Radio Receiver Supplementary Data Display and Program Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of broadcast receivers often face difficulty in identifying available broadcast stations with sufficient signal quality while traveling, as existing technologies do not effectively provide real-time information about accessible radio broadcasts, making it hard to select preferred programs.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that receive broadcast programs and supplementary data, allowing users to display and switch to selected programs based on user preferences, such as genre or remaining playtime, using radio receivers and processors to scan for and decode broadcast signals and supplementary data like RDS/RBDS information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a broadcast receiver scans the broadcast transmission band for other radio broadcasts to provide information about available stations, then the user is provided with information about broadcast stations in reach, but the user still cannot easily identify which stations have sufficient signal quality or switch to preferred programs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the broadcast information into distinct components: station identification, program titles, artist names, and signal quality indicators. This segmentation allows the display to present information in an organized manner and enables users to quickly scan and identify preferred content without being overwhelmed by raw data
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that receives supplementary data from multiple broadcast stations, processes this data to extract relevant information (program titles, artists, signal quality), and presents it in a user-friendly format. This intermediary layer bridges the gap between raw broadcast data and user decision-making, enabling easy identification and switching to preferred programs
2Loss of information
If the radio receiver displays supplementary data from multiple broadcast stations, then the user can see available programs, but the interface becomes complex and difficult to navigate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the most relevant information from supplementary data broadcasts - specifically program titles, artist names, and signal quality indicators - while filtering out technical metadata and redundant information. This extraction approach maintains information completeness for user decision-making while keeping the display interface simple and navigable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by displaying different types of information with different visual priorities: program titles and artist names are highlighted for easy identification, while signal quality indicators are displayed with appropriate visual weighting. This differential presentation allows comprehensive information display without overwhelming the user interface
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with example embodiments of the present invention, a method and a corresponding apparatus are described comprising receiving, at a radio receiver, a broadcast program. At another radio receiver, supplementary data related to at least one other broadcast program is received, and at least a part of the received supplementary data is displayed. The radio receiver is switched to a broadcast program corresponding to a selected item of the displayed supplementary data.