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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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