Device and method for searching digital broadcasting channel using position information

• US 20070054637A1
• Filed: 05/04/2006
• Published: 03/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Cho, Beom-Soo
• Granted Patent: US 7,590,426 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/185.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25841 involving the geographical location of the client retrieval from the Internet by querying based on geographical locations G06F16/9537; arrangements for identifying locations of receiving stations in broadcast systems H04H60/51; location of the user terminal in data switching networks H04L67/52; services making use of the location of users or terminals in wireless networks H04W4/02; locating users or terminals in wireless networks H04W64/00
• 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 21/4383 Accessing a communication channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

Provided is a device and method for searching a digital broadcasting channel using position information of a mobile communication terminal. The device includes a broadcasting information management server for collecting broadcasting information from program servers each positioned in a broadcasting area, and managing the collected broadcasting information; a mobile communication terminal for, upon change of the broadcasting area, receiving the broadcasting information from the broadcasting information management server, updating a database, and receiving digital broadcasting; and a communication channel for requesting and receiving the broadcasting information between the broadcasting information management server and the mobile communication terminal.

Claims

1. A device for searching a channel, the device comprising:

a broadcasting information management server for collecting broadcasting information from program servers each positioned in a broadcasting area, and managing the collected broadcasting information;

a mobile communication terminal for, upon change of the broadcasting area, receiving the broadcasting information from the broadcasting information management server, updating a database, and receiving digital broadcasting; and

a communication channel for requesting and receiving the broadcasting information between the broadcasting information management server and the mobile communication terminal.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the broadcasting information includes frequency and program information of a broadcasting station.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the program information includes label information for indicating a program and ID (identification) information for uniquely identifying each program.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the mobile communication terminal further comprises a broadcasting information database for mapping a cell ID list of a mobile communication network base station and the broadcasting information collected from the program servers.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the mobile communication terminal further comprises a broadcasting information database for mapping area information for distinguishing the broadcasting area, a broadcasting company, a cell ID list of a mobile communication network base station, frequency information in service of programs of each broadcasting station, and the broadcasting information collected from the program servers.

6. A method for searching a digital broadcasting channel in a mobile communication terminal that communicates with a broadcasting information management server for collecting broadcasting information from program servers each positioned in a broadcasting area and managing the collected broadcasting information, has a broadcasting information database, and receives digital broadcasting, the method comprising

if a new base station cell ID is received as a user of the mobile communication terminal moves between the broadcasting areas, accessing the broadcasting information database and executing an inquiry about a change of the broadcasting area;

if it is determined as the inquiry result that the broadcasting area changes, requesting the broadcasting information management server to update the broadcasting information; and

downloading the broadcasting information from the broadcasting information management server, and updating the broadcasting information stored in the broadcasting information database.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the broadcasting information is frequency and program information of a broadcasting station.

7. A method for searching a digital broadcasting channel in a mobile communication terminal having a mobile communication module and a multimedia module and receiving digital broadcasting, through communication with a broadcasting information management server for collecting broadcasting information from program servers each positioned in a broadcasting area and managing the collected broadcasting information, the method comprising

if the mobile communication terminal moves between the broadcasting areas and receives a new base station cell ID, notifying the multimedia module that a cell ID changes;

in the multimedia module notified that the cell ID changes, accessing a broadcasting information database, executing an inquiry about the change of the broadcasting area and, if it is determined that the broadcasting area changes, notifying the mobile communication module that the broadcasting area changes;

in the mobile communication module notified that the broadcasting area changes, requesting the broadcasting information management server to update the broadcasting information;

downloading the broadcasting information from the broadcasting information management server;

transmitting the downloaded broadcasting information to the multimedia module; and

in the multimedia module receiving the broadcasting information, updating the broadcasting information stored in the broadcasting information database.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the broadcasting information is frequency and program information of a broadcasting station.