AT&T Inc. could very well be looking at getting into satellite radio, at least that's what it seems like based on two recent patent applications published recently.

The patents are for entire satellite radio systems with two-way "feedback" capabilities (remember, Sirius and XM are one-way communications). The receiver would provide information to a centralized system, allowing for additional functionality like requesting additional information or purchasing a song over the air.

The receiver, in either mobile or fixed form, is connected to a network via broadband, telephone line, wireless, etc.

Since this is for an entire system, including satellite(s), you have to wonder what kind of business case AT&T is building for this. Would they deploy their own satellite? Or just use an existing infrastructure? We can only begin to guess.

[Satellite Radio TechWorld]

In May, Interoperable Technologies filed a patent application detailing a the separation of a radio controller from the receiver, all the while using periodic authentication.

What the heck that does mean? Essentially its the componentization of the control head from the receiver section - but they throw in authentication into the mix. Doesn't help? Think of a detachable faceplate from your car stereo. That faceplate is pretty much the control head - where you press the buttons - and where the info about what you're listening to is displayed.

Now with satellite radio, which requires a subscription, you need to periodically authenticate with the system to determine that you're actually a subscriber.

An example used in the patent app is pretty much the faceplate analogy. The actual receiver is installed somewhere in the car, so the controller can be much smaller and mounted pretty much anywhere in the car.

Another example described is a wireless controller than can be passed along from person to person while in wireless range of the receiver. (Very cool!)

It's an important step towards interoperability between Sirius and XM. With a small, portable control head (faceplate) you can then allow the receiver side to be much large, with the ability to receive both Sirius/XM signals.

The question is, has Interoperable Technologies already created such a device? If so, that surely would rub the NAB the wrong way.

[View Patent Application (PDF) via Satellite Radio TechWorld] 

Earlier this year Microsoft and Ford unveiled Sync, an in-car communications and entertainment system that is expected to be a factory-installed option for various 2008 model year vehicles.

This patent however details a "car stereo including a docking station into which an off-the-shelf handheld computer can be docked," and additionally, it hints towards support for a multitude of devices. The stereo would also include a memory system that will "maintain a record its current state when it is undocked from a particular type of appliance," so when you plug back in, everything starts up where you left off.

Not to be limited by digital audio players, the patent also allows for "another interface form [that] may allow the user to select from resources such as GPS, internet, a printer over USB, etc."

[View Patent (PDF) via Engadget] 

As demand for smaller and smaller devices rises, it's become increasingly apparent that the buttons and knobs needed to control these devices are getting in the way.

Valuable real estate is eaten up, and without those pesky buttons the devices could be thinner, smaller and sexier. That's where the beauty of touchscreen interfaces come into play, the layout of the "keys" can be dynamically changed to match different actions.

Unfortunately touchscreens have an inherit problem: there's no tactile feedback. So navigating without your eyes focused on the device (afterall, you should be looking at the road while you're driving) will cause annoying mistakes.

But what if the "keys" weren't based on a location on the touchscreen? What if they were based on something could instantly feel? Something like... your fingers themselves.

Enter XM Satellite Radio's finger-sensitive touchscreen patent application.

This concept creates the ability for "data input using finger or fingerprint recognition." Instead of mapping different locations on the touchscreen to different functions, it maps the functions themselves to your fingers. It's an amazingly revolutionary concept, and one I think would be very easy to get the hang of (after a little bit of practice).

To illustrate what this patent entails, here's an artfully drawn image from the application itself.

In Figure 5, each of the fingers on the right hand are mapped to channel numbers. So if you wanted to type in "202" you would tap once with your index finger, twice with your pinky, and once again with the index finger. In Figure 5, your thumb is the mute button, your index finger is the menu button, and the remaining fingers are different channel presets. This can be further refined as multiple fingers can be mapped to different functions.

But what if your wife uses the car as well? Hey no problem, the interface will recognize her fingers as being unique from yours, and will map the controls to her liking. Different fingers, different menu items.

The possibilities are pretty unlimited. Now you can have that thinner, smaller and sexier touchscreen device - and you can navigate your way around the dial anywhere on the screen - all without taking your eyes off the road.

Sign me up.

[Patent Application #20060284853 (PDF)]