RU2316912C2 - Method, system and network object for ensuring transmission of a digital broadcast - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: digital broadcasting.

SUBSTANCE: invention claims method, system, transmitter and receiver for identification of element streams segmented in time with usage of service (PSI/SI) tables. Aforementioned identification provides method for separating time-segmented elementary stream from non time-segmented elementary stream by determining two descriptors in PSI/SI tables. Time segment identifier descriptor is determined, which may be used for identification of elementary streams which are segmented in time. Aforementioned descriptor is also used for providing additional information about elementary streams being transmitted by means of PSI/SI-tables. Additionally the descriptor provides mechanism for categorization of one or more single elementary streams as non time-segmented and time-segmented. Method is disclosed for identification of time-segmented elementary streams, transmitted through DVB-networks, and for providing additional information about these streams. This may be done with usage of descriptor of identifier of time segment. Descriptor may be used at least in network information table (NIT), program indication table (PMT), and IP/MAC notification table (INT).

EFFECT: segmentation in time provides a method for saving power in the receiver during broadcasting transmission.

7 cl, 8 dwg, 5 tbl

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to systems, methods and network entities for distributing data over a communication channel.

State of the art

Broadcasting has an almost century-old tradition in the field of radio broadcasts. Even in the field of television, history goes back to the 30s. Broadcasting is successful globally, as a means of entertainment and informing a mass audience.

The last stage in the development of broadcasting is associated with the transition to digital form of both broadcasting and television broadcasting. Digital broadcasting has not received significant market recognition. However, it is hoped that digital television will bring new benefits and services to consumers and, as a result, create new revenue streams for the broadcast industry. However, the basic principle of television service as such has not undergone significant changes, even when switching to digital television.

The last half of the 1990s saw the rapid development of the Internet. A whole range of new services and information content (content) have become available to consumers in a short period of revolutionary and widely advertised changes. This period is associated with the introduction of e-commerce, Internet service providers, portals, video games, Internet companies and even the new economy. The development of both access methods (for example, ASDL - digital subscriber line) and coding methods has made it possible to deliver enriched multimedia content, such as video, to homes via the Internet. Despite this technology and market breakthroughs, multimedia companies are very reluctant to distribute their content via the Internet, due to the “tax-free” nature of this distribution and the direct threat of piracy. In addition, the Internet is not in a position to challenge the role of traditional media as the main advertising platform, despite its great popularity.

Broadcasting provides the receiver with a huge amount of information. The receiving device needs to receive indicating and directing information from the broadcast information to receive services and / or service segments, which may be indicated in such reference information. This indicating and directing information is typically contained in the service information (SI, SI), which helps to find the corresponding services. Service information indicates various services of at least one broadcast network.

The latest broadcast devices have increased the need for accounting for power consumption in the receiver, and some attempts to reduce power consumption in the receiver have already been implemented. However, although these attempts are consistent with service information, the receiver and system do not receive sufficient benefits. In addition, they are immune to broadcasting. In this case, the receiver cannot determine which of the streams carried in multiplexed mode are adapted to meet the principles of reducing power consumption, and which may not be such.

Due to various internal limitations inherent in broadcasting, it would be desirable to avoid these problems or mitigate the effects of these and similar problems specific to prior art systems. Thus, there is a need to identify parts of a broadband transmission with respect to power consumption principles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method and apparatus for identifying parts of a broadband transmission with respect to power consumption principles is provided.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for receiving digital broadband transmission to save power in a receiver, the method comprising providing information indicating a maximum packet length, detecting parts that are configured appropriately to save power in a receiver based on said information provided and switching at least a portion of the receiver by turning on / off based on the information provided.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital broadband transmission method for saving power at a receiver, the method comprising providing information indicating a maximum packet length and categorizing parts that are configured accordingly to save power at a receiver based on said provided information, for switching at least part of the receiver by turning on / off in accordance with the information provided.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for providing digital broadband transmission to save power in a receiver, comprising means for providing information indicative of a maximum packet length, means for detecting portions that are configured accordingly to save power in a receiver based on said provided information and means for switching at least part of the receiver by turning on / off based on the provided information .

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a receiver for receiving digital broadband to save power in a receiver, comprising means for receiving information indicative of a maximum packet length, means for detecting portions that are configured accordingly to save power in a receiver based on said received information, and means for switching at least a portion of the receiver by turning on / off based on said received information.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transmitter for transmitting digital broadband transmission to save power in a receiver, comprising means for providing information indicative of a maximum packet length, and means for categorizing parts that are configured accordingly to save power in the receiver, based on said provided information for switching at least a part of the receiver by turning on / off in accordance with the provided information by.

To explain the present invention, the following is described in detail with reference to the drawings, the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention is described below by way of example only with reference to the drawings, in which the following is presented:

Figure 1 is an example of the principle of digital broadband transmission and the principle of receiving such a transmission in accordance with an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2 is an example of the relationship between a digital video broadcasting network (DVB) transport streams, service and components of a DVB network in which the principles of the invention can be applied,

Figure 3 is an example of the application of delta-t offset in an embodiment of the invention,

4 is a general system architecture in which the principles of the invention can be applied,

5 is a functional diagram of a terminal for identifying time-segmented elementary streams and for providing additional information about received elementary streams in accordance with an embodiment of the invention,

6 is a flowchart of a method for identifying time-segmented elementary streams and providing additional information about received elementary streams in accordance with an embodiment of the invention,

7 is a flowchart of a method for separating time-segmented elementary streams from non-time-segmented elementary streams in accordance with an embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 8 is a flowchart of a method for categorizing transmitted DVB streams in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of Embodiments

Digital video broadcasting (DVB) provides a broadband transmission channel in which information is delivered in the broadcast mode, multicast (multicast) transmission, or, alternatively, unidirectional transmission. Broadband transmission channel provides the user of such a system with various services. In order to receive various services, identification is needed to focus on the respective models, services and receivers. The DVB network provides applicable principles, preferably the DVB-T (Terrestrial Digital Video Broadcasting) system applicable in the present invention. Alternatively, the present invention can be appropriately applied to transmissions in accordance with the ATSC (Advanced Television System Committee).

Digital broadband provides the receiver with a huge amount of information transmitted data. The nature of digital broadband information is such that the transmission is a streaming distribution, typically to a plurality of receivers using broadcast, multicast, or even unidirectional point-to-point distribution to a single receiver. The receiver must retrieve relevant data information from the vast amount of information transmitted data. The receiver requires certain parameters in order to be able to receive the relevant service and / or portions of the service that may be intended or are desirable for the receiver. Because digital broadband can distribute a large amount of data, it also distributes parameters that allow the receiver to detect a service and / or part of the service among the transmitted information. These parameters are transmitted through digital broadband transmission to the receiver. The receiver recognizes them and can be modified in accordance with these parameters. Therefore, the receiving device can then receive the service by identifying the relevant data from the huge amount of data in the broadband transmission. The distribution channel of the broadband delivery data may be a wireless communication channel, a fixed communication channel or a wired communication channel. A digital broadband system may interact with a receiver, but such interaction is not a requirement. Due to aspects of power consumption in the receiver, if power consumption is critical, for example in DVB system mobile receivers such as DVB-T mobile devices, it is useful to identify and focus on those parts of DVB transmission that are adapted to provide DVB transmission power saving principles at the receiver. For example, the receiver is functionally or even physically turned on during the time periods when the relevant transmission is transmitted, typically cyclically or, alternatively, asynchronously, and turned off in other cases. In addition, the parameters for implementing the principles of power saving in DBV transmission can be advantageously applied for the delivery and notification of additional information about services and parts of services transmitted in accordance with the principles of power saving of a DVB system.

The term “transmission,” as used herein, may refer to broadcast, multicast, or unidirectional transmission, and the data may include, without limitation, data encoded by IP (Internet Protocol).

Preferred embodiments of the invention provide a method, system, transmitter and receiver for identifying time-segmented elementary streams using PSI / SI tables. This identification provides a way to separate the time-segmented elementary stream (s) from the time-non-segmented elementary stream (s) by defining a descriptor in the PSI / SI tables. Preferred embodiments define a time segment identifier descriptor that can be used to identify elementary streams that are time sliced. Preferably, this descriptor is also used to provide additional information about the transmitted elementary streams. Thus, the claimed invention, when implemented, provides for a broadcast medium a method for notifying of additional information about time-segmented elementary streams via PSI / SI tables. Additionally, it provides a mechanism for categorizing a single elementary stream (s) into non-segmented in time or segmented in time.

Preferred embodiments provide a method for identifying time-segmented elementary streams transmitted over DVB networks and providing additional information about these streams. This can be done using a time segment identifier descriptor. The descriptor can be used at least in the network information table (NIT), program mapping table (PMT), and IP / MAC notification table (INT). Each table provides information at the following levels:

A NIT descriptor is used to provide information for each transport stream (i.e., all applicable elementary streams in the transport stream are time-segmented).

The PMT descriptor is used to provide information on each elementary stream carrying one or more IP / MAC streams.

An INT descriptor is used to provide information on each elementary stream carrying one or more IP / MAC streams.

It should be noted that the SI and / or possibly the SI table (s) in this regard also include the PSI and PSI table (s). Preferably, the SI / PSI tables contain a time segment identifier descriptor and they are delivered to the receiver. The time segment identifier descriptor may be referenced in the technical specifications as time_slice_identifier_descriptor.

Some embodiments of the invention apply the principle of time-segmented data transmission in DVB. Below is a summary of the implementation of time segmentation in DVB. Modern TDVB-T receivers (including both the radio frequency part and the baseband part) can be considered as consuming too high power to be able to integrate into mobile terminals. Power consumption with modern technology is approximately 2.5 watts. In mobile handheld terminals, the average power consumption of any additional receivers should be less than 250 mW. This is due not only to the limited capacity of the batteries, but also to the extremely critical heat dissipation in the environment of miniaturized devices. Therefore, to use a DVB-T receiver in a mobile terminal, it is necessary to reduce power consumption by about 80-90%. Increasing the level of integration of functions in DVB-T systems partially solves this problem. Typically, services used in mobile terminals are basically based on a rather low bit rate. Most often, the maximum bit rate is of the order of 350 kbit / s. The transmitting DVB-T system even provides, with a mobile application compatible selection of modulation parameters, a bit rate of up to 12 Mbps. This makes it possible to significantly reduce the average power consumption of the DVB-T receiver by introducing time division multiplexing (TDM), which is here referred to as time segmentation, since the active and inactive periods are much longer than in the traditional TDM mode. The principle idea is to transmit information in packets using a significant part (or all) of the DVB-T transmission channel bandwidth. For example, different neighboring packets belong to a different service, and packets are transmitted cyclically. Such a transmission need not be intermittent, as is typical for TDM, but continuous transmission is applicable in such a way that the reception focuses on the relevant part of the transmission, or there is a clear emphasis on the relevant part of the transmission, even if the transmission is continuous. This allows the receiver to be activated only for a small part of the time and, as before, to ensure a constant bit rate by buffering the received packets. Thus, time segmentation applies the TDM principle and provides for at least partially turning off the receiver when not in use. Preferably, time segmentation is used for streaming and other services with continuous parallel transmission of IP data. IP data is transmitted as packets using a significant portion (or all) of the DVB-T transmission channel bandwidth. The time interval between two packets belonging to the same service depends on the bit rate used. The receiver is functionally turned on for relevant receive packets and at least partially turned off the rest of the time.

A time segmentation system is introduced to improve terminal performance, mainly to reduce power consumption. Therefore, the time segmentation system can be optimized from the point of view of the terminal so that the implementation is optimal for the terminal. The side of the transmitter may be more difficult to implement. This choice is supported by the fact that the number of terminals is much larger than the number of transmitters. The DVB-T system is a broadcast type system (from one to several). Therefore, the number of transmitters is relatively small. Also, the costs of implementation on the side of the transmitter are less critical compared to the implementation of the terminal. Preferably, in the case where a time-segmented stream is transmitted in a DVB system, a time-segmented stream can be identified by a time segment identifier descriptor. Therefore, a time-segmented stream can be identified among any other time-non-segmented streams. In addition, the descriptor can provide more information about the stream and the service that it contains and to which it relates.

In the case of a time-segmented option, the transmitted service is broken down into packets on the transmitter side. A service with a low bit rate (for example, streaming video) is transmitted in packets with a high bit rate using the entire capacity of the DVB-T channel. This allows you to transfer the same amount of data in a shorter time than in a continuous system. The receiver can only be turned on for the duration of the packet of the received service.

The transmitter provides system time information to the receiver, for example, by sending time stamps. In such a system, the transmitter and receiver are always roughly synchronized in time.

The transmitter uses relative time to indicate the temporary position of the packets. The transmitter sends some protocol information, for example, about the beginning, end, duration and on / off interval of the packet. All synchronizing information is relative to the beginning of the packet, and not absolute. The terminal uses this information to configure the DVB-T receiver to turn on and off. The transmitter must buffer at least two packets before transmitting the first so that relative synchronization information (interval) can be entered into the frame information.

In the case of a time-segmented version, the transmitter generates the required synchronization information. Information should be added to the transmitted information immediately before transmission, or the delay between the input of synchronizing information and the actual transmission should be fixed or predicted.

Synchronization information can be entered, for example, in 1) DVB-MPE (multi-protocol encapsulation) frames or other DVB data 2) IP packets, 3) modulation data like TPS (signaling about transmitter parameters) in DVB-T.

The terminal selects the synchronization information and switches the receiver to the on state a bit earlier than the packet transmissions. This gives the receiver time to synchronize with the incoming stream before the payload packet is received.

In general, a low-precision clock signal (+/- 1 s) can be extracted from any standard of the following SI tables; time and data tables and time offset tables. This synchronization information is used to initiate reception. It is also used for scheduled file download (SFDL).

For time segmentation, relative synchronization information must be provided. Both the transmitter and the receiver have their own independent clock signals (hours), but it is assumed that the relative accuracy of these clock signals is quite high. In practice, relative synchronization information can be sent, for example, in MPE frames with a resolution of, for example, 10 ms. The transmitter signals the start of the next packet relative to the current packet. The terminal uses its own real-time clock source to go inactive (turn off the receiver) until the next packet arrives.

The example shown in FIG. 1 shows the principle of digital broadband transmission and reception in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The example shows the broadband transmission of time-segmented data and shows how the various services are subdivided in diagram 100. It also shows the received power diagram 101 illustrating when the receiver should be turned on and off so that the corresponding service can be received in accordance with the principle of economy power. In the example of FIG. 1, four services must be transmitted. It is desirable for the receiver to receive service 3, and accordingly, the receiver power on / off synchronization is set up so that the receiver is essentially on during those times when service 3 is transmitted and essentially turned off the rest of the time, in order to save / reduce receiver power consumption.

Some embodiments of the applicable transmission protocol in the invention are based on the methods and systems presented in the specification ISO / IEC 13818-1 “Information technology - The principle of coding of moving images and associated audio information: Systems”, page vii-xii, incorporated herein by reference . ISO / IEC 13818-1 defines a transport stream (TS) that defines the basis for service delivery and for DVB.

Some embodiments of the invention employ elemental flow (ES). FIG. 2 shows an example of a relationship between a DVB network (200), transport streams (TS) (201), a DVB service 202, and elementary streams (ES) (203) constituting the components. The component may determine a part of the service and preferably contains parameters for receiving the service or part of the service. A component is typically identified by a tag (attribute) of the component (component_tag). Component_tag is unique within a DVB service. The component is carried within the elementary stream (ES) identified by the program identifier (PID). The PID is unique within the TS. The mapping between component_tag and PID is signaled in the program mapping table (PMT). It is possible that one ES serves to transfer a component of more than one DVB service, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. Preferably, various ES streams may be identified by a time segment identifier descriptor, and further, a time segment descriptor may provide additional information about transmitted elementary streams. The time segment identifier descriptor is contained in the SI / PSI tables.

Typically, IP flows contain IP diagrams. For IP forwarding via DVB, multi-protocol encapsulation (MPE) is the preferred solution. MPE acts in conjunction with the INT table defined by the DVB specifications.

Some embodiments use INT tables. The IP / MAC notification table (INT table) is used to signal the presence and location of IP streams in DVB networks. The INT table describes the presence and location of IP flows. There may be one or more INT tables covering all IP streams for a DVB network. A reference to the INT table is given, for example, via the data_broadcast_id_descriptor 0x000B descriptor in the ES-info loop of the PMT table. Each IP platform that has IP streams available in the TS stream is advertised in exactly one INT-sub_table subtable in the TS stream. The INT table announces all the IP streams available in the TS stream. An INT table can advertise IP streams in streams other than TS. The INT table must announce all IP streams in all TS streams of the DVB network to which the receiver has access (by reconfiguring) when accessing the TS stream containing the INT table (i.e. DVB signals that have overlapping or adjacent coverage areas). Preferably, a time segment identifier descriptor can be referenced in the INT table, and this descriptor is used to provide information for each elementary stream carrying one or more IP / MAC streams.

Still referring to the options using the IN table and additionally to the descriptor identifier of the time segment in the INT table, it should be noted that the descriptor identifier of the time segment can be in the platform cycle and the operating cycle of the INT table.

When the time segment identifier descriptor is in the platform loop, it applies to all ES streams announced in the INT sub_table.

If the time segment identifier descriptor is in the operational cycle, then it applies to all ES threads announced in the cycle (operational_loop).

By adding a descriptor to the first loop, it is applied to all ES threads in the subtable (sub_table) and therefore is only required once. Preferably, using the time segment identifier descriptor in the INT table optimizes bandwidth utilization. If most ES streams are time-segmented, and only a very small number (if any) are not segmented, this will provide significant optimization of bandwidth utilization. Even when all ES streams are time-segmented, adding a descriptor to the INT table optimizes bandwidth usage, since the INT table is typically retransmitted less frequently than all other PSI tables. The syntax for the time segment identifier descriptor is shown in the example shown in Table 1.

Some embodiments of the invention use a time segment identifier descriptor. Table 1 provides an example time segment identifier descriptor table.

Table 1 Name The size
(bits) Block / type Value by
default Id descriptor
Time segment Descriptor tag 8 uimsbf TBD Descriptor length 8 uimsbf Time_slicing_version 2 uimsbf Max_burst_duration 3 uimsbf Service_size_within_burst 3 uimsbf Delta_t_jitter 3 uimsbf Delta_t_factor 2 uimsbf Reserved for later
use of 3 bslbf }

The time segment identifier descriptor has five fields that are used to provide information about the time-segmented IP stream. The time segment identifier descriptor may be placed, or referenced in the following PSI / SI tables: PMT, NIT, and INT.

The time segment identifier descriptor can have the following fields: descriptor_tag general descriptor field (descriptor tag), descriptor_length descriptor general field (descriptor length), time_slicing_version (time segmentation version), max_burst_duration (maximum packet length), service_size_within_burst (segment) size (packet) delta_t_jitter (offset "delta-t), delta_t_factor (coefficient" delta t "). Below is a more detailed description of the fields in the descriptor identifier of the time segment.

time_slicing_version: defines the version of time segmentation used. A specific version number, such as '00', may be reserved to indicate that a given ES stream is not time segmented, in which case the following fields may be ignored. Preferably, the use of a version identifier allows the delivery of several different versions of the time segmentation standard to the same network; that is, when considering the MPE level and TS level of time segmentation.

max_burst_duration: indicates the maximum duration of the packet. Table 2 below shows an example of coding for the max_burst_duration field.

table 2 max_burst_duration Description 000 100 ms 001 200 ms 010 400 ms 011 600 ms one hundred 800 ms 101 1500 ms 110 2000 ms 111 More than 2000 ms

This contains a static timeout value. Preferably, if the last packet data is lost for some reason, the receiver still has the ability to remain inactive (and save power) in this case. Based on the information on the maximum packet duration, the receiver can estimate the reception period and can remain inactive, so that data reception will not be affected even if the packet is lost.

service_size_within_burst: defines the maximum number of bits per service session within a packet. In the case where only one service session is carried in the ES stream, this corresponds to the maximum packet size in the ES stream. In the case where multiple service sessions are carried in the ES stream, the packet size may be larger than a certain value. Table 3 below gives an example of encoding the maximum number of bits within a packet.

Table 3 service_size_within_burst Description 000 62000 001 125000 010 250000 011 500,000 one hundred 1,000,000 101 2,000,000 110 4,000,000 111 More than 4,000,000

The purpose of the packet size per service session is to limit the packet size per session. Advantageously, applying packet size per service session ensures that IP streams are time segmented within the elementary stream. In a typical case, the receiver (and equipment) are interested in a service session. Another benefit is that since the receiver is interested in service sessions, it can optimize (or reduce) memory usage explicitly based on the sessions. The transmitter controls the transmission so that the packets are appropriate for elementary streams. The transmitter ensures that even a single session is not used for more than a predefined amount of packet bytes. When the receiver receives such a transmission, the receiver sees that the packets are generated from the sessions. Thus, the sizes of packets processed by the transmitter are different from those perceived by the receiver. The benefit of applying the packet size per session is that the receiver can better handle more voluminous data objects (multiple sessions / packets), the memory usage of the receiver is reduced, and information about the used memory size is provided, based on which the available memory is used in a more optimal way, and the utilization of time increases for periods of time on / off time segments.

Thus, sessions can be provided to limit the size of the packet perceived by the receiver.

delta_t_jitter: the time segment identifier descriptor may also have a field for specifying the delta-t offset parameter, delta_t_jitter. Preferably, the delta-t parameter indicates the time when the receiver should be turned off before the next relevant packet in time-division digital broadband transmission. Thus, the turn-off time until the next relevant packet can be signaled to the receiver using the delta-t parameter. The accuracy of the delta-t parameter must be indicated to the receiver. For example, +/- 10 ms or +/- 20 ms from theoretical or current use. It may also indicate a specific block, or that a different block is used than the current or executable block. Preferably, a parameter for indicating this is defined as a delta-t offset. This parameter determines the output tolerance of the MPE packets in the transmitters. It can be used by IRD to correct the delta-t value indicated in the header of each packet. This parameter provides information on how the accuracy of transmission time affects the transmission of the next packet. The delta-t parameter is specified for each packet. Table 4 provides an example of delta-t offset coding.

Table 4 Offset Delta-t (+/-) Description 000 Less than 5 ms 001 Less than 10 ms 010 Less than 20 ms 011 Less than 40 ms one hundred Less than 60 ms 101 Less than 80 ms 110 Less than 100 ms 111 Reserved for
future use

delta_t_factor: defines the value by which the delta-t parameter should be multiplied. For example, if the delta-t value read from the packet is 10 ms and the coefficient is 2, then the time of the next packet is 10 * 2 = 20 ms. Typically, the setpoint for the coefficient is 1, but other values may apply. Table 5 provides an example of the coding of the delta-t coefficient.

Table 5 Coefficient "delta-t" Description 00 one 01 Reserved for
future use 10 Reserved for
future use eleven Reserved for
future use

Figure 3 illustrates the use of delta-t in a possible embodiment of the invention. The example shown in FIG. 3 shows the transmission of two packets (packet 300 and packet 301), where (a) indicates the delta-t information set in the MPE header before transmission. In addition, (b) indicates the offset occurring in the actual transmission, the offset “delta-t” being indicated as n. Thus, an IRD can be prepared for this delta-t error if the operator (alternatively referred to as the transmitter) is notified of the delta-t offset (+/-) that occurs in each transmission and announces this in the time segment identifier descriptor in the delta_t_jitter field.

Some embodiments of the invention use a NIT table. The NIT table carries information related to the physical organization of multiplexed TS streams in a given DVB network and the characteristics of the DVB network itself. See the EN 300 468 (2000-11) specification on page 16 for more information on the NIT table. If the time segment identifier descriptor is used in the NIT table, then the time segment identifier descriptor is used to provide information for each transport stream, for example, all the available elementary streams in the transport stream are segmented in time. A time segment identifier descriptor may reside in a NIT table transport stream loop. For more information on the NIT table transport stream cycle, see the EN 300 468 standard specification on page 16 in Table 3. If the time segment identifier descriptor is used in the NIT table, then the temporary segment identifier descriptor displays each transport stream with information that the descriptor contains time segment identifier.

Some embodiments of the invention employ a PMT table. Each PMT table literally displays a specific program, listing the PID values for packages containing software components for video, audio, and data. Using this information, a decoder can easily detect, decode, and display program contents. ISO / IEC 13818-1, Information Technology - The Principle of Encoding Moving Images and Associated Audio Information: Systems, on page 44, provides additional technical information regarding the PMT table. Preferably, a time segment identifier descriptor is used to provide information for each elementary stream as used in the PMT table. In other examples, the use of a time segment identifier descriptor in a PMT table may be as follows. The time segment identifier descriptor may be in the second cycle of the PMT table. The second cycle of the PMT table is referred to in the ISO / IEC 13818-1 specification on page 44, table 2-28. If the time segment identifier descriptor is used in the PMT table, it displays each elementary stream with the information that the time segment identifier descriptor contains.

Figure 4 is described above. In the following description, the corresponding reference signs are applied to the corresponding elements. Some embodiments of the invention apply the system shown in FIG. 4. The end user terminal (EUT) operates in the coverage area of the digital broadcast network (DBN). The EUT can receive IP services that a DBN network provides. The DBN network is based on a DVB network, and the transmission of the DBN network contains elementary streams (ES). A transmission may also be based on time segmented and non-time segmented transmissions. Before transmission, data is processed in a DBN network. The DBN network contains means for changing the transmission that it performs. The DBN network provides a time segment identifier descriptor, as described above, for example, in the example of table 1. The EUT can receive a temporary segment identifier descriptor from a transmission and receive time-sliced streams. Therefore, the EUT can identify elementary streams with time segmentation and without time segmentation from transmission. In addition, based on the descriptor identifier of the time segment, the EUT may have more information about the transmitted elementary streams. The EUT does not necessarily need to be pre-modified in accordance with such a descriptor and such a transmission, but, on the contrary, they can be taken into account when receiving a broadcast transmission. The EUT does not require any interaction to identify elementary streams with time segmentation and without time segmentation. Preferably, the DBN network transmission is a wireless or mobile transmission to the DVB-T network based EUT. Thus, data can be transmitted wirelessly.

4, transmitting centers (HE) containing IP encapsulators perform multi-protocol encapsulation (MPE) and put IP data in an MPEG transport stream (MPEG-TS) based on the use of data containers. HE centers perform table generation, table linking, and table modification.

In some embodiments, IP encapsulator operations may include receiving received data in UDP packets, which are encapsulated in IP packets, which, in turn, are encapsulated in DVB packets. For more information on multiprotocol encapsulation, see EN 301 192, which is included in the present description by reference. At the application level, the protocols used include, for example, UHTTP (Unidirectional HTTP), RTSP (Real-time Streaming Protocol), RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol), SAP / SDP (Service Announcement Protocol / Service Description Protocol) and FTP (File Transfer Protocol) )

In a number of other embodiments, IP encapsulation may use IPSEC (Secure Internet Protocol) to ensure that content can only be used with the appropriate authority. During the encapsulation process, a unique identifier may be added to at least one of the headers. For example, when using the UHTTP protocol, a unique identifier may be encoded in the header of the UHTTP protocol behind the UUID field. Therefore, in some embodiments, to enable data to be delivered to a particular terminal or group of terminals, the containers can thus contain address information that can be identified and read by a regular access component in the receiver to determine if the data is intended for that terminal. Alternatively, multicast can be applied to provide data delivery to multiple terminals, and it is preferred that one transmitter can reach multiple receivers. A virtual private network (VPN) can be configured in the DBN network system and the receiver. Some DBN network bandwidth is allocated for point-to-point transmission or for point-to-multiple transmission from a DBN network to a receiver. A DBN network may also have various transmission channels for implementing other streams. The receiver performs multi-protocol unpacking to form IP data packets.

DVB packets thus formed are transmitted over the DVB data channel. The EUT terminal receives digital broadcast data. The EUT terminal receives a time segment identifier descriptor and, thus, elementary streams with time segmentation and elementary streams without time segmentation. The terminal can identify time-sliced elementary streams and elementary streams without time-slicing based on the descriptor, and in addition, the EUT can receive more information about the transmitted time-sliced elementary streams from the descriptor. Therefore, the EUT can detect services or even some service sessions, categorize them and, if necessary, focus on flows with time segmentation, determine which flows are not segmented in time and receive information about flows segmented in time, their functions and properties. An EUT may provide a service or part of a service to a user. When the transmission speed is determined by the categorizer, then this speed is accordingly maintained.

5 is described above. In the following description, the corresponding reference signs are applied to the corresponding elements. The example shown in FIG. 5 depicts a functional block diagram of a terminal user terminal (EUT), alternatively referred to as a receiver. The EUT terminal shown in FIG. 5 may be used in any or all of the above examples. The EUT includes a processing unit (CPU), a broadband receiver section or, alternatively, a multi-frequency signal receiver section that can receive, for example, a multi-frequency broadband signal, such as a DVB-T signal, and a user interface UI. The broadband receiver and user interface UI are connected to the processing unit of the CPU. The user interface UI includes a display device and a keyboard to enable the user to use the receiver. In addition, the user interface UI includes a microphone and speaker for receiving and generating audio signals. The user interface UI may also comprise speech recognition means (not shown). The CPU processing unit includes a microprocessor (not shown), memory, and possibly SW software (not shown). SW software can be stored in memory. The microprocessor controls, based on the SW software, the operation of the receiver for receiving an elementary stream, identifying an elementary stream based on a time segment identifier descriptor, displaying output data on a user interface UI, and reading inputs from a user interface UI. The operations are described in the examples presented in figures 1-4, 6-8 and in tables 1-5. For example, hardware (not shown) includes means for detecting a signal, means for demodulating, means for detecting a descriptor of a time segment identifier, means for detecting elementary streams, means for identifying those elementary streams that are time-segmented, and those that not segmented in time, means for applying time segmentation at reception, means for reading information for elementary streams from the descriptor. In addition, the CPU processing unit can control the memory availability of the EUT. This availability is checked from time to time (or as determined by the planned service transfer) by the CPU processing unit and compared with the maximum size information included in the packet to decide whether to turn the receiver on or to keep the receiver on. Preferably, the memory of the EUT can be reduced based on this comparison.

With reference to figure 5, can be used implementation based on software of medium complexity or other software (not shown). An EUT may be a portable device that a user can conveniently carry with him. Preferably, the EUT may be a cellular mobile phone that contains a broadcast signal receiver or a multi-frequency signal receiver for receiving DVB-T broadcast streams (this is shown in FIG. 5 by a dashed block, which is only an alternative option). Therefore, the EUT can communicate with service providers.

6 is a flowchart of a method for identifying elementary streams with time segmentation. At 600, the DBN is operational and the EUT is turned on to receive the broadcast. At step 601, the EUT terminal identifies the SI / PSI tables, and the EUT also receives information about all announced streams. The time segment identifier descriptor is contained in the SI / PSI tables, and therefore, the EUT terminal in step 602 detects this descriptor. In addition, the EUT receives information about all announced time-segmented streams. Examples of the descriptor are described above in the examples illustrated in tables 1-5. The EUT thus receives broadcast DBN network transmission. Based on the descriptor, the EUT may split or categorize the streams into time-segmented and non-segmented streams (step 603). In particular, the EUT can detect those elementary streams that are transmitted according to the principle of time segmentation. The EUT can apply the principle of reducing the power of the EUT by time slicing when receiving a broadcast. In addition, the descriptor provides the EUT with additional information about received elementary streams that are time sliced (step 604). Examples of the information provided are described in the examples illustrated in tables 2-5 and figure 1-5.

7 shows a flowchart of a method for separating elementary ducts with time segmentation. At step 700, the DBN is operational, and the EUT is turned on to receive broadcast. In step 7-1, the EUT terminal identifies the SI / PSI tables, and the EUT receives information about all announced streams. The time segment identifier descriptor is contained in the SI / PSI tables, and therefore, the EUT terminal detects the descriptor in step 702, and the EUT also receives information about all announced time-sliced streams. Examples of the descriptor are described above in tables 1-5. The EUT also receives elementary streams of broadband transmission of the DBN network. Based on the descriptor, the EUT can divide the flows into time-segmented and time-non-segmented flows (step 703). In particular, the EUT can detect those elementary streams that are transmitted according to the principle of time segmentation. The EUT may apply the principle of power reduction by time segmentation when receiving broadcast transmissions (block 704). In addition, the descriptor provides the EUT with additional information about the received elementary streams that are time sliced (step 705). Examples of the information provided are described in the examples presented in tables 2-5 and figure 1-5. Also, in addition, the EUT may receive a time-segmentless stream (block 706).

The example shown in FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram method for categorizing streams transmitted in a DVB system. At 800, a DBN network operates and processes service data for DVB transmission. At step 801, the DBN network provides SI / PSI data in transmission. The time segment identifier descriptor is contained in SI / PSI tables, therefore, the time segment identifier descriptor is provided in step 802 in transmission for all time-segmented streams. Examples of the descriptor are described above in the examples given in tables 1-5. The DBN network transmits, thus, at 803, time-segmented streams and possibly time-non-segmented streams. Based on the DBN descriptor, the network can categorize streams into time-segmented and non-time-segmented streams. In particular, the EUT can detect those elementary streams that are transmitted according to the principle of time segmentation. The EUT can apply the principle of power reduction by time segmentation when receiving broadcast transmissions. In addition, the descriptor provides the EUT with additional information about received elementary streams that are time sliced. Examples of the information provided are described in the examples presented in tables 1-5 and figure 1-5.

Some embodiments of the invention are implemented in the network system of figure 4, implementing the method described above in the examples presented in figures 1-3 and 5-8. The receiver can advantageously focus on those DVB transmission streams to which the receiver can apply the principle of power reduction. Thus, there may be a significant decrease in power during the operation of the receiver, which helps to increase the efficiency of the mobility aspect in the DVB receiver. The receiver only needs to be able to interpret a specific descriptor using equivalent means, such as those used to receive and identify other digital broadcast descriptors.

Some embodiments of the invention support portable reception at IP multicast receivers and can probably work using mobile portable receivers. The effectiveness of these embodiments enhances the advantages of the invention, such as cost savings. For example, the DVB-T system provides an efficient and economical way of distributing data, and embodiments contribute to promoting a lower power consumption reception method for a broadcast data stream even when operating in conjunction with a broadcast system not based on reducing power consumption.

Specific implementations and embodiments of the invention are described above. Specialists in the art should understand that the invention is not limited to the details of the presented embodiments, but can be implemented in other embodiments using equivalent means without deviating from the characteristics of the invention. The scope of the invention is limited only by the claims. Therefore, embodiments of the invention, as defined in the claims, including their equivalents, are also covered by the scope of the invention.

Claims (31)

1. A method for receiving digital broadband transmission to save power at the receiver, the method comprising receiving information indicating a maximum packet length, detecting parts of digital broadband transmission that can provide power savings in the receiver based on said received information and turning on / off at least at least parts of the receiver in accordance with the detected parts of digital broadband transmission. 2. The method according to claim 1, in which information indicating the maximum duration of the packet is signaled in the descriptor identifier of the time segment. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the time segment identifier descriptor is transmitted in one or more tables of program-specific information or service information. 4. The method according to claim 3, in which one or more tables of program-specific information or service information comprise a network information table, a program mapping table, and an Internet protocol notification table, medium access control (IP / MAC). 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said information indicating the maximum duration of the packet is applicable to save power if the rest of the packet is lost. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the digital broadband transmission comprises transmitting a signal on a plurality of carriers. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the digital broadband transmission comprises transmitting digital video broadcasting (DVB transmission). 8. The method according to claim 7, in which the DVB transmission comprises transmitting terrestrial digital video broadcasting (DVB-T transmission). 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the digital broadband transmission comprises wireless digital broadband transmission. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the wireless digital broadband transmission comprises mobile terrestrial digital video broadcasting (DVB-T transmission). 11. A method for transmitting digital broadband transmission to save power at a receiver, the method comprising transmitting information indicating a maximum packet length and categorizing parts of a digital broadband transmission that can provide power saving at a receiver based on said transmitted information for on / off, at least portions of the receiver in accordance with the categorized portions of digital broadband. 12. The method according to claim 11, in which information indicating the maximum duration of the packet is signaled in the descriptor identifier of the time segment. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the time segment identifier descriptor is transmitted in one or more tables of program-specific information or service information. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the one or more tables of program-specific information or service information comprises a network information table, a program mapping table, and an Internet Protocol / Media Access Control (IP / MAC) notification table. 15. Machine-readable medium containing program code for executing the method of claim 1 when executed on a computer. 16. A machine-readable medium containing program code for executing the method of claim 11 when executed on a computer. 17. A system for providing digital broadband transmission to save power in a receiver, comprising means for transmitting information indicating a maximum packet length, means for detecting parts of digital broadband transmission that can provide power savings in a receiver based on said transmitted information, and means for turning on on / off at least a portion of the receiver in accordance with the detected parts of the digital broadband transmission. 18. The system according to 17, in which information indicating the maximum duration of the packet is signaled in the descriptor identifier of the time segment. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the time segment identifier descriptor is transmitted in one or more tables of program-specific information or service information. 20. The system according to claim 19, in which one or more tables of program-specific information or service information comprise a network information table, a program mapping table, and an Internet Protocol / Media Access Control (IP / MAC) notification table. 21. A receiver for receiving digital broadband transmission to save power in the receiver, comprising means for receiving information indicating a maximum packet length, means for detecting parts of digital broadband transmission that can provide power savings in the receiver based on said received information and means for turning on on / off at least a portion of the receiver based on the detected parts of the digital broadband transmission. 22. The receiver according to item 21, in which information indicating the maximum duration of the packet is signaled in the descriptor identifier of the time segment. 23. The receiver of claim 22, wherein the time segment identifier descriptor is transmitted in one or more tables of program-specific information or service information. 24. The receiver of claim 23, wherein the one or more program specific information or service information tables comprise a network information table, a program mapping table, and an Internet Protocol / Media Access Control (IP / MAC) notification table. 25. The receiver according to item 21, in which the receiver further comprises a mobile receiver for transmitting terrestrial digital video broadcasting (DVB-T transmissions). 26. The receiver according A.25, in which the aforementioned information indicating the maximum duration of the packet is applicable to save power in the receiver if the rest of the packet is lost. 27. The receiver of claim 25, wherein the receiver further comprises a mobile station for interacting with digital broadcast. 28. A transmitter for transmitting digital broadband to save power in a receiver, comprising means for transmitting information indicating a maximum packet length, means for categorizing parts of digital broadband that can provide power savings in a receiver based on said transmitted information for on / off at least portions of the receiver in accordance with the categorized portions of digital broadband transmission. 29. The transmitter of claim 28, wherein the information indicating the maximum packet duration is signaled in a time segment identifier descriptor. 30. The transmitter of claim 29, wherein the time segment identifier descriptor is transmitted in one or more tables of program-specific information or service information. 31. The transmitter of claim 30, wherein the one or more tables of program-specific information or service information comprise a network information table, a program mapping table, and an Internet Protocol / Media Access Control (IP / MAC) notification table.

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