1. Apparatus comprising:
a first encoder arranged to encode first data symbols; and,
a transmitter that includes a second encoder arranged to encode second data symbols and the encoded first data symbols and that transmits a signal containing the encoded first and second data symbols intermixed in a data frame having a plurality of ATSC data segments such that one complete ReedSolomon block of the first data symbols is packed into two complete ATSC data segments and such that one complete ReedSolomon block of the second data symbols is packed into one complete ATSC data segment, wherein the first and second data symbols have the same constellation and correspond to different numbers of coded bits.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the constellation is an 8 VSB constellation.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first data symbols comprise robust VSB data symbols, and wherein the second data symbols comprise ATSC data symbols.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second encoder is arranged to effectively perform encoding at an encoding rate of \u2154 times KL, and wherein KL<1.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein KL=\xbd.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first encoder includes a first convolutional interleaver characterized by interleave parameters B(1), M(1), and N(1), wherein the first convolutional interleaver comprises B(1) paths, wherein M(1) is a unit delay through a path of the first convolutional interleaver, wherein N(1)=M(1)B(1), wherein B(1)=46, wherein M(1)=4, wherein N(1)=184, wherein the transmitter includes a second convolutional interleaver characterized by interleave parameters B(2)M(2), and N(2), wherein the second convolutional interleaver comprises B(2) paths, wherein M(2) is a unit delay through a path of the second convolutional interleaver, wherein N(2)=M(2)B(2), wherein B(2)=52, wherein M(2)=4, wherein N(2)=208.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the data frame includes a frame synch segment, and wherein the first and second convolutional interleavers are synchronized to the frame synch segment.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first encoder is arranged to also encode third data symbols, wherein the second encoder is arranged to also encode the third data symbols, wherein the transmitted signal also contains the encoded third data symbols such that one complete ReedSolomon block of the third data symbols is packed into four complete ATSC data segments, and wherein the third data symbols have the same constellation as the first and second data symbols and correspond to a number of coded bits different than the numbers of coded bits corresponding to the first and second data symbols.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first data symbols comprise first robust VSB data symbols, wherein the third data symbols comprise second robust VSB data, and wherein the second data symbols comprise ATSC data symbols.
10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the second encoder is arranged to effectively perform encoding at encoding rates of \u2154 times KL and of \u2154 times PQ, wherein KL\u2260PQ, wherein KL<1, and wherein PQ<1.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein KL=\xbd, and wherein PQ=\xbc.
12. Apparatus comprising:
a ReedSolomon encoder arranged to encode robust VSB data as robust ReedSolomon blocks each containing the robust VSB data and robust ReedSolomon parity data; and,
a transmitter arranged to transmit an ATSC frame containing a plurality of ATSC segments such that at least some of the ATSC segments comprise the robust ReedSolomon blocks and such that each of the robust ReedSolomon blocks is between an ATSC transport header and ATSC ReedSolomon parity data.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the transmitter includes a convolutional interleaver arranged to convolutionally interleave an output of the ReedSolomon encoder.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the transmitter includes an encoder arrangement that is arranged to effectively perform encoding at encoding rates of \u2154 times KL and of \u2154 times PQ, wherein KL\u2260PQ, wherein KL<1, and wherein PQ<1.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein KL=\xbd, and wherein PQ=\xbc.
16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the encoder arrangement is arranged to provide robust ReedSolomon blocks in a form such that one complete robust ReedSolomon block is packed into M complete ATSC segments, and wherein M is an integer equal to 2 or 4.
17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the convolutional interleaver is arranged to provide interleaved robust ReedSolomon blocks in a form such that the ATSC frame contains an integral number of the ReedSolomon blocks.
18. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the convolutional interleaver is characterized by interleave parameters B, M and N, wherein the convolutional interleaver comprises B paths, wherein M is a unit delay through a path, wherein N=MB, wherein M=4, B=46, and N=184.
19. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the transmitter includes an encoder arrangement that is arranged to effectively perform encoding at an encoding rate of \u2154 times KL, and wherein KL<1.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein KL=\xbd.
21. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein KL=\xbc.
22. Apparatus comprising:
a first encoder arranged to encode first data symbols, wherein the first decoder includes a first convolutional interleaver arranged to interleave the first data symbols; and,
a transmitter including a second convolutional interleaver and a second encoder, wherein the second convolutional interleaver is arranged to interleave second data symbols and the interleaved and encoded first data symbols, wherein the second encoder is arranged to encode the second data symbols and the interleaved and encoded first data symbols and to transmit a signal containing the encoded and interleaved first and second data symbols intermixed in a data frame having a plurality of ATSC data segments such that one complete ReedSolomon block of the first data symbols is packed into two complete ATSC data segments and such that one complete ReedSolomon block of the second data symbols is packed into one complete ATSC data segment, and wherein the first and second data symbols have the same constellation and correspond to different numbers of coded bits.
23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the constellation is an 8 VSB constellation.
24. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the first data symbols comprise robust VSB data symbols, and wherein the second data symbols comprise ATSC data symbols.
25. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the second encoder is arranged to effectively perform encoding at an encoding rate of \u2154 times KL, and wherein KL<1.
26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein KL=\xbd.
27. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the first convolutional interleaver is characterized by interleave parameters B(1), M(1), and N(1), wherein the first convolutional interleaver comprises B(1) paths, wherein M(1) is a unit delay through a path of the first convolutional interleaver, wherein N(1)=M(1)B(1), wherein B(1)=46, wherein M(1)=4, wherein N(1)=184, wherein the second convolutional interleaver is characterized by interleave parameters B(2), M(2), and N(2), wherein the second convolutional interleaver comprises B(2) paths, wherein M(2) is a unit delay through a path of the second convolutional interleaver, wherein N(2)=M(2)B(2), wherein B(2)=52, wherein M(2)=4, wherein N(2)=208.
28. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the data frame includes a frame synch segment, and wherein the first and second convolutional interleavers are synchronized to the frame synch segment.
29. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the first encoder is arranged to also encode third data symbols, wherein the second encoder is arranged to also encode the third data symbols, wherein the transmitted signal also contains the encoded third data symbols such that one complete ReedSolomon block of the third data symbols is packed into four complete ATSC data segments, and wherein the third data symbols have the same constellation as the first and second data symbols and correspond to a number of coded bits different than the numbers of coded bits corresponding to the first and second data symbols.
30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the first data symbols comprise first robust VSB data symbols, wherein the third data symbols comprise second robust VSB data, and wherein the second data symbols comprise ATSC data symbols.
31. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the second encoder is arranged to effectively perform encoding at encoding rates of \u2154 times KL and of \u2154 times PQ, wherein KL\u2260PQ, wherein KL<1, and wherein PQ<1.
32. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein KL=\xbd, and wherein PQ=\xbc.
33. An apparatus comprising:
an input to provide a received digital television signal, wherein the received digital television signal contains a data frame, wherein the received digital television signal contains first data symbols and second data symbols having the same constellation, wherein the first data symbols and the second data symbols correspond to different predetermined numbers of data bits, and wherein the first and second data symbols are intermixed in the data frame; and,
a decoder that decodes at least one of the first and second data symbols.
34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the first data symbols comprise first 8 VSB data symbols, wherein the second data symbols comprise second 8 VSB data symbols, and wherein the constellation comprises an 8 VSB constellation.
35. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the first 8 VSB data symbols comprise ATSC data symbols, and wherein the second 8 VSB data symbols comprise robust data symbols.
36. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the data frame comprises a plurality of ATSC data segments, wherein the first data symbols comprise first 8 VSB data symbols, wherein the second data symbols comprise second 8 VSB data symbols, wherein the constellation comprises an 8 VSB constellation, wherein one complete ReedSolomon block of the first 8 VSB data symbols is packed into one complete ATSC data segment, and wherein one complete ReedSolomon block of the second 8 VSB data symbols is packed into two complete ATSC data segments.
37. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the data frame comprises a plurality of ATSC data segments, wherein the first data symbols comprise first 8 VSB data symbols, wherein the second data symbols comprise second 8 VSB data symbols, wherein the constellation comprises an 8 VSB constellation, wherein one complete ReedSolomon block of the first 8 VSB data symbols is packed into one complete ATSC data segment, and wherein one complete ReedSolomon block of the second 8 VSB data symbols is packed into four complete ATSC data segments.
38. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the decoder includes a first convolutional deinterleaver arranged to deinterleave the received digital television signal to produce a deinterleaved signal, wherein the decoder includes a second convolutional deinterleaver arranged to deinterleave the deinterleaved signal, wherein the first convolutional deinterleaver is characterized by deinterleave parameters B(1), M(1), and N(1), wherein the first convolutional deinterleaver comprises B(1) paths, wherein M(1) is a unit delay through a path of the first convolutional deinterleaver, wherein N(1)=M(1)B(1), wherein the second convolutional deinterleaver is characterized by deinterleave parameters B(2), M(2), and N(2), wherein the second convolutional deinterleaver comprises B(2) paths, wherein M(2) is a unit delay through a path of the second convolutional deinterleaver, and wherein N(2)=M(2)B(2)
39. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein the data frame includes a frame synch segment, and wherein the first and second convolutional deinterleavers are synchronized to the frame synch segment.
40. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein B(1)=52, wherein M(1)=4, wherein N(1)=208, wherein B(2)=46, wherein M(2)=4, and wherein N(2)=184.
41. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the first data symbols comprise ATSC data symbols, wherein the second data symbols comprise robust VSB data symbols, wherein the decoder includes a first convolutional deinterleaver arranged to deinterleave the first data symbols and the second data symbols, and wherein the decoder includes a second convolutional deinterleaver arranged to deinterleave only the second data symbols, wherein the first convolutional deinterleaver is characterized by deinterleave parameters B(1), M(1), and N(1), wherein the first convolutional deinterleaver comprises B(1) paths, wherein M(1) is a unit delay through a path of the first convolutional deinterleaver, wherein N(1)=M(1)B(1), wherein the second convolutional deinterleaver is characterized by deinterleave parameters B(2), M(2), and N(2), wherein the second convolutional deinterleaver comprises B(2) paths, wherein M(2) is a unit delay through a path of the second convolutional deinterleaver, and wherein N(2)=M(2)B(2).
42. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the data frame includes a frame synch segment, and wherein the first and second convolutional deinterleavers are synchronized to the frame synch segment.
43. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein B(1)=52, wherein M(1)=4, wherein N(1)=208, wherein B(2)=46, wherein M(2)=4, and wherein N(2)=184.
44. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the data frame comprises a plurality of data segments, wherein one complete ReedSolomon block of the first data symbols is packed into one complete data segment, and wherein one complete ReedSolomon block of the second data symbols is packed into two complete data segments.
45. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the data frame comprises a plurality of data segments, wherein one complete ReedSolomon block of the first data symbols is packed into one complete data segment, and wherein one complete ReedSolomon block of the second data symbols is packed into four complete data segments.
46. Apparatus comprising:
a first encoder arranged to encode first data; and,
a transmitter that includes a second encoder arranged to encode second data and the encoded first data and that transmits the encoded first and second data as corresponding first and second data symbols intermixed in a data frame of a digital television signal, wherein the first and second data symbols have the same constellation and correspond to different predetermined numbers of data bits.
47. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the first data symbols comprise first 8 VSB data symbols, wherein the second data symbols comprise second 8 VSB data symbols, and wherein the constellation comprises an 8 VSB constellation.
48. The apparatus of claim 47 wherein the first 8 VSB data symbols comprise robust data symbols, and wherein the second 8 VSB data symbols comprise ATSC data symbols.
49. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the data frame comprises a plurality of ATSC data segments, wherein the first data symbols comprise first 8 VSB data symbols, wherein the second data symbols comprise second 8 VSB data symbols, wherein the constellation comprises an 8 VSB constellation, wherein one complete ReedSolomon block of the first 8 VSB data symbols is packed into two complete ATSC data segments, and wherein one complete ReedSolomon block of the second 8 VSB data symbols is packed into one complete ATSC data segment.
50. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the data frame comprises a plurality of ATSC data segments, wherein the first data symbols comprise first 8 VSB data symbols, wherein the second data symbols comprise second 8 VSB data symbols, wherein the constellation comprises an 8 VSB constellation, wherein one complete ReedSolomon block of the first 8 VSB data symbols is packed into four complete ATSC data segments, and wherein one complete ReedSolomon block of the second 8 VSB data symbols is packed into one complete ATSC data segment.
51. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the first encoder includes a first convolutional interleaver arranged to interleave the first data to produce a first interleaved signal, wherein the second encoder includes a second convolutional interleaver arranged to interleave the first interleaved signal and the second data, wherein the first convolutional interleaver is characterized by interleave parameters B(1), M(1), and N(1), wherein the first convolutional interleaver comprises B(1) paths, wherein M(1) is a unit delay through a path of the first convolutional interleaver, wherein N(1)=M(1)B(1), wherein the second convolutional interleaver is characterized by interleave parameters B(2), M(2), and N(2), wherein the second convolutional interleaver comprises B(2) paths, wherein M(2) is a unit delay through a path of the second convolutional interleaver, and wherein N(2)=N(2)B(2).
52. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein the data frame includes a frame synch segment, and wherein the first and second convolutional interleavers are synchronized to the frame synch segment.
53. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the first data symbols comprise ATSC data symbols, wherein the second data symbols comprise robust VSB data symbols, wherein the first encoder includes a first convolutional interleaver arranged to interleave the first data to produce interleaved data, and wherein the second encoder includes a second convolutional interleaver arranged to interleave the interleaved data and the second data, wherein the first convolutional interleaver is characterized by interleave parameters B(1), M(1), and N(1), wherein the first convolutional interleaver comprises B(1) paths, wherein M(1) is a unit delay through a path of the first convolutional interleaver, wherein N(1)=M(1)B(1), wherein the second convolutional interleaver is characterized by interleave parameters B(2), M(2), and N(2), wherein the second convolutional interleaver comprises B(2) paths, wherein M(2) is a unit delay through a path of the second convolutional interleaver, and wherein N(2)=M(2)B(2).
54. The apparatus of claim 53 wherein the data frame includes a frame synch segment, and wherein the first and second convolutional interleavers are synchronized to the frame synch segment.
55. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the data frame comprises a plurality of data segments, wherein one complete ReedSolomon block of the first data symbols is packed into two complete data segments, and wherein one complete ReedSolomon block of the second data symbols is packed into one complete data segment.
56. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the data frame comprises a plurality of data segments, wherein one complete ReedSolomon block of the first data symbols is packed into four complete data segments, and wherein one complete ReedSolomon block of the second data symbols is packed into one complete data segments.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A data processor bi-directionally communicably connected to a host device, the data processor comprising:
a process-executing unit configured to execute a prescribed printing process in response to a process-requested file being written into a prescribed folder; and
a progress-status-saving unit configured to save, in a memory, progress status data having a prescribed filename in a prescribed folder having a prescribed folder name,
wherein the progress status data describes a progress status of the prescribed printing process and the prescribed filename includes a string of characters having a meaning indicating a progress status of the prescribed printing process being executed to the process-requested file, and
wherein the prescribed folder is included within a plurality of folders and the progress status of the prescribed printing process is classified into a plurality of categories, and wherein each of the plurality of folders identifies a different possible category of progress status the progress-status-saving unit saves the progress status data in a folder selected from among the plurality of folders identified by a category of the progress status from among the plurality of categories.
2. The data processor according to claim 1, wherein the progress-status-saving unit saves the progress status data in the prescribed folder in which the process-requested file is written.
3. The data processor according to claim 1, wherein the progress-status-saving unit creates a plurality of folders in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of categories, regardless of whether the process-executing unit has executed the prescribed printing process.
4. The data processor according to claim 1, wherein the progress status of the prescribed printing process is classified into a plurality of categories, and the progress status data has contents differing depending upon a category.
5. The data processor according to claim 4, wherein the progress-status-saving unit saves the progress status data on a category-by-category basis, regardless of whether the process-executing unit has executed the prescribed printing process.
6. The data processor according to claim 1, wherein the progress-status-saving unit saves abnormality-occurrence data indicating occurrence of an abnormality when the progress status of the prescribed printing process is an abnormal state.
7. The data processor according to claim 1, further comprising a file-controlling unit configured to prevent the host device from deleting the process-requested file written in the prescribed folder from a start of execution until a completion of execution of the prescribed printing process.
8. The data processor according to claim 1, further comprising a file-controlling unit configured to prevent the host device from modifying the process-requested file written in the prescribed folder from a start of execution until a completion of execution of the prescribed printing process.
9. The data processor according to claim 1, further comprising a printing unit configured to print images on a print medium, wherein the prescribed printing process includes activating the printing unit to perform printing of the process-requested file written in the prescribed folder.
10. The data processor according to claim 1, wherein the prescribed folder name includes a string of characters having a meaning indicating a progress status of the prescribed printing process, the prescribed filename stored in the prescribed folder indicating the progress status of the prescribed printing process more precisely than an indication by the name of the prescribed folder.
11. The data processor according to claim 1, wherein:
the process-executing unit is configured to execute a second prescribed printing process in response to a second process-requested file being written into the prescribed folder;
the progress-status-saving unit is configured to save in the memory second progress status data having a second prescribed filename in a second prescribed folder having a second prescribed folder name, different from the prescribed folder name but included within the plurality of folders, the progress status of the second prescribed printing process being in a different category of progress status as compared to the progress status of the prescribed printing process; and
the second prescribed filename including a second string of characters having a meaning indicating a different progress status as compared to the progress status of the prescribed printing process being executed to the process-requested file.
12. A data-processing system comprising:
a host device;
a data processor bi-directionally communicably connected to the host device, the data processor including a process-executing unit that executes a prescribed printing process by writing a process-requested file into a prescribed folder; and
a progress-status-saving unit configured to save, in a memory, progress status data having a prescribed filename in a prescribed folder having a prescribed folder name,
wherein the progress status data describes a progress status of the prescribed printing process and the prescribed filename includes a string of characters having a meaning indicating a progress status of the prescribed printing process being executed to the process-requested file, and
wherein the prescribed folder is included within a plurality of folders and the progress status of the prescribed printing process is classified into a plurality of categories, and wherein each of the plurality of folders identifies a different possible category of progress status the progress-status-saving unit saves the progress status data in a folder selected from among the plurality of folders identified by a category of the progress status from among the plurality of categories.
13. The data processing system according to claim 12, further comprising a printing unit configured to print images on a print medium, wherein the prescribed process includes activating the printing unit to perform printing of the process-requested file written in the prescribed folder.
14. A non-transitory computer program medium including a computer usable medium having readable program code embodies in the medium, the computer program product including a least one component to:
instruct execution of a prescribed printing process in response to a process-requested file being written into a prescribed folder of a data processor bi-directionally communicably connected to a computer that runs in accordance with the computer program;
classify the progress status of the prescribed process into a plurality of categories;
save progress status data having a prescribed filename in a prescribed folder having a prescribed folder name, the progress status data describing a progress status of the prescribed printing process and indicating a progress status of the prescribed printing process being executed to the process-requested file and being saved in a folder selected from among the plurality of folders identified by a category of the progress status from among the plurality of categories, wherein each of the plurality of folders identifies a different possible category of progress status of the prescribed printing process;
allow the computer to retrieve the progress status data;
wherein the prescribed filename includes a string of characters having a meaning indicating a progress status of the prescribed printing process.
15. A data processor comprising:
a communication interface configured to receive an image file transmitted from an external device; and
a controller operable under a folder structure including a print request folder in which the image file to be printed is written and a plurality of print progress folders having folder names representing sequentially changeable print progress statuses, wherein each of the plurality of print progress folders identifies a different possible one of the sequentially changeable print progress statuses, the controller being configured to:
execute a printing process based on the image file under a condition that the communication interface receives the image file transmitted from the external device; and
store a file in a selected one of the plurality of print progress folders, the file having a file name corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of progress folders and more precisely indicating a print progress status than the name of the selected one of the plurality of progress folders.