GB2605400A

GB2605400A - Combined broadcast service list

Info

Publication number: GB2605400A
Application number: GB2104532.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Lane Christopher; Adams Terry; Heads Robert
Original assignee: Frontier Smart Tech Group Ltd
Current assignee: Frontier Smart Tech Group Ltd
Priority date: 2021-03-30
Filing date: 2021-03-30
Publication date: 2022-10-05
Also published as: GB202104532D0

Abstract

A method for generating a combined broadcast service list, comprises: performing a first scan of available broadcast services on a first broadcasting standard; storing first broadcast service data associated with the available broadcast services in a first service list; performing a second scan of available broadcast services on a second broadcasting standard; storing second broadcast service data associated with the available broadcast services on the second broadcasting standard in a second service list, wherein the broadcast service data comprises data identifying one or more broadcast services on the respective broadcasting standards; and generating a combined broadcast service list comprising a list of one or more groups of broadcast services, each comprising one or more broadcast services from one or both of the first and the second service list. Generating the combined broadcast service list comprises grouping each of the one or more broadcast services using one or both of the first and second broadcast service data; and for each group in the combined broadcast service list, selecting one broadcast service from the broadcast service(s) for the respective group.

Description

Combined broadcast service list

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a combined broadcast service list, in particular for broadcast services received by a receiving apparatus, such as a radio broadcast receiver.

BACKGROUND

Radio devices that play "linear radio", that is radio that is listened to in real time as the content is created in the studio, have operated in roughly the same way for decades. The user needs to select the broadcasting mechanism (or standard), which may be e.g. digital audio broadcasting (DAB) or frequency modulation (FM), by which they require their device to tune to the broadcast content, and then find the service that they want to listen to by searching within that broadcast mechanism. A user typically understands the name of the radio station that they want to listen to, but does not know how to find it using the search techniques available within the various broadcast mechanisms available. Even if the user can find the station that they are looking for, the station may exist in multiple instances in the broadcast mechanisms, so that the user may not have found the version of the station with optimum signal quality.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure therefore provides a method and apparatus for generating a combined broadcast service list, in which any services that are broadcasting the same content as other services will be grouped together. Embodiments of the present disclosure may enable searching and selection of available broadcast services on different broadcasting standards without requiring knowledge of the broadcasting standard(s) on which the available broadcast services are broadcasted.

Furthermore, grouping services together in a combined broadcast service list enables the user to be presented with a single service for each of the groups of services, which provides a simplified user interface.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for generating a combined broadcast service list as defined by claim 1. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a receiving apparatus as defined by claim 13. Preferred embodiments are defined by the dependent claims.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for generating a combined broadcast service list, the method comprising: performing a first scan of available broadcast services on a first broadcasting standard; storing first broadcast service data associated with the available broadcast services on the first broadcasting standard in a first service list; performing a second scan of available broadcast services on a second broadcasting standard; storing second broadcast service data associated with the available broadcast services on the second broadcasting standard in a second service list, wherein the first and second broadcast service data comprises data identifying one or more broadcast services on respective first and second broadcasting standards; generating a combined broadcast service list, the combined broadcast service list comprising a list of one or more groups of broadcast services, each of the one or more groups comprising one or more broadcast services from one or both of the first service list and the second service list, wherein generating the combined broadcast service list comprises grouping each of the one or more broadcast services using one or both of the first and second broadcast service data; and for each group in the combined broadcast service list, selecting one broadcast service from the one or more broadcast services for the respective group.

Embodiments of the present disclosure advantageously enable a user to search for a broadcast service based on a station name with which the user will be familiar, irrespective of the broadcast standard (for example, DAB, FM, or internet radio). For example, the user may search for a desired station name based from a list in which only one instance of said station name is present, and will not be required to consider multiple instances of the same content across one or more broadcasting standards when choosing a broadcast service to be played. The process of searching for a broadcast service is therefore greatly simplified.

In some embodiments, the broadcast service data comprises one or more of: a service identifier; a programme identification; a programme service name (such as a station label); a frequency; an ensemble; a uniform resource locator (URL); signal quality data; internet radio service information; alternative frequencies data; and/or linkage set data.

It will be understood that the broadcast service data may comprise data that can be used to identify and/or play a particular broadcast service, such as a frequency, an ensemble, or a URL; data that can be used to identify other broadcast services related to a particular broadcast service, such as any broadcast services that are broadcasting content that is identical to that of the particular broadcast service; and data that provides useful information about a particular broadcast service, such as signal quality data.

Signal quality data may comprise one or more of: signal strength data; a signal-to-noise ratio; a carrier-to-noise ratio; a modulation error ratio; and/or a bit error ratio.

In some embodiments, one or more broadcast services are grouped when at least portions of the broadcast service data associated with each available broadcast service are related.

It will be understood that related broadcast service data, or portions of broadcast service data, may belong to a single type of broadcast service data, or may belong to multiple types of broadcast service data. For example, related broadcast service data may include: identical service identifiers, and/or programme identifications; broadcast service data that is linked according to linkage set data; one or more frequencies that are identical to frequencies provided in alternative frequencies data; and/or programme service names (such as station labels), at least a portion of which are identical.

In some embodiments, the broadcast service data for one or more available broadcast services on the first and/or second broadcasting standards comprises internet radio service information, and for each broadcast service on the first and/or second broadcasting standard having associated internet radio service information, each of the one or more groups in the combined broadcast service list further comprises an available broadcast service on a third broadcasting standard, wherein the third broadcasting standard is internet radio; and selecting one broadcast service from the one or more broadcast services for the respective group comprises selecting one broadcast service on any of the first, second, and/or third broadcasting standards.

Internet radio service information may comprise a domain name and/or a URL.

It will be understood that, in embodiments wherein the broadcast service data comprises internet radio service information, the stored internet radio service information may be employed to identify a particular internet radio broadcast service and, where the selected broadcast service is an internet radio broadcast service, to play the selected broadcast service.

Internet radio service information, and other broadcast service information, may be obtained from data provided with the broadcast e.g. as part of a DAB ensemble or through Radio Data System (RDS), and/or from an external look-up table such as an internet database.

In some embodiments, broadcast services on broadcasting standards other than internet radio may be linked using related internet radio service information.

In some embodiments, the broadcast service data comprises a signal quality parameter value; and selecting the one broadcast service comprises selecting a broadcast service having a highest signal quality parameter value among some or all of the available broadcast services in the group.

It will be understood that a signal quality parameter value may comprise a numerical value representing signal quality data that enables comparison of signal quality between two or more broadcast services.

It will be further understood that, where the methods described herein are carried out by a receiving apparatus, the signal quality parameter value, and/or other signal quality data, may be determined by the receiving apparatus at the time of carrying out a scan, and/or when accessing a broadcast service, based on parameters measured by the receiving apparatus.

Selecting a broadcast service having the highest signal quality parameter value advantageously ensures that the user will always receive the best quality broadcast that is available for any given content among the available broadcast services across one or more broadcast standards. For example, the user need not compare broadcast and/or audio quality between multiple FM/DAB broadcasts, or between multiple broadcasts of the same content across multiple broadcast standards (e.g. DAB, FM, internet radio) before ultimately deciding on which service to play, further simplifying the process of searching for a broadcast service.

In some embodiments, where the group comprises one or more available broadcast services on a given broadcasting standard, the selected broadcast service is a broadcast service on the given broadcasting standard. Thus, for example, in some embodiments a particular broadcast standard may be prioritised over other broadcast standards where available. As an example, where a DAB service is available, said DAB service may be selected even where one or more FM and/or internet radio services carrying the same content is also available, as said DAB service will generally provide a better audio quality than an FM service, and there may be undesirable monetary costs associated with accessing an internet radio service. As a further example, where an internet radio service is available, said internet radio service may be selected even where one or more DAB and/or FM radio services carrying the same content is available, as an internet radio service will generally provide a better audio quality than a DAB or FM service.

In some embodiments, where the group comprises one or more available broadcast services on one or more broadcasting standards other than a given broadcasting standard, the selected broadcast service is a broadcast service on a broadcasting standard other than the given broadcasting standard. Thus, for example, in some embodiments a particular broadcast standard may be avoided where any other broadcast standard is available. As an example, where one or more internet radio services are available, and one or more DAB and/or FM services carrying the same content are also available, one of said DAB or FM services may be selected instead of an internet radio service, as there may be undesirable monetary costs associated with accessing an internet radio service.

In some embodiments, wherein the broadcast service data comprises a signal quality parameter value: where the group comprises one or more available broadcast services on a given broadcasting standard having a signal quality parameter value that is greater than a predetermined threshold value, the selected broadcast service is an available broadcast service on the given broadcasting standard having a signal quality parameter value that is greater than the predetermined threshold value; or: where the group comprises no available broadcast service on the given broadcasting standard having a signal quality parameter value that is greater than the predetermined threshold value, the selected broadcast service is an available broadcast service on a broadcasting standard other than the given broadcasting standard.

In other words, in some embodiments, the given broadcast service is selected only when the given broadcast service has a signal quality parameter value that is greater than a predetermined threshold value. The predetermined threshold value may correspond to a signal quality below which a broadcast service on a particular broadcasting standard would provide a poor listening experience for a user (e.g. due to poor sound quality or frequent interruptions). As an example, where a DAB service is available, said DAB service may be selected as long as the signal quality parameter value of said DAB service is above the predetermined threshold value even where one or more FM and/or internet radio services carrying the same content is also available, as said DAB service will generally provide a better audio quality than an FM service as long as the signal quality parameter value of said DAB service is above the predetermined threshold value. However, where the signal quality parameter values of all available DAB services fall below the predetermined threshold value, the DAB services may become unlistenable and so an alternative broadcast service on an alternative broadcasting standard (e.g. FM or internet radio) is selected instead.

The given broadcast standard may be predefined by a user, or by a manufacturer of a receiving apparatus.

In some embodiments, where one or more of the broadcast services in a group becomes unavailable, the selected broadcast service is a broadcast service from the group other than the one or more unavailable broadcast services. For example, if transmission and/or reception of a particular broadcast service is interrupted, another broadcast service from the same group will be selected in its place according to the method described herein.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises: receiving a user input comprising a broadcast service in a group in the combined broadcast service list; and where the user input broadcast service is different from the selected broadcast service from the group: replacing the selected broadcast service with the user input broadcast service.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for playing an audio broadcast, the method comprising: receiving a combined broadcast service list generated according to the method for generating the combined broadcast service list described herein; receiving a user input comprising a group in the combined broadcast service list; and playing the selected broadcast service from the user input group.

As an example, a user input may comprise a selection of a particular group from a list of groups of broadcast services, where each group of broadcast services is identified by a single identifier. For example, the single identifier may be programme service information (such as a station name) associated with the selected broadcast service from each group According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for playing an audio broadcast, the method comprising: receiving a combined broadcast service list generated according to the method for generating the combined broadcast service list described herein; receiving a user input comprising a broadcast service; determining, using the broadcast service data, whether the user input broadcast service is present in the combined broadcast service list; and where the user input broadcast service is present in the combined broadcast service list, playing the selected broadcast service from the group comprising the user input broadcast service.

In an example, the user may input an internet radio service to be played by a receiving apparatus. If the internet radio service information of the input internet radio service corresponds to internet radio service information stored in relation to a broadcast service in a group of the combined broadcast service list, the receiving apparatus may play the selected broadcast service from that group (which may be, for example, an FM or DAB service) instead of the input internet radio service.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a receiving apparatus comprising an internal memory, the receiving apparatus configured to: perform a first scan of available broadcast services on a first broadcasting standard; store, in the internal memory, first broadcast service data associated with the available broadcast services on the first broadcasting standard in a first service list; perform a second scan of available broadcast services on a second broadcasting standard; store, in the internal memory, second broadcast service data associated with the available broadcast services on the second broadcasting standard in a second service list, wherein the first and second broadcast service data comprises data identifying one or more broadcast services on respective first and second broadcasting standards; generate a combined broadcast service list, the combined broadcast service list comprising a list of one or more groups of broadcast services, each of the one or more groups comprising one or more broadcast services from one or both of the first service list and the second service list, wherein generating the combined broadcast service list comprises grouping each of the one or more broadcast services using one or both of the first and second broadcast service data; store the combined broadcast service list in the internal memory; and for each group in the combined broadcast service list, select one broadcast service from the one or more broadcast services for the respective group.

In some embodiments, the receiving apparatus is further configured to group one or more broadcast services when at least portions of the broadcast service data associated with each available broadcast service are related.

In some embodiments, the broadcast service data for one or more available broadcast services on the first and/or second broadcasting standards comprises internet radio service information; and for each broadcast service on the first and/or second broadcasting standard having associated internet radio service information, each of the one or more groups in the combined broadcast service list further comprises an available broadcast service on a third broadcasting standard, wherein the third broadcasting standard is internet radio; and the receiving apparatus is further configured to select one broadcast service on any of the first, second, and/or third broadcasting standards.

Internet radio service information may comprise a domain name and/or a UR L. It will be understood that, in embodiments wherein the broadcast service data comprises internet radio service information, the stored internet radio service information may be employed to identify a particular internet radio broadcast service and, where the selected broadcast service is an internet radio broadcast service, to play the selected broadcast service.

In some embodiments, the receiving apparatus is further configured to: generate a signal quality parameter value for each available broadcast service; and select as the broadcast service a broadcast service having a highest signal quality parameter value among some or all of the available broadcast services in the group.

It will be further understood that the signal quality parameter value, and/or other signal quality data, may be determined by the receiving apparatus at the time of carrying out a scan, and/or when accessing a broadcast service, based on parameters measured by the receiving apparatus.

In some embodiments, the receiving apparatus is further configured, where the group comprises one or more available broadcast services on a given broadcasting standard, to select as the selected broadcast service a broadcast service on the given broadcasting standard. Thus, for example, in some embodiments a particular broadcast standard may be prioritised over other broadcast standards where available. As an example, where a DAB service is available, said DAB service may be selected even where one or more FM and/or internet radio services carrying the same content is also available, as said DAB service will generally provide a better audio quality than an FM service, and there may be undesirable monetary costs associated with accessing an internet radio service. As a further example, where an internet radio service is available, said internet radio service may be selected even where one or more DAB and/or FM radio services carrying the same content is available, as an internet radio service will generally provide a better audio quality than a DAB or FM service.

In some embodiments, the receiving apparatus is further configured, where the group comprises one or more available broadcast services on one or more broadcasting standards other than a given broadcasting standard, select as the selected broadcast service a broadcast service on a broadcasting standard other than the given broadcasting standard. Thus, for example, in some embodiments a particular broadcast standard may be avoided where any other broadcast standard is available. As an example, where one or more internet radio services are available, and one or more DAB and/or FM services carrying the same content are also available, one of said DAB or FM services may be selected instead of an internet radio service, as there may be undesirable monetary costs associated with accessing an internet radio service.

In some embodiments, the receiving apparatus is configured to generate a signal quality parameter value; and further configured, where the group comprises one or more available broadcast services on a given broadcasting standard having a signal quality parameter value that is greater than a predetermined threshold value, to select as the selected broadcast service an available broadcast service on the given broadcasting standard having a signal quality parameter value that is greater than the predetermined threshold value; or where the group comprises no available broadcast service on the given broadcasting standard having a signal quality parameter value that is greater than the predetermined threshold value, to select as the selected broadcast service an available broadcast service on a broadcasting standard other than the given broadcasting standard.

In other words, in some embodiments, the receiving apparatus is configured to select the given broadcast service only when the given broadcast service has a signal quality parameter value that is greater than a predetermined threshold value. The predetermined threshold value may correspond to a signal quality below which a broadcast service on a particular broadcasting standard would provide a poor listening experience for a user (e.g. due to poor sound quality or frequent interruptions). As an example, where a DAB service is available, said DAB service may be selected as long as the signal quality parameter value of said DAB service is above the predetermined threshold value even where one or more FM and/or internet radio services carrying the same content is also available, as said DAB service will generally provide a better audio quality than an FM service as long as the signal quality parameter value of said DAB service is above the predetermined threshold value. However, where the signal quality parameter values of all available DAB services fall below the predetermined threshold value, the DAB services may become unlistenable and so an alternative broadcast service on an alternative broadcasting standard (e.g. FM or internet radio) is selected instead.

The given broadcast standard may be predefined by a user, or by a manufacturer of the receiving apparatus.

In some embodiments, the receiving apparatus is further configured to perform the first and second scans immediately following a first activation of the receiving apparatus; and when the receiving apparatus is in a non-playing mode, perform at least a third scan of available broadcast services on at least one of the broadcasting standards and store at least third broadcast service data in at least one of the service lists; and update the combined broadcast service list using the third broadcast service data.

In other words, in some embodiments, the receiving apparatus is configured to carry out the first and second scans immediately following a first activation of the receiving apparatus (e.g. immediately after the receiving apparatus is first switched on). In such embodiments, at least a third scan is performed to obtain at least third broadcast data when the receiving apparatus is in a non-playing mode (e.g. a standby or idle mode). Performing the first and second scans immediately following the first activation of the receiving apparatus advantageously enables rapid generation of the combined broadcast service list based on rapidly obtainable broadcast service data, so that a user may begin using the receiving apparatus immediately. Performing a separate third scan (and, optionally, subsequent scans) while the receiving apparatus is in the non-playing mode further advantageously enables a more comprehensive scan to be performed that would otherwise not be possible while the receiving apparatus is being used to play a broadcast service.

In some embodiments, the third broadcast service data is linkage set data and/or alternative frequencies data.

Obtaining linkage set data and/or alternative frequencies data may take longer than obtaining, for example, programme identifying information, and may further require that the receiving apparatus not be in use. It may therefore be advantageous to obtain said linkage set data and/or alternative frequencies data while the receiving apparatus is in the non-playing mode.

In some embodiments, the receiving apparatus is further configured, where one or more of the broadcast services in a group becomes unavailable, to select as the selected broadcast service a broadcast service from the group other than the one or more unavailable broadcast services. For example, if transmission and/or reception of a particular broadcast service is interrupted, another broadcast service from the same group will be selected in its place.

In some embodiments, the receiving apparatus is further configured, at a regular time interval, to: perform at least one of the scans of available broadcast services; store broadcast data in at least one of the service lists in the internal memory; and update the combined broadcast service list stored in the internal memory using the stored broadcast data.

In other words, the combined broadcast service list may be regularly updated based on repeated scans performed at a regular time interval (e.g. hourly). Regularly updating the combined broadcast service list advantageously ensures that changes to available broadcast services (e.g. new broadcast services becoming available, broadcast services ceasing to be available, and/or changes to identifying information such as station names) are reflected in the combined broadcast service list. For example, the available broadcast services may change as new broadcast services begin broadcasting, as existing broadcast services cease to broadcast, or where there are changes to the number or signal quality of broadcast services that are receivable by a receiving apparatus (such as due to the location of the receiving apparatus being changed). For example, a selected DAB broadcast may cease to have an associated signal quality parameter value that is above the predetermined threshold value following a receiving apparatus' being moved from one room within a building to another. In such a case, updating the combined broadcast service list as described herein enables selection of an alternative broadcast service having an acceptable signal quality (such as an equivalent DAB, FM, or internet radio broadcast service) in place of the previously selected broadcast.

In some embodiments, the receiving apparatus is configured to perform at least one of the scans of available broadcast services, store broadcast data in at least one of the service lists, and update the combined broadcast service list while the receiving apparatus is in the non-playing mode.

In some embodiments, where a scan being carried out while the receiving apparatus is in the non-playing mode is interrupted (for example, if a user turns on the receiving apparatus to listen to a broadcast service), the combined service list may be updated based on broadcast service data obtained in a partial scan.

In some embodiments. the receiving apparatus is further configured to: receive a user input comprising a broadcast service in a group in the combined broadcast service list; and where the user input broadcast service is different from the selected broadcast service from the group: replace the selected broadcast service with the user input broadcast service.

In some embodiments, the receiving apparatus is further configured to: receive a user input comprising a group in the combined broadcast service list; and play the selected broadcast service from the user input group As an example, a user input may comprise a selection of a particular group from a list of groups of broadcast services, where each group of broadcast services is identified by a single identifier. For example, the single identifier may be programme service information (such as a station name) associated with the selected broadcast service from each group In some embodiments, the receiving apparatus is further configured to: receive a user input comprising a broadcast service; determine, using the broadcast service data, whether the user input broadcast service is present in the combined broadcast service list stored in the internal memory; and where the user input broadcast service is present in the combined broadcast service list, play the selected broadcast service from the group comprising the user input broadcast service.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying figures.

Figure 1 illustrates a method for generating a combined broadcast service list according to the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates examples of service lists comprising DAB and FM broadcast service data generated following scans of available DAB and FM services, respectively; Figure 3 illustrates an example of a combined broadcast service list; Figure 4 illustrates an example of an algorithm for selecting a broadcast service from a group in a combined broadcast service list; Figure 5a illustrates an example of a receiving apparatus configured to carry out a method of playing an audio broadcast according to the present invention; and Figure 5b illustrates a further example of a receiving apparatus configured to carry out a method of playing an audio broadcast according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In brief, the present invention aims to group together broadcast services (e.g. radio broadcasts) that are broadcasting the same content, and to offer only one broadcast service from each group to a user of a receiving apparatus (such as a radio). Groups of broadcast services may comprise broadcast services on one or more broadcasting standards (e.g. DAB, FM, internet radio), and various criteria (such as signal quality) may be employed to select the one broadcast from the group that is to be offered to the user. The invention may enable a user to search for a broadcast service among a single list of available services based on its name (e.g. station name), irrespective of the broadcasting standard(s) on which the broadcast service is available.

The methods described and illustrated herein may be carried out by a receiving apparatus which may comprise a tuning apparatus, such as a radio capable of receiving DAB and FM broadcasts. The receiving apparatus may also be connected to the internet, e.g. via a wired, wireless, and/or mobile data connection. The receiving apparatus may comprise a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (e.g. a processor) configured to carry out one or more of the methods described herein. The receiving apparatus may further comprise internal memory, such as a hard disk, flash memory, solid-state drive, or other re-writable computer-readable storage medium.

As used herein, the term "broadcasting standard" may refer to any broadcasting standard for digital or analogue broadcasts, as well as point-to-point connections for receiving content such as internet radio. Examples of broadcasting standards according to the present disclosure include DAB (including DAB+), Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM), HD Radio (RTM), FM, AM, and internet radio.

Figure 1 illustrates an example method 100 for generating a combined broadcast service list.

In a first part 101a of a first step of the method 100, a first scan of available broadcast services on a first broadcasting standard is performed.

In a second part 101b of the first step, a second scan of available broadcast services on a second broadcasting standard is performed.

Merely as an example, the first broadcasting standard may be DAB, and the first scan may be performed using a DAB tuner; and the second broadcasting standard may be FM, and the second scan may be performed using an FM tuner.

In a first part 102a of a second step of the method 100, first broadcast service data associated with the available broadcast services on the first broadcasting standard is stored in a first service list.

In a second part 102b of the second step, second broadcast service data associated with the available broadcast services on the second broadcasting standard is stored in a second service list.

Where the method is carried out by a receiving apparatus comprising an internal memory, the broadcast service data, and therefore the service lists, are stored in the internal memory.

The broadcast service data may comprise data for identifying and/or accessing or playing a particular broadcast service, such as a frequency, ensemble, and/or a URL or other internet radio service information associated with the particular broadcast. For example, the broadcast service data may comprise an ensemble on which a DAB broadcast service, detected as part of the first scan, is broadcasted, and/or a frequency on which an FM radio broadcast identified as part of the second scan is broadcasted.

The broadcast service data may further comprise data that can be used to identify a particular broadcast service, such as a programme identification (P1), programme service name, service identifier (Sid) or other data provided with the broadcast service, e.g. as part of a DAB ensemble or through Radio Data System (RDS). In some examples, an FM broadcast service may be considered as available, and associated broadcast service data therefore included in a service list, if a valid RDS programme service name associated with said FM broadcast service can be received.

The broadcast service data may also comprise data that can be used to identify related broadcast services that are broadcasting content that is identical to that of a particular broadcast service. For example, the broadcast service data may comprise RDS alternative frequencies data identifying FM broadcast frequencies that are broadcasting the same content, and/or linkage set data identifying groups of DAB Sld and PI codes for content that is identical in a hard linkage set. The broadcast service data may also identify internet radio broadcasts that are broadcasting identical content. For example, a URL or other internet radio service information may be provided with the broadcast service e.g. as part of a DAB ensemble or through Radio Data System (RDS).

Alternatively, or in addition, a database may be queried, e.g. via an internet connection, using some or all of the broadcast service data, and the database may return internet radio service information (such as a URL) corresponding to internet radio broadcasts that are broadcasting content that is identical to one or more of the broadcast services on the first and/or second broadcasting standards. The database may be an existing and continually updated list of available internet radio services that are linked to DAB and FM broadcast services by their broadcast parameters (stored as broadcast service data). An example of such an existing database service that may be employed by the present invention is RadioDNS (RTM).

Figure 2 schematically illustrates an example of part of a service list 201b comprising DAB broadcast service data obtained from a scan 201a of available DAB broadcast services, and an example of part of a service list 202b comprising FM broadcast service data obtained from a scan 202a of available FM broadcast services. In the example illustrated in Figure 2, the DAB scan 201a may correspond to the first scan of available broadcasting services on the first broadcasting standard, the FM scan 202a may correspond to the second scan of available broadcasting services on the second broadcasting standard, and the service lists 201b, 202b may correspond to the first and second service lists, respectively, according to the method 100 illustrated in Figure 1.

The DAB service list 201b comprises service identifying information, such as a programme service name, and an ensemble for each broadcast service identified by the DAB scan 201a. The FM service list 202b also comprises service identifying information, and a corresponding frequency for each broadcast service identified by the FM scan 202a. In the example illustrated in Figure 2, a broadcast service identified as "Service A" is available on DAB ensembles X and Y, as well as FM frequency P MHz. It will be understood from Figure 2 that other broadcast services identified as Services B to G, respectively, are variously available on one or more DAB ensembles and/or FM frequencies.

Figure 1 further illustrates a third step 103 of the method 100, comprising generating a combined broadcast service list. Generating the combined broadcast service list comprises grouping broadcast services using the broadcast service data. For example, broadcast services may be grouped when at least portions of the broadcast service data associated with each available broadcast service are related.

Grouping broadcast services according to related broadcast service data may comprise grouping broadcast services having identical associated Sld and/or PI codes. Grouping broadcast services according to related broadcast service data may also comprise grouping broadcast services having other service identifying information, such as programme service names (e.g. station labels), at least a portion of which are identical. However, it will be understood that grouping broadcast services according to unique identifying information (for example Sld codes, PI codes, linkage set data, and/or alternative frequencies data) is preferable over grouping broadcast services according to programme service names.

Some available broadcast services may broadcast identical content but have nonidentical broadcast service identifying information, such as different Sld and/or PI codes. Grouping broadcast services according to related broadcast service data may therefore further comprise grouping broadcast services that are identical according to linkage set data and/or alternative frequencies data. For example, grouping broadcast services according to related broadcast service data may comprise grouping together broadcast services that are linked in a DAB hard linkage set. In a further example, grouping broadcast services according to related broadcast service data may comprise grouping together FM broadcast services wherein the FM broadcast services are identical broadcasts that are broadcast on multiple FM frequencies, and wherein the multiple FM frequencies are identified by alternative frequencies data.

Figure 3 schematically illustrates an example of part of a combined service list 302 comprising the DAB and FM broadcast service data of the service lists 201b, 202b illustrated in Figure 2. In the example illustrated in Figure 3, the available broadcast services, identified by their service identifying information as Services A to G, respectively, have been grouped according to the method described herein. It will be understood from Figure 3 that all services having service identifying information corresponding to Service A, which were found by the DAB scan 201a to be available on Ensemble X and Ensemble Y, and by the FM scan 202a to be available on Frequency P MHz, are grouped together. Furthermore, in the example illustrated in Figure 3, Service F is in a hard linkage set with Service D, and so Service F on DAB ensemble Y is grouped with Service D, which is broadcast on FM frequencies T and U MHz, and DAB ensembles X and Y. As also illustrated in Figure 3 by Service G broadcast on DAB ensemble Y, and Service H broadcast on FM frequency V, some broadcast services may not be grouped with any other broadcast service(s), for example due to having no broadcast service data that is related to the broadcast service data of any other broadcast service. In other words, these broadcast services are stored in the combined broadcast service list 302 in groups comprising only a single broadcast service.

As discussed above, the broadcast service data may comprise information enabling access to internet radio services (also referred to herein as internet radio service information) that are providing identical content to those broadcast services in the combined broadcast service list 302. In such cases, the internet radio service information may be stored alongside, e.g. the DAB ensemble and/or FM frequency data in the combined broadcast service list 302 as a further available broadcast service in a particular group.

In some implementations, obtaining all of the broadcast service data necessary to group together available broadcast services correctly can take a significant amount of time (in some cases over 10 minutes), during which a receiving apparatus is unavailable for use. It may therefore be advantageous to perform the first and second scans immediately following a first activation of the receiving apparatus (e.g. immediately after the receiving apparatus is switched on), and to limit the first and second scans to broadcast service data that can be obtained quickly and with minimal delay to the user's ability to listen to a broadcast service. For example, the first and second scans could be rapid scans that are limited to one or more of: DAB programme service names, Slds, DAB ensembles, FM frequencies, FM programme service names, and/or Pls. The groups of broadcast services may then be formed according to the broadcast service data obtained and stored following the first and second scans. In such examples, the rapid first and second scans will identify all of the available services and their service identifying information, enabling services to be grouped according to this information, but the first and second scans will not identify all of the information required to group services which may not have the same service identifying information (referring again to Figure 3, Service F would not be grouped with Service D following these rapid first and second scans, as Service F does not have service identifying information corresponding to that of Service D) Some implementations may therefore further comprise performing at least a third scan of available broadcast services on the first and/or second broadcasting standard(s) when the receiving apparatus is in a non-playing mode, i.e. when the receiving apparatus is not playing any content. The non-playing mode may be, for example, a standby or idle mode. The third (and/or subsequent) scan(s) may be more comprehensive than the first and second scans, and may identify additional broadcast service data (also referred to herein as third broadcast service data) that was not identified by the first or second scans and which can be used to group services having different service identifying information. For example, the additional broadcast service data may be linkage set data and/or alternative frequencies data. The third and/or subsequent scan(s) may also identify again broadcast service data of the type(s) identified by the rapid first and/or second scans, and the stored broadcast service data may be updated following the third and/or subsequent scan(s).

Returning to Figure 1, the method 100 further comprises a fourth step 104, comprising selecting one broadcast service from the one or more broadcast services for the respective group. Various criteria may be employed in selecting the one broadcast service as described herein. In general, the selected one broadcast service will be the broadcast service that will provide a user with the best listening experience among the broadcast services in a particular group. For example, the selected broadcast service may be the broadcast service having the best signal quality and/or a broadcast service on a particular broadcast standard. As an example, where a group comprises e.g. FM and DAB services, the selected broadcast service may be an available DAB service because DAB services generally provide a more reliable signal, and improved audio quality to the user, over FM services.

In order to compare the signal qualities of the various available broadcast services, a numerical signal quality parameter value may be employed. The signal quality parameter value may quantify the signal quality of a particular broadcast service and may be determined from signal quality data comprising one or more of: signal strength data; a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR); a carrier-to-noise ratio; a modulation error ratio; and/or a bit error ratio. The signal quality data may be determined by a receiving apparatus at the time of carrying out a scan of available broadcast services and/or when tuning to a broadcast service, based on parameters measured by the tuning apparatus following processing by software internal to the receiving apparatus.

In an example, the signal quality parameter value may comprise a DAB SNR value, the DAB SNR value comprising an estimate of the SNR as received by a DAB physical layer (PHY) decoder. The DAB SNR value may, in combination with signal strength data, provide a reproducible value that can be used to compare historical signal quality readings across multiple DAB ensembles.

The selected broadcast service may therefore be the broadcast service within the respective group having the highest signal quality parameter value.

It may be desirable to prioritise a given broadcasting standard for the selected broadcast service where available. For example, DAB may be prioritised over FM because DAB generally provides a higher audio quality than FM, even when the signal quality is lower than the corresponding FM signal. In another example, internet radio generally provides a higher bitrate (and therefore better audio quality) than DAB, and so internet radio may be prioritised over DAB and/or FM. Alternatively, or in addition, it may be desirable to avoid broadcast services on a given broadcasting standard in favour of another broadcasting standard. For example, accessing internet radio may bring additional costs (e.g. associated with an internet connection required to access internet radio), while DAB and FM are free to access. The given broadcasting standard to be prioritised or avoided may be specified by the manufacturer of a receiving apparatus, such as to prioritise DAB over FM, or may be specified by a user of a receiving apparatus, such as to prioritise or avoid internet radio depending on the user's consideration of the associated costs.

In an example, content from a particular radio station may be available on several DAB ensembles having various different signal quality parameter values, as well as several FM frequencies, each also having various different signal quality parameter values. Following grouping according to the invention, all of the available broadcast services from which this content are grouped together in the combined broadcast service list with associated stored signal quality parameter values. In this example, the highest signal quality parameter value may be associated with one of the FM services, but a receiving apparatus may be configured to prioritise DAB services. The selected broadcast service would therefore be the available DAB service having the highest associated signal quality parameter value.

While it may generally be preferable to prioritise broadcast services on one broadcasting standard, where available, over another (such as DAB over FM), as described above, there may exist a minimum signal quality below which the prioritised broadcasting standard becomes unlistenable. For example, audio quality from a DAB service may degrade rapidly when the signal quality falls below a certain threshold. It may therefore be desirable that there exists a predetermined threshold value for the signal quality parameter value, below which a service on a given broadcasting standard will not be selected as the selected broadcast service. For example, the given broadcasting standard may be DAB; and, if no available DAB broadcast service has an associated signal quality parameter value above the predetermined threshold value, the selected broadcast service may be a broadcast service on an alternative broadcasting standard (such as FM).

Figure 4 illustrates a non-limiting example of an algorithm 400 for selecting the selected broadcast service from a group in the combined broadcast service list 302 according to some embodiments of the present invention wherein a given broadcasting standard is prioritised and wherein there exists a predetermined threshold value for a signal quality parameter value. The algorithm 400 may be performed, for example, by a processor running software stored on a storage medium of a receiving apparatus. Following a start 401 of the algorithm 400, the algorithm 400 determines, in a determining step 402, whether one or more broadcast services are available on the given broadcasting standard having an associated signal quality value that is greater than the predetermined threshold value. If yes, then in a selecting step 403a, the algorithm selects as the selected broadcast service the available broadcast service on the given broadcasting standard having the highest signal quality parameter value. If no, then in a selecting step 403b, the algorithm selects as the selected broadcast service an available broadcast service on a broadcasting standard other than the given broadcasting standard having the highest signal quality parameter value. The algorithm then ends 404. As an example, the given broadcasting standard may be DAB, and a broadcasting standard other than the given broadcasting standard may be FM.

At any time, a particular broadcast service may become unavailable. For example, if the location of a receiving apparatus is changed, or if a broadcast service ceases to be broadcast, that broadcast service may no longer be receivable by the receiving apparatus. In such cases where the broadcast service that becomes unavailable is the selected broadcast service, a different broadcast service may be selected from the group in its place. The newly selected broadcast service may be selected according to the selection criteria according to which the now unavailable broadcast service was selected.

For example, where the now unavailable broadcast service had been selected as the broadcast service having the highest signal quality parameter value in the group, the newly selected broadcast service may be the broadcast service having the next highest signal quality parameter value. Instantly replacing the unavailable selected broadcast service in this way minimises service interruptions, and prevents the user from being required to retune the receiving apparatus. It will be understood that an "unavailable" broadcast service may be a broadcast service for which the signal quality parameter value has fallen below the predetermined threshold value.

It may be advantageous, at regular time intervals (e.g. once per hour), to repeat one or more of the scans of available broadcast services (i.e. the first, second, third, and/or subsequent scans) at regular time intervals, to store broadcast data resulting from the repeated scans, and to update the combined broadcast service list 302 using the broadcast service data obtained following the repeated scans. Updating the combined broadcast service list 302 in this way ensures, for example, that newly discoverable broadcast services are added to the combined broadcast service list 302 and/or changes to linked services (e.g. linkage set and/or alternative frequencies data) are accounted for. In some examples, newly unavailable broadcast services may be removed from the combined broadcast service list 302, for example following a request by a user to delete a particular broadcast service. In some examples, the scans may be repeated only when a receiving apparatus is in a non-playing mode (such as a standby or idle mode). If a non-playing mode scan is interrupted, for example by the receiving apparatus being switched on for use, the combined broadcast service list 302 may be partially updated using any broadcast service data that was obtained prior to the interruption.

A method for playing an audio broadcast may therefore comprise, following a user input comprising a group in the combined broadcast service list 302, playing the selected broadcast service from the user input group. The user may not be aware that they are inputting a group in a combined broadcast service list 302. Instead, the user input may be chosen from a list of single identifiers, each identifying a group in the combined broadcast service list. In the example illustrated in Figure 3, the single identifiers 301 are the service identifying information associated with the selected broadcast service from each group. For example, while Service F in Figure 3 belongs to the same group as all instances of Service D, the selected broadcast service from that group has service identifying information identifying Service D, and so the single identifier in the list of single identifiers 301 is the service identifying information of Service D. Figure 5a illustrates an example of a receiving apparatus 500 (such as a radio) configured to carry out a method of playing an audio broadcast according to the present invention. The list of single identifiers 301 may be displayed on a display 501, and the user may navigate the list of single identifiers 301 using a navigation apparatus 502, such as navigation buttons. The single identifiers may correspond, e.g. to the programme service names of the selected broadcast services in each group. The receiving apparatus 500 may receive the user input comprising a group in the combined broadcast service list 302 in the form of a single identifier chosen from the list of single identifiers 301 via the display 501 and the navigation apparatus 502. Following the input of the user's chosen group, the receiving apparatus 500 plays the broadcast service linked to that group.

In some examples, the user may be able to choose a broadcast service manually from the available broadcast services in a group. For example, the receiving apparatus 500 may receive a user input comprising a particular broadcast service on a particular broadcasting standard following a selection by the user from the available broadcast services in a group via the display 501 and the navigation apparatus 502. In some examples, the receiving apparatus 500 may be configured to play the broadcast service chosen by the user. That is, the user may override the playing of the selected broadcast service from the group. In some examples, the receiving apparatus 500 may be configured to store (for example, in internal memory) the user-chosen broadcast service as the selected broadcast service. That is, the user's preferred broadcast service becomes the selected broadcast service that is played by default, even, for example, where the user's preferred broadcast service is not the best quality available broadcast according to signal quality data. In other words, the selected broadcast service is replaced with the user-input broadcast service.

It may be the case that a user wishes to input a particular broadcast service manually, such as a URL to access a particular internet radio station, or a particular FM frequency. In the case of internet radio stations, there are, in general, many more internet radio stations available to access than those that are playing identical content to DAB and/or FM radio services. It may therefore be desirable to enable manual input of a broadcast service, such as a URL to access an internet radio service. In such cases, an alternative method of playing an audio broadcast may therefore comprise: following an input by the user of a particular broadcast service (such as a URL or FM frequency), determining, using the stored broadcast service data, whether the user input broadcast service is present in the combined broadcast service list 302; and, if the user input broadcast service is present in the combined broadcast service list, playing the selected broadcast service from the group comprising the user input broadcast service. By defaulting to the selected broadcast service from the relevant group in this way, the user will always hear the preferred version of the content that is available.

Figure 5b illustrates a further example of the receiving apparatus 500, in which a broadcast service can be input manually via the display 501. If the input broadcast service corresponds to a broadcast service stored in the combined broadcast service list, the receiving apparatus 500 plays the selected broadcast service from that group instead of the input broadcast service.

Although the present invention has been described hereinabove with reference to specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments and modifications will be apparent to a skilled person in the art which lie within the scope of the present invention. Any of the embodiments described hereinabove can be used in any combination.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

101a Perform a first scan of available broadcast services on a first broadcasting standard.

101b Perform a second scan of available broadcast services on a second broadcasting standard.

102a Store first broadcast service data associated with the available broadcast services on the first broadcasting standard in a first service list.

102b Store second broadcast service data associated with the available broadcast services on the first broadcasting standard in a second service list.

103 Generate a combined broadcast service list comprising grouping one or more broadcast services using the broadcast service data.

104 Select one broadcast service from the one or more broadcast services for the respective group.

201a DAB scan 201b Example service list comprising DAB broadcast service data 202a FM scan 202b Example service list comprising FM broadcast service data 301 List of single identifiers 302 Example combined broadcast service list 401 Start 402 Are one or more broadcasting services on the given broadcasting standard available having an associated signal quality parameter value that is greater than the predetermined threshold value? 403a Select, as the selected broadcast service, the available broadcast service on the given broadcasting standard having the highest signal quality parameter value.

403b Select, as the selected broadcast service, an available broadcast service on a broadcasting standard other than the given broadcasting standard having the highest signal quality parameter value.

404 End 500 Receiving apparatus 501 Display 502 Navigation apparatus

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A method for generating a combined broadcast service list, the method comprising: performing a first scan of available broadcast services on a first broadcasting standard; storing first broadcast service data associated with the available broadcast services on the first broadcasting standard in a first service list; performing a second scan of available broadcast services on a second broadcasting standard; storing second broadcast service data associated with the available broadcast services on the second broadcasting standard in a second service list, wherein the first and second broadcast service data comprises data identifying one or more broadcast services on respective first and second broadcasting standards; generating a combined broadcast service list; the combined broadcast service list comprising a list of one or more groups of broadcast services, each of the one or more groups comprising one or more broadcast services from one or both of the first service list and the second service list, wherein generating the combined broadcast service list comprises grouping each of the one or more broadcast services using one or both of the first and second broadcast service data; and for each group in the combined broadcast service list, selecting one broadcast service from the one or more broadcast services for the respective group.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the broadcast service data comprises one or more of: a service identifier; a programme identification; a programme service name; a frequency; an ensemble; a uniform resource locator; signal quality data; internet radio service information; alternative frequencies data; and/or linkage set data.
3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein one or more broadcast services are grouped when at least portions of the broadcast service data associated with each available broadcast service are related.
4. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the broadcast service data for one or more available broadcast services on the first and/or second broadcasting standards comprises internet radio service information; and wherein, for each broadcast service on the first and/or second broadcasting standard having associated internet radio service information, each of the one or more groups in the combined broadcast service list further comprises an available broadcast service on a third broadcasting standard, wherein the third broadcasting standard is internet radio; and wherein selecting one broadcast service from the one or more broadcast services for the respective group comprises selecting one broadcast service on any of the first, second, and/or third broadcasting standards.
5. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the broadcast service data comprises a signal quality parameter value; and wherein selecting the one broadcast service comprises selecting a broadcast service having a highest signal quality parameter value among some or all of the available broadcast services in the group.
6. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein, where the group comprises one or more available broadcast services on a given broadcasting standard, the selected broadcast service is a broadcast service on the given broadcasting standard.
7. The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, where the group comprises one or more available broadcast services on one or more broadcasting standards other than a given broadcasting standard, the selected broadcast service is a broadcast service on a broadcasting standard other than the given broadcasting standard.
8. The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the broadcast service data comprises a signal quality parameter value; and where the group comprises one or more available broadcast services on a given broadcasting standard having a signal quality parameter value that is greater than a predetermined threshold value, the selected broadcast service is an available broadcast service on the given broadcasting standard having a signal quality parameter value that is greater than the predetermined threshold value; or where the group comprises no available broadcast service on the given broadcasting standard having a signal quality parameter value that is greater than the predetermined threshold value, the selected broadcast service is an available broadcast service on a broadcasting standard other than the given broadcasting standard.
9. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein, where one or more of the broadcast services in a group becomes unavailable, the selected broadcast service is a broadcast service from the group other than the one or more unavailable broadcast services.
10. The method of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: receiving a user input comprising a broadcast service in a group in the combined broadcast service list; and where the user input broadcast service is different from the selected broadcast service from the group: replacing the selected broadcast service with the user input broadcast service.
11. A method for playing an audio broadcast, the method comprising: receiving a combined broadcast service list generated according to the method of any one of the preceding claims; receiving a user input comprising a group in the combined broadcast service list; and playing the selected broadcast service from the user input group.
12. A method for playing an audio broadcast, the method comprising: receiving a combined broadcast service list generated according to the method of any one of claims 1 to 10; receiving a user input comprising a broadcast service; determining, using the broadcast service data, whether the user input broadcast service is present in the combined broadcast service list; and where the user input broadcast service is present in the combined broadcast service list, playing the selected broadcast service from the group comprising the user input broadcast service.
13. A receiving apparatus comprising an internal memory, the receiving apparatus configured to: perform a first scan of available broadcast services on a first broadcasting standard; store, in the internal memory, first broadcast service data associated with the available broadcast services on the first broadcasting standard in a first service list; perform a second scan of available broadcast services on a second broadcasting standard; store, in the internal memory, second broadcast service data associated with the available broadcast services on the second broadcasting standard in a second service list, wherein the first and second broadcast service data comprises data identifying one or more broadcast services on respective first and second broadcasting standards; generate a combined broadcast service list, the combined broadcast service list comprising a list of one or more groups of broadcast services, each of the one or more groups comprising one or more broadcast services from one or both of the first service list and the second service list, wherein generating the combined broadcast service list comprises grouping each of the one or more broadcast services using one or both of the first and second broadcast service data; store the combined broadcast service list in the internal memory; and for each group in the combined broadcast service list, select one broadcast service from the one or more broadcast services for the respective group.
14. The receiving apparatus of claim 13, wherein the broadcast service data comprises one or more of: a service identifier; a programme identification; a programme service name; a frequency; an ensemble; a uniform resource locator; signal quality data; internet radio service information; alternative frequencies data; and/or linkage set data.
15. The receiving apparatus of claim 13 or 14, further configured to group one or more broadcast services when at least portions of the broadcast service data associated with each available broadcast service are related.
16. The receiving apparatus of any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the broadcast service data for one or more available broadcast services on the first and/or second broadcasting standards comprises internet radio service information; and wherein, for each broadcast service on the first and/or second broadcasting standard having associated internet radio service information, each of the one or more groups in the combined broadcast service list further comprises an available broadcast service on a third broadcasting standard, wherein the third broadcasting standard is internet radio; and wherein the receiving apparatus is further configured to select one broadcast service on any of the first, second, and/or third broadcasting standards.
17. The receiving apparatus of any one of claims 13 to 16, further configured to: generate a signal quality parameter value for each available broadcast service; and select as the broadcast service a broadcast service having a highest signal quality parameter value among some or all of the available broadcast services in the group.
18. The receiving apparatus any one of the claims 13 to 17 further configured, where the group comprises one or more available broadcast services on a given broadcasting standard, to select as the selected broadcast service a broadcast service on the given broadcasting standard.
19. The receiving apparatus of any one of claims 13 to 17 further configured, where the group comprises one or more available broadcast services on one or more broadcasting standards other than a given broadcasting standard, select as the selected broadcast service a broadcast service on a broadcasting standard other than the given broadcasting standard.
20. The receiving apparatus of any one of claims 13 to 17 configured to generate a signal quality parameter value; and further configured, where the group comprises one or more available broadcast services on a given broadcasting standard having a signal quality parameter value that is greater than a predetermined threshold value, to select as the selected broadcast service an available broadcast service on the given broadcasting standard having a signal quality parameter value that is greater than the predetermined threshold value; or where the group comprises no available broadcast service on the given broadcasting standard having a signal quality parameter value that is greater than the predetermined threshold value, to select as the selected broadcast service an available broadcast service on a broadcasting standard other than the given broadcasting standard.
21. The receiving apparatus of any one of claims 13 to 17, further configured to: perform the first and second scans immediately following a first activation of the receiving apparatus; and when the receiving apparatus is in a non-playing mode, perform at least a third scan of available broadcast services on at least one of the broadcasting standards and store at least third broadcast service data in at least one of the service lists; and update the combined broadcast service list using the third broadcast service data.
22. The receiving apparatus of claim 21, wherein the third broadcast service data is linkage set data and/or alternative frequencies data.
23. The receiving apparatus of any one of the claims 13 to 22 further configured, where one or more of the broadcast services in a group becomes unavailable, to select as the selected broadcast service a broadcast service from the group other than the one or more unavailable broadcast services.
24. The receiving apparatus of any one of claims 13 to 23, further configured, at a regular time interval, to: perform at least one of the scans of available broadcast services; store broadcast data in at least one of the service lists in the internal memory; and update the combined broadcast service list stored in the internal memory using the stored broadcast data.
25. The receiving apparatus of any one of claims 13 to 24, further configured to: receive a user input comprising a broadcast service in a group the combined broadcast service list; and where the user input broadcast service is different from the selected broadcast service from the group: replace the selected broadcast service with the user input broadcast service.
26. The receiving apparatus of any one of claims 13 to 25, further configured to: receive a user input comprising a group in the combined broadcast service list; and play the selected broadcast service from the user input group.
27. The receiving apparatus of any one of claims 13 to 25, further configured to: receive a user input comprising a broadcast service; determine, using the broadcast service data, whether the user input broadcast service is present in the combined broadcast service list stored in the internal memory; and where the user input broadcast service is present in the combined broadcast service list, play the selected broadcast service from the group comprising the user input broadcast service.