JP2019075668A - Receiving terminal for digital broadcasting and broadcasting station system - Google Patents

Abstract

To reduce the listener's sense of discomfort when an audio content is switched between digital broadcasting and other means.SOLUTION: A broadcast receiving unit 3a receives a main broadcast content by digital broadcast. A content acquisition unit 3b acquires a dedicated broadcast content selected by a listener by means (for example, download reproduction by Internet communication) other than digital broadcast. An audio reproduction unit switches and reproduces a main broadcast content received by the broadcast receiving unit 3a and a dedicated broadcast content acquired by the content acquisition unit 3b with fade-out and fade-in of the volume before and after the switching time between the main broadcast and the dedicated broadcast specified by a program information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a receiving terminal for digital broadcasting and a broadcasting station system, and more particularly to the fusion of digital broadcasting and other media.

  Multimedia broadcasting has a mechanism in which not only voice but also data can be broadcasted, and a service for linking voice broadcasting and data broadcasting has already been realized using this. In times of day when there are many listeners, such as in the morning and evening, although it is desirable to finely broadcast various programs according to the needs of the listeners, the increase in the number of programs leads to an increase in bandwidth, so bandwidth usage fees become high There is a problem of Therefore, conventionally, a technology for fusing digital broadcasting and other media has been proposed.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a multimedia broadcast system for sending complementary information suitable for change of listener preference and reception environment, and time shift reproduction. This broadcast system is composed of a transmitting device and a receiving terminal. The transmission apparatus transmits main information of multimedia information by broadcasting, and transmits complementary information of multimedia information by a system different from transmission of the main information (for example, the Internet). The receiving terminal receives main information of multimedia information transmitted by broadcasting from the transmitting apparatus side, receives complementary information of multimedia information in another system, combines the main information and the complementary information, and provides the listener Do.

  Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a broadcast system in which a channel selection can be seamlessly performed for each genre on a broadcast and a general network (such as the Internet), thereby improving the convenience of the listener. Specifically, on the receiver side, preference genres of listeners are registered in advance, and program provision information of preference genres registered from the electronic program guide provided by the broadcast wave is extracted. Further, of the stream video distributed via the general-purpose network, distribution information of the stream video related to the registered preference genre is created. Then, when an operation to request viewing of the preference genre is performed, the program included in the program provision information and the stream video included in the distribution information are sequentially switched and displayed on the display. Thereby, it is possible to seamlessly channel-select video provided via a broadcast and a general-purpose network for each genre.

  Further, Patent Document 3 discloses a broadcast system capable of providing information to listeners and providing interest to channels of specialized content that the listeners do not select very much. The receiving terminals are individually provided corresponding to a plurality of types of communication methods (satellite broadcasting, terrestrial digital broadcasting, cable television broadcasting, LAN), and selectively receive and output data signals distributed by the same type of communication method. A plurality of receiving means and video output means. A plurality of channels assigned to each of the data signals are stored in a channel table arranged seamlessly without distinction of the communication scheme. For the channel selected by the operation of the channel up and down keys, a data signal is selectively received according to the type of communication system of the channel read from the channel table, and a video is output. As a result, data signals distributed by a plurality of communication methods can all be provided without switching operations, and the degree of utilization can be increased even for programs with a low degree of interest.

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2003-37571 JP, 2006-186922, A Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2010-206727

  BACKGROUND In recent years, with the rise of general-purpose terminals such as smartphones, a form in which software (application) is installed on the terminals to enjoy digital broadcasting services is widely spread. Such a general-purpose terminal differs from a dedicated terminal such as a television or radio for which specifications on the terminal side are guaranteed, and there are large differences in specifications depending on the model. Therefore, when switching between normal broadcasting and download playback via the Internet by fusing digital broadcasting and the Internet, the timing of this switching is legitimate depending on the specifications on the terminal side, load conditions, or communication conditions. There is a possibility of shifting back and forth from the switching time. As a result, the content being listened to may change suddenly, which may make the listener feel uncomfortable.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to reduce a listener's sense of incongruity when switching audio content between digital broadcasting and other means.

  In order to solve the problems, a first invention provides a receiving terminal for digital broadcasting, which has a broadcast receiving unit, a content acquisition unit, and an audio reproduction unit. The broadcast receiving unit receives the first audio content for the main broadcast by digital broadcast. The content acquisition unit acquires the second audio content for the dedicated broadcast selected by the listener by means other than digital broadcast. The audio reproduction unit is configured to receive the first audio content received by the broadcast reception unit, with fade-out and fade-in of the volume before and after this switching at the switching time between the main broadcast and the dedicated broadcast specified by the program information. And switching between and reproducing the second audio content acquired by the content acquisition unit.

  Here, in the first invention, it is preferable that the content acquisition unit receives the second audio content as a content for download reproduction from the download reproduction server connected to the Internet.

  In the first aspect of the invention, the first and second audio contents are faded out of the volume immediately before switching, and fade-in of the volume is switched on immediately after switching. The content acquisition unit may receive the faded-out and fade-in processed content, respectively.

  In the first invention, the program information may define control information defining control content at the time of delaying the power of the receiving terminal for digital broadcast after the start time of the dedicated broadcast. . Then, a content control unit is further provided to control the reproduction of the second audio content based on the control information when the time when the power of the receiving terminal for digital broadcasting is turned on is later than the start time of the dedicated broadcasting. Is preferred.

  In the first invention, the control information includes an allowable delay time that permits reproduction of the dedicated broadcast at the time of delay, distinction between reproduction from the beginning of the dedicated broadcast at the time of delay and reproduction from the middle, and termination of the dedicated broadcast. It is preferable to include at least one of presence / absence of forced termination at time.

  A second aspect of the present invention provides a broadcast station system that includes a program information distribution unit, a content processing unit, a digital broadcast unit, and a download reproduction server, and performs digital broadcast. The program information distribution unit distributes program information defining broadcast time zones of a main broadcast and a dedicated broadcast selectable by a listener. The content processing unit performs fade-out processing of the volume immediately before this switching, and fade-in processing of the volume immediately after this switching with respect to the plurality of audio materials switched based on the program information. 1. Generate one audio content and second audio content for the dedicated broadcast. The digital broadcast unit broadcasts the first audio content by digital broadcast. The download reproduction server downloads and distributes the second audio content via the Internet.

  Here, in the second invention, the program information distribution unit delays, as a part of program information, a delay at which the listener turns on the power supply of the digital broadcast receiving terminal later than the dedicated broadcast start time. Control information defining control content may be distributed. In this case, the control information includes an allowable delay time that allows reproduction of the dedicated broadcast at the delay time, distinction between reproduction from the beginning of the dedicated broadcast and reproduction from the middle at the delay time, and the end time of the dedicated broadcast. It is preferable to include at least one of presence and absence of forced termination.

  According to the present invention, the first audio content and the second audio content are switched and reproduced before and after switching between the main broadcast and the dedicated broadcast, with fade-out and fade-in of the volume. As a result, the connection between the content before and after is improved, so that the listener's sense of discomfort can be effectively reduced.

Digital Broadcasting System Overview Block diagram of broadcasting station system Timing chart of main broadcast and dedicated broadcast in broadcasting station system Block diagram of receiving terminal Reproduction timing chart of main broadcast and dedicated broadcast at receiving terminal Reproduction timing chart when the start of the dedicated broadcast is shifted forward Reproduction timing chart when the start of the dedicated broadcast shifts later Explanation of control information of dedicated broadcast

  FIG. 1 is an overall view of a digital broadcast system according to the present embodiment. The digital broadcasting system 1 uses the frequency band of 1 to 3 channels (generally called V-Low) in the VHF band that has become blank due to the end of analog television broadcasting, as an example of digital broadcasting V. -Low perform multimedia broadcasting. The first feature of this digital broadcast service is that it is a multimedia broadcast combining broadcast, communication, GPS and Big Data. The content to be broadcast typically includes weather information, traffic information, sightseeing information, advertisement information, and others, as well as information unique to the program sponsor. Secondly, digital broadcasting is composed of main broadcasting performed using V-low multimedia broadcasting waves and dedicated broadcasting performed via the Internet. While this broadcast is common to all listeners, a plurality of dedicated broadcasts are prepared with different contents. For example, music programs of various genres and artists, and sports programs such as golf, baseball, soccer and the like. The listener selects a favorite one among a plurality of dedicated broadcasts and registers in advance, thereby enabling personal radio broadcast specialized to the preference of each listener.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the broadcast station system 2. The broadcast station system 2 mainly includes a program management unit 2a, a program information distribution unit 2b, a content processing unit 2c, a digital broadcast unit 2d, and a download reproduction server 2e. The program management unit 2a manages the entire program including holding the audio broadcasting material and the data broadcasting material provided by the program creator. The program management unit 2a generates program information defining the contents of the main broadcast and the contents of the dedicated broadcast, the broadcast time zones of these, and the acquisition destinations (URLs) of the respective contents for dedicated broadcast. The program information also includes control information to be described later. The program information generated by the program management unit 2a is distributed to the receiving terminal 3 in advance by the program information distribution unit 2b. Delivery of program information is performed through Internet communication or multimedia broadcasting.

  The digital broadcast unit 2d broadcasts audio content for the main broadcast by V-low multimedia broadcast. In addition, the download reproduction server 2e downloads and distributes audio content for exclusive broadcasting by the Internet. As used herein, "download delivery" is used in a broad sense, including streaming delivery and progressive download.

  The content processing unit 2c performs predetermined processing on the audio material supplied from the program management unit 2a based on the program information, and then uses the digital broadcast unit 2d or download reproduction as audio content for broadcast / download distribution. Output to server 2e. Specifically, with respect to a plurality of audio materials for which the main broadcast and the dedicated broadcast are switched, volume adjustment such as fade-out processing is performed immediately before the switching, and fade-in processing is performed immediately after the switching.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3, consider the case where the main broadcast is switched to the dedicated broadcast at time ts and the dedicated broadcast is switched to the main broadcast at time te. The main broadcast content 1 in the former main broadcast time zone and the main broadcast content 3 in the latter main broadcast time zone are respectively digitally broadcasted, and in the exclusive broadcast time zone ts to te, a plurality of exclusive broadcast contents 1 to n are downloaded be delivered. In this case, fade-out processing is applied to the main broadcast content 1 in a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) before the switching time ts, and for the dedicated broadcast contents 1 to n, the predetermined time after the switching time ts (for example, Fade in processing is applied in 5 seconds. In addition, fade-out processing is applied to the exclusive broadcast contents 1 to n in a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) before the switching time te, and for the main broadcast content 3 in a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) after the switching time te. Fade in processing is applied. The main broadcast content 2 is intended for a listener who has not performed selection and registration of the dedicated broadcast contents 1 to n, and volume control according to the dedicated broadcast contents 1 to n is performed.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the receiving terminal 3. The receiving terminal 3 mainly includes a broadcast receiving unit 3a, a content acquiring unit 3b, an audio reproducing unit 3c, a program information receiving unit 3d, and a content control unit 3e. The broadcast receiving unit 3a receives the present broadcast content by digital broadcast. The content acquisition unit 3b acquires the dedicated broadcast content selected by the listener by means other than digital broadcasting, specifically, download reproduction via the Internet. Acquisition (reception) of the dedicated broadcast content is performed by transmitting a distribution request to the acquisition destination designated by the program information at the time designated by the program information.

  The audio reproduction unit 3c reproduces while switching the main broadcast content and the dedicated broadcast content. This switching is performed based on the program information received by the program information receiving unit 3d. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when a certain listener selects and registers dedicated broadcast content 1, the fade-out of the main broadcast content 1 and the fade-out of the main broadcast content 1 at time ts when switching from the main broadcast time zone to the dedicated broadcast time zone The reproduction is switched from the main broadcast content 1 to the exclusive broadcast content 1 with the fade-in of the exclusive broadcast content 1 immediately after that. Also, at time te when the dedicated broadcast time zone is switched to the main broadcast time zone, the exclusive broadcast content 1 to the main broadcast content 3 are accompanied by the fade-out of the exclusive broadcast content 1 and the fade-in of the main broadcast content 3 immediately thereafter. Switch to playback.

  The reproduction timing chart shown in FIG. 5 shows an ideal state in which switching is correctly performed at switching times ts and te. However, in practice, a shift often occurs in the switching. The general-purpose terminal such as a smartphone has a large difference in specifications depending on the model, and the load status and the communication status change from moment to moment. However, as shown in FIG. 6, even if the start of the dedicated broadcast shifts earlier by Δt1, at the switching times ts and te, there is a fade-out and fade-in of the volume before and after the switching, so this volume adjustment Since the connection of the content before and after becomes good compared with the case where it does not perform, the sense of incongruity of a listener can be reduced effectively. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, even if the start of the dedicated broadcast shifts by Δt2 at the switching times ts and te, the volume adjustment is performed because the volume fades out and fades in before and after the switching. Since the connection of the content before and after becomes good compared with the case where there is no, sense of incongruity of a listener can be reduced effectively.

  The content control unit 3e controls reproduction of the dedicated broadcast content based on control information included in the program information. This control information defines the control content of the dedicated broadcast content 1 when the power of the receiving terminal 3 is turned on (delayed) later than the start time ts of the dedicated broadcast content 1 as shown in FIG. Specifically, it includes at least one of the following three.

(1) Allowable delay time This specifies the number of seconds from the start time ts of the dedicated broadcast to the power-on after which the trial listening of the dedicated broadcast is permitted. The reproduction of the dedicated broadcast content is performed only when the time from the time ts to the time t n when the power is turned on is equal to or less than the allowable delay time.

(2) Designation of playback method of dedicated broadcast content At the time of the above-mentioned delay, it is discriminated and designated whether to play the dedicated broadcast content from the beginning or from the middle.

(3) Designation of Ending Method of Dedicated Broadcast Content At the ending time te of dedicated broadcasting, it is distinguished / designated whether the dedicated broadcasting content is forcibly ended or continued until the reproduction of the dedicated broadcasting content is ended.

  The content control unit 3e controls the reproduction of the dedicated broadcast content according to the instruction of the control information when the time ton when the power of the receiving terminal 3 is turned on is later than the start time ts of the dedicated broadcast content. By controlling the reproduction by appropriately combining the parameters (1) to (3), it is possible to change the listening manner according to the degree of importance of the dedicated broadcast content. For example, even if the next main broadcast is omitted, it is possible to listen to the exclusive broadcast from the beginning to the end, to listen from the middle, or not to listen at the delay time.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, by providing the dedicated broadcast content through the Internet communication, without increasing the bandwidth of the digital broadcast, and seamlessly with the digital broadcast, various kinds according to the needs of the listener Programs can be broadcast finely.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the main broadcast content and the dedicated broadcast content are switched and reproduced before and after the switching between the main broadcast and the dedicated broadcast, with fade-out and fade-in of the volume. As a result, the connection between the content before and after is improved, so that the listener's sense of discomfort can be effectively reduced.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, various reproduction forms can be realized flexibly and easily by controlling the reproduction form of the dedicated broadcast content based on the control information.

  In the embodiment described above, an example in which dedicated broadcast content is distributed using Internet communication has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any means other than digital broadcast may be used. It is also good. For example, instead of the above-described download reproduction, the music stored in the reception terminal 3 held by the listener may be made to be listened to. For example, as in weather information, CM, etc., the time zone during which the music of the receiving terminal 3 is reproduced or the time during which the music is reproduced, except for the time zone which the broadcast station thinks "important because it wants to listen to listeners" The time zone in which the genre of the song is not the listener's preference is such as playing the song of the receiving terminal 3.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the volume adjustment (fade out processing and fade in processing) of the content is performed on the broadcast station system 2 side has been described, but this adjustment is performed on the reception terminal 3 side, that is, the audio reproduction unit 3c. It is also possible.

1 digital broadcast system 2 broadcast station system 2a program management unit 2b program information distribution unit 2c content processing unit 2d digital broadcast unit 2e download reproduction server 3 reception terminal 3a broadcast reception unit 3b content acquisition unit 3c audio reproduction unit 3d program information reception unit 3e content control unit

Claims (8)

In the receiving terminal for digital broadcasting,
A broadcast receiving unit for receiving the first audio content for the main broadcast by digital broadcasting;
A content acquisition unit for acquiring second audio content for the dedicated broadcast selected by the listener by means other than digital broadcast;
The first audio content received by the broadcast receiving unit with fade-out and fade-in of volume before and after the main broadcast and the dedicated broadcast specified at the switching time of the main broadcast and the dedicated broadcast specified by the program information; And an audio reproduction unit for switching between the second audio content acquired by the content acquisition unit and the second audio content and reproducing the second audio content.   The digital broadcast receiving terminal according to claim 1, wherein the content acquisition unit receives the second audio content as a content for download reproduction from the download reproduction server connected to the Internet. . For the first audio content and the second content, fade-out processing of the volume is performed immediately before the switching, and fade-in processing of the volume is performed immediately after the switching,
The digital broadcast receiving terminal according to claim 2, wherein the broadcast receiving unit and the content acquisition unit respectively receive the content subjected to the fade-out processing and the fade-in processing. The program information includes control information defining control content of the dedicated broadcast at the time of delaying the power of the receiving terminal for the digital broadcast later than the start time of the dedicated broadcast.
A content control unit configured to control reproduction of the second audio content based on the control information, when the time when the power of the receiving terminal for digital broadcasting is turned on is later than the start time of the dedicated broadcasting; The digital broadcast receiving terminal according to claim 3, further comprising:   The control information includes an allowable delay time that allows reproduction of the dedicated broadcast at the time of delay, distinction between reproduction from the beginning of the dedicated broadcast at the time of delay and reproduction from the middle of the dedicated broadcast, and end time of the dedicated broadcast. 5. The receiving terminal for digital broadcasting according to claim 4, comprising at least one of presence or absence of forced termination. In a broadcasting station system that performs digital broadcasting,
A program information distribution unit for distributing program information defining broadcast time zones of a main broadcast and a dedicated broadcast selectable by a listener;
For the plurality of audio materials switched based on the program information, fade-out processing of the volume immediately before the switching, and fade-in processing of the volume immediately after the switching, the first audio of the main broadcast A content processing unit that generates content and second audio content for the dedicated broadcast;
A digital broadcasting unit for broadcasting the first audio content by digital broadcasting;
A broadcasting station system for digital broadcasting, comprising: a download reproduction server that downloads and distributes the second audio content via the Internet.   The program information distribution unit is, as a part of the program information, control information defining control contents at the time when the listener turns on the power of the receiving terminal for digital broadcasting, later than the start time of the dedicated broadcast. The broadcasting station system for digital broadcasting according to claim 6, characterized in that The control information includes an allowable delay time that allows reproduction of the dedicated broadcast at the time of delay, distinction between reproduction from the beginning of the dedicated broadcast at the time of delay and reproduction from the middle of the dedicated broadcast, and end time of the dedicated broadcast. 8. The broadcasting station system for digital broadcasting according to claim 7, comprising at least one of presence / absence of forced termination.

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