JP2011146998A - Content receiver, and method of processing reception packet data in the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a processing time of packet data after content data reception, in a content receiver. <P>SOLUTION: This content receiver is structured such that: the buffer size of a buffer performing temporary storage of received packet data is set by being selected from among a plurality of types of buffer sizes in response to the operation condition of this content receiver or in response to packet quality of the packet data; and packet alignment processing of the packet data to be transferred to a content data processing part side after stored in the buffer is performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a content receiver that receives content data transmitted from an external content transmission device as packet data, and more particularly to a technique for processing received packet data.

  The real-time data transfer protocol (Realtime Transport Protocol) is designed for transferring video data and audio data in a state suitable for real-time. The transmitted content data is sent from a transmitting device (hereinafter referred to as a content transmitting device) that transmits the content data as packet data to a receiving device (hereinafter referred to as a content receiver) that receives the content data via a local or wide area communication network. When transferred, there is a possibility that the order of packet data is changed, packet data is lost, packet data is duplicated, or the like. In this real-time data transfer protocol, even if these inconveniences are detected by the content receiver, since the packet data is not retransmitted by the content transmitting device, the consumption amount of the data transfer band of the communication network, The processing load on the transmission side does not increase.

  In recent years, there are an increasing number of content transmission devices that employ a real-time data transfer protocol. According to Request for Comments 1889 "RTP: A Transport Protocol for Real-Time Applications" (Non-Patent Document 1), content transmission equipment using this real-time data transfer protocol adds packet data and a serial number to the packet data. Then send. On the other hand, in the content receiver, after receiving the packet data transmitted from the content transmitting device, temporarily storing it in the reception buffer, and then performing packet alignment processing (processing to arrange in the order of the serial number) based on the serial number In general, the next stage of processing is performed.

Request for Comments 1889 “RTP: A Transport Potocol for Real-Time Applications”

  In the content receiver of the above conventional method, when packet data in which the order of packet data (order of sequential number order) is received, the larger the capacity of the buffer for temporarily storing the packet data, The probability that the replacement can be corrected is increased, and the packet data is further sorted in the order of the serial numbers (arranged in the order of the serial numbers). However, in the content receiver, when the capacity of the reception buffer is increased, data processing for separating and extracting video data and audio data from the packet data after receiving packet data as content data is started. The time until it is always increased regardless of the operating state of the content receiver. For example, when the packet data is broadcast data, the time required for channel switching in the content receiver, the time from when the content receiver is turned on until video or audio is output, and the like (the packet data After reception, the time required to start the data processing for separating / extracting the video data and the audio data) becomes longer as much as it takes.

The problem of the present invention is that in view of the current state of the prior art, the time required for the content receiver to start data processing for separating and extracting video data and audio data after receiving packet data as content data. Is to be able to shorten.
An object of the present invention is to provide a content receiving technique that solves the above-described problems and has improved usability.

  In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, in a content receiver (corresponding embodiment: content receiver 100), a packet data storage capacity (hereinafter referred to as a buffer size) in a buffer that temporarily stores received packet data. ) Is selected and set from a plurality of types of buffer sizes corresponding to the operating state of the content receiver, and the packet alignment processing of the packet data to be transferred after being stored in the buffer is possible. Further, the buffer size in the buffer is set by selecting from a plurality of types of buffer sizes corresponding to the packet quality of the packet data (packet alignment degree (ratio arranged in the order of serial number)). A packet alignment process for packet data transferred after storage is possible.

  According to the present invention, in a content receiver that receives packet data as content data, after the packet data is received, the time required to start data processing for separating and extracting video data and audio data is shortened. The usability of the content receiver can be improved.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the content receiver as an Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the input device in the structure of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the service information server in the structure of FIG. 1, a repeater, and a network broadcast transmission apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing flow in the state management part of the content receiver of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the state transition pattern at the time of the new state transition request | requirement in the state management part of the content receiver of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing flow in the receiver control part of the content receiver of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing flow in the channel selection control part of the content receiver of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing flow in the RTP process part of the content receiver of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the packet data stored in the stream buffer in the content receiver of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the buffer size setting process in the stream buffer of the content receiver of FIG.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals in principle. In the specification, repetitive description of the same components is avoided.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a content receiver 100 as an embodiment of the present invention. The content receiver 100 according to the present embodiment receives broadcast content packet data transmitted via the communication network 180, processes this data, separates and extracts it into video data and audio data, and displays them externally. It has the structure which outputs toward the apparatus 171 and the speaker 172.
In FIG. 1, the content receiver 100 is connected to an input device 170, a display device 171, and a speaker 172. The content receiver 100 is also connected to the service information server 181 and the repeater 182 via the communication network 180. The repeater 182 is further connected to the network broadcast transmission device 183. The input device 170 is operated by a user such as a viewer and outputs an instruction signal for instructing the operation state of the content receiver 100 to the content receiver 100 as operation information. When the content receiver 100 receives the instruction signal, the content receiver 100 receives the broadcast content via the communication network 180 according to the instruction signal, and performs data processing for recording, recording, reproduction, and the like based on the broadcast content.

  The content receiver 100 includes a central control unit 110 that controls the entire content receiver 100, a main storage device 120 that has a buffer configuration and temporarily stores packet data captured in the content receiver 100, and a communication network 180. Network control unit 130 that transmits and receives packet data of broadcast content to and from, video output interface 150 that outputs video data separated and extracted from broadcast content for viewing, and separated from broadcast content for viewing It includes an audio output interface 160 that outputs the extracted audio data, and an auxiliary storage device 140 that stores content data before separation / extraction of broadcast content. In the content receiver 100, the main storage device 120, the communication network control unit 130, the auxiliary storage device 140, the video output interface 150, and the audio output interface 160 are each connected to the central control unit 110. The main storage device 120 includes a channel selection information buffer 121, a last channel value storage unit 122, a stream buffer 123 as storage means, a buffer size value storage unit 124, and an RTP packet buffer 125.

  The central control unit 110 has a configuration for controlling the entire content receiver 100, and includes a state management unit 111 as a state management unit, a receiver control unit 112 as a receiver control unit, a channel selection control unit 113, and packet data storage. An RTP processing unit 114, a file system 115, a data transfer unit 116, a content data processing unit 117, and a timer 118 are provided as processing means.

  The communication network control unit 130 is connected to the channel selection control unit 113, the channel selection information buffer 121, and the stream buffer 123 as a storage unit that temporarily stores received packet data, and receives content data from the communication network 180. The stream buffer 123 is controlled to store the received content data. Further, the communication network control unit 130 is connected to the service information server 181 and the relay 182 via the communication network 180, and further to the network broadcast transmission device 183 which is a content transmission device via the relay 182. It is connected.

  The state management unit 111 as a state management unit is connected to the receiver control unit 112 and the timer 118 in the central control unit 110, and further connected to an input device 170 outside the content receiver 100. The state management unit 111 receives an instruction signal as operation information output from the input device 170 by a user operation, and sets the content receiver 100 to a new operation state (operation mode) based on the instruction signal (operation information). ) Is generated and output to the receiver control unit 112. When receiving the new state transition request information, the receiver control unit 112 receives information notifying that the content receiver 100 is to be transitioned to a new operation state (operation mode) (hereinafter, a new state transition approval notification). Information) is output to the state management unit 111. When the state management unit 111 receives the new state transition approval notification information from the receiver control unit 112, the state management unit 111 stores the operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 in the new state, and the state management unit 111 When receiving the abnormality occurrence notification information for notifying the occurrence of abnormality in the file system 115, the data transfer unit 116, or the content data processing unit 117 from the receiver control unit 112, the content control device 100 of the content receiver 100 is notified to the receiver control unit 112. New state transition request information for shifting the operation state (operation mode) to the initial state is transmitted.

The timer 118 is a period during which the state management unit 111 accepts the new state transition approval notification information output from the receiver control unit 112 in response to the new state transition request information, the content receiver 100 is in the “channel up zapping” state, This is used to manage a period from when the state shifts to the “channel down zapping” state to when the user starts viewing the broadcast content, that is, the transition to the “viewing” state. When managing such a period, the state management unit 111 transmits setting information (timeout information) and timer start request information of the timeout time to the timer 118. The state management unit 111 stores the time-out information when the timer 118 times out, and deletes the time-out information when the state management unit 111 confirms the time-out.
The state management unit 111 confirms the presence / absence of new state transition approval notification information and abnormality occurrence notification information received from the receiver control unit 112, and if at least any of these information exists inside to erase.

  In the central control unit 110, the receiver control unit 112 as a receiver control unit includes a state management unit 111, a channel selection control unit 113, an RTP processing unit 114, a file system 115, a data transfer unit 116, and a content data processing unit 117. Connected with. When the new state transition request information is input from the state management unit 111, the receiver control unit 112 selects from a plurality of levels of packet data storage capacity (buffer size) information stored therein in advance. A means for selecting buffer size information at a level indicated by the new state transition request information and the RTP processing unit 114 are requested to set the buffer size of the stream buffer 123 corresponding to the selected buffer size information. And means for instructing packet alignment processing of the packet data transferred from the stream buffer 123 after being stored in the stream buffer 123. Upon receiving the new state transition request information from the state management unit 111, the receiver control unit 112 moves the operation state of the content receiver 100 to the new state corresponding to the new state transition request information. The above-described units connected to the receiver control unit 112 are controlled. When receiving the new state transition request information, the receiver control unit 112 returns new state transition approval notification information to the state management unit 111. In addition, when the receiver control unit 112 receives information notifying the occurrence of an abnormality from the file system 115, the data transfer unit 116, or the content data processing unit 117, the receiver control unit 112 notifies the state management unit 111 of the occurrence of the abnormality. Send.

  The channel selection control unit 113 is connected to the receiver control unit 112, the channel selection information buffer 121 in the main storage device 120, and the last channel value storage unit 122 in the main storage device 120. Further, the channel selection control unit 113 is connected to the service information server 181 and the repeater 182 via the communication network control unit 130 and the communication network 180. The channel selection control unit 113 acquires broadcast station channel information from the service information server 181 and acquires information on a broadcast content reception method corresponding to the channel value. Further, the channel selection control unit 113 manages the last channel value by using the last channel value storage unit 122. Furthermore, it receives last channel viewing request information, last channel up / down request information, viewing stop request information, and the like from the receiver control unit 112, and performs a corresponding control operation.

  The RTP processing unit 114 as a packet data storage processing unit includes a receiver control unit 112, a communication network control unit 130, a stream buffer 123 as a storage unit in the main storage device 120, and a buffer size value storage in the main storage device 120 as well. The unit 124 is also connected to the RTP packet buffer 125 in the main storage device 120. The RTP processing unit 114 controls the stream buffer 123 to variably set the packet data storage capacity (buffer size) of the stream buffer 123 and to specify the packet data storage area of the stream buffer 123; Means for performing packet alignment processing of packet data transferred from the stream buffer 123 later. The RTP processing unit 114 designates a storage area of the packet data received by the communication network control unit 130 in the stream buffer 123 according to an instruction from the receiver control unit 112, and sets the packet data stored in the stream buffer 123 to the packet data stored in the stream buffer 123. Packet alignment processing is performed on the packet, and the packet is stored in the RTP packet buffer 125 that has performed the packet alignment processing. When the receiver control unit 112 instructs to change the buffer size used by the stream buffer 123, first, the buffer size value is stored in the buffer size value storage unit 124, and the buffer size is actually changed. This buffer size value is used.

The file system 115 is connected to the receiver control unit 112, the data transfer unit 116, and the auxiliary storage device 140. The file system 115 stores the content data being viewed output from the data transfer unit 116 in the auxiliary storage device 140 in accordance with an instruction from the receiver control unit 112, reads out the stored content data, and the data transfer unit 116. Send to.
The data transfer unit 116 is connected to the receiver control unit 112, the RTP packet buffer 125 in the main storage device 120, the file system 115, and the content data processing unit 117. The data transfer unit 116 acquires content data from the RTP packet buffer 125 according to an instruction from the receiver control unit 112, transfers the content data to the content data processing unit 117 for viewing, and records it for recording. Transfer to file system 115. In order to play back the recorded content data, the data transfer unit 116 receives the content data from the auxiliary storage device 140 via the file system 115 and transfers it to the content data processing unit 117.
The content data processing unit 117 is connected to the receiver control unit 112, the data transfer unit 116, the video output interface 150, and the audio output interface 160. The content data processing unit 117 receives content data from the data transfer unit 116 in accordance with an instruction from the receiver control unit 112, and converts the received content data from an encoding method and encoded data in the content data to a video. The data is divided into data and audio data, video data is output to the video output interface 150, and audio data is output to the audio output interface 160.

The video output interface 150 is connected to the content data processing unit 117 and the display device 171, converts the video data received from the content data processing unit 117 into a display signal, and outputs the display signal to the display device 171.
The audio output interface 160 is connected to the content data processing unit 117 and the speaker 172, converts the audio data received from the content data processing unit 117 into an audio signal, and outputs the audio signal to the speaker 172.

  The stream buffer 123 is connected to a network broadcast transmission device 183 as a content transmission device via the communication network control unit 130, the communication network 180, and the relay 182. The content data transmitted from the network broadcast transmission device 183 is transferred as packet data via the communication network 180, and when the content data reaches the content receiver 100, the order of the packet data (order of the serial number) is changed. There is a possibility that packet data is lost or packet data is duplicated. When such a change of order (order of sequential number order), loss or duplication occurs in the packet data, the stream buffer 123 stores the packet data. The RTP processing unit 114 performs packet alignment processing on the packet data that is stored in the stream buffer 123 and then transferred from the stream buffer 123, so that the packet data order (sequence number order) is switched or duplicated. Etc. are corrected. Thereafter, the RTP processing unit 114 stores the packet data subjected to the packet alignment processing in the RTP packet buffer 125. Thereafter, the packet data subjected to the packet alignment process is transferred from the RTP packet buffer 125 to the data transfer unit 116 under the control of the receiver control unit 112.

The RTP processing unit 114 sets the buffer size of the stream buffer 123 according to the operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100, thereby receiving the packet data as the content data from the communication network control unit 130, The time until content data processing for separating and extracting data and audio data is started can be changed according to the operating state of the content receiver 100, and the time can be shortened.
Hereinafter, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 are given to the components in FIG. 1 used in the description.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the input device 170 in the configuration of FIG.
In FIG. 2, the input device 170 has an ON button 201, an Off button 202, a Rec button 203, an Up button 204, a Down button 205, and a Play / Pause button 206. The input device 170 is connected to the state management unit 111 and has a configuration that transmits operation information corresponding to the button to the state management unit 111 when the user performs an operation such as pressing the button.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the service information server, the repeater, and the network broadcast transmission apparatus in the configuration of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of each of the service information server 181, the repeater 182, and the network broadcast transmission device 183 in the configuration of FIG. 1.

  In FIG. 3, the service information server 181, the repeater 182, and the network broadcast transmission device 183 each include a communication network control unit, a central control unit, a main storage device, and an auxiliary storage device as components. The communication network control unit 1811 of the service information server 181, the communication network control unit 1821 of the repeater 182, and the communication network control unit 1831 of the network broadcast transmission device 183 each receive packet data as content data with the communication network 180. It has a configuration for transmitting and receiving. The central control unit 1812 of the service information server 181, the central control unit 1822 of the repeater 182, and the central control unit 1832 of the network broadcast transmission apparatus 183 respectively control the entire service information server 181, the entire repeater 182, and the entire network broadcast transmission apparatus 183. The structure to control is provided. The main storage device 1813 of the service information server 181, the main storage device 1823 of the repeater 182, and the main storage device 1833 of the network broadcast transmission device 183 each have a buffer configuration and a configuration for temporarily storing packet data. In addition, the auxiliary storage device 1814 of the service information server 181, the auxiliary storage device 1824 of the repeater 182, and the auxiliary storage device 1834 of the network broadcast transmission device 183 assist the main storage devices 1813, 1823, and 1833, respectively. Increase the total storage capacity at.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow in the state management unit 111 in the content receiver 100 of FIG.
In FIG.
(1) The state management unit 111 starts a state management processing operation when the content receiver 100 is turned on (step S400).
(2) The state management unit 111 first shifts to a period for accepting a new state transition approval notification in response to a new state transition request to the receiver control unit 112, a “channel up zapping” state, and a “channel down zapping” state. The timer 118 for managing the period from the start to the transition to the “viewing” state is explicitly stopped as an initialization process (step S401).
(3) Next, the state management unit 111 outputs new state transition request information for shifting the content receiver 100 to the new state, that is, the “initial” state, to the receiver control unit 112 (step S403).
(4) Subsequently, the state management unit 111 sets a time for the timer 118 to start a time count for the set time in order to manage a period for receiving the new state transition approval notification information from the receiver control unit 112. Instruction information for (timer start) is output (step S409). The set time value of the timer 118 at this time is a period for receiving the new state transition approval notification information from the receiver control unit 112, that is, the state management for the receiver control unit 112 to shift the content receiver 100 to the new state. The time taken from the reception of the new state transition request information output from the unit 111 until the content receiver 100 finishes the transition operation to the new state.
(5) Next, the receiver control unit 112 determines whether or not the timer 118 has timed out (step S410).

(6) If the timer 118 has timed out as a result of the determination by the receiver control unit 112 in step S410, the state management unit 111 has passed the period for receiving the new state transition approval notification information from the receiver control unit 112. Therefore, the state management unit 111 transmits new state transition request information for setting the content receiver 100 to the “initial” state to the receiver control unit 112 (step S403).
(7) If the timer 118 has not timed out as a result of the determination in step S403, the state management unit 111 determines whether or not the new state transition approval notification information from the receiver control unit 112 has been received. (Step S411).
(8) As a result of determination in step S411, when the state management unit 111 has not received the new state transition approval notification information from the receiver control unit 112, the state management unit 111 indicates that the timer 118 has timed out. Return to the step of determining whether or not (step S410).
(9) If the result of determination in step S411 is that the state management unit 111 has received the new state transition approval notification information from the receiver control unit 112, the state management unit 111 stops the timer 118 (step S412).
(10) Next, the state management unit 111 stores information (new state information) indicating the new state that has been requested for transition to confirm the new state, and erases the new state transition approval notification information. (Step S413).

(11) Further, the state management unit 111 determines whether or not the determined operation state is the “channel up zapping” state or the “channel down zapping” state (step S414).
(12) As a result of determination by the state management unit 111 in step S414, when the determined operation state is neither the “channel up zapping” state nor the “channel down zapping” state, the state management unit 111 sets the receiver control unit It is determined from 112 whether or not abnormality notification information notifying the occurrence of abnormality in the file system 115, the data transfer unit 116, or the content data processing unit 117 has been received (step S402).
(13) If the determined operation state is the “channel up zapping” state or the “channel down zapping” state as a result of the determination in step S414, the state management unit 111 performs the file system 115 or data transfer. The timer 118 is started in order to manage the time until the transition to the “viewing” state is started by the timer 118 when there is no abnormality or channel change in the unit 116 or the content data processing unit 117 (step S415). Then, it is determined whether or not abnormality notification information for notifying the occurrence of abnormality in the file system 115, the data transfer unit 116, or the content data processing unit 117 is received from the receiver control unit 112 (step S402).
(14) As a result of the determination in step S402, when the state management unit 111 has received the abnormality occurrence notification information from the receiver control unit 112, the state management unit 111 deletes the abnormality occurrence notification information. The new state transition request information for shifting the content receiver 100 to the “initial” state is transmitted to the receiver control unit 112 (step S403).
(15) As a result of the determination in step S402, when the state management unit 111 has not received the abnormality occurrence notification information from the receiver control unit 112, the state management unit 111 determines whether or not the timer 118 has timed out. Is determined (step S404).

(16) If the result of determination in step S404 is that the timer 118 has timed out, the state management unit 111 sends new state transition request information for causing the content receiver 100 to transition to the new state, that is, the “viewing” state. It outputs to the receiver control part 112 (step S405). Subsequently, the state management unit 111 sets a time for the timer 118 to manage a period for receiving the new state transition approval notification information from the receiver control unit 112, and sets a time count for the set time to the timer 118. Instruction information for starting (timer start) is output (step S409).
(17) If the timer 118 has not timed out as a result of the determination in step S404, the state management unit 111 determines whether or not an instruction signal as operation information by button operation is received from the input device 170. (Step S406).
(18) If the result of determination in step S406 is that the state management unit 111 has not received an instruction signal as operation information, the state management unit 111 receives the abnormality occurrence notification information from the receiver control unit 112. It is determined whether or not (step S402).
(19) If the result of determination in step S406 is that the state management unit 111 has received an instruction signal as operation information, the instruction signal (operation information) corresponds to the current operation state (operation mode). It is determined whether or not it is valid (step S407).
(20) If the result of determination in step S407 is that the instruction signal (operation information) is not a valid instruction signal (operation information), the state management unit 111 receives the abnormality occurrence notification information from the receiver control unit 112. The process returns to the step of determining whether or not it is being performed (step S402).

(21) If the result of determination in step S407 is that the instruction signal (operation information) is an instruction signal (operation information) that is valid for the current operation state (operation mode), the state management unit 111 A state to be newly transferred (new state) is obtained from the current operation state (operation mode) and the operation information, and new state transfer request information is output to the receiver control unit 112 (step S408).
(22) Furthermore, the state management unit 111 sets a time for the timer 118 and manages a time count for the set time in order to manage a period for receiving the new state transition approval notification information from the receiver control unit 112. Instruction information for starting (timer start) at 118 is output (step S409).

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state transition pattern at the time of a new state transition request in the state management unit 111 of the content receiver 100 in FIG. The content receiver 100 determines a new state at the time of a new state transition request (step S408 in FIG. 4) according to this state transition pattern.
In FIG. 5, the description in the square frame indicates the operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100, and the description in the circle indicates operation information (from the input device 170 that is output by the button operation of the input device 170). = Indication signal). In the content receiver 100, when the state management unit 111 receives the operation information in the round frame on the arrow in FIG. 5 from the input device 170, the state management unit 111 places the content receiver 100 at the tip of the arrow. The receiver control unit 112 is notified of new state transition request information for setting the operation state (operation mode) within the square frame. Hereinafter, FIG. 5 will be described in detail.

  In FIG. 5, for example, when the current operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 is the “initial” state 500, the operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 is newly set from the “initial” state 500. The new state transition request information for transitioning to the “viewing” state 501 of the state is that when the ON button operation information 509 is output from the input device 170 and received by the state management unit 111, the state management unit 111 receives the ON button operation information 509. The data is output toward the receiver control unit 112. Conversely, when the current operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 is the “viewing” state 501, the operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 is changed from the “viewing” state 501 to the new state. The new state transition request information for transitioning to the “initial” state 500 is received from the state management unit 111 when the Off button operation information 510 is output from the input device 170 and received by the state management unit 111. It is output toward the machine control unit 112.

  When the current operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 is the “viewing” state 501, the operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 is changed from the “viewing” state 501 to a new state “viewing”. The new state transition request information for transitioning to the “recording” state 504 includes the Rec button operation information 517 output from the input device 170 and received by the state management unit 111. It is output toward the unit 112. Conversely, when the current operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 is the “viewing recording” state 504, the operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 is changed from the “viewing recording” state 504. The new state transition request information for shifting to the new “viewing” state 501 is that when the Rec button operation information 518 is output from the input device 170 and received by the state management unit 111, the state management unit 111. To the receiver control unit 112.

  When the current operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 is the “viewing recording” state 504, the operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 is changed from the “viewing recording” state 504 to a new state. The new state transition request information for transitioning to the “recording” state 505 is that when the Off button operation information 519 is output from the input device 170 and received by the state management unit 111, a receiver is received from the state management unit 111. The data is output toward the control unit 112. Conversely, when the current operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 is the “recording” state 505, the operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 is changed from the “recording” state 505 to the new state. The new state transition request information for transitioning to the “viewing and recording” state 504 is output from the state management unit 111 when the ON button operation information 520 is output from the input device 170 and received by the state management unit 111. The data is output toward the receiver control unit 112.

  Further, when the current operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 is the “viewing” state 501, the operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 is changed from the “viewing” state 501 to the “reproduction” state. The new state transition request information for transitioning to the state 506 is that when the Play / Pause button operation information 521 is output from the input device 170 and received by the state management unit 111, the state management unit 111 receives the receiver. The data is output toward the control unit 112. Conversely, when the current operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 is the “reproduction” state 506, the operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 is changed from the “reproduction” state 506 to the new state. The new state transition request information for transitioning to the “viewing” state 501 is output when the Play / Pause button operation information 522 is output from the input device 170 and received by the state management unit 111. To the receiver control unit 112.

  Further, when the current operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 is the “reproduction” state 506, the operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 is changed from the “reproduction” state 506 to the “next” state of the new state. The new state transition request information for transitioning to the “content playback” state 507 is that the Up button operation information 523 is output from the input device 170 and received by the state management unit 111. The data is output toward the control unit 112. When the current operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 is the “reproduction” state 506, the operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 is changed from the “reproduction” state 506 to the “previous” state. The new state transition request information for transitioning to the “content playback” state 508 is that the Down button operation information 525 is output from the input device 170 and is received by the state management unit 111. The data is output toward the control unit 112.

  Further, when the current operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 is the “next content reproduction” state 507, the operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 is newly changed from the “next content reproduction” state 507. The new state transition request information for shifting to the “viewing” state 501 of the state is that when the Play / Pause button operation information 524 is output from the input device 170 and received by the state management unit 111, the state management unit 111 is output toward the receiver control unit 112. When the current operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 is the “previous content reproduction” state 508, the operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 is newly changed from the “previous content reproduction” state 508. The new state transition request information for shifting to the “viewing” state 501 is the state management unit when the Play / Pause button operation information 526 is output from the input device 170 and received by the state management unit 111. 111 is output toward the receiver control unit 112.

  When the current operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 is the “viewing” state 501, the operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 is changed from the “viewing” state 501 to a new “channel”. The new state transition request information for transitioning to the “up-zapping” state 502 is that when the Up button operation information 511 is output from the input device 170 and received by the state management unit 111, the state management unit 111 receives the receiver. The data is output toward the control unit 112. When the current operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 is the “viewing” state 501, the operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 is changed from the “viewing” state 501 to the “channel”. The new state transition request information for transitioning to the “down zapping” state 503 is that the Down button operation information 514 is output from the input device 170 and received by the state management unit 111. The data is output toward the control unit 112.

  When the current operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 is the “channel up zapping” state 502, the operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 is newly changed from the “channel up zapping” state 502. The new state transition request information for shifting to the state “channel down zapping” state 503 is output when the Down button operation information 513 is output from the input device 170 and received by the state management unit 111. 111 is output toward the receiver control unit 112. Conversely, when the current operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 is the “channel down zapping” state 503, the operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 is changed to the “channel down zapping” state. The new state transition request information for shifting to the “channel up zapping” state 502 from the new state 503 is output when the Up button operation information 516 is output from the input device 170 and received by the state management unit 111. The data is output from the state management unit 111 toward the receiver control unit 112.

  When the current operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 is the “channel up zapping” state 502, the operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 is newly changed from the “channel up zapping” state 502. The new state transition request information for transitioning to the state “channel up zapping” state 502 is that when the Up button operation information 512 is output from the input device 170 and received by the state management unit 111, the state management unit 111 is output toward the receiver control unit 112. When the current operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 is the “channel down zapping” state 503, the operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 is newly set from the “channel down zapping” state 503. The new state transition request information for shifting to the state “channel down zapping” state 503 is output when the Down button operation information 515 is output from the input device 170 and received by the state management unit 111. 111 is output toward the receiver control unit 112.

  From the above, in the “channel up zapping” state 502 or the “channel down zapping” state 503 in the content receiver 100, the channel up operation information and the down operation information on the input device 170 by the user (viewer) are within a certain time. If it continues to occur, there will be no change to other operating states. In order to shift from the “channel up zapping” state 502 or the “channel down zapping” state 503 to the “viewing” state 501, the state management unit 111 needs to receive timeout information from the timer 118. In the “channel up zapping” state 502, when the state management unit 111 receives Up operation information of a channel before the time-out, the operation state is not changed, but the channel up processing is executed. Similarly, in the “channel down zapping” state 503, even when the state management unit 111 receives the channel down operation information before the time-out, the operation state is not changed, but the channel down process is executed.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow in the receiver control unit 112 corresponding to the operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100 in FIG.
In FIG.
(1) The receiver control unit 112 starts a state management processing operation when the content receiver 100 is powered on (step S600).
(2) The receiver control unit 112 provides information on three types of buffer sizes, for example, a large capacity, a medium capacity, and a small capacity in a ratio of 4: 2: 1 as a buffer size setting value to be instructed to the RTP processing unit 114. Suppose you hold it. First, the receiver control unit 112 determines whether or not new state transition request information for shifting the content receiver 100 to the “viewing” state has been received from the state management unit 111 (step S601).
(3) If the result of determination in step S601 is that the receiver control unit 112 has received new state transition request information for shifting the content receiver 100 to the “viewing” state, the receiver control unit 112 selects medium-capacity buffer size information from the three types of buffer size information stored in the large-capacity / medium-capacity / small-capacity, and sends the medium-capacity buffer size information to the RTP processing unit 114. Information for requesting the change to the size is notified (step S602), and the data transfer unit setting, that is, the data transfer unit 116 reads data from the RTP packet buffer 125 and transfers the data to the content data processing unit 117. Information for instructing the setting to be performed is notified (step S603). Next, the receiver control unit 112 separates and extracts video data and audio data from the data transferred from the content data processing unit setting, that is, the data transfer unit 116, to the content data processing unit 117. Information instructing setting to be transferred to the output interface 150 and the audio output interface 160 is notified (step S604), and the channel selection control unit 113 is notified of the last channel viewing request information (step S605). . In addition, the receiver control unit 112 notifies the RTP processing unit 114 of information for instructing the start of the RTP processing (step S606). Subsequently, the receiver control unit 112 notifies the data transfer unit 116 of information instructing the start of data transfer (step S607), and the state management unit 111 “views” the content receiver 100. New state transition approval notification information for approving the transition to the state is notified (step S608).

  When the content receiver 100 is in the “viewing” state, the time from when the packet data of the content is received until data processing is performed is the time when the content receiver 100 is in the “recording” state (the stream buffer 123 in this case is Since the amount of packet data stored in the stream buffer 123 is small, the content receiver 100 determines the probability that the exchange of packet data can be corrected by “channel”. Improved because the amount of packet data stored in the stream buffer 123 is larger than that in the “up zapping” state or the “channel down zapping” state (in this case, the buffer size of the stream buffer 123 is small). Can be made. That is, when the content receiver 100 is in the “viewing” state, the time from the reception of the content data to the display can be made shorter than when the content receiver 100 is in the “recording” state. And the audio quality can be improved as compared with the case where the content receiver 100 is in the “channel up zapping” state or the “channel down zapping” state.

(4) If the result of determination in step S601 is that the receiver control unit 112 has not received from the state management unit 111 new state transition request information for shifting the content receiver 100 to the “viewing” state. The receiver control unit 112 determines whether or not new state transition request information for shifting the content receiver 100 to the “viewing and recording” state is received from the state management unit 111 (step S609).
(5) If the result of determination in step S609 is that the receiver control unit 112 has received new state transition request information for causing the content receiver 100 to transition to the “viewing and recording” state, the receiver control unit 112 The unit 112 selects the medium capacity buffer size information from the three types of buffer size information stored therein, that is, the large capacity, medium capacity, and small capacity, or updates the medium capacity buffer size information. The RTP processing unit 114 is notified of information requesting a change to the medium-capacity buffer size (step S610), and the file system setting, that is, the data transfer unit 116 is notified to the file system 115 by the RTP. Specifies that the data read from the packet buffer 125 and transferred are written as a file in the auxiliary storage device 140. And it notifies the information to (step S611). Next, the receiver control unit 112 sets the data transfer unit for the data transfer unit 116, that is, the data transfer unit 116 reads the data from the RTP packet buffer 125 and transfers the same data to the content data processing unit 117 and the file system 115. Information for instructing such setting is notified (step S612), and the state management unit 111 receives new state transition approval notification information for approving the transition of the content receiver 100 to the “viewing recording” state. Output (step S608).
When the content receiver 100 is in the “viewing and recording” state, the time from when the content packet data is received until the data processing is performed is the time when the content receiver 100 is in the “recording” state (the stream buffer 123 in this case). The buffer size is large), the amount of packet data stored in the stream buffer 123 is small, so that the content receiver 100 can determine the probability that the packet data can be shortened and the exchange of packet data can be corrected. Since the amount of stored packet data in the stream buffer 123 is larger than that in the “channel up zapping” state or the “channel down zapping” state (in this case, the buffer size of the stream buffer 123 is small), Can be improved That is, when the content receiver 100 is in the “viewing recording” state, the time from the reception of the content data to the display can be made shorter than when the content receiver 100 is in the “recording” state. It is possible to improve the quality and the quality of the audio compared to when the content receiver 100 is in the “channel up zapping” state or the “channel down zapping” state.

(6) As a result of the determination in step S609, when the receiver control unit 112 has not received the new state transition request information for shifting the content receiver 100 to the “viewing recording” state, the receiver control unit 112 The unit 112 determines whether or not new state transition request information for shifting the content receiver 100 to the “recording” state has been received from the state management unit 111 (step S613).
(7) If the result of determination in step S613 is that the receiver control unit 112 has received new state transition request information for shifting the content receiver 100 to the “recording” state, the receiver control unit 112 selects information on a large-capacity buffer size from the three types of buffer size information stored therein, that is, large-capacity, medium-capacity, and small-capacity, and provides the RTP processor 114 with a large-capacity buffer size. Information for requesting the change to the file is notified (step S614), and the content data processing unit 117 is set to packet separation / extraction and decoder setting, that is, to read data from the RTP packet buffer 125 and transfer the data to the file system 115. Information for instructing to do so is notified (step S615). Next, the receiver control unit 112 transmits, to the state management unit 111, new state transition approval notification information that approves the transition of the content receiver 100 to the “recording” state (step S608). Here, the file system 115 manages the recorded content as a file in order of recording start date and time. With respect to the current content, the previous content is content that has been recorded one time before, and the next content is content that has been recorded one time after. However, the next content after the latest recorded content is the oldest recorded content. In the initial state, the current content is the latest recorded content. Note that the content receiver 100 already has one sample of recorded content in the product shipment state, and the current content, the previous content, and the next content correspond to the recorded content of the sample.
When the content receiver 100 is in the “recording” state, the probability that the replacement of the packet data can be corrected is determined when the content receiver 100 is in the “channel up zapping” state or the “channel down zapping” state (in this case) The buffer size of the stream buffer 123 is a small capacity), or when in the “viewing” state or “viewing recording” state (assuming that the buffer size of the stream buffer 123 in this case is a medium capacity). Since the amount of stored packet data in the stream buffer 123 is large, it can be improved. That is, the video quality and audio quality are improved as compared to when the content receiver 100 is in the “channel up zapping” state, the “channel down zapping” state, the “viewing” state, and the “viewing recording” state. be able to.

(8) As a result of the determination in step S613, when the receiver control unit 112 has not received the new state transition request information for shifting the content receiver 100 to the “recording” state, the receiver control unit 112 determines whether or not new state transition request information for shifting the content receiver 100 to the “channel up zapping” state has been received from the state management unit 111 (step S616).
(9) If the result of determination in step S616 is that the receiver control unit 112 has received a new state transition request for transitioning the content receiver 100 to the “channel up zapping” state, the receiver control unit 112 The unit 112 selects the small buffer size information from the three types of buffer size information stored therein, that is, the large capacity, the medium capacity, and the small capacity, and receives the packet data to the RTP processing unit 114. Information requesting the stop is notified (step S617), and information requesting the change to the small buffer size is notified to the RTP processing unit 114 (step S618). Next, the receiver control unit 112 notifies the channel selection control unit 113 of information requesting the last channel up (step S619), and the RTP processing unit 114 is instructed to start RTP processing. (Step S620), and the state management unit 111 transmits new state transition approval notification information for approving the transition of the content receiver 100 to the “channel up zapping” state (step S608).
When the content receiver 100 is in the “channel up zapping” state, the time from when the content packet data is received until data processing is performed is the time when the content receiver 100 is in the “recording” state (in this case) The buffer size of the stream buffer 123 is a large capacity) or when in the “viewing” state or the “viewing recording” state (assuming that the buffer size of the stream buffer 123 in this case is a medium capacity) Since the amount of stored packet data in the stream buffer 123 is small, it can be shortened. That is, the content display switching time at the time of channel switching can be shortened compared to when the content receiver 100 is in the “viewing” state, and the content receiver 100 indicates the time taken from the reception of the content data to the display. It can be made shorter than in the “recording” state, the “viewing” state, or the “viewing recording” state.

(10) If the result of determination in step S616 is that the receiver control unit 112 has not received a new state transition request for causing the content receiver 100 to transition to the “channel up zapping” state, the receiver control unit 112 The unit 112 determines whether or not new state transition request information for shifting the content receiver 100 to the “channel down zapping” state is received from the state management unit 111 (step S621).
(11) If the result of determination in step S621 is that the receiver control unit 112 has received a new state transition request for causing the content receiver 100 to transition to the “channel down zapping” state, the receiver control unit 112 The unit 112 updates the small-capacity buffer size information while selecting the small-capacity buffer size information from the three types of buffer-size information stored in the large-capacity, medium-capacity, and small-capacity. The RTP processing unit 114 is notified of information requesting to stop receiving packet data (step S622), and the RTP processing unit 114 is notified of information requesting a change to a small buffer size. (Step S623). Next, the receiver control unit 112 notifies the channel selection control unit 113 of information requesting the last channel down (step S624), and the RTP processing unit 114 receives information for instructing the start of RTP processing. Notification is made (step S625), and new state transition approval notification information for approving the content receiver 100 to transition to the “channel down zapping” state is transmitted to the state management unit 111 (step S608).
When the content receiver 100 is in the “channel down zapping” state, the time from when the content packet data is received until data processing is performed is determined when the content receiver 100 is in the “recording” state (this The buffer size of the stream buffer 123 in this case is a large capacity) or in the “viewing” state or the “viewing recording” state (assuming that the buffer size of the stream buffer 123 in this case is a medium capacity). Since the amount of stored packet data in the stream buffer 123 is small, it can be shortened. That is, the content display switching time at the time of channel switching can be shortened compared to when the content receiver 100 is in the “viewing” state, and the content receiver 100 indicates the time taken from the reception of the content data to the display. It can be made shorter than in the “recording” state, the “viewing” state, or the “viewing recording” state.

(12) As a result of the determination in step S621, when the receiver control unit 112 has not received a new state transition request for shifting the content receiver 100 to the “channel down zapping” state, the receiver control unit 112 Unit 112 determines whether or not new state transition request information for causing content receiver 100 to transition to the “playback” state is received from state management unit 111 (step S626).
(13) As a result of the determination in step S626, when the receiver control unit 112 has received a new state transition request for shifting the content receiver 100 to the “playback” state, the receiver control unit 112 Notifies the RTP processing unit 114 of information requesting to stop receiving packet data (step S627), and notifies the channel selection control unit 113 of information requesting to stop viewing (step S628). Next, the receiver control unit 112 reads the file corresponding to the current content managed by the file system setting, that is, the file system 115, and transfers the file to the content data processing unit 117. Information indicating the setting is notified (step S629), and the data transfer unit 116 is set to read data from the file system 115 and transfer the data to the content data processing unit 117. Information for instructing is notified (step S630), information for instructing the start of RTP processing is notified to the RTP processing unit 114 (step S631), and the content receiver 100 is notified to the state management unit 111. New state transition that approves the transition to the "playback" state Transmitting the certification notification information (step S608).

(14) If the result of determination in step S626 is that the receiver control unit 112 has not received a new state transition request for shifting the content receiver 100 to the “playback” state, the receiver control unit 112 Determines whether or not new state transition request information for causing the content receiver 100 to transition to the “previous content reproduction” state is received from the state management unit 111 (step S632).
(15) If the result of determination in step S632 is that the receiver control unit 112 has received a new state transition request for transitioning the content receiver 100 to the “previous content playback” state, the receiver control unit 112 The unit 112 notifies the RTP processing unit 114 of information requesting to stop the reception of packet data (step S633), and the file system 115 stores the file corresponding to the file system setting, that is, the current content. The previous content and the next content are updated with the file corresponding to the content. Then, information indicating that the file corresponding to the previous content managed by the file system 115 is read and set to be transferred to the content data processing unit 117 is notified (step S634). Next, the receiver control unit 112 notifies the data transfer unit 116 of data transfer unit setting, that is, information instructing to set to read data from the file system 115 and transfer it to the content data processing unit 117. (Step S635), the RTP processing unit 114 is notified of information instructing the start of the RTP processing (Step S636), and the state management unit 111 is set in the “previous content playback” state. New state transition approval notification information for approving the transition to is transmitted (step S608).

(16) If the result of determination in step S632 is that the receiver control unit 112 has not received a new state transition request for transitioning the content receiver 100 to the “previous content playback” state, the receiver control unit 112 The unit 112 determines whether or not new state transition request information for shifting the content receiver 100 to the “next content playback” state is received from the state management unit 111 (step S637).
(17) If the result of determination in step S637 is that the receiver control unit 112 has received a new state transition request for shifting the content receiver 100 to the “next content playback” state, the receiver control The unit 112 notifies the RTP processing unit 114 of information requesting to stop the reception of packet data (step S638), and the file system 115 follows the file system setting, that is, the file corresponding to the current content. The previous content and the next content are updated with the file corresponding to the content. Then, information indicating that the file corresponding to the next content managed by the file system 115 is read and set to be transferred to the content data processing unit 117 is notified (step S639), and then the receiver The control unit 112 notifies the data transfer unit 116 of data transfer unit setting, that is, information instructing to set to read data from the file system 115 and transfer it to the content data processing unit 117 (step S640). ), The RTP processing unit 114 is notified of information for instructing the start of the RTP processing (step S641), and the state management unit 111 is caused to shift the content receiver 100 to the “next content playback” state. The new state transition approval notification information for approving is transmitted (step S608).

(18) As a result of the determination in step S637, when the receiver control unit 112 has not received the new state transition request information for shifting the content receiver 100 to the “initial” state, the receiver control unit 112 determines whether or not the new state transition request information for shifting the content receiver 100 to the “initial” state is received from the state management unit 111 (step S642).
(19) If the result of determination in step S642 is that the receiver control unit 112 has received a new state transition request for causing the content receiver 100 to transition to the “next content playback” state, the receiver control The unit 112 notifies the RTP processing unit 114 of information requesting to stop reception of packet data (step S643), and notifies the data transfer unit 116 of information instructing to stop setting of the data transfer unit. (Step S644), the state management unit 111 transmits new state transition approval notification information that approves the transition of the content receiver 100 to the “next content playback” state (Step S608).
(20) As a result of the determination in step S642, when the receiver control unit 112 has not received a new state transition request for shifting the content receiver 100 to the “next content reproduction” state, the receiver control unit 112 The unit 112 determines whether information notifying the occurrence of abnormality is received from the file system 115, the data transfer unit 116, or the content data processing unit 117 (step S645).
(21) If the result of determination in step S645 is that the receiver control unit 112 has received information notifying the occurrence of an abnormality from the file system 115, the data transfer unit 116, or the content data processing unit 117, the receiver The control unit 112 transmits abnormality occurrence notification information to the state control unit 111 (step S646), and returns to the first processing step (step S601).

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow in the channel selection control unit 113 of the content receiver 100 of FIG. The content receiver 100 uses a finite integer value as the last channel value.
In FIG. 7, “last channel value up” means that the channel number is changed to the number of the next largest number value after the current number value, and the number of the smallest number value when the current number value is the largest number value. It means to return to. “Last channel value down” means that the channel number is changed to the number of the next smallest number value after the current number value, and when the current number value is the smallest number value, it is returned to the number of the largest number value. It means that.

In FIG.
(1) The channel selection control unit 113 starts channel selection control processing when the content receiver 100 is powered on (step S700).
(2) First, the tuning control unit 113 receives the instruction signal from the receiver control unit 112 and initializes it. As an initialization process, the channel selection control unit 113 performs a last channel value default setting in the last channel value storage unit 122 in the main storage device 120 (step S701).
(3) Next, the channel selection control unit 113 determines whether or not the last channel viewing request information is notified from the receiver control unit 112 (step S702).
(4) If it is determined in step S702 that the last channel viewing request information has been notified, the channel selection control unit 113 acquires channel selection information from the service information server 181 via the communication network 180 (step S703). ), The value stored in the last channel value storage unit 122 is read out, and the “viewing” state of the last channel is started (step S704).
(5) As a result of the determination in step S702, if the last channel viewing request information is not notified, the channel selection control unit 113 determines whether or not the last channel up request information is notified from the receiver control unit 112. (Step S705).

(6) As a result of the determination in step S705, if the last channel up request information is notified from the receiver control unit 112, the channel selection control unit 113 stores it in the last channel value storage unit 122 in the main storage device 120. The last channel value set is increased (step S706), and the “viewing” state of the last channel is started (step S704).
(7) As a result of the determination in step S705, when the last channel up request information is not notified from the receiver control unit 112, the channel selection control unit 113 is notified of the last channel down request information from the receiver control unit 112. It is determined whether or not (step S707).
(8) As a result of the determination in step S707, when the last channel down request information is notified from the receiver control unit 112, the channel selection control unit 113 stores the last channel value stored in the last channel value storage unit 122. (Step S708), and the “viewing” state of the last channel is started (Step S704).
(9) As a result of the determination in step S707, when the last channel down request information is not notified from the receiver control unit 112, the channel selection control unit 113 is notified of the viewing stop request information from the receiver control unit 112. It is determined whether or not there is (step S709).
(10) If the viewing stop request information is notified from the receiver control unit 112 as a result of the determination in step S709, the “viewing” state is stopped (step S710), and the last channel viewing request information is notified. It is determined again whether or not (step S702).

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow in the RTP processing unit 114 of the content receiver 100 of FIG.
In FIG.
(1) The RTP processing unit 114 starts RTP processing when the content receiver 100 is powered on (step S800).
(2) First, the RTP processing unit 114 receives the instruction signal from the receiver control unit 112 and executes the initialization process. As the initialization process, the RTP processing unit 114 clears the stream buffer 123 in the main storage device 120, stores the buffer size initial value in the buffer size value storage unit 124, and clears the RTP packet buffer 125 (step). S801).
(3) Next, if there is buffer size value information notified from the receiver control unit 112 corresponding to the operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100, the RTP processing unit 114 has a buffer size value storage unit 124. And the buffer size value information stored in the buffer size value storage unit 124 is used to newly set the buffer size of the stream buffer 123 to the buffer size value indicated by the buffer size value information. Processing (hereinafter referred to as buffer size setting processing) is executed (step S802). On the other hand, when there is no buffer size value information, the RTP processing unit 114 does not execute the buffer size setting process. Next, the RTP processing unit 114 determines whether or not RTP reception process start request information is received from the receiver control unit 112 (step S803).
(4) If the result of determination in step S803 is that RTP reception processing start request information has not been received from the receiver control unit 112, the RTP processing unit 114 returns to step S802 and executes buffer size setting processing.
(5) As a result of the determination in step S803, when the RTP processing unit 114 has received the RTP reception process start request information from the receiver control unit 112, the RTP processing unit 114 receives the RTP reception process stop request information. Is received from the receiver control unit 112 (step S804).

(6) As a result of the determination in step S804, when the RTP processing unit 114 has received the RTP reception process stop request information from the receiver control unit 112, the RTP processing unit 114 returns to step S801 and performs initial processing. Process.
(7) As a result of the determination in step S804, when the RTP processing unit 114 has not received the RTP reception processing stop request information from the receiver control unit 112, the RTP processing unit 114 receives from the receiver control unit 112. If there is the notified buffer size value information, the buffer size value information is stored in the buffer size value storage unit 124, and the buffer size value information stored in the buffer size value storage unit 124 is used to buffer the stream buffer 123. Processing for setting the size to the buffer size value indicated by the buffer size value information (= buffer size setting processing) is executed (step S805).
(8) Next, the RTP processing unit 114 receives packet data from the stream buffer 123 in the main storage device 120 (step S806), and determines whether or not the stream identification value has changed in the packet data. (Step S807).
(9) If there is a change in the stream identification value of the packet data as a result of the determination in step S807, the RTP processing unit 114 deletes the packet data having the old stream identification value from the stream buffer 123 ( Step S808). Thereafter, the RTP processing unit 114 sets the number of received packets to 1 (step S809), returns to step S804, and determines whether or not RTP reception processing stop request information has been received from the receiver control unit 112. This is performed (step S804).
(10) If the result of determination in step S807 is that there is no change in the stream identification value of the packet data, the RTP processing unit 114 determines that the number of packet data received from the stream buffer 123 in the main storage device 120 is packet aligned. It is determined whether or not it matches the processing start number (step S810).

(11) If the result of determination in step S810 is that the number of packet data does not match the packet alignment processing start number, the RTP processing unit 114 returns to step S804 and stops the RTP reception processing from the receiver control unit 112. It is determined whether request information has been received (step S804).
(12) If the result of determination in step S810 is that the number of packet data matches the packet alignment processing start number, the RTP processing unit 114 executes packet alignment processing on the packet data (step S811). ). In the packet alignment process, the RTP processing unit 114 arranges the packet data in the order of the serial numbers of the packet data.
(13) Next, the RTP processing unit 114 stores the packet data that has undergone packet alignment processing in the RTP packet buffer 125, and then transfers the packet data to the data transfer unit 116 (step S812). Thus, it is determined whether or not untransmitted packet data that has not been transferred to the data transfer unit 116 exists in the RTP packet buffer 125 (step S813).
(14) As a result of the determination in step S813, if the unprocessed packet data that has undergone the alignment process still exists in the RTP packet buffer 125, the RTP processing unit 114 converts the untransmitted packet data that has undergone the alignment process into data The data is transferred to the transfer unit 116 (step S812).
(15) As a result of the determination in step S813, when the untransmitted packet data does not already exist in the RTP packet buffer 125, the RTP processing unit 114 itself receives the RTP from the receiver control unit 112. It is determined whether or not processing stop request information has been received (step S804).

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of packet data stored in the stream buffer 123 in the content receiver 100 of FIG. In FIG. 9, the stream buffer 123 is represented as an array of packet data 900.
In FIG. 9, each layer in the X-axis direction is an array element, and each array element has a sufficient capacity (size) to store one packet data 900. Also, the values 0 to n in the Y-axis direction are values corresponding to the addresses of the main storage device 120 of the packet data 900, that is, the address corresponding values 901. In the stream buffer 123, packet data 900 of broadcast content received by the communication network control unit 130 via the communication network 180 is sequentially stored in a predetermined storage area. The effective range 902 of the stream buffer 123 is limited to the buffer size value range indicated by the buffer size value information stored in the buffer size value storage unit 124. The specific area in the packet data 900 includes an area having a serial number 903 and an area having a stream identification value 904. In the same content data, the stream identification value 904 is the same value. On the other hand, the serial number 903 of the packet data of the same content data is originally a continuous number, but before the packet data is transmitted to the content receiver 100 via the communication network 180, the packet data When the order (sequence number sequence) is changed, missing, or duplicated, the sequence number 903 of the packet data received by the communication network control unit 130 of the content receiver 100 and transferred to the stream buffer 123 Are not consecutive numbers.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a buffer size setting process in the stream buffer 123 of the content receiver 100 of FIG. In the following description, for convenience of description, it is assumed that the buffer size can be set to three sizes, for example, large, medium, and small.
In FIG. 10, 900 is packet data stored in the stream buffer 123, and 901 is a value corresponding to the address of the main storage device 120 of the packet data 900, that is, an address corresponding value. Among the address correspondence values 901, “min” is a buffer size value when the buffer size of the stream buffer 123 is the minimum size, and “middle” is a buffer size value when the buffer size of the stream buffer 123 is the medium size. , “Max” is the buffer size value when the buffer size of the stream buffer 123 is the maximum size, and 1001 is the buffer of the stream buffer 123 when the buffer size value of the stream buffer 123 is the minimum size, that is, when the buffer size value is min. An effective size range (hereinafter referred to as an effective range in the case of the minimum buffer size), 1002 is an effective buffer size of the stream buffer 123 when the buffer size value of the stream buffer 123 is a medium size, that is, in the case of the middle. A range (hereinafter referred to as an effective range in the case of a medium buffer size), 1003 is a buffer size effective range (hereinafter referred to as a maximum) in the case where the buffer size value of the stream buffer 123 is the maximum size, that is, in the case of Max. The effective range in the case of buffer size). In the configuration of FIG. 9, when the buffer size of the stream buffer 123 is “effective range in the case of the minimum buffer size” 1001, packet data of address correspondence values “0” to “min” are stored in the stream buffer 123. When the buffer size of the stream buffer 123 is “effective range in the case of the medium buffer size” 1002, packet data of address correspondence values “0” to “middle” are stored in the stream buffer 123, and the stream buffer 123 When the buffer size is the “effective range in the case of the maximum buffer size” 1003, packet data of address correspondence values “0” to “Max” is stored in the stream buffer 123. When the buffer size of the stream buffer 123 is the minimum size, that is, when the buffer size value is min, the RTP processing unit 114 of the broadcast content transferred from the communication network control unit 130 in step S806 shown in FIG. The packet data is stored as packet data of address corresponding values “0” to “min” in the effective range 1001 of the stream buffer 123 in the case of the minimum buffer size. When the buffer size of the stream buffer 123 is the medium size, that is, when the buffer size value is middle, the RTP processing unit 114 transmits the broadcast content transferred from the communication network control unit 130 in step S806 shown in FIG. Are stored as packet data of address corresponding values “0” to “middle” in the effective range 1002 in the case of the medium buffer size of the stream buffer 123. If the buffer size of the stream buffer 123 is the maximum size, that is, the buffer size value Max, the RTP processing unit 114 broadcasts transferred from the communication network control unit 130 in step S806 shown in FIG. The packet data of the content is stored as packet data of address corresponding values “0” to “Max” in the effective range 1002 in the case of the maximum buffer size of the stream buffer 123.

  The content receiver 100 (FIG. 1) has a configuration in which the RTP processing unit 114 performs buffer size setting processing corresponding to the operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100. That is, when there is buffer size value information notified from the receiver control unit 112 corresponding to the operating state of the content receiver 100, the RTP processing unit 114 has the buffer sizes in step S802 and step S805 shown in FIG. Execute the setting process. In each buffer size setting process, the RTP processing unit 114 stores the notified buffer size value information in the buffer size value storage unit 124 and the buffer size value information stored in the buffer size value storage unit 124. Is set to the buffer size value indicated by. That is, the RTP processing unit 114 sets the buffer size effective range of the stream buffer 123 corresponding to the operation state of the content receiver 100 to the maximum size corresponding to the buffer size value information notified from the receiver control unit 112. Set the effective range for the buffer size, the effective range for the medium buffer size, or the effective range for the minimum buffer size. When the buffer size value indicated by the buffer size value information notified from the receiver control unit 112 is different from the buffer size value indicated by the buffer size value information already set and stored in the buffer size value storage unit 124, the RTP The processing unit 114 “changes” the buffer size (or buffer size value) and the buffer size effective range of the stream buffer 123 in accordance with the operation state of the content receiver 100. Further, when the buffer size value indicated by the buffer size value information notified from the receiver control unit 112 is the same as the buffer size value indicated by the buffer size value information already set and stored in the buffer size value storage unit 124 Alternatively, when there is no buffer size value information notified from the receiver control unit 112, the RTP processing unit 114 does not change the buffer size and buffer of the stream buffer 123 even if the operation state of the content receiver 100 changes. The effective range of size will not be changed.

If the receiver control unit 112 determines that the packet data is not reordered, missing, duplicated, or the like, or is at a level that does not cause a problem even if it has occurred, The receiver control unit 112 may be configured to control the RTP processing unit 114 so that the RTP processing unit 114 does not execute the packet alignment process (step S811 in FIG. 8). For example, in the operating state of the content receiver 100 that operates with the buffer size value of the stream buffer 123 being the minimum size, the receiver control unit prevents the RTP processing unit 114 from executing the packet alignment process (step S811 in FIG. 8). 112 may be configured to control the RTP processing unit 114. When the RTP processing unit 114 does not execute the packet alignment process, the processing load on the RTP processing unit 114 is reduced and the delay time is also shortened. Further, in the content receiver 100, even when the buffer size value is the medium size or the maximum size, the receiver control unit 112 may change the order of the packet data, When it is determined that there is no duplication or the level is such that there is no problem even if it occurs, the receiver control unit 112 performs RTP as in the case where the buffer size value is the minimum size. The RTP processing unit 114 may be controlled so that the processing unit 114 does not execute the packet alignment process (step S811 in FIG. 8).
Further, in the content receiver, the RTP processing unit 114 is configured to include means for calculating the packet quality of the packet data stored in the stream buffer 123 and comparing it with a reference value. As a result of the comparison, the packet quality is The receiver control unit 112 may instruct the RTP processing unit 114 to perform packet alignment processing when the reference value is equal to or less than the reference value.

  Further, in the content receiver 100, the RTP processing unit 114 sets the buffer size of the stream buffer 123 according to the quality of the packet data (the ratio in which the packet data is changed in order, missing or duplicated). It is good also as a thing of the structure which can be performed. For example, when the order of packet data is changed, packet data is lost, or packet data is not duplicated, that is, when the quality of packet data is good, the buffer size of the stream buffer 123 is reduced to shorten the delay time. On the contrary, when the quality of the packet data is poor, the buffer size of the stream buffer 123 is increased to increase the probability that the order of the packet data can be changed, the packet data can be lost, or the packet data can be duplicated. You may make it raise. Specifically, the RTP processing unit 114 controls the stream buffer 123 and means for evaluating the packet quality of the packet data stored in the stream buffer 123, and variably sets the buffer size of the stream buffer 123. And a means for designating the packet data storage area of the stream buffer 123 and a means for performing packet alignment processing of the stored packet data, and the receiver control unit 112 Based on the evaluation result, means for selecting the buffer size information of the level indicated by the packet quality information of the evaluation result from a plurality of buffer size information held in advance in the inside, and the RTP processing unit 114 For the above-mentioned stream corresponding to the information of the selected buffer size. A means for requesting the setting of the buffer size of the buffer 123 and a means for instructing packet alignment processing of the packet data to be stored, and the receiver control unit 112 is based on the packet quality information of the evaluation result The RTP processing unit 114 sets the buffer size of the stream buffer 123. After the stream buffer 123 having the set buffer size temporarily stores the received packet data, the RTP The packet is transferred to the processing unit 114, and packet data subjected to packet alignment processing or packet data not subjected to packet alignment processing is output from the RTP processing unit 114.

  In the above configuration, the RTP processing unit 114 includes means for comparing the packet quality of the packet data stored in the stream buffer 123 with a reference value. If the packet quality is below the reference value as a result of the comparison, For example, the receiver control unit 112 instructs the RTP processing unit 114 to perform the packet alignment process. Also, as a result of the comparison, when the packet quality is below the reference value, the receiver control unit 112 requests the RTP processing unit 114 to set a larger buffer size of the stream buffer 123. At the same time, the packet alignment processing may be instructed. If the packet quality exceeds the reference value as a result of the comparison, for example, the receiver control unit 112 sets a smaller buffer size of the stream buffer 123 to the RTP processing unit 114. In addition to requesting, the execution of the packet alignment process is not instructed or the packet alignment process is not instructed. Further, in the above configuration, the receiver control unit 112 causes the RTP processing unit 114 to notify the RTP processing unit 114 when the selected buffer size information indicates a buffer size other than the minimum level among the plurality of buffer sizes. On the other hand, it may be configured to instruct to perform the packet alignment process.

  As described above, the content receiver 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, after receiving packet data as content data, starts data processing for separating and extracting video data and audio data from the packet data. The time can be changed according to the operation state (operation mode) of the content receiver 100, or can be changed according to the quality of the packet data.

  According to the content receiver 100 having the above-described configuration, it is possible to reduce the time required to start data processing for separating and extracting video data and audio data after receiving packet data from the communication network 180. Usability of the content receiver 100 can be improved. Further, for the user, when using the content receiver 100, for example, it is possible to perform a smooth operation of the content receiver 100 in a short time, shorten a waiting time until the broadcast data is viewed, and the like. Thus, it is possible to prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable.

100 ... content receiver,
110, 1812, 1822, 1832 ... Central control unit,
111 ... state management unit,
112 ... Receiver control unit,
113 ... Channel selection control unit,
114... RTP processing unit,
115 ... file system,
116: Data transfer unit,
117 ... content data processing unit,
118 ... Timer,
120, 1813, 1823, 1833 ... main memory,
121 ... tuning information buffer,
122 ... Last channel value storage unit,
123 ... Stream buffer,
124: Buffer size value storage unit,
125 ... RTP packet buffer,
130, 1811, 1821, 1831 ... communication network control unit,
140, 1814, 1824, 1834 ... auxiliary storage device,
150 ... Video output interface,
160 ... Audio output interface,
170 ... input device,
171 ... Display device,
172 ... Speaker,
180 ... communication network,
181 ... Service information server,
182 ... repeater,
183 ... Network broadcast transmission device,
201 ... ON button,
202 ... Off button,
203 ... Rec button,
204 ... Up button,
205 ... Down button,
206 ... Play / Pause button,
900 ... packet data,
901 ... Address correspondence value,
902 ... Buffer effective range,
903 ... Serial number,
904: Stream identification value.

Claims (16)

A content receiver for receiving packet data as content data,
State management means for forming and outputting request information for shifting the content receiver to a new operation state corresponding to the operation information based on the input operation information;
Storage means for temporarily storing and transferring the received packet data;
Controlling the storage means to variably set the packet data storage capacity of the storage means and designating a packet data storage area of the storage means; and packet alignment processing of packet data transferred from the storage means Packet data storage processing means comprising means for performing;
When the request information is input from the state management means, the packet data storage capacity information of the capacity level indicated by the request information is stored from among the plurality of capacity level packet data storage capacity information held in advance in the inside. Means for selecting, means for requesting the packet data storage processing means to set a packet data storage capacity of the storage means corresponding to the information of the selected packet data storage capacity, and a packet stored in the storage means Receiver control means comprising means for instructing data packet alignment processing;
With
The receiver control means causes the packet data storage processing means to set the packet data storage capacity of the storage means based on the request information corresponding to the operation state output from the state management means, The storage means having the set packet data storage capacity temporarily stores the received packet data and then transfers the packet data to the packet data storage processing means. The packet data storage processing means performs packet alignment processing. A content receiver configured to output packet data or packet data not subjected to packet alignment processing.   The packet data storage processing means comprises means for comparing the packet quality of the packet data stored in the storage means with a reference value, and if the packet quality is below the reference value as a result of the comparison, The content receiver according to claim 1, wherein the control means is configured to instruct the packet data storage processing means to perform the packet alignment processing.   The receiver control means is configured to instruct the packet data storage processing means to perform the packet alignment processing when the selected packet data storage capacity information indicates a packet data storage capacity other than a minimum capacity level. The content receiver according to claim 1, wherein A content receiver for receiving packet data as content data,
Storage means for temporarily storing and transferring the received packet data;
Means for evaluating the packet quality of the packet data stored in the storage means, and controls the storage means to variably set the packet data storage capacity of the storage means and designate the packet data storage area of the storage means Packet data storage processing means comprising: means for performing packet alignment processing for packet data transferred from the storage means;
Based on the evaluation result of the packet quality of the packet data, the packet data storage capacity of the capacity level indicated by the packet quality information of the evaluation result from the information of the packet data storage capacity of a plurality of capacity levels held in advance inside Means for selecting information, means for requesting the packet data storage processing means to set the packet data storage capacity of the storage means corresponding to the information of the selected packet data storage capacity, and the packet data storage processing means Receiver control means comprising means for instructing the packet alignment process in
With
The receiver control means causes the packet data storage processing means to set the packet data storage capacity of the storage means based on the packet quality information of the evaluation result, and the packet data storage capacity of the set packet data storage capacity is set. The storage means temporarily stores the received packet data and then transfers the packet data to the packet data storage processing means. From the packet data storage processing means, the packet data subjected to packet alignment processing or packet data not subjected to packet alignment processing is transferred. A content receiver characterized by being configured to output.   The packet data storage processing means comprises means for comparing the packet quality of the packet data stored in the storage means with a reference value, and if the packet quality is below the reference value as a result of the comparison, The content receiver according to claim 4, wherein the control unit is configured to instruct the packet data storage processing unit to perform the packet alignment processing.   The packet data storage processing means comprises means for comparing the packet quality of the packet data stored in the storage means with a reference value, and if the packet quality is below the reference value as a result of the comparison, 5. The content receiver according to claim 4, wherein the control means requests the packet data storage processing means to set a larger packet data storage capacity of the storage means and instructs the packet alignment processing.   The packet data storage processing means includes means for comparing the packet quality of the packet data stored in the storage means with a reference value. If the packet quality exceeds the reference value as a result of the comparison, the packet data storage processing means 5. The content receiver according to claim 4, wherein the means requests the packet data storage processing means to set a smaller packet data storage capacity of the storage means and does not instruct the packet alignment processing.   The receiver control means may store the packet data storage information when the selected packet data storage capacity information indicates a packet data storage capacity other than the minimum capacity level among the plurality of packet data storage capacity. 5. The content receiver according to claim 4, wherein the content receiver is configured to instruct the processing means to perform the packet alignment process. A method of processing received packet data in a content receiver that includes storage means, state management means, receiver control means, and packet data storage processing means for receiving and processing packet data as content data,
A first step in which the state management means forms and outputs request information for shifting the content receiver to a new operation state corresponding to the operation information based on the input operation information;
A second step of determining whether or not the receiver control means has received the request information when the request information is input from the state management means;
As a result of the determination in the second step, when the receiver control means has received the request information, the receiver control means has a plurality of capacity level packet data storage capacities previously held therein. A third step of selecting packet data storage capacity information of the capacity level indicated by the request information from the information;
A fourth step in which the receiver control means requests the packet data storage processing means to set a packet data storage capacity of the storage means corresponding to the selected packet data storage capacity information;
A fifth step in which the receiver control means instructs the packet data storage processing means to perform packet alignment processing of packet data stored in the storage means and then transferred;
A sixth step in which the packet data storage processing means sets the packet data storage capacity of the storage means based on the setting request of the packet data storage capacity of the storage means by the receiver control means in the fourth step; ,
The storage means having the set packet data storage capacity temporarily stores the received packet data, and the packet data storage processing means performs packet alignment processing of the packet data transferred from the storage means. A seventh step to perform;
An eighth step of outputting packet data subjected to packet alignment processing or packet data not subjected to packet alignment processing from the packet data storage processing means;
With
The receiver control means sets the packet data storage capacity of the storage means for the packet data storage processing means based on the request information corresponding to the new operation state output from the state management means. The storage means having the set packet data storage capacity temporarily stores the received packet data and then transfers the packet data to the packet data storage processing means. A method of processing received packet data in a content receiver, characterized by outputting processed packet data or packet data not subjected to packet alignment processing.   The packet data storage processing means includes means for comparing the packet quality of the packet data stored in the storage means with a reference value. In the fifth step, the packet data storage processing means stores the packet data in the storage means. The packet quality of the received packet data is compared with a reference value, and if the packet quality is equal to or lower than the reference value as a result of the comparison, the receiver control means sends the packet alignment to the packet data storage processing means. The method of processing received packet data in the content receiver according to claim 9, wherein processing is instructed.   When the packet data storage capacity information selected by the receiver control means in the third step indicates a packet data storage capacity other than the minimum capacity level, in the fifth step, the receiver control means 10. The method of processing received packet data in a content receiver according to claim 9, wherein the packet data storage processing means is instructed to perform packet alignment processing of the packet data. A method of processing received packet data in a content receiver that includes storage means, receiver control means, and packet data storage processing means to receive and process packet data as content data,
A first step in which the packet data storage processing means evaluates the packet quality of the packet data stored in the storage means;
Based on the evaluation result of the packet quality of the packet data in the first step, the receiver control means determines the evaluation result from the information of the packet data storage capacity at a plurality of capacity levels held in advance in the inside. A second step of selecting packet data storage capacity information at a capacity level indicated by the packet quality information;
A third step in which the receiver control means requests the packet data storage processing means to set a packet data storage capacity of the storage means corresponding to the selected packet data storage capacity information;
A fourth step in which the packet data storage processing means sets the packet data storage capacity of the storage means based on the setting request of the packet data storage capacity of the storage means by the receiver control means in the third step; ,
A fifth step in which the storage means having the set packet data storage capacity temporarily stores the received packet data and then transfers the packet data;
A sixth step in which the receiver control means instructs the packet data storage processing means to perform packet alignment processing of the packet data transferred from the storage means in the fifth step;
A seventh step of outputting packet data subjected to packet alignment processing or packet data not subjected to packet alignment processing from the packet data storage processing means;
With
The receiver control means causes the packet data storage processing means to set the packet data storage capacity of the storage means based on the packet quality information of the evaluation result, and the packet data storage capacity of the set packet data storage capacity is set. The storage means temporarily stores the received packet data and then transfers the packet data to the packet data storage processing means. From the packet data storage processing means, the packet data subjected to packet alignment processing or packet data not subjected to packet alignment processing is transferred. A method of processing received packet data in a content receiver, comprising: outputting the received packet data.   The packet data storage processing means includes means for comparing the packet quality of the packet data stored in the storage means with a reference value. In the first step, the packet data storage processing means stores the packet data in the storage means. The packet quality of the received packet data is compared with a reference value, and if the packet quality is equal to or lower than the reference value as a result of the comparison, in the sixth step, the receiver control means 13. The method of processing received packet data in a content receiver according to claim 12, instructing said means for packet alignment processing.   The packet data storage processing means includes means for comparing the packet quality of the packet data stored in the storage means with a reference value. In the first step, the packet data storage processing means stores the packet data in the storage means. The packet quality of the received packet data is compared with a reference value, and if the packet quality is equal to or lower than the reference value as a result of the comparison, in the third step, the receiver control means performs the packet data storage process Means for setting a larger packet data storage capacity of the storage means, and in the sixth step, the receiver control means performs the packet alignment process on the packet data storage processing means. The method of processing received packet data in the content receiver according to claim 12 for instructing.   The packet data storage processing means includes means for comparing the packet quality of the packet data stored in the storage means with a reference value. In the first step, the packet data storage processing means stores the packet data in the storage means. The packet quality of the received packet data is compared with a reference value, and if the packet quality exceeds the reference value as a result of the comparison, in the third step, the receiver control means includes the packet data storage processing means Requesting the setting of a smaller packet data storage capacity of the storage means, and in the sixth step, the receiver control means instructs the packet data storage processing means to perform the packet alignment processing. The method of processing received packet data in the content receiver according to claim 12.   When the packet data storage capacity information selected by the receiver control means in the second step indicates a packet data storage capacity other than the minimum capacity level, in the sixth step, the receiver control means 13. The method of processing received packet data in a content receiver according to claim 12, wherein the packet data storage processing means is instructed to perform the packet alignment processing.

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