Abstract: A building automation server may include a memory that is configured to store a log of geo-fence crossing events including one or more parameters associated with a mobile device. A communications module may be configured to communicate with the mobile device and to receive the one or more parameters associated with the mobile device. A controller may be configured to process the log to diagnose the geo-fencing functionality and, in some cases, to identify one or more corrective actions. In some cases, the controller may be configured to provide the one or more corrective actions to the communications module for output to an external device. In some cases, an external device such as a mobile device may be configured to display messages pertaining to the one or more corrective actions.

Abstract: An HVAC control system, wherein a building temperature is controlled to a comfort temperature set point when users are inside the geofence and is allowed to deviate from the comfort temperature set point when all users are outside of the geofence. The amount that the building temperature is allowed to deviate from the comfort temperature set point may be in accordance with how long the users have remained outside of the geofence.

Abstract: A GPS capability of a mobile device may be turned on in order to ascertain an updated current location and then be turned off. Position relative to the geofence may be determined based on the updated current location and a time to fence value that provides an estimate of how soon an individual carrying the mobile device could cross the geofence may be calculated. The GPS capability may be kept turned off for a delay time period that is based at least in part on the calculated time to fence value. After the delay time period, the GPS capability of the mobile device may be turned back on and the cycle of turning on the GPS, ascertaining an updated current location and turning off the GPS may continue. An indication of the position of the mobile device relative to the geofence may be transmitted.

Abstract: A GPS capability of a mobile device may be turned on in order to ascertain an updated current location and then be turned off. Position relative to the geofence may be determined based on the updated current location and a time to fence value that provides an estimate of how soon an individual carrying the mobile device could cross the geofence may be calculated. The GPS capability may be kept turned off for a delay time period that is based at least in part on the calculated time to fence value. After the delay time period, the GPS capability of the mobile device may be turned back on and the cycle of turning on the GPS, ascertaining an updated current location and turning off the GPS may continue. An indication of the position of the mobile device relative to the geofence may be transmitted.

Abstract: A GPS capability of a mobile device may be turned on in order to ascertain an updated current location and then be turned off. Position relative to the geofence may be determined based on the updated current location and a time to fence value that provides an estimate of how soon an individual carrying the mobile device could cross the geofence may be calculated. The GPS capability may be kept turned off for a delay time period that is based at least in part on the calculated time to fence value. After the delay time period, the GPS capability of the mobile device may be turned back on and the cycle of turning on the GPS, ascertaining an updated current location and turning off the GPS may continue. An indication of the position of the mobile device relative to the geofence may be transmitted.

Abstract: An HVAC control system, wherein a building temperature is controlled to a comfort temperature set point when users are inside the geofence and is allowed to deviate from the comfort temperature set point when all users are outside of the geofence. The amount that the building temperature is allowed to deviate from the comfort temperature set point may be in accordance with how long the users have remained outside of the geofence.

Abstract: A GPS capability of a mobile device may be turned on in order to ascertain an updated current location and then be turned off. Position relative to the geofence may be determined based on the updated current location and a time to fence value that provides an estimate of how soon an individual carrying the mobile device could cross the geofence may be calculated. The GPS capability may be kept turned off for a delay time period that is based at least in part on the calculated time to fence value. After the delay time period, the GPS capability of the mobile device may be turned back on and the cycle of turning on the GPS, ascertaining an updated current location and turning off the GPS may continue. An indication of the position of the mobile device relative to the geofence may be transmitted.

Abstract: A building automation server may include a memory that is configured to store a log of geo-fence crossing events including one or more parameters associated with a mobile device. A communications module may be configured to communicate with the mobile device and to receive the one or more parameters associated with the mobile device. A controller may be configured to process the log to diagnose the geo-fencing functionality and, in some cases, to identify one or more corrective actions. In some cases, the controller may be configured to provide the one or more corrective actions to the communications module for output to an external device. In some cases, an external device such as a mobile device may be configured to display messages pertaining to the one or more corrective actions.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and electronic communication devices, such as an in-car speaker device, that can receive via a downloading process, a communication address list from another device to the memory of the electronic communication device and can append a predetermined communication address to the communication address list. The predetermined communication address, which can be to an automated voice recognition based service, can be annunciated first. Also disclosed are methods and electronic communication devices for determining that a communication is with an automated voice recognition based service and then switching from a first call profile to a second call profile. Such a second profile can include different features such as a change of the frequency response of the audio signal of the electronic communication device, and/or reduction or elimination of the echo control, and/or a change in the noise control of the digital signal process.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and electronic communication devices, such as an in-car speaker device, that can receive via a downloading process, a communication address list from another device to the memory of the electronic communication device and can append a predetermined communication address to the communication address list. The predetermined communication address, which can be to an automated voice recognition based service, can be annunciated first. Also disclosed are methods and electronic communication devices for determining that a communication is with an automated voice recognition based service and then switching from a first call profile to a second call profile. Such a second profile can include different features such as a change of the frequency response of the audio signal of the electronic communication device, and/or reduction or elimination of the echo control, and/or a change in the noise control of the digital signal process.

Abstract: A transmitter device (100) receives an audio signal from an audio source device (112), and transmits the audio signal at a low power over a commercial broadcast channel to a local receiver (120). The transmitter device selects an initial channel by scanning the available spectrum, partitioned into sub-bands (210-206), and measuring the received signal strength in each channel. The channel having the lowest strength is used to set a threshold. The sub-band with most channels meeting the threshold is initially selected, and the channel in the initially selected sub-band with the lowest received signal strength is selected for initial use. A context-based weighting factor may be applied in selecting the initial channel or in selecting subsequent channels when the initial channel conditions degrade.

Abstract: A method (200) for controlling audio signals to an FM transmitter and a loudspeaker of a hands-free adapter first sends a first audio signal to the loudspeaker (242) and measures and records a loudspeaker audible artifact such as echo return loss (244) and/or echo tail length (246). Next, the hands-free adapter sends a second audio signal to the FM transmitter and the loudspeaker (252) and measures and records an FM transmitter and loudspeaker audible artifact such as echo return loss (254) and/or echo tail length (256). If the FM transmitter and loudspeaker audible artifact minus the loudspeaker audible artifact is greater than a threshold (263, 266), the hands-free adapter sends a third audio signal to the FM transmitter only (270), and if the FM transmitter and loudspeaker audible artifact minus the loudspeaker audible artifact is not greater than the threshold, the hands-free adapter sends the third audio signal to both the FM transmitter and the loudspeaker (280).

Abstract: A portable hands-free phone accessory (102) provides hands-free operation for a mobile communication device (104), and is operable in an operating mode for providing hands-free operation, and a low power, battery saving mode which does not provide hands-free operation. When the accessory is in the low power mode, it periodically checks to if a phone device has come within a hands-free range (204). When a phone device is detected, the accessory powers up for hands-free operation. When the accessory in the operating mode, and detects that the phone has moved away from the accessory (304), the accessory powers down to the low power mode.

Abstract: A transmitter device (100) receives an audio signal from an audio source device (112), and transmits the audio signal at a low power over a commercial broadcast channel to a local receiver (120). The transmitter device selects an initial channel by scanning the available spectrum, partitioned into sub-bands (210-206), and measuring the received signal strength in each channel. The channel having the lowest strength is used to set a threshold. The sub-band with most channels meeting the threshold is initially selected, and the channel in the initially selected sub-band with the lowest received signal strength is selected for initial use. A context-based weighting factor may be applied in selecting the initial channel or in selecting subsequent channels when the initial channel conditions degrade.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hands-free electronic device including an FM receiver and an FM scanner to continuously scan for FM channels and to locate available FM channels for a list of available FM channels rated according to signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and/or a received signal-strength indication (RSSI). A short range transceiver may transmit and receive short range communications, from a handheld device. An FM transmitter of the hands-free device can transmit received short range communications via available FM channels of the rated list of available FM channels. The hands-free device may be in communication with, for example, an automobile FM radio. In this way, the car radio may audibly output that which is transmitted from the handheld device. In an embodiment, a speech synthesizer may be configured to generate speech output to indicate an available FM channel from the rated list of available FM channels.

Abstract: A method (200) for controlling audio signals to an FM transmitter and a loudspeaker of a hands-free adapter first sends a first audio signal to the loudspeaker (242) and measures and records a loudspeaker audible artifact such as echo return loss (244) and/or echo tail length (246). Next, the hands-free adapter sends a second audio signal to the FM transmitter and the loudspeaker (252) and measures and records an FM transmitter and loudspeaker audible artifact such as echo return loss (254) and/or echo tail length (256). If the FM transmitter and loudspeaker audible artifact minus the loudspeaker audible artifact is greater than a threshold (263, 266), the hands-free adapter sends a third audio signal to the FM transmitter only (270), and if the FM transmitter and loudspeaker audible artifact minus the loudspeaker audible artifact is not greater than the threshold, the hands-free adapter sends the third audio signal to both the FM transmitter and the loudspeaker (280).