Broadcast Receiver Silent State Reduction via Analog Simulcast Switching

Solution Overview

Problem

Broadcast receivers experience a silent state after power-on or station selection operations due to the time required for demodulating digital broadcasting signals, leading to user dissatisfaction.

Innovation Solution

A broadcast receiver configuration that outputs analog broadcasting signals when digital signal processing is not complete, utilizing a judging mechanism to switch to simulcast signals from RDS when DAB signal processing has not finished, thereby shortening the silent state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the broadcast receiver performs station selection process for DAB service after power-on or station selection operation, then the DAB service can be reproduced, but the silent state continues for a while due to demodulation time

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDAB service reproductionVSAvoidsilent state duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The broadcast receiver performs preliminary action by simultaneously demodulating both DAB ensemble signals and RDS simulcast signals from the beginning. The judging means continuously monitors whether DAB signal processing is complete, and if not, the outputting means outputs the RDS simulcast signal in parallel. This preliminary simultaneous processing eliminates the silent state while maintaining DAB service reproduction capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The RDS simulcast signal acts as an intermediary during the transition period. When DAB signal processing is not complete, the RDS simulcast signal serves as a temporary output to replace the silent state. The judging means uses this intermediary signal to bridge the gap between power-on/station selection and complete DAB signal processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the broadcast receiver outputs only digital broadcasting signals, then the signal processing can be simplified, but the silent state occurs when digital signal processing is not complete

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal processingVSAvoidsilent state duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The broadcast receiver dynamically adjusts its output based on the processing status. The outputting means switches between outputting DAB ensemble signals when processing is complete and outputting RDS simulcast signals when processing is not complete. This dynamic adjustment eliminates the silent state while maintaining manageable processing complexity through the judging means.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the output parameter based on processing status. When DAB signal processing is not complete, the system changes from outputting only digital signals to outputting analog simulcast signals. This parameter change allows the receiver to maintain functionality during the transition period without requiring complete digital signal processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If the broadcast receiver waits for DAB signal processing to complete before outputting audio, then the audio quality is optimized, but the user experience deteriorates due to long silent state

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio qualityVSAvoiduser experience

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The broadcast receiver performs preliminary action by simultaneously demodulating both DAB ensemble signals and RDS simulcast signals from the beginning. The judging means continuously monitors whether DAB signal processing is complete, and if not, the outputting means outputs the RDS simulcast signal in parallel. This preliminary simultaneous processing eliminates the silent state while maintaining DAB service reproduction capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The RDS simulcast signal acts as an intermediary during the transition period. When DAB signal processing is not complete, the RDS simulcast signal serves as a temporary output to replace the silent state. The judging means uses this intermediary signal to bridge the gap between power-on/station selection and complete DAB signal processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3975454A1Broadcast receiver, broadcast receiving method, and broadcast receiving program

Publication Date: 2022.03.30 FAURECIA CLARION ELECTRONICS CO LTD

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AI summary

A broadcast receiver is configured to receive a digital broadcasting signal and an analog broadcasting signal of simulcasting having format different from format of the digital broadcasting signal. The broadcast receiver comprises an outputting means configured to output one of the digital broadcasting signal and the analog broadcasting signal to a predetermined outputting device, a judging means configured to judge whether a signal processing has been completed to the extent that the outputting means can output the digital broadcasting signal, and an output controlling means configured to cause the outputting means to output the analog broadcasting signal when the judging means does not judge that the signal processing has not been completed.