JP5342297B2 - Program guide data control apparatus, program guide data control system, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a technique for acquiring and controlling a program table for digital broadcasting.

  Many terrestrial digital broadcast receivers have a function of displaying an EPG (Electronic Program Guide). In order to display a network program guide with a digital terrestrial broadcast receiver, it is necessary to collect program information (Event Information Table = EIT, Service Description Table = SDT) sent to each network. The program information is multiplexed with the broadcast wave and reaches the receiver.

  On the other hand, in the current terrestrial digital broadcasting, terrestrial digital broadcasting is performed so that only the program information of the service (channel) in the network is transmitted to a broadcast wave transmitted from one network (in the case of terrestrial digital broadcasting, in units of broadcasting stations) It is stipulated in ARIB (Radio Industry Association) TR-B14 (terrestrial digital television broadcast operation rule) which is a broadcast operation rule.

  In addition, since the program information is limited in the band of the broadcast wave, the data of the entire program guide is not sent at once, but is sent in small increments. On the receiver side, information necessary to display the program schedule such as program broadcast time and title is stored little by little by analyzing the contents after storing and combining the segmented program information in a buffer And can be obtained.

  In the current digital terrestrial broadcasting, one week's worth of program guide data is sent to MPEG2-TS in a superimposed manner in one piece per broadcast station network. For this reason, if you want to see a one-week program guide for a specific broadcast station service (channel), you must tune to that service and wait for one week to complete the collection of segmented program information. There is.

  In addition, in order to display a program guide for all services with a digital terrestrial broadcast receiver, it is necessary to visit the services of all the broadcast stations once and receive and collect individual program guide data at each broadcast station. . That is, it takes a lot of time (about 10 minutes for the current digital terrestrial broadcasting) before the user can view the program guide of all broadcasting stations.

  General digital terrestrial broadcast receivers try to reduce the waiting time of the user as much as possible by reflecting the information of each program obtained by analyzing the collected program information on the screen of the program guide sequentially. Yes. However, the order in which the program information is sent depends on the setting on the broadcasting station side, and at that time, it differs depending on the time, so the program table for the time zone that the user wants to see is displayed. , May take up to a few minutes. In this way, there is a problem that an unnecessary waiting time burden is imposed on the user.

  For this reason, conventional terrestrial digital broadcast receivers cope with this problem by performing circular channel selection in a standby state or the like and storing program information in a buffer in the receiver in advance.

  For example, in Patent Literature 1, the waiting time of the user at the time of browsing the program guide data is reduced by overlapping the program information in the order of the broadcasting stations that received the program guide and displaying the information in layers.

  Also, in Patent Document 2, by separately providing a means for branching the antenna reception signal and extracting only program information data, program data of a channel different from that during viewing is acquired, and the acquisition time of the program guide is reduced. The technology to do is disclosed.

JP 2004-88282 A JP 2008-141579 A

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, since it is impossible to acquire program information when the receiver is turned off, it takes time until all program data is acquired immediately after startup. For this reason, in order to always keep the latest information, it is necessary to always supply power for acquiring program information, resulting in high power consumption.

  In the technique described in Patent Document 2, if a means for extracting program information data is provided for broadcasting stations, all program data can be acquired at the same time even when the first program data is acquired such as when the power is turned on. However, since the configuration is complicated, the cost of each tuner is increased, and a large amount of cost is required when a plurality of receivers are used in one household.

An object of the present invention is to reduce the time taken to acquire a plurality of pieces of program information .

The program guide data control device according to the present invention is:
  From the first data corresponding to the first channel demultiplexed from the broadcast wave including two or more data corresponding to the channel, the program information necessary for creating the program table and information other than the program information are included. SI information processing means for acquiring SI information, delaying or deleting information other than the program information included in the acquired SI information within a predetermined range, and reducing the capacity of the SI information;
  Program information of another channel included in other data different from the first data corresponding to the capacity reduced by the SI information processing means is converted into the first data with the capacity of the SI information reduced. And a program guide data creating means for inserting and creating data including program information corresponding to the first channel and program information of the other channel.

According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the time required to acquire a plurality of program information .

It is a block diagram of the program guide data control system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of a program guide data control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram of the digital broadcast receiver which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a data flow figure of the program guide data control apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart figure of the program schedule data control apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the program guide data control apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the digital broadcast control apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart figure of the program schedule data control apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a program guide data control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This program guide data control system includes an antenna 1001, a program guide data control device 1002, and a plurality of digital broadcast receiving devices 1003, 1004, and 1005.

  The program guide data control apparatus 1002 receives a digital terrestrial broadcast wave from an antenna 1001 via an antenna line, and delays or deletes SI information or the like, thereby incorporating a plurality of program information and providing a digital broadcast provided downstream. Transmit to receivers 1003, 1004, and 1005. The upstream antenna 1001 is connected by an antenna line and receives an RF signal. Also, each downstream digital broadcast receiver is connected by an antenna line or a wired / wireless LAN, and transmits a broadcast wave having a plurality of program information on a single channel.

  The digital broadcast receiving apparatuses 1003, 1004, and 1005 receive data incorporating a plurality of pieces of program information transmitted from the program guide data control apparatus 1002 and receive images.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the program guide data control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The program guide data control apparatus includes an RF (Radio Frequency) demultiplexing unit 1, a plurality of tuner demodulation units 21 and 22, a plurality of TS decoder units 31 and 32, an SI information processing unit 4, a buffer 5, A program information processing unit 6, a buffer 7, multiplexer units 81 and 82, and a combining unit 9 are configured. Since the tuner demodulator, TS decoder, and multiplexer having different codes have the same functions, only one of them will be described here.

  Note that although two tuner demodulation units, TS decoder units, and multiplexer units are shown here as an example here, it is preferable to have an equivalent number corresponding to the total number of broadcast channels.

  When the number of functional units is smaller than the number of channels, for example, the digital broadcast receiver receives all broadcast information of channels having a plurality of predetermined program information, thereby acquiring all program information at once. . That is, since the number of channels having a plurality of program information and the number of functional units are the same, all program information is received at once when a broadcast wave of a channel having a plurality of program information is received. It can be acquired. At that time, for example, as described in Patent Document 2 in a digital broadcast receiver, a desired program can be obtained by acquiring only program information separately from the image receiving channel and simultaneously receiving the image from the other channel than the image receiving channel. All program information can be acquired while viewing the program.

  The RF demultiplexing unit 1 branches the broadcast wave received from the antenna into data corresponding to each channel, and outputs the data to the tuner demodulation unit 21 or the tuner demodulation unit 22. The broadcast wave of the channel branched to the tuner demodulation units 21 and 22 may be transmitted based on a predetermined channel, or when the number of tuner demodulation units is smaller than the total number of broadcast channels. May be transmitted by periodically changing the channel.

  The tuner demodulator 21 demodulates the received signal, converts it to a digital signal, and outputs it to the TS decoder unit 31.

  The TS decoder unit 31 performs a decompression process on the signal from the tuner demodulation unit 21 and outputs it to the multiplexer unit 81. At this time, a separate encryption / decryption measure for copyright protection is also performed.

  The SI information processing unit 4 captures SI information from the MPEG2-TS expanded by the TS decoder unit 31, delays or deletes the captured SI information, and transmits the SI information to the multiplexer unit 81. At this time, the capacity of the difference (delay information) obtained by delay or deletion is notified to the program information processing unit 6. At that time, data is delayed or deleted using the buffer 5.

  The program information processing unit 6 takes in program information from the MPEG2-TS expanded by the TS decoder unit 31 and stores it in the buffer 7. Also, program information that can be inserted into the original data based on the delay information received from the SI information processing unit 4 is extracted from the program information stored in the buffer 7 and transmitted to the multiplexer unit 8. If the difference capacity is not enough to insert the desired program information, the program information is extracted in consideration of replacement with data broadcasting information. In addition, when data of the same channel is already saved at the time of storing, the two are compared, and the information is updated and saved only when it is determined that the data has been updated. It is also possible to simply replace the data at the time of data acquisition with the data of the same channel.

  The multiplexer unit 81 replaces or inserts the SI information transmitted from the SI information processing unit 4 and the program information transmitted from the program information processing unit 6 with the original data, thereby having MPEG2-having program information of a plurality of channels. A TS is created and transmitted to the combining unit 9.

  The synthesizer 9 synthesizes each MPEG2-TS output from the multiplexers 81 and 82 and sends it as a broadcast wave to a downstream digital broadcast receiver. At this time, encryption measures for copyright protection are also taken separately. When the number of functional units is less than the number of channels, demodulated broadcast wave data before demultiplexing and data via the multiplexer unit are combined.

  Here, the SI information will be described in detail. MPEG2-TS transmitted from each broadcasting station in the current digital terrestrial broadcasting stores data (table) as shown in Table 1 as SI information (Service Information) together with data such as video, audio, and captions. ing.

  SI information as shown in Table 1 is transmitted from a broadcasting station in accordance with ARIB TR-B14, which is an operation rule for digital terrestrial broadcasting. SI information is repeatedly broadcast with a fixed period (1 to 180 seconds (CDT only once every 600 seconds)) for each data, and the operation parameters specify “minimum value” and “maximum value” as the periodic parameters of the repetition. A “default cycle” is defined.

  That is, within the above specified range, even if the periodic parameter is changed, the receiver can receive the SI information transmitted normally.

  Of the SI information, EIT and SDT are necessary for creating a program guide. SI information other than both is necessary for broadcast reception, but if it is within the operating rules as described above, it is normal for the receiver to change (delay) the periodic parameter set by the broadcast station. Can be treated as a thing.

  An example of the SI information delay method will be described in detail. In the current terrestrial digital broadcasting operation regulations, it is necessary to follow the following rules (the values are just examples of actual operation values, and may increase or decrease depending on the broadcasting station, channel, and program).

  In the SI information in the operation rule ARIB TR-14, the maximum bandwidth is defined as 1 Mbit / s = 128 KB / s in total including program information, and does not exceed this. Further, the program information occupies a bandwidth of about 20 to 30 KB / s (program information for one channel for eight days, and the total amount of information is about 1400 KB).

  That is, SI information other than program information occupies a band of several tens of KB / s. By delaying or deleting this as shown in Table 2, it can be up to about a half (about 10 KB / s).

  By performing the delay or deletion shown in Table 2, program information for several channels can be inserted into the “gap” of the original data created between the reduced SI information and other information.

  In a region with a large number of channels such as the Kanto region, it is assumed that there is not enough “gap” band when program information of all channels (up to about 10 channels) is inserted. In this case, it is necessary to take measures such as deleting specific information from the MPEG2-TS and inserting program information therein.

  As a countermeasure in this case, for example, replacement with data broadcasting information can be considered. The data broadcast information is transmitted by being superimposed on the broadcast wave in the same manner as video, audio, subtitles, etc., and has a bandwidth of several hundred KB / s. Even if the reception of data broadcasting is suppressed, it does not violate broadcasting operation regulations.

  In this way, a large number of channel information can be stored by using the band used for data transmission information transmission for program information transmission. The replacement is performed at the time of coupling in the multiplexer unit.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. LAN input unit 101, TS decoder unit 102, audio decoder unit 103, video decoder unit 104, subtitle decoder unit 105, data broadcast browser unit 106, OSD (on-screen display) unit 107, and audio output unit 108 and a video output unit 109.

  The LAN input unit 101 receives a broadcast wave from the program guide data control device via a wired or wireless LAN, a dedicated bus, or the like, and sends it to the downstream TS decoder unit 102.

  The TS decoder unit 102 receives MPEG2-TS sent from the upstream and performs decompression processing. Further, at this time, it is set not to discard the program information that is replaced or inserted with SI information or data broadcasting information.

  The audio output unit 108 outputs the audio data restored by the audio decoder unit 103.

  The video output unit 109 performs screen composition of the video data converted via the video decoder unit 104, the subtitle decoder unit 105, the data broadcast browser unit 106, and the OSD unit 107, and performs output.

  FIG. 4 is a data flow diagram of the program guide data control apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the data flow in this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  Here, it is assumed that the program guides for all channels of all broadcast stations have been acquired in advance when the power is turned on, and the program information for all channels has already been stored in the buffer 7.

  The program information is taken into the program information processing unit and stored in the buffer 7 (step S1). The SI information is taken into the SI information processing unit (step S2).

  The SI information delayed by changing the periodic parameter transmitted by the SI information processing unit is temporarily stored in the buffer 5 and is waited or deleted until the next transmission (step S3).

  The delay SI information temporarily stored in the buffer 5 is sent to the multiplexer unit according to the delay information calculated by the SI information processing unit (step S4).

  The program information processing unit reads the delay information notified from the SI information processing unit, and calculates how much program information can be inserted. Based on the calculation result, the program information stored in the buffer 7 is sent to the multiplexer unit (step S5).

  The program information of each channel received by the multiplexer unit and the delayed SI information are replaced and inserted into the original data to form one MPEG2-TS. The delayed SI information is inserted at an arbitrary timing.

  Next, the operation of the program guide data control apparatus will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart in the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

  When the power of the program guide data control device is turned on (step S11), the program information processing unit acquires program information on an unacquired channel from the TS decoder unit and stores it in the buffer 7 (step S12).

  It is determined whether or not all channel program information has been acquired (step S13), and if all channel program information has been acquired, the processing of the next step is performed. Note that the determination trigger may be configured to proceed to the next step when program information of a channel number equal to or greater than a predetermined value, for example, program information of three or more channels, is obtained instead of all channels.

  The program information processing unit acquires program information (EIT, SDT) from the main line in the TS decoder unit (step S24), and accumulates it in the buffer 7 (step S25). When accumulating, the data is compared with the data stored in the same channel, and the data is replaced with the latest information and stored only when it is determined that the data has been updated. Note that the data at the time of acquisition may be always replaced with the same channel data regardless of the update of the data.

  SI information delay information is received from the SI information processing unit (step S26). The delay information of the received SI information is referred to, the program information stored in the buffer is controlled, and the program information is sent to the multiplexer unit (step S27).

  The SI information processing unit can acquire SI information (BIT, SDT, TOT, ST, EIT, SDTT, CDT) from the main line in the TS decoder unit (step S34), and delete or use the buffer 5 with a delay. The delay information of SI information is calculated (step S35).

  The program information processing unit transmits delay information of the determined SI information (step S36). The SI information is sent to the multiplexer unit while deleting or delaying the SI information using the buffer 5 based on the delay information (step S37).

  The multiplexer unit converts the program information received from the program information processing unit to the main MPEG2-TS and the SI information received from the SI information processing unit into a gap of data obtained by reducing the SI information of the main line, etc. Insert (step S48).

  The synthesizer synthesizes MPEG2-TS having a plurality of pieces of program information received from each multiplexer unit as one piece of data and sends it downstream (step S49).

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the program guide data control apparatus in the second embodiment of the present invention. The program guide data control apparatus includes an RF (Radio Frequency) demultiplexing unit 1, a plurality of tuner demodulation units 21 and 22, a plurality of TS decoder units 31 and 32, an SI information processing unit 4, a buffer 5, A program information processing unit 6, a buffer 7, multiplexer units 81 and 82, RF modulation units 10 and 11, and an RF synthesis unit 12 are configured. In addition, about the function part similar to 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is described and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The RF modulation unit 10 modulates the MPEG2-TS created by the multiplexer unit 81 into RF and sends it to the RF synthesis unit 11.

  The RF synthesizing unit 11 synthesizes each RF modulated by the RF modulating unit 10 and the RF modulating unit 11 into one RF, and sends it out downstream.

  FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Antenna line input unit 111, tuner demodulation unit 112, TS decoder unit 102, audio decoder unit 103, video decoder unit 104, caption decoder unit 105, data broadcast browser unit 106, and OSD (on-screen display) Unit 107, audio output unit 108, and video output unit 109.

  The antenna line input unit 111 receives a broadcast wave from the program guide data control apparatus via the antenna line and sends it to the downstream tuner demodulation unit 112.

  The tuner demodulator 112 demodulates the received signal, converts it into a digital signal, and outputs it to the downstream TS decoder unit 102.

  Next, the operation of the program guide data control apparatus will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart in the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

  When the power of the program guide data control device is turned on (step S11), the program information processing unit acquires program information on an unacquired channel from the TS decoder unit and stores it in the buffer 7 (step S12).

  It is determined whether or not all channel program information has been acquired (step S13), and if all channel program information has been acquired, the processing of the next step is performed. Note that the determination trigger may be configured to proceed to the next step when program information of a channel number equal to or greater than a predetermined value, for example, program information of three or more channels, is obtained instead of all channels.

  The program information processing unit acquires program information (EIT, SDT) from the main line in the TS decoder unit (step S24), and accumulates it in the buffer 7 (step S25). When accumulating, the data is compared with the data stored in the same channel, and the data is replaced with the latest information and stored only when it is determined that the data has been updated. Note that the data at the time of acquisition may be always replaced with the same channel data regardless of the update of the data.

  SI information delay information is received from the SI information processing unit (step S26). The delay information of the received SI information is referred to, the program information stored in the buffer is controlled, and the program information is sent to the multiplexer unit (step S27).

  The SI information processing unit can acquire SI information (BIT, SDT, TOT, ST, EIT, SDTT, CDT) from the main line in the TS decoder unit (step S34), and delete or use the buffer 5 with a delay. The delay information of SI information is calculated (step S35).

  The delay information of the determined SI information is transmitted to the program information processing unit (step S36). The SI information is sent to the multiplexer unit while deleting or delaying the SI information using the buffer 5 based on the delay information (step S37).

  The multiplexer unit converts the program information received from the program information processing unit to the main MPEG2-TS and the SI information received from the SI information processing unit into a gap of data obtained by reducing the SI information of the main line, etc. Insert and send downstream (step S48).

  The RF modulation unit modulates MPEG2-TS in which a plurality of pieces of program information are incorporated into RF and sends it out (step S49).

  The RF synthesizing unit synthesizes RF having a plurality of pieces of program information received from each RF modulation unit as one piece of data and sends it downstream (step S50).

  According to this embodiment, since data can be exchanged using the antenna input in the program guide data control device and the digital broadcast receiving device, for example, it is possible to correspond to the current tuner or the like.

(Embodiment 3)
It is also possible to provide each function of the program guide data control device in the above embodiment in a PC or a receiver. In this case, the output destination is preferably a wired / wireless LAN.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, MPEG2-TS is extracted from the broadcast wave of digital terrestrial broadcasting, and program information (EIT, SDT) included therein is acquired. This is performed in all networks, and all program information is collected and stored in a buffer such as an internal memory.

  After that, SI information that can be reduced or delayed (longer transmission interval) is selected from the main MPEG2-TS, and a free space is provided in the MPEG2-TS. Program information is additionally inserted in accordance with this vacancy, re-multiplexed to create a new MPEG2-TS, and transmitted via an antenna line (RF signal) or a wired / wireless LAN (MPEG2-TS stream or the like).

  By increasing the amount of program information transmitted in this way, the receiver installed downstream can present the program guide desired by the user more quickly.

  In addition, since the program guide can be presented quickly even when the receiver is completely turned off, power saving can be realized as a whole broadcast receiving system if it is operated in an apartment house.

  Although the embodiments have been described above, various modifications and changes can be made to these embodiments and specific examples without departing from the broad scope and scope of the present invention defined in the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 RF demultiplexing part 21 Tuner demodulation part 31 TS decoder part 4 SI information processing part 5 Buffer 6 Program information processing part 7 Buffer 81 Multiplexer part 9 Synthesis | combination part 10 RF modulation part 12 RF synthesis | combination part 1001 Antenna 1002 Program guide data control apparatus 1003 Digital broadcast receiver

Claims (10)

From the first data corresponding to the first channel demultiplexed from the broadcast wave including two or more data corresponding to the channel , the program information necessary for creating the program table and information other than the program information are included. acquires SI information, information other than the program information included in the acquired SI information, the SI information processing means for delayed or deleted in the predefined range, to reduce the capacity of the SI information,
Program information of another channel included in other data different from the first data corresponding to the capacity reduced by the SI information processing means is converted into the first data with the capacity of the SI information reduced. inserted, program guide data controller you further comprising a, a program table data generating means for generating data including the program information of said first program information corresponding to the channel the other channels. Program information storage means for storing the program information;
  The program guide data creation means takes out the program information of the other channel according to the capacity from the program information storage means, and inserts the taken program information of the other channel into the first data. 2. The program guide data control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein A demultiplexing means for demultiplexing the broadcast wave into data corresponding to the channel;
3. The program guide data control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the SI information processing unit acquires the SI information from the first data demultiplexed by the demultiplexing unit. 4. The program guide data control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a synthesizing unit that synthesizes data created by the program guide data creating unit to create a broadcast wave. 5. The SI information processing means includes:
  Processing to increase the NIT transmission cycle parameter;
  Processing to increase the transmission cycle parameter of BIT;
  Processing to increase the SDT transmission cycle parameter;
  5. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the process of deleting the ST is performed within a predetermined range, and the capacity of the SI information is reduced. Program guide data control device. When the program information is stored, the program information storage means compares the program information if the program information of the same channel is already stored , and new program information if the program information is updated. The program guide data control device according to claim 2 , wherein the program guide data control device is updated and stored . The combining means includes a broadcast wave data demodulated without demultiplexing, either 6 from claim 4, wherein creating the data generated, a broadcast wave synthesized in the program guide data creating means 2. The program guide data control device according to item 1. RF modulation means for modulating the data created by the program guide data creation means to RF ,
The synthesis means includes
8. The program guide data control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a broadcast wave is created based on the RF modulated by the RF modulation means. A program guide data control device that receives a broadcast wave including two or more data corresponding to a channel and sends it downstream; and a digital broadcast receiver that receives and receives a broadcast wave sent from the program guide data device; A program guide data control system comprising:
The program guide data control device comprises :
SI information having program information necessary for creating a program guide and information other than the program information is acquired from first data corresponding to the first channel demultiplexed from the broadcast wave, and the acquisition is performed. SI information processing means for delaying or deleting information other than the program information included in the SI information within a predetermined range and reducing the capacity of the SI information;
Program information of another channel included in other data different from the first data corresponding to the capacity reduced by the SI information processing means is converted into the first data with the capacity of the SI information reduced. A program guide data creating means for inserting and creating data including program information corresponding to the first channel and program information of the other channel;
A program table data control system comprising: a synthesizing unit that generates a broadcast wave based on the data generated by the program table data generating unit and transmits the broadcast wave downstream . From the first data corresponding to the first channel demultiplexed from the broadcast wave including two or more data corresponding to the channel, the program information necessary for creating the program table and information other than the program information are included. An SI information processing step of acquiring SI information, delaying or deleting information other than the program information included in the acquired SI information within a predetermined range, and reducing the capacity of the SI information;
Program information of another channel included in other data different from the first data according to the capacity reduced by the SI information processing step is converted into the first data with the capacity of the SI information reduced. A program that inserts and causes a computer to execute a program guide data creation step of creating data including program information corresponding to the first channel and program information of the other channel .

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