Radio receiver for locating the strongest signal carrying a selected program
AssigneeClarion Co., Ltd.
InventorKazuo Koyama
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A receiver has a random counter, which outputs a timer signal to a control circuit. A zero-cross point detection circuit generates a detection signal which is input to the control circuit. When the random counter outputs a timer signal and the zero-cross detection circuit detects a zero-cross point, a muting function is activated. Simultaneously, different frequencies are scanned for broadcasts containing the same program and having higher field strengths. If on re-checking zero-cross point detection, a zero-cross point is found or a predetermined interval has expired, then the muting function is deactivated. The frequency with the greater field strength is selected.
Claims15
A receiver, comprising:
- means for receiving a first broadcast signal;
- means for converting said broadcast signal into an audio signal;
- means for timing random intervals, including means for generating a first signal upon completion of a one of a plurality of said random intervals;
- means for detecting a zero-cross point of said audio signal including means for generating a second signal upon a detection of said zero-cross point;
- means for muting a portion of said audio signal falling below a level coinciding with said zero-cross point;
- means for controlling including means for activating said means for muting;
- said means for activating being responsive to a simultaneous occurrence of said first signal and said second signal;
- wherein said means for receiving receives at least one different broadcast signal when said means for muting is active;
- said means for controlling further including means for deactivating said muting;
- and
- means for selecting for output the stronger one of said first broadcast signal and said at least one different broadcast signal.
A radio system comprising:
- a FM receiver;
- said FM receiver for producing an audio signal from a first frequency signal;
- means for timing random intervals;
- said means for timing generating a first signal upon completion of a one of a plurality of said random intervals;
- means for detecting a zero-cross point of said audio signal;
- said means for detecting generating a second signal upon detection of said zero-cross point;
- means for muting a portion of said audio signal falling below a level coinciding with said zero-cross point;
- a controller;
- said controller including means for activating said means for muting;
- said means for activating responsive to a simultaneous occurrence of said first signal and said second signal;
- said FM receiver receiving at least one different frequency signal when said muting means is active;
- and
- said controller including means for comparing field strengths of said first frequency signal with said at least one different frequency signal.
A method for tuning a receiver, comprising:
- receiving an audio broadcast signal on a first frequency;
- converting said broadcast signal into an audio signal;
- generating random timing intervals;
- producing a first signal upon completion of a one of a plurality of said random timing intervals;
- detecting a zero-cross point of said audio signal;
- producing a second signal upon a crossing of said zero-cross point;
- muting a portion of said audio signal below said zero-cross point in response to a simultaneous occurrence of said first signal and said second signal;
- receiving at least one different frequency signal when said muting occurs;
- deactivating said muting in response to a third signal;
- and
- comparing the field strength of said first frequency signal with the field strength of said at least one different frequency signal.
A receiver, comprising:
- means for receiving a broadcast signal;
- means for converting said broadcast signal into an audio signal;
- timer means for detecting the passage of random intervals of time after a reset of said timer means;
- means for muting said audio signal when said audio signal falls below a specified level after a random interval of time detected by said timer means;
- wherein said means for receiving receives at least another broadcast signal when said audio signal is muted;
- means for outputting the stronger of said broadcast signal and said at least another broadcast signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.