US6804510B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Selection of alternate sources for audio broadcast signals responsive to embedded source identification information
Assignee: Wistron Corp
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Filing: 2000-05-24
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Granted: 2004-10-12
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Expires: 2020-05-24
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus, program product, and method utilize embedded source identity information within an audio broadcast signal to facilitate the reception of the audio broadcast signal from an alternate source. Such embedded information may be used, for example, to facilitate the automated selection of an alternate source of an audio broadcast signal, e.g., in response to poor reception of the primary source of the audio broadcast signal, so that a listener is less likely to miss any portion of an audio broadcast. In one particular implementation, an audio broadcast signal is a radio signal broadcast by a radio station, whereby suitable alternate sources might include another radio station that broadcasts the audio broadcast signal over a different frequency, a transmission device accessible over a telephone network, or a transmission device accessible over a computer network such as the Internet.
Inventors
- 👤 Cary Lee Bates
- 👤 John Matthew Santosuosso
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:05
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04H; H04H20/00; H04H20/26; H04H20/20; H04H20/24; H04H20/86; H04H20/93; H04H60/00; H04H60/76; H04H60/81; H04H60/82; H04H60/90; H04H60/91; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/60; H04M1/6033; H04M1/6041
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A method of receiving an audio broadcast, the method comprising: receiving an audio broadcast signal from a first source, wherein the audio broadcast signal comprises a radio broadcast signal from a radio station; detecting a source identifier in the audio broadcast signal that identifies an alternate source for the audio broadcast signal, wherein the alternate source transmits the audio broadcast signal via a medium other than a radio broadcast signal; receiving the audio broadcast signal from the alternate source identified by the source identifier; detecting weak reception of the audio broadcast signal from the first source, wherein receiving the audio broadcast signal from the alternate source is performed responsive to detecting the weak reception; detecting strong reception of the audio broadcast signal from the first source during reception of the audio broadcast signal from the alternate source; and discontinuing reception of the audio broadcast signal from the alternate source responsive to detecting the strong reception.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
155 words
A method of receiving an audio broadcast, the method comprising: receiving an audio broadcast signal from a first source, wherein the audio broadcast signal comprises a radio broadcast signal from a radio station; detecting a source identifier in the audio broadcast signal that identifies an alternate source for the audio broadcast signal, wherein the alternate source transmits the audio broadcast signal via a medium other than a radio broadcast signal; receiving the audio broadcast signal from the alternate source identified by the source identifier; detecting weak reception of the audio broadcast signal from the first source, wherein receiving the audio broadcast signal from the alternate source is performed responsive to detecting the weak reception; detecting strong reception of the audio broadcast signal from the first source during reception of the audio broadcast signal from the alternate source; and discontinuing reception of the audio broadcast signal from the alternate source responsive to detecting the strong reception.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the audio broadcast signal from the first source comprises a digital radio data stream.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the source identifier comprises a telephone number, and wherein receiving the audio broadcast signal from the alternate source comprises: dialing the telephone number on a cellular network; and receiving the audio broadcast signal over the cellular network.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the source identifier comprises a network address identifier that identifies a storage location on a computer network that broadcasts the audio broadcast signal, and wherein receiving the audio broadcast signal from the alternate source comprises connecting to the storage location on the computer network to receive the audio broadcast signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the network address identifier comprises a Uniform Resource Locator (URL), and wherein receiving the audio broadcast signal from the alternate source further comprises: dialing a telephone number of an Internet Service Provider (ISP) on a cellular network; and sending the URL to the ISP over the cellular network.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the audio broadcast signal from the first source and receiving the audio broadcast signal from the alternate source each include receiving the audio broadcast signal over a wireless medium.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
171 words
A method of receiving an audio broadcast, the method comprising: receiving an audio broadcast signal from a first source, wherein the audio broadcast signal comprises a radio broadcast signal from a radio station; detecting a source identifier in the audio broadcast signal that identifies an alternate source for the audio broadcast signal, wherein the alternate source transmits the audio broadcast signal via a medium other than a radio broadcast signal; and receiving the audio broadcast signal from the alternate source identified by the source identifier; wherein the audio broadcast signal from the first source comprises a digital radio data stream, wherein the digital radio data stream from the first source is transmitted over a first carrier frequency, wherein the audio broadcast signal from the first source includes a second source identifier, wherein the second source identifier comprises a frequency identifier that identifies a second carrier frequency associated with a second alternate source, the method further comprising retuning a digital radio receiver from the first carrier frequency to the second carrier frequency.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
171 words
A method of receiving an audio broadcast, the method comprising: receiving an audio broadcast signal from a first source, wherein the audio broadcast signal comprises a radio broadcast signal from a radio station; detecting a source identifier in the audio broadcast signal that identifies an alternate source for the audio broadcast signal, wherein the alternate source transmits the audio broadcast signal via a medium other than a radio broadcast signal; and receiving the audio broadcast signal from the alternate source identified by the source identifier; wherein the audio broadcast signal from the first source comprises a digital radio data stream, wherein the digital radio data stream from the first source is transmitted over a first carrier frequency, wherein the audio broadcast signal from the first source includes a second source identifier, wherein the second source identifier comprises a frequency identifier that identifies a second carrier frequency associated with a second alternate source, the method further comprising retuning a digital radio receiver from the first carrier frequency to the second carrier frequency.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 7 , further comprising detecting weak reception of the audio broadcast signal from the first source, wherein receiving the audio broadcast signal from the alternate source is performed responsive to detecting the weak reception.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
176 words
A method of receiving an audio broadcast, the method comprising: receiving an audio broadcast signal from a first source, wherein the audio broadcast signal comprises a radio broadcast signal from a radio station; detecting a source identifier in the audio broadcast signal that identifies an alternate source for the audio broadcast signal, wherein the alternate source transmits the audio broadcast signal via a medium other than a radio broadcast signal; receiving the audio broadcast signal from the alternate source identified by the source identifier; detecting weak reception of the audio broadcast signal from the first source, wherein receiving the audio broadcast signal from the alternate source is performed responsive to detecting the weak reception, wherein detecting weak reception further comprises detecting lost reception of the audio broadcast signal from the first source; detecting a second source identifier in the audio broadcast signal that identifies a second alternate source for the audio broadcast signal; and receiving the audio broadcast signal from the second alternate source identified by the second source identifier responsive to detecting the lost reception.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
176 words
A method of receiving an audio broadcast, the method comprising: receiving an audio broadcast signal from a first source, wherein the audio broadcast signal comprises a radio broadcast signal from a radio station; detecting a source identifier in the audio broadcast signal that identifies an alternate source for the audio broadcast signal, wherein the alternate source transmits the audio broadcast signal via a medium other than a radio broadcast signal; receiving the audio broadcast signal from the alternate source identified by the source identifier; detecting weak reception of the audio broadcast signal from the first source, wherein receiving the audio broadcast signal from the alternate source is performed responsive to detecting the weak reception, wherein detecting weak reception further comprises detecting lost reception of the audio broadcast signal from the first source; detecting a second source identifier in the audio broadcast signal that identifies a second alternate source for the audio broadcast signal; and receiving the audio broadcast signal from the second alternate source identified by the second source identifier responsive to detecting the lost reception.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
203 words
An apparatus, comprising: a receiver configured to receive an audio broadcast signal from a first source, wherein the audio broadcast signal comprises a radio broadcast signal from a radio station; and a controller coupled to the receiver and configured to detect a source identifier in the audio broadcast signal that identifies an alternate source for the audio broadcast signal, the controller further configured to initiate reception of the audio broadcast signal from the alternate source identified by the source identifier, wherein the alternate source transmits the audio broadcast signal via a medium other than a radio broadcast signal, wherein the controller is further confirmed to detect weak reception of the audio broadcast signal by the receiver, and to initiate reception of the audio broadcast signal from the alternate source responsive to detecting the weak reception, and wherein the controller is further configured to detect lost reception of the audio broadcast signal from the first source, to detect a second source identifier in the audio broadcast signal that identifies a second alternate source for the audio broadcast signal, and to initiate reception of the audio broadcast signal from the second alternate source identified by the second source identifier responsive to detecting the lost reception.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
203 words
An apparatus, comprising: a receiver configured to receive an audio broadcast signal from a first source, wherein the audio broadcast signal comprises a radio broadcast signal from a radio station; and a controller coupled to the receiver and configured to detect a source identifier in the audio broadcast signal that identifies an alternate source for the audio broadcast signal, the controller further configured to initiate reception of the audio broadcast signal from the alternate source identified by the source identifier, wherein the alternate source transmits the audio broadcast signal via a medium other than a radio broadcast signal, wherein the controller is further confirmed to detect weak reception of the audio broadcast signal by the receiver, and to initiate reception of the audio broadcast signal from the alternate source responsive to detecting the weak reception, and wherein the controller is further configured to detect lost reception of the audio broadcast signal from the first source, to detect a second source identifier in the audio broadcast signal that identifies a second alternate source for the audio broadcast signal, and to initiate reception of the audio broadcast signal from the second alternate source identified by the second source identifier responsive to detecting the lost reception.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the receiver comprises a digital radio receiver configured to receive a digital radio data stream from the first source.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
99 words
The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the digital radio data stream from the first source is transmitted over a first carrier frequency, wherein the digital radio receiver is configured to receive the audio broadcast signal from the first source by tuning to the first carrier frequency, wherein the audio broadcast signal from the first source includes a second source identifier, wherein the second source identifier comprises a frequency identifier that identifies a second carrier frequency associated with a second alternate source, and wherein the controller is configured to tune the digital radio receiver to the second carrier frequency.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising a cellular transceiver coupled to the controller, wherein the source identifier comprises a telephone number, and wherein the controller is configured to initiate reception of the audio broadcast signal from the alternate source by controlling the cellular transceiver to dial the telephone number on a cellular network, and receiving the audio broadcast signal over the cellular network.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the source identifier comprises a network address identifier that identifies a storage location on a computer network that broadcasts the audio broadcast signal, and wherein the controller is configured to initiate reception of the audio broadcast signal from the alternate source by connecting to the storage location on the computer network to receive the audio broadcast signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
70 words
The apparatus of claim 14 , further comprising a cellular transceiver coupled to the controller, wherein the network address identifier comprises a Uniform Resource Locator(URL), and wherein the controller is configured to initiate reception of the audio broadcast signal from the alternate source further by dialing a telephone number of an Internet Service Provider (ISP) on a cellular network, and sending the URL to the ISP over the cellular network.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the controller is further configured to detect strong reception of the audio broadcast signal from the first source during reception of the audio broadcast signal from the alternate source, and to discontinue reception of the audio broadcast signal from the alternate source responsive to detecting the strong reception.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
194 words
A program product, comprising: a program for a controller coupled to a receiver capable of receiving an audio broadcast signal from a first source, wherein the audio broadcast signal comprises a radio broadcast signal from a radio station, the program configured to detect a source identifier in the audio broadcast signal that identifies an alternate source for the audio broadcast signal, and to initiate reception of the audio broadcast signal from the alternate source identified by the source identifier, wherein the alternate source transmits the audio broadcast signal via a medium other than a radio broadcast signal, wherein the program is further configured to detect weak reception of the audio broadcast signal by the receiver, and to initiate reception of the audio broadcast signal from the alternate source responsive to detecting the weak reception, and wherein the program is further configured to detect strong reception of the audio broadcast signal from the first source during reception of the audio broadcast signal from the alternate source, and to discontinue reception of the audio broadcast signal from the alternate source responsive to detecting the strong reception; and a computer readable signal bearing medium bearing the program.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
194 words
A program product, comprising: a program for a controller coupled to a receiver capable of receiving an audio broadcast signal from a first source, wherein the audio broadcast signal comprises a radio broadcast signal from a radio station, the program configured to detect a source identifier in the audio broadcast signal that identifies an alternate source for the audio broadcast signal, and to initiate reception of the audio broadcast signal from the alternate source identified by the source identifier, wherein the alternate source transmits the audio broadcast signal via a medium other than a radio broadcast signal, wherein the program is further configured to detect weak reception of the audio broadcast signal by the receiver, and to initiate reception of the audio broadcast signal from the alternate source responsive to detecting the weak reception, and wherein the program is further configured to detect strong reception of the audio broadcast signal from the first source during reception of the audio broadcast signal from the alternate source, and to discontinue reception of the audio broadcast signal from the alternate source responsive to detecting the strong reception; and a computer readable signal bearing medium bearing the program.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of transmitting an audio signal, the method comprising: embedding a first source identifier within an audio signal, wherein the audio signal comprises a radio broadcast signal the first source identifier identifying an alternate source for the audio signal, wherein the alternate source transmits the audio signal via a medium other than a radio broadcast signal; broadcasting the audio signal with the first source identifier embedded therein, wherein the audio signal comprises a digital radio data stream, and wherein the first source identifier comprises a packet embedded within the digital radio data stream, wherein broadcasting the audio signal comprises broadcasting the audio signal over a first carrier frequency; embedding a second source identifier within the audio signal, wherein the second source identifier comprises a frequency identifier that identifies a second carrier frequency associated with a second alternate source; and broadcasting the audio signal over the second carrier frequency.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of transmitting an audio signal, the method comprising: embedding a first source identifier within an audio signal, wherein the audio signal comprises a radio broadcast signal the first source identifier identifying an alternate source for the audio signal, wherein the alternate source transmits the audio signal via a medium other than a radio broadcast signal; broadcasting the audio signal with the first source identifier embedded therein, wherein the audio signal comprises a digital radio data stream, and wherein the first source identifier comprises a packet embedded within the digital radio data stream, wherein broadcasting the audio signal comprises broadcasting the audio signal over a first carrier frequency; embedding a second source identifier within the audio signal, wherein the second source identifier comprises a frequency identifier that identifies a second carrier frequency associated with a second alternate source; and broadcasting the audio signal over the second carrier frequency.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the first source identifier comprises a telephone number, the method further comprising transmitting the audio signal over a telephone network.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the first source identifier comprises a network address identifier that identifies a storage location on a computer network, the method further comprising transmitting the audio signal over the computer network.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
172 words
An apparatus, comprising: a controller configured to embed a first source identifier within an audio signal, the audio signal comprising a radio broadcast signal, the first source identifier identifying an alternate source for the audio signal, wherein the alternate source transmits the audio signal via a medium other than a radio broadcast signal; a first transmitter configured to broadcast the audio signal with the first source identifier embedded therein, wherein the first transmitter comprises a digital radio transmitter that transmits the audio signal as a digital radio data stream, and wherein the first source identifier comprises a packet embedded within the digital radio data stream, wherein the first transmitter is configured to broadcast the audio signal over a first carrier frequency, wherein the controller is configured to embed a second source identifier within the audio signal, wherein the second source identifier comprises a frequency identifier that identifies a second carrier frequency associated with a second alternate source; and a second transmitter configured to broadcast the audio signal over the second carrier frequency.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
172 words
An apparatus, comprising: a controller configured to embed a first source identifier within an audio signal, the audio signal comprising a radio broadcast signal, the first source identifier identifying an alternate source for the audio signal, wherein the alternate source transmits the audio signal via a medium other than a radio broadcast signal; a first transmitter configured to broadcast the audio signal with the first source identifier embedded therein, wherein the first transmitter comprises a digital radio transmitter that transmits the audio signal as a digital radio data stream, and wherein the first source identifier comprises a packet embedded within the digital radio data stream, wherein the first transmitter is configured to broadcast the audio signal over a first carrier frequency, wherein the controller is configured to embed a second source identifier within the audio signal, wherein the second source identifier comprises a frequency identifier that identifies a second carrier frequency associated with a second alternate source; and a second transmitter configured to broadcast the audio signal over the second carrier frequency.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the first source identifier comprises a telephone number, the apparatus further comprising a modem configured to transmit the audio signal over a telephone network.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the first source identifier comprises a network address identifier that identifies a storage location on a computer network, the apparatus further comprising a server configured to transmit the audio signal over the computer network.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-10-12 | 2008-04-12 | 2008-10-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-10-12 | 2012-04-12 | 2012-10-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-10-12 | 2016-04-12 | 2016-10-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |