WO2015052435A1

WO2015052435A1 - Radio receiver with broadcasting of spot announcements

Info

Publication number: WO2015052435A1
Application number: PCT/FR2014/052549
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bernard Trouvilliez
Original assignee: Bernard Trouvilliez
Priority date: 2013-10-08
Filing date: 2014-10-08
Publication date: 2015-04-16
Also published as: FR3011518A1

Abstract

Radio receiver with broadcasting of spot announcements. The invention relates to a radio receiver device that can broadcast audio files containing spot announcements, comprising an electronic circuit (19) for reading files, especially audio files, characterised in that the electronic circuit is associated with a support (18) for storing local data, which cannot be removed or accessed directly by a user, containing the spot announcements to be broadcast.

Description

Radio receiver with broadcast of commercials

The invention relates to a radio reception device, particularly for a vehicle.

The present invention will be particularly, but not exclusively, intended to come equip special machines, such as agricultural tractors or construction trucks, for construction or public works.

The radio receivers commonly called car radios are installed by the vehicle manufacturers during the construction of the vehicle. The price of the car radio is increasingly included in the price of the vehicle, that is to say that the car radio is less and less considered as an option when buying a vehicle except in the case of receivers and high-end installations. The cost price of these car radios must be more and more competitive so as not to penalize the overall selling price of a vehicle sold with a car radio.

Sometimes low-cost receivers are installed in some vehicles. Often, these receivers are not of a quality such that the user, owner of a vehicle that is equipped, is satisfied; so that the image of the vehicle and therefore of the manufacturer are degraded with potential buyers.

To overcome this problem, the manufacturer can build a vehicle with a more expensive car radio, but in this case, the selling price of the vehicle thus manufactured increases thus penalizing the potential buyer, or the margin of the manufacturer decreases.

The present invention aims to propose a radio reception device that does not have the aforementioned drawbacks, that is to say in particular that has an improved quality for a cost price of the radio reception device that is lower than that of a radio reception device. of the same quality of the prior art; and this in order not to financially penalize the manufacturer and financially and qualitatively the buyer of the vehicle equipped with a car radio according to the invention.

For this purpose, the present invention relates to a radio reception device capable of broadcasting audio files containing advertising messages, comprising an electronic circuit for reading files, in particular audio files. associated with a microprocessor characterized in that it comprises a local data storage medium irremovable and not accessible directly by a user, containing the advertising messages to be broadcast, associated with said electronic circuit.

According to other features of the invention, the device according to the invention comprises one or more of the following optional characteristics considered alone or according to all the possible combinations:

the electronic circuit comprises a microprocessor;

the local data storage medium is a flash memory;

the local data storage medium capable of being filled by a removable USB key;

the local data storage medium capable of being filled by a removable SD card;

the immovable local data storage medium contains audio files;

the audio files each comprise an associated data file which is a descriptor of the broadcasting conditions of the audio file with which it is associated;

the microprocessor is able to read the descriptor of each audio file and to broadcast each audio file;

the radio reception device comprises a voltage presence detection circuit for detecting the powering up of the radio reception device;

the radio reception device comprises a clock with a power save or automatic resynchronisation when the radio reception device is turned on for the programmable times;

the radio reception device comprises a programmable countdown timer for the fixed rates of broadcast of the advertising messages;

the radio reception device comprises an integrating circuit of the audio signal;

the radio reception device comprises an A / D converter circuit for the detection of silences; the radio reception device comprises a comparison means integrated into the microprocessor for comparing the frequencies selected by the user and the frequency or frequencies indicated in the descriptor.

the radio reception device comprises a vibration detector or an accelerometer able to determine the number of hours of use or displacement of a vehicle;

the radio reception device comprises a specific isolated sensor input for broadcasting following a signal triggered by the sensor in the vehicle;

The invention also relates to a vehicle equipped with a radio reception device according to the invention, the vehicle may be a vehicle of agricultural type.

The invention also relates to a method of operating a radio reception device according to the invention, the method being remarkable in that it comprises at least one step of reading a descriptor by the microprocessor and a subsequent diffusion step conditional of the associated audio file.

According to other characteristics of the operating method of a radio reception device according to the invention, the method comprises one or more of the following optional steps considered alone or according to all the possible combinations:

broadcasting the audio file when the radio reception device is turned on;

broadcasting the audio file according to one or more programmable schedules;

broadcasting the audio file according to a fixed broadcast rate;

broadcasting of the audio file according to a number of hours of use of a vehicle in which the radio reception device is installed;

broadcasting of the audio file according to a number of hours of movement of the vehicle; broadcasting the audio file consecutively to a signal triggered by a specific sensor of the vehicle;

broadcasting the audio file consecutively following a silence during a radio broadcast;

- broadcasting of the audio file limited to a certain number of broadcasts;

- broadcasting of the audio file following a change of radio frequency. The present invention makes it possible to broadcast advertising messages not originating from the programs of the various radio broadcasting stations that are capable of being picked up by the radio reception device, but originating from messages contained in the local storage medium located in the radio reception device. .

The user of the radio reception device can not control the content or the broadcasting conditions contained in the descriptor associated with the internal advertising messages; this function is automatic.

When using a radio reception device according to the present invention, the advertising messages broadcast under conditions chosen by the advertising network automatically replace the audio signal from the reception of radio waves.

The radio reception device according to the present invention may therefore optionally be a radio reception device whose cost is partially, or in full, supported by the advertising agency that manages the advertising messages.

This invention has introduced the concept of radio reception devices sponsored by an advertising agency.

In this configuration, the cost issues of the radio reception devices discussed above may be partially or completely solved by means of the present invention.

This invention is applicable to all types of radio reception devices and can capture all types of frequencies and modulations that they are analog or digital. Several non-limiting examples of embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of nonlimiting examples, with reference to FIGS. annexed; in the set of figures, identical or similar references denote identical or similar organs or sets of members:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an organization of the immovable storage medium of the radio reception device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the operation of the radio reception device according to the embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 1 there is described a radio receiving device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The radio reception device is composed of the following main elements: a front, comprising a screen 1, and a set of keys (not shown); the facade is connected to a microprocessor 4.

The radio receiving device is powered by a battery 5 and includes a switch 6 for turning the power on and off and, optionally, for putting the radio reception device on standby; the switch 6 is connected on the one hand to the battery 5 and on the other hand to the microprocessor 4.

This radio reception device according to the invention is preferably installed in a vehicle, in particular an agricultural vehicle.

The microprocessor 4 controls, via a bus, a tuner 8. The tuner 8 captures the electromagnetic fields by an antenna 7.

The microprocessor 4 also controls an integrated coded circuit 19 which performs several functions, in particular a function of:

management of file playback of a removable SD card 17 and / or a removable USB key via an external interface for SD card 17 or an external USB interface 24;

management of the reading of the files contained in an immovable local storage medium embodied in this embodiment of the invention by a flash memory type 18. The files installed in the flash memory 18 come from the SD card or from the key Removable USB;

conversion of the MP3 files contained in the flash memory 18 into a stereophonic audio signal by means of a coded and a double Digital / Analog converter (N / A) internal to the radio reception device.

The stereophonic signal coming from the coded circuit 19 is presented at the input of a selector and mixer circuit 16. The selector and mixer circuit 16 is controlled, via a bus, by the microprocessor 4.

The selector and mixer circuit 16 selects and mixes the stereophonic signals from the tuner 8 on the one hand, and the output of the coded circuit 19 or an auxiliary analog input 25 on the other hand.

By this means, the microprocessor 4 can carry out automatic mixes between the following source sources: the radio transmissions picked up by the tuner 8 on the one hand, and on the other hand the files recorded on the removable SD card, the recorded files on the removable USB key connected to the USB socket 24, the auxiliary analog input 25 or, very specifically to the invention, the files stored in the non-removable flash memory 18.

The radio reception device comprises, in a conventional manner, audio amplifiers 20 and 21 externally connected to loudspeakers 22 and 23. These circuits may be doubled to provide four-speaker surround broadcast.

Gain and turn on / off audio amplifiers 20 and

21 are controlled by the microprocessor 4.

The radio reception device comprises a plurality of circuits, in particular:

a circuit for detecting the presence of contact on the vehicle; this circuit detects the presence of a positive signal 2 from one of the circuits under voltage when the contact is established on the vehicle. A galvanic isolation circuit 3 provides protection for the input of the microprocessor 4;

a vibration detector circuit 9, which may be an accelerometer or a piezoelectric sensor connected to an integrating operational amplifier (not shown); the vibration detector circuit 9 has, at the analog input of the microprocessor 4, a voltage proportional to the vibrations generated by the moving vehicle; a clock and calendar circuit 1 1 whose power supply is saved by a super capacity 10 when the battery switch of the vehicle is activated;

a specific sensor input 13 which can be activated by any positive voltage of any level; this input is protected by a galvanic isolation circuit 12. The specific sensor input 13 is available to the user for connection, for example, to a plunger contact for detecting the low level of a product tank treatment that would be coupled to the vehicle;

an amplifier 14 followed by an integrator circuit 15 have, on the analog input of the microprocessor 4, a DC voltage proportional to the monophonic audio level coming from the tuner 8. A judicious choice of the time constant of the integrator 15 and a An appropriate method within the microprocessor 4 makes it possible to detect the short silences that are commonly used when mixing two pieces in the playlists of the radio stations.

By signal triggered by a specific sensor of the vehicle is meant any operation intended to draw the attention of the user of a vehicle equipped with a radio reception device according to the invention to a particular event, in particular an event entailing the necessity a maintenance operation on the vehicle or one of its accessories.

The system is totally transparent to the user of the vehicle. Consequently, the instructions for use of the radio reception device are not modified in the eyes of the user.

The dealer has a specific menu hidden and accessible only by a combination of keys used as an access code and including the following items: the number of hours of initial use, and the number of hours in transit of the vehicle.

The vehicle dealer makes the keyboard entry of these two parameters based on the use that has already been made of the vehicle.

By default these two parameters are at zero (case of a new vehicle). The method comprises on the one hand all the tasks necessary for the proper functioning of the radio and on the other hand the specific tasks of the invention.

The priority level of these tasks is carefully selected to ensure proper operation of the whole. All these tasks are automatic.

Referring to Figure 2, there is described an organization of the immovable storage medium 18 of the radio receiving device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The irremovable flash memory 18 contains, for example, two descriptors 26 and 27; of course, the irremovable flash memory 18 may contain many more descriptors. Each descriptor 26, 27 is associated with an audio file respectively 28, 29. The descriptors 26, 27 comprise various conditions, these conditions comprise parameters, for example:

for the condition "broadcasting before powering on the radio reception device": the duration of the broadcast and the number of diffusions of the advertisement from the power on;

- for the "broadcast according to schedules" condition: several broadcasting times may be affected;

for the "fixed rate broadcasting" condition: a duration representative of the interval between two broadcasts;

- for the condition "number of hours of use of the vehicle": a parameter representative of the number of hours before the start of a sequence of broadcasts, and a parameter representative of the number of initial hours. This parameter is representative of the number of hours to be subtracted from the "number of hours before the start of a broadcast sequence". This parameter is useful in case the vehicle is not new. In this case, for example, the emptying which must be carried out every 100 hours should be carried out in 60 hours; the vehicle has been in use 40 hours since it was last emptied. In this case, the parameter "number of hours before the start of a sequence of broadcasts "will be assigned a value of 100 and the initial number of hours parameter will be assigned a value of 40;

for the condition "number of hours of movement of the vehicle": a parameter representative of the number of hours before the start of a broadcast sequence, and a parameter representative of the initial number of hours. This parameter is representative of the number of hours to be subtracted from the number of hours before the start of a broadcast sequence. This parameter is useful in case the vehicle is not new. In this case, for example, the change of tires, which must be done every 2000 hours, must be performed within 1500 hours the vehicle has already been used 500 hours. In this case, the parameter "number of hours before the start of a broadcast sequence" will be assigned a value of 2000, and the parameter initial number of hours will be assigned a value of 500;

for the condition "broadcast audio files limited to a certain number of broadcasts": there is only one parameter, the number of broadcasts before cancellation of the advertisement concerned. This condition is an additive condition of the other conditions;

for the condition "broadcasting of audio files following a change of station or the selection of precise frequencies in the FM band or the other bands picked up by the radio reception device": there is a broadcast parameter at the change of station, there exists a fixed frequency broadcast parameter, there are three specific frequencies that can be entered on the keyboard.

The operation of the radio reception device is now described, firstly for the user of the radio reception device, and secondly for an advertising network wishing to use such a radio reception device.

The audio signal from the tuner 8 is automatically mixed in a fader mode and chained with the audio signal (28 or 29) from the audio file reader circuit (coded circuit 19) when the condition (s) programmed in the descriptor (respectively 26 or 27) are combined.

At the end of the playback of the audio file (28 or 29), a fade and chained between the signal from the audio file reader circuit (coded circuit 19) and the audio signal from the tuner 8 again allows the broadcast of the radio program being listened to by the user of the radio reception device.

These two processes are fully automatic and give the approximate illusion that advertising is part of the program of broadcasting stations. This illusion is reinforced if the "diffusion due to silence" condition has been programmed in the descriptor (26 or 27) of the audio file (respectively 28 or 29).

Several conditions of diffusion can be cumulated, for example:

- the condition "when the radio reception device is switched on";

- the condition "function of the number of hours of use of the vehicle";

- the condition "limited to twenty broadcasts" to broadcast an advertisement, for example offering a brand of oil.

In this example, the user will hear an advertisement for oil only when his receiver is turned on, if his vehicle has been subjected to a certain number of hours of use, and not more than twenty time, so that advertising does not have a counterproductive effect that could be caused by lassitude.

Upon delivery of the radio reception device, part of the flash memory 18, irremovable and inaccessible to the user, is programmed. It contains audio advertising MP3 files (28, 29) and a descriptor (respectively 26, 27) associated with each audio file (28, 29) which are planned for the entire life of the radio reception device or for a very long time. duration.

The contents of the second part of the irremovable flash memory 18 are updatable. The user has the possibility of introducing an SD card or a USB key to transfer advertisements including promotions in the second part of the non-removable flash memory 18 of his device. radio reception. These advertisements are part of one-off campaigns, the simple introduction of the SD card of the USB key transfers in the second part of the flash 18 removable irrelevant audio files (28, 29) and descriptors (respectively 26, 27) which are associated. As a result of this operation, non-advertising MP3 audio files can be transferred, which enables SD card media to be conveyed, including advertisements, music and programs simultaneously.

These audio files will be listened to by the user thanks to the condition "broadcasting of the audio file following the selection of precise frequencies in the FM band". In this case, the user has the sensation of having selected on his tuner a station, in exactly the same way as it would for any station, except that he listens to the recorded program resulting from the SD card. This function adds a "fake station" to the FM band or to the bands picked up by the receiver.

The particular case of the condition "broadcast following a signal triggered by a specific sensor of the vehicle" is carried out without delay, without fading operation and chained, the message is originally programmed in the irremovable flash memory and can not be cleared by the user.

With regard to the operation of the radio reception device for the advertising network, it collects the messages from the advertisers and defines with them the conditions for broadcasting the advertisements, produces a file comprising all the audio files (28, 29) and descriptors (26 , 27) intended to be recorded in the first part of the irremovable flash memory; this file is designed according to a specific method forming part of the present invention. It is recorded in the first part of the irremovable flash memory 18 during the manufacture of the radio reception device at the factory.

The advertising agency also produces SD cards and / or USB sticks that are distributed to dealers. The renewal rate of these cards may, for example, be quarterly (one card per season), or monthly.

The USB key and / or the SD card establish a very strong commercial link between the end customer, the intermediate dealer, and the manufacturer of the radio reception devices. These SD cards or USB sticks can be a gift related to a purchase amount from the dealer. This SD card or USB key can also serve as a loyalty card. It is perfectly similar to an advertising gift, and can be screen printed or marked for this purpose. The advertising agency negotiates music rights and produces specialized programs.

The file contained in the SD card or the USB key is designed according to a method specific to the invention.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above as examples but that it includes all technical equivalents and variants of the means described and their possible combinations.

Claims

1. Radio reception device capable of broadcasting audio files (28, 29) containing messages, comprising an electronic file reading circuit including audio associated with a microprocessor (4), characterized in that it comprises a data storage medium local irremovable (18) and not accessible directly by a user, containing the advertising messages to broadcast audio files (28, 29), associated with said electronic circuit, and in that it comprises integrated means (19) controlled by the microprocessor (4) which provide a function for managing the reading of the messages of these audio files.

2. radio reception device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means (16) which automatically substitute the audio files (28, 29) to the audio signal from the radio reception (8).

Radio reception device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the means which automatically substitute the audio files (28,

29) comprise a selector and mixer circuit (16) for selecting and mixing the signals coming from the radio reception (8), and coming from a circuit (19) which plays the audio files.

Radio receiving device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the audio signal coming from the radio reception (8) is automatically mixed in a molten mode and linked with the signal from a circuit (19). ) player audio files.

Radio reception device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the local data are installed in the storage medium on delivery of the radio reception device, or transferred into this medium during the introduction of the radio reception device. an SD card or USB stick in an external interface (17, 24) of the radio receiving device.

Radio receiving device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the audio files (28, 29) each comprise an associated data file which is a descriptor (26, 27) of the broadcasting conditions of the audio file. (28, 29) with which it is associated.

Radio receiving device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the microprocessor (4) is able to read the descriptor (26, 27) of each audio file (28, 29) and to broadcast each audio file ( 28, 29).

8. radio receiving device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises a comparison means integrated in the microprocessor (4) for comparing the frequencies selected by the user and one or more frequencies indicated in the descriptor ( 26, 27).

9. radio reception device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises a detector (9) of vibration and / or an accelerometer suitable (s) to determine respectively the number of hours of use and / or moving a vehicle.

10. Vehicle characterized in that it is equipped with a radio receiving device according to any one of the preceding claims.

1 1. Operating method of a radio reception device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 characterized in that it comprises at least one step of reading a descriptor (26, 27) by the microprocessor (4) and a subsequent step of conditionally broadcasting the associated audio file (28, 29).

12. The method of claim 1 1 characterized in that it comprises a step of broadcasting the audio file (28, 29) consecutively to a signal triggered by a specific sensor of the vehicle, or as a function of a number of hours. use of a vehicle in which the radio reception device is installed.