JP2024166124A - Transmission/reception system, transmission device, and reception device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to provide a descriptor that is more suitable for new broadcasting systems in advanced terrestrial broadcasting methods.

SOLUTION: A transmitting/receiving system includes a transmitting device and a receiving device. The transmitting device includes a multiplexing unit that multiplexes one or more signals related to broadcast content with control information for the one or more signals to generate stream information, and a transmitting unit that transmits the stream information. The control information includes group identification information for identifying a group consisting of the one or more signals associated with the stream information. The receiving device includes a receiving unit that receives the stream information transmitted from the transmitting device, and a demodulating unit that demodulates the one or more signals that constitute the group identified by the group identification information included in the control information of the received stream information.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

COPYRIGHT: (C)2024,JPO&INPIT

Description

This disclosure relates to a transmission/reception system, a transmission device, and a reception device.

In order to improve the quality and functionality of terrestrial digital broadcasting, studies are underway on a next-generation terrestrial broadcasting transmission method (advanced terrestrial broadcasting method) that inherits the features of the current ISDB-T method. For the advanced terrestrial broadcasting method, a mechanism is being considered that will realize IP (Internet Protocol) and large capacity, and be able to respond to future changes in the media environment. As a multiplexing method for the advanced terrestrial broadcasting method, the adoption of the "MMT (MPEG Media Transport) TLV (Type Length Value) method" that is used for the new 4K8K satellite broadcasting is being considered (Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2).

In such broadcasting systems, information such as the allocation of remote control button numbers and the transmission hierarchy is transmitted by a descriptor that defines the detailed parts of the control information. In broadcasting systems, the configuration of broadcast programs is defined based on the concept of a broadcast network. For example, in existing terrestrial digital broadcasting, one transmission master is associated with one network, and one network is operated as one TS, using TS (Transport Stream), which is the multiplexing unit of the MPEG-2 Systems multiplexing method (Non-Patent Document 3). Information related to the TS, such as the allocation of remote control button numbers to this TS and the transmission hierarchy of the services within the TS, is transmitted using a "TS information descriptor" (Non-Patent Document 4).

ARIB STD-B60 "Media transport method using MMT in digital broadcasting" ISO/IEC 23008-1, “Information technology - High efficiency coding and media delivery in heterogeneous environments - Part 1: MPEG media transport (MMT)” ARIB TR-B14 "Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Operational Guidelines" ARIB STD-B10 "Program arrangement information used for digital broadcasting"

The terrestrial broadcasting advanced system is scheduled to adopt the "MMT-TLV" method as the multiplexing method, and it will be necessary to provide information that meets requirements such as the ability to multiplex multiple programs on one channel. However, the structure of conventional descriptors such as the "TS information descriptor" does not adequately meet the requirements of this new broadcasting system.

The purpose of this disclosure is to make it possible to provide descriptors that are more compatible with new broadcasting systems in advanced terrestrial broadcasting standards.

According to the present disclosure, a transmitting and receiving system includes:
(1) A transmission/reception system having a transmission device and a reception device,
The transmitting device
a multiplexing unit that multiplexes one or more signals related to broadcast content and control information of the one or more signals to generate stream information;
A transmission unit that transmits the stream information;
Equipped with
the control information includes group identification information for identifying a group consisting of the one or more signals associated with the stream information,
The receiving device includes:
a receiving unit that receives the stream information transmitted from the transmitting device;
a demodulation unit that demodulates the one or more signals that constitute the group identified by the group identification information included in the control information of the received stream information;
Equipped with.

(2) In the transmission/reception system of (1),
When the number of signals related to the broadcast content associated with the stream information is one, the control information may include a remote control number to be associated with the signal.

(3) In the transmission/reception system of (1) or (2),
When the number of signals related to the broadcast content associated with the stream information is two or more, the control information may include, for each signal, service identification information that identifies the service related to the signal and a remote control number to be associated with the signal.

(4) In any one of the transmission/reception systems (1) to (3),
The control information may include a name of the stream information.

According to the present disclosure, a transmitting device includes:
(5) a multiplexing unit that multiplexes one or more signals related to broadcast content and control information for the one or more signals to generate stream information;
a transmission unit that transmits the stream information,
The control information includes group identification information for identifying a group consisting of the one or more signals associated with the stream information.

(6) In the transmitting device according to (5),
When the number of signals related to the broadcast content associated with the stream information is one, the control information may include a remote control number to be associated with the signal.

(7) In the transmitting device according to (5) or (6),
When the number of signals related to the broadcast content associated with the stream information is two or more, the control information may include, for each signal, service identification information that identifies the service related to the signal and a remote control number to be associated with the signal.

(8) In any one of the transmitting devices according to (5) to (7),
The control information may include a name of the stream information.

According to the present disclosure, a receiving device includes:
(9) A receiving unit that receives stream information generated by multiplexing one or more signals related to broadcast content and control information for the one or more signals, the control information including group identification information for identifying a group consisting of the one or more signals associated with the stream information; and
a demodulation unit that demodulates the one or more signals that constitute the group identified by the group identification information included in the control information of the received stream information;
The present invention may also include:

(10) In the receiving device according to (9),
When the number of signals related to the broadcast content associated with the stream information is one, the control information may include a remote control number to be associated with the signal.

(11) In the receiving device according to (9) or (10),
When the number of signals related to the broadcast content associated with the stream information is two or more, the control information may include, for each signal, service identification information that identifies the service related to the signal and a remote control number to be associated with the signal.

(12) In any one of the receiving devices according to (9) to (11),
The control information may include a name of the stream information.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a descriptor that is more suited to new broadcasting systems in advanced terrestrial broadcasting standards.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a transmission/reception system according to an embodiment. A figure showing an example of the structure of a TLV stream information descriptor generated in a transmitting/receiving system. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a signal that can be defined by the TLV stream information descriptor of FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a signal that can be defined by the TLV stream information descriptor of FIG. 2.

Below, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, parts having the same configuration or function are given the same reference numerals. In the description of this embodiment, duplicate descriptions of the same parts may be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a transmission/reception system 1 according to one embodiment. The transmission/reception system 1 has devices installed at performance studios 10a and 10b (hereinafter collectively referred to as "performance studios 10"), a transmission studio 20, and a receiving station 30, as described below. The performance studio 10 generates video, audio, and data of broadcast content. In the example of Figure 1, a performance studio 10a operated by operator A and a performance studio 10b operated by operator B are provided. The performance studios 10a and 10b each generate broadcast content and transmit it to the transmitting station 20 as a TLV stream. The transmitting station 20 multiplexes each TLV stream generated at each performance studio 10 and transmits it to the receiving station 30 as a single stream. The receiving station 30 receives the stream from the transmitting station 20 and plays the content selected by the user. In the example of FIG. 1, the transmission/reception system 1 has two performance studios 10, one transmission site 20, and one reception site 30, but the number of each of the performance studios 10, transmission sites 20, and reception sites 30 can be any number.

Specifically, each performance venue 10 is provided with an MMT-SI (Signaling Information) generator 11 and a TLV-SI generator 16. The MMT-SI generator 11 multiplexes the video, audio, and data of the broadcast content together with the MMT-SI. The TLV-SI generator 16 attaches a TLV-SI capable of identifying the operator to the broadcast content multiplexed together with the MMT-SI, and generates a TLV stream.

The MMT-SI generating device 11 comprises an MMT input selection unit 12 and a multiplexing unit 13. The MMT input selection unit 12 accepts the input and selection of broadcast content in the MMT format. MMT is a media transport method that specifies the format for encapsulating media codes, the format for transmission, control signals, etc. The MMT input selection unit 12 outputs the MMT format broadcast content that has been input and selected to the multiplexing unit 13.

The multiplexing unit 13 multiplexes the broadcast content input from the MMT input selection unit 12 together with the MMT-SI. The MMT-SI is a control signal related to the package to be transmitted by MMT. The multiplexing unit 13 outputs the multiplexed broadcast content together with the MMT-SI to the TLV-SI generation device 16.

The TLV-SI generating device 16 includes a TLV generating unit 17 and a remultiplexing unit 18. The TLV generating unit 17 converts the broadcast content input from the MMT-SI generating device 11 into TLV format. TLV is a mechanism for multiplexing variable-length packets such as IP packets. The TLV generating unit 17 outputs the broadcast content converted into the TLV format to the remultiplexing unit 18.

The remultiplexing unit 18 attaches TLV-SI to the broadcast content input from the TLV generating unit 17, multiplexes it again, and generates a TLV stream. The TLV-SI is a control signal for multiplexing and demultiplexing IP packets on the broadcast transmission path. Specifically, the TLV-SI specifies the TLV-NIT (Network Information Table) and AMT (Address Map Table). The TLV-NIT is a table that associates transmission path information with broadcast programs in transmission by TLV packets. The AMT is a table that provides a list of service identifiers and their corresponding IP addresses. The TLV-SI provides information that can identify the operator operating the performance venue 10 using such TLV-NIT and AMT. The remultiplexing unit 18 transmits the TLV stream multiplexed with the TLV-SI to the transmitting station 20.

The transmitting station 20 is provided with a re-remultiplexing device 21 and a modulator 22. The re-remultiplexing device 21 multiplexes multiple broadcast contents transmitted as TLV streams from the performance studios 10 of multiple operators, with control information including a group ID (identification information) and the like. The group ID is information for identifying a set of multiple operators or performance studios 10 as a group. The group ID is assigned to a signal group consisting of one or more subframes and one or more layers, and determines the unit of the signal group that needs to be demodulated at one time. Multiplexing in the re-remultiplexing device 21 makes it possible to broadcast multiple broadcast contents produced by each operator on one physical channel. The re-remultiplexing device 21 outputs the multiplexed broadcast content to the modulator 22.

The modulator 22 modulates the broadcast content multiplexed in the re-remultiplexing device 21 and outputs it as a broadcast wave. When modulating the broadcast content, the modulator 22 encodes the broadcast content using any transmission line coding method such as FDM (Frequency Division Multiplexing) and TDM (Time Division Multiplexing).

The receiving station 30 is provided with a receiving device 31 and a terminal device 32. The receiving device 31 demodulates the received broadcast waves and analyzes the TLV-SI to identify each broadcast content by operator. The receiving device 31 outputs the broadcast content selected and demodulated according to user instructions obtained from the terminal device 32 to the terminal device 32.

The terminal device 32 presents broadcast content from each operator by outputting it from a display and a speaker, etc., in response to a user's instruction using a remote control 33, etc. The terminal device 32 is, for example, but not limited to, a television receiver, a tablet terminal, or a PC (Personal Computer). The terminal device 32 accepts operations from the user, such as service selection, using the remote control 33, and outputs the obtained user instruction to the receiving device 31. Note that when the terminal device 32 is realized as a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a PC, etc., the function of the remote control 33 may be realized by software. The remote control 33 realized by software may accept operations, such as service selection, from the user by operating a touch panel, a keyboard, a pointing device, etc.

In the above configuration, when the re-remultiplexing device 21 multiplexes multiple TLV streams received from multiple performance venues 10, it assigns a TLV stream information descriptor including a group ID. The group ID can uniquely identify one or more subframes and one or more layers in the channel, and identifies a group indicating a group of signals that need to be demodulated at one time. The TLV stream information descriptor describes the group ID of the group to be associated with that TLV stream. Therefore, by referring to the TLV stream information descriptor, the receiving side can identify the group of signals that need to be demodulated at one time and demodulate them appropriately.

The details of the TLV stream information descriptor added by the re-remultiplexing device 21 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a TLV stream information descriptor (TLV_Stream_information_descriptor()) generated in the transmission/reception system 1.

In FIG. 2, descriptor_tag is a descriptor tag, and a predetermined value indicating a TLV stream information descriptor is written. descriptor_length is the descriptor length, and the number of data bytes following this is written. group_id is a group ID, and as information on the distribution system using the advanced terrestrial broadcasting method, identification information of a group that uniquely identifies subframes and layers in the channel and needs to be demodulated at once is written. service_mux_flag indicates whether multiple services are provided in the TLV stream. In this embodiment, service_mux_flag = 0 indicates that the number of services provided in the TLV stream is one. service_mux_flag = 1 indicates that the number of services provided in the TLV stream is multiple (two or more). reserved is written with a bit string reserved in advance.

length_of_TLV_Stream_name indicates the byte length of the string (TLV_Stream_name_char) representing the TLV stream name. TLV_Stream_name_char is a string describing the name of the TLV stream. remote_control_key_id is the recommended value of the button number of the remote control 33 used to input user instructions. num_of_service indicates the number of services specified within the group. service_id indicates the identification information of the service specified within the group.

In Figure 2, "uimsbf" in the "Data notation" column means "unsigned integer, most significant bit first." "bslbf" means "bit string, left bit first."

As shown in FIG. 2, group identification information is assigned to a TLV stream that provides one or more services. A group indicates a group of signals to be demodulated at one time. In the TLV stream information descriptor, a recommended button number value of the remote control 33 is assigned to each service. In the example of FIG. 2, when there are two or more services (service_mux_flag=1), service identification information (service_id) is assigned to each service, but when there is only one service (service_mux_flag=0), service identification information may also be assigned.

Figures 3A and 3B are diagrams showing examples of signal configurations that can be defined by the TLV stream information descriptor of Figure 2. In both Figures 3A and 3B, the horizontal axis indicates time, and the vertical axis indicates frequency.

Figure 3A illustrates an example of multiplexing two services into FDM (one subframe, two layers (1A, 1B)). In the example of Figure 3A, a frame synchronization signal and TMCC (Transmission and Multiplexing Configuration Control) are stored at the beginning of the frame, followed by a subframe corresponding to group 101. In this case, there is only one group identification information (group 1), in which two services (services 1 and 2) are multiplexed. Therefore, in the TLV stream information descriptor, service_mux_flag = 1 is set, and the allocation list of remote_control_key_id and service_id is shown for each of services 1 and 2.

Figure 3B illustrates an example of multiplexing two services into TDM (four subframes (1A, 2A, 3A, 4A), one layer). In the example of Figure 3B, a frame synchronization signal and TMCC are stored at the beginning of the frame, followed by subframes corresponding to groups 102 and 103. In this case, there are two group identification information (groups 2 and 3), and one service is multiplexed into each group. A TLV stream information descriptor is generated for each group 102 and 103. In this case, each TLV stream information descriptor indicates service_mux_flag=0 and the remote_control_key_id of the TLV stream.

In the advanced terrestrial broadcasting system, the multiplexing method for broadcast signals is changed from the TS of MPEG-2 Systems used in terrestrial digital broadcasting to the TLV stream of the MMT-TLV method. In the advanced terrestrial broadcasting system, there is a requirement that programs from multiple operators be multiplexed onto one channel. Therefore, if the control information for the TLV stream simply indicates the allocation of the TLV stream and remote control number, when programs from multiple operators are multiplexed onto one channel, it is not possible to identify each operator's program by its remote control number. Even if the control information were to include an allocation list of remote control numbers and service IDs, it would be difficult to fully accommodate the diverse network configurations in the advanced terrestrial broadcasting system.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the concept of a group ID (group_id) is introduced to the control information of the TLV stream. The group ID is information of an advanced terrestrial broadcasting distribution system, and is identification information of a group that can uniquely identify the subframe and layer within the channel and indicates a group of signals to be demodulated at one time. The TLV stream information descriptor illustrated in Figure 2 describes the link between the TLV stream and the group ID. Therefore, a device that receives a TLV stream in which such a TLV stream information descriptor is multiplexed can refer to the TLV stream information descriptor and identify the group of signals to be demodulated at one time.

In addition, information such as the transmission hierarchy and multiplexing pattern may be described in a descriptor separate from the TLV stream information descriptor, and these descriptors may be linked to the information described in the TLV stream information descriptor via a group ID. With this configuration, it is possible to associate the transmission hierarchy, multiplexing pattern, etc. with the TLV stream information descriptor regardless of their configuration.

In addition, the TLV stream information descriptor has a structure that allows the name (TLV_Stream_name_char) and service ID (service_id) of the TLV stream to be described. If one service is provided within the TLV stream, the TLV stream descriptor indicates the allocation of a remote control number (remote_control_key_id). If multiple services are provided within the TLV stream, the TLV stream descriptor indicates the allocation of a service ID (service_id) and a remote control number (remote_control_key_id) for each service. Therefore, a device that receives a TLV stream can refer to the TLV stream information descriptor to specify a recommended remote control number for each service (program of broadcast content provided by each operator). For example, the receiving device 31 can refer to the TLV stream information descriptor to specify a program to be provided in response to the operation of the remote control 33.

The TLV stream information descriptor may also be written in the second descriptor area (descriptor()) of the "TLV-NIT" defined in Non-Patent Document 1. The descriptor() is in a loop that describes information about the TLV stream, and one of its items is the tlv_stream_id, which is identification information for the TLV stream. Therefore, it is possible to uniquely identify the "TLV stream" by this tlv_stream_id.

In this embodiment, the re-remultiplexing device 21 of the transmitting station 20 multiplexes one or more signals (TLV streams) related to the broadcasting contents produced by each operator with the control information (TLV stream information descriptor) of one or more signals to generate stream information (TLV stream after multiplexing), but such processing may be performed by other devices. For example, the TLV-SI generating device 16 of the performance studio 10 may multiplex the TLV stream, which is a signal related to the broadcasting contents, by attaching the TLV stream information descriptor described with reference to FIG. 2. Even in such a configuration, the control information (TLV stream information descriptor) includes group identification information (group_id) for identifying a group consisting of signals associated with the stream information (TLV stream). Therefore, the receiving side can refer to the group identification information to identify the signals to be demodulated at one time and appropriately demodulate them. These transmitting side devices may include a multiplexing unit that multiplexes one or more signals related to the broadcasting contents with the control information of one or more signals to generate stream information, and a transmitting unit that transmits the stream information.

In addition, in this embodiment, an example has been described in which the receiving device 31 receives and demodulates one or more signals related to broadcast content multiplexed with control information (TLV stream information descriptor), but such processing may be performed by another device. For example, the terminal device 32 may perform such processing. In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the stream information is a TLV stream, but the stream information may be a signal based on another method. These receiving devices may include a receiving unit that receives the stream information transmitted from the transmitting device, and a demodulating unit that demodulates one or more signals that constitute a group identified by group identification information included in the control information of the received stream information.

As described above, when the number of signals related to broadcast content associated with the stream information (TLV stream) is one, the control information (TLV stream information descriptor) includes a remote control number to be associated with that signal. When the number of signals related to broadcast content associated with the stream information is two or more, the control information includes, for each signal, service identification information (service_id) that identifies the service related to that signal, and a remote control number (remote_control_key_id) to be associated with that signal. Therefore, the receiving side can refer to the control information to specify the remote control number to be associated with each service. The control information also includes the name of the stream information. Therefore, the receiving side can refer to the control information to specify the name of the stream information.

As described above, according to the configuration of this embodiment, even in advanced terrestrial broadcasting, a remote control number can be assigned to each operator's program channel, just like in existing terrestrial digital broadcasting, making it possible to easily select a program channel on the receiving side. In addition, the configuration of this embodiment uses a group ID that can uniquely identify subframes and layers and indicates a group of signals that should be demodulated at one time, regardless of the transmission path coding method (e.g., FDM, TDM, etc.), making it possible to transmit information about a group in a general purpose manner.

The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, multiple blocks shown in the block diagram may be integrated, or one block may be divided. Other modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

1 Transmission/reception system 10 Performance studio 11 MMT-SI generator 12 MMT input selector 13 Multiplexer 16 TLV-SI generator 17 TLV generator 18 Remultiplexer 20 Transmission station 21 Re-remultiplexer 22 Modulator 30 Receiving station 31 Receiving device 32 Terminal device 33 Remote controller 101-103 Group

Claims (12)

A transmission/reception system having a transmission device and a reception device,
The transmitting device
a multiplexing unit that multiplexes one or more signals related to broadcast content and control information of the one or more signals to generate stream information;
A transmission unit that transmits the stream information;
Equipped with
the control information includes group identification information for identifying a group consisting of the one or more signals associated with the stream information,
The receiving device includes:
a receiving unit that receives the stream information transmitted from the transmitting device;
a demodulation unit that demodulates the one or more signals that constitute the group identified by the group identification information included in the control information of the received stream information;
A transmitting and receiving system comprising: The transmission/reception system according to claim 1, wherein the control information includes a remote control number to be associated with a signal related to the broadcast content when the number of signals associated with the stream information is one. The transmission/reception system according to claim 1, wherein, when the number of signals related to the broadcast content associated with the stream information is two or more, the control information includes, for each of the signals, service identification information for identifying a service related to the signal and a remote control number to be associated with the signal. The transmission/reception system according to claim 1, wherein the control information includes a name of the stream information. a multiplexing unit that multiplexes one or more signals related to broadcast content and control information of the one or more signals to generate stream information;
a transmission unit that transmits the stream information,
the control information includes group identification information for identifying a group consisting of the one or more signals associated with the stream information,
Transmitting device. The transmitting device according to claim 5, wherein, when the number of signals related to the broadcast content associated with the stream information is one, the control information includes a remote control number to be associated with the signal. The transmitting device according to claim 5, wherein, when the number of signals related to the broadcast content associated with the stream information is two or more, the control information includes, for each of the signals, service identification information for identifying a service related to the signal and a remote control number to be associated with the signal. The transmitting device according to claim 5, wherein the control information includes a name of the stream information. a receiving unit for receiving stream information generated by multiplexing one or more signals related to broadcast content and control information for the one or more signals, the control information including group identification information for identifying a group consisting of the one or more signals associated with the stream information;
a demodulation unit that demodulates the one or more signals that constitute the group identified by the group identification information included in the control information of the received stream information;
A receiving device comprising: The receiving device according to claim 9, wherein the control information includes a remote control number to be associated with a signal related to the broadcast content when the number of signals associated with the stream information is one. The receiving device according to claim 9, wherein, when the number of signals related to the broadcast content associated with the stream information is two or more, the control information includes, for each of the signals, service identification information for identifying a service related to the signal and a remote control number to be associated with the signal. The receiving device according to claim 9 , wherein the control information includes a name of the stream information.

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