This invention describes a cloud-based architecture that orchestrates the detection and dissemination of highly-dynamic, real-time, and fine-grained TV white space information to improve spectrum information used for White Space Devices (WSDs). Wasted spectrum opportunities were first identified, both temporal and spatial, due to the current approach of white spaces detection. This invention introduces a next generation of geo-location databases capable of tracking the state of the relatively static TV transmitters and the highly dynamic TV receivers. A quantitative evaluation of the potential gain in white space availability for large scale deployments of this novel architecture demonstrated significant improvement in the availability of white spaces.

This invention describes a cloud-based architecture that orchestrates the detection and dissemination of highly-dynamic, real-time, and fine-grained TV white space information to improve spectrum information used for White Space Devices (WSDs). Wasted spectrum opportunities were first identified, both temporal and spatial, due to the current approach of white spaces detection. This invention introduces a next generation of geo-location databases capable of tracking the state of the relatively static TV transmitters and the highly dynamic TV receivers. A quantitative evaluation of the potential gain in white space availability for large scale deployments of this novel architecture demonstrated significant improvement in the availability of white spaces.

A system and method for populating an available radio station broadcast list on a mobile device configured with a radio transmitter is disclosed. The method comprises identifying a plurality of radio stations in a database, each of the plurality of radio stations having a radio station broadcast area, each radio station broadcast area comprising a radio station transmitter location and a plurality of broadcast edge points, receiving a request, from the user device, for a list of available radio stations, the request comprising a geographic location of the user device, determining, for each of the plurality of radio stations, one broadcast edge point in the plurality of broadcast edge points that resides on a line defined by the radio station transmitter location, the geographic location of the user device, and the one broadcast edge point, and transmitting, to the user device, each radio station in the plurality of radio stations where the one broadcast edge point is further from the radio station transmitter location than the geographic location of the user device.

A radio broadcast playback method and apparatus is provided. The radio broadcast playback method includes playing a radio broadcast received by a tuner, receiving a channel search request, through an input unit, searching for radio channels by a communication module, while playing the radio broadcast received by the tuner, and outputting the found radio channels.

A radio broadcast playback method and apparatus is provided. The radio broadcast playback method includes playing a radio broadcast received by a tuner, receiving a channel search request, through an input unit, searching for radio channels by a communication module, while playing the radio broadcast received by the tuner, and outputting the found radio channels.

A method and system for antenna alignment is provided at a receiving antenna. Geolocation information of the receiving antenna is entered. An auto-programming sequence is initiated to tune to channels received from a transmitting antenna. A plurality of transmitted signals is received from the transmitting antenna. Each of the plurality of transmitted signals is transmitted on a respective channel and includes geolocation information of the transmitting antenna, conditional access data, and a payload. A signal processor of the receiving antenna calculates a signal path between the receiving antenna and the transmitting antenna for receiving each of the plurality of transmitted signals based on the geolocation information of the receiving antenna and the geolocation information of the transmitting antenna. A storage device of the receiving antenna records, as part of a selection list, a channel number and the calculated signal path to the transmitting antenna for each of the plurality of transmitted signals. One of said plurality of transmitted signals is selected. The receiving antenna is aligned, using a pan/tilt system, to tune the selected one of the plurality of transmitted signals according to the calculated signal path.

A radio tuning method for a vehicle includes sensing that the vehicle is traveling out of a terrestrial broadcast range of a radio station that a radio of the vehicle is currently tuned to. The radio station broadcasts first content. An internet location streaming second content that is substantially similar to the first content broadcasted by the radio station is identified. An estimated period of time remaining until the vehicle exits the terrestrial broadcast range of the first radio station is indicated to the user. A user of the vehicle is provided with an option to switch tuning of the radio from the radio station to the internet location that is streaming the second content.

A radio tuning method for a vehicle includes sensing that the vehicle is traveling out of a terrestrial broadcast range of a radio station that a radio of the vehicle is currently tuned to. The radio station broadcasts first content. An internet location streaming second content that is substantially similar to the first content broadcasted by the radio station is identified. An estimated period of time remaining until the vehicle exits the terrestrial broadcast range of the first radio station is indicated to the user. A user of the vehicle is provided with an option to switch tuning of the radio from the radio station to the internet location that is streaming the second content.

Disclosed in the present invention are an FM channel finding and searching method, a mobile terminal and a storage apparatus. By means of establishing a data table of different channels and priority levels of corresponding numbers of times connecting thereto or pre-determined priority levels, ordering current FM channel information by priority level according to the data table, and acquiring an updated channel list, then loading and displaying corresponding channels, thereby increasing speed of a user finding and searching FM channels, and making use more convenient.

The conversion circuit adapts a legacy radio to play digital broadcasts using a sensing circuit coupled to a control device of the legacy radio to produce a control device position signal. A processor detects changes in this position signal and interprets a pattern of predetermined changes in position signals to generate at least digital radio broadcast scan command. The conversion circuit also includes a digital radio receiver that performs a scan operation in response to the scan command and supplies the processor with a channel list of detected digital stations. The processor associates each of the detected digital stations to a different positional setting of the control device. The processor also interprets different positional settings of the control device as a content selection commands, which it uses to cause the receiver to select a particular content component for playback through an audio amplifier.