US 2002/0160816 A1 · Apparatus and method for receiving television audio signals in a mobile vehicle

Abstract

An apparatus for providing television audio programming that is derived from a broadcast television signal is set forth. The apparatus includes a transceiver that is adapted to selectively receive one of a plurality of broadcast television signals in response to a channel selection signal received at a channel selection input thereof. The transceiver converts the audio signal component of the television signal to a radio signal for reception by a radio receiver. The radio receiver, in turn, converts the radio signal to an audible audio signal corresponding to the television audio programming. The apparatus also includes a control module formed as a unit that is physically distinct from the transceiver. The control module includes a programmable microcontroller, a user interface connected to provide at least channel selection information to the programmable controller, and a display connected for control by the programmable microcontroller to indicate at least channel selection information to a user. The control module also includes a channel selection output connected for control by the programmable microcontroller that provides the channel selection signal to the transceiver.

Claims43

Dependent claims

An apparatus for providing television audio programming to a user, the audio programming being derived from a television signal that includes an audio signal component and a video signal component, the apparatus comprising:

a transceiver adapted to selectively receive one of a plurality of television signals in response to a channel selection signal received at a channel selection input thereof, the transceiver converting the audio signal component of the television signal to a radio signal for reception by a radio receiver that converts the radio signal to an audible audio signal corresponding to the television audio programming;
a control module formed as a unit that is physically distinct from the transceiver, the control module including
a programmable microcontroller;
a user interface connected to provide at least channel selection information to the programmable controller;
a display connected for control by the programmable microcontroller to indicate at least channel selection information to a user;
a channel selection output connected for control by the programmable microcontroller and providing the channel selection signal to the transceiver.

3 more elements

A method for modifying a pre-existing sound system in a mobile vehicle to receive television audio programming, the television audio programming being derived from a television signal that includes an audio signal component and a video signal component, the pre-existing sound system including a radio receiver, the method comprising:

installing a transceiver at a fixed location in the vehicle, the transceiver being adapted to selectively receive one of a plurality of television signal channels in response to a channel selection signal provided to a channel selection input thereof, the transceiver converting the audio signal component of the television signal on the received channel to a radio signal for reception by the radio receiver of the pre-existing sound system;
providing a control module for use at one or more further locations in the vehicle so that the control module is physically accessible to one or more occupants of the vehicle, the control module being formed as a unit that is physically distinct from the transceiver, the control module including a user interface and a signal generator, the signal generator being responsive to user inputs provided at the user interface to thereby generate the channel selection signal for provision to the channel selection input of the transceiver.

a transceiver adapted to selectively receive one of a plurality of television signals in response to a channel selection signal received at a channel selection input thereof, the transceiver converting the audio signal component of the television signal to a radio signal for reception by a radio receiver that converts the radio signal to an audible audio signal corresponding to the television audio programming;
a relative signal strength indicator circuit adapted to generate a signal strength output signal, the signal strength output signal being indicative of the presence of a television signal on a television channel to which the transceiver is tuned.
a control module including a user interface and a signal generator responsive to user inputs provided at the user interface to generate the channel selection signal for provision to the channel selection input of the transceiver, the control module being adapted for activation through the user interface to enter an automatic programming mode in which the control module automatically varies the channel selection signal in a manner that causes the transceiver to scan through a predetermined range of television channels, the control module being responsive to the signal strength output signal as the transceiver scans through the predetermined range of television channels to identify television channels having a television signal transmitted thereon.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus and method for receiving television audio signals in a mobile vehicle

Life of this patent

Apparatus and method for receiving television audio signals in a mobile vehicle

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims43