Title of Invention

DIGITAL BROADCASTING SYSTEM AND DATA PROCESSING METHOD

Abstract A digital broadcasting system and method of processing data therein are disclosed. The present invention includes a baseband processor unit receiving a broadcast signal including mobile service data and main service data, wherein the mobile service data can configure an RS frame and wherein the RS frame includes at least one of the mobile service data and a notification message and at least one of a first signaling information describing signaling information of a virtual channel for transmitting the mobile service data and a second signaling information describing signaling information on a notification channel for transmitting the notification message, a management processor unit accessing the notification message by parsing the second signaling information from the RS frame, the management processor unit processing the accessed notification message, the management processor unit storing the processed notification message in a storage device, and a presentation processor unit outputting the processes notification message to an output device.
Full Text

Description
DIGITAL BROADCASTING SYSTEM AND DATA
PROCESSING METHOD
Technical Field
[1] The present invention relates to a digital broadcasting system, and more particularly,
to a digital broadcasting system and a data processing method.
Background Art
[2] The Vestigial Sideband (VSB) transmission mode, which is adopted as the standard
for digital broadcasting in North America and the Republic of Korea, is a system using
a single carrier method. Therefore, the receiving performance of the digital broadcast
receiving system may be deteriorated in a poor channel environment.
Disclosure of Invention
Technical Problem
[3] Particularly, since resistance to changes in channels and noise is more highly
required when using portable and/or mobile broadcast receivers, the receiving per-
formance may be even more deteriorated when transmitting mobile service data by the
VSB transmission mode.
Technical Solution
[4] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a digital broadcasting system and a
data processing method that substantially obviate one or more problems due to lim-
itations and disadvantages of the related art.
[5] An object of the present invention is to provide a digital broadcasting system and a
data processing method that are highly resistant to channel changes and noise.
[6] Another object of the present invention is to provide a digital broadcasting system
and method of processing data therein, by which a notification message can be
transmitted/received via a notification channel.
[7] Another object of the present invention is to provide a receiving system and method
of processing data therein, by which an emergency can be notified to a user in the
course of a mobile service in a manner of receiving and processing EAS (emergency
alert system) data according to an emergency via a notification channel.
[8] A further object of the present invention is to provide a receiving system and method
of processing data therein, by which guide information of the receiving system can be
efficiently updated in a manner of receiving and processing ESG update information
according to a broadcast schedule change via a notification channel.
[9] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part
in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having

ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from
practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be
realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description
and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings,
[ 10] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of
the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a receiving system according
to the present invention includes a baseband processor unit, a management processor,
and a presentation processor unit. The baseband processor unit receives a broadcast
signal including mobile service data and main service data. The mobile service data
can configure an RS frame and wherein the RS frame includes at least one of the
mobile service data and a notification message and at least one of a first signaling in-
formation describing signaling information of a virtual channel for transmitting the
mobile service data and a second signaling information describing signaling in-
formation on a notification channel for transmitting the notification message. The
management processor unit accesses the notification message by parsing the second
signaling information from the RS frame. The management processor unit processes
the accessed notification message and stores the processed notification message in a
storage device. The presentation processor unit outputs the processes notification
message to an output device.
[11] Data of the RS frame can configure at least one or more data groups, each of the at
least one or more data groups includes the data of the RS frame and a plurality of
known data sequences, and transmission parameter channel (TPC) data and fast in-
formation channel (FIC) data are received by being included between a first known
data sequence and a second known data sequence among a plurality of the known data
sequences.
[ 12] The TPC data includes information for identifying an update of the FIC data and the
FIC data includes notification channel information on the notification channel for
transmitting the notification message and ensemble identifying information on an
ensemble including the notification channel.
[13] The FIC data further includes information for identifying whether the notification
message received on the corresponding notification channel has an emergency
property.
[14] The notification channel is activated if a notification event occurs. The notification
channel is deactivated if the notification event ends. And, the FIC data includes in-
formation for identifying whether the notification channel is activated.
[15] The second signaling information is received by being included in the RS frame of an
ensemble having the notification channel exist therein and the second signaling in-
formation includes access information of the notification channel and the notification

message received on the notification channel.
[ 16] The notification message includes information for identifying the corresponding noti-
fication message, version information of the corresponding notification message, valid
period information of the corresponding notification message and notification contents.
[17] The notification message further includes identification information for identifying
whether the corresponding notification message has an emergency attribute.
[18] If the corresponding notification message is fragmented, the notification message
further includes information for identifying an order of a corresponding fragment or an
order of a last fragment.
[ 19] If the accessed notification message includes EAS data, the management processor
unit processes the EAS data according to priority information of the EAS data and then
outputs the processed EAS data to the presentation processor unit.
[20] If the accessed notification message includes schedule update information, the
management processor unit processes the schedule update information and then
updates schedule relevant guide information stored in the storage device.
[21] In another aspect of the present invention, a method of processing data in a receiving
system includes the steps of receiving a broadcast signal including mobile service data
and main service data, wherein the mobile service data can configure an RS frame and
wherein the RS frame includes at least one of the mobile service data and a notification
message and at least one of a first signaling information describing signaling in-
formation of a virtual channel for transmitting the mobile service data and a second
signaling information describing signaling information on a notification channel for
transmitting the notification message, accessing the notification message by parsing
the second signaling information from the RS frame and processing the accessed noti-
fication message, storing the processed notification message in a storage device, and
outputting the processes notification message to an output device.
[22] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following
detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are
intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
Advantageous Effects
[23] According to the present invention, a notification message is received using a noti-
fication dedicated channel and is then processed. In doing so, ESG update information
or EAS data according to an emergency can be delivered on the notification channel.
Therefore, if an emergency takes place in the course o a mobile service, an emergency
alert service can be quickly provided to a user. Moreover, if a broadcast schedule is
changed, ESG update is quickly performed. Therefore, a user can be quickly provided
with a correct broadcast schedule despite an unexpected change of a broadcast

schedule.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[24] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding
of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, il-
lustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to
explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings:
[25] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram showing a general structure of a digital
broadcasting receiving system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[26] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary structure of a data group according to the present
invention;
[27] FIG. 3 illustrates an RS frame according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[28] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of an MH frame structure for transmitting and receiving
mobile service data according to the present invention;
[29] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a general VSB frame structure;
[30] FIG. 6 illustrates a example of mapping positions of the first 4 slots of a sub-frame in
a spatial area with respect to a VSB frame;
[31] FIG. 7 illustrates a example of mapping positions of the first 4 slots of a sub-frame in
a chronological (or time) area with respect to a VSB frame;
[32] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary order of data groups being assigned to one of 5 sub-
frames configuring an MH frame according to the present invention;
[33] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a single parade being assigned to an MH frame
according to the present invention;
[34] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of 3 parades being assigned to an MH frame according
to the present invention;
[35] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of the process of assigning 3 parades shown in FIG.
10 being expanded to 5 sub-frames within an MH frame;
[36] FIG. 12 illustrates a data transmission structure according to an embodiment of the
present invention, wherein signaling data are included in a data group so as to be
transmitted;
[37] FIG. 13 illustrates a hierarchical signaling structure according to an embodiment of
the present invention;
[38] FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary FIC body format according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
[39] FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary bit stream syntax structure with respect to an FIC
segment according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[40] FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary bit stream syntax structure with respect to a payload
of an FIC segment according to the present invention, when an FIC type field value is

equal to '0';
[41 ] FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary bit stream syntax structure of a service map table
according to the present invention;
[42] FIG. 18 illustrates an exemplary bit stream syntax structure of an MH audio de-
scriptor according to the present invention;
[43] FIG. 19 illustrates an exemplary bit stream syntax structure of an MH RTP payload
type descriptor according to the present invention;
[44] FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary bit stream syntax structure of an MH current event
descriptor according to the present invention;
[45) FIG. 21 illustrates an exemplary bit stream syntax structure of an MH next event de-
scriptor according to the present invention;
[46] FIG. 22 illustrates an exemplary bit stream syntax structure of an MH system time
descriptor according to the present invention;
[47] FIG. 23 illustrates segmentation and encapsulation processes of a service map table
according to the present invention;
[48] FIG. 24 illustrates a flow chart for accessing a virtual channel using FIC and SMT
according to the present invention;
[49] FIG. 25 is a diagram for an example of an operating method of a notification channel
according to the present invention;
[50] FIG. 26 is a diagram of a syntax structure for FIC segment according to another em-
bodiment of the present invention;
[51] FIG. 27 is a diagram of one embodiment for the value allocation and meaning of
Channel_Type field of the FIC segment shown in FIG. 26;
[52] FIG. 28 is a diagram of one embodiment for the value allocation and meaning of
Channel_Activity field of the FIC segment shown in FIG. 26;
[53] FIG. 29 is a flowchart for an operation of a notification channel for a notification
message delivery in a transmitting side according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[54] FIG. 30 is a diagram of MH header and MH payload format of MH TP according to
one embodiment of the present invention;
[55] FIG. 31 is a diagram of one embodiment for the value allocation and meaning of
type_.indicator field included in the MH header shown in FIG. 30;
[56] FIG. 32 is a diagram for usage examples of a pointer field included in the MH header
shown in FIG. 30;
[57] FIG. 33 is a diagram for a syntax structure of SMT according to another embodiment
of the present invention;
[58] FIG. 34 is a diagram of a syntax structure of NAT according to one embodiment of
the. present invention;

[59] FIG. 35 is a diagram of XML (extensible markup language) data structure for an
example of a notification message (Notification_Message) according to the present
invention;
[60] FIG. 36 is a diagram of the notification message (Notification_Message) shown in
FIG. 3 in XML schema;
[61] FIG. 37 is a flowchart for a method of accessing a notification message according to
one embodiment of the present invention;
[62] FIG. 38 is a flowchart for a method of processing an accessed notification message
according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[63] FIG. 39 is a diagram for an XML data structure of a notification message according
to the present invention in case that the notification message transmitted on a noti-
fication channel has emergency attributes;
[64] FIG. 40 is a diagram of the notification message represented in XML schema form;
[65] FIG. 41 is a diagram for an example that a determined broadcast schedule changes;
[66] FIG. 42 is an exemplary diagram for a structure of an electronic service guide (ESG)
according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[67] FIG. 43 is a diagram of an XML data structure when a notification message
transmitted on a notification channel according to the present invention is the noti-
fication message containing ESG update information;
[68] FIG. 44 is a diagram of the notification message shown in FIG. 43 represented in an
XML schema form; and
[69] FIG. 45 is a flowchart for a method of processing Schedule_Update notification
message accessed according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
[70] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present
invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever
possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to
the same or like parts. In addition, although the terms used in the present invention are
selected from generally known and used terms, some of the terms mentioned in the de-
scription of the present invention have been selected by the applicant at his or her
discretion, the detailed meanings of which are described in relevant parts of the de-
scription herein. Furthermore, it is required that the present invention is understood,
not simply by the actual terms used but by the meaning of each term lying within.
[71] Among the terms used in the description of the present invention, main service data
correspond to data that can be received by a fixed receiving system and may include
audio/video (A/V) data. More specifically, the main service data may include A/V data
of high definition (HD) or standard definition (SD) levels and may also include diverse

data types required for data broadcasting. Also, the known data correspond to data pre-
known in accordance with a pre-arranged agreement between the receiving system and
the transmitting system. Additionally, among the terms used in the present invention,
"MH" corresponds to the initials of "mobile" and "handheld" and represents the
opposite concept of a fixed-type system. Furthermore, the MH service data may
include at least one of mobile service data and handheld service data, and will also be
referred to as "mobile service data" for simplicity. Herein, the mobile service data not
only correspond to MH service data but may also include any type of service data with
mobile or portable characteristics. Therefore, the mobile sendee data according to the
present invention are not limited only to the MH service data.
[72] The above-described mobile service data may correspond to data having information,
such as program execution files, stock information, and so on, and may also
correspond to A/V data. Most particularly, the mobile service data may correspond to
A/V data having lower resolution and lower data rate as compared to the main service
data. For example, if an A/V codec that is used for a conventional main service cor-
responds to a MPEG-2 codec, a MPEG-4 advanced video coding (AVC) or scalable
video coding (SVC) having better image compression efficiency may be used as the A/
V codec for the mobile service. Furthermore, any type of data may be transmitted as
the mobile service data. For example, transport protocol expert group (TPEG) data for
broadcasting real-time transportation information may be transmitted as the main
service data.
[73] Also, a data service using the mobile service data may include weather forecast
services, traffic information services, stock information services, viewer participation
quiz programs, real-time polls and surveys, interactive education broadcast programs,
gaming services, services providing information on synopsis, character, background
music, and filming sites of soap operas or series, services providing information on
past match scores and player profiles and achievements, and services providing in-
formation on product information and programs classified by service, medium, time,
and theme enabling purchase orders to be processed. Herein, the present invention is
not limited only to the services mentioned above. In the present invention, the
transmitting system provides backward compatibility in the main service data so as to
be received by the conventional receiving system. Herein, the main service data and
the mobile service data are multiplexed to the same physical channel and then
transmitted.
[74] Furthermore, the digital broadcast transmitting system according to the present
invention performs additional encoding on the mobile service data and inserts the data
already known by the receiving system and transmitting system (e.g., known data),
thereby transmitting the processed data. Therefore, when using the transmitting system

according to the present invention, the receiving system may receive the mobile
service data during a mobile state and may also receive the mobile service data with
stability despite various distortion and noise occurring within the channel.
[75]
[76] Receiving System
[77] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram showing a general structure of a digital
broadcasting receiving system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The digital broadcast receiving system according to the present invention includes a
baseband processor 100, a management processor 200, and a presentation processor
300. The baseband processor 100 includes an operation controller 110, a tuner 120, a
demodulator 130, an equalizer 140, a known sequence detector (or known data
detector) 150, a block decoder (or mobile handheld block decoder) 160, a promary
Reed-Solomon (RS) frame decoder 170, a secondary RS frame decoder 180, and a
signaling decoder 190. The operation controller 110 controls the operation of each
block included in the baseband processor 100.
[78] By tuning the receiving system to a specific physical channel frequency, the tuner
120 enables the receiving system to receive main service data, which correspond to
broadcast signals for fixed-type broadcast receiving systems, and mobile service data,
which correspond to broadcast signals for mobile broadcast receiving systems. At this
point, the tuned frequency of the specific physical channel is down-converted to an in-
termediate frequency (IF) signal, thereby being outputted to the demodulator 130 and
the known sequence detector 140. The passband digital IF signal being outputted from
the tuner 120 may only include main service data, or only include mobile service data,
or include both main service data and mobile service data.
[79] The demodulator 130 performs self-gain control, carrier recovery, and timing
recovery processes on the passband digital IF signal inputted from the tuner 120,
thereby modifying the IF signal to a baseband signal. Then, the demodulator 130
outputs the baseband signal to the equalizer 140 and the known sequence detector 150.
The demodulator 130 uses the known data symbol sequence inputted from the known
sequence detector 150 during the timing and/or carrier recovery, thereby enhancing the
demodulating performance. The equalizer 140 compensates channel-associated
distortion included in the signal demodulated by the demodulator 130. Then, the
equalizer 140 outputs the distortion-compensated signal to the blcok decoder 160. By
using a known data symbol sequence inputted from the lnown sequence detector 150,
the equalizer 140 may enhance the equalizing performance. Furthermore, the equalizer
140 may receive feed-back on the decoding result from the block decoder 160, thereby
enhancing the equalizing performance.
[80] The known sequence detector 150 detects known data place (or position) inserted by

the transmitting system from the input/output data (i.e., data prior to being de-
modulated or data being processed with partial demodulation). Then, the known
sequence detector 150 outputs the detected known data position information and
known data sequence generated from the detected position information to the de-
modulator 130 and the equalizer 140. Additionally, in order to allow the block decoder
160 to identify the mobile service data that have been processed with additional
encoding by the transmitting system and the main service data that have not been
processed with any additional encoding, the known sequence detector 150 outputs such
corresponding information to the block decoder 160.
[81] If the data channel-equalized by the equalizer 140 and inputted to the block decoder
160 correspond to data processed with both block-encoding and trellis-encoding by the
transmitting system (i.e., data within the RS frame, signaling data), the block decoder
160 may perform trellis-decoding and block-decoding as inverse processes of the
transmitting system. On the other hand, if the data channel-equalized by the equalizer
140 and inputted to the block decoder 160 correspond to data processed only with
trellis-encoding and not block-encoding by the transmitting system (i.e., main service
data), the block decoder 160 may perform only trellis-decoding.
[82] The signaling decoder 190 decoded signaling data that have been channel-equalized
and inputted from the equalizer 140. It is assumed that the signaling data inputted to
the signaling decoder 190 correspond to data processed with both block-encoding and
trellis-encoding by the transmitting system. Examples of such signaling data may
include transmission parameter channel (TPC) data and fast information channel (FIC)
data. Each type of data will be described in more detail in a later process. The FIC data
decoded by the signaling decoder 190 are outputted to the FIC handler 215. And, the
TPC data decoded by the signlaing decoder 190 are outputted to the TPC handler 214.
[83] Meanwhile, according to the present invention, me transmitting system uses RS
frames by encoding units. Herein, the RS frame may be divided into a primary RS
frame and a secondary RS frame. However, according to the embodiment of the
present invention, the primary RS frame and the secodnary RS frame will be divided
based upon the level of importance of the corresponding data. The primary RS frame
decoder 170 receives the data outputted from the block decoder 160. At this point,
according to the embodiment of the present invention, the primary RS frame decoder
170 receives only the mobile service data that have been Reed-Solomon (RS)-encoded
and/or cyclic reduncancy check (CRC)-encoded from the block decoder 160.
[84] Herein, the primary RS frame decoder 170 receives only the mobile service data and
not the main service data. The primary RS frame decoder 170 performs inverse
processes of an RS frame encoder (not shown) included in the digital broadcast
transmitting system, thereby correcting errors existing within the primary RS frame.

More specifically, the primary RS frame decoder 170 forms a primary RS frame by
grouping a plurality of data groups and, then, correct errors in primary RS frame units.
In other words, the primary RS frame decoder 170 decodes primary RS frames, which
are being transmitted for actual broadcast services.
[85] Additionally, the secondary RS frame decoder 180 receives the data outputted from
the block decoder 160. At this point, according to the embodiment of the present
invention, the secondary RS frame decoder 180 receives only the mobile service data
that have been RS-encoded and/or CRC-encoded from the block decoder 160. Herein,
the secondary RS frame decoder 180 receives only the mobile service data and not the
main service data. The secondary RS frame decoder 180 performs inverse processes of
an RS frame encoder (not shown) included in the digital broadcast transmitting system,
thereby correcting errors existing within the secondary RS frame. More specifically,
the secondary RS frame decoder 180 forms a secondary RS frame by grouping a
plurality of data groups and, then, correct errors in secondary RS frame units. In other
words, the secondary RS frame decoder 180 decodes secondary RS frames, which are
being transmitted for mobile audio service data, mobile video service data, guide data,
and so on.
[86] Meanwhile, the management processor 200 according to an embodiment of the
present invention includes an MH physical adaptation processor 210, an IP network
stack 220, a streaming handler 230, a system information (SI) handler 240, a file
handler 250, a multi-purpose internet main extensions (MIME) type handler 260, and
an electronic service guide (ESG) handler 270, and an ESG decoder 280, and a storage
unit 290. The MH physical adaptation processor 210 includes a primary RS frame
handler 211, a secondary RS frame handler 212, an MH transport packet (TP) handler
213, a TPC handler 214, an FTC handler 215, and a physical adpatation control signal
handler 216. The TPC handler 214 receives and processes baseband information
required by modules corresponding to the MH physical adaptation processor 210. The
baseband information is inputted in the form of TPC data. Herein, the TPC handler 214
uses this information to process the FIC data, which have been sent from the baseband
processor 100.
[87] The TPC data are transmitted from the transmitting system to the receiving system
via a predetermined region of a data group. The TPC data may include at least one of
an MH ensemble ID, an MH sub-frame number, a total number of MH groups (TNoG),
an RS frame continuity counter, a column size of RS frame (N), and an FIC version
number. Herein, the MH ensemble ID indicates an identification number of each MH
ensemble carried in the corresponding channel. The MH sub-frame number signifies a
number identifying the MH sub-frame number in an MH frame, wherein each MH
group associated with the corresponding MH ensemble is transmitted. The TNoG

represents the total number of MH groups including all of the MH groups belonging to
all MH parades included in an MH sub-frame. The RS frame continuity counter
indicates a number that serves as a continuity counter of the RS frames carrying the
corresponding MH ensemble. Herein, the value of the RS frame continuity counter
shall be incremented by 1 modulo 16 for each successive RS frame. N represents the
column size of an RS frame belonging to the corresponding MH ensemble. Herein, the
value of N determines the size of each MH TP. Finally, the FIC version number
signifies the version number of an FIC body carried on the corresponding physical
channel.
[88 ] As described above, diverse TPC data are inputted to the TPC handler 214 via the
signaling decoedr 190 shown in FIG. 1. Then, the received TPC data are. processed by
the TPC handler 214. The received TPC data may also be used by the FIC handler 215
in order to process the FIC data. The FIC handler 215 processes the FTC data by as-
sociating the FIC data received from the baseband processor 100 with the TPC data.
The physical adaptation control signal handler 216 collects FIC data received through
the FIC handler 215 and SI data received through RS frames. Then, the physical
adaptation control signal handler 216 uses the collected FIC data and SI data to
configure and process IP datagrams and access information of mobile broadcast
services. Thereafter, the physical adaptation control signal handler 216 stores the
processed IP datagrams and access information to the storage unit 290.
[89] The primary RS frame handler 211 identifies primary RS frames received from the
primary RS frame decoder 170 of the baseband processor 100 for each row unit, so as
to configure an MH TP. Thereafter, the primary RS frame handler 211 outputs the
configured MH TP to the MH TP handler 213. The secondary RS frame handler 212
identifies secondary RS frames received from the secondary RS frame decoder 180 of
the baseband processor 100 for each row unit, so as to configure an MH TP.
Thereafter, the secondary RS frame handler 212 outputs the configured MH TP to the
MH TP handler 213. The MH transport packet (TP) handler 213 extracts a header from
each MH TP received from the primary RS frame handler 211 and the secondary RS
frame handler 212, thereby determining the data included in the corresponding MH TP.
Then, when the determined data correspond to SI data (i.e., SI data that are not en-
capsulated to IP datagrams), the corresponding data are outputted to the physical
adaptation control signal handler 216. Alterantively, when the determined data
correspond to an IP datagram, the corresponding data are outputted to the IP network
stack 220.
[90] The IP network stack 220 processes broadcast data that are being transmitted in the
form of IP datagrams. More specifically, the IP network stack 220 processes data that
are inputted via user datagram protocol (UDP), real-time transport protocol (RTP),

real-time transport control protocol (RTCP), asynchronous layered coding/layered
coding transport (ALC/LCT), file delivery over unidirectional transport (FLUTE), and
so on. Herein, when the processed data correspond to streaming data, the corre-
sponding data are outputted to the streaming handler 230. And, when the processed
data correspond to data in a file format, the corresponding data are outputted to the file
handler 250. Finally, when the processed data correspond to Si-associated data, the
corresponding data are outputted to the ST handler 240.
[91] The SI handler 240 receives and processes SI data having the form of IP datagrams,
which are inputted to the IP network stack 220. When the inputted data associated with
SI correspond to MIME-type data, the inputted data are outputted to the MIME-type
handler 260. The MIME-type handler 260 receives the MIME-type SI data outputted
from the SI handler 240 and processes the received MIME-type SI data. The file
handler 250 receives data from the IP network stack 220 in an object format in ac-
cordance with the ALC/LCT and FLUTE structures. The file handler 250 groups the
received data to create a file format. Herein, when the corresponding file includes
ESG, the file is outputted to the ESG handler 270. On the other hand, when the corre-
sponding file includes data for other file-based services, the file is outputted to the pre-
sentation controller 330 of the presentation processor 300.
[92] The ESG handler 270 processes the ESG data received from the file handler 250 and
stores the processed ESG data to the storage unit 290. Alternatively, the ESG handler
270 may output the processed ESG data to the ESG decoder 280, thereby allowing the
ESG data to be used by the ESG decoder 280. The storage unit 290 stores the system
information (SI) received from the physical adaptation control signal handler 210 and
the ESG handler 270 therein. Thereafter, the storage unit 290 transmits the stored SI
data to each block.
[93] The ESG decoder 280 either recovers the ESG data and SI data stored in the storage
unit 290 or recovers the ESG data transmitted from the ESG handler 270. Then, the
ESG decoder 280 outputs the recovered data to the presentation controller 330 in a
format that can be outputted to the user. The streaming handler 230 receives data from
the IP network stack 220, wherein the format of the received data are in accordance
with RTP and/or RTCP structures. The streaming handler 230extracts audio/video
streams from the received data, which are then outputted to the audio/video (A/V)
decoder 310 of the presentation processor 300. The audio/video decoder 310 then
decodes each of the audio stream and video stream received from the streaming
handler 230.
[94] The display module 320 of the presentation processor 300 receives audio and video
signals respectively decoded by the A/V decoder 310. Then, the display module 320
provides the received audio and video signals to the user through a speaker and/or a

screen. The presentation controller 330 corresponds to a controller managing modules
that output data received by the receiving system to the user. The channel service
manager 340 manages an interface with the user, which enables the user to use
channel-based broadcast services, such as channel map management, channel service
connection, and so on. The application manager 350 manages an interface with a user
using ESG display or other application services that do not correspond to channel-
based services.
[95]
[96 ] Data Format Structure
[97] Meanwhile, the data structure used in the mobile broadcasting technology according
to the embodiment of the present invention may include a data group structure and an
RS frame structure, which will now be described in detail. FIG. 2 illustrates an
exemplary structure of a data group according to the present invention. FIG. 2 shows
an example of dividing a data group according to the data structure of the present
invention into 10 MH blocks (i.e., MH block 1 (B1) to MH block 10 (B10)). In this
example, each MH block has the length of 16 segments. Referring to FIG. 2, only the
RS parity data are allocated to portions of the first 5 segments of the MH block 1 (B1)
and the last 5 segments of the MH block 10 (B10). The RS parity data are excluded in
regions A to D of the data group. More specifically, when it is assumed that one data
group is divided into regions A, B, C, and D, each MH block may be included in any
one of region A to region D depending upon the characteristic of each MH block
within the data group.
[98] Herein, the data group is divided into a plurality of regions to be used for different
purposes. More specifically, a region of the main service data having no interference or
a very low interference level may be considered to have a more resistant (or stronger)
receiving performance as compared to regions having higher interference levels. Addi-
tionally, when using a system inserting and transmitting known data in the data group,
wherein the known data are known based upon an agreement between the transmitting
system and the receiving system, and when consecutively long known data are to be
periodically inserted in the mobile service data, the known data having a prede-
termined length may be periodically inserted in the region having no interference from
the main service data (i.e., a region wherein the main service data are not mixed).
However, due to interference from the main service data, it is difficult to periodically
insert known data and also to insert consecutively long known data to a region having
interference from the main service data.
[99] Referring to FIG. 2, MH block 4 (B4) to MH block 7 (B7) correspond to regions
without interference of the main service data. MH block 4 (B4) to MH block 7 (B7)
within the data group shown in FIG. 2 correspond to a region where no interference

from the main service data occurs. In this example, a long known data sequence is
inserted at both the beginning and end of each MH block. Tn the description of the
present invention, the region including MH block 4 (B4) to MH block 7 (B7) will be
referred to as "region A (=B4+B5+B6+B7)". As described above, when the data group
includes region A having a long known data sequence inserted at both the beginning
and end of each MH block, the receiving system is capable of performing equalization
by using the channel information that can be obtained from the known data. Therefore,
the strongest equalizing performance may be yielded (or obtained) from one of region
A to region D.
[ 1001 In the example of the data group shown in FIG. 2, MH block 3 (B3) and MH block
8 (B8) correspond to a region having little interference from the main service data.
Herein, a long known data sequence is inserted in only one side of each MH block B3
and B8. More specifically, due to the interference from the main service data, a long
known data sequence is inserted at the end of MH block 3 (B3), and another long
known data sequence is inserted at the beginning of MH block 8 (B8). In the present
invention, the region including MH block 3 (B3) and MH block 8 (B8) will be referred
to as "region B (=B3+B8)". As described above, when the data group includes region
B having a long known data sequence inserted at only one side (beginning or end) of
each MH block, the receiving system is capable of performing equalization by using
the channel information that can be obtained from the known data. Therefore, a
stronger equalizing performance as compared to region C/D may be yielded (or
obtained).
[101] Referring to FIG. 2, MH block 2 (B2) and MH block 9 (B9) correspond to a region
having more interference from the main service data as compared to region B. A long
known data sequence cannot be inserted in any side of MH block 2 (B2) and MH block
9 (B9). Herein, the region including MH block 2 (B2) and MH block 9 (B9) will be
referred to as "region C (=B2+B9)". Finally, in the example shown in FIG. 2, MH
block 1 (B1) and MH block 10 (B10) correspond to a region having more interference
from the main service data as compared to region C. Similarly, a long known data
sequence cannot be inserted in any side of MH block 1 (B1) and MH block 10 (B10).
Herein, the region including MH block 1 (Bl) and MH block 10 (B10) will be referred
to as "region D (=B1+B10)". Since region C/D is spaced further apart from the known
data sequence, when the channel environment undergoes frequent and abrupt changes,
the receiving performance of region C/D may be deteriorated.
[102] Additionally, the data group includes a signaling information area wherein
signaling information is assigned (or allocated). In the present invention, the signaling
information area may start from the 1st segment of the 4th MH block (B4) to a portion
of the 2nd segment. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the

signaling information area for inserting signaling information may start from the 1st
segment of the 4th MH block (B4) to a portion of the 2nd segment. More specifically,
276(=207+69) bytes of the 4th MH block (B4) in each data group are assigned as the
signaling information area. In other words, the signaling information area consists of
207 bytes of the 1st segment and the first 69 bytes of the 2nd segment of the 4th MH
block (B4). The 1st segment of the 4th MH block (B4) corresponds to the 17th or
173rd segment of a VSB field.
[103] Herein, the signaling information may be identified by two different types of
signaling channels: a transmission parameter channel (TPC) and a fast information
channel (FIC). Herein, the TPC data may include at least one of an MH ensemble ID,
an MH sub-frame number, a total number of MH groups (TNoG), an RS frame
continuity counter, a column size of RS frame (N), and an FIC version number.
However, the TPC data (or information) presented herein are merely exemplary. And,
since the adding or deleting of signaling information included in the TPC data may be
easily adjusted and modified by one skilled in the art, the present invention will,
therefore, not be limited to the examples set forth herein. Furthermore, the FIC is
provided to enable a fast service acquisition of data receivers, and the FIC includes
cross layer information between the physical layer and the upper layer(s).
[ 104] For example, when the data group includes 6 known data sequences, as shown in
FIG. 2, the signaling information area is located between the first known data sequence
and the second known data sequence. More specifically, the first known data sequence
is inserted in the last 2 segments of the 3rd MH block (B3), and the second known data
sequence in inserted in the 2nd and 3rd segments of the 4th MH block (B4). Fur-
thermore, the 3rd to 6th known data sequences are respectively inserted in the last 2
segments of each of the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th MH blocks (B4, B5, B6, and B7). The 1st
and 3rd to 6th known data sequences are spaced apart by 16 segments.
[105] FIG. 3 illustrates an RS frame according to an embodiment of the present
invention. The RS frame shown in FIG. 3 corresponds to a collection of one or more
data groups. The RS frame is received for each MH frame in a condition where the
receiving system receives the FIC and processes the received FIC and where the
receiving system is switched to a time-slicing mode so that the receiving system can
receive MH ensembles including ESG entry points. Each RS frame includes IP streams
of each service or ESG, and SMT section data may exist in all RS frames. The RS
frame according to the embodiment of the present invention consists of at least one
MH transport packet (TP). Herein, the MH TP includes an MH header and an MH
payload.
[106] The MH payload may include mobile service data as wekk as signaling data. More
specifically, an MH payload may include only mobile service data, or may include

only signaling data, or may include both mobile service data and signaling data.
According to the embodiment of the present invention, the MH header may identify (or
distinguish) the data, types included in the MH payload. More specifically, when the
MH TP includes a first MH header, this indicates that the MH payload includes only
the signaling data. Also, when the MH TP includes a second MH header, this indicates
that the MH payload includes both the signaling data and the mobile service data.
Finally, when MH TP includes a third MH header, this indicates that the MH payload
includes only the mobile service data. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the RS frame is
assigned with IP datagrams (IP datagram 1 and IP datagram 2) for two service types.
(107]
[108] Data Transmission Structure
[109] FIG. 4 illustrates a structure of a MH frame for transmitting and receiving mobile
service data according to the present invention. In the example shown in FIG. 4, one
MH frame consists of 5 sub-frames, wherein each sub-frame includes 16 slots. In this
case, the MH frame according to the present invention includes 5 sub-frames and 80
slots. Also, in a packet level, one slot is configured of 156 data packets (i.e., transport
stream packets), and in a symbol level, one slot is configured of 156 data segments.
Herein, the size of one slot corresponds to one half (1/2) of a VSB field. More
specifically, since one 207-byte data packet has the same amount of data as a data
segment, a data packet prior to being interleaved may also be used as a data segment.
At this point, two VSB fields are grouped to form a VSB frame.
[110] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary structure of a VSB frame, wherein one VSB frame
consists of 2 VSB fields (i.e., an odd field and an even field). Herein, each VSB field
includes a field synchronization segment and 312 data segments. The slot corresponds
to a basic time unit for multiplexing the mobile service data and the main service data.
Herein, one slot may either include the mobile service data or be configured only of the
main service data. If the first 118 data packets within the slot correspond to a data
group, the remaining 38 data packets become the main service data packets. In another
example, when no data group exists in a slot, the corresponding slot is configured of
156 main service data packets. Meanwhile, when the slots are assigned to a VSB
frame, an off-set exists for each assigned position.
[111] FIG. 6 illustrates a mapping example of the positions to which the first 4 slots of a
sub- frame are assigned with respect to a VSB frame in a spatial area. And, FIG. 7 il-
lustrates a mapping example of the positions to which the first 4 slots of a sub-frame
are assigned with respect to a VSB frame in a chronological (or time) area. Referring
to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, a 38th data packet (TS packet #37) of a 1st slot (Slot #0) is
mapped to the 1st data packet of an odd VSB field. A 38th data packet (TS packet #37)
of a 2nd slot (Slot #1) is mapped to the 157th data packet of an odd VSB field. Also, a

38th data packet (TS packet #37) of a 3rd slot (Slot #2) is mapped to the 1st data
packet of an even VSB field. And, a 38th data packet (TS packet #37) of a 4th slot
(Slot #3) is mapped to the 157th data packet of an even VSB field. Similarly, the
remaining 12 slots within the corresponding sub-frame are mapped in the subsequent
VSB frames using the same method.
[112] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary assignement order of data groups being assigned to
one of 5 sub-frames, wherein the 5 sub-frames configure an MH frame. For example,
the method of assigning data groups may be identically applied to all MH frames or
differently applied to each MH frame. Furthermore, the method of assinging data
groups may be identically applied to all sub-frames or differently applied to each sub-
frame. At this point, when it is assumed that the data groups are assigned using the
same method in all sub-frames of the corresponding MH frame, the total number of
data groups being assigned to an MH frame is equal to a multiple of '5'. According to
the embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of consecutive data groups is
assigned to be spaced as far apart from one another as possible within the MH frame.
Thus, the system can be capable of responding promptly and effectively to any burst
error that may occur within a sub-frame.
[113] For example, when it is assumed that 3 data groups are assigned to a sub-frame,
the data groups are assigned to a 1st slot (Slot #0), a 5th slot (Slot #4), and a 9th slot
(Slot #8) in the sub-frame, respectively. FIG. 8 illustrates an example of assigning 16
data groups in one sub-frame using the above-described pattern (or rule). In other
words, each data group is serially assigned to 16 slots corresponding to the following
numbers: 0, 8,4, 12, 1,9, 5, 13,2, 10, 6,14,3, 11, 7, and 15. Equation 1 below shows
the above-described rule (or pattern) for assigning data groups in a sub-frame.
[114]
[115] [Math Figure 1]
[116] j = (4i + O) mod 16
[117] Herein, O = 0 if i [118] 0 = 2 else if i [119] 0=1 else if i [120] 0 = 3 else.
[121] Herein, j indicates the slot number within a sub-frame. The value of j may range from
0 to 15 (i.e.,). Also, variable i indicates the data group number. The value of i may
range from 0 to 15 (i.e.,).
[ 122] In the present invneiton, a collection of data groups included in a MH frame will be
referred to as a "parade". Based upon the RS frame mode, the parade transmits data of
at least one specific RS frame. The mobile service data within one RS frame may be
assigned either to all of regions A/B/C/D within the corresponding data group, or to at

least one of regions A/B/C/D. In the embodiment of the present invention, the mobile
service data within one RS frame may be assigned either to all of regions A/B/C/D, or
to at least one of regions A/B and regions C/D. If the mobile service data are assigned
to the latter case (i.e., one of regions A/B and regions C/D), the RS frame being
assigned to regions A/B and the RS frame being assigned to regions C/D within the
corresponding data group are different from one another.
[ 123] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the RS frame being assigned
to regions A/B within the corresponding data group will be referred to as a "primary
RS frame", and the RS frame being assigned to regions C/D within the corresponding
data group will be referred to as a "secondary RS frame", for simplicity. Also, the
primary RS frame and the secondary RS frame form (or configure) one parade. More
specifically, when the mobile service data within one RS frame are assigned either to
all of regions A/B/C/D within the corresponding data group, one parade transmits one
RS frame. Conversely, when the mobile service data within one RS frame are assigned
either to at least one of regions A/B and regions C/D, one parade may transmit up to 2
RS frames. More specifically, the RS frame mode indicates whether a parade transmits
one RS frame, or whether the parade transmits two RS frames. Such RS frame mode is
transmitted as the above-described TPC data. Table 1 below shows an example of the
RS frame mode.
[124] Table 1

[125] Table 1 illustrates an example of allocating 2 bits in order to indicate the RS frame
mode. For example, referring to Table 1, when the RS frame mode value is equal to
'00', this indicates that one parade transmits one RS frame. And, when the RS frame
mode value is equal to '01', this indicates that one parade transmits two RS frames,
i.e., the primary RS frame and the secondary RS frame. More specifically, when the

RS frame mode value is equal to '01', data of the primary RS frame for regions A/B
are assigned and transmitted to regions A/B of the corresponding data group. Similarly,
data of the secondary RS frame for regions C/D are assigned and transmitted to regions
C/D of the corresponding data group.
[ 126 ] As described in the assignment of data groups, the parades are also assigned to be
spaced as far apart from one another as possible within the sub-frame. Thus, the system
can be capable of responding promptly and effectively to any burst error that may
occur within a sub-frame. Furthermore, the method of assigning parades may be
identically applied to all MH frames or differently applied to each MH frame.
According to the embodiment of the present invention, the parades may be assigned
differently for each MH frame and identically for all sub-frames within an MH frame.
More specifically, the MH frame structure may vary by MH frame units. Thus, an
ensemble rate may be adjusted on a more frequent and flexible basis.
[127] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of multiple data groups of a single parade being
assigned (or allocated) to an MH frame. More specifically, FIG. 9 illustrates an
example of a plurality of data groups included in a single parade, wherein the number
of data groups included in a sub-frame is equal to '3', being allocated to an MH frame.
Referring to FIG. 9, 3 data groups are sequentially assigned to a sub-frame at a cycle
period of 4 slots. Accordingly, when this process is equally performed in the 5 sub-
frames included in the corresponding MH frame, 15 data groups are assigned to a
single MH frame. Herein, the 15 data groups correspond to data groups included in a
parade. Therefore, since one sub-frame is configured of 4 VSB frame, and since 3 data
groups are included in a sub-frame, the data group of the corresponding parade is not
assigned to one of the 4 VSB frames within a sub-frame.
[ 128] For example, when it is assumed that one parade transmits one RS frame, and that a
RS frame encoder (not shown) included in the transmitting system performs RS-
encoding on the corresponding RS frame, thereby adding 24 bytes of parity data to the
corresponding RS frame and transmitting the processed RS frame, the parity data
occupy approximately 11.37% (=24/(187+24)xl00) of the total code word length.
Meanwhile, when one sub-frame includes 3 data groups, and when the data groups
included in the parade are assigned, as shown in FIG. 9, a total of 15 data groups form
an RS frame. Accordingly, even when an error occurs in an entire data group due to a
burst noise within a channel, the percentile is merely 6.67% (=1/15x100). Therefore,
the receiving system may correct all errors by performing an erasure RS decoding
process. More specifically, when the erasure RS decoding is performed, a number of
channel errors corresponding to the number of RS parity bytes may be corrected. By
doing so, the receiving system may correct the error of at least one data group within
one parade. Thus, the minimum burst noise length correctable by a RS frame is over 1

VSB frame.
[1291 Meanwhile, when data groups of a parade are assigned as shown in FIG. 9, either
main service data may be assigned between each data group, or data groups corre-
sponding to different parades may be assigned between each data group. More
specifically, data groups corresponding to multiple parades may be assigned to one
MH frame. Basically, the method of assigning data groups corresponding to multiple
parades is very similar to the method of assigning data groups corresponding to a
single parade. In other words, data groups included in other parades that are to be
assigned to an MH frame are also respectively assigned according to a cycle period of
4 slots. At this point, data groups of a different parade may be sequentially assigned to
the respective slots in a circular method. Herein, the data groups are assigned to slots
starting from the ones to which data groups of the previous parade have not yet been
assigned. For example, when it is assumed that data groups corresponding to a parade
are assigned as shown in FIG. 9, data groups corresponding to the next parade may be
assigned to a sub-frame starting either from the 12th slot of a sub-frame. However, this
is merely exemplary. In another example, the data groups of the next parade may also
be sequentially assigned to a different slot within a sub-frame at a cycle period of 4
slots starting from the 3rd slot.
[ 130] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of transmitting 3 parades (Parade #0, Parade #1, and
Parade #2) to an MH frame. More specifically, FIG. 10 illustrates an example of
transmitting parades included in one of 5 sub-frames, wherein the 5 sub-frames
configure one MH frame. When the 1st parade (Parade #0) includes 3 data groups for
each sub-frame, the positions of each data groups within the sub-frames may be
obtained by substituting values '0' to '2' for i in Equation 1. More specifically, the
data groups of the 1st parade (Parade #0) are sequentially assigned to the 1st, 5th, and
9th slots (Slot #0, Slot #4, and Slot #8) within the sub-frame. Also, when the 2nd
parade includes 2 data groups for each sub-frame, the positions of each data groups
within the sub-frames may be obtained by substituting values '3' and '4' for i in
Equation 1. More specifically, the data groups of the 2nd parade (Parade #1) are se-
quentially assigned to the 2nd and 12th slots (Slot #3 and Slot #11) within the sub-
frame. Finally, when the 3rd parade includes 2 data groups for each sub-frame, the
positions of each data groups within the sub-frames may be obtained by substituting
values '5' and '6' for i in Equation 1. More specifically, the data groups of the 3rd
parade (Parade #2) are sequentially assigned to the 7th and 11th slots (Slot #6 and Slot
#10) within the sub-frame.
[131] As described above, data groups of multiple parades may be assigned to a single MH
frame, and, in each sub-frame, the data groups are serially allocated to a group space
having 4 slots from left to right. Therefore, a number of groups of one parade per sub-

frame (NoG) may correspond to any one integer from '1' to '8'. Herein, since one MH
frame includes 5 sub-frames, the total number of data groups within a parade that can
be allocated to an MH frame may correspond to any one multiple of '5' ranging from
'5' to '40'.
[132] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of expanding the assignment process of 3 parades,
shown in FIG. 10, to 5 sub-frames within an MH frame. FIG. 12 illustrates a data
transmission structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein
signaling data are included in a data group so as to be transmitted. As described above,
an MH frame is divided into 5 sub-frames. Data groups corresponding to a plurality of
parades co-exist in each sub-frame. Herein, the data groups corresponding to each
parade are grouped by MH fram units, thereby configuring a single parade.
[ 133] The data structure shown in FIG. 12 includes 3 parades, one ESG dedicated channel
(EDC) parade (i.e., parade with NoG=l), and 2 service parades (i.e., parade with
NoG=4 and parade with NoG=3). Also, a predetermined portion of each data group
(i.e., 37 bytes/data group) is used for delivering (or sending) FIC information as-
sociated with mobile service data, wherein the FIC information is separately encoded
from the RS-encoding process. The FIC region assigned to each data group consists of
one FIC segments. Herein, each segment is interleaved by MH sub-frame units,
thereby configuring an FIC body, which corresponds to a completed FIC transmission
structure. However, whenever required, each segment may be interleaved by MH
frame units and not by MH sub-frame units, thereby being completed in MH frame
units.
[134] Meanwhile, the concept of an MH ensemble is applied in the embodiment of the
present invention, thereby defining a collection (or group) of services. Each MH
ensemble carries the same QoS and is coded with the same FEC code. Also, each MH
ensemble has the same unique identifier (i.e., ensemble ID) and corresponds to con-
secutiveRS frames. As shown in FIG. 12, the FIC segment corresponding to each data
group described service information of an MH ensemble to which the corresponding
data group belongs. When FIC segments within a sub-frame are grouped and dein-
terleved, all service information of a physical channel through which the corresponding
FICs are transmitted may be obtained. Therefore, the receiving system may be able to
acquire the channel information of the corresponding physical channel, after being
processed with physical channel tuning, during a sub-frame period. Furthermore, FIG.
12 illustrates a structure further including a separate EDC parade apart from the service
parade and wherein electronic service guide (ESG) data are transmitted in the 1st slot
of each sub-frame.
[135]
[136] Hierarchical Signaling Structure

[137] FIG. 13 illustrates a hierarchical signaling structure according to an embodiment of
the present invention. As shown in FIG. 13, the mobile broadcasting techonology
according to the embodiment of the present invention adopts a signaling method using
FIC and SMT. In the description of the present invention, the signaling structure will
be referred to as a hierarchical signaling structure. Hereinafter, a detailed description
on how the receiving system accesses a virtual channel via FIC and SMT will now be
given with reference to FIG. 13. The FIC body defined in an MH transport (M1)
identifies the physical location of each the data stream for each virtual channel and
provides very high level descriptions of each virtual channel. Being MH ensemble
level signaling information, the service map table (SMT) provides MH ensemble level
signaling information. The SMT provides the IP access information of each virtual
channel belonging to the respective MH ensemble within which the SMT is carried.
The SMT also provides all IP stream component level information required for the
virtual channel service acquisition.
[138] Referring to FIG. 13, each MH ensemble (i.e., Ensemble 0, Ensemble 1,...,
Ensemble K) includes a stream information on each associated (or corresponding)
virtual channel (e.g., virtual channel 0 IP stream, virtual channel 1 IP stream, and
virtual channel 2 IP stream). For example, Ensemble 0 includes virtual channel 0 IP
stream and virtual channel 1 IP stream. And, each MH ensemble includes diverse in-
formation on the associated virtual channel (i.e., Virtual Channel 0 Table Entry,
Virtual Channel 0 Access Info, Virtual Channel 1 Table Entry, Virtual Channel 1
Access Info, Virtual Channel 2 Table Entry, Virtual Channel 2 Access Info, Virtual
Channel N Table Entry, Virtual Channel N Access Info, and so on). The FIC body
payload includes information on MH ensembles (e.g., ensemblejd field, and referred
to as "ensemble location" in FIG. 13) and information on a virtual channel associated
with the corresponding MH ensemble (e.g., when such information corresponds to a
major_channel_num field and a minor_channel_num field, the information is
expressed as Virtual Channel 0, Virtual Channel 1,..., Virtual Channel N in FIG. 13).
[ 139] The application of the signaling structure in the receiving system will now be
described in detail. When a user selects a channel he or she wishes to view
(hereinafter, the user-selected channel will be referred to as "channel B" for
simplicity), the receiving system first parses the received FIC. Then, the receiving
system acquires information on an MH ensemble (i.e., ensemble location), which is as-
sociated with the virtual channel corresponding to channel 0 (hereinafter, the corre-
sponding MH ensemble will be referred to as "MH ensemble 0" for simplicity). By
acquiring slots only corresponding to the MH ensemble 8 using the time-slicing
method, the receiving system configures ensemble 0. The ensemble 0 configured as
described above, includes an SMT on the associated virtual channels (including

channel 8) and IP streams on the corresponding virtual channels. Therefore, the
receiving system uses the SMT included in the MH ensemble 0 in order to acquire
various information on channel 6 (e.g., Virtual Channel 0 Table Entry) and stream
access information on channel 0 (e.g., Virtual Channel 0 Access Info). The receiving
system uses the stream access information on channel 0 to receive only the associated
IP streams, thereby providing channel 0 services to the user.
[140]
[141] Fast Information Channel (FIC)
[142) The digital broadcast receiving system according to the present invention adopts the
fast information channel (FIC) for a faster access to a service that is currently being
broadcasted. More specifically, the FIC handler 215 of FIG. 1 parses the FIC body,
which corresponds to an FIC transmission structure, and outputs the parsed result to
the physical adaptation control signal handler 216. FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary
FIC body format according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to
the embodiment of the present invention, the FTC format consists of an FIC body
header and an FIC body payload.
[ 143] Meanwhile, according to the embodiment of the present invention, data are
transmitted through the FIC body header and the FIC body payload in FIC segment
units. Each FIC segment has the size of 37 bytes, and each FIC segment consists of a
2-byte FIC segment header and a 35-byte FIC segment payload. More specifically, an
FIC body configured of an FIC body header and an FIC body payload, is segmented in
units of 35 data bytes, which are then carried in at least one FIC segment within the
FIC segment payload, so as to be transmitted. In the description of the present
invention, an example of inserting one FIC segment in one data group, which is then
transmitted, will be given. In this case, the receiving system receives a slot corre-
sponding to each data group by using a time-slicing method.
[ 144] The signaling decoder 190 included in the receiving system shown in FIG. 1 collects
each FIC segment inserted in each data group. Then, the signaling decoder 190 uses
the collected FIC segments to created a single FIC body. Thereafter, the signaling
decoder 190 performs a decoding process on the FIC body payload of the created FIC
body, so that the decoded FIC body payload corresponds to an encoded result of a
signaling encoder (not shown) included in the transmitting system. Subsequently, the
decoded FIC body payload is outputted to the FIC handler 215. The FIC handler 215
parses the FIC data included in the FIC body payload, and then outputs the parsed FIC
data to the physical adaptation control signal handler 216. The physical adaptation
control signal handler 216 uses the inputted FIC data to perform processes associated
with MH ensembles, virtual channels, SMTs, and so on.
[145] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when an FIC body is

segmented, and when the size of the last segmented portion is smaller than 35 data
bytes, it is assumed that the lacking number of data bytes in the FIC segment payload
is completed with by adding the same number of stuffing bytes therein, so that the size
of the last FIC segment can be equal to 35 data bytes. However, it is apparent that the
above-described data byte values (i.e., 37 bytes for the FIC segment, 2 bytes for the
FIC segment header, and 35 bytes for the FIC segment payload) are merely exemplary,
and will, therefore, not limit the scope of the present invention.
[146] FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary bit stream syntax structure with respect to an FIC
segment according to an embodiment of the present invention. Herein, the FIC
segment signifies a unit used for transmitting the FIC data. The FIC segment consists
of an FIC segment header and an FIC segment payload. Referring to FIG. 15, the FIC
segment payload corresponds to the portion starting from the 'for' loop statement.
Meanwhile, the FIC segment header may include a FIC_type field, an error_indicator
field, an FIC_seg_number field, and an FIC_last_seg_number field. A detailed de-
scription of each field will now be given.
[147] The FIC_type field is a 2-bit field indicating the type of the corresponding FIC. The
error_indicator field is a 1-bit field, which indicates whether or not an error has
occurred within the FIC segment during data transmission. If an error has occurred, the
value of the error_indicator field is set to '1'. More specifically, when an error that has
failed to be recovered still remains during the configuration process of the FIC
segment, the error_indicator field value is set to '1'. The error_indicator field enables
the receiving system to recognize the presence of an error within the FTC data. The
FIC_seg_number field is a 4-bit field. Herein, when a single FIC body is divided into a
plurality of FIC segments and transmitted, the FIC„seg_number field indicates the
number of the corresponding FIC segment. Finally, the FIC_last_seg_number field is
also a 4-bit field. The FIC_last_seg_number field indicates the number of the last FIC
segment within the corresponding FIC body.
[148] FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary bit stream syntax structure with respect to a payload
of an FIC segment according to the present invention, when an FIC type field value is
equal to '0'. According to the embodiment of the present invention, the payload of the
FIC segment is divided into 3 different regions. A first region of the FIC segment
payload exists only when the FIC_seg_number field value is equal to '0'. Herein, the
first region may include a current_next_indicator field, an ESG_version field, and a
transport_stream_id field. However, depending upon the embodiment of the present
invention, it may be assumed that each of the 3 fields exists regardless of the
FIC_seg_number field.
[149] The current_next_indicator field is a 16-bit field. The current_next_indicator field
acts as an indicator identifying whether the corresponding FIC data carry MH

ensemble configuration information of an MH frame including the current FIC
segment, or whether the corresponding FIC data cany MH ensemble configuration in-
formation of a next MH frame. The ESG_version field is a 5-bit field indicating ESG
version information. Herein, by providing version information on the service guide
providing channel of the corresponding ESG, the ESG_version field enables the
receiving system to notify whether or not the corresponding ESG has been updated.
Finally, the transport_stream _id field is a 16-bit field acting as a unique identifier of a
broadcast stream through which the corresponding FIC segment is being transmitted.
[150] A second region of the FIC segment payload corresponds to an ensemble loop
region, which includes an ensemble_id field, an SI_version field, and a num_channel
field. More specifically, the ensemble_id field is an 8-bit field indicating identifiers of
an MH ensemble through which MH services are transmitted. The MH services will be
described in more detail in a later process. Herein, the ensemble_id field binds the MH
services and the MH ensemble. The SI_version field is a 4-bit field indicating version
information of SI data included in the corresponding ensemble, which is being
transmitted within the RS frame. Finally, the num_channel field is an 8-bit field in-
dicating the number of virtual channel being transmitted via the corresponding
ensemble.
[151] A third region of the FIC segment payload a channel loop region, which includes a
channel_type field, a channel_activity field, a CA_indicator field, a
stand_alone_service__indicator field, a major_channel_num field, and a
minor_channei_num field. The channel__type field is a 5-bit field indicating a service
type of the corresponding virtual channel. For example, the channel_type field may
indicates an audio/video channel, an audio/video and data channel, an audio-only
channel, a data-only channel, a file download channel, an ESG delivery channel, a no-
tification channel, and so on. The channel_activity field is a 2-bit field indicating
activity information of the corresponding virtual channel. More specifically, the
channel_activity field may indicate whether the current virtual channel is providing the
current service.
[152] The CA_indicator field is a 1-bit field indicating whether or not a conditional access
(CA) is applied to the current virtual channel. The stand_alone_service_indicator field
is also a 1-bit field, which indicates whether the service of the corresponding virtual
channel corresponds to a stand alone service. The major_channel_num field is an 8-bit
field indicating a major channel number of the corresponding virtual channel. Finally,
the minor_channel_num field is also an 8-bit field indicating a minor channel number
of the corresponding virtual channel.
[153]
[154] Service Table Map

[155] FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary bit stream syntax structure of a service map table
(hereinafter referred to as "SMT") according to the present invention. According to the
embodiment of the present invention, the SMT is configured in an MPEG-2 private
section format. However, this will not limit the scope and spirit of the present
invention. The SMT according to the embodiment of the present invention includes
desription information for each virtual channel within a single MH ensemble. And, ad-
ditional information may further be included in each descriptor area. Herein, the SMT
according to the embodiment of the present invention includes at least one field and is
transmitted from the transmitting system to the receiving system.
[ 1561 As described in FIG. 3, the SMT section may be transmitted by being included in the
MH TP within the RS frame. In this case, each of the RS frame decoders 170 and 180,
shown in FIG. 1, decodes the inputted RS frame, respectively. Then, each of the
decoded RS frames is outputted to the respective RS frame handler 211 and 212.
Thereafter, each RS frame handler 211 and 212 identifies the inputted RS frame by
row units, so as to create an MH TP, thereby outputting the created MH TP to the MH
TP handler 213. When it is determined that the corresponding MH TP includes an
SMT section based upon the header in each of the inputted MH TP, the MH TP
handler 213 parses the corresponding SMT section, so as to output the SI data within
the parsed SMT section to the physical adaptation control signal handler 216.
However, this is limited to when the SMT is not encapsulated to IP datagrams.
[157] Meanwhile, when the SMT is not encapsulated to IP datagrams, and when it is de-
termined that the corresponding MH TP includes an SMT section based upon the
header in each of the inputted MH TP, the MH TP handler 213 outputs the SMT
section to the IP network stack 220. Accordingly, the IP network stack 220 performs IP
and UDP processes on the inputted SMT section and, then, outputs the processed SMT
section to the SI handler 240. The SI handler 240 parses the inputted SMT section and
controls the system so that the parsed SI data can be stroed in the storage unit 290. The
following corresponds to example of the fields that may be transmitted through the
SMT.
[158] The table_id field corresponds to an 8-bit unsigned integer number, which indicates
the type of table section. The table_id field allows the corresponding table to be
defined as the service map table (SMT). The ensemble_id field is an 8-bit unsigned
integer field, which corresponds to an ID value associated to the corresponding MH
ensemble. Herein, the ensemble_id field may be assigned with a value ranging from
range '0x00' to '0x3F'. It is preferable that the value of the ensemble_id field is
derived from the parade_id of the TPC data, which is carried from the baseband
processor of MH physical layer subsystem. When the corresponding MH ensemble is
transmitted through (or carried over) the primary RS frame, a value of '0' may be used

for the most significant bit (MSB), and the remaining 7 bits are used as the parade_id
value of the associated MH parade (i.e., for the least significant 7 bits). Alternatively,
when the corresponding MH ensemble is transmitted through (or carried over) the
secondary RS frame, a value of '1' may be used for the most significant bit (MSB).
[159] The num_channels field is an 8-bit field, which specifies the number of virtual
channels in the corresponding SMT section. Meanwhile, the SMT according to the em-
bodimentof the present invention provides information on a plurality of virtual
channels using the 'for' loop statement. The major_channel_num field corresponds to
an 8-bit field, which represents the major channel number associated with the corre-
sponding virtual channel. Herein, the major_channel_num field may be assigned with a
value ranging from '0x00' to 'OxFF'. The minor_channel_num field corresponds to an
8-bit field, which represents the minor channel number associated with the corre-
sponding virtual channel. Herein, the minor_channel_num field may be assigned with
a value ranging from '0x00' to '0xFF'.
[160] The short_channel_name field indicates the short name of the virtual channel. The
service_id field is a 16-bit unsigned integer number (or value), which identifies the
virtual channel service. The service_type field is a 6-bit enumerated type field, which
designates the type of service carried in the corresponding virtual channel as defined in
Table 2 below.
[161] Table 2

[162] The virtual_channel_activity field is a 2-bit enumerated field identifying the activity

status of the corresponding virtual channel. When the most significant bit (MSB) of the
virtual_channel_activity field is '1', the virtual channel is active, and when the most
significant bit (MSB) of the virtual_channel_activity field is '0', the virtual channel is
inactive. Also, when the least significant bit (LSB) of the virtual_channel_activity field
is '1', the virtual channel is hidden (when set to 1), and when the least significant bit
(LSB) of the virtual_channel_activity field is '0', the virtual channel is not hidden. The
num_components field is a 5-bit field, which specifies the number of IP stream
components in the corresponding virtual channel. The IP_version_flag field cor-
responds to a 1-bit indicator. More specifically, when the value of the IP_version_fiag
field is set to ' 1', this indicates that a source_IP_address field, a
virtual_channel_target_IP_address field, and a component_target_IP_address field are
IPv6 addresses. Alternatively, when the value of the IP_version_flag field is set to '0',
this indicates that the source_IP_address field, the virtual__channel_target_IP_address
field, and the component_target_IP_address field are IPv4.
[ 163] The source_IP_address_flag field is a 1-bit Boolean flag, which indicates, when set,
that a source IP address of the corresponding virtual channel exist for a specific
multicast source. The virtual_channel_target_IP_address_flag field is a 1-bit Boolean
flag, which indicates, when set, that the corresponding IP stream component is
delivered through IP datagrams with target IP addresses different from the
virtual_channel_target_IP_address. Therefore, when the flag is set, the receiving
system (or receiver) uses the component_target_IP_address as the target_IP_address in
order to access the corresponding IP stream component. Accordingly, the receiving
system (or receiver) may ignore the virtuai_channel_target_IP_address field included
in the num_channels loop.
[ 164] The source_IP_address field corresponds to a 32-bit or 128-bit field. Herein, the
source_IP_address field will be significant (or present), when the value of the
source_IP_address_flag field is set to '1'. However, when the value of the
source_IP_address_flag field is set to '0', the source_IP_address field will become in-
significant (or absent). More specifically, when the source_IP_address_flag field value
is set to ' 1', and when the IP_version_flag field value is set to '0', the
source_IP_address field indicates a 32-bit IPv4 address, which shows the source of the
corresponding virtual channel. Alternatively, when the IP_version_flag field value is
set to '1', the source_IP_address field indicates a 128-bit IPv6 address, which shows
the source of the corresponding virtual channel.
[ 165] The virtual_channel_target_IP_address field also corresponds to a 32-bit or 128-bit
field. Herein, the virtual_channel_target_IP_address field will be significant (or
present), when the value of the virtual_channel_target_IP_address_flag field is set to
' 1'. However, when the value of the virtual_channel_target_IP_address_flag field is set

to '0', the virtual_channel_target_IP_address field will become insignificant (or
absent). More specifically, when the virtual_channel_target_IP_address_flag field
value is set to ' 1', and when the IP_version_flag field value is set to '0', the
virtual_channel_target_IP_address field indicates a 32-bit target IPv4 address as-
sociated to the corresponding virtual channel. Alternatively, when the
virtual_channel_target_IP_address_flag field value is set to '1', and when the
IP_version_flag field value is set to '1', the virtual_channel_target_IP_address field
indicates a 64-bit target IPv6 address associated to the corresponding virtual channel,
if the vinual_channel_target_IP_address field is insignificant (or absent), the
component_target_IP__address field within the num_channels loop should become sig-
nificant (or present). And, in order to enable the receiving system to access the IP
stream component, the component__target_IP„address field should be used.
[166] Meanwhile, the SMT according to the embodiment of the present invention uses a
'for' loop statement in order to provide information on a plurality of components.
Herein, the RTP_payload_rype field, which is assigned with 7 bits, identifies the
encoding format of the component based upon Table 3 shown below. When the IP
stream component is not encapsulated to RTP, the RTP_payload_type field shall be
ignored (or deprecated). Table 3 below shows an example of an RTP payload type.
[167] Table 3
[Table 3]

[168] The component_target_IP_address_flag field is a 1-bit Boolean flag, which indicates,
when set, that the corresponding IP stream component is delivered through IP
datagrams with target IP addresses different from the
virtual_channel_target_IP_address. Furthermore, when the
component_target_IP_address_flag is set, the receiving system (or receiver) uses the
component_target_IP_address field as the target IP address for accessind the corre-
sponding IP stream component. Accordingly, the receiving system (or receiver) will
ignore the virtual_channel_target_IP_address field included in the num„channels loop.
The component_target_IP_address field corresponds to a 32-bit or 128-bit field.
Herein, when the value of the IP_version_flag field is set to '0', the

component_target__IP_address field indicates a 32-bit target IPv4 address associated to
the corresponding IP stream component. And, when the value of the IP_version_flag
field is set to '1', the cornponent_target_IP_address field indicates a 128-bit target
IPv6 address associated to the corresponding IP stream component,
[169] The port_num_count field is a 6-bit field, which indicates the number of UDP ports
associated with the corresponding IP stream component. A target UDP port number
value starts from the target_UDP_port_num field value and increases (or is in-
cremented) by 1. For the RTP stream, the target UDP port number should start from
the target_UDP_port_num field value and shall increase (or be incremented) by 2. This
is to incorporate RTCP streams associated with the RTP streams.
[170] The target_UDP_port_num field is a 16-bit unsigned integer field, which represents
the target UDP port number for the corresponding IP stream component. When used
for RTP streams, the value of the target _UDP_port_num field shall correspond to an
even number. And, the next higher value shall represent the target UDP port number of
the associated RTCP stream. The component_level_descriptor() represents zero or
more descriptors providing additional information on the corresponding IP stream
component. The virtual_channel_level_descriptor() represents zero or more descriptors
providing additional information for the corresponding virtual channel. The
ensembleJevel_descriptor() represents zero or more descriptors providing additional
information for the MH ensemble, which is described by the corresponding SMT.
[171 ] FIG. 18 illustrates an exemplary bit stream syntax structure of an MH audio de-
scriptor according to the present invention. When at least one audio service is present
as a component of the current event, the MH_audio_descriptor() shall be used as a
component_level_descriptor of the SMT. The MH_audio_descriptor() may be capable
of informing the system of the audio language type and stereo mode status. If there is
no audio service associated with the current event, then it is preferable that the
MH_audio_descriptor() is considered to be insignificant (or absent) for the current
event. Each field shown in the bit stream syntax of FIG. 18 will now be described in
detail.
[172] The descriptor_tag field is an 8-bit unsigned integer having a TBD value, which
indicates that the corresponding descriptor is the MH_audio_descriptor(). The de-
scriptorjength field is also an 8-bit unsigned integer, which indicates the length (in
bytes) of the portion immediately following the descriptorjength field up to the end of
the MH_audio_descriptor(). The channel_configuration field corresponds to an 8-bit
field indicating the number and configuration of audio channels. The values ranging
from ' 1' to '6' respectively indicate the the number and configuration of audio
channels as given for "Default bit stream index number" in Table 42 of ISO/TEC
13818-7:2006. All other values indicate that the number and configuration of audio

channels are undefined.
[ 173] The sample_rate_code field is a 3-bit field, which indicates the sample rate of the
encoded audio data. Herein, the indication may correspond to one specific sample rate,
or may correspond to a set of values that include the sample rate of the encoded audio
data as defined in Table A3.3 of ATSC A/52B. The bit_rate__code field corresponds to
a 6-bit field. Herein, among the 6 bits, the lower 5 bits indicate a nominal bit rate.
More specifically, when the most significant bit (MSB) is '0', the corresponding bit
rate is exact. On the other hand, when the most significant bit (MSB) is '0', the bit rate
corresponds to an upper limit as defined in Table A3.4 of ATSC A/53B. The
ISO_639_language_code field is a 24-bit (i.e., 3-byte) field indicating the language
used for the audio stream component, in conformance with ISO 639.2/B [x]. When a
specific language is not present in the corresponding audio stream component, the
value of each byte will be set to '0x00'.
[ 174] FIG. 19 illustrates an exemplary bit stream syntax structure of an MH RTP payload
type descriptor according to the present invention. The
MH_RTP_payload_type_descriptor() specifies the RTP payload type. Yet, the
MH_RTP_payload_type_descriptor() exists only when the dynamic value of the
RTP_payload_type field within the num_components loop of the SMT is in the range
of '96' to '127'. The MH_RTP_payload_type_descriptor() is used as a
component_level_descriptor of the SMT. The MH_RTP_payload_type_descriptor
translates (or matches) a dynamic RTP_payload_type field value into (or with) a
MIME type. Accordingly, the receiving system (or receiver) may collect (or gather) the
encoding format of the IP stream component, which is encapsulated in RTP. The fields
included in the MH_RTP_payload_type_descriptor() will now be described in detail.
[ 175] The descriptor_tag field corresponds to an 8-bit unsigned integer having the value
TBD, which identifies the current descriptor as the
MH_RTP_payload_type_descriptor(). The descriptorjength field also corresponds to
an 8-bit unsigned integer, which indicates the length (in bytes) of the portion im-
mediately following the descriptorjength field up to the end of the
MH_RTP_payload_type_descriptor(). The RTP_payload_type field corresponds to a
7-bit field, which identifies the encoding format of the IP stream component. Herein,
the dynamic value of the RTP_payload_type field is in the range of '96' to ' 127'. The
MME_type_length field specifies the length (in bytes) of the MIME_type field. The
MIME_type field indicates the MIME type corresponding to the encoding format of
the IP stream component, which is described by the
MH_RTP_payload_type_descriptor().
[176] FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary bit stream syntax structure of an MH current event
descriptor according to the present invention. The MH_current_event_descriptor()

shall be used as the virtual_channelJevel_descriptor() within the SMT. Herein, the
MH_current_event_descriptor() provides basic information on the current event (e.g.,
the start time, duration, and title of the current event, etc.), which is transmitted via the
respective virtual channel. The fields included in the MH_current_event_descriptor()
will now be described in detail.
[177] The descriptor_tag field corresponds to an 8-bit unsigned integer having the value
TBD, which identifies the current descriptor as the MH_current_event_descriptor().
The descriptor_length field also corresponds to an 8-bit unsigned integer, which
indicates the length (in bytes) of the portion immediately following the de-
scrip tor_length field up to the end of the MH_cunent_event_descriptor(). The
eurrent_event_start_time field corresponds to a 32-bit unsigned integer quantity. The
current_event_start_time field represents the start time of the current event and, more
specifically, as the number of GPS seconds since 00:00:00 UTC, January 6, 1980. The
current_event_duration field corresponds to a 24-bit field. Herein, the
current_event_duration field indicates the duration of the current event in hours,
minutes, and seconds (wherein the format is in 6 digits, 4-bit BCD = 24 bits). The
title_length field specifies the length (in bytes) of the title_text field. Herein, the value
'0' indicates that there are no titles existing for the corresponding event. The title_text
field indicates the title of the corresponding event in event title in the format of a
multiple string structure as defined in ATSC A/65C [x].
[178] FIG. 21 illustrates an exemplary bit stream syntax structure of an MH next event de-
scriptor according to the present invention. The optional MH_next_event_descriptor()
shall be used as the virtual_channel_level_descriptor() within the SMT. Herein, the
MH_next_event_descriptor() provides basic information on the next event (e.g., the
start time, duration, and title of the next event, etc.), which is transmitted via the re-
spective virtual channel. The fields included in the MH_next_event_descriptor() will
now be described in detail.
[179] The descriptor_tag field corresponds to an 8-bit unsigned integer having the value
TBD, which identifies the current descriptor as the MH_next_event_descriptor(). The
descriptor_length field also corresponds to an 8-bit unsigned integer, which indicates
the length (in bytes) of the portion immediately following the descriptor_length field
up to the end of the MH_next_event_descriptor(), The next_event_start_time field cor-
responds to a 32-bit unsigned integer quantity. The next_event_start_time field
represents the start time of the next event and, more specifically, as the number of GPS
seconds since 00:00:00 UTC, January 6, 1980. The next_event__duration field cor-
responds to a 24-bit field. Herein, the next_event_duration field indicates the duration
of the next event in hours, minutes, and seconds (wherein the format is in 6 digits, 4-bit
BCD = 24 bits). The title_length field specifies the length (in bytes) of the title_text

field. Herein, the value '0' indicates that there are no titles existing for the corre-
sponding event. The title_text field indicates the title of the corresponding event in
event title in the format of a multiple string structure as defined in ATSC A/65C [x].
[180] FIG. 22 illustrates an exemplary bit stream syntax structure of an MH system time
descriptor according to the present invention. The MH_system_time_descriptor() shall
be used as the ensemble_level_descriptor() within the SMT. Herein, the
MH_system_time_descriptor() provides information on current time and date. The
MH_system_time_descriptor() also provides information on the time zone in which the
transmitting system (or transmitter) transmitting the corresponding broadcast stream is
located, while taking into consideration the mobile/portable characterstics of the MH
service data. The fields included in the MH_system_time_descriptor() will now be
described in detail.
[181] The descriptor_tag field corresponds to an 8-bit unsigned integer having the value
TBD, which identifies the current descriptor as the MH__system_time_descriptor(). The
descriptor_length field also corresponds to an 8-bit unsigned integer, which indicates
the length (in bytes) of the portion immediately following the descriptor_length field
up to the end of the MH_system_time_descriptor(). The system_time field corresponds
to a 32-bit unsigned integer quantity. The system_time field represents the current
system time and, more specifically, as the number of GPS seconds since 00:00:00
UTC, January 6, 1980. The GPS_UTC_offset field corresponds to an 8-bit unsigned
integer, which defines the current offset in whole seconds between GPS and UTC time
standards. In order to convert GPS time to UTC time, the GPS_UTC_offset is
subtracted from GPS time. Whenever the International Bureau of Weights and
Measures decides that the current offset is too far in error, an additional leap second
may be added (or subtracted). Accordingly, the GPS__UTC__offset field value will
reflect the change.
[182] The time_zone_offset_polarity field is a 1-bit field, which indicates whether the time
of the time zone, in which the broadcast station is located, exceeds (or leads or is
faster) or falls behind (or lags or is slower) than the UTC time. When the value of the
time_zone_offset_poIarity field is equal to '0', this indicates that the time on the
current time zone exceeds the UTC time. Therefore, the time_zone_offset_polarity
field value is added to the UTC time value. Conversely, when the value of the
time_zone_offset_polarity field is equal to ' 1', this indicates that the time on the
current time zone falls behind the UTC time. Therefore, the time_zone_offset_polarity
field value is subtracted from the UTC time value.
[183] The time_zone_offset field is a 31-bit unsigned integer quantity. More specifically,
the time_zone_offset field represents, in GPS seconds, the time offset of the time zone
in which the broadcast station is located, when compared to the UTC time. The

daylight_savings field corresponds to a 16-bit field providing information on the
Slimmer Time (i.e., the Daylight Savings Time). The time__zone field corresponds to a
(5x8)-bit field indicating the time zone, in which the transmitting system (or
transmitter) transmitting the corresponding broadcast stream is located.
[184] FIG. 23 illustrates segmentation and encapsulation processes of a service map table
(SMT) according to the present invention. According to the present invention, the SMT
is encapsulated to UDP, while including a target IP address and a target UDP port
number within the IP datagram. More specifically, the SMT is first segmented into a
predetermined number of sections, then encapsulated to a UDP header, and finally en-
capsulated to an IP header. In addition, the SMT section provides signaling in-
formation on all virtual channel included in the MH ensemble including the corre-
sponding SMT section. At least one SMT section describing the MH ensemble is
included in each RS frame included in the corresponding MH ensemble. Finally, each
SMT section is identified by an ensemble_id included in each section. According to the
embodiment of the present invention, by informing the receiving system of the target
IP address and target UDP port number, the corresponding data (i.e., target IP address
and target UDP port number) may be parsed without having the receiving system to
request for other additional information.
[ 185] FIG. 24 illustrates a flow chart for accessing a virtual channel using FIC and SMT
according to the present invention. More specifically, a physical channel is tuned
(S501). And, when it is determined that an MH signal exists in the tuned physical
channel (S502), the corresponding MH signal is demodulated (S503). Additionally,
FIC segments are grouped from the demodulated MH signal in sub-frame units (S504
and S505). According to the embodiment of the present invention, an FIC segment is
inserted in a data group, so as to be transmitted. More specifically, the FIC segment
corresponding to each data group described service information on the MH ensemble
to which the corresponding data group belongs.
[186] When the FIC segments are grouped in sub-frame units and, then, deinterleaved, all
service information on the physical channel through which the corresponding FIC
segment is transmitted may be acquired. Therefore, after the tuning process, the
receiving system may acquire channel information on the corresponding physical
channel during a sub-frame period. Once the FIC segments are grouped, in S504 and
S505, a broadcast stream through which the corresponding FIC segment is being
transmitted is identified (S506). For example, the broadcast stream may be identified
by parsing the transport_stream_id field of the FIC body, which is configured by
grouping the FIC segments. Furthermore, an ensemble identifier, a major channel
number, a minor channel number, channel type information, and so on, are extracted
from the FIC body (S507). And, by using the extracted ensemble information, only the

slots corresponding to the designated ensemble are acquired by using the time-slicing
method, so as to configure an ensemble (S508).
[187] Subsequently, the RS frame corresponding to the designated ensemble is decoded
(S509), and an IP socket is opened for SMT reception (S510). According to the
example given in the embodiment of the present invention, the SMT is encapsulated to
UDP, while including a target IP address and a target UDP port number within the IP
datagram. More specifically, the SMT is first segmented into a predetermined number
of sections, then encapsulated to a UDP header, and finally encapsulated to an IP
header. According to the embodiment of the present invention, by informing the
receiving system of the target IP address and target UDP port number, the receiving
system parses the SMT sections and the descriptors of each SMT section without re-
questing for other additional information (S511).
[188] The SMT section provides signaling information on all virtual channel included in
the MH ensemble including the corresponding SMT section. At least one SMT section
describing the MH ensemble is included in each RS frame included in the corre-
sponding MH ensemble. Also, each SMT section is identified by an ensemble_id
included in each section. Furthermore each SMT provides IP access information on
each virtual channel subordinate to the corresponding MH ensemble including each
SMT. Finally, the SMT provides IP stream component level information required for
the servicing of the corresponding virtual channel. Therefore, by using the information
parsed from the SMT, the IP stream component belonging to the virtual channel
requested for reception may be accessed (S513). Accordingly, the service associated
with the corresponding virtual channel is provided to the user (S514).
[189]
[190] Meanwhile, the present invention enables notification information to be transmitted/
received as well as a mobile broadcast service.
[191] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a notification channel for
transmitting a notification message only is assigned as well as a channel for a mobile
broadcast service and the notification message containing a notification content is
transmitted and received via the notification channel.
[ 192] According to one embodiment, the notification channel is available for transmission
and reception of an emergency alert system (EAS) data.
[193] According to another embodiment, the notification channel is available for an ESG
update usage. For instance, in case of an ESG update due to an unexpected program
schedule change or the like, a receiving system receives the corresponding ESG update
information in a message format via a notification channel only and is then able to ef-
ficiently operate an ESG update and management.
[194] EAS data, ESG update information and the like in the notification message

transmitted on the notification channel are examples to help the understanding of the
present invention. There exist more various and wider applications of the notification
message types transmittable on the notification channel, v/hich further enhances em-
bodiments of the present invention.
[ 195] The present invention provides a presence or non-presence of a notification channel
and location information of the corresponding notification channel via a fast in-
formation channel (FIC), thereby enabling a receiving system to access the notification
channel. In the present invention, FIC data describes ensemble information to which a
notification channel within a corresponding physical channel belongs for example. The
FIC data of the present invention can further include identification information in-
dicating whether a corresponding notification channel has an emergency property.
[196] A receiving system according to the present invention is able to collect and process
information of a notification channel in a manner of parsing an access table
(notification access table: NAT) received by being included in an RS frame. And, the
receiving system according to the present invention is able to collect and process in-
formation of each virtual channel in a manner of parsing SMT received by being
included in an RS frame,
[ 197] In the present invention, a virtual channel service, a mobile service or an MH service
is used for the same meaning.
[ 198] FIG. 25 is a diagram for an example of an operating method of a notification channel
according to the present invention.
[199] Referring to FIG. 25, if there is no notification message to be transmitted, a noti-
fication channel in an MH system exists in an inactive mode. If a notification message
such as EAS data, program schedule update information or the like occurs, the noti-
fication channel enters an active mode. The corresponding notification message is sent
via the corresponding notification channel.
[200] FIG. 26 is a diagram of a syntax structure for FIC segment according to another em-
bodiment of the present invention.
[201] In the present invention, a single FIC segment is inserted in a single data group and is
then transmitted for example. In this case, a receiving system receives a slot corre-
sponding to each data group by a slicing scheme. In this case, corresponding FIC
segments are interleaved by MH subframe unit to construct an FIC body. The FIC
body, which is the collection of the FIC segments, provides channel numbers of virtual
channels included in a whole physical channel for transmitting the corresponding FIC
and an identifier of an ensemble to v/hich each of the virtual channels belongs, thereby
playing a role in binding the virtual channels to the ensembles, respectively. In case of
using the FIC, information of the FIC segment is basically transmitted once per MH
subframe at least. Yet, its region is extensible in a manner that it is interleaved per MH

frame if a data size of FIC exceeds it. Moreover, if information of the FIC body
amount to 37 bytes or more, it is transmitted in a manner of being divided by FTC
segment unit to spread across all data groups within an MH subframe.
[202] In particular, a maximum size of a single FIC segment unit amounts to 37 bytes and
the FIC segment includes an FIC segment header and an FIC segment payload. For
instance, each FIC segment can include a 4-byte FIC segment header and a 33-byte
FIC segment payload.
[203] Meanwhile, according to one embodiment, if a size of a single FIC segment fails to
amount to 37 bytes, a rest part of the corresponding FIC segment payload can be
stuffed with stuffing data to achieve 37 bytes.
[204] The above-explained respective byte values (FIC segment: 37 bytes, FIC segment
header: 4 bytes, FIC segment payload: 33 bytes) are just exemplary, by which the
present invention is non-limited.
[205] The FIC segment header can include FIC_type field, ESGjversion field,
Transport_Stream_ID field, FIC_seg_number field and FIC_last_seg_number field.
The respective fields are described as follows.
[206] First of all, the FIC_type field (2 bits) indicates a type of a corresponding FIC.
[207] The ESG_version field (5 bits) indicates version information of ESG transmitted as
EDC. For instance, version information of a service guide announcement channel of a
corresponding ESG is represented in the ESG_version field, whereby a receiving
system is able to know a presence or non-presence of an update of the ESG regardless
of a presence or non-presence of EDC reception.
[208] The Transportstream_ID field (16 bits) indicates an identifier of a globally unique
broadcast stream that carries a corresponding FIC segment. Namely, the corresponding
FIC segment provides identification of a broadcast stream carrying a corresponding
FIC via the Transport_Stream_ID field.
[209] The FIC_seg_number field (4 bits) indicates a number of a corresponding FIC
segment when a single FIC body is carried by being divided into several FIC segments.
[210] The FIC_last_seg_number field (4 bits) indicates a number of a last FIC segment of a
corresponding FIC body.
[211] The FIC segment payload can be constructed with an ensemble loop region (or a
second region) and a channel loop region (or a third region). The ensemble loop region
is repeated as many as the number of ensembles (NumEnsembles) described in a corre-
sponding FIC segment. And, the channel loop region is repeated as many as the
number of virtual channels (NumChannels) described in a corresponding ensemble.
[212] The ensemble loop region can include Ensemble_id field, SI_Version field and Num-
channels field.
[213] The Ensemble_id field (8 bits) indicates an identifier of an ensemble carrying mobile

service explained in the following description. Namely, the Ensemble_id field plays a
role in binding mobile services and an ensemble together.
[214] The SI_Version field (4 bits) indicates version information of SI data of a corre-
sponding ensemble transmitted within an RS frame.
[215] The Numchannels field (8 bits) indicates the number of virtual channels that are
transmitted via a corresponding ensemble.
[216] The channel loop region can include Channel_type field, Emergency_Indicator field,
Channel_Activity field, CA_Indicator field, Stand_alone_Service_Indicator field,
major_channel_num field and minor_channel_num field.
[217] The Channel_type field (3 bits) indicates a service type of a corresponding virtual
channel. In particular, an FIC segment indicates an attribute of a corresponding virtual
channel via the Channel_Type field. The value allocation and meaning of the
Channel_Type field shall be explained in detail with reference to FIG. 27 later.
[218] The Emergency_Indicator field (1 bit) indicates whether a service of a corresponding
virtual channel includes an EAS message or whether a corresponding service has an
emergency property.
[219] The Channel_Activity field (2 bits) indicates a presence or non-presence of activity
of a corresponding virtual channel. If a value of the Channel_Activity field is parsed, it
is able to know whether a corresponding virtual channel currently provides a service.
[220] The value allocation and meaning of the Channel_Activity field will be explained
with reference to FIG. 28 later.
[221 ] The CA_Indicator field (1 bit) indicates whether a conditional access (CA) is applied
to a corresponding virtual channel. If CA is applied to a corresponding virtual channel,
a value of the CA_indicator field is set to 1 for example.
[222] The stand_alone_service_indicator field (1 bit) indicates a service of a corresponding
virtual channel is a stand-alone service. If a corresponding virtual channel is a stand-
alone service, a value of the stand_alone_service_indicator field is set to 1 for
example.
[223] The major__channel_num field (8 bits) indicates a major channel number of a corre-
sponding virtual channel.
[224] And, the minor_channel_num field (8 bits) indicates a minor channel number of a
corresponding virtual channel.
[225] If a data size of a corresponding FIC segment is smaller than 37 bytes, stuffing data
may exist in the rest part of the corresponding FIC segment.
[226] FIG. 27 shows one embodiment for the value allocation and meaning of the
Channel_Type field included in the channel loop region.
[227] Referring to FIG. 27, the channel_type field can indicate an audio/video channel, an
audio/video and data channel, an audio dedicated channel, a data dedicated channel, a

file download channel, an ESG delivery channel, a notification channel or the like. For
instance, if a value of the Channel_Type field is set to 110, it means that a corre-
sponding virtual channel is a notification channel.
[228] FIG. 28 is a diagram of one embodiment for the value allocation and meaning of the
Channel_Activity field.
[229] Referring to FIG. 28, if a value of the Channel_Activity field is set to 00, it indicates
that a corresponding virtual channel is in an active mode and is providing a service.
And, it also indicates that guide information for the virtual channel is currently
provided via an ESG channel.
[230] If a value of the Channel_Activity field is set to 01, it indicates that a corresponding
virtual channel is in an inactive mode and does not provide a service. Yet, guide in-
formation on the virtual channel can be provided through ESG. In this case, although a
receiving system is unable to tune to the virtual channel, it may be able to provide
guide information on the corresponding virtual channel.
[231 ] If a value of the Channel_Activity field is set to 10, it indicates that a corresponding
virtual channel is a hidden channel. In this case, the corresponding virtual channel is
currently in an inactive mode and does not provide a service. And, guide information
on the corresponding virtual channel is not provided. Hence, if a receiving system is
not designated for a specific service on a hidden channel, the receiving system is
neither able to tune to the virtual channel nor is able to provide a user with guide in-
formation on the corresponding virtual channel.
[232] If a value of the Channel_Activity field is set to 11, it indicates that a corresponding
virtual channel is a software download channel. In this case, a receiving system is
neither able to tune to a corresponding virtual channel for a general service con-
sumption nor is able to provide a user with guide information on the corresponding
virtual channel.
[233] FIG. 29 is a flowchart for an operation of a notification channel for a notification
message delivery in a transmitting side according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[234] Referring to FIG. 29, if such a notification event as EAS data or program schedule
update information transmission and the like occurs, it is checked whether a noti-
fication channel is in an active mode (S601). If the notification channel is in the active
mode, TPC is updated in a manner of updating an FIC Version number within the TPC
(S602). The updated TPC data is then repeatedly transmitted (S603). In this case, the
FIC Version number indicates a version number of an FIC body that is an FIC
transmission structure body earned on a corresponding physical channel. After a
certain amount of time (i.e., two subframes), the updated FIC data is repeatedly
transmitted (S604). Subsequently, after a certain amount of time (e.g., one MH frame),

the notification channel is activated (S605). A corresponding notification message is
repeatedly transmitted on the activated notification channel (S606).
[235] If the notification channel is in an inactive mode, FIC is updated in a manner of
updating Channel_Activity field of a notification channel for transmitting a notification
message within the FIC (S608). Namely, a value of the Channel_Activity field is set to
a value (e.g., 00) for instructing channel activation. After TPC data has been updated in
a manner of updating FIC Version number within the TPC (S609), the updated TPC
data is repeatedly transmitted (S610). After a certain amount of time (i.e., two
subframes), the updated FIC data is repeatedly transmitted (S611). Subsequently, after
a certain amount of time (e.g., one MH frame), the notification channel is activated
(S612). A corresponding notification message is repeatedly transmitted on the
activated notification channel (S606).
[236] While the notification message is repeatedly transmitted in the step S606, it is
checked whether the notification event expired (S607).
[237] If the step S607 determines that the notification event has expired, FIC is updated in
a manner of updating the Channel_Activity field of the notification channel within the
FIC (S613). Namely, a value of the Channel_Activity field is set to a value for in-
structing channel deactivation (e.g., 01). After the TPC has been updated by updating
FIC Version number within the TPC (S614), the updated TPC data is repeatedly
transmitted (S615). After a certain amount of time (i.e., two subframes), the updated
FIC data is repeatedly transmitted (S616). Subsequently, after a certain amount of time
(e.g., one MH frame), the notification channel is deactivated (S617). A corresponding
notification message is not transmitted until a next notification event occurs.
[238] Thus, since the present invention is able to obtain a presence or non-presence of a no-
tification channel, activation or deactivation of the notification channel, ensemble in-
formation having the notification channel belong thereto, a notification channel
number and the like through FIC (fast information channel), a receiving system is able
to receive an ensemble including the notification channel by time slicing scheme in a
manner of parsing the FIC.
[239] According to one embodiment of the present invention, notification information
including access information for receiving the notification message transmitted on the
notification channel is transmitted in a manner of being described in a notification
access table (NAT). Details of the NAT shall be explained with reference to FIG. 34
later.
[240] For example, the NAT is received by being included in an RS frame of an ensemble
to which a corresponding notification channel belongs. In particular, a receiving
system is able to collect and process information of the notification channel in a
manner of parsing the NAT received by being included in an RS frame. And, the

receiving system is able to collect and process information of each virtual channel in a
manner of parsing SMT received by being included in an RS frame.
[241 ] The RS frame is a set of at least one or more data groups. IP streams of each service
or ESG are included in a single RS frame and SMT section data may exist in very RS
frame. If the RS frame is an RS frame that corresponds to an ensemble to which a noti-
fication channel belongs, NAT section data exists in the RS frame. And, the RS frame
may include a notification message. In particular, the notification message is can be
received in a manner of being encapsulated according to an RTP protocol or a FLUTE
protocol and being then included in the RS frame in an IP stream format having UDP/
IP header attached thereto.
[242] A length (i.e., the number of rows) of a column in a single RS frame is determined as
187 bytes. A length of row amounts to N bytes. In this case, the 'N' may vary
according to TPC data. The TPC data can include MH-Ensemble ID, MH-Subframe
Number, TNoG (Total Number of MH-Groups), RS frame Continuity Counter, N
(Column Size of RS-frame), FIC Version Number and the like. And, the N may vary
according to a region within a data group to which the RS frame will be allocated. This
is because error occurrence probability decreases in order of regions A > B > C> D
within the data group. In the present invention, the N is equal to or greater than 187 for
example. In particular, a single RS frame has a byte size of N(row) 187(columns).
[243] For clarity and convenience of description, each of the N-byte rows is named an MH
transport packet (TP). The MH TP can include a 2-byte header and an (N-2)-byte MH
payload. In this case, two bytes are allocated to an MH header region for example,
which may be varied by a designer and by which the present invention is non-limited.
[244] The MP payload can include a signaling information (SI) table such as SMT, NAT
and the like as well as IP datagram. In particular, a single MH payload includes IP
datagram only, includes an SI table only, or includes both of the IP datagram and the
SI table.
[245] FIG. 30 is a diagram of MH header and MH payload format of MH TP according to
one embodiment of the present invention.
[246] Referring to FIG. 30, the MH header is able to include a type_indicator field, an
error_indicator field, a stuff_indicator field and a pointer field.
[247] Three bits can be allocated to the type_indicator field for example. And, the
type_indicator field indicates a type of data allocated to an MH payload within a corre-
sponding MH TP. In particular, the type_indicator field indicates whether data of the
payload includes IP datagram or a signaling information (SI) table. In this case, each
data type configures a single logical channel. On a logical channel for transmitting TP
datagram, several mobile services can be transmitted by being multiplexed together.
And, each of the mobile services undergoes demultiplexing in an IP layer.

[248] One bit can be allocated to the error_indicator field for example. The errorjndicator
field indicates a presence or non-presence of error of a corresponding MH TP. For
instance, if a value of the error_indicator field is set to 0, it means that error does not
exist in the corresponding MH TP. If a value of the errorjndicator field is set to 1, it
means that error exists in the corresponding MH TP.
[249] One bit can be allocated to the stuffjndicator field for example. The stuffjndicator
field indicates whether a stuffing byte exists in an MH payload of a corresponding MH
TP. For instance, if a value of the stuffjndicator field is set to 0, it means that the
stuffing byte does not exist in the corresponding MH TP. {f a value of the
stuff_indicator field is set to 1, it means that the stuffing byte exists in the corre-
sponding MH TP.
[250] If the stuffjndicator value indicates that the stuffing byte does not exist in the MH
payload of the corresponding MH TP (i.e., 0), the stuffing byte is not allocated to the
MH payload of the corresponding MH TP but (N-2) IP datagram (or SI table) bytes are
allocated to the MH payload of the corresponding MH TP. If the stuffjndicator value
indicates that the stuffing byte exists in the MH payload of the corresponding MH TP
(i.e., 1), k stuffing bytes and (N-2-k) IP datagram (or SI table) bytes are allocated to the
MH payload of the corresponding MH TP. In this case, 0 [251 ] Eleven bits can be allocated to the pointer field. And, the pointer field indicates
position information from which new data (i.e., new SI table or new IP datagram)
starts in a corresponding MH TP.
[252] FIG. 31 is a diagram of one embodiment for the value allocation and meaning of
type_indicator field included in the MH header shown in FIG. 30.
[253] Referring to FIG. 31, if a value of the type_indicator field is set to 000, it indicates
that an MH payload of a corresponding MH TP includes at least one or more IP
datagrams. In this case, the pointer field value, as shown in (a) of FIG. 32, indicates a
starting point of a first newly started IP datagram.
[254] If a value of the type_indicator field is set to 001, it indicates that an MH payload of
a corresponding MH TP includes at least one or more SI tables. In this case, the pointer
field, as shown in (b) of FIG. 32, points the starting point of the first newly started SI
Table.
[255] If a value of the type_indicator field is set to 010, it indicates that an MH payload of
a corresponding MH TP includes at least one or more IP datagrams and at least one or
more SI tables. In this case, the pointer field points the starting point of the first newly
started IP Datagram. In this case, stuffing data is not allowed.
[256] And, the type_indicator field values 011-111 are reserved for future use.
[257] The order, position and meaning of the field allocated to the MH header within the
MH TP shown in FIG. 31 are just exemplary to help the understanding of the present

invention. As the order, positions and meanings of the fields allocated to the MH
header within the MH TP and the number of additionally allocated fields are easily
modified by those who skilled in the art, the present invention is not limited to the
above embodiment.
[258] FIG. 33 is a diagram for a syntax structure of SMT according to another embodiment
of the present invention.
[259] Referring to FIG. 33, an SMT is written in MPEG-2 private section format to help
the understanding of the present invention. Since any format is available for the format
of the SMT, the scope of the present invention is non-limited by this embodiment.
[260] The SMT includes description information of each virtual channel within a single
MH ensemble and other additional informations can be included in a descriptor region.
The SMT is transmitted to a receiving system by a transmitting system by including at
least one field. The SMT shown in FIG. 33 differs from the former SMT shown in
FIG. 17 in contents included in access information of virtual channels and access in-
formation of IP streams. For instance, the former SMT shown in FIG. 17 provides
source IP access information if a source IP address of a corresponding virtual channel
exists for a specific multicast source. Yet, the latter SMT shown in FIG. 33 does not
provide the source IP access information. Moreover, although the former SMT shown
in FIG. 17 provides a presence or non-presence of activation of a corresponding virtual
channel, a service type and service identification information, the latter SMT shown in
FIG. 33 does not provide them.
[261 ] SMT section can be transmitted in a manner of being included as an SI table in an
MH TP within an RS frame. In this case, the RS frame decoders 170 and 180 shown in
FIG. 1 decode an inputted RS frame. The decoded RS frame is outputted to the corre-
sponding RS frame handlers 211 and 212. Each of the RS frame handlers 211 and 212
configures an MH TP by discriminating the inputted RS frame by a row unit and then
outputs the MH TP to the MH TP handler 213.
[262] In case of deciding that the corresponding MH TP includes an SI table based on a
header of each of the inputted MH TPs, the MH TP handler 213 parses the included SI
table and then outputs the result to the physical adaptation control signal handler 216.
Yet, this case corresponds to such a case that an SI table is not encapsulated with IP
datagram.
[263] Meanwhile, if the SI table is encapsulated with IP datagram, in case of deciding that
the corresponding MH TP includes the SI table based on the header of each of the
inputted MH TPs, the MH TP handler 213 outputs it to the IP network stack 220. If so,
the IP network stack 220 performs IP and UDP processing on the SI table and then
outputs it to the SI handler 240. The SI handler 230 parses the inputted SI table and
then stores the result in the storage unit 290 or outputs the result to the physical

adaptation control signal handler 216.
[264] The physical adaptation control signal handler 216 checks an SMT via a table
identifier of SI data outputted from the MH TP handler 213 or the SI handler 240 and
then obtains a reception-specific virtual channel entry and IP access information using
the checked SMT. This information can be stored in the storage unit 290. And, the IP
network stack 220 accesses the corresponding IP stream only using this information.
[265] Examples for the fields carried on the SMT are described as follows.
[266] First of all, a table_id field (8 bits) is a field for identifying a table type, through
which it is able to know this table is an SMT (table_id : An 8-bit unsigned integer
number that indicates the type of table section being defined in Service Map Table
(SMT)).
[267] A section_syntax_indicator field (1 bit) is an indicator that defines a section format
of SMT.
[268] A private_indicator field (1 bit) indicates whether an SMT follows a private section
or not.
[269] A version_number field (5 bits) indicates a version number of an SMT.
[270] A section_number field (8 bits) indicates a section number of a current SMT section.
[271 ] A last_section_number field (8 bits) indicates a last section number of an SMT.
[272] An ensemble_id field (8 bits) in the range 0x00 to 0x3F shall be the Ensemble ID as-
sociated with this MH Ensemble. The value of this field shall be derived from the
parade_id carried from the baseband processor of MH physical layer subsystem, by
using the parade_id of the associated MH Parade for the least significant 7 bits, and
using '0' for the most significant bit when the MH Ensemble is carried over the Primary
RS frame, and using '1' for the most significant bit when the MH Ensemble is carried
over the Secondary RS frame.
[273] Next to the ensemble_id field, 'for loop', which is repeated as many as the number of
virtual channels (NumChannels) within a corresponding SMT section, is located.
Using the 'for loop', information on a plurality of virtual channels is provided.
[274] A transport_stream_id field (16 bits) means a unique identifier of a broadcast stream
carrying a corresponding SMT section. Namely, the transport_stream_id is a 16-bit
unsigned integer number that identifies the broadcast transport stream that carries the
service described below.
[275] A source_id field indicates the programming source associated with the virtual
channel. In this context, a source is one specific source of video, text, data, or audio
programming. And, source ID value zero is reserved. Source ID values in the range
0x0001 to 0x0FFF shall be unique within the physical channel that carries the SMT,
while values 0x1000 to 0xFFFF shall be unique at the regional level.
[276] A major_channel_number field, which is an 8-bit unsigned integer field in the range

0x00 to 0xFF, shall represent the major channel number associated with this virtual
channel.
[277] A minor_channel_number field, which is an 8-bit unsigned integer field in the range
0x00 to 0xFF, shall represent the minor channel number associated with this virtual
channel.
[278] An ESG_requirement_flag field (1 bit) is a one-bit indicator, which when set to '1'
indicates that information carried within the ESG is required to access this virtual
channel.
[279] A number_stream field (6 bits) indicates the number of IP streams within this virtual
channel.
[280] An IP_version_flag is a one-bit indicator, which when set to T indicates that
target_IP_address field is an IPv6 address, and when set to '0' indicates that
target_IP_address field is an IPv4 address.
[281] If the IP_version_flag field (1 bit) is set to '0', the target_IP_address field indicates a
32-bit target IPv4 address for this virtual channel. If the IP_yersion_flag field is set to
'1', the target_IP_address field indicates a 64-bit target IPv6 address for this virtual
channel.
[282] Next to the target_IP_address field, 'for loop', which is repeated as many as the
number of IP streams (num_streams) within this virtual channel is located. Using the
'for loop', information on a plurality of IP streams is provided.
[283] A stream_type field (8 bits) indicates a type of a corresponding IP stream.
[284] A target_port_num field (8 bits) indicates a UDP port number of a corresponding IP
stream.
[285] If a value of the stream_type field indicates an audio, an ISO_639_language_code
field is further included. The ISO_639_language__code field indicates a language of an
audio IP stream.
[286] Moreover, the SMT can further include a descriptor providing additional information
on a corresponding virtual channel and/or a descriptor providing additional information
on a corresponding ensemble.
[287] FIG. 34 is a diagram of a syntax structure of NAT according to one embodiment of
the present invention.
[288] Referring to FIG. 34, an NAT is written in MPEG-2 private section format to help
the understanding of the present invention. Since any format is available for the format
of the NAT, the scope of the present invention is non-limited by this embodiment.
[289] The NAT is received by being included in an RS frame of an ensemble for which a
notification channel exists. And, the NAT describes notification message information
for enabling a notification message, which is transmitted on a corresponding noti-
fication channel, to be received. In particular, the NAT provides access information for

enabling a notification channel to be acceded within a corresponding ensemble.
[290] For example, the NAT can be transmitted in a manner of being encapsulated with
UDP/IP by having a target IP address and a target UDP port number on IP datagram.
In particular, the NAT is segmented into a predetermined number of sections, is en-
capsulated with a UDP header, is encapsulated again with an IP header, and is then
transmitted by being included in an MH TP within an RS frame. In this case, a target
IP address and a target UDP port number the NAT section use well-known values,
whereby a receiving system is able to receive the NAT section without separate IP
access information.
[291] For another example, the NAT section can be transmitted in a manner of being en-
capsulated in an SI table format with an MH TP within an RS frame. In this case, the
RS frame decoders 170 and 180 shown in FIG. 1 decode an inputted RS frame. The
decoded RS frame is outputted to the corresponding RS frame handlers 211 and 212.
Each of the RS frame handlers 211 and 212 configures an MH TP by discriminating
the inputted RS frame by a row unit and then outputs the MH TP to the MH TP handler
213.
[292] In case of deciding that the corresponding MH TP includes an SI table based on a
header of each of the inputted MH TPs, the MH TP handler 213 parses the included SI
table and then outputs the result to the physical adaptation control signal handler 216.
Yet, this case corresponds to such a case that an SI table is not encapsulated with IP
datagram.
[293] Meanwhile, if the SI table is encapsulated with IP datagram, in case of deciding that
the corresponding MH TP includes the SI table based on the header of each of the
inputted MH TPs, the MH TP handler 213 outputs it to the IP network stack 220. If so,
the IP network stack 220 performs IP and UDP processing on the SI table and then
outputs it to the SI handler 240. The SI handler 230 parses the inputted SI table and
then stores the result in the storage unit 290 or outputs the result to the physical
adaptation control signal handler 216.
[294] The physical adaptation control signal handler 216 checks an NAT via a table
identifier of SI data outputted from the MH TP handler 213 or the SI handler 240 and
then obtains various kinds of informations (access information included) of a
reception-specific notification channel using the checked NAT. This information can
be stored in the storage unit 290. And, the IP network stack 220 accesses a notification
message of the corresponding notification channel using this information.
[295] Examples for the fields carried on the NAT are described as follows.
[296] First of all, a table_id field (8 bits) is a field for identifying a table type, through
which it is able to know this table is an NAT.
[297] A section_syntax_indicator field (1 bit) is an indicator that defines a section format

of NAT.
[298] A private_indicator field (1 bit) indicates whether an NAT follows a private section
or not.
[299] A version_number field (5 bits) indicates a version number of an NAT.
[300] A section_number field (8 bits) indicates a section number of a current NAT section.
[301 ] A last_section_number field (8 bits) indicates a last section number of an NAT.
[302] An ensemble_id field (8 bits) in the range 0x00 to 0x3F shall be the Ensemble ID as-
sociated with this MH Ensemble. The value of this field shall be derived from the
parade_id carried from the baseband processor of MH physical layer subsystem, by
using the parade_id of the associated MH Parade for the least significant 7 bits, and
using '0' for the most significant bit when the MH Ensemble is carried over the Primary
RS frame, and using '1' for the most significant bit when the MH Ensemble is carried
over the Secondary RS frame.
[303] A NumNotifSession field (8 bits) indicates the number of notification sessions
described in the corresponding NAT section.
[304] Next to the NumNotifSession field, 'for loop', which is repeated as many times as
the number (NumNotifSession) of the notification sessions within a corresponding
NAT section, is located. Using the 'for loop', information on a plurality of virtual
channels is provided.
[305] A transport_stream_id field (16 bits) means a unique identifier of a broadcast stream
carrying a corresponding NAT section. Namely, the transport_stream_id is a 16-bit
unsigned integer number that identifies the broadcast transport stream that carries the
notification messages described below.
[306] A source_id field (16 bits) identifies the programming source associated with the no-
tification session. In this context, a source is one specific source of video, text, data, or
audio programming. And, source ID value zero is reserved. Source ID values in the
range 0x0001 to OxOFFF shall be unique within the physical channel that carries the
NAT, while values 0x1000 to OxFFFF shall be unique at the regional level.
[307] A Notification_Type field (7 bits) indicates a type of a corresponding notification
session.
[308] An emergency field is a one-bit indicator, which when set to '1' indicates that this
Notification session carries Notification messages with emergency property.
[309] A NumNotifMsg field (8 bits) is an 8-bit unsigned integer which represents the
number of Notification Messages carried in this Notification Session.
[310] An IP_version_flag field is a one-bit indicator, which when set to ' 1' indicates that
target_IP_address field is an IPv6 address, and when set to '0' indicates that
target_IP_address field is an IPv4 address.
[311] If the IP_version_flag field (1 bit) is set to '0', the target_IP_address field indicates a

32-bit target IPv4 address for a corresponding notification session. If the
IP_version_flag field is set to ' 1', the target_IP_address field indicates a 64-bit target
IPv6 address for corresponding notification session.
[312] Next to the target_IP_address field, 'for loop', which is repeated as many times as
the number of notification messages (NumNotifMsg) within a corresponding noti-
fication session, is located. Using the 'for loop', information on a plurality of noti-
fication messages is provided.
[313] NotifMsg_type field (8 bits) indicates a type of a corresponding notification message.
[314] A target_port_num field (8 bits) indicates a UDP port number for obtaining a corre-
sponding notification message.
[315] If a value of the NotifMsg_type field indicates an audio, an ISO_639_language_code
field is further included. The ISO_639_language_code field indicates a language of an
audio notification message.
[316] Moreover, the NAT can further include a descriptor providing additional information
on a corresponding notification session and/or a descriptor providing additional in-
formation on a corresponding ensemble.
[317] FIG. 35 is a diagram of XML (extensible markup language) data structure for an
example of a notification message (Notification_Message) according to the present
invention. And, FIG. 36 is a diagram of the notification message
(Notification_Message) shown in FIG. 3 in XML schema.
[318] The notification message Notification_Message can include attributes and at least
one Notification_Msg_Body element.
[319] The notification message Notification_Message can include Notification_Msg_ID
field, Notification_Msg_Version field, Emergency field, ValidFrom field, ValidTo
field, Fragment_Number field and Last_Fragment_Number field, which are defined as
the attributes.
[320] The Notification_Msg_ID field indicates a value for identifying a corresponding no-
tification message.
[321] The Notification_Msg_Version field indicates a version of a corresponding noti-
fication message.
[322] The Emergency field indicates whether a corresponding notification message is the
message having an emergency attribute.
[323] The ValidFrom field indicates that a corresponding notification message is valid
from a prescribed timing point.
[324] The ValidTo field indicates that a corresponding notification message is valid to a
prescribed timing point.
[325] The Fragment_Number field indicates an order of a predetermined fragment if a cor-
responding notification message is fragmented.

[326] And, the Last_Fragment_Number field indicates an order of a last fragment of a cor-
responding notification message if the corresponding notification message is
fragmented.
[327] FIG. 37 is a flowchart for a method of accessing a notification message according to
one embodiment of the present invention. In particular, a receiving system is able to
access a notification message that is received on a notification channel in the course of
providing a mobile service to a user.
[328] Referring to FIG. 37, TPC is being monitored while a mobile service is provided
(S701). If an FIC version number included in the TPC is updated (S702), a time slicing
mode is exited after a certain amount of time (e.g., two subframes) (S703). An FIC
body is then configured in a manner of gathering FIC segments within a single
subframe and then performing de-interleaving on the gathered FIC segments (S704).
By decoding every ensemble loop of the FIC body configured in the step S704, it is
checked whether a notification channel is updated (S706). The update of the noti-
fication channel can be confirmed by parsing one of Channel_Type field,
Emergency_Indicator field, Channel_Activity field and the like.
[329] If it is checked that the notification channel is not updated in the step S706, ap-
propriate actions are performed (S707). If it is checked that the notification channel is
updated in the step S706, it is checked whether a notification message transmitted on
the updated notification channel has an emergency attribute (S708). For instance, when
a value of the Channel_Type field indicates that a corresponding virtual channel is the
notification channel, if the Emergency_Indicator field is parsed, it is able to decide
whether the notification message transmitted on the corresponding notification channel
has the emergency attribute. In particular, it is able to decide whether the notification
message includes an EAS message.
[330] If the step S708 checks that the corresponding notification message has the
emergency attribute, the RS frame decoder and the RS frame handler are turned on
after a certain amount of time (e.g., a next MH frame) (S709). For instance, if the RS
frame of the ensemble, to which the notification channel belongs, is a secondary RS
frame, the secondary RS frame decoder 180 and the secondary frame handler 212 are
turned on.
[331] Subsequently, by referring to an MH header of an MH TP of the RS frame processed
by the turned-on RS frame decoder and the turned-on RS frame handler, an SI table
(e.g., NAT) is parsed from the RS frame. Access information for receiving a noti-
fication message (e.g., an EAS message) having an emergency attribute is obtained
from the parsed SI data (S710). After the EAS message transmitted on the corre-
sponding notification channel has been accessed using the access information, the
accessed EAS message is processed (S711).

[332] If the step S708 checks that the corresponding notification message does not have the
emergency attribute, the RS frame decoder and the RS frame handler are turned on
after a certain amount of time (e.g., a next MH frame) (S712). For instance, if the RS
frame of the ensemble, to which the notification channel belongs, is a secondary RS
frame, the secondary RS frame decoder 180 and the secondary frame handler 212 are
turned on.
[333] Subsequently, by referring to an MH header of an MH TP of the RS frame processed
by the turned-on RS frame decoder and the turned-on RS frame handler, an ST table
(e.g., NAT) is parsed from the RS frame. Access information for receiving a noti-
fication message (e.g., ESG schedule update information) having no emergency
attribute is obtained from the parsed SI data (S713). After the notification message
transmitted on the corresponding notification channel has been accessed using the
access information, the accessed notification message is processed (S714).
[334] In FIG. 37, for instance, the steps S701 and S704 are performed by the signaling
decoder 190, the step S703 is performed by the operation controller 110, the steps
S705, S706 and S708 are performed by the TPC handler 214 and the FIC handler 215,
and the steps S709 to S714 are performed by the RS frame decoder and the RS frame
handler.
[335] FIG. 38 is a flowchart for a method of processing an accessed notification message
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[336] Referring to FIG. 38, if a notification message is accessed from a corresponding noti-
fication channel, the notification message is configured by gathering notification
fragments (S801). The notification message can include Notificauon_Msg_ID field,
Notification_Msg_Version field, Emergency field, ValidFrom field, ValidTo field,
Fragment_Number field and Last_Fragment_Number field, which are defined as at-
tributes. If the Fragment_Number field and the Last_Fragment_Number field are
parsed, it is able to configure a notification message by gathering at least one or more
fragments.
[337] If the notification message is configured in the step S801, it is checked whether the
configured notification message is valid (S802). The validity or invalidity of the noti-
fication message can be obtained by parsing the ValidFrom field and the ValidTo field.
[338] If the step S802 checks that the notification message is valid, it is checked whether a
version of the notification message is updated in a manner of parsing the Noti-
fication_Msg_Version field (S803). If the step S803 checks that the version of the noti-
fication message is not updated, it means the same notification message is already
being processed. Hence, the accessed notification message is ignored (S804).
[339] Meanwhile, if the step S803 checks that the version of the notification message was
updated, a notification body element (Notification_Msg_Body) of the accessed noti-

ficalion message is processed (S805). If the step S802 checks that the notification
message is invalid, the accessed notification message is ignored (S806).
[340] FIG. 39 is a diagram for an XML data structure of Emergency_Alert element which
is a notification message according to the present invention in case that the notification
message transmitted on a notification channel has emergency attributes, and FIG. 40 is
a diagram of the Emergency_Alert element represented in XML schema form.
[341 ] First of all, the Emergency_Alert notification message, i.e., the Emergency_Alert
element can include Notification_Msg_ID field, Notification_Msg_Version field,
Emergency field, ValidFrom field, ValidTo field, Fragment__Number field and
Last_Fragment_Number field, which are defined as attributes. For details of the re-
spective fields, FIG. 35 can be referred to. And, the details are omitted in the following
description.
[342] The Emergency__Alert element can include lower elements such as EAS_ Nature
element and EAS_Body element.
[343] The EAS_Nature element can include EAS_originator_code field, EAS_event_code
field, Alert_message_time_remaining field, Start_time field and Duration field, which
are defined as attributes.
[344] The EAS_originator_eode field indicates the entity for generating the emergency
alert system (EAS).
[345] The EAS_event_code field includes the information indicating the type of the EAS.
For instance, it is able to indicate the importance of a specific emergency such as a
large-scale earthquake, a medium-scale earthquake, a small-scale earthquake and the
like together with a type of an emergency alert such as flood, earthquake, terror and the
like.
[346] The Alert_message__time_remaining field indicates the residual output time of the
emergency alert message (EAM).
[347] The Start_time field indicates the start time of the EAM event after 00 hours UTC,
January 6, 1980 in second units.
[348] The Duration field indicates the duration of the emergency alert event in minute
units.
[349] Meanwhile, the EAS_Body element can include Alert_Priority field, Force_Tune
field and Force_Tune_Duration field, which are defined as attributes.
[350] The Alert_Priority field indicates the syntax for displaying the priority or the im-
portance of the emergency.
[351 ] A prescribed processing of a received emergency alert message is determined
according to a value of the Alert_Priority field. In particular, whether to ignore the
received emergency alert message unconditionally or on a specific condition only or
whether to perform a force tune to an emergency broadcast channel (exception

channel) included in the received emergency alert message is determined.
[352] The Force_Tune field indicates that this EAS Message requires a receiving system to
tune to the exception channel.
[353] The Force_Tune_Duration field indicates a duration when a receiving system is
forced to tune to an exception channel.
[354] The EAS_Body element can include Alert_Text element, Location_Code element
and Exception_Channel element, which are lower elements.
[355] The Alert_Text element can include a content of a real emergency alert in a text
format.
[356] The Location_Code element can include Country_Code field, State_Code field,
State_Subdivision_Code field and County_Code field, which are defined as attributes.
[357] The Country_Code field indicates a code of a country associated with an emergency
alert.
[358] The State_Code field indicates a state or territory associated with an emergency alert.
[359] The State_Subdivision_Code field may include 4-bit digits between 0-9 for defining
a county subdivision.
[360] The County_Code field indicates a specific county of the state associated with the
emergency alert.
[361 ] In the regional definition, regional titles according to the administrative district dis-
crimination of U.S.A. are used, by which the scope of the present invention is non-
limited.
[362] The Exception_Channel element can include Target_IP_Address field,
Carrier_Frequency field, Transport_Stream_ID field, Ensemble_lD field and
Source_ID field, which are defined as attributes.
[363] The Target_IP_Address field indicates a target IP address of an exception channel.
[364] The Carrier_Frequency field indicates a carrier frequency of the exception channel.
[365 ] The Ensemble_ID field indicates an identifier of an ensemble carrying the exception
channel.
[366] And, the Source_ID field indicates a virtual channel operating as an exception
channel.
[367] The Exception_Channel element can include an EAS_stream element as a lower
element.
[368] The EAS_stream element can include Stream_type field, Language field and
Target_Port_Num field, which are defined as attributes.
[369] The Stream_type field indicates a type of the EAS message stream.
[370] The Language field indicates a language of the EAS message stream.
[371] And, the Target_Port_Num field indicates a target UDP port number of the EAS
message stream.

[372] Meanwhile, the previously determined broadcast schedule may be modified due to
various reasons. For instance, a start time of a program to be next broadcasted may be
delayed behind an original time due to an extension of a professional baseball game
broadcast relay or the like. If a broadcasted professional baseball game ends ahead of a
due time, a start time of a next broadcast program may come earlier than a scheduled
time.
[373] FTG. 41 is a diagram for an example that a determined broadcast schedule changes.
[374] Referring to (a) of FIG. 41, it is scheduled that 'Superbowl' relay broadcast will be
serviced on Channel 32-2 12:00 to 13:00. And, it is also scheduled that 'Prison Break'
highlight is scheduled to be serviced on Channel 32-2 13:00 to 14:00. Referring to (b)
of FTG. 41, it is observed that the schedule of the 'Superbowl' relay broadcast is
changed into 12:00-14:00. And, it is also observed that the schedule of the 'Prison
Break' highlight is changed into 14:00-15:00.
[375] In this case, only if a receiving system knows the change content of the broadcast
schedule, the receiving system is able to provide the correct guide information to a
user.
[376] As a method of announcing the broadcast schedule change to the receiving system,
there is a method of transmitting ESG on EDC channel. If so, the receiving system is
able to update previously stored ESG information by parsing the ESG.
[377] FIG. 42 is an exemplary diagram for a structure of an electronic service guide (ESG)
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[378] Referring to FIG. 42, an ESG fragment associated with schedule change information
is a schedule fragment. And, this fragment refers to a service fragment and a content
fragment.
[379] In particular, if entry point information of ESG is transmitted by being included in an
ensemble, a receiving system receives a service guide delivery descriptor
(ServiceGuideDeliveryDescriptor), which is information for describing ESG, using the
corresponding entry point information. Information on the structure and acquisition of
the ESG can be obtained from the service guide delivery descriptor. Using this in-
formation, it is able to receive the ESG information.
[380] The ESG is able to provide signaling information (or called 'announcement in-
formation') by a subdivided lower unit. And, the subdivided lower unit is named a
fragment. The fragments used for the ESG can include Service fragment, Schedule
fragment, Content fragment, Purchase Item fragment, Purchase Data fragment,
Purchase Channel fragment, Access fragment, session description fragment, pre-
viewData fragment, interactiveData fragment and the like. Arrows shown in FIG. 42
indicate reference relations. According to this example, the purchase item fragment,
the content fragment, the schedule fragment and the access fragment can refer to the

service fragment. The schedule fragment associated with the schedule change in-
formation can refer to the service fragment and the content fragment. The number ex-
emplarily shown above each of the arrows indicates the available number of lower unit
information. And, the numeral indicates the available number of fragments.
[381] Major fragments among the exemplary fragments are explained as follows.
[382] First of all, the service fragment includes information on such a service provided to a
user as a single conventional television channel.
[383] The content fragment includes metadata for contents. For instance, A/V for contents,
text, a type of an image and the like can be included in the content fragment.
[384] The schedule fragment includes scheduling information on a single content. For
instance, the scheduling information can include a broadcast time of the corresponding
content.
1385] The purchase item fragment includes item information associated with purchase.
1386] The purchase data fragment includes information associated with a purchase of a
service that can be purchased by a user.
1387] The purchase channel fragment means an interface enabling a terminal or user to
communicate with a purchase system. The purchase channel fragment includes in-
formation on management of a parameter relevant to a purchase system or a purchase
channel.
[388] The access fragment includes information associated with an access to a service or
content.
[389] Yet, in case that ESG information needs to be updated due to an unexpected program
schedule change or the like, a method of transmitting ESG data on EDC channel
should send a massive volume of ESG data. Hence, it takes so long for a receiving
system to update ESG information, whereby ESG update and management are not ef-
ficiently performed.
[390] In order for the present invention to operate the ESG update and management more
efficiently, if ESG information needs to be updated due to an unexpected program
schedule change or the like, the corresponding ESG update information is transmitted
as a notification message on a notification channel.
[391 ] FIG. 43 is a diagram of an XML data structure of Schedule_Update element that is a
notification message transmitted on a notification channel according to the present
invention by containing ESG update information, and FIG. 44 is a diagram for rep-
resenting the Schedule_Update element shown in FIG. 43 in an XML schema form.
[392] Attributes of the Schedule_Update message, i.e., the Schedule_Update element can
include Notification_Msg_ID field, Notification_Msg_Version field, Emergency field,
ValidFrom field, ValidTo field, Fragment_Number field and Last_Fragment_Number
field. Details of the respective fields can use those explained in FIG. 35, thereby being

omitted in the following description.
[393] The Schedule_Update field can include Reference element and Schedule_Info
element as lower elements.
[394] The Reference element can include Event_ID field, Service_Reference field,
Source_ID field and Content_Reference field.
[395] The Event_ID field indicates an identifier (ID) of a broadcast event the corre-
sponding Schedule_Update element attempts to update. A schedule of a broadcast
event having a corresponding Event_ID is updated by a corresponding
Schedule_Update notification message.
[396] The Service_Reference field indicates a reference for a virtual channel (MH service)
on which a broadcast event to be updated by a corresponding Schedule_Update noti-
fication message is being broadcasted.
[397] The SourceJD field indicates a source_ID of a virtual channel (MH service) on
which a broadcast event to be updated by a corresponding Schedule_Update noti-
fication message is being broadcasted.
[398] In case that a schedule fragment o a broadcast event that a corresponding
Schedule_Update notification message attempts to update refers to a content fragment,
the Content_Reference field indicates a corresponding reference.
[399] The Schedule_Info element can include Update_Boundary element,
Current_Start_Time element, Current_.End_Time element, Updated_Start_Time
element and Updated_End_Time element.
[400] The Update_Boundary element enables a receiving system to appropriately update a
service guide in a manner of information the receiving system of a previous/following
broadcast event that is affected when a corresponding Schedule_Update notification
message changes a schedule of a single broadcast event.
[401] For this, the Update_Boundary element can include Previous_Schedule element and
Following_Schedule element as lower elements.
[402] The Previous_Schedule element describes an event ahead of an event that a corre-
sponding Schedule__Update notification message changes a schedule of the event or an
event affected by a schedule change of a corresponding notification message.
[403] The Following_Schedule element describes an event after an event that corre-
sponding Schedule_Update notification message changes a schedule of the corre-
sponding event or an event of which schedule is affected by a schedule change of a
corresponding notification message.
[404] For this, each of the Previous_Schedule element and the Following_Schedule
element can include EventJD field, Service_Reference field, Source_ID field and
Content _Reference field, which are defined as attributes. For details of the respective
fields, the description for the respective fields described as the attributes of the

Reference element can be referred to. Hence, the corresponding details will be omitted
in the following description.
[405] The Current_Start_Time element among the lower elements of the Schedule_Info
element indicates a current start time of a broadcast event a corresponding
Schedule_Update notification message attempts to update.
[406] The Current_End_Time field indicates a current end time of a broadcast event that
corresponding Schedule_Update notification message attempts to update.
[407] The Updated_Start_Time field indicates a start time after an update of a broadcast
event that corresponding Schedule_Update notification message attempts to update.
[408] The Updated_End_Time field indicates an end time after an update of a broadcast
event that corresponding Schedule_Update notification message attempts to update.
[409] FIG. 45 is a flowchart for a method of processing Schedule_Update notification
message accessed according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[410] Referring to FIG. 45, if a Schedule_Update notification message is accessed from a
corresponding notification channel, the Schedule_Update notification message is
configured by gathering notification fragments (S901). The Schedule_Update noti-
fication message can include Notification_Msg_ID field, Notification_Msg_Version
field, Emergency field, ValidFrom field, ValidTo field, Fragment_Number field and
Last_Fragment_Number field, which are defined as attributes. If the
Fragment_Number field and the Last_Fragmenr_Number field are parsed, it is able to
configure a Schedule_Update notification message by gathering at least one or more
fragments.
[411] If the Schedule_Update notification message is configured in the step S901, it is
checked whether the configured Schedule__Update notification message is valid (S902).
The validity or invalidity of the notification message can be obtained by parsing the
ValidFrom field and the ValidTo field.
[412] If the step S902 checks that the Schedule_Update notification message is valid, it is
checked whether a version of the Schedule_Update notification message is updated in
a manner of parsing the Notification_Msg_Version field (S903). If the step S903
checks that the version of the notification message is not updated, it means the same
Schedule_Update notification message is already being processed. Hence, the accessed
Schedule_Update notification message is ignored (S904).
[413] Meanwhile, if the step S903 checks that the version of the Schedule_Update noti-
fication message was updated, an MH service affected by the accessed
Schedule_Update notification message is identified (S905). The MH service is a
broadcasting event that the accessed Schedule_Update notification message desires to
update. The identification of the MH service can be obtained by parsing the Reference
element of the accessed Schedule_Update notification message. The Reference

element can include Event_ID field, Service_Reference field, Source_ID field and
Content_Reference field, which are defined as attributes. Optionally, the Reference
element can further include Content_Reference field.
[414] If the MH service is identified in the step S905, a schedule relevant service guide
database is updated by parsing Schedule_Info element of the accessed
Schedule_Update notification message (S906).
[415] In particular, if the Current_Start _Time element, the Current_End_Time element, the
Updated_Start_Time element and the Updated_End_Time element of the
Schedule_Info element are parsed, it is able to know a current start time and end time
and a start time and end time after an update of the identified MH service. If current
time information and the time information after the update of the MH service are
compared to each other, it is able to know schedule information of a previous and/or
following event affected by the schedule change of the MH service. And, it is able to
know an identifier (Event_ID) of the previous and/or following event affected by the
schedule change of the MH service in a manner of parsing Previous_Schedule element
and Following_Schedule element.
[416] The schedule information of the above schedule-changed current event and the
schedule information of the previous and/or following event affected by the schedule
change of the current event are updated in the schedule relevant service guide database
only. According to one embodiment of the present invention, in order to update the
schedule information of the corresponding event only, a corresponding event identifier
parsed from each element is referred to.
[417] Meanwhile, if the step S902 checks that the Schedule_Update notification message is
not valid, the accessed Schedule_Update notification message is ignored (S907).
[418] According to another embodiment of the present invention, while a schedule relevant
service guide database is being updated, schedule change contents can be automatically
notified to a user. For instance, if a schedule of 'Superbowl' broadcast relay service is
changed into 12:00~14:00 and a schedule of 'Prison Break Highlights' service is
changed into 14:00~ 15:00, those program schedule changes are displayed on a portion
of a screen by OSD (on screen display). Therefore, a user is automatically aware of the
program schedule changes without selecting an ESG menu.
[419] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations
can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the
inventions. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and
variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended
claims and their equivalents.
Mode for the Invention

[420] The embodiments of the invention are described in the best mode of the invention.
Industrial Applicability
[421] The present invention can be used in broadcast and communication fields.

Claims
[1] A receiving system comprising:
a baseband processor unit receiving a broadcast signal including mobile service
data and main service data, wherein the mobile service data can configure an RS
frame and wherein the RS frame includes at least one of the mobile service data
and a notification message and at least one of a first signaling information de-
scribing signaling information of a virtual channel for transmitting the mobile
service data and a second signaling information describing signaling information
on a notification channel for transmitting the notification message;
a management processor unit accessing the notification message by parsing the
second signaling information from the RS frame, the management processor unit
processing the accessed notification message, the management processor unit
storing the processed notification message in a storage device; and
a presentation processor unit outputting the processes notification message to an
output device.
[2] The receiving system of claim 1, wherein data of the RS frame can configure at
least one or more data groups, wherein each of the at least one or more data
groups includes the data of the RS frame and a plurality of known data
sequences, and wherein transmission parameter channel (TPC) data and fast in-
formation channel (FIC) data are received by being included between a first
known data sequence and a second known data sequence among a plurality of the
known data sequences.
[3] The receiving system of claim 2, wherein the TPC data includes information for
identifying an update of the FIC data and wherein the FIC data includes noti-
fication channel information on the notification channel for transmitting the noti-
fication message and ensemble identifying information on an ensemble including
the notification channel.
[4] The receiving system of claim 2, wherein the FIC data further includes in-
formation for identifying whether the notification message received on the corre-
sponding notification channel has an emergency property.
[5] The receiving system of claim 2, wherein the notification channel is activated if a
notification event occurs, wherein the notification channel is deactivated if the
notification event expires, and wherein the FIC data includes information for
identifying whether the notification channel is activated.
[6] The receiving system of claim 1, wherein the second signaling information is
received by being included in the RS frame of an ensemble having the noti-
fication channel exist therein and the second signaling information includes

access information of the notification channel and the notification message
received on the notification channel.
[7] The receiving system of claim 1, wherein the notification message includes in-
formation for identifying the corresponding notification message, version in-
formation of the corresponding notification message, valid period information of
the corresponding notification message and notification contents.
[8] The receiving system of claim 7, wherein the notification message further
includes identification information for identifying whether the corresponding no-
tification message has an emergency attribute.
[9] The receiving system of claim 7, wherein if the corresponding notification
message is fragmented, the notification message further includes information for
identifying an order of a corresponding fragment or an order of a last fragment.
[10] The receiving system of claim 1, wherein if the accessed notification message
includes EAS data, the management processor unit processes the EAS data
according to priority information of the EAS data and then outputs the processed
EAS data to the presentation processor unit.
[11] The receiving system of claim 1, wherein if the accessed notification message
includes schedule update information, the management processor unit processes
the schedule update information and then updates schedule relevant guide in-
formation stored in the storage device.
[12] A method of processing data in a receiving system, comprising the steps of:
receiving a broadcast signal including mobile service data and main service data,
wherein the mobile service data can configure an RS frame and wherein the RS
frame includes at least one of the mobile service data and a notification message
and at least one of a first signaling information describing signaling information
of a virtual channel for transmitting the mobile service data and a second
signaling information describing signaling information on a notification channel
for transmitting the notification message;
accessing the notification message by parsing the second signaling information
from the RS frame and processing the accessed notification message;
storing the processed notification message in a storage device; and
outputting the processes notification message to an output device.
[ 13] The method of claim 12, wherein data of the RS frame can configure at least one
or more data groups, wherein each of the at least one or more data groups
includes the data of the RS frame and a plurality of known data sequences, and
wherein transmission parameter channel (TPC) data and fast information channel
(FIC) data are received by being included between a first known data sequence
and a second known data sequence among a plurality of the known data

sequences.
[ 14] The method of claim 13, wherein the TPC data includes information for
identifying an update of the FTC data and wherein the FIC data includes noti-
fication channel information on the notification channel for transmitting the noti-
fication message and ensemble identifying information on an ensemble including
the notification channel.
[15] The method of claim 12, wherein the notification message includes information
for identifying the corresponding notification message, version information of
the corresponding notification message, valid period information of the cone- /
sponding notification message and notification contents. J


A digital broadcasting system and method of
processing data therein are disclosed. The present invention includes
a baseband processor unit receiving a broadcast signal
including mobile service data and main service data, wherein
the mobile service data can configure an RS frame and wherein
the RS frame includes at least one of the mobile service data
and a notification message and at least one of a first signaling
information describing signaling information of a virtual channel
for transmitting the mobile service data and a second signaling
information describing signaling information on a notification
channel for transmitting the notification message, a management
processor unit accessing the notification message by
parsing the second signaling information from the RS frame, the
management processor unit processing the accessed notification
message, the management processor unit storing the processed
notification message in a storage device, and a presentation processor
unit outputting the processes notification message to an
output device.

Documents:

http://ipindiaonline.gov.in/patentsearch/GrantedSearch/viewdoc.aspx?id=zI9g7wx0W7p2gwRW9fgrqg==&loc=wDBSZCsAt7zoiVrqcFJsRw==


Patent Number 272348
Indian Patent Application Number 1094/KOLNP/2010
PG Journal Number 14/2016
Publication Date 01-Apr-2016
Grant Date 30-Mar-2016
Date of Filing 25-Mar-2010
Name of Patentee LG ELECTRONICS INC.
Applicant Address 20, YEOUIDO-DONG, YEONGDEUNGPO-GU, SEOUL 150-721 REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 KIM, JIN PIL LG ELECTRONICS INC. IP GROUP, 16 WOOMYEON-DONG, SEOCHO-GU, SEOUL 137-724 REPUBLIC OF KOREA
2 CHOI, IN HWAN LG ELECTRONICS INC. IP GROUP, 16 WOOMYEON-DONG, SEOCHO-GU, SEOUL 137-724 REPUBLIC OF KOREA
3 SUH, JONG YEUL LG ELECTRONICS INC. IP GROUP, 16 WOOMYEON-DONG, SEOCHO-GU, SEOUL 137-724 REPUBLIC OF KOREA
4 LEE, CHUL SOO LG ELECTRONICS INC. IP GROUP, 16 WOOMYEON-DONG, SEOCHO-GU, SEOUL 137-724 REPUBLIC OF KOREA
5 SONG, JAE HYUNG LG ELECTRONICS INC. IP GROUP, 16 WOOMYEON-DONG, SEOCHO-GU, SEOUL 137-724 REPUBLIC OF KOREA
PCT International Classification Number H04N 7/015,H04N 7/00
PCT International Application Number PCT/KR2008/005585
PCT International Filing date 2008-09-19
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 10-2008-0091840 2008-09-18 U.S.A.
2 61/076,686 2008-06-29 U.S.A.
3 60/974,084 2007-09-21 U.S.A.
4 61/042,243 2008-04-03 U.S.A.
5 61/044,504 2008-04-13 U.S.A.