JP2002198922A - Method and system for digital broadcast, and its transmitter and receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allows program information forming broadcast programs to be efficiently broadcasted, in digital broadcast. SOLUTION: Electronic program guide(EPG data), entitlement management massage(EMM data), down load data(DL data) and the like, which are originally extra information to be transmitted in each of multiple transmission channels, are transmitted integrated into a specific channel(specific CH). In normal channels(normal CH), except content information, program selection information(PSI) are transmitted as main needed minimum information, and most of the channels are used for transmission of content information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital broadcasting method, a digital broadcasting system, a transmitting device, and a receiving device when digital broadcasting is performed by, for example, cable television broadcasting.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In addition to analog broadcasting such as terrestrial television broadcasting and cable television broadcasting, digital broadcasting such as digital satellite broadcasting has recently been performed.
In the case of digital broadcasting, video signals and audio signals of a large number of broadcast programs are digitized, and these are compressed and time-division multiplexed before being broadcast.

[0003] Therefore, various broadcast programs such as movies, dramas, sports, news, music, etc. are multiplexed and are multiplexed.
Various broadcast programs are broadcast through one transmission channel (transmission path). In addition, game programs and various digital data for data broadcasting are also multiplexed and provided through one transmission channel.

For this reason, as shown in FIG. 47, each of the digital broadcast signals transmitted on each transmission channel is provided so that the viewer can easily select a desired broadcast program. Electronic program guide information (E
Additional information such as PG data) and tuning information (Program)
m Specific Information: PS
I) is added.

[0005] In a receiver for receiving a digital broadcast signal, EPG data or PSI added to the digital broadcast signal is used to provide an electronic program guide to a viewer, or to select a digital broadcast signal selected for reception. Can extract the broadcast program data specified by the user and reproduce the data to provide the broadcast program to the viewer.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 47, each of the digital broadcast signals transmitted on each transmission channel includes pay billing information (EMM data) including a scramble decryption key of a pay broadcast program, and a malfunction of the receiving apparatus. Information such as download data (DL data) used as so-called complementary information for eliminating the problem is added, so that the provision of a paid broadcast program, the correction of a malfunction of the receiver, and the improvement of the function are automatically performed. Various services such as are provided.

[0007]

By the way, it has been considered that digital broadcasting is also performed by cable television broadcasting. In the case of cable television broadcasting, analog broadcasting is mainly performed through a broadband cable such as an optical fiber. However, the analog broadcasting alone does not use up the entire band of the broadband cable, and there are available channels.

For this reason, in cable television broadcasting,
It has been considered that a plurality of transmission channels for digital broadcasting are provided in a band not used for analog broadcasting, and an empty channel of a cable television transmission path used for cable television broadcasting is effectively used.

[0009] If both analog and digital broadcasting are performed by cable television broadcasting, viewers of cable television broadcasting can receive more broadcast programs. It is convenient. Also, if both analog and digital broadcasts can be viewed through a cable TV receiver, there is no need to provide two separate cable TV and digital broadcast receivers. There is no problem in securing the installation position of the receiver.

However, no matter how wide the transmission path of the cable television broadcast is, the maximum bandwidth is about 750 MHz and there is an upper limit. For this reason,
It is necessary to use the broadband cable of cable television broadcasting as effectively as possible and to carry out digital broadcasting efficiently.

However, as described above, in addition to the program information, various additional information is added to each of the digital broadcast signals transmitted through a plurality of different transmission channels. For this reason, the digital broadcast signal has a high degree of redundancy, and prevents efficient transmission of content information such as program information.

[0012] In particular, when digital broadcasting is performed by cable television broadcasting having a fixed bandwidth, and when a plurality of transmission channels for digital broadcasting are provided in a vacant band of a broadband cable of cable television broadcasting, It is desired to be able to transmit data more efficiently.

In view of the above, the present invention provides a digital broadcasting method capable of efficiently broadcasting program information forming a broadcast program when digital broadcasting is performed, a digital broadcasting system to which the method is applied, An object is to provide a sending device and a receiving device used in this system.

[0014]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital broadcasting method comprising: a plurality of digital broadcast signals formed by time-division multiplexing a plurality of digital program information; Is transmitted through different transmission channels, wherein additional information to be transmitted through each of the transmission channels is aggregated into one predetermined specific transmission channel and transmitted, and transmission channels other than the specific transmission channel are transmitted. Is characterized by mainly transmitting digital program information for providing a program.

According to the digital broadcasting method of the first aspect, the additional information originally transmitted on each of the plurality of transmission channels is aggregated into a specific transmission channel and transmitted, and The broadcast program information is transmitted through a transmission channel other than the specific transmission channel.

This eliminates the need to transmit the same additional information for each transmission channel, reduces the redundancy between digital broadcast signals, efficiently transmits digital broadcast program information, and realizes efficient digital broadcast. can do.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the digital broadcasting method according to the first aspect, wherein the additional information transmitted through the specific transmission channel is information for electronic program guide. And at least one of information for performing pay broadcasting and supplementary information.

According to the digital broadcasting method of the second aspect of the present invention, in digital broadcasting, information such as electronic program guide information, a pay-per-listening permission signal, and supplementary information are usually transmitted by each transmission. Although the same is transmitted for each channel, at least one of them is transmitted through a specific transmission channel, and is not transmitted other than the specific channel.

This prevents or reduces the redundant distribution of the same additional information through different transmission channels,
It is possible to reduce the redundancy between digital broadcast signals, transmit digital broadcast program information efficiently, and realize efficient digital broadcast.

A digital broadcasting method according to a third aspect of the present invention is the digital broadcasting method according to the first or second aspect, wherein the digital broadcasting method is performed through each of the transmission channels other than the specific transmission channel. In addition to the program information, additional information about the program broadcast on the own channel is transmitted.

According to the digital broadcasting method of the present invention, the additional information about the broadcast program to be broadcasted through its own channel is transmitted for each transmission channel.

[0022] This makes it possible to quickly obtain information about a broadcast program transmitted on the own channel without relying on additional information provided through a specific transmission channel.
This can be provided to the user, and a digital broadcast convenient for the viewer can be realized.

A digital broadcasting method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the digital broadcasting method according to the first, second or third aspect, wherein the specific transmission channel and the transmission other than the specific channel are transmitted. Each of the channels is provided on a broadband cable.

According to the digital broadcasting method of the present invention, the present invention is applied to a so-called cable television broadcast which broadcasts through a broadband cable. As a result, digital broadcasting can be efficiently performed even by cable television broadcasting.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the digital broadcasting system, each of a plurality of digital broadcast signals formed by time-division multiplexing a plurality of digital program information,
What is claimed is: 1. A digital broadcasting system, comprising: a transmitting device that transmits through different transmission channels; and a receiving device that receives the digital broadcast signal from the transmitting device, wherein the transmitting device has an additional transmission to be transmitted through each of the different transmission channels. By aggregating the information, additional information signal generating means for generating an additional information signal to be transmitted through one predetermined specific transmission channel, and time-division multiplexing of a plurality of digital program information to obtain information other than the specific transmission channel Program broadcast signal generation means for generating at least one or more program broadcast signals transmitted through the transmission channel; the additional information signal from the additional information signal generation means; and at least one or more from the program broadcast signal generation means Mixing means for mixing and transmitting the program broadcast signal Wherein the receiving device receives the additional information signal transmitted through the specific transmission channel, and receives the program broadcast signal transmitted through a transmission channel other than the specific channel. Second receiving means, a first control means for controlling a tuning operation of the first receiving means, a receiving means for receiving a broadcast program selection instruction input from a user,
A second control unit that controls a channel selection operation of the second receiving unit in response to the selection instruction input received through the receiving unit.

According to the digital broadcasting system of the present invention, the transmitting device collectively transmits the additional information to be transmitted through each transmission channel to the specific transmission channel, and transmits the additional information. A digital broadcast signal with multiplexed information is transmitted through a transmission channel other than the specific transmission channel.

In the receiving apparatus, the first receiving means receives and uses the additional information transmitted through the specific transmission channel, and the second receiving means transmits the additional information through a transmission channel other than the specific transmission channel. A digital broadcast signal in which a plurality of pieces of digital program information are multiplexed is received, and a target broadcast program is extracted from the received digital broadcast signal and reproduced.

Thus, digital broadcasting capable of efficiently broadcasting a digital broadcasting program can be realized, and the receiver side can reliably receive additional information of a specific transmission channel by a receiving means dedicated to receiving the additional information. The additional information can be received and used, so that a convenient use environment of digital broadcasting is prepared for the viewer.

In the digital broadcasting system according to the present invention, each of a plurality of digital broadcast signals formed by time-division multiplexing a plurality of digital program information,
What is claimed is: 1. A digital broadcasting system, comprising: a transmitting device that transmits through different transmission channels; and a receiving device that receives the digital broadcast signal from the transmitting device, wherein the transmitting device has an additional transmission to be transmitted through each of the different transmission channels. By aggregating the information, additional information signal generating means for generating an additional information signal to be transmitted through one predetermined specific transmission channel, and time-division multiplexing of a plurality of digital program information to obtain information other than the specific transmission channel Program broadcast signal generation means for generating at least one or more program broadcast signals transmitted through the transmission channel; the additional information signal from the additional information signal generation means; and at least one or more from the program broadcast signal generation means Mixing means for mixing and transmitting the program broadcast signal With the door, the receiving apparatus includes receiving means for receiving a digital broadcast signal from the delivery device,
Receiving means for receiving a broadcast program selection instruction input from a user; and, in response to the selection instruction input received through the reception means, the receiving means selects the intended transmission channel other than the specific transmission channel. When the normal channel selection control means and the receiving means need not select the transmission channel other than the specific channel, the receiving means selects the specific transmission channel. And a storage means for storing and holding additional information transmitted through the specific transmission channel received through the receiving means.

According to the digital broadcasting system of the present invention, the transmitting device collectively transmits the additional information to be transmitted through each transmission channel to the specific transmission channel and transmits the additional information. The information multiplexed digital broadcast signal is transmitted through a transmission channel other than the specific transmission channel.

In the receiving device, when the receiving device is turned on and is used by the viewer, the receiving device transmits the data through a transmission channel other than the specific transmission channel under the control of the control device. A digital broadcast signal in which a plurality of pieces of digital program information are multiplexed is received, and a target broadcast program is extracted from the received digital broadcast signal and reproduced.

When the power of the receiving apparatus is turned off and the use by the viewer is finished, the receiving apparatus
In a so-called standby reception mode, additional information transmitted through a specific transmission channel is received by the receiving means under the control of the control means, and this is stored in the storage means and can be used at any time.

As described above, when the receiving device is not used by the user, the additional information is obtained and stored and retained, so that the additional information can be reliably obtained and used. To be.

A digital broadcasting system according to a seventh aspect is the digital broadcasting system according to the fifth or sixth aspect, wherein the transmitting device is configured such that a plurality of pieces of digital program information are time-division multiplexed. Receiving means for receiving a digital broadcasting signal of a different broadcasting system formed, and tuning information included in the digital broadcasting signal received by the receiving means, which should be added to the digital broadcasting signal Channel selection information converting means for converting the channel selection information to match its own broadcasting system, and additional information included in the digital broadcast signal received by the receiving means,
Additional information invalidating means for invalidating unnecessary additional information;
The tuning information and the additional information of the digital broadcast signal received by the receiving means, the tuning information from the tuning information conversion means, and the invalidated additional information from the invalidating means, The additional information generating means, wherein the additional information generating means also aggregates additional information to be transmitted through the specific transmission channel for the digital broadcast signal of another broadcast system received by the receiving means, Is characterized in that the digital broadcasting signal from the replacing means is also mixed and transmitted.

According to the digital broadcasting system of the present invention, the receiving means receives the digital broadcasting signals of different broadcasting systems and uses the channel selection information added to the received digital broadcasting signals of different broadcasting systems. Then, the channel selection information to be added as it is is converted by the channel selection information conversion means so as to match the broadcasting system of the transmitting device.

Further, unnecessary additional information, which is added to the digital broadcast signals of different broadcast systems received by the receiving means, is invalidated by the invalidating means. Then, in the received digital broadcast signal,
The channel-converted channel information and the invalidated additional information are replaced by a replacement unit, and mixed by a mixing unit with another digital broadcast signal (digital broadcast signal of another transmission channel) and transmitted. Sent from the device.

In this case, the additional information about the digital broadcast signal of the different broadcasting system received by the receiving means, which is to be transmitted through the specific transmission channel, is also generated by the additional information generating means and is transmitted through the specific transmission channel. To be transmitted.

Thus, for example, even a digital broadcast signal broadcast by another broadcast system such as a digital satellite broadcast can be easily taken in, and the digital broadcast signal is transmitted by the transmitting device and the receiving device. It can be used almost as it is as a digital broadcasting signal of the digital broadcasting system configured.

[0039]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a digital broadcasting method, a digital broadcasting system, a transmitting device, and a receiving device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment described below, a case where a digital broadcasting method, a digital broadcasting system, a transmitting device, and a receiving device according to the present invention are applied to a cable television broadcasting system will be described as an example. In the following, cable television is abbreviated as CATV.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a CATV broadcasting system according to a first embodiment to which a digital broadcasting method and a digital broadcasting system according to an embodiment of the present invention are applied. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the CATV broadcasting system according to the first embodiment includes a digital broadcasting transmitting device (hereinafter simply referred to as a transmitting device) 2 of a CATV station 1 and a large number of subscriber terminals. The devices 4 (1) to 4 (N) are CAT
It is formed by being connected through a V transmission line 3.

The CATV transmission line 3 is composed of a coaxial cable, an optical fiber cable, a hybrid cable composed of a coaxial cable and an optical fiber cable (an optical fiber cable is used for a trunk line, and a coaxial cable is used for a branch line). In general, C with a transmission bandwidth of about 450 MHz
As the ATV transmission line, a coaxial cable is used. In the case of a CATV transmission line having a transmission bandwidth of 750 MHz, a hybrid cable is used.

Numerals and letters N (N is an integer of 2 or more) in parentheses of the terminal devices 4 (1) to 4 (N) indicate that the terminal device 4 is provided for each subscriber. I have. Here, each of the subscriber terminal devices 4 (1) to 4 (N) is
As shown in FIG. 1, ST which is a CATV broadcast receiver is used.
B (Set-Top Box) 5 and a monitor receiver 6.

The CATV transmission line 3 used in the CATV broadcasting system of this embodiment is a so-called broadband cable, and has a bandwidth of, for example, 750 MHz.
About 120 transmission channels (transmission channel: physical channel) having a bandwidth of 6 MHz can be provided.

The transmitting device 2 of the CATV station 1 is one to which the embodiment of the transmitting device according to the present invention is applied, and performs digital broadcasting (digital television broadcasting) using a plurality of transmission channels. is there. In addition, CATV
The station 1 also broadcasts analog television broadcasts through the broadband cable 3. However, for simplicity, description of the analog television broadcast transmission system is omitted.

The STB 4 of each subscriber is one to which the embodiment of the receiving device according to the present invention is applied, and the transmitting device 2 of the CATV station 1 performs digital transmission using a plurality of transmission channels. The broadcast is received and provided to the viewer.

The transmitting apparatus 2 according to the first embodiment has various functions required for realizing a digital broadcasting service such as digital satellite broadcasting to which a so-called MPEG system which is a digital broadcasting standard is applied. The additional information is not transmitted on all transmission channels.

In the case of digital satellite broadcasting, the transmitting device 2 according to the first embodiment collectively transmits additional information transmitted through all transmission channels into one transmission channel, and transmits the additional information through another transmission channel. , Mainly transmitting necessary minimum information such as channel selection information and content information (digital program information).

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the format of a digital broadcast signal (transport stream) transmitted from the transmission device 2 according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, the sending device 2 according to the first embodiment
Provides two types of transmission channels, a specific channel (specific transmission channel) and a normal channel (normal transmission channel).

As described above, the specific channel (specific CH) transmits only additional information transmitted through all transmission channels in the case of digital satellite broadcasting. The normal channel (normal CH) transmits minimum necessary additional information and content information.

Then, as shown in FIG.
Can be provided with one specific channel, which is a transmission channel for transmitting additional information, and as shown by the normal channels (1) to (N) in FIG.
N (N is an integer of 2 or more) normal channels can be provided. The number of normal channels is determined by the CATV station according to the number of free channels in the CATV transmission line 3 and the number of programs to be broadcast.

Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the transmitting device 2 of the first embodiment passes through a specific channel.
Electronic program guide service (Electronic Pro
Electronic program guide information for realizing a Gramming Guide (EPG), pay billing information for implementing a pay billing broadcast, download data (DL data: supplementary information) for modifying a program executed on the STB, etc.
And other additional information (additional information service).

In FIG. 2, electronic program guide information is abbreviated as "EPG" data, pay billing information is abbreviated as "EMM" data, and download data is abbreviated as "DL" data. Further, the electronic program guide information, the pay billing information, and the download data are composed of various data tables and the like as described later in detail.

Further, as shown in FIG.
Through each normal channel, main data (main data, such as video, audio, data, etc., which is content information to be actually provided to the viewer, such as content 11, content 12,..., Content 21, content 22,. Service) are multiplexed and transmitted.

As shown in FIG. 2, the transmission device 2 basically selects channel selection information (Program Specif) defined in the digital broadcasting standard (MPEG system) for both the specific channel and the normal channel.
ic Information (PSI) is multiplexed and transmitted. This channel selection information is for realizing simple channel selection and program (program) selection, and includes several data tables.

In this embodiment, in order to improve the usability of the STB 5 as described later, electronic program guide information (EPGact) for each normal channel is multiplexed through each normal channel. I try to transmit. However, this EPGa
ct is not required. If only the channel selection information (PSI) is multiplexed as the minimum information other than the content information transmitted through the normal channel, there is no problem in channel selection.

Then, in the first embodiment,
As shown in FIG. 2, the transmission device 2 transmits the channel selection information (PSI) and the electronic program guide information (EPGact) for the own channel through the normal channels (1) to (N). The amount is very small. For this reason, in each normal channel, most of the transmission capacity is used for transmitting content information.

As will be described later, a digital broadcast signal transmitted through a specific channel or a normal channel is formed in conformity with a so-called MPEG system which is a digital broadcast standard, and is packetized and transmitted. Things.

[Regarding Configuration of Sending Apparatus] Next, the sending apparatus 2 will be specifically described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the transmitting device 2 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the transmission device 2 includes a specific channel generator 21, a specific channel modulator 22, a normal channel generator 23, a normal channel modulator 24, a mixer 25, a controller 30, and a key interface. (Hereinafter, abbreviated as key I / F) 41, a key operation unit 42, an additional information storage unit 43, and a content storage unit 44.

The controller 30 controls each unit of the sending device 2 according to the first embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 3, a CPU (Central Process).
ngUnit), ROM (Read Only Mem)
ory), RAM (Random Access Me)
) is a microcomputer formed by being connected through the CPU bus 34.

As shown in FIG. 3, a key operation unit 42 is connected to the controller 30 through a key I / F 41. The controller 30 receives an instruction input and information input from the operator through the key operation unit 42,
In accordance with the received instruction, each unit is controlled, the received information is recorded in a storage unit such as the RAM 33, the additional information storage unit 43, the content storage unit 44, or the like, and stored in the storage unit based on the received information. The stored data can be rewritten.

Further, in the first embodiment,
The additional information storage unit 43 stores electronic program guide information (EPG data), pay billing information (EMM data), download data (DL data), and other necessary additional information, which are additional information transmitted through a specific channel. Created to be stored.

The content storage unit 44 connected to the controller 30 stores various content information transmitted through each normal channel. The content information stored here is, for example, CA
The information may be one created independently by the TV station 1, one provided by a content information supplier by a dedicated line or wirelessly, or one provided using various recording media. That is, content information provided through various routes is stored in the content storage unit 44.

The transmitting apparatus 2 of the first embodiment can perform so-called integrated program management / program management by the controller 30, the additional information storage unit 43, and the content storage unit 44. ing. In other words, it manages which content information is to be transmitted in which normal channel, and changes the additional information as necessary, so that digital broadcasting can be performed without any inconvenience.

When, for example, various information for performing digital broadcasting is input via the key operation unit 42, the controller 30 causes the additional information storage unit 4
3 to read various additional information to be multiplexed and transmitted,
This is supplied to the specific channel generation unit 21 and
Various content information to be multiplexed and transmitted is read from the content storage unit 44 and supplied to the normal channel generation unit 23.

Although not shown, the specific channel generation unit 21 includes a generation unit for necessary data and the like.
In accordance with the control of 0, various types of additional information are compressed and multiplexed from the additional information storage unit 43, and have a function as additional information signal forming means for generating an additional information signal (transport stream) to be transmitted through a specific channel. Things.

In other words, the specific channel generator 21
Is a digital satellite broadcast, which forms an additional information signal in which additional information such as electronic program guide information, pay billing information, and download data transmitted through each of the transmission channels is aggregated. The additional information signal generated by the specific channel generation unit 21 is supplied to the modulation unit 22, where it is subjected to 64QAM modulation (Quadrature).
After being subjected to Amplitude Modulation (quadrature amplitude modulation), it is supplied to the mixer 25.

On the other hand, although not shown, the normal channel generation section 23 includes a data compression processing section, a multiplexer, a scrambler, etc., and various contents information or contents of the contents are stored in the contents storage section 44 under the control of the controller 30. Program broadcast signal generating means for receiving, for example, content information transmitted from a distributor or the like via a dedicated line, compressing and multiplexing the data, and generating a program broadcast signal (transport stream) to be transmitted through a normal channel. It has a function as.

The normal channel generator 23 is capable of generating a plurality of program broadcast signals transmitted through a plurality of normal channels. Needless to say, a plurality of normal channel generators for generating one program broadcast signal transmitted through one normal channel may be provided in a number of 1 to N according to the number of normal channels. Then, each of the plurality of program broadcast signals generated by the normal channel generation unit 23 is supplied to the modulation unit 24, where it is subjected to 64QAM modulation, and then supplied to the mixer 25.

The mixer 25 is a modulator for a specific channel.
2 and a program broadcast signal to be transmitted through each of a plurality of normal channels from the normal channel modulator 24. These are shown in the format of FIG. In this way, the signals are mixed and amplified, and then transmitted to the CATV transmission line 3 and transmitted to the subscriber.

In CATV broadcasting, the transmission path is wired and stable. For this reason, the transmission apparatus 2 of the first embodiment adds only a Reed-Solomon code as an error correction code to each of the additional information signal transmitted through a specific channel and the program broadcast signal transmitted through each normal channel. To send. Further, as described above, each of the additional information signal and the program broadcast signal on which various information is multiplexed is collected into packets of a predetermined size and transmitted. Each packet can be identified by a packet ID (PID).

In this way, a digital broadcast signal (transport stream) composed of a specific channel and a plurality of normal channels transmitted from the transmission device 2 and transmitted through the CATV transmission path 3 is transmitted to each subscriber terminal 4.
(1) to (N) STB5 so that they can be received and used.

[Configuration of Receiving Apparatus] Next, the STB 5 for receiving a digital broadcast signal from the transmitting apparatus 2 will be described. FIG. 4 shows the STB 5 according to the first embodiment.
It is a block diagram for explaining about.

As shown in FIG. 4, the STB 5 according to the first embodiment includes a receiving circuit section 51, a demultiplexer 52, a receiving circuit section 53, a descrambling section 54, -Multiplexer 55, data processing unit 5
6. Video processing unit 57, audio processing unit 58, OSD
(On Screen Display) processing unit 59,
It comprises a synthesis circuit 60 and a controller 70.

As described above, the ST of the first embodiment is described.
B5 is provided with two systems of receiving circuit units 51 and 53 and two demultiplexers 52 and 55 corresponding thereto. In the STB 5 according to the first embodiment, the receiving circuit unit 51 is dedicated to receiving the additional information signal transmitted through the specific channel, and the receiving circuit unit 53 is transmitted through the normal channel. It is dedicated to receiving program broadcast signals.

That is, the STB of the first embodiment
5 is a receiving circuit unit 5 when the power is on.
1 receives an additional information signal always transmitted through a specific channel, and the other receiving circuit unit 53 receives a program broadcast signal transmitted through a normal channel to transmit the target video, audio, and data. Get,
In this embodiment, the data is decoded, supplied to the monitor receiver 6, and used.

In the STB 5 according to the first embodiment, the controller 70 controls each section of the STB 5, and as shown in FIG.
OM72, RAM73, EEPROM (Electri
cally Erasable Programmab
le ROM) 74, DRAM (Dynamic RA)
M) 75 is a microcomputer formed by being connected through a CPU bus 76.

As shown in FIG. 4, an IC card interface unit (in FIG. 4,
Described as IC card I / F section. ) 81, key operation unit 82,
A display unit 83 and a modem 84 are connected. The IC card I / F unit 81 has, for example, a loading slot of an IC card 90 used for using a pay-for-charge broadcasting, reads necessary data from the IC card 90 loaded in the loading slot, and supplies it to the controller 70. Alternatively, data from the controller 70 can be written to the IC card 90.

The key operation section 82 is provided with various operation keys. The key operation unit 82 can receive an instruction input from a user, such as an input instruction for selecting a broadcast program, and supply the instruction input to the controller 70. The display unit 83 is, for example, an LCD (Li
It is configured by a liquid crystal display (Quid Crystal Display), and can display various display information such as status display information, a warning message, and an error message under the control of the controller 70.

The modem (modulator / demodulator) 84 enables the STB 5 to communicate via the telephone network. By this modem 84, for example, a telephone line can be connected to a broadcasting station such as a CATV station to perform billing processing.

The STB5 of the first embodiment is
As will be described in detail later, a so-called last channel memory function is provided, and when the power is turned on to the STB 5, a program that was previously viewed until immediately before the power was turned off is received and selected. .

That is, the STB 5 stores in the EEPROM 74 necessary information such as the frequency and program ID of a normal channel for transmitting a program broadcast signal including a program which was to be viewed until immediately before the power was turned off last time. I have. Then, when the power is turned on to the STB 5,
The controller 70 of the STB 5 reads necessary information such as the frequency of the normal channel that had been selected until immediately before the power was last turned off from the EEPROM 74, and forms a channel selection control signal and a selection control signal based on the information.

The tuning control signal is supplied to the tuner 531 of the receiving circuit 53, and the selection control signal is supplied to the demultiplexer 55. The tuner unit 531 receives and selects a normal channel of the designated frequency based on a channel selection control signal from the controller 70, and transmits a program broadcast signal transmitted through the selected normal channel by 64Q.
The signal is supplied to the AM demodulation unit 532.

The 64QAM demodulation section 532 demodulates the 64QAM signal wave supplied thereto and converts the demodulated transport stream signal into a Reed-Solomon error correction section 533.
To supply. Here, error correction is performed on the transport stream signal, and the transport stream signal after error correction is supplied to the descrambler 54.

The descrambler 54 descrambles the scramble applied to the transport stream signal (program broadcast signal) supplied thereto based on the information from the controller 70, and descrambles the released program broadcast signal.・ Supply to the multiplexer 55. Demultiplexer 55
Is based on a selection control signal from the controller 70,
A packet for transmitting desired broadcast program information (content information) is extracted. In this case, the content information is extracted by the last channel memory function under the same conditions as when the program that was being viewed immediately before the power was last turned off was extracted.

Then, in the first embodiment,
If the data extracted by the demultiplexer 55 is data for data broadcasting, it is supplied to the data processing unit 56, if it is video data, it is supplied to the video processing unit 57, and if it is audio data, It is supplied to the audio processing unit 58.

The data processing section 56 processes the data supplied thereto to form a video signal for displaying an image to be provided as a data broadcast program, and converts this to a synthesizing circuit 60.
To supply. Further, the video processing unit 57 forms a video signal for displaying an image from the video data supplied thereto, and supplies this to the configuration circuit 60.

The video signal from the OSD circuit 59 is also supplied to the synthesizing circuit 60. OSD processing unit 5
Reference numeral 9 denotes, for example, an electronic program guide table and various kinds of guidance messages, which are combined with output video signals, and the video signals such as an electronic program guide table and various kinds of guidance messages to be diffused and displayed on a display image. Generated in accordance with the control, and supplied to the synthesizing circuit 60.

In the synthesizing circuit 60, the video signal formed by synthesizing the video signal supplied thereto is supplied to the monitor receiver 6 connected to the STB 5 of the first embodiment. Is done. Further, the audio processing unit 58 forms an audio signal to be output from the audio data supplied thereto, and this is supplied to the monitor receiver 6 connected to the STB 5 of the first embodiment.

On the other hand, the controller 70 specifies the frequency of the specific channel based on the additional information multiplexed on the signal transmitted through the normal channel currently selected and received. Then, the controller 70 supplies a tuning control signal indicating the frequency of the specified specific channel to the tuner unit 511 of the receiving circuit 51. The tuner section 511 receives and tunes the additional information signal transmitted through the specific channel based on the tuning control signal from the controller 70, and tunes this to 64QA.
The signal is supplied to the M demodulation unit 512.

The 64QAM demodulation section 512 demodulates the additional information signal supplied thereto, and supplies the demodulated additional information signal to the Reed-Solomon error correction section 513. here,
The error correction of the additional information signal is performed, and the additional information signal after the error correction is supplied to the demultiplexer 52.

As described above, the transmitting apparatus 2 of the first embodiment divides an additional information signal transmitted through a specific channel or a program broadcast signal transmitted through a normal channel into packets of a predetermined size. Transmit. For this reason, the demultiplexer 52 extracts necessary additional information from the additional information signal supplied thereto under the control of the controller 70, and extracts the necessary additional information from the controller 70.
To supply.

The controller 70 temporarily stores the additional information from the demultiplexer 52 in the DRAM 75, performs processing such as restoring a table having a predetermined structure, and reconstructs a series of additional information. Using the reconstructed additional information, an additional information service, such as providing an electronic program guide to the user through the user's terminal device or enabling provision of a pay program, is provided to the STB5 user. Can be provided.

Then, based on the electronic program guide provided as an additional information service, a program selection instruction (program selection instruction) from the user of STB 5 (digital broadcast viewer) is supplied to the controller 70 through the key operation unit 82. Then, the controller 70 specifies the normal channel including the selected content information based on the information added to the transmission signal of the channel that has already been selected for reception.

The controller 70 controls the tuner unit 531 of the receiving circuit unit 53 so as to select the specified normal channel, and extracts data forming the designated broadcast program. The multiplexer 55 is controlled. As a result, the viewing program can be easily changed in accordance with the instruction from the viewer.

[Details of Information Transmitted Through Specific Channel and Normal Channel] Next, basic operations such as specific channel specific processing performed in the STB 5 using various transmitted additional information will be easily described. Therefore, the details of the additional information transmitted through the specific channel and the minimum necessary information other than the content information transmitted through the normal channel will be described.

[Regarding Additional Information Transmitted on Specific Channel] First, additional information transmitted on a specific channel will be described. As described above with reference to FIG.
Electronic program guide information (EPG
(Data), pay billing information (EMM data), download data (DL data), and other additional information. Of these, the DL data is STB
5 causes problems with the program installed in the
5 is transmitted when the function of No. 5 is improved, and is not always transmitted.

Then, on a specific channel, in order to realize an additional information service in digital broadcasting, at least the following additional information is multiplexed and transmitted. That is, a service description table (Service Desc) is used as electronic program guide information (EPG data) for realizing an electronic program guide service (EPG service).
ription Table: Hereinafter, abbreviated as SDT. ) And an event information table (Event Inf)
operation Table: hereinafter abbreviated as EIT. ).

Also, conditional access tables (Conditions) are provided as pay billing information for realizing pay bill broadcasting.
nal Access Table: Hereinafter, abbreviated as CAT. ) And individual contract information (Entitlement)
Management Message: EM
Abbreviated as M. ).

In addition, a time and date table (Time and Date Ta) giving information on time and date
ble: Hereinafter, abbreviated as TDT. ) Or a time date offset table (Time Offset Ta)
ble: hereinafter abbreviated as TOT. ) And one of the channel selection information (PSI), a network information table (Netw table) that gives frequency information and program information of all transmission channels transmitting digital broadcast programs.
ork Information Table:
Abbreviated as NIT. ).

Here, the SDT (service description table) transmitted to realize the EPG service and the EIT
(Event information table) means SDTact, EI which is information of the own channel to which the table is transmitted.
Tact (act indicates that it is information of its own channel), and SDTother and EITothe which are information of all other channels constituting the digital broadcast
r (other indicates information of all other channels). The EIT (event information table) includes information on the current broadcast day and the next day, and long-term schedule information. Each of these additional information will be described below.

[SDT (Service Description Table)] First, the SDT which is one of the electronic program guide information will be described. The SDT includes data describing a service (a so-called channel) provided by digital broadcasting, for example, data indicating a service name, a service provider, and the like. Packet identifiers (packet identifiers, hereinafter abbreviated as PIDs) in an MPEG packet stream are referred to by the radio industry (Association).
of Radio Industries and B
use: ARIB) standard, it is determined that PID = 0 × 0011 (“0 ×” indicates that the following character is a hexadecimal number. The same applies hereinafter in this specification). ing.

The table is based on ISO / IEC138
It follows the private section syntax defined in 18-1. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the data structure of the SDT. The table structure of the SDT is as shown in FIG.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5, SDT is
(1) table id (table ID), (2) sec
ion syntax indicator (section syntax indicator), (3) section
n length (section length), (4) tr
transport stream id (transport stream ID), (5) version number
r (version number), (6) current next
indicator (current next indicator), (7) section number (section number), (8) last section number
r (last section number), (9) original
network id (original network I
D) as a component.

Further, SDT is performed a predetermined number of times (N times: N is 1
(1 or more integers) as a loop element (repeat element)
1) service id (service ID), (12) EIT
schedule flag (EIT schedule
Flag), (13) EIT present fallwi
ng flg (EIT present following flag), (14) running status (running status), (15) free CA mode (free CA mode), (16) descriptors
It has a loop length (descriptor loop length), and in this loop, (17) descriptor (descriptor (descriptor)) is repeated a predetermined number of times (M times).
Finally, information for error detection, in this case, C
RC (Cyclic Redundancy Chec)
k) is added.

In FIG. 5, the numbers in the columns provided to the right of each component are the bits (bi) of the component.
t) Indicates a number. In FIG. 5, resrv
The description of "edfuture use" and "reserved" indicates that the area is reserved for preparing for future use. This resrvedf
The meaning of the description of “use use” and “reserved” is the same in this specification and the drawings.

The meaning of each component (each field) of the SDT shown in FIG. 5 is as shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, [a] in the Table id column
[ctual] indicates that it is for its own transmission channel, and [other] indicates that it is for another transmission channel. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, Table id is a value determined depending on whether the following components are actual or other, that is, “0 × 42”,
It takes one of the values “0 × 46”.

[EIT (Event Information Table)] Next, EIT, which is one of the electronic program guide information, will be described. The EIT includes various data related to an event or a program, such as an event (so-called program) name, start time, and duration provided by digital broadcasting. And, as in the case of the above-mentioned SDT, in the ARIB standard, the PID of the packet transmitting the EIT is used.
Is defined as PID = 0 × 0012.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the data structure of EIT. The table structure of the EIT is as shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG.
1) table id (table ID), (2) secti
on syntax indicator (section syntax indicator), (3) section
length (section length), (4) ser
service id (service ID), (5) version
number (version number), (6) curren
t next indicator (current next indicator), (7) section number
r (section number), (8) last section
number (last section number), (9) tra
nsport stream id (transport
Stream ID), (10) original network
rk id (original network ID), (11) s
egment last section number
r (segment last section number), (12) la
It has a st table id (last table ID) as a component.

Further, EIT is a predetermined number of times (N times: N is 1
(1 or more integers) as a loop element (repeat element)
3) event id (event ID), (14) start
time (start time), (15) duration
n (duration (duration)), (16) runnin
g status (running status), (17) f
free CA mode (free CA mode), (1
8) descriptors loop length
(Descriptors loop length), and in this loop, (19) descript
or (descriptor (descriptor)) is given times (M times:
(M is an integer of 1 or more). Also,
Finally, information for error detection, in this case, information for CRC is added.

In FIG. 7, the numbers in the columns provided to the right of each component are the bits (bi) of the component.
t) Indicates a number. The meaning of each component (each field) of the EIT shown in FIG. 7 is as shown in FIGS.

Note that the EIT relating to the program information on the broadcast day / next day in the transmission channel is referred to as EIT.
act p / f and E related to other transmission channels
EITact p / f is used for the schedule information on the own transmission channel.
h and EITothe for other transmission channels
Let r sch.

In FIG. 8, Table i
[p / f actual] in the column of d indicates that it is related to the current / next day program information for the own transmission channel, and [p / f other] is the current / next day program information for the other transmission channel. It is shown that it is related to.

Similarly, in the table id column, [sch
[edule actual] indicates that it relates to the schedule information about its own transmission channel, and [schedule other] indicates that it relates to the schedule information about the other transmission channel.

Accordingly, the Table id is such that the following components are EITact p / f or EITot
her p / f, EITact sch, EITo
the value respectively determined by the other sch,
That is, “0 × 4E”, “0 × 4F”, “0 × 5”
F "or" 0x6F ".

[About CAT (Conditional Access Table)]
Next, the CAT, which is one of the information related to the pay billing information, will be described. The CAT includes information related to the conditional access system used in the digital broadcasting to be provided, and provides an EMM described later which provides information related to an individual contract.
The value of the PID of the packet including (individual contract information) is specified. The PID and table structure of the CAT are based on ISO / I
Defined in EC13818-1. The PID of the CAT is
It is fixedly assigned as PID = 0 × 0001.

FIG. 10 is a view for explaining the data structure of the CAT. Details of the CAT table are as shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG.
T is (1) table id (table ID), (2) s
action syntax indicator (section syntax indicator), (3) sec
ion length (section length), (4)
version number (version number), (
5) current next indicator (current next indicator), (6) section
n number (section number), (7) last
It has a section number (last section number) as a component.

Further, CAT is a predetermined number of times (N times: N is 1
(The integer above) as a loop element (repeat element)
8) descriptor (descriptor)
Is provided. Finally, information for error detection, in this case, information for CRC is added last.

In FIG. 10, the numbers in the columns provided to the right of each component are the bits (bi) of the component.
t) Indicates a number. The meaning of each component (each field) of the CAT shown in FIG. 10 is as shown in FIG.

[Regarding EMM (Individual Contract Information)] Next, EMM, which is one of the fee-charging information, will be described. The EMM includes information on an individual contract of a subscriber, and includes information defining a level (degree) and a service permitted in each STB (receiver). This EMM is transmitted to an individual receiver or a group of receivers under certain conditions. The PID of this EMM is given by the CAT as described above.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the data structure of the EMM. For details of the table structure of the EMM, see FIG.
As shown in FIG. That is, the EMM includes an EMM section header, a plurality of EMM bodies N (N is a positive number equal to or greater than 1), and a section CRC. Each EMM
As shown in FIG. 12, the main body includes a fixed unit, a variable unit, and a tampering detection unit.

As shown in FIG. 12, the fixed part includes (1) card ID, (2) related information byte length, (3) protocol number,
(4) Paying entity identification, (5) Update number, and (6) Expiration date. The variable section is capable of arranging various types of function information. In FIG. 12, the numbers in the left column indicate the bytes (Bytes) of each component.
e) Indicates a number.

[Regarding TDT (Time Date Table)]
Next, the TDT will be described. TDT is the current time (Japan Standard Time: JST) and date (Modified Julian Date: MJ
D). The PID of the packet including the TDT is PID = 0 × 0014.

FIG. 13 is a view for explaining the data structure of TDT. The TDT is composed of a single section. As shown in FIG. 13, (1) table id (table ID), (2) section syntax in
It has a dictator (section syntax indicator), (3) section length (section length), and (4) a JST time (JST time) as constituent elements.

In FIG. 13, the numbers in the columns provided to the right of each component are the bits (bi) of the component.
t) Indicates a number. The meaning of each component (each field) of the TDT shown in FIG. 13 is as shown in FIG.

[TOT (Time Date Offset Table)
Next, TOT will be described. TOT is
It includes the current time and date, and offset time information when daylight saving time is in effect. The PID of the packet including the TOT is the same as that of the above-described TDT,
= 0 × 0014.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the data structure of TOT. The TOT is also composed of a single section, as shown in FIG. 15, (1) table id (table ID), (2) section syntax i.
ndicator (section syntax indicator), (3) section length (section length), (4) JST time (JST time), (5) descriptors loop le
ngth (descriptors loop length) as a component, and (6) descriptor (descriptor (descriptor)) is repeated a predetermined number of times (N times). Finally, information for error detection, in this case, information for CRC is added last.

In FIG. 15, the numbers in the columns provided to the right of each component are the bits (bi) of the component.
t) Indicates a number. The meaning of each component (each field) of the TOT shown in FIG. 15 is as shown in FIG. Note that, as described above, TDT and TOT
Is that both of them are not used but one of them is used by operation.

Thus, through a specific channel,
SDT and EI that are electronic program guide information (EPG data)
T and CAT, E, which are pay billing information (EMM data)
One of the MM, TDT and TOT is always transmitted through a specific channel. The TDT and TOT are information that may be transmitted by being inserted into a signal transmitted through a normal channel.

Also, download data (DL data)
Is transmitted as needed, and NIT which is one of PSI (tuning information) is also transmitted. The NIT is always transmitted as one piece of PIS information even in a normal channel described later, and will be described in detail in the description of the normal channel.

As described above, most of the additional information required for digital broadcasting is transmitted through a specific channel. In particular, SDTother, EITother, E
Aggregating additional information with a large amount of information, such as ITsch, in a specific channel reduces the load on normal channels other than the specific channel.

[Minimum Required Information Transmitted on Normal Channel] Next, the minimum required information transmitted on the normal channel will be described. As described above, the content information is mainly transmitted through the normal channel. However, as the minimum necessary information necessary for the operation of receiving the content information, information constituting channel selection information (PSI),
And, necessary additional information is transmitted.

The information constituting the tuning information (PSI) includes a program association table (Pro
Gram Association Table: Hereinafter, abbreviated as PAT. ), Program Map Table (hereinafter, PM)
Abbreviated as T. ), A network information table (Network Information) that provides frequency information and program information of all channels transmitting digital broadcast programs.
Tion Table: Hereinafter, abbreviated as NIT. ). In addition, as the necessary additional information, common information (Entitlement Control Meshes) required for descrambling out of information for realizing pay-to-charge broadcasting.
sage: hereinafter abbreviated as ECM. ).

As described above, electronic program guide information for performing electronic program guide (EPG) is transmitted through a specific channel. However, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, SDTact and EITact p /
f is convenient because it has a very small transmission capacity and can be immediately reflected in the EPG or the like even if a sudden change occurs in the programming of the day, Transmission is also performed on a channel.

[0135] The PA as the channel selection information (PSI)
The PID (packet identifier) of T, PMT, and NIT is P
ID = 0 × 0000, and in the case of indirect designation by PAT, it is given as PID = 0 × 0010, and details of the table structure are defined in ISO / IEC13818-1.

[Regarding PAT (Program Association Table)] First, one of the channel selection information (PSI)
PAT is described. The PAT is a PAT corresponding to a multiplexed service in a digital broadcasting system.
The PID of the packet transmitting the MT and the PID of the packet transmitting the NIT are specified.

FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the data structure of PAT. The table structure of the PAT is as shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG.
Are (1) table id (table ID), (2) se
ction syntax indicator (section syntax indicator), (3) secti
on length (section length), (4) t
transportstream id (transport stream ID), (5) versionnumber
(Version number), (6) current next
indicator (current next indicator), (7) section number (section number), (8) last section number
(Last section number) as a component.

Further, PAT is performed a predetermined number of times (N times: N is 1
(The integer above) as a loop element (repeat element)
9) program number (program number),
(10) network PID (network PI
D), (11) having a program map PID (program map PID). Finally, information for error detection, in this case, information for CRC is added last.

In FIG. 17, the numbers in the columns provided on the right side of each component indicate the bit (bi) of that component.
t) Indicates a number. The meaning of each component (each field) of the PAT shown in FIG. 17 is as shown in FIG.

In PAT, as shown in FIG. 17, if (9) program number (program number) is 0 × 0000, (10) netw
ork PID (Network PID)
The PID of the IT is specified and (9) program num
If the ber (program number) is not 0x0000, the program map PID (program
The map PID) specifies the PID of the PMT.

[Regarding PMT (Program Map Table)] Next, a PMT which is one of channel selection information (PSI) will be described. The PMT specifies an identifier (PID) of a packet transmitting a series of data groups (streams) constituting each multiplexed service, and a PID of a packet including a program clock reference (PCR) of the service. .

FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining the data structure of the PMT. The table structure of the PMT is as shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG.
Are (1) table id (table ID), (2) se
ction syntax indicator (section syntax indicator), (3) secti
on length (section length), (4) p
program number (program number), (5)
version number (version number), (
6) current next indicator (current next indicator), (7) section
n number (section number), (8) last
section number (last section number) and (9) PCR PID as constituent elements.

Further, the PMT is calculated according to (10) program
As a component of a first loop (1st loop) repeated N times with a loop length specified by info length (program info length), desc
It has a descriptor (descriptor).

Also, a stream, which is repeated N times, is a component of a second loop (2nd loop).
type (stream type), elementar
yPID (Elementary PID), ES info
It has a length (ES info length), and in the second loop, a descriptor (descriptor) is provided as a component of a loop that is further repeated M times.

[0145] Finally, information for error detection, in this case, information for CRC is added last. In FIG. 19, the numbers in the columns provided on the right side of each component indicate the number of bits of the component. The meaning of each component (each field) of the PMT shown in FIG. 19 is as shown in FIG.

[Regarding NIT (Network Information Table)] Next, NIT which is one of channel selection information (PSI)
Will be described. As described above, the NIT provides frequency information and program information of all channels transmitting a digital broadcast program. The PID of the packet including the NIT is specified in the PAT as described above.

FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining the data structure of NIT. The table structure of the NIT is as shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG.
Are (1) table id (table ID), (2) se
ction syntax indicator (section syntax indicator), (3) secti
on length (section length), (4) n
network id (network ID), (5) ver
session number (version number), (6) cu
current next indicator, (7) section n
number (section number), (8) last sec
It has a section number (last section number) as a component.

Further, NIT is (9) network
descriptor length (network
The first (N times: N is an integer of 1 or more) specified loop length specified by the descriptor length)
As a component of the loop (1st loop), (10) a predetermined descriptor (descriptor) is provided.

Also, (11) transport stream
(12) tran is a component of a second loop (2st loop) that is repeated a predetermined number of times (N times: N is an integer greater than or equal to) specified by a loop length by am loop length (transport stream loop length).
sport stream id (transport stream ID), (13) original network
id (original network ID), and in this second loop, (14) transport d
(15) A predetermined descriptor (identifier) of a loop that is repeated for a predetermined opening (M times: M is an integer of 1 or more) with a loop length specified by the descriptors length (transport descriptor length)
It has.

Finally, information for error detection, in this case, information for CRC is added last. In FIG. 21, the numbers in the columns provided on the right side of each component indicate the number of bits of the component. The meaning of each component (each field) of the NIT shown in FIG. 21 is as shown in FIG.

Then, (14) transport des
As a first descriptor repeated according to the descriptors length (transport descriptors length), a cable distribution descriptor (cable) is used.
delivery system descriptor
or) and a service list descriptor is provided as a second descriptor.

FIG. 23 is a view for explaining the data structure of the wired distribution descriptor used as the first descriptor described above. As shown in FIG. 23, the wired distribution descriptor is (
1) descriptor tag (descriptor tag), (2) descriptor length (descriptor length), (3) frequency (frequency), (4) FEC outer (FEC outer),
(5) modulation (modulation method), (6) symb
ol rate (transmission symbol rate), (7) FEC
It has an inner (FEC inner) as a component.

The meaning of each component (each field) of the wired distribution descriptor shown in FIG. 23 is as shown in FIG. This wire distribution descriptor is NIT's transpo
rtstream id (transport stream ID). In the first embodiment, one wired distribution descriptor is associated with one of the transport streams that are signals transmitted through each of the specific channel and the normal channel.

FIG. 25 is a view for explaining the data structure of the service list descriptor used as the above-mentioned second descriptor. As shown in FIG. 25, the service list descriptor includes (1) a descriptor tag (descriptor tag), and (2) a descriptor length.
th (descriptor length), repeated a predetermined number of times (N times) (3) service id (service ID),
(4) It has a service type (service type) as a component.

(1) descriptor tag (descriptor tag), (2) descriptor len
gth (descriptor length) indicates the same meaning as the above-described wired distribution descriptor. Also,(
3) The service id (service ID) identifies a service, and the service usually matches the channel selected by the viewer. Also, (4) service
The type (service type) indicates the type of service performed on the transmission channel as shown in FIG.

That is, FIG. 26 shows (4) service
An example of a type (service type) is shown below. (4) Depending on the value of the service type,
It is possible to identify a digital TV (television) service, a digital voice service, a data service, and the like.

This service list descriptor is also a NIT
(12) transport stream id (transport stream ID). That is, in the first embodiment, one service list descriptor is associated with one of the transport streams that are signals transmitted through the specific channel and the normal channel.

FIG. 23 for explaining the wire distribution descriptor and FIG. 25 for explaining the service list descriptor
, The numbers in the right column indicate the number of bits of each component (each field).

[ECM (Common Information Required for Descramble)] Next, the ECM which is the minimum necessary additional information transmitted through the normal channel will be described. As described above, the ECM is information associated with each service multiplexed in the digital broadcasting system, and includes program information (information on a program and key data for descrambling) and control information (reception information). Command for forcibly turning on / off the descrambling function of the device. The PID of the packet transmitting the ECM is P
Indirectly specified by MT.

FIG. 27 is a diagram for explaining the data structure of the ECM. See Figure 2 for details of the ECM table structure.
As shown in FIG. That is, the ECM includes an ECM section header, an ECM body, and a section CRC. As shown in FIG. 27, the ECM main body has a fixed unit, a variable unit, and a tampering detection unit.

Then, as shown in FIG. 27,
(1) Protocol number, (2) Paying entity identification, (3) Work key identification, (4) Scramble key (Odd), (5) Scramble key (Even), (6) Judgment type, (7) Date Date and time (date MJD + hour / minute / second BCD); and (8) information indicating recording control. The variable section is capable of arranging various types of function information. In FIG. 27, the numbers in the left column indicate the number of bytes of each component.

As described above, the minimum necessary additional information transmitted through the normal channel includes PAT and PM.
There are T, NIT and ECM. In the first embodiment, EPGact (EITact + SDTac
t) is also the minimum necessary additional information transmitted through the normal channel.

The total transmission capacity of the minimum necessary information transmitted through these normal channels is as small as several tens kbps to several hundred kbps. Therefore, almost all of the transmission capacity of the normal channel can be used for transmitting the content information.

As described above, in the first embodiment, at least the EPG data among the additional information such as the EPG data (SDT, EIT), the charge information (EMM, ECM), TOT, TDT, BIT, etc. SD
T, EIT, EMM that is pay billing information, and TO
T, TDT, and CAT, which is one of the channel selection information, are transmitted through a specific channel.

In addition, at least through the channel selection information (PSI) NIT, CAT, PA
T, PIT, and NIT, PAT, and PMT, and common information (E
CM).

For this reason, in this specification, the additional information transmitted through the specific channel is, as described above, the additional information mainly for providing additional services.
DT, EIT, EMM, TOT or TDT and C
The AT, which is the minimum necessary information other than the content information transmitted through the normal channel, mainly refers to NIT, PAT, PMT, and ECM which are information constituting channel selection information.

As described above, in the case of digital broadcasting, a signal to be transmitted is transmitted after being bundled into a predetermined packet, and the packet structure of the transmission signal in the case of digital broadcasting, and PAT, PMT,
NIT, NIT cable distribution descriptor (table del)
every system descriptor),
Service list d
Such a structure as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. H11-355224 is also described in the patent application filed by the inventor of the present invention.

[Regarding Program Receiving Operation of STB5] Next, as shown in FIG. 2, in STB5 performed based on PSI (tuning information) transmitted on both the specific channel and the normal channel. The program receiving operation will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Here, the receiving operation from the time when the power is turned on to the STB 5 will be described.

The program number in the PAT and the PMT, and the service ID in the NIT correspond to the broadcast program selected by the viewer (the operator of the STB 5). Also, as can be seen from the above, NIT is the whole network, that is, CA
While the same table including information of digital broadcast signals (transport streams) transmitted through transmission channels for all digital broadcasts transmitted from the TV station 1 is transmitted in parallel on all transmission channels, The PAT and PMT consist only of information of a program in a transmission channel (physical channel) to be transmitted, and have different contents for each transmission channel.

The STB 5 according to the first embodiment has the last channel memory function as described above. That is, the STB 5 specifies the frequency of the normal channel that has been received by the receiving circuit unit 53 that receives the normal channel until immediately before the power is turned off, and the broadcast program that has been selected and viewed. The necessary information such as the program number for
The data is stored in the ROM 74.

When the power of the STB 5 is turned on again, the normal channel selected until immediately before the power is turned off is selected based on the frequency and program number of the normal channel stored in the EEPROM 74. It is arranged to be able to select a broadcast program which has been broadcast and viewed. in this way,
In this specification, a function of automatically selecting a broadcast program selected immediately before the power is turned off even after the power is turned on again is referred to as a last channel memory function.

Then, when the power is turned on to STB5,
As described above, the controller 70 of the STB 5 sets the EEPRO to the frequency of the normal channel that has been received by the receiving circuit unit 53 until immediately before the power is turned off.
M74 is read out and supplied as a tuning control signal to the tuner unit 531 of the reception processing circuit 53, so that the normal channel indicated by the tuning control signal is selected.

The program broadcast signal of the normal channel selected by the tuner section 531 is transmitted to the 64QAM demodulation section 532.
, And error-corrected by the Reed-Solomon error correction unit 533. The error-corrected program broadcast signal is
Through the scrambler 54, the demultiplexer 55
Supplied to

The controller 70 controls the demultiplexer 55 to extract the NIT from the program broadcast signal and store it in, for example, the DRAM 75 (step S101). The NIT stored in the DRAM 75
Is updated when an NIT having a different version number is obtained.

The controller 70 reads out from the EEPROM 74 the program number (same as the NIT service ID) of the program to be extracted by the demultiplexer 54 immediately before the power is turned off, and obtains the acquired NIT. , Ie, all service IDs of NIT are searched (step S10).
2).

Then, the controller 70 proceeds to step S
From the search result of 102, it is determined whether or not the broadcast program designated by the program number exists in the currently selected normal channel (own channel) (step S103). In the determination process of step S103, when it is determined that the designated target broadcast program does not exist in the currently selected normal channel (own channel), the service list descriptor including the target service ID is determined. The frequency of the normal channel which broadcasts the target broadcast program is specified by the information indicated by the frequency (frequency) which is a component of the wired distribution descriptor combined earlier.

Then, the tuner section 531 of the reception processing circuit 53 is controlled so as to select the specified normal channel of the frequency, thereby selecting the target normal channel (step S104). Step S104
After the processing in step S103, or when it is determined in the determination processing in step S103 that the designated target broadcast program exists in the currently selected normal channel (own channel), the controller 70 sets the By controlling the multiplexer 55, the PAT is received and extracted from the program broadcast signal of the selected normal channel (step S105), and the PMT is received and extracted (step S1).
06).

Then, the controller 70 sets the EEPRO
Immediately before turning off the power read from M74, the demultiplexer 54 broadcasts a broadcast program indicated by the program number of the program to be extracted by a program broadcast signal of a normal channel to be selected. PAT, whether or not it is
The determination is made based on the PMT program number (step S107).

In the determination processing of step S107, when it is determined that the target broadcast program is being broadcast by the program broadcast signal of the currently selected normal channel, the controller 70 controls the demultiplexer 55 From the broadcast program signal of the normal channel
M is received and extracted (step S108).

As described above, the ECM is common information necessary for descrambling. The controller 70
The ECM from the demultiplexer 55 is transferred to the IC card I /
IC card 90 attached to this through F section 81
To supply. The IC card 90 is provided with a CPU, and determines whether or not viewing of a broadcast program by a received and selected broadcast program signal is possible / unavailable, based on information held by the IC card 90 and the supplied ECM. If it is determined to be acceptable, I
The C card 90 supplies scramble key information to the controller 70.

The controller 70 determines whether or not the key information has been transmitted from the IC card, so that the broadcast program can be viewed / received by the received / selected broadcast program signal.
It is determined that it is not possible (step S109). Step S10
If it is determined that viewing is possible in the determination process of No. 9,
The scramble key information is supplied from the IC card 90 to the controller 70. The controller 70 supplies the key information from the IC card to the descrambling unit 54 so as to descramble the received and selected broadcast program signal, and outputs the descrambled program broadcast signal to the descrambling unit.
The signal is supplied to the multiplexer 55.

The descrambled program broadcast signal is supplied to the demultiplexer 55, and the controller 70 controls the demultiplexer 55 to
A packet having a PID matching the elementary ID of the MT is received and extracted from the program broadcast signal of the selected normal channel (step S110).

The packets extracted in step S110, which are packets for data broadcasting, are sent to the data processing unit 56, video data packets are sent to the video processing unit 57, and audio data packets are sent to the data processing unit 57. The data is supplied to the audio processing unit 58, where it is decoded (step S111). As a result, a video signal and an audio signal of the target broadcast program are obtained and supplied to the monitor receiver 6 connected to the STB 5 so that the target broadcast program can be viewed.

If it is determined in step S109 that the key information from the IC card has not been supplied and that it is impossible to view the broadcast program by the received and selected broadcast program signal, the controller 70 Is a normal channel that superimposes a display message for notifying that it cannot be viewed on a video signal output through the OSD circuit 59 and the synthesizing circuit 60, and allows the STB5 user to receive and select a channel. The user is notified that the broadcast program broadcasted through is not viewable (step S112).

If it is determined in step S107 that the broadcast signal of the currently selected normal channel is not a broadcast signal, the controller 7
0 performs a predetermined exception process such as displaying a display message notifying that a broadcast program to bet is not performed (step S113).

[0186] When the user of the STB 5 selects a program, the processing from step S102 is performed. The version number of the received NIT is stored in the NIT stored in the DRAM 75.
If it is different from the above, the NIT stored in the DRAM 75NI is updated by the same processing as the processing in step S101.

As described above, the ST of the first embodiment is described.
B5 receives a program broadcast signal transmitted through a normal channel having a minimum necessary amount of additional information, and enables a desired broadcast program to be selected and viewed by a simple operation.

[Receiving Operation of STB 5 on Specific Channel] Next, the receiving operation of the additional information signal transmitted through the specific channel performed in STB 5 of the first embodiment will be described. As mentioned earlier,
In the digital broadcasting method and digital broadcasting system according to the first embodiment, most of the additional information such as information necessary for performing the electronic program guide is transmitted through the specific channel through the specific channel. It is necessary to always receive the additional information signal transmitted through.

If the frequency of the specific channel is fixedly set, the controller 70 may control the tuner 511 of the receiving circuit 51 for receiving the specific channel so as to select a broadcast signal of that frequency. . However, it is difficult to fixedly determine the frequency of a specific channel in CATV stations opened in various places. This is because the transmission band of the optical fiber cable used for each CATV station is different or the number of available channels is different.

If the frequency of the specific channel is different for each CATV station, it is necessary to provide a dedicated STB for each CATV station.
In addition, if the frequency of a specific channel is fixedly determined, the flexibility of a CATV station performing digital broadcasting, such as increasing or decreasing the number of transmission channels, is neglected, and digital broadcasting that is highly convenient for viewers. May not be provided.

Thus, the frequency of the specific channel is
Each CATV station can be set freely and can be changed as needed, so that digital broadcasting can be performed flexibly. Then, the STB 5 reliably receives a specific channel whose transmission frequency may be different from time to time and makes it available.

Therefore, the STB of the first embodiment is
In 5, as shown in FIG. 2, the specific channel is reliably specified based on the information of the channel selection information (PSI) transmitted on the specific channel and the normal channel, and the selected channel can be selected. That is, in the first embodiment, a descriptor for designating a specific channel is inserted into channel selection information, or a specific channel can be specified by using existing information of channel selection information (PSI). By arranging, the STB 5 reliably receives and tunes to a specific channel so that it can be used.

[0193] Specifically, a method using the NIT service list descriptor, a method using the NIT CA EMM TS descriptor, a broadcaster information table (Broadcaster information)
Table: Hereinafter, it is abbreviated as BIT. ) May be added to a new descriptor. Hereinafter, each of the methods will be specifically described.

[Method of Using NIT Service List Descriptor] First, a method of using the NIT service list descriptor will be described. The method of using the service list descriptor of the NIT is a descriptor of the second loop of the NIT shown in FIG. 21 and is an identifier of a service multiplexed on each transmission channel specified by the transport stream ID. The service list descriptor shown in FIG.

That is, FIG. 2 corresponding to a specific channel
In the service list descriptor shown in FIG. 5, serv
ice id (service ID) = 0 × 0000, s
service type (service type) = 0xB
F. Here, in 0 × 0000 and 0 × BF,
“0 ×” indicates that the following numbers and characters are in hexadecimal notation, as described above. As described above, the service list descriptor in which the specific value for identifying the specific channel is set is included in the NIT and transmitted. Note that the service type from 0x80 to 0xBF is an operator-defined area.

Then, the controller 70 of the STB 5 searches the demultiplexer 52 or the service list description of the second loop of the NIT supplied from the demultiplexer 55, and finds the service ID = 0 × 00.
A service list descriptor that is 00 and has a service type = 0 × BF is detected.

Next, the controller 70 of the STB 5 confirms that the service ID is 0 × 0000 and the service ID is 0 × 0000.
The wire distribution descriptor shown in FIG. 23 corresponding to the service list descriptor of type = 0 × BF is specified. As described above, the wire distribution descriptor is also a descriptor of the NIT. The wired distribution descriptor indicates a frequency of the additional information signal which is a broadcast signal (transport stream) transmitted through the transmission channel.
cy (frequency) is provided as a component.

Therefore, service ID = 0 × 0000
By specifying the service list descriptor in which the service type is 0 × BF, the transport stream ID indicating the specific channel can be specified. Also, the frequency of the specific channel is determined by the frequency (frequency) which is a component of the wired distribution descriptor corresponding to the service list descriptor having the service ID = 0 × 0000 and the service type = 0 × BF. By controlling the tuner unit 511 of the receiving circuit unit 51 so as to select the broadcast signal of the specified frequency, the specific channel is reliably selected, and the additional information transmitted through the specific channel is transmitted to the STB.
5 can be used.

FIG. 29 is a flow chart for explaining the channel selection processing and the like of a specific channel in the STB 5 when the service list descriptor of the NIT is used. The process shown in FIG. 29 is a process executed by the controller 70 of the STB 5 at a predetermined timing such as immediately after turning on the power to the STB 5.

That is, in the STB 5, when the power is turned on and the use is started, as described above, the service list description in the NIT from the demultiplexer 52 or 55 is performed. , A service list descriptor having a service ID of 0 × 0000 and a service type of 0 × BF is detected, and a component of a wired distribution descriptor corresponding to the service list descriptor is detected. Frequ which is
The frequency of a specific channel is specified by ency (frequency) (step S201).

The controller 70 forms a channel selection control signal so as to select a broadcast signal of the specified frequency (an additional information signal transmitted through a specific channel), and transmits this to the tuner unit of the reception circuit unit 51. The reception channel selection operation of the specific channel to be supplied to 511 is performed (step S2).
02), a channel shift is performed to receive and select an additional information signal transmitted through a specific channel (step S203).

Thus, the additional information signal transmitted through the specific channel is transmitted to the tuner unit 5 of the receiving circuit unit 51.
11 and the selected broadcast signal is 64
The signal is demodulated by the QAM demodulation unit 512 and supplied to the Reed-Solomon error correction unit 513. The demodulated additional information signal is subjected to error correction in Reed-Solomon error correction section 513, and the error-corrected additional information signal is de-
The signal is supplied to the multiplexer 52.

The demultiplexer 52 controls the SDT, EIT, CA
T, EMM, TDT or TOT are separated and extracted and supplied to the controller 70. The controller 70
These are received and the EMM is recorded on the IC card 90 through the IC card I / F 81 (step S2).
04), EPG data such as SDT and EIT and the like are stored in the EEPROM 74 which is a nonvolatile memory (step S205).

Then, controller 70 determines whether or not there is other additional information such as download data (DL data) in the additional information signal (step S206). , Which is temporarily stored in the DRAM 75, and the STB5
(Step S207).

After the processing in step S207, and when it is determined in the determination processing in step S206 that there is no other additional information such as download data (DL data) in the additional information signal, the processing shown in FIG. 29 is performed. finish.

As described above, by using the service list descriptor of the NIT, the receiving circuit unit 5 of the STB 5 is used.
According to 1, it is possible to reliably select and receive an additional information signal transmitted through a specific channel and use the received information signal.

[Method of Using NIT CA EMM TS Descriptor] Next, a method of using NIT CA EMM TS descriptor will be described. The method using the CA EMM TS descriptor of the NIT is a method of receiving a broadcast signal (transport stream) which is a descriptor of the first loop of the NIT shown in FIG. Using the CA EMM TS descriptor that describes the reception duration after the power-off operation at the receiver, the power holding time is appropriately adjusted, and in addition to the EMM information, the electronic program guide information is also provided during that period. Be ready to receive.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing the structure of the CA EMM TS descriptor. As shown in FIG.
The EMM TS descriptor is (1) descriptor t
ag (descriptor tag), (2) descriptor
r length (descriptor length), (3) C
A system id (CA / system ID), (4)
transport stream id (transport stream ID), (5) original ne
work id (original network ID),
(6) The power supply period (power supply period) is included as a component.

The meaning of each component (each field) of the CA EMM TS descriptor shown in FIG. 30 is as shown in FIG. This CA EMM TS descriptor is the descriptor of the first loop of the NIT as described above.
Then, in the case of this example, (4) transport
stream id (Transport stream I
In D), the transport stream ID of the additional information signal transmitted through the specific channel is set and transmitted.

Then, in the controller 70 of the STB 5, the C of the first loop of the NIT supplied from the demultiplexer 52 or 54 is
AEMM TS Descriptor Transport Stream I
D recognizes the transport stream ID of the specific channel, and is transmitted through the specific channel from the wire distribution descriptor which is the descriptor of the second loop of the NIT having the recognized transport stream ID of the specific channel. The frequency of the additional information signal is specified.

[0211] Thus, the tuner unit 51 of the receiving circuit unit 51 is so selected as to select the broadcast signal of the specified frequency.
By controlling 1, it is possible to reliably select a specific channel and use the additional information transmitted through the specific channel in the STB 5.

FIG. 32 shows the CA EMM of this NIT.
It is a flowchart for demonstrating the channel selection process etc. of a specific channel in STB5 when using a TS descriptor. The process shown in FIG. 32 is performed after the power of the STB 5 is turned off,
This is a process executed by the controller 70 of the STB 5 at a predetermined timing, for example, within a period (time) specified by er_supply_period.

That is, in the STB 5, when the power is turned off, the demultiplexer 52 or the C of the first loop in the NIT from the demultiplexer 55 is turned off.
The AIT TS descriptor is referred to, the transport stream ID of the additional information signal transmitted through the specific channel is recognized from the transport stream ID in the descriptor, and the NIT having the recognized transport stream ID is recognized. The frequency of the additional information signal transmitted through the specific channel is specified from the wired distribution descriptor, which is the descriptor of the second loop. (Step S30
1).

The subsequent processing is performed by the NI shown in FIG.
This is the same as the case where the service list descriptor of T is used. That is, the controller 70 forms a channel selection control signal so as to select a broadcast signal of the specified frequency (an additional information signal transmitted through a specific channel), and supplies this to the tuner unit 511 of the reception circuit unit 51. Perform a channel selection operation for a specific channel (step S302),
A channel shift is performed so as to receive and select an additional information signal transmitted through a specific channel (step S303).

The demultiplexer 52 controls the SDT, EIT, CA
T, EMM, TDT or TOT are separated and extracted and supplied to the controller 70. The controller 70
These are received and the EMM is recorded on the IC card 90 through the IC card I / F 81 (step S3).
04), EPG data such as SDT and EIT and the like are stored in the EEPROM 74 as a nonvolatile memory (step S305).

Then, controller 70 determines whether or not other additional information such as download data (DL data) is included in the additional information signal (step S306). , Which is temporarily stored in the DRAM 75, and the STB5
(Step S307).

After the processing in step S307, and when it is determined in the determination processing in step S306 that there is no other additional information such as download data (DL data) in the additional information signal, the processing shown in FIG. 32 is performed. finish.

Thus, NIT's CA EMM T
By using the S descriptor, the reception circuit unit 51 of the STB 5 can reliably receive and tune an additional information signal transmitted through a specific channel, and use this.

[Method of Using BIT (Broadcaster Information Table)] Next, a method of using BIT (broadcaster information table) will be described. In the transmission system, that is, in the CATV station, BIT (Broadcaster information table: Broadcaster information) is used as part of SI (service information).
In some cases, a T. Table is transmitted.

[0220] This BIT is information for notifying various information on the broadcast station side. FIG. 33 shows the BIT
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of FIG. As shown in FIG. 33, BIT is (1) table id (table I
D), (2) section syntax indic
ator (section syntax indicator), (3) section length (section length), (4) original network
id (original network ID), (5) ver
session number (version number), (6) cu
current next indicator, (7) sectionionnu
mber (section number), (8) last section
It has an ion number (last section number) as a component.

Further, the BIT is determined a predetermined number of times (N1 times: N1 times).
(9) descriptor (descriptor) is provided as a loop (first loop) element (repetition element) of (an integer of 1 or more). Also, BIT
Is defined as (10) br as a loop (second loop) element (repetition element) for a predetermined number of times (N2 times: N2 is an integer of 1 or more).
oadcaster id (broadcaster I
D), (11) broadcaster descriptor
ors length (broadcaster descriptor length) is provided.

In the second loop, a predetermined number (N3 times) of loop elements (repetition elements) are defined as follows:
(12) A descriptor (descriptor) is provided. Finally, information for error detection, in this case, CRC (Cyclic Red) is used.
This is configured to add information for “Underly Check”. The meaning of each component (each field) of the BIT shown in FIG. 33 is as shown in FIG.

Then, a new descriptor is added in the BIT. This newly added descriptor is called SI primets d
This is called an “scriptor (SI prime ts descriptor)”. FIG. 35 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the SI prime ts descriptor. As shown in FIG. 35, (1) desc
descriptor tag (descriptor tag), (2) d
descriptor length, (3) parameter version
(Parameter version), (4) update
e (update time), (5) SI primets
networkid (SI prime ts network ID), (6) SI prime transport
It has a stream id (SI prime transport stream ID) as a component.

Further, the SI_prime_ts_descriptor is defined as a loop element (repetition element) of predetermined times (N times: N is an integer of 1 or more) as (7) table id (table ID), (8) table description
length (table descriptor length), and this loop is further provided with a predetermined number of loops (M times: M is an integer of 1 or more). As a component of this loop, (9) tabledescription by
te (table descriptor byte) is provided.

The meaning of each component (each field) of the SI primes descriptor shown in FIG. 35 is as shown in FIG.
6. Then, in this case, BI
In the SI primes descriptor of T, (6) SI
prime transport stream i
d (SI prime transport stream ID)
A transport stream ID of an additional information signal transmitted through a specific channel is set and transmitted.

In the controller 70 of the STB 5, when the BIT is supplied from the demultiplexer 52 or the demultiplexer 54, the BIT is
The transport stream ID of the specific channel is specified based on the (6) SI prime transport stream ID of the SI prims descriptor of the BIT, and this is stored in the storage medium in the EEPROM 74 of the STB 5.

When it becomes necessary to select and receive the additional information signal transmitted through the specific channel,
(6) SI stored in EPROM 74
The prime transport stream ID is read, and the read SI prime transport stream I is read.
The frequency of the transmission channel having the same transport stream ID as that of D is specified from the frequency information of the wired distribution descriptor that is the descriptor of the second loop of the NIT.

As a result, the tuner unit 51 of the receiving circuit unit 51 is selected so as to select the broadcast signal of the specified frequency.
By controlling 1, it is possible to reliably select a specific channel and use the additional information transmitted through the specific channel in the STB 5.

FIGS. 37 and 38 are flow charts for explaining a channel selection process of a specific channel in the STB 5 when a BIT (broadcaster information table) is used. FIG. 37 is a flowchart for explaining a process of specifying a transport stream ID of an additional information signal transmitted through a specific channel, and FIG. 38 is a flowchart illustrating a process of specifying a specific channel based on the specified transport stream ID. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process of receiving and selecting a channel.

First, as shown in FIG. 37, when a BIT is supplied from the demultiplexer 52 or the demultiplexer 54, the controller 70 of the STB 5 refers to the SI prime ts descriptor of the supplied BIT. (Step S4011), (6) SI pri
me transport stream id (SI
A prime transport stream ID is obtained (step S402) and stored in the EEPROM 74 (step S403).

As described above, the transport stream ID of the additional information signal transmitted through the specific channel is specified in advance. Then, when electronic program guide information or the like is required, for example, immediately after the power is turned on to the STB 5, the processing shown in FIG. 38 is executed.

At a predetermined timing such as when power is supplied to the STB 5, the controller 70 of the STB 5
SI prime stored in the EEPROM 74
With reference to transport stream id (SI prime transport stream ID), the demultiplexer 52 or the demultiplexer 55 is referred to.
Search for wired distribution descriptor in NIT from EEP
The frequency of the specific channel having the same transport stream ID as the SI prime transport stream ID from the ROM 74 is specified (step S50).
1).

The subsequent processing is performed by the NI shown in FIG.
This is the same as the case where the service list descriptor of T is used. That is, the controller 70 forms a channel selection control signal so as to select a broadcast signal of the specified frequency (additional information signal transmitted through a specific channel), and supplies this to the tuner unit 511 of the reception circuit unit 51. Perform a receiving channel selection operation of a specific channel (step S502).
A channel shift is executed to receive and select an additional information signal transmitted through a specific channel (step S503).

The demultiplexer 52 controls the SDT, EIT, CA according to the control of the controller 70.
T, EMM, TDT or TOT are separated and extracted and supplied to the controller 70. The controller 70
These are received and the EMM is recorded on the IC card 90 through the IC card I / F 81 (step S5).
04), EPG data such as SDT and EIT and the like are stored in the EEPROM 74 as a nonvolatile memory (step S505).

The controller 70 determines whether or not other additional information such as download data (DL data) is present in the additional information signal (step S506). , Which is temporarily stored in the DRAM 75, and the STB5
(Step S507).

After the processing in step S307, and when it is determined in the determination processing in step S506 that there is no other additional information such as download data (DL data) in the additional information signal, the processing shown in FIG. 38 is performed. finish.

As described above, by using the BIT (broadcaster information table), the receiving circuit unit 51 of the STB 5 reliably receives and tunes the additional information signal transmitted through the specific channel, and uses this. You can do so.

As described above, no matter which method is used, the specific channel is specified, the additional information signal transmitted through the specific channel is reliably received and tuned, and provided by the additional information signal. The obtained additional information can be obtained and used.

It should be noted that which method is used may be determined on the side of the CATV station that performs digital broadcasting. Also, two of the above-mentioned methods may be used in combination, or
Of course, all of the above methods may be performed.

[0240] In addition to the above-mentioned method, the specific channel can be specified by using PSI information added to both the specific channel and the normal channel, or by using information newly provided as PIS information. Of course, the additional information signal transmitted through the specified channel may be reliably received and selected.

As described above, the STB 5 specifies a specific channel, and various types of additional information provided by the additional information signal transmitted through the specific channel are stored in the EEPROM 74 and stored as necessary. It is read and used.

[Provision of Electronic Program Guide]
In the STB 5 of the first embodiment, when an electronic program guide is provided based on information provided through a specific channel and stored in its own EEPROM 74,
It looks like this: Here, the program guide of the receiving channel is EITact, SDTact of the receiving channel.
The following describes an example in which the electronic program guide including the other normal channels is provided through a specific channel and the electronic program guide information stored in the EEPROM 74 of the STB 5 is used.

FIG. 39 shows the STB according to the first embodiment.
6 is a flowchart for explaining an electronic program guide providing process performed in No. 5; The processing of FIG. 39 is performed, for example, after the broadcast program is viewed through the normal channel, as described above with reference to FIG.
This is a process performed by the controller 70 of the TB 5.

After the normal channel broadcasting the target broadcast program is selected and the target broadcast program is selected, the controller 70 of the STB 5 executes the processing shown in FIG. First, the controller 70 controls the demultiplexer 55 to convert the EPGac, which is the current program data, from the program broadcast signal provided through the normal channel which the STB 5 is currently receiving and selecting.
The t data is extracted and acquired (step S601), and the acquired data is temporarily stored in, for example, the DRAM 75 (step S602).

Next, the controller 70 of the STB 5 determines whether or not an instruction to display the current program table by the viewer has been received through the key operation unit 82 or, though not shown, a light receiving unit of a remote control signal and a remote commander. Is determined (step S603).

If it is determined in step S603 that the instruction to display the current program guide has been received,
The controller 70 determines in step S602 that the DRA
The EPGact data stored in the M75 is called (read) (step S604), and a current program table for a program provided through the normal channel is created. This is displayed on the display screen 6 (step S605).

After the processing in step S605, and when it is determined in the determination processing in step S603 that the instruction to display the current program guide has not been received by the viewer, the controller 70 of the STB 5 transmits the instruction via the key operation unit 82. Alternatively, although not shown, it is determined whether or not an instruction to display a broadcast schedule table has been received by the viewer through the light receiving unit of the remote control signal and the remote commander (step S606).

If it is determined in step S606 that the instruction to display the schedule table has not been received, the controller 70 of the STB 5 proceeds to step S606.
The processing from 601 is repeated. Step S6
In the determination process of 06, when it is determined that the display instruction of the schedule table has been received, the controller 70
As mentioned above, it is provided through a specific channel,
The electronic program guide information (EPG data) stored in the EEPROM 74 of the STB 5 is called (read) (step S607), and a schedule for program broadcast signals transmitted through all normal channels is created. This is displayed on the display screen of the monitor receiver 6 through the OSD circuit 59 and the synthesizing circuit 60 (step S608).

[0249] Thereafter, upon receiving a selection input of a target broadcast program or the like, selection of a program broadcast signal broadcasting the selected broadcast program, and a target broadcast program from the selected program broadcast signal are received. Will be selected.

Therefore, it is possible to provide an electronic program guide for the own channel by using the EPGact data transmitted through the normal channel.
Using a large amount of electronic program guide information (EPG data) transmitted through a specific channel, an electronic program guide can be provided for each program broadcast signal transmitted through each normal channel.

As described above, the specific channel and the normal channel are provided, and the additional information is mainly transmitted through the specific channel and the content information is mainly transmitted through the normal channel. This can be prevented from being performed, and the content information can be efficiently distributed to the viewer side.

[0252] Then, in STB5 on the viewer side,
Receive specific channels and normal channels separately,
Each of them can be used reliably.

[Second Embodiment] The STB 5 of the first embodiment described above reliably receives an additional information signal transmitted through a specific channel and a program broadcast signal transmitted through a normal channel. In order to make it possible, two receiving circuit units 51 and 53 and two demultiplexers 52 and 55 are provided. As described above, the receiving circuit unit 51 and the demultiplexer 52
Is for a specific channel, and the receiving circuit unit 53,
The demultiplexer 55 is for a normal channel.

However, the provision of the receiving circuit section and the demultiplexer for the two systems not only complicates the circuit configuration itself, but also complicates the control thereof, and causes an increase in the design cost and manufacturing cost of the STB. Not preferred.
Therefore, in this other embodiment, an STB having one receiving circuit unit and a demultiplexer without providing two receiving circuit units and a demultiplexer is used, and both a specific channel and a normal channel are used. An STB that reliably receives, tunes, and uses it is realized.

In the second embodiment, the STB
The components of the digital broadcasting system other than 5 are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above. That is, the transmitting device 2 of the CATV station 1 is the same as that described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, and, as described in the first embodiment, provides a specific channel and a plurality of normal channels. Most additional information is transmitted through a channel, and content information and a minimum amount of additional information are transmitted through a channel.

FIG. 40 shows an STB of the second embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining No. 5; As shown in FIG. 40, the STB 5 of the second embodiment is the same as the STB 5 of the first embodiment shown in FIG.
In this case, the multiplexer 52 has been removed. The other components are configured similarly to the STB 5 of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

The STB 5 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 40 has only one receiving circuit section and one demultiplexer, but acquires necessary additional information services such as electronic program guide, and , And can receive and output the content information desired by the viewer.

The description of each part of the STB 5 shown in FIG. 40 has been already given with reference to FIG.
The control by the controller 70 of the receiving circuit unit 53 and the demultiplexer 55 different from the STB of the first embodiment will be described. That is, the STB 5 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 40 (1) shifts to the so-called standby reception mode when the power is turned off by the viewer.

(2) In this standby reception mode, additional information transmitted through a specific channel is automatically received and selected, and additional information such as electronic program guide information (EPG data) and conditional access information (EMM data) is obtained. And get
After storing the necessary additional information in the memory,
Turn off the power of TB5.

(3) When the power of the STB 5 is turned on by the viewer and the display of the electronic program guide is requested, the electronic program guide information is read from the memory and the electronic program guide is displayed. If program guide data for the current / next day of the current reception channel is transmitted to the normal channel, the program guide data is displayed in combination with other channels stored in the memory and a long-term program guide. Note that the process (3) is also performed in the same manner in the STB 5 according to the first embodiment.

As a method of specifying a specific channel, the STB 5 according to the second embodiment also employs a method using an NIT service list descriptor as described in the first embodiment. CA
One, two, or all of the method of using an EMM TS descriptor and the method of additionally inserting a new descriptor into a BIT (broadcaster information table) are used.

The following describes the case where the method using the service list descriptor of the NIT, the method using the CAEMM TS descriptor of the NIT, and the method of additionally inserting a new descriptor into the BIT (broadcaster information table) are used. The operation of the STB 2 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG.

[Operation of STB 5 when using method using NIT service list descriptor] In the case of using the NIT service list descriptor, as described above, the specific channel of the NIT is used. Service ID and service ID of the service list descriptor corresponding to
The type is set to a predetermined value such as service ID = 0 × 0000 and service type = 0 × BF, and the service ID and service type of this specific value are set. A specific channel is specified by finding a service list descriptor having the service list descriptor.

FIG. 41 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of STB 5 when the method using the service list descriptor of the NIT is used. The processing of FIG. 41 is performed after the power of STB5 is turned on.
The processing is executed by the controller 70 at a predetermined timing, for example, at regular intervals.

When the process shown in FIG. 41 is executed, first, controller 70 determines whether or not an operation of turning off the power of STB 5 from a user (viewer) of STB 5 has been received (step S701). When it is determined in the determination processing of step S701 that the operation of turning off the power of the STB 5 has not been received, the processing illustrated in FIG. 41 ends.

In the determination processing of step S 701, S
When determining that the operation of turning off the power of the TB5 has been received, the controller 70 controls each unit to shift to the standby reception mode (step S70).
2). That is, each unit is controlled so as to stop using the broadcast program (content information) provided by the received and selected program broadcast signal.

Then, the controller 70 refers to the service list descriptor in the NIT supplied from the demultiplexer 55, and determines that the service whose service ID is 0 × 0000 and whose service type is 0 × BF Detects the list descriptor and sets fr as a component of the wired distribution descriptor corresponding to the service list descriptor.
The frequency of the specific channel is specified by the frequency (frequency) (step S703).

The controller 70 forms a tuning control signal so as to tune a broadcast signal of the specified frequency (additional information signal transmitted through a specific channel), and transmits the tuning control signal to the tuner section of the receiving circuit section 51. The reception channel selection operation of the specific channel to be supplied to 511 is performed (step S7).
04), a channel shift is performed to receive and select an additional information signal transmitted through a specific channel (step S705).

The demultiplexer 52 controls the SDT, EIT, CA according to the control of the controller 70.
T, EMM, TDT or TOT are separated and extracted and supplied to the controller 70. The controller 70
These are received and the EMM is recorded on the IC card 90 through the IC card I / F 81 (step S7).
06), EPG data such as SDT and EIT and the like are stored in the EEPROM 74 which is a nonvolatile memory (step S707).

Then, the controller 70 determines whether or not other additional information such as download data (DL data) is present in the additional information signal (step S708). , Which is temporarily stored in the DRAM 75, and the STB5
(Step S709).

After the processing in step S707, and when it is determined in the determination processing in step S706 that there is no other additional information such as download data (DL data) in the additional information signal, the power supply supplied to each unit of STB 5 Is stopped, the STB 5 is turned off (step S710), and the processing shown in FIG. 41 is ended.

[Operation of STB5 When Using Method Using CAITM TS Descriptor of NIT]
In the case of using the CA EMM TS descriptor of the NIT, as described above, information indicating the specific channel is inserted into the transport stream ID of the CA EMM and TS descriptor corresponding to the specific channel of the NIT. In advance, this is used.

FIG. 42 shows the CA EMM TS of NIT.
It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of STB5 at the time of using the method using a descriptor. The processing of FIG. 42 is performed after the power is turned on to STB5.
5 is executed by the controller 70 at a predetermined timing, such as at regular intervals.

When the processing shown in FIG. 42 is executed, controller 70 first determines whether or not an operation of turning off the power of STB 5 from the user (viewer) of STB 5 has been received (step S801). If it is determined in the determination processing of step S801 that the operation of turning off the power of the STB 5 has not been received, the processing illustrated in FIG. 42 ends.

In the determination processing of step S801, S
When determining that the operation of turning off the power of the TB 5 has been received, the controller 70 controls each unit to shift to the standby reception mode (step S80).
2). That is, each unit is controlled so as to stop using the broadcast program (content information) provided by the received and selected program broadcast signal.

Then, the controller 70 controls the CA EMM in the NIT supplied from the demultiplexer 55.
Refers to the TS descriptor, the transport
From the stream ID, the transport stream ID of the additional information signal transmitted through the specific channel is recognized, and from the wire distribution descriptor that is the descriptor of the second loop of the NIT having the recognized transport stream ID, The frequency of the additional information signal transmitted through the channel is specified (step S803).

The controller 70 forms a channel selection control signal so as to select a broadcast signal of the specified frequency (additional information signal transmitted through a specific channel), and transmits the control signal to the tuner unit of the reception circuit unit 51. A reception tuning operation of a specific channel to be supplied to 511 is performed (step S8)
04), a channel shift is performed to receive and select an additional information signal transmitted through a specific channel (step S805).

Thus, the additional information signal transmitted through the specific channel is transmitted to the tuner unit 5 of the receiving circuit unit 51.
11 and the selected broadcast signal is 64
The signal is demodulated by the QAM demodulation unit 512 and supplied to the Reed-Solomon error correction unit 513. The demodulated additional information signal is subjected to error correction in Reed-Solomon error correction section 513, and the error-corrected additional information signal is de-
The signal is supplied to the multiplexer 52.

The demultiplexer 52 controls the SDT, EIT, CA according to the control of the controller 70.
T, EMM, TDT or TOT are separated and extracted and supplied to the controller 70. The controller 70
These are received and the EMM is recorded on the IC card 90 through the IC card I / F 81 (step S8).
06), EPG data such as SDT and EIT and the like are stored in the EEPROM 74 as a nonvolatile memory (step S807).

Then, controller 70 determines whether or not other additional information such as download data (DL data) is included in the additional information signal (step S808). , Which is temporarily stored in the DRAM 75, and the STB5
(Step S809).

After the processing in step S809, and when it is determined in the determination processing in step S807 that there is no other additional information such as download data (DL data) in the additional information signal, the power supply supplied to each unit of the STB 5 Is stopped, the power supply of the STB 5 is turned off (step S810), and the processing shown in FIG. 42 is terminated.

In the method using this CA EMM TS descriptor, as described above, this CA EMM
Power supply period in TS descriptor
According to d, the maximum duration of the standby reception mode after the power is turned off is specified to be up to 255 minutes. If the maximum duration is exceeded, the processing shown in FIG. 42 is ended.

[Operation of STB5 when New Descriptor is Inserted and Inserted in BIT (Broadcaster Information Table)] When a new descriptor is additionally inserted in this BIT (broadcaster information table) Is a new SI in the BIT, as described above.
A prime ts descriptor is provided, and the SI prime transport stream ID in the SI prime ts descriptor is:
The transport stream ID of the additional information signal transmitted through a specific channel is set and transmitted.

In the case of this method, as described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 37, when the BIT is transmitted, the BIT is supplied from the demultiplexer 55 to the controller 70, and the BIT is transmitted. Is obtained as the transport stream ID of the specific channel, and the STB5 EEPRO
It is stored in M74.

FIG. 43 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of STB 5 when the method of additionally inserting a new descriptor into BIT (broadcaster information table) is used. The process of FIG. 43 is a process that is executed at a predetermined timing by the controller 70 of the STB 5 after the power is turned on, such as at regular intervals.

When the process shown in FIG. 43 is executed, first, controller 70 determines whether or not an operation of turning off the power of STB 5 from a user (viewer) of STB 5 has been received (step S901). If it is determined in step S901 that the operation of turning off the power of the STB 5 has not been received, the process shown in FIG. 43 is ended.

In the determination processing of step S901, S
When determining that the operation of turning off the power of the TB5 has been received, the controller 70 controls each unit to shift to the standby reception mode (step S90).
2). That is, each unit is controlled so as to stop using the broadcast program (content information) provided by the received and selected program broadcast signal.

Then, the controller 70 operates the EEPROM 7 in the NIT supplied from the demultiplexer 55.
4, the transport stream ID of the additional information signal transmitted through the specific channel is recognized with reference to the SI prime transport stream ID of the BIT SI prime ts descriptor stored in the BIT. The frequency of the additional information signal transmitted through the specific channel is specified from the wired distribution descriptor which is the descriptor of the second loop of the NIT having the stream ID. (Step S903).

[0289] The controller 70 forms a tuning control signal so as to tune a broadcast signal (additional information signal transmitted through a specific channel) of the specified frequency, and sends the tuning control signal to the tuner section of the receiving circuit section 51. The reception channel selection operation of the specific channel supplied to 511 is performed (Step S9)
04), a channel shift is performed to receive and select an additional information signal transmitted through a specific channel (step S905).

The demultiplexer 52 controls the SDT, EIT, CA according to the control of the controller 70.
T, EMM, TDT or TOT are separated and extracted and supplied to the controller 70. The controller 70
These are received and the EMM is recorded on the IC card 90 through the IC card I / F 81 (step S9).
06), EPG data such as SDT and EIT and the like are stored in the EEPROM 74 as a nonvolatile memory (step S907).

Then, controller 70 determines whether or not there is other additional information such as download data (DL data) in the additional information signal (step S908). , Which is temporarily stored in the DRAM 75, and the STB5
(Step S909).

After the processing in step S909, and when it is determined in the determination processing in step S907 that there is no other additional information such as download data (DL data) in the additional information signal, the power supplied to each unit of the STB 5 is supplied. Is stopped, the STB 5 is turned off (step S910), and the processing shown in FIG. 43 is ended.

As described above, in any of the above methods, in the standby reception mode immediately after the power of the STB 5 is turned off by the viewer,
The additional information signal transmitted through a specific channel is reliably received and selected, and various types of additional information provided by the additional information signal are extracted and stored in a memory so that the information can be used at any time. Is done.

In the STB 5 of the second embodiment, the process of extracting and using target content information from a program broadcast signal transmitted through a normal channel is the same as the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. The electronic program guide display processing can be performed in the same manner as the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 39.

[Third Embodiment] The first and second embodiments described above
In the embodiment, the CATV station has been described assuming that the additional information and the content information in the format to be transmitted through the CATV transmission line 3 are stored in the additional information storage unit 43 and the content information storage unit 44 of the transmission device 2. . In addition, if the format is such that the content is transmitted through the CATV transmission path 3, it is possible to broadcast by receiving the supply of content information from the outside.

However, a digital broadcast signal from another network having a different broadcast system, for example, a digital satellite broadcast cannot be directly transmitted to a CATV broadcast network. This is because the configuration of the service information (SI) table for providing the additional information service is different in digital broadcasting of another network.

Therefore, in order to view both digital satellite broadcasting and CATV digital broadcasting, both receivers must be purchased. Digital satellite broadcasting and C
It is also conceivable to configure a shared receiver for a plurality of networks, such as a shared receiver for ATV digital broadcasting.

However, for example, digital satellite broadcasting and CA
Considering a shared receiver for TV digital broadcasting, in this shared receiver, when a broadcast signal of digital satellite broadcast is received, it is converted from QPSK modulation, which is a modulation method for digital satellite broadcast, to CATV broadcast. It is necessary to perform a conversion process of a modulation method for converting to a 64QAM modulation which is a modulation method.

Further, as described above, the service information table of the digital satellite broadcast signal has a different configuration from the service information table of the CATV broadcast signal.
CAT of digital satellite broadcasting service information table
It must be rewritten into a format corresponding to the service information table of the V broadcast signal. This not only complicates the configuration of the receiver, but also imposes a heavy burden on software design executed in the receiver, and is difficult to realize.

Therefore, in the third embodiment, for example, a digital satellite broadcast is received by a receiving antenna of a CATV station, fetched into a CATV broadcasting system to which the digital broadcasting method of the present invention is applied, and is converted into a CATV broadcasting system. Retransmit to the broadcast network. By doing so, digital satellite broadcasting can be used through the CATV broadcasting network and the STB 5 to which the receiving device according to the present invention is applied.

[0301] In the case of the digital broadcasting method according to the present invention, as described in the first and second embodiments,
Additional information (SI information) necessary for providing an additional information service such as an electronic program guide is aggregated in a specific channel, and a normal channel is based on transmission of only channel selection information (PSI) and content information.

Therefore, (1) the additional information (SI information) included in the signal of the other network is invalidated by the retransmitting device of the CATV station, and (2) the additional information (SI information) of the other network is specified. Digital broadcasts of other networks are transmitted to a CATV broadcast network by transmitting them to a channel in a common format, and the STB for CATV broadcasts is transmitted.
Is made available for viewing.

FIG. 44 is a block diagram for explaining a CATV broadcasting system according to a third embodiment to which a digital broadcasting method and a digital broadcasting system according to an embodiment of the present invention are applied.

As shown in FIG. 44, in the CATV broadcasting system according to the third embodiment, a CATV station 1 and a large number of subscriber side terminal devices 4 (1) to 4 (N) are provided with a CATV broadcasting system.
It is formed by being connected through the transmission path 3.

The CATV transmission path 3 and the terminal device 4
Each of (1) to 4 (N) corresponds to the CATV transmission line 3 and the terminal device 4 of the CATV broadcasting system according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment shown in FIG. (1)
4 (N) to 4 (N).
That is, the STB 5 and the monitor receiver 6 have the same configuration as those of the first and second embodiments.

The CATV according to the third embodiment is
The station 1 includes a receiving antenna 7 for digital satellite broadcasting, a retransmitting device 8, a digital broadcasting transmitting device (hereinafter referred to as a transmitting device) 9, and a mixer 10.

The transmitting device 9 has the same configuration as the transmitting device 2 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. However, while the delivery device 2 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3 has a mixer 25, the delivery device 9 of the third embodiment has a built-in mixer 25. Not what it is. For this reason, a mixer 10 for mixing broadcast signals is provided in the CATV station 1 as shown in FIG.

That is, the transmitting device 9 of the CATV station 1
As shown in FIG. 3, the specific channel generation unit 21, the modulation unit 22, the normal channel generation unit 23, the modulation unit 24, the controller 30, the key I / F 41, the key operation unit 42, the additional information storage unit 43, the content storage unit 44, the first,
The operation is the same as that of the transmission device 2 of the second CATV station 1. Therefore, in the third embodiment, the transmitting device 9
The description of is omitted.

FIG. 45 is a block diagram for explaining retransmitting apparatus 8 of CATV station 1 shown in FIG. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, in the third embodiment, CA
The retransmitting device 8 included in the TV station 1 includes a front end unit (described as E / F in FIG. 45) 801, a packet filter 802, a PID extraction control unit 803, and a satellite N
IT processing unit 804, NIT rewriting unit 805, N for CATV
IT processing unit 806, EMM processing unit 807, invalidation unit 80
8, replacement section 809, modulation section 810, controller 820
It is provided with.

A controller 820 controls each section of the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 45, a controller 820 is formed by connecting a CPU 821, a ROM 822, and a RAM 823 by a CPU bus 824. It is a microcomputer.

[0311] Although not shown, the front end section 801 includes a tuner section, a demodulation section, and an error correction section. The digital satellite broadcast signal received by the satellite broadcast receiving antenna 7 is supplied to the front end unit 801 of the retransmitting device 8. As described above, the digital satellite broadcast signal is packetized, and each of them can be identified by a PID (packet ID).

[0312] The front end unit 801 tunes the designated digital satellite broadcast signal in accordance with the tuning control signal from the controller 820, demodulates the tuned digital satellite broadcast signal, and corrects the error. And supplies it to the packet filter 802 and the PID extraction control unit 803.

Note that the controller 820 of the retransmission device 8
Are supplied with various instruction signals such as a channel selection instruction signal from the operator of the CATV station, and in accordance with the instruction signal, form various control signals as described above, and Can be supplied.

[0314] The packet filter 802 extracts a packet of the target data under the control of the PID extraction control unit 803, and supplies it to the subsequent circuit unit.
That is, the PID extraction control unit 803
Under the control from 20, the instruction of the packet to be extracted is received, and the packet filter 802 is controlled so as to extract the specified packet. In the case of this example, the PID extraction control unit 803 uses the NIT from the digital satellite broadcast signal.
, An EMM packet, and a content information packet.

[0315] Under the control of the PID extraction control unit 803, the packet filter 802 extracts a NIT packet from the digital satellite broadcast signal supplied thereto, and supplies this to the satellite NIT processing unit 804. Further, the packet filter 802 extracts an EMM packet from the digital satellite broadcast signal supplied thereto under the control of the PID extraction control unit 803, and supplies this to the EMM processing unit 807. The packet filter 802 is
Under the control of the PID extraction control unit 803, a packet of content information is extracted from the digital satellite broadcast signal supplied thereto, and supplied to the replacement unit 809.

The satellite NIT processing section 804 converts the satellite broadcast NIT supplied thereto into data in a format that can be easily rewritten, for example, by decomposing the data for each data, under the control of the controller 820. This is supplied to the rewriting processing unit 806. The rewrite processing unit 805 rewrites the satellite broadcast NIT supplied thereto to a CATV NIT, and supplies this to the CATV NIT processing unit 806.
The NIT processing unit 806 for CATV uses the C
The NIT rewritten for the ATV is reconfigured to form a CATV NIT in a format to be transmitted, and this is replaced with a replacement unit 80.
9.

On the other hand, under the control of the controller 820, the EMM processing unit 807 performs processing such as determining data to be invalidated for the satellite broadcast EMM supplied thereto, and executes this processing. To supply. The invalidation unit 808 prevents the EMM supplied thereto from being processed on the receiver side. Specifically, the invalidation unit 8
08 performs processing such as inserting data indicating invalidity into a predetermined position of the EMM for satellite broadcasting, or invalidating the EMM itself with specific information. Invalidation unit 8
08, the EMM data invalidated in the replacement unit 80
9.

[0318] Also, as described above,
The NIT packet rewritten for CATV from the CATV NIT processing unit 806, the invalidated EMM packet from the invalidation unit 808, and the packet filter 8
02 and a packet of the content information extracted in step 02.

[0319] The replacing section 809 performs a replacing process on the provided information to form a program broadcast signal, and supplies this to the modulating section 810. The modulator 810 modulates the supplied program broadcast signal by 64QAM and outputs the result. The modulated program broadcast signal is supplied to the mixer 10.

The mixer 10 receives the modulated program broadcast signal from the retransmitting device 8 and the transmitting device 9 as shown in FIG.
And mix the modulated program broadcast signal from
The data is transmitted to the transmission path 3 and transmitted to the STB 5 of each subscriber.
In this case, the specific channel generation unit 2 of the transmission device 9
Reference numeral 1 denotes a retransmission device 8 that forms an additional information signal including various additional information on a CATV broadcast program broadcast signal formed from a digital satellite broadcast signal by the retransmitting device 8 and transmits the additional information signal through a specific channel. is there.

By providing the antenna 7 for digital satellite broadcast reception and the retransmitting device 8 in the CATV station 1 as described above, a digital satellite broadcast signal is received and transmitted.
It can be transmitted through an ATV broadcast network. In this case, the retransmission device 8, the transmission device 9, and the mixer 10
This constitutes a transmission device for transmitting a digital CATV broadcast from the CATV station 1.

[0322] Then, ST, which is a CATV broadcast receiver, is used.
Since the digital broadcast transmitted through the CATV transmission path 3 can be received by B5, the broadcast program signal formed by the retransmitting device 8 can also be received.
As in the case of the broadcast program signal from the transmitting device 9, the program can be received, selected, and used.

FIG. 46 shows the satellite broadcasting service system 10.
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the digital broadcast system according to the third embodiment, including 0. That is, a digital satellite broadcast signal broadcast from the satellite broadcast service system 100 via the communication satellite 200 is broadcast, and as described above, is received by the receiving antenna 7 of the CATV station 1 and subjected to predetermined processing to perform CATV. A retransmission signal is transmitted to a broadcast network. Here, the communication satellite 200 has an orbital position of 110 degrees east longitude, for example.

As shown in FIG. 46, the satellite broadcasting service system 100 includes a program integrated management system / program scheduling management system section (hereinafter abbreviated as PMS / BDPS section) 101 and a broadcast network management database section (hereinafter, referred to as PMS / BDPS section). , NMD section) 102, a customer management system section (hereinafter abbreviated as an SMS section) 103, a database 105, a customer viewing permission key management system section (hereinafter, abbreviated as an SMS section).
Abbreviated as SAS unit. ), Related information transmitting device 107, encoder 108, multiplexer 109, scrambler 110, transmission line coding device 111, transmitting antenna 112
It is provided with.

[0325] Content information such as a broadcast program to be broadcast as a digital broadcast, EPG data, and the like are in PM
The signal is supplied to the S / BDPS unit 101, separated and integrated here, and then supplied to the encoder 108 through the NMD unit 103. The encoder 108 performs an encoding process such as compressing the supplied data by a predetermined method, and converts the encoded data into a multiplexer 109.
To supply.

The multiplexer 109 is supplied with both EMM data from the SAS unit and ECM data from the related information transmitting device 107. The SMS unit 103, the database 105, and the SAS unit 106 are units for managing and processing various types of processing (customers) of customers (subscribers) who watch digital satellite broadcasting, or forming information for pay broadcasting.

The multiplexer 109 includes the encoder 10
8 such as content information from the SAS unit 10
6 and the ECM data from the related information transmitting device 107, and multiplexes the
Supply 0. The scrambler 110 performs a scramble process on a digital broadcast signal in which various data are multiplexed, based on information from the related information transmitting device 107.

Note that the related information sending device 107 is
EC based on information from the unit 102 and the SAS unit 106
It forms and transmits related information such as M data and key information for scrambling. Then, the scrambler 110 performs scramble processing on the digital broadcast signal in which various data from the multiplexer 109 are multiplexed, and supplies the digital broadcast signal to the transmission path coding unit 111.

The transmission path coding section 111 is a section for performing addition of an error correction code, interleaving processing, and modulation processing. The digital broadcast signal subjected to the transmission path coding processing is broadcast through the transmission antenna 112 and the communication satellite 200. As shown in FIG. 47, the digital broadcast signal transmitted from the satellite broadcast service system 100 has various additional information, channel selection information, and content information multiplexed on each of the transmission channels, as shown in FIG. It is.

However, as described above, the broadcast signal of the digital satellite broadcast in which various additional information, channel selection information, and content information are multiplexed is, as described above, the CATV of the third embodiment.
The additional information is received by the receiving antenna 7 of the station 1 and supplied to the retransmitting device 8 of the CATV station 1.
The unnecessary additional information is invalidated by C
By being retransmitted to the ATV broadcast network, the STB 5 can receive and select a channel, and can enjoy a broadcast by a broadcast signal transmitted through digital satellite broadcasting.

The STB 5 and the customer database management unit 9 of the CATV station 1 are connected by a communication line, in this case, a telephone line L, and are used when a digital broadcast program provided by the CATV station 1 is viewed. When the broadcast program is a pay broadcast, the customer database management unit 9 is notified of the viewing. The customer database management unit 9 also has a so-called view log system.

Therefore, when a digital satellite broadcast retransmission signal (a signal formed by the retransmission device 8 of the CATV station 1) is received, selected, and used, it is transmitted to the customer database of the CATV station 1 through the telephone line L. The view log collection system of the management unit 9 is notified and compiled,
For example, the SMS section (customer management system section) 103 of the satellite broadcasting service system is notified via the dedicated line SL, and billing processing can be performed as necessary.

That is, the source signal is a digital broadcasting signal from the satellite broadcasting service system 100, and even if the signal is retransmitted to the CATV broadcasting network, the profit of the satellite broadcasting service system 100 is not impaired. Be able to be. Of course, CATV station 1
Charges for unique digital broadcast programs from CA
This can be performed based on the information of the view log system of the customer database management unit 9 of the TV station 1.

Thus, even if the source signal is a digital broadcast signal from the satellite broadcast service system 100, it can be retransmitted to the CATV broadcast network and used using the STB5 of the CATV broadcast system. Therefore, the subscriber of the CATV broadcast simply prepares the STB for the CATV broadcast system, and through the CATV broadcast network,
It is possible to use both the digital broadcasting inherent in CATV broadcasting and the digital broadcasting from a satellite broadcasting service system. Therefore, there is no need to separately provide a receiver for satellite broadcasting.

In the case of the third embodiment, CA
The retransmitting device 8 of the TV station 1 uses EITactp / f (program information on the current transmission day / next day in the own transmission channel) in the broadcast signal from the satellite broadcast service system 100 as C
When the difference from the EITactp / f transmission format in the ATV broadcasting system is small, the data is transmitted to the CATV broadcasting network without any replacement processing.

By processing the STB 5 to absorb the difference in transmission format, it is possible to provide a system that can immediately respond to changes on the day of reception of the electronic program guide.

In the third embodiment,
Unnecessary additional information in the digital satellite broadcast signal is invalidated by the invalidating unit 808 of the retransmitting device 8 and transmitted. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Unnecessary additional information of the digital satellite broadcast signal is also retransmitted as it is,
You may make it ignore on 5 side.

The CATV transmission line 3 for connecting the CATV station and the STB 5 of each subscriber can have various transmission bands. Also, the number of transmission channels provided can be freely determined for each CATV station.
Also, the transmission frequency is not fixedly set for the normal channel including the specific channel, and the CAT is not set.
It can be set freely on the V station side.

That is, the CATV station can flexibly perform digital broadcasting without being restricted by a receiver on the subscriber side. Also, the subscriber (viewer) side of the CATV broadcasting system can use the STB 5 sufficiently.

[0340]

As described above, according to the present invention, additional information (electronic program guide information, pay program viewing permission information, and other download data) for additional information services required for digital broadcasting is provided. Is transmitted to one specific channel (specific transmission channel) and transmitted on the other transmission channel (normal transmission channel) with a minimum necessary amount of additional information and content information. An efficient digital broadcasting system with little redundancy can be realized.

The receiving apparatus receives additional information transmitted through a specific channel during so-called standby reception, and stores the additional information in a memory in the receiving apparatus.
It can be read and used at any time in response to a request from a viewer. Various additional information services can be provided based on additional information provided through a specific channel without largely changing the hardware configuration of a conventional receiving apparatus.

Also, digital broadcast signals from other media such as digital satellite broadcasting can be easily taken in and provided to viewers through the digital broadcast system according to the present invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a CATV broadcasting system to which an embodiment of a digital broadcasting method and a digital broadcasting system according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a format of a digital broadcast signal transmitted from the transmission device 2 shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the transmission device 2 shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for describing STB5 shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a service description table (SDT).

FIG. 6 is a diagram for describing each component of a service description table (SDT).

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of an event information table (EIT).

FIG. 8 is a diagram for describing each component of an event information table (EIT).

FIG. 9 is a diagram subsequent to FIG. 8 for describing each component of the event information table (EIT).

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a conditional access table (CAT).

FIG. 11 is a diagram for describing each component of a conditional access table (CAT).

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of individual contract information (EMM).

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a date and time table (TDT).

FIG. 14 is a diagram for describing each component of a date and time table (TDT).

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a date / time offset table (TOT).

FIG. 16 is a diagram for describing each component of a date and time offset table (TOT).

FIG. 17 shows a program association table (PA)
It is a figure for explaining composition of T).

FIG. 18 shows a program association table (PA)
It is a figure for explaining each component of T).

FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a program map table (PMT).

FIG. 20 is a diagram for describing each component of a program map table (PMT).

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a network information table (NIT).

FIG. 22 is a diagram for describing each component of a network information table (NIT).

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a wired distribution descriptor of a network information table (NIT).

FIG. 24 is a diagram for describing each component of a wired distribution descriptor of a network information table (NIT).

FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a service list descriptor of a network information table (NIT).

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a service type of a service list descriptor of a network information table (NIT).

FIG. 27 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of common information.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating a receiving operation of STB5.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart for describing a reception channel selection operation of a specific channel.

FIG. 30 is a diagram for describing a configuration of a CA EMM TS descriptor used for another method of specifying a specific channel.

FIG. 31 is a diagram for describing a configuration of a CA EMM TS descriptor used for another method of specifying a specific channel.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the reception channel selection operation of a specific channel.

FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a broadcast information table used for another method of specifying a specific channel.

FIG. 34 is a diagram for describing each component of a broadcast information table shown in FIG. 33;

FIG. 35 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a descriptor newly added to the broadcaster information table.

36 is a diagram for describing each component of the descriptor shown in FIG. 35.

FIG. 37 shows a network ID from the descriptor shown in FIG.
5 is a flowchart for describing a process for acquiring the.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart for explaining another example of the reception channel selection operation of a specific channel.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart illustrating a display process of an electronic program guide.

FIG. 40 is a block diagram for describing another configuration example of the receiving device (STB).

FIG. 41 is a flowchart for describing a reception channel selection operation of a specific channel performed in the STB shown in FIG. 40.

42 is a flowchart for explaining another example of the reception channel selection operation of the specific channel performed in the STB shown in FIG. 40.

FIG. 43 is a flowchart for explaining another example of the reception channel selection operation of the specific channel performed in the STB shown in FIG. 40.

FIG. 44 is a diagram for describing another configuration example of the CATV broadcast system.

45 is a retransmission device 8 of the CATV station 1 shown in FIG.
It is a block diagram for explaining.

FIG. 46 is a diagram for explaining a connection relationship among a satellite broadcasting service system, a CATV station, and an STB.

FIG. 47 is a diagram illustrating a format of a conventional digital broadcast signal.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: CATV station, 2: Digital broadcast transmission device, 3: CA
TV transmission line (optical fiber cable), 4 terminal equipment, 5
... STB (Set Top Box), 6 ... Monitor receiver, 21 ... Specific channel generator, 22 ... Modulator, 23
... Normal channel generation unit, 24 ... Modulation unit, 25 ... Mixer, 30 ... Controller, 31 ... CPU, 32 ... RO
M, 33 RAM, 41 I / F (interface), 42 key operation unit, 43 additional information storage unit, 44
... Content storage unit, 51 ... Reception circuit unit for specific channel, 52 ... Demultiplexer for specific channel, 53
... Receiving circuit section for normal channel, 54 ... De-scramble section, 55 ... Demultiplexer for normal channel, 5
6 Data processing unit, 57 Video processing unit, 58 Audio processing unit, 59 OSD processing unit, 60 Synthesis circuit, 7
0: Controller, 81: IC card I / F, 82: Key operation unit, 83: Display unit, 84: Modem, 90: IC card, 8: Retransmission device, 9: Digital broadcast transmission device, 1
0 ... Mixer

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/44 H04N 5/44 H 7/08 7/16 C 7/081 7/08 Z 7/16 F Terms (reference) 5C025 AA01 AA23 BA01 BA18 BA25 BA27 DA01 5C063 AB03 AB07 DA13 DB10 EA01 5C064 BA01 BA07 BB01 BC01 BC10 BC16 BC20 BD02 BD08 BD09 BD14 5K061 BB06 BB07 BB10 BB15 BB17 FF01 FF11 GG09

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A digital broadcasting method for transmitting a plurality of digital broadcast signals formed by time-division multiplexing of a plurality of digital program information through different transmission channels, wherein the digital broadcast signals should be transmitted through each of the transmission channels. Digital broadcast characterized in that additional information is collected and transmitted in one predetermined transmission channel, and digital program information for providing a program is mainly transmitted in a transmission channel other than the specific transmission channel. Method. 2. The digital broadcasting method according to claim 1, wherein the additional information transmitted through the specific transmission channel includes information for electronic program guide, information for pay broadcasting, and supplementary information. A digital broadcasting method comprising at least one of the following. 3. The digital broadcasting method according to claim 1, wherein a digital broadcast information is transmitted through each of the transmission channels other than the specific transmission channel. A digital broadcasting method, characterized by transmitting additional information of a digital broadcast. 4. The digital broadcasting method according to claim 1, wherein the specific transmission channel and each of the transmission channels other than the specific channel are provided on a broadband cable. A digital broadcasting method characterized by the following. 5. A transmitting device for transmitting each of a plurality of digital broadcast signals formed by time-division multiplexing of a plurality of digital program information through different transmission channels, and receiving the digital broadcast signals from the transmitting device. A digital broadcasting system comprising a receiving device, wherein the transmitting device collects additional information to be transmitted through each of the different transmission channels, thereby forming an additional information signal to be transmitted through one predetermined specific transmission channel. Additional information signal generating means for generating, and program broadcast signal generating means for time-division multiplexing a plurality of pieces of digital program information to generate at least one program broadcast signal to be transmitted through the transmission channel other than the specific transmission channel And the additional information signal from the additional information signal generating means;
Mixing means for mixing and transmitting at least one or more of the program broadcast signals from the program broadcast signal generating means, wherein the receiving device further comprises: the additional information transmitted through the specific transmission channel. A first receiving unit for receiving a signal; a second receiving unit for receiving the program broadcast signal transmitted through a transmission channel other than the specific channel; and controlling a channel selection operation of the first receiving unit. A first control unit, a receiving unit that receives a broadcast program selection instruction input from a user, and controls a channel selection operation of the second reception unit according to the selection instruction input received through the reception unit. A digital broadcasting system comprising: a second control unit. 6. A transmitting device for transmitting each of a plurality of digital broadcast signals formed by time-division multiplexing a plurality of digital program information through different transmission channels, and receiving the digital broadcast signal from the transmitting device. A digital broadcasting system comprising a receiving device, wherein the transmitting device collects additional information to be transmitted through each of the different transmission channels, thereby forming an additional information signal to be transmitted through one predetermined specific transmission channel. Additional information signal generating means for generating; and program broadcast signal generating means for time-division multiplexing a plurality of digital program information to generate at least one or more program broadcast signals to be transmitted through the transmission channel other than the specific transmission channel. And the additional information signal from the additional information signal generating means,
Mixing means for mixing and transmitting at least one or more of the program broadcast signals from the program broadcast signal generating means, wherein the receiving device receives a digital broadcast signal from the transmitting device. Means, a receiving means for receiving a broadcast program selection instruction input from a user, and, in response to the selection instruction input received through the receiving means, setting the receiving means to the target transmission channel other than the specific transmission channel. A normal channel tuning control unit for controlling to select a channel, and the receiving unit transmits the specific transmission when the transmission channel other than the specific channel does not have to be selected. A specific channel selection control means for controlling to select a channel; and the specific transmission channel received through the receiving means. Digital broadcasting system comprising: a storage means for storing and holding additional information transmitted through. 7. The digital broadcasting system according to claim 5, wherein the transmitting device transmits a digital broadcasting signal of a different broadcasting system formed by time-division multiplexing of a plurality of pieces of digital program information. Receiving means for receiving, tuning information included in the digital broadcast signal received by the receiving means, the tuning information to be added to the digital broadcast signal conforms to the broadcasting method of the own device Channel information converting means for converting as described above; additional information invalidating means for invalidating unnecessary additional information, which is additional information included in the digital broadcast signal received by the receiving means; Means for selecting the tuning information and additional information of the digital broadcast signal received by the means, the tuning information from the tuning information converting means, and the invalidated additional information from the invalidating means. Wherein the additional information generating means also aggregates additional information to be transmitted through the specific transmission channel for the digital broadcast signal of another broadcast system received by the receiving means, A digital broadcasting system, wherein the mixing means also mixes and transmits the digital broadcast signal from the replacement means. 8. The digital broadcasting system according to claim 5, wherein the additional information signal generating means includes information for electronic program guide and information for performing pay broadcasting. And a supplementary information for generating an additional information signal including at least one of the following. 9. The digital broadcast system according to claim 5, wherein said program broadcast signal generating means further includes digital program information and additional information about a program to be broadcast on its own channel. A digital broadcasting system characterized by generating a broadcast signal to which a broadcast signal is added. 10. The digital broadcasting system according to claim 5, claim 6, claim 7, claim 8, or claim 9, wherein the specific transmission channel and each of the transmission channels other than the specific channel are: And a digital broadcasting system provided on a broadband cable. 11. A transmitting apparatus for transmitting a plurality of broadcast signals formed by time-division multiplexing of a plurality of digital program information through different transmission channels, wherein each of the plurality of broadcast signals is transmitted through a different one of the different transmission channels. By aggregating information, additional information signal generating means for generating an additional information signal to be transmitted through one predetermined specific transmission channel, and time-division multiplexing a plurality of pieces of digital program information, Program broadcast signal generating means for generating at least one or more program broadcast signals transmitted through the transmission channel; and the additional information signal from the additional information signal generating means;
A mixing unit for mixing and transmitting at least one or more of the program broadcast signals from the program broadcast signal generation unit. 12. A transmitting apparatus according to claim 11, wherein: a receiving means for receiving digital broadcast signals of different broadcasting systems formed by time-division multiplexing of a plurality of digital program information; Channel selection information conversion means for converting the channel selection information to be added to the digital broadcast signal to the channel selection information included in the received digital broadcast signal so as to match the broadcast system of the own device. An additional information invalidating means for invalidating unnecessary additional information, which is additional information included in the digital broadcast signal received by the receiving means, and a digital broadcast signal received by the receiving means. And a replacing unit that replaces the tuning information and the additional information with the tuning information from the tuning information converting unit and the invalidated additional information from the invalidating unit. The additional information generation unit also aggregates additional information to be transmitted through the specific transmission channel for the digital broadcast signal of another broadcast system received by the reception unit, and the mixing unit includes the additional information from the replacement unit. A transmission device characterized in that digital broadcasting signals are mixed and transmitted. 13. The transmission device according to claim 11, wherein said additional information signal generating means includes information for electronic program guide, information for realizing pay broadcasting, and supplementary information. A transmitting apparatus for generating an additional information signal including at least one of the following. 14. The transmitting apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said program broadcast signal generating means includes a digital broadcast program and a broadcast program to which additional information about a program broadcast on its own channel is added. A transmission device for generating a signal. 15. The transmission device according to claim 11, wherein the specific transmission channel and each of the transmission channels other than the specific channel are transmitted over a broadband cable. A sending device characterized by being provided. 16. A digital broadcast receiving apparatus in which each of a plurality of broadcast signals formed by time-division multiplexing a plurality of digital program information is transmitted through different transmission channels, wherein the digital broadcasts are different from each other. Additional information to be transmitted through each of the transmission channels is determined by a predetermined 1
The digital program information for providing a program is transmitted through a transmission channel other than the specific transmission channel, and is transmitted through the specific transmission channel. First receiving means for receiving the additional information, second receiving means for receiving the program information transmitted through a transmission channel other than the specific channel, and a channel selecting operation of the first receiving means. Control means for controlling an operation of the user, receiving means for receiving a broadcast program selection instruction input from a user, and selecting operation of the second reception means in response to the selection instruction input received through the reception means. And a second control unit for controlling the operation of the receiving device. 17. A digital broadcast receiving apparatus in which a plurality of broadcast signals formed by time-division multiplexing a plurality of digital program information are transmitted through different transmission channels, wherein the digital broadcasts are different from each other. Additional information to be transmitted through each of the transmission channels is determined by a predetermined 1
Digital program information for providing a program is transmitted through a transmission channel other than the specific transmission channel, and received by receiving digital broadcast signals. Means, receiving means for receiving a broadcast program selection instruction input from a user, and, in response to the selection instruction input received through the receiving means, setting the receiving means to the transmission channel intended for a purpose other than the specific transmission channel. A normal channel tuning control unit for controlling to select a channel, and the receiving unit transmits the specific transmission when the transmission channel other than the specific channel does not have to be selected. A specific channel selection control means for controlling to select a channel; Reception apparatus comprising: a storage means for storing and holding additional information transmitted through the specific transport channel. 18. The receiving apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the receiving unit receives the specific transmission channel provided on a broadband cable and each of the transmission channels other than the specific channel. Receiver.