The present invention is directed to a radio designed to receive both
analog and digital subchannels from radio stations that are broadcasting
either an analog only signal, a digital only signal, or a hybrid signal
containing both analog and digital subchannels. It allows a user to
direct the radio to search for either the next active analog or digital
subchannel, or alternately to ignore the analog subchannels and search
only for digital subchannels. This is accomplished using a single button
for either functionality when searching through incrementing frequencies.
Another button may be added for decrementing frequencies with the same
basic functionality. In the present invention, when the user presses the
"Scan Up" button once for a short period of time, the radio will search
for the next active analog or digital subchannel above the current
location of the virtual channel map. But if the user presses the button
twice in quick succession or holds the button down for a longer period of
time, the radio will search only for the next digital subchannel above
the current location in the virtual channel map.