GB2353627A - Radio broadcast receiving apparatus with continuous buffer memory - Google Patents

A radio broadcast receiving device eg car radio continuously stores successive pieces of broadcast information in a continuous loop memory 7 eg RAM or tape, each successively stored piece erasing the previous piece, until a user elects to hold a recording for playback. The device comprises an antenna 1, a receiver stage 2, switch system 3, buffer 4 store including loop memory 7 and a large memory 8, amplifier 5 and speaker(s) 6. Information is continuously stored in pre-determined lengths eg 5 mins, the maximum length dependent on memory capacity. Information stored in the loop may be successively transferred to the large memory 8 eg re-writeable magnetic or optical disc for selective playback. Push button electronic switching 3 and display means are provided for switching between the received signal, continuous loop memory 7, large store device 8 and amplifier 5 to enable user control of various recording/retrieval options. An interface with external recording/playback means 9 may also be connected to the switching means 3.

A "RETROSPECTIVU RECORDING SYSTEM FOR A RADIO RECEIVER This invention

relates to a memory or storage system which provides a radio receiver with a continuously moving recording of the current piece of the broadcast programme together with a switching system, to enable the user of the radio to initiate storage of a broadcast item immediately after it has been received by the radio and to control and initiate play back.

Radio broadcast receivers have existed for many years and have been built for various applications and in various forms including for use in vehicles, as portables, and in larger entertainment units.

Recording devices have also existed for many years, commonly using a tape or disc medium for recording the broadcast material. In such devices, recording intentions are determined in advance of the broadcast and the recording process is then initiated at the commencement of the required programme.

The objective of this invention is to provide the radio receiver with a recording and switching device to enable the listener to decide to retain a piece of broadcast information or entertainment immediately after it has been received and to play it back straight away, or at a convenient time later.

According to the present invention, there is provided broadcast receiving apparatus including a storage means arranged to store successive pieces of broadcast information or entertainment, each piece of information or entertainment being to a maximum pre-determined period of time as determined by the capacity of the storage means, and each piece of information or entertainment being erased from the storage means by the storing of the succeeding piece, and means for playing back a chosen piece via the apparatus.

The chosen piece of information or entertainment could be played back from the storage means before it is erased by the storing of the succeeding piece, or held for later play-back. Alternatively, the chosen piece could be played back from further storage means in which it was stored for subsequent play-back from the storage means.

Figure 1 shows a block-schematic representation of a radio receiver with the storage and switching means incorporated in the radio.

Figure 2 shows a block-schematic representation of a radio receiver and a separate storage and switching unit connected to the radio.

According to a first embodiment as shown in Fig 1, a radio receiving apparatus consists of an antenna 1, a receiver stage 2, a switch system 3 and a buffer 4, connected to an amplifier 5 and speakerls 6.

The buffer contains a storage device 7 (acting as a "continuous loop") capable of storing a pre-determined time period of recording which may be relatively short but is unlikely to be less than five minutes. This device continuously records the current received signal within the pre-determined capacity of the store, each piece of infbrmation or entertainment being erased by the storing of the succeeding piece, until the user of the radio elects to place the recording on hold for storage and playback. The buffer also includes a large memory store 8. This will use an appropriate storage medium such as re-writable magnetic or electro-optic disc.

Optional connection to an external recording and playback system 9 will allow downloading or transfer out or in of recorded material.

Switching system 3 provides for all switching between the received signal, the "continuous loop" storage device 7, the large storage device 8, and the amplifier. The switching process is primarily electronic and appropriate push-buttons or switches and display indicators enable the user to control the various recording and retrieval options.

Control of the interface transfer to and/or from the external system 9 is also provided via the switching system 3.

The switch control options available to the user in the basic system (i.e. without memory 8 in Fig 1) are as follows:

a. by-pass the buffer completely to provide operation in a conventional radio broadcast receiver configuration b. engage the storage device 7 for continuous recording of the current broadcast, within the pre-determined capacity of the storage device c. pause the storage device 7 d. play back the storage device 7 in place of the received broadcast.

Additional switching options available for the configuration in which the buffer 4 includes a memory store 8, are as follows:

e. transfer the contents of storage device 7 to store 8 f. play back selected contents of store 8 through the amplifier and speaker in place of the received broadcast, whilst disabling store 7 g. play back as f, but with the continuous recording of the received broadcast resumed h. initiate the transfer of selected contents of the buffer store 8 to the external system 9 for storage and/or playback.

In its simplest form, for a car for example, the radio receiver and recorder would include the switch unit 3 and the "continuous loop" storage device 7 but not the other store 8. Thus the listener, having heard something of importance (news item, telephone number, etc.) or a short broadcast piece which he or she would like to hear again, can operate a switch which causes the recording to pause. The listener then has the option of switching to immediate playback (resuming the continuous recording when finished), or leaving the recording on hold whilst continuing to listen to the radio, for playback of the stored piece at a convenient time later.

In an enhanced version, with the large buffer store 8 and more extensive switching, the listener may pause after a broadcast item of interest, and play back immediately, as described above, or can transfer or download the contents of store 7 to the large store 8. Normal listening can be resumed on completion of the transfer and the store 7 set to continue to record the current broadcast. Play back can be demanded from any location in the store 8, at any time.

Furthermore, connection to an external system can be commanded so that recordings made on the radio may be exported. If store 8 is constructed using a standard type of medium such as a magnetic or electro-optic disc, transfer of recorded material between the radio and the external system is facilitated.

Although the examples above are written with a car radio in mind, any or all of the principles and operations will apply equally to any other type of broadcast radio receiver, including portable domestic radios, and radios which are part of an entertainment centre.

The term "continuous loop" is used to illustrate the process and should not be taken to imply that store 7 necessarily relies upon a physically moving medium: it will most probably use re-writable solid state technology. Such technology is easily capable of providing a generous capacity for re-writable broadcast recording. It also provides the possibility of very rapid transfer of recorded material to the buffer store.

A second embodiment is shown in Fig 2. This represents a separately packaged or ustand-alone" version of the recording system for use with an existing radio receiver. In this diagram, the output from the radio receiver which normally connects to the speaker (or headphones), or some other port, is connected to the recorder system via switch 3, which is then in turn connected to the speaker. The interface between the recording system and the radio is made appropriate for the different insertion point in the radio, i.e. after the amplifier. Also, the power supply and the switching system controls are made appropriate for use in a stand-alone system and the system is packaged in its own case. In all other respects, the principles of construction and operation are as for the embedded version.

This embodiment is conceived as a piece of equipment which can be "plugged into" an existing radio, a car radio for example, and provide the listener with the same facility to hold a recording of something which has just been broadcast for immediate or for later listening.

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