JP2002514029A - Control device for wireless receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: A control device for automatically adjusting an external or auxiliary input signal to a frequency being received by a target receiver. A control device tunes an auxiliary signal to a frequency being received by a target receiver using noise from the target receiver. Also, the noise is mixed with a modulated signal that carries an auxiliary signal to provide an output that includes a component of the target receive frequency.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a control device for supplying a signal of an RF target reception frequency. Many types of communication links and networks are increasingly being used for both business and home purposes, including stationary and mobile user terminals and radio signals of various frequencies. According to today's high-performance communication systems,
It is possible to access information and information providers continuously while moving. Known types of radio receivers have a radio data system (RDS) function in which the radio communication interrupts the current operating mode, e.g. mutes and plays the recorded music, in order to emit special information announcements (announcement). After, the interrupted operation mode is resumed.
).

It is an object of the present invention to provide a control device that can automatically tune an external or auxiliary input signal to the frequency currently being received by a target receiver.

According to one aspect, the present invention is a control device for tuning an auxiliary signal to a frequency being received by a target receiver using noise from the target receiver. The noise is mixed with a modulated signal that carries an auxiliary signal to provide an output signal that includes a component of the received frequency of interest.

According to another aspect, the invention deduces at least one candidate received frequency of a target receiver and provides a signal of the at least one deduced frequency, wherein the received frequency is tuned by the target receiver. A control device characterized in that the frequency is the same as the control frequency.

[0005] The present invention may be used in conjunction with many types of communication systems, in which the external or auxiliary input signal can be automatically tuned to the frequency currently being received by the RF receiver. . This interrupts the currently selected RF signal and switches the desired input signal to the frequency at which the RF receiver is currently tuned, ie,
By converting to the target reception frequency, it can be received by the RF receiver. Thus, there is provided automatic information reception that does not require alerting the user that the desired signal has been transmitted and does not require manually changing the tuning of the receiver receiving the input signal. When the intended transmission is completed, the device resumes the original RF signal transmission reception. This is particularly useful in radio receivers in automobiles. In this case, an input signal such as a telephone call or information announcement is transmitted from a built-in car radio speaker.

In one embodiment, the controller operates in combination with a superheterodyne RF receiver of the communication system. The controller tunes its transmit frequency to the RF target receive frequency by estimating from the currently defined local oscillation frequency of the target superheterodyne RF receiver. Here, the local transmission frequency is determined by receiving oscillation noise transmitted at the antenna input of the target superheterodyne receiver. In other words, the control device estimates the current target RF reception frequency using the local oscillation frequency, and targets the frequency of the transmission signal so that the target receiver can receive the transmission frequency signal of the control device. Tune to the same frequency that the RF receiver is currently tuned to.

The control device can be switched to a standby mode or a function mode. In the standby mode, the controller causes free continuous transmission of the standard signal from the antenna to the receiver. This standby mode continuously or intermittently scans the receiver antenna input noise including noise from the local oscillator,
The data obtained may be used to deduce the broadcast station frequency to which the receiver is currently tuned.

In the function mode, the control device detects the transmission signal at the external or auxiliary signal input, and when detected, automatically suppresses the antenna signal, and instead of the antenna signal,
Use the signal generated by the internal RF modulation at the same frequency that the receiver is tuned to. However, no interference is transmitted at the antenna. This results in the use of an audio-visual system, such as a radio or television, as if an external or auxiliary input signal (eg, a voice audio message) was coming from the currently selected radio or television station. External or auxiliary input signals can be transmitted.

The external or auxiliary input is generated by a number of disparate sources, including, for example, PA microphones, vehicular mobile phones, CB radios, vehicular intercoms, pagers or mobile phone message systems, portable computers Home security or child viewing systems, Internet e-mail links, or a combination thereof.

In one embodiment, the oscillator frequency of the target receiver is determined by detecting local oscillator noise that occurs at the antenna input of the target receiver. In other embodiments, the controller selectively or additionally detects noise generated at the antenna input of the target receiver over a wider range, and the noise signal is estimated from each noise frequency above a predetermined level. At the deduced frequency.
The controller arrives at the deduced frequency by processing each of the deduced frequencies that are considered noise signals from the local oscillator at the frequency of interest. In this way, the controller supplies the frequency of each signal, at least one of which is the frequency to which the receiver is tuned. In a further embodiment, the controller performs a frequency scan to determine the frequencies that are being used for broadcast purposes in that region and provides signals to the target receiver at these deduced frequencies.

[0011] Certain embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows an automatic control device 10 according to the invention, which is arranged in antenna signal paths 12a, 12b interposed between an RF antenna 14 and a radio or television superheterodyne receiver 16. The controller 10 has audio, data and / or video signals for voice, text and / or video inserts and operates as follows.

In the standby mode, the apparatus of the present invention uses the detector 20 to continuously or incompletely scan for RF noise at the antenna input 12 b and generate the local oscillator circuit of the receiver 16. From the frequency, the station frequency to which the receiver is tuned at any time is deduced. The local oscillator frequency is transmitted to the receiver antenna input 12b as an unused but detectable noise signal.

When a desired input signal is received at the auxiliary signal input 18 of the device, the device is switched to an operating mode, whereupon the antenna signal is automatically suppressed and the internal RF
The signal generated by modulator 22 is replaced by a signal of the same frequency as the channel to which receiver 16 is currently tuned. However, the antenna 14 does not transmit unwanted or illegal interference waves. When the input signal stops, the device is returned to the standby mode and the original channel frequency reception continues immediately or following a predetermined pause.

Another embodiment of an automatic controller is suitable for use in a system where local oscillator noise emissions are reduced. The automatic controller of this embodiment scans the RF noise at the receiver input and determines the frequency of all signals having at least a predetermined amplitude. The automatic controller then deduces a candidate received frequency corresponding to each noise frequency by processing each noise frequency, which in turn is likely to be the actual local oscillator noise signal.

When the desired input signal is received at the auxiliary input 18 of the automatic controller, the current antenna signal is suppressed and generated by the modulator 22 in the spectrum of candidate received frequencies deduced from the noise frequency. Signal. It will be appreciated that at least one of the signals in the spectrum is a frequency at which the target receiver is likely to be tuned.

A further preferred embodiment of the automatic controller is shown in FIG. The control device 60
A modulator 62 is provided that receives the auxiliary signal and generates a signal that carries the auxiliary signal. The automatic control device 60 includes a mixer 64 to which the modulated signal from the modulator 62 and the noise detected from the target receiver are supplied. Mixer 64 generates two new modulation frequencies for each component of the target receiver noise. One corresponds to the sum of the two mixed frequencies and the other corresponds to their difference.
The signal generated by the mixer 64 at the difference frequency of the mixed signal of the target receiver local oscillator noise frequency and the output of the modulator 62 should match the actual reception frequency of the target receiver (the carrier wave of the modulator 62). The system is configured. Thus, as in the previous embodiment, the spectrum of each signal is generated by the controller, one of which is the auxiliary signal modulated at the reception frequency of the target receiver. The automatic controller according to the present invention can be easily implemented and provides an information processing function by simply mixing all the noise signals from the target receiver with the predetermined frequency generated by the modulator 62 and the transmission signal. It eliminates the need for signal deduction and transmission signal synthesis with. The following is an example.

In particular, radios of this type have an internal reception frequency of 10.7 MHz.
You. The radio is a superheterodyne receiver with a variable frequency F_LOThe signal
It has a local oscillator to generate. The signal is mixed with the incoming radio signal and
It is reduced to the 10.7 MHz carrier, which is the geo-reception "window". In this example, the control
The device uses an auxiliary signal (which replaces the current signal received by the radio)
Is replaced by a 10.7 MHz carrier. Modulated signal
Is then mixed with the noise from the radio antenna line,
It is supplied to the radio as an input (instead of a signal). The antenna line noise is frequency F _LO This new input has a frequency of F _LO -10.7 MHz. F_LO-10.7 MHz is
The difference between the local oscillator frequency and the frequency of the auxiliary signal carrier. On the radio, this
Minutes are mixed with the local radio signal and F_LO− (F_LO-10.7 MHz) =
Generate a difference frequency of 10.7 MHz. As a result, the auxiliary signal is
Received at the transmission frequency.

In any of the embodiments described above, the automatic control device may include a storage device 24 for storing a frequency list of local radio stations. The list is used to determine a received noise signal that is likely to correspond to the actual frequency to which the target receiver is tuned. The list may be prioritized according to the known frequency selection situation at the control receiver.

The automatic control device may add a feedback detection process. The noise emitted by the target receiver is analyzed by the detector 20 with respect to feedback corresponding to the test signal, which is emitted by the automatic controller and indicates that the automatic controller is correctly targeting the receiver. .

[0020] In this way, the device allows for the presentation of external audio, video and / or data signals to a receiver in a radio or television. Precisely, audio, data and / or video messages are presented as if they were coming from a selected radio or television station. This device allows the user to receive the transmitted signal without having to manually tune the transmitted signal and without having to manually operate the switches, and to use any handheld receiver. It has the advantage of being able to. Output from currently used radio or television channels is interrupted and replaced by transmission signals in audio, video and / or data form.

The input signal originates as part of a PA microphone system as part of a facility entertainment system. This allows the message to be delivered to the PA system without the hassle of having to switch off the current broadcast or switching audio inputs. The broadcast at that time was PA
It is simply interrupted until the message is completed, after which the original broadcast resumes.

As shown in FIG. 2, the automatic RF controller 30 forms part of a hands-free module of the mobile telephone 26 in the vehicle. The control device 30 incorporated in the telephone receives the signal of the auxiliary input (FIG. 1, 18) from the sound generation circuit 28 of the telephone 26. The automatic control device 30 communicates via the connection line 36 using the antenna line 32 of the in-vehicle radio 34, and the channel currently being broadcast by the radio 34
6 is superseded by the signal from 6. Thus, the driver of the vehicle does not need to stop the vehicle to operate the receiver or turn off the radio, and can safely receive the incoming call so that it can be heard.

When mounted on a vehicle, an automatic RF controller can provide the core of an in-vehicle intercom system. For example, audio input from the front of the vehicle may be output through radio speakers at the rear of the vehicle by interrupting the currently broadcasting radio channel. Similarly, existing intercom systems can be used to form the basis of embodiments of the invention.

Further, in combination with the text-to-speech process, the automatic RF controller can audibly present a pager or e-mail message by interrupting the currently active radio or television channel.

Alternatively, an automatic RF controller is used as an alternative to a conventional car navigation system employing an image display device. This system can be dangerously distracting to the driver, limiting its use or even illegal for the driver. There are existing products that are coupled to car hi-fi and "speak" car navigation systems, but are expensive because they integrate a hi-fi system with a dedicated multimedia PC.

However, the automatic RF controller of the present invention is a standard PC or PDA equipped with GPS or software for providing requested navigation data, which is a fraction of the cost of a dedicated system. Can be used. Further, P
Since the C or PDA is not a dedicated system, it can be used to navigate other vehicles and vehicles such as boats. However, PCs or PDAs generally have a substandard sound system with inadequate loudspeakers, so the volume and sound quality are too low and too low to be heard in a vehicle over engine and road noise. bad. The automatic RF controller provides sound through hi-fi speakers in the vehicle, so that not only can the navigation information be of high quality, but the system automatically distributes the current radio program while delivering the navigation information. Is interrupted, so that the user can obtain the navigation information at an appropriate time without adjusting the radio while listening to the radio while traveling.

FM RDS-TSC (Radio Data System-Traffic Message Channel Traf
Fic Message Channel) is well known and allows broadcasters to insert traffic-related information for drivers into regular programs using sub-carriers detected by compatible car radios. However, this system requires that the driver be equipped with a compatible car radio capable of receiving the inserted traffic-related information message. Automatic RF controller is used in combination with existing radio,
Provide similar program interruption and message delivery systems anywhere in the world.
Further, the device is simpler and therefore less expensive than existing RDS compatible radios. FIG. 3 illustrates the installation of the automatic control device 40 on an antenna line provided on a vehicle. An antenna line 42 extending from the automatic controller 40 is connected to a radio 44 mounted on a dashboard 46 of the vehicle at the time of manufacture or thereafter.

The home security system or the child monitoring system may incorporate the automatic RF controller of the present invention. The detected audio signal can then be displayed remotely as a video, teletext or audio output to alert the operator of a potential problem.

The Internet e-mail link may use an automatic RF controller of the present invention to display an e-mail message or Internet page as a video, teletext or voice on a TV receiver. In the case of video and / or teletext display, the device must combine video and / or teletext modular and synthesizer circuits. The automatic controller does not need to be incorporated into the device providing the auxiliary signal (eg, as shown in FIG. 2). The automatic control device and the auxiliary signal supply device may be configured to communicate wirelessly to transmit the auxiliary signal to the automatic control device. Wireless communication is “Bluetooth”
And using a low cost, narrow band, low power, relatively high frequency link.

Another application of the automatic RF controller of the present invention involves placing the device near the antenna path of the target superheterodyne receiver rather than within the antenna path.
This allows remote detection of the local oscillator noise signal, and allows the remote transmitter to transmit the signal at the frequency to which the target receiver is currently tuned. FIG. 4 illustrates a controller 50 similar to that described with reference to FIG. 1 but coupled to the antenna line 54 by electromagnetic induction.

This system is used by police in cars, for example, at night in urban areas where loud siren noise is undesirable. The police can track and drive the target vehicle, transmit audio signals, interrupt radio reception, and request that the vehicle be stopped. Alternatively, the system could request a driver listening to the high volume sounding car radio and unable to hear the emergency car approaching, to drive their car aside to pass. Can be used by emergency services. Other uses are made in vehicle parking. There, drivers trying to park their vehicle can be sent a message. The message is, for example, a message to warn them that parking is not permitted or to inform them that they will buy a parking ticket. Roadside advertising transmissions and all types of traffic and road sign audio notifications can employ the system.

Finally, any of the above applications of the automatic RF controller of the present invention can be used in combination. It will be appreciated that the application can be modified within the spirit of the invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an automatic RF control device.

FIG. 2 illustrates an automatic RF controller incorporated in a telephone and its use with a receiving device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an automatic RF control device incorporated in a vehicle.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an automatic RF control device in wireless communication having an antenna line.

FIG. 5 illustrates an automatic RF controller incorporating a mixer.

[Procedural Amendment] Submission of translation of Article 34 Amendment of the Patent Cooperation Treaty

[Submission Date] May 5, 2000 (200.5.5)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

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Claims (39)

[Claims] 1. A control device for adjusting an auxiliary signal to a frequency being received by a target receiver using noise from the target receiver. 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein one or more frequencies present in the noise are used to match an auxiliary signal. 3. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the noise is mixed with a signal modulated by an auxiliary signal to generate a mixed signal. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the frequency of the modulated signal and the frequency of the noise signal are values such that the mixed signal includes a component of a target receiver frequency. Control device. 5. The control device according to claim 3, wherein a frequency difference between the modulated signal and a noise signal component generated from an oscillator in the receiver is equal to a target receiver frequency. 6. The at least one candidate receiving frequency of the target receiver is deduced, wherein the receiving frequency is a frequency to which the target receiver is tuned, and the auxiliary signal is provided at the at least one deduced frequency. The control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: 7. The control device according to claim 6, wherein noise generated by the target receiver is monitored to deduce the at least one deduced frequency. 8. The control device according to claim 7, wherein a noise at a local oscillator frequency of the target receiver is detected to determine the deduced frequency. 9. The control device according to claim 6, wherein the deduced frequency is deduced with reference to a stored list of local broadcaster frequencies. 10. The control device according to claim 9, wherein the broadcast station frequency list is prioritized. 11. The control device according to claim 1, wherein a test signal is transmitted as an auxiliary signal, and noise is monitored with respect to feedback corresponding to the transmitted signal. 12. Deriving at least one candidate receiving frequency of the target receiver and providing a signal of the at least one deduced frequency, wherein the receiving frequency is a frequency to which the target receiver is tuned. A control device characterized by the above-mentioned. 13. The control device according to claim 12, wherein said at least one reception frequency candidate is deduced by scanning a local broadcast signal. 14. The receiver according to claim 1, wherein the standard signal of the reception frequency is suppressed and removed at a target receiver, and an auxiliary signal supplied by a control device is input to the target receiver. The control device according to any one of the above. 15. An apparatus comprising: receiving an auxiliary signal to be supplied to a target receiver; entering an operation mode when an auxiliary signal is present; and entering a standby mode when an auxiliary signal is not present. Item 15. The control device according to any one of Items 1 to 14. 16. The control device according to claim 15, which is dependent on claim 6, and deduces the at least one candidate for the reception frequency in the standby mode. 17. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary signal is an RDS signal or a DAB / TPEG signal. 18. A control device substantially as described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings. 19. A system comprising an antenna, an antenna line connecting the antenna to a receiver, and the control device according to claim 1. Description: 20. A vehicle comprising the system of claim 19. 21. A telephone, a navigation system, an intercom system, a public notice system, a street equipment, a computer or an e-mail system, comprising the control device according to any one of claims 1 to 18. 22. A method for supplying a signal to a target receiver, comprising the step of: using noise from the target receiver to adjust an auxiliary signal to a frequency being received by the target receiver. 23. The method of claim 22, comprising using one or more frequencies present in the noise to match an auxiliary signal. 24. A method according to claim 22 or 23, comprising mixing the noise with a signal modulated by an auxiliary signal to generate a mixed signal. 25. The frequency of the modulated signal and the frequency of the noise signal
The method of claim 24, wherein the mixed signal is a value such that it contains a component of a target receiver frequency. 26. The receiver of claim 24, wherein the frequency difference between the modulated signal and a component of a noise signal generated by an oscillator in the receiver is equal to a target receiver frequency.
Or the method of 25. 27. Deducing at least one candidate reception frequency of a target receiver, and providing the auxiliary signal at the at least one deduction frequency, wherein the reception frequency is tuned by the target receiver. The method according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the frequency is a predetermined frequency. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein noise generated by the target receiver is monitored to deduce the at least one deduced frequency.
The method described in. 29. The method of claim 28, wherein noise at the local oscillator frequency of the target receiver is detected to determine a deduced frequency. 30. The system according to claim 27, wherein the deduced frequencies are deduced with reference to a stored list of local station frequencies.
The method according to any one of the above. 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the station frequency list is prioritized. 32. The method according to claim 22, wherein a test signal is transmitted as an auxiliary signal, and noise is monitored with respect to feedback corresponding to the transmitted signal. 33. Deducing at least one candidate received frequency of a target receiver, and providing a signal of the at least one deduced frequency, wherein the received frequency is tuned by the target receiver. A signal providing method to a target receiver. 34. The method according to claim 33, wherein the at least one received frequency candidate is deduced by scanning a local broadcast signal. 35. The receiver according to claim 22, wherein the standard signal of the reception frequency is suppressed and removed at a target receiver, and a signal supplied by a control device is input to the target receiver. The method described in Crab. 36. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein an auxiliary signal to be supplied to a target receiver is received, and an operation mode is entered when the auxiliary signal is present, and a standby mode is entered when the auxiliary signal is not present. The method according to any of the above. 37. The method of claim 36, dependent on claim 27 and deducing the at least one received frequency candidate during the standby mode. 38. The method according to claim 22, wherein the auxiliary signal is an RDS signal or a DAB / TPEG signal. 39. A method for supplying a signal to a target receiver substantially as described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.