Abstract: A method for transmission, a method for reception, a system, a transmitter and a receiver for signalling a hierarchical priority mapping of a transport stream (TS) to a receiver is disclosed. A way to separate tuning information between different TSs with different priorities. In a wireless hierarchical broadband transmission, preferably based on DVB-T, one signal may carry two transport streams: low priority (LP) stream and high priority (HP) stream, and both should be identified with their own respective transport_stream_id. One bit flag is added into a certain descriptor of the broadband transmission to indicate the hierarchy of the transport stream on which said descriptor is providing information. By the appliance of this priority indication or priority flag, the receiver can obtain hierarchy mapping of each transport stream announced in the administrative information of the broadband transmission.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for supporting geographical-based services in a communications system. In an embodiment of the invention, a terminal node (e.g., a wireless terminal) inserts geographical information into a header portion of an IPv6 datagram. The serving network utilizes the geographical information to support a geographical-based service. In another embodiment, a terminal node, which is located in a geographical area, receives service configuration information regarding service regions from a serving network and determines what services are supported in the geographical area. In an embodiment, header formats for the inserted geographical information in a propagated signal between a terminal node and a serving network are provided.

Abstract: Methods and system for transmitting a DVB-H network ID in transmission parameter signaling (TPS) data are described. A sixteen bit DVB-H network ID may be divided into four four-bit portions, and each four-bit portion may be included in an orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM) TPS frame transmitted by the DVB-H network. Because each OFDM TPS frame also includes a frame order of that frame within its corresponding super-frame, a receiver of the TPS data can reassemble the network ID by ordering the four received portions according to the frame order of the respective OFDM TPS frames in which they were received. The sixteen bit DVB-H network ID may alternatively be divided into two eight-bit portions, and each eight-bit portion may be included in the cell_ID bits of two frames of a super-frame.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for receivers of digital broadband broadcast signals to determine a time of delivery and a version of a particular signaling table. The receiver is able to determine whether an update of the signaling table is needed based on factors such as whether the update applies (e.g., a DVB-H specific change for a mobile terminal in a DVB-H network). The receiver may power down while awaiting delivery of the signaling table (or utilize the radio for other purposes), powering back up in time to receive the signaling table.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for identifying the content aggregator and the content of a service in a digital broadband broadcast system. A media identifier, which includes a content aggregator identifier and a content identifier, is inserted in an IPv6 address field. Consumers of broadcast content are able to transition between service providers offering the same combination of content and content aggregator. Mobile terminals select a handover candidate based on the number of currently consumed services offered and on the signal quality of the candidate.

Abstract: A method, a system, a transmitter and a receiver for identification of a time sliced elementary streams using PSI/SI tables. This identification provides a way to separate time-sliced elementary stream from non-time-sliced elementary streams by defining two descriptors in PSI/SI tables. A time slice identifier descriptor is defined, which can be used to identify elementary streams which are time sliced. This descriptor is also used to provide additional information about the transmitted elementary streams. The invention provides a way to announce additional information of the time sliced elementary streams via PSI/SI tables. Additionally, it provides a mechanism to categorize single elementary stream(s) as non-time sliced and time sliced. A way to identify time sliced elementary streams carried over DVB networks is disclosed and providing additional information on those streams. This can be done by using the time slice identifier descriptor.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for defining a sub-table structure for SI tables, which may be used to split one big Service information (SI) table into several smaller tables. The splitting into the smaller sub-tables (Sub-Ts) requires less transmitted bandwidth because all the SI do not need to be broadcast to End User Terminal (EUT). Also, the sub-table division enables relatively easy creation of local SI tables because sub-tables can serve as a basis for local Transport Stream (TS) announcement. By dividing tables into smaller ones, the amount of unnecessary information transmitted for the EUT is reduced. The TSs of an entire broadcast network can be divided. Moreover, neighbouring, or adjacent, TSs (cells) can announce and advertise their content to each other, and further to the EUT. A sub-table (Sub-T) of the TS is sent to the adjacent TS.

Abstract: A method, a system, a transmitter and a receiver for identification of a time sliced elementary streams using PSI/SI tables. This identification provides a way to separate time-sliced elementary stream from non-time-sliced elementary streams by defining two descriptors in PSI/SI tables. A time slice identifier descriptor is defined, which can be used to identify elementary streams which are time sliced. This descriptor is also used to provide additional information about the transmitted elementary streams. The invention provides a way to announce additional information of the time sliced elementary streams via PSI/SI tables. Additionally, it provides a mechanism to categorize single elementary stream(s) as non-time sliced and time sliced. A way to identify time sliced elementary streams carried over DVB networks is disclosed and providing additional information on those streams. This can be done by using the time slice identifier descriptor.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for including geographical information of a target node in a geographical response message when requested by a requesting node. Geographical messages are supported at higher layer protocol. The geographical messaging may be included in an IPv6 datagram that supports a data payload and the geographical information in an extension header. An embodiment of the invention supports messaging that is associated with the Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) and that is compatible with IPv6 specifications. The requesting node may insert the geographical position of the requesting node when sending a request to the target node. Both peer-to-peer and client-server architectures may be supported. A node may provide geographical-based information that comprises geographical coordinates or other variations of the geographical-based information. Moreover, a node may include non-geographical information that is associated with the node.

Abstract: A digital video broadcast network comprises a content provider and several transmitters. Each transmitter may transmit more than one signal, different signals having different frequencies, multiplexes and the like and relating to different network types. An integrated receiver/decoder (IRD) is mobile in the area around the transmitters. As well as transmitting service information as part of a network information table on a data layer, the transmitters provide in their output signals transmitter parameter information as TPS data on a physical layer. This TPS information includes information identifying whether there are other networks available, and preferably the number of other networks. Transmission parameters relating to the other networks are included in an other_network_descriptor, forming part of an NIT actual or a BAT, or alternatively in an NIT_other. This information is used by the IRD in signal scan.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for sharing cell coverage information among devices in a cell network. Cell coverage information includes bitmap models of signal strength to enable intelligent handover decisions. Mobile terminals are able to receive cell coverage information over a broadband unidirectional broadcast network, such as a digital video broadcast network. They are also able to receive cell coverage information from other mobile terminals via ad hoc wireless signalling. Mobile terminals are also able to store and upload raw signal measurements to a cell coverage information center.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for supporting geographical-based services in a communications system. In an embodiment of the invention, a terminal node (e.g., a wireless terminal) inserts geographical information into a header portion of an IPv6 datagram. The serving network utilizes the geographical information to support a geographical-based service. In another embodiment, a terminal node, which is located in a geographical area, receives service configuration information regarding service regions from a serving network and determines what services are supported in the geographical area. In an embodiment, header formats for the inserted geographical information in a propagated signal between a terminal node and a serving network are provided.

Abstract: Mobile terminals and methods are provided for making handover decisions based on the priority of IP streams that are being received by a mobile terminal. The IP streams currently being received or requested are ranked according to their priority. The selection of a new cell during the handover procedure is a function of the ranking of priorities.