Location-Based Transmitter Selection and Handoff
First Claim
1. A method of switching received broadcasts in a mobile receiver, the method comprising:
- receiving, on a mobile receiver in motion, a first broadcast from a first transmitter, wherein the first broadcast has program content that is processed and provided as an audio output of the mobile radio receiver;
identifying a second broadcast from a second transmitter that is transmitting the program content;
measuring a signal quality of the second transmitter while continuing to process and provide the program content of the first transmitter;
determining that the signal quality of the second transmitter is better than a signal quality of the first transmitter; and
switching to the second broadcast in order to process and provide the program content from the second transmitter to the mobile radio receiver.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic radio station tuning control system senses when a mobile radio receiver is leaving the coverage area of the transmitter that is transmitting program content, and entering the coverage area of another transmitter that is transmitting the same program content. The program content can be from a radio station, a mobile internet application, or the like. The mobile radio performs re-tuning to the other transmitter in order to continue to receive the program content even though the mobile radio is leaving the coverage area of the first transmitter. The tuning control system can provide uninterrupted coverage to a listener of a radio when the radio receiver is, for example, in a vehicle traversing a mountainous area, or when the radio receiver is moving from one WiFi hot spot to another.
33 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of switching received broadcasts in a mobile receiver, the method comprising:
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receiving, on a mobile receiver in motion, a first broadcast from a first transmitter, wherein the first broadcast has program content that is processed and provided as an audio output of the mobile radio receiver;
identifying a second broadcast from a second transmitter that is transmitting the program content;
measuring a signal quality of the second transmitter while continuing to process and provide the program content of the first transmitter;
determining that the signal quality of the second transmitter is better than a signal quality of the first transmitter; and
switching to the second broadcast in order to process and provide the program content from the second transmitter to the mobile radio receiver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for automatically switching radio receive frequencies on a mobile radio receiver to maintain program content, the system comprising:
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a mobile radio;
a database of radio transmitter locations, frequencies, and program content associations;
a location determination device located proximate to the mobile radio providing location information of the mobile radio;
wherein the mobile radio searches the database for an alternate radio transmitter location, alternate radio transmitter frequency, and program content compatible with program content associated with a currently selected radio transmitter frequency, wherein the alternate radio transmitter location is within a pre-defined distance from the mobile radio, wherein the mobile radio measures a signal strength at the alternate radio transmitter frequency and switches the currently selected radio frequency to the alternate radio transmitter frequency when the measured signal strength exceeds a threshold. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of switching received broadcasts in a mobile radio receiver, the method comprising:
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receiving, on a mobile receiver in motion, a first broadcast from a first provider, wherein the first broadcast comprises program content;
identifying a second broadcast from a second provider that is providing the program content;
measuring a quality of the second broadcast while continuing to process and provide the program content of the first broadcast;
comparing the quality of the second broadcast with a quality of the first broadcast;
if a result of comparing is indicative of the second quality being better than the first quality, switching to the second broadcast in order to receive, by the mobile radio receiver, the program content from the second provider. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification