IP Library Granted Patent US 8,260,230
Granted Patent B2
US 8,260,230 · App. 12/201,984 · Granted Sep 4, 2012

Radio receiver and method for receiving and playing signals from multiple broadcast channels

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,260,230
App. No.
12/201,984
Granted
Sep 4, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A radio receiver may comprise a receiver adaptable for receiving a plurality of broadcast streams over a plurality of broadcast channels, wherein the receiver will attempt to receive a selected broadcast stream on a selected broadcast channel, and if the selected broadcast stream is not receivable on the selected broadcast channel, the receiver will attempt to receive the selected broadcast stream on an alternative broadcast channel. A computer readable medium may allow a user of a receiver to create a composite stream comprising at least one portion selected from each of at least two of a plurality of broadcast streams. A method of open interface merge replication may involve comparing data between first and second databases, and if a conflict exists, updating one of the first and second databases with at least a portion of data from the other of the first and second databases to resolve the conflict.

Claims (56)

1. A radio receiver comprising:

a receiver adaptable for receiving a plurality of broadcast streams over a plurality of broadcast channels;

a computer processor in communication with said receiver; and

a memory in communication with said processor;

said memory comprising a computer program comprising:

instructions for causing said receiver to attempt to receive a selected broadcast stream on a selected broadcast channel, and if said selected broadcast stream is not receivable on said selected broadcast channel, to attempt to receive said selected broadcast stream on an alternative broadcast channel, and

instructions for causing said receiver to attempt to receive said selected broadcast stream on successive alternative broadcast channels according to at least one rule of priority.

2. The radio receiver of claim 1 wherein said plurality of broadcast channels comprises at least one HD channel and at least one non-HD channel.

3. The radio receiver of claim 1 wherein said plurality of broadcast channels comprises at least one AM channel, at least one FM channel, at least one HD channel, at least one IP channel, at least one ST channel, and at least one CS channel.

4. The radio receiver of claim 1 , wherein the computer program further comprises instructions to allow a user to select a comparable broadcast stream in response to determining that said selected broadcast stream is not receivable on any of the successive alternative broadcast channels.

5. the radio receiver of claim 1 , wherein said selected broadcast stream is a preset broadcast stream.

6. the radio receiver of claim 1 , wherein the computer program further comprises instructions to allow a user to establish the at least one rule of priority.

7. The radio receiver comprising:

a receiver adaptable for receiving a plurality of broadcast streams over a plurality of broadcast channels;

a computer processor in communication with said receiver;

a memory in communication with said processor; and

said memory comprising a computer program comprising:

instructions for causing said receiver to attempt to receive a selected broadcast stream on a selected broadcast channel, and if said selected broadcast stream is not receivable on said selected broadcast channel, to attempt to receive said selected broadcast stream on an alternative broadcast channel, wherein said plurality of broadcast channels comprises at least one HD channel and at least one non-HD channel, wherein said computer program comprises at least one rule of priority comprising instructions for executing a first attempt to receive said selected broadcast stream on said at least one HD channel, and if said first attempt fails, then executing a second attempt to receive said selected broadcast stream on said at least one non-HD channel.

8. A method comprising:

attempting to receive, at a radio stream receiver, a selected broadcast stream on a first broadcast channel; and

in response to being unable to receive the selected broadcast stream on the first broadcast channel, attempting to receive the selected broadcast stream on successive alternative broadcast channels according to at least one rule of priority.

9. The method of claim 8 , comprising allowing a user to select a comparable broadcast stream if the selected broadcast stream is not receivable on any of the successive alternative broadcast channels.

10. A radio receiver comprising:

a communications interface to receive a plurality of preset broadcast streams over a plurality of broadcast channels;

a computer processor;

a memory in communication with said computer processor;

a user interface in communication with the computer processor, the user interface configured to receive user input creating a targeted playlist comprising at least part of at least one preset broadcast stream; and

a program of instructions to be stored in the memory and executed by the computer processor, the program of instructions comprising:

at least one instruction to attempt to receive the at least one preset broadcast stream on a selected broadcast channel, and

at least one instruction to, in response to being unable to receive the at least one preset broadcast stream on the first broadcast channel, attempt to receive the at least one preset broadcast stream on successive alternative broadcast channels according to at least one rule of priority.

11. The radio receiver of claim 10 , wherein the program of instructions further comprises at least one instruction to allow a user to select a comparable broadcast stream if the at least one preset broadcast stream is not receivable on any of the successive alternative broadcast channels.

12. The radio receiver of claim 10 , wherein the program of instructions further comprises at least one instruction to allow a user to establish the at least one rule of priority.

13. A radio receiver comprising:

a receiver adaptable for receiving a plurality of broadcast streams over a plurality of broadcast channels, said plurality of broadcast channels comprises at least one HD channel and at least one non-HD channel;

a computer processor in communication with said receiver; and

a memory in communication with said processor;

said memory comprising a computer program comprising:

instructions for causing said receiver to attempt to receive a selected broadcast stream on a selected broadcast channel, and if said selected broadcast stream is not receivable on said selected broadcast channel, to attempt to receive said selected broadcast stream on an alternative broadcast channel, and

at least one rule of priority comprising instructions for executing a first attempt to receive said selected broadcast stream on said at least one HD channel, and if said first attempt fails, then executing a second attempt to receive said selected broadcast stream on said at least one non-HD channel.

14. The radio receiver of claim 13 , wherein the computer program further comprises instructions for causing said receiver to attempt to receive said selected broadcast stream on successive alternative broadcast channels according to at least one rule of priority.

15. The radio receiver of claim 14 , wherein the computer program further comprises instructions to allow a user to select a comparable broadcast stream in response to determining that said selected broadcast stream is not receivable on any of the successive alternative broadcast channels.

16. The radio receiver of claim 14 , wherein said selected broadcast stream is a preset broadcast stream.

17. The radio receiver of claim 13 , wherein said plurality of broadcast channels comprises at least one AM channel, at least one FM channel, at least one HD channel, at least one IP channel, at least one ST channel, and at least one CS channel.

18. The radio receiver of claim 13 , wherein the computer program further comprises instructions to allow a user to establish the at least one rule of priority.

19. A method comprising:

enabling a radio receiver to attempt to receive a selected broadcast stream on a selected broadcast channel, said plurality of broadcast channels comprising at least one HD channel and at least one non-HD channel; and

enabling the radio receiver to respond to being unable to receive the selected broadcast stream on the first broadcast channel by attempting to receive the selected broadcast stream on successive alternative broadcast channels according to at least one rule of priority, the at least one rule of priority comprising instructions for executing a first attempt to receive said selected broadcast stream on said at least one HD channel, and if said first attempt fails, then executing a second attempt to receive said selected broadcast stream on said at least one non-HD channel.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the selected broadcast stream is a preset broadcast stream.

21. The method of claim 20 , comprising enabling the radio receiver to allow a user to select a comparable broadcast stream if the preset broadcast stream is not receivable on any of the successive alternative broadcast channels.

22. The method of claim 19 , wherein said plurality of broadcast channels comprises at least one AM channel, at least one FM channel, at least one HD channel, at least one IP channel, at least one ST channel, and at least one CS channel.

23. A method comprising:

enabling a radio receiver to attempt to receive a selected broadcast stream on a selected broadcast channel; and

enabling the radio receiver to respond to being unable to receive the selected broadcast stream on the first broadcast channel by attempting to receive the selected broadcast stream on an alternative broadcast channel; and

enabling the radio receiver to attempt to receive the selected broadcast stream on successive alternative broadcast channels according to at least one rule of priority.

24. The method of claim 23 , wherein the selected broadcast stream is a preset broadcast stream.

25. The method of claim 23 , comprising enabling the radio receiver to allow a user to select a comparable broadcast stream if the selected broadcast stream is not receivable on any of the successive alternative broadcast channels.

Assignments (20)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 5, 2026
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS SUCCESSOR COLLATERAL AGENT TO CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: IHEART COMMUNICATIONS, INC.; IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
Reel/Frame 075557/0138 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS (REEL/FRAME 050017/0882) Recorded Jan 1, 2025
From: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: IHEARTCOMMUNICATIONS, INC.; IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
Reel/Frame 069795/0626 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS (REEL/FRAME 049067/0800) Recorded Dec 31, 2024
From: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (FORMERLY KNOWN AS U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION)
To: IHEARTCOMMUNICATIONS, INC.; IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
Reel/Frame 069795/0423 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS (REEL/FRAME 049079/0814) Recorded Dec 31, 2024
From: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (FORMERLY KNOWN AS U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION)
To: IHEARTCOMMUNICATIONS, INC.; IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
Reel/Frame 069795/0488 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 29, 2024
From: IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 069795/0912 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 28, 2024
From: IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 069793/0758 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 28, 2024
From: IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 069794/0248 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 27, 2024
From: IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 069792/0335 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 23, 2024
From: IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 069762/0453 →
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Feb 5, 2020
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS SUCCESSOR COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 052144/0833 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 23, 2019
From: IHEART COMMUNICATIONS, INC.; IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
To: U. S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 051143/0579 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 9, 2019
From: IHEART COMMUNICATIONS, INC.; IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 050017/0882 →
RELEASE OF THE SECURITY INTEREST RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME 035109/0168 Recorded May 10, 2019
From: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
To: AMFM RADIO LICENSES, LLC; CAPSTAR RADIO OPERATING COMPANY; CAPSTAR TX, LLC; CITICASTERS CO.; CITICASTERS LICENSES, INC.; CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.; IHEARMEDIA + ENTERTAINMENT, INC.; AMFM TEXAS BROADCASTING, LP; IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.; CLEAR CHANNEL MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.; CLEAR CHANNEL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 049149/0714 →
RELEASE OF THE SECURITY INTEREST RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME 034008/0027 Recorded May 10, 2019
From: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
To: AMFM TEXAS BROADCASTING, LP; AMFM RADIO LICENSES, LLC; CAPSTAR RADIO OPERATING COMPANY; CAPSTAR TX, LLC; CITICASTERS CO.; CITICASTERS LICENSES, INC.; CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.; IHEARMEDIA + ENTERTAINMENT, INC.; CLEAR CHANNEL MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.; CLEAR CHANNEL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.; CLEAR CHANNEL INVESTMENTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 049149/0773 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 2, 2019
From: IHEARTCOMMUNICATIONS, INC.; IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 049067/0800 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 2, 2019
From: IHEARTCOMMUNICATIONS, INC.; IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 049079/0814 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 2, 2019
From: IHEARTCOMMUNICATIONS, INC.; IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 049067/0606 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 27, 2015
From: IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.; CLEAR CHANNEL MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.; CLEAR CHANNEL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 035109/0168 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 21, 2014
From: CLEAR CHANNEL MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
To: IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
Reel/Frame 034026/0037 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 15, 2014
From: CLEAR CHANNEL MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.; CLEAR CHANNEL INVESTMENTS, INC.; CLEAR CHANNEL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 034008/0027 →