Location-based transmitter selection and handoff
First Claim
1. A method of switching received broadcasts in a mobile receiver, the method comprising:
- receiving, on a mobile receiver in motion, a first broadcast from a first transmitter, wherein the first broadcast has program content that is processed and provided as an audio output of the mobile radio receiver;
receiving, on the mobile receiver, metadata comprising a plurality of geographical locations and carrier frequencies, wherein each geographical location and carrier frequency is associated with one of a plurality of transmitters;
storing the metadata in a database configured in the mobile receiver;
identifying, based on the metadata stored in the database configured in the mobile receiver, a second broadcast from a second transmitter that is transmitting the program content;
measuring a signal quality of the second transmitter while continuing to process and provide the program content of the first transmitter, wherein the mobile receiver comprises two independent tuners, wherein a first tuner of the two independent tuners receives and processes the program content while a second tuner of the two independent tuners receives and measures the signal quality from the second transmitter;
storing a measurement of the signal quality of the second transmitter in the database;
determining that the signal quality of the second transmitter is better than a signal quality of the first transmitter; and
switching to the second broadcast in order to process and provide the program content from the second transmitter to the mobile radio receiver.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic radio station tuning control system senses when a mobile radio receiver is leaving the coverage area of the transmitter that is transmitting program content, and entering the coverage area of another transmitter that is transmitting the same program content. The program content can be from a radio station, a mobile internet application, or the like. The mobile radio performs re-tuning to the other transmitter in order to continue to receive the program content even though the mobile radio is leaving the coverage area of the first transmitter. The tuning control system can provide uninterrupted coverage to a listener of a radio when the radio receiver is, for example, in a vehicle traversing a mountainous area, or when the radio receiver is moving from one WiFi hot spot to another.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of switching received broadcasts in a mobile receiver, the method comprising:
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receiving, on a mobile receiver in motion, a first broadcast from a first transmitter, wherein the first broadcast has program content that is processed and provided as an audio output of the mobile radio receiver; receiving, on the mobile receiver, metadata comprising a plurality of geographical locations and carrier frequencies, wherein each geographical location and carrier frequency is associated with one of a plurality of transmitters; storing the metadata in a database configured in the mobile receiver; identifying, based on the metadata stored in the database configured in the mobile receiver, a second broadcast from a second transmitter that is transmitting the program content; measuring a signal quality of the second transmitter while continuing to process and provide the program content of the first transmitter, wherein the mobile receiver comprises two independent tuners, wherein a first tuner of the two independent tuners receives and processes the program content while a second tuner of the two independent tuners receives and measures the signal quality from the second transmitter; storing a measurement of the signal quality of the second transmitter in the database; determining that the signal quality of the second transmitter is better than a signal quality of the first transmitter; and switching to the second broadcast in order to process and provide the program content from the second transmitter to the mobile radio receiver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for automatically switching radio receive frequencies on a mobile radio receiver to maintain program content, the system comprising:
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a mobile radio; a database, configured in the mobile radio, of radio transmitter locations, frequencies, and program content associations; a location determination device located proximate to the mobile radio providing location information of the mobile radio; wherein the mobile radio populates the database using received metadata comprising a plurality of geographical locations and carrier frequencies, wherein each geographical location and carrier frequency is associated with one of a plurality of transmitters, wherein the mobile radio searches the database for an alternate radio transmitter location, alternate radio transmitter frequency, and program content compatible with program content associated with a currently selected radio transmitter frequency, wherein the alternate radio transmitter location is within a pre-defined distance from the mobile radio, wherein the mobile radio measures a signal strength at the alternate radio transmitter frequency and switches the currently selected radio frequency to the alternate radio transmitter frequency when the measured signal strength exceeds a threshold, wherein the mobile radio stores a measurement of the signal strength of the alternate radio transmitter frequency in the database, and wherein the mobile radio comprises at least two independent tuners, wherein a first tuner of the at least two independent tuners receives and processes the program content while a second tuner of the at least two independent tuners receives and measures a signal strength from the alternate radio transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of switching received broadcasts in a mobile radio receiver, the method comprising:
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receiving, on a mobile receiver in motion, a first broadcast from a first provider, wherein the first broadcast comprises program content; receiving, on the mobile receiver, metadata comprising a plurality of geographical locations and carrier frequencies, wherein each geographical location and carrier frequency is associated with one of a plurality of providers; storing the metadata in a database configured in the mobile receiver; identifying, based on the metadata stored in the database configured in the mobile receiver, a second broadcast from a second provider that is providing the program content; measuring a quality of the second broadcast while continuing to process and provide the program content of the first broadcast; storing a measurement of the quality of the second broadcast in the database; comparing the quality of the second broadcast with a quality of the first broadcast; if a result of comparing is indicative of the second quality being better than the first quality, switching to the second broadcast in order to receive, by the mobile radio receiver, the program content from the second provider, wherein the mobile receiver comprises two independent tuners, wherein a first tuner of the two independent tuners receives and processes the program content while a second tuner of the two independent tuners receives and measures the quality of the second broadcast. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification