Abstract: A method comprises detecting zapping to or from one or more services; determining whether the zapping includes termination of a password-protected service; and sending a trigger message (248, 256, 262) only if the zapping includes termination of a password-protected service (X, Y, Z). In one embodiment, the trigger message is sent to a smartcard (SC). In one embodiment, the password-protected service is password-protected for parental control. In one embodiment, the method further includes requesting a password when the zapping includes zapping to a password-protected service. In one embodiment, the password-protected service is a pincode-protected service.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to identifying a bootstrap electronic service guide (“ESG”), determining how many ESGs that use a selected specification/standard are declared in the bootstrap ESG; and if the bootstrap ESG declares more than 1 ESG that uses the selected specification/standard, selecting, from the bootstrap ESG, based on a specification/standard priority-selection scheme, at least one of the ESGs that use the selected specification/standard. Embodiments of the invention are directed to determining how many ESGs that use a selected service operator are declared in the bootstrap ESG, and if the bootstrap ESG declares more than 1 ESG that uses the selected service operator, selecting, from the bootstrap ESG, based on a service-operator priority-selection scheme, at least one of the ESGs that use the selected service operator. One or more ESGs may be selected from the ESGs declared in the bootstrap ESG based on user input.

Abstract: A system and method for providing Electronic Service Guide (ESG) information to one or more terminals. Sliding time windows are used in a hierarchical fashion in order to prioritize file delivery sessions. In this arrangement, file delivery sessions representing a first interval of the hierarchy are extended to cover a longer interval whenever the interval becomes obsolete, i.e., when the end point of the interval becomes a point in the past before the current time. The end point of the first interval is extended beyond the current time by creating one or more subsequent intervals in the hierarchy. When a session is dropped, a new session is introduced at the end of the hierarchy. Various embodiments also provide a mechanism by which bandwidth can be allocated so that more bandwidth is provided to desired portions of the ESG.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to allocating mobile-terminal electronic-service-guide (ESG) memory for use in storing a dynamically adjustable ESG, determining a composition of a dynamically adjustable ESG that can be stored in the allocated mobile-terminal ESG memory, and determining whether ESG fragments are deleted from the dynamically adjustable ESG to reduce the size of the dynamically adjustable ESG. The size of the allocated ESG memory may be determined based on an amount of memory dynamically available in a mobile terminal and/or by checking statistics of previously stored and/or received ESG data. A time-filter value may be determined for use in determining whether particular ESG fragments should be stored in the dynamically adjustable ESG. The time-filter value may be determined based on a number of channels (or services) for which ESG fragments will be stored in the dynamically adjustable ESG and/or based on whether an ESG-memory-usage threshold has been exceeded.

Abstract: The invention provides a middleware component usable in a mobile terminal device, where the middleware component mediates between an application program and network interfaces and/or hardware to manage the interaction between disparate applications across heterogeneous platforms. The middleware component coordinates scanning for available broadcast, multicast, and/or conditional access platforms, networks, and/or services, as well as obtaining electronic service guide (ESG) data for the available services. The middleware component may use a variety of discovery protocols to identify services, and may use security protocols to manage authorized access to received services. When incorporated into a mobile terminal device, the middleware may interface with multiple radios to establish communications over on or more data networks in addition to receiving data via the broadcast network.

Abstract: Prior art methods of receiving, organizing, and implementing the data transmitted to mobile devices, such as ESG fragments, have a great impact on mobile device performance and battery lifetime. Furthermore, in order to keep server side and client side ESG fragments in synch, any change in content of ESG fragments needs to be indicated. Additionally, any change in how ESG fragments are distributed requires the client side to verify if all the fragments are still available and valid in any new distribution set up and if their content has not changed. Aspects of the invention provide a protocol for prioritizing the ESG fragments to ensure the end user of a destination device receives more pertinent ESG data in a timely manner. Other aspects of the invention minimize the number of updates required on a client side or destination device caused by the re-distribution of the “unchanged” ESG fragments into different carousels.

Abstract: A device and method for receiving media data and related metadata are presented. Metadata is updated regularly in order to provide a user with instant accessibility to the media data contained in the received data stream. In order to reduce power consumption for the reception of metadata in cases when a user doesn't use a receiver for consumption of media data, update times for updating metadata are adjusted, so that still a good usability is maintained.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to identifying a bootstrap electronic service guide (“ESG”), determining how many ESGs that use a selected specification/standard are declared in the bootstrap ESG; and if the bootstrap ESG declares more than 1 ESG that uses the selected specification/standard, selecting, from the bootstrap ESG, based on a specification/standard priority-selection scheme, at least one of the ESGs that use the selected specification/standard. Embodiments of the invention are directed to determining how many ESGs that use a selected service operator are declared in the bootstrap ESG, and if the bootstrap ESG declares more than 1 ESG that uses the selected service operator, selecting, from the bootstrap ESG, based on a service-operator priority-selection scheme, at least one of the ESGs that use the selected service operator. One or more ESGs may be selected from the ESGs declared in the bootstrap ESG based on user input.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to allocating mobile-terminal electronic-service-guide (ESG) memory for use in storing a dynamically adjustable ESG, determining a composition of a dynamically adjustable ESG that can be stored in the allocated mobile-terminal ESG memory, and determining whether ESG fragments are deleted from the dynamically adjustable ESG to reduce the size of the dynamically adjustable ESG. The size of the allocated ESG memory may be determined based on an amount of memory dynamically available in a mobile terminal and/or by checking statistics of previously stored and/or received ESG data. A time-filter value may be determined for use in determining whether particular ESG fragments should be stored in the dynamically adjustable ESG. The time-filter value may be determined based on a number of channels (or services) for which ESG fragments will be stored in the dynamically adjustable ESG and/or based on whether an ESG-memory-usage threshold has been exceeded.

Abstract: Provided are apparatuses and methods for signaling and identifying platforms that carry services or channels over multiple bearers. The bearers of a platform may be one or more different technologies. The services within one bearer may be carried over another bearer belonging to the same virtual platform. Provider bound services may be identified by a terminal over a range of different technologies.

Abstract: Provided are apparatuses and methods in a digital broadcast transmission system for identifying a desired ESG fragment in a list of ESG fragments. The list of ESG fragments or bootstrap ESG may be created by a designated service provider, operator or other apparatus or system. The bootstrap ESG may contain information on, or refer to, secondary ESG fragments. In addition, the secondary ESG fragments may contain information on, or refer to, other ESG fragments in a hierarchical arrangement. A mobile terminal may identify a desired ESG fragment from the bootstrap ESG by identifying criteria within the bootstrap ESG corresponding to a secondary ESG, for example.

Abstract: Provided are apparatuses and methods in a digital broadcast transmission system for deducing the contents or topology of an ESG fragment, transport object, container or session. In one example, descriptors may be transmitted on a first channel that may correspond to ESG fragments transmitted on a second channel. The first and second channel can be received at a subscriber terminal. The subscriber terminal may thus be apprised of the topology of the ESG fragments to minimize the amount of information the subscriber terminal needs to receive. This provides an optimized overall retrieval of the ESG fragments.

Abstract: The invention provides a middleware component usable in a mobile terminal device, where the middleware component mediates between an application program and network interfaces and/or hardware to manage the interaction between disparate applications across heterogeneous platforms. The middleware component coordinates scanning for available broadcast, multicast, and/or conditional access platforms, networks, and/or services, as well as obtaining electronic service guide (ESG) data for the available services. The middleware component may use a variety of discovery protocols to identify services, and may use security protocols to manage authorized access to received services. When incorporated into a mobile terminal device, the middleware may interface with multiple radios to establish communications over on or more data networks in addition to receiving data via the broadcast network.

Abstract: Prior art methods of receiving, organizing, and implementing the data transmitted to mobile devices, such as ESG fragments, have a great impact on mobile device performance and battery lifetime. Furthermore, in order to keep server side and client side ESG fragments in synch, any change in content of ESG fragments needs to be indicated. Additionally, any change in how ESG fragments are distributed requires the client side to verify if all the fragments are still available and valid in any new distribution set up and if their content has not changed. Aspects of the invention provide a protocol for prioritizing the ESG fragments to ensure the end user of a destination device receives more pertinent ESG data in a timely manner. Other aspects of the invention minimize the number of updates required on a client side or destination device caused by the re-distribution of the “unchanged” ESG fragments into different carousels.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention provides an efficient transportation of ESG fragments to a receiver through the formation of containers. A container comprises at least one ESG fragment, but may contain a plurality of fragments. A fragment may be also carried by more than one container. Aspects of the present invention utilize a simple and extensible header structure apart from the fragments and independent of the type and format of the individual fragments. In an aspect of the present invention, compression is applied over the entire container, including the fragments and any headers. In an aspect of the present invention, a 3GPP metadata envelope is carried within the container without the need for unnecessary repetition of parameters, such as for example, version, validity time, and identification. In an aspect of the present invention, a simplified container system allows for the updating of previously received fragments.

Abstract: The invention provides an efficient transportation of ESG fragments to a mobile device through the formation of containers. In this sense, a container comprises at least one ESG fragment, but may contain a plurality of fragments. A fragment may be also carried in more than one container. Aspects of the present invention utilize a simple and extensible header structure apart from the fragments independent of the type and format of the individual fragments. In further embodiments, compression is applied over the entire container, including the fragments and any headers. In yet further embodiments, a 3GPP metadata envelope is carried within the container without the need for unnecessary repetition of parameters, such as for example, version, validity time, and identification. In further embodiments, a simplified container system allowing for the updating of previously received fragments is disclosed.