WO2001035558A1

WO2001035558A1 - Internet radio apparatus and system

Info

Publication number: WO2001035558A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/030929
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Douma; Joe Novelli
Original assignee: Sony Electronics, Inc.
Priority date: 1999-11-11
Filing date: 2000-11-09
Publication date: 2001-05-17
Also published as: AU1482401A; JP2003514436A

Abstract

An audio interface apparatus (16; 116; 216), a computer apparatus (12; 112; 212), a radio apparatus (14; 114; 214) and/or an audio system (10; 100; 200) utilizing one or more of such apparatus. The radio apparatus (114; 214) may have a receiver (140, 149, 150) tunable to a number of frequencies which receives transmitted audio signals, a generating circuit (152, 160; 252, 160) which generates modulated control signals, and a transmitter (162, 140) which transmits the modulated control signals. The computer apparatus (112; 212) may be adaptable to receive demodulated control signals and Internet radio signals associated with a number of radio stations and to generate audio signals representative of respective Internet radio signals and output the same. The interface apparatus (16; 116; 216) may include a first circuit (30, 32, 34, 36; 130, 132, 134, 136; 230, 232, 234, 236) adaptable to receive the audio signals from the computer apparatus (12; 112; 212), modulate the received audio signals in a predetermined manner, and transmit the modulated audio signals at a predetermined frequency for reception by the radio apparatus (14; 114; 214) tuned to the predetermined frequency. The interface apparatus (116; 216) may further include a second circuit (136, 135, 137, 131; 236, 235, 237, 267, 265, 261) adaptable to receive the transmitted modulated control signals from the radio apparatus (114; 214), demodulate the received modulated control signals and supply the same to the computer apparatus (112; 212).

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

INTERNET RADIO APPARATUS AND SYSTEM

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an audio interface apparatus, a computer apparatus, a radio apparatus and/or an audio system and, more particular, to such apparatus for enabling radio signals supplied by way of the Internet to be transmitted for reception by a radio such as the radio apparatus and to such audio system utilizing the same.

The Internet enables a user to access a variety of information. For example, a user may obtain information pertaining to a desired subject, shopping catalog information, travel information, and so forth.

Additionally, the Internet may provide audio signals from a number of radio stations. In this situation, a user may listen to the audio sounds corresponding to Internet radio signals from a desired radio station (hereinafter referred to as "Internet radio sounds") if the arrangement being utilized by the user to access the Internet has one or more speakers. Such arrangement may include a computer having a monitor and may be coupled to a telephone line over which access to the Internet is provided. However, as is to be appreciated, if such computer arrangement does not include a speaker or speakers, then the user can not listen to the Internet radio sounds. Further, even if such computer arrangement includes a speaker or speakers, if such speakers are substantially fixedly located in one location of a home or office or the like, it may be very difficult, if not impossible, for the user to listen to the Internet radio sounds from another location in the home or office. Furthermore, even if the computer arrangement includes a speaker or speakers, such speaker(s) may not provide acceptable sound quality.

Accordingly, the above-described computer arrangement may not enable a user to listen to Internet radio sounds associated with a desired radio station at a desired location in a home or office or the like and/or may not enable the desired Internet radio signals to be heard with acceptable sound quality. OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and/or system which overcomes the above-described disadvantages of the above computer arrangement. More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide one or more apparatus and/or a system utilizing the same which enable radio signals supplied by way of the Internet and associated with a desired radio station to be transmitted at a predetermined frequency for reception by a radio tuned to the predetermined frequency. It is a further object of the present invention to provide the apparatus and/or system as aforesaid wherein a user is able to change the radio station associated with the radio signals currently being received by the radio by use of a control switch or switches or the like located at the radio.

A further object of the present invention is to provide the apparatus and/or system as aforesaid wherein information data signals (representative of radio station identification, connection status information, and so forth) are transmitted to the radio and indications corresponding thereto are displayed thereat so as to be observable by the user.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a system for transmitting and receiving audio signals is provided. Such system comprises a radio having a receiver tunable to a number of frequencies which receives transmitted audio signals, a generating circuit which generates modulated control signals, and a transmitter which transmits the modulated control signals; a computer adaptable to receive demodulated control signals and Internet radio signals associated with a number of stations and to generate audio signals representative of respective Internet radio signals and output the same; and an interface device having a first circuit adaptable to receive the audio signals from the computer, modulate the received audio signals in a predetermined manner, and transmit the modulated audio signals at a predetermined frequency for reception by the radio tuned to the predetermined frequency, the interface device further having a second circuit adaptable to receive the transmitted modulated control signals from the radio, demodulate the received modulated control signals and supply the same to the computer.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a system for transmitting and receiving audio signals is provided. Such system comprises a radio having a receiver circuit tunable to a number of frequencies which receives transmitted signals, a detector circuit which determines whether the received signals are audio signals or information data signals, a generating circuit which generates modulated control signals, and a transmitter circuit which transmits the modulated control signals; a computer adaptable to receive demodulated control signals and Internet radio signals associated with a number of stations, to generate information data signals and audio signals representative of the received Internet radio signals, and to output the audio signals and the information data signals; and an interface device having a modulating circuit which receives the audio and information data signals from the computer, modulates the received audio and information data signals in a predetermined manner, and transmits the same at a predetermined frequency for reception by the radio tuned to the predetermined frequency, the interface device further having a demodulating circuit which receives the transmitted modulated control signals from the radio, demodulates the received control signals and supplies the same to the computer.

In accordance with a still further aspect of the present invention, an interface circuit for transmitting audio signals from a desired Internet radio station obtained from a computer for reception by a radio is provided. Such interface circuit comprises a first circuit adaptable to receive transmitted modulated control signals from the radio, demodulate the received modulated control signals and supply the same to the computer; and a second circuit adaptable to receive audio signals from the computer representative of Internet radio signals, modulate the received audio signals in a predetermined manner, and transmit the modulated audio signals at a predetermined frequency for reception by the radio tuned to the predetermined frequency, wherein the modulated control signals represent a user specified change to a respective radio station associated with the Internet radio signals currently being received by the radio. Other objects, features and advantages according to the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the illustrated embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which corresponding components are identified by the same reference numerals. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 A is a diagram of an audio signal transmitting and receiving system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. IB is a diagram of a radio apparatus of the system of Fig. 1A; Fig. 2 A is a diagram of an audio signal transmitting and receiving system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2B is a diagram of a radio apparatus of the system of Fig. 2 A; Fig. 3 A is a diagram of an audio signal transmitting and receiving system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 3B is a diagram of a radio apparatus of the system of Fig. 3 A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Audio systems in which signals corresponding to desired radio signals obtained from the Internet are transmitted and received by a radio in accordance with embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figs. 1-4. Fig. 1 illustrates an audio system 10 which generally includes a computer 12, a radio 14 , and an interface device 16.

The computer 12 may include an input terminal 20 adapted to be coupled to a cable 18 such as a telephone-type cable which, in turn, is adapted for receiving Internet signals therethrough. Input commands from a user may be provided by way of an input device 19, which may be a keyboard, a mouse or the like. The computer 12 may further include a processor 22 for performing signal processing and a sound card 24 for processing audio signals in a predetermined manner. An output terminal 26 through which audio signals may be outputted may be part of or coupled to the sound card 24.

As a result, Internet signals may be provided through the cable 18 to the input terminal 20 of the computer 12. Processing of such received Internet signals may be performed by the processor 22 and/or the sound card 24 so as to obtain analog Internet radio signals associated with a desired radio station which are provided to the output terminal 26. The user may select the desired radio station by use of the input device 19. The interface device 16 may be coupled to the computer 12 by use of a cable 28. More specifically, the cable 28 may be connected at one end to the output terminal 26 of the computer 12 and at the other end to an input terminal 30 of the interface device 16. As a result, analog Internet radio signals from the output terminal 26 of the computer 12 may be supplied to the input terminal 30 of the interface device 16. Such analog Internet radio signals may be supplied to the input terminal 30 at a predetermined frequency, such as 88.1 MHz.

The interface device 16 may include a modulator 32 and a transmitting circuit 34. The modulator 32 is adapted to receive analog Internet radio signals from the input terminal 30 and to modulate the same in accordance with a predetermined modulation technique, such as a radio frequency (RF) modulation technique. The transmitting circuit 34 receives the modulated Internet radio signals and causes the same to be transmitted at a predetermined frequency or band by way of an antenna 36. Such predetermined frequency may be that associated with an unused AM or FM band. The radio 14, which may be an ordinary AM and/or FM radio, may include a receiving circuit 49, a demodulating circuit 50, a processor 52, one or more speakers 44, a display 42, and a plurality of control switches or knobs 46, as shown in Figs. 1 A and IB. The radio 14 may be tunable to a desired frequency by use of one of the control switches 46. The remaining switches 46 may control volume, tone, balance and the like. Information, such as the selected frequency, volume, and so forth may be displayed on the display 42.

The radio 14 is adapted to receive transmitted audio signals, such as the transmitted modulated Internet radio signals from the interface device 16, by way of an antenna 40 and the receiving circuit 49. The received modulated signals may be demodulated by the demodulating circuit 50 and the obtained demodulated signals may be processed by the processor 52 so as to produce audio signals which are supplied to the speaker(s) 44.

In addition to receiving the transmitted Internet radio signals, the radio 14 may also receive radio signals broadcasted directly from the broadcasting station(s). In operation, upon activation of the computer 12 and accessing of the

Internet, Internet signals may be supplied to the computer 12 by way of the cable 18. A user may select a desired radio station from among a number of available radio stations by use of the input device 19. Such available radio stations are those associated with the signals supplied by the Internet to the computer 12. The radio signals of the selected radio station may be processed so as to obtain corresponding analog audio signals. Such audio signals may be supplied at a predetermined frequency (such as 88.1 MHz) from the output terminal 26 to the input terminal 30 of the interface device 16, whereat such signals may be modulated in accordance with a predetermined technique and transmitted at a predetermined frequency (such as an unused AM or FM frequency) by way of the transmitting circuit 34 and the antenna 36. The user tunes the radio 14 to the predetermined frequency by use of the appropriate one of the switches 46. As a result, the modulated radio signals of the selected radio station transmitted by the interface device 16 are received by the radio 14. Such received signals may be demodulated and/or processed and supplied to the speaker(s) 44, whereupon the corresponding sound is provided.

Therefore, in the audio system 10, a radio station may be selected by a user from among a number of available radio stations provided by the Internet and audio signals corresponding to the radio signals of the selected radio station may be transmitted and such transmitted audio signals may be received by use of an ordinary radio. Such radio may provide relatively high quality sound and may be a portable or relatively easily movable-type radio.

Accordingly, the present audio system enables a user to listen to a desired radio station supplied by way of the Internet even if the computer 12 does not have speakers directly coupled thereto. Further, as is to be appreciated, the present audio system enables the user to listen to such desired radio station at a location different from and possibly largely removed from the computer 12. Furthermore, since the radio utilized by the user may provide high quality sound, the audio sounds from the desired radio station may be provided with such high quality.

Although in describing the audio system 10, the user selected one radio station from among the available radio stations, the present system is not so limited. As an alternative, the user may select more than one radio station and may provide an indication as to when signals from each selected radio station are to be transmitted. Such indications may be time based. For example, the user may specify that signals from radio station 1 are to be transmitted from time 1 to time 2 and signals from radio station 2 are to be transmitted from time 3 to time 4. These time based indications may be supplied to the computer 12 by way of the input device 19 and may be processed by the computer with the use of an internal clock.

In the audio system 10, if a user wishes to change the currently selected radio station, the user inputs a command by way of the input device 19. As such, if the user is currently listening to the originally selected radio station in a room or location close to the radio 14 and wishes to change the radio station, the user must proceed to the room or location of the computer 12 and input the desired change by use of the input device 19. As is to be appreciated, such procedure may be inconvenient and/or time consuming. This problem may be overcome by the following audio systems. Fig. 2 A illustrates an audio system 100 which generally includes a computer 112, a radio 114, and an interface device 116.

In a manner somewhat similar to that of audio system 10, the computer 112 may include an input terminal 120 adapted to be coupled to cable 18, a processor 122 for performing signal processing and a sound card 124 for processing audio signals in a predetermined manner. An output terminal 126 through which audio signals may be outputted may be part of or coupled to the sound card 124. Input commands from a user may be provided by way of an input device 119, which may be a keyboard, a mouse or the like. As a result, Internet signals may be provided through the cable 18 to the input terminal 120 of the computer 112. Processing of such received Internet signals may be performed by the processor 122 and/or the sound card 124 so as to obtain analog Internet radio signals associated with a radio station which are provided to the output terminal 126. A cable 128 may be connected between the output terminal 126 of the computer 112 and an input terminal 130 of the interface device 116 so as to enable the analog Internet radio signals from the output terminal 126 to be supplied at a predetermined frequency (such as 88.1 MHz) to the input terminal 130. The interface device 116 may include a modulator 132 adapted to receive the analog Internet radio signals from the input terminal 130 and to modulate the same in accordance with a predetermined modulation technique (such as a RF modulation technique) and may include a transmitting circuit 134 adapted to receive the modulated Internet radio signals and cause the same to be transmitted at a predetermined frequency or band (such as that associated with an unused AM or FM band) by way of an antenna 136. As shown in Figs. 2A and 2B, the radio 114 may include a receiving circuit 149, a demodulating circuit 150, a processor 152, one or more speakers 144, a display 142, and a plurality of control switches or knobs 146. The radio 114 may be tunable to a desired frequency by use of one of the control switches 146. The remaining switches 146 may control volume, tone, balance and the like. Information, such as the selected frequency, volume, and so forth may be displayed on the display 142. The radio 114 is adapted to receive transmitted audio signals, such as the transmitted modulated Internet radio signals from the interface device 116, by way of an antenna 140 and the receiving circuit 149. The received modulated signals may be demodulated by the demodulating circuit 150 and the obtained demodulated signals may be processed by the processor 152 so as to produce audio signals which are supplied to the speaker(s) 144. In addition to receiving the transmitted Internet radio signals, the radio 1 14 may also receive radio signals broadcasted directly from the broadcasting station(s). Unlike the audio system 10, the audio system 100 may enable a user to initiate the process of transmitting Internet radio signals and/or to initiate a radio station change from the radio 114. Such differences will now be more fully described.

In addition to the elements previously described, the radio 114 may include a modulating circuit 160, a transmitting circuit 162, a station up/down switch 145, and an AM/FM/Internet switch 147 and the interface device 116 may include a receiving circuit 135, a demodulating circuit 137, and an output terminal 131.

The AM/FM/Internet switch 147 enables a user to select a desired operating mode for the radio 114 from among (i) an AM mode in which AM signals may be received, (ii) an FM mode in which FM signals may be received, and (iii) an Internet mode in which radio signals obtained from the Internet may be received. Upon selecting the Internet mode by use of the switch 147, the processor 152 may generate an Internet mode control signal. Such control signal may cause the radio 114 to receive the Internet radio signals transmitted by the interface device 116. Additionally, such control signal may be supplied to the modulating circuit 160 so as to be modulated in a predetermined manner and the modulated control signal may be transmitted by way of the transmitting circuit 162 and the antenna 140. As hereinafter more fully described, such transmitted control signal may be received by the interface device 116 and supplied to the computer 112 and, in response thereto, the computer 112 may initiate the supply of radio signals from the Internet to the interface device 130 whereupon the same may be transmitted therefrom.

The station up/down switch 145 enables the user to change a radio station when the radio 114 is operating in the Internet mode. Such switch may be a dual depressible-type switch adapted to enable a change in the radio station in a first direction (such as in an upward or "+" direction) or in a second direction (such as in a downward or "-" direction). As an example, each depression of the switch 145 may correspond to a single step change in radio stations in the respective direction, such as from radio station 1 to the adjacent radio station 2 when the up switch 145 is depressed or from radio station 2 to adjacent radio station 1 when the down switch 145 is depressed. Upon depressing or activating the switch 145, the processor 152 may generate a radio station change control signal. Such change control signal may be supplied to the modulating circuit 160 so as to be modulated in a predetermined manner and the modulated change control signal may be transmitted by way of the transmitting circuit 162 and the antenna 140. As hereinafter more fully described, the transmitted change control signal may be received by the interface device 116 and supplied to the computer 112 which, in response thereto, may provide a corresponding change in the radio station.

The control signal may be a tone-type signal, in which different audio tones are respectively utilized for different operations. For example, a first audio tone may be utilized for an upward station change and a second audio tone may be utilized for a downward radio station.

The transmitted modulated control signal (which may be a tone signal) from the radio 114 may be received at the interface device 116 by way of the antenna 136 and the receiving circuit 135. The received modulated control signal may be supplied to the demodulating circuit 137 so as to be demodulated in a manner substantially opposite to the modulating performed by the modulating circuit 160 of the radio 114. The demodulated control signal may be outputted from the interface device 116 by way of an output terminal 131.

The demodulated control signal from the output terminal 131 of the interface device 116 may be supplied to an input terminal 127 of the computer 112 by way of a cable 129. Such input terminal 127 may be a microphone input terminal of the sound card 124. The received demodulated control signal may be processed by the sound card 124. Such processing may include performing an analog-to-digital conversion. The resulting digital control signal may be supplied to the processor 122 which, in response thereto, may perform the appropriate processing operation. For example, if the received control signal corresponds to the Internet mode control signal, then the processor 122 may cause the Internet radio signal transmission process to begin. On the other hand, if the received control signal corresponds to the station change control signal, then the processor 122 may cause a corresponding change in the radio station to be performed.

In operation, upon actuation of the computer 112 and accessing of the Internet, Internet signals may be supplied to the computer 112 by way of the cable 18. A user may initiate the radio signal transmission process and may select a desired radio station from among a number of available radio stations by use of the input device 119. As an alternative to initiating the radio signal transmission process by use of the input device 119, a user may activate the radio 114 and set the switch 147 to the Internet mode setting, whereupon a control signal may be transmitted from the radio 114, received by the interface device 116, and supplied to the computer 112 whereupon, in response thereto, the radio signal transmission process may be initiated. The radio signals of a respective radio station may be processed so as to obtain corresponding analog audio signals which may be supplied at a predetermined frequency (such as 44.1 MHz) from the output terminal 126 to the input terminal 130 of the interface device 116, whereat such signals may be modulated in accordance with a predetermined technique and transmitted at a predetermined frequency (such as an unused AM or FM frequency) by way of the transmitting circuit 134 and the antenna 136. If not yet performed, the user activates the radio 114, sets the switch 147 to the Internet mode setting, and tunes the radio 114 to the predetermined frequency by use of the appropriate one of the switches 146. As a result, the modulated radio signals of the radio station transmitted by the interface device 116 are received by the radio 114. Such received signals may be demodulated and/or processed and supplied to the speaker(s) 144, whereupon the corresponding sound is provided.

If the user wishes to change the radio station currently being received by the radio 114, the user may input the appropriate command to the computer 112 by use of the input device 119. Alternatively, the user may activate or depress the up/down switch 145 in the appropriate manner so as to obtain the desired radio station. In this later situation, upon depressing the up/down switch 145, a radio station control signal may be generated and transmitted by the radio 114, received by the interface device 116, and supplied from the interface device to the computer 112 whereupon the processor 122 may be controlled so as to effect a corresponding change in the radio station, in a manner as previously described.

Accordingly, the audio system 100 provides the above-described features of the audio system 10. In addition thereto, the audio system 100 enables the user to initiate the radio signal transmission process by setting the switch 147 to the Internet mode setting and also enables the user to change a radio station by use of a switch (such as the up/down switch 145) located on the radio 114 so as to save the user from having to proceed to input device 119 of the computer 112 to initiate the radio signal transmission process or each time he/she wishes to change a radio station.

Although in the above description of the audio system 100, the switch 147 was described as having three mode settings (i.e., AM mode, FM mode, and Internet mode), the present invention is not so limited. That is, such switch may have less than or more than three settings and/or may represent a different selection of modes. For example, such switch may have four modes, that is, AM mode, FM mode, Internet mode, and CD mode, in which in the CD mode a compact disc (CD) may be reproduced by a CD reproducing device located at the computer 112 and the reproduced audio signals transmitted for reception by the radio 114.

In the audio system 100, if a user wishes to change the currently selected radio station to a particular station by use of the channel up/down switch 145, the user may depress the switch 145 and then listen to the new station to determine if it is the particular station desired by the user. If it is not, the user may again depress the switch 145 and listen to the new station to determine if it is the desired station. Such procedure may continue until the user locates the desired station. As is to be appreciated, such procedure may be time-consuming and tedious. This problem may be overcome by the following audio systems.

Fig. 3A illustrates an audio system 200 which generally includes a computer 212, a radio 214, and an interface device 216. Each of these apparatuses includes a number of elements which are similar to and operate in a similar manner to those in the audio system 100. Accordingly, and in the interest of brevity, these similar elements and their operation will not be further described herein. As such, the differences between the audio system 100 and the audio system 200 will now be described.

The computer 212 may provide radio signals in a manner similar to that of previously described computer 12 and/or 112. Analog radio signals may be supplied to the interface device 216 by way of a sound card 224, an output terminal 227, and a cable 228. In addition thereto, the computer 212 with the use of a processor 222 may also generate informational data signals. Such informational data signals may represent radio station identification information, connection status information, and/or signaling information or the like. The signaling information, which may be a number of tones or tone signals and which be arranged in a beginning or header portion of a signal, may provide an indication as to whether the respective signal is an audio signal or an informational data signal. The informational data signals in digital form may be supplied from the computer 212 to the interface device 216 by way of a digital port 226 and a cable 263, in which this connection therebetween may be a RS 232 serial data connection or other two-way digital data type connection.

The analog radio signals may be received at an input terminal 230 of the interface device 216. Such received radio signals may be modulated by a modulating circuit 232 in accordance with a predetermined modulation technique (such as a RF modulation technique) and transmitted therefrom at a predetermined frequency by way of a transmitting circuit 234 and an antenna 236. On the other hand, the digital informational data signals may be received at an input terminal 261 of the interface device 216. Such received digital informational data signals may be processed by a processor 265 and the processed data signals may be converted to analog form by a digital-to-analog converter 267. The analog informational data signals may be modulated by the modulating circuit 232 and transmitted at a predetermined frequency by way of the transmitting circuit 234 and antenna 236. Transmitted signals from the interface device 216 may be received by the antenna 140 and the receiving circuit 149 of the radio 214. Such received signals may be demodulated by the demodulating circuit 150. The demodulated signals may be supplied to a processor 252 which may include a detecting circuit 254. Such detecting circuit may determine whether the received signals are radio signals or informational data signals. This determination may be performed by detecting changes in the tones associated with the signaling information of the received signals or by detecting changes in the sequences of such tones and so forth. The received signals may be processed in accordance with the results of such determination. For example, if the received signals are determined to be radio signals they may be processed and provided to the speakers 144 so as to produce audio sounds corresponding thereto. On the other hand, if the received signals are determined to be informational data signals, they may be processed and provided to the display 142 so as to provide an indication thereof for visual observation by the user.

A user may initiate a request for informational data (such as for radio station identification information) by use of input switches or controls 246 of the radio 214 whereupon the processor 252 may generate a request signal. Such request signal may be modulated and transmitted in a manner similar to that previously described with regard to the Internet mode control signal or the station change control signal. The transmitted request signal may be received by the interface device 216 by way of the antenna 236 and receiving circuit 235. The received request signal may be demodulated by demodulating circuit 237 and converted into a digital signal by use of an analog-to- digital converter 267. The digital request signal may be processed by the processor 265 and supplied through terminal 261 to the digital port 226 of the computer 212. In response thereto, the computer 212 with the use of processor 222 may generate the requested information and supply the same by way of the digital port 226 to the interface device 216, whereupon such information may be processed, converted to analog form, modulated and transmitted for reception by the radio 214.

In the audio system 200, two connections or cables are utilized between the computer 212 and the interface device 216, that is, one between the sound card 224 (terminal 227) and the terminal 230 and one between the digital port 226 and the terminal 261. Alternatively, only one connection or cable may be utilized. For example, the connection between the sound card 224 and the terminal 230 may be eliminated and only a single connection between the digital port 226 and the terminal 261 may be utilized. Such connection may be a RS232 serial connection, a parallel connection, a universal serial bus (USB) connection, a 1394 connection, a IrDa connection, or other two-way digital connection or link which has sufficient bandwidth for enabling the transmission of the audio data. In such example, the informational data and the audio data are transmitted from the digital port 226 in digital form. The data may be compressed in accordance with a predetermined compression technique, such as a linear pulse code modulated (PCM) technique or the like. If the data is compressed, the processor 265 may decompress the data prior to converting the same to analog form by the digital-to-analog converter 267.

Additionally, in the above-described audio system, the audio data may be transmitted from the interface device in either analog of digital form. If the audio data is transmitted in digital form, the radio may perform a digital-to-analog conversion so as to convert the received digital audio data into analog form.

The receiving and/or transmitting circuits used in the radios of the present invention may operate in a so-called ISM (Industry, Science and Medicine) band. Additionally, the range of signals transmitted by the present invention (such as those transmitted by the present radio) may be related to the respective transmission power, in which the maximum allowable transmission power may be regulated by the FCC.

Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention and modifications thereof have been described in detail herein, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to these precise embodiments and modifications, and that other modifications and variations may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An apparatus comprising an input terminal (30; 130; 230 and/or 261) for receiving from a computer (12; 112; 212) audio signals representative of radio signals supplied by way of an Internet source, a modulator (32; 132; 232) which modulates the received audio signals in a predetermined manner, and a transmitter (34, 36; 134, 136; 234, 236) which transmits the modulated audio signals at a predetermined frequency for reception by a radio (14; 114; 214) tuned to said predetermined frequency.

2. A system for transmitting audio signals, said system comprising: a computer (12; 112; 212) for receiving Internet radio signals and for outputting audio signals representative of the Internet radio signals; and a modulator (30, 32, 34, 36; 130, 132, 134, 136; 230 and/or 261, 232, 234, 236) for receiving the audio signals from said computer (12; 112; 212) and for modulating the received audio signals in a predetermined manner and transmitting the modulated audio signals at a predetermined frequency for reception by a radio (14; 114; 214) tuned to said predetermined frequency.

3. A system for transmitting and receiving audio signals, said system comprising: a radio (114; 214) having a receiver (149; 249) tunable to a number of frequencies which receives transmitted audio signals, a generating circuit (152, 160; 252, 160) which generates modulated control signals , and a transmitter (162, 140) which transmits the modulated control signals; a computer (112; 212) adaptable to receive demodulated control signals and Internet radio signals associated with a number of radio stations and to generate audio signals representative of respective Internet radio signals and output the same; and an interface device (116; 216) having a first circuit (130, 132, 134, 136; 230, 232, 234, 236) adaptable to receive the audio signals from said computer (112; 212), modulate the received audio signals in a predetermined manner, and transmit the modulated audio signals at a predetermined frequency for reception by said radio (114; 214) tuned to said predetermined frequency, said interface device (116; 216) having a second circuit (136, 135, 137, 131; 236, 235, 237, 267, 265, 261) adaptable to receive the transmitted modulated control signals from said radio (114; 214), demodulate the received modulated control signals and supply the same to said computer (112; 212).

4. A system according to claim 3, wherein said control signals represent a user specified change in the respective radio station associated with the Internet radio signals currently being received by said radio (114; 214) and wherein said computer (112; 212) includes a circuit (122, 124; 222, 224) which changes the respective radio station in response to the received demodulated control signals.

5. A system according to claim 3, wherein said computer includes a microphone input terminal (127) and wherein the demodulated control signals are received at said microphone input terminal (127) of said computer.

6. A system for transmitting and receiving audio signals, said system comprising: a radio (214) having a receiver circuit (140, 149) tunable to a number of frequencies which receives transmitted signals, a detector circuit (150, 252, 254) which determines whether the received signals are audio signals or information data signals, a generating circuit (252, 160) which generates modulated control signals, and a transmitter circuit (162, 140) which transmits the modulated control signals; a computer (212) adaptable to receive demodulated control signals and

Internet radio signals associated with a number of radio stations, to generate information data signals and audio signals representative of the received Internet radio signals, and to output the audio signals and the information data signals; and an interface device (216) having a modulating circuit (230, 261, 232, 234, 265, 267, 236) which receives the audio and information data signals from said computer (212), modulates the received audio and information data signals in a predetermined manner, and transmits the same at a predetermined frequency for reception by said radio (214) tuned to said predetermined frequency, said interface device (216) having a demodulating circuit (236, 235, 237, 267, 265, 261) which receives the transmitted modulated control signals from said radio (214), demodulates the received control signals and supplies the same to said computer (212).

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein said control signals represent a user specified change in the respective radio station associated with the Internet radio signals currently being received by said radio (214) and wherein said computer (212) includes a circuit (222, 224) which changes the respective radio station in response to the received demodulated control signals.

8. A system according to claim 6, wherein the information data signals from said computer (212) represent at least one of station identification information and connection status information.

9. A system according to claim 6, wherein said interface device (216) and said computer (212) are coupled together by use of a two-way digital connection.

10. A system according to claim 9, wherein said two-way connection is one of a RS-232 serial connection, a parallel connection, a 1394 connection, and a universal serial bus (USB) connection.

11. A system according to claim 9, wherein said computer (212) includes a digital port (226) and wherein said two-way digital connection is coupled to said digital port (226).

12. An apparatus comprising input means (30; 130; 230 and/or 261) for receiving from a computer (12; 112; 212) audio signals representative of radio signals supplied by way of an Internet source, modulator means (32; 132; 232) for modulating the received audio signals in a predetermined manner, and transmitter means (34, 36; 134, 136; 234, 236) for transmitting the modulated audio signals at a predetermined frequency for reception by a radio (14; 114; 214) tuned to said predetermined frequency.

13. A system for transmitting audio signals, said system comprising: computer means (12; 112; 212) for receiving Internet radio signals and for outputting audio signals representative of the Internet radio signals; and modulator means (30, 32, 34, 36; 130, 132, 134, 136; 230 and/or 261, 232, 234, 236) for receiving the audio signals from said computer means (12; 112; 212), for modulating the received audio signals in a predetermined manner and for transmitting the modulated audio signals at a predetermined frequency for reception by a radio (14; 114; 214) tuned to said predetermined frequency.

14. A system for transmitting and receiving audio signals, said system comprising: radio means (114; 214) tunable to a number of frequencies for receiving transmitted audio signals, for generating modulated control signals, and for transmitting the modulated control signals; computer means (112; 212) for receiving demodulated control signals and Internet radio signals associated with a number of radio stations and for generating audio signals representative of respective Internet radio signals and outputting the same; means (116; 216) for receiving the audio signals from said computer (112; 212), modulating the received audio signals in a predetermined manner, and transmitting the modulated audio signals at a predetermined frequency for reception by said radio means (114; 214) tuned to said predetermined frequency; and means (116; 216) for receiving the transmitted modulated control signals from said radio means (114; 214), demodulating the received modulated control signals and supplying the same to said computer means (112; 212).

15. A system according to claim 14, wherein said control signals represent a user specified change in the respective radio station associated with the

Internet radio signals currently being received by said radio means (114; 214) and wherein said computer means (112; 212) includes means (122, 124; 222, 224) for changing the respective radio station in response to the received demodulated control signals.

16. A system according to claim 14, wherein the computer means includes a microphone input terminal (127) and wherein the demodulated control signals are received at the microphone input terminal (127) of said computer means.

17. A system for transmitting and receiving audio signals, said system comprising: radio means (214) having receiver means (140, 149) tunable to a number of frequencies for receiving transmitted signals, detector means (150, 252, 254) for determining whether the received signals are audio signals or information data signals, generating means (252, 160) for generating modulated control signals, and transmitter means (162, 140) for transmitting the modulated control signals; computer means (212) for receiving demodulated control signals and Internet radio signals associated with a number of radio stations, generating information data signals and audio signals representative of the received Internet radio signals, and outputting the audio signals and the information data signals; and interface means (216) having modulating means (230, 261, 232, 234,

265, 267, 236) for receiving the audio and information data signals from said computer means (212), modulating the received audio and information data signals in a predetermined manner, and transmitting the same at a predetermined frequency for reception by said radio means (214) tuned to said predetermined frequency, said interface means (216) having demodulating means (236, 235, 237, 267, 265, 261) for receiving the transmitted modulated control signals from said radio means (214), demodulating the received control signals and supplying the same to said computer means (212).

18. A system according to claim 17, wherein said control signals represent a user specified change in the respective radio station associated with the

Internet radio signals currently being received by said radio means (214) and wherein said computer means (212) includes means (222, 224) for changing the respective radio station in response to the received demodulated control signals.

19. A system according to claim 17, wherein the information data signals from said computer means (212) represent at least one of station identification information and connection status information.

20. A system according to claim 17, wherein said interface means (216) and said computer means (212) are coupled together by use of a two-way digital connection.

21. A system according to claim 20, wherein said two-way connection is one of a RS-232 serial connection, a parallel connection, a 1394 connection, and a universal serial bus (USB) connection.

22. A system according to claim 20, wherein said computer means (212) includes a digital port (226) and wherein said two-way digital connection is coupled to said digital port (226).

23. An interface circuit (1 16; 216) for transmitting audio signals from a desired Internet radio station obtained from a computer (1 12; 212) for reception by a radio (114; 214), said interface circuit comprising: a first circuit (136, 135, 137, 131; 236, 235, 237, 267, 265, 261) to receive transmitted modulated control signals from said radio (114; 214), demodulate the received modulated control signals and supply the same to said computer (112; 212); and a second circuit (130, 132, 134, 136; 230, 232, 234, 236) adaptable to receive audio signals from said computer (112; 212) representative of Internet radio signals, modulate the received audio signals in a predetermined manner, and transmit the modulated audio signals at a predetermined frequency for reception by said radio (114; 214) tuned to said predetermined frequency.

24. An interface circuit according to claim 23 wherein said modulated control signals represent a user specified change to a respective radio station associated with the Internet radio signals currently being received by said radio (114; 214).

25. An interface circuit (1 16; 216) for transmitting audio signals from a desired Internet radio station obtained from a computer (112; 212) for reception by a radio (114; 214), said interface circuit comprising: means (136, 135, 137, 131 ; 236, 235, 237, 267, 265, 261) for receiving transmitted modulated control signals from said radio (114; 214), demodulating the received modulated control signals and supplying the same to said computer (112; 212); and means (130, 132, 134, 136; 230, 232, 234, 236) for receiving audio signals from said computer (112; 212) representative of Internet radio signals, modulating the received audio signals in a predetermined manner, and transmitting the modulated audio signals at a predetermined frequency for reception by said radio (114; 214) tuned to said predetermined frequency.

26. An interface circuit according to claim 25 wherein said modulated control signals represent a user specified change to a respective radio station associated with the Internet radio signals currently being received by said radio (114; 214).

27. A radio apparatus comprising: receiver means (140, 149, 150) tunable to a number of frequencies for receiving transmitted signals; generating means (152, 160; 252, 160) for generating modulated control signals; and transmitter means (162, 140) for transmitting the modulated control signals.

28. A radio apparatus according to claim 27 further comprising detector means (254) for determining whether the received signals are audio signals or information data signals.

29. A radio apparatus comprising: a receiver circuit (140, 149, 150) tunable to a number of frequencies for receiving transmitted signals; a generating circuit (152, 160; 252, 160) which generates modulated control signals; and a transmitter circuit (162, 140) which transmits the modulated control signals.

30. A radio apparatus according to claim 29 further comprising a detector circuit (254) which determines whether the received signals are audio signals or information data signals.