Abstract: An audio enhancement system for compensating for ambient noise in a listening environment, comprises an audio system that produces an electrical sound signal and generates a sound output from the electrical sound signal. A sensor (e.g., a microphone) senses a total sound signal representative of the total sound level in the listening environment, including the sound output from the audio system and the ambient noise within the listening environment. A processing unit responsive to the total sound signal and the electrical sound signal extracts from the total sound signal an ambient noise signal representative of the ambient noise in the listening environment. A controller responsive to the ambient noise signal performs a linear predictive coding (LPC) analysis and generates a control signal, which is input to an equalizer to adjust the sound output of the audio system in order to compensate for the ambient noise level.

Abstract: A loudspeaker has a diaphragm with an edge area and a central area. A voice coil carrier may be fastened to the diaphragm in the central area, a voice coil being wound around the voice coil carrier. A magnet system may be included into which the voice coil carrier and the voice coil are completely or partially inserted. A basket may enclose one face of the diaphragm and to which the magnet system is fastened. An elastic bead may be fastened to the edge area of the diaphragm and to the basket. A centering device may be fastened to the central area of the diaphragm and to the basket. The loudspeaker may include an additional elastic bead as a centering device, which is fastened directly or indirectly to the basket and the diaphragm.

Abstract: A digital filter includes a delay network with a plurality of delay elements configured and arranged as all-pass filters, having a controllable coefficient value. In the case of a low-pass or high pass filter, the cut-off frequency of the filter can be controlled via the controllable coefficient value associated with phase angle. Similarly, in a bandpass filter, the center frequency is set as a function of the controllable coefficient value.

Abstract: A voice signal is transmitted in an MOST network on a single channel. The width of the transmitted voice data words is preferably up to 14 bits, and each voice data word is transmitted into successive clock periods of the MOST network, in a byte that includes seven bits of the voice data word and one identifier bit.

Abstract: An apparatus determines an optimal antenna and frequency combination by selecting the optimal antenna from among a plurality, N, of antennas associated with a receiver and also selects the optimal frequency from among a plurality, M, of alternative receiving frequencies transmitted from a transmitter. This is achieved by determining all N×M possible antenna/frequency combinations, by determining the received signal quality at each combination, by comparing the N×M received signal qualities, and by selecting the one antenna/frequency combination having the optimal received signal quality.

Abstract: A system for determining a route and for warning a driver of a vehicle and corresponding methods are provided. The systems include storage units that store road segment passage restriction data and vehicle passage restriction data. The systems further include a working memory unit and a processing unit that determine a route to be displayed on an output unit or that provide a warning signal output, depending upon both the vehicle passage restriction data and the road segment passage restriction data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for automatically finding an AM radio program, by which an AM radio receiver is tuned through in discrete steps, such that, for each set AM frequency, the reception quality at the currently set AM frequency is determined, the field strength of the neighboring frequencies is measured. If a significant field strength is detected at the neighboring frequencies, these are taken into account in determining the overall reception quality, in that the reception quality is reduced by a noise value, and subsequently the overall reception quality is compared with an upper quality limit. If the upper quality limit is exceeded, the program search is interrupted, and the AM radio program with this high overall reception quality is played. This method succeeds in reducing the number of misjudgments of AM radio programs with actually poor quality, and thus improves the reproduction quality of an AM radio receiver.

Abstract: A system for decoding data, such as travel and traffic information, configured in data blocks embedded in an electromagnetic signal, such as a broadcasted radio signal, has been developed. The system includes a method and receiver for decoding the data with a background tuner in a manner that does not impair the ability of the background tuner to demodulate other signals. While a main tuner is tuned to demodulate a first electromagnetic signal to produce a data stream, the background tuner is switched to decode the data blocks only when the data blocks are expected to be received. In the remaining time, the background tuner is free to demodulate other signals to support a diversity or other function. If a data block is not received, or not received when expected, the background tuner returns to demodulating one or more other frequencies after a predetermined time interval has elapsed.

Abstract: A method for processing digital map data for route determination is provided that includes dividing a region into a plurality of zones, and for the zones, automatically determining at least one cost value for at least one direction of travel of the zone based on the digital map data of the zone and a predetermined cost criterion. A method for determining a route between two points is provided that includes dividing a region into a plurality of zones, for the zones, automatically determining at least one cost value for at least one direction of travel of the zone based on the digital map data of the zone and a predetermined cost criterion, and automatically determining at least one sequence of zones connecting the two points, where each zone of the sequence may be adjacent to another zone of the sequence, such that the sum of the cost values of the zones of the sequence may be optimized.

Abstract: For the purpose of largely suppressing the noise pulses caused in a stereo radio receiver in the reception signal, particularly by the ignition system of a motor vehicle, a digital field strength signal representing the analog field strength signal is produced for example by digitizing the analog field strength signal. The scanning values of the digital audio signal, for example of the (L+R) signal, are produced by interpolation for at least as long as the digital field strength signal is outside a presettable tolerance range.

Abstract: A video signal processing system for processing a video data VIN and graphic data D?P includes a filter unit, which receives the video data VIN. The filter unit filters the video data VIN to convert the video data VIN into video pictures formatted with a different number of columns and/or lines, and provides a filtered video signal indicative thereof. The filter unit buffers individual pixels and/or lines in a first memory device. A second memory device receives and stores the graphic data D?P and the filtered video signal and provides stored signals indicative thereof. A third memory device is connected to the second memory, and stores data received from the second memory device. A mixing unit receives and mixes the stored graphic data and the stored filtered video data to provide a video output signal VOUT.

Abstract: A method for data transmission via several data channels in a network linking several units to one another, where the units can function as data sources, data sinks or transceivers, includes the steps of arbitrarily assigning a first data channel to a first predetermined one or more connection segments; arbitrarily assigning the first channel to a second predetermined one or more connection segments other than the first predetermined one or more connection segments; and simultaneously transmitting data between two units across the first predetermined one or more connection segments via the first data channel, and between two or more other units across the second predetermined one or more connection segments via the first data channel. The data are transmitted in a first direction over the first predetermined at least one connection segment, and the data are transmitted in a second direction over the second predetermined at least one connection segment, where the first ands second directions are the same.

Abstract: The invention relates to a planar loudspeaker comprising a light, thin soundboard (2) which may be energized to produce multiply-reflected bending waves, a surrounding frame (3) holding the soundboard (2) in an articulated, shear-resistant manner; at least one driver (6, 7, 9, 10) connected to the soundboard (2) to energize the soundboard (2); and at least one bridge (13, 16, 18, 20, 22, 25), rigidly connecting the at least one driver (6, 7, 9, 10) to the frame (3), wherein the bridge or at least one of the bridges (13, 16, 18, 20, 22, 25) is connected to the damping board (14).

Abstract: A tire pressure diagnostic system for vehicles is provided for diagnosing tire pressure for at least one of the tires based on the traveled distance of the vehicle and input indicative of the tire movement. The diagnosis of the tire pressure may be based on comparing the traveled distance of the vehicle with a distance determined based on the output from a tire sensor and a predetermined radius of the tire under proper inflation. The diagnosis of the tire pressure may also be based on comparing an actual radius of the tire, determined by the traveled distance of the vehicle, with a predetermined radius of the tire under proper inflation. The diagnosis of the tire pressure may further be based on comparing the number of wheel rotations, determined from the tire movement input, with a number of rotations determined based on the traveled distance and the predetermined radius of the tire under proper inflation.

Abstract: An electronic assembly includes a semiconductor device mounted on a printed circuit board, a leaf spring and a cooling plate. A plurality of fasteners pass through co-axial apertures of the leaf spring, the printed circuit board and the cooling plate, such that a contact surface of the leaf spring imparts a force on the semiconductor device to retain the semiconductor device in a thermally conductive position with respect to the cooling plate. A positive cooling effect is achieved regardless of mounting conditions including orientation of the electronic assembly, and the position of the semiconductor device on the cooling plate.

Abstract: A system for converting analog video signals to digital video signals receives an analog video signal that generates a reference horizontal synchronization signal. A phase-locked loop receives the reference horizontal synchronization signal and generates a pixel clock signal and a horizontal synchronization signal from the reference horizontal synchronization signal. An analog-to-digital converter converts the analog video signals to digital video signals. Differences between the measured values of the sampling of a test line of adjacent pixels are formed and phase parameters of the different phase positions are generated by summation of these differences. A phase position of the video signal from the phase parameters is determined, and the phase position is determined with the set phase position, and based on the comparison the set phase is changed.

Abstract: To transmit an anisochronic data stream on an isochronic transmission route with a plurality of channels over a transmission network, a number of channels is reserved by the transmitter before beginning the transmission, wherein the sum of the transmission capacities of the reserved channels just exceeds the bandwidth of the asynchronous data stream. During the course of transmission, the data of the anisochronic data stream are formed into packets; each packet is transmitted over the reserved channels. After a packet has been sent, unused portions of the reserved channels are filled with filler data that is discarded at the receiver, until sufficient data are again available at the transmitter to begin transmission of the next packet.

Abstract: A database system for a global positioning (GPS) vehicular navigation device having a first database including street information data and a second database, including location information data that is independent of the first data. The database system includes a working memory unit including a first memory area and a second memory area separate from the first memory area. The first data includes street information stored in the first memory area and the second data includes location information stored in the second memory area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a navigation system for vehicle having a position detector for detecting the position of the vehicle, memory for storing a route description to a predetermined destination, voice output device for outputting driving indications by voice output and/or for informing the user of the navigation system of any other operation of the navigation system by voice output, a controller for controlling the voice output device, and further including a selection device for presetting a condition under which the controller enables or disables the voice output of the voice output device.

Abstract: A sample rate converter for converting a digital input signal having a first sample rate into a digital output signal having a second sample rate, wherein the second sample rate is different from the first sample rate. The sample rate converter includes a digital interpolation filter receiving the input signal and comprising a digital zero-phase filter, and a digital polynom interpolator connected to the interpolation filter and providing the output signal.