Abstract:
Two kinds of audio information are played by a specialized receiver to a user: audio samples that are played automatically, and audio programs that are cached, and played only in response to a predetermined action (e.g. pressing of a button in the receiver) during the playing of a related audio sample. Specifically, the predetermined action selects an audio program for storage in local memory, and the program is made accessible to the user either immediately after the predetermined action, or a short while thereafter. Immediate access is possible if one or more audio programs have been received and stored (in an inaccessible manner) prior to the user's predetermined action. Immediate access is not possible in other situations: for example, for audio programs that relate to live audio samples, such as a traffic report (wherein the related audio program contains additional details about accidents and alternate routes) or financial news (wherein the related audio program contains the most current stock quotes) that are being played to the user while still fresh. Once a user-selected audio program has ken made accessible, the user can perform another predetermined action (e.g. pressing a different button) at any time, in order to retrieve and play the stored audio program from the local memory. Alternatively, the user can transfer the stored audio program to another device (e.g. over a cable, wirelessly, or through a peripheral to a memory card).
Abstract:
In an on-demand radio broadcast system (600) in which the receivers (602) have the capability to store received programs, a communications channel (300) is divided into a plurality of time segments (302). Each time segment (302) is partitioned into a high priority program timeslice (304) and a low priority program timeslice (306). High priority programs (336) are broadcast in each high priority program timeslice (304). The remaining programs are broadcast during a plurality of low priority program timeslices (306). This overcomes a problem of the receivers (602) being out of contact and not having current versions of the high priority programs (336).
Abstract:
Multiple copies of a software or operating parameter change are broadcast using a wireless signal to a mobile electronic device. Broadcasting multiple copies increases the probability that the device will receive the change without error.
Abstract:
Broadcast programs, e.g., for an audio information program, are divided into one or more segments and are broadcast to a receiver in packet format. The receiver captures the transmitted packets and reassembles the segments and the program for storage and subsequent output to the user. Segment quality of service is evaluated prior to output by ensuring that a minimum percent of packets per segment are usable, and by ensuring that no more than a maximum number of consecutive packets in the segment are unusable. Program quality of service is evaluated by ensuring that a minimum percent of segments per program are usable, and by determining if the first and/or last segment is usable. Different quality of service parameters are specified for particular programs. New quality of service parameters for particular programs are transmitted to the receiver.
Abstract:
Multiple copies of a software or operating parameter change are broadcast using a wireless signal to a mobile electronic device. Broadcasting multiple copies increases the probability that the device will receive the change without error.
Abstract:
An audio information device has a memory (16) in which a variety of pre-recorded program material is stored. A linking facility is provided connecting audio data files. The links are context related; whilst the user is listening to a first program, a display (38) is illuminated to indicate to the user that another program is available with related content. The user then presses a key on a keypad (44) to command play of the second, related file. Upon completion of the second file, play of the first file is resumed at the point of interruption. An alert bulletin facility is also provided whereby during listening to a first program, upon receipt in real time of current news such as a traffic report, the current news is played by interrupting the first program. At the conclusion of the bulletin, play of the first program is resumed at its point of interruption.
Abstract:
A network datacast system (200) includes a plurality of transmission facilities (210,212). Each transmission facility (210,212) receives primary programs (206,208) from one or more media studios (202,204). Each transmission facility (210,212) also receives ancillary data programs (226,228) from a network datacast center (220). Each transmission facility (210,212) broadcasts a wireless signal (234,236) that includes a primary channel and at least one ancillary data channel. The transmission facilities (210,212) contemporaneously transmit the ancillary programs (226,228) on the ancillary data channels. A network datacast receiver (250) contemporaneously receives the wireless signals (234,236) and extracts the datacast programs from each datacast signal. The extracted datacast programs are stored in the receiver (250) for subsequent output to the user.
Abstract:
A method and receiver for accessing data carried by a broadcast signal permits the user to listen to specific information when required. A radio or television receiver is arranged to extract audio data from a broadcast signal and to store that extracted audio data as a database in memory. The receiver has a user interface which enables the user to select, by way of a set of menus, particular items of the stored information. Typically, the system includes sufficient storage to store information for about ten hours of audio. The audio data is compressed for transmission and the receiver has decompression circuitry for decompressing the accessed stored data. A speech synthesiser is provided to transform the selected data into speech.
Abstract:
Audio and/or video content is remotely stored. A portion of the remotely stored content is transferred to and stored in a mobile on-demand audio and/or video content output device. In addition, a link is transferred to and stored in the mobile output device. The link is associated with the content portion stored in the output device and points to another portion of the remotely stored content that is related to the content portion locally stored on the mobile device. In response to a user command entered on the mobile device, the related portion of the remotely stored content is accessed using a two-way wireless communications system and is transferred from the database to the mobile device for output.