[0001] The present invention relates to a receiver utilizing RDS (Radio Data System) data.
[0002] In FM broadcasting in Europe, RDS data can be added to a regular audio signal.
[0003] The RDS data are a collection of digital data related to broadcasting stations, programs,
etc. The RDS data include such data as:
AF list ... List of frequencies of broadcasting stations in the same network, and
PI codes ... Program identification codes.
When programs have the same PI code, it is thereby indicated that contents of the
programs are the same.
[0004] The RDS data passes through an encoding process for error correction. A subcarrier
signal with a frequency of 57 kHz (three times the frequency 19 kHz of the stereo
pilot signal) is balanced-modulated by the RDS data which has passed through the encoding
process, the modulated signal is added to a monaural signal or a stereo composite
signal to be frequency-multiplexed, and this multiplexed signal is transmitted carried
by an FM band.
[0005] Accordingly, a person in a moving automobile can continuously receive a specific
program by utilizing the RDS data and PI code.
[0006] More specifically, referring to FIG. 5 of the accompanying drawings, we assume that
reference characters A to C denote broadcasting stations, SA to SC denote their respective
service areas, and the broadcasting stations A to C are included in the same AF list
and their PI codes are equal, and, further, that the automobile is traveling along
the path through the service areas A to C as indicated by the arrow.
[0007] Then, the receiver
① receives the radio wave from the broadcasting station A at the point Pa,
② thereafter continues to receive the radio wave from the broadcasting station A and
meanwhile continues to monitor the reception level,
③ when the automobile reaches the point Pb, checks the AF list because the radio wave
from the broadcasting station A becomes weaker,
④ switches channel selection from the broadcasting station A to the broadcasting station
B because it is found as the result of the check that the radio wave of the broadcasting
station B is included in the AF list of the radio wave of the broadcasting station
A,
⑤ checks the PI code of the newly selected broadcasting station B,
⑥ thereafter, continues to receive the broadcast from the broadcasting station B because
it is found as the result of the check that the radio wave from the broadcasting station
B has the same PI code as the broadcast from the broadcasting station A, and
⑦ thereafter, performs the steps ② to ⑥ in the same manner, and when reaching the
point Pc, switches channel selection from the broadcasting station B to the broadcasting
station C.
[0008] Accordingly, even if the automobile travels through different service areas, the
person on the automobile can continuously receive the specific program by automatic
reception. Such a system is described in, for example, "Nikkei Electronics", August
24, 1987.
[0009] With the operations of the automatic reception as described above, the following
problems arise:
A. When it is found, as the result of the check of the PI code of the broadcasting
station B in the step ⑤ above, that the PI code is different from the PI code of the
broadcast of the broadcasting station A which was being received up to that time,
the channel selection is switched back to the broadcasting station A whose program
was being received up to that time.
B. Upon switching back of the channel selection to the original broadcasting station
A, the step ③ is executed because the radio wave from the broadcasting station A is
weak, and in the following step ④, the channel selection is switched from the broadcasting
station A to the broadcasting station B again.
C. Since the PI code of the broadcast of the broadcasting station B is different from
that of the broadcasting station A, the channel selection is returned to the original
station A again.
D. Thereafter, the operations A. to C. are repeated.
[0010] Thus, in the path beyond the point Pb, the broadcasting station A and the broadcasting
station B are selected alternately.
[0011] In reality, the receiver, while receiving a broadcast from the broadcasting station
A, takes scores of seconds to select the broadcasting station B after checking up
the AF list and checking the reception level, and it takes 300 msec or so to return
the channel selection to the original broadcasting station A after selecting the broadcasting
station B and checking its PI code.
[0012] Accordingly, travelling along the path beyond the point Pb, the person on the automobile,
while receiving the radio wave from the broadcasting station A, though it may be weak,
will be disturbed, though for an instant, by the broadcasting station B every scores
of seconds, or hear a broadcast from the broadcasting station B, though for an instant.
[0013] DE-C-3 938 269 discloses an RDS system in which this problem can be avoided to a
certain extent by inhibiting any switching operation for a time after an unsuccessful
switching operation. Thus the previous station is held for a while. JP-A-2 104 133
and JP-A-1090609 disclose RDS systems in which "hunting" of stations in the AF list
is avoided by special types of operation during the checking of the strength of the
alternative station.
[0014] The present invention has been made to further improve the RDS system in view of
the problems as described above.
[0015] According to the present invention there is provided a receiver comprising:
a tuning circuit for selecting a broadcast wave with a predetermined frequency;
a detector circuit for detecting the reception level of said broadcast wave;
a decoder circuit for extracting an AF list and a PI code of RDS data from the received
signal of said broadcast wave; and
a memory circuit for storing said AF list, wherein the receiver is adapted when the
output of the detector circuit indicates that the current reception level has fallen
below a specified value to check the AF list and select a new broadcasting station
therefrom, to subsequently check the PI code and, if its program is different, to
deselect that station, characterised in that said receiver is further adapted to store
data individually associated with each station in the AF list and indicating permission
or prohibition of selection of that broadcasting station; and when the detection output
of said detector circuit indicates that the reception level of said broadcast wave
has fallen below the specified value, to check said permission or prohibition indicative
data, then when it is found as the result of the check that said data is permitting
selection of a broadcasting station, to perform said selection of the broadcasting
station by means of said tuning circuit, to perform said check said PI code after
the selection of said broadcasting station, and when its program is found to be different
as the result of the check of said PI code, to set said data into a state prohibiting
selection of said broadcasting station and to select another broadcasting station
being included in said AF list and not having said data prohibiting selection of this
broadcasting station.
[0016] The apparatus may then select again the broadcasting station of which the reception
level fell below a specified value.
[0017] When a broadcasting station whose program is being received is switched to the next
broadcasting station as an automobile moves forward, if the PI code of this broadcasting
station is different from the PI code of the original broadcasting station, selection
thereafter of this broadcasting station is prohibited even if this broadcasting station
is that designated by the frequency data of the AF list.
[0018] The invention will be further described by way of example only with reference to
the accompanying drawings, in which:-
FIG. 1 is a system diagram of an example of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing an example of processes performed in the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of contents of an AF list;
FIG. 4 is a diagram explanatory of receive frequencies; and
FIG. 5 is a diagram of service areas used for explaining states of reception.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an antenna, 2 denotes an antenna
tuning circuit of an electronic tuning type. By this tuning circuit 2, a desired FM
broadcast wave signal Sr with a frequency of fr can be obtained.
[0020] The signal Sr is supplied to a mixer 4 through a high-frequency amplifier 3. Meanwhile,
an oscillation signal So, whose frequency fo for example is

is taken out from a VCO 11 and this signal So is supplied to the mixer 4 as a local
oscillation signal, whereby the signal Sr is converted for frequency to an intermediate-frequency
signal Si (the intermediate-frequency being 10.7 MHz). The intermediate-frequency
signal Si is supplied, through an intermediate-frequency amplifier 5, to an FM demodulator
6, wherefrom an audio signal (a monaural signal or a stereo composite signal) Sa and
a modulated signal Sm by RDS data are taken out. The signal Sa is supplied to a speaker
9 through a low-pass filter 7 and a low-frequency amplifier 8.
[0021] Here, the VCO 11 and circuits 12 to 15 together constitute a PLL 10. More specifically,
the signal So from the VCO 11 is supplied to a variable frequency divider 12 so that
its frequency is divided by N. The signal with divided frequency is supplied to a
phase comparator 13 and, in the meantime, an oscillation signal Sp with a frequency
of 100 kHz serving as a reference is taken out from an oscillator 14 and the signal
Sp is supplied to the comparator 13, and a comparison output therefrom is supplied
to the VCO 11 as a control voltage therefor through a low-pass filter 15. The output
of the low-pass filter 15 is also supplied to the tuning circuit 2 as a tuning voltage.
[0022] Accordingly, in a steady state, the signal with divided frequency from the frequency
divider 12 and the oscillation signal Sp have frequencies equal to each other. Hence,
the frequency fo of the oscillation signal So at this time is expressed as

At this time, the equality (i) holds.
[0023] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, if the frequency dividing factor N is changed in the
range from 982 to 1187 in increments of "1", the local oscillation frequency will
vary in the range from 98.2 MHz to 118.7 MHz in increments of 0.1 MHZ, and, accordingly,
the receive frequency fr will vary in the range from 87.5 MHz to 108.0 MHz in increments
of 0.1 MHz, corresponding to the frequency dividing factor N.
[0024] Reference numeral 30 denotes a microcomputer for system control (for which, a 4-bit
microcomputer MPD 75116 made by NEC Corporation was used), 31 denotes its CPU, 32
denotes a ROM in which for example the processing routine 50 shown in FIG. 2 is written,
33 denotes a RAM for work area, and 41 to 44 denote ports. The memories 32 and 33
and ports 41 to 44 are connected with the CPU 31 through a system bus 36.
[0025] The port 41 is connected with the frequency divider 12 and the port 43 is connected
with various operating keys 49 such as a tuning key.
[0026] From the intermediate-frequency amplifier 5, a portion of the intermediate-frequency
signal Si is taken out, and this signal Si is supplied to a detector circuit 21, wherefrom
a reception level detection signal Ss whose D.C. level varies with the reception level
of the broadcast wave signal Sr is taken out. This signal Ss is supplied to an A/D
converter 22 to be A/D converted to a digital signal and, then, supplied to the port
42.
[0027] The signals Sa and Sm are supplied to a bandpass filter 24 and the signal Sm is extracted
therefrom. This signal Sm is supplied to a demodulator 25 and the RDS data Sd is thereby
demodulated. The RDS data Sd is supplied to a decoder 26 and, after passing through
an error correction process therein, supplied to the port 42.
[0028] A muting signal Sx is taken out from the port 44 and this signal Sx is supplied to
the amplifier 8.
[0029] Through the execution of the routine 50 of FIG. 2 by the CPU 31, the following processes
are performed.
[0030] In the step 101, it is checked whether or not an entry is made from a key 49. When
no key entry is made, the routine proceeds from the step 101 to the step 102. In the
step 102, the level of the detection signal Ss is checked and thereby it is examined
whether or not the reception level of the broadcast being currently received is above
a specified value. When it is above the specified value, the routine returns from
the step 102 to the step 101.
[0031] Thus, in the steady state, an entry from the key 49 and the reception level of the
broadcast being currently received are checked.
[0032] When an entry is made from a key 49, the routine proceeds from the step 101 to the
step 103. In the step 103, the process corresponding to the key entry is executed
and the routine returns to the step 101. For example when a station-selector key has
been operated, the frequency dividing factor N corresponding to the key operation
is established and this frequency dividing factor N is set up in the frequency divider
12 through the port 41, whereby a broadcast station with the frequency corresponding
to the factor is selected.
[0033] Suppose now that an automobile with the receiver mounted thereon is traveling in
the service area SA of the broadcasting station A and the broadcasting station A is
being selected and that, at this time, the AF list AFLT having M pieces of data as
shown in FIG. 3 are written in the RAM 33 because the broadcasting station A is currently
selected. In the AF list AFLT, AFD1 to AFDM denote frequency data included in the
AF list. Further, PFLG denotes a PI flag, which is set to "1" when the PI code of
the broadcast being currently received and the PI code of the broadcast designated
by the frequency data AF list AFDi (i = 1 to M) are equal and set to "0" when they
are different.
[0034] When the automobile approaches the circumference of the service area SA of the broadcasting
station A, the reception level of the broadcasting station A is lowered and the level
of the detection signal Ss becomes lower as the automobile comes closer to the circumference
(or goes further away from the broadcasting station A).
[0035] When the level of the detection signal Ss falls below the specified value upon reaching
of the automobile to the limit of the service area Sa, it is detected in the step
102, and the microcomputer 30 proceeds from the step 102 to the step 111. In this
step 111, a pointer m designating the frequency data AFDi of the AF list AFLT is set
to "1", and in the next step 112, the
mth PI flag PFLG of the AF list AFLT is checked.
[0036] When the PI flag PFLG is "1" (equal), the routine proceeds from the step 112 to the
step 113, and in this step 113, the amplifier 8 is muted by a muting signal Sx. In
the next step 114, the
mth frequency data AFDm is taken out from the AF list AFLT and this frequency data
AFDm is, after being converted to a corresponding frequency dividing factor N, set
in the frequency divider 12 through the port 41.
[0037] In the step 115, waiting for example of 10 msec is had until tuning in to the station
in the step 114 is stabilized. In the next step 116, the level of the detection signal
Ss is checked and it is thereby decided whether or not the reception level of the
broadcasting station selected in the step 114 is above the specified value. If the
level is below the specified value, the routine proceeds from the step 116 to the
step 121 and, in this step 121, the original broadcasting station (the broadcasting
station whose broadcast was being received when the steps 101 and 102 were being repeated)
is selected.
[0038] In the next step 122, waiting for example of 5 msec is had until the station selection
in the step 121 is stabilized, and in the following step 123, the muting of the amplifier
8 is released by the muting signal Sx. Therefore, from the point of time when the
step 123 has been executed onward, it becomes possible to hear for some time the program
of the original broadcasting station.
[0039] In the step 124, the pointer m is incremented by "1", and in the next step 125, m
> M is tested for, whereby it is decided whether or not the processes in the steps
112 to 116 have been executed for all of the broadcasting stations of which PFLG =
"1" in the frequency data AFD1 to AFDM of the AF list AFLT. When the processes in
the steps 112 to 116 have not been executed for all of the broadcasting stations of
which PFLG = 1, the routine returns from the step 125 to the step 112.
[0040] When the processes in the steps 112 to 116 have been executed for all of the broadcasting
stations of which PFLG = 1 in the step 125, the routine returns from the step 125
to the step 101.
[0041] Thus, in the step 116, the reception level is sequentially checked for the broadcasting
stations, of which PFLG = 1, in the frequency data AFD1 to AFDM included in the AF
list AFLT until a broadcasting station of which the reception level is above the specified
value is found. More specifically, while an automobile is receiving a broadcast from
a broadcasting station, when the reception level falls as the automobile moves forward,
the reception levels of the broadcasting stations, of which PFLG = 1, in the frequency
data AFDL to AFDM of the AF list AFLT are sequentially checked so that a broadcasting
station whose reception level is above the specified value is selected.
[0042] When no broadcasting station of which the reception level is above the specified
value is detected, the selection is returned to the original broadcasting station,
the broadcasting station A in the present example.
[0043] When, in the step 116, a broadcasting station of which the reception level is above
the specified value is found, the routine proceeds from the step 116 to the step 131.
In this step 131, the muting of the amplifier 8 is released by the muting signal Sx,
and from this point of time on, the broadcast of the mth frequency data AFDM of the
AF list is received. For example, when the PFLG is "1" when m = 1, the broadcast corresponding
to the first frequency data AFD1 of the AF list is received.
[0044] Then, the routine proceeds from the step 131 to the step 132. In this step 132, waiting
is had until the PI code is obtained from the broadcast selected in the step 114 (the
waiting time being 200 to 300 msec). When the PI code is obtained, it is checked in
the step 133 whether or not the obtained PI code is equal to the PI code of the broadcast
which was being received originally (the broadcast that was being received when the
processes in the steps 101 and 102 were being executed), and when they are equal,
the routine returns from the step 133 to the step 101.
[0045] Then, the broadcasting station selected in the step 114 continues to be received
and this program is the same as the program which was being received originally.
[0046] When, in the step 133, the PI code is different from the PI code of the broadcast
which was being received originally, the routine proceeds from the step 133 to the
step 141. In this step 141, the PI flag PFLG of the frequency data of the broadcasting
station which is being currently selected out of the frequency data AFD1 to AFDM of
the AF list AFLT, i.e., the PI flag PFLG of the
mth frequency data AFDm, is set to "0" (different), and in the next step 142, the amplifier
8 is muted by the muting signal Sx.
[0047] Then, the routine advances to the step 121, and in the steps 121 to 125, setting
for selection of the next broadcasting station is made and, thereafter, the routine
returns to the step 112.
[0048] Thus, even when the broadcasting station selected in the step 114 provides a higher
reception level than the specified value, if its PI code is different from the PI
code of the broadcast which was being received originally, selection is switched to
the next broadcasting station. At this time, the PI flag PFLG of the broadcasting
station having the different PI code is set to "0".
[0049] When the PI flag PFLG is "0" in the check of the
mth PI flag PFLG of the AF list AFLT in the step 112, the routine proceeds from the
step 112 to the step 124.
[0050] Thus, even when a broadcasting station has one of the frequency data AFD1 to AFDM
of the AF list AFLT, if its PI code is different, the broadcasting station with that
frequency data is not selected (rejected) and the next candidate station is searched
for.
[0051] In the described arrangement, suppose that the frequency data of the broadcasting
station B is the
mth data AFDm of the AF list AFLT. When the automobile reaches the point Pa where the
reception level of the broadcast of the broadcasting station A is below the specified
value, the following operations are performed:
1. The AF list AFLT is referred to, and if the PI flag PFLG of the frequency data
AFDm is "1" (step 112), the broadcasting station B is selected according to the frequency
data AFDm (step 114).
2. After this station selection, if the PI code of the broadcast of the broadcasting
station B is equal to the PI code of the broadcast of the broadcasting station A (step
133), the broadcasting station B is kept selected until the next point Pc is reached.
3. If, however, it is found, after the station has been selected as 1. above, that
the PI code of the broadcast of the broadcasting station B is different from the PI
code of the broadcasting station A (step 133), the PI flag PFLG is set to "0" (step
141) and, then, the original broadcasting station A is selected (step 121).
4. When the original broadcasting station A is selected, since the reception level
of its broadcast is below the specified value, the AF list AFLT is referred to again
and a broadcasting station relative to the frequency data AFDm may be selected.
In this case, however, since the PI flag PFLG of the frequency data AFDm is set to
"0" (step 141), the broadcasting station B relative to the frequency data AFDm is
not selected (step 112) and the original broadcasting station A is selected (step
121).
5. Thereafter, operations 3. and 4. above are repeated until the point Pc is reached.
During the repetition, the broadcasting station A is kept selected and the broadcasting
station B is not selected by means of the PI flag PFLG and the check in the step 112.
[0052] In an RDS receiver according to the present invention, when a broadcasting station
whose broadcast is being received is to be switched to the next broadcasting station
as an automobile moves forward, if the PI code of the next broadcasting station is
different from the PI code of the original broadcasting station, even if the next
broadcasting station is that designated by the frequency data of the AF list, the
broadcasting station is arranged not to be selected again by the provision of the
steps 112 and 141. Accordingly, the program of the original broadcasting station is
kept received during the traveling of the automobile, not interrupted by the operations
for selecting the next broadcasting station, and the broadcast of the original broadcasting
station can be heard continuously, though the condition of reception may be deteriorated.
[0053] In addition, the above described effect can be achieved only by changing part of
the routine 50, and there is no need of changing hardware of the receiver. Hence,
cost is prevented from increasing.
[0054] Although it was arranged in the foregoing that the check in the step 112 is made
according to the PI flag PFLG, it may also be applicable to have a list of frequency
data with the different PI codes made in the step 141 and to have the list checked
in the step 112. Otherwise, the frequency data itself may be eliminated from the AF
list AFLT.
[0055] In an RDS receiver according to the present invention, when a broadcasting station
whose broadcast is being received is to be switched to the next broadcasting station
as an automobile moves forward, if the PI code of the next broadcasting station is
different from the PI code of the original broadcasting station, even if the broadcasting
station is that designated by the frequency data of the AF list, the broadcasting
station is arranged to be prohibited from being selected by the provision of the steps
112 and 141. Accordingly, such meritorious effects can be obtained that the program
of the original broadcasting station is kept received during the traveling of the
automobile, not interrupted by the operations for selecting the next broadcasting
station, and the broadcast of the original broadcasting station can be heard continuously,
though the condition of reception may be deteriorated.
[0056] In addition, the above described effect can be achieved only by changing part of
the routine 50, and there is no need for changing hardware of the receiver. Hence,
cost is prevented from increasing.