Shree Jaisimha, Tatsuya Fujisawa, Jason Hingerton, Donald Thomas, David L Ryan, Mohammad Reza Kanji
  • Patent number: 9600126
    Abstract: In a location detection device, a capacitive touch panel is disposed on a surface of a display screen of a display device. The location detection device includes a touch panel that includes a plurality of transparent electrodes arranged in mutually intersecting directions; a location detection unit that detects a touch location of an instruction body by selecting parts of the plurality of transparent electrodes and measuring a change in capacitance between the parts; and, a low impedance setting unit that, at a point in time when the location detection unit selects the parts of the transparent electrodes, puts remaining transparent electrodes into a low impedance state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Kitamura
  • Patent number: 9469169
    Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system having a built-in bootloader includes a tire pressure detecting element and an update setting element. The tire pressure detecting element includes a flash memory, wherein the flash memory has a backup bootloader and an inner memory section. The update setting element stores a plurality of reset modules, and each of the reset modules corresponds to the inner memory section, wherein the backup bootloader is started for selecting one of the reset modules to cover the inner memory section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: ORANGE ELECTRONIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hung-Chih Yu, Chang-Sung Lai
  • Patent number: 9436831
    Abstract: The various implementations described herein include systems, methods and/or devices used to enable secure erase in a memory device. In one aspect, the method includes detecting a secure erase trigger. The method further includes determining a secure erase algorithm from among one or more secure erase algorithms to use in accordance with the detected secure erase trigger. The method further includes performing a secure erase operation in accordance with the selected secure erase algorithm, the secure erase operation including: (1) signaling a secure erase condition to a plurality of controllers on the memory device, (2) erasing one or more non-volatile memory devices on the memory device, (3) monitoring the secure erase operation, and (4) recording data related to the secure erase operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Robert W. Ellis, Gregg S. Lucas
  • Patent number: 9384752
    Abstract: An audio device transfers voice data which requests playback, generated by a user to a portable player. The portable player performs voice recognition of the transferred voice data. Control for playback start is started in accordance with the content as the result of the voice recognition. The audio device starts monitoring for a playback state of the portable player. If the start of the playback operation is detected within a predetermined period, an output source of sound to be output is changed to the portable player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Seiichi Hisada
  • Patent number: 9294990
    Abstract: A channel searching method may include setting a first channel in a broadcast signal, determining signal strength of the broadcast signal and generating an automatic gain control signal for the first channel, and when the signal strength satisfies a preset first requirement and the automatic gain control signal satisfies a preset second requirement, skipping demodulation of the first channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SOLUM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyo Sang Lee, Hyung Bong Jeon, Ju Ho Lee, Si Young Kwon, Dong Jin Yoon, Nam Min Kim, In Jong Jang, Tae Gyu Ryu, Jae Soon Lee
  • Patent number: 9230531
    Abstract: Road noise masking for a vehicle includes determining, by a computer processor, an expected interior sound associated with the vehicle. The expected interior sound is defined by a design of the vehicle in conjunction with road conditions encountered by the vehicle. The road noise masking also includes monitoring, via the computer processor, information sources of the vehicle during a driving event. Upon determining a current road surface from the monitoring, the road noise masking includes calculating a masking noise shape commensurate with the expected interior sound, and transmitting instructions including the masking noise shape to an audio system in the vehicle. The audio system produces masking noise from a tuner of the audio system that approximates the masking noise shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Roggenkamp, Colin M. Hebert, Scott M. Reilly
  • Patent number: 9148128
    Abstract: A method of operating a single-tuner radio includes tuning into a first frequency. A pause in a first signal associated with the first frequency is detected. Tuning is switched from the first frequency to a second frequency during the pause. Fieldstrength, multipath, adjacent channel energy, frequency offset and FM modulation for the second frequency are measured. Tuning is switched from the second frequency to the first frequency. Tuning is switched from the first frequency to the second frequency dependent upon the measuring step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS COMPANY OF AMERICA, DIVISION OF PANASONIC CORPORATION OF NORTH AMERICA
    Inventors: Shree Jaisimha, Tatsuya Fujisawa, Jason Hingerton, Donald Thomas, David L. Ryan, Mohammad Reza Kanji
  • Patent number: 9002307
    Abstract: Apparatus comprises means for storing a table including plural program identification codes and, for each program identification code, a corresponding program name; means for extracting a program identification code from supplementary information received along with a radio broadcast; means for searching the table for the decoded program identification code; means for reading from the table a program name that corresponds to the program identification code; and means for causing the program name to be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Harri Petteri Luhtala
  • Patent number: 8934845
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides radio station list management in a wireless receiver. Upon detection of a scan event, a plurality of radio broadcast channels is scanned to detect available radio stations. Available radio stations that fail to meet a preference criterion are identified and removed to form a list of preferred radio stations. The scan event may be generated dependent upon a time, a location of the wireless receiver, or a broadcast signal quality. Preference criteria may include station content classification and signal quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Jianfeng Weng
  • Patent number: 8913975
    Abstract: An adaptive stepped gain amplifier, for example for use in broadband receivers, has a step size which is dynamically compensated (for each received frequency) to cope with step error caused by frequency dependence of the amplifier performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Fabien Laurent Michel Deforeit, Sebastien Robert, Sebastien Amiot
  • Patent number: 8892025
    Abstract: A radio receiver may comprise a receiver adaptable for receiving a plurality of broadcast streams over a plurality of broadcast channels, wherein the receiver will attempt to receive a selected broadcast stream on a selected broadcast channel, and if the selected broadcast stream is not receivable on the selected broadcast channel, the receiver will attempt to receive the selected broadcast stream on an alternative broadcast channel. A computer readable medium may allow a user of a receiver to create a composite stream comprising at least one portion selected from each of at least two of a plurality of broadcast streams. A method of open interface merge replication may involve comparing data between first and second databases, and if a conflict exists, updating one of the first and second databases with at least a portion of data from the other of the first and second databases to resolve the conflict.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Zigler, Kevin R. Lockhart, Richard D. Wooden, Jacqueline J. Lockhart, Theodore N. Myers, Evan A. Hill, Tanya R. Jellison
  • Patent number: 8849225
    Abstract: A system and method to efficiently use a plurality of ‘receivers’ to monitor a larger plurality of ‘sources’ for audio content. Upon identifying that a source is active, one of the plural receivers is assigned to convey the content to a destination. All other receivers are prevented from monitoring that specific source for the duration of its activity, but continue to monitor the remaining sources. ‘Source’ includes any source of information containing audio content. ‘Receiver’ includes any device capable of selectively conveying such content, including physical switches, hardware or software multiplexers, microphones, radio receivers, or any other means of obtaining such content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: RangeCast Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Terence Sean Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8843092
    Abstract: A method of using an entertainment system to access content stored on a digital content storage device having one or more records containing metadata associated with the content on the storage device. The method includes downloading from the storage device to an entertainment system at least some of the metadata; storing the downloaded metadata in a database accessible to the entertainment system; and accessing content on the storage device from entertainment system using at least a portion of the downloaded metadata in the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Chestnut Hill Sound, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven S. Krampf, Evan B. Ross, Trung Quoc Phung
  • Patent number: 8805310
    Abstract: A system for searching stored audio data is described. The system includes a memory configured to store audio data received from a radio receiver and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive a search pattern, search the stored audio data for the search pattern, and provide audio data based on the search.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: David A. Blaker, Thomas R. Olson, Brian L. Douthitt
  • Patent number: 8744337
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods enhancing radio programming include receiving a broadcast radio transmission at a communication device. The broadcast radio transmission includes primary content and supplemental content having a relationship to the primary content. Further, the primary content includes a first audio data, while the supplemental content includes audio data. Additionally, the apparatus and methods include converting the supplemental content into converted supplemental content, maintaining the relationship to the primary content. Moreover, the converted supplemental content includes second audio data converted from the non-audio data. Thus, the described apparatus and methods allow the communication device to output signals for generating audible representations of both the primary content and the supplemental content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Qualcomm Incorporated
    Inventors: Rajeev D. Rajan, Jatin Kadakia, Jason Miller
  • Patent number: 8737910
    Abstract: A radio receiver may comprise a receiver adaptable for receiving a plurality of broadcast streams over a plurality of broadcast channels, wherein the receiver will attempt to receive a selected broadcast stream on a selected broadcast channel, and if the selected broadcast stream is not receivable on the selected broadcast channel, the receiver will attempt to receive the selected broadcast stream on an alternative broadcast channel. A computer readable medium may allow a user of a receiver to create a composite stream comprising at least one portion selected from each of at least two of a plurality of broadcast streams. A method of open interface merge replication may involve comparing data between first and second databases, and if a conflict exists, updating one of the first and second databases with at least a portion of data from the other of the first and second databases to resolve the conflict.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Clear Channel Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Zigler, Kevin R. Lockhart, Richard D. Wooden, Jacqueline J. Lockhart, Theodore N. Myers, Evan A. Hill, Tanya R. Jellison
  • Patent number: 8731518
    Abstract: A cellular telephone, system and method are provided which are capable of transferring a portion of or an entire telephone directory consisting of a plurality of telephone numbers to another cellular telephone via a remote central station. The remote central station receives the telephone directory and stores the same in memory for either temporary or permanent storage. The telephone directory can then be transferred from the remote central station to the same or another cellular telephone for storing the telephone directory within a memory of the cellular telephone. An individual, a company, or other entity, utilizing the remote central station, in order to store and transfer a telephone directory from a cellular telephone to the same cellular telephone or to at least another cellular telephone, pays a fee to at least one operator of the remote central station for providing and/or performing the receiving, storing and transferring services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventors: Peter DeLuca, George Likourezos
  • Patent number: 8718538
    Abstract: A portable device is used to capture, in real time, data sufficient to identify a product or service promoted, or a music track played, on a broadcast medium such as radio. The device determines a current frequency setting of a nearby radio by short-range broadcast of a brief audio-frequency signature so as to form a feedback path from the radio sufficient to determine the frequency or station currently playing. The captured data is communicated to a services server to enable quick and convenient purchase of the desired product or service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventor: Joseph Harb
  • Patent number: 8706023
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, method, and media directed to navigation in the field of digital radio systems are provided. For example, an apparatus, method, or medium can be implemented to provide a multi-tuner portable digital radio device that includes multiple modes and/or advances navigation tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: 3D Radio LLC
    Inventor: Michael D. Ellis
  • Patent number: 8639202
    Abstract: Provided is a device and method for providing an Alternative Frequency (AF) in a wireless terminal, by which an AF channel service suitable for a user environment can be provided. To this end, the device includes a radio broadcast receiver for receiving a radio broadcast signal, and a controller for attempting an AF channel switch after an elapse of a re-try wait time which is set according to a number of recent AF channel switch failures. The controller may detect the user environment as a walking state or a driving state. If a driving state is detected, the AF channel switch is attempted immediately when receive signal quality is below a threshold, regardless of the number of recent AF channel failures. If a walking state is detected, the AF channel switch is attempted after the elapse of the wait time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-Hwan Oh, Jun-Hyo Park, Hae-Min Park
  • Patent number: 8639281
    Abstract: There is provided a method for determining an acceptable transmission power for a second communication service making secondary usage of a spectrum assigned to a first communication service, comprising the step of determining the acceptable transmission power based on quality of a radio signal required in the first communication service, an interference level or a noise level in the first communication service, and a path loss on a communication path about one or more secondary usage node that transmits a radio signal of the second communication service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Ryo Sawai, Ryota Kimura
  • Patent number: 8615264
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for allocating a cognitive radio network spectrum based on aggregation. The method includes: obtaining information about unoccupied spectrum fragments and unit capacity information of a secondary users on different spectrum fragments, and constructing a solution matrix; calculating a reference index corresponding to the solution matrix, determining a resource allocation vector according to the reference index, and allocating resources after selecting a resource allocation element from the resource allocation vector; and removing a resource allocation element that is used in the resource allocation from the solution matrix, and then constructing a new solution matrix to continue allocating resources until unoccupied spectrum resources corresponding to the information about unoccupied spectrum fragments are allocated completely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jiao Wang, Gong Zhang
  • Publication number: 20130296002
    Abstract: The present invention is a cordless musical cell phone accessory that includes a planar base, a radio station tuner that is disposed on the planar base and one or more preset buttons that are depressed to put the musical cell phone accessory in communication with one or more predetermined radio stations. The accessory also includes a headphone jack that is inserted into a headphone jack inlet of a cell phone to connect the musical cell phone accessory to the cell phone, a display screen that is disposed on the planar base and a battery pack that is built into the planar base to provide electrical power to the accessory. The accessory can also include an additional battery pack that is attached to the cell phone utilizing the musical cell phone accessory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventor: Dustin Edwards
  • Patent number: 8577317
    Abstract: A broadcast receiver and a method for setting the broadcast receiver, comprising receiving a primary broadcast sent by a broadcast station and retrieving program associated data made available by said broadcast station. The method comprises a first channel, a primary broadcast channel BC, and a second channel, an interaction channel, for retrieving the program associated data (PAD) from the broadcast station, whereby a browser sends an HTTP or a WAP request using an Internet connection. The method comprises retrieving a uniform resource locator of the program associated data (PAD) as station associated data (SAD) from a station associated data site (SADS) the station associated data comprising program associated data relating to the primary broadcast, coverage information and frequency information of included broadcast stations and the broadcast receiver being capable of setting the browser and the broadcast receiver unit by suing this SAD information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Manor Research, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Stefan Strandberg, Johan Sjoblom
  • Patent number: 8571466
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing recommended radio stations to a user. In particular, an electronic device can compare media from a locally stored or accessed media library with media items provided as part of radio streams received by the device. The electronic device can identify the radio streams having the most media items overlapping with the local library, and recommend those streams as being most likely to be of interest to the user. The electronic device can further access a remote database of a large number of users' libraries, and receive recommendations based on the media items common to the user's library, other users' libraries, and radio broadcasts. This approach allows the electronic device to provide recommendations without requiring any monitoring of the user's listening habits or receiving preference information from the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael I. Ingrassia, Jr., Jeffery T. Lee
  • Patent number: 8548408
    Abstract: A method of operating a single-tuner radio includes tuning into a first frequency. A pause in a first signal associated with the first frequency is detected. Tuning is switched from the first frequency to a second frequency during the pause. Fieldstrength, multipath, adjacent channel energy, frequency offset and FM modulation for the second frequency are measured. Tuning is switched from the second frequency to the first frequency. Tuning is switched from the first frequency to the second frequency dependent upon the measuring step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Shree Jaisimha, Tatsuya Fujisawa, Jason Hingerton, Donald Thomas, David L. Ryan, Mohammad Reza Kanji
  • Patent number: 8532613
    Abstract: A cellular telephone, system and method are provided which are capable of transferring a portion of or an entire telephone directory consisting of a plurality of telephone numbers to another cellular telephone via a remote central station. The remote central station receives the telephone directory and stores the same in memory for either temporary or permanent storage. The telephone directory can then be transferred from the remote central station to the same or another cellular telephone for storing the telephone directory within a memory of the cellular telephone. An individual, a company, or other entity, utilizing the remote central station, in order to store and transfer a telephone directory from a cellular telephone to the same cellular telephone or to at least another cellular telephone, pays a fee to at least one operator of the remote central station for providing and/or performing the receiving, storing and transferring services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Inventors: Peter DeLuca, George Likourezos
  • Patent number: 8498622
    Abstract: A data processing system includes a satellite storage device communicating with a central storage device via a network. The satellite storage device is capable of accessing the data of the central storage device and includes a storage unit capable of storing data duplicated from the central storage device. The satellite storage device is capable of selecting a synchronization policy which determines how to synchronize data between the storage unit and of the central storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomonori Hirai
  • Patent number: 8472902
    Abstract: A radio broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present invention includes a reception unit for receiving a broadcast signal from a broadcast station of a predetermined frequency; a content information extracting unit for extracting content information related to a content the broadcast station is broadcasting from the broadcast signal being received by the reception unit and storing the content information in a storage unit; a frequency control unit for sequentially switching the frequency to be received by the reception unit; and an electronic program guide generating unit for generating an electronic program guide showing content information related to a content the broadcast station is currently broadcasting based on the content information stored in the storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Ryo Konno
  • Patent number: 8457554
    Abstract: Methods and systems for wireless communication are disclosed and may include controlling one or more scans of a received signal detection frequency across a frequency range and storing a magnitude of the received signal at each frequency where the magnitude exceeds a threshold level. A type of one or more signals in the received signal may be determined based on a bandwidth of the signals. A Bluetooth page/inquiry scan may be initiated if the determined type is a page/inquiry signal, and scans may be continued if the determined type may not be a page/inquiry signal. The scans may be repeated on a periodic basis and may be controlled utilizing a voltage controlled oscillator. Each of the scans may include a plurality of discrete frequency steps or a continuous frequency ramp. The controlling may include a start frequency, an end frequency and a frequency step size for the scans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Deane Hall, Brima Babatunde Ibrahim, Hea Joung Kim, Yuan Zhuang, Langford Wasada, Bojko Marholev, Shawn Ding, Latha Caliaperoumal, Satya Prasad Srinivas
  • Publication number: 20130122801
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing recommended radio stations to a user. In particular, an electronic device can compare media from a locally stored or accessed media library with media items provided as part of radio streams received by the device. The electronic device can identify the radio streams having the most media items overlapping with the local library, and recommend those streams as being most likely to be of interest to the user. The electronic device can further access a remote database of a large number of users' libraries, and receive recommendations based on the media items common to the user's library, other users' libraries, and radio broadcasts. This approach allows the electronic device to provide recommendations without requiring any monitoring of the user's listening habits or receiving preference information from the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Michael Ingrassia, Jeffery Lee
  • Patent number: 8369889
    Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for sharing a single antenna for frequency modulation (FM) transmission, FM reception and near field communication (NFC) are presented. Aspects of a system may include at least one circuit that enables, via a single antenna, simultaneous transmission of an FM signal and reception of an FM signal, and transmission of an NFC signal or reception of an NFC signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Ahmadreza Rofougaran, Maryam Rofougaran
  • Patent number: 8346195
    Abstract: A time shifting device receives a full broadcast band, such as the FM radio band, demodulates the received full broadcast band into each component broadcast channel, and stores the program signal received from each broadcast channel in a buffer, thereby enabling continuous time-shifting of the content without requiring any prior program pre-selection. The disclosed time shifting device includes an analog to digital converter which digitizes an analog broadband radiofrequency signal, which may include some or all allocated broadcast channels of the targeted broadcast band, into a digital broadband radiofrequency signal. A digital filter and demodulation circuit demodulates the digitized broadband signal into individual datastreams corresponding to the various broadcast channels contained in the broadcast band. The datastreams are stored in a circular buffer for selective playback by a user. Program metadata may be utilized to identify and select programs for playback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Fabien Lefebvre
  • Patent number: 8326215
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for broadcasting media events, the method including the steps of providing a sequence of media events in a first server, the sequence of media events including at least one media event of a first type and a plurality of media events of a second type; playing the sequence from the first server to a second server prior to a predetermined broadcast time; and storing at the second server at least a part of the sequence received from the first server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Clear Channel Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Lee Littlejohn, David C. Jellison, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8320821
    Abstract: A receiving apparatus discriminates RDS data containing traffic information corresponding to the vehicle's own position from RDS data of broadcasting stations searched for by frequency sweeping by a sub tuner front end 7; stores step by step into a pool memory 16 frequencies of alternative stations identified by each PI code of the RDS data and the number of the alternative stations; determines the PI code with the greatest number of the alternative stations by comparing the numbers of the alternative stations for individual PI codes stored in the pool memory 16 in a frequency sweeping range; and receives the traffic information from the station with the highest received electric field strength among all the alternative stations identified by the PI code determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Nakata
  • Patent number: 8311499
    Abstract: A sound system with a radio receiver having the ability to automatically tune to a new radio station if (a) the current radio station is broadcasting a song, program or other content that the user dislikes and/or (b) one of one or more predetermined radio stations is broadcasting content that the listener likes. In one embodiment, the sound system includes a tuner for tuning to a frequency of a radio station and for converting a radio signal transmitted by the radio station to an audio signal; a memory unit for storing a first set of templates, wherein the first set of templates correspond to a to a set of songs, programs, commercials, or other content disliked by the user of the sound system; and a recognition processor, coupled to the tuner and to the memory unit, for receiving the audio signal, generating templates from the audio signal, and comparing the generated templates to at least one of the templates within the first set of templates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Garbsen Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas M. Eubanks