With Memory Control Or Programming Patents (Class 455/186.1)
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Publication number: 20090098843Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2006Publication date: April 16, 2009Inventors: Jean-Ronan Vigouroux, Nour-Eddine Tazine, Louis Chevallier
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Patent number: 7519341Abstract: A user's media preferences can be obtained and stored for later use in setting up a currently-available media device. The media device inputs are programmed based on the media device's capabilities and the available media sources for the particular geographic area in which the user is currently located. Media device inputs may be set by the media device itself or by a computer attached to the media device, either directly or via a network. Device data, including information such as the number of media device inputs to be programmed, and whether or not the media device inputs can be toggled between several stations, is obtained. Station data, including available media sources, is obtained for the current geographic area. A user profile, including information such as input preference settings and genre preferences, is also obtained. The media device inputs are then programmed based on the user profile, the station data for the geographic area, and the media device capabilities.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2008Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Gregory Michael Doudnikoff, Doreen L. Galli, Steven Michael Miller
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Patent number: 7515036Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of communicating emergency alerts. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a multicast emergency alert message at a set-top box device via a multicast-enabled network, where the multicast emergency alert message includes data related to a location code and data related to a set-top box action. The method also includes executing the set-top box action when the location code matches location information stored at the set-top box device.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2006Date of Patent: April 7, 2009Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: John McClenny, Thomas Webster, Michael Thomas Raftelis
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Publication number: 20090088108Abstract: An apparatus, including a determining unit for determining one or more applicable radio selections including one or more radio interfaces for use by one or more communication applications, a ranking unit for ranking the applicable radio selections to an order of superiority according to a predefined ranking criterion, and a selecting unit for selecting a radio selection, of the one or more applicable radio selections, for use by the one or more communication applications on the basis of the order of superiority of the radio selections.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2007Publication date: April 2, 2009Inventors: Seppo Granlund, Arto Karppanen, Eero Sillasto, Enrico Rantala
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Patent number: 7509089Abstract: The broadcast signal receiving means 2 receives the broadcast signal of the broadcast station 32a. While the broadcast signal reproduction means 3 reproduces the broadcast signal, the request information transmission means 4 transmits the request information for requesting the associated information of the broadcast station 32b which is different from the broadcast station 32a. The associated information receiving means 5 receives the associated information corresponding to the request information. The associated information display means 6 displays the associated information. Therefore, it is possible to browse the associated information of the broadcast station 32b when listening to the broadcast of the broadcast station 32a. This also means it is possible to acquire the associated information of the broadcast station 32b at the same time as its broadcast.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2004Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Hiroyuki Kikkoji, Nozomu Okuzawa, Shinsuke Yamashita, Jun Moriya, Yasuhiro Murase
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Patent number: 7509103Abstract: A digital radio broadcasting receiver capable of automatically setting an audio field of reproduced sound in response to a musical genre of an ongoing broadcasting composition is disclosed. Digital radio broadcasting receiver 1 is provided with tuner 2, audio data decoder 3, equalizer 4, parameter memory 5, additional program information decoder 7, genre data selector 8 and control CPU 6. Tuner 2 outputs audio data and additional program information and audio data decoder 3 decodes the audio data. Equalizer 4 adjusts frequency characteristics of the decoded audio data. Parameter memory 5 stores parameters for the frequency characteristics for each musical genre. Additional program data decoder 7 decodes additional program information. Genre data selector 8 selects musical genre data from the additional program information. Parameter memory 5 reads out the parameters to adjust frequency characteristics and provides the same to control CPU 6, which sends the same to equalizer 4.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2005Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventor: Yukio Ozaki
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Patent number: 7509121Abstract: A method of updating firmware using the object push profile in the bluetooth object exchange protocol is proposed. This method first makes use of a bluetooth transmitter to connect a bluetooth electronic device whose firmware is to be updated and a host storing a new program code. Next, the bluetooth transmitter checks parameters in an EEPROM of the bluetooth electronic device to determine whether it is necessary to update the firmware. Through the object push profile (OPP) in the object exchange (OBEX) protocol of the bluetooth technology, this new program code is reprogrammed to a flash memory in the bluetooth electronic device. After the end of the reprogramming action, the bluetooth connection between the bluetooth electronic device and the host is cut off to finish firmware update of the bluetooth electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2005Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: Terax Communication Technologies Inc.Inventors: Zheng-Liang Lin, Jinn-Ja Chang
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Patent number: 7499683Abstract: A vehicle is provided with a navigation system that includes a traffic information receiver and a radio receiver. The traffic information receiver receives traffic information from one of multiple traffic information broadcasting stations having respective service regions. The radio receiver selectively receives (i) traffic information from one of the multiple traffic information broadcasting stations and (ii) a radio program from a radio broadcasting station. When the vehicle approaches a border between (i) a current service region where the traffic information receiver is receiving traffic information and (ii) a neighboring service region, whether the radio receiver is in use or not is determined. Based on the determination, the traffic information receiver or the radio receiver is tuned to a traffic information broadcasting station covering the neighboring service region.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2006Date of Patent: March 3, 2009Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Akihiro Ogasawara
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Patent number: 7499675Abstract: A vehicle-to-vehicle communication device mounted in a subject vehicle includes (i) a transmitter-receiver for communication with other vehicle-to-vehicle communication devices mounted in other vehicles, (ii) a memory that stores communication wavelengths assigned to the other vehicles, and (iii) a communication control unit. When a certain vehicle is determined to be within a dangerous distance from the subject vehicle, the communication control unit refers to a communication wavelength assigned to the certain vehicle stored in the memory. When the communication wavelength assigned to the certain vehicle is identical to a communication wavelength assigned to the subject vehicle, the communication wavelength assigned to the subject vehicle is changed to another communication wavelength different from the communication wavelength assigned to the certain vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2006Date of Patent: March 3, 2009Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Kiyoshi Tsuzuki, Ichiro Yoshida, Kazuyoshi Azuma
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Publication number: 20090054022Abstract: Adjustment work for a radio tuner system IC is reduced. A radio tuner part 30 into which is built a register 54, and an electronic tuning control part 32 into which is built a nonvolatile memory 62 for storing an operation parameter preset in the register 54, are constructed to form a single tuner system IC 20. This structure enables data for the radio tuner part 30 of the same package to be written to the nonvolatile memory 62 at a step for manufacturing the tuner system IC 20. The work of adjusting the nonvolatile memory 62 is performed in conjunction with a finished goods inspection performed after packaging of the tuner system IC. High-speed semiconductor testers are generally used to perform such inspections, and the work of adjusting the nonvolatile memory 62 can also be performed at high speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2008Publication date: February 26, 2009Applicants: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD., SANYO SEMICONDUCTOR CO., LTDInventors: Keiji Kobayashi, Fumihiro Sasaki
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Publication number: 20080311870Abstract: A radio device that is capable of positioning itself within a broadcast radio system includes a receiver operable to receive a plurality of broadcast radio signals, each broadcast from a respective one of a plurality of broadcast radio signal sources. The radio device further includes processing circuitry operable to determine respective call station identification information for each of the broadcast radio signal sources from the broadcast radio signals, measure respective signal quality characteristics for each of the received broadcast radio signals, identify station position data associated with each of the broadcast radio signal sources from the respective call station identification information, and calculate a location of the radio device using the signal quality characteristics and station position data associated with at least three broadcast radio signal sources.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2007Publication date: December 18, 2008Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATIONInventors: John Walley, Nambirajan Seshadri, Scott Bibaud
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Patent number: 7454166Abstract: A system and method for time-shifting a live broadcast, and facilitating the purchase of live or time-shifted broadcast content. The device records broadcast content being listened to by user, which gives the user the option to replay content. The device and method also provides a preview service that allows the user to experience fresh media content on a regular basis, even where a live signal is not available. The broadcast source broadcasts new content on a regular basis to avoid providing users with stale content. The user identifies content using the device and data is stored that corresponds to the identified content. The broadcast source or a third-party content provider uses the corresponding data to provide the identified content to the user. In addition to audio content, the device also provides and facilitates the acquisition of video, graphics, text or any other media content.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2004Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: XM Satellite Radio Inc.Inventors: Stelios Patsiokas, Paul D. Marko, Robert Acker, Kenneth Lerner, Frank Falcone, Gary Parsons
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Publication number: 20080280576Abstract: A monitoring receiver accepts program preferences from an operator. The receiver automatically monitors alternate frequencies for programming that matches the program preferences, alerts the operator when a match is found, and may switch to a preferred program. The receiver may be configured to automatically turn ON when a preferred program is located.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2008Publication date: November 13, 2008Applicant: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbHInventors: Guido Zehnle, Werner Conzelmann
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Patent number: 7437124Abstract: A satellite radio receiver includes a display that displays information regarding one or more channels that are not currently being listened to. For a music channel, this information may include the name of the artist, the song title, time left in the song, etc. For a news channel, this information may include the news currently being discussed, the name of the news program, the time remaining, etc. For a sports channel, this information may include the name of the channel, a description of the sporting event, the time remaining, etc. The preferred embodiments include different ways to select which channels are “favorites” and therefore displayed on the display. One way is to keep track of which channels are most frequently listened to, and to display information regarding those channels.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2007Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Cary Lee Bates, Eric John Nelson, John Matthew Santosuosso
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Patent number: 7430598Abstract: The present invention leverages a data gathering service to provide information regarding a system's health state via a computing entity, local and/or remote. This provides an optimized means to aggregate a single network's data and/or multiple networks' data, decreasing the amount of effort required by system administrators to manage health related alerts. In one instance of the present invention, a data gathering service aggregates health data from systems and provides access to this information via a communication means. In another instance of the present invention, aggregated, averaged data is utilized to provide manual and/or automatic control and/or management facilitation of health monitoring related tasks.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2003Date of Patent: September 30, 2008Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Gary P. Raden, Eduardo da Fonseca Melo, Tolga Bayram Ekmekci, Thomas M. Soemo, Lisa M. Butler, Richard J. Moerloos, Jr.
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Publication number: 20080233909Abstract: By detecting the broadcast frequency of a musical composition in radio broadcasting based on on-air information and now-on-air information being broadcast contents information, the broadcast frequency of each musical composition can be displayed on a display 26 without receiving and outputting radio broadcasting. Thereby, the user can recognize that which musical composition is frequently broadcasted. Thus, even if the user does not listen to the musical composition broadcasted in the radio broadcasting, the broadcast frequency of the musical composition can be shown to the above user.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2005Publication date: September 25, 2008Applicant: Sony CorporationInventor: Atsushi Matsutani
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Publication number: 20080233863Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the efficiency of publicity and/or broadcasted programs, according to which, when a TV converter or FM radio is operated, the frequency of the broadcast channel received at the moment is determined either directly from the TV converter or FM radio display or by extracting the LO frequency of the TV converter or FM radio.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2005Publication date: September 25, 2008Applicant: FUTURE WIRELESS LTD.Inventor: Yekutiel Josefsberg
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Publication number: 20080227419Abstract: A Retractable Cell Phone Clip wherein a retractable metal cord is pulled out of a case by a bob with a key ring connector securing unit attached to a universal cell phone string securing unit with a cell phone whereby a cell phone remains attached to the metal cord and to whatever it is clipped to (such as clothing, purse, backpack, etc.) while in use and retract when not in use, which makes a cell phone easy to find and hard to loose.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2007Publication date: September 18, 2008Inventor: Karen Powell Traub
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Patent number: 7424279Abstract: A method is provided for enhancing in real-time the playback of a broadcast data signal. The method comprises the steps of: (a) receiving a broadcast data signal at a player device; (b) storing the broadcast data signal on the player device; (c) generating an output signal based on the broadcast data signal substantially simultaneous to the storage of the broadcast data signal; (d) creating a time delay between the storage of the broadcast data signal and the generation of the output signal; and (e) adjusting the time delay between the storage of the broadcast data signal and the generation of the output signal, thereby manipulating the output signal from the player device.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2000Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Douglas L. Welk, Mathew A. Boytim
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Publication number: 20080194217Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2008Publication date: August 14, 2008Applicant: CONPACT, INC.Inventor: Thomas M. Eubanks
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Patent number: 7412202Abstract: A recommendation system is disclosed that generates recommendations for one or more items based on user preferences and one or more environmental factors. The user's preferences are learned under various environmental conditions using an environmental data collection system. The observed environmental conditions may include, for example, location, characteristics of the location, weather or characteristics of the user's motion, such as a rate of movement. For each positive and negative behavioral example, a number of attributes of the selected item are classified in the user profile together with the prevailing environmental conditions. When recommending an item, the disclosed recommender retrieves the user preferences and evaluates the current environmental conditions. A recommendation score can be generated for each available item based on the user's demonstrated preferences under similar environmental conditions, such as in the same or a similar geographic area or under similar weather conditions.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2001Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Srinivas Gutta, Mi-Suen Lee, Lalitha Agnihotri
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Publication number: 20080188193Abstract: A user's media preferences can be obtained and stored for later use in setting up a currently-available media device. The media device inputs are programmed based on the media device's capabilities and the available media sources for the particular geographic area in which the user is currently located. Media device inputs may be set by the media device itself or by a computer attached to the media device, either directly or via a network. Device data, including information such as the number of media device inputs to be programmed, and whether or not the media device inputs can be toggled between several stations, is obtained. Station data, including available media sources, is obtained for the current geographic area. A user profile, including information such as input preference settings and genre preferences, is also obtained. The media device inputs are then programmed based on the user profile, the station data for the geographic area, and the media device capabilities.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2008Publication date: August 7, 2008Inventors: Gregory Michael Doudnikoff, Doreen L. Galli, Steven Michael Miller
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Patent number: 7403755Abstract: A monitoring receiver accepts program preferences from an operator. When active, the receiver automatically monitors alternate frequencies for programming that matches the program preferences, alerts the operator when a match is found, and may switch to a preferred program.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2004Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbHInventors: Guido Zehnle, Werner Conzelmann
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Patent number: 7403754Abstract: Described is a communication system including wireless client devices. In the described system, the client devices may be wrist-worn watches such as are in common use today, except that the watches are specially configured to receive transmissions from broadcast towers. A client device is associated with one or more home service regions, and is configured to receive personal messages on a home channel when in the home service region. The client device employs a self-assignment method to identify and select a home channel without the need for interaction by a user. A tower discovery method is employed to identify broadcast towers and available channels within a service region. A failover method is employed to identify a change in the broadcast system, and take appropriate action such as, for example, changing to another broadcast tower, selecting another frequency, selecting a sleep mode, as well as others.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2006Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: R. Donald Thompson, III, Cosmin A. Corbea
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Patent number: 7398051Abstract: A satellite radio receiver includes a display that displays information regarding one or more channels that are not currently being listened to. For a music channel, this information may include the name of the artist, the song title, time left in the song, etc. For a news channel, this information may include the news currently being discussed, the name of the news program, the time remaining, etc. For a sports channel, this information may include the name of the channel, a description of the sporting event, the time remaining, etc. The preferred embodiments include different ways to select which channels are “favorites” and therefore displayed on the display. One way is to select one or more channels that are assigned to preset buttons on the radio receiver. Another way is to keep track of which channels are most frequently listened to, and to display information regarding those channels.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2000Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Cary Lee Bates, Eric John Nelson, John Matthew Santosuosso
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Patent number: 7395041Abstract: A mobile phone is provided with a broadband AM and/or FM radio signal receiver. The mobile phone further has a radio channel memory for storing a plurality of radio channel settings. The mobile telephone further receives messages, such as SMS messages, and a storage for storing a radio channel setting contained in a received message in the radio channel memory. A method of updating radio channel settings of a mobile phone having a broadband AM and/or FM radio receiver is provided. The mobile phone receives messages. The message contains a radio channel setting. The radio channel setting may be stored in the mobile phone.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2001Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: Nokia CorporationInventors: Olli Seppälä, Niels Nymark
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Publication number: 20080132187Abstract: A multi-media playing device is provided which enables personal, user-defined programming by allowing a user to select, store and retrieve media programming according to the user's personal preferences. In an exemplary embodiment, an audio playing device enables a user to define, select and refine channels by categories, such as “sports”, “news” and “music”, inter alia. A favorites list or playlist is created by a content server and used to provide a listing for types of audio programs in an order of preference of the user. The audio device enables user personal feedback on actual audio program presentations and the feedback is, in turn, selectively used to automatically update the user's favorites listing of audio information programming preferences. The user is enabled to input commands to the multi-media playing device, both manually or verbally, to change audio or video presentations in an order of user priority as presented on the automatically updated favorites listing.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2006Publication date: June 5, 2008Inventor: Hanns-Christian Leemon Hanebeck
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Patent number: 7383031Abstract: A receiving circuit for a radio-wave clock broadcast wave having a frequency converter that converts a received signal of the radio-wave clock broadcast wave into a signal of a frequency in the bandwidth of an AM radio broadcast. The converted-into signal is input to a first high frequency amplifier of an AM radio receiver of a heterodyne type comprising the amplifier, an oscillator, a frequency mixer generating a signal of an intermediate frequency, an intermediate frequency amplifier amplifying the signal of the intermediate frequency, and a detector. Time correction is performed on the basis of a demodulated signal of the radio-wave clock broadcast wave output from the detector.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2005Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Fumihiro Sasaki
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Patent number: 7379721Abstract: A user's media preferences can be obtained and stored for later use in setting up a currently-available media device. The media device inputs are programmed based on the media device's capabilities and the available media sources for the particular geographic area in which the user is currently located. Media device inputs may be set by the media device itself or by a computer attached to the media device, either directly or via a network. Device data, including information such as the number of media device inputs to be programmed, and whether or not the media device inputs can be toggled between several stations, is obtained. Station data, including available media sources, is obtained for the current geographic area. A user profile, including information such as input preference settings and genre preferences, is also obtained. The media device inputs are then programmed based on the user profile, the station data for the geographic area, and the media device capabilities.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2005Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Gregory Michael Doudnikoff, Doreen L. Galli, Steven Michael Miller
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Patent number: 7376402Abstract: A radio receiver having an FM band tuner, an AM band tuner, a controller coupled to both said tuners, and a radio data (RD) decoder for providing radio data. The RD decoder is coupled for receiving radio data from at least one of the tuners which is tuned to a radio program. The RD decoder is coupled to the controller for switching the radio receiver from FM band to AM band or vice versa based on radio program frequency correspondence data included in the radio data. The radio receiver is advantageous since it allows for automated cross switching between different frequencies whereon a same radio program is broadcast. This is particularly advantageous if the radio receiver, such as placed in a car, leaves the broadcast coverage area. User intervention is thus obviated.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2003Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: VDO Automotive AGInventors: Jean-Pierre Lecomte, Frits De Jong
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Patent number: 7373122Abstract: A setting information transmission means 1c transmits setting information (area information) concerning broadcast reception of a reproducing apparatus 1 itself and set by a user, to an external device. List information corresponding to the setting information and including broadcast station names, broadcast station identification information, and frequencies of broadcast stations which can be received by the reproducing apparatus 1 is returned to and received by a list information reception means 1d from the external device. The broadcast station names included in the received list information are displayed on the display means 1e. The user checks the displayed broadcast station names and makes an input operation. In response to this input operation, a recording means 1f records parts of the received list information (e.g., frequencies, broadcast station names, and broadcast station identification information) onto a recording medium, with the parts linked to each other.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2004Date of Patent: May 13, 2008Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Hiroyuki Kikkoji, Nozomu Okuzawa, Natsumi Saito, Shinsuke Yamashita, Jun Moriya, Yasuhiro Murase
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Patent number: 7373123Abstract: A radio receiver having multiple AM/FM tuners. A first tuner and a second tuner may be connected with an antenna for generating a first and second composite audio output signal. A dual input digital signal processor may be connected with the first tuner and the second tuner. The first and second composite audio output signals are processed by the dual input digital signal processor to generate a first audio output signal and a second audio output signal. A first audio power amplifier may be connected with the dual input digital signal processor for receiving the first audio output signal and a second audio power amplifier may be connected with the dual input digital signal processor for receiving the second audio output signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2004Date of Patent: May 13, 2008Assignee: Harman International Industries, IncorporatedInventor: Mark Spellman
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Patent number: 7369826Abstract: Many broadcast stations transmit their programs via a variety of different frequencies. The invention relates to monitoring alternative frequencies during the reception of a broadcast signal at a present frequency. Whenever the broadcast signal at an alternative frequency is checked, the receiver's gain is instantaneously switched from a present gain value corresponding to the present frequency to a second gain value corresponding to the alternative frequency. The second gain value is adapted to the supposed signal strength of the broadcast signal at the alternative frequency.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2003Date of Patent: May 6, 2008Assignee: Sony Deutschland GmbHInventor: Jens Wildhagen
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Patent number: 7369825Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting radio stations for reception based on a preferred program content. A list of radio station identifiers is stored in a memory and organized according to program content specifiers. When a presently received signal fades, the memory is searched for an alternate radio station with similar program content. If none is available, a prioritized list of alternative program content preferences is accessed and used to index other preferred radio stations for searching. In one embodiment, radio station geographic location information is stored in the memory, and the searching operation considers both program content preference and geographic proximity. The memory can be manually programmed, pre-programmed, updated by subscription, or programmed over-the-air by radio transmission. In one embodiment, a global positioning system receiver is employed to provide instantaneous radio location information.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2001Date of Patent: May 6, 2008Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventor: James Phillip Slupe
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Patent number: 7363022Abstract: A system for enforcing configuration requirements for hardware and software on mobile units operating on Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN). The system allows the configuration policy to change dynamically with the access point or sub-network association. Whenever a mobile unit connects to a new sub-network or access point, the system invokes and then verifies the proper configuration profile for that sub-network or access point. Thus the system ensures the configuration of the mobile unit meets the requirements for the sub-network being used.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2002Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: Wavelink CorporationInventors: Robert Whelan, Lamar van Wagenen, Roy Morris
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Patent number: 7356319Abstract: A radio frequency receiver for receiving supplementary data transmitted with a radio station signal. The supplementary data includes one or more information word fields containing supplementary data transmitted with the radio station signal. The receiver includes a host processor for processing the supplementary data; a supplementary data demodulator and decoder for demodulating and decoding a received radio signal to generate a stream of bits representing one or more information word fields; an information word type memory for storing one or more information word type fields; detection circuitry arranged to receive and compare the information word type field decoded by the supplementary data decoder with one or more information word type fields stored in the information word type memory, and to provide a matched condition signal in response to a match between one or more decoded information word type fields and one or more of the corresponding stored information word types fields.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2006Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: Nokia CorporationInventor: Ken Mason
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Patent number: 7353000Abstract: A method and system are provided in which a user is enabled to create a preferred playlist of the user's favorite songs. An input device allows the user to add and/or delete songs from this preferred playlist. In an exemplary embodiment, songs playing on several radio stations are monitored and when a song from the user's favorites list begins to play on a station other than the station to which the user is currently tuned, an audio and/or visual signal is provided to alert the user, and the user may change stations manually or tune to the new station automatically.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2005Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Fabian F. Morgan
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Publication number: 20080076368Abstract: An apparatus including a memory for associating at least one user defined channel identifier with at least one selection item of the apparatus and a control unit coupled to the memory, the control unit being configured to cause one of the at least one user defined channel identifier to play when a corresponding one of the at least one selection item is activated by a user.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2006Publication date: March 27, 2008Inventor: Juha Arrasvuori
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Patent number: 7346320Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for dynamic radio station tuning in a data processing system. A play list is identified. The play list is a user-defined list and includes an identification of a number of songs. Music information is obtained from a plurality of radio stations. This music information is compared to the play list to generate a schedule. Dynamic tuning to a radio station within the plurality of radio stations is performed using the schedule to present songs from the number of songs to a listener.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2003Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Robert Bryant Chumbley, Merle Douglas Sterling
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Patent number: 7346373Abstract: A device for organizing a menu in a mobile communication terminal. The device comprises a control unit for dynamically generating and deleting a plurality of menu planes according to a user's setting, each plane including at least one menu item; a control unit for providing a mechanism of multi-dimensional navigation between the generated menu planes; and a display unit for receiving the menu planes from the control unit and displaying the received menu planes under control of the control unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2003Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., LtdInventor: Jae-Hwan Kim
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Publication number: 20080057891Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for identifying radio stations along a travel route broadcasting programs in user-specified radio program formats without requiring positioning devices that provide real-time positioning information of a radio receiver. An exemplary method includes determining a travel route based on specified starting and ending location information. The method includes identifying, from a plurality of radio stations, any radio stations along the determined travel route that broadcast radio program formats corresponding to at least one specified radio program format. The identifying includes analyzing predetermined radio station information compiled for the plurality of radio stations. The method includes outputting the identified radio stations to accompany the determined travel route as text-formatted travel directions comprising a plurality of text segments.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2006Publication date: March 6, 2008Inventor: David Allen Klunk
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Patent number: 7340249Abstract: Wireless terminals such as mobile phones which provide cellular communications for example for telephony and short message service (SMS) are well known and more recently such terminals are also able to provide FM radio reception. RDS information received at such a terminal is used to access a service provider via any suitable medium e.g. email, fax, telephone, SMS message, etc. This enables the end user to access the service provider quickly and effectively for example, to purchase a copy of a record heard on the radio or to request information about a product advertised on the radio. Also, the service provider is able to deal with the user interaction effectively because the RDS information can be used to assess the user's requirements for the transaction in advance. In a preferred example, the service provider comprises a contact center such as a call center and the RDS information is used to allocate an appropriate call center agent.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2002Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: Nortel Networks LimitedInventors: Thomas Joseph Moran, James Harkin, Neil O'Connor, Paul Enright, Thomas Macnamara
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Publication number: 20080045169Abstract: A system (100) and method (400) for radio configuring is provided. The method can include connecting (402) a non-volatile memory storage device (120) to a first radio (110) having a first radio configuration (112), saving (404) a list of radio configurable parameters (300) in the first radio to the non-volatile memory storage device, removing (406) the non-volatile memory storage device from the first radio, connecting (408) the non-volatile memory storage device to a second radio (130) having a second configuration (134), and copying (410) the list of radio configurable parameters from the non-volatile memory storage device to the second radio for replicating the first configuration on the second radio. The non-volatile memory storage device can be a Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory device, a portable Flash memory device, or a compact Flash device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2006Publication date: February 21, 2008Applicant: MOTOROLA, INC.Inventors: Daniel P. Zetzl, Jack Wong
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Publication number: 20080045170Abstract: A method of selecting a favorite artist/song title from a plurality of programs being transmitted from one or more remote locations and includes the step of storing a designator for the favorite artist/song title. A plurality of channels are scanned to determine if the favorite artist/song title is currently playing on at least one of the channels. An indication is provided when a favorite artist/song title is found to be playing on at least one of the channels. A listener can then select the favorite artist/song title playing real-time on a different radio frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2006Publication date: February 21, 2008Inventors: Stephen Howley, Elizabeth Howley
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Patent number: 7322039Abstract: A digital and analog broadcasting receiver comprises a main CPU for mainly controlling a digital broadcasting processing system and a sub-CPU for mainly performing processing such as input processing of a remote control signal by a remote control transmitter, and is so configured that the main CPU performs existent station channel search processing on the side of a terrestrial wave digital tuner, the sub-CPU performs existent station channel search processing on the side of a terrestrial wave analog tuner, and channel searches by the main CPU and the sub-CPU are concurrently conducted.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2001Date of Patent: January 22, 2008Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akinori Tsubouchi, Takahiro Miyakoshi
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Patent number: 7319884Abstract: A transmission power control method includes a step (a) of receiving by a receiver a radio wave signal, a step (b) of judging whether a first identification signal is included in the received radio wave signal, a step (c) of detecting a reception electric field intensity of the radio wave signal included in the radio wave signal in the case where the first identification signal is included in the radio wave signal, a step (d) of obtaining a radio wave propagation state between a home station and the station to communicate with by using the reception electric field intensity detected at the step (c) and determining transmission power of the transmission radio wave signal based upon the radio wave propagation state, a step (g) of invalidating the radio wave propagation state obtained upon the previous reception in the case where the interval between an end of communication and a restart of communication is longer than a time determined in advance, a step (e) of superimposing a second identification signal on thType: GrantFiled: December 1, 2004Date of Patent: January 15, 2008Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masaki Suzuka, Mikio Hanabusa
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Patent number: 7317911Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a telecommunications system and to a corresponding telecommunications system comprising at least one centralized device and at least one telecommunications terminal device, which is configured for communicating with the centralized device and/or other telecommunications terminal devices. The invention is characterized in that one or more control programs are stored in the centralized device, whereby the control programs can be activated by signals of the telecommunications terminal device in order to initiate one or more functions in the telecommunications terminal device, in the centralized device and/or in other telecommunications terminal devices.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2001Date of Patent: January 8, 2008Assignee: T-Mobile Deutschland GmbH and Deutsche Telekom AGInventors: Heinrich-Helmut Brenig, Detlef Firch
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Publication number: 20070298742Abstract: Techniques to support beamforming for stations in a wireless network are described. In one aspect, a station may support beamforming with implicit feedback or explicit feedback by having capabilities to transmit and receive sounding frames, respond to training request by sending a sounding frame, and respond to request for explicit feedback. In one design of explicit beamforming, the station may send a first frame with a request for explicit feedback and may also send a Null Data Packet (NDP) having at least one training field but no data field. The station may receive a second frame with the explicit feedback, which may be derived based on the NDP. The station may derive steering information (e.g., steering matrices) based on the explicit feedback and may then send a steered frame with beamforming based on the steering information. The station may also perform implicit beamforming using NDP for sounding.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2007Publication date: December 27, 2007Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATEDInventors: John W. Ketchum, Sanjiv Nanda, Arnaud Meylan, Shravan K. Surineni
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Patent number: 7313375Abstract: Methods and systems for seamlessly broadcasting data to a user moving among a plurality of broadcast coverage areas. A first signal containing desired data may be received by a receiving device at a user location, wherein the first signal is broadcast from a first transmitting station associated with a first broadcast coverage. Thereafter, the receiving device (e.g., a radio or in-vehicle television) can be automatically instructed to search for and tune to a second transmitting station associated with a second broadcast coverage area broadcasting a second signal containing the desired data if the first signal fades at the user location, thereby permitting the user to seamlessly receive data as the user moves among a plurality of broadcast coverage areas.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2002Date of Patent: December 25, 2007Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.Inventors: Chinmei Chen Lee, John Alvan Voelker
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Patent number: 7310520Abstract: The present invention relates to a file construction for mobile communication device including an execution segment in form of machine language codes and a file execution method using the same, whereby a file in accordance with the present invention comprises a header, a file execution segment formed in machine language codes, and a resource segment to be selected by languages; wherein the header includes data for performing one or more of the functions of: 1) verifying reliability/validity of the file, 2) restricting use of the file (by period of the use, by times of the use), and 3) automatic updating of the file.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2002Date of Patent: December 18, 2007Assignee: SK Teletech Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yong-Hoon Kim