Abstract:
The quantity of unused channels in a cellular wireless communications system is identified. From program content that is stored in a database, an amount of program content is accessed based on the identified quantity of unused channels. The accessed program content is formatted for broadcast on at least a portion of the unused channels, and the formatted content is then transferred to the cellular wireless communications system for broadcast to mobile receivers. In some embodiments a content transmission schedule is broadcast on one of the unused channels.
Abstract:
A radio receiver receives FM subcarrier transmissions, and stores the transmitted textual information in a random access memory. The information is typically news, weather, sports, entertainment or other information of interest. A user interface allows selection from the memory of the stored information via a set of menus controlling a hierarchical database, so as to access particular items of information. A speech synthesizer accepts the accessed textual information items and transforms them into spoken speech. The user interface is either by voice or a single or multi-position switch allowing scanning through and selection from the menu items.
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:
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:
The quantity of unused channels in a cellular wireless communications system is identified. From program content that is stored in a database, an amount of program content is accessed based on the identified quantity of unused channels. The accessed program content is formatted for broadcast on at least a portion of the unused channels, and the formatted content is then transferred to the cellular wireless communications system for broadcast to mobile receivers. In some embodiments a content transmission schedule is broadcast on one of the unused channels.
Abstract:
In a local storage and playback broadcast system, multiple copies of one or more processing parameters used in individual receivers for the local storage and playback are broadcast. In some embodiments each processing parameter is associated with each packet in the program so that a copy of each parameter is broadcast with each packet. In some embodiments the program is divided into segments, each segment having a header, and a copy of the parameter is broadcast in each segment header.
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.