Method for synchronizing a reference picture with an additional picture of a real-time broadcast program and transceiver system for executing it

Abstract

Method for synchronizing a reference image and an additional image in a digital radio broadcast, the method comprising: Generating at least one single image containing a predefined identifier to inform a recipient in advance about the start time of the reference image; Providing at least one single image containing the specified identifier to a receiving page; and where the identifier is a predefined pattern to communicate the start time of the reference image; and where the specified pattern is a specific pattern for bit values ​​of a pixel in the single image.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a synchronization method and in particular to a method for synchronizing a reference image and an additional image of a 3-dimensional real-time broadcast program (3D real-time broadcast program) with each other and to a transceiver system that performs it. State of the art

[0002] A stereoscopic video service associated with a program is a service in which a 3D supplementary image (or 3D supplementary file) is sent in advance to or stored in a receiver, or stored in a separate device, e.g., a Universal Serial Bus (USB) device or the like, and a reference image is transmitted using an existing digital broadcast platform, so that the reference image and the 3D supplementary image stored in advance in the receiver are linked and synchronized, thereby providing a stereoscopic 3D image.

[0003] In Korean patent application No. 2010-0005984 (titled "Method for Processing Non-real time Stereoscopic Services in Terrestrial Digital Multimedia Broadcasting and Apparatus for Receiving Terrestrial Digital Multimedia Broadcasting"), an SS_descriptor is additionally defined in a Program Map Table (PMT) (where the SS_descriptor is contained in a descriptor loop immediately after a program_info_length in the PMT), and an NRT_marker is included in the SS_descriptor to signal a starting point (a position of the first frame) in order to synchronize the left and right 3D images. That is, a position of a starting frame of a 3D broadcast program is signaled using the SS_descriptor in the PMT.

[0004] In this case, the beginning of the 3D broadcast program can be identified on a receiver side; however, on the receiver side, based on a reference image of the 3D real-time broadcast program, it cannot be recognized whether an additional image single frame of a 3D real-time broadcast program begins after 0.5 seconds, after one second, or after three seconds, so that no additional image can be read in advance from a memory of the receiver for preparation.

[0005] As the resolution of an image increases, more content is stored in the memory of the receiving side, so loading and decoding the content stored in the memory takes a long time.

[0006] The fact that, according to Korean patent application No. 2010-0005984, if several 3D supplementary images are stored in the receiver, it is impossible to inform the receiver in advance about information linked to a 3D supplementary image that has been linked to the reference image of the real-time broadcast program by signaling, means that the time required for the receiver to prepare the 3D supplementary image linked in advance to the 3D reference image of the real-time broadcast program cannot be provided, so that loading and decoding the content stored in the receiver's memory takes a long time.

[0007] US Patent 2010 / 0141738 A1 discloses a method and system for transmitting / receiving broadcast services. The method for transmitting a three-dimensional broadcast service comprises: encoding a reference image and an additional image of the three-dimensional broadcast service to generate a reference image stream and an additional image stream; receiving a service mapping table that defines the three-dimensional broadcast service; and transmitting the reference image stream, the additional image stream, and the service mapping table in real time.

[0008] WO 2010 / 147289 A1 apparently describes a broadcast transmitter / receiver and a 3D video data processing method. A method for processing 3D video data of a broadcast transmitter comprises encoding 3D video data using an encoder, generating system information contained in 3D video metadata using a system information processor, outputting a transport stream by inserting frame synchronization information into the 3D video data and multiplexing the 3D video data and the system information using a TP encoder, and modulating and transmitting the transport stream using a transmitting unit.A method for processing 3D video data from a broadcast receiver comprises receiving a broadcast signal containing 3D video data with frame synchronization information and system information using a receiver unit, demultiplexing the 3D video data and system information using a demultiplexer, capturing 3D video metadata by parsing the system information using a system information processor, capturing the frame synchronization information from the 3D video data and outputting the video data frame-sequentially based on the captured frame synchronization information using a synchronization controller, and decoding the 3D video data based on the 3D metadata using a decoder.

[0009] US Patent 2005 / 0195334 A1 discloses a method and associated circuitry for detecting black frames inserted between regular programs and commercials in a broadcast video signal. For a given frame in the video signal, representative pixels are selected as reference pixels according to their position within the frame, and the statistical properties of these reference pixels are used to efficiently determine whether the frame is black. For example, pixels arranged diagonally within a frame can be selected as reference pixels to determine if the frame is black. The invention is also applicable to frequency-domain video signals. Blocks are selected as reference blocks according to their position within a frame, and the low-frequency components of the reference blocks are used to determine whether the frame is black.

[0010] US Patent 2007 / 0230456 A1 discloses a digital broadcasting system and a data processing method. A device for generating a transport stream comprises a packet generator for producing a large number of packets by compressing video and audio signals; a counter for counting the number of generated packets and outputting the counter result; and an information control for determining whether the counter result reaches a predetermined number of packets, for inserting packet start information into the packets according to the counter result, and for transmitting the packets with the inserted packet start information. The packet start information is added to a packet to be transmitted in a transmitter, and the packet start information is extracted from the received packet in a receiver, thus reducing the waste of frequency resources. Revelation Technical Problem

[0011] A first object of the present invention is to provide a method for synchronizing a reference image and an additional image of a real-time broadcast program with each other in order to inform a receiver about an initial time of the reference image for a stereoscopic video service linked to a program.

[0012] A second object of the present invention is the creation of a broadcast transmission system that performs the method for synchronizing a reference image and an additional image of a real-time broadcast program.

[0013] A third object of the present invention is the creation of a radio receiver that performs the method for synchronizing a reference image and an additional image of a real-time radio program. Technical solution

[0014] In one aspect of solving the problem of the present invention, a method for synchronizing a reference image and an additional image in a digital radio broadcast according to claim 1, a radio broadcast transmission system according to claim 5, and a radio receiver according to claim 6 are provided. The dependent claims define further embodiments of the invention. Beneficial effects

[0015] In accordance with the method for synchronizing the reference image and the supplementary image of the real-time broadcast program with each other and with the broadcast transmission system that executes it, in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a predetermined identifier - e.g.A predefined identifier or pattern is inserted into a single image, and the single image containing the predefined identifier is provided to a receiving page to inform the receiving page of the start time of the reference image, thereby enabling the receiving page to be informed of the start time of the reference image while minimizing any change to a digital broadcast transmission system. The receiving page recognizes the predefined identifier in a decoded image, thereby enabling efficient and accurate synchronization between a 3D reference image of a real-time broadcast program and a 3D supplementary image stored in a receiver or a streamed supplementary image.

[0016] Furthermore, a transmitting device signals information linked to an additional image to a receiving device, enabling the receiving device to prepare an additional image linked to a reference image of a real-time broadcast program. This allows the receiving device to efficiently perform precise synchronization between a 3D reference image of the real-time broadcast program and a 3D additional image stored in a receiver or a streamed additional image. In other words, it is possible to perform synchronization between a reference image and an additional image at the content level with respect to a stereoscopic video received from a camera or image acquisition device. Description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram describing a method for communicating a start time of a reference image using a single image containing a predetermined identifier to synchronize the reference image and an additional image, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 2 shows a structure of a Program Map Table (PMT) for describing a method for communicating a start time of a reference image by signaling information linked with an additional image to a receiving page using a descriptor in the PMT to synchronize the reference image and an additional image, in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 3 shows a structure of a PMT for describing a method to communicate an initial time of a reference image by signaling information linked with an additional image to a receiving page using metadata, in order to synchronize the reference image and an additional image with each other, in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 4 shows a structure of a Terrestrial Virtual Channel Table (TVCT) of a Program and System Information Protocol (PSIP) for describing a method for communicating a start time of a reference image by signaling information associated with an additional image to a receiving page using a descriptor in the PSIP to synchronize the reference image and an additional image, in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 5 shows a structure of an Event Information Table (EIT) of a Program and System Information Protocol (PSIP) for describing a method for communicating the start time of a reference image by signaling information linked to an additional image to a receiving page using a descriptor in the PSIP to synchronize the reference image and an additional image, in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 6 is a block diagram describing the structure of a broadcast transceiver system that performs synchronization between a reference image and an additional image of a real-time broadcast program in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Implementation of the invention

[0017] Since the present invention can be modified in various ways and has several exemplary embodiments, specific exemplary embodiments are shown and described in detail in the accompanying drawings.

[0018] However, the present invention is of course not limited to the specific exemplary embodiments, but includes all modifications, equivalents and substitutions that are contained in the inventive concept and in the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0019] The terms 'first', 'second', etc., used in the description can be used to describe different components, but the components are not to be understood as being limited to these terms. The terms are used only to distinguish one component from other components. For example, the 'first' component can be called the 'second' component, and the 'second' component can similarly be called the 'first' component without altering the scope of protection of the present invention. A term 'and / or' includes a combination of several related described items or any one of the several related described items.

[0020] When an element is described here as "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can, of course, be directly connected or directly coupled to another element, or connected or coupled to another element with the other element in between. Conversely, when an element is described as "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element, it can, of course, be connected or coupled to another element without any other element in between.

[0021] The terms used in this description are used only to describe specific exemplary embodiments, rather than to limit the present invention. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, singular forms are to be understood as including plural forms. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" or "incorporating" used in this description naturally specify the presence of the indicated features, steps, operations, components, parts, or a combination thereof, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or a combination thereof.

[0022] Unless otherwise stated, all terms used in the description, including technical and scientific terms, naturally have the same meaning as understood by a person skilled in the art. It should be understood that the terms defined by the dictionary are identical to their meanings in the context of the related field and, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, are not intended to be ideally or overly formally defined.

[0023] Stereoscopic is a feature that allows a user to experience a stereoscopic sensation using data from a left and right binocular view of a person, and is used synonymously with 3D. Additionally, stereoscopic can encompass a multi-view scenario, allowing the user to experience the stereoscopic sensation using data from two or more views through two or more cameras.

[0024] A reference image is an image that is comprehensibly detected and reproduced by the broadcast receiving device in accordance with the relevant field, either in a stereoscopic image or in an image that is being reproduced at the time of a change in viewing mode from a stereoscopic to a monoscopic mode. The reference image can, for example, be a left (or a right) image of the 3D image.

[0025] An additional image is an image showing a different view than the reference image in the stereoscopic image. The reference image can be, for example, the right (or left) image of the 3D image.

[0026] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. To facilitate a general understanding of the present invention when describing it with reference to the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to describe the same components, and any overlapping descriptions of the same components are omitted.

[0027] To provide a stereoscopic video service linked to a program, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a synchronization method with precise frame-by-frame accuracy is required. That is, assuming that a 3D supplementary image (a data stream or a file) has been pre-stored in a receiver without frame-by-frame error, a precise start time of a reference image, at which a service linked to a program in a transmitted real-time broadcast program begins, must be communicated to a transmitter.

[0028] As a method for communicating a start time of a reference image at which a service associated with a program in a transmitter as described above begins, the present invention discloses two methods, i.e., a method of using a single image containing a predetermined identifier, and a method of signaling information associated with an additional image to a receiving side. Using a single image that contains a predefined identifier

[0029] Fig. Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram describing a method for communicating a start time of a reference image using a single image containing a predetermined identifier to synchronize the reference image and an additional image, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] To communicate the starting time of a 3D reference image, the following is used: Fig. 1. A single image containing a predefined identifier is generated and made available to a receiving page.

[0031] More precisely, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the specified identifier is inserted into the single image in order to synchronize a reference image and an additional image in a source image.

[0032] The single image into which the specified identifier is inserted can be a reference image, assuming that the previously stored additional image in a receiver has been saved correctly. Alternatively, the single image into which the specified identifier is inserted can also be a reference image and an additional image.

[0033] Alternatively, the single frame into which the specified identifier is inserted can also be a black pattern frame. The black pattern frame is neither the reference frame nor the supplementary frame, but can be a frame transmitted in advance of the reference frame. The number of black pattern frames can be, for example, three. However, the number of black pattern frames is not limited to this; it can also be one, two, four, or more.

[0034] The identifier inserted into the single image can be a predefined identification mark or a predefined pattern to indicate the starting time of the reference image.

[0035] The specified pattern can be a specific pattern in bits of a pixel in the single frame into which the identifier is inserted. For example, the specific pattern might be a combination of recognizable pixels inserted at a specific location at the top or bottom of the single frame. Alternatively, the specific pattern might be a predetermined number of pixel patterns inserted across multiple single frames to improve resistance to errors during an encoding / decoding or image transmission process. As described in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, for example, pattern 1, pattern 2, and pattern 3 can be inserted consecutively into frames n, n+1, and n+2. Pattern 1, pattern 2, and pattern 3 can all exhibit the same pattern; pattern 1, pattern 2, and pattern 3 can partially exhibit the same pattern; or pattern 1, pattern 2, and pattern 3 can all exhibit different patterns. Alternatively, the most significant bit (MSB) value of a pixel value in the frame can be used as the pattern, or a forward error correction method suitable for arranging bit values ​​for the pattern can be applied to further improve error resistance.

[0036] Alternatively, the identifier can be periodically inserted into at least one predefined single image at an intermediate point of a service linked to a program, as well as at a start time of that service, so that even in a case where a user accesses a 3D broadcasting service at any time, the reference image and the additional image can be synchronized with each other.

[0037] As described above, the single image containing the specified identifier is provided to the receiving side, thereby enabling the receiving side to be informed of the start time of the reference image, while minimizing any change to a digital broadcast transmission system, and the receiving side recognizes the specified identifier in a decoded image, thereby enabling accurate synchronization between a 3D reference image of a real-time broadcast program and a 3D supplementary image (a data stream or file) stored in advance in the receiver.

[0038] Signaling of information linked with an additional image to the receiving side The method for signaling information linked with an additional image to a receiving side, which is a method for waking up the 3D additional image in the receiver, is a method for signaling the information linked with an additional image to the receiver in such a way that the 3D additional image of the real-time broadcast program linked with the reference image can be prepared in advance in the receiver.

[0039] Thus, multiple 3D supplementary images are stored in the receiver's memory, and the information associated with each supplementary image is signaled to the receiver. This allows the receiver to be notified in advance of the 3D supplementary image linked to the reference image of the real-time broadcast program, as described above. This provides the receiver with time to prepare a related 3D supplementary image. As a result, the 3D supplementary image and the reference image of the real-time broadcast program are synchronized, enabling the presentation of a stereoscopic 3D image to the viewer.

[0040] Fig. Figure 2 shows a structure of a Program Map Table (PMT) for describing a method for communicating a start time of a reference image by signaling information linked with an additional image to a receiving page using a descriptor in the PMT to synchronize the reference image and an additional image, in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] The PMT, one of four tables containing program-specific information (PSI) of the MPEG-2 TS, is inserted into a TS data stream currently being transmitted in real time and then sent. That is, the PMT is inserted into a TS data stream of the reference image of the real-time broadcast program and then transmitted.

[0042] Based on Fig. 2. It is possible to inform the receiver about a 3D supplementary image (a 3D supplementary image file) stored in a memory on the receiver, or about a streamed supplementary image, so that the receiver can prepare it using a Current_next_indicator field 216 in the PMT, and signal information associated with the supplementary image to the receiver using a stereoscopic_descriptor 220 in the PMT. The Current_next_indicator 216 can be configured here as 1 bit, so that it has a value of '0' or '1'. The information associated with a supplementary image can include a name of the supplementary image and a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of the supplementary image.

[0043] More precisely, if the value of Current_next_indicator 216 in the PMT is '1', then a currently transmitted PMT is valid, and the PMT containing Current_next_indicator 216 with the value '1' is currently applicable to a currently transmitted broadcast program. Conversely, if the value of Current_next_indicator 216 is '0', then the current PMT containing Current_next_indicator 216 with the value '0' is not valid for a current program, and that a subsequently transmitted PMT is valid.This means that when a PMT is received in which the value of Current_next_indicator 216 is set to '0', the receiver parses the information associated with a 3D supplementary image in the PMT to allow the supplementary image to be prepared in advance; and when the value of Current_next_indicator 216 in a periodically transmitted PMT is set to '1', the receiver parses the information associated with a 3D supplementary image in the PMT to synchronize a 3D supplementary image associated with a reference image of a current real-time broadcast program with a reference image and perform a load and decode operation in the receiver's memory, thus enabling the provision of a stereoscopic 3D image for the viewer.

[0044] Fig. Figure 3 shows a structure of a PMT for describing a method to communicate an initial time of a reference image by signaling information linked with an additional image to a receiving page using metadata, in order to synchronize the reference image and an additional image with each other, in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Based on Fig. 3. It is possible to inform the receiver about the 3D supplementary image stored in its memory or about the streamed 3D supplementary image, so that the receiver can prepare it in advance using a Current_next_indicator field 310 in the PMT. This allows the information associated with a supplementary image to be included in the metadata and then signaled to the receiver. The stream_type 322 in the PMT is set to the metadata, and elementary_PID 324 within it is set to the PID of a metadata elementary stream (ES), thus enabling the specification of the metadata containing the information associated with a supplementary image. The Current_next_indicator 216 can be configured with 1 bit, so that it has a value of '0' or '1'.The information associated with an additional image can include a name for the additional image and a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of the individual image.

[0046] More precisely, if the value of Current_next_indicator 216 in the PMT is '1', then a currently transmitted PMT is valid, and the PMT containing Current_next_indicator 216 with the value '1' is currently applicable to a currently transmitted broadcast program. Alternatively, if the value of Current_next_indicator 216 is '0', then the current PMT containing Current_next_indicator 216 with the value '0' is not valid for a current program, and a subsequently transmitted PMT is valid.This means that when a PMT is received in which the value of Current_next_indicator 216 is set to '0', the receiver parses the information associated with a 3D supplementary image in the PMT to allow the supplementary image to be prepared in advance; and when the value of Current_next_indicator 216 in a periodically transmitted PMT is set to '1', the receiver parses the information associated with a 3D supplementary image in the PMT to synchronize a 3D supplementary image, which is linked to a reference image of a current real-time broadcast program, with the reference image and perform a loading and decoding operation in the receiver's memory, thereby enabling a stereoscopic 3D image to be provided to the viewer.

[0047] Meanwhile, the information associated with an additional image can be signaled to the receiving end using descriptors from Program and System Information Protocol tables (PSIP tables) in accordance with the PSIP of ATSC A / 65C (Program and System Information Protocol for Terrestrial Broadcast and Cable (Issue C)).

[0048] The PSIP provides channel information and broadcast program guide information, including broadcast time information, and the receiver receives the PSIP in advance of the broadcast, which makes it possible to confirm the broadcast program guide information.

[0049] The PSIP tables include a Master Guide Table (MGT), a Terrestrial Virtual Channel Table (TVCT), a Cable Virtual Channel Table (CVCT), an Event Information Table (EIT), and the like.

[0050] Fig. Figure 4 shows a structure of a Terrestrial Virtual Channel Table (TVCT) of a Program and System Information Protocol (PSIP) for describing a method for communicating a start time of a reference image by signaling information associated with an additional image to a receiving page using a descriptor in the PSIP to synchronize the reference image and an additional image, in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Fig. Figure 4 shows the structure of the PSIP's TVCT to describe a method for signaling the information associated with an additional image to the receiving side using the PSIP's TVCT.

[0052] Based on Fig. 4. The information associated with an additional image is signaled to the receiver using descriptor 420 of the PSIP's TVCT, thus enabling the receiver to prepare the 3D additional image stored in its memory or the streamed 3D additional image in advance. That is, the information associated with an additional image is contained in descriptor 420 of the TVCT.

[0053] Since the receiver can receive the PSIP in advance of the broadcast to confirm the broadcast program guide information, it can prepare the 3D supplemental image in advance of the broadcast without using the Current_next_indicator 410. Alternatively, a value of the Current_next_indicator 410, as described in sections 2 and 3, is set to '1' or '0', which allows the receiver to prepare the 3D supplemental image in advance.

[0054] Fig. Figure 5 shows a structure of an Event Information Table (EIT) of a Program and System Information Protocol (PSIP) for describing a method for communicating the start time of a reference image by signaling information linked to an additional image to a receiving page using a descriptor in the PSIP to synchronize the reference image and an additional image, in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] Fig. Figure 5 shows the structure of the EIT of the PSIP for describing a method for signaling the information associated with an additional image to the receiving side using the EIT of the PSIP.

[0056] Based on Fig. 5. The information associated with an additional image is signaled to the receiver using descriptor 520 of the PSIP's EIT, thus enabling the receiver to pre-prepare the 3D additional image stored in its memory or the streamed 3D additional image. That is, the information associated with an additional image is contained in descriptor 420 of the EIT.

[0057] Since the receiver can receive the PSIP in advance of the broadcast to confirm the broadcast program guide information, the receiver can prepare the 3D supplemental image in advance of the broadcast without using the Current_next_indicator 510. Alternatively, a value of the Current_next_indicator 510, as shown by Fig. 2 and Fig. As described in section 3, it can be set to '1' or '0', which allows the receiver to prepare the 3D supplementary image in advance.

[0058] Fig. Figure 6 is a block diagram describing the structure of a broadcast transceiver system that performs synchronization between a reference image and an additional image of a real-time broadcast program in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] Based on Fig. 6 A transmission system can include a send server 610, a signaling information encoder 622, a reference image encoder 624, an additional image encoder 626, a file send server 634, a multiplexer 630 and a remultiplexer 640.

[0060] The 610 send server schedules reference image and supplementary image sources to send to each encoder. The 610 send server can insert a predefined identifier, such as a predefined identification mark or pattern, into a single image as described above. Fig. 1 described. That is, the sending server 610 can generate at least one single image containing the specified identifier in order to inform a receiver in advance of the start time of a reference image.

[0061] The 622 signaling information encoder generates signaling information that includes information linked to an additional image in a 3D additional image. The information linked to an additional image can be sent as signaling information using the descriptor in the PMT, the descriptor in the PSIP table, or the metadata stream as described above.

[0062] The reference image encoder 624 encodes the reference image in real time, and the supplementary image encoder 626 encodes the 3D supplementary image in real time or not in real time.

[0063] The file sending server 634 sends the additional image encoded in the additional image encoder 626 by means of a file sending method before the service linked to a program is implemented in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] The 630 multiplexer multiplexes the reference image and the signaling information. Alternatively, the 630 multiplexer can also multiplex the reference image, the signaling information, and the additional image.

[0065] The 640 remultiplexer remultiplexes the reference image and the additional image for transmission over a signal distribution network or a signal transmission channel. If the reference image and the additional image are transmitted over different distribution networks or transmission channels, no remultiplexing operation by the 640 remultiplexer is required.

[0066] Although Fig. Section 6 describes an example case in which the additional image is transferred as a file; the additional image can also be transferred in the form of a data stream.

[0067] Based on Fig. 6 A receiver 650 can contain a reference image decoder 652, an additional image decoder 654, a memory 656 and a synchronization playback unit 658.

[0068] The 3D supplementary image transmitted by the broadcast transmission system is stored in memory 656 of receiver 650.

[0069] The 652 reference image decoder decodes the reference image transmitted by the broadcast transmission system.

[0070] The supplementary image decoder 654 loads the supplementary image transmitted by the broadcast transmission system from memory 656 and then decodes the loaded supplementary image. Alternatively, the supplementary image decoder 654 can also decode a streamed supplementary image.

[0071] The synchronization playback unit 658 uses the predefined identifier contained in the received frame to detect the start time of the reference frame. It then controls the playback times of the reference frame and the additional frame in such a way that the additional frame is played back in a state synchronized with the start time of the reference frame. More precisely, the synchronization playback unit 658 extracts, for example, the aforementioned predefined identifier, the predefined identification mark, or the predefined pattern from the received frame to detect the start time of the reference frame. This allows it to then control the operating time of the additional frame decoder 654 and to control the playback times of the reference frame and the additional frame in such a way that they are suitable for a pair of 3D images (the reference frame and the additional frame).

[0072] Furthermore, the synchronization playback unit 658 controls the playback times of the reference image and the supplementary image based on the signaling information, which includes the information associated with a supplementary image, in such a way that the supplementary image is played back in a state in which it is synchronized with the start time of the reference image. More precisely, the synchronization playback unit 658 extracts the aforementioned signaling information, including the information associated with a supplementary image, and uses it to control the operating time of the supplementary image decoder 654 and the playback times of the reference image and the supplementary image, using the signaling information in such a way that the supplementary image is played back in a state in which it is synchronized with the start time of the reference image.

[0073] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to its exemplary embodiments, the person skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and replacements are possible without deviating from the scope of protection and inventive concept of the invention as disclosed in the attached claims.

Claims

[1] Method for synchronizing a reference image and an additional image in a digital radio broadcast, the method comprising: Generating at least one single image containing a predefined identifier to inform a recipient in advance about the start time of the reference image; Providing at least one single image containing the specified identifier to a receiving page; and where the identifier is a predefined pattern to communicate the start time of the reference image; and where the specified pattern is a specific pattern for bit values ​​of a pixel in the single image. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the value of a most significant bit (MSB) of the pixel value of a pixel in the single image is used as the predetermined pattern. [3] Method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined pattern is formed from an arrangement of bit values ​​and wherein forward error correction is applied. [4] Method according to claim 1, wherein the identifier is inserted into at least one frame at any intermediate point of a service linked to a program. [5] Broadcast transmission system that performs synchronization between a reference image and an additional image of a real-time broadcast program, the broadcast transmission system comprising: a sending server (610) configured to generate at least one single image containing a predefined identifier in order to notify a receiver (650) in advance of the start time of a reference image; a reference image encoder (624) configured to encode the reference image in real time; and an additional image encoder (626) configured to encode the additional image; where the identifier is a predefined pattern to communicate the start time of the reference image; and where the specified pattern is a specific pattern for bit values ​​of a pixel in the single image. [6] Broadcast receiver performing synchronization between a reference image and an additional image in a digital broadcast, wherein the broadcast receiver comprises (650): a reference image decoder (652) configured to decode the reference image; an additional picture decoder (654) configured to decode the additional picture; and a synchronization playback unit (658) configured to detect an initial reference frame time based on a predefined identifier contained in a received frame, in order to control the playback times of the reference frame and the supplementary frame in such a way that the supplementary frame is played back in a state in which the supplementary frame is synchronized with the initial reference frame time; where the identifier is a predefined pattern to communicate the start time of the reference image; and where the specified pattern is a specific pattern for bit values ​​of a pixel in the single image. [7] Broadcast receiver according to claim 6, further comprising a memory (656) which stores a 3D supplementary image transmitted by a broadcast transmission system.

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