Radio Broadcast Audio Matching for Analog Database Updates

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Solution Overview

Problem

In countries where RDS and DAB are not supported, manually updating radio broadcast databases is inconvenient and prone to accuracy issues due to the lack of digital information in analog broadcasts, leading to incomplete and inaccurate broadcast information.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus using multiple tuners and signal processors to compare audio signals, determining correlations between audio signals to identify and update broadcast information in the database, and accessing streaming sources when necessary to complete the database.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual updating of radio broadcast database is used, then the system can operate with simple hardware, but the accuracy and completeness of broadcast information deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebroadcast information accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic database updates by capturing audio signals from unknown broadcasts, comparing them against the database, and self-updating without external intervention. The administrator simply triggers the update process, and the system autonomously completes the entire workflow of signal capture, comparison, and database modification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of administrators visiting broadcast locations and listening to identify broadcasts is replaced with an automated electronic system that captures audio signals, processes them through correlation algorithms, and automatically updates the database using computational methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If manual updating by administrator visiting broadcast locations is used, then the system requires minimal equipment, but the time and productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedatabase update efficiencyVSAvoidupdate time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-capturing and storing audio signals from broadcast frequencies, and pre-comparing them against the database before final update confirmation is needed. This preparation work is done automatically in advance, reducing the time required for actual database updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system autonomously performs the entire update workflow including signal capture, database comparison, correlation analysis, and update execution without requiring administrator presence at broadcast locations, dramatically reducing update time and improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If RDS or DAB is used for receiving radio broadcasts, then broadcast information can be automatically acquired, but the system cannot be used in countries where only analog broadcasts are transmitted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebroadcast system compatibilityVSAvoidbroadcast information availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Audio signals serve as an intermediary medium to bridge the gap between analog broadcasts without digital information and the need for broadcast identification. By capturing and analyzing the audio content itself, the system can identify broadcasts even when no digital metadata is available from the transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces reliance on digital RDS/DAB information systems with an analog audio-based identification method, substituting electronic data extraction with acoustic signal analysis to achieve broadcast identification in analog-only environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250330256A1Method and apparatus for managing radio broadcast database and identifying radio broadcasting audio source

Publication Date: 2025.10.23 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

An apparatus for managing radio broadcast database includes a first broadcast setting unit configured to set a frequency of a first broadcast using a first tuner, a second broadcast setting unit configured to set a frequency of a second broadcast of which broadcast information exists, using a second tuner, an audio signal comparison unit configured to receive a first audio signal of the first broadcast and a second audio signal of the second broadcast, and check whether the first audio signal and the second audio signal are similar to each other, and a broadcast information provision unit configured to acquire second broadcast information related to the second broadcast and store the second broadcast information as first broadcast information related to the first broadcast in a radio broadcast database, if it is determined that the first audio signal and the second audio signal are similar to each other.