Broadcast receiver system for a car, comprising a plurality of receivers, with decoding of supplementary data contained in the broadcast programme

0001The present invention relates to a broadcast receiving system, in particular a RDS radio receiver system with an input / output unit having a plurality of associated receiving units and a method for receiving Broadcasts using this radio receiver system. There are radio receiver known as so-called A-tuner devices, which in a housing part of a single tuner, a control unit, a having signal processing unit and an input / output unit. The on Antenna received and via the antenna cable to the radio receiver supplied antenna signal is demodulated in the tuner unit and the quality rated, adapted in the signal conditioning unit according to Klangeinstellparametern and amplified and sent to the outputs, in particular the speaker. Furthermore may also be in the broadcast radio signal data received, such as the Program identification tag or other data to the signals in the Display of the input / output unit are displayed. If in a single-tuner Autobest-broadcast receivers the by a tuner unit received Broadcast signal less than a threshold quality, so is determined by the control unit attempts to set a different frequency on the same transmitter, which better one having signal. During this time, the signal processing is determined by the Signal conditioning unit interrupted since for this time no broadcast reception on a defined frequency is given with sufficient quality. this leads to Interruptions - so-called mute breaks - in the output audio signal. These Interruptions are so troublesome, the more often the test is made, to find a better signal and switch the tuner unit to this frequency. Besides prove unpleasant for the listener interrupts playback the A tuner device as quite large, since they need to be installed in a Vehicle at least the 1-DIN slot, the necessary functional units accommodate close to the user.

0002Moreover sin known d-called double or multiple-tuner devices. these known devices, two or more parts with a tuner control unit, an Signal conditioning unit accommodated in a housing, where a common Antenna is associated. These double- or multiple-tuner devices are the single tuner parts switched on several alternative frequencies and the same transmitter set. In this case, the best tuner signal is controlled by the control unit on the passed signal processing unit which controls the audio signal output via the Output unit ensures. These devices are due to the interaction of the different tuner parts with a common antenna to very expensive control, because it is always determine which tuner part specific to a Time receiving the best signal and hence to the signal conditioning unit must be switched through and which are separated from the other of these have to. Since the different functional units interact with each other are, they require an enormous organizational effort, since the problems of Accommodation of all functional units of the double or multiple-tuner receiver more difficult in a single housing. Thus, the advantage is these devices, a two by simply switching identical received Broadcast signals of different frequencies reached mute-free switching ensure, through a series of electrical, physical and organizational Disadvantages accompanied.

0003Furthermore, radio receiver with antenna diversity arrangements are known (see US-A-5345602). Such arrangements show a broadcast receiver with at least one tuner unit and a plurality of antennas, of which one to by a changeover switch on Antenna input of the radio receiver can be connected. Such Radio receivers with antenna diversity arrangement having using in Motor vehicles acquired a special significance, since the selection of the best Antenna and thus of the best received signal from the orientation and of the dependent position of the vehicle. In this known antenna diversity arrangements is always the choice of the antenna according to the quality of Antenna signal is determined on a set frequency. These Receiving systems exhibit a satisfactory to good reception quality, as long as a Antenna provides a good on the set frequency to very good antenna signal. However, there is a case that none of the antennas on the set frequency sufficient signal, must be either the set frequency with the poor reception signal to the tuner and consequently led to the output unit will, which leads to a poor playback signal, or it must receive the be interrupted - mute breaks - and at this time an alternative frequency be selected and switched to this. Thus, it is clear that such Antenna diversity arrangements are only limited ability, trouble-free to ensure reception

0004The invention is therefore based on the object, a radio receiver system and to provide a method of operating such a radio receiver system, that overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks.

0005This object is achieved by the radio receiver system having the features of Claim 1 and the method for operating such a Radio receiver system with the features according to claims 7 or 8 dissolved.

0006Advantageous embodiments of the invention result from the dependent claims.

0007According to the radio receiver system is a decentralized system formed, which has an input / output unit and a plurality of remote Receiving units. Each of the receiving units is a control unit, a tuner part and a signal processing unit with a digital interface, and at least one its associated antenna. The receiver units are connected to the input / output unit connected via a connecting line for digital signals. By Decentralization succeeds in a particularly advantageous manner, the individual units to arrange the suitable for their functional positions of the vehicle where not as in the console of the vehicle due to the required operability for the user for a variety of devices always a huge lack of space prevails. By decentralizing succeed now, no more of this attention having to depend on the space requirement and thus optimized solutions particularly with regard to Störeinstrahlfestigkeit, temperature stability and good be able to form stable frequency responses, which far smaller in favor of a had to stand design. This is the vulnerability of the Radio receiver system against failure or malfunction due to external Influences or disturbances external devices by the radio receiver system itself significantly reduced.

0008By assigning a tuner part to each receiving unit succeeds, that a and the same radio receiver system without additional hardware alone by appropriate control of both as a frequency diversity system, as well as Antenna diversity system as well as a combination of antenna and frequency diversity system able to work. In frequency diversity system work the Receiving units with the associated antennas at different frequencies the same transmitter, wherein the one receiving unit receives the privilege, which the best quality signal from the same transmitter can specify the input / output unit. in the Antenna diversity operation work the receiving units with the associated Tuner parts on the same frequency, whereby the fundamental differences in the Orientation and the position of the antennas to fruition and thereby for receiving the appropriate antenna can be selected. But since it not only to selecting the best frequency, ie the tuner itself or the antenna itself arrives, but the combination of tuner part and antenna, so the inventive system is an optimized radio receiver system for both the frequency and the antenna diversity operation. By both Modes are the reciprocal influences of tuner parts and antennas when assessing the quality of information provided to the output unit signal considered to give the best signal really comes to play. In which Radio receiver system described are therefore all essential Factors influencing the Tuner and the antennas can be considered.

0009It does not matter, in which the receiving mode Listening to the radio system is operated, whether, in the exclusive frequency diversity operation the exclusive antenna diversity mode or in a Operation form which is a mixture of the two types of operation, in which a Part of the receiving units as antenna diversity on a single group Frequency of a station are operated and one or more other units including antenna diversity group at different frequencies and the same transmitter can be operated. Both are the special advantages of Summary of the tuner parts with associated antenna to a receiving unit recognizable.

0010According to the invention the receiving units and the input / output unit are connected via a Connection cable for digital signals connected. About this digital Connecting line in addition to the control signals between the input / output unit and the receiving units, as well as under the receiving units, including as quality information to the signals received or transmitted, exchanged, the digital audio or digital intermediate frequency signals transfer. By using such connecting lines for digital Signals and transmitting the signals between the components in the form of digital signals may be the influence of noise on the transmission path reduce significantly between the components, as by various Correction mechanisms where appropriate resolved resulting transmission errors can be. It is particularly advantageous that the frequency of Transmission error is largely independent of the length of the transmission path and thus is the reduction of transmission errors by the choice of Transfer form directly and through the possibility of using appropriate Correction mechanisms almost regardless of the dezentraliesten Stuktur of is radio receiver system where particularly effizeint.

0011Each receiving unit receives the one or various of the associated Antennas an antenna signal processed by the respective tuner part and will be judged on its quality. The conditioned signal is together with the Quality signal is digitized and the digital interface to the Connecting line for transmission to the respective other receiving units or transmitted to the input / output unit. The controller is any Receiving unit ensured by its own control unit. This control unit secures in addition to controlling the receiver via the tuner part quality evaluation and the digitization of processed data, as well as the delivery of digitized Data to the connection line or the reception of the or handdown another receiving unit obtained digital data. The hatches will always be the case if the quality of data of the received signals are better than that of the processed in the own tuner part signals. In this case, therefore, be own received signals not passed on to the input / output unit. A Overloading the receiving system by unnecessary data on the connection line is thereby prevented in a simple and safe manner.

0012Through the radio receiver system described is with optimized layout a secure receiving high reception quality guaranteed, because it is allows the radio receiver system, both the advantages of frequency diversity system, and the antenna diversity system can use at the same time, the respective advantages are further enhanced by the real Quality factors come into play, and not, as in the prior art, only the Quality factors alone individual predictors thereof.

0013According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the Receiving units and their associated antennas or the associated Antenna arranged to each other in close proximity, that is, the Receiving units are preferably positioned in the region of the antenna base. This makes it possible interference in the path between the antenna and the reduce receiving unit to the tuner part and thus the reception quality to substantially increase. This is all the more significant if one considers that the Antenna signals of very low signal strength and noise pickup other components of the automobile, for example, by the ignition, greatly disturbed can be. As a preferred embodiment has been found that Receiving units and the associated antenna to a spatially compact unit to connect, ie preferably to integrate the receiver unit in the antenna base. Thus, the interference on the signal from the antenna can be for minimize receiving unit what to even by the common housing to Antenna to the receiving unit can be enhanced. This housing is preferably formed of electrically conductive material, thereby obtaining a reinforced and improved electromagnetic shield in the manner of a Faraday cage can be achieved. The prepared via the antenna and the receiving unit, digitized broadcast signals are then, as they are largely free from interference via the connecting lines directly or indirectly via other receiving units to transmitted to an output unit and there via amplifier units and speakers made audible for the user. This leads to an optimized, low-interference Play of the broadcast signal.

0014According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the Receiving units and the input / output unit through the connecting line to connected a ring. This can be the organizational effort for substantially reduce management and distribution of the digitized data, as each Component of the ring relative to the other components in a single unbranched series disposed. Receives the input / output unit, a digital Broadcast signal, so is guaranteed by this arrangement that all Receiving units have already received this broadcast signal previously and depending Quality of their own received signal the signal present on the ring have passed or its own input to the ring. In this way, ensured that always the best reception signal for transmission on the ring is added, and finally at the input / output unit for display on the User arrives.

0015Due to the optimized form of organization in the form of a ring can be of significantly reduce control costs and thus the hardware cost, which the vulnerability and susceptibility of the entire system is further reduced. In addition, allows the shortened due to reduced overhead, necessary time to adjust the system to new reception conditions much better reception result, particularly in fast and strong changing reception conditions such as when driving in the mountains.

0016As advantageous has been found, the connection lines for the transmission form of optical signals. This can be done by means of optical waveguides, the are connected to the receiving units and the input / output unit and by These get irradiated, the digital optical signals and from the Optical waveguides refer. A transmission of digital signals over optical Optical fiber reduces the susceptibility to interference of electromagnetic particular Glitches, which in turn the quality of the reproduction benefits.

0017According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, in the input / output unit a control unit provided that the global control Radio receiver system ensured. This global control determines the overriding function of the individual receiver units to each other, ie which Receiving unit to the frequency diversity mode or the antenna diversity mode subject. The control data required are held through its Connecting cable replaced. This case, individual reception units themselves in turn, are grouped together, the group-wide on a Control feature. This cross-group control is still centrally by manages the global control in the input / output unit. Through this hierarchical structure of the organization is a safe, total systemic ensures defined operation of the radio receiver system. For example, recognize the crucial overarching control in the input / output unit, whether the Receiving units are defective and no longer available. is only a single receiving unit in operation, is the crucial overarching causing control that an emergency operating mode comes into play, which the Function of an ordinary A tuner Autobest broadcasting device with this one only remaining receiving unit realized. Furthermore, this central higher-level control, when you add a further receiving unit receiving its strategy specific to the new circumstances to adjust. This is done by the receiving units regularly or or at least when the system your position and your number of input / output unit say which depends selects them their reception strategies. Thus, automatically without mechanical or electrical interference in the system Identifying and specifying the position when adding a new Receiving unit or in the removal of a receiving unit to Conditions adapted control of the entire system by means of the reception hierarchical structured management organization be guaranteed. In order to let the different reception modes pure antenna diversity operation against pure frequency diversity operation over a mixed operation with possibly varying number of participants in a mode of operation in a preferred Manner in accordance with the respective receiving situation choose without being a requires specific intervention of the user. According to another preferred embodiment, the receiving units are equipped with their control units designed so that the global control of the entire Receiving units, even if they in some or all in one or more groups are summarized, depending on the number, depending on the location of the receiving units or place of the receiving units associated antennas, depending on the characteristics of the tuner parts and accept or assume similar factors influencing the quality of reception can. In the case that the reception units over the global control have or have held, is determined by the input / output unit, the control function for the Receiving system made only in very limited scope. The control is essentially limited to the preparation of the input / output unit the connecting line supplied digital signals, that is, for example, Control of sound processing or control the gain, and the like and control of man-machine interfaces and the definition and communication the selected channel (eg SWF 3) reference to an exemplary receiving frequency, a transmitter identification tag or other identification of selected station to the receiver units via the connecting line. At a such an embodiment of the invention the receiving units identical in particular be provided with the same control, thereby creating a very flexible Receiving system is formed. The receiving units can in this case independently without the interposition of the input / output unit determine how many Receiving units for receiving are available and in accordance with these and similar Information adapted to the current conditions if necessary amended Select reception strategy. In particular, mixed reception strategieën, Emergency strategieën or intergroup strategieën possible and show the previously mentioned advantages. The decentralized control by the receiving units yet enables the complete event of a failure of the input / output unit Operation of the receiving units and the output from the input / output unit in one corresponding to the interference limited extent. In this case, each the receiving units alone or in conjunction with one or more of other receiving units assume the global control of the reception system. This is a defect of a receiving unit affects not directly empfangsverhindernd or receiving disturbing.

0018Preferably, the receiving system is designed such that it in the distribution of Tasks between the receiving units in addition to the current, changing Conditions, for example due to the position of the vehicle in which the Radio receiver system is installed, and basic characteristics of the Receiving unit are taken into account with the associated antennas. Without Restriction to this example is such a fundamental property which Receiving characteristics of an antenna of a certain type. Displays an antenna in the upper half of the FM band particularly good reception characteristics while in the lower half shows very poor, so the receiving unit with this is Antenna regularly only for FM reception frequencies in the upper half of the FM band are used, and at the bottom of other receiving units. Appropriate conditions may be preferred tasks within a perform frequency or antenna diversity mode. An embodiment of the invention is shown in the Figure 1 and is in the described hereinafter. The radio receiver system 1 comprises an input / output unit 2 and four Receiving units 3, with the input / output unit 2 via an annular Connecting line 9 are connected. Each receiving unit 3 shows a control unit 4 and two digital interfaces 7 on, one of which is adapted to receive the digital signals of the ring, and one for feeding the digital signals from the receiving unit 3 in the Connecting line 9. Furthermore, the receiving units 3 are each a tuner part 5 and a signal processing unit 6, which also into a single unit may be combined. Each receiving unit 3, one or more associated antennas. 8 By the antennas 8, an antenna signal which is optionally substituted from several Antenna signals is formed, fed to the tuner unit 5, which this together processed with the signal processing unit 6 to an audio signal and with a Quality rating bands. Depending on the quality assessment is the received and processed signal in digitized form via the digital Interface 7 to the connecting line 9 to be forwarded to the input / output unit 2, where, if on the connecting line 9 from the other previous receive units 3 transmit a worse signal. Is this Signal from the preceding receiving unit better or equally good, so is the via the interface 7 received signal to the other interface 7 for feeding in the connecting line 9 to be forwarded to the input / output unit 2 passed. The input / output unit 2 receives the digital signal via its interface to 7 and prepares the audio signal controlled by the control unit 10 through the amplifier 12 with associated signal conditioning in the form of balance, fader, treble, bass, Pseudo-stereo, equalizer regulations on to it then to the speakers 13, the only one is drawn forward. By the Man-Machine-Interface 11, via which the user of the Radio receiver system 1 its settings as station selection as Volume setting as sound setting, etc., can make are the these Settings corresponding digital control commands or digital control data via the control unit 10 of the input / output unit 2 and the interface 7 to the Receiving units 3 passed with their control units 4 or the amplifier 12th In accordance with the digital control data are addressed by this Receiving units 3 or the amplifier 12 a corresponding behavior pattern accept. In particular, is determined by this control data which Receiving units 3 as antenna diversity units on a given should work common frequency and what the function of frequency diversity Empfangem to accept under this operations are the received radio signals processed and with control data in the form of Quality data given as digital data in the annular connecting line. 9 According to the quality data, the digital broadcast data on the Connecting line 9 in the individual receiving unit 3 either by there replaces receiving and processed broadcast data or simply to unchanged Input / output unit 2 passed. The control unit 10 takes in the input / output unit 2, the cross-system control of the receiving units 3, while the controllers 4 in the receiving units 3 local or Circumstances, the control of a group of receiving units 3 with appropriate or the same task is performed. In this way, is a hierarchic Organizational structure with few hierarchical levels in the example described, 2 or 3 given what the organization simplified and the data to be transmitted via the Connecting line 9 holds limited. Regularly send the receiving units 3 a message to the input / output unit 2 from where they Their presence, their configuration - one or more connected antennas, FM or AM tuner part, or similar general reception quality - and their position - third device in the ring or installation trunk - specify. Based on this status data, the controller 10 of the input / output unit 2, the Reception strategy set Standing a larger number of receiving units Available is a mixed antenna / frequency diversity strategy Application come from a small number of eg 2 or 3 receiver units is purely a reception strategy regularly applied and the Failure of all receiving units 3 to a sole remaining active Receiving unit 3 is this the emergency strategy of A-receptor Autobest tuner assigned. In this case, via the man-machine interface 11 the Users of the failures of the different receiver units 3 preferably with indication communicated their positions, so that the user, the repair or replacement of defective receiving units 3 can guide the way. As the control unit 10 on the failures of receiving units 3 reacts as she recognizes from the Status messages adding one or more additional receiver units 3 and adjusts the reception strategy to systemic conditions to Decisive for a low-interference possible reception is the arrangement of the Receiving units 3 with their associated antennas 8 in close spatial Near each other, which in Figure 1 by direct bonding of these elements is indicated. This has the result that the installation site of the receiving unit 3 according determines the position of one or more associated antennas. 8 Put the antennas 8 window antennas are, so will the associated receiving unit 3 optionally arranged as close as possible to the disc in the context of the disc. Make the antenna is 8 ordinary rod antenna is in the fender area, so the associated receiver unit housed in the antenna, what the length of the Antenna line is reduced to an absolute minimum. If the antenna with the Receiving unit in addition still with a housing according to a Faraday cage is provided, which is not shown in Figure 1, so are the EMI finally reduced to a minimum level. The input / output unit 2 with its man-machine interface 11 is in the range of Console of the motor vehicle arranged, where the user operating the Rundfunkemfangssystem 1 may carry out without his attention from to reduce traffic. Here, the input / output unit 2 not only function for the broadcast receiving system 1 alone but also to other electrical or electronic components in the vehicle, such as air conditioning, navigation, telephone or similar take. Not least thereby the limited and coveted space in the console in a particularly efficient way for the input and output of uses information from and to the user, and thus not for the treatment wasted antenna signals or the like.