Automatic frequency search and storage method

• US 5,483,684 A
• Filed: 03/03/1994
• Issued: 01/09/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Uniden America Corporation (Cornwall Capital Management LP), Uniden Corporation (Cornwall Capital Management LP)
• Original Assignee: Uniden America Corporation (Cornwall Capital Management LP), Uniden Corporation (Cornwall Capital Management LP)
• Inventors: Ono, Akira, Masaki, Tateo
• Primary Examiner(s): Faile, Andrew I.
• Application Number:
  US08/206,058
• Time in Patent Office: 677 Days
• Field of Search: 455/186.1, 455/186.2, 455/185.1, 455/154.1, 455/158.4, 455/160.1, 455/161.1, 455/161.2, 455/161.3, 455/166.1, 455/168.1, 455/176.1 , 455/179.1, 455/180.1
• US Class Current: 455/161.2
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 1/005 in a loop
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 1/0091 provided with means for scanning over a band of frequencies H03J1/0058 takes precedence

Abstract

A method of searching a specified band of frequencies for a plurality of active signal frequency in a scanning receiver is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, a range of channel memory storage locations are specified and a controller in the scanning receiver repetitively scans the range of frequencies for active signal frequencies and stores a number corresponding to each active signal frequency in one of the storage locations. Upon filling all of the specified storage locations, the search and store operation is terminated.

Claims

1. A method of searching for active signals which are intermittently transmitted and storing corresponding frequency numbers in storage locations in a memory in a scanning receiver, comprising the steps of:

specifying a first limit frequency;

specifying a second limit frequency;

specifying a plurality of channel memory storage locations;

sequentially reading each one of said plurality of channel memory storage locations and testing for an unused storage location, and, upon finding said unused storage location, setting a memory pointer thereto, and alternatively, upon not finding said unused storage location, terminating the searching and storing method;

enabling a frequency scan wherein each of a plurality of frequencies between said first limit frequency and said second limit frequency are sequentially received as a presently received frequency;

testing said presently received frequency for the presence of a signal;

upon detecting said signal on said presently received frequency, searching said plurality of channels memory storage locations for a number corresponding to said presently received frequency, and upon finding said number corresponding to said presently received frequency, continuing said frequency scan, and alternatively;

upon not finding said number corresponding to the presently received frequency, storing a number corresponding to said presently received frequency in said storage location pointed to by said memory pointer, and

repeating said sequentially reading step wherein said plurality of memory storage locations are tested for said unused storage location.

2. A method of automatically searching for active signals and storing corresponding frequency numbers in storage locations in a memory in a scanning receiver, the scanning receiver having a controller, comprising the steps of:

specifying a plurality of frequencies;

testing the memory, by the controller, by searching a plurality of storage locations to find an unused storage location;

upon not finding an unused storage location, terminating the searching and storing method;

automatically searching, by the controller, for an active signal by scanning said plurality of frequencies to sequentially identify a presently received frequency and testing said presently received frequency for a signal, and

upon finding said signal on said presently received frequency, storing a frequency number corresponding to said presently received frequency in said unused storage location, by the controller.

3. A method of automatically searching for active signals which are intermittently transmitted and storing corresponding frequency numbers in storage locations in a memory in a scanning receiver, comprising the steps of:

specifying a plurality of frequencies;

searching for an active signal by scanning said plurality of frequencies to sequentially identify a presently received frequency and testing said presently received frequency for a signal;

upon finding said signal on said presently received frequency, automatically searching a plurality of storage locations, by a controller, for an existing frequency number that corresponds to said presently received frequency, and

upon not finding said existing frequency number that corresponds with said presently received frequency, storing a frequency number corresponding to said presently received frequency in a storage location.

4. A method of automatically searching for active signals which are intermittently transmitted and storing corresponding frequency numbers in storage locations in a memory in a scanning receiver, comprising the steps of:

specifying a plurality of frequencies;

specifying a plurality of storage locations;

automatically testing the memory, by a controller, by searching said plurality of storage locations to find an unused storage location;

upon not finding said unused storage location, terminating the searching and storing method;

alternatively, upon finding said unused storage location, searching for an active signal by scanning said plurality of frequencies to sequentially identify a presently received frequency and testing said presently received frequency for a signal;

upon finding said signal on said presently received frequency, automatically searching said plurality of storage locations, by the controller, for an existing frequency number that corresponds to said presently received frequency;

upon not finding said existing frequency number that corresponds with said presently received frequency, storing a frequency number corresponding to said presently received frequency in said unused storage location, and

repeating said testing the memory step.

5. A method of automatically searching for active signals which are intermittently transmitted and storing corresponding frequency numbers in storage locations in a memory in a scanning receiver, the scanning receiver having a controller, comprising the steps of:

specifying an upper and lower limit frequency thereby defining a plurality of frequencies;

automatically testing the memory, by the controller, by sequentially reading each one of a plurality of storage locations and testing for an unused storage location;

upon not finding said unused storage location, terminating the searching and storing method;

alternatively, upon finding said unused storage location, automatically searching, by the controller, for an active signal by enabling a frequency scan wherein each of said plurality of frequencies is sequentially received as a presently received frequency and testing said presently received frequency for a signal;

upon finding said signal on said presently received frequency, storing a frequency number corresponding to said presently received frequency in said unused storage location, and

repeating said testing the memory step.

6. A method of automatically searching for active signals which are intermittently transmitted and storing corresponding frequency numbers in storage locations in a memory in a scanning receiver, comprising the steps of:

specifying an upper and lower limit frequency thereby defining a plurality of frequencies;

specifying a plurality of storage locations;

automatically testing the memory, by a controller, by sequentially reading each one of said plurality of storage locations and testing for an unused storage location;

upon not finding said unused storage location, terminating the searching and storing method;

searching for an active signal by enabling a frequency scan wherein each of said plurality of frequencies is sequentially received as a presently received frequency and testing said presently received frequency for a signal;

upon finding said signal on said presently received frequency, automatically searching the memory, by the controller, for a storage location having an existing frequency number that corresponds to said presently received frequency;

upon not finding said existing frequency that corresponds with said presently received frequency storing a frequency number corresponding to said presently received frequency in said unused storage location, and

repeating said testing the memory step.

7. A scanning receiver which receives intermittently transmitted signals comprising:

a memory having a plurality of storage locations for storing frequencies numbers which correspond to frequencies;

a receiver operable to receive signals on frequencies in accordance with frequency numbers and said receiver having an output operable to indicate the presence of active signals;

a controller coupled to said memory and operable to store frequency numbers therein, said controller operably coupled to said receiver for controlling the frequency of operation thereof in accordance with frequency numbers, said controller operable to cause said receiver to sequentially scan a plurality of frequencies, and said controller further coupled to said output of said receiver for detecting the presence of an active signal on a presently received frequency;

a first actuator coupled to said controller and operable to select said plurality of frequencies;

a second actuator coupled to said controller and operable to select a portion of said plurality of storage locations, and wherein

actuation of said first and second actuators causes said controller to initiate a repetitive scan of said plurality of frequencies, each of said plurality of frequencies being sequentially received as said presently received frequency, and, wherein detection of each presently received frequency having said active signal thereon causes said controller to search said plurality of storage locations for an unused storage location and store a frequency number corresponding to said presently received frequency and if said unused storage location is not found, said controller terminates said repetitive scan.

8. The scanning receiver of claim 7, and wherein:

upon detection of said active signal on said presently received frequency, said controller searches said plurality of storage locations for an existing frequency number equal to a frequency number corresponding to said presently received frequency and if said existing frequency number is found, said frequency number corresponding to said presently received frequency in not stored in said memory.