KR100461541B1 - A Way of Sending/Receiving of Metadata to Provide Information of Broadcasting Program - Google Patents

Abstract

1. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a metadata transmission / reception apparatus and a method thereof.

2. The technical problem to be solved by the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a metadata transmission / reception apparatus and method for providing information on a broadcast program.

3. Summary of the Solution of the Invention

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising: metadata encoding means for receiving metadata about segments that logically divide AV broadcast content from the outside and encoding each segment metadata as one access unit; MPEG-2 conversion means for converting the metadata encoded in the access unit by the metadata encoding means into an MPEG-2 transport stream; And a single MPEG-2 transport stream using the AV broadcast content MPEG-2 transport stream received from the outside and the metadata MPEG-2 transport stream converted by the MPEG-2 converting means. MPEG-2 multiplexing means for multiplexing to generate broadcast program content.

4. Important uses of the invention

The present invention is used in the electronic program guide (EPG) system of digital broadcasting.

Description

A metadata transmission / reception apparatus and method for providing information to a broadcast program {A Way of Sending / Receiving of Metadata to Provide Information of Broadcasting Program}

The present invention relates to a metadata transmission / reception apparatus and method for providing real-time information on a broadcast program, and more particularly, to segment metadata of a program selected by a viewer as an additional application service of digital broadcasting. Metadata) The present invention relates to a metadata transmission / reception apparatus for providing information and a method thereof.

First, referring to the terminology used in the present invention, a segment refers to each divided when a broadcast program is divided into several parts based on a certain criterion, and metadata means data (AV content of the broadcast program). Refers to data that describes.

For example, the segment metadata may include a plot of the segment section, a character of the segment section, a section corresponding to the segment in the entire program, and the segment metadata. In the process of providing), it may additionally provide the overall overview information of the broadcast program including the segment. Here, the summary information of the broadcast program may include the title and genre of the program, whether or not the live broadcast, whether or not a fragment or a continuum, the number of broadcasts, the topic, etc. in the case of the continuum.

In the conventional analog broadcasting, data broadcasting is performed in a form of providing a viewer with unilateral character information (for example, <broadcast after this time>, <9 major news>, etc.), but digitally. In the broadcasting, data broadcasting standards have been provided, which enables a much wider variety of additional application services than conventional analog broadcasting, and provides interactive data that allows a user to select a desired service if desired. Broadcast became possible.

For example, assuming that a viewer turns on the TV to watch any broadcast program from any broadcast channel at any time, the viewer can provide information about the content of the broadcast program segment in progress. There is a need for a method to help identify broadcast progress relatively easily in a short time.

In addition, when a viewer turns on the TV and selects a specific channel to watch the broadcast, if the viewer is watching the program from the beginning, the viewer knows what is going on, but from any intermediate point, In some cases, you may be curious because you are not sure what program you are running. Therefore, there is a need for a method for providing information corresponding to an overview of a program currently in progress at the request of a user in real time.

Due to the necessity as described above, an additional application service for providing information on a digital broadcast program segment using metadata is required.

The present invention has been proposed to meet the above-mentioned requirements, and an object thereof is to provide a metadata transmission / reception apparatus and method for providing real-time information on a broadcast program.

1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an apparatus for transmitting metadata for providing real-time information on a broadcast program according to the present invention.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a metadata transmission method for providing real-time information on a broadcast program according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a detailed diagram of a process of encoding an access unit of metadata in a metadata transmission method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a detailed flowchart illustrating an MPEG-2 multiplexing process of generating AV broadcast content and metadata into one MPEG-2 transport stream according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a metadata receiving apparatus for providing real-time information on a broadcast program according to the present invention.

6 is a configuration diagram of another embodiment of a metadata receiving apparatus for providing real-time information on a broadcast program according to the present invention.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a metadata receiving method for providing real-time information on a broadcast program according to an embodiment of the present invention.

* Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawing

11: metadata encoder 12: MPEG-2 converter

13: MPEG-2 Multiplexer 51,61: Demultiplexer

52,62: AV broadcast content decoder 53,63: metadata decoder

54,64: output controller 65: storage device

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a metadata transmission apparatus for providing real-time information on a broadcast program, comprising: receiving metadata about segments that logically divide AV broadcast content from an external source and receiving each segment metadata; Metadata encoding means for encoding with one access unit; MPEG-2 conversion means for converting the metadata encoded in the access unit by the metadata encoding means into an MPEG-2 transport stream; And a single MPEG-2 transport stream using the AV broadcast content MPEG-2 transport stream received from the outside and the metadata MPEG-2 transport stream converted by the MPEG-2 converting means. MPEG-2 multiplexing means for multiplexing to generate broadcast program content.

In addition, the present invention, in the metadata receiving apparatus for providing real-time information about the broadcast program, the AV broadcast content received from the metadata transmitting apparatus to the MPEG-2 transport stream and the metadata MPEG-2 transport stream Demultiplexing means for separating and decapsulating each into a transport stream to extract AV broadcast content and metadata of a pure bitstream; AV broadcast content decoding means for decoding the AV broadcast content extracted by the demultiplexing means; Metadata decoding means for decoding the metadata extracted by the demultiplexing means; And output control means for controlling the output of the AV broadcast content decoded by the AV broadcast content decoding means and the segment metadata decoded by the metadata decoding means.

Meanwhile, the present invention provides a method for transmitting metadata for providing real-time information on a broadcast program, the method comprising: a first step of receiving, by a metadata encoder, segment metadata and grouping the same into an access unit to encode the segment metadata; A second step of the MPEG-2 converter converting the metadata encoded in the access unit by the metadata encoder into an MPEG-2 transport stream and generating the MPEG-2 transport stream; And transmitting one MPEG-2 from the MPEG-2 transport stream and the metadata MPEG-2 transport stream generated by the MPEG-2 converter and the AV broadcast content MPEG-2 transport stream received from the outside in an MPEG-2 multiplexer. And generating a broadcast program content by multiplexing into a transport stream.

The present invention also provides a metadata receiving method for providing real-time information on a broadcast program, comprising: a first step of receiving, by a demultiplexer, multiplexed broadcast program content and separating the AV broadcast content and metadata; A second step of the AV content decoder decoding the AV broadcast content separated by the demultiplexer; A third step of the metadata decoder decoding the metadata MPEG-2 transport stream separated by the demultiplexer; And a fourth step of the output controller controlling the output of the AV broadcast content decoded by the AV content decoder and the metadata decoded by the metadata decoder.

The above objects, features and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a configuration diagram of an apparatus for transmitting metadata for providing real-time information on a broadcast program according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the metadata transmission apparatus according to the present invention includes a metadata encoder 11 for receiving metadata for each segment of a logically divided segment of a broadcast program and encoding the metadata in an access unit, and the metadata MPEG-2 converter 12 for converting the metadata encoded in the access unit by the encoder 11 into an MPEG-2 transport stream, and AV broadcasting content MPEG-2 transport stream received from the outside and the MPEG MPEG-2 multiplexer 13 for multiplexing the metadata MPEG-2 transport stream generated by the -2 converter 12 into one MPEG-2 transport stream to generate broadcast program content It includes.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a metadata transmission method for providing real-time information on a broadcast program according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, an MPEG-2 transport stream including audio, video, and system information is divided into several segments according to specific criteria, and metadata for the divided segments is generated. In this case, the criterion to be divided may be a story unit included in the AV broadcast content, or may be a fixed length temporal unit, and the generated segment metadata includes information to be provided in each segment unit of the broadcast content. Is described. In general, metadata is generated in the form of text that is user readable. This text-type metadata is defined as an XML (eXtensible Markup Language) Schema, expressed in XML (eXtensible Markup Language), and compressed in binary form for efficient transmission. The metadata may be generated in real time with respect to a live program, but in general, AV broadcast content is produced and then segment metadata related thereto is generated.

In this way, the metadata encoder 11 receives the segment metadata (201) and encodes the group metadata in an access unit (step 202). At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, one segment may be one access unit. 3 is a detailed diagram illustrating a process of encoding an access unit of segment metadata in a metadata transmission method according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows that AV broadcast content is divided into six segments. In this case, the criterion for dividing the segments 301, 302, 303 may be a story unit included in the AV broadcast content as described above, or may be a time unit of a predetermined interval. The segment metadata 311, 312, 313, which describe the contents contained in the segment, are generated for the segment 301, 302, 303 divided in this manner. The segment metadata generated as described above is grouped using metadata corresponding to one segment as one access unit (321, 322, 323).

Thereafter, the MPEG-2 converter 12 converts and generates the metadata encoded in the access unit in the metadata encoder 11 into an MPEG-2 transport stream. The MPEG-2 transport stream encodes audio visual information. In general, a bit stream may be generated using only metadata as a payload. First, the segment metadata to be transmitted is encapsulated using a suitable protocol (203). At this time, in the selection of a protocol for encapsulation, when the segment metadata is decoded or presented at the receiver, when the synchronous data having a unique time value is selected, a protocol for providing time information in the header of the protocol is selected.

Subsequently, the MPEG-2 transport stream is generated using the encapsulated metadata and program specific information (PSI) for the metadata as payload (204), wherein the program configuration information is a program combining table (Program). Association Table (hereinafter referred to as "PAT") and Program Map Table (hereinafter referred to as "PMT"). The generated metadata MPEG-2 transport stream and the received AV broadcast content MPEG-2 transport stream are included in one MPEG-2 transport stream by an MPEG-2 multiplexer 13. In operation 205, broadcast program content is generated by multiplexing.

FIG. 4 is a detailed flowchart illustrating an MPEG-2 multiplexing process of generating AV broadcast content and metadata into one MPEG-2 transport stream according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, program configuration information of the received metadata MPEG-2 transport stream and AV broadcast content MPEG-2 transport stream, that is, a program association table (PAT) and a program (PMT) Map Table) information is analyzed (401).

After the analysis of the program configuration information, these two streams are reconstructed in one MPEG-2 transport stream multiplexed, that is, program configuration information for the multiplexed broadcast program content (402). In this process, the metadata is regarded as one elementary stream and is represented through one program map table (PMT) such as audio and video streams of AV broadcast contents. In addition, the PAT (Program Association Table) is allocated to one program in which two independent programs are combined.

Thereafter, corresponding segment metadata of the metadata MPEG-2 transport stream is inserted into a corresponding section of the AV broadcast content MPEG-2 transport stream to generate multiplexed broadcast program content (403). In other words, the segment metadata of the metadata MPEG-2 transport stream is inserted into the corresponding segment section of the AV broadcast content MPEG-2 transport stream described therein. If bandwidth for metadata other than AV broadcast content is allocated, segment metadata is generated and multiplexed periodically by utilizing it. If bandwidth for metadata other than the AV broadcast content is not allocated, the inserted null packet is replaced with metadata to adjust a fixed rate. In this case as well, segment metadata is periodically generated to insert segment metadata in the segment section described by the segment metadata.

5 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a metadata receiving apparatus for providing real-time information on a broadcast program according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, the metadata receiving apparatus according to the present invention separates an AV broadcast content MPEG-2 transport stream and a metadata MPEG-2 transport stream, and decapsulates each. In the demultiplexer 51 for extracting the AV content and metadata of the pure bitstream, the AV broadcast content decoder 52 for decoding the AV broadcast content separated in the demultiplexer 51, and the demultiplexer 51 A metadata decoder 53 for decoding the separated metadata, an output for controlling the output of the AV broadcast content decoded by the AV broadcast content decoder 52 and the segment metadata decoded by the metadata decoder 53. Controller 54.

6 is a configuration diagram of another embodiment of a metadata receiving apparatus for providing real time information on a broadcast program according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 6, the metadata receiving apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention uses the AV broadcast content MPEG-2 transport stream to convert the multiplexed MPEG-2 transport stream received from the metadata transmitter. A demultiplexer 61 and a demultiplexer 61 for extracting the AV content and the metadata of the pure bitstream by decapsulating the MPEG-2 transport stream and the metadata MPEG-2 transport stream, respectively. AV broadcast content decoder 62 for decoding the extracted AV broadcast content, metadata decoder 63 for decoding the metadata separated by the demultiplexer 61, and segment meta decoded by the metadata decoder 63. A storage device 65 for storing data, AV broadcast content decoded by the AV broadcast content decoder 62 and a segment stored in the storage device 65. An output controller 64 for controlling the output of the metadata.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a metadata receiving method for providing real-time information on a broadcast program according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the multiplexed program content is received (701) and demultiplexed by the demultiplexer 51 and separated into AV broadcast content and segment metadata (702). That is, by analyzing the configuration information of the broadcast program to find the PID value of the audio, video and metadata of the AV broadcast content, and finds and separates the transport stream packet having the corresponding PID. The protocol header information of the transport stream packet is analyzed to extract a bitstream of AV content and metadata.

Thereafter, the separated AV broadcast content and the segment metadata are decoded by the AV broadcast content decoder 52 and the metadata decoder 53 (703), and the AV broadcast content and the corresponding segment metadata are controlled under the control of the output controller 64. Output 704.

On the other hand, in the metadata receiving method according to another embodiment of the present invention, the demultiplexer 61 receives the multiplexed broadcast program content, demultiplexes the AV broadcast content and segment metadata, and then separates the AV broadcast. The content and segment metadata are decoded by the AV broadcast content decoder 62 and the metadata decoder 63, respectively.

After storing the segment metadata decoded by the metadata decoder 63 in the storage device 65, the segment metadata are output under the control of the output controller 64 only at the request of the user. That is, the segment metadata is not always provided to the display device, but is provided when a user's request is requested and is not provided when it is not desired. In this case, the segment metadata may be overlaid on some screens of the display device, or the video screen currently being aired may be reduced and provided using the remaining space. Alternatively, the present invention may be implemented to allow a user to select a display method of such program segment information.

The present invention described above is capable of various substitutions, modifications, and changes without departing from the spirit of the present invention for those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. It is not limited by the drawings.

As described above, the present invention provides an overview information on a program and a program segment that is currently in progress when viewing starts from an arbitrary time point of the program, so that the progress of the program can be grasped in a short time.

Claims (17)

An apparatus for transmitting metadata for providing real time information on a broadcast program, Metadata encoding means for receiving metadata about AV broadcast content from an external source and encoding the same in access units; MPEG-2 conversion means for converting the metadata encoded in the access unit by the metadata encoding means into an MPEG-2 transport stream; And The AV broadcast content MPEG-2 transport stream received from the outside and the metadata MPEG-2 transport stream converted by the MPEG-2 converting means are converted into one MPEG-2 transport stream. MPEG-2 multiplexing means for multiplexing to generate program content Apparatus for transmitting metadata for providing real-time information on a broadcast program comprising a. The method of claim 1, The metadata encoding means, The metadata transmission apparatus for providing real-time information on a broadcast program, characterized in that the corresponding segment metadata for each segment of the logically divided AV broadcast content to be encoded as one access unit. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The segment metadata, Real-time information on the broadcast program, characterized in that for each segment logically divided AV broadcast content, including the plot corresponding to the segment section, section information occupied in the entire program, main characters of the section, and the like. Metadata transmission device for providing. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The segment metadata, Providing real-time information on a broadcast program, including information on a title, a broadcast time, a live broadcast, a genre, etc., for the entire program including the segment, for each segment logically divided into AV broadcast contents. Device for transmitting metadata. The method of claim 1, The MPEG-2 converting means is The metadata encoded in the access unit is encapsulated using a suitable protocol, and the MPEG-2 transport stream is generated using the encapsulated metadata and the program specific information (PSI) of the metadata as payload. An apparatus for transmitting metadata for providing real time information on a broadcast program. The method of claim 1, The MPEG-2 multiplexing means, After analyzing the program configuration information of the metadata MPEG-2 transport stream and the AV broadcast content MPEG-2 transport stream, the program configuration information is reconstructed for multiplexing, and the AV broadcast content MPEG- 2 Metadata transmission apparatus for providing real-time information on the broadcast program, characterized in that the corresponding segment metadata of the MPEG-2 transport stream is inserted into the corresponding segment section of the transport stream. The method of claim 1, The MPEG-2 multiplexing means, If bandwidth for metadata other than AV broadcasting content is allocated, segment metadata is inserted and multiplexed in the corresponding AV broadcasting content section within the bandwidth, and if bandwidth for metadata other than AV broadcasting content is not allocated, An apparatus for transmitting metadata for real-time information on a broadcast program, characterized in that the segment metadata are inserted into a null packet of a corresponding AV broadcast content section of the broadcast content and multiplexed. An apparatus for receiving metadata for providing real time information on a broadcast program, The AV broadcast contents received from the metadata transmitter are separated into MPEG-2 transport streams and metadata MPEG-2 transport streams, and each is decapsulated, so that the AV broadcast content and metadata of the pure bitstream are separated. Demultiplexing means for extracting; AV broadcast content decoding means for decoding the AV broadcast content extracted by the demultiplexing means; Metadata decoding means for decoding the metadata extracted by the demultiplexing means; And Output control means for controlling the output of the AV broadcast content decoded by the AV broadcast content decoding means and the segment metadata decoded by the metadata decoding means. Apparatus for receiving metadata for providing real-time information on a broadcast program comprising a. The method of claim 8, Storage means for storing the metadata decoded by the metadata decoding means and outputting the control by the output control means; Metadata receiving apparatus for providing real-time information on the broadcast program further comprising. The method of claim 8, The output control means, The metadata receiving apparatus for providing real-time information on a broadcast program, characterized in that the segment metadata are output only when a display request is received from an external device whether to display the segment metadata. The method of claim 8, The output control means, Apparatus for receiving real-time information about a broadcast program, characterized in that for receiving the method of displaying the segment metadata from the outside to output the segment metadata in accordance with the received display method. In the metadata transmission method for providing real-time information on a broadcast program, A first step in which the metadata encoder receives metadata about segments for logically dividing the AV broadcast content from the outside and encodes each of the segment metadata as one access unit; A second step of the MPEG-2 converter converting the metadata encoded in the access unit by the metadata encoder into an MPEG-2 transport stream and generating the MPEG-2 transport stream; And The MPEG-2 transport stream generated by the MPEG-2 converter and the MPEG-2 transport stream received from the outside and the AV broadcast content MPEG-2 transport stream received from the outside in one MPEG-2 multiplexer Third step of generating broadcast program content by multiplexing with a transport stream Metadata transmission method for providing real-time information on a broadcast program comprising a. The method of claim 12, The second step, A fourth step of encapsulating metadata encoded in an access unit in the metadata encoder using a suitable protocol; And A fifth step of generating the MPEG-2 transport stream using the encapsulated metadata as a program load of Program Specific Information (PSI); Metadata transmission method for providing real-time information on a broadcast program comprising a. The method according to claim 12 or 13, The third step, A sixth step of analyzing program configuration information of the metadata MPEG-2 transport stream generated by the MPEG-2 converter and the AV broadcast content MPEG-2 transport stream received from the outside; A seventh step of reconstructing the analyzed program configuration information to generate a multiplexed MPEG-2 transport stream; And An eighth step of inserting segment metadata of the metadata MPEG-2 transport stream into a corresponding segment section of the AV broadcast content MPEG-2 transport stream; Metadata transmission method for providing real-time information on a broadcast program comprising a. The method of claim 14, The eighth step, If a bandwidth for metadata other than the AV broadcast content is allocated, inserting segment metadata into the segment section of the AV broadcast content within the bandwidth; And If bandwidth for metadata other than the AV broadcast content is not allocated, a tenth step of inserting segment metadata into a null packet of the corresponding AV broadcast content segment section Metadata transmission method for providing real-time information on a broadcast program comprising a. In the metadata receiving method for providing real-time information on a broadcast program, The demultiplexer receives the multiplexed broadcast program contents, separates them into MPEG-2 transport streams and metadata MPEG-2 transport streams, and decapsulates them, respectively. Extracting the first step; A second step of the AV content decoder decoding the AV broadcast content MPEG-2 Transport Stream extracted by the demultiplexer; A third step of the metadata decoder decoding the metadata MPEG-2 transport stream extracted from the demultiplexer; And A fourth step of an output controller controlling the output of the AV broadcast content decoded by the AV content decoder and the metadata decoded by the metadata decoder Metadata receiving method for providing real-time information on the broadcast program comprising a. The method of claim 16, The fourth step, A fifth step of storing the decoded metadata in a storage device; A sixth step of the output controller controlling the output of the AV broadcast content decoded in the AV content decoder; And A seventh step of controlling the output of the metadata stored in the storage device; Metadata receiving method for providing real-time information on the broadcast program comprising a.