US 6,271,893 B1 · Digital television broadcasting system

Abstract

A digital television transmitter transmits a transport stream (hereinafter referred to as “TS”) comprising content data for a plurality of channels to receivers. In the transmitter, program information is periodically inserted in the TS; and an expected time of program alteration is included in said TS. A television receiver comprises a first portion always supplied with an electric power, a second portion which, if supplied with a second electric power, becomes capable of collecting program information included in said TS in corporation with said first portion, and a third portion which. if supplied with a third electric power, becomes capable of displaying said program. At an expected time of program alteration previously received, the second power is supplied to the second portion to collect program information, which is preferably stored in nonvolatile memory. The transmitter sending an alert signal to the receiver via a second transmission media ensures the reception of changed or special program information.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A digital television transmission system ensuring reception of program information by receivers served by the system, the system including:

means for transmitting a transport stream (hereinafter referred to as “TS”) comprising content data for a plurality of channels to receivers;
means for periodically including, in said TS, program information on programs scheduled for broadcasting;
and
means for including in said program information an expected time of program alteration, identifying a time when any alterations to said program information are going to be transmitted.

1 more element

A digital television receiver for receiving a program contained in a transport stream (hereinafter referred to as “TS”), the receiver comprising:

means for supplying first, second and third electric powers, said means for supplying providing said first electric power constantly and providing said second and said third electric powers in accordance with independent control settings therefor;
a first portion which, when supplied with said first electric power, operates for controlling the digital television receiver and for controlling said second and third electric powers;
a second portion which, when supplied with said second electric power, is enabled to collect program information and an expected time of program alteration included in said TS, said expected time of program alteration identifying a time when any alterations to said program information are going to be transmitted;
and
a third portion which, when supplied with said third electric power, is enabled to display said program,
said first portion comprising:
means for causing said second portion to be supplied with said second power at said expected time previously collected;
means for storing said program information and said expected time;
and
means, responsive to a request for a display of said program information or said program from a user, for causing said third portion to be supplied with said third power.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Digital television broadcasting system

Life of this patent

Digital television broadcasting system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22