The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 30, 2004
Filed:
Nov. 14, 2000
Louis Leonard Nagy, Warren, MI (US);
Douglas Courtney Martin, Warren, MI (US);
Anthony E Kaczor, Fenton, MI (US);
Janalee Ann Graham, Linden, MI (US);
Delphi Technologies, Inc., Troy, MI (US);
Abstract
A broadcast radio frequency receiver includes an improved seek circuit receiving analog radio signals via an antenna according to a signal seek process wherein the frequency of the analog radio signals sequentially changes. In one embodiment, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter converts the magnitudes of the incoming radio signals to digital signal values (DV), and in an alternate embodiment a tuning circuit provides the digital signal values (DV) directly. In either case, a digital control circuit compares the digital signal values (DV) with a digital reference value (DRV), wherein DRV has a value corresponding to an analog signal reference level appropriate for the type of antenna being used. As long as the digital signal values are less than DRV, the seek process continues. Upon detection of a digital signal value in excess of DRV, the seek process is halted and the tuning circuit is allowed to maintain tuning to the current radio signal. By maintaining the seek threshold has a digital value, it may easily and quickly be changed to accommodate antenna systems having different antenna gain characteristics.