Method and apparatus for prompting a reverse channel response from receiver in a digital broadcast system
AssigneeXM Satellite Radio, Inc.
InventorsPaul D. Marko, Craig P. Wadin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates generally to a digital broadcast system and receivers therein which are configured to allow the use of a reverse channel for transmitting responses to broadcast messages. The digital broadcast system is configured to receive requests for information from a mobile platform device (e.g., a GPS receiver) and broadcast information request messages. The receivers are configured to receive a broadcast information request message and communicate with a telematics-enabled device in a mobile platform such as a cellular telephone to initiate a transmission of a response message therefrom.
Claims17
A method of providing a response channel from a mobile platform in a digital broadcast system comprising:
- generating a message comprising a request for information from a mobile platform device and identification of at least a selected one of receivers in said digital broadcast system, said digital broadcast system being operable to transmit a broadcast data stream comprising a plurality of programs, said receivers being operable to playback a selected one of said programs;
- transmitting said message via said digital broadcast system by inserting said message into said broadcast data stream;
- receiving said message at said receivers in said digital broadcast system;
- generating a command signal at said selected receiver in response to said message;
- providing said command signal to a network on said mobile platform;
- transmitting said command signal to said mobile platform device via said network;
- generating a response signal from said mobile platform device comprising said information;
- and
- transmitting said response signal via a communication system different from said digital broadcast system.
A method of providing a response channel from a mobile platform in a digital broadcast system, the digital broadcast system being operable to transmit a broadcast data stream comprising a plurality of program channels to receivers, the receivers being configured for reception-only operation to playback a selected one of the programs, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving said broadcast data stream at one of said receivers, said broadcast data stream comprising at least one message, said message comprising a request for information from a mobile platform device connected to a selected one of said receivers via at least one of a wireless link and a wireline link, and identification of the selected said receiver;
- determining if said identification in said message corresponds to said one of said receivers;
- generating a command signal at said one of said receivers in response to said message if said identification in said message corresponds thereto;
- transmitting said command signal to said mobile platform device via said at least one of a wireless link and a wireline link;
- generating a response signal from said mobile platform device comprising said information;
- and
- transmitting said response signal via a communication system different from said digital broadcast system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.