Device and method for searching digital broadcasting channel using position information

• US 7,590,426 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2006
• Issued: 09/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Cho, Beom-Soo
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson; Blane J
• Application Number:
  US11/417,827
• Publication Number:
  US 20070054637A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,230 Days
• Field of Search: 455/90.1, 455/456.1, 455/456.2, 455/456.3, 455/456.5, 455/456.6, 455/457, 455/550.1, 455/509, 455/514
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• 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 system for searching a channel, the system comprising:

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

a mobile communication terminal for, upon reception of a new base station cell ID, accessing a broadcasting information database that maps a cell ID list and broadcasting information and for executing an inquiry about a change in the broadcasting area, and upon change of the broadcasting area, receiving the broadcasting information from the broadcasting information management server, updating the broadcasting information 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 system of claim 1, wherein the broadcasting information includes frequency and program information of a broadcasting station.

3. The system 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 system of claim 1, wherein the broadcasting information database further comprises 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.

5. 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 different 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, accessing the broadcasting information database that maps a cell ID list and broadcasting information, 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 database.

6. The method of claim 5, 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 different broadcasting area and managing the collected broadcasting information, the method comprising

if the mobile communication terminal receives a new base station cell ID, notifying the multimedia module that a cell ID changes;

if the multimedia module is notified that the cell ID changes, accessing a broadcasting information database that maps a cell ID list and broadcasting information, executing an inquiry about a 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;

if the mobile communication module is 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

receiving the broadcasting information and updating the broadcasting information database in the multimedia module.

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