Traffic information broadcast system
First Claim
1. A method of transmitting a segmented broadcast on a carrier, the segmented broadcast including a plurality of broadcast audio segments, the method including the steps of:
- inserting a fixed tone sequence into the segmented broadcast prior to each broadcast audio segment, each fixed tone sequence including multiple tones, each tone broadcast for a fixed duration, with fixed durations between the tones;
inserting an identification code into the segmented broadcast after the fixed tone sequence and prior to each broadcast audio segment, the identification code identifying the following broadcast audio segment, each identification code comprising a multiple tone frequency shift keying digital code; and
broadcasting each segmented broadcast on the carrier.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A broadcast and reception system provides a segmented broadcast signal for providing regional traffic information and a receiver adapted to receive selected segments of that broadcast. The segmented broadcast signal includes a number of segments which each include a tone sequence, a digital regional code, a digital duration code, and an audio segment. The receiver monitors selected regional traffic segments and converts the selected audio segment to a form compatible with a standard automotive radio. Thus, a user can selectively monitor regional traffic information without having to listen to reports from regions of no interest to him. Alternatively, the selected traffic information can automatically override normal radio listening.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of transmitting a segmented broadcast on a carrier, the segmented broadcast including a plurality of broadcast audio segments, the method including the steps of:
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inserting a fixed tone sequence into the segmented broadcast prior to each broadcast audio segment, each fixed tone sequence including multiple tones, each tone broadcast for a fixed duration, with fixed durations between the tones; inserting an identification code into the segmented broadcast after the fixed tone sequence and prior to each broadcast audio segment, the identification code identifying the following broadcast audio segment, each identification code comprising a multiple tone frequency shift keying digital code; and broadcasting each segmented broadcast on the carrier. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. Apparatus for transmitting a segmented broadcast on a carrier, the segmented broadcast including a plurality of broadcast audio segments, the apparatus comprising:
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means for inserting a fixed tone sequence into the segmented broadcast prior to each broadcast audio segment, each fixed tone sequence including multiple tones, each tone broadcast for a fixed duration, with fixed durations between the tones; means for inserting an identification code into the segmented broadcast after the fixed tone sequence and prior to each broadcast audio segment, the identification code identifying the following broadcast audio segment, each identification code comprising a multiple tone frequency shift keying digital code; and means for broadcasting each segmented broadcast on the carrier. - View Dependent Claims (4)
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5. A method for selectively monitoring a segmented broadcast on a carrier, the segmented broadcast including a plurality of broadcast audio segments, the method comprising the steps of:
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selecting a desired identification code in response to user input, the identification code identifying a particular broadcast audio segment, each identification code comprising a multiple tone frequency shift keying digital code; monitoring the segmented broadcast for a fixed tone sequence, each fixed tone sequence including multiple tones, each tone broadcast for a fixed duration, with fixed durations between the tones; monitoring the segmented broadcast on the carrier for the selected identification code subsequent to the detection of the fixed tone sequence; and rendering a broadcast audio segment audible after the detection of the selected identification code. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. A method for selectively monitoring a segmented broadcast on a carrier, the segmented broadcast including a plurality of broadcast audio segments, the method comprising the steps of:
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selecting a desired identification code in response to user input, the identification code identifying a particular broadcast audio segment; monitoring the segmented broadcast on the carrier for a fixed tone sequence; monitoring the segmented broadcast on the carrier for the selected identification code subsequent to the detection of the fixed tone sequence; and rendering a broadcast audio segment audible after the detection of the selected identification code; wherein the step of monitoring the segmented broadcast on the carrier for a fixed tone sequence comprises monitoring the segmented broadcast on the carrier for a five tone sequence wherein each tone is characterized by a musical note commonly associated the each tone, a frequency, a duration, and a time from the start of the tone to the start of the next tone as follows;
space="preserve" listing-type="tabular">______________________________________ Time from start of tone to Tone Frequency Duration start of next tone ______________________________________ 1. E3 329 hz 76 ms 120 ms 2. B4 493 hz 73 ms 104 ms 3. E4 658 hz 108 ms 200 ms 4. G#3 415 hz 74 ms 105 ms 5. C#4 550 hz 135 ms ______________________________________
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9. A method for selectively monitoring a segmented broadcast on a carrier, the segmented broadcast including a plurality of broadcast audio segments, the method comprising the steps of:
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selecting a desired identification code in response to user input, the identification code identifying a particular broadcast audio segment; monitoring the segmented broadcast on the carrier for a fixed tone sequence; monitoring the segmented broadcast on the carrier for the selected identification code subsequent to the detection of the fixed tone sequence; detecting a duration code subsequent to the detection of the fixed tone sequence; and rendering the subsequent broadcast audio segment audible for a period of time responsive to the duration code.
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10. A method for selectively monitoring a segmented broadcast on a carrier, the segmented broadcast including a plurality of broadcast audio segments, the method comprising the steps of;
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selecting a desired identification code in response to user input, the identification code identifying a particular broadcast audio segment; monitoring the segmented broadcast on the carrier for a fixed tone sequence; monitoring the segmented broadcast on the carrier for the selected identification code subsequent to the detection of the fixed tone sequence; rendering a broadcast audio segment audible after the detection of the selected identification code; detecting a duration code subsequent to the detection of the fixed tone sequence; and muting the audio broadcast after a period of time responsive to the duration code.
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11. Apparatus comprising:
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connector means for coupling to the antenna of an automobile; a tuner coupled to the connector means for tuning and demodulating broadcast audio signals received by said connector means; a modulator coupled to receive the demodulated broadcast audio signals for modulating a radio signal with the demodulated signal; means for combining the modulated radio signal with signals received by the connector means; and means for coupling the combined signals to the antenna input of a radio. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. Apparatus comprising:
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connector means for coupling to the antenna of an automobile; a tuner coupled to the connector means for tuning and demodulating broadcast audio signals received by said connector means; a modulator coupled to receive the demodulated broadcast audio signals for modulating a radio signal with the demodulated signal; means for combining the modulated radio signal with signals received by the connector means; and means for coupling the combined signals to the antenna input of a radio; wherein the tuner provides audio from both a decoded SAP carrier and from a TV audio signal and further comprising an audio multiplexer for selecting between TV audio and SAP audio and for further providing a beep signal, the audio multiplexer including a first input, a second input, an output, a first resistor having a first and a second terminal, a second resistor having a first and a second terminal, a third resistor having a first and a second terminal, and a fourth resistor having a first and a second terminal; the first terminal of the first resistor coupled to the first input, the second terminal of the first resistor coupled to the first terminal of the second resistor;
the first terminal of the third resistor coupled to the second input, the second terminal of the third resistor coupled to the first terminal of the fourth resistor, and the second terminal of the second resistor coupled to the second terminal of the fourth resistor and to the output; andcontrol means coupled to the second terminals of the first and third resistors for selectively grounding those terminals, floating those terminals, or for toggling those terminals from a digital high to a ground at an audio frequency.
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14. Apparatus for selectively monitoring a broadcast signal in response to the decoding of a five tone sequence, the apparatus including a decoder for monitoring the broadcast signal for the five tone sequence, wherein each tone is characterized by a musical note commonly associated with the tone, a frequency, a duration, and a time from the start of the tone to the start of the next tone as follows:
space="preserve" listing-type="tabular">______________________________________ Time from start of tone to Tone Frequency Duration start of next tone ______________________________________ 1. E3 329 hz 76 ms 120 ms 2. B4 493 hz 73 ms 104 ms 3. E4 658 hz 108 ms 200 ms 4. G#3 415 hz 74 ms 105 ms 5. C#4 550 hz 135 ms ______________________________________
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15. An integrated tuner comprising:
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connector means for coupling to the antenna of an automobile; a first tuner coupled to the connector means for tuning and demodulating broadcast audio signals received by said connector means; a second tuner coupled to the connector means for tuning and demodulating broadcast audio signals received by said connector means; means for selecting an identification code in response to user inputs; detector means coupled to the first tuner for monitoring the broadcast tuned by the first tuner and for detecting a fixed tone sequence followed by the selected identification code; output means for providing an output audio signal; a multiplexer coupled to receive the demodulated signals from the first and second tuners, said multiplexer coupling the signal from the second tuner to the output means until detection of the fixed tone sequence followed by the selected identification code, coupling the output from the first tuner to the output means in response to the detection, and subsequently recoupling the output of the second tuner to the output means without further input from the user. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. An integrated tuner comprising:
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connector means for coupling to the antenna of an automobile; a first tuner coupled to the connector means for tuning and demodulating broadcast audio signals received by said connector means; a second tuner coupled to the connector means for tuning and demodulating broadcast audio signals received by said connector means; means for selecting an identification code in response to user inputs; detector means coupled to the first tuner for monitoring the broadcast tuned by the first tuner and for detecting a fixed tone sequence followed by the selected identification code; output means for providing an output audio signal; a multiplexer coupled to receive the demodulated signals from the first and second tuners, said multiplexer coupling the signal from the second tuner to the output means until detection of the fixed tone sequence followed by the selected identification code, coupling the output from the first tuner to the output means in response to the detection, and subsequently recoupling the output of the second tuner to the output means without further input from the user; wherein the fixed tone sequence is a five tone sequence, wherein each tone is characterized by a musical note commonly associated with the tone, a frequency, a duration, and a time from the start of the tone to the start of the next tone as follows;
space="preserve" listing-type="tabular">______________________________________ Time from start of tone to Tone Frequency Duration start of next tone ______________________________________ 1. E3 329 hz 76 ms 120 ms 2. B4 493 hz 73 ms 104 ms 3. E4 658 hz 108 ms 200 ms 4. G#3 415 hz 74 ms 105 ms 5. C#4 550 hz 135 ms ______________________________________
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18. An integrated tuner comprising:
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connector means for coupling to the antenna of an automobile; a first tuner coupled to the connector means for tuning and demodulating broadcast audio signals received by said connector means; a second tuner coupled to the connector means for tuning and demodulating broadcast audio signals received by said connector means; means for selecting an identification code in response to user inputs; detector means coupled to the first tuner for monitoring the broadcast tuned by the first tuner and for detecting a fixed tone sequence followed by the selected identification code; output means for providing an output audio signal; a multiplexer coupled to receive the demodulated signals from the first and second tuners, said multiplexer coupling the signal from the second tuner to the output means until detection of the fixed tone sequence followed by the selected identification code, coupling the output from the first tuner to the output means in response to the detection, and subsequently recoupling the output of the second tuner to the output means without further input from the user; further comprising means for detecting a duration code subsequent to the detection of the fixed tone sequence wherein the multiplexor recouples the output from the second tuner to the output means after a period of time determined in response to the duration code.
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Specification