Patent Application
20090027561
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to mobile television (TV) systems.
2. Background Art
Mobile TV systems are being developed to enable TV services to be provided by mobile devices, such as cell phones, over mobile telecommunications networks. Mobile TV systems enable users to view TV content on their mobile devices. Video, audio, and interactive content may be provided by mobile TV broadcasts. Many broadcasters already provide mobile TV broadcasts, and the number of such broadcasts is steadily increasing. Mobile TV signals from broadcasters can be broadcast according to numerous mobile TV standards.
What is desired are improved integrated circuits for enabling mobile TV functionality in mobile devices. Furthermore, what is desired are integrated circuits providing mobile TV functionality in a power efficient manner, particularly because mobile devices are frequently powered by batteries.
Methods, systems, and apparatuses for enabling mobile television (TV) functionality using industry standard connector interface functionality are provided. According to example embodiments of the present invention, mobile TV functionality is enabled to be interfaced with devices using an industry standard connector interface, such as a universal serial bus (USB) interface. The USB-enabled mobile TV functionality may be implemented in a wide range of device types, including computers and mobile devices such as cell phones, laptops, handheld computers, music players, etc. The USB-enabled mobile TV functionality may be implemented in a wide range of form factors, including dongles and sticks, and including circuit boards, such as mother boards and standard card forms that are insertable in standard card slots.
In an example aspect of the present invention, a mobile TV system includes a mobile TV receiver module and a USB interface. The mobile TV receiver module receives a radio frequency (RF) mobile TV signal that includes TV data, and generates a mobile TV data signal that includes the TV data. For example, the mobile TV receiver module may down-convert and demodulate the RF mobile TV signal to generate the mobile TV data signal. The USB interface receives the mobile TV data signal, and generates a USB output data signal that includes the TV data.
Any mobile TV standard may be enabled in devices according to embodiments of the present invention, including DVB-H (digital video broadcasting-handheld), DVB-SH (digital video broadcasting-satellite handheld), DMB (digital multimedia broadcasting), TDtv, 1seg, DAB, or MediaFLO.
In an example, the mobile TV functionality and USB interface are provided together in an integrated circuit chip. In one aspect, the mobile TV functionality and USB interface share at least one power supply voltage on the chip. In another aspect, the mobile TV functionality and USB interface are provided in separate power domains of the chip. In this manner, if the USB functionality is not needed in a host device, the mobile TV functionality may be powered, while separately withholding power from the USB functionality.
These and other objects, advantages and features will become readily apparent in view of the following detailed description of the invention. Note that the Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or more, but not all exemplary embodiments of the present invention as contemplated by the inventor(s).
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention.
The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Additionally, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number first appears.
The present specification discloses one or more embodiments that incorporate the features of the invention. The disclosed embodiment(s) merely exemplify the invention. The scope of the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment(s). The invention is defined by the claims appended hereto.
References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.
Furthermore, it should be understood that spatial descriptions (e.g., “above,” “below,” “up,” “left,” “right,” “down,” “top,” “bottom,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” etc.) used herein are for purposes of illustration only, and that practical implementations of the structures described herein can be spatially arranged in any orientation or manner.
Embodiments of the present invention relate to mobile TV systems. Mobile TV systems provide TV services to mobile devices, such as cell phones, handheld mobile computers (e.g., personal digital assistants (PDAs), BLACKBERRY devices, PALM devices, etc.), music players (e.g., MP3 players, IPOD devices, etc.), over mobile telecommunications networks. Mobile TV enables users to access TV related content on their mobile devices. Video, audio, and interactive content may be provided by mobile TV broadcasts. Many broadcasters already provide mobile TV broadcasts, and the numbers of such broadcasts in the marketplace are steadily increasing.
Mobile TV signals from broadcasters are being broadcast according to numerous mobile TV standards. Example mobile TV standards include digital video broadcasting-handheld (DVB-H), digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB), TDtv, 1seg, DAB, and MediaFLO.
Integrating mobile TV into mobile devices provides design challenges due to their small size. Integrated circuits that provide mobile TV functionality to mobile devices typically are designed specific to a device type. Furthermore, mobile TV circuits consume a large amount of power, which is undesirable in mobile devices powered by batteries. Thus, improved integrated circuits are desired that enable mobile TV in a wider range of mobile device types, and that are power efficient.
Embodiments of the present invention overcome deficiencies of conventional mobile TV circuits. Example embodiments of the present invention are described in detail in the following section.
Embodiments of the present invention combine mobile TV functionality with functionality of an industry standard connector interface, such as a USB connector. Incorporation of industry standard connector functionality enables the mobile TV functionality to be interfaced with a greater number of devices due to the flexibility and wide-spread use of industry standard connectors. For example, an integrated circuit chip of the present invention may include both mobile TV functionality and a USB (universal serial bus) interface. Such integrated circuit chips may be implemented in a wide range of device types, including USB dongles and USB sticks that can be coupled to devices to provide mobile TV functionality, as well as on circuit boards such as MiniCards and mother boards that may reside inside or may be inserted into devices.
In an embodiment, the mobile TV functionality and industry standard connector interface functionality are provided in separate power domains of an integrated circuit chip. Thus, if the interface functionality is not needed, power can be provided to the mobile TV functionality, while being withheld from the interface functionality, saving mobile device power.
The example embodiments described herein are provided for illustrative purposes, and are not limiting. The examples described herein may be adapted to any type of mobile TV standard. Furthermore, additional structural and operational embodiments, including modifications/alterations, will become apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) from the teachings herein.
Antenna 106 receives a radio frequency (RF) mobile TV signal 108. RF mobile TV signal 108 includes TV data. For example, RF mobile TV signal 108 is one of a digital video broadcasting-handheld (DVB-H) signal, a DVB-SH (satellite services to handheld devices) signal, a digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) signal (e.g., T-DMB or S-DMB), a TDtv signal, a 1seg signal, a DAB signal, a MediaFLO signal, or other type of mobile TV signal. Antenna 106 may be any type of antenna, including a circuit board mounted antenna, an antenna integrated into an integrated circuit, a housing mounted antenna, etc. For example, antenna 106 may be a dipole antenna, a dual dipole antenna, a patch antenna, or other antenna type.
Mobile TV receiver module 102 receives RF mobile TV signal 108 from antenna 106. Mobile TV receiver module 102 is configured to generate a mobile TV data signal 110 that includes the TV data. Depending on the particular embodiment for mobile TV receiver module 102, mobile TV data signal 110 may be formatted according to any of the mobile TV standards mentioned elsewhere herein, or otherwise known. For example, in a DVB-H embodiment for mobile TV receiver module 102, mobile TV data signal 110 may be a stream of IP (Internet protocol) packets containing the TV data. For further description of DVH-B, refer to “Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB); Transmission System for Handheld Terminals (DVB-H),” ETSI EN 302 304 V11.1 (2004-11), European Broadcasting Union, European Telecommunications Standards Institute, Copyright 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
USB interface 104 receives mobile TV data signal 110 from mobile TV receiver module 102. USB interface 104 is configured to generate a USB data signal 112 that includes the TV data. USB data signal 112 includes serial data formatted in a packet stream according to a USB standard, such as the USB standard revision 2.0, a prior USB standard (e.g., revisions 1.0 or 1.1), or future developed USB standard. For further description of USB standard revision 2.0, refer to “Universal Serial Bus Specification, Revision 2.0,” Apr. 27, 2000, Copyright 2000 (hereinafter USB 2.0 Specification), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
In one embodiment, USB interface 104 is configured to operate in a USB 2.0 High Speed Mode, as described in the aforementioned USB 2.0 Specification. In particular, the USB 2.0 Specification defines a third transfer rate of 480 Mb/s to the 12 Mb/s and 1.5 Mb/s rates of the prior USB specifications. According to the USB 2.0 High Speed Mode, embodiments of the present invention are enabled to provide mobile TV video data received by mobile TV receiver module 102 over USB interface 104 at very high rates. Refer to the USB 2.0 Specification for further details on configuring USB interface 104 to operate according to the USB 2.0 High Speed Mode.
Flowchart 200 begins with step 202. In step 202, a radio frequency (RF) mobile TV signal is received that includes TV data. For example, as shown in
In step 204, the received RF mobile TV signal is down-converted and demodulated to generate a mobile TV data signal that includes the TV data. For example, mobile TV receiver module 102 down-converts and demodulates RF mobile TV signal 108.
As shown in
In embodiments, mobile TV receiver module 102 may perform further functions to receive and extract TV data from an RF mobile TV signal, including time slicing, IP data extraction, IP data error correction (e.g., multiprotocol encapsulation forward error correction (MPE-FEC)), etc., depending on the particular mobile TV format implementation.
In step 206, the mobile TV data signal is formatted into a USB serial data stream. For example, as shown in
In step 208, the USB data stream is transmitted in a USB data output signal. In an embodiment, USB transceiver 404 of USB interface 104 receives serial USB data packet stream 406 and transmits USB data signal 112. USB transceiver 404 may include one or more data drivers, including differential data drivers, to transmit USB data signal 112. USB transceiver 404 may also include data receivers, including differential data receivers, to receive data from a host on USB data signal 112. Thus, in an embodiment, USB data signal 112 is transmitted on a bi-directional signal line. Refer to the above mentioned “Universal Serial Bus Specification, Revision 2.0,” at Chapter 7, “Electrical,” for further description of an example implementation of USB transceiver 404.
As described above, system 100 can be implemented in one or more integrated circuit chips. For example,
As shown in
First and second power signals 514 and 516 are received by both of mobile TV receiver module 102 and USB interface 104. In embodiments, chip 500 may have one or more power supplies to power circuits of chip 500, as needed for a particular implementation. In the example of
In the embodiment of
Note that ground signals are not shown in
Flowchart 600 begins with step 602. In step 602, a mobile TV receiver module that performs said down-converting and demodulating is powered with a power signal. For example, as shown in
In step 604, a USB interface that performs said serializing and said transmitting is powered with the power signal. For example, as shown in
Chip 500 may be incorporated in a variety of device types in a variety of ways. For instance,
As shown in
Circuit board 702 may be any type of circuit board, including a printed circuit board (PCB). In embodiments, chip 500 may be mounted to circuit board 702 in any suitable way, including by an integrated circuit package, such as a dual in-line (DIP) package, leadless chip carrier (LCC), pin grid array (PGA) package, quad flat package (QFP), or ball grid array (BGA) package, including a fine pitch BGA package or wafer-level BGA package. As shown in
USB connector 706 may be a USB series “A” or “B” plug, for example. USB connector 706 provides a power supply voltage signal 716 (also referred to as VBUS) and a ground signal 718 to circuit board 702. Thus, power and ground can be received at USB connector 706 from an external power source. Pads 506 and 508 of chip 500 are respectively coupled to a D+ and D− pins of USB connector 706 by first and second electrical connections 712 and 714, respectively providing the “+” and “−” signal portions 112a and 112b of the differential USB data signal 112 to USB connector 706.
Note that alternative types of USB connection mechanisms may be used, other than a USB connector such as USB connector 706. For example, circuit board 702 may have pins, contacts, “contact plates,” or other type of connection mechanism along an edge for coupling signals of the circuit board to a mating connector of the device into which the circuit board is inserted. Thus, in an alternate embodiment, instead of including USB connector 706 with circuit board 702, pads 506 and 508 of chip 500 may be coupled to respective pins, contact, “contact plates,” or other connection mechanism of circuit board 702 (e.g., in parallel with other I/O signals), such as an edge connector.
Power supply voltage signal 716 and ground signal 718 are received from USB connector 706 at voltage regulator 704. Voltage regulator 704 includes one or more voltage regulators to convert a power supply voltage received on power supply voltage signal 716 to one or more additional power supply voltages for use by chip 500 and/or other components mounted to circuit board 702. For example, as shown in
As shown in the embodiment of
As shown in
Circuit board 802 may be any type of circuit board, including a MiniCard, Mini PCI card, ExpressCard, or mother board. Circuit board 802 may be a card that solely provides mobile TV functionality to device 800. For example, circuit board 802 may be inserted in device 800 to enable mobile TV functionality in device 800. Alternatively, additional functionality may be provided on circuit board 802, and/or further components of device 800 may be mounted to circuit board 802. Circuit board 802 may be configured to be inserted into an externally accessible card slot or socket of device 800, such as a PCMCIA card slot, a MiniCard slot, Mini PCI card slot, ExpressCard slot, etc. Alternatively, circuit board 802 may be a mother board or other type card attached internally to device 800 that is not removable without opening device 800.
In embodiments, chip 500 may be mounted to circuit board 802 in any suitable way, including in an integrated circuit package, such as a dual in-line (DIP) package, leadless chip carrier (LCC), pin grid array (PGA) package, quad flat package (QFP), or ball grid array (BGA) package, including a fine pitch BGA package or wafer-level BGA package.
Card connector 806 may be any type of card connector, including a card connector compatible with the circuit board types mentioned above or other types known to persons skilled in the relevant art(s). Card connector 806 provides a power supply voltage signal 812 and a ground signal 814 to circuit board 802. Thus, power and ground can be received at card connector 806 from a power source external to circuit board 802. Furthermore, pad 504 of chip 500 is coupled to a pin/pad of card connector 806 by an electrical connection 812, to provide mobile TV data signal 110 to card connector 806 to be received in device 800 external to circuit board 802. In an embodiment, mobile TV data signal 110 can be provided to a pair of pins of card connector 806 in a differential configuration.
Power supply voltage signal 812 and ground signal 814 are received from card connector 806 at voltage regulator 804. In a similar fashion as described above for voltage regulator 704 shown in
As shown in the embodiment of
First power signal 908 is coupled to a pad 912 of chip 900, and second power signal 910 is coupled to a pad 914 of chip 900. For example, in an embodiment, first power signals 514 and 908 provide power to digital circuits in chip 900 and second power signals 516 and 910 provide power to analog circuits in chip 900. A circuit board (e.g., circuit board 702 or 802) to which chip 900 is mounted can couple the respective digital and analog power voltages separately to mobile TV receiver module 102 and USB interface 104. For example, on the circuit board, a digital power voltage can be coupled to pins 514 and 908, and an analog power voltage can be coupled to pins 516 and 910. In this manner, the analog and digital power voltages are provided, but are maintained isolated on chip 900.
Flowchart 1000 begins with step 1002. In step 1002, a mobile TV receiver module that performs said down-converting and demodulating is powered with a first power signal. For example as shown in
In step 1004, a USB interface that performs said serializing and said transmitting is powered with a second power signal. For example as shown in
In step 1006, electrical isolation between the first power signal and the second power signal is maintained. Electrical isolation is maintained between the power signals of mobile TV receiver module 102 and USB interface 104. In the embodiment of
In an alternative embodiment, USB interface 104 may be left unpowered. For example, in
Devices where USB interface 104 is not needed include devices where chip 900 is incorporated directly into the device, and the devices are configured to couple more directly to the mobile TV functionality of chip 900, without going through a USB connection. In such devices, power can be withheld from USB interface 104, by not coupling power to power pins (e.g., pads 912 and 914) of chip 900, leaving second power domain 904 unpowered.
When chip 900 is incorporated in a device where USB interface 104 is not powered, chip 900 still includes the unused die “real estate” of USB interface 104. Such unused die real estate may be considered wasted die space. However, because chip 900 is flexibly able to be used in USB enabled devices and non-USB devices, only a single chip fabrication mask set is required for both applications. A chip mask set specific to non-USB devices is not needed, and therefore costs for such a mask set are saved. For example, the costs required for an engineering design team to develop separate mask sets for chips with USB functionality and chips without USB functionality are saved. Furthermore, using chip 900 in non-USB devices does not result in an unnecessary increase in power consumption, because power is withheld from second power domain 904. Thus, having a separate power domain for USB functionality in chip 900 can provide cost savings without increasing power consumption.
Thus, in an embodiment, chip 900 may be used in a first device, which may be a device that uses the USB functionality of chip 900, or a second device, which does not require and does not power the USB functionality of chip 900.
Flowchart 1100 begins with step 1102. In step 1102, an integrated circuit chip is fabricated having a mobile TV receiver module located in a first power domain of the chip and a universal serial bus (USB) interface located in a second power domain of the chip. For example, the integrated circuit chip may be chip 900, which may be fabricated as a portion of a semiconductor wafer that is subsequently separated from the wafer. As shown in
In step 1104, one of a first device or a second device is selected in which to incorporate the chip. The first device that may be selected includes a USB connector, such as USB connector 706 shown in
In step 1106, the chip is incorporated into the selected one of the first device or the second device. For example, the chip may be mounted to a circuit board of the selected one of the first device or second device, or otherwise incorporated in the selected device in any manner, as would be known to persons skilled in the relevant art(s).
In this manner, according to flowchart 1100, different device types may be assembled incorporating a chip that provides both mobile TV and USB functionality, such as chip 900, even though the USB functionality is not necessarily used or even powered in a particular assembled device.
In an embodiment, isolators are present in chip 900 to maintain electrical isolation for signals passed between first and second power domains 902 and 904. For example, as shown in
In embodiments, chips 500 and 900 may include additional functionality not shown in
In the embodiment of
In an embodiment, processor 1202 is configured to service interrupts and/or to respond to commands received from a host device coupled to chip 1200. For example, a host device (e.g., cell phone, computer, music player, etc.) may be coupled to chip 1200 through USB interface 104 (e.g., as described above) and/or through data interface 1204. The interrupts and/or commands may be received by processor 1202 through USB interface 104, data interface 1204, or other interface for chip 1200. Processor 1202 may also be configured to perform command and control monitoring of the overall system of chip 1200. For example, processor 1202 may provide instructions to mobile TV receiver module 102 and/or USB interface 104, and may be configured to monitor operation of mobile TV receiver module 102 and/or USB interface 104.
Processor 1202 may be configured as a central processing unit (CPU) or microcontroller that executes code, as a plurality of logic gates, or in another configuration, as desired for a particular application.
Communication bus 1206 enables communication between various components of chip 1200, including mobile TV receiver 102, USB interface 104, processor 1202, and data interface 1204, which are each coupled to communication bus 1206. Communication bus 1206 may have any bit width, and may be configured in any suitable manner, as desired for a particular application. In the embodiment of
Data interface 1204 provides an interface for communication bus 1206 external to chip 1200. Data interface 1204 enables mobile TV receiver 102, processor 1202, and/or other component of chip 1200 to communicate with a host device external to chip 1200, including providing mobile TV data (e.g., mobile TV data of mobile TV data signal 110) external to chip 1200. In the example of
Data interface 1204 may be a special purpose or standard interface type. For example, data interface 1204 may be an SDIO (Secure Digital Input Output), SPI (SCSI parallel interface), a host interface, or other interface type mentioned elsewhere herein or otherwise known.
Chip 1200 may include additional components/peripherals not shown in
In this document, the terms “computer program medium” and “computer usable medium” are used to generally refer to media such as a removable storage unit, a hard disk installed in hard disk drive, and signals (i.e., electronic, electromagnetic, optical, or other types of signals capable of being received by a communications interface). These computer program products are means for providing software to a computer system and to storing software in a computer system or other device. The invention, in an embodiment, is directed to such computer program products.
In an embodiment where aspects of the present invention are implemented using software/firmware, the software/firmware may be stored in a computer program product and loaded into a computer system or other device using a removable storage drive, hard drive, or communications interface. The computer system or other device may execute the software/firmware from storage such as a hard drive or memory device (e.g., a ROM device such as an electrically erasable ROM, electrically programmable ROM, a RAM device such as a static RAM, dynamic RAM, etc.). This control logic software/firmware, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform the functions of the invention as described herein.
According to an example embodiment, a mobile device may execute computer-readable instructions to enable USB and mobile TV content, as further described elsewhere herein, and as recited in the claims appended hereto.
While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
