Radio monitoring apparatus and procedures

• US 6,055,419 A
• Filed: 01/22/1998
• Issued: 04/25/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Driver's Radio Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Driver's Radio Incorporated
• Inventors: Beard, Joseph K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Lee
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jama, Isaak R.
• Application Number:
  US09/010,769
• Time in Patent Office: 824 Days
• Field of Search: 455/142, 455/150.1, 455/38.2, 455/77, 455/575, 455/79, 455/188.1, 455/188.2, 455/191.1, 455/161.1, 455/161.2, 455/161.3, 455/180.2, 455/132, 455/134 , 455/133, 455/527, 340/825.5, 340/825.71, 340/825.73, 340/825.44
• US Class Current: 455/142
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/16 Circuits

Abstract

A dual-band radio monitoring apparatus which provides the reception of transmissions on commercial AM/FM frequency band(s) to be monitored and interrupted by transmission(s) on a controlling VHF/UHF frequency band(s), especially for use by motor vehicle racing fans so that they may have a continual AM/FM reception which is muted for reception of the controlling VHF/UHF transmission of conversation between the race car driver and his pit crew.

Claims

1. A multi-band monitoring function receiver, comprising, in combination:

(a) an AM/FM receiver for the AM/FM frequency band(s),

(b) a scanning receiver for one or more frequencies in the VHF and/or UHF frequency band(s), and

(c) means providing switching such that the reception of transmission(s) by the VHF/UHF scanning receiver is operative to mute and over-ride the reception of transmission(s) by the AM/FM receiver.

2. The multi-band receiver set forth in claim 1, which includes a mounting means, and wherein the switching of the received frequency or frequencies for the VHF/UHF scanning receiver is accomplished by means of a card which

(a) carries a non-volatile-memory integrated circuit which stores the programming data for the reception of specific VHF/UHF frequencies,

(b) the card being releasably carried by the mounting means.

3. The multi-band receiver set forth in claim 1, wherein the operation of the switching function is provided for selective reception allowance operativity which

(a) allows AM/FM reception alone,

(b) allows VHF/UHF reception along, or

(c) allows AM/FM reception monitored by VHF/UHF reception.

4. A multi-band receiver as set forth in claim 1, which is provided as a belt-mounted unit allowing hands-free operation.

5. A multi-band receiver as set forth in claim 1, which is provided as a headphone unit allowing hands free operation.