MXPA98006669A - Apparatus and method of provision of information, apparatus and method of receipt of information, system of provision of information and means of transmis - Google Patents

Abstract

To make it possible to transmit many messages without seriously affecting the video information that has to be transmitted essentially, the messages are recorded in a DMT, and indices are registered to the messages in another rDMT. The rDMT is transmitted by each transponder, while the DMT is transmitted by a single predetermined transponder

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD OF PROVISION OF INFORMATION, APPARATUS AND METHOD OF RECEIPT OF INFORMATION, SYSTEM OF PROVISION OF INFORMATION AND MEANS OF TRANSMISSION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus and method of provision of information, an apparatus and method of receiving information, a system for providing information, and a means of transmission and more particularly with an apparatus. and method of provision of information, an apparatus and method of receiving information, a system for providing information, and a transmission means capable of transmitting more messages without affecting the video information, which will essentially be transmitted by synthesizing the information of EPG of the first information and the second information.

Description of the Related Art. Recently, the diffusion of digital television has also started in Japan, and programs have been offered to the audience in 100 or more channels. This increase in the number of programs complicates the operation to select a desired program from them. Also, as the number of channels increases, on an increase in the amount of information involved, "a program list is required not only for a day but also for a week and so on for the audience viewing programs of a Because of this reason, the amount of data in the program list becomes tremendously large, and it becomes difficult for paper media, mainly newspapers, to provide lists of programs as before. Additionally, in case there is a change in the program of diffusion of any program, it is difficult to change the list of programs in a paper medium In this regard, it is proposed that an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) support the program selection that should be transmitted from the program provider side To the audience: As an international standard of this EPG, the format of DVD_SI (Digital Video Broadcasting Service Information) is prescribed. As it becomes data as EPG and is offered to the audience, the extraction of EPG data received by a receiving device will allow program titles, a list of programs, channel logos and the like to be indicated on the display, and the pro;: ^ ad * ¿- ?? d sr-e sel? c. »* --- £%. and c? r &e * ri? an e -Additionally, any alteration in the broadcast time of a program can be easily found, and the observer can correctly reserve the video record of or observe the desired program, Figure 16 shows an example of a variety of frames constituting an EPG in accordance with the prior art. An NIT (Red_Información_Cuadro) shows the total configuration of the network and the information necessary for reception, and an NIT exists in each network. In this NIT, an SDT (Service_Description_Paragram) is manifested. An SDT exists for each stream. For example, if this EPG is to be transmitted through a satellite, an SDT is defined for each carrier wave (each transponder). In an SDT, information about the channel for transmission on the carrier wave is shown in pfEIT, gEIT and dEIT. In the pfEIT (Cuadro_Información_Evento_siguiente_presente) the program currently broadcast on that channel and the following program are shown. In the dEIT (Cuadro_Información_Vente-detalle) there is a document related to a delineation of the event (program), and "in a gEIT (Cuadro_Evento_Evento_Info) different information is manifested to the delineation document related to the program. On the other hand, when operating the NVOD service (video on near demand), a pattern channel (d-ch) is provided in addition to the channel on which the program information (ch) is delivered. In the dEIT and gEIT of the pattern channel, the delineation document and other program information broadcast by NVOD are manifested respectively. On the other hand, in the dEIT and the gEIT of the channel in which the NVOD video information is currently broadcast, the dEIT or the gEIT of the pattern channel is manifested respectively and referenced thereto. Additionally, when messages are transmitted from the source side to the receiving side, the messages are inserted into the NIT. However, the transmission of messages by the NIT involved the problem that the number of messages that could be transmitted was small because an NIT basically does not have a structure that allows the carrying of many data. As a result, it was almost solely the network manager who could transmit the message; for example, when a program provider who has a channel is going to broadcast an announcement of a special program, a notice of a campaign, a guide on how to watch or listen to a program, or what is similar to the audience, it was transmitted as detailed information about a program. However, if the messages are transmitted in this way as detailed information about a program, the content of the same messages is transmitted as EPG information in all the programs, and this is not only wasteful, but also greatly reduces the capacity of the program. transmission for essential program information. consequently there was the problem that, when an observer wished to know the essential EPG information (such as the content of a program), unnecessary information was displayed against his desire, resulting in management inconvenience. Additionally there was the problem that if, for example, it became necessary to replace the operating software for the receiving apparatus by download, its notice, and the content and method of the change could not be transmitted to the audience as a message. Additionally, there was a problem that, if the messages were to be transmitted by NIT, the need to transmit an NIT increases greatly, and the probability of the occurrence of a situation in which no NIT could be received should increase correspondingly. Since an NIT basically carries information that the observer needs when selecting a channel, in case no NIT is impossible to receive, it could not select any of the programs in any -channel.

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been addressed in view of said situation, and it is intended to make possible the transmission of many messages without seriously affecting the video information that essentially has to be transmitted. The apparatus providing information disclosed in claim 1 is wherein it is provided with a first generating element for generating first information including messages; second generation element to generate second information that includes indexes to the messages; and synthesizing element to synthesize the first and second information as EPG information. The method that provides information disclosed in claim 5 is where it is provided with a first generation step to generate first information that includes messages; a second generation step to generate second information that includes indexes to the messages; and a step of synthesizing to synthesize the first and second information as EPG information. The transmission means manifested in the claim is where it transmits a program provided with: a first generation step to generate first information that includes - messages; a second generation step to generate second information that includes indexes to the messages; and a step of synthesizing to synthesize the first and second information as EPG information. The apparatus that receives the information stated in claim 7 is wherein it is provided with: a receiving element for receiving signals that have been transmitted; an extraction element for extracting messages from the signals received by the receiving element; determination element to determine the types of messages extracted by the extraction element; and display control element that responds to the determination result by means of the determining element to control the on-screen display of the messages in relation to the video information. The method of receiving information set forth in claim 8 is wherein it is provided with: a receiving step for receiving signals that have been transmitted; an extraction step for extracting messages from the signals received in the reception step; a determination step to determine the types of messages extracted in the extraction step; and a display control step that responds to the determination result in the determination step to control the on-screen display of the messages in relation to the video information. The means of. The transmission shown in claim 9 is wherein it transmits a program provided with: a receiving step for receiving signals that have been transmitted; an extraction step for extracting messages from the signals received in the reception step; a determination step to determine the types of messages extracted in the extraction step; and a display control step that responds to the determination result in the determination step to control the on-screen display of the messages in relation to the video information. The system providing information disclosed in claim 10 is wherein: the apparatus providing information is provided with a first generating element for generating first information including messages; second generation element to generate second information that includes indexes to the messages; and a synthesizing element for synthesizing the first and second information as EPG information; and the receiving apparatus is provided with: receiving element for receiving transmitted signals in which the EPG information is superimposed on the video information; extracting element for extracting messages from the signals received by the receiving element; and display control element for controlling the on-screen display of the messages extracted by the extraction element in relation to the video information. The method providing information disclosed in claim 11 is wherein: the apparatus providing information is provided with: a first generation step for generating first information including messages; a second generation step to generate second information that includes indexes to the messages; and a step of synthesizing to synthesize the first and second information as EPG information; and the information receiving apparatus is provided with: a receiver step for receiving signals that have been transmitted, an extracting step for extracting messages from the signals received in the receiving step, and a display control step for controlling the display on the screen of the messages extracted in the extraction step in relation to the video information The transmission medium manifested in claim 12 is wherein: the program for the apparatus providing information is provided with a first generation step for generate first information that includes messages, a second generation step to generate second information that includes indexes to the messages, and a synthesizing step to synthesize the first and second information regarding EPG information, and the program for the device that receives information is provided with: a receiving step to receive signals that have been transmitted; or extraction to extract messages from the signals received in the reception step; and a display control step for controlling the on-screen display of the messages extracted in the extraction step in relation to the video information. In the apparatus providing information disclosed in claim 1, the method providing information disclosed in claim 5, and the transmission means set forth in claim 5, the first information that includes the messages and the second information that includes the indexes The messages are synthesized towards the EPG information. In the apparatus receiving information disclosed in claim 7, the method of receiving information set forth in claim 8 and the transmission means set forth in claim 9, the messages are extracted from the transmitted signals, and the type of the messages - extracted is determined. And in accordance with the determination result, the on-screen display of the messages in relation to the video information is controlled. In the apparatus providing information disclosed in claim 1, the method providing information set forth in claim 5 and the transmission means set forth in claim 5, the first information that includes the messages and the second information that includes the indices to the messages are synthesized towards EPG information. In the apparatus receiving information disclosed in claim 7, the method receiving information set forth in claim 8 and the transmission means set forth in claim 9, the messages are extracted from the transmitted signals, and the type of the messages is determined. extracted. And in accordance with the determination result, the "on-screen display of the messages in relation to the video information is controlled." In the system that provides information stated in claim 10, the method that provides information stated in claim 11 and the transmission means set forth in claim 12, the first information and the second information are synthesized into the EPG information, the messages are extracted from the received signals, and displayed on the screen in relation to the video information; BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of configuration of a system that provides information to which the present invention is applied. Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the transmission apparatus of Figure 1. Figure 3 is "a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the EPG frame generation section in the Figure 1. Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the receiver apparatus in Figure 1. Figure 5 is a diagram for explaining the transmission format for frames Figure 6 is a diagram for explaining the capabilities of The tables Figure 7 is a diagram to explain the reference relationships between tables Figure 8 is a diagram to explain the reference relationship between the ETT and the EMT Figures 9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating examples of how exhibits an EpG Figure 10 is a diagram for explaining a "volume_number" application Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of how a list of NVOD program titles is displayed. Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating an example how the start times of an NVOD program are displayed. Figure 13 is a diagram to explain the rDMT and the DMT. Figure 14 is a diagram for explaining the relationships of rDMT and DMT to transponders. Figure 15 is a flow chart for explaining message processing by the EPG processor in Figure 4. Figure 16 is a diagram for explaining the relationships between frames according to the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES. Although modes for carrying out the present invention will be described below, a description of the features of the invention with the addition in parentheses in a corresponding manner to carry out (even if only one example) after each element to identify the correspondence relationships between the respective elements of the invention disclosed in the Scope of the Claims and the following modes of carrying out as follows. However, this description certainly does not mean limitation to the described element. The apparatus providing information disclosed in claim 1 is where it is provided with the first generation element (e.g., a DMT generation section 33-9 in Figure 3) to generate the first information that includes the messages; the second generation element (e.g., a 33-8 generation section of rDMT in Figure 3) to generate the second information that includes indices to the messages; and a synthesizing element (e.g., a TS package section 35 in Figure 2) to synthesize the first information and the second information as EPG information. The information receiving apparatus set forth in claim 7 is wherein it is provided with: the receiving element (e.g. a front end section 51 in Figure 4) for receiving signals that have been transmitted; the extracting element (e.g. a demultiplexer 57 in Figure 4) for extracting the messages from the signals received by the receiving element; the determination element (e.g., steps Sl through S4 in Figure 1) to determine the types of messages extracted by the extraction element; and the display control element (e.g., steps S6 to S9 in Figure 15) that respond to the determination result by the determining element to control the on-screen display of the messages in relation to the video information in the messages . The system providing information disclosed in claim 10 is wherein: the apparatus providing information is provided with the first generation element (e.g. section 33-9 of DMT generation in Figure 3) to generate the first information that includes messages; the second generation element (e.g. section 33-8 of generation of rEMT in Figure 3) to generate the second information that includes the indices of the messages; and the synthesizing element (for example. the packaging section TS in Figure 2) to synthesize the first and second information as PG information; and the information receiving apparatus is provided with the receiver element (e.g. the front end section 51 in Figure 4) to receive transmitted signals superimposed on the video signals; the extracting element (e.g. demultiplexer 57 in Figure 4) for extracting the messages from the signals received by the receiving element; and the display control element (e.g., the EPG processor 59 in Figure 4) to control the display of the messages extracted by the extraction element in relation to the video information. Figure 1 illustrates an example configuration of a system providing information to which the present invention is applied. A transmission apparatus 1 multiplexes EPG information with program information, and transmits it from a transmission antenna 2 to a satellite 3. The satellite 3 receives these signals with an antenna 5. The satellite 3 has a plurality of transponders 4, and transmits the signals of the transmission apparatus 1 to individual families through carrier waves that differ with the transponder. In each family, a receiving apparatus 7 receives through a "reception antenna 6 signals transmitted from the satellite 3. Figure 2 illustrates an example configuration of the transmission apparatus 1. A codifier-cum-multiplexer 11-1 it has encoders 12, 14 and 16 of video and audio encoders 13, 15 and 17. The video encoders 12, 14, and 16 are arranged so as to respectively encode the video signals input by the MPEG2 system, and output them to a multiplexer 18. Eos audio encoders 13, 15 and 17 are arranged so as to encode the audio signals input by the MPEG system, and output them to the multiplexer 18. A controller 19 is arranged so that it not only controls the process of encoding by the video encoder 12 or the audio encoder 17, but also control the multiplexing process by the multiplexer 18. A mixer 20 is arranged so as to mix the serials is multiplexed by the multiplexer 18, and to output to a modulator 21-1. The encoders-cum-multiplexers 11-2 and 11-3 are configured to simulate the encoder / cum-multiplexer 11-1. It is arranged so that the EPG - l information which input is input terminals 31-1 to 31-3 of EPG is accumulated as raw data in database 32. An EPG frame generating section 33 is arranged so as to generate EPG frames from the raw data accumulated in the data base 32, and output them to a TS packaging section 3. A generation timing management section 34 generates a prescribed timing signal, and outputs the EPG frame generation section 33. In the EPG frame generating section 33, generating sections 33-1 to 33-9 are provided to generate individual frames. A NIT generation section 33-1 generates NIT; a section '33-2 generator of SDT, SDT, a section 33-3 generator of pfEIT, pfEIT; a section 33-4 ETT generator, ETT, a section 33-5 gEMT generator, gEMT; a section 33-6 generator of nEMT, nEMT; a section 33-7 generator of dEMT, dEMT; a section 33-8 generator of rDMT, rDMT; and a section 33-9 DMT generator, DMT. The EPG delivery controllers 36-1 to 36-3 are arranged so as to provide EPG data in respective frames, supplied from the TS packing section 35, to the multiplexers of the encoders-cum-multiplexers 11-1 to 11-3 corresponding. Modulators 21-1 to 21-3 encode FED (FEC = Forward Error Correction) as well as QPS modulation currents supplied from the corresponding encoder-cum-multiplexers 11-1 to 11-3, and output to an output amplifier 22. The output amplifier 22 is arranged so as to amplify the modulated signals supplied from the modulators 21-1 to 21-3, and output them to the satellite 3 through the transmission antenna 2. In this configuration example, each of the encoders-cum-multiplexers 11-1 to 11-3 uses a transponder 4 of satellite 3. Therefore, in this configuration example, the video signals are distributed to individual families through a total of three transponders. In this way, in the encoder-cum-multiplexer 11-1, the video encoders 11, 14, and 16 encode video signals for three channels. Also, the audio encoders 13, 15 and 17 encode audio signals respectively corresponding to the video signals. For example, the video encoder 12 encodes a first video signal through the MPEG2 system, and outputs the multiplexer 18. The audio encoder 13 encodes an audio signal corresponding to the video input signal to the video encoder 12 through the MPEG system, and outputs the multiplexer 18. Similarly, the video encoders 14 and 16 and the audio encoders 15 and 17 also encode video signals and audio signals in their respective channels, and outputs the multiplexer 18. Controller 19 controls encoding processing by video encoders 12, 14 and 16 and audio encoders 13, 15 and 17. The multiplexer 18 multiplexes the outputs of the video encoders 12 to the audio encoder 17 under the control of the controller 19. In the encoders 11-2 and 11-3, also, a processing similar to that in the encoder 11-1 occurs before mentioned. As the video signals and the audio signals are compressed digitally by the respective encoders, it becomes possible to ensure the effective use of the transmission paths. From terminals 31-1 to 31-3 of EPG input, the network information corresponding to NIT, the channel information corresponding to SDT, program information corresponding to pfEIT, ETT and EMT, message information corresponding to DMT and similar are input and accumulate in the data base 32 as raw data.- The EPG frame generating section 33, based on a timing signal supplied from the generation timing management section 34, searches for data gross for the tables that are going to be generated (tables that include NIT, SDT, pfEIT, ETT, EMT and DMT), and prepare the tables. The boxes that are prepared are packaged in TS (TS = Transport Stream) by the TS packing section 35, and supplied to the EPG delivery controllers 36-1 to 36-3. As will be described in more detail below, of the tables, dEMT provides the same data in a repetitive manner, for example, 3 cycles of 4 seconds. Other tables (NIT, SDT pfEIT, ETT, gEMT, nEMT, rDMT and DMT) supply the same data repeatedly in cycles of 1 second. The EPG delivery controller 36-1 supplies the data from the frames supplied to the multiplexer 18. The multiplexer 18, under the control of the controller 19, multiplexes the encoded video signals and audio signals, and in addition the EPG packet supplied with the 36-1 EPG delivery driver, and gives them serial output. The mixer 20, after mixing the data supplied from the multiplexer 18, outputs the modulator 21-1. The modulator 21-1 codes in FEC and the data entered, and. others modulates them in QPSK. And it supplies the modulated signals to the output amplifier 22. the output amplifier 22 amplifies the input data, and transmits them to the satellite 3 through the transmission antenna 2. Similar to processing also occurs in the encoder-cum-multiplexers 11-2 and 11-3 and modulators 31-2 and 21-3. The transport current output of the encoder-cum-multiplexer 11-2 is received via antenna 5 of satellite 3, processed by a first transponder outside the transponder 4, and distributed to families through a first carrier wave of the antenna 5. Similarly, the bitstream signals transmitted from the encoder-cum-mutliplexers 11-2 and 11 -3 are received by the antenna 5, respectively processed by second and third transponders outside the transponders 4, and distributed to families through the second and third carrier waves through the antenna 5. Figure 4 illustrates an example of the detailed configuration of the receiver apparatus 7. A frequency converter 41 is arranged so as to convert the signals on a prescribed carrier wave, supplied from the receiving antenna 6, to signals of an intermediate frequency, and outputs the front end section 51. The front end section 51 has a carrier selection section 52, a demodulation section 53 of QPSK and a decoder 54 of FEC. The carrier selection section 52 is arranged so as to select signals on a carrier wave of a prescribed frequency of the intermediate frequency signals input from the frequency converter 41, and we output to the QPSK demodulation section 53. The demodulation section 53 of QPSK is arranged so as to demodulate in QPSK the signals input from the carrier selection section 52, and output them to the FEC decoder 54. The FEC decoder 54 processes the input signals in FEC and outputs a transport section 55. The transport section 55 is arranged so that, after undoing the mixing the output of the FEC decoder 54 with a demixer 56, so as to output the demultiplexer 57. The demultiplexer 7 separates a plurality of video data sets or audio data contained in the TS package and the EPG data. This iplexed demulturing processing is controlled by a host 64 processor. The demultiplexer 57 is arranged so as to demultiplex the input signals of the demixer 56, and output the video data to a video decoder 60, the audio data to an audio decoder 61, and the EPG data to the processor 59 of EPG. The audio decoder 61 is arranged so as to decode the input audio data by the MPEG system, and to output them to a D / A conversion section 63. The D / A conversion section 63 converts the audio input data of the audio decoder 61 into D / A, and then output to a loudspeaker or the like not shown. The video decoder 60 decodes the input video data by the MPEG2 system, and outputs an NTSC encoder 62. The NTSC encoder 62 is arranged to convert the video data input into video signals of the NTSC system, and output them. The EPG processor 59 is arranged to provide, in response to an instruction from the host processor 64, the content of the EPG data to the host processor 64 at the same time to generate data for on-screen display, and output to the encoder 62. of NTSC. In an IC card 65, information for conditional access and the like is recorded, and the host processor 64 is arranged so as to control, in response to the information stored in this IC card 65, a demixer 56 that has to execute mixing processing. . A message lamp 66 drives the host 64 processor as required. Its operation will be described below. The frequency converter 71 converts signals received by the receiving antenna 6 to signals of a prescribed intermediate frequency, and outputs the front end section 51. Host processor 64 controls the carrier selection section 52 in response to a user instruction to have its selection carry a carrier wave of a prescribed frequency. In this manner, the signals on a carrier output by a prescribed transponder are selected by the carrier selection section 52., and supplied to the demodulation section 53 of QPSK. Section 53 demodulation of QPSK demodulates the input signals in QPSK, and outputs the decoder 54 FEC. The FEC decoder 54 processes the input signals in FEC and outputs the demixer 56. The host 64 processor, where the program in the channel whose reception has been instructed by the observer is mixed, reads the information related to the conditional access stored in the IC card 65, and controls the demixer 56 in response to this information. Thus, when conditional access is allowed, the demixer 56 demixes the mixed TS packet entered from the FEC decoder 54 and outputs it to demuxer 57. When conditional access is not allowed, host processor 64 prohibits demixer 56 from the execution mixer. As a result, in effect, the observer can not observe that program. The demultiplexer 57, in response to an instruction from the host processor 64, extracts a video packet on 1 designated channel out of the programs on 3 channels included in 1 bearer and the data of an audio packet corresponding thereto, and outputs them to the video decoder 60 and the audio decoder 61, respectively. The video recorder 60 decodes the data in the video packet entered via the MPEG2 system, and outputs the NTSC encoder 62. The NTSC encoder 62 converts the video data entered into video signals of the NTSC system, supplies them to a display not shown, and causes them to be displayed. The audio decoder 61 decodes the audio data entered by the MPEG system, and outputs a D / A converter section 63. The converting section of D / A converts the entered data into D / A and outputs a speaker not shown. the demultiplexer 57, e where the EPG data is included in the data supplied from the demixer 56, extracts it, and outputs the EPG processor 59. The EPG processor 59, in response to an instruction from the host processor 64, processes this EPG data, generates data that is to be displayed on the screen as required, and outputs the NTSC encoder 61. The NTSC encoder 62 superimposes the screen data input from the EPG processor 59 through the video signals of the NTSC system generated correspondingly to the video data supplied from the video decoder 60, and outputs them *. A listed program is hereby exhibited, superimposed on received images, as required. Next, the details of the tables constituting an EPG will be further described. Figure 5 shows a format for use when various frames constituting an EPG are to be transmitted. As shown in the figure, in this format, a frame is divided into any desired number of sections and transmitted. The data in the sections of the desired number prescribed here are transmitted repeatedly in any 1-second or 4-second cycles. Each section is made up of a title and any desired number of information units. The maximum length of 1 section is assumed to be 4096 bytes. At the leading edge of the header there is a "table-id" that denotes the class of the table. This "box_id" is assumed to be 0 X 40 for NIT, 0 X 42 or O 46 for SDT, OX 4e or OX 4f for pfEIT, O x A2 or OX A3 for ETT, OX A4 for gEMT, OX A5 for nMET, OX A7 for dEMT, O x 92 for DMT and OX 93 for rDMT. After "box_id", the length of the section that includes this header is expressed as "section_length" in bytes. The maximum value of the section length is determined in advance of each box class. After the - "section_length" there is a "table_id_extension". A plurality of frames that have the same "box_id" are generated. For example, an SDT is generated for each stream; a pfEIT and an ETT, for each channel; and an EMT, for each false service. Then, to distinguish them from one another, the "table_id_extension" is used. Thus, for example, the current number is shown in the case of SDT, or the channel number of pfEIT and ETT. Next, the "version_number" is available. Here the version number is shown when the picture turns on. Wherever any information units are reviewed, the receiving apparatus 7 is notified of the revision in the content by increasing this "version_number". After the "version_number" a "section_number" is arranged. Here the number of the section to which the header belongs is displayed. This number denotes the position of: that section in the total numerical sequence. As the maximum length of a section is determined in advance, when it is necessary to write data beyond its maximum length, the data is manifested divided into a plurality of sections. The section number starts from 0 and increases by 1 at a time to a maximum of 255. When dividing into sections, the headings of individual sections differ only in this "section_number", and are the same in all other aspects than those of the corresponding sections. After the "section_number" there is a "last_section__number". Here the "section final number of the box.

In each information unit of the information disclosure part, 1 piece of channel information is manifested in the case of SDT; 1 piece of program information in the cases of pfEIT and EMT; 1 message in the case of DMT, and the event information for 1 day in the case of ETT, Figure 6 schematically illustrates the content of the tables that constitute an EPG and their data quantities. In a NIT (Network_Information_Box), the total configuration of the network and the information necessary for reception are manifested. An NIT is provided in each network. In an SDT (Service_Description_frame) the service information is displayed. This SDT is prescribed for each stream. In a pfEIT (present_next_Event_information_in_Cat) the information is shown in the present program and the following program. This pfEIT is prescribed for each channel. In an ETT (Event_Time_Box) the "event_id" (program identification sign) and the diffusion start time of each program and the section number of the gEMT are shown for "reference." In a gEMT (general-Event-Material_Cuadro) ) other event information other than NVOD is displayed.

This gEMT is prescribed for each fake service. In a nEMT (near-video-on-Demand_Event_ Material_Cube) event information of NVOD is manifested. This nEMT is prescribed for each fake service on an NVOD channel. While in this way a gEMT and a nEMT are distinguished between -yes and the information about the events other than NVOD or information about NVOD events will be manifested in each one, the two can either join in a common EMT and, if It will manifest an NVOD event in it, a flag indicating that the declaration is a statement related to NVOD can be manifested. In a dEMT (detail-Event_material_Cuadro) an event description document is displayed. This dEMT is prescribed for each employer service. In an rDMT (Digital_Reference_Message_Cat) an index is shown to a message. And the message manifests itself in "DMT". As shown in Figure 6, the amount of data in an NIT is less than the amount of data in an SDT. A pfEIT and an ETT have data quantities less than a gEMT. A dEMT, as it is intended to manifest an event description document, has a considerably greater amount of data than a gEMT or a nEMT. An rDMT, like a simple index to a message, has a smaller amount of data than a DMT and only slightly larger than an NIT. A DMT, even when it has more data than a rDMT, has a smaller amount of data than a gEMT or a nEMT. Figure 7 illustrates the reference relationships between different tables. In the NIT, in which the total configuration of the network and the information necessary for reception are going to manifest, a plurality of SDTs to which reference will be made are manifested. Said SDT is prescribed for each carrier wave (transponder), in other words, for each stream. Each SDT includes the channel (ch) contained in that stream and the pattern channel (d-ch) corresponding to it. When an observer can actually select their real channels only, but the pattern channel can not be selected. In a real channel, a corresponding pfEIT and ETT are provided to each other, and in a pattern channel, a gEMT and a dEMT corresponding thereto are provided. In a pfEIT, the information is shown in the broadcast of the program currently in that channel and the program that will be disseminated next. In an ETT, a gEMT and a dEMT (program box), the information is shown as illustrated in Figure 8. In this way, as shown in Figure 8, in an ETT, a header is provided on its edge above, and then a "id_service_reference" is provided. A "service" (corresponding to a so-called channel) consists of a plurality of consecutive events, and the "service_id" is the identification coding of this "service", which is "red_id_unica'X This is supposed to be a" service_id "in a real service, but a" service_id reference "in a pattern service. id_service_reference "prescribed in this ETT represents the" id_service_reference "of the referenced EMT A" first_time_time "expresses in bytes the" start_time "of the first in" start_time "(diffusion start time) of events included in that section , the "last_time_time" denotes the "start_time" of the last one in "start_time" of the events included in that section.A circuit represents the degree to which the 1-day schedule is manifested, and a "date" indicates the date of the initiation of diffusion of events included in the circuit or loop of the day, the "length" indicates the length of this loop, and following that, an "event_info" is manifested as many times as the number of broadcast of programs on that day. The first "event-id" of each "evento_info" denotes the identification code of that program. A "start_time" denotes e-1 broadcast start time of that program. A "length" denotes the length of that "event_infor" in and after the next "EMT-section-number". In an "EMT_section_number", the "section_number" of the EMT in which the common information of that event is written is manifested. In this way, as individual information of the program is initiated in the ETT, the "section_number" of the EMT in which the common information is referred to is manifested here. In "event_reference_id", the "event_reference_id" of the pattern event in which the common information is manifested is declared. The pattern service, which is a virtual service to manifest common service information and manifest the EMT, has "reference_service_id". A pattern event means an artificial event included in a pattern service to detect the EMT. An "event_reference" id "is the" event_id "of a pattern event.Thus, an" EMT_section_number "designates the section of a gEMT (or a nEMT) to be referenced and, a" reference_even_id "designates a pattern event in that section A "rate" shows the rate to see that program (event) The 8 bits after the "rate" represent a flag, from which fl becomes "1" when the next CA 1 bit is valid or "O" when it is invalid The following CA is a flag indicating whether the "conditional access" is valid or invalid The following f2 indicates whether a duration is prescribed or not in this ETT; f3, if a "serie_id" is prescribed or not in this ETT; and f4, if a "volume_no" is prescribed or not in this ETT. A "duration" indicates the length of the "event". A "serie_id" is the identifying sign of that event. A "series" means a set of specific "events" through the "service". A "volume_not" indicates the "volume" of the "event". For example, when the "event" is a drama or the like and one of a series of "events" that consists of first, second, third, ... facilities, indicates which installation of the particular event is. In a GEMT (or a NEMT) mentioned in that ETT, information different from the document description of the "event" manifested in a dEMT is shown, and in the dEMT mentioned in the gEMT (or the nEMT) the description document is manifested of that "event". To add, in the gEMT (or the nEMT) the category of that "event" is also manifested. As illustrated in Figure 7, in the case of an ordinary channel (not an NVOD channel), each of ETT, gEMT and dEMT is present in 1 channel. In contrast, in an NVOD channel, an ETT is prescribed for each channel in which the images of various NVOD times are to be distributed, and each ETT refers to the nEMT of a pattern channel. In this case, the pattern channels corresponding to the respective real NVOD channels become common. And each of nEMT and dEMT is prescribed. As shown in Figure 8, the common "event-id" of a gEMT (or a nEMT) can be referred to by a plurality of "event_infor" s of an ETT. In this regard, as shown in Figure 16, there is a difference from the prior art according to which a "gEIT" and a dEIT "were left individually ready" for each real channel. Therefore, in this implementation mode, since different "events" can be referred to the same gEMT, the amount of data to be transmitted can be greatly reduced. Especially in broadcasting multiple channels, often the same program is broadcast repeatedly. In such a case, different ETTs would often refer to the same gEMT. Therefore, the amount of data that will be transmitted can be reduced in that amount. Also in this mode of carrying out the present invention, the ETT shown in Figure 8 transmits, for example, a program list for a week in a plurality of consecutive sections. As the maximum length of 1 section of 4096 bytes, sufficiently greater than the packet length of 188 bytes of an MPEG2 transport stream, no list of programs in accordance with the prior art in which some programs are in effect absent as a result of the division into segments of 3 hours would be presented, eliminating the need to transmit data in vain. Therefore, this aspect also helps to save the amount of data that will be transmitted. Additionally, the following circumstance also serves to reduce the amount of data transmitted. In this way, when the "event" is a subscription to a series program as mentioned above, there may be many duplications, as shown in Figures 9A and 9B, between the introduction message for the second program subscription (Figure 9B). The title of the program and an introduction message for it is 9 Z 38 -. 38 - Mani party in a "name_descriptor" And a "content_descriptor" in the EMT. In the way to carry 02 the invention "add_name_descriptor" and "add_content_descriptor" are additionally added to these. And as stated above, because this is a serial program, the "volume_number" is prescribed in the ETT to manifest the "event_id" of the real event and IF the "start__time" of the "event". There is the position of the subscription in the serial program manifested in this "volume_number". The EPG processor 59 of the receiving apparatus 7, where a "volume_number" is present in the ETT, ot performs the control so as to add the sentence of the corresponding "volume_number" in the "add_name-descriptor" to the title stated in the "name_descriptor" As a result, for example manifested as shown in figure 10, the number "(1)" or "(2)", indicating each program subscription that is, is added after the title ". The History of a Loving Subject ", and is displayed, Similarly, the EPG processor 59 adds the corresponding" volume_number "sentence in the" add_descriptor_content "to the contents of the EMT" content_descriptor "and displays it. of the introduction message Z 39"introduction message: in 8 installments, a work that comically expresses the movements of a young woman's emotion, what will be the result of her love?", the sentence "The man who suddenly appeared before Yukie ..." it is inserted for the first subscription, and the sentence "Yukie finds it again all of a sudden, then Yukie ..." is inserted for the second season ticket and is displayed. Doing this; the need for common prayer in transmission is eliminated, and transmission efficiency can be improved. Furthermore, in this way of carrying out the invention, faster removal is possible. Thus, in the case of this way of carrying out the invention, the list of programs is not divided into time segments, but the table is divided into an ETT that manifests the "event_id" and times of initiation of programs during a week and the section numbers of the gEMT that are going to be mentioned, and an EMT stating information about the "event" s, and the list of programs during a week is manifested in the ETT. time of the list of programs contained in the ETT is prolonged, the amount of data of the ETT itself is small due to the information on the substantive content of the "event" s is recorded in the EMT, and consequently the withdrawal can be achieved more easily. quickly. The necessary information in the withdrawn program is read from the EMT as appropriate, 07.

Additionally in accordance with the present invention, since the information in the NVOD channels is manifested in a nEMT, it is possible, for example, to remove and display only NVOD programs. In this case, the EPG processor 59 removes the nEMT, reads the titles of 91"events" manifested there and makes them display, as, for example, illustrated in Figure 11. Since only the nEMT is searched (the gEMT does not is searched) at this time, rapid withdrawal becomes possible. For this search, the genus ot of each program and the pronouncement of the title of each program will be announced in advance. In this way, it is possible to search for titles by gender and exhibition of the titles withdrawn in the order of the Japanese syllabary. Incidentally, if the genres and pronunciations of program titles are manifested in the gEMT as well, ordinary programs can be searched through the cfénero and displayed in the order of the Japanese syllabary. Additionally, it is also possible to manifest an NVOD code in the nEMT. In this way, even when an NVOD service is provided through different carrier waves (transponders), is it possible to prevent things? E - 41 how to exhibit the same title in a double way. In this way, the EPG processor 59, if you are shown an NVOD code, assume that the program belongs to a common NVOD, and omit the display of this title. The "referenciá_evento_id" is unique within the same carrier, and in a different carrier, even if the "reference_evento_id" is the same, basically it will designate a different pattern event. Therefore, by means of this NVOD code, the fact of being the corresponding NVOD is designated. Also in this mode of carrying out the invention, it is possible to remove the start times of the merge of all the prescribed NVOD programs of the ETT on the basis of the "event_reference_id" of a pattern event withdrawn by the nEMT. Figure 12 illustrates an example to display in this case, This example of exhibiting shows an example in which a program entitled "giant" is broadcast every hour from 18:00 onwards. This retreat can also be done at high speed. Additionally in this case, it is possible to provide in the nEMT a part in which to manifest the "start_time" of a pattern event, and to manifest the start time of the final race of the NVOD initiation times. In this way, the - 42 statement would make it possible to detect the start time of diffusion of the final pass. 02 In the ETT, as a "rate" article, tariff charge information is provided and manifested there, if the charge differs with the diffusion time, this can also be displayed at the same time. Additionally in this mode of carrying out the invention, rapid searching is made possible and consequently quick access becomes possible due to the following reason, too. In this way, in the ETT, the program start time and the section number in the EMT where the information in that ot program is manifested are declared. Since the amount of information in the ETT can be less than in the EMT in almost 2 digits, even when the data for 2 weeks is written, the capacity can be comparatively small. Therefore, even if, for example, this ETT is to be stored inside the receiving apparatus, the capacity of the memory may be small. Or even when it is not stored, access will be simple. In this mode to carry out the invention, rapid removal becomes possible due to the following reason as well. In this way, in the case of a retransmission program, all the common information in that program is manifested in the EMT, and individual information is displayed in the program. manifests in the ETT. Therefore, the EMT would be smaller in amount of data than when the original event is fully manifested, it is also possible to arrange main pieces of event information (EMT) without duplication (the same piece of event information is not will retire twice of the different tables), and to achieve faster withdrawal. The ^ duplicate display of a retransmission can also be prevented. Also in this mode of carrying out the invention, a program which refers to the same EMT, for example, is supposed to be a redi fused program. 01 it is also possible to detect only fused redi programs. Incidentally, the information on the reception rate and the similar (CA) manifested in the ETT can also be shown in the EMT. The processor 59 ^ EPG gives priority to the information in the ETT if CA manifests itself in both the EMT and the ETT. Additionally, the gender information can be manifested not only in the gEMT (or the nEMT) but also in the SDT. In diffusion of multiple channels, the genre of programs that are going to be disseminated frequently is fixed to a certain degree for each channel, such as sports specialization, specialization in news z 44 - or specialization in music. Then, manifesting the number of genders in the SDT as incidental OZ information to the channel, it becomes possible, when searching by gender, to remove the channel from the same genre as the genre to be searched and also to search for programs only in that channel, thereby narrowing the search scale and substantially shortening St search time. The rDMT and the DMT will be explained below with reference to Figure 13. As illustrated in Figure 13, the DMT is also divided into sections, and its "header" records articles as described with reference to Figure 5. However, as "picture_id_extension" outside of them, the "red_id" is recorded. This "red_id" is the identification code of the network. After the "header", follow a block of s "message" s. In each "message" a "messenger" is recorded indicating the originator of the message, a "message_type" indicating the level or attribute of the message, a "message ^ number" which is the identification number of the message, and a "message". message "as content of the message. In contrast, in the rDMT, basically as many "messages" as required are inserted after the "header". In these "message_index" s are recorded a "messenger" that indicates the originator of the message, a "message_type" that indicates the level or attribute of the message, and a "message_number" that is the message number "., to these "message_indice" s a "DMT_section_number" is inserted, where the section number of the DMT to which it is going to refer (to which a corresponding message exists) is recorded. Also, in the "message_index", the "id_number" of the program provider as originator of the message, the "id_number" of the provider of the receiving device and the like are recorded. Additionally, in the rDMT, an urgent message will be transmitted, if any, inserted. In this way, while an ordinary message is inserted into the DMT, an urgent message is recorded in the rDMT in which essentially only the indexes are recorded. Towards the DMT, a total of 1024 messages can be inserted. Since the maximum number of sections for transmission of a frame is 256 and the maximum length of 1 section of 4096 bytes, the total amount of message data is 1 Mbyte (= 4096 bytes x 256). Then, the maximum capacity per message assuming that it is 400 bytes, a total of 1024 messages can be transmitted. Since a DMT containing messages is thus converted into a considerably large frame, as illustrated in FIG. 14, it is inserted only towards the current corresponding to 1 transponder representative of a plurality of transponders (transponder 1 in the case of the example of Figure 14). And an rDMT is inserted in each current corresponding to each; third of the transponders. Therefore, a current corresponding to any transponder each receiving device may be receiving, any urgent message contained in the rDMT can be received immediately. In order to receive any other ordinary message, the transponder 1 stream must be received. If a DMT is inserted into the current of each transponder, since its amount of data is large, the capacity for the transmission of video signals as such would be lost a lot. Therefore, in this way, a DMT is inserted into only the current of a predetermined transponder. Since the capacity of a rDMT is not so great, even when it is inserted into the current of each transponder, the capacity for transmitting video signals is hardly lost. And since it is arranged so that the index information in the DMT to which the messages are inserted is recorded in this rDMT, the observer, even when receiving the current from a transponder that does not contain the DMT, can know the generation of a message without delay and, as required, read it as appropriate. And any urgent message, the current of any transponder can be receiving, can be read immediately. Since an urgent message is not frequently generated, usually the capacity for the transmission of video signals is, and the like is easily lost. As, in this way, a dedicated DMT for the transmission of messages and a rDMT are ready, not only the networked administrator, but also the program provider that has the channel are able to transmit, as appropriate, said messages as a announcement of a special program, a notice of a campaign and a guide on the method of viewing the program. Additionally, it is also possible, using these messages, to easily inform the audience of a download notice to replace the operating software of the receiving apparatus, the content of any change or a method. Figure 15 illustrates an example of driver processing achieved by the EPG processor 59. In step Sl to step S4, it is determined which of 1 to 4 of "message_type" contained in the "message_index" of the rDMT is. If it is determined that the "message_type" is none of "1" through "4", the error processing occurs in step S5. If the "message-type" is determined to be "1" in the step Sl, proceeding to step S6, the EPG processor 59, even when the power supply to the receiver apparatus 7 has been turned off, turns on, controls the section 63 of D / A conversion to issue an alarm tone, at the same time generates data to have the received message displayed on the screen, and then makes it output from the 62 NTSC encoder. This, in the case of receiving an urgent alarm message, allows each observer to see and hear this message immediately without failure. Incidentally, this urgent alarm message is what is transmitted, for example, at the time of a disaster or the like. If the "message_type" is determined to be "2" in step S2, proceeding to step S7, the processor EPG 59 asks the host processor 64 whether the registration operation is occurring or not at the time. In response to this question, the host processor 64 supplies the current output of the NTSC encoder 62 to a video tape recorder or the like (not shown) to determine whether the registration operation is running or not. The result of determination will be communicated to the processor 59 EPG. The EPG processor 59, if it determines that the registration operation is not occurring at the moment on the basis of the warning from the guest processor 64, proceeds to step S8, generates data to display the received message on the screen, outputs the encoder 62 NTSC, and causes them to be displayed superimposed on video signals. If it is determined in step S7 that the registration operation is occurring at the time, proceeding to step S9, the processor EPG requests the 64 host processor to connect a message lamp. In response to this request, host processor 64 connects message lamp 66. This allows the observer to know that a message has been transmitted. The observer, when aware of the generation of a message from the indication of the message lamp 66 and wishes to know the content of that message immediately, instructs the 64-guest processor to display the message. When this instruction is input, the host processor 64 controls the EPG processor 59 and requests display of the message. In response to this request, the EPG processor 59 generates on-screen data of the received message, and supplies them to the NTSC encoder 62 to cause them to be displayed, whereas an urgent message, whose "message_type" is "2" is also transmitted by the rDMT in the manner described above, since its urgency is less than that of an urgent alarm message, this message is displayed immediately unless a registration operation is occurring at the time, but if the registration operation is occurring, the message can be checked either immediately or later at the observer's option. This prevents the message, superimposed on the video signals that it is recording, from being superimposed and, whenever the recorded video signals are reproduced, the superimposed message is displayed. If the "message_type" is determined to be "3" in step S3, it occurs to proceed to step S9, and the message lamp indication processing is executed. In this way, in this case, as in the case where a message is "mensaj e_type = 2" is received and the registration operation is occurring, the observer can read the message immediately or later, as required. However, since the messages from and after this "message_type = 3" are transmitted by the DMT, when the observer instructs the 64-host processor to receive the message, the guest 64 processor will display the message without delay if it is receiving the current. of the transponder containing the DMT, but if it is receiving the transponder current that does not contain the DMT, it will control the bearer selection section 52 so that the current of the transponder containing the DMT can be received. Then the DMT is extracted from the received stream, and the message will be displayed. If the "message_type" is determined to be "4" in step S4, the processing of step S9 is skipped. In this way, in this case, the message lamp is not connected. Therefore, the observer instructs the 64 host processor to indicate a message, spontaneously tries to see the message, and checks and there is some message or not. While the present invention has been described so far with reference to a case in which the information is transmitted through a satellite, the invention can also be applied to a case in which the information is transmitted through a cable, just like in a CATV system. To add, as a transmission medium through which a program to perform the processing described above can be transmitted to users, the communication means including networks and satellites can be used in addition to recording means such as etic disks, CD-ROMS and memories. solid. As described so far, the apparatus providing information "manifested in claim 1, the method providing information set forth in claim 5 and the transmission means set forth in claim 6, as they are arranged to synthesize EPG information from the first information containing messages and the second information containing indexes to messages, make it possible to transmit many messages while suppressing the effect on video information, which essentially has to be transmitted The receiving apparatus of information manifested in claim 7, the method of information reception stated in claim 8 and the transmission medium stated in claim 9, as they are arranged to display messages on the screen through video information in accordance with the result of the determination of the type of message, they make it possible to prevent the video information, on which the messages are superimposed, from registering in a medium register . The system providing information stated in claim 10, the method providing information stated in claim 11 and the transmission means set forth in claim 12, as they are arranged to synthesize EPG information from the first information containing messages to the second information that contains indexes to messages, to extract messages from received signals and display on-screen messages about video information, make it possible to transmit and display many messages without seriously affecting the essential video information,

Claims (4)

1. - An apparatus that provides information for providing EPG information, comprising: first generating element for generating first information that includes messages; second generation element to generate second information that includes indexes to messages; And synthesizing elements to synthesize the first and second information as the EPG information.

2. An apparatus that provides information as described in claim 1, wherein: the first synthesizing element associates the first information with a carrier wave of a prescribed frequency and the second information with carrier waves of all frequencies.

3. An apparatus that provides information as described in claim 1, wherein: the second generation element generates an urgent message as the second information.

4. An apparatus that provides information as described in claim 1, wherein: the second generation element generates the originator of the message and the type of the message as the second information. 5, - A method that provides information to provide information "of EPG, comprising: a first step of generation to generate first information that includes messages, a second step of generation to generate second information that includes indexes to messages, and a step Synthesizing to synthesize the first and second information such as EPG information 6.- A transmission medium for transmitting programs to be used in an apparatus that provides information, which transmits a program, comprising: a first generation step to generate first information that includes messages, a second generation step to generate second information that includes indexes to the messages; And a step of synthesizing to synthesize the first and second information as the EPG information. 7. An information receiving apparatus for receiving signals in which the EPG information synthesized from the first information including messages and the second information that includes indexes to the messages is transmitted superimposed on video information, comprising: a receiving element to receive signals that have been transmitted; an extraction element for extracting messages from the signals received by the receiving element; determination element to determine the types of messages extracted by the extraction element; and display control element that responds to the result of the determination by means of the determining element to control the on-screen display of the messages in relation to the video information. 8. A method of receiving information to receive signals in which EPG information synthesized from first information-which includes messages and second information that includes indexes to the messages is transmitted superimposed on video information, comprising: a reception step to receive signals that have been transmitted; an extraction step for extracting messages from the signals received in the reception step; a determination step to determine the types of messages extracted in the extraction step; And a display control step that responds to the result of determining the determination step to control the on-screen display of the messages in relation to the video information. 9, - A transmission means for transmitting programs for use in an information receiving apparatus for receiving signals in which EPG information synthesized from the first information including messages and the second information including indexes to the messages is transmitted superimposed on video information, which transmits a program, comprising: a receiving step to receive signals that have been transmitted; an extraction step for extracting messages from the signals received in the reception step; a determination step to determine the types of messages extracted in the extraction step; And a display control step that responds to the result of determining the determination step to control the on-screen display of the messages in relation to the video information. 10. A system that provides information to receive with a receiving apparatus of EPG information information provided, superimposed on the video information, from an apparatus that provides information, wherein: - the apparatus that provides information comprising: first generation element to generate first information that includes messages; second generation element to generate second information that includes indexes to the messages; And synthesizing element to synthesize the first and second information as the EPG information; And the apparatus receiving information comprising: a receiving element for receiving transmitted signals in which the EPG information is superimposed on video information; an extracting element for extracting messages from the signals received by the receiving element; and display control element for controlling the on-screen display of the messages extracted by the extraction element in relation to the video information. 11. A method that provides information to be received with an EPG information information reception apparatus provided, superimposed on video information, from an apparatus that provides information, wherein: the apparatus that provides information is provided with: - a first generation step to generate first information that includes messages; a second generation step to generate second information that includes indexes to the messages; And a synthesizing step to synthesize the first and second information as the EPG information; And the information receiving apparatus is provided with: a receiving step for receiving signals that have been transmitted; an extraction step for extracting messages from the signals received in the reception step; and a display control step for controlling the display and screen of the messages extracted in the extraction step in relation to the video information.; 12. A transmission medium for transmitting video programs for use in a system that provides information to receive, with an information reception apparatus, EPG information provided. superimposed on video information, from an apparatus that provides information, wherein: the program for the apparatus that provides information is provided with: a first generation step to generate first information that -includes messages; a second generation step to generate second information that includes indexes to the messages; And a synthesizing step to synthesize the first and second information as the EPG information; And the program for the information reception apparatus is provided with: a receiving step for receiving signals that have been transmitted; an extraction step to extract messages d? the signals received in the reception step; and a display control step for controlling the on-screen display of the messages extracted in the extraction step in relation to the video information.