Abstract: Various vehicle systems may benefit from suitable maintenance of geographic relations. For example, certain vehicle systems may benefit from localized space-time dedicated short-range communications map database generation. A system may include a receiver configured to receive a plurality of position and heading information messages at a vehicle. The system may also include a processor configured to determining an intersection overpass based on the plurality of position and heading information messages. The system may further include a configured configure to control the vehicle, or a transmitter configured to communicate with the vehicle, based on the determined intersection overpass.

Abstract: A method for selectively providing traffic information to a user without requiring the user to constantly monitor radio broadcasts is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: determining at least one area of interest including a plurality of latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates; receiving traffic data including information related to a plurality of traffic events; parsing the traffic data for any of the traffic events located within at least one area of interest; and outputting a traffic event message to an output device if the latitudinal and longitudinal location of the related traffic event is located within the at least one area of interest.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a user with traffic information. The system generally includes a processor, traffic and location antennas in communication with the processor, a traffic location table database in communication with the processor, and a memory unit in communication with the processor and having processor executable instructions. The method includes the steps of saving a set of locations, determining at least one area of interest, receiving the traffic message and outputting the traffic message to an output device if the traffic location is located within the at least one area of interest.

Abstract: An audio entertainment system having a primary circuit board with a processor in communication with an antenna input, an audio output and a connector. The processor is configured to detect the presence of the digital audio circuit board and to output an audio signal to the audio output based on the wireless signal. The wireless signal may be an AM, FM or digital satellite signal.

Abstract: A method for selectively providing traffic information to a user without requiring the user to constantly monitor radio broadcasts is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: determining at least one area of interest including a plurality of latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates; receiving traffic data including information related to a plurality of traffic events; parsing the traffic data for any of the traffic events located within at least one area of interest; and outputting a traffic event message to an output device if the latitudinal and longitudinal location of the related traffic event is located within the at least one area of interest.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a user with traffic information. The system generally includes a processor, traffic and location antennas in communication with the processor, a traffic location table database in communication with the processor, and a memory unit in communication with the processor and having processor executable instructions.

Abstract: An audio entertainment system having a primary circuit board with a processor in communication with an antenna input, an audio output and a connector. The processor is configured to detect the presence of the digital audio circuit board and to output an audio signal to the audio output based on the wireless signal. The wireless signal may be an AM, FM or digital satellite signal.

Abstract: Saturation of an RF front end in a radio receiver is prevented when receiving a desired radio broadcast signal via an antenna in the presence of a strong, undesired radio broadcast signal within a passband of the RF front end. An antenna signal from the antenna is coupled to the RF front end, thereby generating an amplified signal. The radio receiver demodulates the desired radio broadcast signal in response to the amplified signal, thereby generating a demodulated signal. A signal-to-noise quality parameter of the demodulated signal is determined. The antenna signal is attenuated prior to coupling it to the RF front end by an attenuation determined in response to the signal-to-noise quality parameter.

Abstract: Saturation of an RF front end in a radio receiver is prevented when receiving a desired radio broadcast signal via an antenna in the presence of a strong, undesired radio broadcast signal within a passband of the RF front end. An antenna signal from the antenna is coupled to the RF front end, thereby generating an amplified signal. The radio receiver demodulates the desired radio broadcast signal in response to the amplified signal, thereby generating a demodulated signal. A signal-to-noise quality parameter of the demodulated signal is determined. The antenna signal is attenuated prior to coupling it to the RF front end by an attenuation determined in response to the signal-to-noise quality parameter.

Abstract: A concealed antenna system for motor vehicle radios replaces a radio chassis preamplifier with a remote radio frequency amplifier packaged with a filter module adjacent the antenna conductors to reduce the noise floor before transmitting the signal by a highly capacitive cable to the radio chassis. The dynamic range of the antenna system is improved by an automatic gain control feedback signal from the radio chassis to the RF amplifier so that the gain of the amplifier is reduced in the presence of a strong AM signal. Preferably the antenna conductors comprise embedded conductors in an insulating panel of a motor vehicle such as the vehicle rear window, and the AM conductor may be conveniently provided by the heater grid for the window panel.

Abstract: An audio system having a main chassis including an audio preamplifier and a remote chassis including a power amplifier has a clipping level detector circuit in the remote chassis for detecting the onset of clipping by the power amplifier and has a gain control element in the main chassis for controlling the gain of the preamplifier. Thus, clipping distortion is eliminated without introduction of other distortion and while preserving the spectral balance of the audio signal.

Abstract: An audio system having a main chassis including an audio preamplifier and a remote chassis including a power amplifier has a clipping level detector circuit in the remote chassis for detecting the onset of clipping by the power amplifier and has a gain control element in the main chassis for controlling the gain of the preamplifier. An extra control line in the wiring harness connecting the main chassis and the remote chassis is avoided by multiplexing the clipping signal and the mute control signal on a single control wire.

Abstract: A system for actuating a warning device when the level of a liquid in a receptacle is below a preselected level. This system includes a probe formed from a length of positive temperature coefficient wire whereby the resistance through the wire increases with increased temperature. This wire is mounted within the receptacle in a manner that allows the wire to be submerged in the liquid under normal conditions. A detection can be made when such wire is partially or completely out of the liquid. There is a first switching means in the system to apply a voltage across the wire and a detector means for actuating the warning device in response to an electrical characteristic of the wire as determined at a preselected control point in the circuit including the probe. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the detector means includes a capacitor and a second switching means to ground the capacitor for a preselected time and then use the charged capacitor to follow the voltage of the probe.

Abstract: A system for actuating a warning device when the level of a liquid in a receptacle is below a preselected level. This system includes a probe formed from a length of positive temperature coefficient wire whereby the resistance through the wire increases with increased temperature. This wire is mounted within the receptacle in a manner that allows the wire to be submerged in the liquid under normal conditions. A detection can be made when such wire is partially or completely out of the liquid. There is a first switching device in the system to apply a voltage across the wire and a detector for actuating the warning device in response to an electrical characteristic of the wire as determined at a preselected control point in the circuit including the probe. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the detector includes a capacitor and a second switching device to ground the capacitor for a preselected time and then use the charged capacitor to follow the voltage of the probe.