Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided 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 specify favorite channels for building personal playlists, or multiple default playlist channels are provided by genre. Thumbs up/down buttons on the radio receiver enter a song or artist being played back into a favorites list used to search all channels for matches or a banned list used to block songs from future playlists. A matched channel carrying the favorite is added to the playlist. Segments on the playlist are dynamically truncated to reduce the average time each segment is played and facilitate preview. Preview times can vary depending on the size of the playlist or number of channels used. Connectivity options and web interfaces facilitate transfer and sharing of customization parameters for personalized radio configuration.

Abstract: A system and method for traffic flow reporting are provided. An satellite digital audio radio service (SDARS) system receives traffic flow information for segments of roads with service coverage at a vehicle. A vehicle communications, navigation and tracking (VCNT) service system compares present Global Positioning System (GPS) position of the vehicle with the traffic flow information received from the SDARS system. If the present GPS position is within a segment, the VCNT service system compares present vehicle speed with a received traffic flow speed range. If vehicle speed is outside a received traffic flow speed range, the VCNT service system generates a message with present location and speed. An automated traffic flow aggregation system receives the message transmissions and applies location-specific filters based on number of messages received before forwarding a flow speed revision message to an SDARS broadcast station for broadcasting the traffic information to subscribers. RDS-formatted (e.g.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for deciphering recorded digital audio signals and using a smart card to pay for deciphering. Encrypted digital audio signals are recorded onto a recording medium, such as a compact disc or the like. When the user desires to listen to the recording, the encrypted recording is inserted into a player/recorder and a prepaid smart card is inserted into a smart card reader connected to the player/recorder. The smart card reader deducts a predetermined value from the card before allowing the player/recorder to decipher the encrypted recording, and record the deciphered audio onto a recording medium for playback.

Abstract: Disclosed are a device and method for securely storing and organizing SDARS content on a portable player. SDARS audio content is stored on a private partition of the device not available to a client PC. Shadow files are stored on a public partition of the device. The shadow files contain metadata related to the corresponding SDARS audio and a reference to the SDARS audio on the private partition. Playlists can be organized on the device intermixing stored SDARS content with DRM and non-DRM protected media content. Downloading of purchased or subscription-based media files based on observed or received SDARS content is facilitated. Digital Rights Management features are included to control authorized actions with respect to SDARS content. Firmware updates are performed using encrypted firmware unique to the particular device to thwart firmware hacking.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing transfer of files to receivers in a digital broadcast system. The data files are partitioned into segments that are interspersed in a broadcast signal. Segment headers are provided to indicate the number of segments that constitute a corresponding data file and to uniquely identify each of segment in a data file. Receivers allocate memory to store segments for a selected data file based on data in the segment headers. The headers can be provided with data to address data files to selected receivers. Receivers are programmed to monitor the progress of storing segments of a selected data file during an initial broadcast and to use rebroadcasts to complete a file transfer.

Abstract: A system and method for time-shifting a live broadcast, and facilitating the purchase of live or time-shifted broadcast content. The device records broadcast content being listened to by user, which gives the user the option to replay content. The device and method also provides a preview service that allows the user to experience fresh media content on a regular basis, even where a live signal is not available. The broadcast source broadcasts new content on a regular basis to avoid providing users with stale content. The user identifies content using the device and data is stored that corresponds to the identified content. The broadcast source or a third-party content provider uses the corresponding data to provide the identified content to the user. In addition to audio content, the device also provides and facilitates the acquisition of video, graphics, text or any other media content.

Abstract: A system is provided for generating a remapped audio stream at digital audio broadcast radios from a first audio stream using content insertion to allow tiered subscription services. A remapped audio stream is rebranded by extracting segments from the first audio stream relating to channel identification segments and disk jockey talking segments and replacing them with stored audio items (e.g., commercials, different channel identification segments and different disk jockey talking segments). Stored audio items for insertion are broadcast to the radios with messages for controlling the scheduling of insertion at the radios, and the storage and deletion of these audio segments at the radios. Stored audio items and messages can be sent using a different, localized broadcast system from that used to transmit the source audio stream to permit market-specific commercial insertion. Group file format for delivery permits intermittently used radios to receive the stored audio items and messages.

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 system and method for time-shifting a live broadcast, and facilitating the purchase of live or time-shifted broadcast content. The device records broadcast content being listened to by user, which gives the user the option to replay content. The device and method also provides a preview service that allows the user to experience fresh media content on a regular basis, even where a live signal is not available. The broadcast source broadcasts new content on a regular basis to avoid providing users with stale content. The user identifies content using the device and data is stored that corresponds to the identified content. The broadcast source or a third-party content provider uses the corresponding data to provide the identified content to the user. In addition to audio content, the device also provides and facilitates the acquisition of video, graphics, text or any other media content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus encode a source data stream via convolutional encoding or selected encoding scheme. Plural encoded data streams are interleaved and transmitted on a transmission channel. Data groups generated via convolutional or selected encoding are interleaved via time-interleaving functions to disperse selected bits within puncture groups of the data groups, bits in between data groups, and bits in selected sets of data groups to facilitate reconstruction of the source data stream from at least a portion of the interleaved data stream received on at least one transmission channel. The time-interleaving functions are selected to facilitate reconstruction of the source data stream from one transmission channel following continuous blockage. Subsets of bits of puncture groups are selected to allow reconstruction of the source data stream from more than one of plural transmission channels using a minimum number of subsets.

Abstract: A portable media player for receiving and storing a satellite digital audio radio service (SDARS) content stream is provided. Also provided are associated devices such as an integrated antenna and docking station, an SDARS receiver module for detachable connection to a player, digital transceiver circuits for connecting an SDARS receiver to various SDARS-ready devices, an SDARS digital antenna, and an SDARS subscription cartridge, as well as methods for operating same.

Abstract: A method and apparatus encode a source data stream via convolutional encoding. Plural encoded data streams are interleaved and transmitted on plural transmission channels. Data groups generated via convolutional encoding are interleaved via time-interleaving functions to disperse selected bits within puncture groups of the data groups, bits in between data groups, and bits in selected sets of data groups to facilitate reconstruction of the source data stream from at least a portion of the interleaved data stream received on at least one transmission channel. The time-interleaving functions are selected to facilitate reconstruction of the source data stream from one transmission channel following continuous blockage. Subsets of bits of puncture groups are selected to allow reconstruction of the source data stream from more than one of the transmission channels using a minimum number of subsets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided 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. Navigation tools permit users to see upcoming songs in their playlist queue and skip ahead and backward. 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. 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 (e.g., Broadcast Information Channel (BIC)).

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a receiver unit in a digital broadcast system for receiving a broadcast signal comprising content segments and control data, and generating an output signal using the content segments and previously stored content segments. The previously stored content segments are retrieved from a local memory device using the control data and inserted among the received content segments.

Abstract: A portable media player for receiving and storing a satellite digital audio radio service (SDARS) content stream is provided. Also provided are associated devices such as an integrated antenna and docking station, an SDARS receiver module for detachable connection to a player, digital transceiver circuits for connecting an SDARS receiver to various SDARS-ready devices, an SDARS digital antenna, and an SDARS subscription cartridge, as well as methods for operating same.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a receiver unit in a digital broadcast system for receiving a broadcast signal comprising content segments and control data, and generating an output signal using the content segments and previously stored content segments. The previously stored content segments are retrieved from a local memory device using the control data and inserted among the received content segments.

Abstract: A system and method for time-shifting a live broadcast, and facilitating the purchase of live or time-shifted broadcast content. The device records broadcast content being listened to by user, which gives the user the option to replay content. The device and method also provides a preview service that allows the user to experience fresh media content on a regular basis, even where a live signal is not available. The broadcast source broadcasts new content on a regular basis to avoid providing users with stale content. The user identifies content using the device and data is stored that corresponds to the identified content. The broadcast source or a third-party content provider uses the corresponding data to provide the identified content to the user. In addition to audio content, the device also provides and facilitates the acquisition of video, graphics, text or any other media content.

Abstract: A system is provided for generating a remapped audio stream at digital audio broadcast radios from a first audio stream using content insertion to allow tiered subscription services. A remapped audio stream is rebranded by extracting segments from the first audio stream relating to channel identification segments and disk jockey talking segments and replacing them with stored audio items (e.g., commercials, different channel identification segments and different disk jockey talking segments). Stored audio items for insertion are broadcast to the radios with messages for controlling the scheduling of insertion at the radios, and the storage and deletion of these audio segments at the radios. Stored audio items and messages can be sent using a different, localized broadcast system from that used to transmit the source audio stream to permit market-specific commercial insertion. Group file format for delivery permits intermittently used radios to receive the stored audio items and messages.

Abstract: A system and method for time-shifting a live broadcast, and facilitating the purchase of live or time-shifted broadcast content. The device records broadcast content being listened to by user, which gives the user the option to replay content. The device and method also provides a preview service that allows the user to experience fresh media content on a regular basis, even where a live signal is not available. The broadcast source broadcasts new content on a regular basis to avoid providing users with stale content. The user identifies content using the device and data is stored that corresponds to the identified content. The broadcast source or a third-party content provider uses the corresponding data to provide the identified content to the user. In addition to audio content, the device also provides and facilitates the acquisition of video, graphics, text or any other media content.

Abstract: A satellite system provides geosynchronous satellites in elliptical orbits in respective elliptical orbital planes separated by 120 degrees. The satellites traverse a common figure-eight ground track comprising northern and southern loops. The satellites are controllably switched to operate the satellite currently traversing the northern loop to deliver a selected signal (e.g., a selected frequency signal) to satellite receivers.