Broadcast Receiver Tuner Switching Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional broadcast receivers using a single tuner for both data broadcast reception processing and scan processing face inefficiencies, leading to incomplete files and prolonged reception times due to alternating processing methods, resulting in invalid files and memory space issues.

Innovation Solution

A broadcast receiver with a sub-tuner that calculates the start time of file transmission and controls switching between data broadcast reception and scan processing to ensure files are received from the beginning, using a switching controller to manage the timing and storage of file information to prevent incomplete file reception.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If scan processing is executed for a predetermined time slot alternately with data broadcast reception, then scan processing can be performed regularly, but files may be received incompletely from intermediate points resulting in invalid files

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescan processing timeVSAvoidfile reception completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by calculating the file transmission start time in advance and using this information to determine the optimal switchover timing from scan processing to data broadcast reception, ensuring the tuner switches to receive the file from its beginning rather than from an intermediate point

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback by calculating the transmission start time of the next file based on reception termination time and transmission period, then uses this calculated information to control the switchover timing, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to actual transmission patterns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the tuner alternates between data broadcast reception and scan processing with fixed time slots, then processing is predictable, but reception time for all files is prolonged due to incomplete files requiring re reception

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefile reception efficiencyVSAvoidtotal reception time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies dynamics by making the switchover timing flexible and adaptive rather than fixed, calculating the optimal switch point based on the calculated transmission start time of the next file, allowing the system to adapt to varying transmission patterns and file sizes to minimize total reception time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of information

If incomplete files are stored in memory, then no data is lost, but available memory space is reduced gradually

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integrityVSAvoidavailable memory space

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the potential harm of incomplete file reception into a benefit by using the calculated transmission start time information to proactively control switchover timing, transforming what would be a source of incomplete files into a mechanism for ensuring complete file reception from the beginning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentEP3240211B1Broadcast receiver and reception switching control method

Publication Date: 2020.10.14 ALPINE ELECTRONICS INC

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AI summary

A broadcast receiver includes a transfer start time calculating unit (131) that calculates a time at which to start the transmission of each file to be received in first reception processing, a switching timing determining unit (132) that determines a switching time at which a switchover from second reception processing to the first reception processing is to be made by a second tuner unit (120, 120'), according to the calculated time at which to start the transmission of each file, and a switching control unit (133, 133') that controls the second tuner unit (120, 120') so that it makes a switchover from the second reception processing to the first reception processing according to the determined switching time. When the second tuner unit (120, 120') makes a switchover from the second reception processing to the first reception processing, a file can be received from its beginning.