Abstract: A device (100) for receiving, storing and playing back digital audio radio signals comprises a receiver (203), a decoder (502 and/or 504), a user input (516), a storage medium (510) coupled to the decoder, and a system controller (508) coupled to the user input. The receiver receives a digitally encoded bit stream (300) on a plurality of communication resources (104), wherein each communication resource contains content and associated index information. The decoder selectively decodes a selected plurality of communication resources and the user input selects the selected plurality based on the associated index information and selects a portion of the content contained in selected plurality to be retrieved. The storage medium stores the content and associated index information contained in the selected plurality of communication resources and the system controller stores and retrieves content to and from the storage medium based on input received at the user input.

Abstract: A digital receiver unit (28) having a backup energy source (214) for use in a vehicle (250) that operates on a primary energy source (216) includes a receiver (203) powered by the primary energy source when the vehicle is operating, a switching mechanism (210 and 212) for switching the receiver 10 between the primary energy source and the backup energy source and a controller (210) coupled to the receiver for controlling the switching mechanism. The receiver receives data during a scheduled predetermined time and the backup energy source powers the receiver during the scheduled predetermined time if the vehicle is not operating.

Abstract: A system for and method of implementing mobile commerce in a satellite radio broadcasting system. A unique program identifier is associated with each program segment of a broadcast. When a listener hears a program segment of interest, the listener causes the associated program identifier to be captured and thereafter to be transferred to a central location or hub. The transferring operation can be accomplished manually, via a media link or via a wireless network. Upon receipt of the program identifier at the central hub, the program identifier is used to determine information about the listener, obtain additional information regarding the program segment associated with the program identifier for the listener and/or initiate an e-commerce transaction involving the listener and/or other parties including merchandisers and advertisers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving dispatch messages in a broadcast radio receiver. In one embodiment, audio dispatch messages can be received, in another embodiment, data dispatch messages can be received. In either embodiment, a previously selected broadcast channel is received until a dispatch alert message is simultaneously received. The dispatch alert message includes a dispatch ID codes which is compared by the receiver with a previously stored dispatch ID code. If equality is found, the receiver switches from the previously selected broadcast channel to a dispatch broadcast channel to receive the dispatch message. Upon completion of the dispatch message, the receiver automatically switches back to the previously selected broadcast channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus detects (516) a baud rate in a digital signal (442). An N-state counter (404) counts at a rate N times the baud rate and the digital signal is sampled (504) to detect transitions of the digital signal. N tallies (202) record how many transitions occur coincident with each of the states of the counter, and a total number of transitions detected is computed (508). M groups (204-210) of the tallies are formed (510) corresponding to contiguous sequential states of the counter, and for each group a group number is calculated (512) indicating how many transitions are recorded in the tallies of the group. Each group is defined (514) transitional if the group number exceeds a percentage (413) of the total number of transitions, and the baud rate is determined present or absent based upon the groups that are defined as transitional.

Abstract: A channel scanning communication receiver (204) operates in a system that transmits information in cycles (104) including subsequences (106). The receiver determines whether to operate in a scanning or locked mode by making (302) signal quality pass/fail decisions for subsequences transmitted in a predetermined group of cycles. A decision is made for a transmission of a subsequence, and subsequence active/inactive decisions are made (304) for the subsequences transmitted in the predetermined group of cycles, based upon the signal quality pass/fail decisions made for the subsequences. The receiver determines (306) whether the system is time-shared or continuous, based upon how many active decisions and inactive decisions are made, and selects (310, 312) the scanning or locked mode in accordance with predetermined rules for time-shared or continuous systems, according to whether the system is time-shared or continuous.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a digital wireless communication system (100) controls an inter-cell hand-off. First and second fixed units (102) receive a common synchronization signal from a controller (104), and a first wireless link is established between the first fixed unit and a portable unit (120) on a first frequency. The first wireless link is synchronized to the common synchronization signal, and frame synchronization is obtained between the fixed unit (102) and the portable unit (120) during establishment of the first wireless link. Frame synchronization is maintained only by maintaining bit synchronization while transmitting user data on the first frequency. A second wireless link is established between the second fixed unit (102) and the portable unit (120) on the first frequency if the first frequency is usable therebetween. The second wireless link is synchronized to the common synchronization signal.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for selecting one of at least two antennas (202, 204) in a communication unit (102) for use in a wireless communication system (100). A signal is received by a radio frequency receiver (208) during a receiving period from one of the at least two antennas (202, 204) currently selected by an antenna switch (206), the signal transmitted in a digital communications format comprising a plurality of valid data patterns and having an invalid data pattern that is not transmitted. The number of data patterns in the signal received that comprise the invalid data pattern is determined by an antenna diversity control circuit (222), and for a subsequent receiving period one of the at least two antennas (202, 204) is selected based upon the number of occurrences of the invalid data pattern determined.