Digital radio prepaid music recording system

A device for prepaid recording of decoded digital audio signals from a satellite digital radio broadcast system wherein digital radio signals are received by a satellite digital audio service receiver which includes a digital radio receiver, a buffer, a playback circuit, and an output circuit arranged such that the digital radio receiver converts the received digital radio signals to encoded digital signals and outputs them to an input of the digital buffer that stores a quantity of the encoded digital signals, the digital buffer having an output coupled to an input of the playback circuit which converts the encoded digital signals to audio signals for playing through the output circuit;

• the device comprising:
• a digital converter, for converting the encoded digital signals to decoded industry standard audio storage format signals, said converter having an input for receiving the encoded digital signals from the output of the buffer in the satellite digital audio service receiver, an output for outputting the decoded signals, and an enabling input for enabling said digital converter to convert the decoded digital signals to decoded signals;
• smartcard module for receiving a smartcard having a prepaid account balance stored thereon, said smartcard module having an enabling output coupled to said enabling input;
• a digital recorder having an input coupled to said output of said digital converter for receiving the decoded signals, said digital recorder adapted to receive a recording medium and record thereon the decoded signals;
• and
• means for enabling said digital recorder if the account balance on said smartcard is above a predetermined amount.

A system for prepaid recording of decoded digital audio signals from a satellite digital radio broadcast system;

• the system comprising:
• a satellite digital audio service receiver, for receiving digital radio signals, further comprising;
• a digital radio receiver having an input for receiving the digital radio signals and an output for outputting encoded digital signals, said digital radio receiver adapted to convert the digital radio signals to encoded digital signals;
• a buffer for storing a quantity of encoded digital signals, and having an input coupled to said output of said digital radio receiver and an output for outputting stored encoded digital signals,
• a playback circuit adapted to convert the encoded digital signals to audio signals, and having an input coupled to said output of said buffer, and an output for outputting said audio signals;
• an output circuit for outputting said audio signals, and having an input for receiving said audio signals from said output of said playback circuit and a device for recording decoded digital signals, further comprising;
• a digital converter, for converting said encoded digital signals to decoded industry standard audio storage format signals, said converter having an input for receiving said encoded digital signals from said output of said buffer in said satellite digital audio service receiver, an output for outputting said decoded signals, and an enabling input for enabling said digital converter to convert said encoded digital signals to decoded signals;
• a smartcard module for receiving a smartcard having a prepaid account balance stored thereon, said smartcard module having an enabling output coupled to said enabling input, and wherein said enabling output enables said enabling input if a smartcard having a prepaid account balance greater than zero is presently inserted into said smartcard module;
• a digital recorder having an input coupled to said output of said digital converter for receiving said decoded signals, said digital recorder adapted to receive a recording medium and record thereon the decoded signals.

A method of prepaid recording of decoded digital audio signals from a satellite digital radio broadcast system by a satellite digital audio service receiver and a device for recording decoded digital signals, which include a digital radio receiver, a buffer, a digital converter, a digital reorder for recording to a digital medium, a smartcard module, and a smartcard having an account balance stored thereon;

• comprising the steps of:
• receiving digital radio signals by the digital radio receiver and outputting encoded digital signals;
• storing a portion of said encoded digital signals in the buffer;
• initiating a recording function to record a selection of said decoded digital signals;
• reading the smartcard by the smartcard module to determine the value of an account balance stored thereon and if said account balance value is greater than zero,
• enabling the digital converter to convert said encoded digital signals to decoded industry standard audio storage format signals;
• recording said decoded signals by the digital recorder to a recording medium, and
• writing to the smartcard thereby reducing said account balance value in accordance with the quantity of decoded digital signals recorded on said medium.