Multi-state watermark detector

A radio receiver comprising:

• a tuner configured to receive a media broadcast including media items, an attention marker associated with watermark detection, and embedded watermarks;
• playout circuitry coupled to the tuner, wherein the playout circuitry is configured to play out at least some of the media items included in the media broadcast;
• a marker detection module configured to receive, from a source outside the radio receiver, an external signal including an attention marker associated with watermark detection, and is further configured to transmit a marker detected signal to a watermark detector in response to receiving the attention marker;
• and
• the watermark detector coupled to the tuner and the marker detection module, the watermark detector including a processor and associated memory, wherein the watermark detector is configured to:
• operate in a low-power state, wherein during the low-power state the watermark detector does not attempt to detect the embedded watermarks;
• transition from the low-power state to an active state in response to receiving the marker detected signal from the marker detection module, wherein during the active state the watermark detector attempts to detect the embedded watermarks;
• continue to attempt detection of the embedded watermarks in the media broadcast until receiving an indication that watermark detection is to be discontinued;
• and
• transition back to the low-power state in response to receiving the indication that the watermark detection is to be discontinued.

A radio receiver comprising:

• a tuner configured to receive an over-the-air media broadcast including media items and embedded watermarks;
• a packet-switched network interface configured to receive replacement media items and an out-of-band attention marker associated with watermark detection;
• playout circuitry coupled to the tuner, wherein the playout circuitry is configured to play out at least some of the media items included in the over-the-air media broadcast;
• a marker detection module configured to receive, via the packet switched network interface, an external signal including an attention marker associated with watermark detection and transmit a marker detected signal to a watermark detector in response to receiving the attention marker;
• and
• the watermark detector coupled to the tuner and the marker detection module, the watermark detector including a processor and associated memory, wherein the watermark detector is configured to:
• operate in a low-power state, wherein during the low-power state the watermark detector does not attempt to detect the embedded watermarks;
• transition from the low-power state to an active state in response to receiving the marker detected signal from the marker detection module, wherein during the active state the watermark detector attempts to detect the embedded watermarks;
• continue to attempt detection of the embedded watermarks in the over-the-air media broadcast until receiving an indication that watermark detection is to be discontinued;
• and
• transition back to the low-power state in response to receiving the indication that the watermark detection is to be discontinued.