Abstract: A multifunctional rotary switch for operating an electronic device is providing having a roller with an axis of rotation. The roller has a bidirectional rotational mode of operation where the roller rotates in both a clockwise and counter clockwise direction around the axis, a translational mode of operation where the roller is moved in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation and a pushing mode of operation where the roller is moved in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A sleep timer for changing a power state of a device includes a detector, a memory, a sleep interval setting unit, a timer, and a power unit. The detector detects interactions between a user and an active device. The memory is linked to the detector and stores the historical user interaction data. Based on the historical user interaction data, the sleep interval setting unit adjusts the sleep timer's sleep interval. The timer determines a power changing point in time based on the sleep interval. At the power state changing point in time, the power unit initiates a power state change.

Abstract: A diversity antenna system may receive transmitted signals. The diversity antenna system includes multiple phase diversity antenna elements. One or more of the phase diversity antenna elements are positioned substantially parallel to an external surface of a vehicle. The phase diversity antenna elements are adapted to receive phase diversity signals.

Abstract: A system for presenting video images from a vehicle environment includes taking video images of the vehicle environment, detecting sensor data of the vehicle environment or the vehicle, processing the sensor data, recognizing objects in the video images, and visualizing the processed sensor data in the displayed video images by changing the representation of recognized objects in the displayed video images.

Abstract: An audio system includes a first transformation device provided with an input audio signal and which transforms the input audio signal from the time domain to the frequency domain resulting in an input spectrum. The system also includes a spectral processing device, which is connected downstream from the first transformation device, that receives the input spectrum and produces from it an output spectrum with a dynamic range that is reduced from that of the input spectrum. The system further includes a second transformation device connected downstream from the spectral processing device, and provided with the output spectrum. The second transformation device transforms the output spectrum from the frequency domain to the time domain, and provides an output audio signal.

Abstract: A system is presented for the multipath reception of video signals, including sound an/or image signals. The system includes at least two receivers and a diversity unit. At least one receiver receives and processes analog video signals, while the one or more remaining receivers receive and process digital video signals. The system may further include an analog selector unit for selecting the highest quality analog signal, and/or a digital selector unit for selecting the highest quality digital signal. The diversity unit receives the processed analog and digital video signals and combines them to produce a resulting video signal having a quality at least as high as the better of the processed analog and digital video signals. The diversity unit may combine the received video signals by performing a weighted addition of the signals.

Abstract: A system for processing an image of a surrounding of a vehicle is provided. The system includes an image generator that is configured for generating an image, the image having at least a first and a second portion. The first and second portions of the image differ from each other and the first portion of the image is generated for further processing earlier than the second portion of the image. Additionally, the system includes an image processor for processing the first and second portions of the image, where the image processor is configured for processing the first portion of said image while awaiting for the second portion of the image to become available to the image processor.

Abstract: A telephone system for a motor vehicle includes a transmit/receive unit that transmits data over a wireless communication channel, and receives data over the wireless communication channel and provides a received signal. The system also includes a control unit that communicates with the transmit/receive unit; a first memory device; and a computing device. The computing device receives the received signal and automatically stores the received signal data in the first memory device when the telephone system is configured in a stand-by mode, which allows incoming data to be stored in the memory device while selectively preventing the transmission of outgoing calls originated by the control unit to the transmit/receive unit. Data can be sent to the motor vehicle telephone system and can be stored there for retrieval by the operator when he returns to the vehicle. The data may include audio and/or video data.

Abstract: A loudspeaker including a frame, a movable diaphragm that oscillates, and a suspension for mounting the diaphragm to the frame, where the suspension comprises a flexible surround having a substantially enclosed space where at least a portion of the flexible surround is air permeable.

Abstract: Methods for inputting a destination in a navigation system by manually controlling an actuating device are provided. In an example method, at least the following menu items can be selected when the actuating device is actuated using a first motion type: a CHARACTER menu item provides a list of characters when selected, and a DIGIT menu item that provides a list of digits when selected. The first motion type may be used to actuate the actuating device to select one of the other non-selected menu items.

Abstract: A system that collects parametric information that reflects local weather conditions receives signals from sensors. The signals are transmitted to a server that combines the information contained within the signals with weather data to determine local weather conditions and develop forecasts. The local weather conditions and forecasts may be transmitted to a vehicle and may be combined with navigation information to optimize travel routes.

Abstract: A monitoring receiver accepts program preferences from an operator. When active, the receiver automatically monitors alternate frequencies for programming that matches the program preferences, alerts the operator when a match is found, and may switch to a preferred program.

Abstract: In a ring-shaped MOST network installed in a motor vehicle, several units are linked to one another by several linkage sections. They function as data source, data sink, or transceiver. At least some of the units have two or more transceiver modules. To relieve the processors of such units with more than one transceiver module, only one network controller is present in such a unit for all its transceiver modules.

Abstract: A system is provided for providing travel time information for a plurality of positions on an electronic map. The system provides map data including information on road segments, determines a plurality of road segment travel times based on the map data, selects a plurality of positions for which travel time information is to provided, determines a travel time for each of these positions in dependence on the road segment travel times, and displays an optical indicator for the travel times on an electronic map.

Abstract: A voice processing system for a vehicle environment is provided for detecting a sound signal in the vehicle environment and identifying a voice command that originates from a vehicle user outside the vehicle. The voice processing system, in the detected the sound signal, takes into account position information relating to the position of the vehicle user in the vehicle environment. Information on the position of the vehicle user may be obtained from a keyless-go-system or another monitoring device of the motor vehicle, for example an optical imaging device of a parking-assistance system or a driver-assistance system.

Abstract: A speech recognition system for processing voice inputs from a user to select a list element from a list or group of list elements. Recognition procedures are carried out on the voice input of the user. One recognition procedure separates the voice input of a whole word into at least one sequence of speech subunits to produce a vocabulary of list elements. Another recognition procedure compares the voice input of the whole word with the vocabulary of list elements.