Flexible broadcast system and method
AssigneeNBCUniversal Media, LLC
InventorsGlenn A. Reitmeier, Rajan Mehta, Harold Douglas Lung, Sheau Ng
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Broadcasts over designated bands of the radiofrequency spectrum allow for flexible use of the spectrum as well as for the receipt of return signals from receivers. To obtain return signals, information indicating one or more return channels and/or one or more return time windows may be sent with the broadcast transmission. The broadcast transmission may be made over UHF bands, with the return signals being made over VHF bands. Spectrum may be utilized more efficiently by transmitting one or more beacon signals that define parameters for the broadcast transmission. Receivers may be adapted to decode the data of the beacon signals and rapidly tune to the broadcast transmission.
Claims19
A broadcast method, comprising:
- receiving a broadcast signal at a first receiver, wherein the broadcast signal comprises encoded broadcast media content and encoded return channel information, and wherein the encoded return channel information comprises:
- a return channel;
- and
- a first return channel window comprising a first allotted time period specifically allotted for transmitting return signals associated with the broadcast signal and different from a second allotted time period specifically allotted for transmitting return signals associated with a second broadcast signal, wherein the first return channel window comprises a first time period within the first allotted time period in which the first receiver can provide a first return signal via the return channel, wherein the first time period is different than a second time period within the first allotted time period in which a second receiver can provide a second return signal via the return channel, as indicated by a second return channel window assigned to the second receiver, and wherein the first return signal, the second return signal, or both, identifies a signal quality and viewing data, usage data, or both;
- and
- transmitting the first return signal via the return channel during the first return channel window.
A receiver for a broadcast system, comprising:
- receiver circuitry configured to:
- receive a broadcast signal comprising encoded broadcast media content and encoded return channel information, and wherein the encoded return channel information comprises:
- a return channel;
- and
- a return channel window comprising an allotted time period specifically allotted for transmitting return signals associated with the broadcast signal and different from an additional allotted time period specifically allotted for transmitting return signals associated with an additional broadcast signal, wherein the return channel window comprises a time period within the allotted time period in which the receiver can provide a return signal via the return channel, wherein the time period is different than another time period within the allotted time period in which an additional receiver can provide an additional return signal via the return channel, as indicated by an additional return channel window assigned to the additional receiver, and wherein the return signal, the additional return signal, or both, identifies a signal quality and viewing data, usage data, or both;
- and
- transmission circuitry configured to:
- transmit the return signal via the return channel during the return channel window.
A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:
- receive a broadcast signal at a receiver, wherein the broadcast signal comprises encoded broadcast media content and encoded return channel information, and wherein the encoded return channel information comprises:
- a return channel;
- and
- a return channel window at the receiver comprising an allotted time period specifically allotted for transmitting return signals associated with the broadcast signal and different from an additional allotted time period specifically allotted for transmitting return signals associated with an additional broadcast signal, wherein the return channel window indicates a time period within the allotted time period in which the receiver can provide a return signal via the return channel, wherein the time period is different than another time period within the allotted time period in which an additional receiver can provide an additional return signal via the return channel, as indicated by an additional return channel window assigned to the additional receiver, and wherein the return signal, the additional return signal, or both, identifies a signal quality and viewing data, usage data, or both;
- and transmit the return signal via the return channel during the return channel window.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.