Audio buffer selective data processing

#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.

#In the rapidly changing world of telecommunications and electronics in general, the concepts of radio that exist today are not much different from those in existence in the early part of the twentieth century. Despite the advent of physical media which enable a user to carry the music to which the user wishes to listen, the concept of radio still exists in a format offering users very few user options. Although a user may choose a station or several stations which may be preferred by the user, there are no current options which enable users to listen to news or music, for example, at the user's convenience rather than on the timetables provided by the local broadcasters.

#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 nonvolatile (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.