Methods and apparatus for signaling offsets and changes in digital broadcast networks

• US 20060265728A1
• Filed: 05/19/2005
• Published: 11/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Vare, Jani, Virtanen, Kari S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,812,887 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/81
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/426 Receiver side
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/57 for mobile receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 40/09 Arrangements for receiving desired information automatically according to timetables
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/25 Arrangements for updating broadcast information or broadcast-related information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/414 Specialised client platforms, e.g. receiver in car or embedded in a mobile appliance
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4345 Extraction or processing of SI, e.g. extracting service information from an MPEG stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4348 Demultiplexing of additional data and video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/435 Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4436 Power management, e.g. shutting down unused components of the receiver power management in computer systems G06F1/3203; hibernate or awake process in computer systems G06F9/4418
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64315 DVB-H
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for receivers of digital broadband broadcast signals to determine a time of delivery and a version of a particular signaling table. The receiver is able to determine whether an update of the signaling table is needed based on factors such as whether the update applies (e.g., a DVB-H specific change for a mobile terminal in a DVB-H network). The receiver may power down while awaiting delivery of the signaling table (or utilize the radio for other purposes), powering back up in time to receive the signaling table.

Claims

1. A method for receiving a digitally broadcast signaling table, the method comprising:

receiving a delivery time of the digitally broadcast signaling table;

determining that an update of the digitally broadcast signaling table is required;

powering down a receiver;

powering up the receiver at a time proximate to the delivery time; and

receiving the digitally broadcast signaling table.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining that an update of the digitally broadcast signaling table is required comprises determining that the table has changed.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining that an update of the digitally broadcast signaling table is required comprises determining that the table change comprises a change specific to digital video broadcasting for handhelds (DVB-H).

4. The method of claim 3, wherein determining that the table change comprises a change specific to digital video broadcasting for handhelds (DVB-H) comprises receiving a signaling descriptor indicating a change specific to DVB-H.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the digitally broadcast signaling table is broadcast using a digital video broadcast (DVB) standard.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein receiving a delivery time of the digitally broadcast signaling table comprises receiving a signaling descriptor comprising delivery time information.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein receiving a signaling descriptor comprising delivery time information comprises receiving a descriptor named table_offset_and_version_descriptor.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the signaling descriptor is contained within a Program Map Table.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein receiving a delivery time of the digitally broadcast signaling table comprises receiving another signaling table comprising the delivery time.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein receiving another signaling table comprising the deliver time comprises receiving a table relating to table offset and table version.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the delivery time is a relative amount of time from the present time.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the digitally broadcast signaling table comprises at least one of program specific information or service information.

13. A method for forwarding a signaling table for digital broadcast transmission, the method comprising:

determining a transmission time when the signaling table will be transmitted;

forwarding a notification of the transmission time for digital broadcast transmission; and

forwarding the signaling table for digital broadcast transmission at a time proximate to the transmission time.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the notification is transmitted using a digital video broadcasting (DVB) standard.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the notification comprises a signaling descriptor.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the notification comprises another signaling table.

17. A mobile terminal comprising:

a memory;

a receiver capable of receiving a digital broadband broadcast signal; and

a processor configured to performs steps of;

receiving a delivery time for a digitally broadcast signaling table;

storing the delivery time in the memory;

determining that an update of the digitally broadcast signaling table is required;

powering down the receiver;

subsequently powering up the receiver at a time proximate to the delivery time; and

receiving the digitally broadcast signaling table.

18. The mobile terminal of claim 17, wherein subsequently powering up the receiver occurs due to the approach of the delivery time.

19. The mobile terminal of claim 17, wherein the digital broadband broadcast signal comprises a digital video broadcasting (DVB) signal.

20. The mobile terminal of claim 19, wherein the digital broadcast signal comprises a digital video broadcasting for handhelds (DVB-H) signal.

21. The mobile terminal of claim 17, wherein receiving a delivery time of the digitally broadcast signaling table comprises receiving a signaling descriptor comprising delivery time information.

22. The mobile terminal of claim 21, wherein receiving a signaling descriptor comprising delivery time information comprises receiving a descriptor named table_offset_and_version_descriptor.

23. The mobile terminal of claim 21, wherein the signaling descriptor is contained within a Program Map Table.

24. The mobile terminal of claim 17, wherein receiving a delivery time of the digitally broadcast signaling table comprises receiving another signaling table comprising the delivery time.

25. The mobile terminal of claim 24, wherein receiving another signaling table comprising the deliver time comprises receiving a table relating to table offset and table version.

26. The mobile terminal of claim 17, wherein the delivery time is a relative amount of time from the present time.

27. The mobile terminal of claim 17, wherein determining that an update of the digitally broadcast signaling table is required comprises receiving a notification that the digitally broadcast signaling table has a DVB-H specific change.

28. A method for receiving a second signaling table, the method comprising:

receiving a first signaling table via a DVB-H signal, the first signaling table comprising notification of a time offset and a version of the second signaling table;

determining that an update of the second signaling table is required based at least in part on a DVB-H update flag included with the first signaling table;

powering down a receiver;

powering up the receiver at a time proximate to the time offset; and

receiving the second signaling table via the DVB-H signal.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the notification comprises the contents of a descriptor included as part of the first signaling table.