United States Patent (19)
`Migliaccio et al.
`
`54 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE
`RECEPTION OF RADIO SIGNALS
`TRANSMITTED BY RDS SYSTEM
`
`76 Inventors: Riccardo Migliaccio, Viale dei Colli
`Portuensi 579; Francesco Paviato, Via
`Adolfo Gandiglio 84, both of 00151
`Rome, Italy
`
`Appl. No.: 09/182,661
`21
`22 Filed:
`Oct. 30, 1998
`30
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`Nov. 18, 1997
`IT
`Italy ................................ RM97AO712
`(51) Int. Cl. ................................................. H04B 1/16
`52 U.S. Cl. ..................... 455/150.1; 455/45; 455/151.1;
`455/1512; 455/158.4; 455/186.1
`58 Field of Search .................................... 455/45, 186.1,
`455/150.1, 151.1, 1512, 158.4
`References Cited
`
`56)
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,345,602 9/1994 Wiedemann et al. ................... 455/137
`
`
`
`
`
`TUNERA
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`MMY
`
`USOO61610O2A
`Patent Number:
`11
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`6,161,002
`Dec. 12, 2000
`
`6/1995 Tomohiro et al. ................... 455/186.1
`5,428,825
`5,457,816 10/1995 Koyama .........
`... 455/161.2
`5,471,662 11/1995 Shiota .....
`... 455/166.1
`5,749,048 5/1998 Masuda .......
`... 455/186.1
`5,812,937 9/1998 Takahisa et al. .......................... 455/66
`
`Primary Examiner Dwayne D. Bost
`ASSistant Examiner Temica M. Davis
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Browdy and Neimark
`57
`ABSTRACT
`
`An apparatus and a method for the reception of radio signals
`transmitted by an RDS system provide the selection and
`reception of a first frequency; the Selection, during the
`reception of the first frequency, of a Second frequency,
`different from the first frequency and not included in the AF
`list of frequencies alternative to the first frequency; and the
`Switching of the reception between the first and Second
`frequency upon comparison of RDS data relative to the
`second frequency with previously stored RDS data.
`
`16 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`
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`Google Ex. 1010, p. 1
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 12, 2000
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
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`6,161,002
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 12, 2000
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
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`6,161,002
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`Google Ex. 1010, p. 3
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 12, 2000
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
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`6,161,002
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`Google Ex. 1010, p. 4
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 12, 2000
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
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`6,161,002
`
`Google Ex. 1010, p. 5
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`

`

`1
`APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE
`RECEPTION OF RADIO SIGNALS
`TRANSMITTED BY RDS SYSTEM
`
`6,161,002
`
`2
`The present invention will be hereinafter disclosed by a
`preferred embodiment thereof, shown as a non-limiting
`example.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates to an apparatus and a
`method for the reception of radio signals transmitted by
`RDS system.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Most radio Stations combine broadcasting of radio pro
`grams with transmission of auxiliary alphanumeric data on
`a Subcarrier of the program being broadcast. In this way
`messages of various kinds are provided. Among them, in
`particular, time program and Station identification codes,
`road traffic forecast and So on. Such Subcarrier transmission
`is referred to by the abbreviation RDS (Radio Data System).
`Therefore, per Se known tunerS provide the presence of two
`different decoding units on the reception Side, the first unit
`for decoding of the traditional radio signals and the Second
`unit for decoding of RDS data, the latter being Subsequently
`Sent directly to a display.
`No receiving apparatus allows, based on given data Such
`as, for example, a musical excerpt author's name, Searching
`for any musical excerpt by the same author by frequency
`Scanning, and after detecting one of Such musical excerpts,
`playing the latter in the place of the present musical excerpt,
`or at the conclusion of the present musical excerpt.
`
`1O
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention overcomes Such prior art problems
`by providing a receiving apparatus for the reception of radio
`Signals transmitted by RDS system, comprising:
`a first tuner for Selecting and receiving a first frequency;
`a Second tuner for Selecting, during the reception of Said
`first frequency, a Second frequency different from the
`first frequency and not included in the AF list of
`frequencies alternative to the first frequency;
`a memory unit for Storing RDS data; and
`control means for controlling the Switching in reception
`between the first and the Second tuner, upon compari
`Son of RDS data relative to said second frequency with
`the RDS data stored in the memory unit.
`A method is moreover provided for receiving radio Sig
`nals transmitted by RDS system characterized in that it
`comprises the following Steps:
`Selecting and receiving a first frequency;
`Selecting, during the reception of the first frequency, a
`Second frequency different from the first frequency and
`not included in the AF list of frequencies alternative to
`the first frequency; and
`Switching the reception between the first and the Second
`tuner, following comparison between RDS data relative
`to the second frequency and the previously stored RDS
`data.
`Advantageous features of the present invention are pro
`vided in the dependent claims thereof.
`Therefore, thanks to the present invention, given certain
`data Such as, for example, the name of an author of a musical
`excerpt, it will be possible to Scan the frequency spectrum
`Searching for any musical excerpt played by Said author and,
`Subsequently to the detection of one of Said musical
`excerpts, to play it either by replacing the musical excerpt
`reproduced at that moment or Successive to it.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`Reference will be made in particular to the figures of the
`annexed drawings where:
`FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the receiving apparatus
`hardware configuration according to the present invention;
`FIG. 2 shows a flow chart which illustrates the operating
`modes of the apparatus and of the method according to the
`present invention;
`FIG. 3 shows a first timing diagram which illustrates in
`more detail the operating modes of the method and appara
`tus according to the present invention;
`FIG. 4 shows a Second timing diagram relative to the
`manual accepting mode of the proposed musical excerpts,
`and
`FIG. 5 shows a third timing diagram relative to the
`automatic accepting mode of the proposed musical excerpts.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`Reference is firstly made to FIG.1. Tuning of the receiv
`ing apparatus on a frequency of any radio Station is carried
`out either by a tuner A or a tuner B (e.g. a Pioneer 2004A
`model). The tuner A comprises an antenna and a PLL (phase
`locked loop) unit 1 for Search and capture of a desired
`frequency, connected to a Stereo decoding unit 2 and to a
`RDS data decoding unit 3.
`The Stereo decoding unit 2 provides decoding of data
`relative to the musical excerpt to be played contained in the
`transmitted Signal and to the transmission thereof, under
`control of a Switching unit 4 (e.g. a Solid State relay),
`described further on, to a preamplifier 5 (e.g. a Burr &
`Brown OP27 AJ), to a power amplifier 6 (e.g. a Philips TDA
`2020) and therefrom to the loudspeakers.
`The RDS data decoding unit 3 provides decoding of RDS
`data contained in the transmitted Signal. Said data are
`Subsequently processed by means of a data processing unit
`6 and therefrom transmitted to a counter 8 (e.g. a NE555
`device) and to a CPU 9 (e.g. an Intel 386DX or a Motorola
`68040). The counter 8 constitutes an internal independent
`time base inside the herewith described apparatus. Said
`counter is controlled by the data processing unit 7 and
`transmits data to the CPU 9.
`The stereo decoding unit 2 and the RDS data 3 will not be
`illustrated in detail hereinafter, as they are known to the
`person skilled in the art.
`Besides the standard RDS signals provided in traditional
`transmission Systems, in the present embodiment additional
`RDS signals are to be provided, here described:
`An ATS (author title signal) which indicates the name of
`the broadcast musical excerpts author;
`A TTL (title) signal, which indicates the title of the
`broadcast musical excerpt or radio program;
`A SSS (starting Song signal) signal, which is activated at
`the beginning of the musical excerpt and remains active
`for a given time;
`A PTM (playing time) signal, which indicates the playing
`time elapsed since the beginning of the musical
`eXcerpt,
`A MTA (maximum time allowed) signal, originated in
`reception and Set by the user, which establishes the
`
`Google Ex. 1010, p. 6
`
`

`

`3
`desired maximum value within which musical excerpt
`reproduction should start once the captured musical
`excerpt has already begun;
`AESS (end Song Signal) signal, active from the beginning
`to the end of the musical excerpt, and
`ACPT (countdown playing time) signal for countdown of
`elapsed playing time Since the beginning of the musical
`eXcerpt.
`The use of the SSS and ESS signals is to be considered as
`an alternative to the use of the PTM and CPT signals.
`The transmission of the RDS data is cyclic, not continu
`ous. This may be a disadvantage, particularly with reference
`to the PTM signal, as its state in the present invention is
`checked various times by the CPU 9, as will be illustrated in
`more detail by the flow chart of Subsequent FIG. 2. With
`regard to this, the presence of the counter 8 becomes
`therefore useful. The latter will be such as to provide,
`Subsequently to the first acquisition, Simulation of the play
`ing time elapsed since the beginning of the musical excerpt
`(PTM signal), and therefore correct the possible accumu
`lated error during the Subsequent RDS data acquisition
`cycle.
`In order to allow operation of the present invention, a
`Second tuning unit must be provided, hereinafter referred to
`as tuner B. Such tuner is identical to tuner A. It therefore
`comprises an antenna, a PLL unit 1', a Stereo decoding unit
`2", a RDS data decoding unit 3' and a data processing unit 7".
`A Second counter 8" is moreover present, connected to the
`output of the data processing unit 7" for exactly the same
`purpose as the first counter 8'. During reproduction of a
`musical excerpt through the tuner A, it will be possible to
`Scan the frequency spectrum, Searching for a new musical
`excerpt through the tuner B or Vice-versa, and, upon detec
`tion of a given musical excerpt, a Switching between the two
`tuners will be made possible by means of the CPU 9 and of
`the Switching unit 4.
`The CPU receives as input the data from the data pro
`cessing units 7 and 7" and from the counters 8 and 8". It
`moreover outputs control data to the PLL 1 and 1' and to the
`Switching unit, for controlling the Switching between the
`tuner A and the tuner B, and, if needed, activating a new
`search. The CPU9 is moreover connected to a memory unit
`10, to a keyboard control unit 11, to a display control unit 12
`(e.g. a Yamaha MU 80) and to a read-only memory 13. The
`memory unit 10, bidirectionally connected to the CPU 9,
`Stores an archive of the musical excerpts and/or authors to be
`searched by means of one of the two tuners. The memory
`unit 10 can also store other important data, Such as for
`example, Statistical data, useful to establish a priority among
`the musical excerpts to the purpose of Setting a Search
`criterion. Therefore the memory unit 10 has a double func
`tion: on the one hand it is a "tank” for Storing any number
`of musical excerpts, on the other hand, during the Search
`Step, it works as a comparing grid with the musical excerpts
`broadcast at that moment within the frequency Spectrum
`under Scanning.
`The read-only memory 13 contains the Software for
`controlling the operating modes of the apparatus according
`to the present invention.
`The connection with the keyboard control unit 11 is of the
`unidirectional type, the data being transmitted, by means
`thereof, from the keyboard to the CPU 9. The connection
`with the display control unit 12 is of the unidirectional type,
`the data being transmitted, by means thereof, from the CPU
`9 to the display. The connection with the read-only memory
`13 is of the unidirectional type, the data being transmitted
`from the latter to the CPU 9.
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`4
`Subsequent FIG. 2 shows a flow chart for explaining the
`method by which Search of the musical excerpt, based on the
`existing data in the memory unit 10, is carried out.
`The Search provides for a comparison between each
`musical excerpt of the excerpt archive in memory unit 10
`and the Stations transmitted at that moment within the
`frequency spectrum to be Scanned.
`The mode according to which updating of memory units
`10 musical excerpts archive is carried out is described in the
`steps from S1 to S4. In the step S1 and during the repro
`duction of a given musical excerpt the user requests that the
`Song be Stored in the memory unit, for example by pressing
`a key. The subsequent step S2 checks firstly whether the
`Station broadcasting the excerpt for which Storage is
`requested contains the additional RDS data relative to the
`author's name (ATS) and/or to the musical excerpts title
`(TTL) or not. In the case when Such data are not present the
`Storing procedure is ended. When, on the contrary, the data
`are present the flow proceeds toward the next steps S3 and
`S4, where storing of ATS and/or TTL data in the memory
`unit 10 and updating of the number of musical excerpts on
`which future Search by means of frequency Spectrum Scan
`ning can be based are respectively carried out. In Such case
`it could happen that, following the comparison between data
`to be Stored with existing memory data, no data Storage will
`occur as Said data are already Stored, and this, if needed,
`could be signaled to the user on the display.
`An alternative memory Storage method can provide direct
`input of ATS and/or TTL data relative to the desired musical
`excerpt from a keyboard.
`The actual Search procedure will be described Starting
`from step S5. In step S5, following the user's request, the
`Search procedure can be Started by comparing each musical
`excerpt stored in memory unit 10 with the excerpts broad
`cast within the Searched-through frequency spectrum. It is to
`be understood that other comparison methods are possible,
`for example by comparing only one of the Stored musical
`excerpts with the excerpts broadcast within the Searched
`through frequency spectrum. Said Single musical excerpt
`could be chosen by the user or Selected automatically, for
`example on the basis of Statistical data.
`Frequency Scanning occurs in Step S6 by means, for
`example, of the tuner B, in the case when a musical excerpt
`is being reproduced in that moment by the tuner A. The
`tunerS A and B are anyway perfectly interchangeable; that is,
`if the musical excerpt being reproduced at that moment has
`been captured by the tuner B, the frequency Scanning will be
`carried out by the tuner A. For clearneSS purposes the tuner
`operating the frequency Scanning will be indicated by the
`letter S (slave), while the tuner tuned on the excerpt being
`broadcast a the moment will be indicated by the letter M
`(master). Once any f(S) frequency has been captured by the
`“slave” tuner in the step S7, checking of the presence of
`additional ATS and TTL RDS data in said frequency is
`carried out in the Step S8. In the case of a negative result,
`Step S6 is resumed and the Search of an excerpt proceeds
`toward a new frequency. In the case of a positive result, it is
`first of all checked in step S9 if the captured frequency f(S)
`is identical to the frequency f(M) being transmitted at that
`moment or to the AF(M) list of frequencies alternative to the
`frequency f(M) and representative of the same broadcasting
`Station. In the case of a positive result, the flow returns to the
`Step S6, as of course there would be no reason to get tuned
`to a Station which is already listened to at the moment. In the
`case of a negative result, the comparison between the
`ATS/TTL data provided in the captured frequency and the
`existing ATS/TTL data in the memory unit relative to the
`
`Google Ex. 1010, p. 7
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`

`

`15
`
`S
`musical excerpt being Searched is carried out in the Step S10.
`In the evaluation step S11 the negative or positive result of
`the comparison is evaluated. In the case of a negative result,
`the flow proceeds toward a step S12, where the presence in
`the memory unit of further excerpts on which basis further
`comparison with the RDS data from the station captured in
`preceding Step S7 can be executed is evaluated. If Said data
`flow is not finished the flow returns to the step 10 and
`comparison is carried out again; in the opposite case the flow
`returns to the step S6. In the case when the result of the
`comparison in Step S11 is positive, the difference between
`the MTA signal and the PTM signal is calculated in the step
`S13. As previously described, the MTA signal is a signal
`originated in reception, depending on the user's choice,
`which sets the maximum value of the time interval within
`which it will be played, once detected. In fact, it could
`happen that a user is not interested in listening to a musical
`excerpt which is about to end or however which has been
`playing for too long. The PTM Signal, on the contrary, is a
`cyclic Signal transmitted by the broadcasting Station, and
`simulated by means of the counters 8 or 8', which indicates
`the reproduction time elapsed from the beginning of the
`musical excerpt. The excerpt will be played only in the case
`where it has not been played for too long, that is, if the above
`mentioned difference is bigger than Zero, by transmitting an
`acoustic Signal for the user in a Step S14, and by presenting
`Significant data (for example author and title in the case of
`a musical excerpt) on the display in the Step S15. In the Step
`S16 the user is requested to confirm his intention of playing
`the excerpt detected in the above-mentioned way (manual
`accepting mode).
`In the Subsequent Step S17 actual ending of the musical
`excerpt played by the user up to that moment is checked.
`This can be easily verified by inspecting the CPT(M) signal
`relative to said excerpt. In the case where the CPT(M) signal
`is not Zero (musical excerpt being played at the moment still
`to end) the detected musical excerpt is not played, and
`Search of a new Station is resumed by returning to the Step
`S6. In the case when, on the contrary, the CPT signal is zero,
`in a subsequent step 18 both the CPU 9 and the Switching
`unit 4 will provide the Switching between the tuner A and the
`tuner B and, if needed, will update in the memory 10
`Statistical data relative to the Selected musical excerpt in the
`memory unit 10. As already set forth above, said statistical
`data allow Setting of priorities among the musical excerpts.
`On the basis of Such priorities and in cases where the
`frequency Scanning is based on all the existing musical
`excerpts in the memory unit 10, Setting of musical excerpts
`to be searched before others will be made possible.
`An alternative embodiment can provide the absence of the
`step S17, so that the selected excerpt can be played by
`interrupting the excerpt reproduced at that moment. AS an
`alternative to what occurs in the Step S16, an automatic
`Switching after a predetermined time interval (auto
`accepting mode) between the master tuner and the Slave
`tuner, needing no confirmation on the user's part can be
`provided.
`It is clear from descriptions made up to now that the
`Search System in the preferred embodiment is always active,
`as the flow chart herewith attached does not provide a return
`upstream of Step 5. When anyway a temporary interruption
`of a musical excerpt Search is desired, starting of a Stand-by
`cycle for a given time can be for example provided.
`In the flow chart described heretofore no use has been
`made of the SSS and ESS signals previously referred to.
`65
`Such signals can be used for replacing the PTM and CPT
`Signals. In particular, the comparison in the Step S13 should
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`be carried out between the MTA and the SSS signals; the
`ESS signal can instead be used for replacing the CPT(M)
`signal in the step S17.
`A further alternative Search method can provide firstly a
`complete Scanning of the frequency spectrum to be executed
`in order to acquire for each frequency its value and the
`possible RDS digital data related thereto. Once the Scanning
`has been completed, firstly the frequencies containing no
`RDS data will be eliminated, then a comparison will be
`made between the stored data in the memory unit 10 and the
`list of data recently acquired, according to modes Similar to
`those provided in FIG. 2.
`From now on reference will be made to FIG. 3, which
`shows a timing diagram illustrating the procedure according
`the present invention. In Such diagram the operating inter
`vals of the apparatus components according to the present
`invention are shown, i.e. the PLLS 1 and 1", the data
`processing units 7 and 7", the counters 8 and 8", the CPU 9,
`the memory 10, the display control unit 12 and the Switching
`unit 4. Such intervals are represented in a binary logic as a
`function of time. A high logic value (H) means that the unit
`is in operation with reference to the illustrated process, a low
`logic value (L) means that the unit is not in operation with
`reference to the illustrated method. AS to the counters 8 and
`8' and the memory unit 10, a high logic value (H) indicates
`that these are being interrogated by the CPU 9, while a low
`logic value (L) indicates that these are not being interrogated
`by the CPU 9.
`It is Supposed that at the time instant t1 the tuner A (in
`particular the PLL 1) is the master tuner while the tuner B
`(in particular the PLL 1") is the slave tuner. During the time
`interval t1-t2 the Search of the frequency domain is carried
`out by the PLL 1" (signal of PLL 1' with a high logic value).
`During the interval t2-t3 the PLL 1' captures a frequency
`(step 7 of FIG. 2); as a consequence of said occurrence,
`Starting from the time instant t3, the data processing unit 7"
`transmits the ATS/TTL additional RDS data (if present, and
`herein presumed present) to the CPU9, which checks for the
`presence of the latter, during the interval t3-t4. During the
`interval ta-tS the PLL 1 and the PLL 1' transmit the
`respective tuning frequency values to the CPU 9, and the
`latter, during the ts–to interval, compares said values (Step
`S9 of FIG.2), here supposed different therebetween. During
`the interval t0-t7 the ATS/TTL data relative to one of the
`Stored musical excerpts are read from the memory unit 10.
`During the interval t7-t8 the comparison is made in the CPU
`9 between the ATS/TTL data read from memory during the
`previous interval and the ATS/TTL data of the frequency
`captured at that moment. The comparison is presumed to
`give a negative result, therefore during the interval t8-t9 the
`ATS/TTL data relating to the Subsequent musical excerpt are
`read from memory 10; during the Subsequent interval t9-t10
`the new comparison takes place by means of the CPU 9
`between the ATS/TTL data read from memory in the pre
`vious interval and the ATS/TTL data of the frequency
`captured at that moment. In this Second case the comparison
`is presumed to give a positive result, as a consequence,
`during the interval t10-t11, the CPU 9 reads from the
`counter 8" the elapsed reproduction time value, and during
`the interval t11-t12 estimates the MTA-PTM difference.
`The result of such comparison is presumed positive (MTA
`PTM>0). During the interval t12-t13 it is checked, by means
`of the data processing unit 7 and of the counter 8, the CPT
`Signal value of the musical excerpt listened by the user at
`that moment (see step S17 of FIG. 2). The CPT signal value
`can be read only when a musical excerpt previously
`captured, i.e. not any other musical excerpt, is being played.
`
`Google Ex. 1010, p. 8
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`

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`6,161,002
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`If, on the contrary, a not previously captured musical excerpt
`is being played, Switching takes place in any case. In the
`case in object, Switching is presumed to take place; during
`the interval t13-t14 the CPU therefore transmits the Switch
`ing impulse to the Switching unit 4, with the result that the
`tuner B becomes the master tuner and the tuner A becomes
`the slave tuner. During the interval t15–t 16 the CPU 9
`updates the musical excerpt capture Statistics. During the
`Subsequent interval t16-t17 the CPU 9 provides moreover to
`sort the data stored in the memory unit 10 based on the
`Statistics, for example by assigning a lower ordinal number
`to the musical excerpt which has been captured the least
`number of times. At the time instant t17 a new frequency
`scanning is started, this time by the PLL 1, so that the
`operations described up to now are Substantially repeated.
`Subsequent FIG. 4 shows a timing diagram relative to the
`Switching between master tuner and Slave tuner in cases
`where the “manual accepting mode” Switching function
`previously set forth with reference to the step S16 of FIG. 2
`is operative. Such timing diagram shows the operating
`intervals of the receiving apparatus keyboard and display, as
`well as of the PLLs 1 and 1'. Such intervals are represented
`in a binary logic as a function of time.
`It is Supposed that, at the time instant t18 (whose temporal
`value is completely independent from the time instants t1 to
`t17 up to now considered) the PLL 1 (master) is tuned on
`whatever musical excerpt, and that the PLL 1" (slave) is in
`a searching mode. At the instant t19 the PLL 1' captures an
`excerpt and the display displays (step S15 of FIG. 2), in the
`interval t19-t20, data relative to the captured musical
`excerpt. In particular, instant t20 is the instant when the user
`confirms acceptance of the musical excerpt by means of the
`keyboard (step S16 of FIG. 2) and when the Switching
`between the two tuners takes place. The condition referred
`to in the step S17 of FIG. 2 is in this case presumed
`positively met, for example because the previously played
`musical excerpt was not a captured one (CPT signal not
`present). During the interval t20-t21 the PLL 1 (slave in this
`case) starts again the Search of further musical excerpts. A
`new excerpt is captured at the instant t21 and displayed
`40
`during the interval t21-t22. In Said Second case, however, it
`is presumed that the user is not interested in listening to the
`proposed excerpt. The display therefore Stops displaying the
`proposal of the excerpt when confirmation by the user does
`not occur after a predetermined time. The PLL 1 therefore is
`Still the Slave tuner and Starts again the Search, during the
`interval t22-t23, of a new station. At the instant t23 the PLL
`1 captures a new musical excerpt and the display displayS,
`during the interval t23-t24, data relative to the captured
`excerpt. If, however, at the instant t24, the user should
`choose to confirm the excerpt, it could happen, as it is
`presumed in the figure, that the condition referred to at the
`step S17 in FIG. 2 is not met. In such case no switching takes
`place between the tuners, and again the PLL 1 Starts the
`Search of the next musical excerpt.
`Subsequent FIG. 5 shows a timing diagram relative to the
`Switching between master tuner and Slave tuner in the case
`where the “auto-accepting mode” Switching function previ
`ously referred to, referring again to the step S16 of FIG. 2,
`is operative. Such timing diagram shows the operating
`intervals of the CPU and display of the receiving apparatus,
`as well as of the PLL1 and 1'. Such intervals are represented
`in a binary logic as a function of time.
`It is supposed that at the instant t25 the PLL 1 (master) is
`tuned on whatever musical excerpt and that the PLL 1
`(slave) is in a searching mode. At the instant t26 the PLL 1'
`captures an excerpt and the display displays, during the
`
`8
`interval t26-t28, data relative to the captured excerpt. At the
`instant t27 (therefore once a predetermined time interval has
`elapsed), the CPU transmits a Switching impulse allowing
`the Switching between the two tuners. The search is there
`fore restarted by the PLL 1 (slave), which captures the
`excerpt at the instant t29. The display displays, during the
`interval t29-t30, data relative to the captured excerpt. In this
`case the CPU 9 does not transmit a Switching impulse
`because the condition S17 of previous FIG. 2 is not met
`(previously captured musical excerpt still being played). In
`Such case no Switching takes place between the tuners,
`therefore the PLL 1 continues to search for the next excerpt.
`The present invention has been up to now described
`according to preferred embodiments, by way of non-limiting
`examples. Aspecial application of the present invention may
`in fact relate to its use with digital systems of the DSR type
`(Digital Satellite Receiver) and/or the DAB type (Digital
`Audio Broadcasting). It is anyway to be understood that the
`application field of the present invention is determined not
`So much by the description as by the Scope of the claims
`annexed hereinafter.
`For example, by way of obvious and Simple variations to
`what described up to now, it is possible to Scan the frequency
`spectrum searching for RDS signals different from the ATS
`and/or TTL signals disclosed up to now.
`We claim:
`1. A receiving apparatus for reception of radio signals
`transmitted by an RDS system, including:
`a first tuner (1,2,3,7) for Selecting and reception of a first
`frequency optionally containing RDS data;
`a second tuner (1,2,3,7) for Selecting and reception of a
`Second frequency, during the reception of Said first
`frequency, the Second frequency being different from
`the first frequency and not included in an AF list of
`frequencies alternative to the first frequency;
`a memory unit (10) for holding stored RDS data; and
`a controller (9) controlling Switching of reception
`between the first and the second tuner, the controller
`being responsive to a comparison transmittal of RDS
`data relative to Said Second frequency with the Stored
`RDS data in the memory unit (10).
`2. The receiving apparatus of claim 1, further including
`counters (8.8) connected between the control means (9) and
`the first tuner or the Second tuner, wherein the Switching
`occurs upon comparison between a time elapsed between a
`beginning of an excerpt or program broadcast on Said Second
`frequency and a predetermined time.
`3. The receiving apparatus of claim 1, wherein Said
`Switching occurs if the excerpt or program broadcast on the
`first frequency does not contain RDS data.
`4. The receiving apparatus of claim 1, wherein Said
`Switching occurs if the excerpt or program broadcast on the
`first frequency contains RDS data and has finished.
`5. The receiving apparatus of claim 1, wherein Said
`transmitted RDS data comprise a first signal (TTL) which
`indicates a title of the broadcast excerpt or program.
`6. The receiving apparatus of claim 5, wherein said RDS
`data further include a Second signal (ATS) which indicates
`an author of the broadcast excerpt or program.
`7. The receiving apparatus of claim 6, wherein said RDS
`data further include:
`a third signal (PTM), which indicates the playing time
`elapsed since a beginning of the broadcast excerpt or
`program,
`a fourth Signal (MTA), originated in reception, which
`indicates a desired maximum interval within which
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`Google Ex. 1010, p. 9
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`6,161,002
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`Starting of listening to the broadcast excerpt or program
`should begin, after i