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AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsCraig Fellenstein, Carl Phillip Gusler, Rick Allen Hamilton II, Timothy Moffett Waters
Estimating the term…
A method and system are provided in which broadcast signals are received and converted into data streams for processing. A user is enabled to select preferred broadcast stations for monitoring and signals from the selected stations are converted into digital data streams which are input to first-in first-out (FIFO) memory units to enable a local storage of a segment of predetermined duration of broadcast signals on different FIFO tracks in a user receiving device. The FIFO is dynamically allocated for the selected stations and as each FIFO memory for each selected station becomes full, old information or content is moved out of memory as new information or content is applied to the FIFO. The receiving device includes means for enabling a user to move forward or backward within the stored segment. Partitions or markers are provided to separate broadcast content items, such as sequentially played songs within the stored segment, to enable incremental movement to selected positions within the stored segment. Sections of stored segments which are selected for user processing are copied to separate memory locations for access to avoid interference with the continuing FIFO storage of received broadcast signals.
A method for processing a plurality of input signals, each of said input signals being associated with a designated source, said input signals containing information to enable conversion of said input signals to audio signals for playing on an audio output device, said method comprising:
A storage medium, said storage medium being selectively coupled to processing circuitry, said storage medium containing indicia readable by said processing circuitry for providing program signals for processing a plurality of input signals, each of said input signals being associated with a designated source, said input signals containing information to enable conversion of said input signals to audio signals for playing on an audio output device, said program signals being selectively operable for accomplishing the steps of:
A system for processing a plurality of input signals, each of said input signals being associated with a designated source, said input signals containing information to enable conversion of said input signals to audio signals for playing on an audio output device, said system comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems:…
Broadcast communication
Term end not estimated
Subject matter disclosed and not claimed herein is disclosed and claimed in related co-pending applications, Attorney Dockets AUS920020228US1, and AUS920020229US1, which are assigned to the assignee of the present application.
The present invention relates generally to information processing systems and more particularly to a system and methodology for enabling digital audio signal processing.
In today's rapidly converging environment of communications and computing, manufacturers of devices in each field, i.e. communications equipment and computational devices, are finding immense value in reaching across the boundaries which once separated their respective arts to enhance the native functionality of equipment marketed to each field. Examples are numerous as mobile computing devices, e.g. personal digital assistants, adopt wireless technologies and as communications devices enhance their own functionality through the incorporation of increasingly powerful processors and embedded software.
A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained when the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment is considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a receiving device implemented in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of several of the components of the receiving device;
It is noted that circuits and devices which are shown in block form in the drawings are generally known to those skilled in the art, and are not specified to any greater extent than that considered necessary as illustrated, for the understanding and appreciation of the underlying concepts of the present invention and in order not to obfuscate or distract from the teachings of the present invention.
With reference to FIG. 1, the various methods discussed herein may be implemented within a receiving device 101 which illustrates only one of many possible exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The receiving device 101 is arranged to receive broadcast signals through an antenna 103. A radio receiver 105 receives signals from the antenna 103 and converts those signals into a plurality of digital data streams of information. Received signals may include, for example, amplitude modulated (AM), frequency modulated (FM) and/or citizen's band (CB) signals, inter alia. Analog signals are converted into digital streams through analog-to-digital converters (not shown) within the radio receiver block 105. As hereinafter discussed in greater detail, a digital data stream is generated for each station that has been tuned-in or selected by a user of the receiving device 101. If no stations have been pre-selected by a user, the receiving device 101 provides data streams for each of a predetermined number of the strongest stations received by the receiver 105. In the present example, where no stations have been pre-selected by a user, the radio receiver 105 will digitize and provide data streams for the four strongest stations being received. It is understood that the exact number of default stations may be any number depending upon the application and the number of stations being received in the geographical area. The station digitized data streams are applied to a first-in first-out (FIFO) memory arrangement 106 which is coupled through processing circuitry 107 to an output 109 which may comprise, for example, a speaker system and a visual display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD). It should be noted also that various compression techniques may also be implemented in connection with the circuitry shown. For example, the system may include digital data compression of the audio signals for improved system efficiency.
As shown in FIG. 2, the exemplary receiving device 101 includes, inter alia, a processor 201 which is coupled to a main bus 203. Other components that are connected to the main bus 203 include a FIFO memory 205 and a separate non-volatile (NV) memory 207. Both the FIFO 205 and the NV memory 207 may be comprised of Flash memory components that are capable of storing information and being written-over with new information, and which will not lose memory content in a power-down event. The exemplary receiving device also includes a read-only memory (ROM) device 209, a storage device 211, an input interface 213 a network interface 215, a portable media driver 217, an audio output device 219 and a visual output device 221, all connected to the common bus 203. All of the components shown in FIG. 2 are not necessary in order to practice the present invention and are shown only to illustrate an exemplary embodiment in which the present invention may be implemented. It is noted that the input interface 213 is provided in order to enable a user to input user selections through the use of a keypad (not shown) for example, in response to menu selections and/or user prompts which may appear on the visual output device 221.