MULTIPLE RADIO SIGNAL PROCESSING AND STORING METHOD AND APPARATUS
First Claim
1. An enhanced radio receiving system comprising:
- (a) means for simultaneously receiving simultaneous unrelated radio inputs from a plurality of radio stations;
(b) means for storing in a buffer a portion of all digital radio data received by the radio receivers for later output by selection of a user;
(c) means for converting the stored digital radio data to an analog audio signal;
(d) means for outputting the analog audio signal;
(e) means for controlling the storing of the digital radio data and the converting of the digital radio data to the analog audio signal; and
(f) means for allowing a user to control the controller, in which the system is additionally configured to allow the received radio input to be stored at the same time as previously stored digital radio data is converted to an analog audio signal and output.
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Accused Products
Abstract
We have disclosed an enhanced radio system that provides for the capture and playback of one or more radio stations. The user may tune to a station, or scan through stations, rewind to hear what was missed, and fast-forward through undesired content. The system allows a user to rate content, and to be notified when that content is being played on any station. The system may make radio station recommendations. The system allows the user to respond easily to radio content, download audio content, and send radio content to another user. The system may provide other radio related and radio content related information. The system may provide a karaoke mode. The system may also allow the user to integrate a telephone with the radio. The system may report usage information to a collection facility.
89 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An enhanced radio receiving system comprising:
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(a) means for simultaneously receiving simultaneous unrelated radio inputs from a plurality of radio stations;
(b) means for storing in a buffer a portion of all digital radio data received by the radio receivers for later output by selection of a user;
(c) means for converting the stored digital radio data to an analog audio signal;
(d) means for outputting the analog audio signal;
(e) means for controlling the storing of the digital radio data and the converting of the digital radio data to the analog audio signal; and
(f) means for allowing a user to control the controller, in which the system is additionally configured to allow the received radio input to be stored at the same time as previously stored digital radio data is converted to an analog audio signal and output.
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2. An enhanced radio receiving system comprising:
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(a) a plurality of radio receivers capable of simultaneously receiving simultaneous unrelated radio inputs from a plurality of radio stations;
(b) a memory device for storing in a buffer a portion of all digital radio data received by the radio receivers for later output by selection of a user;
(c) a digital-to-analog converter for converting the stored digital radio data to an analog audio signal;
(d) an audio output device for outputting the analog audio signal;
(e) a controller for controlling the storing of the digital radio data and the converting of the digital radio data to the analog audio signal; and
(f) a user input device for allowing a user to control the controller, in which the system is additionally configured to allow the radio input received by the plurality of radio receivers to be stored into the memory device at the same time as previously stored digital radio data is converted to an analog audio signal and output by the audio output device. - View Dependent Claims (3)
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4. A method of providing previously recorded radio output while simultaneously recording new radio content comprising:
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(a) receiving simultaneous radio input data from a plurality of unrelated radio stations from at least one radio source;
(b) storing a portion of all of the received radio data in a digital format into a buffer in a memory device for later output by selection of a user;
(c) converting the stored digital radio data to an analog audio signal;
(d) outputting the analog audio signal in an audio format;
(e) allowing a user to control the storing and the converting; and
(f) allowing the radio input to be stored in the buffer at the same time as previously stored digital radio data in the buffer is converted to an analog audio signal and output in the audio format. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23)
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21. The method of 20 further comprising performing a function selected from the group consisting of downloading information about an item of audio content, downloading an identifier for an item of audio content, downloading an audio signature for an item of audio content, downloading information about radio stations, downloading a user'"'"'s preference profile, synchronizing the user'"'"'s data between the enhanced radio system and a different enhanced radio system, allowing the user to respond to an item of radio content, allowing the user to send a message to a user of another enhanced radio system, receiving a message from a user of another enhanced radio system, downloading a software update into the memory, downloading an audio clip into the memory, and reporting usage data.
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24. A combined radio reception and voice communication system comprising:
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(a) a radio receiver capable of receiving a radio input from a radio station;
(b) a memory device capable of storing a portion of all digital radio data received by the radio receiver;
(c) a digital-to-analog converter for converting the stored digital radio data to an analog audio signal;
(d) a communication device for receiving audio communications; and
(e) an audio output device for outputting the analog audio signal from the digital-to-analog converter and the received audio communications;
in which the memory device is additionally configured to store the received radio input at the same time the audio output device is outputting the received audio communications, and in which the digital-to-analog converter is additionally configured to convert previously stored digital radio data upon completion of the audio communications.
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Specification