Device for radio communications and method for establishing and maintaining communications between device and fixed location radio communication facilities

• US 10,512,017 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2018
• Issued: 12/17/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ii, John Thomas Walker
• Original Assignee: Ii, John Thomas Walker
• Inventors: Walker, II, John Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Agosta, Stephen M D
• Application Number:
  US15/980,187
• Publication Number:
  US 20180338272A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/22 Arrangements for broadcast of identical information via plural broadcast systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/26 Arrangements for switching distribution systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/51 of receiving stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/04 Arrangements for maintaining operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A mobile or transportable device for radio communications includes at least one antenna; a radio operating component coupled with the at least one antenna for receiving and/or transmitting radio signals; a database containing radio communication parameters of fixed location radio communication facilities; a location determining component for determining its current location; and a computer component coupled with the radio operating component, the database and the location determining component, configured such that when a radio signal received by the radio operating component from one of the fixed location radio communication facilities is weaker than a threshold value, the computer component searches the database to find radio communication parameters of a fixed location radio communication facility that is the closest radio communication facility to the current location, and operably retunes the mobile or transportable device according to the radio communication parameters of the closest radio communication facility.

Claims

1. A mobile or transportable device for radio communications, comprising:

at least one antenna;

a radio operating component coupled with the at least one antenna for receiving and/or transmitting radio signals;

a database containing radio communication parameters of fixed location radio communication facilities, wherein the radio communication parameters comprise a location, transmitting power, hours of operation, antenna parameter, frequency, modulation type, and connection protocol of each of the fixed location radio communication facilities;

a location determining component for determining its current location of the mobile or transportable device; and

a computer component coupled with the radio operating component, the database and the location determining component, configured such that when a radio signal received by the radio operating component from one of die fixed location radio communication facilities is weaker than a threshold value, the computer component searches the database to find radio communication parameters of a fixed location radio communication facility that is the closest radio communication facility to the current location of the mobile or transportable device, and operably retunes the mobile or transportable device according to the radio communication parameters of the closest radio communication facility,

wherein the radio operating component comprises a primary receiver for receiving the radio signal from one of the fixed location radio communication facilities and a secondary receiver for continuously scanning a relevant radio frequency spectrum in order to sense and confirm which one of the fixed location radio communication facilities presents in the database is reliably usable at the current location of the mobile or transportable device;

wherein the database contains digital identifying codes that categorize program content of broadcast into groups including sports commentary, football games, baseball games, basketball games, religious news, religious programming, alt-right news, alt-left news, syndicated news commentary, network news, programming in Spanish and other languages, music programming and specifically types of music programming including retro rock music, oldies rock music, modern country, retro country, bluegrass; and

other types of broadcast programming groups or categories, wherein the digital identifying codes identify those fixed location broadcast facilities that carry specific program content that is simultaneously broadcast at multiple fixed location radio communication facilities; and

wherein the mobile or transportable device is connectable to the internet using a smart phone, a direct hardwire connection, or a radio frequency link including Bluetooth so that the mobile or transportable device is operably accessible to broadcasting of digital radio stations on the internet in order to expand program selections and choices and to provide additional connectivity to syndicated or simultaneous broadcast programs that are used when other means of program reception fails.

2. The mobile or transportable device of claim 1, further comprising an output component for audio output, video output, data output, text output, or a combination thereof, wherein the output component comprises one or more speakers, one or more headphones, one or more displays, one or more video devices, or a combination thereof.

3. The mobile or transportable device of claim 1, further comprising a user interface component for inputting user instructions, wherein to the user interface component comprises a key pad, a touch screen, a voice recognition system, electronic switches and buttons, or motion sensing devices and switches.

4. The mobile or transportable device of claim 1, further comprising a signal sampling circuitry for performing pattern identification and pattern recognition of radio broadcast programming.

5. The mobile or transportable device of claim 1, wherein the radio operating component further comprises one or more transmitters, one or more transceivers, or a combination thereof.

6. The mobile or transportable device of claim 1, wherein the radio operating component is capable of receiving radio communications from an earth orbiting satellite broadcast facility in order to expand program selection and choices.

7. The mobile or transportable device of claim 1, wherein the location determining component comprises a global positioning system (GPS) based locator, an inertial guidance system, or a terrain recognition system.

8. The mobile or transportable device of claim 1, wherein the database is operably changeable and updateable through linkage to the internet by smart phones, smart phone networks, radio broadcast, satellite radio broadcast, or by insertion of a portable memory device.

9. The mobile or transportable device of claim 1, wherein the radio communication parameters further comprise radio or TV broadcast program schedules associated with each of the fixed location radio communication facilities, and/or information of programs and program schedules that are broadcast in duplicate and simultaneously by multiple radio communication facilities in different locations.

10. The mobile or transportable device of claim 1, wherein the database contains information organized in a matrix pattern of adjoining squares defined by geographic longitude and latitude coordinates that cover a defined geographic area, wherein each matrix square is populated by data with digital designations of fixed location radio communication facilities that are detectable, based on signal strength, when the mobile or transportable device locates in that specific geographic matrix square, wherein for each radio communication facility there is a digital representation of the probable signal strength present at current time in each matrix square based upon calculations using the published propagation maps of the fixed location broadcast facilities, or by calculations based upon terrain, distance between the mobile or transportable device and the broadcast station, respective transmit power, frequency, modulation type, and antenna gain.