Xm Satellite Radio Inc.

Sirius Xm Radio Inc.

Hien Duc Ma

Argyrios A Chatzipetros

Paul D Marko

Argy Petros

Kenneth S Lerner

Anh Xuan Nguyen

Frank M Falcone

An apparatus and method are provided for deciphering recorded digital audio signals and using a smart card to pay for deciphering. Encrypted digital audio signals are recorded onto a recording medium, such as a compact disc or the like. When the user desires to listen to the recording, the encrypted recording is inserted into a player/recorder and a prepaid smart card is inserted into a smart card reader connected to the player/recorder. The smart card reader deducts a predetermined value from the card before allowing the player/recorder to decipher the encrypted recording, and record the deciphered audio onto a recording medium for playback.

Method and apparatus for providing prepaid music card for deciphering recorded broadcast audio signals

A device for prepaid recording of digital audio signals. In a system where digital radio signals are received in an encoded format, a digital converter that is enabled by a smartcard module is employed to convert encoded digital signals to decoded digital signals for recording onto a digital storage media. A smartcard having a prepaid account balance is employed to authorize and control the recording of digital signals. A buffer is advantageously employed to store a quantity of digital signals prior to recording.

Digital radio prepaid music recording system

A dual coupled vehicle glass mount antenna system and method. The inventive system is adapted for operation through any suitable partition, such as an automobile windshield, and comprises an antenna mounted on a first side of the partition for receiving a signal and a first circuit connected to the antenna. The antenna and the first circuit are mounted on a first side of the partition. In accordance with the present teachings, an arrangement is provided for supplying power to the first circuit. The output of the first circuit is coupled through the partition to a second circuit mounted on a second side thereof by a first coupling arrangement. In the illustrative embodiment, the antenna is a radio frequency antenna, the partition is a vehicle windshield, the first circuit is an amplifier, and the arrangement for supplying power is a second coupling arrangement. In the illustrative embodiment, the first and second coupling arrangements are coils and power is supplied to the second coupling arrangement from a direct current source by a cable. In alternative embodiments, power is supplied to the first circuit by a battery or solar cell arrangement. In the illustrative embodiment, the second circuit includes an impedance matching circuit and a transmitter or receiver depending upon the application. The location of the amplifier on the antenna side of the windshield reduces the noise figure of the system and provides improved gained relative to the conventional design.

Dual coupled vehicle glass mount antenna system

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Delray Beach, FL, United States of America

Hien Duc Ma