Broadcast receiver capable of autonomous format-scanning, program identification and searching

Abstract

Abstract A broadcasting system capable of automatically or semi-automatically updating its database and using the database to identify received broadcasting stations, and search for stations according to user-chosen attributes and current data. The receiver is capable of receiving current location information within the received data stream, and also of determining the current location of the receiver by using a received station attribute. The receiver is capable of identifying and searching for, any station in any band the receiver is capable of receiving. A broadcasting/receiving system, including a factory or user installed database containing a skeleton of scheduling information, provides a generic format-scanning ability to the user without forcing him or her to subscribe to an updating service, and provides an automatic identification means to that user. Although these two functions can only be rudimentary in their applications if the system is not receiving updating or complementary data, they are nevertheless of great benefit compared to the complete lack of any such services from normal receivers, or to those system which are equipped with detailed schedule data receiving means but which have not actually, for one reason or another, received such data.

Inventors

• 👤 Pierre R. Schwob

Bibliographic Details