Radio receiver apparatus for concurrent reception of voice and related information

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'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.

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' 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.

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 toFIG. 1, there is shown in schematic form a racing facility having a track12with race cars14,16and18. 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 as14A,16A and18A. These transmissions are made between a driver and a pit station20, thereby establishing voice communication between the driver and the crew of a car.

Each of the cars14,16and18is also equipped with a telemetry radio which transmits information regarding the race car. This is indicated as transmissions14B,16B and18B. The telemetry transmissions are conveyed through wireless transmissions, and these signals are received at a plurality of receiving stations22,24,26and28distributed around track12. 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 stations22,24,26and28are connected to a processing system30at a central location by a communication line30A 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 system32collects 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 system32can also collect raw data which is analyzed and formatted by the computer of system32. The data entry station32can be a data entry terminal to a computer or a stand-alone personal computer. This information is transferred to the processing system30which then transmits the information through an antenna34with sufficient power to provide the transmissions to receivers located within the region of the track12.

In an alternate aspect, the two-way voice communications between the drivers and crews can be received concurrently through an antenna36and receiving system38which provides the voice signals to the processing system30. In this alternate aspect, the system30combines the voice signals for each car/driver and the corresponding parameter data and the combined signal for each car/driver is transmitted through antenna34to each of the voice/data receivers in the vicinity of track12.

A voice and data radio receiver40, as further described herein, is used within the vicinity of the track12such that it can receive data transmissions from the antenna34, as well as the direct voice transmissions from the cars14,16and18. The receiver40includes an antenna42, a display screen44, a set of keys46and a speaker48. This embodiment is described in more detail inFIGS. 2 and 4.

A further voice and data radio receiver embodiment is described in reference toFIGS. 6 and 7, wherein the receiver receives the combined voice and data signal. The processing system30receives the data from antenna34and system32and the voice signals from receiving system38. System30combines the data and voice into a single signal that is transmitted through antenna34.

Referring toFIG. 2, there is shown a block diagram of receiver40, as shown inFIG. 1. The receiver40is controlled by a microprocessor54which is operated in conjunction with a memory56that includes program code and data. The antenna42is connected to provide radio frequency signals to a first tunable receiver58and to a second tunable receiver60. The receivers58and60operate concurrently and are frequency tuned by the microprocessor54. The output from the receiver58is provided to a decoder62which provides a digital signal to the microprocessor54. The output (audio signal) of receiver60is provided to an amplifier64which drives the speaker (audio transducer)48and/or a headset jack66. A user can connect a headset to jack66for listening to the driver/crew conversations.

The receiver40further includes an input port65which is connected to the microprocessor54for receiving data which is then stored in the memory56. The port65can be, for example, an infrared receiver, or an electrical connector. The keypad46provides entry of control commands and information for operation of the receiver40.

Referring toFIG. 3, there is shown the receiver40with specific information as could be seen during use at a race. The display screen44includes 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 inFIG. 3or to the specific sport of automobile racing.

The display on the screen44can be text and/or graphics. The display shown inFIG. 3on screen44has both text and graphics.

Further referring toFIG. 1, the drivers, cars, voice channels and data channels for the three illustrated race cars inFIG. 1are shown in Table 1.

Note that for each car and driver combination, there is a specific frequency for a voice channel which can be received by the receiver40and a corresponding frequency for a data channel which is concurrently received by the receiver40. 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 receiver40is 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 receiver40the required information, such as shown in Table 2. Alternatively, this information can be loaded electronically into the receiver40through the port65, 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.

Referring toFIG. 4, there is shown a flow diagram for the operation of the receiver40for a mode of operation to produce concurrent related voice and parameter data pertaining to a selected car/driver for a user. The receiver40can 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 block92is 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 block94wherein the microprocessor54reads a pair of frequencies from the memory56. These are the voice frequency and the data frequency for the selected car/driver.

Following block94, entry is made to block96wherein the microprocessor functions as a digital tuner and tunes the first tunable receiver58to the data frequency and the second tunable receiver60to the voice frequency corresponding to the selected car/driver. Entry is next made to block98wherein the output from the first tunable receiver is received as digital data and the microprocessor54generates data for producing a graphic image at the display44. Such a graphic image is shown inFIG. 3with parameter data (information) about a selected car, driver and related information.

Following block98, entry is made to question block100to determine if the user has changed his selection of car/driver. If so, entry is made back to question block92to repeat the process thus described. If no change has been made in block100, entry is made to question block102to determine if the user has changed the mode of operation of the receiver40to 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 block104to determine if a predetermined time has elapsed such that the parameter data should be updated. If so, entry is made back to block98to decode data currently received from the first (data) receiver58and produce a new graphic image on the display44. 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 frame114as may be used by the receiver40is illustrated inFIG. 5. This sequential frame of data is transmitted repeatedly by the processing system30through the antenna34for each car/driver. This data frame includes RPM (revolutions per minute)116, speed (miles per hour)118, seconds120of the selected car/driver behind the leader, lap122, lap time124in seconds, pit time126in seconds and an advertisement128. The parameter data in this frame are frequently updated so that the user of the receiver40has current information displayed about the selected car/driver.

A further embodiment is a voice and data receiver140which is shown as a block diagram inFIG. 6. This embodiment can be implemented as shown for the receiver40inFIGS. 1 and 3and the outputs/displays produced for the user are the same as described for the receiver40. The receiver140includes a microprocessor142which works in conjunction with a memory144which stores program code and data. The receiver140has an antenna146that receives a signal which is provided to a tunable receiver148. The tunable receiver148is tuned to a selected frequency by operation of the microprocessor142which functions as a digital tuner. When tuned to a selected frequency, the output from the tunable receiver148is provided to a decoder150that produces a digital signal which is provided to the microprocessor142. The signal received by the receiver148is 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 inFIG. 3. Referring toFIG. 1, the voice signals are collected by the receiving antenna36which provides them to the system38which in turn provides the voice signals for each driver to the processing system30. 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 antenna34and received by the receiver140. 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 microprocessor142, referring toFIG. 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) converter152which produces a voice signal in analog form and provides this signal to an amplifier154. The amplified voice signal is then provided to a speaker156and to a headset jack158. These correspond respectively to the speaker48and headset jack66shown inFIG. 2.

Further referring toFIG. 6, the microprocessor142decodes the parameter data, as described above, and produces a graphic image, also as described above, at a display160, which corresponds to the display44of receiver40.

The receiver140further includes an input port166and a keypad168which corresponds to the input port65and keypad46shown inFIG. 2. The frequency data for each car/driver can be entered through the port166.

The receiver140utilizes a single tunable receiver148because 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 diagram180illustrating the operation of the receiver140is shown inFIG. 7. After start, a question block182is 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 block184. In the embodiment herein where only one frequency is utilized for the combined voice and parameter data information, the initial set up is shown inFIG. 2, but without the column for the voice frequencies. This data can be entered automatically through port166or keyed in through keypad168. The data transmission can be at a higher frequency such as in the gigahertz region, for example, in unlicensed bands.

In block186, the receiver148is tuned to the frequency read from the memory144by operation of the microprocessor142. 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 block188, 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 microprocessor142.

In block190, the voice data is extracted from the overall data packet. In block192, this voice data is sent to the digital to analog converter152which produces an analog voice signal that is amplified by the amplifier154and then provided to the speaker156and/or the headset jack158which can be used to drive a user headset.

In block194, the microprocessor142extracts the parameter data for the selected car and driver from the data packets that have been received. In block196, the parameter data is sent to the display160for producing a graphic image, such as that shown inFIG. 3for display44.

Continuing to a question block198, 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 block184to 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 block198, entry is made to question block200to determine if the user has changed the mode of operation for the receiver140. If not, entry is made to block188to update and continue to receive the data packets for the selected car and driver. If the response at block200is yes, the current mode of operation is terminated with an exit from this operation.

A further configuration of a voice/data receiver is illustrated inFIG. 8. A voice and data receiver module210is used in conjunction with a conventional personal digital assistant (PDA)212which may be, for example, a Palm Pilot or similar type of product. The receiver module210includes an antenna214, a multiple conducting line connector216, a headset jack218and a control switch220.

The PDA212includes a display screen226, a set of control switches comprising a keypad228and a port230for receiving the connector216. The PDA212also has an infrared port232for 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 module210is adapted to have a mechanical snap fit with the PDA212such that, when connected, the PDA212and the module210comprise an integral unit. The voice and data produced by the integral unit are substantially the same as that shown for the receiver40illustrated inFIG. 3.

A functional embodiment for the receiver module210is shown as a receiver240inFIG. 9. The receiver240is used in conjunction with the PDA212as illustrated inFIG. 8.

The receiver240includes a microprocessor242which operates in conjunction with a memory244which stores program code and data. The antenna214is connected to a first tunable receiver246and to a second tunable receiver248. The receivers246and248operate concurrently. The tuning of the receivers246and248is performed by the microprocessor242. The output from the receiver246is provided to a decoder250that produces a digital output which is provided to the microprocessor242. The output from the receiver248is provided to an amplifier252which provides the output thereof to a headset jack254. The user can connect a headset256to the headset jack254for receiving audible sounds. Receiver246handles the parameter data and receiver248handles analog voice data.

The microprocessor242receives digital parameter data from the decoder250and this data is provided to a communication port262which is electrically connected to the connector216. The connector216is engagable to the port230of the PDA212.

The receiver240functions in much the same way as the receiver40shown inFIG. 2wherein the receivers240and40receive voice signals directly from the cars, such as14,16and18and receive a separate parameter data signal, such as that transmitted from antenna34by the processing system30. The parameter data, as described above, is received by the tunable receiver246and converted by decoder250into digital form that is received by the microprocessor242. This digital information is transmitted through the communication port262and connector216to the PDA212for producing an image such as that shown on screen44inFIG. 3.

The antenna214receives the voice communications between the car drivers and their crews and this is received for a particular driver by tunable receiver248. The received signal is amplified by amplifier252and the resulting signal is passed through headset jack254to a user headset256.

Car/driver frequency information, as shown in Table 2, can be electronically conveyed through the PDA infrared port232(or through port230) via communication port262and microprocessor242to memory244.

Operation of the receiver240shown inFIG. 9is illustrated by flow diagram270shown inFIG. 10. After the start, entry is made to question block272which 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 block274wherein the microprocessor242reads both a voice frequency and a data frequency from the memory244for the selected car/driver. This information has been previously entered in the form shown in Table 2 above.

Following block274, entry is made to block276wherein the microprocessor242functions as a digital tuner to tune the first receiver246to the data frequency and the second receiver248to the voice frequency for the selected car/driver.

Continuing to block278, the microprocessor242receives parameter data from the receiver246via the decoder250and sends this data to the communication port262wherein it is communicated through the connector216to the PDA212. This parameter data is utilized to generate a display, such as that shown in display44inFIG. 3. This display is produced on the display226of the PDA212.

Following block278, entry is made to question block280to determine if the user has changed selection of car/driver. If the response is yes, entry is made back to block272for re-entry into the process for selecting frequencies and producing data as described above. If the response in question block280is no, entry is made to question block282to determine if the user has changed the mode of operation for the receiver240. 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 block284to 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 block278for receiving new parameter data and updating the display on the screen226of the PDA212.

A block diagram for a receiver290which can also be utilized for the PDA module210shown inFIG. 8is illustrated inFIG. 11. The receiver290includes a microprocessor292which works in conjunction with a memory294that stores program code and data. An antenna296receives signals that are provided to a tunable receiver298. The output of receiver298is provided to a decoder300which provides the received signal in digital form to the microprocessor292. The signal provided to receiver290is digital data which includes both voice and parameter data.

Within the microprocessor292, the voice component of the received signal is separated from the parameter data. The voice data is provided by the microprocessor292to a digital to analog (D/A) converter302which produces an analog signal at the output thereof. This analog signal is conveyed to an amplifier304which in turn provides an output signal to a headset jack306. The user headset256can be driven by the signal from the headset jack306.

The parameter data extracted from the received signal by the microprocessor292is conveyed to a communication port310which is electrically coupled to a connector312. The connector312, which corresponds to the connector216shown inFIG. 8, engages the port230of the PDA212for bi-directional communication.

The operation of the receiver290is described in a flow diagram320shown inFIG. 12. Following the start, entry is made to a question block322to 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 block324wherein the microprocessor292reads a frequency from the memory294that corresponds to the selected car/driver. The data which is previously stored in the memory294for 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 block326, the microprocessor272operates the tunable receiver298to tune it to the frequency for the selected car/driver. Continuing to block328, the receiver290receives data packets, one or multiple, through the antenna296, receiver298, decoder300to the microprocessor292. Thus, the microprocessor292receives therein digital data representing both the voice signal and the parameter data.

In block330, the voice data is separated from the other data in the data packet. Next, in block332, the voice data is sent to the digital to analog converter302. The converter302produces the analog version of a voice signal which is passed through amplifier304and headset jack to headset256.

After block332, entry is made to block334wherein the parameter data information is extracted from the data packet. In block336, this parameter information is transmitted through the communication port310and connector312to the PDA212. Within the PDA212, a display, such as that shown for display44inFIG. 3, is produced on the display226of the PDA212.

Continuing to question block338, an inquiry is made to determine if the user has changed the car/driver selection. If so, entry is made back to block324to select a new frequency for tuning the receiver298. The sequential process as described above is repeated. If the user has not changed the car/driver selection in block338, entry is made to question block340which determines if the user has changed the mode of operation of the receiver290to 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 block328to 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 inFIG. 13. Packets360,362and364are transmitted in timed sequence and each packet has a corresponding header360A,362A and364A. 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, packets360and362may be voice information while packet364is 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 screen380for use on a display is shown inFIG. 14. This text and graphic display can be used with any one of the previous devices having a display screen described herein. The display380includes 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 track382and on the track there are shown symbols representing the race cars. These are symbols384,386and388. 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 inFIG. 14, and which of the two cars represent the first and second place cars in the race. For example, as shown inFIG. 14, the first place car can be represented by symbol384(a first color), the second place car by symbol386(a second color) and the car selected to be of interest by this user is represented by symbol388(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 track382can 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 display380shown inFIG. 14can 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.