CN116868524A - ATSC 3 reception using location data to improve cross boundary conditions - Google Patents

Abstract

Techniques for extending and/or improving the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) 3.0 television protocol in terms of robustly delivering next generation broadcast television services are described. A receiver for automatically switching from a service on a first frequency to a service on a second frequency, such as when a mobile receiver is moving through a boundary region between two broadcasters, may consider not only the signal strength and error rate of two frequencies carrying the same service to select which frequency to tune to, but also the relative position and direction of movement of the receiver with respect to each broadcaster.

Description

ATSC 3 reception using location data to improve cross boundary conditions

Technical Field

The present application relates to technological advances that necessarily stem in computer technology and are directed to digital television, and more particularly, to Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) 3.0.

Background

The Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) 3.0 standard suite is a collection of more than ten industry technology standards for delivering next generation broadcast television as indicated in a/300. ATSC 3.0 supports delivery of a wide range of television services (including television video, interactive services, non-real-time delivery of data, and customized advertising) to a large number of receiving devices (from ultra-high definition televisions to wireless telephones). ATSC 3.0 also schedules coordination between broadcast content (referred to as "over the air" or OTA) and related broadband delivery content and services (referred to as "over the top" or OTT). ATSC 3.0 is designed to be flexible so that as technology evolves, advances can be easily incorporated without requiring any thorough modification of the relevant technology standards.

As understood herein, an ATSC 3.0 receiver scans for services included in a reception area containing two or more frequencies carrying the same service, as may occur in a boundary area where broadcast signals from two regional ATSC 3.0 broadcaster stations overlap. These boundary regions exist in a multi-frequency network (MFN).

Disclosure of Invention

As further understood herein, a broadcast digital TV receiver should choose to tune to the RF broadcast that it can receive with the strongest, most error-free signal, but this represents a small portion of the information. The present principles provide techniques for how a receiver may automatically improve and optimize reception based on information about its location, speed, and direction, and transmitter location(s).

Accordingly, in a digital television in which at least one receiver is capable of receiving broadcast signals, a method includes: a service is identified as being received on at least a first frequency and a second frequency. The method further comprises the steps of: at least respective first and second quality metrics are identified for each of the first and second frequencies. Furthermore, the method comprises: identifying at least one parameter selected from the following: at least one topographical feature in the area where the receiver is disposed, at least first and second locations of the respective first and second transmitters broadcasting respective first and second frequencies, at least first and second distances between the receiver and the respective first and second locations of the first and second transmitters, at least respective first and second relative movements between the receiver and the respective first and second locations, at least respective first and second elevations (eleration) of the respective first and second transmitters. The at least one parameter may include any one or more of the above parameters and any combination thereof. The method comprises the following steps: selecting, based at least in part on the at least one parameter, whether to tune to a first frequency or to tune to a second frequency, and presenting, on the at least one audio video display device, a service received on the first frequency or the second frequency selected based on the at least one parameter.

In some examples, the method explicitly includes: whether to tune to the first frequency or to tune to the second frequency is selected based at least in part on the at least one parameter and based on the first quality metric and the second quality metric.

The method may include: at least in part, at least one Machine Learning (ML) model is used to select the frequency.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the method may include: at least one configuration of the at least one antenna is changed based at least in part on which frequency is selected.

In another aspect, an apparatus includes: at least one receiver configured to: either the first frequency from the first transmitter or the second frequency from the second transmitter is selected. Both frequencies carry substantially the same digital television service. The selecting is based at least in part on at least one parameter selected from the following: at least one topographical feature in the area in which the receiver is disposed, at least first and second locations of the respective first and second transmitters, at least first and second distances between the receiver and the first and second locations of the respective first and second transmitters, at least respective first and second relative movements between the receiver and the respective first and second locations, and at least respective first and second elevations of the respective first and second transmitters. The receiver is configured to present, on at least one audio visual display device, services received on a first frequency or a second frequency selected based on the at least one parameter.

In another aspect, a digital television apparatus includes: at least one receiver having at least one processor programmed with instructions to configure the processor to: a selection is made between a first frequency from the first transmitter and providing digital television service and a second frequency from the second transmitter and providing the digital television service based at least in part on the first and second quality metrics associated with the respective first and second frequencies and at least one geographic parameter associated with at least one of the first and second transmitters and/or associated with an area associated with at least one of the first and second transmitters.

The details of the present application, both as to its structure and operation, can best be understood in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which:

drawings

FIG. 1 illustrates an Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) 3.0 system;

FIG. 2 illustrates components of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example particular system;

fig. 4 illustrates a first example embodiment of a digital TV receiver;

FIG. 5 illustrates a second exemplary embodiment of a digital TV receiver;

FIG. 6 illustrates example transmitter logic in an example flow chart format consistent with the present principles;

FIG. 7 illustrates example receiver logic in an example flow chart format consistent with the present principles; and is also provided with

FIG. 8 illustrates logic for training a Machine Learning (ML) model in an example flowchart format consistent with the present principles.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure relates to technological advances in digital television, such as in Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) 3.0 television. An example system herein may include an ATSC 3.0 source component and a client component that are connected via broadcast and/or over a network such that data may be exchanged between the client component and the ATSC 3.0 source component. The client component may include one or more computing devices including portable televisions (e.g., smart TVs, internet-enabled TVs), portable computers (such as laptop computers and tablet computers), and other mobile devices, including smartphones and additional examples discussed below. These client devices may operate with a variety of operating environments. For example, some client computers may employ an operating system from Microsoft or Unix operating system or an operating system produced by Apple Computer or Google (such as ). These operating environments may be used to execute one or more browsing programs, such as a browser made by Microsoft or Google or Mozilla, or other browser programs that may access websites hosted by Internet servers discussed below.

ATSC 3.0 publication a/344, which is incorporated herein by reference, may be particularly relevant to the techniques described herein.

ATSC 3.0 source component mayIncluding a broadcast transmission component and a server and/or gateway that may include one or more processors executing instructions that configure a source component to broadcast data and/or transmit data over a network such as the internet. By, for example, sonySuch as a game console, personal computer, etc., to instantiate a client component and/or a local ATSC 3.0 source component.

Information may be exchanged between the client and the server over a network. For this purpose and for security, the server and/or client may include firewalls, load balancers, temporary storage and proxy agents, and other network infrastructure for reliability and security.

As used herein, instructions refer to computer-implemented steps for processing information in a system. The instructions may be implemented in software, firmware, or hardware and include any type of programmed steps performed by components of the system.

The processor may be a single-chip or multi-chip processor capable of executing logic through various lines, such as address lines, data lines, and control lines, as well as registers and shift registers.

Software modules described herein by way of flow charts and user interfaces may include various subroutines, procedures, and the like. Without limiting the disclosure, the logic stated as being executed by a particular module may be reassigned to other software modules and/or combined together in a single module and/or available in a shareable library. Although flow chart formats may be used, it should be understood that software may be implemented as a state machine or other logic method.

The present principles described herein may be implemented as hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof; thus, the illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality.

In addition to what has been mentioned above, logic blocks, modules, and circuits may be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device such as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A processor may be implemented as a combination of controllers or state machines or computing devices.

When implemented in software, the functions and methods described hereinafter may be written in a suitable language such as, but not limited to, hyperText markup language (HTML) -5,Javascript, c# or c++, and the functions and methods may be stored on or transmitted through a computer-readable storage medium such as Random Access Memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disk storage such as Digital Versatile Disks (DVD), magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices including removable Universal Serial Bus (USB) thumb drives, and the like. The connection may establish a computer readable medium. By way of example, such connections may include hardwired cables including fiber optic and coaxial lines and Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL) and twisted pairs.

The components included in one embodiment may be used in other embodiments in any suitable combination. For example, any of the various components described herein and/or depicted in the figures may be combined, interchanged, or excluded from other embodiments.

The recitations of "having at least one of A, B and C" (likewise, "having at least one of A, B or C" and "having at least one of A, B, C") include a alone a, a alone B, a alone C, A and B together, a and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B and C together, etc.

The present principles may employ various machine learning models, including deep learning models. Machine learning models consistent with the present principles may use various algorithms trained in a manner that includes supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, reinforcement learning, feature learning, self-learning, and other forms of learning. Examples of such algorithms that may be implemented by the circuit include one or more neural networks, such as Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs), and one type of RNN known as long-term memory (LSTM) networks. Support Vector Machines (SVMs) and bayesian networks can also be considered examples of machine learning models.

As understood herein, performing machine learning may thus involve accessing a model and then training the model on training data to enable the model to process further data to make inferences. The artificial neural network/artificial intelligence model trained through machine learning may thus include an input layer, an output layer, and a plurality of hidden layers therebetween, which are configured and weighted to infer an appropriate output.

Turning to fig. 1, an example of an ATSC 3.0 source component is labeled "broadcaster apparatus" 10 and may include an over-the-air (OTA) apparatus 12 for broadcasting television data wirelessly, typically in a one-to-many relationship, via Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) to a plurality of receivers 14, such as ATSC 3.0 television. One or more receivers 14 may be accessible byBluetooth low energy, other Near Field Communication (NFC) protocols, infrared (IR), etc. implemented short-range, typically wireless, links 18 communicate with one or more companion devices 16 such as remote controls, tablet computers, mobile telephones, etc.

Further, one or more receivers 14 may communicate with an over-the-top (OTT) device 22 of the broadcaster device 10 via a wired and/or wireless network link 20, such as the internet, typically in a one-to-one relationship. The OTA device 12 may be co-located with the OTT device 22 or both sides 12, 22 of the broadcaster device 10 may be remote from each other and may communicate with each other by suitable means. In any event, receiver 14 may receive an ATSC 3.0 television signal over the OTA by tuning to an ATSC 3.0 television channel and may also receive related content, including television, over the OTT (wideband). Note that the computerized devices described in all of the figures herein may include some or all of the components set forth for the various devices in fig. 1 and 2.

Referring now to FIG. 2, details of an example of the components shown in FIG. 1 can be seen. Fig. 2 illustrates an example protocol stack that may be implemented by a combination of hardware and software. Using the ATSC 3.0 protocol stack shown in fig. 2 and appropriately modified for the broadcaster side, the broadcaster can send a hybrid service delivery in which one or more program elements are delivered via a computer network (referred to herein as "broadband" and "over the top" (OTT)) and via wireless broadcasting (referred to herein as "broadcast" and "over the air" (OTA)). Fig. 2 also illustrates an example stack with hardware that can be implemented by the receiver.

According to the broadcaster device 10 disclosure of fig. 2, one or more processors 200 accessing one or more computer storage media 202 (such as any memory or storage device described herein) may be implemented to provide one or more software applications in a top application layer 204. The application layer 204 may include one or more software applications running in a runtime environment, written in, for example, HTML 5/Javascript. Applications in the application stack 204 may include, but are not limited to, a linear TV application, an interactive service application, a companion screen application, a personalization application, an emergency alert application, and a usage reporting application. Applications are typically implemented in software that represents elements of the viewer experience, including video encoding, audio encoding, and runtime environments. As an example, applications may be provided that enable a user to control conversations, use alternate tracks, control audio parameters (such as normalization and dynamic range), and so forth.

Below the application layer 204 is a presentation layer 206. On the broadcast (OTA) side, the presentation layer 206 includes a broadcast audio-video playback device called a Media Processing Unit (MPU) 208, which Media Processing Unit (MPU) 208, when implemented in a receiver, decodes and plays back the audio-video content of the wireless broadcast on one or more displays and speakers. The MPU 208 is configured to present an International organization for standardization (ISO) Base Media File Format (BMFF) data representation 210 and video with High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) of audio, for example, in dolby Audio compression (AC-4) format. ISO BMFF is a generic file structure for time-based media files that is divided into "segments" and represents metadata. Each file is essentially a collection of nested objects, each object having a type and a length. To facilitate decryption, the MPU 208 may access a broadcast side Encrypted Media Extension (EME)/Common Encryption (CENC) module 212.

Fig. 2 further illustrates: on the broadcast side, the presentation layer 206 may include signaling modules including a Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) media transport protocol (MMTP) signaling module 214 or a real-time object delivery over unidirectional transport (ROUTE) signaling module 216 for delivering non-real-time (NRT) content 218 that is accessible to the application layer 204. NRT content may include, but is not limited to, stored replacement advertisements.

On the broadband (OTT or computer network) side, when implemented by a receiver, the presentation layer 206 may include one or more dynamic adaptive streaming over hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) (DASH) players/decoders 220 for decoding and playing audio-video content from the internet. To this end, DASH player 220 may access broadband side EME/CENC module 222. DASH content may be provided as DASH segments 224 in ISO/BMFF format.

As in the case of the broadcast side, the broadband side of the presentation layer 206 may include NRT content in a file 226 and may also include a signaling object 228 for providing playback signaling.

Below the presentation layer 206 in the protocol stack is a session layer 230. On the broadcast side, the session layer 230 includes an MMTP protocol 232 or a ROUTE protocol 234. Note that the ATSC standard provides the option of using MPEG MMT for transmission, although it is not shown here.

On the broadband side, the session layer 230 includes the HTTP protocol 236, which may be implemented as secure HTTP (S)). The broadcast side of the session layer 230 may also employ an HTTP proxy module 238 and a Service List Table (SLT) 240. The SLT 240 includes a table of signaling information for establishing a basic service list and providing guided discovery of broadcast content. The Media Presentation Description (MPD) is included in a "ROUTE signaling" table delivered by the ROUTE transport protocol over User Datagram Protocol (UDP).

In the protocol stack, the transport layer 242 is below the session layer 230 for establishing low latency and loss tolerant connections. On the broadcast side, the transport layer 242 uses UDP 244, and on the broadband side, the transport layer 242 uses Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) 246.

The example non-limiting protocol stack shown in fig. 2 also includes a network layer 248 below the transport layer 242. Network layer 248 uses Internet Protocol (IP) on both sides for IP packet communications, with multicast delivery being typical on the broadcast side and unicast on the broadband side.

Below the network layer 248 is a physical layer 250, the physical layer 250 including broadcast transmitting/receiving means 252 and computer network interface(s) 254 for communicating over respective physical media associated with both sides. The physical layer 250 converts Internet Protocol (IP) packets to be suitable for transmission over the relevant medium and may add forward error correction functionality to enable error correction at the receiver and include modulation and demodulation modules to incorporate the modulation and demodulation functionality. This converts bits into symbols for long distance transmission and increases bandwidth efficiency. On the OTA side, the physical layer 250 typically includes a wireless broadcast transmitter to wirelessly broadcast data using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), while on the OTT side, the physical layer 250 includes a computer transmission component to transmit data over the internet.

DASH industry forum (DASH-IF) profiles sent over various protocols (HTTP/TCP/IP) in the protocol stack may be used on the broadband side. Media files in the ISO BMFF based DASH-IF profile may be used as delivery, media encapsulation and synchronization formats for both broadcast and broadband delivery.

Each receiver 14 typically includes a protocol stack that is complementary to the protocol stack of the broadcaster device.

As shown in fig. 2, the receiver 14 in fig. 1 may include an internet-enabled TV with an ATSC 3.0TV tuner (equivalently, a set top box that controls the TV) 256. The receiver 14 may be based onIs a system of (a). Alternatively, the receiver 14 may be implemented by a computerized internet-enabled ("smart") phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a wearable computerized device, or the like. Regardless, it should be understood that the receiver 14 and/or other computers described herein are configured to perform the present principles (e.g., communicate with other devices to perform the present principles, execute the logic described herein, and perform any other functions and/or operations described herein).

Thus, to perform such principles, the receiver 14 may be established by some or all of the components shown in fig. 1. For example, the receiver 14 may include one or more displays 258, the one or more displays 258 may be implemented as high-definition or ultra-high-definition "4K" or higher flat screens, and the one or more displays 258 may or may not be touch-enabled for receiving user input signals via touches on the displays. The receiver 14 may also include one or more speakers 260 for outputting audio in accordance with the present principles and at least one additional input device 262 (such as, for example, an audio receiver/microphone) for inputting audible commands to the receiver 14 to control the receiver 14. The example receiver 14 may also include one or more network interfaces 264 for communicating over at least one network (such as the internet, WAN, LAN, PAN, etc.) under the control of one or more processors 266. Thus, interface 264 may be, but is not limited to, a Wi-Fi transceiver, such as, but not limited to, a mesh network transceiver, as an example of a wireless computer network interface. Interface 264 may be, but is not limited to Transceiver, < - > on>Transceivers, infrared data association (IrDA) transceivers, wireless USB transceivers, wired USB, wired LAN, power line, or multimedia over coax alliance (MoCA). It should be appreciated that the processor 266 controls the interfaceReceiver 14 to perform the present principles, includes other elements of receiver 14 described herein, such as, for example, controlling display 258 to present images on display 258 and receive inputs therefrom. Further, note that network interface 264 may be, for example, a wired or wireless modem or router or other suitable interface, such as, for example, a wireless telephone transceiver or Wi-Fi transceiver as described above, or the like.

In addition to the foregoing, the receiver 14 may also include one or more input ports 268, such as a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) port or a USB port for physically connecting (using a wired connection) to another CE device and/or a headset port for connecting a headset to the receiver 14 to present audio from the receiver 14 to a user through the headset. For example, the input port 268 may be connected via a wire or wirelessly to a satellite source or cable of audiovisual content. Thus, the source may be a separate or integrated set top box or satellite receiver. Alternatively, the source may be a game console or a disk player.

The receiver 14 may also include one or more computer memories 270, such as disk-based or solid state storage that is not a transitory signal, in some cases the one or more computer memories 270 are implemented as stand-alone devices in the chassis of the receiver, or as a personal video recording device (PVR) or video disk player inside or outside the chassis of the receiver for playback of Audio Video (AV) programs, or as a removable memory medium. Further, in some embodiments, the receiver 14 may include a positioning or location receiver 272, such as, but not limited to, a cellular telephone receiver, a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) receiver, and/or an altimeter, the positioning or location receiver 272 being configured to receive geolocation information, for example, from at least one satellite or cellular telephone tower, and provide the information to the processor 266 and/or in conjunction with the processor 266 determine the altitude at which the receiver 14 is disposed. However, it should be understood that another suitable positioning receiver other than a cellular telephone receiver, a GPS receiver, and/or an altimeter may be used in accordance with the present principles to determine the position of the receiver 14, for example in all three dimensions.

Continuing with the description of the receiver 14, in some embodiments, the receiver 14 may include one or more cameras 274, which one or more cameras 274 may include one or more of the following: a thermal imaging camera, a digital camera (such as a webcam), and/or a camera integrated into the receiver 14 and controllable by the processor 266 to capture pictures/images and/or video in accordance with the present principles. May also include on the receiver 14Transceiver 276 or other Near Field Communication (NFC) element for use with +.>And/or NFC technology with other devices. An example NFC element may be a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) element.

Further, the receiver 14 may include one or more auxiliary sensors 278 (such as motion sensors, such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, gyrometers, or magnetic sensors and combinations thereof), infrared (IR) sensors for receiving IR commands from a remote control, optical sensors, speed and/or cadence sensors, gesture sensors (for sensing gesture commands), and the like, which provide inputs to the processor 266. An IR sensor 280 may be provided to receive commands from a wireless remote control. A battery (not shown) may be provided to power the receiver 14.

The companion device 16 may contain some or all of the elements shown with respect to the receiver 14 described above.

The methods described herein may be implemented as software instructions executed by a processor, as suitably configured Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) or Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) modules, or in any other convenient manner as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Where software instructions are employed, the software instructions may be implemented in a non-transitory device such as a CD ROM or flash drive. Alternatively, the software code instructions may be implemented in a transitory arrangement (such as a radio or optical signal) or via download over the internet.

Referring now to fig. 3, a simplified digital TV system, such as an ATSC 3.0 system, is shown. In fig. 3, a mobile or stationary digital TV receiver (such as ATSC 3.0 receiver 300), which may include any or all of the related components discussed above with respect to fig. 1 and 2, is located in a border region 302 between first and second ATSC 3.0 broadcast stations or components 304, signals from both broadcast stations 304 being picked up by the receiver 300 in region 302. A first ATSC 3.0 service ("service a") is broadcast from a first broadcast station 304 over a first frequency 306 and the same service a is broadcast from a second broadcast station 304 over a second frequency 308 that is different from the first frequency 306. The receiver 300 picks up two frequencies, i.e., the receiver 300 picks up signals from two broadcasting stations 304.

Fig. 4 illustrates an example non-limiting embodiment of a digital TV receiver (such as ATSC 3.0 receiver 400) that may include any or all of the related components discussed above with respect to fig. 1 and 2. In the example shown, ATSC 3.0 receiver 400 may be a stationary receiver, such as a receiver located inside a home. In some examples, ATSC 3.0 receiver 400 may be a mobile receiver, for example, as implemented in a mobile phone or disposed in a moving vehicle.

The example ATSC 3.0 receiver 400 shown in fig. 4 includes a tuner 402, which tuner 402 transmits signals picked up by the tuner from one or more antennas 406 to a demodulator 404. In the example shown, receiver 400 includes one and only one tuner, one and only one demodulator, and one and only one antenna.

In contrast, fig. 5 illustrates an example non-limiting embodiment of a digital TV receiver (such as ATSC 3.0 receiver 500) that may include any or all of the related components discussed above with respect to fig. 1 and 2. In the example shown, ATSC 3.0 receiver 500 may be a mobile receiver, for example, as implemented in a mobile phone or disposed in a moving vehicle. In some examples, ATSC 3.0 receiver 500 may be a stationary receiver, such as a receiver located inside a home.

The example ATSC 3.0 receiver 500 shown in fig. 5 includes a plurality of tuners 502 that transmit signals picked up by the tuners from one or more antennas 506 to respective demodulators 504. In the non-limiting example shown, ATSC 3.0 receiver 500 has two tuners and two demodulators, it being understood that the receiver may have a greater or lesser number of tuners/demodulators. In the non-limiting example shown, ATSC 3.0 receiver 500 has four antennas, it being understood that the receiver may have a greater or lesser number of antennas. The receiver 500 may have the capability to switch the antenna inputs to the tuners such that a first tuner may receive signals from, for example, three antennas and a second tuner may receive signals from a fourth antenna, and then may switch to exchange antenna inputs between tuners. Two antennas may provide inputs to each respective tuner. All four antennas may provide inputs to a single tuner. These and other antenna-tuner configurations may be dynamically changed during operation as desired.

Quality metrics of RF frequencies are discussed herein and may be identified and stored. Quality metrics may include, for example, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and error rate as may be represented by, for example, packet Error Number (PEN). The quality metric may include resolution, e.g., whether the service has High Definition (HD) or Standard Definition (SD). The quality metric may also include a bit rate and a form factor, recognizing that not all HD are identical. Quality metrics may include content attributes (such as whether the service supports foreign languages), accessibility signaling (e.g., where to sign), audio descriptions, and other content aspects. The quality metrics may include a location preference (such as a second region where the first region is stronger in channel, but all advertisements are preferred to the first region rather than the user so that duplicate services from the second region may be preferential to the first region). The quality metric may include a quality of a user interface carried in the service.

In a non-limiting example, during a scan, SNR can be determined by recording both the received signal strength of each received frequency and any accompanying noise on that frequency and determining the quotient thereof. The error rate may be determined, for example, by determining the percentage of packets lost (by recording the lost packet number) and/or by determining the percentage of received packets having errors therein as determined by an error correction algorithm.

Fig. 6 illustrates logic that may be performed by a transmitter, such as an OTA transmitter or OTT transmitter. When an ATSC 3.0 receiver, particularly but not limited to a mobile device, encounters a set of two or more RF broadcasts, where the two or more RF broadcasts include programs that are identified as being substantially identical (e.g., by having identical globalServiceId values). The receiver should choose to tune to the RF broadcast that it can receive with the strongest, most error-free signal. Without the present principles, the receiver must select based only on the signal strength or error rate encountered at the current time or in the past.

Indeed, the present principles enable a receiver to select the best RF broadcast to tune to based on the location of the receiver, the direction and speed of travel, the transmitter location, information of the topographical features of the receiver and transmitter locations. For example, if two equivalent signals are encountered while traveling in the direction of one of them, the receiver may be tuned to the transmission toward which it is moving. On the other hand, if there are topographical features (such as hills) that would degrade the signal quality, if the receiver continues to advance at its current heading and speed, the receiver may choose to tune to a broadcast that does not experience the signal quality problem due to the hills until after the hills no longer affect the signal quality. Note that light direction and ranging (LIDAR) devices associated with, for example, a receiver may be used to generate a topography map.

Furthermore, using the information described above, the receiver may utilize the above information (particularly the transmitter position and the receiver position) to automatically adjust the antenna configuration to maximize reception (e.g., by controlling the antenna rotator or the beamforming capabilities of the antenna).

Furthermore, the Machine Learning (ML) model process can utilize the above information to predict the best reception parameters (antenna configuration) and the best transmission to tune to in a more accurate and efficient manner.

Thus, turning now to FIG. 6. Beginning at block 600, in an MFN such as an ATSC 3 broadcast network, two or more transmitters, which may be wireless broadcast transmitters and/or broadband transmitters, transmit substantially the same digital TV service at substantially the same time, although in the case where the broadcasters are on different frequencies as desired. In some embodiments, a "substantially identical service" may refer to two duplicate versions of the same service having the same Global Service Identifier (GSID), which refers to the attribute @ globalServiceID in table 6.2 (SLT) of a/331. In some embodiments, a "substantially identical service" may refer to two duplicate versions of the same service having the same Broadcast Stream Identification (BSID). In some embodiments, a "substantially identical service" may refer to a service that is an acceptable replacement for the service being replaced, e.g., a service that signals that the second service is a replacement for the first service or an equivalent.

Proceeding to block 602, each transmitter may signal (signal) its corresponding geographic location data, e.g., latitude, longitude, altitude. The signaling may be inserted into the SLT.

Fig. 7 illustrates receiver side logic. Beginning at block 700, particularly when in a boundary region where signals from two adjacent transmitters in adjacent broadcast regions overlap, a receiver may receive substantially the same service from a respective broadcaster transmitter on two different frequencies as indicated by, for example, having the same GSID or BSID. One or more quality metrics for each received frequency may be determined. However, instead of relying solely on channel quality to select which frequency-rendering service to use, the logic may move to block 702 to access, for each transmitter, the geographical location data of that transmitter received in, for example, an SLT from that transmitter.

Further, at block 704, the receiver may use signals from a position sensor (such as position receiver 272 in fig. 2) to access its own current position as well as the speed and direction of movement. At block 706, the receiver may further access the topography map. Frequencies are selected at block 708 for use in presenting services being carried on two or more frequencies based not only on the quality metrics, but also on the receiver distance and direction/speed of movement relative to each transmitter, and on terrain information as needed. If the receiver antenna(s) can be moved, they can be moved or otherwise reconfigured at block 710 to maximize reception from the transmitter associated with the selected frequency. Services from the selected frequencies are presented on an audio video display device associated with the receiver.

For example, in some embodiments, when the receiver is stationary, a first frequency may be selected that has a better quality metric than a second frequency.

When the receiver is stationary and no topographical obstacle is located between the receiver and the transmitter transmitting the service on the first frequency, the first frequency may be selected to have a better quality metric than the second frequency.

In some embodiments, when the receiver is stationary and at least one terrain obstacle is located between the receiver and the transmitter transmitting service on the first frequency, the first frequency may be selected to have a lower quality metric than the second frequency.

In some embodiments, when the receiver is stationary and at least one terrain obstacle is located between the receiver and the transmitter transmitting service on the first frequency, the first frequency may be selected to have a better quality metric than the second frequency by a significant amount (such as a SNR difference above a threshold).

In some embodiments, when the receiver is moving towards a transmitter that transmits a service on a first frequency, the first frequency may be selected to have a lower quality metric than the second frequency.

In some embodiments, a first frequency having a lower quality metric than a second frequency may be selected only when the receiver is moving at least a threshold speed towards a transmitter that transmits service on the first frequency.

In some embodiments, a first frequency may be selected that has a lower quality metric than a second frequency only when the receiver is moving towards a transmitter that transmits service on the first frequency and no obstructions exist between the receiver and the transmitter.

In some embodiments, a first frequency having a lower quality metric than a second frequency may be selected only when the receiver is moving towards a transmitter that transmits service on the first frequency and an obstacle exists between the receiver and the transmitter that transmits service on the second frequency.

In some embodiments, if the receiver is moving towards a transmitter that transmits service on a first frequency and an obstacle exists between the receiver and the transmitter that transmits service on the first frequency but the elevation of the transmitter that transmits service on the first frequency is higher than the obstacle, then the first frequency may be selected to have a lower quality metric than the second frequency.

These are just a few example heuristics that may be used to select frequencies.

The selection may be implemented using at least one ML model, which may be trained beginning at block 800 in fig. 8. Ground truth (ground true) is input to the ML model. Ground truth values may include latitude, longitude, and elevation of an actual digital TV broadcaster transmitter superimposed on a topography of the surrounding environment. Ground truth may include these features for only a region or for a country or for the whole earth.

Ground truth may also include the receiver locations, heading, and speed of the multiple hypotheses along with the hypothesized signal quality metrics or quality metrics actually measured by the test vehicle at that location. The ground may include an indication of which of the two frequencies is the best choice at each hypothesized receiver location. At block 802, the ML model is trained based on the ground truth values input at block 800 for subsequent use in a receiver executing the ML model.

It should be understood that while the present principles have been described with reference to some example embodiments, these are not intended to be limiting and various alternative arrangements may be used to implement the subject matter claimed herein.

Claims (20)

1. In a digital television in which at least one receiver is capable of receiving broadcast signals from at least a first digital television broadcast component and a second digital television broadcast component, a method comprising:

identifying that a service is received on at least a first frequency and a second frequency;

identifying at least respective first and second quality metrics for each of the first and second frequencies;

identifying at least one parameter selected from the following: at least one topographical feature in the area where the receiver is disposed, at least first and second locations of the respective first and second transmitters broadcasting respective first and second frequencies, at least first and second distances between the receiver and the respective first and second locations of the first and second transmitters, at least respective first and second relative movements between the receiver and the respective first and second locations, at least respective first and second elevations of the respective first and second transmitters;

Selecting whether to tune to the first frequency or to tune to the second frequency based at least in part on the at least one parameter; and

services received on the first frequency or the second frequency selected based on the at least one parameter are presented on at least one audio video display device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital television receiver comprises an Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) 3.0 receiver.

3. The method according to claim 1, comprising: whether to tune to the first frequency or to tune to the second frequency is selected based at least in part on the at least one parameter and based on the first quality metric and the second quality metric.

4. The method according to claim 1, comprising: whether to tune to the first frequency or to tune to the second frequency is selected based at least in part on at least one topographical feature in the area in which the receiver is disposed.

5. The method according to claim 1, comprising: whether to tune to the first frequency or to tune to the second frequency is selected based at least in part on at least first and second locations of respective first and second transmitters broadcasting respective first and second frequencies.

6. The method according to claim 1, comprising: whether to tune to the first frequency or to tune to the second frequency is selected based at least in part on at least a first distance and a second distance between the receiver and first and second locations of the respective first and second transmitters.

7. The method according to claim 1, comprising: whether to tune to the first frequency or to tune to the second frequency is selected based at least in part on at least respective first and second directions of travel between the receiver and respective first and second locations.

8. The method according to claim 1, comprising: whether to tune to the first frequency or to tune to the second frequency is selected based at least in part on at least the respective first elevation and second Gao Chenglai of the respective first and second transmitters.

9. The method according to claim 1, comprising: at least in part, at least one Machine Learning (ML) model is used to select the frequency.

10. The method according to claim 1, comprising: at least one configuration of the at least one antenna is changed based at least in part on which frequency is selected.

11. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one receiver configured to:

Selecting either the first frequency from the first transmitter or the second frequency from the second transmitter based at least in part on at least one parameter selected from the following parameters, the two frequencies carrying substantially the same digital television service: at least one topographical feature in the area in which the receiver is disposed, at least first and second locations of the respective first and second transmitters, at least first and second distances between the receiver and the first and second locations of the respective first and second transmitters, at least respective first and second relative movements between the receiver and the respective first and second locations, at least respective first and second elevations of the respective first and second transmitters; and

services received on the first frequency or the second frequency selected based on the at least one parameter are presented on at least one audio video display device.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the receiver is configured to:

identifying at least respective first and second quality metrics for each of the first and second frequencies; and

whether to tune to the first frequency or to tune to the second frequency is selected based at least in part on the at least one parameter and based on the first quality metric and the second quality metric.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the receiver is configured to select whether to tune to the first frequency or to tune to the second frequency based at least in part on at least one topographical feature in an area in which the receiver is disposed.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the receiver is configured to be executable to select whether to tune to a first frequency or to tune to a second frequency based at least in part on at least first and second locations of respective first and second transmitters broadcasting respective first and second frequencies.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the receiver is configured to select whether to tune to the first frequency or to tune to the second frequency based at least in part on at least a first distance and a second distance between the receiver and first and second locations of the respective first and second transmitters.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the receiver is configured to select whether to tune to the first frequency or to tune to the second frequency based at least in part on at least respective first and second directions of travel between the receiver and respective first and second locations.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the receiver is configured to select whether to tune to a first frequency or to tune to a second frequency based at least in part on at least respective first elevations and second Gao Chenglai of respective first and second transmitters.

18. A digital television apparatus comprising:

at least one receiver comprising at least one processor programmed with instructions to configure the processor to:

a selection is made between a first frequency from the first transmitter and providing digital television service and a second frequency from the second transmitter and providing the digital television service based at least in part on the first and second quality metrics associated with the respective first and second frequencies and at least one geographic parameter associated with at least one of the first and second transmitters and/or associated with an area associated with at least one of the first and second transmitters.

19. The digital television device of claim 18, wherein the at least one geographic parameter is selected from the following: at least one topographical feature in the area where the receiver is disposed, at least first and second locations of the respective first and second transmitters, at least first and second distances between the receiver and the first and second locations of the respective first and second transmitters, at least respective first and second directions of travel between the receiver and the respective first and second locations, and at least respective first and second elevations of the respective first and second transmitters.

20. The digital television device of claim 18, wherein the instructions are executable to: at least one Machine Learning (ML) model is executed to select a frequency.