Patent Application
20070200948
This application claims priority to an application entitled “Broadcasting System and Method for Providing Multiple Broadcasting Service” filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Feb. 9, 2006 and assigned Serial No. 2006-12592, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a digital broadcasting service, and more particularly to a broadcasting system and a method for providing a multiple broadcasting service.
2. Description of the Related Art
Typically, a digital broadcasting service refers to a broadcasting service that substitutes a conventional analog broadcasting service with high picture quality, high sound quality and high Quality of Service (QoS). With the recent development of digital broadcasting technology and mobile communication technology, much interest has been focused on a mobile broadcasting service that allows users on the move to watch digital broadcasting
A mobile broadcasting service includes a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) service using a mobile communication terminal, i.e. a portable terminal, and a live streaming broadcasting service which is a real-time multimedia service provided through a third generation (3G) network.
A DMB service refers to a broadcasting service in which users can watch various multimedia broadcasting through a plurality of channels while moving by means of a personal portable receiver or a vehicle receiver equipped with a non-directional receiver antenna. Such a DMB service overcomes the limitations of conventional broadcasting services, including passive unidirectionality, a fixed area, service through individual media devices such as a radio and a TV. The DMB service enables one DMB terminal to provide a video/audio service and an integrated service of broadcasting and communication (e.g., DAB/DMB & 3G, WCDMA & Portable Internet, WLAN & WiFi, WiFi & Portable Internet, DAB/DMB & Portable Internet, DVB-H, DVB-T), which have active bidirectionality, personal portability and mobility. Also, the DMB service provides a mobile broadcasting service through a portable terminal having mobility such as a cellular phone, a notebook, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) phone, and a Wibro phone.
A portable terminal for providing such a mobile broadcasting service must use a limited battery power source for providing a broadcasting service, instead of a power source which can continuously supply power. Active research is being conducted to provide a method for optimizing a broadcasting service taking into consideration a battery power source.
There may be a case in which a user wants to simultaneously watch broadcasting channel. As described above, when a user wants to watch two or more broadcasts, the user can watch two or more broadcasts through a main screen and sub-screens by using a Picture In Picture (PIP) function of a terminal. In order to use the PIP function, a terminal must be able to receive transport streams from a number of broadcasting channels corresponding to broadcasting displayed on a single screen, and must be able to display the broadcasting for the corresponding broadcasting channels, corresponding to the received broadcasting streams, on the screen. That is, in order to perform the PIP function, a terminal must perform a RF reception process in proportion to the number of broadcasting channels which a user wants to watch, store all received broadcasting data in a buffer, decode the stored data, and then display the decoded data on a screen. For instance, in the case of performing a multiple broadcasting service for all receivable broadcasting channels by means of the PIP function, a terminal must perform RF reception and decoding processes for all the broadcasting channels. In the case of implementing a multiple broadcasting service by means of the PIP function, the more broadcasting channels a user wants to watch, the more elements related to RF reception, decoding and display must operate, which result in high battery consumption.
In the case of implementing a multiple broadcasting service by means of the PIP function as described above, a terminal must perform RF reception and decoding processes corresponding to the number of broadcasting channels selected by a user for performing multiple broadcasting. As a result of this, battery consumption of the terminal increases accordingly, and thus the running time of the terminal is considerably reduced.
Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a broadcasting system and a method for providing a multiple broadcasting service while minimizing battery consumption of a terminal.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a broadcasting system for providing a multiple broadcasting service, the broadcasting system includes a digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) transmission center for reducing image data in broadcasting data for each of one or more broadcasting channels, generating a transport stream including a separate channel for multiple broadcasting from the reduced image data, and broadcasting the generated transport stream; and a DMB terminal for receiving the reduced image data through a multiple broadcasting channel decoding the reduced image data, and displaying the decoded image data on a screen.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a broadcasting system for providing a multiple broadcasting service, the broadcasting system includes a DMB transmission center for extracting still images from image data in broadcasting data for each of one or more broadcasting channels, converting the extracted still images into selectively extractable data, generating a transport stream including data streams for the converted still images, and broadcasting the generated transport stream; and a DMB terminal for receiving the data streams extracting the still images from the data streams, and displaying the extracted still images on a part of a screen.
In accordance with further another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for providing a multiple broadcasting service in a broadcasting system, the method includes reducing by a DMB transmission center image data in broadcasting data for each of one or more broadcasting channels generating a transport stream including a separate channel for multiple broadcasting from the reduced image data, and broadcasting the generated transport stream; and receiving by a DMB terminal the reduced image data through a multiple broadcasting channel decoding the reduced image data, and displaying the decoded image data on a screen.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for providing a multiple broadcasting service, the method includes extracting by a DMB transmission center extracting still images from image data in broadcasting data for each of one or more broadcasting channels, converting the extracted still images into selectively extractable data, generating a transport stream including data streams for the converted still images, and broadcasting the generated transport stream; and receiving by a DMB terminal the data streams extracting the still images from the data streams, and displaying the extracted still images on a part of a screen.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the similar components are designated by similar reference numerals although they are illustrated in different drawings. Also, in the following description, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may obscure the subject matter of the present invention.
The present invention discloses two methods which can provide a multiple broadcasting service by means of a PIP function while reducing battery consumption of a terminal.
First, the present invention provides a method in which a DMB transmission center transmits multiple broadcasting transport streams to a DMB terminal through a separate channel for a multiple broadcasting service, and the DMB terminal receives only transport streams transmitted through a specific corresponding channel at a multiple broadcasting request, instead of receiving transport streams for all broadcasting channels, thereby minimizing battery consumption of a terminal.
The present invention provides a method in which a DMB transmission center can transmit multiple broadcasting transport streams in the form of video streams obtained by combining image data reduced by a preset size for all broadcasting channels. Further, the DMB transmission center can extract still images from images provided from all broadcasting channels and transmit the extracted still images in the form of multiple broadcasting data streams.
According to the present invention, a DMB transmission center transmits multiple broadcasting transport streams through a separate channel so that reduced images for a plurality for broadcasting channels can be displayed on a single screen. Further, a DMB terminal performs RF reception and decoding processes for only one channel for multiple broadcasting when multiple broadcasting is realized, so that battery consumption can be reduced when the multiple broadcasting is realized by means of the PIP function.
Hereinafter, a construction of a broadcasting system for providing a multiple broadcasting service while reducing battery consumption of a terminal according to the present invention will be described with reference to
Referring to
When data streams 311, audio streams 312, and video streams 313-1 to 313-N are received from a plurality of the broadcasting centers 200-1 to 200-N as broadcasting streams, the DMB transmission center 300 transmits the broadcasting streams to a Multiplexer (MUX) 320 in order to generate a transport stream. The DMB transmission center 300 according to the present invention includes image reduction units 340-1 to 340-N and the multiple broadcasting video stream generator 350. Each of the image reduction units 340-1 to 340-N reduces input video streams to images with a preset size and transmits the reduced images to a multiple broadcasting video stream generator 350. The multiple broadcasting video stream generator 350 having received the reduced images interconnects the reduced images, thereby generating a single video stream with a screen size of a terminal such as QVGA. For example, in the case of displaying images for 16 broadcasting channels on a single screen, each of the image reduction units 340-1 to 340-N reduces image data of each broadcasting channel to image data having the same size such as 80*60 by means of a reduction algorithm. Then, each of the image reduction units 340-1 to 340-N transmits the reduced image data to the multiple broadcasting video stream generator 350. The multiple broadcasting video stream generator 350 receives the reduced image data, generates video streams from the reduced image data, and transmits the video streams to the multiplexer 320. Then, the multiplexer 320 multiplexes a multiple broadcasting video streams transmitted from the multiple broadcasting video stream generator 350 into a single transport stream together with all data streams, audio streams, and video streams, and transmits the single transport stream to the DMB terminal 500 through a digital broadcast transmitter 330.
The DMB transmission center 300 having the construction as illustrated in
When the DMB transmission center 300 receives data streams 311, audio streams 312, and video streams 313-1 to 313-N from a plurality of broadcasting center, the DMB transmission center 300 transmits the broadcasting streams to the multiplexer 320 in order to generate a transport stream. The DMB transmission center 300 includes samplers 440-1 to 440-N and a data stream generator 450 for multiple broadcasting. Each of the samplers 440-1 to 440-N extracts still images for real-time images from received video streams and transmits the still images to the data streams generator 450. Each of the samplers 440-1 to 440-N extracts still images from a real-time moving picture with a predetermined period, for example with a period of 3 frames per a second. In
An internal construction and operation of the DMB terminal 500 for providing a multiple broadcasting service by means of the PIP function will be described with reference to
Referring to
Under the control of the controller 601, the display unit 605 receives and displays display data for key input data input from a key input unit 606. Also, when a user sets or operates a necessary function, the display unit 605 enables the user to visually recognize the state of the function. When a multiple broadcasting service is provided, the display unit 605 displays sub-screens for two or more broadcasting channels on a single screen by means of the PIP function under the control of the controller 601. An audio processor 609 is connected to a Microphone (MIC) and a Speaker (SPK), converts audio signals transmitted from the controller 601, outputs the converted audio signals through the speaker, generates predetermined data from audio signals received from the microphone and transmits the generated data to the controller 601. The key input unit 606 is a device for an interface with a user and outputs specific key input data according to input of each key. The key input data output from the key input unit 606 are applied to the controller 601. The controller 601 detects key input having generated the key input data. As a result of the detection, the controller 601 performs a corresponding operation.
The key input unit 606 has a key for requesting a multiple broadcasting service. Such a multiple broadcasting service request key may also be implemented by a function key for performing other existing functions, or may be implemented by a separate key.
A memory unit 608 stores information relating to the overall functions of the DMB terminal and simultaneously stores broadcasting service-providing related information. A wireless unit 607 transmits and receives RF signals to/from a base station through an antenna under the control of the controller 601.
A process for providing a multiple broadcasting service in a broadcasting system including both the DMB transmission center 300 with the construction as illustrated in
A method for displaying real-time images on a screen by means of the PIP function when a multiple broadcasting service is provided will be described.
Referring to
In step 710, the DMB terminal 500 determines if a multiple broadcasting request is received from a user while the broadcasting service mode is performed. If the user makes request for the multiple broadcasting service, step 712 is performed. Otherwise, step 718 is performed. In step 718, the DMB terminal 500 performs a corresponding function. In step 712, the DMB terminal 500 receives multiple broadcasting video streams through a separate channel for performing a multiple broadcasting function. The DMB terminal 500 decodes the received multiple broadcasting video streams, and displays a multiple broadcasting screen through the display unit 605 in step 714. All broadcasting channels provided as illustrated in
A method for displaying real-time images on a screen by means of the PIP function when a multiple broadcasting service is provided will now be described.
Referring to
In step 810, while a broadcasting service mode is performed, the DMB terminal 500 determines if a multiple broadcasting request is received from a user. If the user makes request for the multiple broadcasting service, step 812 is performed. Otherwise, in step 818, the DMB terminal 500 performs a corresponding function. In step 812, the DMB terminal 500 extracts still images from the received data streams. In step 814, the DMB terminal 500 displays the extracted still images on a screen. Herein, the screen for displaying the still images for multiple broadcasting is divided into sub-screens by the number of broadcasting channels to be displayed on a single screen, and is displayed in the form of a lattice.
Also, when one broadcasting channel is selected by a user from the broadcasting channels displayed on the screen as described above, a broadcasting service may also be provided through the selected broadcasting channel. In step 816, if an end request for the broadcasting service mode is received from a user, the DMB terminal 500 ends the broadcasting service mode. Otherwise, step 810 is performed. Since the data streams, which are received in the DMB terminal 500, include data for still images for multiple broadcasting and the data are selectively extractable, the DMB terminal 500 can extract the still images.
According to the present invention as described above, when a DMB terminal implements a multiple broadcasting service by means of the PIP function, screens of all broadcasting channels can be provided through a single separate channel, so that battery consumption of a terminal can be minimized Further, according to the present invention as described above, all broadcasting channels can be displayed on a single screen by means of the PIP function at a multiple broadcasting request, so that a user can more easily select a channel.
Although preferred embodiments of the present invention has been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims, including the full scope of equivalents thereof.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-12592 | Feb 2006 | KR | national |
