DE102013211636A1 - Hierarchical search of wirelessly transmitted user data in a wireless environment for digital receivers - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for managing wirelessly transmitted payload data (1121) in a wireless environment (1), the method comprising: providing (200) a block table (1000) of the frequency range (10) of the wireless environment (1) representing the frequency range (10) in blocks (100), and comprising scanning (300) the blocks (100) by means of a first receiving unit (21). The method further comprises: determining (400) in which blocks (100) a payload signal (11) is present, and determining (500), after completing the scanning (300) of the blocks (100), for those blocks (111), a payload carrier signal (11) has been determined as to whether the respective payload carrier signal (11) is a digital broadcasting signal (12). Furthermore, the method comprises determining (600), for those blocks (112) for which a digital broadcasting signal (12) has been determined, at least one further information item (1120) contained in the respective digital broadcasting signal (12) of the respective block (112) ) on the payload data (1121) of the digital broadcasting signal (12) of the respective block (112).

Description

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for managing wirelessly transmitted payload data in a wireless environment.

Current digital receivers, such as DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) receivers, perform a search to find new receivable broadcasters. This is either started manually by the user or runs automatically in the background, such as systems with more than one recipient. It is worked with a fixed residence time per frequency to be tested.

Due to the fixed length of stay per frequency, the search is often unnecessarily extended, as it is too long to wait for frequencies on which no receivable signal is sent. The longer time would only be needed in the actual presence of a receivable ensemble for decoding the ensemble information such as station names, data rates, content, etc.

Especially in a mobile operation of such a receiver, as is the case for example in radios of vehicles, the receiver can often leave a transmission range and enter a new transmission range. This may require frequent searches of channels.

Therefore, it would be desirable, in particular for mobile operation, to optimize the station search.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved solution for a station search which is optimized for the mobile operation of a previously described receiver and avoids or at least reduces at least some of the disadvantages known in the prior art.

The object is achieved by a method according to the main claim, and a device according to a sibling claim.

The subject of the main claim relates to a method for managing wirelessly transmitted user data in a wireless environment. The method comprises providing a block table of the frequency range of the wireless environment which divides the frequency range into blocks, scanning the blocks by means of a first receiving unit, determining in which blocks a payload signal is present, determining, after completion of the scanning of the blocks, for those blocks for which a payload carrier signal has been determined whether the respective payload carrier signal is a digital broadcasting signal, and determining, for those blocks for which a digital broadcasting signal has been determined, at least one further information contained in the respective digital broadcasting signal of the respective block User data of the digital broadcasting signal of the respective block.

A "wireless environment" in the sense of the invention means a radio-technical environment, thus a space which has electromagnetic waves, which carry information that can be understood as useful information. In particular, a radio room is meant, which has electromagnetic waves having digital broadcasting signals containing payload information, for example for the transmission of radio, television and multimedia broadcasts, such as audio, video, multimedia and the like.

"Wirelessly transmitted user data" in the sense of the invention means the aforementioned useful information.

"Administration" in the sense of the invention means searching, receiving, processing and / or storing the user data and / or digital signals which contain such user data.

A "receiving unit" in the sense of the invention means a device which has a receiver for receiving the user data and in the simplest case the receiver for receiving the user data itself. The receiving unit can also have a receiving antenna.

A "user carrier signal" in the sense of the invention means a signal which contains useful information.

The teaching according to the invention achieves the advantage that, with the method according to the invention, the time for the station search of the receiving unit in the wireless environment can be reduced.

The subject matter of the independent claim relates to a device for managing wirelessly transmitted user data in a wireless environment. The apparatus includes a first receiving unit configured to scan blocks of a frequency range of the wireless environment to determine in which blocks a payload signal is present. The first receiving unit is further configured, after completion of the scanning of the blocks, for those blocks for which a user carrier signal has been determined, to determine whether the respective user carrier signal is a digital broadcasting signal. In this case, the first receiving unit is further adapted to those blocks for which a digital broadcasting signal has been determined to determine at least one further information contained in the respective digital broadcasting signal of the respective block about the payload of the digital broadcasting signal of the respective block.

Hereinafter, further exemplary embodiments of the device and the method will be explained.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the method comprises: providing at least a portion of the payload of a user-selectable block from those blocks for which a digital broadcasting signal has been detected. In this case, at least part of the user data of a block selectable by the user is provided, preferably by means of a second receiving unit.

By using a second receiving unit, the station search can be further optimized by, for example, the first receiving unit scans the entire available for the environment frequency spectrum or frequency band and the second receiving unit can simultaneously perform the playback of the user data.

"Provision of a portion of the user data" in the sense of the invention means, for example, the reproduction of audio, video or multimedia data contained in the user carrier signal. However, it may simply be the reproduction of title information, bitrate, and the like about the current program, the current station, its reception quality, and the like.

This refinement has the advantage that an uncomplicated reproduction of user information or parts of the payload information of the received signal can thus take place.

Furthermore, this embodiment has the advantage that in the case that only one receiving unit is present, this can be used both for the station search and for the transceiver and thus also for the reproduction of the payload.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the method has that
the portion of the payload of a user-selectable block is part of an ensemble of the selectable block.

An "ensemble" within the meaning of the invention means a compilation of broadcasting content, in particular a compilation of stations and their broadcast content. An ensemble can thus represent a multiplex of several transmitters.

A "part of an ensemble" within the meaning of the invention thus means, for example, a transmitter of an ensemble and / or a broadcast content of the sender of an ensemble.

This embodiment has the advantage that a solution can be provided integrally in a simple manner, which can reproduce user-specific ensemble parts from an ensemble.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises repeating the scanning of the blocks by means of the first receiving unit, wherein the scanning of the blocks preferably takes place periodically.

This embodiment has the advantage that a station search is even more time-optimized, so that in the time in which no search is the receiving unit which is responsible for the search, for the reproduction of the payload is available.

Another advantage of this embodiment is that it allows the frequency of a station search to be optimized or minimized.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the method comprises that the wireless environment is a digital broadcasting environment, preferably a digital audio broadcasting environment, a digital video broadcasting environment or a digital broadcasting environment.

Known digital broadcasting environments are, for example, "digital broadcasting" environments, which are terrestrially known as "Digital Audio Broadcasting Terrestrial" DAB-T or "Digital Video Broadcasting Terrestrial" DVB-T, or satellite supported as DAB-S or DVB-T. S.

This refinement has the advantage that the method is optimized for digital broadcasting environments, which may result in further advantages, for example a further time advantage in the station search due to the exploitation of peculiarities of the architecture of such an environment, such as frequency spacing between the individual blocks, center frequencies blocks, block structure, ensemble structure, and the like.

According to a further exemplary refinement, the device has the feature that it is set up to display at least part of the user data of a block that can be selected by a user from those blocks for which a digital broadcasting signal has been detected.

This refinement has the advantage that an uncomplicated reproduction of user information or parts of the payload information of the received signal can thus take place.

Furthermore, this embodiment has the advantage that in the case that only one receiving unit is present, this can be used both for the station search and for the transceiver and thus also for the reproduction of the payload.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the device has a second receiving unit, which is set up to provide at least part of the user data of a user-selectable block from those blocks for which a digital broadcasting signal has been detected.

This embodiment has the advantage that the station search can be further optimized by, for example, the first receiving unit scans the entire available for the environment frequency spectrum or frequency band and the second receiving unit can simultaneously make the playback of the user data.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the device comprises that the first receiving unit is further configured to repeat the scanning of the blocks, wherein the repeated scanning of the blocks preferably takes place periodically.

"Periodic" in the sense of the invention means a time-repeated procedure, wherein the time repetition may be a fixed predetermined and / or adjustable parameter. However, the time repetition can also be made more flexible, for example as a function of the vehicle speed and / or a quality criterion, such as generally the signal quality, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and / or the like of that digital signal containing the currently received user data.

This embodiment has the advantage that a station search is even more time-optimized, so that in the time in which no search is the receiving unit which is responsible for the search, for the reproduction of the payload is available.

Another advantage of this embodiment is that the station search can be done multiple times, so not only initially when switching on the device, but for example, if necessary, can also be done beyond.

Another advantage of this embodiment is that it allows the frequency of a station search to be optimized or minimized.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the device further comprises that it is a mobile communication device or can be used as a device installable in a mobile device, preferably comprising a device from a group:
a mobile phone, a smartphone, a digital audio broadcasting device, a digital video broadcasting device, or a digital multimedia broadcasting device.

This embodiment has the advantage that it provides a mobile device.

Furthermore, this embodiment has the advantage that an existing mobile communication device can possibly be retrofitted in a simple and cost-effective manner, for example by means of a software update or an app.

The invention thus makes it possible to considerably shorten the search runtime by means of a hierarchically organized search. It is thus a very fast scan across all frequencies and / or channels for the detection of an RF carrier and for detecting the signal strength allows. This allows a tuner to gain the knowledge on which channels a further, usually time-consuming, search for ensembles / stations can be meaningfully carried out and on which channels no time should be used. This can be done by means of a targeted tuning of the positively identified channels according to a definable algorithm. For example, the DAB Band III consists of 41 frequencies / channels. If ensembles can only be received on 5 channels at a reception location, an unnecessarily long residence time would be avoided when searching for 41 - 5 = 36 channels.

Thus, a fast detection and recording of strong-sounding ensembles is possible, with only a short reception time is necessary. Furthermore, it is possible to record additional low-loss ensembles, whereby a longer reception time is necessary. Furthermore, a compilation of the information from all sub-searches to a result is made possible, for example by means of a list of all receivable ensembles / stations.

Thus, a significant shortening of search times for the user may result. Furthermore, it is possible, a smarter and / or provide more flexible use of tuner hardware. This can facilitate the multiple use of a tuner in combined systems. For example, in the "gained" time, the reception of additional data services, such as those of an Electronic Program Guide (EPG), and other additional services could be enabled.

In Software Defined Radio (SDR) approaches, this could save a tuner hardware and therefore costs.

The information given here relates to specific applications in digital broadcasting (DAB), but are also applicable in other digital receiving systems accordingly.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the figures, show in these

1 a schematic representation of a proposed method for managing wirelessly transmitted payload data in a wireless environment according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

2 a schematic representation of a proposed method for managing wirelessly transmitted payload data in a wireless environment according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention;

3 a schematic representation of a proposed device for managing wirelessly transmitted user data in a wireless environment according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; and

4 a schematic representation of a proposed device for managing wirelessly transmitted user data in a wireless environment according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Before describing embodiments of the invention in more detail below, it should first be noted that the invention is not limited to the described components or the described method steps. Furthermore, the terminology used is not a limitation, but has only exemplary character. Insofar as the singular is used below in the description and the claims, the plural is included in each case, unless the context explicitly excludes this.

1 shows a schematic representation of a proposed method for managing wirelessly transmitted payload data in a wireless environment according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

It shows 1 a method for managing wirelessly transmitted user data 1121 in a wireless environment 1 (in 1 Not shown). The wireless environment 1 For example, it may be a digital broadcasting environment, preferably a digital audio broadcasting environment, a digital video broadcasting environment, or a digital multimedia broadcasting environment. The method includes providing 200 a block table 1000 of the frequency range 10 (in 1 not shown) of the wireless environment 1 which the frequency range 10 in blocks 100 splits up and instructs scanning 300 of the blocks 100 by means of a first receiving unit 21 (in 1 not shown). Furthermore, the method comprises determining 400 in which blocks 100 a payload signal 11 is present and it has to be determined 500 , after the completion of the scan 300 of the blocks 100 , for those blocks 111 for which a payload signal 11 was determined whether the respective Nutzträgersignal 11 a digital broadcasting signal 12 is on. Furthermore, the method comprises determining 600 , for those blocks 112 for which a digital broadcasting signal 12 was determined, at least one other in the respective digital broadcasting signal 12 of the respective block 112 contained information 1120 about the user data 1121 of the digital broadcasting signal 12 of the respective block 112 on.

2 shows a schematic representation of a proposed method for managing wirelessly transmitted payload data in a wireless environment according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

It shows 2 a method for managing wirelessly transmitted user data 1121 in a wireless environment 1 (in 1 Not shown). This in 2 The method shown has the method features of in 1 shown method. In addition, the in 2 shown method providing 700 at least part of it 1122 the user data 1121 one of a user 3 (in 2 not shown) of selectable block 113 from those blocks 112 for which a digital broadcasting signal 12 was determined on. The provisioning takes place 700 at least the part 1122 the user data 1121 that of the user 3 selectable block 113 , preferably by means of a second receiving unit 22 (in 2 Not shown).

The part 1122 the user data 1121 one of the user 3 selectable block 113 can be part of it 1122 an ensemble of the selectable block 113 be.

The scanning 300 of the blocks 100 by means of the first receiving unit 21 (in 2 not shown) can be done periodically.

3 shows a schematic representation of a proposed device for managing wirelessly transmitted payload data in a wireless environment according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

It shows 3 a device 2 for the administration of wirelessly transmitted user data 1121 in a wireless environment 1 , a first receiving unit 21 having which is set up to blocks 100 a frequency range 10 the wireless environment 1 to scan 300 to determine 400 in which blocks 100 a payload signal 11 is available. Here is the first receiving unit 21 further, set up after the completion of the scan 300 of the blocks 100 , for those blocks 111 for which a payload signal 11 was determined to determine 500 , whether the respective Nutzträgersignal 11 a digital broadcasting signal 12 is. The first receiving unit 21 is also set up for those blocks 112 for which a digital broadcasting signal 12 was determined, at least one more in the respective digital broadcasting signal 12 of the respective block 112 contained information 1120 about the user data 1121 (in 3 not shown) of the digital broadcasting signal 12 of the respective block 112 to investigate.

4 shows a schematic representation of a proposed device for managing wirelessly transmitted user data in a wireless environment according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

It shows 4 a device 2 for the administration of wirelessly transmitted user data 1121 in a wireless environment 1 (in 4 Not shown). In the 4 shown device 2 In principle, the device features the in 3 shown device 2 on, however, is on those blocks 112 of the frequency range 10 (in 4 not shown) for which a digital broadcasting signal 12 was determined focused. In addition, the in 4 shown device 2 unlike in 3 shown device 2 a second receiving unit 22 which is set up to at least a part 1122 the user data 1121 one of a user 3 selectable block 113 from those blocks 112 provide for which a digital broadcasting signal 12 was determined.

The first receiving unit 21 may be further configured to scan 300 (in 4 not shown) of the blocks 100 to repeat. This can be repeated scanning 300 of the blocks 100 preferably be periodic.

The device 2 may be a mobile communication device or be usable as a device installable in a mobile device. Preferably, it is a device of a group comprising a mobile phone, a smartphone, a digital audio broadcasting device, a digital video broadcasting device, or a digital multimedia broadcasting device.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

wireless environment

10

frequency range

11

Nutzträgersignal

12

Broadcasting signal

2

contraption

21

first receiving unit

22

second receiving unit

3

user

100

Block / blocks of 10

111

Block / blocks of 11

112

Block / blocks of 12

1121

User data of 112

1122

part of 1121

1120

information about 1121

113

from 3 selectable block 112

1000

block table

200

Deploying 1000

300

Scanning from 100

400

Determine in which 100 one 11 is available

500

Determine if 11 one 12 is

600

Determine from 1120

700

Deploying 1122

Claims (10)

Method for managing wirelessly transmitted user data ( 1121 ) in a wireless environment ( 1 ), the method comprising: - providing ( 200 ) a block table ( 1000 ) of the frequency range ( 10 ) of the wireless environment ( 1 ), which determines the frequency range ( 10 ) in blocks ( 100 ), - scanning ( 300 ) of the blocks ( 100 ) by means of a first receiving unit ( 21 ), - Determine ( 400 ) in which blocks ( 100 ) a payload signal ( 11 ), - determining ( 500 ), after the scan is completed ( 300 ) of the blocks ( 100 ), for those blocks ( 111 ), for which a payload signal ( 11 ) was determined whether the respective Nutzträgersignal ( 11 ) a digital broadcasting signal ( 12 ), and - determining ( 600 ), for those blocks ( 112 ) for which a digital broadcasting signal ( 12 ), at least one further in the respective digital broadcasting signal ( 12 ) of the respective block ( 112 ) contained information ( 1120 ) about the payload ( 1121 ) of the digital broadcasting signal ( 12 ) of the respective block ( 112 ). The method of claim 1, the method further comprising: - providing ( 700 ) at least one part ( 1122 ) of the payload ( 1121 ) one of a user ( 3 ) selectable block ( 113 ) from those blocks ( 112 ) for which a digital broadcasting signal ( 12 ), and wherein providing ( 700 ) at least the part ( 1122 ) of the payload ( 1121 ) of the user ( 3 ) selectable block ( 113 ), preferably by means of a second receiving unit ( 22 ) he follows. Method according to claim 2, wherein the part ( 1122 ) of the payload ( 1121 ) one of the user ( 3 ) selectable block ( 113 ) a part ( 1122 ) of an ensemble of the selectable block ( 113 ). The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, the method further comprising: - repeating the scanning ( 300 ) of the blocks ( 100 ) by means of the first receiving unit ( 21 ), and whereby the scanning ( 300 ) of the blocks ( 100 ) preferably periodically. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the wireless environment ( 1 ) is a digital broadcasting environment, preferably a digital audio broadcasting environment, a digital video broadcasting environment or a digital multimedia broadcasting environment. Contraption ( 2 ) for the administration of wirelessly transmitted user data ( 1121 ) in a wireless environment ( 1 ), comprising: a first receiving unit ( 21 ), which is set up to block ( 100 ) of a frequency range ( 10 ) of the wireless environment ( 1 ) to scan ( 300 ) to determine ( 400 ) in which blocks ( 100 ) a payload signal ( 11 ), the first receiving unit ( 21 ) is further arranged to, after completion of the scan ( 300 ) of the blocks ( 100 ), for those blocks ( 111 ), for which a payload signal ( 11 ) ( 500 ), whether the respective user carrier signal ( 11 ) a digital broadcasting signal ( 12 ), and wherein the first receiving unit ( 21 ) is further arranged to be active for those blocks ( 112 ) for which a digital broadcasting signal ( 12 ), at least one further in the respective digital broadcasting signal ( 12 ) of the respective block ( 112 ) contained information ( 1120 ) about the payload ( 1121 ) of the digital broadcasting signal ( 12 ) of the respective block ( 112 ) to investigate. Contraption ( 2 ) according to claim 6, wherein the device ( 2 ) is arranged to include at least a part ( 1122 ) of the payload ( 1121 ) one of a user ( 3 ) selectable block ( 113 ) from those blocks ( 112 ) for which a digital broadcasting signal ( 12 ). Contraption ( 2 ) according to claim 7, wherein the device ( 2 ) a second receiving unit ( 22 ), which is arranged to at least the part ( 1122 ) of the payload ( 1121 ) of the user ( 3 ) selectable block ( 113 ) from those blocks ( 112 ) for which a digital broadcasting signal ( 12 ). Contraption ( 2 ) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the first receiving unit ( 21 ) is further adapted to perform scanning ( 300 ) of the blocks ( 100 ) and repeated scanning ( 300 ) of the blocks ( 100 ) preferably periodically. Contraption ( 2 ) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the device ( 2 ) is a mobile communication device or is usable as a device installable in a mobile device, preferably a device comprising a group: a mobile phone, a smartphone, a digital audio broadcasting device, a digital video broadcasting device, or a digital multimedia broadcasting device.

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