METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR COMMUNICATING TRANSMITTER INFORMATION IN A COMMUNICATION NETWORK

• US 20090274099A1
• Filed: 04/30/2009
• Published: 11/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Mukkavilli, Krishna Kiran, Chen, An Mei, Mantravadi, Ashok, Gao, Qiang, Chari, Murali Ramaswamy
• Application Number:
  US12/433,845
• Publication Number:
  US 20090274099A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0226 Transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/14 Determining absolute distances from a plurality of spaced points of known location
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/28 Arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/50 of broadcast or relay stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/51 of receiving stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for communicating transmitter information in a communication network are disclosed. The methods and apparatus communicate transmitter specific information, in particular, which includes location information about network transmitters for use in location or positioning type services. The disclosed methods and apparatus include inserting such transmitter specific information within either a data flow of at least one transmission frame or a control channel in the at least one transmission frame. In addition, a transmitter identifier is encoded in a positioning pilot channel (PPC) within the at least one transmission frame, and the configured transmission frame transmitted to a user device. The user device may use the transmitter specific information of numerous transmitters along with the transmitter identifiers to measure how far it is from the transmitters, and then triangulate to determine position.

Claims

1. A method for communicating transmitter specific information in a broadcast communication system, the method comprising;

inserting transmitter specific information within one of a data flow in at least one transmission frame and a control channel of the at least one transmission frame, wherein the transmitter specific information includes location information about at least one transmitter;

encoding a transmitter identifier in a positioning pilot channel (PPC) within the at least one transmission frame; and

transmitting the at least one transmission frame to at least one user device.

2. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the transmitter specific information includes the transmitter identifier, transmitter latitude, transmitter longitude, and at least one of transmitter altitude, network delay of the transmitter, and transmitter power of the transmitter corresponding to the transmitter identifier.

3. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the transmitter specific information is configured as messaging in the data flow using markup language code.

4. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

inserting assistance data within one of the data flow of at least one transmission frame and another data flow of the at least one transmission frame.

5. The method as defined in claim 4, wherein the assistance data includes at least one of geographic map data concerning a transmitter area, altitude patterns of the transmitter area, and topographic data concerning the transmitter area.

6. The method as defined in claim 4, further comprising inserting an assistance data identifier into the data flow conveying the transmitter specific information, wherein the assistance data identifier is operable to enable the user device to locate the assistance data when inserted into the another data flow.

7. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

providing a data flow identification discovery mechanism via a network serving the broadcast communication system when a location of the data flow within the at least one transmission frame is not known to the user device, wherein the data flow identification is operable to enable the user device to locate the data flow within the at least one transmission frame.

8. The method as defined in claim 7, wherein the data flow identification discovery mechanism includes:

providing a DNS lookup to determine service records for a positioning service that utilizes the transmitter specific information in order to obtain a corresponding IP address and port number; and

mapping the IP address and port number to the data flow identification.

9. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the transmitter specific information is inserted into the control channel with a transmitter information message fragmented into a plurality of Control Protocol Packets (CPPs).

10. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

inserting assistance data within the control channel of the at least one transmission frame.

11. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

prior to inserting the transmitter specific information within one of the data flow and the control channel of the at least one transmission frame;

provisioning the transmitter specific information from an operator to at least one network server; and

distributing the transmitter specific information from the at least one network server to a plurality of transmitters via a network.

12. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the broadcast communication system is one of a MediaFLO system and DVB-H system.

13. An apparatus for communicating transmitter specific information in a broadcast communication system, the apparatus comprising:

at least one processing unit configured to;

insert transmitter specific information within one of a data flow in at least one transmission frame and a control channel of the at least one transmission frame, wherein the transmitter specific information includes location information about at least one transmitter;

encode a transmitter identifier in a positioning pilot channel (PPC) within the at least one transmission frame; and

transmit the at least one transmission frame to at least one user device; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processing unit.

14. The apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein the transmitter specific information includes the transmitter identifier, transmitter latitude, transmitter longitude, and at least one of transmitter altitude, network delay of the transmitter, and transmitter power of the transmitter corresponding to the transmitter identifier.

15. The apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein the transmitter specific information is configured as messaging in the data flow using markup language code.

16. The apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein the at least one processing unit is further configured to:

insert assistance data within one of the data flow of at least one transmission frame and another data flow of the at least one transmission frame.

17. The apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein the assistance data includes at least one of geographic map data concerning a transmitter area, altitude patterns of the transmitter area, and topographic data concerning the transmitter area.

18. The apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein the at least one processing unit is further configured to:

insert an assistance data identifier into the data flow conveying the transmitter specific information, wherein the assistance data identifier is operable to enable the user device to locate the assistance data when inserted into the another data flow.

19. The apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein the at least one processing unit is further configured to:

enable a data flow identification discovery mechanism via a network serving the broadcast communication system when a location of the data flow within the at least one transmission frame is not known to the user device, wherein the data flow identification is operable to enable the user device to locate the data flow within the at least one transmission frame.

20. The apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein the data flow identification discovery mechanism includes:

a DNS lookup configured to determine service records for a positioning service that utilizes the transmitter specific information in order to obtain a corresponding IP address and port number; and

a mapping mechanism configured to map the IP address and port number to the data flow identification.

21. The apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein the transmitter specific information is inserted into the control channel with a transmitter information message fragmented into a plurality of Control Protocol Packets (CPPs).

22. The apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein the at least one processing unit is further configured to:

insert assistance data within the control channel of the at least one transmission frame.

23. The apparatus as defined in claim 13, comprising at least one further processing unit configured to:

provision the transmitter specific information from an operator to at least one network server; and

distribute the transmitter specific information from the at least one network server to a plurality of transmitters via a network prior to insertion of the transmitter specific information within one of the data flow and the control channel of the at least one transmission frame.

24. The apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein the broadcast communication system is one of a MediaFLO system and DVB-H system.

25. An apparatus for communicating transmitter specific information in a broadcast communication system, the apparatus comprising;

means for inserting transmitter specific information within one of a data flow in at least one transmission frame and a control channel of the at least one transmission frame, wherein the transmitter specific information includes location information about at least one transmitter;

means for encoding a transmitter identifier in a positioning pilot channel (PPC) within the at least one transmission frame; and

means for transmitting the at least one transmission frame to at least one user device.

26. The apparatus as defined in claim 25, wherein the transmitter specific information includes the transmitter identifier, transmitter latitude, transmitter longitude, and at least one of transmitter altitude, network delay of the transmitter, and transmitter power of the transmitter corresponding to the transmitter identifier.

27. The apparatus as defined in claim 25, wherein the transmitter specific information is configured as messaging in the data flow using markup language code.

28. The apparatus as defined in claim 25, further comprising:

means for inserting assistance data within one of the data flow of at least one transmission frame and another data flow of the at least one transmission frame.

29. The apparatus as defined in claim 28, wherein the assistance data includes at least one of geographic map data concerning a transmitter area, altitude patterns of the transmitter area, and topographic data concerning the transmitter area.

30. The apparatus as defined in claim 28, further comprising means for inserting an assistance data identifier into the data flow conveying the transmitter specific information, wherein the assistance data identifier is operable to enable the user device to locate the assistance data when inserted into the another data flow.

31. The apparatus as defined in claim 25, further comprising:

means for providing a data flow identification discovery mechanism via a network serving the broadcast communication system when a location of the data flow within the at least one transmission frame is not known to the user device, wherein the data flow identification is operable to enable the user device to locate the data flow within the at least one transmission frame.

32. The apparatus as defined in claim 31, wherein the data flow identification discovery mechanism includes:

means for providing a DNS lookup to determine service records for a positioning service that utilizes the transmitter specific information in order to obtain a corresponding IP address and port number; and

means for mapping the IP address and port number to the data flow identification.

33. The apparatus as defined in claim 25, wherein the means for inserting transmitter specific information into the control channel includes means for inserting the transmitter specific information within a transmitter information message fragmented into a plurality of Control Protocol Packets (CPPs).

34. The apparatus as defined in claim 25, further comprising:

means for inserting assistance data within the control channel of the at least one transmission frame.

35. The apparatus as defined in claim 25, further comprising:

means for provisioning the transmitter specific information from an operator to at least one network server; and

means for distributing the transmitter specific information from the at least one network server to a plurality of transmitters via a network prior to operation of the means for inserting the transmitter specific information within one of the data flow and the control channel of the at least one transmission frame.

36. The apparatus as defined in claim 25, wherein the broadcast communication system is one of a MediaFLO system and DVB-H system.

37. A computer-readable medium encoded with instructions that, when executed by a processing unit, communicate transmitter specific information in a broadcast communication system, the instructions comprising:

code to cause a processing unit to insert transmitter specific information within one of a data flow in at least one transmission frame and a control channel of the at least one transmission frame, wherein the transmitter specific information includes location information about at least one transmitter;

code to cause a processing unit to encode a transmitter identifier in a positioning pilot channel (PPC) within the at least one transmission frame; and

code to cause a processing unit to initiate transmission of the at least one transmission frame to at least one user device.

38. The computer-readable medium as defined in claim 37, wherein the transmitter specific information includes the transmitter identifier, transmitter latitude, transmitter longitude, and at least one of transmitter altitude, network delay of the transmitter, and transmitter power of the transmitter corresponding to the transmitter identifier.

39. The computer-readable medium as defined in claim 37, wherein the transmitter specific information is configured as messaging in the data flow using markup language code.

40. The computer-readable medium as defined in claim 37, the instructions further comprising:

code to cause a processing unit to insert assistance data within one of the data flow of at least one transmission frame and another data flow of the at least one transmission frame.

41. The computer-readable medium as defined in claim 40, wherein the assistance data includes at least one of geographic map data concerning a transmitter area, altitude patterns of the transmitter area, and topographic data concerning the transmitter area.

42. The computer-readable medium as defined in claim 40, the instructions further comprising code to cause a processing unit to insert an assistance data identifier into the data flow conveying the transmitter specific information, wherein the assistance data identifier is operable to enable the user device to locate the assistance data when inserted into the another data flow.

43. The computer-readable medium as defined in claim 37, the instructions further comprising:

code to cause a processing unit to execute a data flow identification discovery mechanism via a network serving the broadcast communication system when a location of the data flow within the at least one transmission frame is not known to the user device, wherein the data flow identification is operable to enable the user device to locate the data flow within the at least one transmission frame.

44. The computer-readable medium as defined in claim 43, wherein the data flow identification discovery mechanism includes instructions, comprising:

code to cause a processing unit to provide a DNS lookup to determine service records for a positioning service that utilizes the transmitter specific information in order to obtain a corresponding IP address and port number; and

code to cause a processing unit to map the IP address and port number to the data flow identification.

45. The computer-readable medium as defined in claim 37, wherein the transmitter specific information is inserted into the control channel with a transmitter information message fragmented into a plurality of Control Protocol Packets (CPPs).

46. The computer-readable medium as defined in claim 37, the instructions further comprising:

code to cause a processing unit to insert assistance data within the control channel of the at least one transmission frame.

47. The computer-readable medium as defined in claim 37, the instructions further comprising:

code to cause a processing unit to provision the transmitter specific information from an operator to at least one network server; and

code to cause a processing unit to distribute the transmitter specific information from the at least one network server to a plurality of transmitters via a network prior insertion of the transmitter specific information within one of the data flow and the control channel of the at least one transmission frame.

48. The computer-readable medium as defined in claim 37, wherein the computer program-readable medium is used in a broadcast communication system comprising one of a MediaFLO system and DVB-H system.

49. A method for receiving transmitter specific information in a device in a broadcast communication system, the method comprising:

receiving at least one transmission frame from a transmitter, wherein the transmission frame includes transmitter specific information placed within one of a data flow in the at least one transmission frame and a control channel of the at least one transmission frame, wherein the transmitter specific information includes location information about at least one transmitter;

receiving the at least one transmission frame and at least one other of a plurality of transmission frames, each including a PPC channel having a respective encoded transmitter identifier; and

decoding the at least one transmission frame and the at least one other of the plurality of transmission frames to determine the transmitter specific information from one of the data flow and the control channel, and to determine transmitter identifiers from the respective PPC channels.

50. The method as defined in claim 49, further comprising:

calculating distances from the device to a plurality of transmitters based on signals in the respective PPC channels, the determined transmitter identifiers, and the transmitter specific information; and

determining a position of the device using the calculated distances using a predetermined triangulation technique.

51. The method as defined in claim 49, wherein the transmitter specific information includes the transmitter identifier, transmitter latitude, transmitter longitude, and at least one of transmitter altitude, network delay of the transmitter, and transmitter power of the transmitter corresponding to the transmitter identifier.

52. The method as defined in claim 49, wherein the transmitter specific information is configured as messaging in the data flow using markup language code and decoding the at least one transmission frame includes processing the markup language code to obtain the transmitter specific information.

53. The method as defined in claim 49, further comprising:

receiving assistance data within one of the data flow of at least one transmission frame and another data flow of the at least one transmission frame.

54. The method as defined in claim 53, wherein the assistance data includes at least one of geographic map data concerning a transmitter area, altitude patterns of the transmitter area, and topographic data concerning the transmitter area.

55. The method as defined in claim 53, further comprising obtaining an assistance data identifier from the data flow conveying the transmitter specific information, wherein the assistance data identifier is operable to enable the device to locate the assistance data when inserted into the another data flow.

56. The method as defined in claim 49, further comprising:

utilizing a data flow identification discovery mechanism via a network serving the broadcast communication system when a location of the data flow within the at least one transmission frame is not known to the device, wherein the data flow identification is operable to enable the device to locate the data flow within the at least one transmission frame.

57. The method as defined in claim 56, wherein the data flow identification discovery mechanism includes:

performing a DNS lookup to determine service records for a positioning service that utilizes the transmitter specific information in order to obtain a corresponding IP address and port number; and

mapping the IP address and port number to the data flow identification.

58. The method as defined in claim 49, wherein the transmitter specific information is inserted into the control channel with a transmitter information message fragmented into a plurality of Control Protocol Packets (CPPs).

59. The method as defined in claim 49, wherein the broadcast communication system is one of a MediaFLO system and DVB-H system.

60. An apparatus for receiving transmitter specific information in a device in a broadcast communication system, the apparatus comprising:

at least one processing unit configured to;

receive at least one transmission frame from a transmitter, wherein the transmission frame includes transmitter specific information placed within one of a data flow in the at least one transmission frame and a control channel of the at least one transmission frame, wherein the transmitter specific information includes location information about at least one transmitter;

receive the at least one transmission frame and at least one other of a plurality of transmission frames, each including a PPC channel having a respective encoded transmitter identifier; and

decode the at least one transmission frame and the at least one other of the plurality of transmission frames to determine the transmitter specific information from one of the data flow and the control channel, and to determine transmitter identifiers from the respective PPC channels; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processing unit.

61. The apparatus as defined in claim 60, wherein the at least one processing unit is further configured to:

calculate distances from the device to a plurality of transmitters based on signals in the respective PPC channels, the determined transmitter identifiers, and the transmitter specific information; and

determine a position of the device using the calculated distances using a predetermined triangulation technique.

62. The apparatus as defined in claim 60, wherein the transmitter specific information includes the transmitter identifier, transmitter latitude, transmitter longitude, and at least one of transmitter altitude, network delay of the transmitter, and transmitter power of the transmitter corresponding to the transmitter identifier.

63. The apparatus as defined in claim 60, wherein the transmitter specific information is configured as messaging in the data flow using markup language code and the at least one processing unit configured to decode the at least one transmission frame includes the at least one processing unit configured to process the markup language code to obtain the transmitter specific information.

64. The apparatus as defined in claim 60, wherein the at least one processing unit is further configured to:

receive assistance data within one of the data flow of at least one transmission frame and another data flow of the at least one transmission frame.

65. The apparatus as defined in claim 64, wherein the assistance data includes at least one of geographic map data concerning a transmitter area, altitude patterns of the transmitter area, and topographic data concerning the transmitter area.

66. The apparatus as defined in claim 64, wherein the at least one processing unit is further configured to obtain an assistance data identifier from the data flow conveying the transmitter specific information, wherein the assistance data identifier is operable to enable the device to locate the assistance data when inserted into the another data flow.

67. The apparatus as defined in claim 60, wherein the at least one processing unit is further configured to:

utilize a data flow identification discovery mechanism via a network serving the broadcast communication system when a location of the data flow within the at least one transmission frame is not known to the device, wherein the data flow identification is operable to enable the device to locate the data flow within the at least one transmission frame.

68. The apparatus as defined in claim 67, wherein the data flow identification discovery mechanism includes the at least one processing unit further configured to:

perform a DNS lookup to determine service records for a positioning service that utilizes the transmitter specific information in order to obtain a corresponding IP address and port number; and

map the IP address and port number to the data flow identification.

69. The apparatus as defined in claim 60, wherein the transmitter specific information is inserted into the control channel with a transmitter information message fragmented into a plurality of Control Protocol Packets (CPPs).

70. The apparatus as defined in claim 60, wherein the broadcast communication system is one of a MediaFLO system and DVB-H system.

71. An apparatus for receiving transmitter specific information in a device in a broadcast communication system, the apparatus comprising:

means for receiving at least one transmission frame from a transmitter, wherein the transmission frame includes transmitter specific information placed within one of a data flow in the at least one transmission frame and a control channel of the at least one transmission frame, wherein the transmitter specific information includes location information about at least one transmitter;

means for receiving the at least one transmission frame and at least one other of a plurality of transmission frames, each including a PPC channel having a respective encoded transmitter identifier; and

means for decoding the at least one transmission frame and the at least one other of the plurality of transmission frames to determine the transmitter specific information from one of the data flow and the control channel, and to determine transmitter identifiers from the respective PPC channels.

72. The apparatus as defined in claim 71, further comprising:

means for calculating distances from the device to a plurality of transmitters based on signals in the respective PPC channels, the determined transmitter identifiers, and the transmitter specific information; and

means for determining a position of the device using the calculated distances using a predetermined triangulation technique.

73. The apparatus as defined in claim 71, wherein the transmitter specific information includes the transmitter identifier, transmitter latitude, transmitter longitude, and at least one of transmitter altitude, network delay of the transmitter, and transmitter power of the transmitter corresponding to the transmitter identifier.

74. The apparatus as defined in claim 71, wherein the transmitter specific information is configured as messaging in the data flow using markup language code and the means for decoding the at least one transmission frame includes means for processing the markup language code to obtain the transmitter specific information.

75. The apparatus as defined in claim 71, further comprising:

means for receiving assistance data within one of the data flow of at least one transmission frame and another data flow of the at least one transmission frame.

76. The apparatus as defined in claim 75, wherein the assistance data includes at least one of geographic map data concerning a transmitter area, altitude patterns of the transmitter area, and topographic data concerning the transmitter area.

77. The apparatus as defined in claim 75, further comprising means for obtaining an assistance data identifier from the data flow conveying the transmitter specific information, wherein the assistance data identifier is operable to enable the device to locate the assistance data when inserted into the another data flow.

78. The apparatus as defined in claim 71, further comprising:

means for data flow identification discovery via a network serving the broadcast communication system when a location of the data flow within the at least one transmission frame is not known to the device, wherein the data flow identification is operable to enable the device to locate the data flow within the at least one transmission frame.

79. The apparatus as defined in claim 78, wherein the means for data flow identification discovery includes:

means for performing a DNS lookup to determine service records for a positioning service that utilizes the transmitter specific information in order to obtain a corresponding IP address and port number; and

means for mapping the IP address and port number to the data flow identification.

80. The apparatus as defined in claim 71, wherein the transmitter specific information is inserted into the control channel with a transmitter information message fragmented into a plurality of Control Protocol Packets (CPPs).

81. The apparatus as defined in claim 71, wherein the broadcast communication system is one of a MediaFLO system and DVB-H system.

82. A computer-readable medium encoded with instructions that, when executed by a processing unit, communicate transmitter specific information in a broadcast communication system, the instructions comprising:

code to cause a processing unit to receive at least one transmission frame from a transmitter, wherein the transmission frame includes transmitter specific information placed within one of a data flow in the at least one transmission frame and a control channel of the at least one transmission frame, wherein the transmitter specific information includes location information about at least one transmitter;

code to cause a processing unit to receive the at least one transmission frame and at least one other of a plurality of transmission frames, each including a PPC channel having a respective encoded transmitter identifier; and

code to cause a processing unit to decode the at least one transmission frame and the at least one other of the plurality of transmission frames to determine the transmitter specific information from one of the data flow and the control channel, and to determine transmitter identifiers from the respective PPC channels.

83. The computer-readable medium as defined in claim 82, the instructions further comprising:

code to cause a processing unit to calculate distances from a device to a plurality of transmitters based on signals in the respective PPC channels, the determined transmitter identifiers, and the transmitter specific information; and

code to cause a processing unit to determining a position of the device using the calculated distances using a predetermined triangulation technique.

84. The computer-readable medium as defined in claim 82, wherein the transmitter specific information includes the transmitter identifier, transmitter latitude, transmitter longitude, and at least one of transmitter altitude, network delay of the transmitter, and transmitter power of the transmitter corresponding to the transmitter identifier.

85. The computer-readable medium as defined in claim 82, wherein the transmitter specific information is configured as messaging in the data flow using markup language code and code to decode the at least one transmission frame includes code to process the markup language code to obtain the transmitter specific information.

86. The computer-readable medium as defined in claim 82, the instructions further comprising:

code to cause a processing unit to receive assistance data within one of the data flow of at least one transmission frame and another data flow of the at least one transmission frame.

87. The computer-readable medium as defined in claim 86, wherein the assistance data includes at least one of geographic map data concerning a transmitter area, altitude patterns of the transmitter area, and topographic data concerning the transmitter area.

88. The computer-readable medium as defined in claim 86, the instructions further comprising code to obtain an assistance data identifier from the data flow conveying the transmitter specific information, wherein the assistance data identifier is operable to enable the device to locate the assistance data when inserted into the another data flow.

89. The computer-readable medium as defined in claim 82, the instructions further comprising:

code to cause a processing unit to execute a data flow identification discovery mechanism via a network serving the broadcast communication system when a location of the data flow within the at least one transmission frame is not known to the device, wherein the data flow identification is operable to enable the device to locate the data flow within the at least one transmission frame.

90. The computer-readable medium as defined in claim 89, wherein the data flow identification discovery mechanism includes instructions, comprising:

code to cause a processing unit to perform a DNS lookup to determine service records for a positioning service that utilizes the transmitter specific information in order to obtain a corresponding IP address and port number; and

code to cause a processing unit to map the IP address and port number to the data flow identification.

91. The computer-readable medium as defined in claim 82, wherein the transmitter specific information is inserted into the control channel with a transmitter information message fragmented into a plurality of Control Protocol Packets (CPPs).

92. The computer-readable medium as defined in claim 82, wherein the computer-readable medium is used in a broadcast communication system comprising one of a MediaFLO system and DVB-H system.