Cross-Stream Error Correction for Reliable Mobile TV Reception

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing ATSC digital TV broadcast system faces challenges in providing reliable mobile reception of digital television signals, particularly due to issues like burst noise and deep channel fading, which hinder clear reception on mobile and handheld devices.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a broadcasting method that combines error correction coding techniques, such as systematic and non-systematic convolutional coding, along with transmission diversity methods, to enhance the robustness of digital television signals. This includes generating packets with audiovisual information and separate error correction coding information, which can be associated using control data, allowing mobile devices to utilize additional error correction necessary for reliable reception.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional ATSC digital TV broadcast is used for mobile reception, then standard definition video can be transmitted, but reception reliability deteriorates due to burst noise and deep channel fading

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereception reliabilityVSAvoidburst noise and deep channel fading
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the error correction coding into two separate streams: a first stream containing first error correction coding information and a second stream containing second error correction coding information. This segmentation allows mobile devices to selectively combine error correction codes from both streams to combat burst noise and deep channel fading, thereby improving reception reliability without requiring the entire encoded stream to be received intact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of error correction coding by transmitting different types of error correction coding information in separate streams (systematic coding in one stream, non-systematic coding in another). This parameter change enables receivers to adaptively select and combine the most appropriate error correction codes based on channel conditions, improving reliability against specific impairments like burst noise and fading.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If separate streams with different error correction coding are transmitted, then reception robustness improves, but transmission complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereception robustnessVSAvoidtransmission complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the transmission system universal by designing it to support both mobile and stationary receivers. The first stream is configured to be usable by both mobile and stationary receivers, while the second stream provides additional error correction specifically for mobile devices. This multi-functionality allows a single transmission infrastructure to serve multiple receiver types without requiring separate transmission systems, thereby managing complexity while improving robustness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-configuring the error correction coding structure before transmission. The systematic and non-systematic error correction codes are prepared and organized into separate streams in advance, with metadata indicating how they should be combined. This preliminary organization simplifies the transmission process and enables receivers to efficiently combine the codes without complex real-time processing, reducing transmission complexity while maintaining robustness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If additional error correction coding information is transmitted in separate streams, then mobile reception reliability improves, but bandwidth efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemobile reception reliabilityVSAvoidbandwidth efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by transmitting only the necessary portions of error correction coding information in separate streams. The first stream contains error correction codes sufficient for basic reception by all devices, while the second stream contains additional error correction codes specifically for mobile devices experiencing harsher channel conditions. This partial duplication of error correction functionality provides enhanced reliability for mobile reception without completely duplicating the entire error correction scheme, thereby managing bandwidth efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2321920B1Transmission of multimedia streams to mobile devices with cross stream association
Publication Date: 2015.10.21 COHERENT LOGIX INC
  • EP2321920B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2321920B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2321920B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system and method for wirelessly transmitting audiovisual information. A first plurality of packets including audiovisual information may be generated. A second plurality of packets including error correction coding information for the audiovisual information may be generated. Control information for associating the error correction coding information with the audiovisual information may be generated, and a third plurality of packets including the control information may also be generated. The plurality of packets, including the first, second, and third pluralities of packets, may be transmitted to a mobile device in a wireless manner. The control information may inform the mobile device of the association of the first error correction coding information with the audiovisual information.