Abstract: The invention involves a method of transmitting a control signal that is synchronized in time with a radio program signal. The control signal may be used, for example, in a receiver to restore dynamic range reduction that occurred at the transmitter. The method includes the steps of forming a first supplemented signal by inserting the control signal and a first time-reference signal into a data stream of a radio data signal such as an RDS signal. A second supplemented signal is formed by adding a second time-reference signal to the radio program signal. The first and second time-reference signals are correlated in time. The first and second supplemented signals are transmitted.

Abstract: Electrical contact surfaces, especially when connected to a chip, are designed to be purely functional. However, according to the present disclosure, the contact surfaces are designed so that their external shape is that of a visible letter or symbol with a meaningful content. These contact surfaces may, e.g., be placed on cassette casings for recognition. In a stripe or bar code unit consisting of several code components, i.e., bars, individual bars are electrically conductive to facilitate additional coding. The electrically conductive bars or the contact surfaces are preferably connected to the terminals of an integrated circuit.

Abstract: A system for receiving a radio signal representing a radio program comprises at least first and second radio receiver units. Each receiver unit receives the radio signal at a respective frequency and produces a respective radio program signal. All of the radio program signals represent the same radio program. A decoder decodes a control signal, such as an RDS signal, from each of the radio program signals. A control device processes the control signals to determine the delay between the radio program signals. The control device uses the delay information to modify a a variable delay in the signal path of at least one radio program signal until the radio program signals are synchronized. The synchronized radio program signals are combined, e.g., by fading the signals together, to produce a resultant radio program signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an analog and/or digital radio broadcast transmission system and radio receiver therefor, which includes a control signal having an item of control information concerning another, different type of transmission/receive system. The receiver is a hybrid receiver able to receive both types of signals. When the same program material is available on both of the different systems, the control signal is used for switching the different systems so that the receiver receives the program on the system which provides the best reception.