Multi-tuner radio systems and methods

1. A portable multi-tuner digital radio device that processes multiple radio signals and receives associated data for audio items carried by the radio signals, comprising options implemented on the device that provide a user of the device with the opportunity to select to enter the device into different operation modes including:

an off mode wherein one or more tuners each continues to receive radio programming and the device continues to compress and store the received audio in its memory;

a radio paused mode wherein the device is in an on mode and radio output is paused;

a saving mode wherein during radio play incoming audio data is stored at a more permanent memory location; and

an overlay mode wherein during one or more of the modes; a user feature is initiated that requires a use of a display or buttons of the device or buttons without affecting a current mode, wherein storage of radio programming received by all tuners continues, and playback of radio or stored content continues as begun prior to initiating the overlay mode, wherein the user feature permits the user to indicate a favorite status for a first audio item and, the device is configured to use the associated data comprising artist or title of the first audio item and find other previously received audio items in the memory that have matching content or that are similar to the first audio item for playback on the device, and further wherein an overlay mode display is displayed over a current display on the display of the device during the overlay mode allowing the user to access different features.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is operable during all modes and permits the user to interact with the display or buttons of the device without interrupting or changing the current mode.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is a car radio.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is an aftermarket car radio.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the device includes a phone mode.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the device includes a normal play mode.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the device includes a saved content playback mode wherein output audio is taken from a stored audio file rather than from a radio content buffer.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is configured to create and playback a personalized radio station using audio items similar to marked favorites, wherein the audio items are obtained from one or more sources including the buffer.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the overlay mode display times out if there is no user input for one minute.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the overlay mode display allows user to access various device setup and configuration.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the overlay mode display allows user to access various audio settings.

12. A portable multi-tuner digital radio device that processes multiple radio signals and receives associated data for audio items carried by the radio signals, comprising options implemented on the device that provide a user of the device with the opportunity to select to enter the device into different operation modes including:

an off mode wherein one or more tuners each continues to receive radio programming and the device continues to compress and store the received audio in its memory;

a radio paused mode wherein the device is in an on mode and radio output is paused;

a saving mode wherein during radio play incoming audio data is stored at a more permanent memory location; and

overlay mode wherein during one or more of the modes, a user feature is initiated that requires a use of a display or buttons of the device or buttons without affecting a current mode, wherein storage of radio programming received by all tuners continues, and playback of radio or stored content continues as begun prior to initiating the overlay mode, wherein the user feature permits the user to indicate a favorite status for a first audio item and, the device is configured to use the associated data comprising artist or title of the first audio item and find other previously received audio items in the memory that have matching content or that are similar to the first audio item for playback on the device, and further wherein an overlay mode display is displayed over a current display on the display of the device during the overlay mode allowing the user to access different features; and

a phone mode, wherein while the device is in the phone mode, playback of radio or stored content is paused while radio play incoming audio data continues to be stored and while the device is no longer in phone mode, the device resumes playback of radio or stored content.

13. A portable multi-tuner digital radio device that processes multiple radio signals and receives associated data for audio items carried by the radio signals, comprising options implemented on the device that provide a user of the device with the opportunity to select to enter the device into different operation modes including:

an off mode wherein one or more tuners each continues to receive radio programming and the device continues to compress and store the received audio in its memory, wherein the memory comprises a buffer configured to include adequate memory to buffer a predetermined duration of digitized and compressed audio content received from each of a plurality of the multiple tuners for later playback;

a radio paused mode wherein the device is in an on mode and radio output is paused;

a saving mode wherein during radio play incoming audio data is stored at a more permanent memory location; and

an overlay mode wherein during one or more of the modes, a user feature is initiated that requires a use of a display or buttons of the device or buttons without affecting a current mode, wherein storage of radio programming received by all tuners continues, and playback of radio or stored content continues as begun prior to initiating the overlay mode, wherein the user feature permits the user to indicate a favorite status for a first audio item and, the device is configured to use the associated data comprising artist or title of the first audio item and find other previously received audio items in the memory that have matching content or that are similar to the first audio item for playback on the device, and further wherein an overlay mode display is displayed over a current display on the display of the device during the overlay mode allowing the user to access different features.

14. The device of claim 13 further including at least one spare tuner corresponding to a recently tuned station wherein the device allows the one spare tuner to keep track of the most recently tuned station in order to allow continuous reception thereof.

15. The device of claim 13 wherein the device is configured to create and playback a personalized radio station using audio items similar to marked favorites, wherein the audio items are obtained from one or more sources including the buffer.