U.S. patent application number 13/587226 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-20 for concurrent communicating of multimedia information in a multistandard wireless communication system.
This patent application is currently assigned to BROADCOM CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Pieter van Rooyen.
Application Number | 20120320894 13/587226 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36659825 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120320894 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
van Rooyen; Pieter |
December 20, 2012 |
Concurrent Communicating of Multimedia Information in a
Multistandard Wireless Communication System
Abstract
Methods and systems for communicating information in a network
are disclosed herein and may include receiving, at a mobile
terminal, a first media signal via a first downlink communication
path. A second media signal may be simultaneously received at the
mobile terminal via a second downlink communication path. The first
media signal and the second media signal may comprise the same
media content. The first media signal received via the first
downlink communication path and the second media signal received
via the second downlink communication path may be selected in the
mobile terminal for processing. The selection may be based on at
least one downlink channel condition indicator corresponding to the
first media signal or the second media signal.
Inventors: |
van Rooyen; Pieter; (San
Diego, CA) |
Assignee: |
BROADCOM CORPORATION
Irvine
CA
|
Family ID: |
36659825 |
Appl. No.: |
13/587226 |
Filed: |
August 16, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11237547 |
Sep 28, 2005 |
8272017 |
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13587226 |
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11010991 |
Dec 13, 2004 |
7286794 |
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11237547 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
370/338 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04H 60/12 20130101;
H04W 48/18 20130101; H04N 21/426 20130101; H04N 21/4383 20130101;
H04N 21/6131 20130101; H04N 5/4401 20130101; H04N 21/41407
20130101; H04N 21/2383 20130101; H04N 21/6112 20130101; H04H 20/24
20130101; H04N 21/631 20130101; H04N 21/4382 20130101; H04H 2201/40
20130101; H04N 5/46 20130101; H04H 60/91 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
370/338 |
International
Class: |
H04W 4/00 20090101
H04W004/00 |
Claims
1. A method for communicating information in a network, the method
comprising: receiving, at a mobile terminal, a first media signal
via a first downlink communication path; simultaneously receiving,
at the mobile terminal, a second media signal via a second downlink
communication path, wherein the second media signal and the first
media signal comprise the same media content; and selecting, in the
mobile terminal, one of the following: the first media signal
received via the first downlink communication path and the second
media signal received via the second downlink communication path,
for processing, wherein the selection is based on at least one
downlink channel condition indicator corresponding to the first
media signal communicated via the first downlink communication path
and the second media signal communicated via the second downlink
communication path.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
downlink channel condition indicator comprises one or more of a
received signal strength indicator (RSSI), a bit error rate (BER),
a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), a signal-to-interference-and-noise
ratio (SINR), a power level, or a signal gain corresponding to the
first media signal communicated via the first downlink
communication path and the second media signal communicated via the
second downlink communication path.
3. The method according to claim 1, comprising receiving a user
input that indicates whether to select the received first media
signal or the received second media signal.
4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising generating,
in the mobile terminal, a signal that instructs a service provider
to deliver content via the first downlink communication path.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the selection is
further based on a preference indicated via the mobile
terminal.
6. The method according to claim 1, comprising decoding the second
media signal and the first media signal within a single chip
integrated within the mobile terminal.
7. The method according to claim 1, comprising downconverting the
received first media signal to a signal with a bit rate that can be
handled by the mobile terminal under current conditions.
8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first downlink
communication path comprises a DVB-H channel and the second
downlink communication path comprises a cellular channel.
9. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon,
a computer program having at least one code section for
communicating information in a network, the at least one code
section comprising: code that receives, at a mobile terminal, a
first media signal via a first downlink communication path; code
that simultaneously receives, at the mobile terminal, a second
media signal via a second downlink communication path, wherein the
second media signal and the first media signal comprise the same
media content; and code that selects, in the mobile terminal, one
of the following: the first media signal received via the first
downlink communication path and the second media signal received
via the cellular downlink communication path, for processing,
wherein the selection is based on at least one downlink channel
condition indicator corresponding to the first media signal
communicated via the first downlink communication path and the
second media signal communicated via the second downlink
communication path.
10. The computer-readable medium according to claim 9, wherein the
at least one downlink channel condition indicator comprises one or
more of a received signal strength indicator (RSSI), a bit error
rate (BER), a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), a
signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio (SINR), a power level, or a
signal gain corresponding to the first media signal communicated
via the first downlink communication path and the second media
signal communicated via the second downlink communication path.
11. The computer-readable medium according to claim 9, comprising
code that receives a user input that indicates whether to select
the received first media signal or the received second media
signal.
12. The computer-readable medium according to claim 11, further
comprising code that generates, in the mobile terminal, a signal
that instructs a service provider to deliver content via the first
downlink communication path.
13. The computer-readable medium according to claim 12, comprising
code that configures the mobile terminal to display the received
first media signal.
14. The computer-readable medium according to claim 9, further
comprising code that decodes the second media signal and the first
media signal within a single chip integrated within the mobile
terminal.
15. A system for communicating information in a network, the system
comprising: at least one circuitry that receives, at a mobile
terminal, a first media signal via a first downlink communication
path; the at least one circuitry simultaneously receives, at the
mobile terminal, a second media signal via a second downlink
communication path, wherein the first media signal and the second
media signal comprise the same media content; and the at least one
circuitry selects, in the mobile terminal, one of the following:
the first media signal received via the first downlink
communication path and the second media signal received via the
second downlink communication path, for processing, wherein the
selection is based on at least one downlink channel condition
indicator corresponding to the first media signal communicated via
the first downlink communication path and the second media signal
communicated via the second downlink communication path.
16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the at least one
downlink channel condition indicator comprises one or more of a
received signal strength indicator (RSSI), a bit error rate (BER),
a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), a signal-to-interference-and-noise
ratio (SINR), a power level, or a signal gain corresponding to the
first media signal communicated via the first downlink
communication path and the second media signal communicated via the
second downlink communication path.
17. The system according to claim 15, wherein the first downlink
communication path comprises a DVB-H channel and the second
downlink communication path comprises a cellular channel.
18. The system according to claim 15, wherein the at least one
circuitry generates, in the mobile terminal, a signal that
instructs a service provider to deliver content via the first
downlink communication path.
19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the at least one
circuitry configures the mobile terminal to display the received
first media signal.
20. The system according to claim 15, wherein the at least one
circuitry decodes the first media signal and the second media
signal within a single chip integrated within the mobile terminal.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of copending U.S. utility
application entitled, "Method and System for Concurrent
Communicating of High Definition (HDTV) and Standard Definition
Television (SDTV) information in a Multistandard Wireless
Communication System," having Ser. No. 11/237,547, filed Sep. 28,
2005, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. utility application
entitled "Method And System For Joint Broadcast Receiving And
Cellular Communication At Mobile Terminal Or Device Without Service
Control," having Ser. No. 11/010,991, filed Dec. 13, 2004, now
issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,286,794, which are hereby incorporated
herein by reference in their entireties.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE
[0003] Not applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Certain embodiments of the invention relate to communication
of television signals. More specifically, certain embodiments of
the invention relate to a method and system for concurrent
communicating of high definition television (HDTV) and standard
definition television (SDTV) information in a multistandard
wireless communication system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Terrestrial television and radio broadcast networks have
made use of high power transmitters covering broad service areas,
which enable one-way distribution of content to user equipment such
as televisions and radios. By contrast, wireless telecommunications
networks have made use of low power transmitters, which have
covered relatively small areas known as "cells". Unlike broadcast
networks, wireless networks may be adapted to provide two-way
interactive services between users of user equipment such as
telephones and computer equipment.
[0006] The introduction of cellular communications systems in the
late 1970's and early 1980's represented a significant advance in
mobile communications. The networks of this period may be commonly
known as first generation, or "1G" systems. These systems were
based upon analog, circuit-switching technology, the most prominent
of these systems may have been the advanced mobile phone system
(AMPS). Second generation, or "2G" systems ushered improvements in
performance over 1G systems and introduced digital technology to
mobile communications. Exemplary 2G systems include the global
system for mobile communications (GSM), digital AMPS (D-AMPS), and
code division multiple access (CDMA). Many of these systems have
been designed according to the paradigm of the traditional
telephony architecture, often focused on circuit-switched services,
voice traffic, and supported data transfer rates up to 14.4
kbits/s. Higher data rates were achieved through the deployment of
"2.5G" networks, many of which were adapted to existing 2G network
infrastructures. The 2.5G networks began the introduction of
packet-switching technology in wireless networks. However, it is
the evolution of third generation, or "3G" technology that may
introduce fully packet-switched networks, which support high-speed
data communications.
[0007] The multiple broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) is an IP
datacast service, which may be deployed in EDGE and UMTS networks.
The impact of MBMS is largely within the network in which a network
element adapted to MBMS, the broadcast multicast service center
(BM-SC), interacts with other network elements within a GSM or UMTS
system to manage the distribution of content among cells within a
network. User equipment may be required to support functions for
the activation and deactivation of MBMS bearer service. MBMS may be
adapted for delivery of video and audio information over wireless
networks to user equipment. MBMS may be integrated with other
services offered over the wireless network to realize multimedia
services, such as multicasting, which may require two-way
interaction with user equipment.
[0008] Standards for digital television terrestrial broadcasting
(DTTB) have evolved around the world with different systems being
adopted in different regions. The three leading DTTB systems are,
the advanced standards technical committee (ATSC) system, the
digital video broadcast terrestrial (DVB-T) system, and the
integrated service digital broadcasting terrestrial (ISDB-T)
system. The ATSC system has largely been adopted in North America,
South America, Taiwan, and South Korea. This system adapts trellis
coding and 8-level vestigial sideband (8-VSB) modulation. The DVB-T
system has largely been adopted in Europe, the Middle East,
Australia, as well as parts of Africa and parts of Asia. The DVB-T
system adapts coded orthogonal frequency division multiplexing
(COFDM). The ISDB-T system has been adopted in Japan and adapts
bandwidth segmented transmission orthogonal frequency division
multiplexing (BST-OFDM). The various DTTB systems may differ in
important aspects; some systems employ a 6 MHz channel separation,
while others may employ 7 MHz or 8 MHz channel separations.
[0009] Planning for the allocation of frequency spectrum may also
vary among countries with some countries integrating frequency
allocation for DTTB services into the existing allocation plan for
legacy analog broadcasting systems. In such instances, broadcast
towers for DTTB may be co-located with broadcast towers for analog
broadcasting services with both services being allocated similar
geographic broadcast coverage areas. In other countries, frequency
allocation planning may involve the deployment of single frequency
networks (SFNs), in which a plurality of towers, possibly with
overlapping geographic broadcast coverage areas (also known as "gap
fillers"), may simultaneously broadcast identical digital signals.
SFNs may provide very efficient use of broadcast spectrum as a
single frequency may be used to broadcast over a large coverage
area in contrast to some of the conventional systems, which may be
used for analog broadcasting, in which gap fillers transmit at
different frequencies to avoid interference.
[0010] Even among countries adopting a common d-DTTB system,
variations may exist in parameters adapted in a specific national
implementation. For example, DVB-T not only supports a plurality of
modulation schemes, comprising quadrature phase shift keying
(QPSK), 16-QAM, and 64 level QAM (64-QAM), but DVB-T offers a
plurality of choices for the number of modulation carriers to be
used in the COFDM scheme. The "2K" mode permits 1,705 carrier
frequencies that may carry symbols, each with a useful duration of
224 .mu.s for an 8 MHz channel. In the "8K" mode there are 6,817
carrier frequencies, each with a useful symbol duration of 896
.mu.s for an 8 MHz channel. In SFN implementations, the 2K mode may
provide comparatively higher data rates but smaller geographical
coverage areas than may be the case with the 8K mode. Different
countries adopting the same system may also employ different
channel separation schemes.
[0011] While 3G systems are evolving to provide integrated voice,
multimedia, and data services to mobile user equipment, there may
be compelling reasons for adapting DTTB systems for this purpose.
One of the more notable reasons may be the high data rates that may
be supported in DUTTB systems. For example, DVB-T may support data
rates of 15 Mbits/s in an 8 MHz channel in a wide area SFN. There
are also significant challenges in deploying broadcast services to
mobile user equipment. Many handheld portable devices, for example,
may require that services consume minimum power to extend battery
life to a level which may be acceptable to users. Another
consideration is the Doppler effect in moving user equipment, which
may cause inter-symbol interference in received signals. Among the
three major DTTB systems, ISDB-T was originally designed to support
broadcast services to mobile user equipment. While DVB-T may not
have been originally designed to support mobility broadcast
services, a number of adaptations have been made to provide support
for mobile broadcast capability. The adaptation of DVB-T to mobile
broadcasting is commonly known as DVB handheld (DVB-H).
[0012] To meet requirements for mobile broadcasting the DVB-H
specification may support time slicing to reduce power consumption
at the user equipment, addition of a 4K mode to enable network
operators to make tradeoffs between the advantages of the 2K mode
and those of the 8K mode, and an additional level of forward error
correction on multiprotocol encapsulated data--forward error
correction (MPE-FEC) to make DVB-H transmissions more robust to the
challenges presented by mobile reception of signals and to
potential limitations in antenna designs for handheld user
equipment DVB-H may also use the DVB-T modulation schemes, like
QPSK and 16-quadrature amplitude modulation (16-QAM), which may be
most resilient to transmission errors. MPEG audio and video
services may be more resilient to error than data, thus additional
forward error correction may not be required to meet DTTB service
objectives.
[0013] Time slicing may reduce power consumption in user equipment
by increasing the burstiness of data transmission. Instead of
transmitting data at the received rate, under time slicing
techniques, the transmitter may delay the sending of data to user
equipment and send data later but at a higher bit rate. This may
reduce total data transmission time over the air, which may be used
to temporarily power down the receiver at the user equipment. Time
slicing may also facilitate service handovers as user equipment
moves from one cell to another because the delay time imposed by
time slicing may be used to monitor transmitters in neighboring
cells. The MPE-FEC may comprise Reed-Solomon coding of IP data
packets, or packets using other data protocols. The 4K mode in
DVB-H may utilize 3,409 carriers, each with a useful duration of
448 .mu.s for an 8 MHz channel. The 4K mode may enable network
operators to realize greater flexibility in network design at
minimum additional cost. Importantly, DVB-T and DVB-H may coexist
in the same geographical area. Transmission parameter signaling
(TPS) bits that are carried in the header of transmitted messages
may indicate whether a given DVB transmission is DVB-T or DVB-H, in
addition to indicating whether DVB-H specific features, such as
time slicing, or MPE-FEC are to be performed at the receiver. As
time slicing may be a mandatory feature of DVB-H, an indication of
time slicing in the TPS may indicate that the received information
is from a DVB-H service.
[0014] Present developments in the communication technology may
adapt broadcasting to mobility services. However, broadcasting may
often require high bit rate data transmission at rates higher than
could be supported by existing mobile communications networks.
Furthermore, downlink communication paths which may be utilized for
communicating information to one or more receivers may deteriorate.
In this regard, significant delays may be experienced at the
receiver side for receiving the communicated information. In
addition, quality of the received information communicated via a
deteriorated downlink communication path may also decrease.
[0015] Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and
traditional approaches will become apparent to one skilled in the
art, through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the
present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present
application with reference to the drawings.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] A system and/or method for concurrent communicating of high
definition television (HDTV) and standard definition television
(SDTV) information in a multistandard wireless communication
system, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection
with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in
the claims.
[0017] Various advantages, aspects and novel features of the
present invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment
thereof, will be more fully understood from the following
description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1a is a block diagram of an exemplary system for
providing services between a cellular network and a digital video
broadcast (DVB) network, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.
[0019] FIG. 1b is a high-level block diagram of exemplary DVB-H
receiver circuitry in a mobile terminal, which may be utilized in
connection with an embodiment of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 1c is a high-level block diagram illustrating DVB-H
multimedia signal processing, in accordance with an embodiment of
the invention.
[0021] FIG. 2a is diagram of a mobile terminal that is adapted to
receive DVB-H and cellular communications, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 2b is a flow diagram illustrating exemplary steps
utilized by a mobile terminal that may be adapted to receive HDTV
and SDTV information, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.
[0023] FIG. 2c is a block diagram illustrating exemplary
communication for a mobile terminal via a plurality of different
communication paths, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating exemplary steps for
communicating information in a network, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in a
method and system for communicating information via a plurality of
different networks within a multistandard wireless communication
system. A multistandard wireless communication system may comprise
a plurality of different networks and corresponding base stations.
Each network may utilize a different communication protocol. For
example, one or more of the networks within the multistandard
communication system may comprise a DVB-H communication network, a
cellular communication network, an IEEE 802.11 wireless local area
network (WLAN), and/or an IEEE 802.16 wireless metropolitan area
network (WMAN).
[0026] A high definition television (HDTV) signal may be received
at a mobile terminal via a DVB-H downlink communication path. A
standard definition television (SDTV) signal may be simultaneously
received at the mobile terminal via a cellular downlink
communication path. The SDTV signal may comprise NTSC-encoded or
PAL-encoded signal. The SDTV signal and the HDTV signal may
comprise the same media content. The HDTV signal received via the
DVB-H downlink communication path and the SDTV signal received via
the cellular downlink communication path may be selected in the
mobile terminal for processing. The selection may be based on a
preference indicated via the mobile terminal and/or on at least one
downlink channel condition indicator corresponding to the HDTV
signal or the SDTV signal. The downlink channel condition indicator
may comprise one of the following: a received signal strength
indicator (RSSI), a bit error rate (BER), a signal-to-noise ratio
(SNR), a signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio (SINR, a power
level, and a signal gain corresponding to the HDTV signal and/or
the SDTV signal.
[0027] FIG. 1a is a block diagram of an exemplary system for
providing services between a cellular network and a digital video
broadcast (DVB) network, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention. Referring to FIG. 1a, there is shown terrestrial
broadcaster network 102, wireless service provider network 104,
service provider 106, and network 108 which may comprise the
Internet, a portal, for example. FIG. 1a further comprises public
switched telephone network (PSTN) 110 and mobile terminals (MTs)
116a and 116b. The MT 116b may be within the range of the
terrestrial broadcast network 102 and the wireless service provider
network 104. In this regard, the MT 116b may be adapted to receive
multimedia content, such as HDTV-encoded multimedia content or
SDTV-encoded multimedia content, from one or more base stations
within the terrestrial broadcast network 102 and/or the wireless
service provider network 104.
[0028] The terrestrial broadcaster network 102 may comprise
transmitter (Tx) 102a, multiplexer (Mux) 102b, an NTSC/PAL encoder
114b, an HDTV encoder 114c, and information content source 114a.
The content source 114a may also be referred to as a data carousel,
which may comprise audio/video content, or multimedia content,
audio content, and text data. The terrestrial broadcaster network
102 may also comprise VHF/UHF broadcast antennas 112a and 112b. The
wireless service provider network 104 may comprise mobile switching
center (MSC) 118a, and a plurality of cellular base stations 104a,
104b, 104c, and 104d.
[0029] The terrestrial broadcaster network 102 may comprise various
communication devices that may be adapted to encode and/or encrypt
data for transmission via the transmitter 102a. The transmitter
102a in the terrestrial broadcast network 102 may be adapted to
utilize VHF/UHF broadcast channels, such as DVB-H channels to
communicate HDTV-encoded information to the mobile terminals 116a
and 116b. The multiplexer 102b associated with the terrestrial
broadcaster network 102 may be utilized to multiplex data from a
plurality of sources. For example, the multiplexer 102b may be
adapted to multiplex various types of information, such as standard
definition television (SDTV) signals, or NTSC/PAL signals, encoded
by the NTSC/PAL encoder 114b. The multiplexer 102b may also
multiplex text data, audio data, and/or high definition television
(HDTV) multimedia content from the data carousel 114a encoded by
the HDTV encoder 114c. The multiplexer 102b may multiplex selected
data into a single pipe or stream for transmission by the
transmitter 102a. In one embodiment of the invention, the data
carousel 114a may be located outside the terrestrial broadcaster
network 102. In this regard, information from the data carousel
114a may be communicated to the terrestrial broadcaster network 102
via a wireless and/or a wired connection.
[0030] Although communication links between the service provider
106 and the wireless service provider 104 may be wired
communication links, the invention may not be so limited.
Accordingly, the communication links may comprise a wireless
communication link. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention,
the communication link between the service provider 106 and the
wireless service provider 104 may be an IEEE 802.x based
communication link, such as an IEEE 802.16 WMAN or WiMax broadband
access communication link. In another exemplary embodiment of the
invention, the communication link may comprise a broadband line of
sight (LOS) connection.
[0031] The wireless service provider network 104 may be a cellular
network, such as a personal communications service network. Usage
of the term cellular may comprise any band of frequencies that may
be utilized for cellular telephone communication. The wireless
service provider network 104 may utilize cellular access
technologies such as GSM, CDMA, CDMA2000, WCDMA, HSDPA, AMPS,
N-AMPS, and/or TDMA. The cellular network may be utilized to offer
bidirectional services via uplink and downlink communication
channels. In this regard, other bidirectional communication
methodologies comprising uplink and downlink capabilities, whether
symmetric or asymmetric, may be utilized.
[0032] Although the wireless service provider network 104 is
illustrated as a GSM, CDMA, WCDMA based network and/or variants
thereof, the invention is not limited in this regard. Accordingly,
the wireless service provider network 104 may be an IEEE 802.11
wireless local area network (WLAN). Additionally, the wireless
service provider network 104 may also be adapted to provide GSM,
CDMA, WCDMA, CDMA2000 based network services and/or variants
thereof. In this regard, the mobile terminals 116a and 116b may
also be compliant with the GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, CDMA2000, and IEEE
802.11 based wireless network.
[0033] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention,
if the mobile terminal (MT) 116a is within an operating range of
the DVB-H broadcasting antenna 112a and moves out of the latter's
operating range and into an operating range of the DVB-H
broadcasting antenna 112b, then DVB-H broadcasting antenna 112b may
be adapted to provide DVB-H broadcast services to the mobile
terminal 116a and to communicate HDTV-encoded multimedia
information to the mobile terminal 116b, if the mobile terminal
116a subsequently moves back into the operating range of the DVB-H
broadcasting antenna 112a, then the broadcasting antenna 112a may
be adapted to provide DVB-H broadcasting of HDTV-encoded multimedia
information to the mobile terminal 116a. In a somewhat similar
manner, if the mobile terminal (MT) 116b is within an operating
range of the DVB-H broadcasting antenna 112b and moves out of the
latter's operating range and into an operating range of the
broadcasting antenna 112a, then the DVB-H broadcasting antenna 112a
may be adapted to provide DVB-H broadcasting of HDTV-encoded
multimedia information to the mobile terminal 116b. If the mobile
terminal 116b subsequently moves back into the operating range of
broadcasting antenna 112b, then the DVB-H broadcasting antenna 112b
may be adapted to provide DVB-H broadcast services to the mobile
terminal 116b.
[0034] The service provider 106 may comprise suitable interfaces,
circuitry, logic and/or code that may be adapted to facilitate
communication between the mobile terminals 116a and 116b and the
wireless communication network 104. In an illustrative embodiment
of the invention the service provider 106 may be adapted to utilize
its interfaces to facilitate exchange of control information with
the wireless communication network 104 and to exchange control
information with the mobile terminals 116a and 116b. The control
information exchanged by the service provider 106 with the wireless
communication network 104 and the mobile terminals 16a and 116b may
be utilized to control certain operations of the mobile terminals
and the wireless communication network 104. Exemplary operations
that may be controlled may comprise receiving multimedia content
from the portal 108 and/or communicating multimedia content to a
mobile terminal communicatively coupled to the wireless network
104. In one embodiment of the invention, the service provider 106
may be co-located with the terrestrial broadcast network 102 and/or
within the wireless service provider network 104.
[0035] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the
service provider 106 may also comprise suitable interfaces,
circuitry, logic and/or code that may be adapted to handle network
policy decisions. For example, the service provider 106 may be
adapted to manage a load on the wireless communication network 104.
A load may indicate a total amount of data, such as multimedia
content, which may be requested by a plurality of mobile terminals
within the wireless network 104. Load management may be utilized to
control how information such as media content is distributed by the
wireless communication network 104 and the terrestrial broadcaster
network 102. For example, load may be distributed among the base
stations 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d so as to optimally provide cellular
and/or broadcast services to the mobile terminals 118a and 116b.
Furthermore, the service provider 106 may utilize SDTV-encoding to
encode multimedia content received from the portal 108.
SDTV-encoded multimedia content may be communicated to the wireless
network 104. In another embodiment of the invention, SDTV-encoding
of multimedia information may be performed within the wireless
network 104.
[0036] The network or portal 108 may comprise suitable interfaces,
logic, circuitry and/or code that may be adapted to provide content
media to the service provider 106 via one or more communication
links. These communication links, although not shown, may comprise
wired and/or wireless communication links. The content that may be
provided by the network or portal 108 may comprise audio/video
content or multimedia content, audio content, text data or any
combination thereof. Furthermore, multimedia content received from
the portal 108 may be encoded within the cellular network 104 prior
to transmission to one or more of the mobile terminals 116a and
116b. For example, multimedia content received from the portal 108
may be encoded by an NTSC or PAL encoder within the cellular
network 104. The NTSC/PAL encoded multimedia content may then be
communicated to the mobile terminals 116a or 116b via a cellular
downlink communication path.
[0037] Even though two multimedia sources, 108 and 114, are
illustrated with regard to FIG. 1a, the present invention may not
be so limited. The terrestrial broadcast network 102 or the
cellular network 104 may utilize other sources of multimedia data,
which may be coupled via a wired and/or wireless connection to the
terrestrial broadcast network 102 or the cellular network 104.
[0038] The public switched telephone network (PSTN) 110 may be
coupled to the MSC 118a. Accordingly, the MSC 118a may comprise
suitable interfaces that may be adapted to switch calls originating
from within the PSTN 110 to one or more mobile terminals serviced
by the wireless service provider 104. Similarly, the MSC 118a may
be adapted to switch calls originating from mobile terminals
serviced by the wireless service provider 104 to one or more
telephones serviced by the PSTN 110. In an embodiment of the
invention, a T1 or T3 connection, for example, may be utilized to
facilitate communication between the PSTN and the 110 and the MSC
118a.
[0039] In one aspect of the invention, the information content
source 114a may comprise a data carousel. In this regard, the
information content source 114a may be adapted to provide various
information services, which may comprise audio/video content, or
multimedia content, audio content, and text data. The information
content source 114a may also comprise file download, and software
download capabilities. The audio/video multimedia content may be
encoded by the NTSC/PAL encoder 114b or the HDTV encoder 114c prior
to transmission by the transmitter 102a. In instances where a
mobile terminal fails to acquire requested information from the
information content source 114a or the requested information is
unavailable, then the mobile terminal may receive the requested
information via, for example, a cellular channel from the portal
108. The request may be initiated through an uplink cellular
communication path, for example.
[0040] The mobile terminals (MTs) 116a and 116b may comprise
suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may be adapted to handle
the processing of downlink cellular channels for various access
technologies and broadcast UHF/VHF technologies. In an exemplary
embodiment of the invention, the mobile terminals 116a and 116b may
be adapted to utilize one or more cellular access technologies such
as GSM, GPRS, EDGE, CDMA, WCDMA, and CDMA2000. The mobile terminals
may also be adapted to receive and process VHF/UHF broadcast
signals in the VHF/UHF bands. For example, a mobile terminal such
as the mobile terminal 116a or 116b may be adapted to receive and
process DVB-H signals comprising HDTV encoded multimedia
information via a DVB-H downlink communication path. The mobile
terminals 116a or 116b may also receive and process cellular
signals comprising SDTV encoded multimedia information via a
cellular downlink communication path.
[0041] A mobile terminal, such as the mobile terminal 116a or 116b,
may be adapted to request information via a first cellular service
and in response, receive corresponding information via a DVB-H
broadcast service. A mobile terminal may also be adapted to request
information from a service provider via a cellular service and in
response, receive corresponding information via a data service,
which is provided via the cellular service. The mobile terminals
may be adapted to receive DVB-H broadcast information, such as HDTV
encoded multimedia information, from the DVB-H broadcast antennas
112a and 112b. In some instances, the mobile terminal may
communicate corresponding uplink information via an uplink cellular
communication channel.
[0042] In one embodiment of the invention, a mobile terminal may be
adapted to utilize a plurality of broadcast integrated circuits for
receiving and processing DVB-H channels, and a plurality of
cellular integrated circuits for receiving and processing cellular
or PCS channels In this regard, the plurality of cellular
integrated circuits may be adapted to handle different cellular
access technologies. For example, at least one of the cellular
integrated circuits may be adapted to handle GSM, and at least one
of the cellular integrated circuits may be adapted to handle WCDMA.
For broadcast channels, each of the plurality of broadcast
integrated circuits may be adapted to handle at least one VHF/UHF
channel.
In another embodiment of the invention, a mobile terminal, such as
the mobile terminal 116b, may be adapted to receive broadcast
information via a plurality of downlink communication paths. For
example, the MT 116b may be adapted to receive HDTV-encoded
multimedia content via a DVB-H broadcast communication path from
the base station 112b. Furthermore, the MT 116b may receive
SDTV-encoded multimedia content, such as NTSC or PAL-encoded
multimedia content, from the cellular base station 104a. The
SDTV-encoded content may be the same as the HDTV-encoded content.
In this regard, the mobile terminal 116b may select the
HDTV-encoded content received via a DVB-H downlink communication
path or the SDTV-encoded content received via a cellular downlink
communication path, for processing and display within the mobile
terminal 116b, in an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the
selection between the HDTV-encoded content or the SDTV-encoded
content may be based on a type of content, on a user preference, or
on downlink channel conditions of the DVB-H or cellular downlink
communication paths utilized by the MT 116b to receive the HDTV or
SDTV content, respectively.
[0043] FIG. 1b is a high-level block diagram of exemplary DVB-H
receiver circuitry in a mobile terminal, which may be utilized in
connection with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG.
1b, there is shown a mobile terminal 130. The mobile terminal 130
may comprise a DVB-H demodulator 132, an SDTV processing circuitry
block 131, an HDTV processing circuitry block 142, a selector block
137a, a display 137b, and a speaker 137c. The DVB-H demodulator
block 132 may comprise a DV-T demodulator 134, time slicing block
138, and MPE-FEC block 140.
[0044] The DVB-T demodulator 134 may comprise suitable circuitry,
logic and/or code that may be adapted to demodulate a terrestrial
DVB signal. In this regard, the DVB-T demodulator 134 may be
adapted to downconvert received HDTV-encoded signals 135 to a
signal with suitable bit rate that may be handled by the mobile
terminal 130. The DVB-T demodulator 134 may be adapted to handle 2
k, 4 k and/or 8 k modes.
[0045] The time slicing block 138 may comprise suitable circuitry,
logic and/or code that may be adapted to minimize power consumption
in the mobile terminal 130, particularly in the DVB-T demodulator
134. In general, time slicing may reduce average power consumption
in the mobile terminal 130 by sending data in bursts via much
higher instantaneous bit rates, in order to inform the DVB-T
demodulator 134 when a next burst is going to be sent, a delta
indicating the start of the next burst may be transmitted within a
current burst. During transmission, no data for an elementary
stream (ES) may be transmitted so as to allow other elementary
streams to optimally share the bandwidth. Since the DVB-T
demodulator 134 knows when the next burst will be received, the
DVB-T demodulator 134 may enter a power saving mode between bursts
in order to consume less power. Reference signal 144 may indicate a
control mechanism that handles the DVB-T demodulator 134 power via
the time slicing block 138. The DVB-T demodulator 134 may also be
adapted to utilize time slicing to monitor different transport
streams from different channels. For example, the DVB-T demodulator
134 may utilize time slicing to monitor neighboring channels
between bursts to optimize handover.
[0046] The MPE-FEC block 140 may comprise suitable circuitry, logic
and/or code that may be adapted to provide error correction during
decoding. On the encoding side, MPE-FEC encoding provides improved
carrier to noise ratio (C/N), improved Doppler performance, and
improved tolerance to interference resulting from impulse noise.
During decoding, the MPE-FEC block 140 may be adapted to determine
parity information from previously MPE-FEC encoded datagrams. As a
result, during decoding, the MPE-FEC block 140 may generate
datagrams that may be error-free even in instances when received
channel conditions are poor.
[0047] The HDTV processing circuitry block 142 may comprise
suitable processor, circuitry, logic and/or code that may be
adapted to process IP datagrams generated from an output of the
MPE-FEC block 140, which may be associated with HDTV-encoded
information 135 received by the mobile terminal 130. The
HDTV-encoded information 135 may be received via a DVB-H downlink
communication path. The HDTV processing circuitry block 142 may
also be adapted to process HDTV transport stream packets from the
DVB-T demodulator 134. In one embodiment of the invention, the HDTV
processing circuitry 142 may decode HDTV-encoded signals
demodulated by the DVB-H demodulator 132. The decoded HDTV content
may be communicated to the selector block 137a.
[0048] The SDTV processing circuitry block 131 may comprise
suitable circuitry, logic, and/or code and may be adapted to
demodulate and/or decode SDTV-encoded content 133 received by the
mobile terminal 130. The SDTV-encoded content 133 may comprise
PAL-encoded content or NTSC-encoded content. Furthermore, the
SDTV-encoded content 133 may be received by the mobile terminal 130
via a cellular downlink communication path. Decoded SDTV content
may be communicated by the SDTV processing circuitry block 131 to
the selector block 137a. The SDTV-encoded signal 133 and the
HDTV-encoded signal 135 received by the mobile terminal 130 may
comprise the same content.
[0049] The selector block 137a may comprise suitable circuitry,
logic, and/or code and may be adapted to select between the decoded
SDTV signal or the decoded HDTV signal for further processing. In
one embodiment of the invention, the selection may be based on a
user preference and/or prior usage pattern. In another embodiment
of the invention, the mobile terminal may determine a channel
condition indicator associated with the a DVB-H downlink
communication path and a cellular downlink communication path that
were used to communicate the HDTV-encoded content and the
SDTV-encoded content, respectively. The selector block 137a may
then select between the decoded SDTV signal or the decoded HDTV
signal for further processing based on the determined channel
condition indicator. A method and system for communicating
information in a wireless communication system utilizing channel
condition indicators are further described in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. (Attorney Docket No. 16845US01), filed Sep.
28, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
[0050] In operation, the DVB-H demodulator 132 within the mobile
terminal 130 may receive HDTV-encoded information 135 via a
DVB-downlink communication path. The DVB-H demodulator 132 may
demodulate the received HDTV-encoded information and may
communicate the demodulated HDTV-encoded information to the HDTV
processing circuitry block 142. The HDTV processing circuitry block
142 may decode the received demodulated HDTV information and may
communicate the decoded HDTV information to the selector block
137a. The SDTV processing circuitry block 131 may receive
SDTV-encoded information 133 and may demodulate and decode the
SDTV-encoded information. The decoded SDTV information may be
communicated to the selector block 137a. The selector block 137a
may select between the decoded SDTV information and the decoded
HDTV information, based on one or more selection criteria. Selected
HDTV or SDTV multimedia information may be displayed by the display
137b and/or may be communicated to the speaker 137c.
[0051] FIG. 1c is a high-level block diagram illustrating DVB-H
multimedia signal processing, in accordance with an embodiment of
the invention. Referring to FIG. 1c, there is shown a transmitter
block 1650, a receiver block 151, an HDTV decoder block 167, and a
channel 164. The transmitter block 150 may comprise a DVB-H
encapsulator block 156, a multiplexer 158, and a DVB-T modulator
162. Service data 160 may be associated with the transmitter block
150. The receiver block 151 may comprise a DVB-H demodulator block
166 and a DVB-H decapsulation block 168.
[0052] The DVB-H encapsulator block 156 may comprise MPE block
156a, MPE-FEC block 156b and time slicing block 156c. The DVB-H
encapsulation block 156 may be adapted to receive and encapsulate
DVB-H input data. In one embodiment of the invention, the DVB-H
input data may comprise HDTV-encoded multimedia information. The
multiplexer 158 may comprise suitable logic circuitry and/or code
that may be adapted to handle multiplexing of IP encapsulated DVB-H
input data and service data. The plurality of service data,
collectively referenced as 160, may comprise MPEG-2 formatted data,
which may comprise for example, audio, video and/or text data. The
DVB-T modulator 162 may comprise suitable logic circuitry and/or
code that may be adapted to generate an output RF signal from the
transmitter block 150.
[0053] The DVB-H demodulator block 166 associated with the receiver
block 151 is similar to the DVB-H demodulator block 132 of FIG. 1b.
The DVB-H decapsulation block 168 may comprise MPE block 168a,
MPE-FEC block 168b and time slicing block 168c. The DVB-H
decapsulation block 168 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry
and/or code that may be adapted decapsulate the IP data that was
encapsulated and multiplexed by the transmitter block 150. The
output of the DVB-H demodulator 166 may comprise transport stream
packets. The transport stream packets may comprise the multiplexed
output generated by the multiplexer 158.
[0054] In operation, HDTV-encoded input data may be encapsulated by
the DVB-H encapsulator block 156. The encapsulated HDTV-encoded
data may be modulated by the DVB-T modulator 162 and may be
transmitted by the transmitter 150 via the channel 164. The
receiver 151, which may be within a mobile terminal, may receive
the encoded HDTV information. The receiver 151 may then demodulate
and decapsulate the received HDTV-encoded information, generating
demodulated and decapsulated HDTV-encoded data 169. The
HDTV-encoded data 169 may then be decoded by the HDTV decoder
167.
[0055] FIG. 2a is diagram of a mobile terminal that is adapted to
receive DVB-H and cellular communications, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention Referring to FIG. 2a, there is shown
mobile terminal (MT) or handset 202. The mobile terminal 202 may
comprise a selector block 204, HDTV/SDTV processing circuitry 206,
a display 203, and a speaker 205. The selector block 204 may
comprise suitable circuitry, logic, and/or code and may be adapted
to select between a received HDTV-encoded signal 205 and a received
SDTV-encoded signal 207 for processing within the mobile terminal
202. The HDTV-encoded signal 205 may be received via a DVB-H
downlink communication path, and the SDTV-encoded signal 207 may be
received via a cellular downlink communication path. The received
HDTV-encoded signal 205 and the received SDTV-encoded signal 207
may comprise the same multimedia content.
[0056] The HDTV/SDTV processing circuitry 206 may comprise suitable
circuitry, logic, and/or code and may be adapted to demodulate
and/or decode received HDTV-encoded signals and SDTV-encoded
signals, in this regard, the HDTV/SDTV processing circuitry 206 may
comprise at least one receiver front end (RFE) circuit and at least
one signal decoder, in an embodiment of the invention, a first of
the receiver front end circuits may be adapted to handle RF
processing of a DVB-H broadcast channel and a second of these RFE
circuits may be adapted to handle RF processing of a cellular
channel. In an embodiment of the invention, a single RF integrated
circuit may comprise a plurality of RFE processing circuits, each
of which may be adapted to process a particular cellular channel.
Accordingly, a single RFIC comprising a plurality of cellular RFE
processing circuits may be adapted to handle a plurality of
cellular channels.
[0057] In one embodiment of the invention, the HDTV/SDTV processing
circuitry 206 may be implemented within a single chip and may
comprise a plurality of DVB-H, cellular RFE processing circuits, as
well as HDTV and SDTV decoding circuitry. In this regard, the
mobile terminal 202 may be adapted to simultaneously handle a
plurality of different DVB-H and cellular channels. For example, a
mobile terminal may be adapted to simultaneously receive a first
DVB-H channel bearing HDTV-encoded information and a second
cellular channel bearing SDTV-encoded information. Processing
between the DVS-H channel and the cellular channel may be
user-selectable via the selector block 204. Decoded HDTV
information or SDTV information may be communicated to the display
203 and/or the speaker 205.
[0058] FIG. 2b is a flow diagram illustrating exemplary steps
utilized by a mobile terminal that may be adapted to receive HDTV
and SDTV information, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention. Referring to FIGS. 2a and 2b, at 260, the mobile
terminal 202 may await a preference indication for HDTV-encoded
content or SDTV encoded content. Such indication may be received by
the selector block 204 via a user-controlled interface, for
example, and may be associated with a user profile and/or prior
usage of HDTV-encoded information and SDTV-encoded information. At
262, it may be determined whether a preference indication is
received by the selector block 204 specifying that HDTV-encoded
information is received. If the preference indication specifying
that HDTV-encoded information is received, at 264, the HDTV-encoded
information 205 may be delivered to the mobile terminal 202 via a
DVB-H downlink communication path, if preference indication for
broadcast information is not received by the selector block 204, at
266, it may be determined whether preference indication for
SDTV-encoded information is received by the selector block 204. If
preference indication for SDTV-encoded information is received, at
268, SDTV-encoded information may be delivered to the mobile
terminal 202 via a cellular downlink communication path.
[0059] FIG. 2c is a block diagram illustrating exemplary
communication between a mobile terminal via a plurality of
different communication paths, in accordance with an embodiment of
the invention. Referring to FIG. 2c, there is shown a mobile
terminal 280 that comprises a DVB-H processing block 282, a
cellular processing block 284, an HDTV decoder 291, an SDTV decoder
292, a CPU 293, a memory 294, user preference/past history block
295, a display 286, and a hardware button 290. The mobile terminal
280 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code that may be
adapted to communicate and process information from a plurality of
different networks. In this regard, the mobile terminal 280 may
receive information, such as multimedia information, via a DVB-H
downlink communication path 283 and/or a bidirectional cellular
downlink communication path 285. For example, the mobile terminal
280 may receive HDTV-encoded information via the DVB-H downlink
communication path 283 and SDTV-encoded information via the
cellular downlink communication path 285. The mobile terminal 280
may also transmit information via the bidirectional cellular
communication path 285. In this regard, the transmitted information
may be associated with information received from the DVB-H downlink
communication path 283 and/or the cellular downlink communication
path 285.
[0060] The DVB-H processing block 282 may comprise suitable logic,
circuitry, and/or code that may be adapted to process broadcast
information from, for example, the DVB-H downlink communication
path 283. For example, the DVB-H processing block 282 may be
adapted to demodulate HDTV-encoded information received via the
DVB-H downlink communication path 283. The cellular processing
block 282 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code that
may be adapted to process cellular information received from, for
example, the cellular downlink communication path 285. The cellular
processing block 284 may comprise different portions that may
process information associated with different cellular
communication paths. Furthermore, the cellular processing block 284
may be adapted to demodulate SDTV-encoded information received via
the cellular downlink communication path 285. Demodulated
HDTV-encoded signals may be decoded by the HDTV decoder 291.
Similarly, demodulated SDTV-encoded signals may be decoded by the
SDTV decoder 292.
[0061] In an exemplary aspect of the invention, the mobile terminal
280 may be adapted to select between reception of HDTV-encoded
information via the DVB-H downlink communication path 283 and
SDTV-encoded information, such as PAL-encoded signals or
NTSC-encoded signals via the cellular downlink communication path
285. The selection may be achieved via a software-controlled and/or
user-controlled interface. For example, switching between reception
of HDTV-encoded information and SDTV-encoded information may be
achieved by utilizing a switch at the mobile terminal 280, such as
the hardware button 290. In another aspect of the invention, the
display 286 may be adapted to display a user interface 288.
[0062] The user interface 288 may be software-controlled, for
example. In this regard, the user interface 288 may acquire user
input and selecting the HDTV-encoded information or the
SDTV-encoded information for processing within the mobile terminal
280 may be achieved by utilizing the software-controlled user
interface 288. In another embodiment of the invention, selecting
the HDTV-encoded information or the SDTV-encoded information for
processing within the mobile terminal 280 may be achieved by
utilizing the user preference/past history block 295. In this
regard, a user profile may specify that HDTV-encoded information
may be processed if a downlink channel condition indicator of the
DVB-H downlink communication path is at a certain threshold level.
If the downlink channel condition of the DVB-H downlink
communication path is below the threshold level, SDTV-encoded
information may be selected for processing. The threshold level of
a downlink channel condition indicator, such as a BER, may indicate
a value of the channel condition indicator such that if the
condition indicator is below a certain value, the downlink
communication path may be considered to be in a deteriorated
condition and SDTV-encoded information may be selected for
processing as it requires less bandwidth for communication to the
mobile terminal. Similarly, that if the condition indicator is
above a certain value, the downlink communication path may be
considered to be in a good condition and higher bandwidth signals,
such as HDTV-encoded signals, may be communicated to the mobile
terminal.
[0063] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating exemplary steps for
communicating information in a network, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIGS. 2c and 3, at 302,
high definition television (HDTV) signal may be received by the
mobile terminal 280 via a DVB-H downlink communication path 283. At
304, standard definition television (SDTV) signals may be
simultaneously received by the mobile terminal 280 via the cellular
downlink communication path 285. The received SDTV signal and the
received HDTV signal may comprise the same media content. At 306,
the HDTV signal received via the DVB-H downlink communication path
283 or the SDTV signal received via the cellular downlink
communication path 285 may be selected within the mobile terminal
280 for processing. The selection may be based on a preference
indicated via the mobile terminal 280. The selection may also be
based on at least one downlink channel condition indicator
corresponding to the HDTV signal communicated via the DVB-H
downlink communication path 283 and the SDTV signal communicated
via the cellular downlink communication path 285.
[0064] The at least one downlink channel condition indicator may
comprise at least one of: a received signal strength indicator
(RSSI), a bit error rate (BER), a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), a
signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio (SINR, a power level, and a
signal gain corresponding to the HDTV signal communicated via the
DVB-H downlink communication path and the SDTV signal communicated
via the cellular downlink communication path. A user input that
indicates whether to select the received HDTV signal or the
received SDTV signal may be received by the mobile terminal 280.
The mobile terminal may be configured to display the received HDTV
signal. The selecting may be based on a type of the media content.
The SDTV signal and the HDTV signal may be decoded within a single
chip integrated within the mobile terminal 280. An indication of
content that may be available via the DVB-H downlink communication
path 283 and the cellular downlink communication path 285 may be
displayed within the mobile terminal 280. A signal that instructs a
service provider to deliver HDTV content via the DVB-H downlink
communication path 283 may be generated within the mobile terminal
280.
[0065] Accordingly, the present invention may be realized in
hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The
present invention may be realized in a centralized fashion in at
least one computer system, or in a distributed fashion where
different elements are spread across several interconnected
computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus
adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A
typical combination of hardware and software may be a
general-purpose computer system with a computer program that, when
being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that
it carries out the methods described herein.
[0066] The present invention may also be embedded in a computer
program product, which comprises all the features enabling the
implementation of the methods described herein, and which when
loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods.
Computer program in the present context means any expression, in
any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended
to cause a system having an information processing capability to
perform a particular function either directly or after either or
both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or
notation; b) reproduction in a different material form.
[0067] While the present invention has been described with
reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those
skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents
may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present
invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a
particular situation or material to the teachings of the present
invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is
intended that the present invention not be limited to the
particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present invention
will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *