JP2004128567A - Program information sending system and apparatus for local broadcasting station - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a program information sending system which enables CATV stations to send program information for distribution broadcasts including independent broadcasts, in an SI system from all the stations, without being accompanied by a great equipment burden. <P>SOLUTION: A program information provider 10 makes SI information of common services and independent services of all CATV stations and an NIT having a service list of at least the common services, converts the information into TP packets, and sends out them. The CATV station 30 generates an NIT for its own station having its own station service list, replaces its own station NIT with a received NIT from the program information provider; multiplexes; and sends out the own station NIT, the SI information received from the program information provider, video-audio information of the common services to be broadcast by own station, and video-audio information of the independent services. The CATV station 30 can distribute program information of own station services including independent services in the all-station SI system, by having only a means 61 for generating the own station NIT. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system for transmitting program information of digital broadcasting from a local station such as a CATV station, and an apparatus constituting the system. In particular, the present invention relates to a system for transmitting program information of a program broadcasted independently by a local station using low-cost equipment. It enables distribution.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In digital broadcasting, information for the purpose of channel selection, program selection, program guide display, and the like are multiplexed and broadcast together with video and audio data of a program. Such information includes a Network Information Table (NIT), a Program Association Table (PAT), a Program Map Table (PMT), a PSI (Conditional Access Table), a PSI (Conditional Access Table), and a PSI (Program Information: Table). There is an SI (Service Information Table) including an EIT (Event Information Table) and an SDT (Service Description Table).
[0003]
The following information is described in these tables.
NIT: Describes information about the network. It includes tuning information for the transport stream (TS) and a service list in which a service (synonymous with a channel) ID and a service type are described.
PAT: Describes the correspondence between a program (synonymous with a channel) and a PMT packet ID (PID).
PMT: Describes the type of ES (Elementary Stream) and PID that constitute a program (synonymous with a channel).
CAT: Describes information related to the conditional access system.
EIT: Describes information about the event (program ID, program name, program start time, program length, etc.).
SDT: Describes information (service ID, service name, service type, etc.) related to a service (synonymous with a channel).
The same contents are repeatedly broadcast in the PSI and SI tables. The PSI and SI tables are given version numbers, and when the contents change, the version numbers increase. The receiving device (IRD) receives the latest table by looking at the version number.
[0004]
In addition, the receiving device obtains a service list in which all services in the network are described by looking at the NIT. Also, by looking at the SDT, information such as the name of the service is acquired, by looking at the EIT, a broadcast schedule of the program is acquired, and an electronic program guide (EPG) is created and displayed from the information of the SDT and the EIT.
At this time, the receiving device can know the service based on the NIT information. If there is no NIT information, the receiving device cannot create an electronic program guide even if it receives SDT or EIT information.
[0005]
The transmission method of the program information includes, in one transport stream (TS), not only information of a channel (service) transmitted by the TS but also information of a channel transmitted by all other TSs. And a method called “all-station SI method”, which transmits the information of all the channels (services) transmitted by all TSs using one TS.
In the all-station SI system, the program guide of all stations can be displayed on the receiving device without interrupting the program being viewed, which is convenient for the viewer.
[0006]
By the way, the rate of viewing digital broadcasting through CATV is increasing.
CATV stations retransmit digital broadcasts received via satellites, etc., by changing only the modulation system to a system suitable for cable television (64 QAM), but recently, only broadcasting from such broadcasting stations (common broadcasting) Instead, a CATV station independently distributes an independent broadcast program to a subscriber using an independent broadcast channel. The independent broadcast channel can be inserted into a TS by re-multiplexing it with a desired TS.
When a CATV station distributes an independent broadcast program in this way, it is necessary to notify the subscriber of the program information of the program. Instead of retransmitting the program information sent from the broadcast station as it is, the Processing is required to include broadcast program information.
[0007]
Processing and re-transmitting the program information received by the CATV station is performed in the case of a program information transmission system in which program information of channels (services) transmitted in all TSs is transmitted collectively using a specific TS. Is easy to handle. Patent Literature 1 shown below describes a CATV retransmitting device that employs this program information transmission method, reconstructs program information of a different information format received from a BS digital broadcast or a CS digital broadcast, and uses a specific TS. It describes how to retransmit.
[0008]
However, in the case of the all-station SI system, the processing is complicated because the program information included in all TSs must be processed. FIG. 8 shows a conventional CATV station 30 that distributes program information of an independent broadcast in the all-station SI system, a program information providing side 10 that provides common broadcast video / audio information and program information to the CATV station 30, and a CATV station 30. 1 shows a configuration with a receiver 80 that receives broadcasts from a cable.
[0009]
The program information providing side 10 includes a common PSI generation unit 11 that generates PSI information such as NIT including a common broadcast service list (common service list), a common SI generation unit 12 that generates common broadcast SI information, Encoders (ENC) 14 and 17 for encoding broadcast video / audio data, and TS packet transmission for shaping the SI / PSI information generated by the common PSI generation unit 11 and the common SI generation unit 12 into TS packets and transmitting the TS packets Multiplexing units (MUX) 15 and 18 for multiplexing the SI / PSI information transmitted from the TS packet transmitting units 13 and 16 and the encoded video / audio data output from the ENCs 14 and 17; And an RF multiplexing unit 19 for transmitting the output of each of the MUXs 15 and 18 on a radio signal. The ENC (14, 17), the TS packet transmitting units (13, 16), and the MUXs (15, 18) are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of TSs.
[0010]
The CATV station 30 includes an antenna 31 for receiving a transmission signal from the program information providing side 10, a separator (DIV) 32 for separating a received signal for each TS, IRTs 33, 36, and 39 for extracting TS packets, PID replacement units 34, 37, and 40 for deleting SI / PSI information sent from the information providing side 10, a PSI generation unit 44 for generating an NIT including a service list of services provided by the CATV station 30, and a CATV station An SI generation unit 45 that generates SI information of a service provided by the TPS 30; a PSI generation unit 44; and TS packet transmission units 35 and 38 that form the SI / PSI information generated by the SI generation unit 45 into TS packets and transmit the TS packets. , 41, an ENC 42 for encoding video / audio data for independent broadcasting, and a receiver setting unit 4 for sending contract information for the independent broadcasting and the like. And MUXs 46 and 47 for multiplexing the outputs of the PID replacement units 34 and 37 and the outputs of the TS packet transmission units 35 and 38, and the outputs of the PID replacement unit 40, the TS packet transmission unit 41, the ENC 42, and the receiver setting unit 43. MUX 48 for multiplexing, SCRs 49, 50, 51 for encrypting the outputs of MUXs 46, 47, 48 to prevent unauthorized viewing, modulators 52, 53, 54 for 64QAM modulating the outputs of SCRs 49, 50, 51, and modulator And a mixer (MIX) 55 for mixing the outputs of 52, 53 and 54. IRT (33, 36, 39), PID replacement unit (34, 37, 40), TS packet transmission unit (35, 38, 41), MUX (46, 47, 48), SCR (49, 50, 51), And modulators (52, 53, 54) are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of TSs.
[0011]
Further, the receiver 80 separates a tuner 81 for tuning the TS, a TS demodulator 82 for demodulating the TS, a CA Desc 85 for decrypting the encryption, a TS packet of the AV and a TS packet of the SI / PSI information. A De MUX 85, a setting management unit 84 that manages contract information and controls viewing and listening, an AV display unit 89 that displays video and audio, an EPG processing unit 86 that performs EPG processing using SI / PSI information, and an electronic program guide. And an EPG display section 90 for displaying the same.
[0012]
When receiving the SI / PSI from the De MUX 85, the EPG processing unit 86 receives the NIT included in the PSI by the NIT receiving unit 88 and stores it in the NIT storage unit 87. Further, an electronic program guide is created using the SI / PSI information and displayed on the EPG display unit 90. When the user selects a channel from the EPG, a tuning instruction is issued to the tuner 81 based on the information of the NIT, and the PID of the TS packet used for AV display is identified from the SI / PSI information and transmitted to the De MUX 85. The De MUX 85 separates the transmitted TS packet of the PID and sends it to the AV display unit 89, which displays video and audio.
[0013]
Also, the De MUX 85 sends the conditional access control information (CA) and the individual key information (EMM) to the setting management unit 84, and the setting management unit 84 cancels the encryption in the CA Desc 85 based on the information. Control.
The program information providing side 10 sends out the SI / PSI information of the common broadcast by the all-stations SI method.
[0014]
Note that the Japanese CATV standard specifies that when transmitting SI / PSI information, a fixed PID is attached to the TS packet of such information regardless of the TS. For example, the PID of EIT (program information) is “0x12”, and the PID of SDT (channel information) is “0x42”. By fixing the PID of the SI / PSI information in this way, the receiving side can identify the SI / PSI information only by looking at the PID.
[0015]
On the other hand, the CATV station 30 generates the SI / PSI information of the service provided by the CATV station 30 by the PSI generation unit 44 and the SI generation unit 45. The services provided by the CATV station 30 include a common broadcast service and an independent broadcast service provided by the program information providing side 10. At this time, a part of the common broadcasting service can be excluded from the provided services.
[0016]
The CATV station 30 deletes all the SI / PSI information set by the program information providing side 10 included in the reception information by the PID replacement units 34, 37, and 40. Instead, the PSI generation unit 44 and the SI generation unit 45 The generated SI / PSI information is transmitted by the all-stations SI method.
With such a configuration, the CATV station 30 can transmit the SI / PSI information including the program information of the independent broadcast in the all-station SI system.
[0017]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-218182 A
[0018]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in this CATV station, since the SI / PSI information is recreated on behalf of the program information providing side, it is necessary to have an expensive SI / PSI information generating device at the same level as the program information providing side. There is a problem that the burden is too heavy for the CATV station.
In this case, if the independent broadcast program information can be inserted and retransmitted without discarding the SI / PSI information sent from the program information providing side, the equipment burden on the CATV station is reduced. Since the SI / PSI information is divided into sections and the sections are further divided into TS packets and sent, it is technically extremely difficult to find a break in the SI / PSI information and insert the program information of the independent broadcast. Have difficulty. Also, if the program information of the independent broadcast is inserted at a dark position, the section of the SI / PSI information is broken, and the receiving side cannot reconstruct the SI / PSI information.
[0019]
The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and it is possible that a local station such as a CATV station transmits program information of a distribution broadcast including an independent broadcast by an all-station SI system without a large facility burden. It is another object of the present invention to provide a program information transmission system capable of providing such a program information and a device constituting the system.
[0020]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Therefore, in the present invention, a local station distributes video / audio information of a common service and video / audio information of an independent service acquired from a program information providing side, and transmits program information for distributing the program information by an all-station SI system. In the system, the program information providing side creates SI information of the common service and the voluntary service of all local stations and an NIT having at least a service list of the common service, converts them into TS packets, and sends them out. , Generates a local NIT having a service list of the local station, replaces the NIT received from the program information providing side with the local NIT, and stores the local NIT and the SI information received from the program information providing side. And the multiplexing of the video and audio information of the common service and the video and audio information of the independent service broadcasted in the own station.
With such a configuration, the local station can distribute the program information of its own service including its own service by the all-station SI system only by having the generating means for generating its own NIT.
[0021]
Further, in the program information transmission system of the present invention, the program information providing side creates SI information of the common service and the voluntary service of all local stations and NITs having service lists of the respective local stations, and stores the local information in the NIT. The local station receiving the PID with the PID of each station, transmitting the packet as a TS packet together with the SI information, and replacing the NID with the PID for the local station with the original PID, It is configured to multiplex and transmit the SI information received from the program information providing side, the video and audio information of the common service to be broadcasted by the own station, and the video and audio information of the independent service.
With such a configuration, the local station can distribute the program information of the service of the local station including the self-service by the all-station SI method without having the NIT generating means.
[0022]
Further, in the present invention, a local station apparatus that distributes video / audio information of a common service and video / audio information of an independent service acquired from a program information providing side and distributes the program information by an all-station SI method includes: NIT generating means for generating a local NIT having a service list of NIT, and NIT replacing means for replacing the NIT received from the program information providing side with the local NIT are provided. The SI information of the station's own service is acquired, and the SI information, the NIT for the own station, the video / audio information of the common service broadcasted by the local station, and the video / audio information of the independent service are multiplexed and transmitted. It is composed.
With such a configuration, the local station can distribute the program information of its own service including its own service by the all-station SI system only by having the generating means for generating its own NIT, thereby reducing the facility load. .
[0023]
Further, the local station apparatus of the present invention obtains a NIT having a service list of the local station to which the PID for the local station is attached from the program information providing side, and replaces the PID for the local station with the original PID of the NIT. A replacement unit is provided to obtain the SI information of the common service and the voluntary service of all the local stations from the program information providing side. The SI information, the NIT replaced by the PID replacement unit, and the video of the common service broadcast by the own station are provided. The audio information and the video / audio information of the independent service are multiplexed and transmitted.
With such a configuration, the local station does not need the NIT generation means, and the load on the equipment can be further reduced.
[0024]
According to the present invention, in a receiver receiving distribution of video / audio information of a common service, video / audio information of an independent service, and program information from a local station, a service list of the local station and a common service can be transmitted from a specific TS. Difference information receiving means for obtaining difference information from the service list of the other, a NIT receiving means for obtaining information of a service list of a common service from another TS, and a local station from the information obtained by the difference information receiving means and the NIT receiving means. NIT combining means for combining NITs having the service list of
With such a configuration, the NIT having the service list of the local station can be synthesized on the receiver side.
[0025]
Also, in the receiver of the present invention, the NIT extraction means for extracting the NIT having the service list of the independent service from the setting management information of the receiver received from the local station, the NIT information extracted by the NIT extraction means, NIT processing means for processing the information of the service list of the common service acquired with reference to the above and combining the NIT with the service list of the local station.
With such a configuration, the NIT having the service list of the local station can be synthesized on the receiver side.
[0026]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(1st Embodiment)
The first embodiment of the present invention relates to a program information transmission system in which a CATV station generates an NIT including a service list of a service provided by itself and replaces the NIT sent from the program information providing side with the NIT and transmits the NIT. explain.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 1, the program information providing side 10 constituting this system includes, as shown in FIG. 1, an all-PSI generation unit 20 that creates PSI information of a common broadcast and PSI information of an independent broadcast independently performed by each CATV station 30. It has an all-SI generator 21 for creating SI information of broadcasting and SI information of independent broadcasting performed independently by each CATV station 30. In addition, like the program information providing side 10 in FIG. Encoders (ENCs) 14 and 17 for encoding the video / audio data, and TS packet transmitting units 13 and 16 for transmitting the TS packets of the SI / PSI information generated by the all-PSI generator 20 and the all-SI generator 21. A multiplexing unit (MUX) 15 that multiplexes the SI / PSI information transmitted from the TS packet transmitting units 13 and 16 and the encoded video / audio data output from the ENCs 14 and 17; Includes a 8, a RF multiplexing unit 19 for transmitting the output of each MUX15,18 placed on a radio signal.
[0028]
Further, the CATV station 30 replaces the NIT generated by the NIT generation unit 61 with the NIT generation unit 61 that generates the NIT including the service list of the service provided by the station and the NIT transmitted from the program information providing side 10. NIT replacement units 62, 63, and 64 are provided. In addition, similarly to the CATV station shown in FIG. 8, an antenna 31 that receives a transmission signal from the program information providing side 10 and a reception signal are separated for each TS. A separator (DIV) 32, IRTs 33, 36, and 39 for extracting TS packets, an ENC 42 for encoding video / audio data for independent broadcasting, and reception for sending contract information for independent broadcasting of each receiver 80 and the like. Device setting section 43, NIT replacement section 64, MUX 48 for multiplexing the outputs of ENC 42 and receiver setting section 43, and NIT replacement section 6 for preventing unauthorized viewing. , 63 for encrypting the output of the MUX 48, modulators 52, 53, 54 for 64QAM modulating the output of the SCRs 49, 50, 51, and modulators 52, 53, 54. And a mixer (MIX) 55 for mixing the outputs. The CATV station 30 transmits the video / audio data for the independent broadcast using the vacant TS received from the program information providing side 10.
The configuration of the receiver 80 is the same as that of FIG.
[0029]
Next, the operation of this system will be described.
The all-PSI generation unit 20 of the program information providing side 10 creates PSI information of the common broadcast service and PSI information of the independent broadcast service that each CATV station 30 independently performs. , The SI information of the common broadcast service and the SI information of the independent broadcast service independently performed by each CATV station 30 are created. The TS packet transmitting units 13 and 16 form the SI / PSI information generated by the all PSI generating unit 20 and the all SI generating unit 21 into TS packets and transmit them. The SI / PSI information is multiplexed by the multiplexing units (MUX) 15 and 18 with the video / audio data of the program encoded by the ENCs 14 and 17 and transmitted from the RF multiplexing unit 19.
The signal transmitted from the program information providing side 10 is received by the antenna 31 of the CATV station 30, separated by the DIV 32 for each TS, and the TS packets are extracted by the IRTs 33, 36, and 39.
[0030]
The NIT generation unit 61 of the CATV station 30 generates an NIT including a list of all services broadcast by the CATV station 30. The services broadcast by the CATV station 30 include a common broadcast service and an independent broadcast service provided by the program information providing side 10. In addition, a part of the common broadcasting service can be excluded.
The NIT replacement units 62, 63, and 64 discard TS packets including the PID of the NIT from the TS packets extracted by the IRTs 33, 36, and 39, and take in the NIT generated by the NIT generation unit 61. The data output from the NIT replacement units 62 and 63 is encrypted by the SCRs 49 and 50 and 64QAM-modulated by the modulators 52 and 53. The data output from the NIT replacement unit 64 is multiplexed by the MUX 48 with the video / audio data of the independent broadcast coded by the ENC 42 and the contract information transmitted from the receiver setting unit 43, and encrypted by the SCR 51. The modulator 54 performs 64QAM modulation. The signals of the respective TSs modulated by the modulators 52, 53 and 54 are mixed and transmitted to the receiver 80 via a cable.
[0031]
The receiver 80 receives the TS packet of the TS tuned by the tuner 81, demodulates the TS packet by the TS demodulation unit 82, and releases the encryption by the CA Desc 85 under the management of the setting management unit 84. The De MUX 85 sends the SI / PSI information to the EPG processing unit 86. When the EPG processing unit 86 receives the SI / PSI from the De MUX 85, it stores the NIT in the NIT storage unit 87. This NIT is generated by the NIT generation unit 61 of the CATV station 30. Further, the EPG processing unit 86 generates and displays an EPG using the SI / PSI information.
[0032]
At this time, the SI information includes the SI information of the common broadcast service generated by the all SI generation unit 21 of the program information providing side 10 and the SI information of the independent broadcast service of each CATV station 30. Since the NIT stored in the NIT storage unit 87 includes only the service list of the service broadcast by the CATV station 30, the electronic program guide of only the service provided from the CATV station 30 described in this service list is included. Is displayed.
[0033]
When the user selects a program from the electronic program guide, the EPG processing unit 86 acquires frequency information from the stored NIT, instructs tuning of the tuner 81, and obtains the PID of the AV data from the SI / PSI information. And transmits it to De MUX85. The De MUX 85 separates the TS packet of the PID and sends it to the AV display unit 89, which displays video and audio.
[0034]
As described above, in this program information transmission system, the generation of SI information is left to the program information providing side, and the CATV station generates only the NIT including the list of services broadcast by the CATV station. The information amount of this NIT is about 1/1000 of the information amount of SI, which is extremely small. The information content of the NIT hardly changes. Therefore, even if a CATV station is provided with an NIT generation unit that generates an NIT, the burden on the CATV station is extremely small.
[0035]
Here, a case has been described in which the PSI generation section 20 of the program information providing side 10 generates the PSI of all services including the independent broadcast service, but this PSI generation section generates only the PSI of the common broadcast. You may do it. In this case, the CATV station that provides only the common broadcast service without performing the independent broadcast service only needs to transmit the SI / PSI information received from the program information providing side 10 as it is.
[0036]
(Second embodiment)
In the second embodiment, a case will be described in which a CATV station operates an independent broadcasting service using its own TS. In the all-station SI system, the SI / PSI information of all services provided by the CATV station must be included in the TS independently operated by the CATV station. Even if the generation of SI / PSI information to be included in this independently operated TS is entrusted to the program information providing side as in the first embodiment, how the program information providing side 10 that does not operate the TS can generate the SI / PSI information. The problem is whether to send the SI / PSI information to the CATV station.
In this system, the program information provider 10 transmits the SI / PSI information with a PID that is not the original PID, and the CATV station that has received the SI / PSI information replaces the PID with the original PID and executes the TS that is independently operated. To be included.
[0037]
In this program information transmission system, as shown in FIG. 2, the TS packet transmission unit 16 of the program information providing side 10 includes an independent TS processing unit 22 for attaching a special PID to SI / PSI information for independent broadcast TS. I have. Further, the CATV station 30 includes PID replacement units 65 and 66 for adding an original PID to SI / PSI information to which a special PID is added and deleting unnecessary SI / PSI information. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment (FIG. 1).
[0038]
Next, the operation of this system will be described.
The all-PSI generation unit 20 of the program information providing side 10 generates PSI of all services including the independent broadcast service of each CATV station 30, and the all-SI generation unit 21 generates the independent broadcast service of each CATV station 30. Create SI information for all services including the service. The TS packet transmitting units 13 and 16 transmit TS packets of the SI / PSI information generated by the all-PSI generating unit 20 and the all-SI generating unit 21. Further, the independent TS processing unit 22 of the TS packet transmitting unit 16 generates a TS packet of the SI / PSI information for the TS independently operated by the CATV station 30, and transmits the TS packet with a special PID. The SI / PSI information transmitted from the TS packet transmitting units 13 and 16 is multiplexed with the encoded video / audio data of the program and transmitted.
[0039]
The signal transmitted from the program information providing side 10 is received by the CATV station 30, separated by the DIV 32 for each TS, and the IRTs 33, 36, and 39 extract TS packets. The PID replacement unit 65 deletes the SI / PSI information to which the special PID has been added. Therefore, only the SI / PSI information to which the original PID is attached remains. On the other hand, the PID replacement unit 66 deletes the SI / PSI information to which the regular PID has been attached, and replaces the PID of the SI / PSI information to which the special PID has been attached with the original PID.
[0040]
Subsequent operations are the same as in the first embodiment. The SI / PSI information whose PID has been replaced by the PID replacement unit 66 is multiplexed by the MUX 48 with the video / audio of the independent broadcast and the contract information transmitted from the receiver setting unit 43 after the NIT replacement is performed. The data is encrypted by the SCR 51, 64QAM-modulated by the modulator 54, and transmitted by the TS independently operated by the CATV station 30.
[0041]
FIG. 7 schematically shows the SI / PSI information of each TS received by the CATV station 30 and the SI / PSI information of each TS transmitted from the CATV station 30 in this system. The CATV station 30 operates the TS5 independently. The SI / PSI information included in the TS5 is transmitted by the TS4 with a different PID. The CATV station 30 deletes the SI / PSI information provided with another PID from the TS4 and leaves only the original SI / PSI information in the TS4. Further, from the received TS4, the SI / PSI information with the regular PID is deleted, and the PID of the SI / PSI information with another PID is replaced with the original PID to obtain the SI / PSI information of TS5.
As described above, in this program information transmission system, even when the CATV station operates its own broadcasting service using its own TS, it is possible to transmit program information by the all-station SI system.
[0042]
(Third embodiment)
In the third embodiment of the present invention, a program information transmission system in which an NIT including a service list of a CATV station is generated on the program information providing side will be described.
In this system, as shown in FIG. 3, on the program information providing side 10, a common PSI generation unit 23 for generating a PSI of a common broadcast service is provided by a NIT for each CATV station (that is, a service provided from each CATV station). The NIT generation unit 24 for each CATV which generates a NIT including the list of the CATV stations, and the TS packet transmission units 13 and 16 transmit the NITs for each CATV station with a separate PID added to each NIT. Separate PID sending units 25 and 26 are provided.
[0043]
Further, the CATV station 30 deletes the NIT provided with the regular PID in place of the NIT generating unit and the NIT replacing unit, and replaces the PID of the NIT provided with the PID for the CATV station 30 with the regular PID. PID replacement units 67, 68, and 69 are provided. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment (FIG. 1).
[0044]
Next, the operation of this system will be described.
The CATV-specific NIT generator 24 of the common PSI generator 23 of the program information providing side 10 grasps the service provided by each CATV station, and generates an NIT including a list of services of each CATV station.
Further, the all-SI generator 21 creates SI information of all services including the independent broadcasting service of each CATV station 30.
The NIT-specific PID transmitting units 25 and 26 of the TS packet transmitting units 13 and 16 attach the PID of each CATV station to the NIT of each CATV station generated by the CATV-specific NIT generating unit 24 and transmit the same.
[0045]
On the other hand, when the PID replacement units 67, 68, and 69 of the CATV station 30 receive the NIT with the regular PID, they delete the NIT and receive the NIT with the PID for the CATV station 30. In that case, the PID is replaced with a regular PID.
By performing such a process, the receiver 80 that has received the data transmitted from the CATV station 30 identifies only the NIT for the CATV station 30 to which the regular PID has been assigned as the NIT. Therefore, the receiver 80 performs the same processing as in the first embodiment.
Thus, in this program information transmission system, there is no need to provide a NIT generation unit in the CATV station, and the configuration of the CATV station can be simplified.
[0046]
(Fourth embodiment)
In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, a description will be given of a program information transmission system in which a CATV station transmits an NIT including a service list of the station by a specific TS, and a receiver receives the NIT from the TS.
In this program information transmission system, as shown in FIG. 4, the CATV station 30 generates an NIT including a list of services provided by the station, and transmits it with a special PID different from a regular PID. A specific NIT generating unit 70 is provided, and an EPG processing unit 86 of the receiver 80 includes a specific NIT receiving unit 91 that receives the NIT.
[0047]
Next, the operation of this system will be described.
The common PSI generator 23 of the program information providing side 10 creates PSI information of common broadcast, and the all SI generator 21 creates SI information of all services including the independent broadcast service of each CATV station 30. The program information providing side 10 sends these pieces of information in all TSs.
[0048]
In the CATV station 30, the specific NIT generation unit 70 generates an NIT including a list of services provided from the station, and transmits the NIT with a special PID different from a regular PID. The output of the specific NIT generation unit 70 includes the information received from the program information providing side 10, the video / audio data of the independent broadcast encoded by the ENC 42, the contract information transmitted from the receiver setting unit 43, and the like, and the MUX 48. It is multiplexed and transmitted to the receiver 80 by a specific TS. In another TS, the information received from the program information providing side 10 is transmitted as it is.
[0049]
The receiver 80 first receives this specific TS. The specific NIT receiving unit 91 of the EPG processing unit 86 receives the NIT to which the special PID has been added and stores it in the NIT storage unit 87.
Thus, the NIT including the service list of the CATV station is stored in the NIT storage unit 87, so that even if each TS includes the SI of all services including the independent broadcasting service of each CATV station, the NIT is stored in the electronic program guide. Displays a program guide for only the services provided by the CATV station 30.
[0050]
As described above, in this program information transmission system, the program information providing side generates SIs of all services and distributes them from each TS, and the CATV station generates an NIT including a service list of the station itself and distributes them from a specific TS. The receiver obtains the NIT including the service list of the CATV station from the specific TS, and with this configuration, it is possible to transmit program information by the all-station SI system.
[0051]
(Fifth embodiment)
In a fifth embodiment of the present invention, a program information transmission system in which a receiver generates a NIT of a CATV station from reception information will be described.
In this program information transmission system, as shown in FIG. 5, the CATV station 30 includes a difference NIT generation unit 71 for generating a difference (difference NIT) between the NIT including the service list of the CATV station and the NIT of the common broadcast. Also, the EPG processing unit 86 of the receiver 80 includes a differential NIT receiving unit 92 that receives a differential NIT from a specific TS, a NIT receiving unit 93 that receives a NIT of a common broadcast, a NIT receiving unit 93 that receives a NIT of a common broadcast, And an NIT synthesizing unit 94 for synthesizing the NIT of the CATV station.
Other configurations are the same as those of the fourth embodiment (FIG. 4).
[0052]
Next, the operation of this system will be described.
The common PSI generator 23 of the program information providing side 10 creates PSI information of common broadcast, and the all SI generator 21 creates SI information of all services including the independent broadcast service of each CATV station 30. The program information providing side 10 sends these pieces of information in all TSs.
[0053]
In the CATV station 30, the difference NIT generation unit 71 generates a difference NIT. The difference NIT is multiplexed by the MUX 48 with information received from the program information provider 10, video / audio data of the independent broadcast encoded by the ENC 42, contract information transmitted from the receiver setting unit 43, and the like. It is transmitted to the receiver 80 by the TS. In another TS, the information received from the program information providing side 10 is transmitted as it is.
In the receiver 80, the difference NIT receiving unit 92 of the EPG processing unit 86 acquires the difference NIT from a specific TS. Further, the NIT receiving unit 93 scans each TS to acquire the NIT included in the PSI information of the common broadcast. The NIT combining unit 94 combines the NIT acquired by the NIT receiving unit 93 and the difference NIT acquired by the difference NIT receiving unit 92, combines the NIT of the service provided by the CATV station 30, and stores the combined NIT in the NIT storage unit 87. I do.
Subsequent operations are the same as in the fourth embodiment.
[0054]
In this program information transmission system, even when there is a change in the NIT such as a BS broadcast or a CS broadcast, the CATV station 30 does not need to reflect the change in the NIT (differential NIT) created by itself. Therefore, the operation of the CATV station becomes easy.
The receiver 80 has to scan each TS. However, even if it is not necessary to take NIT information, it must go to other information such as EIT every day, so that the burden does not increase.
[0055]
(Sixth embodiment)
In the sixth embodiment of the present invention, a description will be given of a program information transmission system in which a receiver extracts NIT information from receiver setting information and generates an NIT of a CATV station.
In this system, as shown in FIG. 6, the CATV station 30 includes an NIT adding unit 72 that adds NIT information to receiver setting information such as contract information for an independent broadcast. The unit 84 includes a NIT extraction unit 95 for extracting NIT information from the receiver setting information, and the EPG processing unit 86 performs NIT processing for processing the NIT of the CATV station 30 from the extracted NIT information and the NIT of the common broadcast. A portion 96 is provided.
[0056]
Next, the operation of this system will be described.
The receiver setting unit 43 of the CATV station 30 sets receiver setting information such as contract information for the independent broadcast for each receiver, and the NIT adding unit 72 assigns the NIT of the independent broadcast to the receiver setting information. I do.
On the other hand, in the receiver 80, the NIT extraction unit 95 of the setting management unit 84 extracts NIT information from the receiver setting information. The NIT processing unit 96 of the EPG processing unit 86 processes the extracted NIT information and the NIT information of the common broadcast obtained by scanning each TS to generate the NIT of the CATV station 30, and stores the NIT in the NIT storage unit 87. Store.
Subsequent operations are the same as in the fourth embodiment.
[0057]
As described above, in this program information transmission system, the NIT information of the CATV station can be configured on the receiver side.
It should be noted that in order to cope with a form in which a broadcasting system adopting the all-station SI system and a broadcasting system not adopting the SI system coexist, a correspondence table between network_id specifying the broadcasting system of all broadcasting to be transmitted and the frequency from the program information provider side. Is transmitted in a specific TS, and the receiver obtains a correspondence table from the specific TS, and in the case of a broadcasting system (BS broadcasting / CS broadcasting / D-CATV Remux) adopting the all-station SI system, only one of the TSs is transmitted. , And in the case of other broadcasting systems (terrestrial digital), each TS may be viewed.
[0058]
【The invention's effect】
As apparent from the above description, in the program information transmission system of the present invention, the program information of the services of the local station including the self-service is distributed by the all-station SI system without introducing expensive equipment to the local station. be able to.
Further, the apparatus of the present invention makes it possible to realize such a program information transmission system.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a program information transmission system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a program information transmission system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a program information transmission system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a program information transmission system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a program information transmission system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a program information transmission system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing SI / PSI information in each TS according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional program information transmission system.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Program information provider
11 Common PSI generator
12 Common SI generator
13, 16 TS packet transmission unit
14, 17 ENC
15, 18 MUX
19 RF multiplexing section
20 All PSI generator
21 All SI generator
22 Independent TS processing unit
24 NIT generator for each CATV
25, 26 PID sending unit for each NIT
30 CATV stations
31 antenna
32 DIV
33, 36, 39 IRT
34, 37, 40 PID replacement unit
35, 38, 41 TS packet transmission unit
42 ENC
43 Receiver setting section
44 PSI generator
45 SI generator
46, 47 MUX
49, 50, 51 SCR
52, 53, 54 modulator
55 MIX
61 NIT generator
62, 63, 64 NIT replacement part
65, 66 PID replacement unit
67, 68, 69 PID replacement unit
70 Specific NIT generator
71 Difference NIT generator
72 NIT application section
80 receiver
81 Tuner
82 TS demodulation unit
83 CA Desk
84 Setting management section
85 De MUX
86 EPG processing unit
87 NIT storage
88 NIT receiver
89 AV display
90 EPG display
91 Specific NIT receiver
92 Difference NIT receiver
93 NIT receiver
94 NIT synthesis unit
95 NIT extraction unit
96 NIT processing part

Claims (15)

A program information transmission system in which a local station distributes video / audio information of a common service and video / audio information of an independent service acquired from a program information providing side, and distributes the program information in an all-station SI system.
The program information providing side creates SI information of the common service and the voluntary service of all local stations and an NIT having at least a service list of the common service, and converts them into TS packets for transmission.
The local station generates a local NIT having a service list of the local station, replaces the NIT received from the program information providing side with the local station NIT, and transmits the local NIT and the program information providing side. A program information transmission system, wherein the received SI information, the video and audio information of a common service broadcasted by the own station, and the video and audio information of the independent service are multiplexed and transmitted. A program information transmission system in which a local station distributes video / audio information of a common service and video / audio information of an independent service acquired from a program information providing side, and distributes the program information in an all-station SI system.
The program information providing side creates SI information of the common service and the voluntary service of all local stations and NITs having service lists of the local stations, attaches the PID of each local station to the NIT, and And send it as a TS packet with the information,
Upon receiving this, the local station replaces the PID of the NIT with the PID for its own station with the original PID, and transmits the NIT, the SI information received from the program information providing side, and the common A program information transmission system characterized in that video and audio information of a service and video and audio information of an independent service are multiplexed and transmitted. When the local station operates its own service with its own TS, the program information provider converts the SI information transmitted by the unique TS into a TS packet with a variant PID different from the original PID, and The local TS is transmitted by the service TS to the local station, and the local station converts the mutated PID to the original PID and sends it out, deletes the SI information of the original PID, and transmits by the original TS. 3. The program information transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the SI information is transmitted. 4. The local station deletes the packet information with the mutated PID from the TS for the common service used by the program information provider to transmit the SI information with the mutated PID. 2. The program information transmission system according to 1. The local station attaches a specific PID to a NIT having a service list of the local station, transmits the NIT using a specific TS, and a receiver refers to the TS to acquire the NIT. The program information transmission system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The local station attaches a specific PID to the difference information between the service list of the local station and the service list of the common service, transmits the information using a specific TS, and the receiver refers to the TS to determine the difference. The NIT having the service list of the local station is synthesized by acquiring information and combining it with information of a service list of a common service acquired from another TS. Program information transmission system. The local station transmits the setting management information of each receiver to the receiver including the NIT having the service list of the independent service, and the receiver refers to the information of the NIT extracted from the setting management information and the TS. The program information transmission system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the NIT having the service list of the local station is synthesized by processing the information of the service list of the NIT acquired as described above. A local station apparatus that distributes video / audio information of a common service and video / audio information of an independent service obtained from a program information providing side, and distributes the program information by an all-station SI method,
NIT generation means for generating a local NIT having a service list of the local station;
NIT replacement means for replacing the NIT received from the program information providing side with the NIT for the own station, acquiring SI information of a common service and independent services of all local stations from the program information providing side, and A local station apparatus for multiplexing the local station NIT, the video / audio information of the common service broadcasted by the local station, and the video / audio information of the local service, and transmitting the multiplexed information. A local station apparatus that distributes video / audio information of a common service and video / audio information of an independent service obtained from a program information providing side, and distributes the program information by an all-station SI method,
A PID replacement means for acquiring from the program information providing side an NIT having a service list of the own station to which the PID for the own station is attached, and replacing the PID for the own station with the original PID of the NIT. The SI information of the common service and the voluntary service of all local stations is obtained, and the SI information, the NIT replaced by the PID replacement means, the video / audio information of the common service broadcasted by the local station, and the video / audio of the voluntary service A local station device multiplexing information and transmitting the multiplexed information. First PID replacement means for acquiring from the program information providing side the SI information to which a variant PID different from the original PID is attached by a TS for a common service and replacing the variant PID of the SI information with the original PID; A second PID replacement unit that deletes the packet information with the mutated PID from the TS for the common service, and an operation unit that operates the independent service with the unique TS, and the first PID replacement unit. The local station device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the transmitting unit transmits the SI information with the PID replaced by the unique TS. 11. The local station apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a specific PID is added to an NIT having a service list of the local station, and transmission is performed using a specific TS. The local station according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein a specific PID is added to difference information between the service list of the own station and the service list of the common service, and transmission is performed using a specific TS. apparatus. 11. The local station apparatus according to claim 8, wherein NIT information having its own service list is added to the receiver setting information and transmitted. A receiver which receives distribution of video / audio information of a common service, video / audio information of an independent service, and program information from a local station,
Difference information receiving means for obtaining, from a specific TS, difference information between a service list of a local station and a service list of a common service; NIT receiving means for obtaining information of a service list of a common service from another TS; A receiver comprising: receiving means; and NIT combining means for combining an NIT having a service list of a local station from information acquired by the NIT receiving means. A receiver which receives distribution of video / audio information of a common service, video / audio information of an independent service, and program information from a local station,
NIT extraction means for extracting an NIT having a service list of an independent service from setting management information of the receiver received from the local station, information of the NIT extracted by the NIT extraction means, and a common service acquired by referring to the TS NIT processing means for processing the information of the service list of (1) and combining the NIT with the service list of the local station.

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