BROADCAST SIGNAL OUTPUT DEVICE AND VEHICLE HAVING THE SAME

Provided is a broadcast signal output device and a vehicle having the same. The broadcast signal output device includes: a communicator configured to receive current location information; a memory in which map information is stored; a tuner configured to receive a broadcast signal having a frequency; a processor configured to determine whether a current location is a shadow area based on the current location information and the map information, determine whether a broadcast device is present upon determining that the current location is the shadow area, mute the received broadcast signal to prevent noise from being output upon determining that the broadcast device is absent, and control an output of the received broadcast signal upon determining that the broadcast device is present; and a sound outputter configured to output an audio signal in the received broadcast signal in response to a control command of the processor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0150353, filed on Nov. 4, 2021 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a broadcast signal output device for receiving a broadcast signal transmitted from a broadcasting station and smoothly outputting the received broadcast signal, and a vehicle having the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

A vehicle is a machine that travels by driving wheels and transports people or cargo while moving on a road. In addition to such a basic driving function, vehicles perform additional functions for user convenience, such as audio functions, video functions, navigation functions, air conditioning functions, broadcasting functions, seat resistive wire functions, and communication functions with external terminals.

When a vehicle performs at least one of an audio function, a video function, and a broadcasting function, the vehicle receives a broadcast signal regarding various types of information, such as traffic information, news information, television (TV) broadcasting information, and radio information transmitted from a broadcasting station and outputs the received broadcast signal using an audio device or a video device.

When receiving and outputting the broadcast signal, the vehicle entering a shadow area may have difficulty smoothly receiving the broadcast signal.

For example, when the vehicle is located in a shadow area, such as a city area covered with a forest of buildings or a mountain or tunnel, radio wave attenuation occurs and communication with a satellite is interrupted. As such, it it is difficult to receive broadcast signals (AM, FM, DMB, etc.). Accordingly, the vehicle may not normally output a broadcast through a broadcast signal output device, such as an audio device or a video device.

SUMMARY

The disclosure provides a broadcast signal output device capable of, in response to a broadcast alternative mode when the current location is a shadow area of broadcast signal reception, muting a received broadcast signal to prevent noise from being output or outputting a broadcast signal of a receivable frequency, and a vehicle having the same.

The technical objectives of the disclosure are not limited to the above, and other objectives may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art based on the following descriptions.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a broadcast signal output device includes: a communicator configured to receive current location information; a memory in which map information is stored; a tuner configured to receive a broadcast signal having a frequency; a processor configured to determine whether a current location is a shadow area based on the current location information and the map information, determine whether a broadcast device is present upon determining that the current location is the shadow area, mute the received broadcast signal to prevent noise from being output upon determining that the broadcast device is absent, and control output of the received broadcast signal upon determining that the broadcast device is present; and a sound outputter configured to output an audio signal in the received broadcast signal in response to a control command of the processor.

The memory may store location information of the shade area, and the processor may compare the current location information with the location information of the shadow area stored in the memory to determine whether the current location is the shadow area.

The communicator may perform communication with a server, and the processor may be configured to, upon determining that the current location is the shadow area, transmit the current location information to the server, receive information about an existence of a shadow area specific broadcast device from the server, and determine whether the broadcast device is present in the shadow area of the current location based on the received information about the existence of the shadow area specific broadcast device.

The processor may be configured to learn the information about the existence of the shadow area specific broadcast device received from the server to determine whether the broadcast device is present in the shadow area of the current location.

The processor may be configured to control the communicator to transmit receive signal strength indicator (RSSI) information at an entry point of the shadow area, RSSI information in the shadow area, and RSS information at an exit point of the shadow area to the server.

The processor may be configured to determine whether the broadcast device is present in the shadow area on the basis of the RSSI information at the entry point of the shadow area, the RSSI information in the shadow area, and the RSS information at the exit point of the shadow area.

The broadcast signal output device may further include a display, wherein the processor may be configured to, upon determining that the current location is the shadow area, control the display to display information about a broadcast signal having a frequency receivable through the tuner.

The broadcast signal output device may further include a broadcast signal processor configured to acquire information about an RSSI of the received broadcast signal, wherein the processor may be configured to, upon determining that the current location is the shadow area and the broadcast device is present in the shadow area, determine whether the acquired RSSI is greater than or equal to a reference RSSI, and upon determining that the acquired RSSI is greater than or equal to the reference RSSI, remove noise from the audio signal in the received broadcast signal to adjust a sound quality.

The processor may be configured to, upon determining that the acquired RSSI is less than the reference RSSI, perform a first broadcast output mode to output a same broadcast program as a broadcast program before the entry into the shadow area.

The processor may be configured to, upon determining that the acquired RSSI is less than the reference RSSI, perform a second broadcast output mode to output a broadcast signal having a frequency different from a broadcast signal having a frequency received before the entry into the shadow area.

The broadcast signal output device may further include a broadcast signal processor configured to acquire information about an RSSI of the received broadcast signal, wherein the processor may be configured to, upon determining that the current location is the shadow area and the broadcast device is present in the shadow area, determine whether the acquired RSSI is greater than or equal to a reference RSSI, and upon determining that the acquired RSSI is greater than or equal to the reference RSSI, perform a first broadcast output mode to output a same broadcast program as a broadcast program before the entry into the shadow area.

The processor may be configured to, upon determining that the acquired RSSI is less than the reference RSSI, perform a second broadcast output mode to output a broadcast signal having a frequency different from a broadcast signal having a frequency received before the entry into the shadow area.

The processor may be configured to, upon determining that the current location is the shadow area and the broadcast device is present in the shadow area, perform a first broadcast output mode to output a same broadcast program as a broadcast program before the entry into the shadow area.

The broadcast signal output device may further include a broadcast signal processor configured to acquire information about an RSSI of the received broadcast signal, wherein the processor may be configured to, upon checking that the RSSI is greater than or equal to a preset RSSI, determine that the broadcast device is present, and upon checking that the RSSI is less than the preset RSSI, determine that the broadcast device is absent.

The broadcast signal output device may further include an inputter, wherein the processor may be configured to, upon receiving a first broadcast output mode through the inputter, determine whether the current location is a shadow area in which a broadcast device is provided, and upon determining that the current location is the shadow area in which the broadcast device is provided, check a broadcast program being broadcast, check a frequency for outputting the checked broadcast program, and control the tuner to receive a broadcast signal having the checked frequency.

The broadcast signal output device may further include an inputter, wherein the processor may be configured to, upon receiving a second broadcast output mode through the inputter, determine whether the current location is a shadow area in which a broadcast device is provided, and upon determining that the current location is the shadow area in which the broadcast device is provided, check a broadcast signal having a receivable frequency, and control output of the checked broadcast signal.

The broadcast signal output device may further include a display, wherein the processor may be configured to control the display to output a video signal in the broadcast signal.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a vehicle including: an inputter; a location receiver configured to receive current location information; and a broadcast signal output device configured to receive a broadcast signal having a frequency and output an audio signal in the received broadcast signal, wherein the broadcast signal output device is configured to: determine whether a current location is a shadow area based on the current location information and pre-stored map information, and upon determining that the current location is the shadow area, check information about a receive signal strength indicator (RSSI) of the received broadcast signal and determine whether a broadcast device is present based on the checked RSSI, and in response to whether the broadcast device is present and a broadcast alternative mode input by the inputter, mute the received broadcast signal to prevent noise from being output or control output of the received broadcast signal.

The broadcast signal output device may be configured to, upon checking that the RSSI is greater than or equal to a preset RSSI, determine that the broadcast device is present, and upon checking that the RSSI is less than the preset RSSI, determine that the broadcast device is absent.

The broadcast signal output device may be configured to, upon determining that the broadcast alternative mode is a first broadcast output mode, check a broadcast program being broadcast, check a frequency for outputting the checked broadcast program, and control a tuner to receive a broadcast signal having the checked frequency, and upon determining that the broadcast alternative mode is a second broadcast output mode, check a broadcast signal having a frequency receivable through the tuner, and control output of the checked broadcast signal.

The vehicle may further include a display, wherein the broadcast signal output device may be configured to control the display to output a video signal in the broadcast signal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Like numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification. Not all elements of embodiments of the present disclosure are described, and description of what are commonly known in the art or what overlap each other in the embodiments is omitted. The terms as used throughout the specification, such as “˜part”, “˜module”, “˜member”, “˜block”, etc., may be implemented in software and/or hardware, and a plurality of “˜parts”, “˜modules”, “˜members”, or “˜blocks” may be implemented in a single element, or a single “˜part”, “˜module”, “˜member”, or “˜block” may include a plurality of elements.

Although the terms “first,” “second,” “A,” “B,” etc. may be used to describe various components, the terms do not limit the corresponding components, but are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. When a component, device, element, or the like of the present disclosure is described as having a purpose or performing an operation, function, or the like, the component, device, or element should be considered herein as being “configured to” meet that purpose or to perform that operation or function.

Hereinafter, the operating principles and embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG.1is a view illustrating the interior illustrating a vehicle according to an embodiment.

A vehicle1includes a body having an interior and an exterior, and a chassis which is a part of the vehicle1except for the body, in which mechanical devices required for traveling are installed.

The exterior of the body includes a front panel, a bonnet, a roof panel, a rear panel, a trunk, front and rear, left and right doors, and window glasses provided on the front and rear, left and right doors to be openable and closable, and further includes a side mirror for providing a driver with a field of view corresponding to a rear side of the vehicle.

Referring toFIG.1, the interior of the body includes a seat111on which an occupant sits, a dashboard112, an instrument board113(i.e., a cluster113) disposed on the dashboard112and mounting a tachometer, a speedometer, a coolant thermometer, a fuel gauge, a turn indicator, a high-beam light, a warning light, a seat belt warning light, an odometer, an odograph, an automatic shift selector light, a door open warning light, an engine oil notification light, and a low fuel warning light thereon, a steering wheel114for manipulating the heading direction of the vehicle, and a center fascia115on which a vent and a control panel of an air conditioner are disposed and an audio device is disposed.

The seat111includes a driver seat111aon which the driver sits, a passenger seat111bon which a passenger sits, and a rear seat positioned on a rear side in the vehicle.

The cluster113may be implemented in a digital manner. That is, the digital cluster113displays vehicle information and travelling information as images.

The center fascia115is a portion of the dashboard112positioned between the driver seat111aand the passenger seat111b,and includes a head unit116for controlling an audio device, an air conditioner, and a heater.

The vehicle1may further include an inputter118for receiving an operation command of a mode for various functions performed in the vehicle, and may further include a display119for displaying operation information.

The inputter118may be provided on at least one of the head unit116, the center fascia115, and the steering wheel114.

The inputter118may transmit input information according to a user input to a controller in the head unit116or to a vehicle terminal120.

The inputter118may receive an operation on/off command of the vehicle terminal120, receive selection of at least one mode among a plurality of modes, and transmit information about the selected mode to the vehicle terminal120.

For example, the inputter118may be configured to, when a navigation mode is selected, receive an input of destination information and transmits the input destination information to the vehicle terminal120, and when a Digital Audio Broadcasting (DMB) mode (i.e., a broadcast mode) is selected, receive an input of broadcast channel and volume information, and transmit the input broadcast channel and volume information to the vehicle terminal120, and when a radio broadcast mode is selected among broadcast modes, receive an input of radio channel and radio volume information and transmit the input radio channel and volume information to the vehicle terminal120.

The inputter118may include a hardware device, such as various buttons or switches, a pedal, a keyboard, a mouse, a track-ball, various levers, a handle, or a stick.

In addition, the inputter118may include a graphical user interface (GUI), such as a touch pad, that is, a software device. The touch pad may be implemented as a touch screen panel (TSP) to form a mutual layer structure together with a display119.

When the inputter is provided as a TSP forming a layer structure with a touch pad, the display119may also be used as the inputter118.

The inputter118may include a touch panel integrally formed with a display of the vehicle terminal120. The inputter118may be activated and displayed in the form of a button on the display of the vehicle terminal120, and in this case, the inputter118receives location information of the displayed button.

The inputter118may receive a movement command and a selection command by a cursor displayed on the display of the vehicle terminal120.

The inputter118may be configured to, during execution of a broadcast mode, a broadcast alternative mode in a shadow area. For example, the broadcast alternative mode may include a mute mode, a first broadcast output mode to output the same broadcast program having a different frequency, and a second broadcast output mode to output another broadcast program that is allowable for broadcasting.

Here, broadcasting is classified into long-wave broadcasting, medium-wave broadcasting (AM broadcasting), short-wave broadcasting, and very short-wave broadcasting (FM broadcasting) according to the frequency band used. The broadcasting may include: ground radio wave broadcasting that outputs a broadcast by receiving radio waves transmitted near the ground or from the surface of the earth; cable broadcasting that receives and outputs a broadcast signal through a cable; satellite broadcasting that receives and outputs a broadcast signal through a satellite; the Internet broadcasting that receives and outputs a broadcast signal using the Internet; internet protocol (IP) broadcasting that receives and outputs a broadcast signal based on a set-top box and an IP; and DMB broadcasting that receives and outputs a broadcast signal through a terminal capable of mobile communication.

Terrestrial broadcasting, cable broadcasting, satellite broadcasting, Internet broadcasting, IP broadcasting, and DMB may receive and output both a video signal and an audio signal in a broadcast signal.

The display119displays operation information of the head unit116and displays input information input to the inputter118.

For example, the display119displays broadcast channel and volume information input by the user when a broadcast mode is selected.

The display119may display a broadcast alternative mode in a shadow area selected by the user.

The vehicle1may further include an audio device for performing an audio mode and an output device for performing a video mode. Here, the output device may include a broadcast signal output device for outputting a broadcast signal.

The audio device and the video device may be integrally provided with each other or separately provided in different spaces.

The vehicle terminal120may be mounted on a dashboard.

The vehicle terminal120may perform an audio mode, a video mode, a navigation mode, a broadcast mode, and a map display mode, and may display an image of the mode being performed.

FIG.2is a control block diagram illustrating a vehicle according to an embodiment,FIG.3is a diagram illustrating communication of a vehicle according to an embodiment, andFIG.4is a detailed block diagram illustrating a broadcast signal output device provided in a vehicle according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.2, the vehicle includes an inputter118, a display119, a terminal120, a location receiver130, a communicator140, a controller150, a storage151, a sound outputter160, and a broadcast signal output device170.

The inputter118receives a user input and transmits input information about the received user input to the controller150.

The inputter118may directly transmit the input information regarding the user input to a processor176.

The inputter118receives an on/off command of a broadcast mode, and receives a broadcast channel, a broadcast volume, and a broadcast alternative mode in a shadow area during execution of a broadcast mode.

As an example, the inputter118may receive an on/off command of a radio broadcasting mode, receive a radio channel and a radio volume, and receive an automatic channel change command.

As another example, the inputter118may receive an on/off command of a satellite broadcast mode, receive a channel and volume of a satellite broadcast, and receive a broadcast program name.

The broadcast alternative mode in the shadow area may include a mute mode, a first broadcast output mode to output the same broadcast program having a different frequency, and a second broadcast output mode to output another broadcast program that is allowable for broadcasting.

The inputter118may receive music play, stop, and end commands during execution of an audio mode corresponding to reproduction of audio stored in a storage medium (not shown).

The inputter118may receive destination information and route selection information during execution of a navigation mode.

The display119displays information about the mode being performed in the vehicle.

For example, the display119may display a mode being performed, such as a broadcast mode, a call mode, a DMB mode, and a navigation mode. Here, the broadcast mode may include a radio broadcast mode, a terrestrial broadcast mode, a cable broadcast mode, a satellite broadcast mode, an Internet broadcast mode, an IP broadcast mode, and a DMB mode.

The display119may be configured to, in a broadcasting mode, display a broadcast channel selected by a user, display a volume, and display a broadcast alternative mode.

For example, the display119may be configured to, in a radio broadcasting mode, display a radio channel selected by the user, display a radio volume, and display whether automatic channel change is selected.

The display119may include a cathode ray tube (CRT) panel, a digital light processing (DLP) panel, a plasma display panel, a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, an electro luminescence (EL) panel, an electrophoretic display (EPD) panel, an electrochromic display (ECD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel or an organic light emitting diode (OLED), but is not limited thereto.

The terminal120may perform a navigation mode based on map information, destination information, and location information of the location receiver130. The terminal120may output navigation information corresponding to the navigation mode.

The terminal120may also perform a DMB mode in which a broadcast signal transmitted from a broadcasting station is received and a broadcast image and broadcast sound are output.

The terminal120may be configured to, in the execution of a broadcast mode, receive a broadcast signal for a broadcast channel selected by a user, display a video signal of the received broadcast signal as an image. The terminal120may also output an audio signal of the broadcast signal as sound.

The terminal120may be configured to, in the execution of a broadcast mode, display channel information allowable for broadcasting, display broadcast program information allowable for broadcasting, and display a broadcast alternative mode in a shadow area selected by a user.

The terminal120may display shadow area travelling information regarding a travel in a shadow area, display transit time information for passing through a shadow area, display whether a broadcast signal is received while the vehicle is travelling in a shadow area, and display information about whether a broadcast device exists in a shadow area.

The terminal120may display channel information and frequency information allowable for output in a shadow area, and may also display broadcast program information allowable for output.

The terminal120may include a display panel. In addition, the terminal120may include a touch screen in which a touch panel is integrated with a display panel.

The location receiver130receives location information about the current location of the vehicle.

The location receiver130may include a global positioning system (GPS) receiver including an antenna for receiving signals from a plurality of GPS satellites, and a signal processor for processing the GPS signals acquired from the GPS receiver. In addition, the signal processor may include software for acquiring current location information of the vehicle using distance and time information corresponding to location signals of the plurality of GPS satellites, and an outputter for outputting the acquired current location information of the vehicle.

The location receiver130may directly transmit the current location information of the vehicle to the processor176.

The communicator140may include one or more components that enable communication with an external device, and may include, for example, at least one of a short-range communication module, a wired communication module, and a wireless communication module. Here, the external device may be a GPS satellite, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) satellite, a broadcast satellite, a server2, an infrastructure3, and an antenna4aof a broadcast device4.

The broadcast device4is a device that receives a broadcast signal received through a broadcasting station, a broadcast satellite, a cable, the Internet, etc., and transmits the received broadcast signal, and may represent a rebroadcast device that receives external broadcast and retransmits the received external broadcast.

The short-range communication module may include various short-range communication modules that may transmit and receive signals in a short distance using a wireless communication network, for example, a Bluetooth module, an infrared communication module, a radio frequency identification (RFID) communication module, a wireless local access network (WLAN) communication module, a near field communication (NFC) communication module, a Zigbee communication module, and the like.

The wired communication module may include not only various wired communication modules, such as a controller area network (CAN) communication module, a local area network (LAN) communication module, a wide area network (WAN) module, or a value added network (VAN) module, but also various cable communication modules, such as a universal serial bus (USB), a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a digital visual interface (DVI), a recommended standard 232 (RS-232), power line communication, or plain old telephone service (POTS).

The wireless communication module may include various wireless communication modules for supporting various wireless communication methods, such as a Wifi module, a wireless broadband (Wibro) module, a global system for mobile communication (GSM), a code division multiple access (CDMA), a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), a time division multiple access (TDMA), a long term evolution (LTE), and the like.

The communicator140may communicate with a broadcasting station of outside. The communicator140may further include a broadcasting communication module, such as Transport Protocol Expert Group (TPEG), Sign-extension mode (SXM), or radio data system (RDS) of DMB.

Referring toFIG.3, the vehicle1may perform communication with a satellite for transmitting satellite information, an antenna of a broadcasting station for transmitting a broadcast signal, a server2, an infrastructure3, and an antenna4aof a broadcast device in a shadow area.

The controller150transmits information input to the inputter118to at least one of the broadcast signal output device170or the terminal120.

The controller150may control the operations of the broadcast signal output device170and the terminal120based on the information input to the inputter118.

The controller150may recognize the current location information of the vehicle based on the satellite information received by the location receiver130, and perform a navigation mode based on the recognized current location information, destination information, and map information of the vehicle. And the controller150may control output of navigation information corresponding to the navigation mode.

The controller150may determine whether the current location is a shadow area based on the recognized current location information of the vehicle and location information of a shadow area stored in the storage151.

The controller150may be configured to, upon determining that the current location is an entry point of the shadow area, transmit information about entering the shadow area to the broadcast signal output device170. Upon determining that the current location is an exit point of the shadow area, the controller150may transmit information about exiting the shadow area to the broadcast signal output device170.

The controller150may acquire time information for leaving the shadow area based on length information of the shadow area and travelling speed information, and determine whether the vehicle has exited the shadow area based on the time information.

The controller150may also acquire information about the travelling speed of the vehicle based on a change in the current location information according to time.

The vehicle may further include a speed detector (not shown) for acquiring travelling speed information of the vehicle. For example, the speed detector may include at least one of a plurality of wheel speed sensors and an acceleration sensor.

The controller150may determine whether the current location is the entry point of the shadow area based on the current location information and the map information, and may control the display119to display information about entering the shadow area, and control the display119to display length information of the shadow area. The length information of the shadow area may be a length between the entry point and the exit point.

For example, the controller150may determine whether the current location is a location before entering a tunnel. Upon determining that the current location is a location before entering the tunnel, the controller150may transmit tunnel entry information indicating an entry into the tunnel to the broadcast signal output device170, and also to the server2.

The controller150may transmit broadcast information to the server2during execution of a broadcast mode. Here, the broadcast information may be broadcast channel information, broadcast program information, or frequency information.

The controller150may transmit, to the server2, information about the position before entering the shadow area, the internal position of the shadow area, and the position after existing from the shadow area during travelling in the shadow area, and information about a receive signal strength indicator (RSSI) at each position. In this case, the controller150may also transmit identification information of the vehicle or identification information of the user together with the above-described information to the server2.

The controller150may transmit the current location information to the broadcast signal output device170and the terminal120.

When information input to the inputter118is input information corresponding to a broadcasting mode, the controller150may transmit the information input to the inputter118to the broadcast signal output device170. For example, the input information input to the inputter118may include a broadcast alternative mode, channel information, and volume information.

The controller150may control the display119to output information about the mode being performed in the vehicle as an image.

The controller150may be an electronic control unit (ECU) provided in the vehicle, or may be the processor176of the broadcast signal output device170.

In other words, the controller150may be implemented as one part with the processor176of the broadcast signal output device170, or may be implemented separately as in the present embodiment.

The controller150may include a memory (not shown) for storing data regarding an algorithm for controlling the operations of the components of the vehicle1or a program that represents the algorithm, and a processor (not shown) that performs the above described operations using the data stored in the memory. In this case, the memory and the processor may be implemented as separate chips. Alternatively, the memory and the processor may be implemented as a single chip.

The storage151may store map information and may store location information for each shadow area. The storage may store location information and length information of tunnels among shadow areas.

The storage151may store identification information of a vehicle and may store identification information of a user.

The storage151may include a nonvolatile memory device, such as a cache, a read only memory (ROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), and a flash memory, a volatile memory device, such as a random access memory (RAM), or other storage media, such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a CD-ROM, and the like., but the implementation of the storage151is not limited thereto. The storage unit151may be a memory implemented as a chip separate from the processor described above in connection with the controller150, or may be implemented as a single chip with the processor. It may be implemented, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The sound outputter160outputs a sound regarding a mode being performed in the vehicle in response to a control command from the controller150.

The sound outputter160may output an audio signal of navigation information as a sound, output an audio signal of content or an external broadcast as a sound, or output an audio signal of music or radio selected by a user as a sound.

For example, the sound outputter160outputs an audio signal of a radio broadcast signal as a sound at a volume selected by the user during execution of a radio broadcast mode.

The sound outputter160may include one or more speakers.

The speaker converts a signal transmitted from a second amplifier174into vibration of a diaphragm to generate a longitudinal wave in the air to radiate sound waves.

The broadcast signal output device170receives a broadcast signal of an outside and outputs the received broadcast signal. The broadcast signal output device170may output only an audio signal of the broadcast signal or both an audio signal and a video signal of the broadcast signal according to the selected broadcast mode.

The broadcast signal output device170may include at least one of a radio device (not shown), an audio device (not shown), or the terminal120provided in the head unit.

The radio device (not shown) may perform a radio broadcasting mode for receiving and outputting a broadcast signal transmitted from a radio broadcasting station, and the audio device (not shown) may perform an audio mode for playing a sound source stored in a universal serial bus (USB), a compact disk (CD), or a storage medium.

The terminal120may perform an audio/video (AV) broadcasting mode for receiving a broadcast signal transmitted from a broadcasting station and outputs an audio signal and a video signal in the received broadcast signal.

Referring toFIG.4, the broadcast signal output device170may include a tuner171, a first amplifier172, a detector173, the second amplifier174, a broadcast signal processor175, the processor176, and a memory177. Here, the second amplifier174may be provided in the sound outputter160.

The tuner171may be connected to a broadcast antenna, and may receive a broadcast signal through the broadcasting antenna. Here, the broadcasting antenna receives broadcast signals transmitted from different broadcasting stations owned by a plurality of broadcast companies.

The tuner171may receive a broadcast signal corresponding to channel information during execution of a broadcast mode. In this case, the tuner171receives a broadcast signal having a frequency corresponding to a control command of the processor176. Here, the frequency of the broadcast signal may match the channel information.

The first amplifier172amplifies the frequency signal received by the tuner171.

The detector173demodulates the frequency signal amplified by the first amplifier172to output a signal in an audible frequency range.

The second amplifier174is connected between the detector173and a speaker161, and amplifies the signal in the audible frequency range output from the detector173and transmits the amplified signal to the speaker161, which is the sound outputter160.

The broadcast signal processor175processes the signal demodulated by the detector173and transmits signal processing information to the processor176.

The broadcast signal processor175may sample the demodulated signal, which is an analog signal, output from the detector173as a digital signal, and acquire a signal strength of the sampled digital signal. Here, the acquired signal strength may be a receive signal strength indicator (RSSI).

The processor176may be configured to, based on input information being received from the controller150, control execution of a broadcast mode based on the received input information, and transmit performance information to the controller150while the broadcast mode is being performed.

The received input information may include an on-command of the broadcast mode, channel information, volume information, a broadcast alternative mode, and an off command of the broadcast mode, and the received input information may also include current location information.

The received input information may include entry information of the shadow area, travelling information within the shadow area, and exit information of the shadow area, and may further include length information of the shadow area.

The processor176may activate the tuner171, the first amplifier172, the detector173, and the broadcast signal processor175in response to the on-command of the broadcast mode.

The processor176may control the tuner171to receive a broadcast signal corresponding to channel information selected by the user, and may control output of the broadcast signal received by the tuner171.

In the case of a radio broadcast mode, the processor176may control output of an audio signal in a broadcast signal.

In the case of a terrestrial broadcasting mode, a cable broadcasting mode, a satellite broadcasting mode, an Internet broadcasting mode, an IP broadcasting mode, or a DMB mode, the processor176may control output of an audio signal and a video signal in a broadcast signal.

The processor176determines whether the current location is an entry point of the shadow area based on current location information and preset location information of a shadow area. Upon determining that the current location is the entry point of the shadow area, the processor176checks a broadcast alternative mode selected by the user.

The processor176may control execution of a broadcast alternative mode selected by the user while travelling in a shadow area.

When the broadcast alternative mode selected by the user is a mute mode, the processor176may be configured to perform a mute signal processing on the broadcast signal received by the tuner171to prevent the broadcast signal from being output. In other words, the processor176may prevent noise of the broadcast signal from being output during travelling in the shadow area in response to the mute signal processing.

When the broadcast alternative mode selected by the user is a first broadcast output mode, the processor176may be configured to check a frequency of a broadcast signal for broadcasting the same broadcast program as that output before entering the shadow area, among frequencies received by the broadcast antenna, from information stored in the memory, and further control the tuner171to receive the broadcast signal having the checked frequency, and control output of the signal received through the tuner171.

For example, the processor176may control output of a first broadcast program of a first broadcast signal having a first frequency before entering the shadow area, and control output of the first broadcast program of a second broadcast signal having a second frequency while traveling in the shadow area.

The processor176, in the performing of the first broadcast output mode, may check the RSSI of the first broadcast signal while broadcasting the first broadcast program, and determine whether to change the frequency based on the checked RSSI.

More specifically, the processor176samples the first broadcast signal of the first frequency as a digital signal, calculates the RSSI of the sampled signal, and calculates the signal-to-noise ratio of the sampled signal.

The processor176determines whether the calculated RSSI is less than or equal to a preset RSSI, and upon determining that the calculated RSSI is less than or equal to the preset RSSI, determines whether the calculated signal-to-noise ratio is less than or equal to a reference ratio. Upon determining that the calculated signal-to-noise ratio is less than the reference ratio, the processor176checks a broadcast company transmitting the first broadcast signal.

Next, the processor176checks the current location information of the vehicle, checks an area in which the vehicle is located based on the checked location information, checks a region corresponding to the checked area, checks the second frequency for transmitting the first broadcast program from the checked broadcast company.

The processor176may control the tuner171to receive the second broadcast signal having the second frequency. The processor176outputs the first broadcast program corresponding to the second broadcast signal having the second frequency.

The processor176may be configured to, when the broadcast alternative mode selected by the user is a second broadcast output mode, check frequencies having the reference RSSI, control display of pieces of channel information for broadcast signals having the checked frequencies, and control reception and output of a broadcast signal having channel information selected by the user among the displayed pieces of channel information.

The reference RSSI may be a preset RSSI.

Here, the frequency having the reference RSSI may be a frequency different from the frequency of the broadcast signal output before entering the shadow area.

The broadcast signal of the frequency having the reference RSSI may be different from the broadcast signal output before entering the shadow area.

The broadcast program output by the broadcast signal of the frequency having the reference RSSI may be the same as or different from the broadcast program output by the broadcast signal of the frequency received before entering the shadow area.

For example, the processor176may output a first broadcast signal having a first frequency before entering a shadow area to output a first broadcast program, and may output a second broadcast signal having a third frequency while travelling in the shadow area to output a second broadcast program.

The processor176may output a first broadcast signal having a first frequency before entering a shadow area to output a first broadcast program, and may output a fourth broadcast signal having a fourth frequency while travelling in the shadow area to output the first broadcast program.

The processor176may check communication status information of the shadow area at the entry point of the shadow area, and recommend a mute mode or channels for broadcasting based on the checked communication status information of the shadow area. That is, the processor176may control display of the broadcast alternative mode and recommendation information for channels.

The processor176may be configured to, in response to a broadcast signal for the same broadcast program with a different frequency being output during travel in the shadow area, store information about the broadcast program and frequency information before and after entering the shadow area, and transmit the information to the server2.

The processor176may store information about frequencies having a RSSI greater than or equal to a reference RSSI during travel in a shadow area, and transmit the stored information about the frequencies to the server2.

The processor176may transmit, to the server2, information about the position before entering the shadow area, the internal position of the shadow area, and the position after existing from the shadow area during travel in the shadow area, and the RSSI at each of the positions. In this case, the processor176may transmit identification information of the vehicle or identification information of the user together with the position information and the RSSI to the server2.

The processor176may perform big data-based machine learning to determine whether a broadcast device exists in the shadow area.

The processor176may check the RSSI of the broadcast signal while receiving the broadcast signal through the tuner171, and determine the broadcast alternative mode based on the checked RSSI.

The processor176may be configured to, upon determining that the broadcast device does not exist in the shadow area, automatically perform a mute mode as a broadcast alternative mode in the shadow area.

The processor176may be configured to, upon determining that the broadcast device exists in the shadow area, allow the first broadcast output mode or the second broadcast output mode to be automatically performed as a broadcast alternative mode in the shadow area.

The processor176may be configured to, in response to the RSSI in the shadow area being greater than or equal to the reference RSSI while the broadcast device exists in the shadow area, adjust the sound quality or picture quality while controlling frequency maintenance, or change the operation mode to the first broadcast output mode.

The processor176may be configured to, in response to the RSSI in the shadow area being less than the reference RSSI while the broadcast device exists in the shadow area, change the operation mode to the first broadcast output mode or to the second broadcast output mode.

The processor176may check the frequencies transmitted with a RSSI greater than or equal to a preset RSSI in the shadow area, and automatically perform the first broadcast output mode or the second broadcast output mode based on a broadcast programs corresponding to the checked frequencies.

The processor176may check the frequencies transmitted with a RSSI greater than or equal to a preset RSSI in the shadow area, and upon determining that execution of the first broadcast output mode is not performable based on a broadcast program provided before entering the shadow area and the broadcast programs corresponding to the checked frequencies, automatically perform the second broadcast output mode.

The processor176may determine whether the vehicle has exited from the shadow area by determining whether the current location is an exit position of the shadow area based on the current location information and the preset location information of the shadow area.

The processor176may determine whether the vehicle has exited from the shadow area based on the length information of the shadow area and the travelling speed information.

The processor176may determine whether the current location is the entry position of the shadow area based on the current location information and the map information, and may determine whether the current location is the exit position of the shadow area based on the current location information and the map information.

The processor176may be configured to, upon determining that the vehicle has existed from the shadow area, control output of the broadcast signal for the broadcast program performed before the entry of the shadow area.

The processor176may be configured to, upon determining that the vehicle has existed from the shadow area, control output of the broadcast signal for the broadcast program performed during traveling in the shadow area.

The processor176may be configured to, upon the RSSI of the broadcast signal in the shadow area being greater than or equal to the preset RSSI, determine that a broadcast device exists in the shadow area, and upon the RSSI of the broadcast signal in the shadow area being less than the preset RSSI, determine that a broadcast device does not exist in the shadow area.

The processor176may be configured to, in the determining of the existence of the broadcast device in the shadow area, compare the RSSIs at the position before entering the shadow area, the internal position of the shadow area, and the position after exiting from the shadow area with each other, and based on a result of comparing the RSSIs for each position, determine whether a broadcast device exits.

In more detail, the processor176may determine that the broadcast device exists when a result of comparing the RSSIs for each position is within a preset error range.

The processor176may be configured to, upon determining that the RSSI inside the shadow area is greater than or equal to the RSSI at the position before entering the shadow area, determine that a broadcast device exists.

The processor176may be configured to, upon determining that the RSSI inside the shadow area is greater than or equal to the RSSI at the position after exiting from the shadow area, determine that a broadcast device exists.

The processor176may determine that the broadcast device does not exist when a result of comparing the RSSIs for each position is out of the preset error range.

The processor176may be configured to, upon determining that the RSSI inside the shadow area is less than the RSSI at the position before entering the shadow area, determine that a broadcast device does not exist.

The processor176may be configured to, upon determining that the RSSI inside the shadow area is less than the RSSI at the position after exiting from the shadow area, determine that a broadcast device does not exist.

The processor176may acquire information about broadcast devices for each shadow area that is automatically collected from other vehicles through a connected car service (CCS) service of the current vehicle, and determine whether there is a broadcast device for each shadow area using a big data machine learning technique. With such a configuration, the broadcast service may be improved, and furthermore, the user convenience may be increased.

Referring toFIG.5, the processor176may acquire a plurality of pieces of (M pieces) of big data through the CCS service.

The processor176may determine whether there is a broadcast device for each area through supervised learning. The determination will be described with reference toFIGS.6A,6B and6C.

The processor176predicts the presence or absence of a broadcast device in a shadow area (e.g., a tunnel) using various techniques of machine learning.

Referring toFIG.6A, the processor176may be configured to, upon identifying whether a broadcast device exists in at least one shadow area, apply a machine learning technique through supervised learning. For example, the presence or absence of a broadcast device in at least one shadow area is set as a label y, big data regarding various inputs x is provided, and machine learning is performed.

Such a technique corresponds to supervised learning among various techniques of machine learning due to the presence of a label, and for this, various supervised learning algorithms, such as K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), linear regression, logistic regression, decision tree, random forest, and artificial neural network may be applied.

The input information includes latitude, longitude, legal dong code, frequency, and RSSI, and the output information includes presence or absence of a broadcast device.

Referring toFIG.6B, the machine that has completed learning provides an estimate (y′: whether a broadcast device exists) with a high accuracy for various inputs.

For example, referring toFIG.6C, when x1 is a vehicle position and x2 is a RSSI, each class indicates whether a broadcast device is exists. In response to new data (o) being added, the trained machine selects a class with a high probability.

The processor176may determine whether a broadcast device for each area exists through unsupervised learning. The determination will be described with reference toFIG.7.

The processor176may be configured to, without completely identifying whether a broadcast device exists, apply a clustering technique of unsupervised learning.

In this case, the processor176has only input data without a label y, and uses k-means clustering that is a representative example of a method of dividing clusters with only characteristics of input data x.

This is a case in which the processor176determines whether a broadcast device exists, the number of clusters is 2 (k=2). Referring toFIG.7, the processor176may learn by itself and reach step6to determine whether a broadcast device exists.

The processor176may transmit the vehicle identification information and location information to the server2through the CCS service.

The processor176may be configured to, when transmitting the vehicle identification information and location information through the CCS service, check the RSSI at the position before entering the shadow area, the position inside the shadow area, and the position after exiting from the shadow area, and transmit information about the RSSI for each position to the server2.

The processor176may receive broadcast device information for each shadow area from the server2and perform big data processing on the received broadcast device information for each shadow area to acquire broadcast device information for each shadow area.

The processor176may classify a shadow area in which a broadcast device does not exist and a shadow area in which a broadcast device exists, based on the broadcast device information for each shadow area acquired nationwide.

The processor176may be configured to, in response to the RSSI of the shadow area being greater than or equal to the reference RSSI, adjust the sound quality or receive and output the same broadcast program having a different frequency.

The adjusting of the sound quality may include removing a noise signal from the broadcast signal.

The processor176may be configured to, in response to the RSSI of the shadow area being less than the reference RSSI, receive and output the same broadcast program of a different frequency, or receive and output another broadcast program of a different frequency.

The processor176may update the broadcast device information for each shadow area stored in the memory177.

The processor176may be configured to, upon determining that there is no broadcast device in the tunnel among the shadow areas, display a guide pop-up text “This tunnel is an area where radio broadcast signals are not receivable. Switch to mute.” and then perform mute so that unpleasant noise is not output.

The processor176may be configured to, in response to the RSSI being less than the reference RSSI, retrieve another frequency for outputting the same broadcast program, and output the same broadcast program as the broadcast program provided before entering the tunnel using the retrieved frequency. The processor176may control the display to display a guide pop-up indicating that another frequency for outputting the same broadcast program is being retrieved.

The processor176may be configured to, in response to the RSSI being less than the reference RSSI, check frequencies of broadcast programs outputtable in the tunnel, and output a broadcast program different from the broadcast program provided before entering the tunnel using the checked frequency. The processor176may control the display to display a guide pop-up indicating that a broadcast program allowable for broadcasting in the tunnel is being retrieved.

The processor176may control the display to display a list of broadcast programs and channels of the retrieved frequencies, and may control output of a broadcast program selected by the user.

The processor176may be configured to, after exiting from the tunnel, control the display to display a guide pop-up indicating whether to keep the settings changed in the tunnel or whether to return to the settings before the entry into the tunnel.

The maintaining or changing of the broadcast program before and after entering the tunnel may also be selected from a basic setting option of the broadcast mode.

The memory177may store map information and may store location information of a shadow area.

The memory177may store reference RSSI information for each location of the shadow area.

The memory177may store frequency information having a RSSI greater than or equal to the reference RSSI for each location of the shadow area, and may store a table in which broadcast programs are matched according to frequencies.

The memory177may store a reference RSSI for determining the broadcast alternative mode.

The memory177may store a set RSSI for determining whether a broadcast device exists.

The memory177may store a preset RSSI for determining another frequency for outputting the same broadcast program corresponding to the first broadcast output mode.

The broadcast signal output device may further include a communicator for communication between the processor and the controller. The communicator of the broadcast signal output device may receive current location information from a location receiver.

The broadcast signal output device may include the location receiver.

When the broadcast signal output device is implemented as a terminal, the broadcast signal output device may include an inputter, a display, and a sound outputter.

At least one component may be added or omitted to correspond to the performance of the components of the vehicle shown inFIGS.2and4In addition, the mutual positions of the components may be changed to correspond to the performance or structure of the system.

The components shown inFIGS.2and4may refer to a software component and/or a hardware component, such as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC).

Meanwhile, the disclosed embodiments may be embodied in the form of a recording medium storing instructions executable by a computer. The instructions may be stored in the form of program code and, when executed by a processor, may generate a program module to perform the operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be embodied as a computer-readable recording medium.

The computer-readable recording medium includes all kinds of recording media in which instructions which may be decoded by a computer are stored, for example, a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Random-Access Memory (RAM), a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a flash memory, an optical data storage device, and the like.

As is apparent from the above, according to the present disclosure, the receive signal strength indicator (RSSI) of a broadcast signal is determined so that a driver can be provided with an improved broadcast (e.g., radio) service to be suitable for a given situation, and the maintenance of the service can be automatically performed.

According to the present disclosure, by adding a logic that automatically collects various types of user information of the current vehicle through a connected car service (CCS) service of the vehicle and determines the presence or absence of a broadcast device based on the collected pieces of user information and a big data machine learning technique, an improved broadcasting service can be provided and the convenience of user can be increased.

According to the present disclosure, when listening to the radio through an audio device, location information of the vehicle is received from a GPS receiver, an entry into a tunnel is determined based on the location information, and upon determining that the vehicle enters a tunnel, the frequency of a program currently being listened to is automatically retrieved and changed, so that the user can listen the same broadcasting station program continuously without a user's manipulation.

In addition, according to the present disclosure, since the driver may continuously listen to the same broadcasting station program, not only the convenience of driving can be provided, but also a safety accident can be prevented by allowing the driver to concentrate on the driving.

In addition, according to the present disclosure, the driver can listen to the radio with the optimal reception sensitivity for each region.

According to the present disclosure, a frequency having a receive signal strength indicator (RSSI) greater than or equal to a reference RSSI is checked, and a broadcast signal having the checked frequency is received and output, so that the convenience of driving can be provided, and a safety accident can be prevented by allowing the driver to concentrate on driving.

As described above, the present disclosure can improve the quality and marketability of the broadcast signal output device and the vehicle having the same, increase the user satisfaction, enhance the vehicle safety, and secure the product competitiveness.

Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described for illustrative purposes, those having ordinary skill in the art should appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Therefore, embodiments of the present disclosure have not been described for limiting purposes.