[ 0010 ] fig1 is a schematic representation of a channel changing apparatus 10 embodying a variable delay channel scan in accordance with one embodiment of the invention . the apparatus 10 comprises an automatic channel scanning circuit 14 which controls the changing of channels on a receiver 12 , such as a radio or television receiver . when activated , the scanning circuit 14 causes the receiver 12 to scan , that is , increment or decrement , through a list of channels or frequencies at a specific interval or speed . the list can be selected by the user or include all detected stations having a sufficiently strong signal . this allows a user to preview each channel for the set time period , as determined by the interval , before the scanning circuit 14 causes the receiver 12 to increment or decrement to the next channel in the list . the scanning circuit 14 can scan in either a forward or a reverse direction . the speed can be increased or decreased within a given range . for example , the delay or pause time at each station can be selected within a range of 0 . 5 to 10 seconds . the delay can be set over a continuous range , such that it is continuously variable . as used herein , the term continuously variable refers to the ability to be set to any of an infinite number of values within a given range , or the substantial appearance of such . the scanning circuit 14 is controlled by a channel scanning control 16 and a scanning speed control 18 . the scanning control 16 allows the user to selectively initiate and discontinue scanning in either the forward or reverse direction by the scanning circuit 14 . once initiated , scanning continues in the selected direction until the user directs the scanning control 16 to discontinue the operation of the scanning circuit 14 . the speed control 18 allows the user to control the speed at which the channel scanning circuit 14 scans through the channels of the receiver 12 . selecting a higher speed decreases the set time period between incrementing or decrementing operations . similarly , selecting a lower speed increases the period . the speed may be adjusted at any time , including during scanning , in order to speed up or slow down the scanning . in fig2 a remote control device 20 is shown which partially embodies the present invention . in this embodiment , the channel scanning control 16 comprises a forward scan button 22 and a reverse scan button 24 . in an initial or inactive state , pressing the forward scan button 22 causes the scanning circuit 14 to begin incrementing the channels of the receiver 12 in a forward direction , pausing for the set period on each channel . pressing the forward scan button 22 again , or pressing the reverse scan button 24 , causes the scanning circuit 14 to discontinue scanning . likewise , pressing the reverse scan button 24 from the inactive state causes the scanning circuit 14 to begin scanning in the reverse direction . this reverse scanning operation can also be stopped by pressing either scan button 22 , 24 . it should be appreciated that other known control means can be substituted for the scan buttons 22 , 24 , such as a toggle switch or a single button . in the embodiment of fig2 the scanning speed control 18 comprises a thumb wheel 26 . rolling the thumbwheel 26 in a forward direction 28 selectively increases the scanning speed , thereby decreasing the set period , up to a maximum speed ( or a minimum period ). rolling the thumbwheel 26 in a reverse direction 30 selectively decreases the scanning speed , thereby increasing the set period , down to a minimum speed ( or up to a maximum period length ). it should be appreciated that other known control means can be substituted for the thumb wheel 26 , such as a turn knob , a pair of increase and decrease buttons , a toggle switch , or a sliding selector . an additional alternative would be to provide a means for entering a numeric value for the period length using a keypad . further , while the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments , it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention . in addition , many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof . therefore , it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed for carrying out this invention , but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims .