JP2020198544A - Broadcast signal transmission device, broadcast system seamless switching possibility/impossibility detection method, and broadcast system seamless switching possibility/impossibility detection program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a broadcast signal transmission device that detects whether seamless switching between an in-use system and a standby system can be performed prior to in-use/standby system switching.SOLUTION: In a broadcast signal transmission device 1 that is applied with an ARIB standard-based MMT TLV system, and uses one of two broadcast systems, i.e., a first system 100 and a second system 200 as an in-use system, a first decoding part 104 and a second decoding part 204 analyze MMTP packets having encoded broadcast signals multiplexed in their broadcast systems so as to acquire a start timing and an end timing in which no MMTP packets are present in their systems as information on no-signal sections of their systems, and also exchange the acquired information on the no-signal sections of their systems so as to calculate a GAP section where MMTP packets are present in neither the first system 100 nor the second system 200, thereby outputting decoding results indicating that seamless switching operation cannot be performed when the length of the GAP section is less than a predetermined time threshold.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a broadcast signal transmitter, a broadcast system seamless switchability detection method, and a broadcast system seamless switchability detection program. In particular, in a 4K / 8K broadcast system, seamlessly installs an active system / standby system of a broadcast system having a redundant configuration. The present invention relates to a broadcast signal transmission device having a function of detecting in advance whether or not switching is possible when switching, a broadcasting system seamless switching possibility detection method, and a broadcasting system seamless switching possibility detection program.

Currently, 2K (1920 x 1080 pixels = about 2 million pixels) full HD (High Definition) broadcasting has been put into practical use as high-definition digital broadcasting. And, as a next-generation broadcasting technology, in order to further improve the definition and provide realistic images, ultra-high-definition 4K broadcasting (3840 x 2160 pixels = about 8 million pixels) that exceeds the current 2K broadcasting. And 8K broadcasting (7680 x 4320 pixels = about 33 million pixels) are being enthusiastically developed for practical use, and some businesses are starting test broadcasting and commercial broadcasting.

In such a broadcast signal transmission device for high-definition digital broadcasting, in order to ensure high reliability, a redundant configuration having two or more broadcasting systems is generally adopted. Then, when a problem occurs in the active broadcasting system in use or when maintenance work is performed on the active broadcasting system, it is controlled to switch to the standby broadcasting system in the standby state. To do.

When switching the broadcasting system, seamless switching is required so that the video signal and the audio signal during broadcasting are not interrupted. In the current 2K broadcasting, a gap section (invalid signal section) in which a broadcast signal called "GAP section" does not exist is inserted at an appropriate interval in the broadcast signal sequence of a video signal or an audio signal, and the GAP section (gap) is inserted. A method of seamlessly switching between the active system and the backup system using the section) is adopted. As the GAP section (gap section), for example, a fixed-length TS (Transport Stream) packet of 188 bytes or 204 bytes is usually used.

On the other hand, in the case of 4K broadcasting and 8K broadcasting, MMT (MPEG) is defined as a standard of ARIB (Association of Radio Industries and Business) in order to support broadcasting / communication cooperation services. (Moving Picture Experts Group) Media Transport) ・ It is required to support the TLV (Type Length Value) method. In the MMT / TLV system, a system that enables hybrid distribution based on IP (Internet Protocol) is adopted, and broadcast signals such as video signals and audio signals (including broadcast program information and subtitle information) are variable. After being stored in a long MMTP (MMT Protocol) packet, the MMTP packet is further housed in an IP payload and transmitted as an IP packet with an IP header added. Then, the IP packet is transmitted in the form of the TLV packet adopted in the advanced satellite digital broadcasting system on the broadcasting transmission path, and the IP packet is transmitted as it is on the communication line.

When switching between the active system and the standby system, a predetermined time interval is usually placed between the end of a group of MMTP packets (IP packets) and the beginning of the next group of MMTP packets. END / START flag indicating the start / end of a non-signal section in which no MMTP packet exists in each header of the end of a group of MMTP packets and the beginning of the next group of MMTP packets. Is set.

Further, in the TLV multiplexing method for transmitting variable-length TLV packets, transmission is performed in units of fixed-length TLV slots. Then, in each TLV slot, a main signal in which one or a plurality of TLV packets are concatenated, whether or not a group of TLV packets is completed in the TLV slot, and whether or not a group of TLV packets is started from the TLV slot. The configuration includes TMCC (Transmission and Multiplexing Configuration and Control) information including at least an END / START flag indicating the above, and Null data composed of an error correction code and staff bits. Regarding the END / START flag included in the TMCC information, as in the case of the MMTP packet, when trying to perform the switching operation between the active system and the standby system, the last and the next of the group of TLV packets (IP packets). It is controlled to output at a predetermined time interval from the beginning of a group of TLV packets, and END / START is added to each TMCC information of the end of the group of TLV packets and the beginning of the next group of TLV packets. The flag is set.

Therefore, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-118331 "Signal configuration device, signal configuration system, signal configuration method and signal configuration program" of Patent Document 1, in the case of a broadcasting system of 4K broadcasting or 8K broadcasting, a TLV packet is used. A method of seamlessly switching between the active system and the backup system by using the TMCC information contained in the above has been proposed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-118331

However, the current technology related to the present invention as described in Patent Document 1 and the like has the following problems, and the MMT / TLV method is applied to achieve ultra-high speed such as 4K broadcasting and 8K broadcasting. It is not possible to reliably determine whether or not seamless switching can be performed in a broadcast signal transmission device that performs fine digital broadcasting.

Generally, when the broadcast signal transmitter is operating normally without any trouble, it basically fails to seamlessly switch by using TMCC information as in the current technology. Can be prevented. However, in reality, various functional units in the broadcast signal transmitter are involved in the switching process, and when switching between the active system and the standby system, due to a defect in each functional unit or a control error, etc. A situation occurs in which a momentary interruption occurs in a video signal or an audio signal.

Further, as will be described later as a specific example, it is difficult to determine in advance whether or not seamless switching is possible prior to the execution of switching between the active system and the backup system. Moreover, since various factors are associated with the failure of seamless switching, it is difficult to identify the cause of the momentary interruption of the broadcast signal. In particular, in the current technology, it is unavoidable that it takes a lot of time to analyze the MMT layer information because a clue for analyzing the information of the MMT layer when the seamless switching fails cannot be obtained.

Next, regarding factors that make it difficult to determine in advance whether seamless switching is possible prior to execution of switching, and also make it difficult to identify the cause of seamless switching failure. , Will be described with reference to the block configuration diagram of FIG. FIG. 3 is a block configuration diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the broadcast signal transmission device in the current technology. The broadcast signal transmission device 1A shown in FIG. 3 shows a device configuration for transmitting a broadcast signal by applying the MMT / TLV method, and includes two broadcast systems, a first system 100A and a second system 200A, and a control unit. It is configured to include 300A, a reference GOP (Group Of Pictures) generating unit 400, a first switching unit 501, a second switching unit 502, and a frame synchronization signal generating unit 600. Of the two broadcasting systems, the first system 100A and the second system 200A, one of them is used as the broadcasting system of the active system, and the other is in the standby state as the standby system.

The first system 100A includes at least the first encoding unit 101, the first MMT multiplexing unit 102, and the first TLV multiplexing unit 103, and the second system 200A includes the second encoding unit 201 and the second MMT multiplexing unit. A unit 202 and a second TLV multiplexing unit 203 are included at least. In addition, each of the first system 100A and the second system 200A may include a low-layer encoding unit for 2K broadcasting, an SI (Service Information) transmission device, a subtitle transmission device, and the like.

Each of the first encoding unit 101 and the second encoding unit 201 encodes a broadcast signal (video signal or audio signal) based on, for example, a HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) method. Further, each of the first MMT multiplexing unit 102 and the second MMT multiplexing unit 202 is a coded broadcast signal (video signal or audio) encoded and output from each of the first encoding unit 101 and the second encoding unit 201. The signal) is subjected to MMT (MPEG Media Transport) multiplexing processing, and a multiplexed MMTP packet is generated and output as an IP packet.

Further, each of the first TLV multiplexing unit 103 and the second TLV multiplexing unit 203 edits the MMTP packet multiplexed in each of the first MMT multiplexing unit 102 and the second MMT multiplexing unit 202 into the TLV packet format. Then, it is placed in a fixed-length TLV slot and output to the first switching unit 501 and the second switching unit 502.

The first switching unit 501 and the second switching unit 502 employ a redundant configuration as the switching unit, and both are from the active broadcasting system among the two broadcasting systems of the first system 100A and the second system 200A. Broadcast signal (TLV packet) is selected and output to, for example, an uplink station.

The control unit 300A has a function of controlling switching between the active system and the spare system for the two broadcasting systems of the first system 100A and the second system 200A, and when executing the switching between the active system and the spare system. A switching control signal is output to each of the first encoding unit 101, the second encoding unit 201, the first TLV multiplexing unit 103, the second TLV multiplexing unit 203, the first switching unit 501, and the second switching unit 502. ..

The reference GOP generation unit 400 creates a GOP synchronization signal / NTP aircraft signal using the input BB (Black Burst) signal / NTP (Network Time Protocol) signal as a reference clock signal, and creates the first system 100A and the second. Output to each function unit of system 200A.

The frame synchronization signal generation unit 600 generates a frame synchronization signal synchronized with the reference clock signal, and causes each of the first TLV multiplexing unit 103, the second TLV multiplexing unit 203, the first switching unit 501, and the second switching unit 502. Output to.

The broadcast signal transmission device 1A in the current technology adopts a redundant configuration as shown in FIG. 3 as a broadcast system, so that the active system and the spare system are used between the two broadcast systems of the first system 100A and the second system 200A. We are trying to realize seamless switching with the system. However, if a malfunction occurs in each functional unit of the broadcast signal transmission device 1A, or if a control error occurs, seamless switching may fail for the following reasons.

First, the two broadcasting systems of the first system 100A and the second system 200A in FIG. 3 have an independent system configuration in which the states of the signals flowing in each cannot be grasped from each other, and each broadcasting system. Each functional unit sequentially outputs a broadcast signal to the subsequent functional unit in a cascade, and the signal state of the other party's broadcast system is determined only when it is input to the first switching unit 501 or the second switching unit 502. Will be recognized. That is, in the block configuration of FIG. 3, when the detection function of the failure factor of seamless switching is implemented, it can be implemented only in the first switching unit 501 and the second switching unit 502.

However, since the broadcast signal is input to the first switching unit 501 and the second switching unit 502 as a TLV packet converted into TLV by the first TLV multiplexing unit 103 and the second TLV multiplexing unit 203, the first switching unit The 501 and the second switching unit 502 cannot know what kind of state the MMTP (MMT Protocol) packet, that is, the information of the MMT layer contained therein is.

In other words, in the first switching unit 501 and the second switching unit 502, as effective information that can determine whether or not seamless switching fails, the TMCC stored in the TLV packet together with the MMTP packet of the main signal is stored. Only the END / START flag information included in the information. Here, the START flag included in the TMCC information means that the TLV slot in a state where the TLV packet including the MMTP packet does not exist is completed, and the TLV packet including the MMTP packet is transmitted from the TLV slot. Means. Further, the END flag included in the TMCC information means that the TLV slot in which the TLV packet including the MMTP packet exists is completed, and the TLV packet not including the MMTP packet is transmitted from the TLV slot next to the TLV slot. Means.

Therefore, the switching unit 501 of the first switching unit 501 and the switching unit 502 of the second switching unit 502 and the control unit 300A have a problem in the TLV packet that seamless switching becomes impossible prior to the switching operation of the active system / standby system. It is not possible to confirm in advance whether or not it exists in the information of the MMTP packet included as the main signal. Further, even if the seamless switching operation fails due to the information of the MMTP packet included as the main signal in the TLV packet (that is, due to the information of the MMT layer), the seamless switching operation fails. The cause cannot be identified by the switching unit of the first switching unit 501 and the second switching unit 502.

(Specific example of seamless switching failure)
Next, some specific cases in which some trouble occurs in the broadcast signal transmitting device 1A and seamless switching failure occurs due to the information of the MMT layer will be illustrated. First, using the time chart of FIG. 4, a case where there is no problem in the broadcast signal transmission device 1A and a state in which seamless switching operation between the active system and the backup system can be normally performed will be described.

FIG. 4 is a time chart showing the output timing of the broadcast signal in the broadcast signal transmission device 1A shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, FIG. 4A shows the state of the MMTP packet output by each of the first MMT multiplexing unit 102 of the first system 100A and the second MMT multiplexing unit 202 of the second system 200A, and FIG. B) shows the state of the TLV packet output by each of the first TLV multiplexing unit 103 of the first system 100A and the second TLV multiplexing unit 203 of the second system 200A.

That is, in the output example shown in FIG. 4 (A), is MMTP packet from the 2MMT multiplexer 202 at a timing delayed by the delay time _{t 0} than MMTP packet output from the 1MMT multiplexing unit 102 is output Indicates the case.

In addition, when a situation occurs in which switching between the active system and the backup system is required, the MMTP of the next group is sent from each of the first MMT multiplexing unit 102 and the second MMT multiplexing unit 202 for each predetermined group unit. Control is performed so that a non-signal section t _{1 in} which no signal (MMTP packet) exists is placed and output before the packet is transmitted. 4 In the output example of (A), with respect to certain groups MMTP packet, with END flag of the first system 100A indicating the last MMTP packet to start inserting no signal section _{t 1} MMTP packet 12 , From the MMTP packet 22 with the END flag of the second system 200A, the non-signal section t ₁ which is the output stop section of the MMTP packet is set, and the non-signal section t ₁ is terminated. It is controlled to output the MMTP packet 11 with the START flag of the first system 100A and the MMTP packet 21 with the START flag of the second system 200A.

The START flag and END flag added to the MMTP packet are set in the header of the MMTP packet (MMTP header or IP header), and the output timing of the header of the MMTP packet is output from the reference GOP generation unit 400. It is output in synchronization with the synchronization signal (GOP synchronization signal / NTP synchronization signal). Here, the no-signal section t ₁ is a predetermined time length.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the TLV packets output by the first TLV multiplexing unit 103 of the first system 100A and the second TLV multiplexing unit 203 of the second system 200A are respectively shown in FIG. 4 (B). TMCC information with the END / START flag set was added corresponding to the MMTP packets output by the first encoding unit 101 of the first system 100A and the second encoding unit 201 of the second system 200A shown in A). It is output in the form.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4 (B), in the first TLV multiplexing unit 103 of the first system 100A, depending on the MMTP packet output from the first encoding unit 101 shown in FIG. 4 (A), or From the TLV packet 14 having the TMCC information with the END flag indicating that it is the TLV packet including the last MMTP packet that starts the insertion of the non-signal section t ₁ with respect to the group of TLV packets, the TLV packet including the MMTP packet place the no signal section _{t 1} which is the output stop section, TLV packet having the TMCC information with START flag indicating a TLV packet including the head of MMTP packet of the next group to terminate the wireless signal interval _{t 1} 13 is output.

Similarly, in the second TLV multiplexing unit 203 of the second system 200A, the last TLV packet of a certain group is obtained according to the MMTP packet output from the second encoding unit 201 shown in FIG. 4 (A). from TLV packet 24 having the TMCC information with END flag indicating a TLV packet containing MMTP packet, at a no signal section _{t 1,} indicates that the TLV packet including the head of MMTP packet of the next group The TLV packet 23 having TMCC information with the START flag is output.

As described above, the START flag and END flag added to the TMCC information of the TLV packet are the START flag and END flag set in the header (MMTP header or IP header) of the MMTP packet included in the TLV packet. It is set to be the same timing as the flag. The output timing of the TMCC information of the TLV packet is also output in synchronization with the synchronization signal (GOP synchronization signal / NTP synchronization signal) output from the reference GOP generation unit 400. Further, in addition to the TMCC information, the TLV packet usually further includes null data consisting of an error correction code and stuff bits, but this is not shown in FIG. 4 for the sake of simplicity.

Here, seamless switching between the active system and the standby system between the first system 100A and the second system 200A is performed by the first switching unit 501 or the second switching unit 502 between the first system 100A and the second system 200A. It is necessary to carry out in the GAP section (gap section) in which no signal (TLV packet) exists in any of them. It relates the GAP sections (gap sections), in the output example shown in FIG. 4 (B) for outputting a TLV packet from the first line 100A at a timing delayed by the delay time _{t 0} than the second system 200A, the 1MMT multiplexing The non-signal section t ₁ itself, which is set for each group in the own broadcasting system by each of the unit 102 and the second MMT multiplexing unit 202, is not set as the GAP section T (gap section). That is, as shown in FIG. 4 (B), the MMTP packet is sent to both the first system 100A and the second system 200A, taking into consideration the delay time t ₀ between the first system 100A and the second system 200A. The section in which the TLV packet including the above does not exist is a GAP section T (= t _{1 −} t ₀ ) indicating a section for switching between the active system and the standby system in the first switching unit 501 or the second switching unit 502. Become.

As shown in FIG. 4B, in the GAP section T, both the first system 100A and the second system 200A are MMTP packets including TLV packets (in other words, broadcast signals (video signals and audio signals)). ) Does not exist, so if the active system / standby system is switched between the first system 100A and the second system 200A in the GAP section T, seamless switching without momentary interruption of the broadcast signal can be performed. It can be realized.

Further, unlike the case of FIG. 4B, the delay time t between the first system 100A and the second system 200A due to some malfunction of the functional part of either the first system 100A and the second system 200A. _{When 0} becomes larger than the non-signal section t ₁ in either the first encoding section 101 or the second encoding section 201, or when the non-signal section t ₁ itself is not secured. Is unable to secure the GAP section T in which the TLV packet including the MMTP packet does not exist in either the first system 100A or the second system 200A, so that seamless switching cannot be performed. It falls into a situation where seamless switching fails.

(First case)
In this first case, unlike the case shown in the time chart of FIG. 4, due to a defect in any of the functional parts of the first system 100A and the second system 200A of FIG. 3, the first system 100A and the second system 200A In any of the above cases, there is no section in which the TLV packet including the MMTP packet is not output, that is, the GAP section T (gap section) does not exist.

In other words, due to a defect in any of the functional units of the first encoding unit 101 and the first MMT multiplexing unit 102 of the first system 100A and the second encoding unit 201 and the second MMT multiplexing unit 202 of the second system 200A in FIG. , The delay time t ₀ indicating the deviation of the output timing of the MMTP packet between the first system 100A and the second system 200A becomes large, and MMTP from both the first MMT multiplexing unit 102 and the second MMT multiplexing unit 202. This is a case where there is no GAP section T in which the section in which the packet is not output, that is, the non-signal section t ₁ overlaps with each other. In such a case, seamless switching cannot be performed.

(Second case)
Although it is an event similar to the first case described above, in this second case, due to some factor, a broadcast signal (broadcast signal () is transmitted to the broadcast system to be switched among the first system 100A and the second system 200A in FIG. This is a case where the non-signal section t ₁ in which the MMTP packet) is not output does not exist. As a result, there is no section where TLV packets including MMTP packets are not output from either the first system 100A or the second system 200A in FIG. 3, that is, the GAP section T (gap section), and seamless switching is performed. It falls into a state where it cannot be done.

For example, if the active system up to now is the first system 100A, the second system 200A, which has been a backup system until now, is the broadcasting system to be switched to. Here, for some reason, the no signal section _{t 1} between the switching destination of the second system MMTP packet 22 with END flag outputted from the 2MMT multiplexing unit 202 of 200A and START flagged MMTP packet 21 If it does not exist, or if the MMTP packet 22 itself with the END flag is not output, it falls into a state in which seamless switching to the second system 200A cannot be performed.

Alternatively, a TLV packet (TLV packet including MMTP) 24 having TMCC information with an END flag output from the second TLV multiplexing unit 203 of the second system 200A of the switching destination and a TLV packet having TMCC information with a START flag (TLV packet including MMTP) ( The no-signal section t ₁ does not exist between the TLV packet (TLV packet containing MMTP) 23, or the MMTP packet (TLV packet containing MMTP) 24 itself having TMCC information with the END flag is not output. In that case, it falls into a state in which seamless switching to the second system 200A cannot be performed.

(Third case)
In this third case, there is an abnormality in the MMTP packet output from either the first system 100A or the second system 200A due to a defect in the functional part of either the first system 100A or the second system 200A in FIG. This is the case when it occurs. When such an abnormality occurs, when the switching operation is performed, steady noise is mixed in the broadcast signal (video signal / audio signal), or seamless switching cannot be performed. Here, the abnormality generated in the MMTP packet is a contradiction or lack of control packet information for reproducing the broadcast signal (video signal / audio signal), and the broadcast signal (video signal / audio signal) has noise or momentary interruption. Means that

Further, the inconsistency of the control packet information means, for example, that the reproduction time of the broadcast signal (video signal / audio signal) is specified as one of the control packet information, but the specified reproduction time specifies the past time. When the ID of the broadcast signal (video signal / audio signal) defined as one of the control packet information is different from the ID of the actual broadcast signal (video signal / audio signal). Point to. Further, the loss of control packet information refers to a case where the corresponding control packet, the corresponding broadcast signal (video signal / audio signal), NTP (Network Time Protocol) packet, etc. are lost due to packet loss.

If an abnormality occurs in the coded broadcast signal (video signal / audio signal) output from each of the first encoding unit 101 of the first system 100A and the second encoding unit 201 of the second system 200A, each of them. In the first MMT multiplexing unit 102 and the second MMT multiplexing unit 202 in the subsequent stage, in order to perform the MMT multiplexing process, a process of reconstructing a control packet for reproducing a coded broadcast signal (video signal / audio signal) is performed. At the time of this, it is possible to detect an abnormality in the coded broadcast signal to be processed.

However, in the first TLV multiplexing unit 103 and the second TLV multiplexing unit 203 in the subsequent stages of the first MMT multiplexing unit 102 and the second MMT multiplexing unit 202, respectively, as described above, the first MMT multiplexing unit 102 and the second MMT multiplexing unit 102 Even if there is an abnormality in the MMTP packet output from each of the conversion units 202, the abnormality in the MMTP packet cannot be detected. This is because the first TLV multiplexing unit 103 and the second TLV multiplexing unit 203 are functional units that convert MMTP packets output from the first MMT multiplexing unit 102 and the second MMT multiplexing unit 202 into TLV packets, respectively. It depends. That is, each of the first TLV multiplexing unit 103 and the second TLV multiplexing unit 203 can be converted into a TLV packet if each of the MMTP packets to be processed is in a normal format as the MMTP packet format, and thus the contents of the MMTP packet. This is because it is not necessary to be aware of whether or not there is an abnormality in the packet.

(Purpose of the present invention)
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is possible to seamlessly switch the broadcast signal without causing a momentary interruption in advance of switching between the active system and the standby system. An object of the present invention is to provide a broadcast signal transmission device capable of detecting whether or not a broadcast system is seamlessly switched, a broadcast system seamless switchability detection method, and a broadcast system seamless switchability detection program.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the broadcast signal transmission device, the broadcast system seamless switchability detection method, and the broadcast system seamless switchability detection program according to the present invention mainly adopt the following characteristic configurations.

(1) The broadcast signal transmitting device according to the present invention is
To apply the MMT (MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) Media Transport) / TLV (Type Length Value) method defined as the standard of ARIB (Association of Radio Industries and Business) and to transmit broadcast signals. A broadcasting signal having a redundant configuration consisting of two broadcasting systems, a first system and a second system, as a broadcasting system, in which one broadcasting system is selected as an active system and the other broadcasting system is set as a backup system. In the transmitter
The first system is
A first MMT multiplexing means that performs MMT (MPEG Media Transport) multiplexing processing on the encoded broadcast signal to generate and output a multiplexed MMTP packet.
Each of the MMTP packets output from the first MMT multiplexing means is analyzed, and information on the start timing and the end timing at which the MMTP packet does not exist in the own system broadcasting system is extracted and broadcasted by the own system. The first decoding means acquired as information on the non-signal section of the system,
Have,
The second system is
A second MMT multiplexing means that performs MMT (MPEG Media Transport) multiplexing processing on the encoded broadcast signal to generate and output a multiplexed MMTP packet.
Each of the MMTP packets output from the second MMT multiplexing means is analyzed, and information on the start timing and the end timing at which the MMTP packet does not exist in the own system broadcasting system is extracted and broadcasted by the own system. A second decoding means that acquires information on the non-signal section of the system,
Have,
It is characterized by that.

(2) The broadcasting system seamless switchability detection method according to the present invention is
To apply the MMT (MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) Media Transport) / TLV (Type Length Value) method defined as the standard of ARIB (Association of Radio Industries and Business) and to transmit broadcast signals. A broadcast signal having a redundant configuration consisting of two broadcast systems, a first system and a second system, as a broadcast system, in which one of the broadcast systems is selected as the active system and the other broadcast system is set as the backup system. It is a broadcasting system seamless switchability detection method that detects whether or not seamless switching between the active system and the backup system is possible in the transmitting device.
The first system is
A first MMT multiplexing step in which MMT (MPEG Media Transport) multiplexing processing is performed on the encoded broadcast signal to generate and output a multiplexed MMTP packet, and
Each of the MMTP packets output from the first MMT multiplexing step is analyzed, and information on the start timing and end timing at which the MMTP packet does not exist in the own system broadcasting system is extracted and broadcasted by the own system. The first decoding step acquired as information on the non-signal section of the system, and
Have,
The second system is
A second MMT multiplexing step in which MMT (MPEG Media Transport) multiplexing processing is performed on the encoded broadcast signal to generate and output a multiplexed MMTP packet, and
Each of the MMTP packets output from the second MMT multiplexing step is analyzed, and information on the start timing and the end timing at which the MMTP packet does not exist in the own system broadcasting system is extracted and broadcasted by the own system. The second decoding step acquired as information on the non-signal section of the system, and
Have,
It is characterized by that.

(3) The broadcast system seamless switchability detection program according to the present invention is
To apply the MMT (MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) Media Transport) / TLV (Type Length Value) method defined as the ARIB (Association of Radio Industries and Business) standard and to transmit broadcast signals. A broadcasting signal having a redundant configuration consisting of two broadcasting systems, a first system and a second system, as a broadcasting system, in which one of the broadcasting systems is selected as the active system and the other broadcasting system is set as the backup system. It is a broadcast system seamless switchability detection program that detects whether or not seamless switching between the active system and the backup system is possible in the transmission device by a computer.
The first system is
A first MMT multiplexing function that performs MMT (MPEG Media Transport) multiplexing processing on the encoded broadcast signal to generate and output a multiplexed MMTP packet.
Each of the MMTP packets output from the first MMT multiplexing function is analyzed, and information on the start timing and end timing at which the MMTP packet does not exist in the own system broadcasting system is extracted and broadcasted by the own system. The first decoding function acquired as information on the non-signal section of the system, and
Have,
The second system is
A second MMT multiplexing function that performs MMT (MPEG Media Transport) multiplexing processing on the encoded broadcast signal to generate and output a multiplexed MMTP packet.
Each of the MMTP packets output from the second MMT multiplexing function is analyzed, and information on the start timing and end timing at which the MMTP packet does not exist in the own system broadcasting system is extracted and the own system broadcasting. The second decoding function, which is acquired as information on the non-signal section of the system,
Have,
It is characterized by that.

According to the broadcast signal transmission device, the broadcast system seamless switchability detection method, and the broadcast system seamless switchability detection program of the present invention, the following effects can be mainly achieved.

That is, since the present invention has a mechanism for analyzing the MMTP packet which is the main signal, whether or not seamless switching is possible is determined in advance prior to the execution of switching between the active system and the backup system. , Can be detected.

It is a block block diagram which shows an example of the internal structure of the broadcast signal transmission device which concerns on this invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of operations in the first decoding unit and the second decoding unit of the broadcast signal transmitting device shown in FIG. 1. It is a block block diagram which shows an example of the internal structure of the broadcast signal transmission device in the present technology. It is a time chart which shows the output timing of the broadcast signal in the broadcast signal transmitter shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the broadcast signal transmission device, the broadcast system seamless switchability detection method, and the broadcast system seamless switchability detection program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In the following description, the broadcast signal transmission device and the broadcast system seamless switchability detection method according to the present invention will be described, but as a broadcast system seamless switchability detection program in which the broadcast system seamless switchability detection method can be executed by a computer. Needless to say, this may be carried out, or the broadcast system seamless switchability detection program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Further, it is needless to say that the drawing reference reference numerals attached to the following drawings are added to each element for convenience as an example for assisting understanding, and the present invention is not intended to be limited to the illustrated embodiment. No.

(Features of the present invention)
Prior to the description of the embodiments of the present invention, the features of the present invention will be first outlined. The present invention is a broadcast signal transmission device that employs an MMT (Moving Picture Experts Group) Media Transport) / TLV (Type Length Value) method and is composed of a broadcast system having a redundant configuration of an active system and a backup system. Prior to switching between the active system and the backup system, it has a mechanism to detect in advance whether or not seamless switching is possible without causing a momentary interruption in the broadcast signal (video signal / audio signal). The main feature is that it is.

Therefore, when it is detected that seamless switching is impossible, whether or not to cancel the switching between the active system and the backup system according to the rules set and registered in advance in the broadcast signal transmitting device. Can be determined automatically. Alternatively, by notifying the operator of the broadcast signal transmitting device of the detection result that seamless switching is impossible, it is possible to decide whether or not to cancel the switching according to the instruction from the operator. is there.

Furthermore, since it also has a mechanism for notifying the operator of the broadcast signal transmission device of information on the suspected range of the cause that makes seamless switching impossible, the operator cannot perform seamless switching. It is also possible to easily identify the possible range of suspicions.

(Explanation of Configuration Examples of Embodiments of the Present Invention)
Next, the internal configuration of the broadcast signal transmission device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the broadcast signal transmission device according to the present invention. The broadcast signal transmission device 1 shown in FIG. 1 shows an example of a device configuration in which a broadcast signal is transmitted by applying the MMT / TLV method, and is substantially the same as the broadcast signal transmission device 1A shown in FIG. 3 as the current technology. It has the same circuit configuration, and has two broadcasting systems, the first system 100 and the second system 200, the control unit 300, the reference GOP (Group Of Pictures) generator 400, the first switching unit 501, and the second switching unit. It is configured to include the 502 and the frame synchronization signal generation unit 600. By the control from the control unit 300, one of the two broadcasting systems, the first system 100 and the second system 200, is used as the active broadcasting system, and the other is in the standby state as the standby system. Become.

Here, in FIG. 1, the reference GOP generation unit 400, the first switching unit 501, the second switching unit 502, and the frame synchronization signal generation unit 600, which have the same reference numerals as those of the broadcast signal transmission device 1A shown in FIG. Is also a functional unit having exactly the same function as that of the broadcast signal transmitting device 1A shown in FIG. 3, and duplicated description here is omitted.

Further, the first system 100 is different from the first system 100A of the broadcast signal transmission device 1A shown in FIG. 3, in addition to the first encoding unit 101, the first MMT multiplexing unit 102, and the first TLV multiplexing unit 103. Further, it is configured to include at least the first decoding unit 104. Further, the second system 200 is also different from the second system 200A of the broadcast signal transmission device 1A shown in FIG. 3, as in the case of the first system 100, the second encoding unit 201, the second MMT multiplexing unit 202, In addition to the second TLV multiplexing unit 203, at least the second decoding unit 204 is included. In addition, each of the first system 100 and the second system 200 may include a low-layer encoding unit for 2K broadcasting, an SI (Service Information) transmission device, a subtitle transmission device, and the like.

Here, in the first system 100 and the second system 200 of FIG. 1, the first encoding unit 101, the second encoding unit 201, and the first MMT multiplexing unit having the same reference numerals as those of the broadcast signal transmitting device 1A shown in FIG. 102, the second MMT multiplexing unit 202, the first TLV multiplexing unit 103, and the second TLV multiplexing unit 203 are all functional units having exactly the same functions as in the case of the broadcast signal transmitting device 1A shown in FIG. The duplicate explanation here is omitted.

The first decoding unit 104 of the first system 100 newly added in FIG. 1 is connected to the output side of the first MMT multiplexing unit 102 in parallel with the first TLV multiplexing unit 103, and the other side, that is, the other broadcast. It is connected so as to be entangled with the second decoding unit 204 of the second system 200, which is a system. Then, the first decoding unit 104 analyzes the content of the MMTP packet multiplexed by the first MMT multiplexing unit 102, and outputs the decoding result to the second decoding unit of the second system 200, which is the other side, that is, the other broadcasting system. It is possible to output to 204 and receive the decoding result from the second decoding unit 204 on the other side. The first decoding unit 104 operates in synchronization with the synchronization signal (GOP synchronization signal / NPT synchronization signal) from the reference GOP generation unit 400.

Here, as one of the decoding results, the first decoding unit 104 analyzes each MMTP packet output from the first MMT multiplexing unit 102, and detects the timing at which the MMTP packet to which the END flag is added is detected. Based on the timing at which the MMTP packet to which the START flag is added is detected, information on the start timing and end timing at which the MMTP packet does not exist in the own broadcasting system (first system 100) is extracted. , acquired as information indicating the no signal section t ₁ autologous broadcasting system (first system 100).

Similarly, the second decoding unit 204 of the second system 200 newly added in FIG. 1 is connected to the output side of the second MMT multiplexing unit 202 in parallel with the second TLV multiplexing unit 203, and is connected to the other side, that is, the other side. It is connected so as to be entangled with the first decoding unit 104 of the first system 100, which is the other broadcasting system, and the second decoding unit 204 is the content of the MMTP packet multiplexed by the second MMT multiplexing unit 202. Is output to the first decoding unit 104 of the first system 100, which is the other side, that is, the other broadcasting system, and the decoding result from the second decoding unit 204 of the other side is received. The second decoding unit 204, like the first decoding unit 104, also operates in synchronization with the synchronization signal (GOP synchronization signal / NPT synchronization signal) from the reference GOP generation unit 400.

Here, the second decoding unit 204, like the first decoding unit 104, analyzes each MMTP packet output from the second MMT multiplexing unit 202 as one of the decoding results, and adds an END flag. Based on the timing when the MMTP packet is detected and the timing when the MMTP packet to which the START flag is added is detected, the start timing and end when the MMTP packet does not exist in the own broadcasting system (second system 200). extracts information about the timing, acquires the information indicating the no signal section t ₁ autologous broadcast system (second system 200).

When each of the first decoding unit 104 and the second decoding unit 204 acquires the information of the non-signal section t ₁ of the own system broadcasting system, as described above, as described above, the non-signal section t ₁ of the own system broadcasting system Exchange information with each other.

The information each of the first decoding unit 104 and the second decoding unit 204, indicating information indicating a no signal section t ₁ of the broadcast system of the self-system, the no signal section t ₁ in the mating of the broadcasting system in which each other replaced Based on the above, it is determined whether or not the GAP section T (gap section) in which the MMTP packet does not exist in either the first system 100 or the second system 200 is secured, and the GAP section T is determined. , If it is not secured, or even if it is secured, if the time length is less than the predetermined time threshold, the decoding result indicating that seamless switching operation between the active system and the backup system is impossible. Is acquired and output to the monitoring unit 301 of the control unit 300.

Note that, unlike the control unit 300A of the broadcast signal transmission device 1A shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 300 is further mounted with a monitoring unit 301. The monitoring unit 301 includes each functional unit (first encoding unit 101, second encoding unit 201, first TLV multiplexing unit 103, second TLV multiplexing unit 203, first decoding unit 104, first decoding unit 104, first decoding unit 104, first TLV multiplexing unit 103, 2 Decoding unit 204, 1st switching unit 501, 2nd switching unit 502) has a function to collect as alarm information when an abnormality in the control signal / data signal input / output or an abnormality in the operation of each functional unit is detected. doing.

Further, when the monitoring unit 301 receives from either the first decoding unit 104 or the second decoding unit 204 that it is impossible to seamlessly switch between the active system and the backup system as a decoding result, the monitoring unit 301 is concerned. According to the rules set and registered in advance in the broadcast signal transmitter 1, the switching between the active system and the standby system is canceled (cancelled), or even if the broadcast signal (video signal / audio signal) is interrupted momentarily, the active system is used. -Either forcibly switch the standby system, or output information requesting the operator of the broadcast signal transmission device 1 to perform the switching operation between the active system and the standby system. Select.

Here, when the monitoring unit 301 outputs information requesting the operator of the broadcast signal transmission device 1 to perform an operation of switching between the active system and the standby system, the monitoring receiving the instruction from the operator is received. The switching control unit of the control unit 300 that operates based on the information from the unit 301 cancels the switching operation of the active system / standby system according to the instruction from the operator, or forcibly cancels the switching operation of the active system / standby system. Executes the switching operation of. It should be noted that each of the first decoding unit 104 and the second decoding unit 204 cannot perform the seamless switching operation when outputting the decoding result indicating that the seamless switching operation between the active system and the standby system is impossible. It is possible to acquire and output information indicating the suspected range regarding the above factors based on the analysis result of each MMTP packet. Therefore, when the monitoring unit 301 outputs information requesting the operator to perform the switching operation between the active system and the standby system, it also outputs information on the suspected range regarding the factor that makes the seamless switching operation impossible. , Acts to provide the operator with information on the suspected range.

By adopting the above configuration, the broadcast signal transmission device 1 shown in FIG. 1 obtains MMTP packet information output from each of the first MMT multiplexing unit 102 and the second MMT multiplexing unit 202 in the first decoding unit 104. , 2nd decoding unit 204, respectively, to enable reliable analysis of MMT layer information, and when switching between the active system and the backup system, in the broadcast signal transmission device 1. It is possible to determine in advance whether or not a momentary interruption occurs in a video signal or an audio signal due to a malfunction of a functional unit or a control error, that is, whether or not seamless switching is possible.

(Explanation of Operation Example of Embodiment of the Present Invention)
Next, an example of the operation of the broadcast signal transmission device 1 shown in FIG. 1 as an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of operations in the first decoding unit 104 and the second decoding unit 204 of the broadcast signal transmitting device 1 shown in FIG. 1, and is an analysis of MMTP packet information (that is, MMT layer level information). An example of an operation for determining whether or not a seamless switching operation is possible based on the result is shown. In the following description, in order to avoid complication of the description, the operation of the first decoding unit 104 installed in the first system 100 of the broadcast signal transmission device 1 of FIG. 1 will be described. Needless to say, the second decoding unit 204 of the second system 200 also performs exactly the same operation.

As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2, prior to the operation of executing the switching operation between the active system and the backup system of the broadcasting system, the first decoding unit 104 of the first system 100 and the second decoding of the second system 200 are performed. Unit 204 performs an operation of analyzing MMTP packets output from each of the first MMT multiplexing unit 102 and the second MMT multiplexing unit 202 for the own broadcasting system, respectively. In the flowchart of FIG. 2, for example, when the first decoding unit 104 of the first system 100 receives the MMTP packet output from the first MMT multiplexing unit 102 (step S1), first, the received MMTP packet is in a normal state. It is confirmed whether or not it is in (step S2). When it is detected that the MMTP packet is in an abnormal state for some reason (NO in step S2), it is determined that the seamless switching operation cannot be executed, and the process proceeds to step S11.

On the other hand, when it is confirmed that the received MMTP packet is in a normal state (YES in step S2), the MMTP packet is analyzed and an operation of detecting the END flag and the START flag contained in the MMTP packet is performed. (Step S3). Then, when the MMTP packet to which the END flag is added is detected, the detection timing is set to the non-signal section t in which the MMTP packet does not exist for a predetermined time length in the own broadcasting system (first system 100). Save as the start timing when ₁ starts.

After that, the operations of steps S2 to S3 are repeated until an MMTP packet to which the START flag is added is detected as a subsequent MMTP packet. Then, after detecting the MMTP packet to which the END flag is given, when the MMTP packet to which the START flag is given is detected as the subsequent MMTP packet, it is acquired as the end timing at which the non-signal section t ₁ ends. Then, the difference between the timing when the MMTP packet with the START flag is detected (end timing) and the detection timing (start timing) of the saved MMTP packet with the END flag is set to the own broadcasting system (first system 100). ) is obtained as the time length of the no signal section _{t 1} of the (step S4).

After that, the acquired information on the non-signal section t ₁ of the own broadcasting system (first system 100) (start timing, that is, END flag detection timing, end timing, that is, START flag detection timing, time length of non-signal section t ₁ ). Is sent to the second decoding unit 204 of the other system broadcasting system (second system 200) (step S5). Further, the information of the non-signal section t ₁ of the other system broadcasting system (second system 200) transmitted from the second decoding unit 204 of the other system broadcasting system (second system 200) ((start timing, that is, END flag). detection timing, end timing ie START flag detection timing, the time length of the no signal section _{t 1)} to receive (step S6). here, the first decoding unit 104 and other autologous broadcasting system (first system 100) synchronizing signal timing by the broadcast system mutually notification (second system 200) the second decoding unit 204 no signal information interval t ₁ are the respective decoded results are mutually systems are outputted from the reference GOP generating unit 400 ( It is synchronized with the GOP synchronization signal / NTP synchronization signal).

The first decoding unit 104, a decoder unit (second decoding portion of the broadcast system of the own system obtained (first system 100) of the no signal section t ₁ information and other system broadcast system (second system 200) 204) on the basis of the no signal section _{t 1} of the information of the broadcast system of the other system received (second system 200) from the first system 100, in any of the second system 200, not exist MMTP packet The GAP section T (gap section), which is a non-existent section, is calculated (step S7).

After that, it is confirmed whether or not the calculated GAP section T is calculated as valid information as a value indicating a section in which the MMTP packet does not exist in either the first system 100 or the second system 200. (Step S8). When it is determined that the GAP section T is not calculated as valid information (that is, the GAP section T does not exist) (NO in step S8), the seamless switching operation cannot be executed. Then, the process proceeds to step S11.

If it is determined that the GAP section T is calculated as valid information (YES in step S8), the calculated GAP section T is used as the time threshold required to execute the seamless switching operation. It is confirmed whether or not the value is equal to or longer than the preset time length (step S9).

When the calculated GAP section T is longer than the time threshold value (YES in step S9), it is possible to execute a seamless switching operation in which the broadcast signal (video signal / audio signal) is not interrupted. (Step S10), the monitoring unit 301 of the control unit 300 is notified to that effect. When the monitoring unit 301 receives a notification from both the first decoding unit 104 and the second decoding unit 204 that the seamless switching operation is possible, the monitoring unit 301 further hinders the seamless switching operation from other functional units. After confirming that no situation has occurred, the switching control unit of the control unit 300 is notified that the switching between the active system and the standby system is requested. The switching control unit of the control unit 300 instructs the switching unit currently in use among the first switching unit 501 and the second switching unit 502 to switch between the active system and the spare system.

On the other hand, in step S9, when the calculated GAP section T has a time length less than the time threshold value (NO in step S9), the seamless switching operation cannot be executed. After determining, the process proceeds to step S11.

In step S11, the monitoring unit 301 of the control unit 300 is notified that the seamless switching operation is impossible, together with information on the suspected range including the factor that made the seamless switching impossible. (Step S11). When the monitoring unit 301 receives a notification from either or both of the first decoding unit 104 and the second decoding unit 204 that seamless switching operation is impossible, the monitoring unit 301 notifies the switching control of the control unit 300 to that effect. Notify the department. Further, the monitoring unit 301 outputs information regarding the suspected range including the factor that makes seamless switching impossible to the operator of the broadcast signal transmitting device 1.

When seamless switching operation is not possible, the switching control unit of the control unit 300 refers to a rule set and registered in advance in the broadcast signal transmission device 1, and according to the rule, the active system / standby system. Whether to cancel (stop) the switching operation, forcibly execute the switching operation even if seamless switching is not possible, or perform the operation according to the judgment of the operator of the broadcast signal transmission device 1. Select one. When following the judgment of the operator of the broadcast signal transmission device 1, whether to cancel or execute the switching operation between the active system and the standby system together with the information indicating that seamless switching is impossible. Is output to the operator of the broadcast signal transmission device 1. The operator who confirms the message refers to the information on the suspected range including the factor that makes seamless switching impossible, and decides whether to cancel (stop) the switching operation between the active system and the standby system. Is determined, and the result of the determination is instructed to the switching control unit of the control unit 300.

(Response to specific cases)
Next, in the above-mentioned [Problems to be Solved by the Invention], the first to third cases described as specific cases in which seamless switching failure occurs due to the information of the MMT layer with respect to the current technology. An example of how the broadcast signal transmitting device 1 shown in FIG. 1 will respond to each of the above cases will be described.

(Example of response to the first case)
In the above-mentioned first case, in the current technology, there is a section in which MMTP packets are not output from either the first system 100A or the second system 200A, that is, a GAP section T (gap section) due to some factor. Since it is not possible to detect such a state even though there is no state, switching between the active system and the backup system is performed, and a case where seamless switching may fail has been described.

In the broadcast signal transmitting device 1 shown in FIG. 1 as an embodiment of the present invention, the first is to output the result of analyzing the content of the MMTP packet output from the first MMT multiplexing unit 102 of the first system 100 as the decoding result. It includes a decoding unit 104 and a second decoding unit 204 that outputs the result of analyzing the contents of the MMTP packet output from the second MMT multiplexing unit 202 of the second system 200 as a decoding result, and includes the first decoding unit 104 and the first decoding unit 204. 2 The decoding result of each of the decoding units 204 is notified to each other.

Then, each of the first decoding unit 104 and the second decoding unit 204 is the first based on the detection timings of the END flag and the START flag of the MMTP packet acquired on both the first system 100 side and the second system 200 side. It is possible to analyze whether or not a section in which no MMTP packet exists in either the system 100 or the second system 200, that is, the GAP section T is secured, and output the analyzed result as a decoding result.

Then, each of the first decoding unit 104 and the second decoding unit 204 has not been able to secure the GAP section T as valid information as the decoding result, or the GAP section T exists as valid information. Even so, if it is not possible to secure a sufficient margin that is equal to or greater than the predetermined time threshold for the seamless switching processing time of the active system / standby system, it is impossible to perform the seamless switching operation. It is possible to create alarm information that there is, and notify the monitoring unit 301 of the control unit 300. Therefore, it is possible to select whether or not to execute the switching operation in advance before executing the switching operation of the active system / standby system of the broadcasting system.

(Example of response to the second case)
In the above-mentioned second case, in the current technology, the non-signal section t ₁ in which the MMTP packet is not output to the broadcasting system to be switched between the first system 100A and the second system 200A is provided for some reason. Since it is not possible to detect such a state even though it does not exist, switching between the active system and the backup system is performed, and a case where seamless switching may fail has been described.

In the broadcast signal transmission device 1 shown in FIG. 1 as an embodiment of the present invention, as described above as a corresponding example for the first case, the decoding results of the first decoding unit 104 and the second decoding unit 204 are notified to each other. It has a structure that allows them to interact with each other.

Therefore, each of the first decoding unit 104 and the second decoding unit 204 has a broadcast signal (MMTP) in the switching destination broadcasting system based on the timings of the END flag and the START flag given to the MMTP packet of the switching destination broadcasting system. The non-signal section t ₁ in which no packet) is output does not exist, and a section in which no MMTP packet exists in either the first system 100 or the second system 200, that is, the GAP section T is secured. It is possible to obtain as a decoding result what cannot be done.

Then, when the first decoding unit 104 and the second decoding unit 204 each do not have the non-signal section t ₁ in the switching destination broadcasting system as the decoding result and the GAP section T cannot be secured. , It is possible to create alarm information that it is impossible to perform a seamless switching operation to the switching destination broadcasting system, and notify the monitoring unit 301 of the control unit 300. Therefore, it is possible to select whether or not to execute the switching operation in advance before executing the switching operation of the active system / standby system of the broadcasting system.

(Example of response to the third case)
In the above-mentioned third case, in the current technology, although an abnormality has occurred in the MMTP packet output from the first system 100A and the second system 200A due to some factor, the first TLV multiplexing unit Since the 103 and the second TLV multiplexing unit 203 cannot detect such a state, switching between the active system and the standby system may be performed, and seamless switching may fail.

In the broadcast signal transmission device 1 shown in FIG. 1 as an embodiment of the present invention, the first decoding unit 104 and the second decoding unit 204 are the first MMT multiplexing unit 102 and the second system 200 of the first system 100, respectively. The content of the MMTP packet output from each of the second MMT multiplexing units 202 of the above is analyzed, and whether or not the MMTP packet is normal (in other words, whether or not an abnormality has occurred) is output as the decoding result. ..

Then, each of the first decoding unit 104 and the second decoding unit 204 gives an alarm that seamless switching operation cannot be performed when an abnormality occurs in the MMTP packet as the decoding result. Information can be created and notified to the monitoring unit 301 of the control unit 300. Therefore, it is possible to select whether or not to execute the switching operation in advance before executing the switching operation of the active system / standby system of the broadcasting system.

(Explanation of the effect of the embodiment)
As described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained in the present embodiment.

That is, since the present embodiment has a mechanism for analyzing the MMTP packet which is the main signal, the possibility of seamless switching which cannot be detected by the current technology is determined by the execution of switching between the active system and the standby system. In advance, if it can be detected in advance and seamless switching is not possible, it is possible to identify the suspected range of factors that make it impossible.

If it is detected in advance that seamless switching is not possible, the execution of switching between the active system and the standby system is canceled, or the broadcast signal (video signal / audio signal) is interrupted momentarily. Whether to forcibly execute the switching is also determined based on the rules set in advance in the broadcast signal transmission device 1 or based on the instruction from the operator of the broadcast signal transmission device 1. Can be done.

The configuration of a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, it should be noted that such embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention and do not limit the invention in any way. Those skilled in the art can easily understand that various modifications and modifications can be made according to a specific application without departing from the gist of the present invention.

1 Broadcast signal transmitter 1A Broadcast signal transmitter 11 MMTP packet with START flag 12 MMTP packet with END flag 13 TLV packet with TMCC information with START flag 14 TLV packet with TMCC information with END flag 21 With START flag MMTP packet 22 MMTP packet with END flag 23 TLV packet with TMCC information with START flag 24 TLV packet with TMCC information with END flag 100 1st system 100A 1st system 101 1st encoding unit 102 1st MMT multiplexing Unit 103 1st TLV multiplexing unit 104 1st decoding unit 200 2nd system 200A 2nd system 201 2nd encoding unit 202 2nd MMT multiplexing unit 203 2nd TLV multiplexing unit 204 2nd decoding unit 300 Control unit 300A Control unit 301 Monitoring Part 400 Reference GOP (Group Of Pictures) generating part 501 1st switching part 502 2nd switching part 600 Frame synchronization signal generating part t ₀ Delay time t ₁ No signal section T GAP section (gap section)

Claims (9)

To apply the MMT (MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) Media Transport) / TLV (Type Length Value) method defined as the standard of ARIB (Association of Radio Industries and Business) and to transmit broadcast signals. A broadcasting signal having a redundant configuration consisting of two broadcasting systems, a first system and a second system, as a broadcasting system, in which one broadcasting system is selected as an active system and the other broadcasting system is set as a backup system. In the transmitter
The first system is
A first MMT multiplexing means that performs MMT (MPEG Media Transport) multiplexing processing on the encoded broadcast signal to generate and output a multiplexed MMTP packet.
Each of the MMTP packets output from the first MMT multiplexing means is analyzed, and information on the start timing and the end timing at which the MMTP packet does not exist in the own system broadcasting system is extracted and broadcasted by the own system. The first decoding means acquired as information on the non-signal section of the system,
Have,
The second system is
A second MMT multiplexing means that performs MMT (MPEG Media Transport) multiplexing processing on the encoded broadcast signal to generate and output a multiplexed MMTP packet.
Each of the MMTP packets output from the second MMT multiplexing means is analyzed, and information on the start timing and the end timing at which the MMTP packet does not exist in the own system broadcasting system is extracted and broadcasted by the own system. A second decoding means that acquires information on the non-signal section of the system,
Have,
A broadcast signal transmitter characterized by this. Each of the first decoding means and the second decoding means
The acquired information on the non-signal section of the own broadcasting system is exchanged with each other, and the information on the non-signal section of the own broadcasting system is exchanged with the information of the non-signal section on the other side broadcasting system. Based on the information in, it is determined whether or not a GAP section (gap section) in which the MMTP packet does not exist is secured in both the first system and the second system.
The broadcast signal transmitting device according to claim 1. Each of the first decoding means and the second decoding means
If the previous GAP section is not secured, or even if it is secured, if the time length is less than the predetermined time threshold, seamless switching operation between the active system and the spare system is impossible. Output the decoding result to that effect,
The broadcast signal transmitting device according to claim 1 or 2. The first decoding means is
When each MMTP packet output from the first MMT multiplexing means is analyzed and an abnormal state of the MMTP packet is detected, decoding to the effect that seamless switching operation between the active system and the backup system is impossible. Output the result,
Further, the second decoding means is
When each MMTP packet output from the first MMT multiplexing means is analyzed and an abnormal state of the MMTP packet is detected, decoding to the effect that seamless switching operation between the active system and the backup system is impossible. Output the result,
The broadcast signal transmitting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Each of the first decoding means and the second decoding means
When outputting the decoding result indicating that the seamless switching operation between the active system and the standby system is impossible, the analysis result of each MMTP packet is provided with information indicating the suspicious range regarding the factor that makes the seamless switching operation impossible. Get and output based on
The broadcast signal transmitting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. When either the first decoding means or the second decoding means outputs a decoding result indicating that seamless switching operation between the active system and the backup system is impossible,
Whether to cancel the switching operation between the active system and the spare system according to the rules registered in advance, or forcibly execute the switching operation between the active system and the spare system even if seamless switching is not possible. Alternatively, select either to output information requesting the operator of the self-broadcast signal transmitter to instruct the operator of the active system / standby system to perform the switching operation.
The broadcast signal transmitting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. When information requesting instructions regarding the implementation of switching operation between the active system and the standby system is output to the operator of the self-broadcast signal transmitter.
According to the instruction from the operator, the switching operation between the active system and the spare system is canceled, or the switching operation between the active system and the spare system is forcibly executed.
The broadcast signal transmitting device according to claim 6. To apply the MMT (MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) Media Transport) / TLV (Type Length Value) method defined as the standard of ARIB (Association of Radio Industries and Business) and to transmit broadcast signals. A broadcast signal having a redundant configuration consisting of two broadcast systems, a first system and a second system, as a broadcast system, in which one of the broadcast systems is selected as the active system and the other broadcast system is set as the backup system. It is a broadcasting system seamless switchability detection method that detects whether or not seamless switching between the active system and the backup system is possible in the transmitting device.
The first system is
A first MMT multiplexing step in which MMT (MPEG Media Transport) multiplexing processing is performed on the encoded broadcast signal to generate and output a multiplexed MMTP packet, and
Each of the MMTP packets output from the first MMT multiplexing step is analyzed, and information on the start timing and end timing at which the MMTP packet does not exist in the own system broadcasting system is extracted and broadcasted by the own system. The first decoding step acquired as information on the non-signal section of the system, and
Have,
The second system is
A second MMT multiplexing step in which MMT (MPEG Media Transport) multiplexing processing is performed on the encoded broadcast signal to generate and output a multiplexed MMTP packet, and
Each of the MMTP packets output from the second MMT multiplexing step is analyzed, and information on the start timing and the end timing at which the MMTP packet does not exist in the own system broadcasting system is extracted and broadcasted by the own system. The second decoding step to acquire as information of the non-signal section of the system, and
Have,
A method for detecting whether or not the broadcasting system can be seamlessly switched. To apply the MMT (MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) Media Transport) / TLV (Type Length Value) method defined as the ARIB (Association of Radio Industries and Business) standard and to transmit broadcast signals. A broadcasting signal having a redundant configuration consisting of two broadcasting systems, a first system and a second system, as a broadcasting system, in which one of the broadcasting systems is selected as the active system and the other broadcasting system is set as the backup system. It is a broadcast system seamless switchability detection program that detects whether or not seamless switching between the active system and the backup system is possible in the transmission device by a computer.
The first system is
A first MMT multiplexing function that performs MMT (MPEG Media Transport) multiplexing processing on the encoded broadcast signal to generate and output a multiplexed MMTP packet.
Each of the MMTP packets output from the first MMT multiplexing function is analyzed, and information on the start timing and end timing at which the MMTP packet does not exist in the own system broadcasting system is extracted and broadcasted by the own system. The first decoding function acquired as information on the non-signal section of the system, and
Have,
The second system is
A second MMT multiplexing function that performs MMT (MPEG Media Transport) multiplexing processing on the encoded broadcast signal to generate and output a multiplexed MMTP packet.
Each of the MMTP packets output from the second MMT multiplexing function is analyzed, and information on the start timing and end timing at which the MMTP packet does not exist in the own system broadcasting system is extracted and the own system broadcasting. The second decoding function, which is acquired as information on the non-signal section of the system,
Have,
A broadcast system seamless switchability detection program characterized by this.

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