System and apparatus for power-efficiently delivering update information to devices in a broadcast network

摘要

Embodiments provide power-efficient mechanisms for communicating small amounts of information to receiver devices within a mobile broadcast system. A generic transport mechanism enables transmitting data relevant to upper layer protocols in a lower layer sub-channel so multiple information summary flows can share the same physical layer sub-channel. Data fields are added to the Overhead Information Service (OIS) channel to provide power-efficient logical channels for carrying the summary information. Data from the power-efficient logical channels are provided to an upper protocol layer that receives the information summary flows. Information summary flow may carry a version number of an information flow in the broadcast signal, codes or other information. Receiver devices periodically monitoring the OIS receive the information summary flows. Employing an embodiment, a receiver device can minimize power consumption because reception of the OIS can indicate whether any new information flows are available, obviating a need to periodically check information flows.