Abstract: A system and method provide an enhanced listening experience for a user of a radio receiver or other device that receives broadcast or streamed content having a plurality of program channels. The method and system buffer designated channels at the receiver and, when switching among channels, play back the buffered designated channels during reception from a selected point therein depending on the channel or other criteria. When switching to a different channel during reception, a user is able to hear content in a buffered program channel with music from the start of a song, for example, whereas content in a channel with news, talk radio, or live sports is played back from live reception, even though the content segments are transmitted at different start times relative to their selected times for playback following a channel change. User controls allow navigation among buffered designated channels during reception.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for generating a personalized radio channel playlist by simultaneously buffering multiple received channels from one or more source streams, and then selecting songs or tracks to playback from the buffered channels. Users can specify favorite channels for building their personal playlists, or multiple default playlist channels can be provided by genre or channels related in some other way. Navigation tools permit users to skip ahead and backward in the playback stream. A personalized radio channel playlist can be implemented as (1) content selected from buffered channels based on user preferences for artists, songs and the like, or (2) as a Mix Channel in which content from selected buffered channels is automatically mixed for playback in response to selection of a preset button assigned to the Mix Channel.

Abstract: A low cost DAB multichannel receiver comprising a simplified buffering method for buffering content segments from multiple streams contained within the DAB channel, where the receiver enables the listener to navigate buffered content segments from multiple streams within the DAB channel while enabling the broadcaster to control the timeshift of commercial content to the receiver output stream. The receiver's buffered content grows over time and is cleared when tuning away from the channel, thus encouraging listeners desiring to tune in to new content to instead navigate to new buffered segments. Broadcaster control of the listener experience may be enabled by setting content control fields which are observed in the broadcast by the multichannel receivers. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method provide an enhanced listening experience for a user of a radio receiver or other device that receives broadcast or streamed content having a plurality of program channels. Thu method and system buffer designated channels at the receiver and, when switching among channels, play back the buffered designated channels during reception from a selected point therein depending on the channel or other criteria. When switching to a different channel during reception, a user is able to hear content in a buffered program channel with music from the start of a song, for example, whereas content in a channel with news, talk radio, or live sports is played back from live reception, even though the content segments are transmitted at different start times relative to their selected times for playback following a channel change. User controls allow navigation among buffered designated channels during reception.

Abstract: A system and method provide an enhanced listening experience for a user and a radio receiver or other device that receives broadcast or streamed content having a plurality of program channels. The method and system buffer designated channels at the receiver and, when switching among channels, play back the buffered designated channels during reception from a selected point therein depending on the channel or other criteria. When switching to a different channel during reception, a user is able to hear content in a buffered program channel with music from the start of a song, for example, whereas content in a channel with news, talk radio, or live sports is played back from live reception, even though the content segments are transmitted a different start times relative to thier selected times for playback following a channel change. User controls allow navigation among buffered designated channels during reception.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for generating a personalized radio channel playlist by simultaneously buffering multiple received channels from one or more source streams, and then selecting songs or tracks to playback from the buffered channels. Users can specify favorite channels for building their personal playlists, or multiple default playlist channels can be provided by genre or channels related in some other way. Navigation tools permit users to skip ahead and backward in the playback stream. A personalized radio channel playlist can be implemented as (1) content selected from buffered channels based on user preferences for artists, songs and the like, or (2) as a Mix Channel in which content from selected buffered channels is automatically mixed for playback in response to selection of a preset button assigned to the Mix Channel.

Abstract: A system and method provide an enhanced listening experience for a user and a radio receiver or other device that receives broadcast or streamed content having a plurality of program channels. The method and system buffer designated channels at the receiver and, when switching among channels, play back the buffered designated channels during reception from a selected point therein depending on the channel or other criteria. When switching to a different channel during reception, a user is able to hear content in a buffered program channel with music from the start of a song, for example, whereas content in a channel with news, talk radio, or live sports is played back from live reception, even though the content segments are transmitted a different start times relative to thier selected times for playback following a channel change. User controls allow navigation among buffered designated channels during reception.

Abstract: Hybrid file delivery systems and methods divide one or more files into parts for transmission to plural user devices during a first transmission phase employing one or more one-to-many communication paths (e.g., broadcast or multicast), and then transmit missing file parts to designated user devices during a second transmission phase employing respective one-to-one communication paths. User devices are configured with specified criteria for when and how to report file delivery status to a file delivery center that maintains a database of target user devices, file delivery campaigns, and statuses of file delivery completion at the user devices. The file delivery center can employ the database information to determine cost benefit for delivery of a file using two different transmission modalities and control when to switchover to or commence the second transmission phase after the first transmission phase.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for generating a personalized radio channel playlist by simultaneously buffering multiple received channels from one or more source streams, and then selecting songs or tracks to playback from the buffered channels. Users can specify favorite channels for building their personal playlists, or multiple default playlist channels can be provided by genre or channels related in some other way. Navigation tools permit users to skip ahead and backward in the playback stream. A personalized radio channel playlist can be implemented as (1) content selected from buffered channels based on user preferences for artists, songs and the like, or (2) as a Mix Channel in which content from selected buffered channels is automatically mixed for playback in response to selection of a preset button assigned to the Mix Channel.

Abstract: A system and method provide an enhanced listening experience for a user of a radio receiver or other device that receives broadcast or streamed content having a plurality of program channels. The method and system buffer designated channels at the receiver and, when switching among channels, play back the buffered designated channels during reception from a selected point therein depending on the channel or other criteria. When switching to a different channel during reception, a user is able to hear content in a buffered program channel with music from the start of a song, for example, whereas content in a channel with news, talk radio, or live sports is played back from live reception, even though the content segments are transmitted at different start times relative to their selected times for playback following a channel change. User controls allow navigation among buffered designated channels during reception.

Abstract: A low cost DAB multichannel receiver comprising a simplified buffering method for buffering content segments from multiple streams contained within the DAB channel, where the receiver enables the listener to navigate buffered content segments from multiple streams within the DAB channel while enabling the broadcaster to control the timeshift of commercial content to the receiver output stream. The receiver's buffered content grows over time and is cleared when tuning away from the channel, thus encouraging listeners desiring to tune in to new content to instead navigate to new buffered segments. Broadcaster control of the listener experience may be enabled by setting content control fields which are observed in the broadcast by the multichannel receivers. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: System, devices and methods are provided to automatically initiate an enhanced 911 (E911) call from a telematics control unit (TCU) (e.g., a TCU deployed with cellular modem or mobile phone in a vehicle) to an answering point (e.g. public safety answering point or access point (PSAP)). A wireless carrier (e.g., mobile service center (MSC)) employs a positioning determining entity (PDE) and algorithm to improve caller location determination using information provided by the TCU (e.g., GPS and dead reckoning information generated at the vehicle) and network location information when needed, and provides PDE estimated location of the caller to the PSAP (e.g., using a data channel and optionally a voice channel) to mitigate errors in TCU location data and reduce potentially conflicting location information provided to PSAPs from TCUs and wireless carriers or other phone service providers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a personalized radio channel playlist by time division multiplexing songs from multiple received channels from one or more broadcast source streams in a queue. Users can specify favorite channels for building their personal playlists, or multiple default playlist channels can be provided by genre. If matches are found, the channel carrying the favorite is extracted and added to the playlist. Channel searching for matches involves monitoring real-time song and artist labels for all channels carried in a separate data channel. Preview times can vary depending on the size of the playlist or number of channels used. During a preview of a segment, users can, opt to listen to the full song or back up in the playlist to listen to a previous song. Connectivity options and web interfaces are provided to facilitate transfer and sharing of customization parameters for personalized radio configuration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for generating a personalized radio channel playlist by simultaneously buffering tracks from multiple received channels from one or more source streams and selectively playing back tracks from the buffered channels. Navigation tools permit users to skip buffered songs in their playlist (e.g., skip forward and backward). Users can specify favorite channels for building personal playlists, or multiple default playlist channels can be provided (e.g., by genre). Thumbs up/down buttons on the radio receiver permit entering a song or artist being played back into a favorites list that is used to search all channels for matches or a banned list used to block songs from future playlists. A matched channel carrying the favorite can be added to a playlist. Segments on the playlist can be played back in full or truncated to facilitate preview of playlist segments.

Abstract: A system and method provide an enhanced listening experience for a user of a radio receiver or other device that receives broadcast or streamed content having a plurality of program channels. The method and system buffer designated channels at the receiver and, when switching among channels, play back the buffered designated channels during reception from a selected point therein depending on the channel or other criteria. When switching to a different channel during reception, a user is able to hear content in a buffered program channel with music from the start of a song, for example, whereas content in a channel with news, talk radio, or live sports is played back from live reception, even though the content segments are transmitted at different start times relative to their selected times for playback following a channel change. User controls allow navigation among buffered designated channels during reception.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses provide personalized radio by outputting selected songs from multiple channels from one or more source streams. Users can specify favorite channels for building their personal playlists, or multiple default playlist channels can be provided by genre or other criteria. User like/dislike inputs via the radio receiver generate filter data used to search all channels for matches or block songs from playback. Filter data can also be based on virtual DJ recommendations. Channel searching for matches involves monitoring real-time song and artist labels or other metadata for all channels carried in a separate data channel. Personalization can also be provided by using filter data to select content from a mixed channel comprising content from a selected group of channels. Connectivity options and web interfaces are provided to facilitate transfer and sharing of customization parameters for personalized radio configuration.

Abstract: A system and method provide an enhanced listening experience for a user of a radio receiver or other device that receives broadcast or streamed content having a plurality of program channels. The method and system buffer designated channels at the receiver and, when switching among channels, play back the buffered designated channels during reception from a selected point therein depending on the channel or other criteria. When switching to a different channel during reception, a user is able to hear content in a buffered program channel with music from the start of a song, for example, whereas content in a channel with news, talk radio, or live sports is played back from live reception, even though the content segments are transmitted at different start times relative to their selected times for playback following a channel change. User controls allow navigation among buffered designated channels during reception.

Abstract: Hybrid file delivery systems and methods divide one or more files into parts for transmission to plural user devices during a first transmission phase employing one or more one-to-many communication paths (e.g., broadcast or multicast), and then transmit missing file parts to designated user devices during a second transmission phase employing respective one-to-one communication paths. User devices are configured with specified criteria for when and how to report file delivery status to a file delivery center that maintains a database of target user devices, file delivery campaigns, and statuses of file delivery completion at the user devices. The file delivery center can employ the database information to determine cost benefit for delivery of a file using two different transmission modalities and control when to switchover to or commence the second transmission phase after the first transmission phase.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for generating a personalized radio channel playlist by simultaneously buffering multiple received channels from one or more source streams, and then selecting songs or tracks to playback from the buffered channels. Users can specify favorite channels for building their personal playlists, or multiple default playlist channels can be provided by genre or channels related in some other way. Navigation tools permit users to skip ahead and backward in the playback stream. A personalized radio channel playlist can be implemented as (1) content selected from buffered channels based on user preferences for artists, songs and the like, or (2) as a Mix Channel in which content from selected buffered channels is automatically mixed for playback in response to selection of a preset button assigned to the Mix Channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for receiving a broadcast comprising a plurality of program channels and generating a playback stream using at least one of a buffered program channel and stored indexed content (e.g., commercials, programs, songs) for insertion. Control data controls which receivers insert which indexed content and when the indexed content is inserted into a received program channel, allowing for playback of songs from playlists, tiered subscription services, and sponsorship of broadcast program channels to provide market-directed content to selected receivers and listeners. Buffer management operations prevent uncontrolled buffer growth and commercial content avoidance through rapid channel changes.