WO2008066256A1

WO2008066256A1 - Digital multimedia broadcasting-based system and method of providing user-requested telematics content

Info

Publication number: WO2008066256A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/005456
Authority: WO
Inventors: Min-Jung Kim; Ju-Wan Kim; Moonsoo Lee; Jong-Woo Choi
Original assignee: Electronics And Telecommunications Research Institute
Priority date: 2006-11-28
Filing date: 2007-10-31
Publication date: 2008-06-05
Also published as: JP2010511346A; KR100833503B1; JP5061196B2

Abstract

Provided are a digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB)-based system and method of providing user-requested telematics content. The system includes a telematics terminal unit receiving and displaying a DMB signal and content loaded in the DMB signal and generating a request message for content requested by a user; a request information analysis unit analyzing the type of requested content based on the request message, acquiring the content requested by the user from a content provider, and storing the acquired content; and a DMB unit loading the acquired content in a DMB signal and transmitting the DMB signal to the user. The system and method provide a differentiated DMB data broadcasting service to a user. In addition, the system and method collect each request in relation to a limited bandwidth and allocate a broader bandwidth to a highly requested service, thereby controlling a transmission rate of each service. Hence, the limited bandwidth can be used more efficiently.

Description

DIGITAL MULTIMEDIA BROADCASTING-BASED SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PROVIDING USER-REQUESTED

TELEMATICS CONTENT

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB)-based system and method of providing user-requested telematics content, and more particularly, to a content provision system and method which suggest the structure of a message for requesting a telematics service provider (TSP) to provide content desired by a user and suggest structures of the TSP and a DMB center which analyze the message and provide the desired content to the user, thus allowing a user to request and receive desired content.

[2] This work was supported by the IT R&D program of MIC/IITA [2005-S- 115-02,

DMB-Based elematics Platform Technology Development] Background Art

[3] The remarkable advance in mobile communications technology has connected a vehicle environment, which in the past was secluded, in terms of communication, from the outside, to a variety of telematics services through wireless local area network (WLAN) and code division multiple access (CDMA) external vehicle wireless communication devices. Telematics service users desire to receive information, i.e., navigation services, location-based services and entertainment services, in real time via external vehicle mobile communications networks rather than using information stored offline in a terminal. Digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) can provide high-quality digital video/audio/data services to high-speed moving objects, such as vehicles, in a stable manner. Accordingly, actions are being quickly taken in order to fuse DMB with telematics.

[4] An embodiment of the present invention targets content, which is not personalized and can be commonly used by a plurality of unspecified users, among telematics content provided via a conventional CDMA communications network. Examples of the targeted contents include traffic information, weather information, location information of a surveillance camera, and point of service (POI) information. If a conventional CDMA communications network is used to provide telematics content, a customized telematics service is possible since a user can receive personalized and necessary information. However, in order to receive this service, the user has to purchase and keep a communication module for a telematics terminal in addition to his or her cellular phone. In addition, the user has to frequently communicate with a telematics service provider (TSP) and download content in order to receive the telematics service. Accordingly, the user incurs high data communication fees.

[5] Conventional CDMA bi-directional communication is based on a transmission control protocol (TCP)/Internet protocol (IP) connection. Since traffic generated when a plurality of users simultaneously access a telematics service must be taken into consideration in the conventional CDMA bi-directional communication, the costs for system implementation and maintenance in a TSP are increased. Hence, in order to provide an inexpensive telematics service, communication channels should be varied so that a communication channel can be selected according to characteristics of content. For example, a personalized service may be provided by conventional CDMA broadcasting while content, which is expected to be commonly used by a plurality of users, such as weather information and traffic information, is transmitted over a broadcasting network. If a vehicle passes a shadow region, bi-directional communication may be interrupted but can be retransmitted afterwards. However, since DMB broadcasting is based on uni-directional communication, such a mechanism cannot be implemented. Therefore, in a broadcasting network, the same data is transmitted several times at regular intervals in order to increase a reception rate, albeit partially.

[6] A conventional DMB -based system for providing telematics content simply includes collected traffic information in a transport protocol experts group (TPEG) message and delivery of the message to a terminal. However, as telematics content becomes more varied, a limited bandwidth will have to be shared by a number of services. In addition, a bandwidth needs to be allocated to content frequently requested by users in order to provide differentiated services.

[7] In this regard, an embodiment of the present invention suggests the structure of a message for requesting a TSP to provide content desired by a user and prioritizes the content based on an analysis of the structure of the message and suggest the structures of the TSP and a DMB broadcast center and for receiving the content. By using an embodiment of the present invention, users can request desired content and receive the requested content. In particular, in the case of conventional DMB-based content provision services, a user cannot receive desired content. However, an embodiment of the present invention transmits information requested by a user in a spare portion of a conventional broadcast bandwidth and can therefore efficiently use the bandwidth and provide a differentiated service according to region/service.

[8] If telematics content, such as traffic information, weather information and POI information, is provided via a conventional CDMA communications network, a user has to frequently communicate with a TSP and download content, thereby incurring high data communication fees. As satellite DMB and terrestrial DMB are widely used, high- quality digital video/audio/data services can be provided through such DMB to highspeed moving objects, such as vehicles, in a stable manner. Accordingly, actions are being quickly taken in order to fuse DMB with telematics. In addition, efforts are being made to transmit content, which is not personalized and can be commonly used by a plurality of unspecified users, using a data service channel of a DMB network. The content refers to impersonalized content among telematics content provided via a conventional CDMA communications network, and examples of the content include congestion information, safety driving information (SDI), road event information (REI), news information and POI information. In order to transmit content using a data service channel of a DMB network, TPEG traffic and travel information (TTI) specifications have been standardized and are expected to be provided in the near future.

[9] Therefore, the present invention suggests a technology for transmitting additional telematics broadcast content requested by users through a DMB network by making the most of a limited broadcast bandwidth when transmitting telematics content, such as congestion information, REI, SDI, news information and POI information, defined in conventional TPEG specifications. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[10] The present invention provides a system and method of providing telematics content

(traffic information, road event information (REI), safety driving information (SDI), point of service (POI) information, and the like) requested by a plurality of users in a differentiated manner by using a digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) network. Technical Solution

[11] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a DMB -based system for providing user-requested telematics content. The system includes a telematics terminal unit receiving and displaying a DMB broadcast signal and content loaded in the DMB broadcast signal and generating a request message for content requested by a user; a request information analysis unit analyzing the type of requested content based on the request message, acquiring the content requested by the user from a content provider, and storing the acquired content; and a DMB unit loading the acquired content in a DMB broadcast signal and transmitting the DMB broadcast signal to the user.

[12] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a DMB-based system for providing user-requested telematics content, the system including a telematics terminal apparatus, a telematics content provision apparatus and a DMB broadcasting apparatus, wherein the telematics terminal apparatus includes a request information input unit receiving information for content requested by a user from the user; a message generation unit generating a request message based on the received information; a message transmission unit transmitting the request message to the telematics content provision apparatus; and a broadcast signal processing unit extracting a DMB signal and content from a DMB broadcast signal which is received from the DMB broadcasting apparatus.

[13] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a DMB-based system for providing user-requested telematics content, the system including a telematics terminal apparatus, a telematics content provision apparatus and a DMB broadcasting apparatus, wherein the telematics content provision apparatus includes a message reception unit receiving a request message from the telematics terminal apparatus; a request information processing unit analyzing request information, which comprises the type of requested content and location and route information of a user, based on the request message; a content acquisition unit receiving the requested content from a content provider; and a content storage unit storing the received content and the location and route information of the user.

[14] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a DMB-based system for providing user-requested telematics content, the system including a telematics terminal apparatus, a telematics content provision apparatus and a DMB broadcasting apparatus, wherein the DMB broadcasting apparatus includes a content classification unit classifying content by region based on location and route information of a user; a signal conversion unit converting the content classified by region into new content appropriate for a DMB broadcast signal and loading the new content in the DMB broadcast signal; and a signal transmission unit transmitting the DMB broadcast signal loaded the new content to a user.

[15] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a DMB-based system for providing user-requested telematics content, the system including a telematics terminal apparatus, a telematics content provision apparatus and a DMB broadcasting apparatus, wherein the telematics terminal apparatus includes a request information input unit receiving information for a departure point or a current location and a destination point of a user and information for content requested by the user from the user; a message generation unit generating a request message based on the received information; a message transmission unit transmitting the generated request message to the telematics content provision apparatus in the form of an SMS or a TCP; a signal reception unit receiving a DMB broadcast signal; and a signal processing unit extracting the content requested by the user from the DMB broadcast signal and providing the extracted content to the user.

[16] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a DMB-based system for providing user-requested telematics content, the system including a telematics terminal apparatus, a telematics content provision apparatus and a DMB broadcasting apparatus, wherein the telematics content provision apparatus includes a request message reception unit receiving a request message from the telematics terminal apparatus; a request message processing unit extracting information for a departure point or a current location and a destination point of a user and information for content requested by the user from the request message; a request information classification unit counting the number of requests based on the information for the requested content; a route analysis unit generating multiple routes from the departure point or current location to the destination point of the user; a location analysis unit extracting locations of the user according to the generated routes and classifying the extracted locations by region or link; a priority classification unit prioritizing the requested content according to the number of requests, the multiple routes, classification by region or link, the information for the requested content, and a rating of the user; and a content transmission unit transmitting the requested content and a priority order given to the requested content to the DMB broadcasting apparatus.

[17] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a DMB-based system for providing user-requested telematics content, the system including a telematics terminal apparatus, a telematics content provision apparatus and a DMB broadcasting apparatus, wherein the DMB broadcasting apparatus includes a content reception unit receiving a requested content and a priority order given to the requested content; a content classification unit classifying the received content by region or service based on information for a departure point or a current location and a destination point of a user; a signal conversion unit loading the classified content in a DMB broadcast signal for each region or service, and converting the DMB broadcast signal into TPEG data; and a signal transmission unit transmitting the converted DMB broadcast signal.

[18] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a DMB-based method of providing user-requested telematics content. The method includes generating a request message for content requested by a user; analyzing the type of requested content based on the request message, acquiring the content requested by the user from a content provider, and storing the acquired content; and loading the acquired content in a DMB broadcast signal and transmitting the DMB broadcast signal to the user. Advantageous Effects

[19] As described above, the present invention collects a user's requests for telematics content, analyses the requests, and reflects the analysis result in DMB data broadcasting. Therefore, the present invention can provide a differentiated DMB data broadcasting service to the user. In addition, the present invention collects each request in relation to a limited bandwidth and allocates a broader bandwidth to a highly requested service, thereby controlling a transmission rate of each service. Hence, the limited bandwidth can be used more efficiently. Description of Drawings

[20] The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:

[21] FIG. 1 illustrates the structure of a system for providing user-requested telematics content according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[22] FIG. 2 illustrates the structure of a telematics terminal illustrated in FIG. 1 ;

[23] FIG. 3 illustrates the structure of a user request information analysis system illustrated in FIG. 1;

[24] FIG. 4 illustrates the structure of a digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) center illustrated in FIG. 1;

[25] FIG. 5 is a flowchart based on a user's terminal, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[26] according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[27] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of analyzing request information according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[28] FIG. 7 illustrates the structure of a request message according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[29] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a system for providing user-requested telematics content according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[30] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing user-requested telematics content according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[31] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a series of operations, in the method of FIG. 9, performed by a user terminal;

[32] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation, in the method of FIG. 9, of storing content; and

[33] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation, in the method of FIG. 9, of transmitting a broadcast signal in the method of FIG. 9. Best Mode

[34] The present invention provides a system and method of providing telematics content

(traffic information, road event information (REI), safety driving information (SDI), point of service (POI) information, and the like) requested by a plurality of users in a differentiated manner by using a digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) network.

[35] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a DMB-based system for providing user-requested telematics content. The system includes a telematics terminal unit receiving and displaying a DMB broadcast signal and content loaded in the DMB broadcast signal and generating a request message for content requested by a user; a request information analysis unit analyzing the type of requested content based on the request message, acquiring the content requested by the user from a content provider, and storing the acquired content; and a DMB unit loading the acquired content in a DMB broadcast signal and transmitting the DMB broadcast signal to the user.

[36] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a DMB-based system for providing user-requested telematics content, the system including a telematics terminal apparatus, a telematics content provision apparatus and a DMB broadcasting apparatus, wherein the telematics terminal apparatus includes a request information input unit receiving information for content requested by a user from the user; a message generation unit generating a request message based on the received information; a message transmission unit transmitting the request message to the telematics content provision apparatus; and a broadcast signal processing unit extracting a DMB signal and content from a DMB broadcast signal which is received from the DMB broadcasting apparatus.

[37] The message transmission unit may transmit the request message in the form of a short message service (SMS) or a transmission control protocol (TCP) through a code division multiple access (CDMA), wireless broadband Internet (WiBro), or high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) communications network.

[38] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a DMB-based system for providing user-requested telematics content, the system including a telematics terminal apparatus, a telematics content provision apparatus and a DMB broadcasting apparatus, wherein the telematics content provision apparatus includes a message reception unit receiving a request message from the telematics terminal apparatus; a request information processing unit analyzing request information, which comprises the type of requested content and location and route information of a user, based on the request message; a content acquisition unit receiving the requested content from a content provider; and a content storage unit storing the received content and the location and route information of the user.

[39] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a DMB-based system for providing user-requested telematics content, the system including a telematics terminal apparatus, a telematics content provision apparatus and a DMB broadcasting apparatus, wherein the DMB broadcasting apparatus includes a content classification unit classifying content by region based on location and route information of a user; a signal conversion unit converting the content classified by region into new content appropriate for a DMB broadcast signal and loading the new content in the DMB broadcast signal; and a signal transmission unit transmitting the DMB broadcast signal loaded the new content to a user.

[40] The signal conversion unit may load the content in the DMB broadcast signal based on an allowable DMB broadcast signal bandwidth for each region and converts the DMB broadcast signal into transport protocol experts group (TPEG) data.

[41] The content may include vehicle speed, road surface information, traffic information containing traffic volume, road event information (REI), weather information, POI information, gas price information of filling stations, parking information, location information of surveillance cameras, accommodation information, and real-time news information.

[42] The request message may include identification information of the request message, user identification information, current location and destination information of the user, request time information, and the type of requested content.

[43] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a DMB-based system for providing user-requested telematics content, the system including a telematics terminal apparatus, a telematics content provision apparatus and a DMB broadcasting apparatus, wherein the telematics terminal apparatus includes a request information input unit receiving information for a departure point or a current location and a destination point of a user and information for content requested by the user from the user; a message generation unit generating a request message based on the received information; a message transmission unit transmitting the generated request message to the telematics content provision apparatus in the form of an SMS or a TCP; a signal reception unit receiving a DMB broadcast signal; and a signal processing unit extracting the content requested by the user from the DMB broadcast signal and providing the extracted content to the user.

[44] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a DMB-based system for providing user-requested telematics content, the system including a telematics terminal apparatus, a telematics content provision apparatus and a DMB broadcasting apparatus, wherein the telematics content provision apparatus includes a request message reception unit receiving a request message from the telematics terminal apparatus; a request message processing unit extracting information for a departure point or a current location and a destination point of a user and information for content requested by the user from the request message; a request information classification unit counting the number of requests based on the information for the requested content; a route analysis unit generating multiple routes from the departure point or current location to the destination point of the user; a location analysis unit extracting locations of the user according to the generated routes and classifying the extracted locations by region or link; a priority classification unit prioritizing the requested content according to the number of requests, the multiple routes, classification by region or link, the information for the requested content, and a rating of the user; and a content transmission unit transmitting the requested content and a priority order given to the requested content to the DMB broadcasting apparatus.

[45] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a DMB-based system for providing user-requested telematics content, the system including a telematics terminal apparatus, a telematics content provision apparatus and a DMB broadcasting apparatus, wherein the DMB broadcasting apparatus includes a content reception unit receiving a requested content and a priority order given to the requested content; a content classification unit classifying the received content by region or service based on information for a departure point or a current location and a destination point of a user; a signal conversion unit loading the classified content in a DMB broadcast signal for each region or service, and converting the DMB broadcast signal into TPEG data; and a signal transmission unit transmitting the converted DMB broadcast signal.

[46] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a DMB-based method of providing user-requested telematics content. The method includes generating a request message for content requested by a user; analyzing the type of requested content based on the request message, acquiring the content requested by the user from a content provider, and storing the acquired content; and loading the acquired content in a DMB broadcast signal and transmitting the DMB broadcast signal to the user.

[47] The generating of the request message may include receiving information for the content requested by the user from the user; and generating the request message based on the received information.

[48] The analyzing of the type of requested content and the storing of the acquired content may include analyzing request information, which comprises the type of requested content and location and route information of the user, based on the request message; receiving the requested content from the content provider; and storing the received content and the location and route information of the user.

[49] The loading of the acquired content in the DMB signal and the transmitting of the

DMB broadcast signal may include classifying the acquired content by region based on the location and route information of the user in the request message; converting the content classified by region into new content appropriate for the DMB broadcast signal and loading the new content in the DMB broadcast signal; and transmitting the DMB broadcast signal loaded the new content to the user.

[50] The generating of the request message may include receiving information regarding a departure point or a current location and a destination point of the user and information for the content requested by the user from the user; generating the request message based on the received information; and transmitting the generated request message in the form of an SMS or a TCP.

[51] The analyzing of the type of requested content and the storing of the acquired content may include receiving the request message; extracting the information for the departure point or the current location and the destination point of the user and the information for the content requested by the user from the request message; counting the number of requests based on the information for the requested content; generating multiple routes from the departure point or current location to the destination point of the user; extracting locations of the user according to the generated routes and classifying the extracted locations by region or link; prioritizing the requested content according to the number of requests, the multiple routes, classification by region or link, the information for the requested content, and a rating of the user; and transmitting the requested content and a priority order given to the requested content.

[52] The loading of the acquired content in the DMB broadcast signal and the transmitting of the DMB broadcast signal may include receiving the requested content and the priority order given to the requested content; classifying the received content by region or service based on the information for the departure point or the current location and the destination point of the user; loading the classified content in a DMB broadcast signal for each region or service, and converting the DMB broadcast signal into TPEG data; and transmitting the converted DMB broadcast signal. Mode for Invention

[53] The present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[54] FIG. 1 illustrates the structure of a system for providing user-requested telematics content according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the system includes a digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) supporting telematics terminal 100, a telematics service provider (TSP) 110, and a DMB center 120.

[55] The DMB supporting telematics terminal 100 generates a content request message and transmits the generated content request message to the TSP 110. A user request information analysis system 115 of the TSP 110 processes the transmitted content request message and allocates an order of priority to the content request message so as to be sent accordingly to a user. [56] The analysis result of the user request information analysis system 115 is transmitted to the DMB center 120. The DMB center 120 adds content requested by a user to telematics content, which is currently being broadcast, within an allowable bandwidth and transmits the addition result according to region/service. The DMB supporting telematics terminal 100 receives a transport protocol experts group (TPEG) message by DMB and provides information to the user.

[57] FIG. 2 illustrates the structure of the DMB supporting telematics terminal 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 2, the DMB supporting telematics terminal 100 includes a request information input unit 201, a message transmission unit 202, a request message generation unit 203, a signal processing unit 204, and a signal reception unit 205.

[58] The DMB supporting telematics terminal 100 receives a user's request through the request information input unit 201. The request information input unit 201 may be integrated into a navigator or implemented as a separate user request generation application. The user inputs a departure point (or a current location) and a destination point about which the user desires to receive information and the type of the request information. The user may need to input additional information according to the request information.

[59] Based on the input information, the request message generation unit 203 generates a request message and transmits the generated request message to a TSP in the form of a short message service (SMS) or a transmission control protocol (TCP) via the message transmission unit 202. The generated request message includes request protocol identification information, such as protocol version information, a usecase ID and a message ID, user identification information, location information (represented as a departure point or a current location and a destination point or as information within a radius of several kilometers from coordinates of a requested location), requesting time, content items to be requested, detailed items according to content.

[60] Content items may include congestion information, road event information (REI), point of service (POI) information, and news information items. When requesting congestion information, the user may specify the types of roads (a highway, a three or higher- lane road, and the like), which require the congestion information, as detailed items. When requesting prediction information, the user may specify a time and thus request prediction information regarding a time that is several minutes ahead. In addition, when requesting POI information, the user may specify the type of POI information to request as a content item, that is, whether the POI information is filling station information or accommodation information. Accordingly, the user can define detailed items according to the type of POI information and make a more detailed request. The generated request message may also include information indicating that it should be transmitted through a code division multiple access (CDMA), wireless broadband Internet (WiBro), or high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) communications network.

[61] FIG. 3 illustrates the structure of the user request information analysis system 115 illustrated in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 3, the user request information analysis system includes a terminal request reception unit 301, a request message processing unit 302, a request priority classifier 310, a user request rule generator 311, and a broadcasting center connection system 370.

[62] Requests transmitted from a terminal are received by the terminal request reception unit 301 and then decoded by the request message processing unit 302.

[63] A user request information classifier 303 counts the number of requests according to the type of requested information, and a user route analyzer 304 generates multiple routes based on received location information. In addition, a user location analyzer 305 extracts locations of pieces of information requested by a user and classifies them according to region or link.

[64] The request information, which has been analyzed as described above, is constructed as request statistical information 306. The request statistical information 306 is input to the request priority classifier 310 with reference to telematics content information 307 received in real time, content statistical information 308 constructed after existing history data is analyzed, and additional information 309 such as user ratings.

[65] When the real-time telematics content information 307 is compared with the content statistical information 308, if there is a large difference therebetween, an unforeseen incident may have occurred. In this case, since the content statistical information 308 needs to be transmitted before anything else, a priority order given to the content statistical information 308 is increased.

[66] Priorities given to the classified requests are made as rules by the request rule generator 311, stored in a rule database (DB) 321, and delivered to a DMB center via the broadcasting center connection system 370.

[67] FIG. 4 illustrates the structure of the DMB center 120 illustrated in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 4, the DMB center 120 includes a TSP center connection system 401, a user request rule application unit 402, a broadcast content classifier 403, a data conversion unit 405, and a broadcast unit 406.

[68] The TSP center connection system 401 connects various data that is generated between a TSP and the DMB center 120 transmits various data generated by the DMB center 120 to a TSP. Specifically, the TSP center connection system 401 transmits to an authorized DMB center a list 312 of user request rules whose priorities have been determined and real-time telematics content 307 that is to be broadcast by DMB. Later, when billing a user for processing the user's request, the TSP center connection system 401 connects to a TSP center and processes.

[69] At the request of the TSP center, the TSP center connection system 401 may transmit an allowable bandwidth for each region/service to the TSP center. A received user request rule identifies the remaining bandwidth for each region/service, which is currently being transmitted by the user request rule application unit 402, and dynamically designs a broadcast schedule. In this process, a rule is applied according to its priority, and information requested by a user is added to an existing broadcast list within an allowable bandwidth.

[70] The broadcast content classifier 403 classifies telematics content to be broadcast according to each region/service and accumulates the telematics content accordingly. This accumulated data is transmitted to a broadcasting station in each region, converted by the data conversion unit 405 into TPEG data according to each service, and broadcast by the broadcast unit 406 to each region by DMB.

[71] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of requesting information based on a user's terminal, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[72] Referring to FIG. 5, the user requests traffic information, POI information or REI of a current route using an application (operation S500). Then, the terminal generates a content request message (operation S501) and transmits the generated content request message to a message transmission unit (operation S502). The message transmission unit transmits the content request message to a TSP center (operation S503), and the TSP center informs the terminal of the reception result (operation S504).

[73] Real-time route analysis and statistical data analysis are performed on the contents request message (operation S505). The analyzed message is transmitted to a DMB center 120, and content, to which the request result has been applied, is loaded in a TPEG message and broadcast accordingly to each region (operation S508). The TPEG message is interpreted by a signal reception unit of the terminal (operation S509). If the TPEG message is decoded and transmitted to the application, the application interprets received content and displays it in an appropriate form (operation S511).

[74] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of analyzing request information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[75] Referring to FIG. 6, when a TSP receives a message (operation S601), it interprets the received message (operation S602) and extracts the type of content, location information to request (operation S603), and multiple routes (operation S604). Consequently, the TSP extracts requested link IDs or region information.

[76] The extracted information is classified by content/service/region (operation S605).

Then, requested statistical information, the rating of a user requesting real-time information, and history analysis information are reflected in the classified information (operation S606), and a rule to which a priority has been applied is generated (operation S 607). The generated rule and real-time content are transmitted to the DMB center 120 (operation S608).

[77] FIG. 7 illustrates the structure of a request message according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[78] Referring to FIG. 7, the request message is divided into a header and a body.

[79] The header includes protocol version information, a usecase ID (e.g., a traffic information request usecase ID, a road event (accident) information request usecase ID, or the like), a message ID (ID of a message exchanged for each usecase), and a total message length.

[80] The body includes a request time, a request message, and location information.

[81] The request message specifies a bearer type to be requested again. In the present invention, since the request message is to be received via a T-DMB network, it is specified in the bearer type and composed of request message size and request message data.

[82] The request message data is divided according to the type of each requested data.

When congestion and travel time information (CTT) is to be requested, a detailed CTT item includes average predicted speed in a road segment, a predicted time of how long it will take to pass a road segment, and a congestion level. A road item includes information regarding all types of roads, such as a highway, a provincial road, a national road, and the like. A linkID item includes a type of node link system. That is, the linkID item specifies whether to follow a node link system of the Ministry of Construction and Transportation or a self-defined node link system.

[83] A region item includes a region code of information to be requested, and a present/ predict time item specifies whether information of the present time is requested or whether prediction information for several minutes ahead of time is requested.

[84] Likewise, a safety driving information (SDI) item specifies the type of SDI information to be requested (such as an high-speed prohibited region or a sharp turn region) and region information to be requested.

[85] Location information specifies location information of a requested region and a region about which information is desired.

[86] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a system for providing user-requested telematics content according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 8, the system includes a telematics terminal apparatus 800, a telematics content provision apparatus 810, and a DMB broadcasting apparatus 820.

[87] The telematics terminal apparatus 800 includes a request information input unit 801, a message generation unit 802, a message transmission unit 803, and a broadcast signal processing unit 804.

[88] The request information input unit 801 receives from a user information regarding a departure point or a current location and a destination point of the user and information regarding content requested by the user. [89] The message generation unit 802 generates a request message based on the received information, and the message transmission unit 803 transmits the generated request message to a request information analysis unit in the form of an SMS or a TCP. [90] A signal reception unit 804 receives a DMB broadcast signal, and a signal processing unit 805 extracts the content requested by the user from the received DMB signal and provides the extracted content to the user. [91] The telematics content provision apparatus 810 includes a content storage unit 811, a request information processing unit 812, a message reception unit 813, and a content acquisition unit 814. [92] The message reception unit 813 receives the request message from the telematics terminal apparatus 800. [93] The request information interpretation unit 812 analyzes request information, which includes the type of requested content and location and route information of the user, based on the received request message. [94] The content acquisition unit 814 receives the requested content from a content provider.

[95] The content storage unit 811 stores the content and the location and route information of the user. [96] The DMB broadcasting apparatus 820 includes a content classification unit 821, a signal conversion unit 822, and a signal transmission unit 823. [97] The content classification unit 821 classifies the content by region based on the location information and route information of the user. [98] The signal conversion unit 822 converts the content classified by region into new content appropriate for a DMB signal and loads the new content in the DMB broadcast signal. The signal transmission unit 823 transmits the DMB broadcast signal containing the new content to the user. [99] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing user-requested telematics content according to an embodiment of the present invention. [100] Referring to FIG. 9, a request message for content requested by a user is generated

(operation S900). The type of requested content is analyzed based on the request message, the requested content is acquired from a content provider, and the acquired content is stored (operation S910). [101] The content is loaded in a DMB broadcast signal and transmitted accordingly to the user (operation S920), thereby providing the user with the requested telematics content. [102] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a series of operations, in the method of FIG. 9, performed by a user terminal.

[103] A user inputs information regarding content to request (operation SlOOO). A request message is generated based on the input information (operation SlOlO), and a DMB signal and content is extracted from a received DMB broadcast signal (operation S 1020).

[104] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation, in the method of FIG. 9, of storing content.

[105] Referring to FIG. 11, a request message is received (operation Sl 100). Then, request information, which includes the type of requested content, location information and route information of a user, is analyzed based on the request message (operation Sl I lO).

[106] The requested content is acquired from a content provider (operation Sl 120). The content and the location and route information of the user are stored together (operation Sl 130) and thus, the content requested by the user is obtained.

[107] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation, in the method of FIG. 9, of transmitting a broadcast signal.

[108] Referring to FIG. 12, content is classified by region based on location and route information of a user (operation S 1200).

[109] The content classified by region is converted into new content appropriate for a DMB broadcast signal, and the new content is loaded in the DMB broadcast signal (operation S 1210). Then, the DMB broadcast signal is transmitted to the user (operation S 1220), thereby providing the user with the requested telematics content.

[110] The present invention can also be implemented as computer-readable code on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium is any data storage device that can store data which can be thereafter read by a computer system. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, optical data storage devices, and carrier waves (such as data transmission through the Internet).

[I l l] The computer-readable recording medium can also be distributed over network- coupled computer systems so that the computer-readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

[112] While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

[1] A digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB)-based system for providing user- requested telematics content, the system comprising: a telematics terminal unit receiving and displaying a DMB broadcast signal and content loaded in the DMB broadcast signal and generating a request message for content requested by a user; a request information analysis unit analyzing the type of requested content based on the request message, acquiring the content requested by the user from a content provider, and storing the acquired content; and a DMB unit loading the acquired content in a DMB broadcast signal and transmitting the DMB broadcast signal to the user.

[2] A DMB-based system for providing user-requested telematics content, the system comprising a telematics terminal apparatus, a telematics content provision apparatus and a DMB broadcasting apparatus, wherein the telematics terminal apparatus comprises: a request information input unit receiving information for content requested by a user from the user; a message generation unit generating a request message based on the received information; a message transmission unit transmitting the request message to the telematics content provision apparatus; and a broadcast signal processing unit extracting a DMB signal and content from a DMB broadcast signal which is received from the DMB broadcasting apparatus.

[3] A DMB-based system for providing user-requested telematics content, the system comprising a telematics terminal apparatus, a telematics content provision apparatus and a DMB broadcasting apparatus, wherein the telematics content provision apparatus comprises: a message reception unit receiving a request message from the telematics terminal apparatus; a request information processing unit analyzing request information, which comprises the type of requested content and location and route information of a user, based on the request message; a content acquisition unit receiving the requested content from a content provider; and a content storage unit storing the received content and the location and route information of the user.

[4] A DMB-based system for providing user-requested telematics content, the system comprising a telematics terminal apparatus, a telematics content provision apparatus and a DMB broadcasting apparatus, wherein the DMB broadcasting apparatus comprises: a content classification unit classifying content by region based on location and route information of a user; a signal conversion unit converting the content classified by region into new content appropriate for a DMB broadcast signal and loading the new content in the DMB broadcast signal; and a signal transmission unit transmitting the DMB broadcast signal loaded the new content to a user.

[5] The system of claim 2, wherein the content comprises vehicle speed, road surface information, traffic information containing traffic volume, road event information (REI), weather information, point of service (POI) information, gas price information of filling stations, parking information, location information of surveillance cameras, accommodation information, and real-time news information.

[6] The system of claim 3, wherein the content comprises vehicle speed, road surface information, traffic information containing traffic volume, REI, weather information, POI information, gas price information of filling stations, parking information, location information of surveillance cameras, accommodation information, and real-time news information.

[7] The system of claim 4, wherein the content comprises vehicle speed, road surface information, traffic information containing traffic volume, REI, weather information, POI information, gas price information of filling stations, parking information, location information of surveillance cameras, accommodation information, and real-time news information.

[8] The system of claim 2, wherein the request message comprises identification information of the request message, user identification information, current location and destination information of the user, request time information, and the type of requested content.

[9] The system of claim 3, wherein the request message comprises identification information of the request message, user identification information, current location and destination information of the user, request time information, and the type of requested content.

[10] The system of claim 2, wherein the message transmission unit transmits the request message in the form of a short message service (SMS) or a transmission control protocol (TCP) through a code division multiple access (CDMA), wireless broadband Internet (WiBro), or high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) communications network.

[11] The system of claim 4, wherein the signal conversion unit loads the content in the DMB broadcast signal based on an allowable DMB broadcast signal bandwidth for each region and converts the DMB broadcast signal into transport protocol experts group (TPEG) data.

[12] A DMB-based system for providing user-requested telematics content, the system comprising a telematics terminal apparatus, a telematics content provision apparatus and a DMB broadcasting apparatus, wherein the telematics terminal apparatus comprises: a request information input unit receiving information for a departure point or a current location and a destination point of a user and information for content requested by the user from the user; a message generation unit generating a request message based on the received information; a message transmission unit transmitting the generated request message to the telematics content provision apparatus in the form of an SMS or a TCP; a signal reception unit receiving a DMB broadcast signal; and a signal processing unit extracting the content requested by the user from the DMB broadcast signal and providing the extracted content to the user.

[13] A DMB-based system for providing user-requested telematics content, the system comprising a telematics terminal apparatus, a telematics content provision apparatus and a DMB broadcasting apparatus, wherein the telematics content provision apparatus comprises: a request message reception unit receiving a request message from the telematics terminal apparatus; a request message processing unit extracting information for a departure point or a current location and a destination point of a user and information for content requested by the user from the request message; a request information classification unit counting the number of requests based on the information for the requested content; a route analysis unit generating multiple routes from the departure point or current location to the destination point of the user; a location analysis unit extracting locations of the user according to the generated routes and classifying the extracted locations by region or link; a priority classification unit prioritizing the requested content according to the number of requests, the multiple routes, classification by region or link, the information for the requested content, and a rating of the user; and a content transmission unit transmitting the requested content and a priority order given to the requested content to the DMB broadcasting apparatus.

[14] A DMB-based system for providing user-requested telematics content, the system comprising a telematics terminal apparatus, a telematics content provision apparatus and a DMB broadcasting apparatus, wherein the DMB broadcasting apparatus comprises: a content reception unit receiving a requested content and a priority order given to the requested content; a content classification unit classifying the received content by region or service based on information for a departure point or a current location and a destination point of a user; a signal conversion unit loading the classified content in a DMB broadcast signal for each region or service, and converting the DMB broadcast signal into TPEG data; and a signal transmission unit transmitting the converted DMB broadcast signal.

[15] A DMB-based method of providing user-requested telematics content, the method comprising: generating a request message for content requested by a user; analyzing the type of requested content based on the request message, acquiring the content requested by the user from a content provider, and storing the acquired content; and loading the acquired content in a DMB broadcast signal and transmitting the DMB broadcast signal to the user.

[16] The method of claim 15, wherein the generating of the request message comprises: receiving information for the content requested by the user from the user; and generating the request message based on the received information.

[17] The method of claim 15, wherein the analyzing of the type of requested content and the storing of the acquired content comprises: analyzing request information, which comprises the type of requested content and location and route information of the user, based on the request message; receiving the requested content from the content provider; and storing the received content and the location and route information of the user.

[18] The method of claim 15, wherein the loading of the acquired content in the DMB signal and the transmitting of the DMB broadcast signal comprises: classifying the acquired content by region based on the location and route information of the user in the request message; converting the content classified by region into new content appropriate for the DMB broadcast signal and loading the new content in the DMB broadcast signal; and transmitting the DMB broadcast signal loaded the new content to the user. [19] The method of claim 15, wherein the generating of the request message comprises: receiving information regarding a departure point or a current location and a destination point of the user and information for the content requested by the user from the user; generating the request message based on the received information; and transmitting the generated request message in the form of an SMS or a TCP. [20] The method of claim 15, wherein the analyzing of the type of requested content and the storing of the acquired content comprises: receiving the request message; extracting the information for the departure point or the current location and the destination point of the user and the information for the content requested by the user from the request message; counting the number of requests based on the information for the requested content; generating multiple routes from the departure point or current location to the destination point of the user; extracting locations of the user according to the generated routes and classifying the extracted locations by region or link; prioritizing the requested content according to the number of requests, the multiple routes, classification by region or link, the information for the requested content, and a rating of the user; and transmitting the requested content and a priority order given to the requested content. [21] The method of claim 15, wherein the loading of the acquired content in the DMB broadcast signal and the transmitting of the DMB broadcast signal comprises: receiving the requested content and the priority order given to the requested content; classifying the received content by region or service based on the information for the departure point or the current location and the destination point of the user; loading the classified content in a DMB broadcast signal for each region or service, and converting the DMB broadcast signal into TPEG data; and transmitting the converted DMB broadcast signal.