Abstract: A user's access to content may be managed by determining a mood originating point for a present track for a user, with the mood originating point being related to a mood indicator for the present track, identifying a mood destination for a user playlist, the mood destination being related to a mood indicator for an end track that is targeted for the user, and calculating a mood transition from the mood originating point to the mood destination. The mood transition includes one or more intermediary tracks between the mood destination and the mood originating point, such that a quantified mood transition between two tracks in a user playlist including the present track, the intermediary tracks, and the end track, is less than an identified mood transition threshold.

Abstract: An integrated receiver with channel selection and image rejection substantially implemented on a single CMOS integrated circuit is described. A receiver front end provides programable attenuation and a programable gain low noise amplifier. Frequency conversion circuitry advantageously uses LC filters integrated onto the substrate in conjunction with image reject mixers to provide sufficient image frequency rejection. Filter tuning and inductor Q compensation over temperature are performed on chip. The filters utilize multi track spiral inductors. The filters are tuned using local oscillators to tune a substitute filter, and frequency scaling during filter component values to those of the filter being tuned. In conjunction with filtering, frequency planning provides additional image rejection. The advantageous choice of local oscillator signal generation methods on chip is by PLL out of band local oscillation and by direct synthesis for in band local oscillator.

Abstract: A device and a method for processing high data rate serial data includes circuitry for recovering a clock based on the high data rate input data stream. A transceiver includes a coarse loop of a phase-locked loop that selectively provides a clock having accuracy that is within a specified amount. In a sample mode of operation, only the coarse loop PLL is coupled to provide an error signal from which an oscillation signal and clock may be derived. In a second mode (lock) of operation, the transceiver may lock to the received serial data stream by coupling the fine loop PLL to provide an adjusted error signal. In a third mode of operation, (automatic) the transceiver initially performs coarse loop calibration by de-coupling the fine loop PLL and coupling the coarse loop PLL until a steady state has been reached.

Abstract: An integrated front end filter for a tuner provides an array of from several to a multitude of passbands, each for passing at least one but less than all channels designated in a band of frequencies. Each passband is exclusively selectable. The integrated front end filter can include at least one active filter unit with an active reactance element in either of fixed and variable filter configurations and a decoder coupled to said at least one active filter unit and being responsive to a control signal for selecting a one of the passbands. In one example, a multitude of active filter units of fixed filter configuration provide the multitude of passbands. In another example, a plurality of data corresponds to a like plurality of selectable passbands in combination with a filter element of the variable filter configuration. Each data is stored at a predetermined location and reproduced in response to a corresponding control data signal from a tuner controller.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for full-duplex antenna impedance matching. The method comprises: effectively resonating a first antenna at a frequency selectable first channel in a first frequency band; generating a first antenna impedance at the first channel frequency; effectively resonating a second antenna at a frequency selectable second channel in the first frequency band; generating a second antenna impedance at the second channel frequency; supplying a first conjugate impedance match at the first channel frequency; and, supplying a second conjugate impedance match at the second channel frequency. For example, the first antenna may be used for transmission, while the second antenna is used for received communications. The antennas effectively resonant in response to: supplying frequency selectable conjugate impedance matches to the antennas; generating frequency selectable antenna impedances; and/or selecting the frequency of antenna resonance.

Abstract: A broadcast receiver which detects the reception status of radio waves from other stations without deteriorating the reception status of a currently-receiving station, in digital broadcasting where consecutive time series data is transmitted. The amount of time-based interleave applied to the currently-receiving data is determined so that the reception status of the radio waves from other stations is detected while the reception of the currently-receiving broadcast station is interrupted within the extent where missing data can be recovered by such interleave and error correction processing on demodulation.

Abstract: The broadcasting tower selecting method for selecting one broadcasting tower out of a plurality of broadcasting towers each being able to transmit together broadcast waves on a plurality of channels that can be received in an area, including: a first step of judging an existence or not of the channels that can be received in the area; a second step of extracting, based on a result from the judgment in the first step, one or more broadcasting towers that can provide all channels being receivable in the area out of the plurality of the broadcasting towers; and a third step of selecting one arbitrary broadcasting tower out of the extracted one or more broadcasting towers. Thus, it is possible to select automatically, with an easy operation, a broadcasting tower that can provide best video and audio quality, out of a plurality of broadcasting towers.

Abstract: We have disclosed an enhanced radio system that provides for the capture and playback of one or more radio stations. The user may tune to a station, or scan through stations, rewind to hear what was missed, and fast-forward through undesired content. The system allows a user to rate content, and to be notified when that content is being played on any station. The system may make radio station recommendations. The system allows the user to respond easily to radio content, download audio content, and send radio content to another user. The system may provide other radio related and radio content related information. The system may provide a karaoke mode. The system may also allow the user to integrate a telephone with the radio. The system may report usage information to a collection facility.

Abstract: A wireless transmission module comprises: a first transceiver used to broadcast and to receive signals in a first frequency band; a second transceiver used to broadcast and to receive signals in a second frequency band; a switching circuit used to provide a single path of transmission and to control the its switches between the first transceiver and the second transceiver; and a processing unit used to control the switching circuit to switch the path of transmission from the first transceiver to the second transceiver when using the first frequency band of signal to communicate with a wireless device is not possible.

Abstract: A switching filter module for dynamic selection of N channels is provided. In the switching filter module, each of N double-channel selection filters passes the frequency bandwidths of two of successive first to Nth channels having predetermined frequency bandwidths, and one or more 2-way and 3-way switches connect the double-channel selection filters to one another. Each of the N double-channel selection filters is serially connected to at least one of the other double-channel selection filters and at least one 3-way switch.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for facilitating personalization of a weather band radio that receives SAME messages broadcast by the NWR system. Alphanumeric indicators of locations are displayed upon a user display element. And, a listener of the radio enters, by way of a user input actuator, selection of selected geographical areas, identified by the alphanumeric indicators. The selected alphanumeric location is used to form a six-digit location code defined by the Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS). And, the code so-formed is used by the weather band radio, selectably to alert weather anomalies broadcast by the NWR system within the selected geographical area of interest.

Abstract: A method for recording information that is transmitted over a radio frequency, especially traffic information, in which, in a monitoring state, the receiving device is supplied with power in a clocked manner. While switched on, the receiving device is tuned to a preestablished radio frequency and the received radio frequency is monitored for the presence of an identifier designating information. In the event an information identifier is detected, the receiver is supplied with power for the duration of the identifier and the information is recorded. In response to switching on the monitoring state, the preestablished radio frequency is determined as the frequency to which a radio frequency refers that transmits no information and that was set before the monitoring state was switched on.

Abstract: A method of storing and selecting a radio station (104, 106) in a radio (102) having a plurality of tuner presets (130) and a plurality of memory locations (146) assigned to each of the plurality of tuner presets, includes storing a plurality of radio stations (104, 106) under a tuner preset (134), where each of the plurality of radio stations is stored as a record (148) in one of the plurality of memory locations assigned to the tuner preset. The record can include a radio station frequency (150) and a geographic position (152) of the radio at a time that the record is stored. In response to subsequent selection of the tuner preset (134), a radio station is selected from the plurality of radio stations stored under the tuner preset and includes identifying the record having the geographic position that is closest to a geographic position (253) of the radio at a time that the tuner preset is selected and tuning the radio to the radio station frequency (150) of the identified record.

Abstract: A front end tuner for receiving TV signals and the like includes a frequency conversion circuit including a mixer for beating a local signal with received signals within a predetermined band of frequencies to provide selected signals within a predetermined band of frequencies to provide selected signals within a predetermined channel band of frequencies. A signal converter circuit generates digitally encoded signal representations of the selected signals. The frequency conversion circuit and the signal converter circuit are in a form of an integrated circuit within a semiconductor substrate. In a TV receiver, on-following digital processing of the digitally encoded signals is performed in a microcomputer. In one example a channel selection code is used by the microcomputer to synthesize the local oscillator signal and in another example the signal converter circuit is a codec, responsive to codes from the microprocessor, to supply a control voltage for controlling a local oscillator.

Abstract: The continuing validity of a lookup table in a radio receiver for tuning to digital audio stations is monitored. The radio receiver is tuned to a first designated frequency. A determination is made whether a station identification code is identified in a digital broadcast signal at the first designated frequency matches the designated station identification code in the table entry. The radio receiver is tuned to a next designated frequency. A determination is made whether a next station identification code identified in a next digital broadcast signal at the next designated frequency matches the next designated identification code in a next table entry. A determination is made whether an invalid table condition occurs wherein the invalid table condition is a predetermined number of non-matches from the determining steps. A message is displayed that the lookup table is invalid when the invalid table condition occurs.

Abstract: A method for recording an audio broadcast by user preference has been developed. The method includes recording an audio broadcast and then converting the broadcast to text. The text is then scanned for content that has been designated as preferred by the user. If such content if found in the text, the recording of the audio broadcast is saved for future use.

Abstract: Information transmitted through wireless communications formed by information transmission lines from artificial satellites and radio towers or through wired communications established by cables is categorized into four categories. The individual information is transmitted in a broadcasting mode in synchronization with the information transmission timing defined for each individual information category. The information receiver captures and edits the received information and provides output for the service client in the manner associated with the individual category corresponding to the received information. Category-4 information is transmitted with the highest priority immediately when the information is generated; Category-3 information is transmitted periodically, for example, every five minutes; Category-2 information is transmitted at a time slot when the transmission line is relatively unoccupied; and Category-1 information is transmitted at a time slot when the transmission line is least occupied.

Abstract: A channel scanning method in a multi-channel digital broadcast is provided for enabling a user to identify the broadcast contents of a channel being currently received with accuracy during the channel scan, even though the broadcast contents may change within a channel scanning time period. In one embodiment of the channel scanning method, a receive channel is switched at predetermined intervals (the scanning time period), it is checked whether the broadcast contents of the channel being received currently, after the channel switching, will change within the scanning time period, and a time period for receiving the channel is prolonged, if the broadcast contents will change.

Abstract: A voltage controlled LC resonance oscillation circuit has a plurality of capacitive elements connected to an output node. These capacitive elements are applied with voltages at opposing terminals for selecting an oscillating frequency band, so that the oscillating frequency band can be changed step by step in accordance with the selection voltage. The capacitive elements include at least one variable capacitive element such as a MOS capacitor, the capacitance of which is varied in accordance with a voltage applied thereto. The MOS capacitor is similar in structure to a MOS transistor. The variable capacitive element can be supplied at a terminal opposite to the output node with a voltage from a variable voltage source, for example, in place of the selection voltage. The voltage controlled LC resonance oscillation circuit can measure the output amplitude and oscillating frequency without affecting the characteristics thereof, and reduce the parasitic capacitance.

Abstract: In a communication system using frequency hopping to transmit data packets, a transmission request from a transmitter is transmitted through a first control channel. The transmission request includes a frequency channel designation selecting one of plural data channels. A receiver that receives the transmission request sends a receive confirmation through a second control channel and the data packets are then transmitted through the data channels so that the data channel is changed each time a data packet is transmitted.

Abstract: The invention concerns a cellular radio telephone signal comprising a symmetrical two-way main channel, including a main uplink and a main downlink, in particular transmitting low or medium speed data and signaling and control data, and comprising at least one additional channel solely assigned to the downlink, transmitting in particular, high speed data transmission. At one given time, all or part of said supplementary channel transmission capacity can be dynamically allocated to a particular mobile station. Information for retrieving data intended for a particular mobile station and carried by said supplementary channel can be transmitted among said main downlink signaling and control data.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing television audio programming that is derived from a broadcast television signal is set forth. The apparatus includes a transceiver that is adapted to selectively receive one of a plurality of broadcast television signals in response to a channel selection signal received at a channel selection input thereof. The transceiver converts the audio signal component of the television signal to a radio signal for reception by a radio receiver. The radio receiver, in turn, converts the radio signal to an audible audio signal corresponding to the television audio programming. The apparatus also includes a control module formed as a unit that is physically distinct from the transceiver. The control module includes a programmable microcontroller, a user interface connected to provide at least channel selection information to the programmable controller, and a display connected for control by the programmable microcontroller to indicate at least channel selection information to a user.

Abstract: A switching filter module for dynamic selection of N channels is provided. In the switching filter module, each of N double-channel selection filters passes the frequency bandwidths of two of successive first to Nth channels having predetermined frequency bandwidths, and one or more 2-way and 3-way switches connect the double-channel selection filters to one another. Each of the N double-channel selection filters is serially connected to at least one of the other double-channel selection filters and at least one 3-way switch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to selectively disregard co-channel transmissions on a medium uses an automatic gain control/clear channel assessment (AGC/CCA) circuit to gather signal power information, which is used to establish receiver sensitivity thresholds. Raw and cyclical power measurements of a received signal are processed by the AGC/CCA circuit to determine whether a current received signal process should be halted, and a new signal acquisition sequence begun.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a network interface card or the like for a wireless local area network may include a non-volatile memory in which a table of parameters for operation in one or several countries may be stored. The table may specify how the network interface card is to perform in multiple countries or regulatory domains so that the network interface card may adapt to operate in multiple countries, thereby allowing a network interface card manufacturer or vendor to use a single stock keeping unit for the network interface card in one or more countries.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to receive a weak signal with high sensitivity and reduce distortion and signal suppression when a strong interference signal exists. When a high-frequency signal received by an antenna is to be amplified by an antenna amplifier and when an interference wave of high field strength exists, a switch circuit is switched by an output switchover circuit from the output of an amplifier to a through-circuit. The through-circuit guides the high-frequency signal, directly to the output side without passing through the amplifier. When the switching operation of the switch circuit is performed based on low-frequency components which are highly correlated with distortion components due to intermodulation, the switching operation can be performed more adequately. Noises can be reduced by performing a smoothing process on the switching operation, and the use of an inverting amplifier can prevent occurrence of oscillation.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product, and method utilize embedded source identity information within an audio broadcast signal to facilitate the reception of the audio broadcast signal from an alternate source. Such embedded information may be used, for example, to facilitate the automated selection of an alternate source of an audio broadcast signal, e.g., in response to poor reception of the primary source of the audio broadcast signal, so that a listener is less likely to miss any portion of an audio broadcast. In one particular implementation, an audio broadcast signal is a radio signal broadcast by a radio station, whereby suitable alternate sources might include another radio station that broadcasts the audio broadcast signal over a different frequency, a transmission device accessible over a telephone network, or a transmission device accessible over a computer network such as the Internet.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for permitting a mobile device to connect to a broadcast station web site and to receive a broadcast station broadcast in response to selection of a bookmark. Selection of the bookmark results in a tuner on the mobile device being tuned to receive a broadcast while the mobile device substantially simultaneously connects to a web site for the broadcast station. The bookmark may be programmed by the user and may represent different broadcast stations according to parameters. Bookmarks may be displayed to the user based on geographical location information. Bookmarks may be created by scanning for available broadcasts at a geographical location. RDS information may supplement broadcast information and may be sent to the mobile device via CBS messages.

Abstract: For tuning an LC resonator (2) which particularly comprises a miniaturized antenna coil (LA), a variable capacitance (CT) is connected in parallel to the LC resonator (2). At manufacturing time, a maximum resonance frequency of the LC resonator (2) is measured when the variable capacitance (CT) is set to its minimum value, a minimum resonance frequency of the LC resonator (2) is measured when the variable capacitance (CT) is set to its maximum value, and coded values of the measured maximum and minimum resonance frequencies are stored in non-volatile memories (Fmin, Fmax). At operations time, a binary tuning code (B) is computed as a linear interpolation between the stored values of the minimum and maximum resonance frequencies for a target resonance frequency (ft). The LC resonator (2) is tuned to the target resonance frequency (ft) by selectively connecting separate binary weighted capacitors (Cn−1, . . .

Abstract: A television tuner includes a mixer circuit for receiving a television signal or an FM signal, and a local oscillator circuit for generating an oscillation signal received by the mixer circuit. When the television signal is received, a television intermediate-frequency signal is generated by the mixer circuit. When the FM broadcast signal is received, an FM intermediate-frequency signal having a frequency converted to about 10.7 MHz is generated by the mixer circuit.

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

Abstract: A receiving device for angle-modulated signals performs the channel selection in a digital manner rather than an analog manner. A receive signal is preferably initially converted to an intermediate frequency band, filtered and A/D converted. The receive signal is subsequently converted to the baseband and channels are selected in a digital manner through the use of a digital complex multiplier before the receive signal component of the selected transmission channel is demodulated and the corresponding symbols are detected through the use of a differential demodulator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a large capacity, user defined audio content delivery system. The system delivers uninterrupted music and delivers information content (e.g., news by evaluating and encoding an input audio stream while outputting another stream. Undesirable audio content (e.g., advertisements and unwanted news) are not present in the output audio stream as only desired portions of information content are stored for playback on demand. The invention also includes a user interface that is simple enough to facilitate utilization of the audio system in an automobile and employs standard hardware available in typical computing and/or personal digital assistant equipment. Additionally, the audio system can be portable (e.g., as portable as a personal digital assistant) and can be updated in real time or off line via a personal computer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method allow either the driver or a passenger in a vehicle to operate a telematic unit in the vehicle. Communication requests may be prioritized, depending upon the type of communication desired and whether the request is being made by the driver or a passenger. Visual display units for the driver and passenger are positioned such that the passenger visual display unit is visible to a passenger seated in the passenger seat and not visible to a driver seated in the driver seat. Information displayed on the driver visual display unit may be restricted to certain types of communications, or include only limited information, so as not to distract the driver. A full display may be provided to the passenger, so that the passenger can assist the driver with verbal instructions based upon information included in the full display, viewable by the passenger but not the driver.

Abstract: An integrated receiver with channel selection and image rejection substantially implemented on a single CMOS integrated circuit is described. A receiver front end provides programable attenuation and a programable gain low noise amplifier. Frequency conversion circuitry advantageously uses LC filters integrated onto the substrate in conjunction with image reject mixers to provide sufficient image frequency rejection. Filter tuning and inductor Q compensation over temperature are performed on chip. The filters utilize multi track spiral inductors. The filters are tuned using local oscillators to tune a substitute filter, and frequency scaling during filter component values to those of the filter being tuned. In conjunction with filtering, frequency planning provides additional image rejection. The advantageous choice of local oscillator signal generation methods on chip is by PLL out of band local oscillation and by direct synthesis for in band local oscillator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tuner for converting a RF signal (110) into an IF output signal (202), said tuner comprising a mixer (111) for generating a first IF signal (201), processing means (114) for filtering said first IF signal (201) so as to generate said IF output signal (202).

Abstract: The invention may be broadly conceptualized as an approach in which the configuration of a radio (108) occurs by a user entering data into a graphical interface (110), the data is stored in a user profile (112) at a server (106) and also downloaded to the radio (108).

Abstract: An automatic radio frequency signal switching circuit is equipped with a plurality of AV input terminals and adopts an analog/digital adapter to transform all respective input analog signals into high level digital signals and a central processor is used to memorize the sequential orders of the respective AV signals which are sequentially output in a last-in-first-out manner to a television. At the same time, the central processor shuts off the ANT/CATV signal amplifier and the RF switch thereof so as to effect automatic switching operation. When no AV signals from AV equipment are being input, the central processor will instantly transmit another set of high electric level signals to the ANT/CATV signal amplifier and a power source of the RF switch thereof and the ANT/CATV signals are delivered to a television via the RF amplifier and the RF switch thereof whereby effect automatic RF switching operation.

Abstract: Reduction in the time required for an Advanced Television Standards Committee (ATSC) digital television tuner to equalize, converge, and acquire a digital television signal suitable for viewing, wherein early model ATSC tuners also include a National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) analog tuner, is achieved by using a microprocessor to control use of the NTSC tuner to scan television channels. A channel measurement module converts the scanned analog signal to a digital signal, and the equalization coefficients for the resultant digital signal are stored in memory. The equalization coefficients stored in memory are then accessed and utilized to tune in new channels on the ATSC tuner. The amount of time necessary for the ATSC tuner to tune in a new channel is thus reduced. When the ATSC tuner is in use, the equalization coefficient data stored in memory are periodically updated.

Abstract: A channel scanning method in a multi-channel digital broadcast is provided for enabling a user to identify the broadcast contents of a channel being currently received with accuracy during the channel scan, even though the broadcast contents may change within a channel scanning time period. In one embodiment of the channel scanning method, a receive channel is switched at predetermined intervals (the scanning time period), it is checked whether the broadcast contents of the channel being received currently, after the channel switching, will change within the scanning time period, and a time period for receiving the channel is prolonged, if the broadcast contents will change.

Abstract: A broadcast receiver which detects the reception status of radio waves from other stations without deteriorating the reception status of a currently-receiving station, in digital broadcasting where consecutive time series data is transmitted. The amount of time-based interleave applied to the currently-receiving data is determined so that the reception status of the radio waves from other stations is detected while the reception of the currently-receiving broadcast station is interrupted within the extent where missing data can be recovered by such interleave and error correction processing on demodulation.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method in which a set of broadcast channels is automatically selected on a mobile receiver based on the mobile receiver's current location, a database of broadcast sources contained within the mobile receiver, and a predefined set of user preferences. This location based selection of broadcast channels may be implemented by first querying a user for personal preferences. These user preferences, along with a database of broadcast sources and program formats, are then loaded into the mobile receiver. The mobile receiver includes a means for determining the current location of the receiver, as the receiver moves from location to location. After the location of the receiver is determined, the database of broadcast sources and program formats are searched in order to determine broadcast sources that can be received by the receiver in its current location.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved receiver capable of receiving either a satellite broadcast signal or a cable TV signal associated with a TV. The inventive receiver comprises a first BPF for filtering received broadcast signals, a first local oscillator for generating a first oscillation signal, a first mixer for generating a first IF signal, a SAW filter producing a waveformed band signal, a second local oscillator, for generating a second and a third oscillation signal, a second mixer for generating a second and a third IF signal, a switching block for switching the second and the third IF signal, a second BPF for producing a baseband channel signal selected from the cable TV signal, a first LPF for producing a baseband I signal of satellite broadcast channel, a shifter for shifting a phase of the third IF signal, a third mixer for generating a phase-shifted third oscillation signal, and a second LPF for producing a baseband Q signal of satellite broadcast channel.

Abstract: A channel selection apparatus for sorting broadcast signals detects parity errors of plural broadcast signals transmitted from the same broadcasting station. The tuned frequency of the broadcast signal is shifted from the frequency of a normal broadcast signal by a predetermined value. As a result, field intensity of the broadcast signal correlates more closely with a parity error rate. The channel selection apparatus thus can sort broadcast signals in the order of fewer error rates and assign them to tuning buttons in the order of easier selecting operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an easy-to-use radio that enables quick selection of radio station channels according to program type. The radio includes a receiver for receiving radio wave signals on radio station signal channels having radio data information, and has a tuner tuneable to one or more of the radio station signal channels. The radio has a processor for receiving and deciphering the radio data information and memory for storing a plurality of programmable preset channels according to a program type indicative of the type of the radio station broadcast. The radio further has a user input for selecting one of the programmable presets and for further selecting one of the preset radio station signal channels based on the selected preset.

Abstract: The invention relates to a resonator (200,300) with variable resonance frequency, intended for connection to an amplifier, thus forming an oscillator, said resonator comprising a resonator circuit (205,305) for deciding the resonance frequency of the resonator and the oscillator, said resonator circuit comprising an inductance (L), a variable capacitance (Cj), and means (Vtune) for varying the capacitance. The resonator also comprises connection means (C1, Ck; C1, Ck, C2) for connecting the resonator to an amplifier. The resonator is provided with means (Vtune) for varying the capacitance of the connection means in proportion to the variation of the capacitance (Cj) of the resonator circuit. Preferably, the means (Vtune) for varying the capacitance (Ck) of the connection means are arranged such that an essentially constant relationship (Ck/Cj) is maintained between the capacitance (Ck) of the connection means and the first capacitance (Cj) of the resonator across all resonance frequencies.

Abstract: Operator interaction with electrical systems is facilitated by providing electromechanical control devices, which have switch buttons, rotary knobs or the like, with flat panel displays that convey information pertaining to the controls that can be changed instantly by a display controller. The display may identify the function of the control, the current setting, create calibration marks or provide other graphics. The images change automatically if the same control is used for multiple functions. In one form of the invention, the display screen has openings in the image area and the controls extend through and protrude from the screen enabling display of graphics in close proximity to the controls. In another form, the settings of controls which are secured to the face of a display screen are optically or magnetically detected by sensors located behind the screen.

Abstract: A wireless communication system comprises a filter and amplifier for filtering/amplifying only a necessary band frequency from a receive information signal induced by an antenna and passing a duplexer portion; a mixer for mixing the band frequency with a phase synchronizing signal from a local oscillating portion; a demodulating portion for demodulating a signal from the mixer and supplying the demodulated signal to a speaker; a receive tone squelch circuit for separating a sound signal from the demodulated signal; a transmit modulating portion for combining a transmit signal input with a transmit tone squelch frequency from a transmit tone squelch circuit and demodulating the combined signal; a controller for converting a code previously inputted into a code inputting portion into a frequency and tone squelch code; a memory for storing data, which is coded corresponding to a frequency channel data and a tone squelch code selected by the controller, at a predetermined address region; and a display for represe

Abstract: An RF tuner and tuning method employs analog quadrature mixing with a coarse-stepwise tunable local oscillator to a near-baseband passband region, followed by A/D conversion of the I and Q signals, correction of phase, group delay, and amplitude errors, image rejection, and translation to baseband by (1) fixed frequency translation, (2) stepwise channelized translation, or (3) essentially continuously variable tuning over a given digital tuning range. The near-baseband passband region is sized and located such that alternating image rejection provides non-redundant and complete tuning coverage of a desired high frequency spectrum with a local oscillator step size equal to about twice the digital tuning range or about twice the number of channels digitally stepwise tunable times the channel width, effectively doubling the typical local oscillator step size.