Abstract: A method of operating an audio system in an automobile includes identifying a user of the audio system. An audio recording playing on the audio system is identified. An audio setting entered into the audio system by the identified user while the audio recording is being played by the audio system is sensed. The sensed audio setting is stored in memory in association with the identified user and the identified audio recording. The audio recording is retrieved from memory with the sensed audio setting being embedded in the retrieved audio recording as a watermark signal. The retrieved audio recording is played on the audio system with the embedded sensed audio setting being automatically implemented by the audio system during the playing.

Abstract: A method of operating a radio in a vehicle includes tuning the radio to a first radio source. Information identifying the first radio source is transmitted from the vehicle to a remote processor. The processor monitors broadcast content of the first radio source on a web site. The processor identifies a second radio source having broadcast content matching the broadcast content of the first radio source. Information identifying the second radio source is transmitted from the processor to the vehicle. When a quality of a broadcast signal from the first radio source received at the vehicle falls below a threshold quality level, tuning of the radio is switched from the first radio source to the second radio source.

Abstract: A method of performing alternate frequency switching in a radio includes tuning the radio to a primary frequency. A candidate alternate frequency is identified. It is determined whether the candidate alternate frequency is a third order inter-modulation artifact. Tuning is switched from the primary frequency to the candidate alternate frequency only if it is determined in the determining step that the candidate alternate frequency is not a third order inter-modulation artifact.

Abstract: A method of operating a radio in a vehicle includes tuning the radio to a first radio source. Information identifying the first radio source is transmitted from the vehicle to a remote processor. The processor monitors broadcast content of the first radio source on a web site. The processor identifies a second radio source having broadcast content matching the broadcast content of the first radio source. Information identifying the second radio source is transmitted from the processor to the vehicle. When a quality of a broadcast signal from the first radio source received at the vehicle falls below a threshold quality level, tuning of the radio is switched from the first radio source to the second radio source.

Abstract: A method of operating an audio system in an automobile includes identifying a user of the audio system. An audio recording playing on the audio system is identified. An audio setting entered into the audio system by the identified user while the audio recording is being played by the audio system is sensed. The sensed audio setting is stored in memory in association with the identified user and the identified audio recording. The audio recording is retrieved from memory with the sensed audio setting being embedded in the retrieved audio recording as a watermark signal. The retrieved audio recording is played on the audio system with the embedded sensed audio setting being automatically implemented by the audio system during the playing.

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: 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: A method of operating an audio system in an automobile includes identifying a user of the audio system. An audio recording playing on the audio system is identified. An audio setting entered into the audio system by the identified user while the audio recording is being played by the audio system is sensed. The sensed audio setting is stored in memory in association with the identified user and the identified audio recording. The audio recording is retrieved from memory with the sensed audio setting being embedded in the retrieved audio recording as a watermark signal. The retrieved audio recording is played on the audio system with the embedded sensed audio setting being automatically implemented by the audio system during the playing.

Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle includes receiving a radio frequency signal and determining that the radio frequency signal has at least one characteristic indicative of the vehicle entering a tunnel. A setting of a vehicle system is automatically modified in response to the determining step.

Abstract: A radio includes a first tuner and a second tuner. A processor compares a first perceivable volume level of a station tuned by the first tuner to at least one second perceivable volume level of at least one background station tuned by the second tuner. The processor enables automatic volume knob changes using a pre-calibrated lookup table that associates a volume step of the volume knob with a difference between the first perceivable volume level and the second perceivable volume level.

Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle includes receiving a radio frequency signal and determining that the radio frequency signal has at least one characteristic indicative of the vehicle entering a tunnel. A setting of a vehicle system is automatically modified in response to the determining step.

Abstract: A method of operating an audio system in an automobile includes identifying a user of the audio system. An audio recording playing on the audio system is identified. An audio setting entered into the audio system by the identified user while the audio recording is being played by the audio system is sensed. The sensed audio setting is stored in memory in association with the identified user and the identified audio recording. The audio recording is retrieved from memory with the sensed audio setting being embedded in the retrieved audio recording as a watermark signal. The retrieved audio recording is played on the audio system with the embedded sensed audio setting being automatically implemented by the audio system during the playing.

Abstract: A method of performing alternate frequency switching in a radio includes tuning the radio to a primary frequency. A candidate alternate frequency is identified. It is determined whether the candidate alternate frequency is a third order inter-modulation artifact. Tuning is switched from the primary frequency to the candidate alternate frequency only if it is determined in the determining step that the candidate alternate frequency is not a third order inter-modulation artifact.

Abstract: A method of operating an audio system having first and second sources includes outputting a first audio signal from the first source on first and second speakers. In response to a listener input, the first audio signal and a second audio signal from the second source are output simultaneously on the first and second speakers. The first signal is output from each of the first and second speakers such that the first signal is perceived by a listener to originate from a first direction toward the listener. The second signal is output from each of the first and second speakers such that the second signal is perceived by the listener to originate from a second direction toward the listener. The second direction is offset at least ninety degrees from the first direction.

Abstract: A method of performing alternate frequency switching in a radio includes tuning the radio to a primary frequency. A candidate alternate frequency is identified. It is determined whether the candidate alternate frequency is a third order inter-modulation artifact. Tuning is switched from the primary frequency to the candidate alternate frequency only if it is determined in the determining step that the candidate alternate frequency is not a third order inter-modulation artifact.

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: 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: A method of operating an audio system having first and second sources includes outputting a first audio signal from the first source on first and second speakers. In response to a listener input, the first audio signal and a second audio signal from the second source are output simultaneously on the first and second speakers. The first signal is output from each of the first and second speakers such that the first signal is perceived by a listener to originate from a first direction toward the listener. The second signal is output from each of the first and second speakers such that the second signal is perceived by the listener to originate from a second direction toward the listener. The second direction is offset at least ninety degrees from the first direction.

Abstract: A method of performing alternate frequency switching in a radio includes tuning the radio to a primary frequency. A candidate alternate frequency is identified. It is determined whether the candidate alternate frequency is a third order inter-modulation artifact. Tuning is switched from the primary frequency to the candidate alternate frequency only if it is determined in the determining step that the candidate alternate frequency is not a third order inter-modulation artifact.

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. A signal quality metric for the second frequency is measured. Tuning is switched from the second frequency to the first frequency.