JP6035389B2 - Receiving method and receiving apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure, receiving method, and a receiving equipment, in particular, how the received were as digital television in conjunction with the progress of the broadcast program can control the operation of the predetermined application program, and a receiving equipment.

  In digital television broadcasting, not only television program broadcasting services but also so-called data broadcasting services are realized (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the future, the introduction of more advanced services using the Internet for digital television broadcasting is being considered.

  Specifically, for example, it is considered to supply an application program or the like that operates in conjunction with the progress of a program to the receiving apparatus side via the Internet and control the operation.

JP 2006-50237 A

  When introducing more advanced services using the Internet for digital television broadcasting, it is necessary to ensure the operation of receiving devices such as existing digital television receivers and to limit the broadcasting bandwidth. There are also limited modifications to the digital television broadcasting system.

  Further, it is desirable that the operation of the program by the broadcaster and the operation of the application program by the above-mentioned application program operator are separated. In order to realize such a demand, it is necessary to establish a method for supplying control information for notifying the receiving side of the timing of linking the application program to the progress of the program to the receiving side without using a broadcast signal. .

  The present disclosure has been made in view of such a situation, and allows control information such as timing for linking an application program to the progress of a program to be supplied to a receiving side without using a television broadcast signal. is there.

A reception method according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a reception method of a reception device that receives content broadcast via a broadcast network. The reception method is a reception method of receiving a broadcast signal broadcast via the broadcast network by the reception device. A step of acquiring an application control descriptor from the received broadcast signal, and a progress of the content according to a type related to the application program described in the acquired application control descriptor An application control data acquisition step for acquiring, via a network, application control data including at least a command related to a predetermined application program linked to the application control descriptor; See contains an application control data analyzing step of performing an operation related to the predetermined application program in accordance with emission control data, the application control data analyzing step, the command included in the application control data is in acquisition of the predetermined application program In this case, the predetermined application program is acquired from a predetermined server via the network .

  The command related to the predetermined application program can instruct one of acquisition, activation, event firing, interruption, or termination of the predetermined application program.

  The reception method according to the first aspect of the present disclosure is included in the application control descriptor or the application control data according to a type related to the application program described in the acquired application control descriptor. The method may further include an application control descriptor analyzing step for obtaining the predetermined application program according to the command.

The receiving device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a receiving unit that receives content broadcasted via a broadcasting network, a receiving unit that receives a broadcast signal broadcasted via the broadcasting network, and the received broadcasting An application control descriptor acquisition unit that acquires an application control descriptor from a signal, and a predetermined application program that is linked to the progress of the content according to a type related to the application program described in the acquired application control descriptor An application control data acquisition unit for acquiring application control data including at least a command from a server specified by the application control descriptor via a network; and the predetermined application according to the application control data And an application control data analyzing unit that performs processing related program, the application control data analyzing section, if the command included in the application control data is acquired for the predetermined application program, said predetermined application program, Obtained from a predetermined server via the network.
The receiving device may be built in a television receiver.
The receiving device can be built in a video recorder.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a broadcast signal broadcast via a broadcast network is received, an application control descriptor is acquired from the received broadcast signal, and is described in the acquired application control descriptor Depending on the type related to the application program, application control data including at least a command related to the predetermined application program linked with the progress of the content is acquired from the server specified by the application control descriptor via the network, and the application When the command included in the control data is acquisition of the predetermined application program, the predetermined application program is acquired from a predetermined server via the network.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an application program can be acquired from a server in conjunction with the progress of content in accordance with application control data from the server .

  According to the second aspect of the present disclosure, application control data for controlling the operation of the application in conjunction with the progress of the content can be supplied from the server to the receiving device.

It is a block diagram showing an example of composition of a broadcasting system of this indication. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the flow of information in case an application control type is 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the flow of information in case an application control type is 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the flow of information in case an application control type is 3. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a receiver. It is a figure which shows the functional block contained in the analysis part of a receiver. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of an external device. It is a figure which shows an example of the syntax of an application control descriptor. It is a figure which shows the information item of command information. An example of command information syntax is shown. It is a figure which shows arrangement | positioning of the command information in a video stream. It is a figure which shows arrangement | positioning of the command information in a video stream. It is a figure which shows the example which codes and embeds command information in an image | video. It is a figure which shows the structure of application control data. It is a figure which shows the data structure of a segment data sequence. It is a figure which shows the structure of the command data in segment data. It is a figure which shows the structure of the command data in segment data. It is a figure which shows the structure of the metadata in segment data. It is a figure which shows the structure of the bit map caption data in metadata. It is a figure which shows the structure of the text subtitle data in metadata. It is a figure which shows an example of the syntax of a segment data sequence. It is a figure which shows an example of a syntax in case the metadata type of segment data is bitmap subtitle data. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a subtitle display using the metadata (bitmap subtitle data) of segment data. It is a figure which shows an example of syntax in case the metadata type of segment data is text subtitle data. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a subtitle display using the metadata (text subtitle data) of segment data. It is a flowchart explaining the new information service corresponding | compatible process by a receiver. It is a flowchart explaining a command information corresponding process in detail. It is a flowchart explaining an application control data corresponding | compatible process in detail. It is a figure explaining the access dispersion | distribution to the server based on diffusion. The state transition of the new information service application is shown. It is a figure explaining the 1st operation scenario of a new information service application. It is a figure explaining the 2nd operation scenario of a new information service application. It is a figure explaining the 3rd operation scenario of a new information service application. It is a figure explaining the 4th operation scenario of a new information service application. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a computer.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present disclosure (hereinafter referred to as an embodiment) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<1. Embodiment>
[Broadcast system configuration example]
FIG. 1 shows a broadcasting system according to an embodiment. The broadcasting system 10 includes a broadcasting device 21 and a server 22 provided on the broadcasting side, and a receiving device 30 and an external device 40 provided on the receiver side, respectively.

  In addition to the program broadcasting service and data broadcasting service in the conventional television broadcasting service, this broadcasting system 10 is a new one that updates and displays information related to a program or CM being received, for example, in conjunction with its progress. A new service (hereinafter referred to as a new information service). The new information service is realized by executing an application program supplied from the server 22 in the receiving device 30 or the external device 40.

  The broadcast device 21 broadcasts a digital broadcast signal via a broadcast network 2 such as a terrestrial digital broadcast network, a satellite broadcast network, or a cable television network. This digital broadcast signal includes video, audio, caption, and other signals constituting a program, and a signal for a data broadcast service. Furthermore, the predetermined position of the digital broadcast signal includes an application control descriptor and command information for controlling the receiving device 30. Note that application control descriptors and command information having the same contents are repeatedly broadcast for a predetermined period.

  When the new information service is executed on a service (so-called channel) basis, the application control descriptor is broadcast by being included in an SDT (service description table) included in the digital broadcast signal. When the new information service is executed on a program basis, it is broadcast in an EIT (event information table) included in the digital broadcast signal. The application control descriptor may be included in a program PMT (program map table) and broadcast.

  For example, the command information is described in a predetermined position of the video stream of the program, or is encoded and embedded in the video of the program and is repeatedly broadcast for a predetermined period.

  Details of the application control descriptor and command information will be described later.

  In response to a request from the receiving device 30, the server 22 sends an application program for realizing a new information service in the receiving device 30 (hereinafter abbreviated as a new information service application) to the receiving device 30 via the Internet 3. Supply. In response to a request from the external device 40, the server 22 supplies a new information service application for realizing a new information service in the external device 40 to the external device 40 via the Internet 3.

  Further, in response to a request from the receiving device 30, the server 22 receives application control data necessary for controlling the acquisition, activation, event firing, interruption, or termination operation of the new information service application in the receiving device 30. The data is supplied to the receiving device 30 via the Internet 3.

  The receiving device 30 receives a digital broadcast signal broadcast from the broadcasting device 21 via the broadcast network 2, and outputs a program or CM video and audio to a monitor (not shown) at the subsequent stage based on the received digital broadcast signal. To do. In addition, the receiving device 30 executes the new information service application acquired from the server 22 to synthesize and display the video of the new information service on the video of the program or CM. The receiving device 30 can be connected to the external device 40 via a predetermined interface. The receiving device 30 can identify the type (described later) of the connected external device 40. The connection between the receiving device 30 and the external device 40 may be a wireless connection using a wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), infrared, or the like, or a wired connection via a wired LAN, USB, HDMI (registered trademark), or the like. .

  The receiving device 30 may be configured as a single unit, or may be incorporated in, for example, a digital television receiver or a video recorder.

  The external device 40 provides a new information service to the user by performing operations such as acquiring and starting a new information service application from the server 22 in accordance with a command from the receiving device 30. Examples of the external device 40 include a smartphone, a portable information terminal, a digital television receiver, and a video recorder. For example, smart phones and personal digital assistants as the external device 40 are classified as external device type 1 in which Android (trademark) is used as a platform, external device type 2 in which iOS (trademark) is used, etc. can do.

  2 to 4 show an outline of information flow in the broadcasting system 10.

  FIG. 2 shows a case where the application control type (application_control_type in FIG. 8) described in the application control descriptor is 1.

  In this case, the receiving device 30 acquires a new information service application (App) from the server 22 based on the application control descriptor included in the digital broadcast signal. The external device 40 acquires a new information service application from the server 22 in accordance with the command generated by the receiving device 30 based on the application control descriptor.

  In this case, since it is not necessary to detect command information from the digital broadcast signal or acquire application control data from the server 22 as in the case where the application control type described later is 2 or 3, the processing of the receiving device 30 is not necessary. The load can be reduced.

  FIG. 3 shows a case where the application control type described in the application control descriptor is 2.

  In this case, the receiving device 30 acquires a new information service application from the server 22 based on command information included in the digital broadcast signal. The external device 40 acquires a new information service application from the server 22 in accordance with the command from the receiving device 30 generated by the receiving device 30 based on the command information.

  FIG. 4 shows a case where the application control type described in the application control descriptor is 3.

  In this case, the receiving device 30 acquires application control data from the server 22 based on the application control descriptor included in the digital broadcast signal. Furthermore, the receiving device 30 acquires a new information service application from the server 22 based on the application control data. The application control data acquired from the server 22 can include metadata (such as caption data corresponding to a program) in addition to commands related to operations such as acquisition and activation of a new information service application. The external device 40 acquires a new information service application from the server 22 according to the command generated by the receiving device 30 based on the application control data.

  In this case, application control data for controlling the operation timing of the new information service application can be supplied to the receiving device 30 through a route different from that of the digital broadcast signal.

[Configuration Example of Receiving Device 30]
FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of the receiving device 30. The receiving device 30 includes a tuner 61, a demultiplexing unit 62, an audio decoder 63, an audio output unit 64, a video decoder 65, an analysis unit 66, a video output unit 67, a control unit 68, a memory 69, an operation unit 70, and a communication I / F 72. , A cache memory 73, an application engine 74, an application memory 75, and an external I / F 76.

  The tuner 61 receives and demodulates a digital broadcast signal corresponding to the service (channel) selected by the user, and outputs a TS (transport stream) obtained as a result to the demultiplexing unit 62.

  The demultiplexing unit 62 separates the TS input from the tuner 61 into an audio encoded signal and a video encoded signal, the audio encoded signal to the audio decoder 63, and the video encoded signal to the video decoder 65 and the analyzing unit 66. Output to. Further, the demultiplexing unit 62 separates the control signal including SDT and EIT that may include the application control descriptor from the TS and outputs the control signal to the analysis unit 66.

  The audio decoder 63 decodes the input audio encoded signal and outputs an audio signal obtained as a result to the audio output unit 64. The audio output unit 64 outputs the input audio signal to a subsequent stage (for example, a speaker).

  The video decoder 65 decodes the input video encoded signal and outputs a video signal obtained as a result to the analysis unit 66 and the video output unit 67.

  The analysis unit 66 detects and analyzes the application control descriptor included in the SDT and EIT input from the demultiplexing unit 62, executes processing according to the analysis result, and notifies the control unit 68 of the analysis result. To do. The analysis unit 66 detects the command information included in the video encoded signal input from the demultiplexing unit 62 or the command information encoded and embedded in the video signal input from the video decoder 65. It detects and analyzes, performs the process according to an analysis result, and notifies the control part 68 of an analysis result.

  Further, the analysis unit 66 generates a command for the external device 40 according to the analysis result and outputs the command to the external I / F 76. Further, the analysis unit 66 acquires application control data from the server 22 via the communication I / F 72 and the Internet 3.

  FIG. 6 shows functional blocks included in the analysis unit 66. The analysis unit 66 includes a reception monitoring unit 81, an application control descriptor acquisition unit 82, an application control descriptor analysis unit 83, a command information detection unit 84, a command information analysis unit 85, an external device command generation unit 86, and application control data acquisition. A unit 87, a segment data sequence holding unit 88, and a segment data analysis unit 89 are included.

  The reception monitoring unit 81 monitors the change of service (channel) by channel selection, the start and end of a program in the service being received. The application control descriptor acquisition unit 82 holds the SDT and EIT input from the demultiplexing unit 62, and acquires the application control descriptor from the SDT and EIT. The application control descriptor analysis unit 83 analyzes the application control descriptor corresponding to the selected service or program.

  The command information detection unit 84 detects command information included in a video encoded signal input from the demultiplexing unit 62 or is encoded and embedded in a video signal input from the video decoder 65. Detect information. The command information analysis unit 85 analyzes the detected command information. The external device command generation unit 86 generates a command for the external device 40 based on the application control descriptor, command information, or segment data analysis result.

  The application control data acquisition unit 87 acquires application control data from the server 22 based on the analysis result of the application control descriptor corresponding to the selected service or program. The segment data holding unit 88 holds a segment data sequence constituting the acquired application control data. The segment data analysis unit 89 analyzes each segment data constituting the segment data sequence.

  Returning to FIG. The video output unit 67 outputs the video signal input from the video decoder 65 to a subsequent stage (for example, a display). Further, the video output unit 67 combines the video of the new information service input from the application engine 74 and the video signal input from the video decoder 65 and outputs the resultant to the subsequent stage.

  The control unit 68 controls the entire receiving device 30 by executing a control program recorded in the memory 69. Further, the control unit 68 controls acquisition (registration), activation, event firing, interruption, termination, and the like of the new information service application based on the analysis result from the analysis unit 66.

  The memory 69 stores a control program executed by the control unit 68. This control program can be updated based on digital broadcast signals or update data supplied via the Internet 3. The operation unit 70 receives various operations from the user and notifies the control unit 68 of operation signals corresponding thereto.

  The memory 69 holds user profile information, such as the user's age, sex, and address, which is input in advance by the user.

  This profile information is referred to by, for example, a new information service application that is being executed, and is used for a purpose such as firing an event in the new information service application that is being executed only when the user's profile information satisfies a predetermined condition. it can.

  The communication I / F 72 is connected to the server 22 via the Internet 3 in accordance with control from the analysis unit 66 or the application engine 74. The application engine 74 acquires a new information service application from the server 22 via the communication I / F 72 and the Internet 3 according to the control from the control unit 68 and stores the new information service application in the cache memory 73.

  The application engine 74 reads and executes the new information service application held in the cache memory 73 according to the control from the control unit 68.

  The application memory 75 includes a work memory 75A and a save memory 75B. The application engine 74 records data on the new information service application being executed in the work memory 75A. Further, the application engine 74 moves the data in the work memory 75A of the application memory 75 to the save memory 75B when the new information service application being executed is interrupted. When the interrupted new information service application is resumed, the data in the save memory 75B is moved to the work memory 75A to restore the state before the interruption.

  Of the two areas of the same size in the application memory 75, one may be switched alternately as the work memory 75A and the other as the save memory 75B. As a result, data movement between the work memory 75A and the save memory 75B can be eliminated.

  The external I / F 76 establishes a connection with the external device 40 by wireless or wired, identifies the type of the external device 40, and notifies the analysis unit 66 of the identification result. Further, the external I / F 76 transmits a command for the external device 40 input from the analysis unit 66 to the external device 40.

[Configuration Example of External Device 40]
FIG. 7 shows a configuration example of the external device 40. However, FIG. 7 shows only the parts related to the execution of the new information service application, and the parts not related to the execution of the new information service application are appropriately omitted.

  The external device 40 includes an external I / F 91, a command analysis unit 92, a control unit 93, an operation unit 94, a memory 95, an application engine 96, a communication I / F 97, and an output unit 98.

  The external I / F 91 is connected to the external I / F 76 of the receiving device 30 by wireless or wired, and outputs a command from the receiving device 30 to the command analysis unit 92. The command analysis unit 92 analyzes the command from the receiving device 30 and outputs the analysis result to the control unit 93.

  The control unit 93 controls the entire external device 40 by executing a control program (for example, Android, iOS, etc. as a platform) recorded in the memory 65. The control unit 93 controls acquisition (registration), activation, event firing, interruption, termination, and the like of the new information service application based on the analysis result from the command analysis unit 92.

  In the memory 95, a control program executed by the control unit 93 is recorded. The operation unit 94 receives various operations from the user and notifies the control unit 93 of operation signals corresponding thereto.

  The application engine 96 acquires and executes a new information service application from the server 22 via the communication I / F 97 and the Internet 3 according to the control from the control unit 93, and is received by the receiving device 30 as an execution result. The video signal and audio signal of information related to the program are output to the output unit 98. To do. The communication I / F 97 is connected to the server 22 via the Internet 3 in accordance with control from the application engine 96.

  The output unit 98 displays video corresponding to the video signal input from the application engine 96, and outputs audio corresponding to the audio signal.

[About Application Control Descriptor]
Next, an application control descriptor that is broadcast included in a digital broadcast signal will be described. The application control descriptor is broadcast by being included in the SDT or EIT of the digital broadcast signal.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of the syntax of the application control descriptor.

  In all application control descriptors, descriptor_tag indicating the corresponding service (channel) or program, descriptor_length indicating the data length of the application control descriptor, and application_control_type indicating the application control type are described.

  When the application control type is 1, descriptor_device_type for specifying a device (descriptor application device) that performs operations such as acquisition and execution of a new information service application based on the application control descriptor is described.

  As the descriptor application device, an external device can be specified by distinguishing its type in addition to the receiving device main body that has received the application control descriptor. Further, for example, the external device type 1 and the external device type 2 are simultaneously designated as descriptor application devices, or the reception device main body and the external device type 2 are designated simultaneously as descriptor application devices. It is also possible to specify a combination of each type of device.

  The application control descriptor includes application_id for specifying the new information service application to be acquired, app_url_length indicating the data length of the URL for specifying the acquisition destination (server 22) of the new information service application, and the URL App_url_byte indicating is described.

  In addition, as information of the new information service application, app_type indicating the type of the new information service application (for example, HTML5, BML, Java (registered trademark), etc.), operation of the new information service application when the channel or program is changed An app_life_scope indicating the range and an app_expire_date indicating the expiration date of the new information service application are described.

  When the application control type is 3, app_control_data_url_length indicating the data length of the URL for specifying the application control data acquisition destination (server 22), and app_control_data_url_byte indicating the URL are described.

[About command information]
Next, command information to be broadcast included in a video stream of a digital broadcast signal will be described.

  FIG. 9 shows information items included in the command information, and FIG. 10 shows an example of the syntax of the command information.

  The command ID (command_id) is identification information of the command information. When command information having the same content is transmitted a plurality of times, the command ID of each command information is the same. The provider ID (provide_id) is information indicating a provider that provides the user with the new information service application.

  The command application device type (command_destination_device_type) indicates a device (command application device) that controls operations related to the new information service application based on the command information. As the command application device, in addition to the receiving device main body that has received the command information, an external device can be specified by distinguishing its type. Further, for example, the external device type 1 and the external device type 2 are simultaneously designated as command devices, or the receiving device main body and the external device type 2 are simultaneously designated as command application devices. It is also possible to specify a combination of types.

  The command code (command_code) indicates the type of the command information, specifically, acquisition (registration), activation, termination, event, or interruption of the new information service application.

  The command validity probability parameter (command_validity) is a probability when each receiving device 30 that has received the command information determines to execute processing according to the command information in order to distribute access to the server 22 from a plurality of receiving devices 30. Indicates the value N for specifying.

  For example, in order to disperse access to the server 22 from the receiving device 30 that may exist in large numbers, the same command information is transmitted four times, and the effective probability parameter N = 4 in the first command information is set. The effective probability parameter N in the second command information may be set to 3, the effective probability parameter N in the third command information may be set to 2, and the effective probability parameter N in the fourth command information may be set to 1.

  By notifying the receiving device 30 of the command validity probability, it is possible to distribute the processing so that a plurality of receiving devices 30 access the server 22 and acquire a new information service application at a time.

  In the case of command information that does not access the server 22 or the like (command code is interrupted, terminated, etc. of the new information service application), the command validity probability may always be set to 1.

  The application ID (application_id) is identification information of a new information service application corresponding to the command information. The application URL (app_url_byte) is the URL of the acquisition destination of the new information service application (in this case, the server 22).

  The application type (application_type) is information indicating the type (for example, HTML5, BML, Java (registered trademark)) of the new information service application corresponding to the command information. The application valid range (app_life_scope) indicates a range in which the operation of the new information service application being executed continues when the channel or program is changed. The application expiration date (app_expire_date) indicates a period during which the acquired new information service application can be activated (expiration date and time when the acquired new information service application is deleted).

  The event ID (event_id) is event identification information when the command code of the command information is an event. The event additional information (event_embedded_data_byte) is data that is injected into the new information service application when the event is fired.

  11 to 13 show the arrangement of command information in a digital broadcast signal.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the command information is broadcasted by being placed in extensions_and_user_data in the MPEG2 video stream corresponding to the video of the program.

  Alternatively, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, the command information is encoded and embedded in the video of the program for broadcasting.

  FIG. 3A shows an example in which command information is converted into a two-dimensional bar code and superimposed at a predetermined position on the video (in this case, the lower right corner). FIG. 5B shows an example in which command information is converted into video code and combined into several lines at the bottom of the video. The command information combined with the video is detected by the analysis unit 66 of the receiving device 30.

  In both examples of FIG. A and FIG. B, the command information is arranged on the video of the program. For example, even when a television program is redistributed using the CATV network, The command information can be transmitted to the receiving device 30 without being deleted.

  Further, in both examples of FIG. A and FIG. B, the command information on the video can be visually recognized by the user of the receiving device 30, but if this is not desirable, a two-dimensional barcode or video code corresponding to the command information May be displayed after being masked with the same pixels as the surrounding pixels.

  Note that the arrangement of command information in the digital broadcast signal is not limited to the examples shown in FIGS.

[About application control data]
Next, application control data supplied from the server 22 to the receiving device 30 will be described.

  FIG. 14 shows the structure of application control data. The application control data includes a segment data sequence composed of a plurality of segment data, as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. B, the segment data is composed of start_pts and end_pts indicating two points on the progress time axis of the program corresponding to the segment valid period, and command data. Alternatively, the segment data is composed of a segment valid period and metadata, as shown in FIG. That is, the segment data includes either command data or metadata, and segment data including command data and segment data including metadata are mixed in one application control data (segment data sequence). be able to.

  15 to 20 show detailed examples of the data structure of the segment data data sequence. The data structure is assumed to be expressed in XML. Items with @ indicate attributes associated with the upper element, and other items indicate elements.

  FIG. 15 shows the data structure of the segment data sequence. In the segment data sequence (segment_sequence), for each segment data, @segment_number indicating the number, start_pts indicating the PTS value at the start timing of the segment valid period, and end_pts indicating the PTS value at the end timing of the segment valid period are described Is done. As the PTS value, a counter value of a 90 KHz clock embedded in a video stream or an audio stream can be used, but an absolute time indicated in hours, minutes and seconds or a relative time from the start of a program may be used. Further, command data or metadata is described.

  16 and 17 show the command data structure in the segment data.

  @destination indicates a device (command application device) that controls operations related to the new information service application based on the command data. As the command application device, in addition to the receiving device main body that has received the command information, an external device can be specified by distinguishing its type. Further, for example, the external device type 1 and the external device type 2 are simultaneously designated as command devices, or the receiving device main body and the external device type 2 are simultaneously designated as command application devices. It is also possible to specify a combination of types. @action indicates the type of the command data, specifically, acquisition, activation, termination, event, or interruption of the new information service application.

  The diffusion is information for distributing the application timing of the command data, as in the command validity probability parameter in the command information. In diffusion, @rate indicating the number of distributions, @range indicating the maximum delay time, and @period indicating the command application diffusion period are described.

  application is information related to the new information service application to be controlled, @id which is the identification information of the new information service application, @url indicating the acquisition destination of the new information service application, @expire_date indicating the expiration date of the new information service application @Scope indicating the effective range of the new information service application is described.

  event is information related to an event that is fired by the new information service application being executed. Event identification information, @id, and @related_data indicating data injected into the new information service application when the event is fired Described.

  FIG. 18 shows a metadata structure in the segment data.

  @type indicates the type of the metadata. Examples of metadata types include application data (application_data), text subtitle data (caption), bitmap subtitle data (subtitle), and the like. @target describes the identification information of the new information service application corresponding to the metadata. Thereafter, information for each type of metadata is described.

  FIG. 19 shows a structure when the metadata type is bitmap subtitle data. For bitmap subtitle data, @id indicating the subtitle sequence number, @left indicating the left end position of the subtitle display area, @upper indicating the upper end position of the subtitle display area, @right indicating the right end position of the subtitle display area, the lower end position of the subtitle display area @Lower indicating, and bitmap which is bitmap data corresponding to the character string of the subtitle is included.

  FIG. 20 shows the structure when the metadata type is text subtitle data. In text subtitle data, @id indicating the subtitle sequence number, @color specifying the subtitle color, @region_left indicating the subtitle display start horizontal position, @region_upper indicating the subtitle display start vertical position, and @ indicating the subtitle character size size, @font indicating the subtitle character font, and text that is the subtitle character string are included.

  FIG. 21 shows an example of the syntax of the segment data sequence.

  In the example shown in the figure, the segment data sequence is composed of three segment data. The segment data of segment number 1 is command data with a segment validity period of 12000 to 15000, the command application device is the receiving device body, and the command type is activation. The segment data of segment number 2 is command data with a segment validity period of 13000 to 13100, the command application device is the receiving device body, and the command type is the event. The segment data of segment number 3 is metadata with a segment validity period of 12000 to 20000, and the metadata type is application data.

  FIG. 22 shows an example of syntax when the metadata type of the segment data is bitmap subtitle data (subtitle).

  In the example shown in the figure, the segment number is 10, the segment valid period is 10000 to 12000, and the metadata type is subtitle. The subtitle sequence number is 1, the subtitle display area left end position is 200, the subtitle display area upper end position is 100, the subtitle display area right end position is 1400, and the subtitle display area lower end position is 300.

  In the receiving apparatus 30 that has received the segment data in FIG. 23, for example, as shown in FIG. 23, the subtitles based on the bitmap are combined and displayed on the video of the program.

  FIG. 24 shows an example of syntax when the metadata type of the segment data is text caption data (caption).

  In the example shown in the figure, the segment number is 10, the segment valid period is 10000 to 12000, and the metadata type is caption. The subtitle sequence number is 1, the subtitle display start horizontal position is 200, the subtitle display start vertical position is 100, the character size is 20, and the subtitle color is red.

  In the receiving apparatus 30 that has received the segment data of FIG. 6, for example, as shown in FIG. 25, subtitles based on text are synthesized and displayed on the video of the program.

[Operation of Receiving Device 30]
Next, the operation of the receiving device 30 will be described. FIG. 26 is a flowchart for explaining the new information service handling process by the receiving device 30.

  This new information service handling process is repeatedly executed while the receiving device 30 is receiving a program, and the receiving device 30 has already acquired and held the SDT and EIT included in the digital broadcast signal. And

  In step S1, the reception monitoring unit 81 of the analysis unit 66 determines whether or not the service (channel) has been changed by the user. If it is determined that the service has been changed, the process proceeds to step S2.

  In step S2, the application control descriptor acquisition unit 82 determines whether or not the application control descriptor is included in the SDT corresponding to the changed service. If the application control descriptor is included, in step S3, the application control descriptor acquisition unit 82 determines whether the application control descriptor is included. Get the descriptor. Conversely, if it is determined that the application control descriptor is not included in the SDT corresponding to the service after the change, the process returns to step S1.

  If it is determined in step S1 that the service has not been changed by the user, the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, the reception monitoring unit 81 determines whether or not the next program is started with the service being received. If the next program is started, the process proceeds to step S5. If the next program has not yet started, the process returns to step S1.

  In step S5, the application control descriptor acquisition unit 82 determines whether or not the application control descriptor is included in the EIT corresponding to the started program. If included, in step S6, the application control descriptor is acquired. Get the descriptor. Conversely, if it is determined that the application control descriptor is not included in the EIT corresponding to the started program, the process returns to step S1.

  In step S7, the application control descriptor analysis unit 83 analyzes the application control descriptor acquired in step S3 or step S6, and determines whether the application control type is 1, 2, or 3.

  If it is determined in step S7 that the application control type of the application control descriptor is 1, the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, the application control descriptor analysis unit 83 notifies the control unit 68 of the analysis result of the application control descriptor according to the analysis result of the application control descriptor if the descriptor application device is the main body of the receiving device. The application engine 74 acquires and activates a new information service application from the server 22 under the control of the control unit 68. Note that the activated new information service application is subsequently executed within the operation effective range indicated by app_life_scope included in the application control descriptor. Then, the new information service application is terminated when the service or program being received exceeds the valid operation range.

  As described above, when the application control type of the application control descriptor is 1, a new information service application can be acquired and started in conjunction with a program or CM by using the application control descriptor.

  If it is determined in step S7 that the application control type of the application control descriptor is 2, the process proceeds to step S9. In step S9, processing corresponding to the command information being broadcast (command information corresponding processing) is performed.

  The command information handling process will be described. FIG. 27 is a flowchart detailing command information handling processing.

  In step S11, the command information detector 84 starts detecting command information from the digital broadcast signal being received, and waits until command information is detected. If command information is detected, the process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S12, the command information analysis unit 85 reads the command ID of the command information detected in step S11, and determines whether or not the processing after step S14 has already been executed for the command information. If it is determined that the processing after step S14 has already been executed, the processing returns to processing step S11. On the other hand, when it is determined that the process after step S14 is not executed for the command information, the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S13, the command information analysis unit 85 determines whether or not the current process is valid (whether the process proceeds to step S14 or later or returns to step S11) based on the command validity probability parameter N of the command information. To do. When the command validity probability parameter N is not described in the command information (including the case where the validity probability parameter N = 1), the process proceeds to step S14.

  In step S14, the command information analysis unit 85 refers to the command application device type of the command information, determines whether the command application device is a reception device body, and determines that the command application device is a reception device body. If so, the process proceeds to step S15.

  In step S15, the command information analysis unit 85 refers to the command code of the command information and determines whether the command type is acquisition (registration), activation, event, interruption, or termination.

  In step S16, the command information analysis unit 85 determines whether or not the type of command is acquisition. If acquisition is performed, the process proceeds to step S17.

  In step S <b> 17, the command information analysis unit 85 supplies command information to the control unit 68. The control unit 68 controls the application engine 74 to acquire the new information service application specified by the application ID of the command information from the server 22 specified by the application URL. The acquired new information service application is held in the cache memory 73.

  If it is determined in step S16 that the command type is not acquisition, the process proceeds to step S18. In step S18, the command information analysis unit 85 determines whether or not the command type is activation. If it is activation, the process proceeds to step S19.

  In step S 19, the command information analysis unit 85 supplies command information to the control unit 68. The control unit 68 determines whether or not the new information service application specified by the application ID of the command information is being suspended (suspended state). Specifically, when data indicating the interruption state is saved in the new information service application in the save memory 75B, it is determined that the data is being interrupted.

  If it is determined in step S19 that the new information service application is not suspended, the process proceeds to step S20. In step S <b> 20, the application engine 74 follows the control from the control unit 68 when the program data of the new information service application specified by the application ID of the command information has not been acquired (when not stored in the cache memory 73). Get it.

  In step S <b> 21, the application engine 74 terminates the new information service application that is currently being executed, according to the control from the control unit 68. In step S22, the application engine 74 starts a new information service application specified by the application ID of the command information in accordance with the control from the control unit 68. Thereafter, the process returns to step S11, and the subsequent steps are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S19 that the new information service application specified by the application ID is being suspended (suspended), the process proceeds to step S23. In step S <b> 23, the application engine 74 moves the data in the save memory 75 </ b> B to the work memory 75 </ b> A according to the control from the control unit 68 and starts the new information service application specified by the application ID. Thereby, the suspended new information service application is resumed from the suspended state. Thereafter, the process returns to step S11, and the subsequent steps are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S18 that the command type is not activation, the process proceeds to step S24. In step S24, the command information analysis unit 85 determines whether or not the command type is an event. If it is determined that the command type is an event, the process proceeds to step S25.

  In step S <b> 25, the command information analysis unit 85 supplies command information to the control unit 68. The control unit 68 controls the application engine 74 only when the application ID of the command information matches the application ID of the operating new information service application, and the command information event is executed in the operating new information service application. Fire (execute) the event corresponding to the ID. Thereafter, the process returns to step S11, and the subsequent steps are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S24 that the command type is not event, the process proceeds to step S26. In step S26, the command information analysis unit 85 determines whether or not the command type is interrupted. If it is determined that the command type is interrupted, the process proceeds to step S27.

  In step S <b> 27, the command information analysis unit 85 supplies command information to the control unit 68. In accordance with control from the control unit 68, the application engine 74 saves data indicating the status of the new information service application currently being executed (that is, data currently written in the work memory 75A) in the save memory 75B. Close the currently running new information service app. Thereafter, the process returns to step S11, and the subsequent steps are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S26 that the command type is not interrupted, the command type should have been terminated, and the process proceeds to step S28. In step S <b> 28, the command information analysis unit 85 supplies command information to the control unit 68. If the new information service application specified by the application ID of the command information is being executed, the application engine 74 ends the application engine 74 according to the control from the control unit 68.

  In step S29, the application engine 74 deletes the data related to the new information service application specified by the application ID from the work memory 75A and the save memory 75B according to the control from the control unit 68, and stores the new information service application in the cache memory. Delete from 73. Thereafter, the process returns to step S11, and the subsequent steps are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S14 that the command application device is not the main body of the reception device, the process proceeds to step S30.

  In step S30, the command information analysis unit 85 determines whether or not the external device 40 corresponding to the command application device type of the command information is connected based on the notification from the external I / F 76. The process proceeds to step S31.

  In step S31, the external device command generation unit 86 generates a command for the connected external device 40 based on the command application device type, command code, and the like of the command information. The generated command is notified to the external device 40 via the external I / F 76. In the external device 40, processing according to this command is executed. Thereafter, the process returns to step S11, and the subsequent steps are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S30 that the external device 40 corresponding to the command application device type is not connected, step S31 is skipped.

  Instead of generating a command for the external device 40, the command information may be supplied to the external device 40 as it is, the command information may be analyzed by the external device 40, and a process corresponding to the analysis result may be performed.

  This is the end of the description of the command information handling process. According to the command information handling process executed when the application control type of the application control descriptor is 2, a new information service application is acquired in conjunction with a program or CM, activated, or an event is fired. Can be finished. Furthermore, the new information service application can be interrupted while maintaining the state in which the new information service application is being executed, and can be resumed from the interrupted state.

  Returning to FIG. If it is determined in step S7 that the application control type of the application control descriptor is 3, the process proceeds to step S10. In step S10, a process corresponding to the application control data acquired from the server 22 (application control data corresponding process) is performed.

  The application control data handling process will be described. FIG. 28 is a flowchart detailing the application control data handling process.

  In step S41, the application control data acquisition unit 87 acquires application control data from the server 22 specified by app_control_data_url_byte of the application control descriptor. The acquired application control data (segment data sequence) is held in the segment data sequence holding unit 88.

  In step S42, the segment data analysis unit 89 detects the segment data constituting the held segment data sequence that matches the progress timing of the program being received. Specifically, a PTS indicating the progress position of the program being received is detected within the segment valid period of the segment data.

  In step S43, when the detected segment data includes command data, the segment data analysis unit 89 performs processing similar to the command information handling processing described above. When the detected segment data includes metadata, processing corresponding to the metadata (for example, processing for displaying captions as described above with reference to FIGS. 19 to 25) is performed. Thereafter, the process returns to step S42, and the subsequent steps are repeated.

  This is the end of the description of the application control data handling process. According to the application control data handling process executed when the application control type of the application control descriptor is 3, a new information service application is acquired or activated in conjunction with a program or CM, as in the command information handling process. , Fire an event, or finish an event. In addition, the new information service application can be interrupted while holding the running state, and can be resumed from the suspended state. Furthermore, according to the application control data handling process, it is possible to display subtitles or the like corresponding to a program using the metadata included in the segment data.

  However, unlike the command information handling process, the method for distributing the access timings from the plurality of receiving apparatuses 30 to the server 22 is different from the command information handling process in the application control data handling process, based on the diffusion in the command data of the segment data. Disperse.

  FIG. 29 shows a method of distributing the access timing to the server 22 based on diffusion (number of distributions Rate, maximum delay time range, and command application diffusion period period).

  The receiving device 30 that operates according to the command data included in the segment data of the application control data generates a positive integer random N in the range of 0 to rate + 1. Further, the delay time d = (N−1) × range / rate is calculated. Then, the receiving device 30 that has continuously received the same service executes the command at the timing when the delay time d has elapsed from the start_PTS of the segment data (the receiving devices A, B, and C of FIG. If).

  Thereby, the access timings from the plurality of receiving devices 30 to the server 22 can be distributed within the command application diffusion period.

  Note that the receiving device 30 whose channel selection has been changed from the other service to the service executes the command at the timing when the delay time d has elapsed from the channel selection timing if the channel selection timing is within the command application diffusion period. (In the case of the receiving device D in the figure). If the tuning timing is outside the command application spreading period, the command is executed at the tuning timing (in the case of the receiving device E in the figure).

[New information service application state transition]
FIG. 30 shows the state transition of the new information service application in the receiving device 30 or the external device 40.

  As shown in the figure, the new information service application is transitioned to one of four states: a released state (Released), a ready state (Ready), a running state (Active), or a suspended state (Suspended). .

  The open state indicates a state in which a new information service application has not been acquired. The ready state indicates a state in which the new information service application has been acquired and is not being executed. The running state indicates a state in which the new information service application is being executed. The suspended state refers to a state in which execution of the new information service application is suspended and data indicating the state at the time of suspension is retained in the save memory 75B.

  When a new information service application is acquired in response to an acquisition (registration) command in the open state, the state transits to a preparation state.

  When the new information service application is acquired and activated in response to the activation command in the open state, the state transits to the running state.

  When the new information service application corresponding to the activation command is activated in the preparation state, the state transits to the running state.

  In the preparation state, when the expiration date of the acquired new information service application elapses, the new information service application is deleted and the state is changed to an open state.

  When the new information service application being executed is interrupted in response to the interruption command in the execution state, the state transits to the interruption state.

  When the new information service application is terminated in response to a termination command or another new information service application is activated in the running state, if the expiration date has not elapsed, the state transits to the preparation state.

  When the new information service application is terminated in response to the termination command or another new information service application is activated in the running state, the transition to the open state occurs when the expiration date has passed.

  In the suspended state, if the new information service application in which the channel selection is suspended is out of the effective range of the application, the state transits to the preparation state.

  In the suspended state, when the expiration date of the suspended new information service application elapses, the state transits to the open state.

[Operation scenario of new information service application]
FIG. 31 shows a first operation scenario of the new information service application. The first operation scenario corresponds to a case where the application control type of the application control descriptor is 1.

  That is, in the service (channel) received by the receiving device 30, when the program 2 is started following the program 1, the EIT for the program 2 is referred to. When the EIT includes an application control descriptor and the application control type is 1, processing based on the application control descriptor is performed. That is, if the receiving device body is designated as the descriptor application device, the receiving device 30 acquires and activates the new information service application from the server 22. If the external device 40 is specified as the descriptor application device, the receiving device 30 generates a command for the external device 40 and notifies the external device 40, and the external device 40 acquires and executes a new information service application from the server 22 To do.

  In the case of the figure, since the new information service application is activated based on the application control descriptor included in the EIT corresponding to the program, the activated new information service application is terminated when the program ends.

  When the application control type of the application control descriptor is 1, detection or reception of command information by the receiving device 30 or acquisition of application control data from the server 22 is not necessary, so that the processing load on the receiving device 30 is reduced. be able to.

  FIG. 32 shows a second operation scenario of the new information service application. The second operation scenario corresponds to a case where the application control type of the application control descriptor is 2.

  That is, if the receiving device 30 receives command information broadcast included in a digital broadcast signal and the receiving device body is designated as the command application device, the receiving device 30 operates according to the command type of the command information. I do. Specifically, acquisition, activation, event firing, interruption, resumption (activation), and termination of a new information service application are performed. If the external device 40 is specified as the command application device of the command information, the receiving device 30 generates a command for the external device 40 and notifies the external device 40, and the external device 40 acquires the new information service application from the server 22. Execute, end.

  FIG. 33 shows a third operation scenario of the new information service application. The third operation scenario corresponds to the case where the application control type of the application control descriptor is 3.

  That is, if the receiving device body is designated as a command application device of command data included in the segment data of the application control data acquired by the receiving device 30 from the server 22, the receiving device 30 corresponds to the command type of the command data. Perform the action. Specifically, acquisition, activation, event firing, interruption, resumption (activation), and termination of a new information service application are performed. If the external device 40 is specified as the command application device of the command data, the receiving device 30 generates a command for the external device 40 and notifies the external device 40, and the external device 40 acquires the new information service application from the server 22. Execute, end.

  FIG. 34 shows a fourth operation scenario of the new information service application. The fourth operation scenario corresponds to the case where the application control type of the application control descriptor is 3, like the third operation scenario. In the fourth operation scenario, operations of a plurality of receiving devices 30 are shown.

  That is, the receiving device A that continuously receives the same service acquires (registers) a new information service application from the server 22 in accordance with the acquisition (registration) command at the timing of the start_PTS of the sequence command. The receiving device B whose channel selection has been changed from another service to the service acquires (registers) a new information service application from the server 22 in response to an acquisition (registration) command at the timing of channel selection. Then, the receiving devices A and B activate (execute) the new information service application in accordance with the activation command at the timing of the sequence command start_PTS.

  Further later, the receiving device C whose channel selection has been changed from another service to the service acquires (registers) and starts (executes) a new information service application from the server 22 in response to the activation command at the timing of channel selection. To do.

  If the receiving device D changes the channel selection from another service to the corresponding service further later than the receiving device C, the segment data validity period of the segment data that already includes the activation command has passed. The processing related to is not executed.

  As described above, according to the broadcasting system 10 according to the present embodiment, the broadcasting side specifies not only the receiving device 30 but also the external device 40 connected to the receiving device 30 by specifying the type of the program. It becomes possible to control in conjunction with the progress of the CM.

  By the way, the above-described series of processing can be executed by hardware or can be executed by software. When a series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software may execute various functions by installing a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware or various programs. For example, it is installed from a program recording medium in a general-purpose personal computer or the like.

  FIG. 35 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of a computer that executes the above-described series of processing by a program.

  In this computer 100, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103 are connected to each other by a bus 104.

  An input / output interface 105 is further connected to the bus 104. The input / output interface 105 includes an input unit 106 including a keyboard, a mouse, and a microphone, an output unit 107 including a display and a speaker, a storage unit 108 including a hard disk and nonvolatile memory, and a communication unit 109 including a network interface. A drive 110 for driving a removable medium 111 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory is connected.

  In the computer configured as described above, the CPU 101 loads, for example, the program stored in the storage unit 108 to the RAM 103 via the input / output interface 105 and the bus 104 and executes the program. Is performed.

  The program executed by the computer may be a program that is processed in time series in the order described in this specification, or in parallel or at a necessary timing such as when a call is made. It may be a program for processing.

  The program may be processed by a single computer, or may be distributedly processed by a plurality of computers. Furthermore, the program may be transferred to a remote computer and executed.

  Further, in this specification, the system represents the entire apparatus constituted by a plurality of apparatuses.

  The embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

2 broadcasting network, 3 internet, 10 broadcasting system, 21 broadcasting device, 22 server, 30 receiving device, 40 external device, 61 tuner, 62 demultiplexing unit, 63 audio decoder, 64 audio output unit, 65 video decoder, 66 trigger detection Unit, 67 video output unit, 68 control unit, 69 memory, 70 operation unit, 72 communication I / F, 73 cache memory, 74 application engine, 75 memory, 75A work memory, 75B save memory, 76 external I / F,
81 reception monitoring unit, 82 application control descriptor acquisition unit, 83 application descriptor analysis unit, 84 command information detection unit, 85 command information analysis unit, 86 external device command generation unit, 87 application control data acquisition unit, 88 segment data sequence Holding unit, 89 segment data analysis unit, 100 computer, 101 CPU

Claims (6)

In a receiving method of a receiving device that receives content broadcast via a broadcast network,
By the receiving device,
Receiving a broadcast signal broadcast via the broadcast network;
An application control descriptor obtaining step for obtaining an application control descriptor from the received broadcast signal;
In accordance with the type related to the application program described in the acquired application control descriptor, application control data including at least a command related to a predetermined application program linked with the progress of the content is specified in the application control descriptor. An application control data acquisition step of acquiring from a server that is connected via a network;
See contains an application control data analyzing step of performing an operation related to the predetermined application program in accordance with the application control data,
A receiving method in which the application control data analyzing step acquires the predetermined application program from a predetermined server via the network when the command included in the application control data is acquisition of the predetermined application program . The receiving method according to claim 1, wherein the command related to the predetermined application program instructs one of acquisition, activation, event firing, interruption, or termination of the predetermined application program. An application that acquires the predetermined application program according to the command included in the application control descriptor or the application control data according to the type related to the application program described in the acquired application control descriptor The receiving method according to claim 1, further comprising a control descriptor analyzing step. In a receiving device that receives content broadcast via a broadcast network,
A receiver for receiving a broadcast signal broadcast via the broadcast network;
An application control descriptor acquisition unit for acquiring an application control descriptor from the received broadcast signal;
In accordance with the type related to the application program described in the acquired application control descriptor, application control data including at least a command related to a predetermined application program linked with the progress of the content is specified in the application control descriptor. An application control data acquisition unit that acquires from a server that is connected via a network;
An application control data analysis unit that executes processing related to the predetermined application program according to the application control data ,
The application control data analysis unit is a receiving device that acquires the predetermined application program from a predetermined server via the network when the command included in the application control data is acquisition of the predetermined application program . The receiver is built in a television receiver.
The receiving device according to claim 4. The receiver is built in a video recorder
The receiving device according to claim 4.

Images