Abstract: A connector for a conductor of a power cable includes a hollow outer member configured to at least partially surround an exposed section of the conductor and configured to exert a force in an axial direction onto at least one electrically conductive inner member, and at least one electrically conductive inner member configured to be interposed between the outer member and the conductor, and configured to exert a force in a radial direction onto the conductor in response to the force in an axial direction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for interaction of satellite and Internet protocol features in content delivery systems are presented. Using such systems and methods, the delivery of some content to the same product by Satellite delivery, other content by IP delivery, and still other content by both Satellite and IP delivery can enhance the utility of both the content and the product for an end user and can further optimize the costs and quality of service associated with delivering the content.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented to facilitate caching of programming from broadcast and/or content streaming services to a user device for local playback. In addition, metadata can be provided to guide the user in selecting, caching, or playing the cachable content. In some exemplary embodiments, a receiver or other user device can automatically select the programming to be cached based on a user's historical topic interest and listening history. In some exemplary embodiments, the metadata can also include DRM information that can limit the ability of a user to playback the content, so as to comply, if necessary, with operative legal requirements related to usage of the content.

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: Apparatuses and methods are provided to inform a user of a broadcast stream, which has multiple, concurrently received channels of program content, about recommendations of a subset of the content currently playing across the available channels or to be played within a selected future time period. The subset of content is selected based on user preferences and system data (e.g., program topic and channel affinities among the broadcast content and channels) to recommend a more diverse subset of content than would be discovered if only user preferences were employed to make the selection of recommended content.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses provide personalized radio by outputting selected songs from multiple channels from one or more source streams. Users can specify favorite channels for building their personal playlists, or multiple default playlist channels can be provided by genre or other criteria. User like/dislike inputs via the radio receiver generate filter data used to search all channels for matches or block songs from playback. Filter data can also be based on virtual DJ recommendations. Channel searching for matches involves monitoring real-time song and artist labels or other metadata for all channels carried in a separate data channel. Personalization can also be provided by using filter data to select content from a mixed channel comprising content from a selected group of channels. Connectivity options and web interfaces are provided to facilitate transfer and sharing of customization parameters for personalized radio configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided to inform a user of a broadcast stream, which has multiple, concurrently received channels of program content, about recommendations of a subset of the content currently playing across the available channels or to be played within a selected future time period. The subset of content is selected based on user preferences and system data (e.g., program topic and channel affinities among the broadcast content and channels) to recommend a more diverse subset of content than would be discovered if only user preferences were employed to make the selection of recommended content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for generating a personalized radio channel playlist by simultaneously buffering multiple received channels from one or more source streams, and then selecting songs or tracks to playback from the buffered channels. Users can specify favorite channels for building their personal playlists, or multiple default playlist channels can be provided by genre or channels related in some other way. Navigation tools permit users to skip ahead and backward in the playback stream. A personalized radio channel playlist can be implemented as (1) content selected from buffered channels based on user preferences for artists, songs and the like, or (2) as a Mix Channel in which content from selected buffered channels is automatically mixed for playback in response to selection of a preset button assigned to the Mix Channel.

Abstract: A navigation system for portable communications devices may comprise computer programs for providing a geographical context for display in the portable device. The portable device periodically interacts with at least one of a telecommunications network and a GPS network to update an information portal with current location information. The navigation system includes displaying information on the portable communications device representative of a change in location of the mobile telephone device or a change in location of another tracked device. The information representative of the change in location can be overlaid on the geographical context and both displayed in the mobile telephone device. The combined geographical context and specific location data is scaled to fit a display on a portable communications device. Other embodiments provide means for obtaining information representative of a location of some object or of another object for display in the mobile telephone device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided to inform a user of a broadcast stream, which has multiple, concurrently received channels of program content, about recommendations of a subset of the content currently playing across the available channels or to be played within a selected future time period. The subset of content is selected based on user preferences and system data (e.g., program topic and channel affinities among the broadcast content and channels) to recommend a more diverse subset of content than would be discovered if only user preferences were employed to make the selection of recommended content.

Abstract: Systems and methods of for providing various services, such as parking services, flight services, and fuel services, to a user using a satellite digital audio radio system are provided. Each data service can be provided independently or in any combination to a user, and each can be independently subscribed to by a user, in various exemplary business models. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a parking data service, providing, for example, information on parking garages near a certain location and the availability of parking spaces in parking garages can be provided. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a flight data services, providing, for example, information such as near real-time updates to changes in arrival and departure statuses of one or more commercial airline flights. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a fuel data service, providing, for example, information on fueling stations and the prices and fuel types available at fueling stations, can be provided.

Abstract: A portable media player for receiving and storing a satellite digital audio radio service (SDARS) content stream is provided. Also provided are associated devices such as an integrated antenna and docking station, an SDARS receiver module for detachable connection to a player, digital transceiver circuits for connecting an SDARS receiver to various SDARS-ready devices, an SDARS digital antenna, and an SDARS subscription cartridge, as well as methods for operating same.

Abstract: A portable media player for receiving and storing a satellite digital audio radio service (SDARS) content stream is provided. Also provided are associated devices such as an integrated antenna and docking station, an SDARS receiver module for detachable connection to a player, digital transceiver circuits for connecting an SDARS receiver to various SDARS-ready devices, an SDARS digital antenna, and an SDARS subscription cartridge, as well as methods for operating same.

Abstract: A remote application server that operates cooperatively with an embedded radio receiver (52) in a vehicle can include a standalone portable device (12 or 60) having memory (41) for storing and independently presenting audio or data wirelessly received by the embedded receiver and a communication interface (45) in the standalone portable device for receiving audio and data received at the embedded receiver and for transferring audio or data or both to and from a computer network (49) when coupled to the network and for uploading stored audio or data or both to a user interface (57) when coupled to the embedded receiver. The server can include a processor (46) in the standalone portable device for remotely running applications on the standalone portable device that are presented on the user interface coupled to the embedded receiver via a thin client (71) resident in the user interface or embedded receiver.

Abstract: A portable media player for receiving and storing a satellite digital audio radio service (SDARS) content stream is provided. Also provided are associated devices such as an integrated antenna and docking station, an SDARS receiver module for detachable connection to a player, digital transceiver circuits for connecting an SDARS receiver to various SDARS-ready devices, an SDARS digital antenna, and an SDARS subscription cartridge, as well as methods for operating same.

Abstract: A multi-port message buffer which is responsive to an escape sequence. A control unit controls whether the message buffer is in a transparent mode or a command mode with respect to a particular port. The control unit monitors a data port for the escape sequence and, if the escape sequence is detected, the control unit causes the message buffer to enter into the command mode with respect to that port. The escape sequence is a break sequence of a predetermined period, followed within a predetermined time by a predetermined character at a predetermined data transmission speed. The escape sequence can therefore be detected even if the currently programmed data transmission speed for that particular port is unknown.

Abstract: An improved message buffer for transferring data between two or more digital data devices is disclosed. A dual universal asynchronous receiver-transmitter (13) provides bidirectional data flow to two bidirectional ports (B and C) through two interface circuits (14 and 15). A peripheral interface adapter (16) and a third interface circuit (17) provide for sending data to an output port (A) in a serial or a parallel data format, and provides access to a real time clock (20), an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (41), a bank of switches (36), and a bank of display indicators (37). A read only memory (11) provides operating instructions to a control unit (10). The control unit (10) reads data and handshake signals from the two bidirectional ports (B and C), stores the data in a random access memory (12), reads the data from the memory (12) and sends it to the output port (A).