Radio scanner for sporting events

Abstract

A scanner for monitoring signals at one or more frequencies having a processor for performing various functionalities of the scanner in accordance with a set of instructions including a menu of selectable menu items; a display for displaying the menu items; and at least one variable selector operatively coupled to the processor for selecting menu items. The scanner also includes a receiver for receiving serial data regarding an event from a local transmitter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A scanner for monitoring signals at one or more frequencies comprising:
 a processor for performing various functionalities of the scanner in accordance with a set of instructions including a menu of selectable menu items;   a display for displaying the menu items; and   at least one variable selector operatively coupled to the processor for selecting menu items.   
     
     
         2 . The scanner of  claim 1  further including a volume equalizer for producing an audible output at a selectable volume level regardless of the volume level of a received signal. 
     
     
         3 . The scanner of  claim 1  further comprising a memory for the processor and a scan list stored in the memory, said scan list including data identifying various frequencies as being associated with a source of the signals transmitted at the corresponding frequency. 
     
     
         4 . The scanner of  claim 1  further including a selector for enabling the scanner to toggle between any two most recently selected frequencies. 
     
     
         5 . The scanner of  claim 1  further including a selectable Main menu for selecting among a plurality of main menu options including Series; Scan List; Priority; Preferences and Program options. 
     
     
         6 . The scanner of  claim 1  wherein the series options comprise selectable menu items for multiple series representing racing events. 
     
     
         7 . The scanner of  claim 5  wherein the Scan list comprises a list of car and associated driver options participating in a racing event. 
     
     
         8 . The scanner of  claim 5  wherein Priority option comprises a plurality of selectable driver scanning selections having a scanning rate higher than remaining driver selections. 
     
     
         9 . The scanner of  claim 5  wherein the Preferences include a plurality of selections including Light; Squelch; Priority Scan; and Scan Delay control options. 
     
     
         10 . The scanner of  claim 9  wherein the Light option is for selecting or deselecting an option for lighting the display. 
     
     
         11 . The scanner of  claim 9  wherein the Squelch option is for selecting a squelch level of the scanner. 
     
     
         12 . The scanner of  claim 9  wherein the Priority Scan comprises a selector for enabling and disabling the Priority option. 
     
     
         13 . The scanner of  claim 9  wherein the Scan Delay comprises a selectable time delay between scanning times. 
     
     
         14 . The scanner of  claim 5  wherein the Program option includes programming options including Airwave; Keypad; RXCable; TXCable; Series; and Delete All options. 
     
     
         15 . The scanner of  claim 15  wherein the Airwave option comprises a selection for allowing the scanner to be programmed over a radio frequency. 
     
     
         16 . The scanner of  claim 15  wherein the RXCable option comprises a selection for allowing the scanner to be programmed over a cable link. 
     
     
         17 . The scanner of  claim 15  wherein the TXCable option comprises a selection for allowing the scanner to be transmit data over a cable link. 
     
     
         18 . The scanner of  claim 15  wherein the Series option comprises a an alternative selection option for allowing the scanner scan channels. 
     
     
         19 . The scanner of  claim 15  wherein the Delete All option comprises a selection for allowing the scanner to delete data. 
     
     
         20 . The scanner of  claim 15  including a key pad for programming the scanner and wherein the Key Pad option comprises a selection for allowing the scanner to be programmed over said key pad. 
     
     
         21 . The scanner of  claim 15  wherein the Scanning option comprises a selection for allowing the scanner to scan frequencies within a band. 
     
     
         22 . The scanner of  claim 15  wherein the at least one variable selector is operative to perform select; deselect; done; cancel; transmit; back; functions. 
     
     
         23 . The scanner of  claim 22  wherein the at least one variable selector has associated therewith a function as displayed on the display. 
     
     
         24 . The scanner of  claim 23  wherein the display for the at least one variable selector varies in accordance with available options. 
     
     
         25 . The scanner of  claim 1  further including a radio receiver for receiving at least one of a plurality of available channels in a selected band of frequencies. 
     
     
         26 . The scanner of  claim 1  further including a radio receiver for receiving data regarding an event on a current basis over a radio link. 
     
     
         27 . The scanner of  claim 1  further including a memory for storing data, said data being associated and updateable in connection with a sporting event to be monitored, said data being received and stored by the scanner in response to a control signal. 
     
     
         28 . The scanner of  claim 1  further including a volume equalizer for producing an audible output at a selectable volume level regardless of the volume level of a received signal. 
     
     
         29 . A method for operating a scanner for monitoring signals at one or more frequencies comprising:
 performing various functionalities of the scanner in accordance with a set of instructions for a processor including a menu of selectable menu items for addressing processor functions;   displaying the menu items; and   assigning at least one variable selector for selecting menu items.   
     
     
         30 . The method  claim 29  further comprising storing in a memory for the processor a scan list stored in the memory, said scan list including data identifying various frequencies as being associated with a source of the signals transmitted at the corresponding frequency. 
     
     
         31 . The scanner of  claim 30  further including selecting a plurality of frequencies to monitor, and enabling the scanner to toggle between any two most recently selected frequencies. 
     
     
         32 . The scanner of  claim 29  further including assigning a function to a variable selector from among a plurality of menu options. 
     
     
         33 . The scanner of  claim 32  further comprising assigning a function to the variable selector by displaying a function on the display adjacent the variable selector, which displayed function defines the function when such function is displayed.