Improving digital TV reception using OTT (Out-of-Touch) back-channel communication.

Abstract

Techniques for extending and / or improving the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) 3.0 television protocol are described. In an ATSC 3.0 environment, receivers (300) (including consumer and professional receivers) have access to signal reception parameters and antenna coefficients. These reception parameters, along with time and location data, are transmitted (602) to one or more servers that maintain a database of reception characteristics. This data is analyzed (702) to identify a set of potentially receivable signals (based on reception parameters, time of day, location, geographic features, transmitter information, etc.). The receiver queries (604) the server, receives information indicating the set of potentially receivable signals, and reduces channel scan time by scanning only more receivable channels (606) or by scanning first (606). Additionally, difficult reception locations identified in the data collected by the server can be used collectively to guide RF improvements (e.g., adding SFN transmitters) (710). Furthermore, the data collected by the server can provide data used to provide "MFN" data (712).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present application relates to a technological improvement inevitably rooted in computer technology, directed to digital television, and specifically relates to the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) 3.0. [Background Art]

[0002] The Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) 3.0 standards group is a set of multiple industry technical standards for delivering next-generation broadcast television as set forth in A / 300. ATSC 3.0 supports delivery of a wide range of television services such as televised video, interactive services, non-real-time data delivery, and tailored advertising for multiple receiving devices ranging from ultra-high-definition televisions to wireless telephones. ATSC 3.0 also coordinates coordination between broadcast content (referred to as "Over the Air" or OTA) and associated broadband-delivered content and services (referred to as "Over the Top" or OTT). ATSC 3.0 is designed to have such flexibility that advances can be easily incorporated as technology evolves without requiring a full revision of any of the relevant technical standards. [Summary of Invention] [Problem to be Solved by Invention]

[0003] As understood herein, measuring details of RF reception, collecting these details, and taking action based thereon has typically been a manual process with a limited number of data points. Extending this measurement to a large collection of consumer receivers (that report results) significantly increases the available data. [Means for Solving Problem]

[0004] Therefore, in a digital television in which multiple receivers can receive broadcast signals from at least a first digital television broadcast assembly, the method includes the step of receiving respective reception parameters for broadcast channels from the multiple receivers. The method also includes the step of identifying possible receivable channels using the reception parameters and assumptions (or user inputs) such as antenna gain, implementation loss, etc., and the step of transmitting the identification of possible receivable channels to at least some of the multiple receivers so that the multiple receivers can reduce channel scan time.

[0005] In some embodiments, the method may include the step of using at least one of the receivers to scan only for channels that may be receivable. Alternatively, the method may include the step of using at least one of the receivers to scan for channels that may be receivable, and then scan for channels that are not potentially receivable. The method may also include the step of using at least one of the receivers to present at least one of the potentially receivable channels on at least one audio-video display device.

[0006] In some implementations, each receiver includes an Advanced Television Systems Commission (ATSC) 3.0 receiver.

[0007] If necessary, the method may include the step of relating receiving parameters and assumptions (or user inputs) such as antenna gain and implementation loss to the location and time at which the receiving parameters were collected by each receiver, and potentially receivable channels are identified based on the receiving parameters, antenna coefficients, location and time. In a non-limiting example, the method may include the steps of using the receiving parameters and antenna coefficients to identify locations where reception is difficult, and transmitting the identification of locations where reception is difficult to obtain to at least some of a plurality of receivers.

[0008] In a non-limiting example, the method may include the step of supplying multi-frequency network (MFN) data by providing data obtained from receiving parameters and antenna coefficients.

[0009] In some embodiments, the method may include the step of identifying potentially receivable channels using at least one machine learning (ML) model, at least in part.

[0010] In another embodiment, the apparatus includes at least one receiver configured to transmit at least one receiving parameter and antenna coefficient related to digital television broadcast reception, along with at least one location and at least one time, to at least one wide-area computer network. The command is capable of receiving at least one instruction from the wide-area computer network for at least one potentially receivable channel and using the instruction to scan for digital television broadcast channels.

[0011] In another embodiment, the digital television apparatus includes at least one server having at least one processor programmed with instructions, the instructions configuring the processor to receive respective reception parameters and antenna coefficients for broadcast channels from a plurality of receivers. The instructions can use the reception parameters and installed antenna coefficients to identify potentially receivable channels and transmit the identification of potentially receivable channels to at least some of the plurality of receivers so that the plurality of receivers can reduce channel scan time.

[0012] Details of this application, both in terms of its structure and operation, can be best understood by referring to the attached drawings, which use the same reference numerals to indicate similar elements. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a diagram of the Advanced Television System Commission (ATSC) 3.0 system. [Figure 2] This figure shows the components of the device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] The following is a specific example of a system. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a first embodiment of a digital TV receiver. [Figure 5] This figure shows a second embodiment of a digital TV receiver. [Figure 6] This diagram illustrates an exemplary receiver logic based on this principle in a flowchart format. [Figure 7] This diagram illustrates an exemplary transmitter logic based on this principle in an illustrative flowchart format. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] This disclosure relates to technological advancements in digital television, such as Advanced Television Systems Commission (ATSC) 3.0 television. Illustrative systems as described herein may include ATSC 3.0 source components and client components, which are connected via broadcast and / or a network to exchange data between the client component and the ATSC 3.0 source component. The client component may include one or more computer devices, such as portable televisions (e.g., smart TVs, internet-enabled TVs), portable computers such as laptops and tablet computers, and other mobile devices, including smartphones and further examples described later. These client devices can operate in a variety of operating environments. For example, some client computers may employ, as an example, an operating system such as Microsoft's operating system, a Unix operating system, or Android® manufactured by Apple Computer or Google. These operating environments can be used to run one or more browsing programs, such as browsers created by Microsoft, Google, or Mozilla, or other browser programs that can access websites hosted by internet servers described later.

[0015] ATSC3.0 publication A / 344, incorporated herein by reference, may be particularly relevant to the technology described herein.

[0016] An ATSC3.0 source component may include a broadcast transmission component and a server and / or gateway that may include one or more processors that execute instructions to configure the source component to perform data broadcasting and / or data transmission over a network such as the Internet. Specific examples of client components and / or local ATSC3.0 source components include game consoles such as Sony PlayStation® and personal computers.

[0017] Information can be exchanged between the client and the server over the network. For this purpose and for security, the server and / or client may include firewalls, load balancers, temporary storage, and proxies, as well as other network infrastructure to enhance reliability and security.

[0018] As used herein, instructions refer to computer implementation steps for processing information within a system. Instructions can be implemented in software, firmware, or hardware, and may include any type of programming step performed by components of the system.

[0019] A processor can be a single-chip or multi-chip processor capable of executing logic through various lines such as address lines, data lines, and control lines, as well as registers and shift registers.

[0020] The software modules described by flowcharts and the user interfaces in the present specification may include various subroutines, procedures and the like. Without limiting the present disclosure, the logic referred to as being executed by a particular module may be redistributed to other software modules, and / or combined into a single module, and / or made available in a shareable library. Although a flowchart format is used, it should be understood that the software may also be implemented as a state machine or other logical method.

[0021] The principles described in the present specification can be implemented as hardware, software, firmware or a combination of these, and therefore, exemplary components, blocks, modules, circuits and steps are described in terms of their functions.

[0022] In addition to what is suggested above, logic blocks, modules and circuits may be implemented or executed using a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices such as application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described in the present specification. A processor may be implemented by a controller, a state machine, or a combination of computer devices.

[0023] When implemented in software, the functions and methods described below can be written in, but are not limited to, any suitable language such as Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML)-5, Java (registered trademark) / Javascript, C#, C++, etc., and can be stored on or transmitted via any computer-readable storage medium, including but not limited to random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), other optical disc storage such as digital versatile disc (DVD), magnetic disc storage, or other magnetic storage devices including a removable universal serial bus (USB) thumb drive, etc. Certain connections can constitute computer-readable media. Such connections can include, by way of example, wired cables including optical fiber, coaxial cable, digital subscriber line (DSL), and twisted pair wire.

[0024] Components included in one embodiment can be used in any suitable combination in other embodiments. For example, any of the various components described herein and / or illustrated in the drawings can be combined, replaced, or omitted from other embodiments.

[0025] The description "having at least one of A, B, and C (similarly, "having at least one of A, B or C" and "having at least one of A, B, C") includes only A, only B, only C, both A and B, both A and C, both B and C, and / or all of A, B and C, etc.

[0026] This principle can employ a variety of machine learning models, including deep learning models. Machine learning models based on this principle can utilize various algorithms trained using methods including supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, reinforcement learning, feature learning, self-learning, and other forms of learning. Examples of such algorithms that can be implemented by computer circuits include one or more neural networks, such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs), recurrent neural networks (RNNs), and RNNs of the type known as long short-term memory (LSTM) networks. Support vector machines (SVMs) and Bayesian networks can also be considered examples of machine learning models.

[0027] Therefore, as understood herein, performing machine learning can involve training a model on training data after accessing training data so that the model can process further data and perform inference. Thus, an artificial neural network / artificial intelligence model trained through machine learning may include an input layer, an output layer, and multiple hidden layers between these, configured and weighted to perform inference about appropriate outputs.

[0028] Referring to Figure 1, an example of an ATSC3.0 source component is denoted as “broadcaster equipment” 10 and typically includes over-the-air (OTA) equipment 12 that wirelessly broadcasts television data to multiple receivers 14, such as ATSC3.0 televisions, via orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) in a one-to-many relationship. One or more receivers 14 may communicate with one or more companion devices 16, such as remote control devices, tablet computers, and mobile phones, via a short-range link 18, which is typically wireless and can be implemented by Bluetooth®, Low Energy Bluetooth, other Near Field Communication (NFC) protocols, infrared (IR), etc.

[0029] Furthermore, one or more of the receivers 14 can communicate with the over-the-top (OTT) equipment 22 of the broadcasting station equipment 10, typically in a one-to-one relationship, via a wired and / or wireless network link 20 such as the Internet or a Content Distribution Network (CDN). The OTA equipment 12 can be located in the same place as the OTT equipment 22, or the two pieces of equipment 12 and 22 of the broadcasting station equipment 10 can communicate with each other separately through appropriate means. In any case, the receiver 14 can receive ATSC 3.0 television signals via OTA through a tuned ATSC 3.0 television channel, or receive related content, including television, via OTT (broadband). Note that the computer equipment described in all the figures of this specification may include some or all of the components shown for the various devices in Figures 1 and 2.

[0030] Next, referring to Figure 2, we can see details of the component example shown in Figure 1. Figure 2 shows an example of a protocol stack that can be implemented by a combination of hardware and software. A broadcaster can use the ATSC3.0 protocol stack shown in Figure 2, appropriately modified for the broadcaster side, to transmit a hybrid service distribution that delivers one or more program elements over computer networks (referred to herein as “broadband” and “over-the-top” (OTT)) and wireless broadcasts (referred to herein as “broadcast” and “over-the-air” (OTA)). Figure 2 also shows an exemplary stack including hardware that can be embodied by a receiver.

[0031] Disclosing Figure 2 from the perspective of the broadcasting station equipment 10, one or more processors 200 accessing one or more computer storage media 202, such as any of the memory or storage described herein, can be implemented to provide one or more software applications in the top-level application layer 204. The application layer 204 may include one or more software applications written, for example, in HTML5 / Javascript, that operate in the runtime environment. Applications in the application stack 204 may include, but are not limited to, linear TV applications, interactive service applications, companion screen applications, personalization applications, emergency alert applications, and usage reporting applications. Typically, applications are embodied in software that represents the elements experienced by the viewer, including video coding, audio coding, and the runtime environment. As an example, an application may be provided that allows the user to control dialogue, use alternative audio tracks, and control audio parameters such as normalization and dynamic range.

[0032] Below the application layer 204 lies the presentation layer 206. The presentation layer 206 includes a broadcast audio-video playback device called a media processing unit (MPU) 208 on the broadcast (OTA) side, which decodes the wirelessly broadcast audio-video content when implemented in a receiver and plays it on one or more displays and speakers. The MPU 208 is configured to present video in the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Based Media File Format (BMFF) data representation 210 and High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) format, with audio in, for example, Dolby Audio Compression (AC-4) format. ISO BMFF is a common file structure for time-based media files, divided into "segments" and presentation metadata. Essentially, each file is a group of nested objects, each with its own type and length. The MPU 208 can access the broadcast-side encrypted media extension (EME) / common encryption (CENC) module 212 to facilitate decryption.

[0033] Figure 2 further illustrates that, on the broadcast side, the presentation layer 206 may include a signaling module that includes either a Video Professional Group (MPEG) Media Transfer Protocol (MMTP) signaling module 214 or a real-time object delivery over unidirectional transport (ROUTE) signaling module 216 for delivering non-real-time (NRT) content 218 accessible to the application layer 204. The NRT content may, but is not limited to, include stored alternative advertisements.

[0034] On the broadband (OTT or computer network) side, if implemented by the receiver, the presentation layer 206 may include one or more Dynamic Adaptive Streaming (DASH) players / decoders 220 via Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) to decode and play audio video content from the Internet. For this purpose, the DASH player 220 can access the EME / CENC module 222 on the broadband side. The DASH content can be provided as a DASH segment 224 in ISO / BMFF format.

[0035] The broadband side of the presentation layer 206, like the broadcast side, can include NRT content within file 226 and a signaling object 228 that provides playback signaling.

[0036] Below the presentation layer 206 in the protocol stack lies the session layer 230. The session layer 230 includes either the MMTP protocol 232 or the ROUTE protocol 234 on the broadcast side. Note that the ATSC standard provides an option to use MPEG MMT for transmission, but this is not shown here.

[0037] Session Layer 230 includes the HTTP protocol 236, which can be implemented on the broadband side as HTTP-secure (HTTP(S)). The broadband side of Session Layer 230 may also employ an HTTP proxy module 238 and a Service List Table (SLT) 240. The SLT 240 includes a table of signaling information used to construct a basic service list and provide bootstrap discovery of broadcast content. The "ROUTE signaling" table includes media presentation descriptions (MPDs) delivered via the User Datagram Protocol (UDP) by the ROUTE transport protocol.

[0038] Below the session layer 230 in the protocol stack is the transport layer 242 for establishing low-latency and loss-tolerating connections. The transport layer 242 uses User Datagram Protocol (UDP) 244 on the broadcast side and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) 246 on the broadband side. The non-restrictive protocol stack example shown in Figure 2 also includes a network layer 248 below the transport layer 242. The network layer 248 uses the ATSC Link Layer Protocol (ALP) to encapsulate Internet Protocol (IP) in multicast distribution, with multicast distribution typical on the broadcast side and unicast typical on the broadband side. Below the network layer 248 is the physical layer 250, which includes broadcast transmission / reception equipment 252 and (single / multiple) computer network interfaces 254 for communication over the respective physical media relevant to both sides. The ATSC Link Layer Protocol (ALP) allows for extensions to MPEG-2, IPv6, etc.

[0039] The physical layer 250 may include a modulation and demodulation module to incorporate modulation and demodulation functions, adding forward error correction capabilities to convert ATSC3.0 link layer protocol (ALP) packets, which consist of Internet Protocol (IP) packets, into a format suitable for transmission over the relevant medium, enabling error correction at the receiver. The physical layer 250 converts bits into symbols for long-distance transmission and improved bandwidth efficiency. The physical layer 250 typically includes a radio broadcast transmitter on the OTA side that broadcasts data wirelessly using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), and a computer transmission component on the OTT side that transmits data over the internet.

[0040] On the broadband side, DASH Industry Forum (DASH-IF) profiles can be used, transmitted through various protocols (HTTP / TCP / IP) within the protocol stack. Media files within the ISO BMFF-based DASH-IF profile can be used as a distribution, media encapsulation, and synchronization format for both broadcast and broadband distribution.

[0041] Typically, each receiver 14 includes a protocol stack complementary to the protocol stack of the broadcasting station equipment.

[0042] The receiver 14 in Figure 1 may include an internet-enabled TV having an ATSC 3.0 TV tuner 256 (equivalent to a set-top box that controls the TV), as shown in Figure 2. The receiver 14 may be an Android®-based system. Alternatively, the receiver 14 may be implemented by a computerized internet-enabled ("smart") phone, tablet computer, notebook computer, and wearable computer device, etc. Nevertheless, it should be understood that the receiver 14 and / or other computers described herein are configured to implement the principle (e.g., to communicate with other devices to implement the principle, to execute the logic described herein, and to perform any other functions and / or operations described herein).

[0043] Therefore, the receiver 14 can be established by some or all of the components shown in Figure 1 to implement such a principle. For example, the receiver 14 may include one or more displays 258 that are implemented by high-definition or ultra-high-definition "4K" or higher flat screens and may or may not be touch-enabled, receiving user input signals via touch on the displays. The receiver 14 may also include one or more speakers 260 for outputting audio according to this principle, and at least one further input device 262, such as an audio receiver / microphone, for inputting audible commands to the receiver 14 to control the receiver 14. The exemplary receiver 14 may further include one or more network interfaces 264 for communicating over at least one network such as the Internet, WAN, LAN, PAN, etc., under the control of one or more processors 266. Therefore, the interface 264 may be a Wi-Fi transceiver, which is an example of a wireless computer network interface such as a mesh network transceiver, but is not limited to. Interface 264 may be, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth® transceiver, a Zigbee® transceiver, an Infrared Communications Association (IrDA) transceiver, a wireless USB transceiver, a wired USB, a wired LAN, a power line, or a Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA). It should be understood that the processor 266 controls the receiver 14 to implement this principle, including other elements of the receiver 14 described herein, such as controlling the display 258 to display images and receive input. Furthermore, the network interface 264 may be, for example, a wired or wireless modem or router, or other suitable interfaces such as a wireless telephone transceiver or the Wi-Fi transceiver described above.

[0044] In addition to the above, the receiver 14 may also include one or more input ports 268, such as a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI®) port or a USB port, for physically connecting to another CE device (using a wired connection), and / or a headphone port for connecting headphones to the receiver 14 and presenting audio to the user through the headphones. For example, the input ports 268 may be connected via wired or wireless to a cable or satellite source of audio video content. Thus, the source may be a standalone or integrated set-top box or satellite receiver. Alternatively, the source may be a game console or disc player.

[0045] The receiver 14 may further include one or more computer memories 270, such as non-temporary signal disk-based storage or solid-state storage, which may be embodied in some cases as a standalone device within the receiver chassis, or inside or outside the receiver chassis, as a personal video recorder (PVR) or video disc player for playing audio-video (AV) programs, or as a removable storage medium. In some embodiments, the receiver 14 may also include, but are not limited to, a cellular phone receiver, a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) receiver, and / or an altimeter, a position or location receiver 272 configured to receive geographical location information from, for example, at least one satellite or cellular tower and provide this information to the processor 266, and / or to determine the altitude at which the receiver 14 is positioned together with the processor 266. However, it should be understood that, in accordance with this principle, another suitable location receiver other than a cellular phone receiver, a GPS receiver, and / or an altimeter may also be used to determine the position of the receiver 14 in all three dimensions, for example.

[0046] Continuing the description of the receiver 14, in some embodiments, the receiver 14 may include one or more cameras 274, which may include one or more cameras such as thermal imaging cameras, digital cameras such as webcams, and / or cameras integrated into the receiver 14 and controllable by the processor 266, for collecting photographs / images and / or videos in accordance with the present principle. The receiver 14 may also include a Bluetooth® transceiver 276 or other near-field communication (NFC) element for communicating with other devices using Bluetooth® and / or NFC technology. An exemplary NFC element may be a radio frequency identification (RFID) element.

[0047] Furthermore, the receiver 14 may also include one or more auxiliary sensors 278 that provide input to the processor 266 (e.g., motion sensors such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, cyclometers, or magnetic sensors, and combinations thereof; infrared (IR) sensors for receiving IR commands from a remote control device; optical sensors; speed and / or cadence sensors; gesture sensors for detecting gesture commands, etc.). An IR sensor 280 may also be provided to receive commands from a wireless remote control. A battery (not shown) may also be provided to supply power to the receiver 14.

[0048] The companion device 16 may include some or all of the elements described above in relation to the receiver 14.

[0049] The methods described herein can be implemented as software instructions executed by a processor, a suitably configured application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or field-programmable gate array (FPGA) module, or any other convenient method that a person skilled in the art would understand. The software instructions may be embodied in non-temporary devices such as CD-ROMs or flash drives, if adopted. Alternatively, the software code instructions may be embodied in a temporary configuration such as a wireless signal or an optical signal, or through download over the Internet.

[0050] Referring now to Figure 3, a simplified, non-limiting example of a digital TV system, such as an ATSC3.0 system, is shown. In Figure 3, a mobile or stationary digital TV receiver, such as an ATSC3.0 receiver 300, which may include some or all of the related components described above in relation to Figures 1 and 2, is positioned in a boundary area 302 between a first and a second ATSC3.0 broadcasting station or assembly 304, and signals from both broadcasting stations 304 are picked up by the receiver 300 in the area 302. However, this principle is not limited to boundary areas.

[0051] From the first broadcasting station 304, the first ATSC3.0 service ("Service A") is broadcast on the first frequency 306, while from the second broadcasting station 304, the same Service A is broadcast on a second frequency 308, which is different from the first frequency 306. The receiver 300 picks up both frequencies, that is, the receiver 300 picks up signals from both broadcasting stations 304.

[0052] Figure 4 shows a non-limiting embodiment of a digital TV receiver, such as an ATSC3.0 receiver 400, which may include some or all of the related components described above in relation to Figures 1 and 2. In the illustrated example, the ATSC3.0 receiver 400 may be a fixed receiver, such as a receiver located in a home. In some examples, the ATSC3.0 receiver 400 may be a mobile receiver, such as one implemented in a mobile phone or located in a mobile vehicle.

[0053] The exemplary ATSC3.0 receiver 400 shown in Figure 4 includes a tuner 402 that transmits signals picked up from one or more antennas 406 to a demodulator 404. In the illustrated example, the receiver 400 includes only one tuner, only one demodulator, and only one antenna.

[0054] In contrast, Figure 5 shows a non-limiting embodiment of a digital TV receiver, such as an ATSC3.0 receiver 500, which may include some or all of the related components described above in relation to Figures 1 and 2. In the illustrated example, the ATSC3.0 receiver 500 may be a mobile receiver, for example, mounted in a mobile phone or placed in a mobile vehicle. In some examples, the ATSC3.0 receiver 500 may be a fixed receiver, for example, a receiver placed in a home.

[0055] The exemplary ATSC3.0 receiver 500 shown in Figure 5 includes multiple tuners 502, each transmitting signals picked up from one or more antennas 506 to their respective demodulators 504. In the non-limiting illustrated example, the ATSC3.0 receiver 500 has two tuners and two demodulators, but it should be understood that it may have more or fewer tuners / demodulators. In the non-limiting illustrated example, the ATSC3.0 receiver 500 has four antennas, but it should be understood that it may have more or fewer antennas. The receiver 500 can switch the antenna inputs to the tuners, and therefore can switch so that the antenna inputs are swapped between tuners after, for example, a first tuner receives signals from three antennas and a second tuner receives a signal from a fourth antenna. Two antennas may also provide inputs to each of their respective tuners. All four antennas may also provide inputs to a single tuner. These and other antenna-tuner configurations can be changed on the fly during operation as needed.

[0056] This specification describes quality metrics for RF frequencies, and how such quality metrics can be identified and stored. Some quality metrics can also be called receiving parameters, along with antenna coefficients. Quality metrics may include, for example, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and the error rate, which can be expressed by, for example, the number of packet errors (PEN). Antenna coefficients may include antenna directivity (omnidirectional, directional gain), tuning band (UHF, VHF, low VHF), front-to-back ratio, style (e.g., 20-mile Yagi antenna, 60-mile Yagi antenna), installation type (attic, 30 feet above ground outdoors), mean terrain level altitude, cable line loss, splitter insertion loss, etc. Quality metrics may include resolution, for example, whether the service is high-definition (HD) or standard-definition (SD). Quality metrics may also include bitrate and form factor, recognizing that not all HD is the same. Quality metrics can include content attributes such as whether the service supports foreign languages, accessibility signaling (e.g., where signatures are made), audio description, and other content modes. Quality metrics can also include locality preference (for example, if a channel in a first region is strong, but all advertisements are for the first region and not the second region that users prefer, allowing for a preference for overlapping services from a second region over the first). Quality metrics can also include the quality of the user interface handled by the service.

[0057] In non-restrictive examples, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) can be determined during a scan by focusing on both the received signal strength at each receiving frequency and any associated antenna gain / noise at that frequency, and calculating the quotient between them. The error rate can be determined, for example, by determining the percentage of lost packets (by focusing on the number of lost packets) and / or by determining the percentage of received packets that contain errors determined by an error correction algorithm.

[0058] Figures 6 and 7 illustrate the parallel receiver / server logic. In the ATSC3.0 environment, receivers (including consumer and professional receivers) have access to signal reception parameters. These reception parameters and antenna coefficients, along with the time and location data of each collecting receiver, are collected and recorded by the receiver in block 600, transmitted to one or more servers in block 602, and the parameters are received in block 700 of Figure 7. The servers maintain a database of reception characteristics and / or summaries thereof. In block 702 of Figure 7, this aggregated data can be analyzed manually or automatically to identify a set of potentially receivable signals (based on reception parameters, date and time, location, geographical features, transmitter information, etc.) in block 704 of Figure 7. In block 604 of Figure 6, the receiver sends a query to the server, and in block 706 of Figure 7, the server responds to the query by sending information indicating a set of potentially receivable signals. In block 606 of Figure 6, each receiver can reduce channel scan time by scanning only the more receivable channels or by scanning them first.

[0059] Furthermore, in block 708 of Figure 7, locations where reception is difficult (including specific locations and, if necessary, channels where reception is difficult depending on the time of day) are identified in the data collected by the server. In block 710 of Figure 7, these identifications can be used collectively to guide RF improvements (e.g., the addition of a single-frequency network (SFN) transmitter). These identifications can also be provided to the receiver. This allows, for example, the receiver to avoid channel scanning of channels where reception is difficult when it is in an associated location.

[0060] Furthermore, in block 712, the server can provide collected data used to supply multi-frequency network (MFN) data.

[0061] The above is implemented by an on-site ATSC3.0 receiver having a return path connection to the database (Internet connection, or over-the-top via, for example, Wi-Fi and / or a 5G cellular telephone network), which can collect received data and provide that data periodically or immediately to one or more servers that collect the data.

[0062] As shown in block 714 of Figure 7, the aggregated receiving parameters and location / time data in the server database described above can also be used to predict signal strength using assumed antenna coefficients. In block 716 of Figure 7, this prediction is sent to a third party to show the consumer the expected service at the individual's location provided by the third party. An example of a third-party provider is "Rabbit Ears".

[0063] The aggregated receive parameter / location / time data described in Figures 6 and 7 can be used to apply a machine learning (ML) model to return potentially receivable channels in block 706 and unreceivable locations in block 708. The ML model can be trained using ground truth, which includes time, location, one or more receive parameters and antenna coefficients, and tags that indicate whether a parameter-location-time tuple represents a potentially receivable channel in the associated area / time zone, an unreceivable channel in the associated area / time zone, or neutral with respect to potentially receivable or unreceivable reception.

[0064] Ground Truth may also include the positions, courses, and speeds of multiple virtual receivers, as well as virtual receiving parameters actually measured at those positions by a test vehicle. Ground Truth may also include indications of channel frequencies.

[0065] While this principle has been described with reference to several embodiments, these embodiments are not intended to be limiting, and it will be understood that the subject matter claimed herein can also be implemented using a variety of other configurations. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0066] 10 Broadcasting Station Equipment 12. Over-the-Air (OTA) Equipment 14 Receiver 16 Companion Devices 18 links 20 links 22 Over-the-Top (OTT) Equipment 200 processors 202 Storage medium 204 Application Layer 206 Presentation Layers 208 MPU 210 ISO BMFF data representation 212 EME / CENC Modules 214 MMT-specific signaling 216 Route-specific signaling 218 NRT files 220 DASH Player / Decoder 222 EME / CENC Module 224 DASH segments 226 NRT files 228 Signaling Objects 230 session layers 232 MMTP protocol 234 ROUTE protocol 236 HTTP Protocol 238 HTTP Proxy Module 240 Service List Table (SLT) 242 Transport Layer 244 User Datagram Protocol (UDP) 246 Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) 248 Network Layers 250 Physical layer 252 Broadcast transmission / reception equipment 254 Computer Network Interfaces 256 ATSC3.0 TV Tuner 258 displays 260 speakers 262 Input device 264 Network Interfaces 266 processors 268 input ports 270 memory 272 Location or place receiver 274 Cameras 276 Bluetooth® Transceiver 278 Auxiliary Sensors 280 IR sensor 300 ATSC3.0 receiver 302 Boundary area 304 First and second ATSC 3.0 broadcasting stations or assemblies 306 First frequency 308 Second frequency 400 ATSC3.0 receiver 402 Tuner 404 Demodulator 406 Antenna 500 ATSC3.0 receiver 502 Tuner 504 Demodulator 506 Antenna Collect 600 received parameters. 602 Send parameters along with time and location data to (one or multiple) servers. 604 Query the (single or multiple) server about any possible signals that may be receivable. 606 Scan first for potentially receivable channels, or scan only those channels. Received parameter / position / time data from receiver 700. 702 Aggregation Identify potentially receivable signals for the 704 (single / multiple) region. 706 Receiver responds to query 708 Identify locations where reception is difficult. Leading to improvements in the 710 RF (addition of SFN transmitter) 712 data is used to supply MFN data. Predicting the 714 SS forecast 716 Provided to third parties

Claims

1. A method for a digital television in which multiple receivers can receive broadcast signals from at least a first digital television broadcast assembly, The steps include receiving the reception parameters and antenna coefficients of each broadcast channel from the plurality of receivers, The steps include identifying potentially receivable channels using at least the aforementioned receiving parameters, The steps include: transmitting the identification of potentially receivable channels to at least some of the plurality of receivers so that the plurality of receivers can reduce the channel scan time; The steps include: scanning only the potentially receivable channels using at least one of the aforementioned receivers; Includes, The method is characterized in that each of the receivers includes an Advanced Television Systems Commission (ATSC) 3.0 receiver.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized by comprising the steps of scanning for the potentially receivable channels using at least one of the receivers, and then scanning for channels other than the potentially receivable channels.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized by including the step of using at least one of the receivers to present at least one of the potentially receivable channels on at least one audio-video display device.

4. The method according to claim 1, comprising the step of associating receiving parameters and antenna coefficients with the location and time at which the receiving parameters were collected by each receiver, wherein the potentially receivable channels are identified based on the receiving parameters, location and time.

5. The steps include identifying a location where reception is difficult using the aforementioned receiving parameters and antenna coefficients, The steps include: transmitting the identification of the location where reception is difficult to at least some of the plurality of receivers; The method according to claim 1, characterized by including

6. A step of supplying multi-frequency network (MFN) data by providing data obtained from the aforementioned receiving parameters, The method according to claim 1, characterized by including

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized by comprising the step of identifying the potentially receivable channels using at least one machine learning (ML) model in part.

8. It is a device, It comprises at least one receiver, the receiver is At least one reception parameter and at least one antenna coefficient related to digital television broadcast reception are transmitted to at least one wide-area computer network, along with at least one location and at least one time. From the wide-area computer network, receive at least one instruction on at least one potentially receivable channel, Using the above instructions, scan for digital television broadcast channels. It is configured in such a way, The instruction is executable to scan only the channels that may be receivable as indicated by the wide-area computer network, The receiver is characterized by including an Advanced Television Systems Commission (ATSC) 3.0 receiver.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the command is executable to scan for potentially receivable channels indicated by the wide-area computer network, and then scan for channels other than the potentially receivable channels.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the command is executable to present the potentially receivable channels on at least one audio-video display device.

11. The order is, The wide-area computer network receives the identification of locations where reception is difficult, Based at least partially on the aforementioned locations where reception is difficult, a channel scan is performed. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that it is executable in such a way.

12. A digital television device, A server comprising at least one processor programmed with an instruction, wherein the instruction causes the processor to The receiver receives the reception parameters and antenna coefficients for each broadcast channel from multiple receivers. Using the aforementioned receiving parameters and antenna coefficients, potentially receivable channels are identified. The identification of potentially receivable channels is transmitted to at least some of the plurality of receivers so that the plurality of receivers can reduce the channel scan time. Configured in this way, Each of the aforementioned receivers includes an Advanced Television Systems Commission (ATSC) 3.0 receiver, The aforementioned instruction is, A digital television apparatus characterized in that receiving parameters and antenna coefficients can be associated with the location and time at which the receiving parameters are collected by each receiver, and the potentially receivable channels are identified based on the receiving parameters, location and time.

13. The aforementioned instruction is, Using the aforementioned receiving parameters and antenna coefficients, a location where reception is difficult is identified. The identification of the location where reception is difficult is transmitted to at least some of the plurality of receivers. The digital television apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that it is executable in this manner.

14. The aforementioned instruction is, Using at least one machine learning (ML) model, at least in part, to identify the potentially receivable channels, The digital television apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that it is executable in this manner.

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