Abstract: Methods of managing a location of a mobile terminal include obtaining a position of the mobile terminal, estimating a distance from the mobile terminal to a destination point, generating an estimated time for the mobile terminal to reach the destination point, and generating an alert if the estimated time for the mobile terminal to reach the destination point reaches a threshold time. Related mobile terminals are also disclosed.

Abstract: A dynamic tracking application for a mobile communications device is disclosed. The dynamic tracking application enters itinerary events into the mobile communications device to create an itinerary. The itinerary events are plotted on a map that can be displayed by the mobile communications device. The itinerary is then executed by calculating and storing directions to get from one itinerary event to the next itinerary event and calculating and storing estimated departure and arrival times between itinerary events. This is compared to the current time and location of the mobile communications device to further determine whether the user can arrive on time at the next scheduled itinerary event based on the calculated time and distance to the next scheduled itinerary event. If not, the user is prompted to edit the itinerary or it can be done automatically.

Abstract: Methods of managing a location of a mobile terminal include obtaining a position of the mobile terminal, estimating a distance from the mobile terminal to a destination point, generating an estimated time for the mobile terminal to reach the destination point, and generating an alert if the estimated time for the mobile terminal to reach the destination point reaches a threshold time. Related mobile terminals are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for limiting the use of one or more features and/or applications provided in electronic equipment based on identification information and location information associated with the electronic equipment is disclosed. Upon initiation of an application and/or feature, a request is made to a remote server. The request includes identification information and location information associated with a geographical location of the electronic equipment. A database maintained at the remote server determines whether the user has the necessary privileges to activate the application and/or feature and whether any limits (e.g., digital rights management) should be placed on the content created from the application and/or feature.

Abstract: An in-vehicle system that shares speech processing resources among multiple applications located within a vehicle. The system can include one or more software applications, each associated with different functionally independent in-vehicle consoles. Each application can have a console specific user interface. The system can also include a single in-vehicle speech processing system implemented separately from the in-vehicle consoles. The speech processing system can execute speech processing tasks responsive to requests received from the applications. That is, the in-vehicle speech processing system can provide speech processing capabilities for the applications. The provided speech processing capabilities can include text-to-speech capabilities and speech recognition capabilities.

Abstract: A method for implementing speech focus in a speech processing system can include the step of establishing a default focus receiver as a first entity to request speech focus of a speech processing system having multiple applications that share speech resources based upon speech focus. An event occurrence can be detected. An event handler of the default speech receiver can previously define behavior for the event occurrence and where default system behavior can be implemented within the speech processing system for the event occurrence. The default system behavior can be utilized when speech focus is not assigned during the event occurrence. Responsive to the event occurrence, at least one programmatic action can be performed in accordance with machine readable instructions of the event handler. The default system behavior is not implemented responsive to the event occurrence.

Abstract: A speech recognition system (10) or method (20) can include a speech input device and a processor (14) coupled to the speech input. The processor can be programmed to identify (22) a plurality of words that are members of confusable pairs of words where each pair includes a target word and a substituted word. The processor can degrade (24) a pronunciation of the substituted word to provide a worse pronunciation of the substituted word. The processor can further compare (28) the pronunciation of the target word with the worse pronunciation to the substituted word. The processor can be further programmed to reduce (26) confusion between the substituted word and other words in a recognition grammar of the speech recognition engine and can also narrow the scope within which the substituted word is recognized.

Abstract: A propeller or propeller blade is manufactured using lattice block material to provide a structure which is generally hollow but for a three-dimensional lattice of support spars. The propeller or propeller blade, being predominately hollow, is substantially lighter than a solid cast propeller or propeller blade while retaining the desired strength due to the three-dimensional lattice of support spars.

Abstract: A system for influencing a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) associated with a signal input to an automatic speech recognition device is provided. The system includes a normalized energy module that determines a normalized energy measurement based upon a spectrum of frequency-domain complex coefficients, the coefficients generated by the automatic speech recognition device. The system also includes an SNR module that generates an SNR measurement. The SNR measurement can be based upon a comparison of speech and non-speech portions of the signal input to the automatic speech recognition device. The system further includes a cue module that provides a cue to a user of the automatic speech recognition device, the cue being based upon the SNR measurement.

Abstract: A propeller or propeller blade is manufactured using lattice block material to provide a structure which is generally hollow but for a three-dimensional lattice of support spars. The propeller or propeller blade, being predominately hollow, is substantially lighter than a solid cast propeller or propeller blade while retaining the desired strength due to the three-dimensional lattice of support spars.