WO2019008613A1

WO2019008613A1 - Method of reproduction of radio programs from a plurality of sources

Info

Publication number: WO2019008613A1
Application number: PCT/IT2018/050123
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paolo Novelli
Original assignee: Axis S.R.L.
Priority date: 2017-07-06
Filing date: 2018-07-06
Publication date: 2019-01-10
Also published as: IT201700076233A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of reproduction of radio programs from a plurality of sources, comprising the use of a radio receiver comprising a central processing unit as well as a DAB radio module for receiving and processing a DAB signal having power P DAB containing a data group D DAB and a radio program content C DAB of radio station, an FM radio module for receiving and processing an FM signal having power P FM containing a data group D FM and a radio program content C FM of radio station, a Web radio module for receiving and processing an Internet signal having power P IN containing a data group D IN and a radio program content C IN of radio station, and a satellite radio module for receiving and processing a satellite signal having power P SAT containing a data group D SAT and a radio program content C SAT of radio station Said method allows to change from a radio module to a further radio module, without that a radio communication or a radio program is interrupted during the transition by said radio module DAB to said further radio module. The present invention relates also to a radio reproduction apparatus.

Description

METHOD OF REPRODUCTION OF RADIO PROGRAMS FROM A PLURALITY OF SOURCES

The present invention relates to a method of re production of radio programs from a plurality of sources.

In particular, said method is conceived to activate a specific radio module of a radio receiver provided with a plurality of radio modules depending on data stored in the receiver itself and to activate in sequence each radio module when no data is stored in said radio receiver.

In particular, if the radio receiver is provided with a radio module DAB

{Digital Audio Broadcasting) for receiving and processing a digital signal or DAB signal, a radio module FM (frequency modulation) for receiving and processing an analog signal or FM signal, a Web radio module for receiving and processing an internet signal (through a LAN network or a WiFi network or a mobile network), and a satellite radio module for receiving and processing a satellite signal, said method allows to activate said DAB radio module or said FM radio module or said Web radio module depending on type of data which have been already stored in the radio receiver itself during the reproduction of a radio communication of a radio communication or a radio program, if the radio receiver has been turned on at a first moment and thereafter it has been turned off, to be subsequentely newly turned on at a second moment.

If no data are stored in radio receiver, said method allows to activate one radio module at a time to verify the presence of a respective DAB signal or FM signal or Internet signal or satellite signal depending on the activated radio module.

Furthermore, said method allows to change for example from a DAB radio module to a FM radio module or from aFM radio module to a Web radio module or from a Web radio module to a satellite radio module, without that a radio communication or a radio program is interrupted during the transition from said DAB radio module to said FM radio module or from said FM radio module to said Web radio module or from said Web radio module to said satellite raio module. In this way, advantageously, a user of said radio receiver continues to listen to the radio communication or radio program, without realizing that the radio module receiving the signal carrying the information relating to said radio communication or said radio program has changed over time.

Background of the art

A method of known type to switch from a radio module to an other radio module is disclosed in the patent US 5,584,051 .

Said method is conceived for the automotive sector and allows the switching from a first radio module to a second radio module of a radio receiver according to the power of the received signal.

In fact, the radio receiver is configured to search for a signal having an audio content with a power greater than a predetermined threshold, so that the quality of the audio content reproduced by the radio receiver itself is greater.

A disadvantage of said method is given by the fact that during the search for the signal having a greater power than a predetermined threshold value, the radio program or the radio communication transmitted on a radio station is subjected to an interruption.

Aim of the invention

The aim of the present invention is to overcome said disadvantages providing, with reference to a radio receiver provided with a DAB radio module, a FM radio module, a Web radio module and a satellite radio module, a method that, in case of data stored in said radio module during the reproduction of a radio communication or a radio program (due to the fact that the radio receiver has been turned on at least one time and thereafter turned off), allows to activate a respective radio module, when said radio receiver is turned on in a second moment, and that, in the absence of data stored in said radio receiver, allows to activate in sequence each radio module to verify the presence of a signal which can be received by the activated radio module.

Moreover, advantageously, if a radio communication or radio program is reproduced, said method allows to deactivate a radio module of a radio receiver and to activate a furhter radio module, different from said radio module, without the transition from said module radio to said further radio module causes an interruption of a radio communication or radio program.

In this way, listening to a radio communication or radio program by a user of said radio receiver is not affected by the transition from said radio module to said further radio module.

It is therefore object of the invention a method of reproduction of radio programs from a plurality of sources, comprising the use of a radio receiver comprising a central processing unit as well as a DAB radio module for receiving and processing a DAB signal having power P_DAB containing a data group DDAB and a radio program content CDAB of radio station, an FM radio module for receiving and processing an FM signal with power P_FM containing a data group D_FM and a radio program content CFM of radio station, a Web radio module for receiving and processing an Internet signal having power PIN containing a data group DIN and a radio program content CIN of radio station, and a satellite radio module for receiving and processing a satellite signal having power P_SAT containing a data group D_SAT and a radio program content CSAT of radio station,

The method comprises the following steps:

B) activating a first radio module between said DAB, FM, Web, satellite radio modules;

C) verifying, by said first radio module, whether a signal processable by the first radio module is present at the input of the radio receiver, and:

C1 ) if said processable signal is present,

o tuning on the signal processable by said first radio module,

o reproducing a corresponding radio program content CDAB or CFM or CIN or C_SAT

C2) if said processable signal is not present at the input of the radio receiver,

o activating a second radio module between said DAB, FM, Web, satellite radio modules, different from said first radio module;

o verifying, by said second radio module, the presence of a signal processable by said second radio module at the input of said radio receiver;

o tuning on said signal processable by said second radio module;

o reproducing a corresponding radio program content CDAB or CFM or C_IN or C_SAT- C3) if said signal processable by said second radio module is not present at the input of said radio receiver,

o activating a third radio module between said DAB, FM, Web, satellite radio modules, different from said first radio module and said second radio module; o verifying, by said third radio module, the presence of a signal processable by said third radio module at the input of said radio receiver;

o tuning on the signal processable by said third radio module; and

o reproducing a corresponding radio program content CDAB or CFM or C_TN or C_SAT,

C4) if said signal processable by said third radio module is not present at the input of said radio receiver,

o activating a fourth radio module between said DAB, FM, Web, satellite radio modules, different from said first radio module, said second radio module and said third radio module;

o verifying, by said fourth radio module, the presence of a signal processable by said fourth radio module at the input of said radio receiver;

o tuning on the signal processable by said fourth radio module; and

o reproducing a corresponding radio program content CDAB or CFM or C|_N or C_SAT. Further embodiments of such a method re disclosed in claims from 2 to 8.

Further, it is object of the inveniont a computer program, comprising code means configured in such a way that, when executed on a processor, perform the steps of the method above disclosed.

The present invention relates also a radio reproduction apparatus, comprising a radio receiver provided with a central processing unit and comprising:

o a DAB radio module for receiving a DAB signal having power PDAB and containing a data group D_DAB and a radio program content CDAB of radio station,

o an FM radio module for receiving an FM signal having power P_FM and containing a data group D_FM and a radio program content CFM of radio station, and

o a Web radio module for receiving an Internet signal having power

PIN and containing a data group DIN and a radio program content

CiN of radio station,

o a satellite radio module for receiving a signal from a satellite having power PSAT and containing a data group D_SAT and a radio program content C/w of radio station,

In particular, said central processing unit is configured to perform the program above mentioned.

Furhter embodiments of such an apparatus are disclosed in claims 1 1 and 12.

List of figures

The present invention will be now described, for illustrative, but not limitative purposes, according to its embodiment, making particular reference to the enclosed figures, wherein:

Figure 1 shows the flowchart of the method object of the invention;

Figure 2 shows the flowchart when the content of a DAB signal is reproduced by a radio receiver;

Figure 3 shows a flowchart when the content of a FM signal is reproduced by a radio receiver; Figure 4 shows a flowchart when the content of an Internet signal is reproduced by a radio receiver;

Figure 5 shows a flowchart when the content of a satellite signal is reproduced by a radio receiver;

Figure 6 shows the case in which the power of a DAB signal decreases until it assumes a value comprised between a predetermined first upper threshold and a predetermined first lower threshold for a first time interval and then becomes greater than said predetermined first upper threshold;

Figure 7 shows the case in which the power of a DAB signal decreases to assume a value comprised between said predetermined first upper threshold and said predetermined first lower threshold for a time interval greater than said predetermined first time interval;

Figure 8 shows the case in which the power of a DAB signal decreases until it assumes a value lower than said predetermined first lower threshold.

Detailed description of the invention

With particular reference to Figure 1 , the method object of the invention is disclosed.

Before going into details of the steps of the method it is appropriate to specify that:

under the term radio receiver an electronic device is to be intended provided with a central processing unit and comprising a DAB radio module, an FM radio module, a Web radio module and a satellite radio module, as well as storage means for storing data and configured at least to receive radio waves and reproduce the information carried by such radio waves in the form of sound and/or images and/or digital data,

under the term DAB radio module a section of said radio receiver is to be intended configured to receive and process a digital signal or DAB signal, where said DAB signal has a power PDAB and comprises a first data group or data group DDAB (where said data group DDAB contains at least the frequency of a radio station) and a radio program content CDAB associated with a radio station, under the term FM radio module a section of said radio receiver is to be intended configured to receive and process an analog signal or FM signal, where said FM signal has a power P_FM and comprises a second data group or data group D_FM (where said data group D_FM contains at least the frequency of a radio station) and a radio program content CFM associated with a radio station,

under the term Web radio module a section of said radio receiver is to intended configured to receive and process an internet signal, where said internet signal has a power PIN comprises a third data group or a data group DIN (where said group of DIN data contains at least the frequency of a radio station) and a radio program content CIN associated with a radio station,

under the term satellite radio module a section of said radio receiver is to be intended configured to receive and process a signal from a satellite, where said satellite signal has a power P_SAT comprises a fourth data group or group of data D_SAT (where said group of data D_SAT contains at least the frequency of a radio station) and a content of radio program CSAT associated with a radio station,

under the term radio station or radio broadcaster a public or private organization is to intended equipped to transmit radio communications or radio programs via a DAB signal and/or an FM signal and/or an internet signal and/or a satellite signal.

In the embodiments being disclosed, reference will be made to a radio receiver provided with three radio modules: a DAB radio module, a FM radio module, a Web radio module and a satellite radio module.

However, it is not excluded that in the future said radio receiver may be provided with one or more further radio modules with respect to those mentioned above.

Said method comprises the following steps:

A) verifying, by means of the central processing unit, if a data group DDAB and/or DFM and/or DIN and/or DSAT has been already stored in said radio receiver, and

A1 ) if yes: A1 .1 ) activating a first radio module between said DAB, FM, Web, satellite radio module on the basis of the corresponding data group DDAB or DFM or DIN or DSAT stored in said radio receiver,

A1 .2) verifying, by the first radio module, if a signal processable by said first radio module is present at the input of the radio receiver, A1 .3) if the signal processable by said first radio module is present,

o tuning the radio station on the basis of the corresponding data group D_DAB or D_FM or D_/wor D_SAT,

o reproducing a corresponding radio program content CDAB or CFM or C/A/or CSAT,

A2) if the signal processable by said first radio module is not present:

A2.1 ) verifying, by said second radio module, if a data group corresponding to a second radio module, different by the first radio module, has been already stored in said radio receiver,

A2.2) if yes:

A2.3) activating said second radio module,

A2.4) verifying, by the second radio module, if a signal processable by said second radio module is present at the input of the radio receiver,

A2.5) if the signal processable by said second radio module is present,

o tuning the radio station on the basis of the corresponding data group D_DAB or D_FM or D_/A/or D_SAT,

o reproducing a corresponding radio program content CDAB or

A3) if not:

A3.1 ) verifying, by the third radio module, if a data group corresponding to a third radio module, different from the first radio module and the second radio module, has been store in said radio receiver,

A3.2) if yes:

A3.3) activating said third radio module,

A3.4) verifying if a signal is processable by said third radio module is present at the input of the radio receiver,

A3.5) if said signal processable by said third radio module is present,

o reproducing a corresponding radio program content CDAB or

CFM or C IN or CSAT.

When no data group is stored in said radio receiver, the method comprises the following steps:

C1 ) if said processable signal is present,

o tuning on the signal processable by said first radio module,

o reproducing a corresponding radio program content CDAB or CFM or C_IN or C_SAT

o tuning on said signal processable by said second radio module;

o reproducing a corresponding radio program content CDAB or CFM or C_IN or C_SAT- C3) if said signal processable by said second radio module is not present at the input of said radio receiver, o activating a third radio module between said DAB, FM, Web, satellite radio modules, different from said first radio module and said second radio module;

o verifying, by said third radio module, the presence of a signal processable by said third radio module at the input of said radio receiver;

o tuning on the signal processable by said third radio module; and

o reproducing a corresponding radio program content CDAB or C_FM or C,_N or C_SAT,

o activating a fourth radio module between said DAB, FM,

Web, satellite radio modules, different from said second radio module and said third radio module;

o tuning on the signal processable by said fourth radio module; and

o reproducing a corresponding radio program content CDAB or CFM or C|_N or C_SAT.

If a signal processable by said fourth radio module is not present, the method returns to the step B or C.

The following describes what happens when the power of a signal received from a radio module that has been activated decreases below a respective predetermined threshold.

When the first radio module is activated, said method comprises the following steps:

D1 ) if the power Pi of the signal processable by the first radio module, where Pi is PDAB or PFM or PIN or PSAT, has a value greater than a predetermined upper first threshold T^H , reproducing the radio program content CDAB or CFM or C/w or CSAT corresponding to the first radio module; D2) if T^Li < Pi < T^Hi, where T^Li is a predetermined further first threshold or predetermined first lower threshold and T^Li < T^Hi, waiting a predetermined first time interval ΔΤ-ι, and

- if P-i > T^H during a predetermined time subinterval A of said predetermined first time interval ΔΤ-ι, reproducing a radio program content CDAB or CFM or N or CSAT corresponding to the first radio module;

- if T^Li < Pi < T^Hi for a time equal to said first time interval ΔΤ-ι, going to step D3;

- if, during said time subinterval Δΐι, Pi < T^Li , going to step D3;

D3) activating said second radio module and, if the power P₂ of the signal processable by the second radio module, where P₂ is PDAB or PFM or PIN or PSAT, has a value greater than a predetermined second threshold or predetermined second upper threshold T^H ₂, performing the following substeps in sequence:

o tuning on said signal with power P₂,

o deactivating said first radio module;

o reproducing a radio program content CDAB or CFM or N or CSAT corresponding to the second radio module; D4) if T^L ₂ < P₂ < T^H ₂, where T^L ₂ is a predetermined further second threshold or predetermined second lower threshold and T^L ₂ < T^H ₂, waiting a predetermined second time interval ΔΤ₂, and:

- if P₂ > T^H ₂ during a predetermined time subinterval Δΐ₂ of said predetermined second time interval ΔΤ₂, reproducing a radio program content CDAB or CFM or N or CSAT corresponding to the second radio module;

- if T^L ₂ < P₂ < T^H ₂ for a time equal to said predetermined second time interval ΔΤ₂, going to the step D5;

- if, during said time subinterval Δΐ₂, P₂ < T^L ₂, going to the step D5;

D5) activating said third radio module and, if the power P₃ of the signal processable by the third radio module, where P3 is PDAB or PFM or PIN or PSAT, has a value greater than a predetermined third threshold or predetermined third upper threshold T^H ₃, performing the following substeps in sequence:

o tuning on said signal with power P₃,

o deactivating said second radio module;

o reproducing a radio program content CDAB or CFM or C/N or CSAT corresponding to the third radio module;

D6) if T^L3 < P₃ < T^H3, where T^L ₃ is a predetermined further third threshold or predetermined third lower threshold and T^L ₃ < T^H ₃, waiting a predetermined third time interval ΔΤ₃, and:

- if P₃ > T^H ₃ during a predetermined time subinterval Δΐ₃ of said predetermined third time interval ΔΤ₃, reproducing a program content CDAB or CFM or C/w or CSAT corresponding to the third radio module;

- if T^L ₃ < P₃ < T^H ₃ for a time equal to said predetermined third time interval ΔΤ₃, going to the step D7;

- if, during said time subinterval Δΐ₃, P₃ < T^L ₃, going to the step D7;

D7) activating said fourth radio module and, if the power P₄ of the signal processable by the fourth radio module, where P₄ is PDAB or P_FM or PIN or PSAT, has a value greater than a predetermined fourth upper threshold T^H ₄, performing the following substeps in sequence:

o tuning on said signal with power P₄,

o deactivating said fourth radio module;

o reproducing a radio program content CDAB or CFM or C/N or CSAT corresponding to the fourth radio module;

D8) if T^L ₄ < P₄ < T^H ₄, where T^L ₄ is a predetermined fourth lower threshold and T^L ₄ < T^H ₄, waiting a predetermined fourth time interval ΔΤ₄, and:

- if P₄ > T^H ₄ during a predetermined time subinterval Δΐ₄ of said predetermined fourth time interval ΔΤ₄, reproducing a program content CDAB or CFM or C/w or CSAT corresponding to the third fourth module;

- if T^L ₄ < P₄ < T^H ₄ for a time equal to said predetermined fourth time interval ΔΤ₄, going to the step D9;

- if, during said time subinterval Δΐ₄, P₄ < T^L ₄, going to the step D9;

D9) sending a predetermined error message or restarting from step D1 .

Figure 2 shows the first case in which, during the re production of the content of a DAB signal, the power of the DAB signal has a value lower than a predetermined first upper threshold.

In this first case, the method provides the steps of verifying firstly the power of the FM signal and then the power of the internet signal.

However, for simplicity, it has been chosen to verify only if the power of the DAB signal is greater than a predetermined first upper threshold or not, if the power of the FM signal is greater than a predetermined second upper threshold or not, if the signal strength internet is greater than a predetermined third upper threshold or not, and if the power of the satellite signal is greater than a predetermined fourth upper threshold or not.

Figure 3 shows the second case in which, during the re production of the content of a FM signal, the power of the FM signal has a value lower than a predetermined second upper thresold.

In this second case, the method provides the step of verifying firstly the power of a DAB signal, then the power of the internet signal and finally the power of the satellite signal.

However, for simplicity, it has been chosen to verify only if the power of the FM signal is greater than a predetermined second upper threshold or not, if the power of the DAB signal is greater than a predetermined first upper threshold or not, if the power of the signal internet is greater than a predetermined third upper threshold or not, and if the power of the satellite signal is greater than a predetermined fourth upper threshold or not.

Figure 4 shows the third case in which, during the reproduction of the content of an internet signal, the power of the internet signal has a value lower than a predetermined third upper thresold.

In this case, the method provides the steps of verifying firstly the power of the DAB signal, then of the FM signal and finally of the satellite signal.

However, for simplicity, it has been chosen to verify only if the power of the internet signal is greater than a predetermined third upper threshold or not, if the power of the DAB signal is greater than a predetermined first upper threshold or not, if the power of the FM signal is greater than a predetermined second upper threshold or not, and if the power of the satellite signal is greater than a predetermined fourth upper threshold or not.

Figure 5 shows the fourth case in which, during the re production of the content of a satellite signal, the power of the satellite signal has a value lower than a predetermined fourth upper threshold.

In this fourth case, the method provides the step of verifying first the power of the DAB signal, then of the FM power and finally of the internet signal.

However, for simplicity, it has been chosen to verify only if the power of the internet signal is greater than a predetermined third upper threshold or not, if the power of the DAB signal is greater than a predetermined first upper threshold or not, if the power of the FM signal is greater than a predetermined second upper or not, and if the power of the satellite signal is greater than a predetermined fourth upper threshold or not.

Reference is made to Figures from 6 to 8 to illustrate the above.

In particular, Figure 6 shows the case in which the power PDAB = Pi of a DB signal has a value which, at a first time instant ti, begins to decrease, becoming lower than said predetermined first upper threshold T^Hi and assuming a value between said predetermined first upper threshold T^Hi and said predetermined first lower threshold T^Li up to a second time instant (and therefore for a time interval equal to said predetermined first time interval ΔΤ-ι). After said second time instant t_2, the power of said signal becomes greater than said predetermined first upper threshold T^HL

Figure 7 shows the case in which the power of a DAB signal has a value which at a first time instant ti begins to decrease, becoming first lower than said predetermined first upper threshold T^Hi and then assuming a value between said predetermined first upper threshold T^Hi and said predetermined first lower threshold T^Li up to a third time instant following said second time point t_∑ (and therefore for a time interval greater than said predetermined first time interval ΔΤ1 ).

In particular, the power value of said DAB signal oscillates but remains always between said predetermined first upper threshold T^Hi and said predetermined first lower threshold T^Li.

The figure 8 shows the case in which the power of a DAB signal has a value which at a first time instant ti begins to decrease to such a point as to be lower than said predetermined first lower threshold T^Li.

Each predetermined time interval is preferably at most 1 minute, and each subset of this interval may be any, preferably at most 30s.

The same considerations apply to an FM signal having power PFM= 2 and to an internet signal having power PIN= P3 and to a satellite signal having power PSAT = P4.

With reference to the steps above disclosed, when said Web radio module is activated in the step A and/or step C and/or step D, said method comprses the following steps, preliminary to tuning:

- verifying if said Internet signal is present on LAN network,

- if said Internet signal is present on LAN network

o tuning radio station,

o acquiring said intenet signal by said LAN network, o reproducing the content of said internet signal,

- if said internet signal is not present on LAN network, verifying if said internet signal is present on a WiFi network,

- if said internet signal is present ona WiFi network,

o tuning radio station,

o acquiring said intenet signal by said WiFi network, o reproducing the content of said internet signal,

- if said internet signal is not present on a WiFi network, verifying if said internet signal is present on a mobile network,

- if said internet signal is present on a mobile network,

o tuning radio station,

o acquiring said intenet signal by said mobile network, o reproducing the content of said internet signal.

In other words, depending on the network on which the internet signal is present, this is acquired by the Web radio module and its content is reproduced.

In the embodiment above disclosed, said first radio module is the DAB radio module, said second radio module is the FM radio module, said third radio module is the Web radio module, and said fourth radio module is the satellite radio module.

Furthermore, said method may comprise a step for storing one or more unique identification codes associated with a respective predetermined radio station for reproduction by the Web radio module of the radio station content CIN, and in the absence of a DAB signal and FM signal, said method comprises the step of reproducing the content CIN of radio station associated with a predetermined radio station.

In particular, each unique identification code can be a URL {Uniform Resource Locator) code.

Below reference will be made to an example in which a first data group a associated with the DAB signal and a station is already stored in a radio receiver (provided with DAB radio module, FM radio module, Web radio module, and satellite radio module) and a radio station sends a DAB signal into the air containing a further first group of data.

Below is an example of a first data group that can be stored in the radio receiver, where the first data group refers to a song transmitted by the radio station.

"module": "dab",

"freq": "106.9", "connectionTime": "13:57:26",

"date": "19-06-2017",

"songName": "x",

"albumName": "xy",

"artist": "xyz",

"coverAlbum": "link",

"coverRadio": "link",

"piCode": ΈΝ50067",

"radioText": "text 64bit",

"ptyCode": 30,

"alterntiveFreqs": ["106.91 ", "106.92", "106.93"]

Said first data group is a file in json format which is a format readable by a reading software of known type and is obtained by converting the same data contained in a file having an xml format.

The same first data group in xml format is shown below for completeness of information.

<?xml version="1 .0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<root>

</alterntiveFreqs>

</root>

In fact, when listening to a song (or any radio program) transmitted from a radio station, a file is generated in xml format which is then converted into a json format file.

In the example being disclosed said data group comprises the frequency of the radio station, and a plurality of data associated with the song (such as, the title of the song, the name of the album in which it is contained, the name of the band, and a link to the album cover).

In the case where said first data group is already stored in the radio receiver, the data of said first data group are read by the reading software of known type and the radio module DAB is activated.

If a DAB signal is present in the air, the radio station is tuned, the DAB signal is acquired by the DAB radio module and the content of the DAB signal is reproduced by the radio receiver.

If the power of the DAB signal within which said first group of data is contained has a value greater than the predetermined first upper threshold, the content of said DAB signal continues to be acquired by the radio DAB module of said radio receiver and reproduced by the radio receiver.

In the case in which the power of the DAB signal decreases to the point of having a value not only lower than said predetermined upper threshold but also lower than a predetermined first lower threshold (having a value lower than said predetermined first upper threshold), the FM radio module of the radio receiver is activated, although also said radio module DAB is active.

When the radio station is tuned, the DAB radio module is deactivated and the FM signal received from the FM radio module allows a user to continue listening to the song. In this way, listening to the radio song will not be interrupted because the FM radio module was activated before the DAB radio module was deactivated.

The same occurs when the power of the DAB signal has a value between the predetermined first upper threshold and the predetermined first lower threshold for a predetermined first time interval.

The present invention relates also to a computer program, comprising code means configured in such a way that, when executed on a processor, perform the steps of the method according to any one of claims from 1 to 6.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a radio reproduction apparatus, comprising a radio receiver provided with a central processing unit and comprising:

o a DAB radio module for receiving a DAB signal having power PDAB and containing a data group DDAB and a radio program content CDAB of radio station,

o an FM radio module for receiving an FM signal having power PFM and containing a data group D_FM and a radio program content CFM of radio station, and

o a Web radio module for receiving an Internet signal having power

PIN and containing a data group DIN and a radio program content

CiN of radio station,

o a satellite radio module for receiving a signal from a satellite having power PSAT and containing a data group DSAT and a radio program content C/w of radio station.

In particular, said central processing unit is configured to perform said program.

Furhtermore, one or more unique identification codes associated with a respective predetermined radio station are stored in said central processing unit for reproducing by said web radio module of the radio content CIN of radio station associated with a respective predetermined radio station.

Said central processing unit is configured in such a way that, in the absence of DAB signal and FM signal, when said Web radio module is in use, said Web radio module reproduces the radio content CIN of radio station associated with a respective unique identification code.

Similarly to that said for the method above disclosed, each unique identification code can be an URL address.

Advantageously, as said, the method object of the invention allows on the one hand, in the case of data stored in the radio receiver (which may be the data associated with a DAB signal or an FM signal or an internet signal or a satellite signal) to activate a respective radio module (a DAB radio module if the data stored in the receiver is associated with a DAB signal, an FM radio module if the data stored in the receiver is associated with an FM signal, a Web radio module if the stored data are associated to an internet signal available on a LAN or a WiFi network or a mobile network, or a satellite radio module if the data stored in the receiver are associated with a satellite signal) and reproduce the content of the DAB signal, or on the other hand, in the absence of data stored in the radio receiver, to activate one radio module at a time and verify the presence of a signal that can be received by the activated radio module.

A further advantage is given by the fact that, when listening to a radio program, the power of the signal received by the activated radio module decreases below a predetermined threshold to such a point as to have a value lower than a predetermined further threshold (with a value lower than said predetermined threshold) or to the point of having a value between said predetermined threshold and said predetermined further threshold for a predetermined time interval, the activation of a further radio module, different from the activated radio module, and the subsequent deactivation of said radio module does not cause an interruption of the radio program.

The present invention has been described for illustrative, but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiment, but it is to be understood that variations and/or modifications can be carried out by a skilled in the art, without departing from the scope thereof, as defined according to enclosed claims.

Claims

1 . Method of reproduction of radio programs from a plurality of sources, comprising the use of a radio receiver comprising a central processing unit as well as a DAB radio module for receiving and processing a DAB signal having power P_DAB containing a data group D_DAB and a radio program content CDAB of radio station, an FM radio module for receiving and processing an FM signal with power PFM containing a data group DFM and a radio program content CFM of radio station, a Web radio module for receiving and processing an Internet signal having power P_/N containing a data group D_TN and a radio program content C/N of radio station, and a satellite radio module for receiving and processing a satellite signal having power PSAT containing a data group DSAT and a radio program content CSAT of radio station,

the method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

C1 ) if said processable signal is present,

o tuning on the signal processable by said first radio module,

o tuning on said signal processable by said second radio module;

o activating a third radio module between said DAB, FM,

Web, satellite radio modules, different from said first radio module and said second radio module;

o tuning on the signal processable by said third radio module; and

o reproducing a corresponding radio program content CDAB or CFM or C_/wor C_SAT,

o tuning on the signal processable by said fourth radio module; and

2. Method according to the previous claim, wherein, if a signal processable by said fourth radio module is not present, returning to the step B or C.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein before of the step B, said method comprises the following step: A) verifying, by means of the central processing unit, if a data group D_DAB and/or D_FM and/or D_TN and/or D_SAT has been already stored in said radio receiver, and

A1 ) if yes:

A1 .1 ) activating a first radio module between said DAB, FM, Web, satellite radio module on the basis of the corresponding data group DDAB or DFM or DIN or DSAT stored in said radio receiver,

o reproducing a corresponding radio program content CDAB or CFM or C/A/or CSAT,

A2) if the signal processable by said first radio module is not present:

A2.2) if yes:

A2.3) activating said second radio module,

A2.5) if the signal processable by said second radio module is present,

o reproducing a corresponding radio program content CDAB or

A3) if not:

A3.2) if yes:

A3.3) activating said third radio module,

A3.5) if said signal processable by said third radio module is present,

o reproducing a corresponding radio program content CDAB or CFM or C IN or CSAT,

A4) if the signal processable by said third radio module is not present:

A4.1 ) verifying, by the fourth radio module, if a data group corresponding to a fourth radio module, different from the first radio module, the second radio module and the third radio module, has been stored in said radio receiver,

A4.2) if yes:

A4.3) activating said fourth radio module,

A4.4) verifying, by said fourth radio module, if a signal processable by said fourth radio module is present at the input of the radio receiver,

A4.5) if said signal processable by said third radio module is present,

o tuning the radio station on the basis of the corresponding data group DDAB or D_FM or D_/wor D_SAT,

o reproducing a corresponding radio program content CDAB or

4. Method according to any one of claims 1 -3, wherein, when the first radio module is activated, said method comprises the following steps:

D1 ) if the power Pi of the signal processable by the first radio module, where Pi is PDAB or P_FM or P_!N or P_SAT, has a value greater than a predetermined first upper threshold T^H , reproducing the radio program content CDAB or CFM or C/w or CSAT corresponding to the first radio module;

D2) if T^Li < Pi < T^Hi , where T^Li is a predetermined lower first threshold and T^Li < T^Hi , waiting a predetermined first time interval ΔΤ-ι , and

- if Pi > T^Hi during a predetermined time subinterval A of said predetermined first time interval ΔΤι, reproducing a radio program content CDAB or CFM or C/w or CSAT corresponding to the first radio module;

- if, during said time subinterval Δΐ-ι, Pi < T^L _; going to step D3; D3) activating said second radio module and, if the power P₂ of the signal processable by the second radio module, where P2 is PDAB or PFM or PIN or PSAT, has a value greater than a predetermined second upper threshold T^H ₂, performing the following substeps in sequence:

o tuning on said signal with power P₂,

o deactivating said first radio module;

o reproducing a radio program content CDAB or CFM or N or CSAT corresponding to the second radio module; D4) if T^L2≤ P2≤ T^H2, where T^L ₂ is a predetermined second lower threshold and T^L ₂ < T^H ₂, waiting a predetermined second time interval ΔΤ₂, and:

D5) activating said third radio module and, if the power P₃ of the signal processable by the third radio module, where P3 is PDAB or PFM or PIN or PSAT, has a value greater than a predetermined third upper threshold T^H3, performing the following substeps in sequence:

o tuning on said signal with power P₃,

o deactivating said second radio module;

D6) if T^L3 < P₃ < T^H3, where T^L ₃ is a predetermined third lower threshold and T^L ₃ < T^H ₃, waiting a predetermined third time interval ΔΤ₃, and:

o tuning on said signal with power P₄,

o deactivating said fourth radio module;

o reproducing a radio program content CDAB or CFM or C/w or CSAT corresponding to the fourth radio module;

- if P₄ > T^H ₄ during a predetermined time subinterval Δΐ₄ of said predetermined fourth time interval ΔΤ₄, reproducing a program content CDAB or CFM or C/w or CSAT corresponding to the fourth radio module; - if T^L ₄ < P₄ < T^H ₄ for a time equal to said predetermined fourth time interval ΔΤ₄, going to the step D9;

D9) sending a predetermined error message or restarting from step D1 .

5. Method according to any one of claims 1 -4, wherein, when said Web radio module is activated in the step A and/or step C and/or step D, said method comprises the following steps, preliminary to the step of tuning:

- verifying if said Internet signal is present on LAN network,

- if not, verifying if said Internet signal is present on a WiFi network,

- if not, verifying if said Internet signal is present on a mobile network, wherein, in positive case, said method comprises the step of tuning on the Internet signal using the corresponding network.

6. Method according to any one of claims 1 -5, wherein said first radio module is the DAB radio module, said second radio module is the FM radio module, said third radio module is the Web radio module and said fourth radio module is the satellite radio module.

7. Method according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said method comprises the step of storaging one or more unique identification codes associated with a respective predetermined radio station for reproducing by said Web radio module the radio content C_/w of radio station, and in the absence of the DAB signal and FM signal, said method comprises the step of reproducing said content C/w of radio station.

8. Method according to the previous claim, characterized in that each unique identification code is a URL code.

9. Computer program, comprising code means configured in such a way that, when executed on a processor, perform the steps of the method according to any one of previous claims.

10. Radio reproduction apparatus, comprising a radio receiver provided with a central processing unit and comprising: o a DAB radio module for receiving a DAB signal having power PDAB and containing a data group D_DAB and a radio program content CDAB of radio station,

o a Web radio module for receiving an Internet signal having power

PIN and containing a data group DIN and a radio program content

CiN of radio station,

o a satellite radio module for receiving a signal from a satellite having power PSAT and containing a data group DSAT and a radio program content C/w of radio station,

characterized in that said central processing unit is configured to perform the program of the claim 7.

1 1 . Apparatus according to the previous claim, wherein one or more unique identification codes associated with a respective predetermined radio station are stored in said central processing unit for reproducing by said web radio module of the radio content CIN of radio station,

where

said central processing unit is configured in such a way that, in the absence of DAB signal and FM signal, when said Web radio module is in un use, said Web radio module reproduces the radio content CIN of radio station associated with a respective unique identification code.

12. Apparatus according to the previous claim, wherein each unique identification code is a URL address.