Abstract: In a digital radio system including a transmitter unit and at least one receiver unit, changes to the system can implemented without modifying the hardware components by providing the transmitter unit and the receiver unit with processing capability. With respect to the transmitter unit, the principal function of the processing capability is to modify the encoding of the transmitted signal stream. The processing capability of the receiver unit provides the ability to identify when the decoding algorithms are not compatible with the transmitted signal stream. The decoding algorithms of receiver unit can be updated to be compatible with transmitted signals in several different embodiments. According to one embodiment, the updated decoding algorithm can be transmitted to the receiver unit along with, or in place of, the program signal stream. The programmable processor of the receiver unit identifies the decoder algorithm signal stream and installs the decoder algorithm in the programmable processor.

Abstract: A game console/computer as coupled thereto an external interface unit. The external interface unit permits information from a selected channel/address/station to be entered into the processor controlling the gaming environment and incorporated in the gaming environment. The incorporation of the information in the gaming environment can take the form, for example, of background audio material, audio material selectable from an image on the display, or image data incorporated in the display. For example, the information incorporated in the display can take the form of advertisements display on the image of a billboard. Using weather information content or traffic information content parameters of display portion of the game can be modified to provide a more interesting game environment.

Abstract: A compact disc player unit includes has a digital radio receiver unit. A compact disc identifier along with a user identifier is transferred to a radio broadcast station. The broadcast station includes a database of compact disc information. The information associated with the compact disc identifier is retrieved from the database. The retrieved information, along with the user identifier, is broadcast by the station. The digital radio receiver unit accepts the retrieved information when accompanied by the user identifier. The accepted compact disc information is stored in a local memory unit. In response to the disc identifier and a track identifier generated by the compact disc player, data concerning an accessed disc track can be provided to the user by a visual display and/or by the speaker unit.

Abstract: In a digital radio receiver, at least one receiver train demodulates signal from a transmitter to which the receiver is tuned. The signal includes two data streams, typically a program stream and an information stream. The processor separates the two data streams and typically applies the program data stream to an output unit such as a speaker. The processor analyses the information stream and, when appropriate, stores the information stream. The information stream can be used to provide program information or information of importance to the user. A second receiver train can be used by the radio to scan the signals from other transmitters. The information from the other transmitters can be used to identify possible alternatives to the present programming or to automatically apply different program material to the speaker.

Abstract: In a digital radio system including a transmitter unit and at least one receiver unit, changes to the system can implemented without modifying the hardware components by providing the transmitter unit and the receiver unit with processing capability. With respect to the transmitter unit, the principal function of the processing capability is to modify the encoding of the transmitted signal stream. The processing capability of the receiver unit provides the ability to identify when the decoding algorithms are not compatible with the transmitted signal stream. The decoding algorithms of receiver unit can be updated to be compatible with transmitted signals in several different embodiments. According to one embodiment, the updated decoding algorithm can be transmitted to the receiver unit along with, or in place of, the program signal stream. The programmable processor of the receiver unit identifies the decoder algorithm signal stream and installs the decoder algorithm in the programmable processor.