Receiver system for decoding data embedded in an electromagnetic signal
First Claim
1. A receiver for decoding data configured in a plurality of data blocks, comprising:
- a first tuner operative to demodulate a first electromagnetic signal; and
a second tuner operative to demodulate a second electromagnetic signal and decoding the plurality of data blocks, where the second tuner is operative to perform a diversity function during an estimated time interval between data blocks.
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Abstract
A system for decoding data, such as travel and traffic information, configured in data blocks embedded in an electromagnetic signal, such as a broadcasted radio signal, has been developed. The system includes a method and receiver for decoding the data with a background tuner in a manner that does not impair the ability of the background tuner to demodulate other signals. While a main tuner is tuned to demodulate a first electromagnetic signal to produce a data stream, the background tuner is switched to decode the data blocks only when the data blocks are expected to be received. In the remaining time, the background tuner is free to demodulate other signals to support a diversity or other function. If a data block is not received, or not received when expected, the background tuner returns to demodulating one or more other frequencies after a predetermined time interval has elapsed.
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Citations
45 Claims
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1. A receiver for decoding data configured in a plurality of data blocks, comprising:
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a first tuner operative to demodulate a first electromagnetic signal; and
a second tuner operative to demodulate a second electromagnetic signal and decoding the plurality of data blocks, where the second tuner is operative to perform a diversity function during an estimated time interval between data blocks. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A receiver for decoding data configured in a plurality of data blocks, comprising:
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a first tuner operative to demodulate a first electromagnetic signal;
a second tuner operative to demodulate a second electromagnetic signal that comprises the plurality of data blocks, and decode the plurality of data blocks; and
a timer in communication with the second tuner and operative to estimate a time interval between data blocks, where the second tuner demodulates at least one other electromagnetic signal during the estimated time interval between data blocks. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A receiver for decoding data configured in a plurality of data blocks in a first electromagnetic signal, comprising:
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a first means for demodulating a second electromagnetic signal;
a second means for demodulating the first electromagnetic signal and decoding the plurality of data blocks; and
a third means for estimating a time interval between data blocks in communication with the second means, where the second means comprises a means for demodulating at least one other electromagnetic signal during the estimated time interval between data blocks. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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29. A receiver system for decoding data configured in a plurality of data blocks, the receiver system comprising:
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an input device in communication with a first electromagnetic signal and a second electromagnetic signal that comprises the plurality of data blocks;
a receiver in communication with the input device, the receiver comprising;
a first tuner demodulating the first electromagnetic signal;
a second tuner demodulating the second electromagnetic signal, and decoding the plurality of data blocks; and
a timer in communication with the second tuner and estimating a time interval between data blocks, where the second tuner demodulates at least one other electromagnetic signal during the estimated time interval between data blocks; and
an interface in communication with the receiver and communicating the second electromagnetic signal and the data to a user. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method for decoding data in a receiver that comprises a first tuner and a second tuner, the method comprising:
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tuning a first tuner to demodulate a first electromagnetic signal;
tuning a second tuner to demodulate a second electromagnetic signal that comprises the data configured in a plurality of data blocks;
decoding at least one of the plurality of data blocks;
estimating a time interval between data blocks;
tuning the second tuner to demodulate at least one third electromagnetic signal during the estimated time interval between data blocks; and
tuning the second tuner to the second electromagnetic signal at an end of the time interval between data blocks. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40)
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41. A method for decoding data configured in a plurality of data blocks, the method comprising:
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demodulating a first electromagnetic signal; and
simultaneously with demodulating the first electromagnetic signal, performing the following steps;
demodulating a second electromagnetic signal that comprises the plurality of data blocks;
decoding the plurality of data blocks;
estimating a time interval between data blocks; and
demodulating at least a third electromagnetic signal during the estimated time interval between data blocks.
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42. A computer readable storage medium comprising computer-executable instructions for receiving data, the computer-executable instructions comprising logic for implementing a method comprising:
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tuning a first tuner to demodulate a first electromagnetic signal;
tuning a second tuner to demodulate a second electromagnetic signal that comprises the data configured in a plurality of data blocks;
decoding at least one of the plurality of data blocks;
estimating a time interval between data blocks;
tuning the second tuner to demodulate at least one third electromagnetic signal during the estimated time interval between data blocks; and
tuning the second tuner to the second electromagnetic signal at an end of the time interval between data blocks.
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43. A computer-readable electromagnetic signal defining computer-executable instructions for receiving data, the computer-executable instructions comprising logic for implementing a method comprising:
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tuning a first tuner to demodulate a first electromagnetic signal;
tuning a second tuner to demodulate a second electromagnetic signal that comprises the data configured in a plurality of data blocks;
decoding at least one of the plurality of data blocks;
estimating a time interval between data blocks;
tuning the second tuner to demodulate at least one third electromagnetic signal during the estimated time interval between data blocks; and
tuning the second tuner to the second electromagnetic signal at an end of the time interval between data blocks.
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44. A computer readable storage medium comprising computer-executable instructions for receiving data, the computer-executable instructions comprising logic for implementing a method comprising:
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demodulating a first electromagnetic signal; and
simultaneously with demodulating the first electromagnetic signal, performing the following steps;
demodulating a second electromagnetic signal that comprises the plurality of data blocks;
decoding the plurality of data blocks;
estimating a time interval between data blocks; and
demodulating at least a third electromagnetic signal during the estimated time interval between data blocks.
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45. A computer-readable electromagnetic signal defining computer-executable instructions for receiving data, the computer-executable instructions comprising logic for implementing a method comprising:
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demodulating a first electromagnetic signal; and
simultaneously with demodulating the first electromagnetic signal, performing the following steps;
demodulating a second electromagnetic signal that comprises the plurality of data blocks;
decoding the plurality of data blocks;
estimating a time interval between data blocks; and
demodulating at least a third electromagnetic signal during the estimated time interval between data blocks.
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Specification