Abstract:
A radio receiving apparatus is used at a sporting event to provide a spectator with additional information and contact with the participants in the event. In an automobile racing event, each of the automobiles can be equipped with a two-way radio for communication between the driver and the crew as well as with a telemetry transmitter for sending data concerning the operation of the automobile. The telemetry data is combined with other information relating to the car&#39;s involvement in the race and this data is combined to produce parameter data. A hand-held receiver receives both the audio conversation and the parameter data for one of the selected cars and produces audible sounds and concurrently produces a display of a graphic image on a screen with information derived from the parameter data. Thus, the user of the receiving apparatus can both hear a selected driver and at the same time see a display of performance information about the car and driver in the race. The receiving apparatus can comprise either two radio receivers, one for the audio signal and the other for the data signal, or a single receiver that receives a combined audio and data signal that is separated within the receiver to produce the separate audible and graphic displays. Before the sporting event commences, an electronic file can be automatically loaded into the receiving apparatus to preprogram the apparatus with all of the frequencies for the participants, thus allowing the user to easily select and move between the participants to more fully participate in the sporting event. The receiving apparatus can be a stand alone unit or a module used with a portable electronic display such as a personal digital assistant.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention pertains in general to radio receivers and in particular to such receivers which can automatically tune to preprogrammed frequencies. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Automobile racing is a popular spectator sport and persons attending such racing events often desire to be closer to participants in the racing event, rather than merely observers of the race. The spectators who attend racing events, such as NASCAR, often identify with particular drivers and wish to know as much as possible about what is happening with regard to their favorite driver during the race. Race cars are frequently equipped with two-way radios so that the drivers can communicate with their pit crews and managers so that the driver can be informed of what is happening on the race track and the driver can inform the members of the pit crew concerning the race and condition of the car. Spectators can monitor these communications and gain a more intimate contact with the race and thus enhance the enjoyment of the racing event. Such spectator interest also applies to other types of events such as golf, baseball, basketball, etc. 
   Portable handheld scanning radios have been available which can be utilized for monitoring these communications. An example of such a radio designed for sporting events is the Uniden Model SC200. The systems described herein are radio receivers with capabilities that further enhance the spectators&#39; experience at a sporting event or other venues which have both audio, such as voice, and data. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A selected embodiment of the invention is a radio receiving apparatus having a first radio receiver for receiving audio signals and a second radio receiver for receiving data signals. A memory stores a first radio frequency and a second radio frequency wherein the first radio frequency and the second radio frequency relate to a common entity. A digital tuner control is connected to the memory for tuning the first radio receiver to the first frequency while producing a first receiver output signal. The control tunes the second radio receiver to the second radio frequency for producing a second receiver output signal. The first radio receiver and the second radio receiver operate concurrently. An audio transducer is coupled to the first receiver output signal for producing audible signals therefrom. A graphics display is coupled to receive the second receiver output signal for producing a graphic image therefrom. The audible sounds and the graphic image relate to the common entity. 
   In a further embodiment of the present invention, a radio receiving apparatus has a tunable receiver and a memory that stores a plurality of radio frequency signals corresponding to each of a plurality of entities. A digital tuner control is connected to the memory for tuning the radio receiver to the frequency corresponding to a selected one of the entities. The receiver receives a composite signal which comprises an audible signal associated with the selected entity and digital data also associated with the selected entity. Within the receiving apparatus, the audio signal is separated from the data signal. The audio signal is provided to an output terminal for producing an audible sound. The digital data is provided to a graphics display for producing a graphic image where the audible sound and the graphic image relate to the selected entity. 
   In a further aspect of the present invention, a portable receiving apparatus having a tunable receiver is connected to a separate portable display unit and the combined units receive related audio and data information for producing an audible sound and a related graphic image. 
   The present invention can utilize voice, video and data information together or various combinations thereof. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following Detailed Description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an illustration of a race track with multiple radio transmitters and receivers for voice and data; 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a first embodiment of a voice and data radio receiver; 
       FIG. 3  is an illustration of an integrated voice and data radio receiver, such as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a flow diagram illustrating operation of the voice and data radio receiver shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 5  is an illustration of a parameter data stream transmitted through a data channel; 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a further embodiment of an integrated voice and data radio receiver; 
       FIG. 7  is a flow diagram illustrating operation of the voice and data radio receiver shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 8  is an illustration of a voice and data radio receiver apparatus module connected to a personal digital assistant (PDA) which generates a graphics display; 
       FIG. 9  is a block diagram of a further embodiment of a voice and data radio receiver used in conjunction with a PDA; 
       FIG. 10  is a flow diagram illustrating operation of the voice and data radio receiver shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a block diagram of a further embodiment of a voice and data radio receiver used in conjunction with a PDA; 
       FIG. 12  is a flow diagram illustrating operation of the voice and data radio receiver shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
       FIG. 13  is an illustration of voice and data packets which are transmitted as digital information for use by receiving apparatus described herein; and 
       FIG. 14  is an alternative display for illustrating relative positions of race cars on a track. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Systems described herein are directed to radio receivers used in conjunction with automobile racing. However, the technology is also applicable to any spectator event where fans would like to enhance the live event with real-time statistics/information (data) of what is happening at an event. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown in schematic form a racing facility having a track  12  with race cars  14 ,  16  and  18 . Each of the race cars is equipped with two radio communication systems. The first is a conventional two-way voice communication system which provides transmissions represented as  14 A,  16 A and  18 A. These transmissions are made between a driver and a pit station  20 , thereby establishing voice communication between the driver and the crew of a car. 
   Each of the cars  14 ,  16  and  18  is also equipped with a telemetry radio which transmits information regarding the race car. This is indicated as transmissions  14 B,  16 B and  18 B. The telemetry transmissions are conveyed through wireless transmissions, and these signals are received at a plurality of receiving stations  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  distributed around track  12 . The telemetry transmissions are typically low power with short range and therefore are best received by a group of distributed receiving stations located near the track as shown. The stations  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  are connected to a processing system  30  at a central location by a communication line  30 A that is connected to each of the stations. The telemetry system in a car sends data representing car parameters such as speed, engine RPM, braking, and other parameters that could be of importance to the racing team or of interest to the spectators. 
   A local data entry system  32  collects information related to a car and driver in the race such as track position (first place, second place, etc.), lap, time behind leader, lap time, pit time (after a driver has made a pit stop), driver name and car number. The system  32  can also collect raw data which is analyzed and formatted by the computer of system  32 . The data entry station  32  can be a data entry terminal to a computer or a stand-alone personal computer. This information is transferred to the processing system  30  which then transmits the information through an antenna  34  with sufficient power to provide the transmissions to receivers located within the region of the track  12 . 
   In an alternate aspect, the two-way voice communications between the drivers and crews can be received concurrently through an antenna  36  and receiving system  38  which provides the voice signals to the processing system  30 . In this alternate aspect, the system  30  combines the voice signals for each car/driver and the corresponding parameter data and the combined signal for each car/driver is transmitted through antenna  34  to each of the voice/data receivers in the vicinity of track  12 . 
   A voice and data radio receiver  40 , as further described herein, is used within the vicinity of the track  12  such that it can receive data transmissions from the antenna  34 , as well as the direct voice transmissions from the cars  14 ,  16  and  18 . The receiver  40  includes an antenna  42 , a display screen  44 , a set of keys  46  and a speaker  48 . This embodiment is described in more detail in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . 
   A further voice and data radio receiver embodiment is described in reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , wherein the receiver receives the combined voice and data signal. The processing system  30  receives the data from antenna  34  and system  32  and the voice signals from receiving system  38 . System  30  combines the data and voice into a single signal that is transmitted through antenna  34 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a block diagram of receiver  40 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The receiver  40  is controlled by a microprocessor  54  which is operated in conjunction with a memory  56  that includes program code and data. The antenna  42  is connected to provide radio frequency signals to a first tunable receiver  58  and to a second tunable receiver  60 . The receivers  58  and  60  operate concurrently and are frequency tuned by the microprocessor  54 . The output from the receiver  58  is provided to a decoder  62  which provides a digital signal to the microprocessor  54 . The output (audio signal) of receiver  60  is provided to an amplifier  64  which drives the speaker (audio transducer)  48  and/or a headset jack  66 . A user can connect a headset to jack  66  for listening to the driver/crew conversations. 
   The receiver  40  further includes an input port  65  which is connected to the microprocessor  54  for receiving data which is then stored in the memory  56 . The port  65  can be, for example, an infrared receiver, or an electrical connector. The keypad  46  provides entry of control commands and information for operation of the receiver  40 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , there is shown the receiver  40  with specific information as could be seen during use at a race. The display screen  44  includes on the first line thereof a car number (5), driver (Terry Labonte), and voice frequency (468.4125 MHz). The second line has the number of seconds (56.4) that this driver is behind the leader of the race and the lap (182) of this driver. The third line has the time (36.9 sec) which was taken by this car to complete the last full lap and the amount of time (15.2 sec) spent by this car in its last pit stop. Below the text, there are two circular displays with the engine RPM being shown on the left with a digital representation and an analog type gauge. Speed in miles per hour is shown on the right, again with a digital representation in the lower center and an analog type gauge indicating speed. Between the gauges there is shown the position of this car/driver in the race. As shown, this driver is in 5th place. Below the race position there is shown the laps completed by the race leader and total laps of the race (183/250). Below the two circular gauges, there is an area reserved for product advertisements. The numerical information about a car/driver is referred to as parameter data”. The present invention is not limited to the specific information displayed in  FIG. 3  or to the specific sport of automobile racing. 
   The display on the screen  44  can be text and/or graphics. The display shown in  FIG. 3  on screen  44  has both text and graphics. 
   Further referring to  FIG. 1 , the drivers, cars, voice channels and data channels for the three illustrated race cars in  FIG. 1  are shown in Table 1. 
   
     
       
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 1 
             
             
                 
             
             
               DRIVER 
               CAR 
               VOICE CHANNEL 
               TELEMETRY CHANNEL 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
               A 
               14 
               452.0500 
               254.0020 
             
             
               B 
               16 
               468.2125 
               254.0180 
             
             
               C 
               18 
               460.9500 
               254.0060 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   Note that for each car and driver combination, there is a specific frequency for a voice channel which can be received by the receiver  40  and a corresponding frequency for a data channel which is concurrently received by the receiver  40 . All frequencies shown in this and other tables are in megahertz. 
   Alternatively, the telemetry information for a plurality of cars may be transmitted on one frequency channel. 
   Before the receiver  40  is used at an event, such as a race, the voice and data channel frequencies must be entered into the receiver. This can be done manually by the user by selecting a data entry mode and keying into the receiver  40  the required information, such as shown in Table 2. Alternatively, this information can be loaded electronically into the receiver  40  through the port  65 , which can be an infrared receiver, or through a connecting port, such as an RS-232, Ethernet or USB line to a computer. Other methods for loading this information include wireless technology such as Bluetooth and the standard 802.11, magnetic, optical and bar code. 
   
     
       
             
             
             
             
           
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 2 
             
             
                 
             
             
               CAR 
               DRIVER 
               VOICE 
               DATA 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
               1 
               Kenny Wallace 
               464.9250 
               254.0440 
             
             
               2 
               Rusty Wallace 
               451.8250 
               255.0240 
             
             
               4 
               Mike Skinner 
               461.7500 
               254.1240 
             
             
               5 
               Terry Labonte 
               468.2125 
               254.0180 
             
             
               6 
               Mark Martin 
               460.9500 
               254.0060 
             
             
               7 
               Casey Atwood 
               457.3750 
               255.0010 
             
             
               8 
               Dale Earnhardt Jr. 
               452.0500 
               254.0020 
             
             
               9 
               Bill Elliott 
               462.7625 
               254.0050 
             
             
               10 
               Johnny Benson 
               457.1750 
               254.1280 
             
             
               11 
               Brett Bodine 
               461.7875 
               254.2020 
             
             
               12 
               Ryan Newman 
               464.8000 
               255.0120 
             
             
               14 
               Stacy Compton 
               460.4875 
               254.1420 
             
             
               15 
               Michael Waltrip 
               464.9500 
               254.1480 
             
             
               17 
               Matt Kenseth 
               462.2000 
               254.0800 
             
             
               18 
               Bobby Labonte 
               451.3000 
               255.0710 
             
             
               19 
               Jeremy Mayfield 
               452.4500 
               254.0780 
             
             
               20 
               Tony Stewart 
               451.4000 
               254.1080 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a flow diagram for the operation of the receiver  40  for a mode of operation to produce concurrent related voice and parameter data pertaining to a selected car/driver for a user. The receiver  40  can have other modes of operation, such as a conventional scanning radio or simply tuning to a selected, manually entered, frequency. Reception can include AM or FM radio, television or from satellite. Following the start, a question block  92  is entered to determine if a user has selected a car/driver. If not, return is made to the entry of the block until a car/driver is selected. Once a car/driver has been selected, entry is made to block  94  wherein the microprocessor  54  reads a pair of frequencies from the memory  56 . These are the voice frequency and the data frequency for the selected car/driver. 
   Following block  94 , entry is made to block  96  wherein the microprocessor functions as a digital tuner and tunes the first tunable receiver  58  to the data frequency and the second tunable receiver  60  to the voice frequency corresponding to the selected car/driver. Entry is next made to block  98  wherein the output from the first tunable receiver is received as digital data and the microprocessor  54  generates data for producing a graphic image at the display  44 . Such a graphic image is shown in  FIG. 3  with parameter data (information) about a selected car, driver and related information. 
   Following block  98 , entry is made to question block  100  to determine if the user has changed his selection of car/driver. If so, entry is made back to question block  92  to repeat the process thus described. If no change has been made in block  100 , entry is made to question block  102  to determine if the user has changed the mode of operation of the receiver  40  to one other than monitoring voice and data for a car/driver as described above. If so, the program makes an exit for this mode. If no change in mode has been made, entry is made to a data time question block  104  to determine if a predetermined time has elapsed such that the parameter data should be updated. If so, entry is made back to block  98  to decode data currently received from the first (data) receiver  58  and produce a new graphic image on the display  44 . Thus, by repeating the update of the graphic image on a frequent basis, the user is provided with an updated display of parameters related to the selected car and driver, such as speed and engine RPM while concurrently receiving the driver/crew radio conversation. 
   A data frame  114  as may be used by the receiver  40  is illustrated in  FIG. 5 . This sequential frame of data is transmitted repeatedly by the processing system  30  through the antenna  34  for each car/driver. This data frame includes RPM (revolutions per minute)  116 , speed (miles per hour)  118 , seconds  120  of the selected car/driver behind the leader, lap  122 , lap time  124  in seconds, pit time  126  in seconds and an advertisement  128 . The parameter data in this frame are frequently updated so that the user of the receiver  40  has current information displayed about the selected car/driver. 
   A further embodiment is a voice and data receiver  140  which is shown as a block diagram in  FIG. 6 . This embodiment can be implemented as shown for the receiver  40  in  FIGS. 1 and 3  and the outputs/displays produced for the user are the same as described for the receiver  40 . The receiver  140  includes a microprocessor  142  which works in conjunction with a memory  144  which stores program code and data. The receiver  140  has an antenna  146  that receives a signal which is provided to a tunable receiver  148 . The tunable receiver  148  is tuned to a selected frequency by operation of the microprocessor  142  which functions as a digital tuner. When tuned to a selected frequency, the output from the tunable receiver  148  is provided to a decoder  150  that produces a digital signal which is provided to the microprocessor  142 . The signal received by the receiver  148  is a composite signal which includes both the voice conversation (in data form) between a driver and his crew as well as the parameter data from the car and information about the car, such as shown in the display in  FIG. 3 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , the voice signals are collected by the receiving antenna  36  which provides them to the system  38  which in turn provides the voice signals for each driver to the processing system  30 . The parameter data, as previously described, for each car is combined with the voice signal for that car in digitized form, such as packets, that are transmitted via the antenna  34  and received by the receiver  140 . One selected transmission format can be defined by the standard 802.11b for wireless transmission of data. Data transmission in accordance with this standard is well known in the art. In one implementation, analog voice can be digitized and transmitted as voice packets and the parameter data can be transmitted as data packets. Each packet can have a header block that identifies the type of packet (voice or data) and the car/driver associated with the packet. Within the microprocessor  142 , referring to  FIG. 6 , the voice digital data, such as in voice packets, is separated from the parameter data, such as in data packets, and the voice digital data is provided to a digital to analog (D/A) converter  152  which produces a voice signal in analog form and provides this signal to an amplifier  154 . The amplified voice signal is then provided to a speaker  156  and to a headset jack  158 . These correspond respectively to the speaker  48  and headset jack  66  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
   Further referring to  FIG. 6 , the microprocessor  142  decodes the parameter data, as described above, and produces a graphic image, also as described above, at a display  160 , which corresponds to the display  44  of receiver  40 . 
   The receiver  140  further includes an input port  166  and a keypad  168  which corresponds to the input port  65  and keypad  46  shown in  FIG. 2 . The frequency data for each car/driver can be entered through the port  166 . 
   The receiver  140  utilizes a single tunable receiver  148  because the information that is transmitted, both voice and parameter data, is combined in a single signal which is made possible through packetizing the voice using the internet protocol (IP) format and then transmitted wirelessly through various wireless technologies, such as 802.11b. Transmission can be done through home RF, digital spread spectrum or other wireless protocols. The user receives continuous voice and a concurrent updated data display as previously described. 
   A flow diagram  180  illustrating the operation of the receiver  140  is shown in  FIG. 7 . After start, a question block  182  is entered to determine if a user has selected a car/driver. If not, re-entry is made to this block. If yes, a frequency is read from the memory for the selected car/driver in block  184 . In the embodiment herein where only one frequency is utilized for the combined voice and parameter data information, the initial set up is shown in  FIG. 2 , but without the column for the voice frequencies. This data can be entered automatically through port  166  or keyed in through keypad  168 . The data transmission can be at a higher frequency such as in the gigahertz region, for example, in unlicensed bands. 
   In block  186 , the receiver  148  is tuned to the frequency read from the memory  144  by operation of the microprocessor  142 . This enables receiving the data related to the selected car and driver, both voice and telemetry information. This information is preferably received in data packets. 
   Continuing to block  188 , the combined data is received as packets for the selected car and driver. This data is converted to digital information that is provided to the microprocessor  142 . 
   In block  190 , the voice data is extracted from the overall data packet. In block  192 , this voice data is sent to the digital to analog converter  152  which produces an analog voice signal that is amplified by the amplifier  154  and then provided to the speaker  156  and/or the headset jack  158  which can be used to drive a user headset. 
   In block  194 , the microprocessor  142  extracts the parameter data for the selected car and driver from the data packets that have been received. In block  196 , the parameter data is sent to the display  160  for producing a graphic image, such as that shown in  FIG. 3  for display  44 . 
   Continuing to a question block  198 , an inquiry is made to determine if the user has changed his selection of car/driver. If the answer is yes, entry is made to block  184  to read the frequency from memory for the newly selected car/driver. The process is repeated as described above for receiving the voice and telemetry data related to the selected car and driver. 
   If the response is no at question block  198 , entry is made to question block  200  to determine if the user has changed the mode of operation for the receiver  140 . If not, entry is made to block  188  to update and continue to receive the data packets for the selected car and driver. If the response at block  200  is yes, the current mode of operation is terminated with an exit from this operation. 
   A further configuration of a voice/data receiver is illustrated in  FIG. 8 . A voice and data receiver module  210  is used in conjunction with a conventional personal digital assistant (PDA)  212  which may be, for example, a Palm Pilot or similar type of product. The receiver module  210  includes an antenna  214 , a multiple conducting line connector  216 , a headset jack  218  and a control switch  220 . 
   The PDA  212  includes a display screen  226 , a set of control switches comprising a keypad  228  and a port  230  for receiving the connector  216 . The PDA  212  also has an infrared port  232  for bidirectional data communication. 
   Although a PDA is shown in this embodiment, any portable programmable electronic device with a display and an input port can be used. An example of such a product is a Game Boy® handheld video game player manufacture by Nintendo. Further display devices can be cell phones, cordless phones and graphic pagers. 
   The module  210  is adapted to have a mechanical snap fit with the PDA  212  such that, when connected, the PDA  212  and the module  210  comprise an integral unit. The voice and data produced by the integral unit are substantially the same as that shown for the receiver  40  illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
   A functional embodiment for the receiver module  210  is shown as a receiver  240  in  FIG. 9 . The receiver  240  is used in conjunction with the PDA  212  as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
   The receiver  240  includes a microprocessor  242  which operates in conjunction with a memory  244  which stores program code and data. The antenna  214  is connected to a first tunable receiver  246  and to a second tunable receiver  248 . The receivers  246  and  248  operate concurrently. The tuning of the receivers  246  and  248  is performed by the microprocessor  242 . The output from the receiver  246  is provided to a decoder  250  that produces a digital output which is provided to the microprocessor  242 . The output from the receiver  248  is provided to an amplifier  252  which provides the output thereof to a headset jack  254 . The user can connect a headset  256  to the headset jack  254  for receiving audible sounds. Receiver  246  handles the parameter data and receiver  248  handles analog voice data. 
   The microprocessor  242  receives digital parameter data from the decoder  250  and this data is provided to a communication port  262  which is electrically connected to the connector  216 . The connector  216  is engagable to the port  230  of the PDA  212 . 
   The receiver  240  functions in much the same way as the receiver  40  shown in  FIG. 2  wherein the receivers  240  and  40  receive voice signals directly from the cars, such as  14 ,  16  and  18  and receive a separate parameter data signal, such as that transmitted from antenna  34  by the processing system  30 . The parameter data, as described above, is received by the tunable receiver  246  and converted by decoder  250  into digital form that is received by the microprocessor  242 . This digital information is transmitted through the communication port  262  and connector  216  to the PDA  212  for producing an image such as that shown on screen  44  in  FIG. 3 . 
   The antenna  214  receives the voice communications between the car drivers and their crews and this is received for a particular driver by tunable receiver  248 . The received signal is amplified by amplifier  252  and the resulting signal is passed through headset jack  254  to a user headset  256 . 
   Car/driver frequency information, as shown in Table 2, can be electronically conveyed through the PDA infrared port  232  (or through port  230 ) via communication port  262  and microprocessor  242  to memory  244 . 
   Operation of the receiver  240  shown in  FIG. 9  is illustrated by flow diagram  270  shown in  FIG. 10 . After the start, entry is made to question block  272  which determines if the user has selected a particular car/driver. If the response is no, entry is made back to the start of this block for awaiting such a selection. If the response is yes, entry is made to a block  274  wherein the microprocessor  242  reads both a voice frequency and a data frequency from the memory  244  for the selected car/driver. This information has been previously entered in the form shown in Table 2 above. 
   Following block  274 , entry is made to block  276  wherein the microprocessor  242  functions as a digital tuner to tune the first receiver  246  to the data frequency and the second receiver  248  to the voice frequency for the selected car/driver. 
   Continuing to block  278 , the microprocessor  242  receives parameter data from the receiver  246  via the decoder  250  and sends this data to the communication port  262  wherein it is communicated through the connector  216  to the PDA  212 . This parameter data is utilized to generate a display, such as that shown in display  44  in  FIG. 3 . This display is produced on the display  226  of the PDA  212 . 
   Following block  278 , entry is made to question block  280  to determine if the user has changed selection of car/driver. If the response is yes, entry is made back to block  272  for re-entry into the process for selecting frequencies and producing data as described above. If the response in question block  280  is no, entry is made to question block  282  to determine if the user has changed the mode of operation for the receiver  240 . If the answer is yes, transfer is made to exit this sequence of operations. If the response is no, entry is made to a question block  284  to determine if a data update time has been reached. If not, entry is made back to the start of this question block. If the time has been reached, the yes exit is taken and entry is made back to block  278  for receiving new parameter data and updating the display on the screen  226  of the PDA  212 . 
   A block diagram for a receiver  290  which can also be utilized for the PDA module  210  shown in  FIG. 8  is illustrated in  FIG. 11 . The receiver  290  includes a microprocessor  292  which works in conjunction with a memory  294  that stores program code and data. An antenna  296  receives signals that are provided to a tunable receiver  298 . The output of receiver  298  is provided to a decoder  300  which provides the received signal in digital form to the microprocessor  292 . The signal provided to receiver  290  is digital data which includes both voice and parameter data. 
   Within the microprocessor  292 , the voice component of the received signal is separated from the parameter data. The voice data is provided by the microprocessor  292  to a digital to analog (D/A) converter  302  which produces an analog signal at the output thereof. This analog signal is conveyed to an amplifier  304  which in turn provides an output signal to a headset jack  306 . The user headset  256  can be driven by the signal from the headset jack  306 . 
   The parameter data extracted from the received signal by the microprocessor  292  is conveyed to a communication port  310  which is electrically coupled to a connector  312 . The connector  312 , which corresponds to the connector  216  shown in  FIG. 8 , engages the port  230  of the PDA  212  for bi-directional communication. 
   The operation of the receiver  290  is described in a flow diagram  320  shown in  FIG. 12 . Following the start, entry is made to a question block  322  to determine if the user has selected a car/driver. If not, re-entry is made to this block. If the response is yes, entry is made to a block  324  wherein the microprocessor  292  reads a frequency from the memory  294  that corresponds to the selected car/driver. The data which is previously stored in the memory  294  for an event, such as a race, corresponds to that shown in Table 2, but without the voice frequencies, since both the parameter data and the voice signal are combined into one signal. 
   In block  326 , the microprocessor  272  operates the tunable receiver  298  to tune it to the frequency for the selected car/driver. Continuing to block  328 , the receiver  290  receives data packets, one or multiple, through the antenna  296 , receiver  298 , decoder  300  to the microprocessor  292 . Thus, the microprocessor  292  receives therein digital data representing both the voice signal and the parameter data. 
   In block  330 , the voice data is separated from the other data in the data packet. Next, in block  332 , the voice data is sent to the digital to analog converter  302 . The converter  302  produces the analog version of a voice signal which is passed through amplifier  304  and headset jack to headset  256 . 
   After block  332 , entry is made to block  334  wherein the parameter data information is extracted from the data packet. In block  336 , this parameter information is transmitted through the communication port  310  and connector  312  to the PDA  212 . Within the PDA  212 , a display, such as that shown for display  44  in  FIG. 3 , is produced on the display  226  of the PDA  212 . 
   Continuing to question block  338 , an inquiry is made to determine if the user has changed the car/driver selection. If so, entry is made back to block  324  to select a new frequency for tuning the receiver  298 . The sequential process as described above is repeated. If the user has not changed the car/driver selection in block  338 , entry is made to question block  340  which determines if the user has changed the mode of operation of the receiver  290  to other than that of monitoring a particular car/driver. If the answer is yes, exit is made from this operational sequence. If the answer is no, control is transferred back to block  328  to receive the next data packets for processing as described in the sequential steps. 
   As noted above, the voice and parameter information relating to a particular race car can be transmitted as digital packets. An illustration of such packets is shown in  FIG. 13 . Packets  360 ,  362  and  364  are transmitted in timed sequence and each packet has a corresponding header  360 A,  362 A and  364 A. The header of the packet defines the type of information (voice or data) and identifies the particular car/driver related to the information. For example, packets  360  and  362  may be voice information while packet  364  is parameter data. There may unequal numbers of the two types of packets with voice packets being transmitted more frequently than data packets so that the voice signal produced is not interrupted. The data packets can be transmitted within the voice packet so as to not interrupt the voice transmissions. 
   An alternative graphic (with text) display screen  380  for use on a display is shown in  FIG. 14 . This text and graphic display can be used with any one of the previous devices having a display screen described herein. The display  380  includes a text identification of a car number, a driver and the position in time of that driver behind the leader. In this example, it is shown that the selected driver is 5.2 seconds behind the race leader. This display further includes a graphic illustration of a race track  382  and on the track there are shown symbols representing the race cars. These are symbols  384 ,  386  and  388 . Any number of symbols may be used, but in this particular example, there is shown the first place car, second place car and the car selected to be of particular interest for the user of the receiving apparatus. The symbols can be differentiated by color, texture, shape or by on/off flashing of the particular symbol so that it is apparent to the user which car is the selected car, such as car 5 shown in  FIG. 14 , and which of the two cars represent the first and second place cars in the race. For example, as shown in  FIG. 14 , the first place car can be represented by symbol  384  (a first color), the second place car by symbol  386  (a second color) and the car selected to be of interest by this user is represented by symbol  388  (a third color). This gives the user the relative positions of the cars of most interest to that particular user in the race. 
   The information for defining the shape of the track  382  can be entered and stored in the memory of the receiving apparatus. The information defining the particular location of the car on the race track can be provided by any one many techniques that are updated frequently. The cars can be located by position locating apparatus using radio triangulation, electronic sensors positioned around the track with corresponding car identification transmitters, GPS equipment located in the automobiles, or optical identification of the vehicle identity and location from real time television images. Thus, the display  380  shown in  FIG. 14  can provide still further information to a user of the radio receiving apparatus concerning the status of the race. 
   Although multiple embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it must be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention.