Supplemental broadcast data processing

• US 20040110522A1
• Filed: 12/06/2002
• Published: 06/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bose Corporation
• Original Assignee: Bose Corporation
• Inventors: Howard, Damian, Yoshioka, Kenneth S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,502,589 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/512
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 1/0066 with means for analysing the received signal strength H03J1/0083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/22 Arrangements for broadcast of identical information via plural broadcast systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 2201/13 radio data system/radio broadcast data system [RDS/RBDS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 2201/60 characterised in that the receiver comprises more than one tuner
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/27 Arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/37 for identifying segments of broadcast information, e.g. scenes or extracting programme ID
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/46 for recognising users' preferences
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/65 for using the result on users' side
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/74 using programme related information, e.g. title, composer or interpreter

Abstract

Scan a plurality of broadcast signals, select and receive one of the scanned broadcast signals and determine parameters about the received broadcast signal. Assign a priority to the received broadcast signal based on the parameters, and store the parameters and priority in memory. Redetermine the parameters in priority order in a manner that reduces the time for redetermining. Reassign a priority to the received broadcast signal based on the redetermined parameters, and update in memory the redetermined parameters and priority.

Claims

1. A method of scanning and characterizing broadcast signals, comprising:

scanning a plurality of broadcast signals, said scanning further comprising the repetition of;

selecting a broadcast signal;

receiving said broadcast signal;

determining parameters about said broadcast signal;

assigning a priority to said broadcast signal based on said parameters;

storing in a memory the parameters and the priority;

redetermining said parameters about said broadcast signals in priority order in a manner which permits minimization of the time used for said redetermining;

reassigning a priority to said broadcast signals based on said redetermined parameters;

updating in memory the redetermined parameters and priority.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein in the step of determining, said parameters further comprise choices made by a user.

3. A method of parsing data from a broadcast signal comprising:

receiving a signal having associated text data;

comparing said text data to at least one known text string to distinguish within said text data at least one known data string, which is identical to said known text string, and at least one unknown data string;

assigning a characterization to said at least one unknown data string;

displaying said at least one unknown data string in a manner consistent with said characterization.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein in receiving, the signal is a multiplexed signal.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein in assigning, said characterization is based on the relative position of said unknown data string to said known data string.

6. The method of claim 3 further comprising:

storing said at least one unknown data string and its corresponding characterization in a memory device.

7. The method of claim 3 further comprising:

permitting a user to make a selection based on said characterization.

8. The method of claim 3 further comprising:

permitting the storage of said signal and said at least one unknown signal in a memory device.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

permitting the selection and recovery of said signal and said at least one unknown signal from said memory device.

10. A method of improving the reception of a broadcast signal comprising:

receiving a first signal on a first receiver, said first signal having a first associated content identifier and a first signal quality;

receiving a second signal on a second receiver, said second signal having a second associated content identifier substantially similar to the first content identifier, and having a second signal quality which is less than the first signal quality;

rendering said first signal perceivable by a person;

comparing over time the first signal quality and the second signal quality to determine a point at which said second signal quality is greater than said first signal quality;

rendering at said point said first signal imperceptible by a person; and

rendering said second signal perceivable by a person, so as to make indiscernible to a person a time delay between the rendering said first signal imperceptible and the rendering said second signal perceivable.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

receiving the second signal on the first receiver, so that the second signal is received on both the first receiver and on the second receiver.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

rendering the second signal on the first receiver imperceptible to a person.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

rendering the second signal on the first receiver perceptible to a person, so as to make indiscernible to a person a time delay between the rendering the second signal on the first receiver perceptible to a person and the rendering said second signal on the second receiver imperceptible to a person.

14. Method of selectively receiving a signal comprising:

receiving a first signal on a first receiver;

storing location data associated with said first signal in memory;

rendering said first signal perceivable by a person;

receiving a second signal on a second receiver;

storing location data associated with said second signal in the memory;

permitting a user to select said second signal;

rendering said first signal imperceptible by a person;

rendering said second signal perceivable by a person, so as to make indiscernible to a person a time delay between said rendering said first signal imperceptible and said rendering said second signal perceivable.