Abstract: An interface system includes a control, a projector, and a controller. The control has a substantially transparent main body. The projector is configured to project a plurality of control markings on the transparent main body. The controller is in communication with the projector. The controller is configured to cause the projector to project one of the plurality of control markings onto the main body, dependent upon a selection of a subsystem to be managed by the interface system.

Abstract: An external haptic generator for creating haptic feedback in portable electronic devices and more particularly, an external haptic generator in a vehicle providing a secure mount and creating haptic feedback in portable electronic devices that do not include haptic feedback generators.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method of measuring bandwidth to determine whether there is a sufficient data rate available to enable or disable features and applications located in a vehicle. Based on the available bandwidth, the system activates or deactivates buttons associated with devices located in the vehicle. Activation and deactivation of the devices are represented on an interface, such as a display, in the vehicle.

Abstract: An interface system and a method for manipulating a display are disclosed. The interface system includes a display having a scroll area and a cursor presented thereon, a controller for manipulating a position of the cursor on the display, and a haptic device for generating a plurality of tactile feedbacks to a user through the controller, wherein a movement of the cursor across a peripheral edge of the scroll area of the display results in the haptic device generating a first tactile feedback of the plurality of tactile feedbacks representing a scroll mode, and wherein a movement of the cursor while the cursor is positioned within the scroll area of the display results in the haptic device generating a second tactile feedback of the plurality of tactile feedbacks representing a scroll rate of a visual feedback presented on the display.

Abstract: A system and method of visually providing the current status of selected frequencies of particular interest to the user of an entertainment system and in particular, of a vehicle entertainment system.

Abstract: A method for recording a clean broadcast free of background, such as fade-ins and fade-outs on a receiver includes providing program data associated with an upcoming broadcast, the broadcast being selected by a broadcaster, on the receiver to describe the upcoming broadcast to a user. The receiver records the upcoming broadcast to an internal memory of the receiver in response to either the broadcast being automatically selected based on the user's preferences or the user manually selecting the upcoming broadcast. Start and stop commands, independent of any manual input, are received by the receiver to begin and end the recording of the clean broadcast.

Abstract: An instrumentation assembly for installation in the dashboard of a vehicle is disclosed herein. The instrumentation assembly includes an electronic controller, an enclosure, a viewable gauge, a viewable display, and a proximity-sensing switch. The controller has a memory for storing information. The enclosure has a designated front section and a designated rear section, wherein the front section includes substantially transparent material so as to define a window. Both the gauge and the display are electrically connected to the controller and mounted within the enclosure so as to substantially face the window. The switch is electrically connected to the controller and operable to sense the proximal presence of a mass, such as a human finger. In this configuration, the display is operable to exhibit the memory's information for viewing, and the switch is activatable by a human finger to selectively control the exhibition of the information on the display.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system capable of being remotely customized from a remote secondary device. The system includes a controller disposed within the system that is capable of receiving user input through an internet connection. A display is in communication with the controller and capable of implementing the received user input to customize the system.

Abstract: An instrumentation assembly for installation in a vehicle dashboard is disclosed herein. The instrumentation assembly includes an electronic controller, an enclosure, a viewable gauge, a viewable display, and a proximity-sensing switch. The controller has a memory for storing information. The enclosure has a designated front section and a designated rear section, wherein the front section includes substantially transparent material so as to define a window. Both the gauge and the display are electrically connected to the controller and mounted within the enclosure so as to substantially face the window. The switch is electrically connected to the controller and operable to sense the proximal presence of a human finger. In this configuration, the display is operable to exhibit the memory's information for viewing, and the switch is activatable by a human finger to selectively control the exhibition of the information on the display. Furthermore, an instrumentation module is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A system for operating an output device in a vehicle. The system includes a trim component and operative and initial sensors positioned at the back side of the trim component. An operative sensor provides a signal to at least one output device when an object is detected within a second sensing region adjacent the front side of the trim component. An initial sensor provides a signal to a display device for selectively displaying the location of the second sensing region, when an object is sensed within a first sensing region adjacent the front side of the trim component. Additional aspects of the invention include various systems and methods for operating the output device in a vehicle.

Abstract: A portable satellite receiver includes a tuner, an antenna, and an amplifier. The portable satellite receiver has a protective housing enclosing the tuner, antenna, and amplifier. The portable satellite receiver is configured to interface with an accessory device through a communication link such that the accessory device receives audio signals from the portable satellite receiver over the communication link.