U.S. patent application number 13/915439 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-17 for method and apparatus for improving performance and user experience of a mobile broadcast receiver.
The applicant listed for this patent is QUALCOMM INCORPORATED. Invention is credited to Tao Li, Matthew Michael, Shimman Arvind Patel, Sivaramakrishna Veerepalli.
Application Number | 20130276051 13/915439 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41380428 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130276051 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Michael; Matthew ; et
al. |
October 17, 2013 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVING PERFORMANCE AND USER EXPERIENCE
OF A MOBILE BROADCAST RECEIVER
Abstract
Various techniques for receiving broadcast at a mobile broadcast
receiver are described. In an aspect, the broadcast receiver
provides user notification and/or automatically launches an
application based on user preferences. In another aspect, the
broadcast receiver improves channel switching time by predicting
future channel selection based on real-time monitoring of user
inputs. In another aspect, the broadcast receiver supports
drag-and-drop user interface. In another aspect, the broadcast
receiver provides additional information associated with a selected
broadcast stream. In another aspect, the broadcast receiver
processes a broadcast stream and sends output data to an external
device for further processing and/or display. In another aspect,
the broadcast receiver simultaneously displays live content and
stored content. In another aspect, the broadcast receiver
simultaneously receives multiple broadcast streams for displayed on
one or more display units. In another aspect, the broadcast
receiver collects user statistics and sends the statistics to a
network entity.
Inventors: |
Michael; Matthew; (Seattle,
WA) ; Veerepalli; Sivaramakrishna; (San Diego,
CA) ; Patel; Shimman Arvind; (San Diego, CA) ;
Li; Tao; (San Diego, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
QUALCOMM INCORPORATED |
San Diego |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
41380428 |
Appl. No.: |
13/915439 |
Filed: |
June 11, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12474057 |
May 28, 2009 |
8490124 |
|
|
13915439 |
|
|
|
|
61057082 |
May 29, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
725/131 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04H 60/64 20130101;
H04N 21/41407 20130101; H04N 21/431 20130101; H04H 2201/30
20130101; H04H 2201/33 20130101; H04H 20/93 20130101; H04N 21/436
20130101; H04N 21/6582 20130101; H04H 20/28 20130101; H04H 2201/40
20130101; H04N 21/4126 20130101; H04H 60/46 20130101; H04H 60/31
20130101; H04N 21/44222 20130101; H04N 5/44543 20130101; H04N
21/414 20130101; H04N 5/44591 20130101; H04N 21/4316 20130101; H04H
60/33 20130101; H04N 21/4532 20130101; H04H 20/08 20130101; H04N
7/17327 20130101; H04N 21/4384 20130101; H04N 21/47 20130101; H04N
21/4858 20130101; H04H 2201/37 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/131 |
International
Class: |
H04N 21/431 20060101
H04N021/431 |
Claims
1. A method of receiving broadcast information, comprising:
processing a broadcast stream at a mobile broadcast receiver to
obtain output data; and sending the output data to a first external
device for additional processing or display, wherein the output
data comprises content from the broadcast stream and the first
external device displays the content.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein processing the broadcast stream
at the mobile broadcast receiver comprises: demodulating and
decoding the broadcast stream to obtain the output data, and
wherein the first external device decompresses the output data to
obtain the content from the broadcast stream.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: sending the output
data to a second external device for additional processing or
display.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the output data is sent
simultaneously to the first and second external devices via
multicast transmission.
5. The method of claim 3, wherein the output data is sent
separately to the first and second external devices via
point-to-point transmission.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving multiple
broadcast streams at the mobile broadcast receiver; and displaying
at least one of the multiple broadcast streams on at least one
display unit at the mobile broadcast receiver.
7. An apparatus for a mobile broadcast receiver, the apparatus
comprising: at least one processor configured to process a
broadcast stream to obtain output data; and a communication unit
configured to send the output data to a first external device for
additional processing or display, wherein the output data comprises
content from the broadcast stream and the first external device
displays the content.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one processor is
configured to: demodulate and decode the broadcast stream to obtain
the output data, wherein the first external device decompresses the
output data to obtain the content from the broadcast stream.
9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the communication unit is
configured to send the output data to a second external device for
additional processing or display.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the output data is sent
simultaneously to the first and second external devices via
multicast transmission.
11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the output data is sent
separately to the first and second external devices via
point-to-point transmission.
12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one processor is
further configured to: receive multiple broadcast streams at the
mobile broadcast receiver, and provide at least one of the multiple
broadcast streams for display on at least one display unit at the
mobile broadcast receiver.
13. An apparatus for receiving broadcast information, the apparatus
comprising: means for processing a broadcast stream at a mobile
broadcast receiver to obtain output data; and means for sending the
output data to a first external device for additional processing or
display, wherein the output data comprises content from the
broadcast stream and the first external device displays the
content.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the means for processing the
broadcast stream at the mobile broadcast receiver comprises: means
for demodulating and decoding the broadcast stream to obtain the
output data, and wherein the first external device decompresses the
output data to obtain the content from the broadcast stream.
15. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: means for
sending the output data to a second external device for additional
processing or display.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the output data is sent
simultaneously to the first and second external devices via
multicast transmission.
17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the output data is sent
separately to the first and second external devices via
point-to-point transmission.
18. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: means for
receiving multiple broadcast streams at the mobile broadcast
receiver; and means for displaying at least one of the multiple
broadcast streams on at least one display unit at the mobile
broadcast receiver.
19. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising
instructions for receiving broadcast information, which when
executed by a processor cause the processor to: process a broadcast
stream at a mobile broadcast receiver to obtain output data; and
send the output data to a first external device for additional
processing or display, wherein the output data comprises content
from the broadcast stream and the first external device displays
the content.
20. The computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the
instructions which when executed by a processor cause the processor
to process the broadcast stream at the mobile broadcast receiver
are configured to cause the processor to: demodulate and decode the
broadcast stream to obtain the output data, and wherein the first
external device decompresses the output data to obtain the content
from the broadcast stream.
21. The computer-readable medium of claim 19, the medium comprising
instructions which when executed by a processor cause the processor
to: send the output data to a second external device for additional
processing or display.
22. The computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein the output
data is sent simultaneously to the first and second external
devices via multicast transmission.
23. The computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein the output
data is sent separately to the first and second external devices
via point-to-point transmission.
24. The computer-readable medium of claim 19, the medium further
comprising instructions which when executed by a processor cause
the processor to: receive multiple broadcast streams at the mobile
broadcast receiver; and display at least one of the multiple
broadcast streams on at least one display unit at the mobile
broadcast receiver.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119
[0001] The present Application for Patent is a Continuation of
patent application Ser. No. 12/474,057 filed May 28, 2009, which
claims priority to Provisional Application No. 61/057,082, entitled
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVING PERFORMANCE AND USER EXPERIENCE
OF A MOBILE BROADCAST RECEIVER, filed May 29, 2008, and assigned to
the assignee hereof and hereby expressly incorporated by reference
herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] I. Field
[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to communication,
and more specifically to techniques for receiving broadcast
information.
[0004] II. Background
[0005] A broadcast system may broadcast a number of channels
carrying various contents for reception by mobile broadcast
receivers. A mobile broadcast receiver is a receiver that is
capable of receiving signals from terrestrial and/or satellite
broadcast systems and is intended to be carried around by a user
(instead of being stationary).
[0006] A user operating a mobile broadcast receiver may select a
channel or content of interest to the user. Content may be streamed
or real time audio/video or data cast content. The mobile broadcast
receiver may determine pertinent parameters for the selected
channel and then demodulate and decode the channel in accordance
with these parameters to obtain decoded data. The mobile broadcast
receiver may further process the decoded data to obtain the content
sent in the selected channel. The mobile broadcast receiver may
continuously process the selected channel and provide the content
in a streaming manner as long as the channel is selected for
reception.
[0007] The mobile broadcast receiver may be a portable device with
limited user interface and display capabilities. It may be
desirable to improve performance and user experience with such
limited capabilities.
SUMMARY
[0008] Various techniques for receiving broadcast information at a
mobile broadcast receiver are described herein. These techniques
may simplify user interaction and/or support more features and
flexibility with the limited capabilities of the mobile broadcast
receiver.
[0009] In an aspect, the mobile broadcast receiver provides user
notification and/or automatically launches an application based on
user preferences for broadcast contents. In one design, the mobile
broadcast receiver receives user selections for different broadcast
contents over a period of time, determines user preferences for
broadcast contents based on the user selections, and stores the
user preferences. The mobile broadcast receiver thereafter monitors
incoming broadcast content and provides user notification and/or
automatically launches an application based on the incoming
broadcast content and the user preferences.
[0010] In another aspect, the mobile broadcast receiver improves
channel switching time by predicting future channel selection based
on real-time monitoring of user inputs/activity. In one design, the
mobile broadcast receiver predicts a channel based on user input
(e.g., to highlight a channel), processes the predicted channel
prior to selection of the channel, and provides content from the
predicted channel if selected by the user.
[0011] In another aspect, the mobile broadcast receiver supports a
drag-and-drop user interface. In one design, the mobile broadcast
receiver receives user input to drag and drop a highlighted channel
onto a first window, activates an application associated with the
first window, processes the highlighted channel with the
application, and displays the content from the highlighted channel
on a second window. The size and/or placement of the second window
may be determined based on information associated with the first
window.
[0012] In another aspect, additional information may be associated
with a broadcast stream and provided when the broadcast stream is
selected. The additional information may comprise product
information, promotional information, channel information, etc. In
one design, the mobile broadcast receiver displays a broadcast
stream, receives user selection of the broadcast stream, retrieves
additional information associated with the broadcast stream in
response to the user selection, and presents the additional
information to the user in the same window or by opening a new
display window on the same or different display unit.
[0013] In another aspect, the mobile broadcast receiver partially
or completely processes a broadcast stream and sends output data to
an external device for further processing and/or display. In one
design, the output data comprises content from the broadcast
stream, and the external device displays the content. In another
design, the mobile broadcast receiver demodulates and decodes the
broadcast stream to obtain the output data, and the external device
decompresses the output data to obtain content from the broadcast
stream. The mobile broadcast receiver may also send the output data
to one or more additional external devices for processing and/or
display, or the mobile broadcast receiver may have more than one
display to receive output.
[0014] In another aspect, the mobile broadcast receiver
simultaneously displays live content and stored content. In one
design, the mobile broadcast receiver processes a broadcast stream
to obtain live content, receives user selection to display stored
content with the live content, retrieves the stored content from
memory, and displays the live content and the stored content
simultaneously.
[0015] In another aspect, the mobile broadcast receiver
simultaneously receives multiple broadcast streams, which may be
displayed on one or more display units. In one design, the multiple
broadcast streams are displayed on one display unit at the mobile
broadcast receiver. In another design, a first broadcast stream is
displayed on a first display unit at the mobile broadcast receiver,
and a second broadcast stream is displayed on a second display unit
at an external device. In yet another design, the multiple
broadcast streams may be displayed on one display unit at an
external device.
[0016] In another aspect, the mobile broadcast receiver collects
user statistics and sends the collected statistics back to a
designated network entity. In one design, the mobile broadcast
receiver receives user selections for broadcast contents over a
period of time, determines and collects statistics of user viewing
habits based on the user selections, and reports the collected
statistics to the designated network entity.
[0017] Various aspects and features of the disclosure are described
in further detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a mobile broadcast
receiver.
[0019] FIG. 2 shows a process for receiving broadcast with user
notification and/or automatic application launch.
[0020] FIG. 3 shows an example display screen at the mobile
broadcast receiver.
[0021] FIG. 4 shows a process for receiving broadcast with channel
prediction.
[0022] FIG. 5 shows an example display screen supporting
drag-and-drop user interface.
[0023] FIG. 6 shows a process for receiving broadcast with
drag-and-drop feature.
[0024] FIG. 7 shows a process for receiving broadcast with
additional information.
[0025] FIG. 8 shows a process for receiving a broadcast stream with
multiple devices.
[0026] FIG. 9 shows a process for displaying live content and
stored content.
[0027] FIG. 10 shows a process for receiving multiple broadcast
streams.
[0028] FIG. 11 shows a process for collecting and reporting user
statistics.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] The techniques described herein may be used with a variety
of broadcast systems and mobile broadcast standards. A few examples
of such systems and/or standards include, but are not limited to,
MediaFLO.sup.Tm, Digital Video Broadcasting for Handhelds (DVB-H),
Digital Video Broadcasting for Satellites (DVB-SH), China
Multimedia Mobile Broadcasting (CMMB) and Integrated Services
Digital Broadcasting for Terrestrial Television Broadcasting
(ISDB-T) systems. MediaFLO.TM., DVB-H and ISDB-T support digital
transmission of multimedia over a terrestrial communication
network. MediaFLO.sup.Tm is described in a document TIA-1099,
entitled "Forward Link Only Air Interface Specification for
Terrestrial Mobile Multimedia Multicast," dated August 2006. DVB-H
is described in a document ETSI EN 300 744, entitled "Digital Video
Broadcasting (DVB); Framing Structure, Channel Coding and
Modulation for Digital Terrestrial Television," dated November
2004. ISDB-T is described in a document ARIB STD-B31, entitled
"Transmission System for Digital Terrestrial Television
Broadcasting," dated July 2003. These documents are publicly
available.
[0030] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a design of a mobile
broadcast receiver 110, which may be capable of receiving
MediaFLO.TM., DVB-H, ISDB-T and/or other broadcast systems. Mobile
broadcast receiver 110 may be a stand-alone receiver or may be part
of a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a
wireless communication device, a handheld device, a wireless modem,
etc.
[0031] Within mobile broadcast receiver 110, an antenna 112
receives signals transmitted by broadcast stations (not shown in
FIG. 1) and provides a received signal to a receiver (RCVR) 114.
Receiver 114 conditions (e.g., filters, amplifies, frequency
downconverts, and digitizes) the received signal and provides
samples. A demodulator/decoder (Demod/decoder) 116 demodulates and
decodes the samples for a channel of interest and provides decoded
data. An audio/ video processor 118 decompresses the decoded data
and provides content from the channel. The decompression may
include video decoding, audio decoding, content decoding, etc., and
may also be referred to as decoding, decrypting, etc. An output
deriver 120 processes (e.g., converts to analog, filters, and
amplifies) the content and generates one or more output signals
suitable for presentation on one or more output devices. The output
device(s) may include a display unit 122 (e.g., an LCD screen), an
audio unit 124 (e.g., a loudspeaker), and/or other output
devices.
[0032] A user interface unit 128 receives user inputs via a keypad,
a touch screen, and/or other input devices. A controller/processor
130 directs operation at mobile broadcast receiver 110. A memory
132 stores program codes and data used by processing units within
mobile broadcast receiver 110. Memory 132 may also store decoded
data and/or content from one or more channels, user inputs and
selections, user preferences for broadcast contents, etc. A
communication (Comm) unit 134 supports communication with other
external devices such as an external device 150. Communication unit
134 may support wireline communication (as shown in FIG. 1) and/or
wireless communication.
[0033] External device 150 may be a laptop computer, a digital
television, or some other computing or multimedia device, including
a device with limited functionality, such as, for example, an
external display device that has no other capabilities. Within
external device 150, a video/audio processor 152 decompresses
decoded data and provides content. An output driver 154 processes
the content from video/audio processor 152 and generates one or
more output signals suitable for presentation on a display unit 156
and/or an audio unit 158. A communication unit 160 supports
wireline and/or wireless communication with mobile broadcast
receiver 110 and/or other devices. A controller/processor 162
directs operation at external device 150. A memory 164 stores
program codes and data used by processing units within external
device 150 and/or other data.
[0034] Mobile broadcast receiver 110 may have limited user
interface and display capabilities. Various techniques are
described herein to improve performance and user experience with
such limited capabilities at mobile broadcast receiver 110.
[0035] In one aspect, mobile broadcast receiver 110 maintains a
history of user interaction such as user selections of different
contents, the time each user selection is made, etc. The different
contents may include news, sport scores, stock quotes, weather
reports, traffic reports, real-time video streams, real-time audio
streams, non-real time video clips, non-real time audio clips, etc.
Mobile broadcast receiver 110 may determine user preferences for
different contents, the order of preferences for different
contents, the preferred viewing times for different contents, etc.
based on the history of user interactions. In one design, whenever
a user selection is made, mobile broadcast receiver 110 determines
the content being selected, the time of the selection, etc. Mobile
broadcast receiver 110 then updates the user preferences, e.g., by
incrementing a count for the selected content and noting the time
of the selection. Mobile broadcast receiver 110 may then determine
the user preferences for different contents based on the number of
times each type of content is selected.
[0036] The user may also explicitly enter the user preferences. For
example, the user may enter the types of content preferred by the
user, a time window during which each type of content is desired,
whether the user desires notification or automatic launch of
application for each type of content, etc. Broadcast 110 may store
the user preferences entered by the user and/or user preferences
learned from user interactions.
[0037] Mobile broadcast receiver 110 may receive broadcast
information in the background. The broadcast information may
contain real-time streaming content intended to be consumed by the
user or discarded (and not saved). Mobile broadcast receiver 110
may monitor the incoming content and/or stored program guide data
on the mobile broadcast receiver and may notify the user and/or
automatically launch an application based on the user preferences.
For example, if the incoming content matches one of the user's
preferred contents, then mobile broadcast receiver 110 may display
an alert of the incoming content on display unit 122, announce an
alert of the incoming content on audio unit 124, and/or
automatically launch an application associated with the incoming
content. The user notification may result in user selection of the
incoming content, and mobile broadcast receiver 110 may then
process the incoming content as directed by the user. The launched
application may start streaming data or a/v content, or prompt a
user for input (play, don't play, store to memory, ignore etc.)
Mobile broadcast receiver 110 may notify the user and/or
automatically launch an application based on the user preferences
all the time. Alternatively, this feature may be enabled only
during certain times, e.g., only after work hours.
[0038] FIG. 2 shows a design of a process 200 for receiving
broadcast information with user notification and/or automatic
application launch. Process 200 may be performed by mobile
broadcast receiver 110. User selections for different broadcast
contents may be received over a period of time (block 212). User
preferences for broadcast contents may be determined based on the
user selections (block 214). Alternatively or additionally, the
user preferences for broadcast contents may be identified based on
user inputs. The user preferences for broadcast contents may be
stored (block 216). Incoming broadcast content, including but not
limited to electronic program guide (EPG) data, associated meta
data etc., may be monitored at the mobile broadcast receiver (block
218). The mobile broadcast receiver may provide user notification
and/or automatically launch an application based on the incoming
broadcast content and the user preferences for broadcast contents,
e.g., all the time or only during designated times (block 220).
[0039] Whenever the user selects a new channel for reception,
mobile broadcast receiver 110 may perform a set of tasks in order
to acquire, process, and display the content from the new channel.
These tasks may include obtaining pertinent parameters for the new
channel, demodulating and decoding the new channel in accordance
with the parameters, and decompressing decoded data to obtain the
content from the new channel. The amount of time needed to change
channel may be relatively long, e.g., over 1 second. Mobile
broadcast receiver 110 may freeze the display with the last decoded
frame from the old channel or blank the display during the time to
acquire and process the new channel. However, freezing or blanking
the display may be annoying to the user.
[0040] In another aspect, mobile broadcast receiver 110 improves
channel switching time by predicting future channel selection based
on real-time monitoring of user inputs/activity. Mobile broadcast
receiver 110 may predict a channel that might be selected by the
user and may demodulate and decode the predicted channel (or
portions of the data busts, packets etc.), prior to its selection
by the user, in order to achieve faster channel switching.
[0041] FIG. 3 shows an example display screen 300 at mobile
broadcast receiver 110. In this example, display screen 300
includes a main area 310 and a display window 320. Main area 310
may show content from a currently selected channel, menu, icons,
etc. Display window 320 may show an electronics service guide
(ESG), which may also be referred to as a program guide, a channel
guide, etc. The ESG may list various channels and the content of
each channel. In general, display screen 300 may include any number
of areas and windows for any type of content.
[0042] The user may bring up the ESG at any time by clicking on an
appropriate key (e.g., an "ESG" key) on mobile broadcast receiver
110. Mobile broadcast receiver 110 may also automatically bring up
the ESG if the user clicks on any one of a designated set of keys,
or the ESG may automatically be brought up based on histories,
profile, preference etc. (example would be the ESG data shows a
program is coming on I might be interested in so the MBR launches
the ESG and notifies me of the program with options to watch,
record etc.). In any case, mobile broadcast receiver 110 may
monitor user navigation through the ESG to predict the next channel
selection.
[0043] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the ESG displays a listing
of channels and their contents. A cursor 322 indicates a channel
that is currently highlighted. Cursor 322 moves up and down the ESG
in response to user key action. If the user moves the cursor past
the top or the bottom of display window 320 (or horizontal like on
a TV ESG when scrolling though time), then another section of the
ESG may be retrieved and displayed on display window 320.
[0044] In one design, mobile broadcast receiver 110 demodulates and
decodes the channel/packets/burst that is currently highlighted by
the user but which may not have been selected for immediate viewing
by the user. The user may scroll through the ESG, and the currently
highlighted channel may be determined by a "scroll up" or a "scroll
down" command. The user may also enter a specific channel, e.g.,
via a keypad, and the entered channel may be highlighted. In any
case, mobile broadcast receiver 110 may demodulate and decode the
currently highlighted channel, prior to its selection, in order to
improve channel switching time. Mobile broadcast receiver 110 may
be able to more quickly display the channel if and when the channel
is selected by the user.
[0045] In another design, mobile broadcast receiver 110 may predict
future channel selection by the user and demodulates and decodes a
channel that might be selected by the user (or may chose to start
by opening packets on neighboring channels immediately before and
following as I scroll). Mobile broadcast receiver 110 may monitor
channel sequences and predict a channel based on information such
as the direction of scroll, the speed of scroll, the manner of
scroll, etc. Mobile broadcast receiver 110 may determine the
predicted channel based on the direction and speed of scroll, and
the predicted channel may be in advance of the currently
highlighted channel. Mobile broadcast receiver 110 may demodulate
and decode the predicted channel for possible display if the
channel is selected by the user. The user may continuously press
the "scroll up" button if the user is trying to reach a specific
channel that is relatively far from the current channel. In this
case, mobile broadcast receiver 110 may ignore the rapidly changing
highlighted channels, until the "scroll up" button is released, and
may then demodulate and decode the highlighted channel after the
release of the button.
[0046] The user may click on the "scroll up" button at a somewhat
periodic rate to surf channels. In this case, mobile broadcast
receiver 110 may process and display each highlighted channel for
which sufficient time is given to perform these tasks. Mobile
broadcast receiver 110 may also process one or more channels ahead
of the currently highlighted channel (if resources are available)
in anticipation of the user navigating in this direction. For
example, if four channels 1, 2, 3 and 4 are ordered from 1 through
4, when mobile broadcast receiver 110 may start acquiring channels
2 and 3 upon receiving a channel up while on channel 1. Mobile
broadcast receiver 110 may abandon channel 2 and start acquiring
channels 3 and 4 upon receiving a channel up while on channel 2.
Mobile broadcast receiver 110 may also start acquiring multiple
channels in multiple directions (e.g., in opposite directions of a
channel scroll). Alternatively, the mobile broadcast receiver may
be configured to open packets on neighboring channels that
immediately precede and follow the channel of focus while the
channels are scrolled.
[0047] Mobile broadcast receiver 110 may also predict a channel
based on other information such as the user history or preference,
the content on each channel, etc. Mobile broadcast receiver 110 may
demodulate and decode a predicted channel if its content matches
one of the contents preferred by the user.
[0048] FIG. 4 shows a design of a process 400 for receiving
broadcast information with channel prediction. Process 400 may be
performed by mobile broadcast receiver 110. A channel may be
predicted based on user input (block 412). In one design, user
input highlighting a channel may be received, and the highlighted
channel or a channel ahead of the highlighted channel may be
selected as the predicted channel. In another design, user
preferences may be determined based on user inputs over a period of
time, and a channel having content matching the user preferences
may be selected as the predicted channel. The predicted channel may
be processed at the mobile broadcast receiver prior to user
selection of the channel (block 414). Content from the predicted
channel may be provided if selected by the user (block 416).
[0049] In another aspect, mobile broadcast receiver 110 supports a
drag-and-drop user interface. This user interface may simplify user
interaction and/or support more features and flexibility.
[0050] FIG. 5 shows an example display screen 500 that supports a
drag-and-drop user interface. In this example, display screen 500
includes a main area 510, a display window 520, and launch windows
530a and 530b. Main area 510 may show content from a selected
channel, menu, icons, etc. Display window 520 may show channels
from an ESG. Launch windows 530a and 530b may be used to launch
video/audio/data (e.g., stock quotes or other streaming data)
applications. Each launch window 530 may be associated with a
specific video/audio/data application, a specific display area
within main area 510, a specific display mode, etc.
[0051] The user may highlight a channel within display window 520
and may drag and drop the highlighted channel onto main display 510
(or onto one of a first main display 510a, second main display
510b, etc. if the mobile broadcast receiver has multiple
displays--not illustrated) causing the mobile broadcast receiver to
launch a new window 530a or 530b. Mobile broadcast receiver 110 may
then launch the application associated with the launch window 530a
or 530b onto which the highlighted channel is dropped. The
highlighted channel may then be processed and displayed in a
display window associated with the selected launch window.
[0052] The user may highlight another channel and drag and drop the
highlighted channel onto main display 510 causing another launch
window. Mobile broadcast receiver 110 may then launch the
application associated with this launch window. The highlighted
channel may then be processed and displayed in a display window
associated with this launch window. Multiple channels may be
displayed concurrently on side-by-side display windows or with
picture-in-picture.
[0053] FIG. 6 shows a design of a process 600 for receiving
broadcast information with drag-and-drop feature. Process 600 may
be performed by mobile broadcast receiver 110. User input to drag
and drop a highlighted channel onto a first window at the mobile
broadcast receiver may be received (block 612). The highlighted
channel may be dragged from a window displaying an electronics
service guide. An application associated with the first window may
be activated (block 614). The highlighted channel may be processed
with the application (block 616). Content from the highlighted
channel may be displayed on a second window at the mobile broadcast
receiver (block 618). The size and/or placement of the second
window may be determined based on information associated with the
first window, or alternatively, the second window size and/or
placement may be user defined.
[0054] User input to drag and drop a second highlighted channel
onto a third window at the mobile broadcast receiver may be
received (block 620). A second application associated with the
third window may be activated (block 622). The second highlighted
channel may be processed with the second application (block 624).
Content from the second highlighted channel may be displayed on a
fourth window at the mobile broadcast receiver (block 626). The
second and fourth windows for the two highlighted channels may be
non-overlapping and displayed side-by-side. Alternatively, the
second and fourth windows may be overlapping and displayed with
picture-in-picture.
[0055] In another aspect, additional information may be associated
with a broadcast stream. The additional information may comprise
product information, promotional information, program/channel
information, etc. The additional information may be sent inband
within the broadcast stream, received previously and stored on
mobile broadcast receiver 110, or downloaded as needed. A reverse
link (or uplink) may be set up to send a request for the additional
information, which may then be sent on the forward link (or
downlink) in response to the request.
[0056] The user may select the broadcast stream, e.g., with a
pointing device. An application may be launched in response to the
user selection. The application may retrieve the additional
information associated with the broadcast stream and present the
additional information to the user. The additional information may
be presented in the same window or in a different window. The user
may also drag and drop a data stream onto display 510 and a new
dedicated window will open for just that data stream.
[0057] FIG. 7 shows a design of a process 700 for receiving
broadcast information with additional information. Process 700 may
be performed by mobile broadcast receiver 110. A broadcast stream
may be displayed on the mobile broadcast receiver (block 712). User
selection of the broadcast stream may be received (block 714).
Additional information associated with the broadcast stream may be
retrieved in response to the user selection (block 716). For block
716, the additional information may be sent inband in the broadcast
stream and may be retrieved from the broadcast stream. The
additional information may also be stored at the mobile broadcast
receiver prior to the user selection of the broadcast stream. The
additional information may also be downloaded in response to
receiving the user selection of the broadcast stream. The
additional information may comprise information for a product
presented by the broadcast stream, promotional information for the
product, program/channel information for the broadcast stream, some
other information, or a combination thereof. The additional
information may be presented on the mobile broadcast receiver
(block 718).
[0058] In another aspect, mobile broadcast receiver 110 demodulates
and decodes a broadcast stream and sends the content to external
device 150. External device 150 may display the content on display
unit 156. Mobile broadcast receiver 110 may be a handheld device
(e.g., a cellular phone) with a relatively small display unit 122.
External device 150 may be a larger device (e.g., a laptop computer
or a digital television) having a larger and/or higher resolution
display unit 156. Displaying the content on a larger display unit
156 may improve user viewing of the broadcast stream.
[0059] In another aspect, mobile broadcast receiver 110 partially
processes a broadcast stream, and external device 150 completes the
processing of the broadcast stream. This receiver architecture may
provide additional broadcast portability and user flexibility
[0060] A broadcast receiver chain may include various functions
such as, e.g., channel demodulation, channel decoding, video/audio
decompression, protocol layer processing, etc. These various
functions may be performed by a single device such as mobile
broadcast receiver 110. Alternatively, multiple devices may perform
the functions in the broadcast receiver chain, which may provide
additional user portability and flexibility for receiving a
broadcast stream (e.g., a video/audio stream) in a mobile
environment. One device (e.g., mobile broadcast receiver 110) may
perform physical layer receiver functions such as channel
demodulation and channel decoding. Another device (external device
150) may perform video/audio decompression and protocol layer
processing and may also provide display functionality.
[0061] In general, the functions in the broadcast receiver chain
may be partitioned among multiple devices in various manners. The
partitioning of the receiver functions among different devices may
be based on various factors such as:
[0062] Processing power--mobile broadcast receiver 110 may perform
tasks that require less processing power and improve power
efficiency,
[0063] Mobility--mobile broadcast receiver 110 may have a smaller
form factor to improve mobility, and
[0064] Security--mobile broadcast receiver 110 may include
decryption functionality so that the user can take histogram/her
broadcast service subscription with him/her and can receive
contents covered by the broadcast service subscription on more than
one external device.
[0065] In another aspect, mobile broadcast receiver 110 receives
and processes one or more broadcast streams and sends output data
(e.g., decoded data or content) for the one or more broadcast
streams to multiple external devices at the same time or at
different times. The communication link between mobile broadcast
receiver 110 and the external devices may be wireless link (e.g.,
IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, etc.) and/or wireline link (e.g., LAN). The
transmission from mobile broadcast receiver 110 may be either
point-to-point or multicast and may be within a wireless or
wireline network. Mobile broadcast receiver 110 may send the same
output data to all external devices. Alternatively, mobile
broadcast receiver 110 may send different output data to different
external devices.
[0066] An external device may receive content that is ready for
presentation on a display unit within that external device.
Alternatively, an external device may receive decoded data from
mobile broadcast receiver 110 and may perform decompression and/or
other processing on the decoded data to obtain content suitable for
presentation on a display unit. Mobile broadcast receiver 110 can
act as a multicast server in which the user can select various
contents that may be displayed on one or multiple devices at a
selected time.
[0067] FIG. 8 shows a design of a process 800 for processing and
displaying a broadcast stream with multiple devices. A broadcast
stream may be processed at a mobile broadcast receiver to obtain
output data (block 812). The output data may be sent to a first
external device for additional processing and/or display (block
814). In one design, the output data comprises content from the
broadcast stream, and the first external device displays the
content. In another design, the mobile broadcast receiver
demodulates and decodes the broadcast stream to obtain the output
data, and the first external device decompresses the output data to
obtain content from the broadcast stream. The output data may thus
comprise (i) content suitable for display or (ii)
intermediate/decoded data to be further processed by the first
external device to obtain the content suitable for display.
[0068] The output data may be sent to a second external device for
additional processing and/or display (block 816). The output data
may be sent simultaneously to the first and second external devices
via multicast transmission. Alternatively, the output data may be
sent separately to the first and second external devices via
point-to-point transmission.
[0069] In another aspect, mobile broadcast receiver 110
simultaneously displays live content and stored content on display
unit 122, or on one or more of display units 122a, 122b, etc., (not
illustrated) if the mobile broadcast receiver has multiple
displays. Mobile broadcast receiver 110 may decode a channel
selected by the user and store the content from the selected
channel in memory 132, e.g., as directed by the user. Thereafter,
mobile broadcast receiver 110 may process a channel selected by the
user and obtain live content from the selected channel. Mobile
broadcast receiver 110 may display the live content along with the
stored content (e.g., in response to user selection) on display
unit 122. The live content and the stored content may be received
from the same channel at different times or may be received from
different channels.
[0070] FIG. 9 shows a design of a process 900 for simultaneously
displaying live content and stored content. Process 900 may be
performed by mobile broadcast receiver 110. A first broadcast
stream may be processed at the mobile broadcast receiver to obtain
live content from the first broadcast stream (block 912). User
selection to display stored content with the live content may be
received (block 914). The stored content may then be retrieved from
memory at the mobile broadcast receiver (block 916). Prior to
processing the first broadcast stream, another broadcast stream may
be processed at the mobile broadcast receiver, and the content from
this broadcast stream may be stored in the memory. The stored
content may also be other content obtained in other manners. In any
case, the live content and the stored content may be displayed
simultaneously at the mobile broadcast receiver (block 918).
[0071] In another aspect, mobile broadcast receiver 110
simultaneously receives and processes multiple broadcast streams,
which may be displayed on one or more display units. In one design,
multiple broadcast streams may be presented on display unit 122 at
mobile broadcast receiver 110. In another design, one broadcast
stream may be presented on display unit 122 at mobile broadcast
receiver 110, and another broadcast stream may be presented on
display unit 156 at external device 150. In yet another design,
multiple broadcast streams may be presented on display unit 156 at
external device 150. In general, any number of broadcast streams
may be received simultaneously and presented on any number of
display units.
[0072] FIG. 10 shows a design of a process 1000 for simultaneously
receiving and displaying multiple broadcast streams. Multiple
broadcast streams may be received at a mobile broadcast receiver
(block 1012). The multiple broadcast streams may be displayed on at
least one display unit (block 1014). In one design, the multiple
broadcast streams are displayed on one display unit at the mobile
broadcast receiver. In another design, the broadcast streams may be
displayed on multiple display units at the mobile broadcast unit.
In another design, a first broadcast stream may be displayed on a
first display unit at the mobile broadcast receiver, and a second
broadcast stream may be displayed on a second display unit at an
external device. In yet another design, the multiple broadcast
streams may be displayed on one display unit at an external
device.
[0073] In another aspect, mobile broadcast receiver 110 collects
user statistics and sends the collected statistics back to a
designated network entity, e.g., a content provider, a network
operator, etc. The collected statistics may be for viewing habits
of the user and may include information such as the type of content
watched, the frequency of content retrieval, the time of content
retrieval, the location of content retrieval, etc. The collected
statistics may be reported when initiated by the user, the content
provider, the network operator, or some other entity. When
reporting is initiated, the collected statistics may be processed
by processor/controller 130, conditioned by transmitter (TMTR) 114,
and send via the reverse link to the designated network entity. The
reverse link may be a wireless link (as shown in FIG. 1) or a
wireline link. The collected statistics may be used to select
contents to send in the future, to select the time when contents
are sent, and/or for other purposes.
[0074] FIG. 11 shows a design of a process 1100 for collecting and
reporting user statistics. Process 1100 may be performed by mobile
broadcast receiver 110. User selections for broadcast contents may
be received over a period of time (block 1112). Statistics of user
viewing habits may be determined based on the user selections and
collected at the mobile broadcast receiver (block 1114). The
collected statistics may comprise the type of content watched, the
frequency of content retrieval, the time of content retrieval, the
location of content retrieval, some other information, or a
combination thereof. The collected statistics may be reported
(e.g., sent via a reverse link in a cellular system) to a
designated network entity (block 1116).
[0075] Those of skill in the art would understand that information
and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different
technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions,
commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may
be referenced throughout the above description may be represented
by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or
particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination
thereof.
[0076] Those of skill would further appreciate that the various
illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps
described in connection with the disclosure herein may be
implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or
combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability
of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks,
modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in
terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is
implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular
application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.
Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in
varying ways for each particular application, but such
implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a
departure from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0077] The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and
circuits described in connection with the disclosure herein may be
implemented or performed with a general-purpose processor, a
digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated
circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other
programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic,
discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed
to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose
processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the
processor may be any conventional processor, controller,
microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be
implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a
combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of
microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a
DSP core, or any other such configuration.
[0078] The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection
with the disclosure herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in
a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of
the two. A software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory,
ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a
removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known
in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor
such that the processor can read information from, and write
information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage
medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the
storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user
terminal. In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium
may reside as discrete components in a user terminal.
[0079] In one or more exemplary designs, the functions described
may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any
combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may
be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or
code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media
includes both computer storage media and communication media
including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer
program from one place to another. A storage media may be any
available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or
special purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation,
such computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM
or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other
magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to
carry or store desired program code means in the form of
instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a
general-purpose or special-purpose computer, or a general-purpose
or special-purpose processor. Also, any connection is properly
termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is
transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a
coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber
line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and
microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair,
DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and
microwave are included in the definition of medium. Disk and disc,
as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical
disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and blu-ray disc
where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs
reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above
should also be included within the scope of computer-readable
media.
[0080] The previous description of the disclosure is provided to
enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure.
Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to
those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein
may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope
of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not intended to be
limited to the examples and designs described herein, but is to be
accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel
features disclosed herein.
* * * * *