Patent ID: 7983222

Claim:
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium encoded with computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, perform a method for selecting a wireless channel for transmitting a media signal originating from a personal media player, the method comprising: automatically identifying a target wireless channel from among a number of wireless channels, wherein the number of wireless channels are non-blacklisted channels based on one of: a predetermined time period, a frequency band pass, and a predetermined geographic location; identifying at least two additional wireless channels within a predetermined proximity of the target wireless channel; receiving a signal via the target wireless channel; receiving signals via each of the at least two additional wireless channels; measuring a characteristic of the signal received via the target wireless channel; measuring characteristics of the signals received via each of the at least two additional wireless channels; evaluating a channel usability algorithm based on a measured characteristic of the signal received via the target wireless channel and measured characteristics of the signals received via each of the at least two additional wireless channels, whether the target wireless channel is deemed to be usable to transmit the media signal, wherein the channel usability algorithm compares the measured characteristics of the signals received via the target wireless channel and the additional wireless channels to first and second threshold values, the first and second threshold values being dynamic values based on factors selected from: relationships between strengths of signals received via the at least two additional wireless channels associated with the target wireless channel and a geographic location; calculating a score for further evaluation of the usability algorithm by: multiplying the identified received signal strength associated with the target wireless channel by a weighting factor to form a weighted result, adding the strengths of the signals received via the at least two additional wireless channels to form an added result, and adding the weighted result to the added result to form the score; associating the score with the target wireless channel; identifying the target wireless channel having the lowest associated score to be the best usable wireless channel to transmit the media signal; and when the target wireless channel is deemed to be usable to transmit the media signal, transmitting the media signal via the target wireless channel.