The present invention relates to receivers such as multi-carrier and cellular receivers. Cellular receivers, in the form of portable radiotelephones are commonplace, and their design and operation is well understood. Such portable radiotelephones can be used for making and receiving telephone calls, sending and receiving messages, and even browsing world-wide computer network such as the Internet. Many standards exist for portable radiotelephones, including global system for mobile communications (GSM), general radio packet service (GPRS) Receivers capable of receiving digital television signals, such as signals according to the terrestrial digital video broadcasting (DVB-T) standard are also commonplace. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for receiving and transmitting signals via multiple communication channels.
1. A mobile terminal having a first receiver for receiving a first signal from a first communications network including a communication service, the mobile terminal comprising:
a second receiver within said mobile terminal for receiving a second signal conveying complementary information, relating to the communication service included in said first signal, transmitted from a second communications network and said complementary information comprises an announcement relating to the communication service, wherein the mobile terminal determines a receiving schedule of the first receiver based on the complementary information,
further comprising a memory configured to store user preferences and a controller configured to decide whether to enable said first receiver in dependence on the stored user preferences.
2. A terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the controller configures said first receiver according to said complementary information.
3. A terminal according to claim 1 , wherein said first receiver is enabled to receive said first signal in response to said complementary information.
4. A terminal according to claim 1 , wherein said complementary information comprises configuration data for configuring the first receiver.
5. A terminal according to claim 1 , wherein said first signal is a digital video broadcasting signal, and said first receiver is a digital video broadcasting receiver.
6. A terminal according to claim 1 , wherein said second signal is a global system for mobile signal, and said second receiver is a global system for mobile receiver.
7. A terminal according to claim 1 , wherein said second signal is a general packet radio service signal, and said second receiver is a general packet radio service receiver.
8. A terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the first signal includes a data file, said terminal being actuable in response to said complementary information to receive said data file.
9. A method of receiving a first signal by a first receiver of a mobile terminal from a first communications network, wherein said first communications network includes a communication service, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving a second signal with a second receiver of said mobile terminal, said second signal conveying complementary information relating to the communication service included in said first signal transmitted from a second communications network and said complementary information comprises an announcement relating to the communication service, wherein the mobile terminal determines a receiving schedule of the first receiver based on the complementary information, and further comprising the steps of storing user preferences and deciding whether said second signal should be received in dependence on said stored user preferences.
10. A method according to claim 9 , comprising receiving said first signal in accordance with said complementary information.