EP0795974B1 - Method and receiver for the reproduction of received spoken messages and method for transmitting spoken messages - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method and a receiver for reproducing received spoken messages with a receiver, which includes a receiving part, a data signal decoder and a playback device for audio signals, and a method for transmitting spoken messages.

The Radio Data System (RDS) enables additional and inaudible transmission of digital data in parallel to broadcast programs in one data channel. Specifications of the radio data system for VHF radio are inter alia in the publication Tech. 3244 - E, March 1984 of the European Union Broadcasting Union (EBU). Radio receivers with suitable RDS decoders can record and decode transmitted data in addition to audio reception with the same receiver. For data transmission, 32 groups of 104 bits each are provided, with each of the transmitted groups being assigned a specific service. Group 8a is currently for the transmission of digitally coded traffic announcements.

The structure and coding of these traffic reports are set out in CEN ENV 12313-1, which is based on the ALERT C standard proposal, November 1990, issued by the RDS ATT ALERT Consortium. The essential elements of a traffic report are the location of the event and the event. This information is cataloged, which means that every traffic-relevant location and every traffic-relevant event is assigned a unique code. The concatenation of places in the place table along existing roads reflects the course. In addition to the usual facilities of a receiver with an RDS decoder facilities for decoding, storage, processing and output of the traffic reports are required to use the traffic message channel TMC (Traffic Message Channel).

As a result, the type of messages is limited in the TMC system, so that messages may exist that can not be encoded or decoded in the radio receiver. These messages include, for example, travel calls such as "Mr. Mustermann, traveling in northern Germany, please call his sister" or personal danger warnings such as "the driver of the car with the license plate YY-XX 00 would like to start a workshop immediately ...". Such messages are too different in content to be coded with an event list. Also messages about places that are not included in a place database in the radio receiver, can not be encoded or decoded. Such messages will also have to be broadcast in the future in spoken form.

In addition, it is advantageous to transmit extremely urgent messages, for example about ghost drivers, despite transmission in the TMC system as a spoken message, as the analogue voice transmission in bad reception conditions is less susceptible to interference than the digital channel of the radio-data system.

The spoken messages, however, can not be heard or overheard because of the activated TMC system and therefore switched off traffic decoder, for example, when the user hears music from a cassette or quietens the radio receiver.

The object of the invention is therefore to ensure a sufficiently loud reproduction of such spoken messages.

This object is achieved in the inventive method for playback in that upon receiving a group of the data signal with predetermined content, the playback device is set to the playback of simultaneously received audio signals with a predetermined volume and / or simultaneously received audio signals are stored.

Not only radio data signals according to the abovementioned publication of the EBU and coded traffic reports according to the abovementioned standard proposal are suitable for the present invention. The method according to the invention and the receiver according to the invention can also be realized with other data signals transmitted by radio waves and differently coded messages. Both the coded and spoken messages may be traffic notifications as well as other not only traffic or non-traffic messages, such as disaster alerts. Announcement refers to the transmission of one or more spoken messages.

Instead of a coded traffic message (TMC message) may advantageously be an ODA application (ODA = Open Data Application) used for switching. This application would need next to the 3A-ID no further data group. For switching, a 3A group with a special application ID would be sent in block D. The application-specific 16 bits in block C of this 3A group would include the location code identifying the location affected by the message, thus allowing selection.

The storage of the audio messages representing the spoken messages can additionally or alternatively be done for immediate playback and allows a later listening - for example, after an absence of the driver from the vehicle.

Although it is an automatic increase in volume or a switch to radio playback in response to received analog traffic signals known (US 4,862,513). However, this requires the broadcast of such traffic signals in addition to the radio data system including the associated Kennsignale. However, the method according to the invention should also be effective without such a traffic radio system. Even with still existing traffic radio system, the inventive method has the advantage that the user of the TMC system can make use of its advantages (for example, the selection) and still receives in addition the spoken messages aloud.

A control of the playback of spoken messages is indeed possible by the provided in the radio data signal TA bit. However, the automatic increase in volume or switching from cassette to radio operation possible with the TA bit is disabled for the TMC receiver in order to Avoid double messages. In addition, the TA bit is only able to mark the beginning and the end of an announcement (of generally several messages). By contrast, the method according to the invention characterizes the beginning and the end of the reading of individual messages within an announcement.

An embodiment of the inventive method in which the playback device is switchable to other audio signals than that of the receiving part, is that is switched on receipt of the group with the predetermined content of an optionally different set audio signal source to the receiving part. Both in radio receivers with other audio signal sources as well as without such an embodiment of the inventive method is provided that the volume is increased upon receipt of the group with the predetermined content.

A further development of the invention is that the setting of the playback device is further influenced by transmitted in the data signal traffic information signals. The traffic announcement signals are transmitted in the RDS protocol by two bits, namely TP and TA. Only during a traffic announcement both bits are set. The development thus has the advantage that the group needs to be sent with the predetermined content only briefly to announce the spoken message. The link also causes an erroneous switch to the audio program, as z. B. occurs in the traffic system in case of failure, can be connected in the inventive method. Switching back automatically takes place when either the special message is deleted or TA and TP are no longer set. In the RDS system, the bits TA and TP are transmitted more frequently, resulting in greater security of the automatic downshift leads.

In order to reproduce spoken messages from another transmitter even when receiving a transmitter which itself does not transmit any spoken messages, it is provided according to another embodiment that, during the reception of data signals of a first transmitter with a first receiver, a second receiver is set to a second transmitter and is connected to the playback device when in the received data signals, the group is included with the predetermined content and the traffic information signals also contained in the received data signal that the received transmitter sends no spoken messages, but the second transmitter.

A method for transmitting a spoken message, which is transmitted as an audio signal via a transmitter, is characterized in that during the spoken message, a predetermined content of a group of the data signal is sent. It can be provided that the group with the predetermined content with information from which sender the spoken message is sent is sent by another sender.

The messages provided for reading are usually prepared computer-assisted and are available in the form of stored data. For the method according to the invention, it is assumed that the messages are already marked if they are not decodable. For reading the spoken messages, various ways of presenting the text to the speaker are known. When using a teleprompter, messages scroll at constant speed from bottom to top across a screen, with the speaker reading the messages line by line. At the beginning, the speaker starts rolling with a keystroke and ends it by pressing another key after the end of the announcement. If the scrolling should be too fast, you can still pause with a third button. In the so-called paging method only one message is visible on the screen at a time, with the speaker scrolling from one message to the next by pressing a button.

In the so-called list procedure, more than one message is displayed on the screen, possibly all messages of an announcement. The speaker starts and ends the reading with one touch of a button. Within an announcement, it is basically possible to read both messages which are also transmitted as a codable message and also spoken messages which can not be coded. The method according to the invention is based on the fact that the messages to be read in a memory are identified as codable or non-codable messages.

In the teleprompter method and the paging method, the reading system recognizes the time when a non-codable message comes on the screen. For this purpose, it is provided in a development of the method according to the invention for transmitting a non-encodable spoken message that the group is automatically sent with the predetermined content, while the spoken message appears on the screen of a Verleseplatzes.

In the list method, the exact time of departure can not be determined, since all messages belonging to an announcement are simultaneously displayed on the screen. An appropriate for the list method embodiment of the invention therefore provides that the group is sent with the predetermined content by a suitable operation. The speaker can do this be supported by the fact that the non-codable spoken messages are highlighted on the screen.

In the event that an additional operation, such as pressing an additional button, the speaker does not appear reasonable, according to another embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the group is automatically sent with the predetermined content, while the entire announcement on the screen of a A place to be read appears if at least one non-codable message is contained therein.

A local selection can also be made in non-codable messages that were generated by the inventive method for sending, characterized in that the group is provided with the predetermined content with a location. This location may preferably be the broadcast area of the respective broadcaster. Furthermore, the predetermined content may be a special message with the highest priority.

An advantageous possibility for forming the group with the predetermined content in the inventive method is that the predetermined content is characterized by a predetermined event code and / or a predetermined location code.

Depending on the requirements in detail, it may be provided in the method according to the invention that the group with the predetermined content is an RDS / TMC message or that the group with predetermined content is a 3A group of the radio data signal with existing identification within the block 4 is. In the case of the second possibility, 16 bits may also be available in a group of the block 3 as additional information, in particular as a location code.

A receiver for carrying out the method according to the invention is characterized in that the receiving part is connected to a display device and with a radio data signal decoder, which is followed by an evaluation device for radio data signals, and in that the playback device of a Output signal of the evaluation device is controllable.

Fig. 1

ein Blockschaltbild eines Empfängers zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens,

Fig. 2

ein Ablaufdiagramm zur weiteren Erläuterung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens zur Wiedergabe von empfangenen gesprochenen Meldungen,

Fig. 3

ein Ablaufdiagramm zur Erläuterung eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens zum Senden von gesprochenen Meldungen und

Fig. 4

ein Ablaufdiagramm zur Erläuterung eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens zum Senden von gesprochenen Meldungen.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawing with reference to several figures and explained in more detail in the following description. It shows:

Fig. 1

a block diagram of a receiver for carrying out the method according to the invention,

Fig. 2

a flowchart for further explanation of the inventive method for reproducing received spoken messages,

Fig. 3

a flowchart for explaining a first embodiment of the inventive method for transmitting spoken messages and

Fig. 4

a flowchart for explaining a second embodiment of the inventive method for transmitting spoken messages.

1 shows, in the form of a block diagram, the parts of a radio receiver, preferably a car radio, necessary for explaining the method according to the invention. About an antenna 1 and a receiver (tuner) 2 an FM radio station is received in a conventional manner. The tuner 2 outputs a multiplex signal MPX which is an audio signal or, in the case of stereo transmission in coded form, audio signals for the left and right channels contains. Further, the multiplexed signal on a 57 kHz carrier modulates a radio data signal which is decoded in a decoder 3. Upon receipt of a transmitter broadcasting conventionally spoken traffic information, the multiplexed signal also includes analog traffic information signals, namely, a transmitter identifier, an announcement identifier, and an area identifier. These are not evaluated in the illustrated embodiment.

The audio portion of the multiplex signal MPX is decoded in a stereo decoder 4. An audio amplifier 5 with two power amplifiers 6, 7 and two speakers 8, 9 serves to reproduce the audio signals and has an input 10 for adjusting the volume. Audio inputs of the audio amplifier 5 can be connected via a changeover switch 11 on the one hand to the output of the stereo decoder 4 and on the other hand to an auxiliary input 12, to which a cassette or a CD player can be connected.

A microcomputer 13 performs a number of functions in the illustrated radio receiver. Among other things, entries made via a keyboard 14 are evaluated and various information is displayed on a display device (display) 15. Furthermore, the decoder 3 supplies the microcomputer 13 RDS signals, which evaluates them and makes information contained in the RDS signals visible on the display 15. Outputs of the microcomputer 13 are connected to the control input 10 of the audio amplifier 5 and to a control input of the changeover switch 11. Thus, one of the audio signal sources can be selected and the volume adjusted via the keyboard 14.

The microcomputer 13 also serves as an evaluation device for the RDS signals for purposes of the method according to the invention. Detects the microcomputer 13, the group with the predetermined content in the radio data signal, the Switch 11 to the lower position and the volume to a higher value, if these settings have not already existed. This switching is explained with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 2, which is part of a running in the microcomputer 13 program. After starting the program at 20, it is checked at 21 whether the audio amplifier 5 is switched to the input 12 and whether the TMC system is activated.

It then follows at 22 a query whether the received radio data signal of the group with the default content S-TMC (S as special message) corresponds, so if a voice message is to be received and reproduced. If this is the case, at 23 the switch 11 is controlled to the lower position and the volume is set via the control input 10 to an increased value. The loop formed by the program parts 22 and 23 is repeated until the group with the predetermined content is no longer received. Then at 24, the switch is again controlled to the previously set input and the volume is reduced to the previously set value. At 25, the program is finished.

• U = 0 = ALERT-C-Protokoll
• G = Ein-Sequenz-Standardsmeldungsmerker,
• DP = Dauer/Anstehdauer,
• D = Umleitung.

The coded messages disseminated via the TMC system can be coded as one-sequence or as multi-sequence messages, depending on the extent. For the transmission of the group with the specified content, a one-sequence message is sufficient, the coding of which according to the ALERT-C protocol is shown below: U G DP D extent event place 0 1 bit 3 bits 1 bit 4 bits 11 bits 16 bits Where:

• U = 0 = ALERT-C protocol
• G = one-sequence standard message flag,
• DP = duration / duration,
• D = diversion.

The extent indicates the number of affected locations along the route. The event code means, for example, "congested traffic" or "congestion" and is decoded using an event table stored in the radio receiver. The location code represents a location of a location list, which is also stored in the receiver. These places are, for example, intersections and junctions, motorway exits and exits and places in the sense of towns and villages.

Of the 2 ¹¹ possible event codes, for example, the event code 1929 is selected for the group with the predetermined content. A section of a corresponding event table is shown below: Event code event 108 slow-moving traffic, ... ..., 1929 important information is read in the spoken program (S-TMC), ... ..., 2046 (free).

In the RDS standard (DIN EN 50 067, February 1993, page 27) a traffic information TP and a traffic announcement code TA are provided in the radio data signal whose meaning is explained in the following table. TP TA importance 0 0 this program does not broadcast traffic announcements, nor does it refer, via EON, to programs broadcasting traffic announcements, 0 1 this program transmits EON information via another program with traffic announcements, 1 0 this program transmits traffic announcements, but at the moment none are sent, 1 1 This program is currently broadcasting a traffic announcement.

EON means Enhanced Other Network. Information about this is available in the so-called EON group of the radio data signal. In particular, in the case of a two-tuner receiver, the one tuner transmitting to the reception of a spoken message can thereby be set, while the other tuner continues to remain on the transmitter whose radio-data signals are evaluated.

The methods for identifying spoken messages shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 can be carried out at a reading workstation for the spoken messages.

The method shown in Fig. 3 for sending the special message is provided in the reading of messages according to the list method. After a start at 31, the messages are fetched at 32 on the screen, and depending on the number of messages to be read within an announcement all or part of the messages fit on a screen. If the speaker is ready to read the messages, the TA key is set to 1 by a key operation (program part 33). Thereafter, at 34 it is checked whether all messages can be coded. If this is not the case, that is, if at least one of the messages intended for an announcement is not decodable, the sending of the special message is switched on at 35. This is omitted, however, if all messages are coded. At the touch of a key after stopping reading at 36 a branch 37 takes place depending on whether the special message is active. If this is the case, the special message is switched off at 38. In the program part 39, the bit TA is then reset to 0, whereupon the program is terminated.

The embodiment of Fig. 4 describes the sending of the special message during the reading after the teleprompter or after the paging method. After a start at 41, the TA bit is set to 1 at 42. A pointer n is set to the first message at 43. At 44, the first message is fetched from memory and made visible on the screen. Thereafter, a branch 45 is made depending on whether the message is decodable. If this is not the case, the sending of the special message is started at 46. Otherwise, 47 asks whether a special message has already been sent. If this is the case, the special message is canceled at 48.

After reading, the speaker calls the next message with a keystroke (49). If the message provided with the pointer n is the last, after the branch 50, the program branches again at 51 depending on whether a special message is sent. If this is the case, it is terminated at 52 and then at 53 the TA bit is set to 0 and at 54 the program is terminated.

If, at branch 50, the message previously displayed is not the last, the pointer n is set to the next message at 54, whereupon the program steps 44 to 50 repeat with the next.

Claims (19)

1. Method for reproducing received spoken messages with a receiver which contains a reception part, a data signal decoder and a reproduction device for audio signals,
   where data signals are received which contain digitally encoded warning messages,
   where, upon receipt of a group for the data signal with a prescribed content which (group) indicates spoken messages which are not digitally encodable or indicates spoken messages which are accompanied by digitally encoded warning messages and have a particular urgency, the reproduction device is set to reproduce simultaneously received audio signals at a prescribed volume and/or the simultaneously received audio signals are stored.
2. Method according to Claim 1, where the reproduction device can be changed over to audio signals other than that of the reception part, characterized in that receipt of the group with the prescribed content prompts changeover from a possibly different set audio signal source to the reception part.
3. Method according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that receipt of the group with the prescribed content prompts an increase in the volume.
4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the setting of the reproduction device is also influenced by traffic radio identifier signals sent in the data signal.
5. Method according to Claim 4, characterized in that during receipt of data signals from a first transmitter with a first reception part, a second reception part is set to a second transmitter and is connected to the reproduction device if the received data signals contain the group with the prescribed content and the traffic radio identifier signals which are likewise contained in the received radio data signal state that the transmitter being received is not sending any spoken messages but the second transmitter is.
6. Method for sending a spoken message which is not digitally encodable or a spoken warning message which is accompanied by digitally encoded warning messages and has a particular urgency, where during this spoken message a prescribed content of a group for the data signal is sent.
7. Method according to Claim 6, characterized in that the group with the prescribed content is sent with information from another transmitter regarding which transmitter is sending the spoken message.
8. Method according to either of Claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the group with the prescribed content is sent automatically while the spoken message appears on the screen of a sorting station.
9. Method according to either of Claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the group with the prescribed content is sent by a suitable operator control operation.
10. Method according to Claim 9, characterized in that the spoken messages which are not encodable are shown in highlight on the screen.
11. Method according to either of Claims 6 and 7, characterized in that when an announcement comprising a plurality of messages is shown on the screen of a sorting station the group with the prescribed content is sent automatically while the announcement appears on the screen if it contains at least one message which is not encodable.
12. Method according to one of Claims 6 to 11, characterized in that the group with the prescribed content is provided with a location statement.
13. Method according to Claim 12, characterized in that the location statement is the transmission area of the respective radio station.
14. Method according to one of Claims 6 to 13, characterized in that the prescribed content is a special message with the highest priority.
15. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the prescribed content is distinguished by a prescribed event code and/or a prescribed location code.
16. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the group with the prescribed content is an RDS/TMC message.
17. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the group with prescribed content is a 3A group for the radio data signal with identification provided within block 4.
18. Method according to Claim 17, characterized in that a group for block 3 also contains 16 bits available as supplementary information, particularly as a location code.
19. Receiver
    with a reception part for receiving radio signals,
    with a data signal decoder for evaluating digital data contained in a received radio signal,
    with means for decoding encoded warning messages contained in the digital data,
    with means for identifying groups of a prescribed content within the digital data which indicate that a spoken warning message is being transmitted which is not digitally encodable or which is accompanied by digitally encoded warning messages and has a particular urgency,
    and with changeover means which, in response to a group of the prescribed content within the digital data, prompt reproduction at a prescribed volume and/or storage of the spoken warning message transmitted in the radio signal.

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