Abstract: A system for automated fare collection on a transit vehicle including a transit vehicle computer system, a wireless communications unit configured to send and receive ticketing transaction data from the transit vehicle computer system to a backend server, comprising one or more detector units, such as a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons, configured to detect the presence of one or more rider user media, such as a mobile device, to provide communications between the rider user medium and a detector unit or transit vehicle computer system. The rider user medium provides one or more of ticketing services and transit information services to the rider via communication with the backend server via the detector unit.

Abstract: An electronic service guide (ESG) is provided by transmitting announcements describing multimedia sessions, such as video streams. Sessions are organized into a session directory (28) which is split into two parts: a full session directory (291) and an updated session directory (292). A first kind of announcement describes all sessions in the full session directory. A second kind of announcement describes sessions in the updated session directory. Once a client has received a description of the full session directory, it need only listen to announcements of the second type so as to learn of any updates to sessions.

Abstract: IP data is multicast from one or more servers (4) in sessions through a network (N) comprising a plurality of routers (R) in a multicast tree to transmission sites (S) of a DVB-T network, where the data is encapsulated by IPEs 28 and transmitted uni-directionally to mobile user equipment (UE). A controller (38) builds up a schedule of session data concerning sessions transmitted by the servers (4) and instructs the IPEs to send join messages to receive data for selected sessions. The join messages may include the address of the source and may be transmitted in good time before the start of the session.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, apparatuses, and systems for delivering protected multi-media content to a receiving device. Protected multi-media content and key information are inserted in a same time slice burst. A receiving device receives the time slice burst with the content datagrams and the key information and decrypts the content datagrams with the key information. Key datagrams may be associated with a higher priority level than content datagrams. Consequently, a receiving device can process a key datagram in order to extract a key before routing associated content datagrams to a message stack. A key may be encrypted at one or two levels of encryption. Additionally, a new security plug-in software module may be deployed at a receiving device. The new security plug-in software module is configured as an installation package that is encrypted as a protected message and that is decrypted by the receiving device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing zapping data for one or more programs transmitted using timeslicing are disclosed herein. Zapping data may be provided by a zapping data provider or server, or may be created at the mobile terminal based on received program information. Zapping data may be provided to mobile terminals via a wireless multicast network, such as a DVB-H network, using a variety of timeslicing techniques, including providing a separate zapping data stream, providing zapping data as part of the source stream, or allowing mobile terminals to derive zapping data from the source content's broadcast stream. Zapping images may be selected from I-frames of video transmissions. An IP encapsulator may synchronize broadcast streams such that I-frames are transmitted concurrently, and at the beginning of timeslice bursts.

Abstract: Methods and systems for transmitting electronic service guide (ESG) data to a mobile terminal are described. The method for delivery of ESG data comprises steps of receiving ESG data, encapsulating metadata associated with the ESG data to generate a new ESG object, replacing a current ESG object with the new ESG object, transmitting the new ESG object in a carousel, and transmitting a notification of a change in the carousel. Another method for receiving ESG data comprises steps of receiving a notification of a change in a carousel, receiving a new ESG object in the carousel, replacing a current ESG object with the new ESG object, extracting metadata associated with ESG data from the new ESG object, storing the ESG data and metadata, and updating an ESG on a mobile terminal with the ESG data.

Abstract: Systems and methods wherein a two-dimensional array or the like is employable in data transmission and/or reception, and wherein characteristic values are computable with respect to data to be transmitted. The characteristic values are transmitted along with the data and perhaps used by a data recipient, and could include, for instance, forward error correction data. Various such systems and methods are employable for a number of network types including, for example, Digital Video Broadcast networks.

Abstract: A packet encapsulator includes a filter module that identifies one or more carousel packets from a plurality of received packets. These one or more carousel packets are then stored in a packet buffer. The packet encapsulator also includes a channel queue for enqueuing packets for transmission across a broadcast transmission medium. For instance, the channel queue also receives the forwarding packets from the filter module. The channel queue also receives the one or more carousel packets from the packet buffer when at least a predetermined amount of available bandwidth exists in the broadcast transmission medium. The broadcast transmission medium may be a digital broadcast network such as a DVB handheld (DVB-H) network or a DVB terrestrial (DVB-T) network. Alternatively, the broadcast transmission medium may be a cable network.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for configuring a modulator in a digital broadcast system using service information that is also broadcast to wireless terminals. In an embodiment of the invention, the service information is provided by a generator that encapsulates the service information in a transport stream that is received by a cell transmitter. The service information is parsed by each cell transmitter to determine the current modulator parameters. If at least one of the modulation parameters has changed, the associated modulator is reconfigured with the updated modulation parameters. The invention also provides methods and apparatuses for supporting repeaters in the digital broadcast system in order to provide supplementary RF coverage in associated cells. A repeater may retransmit a received radio signal at the same frequency or at a different frequency.

Abstract: A time slicing digital broadcast system includes a dynamic handover process switching a handheld terminal receiving services in a first signal to a second signal providing the same services, while roaming among cells in the digital broadcast system. The terminal takes into account the varying intervals between bursts in the current cell and the target cell. The terminal identifies possible handover signals from a MPE/FEC frame in a data stream. A table in the MPE/FEC frame transmitted once on each transport stream contains the mapping of the real-time handover signaling to the handovers that are possible from signals that are transporting the actual transport stream. The table contains a calculated retune interval specifying the guaranteed interval for the MPE/FEC frame. In another embodiment, the MPE/FEC frame contains MAC addressing bits in the MPE section for real-time parameters in time slicing. The bits may be converted into signaling scenarios for guaranteed handover time.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a datacast distribution system which allows for the distribution of movies, music, games, application software, and the like using a new or existing terrestrial digital video broadcasting (DVB-T) network or the like.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing zapping data for one or more programs transmitted using timeslicing are disclosed herein. Zapping data may be provided by a zapping data provider or server, or may be created at the mobile terminal based on received program information. Zapping data may be provided to mobile terminals via a wireless multicast network, such as a DVB-H network, using a variety of timeslicing techniques, including providing a separate zapping data stream, providing zapping data as part of the source stream, or allowing mobile terminals to derive zapping data from the source content's broadcast stream. Zapping images may be selected from I-frames of video transmissions. An IP encapsulator may synchronize broadcast streams such that I-frames are transmitted concurrently, and at the beginning of timeslice bursts.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a datacast distribution system which allows for the distribution of movies, music, games, application software, and the like using a new or existing terrestrial digital video broadcast (DVB-T) network.

Abstract: A single frequency network (SFN) system is provided, where the system includes a head-end and a plurality of transmitters. The head-end is capable of calculating timing information based upon a time reference having a second resolution. Thereafter, the head-end is capable of sending content including the timing information. The transmitters are capable of receiving the content including the timing information. At least one transmitter is capable of calculating a delay to synchronize the content with content received by at least one other transmitter. In this regard, the transmitter(s) are capable of calculating the delay based upon the timing information and a time reference having a first resolution, the first resolution being higher than the second resolution such that the delay has a higher accuracy than the timing information. After the delay, then, the transmitter(s) are capable of broadcasting the synchronized content to a plurality of mobile terminals.

Abstract: Systems and methods wherein a two-dimensional array or the like is employable in data transmission and/or reception, and wherein characteristic values are computable with respect to data to be transmitted. The characteristic values are transmitted along with the data and perhaps used by a data recipient, and could include, for instance, forward error correction data. Various such systems and methods are employable for a number of network types including, for example, Digital Video Broadcast networks.

Abstract: IP data is multicast from one or more servers (4) in sessions through a network (N) comprising a plurality of routers (R) in a multicast tree to transmission sites (S) of a DVB-T network, where the data is encapsulated by IPEs 28 and transmitted uni-directionally to mobile user equipment (UE). A controller (38) builds up a schedule of session data concerning sessions transmitted by the servers (4) and instructs the IPEs to send join messages to receive data for selected sessions. The join messages may include the address of the source and may be transmitted in good time before the start of the session.

Abstract: An electronic service guide (ESG) is provided by transmitting announcements describing multimedia sessions, such as video streams. Sessions are organised into a session directory (28) which is split into two parts: a full session directory (291) and an updated session directory (292). A first kind of announcement describes all sessions in the full session directory. A second kind of announcement describes sessions in the updated session directory. Once a client has received a description of the full session directory, it need only listen to announcements of the second type so as to learn of any updates to sessions.

Abstract: A packet encapsulator includes a filter module that identifies one or more carousel packets from a plurality of received packets. These one or more carousel packets are then stored in a packet buffer. The packet encapsulator also includes a channel queue for enqueuing packets for transmission across a broadcast transmission medium. For instance, the channel queue also receives the forwarding packets from the filter module. The channel queue also receives the one or more carousel packets from the packet buffer when at least a predetermined amount of available bandwidth exists in the broadcast transmission medium. The broadcast transmission medium may be a digital broadcast network such as a DVB handheld (DVB-H) network or a DVB terrestrial (DVB-T) network. Alternatively, the broadcast transmission medium may be a cable network.

Abstract: A single frequency network (SFN) system is provided, where the system includes a head-end and a plurality of transmitters. The head-end is capable of calculating timing information based upon a time reference having a second resolution. Thereafter, the head-end is capable of sending content including the timing information. The transmitters are capable of receiving the content including the timing information. At least one transmitter is capable of calculating a delay to synchronize the content with content received by at least one other transmitter. In this regard, the transmitter(s) are capable of calculating the delay based upon the timing information and a time reference having a first resolution, the first resolution being higher than the second resolution such that the delay has a higher accuracy than the timing information. After the delay, then, the transmitter(s) are capable of broadcasting the synchronized content to a plurality of mobile terminals.

Abstract: A time slicing digital broadcast system includes a dynamic handover process switching a handheld terminal receiving services in a first signal to a second signal providing the same services, while roaming among cells in the digital broadcast system. The terminal takes into account the varying intervals between bursts in the current cell and the target cell. The terminal identifies possible handover signals from a MPE/FEC frame in a data stream. A table in the MPE/FEC frame transmitted once on each transport stream contains the mapping of the real-time handover signaling to the handovers that are possible from signals that are transporting the actual transport stream. The table contains a calculated retune interval specifying the guaranteed interval for the MPE/FEC frame. In another embodiment, the MPE/FEC frame contains MAC addressing bits in the MPE section for real-time parameters in time slicing. The bits may be converted into signaling scenarios for guaranteed handover time.