Radio communication system and method

• US 20020151272A1
• Filed: 04/11/2001
• Published: 10/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Motors LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Simon, Anthony Luke
• Granted Patent: US 6,795,741 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/3.06
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/091 Traffic information broadcasting broadcasting communication H04H
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/094 Hardware aspects; Signal processing or signal properties, e.g. frequency bands
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/28 Arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information

Abstract

A radio communications method comprising the steps of: selecting a first content; selecting a second content; simultaneously broadcasting digital information representing the first and second contents over a single broadcast channel; receiving in a vehicle the broadcast of digital information representing the first and second contents, receiving a sensor signal indicating a number of occupants in the vehicle; selecting one of the first and second contents in response to the sensor signal; and playing the selected content over an audio system in the vehicle.

Claims

1. A radio communications method comprising the steps of:

selecting a first content;

selecting a second content;

substantially simultaneously broadcasting digital information representing the first and second contents over a single broadcast channel;

receiving in a vehicle the broadcast of digital information representing the first and second contents;

receiving a sensor signal indicating a number of occupants in the vehicle;

selecting one of the first and second contents in response to the sensor signal; and

playing the selected content over an audio system in the vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the single broadcast channel is an AM channel.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the single broadcast channel is an FM channel.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected content is an advertisement targeted for the number of occupants of the vehicle.

5. A radio apparatus comprising:

a receiver for receiving digital broadcasts containing at least two contents substantially simultaneously broadcast over a single broadcast channel;

at least one sensor for detecting a status of a vehicle;

a selection function for selecting one of the contents in response to the at least one sensor; and

an audio output for playing the selected content.

6. A radio apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the at least one sensor detects a number of occupants of the vehicle.

7. A radio communications method comprising the steps of:

selecting a first content;

selecting a second content;

substantially simultaneously broadcasting digital information representing the first and second contents over a single broadcast channel;

receiving in a vehicle the broadcast of digital information representing the first and second contents;

receiving a sensor signal indicating a status of the vehicle;

selecting one of the first and second contents in response to the sensor signal; and

playing the selected content over an audio system in the vehicle.