Equipment, system and methodologies for transmitting localized auxiliary information and rds/rbds information via multiple rf frequencies, rf power, and antenna selection of boosters in a segmented listening area delivering localized auxiliary information

Abstract

Radio broadcasting equipment is provided that enables targeted radio broadcast delivery in an radio broadcast area wherein a plurality of radio auxiliary or booster transmitters are used to transmit localized RDS data and/or auxiliary information to supplement broadcast area wide content transmitted and/or RDS data on the same frequency. Moreover, these auxiliary or booster transmitters may be configured to transmit different localized RDS data and/or auxiliary information to supplement at least one main transmitter transmitted on corresponding specified transmission frequencies using Time Division Multiple Access frame structure.

We claim: 
     
         1 . Radio broadcasting equipment comprising:
 a plurality of auxiliary transmitters associated with at least one main transmitter, the at least one main transmitter transmitting broadcast area wide programming for a respective broadcast area; and   a mechanism for switching on transmission of localized RDS data by at least one of the plurality of auxiliary transmitters, wherein the at least one of the plurality of auxiliary transmitters transmits localized RDS data on at least one of the transmission frequencies of the at least one main transmitter.   
     
     
         2 . The radio broadcasting equipment of  claim 1 , wherein localized RDS data is distributed to at least one of the plurality of auxiliary transmitters based on RF frequency of transmitted data. 
     
     
         3 . The radio broadcasting equipment of  claim 1 , wherein transmission of localized RDS content via at least one of the plurality of auxiliary transmitters is performed on multiple RF frequencies. 
     
     
         4 . The radio broadcasting equipment of  claim 1 , wherein transmission of localized RDS content via at least one of the plurality of auxiliary transmitters is separated by time. 
     
     
         5 . The radio broadcasting equipment of  claim 1 , wherein transmission of localized RDS content via at least one of the plurality of auxiliary transmitters is performed based on RF frequency. 
     
     
         6 . The radio broadcasting equipment of  claim 1 , wherein transmission of localized RDS content via at least one of the plurality of auxiliary transmitters is performed based on RF Power. 
     
     
         7 . The radio broadcasting equipment of  claim 1 , wherein transmission of localized RDS content via at least one of the plurality of auxiliary transmitters is performed based on RF antenna configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The radio broadcasting equipment of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism for switching on transmission of localized RDS data also switches on transmission of localized auxiliary information content. 
     
     
         9 . The radio broadcasting equipment of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism for switching on transmission of localized auxiliary information content by at least one of the plurality of auxiliary transmitters also reduces a power level of transmission by the corresponding main transmitter having the frequency upon which the at least one auxiliary transmitter is transmitting localized auxiliary information content. 
     
     
         10 . The radio broadcasting equipment of  claim 1 , wherein the broadcast area wide programming content includes programming content for distribution throughout a particular broadcasting area associated with the at least one main transmitter and the localized RDS data includes at least one of advertisements, public safety information, public service information, emergency broadcast information. 
     
     
         11 . The radio broadcasting equipment of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of auxiliary transmitters are transmitting RDS data continuously. 
     
     
         12 . The radio broadcasting equipment of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of auxiliary transmitters are transmitting RDS data only at times that a new RDS message is to be sent. 
     
     
         13 . The radio broadcasting equipment of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one Studio-Transmitter Link coupled to each of the plurality of transmitters and configured to carry, broadcast area wide programming, auxiliary information content and RDS data to the plurality of transmitters. 
     
     
         14 . The radio broadcasting equipment of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of transmitters transmit analog radio signals. 
     
     
         15 . The radio broadcasting equipment of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of transmitters transmit digital radio signals. 
     
     
         16 . The radio broadcasting equipment of  claim 1 , wherein each of the auxiliary transmitters is configured to transmit localized auxiliary information content when the main transmitter has ceased transmission of broadcast area wide programming content. 
     
     
         17 . The radio broadcasting equipment of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of auxiliary transmitters transmits localized RDS data that is different from RDS data transmitted by the at least one main transmitter. 
     
     
         18 . A method to transmitting both broadcast area wide programming content and localized RDS content within a single broadcast area, the method comprising:
 operating a plurality of auxiliary transmitters associated with at least one main transmitter, the at least one main transmitter transmitting broadcast area wide programming for a respective broadcast area; and   triggering transmission of localized RDS data by at least one of the plurality of auxiliary transmitters, wherein the at least one of the plurality of auxiliary transmitters transmits localized RDS data on at least one of the transmission frequencies of the at least one main transmitter.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising distributing localized RDS data to at least one of the plurality of auxiliary transmitters based on RF frequency of transmitted data. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein transmission of localized RDS content via at least one of the plurality of auxiliary transmitters is performed on multiple RF frequencies. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the triggering is performed using a mechanism for switching on transmission of localized RDS data and also switches on transmission of localized auxiliary information content. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the mechanism for switching on transmission of localized auxiliary information content by at least one of the plurality of auxiliary transmitters also reduces a power level of transmission by the corresponding main transmitter having the frequency upon which the at least one auxiliary transmitter is transmitting localized auxiliary information content. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the broadcast area wide programming content includes programming content for distribution throughout a particular broadcasting area associated with the at least one main transmitter and the localized RDS data includes at least one of advertisements, public safety information, public service information, emergency broadcast information. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of auxiliary transmitters are transmitting RDS data continuously. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of auxiliary transmitters are transmitting RDS data only at times that a new RDS message is to be sent. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising at least one Studio-Transmitter Link coupled to each of the plurality of transmitters and configured to carry, broadcast area wide programming, auxiliary information content and RDS data to the plurality of transmitters. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of transmitters transmit analog radio signals. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of transmitters transmit digital radio signals. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein each of the auxiliary transmitters is configured to transmit localized auxiliary information content when the main transmitter has ceased transmission of broadcast area wide programming content. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein each of the plurality of auxiliary transmitters transmits localized RDS data that is different from RDS data transmitted by the at least one main transmitter.