JP2023183745A - Broadcasting system, receiver, reception method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an audio adjustment function using a GUI with unified operability and design.SOLUTION: A broadcasting system that broadcasts including AC-4 audio includes a receiving unit that receives an application that allows a user to adjust a line via data broadcasting.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a broadcasting system, a receiver, a receiving method, and a program.

In digital terrestrial broadcasting, it is necessary to adjust the audio transmitted from the broadcasting station using a unique adjustment menu for each receiver. In the next generation of terrestrial digital broadcasting, the use of object-based audio signals such as MPEG-H audio and the use of channel-based audio signals such as AC-4 audio are being considered.
In the AC-4 audio audio signal, audio parameters that can be adjusted by the user are transmitted from the broadcasting station, and the audio parameters are used to provide the user with the ability to adjust lines. The dialogue adjustment function allows the dialogue audio to be adjusted using the GUI.
Patent Document 1 describes providing sounds such as a plurality of songs simultaneously and selectively so that they can be heard.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-62652

If a GUI for the dialogue adjustment function is implemented for each receiver, the intentions of the content creator may not be accurately reflected, or the GUI design and operation method may differ depending on the receiver manufacturer or receiver model. There is a risk that it may become damaged. Therefore, the user's convenience regarding the dialogue adjustment function may not be sufficient.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a broadcasting system, a receiver, a receiving method, and a program that can provide a dialogue adjustment function on a GUI with unified operability and design.

(1) The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and one aspect of the present invention is a broadcasting system that performs broadcasting including AC-4 audio, which allows a user to adjust lines. This is a broadcasting system including a receiving unit that receives an application via data broadcasting.

(2) Another aspect of the present invention is a receiver in a broadcasting system that performs broadcasting including AC-4 audio, which includes a receiving unit that receives an application for a user to adjust lines as a data broadcast. It is equipped with a receiver.

(3) Further, one aspect of the present invention is a receiving method of a receiver in a broadcasting system that performs broadcasting including AC-4 audio, in which the receiver receives an application for a user to adjust lines for data broadcasting. A receiving method includes a receiving step of receiving at.

(4) Further, one aspect of the present invention is a program used in a receiver in a broadcasting system that performs broadcasting including AC-4 audio, the receiver having an application that allows a user to adjust lines. This is a program for executing a receiving step for receiving broadcasting.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a dialogue adjustment function using a GUI with unified operability and design.

1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a broadcasting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a receiver according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a definition of metadata according to the present embodiment. It is a figure showing an example of an acquisition command concerning this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an update command according to the present embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a line adjustment process based on this embodiment. It is a figure showing an example of GUI displayed by execution of a line adjustment application concerning this embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[System configuration]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a broadcasting system Sys according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The broadcasting system Sys includes a broadcasting device of a broadcasting station 1, a receiver 2, a broadcasting station server 3, and a provider server 4. The broadcast is, for example, terrestrial digital broadcast.
However, the present invention is not limited to terrestrial digital broadcasting, but may also be broadcasting using a broadcasting satellite. Broadcasting using broadcasting satellites is, for example, advanced BS (Broadcasting Satellites) digital broadcasting or advanced wideband CS (Communication Satellites) digital broadcasting. Further, the broadcast may be a cable broadcast such as cable television.

In the broadcasting system Sys, a broadcasting station 1 transmits digital broadcasting signals, application control information, presentation-related control information, etc. using broadcast waves. The service provider provides metadata, video content, etc. related to the program from the provider server 4.
The application control information is control information that informs receivers compatible with this system of applications that are linked with the program, as well as commands for starting and terminating the programs.
The control information regarding presentation is information for superimposing an application and a broadcast program on the same screen, and control information regarding whether or not the application can be presented.
Broadcasting station 1 operates broadcasting station server 3 in broadcasting system Sys. The broadcast station server 3 provides metadata such as a program title, program ID, program summary, performers, and broadcast date and time. Information provided by the broadcasting station 1 to the service provider is provided through an API (Application Programming Interface) included in the broadcasting station server 3.

The service provider is a person who provides services using the broadcasting system Sys, and produces and distributes content and applications for providing services, and operates the broadcasting station server 3 for realizing individual services. Here, the service also includes a broadcasting and communication cooperation service that links broadcasting and communication.
Broadcasting station server 3 transmits applications to receivers 2 for application management and distribution. As a server for each service, the broadcasting station server 3 provides server functions for realizing individual services (MPEG-H service, AC-4 service, VOD program recommendation service, multilingual subtitle service, etc.).

MPEG-H is a series of standards under development by the ISO/IEC Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) for a digital container standard, a video compression standard, an audio compression standard, and two compliance test standards. MPEG-H audio, for example, allows object-based sound. An "object" in object-based audio is each sound material that makes up a program, such as music or human voices. In object-based audio, audio signals are recorded for each sound material, and audio can be controlled for each material. Furthermore, when playing back the program on the receiver 2, it is also possible to play the program in accordance with the position of the speakers actually placed based on the playback position information of the material.

AC-4 is an audio compression technology developed primarily for broadcasting and internet distribution. AC-4 audio also allows for object-based sound.

The broadcasting station server 3 not only realizes the functional aspects of these services, but also transmits the contents (MPEG-H audio data, AC-4 audio data, VOD contents, subtitle data, etc.) that constitute the services. The broadcasting station server 3 is registered as a "repository" for distributing applications of the broadcasting system Sys, and provides a list of applications that can be provided and searches in response to inquiries from the receiver 2.

In addition to the existing digital broadcast reception function, the receiver 2 also includes a function for realizing a broadcast communication cooperation service. In addition to the broadband network connection function, the receiver 2 has the following functions.
・Function to receive applications in response to application control signals from broadcasting ・Function to execute applications in response to application control signals from broadcasting ・Function to perform presentation through cooperation between broadcasting and communication ・Terminal cooperation function

Here, the terminal includes, for example, a user terminal such as a smartphone or a smart speaker. The terminal cooperation function of the receiver 2 is capable of accessing broadcast resources such as program information in response to requests from other terminals, and calling receiver functions for playback control.
Further, examples of applications include an MPEG-H audio digital mixer, an AC-4 audio line adjustment application, and the like. A user (also referred to as a "receiver") can adjust the lines using an application received from the operator server 4.

More specifically, the receiver 2 has the following functions.
The receiver 2 receives broadcast waves as a broadcast reception and reproduction function. The receiver 2 has a function of, when a specific broadcasting service is selected, synchronously playing back video, audio, subtitles, and data broadcasting that constitute the service.
The receiver 2 has a function of receiving and reproducing communication content by accessing video content placed on a server (for example, a provider server 4) on a communication network. The receiver 2 has a function of receiving video content as VOD streaming and synchronously playing back video, audio, and subtitles that constitute the content.

As an application control function, the receiver 2 mainly acts on an application engine regarding managed applications based on application control information acquired from a server on a communication network or a broadcast signal. The receiver 2 has a function of controlling and managing the life cycle and events of each application.
The receiver 2 acquires an application as an application engine function. The receiver 2 has a function of executing the application. This function is realized by, for example, an HTML5 browser.

As a presentation synchronization control function, the receiver 2 has a function of controlling presentation synchronization of a stream of video, audio, etc. obtained by broadcast reception and a stream of video, audio, etc. obtained by streaming reception.
As an application launcher function, the receiver 2 has a navigation function mainly for a user to select and launch a non-broadcast managed application.

In the following description, if the broadcasting station 1, the broadcasting station server 3, and the operator server 4 are not particularly distinguished, they will be described as the broadcasting station 1. That is, the broadcasting station 1 described below has any or all of the functions of the broadcasting station 1, the broadcasting station server 3, and the operator server 4 described above.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the receiver 2 according to this embodiment.
The receiver 2 in FIG. 2 is a receiver compatible with AC-4 audio.

Broadcasting station 1 transmits a video signal A11 and an audio signal (also referred to as "AC-4 audio signal") A12. For example, the broadcasting station 1 includes the AC-4 audio signal A12 in the broadcast wave and transmits it.
Furthermore, when broadcasting the AC-4 audio signal A12 in a broadcast wave, the broadcasting station 1 transmits a line adjustment application A13, which is an application for a user to adjust lines, as a data broadcast.

The receiver 2 includes a tuner 21, a demux (demultiplexer) 22, a video decoder 23, an audio decoder 24, a video adjustment section 25, an audio adjustment section 26, a browser API section 27, and a data broadcasting browser section 28.

Tuner 21 receives broadcast waves via an antenna. The tuner 21 tunes (selects) a selected channel based on user operation. The tuned signal is demodulated and output to the Demux 22 as data.

The Demux 22 separates the input data into a video data string, an audio data string, a character superimposition data string, a subtitle data string, and the like. The separated audio data string is output to the audio decoder 24. The separated video data string is output to the video decoder 23.
The video decoder 23 decodes the input video data string.

Further, the text super data string and the subtitle data string separated into the demux 22 are decoded by a text super decoder and a subtitle decoder (not shown), respectively, and the decoded character strings are superimposed on the video.

The audio data string of each audio component output from the demux 22 is output to the audio decoder 24.
The audio decoder 24 decodes the audio data string of the audio component. Furthermore, the audio decoder 24 extracts metadata from the audio data string input from the Demux 22 . The audio decoder 24 outputs metadata to the browser API section 27 in response to a request from the browser API section 27.

The video adjustment unit 25 performs color space conversion processing on the decoded video data string, and causes the display to display the video.

The audio adjustment unit 26 adjusts the lines based on the audio data string decoded by the audio decoder 24 and the adjustment information output from the browser API unit 27, and performs downmix processing. The downmixed audio data string is converted to audio and output from the speaker.

Based on the instruction signal from the data broadcasting browser section 28, the browser API section 27 acquires metadata from the audio decoder 24 using the API. Based on the instruction signal from the data broadcasting browser section 28, the browser API section 27 outputs adjustment information indicating the adjustment value of metadata to the audio adjustment section 26 using the API.

The data broadcast browser unit 28 starts the line adjustment application sent from the broadcast station 1 via the data broadcast.
The data broadcasting browser section 28 acquires metadata from the audio decoder 24 via the browser API section 27. The data broadcast browser unit 28 obtains initial values of parameters that can be adjusted by the user based on the metadata. The data broadcasting browser unit 28 sets initial values of parameters that allow speech adjustment in the speech adjustment application.

For example, the data broadcasting browser unit 28 displays a GUI by executing a dialogue adjustment application, and obtains a setting value corresponding to a user operation on the GUI as a dialogue adjustment parameter.
The data broadcast browser unit 28 outputs adjustment information based on the adjustment parameters to the audio adjustment unit 26 via the browser API unit 27.

As described above, the receiver 2 according to the present embodiment is a broadcasting system that performs broadcasting including AC-4 audio, and receives an application for a user to adjust lines as data broadcasting. By executing the received application, the user can adjust the lines through a GUI with unified operability and design, regardless of the manufacturer or model of the receiver 2. Therefore, user convenience can be improved.

[Metadata definition]
Next, the definition of metadata defined in AC-4 used in this embodiment will be explained.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the definition of metadata used in this embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the metadata used in this embodiment is data related to dialogue adjustment (emphasis) and control information 2 regarding dialogue adjustment (emphasis). These metadata are described by API functions, such as dialog_enhancement() and control_dialog_enhancement(). These two pieces of metadata are included in the AC-4 audio data sent from the broadcast station and can be obtained from the audio decoder 24.

[Get metadata]
Next, acquisition of metadata by the browser API section 27 will be explained.
The browser API unit 27 acquires metadata from the audio decoder 24 in response to commands input from the data broadcasting browser unit 28. Specifically, the details are as follows.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a metadata acquisition command (command) according to the present embodiment.
In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the browser API unit 27 executes a command with the method name "getdialog_enhancement()." The browser API unit 27 obtains a return value of the "AC4DialogEnhancement object" type as the execution result of the command. The return value is metadata regarding dialogue adjustment (emphasis).

[Update metadata]
Next, updating of metadata by the browser API section 27 will be explained.
The browser API section 27 outputs adjustment information (adjustment parameters) to the audio adjustment section 26 in response to commands input from the data broadcasting browser section 28 . Specifically, the details are as follows.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a metadata update instruction (command) according to the present embodiment.
In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the browser API unit 27 executes the command with the method name "putAC4ControlDialogEnhancement(Q)" using the "line emphasis control object" type argument as "argument Q". The browser API unit 27 obtains a “Boolean” type return value from the audio adjustment unit 26 as the execution result of the command. Argument Q is control information regarding dialogue adjustment (emphasis). The argument Q includes, for example, G _DE related to the gain, p related to the parameter vector, and r related to the rendering vector.

[Processing flow]
Next, an example of the line adjustment process according to this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the audio adjustment process according to this embodiment.
(Step S101) The receiver 2 receives and activates a line adjustment application from the data broadcast corresponding to the selected content in response to the user's channel selection operation and power supply operation.

(Step S102) The receiver 2 extracts metadata from the audio data separated by the audio decoder 24.

(Step S103) The receiver 2 acquires metadata from the audio decoder 24 by executing an acquisition command using the API.

(Step S104) Based on the acquired metadata, the receiver 2 sets initial values of parameters that allow dialogue adjustment in the dialogue adjustment application.

(Step S105) The receiver 2 receives a user operation for the line adjustment application. When the receiver 2 receives a user operation for the line adjustment application, the receiver 2 outputs the operated line adjustment parameter to the audio adjustment unit 26 as adjustment information by executing an update command using the API.

(Step S106) The receiver 2 performs audio adjustment based on the parameters (metadata) after the dialogue adjustment.

Next, a GUI displayed by executing the line adjustment application according to the present embodiment will be described.
The illustrated example is an example of a GUI displayed when the data broadcast browser unit 28 executes a line adjustment application received through data broadcasting.
In the dialogue adjustment application, "Serif" is displayed to indicate that the parameter adjustment is "Serif adjustment (emphasis)." Further, in the line adjustment application, an operator, for example, an operation icon, for setting the 'line' to 'ON' or 'OFF' is displayed. By detecting a user operation such as a remote control operation on the operation icon, it is possible to switch the "line" between "ON" and "OFF".

Further, in the dialogue adjustment application, a volume adjustment icon is displayed as an operator for adjusting the volume of the "dialogue". The volume of the "lines" can be adjusted by detecting a user operation such as a remote control operation on the volume adjustment icon.
In addition, the line adjustment application displays a balance adjustment icon that allows adjustment of the output balance of the left and right speakers provided in the receiver 2. By detecting user operations such as remote control operations on the balance adjustment icon, it is possible to adjust the output balance of the speakers that output the "lines".
By using such a GUI, the user can perform intuitive operations, thereby improving convenience.

As described above, the receiver 2 according to the present embodiment is a receiver in a broadcasting system that performs broadcasting including AC-4 audio, and receives an application for a user to adjust lines as a data broadcast.

As a result, it is possible to provide a dialogue adjustment function using a GUI with unified operability and design without implementing a GUI in each receiver. Further, user convenience can be improved by using a unified GUI regardless of the manufacturer or model of the receiver.

Note that some of the broadcasting station 1, receiver 2, broadcasting station server 3, and operator server 4 in the embodiment described above, for example, the Demux 22 of the receiver 2, the audio decoder 24, the audio adjustment unit 26, the video decoder 23, and the video At least a portion of the adjustment section 25, the browser API section 27, and the data broadcasting browser section 28 may be realized by a computer. In that case, a program for realizing this control function may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed. Note that the "computer system" here refers to a computer system built into the broadcast station 1, receiver 2, broadcast station server 3, or operator server 4, and includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. shall be held.

Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into computer systems. Furthermore, a "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a medium that dynamically stores a program for a short period of time, such as a communication line when transmitting a program via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. In this case, it may also include a device that retains a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory inside a computer system that is a server or a client. Further, the above-mentioned program may be one for realizing a part of the above-mentioned functions, or may be one that can realize the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

Furthermore, part or all of the broadcast station 1, receiver 2, broadcast station server 3, and operator server 4 in the embodiment described above may be realized as an integrated circuit such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration). Each of the functional blocks of the broadcast station 1, receiver 2, broadcast station server 3, and operator server 4 may be made into a processor individually, or some or all of them may be integrated into a processor. Further, the method of circuit integration is not limited to LSI, but may be implemented using a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor. Further, if an integrated circuit technology that replaces LSI emerges due to advances in semiconductor technology, an integrated circuit based on this technology may be used.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to that described above, and various design changes etc. may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. It is possible to

Sys Broadcasting system 1 Broadcasting station 2 Receiver 3 Broadcasting station server 4 Operator server 21 Tuner 22 Demux
23 Video decoder 24 Audio decoder 25 Video adjustment section 26 Audio adjustment section 27 Browser API section 28 Data broadcasting browser section

Claims (5)

A broadcasting system that performs broadcasting including AC-4 audio,
a receiving unit that receives an application for the user to adjust lines via data broadcasting;
Equipped with
broadcast system. an execution unit that executes the application;
The execution unit includes a regulation unit that defines an API for acquiring AC-4 audio metadata;
Furthermore,
The execution unit adjusts the lines by passing the metadata to the browser.
The broadcasting system according to claim 1. A receiver in a broadcasting system that performs broadcasting including AC-4 audio,
a receiving unit that receives an application for the user to adjust lines via data broadcasting;
Equipped with
Receiving machine. A receiving method for a receiver in a broadcasting system that performs broadcasting including AC-4 audio, the receiver comprising:
a receiving step of receiving an application for the user to adjust the lines via data broadcasting;
has,
How to receive. A program used in a receiver in a broadcasting system that performs broadcasting including AC-4 audio, the program includes:
a receiving step of receiving an application for the user to adjust the lines via data broadcasting;
A program to run.

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