JP2003298542A - Digital broadcast transmitter, digital broadcast transmission method, digital broadcast receiver, and identifier providing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital broadcast reception system capable of discriminating contents to be the same on an EPG in the case of broadcasting the same contents such as a movie program in a plurality of broadcast services. <P>SOLUTION: The digital broadcast transmitter includes: a contents identification descriptor generating section 501 for generating a contents identification descriptor including a contents identification code for particularizing the same program contents; a program generating section 506 for generating a program with contents indicative of the contents identification descriptor; an event information table generating section 503 for generating an event information table; a program arrangement information generating section 505 for generating program arrangement information on the basis of the event information table; a transport stream generating section 507 for multiplexing the program arrangement information with the program to generate a transport stream; and a transmission section 508 for transmitting the generated transport stream, and a broadcast service provided EPG information described by using the contents identification description in the event information table. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital broadcast transmitter, a digital broadcast transmission method, a digital broadcast receiver and an identifier assigning device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a conventional digital broadcast receiving system for receiving and viewing digital television broadcasts. In the figure, 1 is an IRD (Integrated Rec) that receives a broadcast and outputs a reception result.
e / Decoder). Reference numeral 2 is an antenna for receiving digital television broadcast signals such as satellites and ground waves. Reference numeral 3 denotes a monitor for outputting a program including the OSD (on-screen display) of the IRD 1, a video and a music of the program reproduced by the VTR.

Reference numeral 4 is a cable for transmitting video / audio signals of the IRD 1, the monitor 3 and the VTR 6. An antenna cable 5 connects the IRD 1 and the antenna 2. 6 is I
A VTR (Video Tape Record) that records a program received by the RD1 and reproduces the recorded program
r).

The IRD 1 receives a signal from the antenna 2, separates the received signal and decodes it, and records the result on the VTR 6 as video or audio, or makes the monitor 3 watch the result. Further, the video / audio signals are transmitted to the VTR 6 or the monitor 3 which is an output destination determined using the cable 4.

In the digital television broadcast receiving system having the above configuration, an electronic program guide (EPG) system for displaying program information in broadcast data received from the IRD 1 is known as a program selection method for digital television broadcasting. The EPG information includes information identifying a program such as a network name, a broadcasting company name, a service name, and a program name. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the structure of a conventional IRD.

In the figure, reference numeral 201 is a broadcast receiving unit for receiving digital television broadcast signals such as satellite, CATV, terrestrial waves, demodulating and error correcting, and outputting an MPEG2 transport stream (TS). Reference numeral 202 is a demultiplexer that separates the TS into video, audio, and other data by PID (Packet ID). 203
Is an MPEG video decoder for decoding the MPEG video signal separated by the demultiplexer 202.

A display data storage unit 204 stores the video signal decoded by the MPEG video decoder 203 and the OSD image created by the CPU 209, and is composed of a rewritable memory. A display data generation unit 205 converts the data stored in the display data storage unit 204 into a signal suitable for the display device, for example, an NTSC system signal.

Reference numeral 206 is an MPEG audio decoder for decoding the MPEG audio signal separated by the demultiplexer 202. An audio data storage unit 207 stores the audio signal decoded by the MPEG audio decoder 206, and is composed of a rewritable memory. Reference numeral 208 denotes a D / A conversion unit that converts the data stored in the voice storage unit 207 into an analog signal.

A CPU 209 stores EPG information in the program information storage unit 211 from the data signals sorted by the demultiplexer 202, and displays data (OSD data) when a program is selected by a remote controller (not shown) or the like. ) Is created from the contents stored in the program information storage unit 211, and is stored in the display data storage unit 204, the result of program selection is stored in the reservation information storage unit 213, and other units are controlled.

Reference numeral 210 is a CPU, ROM, RA (not shown).
IC including a reader for an IC card composed of M etc.
It is a conditional access module (CAM) that causes the demultiplexer 202 to decrypt the encrypted TS using the decryption key and the decryption program included in the card.

A program information storage unit 211 stores EPG information that is updated at any time, and is composed of a rewritable memory. When detecting and displaying a program stored in the program information storage unit 211 by operating a remote controller (not shown) or the like, 212 sends program selection information to the channel selection unit 214,
On the other hand, when making a reservation, the program detection reservation unit sends program selection information to the reservation information storage unit 213.

Reference numeral 213 is a reservation information storage for storing a channel (transponder in the case of a satellite) and a broadcast time which are selection information of a reserved number selected from the program information storage unit 211 by the program detection reservation unit 212. Is a department
It is composed of a rewritable memory.

Reference numeral 214 denotes a channel or satellite, which is the selection information of the program selected from the program information storage unit 211 by the program detection reservation unit 212 in the case of the current program, and in the case of a satellite, a selection for setting the transponder in the broadcast reception unit 201. It is local.
Further, in the case of a reserved program, the channel selection unit 214 broadcasts the channel (transponder in the case of satellite), which is the selection information of the program, at the broadcast time of the program stored in the reservation information storage unit 213. When it is set to 201 and the broadcast ends, the information stored in the reservation information storage unit 213 is deleted or processed.

When a user views a digital television broadcast, it is necessary to separate the TS into video, audio and other data signals by using the IRD 1 and decode them. First, satellite C
The broadcast receiving unit 201 receives digital television broadcast signals such as ATV and terrestrial waves, and performs demodulation, error correction, and the like. next,
The output signal is separated by a demultiplexer 202 into an MPEG video signal, an MPEG audio signal, and other data signals. Other data signals include EPG information, text information such as teletext, video information, audio information, programs and the like.

In the case of encrypted TS, CAM2
At 10, a decryption key and a decryption program are required. The MPEG video decoder 203 decodes a video signal compressed by the MPEG system, stores it in the display data storage unit 204, and converts it into an NTSC system signal by the display data generation unit 205.

The MPEG audio decoder 206 has an M
Decode the audio signal compressed by PEG method,
It is stored in the voice data storage unit 207. Then, the audio signal is D / A converted by the D / A converter 208, and is output as a left channel signal and a right channel signal.

When making a program reservation, the CPU 209 creates a program table (OSD) based on the received EPG information,
It is stored in the display data storage unit 204. The display data generation unit 205 converts the program guide into an NTSC system signal after being combined with the video signal and displays it on the monitor. Then, the user uses the remote controller (not shown) or the like to select a program to be reserved on the OSD and stores it in the reservation information storage unit 213.
The channel selection unit 214 monitors the reservation information storage unit 213, and selects and displays the channel at the broadcast time of the reserved program.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of a digital broadcast receiving system to which a plurality of IRDs are connected. In the figure,
1a, 1b and 1c are for BS digital broadcasting and CS, respectively
It is an IRD for digital broadcasting and cable digital broadcasting. 2a and 2b are antennas for BS digital broadcasting and CS digital broadcasting, respectively. Reference numerals 5a and 5b are antenna cables for BS digital broadcasting and CS digital broadcasting, respectively. Reference numeral 7 is a cable for cable digital broadcasting.

When receiving a plurality of broadcast services, conventionally, as shown in FIG. 7, an IRD 1 dedicated to each broadcast service is used.
The programs are selected using the remote controllers attached to the IRDs 1a to 1c dedicated to each broadcasting service based on the EPG information created in each broadcasting service using a to 1c. In addition, as in FIG. 5, a VTR is provided between each of the IRDs 1a to 1c and the monitor 3.
It goes without saying that recording / playback can be performed by connecting 6 to each other.

[0020]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional digital broadcast receiving system, the EPG created by each broadcast service is used when selecting / reserving a program by the IRD.
Since the program must be selected based on the information, when broadcasting the same content (program) such as a movie in each broadcasting service, it is determined that the content is the same but different on the EPG. There was an occasion. Furthermore, since the content names are written differently depending on the language of each country, it was not possible to manage the content worldwide.

Therefore, according to the present invention, when broadcasting the same content such as a movie by a plurality of broadcasting services, it is possible to determine that they are the same on the EPG, a digital broadcasting transmitting method, a digital broadcasting receiving apparatus, and An object is to provide an identifier assigning device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a digital broadcast transmitter, a digital broadcast transmission method, a digital broadcast receiver, and an identifier assigning device that can manage contents worldwide.

[0023]

In order to achieve the above object, the digital broadcast transmitter of the present invention shows an identifier generating means for generating an identifier for specifying the same program content to be digitally broadcast, and the identifier indicates the identifier. Program generating means for generating a program of the content, event information table generating means for generating an event information table in which the identifier is arranged, and program arrangement information for generating program arrangement information based on the generated event information table The present invention further includes a generation unit, a transport stream generation unit that multiplexes the generated program arrangement information and the generated program to generate a transport stream, and a transmission unit that transmits the generated transport stream. .

[0024] Further, the digital broadcast receiver for receiving the transport stream transmitted from the digital broadcast transmitter further comprises program associating means for associating a plurality of programs in the broadcast service based on the identifier. Characterize.

Further, an identifier assigning device for issuing an identifier for identifying a program having the same content transmitted from a digital broadcast transmitter, which comprises a computer for requesting registration of the identifier and a management computer connected by a network. The registration request is received and the identifier is issued.

The digital broadcast transmission method of the present invention comprises: an identifier generating step of generating an identifier for specifying the same program content to be digitally broadcast; a program generating step of generating a program having the content indicated by the identifier; An event information table generating step of generating an arranged event information table, a program sequence information generating step of generating program sequence information based on the generated event information table, the generated program sequence information and the generation The method includes a transport stream generation step of generating a transport stream by multiplexing the generated program and a transmission step of transmitting the generated transport stream.

[0027]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a digital broadcast transmitter, a digital broadcast transmitting method, a digital broadcast receiver and an identifier assigning device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, when the user selects a program,
It is applied to a digital broadcast receiving system that selects a desired program from a program guide created based on EPG information provided from the broadcasting service side using a remote controller. Here, the EPG information is described in the event information table (EIT) in the program arrangement information (SI). The structure of this information is defined by the standards of the Radio Industry Industry (ARIB) and is a global standard, so-called MP.
It is a standard based on EG2.

[First Embodiment] The configuration of the digital broadcast receiving system in the first embodiment is the same as the conventional configuration shown in FIG. 5, and therefore the description thereof is omitted. Also,
The configuration of the IRD 1 is also the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 6 of the related art, and therefore its description is omitted.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a transmitter in digital broadcasting. In the figure, reference numeral 501 is a content identification descriptor generation unit that generates a content identification descriptor. Reference numeral 502 is another descriptor generation unit that generates another descriptor. An event information table generation unit 503 arranges the content identification descriptor generated by the content identification descriptor generation unit 501 and the other descriptors generated by the other descriptor generation unit 502 to generate an event information table. is there.

Reference numeral 504 is another table generation unit for generating another table. A program arrangement information generation unit 505 arranges the event information table generated by the event information table generation unit 503 and the other tables generated by the other table generation unit 504 to generate program arrangement information.

A program generation unit 506 generates a program consisting of an elementary stream (ES) of data such as video, audio and characters. 507 is a program sequence information generation unit 50
5 is a multiplexing unit that stores the program arrangement information generated in 5 and the ES of data such as video, audio, and characters generated by the program generation unit 506 in a packet and multiplexes it into one TS. 508
Is a transport stream transmitter that transmits the TS multiplexed by the multiplexer 507 to each IRD.

When the content identification descriptor generation unit 501 generates a content identification descriptor, the content creator must register the content. Content registration is possible by sending the content name electronically to a content registration agency. Each broadcast service generates a content identification descriptor using the issued content identification code. At that time, if a live program such as a sports broadcast is not registered before being broadcast, the registration will not be in time for the match day. Also, in order to be transmitted as EPG information, registration must be completed in advance. Therefore, the date of the content identification code can be set to the same date as the game date by reserving and registering the date of the game day. However, due to cancellation of game, postponement, etc.
The content identification code that was not actually used is a missing number.

The acceptance of the request for registration of the content identification descriptor and its issuance are performed by an identifier assigning device composed of a computer for requesting the registration of the content identification descriptor and a management computer connected by a network.

FIG. 2 shows a content identification descriptor generator 501.
It is a figure which shows the content identification descriptor as a new descriptor produced | generated by. In the figure, 400 is a content identification descriptor. 401 is a descriptor name indicating that it is a content identification descriptor. Reference numeral 402 is an 8-bit field that represents a descriptor tag and is a value that identifies this descriptor.

Reference numeral 403 is an 8-bit field representing the descriptor length, which defines the byte length of the data portion immediately following this field. Reference numeral 404 is a 24-bit field representing a country code, which represents a country name using three alphabetic characters defined by ISO3166. Each letter is I
It is encoded with 8 bits according to SO8859-1 and inserted into 24 bits in that order. This field indicates the country of origin of the content. In the case of Japan, "JPN" is "425
04 E ”.

Reference numeral 405 is a 16-bit field representing a date. In this field, the modified Julian day (MJ
D) is used. This field represents the content registration processing date. For example, "January 1, 2000" is "C9
57 ". Reference numeral 406 is a 24-bit field that represents the serial number of the content. A value is assigned to this field in the order of application by the content registration agency.
This value is a value capable of processing about 200 cases per second. Here, the above fields 404, 405, and 406 are set as one set to be a content identification code.

Reference numeral 407 is an 8-bit field representing the character length of the content name. In this field, the byte length of the subsequent content name is given. Reference numeral 408 is an 8-bit field that represents an alphabet. A content name is given to a series of character information fields. The content name is the title shown when registering this descriptor. In order to make the textual information common to all countries, ISO8
It is encoded by 8 bits according to 859-1.
Reference numeral 409 is an 8-bit field indicating the number of associated identification descriptors. In this field, the number of content identification codes, which is a set of the following country code, date, and serial number, is given.

Reference numeral 410 is a 24-bit field representing the country code of the associated identification descriptor. Field 410
Represents the same content as the field 404. 411 is a 16-bit field indicating the date of the associated identification descriptor. The field 411 represents the same content as the field 405. Reference numeral 412 is a 24-bit field that represents the serial number of the content of the associated identification descriptor. The field 412 represents the same content as the field 406.

As described above, by assigning the date and the serial number to each country of origin of the content, it becomes possible to manage the content worldwide. For example, content distributed worldwide, such as movies, includes titles, sounds, and
Even if subtitles are attached, there is only one piece of original content, which can be represented using the content identification descriptor.
Language information such as audio and subtitles for each country can be easily determined by using it together with other descriptors such as an extended format event descriptor. Furthermore, by describing the content identification code of the related content identification descriptor in the sequel or special edition, it is possible to clearly express the relationship between the contents.

Therefore, by using the content identification descriptor in the EPG information, it is possible to appropriately select the content in the world, and the user can easily find or exclude the same content as desired. .
Further, since the content association is described, it is possible to easily search for or exclude related content.

[Second Embodiment] In the second embodiment,
The case where the content identification descriptor of the first embodiment, which is a content identification method in a broadcasting service, is used for a plurality of broadcasting services is shown.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the structure of the IRD in the digital broadcast receiving system capable of receiving a plurality of broadcast services in the second embodiment. This IRD1
1, the broadcast receiving unit 601, the demultiplexer 602,
There are as many video decoders 603, audio decoders 604, and CAMs 605 as there are broadcasting services to be received, such as satellite, ground wave, and cable. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a program selection processing procedure in the digital broadcast receiving system. First,
The EPG information obtained from each broadcasting service is stored in the program information storage unit 211 as needed, and the content identification descriptor is also stored (step S1). The CPU 209 creates a program guide based on the EPG information in the program information storage unit 211 (step S2). At that time, the user can display a plurality of broadcasting services at the same time, or switch and display each broadcasting service.

When the user selects a program from this program table, the content identification descriptor is used for association.
That is, waiting for the user to select a program (step S3), when the user selects a certain program, programs having the same content identification code are listed and displayed (step S4). This list is all past and future programs stored in the program information storage unit 211. However, at this time, the user only
You can switch to future programs only. The user
A program is further selected based on the display (step S
5). Then, this process ends.

For example, even if programs having the same content identification code have different viewing charges, the user can select which program to watch. For a live broadcast such as a sports game, it is possible to know later whether or not there is a recorded broadcast. In addition, it is possible to split a screen and simultaneously watch programs being broadcast in the same time period by a plurality of broadcasting services having the same content identification code.

As described above, by using the content identification descriptor for the EPG information, the user can easily search for or exclude the same content from a plurality of broadcasting services. Further, since the content association is described, it is possible to easily search for or exclude related content from a plurality of broadcasting services.

The above is the description of the embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the configurations of these embodiments, and the functions shown in the scope of claims or the embodiments Any structure can be applied as long as the function of the structure can be achieved.

For example, by sending the content identification code of the content identification descriptor, which is the method of identifying the content, to the broadcast service, it becomes possible to make a broadcast request such as video on demand. Since this content identification code determines the content appropriately, it is suitable when a telephone or a computer is used for the broadcast service and a program broadcast is requested via the network. By using the IRD having this function, it is possible to make a request using the remote controller. However, since there are a plurality of programs depending on the content, the user selects a program from the program list presented by the broadcasting service. Here, the plurality of programs to be presented may have different audio languages, different subtitle languages, and the like, although the viewing charges differ.

When a user views a broadcast program and desires to view a past program associated with the program, the related content identification code described in the content identification descriptor is sent to the broadcasting service. By transmitting, it becomes possible to request the broadcast of the desired program.

As described above, by using the content identification descriptor in the EPG information, the content identification code can be transmitted to the broadcast service and the broadcast request of the program can be easily made. Furthermore, since the content association can be described in the content identification descriptor of the program viewed by the user, it is possible to easily make a broadcast request for the related program.

[0051]

According to the present invention, by setting the content identification descriptor including the content identification code for specifying the content, when the same content such as a movie is broadcast by a plurality of broadcasting services, the same content is displayed on the EPG. I can judge that there is. Therefore, if the programs have the same content identification code, the user can select his or her favorite broadcasting service. Also, by setting the content identification descriptor,
You can manage the content globally.

Further, by incorporating the content identification descriptor in the EPG information, special programs such as rebroadcast, simulcast, drama, and sequels are based on the past related content identification code included in the content identification descriptor. Etc. can be easily selected. In addition, when considering a broadcast distribution service such as video on demand, the content selected by the user can be distributed easily. Further, the content can be easily searched.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a transmitter in digital broadcasting.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a content identification descriptor as a new descriptor generated by a content identification descriptor generation unit 501.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an IRD in a digital broadcast receiving system capable of receiving a plurality of broadcast services in the second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a program selection processing procedure in the digital broadcast receiving system.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional digital broadcast receiving system for receiving and viewing digital television broadcasts.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional IRD.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a digital broadcast receiving system to which a plurality of IRDs are connected.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 IRD 209 CPU 211 Program information storage unit 212 Program detection reservation section 213 Reservation information storage unit 400 Content Identification Descriptor 401 descriptor name 501 Content identification descriptor generation unit 503 Event information table generation unit 505 Program arrangement information generation unit 506 Program generator 507 Multiplexing unit 508 Transport Stream Transmission Unit 601 Broadcast receiver 602 Demultiplexer 603 video decoder 604 audio decoder 605 CAM

Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 7/03 7/035

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. An identifier generation unit that generates an identifier that identifies the same program content that is digitally broadcast, a program generation unit that generates a program having the content indicated by the identifier, and an event information table in which the identifier is arranged. Event information table generation means for generating, program arrangement information generation means for generating program arrangement information based on the generated event information table, and multiplexing the generated program arrangement information and the generated program A digital broadcast transmitter, comprising: a transport stream generating means for generating a transport stream according to the above; and a transmitting means for transmitting the generated transport stream. 2. The digital broadcast transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the identifier has country information. 3. The digital broadcast transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the identifier has date information. 4. The digital broadcast transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the identifier includes an identifier of a related past program. 5. The digital broadcast transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the identifier has character data of a program name. 6. A digital broadcast receiver for receiving a transport stream transmitted from the digital broadcast transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the program associating means associates a plurality of programs in a broadcast service based on the identifier. A digital broadcast receiver characterized by having. 7. An identifier storage unit for storing an identifier of a program that has already been viewed or reserved, wherein the program association unit is stored in the identifier storage unit and an identifier of a program to be viewed or reserved. 7. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 6, wherein it is determined whether or not the identifiers are the same, and if they are the same, a message to that effect is displayed. 8. An identifier storage unit for storing an identifier of a program that has already been viewed or reserved, wherein the program association unit is a program to be broadcast in the future based on the identifier stored in the identifier storage unit. 7. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 6, wherein the program having the identifier is searched for and the search result is displayed. 9. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 6, wherein the program associating unit associates also with a program of another broadcast service based on the identifier. 10. A digital broadcast receiver for receiving a transport stream transmitted from the digital broadcast transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the broadcast program requesting means notifies the broadcast service of the identifier and requests the broadcast of the program. A digital broadcast receiver characterized by having. 11. An identifier assigning device for issuing an identifier for identifying a program having the same content, which is transmitted from the digital broadcast transmitter according to claim 1, and is connected to a computer for requesting registration of the identifier via a network. An identifier assigning device comprising a management computer and receiving the registration request and issuing the identifier. 12. The identifier assigning device according to claim 11, wherein the identifier has country information. 13. The identifier assigning device according to claim 11, wherein the identifier has date information. 14. The identifier assigning apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the identifier includes an identifier of a related past program. 15. The identifier assigning device according to claim 11, wherein the identifier has character data of a program name. 16. The identifier assigning device according to claim 13, wherein a future date is assigned to the date information. 17. An identifier generation step of generating an identifier for specifying the same program content to be digitally broadcast, a program generation step of generating a program having the content indicated by the identifier, and an event information table in which the identifier is arranged. An event information table generating step of generating, a program sequence information generating step of generating program sequence information based on the generated event information table, and a multiplexing of the generated program sequence information and the generated program. A digital broadcast transmitting method, comprising: a transport stream generating step of generating a transport stream according to the above; and a transmitting step of transmitting the generated transport stream.