KR101637936B1 - Apparatus and method for updating smt in mobile broadcating system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for updating broadcast information in a mobile broadcast system. At this time, when updating the service map table (SMT: Service Map Table), the method for updating the broadcast information is to check the program information of the service channel for updating the SMT in the Electronic Service Guide (ESG) And updating the SMT through program information of the service channel,

Description

[0001] APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR UPDATING SMT IN MOBILE BROADCATING SYSTEM [0002]

The present invention relates to a mobile broadcast system and an apparatus and method for updating a service map table (SMT) in a mobile station of the mobile broadcast system.

The mobile broadcasting system transmits data for a broadcasting service using a plurality of RF (Radio Frequency) channels. For example, when using the ATSC-M / H (Advanced Television System Committee-Mobile / Hanled) standard, the mobile broadcasting system transmits an ensemble via each RF channel. Here, the ensemble includes data for at least one service.

In the case of providing a broadcast service using the ATSC-M / H standard, the mobile station can access the service by knowing an identifier (e.g., Transport Stream IDentification) and an ensemble identifier of an RF channel through which a service to be viewed is transmitted. That is, the mobile station needs to know the configuration information of the RF channel and the ensemble and the information for the service connection in order to access the broadcasting service. Here, the information for the service connection includes an IP address and a destination UDP port number.

Accordingly, the mobile broadcasting system transmits a Fast Information Channel (FIC) and a Signaling Table (ST) to the mobile station. Here, the types of the ST include SMT, Guide Access Table (GAT), Cell Information Table (CIT), Service Labeling Table (SLT), and Rating Region Table (RRT). The FIC includes ensemble information included in an RF channel.

The SMT includes information on services included in the ensemble. For example, the SMT includes information such as a name of a service included in the ensemble, a program title, a program start time, a duration, and the like.

Accordingly, the mobile station receiving the broadcast service can analyze the SMT and provide a list of available services and programs to the user.

The mobile station continually updates the SMT to provide the user with the latest program information. For example, when updating the SMT in the ATSC-M / H standard, the mobile station tunes to an RF (Radio Frequency) for the SMT and an ensemble to update the SMT with the newly received SMT.

In the case of updating the SMT as described above, the mobile station tunes to the RF and ensemble of the corresponding service channel in order to receive the new SMT. Accordingly, there may arise a problem that the service regeneration is delayed by RF and ensemble tuning due to the SMT update.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for providing program information in a mobile station of a mobile broadcast system

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for updating a service map table (SMT) in a mobile station of a mobile broadcast system.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for reducing a service delay caused by updating a service map table (SMT) in a mobile station of a mobile broadcast system.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for updating a service map table (SMT) using an electronic service guide (ESG) in a mobile station of a mobile broadcast system.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for updating broadcast information in a mobile station of a mobile broadcast system, comprising the steps of: when updating a service map table (SMT) The method comprising the steps of: confirming program information of a service channel for updating an SMT in an electronic service guide (ESG); and updating the SMT through program information of the service channel.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for updating broadcast information in a mobile station of a mobile broadcast system, the apparatus comprising: a receiver for receiving a broadcast signal; and an electronic service guide And a controller for updating the SMT through program information of a service channel for updating an SMT confirmed by an electronic service guide (ESG).

As described above, there is an advantage that the service delay due to the SMT update can be reduced by updating the service map table (SMT: Service Map Table) using an electronic service guide (ESG) in the mobile station of the mobile broadcasting system .

1 is a block diagram of a mobile station in a mobile broadcast system according to the present invention.
2 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a broadcast receiver in a mobile station according to the present invention.
3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for updating an SMT in a mobile broadcast system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for updating an SMT in a mobile broadcasting system according to another embodiment of the present invention, and Fig.
5 is a diagram showing a screen configuration showing program information in a mobile broadcast system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear. The following terms are defined in consideration of the functions of the present invention, and these may be changed according to the intention of the user, the operator, or the like. Therefore, the definition should be based on the contents throughout this specification.

The present invention provides a technique for updating program information in a mobile broadcast system.

The following description assumes a mobile broadcast system of Advanced Television System Committee-Mobile / Hanled (ATSC-M / H) standard. Accordingly, it is assumed that the present invention provides a technique for updating a service map table (SMT) in a mobile station of a mobile broadcasting system.

A mobile terminal, a digital broadcasting terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smart phone, an International Mobile Telecommunication (IMT) -2000 terminal, a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) terminal, a universal mobile telecommunication service (UMTS) terminal, and the like.

1 shows a block configuration of a mobile station in a mobile broadcast system according to the present invention.

1, the mobile station includes a control unit 100, a broadcast receiver 110, a display unit 120, an audio processing unit 130, an input unit 140, and a storage unit 150.

The controller 100 controls the overall operation of the mobile station. For example, the controller 100 controls the overall operation of the mobile station to receive and reproduce a broadcast signal.

The controller 100 controls SMT reception and SMT update. For example, when the SMT is received, the controller 100 controls the broadcast receiver 110 to tune to an RF (Radio Frequency) and an ensemble of a service channel for receiving the SMT. For example, when updating the SMT, the controller 100 updates the SMT using an Electronic Service Guide (ESG). That is, the controller 100 updates the SMT using the program information confirmed through the ESG. At this time, the controller 100 updates the SMT as shown in FIG. 3 or 4

The broadcast receiver 110 receives data through service channels of a physical channel selected by the user under the control of the controller 100. [ For example, the broadcast receiver 110 includes a broadcast receiver 112 and a broadcast processor 114. Here, the broadcast receiving unit 112 and the broadcast processing unit 114 are configured as shown in FIG.

The broadcast receiver 112 tunes to the RF and ensemble of the service channel to be provided according to the control of the controller 100 and receives the broadcast signal. For example, when the user selects the broadcast channel 1, the broadcast receiver 112 tunes to the RF and ensemble of the broadcast channel 1 under the control of the controller 100, and receives the broadcast signal.

The broadcast processing unit 114 processes the broadcast signal received from the broadcast receiving unit 112. For example, the broadcast processing unit 114 separates data of service channels received through the broadcast receiving unit 112 into video, audio, and broadcast information data. Also, the broadcast processing unit 114 decodes the separated video, audio, and broadcast information data.

The display unit 120 displays status information, input characters, moving pictures, and still pictures provided from the control unit 100 or the broadcast receiver 110. For example, the display unit 120 displays video data received from the broadcast receiver 110.

The audio processing unit 130 processes audio signals received from the control unit 100 or the broadcast receiver 110 through a speaker. In addition, the audio processing unit 130 processes an audio signal received through a microphone.

The input unit 140 provides the control unit 100 with input data generated by a user's selection.

The storage unit 150 may include a program storage unit for storing a program for controlling the operation of the mobile station and a data storage unit for storing data generated during program execution. For example, the storage unit 150 stores the SMT information and the ESG information provided from the controller 100.

2 shows a detailed block configuration of a broadcast receiver in a mobile station according to the present invention.

2, the broadcast receiving unit 112 includes a tuner 200 and a demodulator 210. The broadcast processing unit 114 includes a demultiplexer 220 and a decoder 230, .

Under the control of the controller 100, the tuner 200 tunes the signal to the RF and ensemble of the service channel to be received, and selects and extracts only a signal for the corresponding service channel. For example, when the user sets the broadcast channel 10, the tuner 200 tunes to the RF and ensemble of the broadcast channel 10 under the control of the controller 100, and receives the signal of the broadcast channel 10. For example, the tuner 200 tunes to the RF and ensemble of the service channel to receive the SMT according to the control of the controller 100, selects the Fast Information Channel (FIC) and the SMT for the corresponding service channel .

The demodulator 210 demodulates the broadcast signal supplied from the tuner 200 and converts the broadcast signal into a broadcast packet.

The demultiplexer 220 extracts and separates video data, audio data, and broadcast information data from the broadcast packet provided from the demodulator 210. Here, the broadcast information data includes FIC data, ESG data, and SMT information.

The decoder 230 decodes the video data, the audio data, and the broadcast information data received from the demultiplexer 220. At this time, the decoder 230 transmits the decoded video data to the display unit 120, and transmits the decoded audio data to the audio processing unit 130. In addition, the decoder 230 transmits the decoded broadcast information data to the control unit 100.

The following description describes a method for updating SMT in a mobile station.

FIG. 3 shows a procedure for updating the SMT in the mobile broadcasting system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, in step 301, the MS tunes to an RF of a corresponding service channel to receive the SMT.

After tuning the RF, the mobile station proceeds to step 303 and receives the FIC transmitted by the serving base station. Herein, the serving base station refers to a base station transmitting a signal for broadcasting service to the mobile station. The FIC includes service and ensemble information such as the number of ensemble included in the corresponding RF channel, the ensemble identifier, the number of services included in each ensemble, and a service identifier.

Thereafter, the mobile station proceeds to step 305 and tunes to the ensemble of the corresponding service channel to receive the SMT. That is, the mobile station tunes to the ensemble confirmed through the FIC.

After tuning the ensemble, the mobile station proceeds to step 307 and receives the SMT transmitted by the serving base station.

Then, the mobile station proceeds to step 309 and analyzes the received SMT to form program information. For example, the SMT includes program information for a service included in the ensemble as shown in Table 1 below.

Syntax No. of Bits Format MH_current_program_descriptor () {
descriptor_tag
descriptor_length
current_program_start_time
current_program_duration
title_length
title_text ()
}
8
8
4 × 8
3 x 8
8
there
0xBE
uimsbf
uimsbf
uimsbf
uimsbf

Accordingly, the mobile station analyzes the SMT and configures program information being broadcast through the ensemble of the corresponding service channel. At this time, the mobile station displays the program information on the display unit so that the user can confirm the program information. For example, the mobile station displays the program information on the display unit so that the user can confirm the program information as shown in FIG.

In step 311, the MS analyzes the ESG received from the serving BS to check program information.

Thereafter, the MS proceeds to step 313 and determines whether to update the SMT using the ESG. For example, the mobile station checks the ESG scheduling information of the service channel for updating the SMT in the ESG. Then, the mobile station compares the current program information confirmed through the ESG scheduling information with the program information included in the SMT, Is to be updated.

If it is determined that the SMT is not to be updated, the mobile station proceeds to step 311 and analyzes the ESG to check the program information again. For example, if the ESG information is not changed, if the MS determines that the SMT is not to be updated, the MS may continuously compare the program information identified through the ESG scheduling information with the program information included in the SMT.

On the other hand, if it is determined to update the SMT, the MS proceeds to step 315 and updates the SMT using the current program information confirmed by the ESG.

Thereafter, the mobile station terminates the algorithm.

In the above-described embodiment, the mobile station determines whether to update the SMT using the ESG.

In another embodiment, the mobile station may update the SMT with consideration of the SMT update period.

FIG. 4 illustrates a procedure for updating SMT in a mobile broadcasting system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, in step 401, the mobile station tunes to an RF of a corresponding service channel in order to receive the SMT.

After tuning the RF, the mobile station proceeds to step 403 and receives the FIC transmitted by the serving base station. Herein, the serving base station refers to a base station transmitting a signal for broadcasting service to the mobile station. The FIC includes service and ensemble information such as the number of ensemble included in the corresponding RF channel, the ensemble identifier, the number of services included in each ensemble, and a service identifier.

In step 405, the mobile station tunes to the ensemble of the corresponding service channel to receive the SMT. That is, the mobile station tunes to the ensemble confirmed through the FIC.

After tuning the ensemble, the MS proceeds to step 407 and receives the SMT transmitted by the serving BS.

In step 409, the mobile station analyzes the received SMT to form program information. For example, the SMT includes program information on a service included in the ensemble as shown in Table 1 above. Accordingly, the mobile station analyzes the SMT and configures program information being broadcast through the ensemble of the corresponding service channel. At this time, the mobile station displays the program information on the display unit so that the user can confirm the program information. For example, the mobile station displays the program information on the display unit so that the user can confirm the program information as shown in FIG.

In step 411, the MS analyzes the ESG received from the serving BS to check the program information.

Thereafter, the MS proceeds to step 413 and checks whether the SMT update period comes. At this time, the SMT update period may be fixed or may be determined in consideration of a program duration included in the SMT.

If the SMT update period arrives, the MS proceeds to step 415 and checks the current program information through the ESG scheduling information. That is, the mobile station checks the ESG scheduling information of the service channel for updating the SMT in the ESG.

In step 417, the MS determines whether to update the SMT using the determined current program information. For example, the mobile station determines whether to update the SMT by comparing the current program information with program information included in the SMT.

If the current program information and the program information included in the SMT are the same, the mobile station recognizes that the SMT is not updated. Accordingly, the MS proceeds to step 411 and analyzes the ESG received from the serving BS to confirm the program information. For example, if the ESG information is not changed, if the mobile station determines that the SMT is not to be updated, the mobile station proceeds to step 413 to check whether the SMT update period has arrived.

If the current program information and the program information included in the SMT are not the same, the mobile station recognizes that the SMT is updated. Accordingly, the MS proceeds to step 419 and updates the SMT using the current program information confirmed by the ESG.

Thereafter, the mobile station terminates the algorithm.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited by the illustrated embodiments, but should be determined by the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims (13)

A method for updating broadcast information in a mobile station of a mobile broadcast system,
A step of checking program information of a service channel in an electronic service guide (ESG)
And updating a service map table (SMT) through program information of the service channel,
The process of updating the SMT comprises:
Further comprising the step of updating the SMT when the program information of the service channel is different from the program information included in the SMT.
The method according to claim 1,
Tuning RF (Radio Frequency) and ensemble to receive SMT,
Configuring program information through the SMT when the SMT is received from the serving BS,
Receiving ESG from the serving BS and confirming program scheduling information for at least one service channel;
Further comprising the step of determining whether to update the SMT using the program scheduling information,
And if it is determined to update the SMT, proceeding to a step of confirming program information of a service channel for updating the SMT.
3. The method of claim 2,
The process of determining whether to update the SMT comprises:
Confirming current program information of a corresponding service channel according to the program scheduling information;
Determining that the SMT is not updated if the current program information is identical to the program information included in the SMT;
And determining to update the SMT if the current program information and the program information included in the SMT are not the same.
The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising the step of determining whether an SMT update period has arrived,
And if the SMT update period arrives, checking the program information of the service channel for updating the SMT is performed.
5. The method of claim 4,
Further comprising the step of determining whether to update the SMT using the program scheduling information when the SMT update period arrives,
And if it is determined to update the SMT, proceeding to a step of confirming program information of a service channel for updating the SMT.
6. The method of claim 5,
The process of determining whether to update the SMT comprises:
Confirming current program information of a corresponding service channel according to the program scheduling information;
Determining that the SMT is not updated if the current program information is identical to the program information included in the SMT;
And determining to update the SMT if the current program information and the program information included in the SMT are not the same.
An apparatus for updating broadcast information in a mobile station of a mobile broadcast system,
A receiver for receiving a broadcast signal;
And a control unit for updating a service map table (SMT) through program information of a service channel in an electronic service guide (ESG)
Wherein the control unit updates the SMT when the program information of the service channel is different from the program information included in the SMT.
8. The method of claim 7,
The receiver may further comprise:
A broadcast receiver for tuning an RF (Radio Frequency) and an ensemble according to control of the controller and receiving a broadcast signal;
And a broadcast processor for separating and decoding the broadcast signal received through the broadcast receiver into at least one of video data, audio data, and broadcast information data.
8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the control unit determines whether to update the SMT using program scheduling information for at least one service channel confirmed by the ESG.
10. The method of claim 9,
The control unit compares the current program information of the corresponding service channel identified in the program scheduling information with the program information included in the SMT, and when the current program information is identical to the program information included in the SMT, ≪ / RTI >
And determines to update the SMT if the current program information and the program information included in the SMT are not the same.
8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the control unit determines to update the SMT when an SMT update period arrives.
12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the control unit determines whether to update the SMT by using program scheduling information for at least one service channel confirmed by the ESG when the SMT update period arrives.
13. The method of claim 12,
The control unit compares the current program information of the corresponding service channel identified in the program scheduling information with the program information included in the SMT, and when the current program information is identical to the program information included in the SMT, ≪ / RTI >
And determines to update the SMT if the current program information and the program information included in the SMT are not the same.

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