Radio Player Automatic Rollover Air Streamed Signal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radio receivers are unable to seamlessly receive both over-the-air and digitally streamed radio programming, requiring users to distinguish between different signal sources and lacking compatibility for consistent high-quality reception.
Innovation Solution
A radio player that integrates a radio signal receiver for over-the-air broadcasts and a digital stream receiver for data network connectivity, allowing users to select between air and streamed radio programs from the same station through a unified source selector, with a database for storing radio stations and a method to establish connections via Internet protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional radio receiver is used for over-the-air reception, then the receiver can receive radio broadcasts through the air, but it cannot receive digitally streamed radio programming over data networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a traditional radio signal receiver and a digital stream radio receiver into a single integrated radio player device. The radio player includes both an antenna for over-the-air reception and a data network interface for digital streaming, allowing one device to perform multiple reception functions that previously required separate devices
Solution Approach 2:
The radio player is designed as a universal receiver that can operate in multiple modes: traditional over-the-air radio reception, digital streaming reception, and automatic rollover between the two sources. The device universally handles both broadcast and streamed radio programming through a unified interface and control system
2Adaptability or versatility
If a digital stream radio receiver is used for Internet-based reception, then the receiver can access streamed radio programming with consistent sound quality, but it cannot receive over-the-air radio broadcasts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the capabilities of digital stream receivers and traditional radio receivers into a single integrated system. The digital stream radio receiver component maintains its ability to access streamed programming via data networks while being combined with over-the-air reception components, eliminating the need for separate specialized devices
3Ease of operation
If users manually distinguish between air and streamed radio sources, then they can control which source is played, but the user interface becomes complex and requires user education
Solution Approach 1:
The radio player automatically monitors the availability and quality of both air and streamed radio sources without requiring user intervention. The system self-determines which source to use based on predefined criteria such as signal quality and availability, and automatically switches between sources without user education or complex interface requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the status of both radio sources and uses this feedback to automatically select the best available source for playback. The automatic rollover mechanism responds to real-time conditions by switching between air and streamed sources based on their availability and quality, eliminating the need for manual user control
4Ease of operation
If the radio player automatically selects between air and streamed sources, then the user interface is simplified, but the control logic becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically manages source selection based on predefined criteria such as signal quality thresholds and availability status. The radio player independently evaluates both sources and makes decisions about which to play without requiring complex user input or interface elements, simplifying operation while containing control logic within the system
Data Source
AI summary
In view of the above, a radio player is provided. In an example implementation, the radio player includes a radio signal receiver configured to receive a radio broadcast corresponding to a tuner setting on a tuner. The radio signal receiver is configured to retrieve an air radio program from the radio broadcast corresponding to a radio station identified by the tuner setting. A digital stream radio receiver is connected to a data network. The digital stream radio receiver is configured to establish a data connection with a radio station identified by a radio station network identifier to receive a streamed radio program. A source selector selects between either the air radio program or the streamed radio program to play at an audio output when the air radio program and the streamed radio program are broadcast from the same radio station.