EP2063558A1

EP2063558A1 - A method and a terminal system for selecting an audio signal

Info

Publication number: EP2063558A1
Application number: EP07022700A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Aniket Agshikar
Original assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
Current assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
Priority date: 2007-11-22
Filing date: 2007-11-22
Publication date: 2009-05-27

Abstract

The present invention provides a terminal system and a method for selecting an audio signal where the system is adapted to simultaneously display dynamic data content on various radio stations. The method explains a way of selecting a specific audio signal of choice from the display as per a user request. Each channel from a radio station is associated with an audio signal and a corresponding data signal. The terminal consists of means (1, 15) for receiving an audio signal and a corresponding data signal from plurality of channels and a display interface (6, 40) adapted for simultaneously displaying the dynamic content of several data signals received from the channels. The terminal further comprises a user input means (7, 35) adapted for selecting an audio signal. The means (1, 15) further comprises of a multiplexer (20) adapted to receive a plurality of audio signals as input and provide an audio signal output. The input means (7, 35) can accept a user request and select an audio corresponding to said request.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of wireless radio-devices, in particular to devices adapted to perform processing of radio signals transmitted by different radio stations via respective radio channels. It is specifically related to a respective terminal system and a respective method.
A radio signal traditionally contains programs and advertisements used to provide information to the audience by a radio station. Additional information transmitted from the radio station are for example the station name, weather forecast, etc.
It is an object of the present invention to improve the usability of a respective terminal system and a respective method.
The above object is achieved by a terminal system comprising:

means for receiving an audio signal and a corresponding data signal from each channel of a plurality of channels, wherein the data signal comprises dynamic content,
a display interface adapted for simultaneously displaying the dynamic content of several data signals received from the plurality of channels, and
user input means adapted for selecting an audio signal from a channel from said plurality of channels.

The above object is achieved by a method of selecting an audio signal comprising the steps of:

receiving an audio signal and a corresponding data signal from each channel of a plurality of channels, wherein the data signal comprises dynamic content,
simultaneously displaying the dynamic content of several data signals received from the plurality of channels in a display interface, and
selecting an audio signal from a channel from said plurality of channels.

The underlying idea of the present invention is to provide additional dynamic information with regard to channels a user currently is not listening to. The invention improves the range of user selection, as the user is presented a visual representation of probable choices he could make on the received dynamic information. Also this gives the user more specific details of the content aired currently in the channels. If the user finds the information in another channel more interesting than the one which the user currently is listing to, the user can select or switch to that specific channel of choice.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention the means for receiving an audio signal further comprises a multiplexer adapted to receive a plurality of audio signals as input and provide an audio signal output as selected by the user input means. The audio signal corresponding to the user request received using the user input means is selected using a multiplexer. The above feature facilitates the implementation of a specific user choice from a plurality of probable choices for the user.
In a further preferred embodiment, the means for receiving a data signal further comprises a buffer memory adapted to store the data signals received. The data signals can be stored in the buffer memory, being refreshed at pre-defined time periods. The above feature enables storing of dynamic data content temporarily.
In an alternate embodiment, the user input means is further adapted for the extraction of dynamic content corresponding to at least one data signal stored in the buffer memory to be displayed in the display interface. For example the digital information corresponding to the plurality of channels is buffered in the memory which is pertaining to an advertisement in the channel or the information of the song which is playing in a channel. The above feature facilitates simultaneous display of said information in the display interface.
In a further embodiment, the user input means is adapted to identify dynamic content from the simultaneously displayed dynamic content in the display interface corresponding to a user selection, the dynamic content being associated with one channel from the plurality of channels, and wherein the user input means is adapted for selecting the audio signal corresponding to said channel. The above feature enables the selection of an audio signal specific to the user choice.
In a further embodiment, the system further comprises a means to update the displayed dynamic content over a period of time, based upon the data signals received by said means for reception from said plurality of channels over said period of time. For example the system can comprise a processor adapted for updating and refreshing the content displayed in the display interface in regular pre-defined intervals. The above feature facilitates to refresh the content displayed in the display interface regularly enabling the user to view the latest content.
In a further embodiment, the dynamic content is descriptive of an identity of the audio signal. The data signal, for example can contain information relating to the title of the song played or lyrics of the song or other information relating to the artist or other advertisements or even all or a combination of them. Since the information in the data signal can vary with time the contents in the signal are dynamic. The above feature enables the user to get informed about the current audio signal which is aired in the channel by the respective radio station.
The present invention is further described hereinafter with reference to illustrated embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG 1 shows a block diagram of the terminal system of the present invention,
FIG 2 is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the terminal system,
FIG 3 illustrates a display in a display interface when the terminal system is active, and
FIG 4 is a block diagram illustrating an alternate embodiment of the terminal system implemented using filters.

FIG 1 shows a block diagram of the terminal system of the present invention. A receiving means 1 is adapted to receive audio signals and corresponding data signals associated with a plurality of channels transmitted by more than one radio station. For illustration the receiving means is shown to accept a first audio signal 2 and a corresponding first data signal 3 from a first radio station and a second audio signal 4 and a corresponding second data signal 5 from a second radio station. The receiving means 1 is adapted to be tuned to specific frequencies or adapted to perform automatic scan for radio signals to enable the reception of multiple channels. The data signals contain dynamic data content broadcasted via different channels. The receiving means 1 is adapted to simultaneously display the dynamic content corresponding to the plurality of data signals associated with the plurality of channels on a display interface 6. The terminal system further comprises a user input means 7 which can accept a user request enabling the selection of a corresponding audio signal associated with the digital signal. For example if the display interface shows a plurality of titles played in different channels, the user input means enables the selection of a title displayed on the display interface further enabling the selection of the corresponding audio signal which could be heard through a loud speaker 8.
FIG 2 is a block diagram showing the terminal system of the present invention. A radio station will transmit data signals along with its regular audio signals. The data signal will be synchronized with the audio signal and might contain information like song title, lyrics, album name, advertisements, etc. The frequency spectrum might be altered to accommodate the data signal for every radio station. A means 10 is adapted to receive audio signals and corresponding data signals associated with a plurality of channels transmitted by more than one radio station. A radio receiver 15 is part of the said means 10 adapted to receive a plurality of channels. The means 10 further comprises a multiplexer 20 adapted to receive a plurality of audio signals as input and to provide an audio signal output. A data channel decoder 25 decodes the data signals received from the plurality of channels. The means 10 for receiving a data signal further comprises a buffer memory 30 adapted to store the data signals decoded. The terminal system further comprises a user input means 35 which is adapted for the extraction of dynamic content corresponding to at least one data signal stored in the buffer memory to be displayed simultaneously in a display interface 40. The audio signal output received from the multiplexer 20 corresponds to the user selection given using the user input means 35. The user input means is adapted to identify dynamic content from the simultaneously displayed dynamic content in the display interface corresponding to a user selection. The terminal system further comprises a means 45 to update the displayed dynamic content over a period of time. If there is a substantial time delay, the content may lose its significance. For example the time delay may cause a listener to lose an opportunity to listen to his favorite song if the display interface still shows the name of the previous title played when actually his favorite song is being aired in the channel by the radio station. Therefore the buffer memory and the display are refreshed under the control of the said means 45 at pre-defined time intervals, where the said means could be a programmable processor. The audio signal output from the multiplexer is finally decoded using an audio decoder 50 and played using a speaker 55.
FIG 3 illustrates a display 100 in a display interface when the terminal system is active. The dynamic content is descriptive of an identity of the audio signal. For example the dynamic content can be the details describing the channel in which the said dynamic content is displayed. It can also be the title of the song currently aired in the channel or can be the name of the artists involved with the song, or the lyrics of the song or some information regarding the source of the song, like from which movie or album the song is from. The display 100 displays the dynamic information 110 of a specific channel "91FM", currently playing a song titled "Kya Mujhe Pyar Hai", from the Movie "WOH LAMHE". Similarly the dynamic information 120, 130, 140, 150 and 160 represents the information corresponding to different channels. The user can see the dynamic information of a plurality of channels at the same time. The dynamic information is refreshed in the display regularly to enable the user to view the current details in the data signals aired in the channels by the radio stations. The display 100 also shows a selection button 170 to select a specific channel from the simultaneously displayed plurality of channels and an exit button 180. The said selection can be also implemented by using a separate user input means.
FIG 4 is a block diagram illustrating an alternate embodiment of the terminal system. Every radio station will transmit a data channel along with its regular audio channel. The FM receiver consists of a multi-channel programmable FM Receiver chip 300 with tunable channel filters for all the radio stations. The diagram shows an antenna 301 adapted to receive a plurality of channels. In this example the reception of only three channels are considered but in practice the antenna is adapted to receive more than three channels. The receiver comprises of an audio filter 302 and a data filter 303 which is adapted to filter the audio and data corresponding to the first channel. Similarly the second channel uses audio filter 304 and a data filter 305 to filter the corresponding audio and video of said channel. Also, the third channel uses audio filter 306 and a data filter 307 to filter the corresponding audio and video of said channel. The filters are adapted to receive the respective signals under the control of a processor 308. The data signals filtered from all channels from a plurality of radio stations are decoded using a data channel decoder 309 and displayed simultaneously in a display interface 310. The data signals corresponding to different channels can be stored in a buffer memory 311 which can be extracted and displayed in the display interface according to the user selection. The processor also periodically updates the dynamic content displayed in the display interface. The user request or selection is received using a user selection means 312. Also the audio channels are multiplexed using a multiplexer 313 depending upon the radio station selected by the user. The display 310 can also be adapted to highlight the station or the channel currently tuned. The multiplexer will give an audio signal output with respect to the user selection which gets further decoded using an audio decoder 314 and played in a speaker 315.
Summarizing, the present invention provides a terminal system and a method for selecting an audio signal where the system is adapted to simultaneously display dynamic data content being played on various radio stations. The method explains a way of selecting a specific audio signal of choice from the display as per a user request. Each channel from a radio station is associated with an audio signal and a corresponding data signal. Said terminal consists of a display interface adapted for simultaneously displaying the dynamic content of several data signals received from the channels. Said terminal further comprises a user input means adapted for selecting an audio signal. Said input means can accept a user request and select an audio corresponding to said request.
Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. It is therefore contemplated that such modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention as defined.

Claims

A terminal system comprising:
means (1, 15) for receiving an audio signal (2, 4) and a corresponding data signal (3, 5) from each channel of a plurality of channels, wherein the data signal comprises dynamic content,

a display interface (6, 40) adapted for simultaneously displaying the dynamic content of several data signals received from the plurality of channels, and

user input means (7, 35) adapted for selecting an audio signal from a channel from said plurality of channels.
The system according to claim 1, wherein said means for receiving an audio signal further comprises a multiplexer (20) adapted to receive a plurality of audio signals as input and provide an audio signal output as selected by the user input means (35).
The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said means for receiving a data signal further comprises a buffer memory (30) adapted to store the data signals received.
The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the user input means (35) is further adapted for the extraction of dynamic content corresponding to at least one data signal stored in the buffer memory (30) to be displayed in the display interface.
The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the user input means (35) is adapted to identify dynamic content from the simultaneously displayed dynamic content in the display interface (40) corresponding to a user selection, the dynamic content being associated with one channel from the plurality of channels, and wherein the user input means (35) is adapted for selecting the audio signal corresponding to said channel.
The system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising means (45) to update the displayed dynamic content over a period of time, based upon the data signals received by said means for reception from said plurality of channels over said period of time.
The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the dynamic content is descriptive of an identity of the audio signal.
A method of selecting an audio signal comprising the steps of:
receiving an audio signal (2, 4) and a corresponding data signal (3, 5) from each channel of a plurality of channels, wherein the data signal comprises dynamic content,

simultaneously displaying the dynamic content of several data signals received from the plurality of channels in a display interface (40), and

selecting an audio signal from a channel from said plurality of channels.
The method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of multiplexing the audio signals received from the plurality of channels and providing an audio signal corresponding to a user selection.
The method according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising the step of storing said data signal received in a buffer memory (30).
The method according to any of claims 8-10, further comprising the steps of extracting the dynamic content corresponding to at least one data signal stored in the buffer memory (30) to be displayed in the display interface.
The method according to any of claims 8-11, further comprising identifying dynamic content from the simultaneously displayed dynamic content in the display interface (40), the dynamic content being associated with one channel from the plurality of channels.
The method according to any of the claims 8-12, further comprising the steps of updating the displayed dynamic content over a period of time, based upon the data signals received from said plurality of channels over said period of time.
The method according to any of the claims 8-13, wherein the dynamic content is descriptive of an identity of the audio signal.