Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TRAI~ISMITTING AND DISPLAYING ON A RECEIVER INFORMATION
DESCRIBING BROADCAST PROGRAMS
Backqround of the Invention:
This inventi~n relates generaliy to radio broadcasting and more particularly to a
system for i ientifying and displaying information describing the programs broadcast
from differe 1t radio stations.
It is well kn ~wn that information can be transmitted by means of a subcarrier
contained c n FM broadcast radio waves. FIG. 1 shows spectral components of FM
signals used in transmissions of both analog radio station broadcasts and digital
paging messages. Most FM broadcast radio stations use the baseband frequencies
from 50 heltz (Hz) to 53 kilohertz (kHz) to transmit stereo program material.
Subcarrier 16 is used for carrying digitally encoded paging messages and has a
center ~req ~ency at 66.5 kHz and a bandwidth that extends from approximately 57
kHz to 75 k.Hz and. Subcarrier 20 is used to transmit messages using a protocol
know in the art as Radio Data Services or more usually as "RDS".
Various iscued patents and pending applications including Patents 4,713,808 and
4 897,835 ~both by Gaskill), Patent ~ 187,470 (King) and pending application serial
number 081046,112, filed 04/09/93 show systems where digital data is transmitted
on an FM subcarrier 16 and modulated on the FM baseband shown in FIG. 1.
The type cf information which is generally transmitted on RDS systems includes
information such as an indication that the particular station periodically transmits
traffic infol mation. an indication that the station is now transmitting traffic
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il,ror",aLion, or an indication of the type of programming which a station normally
transmits. Some RDS receivers have a light which is activated to show that the
station to which the receiver is tuned is also transmitting information using the RDS
~ system. However, data in subcarrier 20 only identifies the type of radio statlon and
does not desc!ibe the different programs broadcast from each radio station. Thus, a
radio receiver will tune to the radio station regardless of whether the station is
currently broadcasting a program containing music or a program containing, for
example, a commercial.
The present invention provides a system that includes a receiver which gives an
indication of the different programs transmitted from an FM radio station.
SL.~I.IIal ~ of the Invention:
The present invention includes a receiver which identifies and describes the source
and content of programs transmitted from different radio stations. The radio stations
transmit program codes on a subcarrier that is transmitted along with an associated
audio program. The program codes transmitted on the subcarrier allow the receiver
to perform functions related to the associated audio programs. For example, the
receiver's audio can be turned on and off by the information contained in the
associated program code.
The program codes can also contain graphic data that further describes the audio
programs and the radio stations. The graphic data can contain radio station logos,
names, program information, advertising, etc. that is presented on a display even
while the receiver's audio speaker is shut off.
:
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The receiv~ r includes a programmable controller that controls the speaker and the
display according to both the program codes and inputs from category select
buttons. Thus. a listener can program the receiver to only play programs within
preselectec program categories. For example, the speaker can b.e programmed to
turn on onl~ during sports programs.
The foregoing and other objects. features and advantages of the invention will
become mcre readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred
embodimert of the invention which proceeds with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
Brief DescliPtion of the Drawinqs:
FIG. 1 is a graph showing a prior art FM baseband transmitted by a FM radio
station.
FIG. 2 is a ;chematic diagram of an FM transmitter and receiver system according
to the inver tion that broadcasts and receives programs and associated program
codes.
FIG. 3 is a ~chematic showing data fields contained in the program codes
transmitted from the system in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a low diagram showing a method of operation for the receiver shown in
FIG. 2.
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- FIG. 5 is a diagram of a front panel with a display for the receiver shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged diagram of the display shown in FIG. 5 showing a station logo,
- . . selectable program categories and program text information.
.
FIG. 7 is the diagram of the display shown in FIG. 6 showing program broadcast
times and listener category selections.
Detailed Description:
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an FM transmitter and receiver system 22
according to the invention that broadcasts and receives audio programs and
associated program codes. An FM radio station 24 broadcasts multiple audio
programs 1-3 each including an associated set of codes 26, 28, and 30.
respectively. Each code describes the associated audio program. For example~
code 30 conlairls data that identifies and describes audio program 1.
A program selector 32 selects between the available audio programs for
broadcasting from an FM transmitter 34. An encoder 38 receives digital data which
includes the codes 26, 28, and 30 output from program selector 32, transmitter
information from a transmitter identification device 36, and pager messages from
other transmitters 42 via a paging system 44. The encoder 38 encodes the digital
data from the three separate sources onto a subcarrier that is modulated with the
associated audio program output from program selector 32. The subcarrier and
audio signals are then transmitted together from antenna 40.
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The encoder 38 is either part of an existing paging system 44 or is built specifically
for encodin!~ codes 26-30 onto a subcarrier. A paging system that encodes and
~ transmits di-3ital paging messages in a manner similar to encoder 24 is described in
U.S. Patent Nos. 4,713.808 and 4.897,835 (both by Gaskill) and is herein
incorporate ~ by reference.
An FM receiver 46 includes an antenna 48 that receives the broadcast signal from
radio station 24. A frequency selector 50 tunes the receiver to the different
transmission frequencies of different radio stations. The broadcast signal of the
tuned radio station is demoduiated by demodulator 52 down to the FM baseband
shown in Fl G. 1. The audio channel is filtered from the baseband by an audio
recovery Cil CUit 56 and selectively output from speaker 54.
A code recovery circuit 58 filters the subcarrier component 16 (FIG. 1) from the
baseband and decodes the program code. The data in the program code is then
input into a controller 62 along with inputs from category select buttons 64. The
controller 62 outputs control signals and data to both audio recovery circuit 56 and a
display 60. Auxiliary audio sources 65 such as a compact disk player or a tape deck
are selectively coupled to speaker 54 through audio recovery circuit 56.
A memory 63 is coupled to controller 62 and stores portions of each program code.
The data s~ored in memory 63 is presented on display 60 according to the presently
tuned radio station. Each time the receiver is tuned to a new radio station, the data
in memory 63 associated with the tuned radio station is updated with new data from
the current program code.
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The audio recovery circuit 56 is a standard audio filter that extracts the audio
channel components 12 and 14 (FIG. 1) from the rest of the baseband and
selectively outputs the audio signal from speaker 54. Audio recovery circuit 56 aiso
- includes a switch (not shown) that couples either the auxiliary audio source 65 or
the audio signal from the FM baseband to speaker 54 according to the controi signal
from controller 62.
The code recovery circuit 58 filters and decodes the program code from the
subcarrier component 16 of the FM baseband (FIG. 1). The controller 62 reads
various data fields contained in the program code (see FIG. 3) and accordingly turn
on and turn off audio recovery circuit 56. Controller 62 also outputs graphic data
from display 60 and stores data from different program codes in memory 63 as
described above.
The method for encoding digital data onto a subcarrier transmitting the subcarrier
with an FM audio channel decoding the encoded digital and displaying the digital
data is shown in Patents 4 713.808 and 4 897 835 both by Gaskill which are herein
incorporated by reference. The operations performed by controller 62 are
implemented using a prog, ~,n",able microprocessor which are described in detail
below in FIG. 4.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing various data fields 68 contained in the
program codes broadcast from radio station 24. The program codes contain a
broadcaster identification (ID) field 70 a station ID field 72 a program ID field 74
-
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proyra", inlormation 76. station information 78, pager messages 80 and any
additional c ontrol or display fields required by receiver 46.
The broadc-aster ID field 70, station ID field 72 and the station ir,rur",alion 78 is
generated l rom transmitter identification device 36 (FIG. 2) which in the present
embodiment is a memory device that contains prestored transmitter inrur"~lion.
The program ID field 74 and the program information 76 are contained in the codes
26. 28, anc 30 (FIG. 2) which describe programs 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The
pager message field 80 is generated from paging system 44 and contains pager
messages ~hat are output from the FM radiû display 60.
FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing the functions pe,ru~"~ed by the controller 62 shown
in FIG. 2. In step 82 the controller 62 receives the program code 68 for the audio
program culrrently transmitted from radio station 24. Decision step 84 compares the
program IC field 74 (FIG. 3) with any preselected program category input from
category select buttons 64 (FIG. 2).
If the program ID field 74 matches any program category preselected with category
select buttons 64, decision step 86 determines whether the radio is presently
selected fcr operation. For example, the speaker 54 may currently be connected to
the auxilialy audio source 65. If the auxiliary audio source 65 is currently operating,
step 88 interrupts the output signal from the auxiliary audio source 65 by connecting
~ the speaker 54 to the FM receiver 46.
~ c ~
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Decision step 90 determines the speaker on/off condition and, if necessary, turns
the speakçr on in step 92. For example, the receiver 54 may not be disconnected
from either auxiliary audio source 65 or the FM receiver 46. Step 92 accordingly
connects the speaker to the FM receiver 46. Thus. tne radio listener can program
~ . the radio receiver 46 to play audio programs from speaker 54 only when preselected
program categories are transmitted from radio station 24.
, . . .
Decision step 94 checks the program information 76 and station information 78 for
any graphic data describing the program broadcaster, radio station program or
pager messages. The graphic data is output from display 60 in step 96. Memory 63
stores portions of the program codes from each radio station. The data fields of the
stored program code for the presently tuned frequency can then be output from
display 60. If necessary, the program codes stored in memory 63 are updated with
new data fields from the program codes received from the currently turned radio
station.
Decision step 94 also checks for pager messages contained in pager message field
80 (FIG. 3). If a pager message exists, the message is output from display 60 in
step 96. After the graphic data is output from display 60, the controller 62 returns
and waits for the next transmitted program code.
Referring back to decision step 84, if the program ID field does not match any of the
pre-selected program categories, step 85 returns the speaker to its previous
condition before the last received program code. For example, the auxiliary audio
source 65 may have been coupled to speaker 54 before the last program code was
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received. 1 he auxiliary audio source is then reconnected to the speaker in step 85.
Alternatively, the speaker may have been disconnected from both auxiliary audio
source 65 and the FM radio receiver 46 prior to the last audio program. Step 85
c then disables speaker 54 when the current audio program is over.
Decision step 94 then searches the program code for any new graphic data and, if
necessary, updates the data output from display panel 60 in step 96. It is important
to note that the graphic data can be output regardless of whether the FM receiver is
presently sc~lected for operation or whether the speaker 56 is turned on. Thus, radio
stations can transmit graphic data regardless of the present output state of the FM
receiver. The graphical aspects of the invention are discussed in more detail below.
FIG. 5 is a ~chematic diagram of a front panel 100 for the FM radio receiver 46
shown in F:G. 2. The front panel 100 contains the category select buttons 64 which
are used to select between different program categories visually output on display
60. The frc nt panel 100 also includes a standard volume knob 101 and channel
tuning buttons 103.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematic diagram of the display 60 shown in FIG. 5. The
controller 62 (FIG. 2) graphically outputs a station logo 106 for the presently tuned
radio station. A set of selectable program categories 1.02 (news, sports, weather,
and traffic) are displayed in the upper right hand corner of display 60. The program
categories 102 and the station logo 106 for each radio station are stored in memory
63 and are periodically updated with new data fields from the transmitted program
codes for the currently tuned audio program.
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When selected, the category select buttons 64 (FIG. 5) direct the controller 62 to
turn on speaker 54 when an audio program matches the preselected program
category. The selected program categories 102 are also illuminated. For example,
when button 64A is depressed! the program category "news" is illuminated brighter
than the remaining non-selected program categories. Controller 62, in turn,
searches each received program code for a program iD field 74 that identifies the
associated audio program as a "news program". If the controller 62 identifies an
~ program ID field for "news", speaker 54 is connected to the FM radio receiver 46, in
turn, playing the associated audio program. After the news program is completed.
speaker 54 returns to its condition prior to the broadcast program.
Display panel 60 also outputs text information 104 that further describes the audio
program. For example, text information 104 visually describes a composer and a
performer for a musical piece currently transmitted from radio station 24. The text
i"rur",dlion 104 is transmitted in the program information field 76. Again. the text
information 104 can be displayed when the speaker 54 is turned off and when the
transmitted program is different than any pre-selected program category (news).
The broadcaster ID field 70 (FIG. 3) can be used to automatically retune the
- receiver to different radio stations transmitting the same broadcast data. For r
example, a public broadcast station (PBS) is transmitted from different radio stations
in different geographical locations. The receiver can move out of a given
transmission area for the presently tuned radio station. The receiver 46 Is
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programma-~le to automatically retune to the radio station in different transmission
areas having a broadcaster ID field 70 for PBS.
When the r~ceiver is tuned to another radio station. the station l.ogo 106 is
automatically updated. Since the new radio station may also transmit different
programs, tle program categories 102 are automatically updated on display panel
60. Thus, t le program category associated with button 64A (FIG.5) can change
from news to, for example, jaz. As stated above, the program categories are stored
in memory 63 and are periodically updated with data fields from the currently
received program code.
The text information 104 can also contain commercials. The commercial is overlaid
over previously displayed program text i"rur"~lion. Thus, the system described
above allo~s radio stations to advertise products without interrupting the currently
played audio PrO~J~alll Further, the station logo 106 can be continuously displayed
even while the advertisement is graphically displayed. The radio stations achieve
increased ~iewer recognition by continuously displaying station logo 106.
FIG. 7 is ar; enlarged schematic of the display 60 shown in FIG. 6. In addition to
station logc 106 and program categories 102, the display 60 shows program
broadcast t mes 108 and pre-selected listener program category text 1 10. The
program bro~dc~st times 108 visually indicate the next scheduled broadcasts for the
displayed ,~rogram categories 102. As opposed to illuminating the program
categories 3S shown in FIG. 6, display text 110 indicates textually which of the
program categories 102 have been pre-selected.
11
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While the system is described in the context of FM radio systems, the invention is
equally applicable to any system that broadcasts different prograrns. For example,
the invention described above can be used to automatically play and describe
different television programs.
Having described and illustrated the principles of thè invention in a preferred
embodiment thereof. it should be apparent that the invention can be modified in
arrangement and detail without departing from such principles. I claim all
modifications and variation coming within the spirit and scope of the following
- claims.
