JPH0832886A - Digital broadcast transmitter-receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate optimum program selection by allowing a transmitter side to multiplex same program time difference information onto a program and allowing a receiver side to detect the same program time difference information so as to command program selection. CONSTITUTION:In the transmitter making same program time difference broadcast for 4-systems of video data and 4-systems of voice data, the voice data fed to an input terminal 22 are fed to a memory 22d via a voice encoder 22a, a FIFO 22b, and a packet processing circuit 22c similarly to the case with the video data. Furthermore, a PMT generating circuit 26a sets a PMT. A packet multiplex controller 27a applies time division multiplex processing to data in the unit of packets in matching with an encode speed of the video and the voice data and gives the result to a memory 28. Similarly data from other input terminal are fed to each of memories 28b to 28d. An overall packet multiplex controller 30 reads data in the unit of packets from the memories 28a to 28d to apply time division multiplex processing to the data. At a receiver side, the multiplexed same program time difference information is detected to make command of program selection.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital broadcast transmission / reception apparatus for transmitting / receiving so-called same-program time-staggered broadcasts in a digital broadcast system, in which programs having the same content are time-staggered by a plurality of programs (channels). .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, in recent years, the technology of digitizing various information signals such as video and audio and processing the signals has made remarkable progress, and along with this, digital broadcasting systems and digital broadcasting and digital communication Development of digital broadcast transmission / reception systems has been actively carried out in various countries around the world in order to realize integrated systems and the like. By the way, one of the most important factors in developing such a digital broadcast transmission / reception system is a technique of compressing a digitized video signal / audio signal and other information data.

As a standard of this data compression processing technology,
MPEG (Moving Picture Image Coding Experts Grou
p), JPEG (Joint Photographic Coding Experts
Group) and H.H. 261 was the mainstream, but now I
SO (International Organization for Standardization) / IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission)
13818 [ISO / IEC JTC (Joint Technical Committee)
1 / SC (Subcommittee) 29 / WG (Working Group) 11] is a method proposed for global standardization across a wide range of technical fields such as broadcasting, communication, and storage media. is there.

According to ISO / IEC13818, not only the above-mentioned data compression method is specified, but also the broadcasting station performs a compression process on each digital video / audio data and other information data which form a program. The system is also established for a control part for a digital broadcast transmission / reception system in which the above-mentioned bit streams are multiplexed and broadcast, and a receiver receives a desired program.

Here, FIG. 15 shows ISO / IEC138.
18 schematically shows a means for multiplexing a bitstream for broadcasting and a bitstream for communication, which are obtained by respectively compressing digital video / audio data based on the regulations of 18. First,
The digital video data is compressed by a video encoding circuit 11 to be a video ES (Elementary Stream), and then supplied to a packetization circuit 12 to be video PES (Packetiziz) divided into packet units of 188 bytes.
ed Elementary Stream) and is supplied to the multiplexing circuit 13.

Further, the digital audio data is compressed by the audio encoding circuit 14 to be an audio ES, and then supplied to the packetization circuit 15 to be an audio PES divided into packet units of 188 bytes. It is supplied to the multiplexing circuit 13. And this multiplexing circuit 1
In 3, the video PES and the audio PES are time-division-multiplexed to generate a multiplexed signal of a TS (Transport Stream) system.

As shown in FIG. 16, the multiplexed signal is divided into units of one frame for both video and audio, and a header is attached to the divided signal to form a PES. This PES has a variable length. The PES generated in this manner is basically divided into 184-byte packets for time-division multiplexing of video and audio, and a 4-byte header is attached to each PES to provide a 188-byte TP. (Transport
Packet) is formed. It should be noted that although FIG. 15 has described multiplexing of video and audio, in practice, various information data such as additional information data of programs and program information may also be converted into TP and time-division multiplexed with video and audio. become.

Next, FIG. 17 shows a means for constructing a bit stream for broadcasting. That is, FIG.
7, the program (channel) 1 indicates one program, and the multiplexing circuit 161 causes the video data 2
System, audio data 2 system, other information data 1 system and PMT (Program Map Table) 1 system are multiplexed.
In this PMT, PID (Packet Identify) for identifying video data, audio data, and information data, a description about a program, and the like are put.

As shown in FIG. 17, n multiplexing circuits 1 are provided.
By preparing 61, 162, ..., 16n, n
Individual programs (channels) 1, 2, ..., N can be set. In this way, the programs set for n are
Each data is time-division multiplexed by the multiplexing circuit 17. In this case, in the multiplexing circuit 17, the PMT of each program is
PAT (Pr
ogram Association Table) and CAT (Conditional Access Table) for controlling scrambling.
And NIT showing information about the network being used
(Network Information Table) is also time-division multiplexed.

As described above, according to the standard of ISO / IEC13818, PMT, PAT, CA regarding program information are provided.
Four types of tables, T and NIT, are set.
The PID of these tables is PAT "00", CA
When T is "01", PMT and NIT can be freely specified. Therefore, on the receiving side, in order to specify the program, first, the PAT is decoded and the PI of each PMT is decoded.
D is detected, and the PID of the detected PMT is designated. After that, the PIDs of the video data, audio data, and information data of the designated program are detected and the PIs to be decoded
By specifying D, various data can be decoded.

By the way, at present, the above ISO / I
By further expanding the standard of EC13818,
It is also considered to separately send program information for each broadcasting station by setting the self / cross instruction flag by using the reserved areas of PAT and PMT shown in 8 (a) and 8 (b), respectively. In addition to this, various types of flags are set in the PAT and PMT as shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, respectively, and it is considered that the digital broadcasting system has multiple functions.

However, even if any of these flags is used, there is signal processing that cannot be done yet. That is, in a digital broadcasting system, it is considered to perform so-called same-program time-staggered broadcasting in which programs of the same content are broadcast with a plurality of different programs (channels) with a time difference. This same program staggered broadcast,
For example, three different programs (channels) 1, 2,
3 is to broadcast a program of the same content by shifting the time by 10 minutes, and even if the program has already started in program (channel) 1, the viewer will not be able to view other programs (channel) 2, Selecting channel 3 has the advantage that the program can be viewed from the beginning.

By the way, if the program (channel) selected by the viewer is staggered broadcasting of the same program, another program (channel) that staggers the same program should exist, but at present, that program Since no staggered broadcast information is sent to indicate where another program (channel) is and when to start broadcasting, it is easy for the viewer to know which program (channel) is selected for optimum viewing. Therefore, there is a problem that the tuning operation is complicated and inconvenient.

[0014]

As described above, in the conventionally developed digital broadcasting system, when the same program time difference broadcasting is received, another program (channel) for starting the time difference broadcasting of the program or the start of broadcasting. There is a problem that it is difficult for the viewer to select the optimum channel because the staggered broadcast information indicating the time etc. is not sent.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and makes it possible for a viewer to easily select an optimum program (channel) when the same program staggered broadcast is received. An object is to provide a good digital broadcast transmitter / receiver.

[0016]

A digital broadcast transmitter / receiver according to the present invention includes a transmitting means for performing the same program time difference broadcasting in which the same program is sequentially digitally broadcast with a time difference by a plurality of different programs, and the transmitting means transmits the same program. It is intended for a digital broadcast transmission / reception system provided with a receiving means for selecting a desired program and receiving the same program staggered broadcast. The transmitting means includes a multiplexing means for multiplexing the same program time difference information on the digital data transmitted by the same program time difference broadcasting, and the receiving means detects the same program time difference information multiplexed by the multiplex means to select a program. It is provided with a control means for giving an instruction for.

[0017]

According to the above configuration, the same program time difference information is multiplexed on the digital data transmitted by the same program time difference broadcasting on the transmitting side, and the same program time difference information is detected on the receiving side to select a program. Therefore, when the same program staggered broadcast is received, the viewer can easily select the optimum program (channel).

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. First, on the transmission side, as shown in FIG. 1, in order to identify the program (the one defined by ISO / IEC13818) that is performing the same program time difference broadcasting, the same bit is used by using one bit in the reserve area of the PMT. A flag indicating whether the program is a staggered broadcast is provided. This same program time difference broadcast flag is a program (channel) that is performing the same program time difference broadcast.
Is set to H (high) level, and it is set to L (low) level in the case of a program (channel) which is not broadcasting the same program staggered.

Further, the time order flag is provided by using 4 bits of the reserve area of the PMT. This chronological flag indicates the timing at which the currently selected program (channel) starts broadcasting. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, when the time-order flag is set to 4 bits, the start time of the program (channel) first broadcast in the same program staggered broadcast is known, and at 10-minute intervals. 1 program with the time difference of
Assuming that 5 to 16 programs (channels) are sequentially broadcast, if the time-order flag is "0001", the broadcast of this program (channel) starts 10 minutes after the first broadcast starts. Is shown to be done.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of a transmitter for performing differential broadcasting of the same program of four systems of video data and four systems of audio data. That is, the input terminals 18, 19, 20, 2
Video data is supplied to each of the channels 1 with a time difference. Similarly, audio data is supplied to the input terminals 22, 23, 24 and 25 with a time difference.

First, the video data supplied to the input terminal 18 is supplied to the video encoder 18a to be subjected to compression encoding processing, and then the variable rate output is FIFO.
(First in first out) 18b is buffered. The video data output from the FIFO 18b at a fixed rate is supplied to the packetizing circuit 18c and packetized, and then supplied to the memory 18d. At this time, a unique packet ID is attached to the video data packet.

Further, the audio data supplied to the input terminal 22 is the same as the video data, and the audio encoders 22a, F
Memory 2 via IFO 22b and packetizing circuit 22c
2d. Further, the PMT generation circuit 26a sets the PMT, and the PMT is packetized like the video and audio data. Here, the packet multiplexing controller 27a matches the encoding speed of the video and audio data, that is, the memory 18
Depending on the occupancy of d and 22d, the video and audio data are read from the memories 18d and 22d in packet units to perform time division multiplexing. At this time, the packetized PMT obtained from the PMT generation circuit 26a is also time-division multiplexed as necessary.

In this way, a set of video data, audio data and PMT are time division multiplexed, and this time division multiplexed signal is supplied to the memory 28a. In addition, other input terminal 1
The video data supplied to 9, 20, and 21 and the audio data supplied to the other input terminals 23, 24, and 25 are also subjected to the signal processing in the same manner, and the memory 28 together with the PMT.
b, 28c, 28d. PAT generation circuit 29
Then, the PAT is generated and packetized.

The total packet multiplex controller 30 detects the occupancy of each of the memories 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d, and then the respective memories 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d.
Time division multiplexing is performed by reading data in packet units to the extent that d does not cause overflow or underflow. At this time, the packetized PAT obtained from the PAT generation circuit 29 is also time-division multiplexed as necessary. The data thus packetized into a bit stream is taken out from the output terminal 31 and broadcasted via an error correction circuit, a modulation circuit or the like (not shown).

Next, FIG. 3 shows a configuration of a receiver for receiving the same program time difference broadcast as described above. That is,
The broadcast radio wave received by the antenna 32 is supplied to the tuner 33 and subjected to demodulation processing, error correction processing and the like. The video data component of the output of the tuner 33 is
After being buffered by 34, supplied to a video decoder 35 and decoded, it is converted into an analog video signal by a D / A (digital / analog) conversion circuit 36,
An image is displayed on the monitor 38 via the screen switching circuit 37. The audio data component of the output of the tuner 33 is buffered by the FIF039, supplied to the audio decoder 40 and decoded, and then driven by the speaker 41.

At the output portion of the tuner 33, the data form is a packetized bit stream, which is supplied to the depacket controller 42. The depacket controller 42 first sets the P
The writing control to the PAT memory 43 is performed so that the AT (packet ID = “0”) packet is taken into the PAT memory 43.

The PAT written in the PAT memory 43 is the MPU (microprocessor unit) 44.
The PMT packet ID of each program (channel) described therein is detected by being decoded by. At this time, if the viewer has designated a program (channel) with the remote control operation unit 45 or the like, the program (channel) designated by the microcomputer 46 is input to the MPU 44 via the bus line and stored in the memory 47. Therefore, the MPU 44 writes the PMT of the program (channel) specified by the viewer in the PMT memory 48.
An instruction is issued to the depacket controller 42.

Then, the depacket controller 42 outputs to the PMT memory 48 a control signal for writing the PMT of the program (channel) selected by the viewer. Therefore, the PMT memory 48
Is the P of the program (channel) selected by the viewer.
MT is retained. When the above operation is completed, MPU4
4 reads the PMT from the PMT memory 48 and analyzes it. In this case, the MPU 44 designates whether or not the program (channel) designated by the viewer is the same program staggered broadcast, based on the same program staggered broadcast flag and the time sequence flag shown in FIG. 1 included in the PMT. Identify whether the program (channel) has already started broadcasting.

When the program (channel) designated by the viewer is identified as the same program staggered broadcast, the MPU 44 also includes the PMTs of other programs (channels) stored in the PAT memory 43. The above-described operation is repeated to write in the PMT memory 48, and the PMT is verified to identify whether the program (channel) is broadcasting the same program staggered. When the MPU 44 identifies that the program (channel) is the same program staggered broadcast, the MPU 44 detects the broadcast start time of the program (channel) and stores it in the memory 47.
To hold. In this way, the MPU 44 identifies all programs (channels) that are broadcasting the same program staggered time, and stores the broadcast start times in the memory 47.

After that, the MPU 44 creates video data for screen display as shown in FIG. 4A based on the information of each program (channel), and writes it in the VRAM (video random access memory) 49. , Is read according to the monitor synchronization signal output from a circuit (not shown), and is analogized by the D / A conversion circuit 50,
It is output to the monitor 38 via the screen switching circuit 37. FIG.
When the screen display shown in (a) is performed, the screen switching circuit 37 causes the other input (D / A conversion circuit 36).
(Data obtained from the above) has not been subjected to the video data decoding operation, so that the screen is not switched by the control of the MPU 44.

Also, regarding the audio data, the decoded audio data is not output under the control of the MPU 44. It should be noted that the audio data may not be output at all in this manner, but in some cases, a signal of another system not shown [for example, BGM (Back Ground Music) may be output.

The situation of FIG. 4 will now be described. In this case, the same program time difference broadcasting is performed by four programs (channels), and the current time is 7 more until the program (channel) number 002 starts. The display screen in the case of minutes is shown. A method is conceivable in which the viewer decides whether or not to make a reservation in the case of FIG. 4A based on the display screen shown in FIG. 4 and directly specifies the program (channel) in the case of FIG. 4B. .

As described above, when the viewer specifies the program (channel) that has already started, the packet IDs of the video data and audio data described in the PMT of the program (channel) are MPU44
Instructs the depacket controller 42. Then, the depacket controller 42 writes the video data in the FIFO 34 and the audio data in the FIFO 39 according to the instruction of the MPU 44, and then outputs the respective data to the video decoder 35 and the audio decoder 40 in accordance with a synchronization signal (not shown). .

The video data decoded by the video decoder 35 is converted into an analog video signal by the D / A conversion circuit 36 and supplied to the screen switching circuit 37.
The screen switching circuit 37 is controlled so as to switch from the display screen shown in FIG. 4 to the screen subjected to the video decoding process based on the instruction of the MPU 44. At this time, simultaneously with the audio data, the audio data decoded by the audio decoder 40 is output.

By the way, when the program (channel) selected (reserved) by the viewer is not yet started, the MPU 44 holds the program reservation information in the memory 47, and the reservation is made when the reserved time is reached. Decoding of the selected program (channel) is started, and the monitor 38
And to the speaker 41. Therefore, the video decoder 35 cannot output the decoded video data until the reserved program (channel) is started. In this case, even if the viewer or the MPU 44 designates a program (channel) other than the same program staggered broadcast, and decodes and outputs the video data and audio data of the program (channel),
There is no problem.

Here, through transmission / reception, ISO / IEC
13818 includes a de code for describing program information in the PMT.
Since the scriptor is set, more detailed program information using this part (regulation of time difference of the same program time difference broadcasting etc.)
It is also possible to transmit a message and create a video on the receiving side based on the program information. An example of transmission / reception in the same program staggered broadcast has been described above, and this reception operation is summarized in a flowchart and shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

First, when the program is started (step S1) and the viewer specifies a program (channel) in step S2, the MPU 44 holds the program (channel) in the memory 47 in step S3. Next, MP
The U44 transmits the PAT (packet ID =
The depacket controller 42 is controlled so that the "0") packet is taken into the PAT memory 43. Then, the MPU 44, at step S5,
Packet I corresponding to the PMT of the program (channel) specified by the viewer based on the PAT written in
D is detected, and in step S6, the depacket controller 42 is controlled so that the PMT of the program (channel) designated by the viewer is written in the PMT memory 48.

Thereafter, the MPU 44, in step S7,
The PMT stored in the PMT memory 48 is read to identify whether or not the designated program (channel) is the same program time difference broadcasting. Then, if it is determined that they are not the same program staggered broadcast (NO), the MPU 44 decodes the video data and the audio data designated by the PMT in step S8, and outputs them to the monitor 38 and the speaker 41, respectively. Will be terminated.

If it is determined in step S7 that they are the same program time difference broadcasting (YES), the MPU 44
In step S9, the P stored in the PAT memory 43 is stored.
Read AT, P of another program (channel)
The depacket controller 42 detects the packet ID of the MT and writes the PMT in the PMT memory 48.
Control. Then, the MPU 44 carries out step S10.
Then, it is discriminated whether or not the program (channel) is the same program time difference broadcasting, and when it is judged that it is not the same program time difference broadcasting (NO), the process is returned to the step S9.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S10 that the same program is time difference broadcast (YES), the MPU 44
Causes the packet ID of the video data and audio data described in the PMT and the time sequence flag to be written in the memory 47 in step S11, and then in step S12,
It is determined whether or not the programs (channels) described in the PAT are all, and if it is determined that the programs (channels) are not all (N0), the process returns to step S9.

If it is determined in step S12 that all the programs (channels) written in the PAT are complete (YES), the MPU 44 determines in step S13 that the viewer has selected the programs (channels). A screen for designating is displayed on the monitor 38. And M
In step S14, the PU 44 determines whether or not the viewer has made a reservation for the same program staggered broadcast. If it is determined that the viewer has not made a reservation (NO), the PU 44 determines in step S15 another program specified by the viewer. (Channel) or MPU44
The video data and audio data of the program (channel) selected by are decoded and output to the monitor 38 and the speaker 41, and the process is ended.

Further, when it is determined in step S14 that the viewer has reserved the same program staggered broadcast (YES), the MPU 44 has already started broadcasting the program (channel) reserved by the viewer in step S16. If it is determined that the broadcasting is started (YES), in step S17, the video data and the audio data designated by the PMT are decoded, respectively, and the monitor 38 and the speaker are processed. The output is sent to 41, and the process ends.

If it is determined in step S16 that the program (channel) reserved by the viewer has not started broadcasting (NO), the reserved program (channel) is started in step S18. Until, the video data and the audio data of another program (channel) designated by the viewer or the program (channel) selected by the MPU 44 are decoded and output to the monitor 38 and the speaker 41, and the processing is ended.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. That is, on the transmitting side, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a program (I
In order to identify (SO / IEC13818)), a flag indicating whether or not the same program is staggered broadcast is provided by using a part of the program number area (16 bits) existing in PAT and PMT. I have to. This same-program staggered broadcast flag is set to H level in the case of programs (channels) performing the same program staggered broadcast, and is set to L level in the case of programs (channels) not performing the same program staggered broadcast. Shall be done.

Further, a time order flag is provided in the reserve area in the PMT. This chronological flag has the same function as in the first embodiment. Thus PAT and PMT
Since the configuration and operation of the transmitter when setting is set to be the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

Now, a receiver for receiving the same program time difference broadcast as described above will be described. The configuration of this receiver is the same as that of FIG. 3, but a part of the operation is different from that of the first embodiment. That is, the receiving operation of the receiver will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. First, it is started (step S19), and then step S2.
When the viewer specifies a program (channel) at 0, the MPU 44 causes the memory 47 to hold the program (channel) at step S21. Next, MP
The U44 transmits the PAT (packet ID =
The depacket controller 42 is controlled so that the "0") packet is taken into the PAT memory 43.

After that, the MPU 44 carries out step S23.
Then, the PAT stored in the PAT memory 43 is read to identify whether the program (channel) designated by the viewer is the same program staggered broadcast. If it is determined that they are not the same program staggered broadcast (NO), MP
In step S24, the U44 decodes the video data and the audio data designated by the PMT, outputs them to the monitor 38 and the speaker 41, and ends the processing.

If it is determined in step S23 that the programs are the same time difference broadcasting (YES), the MPU 44
In step S25, the PAT stored in the PAT memory 43 is read, the packet ID of the PMT of another program (channel) is detected, and the PMT is set to P.
The depacket controller 42 is controlled so as to write to the MT memory 48. Then, in step S26, the MPU 44 stores the packet ID and the chronological flag of the video data and audio data described in the PMT in the memory 4.
After writing to No. 7, in step S27, it is determined whether or not all the programs (channels) performing the same program staggered broadcast described in the PAT are all, and when it is determined that they are not all (N0). Is returned to the process of step S26.

If it is determined in step S27 that all the programs (channels) described in the PAT are complete (YES), the MPU 44 determines in step S28 that the viewer has selected the programs (channels). A screen for designating is displayed on the monitor 38. And M
In step S29, the PU 44 determines whether or not the viewer has made a reservation for the same program staggered broadcast. If it is determined that the viewer has not made a reservation (NO), the PU 44 determines in step S30 another program specified by the viewer. (Channel) or MPU44
The video data and audio data of the program (channel) selected by are decoded and output to the monitor 38 and the speaker 41, and the process is ended.

Further, when it is determined in step S29 that the viewer has reserved the same program staggered broadcast (YES), the MPU 44 has already started broadcasting the program (channel) reserved by the viewer in step S31. If it is determined that the broadcasting is started (YES), in step S32, the video data and the audio data designated by the PMT are decoded, respectively, and the monitor 38 and the speaker are processed. The output is sent to 41, and the process ends.

If it is determined in step S31 that the program (channel) reserved by the viewer has not started broadcasting (NO), the reserved program (channel) is started in step S33. Until, the video data and the audio data of another program (channel) designated by the viewer or the program (channel) selected by the MPU 44 are decoded and output to the monitor 38 and the speaker 41, and the processing is ended.

Next explained is the third embodiment of the invention. That is, on the transmitting side, as shown in FIG.
Program (ISO /
In order to identify (the one defined by IEC13818), 1 bit of the reserve area of the PMT is used to set a flag indicating whether or not they are the same program time difference broadcasting. This same-program staggered broadcast flag is set to H level in the case of programs (channels) performing the same program staggered broadcast, and is set to L level in the case of programs (channels) not performing the same program staggered broadcast. Shall be done.

Further, the time order flag is set by using 4 bits of the reserve area in the same PMT. The chronological flag indicates the broadcast start timing of the currently selected program (channel). More specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, in the case where a time-order flag of 4 bits is prepared, the start time of the program (channel) that is first started in this same program time difference broadcasting is known,
Further, assuming that the program is sequentially broadcast in 15 to 16 programs (channels) with a time difference of 10 minutes, if the time-order flag is “0001”, it is 10 after the first broadcast is started. It indicates that the program (channel) will start broadcasting after a minute.

FIG. 12 shows the structure of a transmitter for performing differential broadcasting of the same program of four systems of video data and four systems of audio data. That is, the input terminals 51, 52, 53,
Video data is supplied to 54 with a time difference. Similarly, audio data is supplied to the input terminals 55, 56, 57 and 580 with a time difference.

First, the video data supplied to the input terminal 51 is supplied to the video encoder 51a to be subjected to compression encoding processing, and then the variable rate output is FIFO.
It is buffered at 51b. The video data output from the FIFO 51b at a fixed rate is supplied to the packetizing circuit 51c and packetized. Memory 51d
Is supplied to. At this time, a unique packet ID is attached to the video data packet.

Further, the respective video data supplied to the input terminals 52, 53, 54 are also converted into the video encoder 52a,
The data is supplied to the memories 53a and 54a, the FIFOs 52b, 53b and 54b, and the packetizing circuits 52c, 53c and 54c to be encoded and packetized, and then supplied to the memories 52d, 53d and 54d.

Further, the audio data supplied to the input terminal 55 is supplied to the memory 55d in synchronization with the video data supplied to the input terminal 51 via the audio encoder 55a, the FIFO 55b and the packetizing process 55c. The audio data supplied to the other input terminals 56, 57 and 58 are also synchronized with the video data supplied to the input terminals 52, 53 and 54, and the audio encoders 56a and 57a.
a, 58a, the FIFOs 56b, 57b, 58b and the packetizing processes 56c, 57c, 58c are subjected to the encoding process and packetized, and then supplied to the memories 56d, 57d, 58d.

In the PMT generation circuit 59, the PMT is set as shown in FIG. 11, and this PMT is packetized like the video and audio data. Here, the packet multiplexing controller 60 matches the video and audio data encoding speed, that is, the memory 51.
d, 52d, 53d, 54d, 55d, 56d, 57
Depending on the occupied amount of d, 58d, the memories 51d, 52d,
Time-division multiplexing is performed by reading out video and audio data from 53d, 54d, 55d, 56d, 57d, and 58d in packet units. At this time, the packetized PMT obtained from the PMT generation circuit 59 is also time-division multiplexed as necessary.

In this way, four sets of video data, audio data and PMT are time-division multiplexed, and this multiplexed signal is supplied to the memory 61a. The other memories 61b, 61
Similarly supplied to c and 61d, which are generated by another system not shown, are not described in this third embodiment.
Then, in the PAT generation circuit 62, PAT is generated and packetized. Further, the total packet multiplexing controller 63 detects the occupancy of each of the memories 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d and determines the respective memories 61a, 61b, 6.
Time division multiplexing is performed by reading data in units of packets to the extent that 1c and 61d do not cause overflow or underflow. At this time, the packetized PAT obtained from the PAT generation circuit 62 is also time-division multiplexed as necessary. The data thus packetized and made into a bit stream is taken out from the output terminal 64 and provided for broadcasting via an error correction circuit, a modulation circuit or the like (not shown).

Next, a receiver for receiving the same program time difference broadcast as described above will be described. The configuration of this receiver is the same as that of FIG. 3, but a part of the operation is different from that of the first and second embodiments. That is, the receiving operation of the receiver will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. First, the program is started (step S34), and when the viewer specifies a program (channel) in step S35, the MPU 44 causes the memory 47 to hold the program (channel) in step S36. next,
In step S37, the MPU 44 receives the PAT (packet I
The depacket controller 42 is controlled so that the packet of D = “0”) is taken into the PAT memory 43.
Then, the MPU 44 detects the packet ID corresponding to the PMT of the program (channel) specified by the viewer based on the PAT written in the PAT memory 43 in step S38, and specified by the viewer in step S39. Program (channel) PMT to PMT memory 4
Then, the depacket controller 42 is controlled so as to write the data into the data.

After that, the MPU 44 carries out step S40.
Then, the PMT stored in the PMT memory 48 is read to identify whether or not the designated program (channel) is the same program time difference broadcasting. If it is determined that they are not the same program staggered broadcast (NO), the MPU 44
In step S41, the monitor 38 decodes the video data and audio data designated by the PMT.
And output to the speaker 41, and the process ends.

If it is determined in step S40 that the programs are the same time difference broadcasting (YES), the MPU 44
Writes the packet ID of the video data and the audio data described in the PMT and the time sequence flag in the memory 47 in step S42, and then in step S43,
The monitor 38 displays a screen for the viewer to specify the program (channel).

Then, the MPU 44 carries out step S44.
Then, it is determined whether or not the viewer has made a reservation for the same program staggered broadcast, and if it is determined that the viewer has not made a reservation (NO), in step S45, another program (channel) or MPU 44 designated by the viewer is determined. The video data and audio data of the program (channel) selected by are decoded and output to the monitor 38 and the speaker 41, and the process is ended.

Further, if it is determined in step S44 that the viewer has reserved the same program staggered broadcast (YES), the MPU 44 has already started broadcasting the program (channel) reserved by the viewer in step S46. If it is determined that the broadcasting is started (YES), in step S47, the video data and the audio data designated by the PMT are decoded, and the monitor 38 and the speaker are processed. The output is sent to 41, and the process ends.

If it is determined in step S46 that the program (channel) reserved by the viewer has not started broadcasting (NO), the reserved program (channel) is started in step S48. Until, the video data and the audio data of another program (channel) designated by the viewer or the program (channel) selected by the MPU 44 are decoded and output to the monitor 38 and the speaker 41, and the processing is ended. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0066]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide a very good digital broadcast transmitter / receiver that allows a viewer to easily select an optimum program (channel) when receiving the same program staggered broadcast.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram shown for explaining the configuration of a PMT in an embodiment of a digital broadcast transmitter / receiver according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram showing details of a transmission device in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block configuration diagram showing details of a receiving device in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart shown to explain the operation of the receiving apparatus in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart shown to explain the operation of the receiving apparatus in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram shown for explaining the configuration of a PAT in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram shown for explaining the configuration of a PMT according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart shown to explain the operation of the receiving apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart shown to explain the operation of the receiving apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram shown for explaining the configuration of a PMT in the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a block configuration diagram showing details of a transmission device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart shown to explain the operation of the receiving apparatus according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart shown to explain the operation of the receiving apparatus according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a block configuration diagram showing broadcasting and communication bit stream multiplexing means based on the ISO / IEC13818 standard.

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between a packet and a frame by the multiplexing means.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a broadcasting bit stream multiplexing means based on the ISO / IEC13818 standard.

FIG. 18 is a diagram shown for explaining a method of using PAT and PMT that is currently proposed based on the ISO / IEC13818 standard.

FIG. 19 is a diagram shown for explaining the configuration of a PAT based on the ISO / IEC13818 standard.

FIG. 20 is a diagram shown for explaining the configuration of a PMT based on the ISO / IEC13818 standard.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... Video encoding circuit, 12 ... Packetization circuit, 1
3 ... Multiplexing circuit, 14 ... Audio encoding circuit, 15 ... Packetizing circuit, 161-16n ... Multiplexing circuit, 17 ... Multiplexing circuit, 18-25 ... Input terminal, 18a-21a ... Video encoder, 22a-25a ... Voice encoder, 18
b to 25b ... FIFO, 18c to 25c ... Packetizing circuit, 18d to 25d ... Memory, 26a to 26d ... PMT
Generating circuit, 27a to 27d ... Packet multiplexing controller, 28a to 28d ... Memory, 29 ... PAT generating circuit,
30 ... Total packet multiplexing controller, 31 ... Output terminal, 32 ... Antenna, 33 ... Tuner, 34 ... FIF
O, 35 ... Video decoder, 36 ... D / A conversion circuit, 37
... screen switching circuit, 38 ... monitor, 39 ... FIFO, 40
... audio decoder, 41 ... speaker, 42 ... depacket controller, 43 ... PAT memory, 44 ... MPU, 45
... remote control operation unit, 46 ... microcomputer, 47 ... memory, 48 ... PMT memory, 49 ... V
RAM, 50 ... D / A conversion circuit, 51-58 ... Input terminal, 51a-54a ... Video encoder, 55a-58a
... voice encoder, 51b to 58b ... FIFO, 51c
-58c ... Packetizing circuit, 51d-58d ... Memory,
59 ... PMT generation circuit, 60 ... Packet multiplexing controller, 61a to 61d ... Memory, 62 ... PAT generation circuit,
63 ... Total packet multiplex controller, 64 ... Output terminal.

Front page continuation (72) Inventor Natsuki Koshiro 8 Shinsita-cho, Isogo-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, Ltd. Inside Toshiba Multimedia Technology Laboratories (72) Inventor Eiichiro Tomonaga 8-shin-Sugita-cho, Isogo-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Ceremony Company Toshiba Multimedia Technology Laboratory

Claims (29)

[Claims] 1. A transmission means for performing the same program time difference broadcasting, in which the same program is sequentially digitally broadcast by a plurality of different programs with a time difference, and a same program time difference broadcasting transmitted by this transmission means is selected and received. In the digital broadcast transmission / reception system including a receiving unit, the transmitting unit includes a multiplexing unit that multiplexes the same program time difference information with the digital data transmitted by the same program time difference broadcasting, and the receiving unit multiplexes the multiplexing unit A digital broadcast transmitter / receiver, comprising: control means for detecting the generated same program time difference information and giving an instruction for selecting the program. 2. The digital broadcast transmission / reception system according to claim 1,
2. The information is based on the standard of SO / IEC13818, and the same program time difference information is written in a partial area of a PMT (Program Map Table) specified in the ISO / IEC13818. The digital broadcast transmitter / receiver described. 3. The digital broadcast transmission / reception system according to claim 1,
It is based on the standard of SO / IEC13818, and the same program time difference information includes PMT (Program Map Table) and PAT defined in ISO / IEC13818.
The digital broadcast transmitter / receiver according to claim 1, wherein the digital broadcast transmitter / receiver is written in a partial area of the (Program Association Table). 4. The same program time difference broadcast information is the same program time difference broadcast information indicating whether or not the program in which the same program time difference information is multiplexed is the same program time difference broadcast. 3. The digital broadcast transmitter / receiver according to any one of 3 above. 5. The same-program staggered broadcast information is a same-program staggered broadcast flag indicating whether or not a program in which the same-program staggered broadcast information is multiplexed is the same-program staggered broadcast. 4. The digital broadcast transmitter / receiver described in 4. 6. The digital broadcast transmission / reception according to claim 1, wherein the same program time difference information is time sequence information indicating a broadcast time of a program in which the same program time difference information is multiplexed. apparatus. 7. The digital broadcast transmitter / receiver according to claim 6, wherein the time-order information is a time-order flag indicating a broadcast time of a program in which the time-order information is multiplexed. 8. In a digital broadcast transmission system for performing the same program time difference broadcasting in which the same program is sequentially digitally broadcast with a time difference by a plurality of different programs, the same program time difference information is multiplexed with the digital data transmitted by the same program time difference broadcasting. A digital broadcast transmission device comprising a multiplexing means. 9. The digital broadcast transmission system is an IS
9. Based on the standard of O / IEC13818, the same program time difference information is written in a partial area of a PMT (Program Map Table) specified in the ISO / IEC13818. The described digital broadcast transmission device. 10. The digital broadcast transmission system comprises:
It is based on the standard of SO / IEC13818, and the same program time difference information includes PMT (Program Map Table) and PAT defined in ISO / IEC13818.
9. The digital broadcast transmission device according to claim 8, wherein the digital broadcast transmission device is written in a partial area of (Program Association Table). 11. The same program time difference broadcast information is the same program time difference broadcast information indicating whether or not the program in which the same program time difference information is multiplexed is the same program time difference broadcast. 10. The digital broadcast transmission device according to any one of 10. 12. The same-program staggered broadcast information is a same-program staggered broadcast flag indicating whether or not a program in which the same-program staggered broadcast information is multiplexed is the same-program staggered broadcast. 11. The digital broadcast transmission device according to item 11. 13. The digital broadcast transmission according to claim 8, wherein the same program time difference information is time sequence information indicating a broadcast time of a program in which the same program time difference information is multiplexed. apparatus. 14. The digital broadcast transmitting apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the time order information is a time order flag indicating a broadcast time of a program in which the time order information is multiplexed. 15. A staggered broadcast of the same program, which sequentially digitally broadcasts the same program by a plurality of different programs with a time difference,
In a digital broadcast receiving system for selecting and receiving a desired program and performing a decoding process, the same program time difference information multiplexed in the digital data transmitted by the same program time difference broadcast is detected, and an instruction for selecting the program is issued. A digital broadcast receiving apparatus comprising control means for performing the operation. 16. The digital broadcast receiving system according to claim 1,
16. Based on the standard of SO / IEC13818, the same program time difference information is written in a partial area of a PMT (Program Map Table) defined in the ISO / IEC13818. The digital broadcasting receiver described. 17. The digital broadcast receiving system comprises:
It is based on the standard of SO / IEC13818, and the same program time difference information includes PMT (Program Map Table) and PAT defined in ISO / IEC13818.
The digital broadcast receiving device according to claim 15, wherein the digital broadcast receiving device is written in a part of a region of (Program Association Table). 18. The same program time difference broadcast information is the same program time difference broadcast information indicating whether or not the program in which the same program time difference information is multiplexed is the same program time difference broadcast. 17. The digital broadcast receiving device according to any one of 17. 19. The same program time difference broadcast information is a same program time difference broadcast flag indicating whether or not a program in which the same program time difference broadcast information is multiplexed is the same program time difference broadcast. 18. The digital broadcast receiver according to item 18. 20. The digital broadcast reception according to claim 15, wherein the same program time difference information is time sequence information indicating a broadcast time of a program in which the same program time difference information is multiplexed. apparatus. 21. The digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the time sequence information is a time sequence flag indicating a broadcast time of a program in which the time sequence information is multiplexed. 22. The control means issues an instruction for selecting the program in a state where the same program time difference information is detected and before performing the decoding process of the digital data. The digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to any one of 19, 19, and 21. 23. A transmission method for multiplexing the same program time difference information on digital data transmitted by the same program time difference broadcasting when performing the same program time difference broadcasting in which the same program is sequentially digitally broadcast with a time difference by a plurality of different programs. A receiving method of detecting the multiplexed same-program time difference information and giving an instruction for selecting the program when selecting a desired program to receive the same-program time difference broadcast transmitted by this transmission method; A method for transmitting and receiving digital broadcasting, comprising: 24. The transmission method and the reception method are ISO
24. Based on the standard of / IEC13818, the same program time difference information is written in a partial area of a PMT (Program Map Table) defined in ISO / IEC13818. How to send and receive digital broadcasting. 25. The transmission method and the reception method are ISO
/ IEC13818 standard, and the same program time difference information includes PMT (Program Map Table) and PAT (Pr) specified in ISO / IEC13818.
24. The digital broadcast transmitting / receiving method according to claim 23, wherein the digital broadcast transmitting / receiving method is described in a partial area of the ogram association table). 26. The same program time difference broadcast information, wherein the same program time difference information is the same program time difference broadcast information indicating whether the program in which the same program time difference information is multiplexed is the same program time difference broadcast. 25. A digital broadcast transmission / reception method according to any one of 25. 27. The same program time difference broadcast information is a same program time difference broadcast flag indicating whether or not a program in which the same program time difference broadcast information is multiplexed is the same program time difference broadcast. 26. A digital broadcast transmission / reception method according to item 26. 28. The digital broadcast transmission / reception according to claim 23, wherein the same program time difference information is time sequence information indicating a broadcast time of a program in which the same program time difference information is multiplexed. Method. 29. The digital broadcast transmitting / receiving method according to claim 28, wherein the time-order information is a time-order flag indicating a broadcast time of a program in which the time-order information is multiplexed.