EP1496631A2 - Receiver for radio and/or TV signals - Google Patents

Abstract

A car radio and television receiver (1) has a dynamic FIFO buffer memory (5) used for storage and later transfer of programme data to non dynamic memory (6) with manual or automatic control of replay source, using programme content and programme source selection switches (8, 12). Includes and INDEPENDENT CLAIM for the inclusion of optional Analogue to Digital conversion.

Description

The invention relates to a receiving device for radio and / or television signals with a radio signal receiving unit, a signal reproducing unit, a control unit and with recording data storage for optional Storage of program sections of digitized broadcasting and / or Television signal.

Such a receiving device is in particular as a car radio in motor vehicles Well known, but it can also be a TV or a multi-functional Be a multimedia terminal.

Under the trade name "Woodstock" are digital radio receivers for motor vehicles of the company Blaupunkt available, where the current received program content recorded at the request of the user and can be stored on a non-volatile storage medium. The program contents recorded in this way can be used later in the car radio or in an external device, such as a MP3 players, or they can be played on another storage device loaded and processed there. As non-volatile Storage medium is the use of permanent storage cards, such as For example, multimedia card, smart media cart, etc. provided.

In these car radios, the user presses to start a recording a specific button on the device. From that moment on, the received digital, non-decoded data stream supplied to a memory unit and then the data stream from the storage device on the non-volatile Memory stored. The recording of a program section ends when the user presses a specific button on the device, or when the capacity of the non-volatile memory is reached.

In US Patent 5,671,195 A is a car radio with a recording option discloses, wherein the user in advance certain recording times can set. The recording can therefore be analogous to the example be programmed to a video recorder. The recording then takes place the pre-programmed times, even if the motor vehicle itself not in operation.

Systems are also known, for example from DE 41 18 970 A, where a record of traffic news by means of a non-volatile Storage medium is made to the user to allow subsequent listening to the traffic news.

In DE 197 09 153 A1 a car radio is described in which a subsequent Listening to the last N seconds of the currently received program is possible. For this purpose, a memory is used on which each from the current time from last N seconds of received program are stored. At the request of the user If a certain key is pressed, the contents of the memory are played back. This allows the user to view portions of the program content such as important traffic announcements or news, again to listen.

With the known radio receiving devices, it is not possible, a currently received program section together with an already permanently save the previously received part of the program section, for example, a piece of music for later repeated playback completely save.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a correspondingly improved receiving device for radio and / or television signals having a radio signal receiving unit, a signal reproduction unit, a control unit and with a Recording data memory for the optional storage of program sections the digitized radio and / or television signal create.

The object is achieved by a ring data memory for the permanent temporary storage of the received digital broadcasting and / or Television signal, wherein the recording data memory to the Ring data storage is connected and controlled by the control unit so is that when saving a program section at least one already received in the ring data memory cached Transfer part of the program section to the recording medium and then the currently received radio and / or Television signals of the subsequent part of the program section in the recording data memory be filed.

Through the use of a ring data memory and the permanent intermediate storage the received digital broadcast and / or television signal in the ring data memory, it is now possible to record program contents and play back before operating a recording function were sent. This allows a user while listening to a broadcast program even after the beginning of a certain program content, eg. B. one certain piece of music or a text contribution, decide that he these for the purpose of archiving and / or later playback gladly would like to record. With the help of the ring data memory is the Program content then completely inclusive of the already past beginning part transferred to the recording medium.

It is advantageous if for storing the subsequent part of the program section the currently received and cached in the ring data memory Radio and / or television signals from the ring data memory be transferred to the recording data memory. In order to If the recording function is activated, buffering is also carried out in the Ring data storage for the transmission of the current program content the recording data memory. This can be different timing be compensated.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the ring data memory is a volatile memory and the recording data memory is a nonvolatile memory, such as For example, a hard disk, removable hard disk, memory card is. Of the Non-volatile memory can be integrated in the receiver or via external interfaces, such as PCMCIA, USB o. Ä. Connected become.

In an advantageous embodiment of the receiving device are several Ring data memory for intermediate storage of several received in parallel Programs with radio and / or television signals. This has the advantage that other, as currently played program content can be recorded completely, such as Traffic news from other stations.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the length of the ring data storage variable is adjustable. This allows the required memory area to be considered a maximum required preview range and the pro Time unit to be cached amount of data optimized and the rest Storage space can be made available to other applications.

The control unit for starting and ending the storage of a program section For example, by manually pressing a record button, by receiving a recording start / stop signal a timer and / or by detecting a change or a selected content of a program. The timer For example, as with video recorders, a pre-programmable Be recording scheduling module. The start and stop functions can also be combined, for example by the storage a program section by manual operation of the record button and then automatically by detecting a context change the program content, such as a change from title to title or a change from a text entry to a song, is ended. A context change can be done, for example, by analysis the content of the program itself, but also by evaluating one of the Transmitter can be detected with transmitted context change signal.

For this purpose, the control unit is preferably for searching a characteristic signal in the cached in the ring data storage radio and / or Television signal formed, wherein the identification signal the beginning of a program data section for transmission to the recording medium features.

It is particularly advantageous if an intermediate storage in the ring data memory and / or storage in the recording data memory of a co digitized broadcast and / or television signal of the selected one Program section. This can save considerable storage space become. Possibly. is an additional encoder in front of the ring data memory or recording data memory to provide.

It is for the processing of analog radio and / or television signals then advantageous if an analog-to-digital converter for digitizing the received analog radio and / or television signal and at least an encoding device for compressing the digitized broadcasting and / or Television signal is provided.

Furthermore, it is advantageous to have a switch between the Radio signal receiving unit, the ring data memory and the signal reproduction unit for selectively reproducing the with the radio signal receiver currently received program and cached in the ring data memory delayed program by the signal reproduction unit provided. This allows the user to select whether the currently received program is undelayed or in the ring data memory cached program delayed playback is, for example, to control the recording of the program content.

Figur 1 -

Blockschaltbild eines erfindungsgemäßen Empfangsgerätes mit Ringdatenspeicher und Aufzeichnungsdatenspeicher.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings. It shows:

FIG. 1 -

Block diagram of a receiving device according to the invention with ring data storage and recording data memory.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a receiving device according to the invention 1, which in a known manner a conventional Radio receiving part 2, an amplifier 3 and a speaker system 4 for Reception and reproduction of broadcasting signals, for example. Instead of a broadcast receiving part 2 may also be a television receiver or a data receiving part may be provided. The broadcast receiving part 2 can, for example, to receive FM, LW, KW, DAB, DRM or be formed other broadcasting signals.

The conventional receiving device 1 is supplemented by a ring data memory 5, for example, as a volatile First-In-First-Out (FIFO) data store is pronounced. The ring data memory 5 must be sized be that, depending on the selected storage density, for example in the compressed storage of digitized broadcast signals is reduced, a maximum buffering time is guaranteed.

In addition to the ring data memory 5, a recording data memory 6 is provided, its input with a switch 7 optionally to the ring data memory 5 or the output of the radio receiving part 2 clamped can be. The recording data memory 6 is a non-volatile one Memory that is in both the receiving device 1 as a hard disk, removable hard disk, Memory card o. Ä. Be installed or via external interfaces, such. B. PCMCIA, USB or similar can be connected.

With another switch 8, the output of the ring data memory 5 optionally via an optional decoder and digital-to-analog converter 9 for Playback be given to the speaker system 4.

The user of the receiving device 1 can now by pressing a button a recording function for storing a program section in the record data memory 6 start by the switch 7 in the upper position for connecting the ring data memory 5 to the recording data memory 6 and the switch 8 is brought into the open position. In order to are the data of the program section already in the ring data memory 5, stored on the recording data memory 6, while additionally the current program continues in the ring data memory 5 recorded and via the amplifier 3 and the speaker system. 4 is reproduced. The cached in the ring data memory 5 current program, after the in the ring data memory 5 before stored part of the program section to be stored in the recording data memory 6 has been transferred to the recording data memory 6 transmitted and stored there. This has the advantage that a user completes an already-running post for further use can cut. Without the cache function by the Ring data memory 5 would be the first N seconds of the program section missing in the record.

The completion of the recording, for example, by a second Pressure on a recording switch or a recording button is reached become. Other alternatives to a recording completion may be a preprogrammed one Time with a timer or the detection of a Context changes in the transmitted program.

The length of the intermediate storage in the ring data memory 5 can be variable and be made adjustable by the user. This has the advantage that the play length or the lead time to the special requirements the receiving device 1 or preferences of the user adapted can be. In addition, if the available space not fully exploited by the memory function of the ring data memory 5 is, the other free space of the ring data storage 5 other Components are provided, such. B. a corridor function in a radio navigation device.

After pressing the record buttons 7 and 8, either the entire Content of the cached in the ring data memory 5 Program content in the recording data memory 6 or only one through the user specified part, or only the part of the program section be written since the last context switch.

To control the recording could also be one with the program of the transmitting stations additionally transmitted context signal evaluated which indicates a context change. After pressing the recording button 7, 8 could then automatically the already in the ring data memory 5 stored part of the program section on the recording medium 6 and then stored the current part of the program section and after the end of the program section after recognition of the context signal the recording will be ended automatically.

If the record button 7 is in the lower position, the current Radio and / or television signal directly in the recording data carrier 6 recorded without being cached earlier Program data contents from the ring data memory 5 are taken into account.

In an optional embodiment, as by the circle and the oval shown, an analog-to-digital converter 10 and an encoder 11, for example for an audio broadcasting signal or a video television signal in combination with an audio encoder between the Fundfunkempfangsteil 2 as a radio signal receiving unit and the ring data memory 5 and the Recording data memory 6 installed. Thus, the receiving device 1 for both analog and digitally broadcast radio and / or Television signals find application, with digital data directly on the Ring data memory 5 and the recording data memory 6 are stored can.

Analog broadcast and / or television signals are provided by the analog-to-digital converter 10 and the encoder 11 digitized and encoded.

Furthermore, a switch 12 is optional between amplifier 3 and speaker system 4 is provided, which opens upon actuation of the recording button 7, 8 becomes. Upon actuation of the recording buttons 7 and 8, the switch 8 also closed, so that no longer the currently received, but the delayed by the ring data memory 5 program content with the Speaker system 4 is played. The user can now wait until the desired time to start recording the program section is reached on the recording data memory 6. about another keystroke then the actual recording of the Ring data memory 5 cached program section on the Recording data memory 6 started. The switches 8 and 12 can now either remain in their positions, allowing the user to do so in time Delayed program listens, or they can return to their original ones Positions spent with the switch 8 open and switch 12 closed so that the user gets back the currently received program content hear. Ending the recording at a desired Place is done in the manner described above. At the latest after completion the recording should switch 8 and 12 back to their original automatically Positions with switch 8 open and closed Switch 12 are spent so that the user again received the currently Program listens.

The use of the encoder 11 has compared to the direct storage the received program data after the analog-to-digital conversion the advantage that the latched in the ring data memory 5 and Significantly reduced stored data in the recording data memory 6 becomes. Thus, by using suitable coding techniques, the by the ring data memory 5 realized preview time for program data be increased significantly, so that the user gains additional time to to decide for the storage of program data sections.

The memory size of the memory reduced with an assumed preview time However, ring data storage 5 can also be used to free the Memory to other applications to provide.

The receiving device 1 may additionally provide cutting functions that be realized for example as software. With the editing functions the user can be given the option of recording from Program sections at the beginning and at the end to cut as well as a fading (Show and hide). Hereby gets the user the possibility to edit its program sections directly in the terminal 1, without on additional tools, such as a home PC to be instructed.

When processing digital broadcast signals, such. B. according to the DAB standard is access to various programs possible, even if the broadcast receiving section 2 is set to the frequency of an ensemble is. Then a plurality of ring data memories 5 can be provided in parallel, so that a set time of each program of the ensemble is cut. The user can then immediately after a program change the currently running program section including a record any missing header.

Claims (10)

Receiver (1) for radio and / or television signals having a radio signal receiving unit (2), a signal reproduction unit, a control unit and recording data memory (6) for optionally storing program sections of the digitized radio and / or television signal, characterized by a ring data memory (5) for permanently buffering the received digital radio and / or television signal, the recording data memory (6) being connected to the ring data memory (5) and controlled by the control unit in such a way that at least one already received in the ring data memory (5) is stored when a program section is stored cached portion of the program section in the recording data memory (6) and then transfer the currently received radio and / or television signals of the subsequent part of the program section in the recording data memory (6) are stored. Receiving device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that for storing the subsequent part of the program section, the currently received and in the ring data memory (5) cached radio and / or television signals from the ring data memory (5) in the recording data memory (6) are transmitted. Receiving device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the ring data memory (5) is a volatile memory and the recording data memory (6) is a non-volatile memory. Receiving device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of ring data memory (5) for inter mediate storage of several parallel received programs with radio and / or television signals are provided. Receiving device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length of the ring data memory (5) is variably adjustable. Receiving device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit for starting and stopping the storage of a program section by manual operation of a recording button, by receiving a recording start / stop signal of a timer and / or by detecting a change or a selected content of a program is formed. Receiving device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit for searching a characteristic signal in the ring data memory (5) cached broadcast and / or television signal is formed, wherein the identification signal marks the beginning of a program data section for transmission to the record data carrier (6) , Receiving device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an intermediate storage in the ring data memory (5) and / or storage in the recording data memory (6) of coded, digitized radio and / or television signals takes place. Receiving device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by analog-digital converter (10) for digitizing the received analog broadcast and / or television signal before buffering and at least one coding device (11) for compressing the digitized radio and / or television signal. Receiving device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a changeover switch (8, 12) between the radio signal receiving unit (2), the ring data memory (5) and the signal reproducing unit for selectively reproducing the program currently being received by the radio signal receiver (2) and in the ring data memory (5) cached, time-delayed program by the signal reproduction unit.

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