Abstract:
Systems, devices, and methods for customizable reduction of perceived ambient sounds are disclosed. Customizable reduction can be achieved via an application operable in conjunction with an audio player or a headset having a microphone.
Abstract:
A system and method is described for a vehicle remote starter with an advanced dynamic scheduling system. The system and method utilizes a cellular telephone, interfacing with standard scheduling software, and capable of communicating with the Internet to gather real time data and communicating through a wireless telecommunication network with a vehicle to send vehicle remote start and other commands; an electronic scheduling system utilized within or accessible by the cellular telephone; a cellular telephone based and/or vehicle based GPS location module for determining the location of the vehicle and the cellular telephone at any particular point in time; a set of coded instructions that actively queries the Internet for real time data and that queries the electronic scheduling system to determine the time and location of a scheduled meeting, evaluating various vehicle operational parameters, the distance of the cellular phone from a vehicle, various environmental parameters, the distance from a vehicle to meeting location, the travel time required to timely travel and attend the scheduled meeting, and either prompting the user to actively send a remote start command signal to the vehicle or automatically sending the remote start command signal.
Abstract:
An automated vehicle shutdown and user notification method and device for shutting down an engine in a vehicle having a passive keyless entry and start ignition system where the engine has unintentionally been left running by the user is disclosed. In one aftermarket embodiment, the method is implemented in an aftermarket remote start interface module. The module comprises a micro-controller, a memory, a vehicle data bus connector that provides for interface through the vehicles onboard diagnostic (OBDII) port to the vehicle data bus. The system includes a remote start module having a radio frequency transceiver and a cellular telephone transceiver, and provides audible, visual and electronic notifications that the vehicle has been left running and that the engine will be shut off unless the shutdown sequence is deactivated. If the shutdown fails by any malfunction, the system will go into an alternative notice mode.
Abstract:
An acoustic transducer includes a frame, voice coil movable along a pole, magnetic structure generating magnetic flux in a gap where the voice coil moves, diaphragm attached to the coil, waveguide extension in front of the pole, inner flexible roll seal connecting the waveguide extension to neck area of the diaphragm, and outer seal connecting outer periphery of the diaphragm to the frame. The inner flexible roll seal seals the gap between the voice coil and the pole, isolating the air in front of the diaphragm from the air behind the diaphragm. The inner seal provides damping of unwanted resonances of the diaphragm. Together, the inner seal and the outer seal do not substantially decrease the piston area of the transducer, and do not substantially affect the transducer's movement. In combination, the inner seal and the waveguide extension tend to increase efficiency and decrease audio distortions of the transducer.
Abstract:
A security system in a vehicle extends its protection to installed equipment of the vehicle, such as audio components and navigation systems. The installed equipment is armed and disarmed by the security system remote control, preventing the equipment from normal functioning after unauthorized removal. The security system further enables programming, monitoring, and diagnosing of the installed equipment through the security system remote control.
Abstract:
A docking station provides supporting functions for portable electronic devices, such as music players, satellite radio receivers, and video game players. The supporting functions may include providing power, an audio amplifier, speakers, and a video or audio display. The docking station includes a base portion and a connector slidably engaged with the base portion for centering the portable electronic device with respect to the base portion. The base portion includes circuitry for processing signals from the portable electronic device. The connector can be attached to a circuit board that is slidably disposed between the base portion and an attachment portion removably connected to the base portion. The docking station can recognize the type of device connected and configure itself to accommodate the requirements of the portable electronic device. The docking station can include a display portion perpendicular to the base portion.
Abstract:
A docking station provides supporting functions for multiple portable devices, such as music players, satellite radio receivers, games, and video players. The supporting functions may include providing power, audio amplifier, speakers, and video screen. To couple to a variety of portable devices, the docking station uses various adaptive cradles. In a typical configuration, a portable device is plugged into a cradle, which in turn is plugged into the docking station. The docking station recognizes the type of portable device plugged into the station, and adjust the power supply voltage to power the device through a connector. The docking station may further configure itself to accommodate the requirements of the portable device. Such configuring may include varying input impedance of the docking station's internal audio amplifier to match the portable device. In this way, the station can be used with a variety of portable devices, including devices from different manufacturers.
Abstract:
A security system in a vehicle extends its protection to installed equipment of the vehicle, such as audio components, navigation systems, and entertainment systems. The installed equipment is armed and disarmed by the security system, preventing the equipment from normal functioning after unauthorized removal. The security system further enables programming, monitoring, and diagnosing of the installed equipment through the security system's remote control, through a configuration and maintenance tool that connects to the security system, or through other items of installed equipment within the vehicle, such as a rear-seat entertainment system.
Abstract:
A remote control (RC) device and base station of a security system communicate automatic passive remote control commands at a lower power level than the level used to transmit other information. Lowering the power level of the passive remote control transmissions from the RC device decreases energy consumption and improves battery life. Additionally, the range of the automatic commands is shortened, potentially avoiding some unwanted door lock activations, security system arming and disarming events, and similar occurrences. At the same time, the range of the user-entered commands does not suffer. In embodiments where the RC device sends passive remote control commands in response to periodic interrogatory transmissions from the base station, the power level of the interrogatory transmissions is lower than the power level of other transmissions. Thus, frequency of unwanted door lock activations and arming/disarming events is decreased, while the range of other transmissions from the base station is unchanged.