Method and apparatus for wireless digital radio

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for a first controlled device, such as a wireless local transmitter that accepts a plurality of digital audio signals and corresponding program information signals converted from a controlled source, such as the encoded digital data provided by a digital data signal source, typically a community antenna television (CATV) cable or direct broadcast satellite, then modulates said digital audio and corresponding program information signals on different carrier frequencies and transmits the modulated signals to a plurality of second controlled devices, such as remote digital receiver/tuners that demodulate said signals to output music in stereophonic sound and display the corresponding program information by means of an alphanumeric display. The first and second controlled devices contain microprocessor systems for communicating, controlling, storing, processing, and display of digital data within the operation of the respective system. A high speed, error free digital signal protocol is utilized for transmitting digital audio and corresponding program information signals to and from the digital receiver/tuner. The digital data transmitter and digital receiver/tuners utilize the 44.1 kilohertz (kHz) Compact Disc (CD) clock signal embedded in digital audio signals provided by an established delivery system to derive clocking signals for reception and processing of digital audio signals and for implementing the display information communications protocol.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method comprising:
 receiving audio data at a user device;   receiving information relating to the audio data at the user device, the information identifying a song title and an artist;   presenting the information on a display of the user device;   storing the information in a memory of the user device; and   receiving input from a user, the input causing the user device to initiate a purchase of music corresponding to the information via an electronic account associated with the user.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein receiving the audio data comprises:
 receiving a digital audio signal comprising a plurality of audio data; and   selecting one of the plurality of audio data.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the digital audio signal comprises a locally-broadcast digital audio signal. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 tuning the user device to receive the audio data.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 playing the audio data using the user device.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the user device is portable. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the information further identifies an album associated with the song title. 
     
     
         28 . An apparatus comprising:
 a receiver configured to receive (i) audio data and (ii) information relating to the audio data and identifying a song title and an artist;   a display configured to present the information;   a memory configured to store the information; and   a processing device configured to receive input from a user, the input causing the processing device to initiate a purchase of music corresponding to the information via an electronic account associated with the user.   
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein the receiver comprises a tuner configured to receive a digital audio signal comprising a plurality of audio data and to select one of the plurality of audio data. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the tuner is configured to receive a locally-broadcast digital audio signal. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , further comprising:
 circuitry configured to play the audio data.   
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the circuitry comprises:
 a decoder configured to decode the audio data; and   an amplifier configured to amplify the decoded audio data.   
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein the apparatus is portable. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein the information further identifies an album associated with the song title. 
     
     
         35 . A non-transitory computer readable medium embodying logic that, when executed by at least one processing device, causes the at least one processing device to:
 receive audio data;   receive information relating to the audio data and identifying a song title and an artist;   present the information on a display;   store the information in a memory; and   initiate a purchase of music corresponding to the information via an electronic account associated with a user based on input from the user.   
     
     
         36 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 35 , wherein the logic, when executed by the at least one processing device, further causes the at least one processing device to:
 select one of a plurality of audio data in a digital audio signal, the selected one of the plurality of audio data comprising the received audio data.   
     
     
         37 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 35 , wherein the logic, when executed by the at least one processing device, further causes the at least one processing device to:
 tune a receiver to receive the audio data.   
     
     
         38 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 35 , wherein the logic, when executed by the at least one processing device, further causes the at least one processing device to:
 control playback of the audio data.   
     
     
         39 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 35 , wherein the information further identifies an album associated with the song title. 
     
     
         40 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 35 , wherein the audio data comprises digital audio data.