Abstract: An apparatus, program product, and method automate the selection of audio broadcast signals based upon a user preference criterion, typically by receiving a first audio broadcast signal from a first source, and concurrently monitoring a second source to locate a second audio broadcast signal matching a user preference criterion. The user preference criterion may represent a particular type of song, program, artist, genre, etc., or in the alternative may represent one or more specific programs, songs, etc. By monitoring for sources that match the user preference criterion concurrently with receiving a signal from a first source, automation of the selection of matching audio broadcast signals (e.g., by notifying a user of a match, automatically selecting a matching audio broadcast signal, etc.) is greatly facilitated.

Abstract: Method for processing transmitter and program related data in an FM RDS receiver and receiver executing the method, providing a band scanning search for detecting FM RDS transmitters exceeding a predetermined reception quality level. To enhance efficiency in data processing and use of storage capacity, transmitter related data including tuning data is stored separately from program related RDS data. Per each detected transmitter a quality factor indicating the quality in reception quality thereof is being allocated to each detected RDS transmitter and stored in a first memory bank, along with the relevant tuning data.

Abstract: Squelch circuit and method useful in frequency-scanned radio receivers are provided. Generally, the squelch circuit includes an audio-removal filter coupled to receive an audio signal. The passband of the audio-removal filter is selected sufficiently high relative to frequency components of the audio signal. An absolute value detector is coupled to the audio-removal filter to supply an output signal having a positive polarity regardless of the polarity of the signal supplied by the audio-removal filter. An integrating filter is coupled to receive the output signal from the absolute value detector and supply an integrated signal. The integrating filter has at least one selectable filter coefficient indicative of the response time of the integrating filter.

Abstract: A device and method is provided that transmits a monitor report to the current base station concurrently with the transmission of the informational content carrying signals by embedding the monitor report in the informational content carrying signals. The current base station uses the monitor report to initiate transfer of service for the mobile communication device to the base station with the strongest carrier signal strength by sending appropriate signals to the mobile switching center that in turn signals the base station to take over service for the mobile communication device. A wideband digitizing circuit obtains amplified wideband analog signals from the receiver before channel filtering and demodulation, and converts them to complex digital samples.

Abstract: A radio broadcasting system, a transmitter and a receiver for use in such a system, a radio broadcasting method and a radio broadcasting signal.

Abstract: A radio broadcasting system, transmitter, receiver, method and signal are provided wherein a program signal is combined with a data signal. According to the invention the data signal not only includes information on an indicated program signal, but also data of a data service and information on the data service, such as an identification of the data service, alternative frequencies, information on related data services etc. In this way it is possible to broadcast the data service on a network differing from the network broadcasting the program signal. This is of particular use in the Radio Data System.

Abstract: A system for facilitating the detection and successful decoding of a quick paging channel adapted for use with a wireless communications system supporting a primary paging channel and a quick paging channel. The system includes a first mechanism for detecting a pilot signal associated with the quick paging channel based on a received signal and includes a coherent integrator of a first length and a noncoherent integrator of a second length. The second mechanism determines receiver operating characteristics of the system based on the pilot signal and a quick paging channel signal associated with the quick paging channel. The third mechanism optimizes the first length and the second length based on the receiver operating characteristics. In a specific embodiment, the first mechanism includes a CDMA receive chain for receiving the received signal and providing a digital received signal in response thereto to a sample Random Access Memory (RAM).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing battery drain in a mobile station of a radio communication system characterizes and stores the radio environment in which it failed to acquire synchronization with the system. The mobile station then enters a low power mode for a predetermined time duration. Upon exiting the low power mode, the mobile station determines if the radio environment has changed by more than a predetermined threshold. If so, the mobile station will re-attempt initial synchronization.

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 dynamically programmable frequency scanning radio receiver (30) is disclosed. The frequency scanning radio receiver (30) includes a compiler circuit (38) that identifies transmitting parties of interest from the plurality of transmitting parties stored in a frequency database (42). The compiler circuit (38) identifies the transmitting parties of interest based upon the location of the receiver (32) that is determined by a position locator circuit (44). Frequency data corresponding to the transmitting parties of interest is then stored in a memory (40) such that a processing circuit (36) can be used to control the receiver (32) to monitor transmissions at the frequencies of the transmitting parties of interest. When the frequency scanning radio receiver (30) is moved to a geographical area having different transmitting parties of interest, the frequency scanning radio receiver (30) may be dynamically reprogrammed based upon the new location.

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: The present invention is a computer-based radio scanner internet system, with home base user computers with radio scanner hardware and software, a host server computer, a plurality of remotely located antenna computers connected to antennas, and an internet system. The user computer also has conventional operating hardware and software, a sound system, a monitor, a keyboard or mouse, as well as disc drive, CD Rom drive. The radio scanner hardware contained within the user computer includes a radio receiver and frequency changer with a scanner range having at least some frequencies in the range of 25 MHz to 1,300 MHz. The antenna computers are available via the internet connection for connecting to user computers to offer remote scanning of even an intercontinental nature, e.g., a user in Boston can, through this system, use his computer-based scanner to scan frequencies in, for example, Los Angeles. Local scanning is also available using the foregoing user computers with their own antennas.

Abstract: A receiver (600) uses a scanning technique (100) to minimize scan time. An initial bandwidth setting is selected that covers multiple channel frequencies (106). A signal detection step (108) is performed looking for channel activity. As channel activity is detected, the bandwidth of a baseband filter (628) is narrowed (140, 146). The radio remains programmed to the same channel while the bandwidth is varied. Once the last signal detection with the narrowest possible bandwidth setting has been determined (144, 150, 152) the radio is programmed to that channel. Thus, more than one channel frequency is capable of being scanned without reprogramming the radio to a new channel for each scan.

Abstract: A communication device (1) comprising a receiver (2) for receiving coded messages transmitted on one or more channels. There is a micro-processor (13), in communication with the receiver (2) and a frequency synthesizer (4) coupled to both the micro-processor (13) and the receiver (2) to thereby control reception of the channels. The communication device (1) also has a memory (14) storing a group of-channel frequencies, wherein the micro-processor (13) is adapted, in combination with the frequency synthesizer (4), to control the receiver (2) to scan at least some of the channels during baud detect periods of a protocol cycle associated with at least one of the channels. Further, the micro-processor (13) cyclically offsets a start of the baud detect periods after completion of a protocol cycle.

Abstract: A radio back-end circuit that includes a signal processing unit which receives an intermediate frequency signal containing modulated information. The radio back-end circuit processes the intermediate signal and provides an output representative of the modulated information. The radio back-end circuit includes a plurality of control registers for receiving digital information provided external to the back-end circuit. Also included is a signal optimization circuit, coupled to the plurality of registers, having an output coupled to the signal processing unit for modifying how the radio-back-end processes the intermediate frequency signal. In addition, an analog interface, coupled to the signal processing unit, is included which converts analog information from the signal processing unit to digital processing unit information.

Abstract: This invention relates to a portable terminal equipment establishing synchronism with a control channel by intermittently receiving the control channel when the synchronism with the control channel is made off. When the synchronism with the control channel is made off, the equipment is set to a control channel receiving state for a period of time W2 every period of time t1 (ST3-ST10). When the synchronism with the control channel is not established in the receiving state which is set to N (=X+5) times (X=number of off-synchronism during the past one hour), the equipment is set to shifting to a control channel receiving state for the period of time W2 every period of time t2 (ST2 and ST11-ST18). The more frequently a user moves, the larger the time X of off-synchronism becomes and thus N becomes larger by that amount so that a time period until the interval t1 between each period of the control receiving state is shift to the interval t2, is prolonged.

Abstract: A broadcast program search method in a digital broadcasting radio receiving apparatus includes the step of activating the broadcast program search program and switching to a broadcast program search mode, the step of selecting a search item and setting the search condition of the search item by an operation by a user, the search step of performing search by the search item selected by the user on the basis of the selection of the search item and the set search condition of the search item, the channel selection step of selecting a channel on the basis of the search result in the search step, and the step of checking whether to again perform search if the search is unsuccessful, repeating the setting under the set search condition if search is to be again performed, and terminating the broadcast program search program if no search is to be again performed. A computer-readable storage medium recording a broadcast program search program for a digital broadcasting radio receiving apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A data traffic is monitored, and the current traffic state is checked. If the traffic exceeds a threshold a, the time interval of Inquiry Scan is set to a maximum value X1 to prevent communication performance from deteriorating due to Inquiry Scan. Likewise, if the traffic falls in the range of the threshold a to a threshold b, the time interval of Inquiry Scan is set to an intermediate value X2. If the traffic amount is equal to or less than the threshold b, the time interval of Inquiry Scan is set to a minimum value X3.

Abstract: A broadcast receiver that responds to broadcast stations having a listener-preferred program style. The receiver has a processor and a database memory arranged to be coupled with the processor. The memory is configured to store information concerning a number of broadcast stations that serve at least a portion of a user-designated geographic area, and which stations have a designated program style. The information corresponds to an operating frequency for each broadcast station and an associated service coverage. A geographic position determining unit (e.g., a GPS receiver) is coupled to the processor and produces information corresponding to a current position of the receiver within the designated area. The processor is configured to produce a tuning signal operative to set a tuner unit to respond to a broadcast station that can be received at the receiver's position with the designated program style.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fast signal acquisition on a preferred communication channel is disclosed. The apparatus includes a frequency and identification guidance system that can have a hardware as well software implementation. The memory of the device includes a prioritized multi-level system of channels and a prioritized multi-level system of identifiers. The frequency and identification guidance system utilizes both multi-level systems to guide the device to a channel belonging to the preferred Service Provider.

Abstract: In a radio selective call receiver, the sensitivity of a radio receiver is set to a lower sensitivity level which is lower than a normal sensitivity level of the radio receiver. In the lower sensitivity level, a plurality of predetermined channels are searched for a receiving channel while receiving a radio signal. Therefore, a receiving channel with higher signal level can be selected. When no receiving channel is found in the lower sensitivity, the channel search is performed in the normal sensitivity.

Abstract: To solve the problems associated with conventional signal strength measurements utilizing homodyne receivers, the present invention is able to economically reduce the idle time power usage of a homodyne receiver by “powering down” a part of the homodyne receiver. With certain signal modulations, the power received in each channel of the homodyne receiver is equivalent and, as a result, the estimated received signal strength measurement calculation is simplified, reducing the power usage, which can be very useful, especially in the mobile communications industry.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for a moving body which enables a user to know a receivable broadcast station at the current position in real time and to select smoothly a desired broadcast station in a receiver even in an unfamiliar area. This system includes a broadcast station data memory that stores the channel data of a receivable broadcast station for each area, and a main processing circuit which is responsive to the vehicle's current position sensed by a coordinate computing unit for referring to the channel data and for showing the channel data of a receivable broadcast station at the current position on a display.