Cellular subscriber radio service

• US 7,215,949 B2
• Filed: 12/31/2001
• Issued: 05/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: Sauriol, Alex, Sauriol, Nicholas
• Primary Examiner(s): Ferguson, Keith
• Application Number:
  US10/029,857
• Publication Number:
  US 20020090936A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,954 Days
• Field of Search: 455/418, 455/419, 455/420, 455/344, 455/345, 455/414.1, 455/414.3, 455/414.4, 455/412.1, 455/412.2, 455/403, 455/456.1, 455/1, 455/456.3, 455/550.1, 455/3.06, 455/422.1, 455/41.1, 455/41.2, 455/41.3, 455/66.1, 455/88, 455/556.1, 455/557, 455/575.1, 455/575.9, 455/569.1, 455/569.2, 455/90.3, 455/128, 455/347, 455/350, 455/351, 455/500, 455/517, 455/445, 455/3.01, 381/345, 381/302
• US Class Current: 455/418
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/91 Mobile communication networks for accessing the Internet H04H60/85
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A method for retransmitting a received radio programming signal is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: receiving the signal over a cellular transmission network at a first transceiver station configured to output the radio programming signal; and transmitting the signal from the first transceiver station to at least a second transceiver station configured to output the radio programming signal.

Claims

1. A receiver for receiving a radio programming signal broadcast over a cellular transmission network, the receiver comprising:

an input for receiving the radio programming signal;

an audio output for delivering an audible portion of the radio programming signal;

transmission means for transmitting the radio programming signal to a second receiver configured to;

(1) deliver an audible portion of the radio programming signal, and (2) retransmit the radio programming signal; and

processor means for processing the radio programming signal.

2. The receiver of claim 1 wherein the processor means comprises an RF module for processing and re-transmitting the radio broadcast signal.

3. The receiver of claim 1 wherein the processor means comprises a digital decoder module for decoding and processing digital signals embedded in the radio programming signal.

4. The receiver of claim 1 wherein the processor means comprises an audio decoder module for decoding and processing audio signals embedded in the radio programming signal.

5. The receiver of claim 1 further comprising a memory means for storing at least a portion of the radio programming signal.

6. The receiver of claim 5 wherein the memory means comprises Random Access Memory (RAM) for buffering data related to the radio programming signal.

7. The receiver of claim 5 wherein the memory means comprises persistent memory for storing data and voice data related to the radio programming signal.

8. The receiver of claim 1 wherein the processor means further comprises a processor for running software and for voice processing.

9. The receiver of claim 1 further comprising software supporting the playback of audio formats such as MP3 and WAV.

10. The receiver of claim 1 further comprising a video output for delivering a video portion of the radio programming signal.

11. The receiver of claim 1 wherein the input receives the radio programming signal over the cellular transmission network.

12. The receiver of claim 1 wherein the transmission means transmits the radio programming signal wirelessly.

13. A method for retransmitting a received radio programming signal, comprising the steps of:

receiving the signal over a cellular transmission network at a first transceiver station configured to output the radio programming signal; and

transmitting the signal from the first transceiver station to at least a second transceiver station configured to output the radio programming signal.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of processing the signal at the first transceiver station prior to retransmitting.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the second transceiver station comprises a stereo system.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the second transceiver station comprises a car radio.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein the first transceiver station further comprises an infrared link.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein the radio programming signal is transmitted to the cellular transmission network by a radio programming source through a data network or gateway.

19. A system for receiving and transmitting a radio programming signal over a cellular transmission network, comprising:

input means for receiving the radio programming signal;

output means for delivering the radio programming signal;

transmission means for transmitting the radio programming signal to at least one device configured to;

(1) deliver the radio programming signal, and (2) retransmit the radio programming signal; and

processing means for processing the radio programming signal.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the transmission means comprises an RF module.

21. The system of claim 19 wherein the transmission means comprises an infrared link.

22. The system of claim 19 wherein the processor means comprises a processor.

23. The system of claim 19 wherein the processor means further comprises software supporting the playback of audio formats such as MP3 and WAV.

24. The system of claim 19 wherein the input receives the radio programming signal over the cellular transmission network.

25. The system of claim 19 wherein the transmission means transmits the radio programming signal wirelessly.