[0001] This invention relates to a Fully Automated Radio and TV Programme Selection System.
(Fully Automated Radio Disc Jockey System).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
[0002] A radio disc jockey selects and lines up a record then prepares for his next speech
input. When the music comes to the fade out he switches the microphone on and makes
his announcement. Shortly before ending he starts the next song and finishes the speech
during the introduction of the current song. Again he has to select and prepare the
next record.
[0003] During this procedure, however, he faces a considerable amount of spare time. Moreover
the actual choice of music lies often with another person, the programme producer.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART:
[0004] Radio programming systems have been invented to function automatically when live
broadcasting cannot be scheduled.
[0005] A system according to the preamble of Claim 1 which is described in GB,A,1 088 145
provides an alternate selection of music and commercial inputs from two different
playback sources. The programme flow will be interrupted by dead air (no sound at
all) between the various inputs because this system uses silence detectors as sole
monitoring means.
[0006] Most prior art systems do not safeguard against possibilities of "dead air" unless
they are equipped with complicated feedback arrangements which restrict such systems
to use only specially recorded tapes on expensive multitrack equipment. Another shortcoming
of prior art systems is the inflexible choice of announcements, usually only restricted
to a station ID. Another system of the above type is known from US,A,3 896 490.
[0007] Since only two sources may be activated alternately, those systems are not flexible
in respect of programme structuring and source selection.
[0008] A system to overcome this disadvantage is known from DE,A,3 836 597 which includes
means for automatically initiating the selection and compiling of items in accordance
with a preset programme schedule. A "schedule" would determine the exact running order
of individual inputs.
[0009] RCS Selector by Radio Computing Services New York is a software application assisting
programme producers to design such schedule according to a programme policy by compiling
manually inserted data about programme items and printing out a programme schedule
according to certain user defined criteria, programme policy. There are no provisions
made however to combine the RCS system with any of the aforementioned.
[0010] Another shortcoming of the current state of art is that all but the first above mentioned
systems require some form of operator entered information about the programme-input-items,
be it in form of pilot tones, descriptive data or a fully prepared programme schedule.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It is the object of the present invention to provide a novel Radio and Television
Programme Selection System which is able to select, mix and crossfade different programme
items such as music and information inputs which are stored on different playback
sources characterised by
a programme selector comprising means to compile items according to a user defined
programme policy without having prior data about the item itself, without a detailed
programme schedule provided and without the item having specific characteristics such
as pilot-tones,
whereby the programme selector contains a combination of different monitoring means
which do not require any additional signal feedback from a music signal source to
a controller of the system other than the actual recording of the music which is broadcast;
and
means to select different information items sorted by category, according to the specified
policy.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] According to the present invention there is provided a Fully Automated Radio and
TV Programming System which mixes music with different speech items utilizing both
pilot tones and volume level detectors as well as timers. Information inputs can be
selected from several sources.
[0013] The music comes from one source, e.g. record, tape, compact disc, in a running sequence
of several songs. The other programme inputs such as disc jockey announcements, commercial
intervals, news, will be prerecorded onto several tapes.
[0014] Accordingly the entertainment programme input (music) is separated from the information
input (speech).
[0015] The Fully Automated Radio and TV Programming System will mix the two programme parts
in the following pattern:
[0016] When the music (entertainment source) starts to fade out, a speech tape switches
on, enabling another programme source such as information to follow or to be mixed
over the outro of the music; e.g. an announcer speaks over the outro of a song.
[0017] Seconds after the actual end of the song (the music / entertainment input) the music
/ entertainment source will be stopped.
[0018] When the speech (information input) comes to its end, the music (entertainment source)
switches on, enabling music to follow the speech or to be mixed under the outro (fade
out) of the speech; e.g. the announcer finishes his last sentence over the intro of
the next song.
[0019] After the actual end of the speech (information input) its tape drive will be stopped.
[0020] When the music (entertainment source) starts to fade out again, the process as described
above will be repeated.
[0021] The Fully Automated Radio and TV Programming System energises and de-energises playback
sources and compiles their outputs by fading and cross-fading to feed a transmitter
(TX) or an in-house tanoy network.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example, with
reference to the accompanying diagrams.
[0023] The Fully Automated Radio and TV Programming System consists of five main parts which
are interconnected:
The Emergency Music Start Function (abbreviated EMS) Fig 1;
The Music Control Board (abbreviated MCB) Fig 1;
The Speech Control Board (abbreviated SCB) Fig 2;
The Music Play Back Counter (abbreviated MPC) Fig 3;
The Audio Matrix (audio mixer with preamplifier) which is not shown.
[0024] The MPC is an optional feature of the Fully Automated Radio and TV Programming System.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT:
[0025] The
Audio Matrix is an automatic audio mixer with preamplifiers. The music / entertainment signal
coming from its source will be fed through a control at the Music Control Board (Fig
1 input X35/1 and X35/2) and then diverted to the stereo music / entertainment input
at the Audio Matrix (Fig 1 output X18). Furthermore the Audio Matrix has two separate
inputs for track one and track two (right channel and left channel) for each tape
machine connected to the speech / information input. The right speech channel carries
five kilo hertz pilot tones to indicate several functions to the Speech Control Board
(Fig 2 input X42). These will be described at a later stage.
[0026] The output of the right speech matrix will be supplied to the pilot tone decoder
at the Speech Control Board (Fig 2 input X42). The left speech channel which carries
the actual information input as a mono signal will be split and distributed to two
matrices (stereo). One of the outputs of these matrices is sent to the left channel
mixer the other to the right channel mixer. The purpose of these mixers is to mix
the music / entertainment inputs with the speech / information inputs.
[0027] The mixer has a third input, named
Volume Control. This input is controlled by the Speech Control Board (Fig 2 output X22). If the Volume
Control input is low the speech / information input will be closed, and the music
/ entertainment input will be fully opened. If the Volume Control input is high, the
speech / information input will be fully opened and the music / entertainment input
will be reduced in volume. The level of reduction is variable and can be preset with
a potentiometer.
[0028] The mixer ( TX ) outputs deliver the full radio (lf = audio / video) signal to the
transmitter.
The Emergency Music Start Function is shown in the Music Control Board diagram (Fig 1). The Emergency Music Start Function
is a pure back up control to reset the whole Fully Automated Radio and TV Programming
System, should a fault occur. Monitoring the left TX output (Fig 1 input X20), the
Emergency Music Start Function will trigger off if it notices
dead air (meaning no signal at all) for more than 17 seconds.
[0029] Dead air might appear e.g. if a tape drive was not loaded, pilot tones were forgotten to be
recorded, tapes develop a mechanical fault or through a fault in the Fully Automated
Radio and TV Programming System itself, to mention just a few.
[0030] The main purpose of the Emergency Music Start Function is to restart the music /
entertainment source; therefore the Emergency Music Start Function will give a start
signal to the Music Start input of the Music Control Board. (Fig 1: Switch S15 Diode
D15)
[0031] If a Music Play Back Counter is connected to the Fully Automated Radio and TV Programming
System an Emergency Music Start Signal will also be sent to the Emergency Music Start
Input at the Music Play Back Counter (Fig 1 outputs X24/6, X24/7 and Fig 3 inputs
X24/6, X24/7). This might reset / set the Music Play Back Counter depending upon the
operational stage it is in. This will be described in the chapter about the Music
Play Back Counter.
[0032] Should
dead air occur as a result of a fault in the speech / information source the Emergency Music
Start Function will stop and rewind the relevant tape. (A signal will be sent from
Fig 1 output X46 to Fig 2 input X46) The Emergency Music Start Function can be switched
off with switch S15 (Fig 1) (e.g. for test purposes).
Technical description of the Emergency Music Start Function
[0033] The Emergency Music Start Function works basically on the same principles as the
Volume Level Indicators which will be described later. (for reference refer to the
Volume Level Indicator block diagram as shown on Fig 1 top left)
[0034] The incoming signal is regulated by a potentiometer (pre set), then put through a
rectifying amplifier, a conventional OP (e.g. LM 741) with the non inverting input
connected to ground (minus pole). This signal will be sent to the prime input of a
1:2 transformer. The transformer output will be rectified with a diode. This signal
will be directly distributed to the non inverting input of another OP (one in each
box "50%" and "100%", Fig 1), the other transformer output is connected with the inverting
OP input. Parallel to the OP inputs is a capacitor and the signal can be regulated
by a variable resistor parallel to the capacitor. The non inverting input of the OP
is also connected with a resistor to KP (plus pole) and a capacitor to ground (minus
pole). The offset / control voltage input of this OP will also be connected to ground.
[0035] The OP output will be delivered to two transistors which convert this positive signal
to a negative potential at the RC-combination of a following timer, providing the
Emergency Music Start Function input has a sufficiently loud signal. Should the signal
strength fall below the preset level, the RC- combination at the timer will start
to load up. If the signal strength fails to improve within the RC-combination's charge
up time, which is less than one second, the timer output will fall from a positive
to a negative potential.
[0036] The outputs are feeding conventional inverters (Fig 1 inverters following boxes "50%"
and "100%") which distribute the relevant signals. The two timers are set / started
by the Music Start (Fig 1 input X45) impulse coming from the Speech Control Board
(Fig 2 output X45).
[0037] At the Emergency Music Start Function the timer is an Integrated Circuit which is
self resetting. A further timer follows because the time between the impulse and the
reset is too short to trigger a relay. The second timer's only purpose is to give
a sufficiently long trigger impulse, inverted to the first timer's output.
[0038] The output of the second timer goes to switch S15 (Fig 1) and from there to the Music
Play Back Counter (Fig 1 output X24/6 and X24/7, Fig 3 input X24/6 and X24/7) to the
Speech Control Board (Fig 1 output X46, Fig 2 input X46) , through a diode to the
Music Start input of the Music Control Board (Fig 1) and to relay E23 (not shown on
the diagram); this is for external connection.
[0039] Relay E23 might load compact disc players or tape machines which need a preprogrammed
running order (like the Sony MTL 10 Cassette Player). For this purpose one can connect
a
Five Cassette Loader which triggers five or two (depending on its switch setting) different switches at
the relevant machine, one after another with a pause in between, if it receives one
Emergency Music Start trigger.
[0040] Relay E23 might also trigger alarm systems to alert radio station staff of the occurrence
of faults during the programme.
[0041] The main purpose of the
Music Control Board (Fig 1) is to monitor the music / entertainment source. There are three different
possibilities (modes) to monitor the song. It can be done either
- through monitoring the volume level of the right channel (The function of the Volume Level Indicators was described in the paragraph about the Emergency Music Start Function); (Fig 1 top right: Volume Level Indicator);
- or by an external controller (e.g. a computer with a programmed database of the song
order and duration in connection with a timer); (Fig 1 input X44);
- or by pilot tones on the right channel of the source (Fig 1 input X35/2 to S11 to
Pilot Tone Decoder shown in Fig 1 bottom centre left) while the left channel carries
a mono signal (Fig 1 input X35/1). Using the pilot tone operation mode, one would
require a three track source for stereo operation because one track is needed for
the pilot tones.
[0042] The monitor will signal twice:
- Once at the 50 % Volume Stage, which indicates the fade out / ending of the song (entertainment
input). (Fig 1 inverter following Box "50%" top centre left).
- Once at the 100 % Reduced Volume Stage, which indicates the actual end of a song.
(Fig 1 inverter following Box "100%" top centre left).
[0043] These stages are either
- automatically set by the Volume Level Indicators (Fig 1 top left),
- or by the external controller (Fig 1 input X44),
- or set by the prerecorded pilot tones on the source, according to the mode in which
the monitor is programmed (Fig 1 X35/2, S11, PT Decoder).
[0044] This can be done by altering the switches S9 and S10 (Fig 1) which are shown to be
set in the Volume Level Indicator Control mode.
[0045] The timing for the actual command to indicate
the 50 % Volume Stage is variable and might be during or after the outro of a song. It relates to the sensitivity
setting of the 50 % Volume Level Indicator, the pilot tones or the external commands.
(Fig 1) The 50 % Volume Stage gives a Start Speech Signal to the Speech Control Board,
(Fig 1 output X43, Fig 2 input X43) meaning it starts a speech / information tape,
as well as giving a set / count signal to the Music Play Back Counter (Fig 1 output
X24/9, Fig 3 input X24/9).
[0046] The
100 % Volume Stage
- switches the link off to the Audio Matrix from the right channel of the music / entertainment
source (Fig 1 marked box below E21, showing transistorised switch) and
- switches the link off to the Audio Matrix from the left channel of the music / entertainment
source if switch S8 is set accordingly (Fig 1 marked box above E21, showing transistorised
switch), and
- switches the link off to the Audio Matrix (Fig 1 X35/1 & X35/1 to X18) from the whole
music / entertainment source if switch S8 (Fig 1) is set accordingly and switches
S9 and S10 (both Figl) are in pilot tone operation mode (two track recorded source)
and
- leads the right channel of the music / entertainment source to the pilot tone decoder
and (Fig 1 input X35/2 to S11 to decoder)
- triggers an opto isolator for external signalling (Fig 1 OK1) and
- starts the timer facility with I14 (Fig 1) which stops the source after 3 or 4 seconds
according to the setting of switch S14 (Fig 1) (stop break).
[0047] The source may not be stopped if its start / stop function is controlled by relay
E22 (Fig 1). (E 22 gives the start as well as the Stop Command to Playback sources
with single button control.) In this case the Pilot Tone Controlled Cassette Change
Function with I 16 (Fig 1) might override the switch off command. This Function is
designed for sources with long switch over times, eg from cassette one to cassette
two or side A to side B (a typical machine of this kind would be the Sonv 10 Cassette
Changer MTL 10 ).
[0048] During the 100 % Volume Stage the right channel of the music / entertainment source
is lead to the pilot tone decoder (Fig 1 input X35/2 via S11). If it receives a 5
khz pilot tone before the timer facility with I14 stops the source, this function
will override the timer. Relay E22 will then stop the source as soon as the Pilot
Tone Controlled Cassette Change Function (Fig 1: I16) receives a second 5 khz tone
from the right channel of the source unless a Start Music signal was received before
from the Speech Control Board (Fig 2 output X45, Fig 1 input X45).
[0049] The Pilot Tone Controlled Cassette Change Function with I 16 (Fig 1) does not work
in the pilot tone operation mode, set by switch S9 and S10. The pilot tones on tapes
for sources with long switch over times can be recorded accordingly by omitting the
pilot tone for the 100 % Volume stage at the end of the last song on the relevant
side / tape. Instead it will be recorded at the beginning of the next side / tape
exactly four seconds before the first song starts. (For sources with fast switch over
times, such as the operation with the Music Play Back Counter, this pilot tone will
be recorded at the end of the last song.)
The pilot tone decoder (Fig 1) is protected by a delay which prevents it from receiving
more than one impulse within approx. three seconds.
[0050] A further input of the Music Control Board (Fig 1) is the
Music Start connection (input X45) which receives its signal from the Speech Control Board (Fig
2 output X45).
[0051] Such a signal will
- give a start signal to the Music Play Back Counter (Fig 1 output X24/6, Fig 3 input
X24/6),
- and set (start) the Volume Level Indicators. (Fig 1 top left Box "Volume Level Indicators" set-input).
[0052] It will also start a timer. (Fig 1 top centre "80s Timer") For a duration of 80 seconds
it overrides the level indicators (Fig 1 top left Box
"Volume Level Indicators") and prevents the Volume Level Indicators from giving the
start speech signal and from stopping the music / entertainment source.
[0053] This 80 seconds timer primarily protects the 50 % Volume Level Indicator from giving
false signals during a song's intro. It can be switched off for test purposes or during
pilot tone controlled mode with switch S13.(Fig 1)
[0054] Furthermore this timer will reset the counters I 14 / I 16 / I 18 (Fig 1) and keep
them in that position for 80 seconds.
[0055] The
Music Start signal will also trigger relay E22 provided the
Security Music Start function with X 50 (Fig 1) indicates that the music / entertainment source is in
stop position.
[0056] The
Security Music Start Function (Fig 1 X50) is a safe-guard to prevent relay E22 (Fig 1) making a
Start trigger while the connected drive is in operation, because such an additional
Start signal would in fact be regarded as a
Stop signal by the relevant play back source.
[0057] The
Security Music Start Function requires an opto isolator (Fig 1 resistor X50) with its LED (light source)
connected to the motor (or any other
play back on indicator) at the playback-source, which is controlled by relay E22.
Other Special Functions:
[0058] Switch S11 (Fig 1 bottom left) cuts the pilot tone decoder off and connects it with
a test input.
[0059] A high signal during Volume Level Indicator Control mode through Switch S12 (Fig
1 top centre input "Special Music Play") overrides the 50 % level indicator (Fig 1)
and prevents it from giving the
start speech signal. This function is useful when the music / entertainment source carries a prepackaged
programme which does not require further speech / information inputs.
[0060] The input of switch S12 requires an opto isolator with its LED connected to a
"play back on" indicator at the source, which plays the prepackaged programme. It should be connected
in a way that the LED switches and stays off as soon as the prepackaged programme
ends. This will let the Fully Automated Radio and TV Programming System resume automated
programming.
[0061] The music / entertainment input can be played from various sources, provided these
sources have electro-mechanically switched drives. The music / entertainment input
is not limited to tape machines but can be connected to any signal source such as
Compact Disc Players, Record Players, Radio Receivers to mention just a few.
[0062] Music / entertainment sources can either be controlled by relay E22 on the Music
Control Board (Fig 1), or by individual Start / Stop Controls (Fig 1 X24/6 &X 24/8),
or by the Music Play Back Counter (Fig 3).
[0063] Relay E22 gives both, the
start and the
stop commands. This can be used for one button only controlled Play Back sources. This
option requires the use of the
Security Music Start Function (Fig 1 X50) to prevent
Start commands to stop the drive.
[0064] Two relays can be connected to (Fig 1 output) X24/6 and X24/8 to send a separate
Start and
Stop impulse to the music / entertainment source.
[0065] These two options have two great disadvantages. The relays control only one play
back machine. This limits the capacity of programme length or requires special multi
tape machines or expensive juke box alike Compact Disc or Record Players. The second
disadvantage is that tapes, if used, have to be recorded right up to the very end
to avoid
dead air space. Lastly it is possible that certain tape or record changers need special impulses
or commands, like those described in the paragraph about the
Pilot Tone Controlled Cassette Change Function. Naturally an increased use of special commands reduce the reliability of a complex
machine such as the Fully Automated Radio and TV Programming System.
[0066] The
Music Play Back Counter was invented to increase the reliability of the Fully Automated Radio and TV Programming
System, to simplify the music / entertainment recording process and to increase the
capacity of the whole Fully Automated Radio and TV Programming System.
[0067] (Fig 1 output) X24/6 and X24/8 can be used to connect the Music Play Back Counter
(Fig 3).
[0068] Basically designed to run two or four (to be chosen by switch S19, Fig 3) auto reverse
cassette drives, the Music Play Back Counter can also be used with two or four single
direction drives but this does obviously decrease the capacity by half. To do so the
switches S20 - S23 (Fig 3) have to be set to
single direction play back. The operation description will be the same as for auto reverse drives in single direction
mode.
[0069] If the Counter I 17 (Fig 3 top right) and its following controls leading to the
Start (Fig 3 outputs
1-4> and Fig 3 outputs
1-4<), Stop (Fig 3 relay: STOP)
and
Rewind (Fig 3 outputs 1-4<<) relays are expanded, the Music Play Back Counter can be used with any amount of single
or reverse direction drives, as long as their quantity is higher than two.
[0070] The music / entertainment tape machines used in conjunction with the Music Play Back
Counter can be either CD, Reel To Reel or Cassette drives. In either case they should
be equipped with electro-mechanically operated
Start, Stop and
Rewind functions (so called soft touch button operation). The function switches of those
drives have to be replaced by the contacts of the relevant relay in the Music Play
Back Counter. Reverse machines should have separate Start buttons for each direction.
[0071] (A recommended auto reverse cassette recorder with these functions would be the Technics
RS-TR 355.)
[0072] The Idea of the Music Play Back Counter is to play a certain amount of songs on each
side of a tape. The counter (Fig 3 IC1 & IC2) as shown in the diagram is set to play
eight songs (on industrial recorded tapes), 15 songs (on C90 cassettes) or 19 songs
(on C120 cassettes).
[0073] The setting can be programmed for three different steps (with switches S16 and S17,
Fig 3) between two and 99 songs; or even from 2 - ∞ songs if the capacity or the combination
of counter IC 1 and counter IC 2 (Fig 3) will be expanded.
[0074] The following description will always relate to a setting of 19 songs, which is nevertheless
the most economical and realistic setting for cassette drives.
[0075] The programme sequence resembles the following example: Song 1 - speech / information,
song 2 - speech / information, song 3 - speech / information song 19 - speech / information;
song 1
side two (flip side)- speech / information, song 2 side two - speech / information song 19
side two - speech / information; information; song 1
cassette two side 1 - speech / information and so on.
[0076] Simply, what this example shows is that after song 19 plus the 3 or 4 seconds
stop break, the playing order will change to the next or the reverse drive. Tapes do not have
to be filled right to the end, because the flip side will start exactly where the
last song of the previous side ended.
[0077] After playing 19 songs of the reverse side this drive will rewind the tape to the
beginning of side one and another drive will be started with the next
Start Music Play Back Counter Signal.
[0078] While recording music tapes, there are two items to watch: to count the exact amount
of songs and to watch that the songs on the flip side are marginally shorter than
on the first side (tape length Side 2 < Side 1 ).
[0079] The
set / song-count impulse is given by the 50% Volume Stage as indicated by the Music Control Board
(Fig 1 output X24/9, Fig 3 input X24/9). This makes sure that the Music Play Back
Counter counts even if the tape drive does not stop, e.g. if the announcement is shorter
than the fade out plus the four seconds
stop break.
[0080] Please note that the Music Play Back Counter actually counts the music / entertainment
inputs rather than the songs as such. This means if two songs are faded into another,
there is no speech / information input between the two songs, the counter will assume
that only one song was played.
[0081] If the Music Control Board is in
Volume Level Indicator Mode it is possible to play almost all commercially recorded tapes on the music / entertainment
cassette recorders which are controlled by the Music Play Back Counter.
[0082] Commercially recorded tapes do not restart side 2 exactly after the end of the last
song on side 1. Therefore they can only be played on one side. The switches S20 -
S23 (Fig 3 centre right) will enable the four drives individually to be switched into
Single Side mode.
[0083] As soon as the last song on side 1 in this drive finishes the
Single Side mode will rewind the tape to the beginning of side one and another drive will be
started with the next
Start Music Play Back Counter Signal.
[0084] The
Count Number cannot be set individually for each drive. Therefore the lowest song count of all
two or four tapes should be selected. The counter will skip songs which follow after
the highest setting. Accordingly it will restart the reverse side after the set song.
[0085] As an example: The counter setting is 15 but there are 19 songs on the tape. The
Music Play Back Counter will skip the songs 16 - 19. So, side 2 of that tape will
be started after song 15 on the first side.
If this tape was recorded for a counter 19 setting, side 2 will now probably start
in the middle of its third or fourth song. It is then also advisable to switch off
this drive's reverse function.
[0086] Tapes can be changed while transmission is in progress. This should be done while
the music drives are in stop position during a speech / information input. New tapes
should be rewound to the beginning of side 1. After the change the counter must be
reset to zero with switch S18 (Fig 3 centre left).
[0087] Careful consideration was given to the design of the Music Play Back Counter's Emergency
Music Start Functions.
[0088] If the Music Play Back Counter (Fig 3) receives an Emergency Music Start signal (Fig
3 input X24/7) it will firstly check if a music / entertainment drive is in operation.
(This would be shown by the Flip/Flop, Timer combination connected to inputs X24/6
& X24/8 Fig 3 centre) If not, the reason for a blank TX signal must be suspected to
come from a speech / information drive. This will then be rewound, as described before,
and the Music Play Back Counter will start the next lined up song without taking further
action.
[0089] If the Music Play Back Counter receives an Emergency Music Start signal and a music
/ entertainment drive is in operation it will start the next music / entertainment
machine and rewind side 1 of the tape which caused the fault.
[0090] The actual "heart" of the Fully Automated Radio and TV Programming System is the
Speech Control Board.(Fig 2)
[0091] The speech / information tape machines used in conjunction with the Speech Control
Board can be either Reel To Reel or Cassette drives. In either case they should be
equipped with electro - mechanically operated Start, Stop and Rewind functions (so
called soft touch button operation).
[0092] The function switches of those drives have to be replaced by the contacts of the
relevant relay in the Fully Automated Radio and TV Programming System.
[0093] (A recommended cassette recorder with these functions would be the Technics RS-TR
355.)
[0094] The running order of the speech / information tape machines is set by Counter IC4
(Fig 2). The counter outputs Q 0 - Q 9 are connected to a 15 Pin distributor socket
(Not individually shown in Fig. 2). Further connections are the socket outputs 1 &
2 & 3 & 4 (Fig 2 IC4 output 1-4) for the tape drives and the Reset (RST) Pin which
is wired up to the reset input of counter IC4. The plug inserted into this socket
will operate as a programme disc. Every counter output will be assigned to a tape
drive to programme the running order.


[0095] The operational stages of the Speech Control Board are basically indicated by counter
I 10 (Fig 2). At its
set input (which is also the
set input for the whole operation of the Speech Control Board) lies a delay which prevents
it from receiving more than one impulse within approx. three seconds (Fig 2 Delay
to I10). This is a precaution to eliminate false commands resulting from unclean signals.
[0096] The delay inputs are a pilot tone indicator (Fig 2 input X42 to Pilot Tone Decoder
to Delay), which monitors the right channel of all speech / information tapes, (Fig
2 input X42 shows the right channel of all speech information sources) and the Start
Speech (Fig 2 X43)input which receives its signal from the Music Control Board (Fig
1 X43). This signal is transformed to a single, short needle impulse so that it does
not overshadow the information coming from the pilot tone indicator.
[0097] Counter I 10 (Fig 2) sets four steps:
Q0 = high:
[0098] The speech / information sources are off, the TX signal is broadcast entirely from
the music / entertainment source (to Fig 1 X35 to X18 to audio matrix), the Volume
Control input at the Audio Matrix is low (Fig 2 X22 leading to the Audio Matrix),
the pilot tone decoder's (Fig 2 bottom centre) input is closed (the actual switch
off of the decoder is not shown in Fig 2), the 17 seconds timer (Fig 2 Box: "17 sec")
is held in
reset position and Flip /Flop I 14a (Fig 2) is enabled to trigger Flip /Flop I 14b, (Fig
2) if required, to put Drive 4 prior to the other speech (information) drives. (Fig
2 shows on the very left, fro the top: Speech drives 1-4 with individual
Start and
Rewind inputs and one common
STOP input at the bottom).
[0099] The next impulse will come from the (Fig 1 output X43) Music Control Board to start
a speech / information drive. This sets the counter I 10 (Fig 2 input X43 to lxTrigger
to Delay to I10).
Q1 = high:
[0100] The Volume Control input at the Audio Matrix (Fig 2 output X22) becomes high, a speech
/ information drive will be started (Fig 2: point Z is high and one of the following
And-Gates already receives another high signal from IC4), the pilot tone indicator's
input is now open, the 17 seconds counter (Fig 2 centre right) is still held in reset
position.
[0101] The next impulse to set I 10 will be a pilot tone on the currently playing speech
/ information tape (Fig 2 input X42) This tone indicates that the speech / information
input will end soon. This impulse sets the counter I 10 (Fig 2) to:
Q2 = high:
[0102] The Volume Control input at the Audio Matrix (Fig 2 X22) stays high but the music
/ entertainment source is restarted with a signal sent to the Music Control Board
(Fig 2 output X45, Fig 1 input X45), the speech / information drive continues to play
(Fig 2 point Z still high), the 17 seconds counter (Fig 2 centre right) is now started.
[0103] The next impulse to set I 10 can be a pilot tone on the currently playing speech
/ information tape (Fig 2 input X42). This tone indicates that the speech / information
input will now end. This impulse would set the counter I 10 (Fig 2) to:
Q3 = high:
[0104] Q3 is also named Point
A (Fig 2 centre). This stops the speech / information tape (all Flip/Flops left of
point A are reset and the STOP output is activated; Fig 2), counter IC4 (Fig 2) is
set and counter I 10 (Fig 2) is reset to
Q0 = high position.
If the pilot tone indicator should fail to receive another pilot tone (at Fig 2 input
X42 to set Q3=high) within the 17 seconds
talk-over the next song's intro, the timer (Fig 2) will trigger. This will set counter IC4
(Fig 2) and reset counter I 10 (Fig 2) into Q0 = high position which in turn switches
Point Z (Fig 2) to low. The gates to the left of point Z will cause the speech / information
tape to stop and rewind.
[0105] The Plug / Programme Disc outputs 1 & 2 & 3 ( Drive 1 - Drive 3 )(in Fig 2 this disc
is incorporated into IC4) and the output of switch S2 (Fig 2) (Drive 4) determine
the tape drive which will be put on the air. Counter I 10 output Q1 or Q2 ( Point
Z ) (Fig 2) put the currently chosen speech / information drive in
play back mode. A further signal (Point
A) comes from I 10 output Q3 (Fig 2). A high signal at point Z will put the chosen
drive in
play back mode. If Point Z turns low and Point A stays low the drive will rewind the tape.
If a high Point Z becomes low but Point
A switches to high the drive will be stopped.
[0106] The following controls (shown to the left in Fig 2) will give commands to the tape
machines.
[0107] They will convert
- signal at Point Z,(Fig 2)
- the signal for the drive choice (Fig 2 IC4 outputs 1-4) and
- Signal at point A (Fig 2)
into relay trigger:
the relevant trigger will be
Start or
Stop or
Stop and Rewind. Those controls consist of four Flip / Flops, four Inverters, eight And- Gates, two
Delays and two Needle Impulse Senders.
[0108] This description relates directly to the Speech Control Board operation with soft
touch button controlled tape drives and the controls shown in the main Speech Control
Board Diagram (Fig 2). Controls for
Special Cassette Drives are have also been invented but are similar to the embodiment as described here.
[0109] The diagram for the Speech Control Board (Fig 2) shows the controls to run four different
speech / information tape machines. This should be sufficient capacity to run even
radio stations with a high speech / information output. Nevertheless further tape
drives may be connected by expanding counter IC4 (Fig 2 right top) and additional
control set ups following points A and Z marked in the diagrams.
[0110] A
Special Cassette Drive Connection set up with three drives was specially designed for this Fully Automated Radio and
TV Programming System. It can be used instead of soft touch operated, commercially
available machines. This is a low cost alternative, with the additional advantage
that the mechanical response delay is shorter than with usual soft touch operated
tape decks. The mechanical drives have an electro magnet. If this magnet is in operation
the drive will be in Play Back mode, otherwise it will be in Rewind mode. The Stop
mode is the rewind mode with the motor switched off.
[0111] The Special Cassette Drive Connection contains the cassette end indicators (flip
/ flops), auto mute facilities (to switch play back amplifiers off when not in use)
and its relevant controls which will be connected to the points A and Z in the main
Speech Control Board Diagram. Therefore the controls past points A and Z shown in
the diagram will not be used.
[0112] Tape Deck One has a further play back amplifier for a third track to play stereo
speech / information inputs, if required. Stereo inputs have to be recorded on three
track machines. Otherwise Tape Deck One needs to be switched to
Mono play back mode. (This is not shown in the diagrams)
[0113] A special Plug / Programme Disc, the
Remote Recording Control Disc, (no Diagram filed) is a special connector to enable remotely controlled recordings
with the same tape machine which is connected to the Fully Automated Radio and TV
Programming System. Obviously, this is only possible with tape machines which are
fitted with a recording facility. The Remote Recording Control Disc will indicate
when the machine is available for recording and if the recording is in progress it
will divert eventual playback commands to other drives.
[0114] Switch S6 (Fig 2 centre right) can delay the
high command to the Audio Matrix. Such a delay would take into consideration that there
is a short time difference between the Start Speech Signal (start signals Fig 2 very
left) and the actual start of the tape due to mechanical inertia.
[0115] Tapes can be changed while transmission is in progress. This should be done while
the relevant speech / information drive is in stop position. New tapes should be rewound
to the beginning of a speech/ information input.
[0116] The speech / information
Drive 4 has some special functions.
[0117] Switch S2 (Fig 2 top right) determines if Drive 4 will be played in a programmed
order designated by the Programme Disc / Plug (as incorporated in Fig 2 IC4) and Counter
IC4 (Fig 2) or if it may override the counter
(order or
timer mode).
[0118] Provided switch S2 is set to
Timer Play / Override, a high impulse at the input of Flip / Flop I 14a (Fig 2 S7, bottom right) will give
Drive 4 preference for the next speech / information programme input. This impulse
can be a remotely sent signal (Fig 2 input X58) (for example from an outside broadcast
van) or a timer (Fig 2: 3600 seconds counter, to enable "News on the Hour"). This
choice will be selected with switch S7 (Fig 2 bottom right) .
[0119] The timer, if selected, sets the Flip / Flop shortly before the full hour to broadcast
e.g. the news or any other required speech / information item almost precisely on
the hour, namely when the current music / entertainment input ends.
[0120] Please note, that in case Flip / Flop I 14a (Fig 2) is triggered while a speech /
information tape is in operation, Drive 4 will not override this input immediately
but it will be scheduled to insert the next speech / information input after the following
music / entertainment input.
[0121] The output of Flip / Flop I 14a is kept in
hold position but will be admitted to trigger Flip / Flop I 14b (Fig 2) if Counter I10's
(Fig 2) output Q0 is high.
[0122] A time signal (e.g. the Greenwich Bleeps or a station call sign) can be triggered
off at the precise time when Flip / Flop I 14a is set by the timer if its trigger
is connected to the TS output (Fig 2 Bottom right). This signal will then override
the current programme if mixed in a separate mixer with the TX output of the Audio
Matrix. It is recommended to transmit it only on one of the two stereo channels.
[0123] Switch S4 sets the timer (not shown).
[0124] Further Special Functions of Drive 4:
[0125] If switch S1 (Fig 2 centre) is set in
Special position, Drive 4 will rewind automatically after its programme input irrespectively
of stop signals given by pilot tones. (This might shorten the 17 seconds talk over
which is usually required for rewind commands).
[0126] If switch S5 (Fig 2 top right) is in on-position, counter IC4 will be reset after
every input from Drive 4.
[0127] Instead of using a tape drive, one could use the Drive 4 function as the source input
for a live-studio. In this case the
Drive 4 Start Relay (Fig 2 left:
"4{Start") will trigger an
On Air Light to notify the
Live Disc Jockey.
The
Base Time Unit ( no diagram ) is a 1 Hz supply for all digital timers in the Fully Automated Radio
and TV Programming System and has also a 100 Hz supply to test the 3600 seconds timer,
which is connected to Flip / Flop I 14a on the Speech Control Board (Fig 2). To test
this timer, a switch ( S3, not shown ) has to be set in
test position. The time base will be taken from the alternation of the AC-mains supply.
For operation with no AC supply (e.g. of batteries in remote areas) the Basis Time
has to be created by a oscillator, preferably a quartz oscillator.
[0128] The
Fully Automated Radio and TV Programming System can also be used to run a
Fully Automated Television Station.
[0129] A Fully Automated Television Station works similarly to a Fully Automated Radio Disc
Jockey System and mixes different programme inputs which were originally separated
on different video tapes in different video recorders.
[0130] The Fully Automated Television Station will mix the programme inputs according to
the outlined example:
[0131] When the entertainment source (e.g. a film or music video) comes to its end, a link
tape (e.g. commercials, weather forecast or another music video) switches on, enabling
another programme source (link tape) to follow or to be mixed over the outro of the
entertainment source.
[0132] Seconds after the actual end of the entertainment input, its source will be stopped.
[0133] When the information input (link) comes to its end, the entertainment source switches
on, enabling a new film or music video to follow or to be mixed under the outro of
the information link. After the actual end of the link input its tape drive will be
stopped.
[0134] While or after the entertainment source comes to its end again, the process as described
above will be repeated.
[0135] A combination of video recorders is required:
they must have two audio tracks (mono), or three tracks for stereo operation and their
Start, Stop and Rewind functions must have Soft Touch Controls.
[0136] Unless the entertainment programme inputs are exclusively Music inputs, the Fully
Automated Television Station's
Music Control Board (Fig 1 switches S9 & S10) must not be set to
Volume Level Indicator Mode. Other inputs than music (e.g. Films, TV Shows, News ) do not have constant volume
levels which would enable the Volume Level Indicators (Fig 1 top left) to work sufficiently.
[0137] For that reason the Fully Automated Television Station should only be run on pilot
tone (or external) commands. Following this recommendation there is one of the audio
tracks to be used as the pilot tone channel, the other tracks are then free to carry
the audio signals.
[0138] The audio outputs of the video recorders will be connected to the Fully Automated
Radio and TV Programming System, in the same way as signal sources / tape drives are
connected for Fully Automated Radio Stations.
[0139] The Video Outputs will be mixed in a separate video mixer, which might be controlled
by connection to the Music Volume Control output at the Speech Control Board (Fig
2 output X22) or by any other possible means. This might also include additional contacts
at the relays on the Speech Control Board which give Start and Stop signals to the
drives (Fig 2 very left). A selection of suitable Video Mixers is already commercially
available.
[0140] The Studio Controls are a little set up to support the recording of programme inputs which will be played
on the Fully Automated Radio and TV Programming System. (There are no drawings submitted)
The Studio Controls consist of Volume monitors and pilot tone generators.
[0141] Even though the Fully Automated Radio and TV Programming System is very reliable
it is recommended to check music / entertainment tapes before the first broadcast.
The Volume Level Indicators work entirely on detection of a drop in volume; therefore
it is possible that short gaps or slow parts within a song might trigger the 50 %
Volume Level Indicators. A
Recording Monitor was invented to avoid such mistakes during a radio programme.
[0142] This Recording Monitor has two Volume Level Indicators like the ones on the Music
Control Board. One 50% Volume Level Indicator and one for the 100% level. They will
be connected to the headphone output of the music recording machine in the studio.
At their output are two lamps and a buzzer which can be switched off.
[0143] At the start of the recording of a song the Volume Level Indicators will be set.
The 50 % lamp should switch off (and the buzzer should start during the outro) indicating
the moment when the speech / information input would start if played by the Fully
Automated Radio and TV Programming System.
[0144] The 100% lamp switches off at the actual end of the song. If the lamps switch off
at the required moment the recording will be suitable to be played on the Fully Automated
Radio and TV Programming System switched to Volume Level Indicator mode.
[0145] Music Tapes which were not recorded with the aide of a Recording Monitor should be
played back through the music recording machine and checked by the Recording Monitor.
The Recording Monitor has to be set manually. For music recording machines with electro-mechanically
switched Start, Stop and Record functions optional automatic facilities have been
invented.
[0146] An additional
Set / Start switch will start the recorder and the Recording Monitor simultaneously and also
take the 80 seconds timer at the Music Control Board into consideration. Three seconds
after the end of the song the Recording Monitor will stop the recorder automatically,
provided the song is suitable.
[0147] It is recommended that the music recorder should be preceded by an electronic limiter
/ compressor to increase the Volume Level Indicator's reliability.
[0148] The Studio Controls also have a 5 khz oscillator to record pilot tones. The pilot
tone time will always be of the same duration, suitable for the decoders irrespective
of the length of time the signal switch was pressed.
[0149] To simplify the speech / information recording there is an automatic facility to
put a pilot tone on the tape as soon as the
Pause button at the recorder is released. This puts the
Stop command for the previous recording before the beginning of the current input. Only
the
Start Music command needs to be given manually.
[0150] Please note that the automatic facility has to be switched off, so that no pilot
tone is recorded before the first and after the last recorded input on a tape.
[0151] The pilot tone timer for the automatic facility needs different RC (resistor / capacitor)
combinations for manual qperated recording drives than for soft touch operated ones.
This is due to longer mechanical inertia of electro-mechanically operated drives.
[0152] Opto isolators can be connected to the set switches (the
set / start switch and the switch for the
start music command) to attach a stop clock.
1. Ein vollautomatisiertes Radio und Fernseh Programmauswahlsystem das verschiedene Programm
Teile, wie Musik - und Informationseinlagen, die auf verschiedenen Wiedergabequellen
gespeichert sind, auswählen, mischen und überblenden kann, ausgezeichnet durch
einen Programmwähler, der so ausgestattet ist, daß er Einlagen auswählen kann, entsprechend
eines vom Benutzer vorgegebenens Programmschemas,
wobei der Programmwähler eine Kombination von verschiedenen Kontrolleinrichtungen
verfügt, die kein zusätzliches Signal von der Musikquelle zum Kontrollteil benötigen
als die bloße Aufnahme des Liedes welches gesendet wird; und
Mechanismen um verschiedene Informationseinlagen, die nach Kategorie geordnet sind,
entsprechend des vorgegebenen Sendeschemas auszuwählen.
2. Ein vollautomatisiertes Radio und Fernseh Programmauswahlsystem gemäß Anspruch 1,
das so ausgestattet ist, daß es, entsprechend eines vom Benutzer vorgegebenen Programmschemas,
Einlagen auswählen kann, ohne vorherige Daten der Einlage zu kennen, ohne eines vorherbestimmten
Programmlaufplans und ohne daß die Einlage über spezielle Eigenschaften verfügt, wie
zB Pilottöne.
3. Ein vollautomatisiertes Radio und Fernseh Programmauswahlsystem gemäß Anspruch 1,
das so ausgestattet ist, daß es Musikprogramme zusammenstellen kann, die frei wählbare
Sprach / Informationseinlagen beinhalten, die von zwei oder meheren unabhängigen Abspielgeräten
stammen.
4. Ein vollautomatisiertes Radio und Fernseh Programmauswahlsystem gemäß Anspruch 1,
welches Schutzeinrichtungen beinhalten um das gesammte vollautomatisierte Radio und
Fernseh Programmauswahlsystem neu zu starten, sollte eine Panne passieren,
indem die Schutzeinrichtung kontrolliert ob ein Musik / Unterhaltungsabspielgerät
tatsachlich läuft während Sendestille, in welchem Fall es das nächte Musikabspielgerät
startet und das Tonband, das die Panne verursachte, zurückspult;
wobei, sollte kein Musikabspielgerät arbeiten, das nächste bereitgestellte Lied gestartet
wird und das Sprachabspielgerät, das die Panne verursachte, zurückspult und ein neues
Sprachabspielgerät bereitgestellt wird für die nächste Ansage.
5. Ein vollautomatisiertes Radio und Fernseh Programmauswahlsystem gemäß Anspruch 1,
welches über Mechanismen verfügt um die Musikeinlagen zu überwachen: entweder durch
externe Einrichtungen, ein Pilottondecodierer oder Lautstärke-Level-Sensoren,
wobei solch Überwachungseinrichtung zwei Signale gibt, erstens um anzuzeigen daß die
Musik ausgeblended wird und zweitens um das tatsächliche Ende der Musikeinlage anzuzeigen.
6. Ein vollautomatisiertes Radio und Fernseh Programmauswahlsystem gemäß Anspruch 1,
welches benutzbar ist mit einer Vielfalt von käuflich erwerbbaren Abspielgeräten,
einschließlich Tonband / Cassetten Recordern, Schallplatten - und CD spielern, welche
entweder über einen kombinierten Start/Stop oder separate Start/Stop Relaise kontrolliert
werden können oder durch einen Musikab-spielzähler.
7. Ein vollautomatisiertes Radio und Fernseh Programmauswahlsystem gemäß Anspruch 5,
welches über eine Einrichtung verfügt um vorgefertigte Programme abzuspielen und dabei
die automatische Programmerstellung stopt bis das vorgefertigte Programm beendet ist.
8. Ein vollautomatisiertes Radio und Fernseh Programmauswahlsystem gemäß Anspruch 1,
welches einen Signaleingang für ein Live-Studio hat.
9. Ein vollautomatisiertes Radio und Fernseh Programmauswahlsystem gemäß Anspruch 1,
welches über einen Musikabspielzähler verfügt
- um eine bestimmte Anzahle von Liedern auf jeder Seite eines Tonbandes abzuspielen,
- um das Tonband an seinen Anfang zurückzuspulen, nachdem eine bestimmte Menge Lieder
auf der Rückseite gespielt wurde,
- um das Tonband an seinen Anfang zurückzuspulen, nachdem eine bestimmte Menge Lieder
auf der ersten Seite gespielt wurde, vorausgesetzt daß das Abspielgerät für einseitige
Wiedergabe programiert ist.
- um Lieder zu zählen selbst wenn ein Abspielgerät nicht stoppt zwischen zwei Liedern.
10. Ein vollautomatisiertes Radio und Fernseh Programmauswahlsystem gemäß Anspruch 1,
welches über Einrichtungen verfügt um ein Abspielgerät nach gesendeter Einlage zurückzuspulen.
11. Ein vollautomatisiertes Radio und Fernseh Programmauswahlsystem gemäß Anspruch 1,
welches über ein Spezialgerät verfügt um per Ferneingabe eine Programmeinlage aufzunehmen
mit dem selben Tonbandgerät welches an dem vollautomatisiertes Radio und Fernseh Programmauswahlsystem
angesclossen ist, wobei diese Ferneingabeeinheit über Mechanismen verfügt um anzuzeigen
wenn das jeweilige Tonbandgerät frei ist für Aufnahmen und wobei diese Ferneingabeeinheit
über Mittel verfügt um eventuelle Abspielkomandos an andere Abspielgeräte weiterzuleiten
während der Aufnahme.
12. Ein vollautomatisiertes Radio und Fernseh Programmauswahlsystem gemäß Anspruch 1,
wobei ein Schalter angibt ob eine Sprach / Informationsquelle in programmierter Reihenfolge
abgespielt wird oder ob diese Quelle Vorrang über alle anderen Abspielgeräte erhalten
soll wenn der Schalter entweder ein Fernbedienungssignal erhält oder ein Signal von
einer Uhr erhält um somit zur vollen Stunde die Nachrichten zu senden; allerdings
soll das laufende Programm nicht sofort unterbrochen werden durch diese Ansage, sondern
sie wird als nächste Spracheinlage bereitgestellt, um nach dem Ende des laufenden
Liedes oder, sollte das laufende Programm gerade eine Spracheinlage sein, dann nach
dem nächsten Lied gesendet zu werden.