CN102301624A - Local broadcast of data using available channels of a spectrum - Google Patents

Abstract

In general, this disclosure relates to techniques for utilizing one or more available channels of a spectrum to transmit data for an application. One example method includes converting data to a digital broadcast format, identifying at least one available channel of a spectrum, and transmitting the converted data in the at least one identified available channel.

Description

Local broadcast of data utilizing available channels of the spectrum

This application asserts U.S. Provisional Application 61/148,872, filed February 3, 2009, U.S. Provisional Application 61/222,845, filed July 2, 2009, and U.S. Provisional Application, filed July 31, 2009 61/230,602, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

technical field

The present invention relates to the transmission of data over a broadcast network.

Background technique

Currently, several solutions for wireless display of multimedia data, such as wireless HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface), are under development. The main intent of these solutions is to replace the HDMI cable between a specific component (eg set-top box, digital versatile disc (DVD) player, computing device) and the display device.

Certain providers have developed solutions utilizing proprietary methods for the transmission of uncompressed video. Other solutions may target consumer electronic devices such as game consoles or DVD players and require dedicated hardware on both the host and client sides. The power consumption of these specialized devices can be high. Also, in some solutions, the transmission of uncompressed video may limit any scaling capability to support higher resolution data transmissions.

Contents of the invention

In general, this disclosure relates to techniques for utilizing one or more available channels of a frequency spectrum to transmit data for an application. Certain techniques may facilitate the wireless transmission of data for various services/applications from one or more devices (eg, mobile or handheld) to external devices using identified available channels of spectrum. For example, a mobile device may utilize available channels on the television band spectrum to transmit certain multimedia data to a display device.

An example method includes: converting data into a digital broadcast format; identifying at least one available channel of a frequency spectrum; and transmitting the converted data in the at least one identified available channel.

An example communications device includes a conversion unit, a channel identifier, and a digital transmitter. The conversion unit is configured to convert data into a digital broadcast format. The channel identifier is configured to identify at least one available channel of a frequency spectrum. The digital transmitter is configured to transmit the converted data in the at least one identified available channel.

An example computer-readable storage medium is encoded with instructions for causing one or more processors to: convert data into a digital broadcast format; identify at least one available channel of a spectrum; The converted data may be transmitted in a channel.

The techniques described in this disclosure may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. For example, various techniques may be implemented or performed by one or more processors. As utilized herein, a processor may refer to a microprocessor, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), digital signal processor (DSP), or other equivalent integrated or discrete logic circuitry. Software may be executed by one or more processors. Software containing instructions to perform the techniques may initially be stored on a computer-readable medium and loaded and executed by a processor.

Accordingly, this disclosure also encompasses computer-readable storage media containing instructions for causing a processor to perform any of a variety of techniques as described in this disclosure. In some cases, the computer readable storage medium may form part of a computer program storage product that may be sold to manufacturers and/or used in devices. A computer program product may include a computer readable medium and, in some cases, packaging materials.

The details of one or more aspects are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

Description of drawings

1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a communication device communicatively coupled to a data receiver via a wireless network.

2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a multimedia communication device communicatively coupled to one or more multimedia receivers and one or more multimedia output devices via a wireless network.

3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a multimedia communication device communicatively coupled to one or more digital TV receivers and one or more display devices via a wireless network.

4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a mobile multimedia communication device that may be used as the multimedia communication device shown in FIGS. 2 and/or 3 .

5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a digital TV processor and modulator/transmitter along with a channel identifier that may be implemented within a mobile multimedia communication device such as that shown in FIG. 4 .

6 is a block diagram illustrating another example of a digital TV processor and modulator/transmitter along with a channel identifier that may be implemented within a mobile multimedia communication device such as that shown in FIG. 4 .

7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of multiple multimedia communication devices, where one multimedia communication device acts as a master device coupled to a digital TV band (geographic location) database, and where the remaining multimedia communication devices act as client devices.

8 is a flowchart of an example of a method that may be performed by a multimedia communication device (eg, one or more of the multimedia communication devices shown in FIGS. 1-4 ) to broadcast spectrum on a digital TV. Broadcast media data locally on identified channels in the unused portion of .

9 is a flowchart of an example of a method that may be performed by a multimedia communication device (eg, one or more of the multimedia communication devices shown in FIGS. 1-4 ) to utilize a spectrum sensor and any Available channels are identified from information received, optionally from a digital TV frequency band (geo-location) database.

Detailed ways

1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a communication device communicatively coupled to a data receiver via a wireless network. The communication device 1 is capable of sending data (eg multimedia) to and/or receiving data from the data receiver 9 . In some cases, the data may include multimedia data including at least one of audio data, video data, text data, speech data, and graphics data. In the example of FIG. 1, although the communication device 1 is shown as only sending data to one data receiver 9 via the wireless network 7, in some cases the communication device 1 may also be capable of sending or broadcasting data via the wireless network 7. to one or more data receivers (including data receiver 9).

In some examples, wireless network 7 may comprise a network that provides support for communications over spectrum used for digital broadcast formats such as the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) format, digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) format, Terrestrial Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (T-DMB) format, Terrestrial Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting (ISDB-T) format or Motion Picture Experts Group Transport Stream (MPEG-TS) format (defined by the international standard ISO/IEC 13818- 1), as will be described in more detail below. (The DVB standard is a set of internationally accepted open standards for digital television, and is established by the Joint Technical Committee (JTC) of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), the European Electrotechnical Standardization Committee (CENELEC) and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Distribution. DMB is a digital radio transmission technology for transmitting multimedia data to mobile devices.) The digital broadcast format may be one in which no specific or specific destination is specified in the transmitted data or the transmitted data. For example, a digital broadcast format may include a format in which the header of the broadcast data packet or unit does not include any destination address.

Communication device 1 may include a stationary device that transmits or receives data at a designated location, or a mobile device. The communication device 1 may comprise a single device or may be part of a larger system. For example, the communication device 1 may include a wireless multimedia communication device (eg, a wireless mobile handset), a digital camera, a digital TV, a video camera, a video phone, a digital multimedia player, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a video game console, A personal computer or laptop device or other video device, or a part thereof. Communications device 1 may also be included within one or more integrated circuits or chips that may be used in some or all of the devices described above.

As shown in FIG. 1 , communication device 1 may include a digital data conversion unit/transmitter 3 coupled to a channel identifier 5 . Although the digital data conversion unit/transmitter 3 and the channel identifier 5 are shown as being included in the communication device 1 in FIG. 1, it may not be necessary in all instances that one or both of these components 3, 5 need be included in the communication device 1. For example, in some cases these components 3 , 5 may be included within a separate device or peripheral device coupled to the communication device 1 . Thus, digital data conversion unit/transmitter 3 and channel identifier 5 may be part of one or more devices, one of which may be communication device 1 . In Fig. 1, these components 3, 5 will be assumed to be part of the communication device 1 in this example for illustrative purposes only.

The communication device 1 is capable of receiving, processing and generating data. For example, communication device 1 may receive data over any of a number of possible radio or access networks, including cellular, local wireless, or broadcast formats including ATSC, DVB, or T-DMB. In some examples, communication device 1 may receive data over a wired interface or via one or more embedded interfaces. For camera or other camcorder applications, data may also be generated in an uncompressed format via the image/video sensor. In some examples, the data may include one or more of audio data, video data, graphics data, text data, speech data, or metadata.

Communication device 1 is further capable of broadcasting data to one or more other devices (eg, data receiver 9 ) via wireless network 7 . The digital data conversion unit/transmitter 3 is capable of converting data into a specific digital broadcast format. For example, digital data conversion unit/transmitter 3 may be capable of encoding data complying with a particular digital broadcast format (eg, ATSC, DVB, T-DMB), and modulating the encoded data.

The channel identifier 5 is able to identify at least one available channel of the frequency spectrum, wherein the device 1 can participate in the identification of the at least one available channel. For example, the identification of the at least one available channel may be initiated by the communication device 1 . In some examples, the channel identifier can identify at least one available channel in an unused and/or unlicensed portion of the broadcast spectrum (eg, digital television broadcast spectrum). In some examples, the at least one available channel may include television band white space. As stated in the "Second Report and Order and Memorandum Opinion and Order" formally adopted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on November 4, 2008 and issued as FCC Order 08-260 on November 14, 2008, Order and Memorandum Opinion and Order)" states that "white space" may include unused portions or locations of the broadcast television spectrum that are not currently utilized by licensed services and therefore could be utilized by unlicensed radio transmitters.

In some examples, available channels may include channels that are not currently occupied. In an example, available channels may include channels that are not currently utilized by any authorized or licensed users (eg, FCC licensed users). In an example, available channels may include channels that are not currently utilized by licensed users or by unlicensed users (eg, other white space channel users). In some cases, available channels may include channels that may be utilized by a user upon obtaining a secondary license from another licensed user.

In some cases, channel identifier 8 may identify a number of available channels that may be required for data broadcasting based on any specific requirements or needs of applications or services executing on communication device 1 . In an example, an available channel is a channel that is not currently utilized by authorized users at or near the same geographic location as communication device 1 and that is acceptable for utilization by communication device 1 .

Upon identifying the one or more available channels, the conversion unit/transmitter 3 may transmit the converted (e.g., encoded, modulated) data via the wireless network 7 in at least one of the identified available channels to the data receiver 9. In some cases, the communication device 1 will perform one or more of the above actions automatically or via user input based on the execution of one or more services or applications running locally on the communication device 1 . In some cases, data receiver 9 may include functionality for demodulating and/or decoding broadcast data received from communication device 1 . In some cases, conversion unit/transmitter 3 may broadcast data to a plurality of data receivers (including data receiver 9 ) via wireless network 7 in at least one identified available channel.

As described above, the channel identifier 5 is capable of identifying at least one available channel of the broadcast spectrum for a particular digital broadcast format. In an example, channel identifier 5 may include a spectrum sensor to identify at least one available channel by sensing signal information within one or more channel ranges or frequency bands within the broadcast spectrum. In an example, channel identifier 5 may access a database (eg, a digital TV band database, such as that shown in FIG. 5 ) to identify at least one available channel.

2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a multimedia communication device 4 that may include a channel identifier 8 communicatively coupled to one or more communication receivers 12A-12N and one or more multimedia communication devices via a wireless network 10. Output devices 14A-14N. Multimedia communication device 4 is capable of sending data (eg, multimedia) to and/or receiving data from one or more receivers 12A-12N. In some cases, the data may include multimedia data including at least one of audio data, video data, text data, speech data, and graphics data.

In some examples, wireless network 10 may include a network that provides support for communications over the broadcast spectrum for digital broadcast formats such as the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) format, digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) or Terrestrial Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (T-DMB) format, as will be described in more detail below. (The DVB standard is a set of internationally accepted open standards for digital television, and is established by the Joint Technical Committee (JTC) of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), the European Electrotechnical Standardization Committee (CENELEC) and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Published. DMB is a digital radio transmission technology used to send multimedia data to mobile devices.)

Multimedia communication device 4 may include a stationary device that transmits or receives data at a designated location, or a mobile device. Multimedia communication device 4 may comprise a separate device or may be part of a larger system. For example, multimedia communication device 4 may include a wireless multimedia communication device (e.g., a wireless mobile handset), a digital camera, a digital TV, a video camera, a video phone, a digital multimedia player, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a video game console , personal computer or laptop device, or other video device, or is part of any such device. Multimedia communication device 4 may also be included within one or more integrated circuits or chips that may be used in some or all of the above devices.

As shown in FIG. 2 , multimedia communication device 4 may include a digital multimedia conversion unit/transmitter 6 coupled to a multimedia channel identifier 8 . Although the digital multimedia conversion unit/transmitter 6 and the multimedia channel identifier 8 are shown as being included in the multimedia communication device 4 in FIG. It needs to be included in the multimedia communication device 4 . For example, in some cases these components 6 , 8 may be included within a separate device or peripheral device coupled to the multimedia communication device 4 . Thus, digital multimedia conversion unit/transmitter 6 and multimedia channel identifier 8 may be part of one or more devices, one of which may be multimedia communication device 4 . In Fig. 2, it will be assumed in this example that these components 6, 8 are part of the multimedia communication device 4 for illustrative purposes only.

The multimedia communication device 4 is capable of receiving, processing and generating multimedia data. For example, communication device 4 may receive multimedia data over any of a number of possible radio or access networks, including cellular, local wireless, or broadcast formats including ATSC, DVB, or T-DMB. For camera or other camcorder applications, multimedia data can also be generated in uncompressed format via the image/video sensor. In some examples, multimedia data may include one or more of audio data, video data, graphics data, text data, speech data, or metadata.

Multimedia communication device 4 is further capable of broadcasting multimedia data to one or more other devices (eg, multimedia output devices 14A-14N) via wireless network 10 . The digital multimedia conversion unit/transmitter 6 is capable of converting multimedia data into a specific digital broadcast format. For example, digital multimedia conversion unit/transmitter 6 may be capable of encoding multimedia data complying with a particular digital broadcast format (eg, ATSC, DVB, T-DMB), and modulating the encoded multimedia data.

The multimedia channel identifier 8 is capable of identifying at least one available channel of the frequency spectrum, wherein the identification is initiated by the multimedia communication device 4 . In some cases, multimedia channel identifier 8 may identify a number of available channels that a multimedia broadcast may require based on any specific requirements or needs of applications or services executing on multimedia communication device 4 . In an example, an available channel is a channel that is not currently utilized by authorized users at or near the same geographic location as multimedia communication device 4 and that is acceptable for utilization by multimedia communication device 4 .

Upon identifying the one or more available channels, conversion unit/transmitter 6 may transmit the converted (e.g., encoded, modulated) data via wireless network 10 in at least one of the identified available channels to one or more of the multimedia output devices 14A-14N. In some cases, the multimedia communication device 4 will perform one or more of the above actions automatically or via user input based on the execution of one or more services or applications executing locally on the multimedia communication device 4 .

For example, in one instance, the application may determine to broadcast only specified multimedia content to multimedia output device 14A via wireless network 10 . Multimedia receiver 12A may receive broadcast data and may include a tuner that tunes multimedia receiver 12A to an appropriate channel over which data is being broadcast from multimedia communication device 4 . Multimedia receiver 12A then provides the received data to multimedia output device 14A for processing (eg, for display).

In another example, an application may determine to broadcast specified multimedia content to multiples of multimedia output devices 14A-14N in parallel (eg, transmit video data to multiple display devices simultaneously). In such a case, multimedia receivers 12A-12N may each receive broadcast data, and may each include a tuner tuned to an appropriate channel (eg, frequency or frequency band) via which multimedia communication device 4 is being broadcast data. Each multimedia receiver 12A-12N then provides the received data to its respective multimedia output device 14A-14N for processing.

In some cases, multimedia receivers 12A- 12N may include functionality for demodulating and/or decoding broadcast data received from multimedia communication device 4 . In some cases, multimedia output devices 14A-14N may include this functionality. One or more of the multimedia output devices 14A-14N may each include external devices relative to their respective multimedia receivers 12A-12N. In some examples, one or more of the multimedia output devices 14A-14N may each be part of or integrated within their respective multimedia receivers 12A-12N.

As described above, the multimedia channel identifier 8 is capable of identifying at least one available channel of the broadcast spectrum for a particular digital broadcast format. In an example, the multimedia channel identifier 8 may include a spectrum sensor to identify at least one available channel by sensing signal information within one or more channel ranges or frequency bands within the broadcast spectrum. In an example, multimedia channel identifier 8 may access a database (eg, a digital TV band database, such as that shown in FIG. 5 ) to identify at least one available channel.

For example, multimedia communication device 4 may include geolocation functionality whereby multimedia communication device 4 is able to determine its geographic location (e.g., by utilizing a Global Positioning System (GPS) or other similar component; pilot signals or other positioning techniques) . In this example, the multimedia communication device 4 may provide this location information to the digital TV band database. The digital TV band database may be populated with location based channel information and may be able to provide the multimedia communication device 4 with a list of any available channels currently occupied by the multimedia communication device 4 within the geographic area.

Broadcasting multimedia data from multimedia communication device 4 to one or more of multimedia output devices 14A-14N may provide certain advantages. For example, a local broadcast from multimedia communication device 4 to multimedia output devices 14A-14N can be established similarly to a distributed transmitter network (but with potentially fewer problems) (e.g., when these devices are located in close proximity, such as in a house or building). Synchronization problems are avoided because broadcasts can be limited to short ranges, even using potentially line-of-sight propagation.

Also, if the multimedia communication device 4 is a mobile device and the multimedia output devices 14A-14N include one or more television devices, then the communication device 4 can conveniently extend the mobile multimedia content to one or more television devices without the need for physical The upper couples the communication device 4 to the output devices 14A-14N (eg, by utilizing HDMI, VGA, or other audio-visual cables). Furthermore, communication device 4 is capable of broadcasting digital TV content to multiple television devices simultaneously (eg, in a home with multiple televisions).

Thus, in one scenario, a user may use the multimedia communication device 4 to broadcast multimedia data to other multimedia output devices 14A- 14N at the same location or not. For example, a user may set up a wireless network in the user's home to couple the multimedia communication device 4 to other devices. In an example, multimedia communication device 4 may include a personal computer or a laptop computer. A user may wish to transmit multimedia data (e.g., personal presentations, television programs or movies, web content, streaming video, digital photos) processed by multimedia communication device 4 to one or more televisions (e.g., at home) in one or more rooms). Multimedia communication device 4 may identify one or more available channels to broadcast this multimedia data to the one or more televisions, which provides for extending content from the computer to the television without utilizing any wires or other physical connections (e.g., large screen and/or HDTV) in a convenient way.

3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a multimedia communication device 16 that may include a digital TV channel identifier 20 communicatively coupled via a wireless network 22 to one or more digital TV receivers 24A-24N and One or more display devices 26A-26N. In FIG. 3 , the digital TV channel identifier 20 of the multimedia communication device 16 is an example of a multimedia channel identifier such as the multimedia channel identifier 8 of the multimedia communication device 4 shown in FIG. 2 . Display devices 26A-26N are examples of multimedia output devices, such as multimedia output devices 14A-14N shown in FIG. 2 .

As shown in FIG. 3 , the multimedia communication device 16 includes a digital TV conversion unit/transmitter 18 coupled to a digital TV channel identifier 20 . Although a digital TV conversion unit/transmitter 18 and a digital TV channel identifier 20 are shown as being included within the multimedia communication device 16 in FIG. Both need to be included in the multimedia communication device 16 . For example, in some cases these components 18 , 20 may be included within a separate device or peripheral device coupled to the multimedia communication device 16 . Accordingly, digital TV conversion unit/transmitter 18 and digital TV channel identifier 20 may be part of one or more devices, one of which may be multimedia communication device 16 . In FIG. 3, these components 18, 20 will be assumed to be part of the multimedia communication device 16 in this example for purposes of illustration only.

The multimedia communication device 16 is capable of receiving, processing and generating multimedia data. Multimedia communication device 16 is further capable of broadcasting multimedia data via wireless network 22 to one or more other devices, such as display devices 26A-26N. The digital TV conversion unit/transmitter 6 is capable of converting multimedia data into a digital broadcast format (eg, encoding multimedia data complying with a specific digital broadcast TV format (eg, ATSC), and modulating the encoded multimedia data).

The digital TV channel identifier 20 is capable of identifying at least one available TV channel in an unused portion of the broadcast TV spectrum for a particular digital broadcast TV format, wherein this identification is initiated by the multimedia communication device 16 . In some cases, digital TV channel identifier 20 may identify a number of available channels that a multimedia broadcast may require based on any specific requirements or needs of applications or services executing on multimedia communication device 16 .

Upon identifying the one or more available channels, conversion unit/transmitter 18 may transmit the converted data (e.g., encoded, modulated multimedia data) via wireless network 22 using at least one of the identified available channels to one or more of the display devices 26A-26N. In some cases, multimedia communication device 16 will initiate one or more of the above operations automatically or via user input based on the execution of one or more services or applications running locally on multimedia communication device 16 .

4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a mobile multimedia communication device 30 that may be used as multimedia communication device 4 shown in FIG. 2 and/or multimedia communication device 16 shown in FIG. 3 . The mobile multimedia communication device 30 includes a mobile device, such as a wireless communication device or a handset.

As shown in the example of FIG. 4, mobile multimedia communication device 30 includes various components. For example, in this particular example, mobile multimedia communication device 30 includes one or more multimedia processors 32, a display processor 34, an audio output processor 36, an embedded display 38, embedded speakers 40, a Digital TV conversion unit/transmitter 42 and a channel identifier 44 . Multimedia processor 32 may include one or more video processors, one or more audio processors, and one or more graphics processors. Each of the processors included within multimedia processor 32 may include one or more decoders.

Multimedia processor 32 is coupled to both display processor 34 and audio output processor 36 . Video and/or graphics processors included within multimedia processor 32 may generate image and/or graphical multimedia data that is provided to display processor 34 for further processing and display on embedded display 38 . For example, display processor 34 may perform one or more operations on image and/or graphics data, such as scaling, rotation, color conversion, cropping, or other rendering operations. Any audio processor included within multimedia processor 32 may generate audio multimedia data that is provided to audio output processor 36 for further processing and output to embedded speaker 40 . A user of the mobile multimedia communication device 30 is thus able to view and hear representations of multimedia data via the embedded display 38 and embedded speakers 40 .

In addition to providing output multimedia data to embedded display 38 , display processor 34 may also provide its output to digital TV conversion unit/transmitter 42 . Additionally, audio output processor 36 may provide its output to digital TV conversion unit/transmitter 42 . As a result, digital TV conversion unit/transmitter 42 is capable of handling multiple multimedia data streams. In some examples, display processor 34 and/or audio output processor 36 may store corresponding output multimedia data in one or more buffers, which are then accessed by digital TV conversion unit/transmitter 42. above buffer to retrieve data. The digital TV conversion unit/transmitter 42 may include components for converting multimedia data into a specific digital broadcast format (e.g., encoding, modulating data) and transmitting the converted data over a wireless network in one or more identified available channels. to various components of another device (as described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 5 ).

In some cases, digital TV conversion unit/transmitter 42 may convert and/or encapsulate multiple multimedia data streams received from display processor 34 and audio output processor 36 into individual streams that may be transmitted on multiple broadcast channels. Single program delivery stream. In some cases, the multiple streams of multimedia data may be encapsulated in the same transport stream and transmitted in a single channel. One multimedia stream may be transmitted as a picture-in-picture (PIP) data path including supplemental multimedia information or metadata about the multimedia data. Metadata may include, for example, one or more of text, notification messages, program guidance information, or menu information. In some cases, digital TV conversion unit/transmitter 42 may receive data directly from multimedia processor 32 . In these cases, digital TV conversion unit/transmitter 42 may convert and/or encapsulate data received directly from the multimedia processor into a transmittable transport stream.

In order to enable the mobile multimedia communication device 30 to broadcast or otherwise transmit multimedia data in one or more streams to a remote device via the wireless network, the mobile multimedia communication device 30 identifies the frequency spectrum upon initiation by the mobile multimedia communication device 30. One or more available channels in the unused portion of . Channel identifier 44 is capable of identifying the one or more available channels.

As will be described in more detail below with reference to the channel identification process, channel identifier 44 may identify available channels in one or more ways. For example, channel identifier 44 may use a spectrum sensor, such as that shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6, that is capable of dynamically sensing available channels in one or more frequency bands. A spectrum sensor may be able to assign certain quality values (eg, interference level, signal-to-noise ratio) on sensed signals in order to determine the quality of any available channels within the spectrum for data transmission. The sensing algorithm may be performed periodically and may be based on the format of the particular video stream being processed.

Channel identifier 44 may also use (in conjunction with spectrum sensing or independently) geolocation functionality. Geolocation refers to the ability of mobile multimedia communication device 30 to determine its geographic coordinates by utilizing a geographic location sensor, such as that shown in FIG. 5 , which may include, in one example, a GPS sensor. Channel identifier 44 may query an external digital channel database (eg, a digital TV band database such as that shown in FIG. 5 ) to obtain a list of available channels via wireless communication. Typically, this external database may be maintained by one or more external devices or sources, but may be updated based on requests and data streams from various devices (eg, mobile multimedia communication device 30).

In an example, channel identifier 44 may send the geographic location coordinates regarding the location of mobile multimedia communication device 30 to an external digital channel database, eg, via a network (eg, wireless network) connection. Channel identifier 44 may then receive from an external database a list of available channels for the geographic area associated with the location of mobile multimedia communication device 30 (as indicated by the geographic location coordinates). Channel identifier 44 may then select one or more of the identified channels for utilization and send data regarding the expected utilization of these frequency channels by mobile multimedia communication device 30 back to the external database. Accordingly, the external database may be updated based on the data received from the mobile multimedia communication device 30 accordingly.

In some cases, the external database, once updated, may indicate that the selected channel is utilized by the mobile multimedia communication device 30 until the mobile multimedia communication device 30 sends a subsequent message to the external database indicating that the channel is no longer needed or is not being utilized. . In other cases, the external database may only reserve selected channels for device 30 for a defined period of time. In these cases, the device 30 may need to send a message to the external database within the defined time period indicating that the device 30 is still utilizing the selected channel, in which case the external database will be restored within the second time period The selected channel is reserved for use by device 30 .

In some examples, channel identifier 44 may be based on the bandwidth requirements or requirements of any services or applications being executed on mobile multimedia communication device 30 (as performed by, for example, one or more of multimedia processors 32 ). period indication) to select one or more of the available channels for utilization. For example, a particular multimedia application may require multiple broadcast streams each with high bandwidth requirements. In this case, channel identifier 44 may allocate multiple different available channels for transmission to accommodate the bandwidth requirements of the multiple broadcast streams.

In certain examples, channel identifier 44 may identify one or more available channels based on information received from a plurality of sources. For example, if channel identifier 44 uses both spectrum sensors and geolocation functionality, channel identifier 44 may need to process channel information from both of these sources when determining which channels are available for utilization. In some cases, when one or more channels are selected, channel identifier 44 may need to manage conflicting channel information that may be provided by the multiple sources. FIG. 9, explained in more detail below, provides an example of the manner in which a device, such as mobile multimedia communication device 30, may process channel information from multiple sources in some examples.

Upon identifying one or more available transmission channels by channel identifier 44, digital TV conversion unit/transmitter 42 may then utilize the identified transmission channels to broadcast or otherwise transmit multimedia content or data via the network to external device. The mobile multimedia communication device 30 can initiate a broadcast transmission directly with this external device.

5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a digital TV conversion unit/transmitter 42A along with a channel identifier 44A that may be implemented within a mobile multimedia communication device 30A. In FIG. 5, digital TV conversion unit/transmitter 42A may be an example of digital TV conversion unit/transmitter 42 shown in FIG. 4, and channel identifier 44A may be channel identifier 44 shown in FIG. An instance of . In the example of FIG. 5, mobile multimedia communication device 30A is capable of broadcasting multimedia data according to a specific digital broadcast format ATSC. The mobile multimedia communication device 30A may facilitate low power transmission to ATSC ready external devices such as high definition or flat panel televisions. In such a case, the ATSC-ready device may include one of the multimedia output devices 14A-14N shown in FIG. 2 .

As shown in FIG. 5 , digital TV conversion unit/transmitter 42A may include various components, such as video and/or audio encoder 50A, transport encoder/multiplexer 52A, error correction encoder 54A, ATSC modulator 56A, radio frequency (RF) duplexer/switch 58A, and transmitter 59A. These components help support data transmissions over the transmission spectrum utilizing ATSC standards. The ATSC standard is a multilayer standard that provides layers for video encoding, audio encoding, transport streams, and modulation. In an example, RF duplexer/switch 58A may comprise an ultra high frequency (UHF) duplexer/switch. A duplexer may allow signals to be received for sensing purposes and transmitted for communication purposes.

Video/audio encoder 50A may include one or more video encoders and one or more audio encoders to encode video and/or audio data into one or more streams. For example, video/audio encoder 50A may include a Motion Picture Experts Group 2 (MPEG-2) encoder or an H.264 encoder (from the Telecommunication Standardization Sector, ITU-T) to encode video data. Video/audio encoder 50A may also include a Dolby Digital (Dolby AC-3) encoder to encode audio data. An ATSC stream may contain one or more video programs and one or more audio programs. Any video encoder utilized may implement the main profile for standard definition video or the high profile for high definition resolution video.

Transport (e.g., MPEG-2 Transport Stream, or TS) encoder/multiplexer 52A receives encoded data streams from video/audio encoder 50A and is capable of combining these data streams for broadcast, e.g., combining into one or more packetized elementary streams (PES). These PESs can then be packetized into individual program transport streams. In some examples, transport encoder/multiplexer 52A may provide the output transport stream to error correcting encoder 54A (e.g., a Reed-Solomon encoder), which may Performs error correction coding functionality.

ATSC modulator 56A is capable of modulating the transport stream for broadcast. In some cases, ATSC modulator 56A may use 8th order vestigial sideband (8VSB) modulation for broadcast transmissions. RF duplexer/switch 58A may then duplex the transport stream, or act as a switch for the transport stream. Transmitter 59A is capable of broadcasting one or more transport streams to one or more external devices utilizing one or more available channels identified by channel identifier 44A.

Channel identifier 44A includes database manager 62, channel selector 64A, optional channel selection user interface (UI) 66A, and spectrum sensor 70A. Both channel identifier 44A and digital TV conversion unit/transmitter 42A are coupled to memory 60A, which may include one or more buffers. Channel identifier 44A and digital TV conversion unit/transmitter 42A may exchange information directly, or may also exchange information indirectly through storage and retrieval of information via memory 60A.

Channel identifier 44A includes spectrum sensor 70A. As previously discussed, a spectrum sensor such as spectrum sensor 70A is capable of sensing signals in one or more frequency bands within the broadcast spectrum for a particular digital TV format (eg, ATSC). Spectrum sensor 70A may determine channel availability and signal strength based on its ability to identify any broadcast data occupying one or more utilized channels within the spectrum. Spectrum sensor 70A may then provide information regarding currently unutilized or available channels to channel selector 64A. For example, if spectrum sensor 70A does not detect any data being broadcast on a particular channel by any external separate device, it may detect that this channel is available.

As shown in FIG. 5 , channel selector 64A may also receive information from a digital TV band (geographic location) database via network 72 and database manager 62 . Digital TV band database 74 is external to mobile multimedia communication device 30A and includes information about currently utilized or available channels within the broadcast spectrum for a particular digital TV format (eg, within the ATSC spectrum). Typically, the digital TV band database 74 is dynamically updated as channels are brought into use or released for use by other devices. In some examples, digital TV frequency band database 74 may be organized by geographic location/region or by frequency band (eg, low VHF, high VHF, UHF).

In order for channel identifier 44A to obtain channel availability information from digital TV band database 74 , in some cases channel identifier 44A may provide geographic location information into digital TV band database 74 as input. The channel identifier 44A may obtain geographic location information or coordinates from the geographic location sensor 73, which may indicate the geographic location of the mobile multimedia communication device 30A at a particular point in time. In some examples, geographic location sensor 73 may include a GPS sensor.

Upon receiving geographic location information from geographic location sensor 73 , channel selector 64A may provide this information as input to digital TV band database 74 via database manager 62 . Database manager 62 may provide an interface to digital TV band database 74 . In some cases, database manager 62 may store a local copy of selected content of digital TV band database 74 when it is retrieved. Additionally, database manager 62 may store selection information (eg, geographic location information) provided to digital TV band database 74 by channel selector 64A.

Upon sending the geographic location information related to mobile multimedia communication device 30A, channel selector 64A may receive from digital TV band database 74 a set presenting one or more available channels listed within digital TV band database 74 . The set of available channels may be those channels that are available in the geographic area or location currently occupied by the mobile multimedia communication device 30A (as indicated by the geographic location sensor 73 ).

Upon receiving available channel information from either or both of spectrum sensor 70A and digital TV band database 74, channel selector 64A may select one or more channels automatically or via user input via channel selection UI 66A. available channels. A channel selection UI can present available channels within a graphical user interface, and a user of a service or application can select one or more of these available channels.

In some examples, channel selector 64A may automatically select or identify one or more of the available channels to be used for broadcast transmissions by mobile multimedia communication device 30A. For example, channel selector 64A may use information provided by one or more of multimedia processors 32 (FIG. 4) to determine which one or more of the available channels to identify for broadcast transmission. In some cases, channel selector 64A may select multiple channels based on the requirements or needs of the service or application being executed. One or more transport streams associated with these services or applications may be broadcast by transmitter 59A on one or more of the identified channels.

6 is a block diagram illustrating another example of a digital TV conversion unit/transmitter 42B along with a channel identifier 44B that may be implemented within a mobile multimedia communication device 30B. In FIG. 6, digital TV conversion unit/transmitter 42B may be an example of digital TV conversion unit/transmitter 42 shown in FIG. 4, and channel identifier 44B may be channel identifier 44 shown in FIG. An instance of . Digital TV conversion unit/transmitter 42B and channel identifier 44B may each store and retrieve information from memory device 60B. Similar to digital TV conversion unit/transmitter 42A, digital TV conversion unit/transmitter 42B includes one or more video/audio encoders 50B, a transport encoder/multiplexer 52B, an error correction encoder 54B, An ATSC modulator 56B, an RF duplexer/switch 58B and transmitter 59B.

Channel identifier 44B of FIG. 6 differs from channel identifier 44A of FIG. 5 in that channel identifier 44B does not include a database manager interfaced to the digital TV band database. In FIG. 6, channel identifier 44B includes only spectrum sensor 70B. Because geolocation functionality is not implemented in the example of FIG. 6, mobile multimedia communication device 30B does not include a geographic location sensor. Channel selector 64B identifies one or more available channels for broadcast transmission based on input received from spectrum sensor 70B. Channel selector 64B may also receive a user selection of a channel from a list of available channels via channel selection UI 66B. A list of available channels may be presented on the channel selection UI 66B based on the sensed signal information provided by the spectrum sensor 70B.

7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of multiple multimedia communication devices, where one multimedia communication device acts as a master device 82 coupled to a digital TV band (geographic location) database 80, and where the remaining multimedia communication devices act as client devices (e.g., client devices 88 and 94). In some cases, host device 82, client device 88, and client device 94 may each include a multimedia communication device (e.g., multimedia communication device 4 (FIG. 2)) that can communicate between one or more The multimedia data is broadcast to remote multimedia output devices in the broadcast stream. However, as explained below, master device 82 may control the ability of client devices 88 and 94 to perform these broadcast transmissions.

In the example of FIG. 7 , client device 88 and client device 94 may each operate in a client mode, where the transmission of client devices 88 and 94 , along with the frequency channel of operation, may be under the control of master device 82 . Typically, client devices 88 and 94 do not initiate the network to begin broadcast transmissions until they receive an enable or control signal from master device 82 .

The master device 82 is operable in a master mode in which the master device 82 has the ability to transmit without receiving an enable signal. Master device 82 can select a channel itself, and initiate the network by sending enable or control signals to client devices 88 and 94 .

As shown in FIG. 7 , a master device 82 is coupled to a digital TV band (geographic location) database 80 . Master device 82 may be able to utilize its digital TV channel identifier 86 to identify one or more available channels for broadcast transmission of multimedia data. Digital TV conversion unit/transmitter 84 is capable of converting multimedia data to a digital broadcast format (e.g., encoding multimedia data, modulating this data) and transmitting the data in one or more data streams to one or more multimedia output devices . Master device 82 may include a geographic location sensor, and digital TV channel identifier 86 may identify available channels based on channel information provided by digital TV band database 80 . In some examples, digital TV channel identifier 86 may also use signal information from a spectrum sensor when identifying available channels. (In an alternate example, when multiple master devices are utilized, one master device may perform geolocation functions while the other master device performs spectrum sensing functions.)

Client device 88 includes a digital TV conversion unit/transmitter 90 and a digital TV channel identifier 92 . Likewise, the client device 94 includes a digital TV conversion unit/transmitter 96 and a digital TV channel identifier 98 . In the example of FIG. 7, client devices 88 and 94 are not coupled to digital TV band database 80, and may not include a geographic location sensor. Client devices 88 and 94 may include spectrum sensors for sensing available broadcast channels. However, client devices 88 and 94 may first need to obtain an enable or control signal from master device 82 before initiating any broadcast transmissions to one or more multimedia output devices.

Furthermore, in some cases, master device 82 may provide client devices 88 and 94 with a list of identified available channels determined by digital TV channel identifier 86 that client devices 88 and 94 may utilize. Client devices 88 and 94 may be configured to utilize the channel identified by master device 82 when initiating a broadcast transmission. In these cases, master device 82 and client devices 88 and 94 may be located in relatively close or similar geographic location areas.

If client devices 88 and/or 94 include their own spectrum sensing functionality, these devices may use the channel information provided by master device 82, possibly in conjunction with their own spectrum sensing functionality, in identifying available channels for broadcast multimedia transmissions. Signal information provided by the spectrum sensor. In some examples, master device 82 and client devices 88 and/or 94 may perform a negotiation operation in order to determine which available channels to select when broadcasting data from client devices 88 and/or 94 .

For example, client devices 88 and/or 94 may execute services or applications that have certain bandwidth requirements or requirements, and may negotiate with master device 82 to determine when to use bandwidth from client devices 88 and 94 for these services or applications. and/or 94 which available channels may be best utilized when broadcasting data.

8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method that may be performed by a communications device (e.g., one or more of the communications devices shown in FIGS. The media data is broadcast on an identified channel of the TV broadcast spectrum). In the following description of FIG. 8 , for illustration purposes only, it will be assumed that the method of FIG. 8 can be performed by the mobile multimedia communication device 30 shown in FIG. 4 .

Apparatus 30 may convert the data into a digital broadcast format (100) (eg, using a conversion unit such as that included in digital TV conversion unit/transmitter 42 of FIG. 4). The communication device may include a multimedia communication device having multimedia capabilities, and the data may include multimedia data including at least one of audio data, video data, text data, speech data, and graphics data. In some examples, the digital broadcast format may be ATSC format, T-DMB (Terrestrial Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) format, or DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting) format, although various other digital formats may also be used. When converting multimedia data, device 30 may utilize one or more video and/or audio encoders (e.g., video/audio encoder 50A shown in FIG. 5 or video/audio encoder 50B shown in FIG. 6 ). and/or multiplexers, along with one or more modulators/duplexers/switches. Converting the multimedia data may include encoding the multimedia data to comply with a digital broadcast format, and modulating the encoded multimedia data.

If the multimedia data includes video or graphics data, device 30 may display the video or graphics data on a display (eg, on embedded display 38 (FIG. 4) or a display external to device 30). If the multimedia data includes audio data, device 30 may provide the audio data to one or more speakers, eg, to embedded speaker 40 ( FIG. 4 ) or a speaker external to device 30 .

Apparatus 30 may identify at least one available channel of the frequency spectrum (104) (eg, using a channel identifier, eg, channel identifier 44 of FIG. 4). In some cases, this identification may be initiated by the device. For example, device 30 may utilize a spectrum sensor (e.g., spectrum sensor 70A of FIG. 5 or spectrum sensor 70B of FIG. 6) and/or a digital TV frequency band database accessed from a digital TV frequency band database (e.g., digital TV frequency band database 74 of FIG. 5). The information identifies at least one available channel. In some cases, device 30 may identify at least one available channel in an unused portion of the broadcast spectrum (eg, broadcast television spectrum). In some cases, the at least one available channel may include television band white space. Digital broadcast formats may include ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee) format, T-DMB (Terrestrial Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) format, DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting) format, or Motion Picture Experts Group Transport Stream (MPEG- TS) format.

In some examples, if the at least one available channel becomes occupied (e.g., by a licensed user), device 30 may use a channel identifier to identify at least one other channel for subsequent transmission and/or broadcast of data. available channels. In some cases, device 30 may utilize a channel identifier to periodically determine whether the at least one available channel is still available or has become occupied within a period of time. In some cases, device 30 may utilize spectral sensors and/or access a geographic location database when making this determination.

In one example, device 30 may include a geographic location sensor (eg, geographic location sensor 73 of FIG. 5 ) to determine geographic coordinates of device 30 . Device 30 may then provide the geographic coordinates as input to the digital TV band database.

When device 30 uses a spectrum sensor, device 30 may assign one or more quality values associated with one or more channels sensed by the spectrum sensor. Quality values may be based on noise levels, interference (eg, from extraneous signals or unauthorized/unauthorized users), or other factors. For example, device 30 may use a spectrum sensor to obtain certain quality values for each individually sensed channel within a defined frequency range or band, eg, an interference level or signal-to-noise ratio that may be associated with that channel. Device 30 may evaluate the quality of each channel (eg, low quality, medium quality, high quality) using the meta information provided by these quality values. For example, if the quality value of an available channel indicates that the channel will have a high signal-to-noise ratio with little interference, device 30 may determine that the channel may be a high quality channel. On the other hand, if the quality value for the available channel indicates that the channel will have a low signal-to-noise ratio or have substantial interference, device 30 may determine that the channel may be a low-quality channel.

Device 30 may correlate one or more quality values with available channel information provided by the digital TV band database in order to identify at least one available channel, such as shown in the example of FIG. 9 . For example, in one scenario, correlating may include determining that a channel is available when channel information provided by the digital TV band database indicates that the channel is available and one of the quality values associated with the channel exceeds a certain quality threshold .

After device 30 has identified at least one available channel, device 30 may transmit (e.g., via transmitter 59A of FIG. 5 or transmitter 59B of FIG. 6 ) the converted data in the at least one identified available channel ( For example, to one or more separate external devices) (106). For example, upon a request by device 30, device 30 may initiate a broadcast transmission to one or more external multimedia output devices (eg, television devices). In an example, device 30 may include a master device (eg, master device 82 of FIG. 7 ). In this example, device 30 may send information identifying at least one available channel to one or more separate client devices (eg, client devices 88 and/or 94 of FIG. 7).

9 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a method that may be performed by a multimedia communication device, such as one or more of the multimedia communication devices shown in FIGS. 1-4, to identify available channels. In some cases, the device may identify available channels utilizing a spectrum sensor and information received from a digital TV band (geo-location) database. In some cases, a device may only utilize a spectrum sensor to identify available channels. In the following description of FIG. 9 , it will be assumed, for illustrative purposes only, that the method shown in FIG. 9 is performed by the mobile multimedia communication device 30 shown in FIG. 4 .

In some cases, mobile multimedia communication device 30 may receive channel information for a particular channel from a geographic location database, such as digital TV band (geographic location) database 74 shown in the example of FIG. 5 (120). The channels may include channels in frequency bands of the broadcast spectrum for digital TV formats (eg, ATSC). Mobile multimedia communication device 30 may use a geographic location sensor (e.g., geographic location sensor 73 of FIG. Provided back to device 30 . However, in some embodiments (such as shown in the example of FIG. 6 ), device 30 may not receive any channel information from the geographic location database when the geographic location database is not utilized or accessed.

Device 30 may further receive signal information for the same channel from a spectrum sensor (eg, from spectrum sensor 70A shown in FIG. 5) (122). In this example, device 30 receives channel information for a channel from both a geographic location database and a spectrum sensor.

In those cases where device 30 is in communication with a geographic location database, device 30 may first determine whether channel information provided by the geographic location database indicates that the channel is unavailable (126). For example, the geo-location database may indicate that the channel is currently being utilized by another authorized service provider or user. In such a case, device 30 may determine to find and utilize another channel available for broadcast transmission (124), regardless of whether the spectrum sensor indicates that the channel is available or unavailable.

However, if the geographic location database indicates that the channel is available, device 30 may then determine whether the channel information provided by the spectrum sensor indicates that the channel may be occupied or have a low quality rating (128). In some cases, an up-to-date geolocation database may not be complete, in which case a channel may still be occupied even if the geolocation database indicates otherwise. If the spectrum sensor indicates that the channel may be occupied, device 30 may determine to ignore the channel and find another channel that is available (124).

If the spectrum sensor identifies a usable channel, but the channel may be usable but will have a low quality level (e.g., high noise level, substantial interference) based on one or more determined quality value indications or from meta-information, then means 30 It may be determined to ignore the channel and find another available channel (124) for broadcast transmission. Quality values may be based on noise levels, interference (eg, from extraneous signals or unauthorized/unauthorized users), or other factors. A quality value may be based on one or more metrics, such as signal-to-noise ratio, signal-to-interference ratio, measured noise floor, or other metrics. (In those cases when device 30 communicates with a geographic location database, device 30 may again receive channel information from the geographic location database when looking for another available channel. In other cases, device 30 may only receive channel information from a spectrum sensor to find another available channel.)

However, if the spectrum sensor indicates that the channel may be available and also has a medium to high quality rating (indicated by a quality value), device 30 may then select the channel for broadcast transmission of multimedia data (130). In some cases, when device 30 determines that a channel may have only a medium quality rating (e.g., based on a processing quality value), device 30 may select the channel for utilization, but due to the channel's medium (rather than high ) quality level that may increase transmit power for broadcast communications utilizing said channel.

In some examples, device 30 may rely solely on the information provided by the geographic location database regarding the availability of one or more channels. In these examples, even if device 30 includes a spectrum sensor, device 30 may disable the spectrum sensor or ignore the channel information provided by the sensor, and select an available channel based only on the information provided by the geolocation database.

In some examples, during execution of one or more services or applications, a communications device (e.g., device 30) may perform the method shown in FIG. 9 multiple times to identify multiple available channels that may be used for broadcast of multimedia data. . For example, a particular application may have high bandwidth requirements, but may need to utilize multiple transmit channels. Device 30 may perform the method shown in FIG. 9 one or more times to identify a number of available transmit channels that may be utilized by the application to broadcast multimedia data to an external device (eg, a television).

The techniques described in this disclosure may be implemented in a general-purpose microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), programmable logic device (PLD), or other equivalent within one or more of the logical devices. Accordingly, the terms "processor" or "controller," as utilized herein may refer to any one or more of the foregoing structure, or any other structure suitable for implementation of the techniques described herein.

The various components described herein may be implemented by any suitable combination of hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. In the figures, various components are depicted as separate units or modules. However, all or several of the various components described with reference to these figures may be integrated into combined units or modules within commonly used hardware, firmware, and/or software. Therefore, for ease of description, representing features as components, units or modules is intended to emphasize specific functional features and does not necessarily require realization of these features by separate hardware, firmware or software components. In some cases, various units may be implemented as programmable processes executable by one or more processors.

Any features described herein as modules, means or components may be implemented together in an integrated logic device or separately as discrete but interoperable logic devices. In various aspects, these components may be formed at least in part as one or more integrated circuit devices, which may be collectively referred to as an integrated circuit device, eg, an integrated circuit chip or chipset. Such circuitry may be provided in a single integrated circuit chip device or in multiple interoperable integrated circuit chip devices and may be used in any of a variety of graphics, display, audio or other multiple multimedia applications and devices. In some aspects, for example, these components may form part of a mobile device, such as a wireless communication device handset (eg, a mobile phone handset).

If implemented in software, the techniques may be realized at least in part by a computer-readable data storage medium containing code having instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, perform one of the methods described above. or more than one. A computer readable storage medium may form part of a computer program product, which may include packaging materials. The computer readable medium may include random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), nonvolatile random access memory (NVRAM), electrically erasable programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), Embedded Dynamic Random Access Memory (eDRAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Flash Memory, Magnetic or Optical Data Storage Media. Any software used may be executed by one or more processors (eg, one or more DSPs, general purpose microprocessors, ASICs, FPGAs, or other equivalent integrated or discrete logic circuits).

Various aspects have been described in this disclosure. These and other aspects are within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (55)

1. method that is used to launch data, it comprises:

Data transaction is become digital broadcast formats;

At least one available channel of identification frequency spectrum; And

Described in described at least one emission in the available channel of identification through data converted.

2. method according to claim 1, that discerns wherein that described at least one available channel comprises the identification broadcast television spectrum does not use described at least one available channel in the part.

3. method according to claim 1 is wherein discerned described at least one available channel and is comprised identification television band white space.

4. method according to claim 1, wherein said digital broadcast formats comprise ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee) form, T-DMB (T-DMB) form, DVB (digital video broadcasting) form, integrated service digits broadcasting (ISDB-T) form in ground or animation expert group transportation flow (MPEG-TS) form.

5. method according to claim 1 is wherein by described at least one available channel of the initial identification of communicator.

6. method according to claim 5, wherein:

Described communicator comprises the multimedia communication device with multimedia capabilities; And

Described data comprise at least one the multi-medium data that comprises in voice data, video data, text data, speech data and the graph data.

7. method according to claim 6, wherein:

Change described multi-medium data and comprise the described multi-medium data of coding, reach the described encoded multi-medium data of modulation to observe described digital broadcast formats; And

Launch described being included in described at least one available channel and be transmitted into one or more external device (ED)s through data converted from described multimedia communication device described through discerning through data converted.

8. method according to claim 6, wherein when described multi-medium data comprises video or graph data, described method further is included on the display of described multimedia communication device and shows described video or graph data.

9. method according to claim 6, wherein when described multi-medium data comprises voice data, described method further comprises described voice data is provided to one or more loud speakers.

10. method according to claim 1 is wherein discerned described at least one available channel and is comprised and utilize described at least one available channel of spectral sensor identification.

11. method according to claim 10 is wherein discerned described at least one available channel and is further comprised access Digital Television (TV) frequency band database to discern described at least one available channel.

12. method according to claim 11, it further comprises the geographical coordinate of determining communicator, and wherein the described digital TV frequency band database of access comprises described geographical coordinate is provided to described digital TV frequency band database as input.

13. method according to claim 12, it further comprises assigns one or more mass values that are associated with one or more channels that sensed by described spectral sensor.

14. method according to claim 13, wherein discern described at least one available channel and comprise and make described one or more mass values relevant, so that discern described at least one available channel with the available channel information that provides by described digital TV frequency band database.

15. method according to claim 14, wherein associated packet be contained in the described channel information indicating channel that provides by described digital TV frequency band database can with and with described mass value that described channel is associated in one determine that described channel can use when surpassing quality threshold.

16. method according to claim 1, it further is included in described at least one available channel and becomes by at least one other available channel of identification under the situation of another CU.

17. method according to claim 16, it further comprises determines that periodically described at least one available channel is still available or has become by another CU.

18. a computer-readable storage medium, it comprises and is used to make one or more processors to carry out the instruction of following operation:

Data transaction is become digital broadcast formats;

At least one available channel of identification frequency spectrum; And

Described in described at least one emission in the available channel of identification through data converted.

19. computer-readable storage medium according to claim 18 wherein saidly comprises the instruction of not using described at least one available channel in the part in order to the identification broadcast television spectrum in order to the instruction of discerning described at least one available channel.

20. computer-readable storage medium according to claim 18 wherein saidly comprises instruction in order to identification television band white space in order to the instruction of discerning described at least one available channel.

21. computer-readable storage medium according to claim 18, the described identification of wherein said at least one available channel is initial by communicator.

22. computer-readable storage medium according to claim 18 wherein saidly comprises in order to utilize the instruction of described at least one available channel of spectral sensor identification in order to the instruction of discerning described at least one available channel.

23. computer-readable storage medium according to claim 2 wherein saidly further comprises in order to access Digital Television (TV) frequency band database to discern the instruction of described at least one available channel in order to the instruction of discerning described at least one available channel.

24. computer-readable storage medium according to claim 23, it further comprises the instruction in order to the geographical coordinate of determining communicator, and wherein said instruction in order to the described digital TV frequency band database of access comprises in order to described geographical coordinate is provided to the instruction of described digital TV frequency band database as input.

25. computer-readable storage medium according to claim 18, it further comprises the instruction in order at least one other available channel of identification under becoming by the situation of another CU at described at least one available channel.

26. computer-readable storage medium according to claim 25, it further comprises in order to determine that periodically described at least one available channel is still available or has become by the instruction of another CU.

27. a communicator, it comprises:

Converting unit, it is configured to data transaction is become digital broadcast formats;

The channel identification device, it is configured to discern at least one available channel of frequency spectrum; And

Digit emitter, it is configured in described at least one emission in the available channel of identification described through data converted.

28. what communicator according to claim 27, wherein said channel identification device were configured to discern broadcast television spectrum does not use described at least one available channel in the part.

29. communicator according to claim 27, wherein said channel identification device are configured to discern described at least one available channel by identification television band white space.

30. communicator according to claim 27, wherein said digital broadcast formats comprise ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee) form, T-DMB (T-DMB) form, DVB (digital video broadcasting) form, integrated service digits broadcasting (ISDB-T) form in ground or animation expert group transportation flow (MPEG-TS) form.

31. communicator according to claim 27, wherein said channel identification device are configured to discern described at least one available channel at once after initial by described communicator.

32. communicator according to claim 27, wherein:

Described communicator comprises the multimedia communication device with multimedia capabilities; And

Described data comprise at least one the multi-medium data that comprises in voice data, video data, text data, speech data and the graph data.

33. communicator according to claim 32, wherein:

Described converting unit comprises the described multi-medium data that is configured to encode observing the digital multimedia encoder of described digital broadcast formats, and described converting unit further comprises the digital multimedia modulator that is configured to modulate described encoded multi-medium data; And

Described digit emitter be configured at least by described at least one in available channel of identification, be transmitted into one or more external device (ED)s through data converted from described multimedia communication device and launch described through data converted with described.

34. communicator according to claim 32, wherein when described multi-medium data comprised video or graph data, described multimedia communication device further comprised in order to show the display unit of described video or graph data.

35. communicator according to claim 32, wherein when described multi-medium data comprised voice data, described multimedia communication device further comprised in order to export one or more loud speakers of described voice data.

36. communicator according to claim 27, it further comprises spectral sensor, and wherein said channel identification device is configured to utilize described at least one available channel of described spectral sensor identification.

37. communicator according to claim 36, wherein said channel identification device are configured to discern described at least one available channel by access Digital Television (TV) frequency band database to discern described at least one available channel at least.

38. according to the described communicator of claim 37, it further comprises geographic position sensors, described geographic position sensors is configured to determine the geographical coordinate of described communicator, and wherein said channel identification device is configured to come the described digital TV frequency band database of access by described geographical coordinate is provided to described digital TV frequency band database as input at least.

39. according to the described communicator of claim 38, wherein said channel identification device further is configured to assign one or more mass values that are associated with one or more channels that sensed by described spectral sensor.

40. according to the described communicator of claim 39, wherein said channel identification device is configured so that described one or more mass values are relevant with the available channel information that is provided by described digital TV frequency band database, so that discern described at least one available channel.

41. according to the described communicator of claim 40, wherein said channel identification device be configured to the described channel information indicating channel that provides by described digital TV frequency band database can with and with described mass value that described channel is associated in one determine that described channel can use when surpassing quality threshold.

42. communicator according to claim 27, wherein said channel identification device further are configured at least one other available channel of identification under described at least one available channel becomes by the situation of another CU.

43. according to the described communicator of claim 42, wherein said channel identification device further is configured to determine that periodically described at least one available channel is still available or has become by another CU.

44. communicator according to claim 27, wherein said communicator comprises main device, and wherein said digit emitter further is configured to the information of described at least one available channel of identification is sent to and the different device of described main device.

45. communicator according to claim 27, wherein said communicator comprises wireless communication device handsets.

46. communicator according to claim 27, wherein said communicator comprises one or more integrated circuit (IC) apparatus.

47. a communicator, it comprises:

Be used for data transaction is become the device of digital broadcast formats;

Be used to discern the device of at least one available channel of frequency spectrum; And

Be used at described at least one described device of available channel emission through data converted through identification.

48. according to the described communicator of claim 47, the wherein said device that is used for discerning described at least one available channel comprises the device that does not use described at least one available channel of part that is used to discern broadcast television spectrum.

49. according to the described communicator of claim 47, the wherein said device that is used to discern described at least one available channel comprises the device that is used to discern the television band white space.

50. according to the described communicator of claim 47, the wherein said device that is used to discern described at least one available channel comprises the device that is used for discerning at once after initial by described communicator described at least one available channel.

51. according to the described communicator of claim 47, the wherein said device that is used to discern described at least one available channel comprises the device that is used to utilize described at least one available channel of spectral sensor identification.

52. according to the described communicator of claim 51, the wherein said device that is used to discern described at least one available channel further comprises and is used for access Digital Television (TV) frequency band database to discern the device of described at least one available channel.

53. according to the described communicator of claim 52, it further comprises the device of the geographical coordinate that is used for definite described multimedia communication device, and the wherein said device that is used for the described digital TV frequency band database of access comprises the device that is used for described geographical coordinate is provided to as input described digital TV frequency band database.

54. according to the described communicator of claim 47, it further comprises the device that is used at least one other available channel of identification under described at least one available channel becomes by the situation of another CU.

55. according to the described communicator of claim 54, it further comprises and is used for determining that periodically described at least one available channel is still available or has become by the device of another CU.

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