With Memory Control Or Programming Patents (Class 455/186.1)
  • Patent number: 8489050
    Abstract: A method for tuning to a radio broadcast frequency in a portable terminal is disclosed. The method includes: determining whether a condition for requiring tuning information is satisfied; computing tuning information using received signal strength indication (RSSI) values of signals received by frequencies if a condition for requiring tuning information is satisfied; and tuning to a radio broadcast frequency corresponding to a radio broadcasting requested by a user, using the computed tuning information, and receiving radio broadcast signals. The tuning information includes: a threshold of RSSI serving as a reference value determine the presence of a radio broadcasting channel; and a Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) value to minimize noise levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyu Sung Han
  • Patent number: 8489049
    Abstract: A receiver can extract digital data from wireless radio frequency signal. The digital data contains at least two compressed digital audio data each associated with a different audio program. One compressed digital audio data is delivered in a first frequency band and the other compressed digital audio data in a second frequency band. A user can select the audio program. The receiver also receives a command instructing the receiver to receive digital audio data from a communication channel in a frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Inventor: Hark C Chan
  • Patent number: 8489117
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for real-time location estimation of a mobile station (MS) on a map of roads using non-Global Positioning Satellite location data (300) of the MS and includes a step of determining (302) a mobility of the MS. A next step (306) includes identifying a region that covers all location data. A next step (310) includes dividing the region into smaller blocks, where each block constitutes a Hidden Markov Model state. A next step (312) includes determining a distance between blocks, to be used in a varied continuous probability distribution to determining a state transition probability of each block to represent a likelihood of the MS moving to any one block. A next step (314) includes using a univariate continuous distribution as a function of a distance between each block and a raw location data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: XiaoHui Shen, Hong-Lei Liu, Kwok Lam Cheung, Sheng-Yu Hu
  • Patent number: 8478216
    Abstract: A host system for searching for or tuning to one or more radio stations includes a host processor and a data processor. The data processor is configured to receive a command from the host processor. The data processor is further configured, based on the command, to perform multiple search operations for radio stations without interrupting the host processor, to search for a radio station based on radio data system (RDS) data without interrupting the host processor, or to tune to a radio station based on RDS data without interrupting the host processor. A method is also provided for searching for or tuning to one or more radio stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: James Tadashi Masamoto
  • Patent number: 8472903
    Abstract: An entertainment systems having enhanced functionally and methods therefor are provided. Embodiments of the system allow an operator to assign multiple groups of radio stations to the radio station presets of the system according to different geographical regions located along a calculated route. As the system travels along the calculated route, the radio station presets of the system are updated to correspond to the present location of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventor: Christopher Tarte
  • Patent number: 8457575
    Abstract: A system and method for presenting content related to a radio broadcast are provided. The system may include a radio device having a receiver configured to receive a radio signal including an audio component and digitally encoded data associated with the audio component. The radio device may further include a decoder configured to decode the digitally encoded data from the radio signal. The radio device may further include a processor configured to receive the digitally encoded data from the decoder, extract a data parameter from the digitally encoded data, send a search query including the data parameter to a content service, and receive from the content service metadata associated with the data parameter. The system may further include a display configured to display the metadata received from the content service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua C. Harrison, Megan L. Tedesco, Bruno C. Silva
  • Patent number: 8448207
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing an interactive service during a broadcast service includes a transmitting element and a processing element. The transmitting element is capable of communicating broadcast content of the broadcast service to a plurality of receiving terminals. The processing element is configured to at least partially control the transmitting element. The processing element is configured to communicate with a network device in order to request a program specific group for communication of the interactive service to a receiving terminal that is a member of the program specific group. The interactive service is communicated to the receiving terminal that is a member of the program specific group with reception of the broadcast service. The content associated with the interactive service originates from the receiving terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Francesco Balestrieri
  • Patent number: 8401534
    Abstract: A mobile communication terminal and a method for controlling the mobile communication terminal are discussed. According to an embodiment, the mobile communication terminal includes at least two memories to store data; and a controller, wherein if the controller loses its control authority for one of the at least two memories while certain data is read and processed from the one of the at least two memories, the controller reads and processes the same certain data or related data stored in another one of the at least two memories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jong Woo Jeong
  • Patent number: 8335637
    Abstract: A method and a navigation device are disclosed for sharing at least one location message with at least one other device. The navigation device includes a receiver to determine a signal strength of a traffic message channel at a location, a memory to store information representing the signal strength of a traffic message channel, and at least one processor to correlate the information stored in memory to compile a traffic message channel resource and select a traffic message channel based on the traffic message channel resource and a location associated with a navigation device. The method includes determining a signal strength of a traffic message channel at a location, storing information representing the signal strength of a traffic message channel, correlating the information stored in memory to compile a traffic message channel resource, and selecting a traffic message channel based on the traffic message channel resource and a location associated with a navigation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Tomtom International B.V.
    Inventors: William Deurwaarder, Erik Thomassen, Henny Verwaij, Barbara Laermann
  • Patent number: 8326216
    Abstract: A host system for transmitting radio data system (RDS) data includes a host processor and a data processor. The data processor is configured to receive RDS data from the host processor. The data processor is further configured to convert the RDS data into RDS group type data or to store the RDS data. The data processor is further configured to transmit the RDS data to one or more devices outside the host system. The data processor is configured to store the RDS data if the RDS data comprises a plurality of raw RDS group data. A method is also provided for transmitting RDS data from a host system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: James Tadashi Masamoto, Barrett Livings Holt
  • Patent number: 8311497
    Abstract: A method and a system for scanning frequencies in an electronic device include storing one or more frequencies, performing a scan based on the stored frequencies for a predetermined time interval, and establishing a connection based on the scan. The system includes an acquisition database for scanning frequencies in an electronic device, a timer module for setting a predetermined time interval as the scanning interval, and a frequency identification module for identifying one or more frequencies of a normal scan and a limited scan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kirti Keshav, Prakash Rao, Seshagiri R. Gorantla
  • Patent number: 8311499
    Abstract: A sound system with a radio receiver having the ability to automatically tune to a new radio station if (a) the current radio station is broadcasting a song, program or other content that the user dislikes and/or (b) one of one or more predetermined radio stations is broadcasting content that the listener likes. In one embodiment, the sound system includes a tuner for tuning to a frequency of a radio station and for converting a radio signal transmitted by the radio station to an audio signal; a memory unit for storing a first set of templates, wherein the first set of templates correspond to a to a set of songs, programs, commercials, or other content disliked by the user of the sound system; and a recognition processor, coupled to the tuner and to the memory unit, for receiving the audio signal, generating templates from the audio signal, and comparing the generated templates to at least one of the templates within the first set of templates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Garbsen Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas M. Eubanks
  • Patent number: 8294830
    Abstract: A broadcast receiving device comprising: a memory unit for storing a receivable channel information; a determination-information acquiring unit for acquiring determination information to identify a predetermined transmission condition of the transmission path; a determining unit for determining whether the transmission condition has varied, based on the determination information acquired by the determination-information acquiring unit; a detecting unit for detecting a channel of broadcasting signals which are receivable, by conducting an automatic scanning when the determining unit determines that the transmission condition of the transmission path has varied; and a renewing unit for renewing the channel information stored in the channel memory unit, based on a detected result obtained by the detecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Senichi Furutani
  • Patent number: 8290175
    Abstract: A method of recording a recommended plurality of audio signals (40) in an entertainment sound system (42) associated with an automotive vehicle (12)includes a central server (14) for processing a plurality of data (16) associated with a plurality of audio signals (18). A data input (22) within the vehicle (12) receives the plurality of data (16). An audio input (20) within the vehicle (12) receives the plurality of audio signals (18). The plurality of data (16) is transmitted from the central server (14) through said data input (22) to a controller (24) within the automotive vehicle (12). Furthermore, the plurality of data (16) is transmitted through the data input (22) to the controller (24). A preferred plurality of audio signals (34) received from the audio input (20) is acoustically played on the entertainment sound system (42). Then, a preferred plurality of data (36) associated with the preferred plurality of audio signals (34) is recorded onto a user profile stored on an electronic medium (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bryan Roger Goodman, Kenneth James Varnum
  • Patent number: 8290425
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for allowing a user to interact with first media material that is broadcast on a first broadcast channel and second nedia material that is broadcast on a second broadcast that are received and presented by a broadcast reception device while the broadcast reception device is tuned to a third broadcast channel. The method includes maintaining in a temporary storage an item identifier. Additionally, when the broadcast reception device is tuned to the third broadcast channel and presents the first representation of the first media item, the method includes providing the item identifier as a basis for identifying the first media item-related information. When the broadcast reception device is tuned to the third broadcast channel and presents the first representation of the second media item, the method includes providing the item identifier as a basis for identifying the second media item-related information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Refractor Applications, LLC
    Inventor: Adam Albrett
  • Patent number: 8260795
    Abstract: A method for providing multimedia and a multimedia apparatus applying the same. The method for providing multimedia includes searching for content related to keywords and generating channels to provide the content found as a result of searching. Therefore, it is possible for a user to more conveniently use Internet multimedia content using a TV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-chul Park, Giang-yoon Kwon, Keum-koo Lee, Yong-jin So
  • Patent number: 8260232
    Abstract: A mobile terminal and method of controlling a broadcast therein are provided by which a broadcast signal can be received and outputted in a manner of setting a frequency band corresponding to a visited country in case of international roaming of the mobile terminal. A memory may store per-country broadcast relevant information and a controller may search the memory for broadcast relevant information corresponding to a visited country in case of detecting international migration. The controller may set the searched broadcast relevant information when the search for the broadcast relevant information corresponding to the visited country is successful.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seong Nam Kim, Beom Seok Cho
  • Patent number: 8254863
    Abstract: A broadcast receiver and a method for setting the broadcast receiver, comprising receiving a primary broadcast sent by a broadcast station and retrieving program associated data made available by said broadcast station. The method comprises a first channel, a primary broadcast channel BC, and a second channel, an interaction channel, for retrieving the program associated data (PAD) from the broadcast station, whereby a browser sends an HTTP or a WAP request using an Internet connection. The method comprises retrieving a uniform resource locator of the program associated data (PAD) as station associated data (SAD) from a station associated data site (SADS) the station associated data comprising program associated data relating to the primary broadcast, coverage information and frequency information of included broadcast stations and the broadcast receiver being capable of setting the browser and the broadcast receiver unit by suing this SAD information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Manor Research, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Stefan Strandberg, Johan Sjöblom
  • Patent number: 8244892
    Abstract: Radiocommunication device comprising a starter software module suitable to allow a simplified radio link of the radiocommunication device with a local radiocommunication network and allow a downloading, by this simplified radio link, of an update of a use software module that is contained in the radiocommunication device and that is suitable to enable a normal radio link to be set up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Eric Carreel, Sébastien Royer De La Bastie, Arnaud Mouiche
  • Publication number: 20120202443
    Abstract: A preset device and an automatic preset application for ranking a group of content providers (e.g., radio stations) and for assigning one or more preset channels to the content providers with the top rankings. The preset device may include a timer configured to be coupled to a receiver, the timer configured to time a plurality of durations of a plurality of signals received from a plurality of content providers, a memory coupled to the timer, the memory configured to store the plurality of durations, and a processor coupled to the memory, the processor configured to rank the plurality of content providers based on the respective plurality of durations, and configured to preset the tuning device based on the ranked plurality of content providers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Aleksandar Jotanovic
  • Patent number: 8229380
    Abstract: A radio wave receiving apparatus includes: an antenna to receive a radio wave; a tuning member to allow a reception frequency of the antenna to be tuned to an intended frequency, in which tuning member a frequency characteristic is variable; a receiving member to receive a reception signal from the antenna to demodulate a modulation wave; a positive feedback member to perform a positive feedback in a signal path including the tuning member; and a switching member to turn on/off a feedback operation of the positive feedback member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kaoru Someya
  • Patent number: 8218404
    Abstract: A recording apparatus including: a receiving portion for receiving a content data sent using radio wave; a recording portion for recording the content data received by the receiving portion in a storage medium; a determining portion for determining whether or not a receiving status of the content data by the receiving portion satisfies a predetermined standard; and a control portion for when the determining portion determines that the standard is not satisfied, controlling the recording portion to stop recording of the content data to the storage medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuma Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8204462
    Abstract: A digital radio receiver for receiving information on a piece of music that is identification information for specifying content of digital acoustic information, the identification information being broadcast together with the digital acoustic information, is provided. The digital radio receiver includes an internal memory configured to store the information on the piece of music; an operation unit configured to set a timing at which a flag is attached to the information on the piece of music recorded in the internal memory; and a controller configured to perform a process for storing the information on the piece of music in the internal memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshio Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8204461
    Abstract: A digital radio receiver for receiving information on a piece of music that is identification information for specifying content of digital acoustic information, the identification information being broadcast together with the digital acoustic information is provided. The digital radio receiver includes an internal memory configured to store the information on the piece of music; an operation unit configured to set a timing at which the information on the piece of music is stored in the internal memory; a display unit configured to display the information on the piece of music; and a controller configured to perform a process for storing the information on the piece of music in the internal memory in response to the operation of the operation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshio Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8195150
    Abstract: A method and system for distributing files to remote receiving units such as passenger vehicles. The method includes the steps of (a) creating a file broadcast schedule that identifies a plurality of files and that includes scheduling information indicating when the files will be transmitted, (b) sending the file broadcast schedule to a number of remote receiving units via wireless transmission, (c) analyzing the file broadcast schedule at one or more of the remote receiving units by identifying at least one specific file intended for receipt and storage at that receiving unit and by determining from the scheduling information a scheduled time at which the specific file is intended to be received, (d) monitoring a digital satellite transmission channel at the scheduled time for the specific file, and (e) upon receiving the specific file, storing it at the remote receiving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: General Motors LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Habermas, Walter A. Dorfstatter, Dwayne Crocker
  • Patent number: 8180340
    Abstract: A method for saving files in a mobile communication terminal includes: if an externally pluggable memory is detected, determining whether a count corresponding to the memory is present in the mobile communication terminal; if a count corresponding to the memory is present, checking whether a file save command is input in the memory; and if a file save command is input, increasing the count, and saving the count and the files in the memory. The files can be saved based on folders in the memory, thereby enhancing the file save speed. Each memory has a count, thereby making it easy to ascertain the number of saved files.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang Taek Kang, Kwang Taek Woo
  • Patent number: 8159334
    Abstract: A tangible computer readable medium includes instructions executable by a processor to cause the processor to communicate with a multicast alert server to receive a multicast emergency alert message via a multicast-enabled network of an Internet Protocol television system. The multicast emergency alert message includes data related to a location code and data related to a set-top box action. The computer program further includes instructions to execute the set-top box action when the location code matches location information stored at a set-top box device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: John McClenny, Thomas Webster, Michael Thomas Raftelis
  • Patent number: 8160562
    Abstract: A portable terminal apparatus which can select terminal operations such as the activation of programs, the switching of the programs and the ending of the programs with a reduced number of times of operation of the operation buttons is provided. The portable terminal apparatus includes link information storage means 14 for storing therein a linkage table containing information about the linkage between operation buttons to be selected by a user and programs to be activated by the selection of the operation buttons, and an activation program monitor part 14 for dynamically monitoring the operation states of two or more programs activated at a terminal end, wherein the operation button having emitted its backlight according to the monitoring result obtained by the activation program monitor part 14 can be selected by the user, so that the programs linked to the respective operation buttons can be easily activated, switched and ended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Yuki, Kazunori Yamada, Etsumi Kanaya
  • Publication number: 20120077451
    Abstract: A vehicle radio includes a memory including normal mode memory locations and local mode memory locations. User preset buttons are each associated with a normal mode memory location, and local preset buttons are each associated with a local mode memory location. A radio controller selectively operates in local mode, wherein the radio controller scans frequencies being received and stores some of the received frequencies as local mode frequencies in the local mode memory locations of the preset memory. In local mode, the controller enables both: selection of any one of the user presets; and selection of any one of the local presets. Optionally, the local memory locations can first be filled by PTY preference, with unfilled locations filled by closest PTY or signal strength. A frequency stored in a local mode memory location can be copied to a normal mode memory location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventor: Jason M. Strohmaier
  • Patent number: 8131236
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of selecting sound contents transmitted by transmission channels and received by an audio or audiovisual receiver. A user first selects a received content and starts playback. Then, the receiver automatically searches among the contents transmitted by the transmission channels for a content whose audio parameters have values close to the values of a previously selected content and plays it back at the end of the current content. The operation is renewed each time the current content ends. According to a refinement, the receiver has a memory that makes it possible to offset the playback of the content in time and thus best synchronize the playback of the various selected contents. The invention also relates to an appliance capable of selecting audio contents originating from several channels and having similar audio characteristics, and playing them back automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Jean-Ronan Vigouroux, Nour-Eddine Tazine, Louis Chevallier
  • Patent number: 8103231
    Abstract: A receiver can extract digital data from wireless radio frequency signal. The digital data contains at least two sets of compressed digital audio data each associated with a different set of audio program. One set of compressed digital audio data is delivered in a first frequency band and the other set in a second frequency band. One of the sets is stored in a memory system and the remaining set is not stored in the memory system. A user can select one of the sets of compressed digital audio data for decompression and then conversion to analog audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Inventor: Hark C. Chan
  • Patent number: 8099067
    Abstract: A demodulation system for Radio Data System (RDS) signals in a receiver includes a quadrature mixer (303) configured to convert a RDS signal at an input frequency directly to a base band RDS signal, a single filter (305) configured to filter the base band RDS signal to provide a RDS signal, and a signal level detector (311) configured to provide an indication of a level of the RDS signal (313), a demodulator (315) configured to demodulate the RDS signal and provide RDS data, the RDS data corresponding to information for user consumption, where the indication is used for selectively interrupting the user consumption when the level of the RDS signal is unsatisfactory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Jie Su
  • Patent number: 8095065
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wes Albert Nagara, Theodore Charles Wingrove, Anthony Ciatti
  • Patent number: 8090768
    Abstract: A device for obtaining media content from a source and storing the media content for subsequent playback. A response mechanism enables a listener to generate response information associated with particular media content that is being rendered by the device. This response information can be delivered to a third party system for triggering the performance of specific actions related to the media content. A content system interfaces to the device and to the Internet. The content system obtains media content from one or more sources via the Internet and delivers the content to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventors: Sam Johnson, Eric A. Toops, Fred Tanzella
  • Patent number: 8081938
    Abstract: A broadcast receiver includes a broadcast receiving unit that receives a broadcast signal; a general broadcast channel storing unit that stores general broadcast channel information, which is receivable in an area by the receiving unit in advance; a position detecting unit that detects a current position; a matching determination unit that compares the receivable channel received by the receiving unit with the general broadcast channel information of the area corresponding to the current position detected by the detecting unit that is read out from the general broadcast channel storing unit, and then determines whether or not the receivable channel matches the general broadcast channel information; a separation display unit that displays the receivable channel that does not match the general broadcast channel information as a local broadcast channel, and displays the location broadcast channel separately from the receivable channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Makoto Ishida
  • Patent number: 8073412
    Abstract: A method of configuring a tuner includes scanning at least one range of radio frequencies, measuring a signal quality metric for each of a plurality of the frequencies, and selecting a set of operational frequencies for the tuner. The selecting step is dependent upon the measuring step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, division of Panasonic Coproration of North America
    Inventors: Shree Jaisimha, Mohammad Reza Kanji, Tatsuya Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 8064949
    Abstract: Frequency conversion methods and systems for Bluetooth and FM radio communication are provided. FM data may be received and/or transmitted via the FM radio and Bluetooth data may be received and/or transmitted via the Bluetooth radio. With an integration of frequency conversion for Bluetooth and FM, both systems can operate from a single frequency source, thereby reducing part count and power consumption. Communication between Bluetooth and FM channels may be enabled via a single chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Inventor: Ahmadreza Rofougaran
  • Patent number: 8060364
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for the event-driven analysis of media contents derived from customer interactions is disclosed. Content analysis is executed exclusively on those segments of the interaction media that are relevant in a given context. The steps of the analysis are carried out either in a static or dynamic manner where less demanding on resources analysis type is performed prior to more demanding analysis type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Nice Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Aviv Bachar, Shay Gabay
  • Patent number: 8055220
    Abstract: A broadcast receiver for and a method of providing broadcast channel information in which a broadcast search list is dynamically created and provided to a user, the broadcast receiver including: a tuner unit to tune a broadcast channel from a plurality of broadcast channels and to output a digital broadcast signal of the tuned broadcast channel; a broadcast signal processing unit to receive service information included in the broadcast signal output by the tuner unit; a storage unit to store the received service information; and a control unit to dynamically create a broadcast search list based on the service information and to generate a screen providing the broadcast search list. Accordingly, it is possible to dynamically change a broadcast search list that provides search information regarding broadcast channels and to provide a user with the dynamically changed broadcast search list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soo-In Jang, Young-Joon Ahn
  • Patent number: 8036612
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) service are provided. A DMB receiving terminal identifies a channel service area in which the DMB receiving terminal is currently located based on an identified current location, and configures a channel information list by searching only a frequency band corresponding to the channel service area. When the channel service area is changed, the DMB receiving terminal searches a pre-stored connection channel list, and identifies a predetermined channel established as a transition channel corresponding to a channel which the DMB receiving terminal has received, from channels belonging to the changed channel service area. The DMB receiving terminal then receives the identified channel and provides terrestrial DMB service, thereby reducing a channel search time period and smoothly providing the terrestrial DMB service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Dong-Jun Kum
  • Patent number: 8010068
    Abstract: A receiver contains a demodulator system that can extract digital data from wireless radio frequency signal. The digital data contains three sets of compressed digital audio data. Two sets of compressed digital audio data are delivered in a first frequency band and the other set in a second frequency band. The set in the second frequency band and one of the sets in the first frequency band are stored in a memory system and the remaining set is not stored in the memory system. A user can select one of these three sets of compressed digital audio data for decompression and then converted to analog audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Inventor: Hark C. Chan
  • Publication number: 20110207423
    Abstract: An entertainment systems having enhanced functionally and methods therefor are provided. Embodiments of the system allow an operator to assign multiple groups of radio stations to the radio station presets of the system according to different geographical regions located along a calculated route. As the system travels along the calculated route, the radio station presets of the system are updated to correspond to the present location of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: PACCAR INC
    Inventor: Christopher Tarte
  • Patent number: 8005199
    Abstract: An interactive voice response (IVR) system is disclosed that can intelligently resume delivery of interrupted media streams. The IVR system determines if any prior portions of an interrupted media stream should be re-transmitted after the interruption has ceased, based on one or more of (i) the contents of the interrupted stream, (ii) the duration of the interruption, and (iii) the state of a software application of the interactive voice response (IVR) system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: George William Erhart, Valentine C. Matula, David Joseph Skiba
  • Patent number: 8005419
    Abstract: Disclosed are a device and method for securely storing and organizing SDARS content on a portable player. SDARS audio content is stored on a private partition of the device not available to a client PC. Shadow files are stored on a public partition of the device. The shadow files contain metadata related to the corresponding SDARS audio and a reference to the SDARS audio on the private partition. Playlists can be organized on the device intermixing stored SDARS content with DRM and non-DRM protected media content. Downloading of purchased or subscription-based media files based on observed or received SDARS content is facilitated. Digital Rights Management features are included to control authorized actions with respect to SDARS content. Firmware updates are performed using encrypted firmware unique to the particular device to thwart firmware hacking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: XM Satellite Radio Inc.
    Inventors: Stelios Patsiokas, Paul D. Marko, Gary Morse
  • Patent number: 8005449
    Abstract: A Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) circuit includes a subsampling circuit that processes an input signal comprising a sampling frequency, fs, wherein the subsampling circuit subsamples the input signal, wherein the input signal is subsampled to concentrate a power in a narrow bandwidth; an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) operatively connected to the subsampling circuit, wherein the ADC digitizes the subsampled signal; and a baseband detector operatively connected to the ADC, wherein the baseband detector detects a power from the digitized subsampled signal and creates an output signal. The subsampling circuit and the ADC may operate as a single subsampling ADC. The RSSI circuit may further comprise ignoring higher order aliases at a multiple of the sampling frequency if the baseband detector is clocked at the sampling frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Newport Media, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Youssoufian, Amr Fahim
  • Patent number: 7995978
    Abstract: A method provides controlling operation of a memory device. The method includes receiving activity information relating to at least one electromagnetic field external to the memory device. The method further includes controlling storing data to and reading from the memory device based on the activity information. A memory device and a communication device are configured to execute the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Marko Leinonen, Teemu Hannula
  • Patent number: 7986945
    Abstract: A portable terminal apparatus which can select terminal operations such as the activation of programs, the switching of the programs and the ending of the programs with a reduced number of times of operation of the operation buttons is provided. The portable terminal apparatus includes link information storage means 14 for storing therein a linkage table containing information about the linkage between operation buttons to be selected by a user and programs to be activated by the selection of the operation buttons, and an activation program monitor part 14 for dynamically monitoring the operation states of two or more programs activated at a terminal end, wherein the operation button having emitted its backlight according to the monitoring result obtained by the activation program monitor part 14 can be selected by the user, so that the programs linked to the respective operation buttons can be easily activated, switched and ended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Yuki, Kazunori Yamada, Etsumi Kanaya
  • Patent number: 7970369
    Abstract: A network includes a service provider, a plurality of transmitters and a receiving device. The receiving device identifies the frequencies at which broadcast services are provided by a transmitter local to the receiving device. A search is carried out until a signal is received by the receiving device (S4.1). Then, the receiving device looks-up the transmitter (step S4.2). This involves searching the table 29 and identifying the row 30 that includes data corresponding to the frequency of the found signal. Optionally, it is determined whether or not there is only one candidate transmitter (step S4.3), by determining how many rows 30 in the table 29 include data corresponding to the frequency of the found signal. If there is more than one row, then the transmitter is disambiguated (step S4.4.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Janne Aaltonen, Pekka Talmola
  • Patent number: 7965976
    Abstract: If a situation in which it is difficult to make a decision about automatic processing without involving user intervention occurs, an inquiry is made to a user to clear such a situation and a response by the user to the inquiry is used as a decision criterion by which to decide the execution of automatic processing when a similar situation occurs later. If a change occurs in the broadcast time of a broadcast program set for timer-recording, this broadcast program overlaps, in broadcast time, another broadcast program set for timer-recording. However, if a need occurs for recording broadcast programs in excess of the number of broadcast programs that may be simultaneously recorded, an inquiry is made to the user which of these broadcast programs is to be preferentially recorded. A response by the user to this inquiry is also used as a criteria for selecting a broadcast program to be preferentially recorded if a similar situation occurs later.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Japan, Inc.
    Inventors: Mitsuru Takehara, Masashi Iwabuchi, Tomohiko Shirahama, Takao Shimada
  • Patent number: 7936254
    Abstract: A set-top box device is disclosed. The set-top box device includes a processor and a memory device accessible to the processor. The memory device includes instructions to communicate with a multi-cast alert server to receive a multicast emergency alert message. The multicast emergency alert message includes data related to a location code and data related to a set-top box action. The memory device stores location information and includes instructions to execute the set-top box action when the location code matches the location information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: John McClenny, Thomas Webster, Michael Thomas Raftelis