US 5,210,611 A · Automatic tuning radio/TV using filtered seek

Abstract

An apparatus and technique for automatic tuning (to an arbitrary broadcast frequency) of an audio-video or audio device in accordance with a topic selection made by a user. Knowledge of specific broadcasted programs and times is not necessary. A user makes a selection of a subject matter topic from a menu or list and the necessary tuning is thereafter automatically done under control of a menu or list control interface. In the example of digital information transmitted in the vertical blanking interval of a video signal, the menu control interface automatically adjusts the tuner in accordance with the menu selection made by the user to choose an arbitrary channel and page of information within that channel. The menu or menus can be transmitted with the incoming information, or can be stored internally. Digital data can also be transmitted with the broadcast signal to characterize the subject matter content of the broadcast signal. In this latter situation, the tuner will seek to any arbitrary frequency having a digital code matching the subject matter topic chosen by the user.

Claims14

Dependent claims

An apparatus for automatic tuning control in a receiver which receives broadcast signals, said tuning control being by a filtered seek operation, wherein said apparatus includes:

receiving means for receiving incoming broadcast signals and providing an output to a tuner, each of said signals having associated therewith coded data characterizing the subject matter content of the associated broadcast signals,
a tuner for selecting a frequency or frequency range from the output of said receiving means and for providing an output to a reading means.
reading means for reading said coded data accompanying a broadcast signal in said frequency or frequency range from said tuner, and for providing an output to a comparison means,
a user input device enabling a user to interact with said apparatus to make a selection of a subject matter topic,
comparison means for comparing the use's selection of a subject matter topic with the coded data from said reading means characterizing the subject matter content of a broadcast signal corresponding to said frequency or frequency range,
means for advancing said tuner in a seek mode to a plurality of frequencies, and
control means between said means for advancing and said comparison means for deciding whether to advance said tuner based on whether a match is made between said coded data from said reading means and said user's selection of a subject matter topic.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automatic tuning radio/TV using filtered seek

Life of this patent

Automatic tuning radio/TV using filtered seek

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14