JP2005123782A - Transmitter, receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To conveniently and effectively use a recorded broadcast content when a radio broadcast content is recorded on a receiving device side.
When a radio broadcast is recorded on the receiving device side, a series of time-lapse radio broadcast contents are automatically recorded at a predetermined time regardless of the listener's will or operation. The content file is recorded on the HDD or the like. That is, in the broadcasting station side such as FM broadcast, the recording timing of the broadcast audio signal is instructed by the recording control signal, and the receiving side transmits the broadcast audio signal of the designated period based on the recording control signal to 1 One content file is recorded on a recording medium such as an HDD. For example, it is divided into content files and recorded on a recording medium according to program content such as music and news.
[Selection] Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a transmission device and a reception device used for transmission / reception of FM radio broadcasting, for example.

JP 2001-76461 A JP 2000-174647 A JP-A-10-55656

In FM radio broadcasting, so-called FM character multiplex broadcasting is performed, in which character data is multiplexed on a broadcast audio signal.
The multiplexed character data is extracted by a character decoder in the radio receiver and displayed as characters on a small display unit provided in the radio receiver, for example.

As the character data, for example, a character program (program data) composed of a plurality of pages is repeatedly broadcast. For example, the content is independent of the program being broadcast as sound, such as weather forecast and traffic information (for example, Independent programs), information related to audio broadcast contents (linked programs), such as the names of songs on air, performer names, program contents, and DJ names.
In particular, song name information as a linked program is normally broadcast at the same time as a song as broadcast audio when a song is being broadcast, and character information that is the song name or artist name. Normally, this song name information is sent at the start of a song, and is repeatedly sent a plurality of times while the song is being broadcast.

By the way, various recording media and recording / reproducing apparatuses corresponding to them have been developed. For example, in a recording / reproducing apparatus equipped with a radio tuner, a user can easily record a radio broadcast (air check). Has been. For example, in a recording / reproducing apparatus using a magnetic tape, a mini disk, or the like as a recording medium, devices capable of recording a radio broadcast have been widely used.
With such a device, a user can perform an air check by performing a recording operation at an arbitrary timing while listening to a radio broadcast.

  In particular, in the case of text multiplex broadcasting, when recording broadcast audio, character data as a linked program is also recorded in association with each other, or titles are added to audio data by using character data. In addition, the above-mentioned patent document proposes that audio contents of a user's favorite genre are automatically selected and recorded.

In recent years, a recording / reproducing apparatus capable of recording a large amount of audio content has been realized by mounting a large-capacity HDD (hard disk drive) or the like. In this case, the HDD stores audio contents ripped (dubbed) from a package medium such as a CD (compact disc), audio contents downloaded via a network such as the Internet, and the like.
The user can use the HDD-equipped recording / reproducing apparatus as, for example, a home server. For example, not only audio content such as music is reproduced from the HDD, but also a portable audio device side, for example, a mini-disc in a mini-disc recording / reproducing device, or a recording / reproducing device using a semiconductor memory (hereinafter also referred to as a portable device) ), The audio content can be enjoyed outdoors.

By the way, as described above, for example, if a radio tuner is installed in a recording / playback apparatus equipped with an HDD (of course, the recording medium may not be an HDD), it is possible to record radio broadcast sound on the HDD or the like. Conceivable. Then, music, news, various information, etc. in radio broadcasting can be recorded as audio contents in the HDD, and these can be played back arbitrarily and listened to, or copied to a portable device and played back in an arbitrary place. It becomes like this.
However, audio signals received by radio broadcasting are temporally continuous signals. For example, when a user wants to record a certain song to be broadcast, the user can start / end recording while listening to the radio broadcast. It must be made. That is, it is the same operation as the conventional air check, and it is necessary for the user to specify the period of the audio signal to be recorded as one content file. When this is considered as an operation for storing a large amount of content in an HDD or the like and using it as a home server, the user's effort is enormous, which is not practical.

Patent Document 3 describes a technique of extracting broadcast sound (particularly music) using character data in character multiplex broadcasting and automatically recording it as a single content file (track) on a minidisc or the like. In this case, the user need not perform an operation for recording while listening to the radio. However, in this case, music of a genre designated by the user is selected and recorded. In this case, the user needs to set a genre or the like to be recorded in advance.
This is not because, for example, radio broadcasts are stored in a HDD or the like as a single audio content for a predetermined period of time depending on the content of the broadcast, regardless of user preferences.

Here, let us consider again that radio broadcast contents are recorded as content files and recorded on an HDD or the like and used for home server use as described above.
A series of radio broadcast contents that are continuous in time are automatically recorded as one content file at a predetermined time and recorded on the HDD or the like, regardless of the intention or operation of the listener. For example, the HDD stores a series of radio broadcast contents divided into a plurality of content files.
When stored in this way, the user can listen to the contents of the radio broadcast by effectively using the user's own life time by arbitrarily selecting and playing it in units of content files, or copying and playing it on a mobile device. it can.

  When considering such usage, it is inappropriate to record by user operation as described above, and the genre etc. is designated in advance, and the broadcast content is selected according to the character data and recorded. It is not appropriate to do.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, when a radio broadcast is recorded on the receiving device side, a series of time-sequential radio broadcast contents are automatically set to 1 every predetermined time regardless of the listener's intention or operation. A technology is provided in which a single content file is recorded on an HDD or the like.

The transmitting device of the present invention includes an audio signal output means for outputting an audio signal for broadcasting, a character information output means for outputting character information to be multiplexed and broadcasted on the audio signal, and recording of the audio signal in the broadcast receiving side device. A recording control signal generating means for generating a recording control signal for instructing timing and a transmitting means are provided. The transmission means multiplexes and transmits the audio signal from the audio signal output means, the character information from the character information output means, and the recording control signal from the recording control signal generation means.
The recording control signal is a signal indicating a specific period for recording as one content file among audio signals broadcast continuously in time.

The receiving apparatus of the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives a broadcast signal in which an audio signal, character information, and a recording control signal are multiplexed, an audio demodulating unit that demodulates the audio signal from the received broadcast signal, and the received broadcast signal. Extracting means for extracting character information and a recording control signal from the recording medium, and the audio signal demodulated by the audio demodulating means in a period specified by the recording control signal extracted by the extracting means as a content file And a recording processing means for recording.
Further, the recording processing means generates the content file including the character information extracted by the extracting means in a period specified by the recording control signal.

  That is, according to the present invention, the transmission apparatus, that is, the apparatus on the broadcasting station side such as FM broadcast, instructs the recording timing of the broadcast audio signal by the recording control signal, and the receiving apparatus side specifies based on the recording control signal. The broadcast audio signal during the specified period is recorded as one content file on a recording medium such as an HDD. Accordingly, a series of radio broadcast contents that are continuous in time are automatically recorded as one content file at a predetermined time and recorded on the HDD or the like without depending on the listener's will and operation. . For example, the program is divided into content files and recorded on a recording medium according to the program content such as music and news.

According to the present invention, on the receiving device side, a broadcast audio signal in a specified period is recorded on a recording medium such as an HDD as one content file based on a recording control signal. Accordingly, a series of radio broadcast contents that are continuous in time are automatically recorded as one content file at a predetermined time and recorded on the HDD or the like without depending on the listener's will and operation. . As a result, for example, each program content such as music and news can be recorded as a content file. Therefore, the recorded content file can be suitably used as a file for home server use.
That is, the user can listen to any radio broadcast content by selectively playing the content file, or copy a plurality of content files recorded from the broadcast to a portable device, and when there is time on the go I can hear you. In addition, in these cases, since the content of the radio broadcast is made into a plurality of content files according to the content, it is possible to efficiently listen to the content of the radio broadcast as desired by the user by searching and selecting and reproducing the content file. It will be possible.
As a result, the convenience of the user for listening to the radio can be expanded.

In addition, the content file includes not only the audio signal but also the character information transmitted by the text multiplex broadcasting, and can be used as, for example, the content file title and content type information, thereby improving the usability of the user file. . For example, it is convenient when selecting a file to be played back or copied to a portable device, or when organizing stored content files.
Further, by displaying the text information content as the broadcast content when the content file is played back, it is possible to present the user with the same state (sound output and text display) as during actual reception.

Further, the range (period) of the broadcast audio recorded as one content file on the receiving device side is defined by the recording control signal on the transmitting device side, that is, the broadcasting station side.
This is because the content file to be recorded on the receiving device side can be arbitrarily set on the broadcast station side among the broadcast contents, and can cope with various circumstances.
For example, for one, the broadcast station side can select whether or not to record on the receiving device side according to the content or type of the program or a part of the program.
For example, copyright can be considered for music and the like. That is, when music is recorded as a content file on the receiving device side, it must be considered that the content file is copied. In such a case, it is possible to set whether or not to record according to the intention of the copyright owner or to shorten the recording period by the recording control signal.
Furthermore, contents that the listener wants to listen to actively, such as commercials and important news, can be recorded by the recording control signal, thereby increasing the possibility that the user will listen.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the transmission device and the reception device of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a transmission apparatus 1 according to an embodiment in an FM radio broadcast station, for example.
The broadcast audio signal output unit 11 is shown as a part that outputs an audio signal to be broadcast to the modulation / multiplexing unit 15 at the subsequent stage. That is, an audio signal produced as a radio broadcast program, for example, an audio signal of a broadcast program produced including an announcer or DJ sound, music, CM sound, etc. is continuously output.
The character information generation unit 13 is a part that generates character information to be multiplexed and transmitted with broadcast sound. Character data as the contents of the text multiplex broadcast as the linked program or the independent program described above is generated. The recording control signal generation unit 14 generates a control signal for the FM broadcast receiving device 2 described later to record the received audio signal. This recording control signal is a signal indicating the recording timing of the broadcast audio signal. The recording timing is a timing for recording a certain period of continuously broadcast audio signals as one content file. For this reason, the recording control signal is a signal indicating a boundary timing to be divided into content files when recording a continuous broadcast sound, or a signal indicating a recording start timing and a recording end timing of the continuous broadcast sound. .

The timing control unit 12 generates the character information generation unit 13 and the recording control signal so that the character data and the recording control signal are output at a timing according to the audio content of the broadcast program output from the broadcast audio signal output unit 11. The unit 14 is controlled.
The modulation / multiplexing unit 15 multiplexes and modulates the supplied broadcast audio signal with character data and a recording control signal. The character data from the character information generation unit 13 is encoded and modulated into a predetermined character broadcast packet format, and then multiplexed with the FM modulated signal of the broadcast audio signal. The recording control signal from the recording control signal generation unit 14 may be included by including, for example, in a teletext packet. However, it may be multiplexed with the broadcast audio modulation signal independently of the text multiplex broadcast.
Depending on the modulation / multiplexing unit 15, a transmission signal in which character data and a recording control signal are multiplexed on a broadcast audio signal is generated, and this transmission signal is transmitted from the transmission unit 16. That is, transmission of the character multiplexed FM broadcast program is performed.

  FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the receiving apparatus 2 according to the embodiment. The receiving device 2 can receive FM text multiplex broadcasts and output broadcast audio and text information, and can record broadcast contents as content files using a storage 30 using an HDD or the like.

The receiving unit 21 performs reception / detection processing on an FM text multiplex broadcast signal captured from an antenna (not shown). The channel selection frequency to be received is controlled by the controller 27 in accordance with a user operation or automatic setting (reception reservation or the like).
Of the signals obtained by the receiving unit 21, the signal as broadcast audio is demodulated by the audio demodulating unit 22 and becomes a stereo audio signal.
This audio signal is supplied to the recording / reproducing processor 29 and the audio processor 23.
The audio processing unit 23 performs gain adjustment, filter processing, power amplifier processing, and the like on the demodulated audio signal and supplies the result to the speaker unit 24. Accordingly, broadcast sound is output from the speaker unit 24 and listened to by the user.

Of the signals obtained by the receiving unit 21, the multiplexed signal information is decoded by the character decoding unit 25, and the character information and the recording control signal described above are extracted.
The extracted character information is supplied to the controller 27 and stored in the memory 32. It is also supplied to the recording / reproducing processor 29. The extracted recording control signal is also supplied to the controller 27.
The controller 27 is configured by a microcomputer and has a function as a control unit that controls the entire receiving apparatus. The memory 32 comprehensively shows various memories used for storage by the controller 27. For example, a ROM for storing operation programs and fixed coefficients of the controller 27, a RAM used as a work memory by the controller 27, a nonvolatile memory unit, and the like including.

The controller 27 can capture character information in a memory area for character information prepared in, for example, a RAM in the memory 32 and can display the character information on the display unit 26 in real time. Of course, the character information stored in the memory 32 can be displayed on the display unit 26 at a certain time thereafter.
That is, the storage of the character information in the memory 32 serves as a so-called display memory, and the character information stored in the memory 32 is provided for display output on the display unit 26.
For example, as described above, there are various types of text information such as linked programs and independent programs, and by contents, linked titles include information related to music title information and broadcast programs (for example, DJ names, program names, programs). In addition, there are various types of independent programs such as weather forecasts and traffic information. Each character information is repeatedly transmitted in FM broadcasting (while the content is updated at a required timing), but the character information stored in the memory 32 is updated according to the update status of the transmitted content, It will be used for display on the display unit 26.

The display unit 26 is a display unit provided in the receiving device 2 using, for example, a liquid crystal panel and presents various information to the user. The character information that is multiplexed and transmitted at the time of radio reception is displayed. In addition, display of file information recorded in the storage 30, which will be described later, various menus, operational messages for the user, operation status, and the like are also executed by the display unit 26 under the control of the controller 27.
The operation unit 28 shows various operators (keys and dials, or a remote commander and a corresponding command receiving unit) for the user to perform operations. Depending on the operation unit 28, the user can perform various operations on the receiving apparatus 2, such as tuning of a broadcast station to be received, volume adjustment, copy / move operation described later, and the like. The operation information input by the operation unit 28 is supplied to the controller 27, and the controller 27 executes necessary control based on the supplied operation information.

The recording / reproducing processor 29 performs encoding / decoding for recording / reproducing information. That is, the recording / reproducing processor 29 performs recording signal processing of recording information for the storage 30 or reproduction signal processing of information read from the storage 30 according to the control of the controller 27.
As described above, at the time of radio broadcast reception, the audio signal demodulated by the audio demodulator 22 and the character information decoded by the character decoder 25 are supplied to the recording / playback processor 29. In this case, the recording / playback processing unit 29 generates a file to be recorded in the storage 30 by the processing as shown in FIG.

The audio signal supplied from the audio demodulator 22 is encoded by an encoding process 42 using, for example, an ATRAC system or a compression system such as MP3.
For the character information from the character decoding unit 25, character information to be included in the content file is extracted as a character extraction process 41. For example, the title of the content file and character information as additional information are selected from the broadcast character information. Of course, all the character information obtained by the character decoding unit 25 may be included in the content file.
The encoded audio signal and character information are buffered as a buffer process 43. In the file creation process 44, a buffered content file to be recorded is generated using the compressed audio signal and the extracted character information.

During radio broadcast reception, the audio signal is continuously supplied to the recording / playback processing unit 29. Therefore, the encoding process 42 is continuously performed on the audio signal supplied continuously. The audio signal is buffered by the buffer process 43. The character information extracted by the character extraction process 41 is also buffered in the same manner. As the buffer area used in the file creation process in this way, a buffer memory may be provided in the recording / playback processing unit 29. For example, if the storage 30 is an HDD, a predetermined area of the HDD is used. May be used.
For the file creation process 44, a file division point signal FP or a file start / end signal (ST / END) is supplied from the controller 27.
As the file creation processing 43, based on the file division point signal FP or the file start / end signal (ST / END), the beginning and end of the audio signal to be filed are determined, and a content file is generated. That is, out of the buffered audio signal and character information, data at the end timing is extracted from the start timing and is set as one content file.
The controller 27 supplies the file division point signal FP or the file start / end signal (ST / END) to the recording / playback processing unit 29 at a predetermined timing based on the recording control signal extracted by the character decoding unit 25. The file creation process 44 is executed. This operation will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  Thus, the data as the content file generated by the recording / playback processing unit 29 is supplied to the storage 30 and recorded. The storage 30 is realized by an HDD, for example. Of course, other recording media such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) and a Blu-ray Disc (Blu-Ray Disc) may be used. However, since radio broadcast signals are automatically stored, it is desirable to use a large capacity medium.

  The content file recorded in the storage 30 can be played in response to a user operation. When the user requests reproduction, the controller 27 causes the specific content file to be read from the storage 30. The data of the content file is supplied to the recording / playback processing unit 29 and subjected to decoding processing for playback output. The decoded audio signal is supplied to the audio processing unit 23 for processing, and is output from the speaker unit 24 as reproduced audio. In this reproduction decoding process, character information included in the content file is also extracted. The character information is taken into the memory 32 via the controller 27 and displayed on the display unit 26. Therefore, when the content file is reproduced from the storage 30, the sound recorded at the time of receiving the radio broadcast is output, and all or part of the character information multiplexed at the time of the broadcast is displayed. It is possible to obtain a reproduction state close to (or the same as) the sound and character output state during broadcasting.

The media drive 31 is shown as a drive unit that performs recording and reproduction on a predetermined portable medium such as a mini disk 90 using a magneto-optical disk or a memory card 91 using a semiconductor memory (flash memory or the like).
The content file recorded in the storage 30 can be copied or moved to the portable media loaded in the media drive 31. In other words, the recording / playback processing unit 29 can transfer the content file read from the storage 30 to the media drive 31 and record it on a portable medium loaded in the media drive 31.
A move is a movement of a content file. In the case of a move, the content file read from the storage 30 is recorded (copied) on a portable medium by the media drive 31, and then the content file is deleted on the storage 30 side. Processing to be performed is performed.
For example, a portable medium in which a content file is recorded by the media drive 31 is loaded in a player as a portable device, so that the user can reproduce sound as a content file. Of course, if the portable device has a character display function, the character information included in the content file can be reproduced and displayed.

An interface 32 indicates an interface based on a standard such as USB or IEEE1394 for performing data communication with an external device.
With this interface 32, for example, a portable device such as a portable player 92 that has a built-in semiconductor memory or small HDD and is capable of recording and reproducing sound can be connected to the portable device to record in the storage 30. Copied content files can be copied or moved.
In this case, the recording / playback processing unit 29 transfers the content file read from the storage 30 to the interface 32 based on the timing control from the controller 27. The interface 32 performs communication encoding of a predetermined communication standard and transmits content file data to a connected external device (such as the portable player 92). On the external device side, the transmitted content file is stored in the internal medium.
In this way, the user can copy or move the content file to the portable player 92 or the like, and use the portable player 92 or the like to reproduce sound as the content file. Of course, if the portable device such as the portable player 92 has a character display function, the character information included in the content file can be reproduced and displayed.
Of course, the content file is recorded on the portable medium by connecting a device that performs recording and reproduction to the portable medium such as the mini-disc 90 and the memory card 91 via the interface 32 and transmitting the content file. (Copy / move) is also possible.

As described above, the content file recorded in the storage 30 can be copied or moved via the media drive 31 or the interface 32. The controller 27 controls the execution of these copy / move processes in accordance with user operations.
When copying / moving, the controller 31 causes the display unit 26 to display a list of titles of content files recorded in the storage 30, for example, so that the user can easily select a content file to be copied / moved. Like that. In addition, the content file includes character information, and for example, a broadcast type (news, weather forecast, music, etc.) can be determined. For this reason, for example, the controller 27 makes a type selection request to the user on the display unit 26, searches for a content file corresponding to the input type, and sets the corresponding content file as a copy / move target. Etc. are also possible.

By the way, in order to store the contents broadcast in this manner in the storage 30 as content files for each content, a broadcast audio period for one content file must be designated when creating the file in FIG. Don't be.
Therefore, in this example, the recording control signal is multiplexed with the character data from the transmission apparatus 1 in FIG. 1, and the controller 27 controls the file generation processing based on the recording control signal on the reception apparatus 2 side. Thus, the broadcast content is appropriately divided into a plurality of content files and stored in the storage 30.

  Hereinafter, as a content file recording operation example at the time of broadcast reception, a first operation example will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, and a second operation example will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. First, the first operation example of FIGS. 4 and 5 is an example in which the receiving device 2 divides and records all received broadcasts in units of content files. In this case, it is assumed that the transmission apparatus 1 transmits a recording control signal instructing file division timing.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing example of the controller 27 for recording a content file in the storage 30 at the time of broadcast reception. FIG. 5 shows how content files are recorded in the storage 30 by the processing of FIG.
When the reception device 2 starts receiving the character multiplexed FM broadcast, the controller 27 proceeds to steps F101 to F102 in FIG. 4 as a recording process, and first detects the recording control signal that is multiplexed and transmitted. Do.
When the recording control signal is extracted by the character decoding unit 25 and detected by the controller 27, the process proceeds to step F103, and the recording / playback processing unit 29 is instructed to start encoding processing for file creation. Thus, as described above, the recording / playback processing unit 29 starts compression encoding and character information extraction processing for the audio signal, and starts buffering of the processed data (character extraction processing 41, encoding in FIG. 3). Processing 42 and buffer processing 43 are started).

Subsequently, the controller 27 detects a recording control signal in step F104. While the recording control signal is not detected, the end of the broadcast receiving operation is monitored in step F106 (for example, execution of processing in which the controller 27 ends broadcast reception by a user operation).
When the recording control signal is extracted and supplied from the character decoding unit 25 again, the controller 27 proceeds to step F105 and supplies the file division point signal FP to the recording / playback processing unit 29. That is, the file division timing is instructed.
Depending on the file division point signal FP, the recording / playback processing unit 29 performs the file creation process of FIG. In other words, the recording / playback processing unit 29 generates a content file using the compressed audio signal and character data that have been buffered so far, and records them as a unit file in the storage 30 (managed as one file in the storage 30). Process until it is in a state of being performed).

At this time, the recording / playback processing unit 29 continues the character extraction process 41, the encoding process 42, and the buffer process 43 for the character data and the audio signal that are continuously supplied.
The controller 27 supplies the file division point signal FP at step F105 every time a recording control signal is detected at step F104, and causes the recording / playback processing unit 29 to generate / record one unit of content file.
If the end of broadcast reception is detected in step F104, encoding / buffering (that is, character extraction processing 41, encoding processing 42, buffer processing 43) in the recording / playback processing unit 29 is ended in step F107, and a series of processing is performed. Finish.

By such processing, the content file is recorded as shown in FIG. 5, for example.
Now, assume that various contents such as news and traffic information are being broadcast as shown in FIG. The transmission apparatus 1 on the broadcast station side transmits the recording control signal included in the character data at the timing of the break of the program contents.
Then, the timing at which the controller 27 detects the recording control signal and supplies the file division point signal FP to the recording / playback processing unit 29 is the timing of the break of the broadcast content as shown in the figure.
In the recording / playback processing unit 29, the buffered data (compressed and encoded audio signal and extracted character data) is collected for each file division point signal FP to form one content file and recorded in the storage 30.

Therefore, in the broadcast reception period shown in FIG. 5A, the content files FL1 to FL5 are recorded in the storage 30 as shown in FIG. 5B.
For example, the content file FL1 is an audio file during news broadcasting and a file including character data multiplexed and broadcast during the news broadcasting as additional data.
The content file FL2 is an audio file of traffic information and a file including character data multiplexed and broadcast during the traffic information broadcast as additional data.
The content file FL3 is a CM audio file and a file including character data multiplexed and broadcast during the CM broadcast as additional data.
The content file FL4 is a music file as the music piece A and a file including character data multiplexed and broadcast during the broadcast as additional data.
The content file FL5 is a music file as the song B and a file including character data multiplexed and broadcast during the broadcast as additional data.

  As can be understood from the above description, each content file recorded on the receiving device 2 side is divided at a timing designated on the transmitting device 1 side. Therefore, at what timing a series of continuous broadcast contents are divided into content files can be arbitrarily determined on the broadcasting station side. For example, it may be a program unit, or may be a unit divided for each song or news content in the program. Of course, the CM or the like may be an independent content file, or the CM or the like may be included in the broadcast content before and after the content to form one content file.

  Next, a second operation example for content file recording will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 are examples in which the receiving device 2 records the contents of the period designated from the transmitting device 1 side in the content file unit in the received broadcast. In this case, it is assumed that the transmission apparatus 1 transmits a recording control signal instructing a file start timing and a file end timing.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing example of the controller 27 for recording a content file in the storage 30 at the time of broadcast reception. FIG. 7 shows how content files are recorded in the storage 30 by the processing of FIG.
When the reception device 2 starts receiving the character multiplexed FM broadcast, the controller 27 proceeds to steps F201 to F202 in FIG. 6 as a process for recording. First, as a recording control signal that is multiplexed and transmitted, A recording control signal indicating the start timing is detected. While the recording control signal is not detected, the end of the broadcast receiving operation is monitored in step F203 (for example, execution of processing in which the controller 27 ends broadcast reception by a user operation).

  When the controller 27 detects a signal indicating the file start timing as the recording control signal extracted and supplied by the character decoding unit 25, the controller 27 advances the process to step F 204 to notify the recording / playback processing unit 29 of the file start signal. Supply ST. In response to this file start signal ST, the recording / playback processing unit 29 starts compression encoding and character information extraction processing for the supplied audio signal, and starts buffering of the processed data (character extraction in FIG. 3). Processing 41, encoding processing 42, and buffer processing 43 are started).

Subsequently, the controller 27 detects a recording control signal instructing the file end timing in step F205. While the recording control signal is not detected, the end of the broadcast receiving operation is monitored in step F206.
When the controller 27 detects a signal indicating the file end timing as the recording control signal extracted and supplied by the character decoding unit 25, the controller 27 advances the process to step F 207, and sends a file end signal to the recording / playback processing unit 29. Supply END.
Depending on the file end signal END, the recording / playback processing unit 29 performs the file creation processing of FIG.
In other words, the recording / playback processing unit 29 generates a content file using the compressed audio signal and character data that have been buffered so far, and records them as a unit file in the storage 30 (managed as one file in the storage 30). Process until it is in a state of being performed).
At this time, the recording / playback processing unit 29 ends the character extraction processing 41, the encoding processing 42, and the buffer processing 43 for the supplied character data and audio signal.

After outputting the file end signal END, the controller 27 returns to the loop of steps F202 and F203. When the recording control signal as the file start timing is detected again, the process proceeds to step F209.
Note that if the end of broadcast reception is detected in step F203, the series of processing ends. If the broadcast reception end is detected in step F206, the encoding / buffering (that is, the character extraction process 41, the encoding process 42, and the buffer process 43) in the recording / playback processing unit 29 is ended in step F208, and the series of processes is completed. .

By such processing, the content file is recorded as shown in FIG. 7, for example.
Now, assume that various contents such as news are being broadcast as shown in FIG. In the transmitter 1 on the broadcasting station side, for example, when it is desired to file a news program for each content, the character data includes a recording control signal for instructing the file start / end timing at the start and end timing of the news. And send it. Assume that the timing at which the controller 27 detects the recording control signal and supplies the file start signal ST or the file end signal END to the recording / playback processing unit 29 in response to this is as shown in the figure.
Based on the file start signal ST and the file end signal END, the recording / playback processing unit 29 records the data buffered during that period (compressed audio signal and extracted character data) in the storage 30 as one content file. To do.

Therefore, in the broadcast reception period shown in FIG. 7A, the content files FL1 to FL3 are recorded in the storage 30 as shown in FIG. 7B.
For example, the content file FL1 is an audio file of news A and a file including character data multiplexed and broadcast during the news broadcast as additional data.
The content file FL2 is an audio file including the news B and the CM immediately after it, and a file including character data multiplexed and broadcast during that period as additional data.
The content file FL3 is an audio file of news C and a file including character data multiplexed and broadcast during the news broadcast as additional data.

  In this case, each content file recorded on the receiving device 2 side is based on the broadcast contents for a period designated on the transmitting device 1 side. Therefore, the broadcast station can arbitrarily determine which period is recorded as one content file in a series of continuous broadcasts. For example, as described above, when it is desired to record only news, it is possible to make only the news part a content file without making it a content file during music broadcasting.

For example, as in each of the above operation examples, in this example, the content to be broadcast is automatically divided (or extracted from the broadcast period) on the receiving device side and recorded in units of content files.
In this way, the broadcast content is automatically recorded in units of content files, so that the user can play the content file recorded in the storage 30 or copy / move it to the mobile device to broadcast at any time. You can listen to the contents. In other words, there is no need to listen to the broadcast in real time during the broadcast time. Also, no recording operation is required.
In addition, since the text information is also included, the text broadcast content can be viewed.
Furthermore, by dividing the content into contents files, the searchability when reproducing or copying / moving is good. For example, when the user wants to listen to the news, it is possible to selectively reproduce only the news portion only by selecting the content file.
In addition, since the text information is included, the title of the content file can be automatically generated using the text information, and it can be used for search during playback, copy / move, or list display for user selection. .
Furthermore, for content files stored in the storage 30, character data and information (genre information, etc.) defined in the text broadcasting format are used for search / selection for file organization such as deletion and sorting of unnecessary content files. It is also possible to do.
The character information of FM character multiplex broadcasting is originally considered to be displayed on a small display unit in a radio receiver. Therefore, when a content file is copied / moved to a portable device and played back, information display using character data that is sufficiently practical can be executed even with a small display unit of the portable device.

An example of using such a transmission apparatus 1 and reception apparatus 2 will be illustrated.
<Music distribution for viewing>
Broadcasters broadcast the latest songs according to this system, so that users can get the latest songs for free. However, in radio broadcasting, it is necessary to make the broadcasting so that copyright does not become a problem. For example, in accordance with the intention of the copyright holder or the like, only a part of the song may be converted into a content file (the broadcast period of a part of the song is set as the start / end timing of the content file).

<Ad insertion>
Like the content file FL2 in FIG. 7 described above, CM voices such as advertisements are included in the content file to increase the opportunities for the user to listen to the CM. Depending on this, the broadcaster may be able to increase advertising revenue. Furthermore, if it is inserted into music, it can be imagined that it is repeatedly listened to, so the advertising effect can be increased.

<Sound Newspaper>
Broadcast daily newspapers using radio. Users can listen to news by playing content files. By copying / moving the content file to the portable device as described above, the user can listen to the contents of the voice newspaper obtained by this system in the train on the way to work. Also. You can also collect information while driving a car or bicycle.

<Radio broadcast memo>
If a recording control signal as a file start / end timing is input on the broadcasting station side, information other than music is also stored as one content file, so the broadcasting station side can transmit audio information instead of a memo.

<Store information transmission>
The name of the restaurant and the telephone number are sent as text information, and the introduction of the store is played by voice. Radio listeners can obtain information as content files of voice and text information without taking notes. Of course, this is not limited to restaurants, but can be used to introduce various shops and facilities, or for events / performances, ticket information, movie theaters, and other announcements.

By the way, various kinds of additional functions and modifications of this example can be considered.
For example, on the receiving device 2 side, not only all broadcast contents instructed based on the recording control signal are converted into content files, but also a certain genre or the like is automatically selected from the user's reproduction history to generate a content file. You may do it. For example, the broadcast content to be converted into a content file may be selected based on genre information included in the character information.
Further, since a large amount of content files are stored in the storage 30 every time a broadcast is received, for example, a content file that has passed a certain retention period or has not been played back is automatically It may be deleted.
Further, the contents such as news may be played back at high speed when the content file is played back so that the user can listen to it quickly.
Music and the like may be broadcast repeatedly. For this reason, it may be possible to determine whether or not the music has already been made into a content file in the storage 30 by using the character information, and if it is an already recorded song, it should not be made into a content file. .
In the above example, character data is included in the content file as additional data, but an example in which only audio data is filed is also conceivable.
Moreover, although the said example was described in the case of FM character multiplex broadcast, this invention is applicable also to the broadcast which does not perform character multiplex. That is, it is only necessary that the recording control signal can be multiplexed with the broadcast sound.

It is a block diagram of the transmission apparatus of an embodiment of the invention. It is a block diagram of the receiver of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the structure for the file preparation of the receiver of embodiment. It is a flowchart of the file recording process of the receiver of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the content file recorded with the receiver of embodiment. It is a flowchart of the file recording process of the receiver of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the content file recorded with the receiver of embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Transmitter, 2 Receiver, 11 Broadcast audio signal output part, 12 Timing control part, 13 Character information generation part, 14 Recording control signal generation part, 15 Modulation / multiplexing part, 16 Transmission part, 21 Reception part, 22 Audio Demodulation unit, 23 audio processing unit, 25 character decoding unit, 26 display unit, 27 controller, 29 recording / playback processing unit, 30 storage, 31 media drive, 32 memory unit

Claims (4)

Audio signal output means for outputting an audio signal for broadcasting;
Character information output means for outputting character information to be multiplexed and broadcasted on an audio signal;
Recording control signal generating means for generating a recording control signal for instructing recording timing of the audio signal in the broadcast receiving side device;
A transmission unit that multiplexes and transmits the audio signal from the audio signal output unit, the character information from the character information output unit, and the recording control signal from the recording control signal generation unit;
A transmission device comprising:   2. The transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording control signal is a signal for instructing a specific period to be recorded as one content file among audio signals broadcast continuously in time. . Receiving means for receiving a broadcast signal in which an audio signal, character information, and a recording control signal are multiplexed;
Audio demodulation means for demodulating an audio signal from the received broadcast signal;
Extracting means for extracting character information and a recording control signal from the received broadcast signal;
Recording processing means for recording the audio signal demodulated by the audio demodulating means on the recording medium as one content file in a period specified by the recording control signal extracted by the extracting means;
A receiving apparatus comprising: 4. The receiving apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the recording processing unit further generates the content file including character information extracted by the extracting unit during a period specified by the recording control signal.

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