Abstract: A method, device, system, and media are directed to controlling a multi-tuner radio. A voice command may be received and/or filtered. An operation of the radio may be modified based on the voice command. A gesture input may be received through a gesture pad. Another operation of the multi-tuner radio may be modified based on the received gesture input. A fingerprint may be recognized with a gesture pad. A user may be authenticated based on the recognized fingerprint. The operation or the other operation may be personalized based on the fingerprint. User training may be provided for the gesture input.

Abstract: A wireless headphone device may include a receiver for receiving a wireless digital signal containing a plurality of digital audio streams combined with control codes according to a predetermined format, a manually operated selector switch for selecting one or more of the plurality of digital audio streams to be produced as audio for the user, and a decoder for extracting the selected audio streams from the received signal in accordance with the predetermined format and for responding to the control codes in the received signal to perform predetermined functions.

Abstract: An AM/FM modulation scheme is presented for optimizing communications between a remote control device held by a user and a receiving unit installed in a vehicle. Historically, these systems communicated with amplitude modulated signals having good range but poor immunity to ambient random radio frequency noise. Frequency modulated systems provide improved immunity to noise however at the expense of range. The object of this invention is to use two or more modulation modes to combine their advantages. A scheme has been devised whereby circuitry capable of alternately operating in at least two modes is used. The same information is therefore transmitted using two or more modulation techniques in succession. The receiving unit also has circuitry and has listening cycles ensuring eventual synchronization with the transmitting unit. If one mode fails due to distance or ambient noise, the other can then attempt to establish a link.

Abstract: A traffic signal control method and system reduces the delay time of a transit vehicle at an intersection by incorporating an automatic vehicle location (AVL) system to trigger a traffic signal priority (TSP) strategy with a chain of mobile events to determine the correct timing, location, conditions, and/or other mobile events that may trigger a TSP action. The traffic signal control can also be used to notify vehicle status in passenger/traveler information systems such as street signs, to monitor the wait time at an intersection or bus stop, and in any application that relates to vehicle entry into a given location and a consequence of actions that may be associated with the location.

Abstract: A mobile communication apparatus is provided, which permits highly efficient communication even between mobile units that cannot communicate directly because of signal-shielding communication obstacles. The mobile communication apparatus 10 includes transmission means 11, reception means 11, surrounding environment detection means 13, 14 for detecting whether or not there are communication obstacles in the surroundings of a mobile unit, communication state decision means 15 for making decisions as to the quality of the communication state of the mobile unit based on detection results of the surrounding environment detection means 13, 14, and control means 16 for controlling transmission, via the transmission means 11, of information received by the reception means 11 based on decision results of the communication state decision means 15.

Abstract: A processing apparatus is mounted on a to-be-equipped body, transmits/receives signals to/from a portable transmitter portably carried by a user, and activates one of functions provided in the to-be-equipped body in accordance with instruction information included in an instruction signal transmitted from the portable transmitter. The processing apparatus includes a receiving unit, a transmitting unit, a judgment unit, a control unit, and an adjustment unit. The receiving unit receives the instruction signal transmitted from the portable transmitter. The transmitting unit transmits a response signal. The judgment unit judges whether or not an acknowledgement signal has been received from the portable transmitter. The control unit activates a function to be activated by the instruction information when the judgment unit concludes that the acknowledgement signal has been received.

Abstract: A wireless audio distribution system may have a wireless transmitter, responsive to a plurality of audio input channels, for transmitting signals carrying the audio, a receiver, responsive to the transmitted signals for selecting one or more of the audio input channels to be reproduced in accordance with local setting selectors at the receiver. An additional audio source, such as a microphone, can be selectively used by for example the driver to talk on the cell phone or to make announcements to passengers via the wireless audio distribution system in accordance with a master settings selector which may be used to override local settings such as audio channel or volume selection.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, method and computer program product to obtain comprehensive vehicle radio listener statistics based on parameters such as radio status (e.g., on/off status and CD/Tape/AM/FM setting), radio volume, station preset information, current frequency setting (i.e., station identification), and Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system coordinates is disclosed. A vehicle-mounted field unit for collecting and transmitting such parameters to a base station is also disclosed. The system monitors and stores all events related to the occupants' interaction with the vehicle's radio, including automatic detection of the selected radio station through a speaker port. The stored data is then transmitted to a base station's central collection computer for immediate compilation and analysis.

Abstract: A system and method of injecting audio content into a radio system is provided. The method includes the steps of receiving in a radio receiver a first RF signal from an antenna and processing the signal at a select frequency within a radio frequency band. The method also includes the step of providing audio content from an auxiliary device. The method also includes the step of modulating the audio content from the auxiliary device and replicating the modulated signal to generate a replicated RF signal at the multiple frequencies within the radio frequency band. The method further includes the step of injecting the replicated RF signal into the radio receiver.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention provides a method for providing satellite radio service in a vehicle. A satellite radio may be activated before a customer purchases the vehicle. The satellite radio may remain active until it receives a deactivation signal.

Abstract: A device (5) for connecting an audio device to a radio frequency receiver (1) comprises an audio signal input (9), an encoder connected to receive an audio signal from the audio signal input and operable to generate an encoded radio frequency signal from a received audio signal, and an output for direct connection to an antenna connection of an radio frequency receiver.

Abstract: A method for controlling advertising content in an automobile provides a sponsor of a digital radio system with the ability to provide occupants of an automobile with advertisements of the sponsor while eliminating other advertisements, including those of competitors. Sponsor advertisements can be transmitted to the digital radio receiver when the receiver is turned on, when a new channel is selected, and at intermittent times based on the amount of time the receiver has been on and the amount of time since the last advertisement was transmitted to the receiver. In addition, ad-free content can be provided with disc jockeys providing plugs that describe the products of the sponsor without providing standard ad content. The method further provides a system having multiple sponsors where information about the owner of the automobile is obtained and evaluated in order to select advertisements from sponsors having products of interest to the automobiles owner.

Abstract: A system and method for playing back digital satellite audio and video signals includes storing a file on a storage device associated with the satellite receiver 54. The file is communicated to a file playback device such as a mobile receiver 28 from the storage device. The file is played back using the mobile receiving device 28.

Abstract: A communication system is disclosed including a backbone network, a moving vehicle further including a vehicle selection unit, an array of base stations connected to the backbone network, and a station selection unit provided to the array of base stations. The moving vehicle transmits upstream data to the array of base stations using an upstream signal frequency uniquely allocated to the moving vehicle, the upstream data being addressed to the backbone network. The station selection unit, if the upstream data is received redundantly, discards the redundantly-received upstream data, and transfers the upstream data to the backbone network. The array of base stations transmits downstream data received from the backbone network to the moving vehicle using a downstream signal frequency common to the array of base stations. The vehicle selection unit selects the downstream data addressed to the moving vehicle.

Abstract: A wireless audio distribution system may include a wireless transmitter transmititing an encoded digital bitstream serially combining each of a plurality of audio input channels and control data, a wireless receiver receiving the transmitted bitstream, a manual selector switch to for selecting one or more of the audio input channels and a sound producing device reproducing the selected audio channels in accordance with the control data. A system may include a wireless receiver receiving an encoded digital bitstream combining each of a plurality of audio input channels with control data disbursed therein, a manual selector switch for selecting audio input channels and a sound producing device for selectively decoding and demultiplexing the selected audio channels to be reproduced in accordance with the control data.

Abstract: A stationary device 20 sends a portable-device finding signal to a portable device 10 from a plurality of stationary-device side antennae 24 and 25, which are located at different positions. Upon receipt of the portable-device finding signal from the stationary device 20, the portable device 10 sends a reception intensity data signal to the stationary device 20. The stationary device 20 determines the current position of the portable device 10 by using reception intensity data of the portable-device finding signals, which are received at the stationary-device side antennae, from the portable device 10.

Abstract: Drive-by-wireless vehicle control techniques use a wireless connection between a sensor module and a control module. An action by the driver of the vehicle is detected by the sensor module and communicated to the control module using a message sent using a wireless communication pathway. The control module directs the appropriate vehicle component based on the wireless message received. The vehicle identification number (VIN) that uniquely identifies the vehicle is used to identify a wireless message has been sent from a sensor module that is part of the vehicle. The use of the VIN to identify a wireless message that applies to a particular vehicle that has been assigned the same VIN may help ensure that the particular vehicle is directed only based on actions by the driver of the particular vehicle.

Abstract: A multimedia system which substantially integrates analog functions normally found in consumer radios (radio frequency tuner functions, volume functions), and information streams from a digital network in a single design. The system may include an Ethernet interface, central processing unit, memory, local storage device, analog to digital converter, digital to analog converter, audio output speakers, microphone, display controller, liquid crystal display panel, user interface logic, controls for tuning streams, analog and digital radio frequency tuner, and an analog storage device. The system may generate analog signals for audible reproduction. The source of audio signals may be configured in real time by the user. The hardware implementation allows for selection of broadcast radio or digital network streams such that hardware signals indicating which broadcast radio or digital stream to play from are fed to a hardware circuit which determines which stream is sent to an audio output device.

Abstract: A wireless transmission device for communicating a plurality of audio streams to remote devices may include a plurality of inputs for receiving a plurality of digital audio streams, a combiner connected to the inputs for combining control codes and the received audio streams in a predetermined format to form a signal wherein the control codes for controlling the operation of a remote device equipped for processing the signal to extract the audio streams therefrom in accordance with the predetermined format, and a transmitter connected to the combiner to transmit the signal for reception by the remote device. The transmitter may include an infra-red light emitter for transmitting the signal as an infra-red light signal.

Abstract: A remote control receiving circuit for receiving a remote control signal from a transmitter includes a header interrupt generation circuit that outputs a header interrupt signal when detecting the header of the signal, a data interrupt generation circuit that outputs a data interrupt signal when the header has been detected and the predetermined data receiving is completed, and a switch that selects the header interrupt signal or data interrupt signal in accordance with an instruction of the CPU. A CPU has one interrupt port for receiving the interrupt signal selected by the switch, and performs control in accordance with the received interrupt signal. Therefore, a remote control receiving system can reduce the codes, processing power, and resources of the CPU, which are used to implement the remote control signal receiving function, and reduce the cost of the entire system.

Abstract: A vehicular electronic apparatus contains a microcomputer, and a crystal oscillator for determining an operating frequency for the microcomputer. An oscillation frequency of the crystal oscillator is selected such that a frequency difference between a frequency of a broadcast wave received by a vehicular receiver and an oscillation frequency of the crystal oscillator or a higher harmonic of the oscillation frequency is 15 kHz or higher or 400 Hz or lower, to suppress an interference in receiving the broadcast wave.

Abstract: A wireless audio distribution system having a wireless transmitter, responsive to a plurality of audio input channels, for transmitting a encoded digital bitstream serially combining each of the audio input channel, the encoded digital bitstream further including control data disbursed therein, a receiver, responsive to the transmitted encoded digital bitstream, for decoding and demultiplexing the digital bitstream, a manual selector switch, connected to the receiver device for selecting one or more of the audio input channels to be reproduced, and a sound producing device for selectively reproducing the one or more selected audio channels in accordance with the control data.

Abstract: The short range radio receiver for motor vehicle data comprises antenna circuits (1–4) connected to a unit (10–15) for processing a carrier in a plurality of specific frequency bands which is modulated by a data signal, the unit (10–15) comprising frequency-transposing circuits (11, 23–28) connected to demodulation circuits (13) supplying the demodulated data, and frequency discrimination circuits (21, 22) are provided, connected to the antenna circuits (1–4), to determine respective reception levels within the bands in order to compare them with each other and to control the frequency transposing circuits (11, 23–28) depending on the result of the comparison.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a vehicle computer system, and the vehicle computer system's method of receiving messages from a control center. The vehicle computer system includes a pager and a mobile telephone. oIn order to save the communication fee between the mobile telephone and the control center, the vehicle computer system uses the pager to receive the pre-message and the mobile telephone to receive the post-message, if the message contains large amounts of data.

Abstract: A traffic signal control method and system reduces the delay time of a transit vehicle at an intersection by incorporating an automatic vehicle location (AVL) system to trigger a traffic signal priority (TSP) strategy with a chain of mobile events to determine the correct timing, location, conditions, and/or other mobile events that may trigger a TSP action. The traffic signal control can also be used to notify vehicle status in passenger/traveler information systems such as street signs, to monitor the wait time at an intersection or bus stop, and in any application that relates to vehicle entry into a given location and a consequence of actions that may be associated with the location.

Abstract: A computer-equipped mobility device for transporting an occupant of the device over a distance and for providing access to a network comprises a personal mobility device and a computer. The computer is coupled to the personal mobility device and is configured to link to the network as well as to engage in two-way communication with the network. The occupant of the computer-equipped mobility device can operate the computer while operating the personal mobility device.

Abstract: A mobile weather band radio and method of tuning the radio to select a signal channel based on geographic position. The radio has a weather band tuner adjustable for a plurality of radio wave signal channels. A position indicative receiver is provided for receiving position indicative signals and determining a current position of the radio. A controller automatically tunes the tuner to a select signal channel based on the determined geographic region.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for handing-off data receivers in a broadcast-based data dissemination environment. Data receiver hand-off is carried out between data sources in different data cells broadcasting information of the same category. Furthermore, data cell ranges are based on geographic regions rather than signal strength coverage. Generally, the hand-off process involves acquiring the current receiver location of the data receiver and comparing the receiver location with a current data cell range. If the current receiver location is outside the current data cell range, a hand-off controller searches for a new data source encompassing the current receiver location coordinates and having an associated data topic matching the current topic. Once a new data source is found, the hand-off controller subscribes the data receiver to the new data source.

Abstract: A 2-way radio system for use by a driver of a vehicle such as a motorcycle, enables operation of the PTT (push-to-talk) switch to transmit voice communications, without requiring the driver to raise his/her hand to a PTT switch button on the 2-way radio and without requiring a cable connection. A self-contained separate PTT control unit (40) lies at the driver's finger for operation by the finger without taking the driver's hand off the steering bar (12). During operation, the unit transmits a short range radio signal (70) to a PTT receiver (90) on the 2-way radio to switch the radio to the transmit mode. The PTT control unit can be mounted on the driver's finger or on the steering bar.