System and method for selecting a frequency for personal-use FM transmission
First Claim
1. A portable electronic device, comprising:
- a speaker;
a user interface operable to be employed by a user to select internal audio playback or external audio playback;
a radio frequency receiver operable to wirelessly receive traffic information from one or more traffic information broadcasters;
a radio frequency transmitter for transmitting audio information to an external audio system;
a processing system coupled with the speaker, the user interface, the radio frequency receiver, and the radio frequency transmitter, the processing system operable to identify one or more traffic information frequencies used by the one or more traffic information broadcasters; and
a portable handheld housing for housing the speaker, the user interface, the receiver, the transmitter, and the processing system,wherein, if internal audio playback is selected through the user interface, the processing system is operable for providing the audio information to the speaker for playback,wherein, if external audio playback is selected through the user interface, the processing system is operable for;
directing the receiver to scan for available radio channels over which the transmitter can transmit the audio information, andusing the one or more identified traffic information frequencies and the scan for available radio channels to select an available radio channel as the radio channel best suited for use by the radio frequency transmitter to transmit information to the external audio system.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A portable electronic device includes a radio frequency receiver; a radio frequency transmitter; and a processing system coupled with the receiver and transmitter. The processing system directs the receiver to scan a radio frequency spectrum for available radio channels over which the transmitter may transmit. The processing system may further direct the receiver to perform a second scan for radio channels which are actively transmitting information. The processing system then selects an available radio channel as the radio channel best suited for use by the transmitter to transmit information to the external audio system. The processing system may select a transmission frequency which is spectrally distant from the active radio channels and/or may take into account a transmission profile of the transmitter to select a frequency that does not interfere with the reception of incoming radio signals.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A portable electronic device, comprising:
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a speaker; a user interface operable to be employed by a user to select internal audio playback or external audio playback; a radio frequency receiver operable to wirelessly receive traffic information from one or more traffic information broadcasters; a radio frequency transmitter for transmitting audio information to an external audio system; a processing system coupled with the speaker, the user interface, the radio frequency receiver, and the radio frequency transmitter, the processing system operable to identify one or more traffic information frequencies used by the one or more traffic information broadcasters; and a portable handheld housing for housing the speaker, the user interface, the receiver, the transmitter, and the processing system, wherein, if internal audio playback is selected through the user interface, the processing system is operable for providing the audio information to the speaker for playback, wherein, if external audio playback is selected through the user interface, the processing system is operable for; directing the receiver to scan for available radio channels over which the transmitter can transmit the audio information, and using the one or more identified traffic information frequencies and the scan for available radio channels to select an available radio channel as the radio channel best suited for use by the radio frequency transmitter to transmit information to the external audio system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of transmitting information between a portable electronic device and an external audio system, the portable electronic device including an internal speaker, a receiver, and a transmitter, the method comprising:
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wirelessly receiving traffic information from one or more traffic information broadcasters; identifying one or more traffic information frequencies used by the one or more traffic information broadcasters; receiving on the portable electronic device a user selection of internal audio playback or external audio playback; if internal playback is selected, playing the information through the internal speaker; and if external playback is selected— causing the receiver to scan for currently unused radio channels; using the one or more identified traffic information frequencies and the scan for unused radio channels to select a transmission channel ; and causing the transmitter to transmit the information from the portable electronic device to the external audio system using the selected transmission channel. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification