Patents Assigned to Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation or North America
  • Publication number: 20090265103
    Abstract: A vehicle navigational system includes a processor generating a search query and transmitting a search query signal corresponding to the search query. A display unit receives the search query signal and displays a search query prompt in response to the search query signal. A user interface allows a user to enter search data into the processor in response to the search query prompt. A GPS communicator is communicatively coupled to the processor. The GPS communicator receives vehicle location data from a global positioning satellite and generates a vehicle location signal. A wireless communication device is communicatively coupled to the processor and allows the processor to communicate with the remote database. The processor initiates a search of the remote database based on the search data entered by user in response to the search query prompt, and based on the vehicle location signal. The processor receives results from the database and communicates the results to display unit for display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventor: Hakan Kostepen
  • Publication number: 20090262239
    Abstract: There is provided a system (200) and method (400) of displaying video content. In a method (400) in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a native aspect ratio of the video content is determined (404) and an optimized viewing format is selected (406) from a plurality of viewing formats based at least in part on the native aspect ratio of the video content. The video content is displayed (408) in the optimized viewing format.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Nam Chin Cho, Dallas Dwight Hickerson
  • Publication number: 20090247099
    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. A signal quality metric for the second frequency is measured. Tuning is switched from the second frequency to the first frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Shree Jaisimha, Mohammad Kanji, Donald Thomas, Jason Hingerton
  • Publication number: 20090195908
    Abstract: A method of controlling a head for a recording medium includes determining that the head is in an inoperative state, and activating a damping arrangement in response to the determination that the head is inoperative. A movement of the head while the head is inoperative is sensed. The damping arrangement is used in response to the sensing step to exert a force upon the head to thereby damp the movement, a magnitude of the force being dependent upon a parameter of the movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of panasonic corporation of North America
    Inventors: James R. Christ, Michael P. Colalillo, Dallas D. Hickerson
  • Publication number: 20090195404
    Abstract: An electronic system including a user interface for transmitting an operational parameter control signal in response to manual manipulation of the user interface. A processor is coupled to the user interface and adjusts an operational parameter of the electronic system in response to receiving the operational parameter control signal. An actuatable device is actuated by a user. In response to the user actuation, the actuatable device prevents the processor from adjusting the operational parameter of the electronic system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventor: Robert E. Combs, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090143035
    Abstract: A method of configuring a tuner includes scanning at least one range of radio frequencies, measuring a signal quality metric for each of a plurality of the frequencies, and selecting a set of operational frequencies for the tuner. The selecting step is dependent upon the measuring step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation or North America
    Inventors: Shree Jaisimha, Mohammad Reza Kanji, Tatsuya Fujisawa
  • Publication number: 20080254761
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a radio frequency (RF) receiver module (100). An exemplary embodiment of the RF receiver module (100) comprises a base (102), an RF connector (104) secured to the base (102), the RF connector (104) adapted to receive an RF signal from an audio signal source, and a cable connector (106) secured to the base (102), the cable connector (106) adapted to receive a cable (206) that connects the RF receiver module (100) to an audio system main printed circuit board (206) to transfer an audio signal derived from the RF signal to the audio system main printed circuit board (206).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Hans Alfred Troemel, Jason Quentin Paulsel
  • Publication number: 20080234934
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle navigation method includes obtaining electronic textual navigation information and converting the textual navigation information into audio data. The audio data is stored within the vehicle and is played back within the vehicle in sequential increments that correspond to respective legs of a trip being made by the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventor: Kazuoki Otani
  • Patent number: 7385809
    Abstract: A push release latch for a display device is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The push release latch includes a slider portion adapted to slide substantially laterally within a latch receptacle of a housing with respect to an actuation axis A of the push release latch. The slider portion includes a latch projection adapted to engage and retain a display screen and at least one actuator projection that extends from the slider portion. The latch further includes a push portion adapted to travel within the latch receptacle substantially along the actuation axis A. The push portion includes at least one sloped actuation surface that engages the at least one actuator projection of the slider portion. The at least one sloped actuation surface forces the at least one latch projection and the slider portion to move substantially laterally in response to a depression force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventor: Earl Brian Graffius
  • Patent number: 7339117
    Abstract: A multi-conductor electrical connector member includes a plurality of electrical conductors arranged in a spaced apart and generally parallel side-by-side manner. The plurality of electrical conductors includes a signal source end. At least one electrical discontinuity is formed in a selected subset of the plurality of electrical conductors. The at least one electrical discontinuity is formed proximate the signal source end in order to improve the electromagnetic characteristics of the multi-conductor electrical connector member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Christopher Timothy Tarte, Hiroyasu Sugiyama
  • Patent number: D517060
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Randall O. Tyner, Jr., Michael T. Burk
  • Patent number: D530637
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Randall O. Tyner, Jr., Michael T. Burk