JP2007336004A - Transmitter, receiver, transmission program and reception program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize efficient transmission of contents. <P>SOLUTION: A transmitter is used to transmit a usual content generated for a previously set purpose and one or more special contents different from the usual content. The transmitter has a usual content generating means for generating the usual content, a special content generating means for generating the special contents, a difference generating means for generating one or more difference data on the basis of the usual content and the special contents, a multiplexing means for multiplexing the usual content with the difference data, and a transmission means for transmitting the content data multiplexed by the multiplexing means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a transmission device, a reception device, a transmission program, and a reception program, and more particularly to a transmission device, a reception device, a transmission program, and a reception program for realizing efficient content transmission or reception.

  In recent years, data broadcasting services have become widespread. In particular, domestic data broadcasting employs the BML (Broadcast Markup Language) system, and a large number of various material data such as BML documents, still images, audio data, and numerical data are multiplexed and transmitted. It is composed.

  Here, in data broadcasting, a receiving device is mounted and content is produced after a receiving profile is strictly defined for each transmission medium such as BS (Broadcasting Satellite) broadcasting or terrestrial broadcasting. On the other hand, as a need on the receiving side, there is a request for viewing even the same content by various methods and a request for viewing more detailed information.

  In particular, for viewers with impaired vision and limbs, it is not possible to obtain sufficient operability with the currently defined reception profiles, and there is a situation in which data broadcast content cannot be accessed.

  In order to cope with such a situation, there is an attempt to realize a service for a special purpose such as a service for a disabled person as a service different from the data broadcasting produced as usual. However, producing and transmitting such another service completely separate from existing services has problems in that the production load increases and the transmission bandwidth is wasted.

In order to avoid these problems, there is a method for coexisting with an existing service (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). The method disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a method of embedding information that cannot be interpreted by an existing receiving apparatus in an existing BML document. In addition, the method disclosed in Patent Document 2 converts normal content broadcasted for general use into a special purpose using information prepared in advance on the receiving side.
JP 2005-229384 A JP 2004-334372 A

  However, in Patent Document 1, which is the above-described conventional method, it is difficult to embed information of a sufficient amount and quality, and it is difficult to ensure that existing receiving apparatuses are not affected. There was a problem.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, there are problems such as the necessity of acquiring information for conversion on the receiving side in advance, and the limitation that it can be applied only when the content is routinely produced. was there.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a transmission device, a reception device, a transmission program, and a reception program for realizing efficient transmission or reception of content.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs means for solving the problems having the following characteristics.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the transmission device that transmits normal content generated for a preset purpose and one or more special contents different from the normal content, the normal content is generated. Content generating means, special content generating means for generating the special content, difference data generating means for generating one or a plurality of difference data based on the normal content and the special content, the normal content, and the difference It comprises multiplexing means for multiplexing data and transmission means for transmitting content data multiplexed by the multiplexing means.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, efficient content transmission can be realized. That is, an additional service different from the normal content can be realized by a method that does not affect the receiving side and consumes a transmission band as much as possible. Therefore, a highly accurate content providing service can be realized.

  The invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that the difference generation means generates difference data for generating the special content using the normal content on the receiving side.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the transmission amount can be reduced by transmitting only the differential data for the normal content, not the special content itself.

  The invention described in claim 3 is characterized in that the difference generation means generates correspondence data indicating a correspondence relationship between the data included in the normal content and the difference data.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the special content can be efficiently generated with high accuracy by changing the normal content with reference to the corresponding data on the receiving side.

  The invention described in claim 4 is characterized in that the multiplexing means multiplexes the difference data in module units when content data is transmitted by a carousel transmission method.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, difference data corresponding to each carousel can be managed.

  The invention described in claim 5 is characterized in that the multiplexing means multiplexes the difference data in units of carousels when content data is transmitted by the carousel transmission method.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, difference data for all carousels can be managed by one carousel. Therefore, normal content generation and difference data generation can be handled separately.

  The invention described in claim 6 includes a network distribution means for transmitting the difference data using a communication network.

  According to the sixth aspect of the invention, since the difference data has a small data amount, it can be transmitted without significant delay even if a communication network is used. Further, even if a third party steals differential data from the communication network, the content cannot be generated with only the differential data, and thus safety can be maintained.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a receiving device for receiving content data transmitted in a multiplexed manner, wherein a receiving means for receiving the content data and content data obtained by the receiving means are set in advance. Separation means for separating the normal content generated in step 1 and difference data for generating one or more special contents different from the normal content, and setting by the user from the difference data separated by the separation means Special content generation means for generating the special content, and special content reproduction / presentation means for reproducing the special content generated by the special content generation means and presenting it to the user.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to efficiently receive content, generate special content from normal content, and realize reproduction and presentation to the user.

  The invention described in claim 8 is characterized in that the separation unit separates correspondence data indicating a correspondence relationship between the difference data and the normal content included in the content data, and the special content generation unit includes the normal content. The special content is generated using the difference data included in the corresponding data.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the special content can be efficiently generated with high accuracy by changing the normal content with reference to the correspondence data. Further, since the normal content is used as a base, the normal content portion is presented in the portion where the difference data is not provided. Therefore, it is possible to guarantee a minimum service, and it is possible to prevent a failure such as failure to acquire a corresponding resource through a link or the like.

  The invention described in claim 9 is characterized by comprising network acquisition means for acquiring the difference data from the address information included in the corresponding data via a communication network.

  According to invention of Claim 9, difference data can be acquired via a communication network. As a result, a highly accurate content providing service can be realized.

  The invention described in claim 10 is a transmission program for causing a computer to execute processing for transmitting normal content generated for a preset purpose and one or more special contents different from the normal content. Normal content generation processing for generating the normal content, special content generation processing for generating the special content, difference generation processing for generating one or a plurality of difference data based on the normal content and the special content, , Causing the computer to execute a multiplexing process for multiplexing the normal content and the difference data, and a transmission process for transmitting the content data multiplexed by the multiplexing process.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, efficient content transmission can be realized. That is, an additional service different from the normal content can be realized by a method that does not affect the receiving side and consumes a transmission band as much as possible. Therefore, a highly accurate content providing service can be realized. In addition, transmission processing can be easily realized by installing an execution program in a computer.

  The invention described in claim 11 is a reception program for causing a computer to execute a process of receiving content data transmitted in a multiplexed manner and presenting it to a user. The received content data is preset. Separation processing for separating normal content generated for the purpose and differential data for generating one or more special content different from the normal content, and the difference data separated by the separation processing, by the user A special content generation process for generating the set special content and a special content reproduction / presentation process for reproducing the special content generated by the special content generation process and presenting the special content to the user are executed by the computer.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to efficiently receive content, generate special content from normal content, and reproduce and present it to the user. In addition, the reception process can be easily realized by installing the execution program in the computer.

  According to the present invention, efficient transmission or reception of content can be realized.

<Features of the present invention>
The present invention provides a service such as data broadcasting that provides normal content generated for a preset purpose and one or more special contents different from the normal content without affecting the receiving side, and as much as possible. Realized in an efficient way without consuming transmission bandwidth.

  Specifically, for example, the difference data between normal content for general viewers and special content for special purpose services such as for people with disabilities and foreigners with different languages are multiplexed in a separate area from the normal content transmission area. Then send. The difference data is data that can generate special content based on normal content.

<Embodiment>
Next, preferred embodiments of the transmission device, the reception device, the transmission program, and the reception program according to the present invention having the above-described features will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment: System Configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a broadcasting system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The broadcast system 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 is configured to include a transmission device 11 and a reception device 12.

  The transmission device 11 includes a broadcasting station, a content provider, and the like, and transmits normal content provided to general viewers. Further, the transmission device 11 multiplexes and transmits the special content generation difference data generated in correspondence with the normal content to an area (for example, another carousel or the like) different from the normal content transmission area.

  In general, content is configured in units of one or a plurality of resources (files). However, the difference data in the present invention is a case where a single entire file is differentiated, and only one part in the file. May be different.

  Thus, the transmission band can be saved by generating differential data of normal content and special content in advance on the transmission (production) side and transmitting the differential data without transmitting the special content itself.

  In addition, since one or a plurality of difference data exists for one normal content, the transmission device 11 generates corresponding data indicating which part of which normal content corresponds to which part, and the corresponding data also It is multiplexed with the difference data and transmitted. Note that the transmission device 11 does not need the corresponding data when transmitting the transmission information of the difference data and the identification information such as the name in association with the normal content 1: 1.

  The transmission device 11 multiplexes normal content, difference data, and corresponding data as necessary, and transmits the multiplexed content data as radio waves of satellite broadcast and terrestrial broadcast by transmission means such as an antenna.

  On the other hand, the receiving devices 12-1 to 12-n are provided in respective homes, relay stations, and the like, and receive radio waves transmitted from the transmitting device 11 by transmitting means such as antennas. Each of the receiving devices 12-1 to 12-n reproduces normal content according to each application, generates special content from difference data based on the normal content, reproduces the generated special content, and uses it. Present to (viewer).

  Accordingly, for example, an additional service different from normal data broadcasting can be provided without affecting the normal data broadcast receiving apparatus and consuming as little transmission band as possible. In addition, even if the content cannot provide a special-purpose service, normal content can be presented, so that failure of the content service can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently provide a highly accurate content providing service.

  In the system configuration shown in FIG. 1, the relationship between the transmission device 11 and the reception device 12 is 1: n. However, the system configuration in the present invention is not limited to this, and may be, for example, n: n. . Next, each functional configuration of the transmission device 11 and the reception device 12 will be described.

<Transmitter 11>
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the transmission apparatus according to the first embodiment. 2 includes a content database 20, a normal content generation unit 21, a special content generation unit 22, a difference generation unit 23, a multiplexing unit 24, a transmission unit 25, and a storage unit 26. It is comprised so that it may have.

  In the content database 20, various kinds of metadata for generating normal content and special content, material data such as image data, audio data, text data, and the like are stored in advance.

  The normal content generation unit 21 acquires data necessary for providing content for general service from the content database 20 and generates normal content. Further, the normal content generation unit 21 outputs the generated content to the normal content storage unit 26-1.

  Further, the special content generation means 22 acquires data necessary for providing content for a special purpose service such as for a disabled person or a foreigner from the content database 20, and one or more special contents corresponding to normal content. Content is generated and metadata corresponding to the special content is generated. The special content generation unit 22 outputs the generated special content to the special content storage unit 26-2, outputs metadata corresponding to the special content to the metadata storage unit 26-3, and stores the metadata by each storage unit. Is done. Each content created by the normal content generation unit 21 and the special content generation unit 22 is configured in units of one or a plurality of resources (files).

  Next, the difference generation unit 23 acquires normal content from the normal content storage unit 26-1, acquires special content from the special content storage unit 26-2, and further acquires metadata from the metadata storage unit 26-3. Then, difference data for each of one or more special contents corresponding to the normal contents is generated. In the present embodiment, the difference generation unit 23 generates correspondence data indicating the correspondence between the normal content and the difference data. The difference generation means 23 may generate corresponding data for each of the plurality of difference data, or may generate one corresponding data for the plurality of difference data.

  Here, the difference data is data that can generate special content by applying it to normal content on the receiving side as described above. Note that the difference generation unit 23 replaces a single file in the content composed of one or a plurality of files with the difference data, and replaces only a part of the file with the difference data. There is a case to do.

  For example, when normal content and special content are compared, and the same file name exists, it may be a replacement of the entire file or the file in the file depending on the parameters included in the corresponding data, the file extension, etc. Is determined as a partial replacement. Specifically, for example, in the case of an image file, the entire file is replaced, and in the case of a text file, it is partially replaced. Even binary data such as an image file can generate partial difference data by using the binary difference description format. Further, when the normal content and the special content are compared in units of files and the file that is not included in the normal content is included in the special content, the entire file is newly added.

  In addition, in the correspondence data, identification information such as transmission position information and name of the normal content, identification information such as transmission position information and name of the corresponding difference data, and how to replace, add, and delete the normal content The information (parameter etc.) indicating whether or not to change is described. Further, in addition to the information described above, metadata for adding to special content can be described in the correspondence data.

  Also, the difference generation means 23 generates the corresponding data when the transmission means information of the difference data and the identification information such as the name are transmitted in association with the normal content 1: 1 by the multiplexing means 24 described later. It does not have to be.

  The difference generation unit 23 stores the generated difference data in the difference data storage unit 26-4. When the corresponding data is generated, the difference generation unit 23 outputs the difference data to the corresponding data storage unit 26-5 and is stored by each storage unit.

  The multiplexing unit 24 acquires the normal content from the normal content storage unit 26-1, acquires the difference data from the difference data storage unit 26-4, and receives the corresponding data from the corresponding data storage unit 26-5 as necessary. Obtain and multiplex.

  Here, the multiplexing means 24 multiplexes the difference data and the corresponding data at a preset position, and transmits them in a preset area. Specifically, the data is multiplexed in an area (for example, another module, another carousel, etc.) different from the transmission area of normal data broadcast content.

  Also, the difference data and the corresponding data can be instructed for sending positions not by a predetermined area but by a descriptor in the transmission layer. In that case, the multiplexing means 24 generates a descriptor that specifies the position, and multiplexes the descriptor and the corresponding data and the difference data at the position specified in the descriptor.

  The multiplexing means may multiplex the corresponding data and the difference data together or may multiplex them at another position. Further, the multiplexing unit 24 outputs the multiplexed content data to the transmission unit 25.

  The transmission unit 25 transmits the multiplexed content data obtained by the multiplexing unit 24 to the reception device 12 through an antenna or the like. Further, the transmission means 25 repeatedly transmits content data using, for example, a carousel transmission method. Note that the transmission method in the transmission means 25 is not limited to this.

  Here, in the functional configuration of the transmission device 11 described above, the content database 20 may not be provided in the transmission device 11, and may be acquired from, for example, another external device in which data similar to the content database 20 is stored. . The normal content storage unit 26-1, the special content storage unit 26-2, the metadata storage unit 26-3, the difference data storage unit 26-4, and the corresponding data storage unit 26-5 include one or a plurality of storage units. May be accumulated.

<Receiver 12>
Next, the functional configuration of the receiving device 12 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the receiving device according to the first embodiment. The receiving device 12 shown in FIG. 3 includes a receiving unit 31, a separating unit 32, a difference correspondence determining unit 33, a special content generating unit 34, a normal content reproduction presenting unit 35, a special content reproduction presenting unit 36, and an accumulation. And means 37.

  The receiving unit 31 receives a transmission radio wave from the transmission device 11 by an antenna or the like. The separating means 32 separates the received multiplexed data. Specifically, when normal data multiplexed at a preset position, difference data from a position specified by a preset position or descriptor, etc., and corresponding data are included in the received data Separates the corresponding data in units of data.

  The separating unit 32 outputs the separated normal content to the normal content storing unit 37-1, outputs the corresponding data to the corresponding data storing unit 37-2, and outputs the difference data to the difference data storing unit 37-3. Thus, it is accumulated by each accumulation means.

  The difference correspondence determination unit 33 selectively acquires one set by the user's instruction or the like from one or a plurality of pieces of correspondence data obtained from the correspondence data storage unit 37-2, and selects the selected correspondence data. The data is output to the special content generation unit 34. Further, if the correspondence data includes metadata for special contents, the difference correspondence determination unit 33 extracts the metadata and outputs the metadata to the metadata storage unit 37-5 to be accumulated.

  The special content generation unit 34 acquires the normal content corresponding to the corresponding data from the normal content storage unit 37-1 based on the correspondence data obtained by the difference correspondence determination unit 33, and also handles the difference data storage unit 37-3. The difference data corresponding to the data is acquired, and special content is generated. In addition, when there is no corresponding data, the special content generation unit 34 acquires the special content by acquiring the corresponding data and the difference data because they are associated with each other and stored in the respective storage units. Is generated.

  Since special content is generated based on normal content, files (resources) that do not have special content can be used as they are, so links to acquire other information in the content Even when there is destination information, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of failure such as inability to link. Therefore, a minimum service can be guaranteed even for content for which difference data is not provided. The special content generation unit 34 outputs the generated content to the generated content storage unit 37-4.

  The normal content reproduction / presentation means 35 acquires the normal content instructed from the normal content storage means 37-1 when a normal content reproduction instruction is given by a viewer or the like, and reproduces it by a BML browser or the like. Present to (viewer). Also, the special content reproduction / presentation means 36, when a special content reproduction instruction is issued from the user or the like, the special content and metadata instructed from the generated content accumulation means 37-4 and the metadata accumulation means 37-5, respectively. And the special content is reproduced by a BML browser or the like and presented to the user or the like.

  As a result, when the special content is transmitted by the transmission device 12, it is only necessary to transmit the difference data from the normal content or the corresponding data, so that the transmission amount can be reduced. In addition, in the special content presentation state, normal content can be presented as it is for content with no difference data, so the minimum service can be guaranteed and as described above, the failure to the link destination can be prevented. can do.

<Transmission method of content data>
Next, the content data transmission method in the transmission apparatus 11 described above will be specifically described.

<First transmission method>
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example for explaining a first transmission method of content data. Normally, in a carousel transmission system in a data broadcasting service or the like, files such as BML documents, still images, graphics, and audio are grouped in resource units. A module is composed of one or a plurality of resources. In addition, one or a plurality of modules exist in one or a plurality of carousels, and each module and each carousel is managed by identification information such as a module number or a carousel number, for example.

  Here, the transmission data stores DII (Download Info Indication) including transmission control information indicating the configuration of the module. The DII is, for example, directory information on a computer disk. This information can be used to identify the module required for display and take it out for display.

  Here, the resources 1 to 3 shown in FIG. 4 are defined to be files used for normal contents. At this time, the differential data transmitted in the present invention is stored in a module unit at a preset position. Specifically, for example, the module number for storing the difference data is “9999”, and “corresponding data.xml” created in the XML (extensible Markup Language) format is stored as the resource 1 of “module 9999”. .

  Further, the resource 2 stores “startup.bml.diff” created in the diff format corresponding to “startup.bml” stored as the resource 1 of the module 1. The diff format is a general-purpose file format for expressing the difference between two files. For example, a format such as generic diff, unified diff, and context diff can be used.

  Here, the difference between the files is as follows. As shown in FIG. 4, since the content is configured in units of a plurality of files, a single file among the plurality of resources included in the module is included. There are cases where the whole is set as difference data, and only a part of the file is set as difference data.

  Therefore, startup.stored in resource 2 of “module 9999”. bml. For diff, only a part in the BML document file is changed with respect to a part described in the diff file. Also, as shown in resource 3 of “module 9999”, picture. When the image data itself is stored like jpg, it is replaced with the corresponding file having the same name as the normal content.

  In the above transmission method, it may be set in advance that the difference data is transmitted by the “module 9999” of each carousel as described above, and what number module the difference data is transmitted through. May be described in a descriptor defined by extension in PMT (Program Map Table) or DII transmitted together.

  Thereby, the difference data corresponding to each carousel can be managed. Therefore, the special content can be generated from the normal content by changing the corresponding resource such as replacement, addition, and deletion without increasing the filter resource on the receiving side.

<Second transmission method>
Next, the second transmission method of content data will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is an example for explaining a second transmission method of content data. In the second transmission method, a carousel for transmitting differential data is set in advance instead of the module unit described above, and the differential data is transmitted using the set carousel. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the difference data is transmitted with “carousel number 99”. Note that the carousel number of the difference data to be transmitted is described in a descriptor extended and defined in a section such as PMT or DII.

  Thereby, the difference data with respect to all the carousels can be managed by one carousel. Therefore, normal content generation and difference data generation can be handled separately. In addition, it is possible to work by dividing a part for producing normal contents and a part for producing difference data. Also, the entire module can be easily replaced.

<Example of supported data>
Here, an example of correspondence data in the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of correspondence data. 6A shows the corresponding data for the first transmission method for transmitting the difference data in the module unit shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6B shows the difference data in the carousel unit shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the corresponding | compatible data with respect to the 2nd transmission method which transmits. Note that line numbers are given on the left side of the figure for explanation.

  In FIG. 6A, metadata corresponding to each resource of “module 9999” shown in FIG. 4 is stored. Here, in the (03) line of FIG. 6A, the four-digit number “0000” indicates the target module number to be changed such as replacement or addition in order to generate special content. Further, the “diff” parameter on the (03) line indicates that a corresponding part in the file is to be replaced. Specifically, the contents described in the “startup.bml.diff” file are changed to startup. It shows replacing a corresponding part in the bml file.

  Further, the “replace” parameter described in the (04) th line indicates that the entire “picture.jpg” file in the target module number “0000” (module number 1 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) is replaced. Yes.

  Further, as described in the (07) line, for example, a new file “additionalPage.bml” can be added to the target module number “0001” (module number 2 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5).

  6B is given a carousel number consisting of two digits as compared to FIG. 6A (“40”, “60”, “61”, etc. shown in FIG. 6B). ). As a result, changes such as full replacement, partial replacement, addition, and deletion for which module of which carousel can be performed. In addition, special content can be generated with high accuracy using normal content.

  Here, in the present invention, metadata can be added to the corresponding data. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of correspondence data to which metadata is assigned. Note that line numbers are given on the left side of the figure for explanation.

  For example, as shown in the (04), (07), and (12) lines shown in FIG. 7, additional data composed of text data or the like can be directly described in the corresponding data. Therefore, the correspondence data is not only to change and compare the data in the file using the “diff” parameter for each resource of the normal content, but directly describes the content of the metadata to be added as shown in FIG. Data for explaining the file can be added to the normal content file.

  As shown in FIG. 7, by directly describing the contents of the difference in the corresponding data, the special content can be generated from the normal content only by transmitting the resource file (one resource file) of only the corresponding data. Further, since the production side only needs to generate the corresponding data, the editing work and the like can be performed efficiently.

  In the present invention, a plurality of correspondence data can be described in one file related to the correspondence data. Here, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example in the case where a single file has a plurality of corresponding data. Note that line numbers are given on the left side of the figure for explanation.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of corresponding data is described in the <multiMaps> tag, and the service name set by the “map serviceName” parameter described in the (03) and (10) lines Based on the tag information indicated by the corresponding data selected by the viewer, the special content is generated by making a change such as replacement or new addition from the normal content.

<Example of partial replacement in diff format>
Here, an example of partial replacement in the diff file will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a description example of the in-file difference data. Note that line numbers are given on the left side of the figure for explanation.

  FIG. 9 shows a description example in the “unified diff” format. This difference data is provided with a description of the entire page and a description of the image object used inside the page.

  In the part surrounded by the at sign “@@” shown in the (01) line of FIG. 9, line information for partial replacement is described. Specifically, the numerical value enclosed by the at sign “@@” deletes 6 lines from the 5th line of the file to be replaced (“−5, 6”), and the (02) to (09) lines. 7 indicates that 7 lines from the 5th line are inserted ("+5, 7").

  Further, for example, a plus (+) notation described at the beginning of the (05) line indicates a line added by the difference data, and a minus (-) described in the (13) line. The notation indicates the line to be deleted. In this way, by describing information about changes such as substitution, deletion, addition, etc. in the diff file, it is possible to clearly grasp the changed portion with reference to this description. Also, editing operations such as changes on the production side can be easily performed.

  As described above, according to the present invention, efficient content transmission or reception can be realized. That is, an additional service different from the normal content can be realized by a method that does not affect the receiving side and consumes a transmission band as much as possible. Therefore, a highly accurate content providing service can be realized.

<Second Embodiment>
In the first embodiment described above, the difference data and the corresponding data are multiplexed and transmitted / received in the normal content. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the transmission device is connected via a communication network such as the Internet. To the receiving device. Here, the above-mentioned content is demonstrated as 2nd Embodiment. In the following description, components that are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted here.

<Second Embodiment: System Configuration>
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a broadcasting system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The broadcast system 40 illustrated in FIG. 10 is configured to include a transmission device 41 and a reception device 42. The transmission device 41 and the reception device 42 can transmit and receive data through a communication network 43 typified by the Internet or the like in addition to the above-described transmission and reception modes using radio waves such as sanitary broadcasting and terrestrial waves. It is connected.

  Here, the transmission device 41 transmits normal content with a large amount of data by radio waves, and transmits differential data with a small amount of data and corresponding data generated as necessary as described above via the communication network 43. .

  In addition, the transmission device 41 does not immediately transmit, for example, images or video data used for content to the reception device 42, but temporarily stores them in the transmission device 41 or other external devices connected to the communication network 43. The address information of the link destination can be described in the corresponding data and transmitted.

  On the other hand, the receiving device 42 acquires data related to normal content by transmission radio waves, and receives data related to difference data and corresponding data via the communication network 43. In addition, when the address information of the link destination of the material data used for the content is given to the corresponding data, the receiving device 42 refers to the address destination via the communication network 43 and acquires the corresponding difference data To generate special content.

  Note that the receiving device 42 supports the communication data 43 only when the address data indicating the link destination of the material data is described in the corresponding data corresponding to the special content selected by the user such as the viewer. Processing to acquire data is performed. Therefore, overall, the amount of data transmitted from the transmission device 41 to the reception device 42 can be reduced.

<Transmitter 41>
Here, a functional configuration example of the transmission apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the transmission apparatus according to the second embodiment. 11 includes a content database 20, a normal content generation unit 21, a special content generation unit 22, a difference generation unit 23, a multiplexing unit 24, a transmission unit 25, a storage unit 26, Network distribution means 51.

  Here, the normal content generation unit 21 and the special content generation unit 22 acquire data stored in an external device connectable via the communication network 43 in addition to the material data included in the content database 20. Content can be generated using address information such as the link destination.

  The network distribution means 51 is a configuration newly provided in the second embodiment, and distributes difference data or corresponding data to be transmitted to the reception device 42 via the communication network 43.

  In FIG. 11, the difference data and the corresponding data can be transmitted by radio waves by the multiplexing unit 24, and it is possible to arbitrarily select which one to transmit by an instruction on the transmission side.

<Receiving device 42>
Next, a functional configuration example of the receiving apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the receiving device according to the second embodiment.

  12 includes a receiving unit 31, a difference correspondence determining unit 33, a special content generation unit 34, a normal content reproduction presentation unit 35, a special content reproduction presentation unit 36, a storage unit 37, and a separation unit. Means 52 and network acquisition means 53 are provided.

  Separation means 52 separates normal content, difference data, corresponding data, etc., in units of data from preset positions or positions designated by descriptors. In addition, when the separation unit 52 includes link destination information or the like for acquiring target data in the separated data, the network acquisition unit 53 causes the material from the link destination via the communication network 43. Data, difference data, corresponding data, etc. are acquired. Further, the network acquisition unit 53 outputs the corresponding data among the acquired data to the corresponding data storage unit 37-2, and outputs the difference data to the difference data storage unit 37-3.

  As a result, only normal content is transmitted by radio waves, and corresponding data and differential data are transmitted via the communication network, so that the transmission band can be saved. Further, since the difference data and the corresponding data have a small amount of data, they can be transmitted without significant delay even if a communication network is used. Further, even if a third party steals differential data from the communication network, it is not possible to generate content with only the differential data or the corresponding data, so that safety can be maintained. In addition, data can be acquired with high accuracy via the communication network 43 such as the Internet.

<Example of correspondence data in the second embodiment>
Here, an example of correspondence data in the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of correspondence data according to the second embodiment. Note that line numbers are given on the left side of the figure for explanation. FIG. 13 shows an example in which difference data is acquired from an external device or the like on a communication network. That is, address information of a link destination for acquiring data can be described in the diff parameter and the replace parameter, and the link destination can be accessed and the corresponding data can be acquired based on the described information. In the second embodiment, the correspondence data shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 can also be used.

<Execution program>
Here, the transmission devices 11 and 41 and the reception devices 12 and 42 described above can perform transmission and reception of special content according to the present invention using the dedicated device configuration described above. By generating an execution program to be executed by a computer and installing the program in, for example, a general-purpose personal computer or server, the transmission processing and reception processing according to the present invention can be realized.

<Hardware configuration>
Here, a hardware configuration example of a computer capable of executing transmission processing and reception processing according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing transmission processing and reception processing according to the present invention.

  14 includes an input device 61, an output device 62, a drive device 63, an auxiliary storage device 64, a memory device 65, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 66 that performs various controls, and a network connection device. 67, which are connected to each other by a system bus B.

  The input device 61 includes a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse operated by a user, a voice input device, and the like, and inputs various operation signals and voice signals such as a program execution instruction from the user. The output device 62 has a display, a speaker, and the like that display various windows and data necessary for operating the computer main body for performing processing according to the present invention. Display or audio output is possible.

  Here, in the present invention, the execution program installed in the computer main body is provided by the recording medium 68 such as a CD-ROM. The recording medium 68 on which the program is recorded can be set in the drive device 63, and the execution program included in the recording medium 68 is installed from the recording medium 68 to the auxiliary storage device 64 via the drive device 63.

  Further, the drive device 63 can record the execution program according to the present invention on the recording medium 68. Thereby, using the recording medium 68, it can be easily installed in a plurality of other computers, and transmission processing and reception processing can be easily realized.

  The auxiliary storage device 64 is a storage means such as a hard disk, and can store an execution program according to the present invention, a control program provided in a computer, and the like, and can perform input / output as necessary. The auxiliary storage device 64 can also be used as a storage means for storing the above-described normal content, difference data, corresponding data, special content, and the like.

  The CPU 66 inputs various calculations and data with each hardware component based on a control program such as an OS (Operating System) and an execution program read from the auxiliary storage device 64 and stored in the memory device 65. Each process in the transmission process and the reception process can be realized by controlling the process of the entire computer such as output. Various information necessary during the execution of the program can be acquired from the auxiliary storage device 64 and stored.

  The network connection device 67 connects the execution program to the communication network by connecting to an antenna device that can transmit or receive radio waves, a communication network such as a telephone line or a LAN (Local Area Network) cable, and the like. The execution result obtained by executing from the other terminal or the like or by executing the program or the execution program in the present invention can be provided to the other terminal or the like.

  With the hardware configuration as described above, it is possible to realize transmission processing and reception processing at low cost without requiring a special device configuration. Also, by installing the program, transmission processing and reception processing can be easily realized. Next, each process on the transmission side and the reception side will be described.

<Transmission processing procedure>
Next, a processing procedure using the execution program in the present invention will be described using a flowchart. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of a transmission processing procedure in the present invention.

  In FIG. 15, first, necessary data is acquired from a content database in which material data necessary for content generation is stored in advance to generate normal content (S01), and the generated normal content is stored (S02). Next, one or more types of special content corresponding to the normal content are generated (S03), and the generated special content is stored (S04). Further, metadata corresponding to the special content is generated (S05), and the generated metadata is accumulated (S06).

  Next, difference data and corresponding data as necessary are generated from the normal content and special content (S07), and the generated difference data and corresponding data are accumulated (S08). Further, the normal content, the difference data, and the corresponding data are multiplexed (S09), and transmitted to the receiving side by an antenna or the like (S10). When the transmission side and the reception side are connected by a communication network, the difference data and the corresponding data are distributed using the communication network (S11).

  By the above-described processing, only the difference data corresponding to the normal content and the corresponding data are transmitted as the data related to the special content, so that the transmission amount can be reduced.

<Reception processing procedure>
Next, a reception processing procedure on the reception side will be described using a flowchart. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of a reception processing procedure in the present invention. In FIG. 16, first, data transmitted from the transmission side is received (S21), the received data is separated (S22), and normal content, differential data, and corresponding data generated as necessary are acquired. (S23). If the receiving side is connected to the transmitting side via a communication network, differential data and corresponding data are acquired via the communication network (S24).

  Next, normal content separated by the process of S22 is accumulated (S25), one or more differential data acquired by the process of S23 or S24 is accumulated (S26), and one or more corresponding data is accumulated (S26). S27).

  Here, it is determined whether or not there is difference data corresponding to the special content preset by the user or the like among the difference data (S28), and the metadata corresponding to the special content or the special content is determined based on the determination result. Generate (S29), store the generated special content (S30), and store the metadata generated in S29 (S31).

  Here, it is determined whether or not the special content has been selected by the instruction to reproduce and present the content by a user such as a viewer (S32). When the special content is selected (YES in S32), the special content is reproduced. And presenting (S33). If no special content is selected (NO in S32), normal content is reproduced and presented (S34).

<Special content generation processing>
Here, the special content generation processing procedure in the above-described processing of S28 and S29 will be specifically described with reference to a flowchart. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the special content generation processing procedure.

  In the special content generation process, first, the difference correspondence determination result in the process of S28 is acquired (S41), and it is determined whether or not there is difference data corresponding to the set special content (S42). Here, if there is difference data (YES in S42), it is accumulated in S27 whether new addition, replacement (full replacement), or partial replacement is performed for each file of normal content based on the difference data. Judgment is made based on the parameters in the corresponding data (S43).

  Here, if it is new in the process of S43, the difference data is acquired as new data (S44), and special content is generated from the acquired new data (S45).

  In the process of S43, if it is replacement, the difference data is acquired (S46), and special content is generated from the acquired difference data (S47). Furthermore, in the process of S43, when partial replacement is performed, first the corresponding normal content is acquired (S48), and difference data is acquired (S49), and the corresponding portion of the normal content file is partially determined by the difference data. The special content is generated by replacement (S50).

  If there is no difference data corresponding to the set special content in the processing of S42 (NO in S42), the corresponding normal content is acquired (S51), and the content is reproduced and presented.

  Through the above-described processing procedure, content can be efficiently transmitted and received, and special content can be generated from normal content to be reproduced and presented to a user or the like. Therefore, a highly accurate content providing service can be realized. Also, by installing the execution program in the computer, it is possible to easily realize the transmission process and the reception process.

  As described above, according to the present invention, efficient content transmission or reception can be realized. That is, an additional service different from the normal content can be realized by a method that does not affect the receiving side and consumes a transmission band as much as possible. Therefore, a highly accurate content providing service can be realized.

  In addition, according to the present invention, normal content can be presented for content that cannot be provided with a service for special applications. Therefore, a minimum service can be ensured even for contents for which no difference is provided, and the occurrence of a failure in a link or the like can be prevented.

  Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. Can be changed.

It is a figure which shows one structural example of the broadcast system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a function structure of the transmitter in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a function structure of the receiver in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure of an example for demonstrating the 1st transmission method of content data. It is a figure of an example for demonstrating the 2nd transmission method of content data. It is a figure which shows an example of correspondence data. It is a figure which shows an example of the corresponding data to which metadata was given. It is a figure which shows an example when it has a some corresponding | compatible data in 1 file. It is a figure which shows the example of a description of difference data in a file. It is a figure which shows the example of 1 structure of the broadcast system in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a function structure of the transmitter in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a function structure of the receiver in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the correspondence data in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions which can implement | achieve the transmission process in this invention, and a reception process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the transmission processing procedure in this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the reception process procedure in this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a special content production | generation process procedure.

Explanation of symbols

10, 40 Broadcasting system 11, 41 Transmitting device 12, 42 Receiving device 21 Normal content generating means 22 Special content generating means 23 Difference generating means 24 Multiplexing means 25 Transmitting means 26, 37 Storage means 31 Receiving means 32, 52 Separating means 33 Difference correspondence determination means 34 Special content generation means 35 Normal content reproduction presentation means 36 Special content reproduction presentation means 43 Communication network 51 Network distribution means 53 Network acquisition means 61 Input device 62 Output device 63 Drive device 64 Auxiliary storage device 65 Memory device 66 CPU
67 Network connection device 68 Recording medium

Claims (11)

In a transmission device that transmits normal content generated for a preset purpose and one or more special content different from the normal content,
Normal content generating means for generating the normal content;
Special content generation means for generating the special content;
Difference generation means for generating one or a plurality of difference data based on the normal content and the special content;
A multiplexing means for multiplexing the normal content and the difference data;
A transmission apparatus comprising: transmission means for transmitting the content data multiplexed by the multiplexing means. The difference generation means includes
The transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein difference data for generating the special content is generated on the receiving side using the normal content. The difference generation means includes
The transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein correspondence data indicating a correspondence relationship between the data included in the normal content and the difference data is generated. The multiplexing means includes
4. The transmission device according to claim 1, wherein when content data is transmitted by a carousel transmission method, the difference data is multiplexed in units of modules. 5. The multiplexing means includes
5. The transmission device according to claim 1, wherein when content data is transmitted by the carousel transmission method, the difference data is multiplexed in units of carousels.   The transmission apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a network distribution unit configured to transmit the difference data using a communication network. In a receiving apparatus that receives content data transmitted in a multiplexed manner,
Receiving means for receiving the content data;
Separating means for separating the content data obtained by the receiving means into normal content generated for a preset purpose and differential data for generating one or more special contents different from the normal content;
Special content generation means for generating special content set by the user from the difference data separated by the separation means;
A receiving apparatus comprising: special content reproduction / presentation means for reproducing the special content generated by the special content generation means and presenting the special content to the user. The separation unit separates correspondence data indicating a correspondence relationship between the difference data included in the content data and the normal content,
The receiving apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the special content generation unit generates the special content using the difference data included in the corresponding data based on the normal content.   9. The receiving apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a network acquisition unit that acquires the difference data from address information included in the corresponding data via a communication network. In a transmission program for causing a computer to execute processing for transmitting normal content generated for a preset purpose and one or more special contents different from the normal content,
Normal content generation processing for generating the normal content;
Special content generation processing for generating the special content;
A difference generation process for generating one or a plurality of difference data based on the normal content and the special content;
A multiplexing process for multiplexing the normal content and the difference data;
A transmission program for causing a computer to execute transmission processing for transmitting content data multiplexed by the multiplexing processing. In a reception program for causing a computer to execute a process of receiving content data transmitted in a multiplexed manner and presenting it to a user,
A separation process for separating the received content data into normal content generated for a preset purpose and differential data for generating one or more special content different from the normal content;
Special content generation processing for generating special content set by the user from the difference data separated by the separation processing;
A reception program for causing a computer to execute special content reproduction / presentation processing for reproducing special content generated by the special content generation processing and presenting the special content to the user.

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