JP2009206776A - Broadcast receiving apparatus, method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display data broadcast in a shorter period of time in response to an instruction from a user. <P>SOLUTION: In this broadcast receiving apparatus 100 capable of receiving the data broadcast, a recording region detection part 107 detects an unused recording region in the broadcast receiving apparatus or an external device connected to the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, a recording region allocation part 108 allocates the unused recording region as a region for recording the received data broadcast and records it irrespective of presence/absence of a display request. Thus, processing time after accepting a data broadcast display request until target data is displayed is shortened. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a broadcast receiving apparatus, method, and program for receiving, recording, and displaying a data broadcast.

  One of the features of digital broadcasting that has become widespread as television broadcasting in recent years is data broadcasting, and information such as news, weather, and program related information is provided to users as data broadcasting.

  In digital broadcasting, MPEG-2TS (ISO / IEC13818-1) is used as a transmission method. Data broadcasting transmission formats using MPEG-2TS include an independent PES format and a section format. In the independent PES format, it is possible to synchronize the display time using the PTS as in the case of video and audio transmission. Accordingly, data such as subtitles and character supers that require synchronization with video and audio at the display timing is transmitted in an independent PES format. On the other hand, data that is not required to be synchronized with video and audio, such as news, weather, and program related information, is transmitted in a section format. Resources transmitted in the section format are BML (Broadcasting Markup Language) documents, JPEG, PNG, binary tables, and the like. These resources are divided into sections and repeatedly transmitted by a carousel transmission method.

  Regarding the display of the received data broadcast, the process is started when the user presses the data broadcast acquisition button (d key) on the remote controller. In a general data broadcast receiving apparatus, after receiving a data broadcast display request from a remote controller, the data broadcast received data is stored in a recording area (mainly a cache memory) and an image is displayed based on the data broadcast received data. To do.

  Here, since the data broadcast is transmitted by the carousel transmission method as described above, a large time lag may occur between the timing when the data broadcast display request is made and the timing when the desired display screen configuration data is acquired. Furthermore, when the desired display screen configuration data is divided into sections, a larger time lag may occur. There is a problem that this waiting time is troublesome for the user.

  Therefore, for example, Patent Document 1 is known as a conventional technique for receiving and displaying a data broadcast by efficiently using a limited recording area. The digital television broadcast receiving apparatus in Patent Literature 1 includes a data broadcast display browser having a function of selecting a data broadcast program from the data broadcast viewing history and viewing the selected data broadcast program. The data broadcast viewing history list has a function of displaying whether or not the received data of the data broadcast program corresponding to each viewing history is stored in the storage device. Therefore, since the user can know in advance whether or not the data exists in the storage device, a waiting time until a desired data broadcasting program is displayed can be predicted.

  Further, Patent Document 2 is known as another conventional technique. The data broadcast receiving apparatus in Patent Document 2 stores, as a viewing history, a data broadcast channel when a data broadcast program is received in the past, components constituting the program, and the number of times the component is viewed. When the viewing history is referred to when the data broadcasting program is received, and there is a viewing history of a combination that matches the combination of the channel and component configuration of the data broadcasting program to be received, for each component stored in the viewing history By preferentially acquiring the corresponding data broadcast program components in the order of the largest number of viewing times, the time for screen transition to the component that the viewer is likely to select is reduced.

JP 2002-44547 A JP 2007-036552 A

  However, in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the data broadcast referred based on the viewing history must be a data broadcast that has been viewed at least once. Therefore, more data is obtained when an unviewed data broadcast is acquired and displayed. The waiting time will be required.

  In Patent Document 2, it is considered that a high-speed readable / writable cache memory is assumed as a data broadcast recording area, and the number of data preferentially acquired by filtering based on the number of times of viewing history is limited. Will be. In addition, as with the technique in Patent Document 1, a longer waiting time is required when an unviewed data broadcast is acquired and displayed.

  The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and an object of the present invention is to enable data broadcasting to be displayed in a shorter time in response to an instruction from a user.

The broadcast receiving apparatus of the present invention is a broadcast receiving apparatus capable of receiving a data broadcast, and a recording area detecting means for detecting an unused recording area in the broadcast receiving apparatus or in an external device connected to the broadcast receiving apparatus. And recording area allocating means for allocating the recording area detected by the recording area detecting means as an area for recording the received data broadcast.
The broadcast receiving method of the present invention is a method for receiving a data broadcast by a broadcast receiving device, and a procedure for detecting an unused recording area in the broadcast receiving device or in an external device connected to the broadcast receiving device. And a procedure for allocating the recording area detected by the procedure as an area for recording the received data broadcast.
A program of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute a data broadcast reception process by a broadcast receiving device, and an unused recording area in the broadcast receiving device or an external device connected to the broadcast receiving device. The computer executes a process of detecting and a process of allocating the recording area detected by the process as an area for recording the received data broadcast.

  According to the present invention, an unused recording area is detected, a recording area for recording the received data broadcast is allocated, and recording is performed regardless of whether there is an instruction from the user. Thereby, the data broadcast can be displayed in a shorter time in response to the instruction from the user, and the waiting time can be shortened.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. Hereinafter, although the main part of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 which can receive data broadcasting is demonstrated, you may provide the process part other than this.

  In FIG. 1, a digital broadcast wave received by the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 is selected and demodulated by a tuner / demodulator 101, and a digital broadcast stream of a desired channel can be obtained in the MPEG-2TS format. In addition, descrambling processing of the received stream is preferably performed here.

  The demultiplexing (DeMux) processing unit 102 separates the MPEG-2TS stream in a state where the stream is multiplexed, and extracts each data stream such as video data, audio data, and data broadcast data.

  The video data extracted by the demultiplex processing unit 102 is input to the video decoder 103, subjected to a decoding process, and restored as video data. The restored video data is subjected to display processing by the video composition / presentation unit 105 and output to a display device (not shown) such as a liquid crystal display or a plasma display.

  Also, the audio data extracted by the demultiplex processing unit 102 is input to the audio decoder 104, subjected to decoding processing according to the encoding method, and restored as audio data. The restored audio data is output to a speaker (not shown) or the like by the audio presentation unit 106.

  On the other hand, the data broadcast data extracted in the section format by the demultiplex processing unit 102 is recorded in the recording area 109 allocated by the recording area allocation unit 108, as will be described in detail later. Here, an external storage device such as a hard disk is assumed as the recording area 109, but it may be a main storage device such as a memory.

  When the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 receives a data broadcast display request, the recording area allocation unit 108 reads out desired data recorded in the recording area 109. The data read by the recording area allocation unit 108 is subjected to display processing by the video composition / presentation unit 105 and output to a display device such as a liquid crystal display or a plasma display.

  Here, the recording area allocated for recording the data broadcast data in the recording area 109 is an unused recording area (unused recording area) detected by the recording area detection unit 107, and is used for data broadcast recording. It is ensured.

  Next, an overview of processing from when the power of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 is turned on to when data broadcast data is recorded in the recording area 109 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S201, the data broadcast data of the selected stream is extracted by the demultiplex processing unit 102 regardless of whether there is a data broadcast request from the user, and section data is acquired.

  In subsequent step S202, the module size of each module is acquired from the acquired section data. Here, the configuration of the section data will be described with reference to FIG. The data body of the data broadcast is transmitted in units of modules 304 divided into DDB (Download Date Block) units. All DDBs have the same size except for those at the end of the module, and are composed of the module ID, version, and data body to which the DDB belongs, and each DDB is transmitted as a section. The DII section 303 has carousel identification information (not shown) as directory information and information (partially shown) about each module represented by size, and is transmitted as a section. These data are stored and transmitted in a second loop 302 in a PMT (Program Map Table) 301 of MPEG-2TS defined as PSI (Program Specific Information) which is one of program arrangement information. Therefore, by acquiring the DII section 303, the size of the received data broadcast data can be known.

  In subsequent step S203, the recording area detection unit 107 determines whether or not an unused recording area of the size acquired in step S202 can be secured in the recording area 109. Here, as described above, the recording area 109 is assumed to be an external storage device such as a hard disk, but may be an external device connected to the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, for example, a hard disk built in a hard disk recorder. Good. For example, when the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 and the hard disk recorder are connected via IEEE 1394, the disc_capacity_info_block in the list_specific_info_block in the list_specific_info in the Root Contents List Descriptor of the AV / C disk subunit command is referred to, and the disc_capacity_info_block is referred to. The size of the unused recording area can be known.

  In the subsequent step S204, a data recording management table is created. The data recording management table registers, updates, and deletes a recording area of data broadcast data to be recorded and holds it. When recording new data broadcast data, it is registered along with the recording area start address and size. When displaying data broadcast data, it is possible to refer to this data recording management table to know the address of the read destination. It is. Further, deletion is performed together with the data broadcast data recorded at the timing when the power of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 is turned off. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the recording area head address and size may be managed by a table for each channel and module ID. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, management may be performed using folders and files.

  In the subsequent step S205, the received data broadcast data is recorded in the unused recording area according to the data recording management table.

  The received data broadcast data is recorded as described above. When a display request is made, the data recording management table is referred to, read from the recording area 109, and displayed.

  Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6, a description will be given of a process for performing overwrite recording on a recording area that has already been allocated only when the content of the data broadcast data is changed. As a result, it is possible to reduce the load when recording the data broadcast data, and to efficiently use the recording area 109. The update of the data broadcast is detected by referring to at least one of the version of each module in the DII section and the version of the DDB section (processing example of update detection means).

  In step S601, when the DMT section data is included in the PMT transmitted periodically, the DII section data is extracted each time.

  In the subsequent step S602, the version of each module is acquired according to the configuration of the DII section 303 shown in FIG. If there is no change in version (NO in step S602), the process returns to step S601 to receive DII section data. On the other hand, if the version has been changed (YES in step S602), the process proceeds to step S603. Note that the version of each module is stored in the data recording management table for reference and updating. If the module itself is not registered in the data recording management table, a new recording area is secured according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 and data broadcast data is recorded.

  In step S603, the module size (data size) of the module whose version change is detected in step S602 is acquired from the DII section.

  In subsequent step S604, a recording area corresponding to the module size of the new version acquired in step S603 is detected for each changed module. Then, again, a recording area corresponding to the module size is allocated and newly registered in the data recording management table. Subsequently, the allocation area of the previous version is released and deleted from the data record management table. When releasing the recording area, the number of read accesses to the recorded module may be counted, and the module with the smaller number of accesses may be released. If there is no change in the module size acquired in step S603, the process in step S604 may be omitted.

  In the subsequent step S605, DDB section data constituting the corresponding module is extracted based on the module ID whose version has been changed.

  In the subsequent step S606, the version of the DDB section is acquired from the DDB section extracted in step S605 according to the configuration of the DDB section 304 shown in FIG. If there is no change in the version (NO in step S606), the process ends because there is no need to update the DDB section. On the other hand, if the version has been changed (YES in step S606), the process proceeds to step S607, where the data body of the DDB section is recorded in the allocated recording area, and the process ends. The version of each DDB is stored in the data recording management table and is referred to and updated.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, an unused recording area in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 or an external apparatus connected to the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 is detected, and the received data broadcast is performed regardless of whether there is a display request. Is assigned as a recording area and recording is performed. As a result, the processing time from when the data broadcast display request is received until the target data is displayed can be shortened. Further, since it is not necessary to use a recording area that can be read and written at high speed or a dedicated device, it can be realized at low cost.

  Furthermore, by reallocating and recording the recording area only when the data broadcast data is updated, the load of the recording process can be reduced and the recording area can be used efficiently.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, the configuration has been shown in which the data broadcast data requested to be displayed is directly read from the recording area 109 of FIG. 1 and displayed. However, in this embodiment, the data broadcasting data read from the recording area 109 is displayed. A process of waiting in another recording area is performed.

  FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the broadcast receiving apparatus 700 according to the second embodiment. The basic configuration of the broadcast receiving apparatus 700 is the same as that of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and the same reference numerals are given to the same components, and the detailed description thereof is given. Is omitted.

  The broadcast receiving apparatus 700 further includes a standby area 701 and a link information management unit 702. The standby area 701 is an area in which data broadcast data associated with the data broadcast data displayed in accordance with the data broadcast display request from the user is waited for display. The standby area 701 may be a memory area generally used as a program development area or a work area for an operating program, or a memory area as a video presentation buffer separately reserved for video presentation. May be. Of course, it may be a memory area that is logically intended to temporarily store data as a cache area, and has a smaller recording capacity than the recording area 109 but a faster access speed for reading and writing. It is.

  The link information management unit 702 holds recorded link information between modules. The link information can be obtained by referring to a Module_link descriptor in moduleInfo (not shown) given as information of each module in the DII section 303.

  When there is a data broadcast display request from the user, the recording area allocating unit 108 reads out desired data broadcast data from the recording area 109 and the video composition / presentation unit 105 performs display processing. Subsequently, the recording area allocation unit 108 refers to the link information management unit 702, reads out the data broadcast data associated with the data broadcast data being displayed from the recording area 109, and records it in the standby area 701 (the data broadcast of the present invention). Processing example by reading means).

  When there is a data broadcast transition request from the user, the transition destination data broadcast data is read from the standby area 701 and displayed by the video composition / presentation unit 105.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the transition information from the data broadcast data being displayed in the link information management unit 702 is specified and recorded in the standby area 701. Thereby, when there is a data broadcast transition request by the user, it is possible to display desired data broadcast data in a shorter time.

  Note that the present invention may be applied as a part of a system composed of a plurality of devices or a part of an apparatus composed of a single device.

  The object of the present invention can also be achieved by supplying a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus. In this case, the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code itself and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments are not limited to being realized by executing the program code read by the computer. For example, an OS (basic system or operating system) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on an instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. May be.

  Further, the program code read from the storage medium may be written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. In this case, after being written in the memory, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code, and the function of the above-described embodiment is performed by the processing. Is realized.

It is a functional block diagram which shows the structural example of the broadcast receiving apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the data broadcast recording operation | movement in 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the data carousel in data broadcasting. It is a figure which shows an example of a data recording management table. It is a figure which shows the example which performs data recording management with a folder and a file. It is a flowchart which shows the data broadcast overwrite recording operation | movement in 1st Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structural example of the broadcast receiver which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Broadcast receiving apparatus 101 Tuner / demodulation part 102 Demultiplex processing part 103 Video decoder 104 Audio decoder 105 Image composition / presentation part 106 Audio | voice presentation part 107 Recording area detection part 108 Recording area allocation part 109 Recording area 700 Broadcast receiving apparatus 701 Standby Area 702 Link information management unit

Claims (8)

A broadcast receiving device capable of receiving data broadcasting,
Recording area detecting means for detecting an unused recording area in the broadcast receiving apparatus or in an external apparatus connected to the broadcast receiving apparatus;
A broadcast receiving apparatus, comprising: a recording area allocating means for allocating the recording area detected by the recording area detecting means as an area for recording the received data broadcast.   2. The broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording area assigning means identifies a module ID of the received data broadcast and assigns a recording area corresponding to the module size of each module.   The update detection means for detecting an update of the data broadcast by referring to at least one of the version of each module of the received DII section and the version of the DDB section, further comprising: 2. The broadcast receiving apparatus according to 2.   When the update detection means detects an update of the data broadcast, the recording area assignment means assigns a recording area, and further comprises a data broadcast recording means for recording the data broadcast in the assigned area. The broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 3.   2. A data broadcast reading means for reading a data broadcast of a module associated with the data broadcast being displayed to a recording area having a higher reading speed than the recording area in which the data broadcast is recorded. 5. The broadcast receiving device according to any one of 4 above.   6. The broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of read accesses to the recorded module is counted, and the module having a small number of accesses is released when the recording area is released. . A method of receiving data broadcast by a broadcast receiving device,
A procedure for detecting an unused recording area in the broadcast receiving device or in an external device connected to the broadcast receiving device;
A broadcast receiving method comprising: allocating the recording area detected by the procedure as an area for recording the received data broadcast. A program for causing a computer to execute data broadcast reception processing by a broadcast receiving device,
A process of detecting an unused recording area in the broadcast receiving device or in an external device connected to the broadcast receiving device;
A program for causing a computer to execute a process of assigning a recording area detected by the process as an area for recording a received data broadcast.

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