Abstract: A system and method for automated activation of a radio, or content receiver, used to receive subscription radio services such as XM or Sirius radio. A wireless communications device with a short range data link wirelessly communicates with the content receiver to control the content receiver and receive a unique identification code from the content receiver. The wireless communications device also has its own unique identification code. The wireless communications device transmits an activation request message over a long range wireless communications link to a control station. The activation request message contains the receivers unique identification code and the communications device's own unique identification code. The control station maintains a database of valid identification codes that is used to authenticate the request. If the control station receives a valid request, an activation signal is sent to the receiver to allow operation of the receiver.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for improved traffic flow reporting (e.g., system bandwidth conservation and timely traffic flow updates) using in-vehicle devices, service hub, and communications system for transmitting aggregated traffic flow data to the vehicles. In-vehicle devices store data relating to monitored segments of roadways (e.g., segment identifiers or location codes and designated range(s) of speed), and send messages to the hub when current vehicle speed is not within a selected range designated for the current segment of roadway where the vehicle is located. Vehicles can be configured to send messages based on various criteria. A selected vehicle or group of vehicles can be commanded to send a message to the hub. The hub provides updated traffic flow data based on the messages to the communications system for transmission to the vehicles.

Abstract: Novel design of an LDPC decoder suitable for a range of code-block sizes and bit-rates, also suitable for both ASIC and FPGA implementations, is provided, in which the overhead associated with correction data sent along the transmission channel can be minimized. An LDPC decoder can be optimized for either eIRA based or general H matrices. An H parity matrix can be constructed and/or manipulated to arrange the bit-node message “columns” to facilitate mapping to MPB “columns” and corresponding access via LUT pointer tables to minimize processing cycles so as to: (i) minimize address conflicts within the same MPB that will take multiple access cycles to resolve; (ii) minimize splitting of bit-node messages across MPB “columns” that will take multiple access cycles to resolve; and (iii) balance the bit-node computations across all the MPB/LUT “columns” so that they will complete their computations at nearly the same time.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for a broadcast or streamed content receiver to receive a plurality of program channels with defined banks of subset channels, to display the banks on the radio receiver, and to receive dynamic updates of both channels within the banks and the content of each such channel. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the channels in a given bank can be determined by commonality as to defined categories, user interest, user preferences, and/or content provider, or seasonal or other relevance. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, channels in one or more defined banks can be buffered to facilitate smart user scanning within such defined banks, or one or more banks can be used to generate a bank specific “TuneMix™” channel.

Abstract: Satellite audio and video broadcasting systems for concurrent, near-simultaneous broadcast to mobile and fixed receivers of satellite broadcast audio information and of internet streaming of at least the same audio information, and of video and data information, too.

Abstract: A cigarette lighter adapter (CLA) is provided with a main body configured to be connected at one end thereof to a vehicle cigarette lighter socket or auxiliary power socket. The main body of the cigarette lighter adapter is also connected to one end of a coaxial cable. The other end of the coaxial cable is preferably terminated with a standard low cost DC connector for connection to a portable media player (e.g., with integrated or separate satellite radio receiver) or other content source that provides a frequency modulated (FM) radio frequency signal with audio content onto the coaxial cable 60. The FM signal is amplified by an amplifier in the main body of the CLA and then injected into the vehicle power system through the contacts in the mechanical housing of the main body and the vehicle cigarette lighter socket.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for receiving a broadcast comprising a plurality of program channels and generating a playback stream using at least one of a buffered program channel and stored indexed content (e.g., commercials, programs, songs) for insertion. Control data controls which receivers insert which indexed content and when the indexed content is inserted into a received program channel, allowing for playback of songs from playlists, tiered subscription services, and sponsorship of broadcast program channels to provide market-directed content to selected receivers and listeners. Buffer management operations prevent uncontrolled buffer growth and commercial content avoidance through rapid channel changes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus encode a source data stream via convolutional encoding or selected encoding scheme. Plural encoded data streams are interleaved and transmitted on a transmission channel. Data groups generated via convolutional or selected encoding are interleaved via time-interleaving functions to disperse selected bits within data groups, bits in between data groups, and bits in selected sets of data groups to facilitate reconstruction of the source data stream from at least a portion of the interleaved data stream received on at least one transmission channel. Subsets of bits of data groups are selected to allow reconstruction of the source data stream from more than one of plural transmission channels using a minimum number of subsets. Multiple combinations of subsets can be received on both transmission channels to reconstruct the source data stream following blockage of one channel.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are described to interleave LDPC coded data for reception over a mobile communications channel, such as, for example, a satellite channel. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a method for channel interleaving includes segmenting a large LDPC code block into smaller codewords, randomly shuffling the code segments of each codeword and then convolutionally interleaving the randomly shuffled code words. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, such random shuffling can guarantee that no two consecutive input code segments will be closer than a defined minimum number of code segments at the output of the shuffler. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, by keeping data in, for example, manageable sub-sections, accurate SNR estimations, which are needed for the best possible LDPC decoding performance, can be facilitated based on, for example, iterative bit decisions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented to allow one receiver architecture to be used for the reception of two different SDARS signals. Common receiver functions can be utilized to process each signal, thereby obviating the need to duplicate hardware elements. For example, it can be assumed that both signals will not be received at the same time, thus allowing for considerable hardware reuse and lowering the cost of an interoperable receiver.

Abstract: A combination of a radio receiver with a detachable controller that determine sends either reduced or enhanced metadata about received programming to the detachable controller based upon periodic authorization. A connection from the detachable control device to the radio receiver carries commands to the radio receiver and carries only the reduced set of metadata, such as tuned channel and tuned channel name, from the radio receiver to the controller. The controller is authorized by sending a radio identifier from the radio receiver to the control device, determination of an authentication code at the controller and communication of the determined authentication code back to the controller for validation. Upon validation, an enhanced set of metadata, including song title and artist, is sent to the controller. The enhanced metadata, the reduced metadata, or both, are optionally able to be encrypted. The radio receiver periodically performs this authorization processing.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a receiver unit in a digital broadcast system for receiving a broadcast signal comprising content segments and control data, and generating an output signal using the content segments and previously stored content segments. The previously stored content segments are retrieved from a local memory device using the control data and inserted among the received content segments.

Abstract: In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, methods and apparatus allowing for an efficient design of an LDPC decoder suitable for a range of code-block sizes and bit-rates, which is also suitable for both ASIC and FPGA implementations, are provided. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the overhead associated with correction data sent along the transmission channel can be minimized. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, an LDPC decoder is suitable for both ASIC and FPGA implementations. Method and apparatus allowing for an efficient design of an LDPC decoder suitable for a range of code-block sizes and bit-rates are presented. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, such an LDPC decoder can be implemented in both ASIC and FPGA implementations. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention such an LDPC decoder can be optimized for either eIRA based H matrices or for general H matrices, as may be desirable.

Abstract: A system and method provide an enhanced listening experience for a user of a radio receiver or other device that receives broadcast or streamed content having a plurality of program channels. The method and system buffer designated channels at the receiver and, when switching among channels, play back the buffered designated channels during reception from a selected point therein depending on the channel or other criteria. When switching to a different channel during reception, a user is able to hear content in a buffered program channel with music from the start of a song, for example, whereas content in a channel with news, talk radio, or live sports is played back from live reception, even though the content segments are transmitted at different start times relative to their selected times for playback following a channel change. User controls allow navigation among buffered designated channels during reception.

Abstract: A computer based multi-channel radio system (200) can include a computer (214) coupled to a display (215) and having a graphical user interface (500) and a radio receiver (100) coupled to the computer for receiving a plurality of channels and data associated with the plurality of channels. The graphic user interface can selectively display at least a portion of the data associated with the plurality of channels. The data associated with the plurality of channels can be simultaneously updated. The radio receiver can include an output port (207) that enables the system to stream data or audio or video from a selected channel among the plurality of channels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for receiving a broadcast comprising a plurality of program channels and generating a playback stream using at least one of a buffered program channel and stored indexed content (e.g., commercials, programs, songs) for insertion. Control data controls which receivers insert which indexed content and when the indexed content is inserted into a received program channel, allowing for playback of songs from playlists, tiered subscription services, and sponsorship of broadcast program channels to provide market-directed content to selected receivers and listeners. Buffer management operations prevent uncontrolled buffer growth and commercial content avoidance through rapid channel changes.

Abstract: A system and method for automated activation of a radio, or content receiver, used to receive subscription radio services such as XM or Sirius radio. A wireless communications device with a short range data link wirelessly communicates with the content receiver to control the content receiver and receive a unique identification code from the content receiver. The wireless communications device also has its own unique identification code. The wireless communications device transmits an activation request message over a long range wireless communications link to a control station. The activation request message contains the receivers unique identification code and the communications device's own unique identification code. The control station maintains a database of valid identification codes that is used to authenticate the request. If the control station receives a valid request, an activation signal is sent to the receiver to allow operation of the receiver.

Abstract: A system and method for assigning received channels to preset tuning keys of a receiver. A series of preset keys are sequentially labeled and one preset key, such as the preset key marked “0,” is a pre-defined preset key. An elongated pressing of the pre-defined key causes the currently tuned channel, if it is not assigned to a preset key, to be assigned to an unassigned preset key. If the currently tuned channel is already assigned to a preset key, pressing the pre-defined key instead causes the currently selected channel to be un-assigned from that preset key. Radios with two tuners that each process different sets of radio signals assign channels for a particular tuner to alternating preset keys, allowing acceleration of sequentially selecting channels assigned to pre-set keys by pre-tuning another tuner to the next channel in the sequence.

Abstract: A portable sensing and telematics device senses one or more conditions with respect to a vehicle and/or its occupant(s) and can communicate regarding, or in response to, the sensed condition to a remote entity (e.g., emergency responders, law enforcement agencies, other entities that monitor vehicle occupants or usage). An exemplary device can be integrated in, for example, a cigarette lighter adapter (CLA) configured to be connected to a vehicle cigarette lighter socket or auxiliary power socket. The portable sensing and telematics device can be connected to a tethered smartphone, interface with an in-vehicle modem or cellular phone, or incorporate smartphone or similar functionality within. Other form factors are possible. An exemplary device can be used in a wide variety of emergency sensing and response applications, as well as various monitoring applications and scenarios.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for transmitting additional data over preexisting differential COFDM signals by changing the amplitude of the legacy data symbols. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, additional data capacity can be achieved for a COFDM signal which is completely backwards compatible with existing legacy satellite broadcast communications systems. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, additional information can be overlaid on a legacy COFDM signal by applying an amplitude offset to the legacy symbols. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, special receiver processing can be implemented to extract this additional information, which can include performing channel equalization across frequency bins to isolate the amplitude modulated overlay signal.