Data structure and signaling method for emergency alert message and digital TV receiver

Abstract

An emergency alert message is included in a cable broadcast signal. The emergency alert message includes major and minor details channel numbers associated with a details channel. A details channel number is configured based on the major details channel number when the minor details channel number is set to a null value. Next, it is tuned to a channel frequency of a digital cable channel corresponding to the details channel number when the details channel number exists in a digital channel number list. Alternatively, the emergency alert message includes a details channel source field which indicates whether a details channel is a digital or an analog channel. Then, it is tuned to a channel frequency of one of a digital cable channel and an analog cable channel based upon a value of the details channel source field.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . An emergency alert signaling method for use by a cable TV system, the method comprising the steps of:
 receiving an in-band cable signal including an emergency alert message, the emergency alert message including frequency information for physically tuning to a details channel, wherein the details channel is a digital channel or an analog channel;   configuring a details channel number based on a major details channel number and a minor details channel number included in the emergency alert message;   determining whether a details channel corresponding to the details channel number is a digital channel or an analog channel upon parsing the frequency information; and   physically tuning to a channel frequency of one of a digital cable channel and an analog cable channel corresponding to the details channel number based on the parsed frequency information.   
     
     
         19 . The emergency alert signaling method of  claim 18 , wherein the frequency information is transmitted via the in-band cable signal. 
     
     
         20 . The emergency alert signaling method of  claim 18 , wherein the minor details channel number defines a service within a group of services defined by a major details channel number in a two part channel number. 
     
     
         21 . The emergency alert signaling method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 determining whether a minor details channel number included in the emergency alert message is set to a null value; and   determining whether the details channel corresponding to the details channel number is a digital channel or an analog channel upon parsing the frequency information when determined that the minor details channel number included in the emergency alert message is set to a null value.   
     
     
         22 . A digital cable TV receiver comprising:
 a tuner configured to receive an in-band cable signal including an emergency alert message, the emergency alert message including frequency information for physically tuning to a details channel, wherein the details channel is a digital channel or an analog channel;   a demodulator configured to demodulate the in-band cable signal; and   a controller which configures a details channel number based on a major details channel number and a minor details channel number included in the emergency alert message, determines whether a details channel corresponding to the details channel number is a digital channel or an analog channel upon parsing the frequency information and controls the tuner to physically tune to a channel frequency of one of a digital cable channel and an analog cable channel corresponding to the details channel number based on the parsed frequency information.   
     
     
         23 . The digital cable TV receiver of  claim 22 , wherein the frequency information is transmitted via the in-band cable signal. 
     
     
         24 . The digital cable TV receiver of  claim 22 , wherein the minor details channel number defines a service within a group of services defined by a major details channel number in a two part channel number. 
     
     
         25 . A method of processing an emergency alert message in a digital cable TV receiver when the emergency alert message is processed in-band, the method comprising the steps of:
 receiving an in-band cable signal including an emergency alert message, the emergency alert message including frequency channel information, wherein the frequency channel information identifies a channel frequency of one of a digital cable channel and an analog cable channel corresponding to a details channel;   configuring a details channel number based on a major details channel number and a minor details channel number included in the emergency alert message;   determining whether a details channel corresponding to the details channel number is a digital cable channel or an analog cable channel upon parsing the frequency channel information; and   tuning to a channel frequency of one of a digital cable channel and an analog cable channel corresponding to the details channel number based on the parsed frequency channel information.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the frequency channel information is transmitted via the in-band cable signal and the minor details channel number defines a service within a group of services defined by a major details channel number in a two part channel number. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising:
 determining whether a minor details channel number included in the emergency alert message is set to a null value; and   determining whether the details channel corresponding to the details channel number is a digital cable channel or an analog cable channel upon parsing the frequency channel information when determined that the minor details channel number included in the emergency alert message is set to a null value.