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(11) | EP 3 435 564 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | AUDIO DATA BLENDING |
| (57) A receiver system and method are provided comprising: a first broadcast input configured
to receive a first broadcast data signal carrying first content; a first storage input
configured to be coupled to a first storage source; an output configured to provide
an output signal comprising the first content; and a processor configured to be coupled
to the first broadcast and first storage inputs and provide the first content to the
output; wherein the processor is further configured to: identify the first content
in the first broadcast data signal; search the first storage source for the first
content; and selectively provide the first content to the output from one of the first
broadcast signal and the first storage source in dependence on a reception quality
of the first broadcast signal.
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FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to the processing of broadcast data and in particular but not exclusively to the process of blending broadcast audio data and other data.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Some modern broadcast receivers are designed to support multiple audio inputs corresponding to different broadcast domains. For example end user content (such as a radio show or program) may be generated by a source and then broadcast via a plurality of broadcast paths corresponding to respective broadcasting domains. Examples of such broadcast domains can be frequency modulation broadcasting (FM), digital audio broadcasting (DAB) and/or Internet radio. Each stream of audio data received over the respective paths will experience a delay related to the path over which it was broadcast. The common end user content carried by each stream of audio data is thus not aligned in time when received at a receiver.
[0003] The receiver may select and provide an audio data stream from one of the paths to an output. At this which point it may be rendered or played to a user. It may be a requirement for the receiver to be able to switch from one audio data stream to another, for example an audio data stream may be lost when the receiver moves out of range of a transmitter of that audio data stream. Alignment of the end user content carried by the broadcast paths may be carried out to assist a seamless transition from one audio data stream to another. This, however, is dependent on an audio data stream being available to the receiver from at least one additional broadcast path. In some cases, an event, for example a location event like going into a tunnel, may mean that no audio data streams are available.
[0004] Embodiments of the present application may be concerned with switching between a broadcast audio data stream and stored data while aiming to reduce any impact on the user.
Summary
[0005] According to a first aspect of the present applications, there is provided a receiver system comprising: a first broadcast input configured to receive a first broadcast data signal carrying first content; a first storage input configured to be coupled to a first storage source; an output configured to provide an output signal comprising the first content; and a processor configured to be coupled to the first broadcast and first storage inputs and provide the first content to the output; wherein the processor is further configured to: identify the first content in the first broadcast data signal; search the first storage source for the first content; and selectively provide the first content to the output from one of the first broadcast signal and the first storage source in dependence on a reception quality of the first broadcast signal.
[0006] The receiver system may further comprise: a plurality of storage inputs, each configured to be coupled to a respective storage source; wherein the first storage source is any one of the plurality of storage inputs. The receiver system may further comprise: a plurality of broadcast inputs, each configured to receive a respective broadcast data signal carrying the first content; wherein the first broadcast input is any one of the plurality of broadcast inputs. The first storage source may be a removable memory device. The first storage source may be a remote memory device coupled to the first storage input by a communication network,
[0007] The processor may be further configured to: selectively provide the first content from the first storage source when a reception quality of the first broadcast signal is less than a threshold. The threshold may define a quality below which a broadcast signal will not be rendered to the output. The processor may be configured to determine a reception quality of at least one of the further broadcast data signals.
[0008] The receiver system may further comprise: a user selection input configured to receive a user selection signal identifying a broadcast source; wherein the broadcast source provides the first broadcast data signal and any further broadcast data signals carrying the first content. The first broadcast input may be configured to receive the first broadcast data signal in response to the user selection input and any further broadcast inputs may be configured to receive respective any further broadcast data signals in response to the user selection input.
[0009] When the first content is provided to the output from the first storage source, the processor may be further configured to: identify a broadcast data signal with a reception quality above a threshold value; and provide the first content to the output from the identified broadcast data signal.
[0010] According to a second aspect, there is provided a method comprising: receiving a first broadcast data signal carrying first content; identifying the first content in the first broadcast data signal; searching a first storage source for the first content; and selectively providing the first content to an output from one of the first broadcast signal and the first storage source in dependence on a reception quality of the first broadcast signal.
[0011] The method may further comprise: selectively providing the first content from the first storage source when a reception quality of the first broadcast signal is less than a threshold; and selectively providing the first content from the first broadcast data signal when the reception quality is about the threshold. The method may further comprise: receiving a user selection signal identifying a broadcast source, wherein the broadcast source provides the first broadcast data signal and any further broadcast data signals carrying the first content; and receiving the first broadcast data signal and any further broadcast data signals carrying the first content in response to the user selection input.
[0012] The method may further comprise: providing the first content from the first storage source; identifying a broadcast data signal with a reception quality above a threshold value; and providing the first content to the output from the identified broadcast data signal.
[0013] The method may further comprise: searching at least one of a plurality of storage sources; wherein the first storage source is any one of the plurality of storage sources. The method may further comprise: receiving a plurality of broadcast data signal carrying the first content; wherein the first broadcast data signal is any one of the plurality of broadcast data signals.
Figures
[0014] Embodiments will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is an example schematic of a receiver system;
Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a receiver system in accordance with an embodiment;
Figure 3 is a flow diagram showing method steps carried out in accordance with an embodiment; and
Figure 4 is a flow diagram depicting the method steps carried out in accordance with a further embodiment.
[0015] It will be appreciated that for features that span more than one drawing like reference numerals indicate the like feature.
Detailed Description
[0016] The following embodiments may be described with reference to packet streams carrying audio data. This has been done for ease of explanation only and it will be appreciated that at least some embodiments may be applicable to other types of broadcast or streaming data, for example video data. It will be appreciated that here the term broadcast is intended to cover packet streams broadcast from one entity to multiple other entities as well as packet stream broadcast from one entity to a specific few or a particular one other entity. For example, the broadcast packet stream may be a unicast stream.
[0017] Figure 1 shows an example of a system in which audio data streams may be received over a multiple broadcast paths. Figure 1 comprises a broadcast side 110 comprising a common source 114 configured to generate common end user content for broadcast. In this example, the end user content may, for example be, audio data. The end user content generated by the common source 114 may be provided to a plurality of transmit circuitry 111, 112, 113, where each of the transmit circuits 111, 112, 113 are operated in accordance with a respective broadcast domain. Each of the transmit circuits 111, 112 and 113 may comprise the necessary circuitry to transmit an audio data signal in accordance with the respective broadcast domain.
[0018] In the example of figure 1, the first transmit circuitry 111 may correspond to frequency modulation broadcasting (FM) transmit circuitry and may be configured to transmit a first audio data signal carrying the common user content to a receiver in accordance with FM broadcasting. The second transmit circuitry 112 may correspond to digital audio broadcasting (DAB) and may be configured to transmit a second audio data signal carrying the common user content to a receiver in accordance with DAB. The third transmit circuity 113 may correspond to an internet radio broadcast and may be configured to transmit a third audio data signal carrying the common user content to a receiver in accordance with internet radio.
[0019] The system further comprises a receiver side 120 configured to receive a plurality of data signals from a common source via respective transmit paths corresponding to different broadcast domains. The receiver 120 comprises a plurality of receive circuitry 121, 122 and 123 configured to receive respective audio data signals carrying common end user content. In this example, the first receive circuitry 121 may correspond to frequency modulation broadcasting (FM) receive circuitry and may be configured to receive a data audio signal in accordance with FM broadcasting. The second receive circuitry 122 may correspond to digital audio broadcasting (DAB) and may be configured to receive a data audio signal in accordance with DAB. The third receive circuity 123 may correspond to an internet radio broadcast and may be configured to receive a data audio signal in accordance with internet radio.
[0020] The processor 124 may receive a signal 128 from a user interface, indicating a selection of the user. This selection may be a selection of a specific common source, for example the common source 114. The common source may correspond for example to a program or channel selected by the user. In response to the selection of the user, the processor 124 along with the receive circuitry may carry out a background scan for audio data signals from the selected common source. For example, if the user selection corresponds to the common source 114, the receiver 120 will carry out a scan to identify the first, second and third audio data signals being broadcast from the broadcast side. The receive circuity 121, 122 and 123 may be respectively tuned to receive audio data signals from the common source 114 via the first, second and third transmit circuitry 111, 112, 113.
[0021] In this example, the first receive circuitry 121 may receive the first audio data signal from the first transmit circuitry 111, the second receive circuitry 122 may receive the second audio data signal from the second transmit circuitry 112 and the third receive circuitry 123 may receive the third audio data signal from the third transmit circuitry 113. The receiver 120 may be receiving, in this example, three alternative broadcasts from the common source 114.
[0022] The respective receive circuitry 121, 122, 123 may provide the first, second and third audio data signals to a processor 124. It will be appreciated that the receive circuitry 121, 122 and 123 may further carry out front-end or receive processing on the received audio data signals before providing them to the processor 124. The processor may further process the audio data signals to prepare them for output at a receiver output 127. In some examples, the processor may carry out operations such as decoding to retrieve the end-user content from the respective audio data signals. The processor 124 may further align the end-user content carried by each audio data stream with respect to time, in order to compensate for differing time delays experienced by the respective transmit paths.
[0023] The processor may provide the processed audio data signals (for example, may provide aligned end user content from each audio data signal) to an output selection mechanism 125. The processor 124 may further provide an audio data signal or broadcast path selection indication 126. The output selection mechanism 125 may select end user content corresponding to the audio data signal or broadcast path identified by the audio data signal/broadcast path selection indication 126.The selected end user content may be output at a receiver output 127. The receiver output 127 may be coupled to provide the common end user content carried by the selected audio data stream to further circuity, for example an audio player, that will present or render the end user content to a user.
[0024] The processor 124 is configured to monitor the incoming audio data signals and select an audio data stream to provide the end user content for output. This selection may be based on a receive quality or user preferential selection of the audio data signals. The processor may change the selection of the audio data signal by changing the audio data signal indication 126. The processor may carry out alignment and blending between a currently output audio data stream (or end user content carried thereby) and a next selected audio data signal to be output.
[0025] It will be appreciated, that while the processor 124 has been described as carrying out alignment and blending between audio data signals, in some examples, this may not be an ongoing process but may be carried out when there is a determination that the output audio data signal should be switched. For example, the processor 124 may carry out these operations in response to a quality of a currently output audio data signal falling below a threshold.
[0026] In the example of figure 1, the audio data signals are broadcast from a common source via a plurality of broadcast or transmit paths. Each of these paths may correspond to a different broadcast domain. When a selected one of the received audio data signal becomes unsuitable for output to a user, for example if signal quality decreases, the receiver may select an alternative audio data signal to be output. A problem may occur when none of the alternative audio data signals are suitable for output. For example, if a vehicle enters a shielded area, such as a tunnel, the signal quality of all the audio data signals may degrade. Furthermore, in some areas only one audio data signal may be available for a common source.
[0027] Embodiments of the present application aim to provide additional options for output when an audio data signal is not of sufficient quality. Embodiments propose the additional use of audio data that may be accessed on demand - for example the use of libraries that are stored locally or on external storage and/or available over a network, for example subscription services such as Spotify.
[0028] In the foregoing example, broadcast audio data signals are received from a common source via different transmit paths. The broadcast audio data signals are identified on the basis that they are provided by the common source and carry common content. In embodiments, the end-user content carried by a broadcast audio data signal from the common source may be identified. Available on-demand data libraries may be searched for corresponding end-user content, for example searched for a specific song being played on a broadcast radio program. If corresponding end user content is found in an available library, it may be output in place of the end-user content carried by audio data signal for at least a portion of the broadcast audio data signal. In some examples, this at least a portion may be a portion for which none of the broadcast signals are of sufficient quality for output.
[0029] Figure 2 is an example of a receiver system in accordance with an embodiment. Figure 2 shows a receiver system 200 comprising first 121, second 122 and third 123 receive circuitry coupled to receive a respective first, second and third broadcast audio data signal from a common source. The first, second and third broadcast audio data signals may be received from the common source over first, second and third transmit paths, each corresponding to a broadcast domain. Each of the receive circuitry 121, 122, 123 is coupled to a processor 224 to provide a respective broadcast audio data signal to the processor 224 from the common source. The processor 224 is further coupled to receive a signal 128 from a user interface, indicating a selection of the user. The selection may identify a common source from which the user would like to receive broadcast audio data.
[0030] The processor 224 is further coupled to an output selection mechanism 225. The processor 224 may provide the respective broadcast audio data signals or end-user content 227 carried by the respective broadcast audio data signals to the output selection mechanism 225. The output selection mechanism 225 further receives an output selection indication 226 from the processor 224.
[0031] In embodiments, the processor 224 may further be coupled to three stored audio data inputs 221, 222 and 223. Each of the data inputs 221, 222 and 223 may be configured to provide stored audio data from a respective storage source 230, 240, 250 to the processor 224. Each of the storage sources may represent on demand audio data, for example data that may be requested and retrieved by the processor 224 at any time.
[0032] In an example, the first storage source 230 may be a portable memory device that may be coupled to the system, for example a USB stick, an SD card, a hard disk drive, CD, DVD and/or other memory device configured to interface with the receiver system 200. The second storage source 240 may be, for example, a mobile device such as a mobile phone having an internal memory or coupled to an external memory. In the case of an external memory, the mobile device may act as an interface between the receiver system 200 and the external memory. The third storage source 230 may be a mobile device for example a mobile phone that can access a remote memory across a network. For example, the remote memory may correspond to a remote audio library and/or an on demand streaming service.
[0033] The storage sources 230, 240 and 250 may provide access to libraries of user end content, for example audio data such as music, podcast and/or audio books. The processor 224 may be coupled to request and receive audio data signals carrying user end content from the storage sources 230, 240, 250. It will be appreciated that a format of the audio data signals from the storage sources may be specific to the type of source and/or system. In some examples, the data inputs 221, 222 and 223 may comprise further circuitry for initial processing of the audio data signals and/or interfacing with the respective storage sources 230, 240, 250.
[0034] The processor 224 may be coupled to provide one or more stored audio data signals or, in some cases, the end user content carried therein from respective storage sources to the selection mechanism 225 at 228. The selection mechanism 225 may selectively couple one of the audio data signals to provide an output 127. The selection mechanism may selection the audio data signal in dependence on the output selection indication 226.
[0035] When receiving one or more audio data streams from a common source, the processor may identify end user content carried therein. The processor may search one or more storage sources for matching content. When matching content is found, the processor 224 may request the matching content from the storage source and control the selection mechanism to output the end user content from the storage source in place of the broadcast audio data signal. In some examples, the processor 224 may continue to monitor the broadcast audio data signal to detect a change in end user content to new end user content. In some cases, the processor may then search one or more storage sources for the new end-user content. The processor may control the selection mechanism to re-select the broadcast audio data signal for output when the end user content from the storage source comes to an end.
[0036] In other embodiments, the processor may be configured to preferentially select a broadcast audio data signal for output and only select the stored audio input for periods for which no broadcast audio data signals of sufficient quality are available.
[0037] The foregoing exemplifies three stored audio data inputs, however it will be appreciated that this is by way of example only and one or more stored audio data sources may be available.
[0038] Figure 3 is a flow diagram depicting the method steps that may be carried out by the processor 224 in an example embodiment.
[0039] At step 301, the processor 224 may select a broadcast audio data signal to be output. The broadcast audio data signal may be carrying first content. The broadcast audio data signal may be, for example, received at one of the receiving circuitry 121, 122 and 123. As described, the selected signal may be received from a common broadcast source. The processor 224 may select the broadcast audio data signal in response to a signal 128 from a user interface indicating a common source and broadcast domain. In some examples, the processor 224 may select the broadcast audio data signal by providing an audio data signal indication to the selection mechanism 225. In other examples, the processor 224 may directly provide the broadcast audio data signal to the output 127.
[0040] The processor 224 may monitor the quality, for example the reception quality, of the selected broadcast audio data signal. At step 302, the processor 224 may make a determination whether the selected broadcast audio data signal is of sufficient quality for output. In some examples, this may comprise comparing a quality indication of the selected broadcast audio data signal to a threshold. The threshold may correspond to, for example, an acceptable quality of an output signal.
[0041] If, at step 302, it is determined that the selected broadcast audio data signal is of acceptable quality, the method may proceed 303 to step 301 where the broadcast audio data signal is continued to be selected. If, at step 302, it is determined that the selected broadcast audio data signal is not of acceptable quality, the method may optionally proceed to step 305 where it is determined whether content corresponding to the first content is available in one or more storage sources 230, 240, 250 coupled to the processor 224.
[0042] At step 305, the determination may be carried out by identifying the first content carried by the selected broadcast audio data signal and search one or more storage sources 230, 240, 250 coupled to the processor 224 for content corresponding to the first content. In one example, the first content may be a song or audio book and the storage sources 230, 240, 250 may be searched of the same or corresponding song or audio book.
[0043] If it is determined that corresponding content is available in a storage source, the method proceeds to step 306 where that corresponding content is selected for output. The processor 224 may request the corresponding content from the storage source and output an audio data signal received from the storage source in response on output 127. It will be appreciated that the processor 224 may directly output the selected audio data signal from the storage source to the output 127 in some examples, in this case, the selection mechanism may form part of the processor 224 or be omitted.
[0044] If it is determined that corresponding content is not available in a storage source at step 305, the method may optionally proceed 304 to step 301 where the broadcast audio data signal remains selected. It will be appreciated that this is by way of example only. In other examples, if further broadcast audio data signals are available from the common source, one of these with sufficient quality may be selected. In further examples, other actions may be taken, for example, providing an indication that no audio data signals are available.
[0045] In the example of figure 3, the search for corresponding content at step 305 is carried out after the selection of the audio data signal at step 301. It will however be appreciated that in some embodiments the search for, or identifying of, the corresponding content may be carried out prior or simultaneously to the selection of an audio data signal for output.
[0046] Figure 3 described switching between a broadcast audio data signal carrying first content and a data audio signal carrying corresponding first content from a storage source. It will be appreciated that the receiver system of figure 2 may be capable of switching between other signals. For example, the receiver system may switch between broadcast audio data signal - for example unidirectionally between a first DAB signal and a second DAB signal, a first DAB signal and a first FM signal, a first DAB signal and a first internet radio signal and/or a first FM signal and a first internet radio signal.
[0047] In accordance with embodiments, the receiver system 200 may further switch between a broadcast audio data signal and an audio data signal from a storage source. For example, the receiver system 200 may switch between a broadcast audio data signal and an audio data signal from an offline library, for example an offline library available to an interface with the receiver system such as internal memory on mobile devices, external memory on mobile devices, SD memory, HDD memory, USB memory, CD and/or DVD. The receiver system 200 may switch between a broadcast audio data signal and an audio data signal from an online library based on any kind of streaming services.
[0048] It will be appreciated that switching or selecting between audio data signals (broadcast and/or from storage sources) may comprise blending and aligning the signals so that audible artifacts are not presented to a user. The processor 224 may therefore carry out processing on the audio data signals. Such processing may comprise calculating or determining blending data for each audio data signal or, at least, each audio data signal to be blending. The blending data may comprise, for example, a time delay between the signals, loudness, spectra and/or channel separation. The blending data may be used to equalize and align two audio data signals before they are switched between or blended.
[0049] In the example of figure 3, the stored audio content is selected for output in response to a currently selected audio data signal from the common source becoming unusable due to a decrease in signal quality. It will however be appreciated that the type of audio data signal selected (the broadcast audio data signal or the stored audio data signal) may be prioritized in another manner. For example, in the embodiment of figure 4, a stored audio data signal from a storage source will only be selected if no other broadcast audio data signals of sufficient quality are available. In this example, the audio data signal from the storage source is also only selected as long as no broadcast signals of sufficient quality are available.
[0050] The method of figure 4 also depicts method steps that may be carried out by a processor in preparation for switching between a received broadcast audio data signal and an audio data signal from a storage source.
[0051] At step 401 of figure 4, a signal, for example signal 128, is from a user interface indicating a broadcast audio signal selection of the user. The method may then proceed to steps 402, 403 and 404.
[0052] At step 402, the processor may tune a first receiver path, for example receive path associated with receiver 121, to receive the selected broadcast audio data signal. At step 403, the processor may start a background scan for other broadcast audio data signals from the same common source as the selected broadcast audio data signal. For example, if the user selection was an FM channel from a first source, the processor may initiate a scan to identify other transmission paths, for example DAB or internet radio, from the common source. If additional broadcast audio data signals are identified, the receivers 121, 122 and 123 may be tuned to receive these signals.
[0053] At step 404, the processor may identify end user content carried by the selected broadcast audio data signal. It will be appreciated that as the end-user content of the selected broadcast audio data signal may change periodically, step 404 and consequently step 405 may be carried out periodically or in response to a change in the end-user content carried by the selected broadcast audio data signal. From step 404, the method may proceed to step 405 where a background scan of one or more of the storage sources 230, 240, 250 is run, searching for corresponding end user content.
[0054] It will be appreciated that while steps 402, 403 and 404/405 have been depicted as being run simultaneously, these steps may be run at independent times.
[0055] After step 402, the method proceeds to step 406 where it is determined whether the reception or signal quality of the selected broadcast audio data signal is acceptable. If the determination is positive, the method returns to step 402 where the selected broadcast audio data signal continues to be output. If the determination is negative, the method proceeds to step 407 where it is determined whether another broadcast audio data signal is available. If the other broadcast audio data signal is available, the method proceeds to step 408 where the selection of the broadcast audio data signal for output is switched between the initially selected signal and the newly determined signal. The method may then loop back to step 407 to determine whether any broadcast data signals have become available.
[0056] If it is determined at step 407 that no other broadcast audio data signal of sufficient quality is available, the method may proceed to step 408 where end-user content located in a storage source at step 404/405 is selected for output. The processor may request the end-user content from the storage source and align it to the corresponding end-user content in the selected broadcast audio data output signal before output. The output selection is thus switched between the broadcast audio data signal and an audio data signal from the storage source carrying the identified end user content.
[0057] It will be appreciated that although figure 4 gives an example of prioritizing the selection of broadcast audio data signals, other options are possible. It will be appreciated that steps 401 to 406 may be carried out for any selection prioritization.
[0058] At steps 407 and 402, a switch is made between an initially selected broadcast audio data signal and a respective newly selected broadcast audio data signal or audio data signal from a storage source. It will be appreciated that in some example signal properties of the initial and newly selected signal may differ. In this case, the processor may additionally carry out blending between the signals.
[0059] In steps 404 and 405, it has been described that the processor may identify end-user content and search attached storage sources for corresponding end user content. In one example, the processor may first check for all available/connected devices such as mobile phones, tablets, CD, DVD, HDD, USB or other storage mediums. The processor may then create a device list providing a list of the available storage medium. The contents of the listed devices may be checked to create a library list. The library list may provide a list of content available on the available devices. The library list may be created by identifying the content of libraries available from the connected devices, for example by categorising content through the use mp3 tags and/or music identification software like Shazam.
[0060] In the foregoing, it has been described to identify end user content in broadcast audio data signal and identify corresponding end user data in one or more storage sources. It will be appreciated that the end user content may be identified in various ways, for example by meta data indicating a title, a dynamic label of the content, an mp3 tag and/or interpreting the content via radio data system (RDS) information.
1. A receiver system comprising:
a first broadcast input configured to receive a first broadcast data signal carrying first content;
a first storage input configured to be coupled to a first storage source;
an output configured to provide an output signal comprising the first content; and
a processor configured to be coupled to the first broadcast and first storage inputs and provide the first content to the output;
wherein the processor is further configured to:
identify the first content in the first broadcast data signal;
search the first storage source for the first content; and
selectively provide the first content to the output from one of the first broadcast signal and the first storage source in dependence on a reception quality of the first broadcast signal.
2. The receiver system of any preceding claim further comprising:
a plurality of storage inputs, each configured to be coupled to a respective storage source;
wherein the first storage source is any one of the plurality of storage inputs.
3. The receiver system of claim 2 further comprising:
a plurality of broadcast inputs, each configured to receive a respective broadcast data signal carrying the first content;
wherein the first broadcast input is any one of the plurality of broadcast inputs.
4. The receiver system of any preceding claim wherein the first storage source is a removable
memory device.
5. The receiver system of any preceding claim wherein the first storage source is a remote
memory device coupled to the first storage input by a communication network,
6. The receiver system of any preceding claim wherein the processor is further configured
to:
selectively provide the first content from the first storage source when a reception quality of the first broadcast signal is less than a threshold.
7. The receiver system of claim 6 wherein the threshold defines a quality below which
a broadcast signal will not be rendered to the output.
8. The receiver system of any preceding claim wherein the processor is configured to
determine a reception quality of at least one of the further broadcast data signals.
9. The receiver system of any preceding claim further comprising:
a user selection input configured to receive a user selection signal identifying a broadcast source;
wherein the broadcast source provides the first broadcast data signal and any further broadcast data signals carrying the first content.
10. The receiver system of claim 9 wherein the first broadcast input is configured to
receive the first broadcast data signal in response to the user selection input and
any further broadcasts inputs are configured to receive respective any further broadcast
data signals in response to the user selection input.
11. The receiver system of any preceding claim wherein, when the first content is provided
to the output from the first storage source, the processor is further configured to:
identify a broadcast data signal with a reception quality above a threshold value; and
provide the first content to the output from the identified broadcast data signal.
12. A method comprising:
receiving a first broadcast data signal carrying first content;
identifying the first content in the first broadcast data signal;
searching a first storage source for the first content; and
selectively providing the first content to an output from one of the first broadcast signal and the first storage source in dependence on a reception quality of the first broadcast signal.
13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:
selectively providing the first content from the first storage source when a reception quality of the first broadcast signal is less than a threshold; and
selectively providing the first content from the first broadcast data signal when the reception quality is about the threshold.
14. The method of claim 12 further comprising:
receiving a user selection signal identifying a broadcast source, wherein the broadcast source provides the first broadcast data signal and any further broadcast data signals carrying the first content; and
receiving the first broadcast data signal and any further broadcast data signals carrying the first content in response to the user selection input.
15. The method of any of claims 12 to 14 further comprising:
providing the first content from the first storage source;
identifying a broadcast data signal with a reception quality above a threshold value; and
providing the first content to the output from the identified broadcast data signal.
Amended claims in accordance with Rule 137(2) EPC.
1. A receiver system comprising:
a plurality of broadcast inputs (121, 122, 123) each configured to receive a respective broadcast data signal from a common source carrying first content;
a first storage input (221, 222, 223) configured to be coupled to a first storage source;
an output (127) configured to provide an output signal comprising the first content; and
a processor (224) configured to be coupled to each broadcast and first storage inputs and provide (402) the first content to the output;
wherein the processor is further configured to:
prior to determining (406) whether a reception quality of a first broadcast signal is acceptable, to:
start a background scan (403) to search for other broadcast data signals from the common source;
identify (404) the first content in the first broadcast data signal; and
start a background scan (405) to search the first storage source for the first content;
determine (406) whether a reception quality of the first broadcast signal is acceptable;
in response to a determination that the reception quality of the first broadcast signal is not acceptable, to determine (407) whether said other broadcast data signals are available;
in response to a determination that said other broadcast data signals are available, to provide (402) the first content to the output from a said other broadcast data signal; and
in response to a determination that no other broadcast data signals are available, to provide the first content to the output from the first storage source.
2. The receiver system of claim 1 further comprising:
a plurality of storage inputs, each configured to be coupled to a respective storage source;
wherein the first storage source is any one of the plurality of storage inputs.
3. The receiver system of any preceding claim wherein the first storage source is a removable
memory device.
4. The receiver system of any preceding claim wherein the first storage source is a remote
memory device coupled to the first storage input by a communication network,
5. The receiver system of any preceding claim wherein the processor is further configured
to:
selectively provide the first content from the first storage source when a reception quality of the first broadcast signal is less than a threshold.
selectively provide the first content from the first storage source when a reception quality of the first broadcast signal is less than a threshold.
6. The receiver system of claim 5 wherein the threshold defines a quality below which
a broadcast signal will not be rendered to the output.
7. The receiver system of any preceding claim wherein the processor is configured to
determine a reception quality of at least one of the further broadcast data signals.
8. The receiver system of any preceding claim further comprising:
a user selection input configured to receive a user selection signal identifying a broadcast source;
wherein the broadcast source provides the first broadcast data signal and any further broadcast data signals carrying the first content.
9. The receiver system of claim 8 wherein the first broadcast input is configured to
receive the first broadcast data signal in response to the user selection input and
any further broadcasts inputs are configured to receive respective any further broadcast
data signals in response to the user selection input.
10. The receiver system of any preceding claim wherein, when the first content is provided
to the output from the first storage source, the processor is further configured to:
identify a broadcast data signal with a reception quality above a threshold value; and
provide the first content to the output from the identified broadcast data signal.
11. A method comprising:
receiving a first broadcast data signal from a common source carrying first content;
prior to determining (406) whether a reception quality of the first broadcast signal is acceptable:
starting a background scan (403) to search for other broadcast data signals from the common source;
identifying the first content in the first broadcast data signal;
starting a background scan (405) to search a first storage source for the first content;
determining (406) whether a reception quality of the first broadcast signal is acceptable;
in response to a determination that the reception quality of the first broadcast signal is not acceptable, determining (407) whether said other broadcast data signals are available;
in response to a determination that said other broadcast data signals are available, to provide (402) the first content to the output from a said other broadcast data signal; and
in response to a determination that no other broadcast data signals are available, to provide the first content to an output from the first storage source.
12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:
selectively providing the first content from the first storage source when a reception quality of the first broadcast signal is less than a threshold; and
selectively providing the first content from the first broadcast data signal when the reception quality is about the threshold.
13. The method of claim 11 further comprising:
receiving a user selection signal identifying a broadcast source, wherein the broadcast source provides the first broadcast data signal and any further broadcast data signals carrying the first content; and
receiving the first broadcast data signal and any further broadcast data signals carrying the first content in response to the user selection input.
14. The method of any of claims 11 to 13 further comprising:
providing the first content from the first storage source;
identifying a broadcast data signal with a reception quality above a threshold value; and
providing the first content to the output from the identified broadcast data signal.