WO2006011796A1

WO2006011796A1 - Combined dab and gprs network and corresponding receiver

Info

Publication number: WO2006011796A1
Application number: PCT/NL2005/000552
Authority: WO
Inventors: Willem Toerink
Original assignee: Brasned Enterprise B.V.
Priority date: 2004-07-30
Filing date: 2005-07-29
Publication date: 2006-02-02
Also published as: NL1026744C1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (7) for receiving and transmitting of information for a user by means of communication networks, the device (7) at least comprising the modules: a central processing unit (3) with a CPU and working memory controlling the other modules; a T-DAB Band-III receiver (1A), a T-DAB L-band receiver (1B), a storage means (4) and a GPRS mobile telephone module (2).

Description

TITLE: COMBINED DAB AND GPRS NETWORK AND CORRESPONDING RECEIVER

The invention relates to a device, method and system for receiving and transmitting information by means of different communication networks. Particularly the device is suitable to be used in a T-DAB of DVB-T transmitter network combined with a GPRS communication network. DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) en DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting) transmitter networks and communication technology for digital audio and video transfer or broadcasting by means of a digital format which has been developed for replacing existing outdated analogue transmitting technology like e.g. FM (Frequency Modulation) radio signals and VHF/UHF television signals. For Europe the "Eureka 147 DAB" protocol was agreed for DAB based upon the ETSI EN 300 401 V1.3.3 standard. Eureka DAB has been developed for improved mobile signal reception and may be applied on frequencies between 30 MHz and 3 GHz. Each DAB transmitting frequency having a bandwidth of 1.536 MHz (DAB-ensemble or DAB-block) may comprise a multiplex of audio and/or multimedia services, depending on the selected configuration. The gross bit-rate of a multiplex is approximately 2.3 Mbit/s but as a result of redundancy, error protection and other overhead for improvements of receiving, a net data stream is available of about 1.7 Mbit/s. The 'transmission frame' may be flexible, and dependent on the need it may be subdivided in segments like data streams or audio broadcasters; e.g. subdivided in six 192 Kbit/s digital audio data streams or in ten 100 Kbit/s multimedia data streams or other combinations thereof. This so-called TM-I technology for DAB-transmitters below 375 MHz is very suitable for a SFN (Single-Frequency Network, common frequency network or one frequency network). Particularly because in transition areas between different transmitters interference problems like intersymbol interference are also suppressed by the added robust redundancy and fault correction for obtaining a good mobile signal reception.

For higher transmitting frequencies like the L-band, two more transmitting modes are defined; TM-II and TM-IV. Particularly TM-II and TM-IV are suitable for use in the so-called L-band having frequencies between 1.452 en 1.492 GHz. In this transmission mode the transmission signal is subdivided into 384 (mode II) or 768 (mode IV) carrier waves. The higher frequency of the carrier waves results in a maximum mutual L-band transmitter distance, or transmitter separation, of about 25 kilometres for TM-II and about 50 kilometres for TM-IV. For VHF-III (band-Ill) frequencies (174-230 MHz) the maximum transmitter distance is about 100 kilometres. As a result often band-Ill frequencies are used for nationwide DAB SFN broadcasting networks and L-band frequencies are used on a limited scale, usually only for SFN applications or for local one transmitter (MFN) applications.

Particularly the device according to the invention is for use with transmitter networks consisting of terrestrial transmitters like e.g. T-DAB networks. The term Terrestrial-DAB networks is used to distinguish from DAB cable networks or DAB satellite networks and from mobile phone networks like GPRS. GPRS is developed as an intermediate phase into UMTS. GPRS comprises the possibilities of first generation mobile phones with added functionality of circuit switched speak connection and packet switched data functionalities.

The object of the invention is to provide a device for receiving and transmitting information for a user by means of different communication networks, the device at least comprising: a central processing unit or CPU module, provided with a CPU and working memory for controlling the other modules; a T-DAB Band-Ill receiver; a T-DAB L-band receiver; a storage means and a GPRS mobile phone module. Preferably the device is provided with a user interface and with an interface module for data communication with devices outside the communication device.

The invention also relates to a method for receiving and transmitting information by means of a communication device, comprising the following steps: receiving digital data with a T-DAB band-Ill receiver, receiving digital data with a T-DAB L-band receiver, processing of the digital data by the CPU module by means of one or more software programs or applications, transmitting the digital data to one or more modules chosen by the user. Preferably the modules are chosen from GPRS module, storage module, users interface, interface module, loudspeaker, microphone, computer or a cradle and the software applications are chosen from: DAB application, Internet application, E-mail application, Route planner application, emergency warning application.

Preferably the method also comprises: splitting the digital data into an audio data stream and an information data stream in the T-DAB receiver, and preferably also: processing of the information like FIC information by one or more applications executed by the CPU in order to deliver alarm messages or paging calls to the user.

Preferably the method also comprises: processing of the 'metatags' in the information stream like the FIC; storage of the information corresponding with the profile configured by the user (Alter ego) and preferably also: storage of a selection of Internet pages (Web carrousel) on the storage means for direct (virtual) access by the user (surfing).

The invention also relates to a communication system for receiving and transmitting information comprising: a T-DAB band-Ill network, a T-DAB L-band network, a GPRS network, a central server, a communication device, whereby the DAB networks and the GPRS network are centrally operated by a central server for receiving and transmitting information to the communication device.

Preferably the central server is provided with a decision model application which, by means of parameters, determines which network is used to send the information to the communication device. Particularly the information is send by means of the GPRS network, when the amount of requested information does not exceed the value of a first parameter (e.g. 500 kB).

Preferably the information is send by means of the DAB network, when the amount of requested information lies between a first parameter (e.g. 500 kB) and a second parameter (e.g. 1 MB), and when sufficient space is available on the multiplex used, otherwise the information is sent by means of the GPRS network. Particularly the requested information is sent by means of a DAB network, when the amount of information exceeds the value of a second parameter (e.g. 1 MB)

The invention will furthermore be in detail explained by means of a drawing.

Fig.1 shows a block diagram of the communication device according to the invention, Fig.2 shows a block diagram of the communication system according to the invention.

Fig.1 shows in a block diagram the communication device 7 according to the invention with a T-DAB Band-Ill receiver module 1A and T-DAB L-Band receiver module 1 B. The receivers 1A and 1 B receive digital data like a T-DAB block or a multiplex H with e.g. digital audio channels and two data channels. In the receivers 1A en 1 B the digital information is mutually separated and the chosen information is sent to the CPU module 3. For clarity data information B and audio information A are each represented by a separate arrow in Fig.1 ; actually these data streams are included within the digital transmission frame or 'symbol' as specified by the Eureka-DAB protocol and are separated from each other into the different data streams in receiver 1A of 1 B. Transmission of information between DAB receivers 1A en 1 B is often executed by means of one communication bus, but optionally several communication busses may be used. The central processing unit 3 or CPU module comprises among others an amount of work memory and communication busses connecting the other modules of the communication device 7. Storage means 4 is connected to CPU module 3 by means of a known suitable communication bus. The storage means 4 may be a hard disk but may also be a bank of memory chips. On storage means 4 the application programs are stored for the different applications or tasks the CPU unit will perform. The CPU module 3 is also connected by connection E to user interface 5 which consists e.g. of a LCD display with a touch screen. Other well known user interfaces may be applied like a keyboard, navigation keys in combination with a display. By means of the user interface assignments or tasks are sent to the individual modules by means of CPU module 3. GPRS module 2 is also connected to CPU module 3 by means of connection C GPRS module 2 also provides for the communication with the GPRS mobile (cellular) phone network. Furthermore the communication device 7 is provided with an interface module 6 transmitting digital (audio) data streams or data packages as e.g. received from the CPU module 3 of from the GPRS module 2 to a device outside the communication device 7 like e.g. an analogue loudspeaker 8 or another data receiving device like a computer 10 or a cradle 11. The cradle sends forward the received data streams and is usually provided with a power connection. The interface module 6 also reads in the digital data streams originating from e.g. a microphone 9 and sends the data to e.g. GPRS 2 or CPU module 3. Optionally A/D and D/A converters are included in the interface module 6 for processing of an analogue audio signal received from microphone 9. The entire communication device may be controlled by the user by means of the user interface. Known applications like making a telephone call and sending a SMS may be performed by means of the GPRS module 2. The user sends the required instructions by means of the user interface 5 and the CPU module 3 to the GPRS module 2. The GPRS module 2 returns the requested information to the user interface by means of CPU module 3. This information may consist of e.g. well-known phone calls status information or of sent or received SMS messages. Furthermore the central processing unit or CPU module 3 is connected with storage means 4. Upon the storage means 4 the (software) applications are stored which are executed on the CPU module for performing certain tasks or instructions. The storage means 4 may also be used for storage of received data like audio data of a T-DAB receiver 1A, 1B or audio data of the GPRS module 2. The received multimedia data like e.g. movie streams or Internet content or pages are also stored in the storage means 4.

The central processing unit upon CPU module 3 is multitasking so that simultaneously several programs or applications may be executed. These multitasking functions or applications are executed and controlled by an operating system like e.g. Windows CE, Symbian of Linux.

Software programs or applications to be executed on the central processing unit of

CPU module 3 may comprise:

DAB application like e.g. a media player controlling and tuning the T-DAB receivers and sending forward the digital audio data streams to storage means 4 or e.g. to the interface module 6 and thus allowing a user to listen. The application may also control sending simultaneously audio data streams to the interface module 6 and one or more audio data streams to the storage means 4.

Internet application like an Internet browser having the possibility to request Internet information or content and to process this information by means of the T-DAB receivers 1A of 1 B and/or GPRS module 2 and having the possibility to store the information onto the storage means 4 or present the information on the user interface 5.

E-mail application for processing of all transmission and reception tasks by means of GPRS module 2 and display tasks by means of user interface 5. If desired this application may also control and perform reception and processing of e-mail originating from the Internet.

Route planner application for display of route information e.g. during a car trip. Optionally actual data or information about traffic situation or status, like e.g. by means of the TMC (traffic management channel) of the FIC (Fast Information Channel) of each DAB-multiplex may be presented to the user by means of the user interface 5 and/or the interface module 6 by means of the GPRS module 2 or the T-DAB receivers 1A, 1 B. Emergency alarm application for receiving and processing of alarm messages like e.g. by means of the EWC (Emergency Warning Channel) of the FIC of a DAB multiplex. This application may also present the alarm message to the user by means of the user interface 5 and/or the interface module 6.

Paging of call application for receiving and processing of calls like e.g. by means of the Pager Channel of the FIC of a DAB multiplex in order to inform the user about the pager details.

Now the Web carrousel will be described in more detail in order to illustrate how this device will operate. By means of the nationwide (Band-Ill) and local (L-Band) DAB- Allotment(s) or multiplexes a Web carrousel is transmitted. The Web carrousel comprises of a selection of Internet pages, like e.g. an amount of Internet pages containing local and/or national content or information. The Web carrousel data is received by a T-DAB receiver 1A, 1 B and by means of connection B sent to CPU module 3. Subsequently the data are sent to and stored in storage means 4 using connection E. The total content of the Web carrousel is immediately stored when connected with a nationwide multiplex. Until an update of the Web carrousel information becomes available the downloaded data remain stored in storage means 4. The selection of the Web carrousel data stored in the storage means 4 may be configured automatically or be configured manually by the user. At any time the user may adjust the selection to his current needs or interests. The method of processing the data is identical to the automatically stored nationwide Web carrousel data. In order to request the required information, firstly the web browser or the Internet browser application is started by the user by means of the touch screen of the user interface 5. Then through connection G, CPU module 3 and connection E information is requested from the information stored on storage means 4. The requested information is sent to the user interface 5 and displayed to the user by means of connection E, CPU module 3 and connection G. In this way it is possible to virtually surf or browse live on the Internet, in other words, it is a type of walled Internet. Live surfing on the Internet is also possible by means of the T-DAB receivers. The Internet surf action may be started by the user from the nationwide of local Web carrousel on the storage means 4 (the requested page is not included in the Web carrousel) or from the user interface 5 by typing in an Internet address (URL). Through connection G the instruction is sent to CPU module 3. De CPU module 3 sends the question or request through E to storage means 4. When the requested page is not found in the storage means 4 the CPU module 3 will redirect the request to a WWW provider (ISP Internet Service Provider) through connection C and by means of GPRS transmitter 2. The WWW provider sends the requested information to the GPRS module 2. The GPRS module 2 sends the received information to the user by means of connection C to CPU module 3 and by means of connection G to display 5, were it is displayed.

When the requested information consists of a great amount of bytes the software application of the ISP (negotiating with DAB multiplex application software) may decide to send the requested information by means of a DAB channel, preferably a local L-band multiplex.

As an example of processing the emergency alarm information the methods are described for processing the traffic information and alarm information. Firstly a suitable software application is loaded into the CPU module 3 like e.g. PITA (Personal Intelligent Travel Assistent) or navigation software or a route planner. Secondly the TMC (Traffic Management Channel) is received by means of DAB receivers 1A, 1 B. By means of connection B the TMC information is transmitted to CPU module 3. In the CPU module 3 the information is introduced into the route planner software or application. By means of connection G the adapted information is displayed on the display. The DAB receivers 1A, 1B are continuously receiving the EWC (Emergency Warning Channel). When a calamity occurs the DAB receiver gets a signal from the EWC. The receiver then switches automatically and compulsory over to the EWC channel for receiving the calamity message. The DAB receiver 1A, 1 B receives the calamity message from the EWC and sends the information by means of connections A (audio) and B (data) to the CPU module. By means of connection G the data information is transmitted to the display, the active application is interrupted and suspended and the calamity information is directly displayed onto the display. From the CPU module, by means of connection F, the audio information is sent directly to the interface module, like a Bluetooth module 6. The current active audio stream is interrupted and suspended and the calamity information will be made audible to the user. When the communication device is in the monitor mode, the device is switched on and will start producing sound and start vibrating. All calamity information, both in audio and data format inclusive the reaction of the user are stored onto the storage means 4 by the CPU module by means of connection E.

Processing of the paging or call information is performed with the following method. The Paging software programme is activated by means of an activation command issued by means of the touch screen of the user interface. The command is transported to CPU module 3 by means of connection E and will load and start the paging application from the storage means 4. By means of E, the CPU module 3 and G the information is sent to the touch screen of user interface 5, so that as a result the information is shown to the user. The paging software application is now forced to action, in other words: all programs running on the communication device are interrupted and the user is immediately and directly informed about the reception of a paging message. When the communication device is in stand-by mode, the communication device is activated and will start producing sound and/or will start to vibrate. By means of DAB receiver 1A.1B the paging call is received. The information is sent by means of connection B to the CPU module 3. From the CPU module 3 the information is transferred for storage to storage device 4 by means of connection E. Simultaneously the information is send to the user interface by means of connection G, the device is switched on and will start producing sound and start vibrating. It is now possible for the user to request for the paging information by means of touch screen 5 and optionally by means of a menu structure. The request is sent to CPU module 3 by means of connection G. From the CPU module the request is send to storage medium 4. The requested information may consist of data (text, images and/or video files) and/or audio. The data and/or audio are transported by means of E to storage means 4, from there the data are sent to the user interface 5 by means of G, so that the information is shown to the user. The audio signal is sent directly by means of F to the interface module 6 like a Bluetooth module.

The communication device may also be provided with special application software (Alter Ego) in order to monitor and analyse user behaviour or conduct. The resulting user profile may be adapted to the wishes and preferences of the user. By means of the user profile Alter Ego filters significant and useful information from the data streams by comparing metadata, as transmitted with the content, with the preferences in the user profile. The profile of the user is locally stored by Alter Ego e.g. upon storage means 4. Use of the profile and the Alter Ego application may be switched on or off by the user. In this way it is possible to perform direct marketing, without violating the privacy of the user. If desired payable applications may be added to the communication device. When switched on by the user the Alter Ego application receives and analyses all day the Fast Information Channel (FIC) of a DAB ensemble. The Alter Ego application is run on the CPU module 3 and receives and processes 24 hours a day the FIC information. The FIC information is received by one or more DAB receivers 1A, 1B and is send to the CPU module 3 by means of connection B. The Alter Ego application software evaluates if the information is relevant to the user, by means of a decision model configured by the user. When the information is relevant for the user, the information is stored onto storage means 4 by means of connection E.

In Fig.2 is shown an overview of the communication system with communication device 7, T-DAB band-Ill network 12, T-DAB L-band network 13 en GPRS network 14. In this example is shown the option of controlling the transmission to the communication device 7 of information requested by the user by means of a central server 15.

When the user requests an Internet page on its communication device 7 this request is ultimately processed by the central server 15. This server also decides by which network the requested information, like an Internet page, is sent to the communication device 7 of the user. E.g. this Internet page may be requested at Internet service provider (ISP) 16. Preferably the server 15 is provided with a decision model application that by means of configured parameters decides which network is used to transmit the requested information to the communication device 7. E.g. the parameters may be configured such, that above 500 Kbytes the information is transmitted by means of a DAB network when enough space is available in the transmission frame of the DAB multiplex, otherwise the information is sent to the communication device by means of the GPRS network. When the information has a size greater then 1 MBytes the information is compulsory transmitted by means of a DAB network, in other words space must be created in the DAB Ensemble. Usually a local L-band multiplex will be used for transmitting the requested data, but optionally the server 15 may decide to use a nationwide band-Ill ensemble.

The same method may be used for interactive radio, whereby the user participates in a SMS game or in a poll. The questionnaire of the poll may be transmitted together with the digital data of the DAB-multiplex. When the user wants to fill in the questionnaire he therefore may use the user interface 5. When the questionnaire is filled in completely the information is sent by means of the GPRS module to the GPRS network 14 that transmits the information again to the central server 15. When the result of a poll is published the central server 15 may send this information to the user; optionally by using the decision model. This information is sent to the user by means of the optimal route and network.

Claims

1. Communication device (7) for receiving and transmitting information for a user by means of different communication networks, the device (7) at least comprising: a central processing unit or CPU module (3), provided with a CPU and working memory for controlling the other modules; a T-DAB Band— III receiver (1A); a T-DAB L-band receiver (1B); a storage means (4) and a GPRS mobile phone module (2).

2. Communication device (7) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the device is also provided with user interface (5).

3. Communication device (7) according to anyone of the claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the device is furthermore provided with an interface module 6 for data communication with devices (8, 9, 10, 11) outside the communication device (7).

4. Method for receiving and transmitting information by means of different communication networks (7) according to anyone of the claims 1 - 3, comprising the following steps: receiving digital data with a T-DAB band-Ill receiver (1A), receiving digital data with a T-DAB L-band receiver (1 B), processing of the digital data by the CPU module (3) by means of one or more software programs or applications, transmitting the digital data to one or more modules chosen by the user (2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11).

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the software applications are chosen from: DAB application, Internet application, E-mail application, Route planner application, emergency warning application.

6. Method according to anyone of the claims 4 - 5, characterized in that the modules are chosen from: GPRS module (2), storage module (4), users interface (5), interface module (6), loudspeaker (8), microphone (9), computer (10) or a cradle (1 1 ).

7. Method according to anyone of the claims 4 - 6, characterized in that the method moreover comprises: splitting the digital data in the T-DAB receiver (1A, 1 B) into an audio data stream (A) and an information data stream (B).

8. Method according to anyone of the claims 4 - 7, characterized in that the method further comprises: processing of the information stream like the FIC information by one or more applications executed by the CPU module (3) in order to deliver alarm messages or paging calls to the user.

9. Method according to anyone of the claims 4 - 8, characterized in that the method further comprises the step: processing of the 'metatags' in the information stream like the de FIC; storage of information corresponding with the profile configured by the user (Alter ego).

10. Method according to anyone of the claims 4 - 9, characterized in that in that the method further comprises: storage of a selection of Internet pages (Web carrousel) on the storage device (4) for direct (virtual) access by the user (surfing).

11. Communication system for receiving and transmitting information by means of different communication networks comprising: a T-DAB band-Ill network (12), a T-DAB L-band network (13), a GPRS network (14), a central server (15), a communication device (7), according to anyone of the claims 1 - 3, whereby the DAB networks (12, 13) and the GPRS network (14) are centrally operated by a central server (15) for receiving and transmitting information to the communication device (7).

12. Communication system according to claim 11 , characterized in that the central server (15) is provided with a decision model which determines by means of parameters which network is used to send the information to the communication device (7).

13. Communication system according to claim 12, characterized in that the information is sent by means of the GPRS network, when the amount of requested information does not exceed the value of a first parameter (e.g. 500 kB).

14. Communication system according to anyone of the claims 12 - 13, characterized in that the information is sent by means of the the DAB network, when the amout of requested information lies between a first parameter (e.g. 500 kB) and a second parameter (e.g. 1 MB), and when sufficient space is available on the multiplex used, otherwise the information is send by means of the GPRS network.

15. Communication system according to anyone of the preceding claims 12 - 14, characterized in that the requested information is sent by means of a DAB network, when the amount of information exceeds the value of a second parameter (e.g. 1 MB).