Abstract: Methods and systems simplify discovery and handoff for multi-frequency broadcast receiver devices, such as mobile TV devices, by providing a virtual home channel that is not dependent on a single frequency network upper layer. The methods and systems may be used in conjunction with a single frequency network upper layer to support areas without upper layer available, or to off load some portion of the common data bandwidth in the single frequency network. For example, the single frequency network may only carry frequency data for the multiple frequency network or only the frequency data for networks with comprehensive market metadata.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for RF handoff in a multi-frequency network include selecting an RF channel from wide and local seamless and partially seamless handoff tables. A method includes generating seamless and partially seamless handoff tables RF channels, and selecting an RF channel for a handoff so that RF channels with common wide content are given higher priority over RF channels with common local content.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for package management in a vertical multi-frequency network. A method includes linking a plurality of packages into one or more package groups wherein the packages are linked together based on common packages and services so as to minimize RF channel switching, and assigning the package groups to one or more RF channels for transmission in the multi-frequency network. An apparatus is provided for package management in a multi-frequency network. The apparatus includes input logic configured to receive a plurality of packages, and processing logic configure to link the plurality of packages into one or more package groups wherein the packages are linked together based on common packages and services so as to minimize RF channel switching, and assign the package groups to one or more RF channels for transmission in the multi-frequency network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for RF handoff in a multi-frequency network. A method includes detecting a mobility event associated with a detection of a new wide area operating infrastructure (WOI), updating a current WOI identifier to a new WOI identifier, acquiring control channel information associated with the new WOI identifier, determining if an active registered flow list has been updated based on the control channel information, and performing an acquisition procedure to acquire one or more registered flows if it is determined that the active registered flow list has been updated. Another method includes detecting a mobility event associated with a detection of a new local area operating infrastructure (LOI), updating a current LOI identifier to a new LOI identifier, acquiring control channel information, determining if an active registered flow list has been updated, and performing an acquisition procedure to acquire one or more registered flows.

Abstract: Aspects provide for an advertising insertion notification in real-time streaming media services, which provides for advertisement insertion at the wireless device level. The advertising insertion notification is generated at the broadcaster level and transmitted to the wireless devices in the real-time stream prior to the occurrence of an advertisement slot. The advertising insertion notification notifies the wireless device of the start time and duration of an advertisement insertion slot. In some aspects, the advertising insertion notification may indicate the source of the advertisements, such as from local wireless device storage, a dedicated advertisement channel or the like. Additionally, in some other aspects, the advertising insertion notification may include advertisement selection criteria that may be used to determine which advertisement should be inserted in the associated advertisement insertion slot.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for RF handoff in a multi-frequency network. A method includes generating a handoff table that comprises RF channels of current and neighboring local operations infrastructures (LOIs) carrying the same content as a current RF channel; detecting a handoff event; disqualifying one or more of the RF channels from the handoff table based on disqualification criteria; selecting a selected RF channel from remaining RF channels in the handoff table that have not been disqualified; and performing a handoff from the current RF channel to the selected RF channel. Another method includes detecting a handoff event; identifying a start of a handoff time interval; determining if RSSI measurements are available at the start of the handoff time interval for RF channels carrying desired content; and performing a handoff to a selected RF channel having a greatest RSSI measurement.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for RF channel switching in a multi-frequency network. In an aspect, a method includes identifying a local area operations infrastructure (LOI) in the multi-frequency network, generating a channel description message that associates at least one descrambling sequence identifier with each RF channel associated with the LOI, respectively, and distributing the CDM over the LOI. In another aspect, a method includes receiving a CDM that associates at least one descrambling sequence identifier with each RF channel available in a LOI, detecting an RF channel switch event that identifies a selected RF channel, determining a selected descrambling sequence identifier from the CDM based on the selected RF channel, switching to the selected RF channel wherein the selected descrambling sequence identifier identifies a selected descrambling sequence to descramble desired content carried on the selected RF channel, and acquiring the desired content on the selected RF channel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for signaling parameter distribution for neighboring radio frequencies. A method includes identifying selected local operations infrastructures (LOIs) and one or more neighboring LOIs, generating a neighbor description message (NDM) that identifies the selected LOIs and their respective neighbors and specifies SP information for each RF channel associated with the selected LOIs and their respective neighbors, and distributing the NDM over each of the selected LOIs. An apparatus includes a message decoder configured to receive a NDM that identifies RF channels associated with selected LOIs and one or more neighboring LOIs, wherein each RF channel is associated with SP information, and processing logic configured to receive a request to obtain selected SP information associated with a selected RF channel, determine the selected SP information associated with the selected RF channel based on the NDM, and output the selected SP information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for service acquisition in a multi-frequency network. In an aspect, a method is provided for service acquisition in a multi-frequency network. The method includes detecting a service acquisition trigger event and identifying a selected RF channel from an acquisition RF list based on signal strength, wherein the acquisition RF list identifies RF channels in one or more local operations infrastructures (LOIs) of the multi-frequency network. The method also includes acquiring a wide system on the selected RF channel, removing the selected RF channel from the acquisition RF list if the wide system can not be acquired on the selected RF channel, and repeating said operations of identifying, acquiring and removing until the wide system is acquired on the selected RF channel or a system acquisition timeout occurs.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for RF channel switching in a multi-frequency network. In an aspect, a method includes identifying a multiplex set that comprises one or more content flows, wherein the multiplex set is one of a vertical multiplex (VM) set and a unified multiplex (UM) set, generating an overhead message that associates one or more RF carrier frequencies with the one or more content flows, and transmitting the overhead message over the multi-frequency network. An apparatus includes input logic configured to receive an overhead message that associates one or more content flows with one or more RF carrier frequencies, and processing logic configured to detect a channel switch event that identifies a selected content flow, determine a selected RF carrier frequency associated with the selected content flow based on the overhead message, and switch to the selected RF carrier frequency to receive the selected content flow.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for RF handoff in a multi-frequency network. In an aspect, a method includes generating a content preserving handoff table that includes a current LOI and neighboring LOIs carrying at least the same wide and local content multiplexes as the current LOI, and determining that handoff conditions are met for a content preserving handoff, selecting a selected LOI from the content preserving handoff table and a selected RF channel associated with the selected LOI, and performing a handoff to the selected RF channel in the selected LOI if the selected LOI is different than the current LOI. An apparatus includes means for generating a content preserving handoff table, means for determining that handoff conditions are met for a content preserving handoff, means for selecting a selected LOI and a selected RF channel, and means for performing a handoff to the selected RF channel in the selected LOI.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for distributing content in a multi-frequency network. A method includes combining service overheads with a content multiplex to generate service layer multiplexes, determining regions of the multi-frequency network where a service layer multiplex is to be distributed, combining distribution overheads with the service layer multiplex to generate distribution layer multiplexes, and transmitting the distribution layer multiplexes over the regions of the multi-frequency network. An apparatus includes combining logic configured to combine service overheads with a content multiplex to generate service layer multiplexes; determine regions of the multi-frequency network where a service layer multiplex is to be distributed; and combine distribution overheads with the service layer multiplex to generate distribution layer multiplexes. The apparatus also includes output logic configured to transmit the distribution layer multiplexes over the regions of the multi-frequency network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for distributing and acquiring overhead flow data in a multi-frequency network. In an aspect, a method includes generating primary flow (PF) overhead data associated with one or more multiplexes to be distributed in the multi-frequency network, identifying multiplex specific overhead (MSO) data associated with the one or more multiplexes, transmitting the PF overhead data over the multi-frequency network using first pre-assigned flow identifiers, and transmitting the MSO data over the multi-frequency network using second pre-assigned flow identifiers. An apparatus includes flow acquisition logic configured to acquire PF overhead data associated with at least one multiplex using first pre-assigned flow identifiers, and processing logic configured to determine that overhead data associated with the at least one multiplex has been updated based on the received PF overhead data, and to obtain MSO data associated with the at least one multiplex using second pre-assigned flow identifiers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for distributing and acquiring overhead flow data in a multi-frequency network. In an aspect, a method includes generating initial acquisition flows (IAFs) that describe how content multiplexes are distributed in the multi-frequency network and provide flow identifiers for overhead flows associated with the content multiplexes, and transmitting the IAFs on pre-assigned flow identifiers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for RF channel selection in a multi-frequency network. A method includes identifying selected local operations infrastructures (LOIs) and their neighboring LOIs, generating a neighbor description message (NDM) that identifies the selected LOIs and their neighboring LOIs and associates a descrambling sequence identifier with each RF channel of the selected LOIs and their neighboring LOIs, and distributing the NDM over the selected LOIs. An apparatus includes a message decoder to receive an NDM that identifies RF channels of a first LOI and neighboring LOIs, and wherein each RF channel is associated with a descrambling sequence identifier, and processing logic to detect content acquisition failures, determine a list of RF channels and their associated LOIs that carry desired content, and select a selected RF channel that is associated with a selected LOI that carries the most additional content among the associated LOIs.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for flow data acquisition in a multi-frequency network. In an aspect, a method includes receiving flow registrations associated with flows, assigning a priority to the flow registrations, grouping the flows into flow groups based on their priority and RF channels carrying the flows, wherein each flow group is assigned a ranking, selecting a flow group based on the ranking, and acquiring flow data for the flows associated with the flow group. An apparatus includes registration logic configured to receive flow registrations associated with flows, priority logic configured to assign a priority to the flow registrations, and acquisition processing logic configured to group the flows into flow groups based on their priority and RF channels carrying the flows, wherein each flow group is assigned a ranking, select a flow group based on the ranking, and acquire flow data for the flows associated with the flow group.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for RF handoff in a multi-frequency network. A method includes generating seamless and partially seamless handoff tables for multiplexes carried in a current LOI, wherein the seamless and partially seamless handoff tables comprise neighboring RF channels carrying one or more of the multiplexes in the current LOI, detecting a handoff event initiated by acquisition failures on a current RF, selecting a selected RF channel from the seamless and partially seamless handoff tables, and performing a handoff to the selected RF channel. An apparatus includes processing logic configured to generate the seamless and partially seamless handoff tables, detect a handoff event initiated by acquisition failures on a current RF, and select a selected RF channel from the seamless and partially seamless handoff tables. The apparatus also includes channel switch logic configured to perform a handoff to the selected RF channel.

Abstract: The described apparatus and methods define a predetermined scheme or syntax for an application-specific Universal Resource Identifier (URI) operable to deep link to a specified point, portion, or view of a target client application executable on a wireless device. Accordingly, the described application-specific URI can be used to deep link from one point to another in the same client application, or to deep link from one client application to another client application.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for resizing multimedia content for efficient statistical multiplexing. In response to a request to resize a current segment of data, an encoding module associated with the selected segment adjusts the amount of motion information to be encoded to resize the segment of data. For example, the encoding module associated with the selected segment of data may merge two or more motion vectors to reduce the amount of motion information to be encoded. As another example, the encoding module reselects encoding modes for one or more blocks of pixels of at least one frame within the segment of data.

Abstract: In general, this disclosure describes techniques for exchanging information between a plurality of encoder modules and a multiplex module to combine segments of data from the encoder modules with an improved overall quality. In particular, the encoder modules associate their respective segments of data with quality and rate information and send at least the quality and rate information associated with the segments of data to the multiplex module. The multiplex module analyzes the quality and rate information to determine whether the segments of data that encoder modules desire to include in the current superframe fit within the available bandwidth of a transmission channel. If the multiplex module determines the plurality of segments of data do not fit within the available bandwidth, the multiplex module selects one or more of the segments to be resized based on the quality and rate information received from the encoder modules.