JP2012517159A - Local broadcast of data using available channels of spectrum - Google Patents

Abstract

  In general, this disclosure relates to techniques for transmitting data for an application using one or more available channels of spectrum. One exemplary method includes converting data into a digital broadcast format, identifying at least one available channel in the spectrum, and converting in at least one identified available channel. Transmitting data.

Description

  This application is a U.S. provisional application 61 / 148,872 filed on Feb. 3, 2009, U.S. provisional filed on Jul. 2, 2009, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. Claims the benefit of application 61 / 222,845 and US provisional application 61 / 230,602 filed July 31, 2009.

  The present disclosure relates to transmission of data over a broadcast network.

  Currently, several solutions for wireless display of multimedia data are under development, such as wireless HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface). The primary intent of these solutions is to exchange HDMI cables between certain components (eg, set-top boxes, digital versatile disc (DVD) players, computing devices) and display devices.

“Second Report and Order and Memorandum Opinion and Order” adopted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on November 4, 2008 and published as FCC Order 08-260 on November 14, 2008

  Some providers have developed solutions that use proprietary methods for sending uncompressed video. Other solutions target consumer electronic devices (eg, game consoles or DVD players) and may require dedicated hardware on both the host side and the client side. The power consumption of such dedicated devices can be very high. Furthermore, transmission of uncompressed video in some solutions may limit the extended functionality to support higher resolution data transmission.

  In general, this disclosure relates to techniques for transmitting data for an application using one or more available channels of spectrum. Some techniques wirelessly transmit data for various services / applications from one or more devices (e.g., mobile or handheld devices) to external devices utilizing identified available channels of spectrum Can be made possible. For example, a mobile device can send some multimedia data to a display device using available channels on the television band spectrum.

  An exemplary method includes converting data into a digital broadcast format, identifying at least one available channel of spectrum, and converting the converted data in at least one identified available channel. Transmitting.

  An exemplary communication device includes a conversion unit, a channel identifier, and a digital transmitter. The conversion unit is configured to convert the data to a digital broadcast format. The channel identifier is configured to identify at least one available channel of the spectrum. The digital transmitter is configured to transmit the converted data in at least one identified available channel.

  An exemplary computer readable storage medium converts data in a digital broadcast format, identifies at least one available channel in the spectrum, and converts in at least one identified available channel. Encoded with instructions for causing one or more processors to transmit the transmitted data.

  The techniques described in this disclosure may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. For example, various techniques can be implemented or performed by one or more processors. As used herein, a processor may refer to a microprocessor, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), digital signal processor (DSP), or other equivalent integrated or discrete logic circuit. it can. The software may be executed by one or more processors. Software that includes instructions for performing the techniques may first be stored on a computer readable medium and loaded and executed by a processor.

  Accordingly, this disclosure also contemplates computer-readable storage multimedia that includes instructions that cause a processor to perform any of the various techniques described in this disclosure. In some cases, a computer readable storage medium may form part of a computer program storage product, which may be sold to a manufacturer and / or used in a device. A computer program product may include a computer-readable medium and, in some cases, packaging material.

  The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a communication device that is communicatively coupled to a data receiver via a wireless network. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a multimedia communication device that is communicatively coupled to one or more multimedia receivers and one or more multimedia output devices via a wireless network. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a multimedia communication device that is communicatively coupled to one or more digital TV receivers and one or more display devices via a wireless network. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a mobile multimedia communication device that can be used as the multimedia communication device shown in FIG. 2 and / or FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a digital TV processor and modulator / transmitter in conjunction with a channel identifier that may be implemented in a mobile multimedia communication device, such as the mobile multimedia communication device shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating another example of a digital TV processor and modulator / transmitter in conjunction with a channel identifier that may be implemented in a mobile multimedia communication device such as the mobile multimedia communication device shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of multiple multimedia communication devices, where one multimedia communication device serves as a master device coupled to a digital TV band (geolocation) database and the remaining multimedia communication devices serve as client devices. . Multimedia communications, such as one or more of the multimedia communications devices shown in FIGS. 1-4, for locally broadcasting media data over channels identified in unused portions of the digital TV broadcast spectrum 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a method that may be performed by a device. One of the multimedia communication devices shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 is used to identify available channels using spectrum sensors and possibly information received from a digital TV band (geolocation) database. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a method that may be performed by a multimedia communication device, such as one or more.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a communication device communicatively coupled to a data receiver via a wireless network. The communication device 1 can transmit data (eg, multimedia) to the data receiver 9 and / or receive data from the data receiver 9. In some cases, the data may include multimedia data, including at least one of audio data, video data, text data, audio data, and graphics data. In the example of FIG. 1, the communication device 1 is shown as transmitting data to only one data receiver 9 via the wireless network 7, but the communication device 1 may It may also be possible to transmit or broadcast data to one or more data receivers, including data receiver 9 via.

  In some cases, the wireless network 7 may be advanced television systems committee (ATSC) format, Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) format, Terrestrial Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (to name just a few examples, as described in more detail below. (T-DMB) format, Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting Terrestrial (ISDB-T) format, or Moving Picture Experts Group Transport Stream (MPEG-TS) format (given by international standard ISO / IEC13818-1) A network that provides support for communications over the spectrum. (DVB is an internationally accepted suite of open standards for digital television that includes the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC), and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU DMB is a digital radio transmission technology for transmitting multimedia data to mobile devices.) Digital broadcast format is a specific or specific destination. It may be a broadcast format that is not given in the transmission data or not specified by the transmission data. For example, a digital broadcast format may include a format in which a broadcast data packet or unit header does not include a destination address.

  The communication device 1 may include a fixed device that transmits or receives data at a specified location, or a mobile device. The communication device 1 can comprise a stand-alone device or be part of a larger system. For example, the communication device 1 is a wireless multimedia communication device (such as a wireless mobile handset), a digital camera, a digital TV, a video camera, a video phone, a digital multimedia player, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a video game machine, a personal computer Or it may include or be part of a laptop device, or other video device. The communication device 1 can also be included in one or more integrated circuits or chips that can be used in some or all of the devices described above.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the communication device 1 may include a digital data conversion unit / transmitter 3 coupled to a channel identifier 5. In FIG. 1, the digital data conversion unit / transmitter 3 and the channel identifier 5 are shown as being included in the communication device 1, but in all cases one or both of these components 3, 5 need to communicate. It does not have to be included in device 1. For example, in some cases, these components 3, 5 may be included in a separate or peripheral device coupled to the communication device 1. Thus, the digital data conversion unit / transmitter 3 and the channel identifier 5 are part of one or more devices, and one of the devices can be the communication device 1. In FIG. 1, for purposes of illustration only, in this example it is assumed that these components 3, 5 are part of the communication device 1.

  The communication device 1 can receive, process and generate data. For example, communication device 1 may receive data including cellular, local wireless, or broadcast formats, including ATSC, DVB, or T-DMB, via any of a number of possible radios or access networks. In some cases, the communication device 1 may receive data via a wired interface or via one or more embedded interfaces. Data can also be generated in an uncompressed format via an image / video sensor for cameras or other camcorder applications. In some examples, the data may include one or more of audio data, video data, graphics data, text data, audio data, or metadata.

  The communication device 1 can further broadcast data over the wireless network 7 to one or more other devices, such as the data receiver 9. The digital data conversion unit / transmitter 3 can convert the data into a specific digital broadcast format. For example, the digital data conversion unit / transmitter 3 may be capable of encoding data that conforms to a particular digital broadcast format (e.g., ATSC, DVB, T-DMB) and modulating the encoded data. .

  The channel identifier 5 can identify at least one available channel of the spectrum, and the device 1 can be responsible for identifying at least one available channel. For example, the identification of at least one available channel can be initiated by the communication device 1. In some cases, the channel identifier may identify at least one available channel in an unused and / or unauthorized portion of a broadcast spectrum, such as a digital television broadcast spectrum. In some cases, the at least one available channel may include television band white space. `` Second Report and Order and Memorandum Opinion and Order '' adopted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on November 4, 2008 and published as FCC Order 08-260 on November 14, 2008 As specified in, "white space" may include unused portions or locations of the broadcast television spectrum that are not currently used by authorized services and thus may be used by unauthorized wireless transmitters. .

  In some cases, available channels may include channels that are not currently occupied. In one example, available channels may include channels that are not currently in use by authorized or authorized users (eg, users authorized by the FCC). In one example, available channels may include channels that are not currently used by either authorized or unauthorized users (eg, other white space channel users). In some cases, the available channels may include channels that may be used when a user obtains secondary permissions from another authorized user.

  In some situations, the channel identifier 5 identifies multiple available channels that may be required for data broadcasting based on the specific requirements or needs of the application or service running on the communication device 1 be able to. In one example, the available channels are channels that are not currently used by authorized users at or near the same geographic location as the communication device 1 and are acceptable for use by the communication device 1.

  Once one or more available channels are identified, the conversion unit / transmitter 3 converts (e.g., encodes,) over the wireless network 7 in at least one identified available channel. The modulated data can be transmitted to the data receiver 9. In some cases, communication device 1 automatically performs one or more of the actions described above based on the execution of one or more services or applications operating locally on communication device 1. Or run via user input. In some cases, the data receiver 9 may include functionality for demodulating and / or decoding received broadcast data from the communication device 1. In some cases, the conversion unit / transmitter 3 broadcasts data to multiple data receivers (including the data receiver 9) over the wireless network 7 in at least one identified available channel. be able to.

  As explained above, the channel identifier 5 can identify at least one available channel of the broadcast spectrum for a particular digital broadcast format. In one example, the channel identifier 5 is a spectrum sensor used to identify at least one available channel by sensing signal information in one or more channel ranges or bands within the broadcast spectrum. Can be included. In one example, the channel identifier 5 may access a database (eg, a digital TV band database such as that shown in FIG. 5) to identify at least one available channel.

  FIG. 2 includes a channel identifier 8 communicatively coupled to one or more communication receivers 12A-12N and one or more multimedia output devices 14A-14N via a wireless network 10. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a multimedia communication device 4 that is obtained. Multimedia communication device 4 can transmit data (e.g., multimedia) to one or more receivers 12A-12N and / or receive data from one or more receivers 12A-12N It is. In some cases, the data may include multimedia data, including at least one of audio data, video data, text data, audio data, and graphics data.

  In some cases, the wireless network 10 may be advanced television systems committee (ATSC), Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB), or Terrestrial Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (T), to name just a few examples, as described in more detail below. -DMB) format, etc., which may include networks that provide support for communication over the broadcast spectrum for digital broadcast formats. (DVB is an internationally accepted suite of open standards for digital television that includes the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC), and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU DMB is a digital radio transmission technology for transmitting multimedia data to mobile devices.)

  The multimedia communication device 4 may include a fixed device that transmits or receives data at a specified location, or a mobile device. The multimedia communication device 4 can comprise a stand-alone device or be part of a larger system. For example, the multimedia communication device 4 is a wireless multimedia communication device (such as a wireless mobile handset), a digital camera, a digital TV, a video camera, a video phone, a digital multimedia player, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a video game machine, It can include or be part of a personal computer or laptop device, or other video device. The multimedia communication device 4 can also be included in one or more integrated circuits or chips that can be used in some or all of the devices described above.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the multimedia communication device 4 may include a digital multimedia conversion unit / transmitter 6 coupled to a multimedia channel identifier 8. In FIG. 2, the digital multimedia conversion unit / transmitter 6 and the multimedia channel identifier 8 are shown as being included in the multimedia communication device 4, but in all cases these components 6, 8 One or both need not be included in the multimedia communication device 4. For example, in some cases, these components 6, 8 may be included in a separate or peripheral device coupled to multimedia communication device 4. Thus, the digital multimedia conversion unit / transmitter 6 and the multimedia channel identifier 8 are part of one or more devices, and one of the devices may be the multimedia communication device 4. In FIG. 2, for purposes of illustration only, in this example it is assumed that these components 6, 8 are part of the multimedia communication device 4.

  The multimedia communication device 4 can receive, process and generate multimedia data. For example, communication device 4 may receive multimedia data including cellular, local wireless, or broadcast formats, including ATSC, DVB, or T-DMB, via any of a number of possible radios or access networks . Multimedia data can also be generated in an uncompressed format via an image / video sensor for cameras or other camcorder applications. In some examples, the multimedia data may include one or more of audio data, video data, graphics data, text data, audio data, or metadata.

  Multimedia communication device 4 may further broadcast multimedia data over wireless network 10 to one or more other devices, such as multimedia output devices 14A-14N. The digital multimedia conversion unit / transmitter 6 is capable of converting multimedia data into a specific digital broadcast format. For example, the digital multimedia conversion unit / transmitter 6 may encode multimedia data that conforms to a particular digital broadcast format (eg, ATSC, DVB, T-DMB) and modulate the encoded multimedia data May be possible.

  The multimedia channel identifier 8 can identify at least one available channel of the spectrum, the identification being initiated by the multimedia communication device 4. In some cases, the multimedia channel identifier 8 may include multiple available channels that may be required for multimedia broadcasts based on the specific requirements or needs of applications or services running on the multimedia communication device 4. Can be identified. In one example, the available channels are channels that are not currently used by authorized users at or near the same geographical location as the multimedia communication device 4 and are acceptable for use by the multimedia communication device 4.

  Once one or more available channels have been identified, the transform unit / transmitter 6 can convert (e.g., encode, encode) via the wireless network 10 in at least one identified available channel. Modulated data can be transmitted to one or more of the multimedia output devices 14A-14N. In some cases, the multimedia communication device 4 may have one or more of the actions described above based on execution of one or more services or applications operating locally on the multimedia communication device 4. Run automatically or via user input.

  For example, in one example, an application may decide to broadcast specified multimedia content only to multimedia output device 14A over wireless network 10. The multimedia receiver 12A can receive broadcast data and can include a tuner that tunes the multimedia receiver 12A to an appropriate channel on which data is being broadcast from the multimedia communication device 4. Multimedia receiver 12A then provides the received data to multimedia output device 14A for processing (eg, for display).

  In another example, an application decides to broadcast specified multimedia content in parallel to a plurality of multimedia output devices 14A-14N (e.g., send video data to multiple display devices simultaneously). obtain. In this case, the multimedia receivers 12A-12N can each receive broadcast data, and the multimedia on the appropriate channel (eg, frequency or frequency band) from which the data is broadcast from the multimedia communication device 4. Each may include a tuner for tuning the receiver. Each multimedia receiver 12A-12N then provides the received data to its corresponding multimedia output device 14A-14N for processing.

  In some cases, multimedia receivers 12A-12N may include functionality for demodulating and / or decoding received broadcast data from multimedia communication device 4. In some cases, multimedia output devices 14A-14N may include such functionality. One or more of the multimedia output devices 14A-14N may each include an external device for its corresponding multimedia receiver 12A-12N. In some cases, one or more of the multimedia output devices 14A-14N are each part of their corresponding multimedia receivers 12A-12N or their corresponding multimedia receivers 12A-12N. Can be integrated within.

  As explained above, the multimedia channel identifier 8 can identify at least one available channel of the broadcast spectrum for a particular digital broadcast format. In one example, the multimedia channel identifier 8 is used to identify at least one available channel by sensing signal information in one or more channel ranges or bands within the broadcast spectrum. A spectral sensor may be included. In one example, the multimedia channel identifier 8 may access a database (eg, a digital TV band database such as that shown in FIG. 5) to identify at least one available channel.

  For example, the multimedia communication device 4 may include a geolocation function, whereby the multimedia communication device 4 (e.g., uses Global Positioning System (GPS) or other similar components, pilot signals or other location techniques. It can be used to determine its geographical location. In this example, the multimedia communication device 4 can provide such location information to the digital TV band database. The digital TV band database can be populated with channel information based on location and can provide the multimedia communication device 4 with a list of channels available within the geographical area currently occupied by the multimedia communication device 4. possible.

  Broadcasting multimedia data from the multimedia communication device 4 to one or more of the multimedia output devices 14A-14N can provide several advantages. For example, local broadcasts from multimedia communication device 4 to multimedia output devices 14A-14N (e.g., when such devices are located nearby, such as in one house or building) are distributed transmissions Can be generated in the same way as a machine network, but potentially less problematic. Since broadcasts can be limited to short distances, synchronization problems can be avoided even in the case of potential line-of-sight type propagation.

  Also, if the multimedia communication device 4 is a mobile device and the multimedia output devices 14A-14N include one or more television devices, the communication device 4 is advantageously HDMI, VGA, or other Mobile multimedia content can be extended to one or more television devices without having to physically couple the communication device 4 to the output devices 14A-14N, such as by using an audiovisual cable. Furthermore, the communication device 4 can simultaneously broadcast digital TV content to multiple television devices (eg, within a household with multiple TV receivers).

  Thus, in one scenario, a user utilizes multimedia communication device 4 to broadcast multimedia data to other collaborated or uncollated multimedia output devices 14A-14N. be able to. For example, the user can set up a wireless network at the user's home to couple the multimedia communication device 4 to other devices. The multimedia communication device 4 may include a personal or laptop computer in one example. A user has multimedia data (e.g. personal presentation, television program or movie, web content, streaming video, digital photo) processed by the multimedia communication device 4 (e.g. in one or more rooms at home) ) You may want to send to one or more televisions. Multimedia communication device 4 can identify one or more available channels to broadcast such multimedia data to these one or more televisions, wire or other physical connection A convenient way to extend content from a computer to a television (eg, a large screen and / or a high definition television) without the need to use.

  FIG. 3 illustrates a digital TV channel identifier 20 communicatively coupled to one or more digital TV receivers 24A-24N and one or more display devices 26A-26N via a wireless network 22. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a multimedia communication device 16 that may be included. In FIG. 3, the digital TV channel identifier 20 of the multimedia communication device 16 is an example of a multimedia channel identifier such as the multimedia channel identifier 8 of the multimedia communication device 4 shown in FIG. Display devices 26A-26N are examples of multimedia output devices, such as multimedia output devices 14A-14N shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, multimedia communication device 16 includes a digital TV conversion unit / transmitter 18 coupled to a digital TV channel identifier 20. Although the digital TV conversion unit / transmitter 18 and the digital TV channel identifier 20 are shown in FIG. 3 as being included in the multimedia communication device 16, one of these components 18, 20 is not necessarily required in all cases. Or both need not be included in the multimedia communication device 16. For example, in some cases, these components 18, 20 may be included in a separate or peripheral device coupled to multimedia communication device 16. Thus, the digital TV conversion unit / transmitter 18 and the digital TV channel identifier 20 are part of one or more devices, and one of the devices may be a multimedia communication device 16. In FIG. 3, for purposes of illustration only, in this example it is assumed that these components 18, 20 are part of the multimedia communication device 16.

  The multimedia communication device 16 can receive, process and generate multimedia data. The multimedia communication device 16 may further broadcast multimedia data over the wireless network 22 to one or more other devices, such as display devices 26A-26N. The digital TV conversion unit / transmitter 18 converts multimedia data into a digital broadcast format (e.g., encodes multimedia data that conforms to a specific digital broadcast TV format (e.g., ATSC), and encodes encoded multimedia Data can be modulated).

  The digital TV channel identifier 20 is capable of identifying at least one available TV channel in the unused portion of the broadcast TV spectrum for a particular digital broadcast TV format, such identification being a multimedia communication Started by device 16. In some cases, the digital TV channel identifier 20 may include a plurality of available channels that may be required for multimedia broadcasts based on the specific requirements or needs of applications or services running on the multimedia communication device 16. Can be identified.

  Once one or more available channels are identified, the conversion unit / transmitter 18 uses the at least one identified available channel to convert the converted data (via wireless network 22) For example, encoded and modulated multimedia data) may be transmitted to one or more of display devices 26A-26N. In some cases, multimedia communication device 16 may perform one or more of the operations described above based on execution of one or more services or applications that are operating locally on multimedia communication device 16. Start automatically or via user input.

  4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a mobile multimedia communication device 30 that may be used as the multimedia communication device 4 shown in FIG. 2 and / or the multimedia communication device 16 shown in FIG. Mobile multimedia communication device 30 includes a mobile device, such as a wireless communication device or handset.

  As shown in the example of FIG. 4, mobile multimedia communication device 30 includes various components. For example, in this particular example, the mobile multimedia communications device 30 includes one or more multimedia processors 32, a display processor 34, an audio output processor 36, an embedded display 38, an embedded speaker 40, and a digital TV. A conversion unit / transmitter 42 and a channel identifier 44 are included. Multimedia processor 32 may include one or more video processors, one or more audio processors, and one or more graphics processors. Each of the processors included within multimedia processor 32 may include one or more decoders.

  Multimedia processor 32 is coupled to both display processor 34 and audio output processor 36. A video and / or graphics processor included within multimedia processor 32 can generate image and / or graphics multimedia data that is fed to display processor 34 for further processing, It is displayed on the built-in display 38. For example, display processor 34 may perform one or more operations on the image and / or graphics data, such as scaling, rotation, color conversion, cropping, or other rendering operations. An audio processor included within the multimedia processor 32 can generate audio multimedia data that is provided to the audio output processor 36 for further processing and output to the embedded speaker 40. Accordingly, a user of the mobile multimedia communication device 30 can view and listen to a representation of the multimedia data via the embedded display 38 and the embedded speaker 40.

  In addition to providing output multimedia data to the embedded display 38, the display processor 34 can also provide its output to the digital TV conversion unit / transmitter 42. Furthermore, the audio output processor 36 can provide its output to the digital TV conversion unit / transmitter 42. As a result, the digital TV conversion unit / transmitter 42 can process multiple streams of multimedia data. In some cases, display processor 34 and / or audio output processor 36 may store the corresponding output multimedia data in one or more buffers, and then digital TV conversion unit / transmitter 42 may To retrieve data. The digital TV conversion unit / transmitter 42 converts the multimedia data into a specific digital broadcast format (e.g., encodes and modulates the data), as described in more detail below with reference to FIG. Various components may be included for transmitting the converted data in one or more identified available channels to another device over the wireless network.

  In some cases, the digital TV conversion unit / transmitter 42 may receive multiple received streams of multimedia data from the display processor 34 and audio output processor 36, individual single program transports that may be transmitted across multiple broadcast channels. Can be converted and / or encapsulated into a stream. In some cases, multiple streams of multimedia data may be encapsulated in the same transport stream and transmitted in a single channel. One multimedia stream may be transmitted as a picture-in-picture (PIP) data path that includes supplemental multimedia information or metadata about the multimedia data. The metadata can include, for example, one or more of text, notification messages, program guide information, or menu information. In some cases, the digital TV conversion unit / transmitter 42 may receive data directly from the multimedia processor 32. In these cases, the digital TV conversion unit / transmitter 42 may convert and / or encapsulate data received directly from the multimedia processor into a transport stream that can be transmitted.

  Mobile multimedia communication device 30 to enable mobile multimedia communication device 30 to broadcast or otherwise transmit multimedia data in one or more streams to a remote device over a wireless network 30 identifies one or more available channels in the unused portion of the spectrum when initiated by the mobile multimedia communication device 30. A channel identifier 44 can identify these one or more available channels.

  As described in further detail below with respect to the channel identification process, the channel identifier 44 can identify available channels in one or more ways. For example, the channel identifier 44 can utilize a spectrum sensor capable of dynamically sensing available channels in one or more frequency bands, such as the spectrum sensor shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. A spectrum sensor can assign several quality values (e.g. interference level, signal-to-noise ratio) to the sensed signal to determine the quality of channels available in the spectrum for data transmission It can be. The sensing algorithm can be executed periodically and can be based on the format of the particular video stream being processed.

  The channel identifier 44 can also utilize a geolocation function in conjunction with spectrum sensing or independently. The geolocation may include a GPS sensor, in one example, a mobile multimedia communication device for determining the geographic coordinates of the mobile multimedia communication device 30 by using a geolocation sensor (such as that shown in FIG. 5) Points to 30 functions. The channel identifier 44 can query an external digital channel database (eg, a digital TV band database such as that shown in FIG. 5) to obtain a list of available channels via wireless communication. In general, such external databases may be maintained by one or more external devices or sources, but may be updated based on requests and data flows from various devices, such as mobile multimedia communication device 30.

  In one example, the channel identifier 44 can send geolocation coordinates for the location of the mobile multimedia communication device 30 to an external digital channel database, such as via a network (eg, wireless network) connection. The channel identifier 44 can then receive a list of channels available for the geographic region associated with the location of the mobile multimedia communication device 30 as indicated by the geolocation coordinates from an external database. Channel identifier 44 then selects one or more of the identified channels for use and returns data regarding the intended use of these frequency channels by mobile multimedia communication device 30 to the external database. can do. Accordingly, the external database may be updated accordingly based on the received data from the mobile multimedia communication device 30.

  In some cases, the external database is updated until the mobile multimedia communication device 30 sends a subsequent message to the external database indicating that the selected channel is no longer needed or used. The channel may indicate that it is being used by mobile multimedia communication device 30. In other cases, the external database may reserve the selected channel for device 30 only for a defined time period. In these cases, the device 30 may need to send a message to the external database indicating that the device 30 is still using the selected channel within its defined time period, in which case the external database Updates the reservation of the channel selected during the second time period for use by the device 30.

  In some cases, the channel identifier 44 may request a bandwidth for a service or application running on the mobile multimedia communication device 30, for example, as indicated by one or more of the multimedia processors 32. Or, one or more of the available channels can be selected for use based on need. For example, a particular multimedia application may require multiple broadcast streams, each with high bandwidth requirements. In this situation, the channel identifier 44 can allocate multiple different available channels for transmission to accommodate the bandwidth requirements of these multiple broadcast streams.

  In some cases, channel identifier 44 may identify one or more available channels based on information received from multiple sources. For example, if channel identifier 44 utilizes both a spectral sensor and geolocation function, channel identifier 44 may determine from which source these both when determining which channels may be available for use. Channel information may need to be processed. In some cases, channel identifier 44 may need to manage competing channel information that may be provided by these multiple sources when selecting one or more channels. FIG. 9, described in more detail below, provides an example of how a device, such as mobile multimedia communication device 30, may process channel information from multiple sources in some cases.

  Once the channel identifier 44 identifies one or more available transmission channels, the digital TV conversion unit / transmitter 42 can use the identified transmission channels to multimedia to external devices over the network. Content or data can be broadcast or otherwise transmitted. The mobile multimedia communication device 30 can directly initiate broadcast transmission with such external devices.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a digital TV conversion unit / transmitter 42A in conjunction with a channel identifier 44A that may be implemented within the mobile multimedia communication device 30A. In FIG. 5, the digital TV conversion unit / transmitter 42A is an example of the digital TV conversion unit / transmitter 42 shown in FIG. 4, and the channel identifier 44A may be an example of the channel identifier 44 shown in FIG. . In the example of FIG. 5, the mobile multimedia communication device 30A can broadcast multimedia data according to a specific digital broadcast format, ATSC. Mobile multimedia communication device 30A may enable low power transmission to ATSC-compatible external devices such as high definition or flat panel television. In this case, the ATSC compatible device may include one of the multimedia output devices 14A-14N shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the digital TV conversion unit / transmitter 42A comprises a video and / or audio encoder 50A, a transport encoder / multiplexer 52A, an error correction encoder 54A, an ATSC modulator 56A, a radio frequency (RF) duplexer / switch Various components may be included, such as 58A and transmitter 59A. These components help support data transmission over the transmission spectrum using the ATSC standard. The ATSC standard is a multi-layer standard that provides layers for video coding, audio coding, transport streams, and modulation. In one example, the RF duplexer / switch 58A may include an ultra high frequency (UHF) duplexer / switch. The duplexer may allow signals to be received for sensing purposes and transmitted for communication purposes.

  Video / audio encoder 50A may include one or more video encoders and one or more audio encoders to encode video and / or audio data into one or more streams. For example, video / audio encoder 50A may include a Moving Picture Experts Group-2 (MPEG-2) encoder or an H.264 encoder (from Telecommunication Standardization Sector, ITU-T) to encode video data. Video / audio encoder 50A may also include a Dolby Digital (Dolby AC-3) encoder for encoding audio data. An ATSC stream may include one or more video programs and one or more audio programs. Any video encoder used can implement a main profile for standard definition video or a high profile for high definition video.

  A transport (eg, MPEG-2 Transport Stream, or TS) encoder / multiplexer 52A receives encoded data streams from video / audio encoder 50A and packetizes these data streams into one or more for broadcast. It can be assembled into an elementary stream (PES) or the like. These PES can then be packetized into individual program transport streams. The transport encoder / multiplexer 52A may in some cases provide an output transport stream to an error correction encoder 54A (eg, a Reed-Solomon encoder) that may perform an error correction coding function.

  The ATSC modulator 56A can modulate the transport stream for broadcast. In some cases, ATSC modulator 56A may utilize 8 vestigial side band (8VSB) modulation for broadcast transmission. The RF duplexer / switch 58A can then duplex the transport stream or act as a switch for the transport stream. Transmitter 59A can broadcast one or more transport streams to one or more external devices using one or more available channels identified by channel identifier 44A. .

  Channel identifier 44A includes a database manager 62, a channel selector 64A, an optional channel selection user interface (UI) 66A, and a spectrum sensor 70A. Both channel identifier 44A and digital TV conversion unit / transmitter 42A are coupled to memory 60A, which may include one or more buffers. Channel identifier 44A and digital TV conversion unit / transmitter 42A can exchange information directly or indirectly through information storage and retrieval via memory 60A.

  Channel identifier 44A includes a spectrum sensor 70A. As described above, a spectrum sensor, such as spectrum sensor 70A, can sense signals in one or more frequency bands within the broadcast spectrum of a particular digital TV format, such as ATSC. The spectrum sensor 70A can determine channel availability and signal strength based on the ability to identify broadcast data that occupies one or more used channels in the spectrum. The spectrum sensor 70A can then provide information to the channel selector 64A regarding channels that are currently unused or available. For example, if the spectrum sensor 70A does not detect data being broadcast on a particular channel by another external device, it can detect that this channel is available.

  As shown in FIG. 5, channel selector 64A may also receive information from a digital TV band (geolocation) database via network 72 and database manager 62. The digital TV band database 74 is located outside the mobile multimedia communication device 30A and includes information about channels that are currently in use or available in the broadcast spectrum of a particular digital TV format, such as in the ATSC spectrum. . In general, the digital TV band database 74 is dynamically updated when a channel is made available or released for use by other devices. In some cases, the digital TV band database 74 may be organized by geographic location / region or by frequency band (eg, low VHF, high VHF, UHF).

  In order for channel identifier 44A to obtain channel availability information from digital TV band database 74, channel identifier 44A may optionally provide geolocation information to digital TV band database 74 as an input. The channel identifier 44A can obtain geolocation information or coordinates from the geolocation sensor 73 that can indicate the geographical location of the mobile multimedia communication device 30A at a particular point in time. Geolocation sensor 73 may optionally include a GPS sensor.

  Upon receiving geolocation information from the geolocation sensor 73, the channel selector 64A may provide such information as input to the digital TV band database 74 via the database manager 62. Database manager 62 can provide an interface to digital TV band database 74. In some cases, the database manager 62 may store a local copy of the selected content when the selected content of the digital TV band database 74 is retrieved. Furthermore, the database manager 62 can store selection information provided by the channel selector 64A to the digital TV band database 74, such as geolocation information.

  Upon transmitting geolocation information related to mobile multimedia communication device 30A, channel selector 64A digitally digitizes the set of one or more available channels presented as described in digital TV band database 74. It can be received from the TV band database 74. The set of available channels may be channels that are available in the geographic region or location indicated by the geolocation sensor 73 as currently occupied by the mobile multimedia communication device 30A.

  Upon receipt of available channel information from one or both of spectrum sensor 70A and digital TV band database 74, channel selector 64A automatically selects one or more available channels or selects channel selection UI 66A. Can be selected via user input. The channel selection UI presents available channels in a graphical user interface, and a service or application user can select one or more of these available channels.

  In some cases, channel selector 64A may automatically select or identify one or more of the available channels to use for broadcast transmission by mobile multimedia communication device 30A. For example, the channel selector 64A utilizes information provided by one or more of the multimedia processors 32 (FIG. 4) to identify one of the available channels to be broadcast for transmission. Or more than one can be determined. In some cases, channel selector 64A may select multiple channels based on the demands or needs of the running service or application. One or more transport streams associated with these services or applications may be broadcast over one or more of the identified channels by transmitter 59A.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating another example of a digital TV conversion unit / transmitter 42B in conjunction with a channel identifier 44B that may be implemented within the mobile multimedia communication device 30B. In FIG. 6, the digital TV conversion unit / transmitter 42B is an example of the digital TV conversion unit / transmitter 42 shown in FIG. 4, and the channel identifier 44B may be an example of the channel identifier 44 shown in FIG. . Digital TV conversion unit / transmitter 42B and channel identifier 44B can each store information and retrieve information from memory device 60B. Like the digital TV conversion unit / transmitter 42A, the digital TV conversion unit / transmitter 42B includes one or more video / audio encoders 50B, a transport encoder / multiplexer 52B, an error correction encoder 54B, and ATSC modulation. 56B, RF duplexer / switch 58B, and transmitter 59B.

  The channel identifier 44B of FIG. 6 differs from the channel identifier 44A of FIG. 5 in that the channel identifier 44B does not include a database manager that interfaces to a digital TV band database. In FIG. 6, the channel identifier 44B includes only the spectrum sensor 70B. Since the geolocation function is not implemented in the example of FIG. 6, the mobile multimedia communication device 30B does not include a geolocation sensor. Channel selector 64B identifies one or more available channels for broadcast transmission based on the input received from spectrum sensor 70B. Channel selector 64B may also receive a user selection of channels from the list of available channels via channel selection UI 66B. A list of available channels may be presented on the channel selection UI 66B based on sensing signal information provided by the spectrum sensor 70B.

  FIG. 7 shows that one multimedia communication device serves as a master device 82 coupled to a digital TV band (geolocation) database 80 and the remaining multimedia communication devices serve as client devices (e.g., client devices 88 and 94). FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a plurality of multimedia communication devices. A master communication device, a client device 88, and a client device 94 each may be capable of broadcasting multimedia data to a remote multimedia output device in one or more broadcast streams in some cases. Multimedia communication devices such as 4 (FIG. 2) may be included. However, as described below, master device 82 can control the ability of client devices 88 and 94 to perform such broadcast transmissions.

  In the example of FIG. 7, client device 88 and client device 94 may each operate in a client mode in which the transmission of client devices 88 and 94 along with the frequency channel of operation may be under the control of master device 82. In general, client devices 88 and 94 do not initiate a network to initiate broadcast transmission until an enable signal or control signal is received from master device 82.

  Master device 82 may operate in a master mode where master device 82 has the ability to transmit without receiving an enable signal. Master device 82 can initiate a network by selecting a channel on its own and sending an enable or control signal to client devices 88 and 94.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the master device 82 is coupled to a digital TV band (geolocation) database 80. Master device 82 may be able to use its digital TV channel identifier 86 to identify one or more available channels for broadcast transmission of multimedia data. The digital TV conversion unit / transmitter 84 converts the multimedia data into a digital broadcast format (e.g., encodes the multimedia data and modulates such data) and converts the data in one or more data streams. It can be sent to one or more multimedia output devices. Master device 82 can include a geolocation sensor, and digital TV channel identifier 86 can identify available channels based on channel information provided by digital TV band database 80. In some cases, the digital TV channel identifier 86 may utilize signal information from the spectrum sensor when identifying available channels. (In an alternative, when multiple master devices are used, another master device can perform a spectrum sensing function while one master device performs a geolocation function.)

  Client device 88 includes a digital TV conversion unit / transmitter 90 as well as a digital TV channel identifier 92. Similarly, the client device 94 includes a digital TV conversion unit / transmitter 96 and a digital TV channel identifier 98. Client devices 88 and 94 are not coupled to the digital TV band database 80 in the example of FIG. 7 and may not include geolocation sensors. Client devices 88 and 94 may include spectrum sensors to sense available broadcast channels. However, prior to initiating broadcast transmission to one or more multimedia output devices, client devices 88 and 94 may need to obtain an enable signal or control signal from master device 82 first.

  Further, in some cases, master device 82 provides client devices 88 and 94 with a list of identified available channels that digital TV channel identifier 86 has determined that client devices 88 and 94 can use. Can do. Client devices 88 and 94 may be configured to use the channel identified by master device 82 when initiating a broadcast transmission. In these cases, master device 82 and client devices 88 and 94 may be located in a relatively close or similar geolocation region.

  If the client devices 88 and / or 94 include their own spectrum sensing capabilities, these devices may be provided by their own spectrum sensors in some cases when identifying available channels for broadcast multimedia transmission. The channel information given by the master 82 can be used together with the signal information. In some examples, when master device 82 and client devices 88 and / or 94 broadcast data from client devices 88 and / or 94, they perform a negotiation operation to determine the available channels to select. be able to.

  For example, when client devices 88 and / or 94 run services or applications that have some bandwidth requirement or need and broadcast data for these services or applications from client devices 88 and / or 94, which utilization It can negotiate with master device 82 to determine if a possible channel may be most appropriate for use.

  FIG. 8 is performed by a communication device, such as one or more of the communication devices shown in FIGS. 1-4, to broadcast media data over an identified channel of the spectrum, such as a digital TV broadcast spectrum 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a method that can be performed. In the following description of FIG. 8, for purposes of illustration only, it is assumed that the method of FIG. 8 can be performed by the mobile multimedia communication device 30 shown in FIG.

  Device 30 may convert the data to a digital broadcast format (100) (eg, using a conversion unit such as that included in the digital TV conversion unit / transmitter 42 of FIG. 4). The communication device includes a multimedia communication device having multimedia functions, and the data may include multimedia data including at least one of audio data, video data, text data, audio data, and graphics data. . In some examples, the digital broadcast format can be an ATSC format, a T-DMB (Terrestrial Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) format, or a DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting) format, but using various other digital formats You can also. When converting the multimedia data, the device 30 may include one or more video and / or audio encoders (e.g., the video / audio encoder 50A or diagram shown in FIG. 5) along with one or more modulators / duplexers / switches. The video / audio encoder 50B) and / or multiplexer shown in FIG. 6 can be used. Transforming the multimedia data may include encoding the multimedia data to comply with a digital broadcast format and modulating the encoded multimedia data.

  If the multimedia data includes video or graphics data, device 30 may display the video or graphics data on a display, such as an embedded display 38 (FIG. 4) or a display external to device 30. If the multimedia data includes audio data, the device 30 may provide the audio data to one or more speakers, such as a built-in speaker 40 (FIG. 4) or a speaker external to the device 30.

  Device 30 may identify 104 at least one available channel of the spectrum (eg, using a channel identifier such as channel identifier 44 of FIG. 4). Such identification may in some cases be initiated by the device. For example, device 30 may identify a spectrum sensor (e.g., spectrum sensor 70A in FIG. 5 or spectrum sensor 70B in FIG. 6) and / or a digital TV band database (e.g., diagram) to identify at least one available channel. Information accessed from five digital TV band databases 74) can be used. In some cases, device 30 may identify at least one available channel in an unused portion of the broadcast spectrum, such as a broadcast television spectrum. In some cases, the at least one available channel may include television band white space. Digital broadcast formats can be listed in just a few non-limiting examples: Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) format, Terrestrial Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (T-DMB) format, Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) format, or Moving Picture Experts. Can include Group Transport Stream (MPEG-TS) format.

  In some examples, if at least one available channel is occupied (e.g., by an authorized user), device 30 may have at least one other available for subsequent transmission and / or broadcast of data. A channel identifier can be used to identify the channel. In some cases, device 30 may use a channel identifier to periodically determine whether at least one available channel is still available or occupied for a period of time. When device 30 makes such a determination, it may optionally use a spectrum sensor and / or access a geolocation database.

  In one example, device 30 may include a geolocation sensor (eg, geolocation sensor 73 in FIG. 5) to determine the geographic coordinates of device 30. The device 30 can then provide the geographic coordinates as input to the digital TV band database.

  When device 30 utilizes a spectrum sensor, device 30 may assign one or more quality values associated with one or more channels sensed by the spectrum sensor. The quality value may be based on noise level, interference (eg, from foreign signals or unauthorized / unauthorized users), or other factors. For example, the device 30 utilizes a spectral sensor for several individually sensed channels within a defined frequency range or band, such as an interference level or signal to noise ratio that may be associated with those channels. Quality value can be obtained. The device 30 can assess the quality (eg, low quality, medium quality, high quality) of each channel using the meta information given by these quality values. For example, if an available channel quality value indicates that the channel may have a high signal-to-noise ratio with a small amount of interference, the device 30 may determine that the channel may be a high quality channel. it can. On the other hand, if the quality value of the available channel indicates that the channel has a low signal-to-noise ratio or may have a large amount of interference, the device 30 determines that the channel can be a low quality channel. can do.

  The device 30 may use one or more quality values and available channel information provided by the digital TV band database to identify at least one available channel, such as shown in the example of FIG. Can be correlated. For example, in one scenario, the step of correlating the quality threshold when the channel information given by the digital TV band database indicates that the channel is available, and there is one of the quality values associated with the channel And determining that the channel is available.

  After device 30 has identified at least one available channel, device 30 may identify the at least one identified available channel (e.g., via transmitter 59A in FIG. 5 or transmitter 59B in FIG. 6). The converted data may be transmitted in (eg, to one or more other external devices) (106). For example, device 30 may initiate a broadcast transmission to one or more external multimedia output devices, such as a television device, at the request of device 30. In one example, device 30 may include a master device (eg, master device 82 of FIG. 7). In this example, device 30 can send information identifying at least one available channel to one or more separate client devices (eg, client devices 88 and / or 94 of FIG. 7). .

  FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a method that may be performed by a multimedia communication device, such as one or more of the multimedia communication devices shown in FIGS. 1-4, to identify available channels. is there. In some cases, the device can identify available channels using spectral sensors and information received from a digital TV band (geolocation) database. In some cases, the device can identify available channels using only the spectral sensor. In the following description of FIG. 9, for purposes of illustration only, it is assumed that the method of FIG. 9 is performed by the mobile multimedia communication device 30 shown in FIG.

  In some cases, mobile multimedia communication device 30 may receive 120 channel information for a particular channel from a geolocation database, such as the digital TV band (geolocation) database 74 shown in the example of FIG. Channels may include channels in the frequency band of the broadcast spectrum for digital TV formats, such as ATSC. The mobile multimedia communication device 30 can utilize a geolocation sensor (e.g., the geolocation sensor 73 of FIG. 5) to provide the geolocation information of the device 30 as input to the geolocation database, and thus the geolocation database Returns channel information of the channel to device 30 based on the location of device 30. However, in some embodiments, device 30 may not receive channel information from the geolocation database when the geolocation database is not used or accessed, such as shown in the example of FIG.

  Device 30 may also receive the same channel signal information from a spectrum sensor, such as spectrum sensor 70A shown in FIG. 5 (122). In this example, device 30 receives channel information for channels from both a geolocation database and a spectrum sensor.

  If device 30 communicates with the geolocation database, device 30 may first determine whether the channel information provided by the geolocation database indicates that the channel is not available (126). For example, the geolocation database may indicate that the channel is currently being used by another authorized service provider or user. In this case, device 30 may determine to look for and use another channel that is available for broadcast transmission, regardless of whether the spectrum sensor indicates that the channel is available ( 124).

  However, if the geolocation database indicates that the channel is available, device 30 indicates that the channel information provided by the spectrum sensor may be occupied or have a low quality level. (128). In some cases, the geolocation database may not be up to date, in which case the channel may be occupied even though the geolocation database indicates that the channel is not occupied. If the spectrum sensor indicates that a channel may be occupied, the device 30 may decide to ignore that channel and look for another channel that is available (124).

  The spectrum sensor has identified an available channel, but that channel may be available, but will have a low quality level (e.g., high noise level, heavy interference) based on one or more determined quality values. If indicated to have or determined from the meta-information, device 30 may decide to ignore that channel and look for another available channel for broadcast transmission (124). The quality value may be based on noise level, interference (eg, from foreign signals or unauthorized / unauthorized users), or other factors. The quality value may be based on one or more metrics, such as signal to noise ratio, signal to interference ratio, measured noise floor, or other metric. (If device 30 communicates with the geolocation database, device 30 can again receive channel information from the geolocation database when looking for another available channel. In other cases, device 30 (The channel information can only be received from the spectrum sensor to look for another available channel.)

  However, if the spectrum sensor indicates that the channel may be available and has a medium to high quality level as indicated by the quality value, the device 30 may use that channel for broadcast transmission of multimedia data. Can be selected (130). In some cases, when device 30 determines that a channel may only have a medium quality level (e.g., based on a processed quality value), device 30 selects that channel for use. Since the quality level of the channel is medium (not high), the transmission power of broadcast communications using the channel may be increased.

  In some examples, device 30 may rely only on information provided by the geolocation database regarding the availability of one or more channels. In these examples, even if device 30 includes a spectrum sensor, device 30 disables the spectrum sensor or ignores the channel information provided by the sensor and based only on the information provided by the geolocation database. Available channels can be selected.

  In some examples, a communication device, such as device 30, may be illustrated during execution of one or more services or applications to identify multiple available channels that may be used for multimedia data broadcast. The method shown in 9 can be performed multiple times. For example, a particular application may have high bandwidth requirements and require the use of multiple transmission channels. Device 30 performs the method shown in FIG. 9 one or more times to identify multiple available transmission channels that can be used by an application to broadcast multimedia data to an external device such as a television. obtain.

  The techniques described in this disclosure may be a general purpose microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), programmable logic device (PLD), or other equivalent logic device. May be implemented within one or more of the. Accordingly, as used herein, the term “processor” or “controller” refers to any one or more of the foregoing structures or other structures suitable for implementation of the techniques described herein. Sometimes.

  The various components described herein may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, or any suitable combination thereof. In the figure, the various components are shown as separate units or modules. However, all or some of the various components described with reference to these figures may be integrated into a complex unit or module within common hardware, firmware, and / or software. Thus, the representation of a feature as a component, unit, or module emphasizes a particular functional feature for ease of explanation, and the realization of such a feature by separate hardware, firmware, or software components. Is not necessarily required. In some cases, the various units may be implemented as a programmable process that is executed by one or more processors.

  Any of the features described herein as a module, device, or component can be implemented together in an integrated logic device or separately as a discrete but interoperable logic device. In various aspects, such components can be formed, at least in part, as one or more integrated circuit devices, such as integrated circuit chips or chip sets, that can be collectively referred to as an integrated circuit device. Such circuitry may be provided in a single integrated circuit chip device or in a plurality of interoperable integrated circuit chip devices, for various images, displays, audio, or other multimedia applications and devices. It can be used in either. In some aspects, for example, such components can form part of a mobile device, such as a wireless communication device handset (eg, a mobile phone handset).

  When implemented in software, the techniques are computer readable data storage comprising code having instructions that, when executed at least in part by one or more processors, perform one or more of the methods described above. It can be realized by a medium. The computer readable storage medium may form part of a computer program product that may include packaging material. Computer-readable media include random access memory (RAM) such as synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), read only memory (ROM), non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), embedded It may include dynamic random access memory (eDRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), flash memory, magnetic or optical data storage media. Any software utilized may be executed by one or more processors, such as one or more DSPs, general purpose microprocessors, ASICs, FPGAs, or other equivalent integrated or discrete logic circuits.

  Various aspects have been described in this disclosure. These and other aspects are within the scope of the following claims.

1 Communication device
3 Digital data conversion unit / transmitter
4 Multimedia communication devices
5,44,44A, 44B Channel identifier
6 Digital multimedia conversion unit / transmitter
7,10,22 Wireless network
8 Multimedia channel identifier
9 Data receiver
12A, 12N communication receiver
12A, 12N multimedia receiver
14A, 14N multimedia output device
16 Multimedia communication devices
18,42,42A, 42B, 84,90,96 Digital TV conversion unit / transmitter
20,86,92,98 Digital TV channel identifier
24A, 24N Digital TV receiver
26A, 26N display device
30,30A, 30B Mobile multimedia communication device
32 Multimedia processor
34 Display processor
36 audio output processor
38 Embedded display
40 Built-in speakers
50A, 50B video / audio encoder
52A, 52B Transport Encoder / Multiplexer
54A, 54B error correction encoder
56A, 56B ATSC modulator
58A, 58B RF duplexer / switch
59A, 59B transmitter
60A memory
60B memory device
62 Database Manager
64A, 64B channel selector
66A, 66B channel selection UI
70A, 70B spectrum sensor
72 network
73 Geolocation sensor
74,80 Digital TV Band (Geolocation) Database
82 Master device
88,94 client devices

Claims (55)

Converting the data into a digital broadcast format;
Identifying at least one available channel of the spectrum;
Transmitting the converted data in the at least one identified available channel.   The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the at least one available channel comprises identifying the at least one available channel in an unused portion of a broadcast television spectrum.   The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the at least one available channel comprises identifying a television band white space.   The digital broadcast format is ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee) format, T-DMB (Terrestrial Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) format, DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting) format, Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting Terrestrial (ISDB-T) format, or Moving Picture Experts. The method of claim 1, comprising a Group Transport Stream (MPEG-TS) format.   The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the at least one available channel is initiated by a communication device. The communication device includes a multimedia communication device having a multimedia function;
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the data comprises multimedia data, including at least one of audio data, video data, text data, audio data, and graphics data. Transforming the multimedia data includes encoding the multimedia data to comply with the digital broadcast format; and modulating the encoded multimedia data;
Transmitting the converted data comprises transmitting the converted data from the multimedia communication device to one or more external devices in the at least one identified available channel. Item 7. The method according to Item 6.   7. The method of claim 6, wherein when the multimedia data includes video or graphics data, the method further comprises displaying the video or graphics data on a display of the multimedia communication device.   7. The method of claim 6, wherein when the multimedia data includes audio data, the method further comprises providing the audio data to one or more speakers.   The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the at least one available channel comprises using a spectrum sensor to identify the at least one available channel.   The method of claim 10, wherein identifying the at least one available channel further comprises accessing a digital television (TV) band database to identify the at least one available channel. .   The method of claim 11, further comprising determining a geographic coordinate of a communication device, wherein accessing the digital TV band database comprises providing the geographic coordinate as an input to the digital TV band database. .   13. The method of claim 12, further comprising assigning one or more quality values associated with one or more channels sensed by the spectrum sensor.   The step of identifying the at least one available channel uses the one or more quality values as provided by the digital TV band database to identify the at least one available channel. 14. The method of claim 13, comprising correlating with channel information.   Correlating comprises: when the channel information provided by the digital TV band database indicates that a channel is available, and when one of the quality values associated with the channel exceeds a quality threshold 15. The method of claim 14, comprising determining that the channel is available.   The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying at least one other available channel if the at least one available channel is occupied by another user.   17. The method of claim 16, further comprising periodically determining whether the at least one available channel is still available or occupied by another user. Converting data to digital broadcast format;
Identifying at least one available channel of the spectrum;
A computer readable storage medium comprising instructions for causing one or more processors to transmit the converted data in the at least one identified available channel.   The computer of claim 18, wherein the instructions for identifying the at least one available channel include instructions for identifying the at least one available channel in an unused portion of a broadcast television spectrum. A readable storage medium.   19. The computer readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the instructions for identifying the at least one available channel include instructions for identifying a television band white space.   The computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the identification of the at least one available channel is initiated by a communication device.   The computer readable storage of claim 18, wherein the instructions for identifying the at least one available channel comprise instructions for using a spectrum sensor to identify the at least one available channel. Medium.   The instructions for identifying the at least one available channel further comprise instructions for accessing a digital television (TV) band database to identify the at least one available channel. The computer-readable storage medium according to 22.   Further comprising instructions for determining geographical coordinates of a communication device, wherein the instructions for accessing the digital TV band database comprise instructions for providing the geographical coordinates as input to the digital TV band database; 24. A computer readable storage medium according to claim 23.   The computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, further comprising instructions for identifying at least one other available channel if the at least one available channel is occupied by another user.   26. The computer readable storage medium of claim 25, further comprising instructions for periodically determining whether the at least one available channel is still available or occupied by another user. A conversion unit configured to convert data to a digital broadcast format;
A channel identifier configured to identify at least one available channel of the spectrum;
And a digital transmitter configured to transmit the converted data in the at least one identified available channel.   28. The communication device of claim 27, wherein the channel identifier is configured to identify the at least one available channel in an unused portion of a broadcast television spectrum.   28. The communication device of claim 27, wherein the channel identifier is configured to identify the at least one available channel by identifying a television band white space.   The digital broadcast format is ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee) format, T-DMB (Terrestrial Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) format, DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting) format, Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting Terrestrial (ISDB-T) format, or Moving Picture Experts. 28. The communication device according to claim 27, comprising a Group Transport Stream (MPEG-TS) format.   28. The communication device of claim 27, wherein the channel identifier is configured to identify the at least one available channel when initiated by the communication device. The communication device includes a multimedia communication device having a multimedia function;
28. The communication device of claim 27, wherein the data includes multimedia data including at least one of audio data, video data, text data, audio data, and graphics data. The transform unit includes a digital multimedia encoder configured to encode the multimedia data to conform to the digital broadcast format, and the transform unit modulates the encoded multimedia data Further comprising a digital multimedia modulator configured as follows:
The digital transmitter transmits the converted data by transmitting the converted data from the multimedia communication device to one or more external devices at least in the at least one identified available channel. 33. The communication device of claim 32, configured to transmit data.   33. The communication device of claim 32, wherein when the multimedia data includes video or graphics data, the multimedia communication device further includes a display device for displaying the video or graphics data.   35. The communication device of claim 32, wherein when the multimedia data includes audio data, the multimedia communication device further includes one or more speakers for outputting the audio data.   28. The communication device of claim 27, further comprising a spectrum sensor, wherein the channel identifier is configured to use the spectrum sensor to identify the at least one available channel.   The channel identifier is configured to identify the at least one available channel by accessing at least a digital television (TV) band database to identify the at least one available channel. The communication device according to claim 36.   And further comprising a geolocation sensor configured to determine a geographical coordinate of the communication device, wherein the channel identifier provides at least the geographical coordinate as input to the digital TV band database. 38. A communication device according to claim 37, configured to access a bandwidth database.   40. The communication device of claim 38, wherein the channel identifier is further configured to assign one or more quality values associated with one or more channels sensed by the spectrum sensor.   The channel identifier is configured to correlate the one or more quality values with available channel information provided by the digital TV band database to identify the at least one available channel. 40. The communication device of claim 39.   The channel identifier indicates that the channel information provided by the digital TV band database indicates that a channel is available, and one of the quality values associated with the channel has exceeded a quality threshold. 41. The communication device of claim 40, wherein the communication device is configured to determine that the channel is available.   28. The communication of claim 27, wherein the channel identifier is further configured to identify at least one other available channel if the at least one available channel is occupied by another user. device.   43. The communication device of claim 42, wherein the channel identifier is further configured to periodically determine whether the at least one available channel is still available or occupied by another user. .   28. The communication device of claim 27, wherein the communication device includes a master device and the digital transmitter is further configured to transmit information identifying the at least one available channel to a device other than the master device. Communication device.   28. The communication device of claim 27, wherein the communication device comprises a wireless communication device handset.   28. The communication device of claim 27, wherein the communication device comprises one or more integrated circuit devices. Means for converting data to a digital broadcast format;
Means for identifying at least one available channel of the spectrum;
Means for transmitting the converted data in the at least one identified available channel.   48. The communication of claim 47, wherein the means for identifying the at least one available channel includes means for identifying the at least one available channel in an unused portion of a broadcast television spectrum. device.   48. The communication device of claim 47, wherein the means for identifying the at least one available channel includes means for identifying a television band white space.   48. The communication of claim 47, wherein the means for identifying the at least one available channel includes means for identifying the at least one available channel when initiated by the communication device. device.   48. The communication device of claim 47, wherein the means for identifying the at least one available channel includes means for using a spectrum sensor to identify the at least one available channel.   The means for identifying the at least one available channel further comprises means for accessing a digital television (TV) band database to identify the at least one available channel. 51. The communication device according to 51.   Means for determining geographical coordinates of the multimedia communication device, wherein the means for accessing the digital TV band database provides the geographical coordinates as input to the digital TV band database; 53. The communication device of claim 52, comprising:   48. The communication device of claim 47, further comprising means for identifying at least one other available channel if the at least one available channel is occupied by another user.   55. The communication device of claim 54, further comprising means for periodically determining whether the at least one available channel is still available or occupied by another user.

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