Patent ID: 6240280
Filing Date: 2001-05-29
Classification: G08G,H04H

Abstract:
A method for automatically selecting a broadcast station for background monitoring to detect predetermined events as identified by a data flag transmitted within auxiliary data of a radio data system while an audio system is reproducing audio signals from a source other than a broadcast station capable of transmitting said predetermined events, said method comprising the steps of:searching said auxiliary data received from respective broadcast stations until a broadcast station is found transmitting or capable of transmitting said data flag; andmonitoring auxiliary data of said found broadcast station to detect when a predetermined event is in progress;wherein said searching step inspects a plurality of broadcast stations saved in a plurality of memory presets prior to conducting a scan of frequencies across a radio band; andwherein the stations saved in said memory presents are ""favorite"" stations selected without regard to whether or not they are transmitting or capable of transmitting said data flag.