WO2015162294A1

WO2015162294A1 - Audio reception apparatus with available stations list

Info

Publication number: WO2015162294A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/059055
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Hill
Original assignee: Uk Radioplayer Limited
Priority date: 2014-04-25
Filing date: 2015-04-27
Publication date: 2015-10-29
Also published as: GB2527649B; GB201507098D0; AU2015250762A1; GB201407360D0; GB2527649A; EP3134987A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to audio reception apparatus, in particular to apparatus for the reception of radio channels. We describe a radio receiver apparatus comprising: a broadcast radio receiver module, an internet radio receiver module and a controller module; wherein the controller module receives signals from the broadcast radio receiver module and the internet radio receiver module; compares the signals to determine which signal is of a higher desired quality; and outputs or processes for output the higher quality signal; wherein the apparatus further comprises a display and the controller module outputs a list of radio stations available from the signals output from the radio receiver module to the display; and wherein the controller module removes duplicate radio stations from the list. In preferred embodiments, the broadcast radio receiver module includes at least one analogue radio tuner and at least one digital radio tuner.

Description

AUDIO RECEPTION APPARATUS WITH AVAILABLE STATIONS LIST

The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to audio reception apparatus, in particular to apparatus for the reception of radio channels.

In its broadest sense, the present invention provides a radio receiver apparatus comprising: a broadcast radio receiver module and an internet radio receiver module; and a controller module. The controller module receives signals from the broadcast radio receiver module and the internet radio receiver module; compares the signals to determine which signal is of the higher desired quality; and outputs the higher quality signal, for example to an amplifier circuit and then to loudspeakers.

The desired quality of a signal may be indicative of its signal strength, of the signal to noise ratio, or of some other chosen parameter.

Preferably, the broadcast radio receiver module includes a plurality of analogue radio tuners and outputs signals from each of the plurality of tuners to the controller module.

Preferably, the broadcast radio receiver module includes a plurality of digital radio tuners and outputs signals from each of the plurality of tuners to the controller module.

Preferably, the controller module compares each of the radio tuner outputs against each other and against the internet receiver module output signal.

The apparatus further comprises a display and the controller module outputs a list of radio stations available from the signals output from the radio receiver modules to the display. The controller module removes duplicate radio stations from the list.

Advantageously, the apparatus includes a communication module adapted to communicate with a computer device. Preferably, the computer device is a mobile telephone or hand-held tablet device. Conveniently, the computer device provides the display of the apparatus. Optionally, the computer device provides at least some of the functionality of the controller module by processing instructions therefrom. Preferably, the apparatus further comprises an audio amplifier module.

The above and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in further detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates schematically an embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of the stations list consolidation function of the apparatus of the present invention.

The figures illustrate an embodiment of an audio reception apparatus in accordance with the present invention and a mode of its operation. The apparatus includes a control module 10 controlling a processor module 11. In the embodiment shown, modules 10,11 are provided in separate housings. This is particularly suitable for incorporation of the apparatus into cars or other vehicles or as remotely controllable apparatus. The modules communicate between themselves by any suitable means, such as Bluetooth^® or other radio or wireless (IP) protocols. In alternative embodiments, the two modules are combined into a single housing, as with a conventional radio, and communication between the two modules is achieved by conventional hard-wiring.

Processor module 11 includes a controller unit 12 controlling the processing of all the functions of the apparatus. Processor module 11 also includes two radio tuners 13,14. In the embodiment shown, there is a FM (frequency modulation) tuner 13 and a DAB (digital audio broadcasting) tuner 14.

In preferred embodiments, each tuner is duplicated. The provision of duplicated radio tuners allows the user to listen to one FM or DAB radio station whilst, in the background, the processor module uses the second tuner to scan for improved signal quality or strength for that station. If signal strength deteriorates on the first tuner, output is switched by controller unit 12 to the second tuner. Scanning for improved signal strength is then switched to the first tuner.

Processor module 11 further includes an internet module (not shown) to receive radio station transmissions over the internet and may also include other input signal modules such as satellite inputs.

Additionally, processor module 11 includes a DSP (digital signal processing) module 15. DSP module 15 takes the signal selected by controller unit 12 and outputs the signal as appropriate and as will be discussed further below. In the embodiment shown, process module 11 further includes a Bluetooth^® module 16 for communication with external devices. Processor module 11 further includes an input 20 for input of externally processed signals and outputs as desired, such as a short-range FM transmitter 21 to transmit to the in-car FM tuner (radio) and a Line Out connection to an AUX input of the car radio system, together with aerial inputs etc as necessary. Processor module 11 may include an amplifier circuit and loudspeakers as appropriate, particularly for a standalone product. Alternatively, the Line Out connection is used to couple the processor module to the amplifier within an existing product, such as a vehicle radio.

In certain embodiments, control module 10 simply comprises a touch-sensitive display screen 23 and a circuit for receipt and transmission of signals from the processor module 11. Screen 23 provides the user with a list of radio stations generated by controller unit 12. The user selects a station by touching screen 23 whereupon control module returns a station selection signal back to controller unit 12.

In modifications of this embodiment, control module 10 allows control of other functions of the apparatus through screen 23, such as audio volume. In further modifications, control module 10 includes a control module controller unit (not shown) and some of the functions of the controller unit 12 are performed by the control module controller unit.

Conveniently, control module 10 is embodied in an existing product, particularly a smartphone or tablet device. The control functions of control module 10 are provided by an program or application ('app') installed on the device. The wifi and mobile data functions of the device can be used to provide the internet-based radio station input function of the apparatus, avoiding the need for separate IP connectivity in the processor unit 11.

The functionality of the apparatus will now be described in further detail and with reference to Figure 2, which illustrates an example of a station list consolidation routine.

FM and DAB tuners 13,14 perform band scans in a conventional manner to detect services. Detected radio services are added to a consolidated Broadcast Station Database 30, a component of controller unit 12 as shown in Figure 1. Controller unit 12 analyses the detected radio services from both tuners to create (31) a de-duplicated list in which each identified station is listed by name only once.

An external database 32 of internet (IP) stations and additional metadata is obtained from a server and is merged (33) to the database with further de-duplication. The list of stations is is then sorted for display according to logic rules (34) and output (35) to the user interface, control module 10. The logic rules aim to provide the user with a personalised prioritised list of radio stations. For example, the list may be sorted according the the user's preferred stations or preferred music type (which may be preselected by the user in a setup routine or may be established by processor unit 11 performing analyses of the user's listening habits), or geographical location.

Controller unit 12 receives inputs from all the various sources - digital and analogue broadcast radio, satellite, IP and so on and combines all the various stations found into a single channel list which is then displayed on screen 23 of control module 10. Controller unit 12 obtains a list of internet radio stations from an online database of stations. Controller unit 12 removes duplicated stations from the list such that the user is presented with a list identifying each available station just once. The routine in Figure 2 exemplifies this. Although each station name is presented to the user just one, underlying each station within processor module 11 may be two FM feeds, two DAB feeds along with IP streams for the same station. The processor module 11 seamlessly switches between the underlying feeds as necessary depending upon the quality of the signal for each feed. The apparatus is particularly suitable for use in vehicles as controller unit 12 automatically switches between the best delivery platform available for the station selected by the user. Thus, in the context of a vehicle installation, a transmission that is initially selected from an analogue broadcast transmission may, in the course of a journey, switch to and between digital broadcast and I P reception as and when necessary. The apparatus is suitably configured to apply a preference to broadcast reception where availa ble, due to the greater general resilience of broadcast radio signals.

The apparatus further uses the I P connection to enhance the user experience of the device, providing, for example, location-aware travel information, news, advertising or other information, such as tourist information. Com plementa ry audio experiences, such as traffic news, ca n be layered over existing audio sessions in a conventional manner, such as by switching the audio output from the primary output to the overlayered secondary output or by reducing the volume of the primary output. I n some embodiments, the apparatus includes a text-to-speech engine allowing the secondary output to be an audio conversion of an e-mail or an SMS (text) message.

As described above, the provision of two tuners for each broadcast input allows the apparatus to perform a background scan for improved transmission signals for the station being listened to without disturbing the current listening. Additionally, the scan function is able to perform a background scan for new stations, not included in the initia l sca n list, which is particularly useful when the device is being used in a moving vehicle.

The apparatus optionally also includes a storage device, such as flash memory, for recording, time-shifting or pausing the radio output.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a hybrid broadcast, internet and wireless audio receiving device giving an automated preferential platform-switching function, which is seamless to the user of the device.

More specifically, the ha rdwa re device features a microcontroller that controls one or more multi-platform tuner chips. When the hardware is "idle" (not being requested to playback a radio service), the tuners perform a continuous band scan to ensure an up-to-date view of all available services in the current location.

A Bluetooth ^® LE (4.0) module can be used to advertise the availability of the hardware to a software app running on a separate smartphone device, running an application. The application receives the advertisement and a list of characteristics. It can then request the service list characteristic to get a list of currently available stations.

Utilising IP connectivity on the smartphone, the application requests detailed metadata for the hardware received services using the RadioDNS open standards and creates a combined list with duplicate stations merged. When a user requests a service via the smartphone user interface, the metadata for all known platforms for the particular service is written back to hardware via another BTLE characteristic. One of the tuners is then utilised to tune to the service, whilst the second tuner continues to scan for changes. Each time a change is noticed a notification is sent over BTLE to the smartphone to update the list. Whilst tuning and during playback, the signal strength value and/or the signal to noise ration, or any other chosen parameter, from the tuner chip is constantly monitored. If a particular platform begins to degrade beyond a listenable quality, another platform will be attempted on the secondary tuner. One or more tuner chips are routed via an Audio DSP which allows the audio to be mixed. Should the secondary tuner on a different platform prove a better source for the requested content, the audio routing is changed to the new tuner and the original tuner takes the role of scanning for updates.

This process is repeated until the smartphone requests that the service no longer be obtained.

In the event that no broadcast reception is available, a failure BTLE characteristic notifies the smartphone to pull an IP audio stream instead. The smartphone device is paired with the Bluetooth adapter on the hardware using the A2DP protocol which allows high quality audio to be transmitted from the phone back to the hardware. Using the same DSP chip that routes audio between the tuners, the Bluetooth A2DP audio can also be routed to the hardware's output channels.

The smartphone app also has the ability to provide audio notifications for incoming events such as a text message or phone call. When the tuners are routed to output, incoming A2DP audio causes the DSP to "duck" the tuners levels to allow the audio notification from the phone to be audible over the top. When the smartphone is playing back IP audio to the hardware, this process is not required as the audio mix is entirely within the smartphone's control.

Audio output from the hardware's DSP is through two routes: a simple audio jack output for wiring in the auxiliary connection on most car head units and an FM TX output, which is wired to the aerial input on a car head unit for those devices which do not feature auxiliary inputs.

The following statements set out certain preferred features of the apparatus of the present invention:

Hardware device with one or more broadcast radio reception tuner modules. The hardware device contains one or more modules for receiving incoming audio from the the internet and other local audio sources.

When playback of a particular broadcast audio service is requested, the internal hardware logic attempts to maintain playback through continuous monitoring of available platforms and switching platform automatically when the current source begins to degrade past unacceptable listening levels.

When no broadcast reception is available the hardware unit requests internet audio from an external source, which it will continue to use until such a point that broadcast reception becomes acceptable again, ensuring a continuous listening experience.

Complimentary audio experiences are layered on top of existing audio sessions through the insertion of shorter audio content. If an audio service is playing, the volume is "ducked" to allow a secondary source to played over the top. When playback is complete, the original session volume is restored. These audio snippets are provided via external inputs.

The control surface associated with the hardware device can utilise incoming service snapshot data, blending with independently derived cloud-based data sources, to provide a single unified service navigation list which removes services duplicated across multiple sources and is enhanced with cloudbased metadata, full colour logos and service descriptions.

The device may have one or more multiplatform (e.g. FM/DAB/DAB+/DRM/HD) radio receiving tuner modules.

Wired or wireless (e.g. Bluetooth) communication from other modules or external devices (e.g. smartphone or tablet) to provide audio (e.g. over A2DP) from internet-derived services. Local playback on the associated devices (e.g. from a music player device or application) is also provided over the same transport(s).

Logic on the microcontroller continuously monitors signal strength of an active audio service and utilities idle time on the other tuner to perform frequent scans of the reception band, building a "live" snapshot of broadcast reception and associated metadata from received services (e.g. via FM RDS and DAB FIC decoding). The logic can then "deduplicate" services based on matching parameters and collate a list of viable alternatives to switch to when the currently tuned service signal strength falls below an acceptable level.

Wired or wireless communication with an external device (see detail point 2) can also provide a communications channel (e.g. Bluetooth 4/Bluetooth Low Energy) with enables a request/response interaction so that both the device and the controller can affect operation. The hardware device can request the external device provide audio from an IP-derived source when broadcast fails. With a wired or wireless audio input from an external device, that device can provide shortform audio to be layered on top of the current audio session (e.g. push notification alerts for email or social media, SMS text messages, traffic and travel alerts). The onboard DSP can then mix this incoming audio with audio from the tuner(s) (if being consumed), else the external device provides a premixed source to the device.

The control surface may be physically part of the same product unit, for example a combined desktop/sideboard radio device or could be connected over a local wireless link (e.g. Bluetooth 4/Bluetooth Low Energy). It may be another hardware device with a microcontroller and it's own interface, or could be implemented in the software stack of a smartphone or tablet device.

Claims

1 A radio receiver apparatus comprising: a broadcast radio receiver module, an internet radio receiver module and a controller module; wherein the controller module receives signals from the broadcast radio receiver module and the internet radio receiver module; compares the signals to determine which signal is of a higher desired quality; and outputs or processes for output the higher quality signal; wherein the apparatus further comprises a display and the controller module outputs a list of radio stations available from the signals output from the radio receiver module to the display; and wherein the controller module removes duplicate radio stations from the list. 2 An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the broadcast radio receiver module includes at least one analogue radio tuner and at least one digital radio tuner.

3 An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the broadcast radio receiver module includes a plurality of analogue radio tuners and outputs signals from each of the plurality of tuners to the controller module. 4 An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the broadcast radio receiver module includes a plurality of digital radio tuners and outputs signals from each of the plurality of tuners to the controller module.

5 An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the controller module compares each of the broadcast radio receiver output signal against each other and against the internet radio receiver module output signal.

6 An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a communication module adapted to communicate with a computer device, such as a mobile telephone or hand-held tablet device.

7 An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 further comprising a computer program or application for installation on the computer device such that the computer device provides at least some of the functionality of the controller module by processing instructions therefrom. 8 An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the computer device provides the display of the apparatus.

9 An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising an audio amplifier module. 10 An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the controller module performs a continuous or periodic analysis of the desired quality of the signals from the broadcast radio receiver module and the internet radio receiver module to determine on a continuous or periodic basis the signal having the higher quality; and wherein the controller module switches the signal which is output in response to the determination.