Multiple radio signal processing and storing method and apparatus

摘要

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.

主权项

1. An enhanced radio receiving system comprising:
(a) a plurality of radio receives capable of receiving simultaneous unrelated radio inputs from a plurality of radio stations; (b) a memory device for storing a portion of digital radio data received by each of the plurality of the radio receivers in a buffer corresponding to each of the plurality of radio receivers for later output by selection of a user, wherein the portion stored in the corresponding buffer is sufficient to later output a complete content of the digital radio data over a past period during which each of the plurality of the radio receivers received the content and wherein the received and stored content, for at least two radio stations, each comprises a stream of content carrying continuous radio content from each of the radio stations over a period of time including in the radio content multiple radio programs and the corresponding buffer that is implemented locally on a player device for transient use by 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 received radio input received by each of the plurality of radio receivers to be stored into the corresponding buffer at the same time as previously stored digital radio data is converted from the corresponding buffer in which it was stored to an analog audio signal and output, wherein the output is from a station that is not a current user-selected radio station for listening by the user, which further permits the user to rewind to listen to an earlier buffered radio program in the corresponding buffer of the other radio station.