WO2023147725A1

WO2023147725A1 - Video publishing system, television receiver, video publishing method and television gateway

Info

Publication number: WO2023147725A1
Application number: PCT/CN2022/120834
Authority: WO
Inventors: 安木成次郎; 本沢邦朗
Original assignee: 海信视像科技股份有限公司; 东芝视频解决方案株式会社
Priority date: 2022-02-04
Filing date: 2022-09-23
Publication date: 2023-08-10
Also published as: JP2023114381A; CN116806426A

Abstract

The present application relates to a video publishing system, a television receiver, a video publishing method and a television gateway. When video content transmitted by means of a broadcast wave is switched to video content published by means of a network, the switching operation may be smoothly completed without causing inconvenience to users and viewers due to differences in content transmission and publishing services. In the television receiver, when the video content transmitted by means of the broadcast wave cannot be received, it is switched to the video content published by means of the network. By means of metadata provided by the television gateway, region-limited viewing functionality is provided; furthermore, switching is automated by means of determination of the electric field intensity of the broadcast wave. In addition, a receiving contract in the broadcast is automatically inherited to network-based publishing, so that the switching operation may be smoothly completed without causing inconvenience to the viewers.

Description

Video distribution system, television receiver, video distribution method and TV gateway

Cross References to Related Applications

This application claims the priority of the Japanese patent application with the application number 2022-016715 and the title of the invention "Video Distribution System, Television Receiver, Video Distribution Method, and Television Gateway" filed with Japan Patent Office on February 4, 2022 , the entire contents of which are incorporated in this application by reference.

technical field

The application relates to a video distributing system, a television receiver, a video distributing method and a television gateway. This application relates to a server system that distributes video, a repeater that transmits video using broadcast waves, a receiving terminal that receives the video content of the two, and a server (hereinafter referred to as a gateway) located between the server system and the receiving terminal. ), and relates to a method for appropriately controlling the presentation of content distributed through broadcasting and communication. Hereinafter, the term "video content" refers to moving images composed of video and audio.

Background technique

In recent years, due to the evolution of the network, the implementation of video distribution services has increased. In particular, large-scale, large-screen TV receivers not only receive broadcasts as before, but also connect to the Internet and play distributed moving images, allowing you to enjoy live images with higher image quality. This is possible due to the speeding up of the network and the improvement of the processing performance of the television receiver. In the future, it is considered that opportunities for displaying and operating various video contents provided by the network will further increase on the television receiver.

On the other hand, it has been a long time since terrestrial digital broadcasting started in 2003, and the aging of public infrastructure for terrestrial digital broadcasting is progressing. Terrestrial digital broadcasting is a broadcasting method using the UHF frequency band, but broadcast content is transmitted to households across the country from the General Broadcasting Bureau through medium-scale relay stations, and further through small-scale relay stations. In the public broadcasting infrastructure, small-scale relay stations in particular are difficult to maintain, and a plan to abolish some of the small-scale relay stations and distribute through the network is being considered.

In this way, in order to switch the distribution of video content by terrestrial digital broadcasting to network distribution, it is necessary to simultaneously distribute the video content transmitted by broadcast waves on the network, and currently, studies are advancing to implement such simultaneous distribution. However, when such so-called broadcast content transmitted by broadcast waves is switched to the network, various problems arise.

For example, it is conceivable that even if the simultaneous distribution starts, the small-scale relay station stops the function, and the viewer who is watching the content of the terrestrial digital broadcast suddenly does not display the video at the moment of switching to the network distribution.

In addition, in broadcasting, there is a concept of a viewing area, where a local station covers a certain range, and in this area, different contents are transmitted from other areas. However, in web-based distribution, there is no restriction on viewing area, and distribution can be made anywhere in the country.

Furthermore, in the case where a reception fee has been paid for broadcast reception, even if reception via broadcast waves disappears and switching to reception via the network occurs, viewing is limited to viewing for which the reception fee has been paid. those necessary conditions.

prior art literature

patent documents

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2013-46279

Contents of the invention

In this application, a method for solving these problems arising when switching from broadcast waves to communication-based distribution is provided.

This application relates to the control of a server system (television gateway) and a television receiver, which has the function of receiving radio waves transmitted from a radio tower when switching video content transmitted by broadcast waves to video content distributed via the network, And in a television receiver with a communication function for receiving content input through a network, switching can be smoothly performed without causing inconvenience to the viewer.

Fig. 8 shows an example of a conventional configuration in order to explain problems that arise when switching video content transmitted via broadcast waves to video content distributed via a network. The broadcast station 101 , the broadcast station 102 , and the broadcast station 103 transmit video content to the repeater 111 using broadcast waves. The repeater 111 that has received the broadcast wave transmits the broadcast wave to the next repeater 112 . In this way, in terrestrial digital broadcasting, video content is transmitted to various regions in a bucket brigade using radio waves. In this example, finally, the repeater 112 transmits broadcast waves to the televisions 141 to 145 . Here, it is assumed that the televisions 141 to 145 are installed in different regions.

On the other hand, broadcasting station 101 , broadcasting station 102 , and broadcasting station 103 transmit the same video content as broadcasting to network distribution server 121 as simultaneous distribution. The network distribution server 121 distributes the video content to the televisions 141-145 through communication networks such as optical fiber and wireless.

Normally, the televisions 141 to 145 receive broadcast waves from the repeater 112, but when the repeater 112 cannot maintain its function due to aging or the like, the televisions 141 to 145 cannot receive broadcasts. At this time, the televisions 141 - 145 receive the video content distributed by the network distribution server 121 .

The following problems arise when switching is performed.

1) In order to switch from broadcasting to communication, a network is used to distribute video content exactly the same as video content transmitted by broadcast waves. Although it is a small-scale relay station, it covers many households. It is conceivable that when the small-scale relay station stops functioning and switches to the network distribution, it will suddenly become uncomfortable for viewers who are watching terrestrial digital broadcasting content. Show video. At this time, although it is necessary to notify the viewer of the switching operation in advance, it is extremely difficult to notify all the households where the switching occurs. In addition, even if the notification is successfully carried out, it will be forcibly performed for the viewer. operate.

2) In broadcasting, a viewing area is determined in advance. For example, in a county-wide viewing area, a local broadcasting station existing in the county is in charge of broadcasting in units of counties, and broadcasts predetermined video content. Furthermore, the video content broadcast by these local broadcasting stations over a certain range may be different from the content broadcast in other viewing areas. However, in network-based distribution, there is no restriction on viewing area, and it can be distributed anywhere in the country, and cannot constitute a viewing area determined in broadcasting.

3) In public broadcasting, generally, broadcasting can be received by paying a reception fee. Therefore, even when video content is distributed via the Internet instead of broadcasting, it is expected that the video content will be displayed only to viewers who have paid a reception fee. However, in the case of terrestrial digital broadcasting, the current situation is that the reception fee depends on the existence of an antenna or the existence of a TV receiving the broadcast, and the viewing fee is collected. In the distribution of video on the network, an antenna is not required, so the reception fee collection is extremely difficult. At present, there is no method of inheriting the reception contract of broadcasting to the time of network-based distribution, so although there are institutional problems, technical solutions are required.

As described above, in switching from broadcast based on simultaneous distribution to network distribution, problems arise due to the difference in properties between broadcast and network. In particular, the above-mentioned three points are important problems.

Therefore, in this application, a TV gateway is installed between a distribution server that simultaneously distributes video content and a TV receiver, and the function of the TV gateway is used to absorb the difference in the nature of broadcasting and communication, and solve the above three problems.

The video distribution system includes: a television receiver capable of receiving video and audio content transmitted by broadcast waves or communication; a video distribution unit that transmits metadata that differs for each viewing area; The video distribution agency receives and saves the metadata, and the TV gateway converts the metadata into metadata corresponding to each viewing area and sends it to the TV receiver to present a program selection screen, thereby creating a program selection screen for each area. Perform viewing controls.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the first embodiment;

Fig. 2 is a structural diagram of a content selection screen of the first embodiment;

Fig. 3 is an action explanatory diagram of the first embodiment;

Fig. 4 is a configuration example of a television receiver;

Fig. 5 is a second configuration example of the television receiver;

Fig. 6 is a configuration example of a network publishing server;

Fig. 7 is the constitution example of TV gateway;

Fig. 8 is a configuration example of the prior art.

Explanation of reference signs

401...TV receiver, 402...Electric field strength measuring device, 411...Broadcast receiving tuner, 412...Communication receiving module, 421...Switch, 422...Video and sound decoder, 423...Video display panel, 424...Speaker, 425 ...the program list is displayed.

Detailed ways

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(first embodiment)

A first embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. 1 . The difference from the conventional configuration example is that the TV gateway 131 is arranged. The television gateway 131 is a server that transmits metadata to televisions, and the television that has received the metadata displays a program selection screen. The display of the program selection screen is performed by display software such as a browser mounted on the television.

The broadcasting station 101 , the broadcasting station 102 , and the broadcasting station 103 transmit broadcast waves to the repeater 111 to transmit video content, similarly to the conventional configuration example. The repeater 111 that has received the broadcast wave transmits the broadcast wave to the next repeater 112 . In this way, terrestrial digital broadcasting uses electric waves to transmit video content to various regions. In this example, the repeater 112 transmits broadcast waves to the televisions 141-145.

On the other hand, the broadcasting station 101 , the broadcasting station 102 , and the broadcasting station 103 have a simultaneous distribution function, and transmit the same video content as broadcasting to the network distribution server 121 . The network distribution server 121 distributes the video content to the televisions 141-145 through communication networks such as optical fiber and wireless.

Normally, the televisions 141 to 145 receive broadcast waves from the repeater 112 , but when the function of the repeater 112 cannot be maintained due to aging or the like, the televisions 141 to 145 cannot receive broadcasts. At this time, the televisions 141 - 145 will receive the video content distributed by the network distribution server 121 .

In the conventional configuration, the televisions 141 to 145 directly receive the video content from the network distribution server, but in the present application, the televisions 141 to 145 receive the metadata transmitted from the TV gateway 131 before receiving the video content. The TV uses the metadata transmitted from the TV gateway 131 to configure a program selection screen. The televisions 141 to 145 present a program selection screen composed of metadata, and the viewer selects a program and receives desired video content. At this time, the TV gateway 131 stores metadata transmitted from the broadcasting stations 101-103 in advance, selects metadata corresponding to the region information set in the TVs 141-145, and transmits the metadata to the TVs 141-145. By presenting different program selection screens for each region based on the metadata, each of the televisions 141 to 145 receives video content corresponding to the set region.

FIG. 2 shows an example in which televisions 141 to 145 configure program selection screens using metadata transmitted from television gateway 131 . The metadata 204 transmitted from the broadcasting stations 101 to 103 includes a schedule table 201 , content metadata 202 , and banner data 203 . Here, the time table 201 shows the time when the video content is transmitted, and is used in the time display of the program table. The content metadata 202 describes the output location of the video content of the network distribution server 121 that transmits the video stream, such as URL . In addition, the banner data 203 includes display parts such as thumbnails when composing a program table. Here, the program selection screen 210 is configured with metadata, so that the viewer can select a desired program. On the program selection screen, the broadcast time of the program is shown on the vertical axis, and the channel number is shown on the horizontal axis. The program name is shown in each cell.

This metadata is created for each viewing area, and is collectively arranged in the television gateway 131 like the metadata for region A 211 , the metadata for region B 212 , and the metadata for region C 213 . The metadata for each region is composed of a schedule, content metadata, and banner data.

Fig. 3 shows the operation of the first embodiment. In this example, it is assumed that the television 141 is installed in the area A, the television 142 is installed in the area B, and the television 143 is installed in the area C. The broadcasting station 101 creates its own metadata 301 for each viewing area, and arranges it in the television gateway 131 . In this embodiment, metadata is created for three regions, namely region A, region B, and region C. In addition, the broadcasting station 102 creates its own metadata 302 for each viewing area, and arranges it in the TV gateway 131 . Similarly, the broadcasting station 103 creates its own metadata 303 for each viewing area, and arranges it in the TV gateway 131 .

Here, the viewer of the television 141 sets the setting data 321 for region A in the television 141 based on his own address. The TV 141 requests the metadata for the region A from the TV gateway 131 based on the set data 321 for the region A. Here, TV gateway 131 extracts metadata for region A from metadata 301 of broadcasting station 101 , metadata 302 of broadcasting station 102 , and metadata 303 of broadcasting station 103 , and transmits the metadata to TV 141 . The metadata 351 sent from the television gateway 131 is metadata provided from the broadcast station 101 , the metadata 352 is metadata provided from the broadcast station 102 , and the metadata 353 is metadata provided from the broadcast station 103 . In this way, the TV gateway 131 selects the metadata of each broadcasting station according to the region and sends them to the TV in a batch.

The television 141 presents programs corresponding to the region A of the broadcasting stations 101, 102, and 103 on the program selection screen based on the metadata for the region A. Through this operation, television 141 receives only the video content receivable in the viewing area where the viewer exists.

By setting the setting data 322 for region B in the television 142 , the television gateway 131 collects metadata for the region B and transmits it to the television 142 . The metadata 361 sent from the television gateway 131 is metadata provided from the broadcast station 101 , the metadata 362 is metadata provided from the broadcast station 102 , and the metadata 363 is metadata provided from the broadcast station 103 .

Similarly, by setting the setting data 323 for region C in the television 143 , the television gateway 131 collects metadata for the region C and transmits it to the television 143 . The metadata 371 sent from the television gateway 131 is metadata provided from the broadcast station 101 , the metadata 372 is metadata provided from the broadcast station 102 , and the metadata 373 is metadata provided from the broadcast station 103 .

In the setting of the setting data 321 for region A, the viewer can use the remote controller 331 to make settings according to the user interface screen displayed on the television. Similarly, the remote controllers 332 and 333 can also be used for setting for the area B and the area C. Through the above operations, in broadcasting, it is possible to realize a predetermined viewing area by distributing video on the network.

FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of a television receiver of the present application. The television receiver 401 receives broadcast waves through the repeater 112 and receives video content distributed by the network distribution server 121 . The broadcast wave is received by the broadcast receiving tuner 411 , and the demodulated video content is output to the switch 421 . On the other hand, the published video content is received by the communication receiving module 412 and outputs the video content to the switch 421 . Here, the switch 421 is controlled by the electric field intensity measuring device 402 . The electric field strength measuring device 402 can detect whether or not a broadcast wave is coming by constantly measuring the power value of the broadcast wave input to the broadcast reception tuner 411 . When the repeater cannot be maintained and the broadcast wave does not arrive, the electric field strength measuring device 402 detects that the broadcast wave does not arrive, and switches the switch 421 for normally selecting the broadcast receiving tuner 411 to select the communication receiving module 412 . Through this operation, the television receiver 401 can automatically switch from broadcast wave reception to video content distributed through communication without burdening the viewer. In this embodiment, although the electric field strength is measured, it may be substituted by measuring the locked state of the PLL of the tuner or the CN ratio (carrier-to-noise ratio).

The communication receiving module 412 receives metadata from the TV gateway 131 and inputs the metadata to the control circuit 431 . The control circuit displays a program selection screen on the video display panel 423 using the program list display 425 by performing predetermined operations based on the metadata. If the program selection is implemented, the video content sent by the network distribution server 121 will be restored to the compressed video and audio by the video and audio decoder 422 through the communication receiving module 412 and the switch 421, and will be displayed on the video instead of the program selection screen. A dynamic image is played on the display panel 423 . In addition, the restored sound is played by the speaker 424 .

The viewer can operate the television receiver by sending instructions to the control circuit using the remote controller 432 . In addition, the setting information of the region stores the input result of the remote control in the memory 433 and is used when acquiring metadata for each region from the TV gateway 131 .

Through the above operations, it is possible to simultaneously realize the control of the viewing area and the automatic switching from broadcast to simultaneously distributed content, which have been difficult in the past.

FIG. 5 shows a second configuration example of the television receiver of the present application. 4, satellite 511, contract server 522, satellite broadcast receiving tuner 501, and contract status determiner 502 are added. This embodiment is limited to viewers who have signed a reception fee contract for receiving satellite broadcasts through public broadcasting, and is an example in which it is possible to watch network-distributed video content. That is, instead of a reception fee contract for viewing of Internet-distributed video content, a function of limited reception using contract information of satellite broadcasting is used.

In this example, the contract server 522 stores information on viewers who can receive public satellite broadcasting. The broadcast wave transmitted from the satellite 511 is received by the satellite broadcast receiving tuner 501, and the contract status determiner 502 determines whether or not a reception contract has been concluded. When the receiving contract is concluded, the output of the satellite broadcast receiving tuner 501 is input to the switch 421, and the satellite broadcast receiving tuner 501 is selected by the switch 421 to enable viewing.

In this embodiment, viewers who have signed a reception contract for satellite broadcasting can watch video content distributed on the network, and viewers who have not signed a reception contract can be urged to sign a new reception contract in order to watch network content. . Generally, in satellite broadcasting, a contract information confirmation signal 512 is superimposed on video content, and the presence or absence of a contract is determined using the content and the contract status determiner 502 .

In this example, the contract information confirmation signal 512 is input to the contract status determiner 502 from the television gateway 131 via the communication receiving module 412 of the television receiver 401 . The contract status determiner 502 controls the switch 421 to select the output of the satellite broadcast reception tuner 501 . Through this operation, the satellite broadcasting contractor can watch the video content distributed through the network.

Assuming that when the satellite contract is not signed, the TV gateway 131 can present a user interface screen prompting the contract, and in the case of wanting to watch the video content distributed through the network, sign a receiving fee contract, and upload the contract information to the TV gateway 131 . The television gateway 131 concludes a receiving contract by registering the contract information in the contract server 522 . When viewing, the contract information confirmation signal 512 is passed from the contract server 522 to the TV gateway 131, and the contract is confirmed by the contract status determiner 502. The contract status determiner 502 obtains the contract information confirmation signal 512 sent from the network, controls the switch 421, and selects the communication receiving module 412, so that the video content released through the network can be watched.

FIG. 6 shows a structural diagram of the video platform of the present application. The CPU 602 is connected to the memory 601 and the storage device 603, and executes a control program. The operator uses the operation unit 605 to control the operation. The communication interface 604 is connected to a network, and performs input and output of video content, distribution of video, and input and output of content selection information. Also, the video processing unit 606 encodes and encrypts the input video content to generate a stream for distributing the video content.

Fig. 7 shows a structural diagram of the television gateway of the present application.

The CPU 702 is connected to the memory 701 and the storage device 703, and operates a predetermined processing program. The communication interface 704 performs input and output from the video platform and input and output to the TV cloud. In addition, the operator controls the operation through the operation unit 705 . Metadata, contract information confirmation signals, and the like are stored in the storage device 703 and read out at predetermined timing.

The video distribution system provided by the embodiment of the present application includes: a television receiver capable of receiving video and audio content transmitted via broadcast waves or communication; and a video distribution mechanism that transmits different metadata for each viewing area and TV gateway, which receives and saves the metadata from the video distribution mechanism, the TV gateway converts the metadata into metadata corresponding to each viewing area and sends to the TV receiver so as to present the program selection screen , thus, viewing control is performed for each region.

In the television receiver provided by the embodiment of the present application, in a television receiver capable of receiving video content sent by broadcast wave or communication, when the electric field strength of the broadcast wave decreases, the video content sent by broadcast wave is automatically switch to the video content obtained through communication.

In some implementations, the television receiver may also present a signal prompting the viewer to switch.

In some embodiments, the video distribution system receives a contract information confirmation signal in a television receiver capable of receiving video content transmitted through communication, and uses a pre-installed contract status determiner to confirm whether viewing is possible, thereby Control whether to watch the sent video signal. The contract information may be a satellite broadcast reception contract.

The embodiment of the present application also provides a method for distributing video, which is used in a video distributing system, wherein the video distributing system includes: a television receiver capable of receiving video and audio content sent through broadcast waves or communications; A video distribution agency that transmits metadata that differs for each viewing area; and a TV gateway that receives and stores the metadata from the video distribution agency, and the TV gateway converts the metadata to correspond to each viewing area metadata and send it to the television receiver to present a program selection screen, thereby performing viewing control for each region.

The embodiment of the present application also provides a TV gateway, which is connected to a TV receiver and a video distribution agency, and the video distribution agency sends metadata that differs according to each viewing area, and the TV gateway receives and stores the metadata from the video distribution agency. The metadata, and the television gateway converts metadata corresponding to each viewing area and transmits to the television receiver, thereby presenting a program selection screen.

The video distributing system of the embodiment of the present application sends metadata to the TV receiver via the TV gateway, and the video distributing system sends the metadata corresponding to each viewing area to the TV gateway, thereby presenting a program selection screen.

industrial availability

When the video content transmitted by broadcast waves is switched to the video content distributed via the network, the switching operation can be smoothly completed without causing inconvenience to users and viewers due to the difference between content transmission and distribution services.

Claims

A video distribution system, wherein,

The video publishing system has:

Television receivers capable of receiving video and audio content transmitted via broadcast waves or communications;

A video distribution agency that transmits metadata that differs for each viewing area; and

a television gateway that receives and stores said metadata from said video distribution agency,

The television gateway converts the metadata into metadata corresponding to each viewing region and transmits the metadata to the television receiver to present a program selection screen, thereby performing viewing control for each region.
A television receiver capable of receiving video contents transmitted via broadcast waves or communications, wherein,

When the electric field strength of the broadcast wave decreases, the video content transmitted by the broadcast wave is automatically switched to the video content acquired by communication.
A television receiver as claimed in claim 2, wherein,

The switching is to present a signal urging the switching to the viewer.
A video distribution system, wherein,

In a television receiver capable of receiving video content transmitted via communication, a contract information confirmation signal is received, and a pre-installed contract status determiner is used to confirm whether viewing is possible, thereby controlling whether viewing of the transmitted video signal is possible.
The video distribution system according to claim 4, wherein,

The contract information is a satellite broadcast reception contract.
A video distribution method used in a video distribution system, wherein,

The video publishing system has:

Television receivers capable of receiving video and audio content transmitted via broadcast waves or communications;

A video distribution agency that transmits metadata that differs for each viewing area; and

a television gateway that receives and stores said metadata from said video distribution agency,

The television gateway converts the metadata into metadata corresponding to each viewing region and transmits it to the television receiver to present a program selection screen, thereby performing viewing control for each region.
A TV gateway that connects a TV receiver and a video distribution agency that transmits metadata different for each viewing area, wherein,

The television gateway receives and stores metadata from the video distribution organization, converts the metadata into metadata corresponding to each viewing area, and transmits the metadata to the television receiver, thereby presenting a program selection screen.
A video distribution system that transmits metadata to television receivers via a television gateway, wherein,

The video distribution system sends the metadata corresponding to each viewing area to the TV gateway, so as to present a program selection screen.