Abstract: The system includes a computer-readable memory having a data structure configured with electronic data indicative of the patient's cognitive ability and/or context information relevant to the patient. The computer system is programmed to dynamically present information based on the patient's cognitive ability and/or context, obtained by accessing the computer-readable memory. The system is thus able to dynamically customize the way the system interacts with the patient, dynamically rendering information and automatically launching specific applications and events based on set parameters to meet the assistive needs of the patient. The system also captures information about the patient's health and wellbeing which is dynamically communicated to the caregiver, which information is also in part based on cognitive ability of the patient and/or context.

Abstract: The system includes a computer-readable memory having a data structure configured with electronic data indicative of the patient's cognitive ability and/or context information relevant to the patient. The computer system is programmed to dynamically present information based on the patient's cognitive ability and/or context, obtained by accessing the computer-readable memory. The system is thus able to dynamically customize the way the system interacts with the patient, dynamically rendering information and automatically launching specific applications and events based on set parameters to meet the assistive needs of the patient. The system also captures information about the patient's health and wellbeing which is dynamically communicated to the caregiver, which information is also in part based on cognitive ability of the patient and/or context.

Abstract: A method of providing access to a vehicle, including wirelessly and electronically discovering a personal electronic device disposed outside of the vehicle. A remote central controller is wirelessly instructed to wirelessly transmit a certificate to the personal electronic device. The certificate from the personal electronic device is wirelessly received within the vehicle. Validation from the a remote central controller that the certificate from the personal electronic device was transmitted from the remote central controller to the personal electronic device is wirelessly received within the vehicle. An electronic key to the vehicle is wirelessly transmitted from the vehicle to the personal electronic device.

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.

Abstract: A user interface arrangement includes a user interface having a plurality of movable sliders. Each of the sliders corresponds to a respective category of infotainment content. A processor is communicatively coupled to the user interface. The processor presents each of the categories of infotainment content in proportions dependent upon positions of the sliders.

Abstract: An entertainment system control arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a graphical LCD with a configurable touch screen. The graphical LCD is disposed on the steering wheel. A processor is communicatively coupled to the graphical LCD. The processor prompts a user to select a function to assign to the configurable touch screen. The processor assigns the selected function to the configurable touch screen.

Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus includes a body having a suction inlet and an exhaust outlet. A dirt collection vessel and a suction generator are both carried on the body. The suction generator moves an airstream through the suction inlet, the dirt collection vessel and the exhaust outlet. A filter drawer is carried on the body. A filter stop on the body aligns a filter in the filter drawer with an airstream port on the body as the filter drawer is moved from a fully opened toward a fully closed position.

Abstract: A human machine interface includes a capacitive touch screen having a capacitive sensor. The capacitive touch screen displays text characters and/or graphical information. A control device is rotatably coupled to a structure such that the control device is superimposed over the screen. The control device includes at least one electrically conductive element. The control device rotates about an axis substantially perpendicular to the screen such that the at least one electrically conductive element follows the rotation of the control device. The capacitive sensor senses a rotational position of the at least one electrically conductive element.

Abstract: An audio system includes a level controller receiving an input audio signal from an audio medium. The level controller includes a gain adjust module producing an output audio signal based on the input audio signal. A filter arrangement is communicatively coupled to the level controller. The filter arrangement receives the output audio signal and divides the output signal into a plurality of filtered signals. Each of the filtered signals corresponds to a respective frequency band. A multiband dynamics controller is communicatively coupled to the filter arrangement. The multiband dynamics controller receives the filtered signals and applies a respective gain characteristic to each of the filtered signals to thereby produce a plurality of gain adjust signals. The gain adjust signals are combined into a multiband dynamics controller output signal.

Abstract: Data to be streamed from source device to destination device is processed through a plurality of pipeline stages, each responsible for handling a different part of the overall streaming process, including frame grabbing, optional scaling, change analysis, encoding and transmission. The pipeline congestion state in each pipeline stage is monitored and analyzed. Then based on this analysis, different throughput and quality controls are adjusted to optimize the frame rate experience and to maintain pipeline congestion below predetermined levels.

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.

Abstract: An audio power amplifier arrangement includes an audio power amplification integrated circuit having two loudspeaker outputs. A rectifier circuit includes a first diode having a cathode connected to one of the two loudspeaker outputs and an anode connected to a rectifier output node. A second diode has an anode connected to the one loudspeaker output. A first resistor has a first end connected to a cathode of the second diode and a second end connected to the rectifier output node. A capacitor has a first end connected to the rectifier output node and a second end connected to electrical ground. A second resistor has a first end connected to the rectifier output node and a second end connected to electrical ground.

Abstract: A method of operating an audio entertainment system in a vehicle includes detecting an operating parameter of the vehicle. A sensor signal corresponding to the detected operating parameter is transmitted. Music that is audibly produced within the vehicle is musically modified dependent upon the sensor signal.

Abstract: A hardware system data retrieval arrangement includes a printed circuit board having a memory device connected to a microcontroller. The memory device stores historical information about the printed circuit board. A connecting device is connected to the microcontroller. The connecting device includes a Universal Serial Bus connector or an edge card connector. An electrical communication conduit interconnects the personal computer and the connecting device. The personal computer retrieves the historical information form the memory device via the electrical communication conduit.

Abstract: A method of warning a driver of a vehicle of an obstacle that is more than one kilometer from the vehicle includes emitting MIR laser energy from the vehicle. The laser energy has a wavelength approximately between 3500 nanometers and 5000 nanometers. A phase conjugate lens is used to orthogonally direct a portion of the laser energy that is reflected by the obstacle to an image-capturing device or sensor within the vehicle. An image of the obstacle is displayed to the driver. The image is based on the laser energy directed to the image-capturing device.

Abstract: There is provided a current sense circuit (134). An exemplary current sense circuit (134) comprises a voltage-to-current converter circuit (218) that is adapted to receive a voltage that is proportional to a load current drawn from a battery (110) by a load (202) and to produce a current proportional to the load current, and a current-to-voltage converter circuit (228) that is adapted to receive the current proportional to the load current and to produce a voltage proportional to the load current based on a regulated voltage source (230).

Abstract: A radio tuning method for a vehicle includes sensing that the vehicle is traveling out of a first broadcast range of a first radio station that a radio of the vehicle is currently tuned to. The first radio station broadcasts first content. A second radio station is identified having a second broadcast range that the vehicle will be in when the vehicle is no longer in the first broadcast range. The identifying includes determining that the second radio station broadcasts second content that is substantially similar to the first content broadcasted by the first radio station. A user of the vehicle is provided with an option to switch tuning of the radio from the first radio station to the second radio station.

Abstract: A user interface arrangement includes a user interface having a plurality of movable sliders. Each of the sliders corresponds to a respective category of infotainment content. A processor is communicatively coupled to the user interface. The processor presents each of the categories of infotainment content in proportions dependent upon positions of the sliders.

Abstract: A method of modulating an infrared headphone interface signal includes providing a first audio signal having an analog audio value. A memory is provided having a plurality of locations and containing digital phase offset values. A clock signal having a clock frequency is provided. A second audio signal having a center carrier frequency that deviates with the analog audio value of the first audio signal is provided. An instantaneous value of the center carrier frequency is determined. The clock frequency is divided by the instantaneous carrier frequency value to calculate a number of samples per cycle. A number of location addresses in the memory is divided by the number of samples per cycle to calculate a memory access interval. The memory is accessed at addresses separated by the memory access interval. The digital phase offset values at the accessed memory addresses are used to reproduce the first audio signal.

Abstract: A versatile keyboard input and output device is described. The keyboard device includes a housing having a plurality of buttons, with each button individually clickable, and a capacitive sensing element under each button for touch sensing. The versatile keyboard input and output device further includes a lighting element under each button to provide selective lighting for each button, and a plurality of button glyphs for the plurality of buttons respectively, wherein the button glyphs are selectively visually changeable. The keyboard input device also includes a haptic feedback mechanism included in the housing for providing haptic feedback for the plurality of buttons.