Apparatus and method for automatically programming frequency scanning radio receivers

A programmable frequency scanning radio receiver comprising:

• a receiver for receiving radio frequency transmissions at each of a plurality of discrete frequencies;
• a memory for storing frequency data, the frequency data including a plurality of frequencies corresponding to respective transmitting parties of interest located within a reception range of the frequency scanning radio receiver;
• a data base of frequency allocations and geographical location information corresponding to the frequency allocations, internal to the frequency scanning radio receiver, for programming the frequency scanning radio receiver;
• and
• a processing circuit coupled to the memory, the receiver, and the data base, assembling the frequency data from the data base, based on geographical location of the frequency scanning radio receiver, storing in the memory the frequency data assembled from the data base, and controlling the receiver to monitor transmissions at the frequencies of the frequency data in the memory.

A method of automatically programming frequency scanning radio receiver to monitor transmissions on programmed discrete frequencies comprising:

• determining geographical location of the frequency scanning radio receiver through a first communication device coupled to the frequency scanning radio receiver by communicating with a geographical positioning system;
• in response to the geographical location determination, assembling frequency data, with a search engine within the frequency scanning radio receiver, from a data base internal to the frequency scanning receiver and including frequency allocations and geographical location information corresponding to the frequency allocations, for locations proximate the geographical location of the frequency scanning radio receiver determined through the first communication device;
• supplying the frequency data from the data base to a memory in the frequency scanning radio receiver;
• and
• in response to the frequency data received from the data base, programming the frequency scanning radio receiver to monitor transmissions on operating frequencies of the frequency data.

A method of automatically programming a frequency scanning radio receiver to monitor transmissions on programmed discrete frequencies comprising:

• determining geographical location of the frequency scanning radio receiver through a first communication device coupled to the frequency scanning radio receiver by communicating with a geographical positioning system;
• in response to the geographical location determination, assembling frequency with a data base including frequency allocations and geographical location information corresponding to the frequency allocations, for locations proximate the geographical location of the frequency scanning radio receiver determined through the first communication device, wherein the data base is located in a host system remote from the frequency scanning radio receiver and including sending a programming request to the host system through a second communication device internal to the frequency scanning radio receiver, and receiving the frequency data from the host system through the second communication device, the frequency data being assembled in the host system;
• supplying the frequency data from the data base to a memory in the frequency scanning radio receiver;
• and
• in response to the frequency data received from the data base, programming the frequency scanning radio receiver to monitor transmissions on operating frequencies of the frequency data.

A programmable transceiver comprising:

• a receiver for receiving radio frequency transmissions at each of a plurality of discrete frequencies;
• a transmitter for transmitting radio frequency transmissions at each of a plurality of discrete frequencies;
• a first communication device coupled to the transceiver for determining geographical location of the transceiver by communication with a geographical positioning system;
• a memory for storing frequency data, the frequency data including a plurality of frequencies corresponding to respective transmitting and receiving parties of interest located within a reception and transmission range of the geographical location of the transceiver;
• and
• a processing circuit coupled to the memory, the receiver, the transmitter, and the first communication device, accessing the memory, controlling the receiver and the transmitter to operate at the frequencies of the frequency data in the memory, and controlling and receiving a determination of the geographical location of the transceiver by the first communication device for updating the frequency data.

A programmable transceiver comprising:

• a receiver for receiving radio frequency transmissions at each of a plurality of discrete frequencies;
• a transmitter for transmitting radio frequency transmission at each of a plurality of discrete frequencies;
• a memory for storing frequency data, the frequency data including a plurality of frequencies corresponding to respective transmitting and receiving parties of interest located within a reception and transmission range of the transceiver;
• a data base of frequency allocations and geographical location information corresponding to the frequency allocations, internal to the transceiver, for programming the transceiver;
• and
• a processing circuit coupled to the memory, the receiver, the transmitter, and the data base, assembling the frequency data from the data base, based on geographical location of the transceiver, storing in the memory the frequency data assembled from the data base, and controlling the receiver and the transmitter to operate at the frequencies of the frequency data in the memory.

A method of automatically programming a transceiver to operate on programmed discrete frequencies comprising:

• determining geographical location of the transceiver through a first communication device coupled to the transceiver by communicating with geographical positioning system;
• in response to the geographical location determination, assembling frequency data from a data base including frequency allocations and geographical location information corresponding to the frequency allocations for locations proximate the geographical location of the transceiver determined through the first communication device;
• supplying the frequency data from the data base to a memory in the transceiver;
• and
• in response to the frequency data received from the data base, programming the transceiver to operate on operating frequencies of the frequency data.