Content transmission device and transmission method

Abstract

To provide a content transmission device and a transmission method that enable use of a character content without garbling.SOLUTION: A content transmission device according to one embodiment inputs first encoded content data and first content associated information obtained by encoding content data including at least character data obtained by processing a broadcast signal broadcasted using an MPEG2 transport stream method, outputs the first encoded content data and the first content associated information as second encoded content data and second content associated information obtained by encoding the content data, analyzes the second content associated information to extract information on the character encoding method used in the second encoded content data, and transmits the second encoded content data and the information on the character encoding method to the outside.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The embodiment relates to a content transmission device and a transmission method. [Background technology]

[0002] Receivers of BS digital broadcasting, 110-degree CS digital broadcasting, and terrestrial digital broadcasting (hereinafter referred to as the three preceding waves) are capable of transmitting the received broadcast content to a home IP (Internet Protocol) network. Such content transmission is performed by the receiver acting as a content server (hereinafter referred to as the server) based on DLNA (registered trademark) (Digital Living Network Alliance), and the transmitted content is received by a DLNA-based content client (hereinafter referred to as the client) interconnected with the server via the home IP network. Note that when transmitting content, it is necessary to apply a content protection technology that is determined as appropriate by the standards of each broadcasting. One such content protection technology is DTCP (Digital Transmission Content Protection).

[0003] In December 2018, new 4K8K satellite broadcasting was launched, joining the three earlier waves. Like the receivers for the three earlier waves, receivers for the new 4K8K satellite broadcasting are able to transmit the new 4K8K satellite broadcasting content they receive to a home IP network, provided that content protection technology is applied. DTCP2 (Digital Transmission Content Protection Two) is specified as the appropriate content protection technology. It is being done. Some new 4K8K satellite broadcast receivers can also receive the three preceding waves (hereafter referred to as shared receivers). In this case, the shared receiver can act as a server and transmit the new 4K8K satellite broadcast content and the content of the three preceding waves to nearby clients via a home IP network.

[0004] By the way, the character encoding method used for the new 4K8K satellite broadcasting content is different from that used for the previous three waves. The former uses UTF-8, while the latter uses 8-bit code. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0005] [Non-Patent Document 1] ARIB TR-B14 6.5th edition "Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Operational Guidelines" (Volume 4) [Non-Patent Document 2] ARIB TR-B15 7.1 Edition "BS / Broadband CS Digital Broadcasting Operational Guidelines" (Volume 1) [Non-Patent Document 3] ARIB STD-B21 5.10 edition "Standard for digital broadcasting receivers" [Non-Patent Document 4] ARIB TR-B39 1.7 Edition "Advanced Wideband Satellite Digital Broadcasting Operational Guidelines" (Volume 1) [Non-Patent Document 5] ARIB STD-B60 1.12 edition "Standard for advanced wideband satellite digital broadcasting receivers" [Non-Patent Document 6] ARIB STD-B62 Version 1.9 "Multimedia Coding Method for Digital Broadcasting (2nd Generation)" (Volume 1) [Non-Patent Document 7] ARIB STD-B63 1.7 edition "Standard for advanced wideband satellite digital broadcasting receivers" Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the relevant standards and operational regulations do not prescribe a field to be placed in the content data to indicate the character encoding used in the content, and the client receiving the content has no way to know the character encoding used in the content sent from the server. As a result, the client may perform incorrect processing on the character data included in the content, causing malfunctions such as displaying characters different from the intended ones (hereinafter referred to as garbled characters). In particular, if the server has a recording function or a content editing function, it is expected that the character encoding will be converted when recording the content to a recording medium, or multiple pieces of content with different character encodings will be combined to reconstruct one piece of content, and there is a high possibility that garbled characters will occur when the client receives such content.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a content transmission device and a transmission method that enable the use of character data in content without garbling. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to one embodiment, an encoded content data input / output unit inputs first encoded content data obtained by encoding content data including at least character data transmitted by a broadcast signal and first content associated information associated with the first encoded content data, and outputs second encoded content data obtained by encoding the content data and second content associated information associated with the second encoded content data; An analysis means for analyzing the second content associated information and extracting information on the character encoding used in the second encoded content data; a control means for comparing a first character data encoding method that can be processed by a client to which the second encoded content data is to be delivered with a second character data encoding method included in the second content accompanying information, and if the two match, outputting the first encoded content data to the encoded content data input / output means as the second encoded content data, and if the two do not match, outputting encoded content data obtained by converting the first encoded content data using the second character data encoding method to the encoded content data input / output means as the second encoded content data; A transmitting means for transmitting the second encoded content data and the extracted character encoding information to an external party; A content transmitting device is provided in which the encoded content data input / output means inputs the first encoded content data and the first content associated information obtained by processing a broadcast signal broadcast in accordance with an MPEG2 transport stream system, and outputs the first encoded content data and the first content associated information as the second encoded content data and the second content associated information. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a server according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a client according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing operation of the server according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing operation of a client according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is a flowchart showing an example of a processing operation of the server according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a flowchart showing an example of a processing operation of the server according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of parameters transmitted by a server in the second embodiment. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A is a flowchart showing an example of a processing operation of a client according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B is a flowchart showing an example of a processing operation of a client according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing operation of the server according to the third embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an SIT transmitted by a server in the third embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing operation of a client according to the third embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing operation of the server according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 12A] FIG. 12A is a diagram showing an example of protection management information transmitted by a server in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 12B] FIG. 12B is a diagram showing an example of a field of protection management information transmitted by a server in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 12C] FIG. 12C is a diagram showing an example of a descriptor written in a field of protection management information transmitted by a server in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing operation of a client according to the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a server according to an embodiment.

[0012] The server 10 is a common receiver capable of receiving both the content data transmitted by the new 4K8K satellite broadcasting and the content data transmitted by the three preceding waves, and can display and output the content data obtained by receiving and processing the broadcast signal and decoding and reproducing it as video, audio, text, etc. The server 10 is, for example, a television receiver capable of viewing the new 4K8K satellite broadcasting and the three preceding waves. Usually, the character encoding method of the text content transmitted by the broadcast signal is uniquely determined by the type of the broadcast signal. Therefore, the server 10 is capable of decoding and reproducing corresponding to the character encoding method required for receiving the broadcast signal as a common receiver, but may also be provided with an encoding method and a decoding and reproducing method for a character encoding method other than the character encoding method required for receiving the broadcast signal. The server 10 can also store the content data or the content data before decoding and reproducing (hereinafter, when particularly distinguishing between them, they will be referred to as encoded content data) as digital data in the storage unit 13. The server 10 can also output the content data to an external device (client) using a network compliant with DLNA (registered trademark) or the like.

[0013] The broadcast signal receiving unit 11 receives a broadcast signal via an antenna (not shown), acquires encoded content data, and outputs it as content data that can be output as video, audio, and text. The broadcast signal receiving unit 11 can also output intermediate data acquired from the received broadcast signal of the new 4K / 8K satellite broadcast or the broadcast signal of the preceding three waves until the content data is acquired. The intermediate data includes an MMT / TLV stream and control information generated by the MPEG Media Transport method (hereinafter referred to as the MMT method) used in the new 4K8K satellite broadcast, a transport stream and transmission control information generated by the MPEG-2 Transport Stream method (hereinafter referred to as the TS method) used in the preceding three waves of broadcast, and program-related information. The broadcast signal receiving unit 11 can also perform appropriate conversion on the acquired content data or encoded content data, and output it to the storage unit 13 together with related control information, transmission control information, program-related information, and the like. Normally, the broadcast type and the character encoding method for the character data transmitted by the broadcast match, but for example, when the character encoding method for the character data in the encoded content data is converted at the time of output to the storage unit 13, the broadcast type and the character encoding method for the character data may not necessarily match in the data stored in the storage unit 13. In addition, in the data stored in the storage unit 13, encoded content data with different character encoding methods may be combined, resulting in encoded content data containing multiple character data encoded by different character encoding methods.

[0014] The display output unit 12 is, for example, a monitor and a speaker that can output the content data output by the broadcast signal receiving unit 11 and the storage unit 13 as video, audio, and text that can be used by the user.

[0015] The storage unit 13 is a storage device capable of storing data output by the broadcast signal receiving unit 11, and is, for example, a hard disk. The storage unit 13 can also output stored data. The storage unit 13 may also have a function of editing the programs stored (recorded) by the storage unit 13. In this case, for example, it is possible to make a 4K8K program and the programs of the preceding three waves into one content by cutting and pasting or combining them, and the storage unit 13 may store encoded content data in which encoded content data transmitted by the preceding three waves and encoded content data transmitted by the new 4K8K satellite broadcasting are combined. In this case, the encoding method of the combined encoded content data may be to re-encode the encoded content data portion of the new 4K8K satellite broadcasting encoded by the MMT method into the MPEG2 TS method so that the entire data is in the MPEG2 TS method, or to re-encode the encoded content data portion of the preceding three waves encoded by the MPEG2 TS method so that the entire data is in the MMT method. Alternatively, both the encoded content data portion of the new 4K8K satellite broadcast and the encoded content data portion of the preceding three waves may be converted into an encoding format other than the MPEG2 TS format or the MMT format, and the encoding format of the combined encoded content data may be set. Note that the function of editing the saved (recorded) program may be provided as a function within the server 10, not in the storage unit 13.

[0016] The analysis unit 14 analyzes the control information output by the broadcast signal receiving unit 11, the content data stored in the storage unit 13, and associated information accompanying the encoded content data, and extracts content management information, for example, the character encoding method of the encoded character data (hereinafter referred to as encoded character data) that is part of the encoded content data.

[0017] The associated information generating unit 15 converts the content management information extracted by the analyzing unit 14 into a format that can be transmitted to a client.

[0018] The character data conversion unit 16 converts the character encoding method of the encoded character data output by the broadcast signal receiving unit 11 or the storage unit 13 (or output via the analysis unit 14), and outputs encoded content data including the converted character data (hereinafter referred to as converted encoded character data).

[0019] Control unit 17 controls each function in server 10. For example, it instructs character data conversion unit 16 on whether or not to execute encoding conversion of encoded character data, and if so, on the conversion method. In Fig. 1, data may be exchanged between function blocks that are not particularly connected to control unit 17.

[0020] The content stream generating unit 18 generates a content stream from data such as the coded content data including the converted and coded character data output by the character data converting unit 16, and the control information including the content management information generated by the associated information generating unit 15.

[0021] The content protection unit 19 implements content protection such as encryption on the content stream generated by the content stream generation unit 18. The technology used for content protection is, for example, technology that complies with standards such as DTCP (Digital Transmission Content Protection) and DTCP2 (Digital Transmission Content Protection Two). Furthermore, whether the content protection function by the content protection unit 19 is enabled or disabled is determined based on content protection instruction information (specifically, a digital copy control descriptor, a content usage control descriptor, etc.) included in the broadcast signal.

[0022] The transmitting / receiving unit 110 transmits the content-protected content stream (hereinafter referred to as a protected content stream) output by the content protection unit 19 to the client 20 as a content stream signal by a predetermined communication method. A communication method by IP communication conforming to DLNA (registered trademark) (hereinafter, when distinguished from reception of a broadcast signal, it is particularly referred to as server / client communication) is applied to the transmitting / receiving unit 110 in this embodiment. Note that, although wireless is used as a communication medium used in the server / client communication, there is no particular limitation and wired communication may also be used. In addition, the server 10 can also output the content stream that is not content-protected output by the content stream generation unit 18 as a content stream signal without going through the content protection unit 19. Whether to protect the content stream is selected by the control unit 17 based on, for example, control information received by the broadcast signal receiving unit 11 (specifically, a digital copy control descriptor, a content usage control descriptor, etc.).

[0023] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a client according to the embodiment.

[0024] The client 20 receives the content stream signal transmitted by the server 10, processes it, and displays and outputs video, audio, character data, and the like. The client 20 is, for example, a television receiver, tablet, smartphone, or the like separate from the server 10. The client 20 does not necessarily have to be a receiver of the new 4K8K satellite broadcasting or the preceding three waves. The client 20 may be capable of processing both the character encoding method used in the new 4K8K satellite broadcasting and the character encoding method used in the preceding three waves, or may be capable of processing only one of them.

[0025] The transmitting / receiving unit 21 is an interface capable of communicating with the transmitting / receiving unit 110 of the server 10, and receives a content stream signal transmitted by the server 10 by a predetermined communication method, processes it, and outputs the content stream. In this embodiment, the transmitting / receiving unit 21 is provided with a communication method based on IP communication conforming to DLNA (registered trademark) in correspondence with the transmitting / receiving unit 110.

[0026] The control unit 22 controls each function within the client 20. In Fig. 2, data may be exchanged between the control unit 22 and other functional blocks that are not particularly connected by wires.

[0027] The content stream processing unit 23 performs content protection removal processing, demultiplexing (separation processing), decryption and playback, etc., on the content stream output by the transmission / reception unit 21 as necessary, extracts content data, and outputs the content data to the display output unit 24. The display output unit 24 displays and outputs the content data as video, audio, and text.

[0028] The analysis unit 25 extracts content management information from the signal received by the transmission / reception unit 21 , and outputs it to the control unit 22 , or to the transmission / reception unit 21 or content stream processing unit 23 .

[0029] (First embodiment) In this embodiment, the server 10 selects and converts the character encoding method of the character data sent by the server 10 according to the character encoding method that the client 20 can process. For example, if the client 20 can process the character data of the new 4K8K satellite broadcasting, the server 10 uses UTF-8 as the character encoding method, and if the client 20 can only process the three preceding waves, the server 10 uses 8-bit code as the character encoding method. An example of the operation of the system according to this embodiment will be described below.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing operation of the server according to the first embodiment. The server 10 establishes a communication path with the client 20 in server / client communication (step S31). When the communication path is established, the server 10 and the client 20 communicate through the transmission / reception unit 110 and the transmission / reception unit 21. The control unit 17 obtains information on the character encoding that the client 20 can process from the client 20 when the communication path is established. Alternatively, instead of obtaining the information from the client 20, if the user knows in advance the character encoding that the client 20 can process, for example, the server 10 may be able to set the character encoding of the character data to be sent to the client 20 from a remote control (not shown).

[0031] When the control unit 17 detects a request to send content data to the client 20, it inputs the encoded content data from the broadcast signal receiving unit 11 or the storage unit 13 to the analysis unit 14. The analysis unit 14 analyzes the content-associated information associated with the encoded content data (YES in step S32, step S33). The content-associated information includes information related to the content, such as program information and data processing methods. In this embodiment, the analysis unit 14 extracts information about the character encoding method for the encoded character data from the content-associated information, and inputs the extracted information about the character encoding method to the control unit 17. The control unit 17 compares the information about the character encoding method (hereinafter referred to as the first character encoding method) extracted by the analysis unit 14 with the information about the character encoding method (hereinafter referred to as the second character encoding method) that the client 20 can use, which was obtained in step S31. If the comparison result shows that the two are consistent, the control unit 17 inputs the encoded content data including the encoded character data by the first character encoding method from the broadcast signal receiving unit 11 or the storage unit 13 to the content stream generating unit 18 (YES in step S34). On the other hand, if the two are not consistent (NO in step S34), the control unit 17 inputs the encoded content data from the broadcast signal receiving unit 11 or the storage unit 13 to the character data converting unit 16. The character data converting unit 16 decodes and reproduces the encoded character data of the encoded content data by the first character encoding method, and then encodes and outputs it again by the second character encoding method (step S35). For example, this corresponds to a case where the client 20 can only handle the character encoding method of the three preceding waves, and the server 10 cannot handle the character encoding method of the character content by the new 4K8K satellite broadcasting received.

[0032] In this embodiment, the character encoding scheme (second character encoding scheme) that the client 20 can process is shown to be valid on the server 10. However, if the second character encoding scheme is invalid on the server 10, it is also possible to notify the user of an alarm on the display output unit 13 of the server 10.

[0033] The content stream generator 18 generates a content stream including the input encoded content data and data such as control information (step S36). The content stream may be, for example, a transport stream conforming to the MPEG2 standard or an MMT / TLV stream conforming to the MMT / TLV standard.

[0034] It is confirmed whether content protection is necessary (step S37). Specifically, for example, when server / client communication is established in step S31, it is determined between server 10 and client 20 whether content protection is necessary. If content protection is necessary, content protection unit 19 performs content protection processing on the content stream output by content stream generation unit 18 by encrypting it using a predetermined method or adding necessary data, and outputs the protected content stream to transmission / reception unit 110 (YES in step S37, step S38). If content protection is not necessary in step S37, the content stream generated by content stream generation unit 18 is output to transmission / reception unit 110 (NO in step S37).

[0035] The transmitting / receiving unit 110 outputs the input content stream or protected content stream to the outside as a content stream signal by a predetermined communication method (step S39). For example, the transmitting / receiving unit 110 outputs IP communication data conforming to DLNA (registered trademark) as a wireless signal conforming to the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) method. When there is no more content transmission request, the process ends (NO in step S32).

[0036] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing operation of a client according to the embodiment. The client 20 establishes a communication path with the server 10 for server / client communication (step S41). When the transmitting / receiving unit 21 receives the content stream signal, it performs necessary processing such as demodulation, and outputs the content stream or the protected content stream (YES in step S42). The output content stream is input to the content stream processing unit 23, which processes the content stream and acquires the content data (step S43). The content stream processing unit 23 also performs content protection removal processing on the protected content stream and acquires the content data from the acquired content stream. The acquired content data is output to the display output unit 24, and is displayed and output as video, audio, or character data (step S44). When the client 20 stops receiving the content stream signal, it ends the processing (NO in step S42).

[0037] In this embodiment, the server 10 analyzes the encoded content data to be sent to the client 20. If the character encoding method used is not valid for the client 20, the server 10 converts the encoded content data into a character encoding method that is valid for the client 20 and sends the encoded content data, thereby enabling the client 20 to use the content data without garbling the character content.

[0038] In addition, when the receiver for new 4K8K satellite broadcasting and the three preceding waves is a server (DMS in DLNA (registered trademark)) equipped with a content transmission function, the content transmitted to the client (DMR / DMP in DLNA (registered trademark)) may be both programs of the new 4K8K satellite broadcasting and programs of the three preceding waves, so unless special conversion is performed, the character encoding method of the character information may be UTF-8 or 8-bit code. In such a case, when character data in a character encoding method that is not valid in the client 20 is received, garbled characters occur. In addition, the character encoding method is not limited to UTF-8 and 8-bit code, and the same problem occurs even in the case of other character encoding methods. According to this embodiment, the server 10 converts the character encoding method of the character data that is valid in the client 20, so that the client 20 can use the content data without garbling the character content.

[0039] Furthermore, whether the server 10 is a receiver compatible with the new 4K8K satellite broadcasting and compatible with the three preceding waves does not limit whether the server 10 can process UTF-8 and 8-bit codes; for example, even if the server 10 is a receiver compatible with only the three preceding waves, as long as it can process multiple character encoding methods, this embodiment enables the server 10 to provide the client 20 with content data that does not cause garbled characters.

[0040] Second embodiment In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the server 10 transmits information on the character encoding method applied to the character data to the client 20 together with the content data.

[0041] The method according to this embodiment is to put character encoding information into the DLNA (registered trademark) media format profile (hereinafter simply referred to as the profile). Two operation examples are shown below, depending on the "content transmission request" method that triggers the server 10 to transmit content, and the processing method when confirming the character encoding information in the media format profile of the client 20.

[0042] The first example is shown in Figures 5A and 7A, in which a user executes a "content transmission request" to the server 10 by operating the remote control, and the client 20 checks the character encoding information in the media format profile, and then returns (transmits an ACK) to the server 10 with information on whether the confirmed character encoding is supported or not.

[0043] The second example uses Figures 5B and 7B to show the case where the client 20 executes a "content transmission request" to the server 10, and the client 20 checks the character encoding information in the media format profile, but does not return the confirmation result to the server 10 (sends an ACK). An example of the operation of the first system will be described below.

[0044] FIG. 5A is a flowchart showing an example of a processing operation of the server according to the present embodiment.

[0045] The server 10 establishes a communication path with the client 20 in server / client communication (step S50). When the communication path is established, the server 10 and the client 20 communicate with each other via the transmission / reception unit 110 and the transmission / reception unit 21. When the user executes a "content transmission request" to the server 10 by operating a remote control or the like, and a request to transmit content data occurs in the server 10, the analysis unit 14 performs an analysis process of the encoded content data (YES in step S51, step S52). Specifically, in step S52, the analysis unit 14 extracts the character encoding method of the encoded character data input from the broadcast signal receiving unit 11 or the storage unit 13 from the content associated information. The character encoding method of the encoded character data extracted by the analysis unit 14 is input to the associated information generating unit 15. The associated information generating unit 15 generates content management information according to a regulation from the character encoding method of the input encoded character data. For example, this content management information is a parameter indicated by ARIB.OR.JP_PN arranged in the fourth field of protocolInfo described in ARIB STD-B21, which is an ARIB standard (hereinafter referred to as ARIB.OR.JP_PN parameter), but is not limited to this. protocolInfo is a property described in a DIDL-Lite document, which is an XML document exchanged over a network conforming to DLNA (registered trademark), but the content management information may be arranged in, for example, other properties, elements, etc. within the same document.

[0046] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of parameters transmitted by the server in the embodiment.

[0047] This parameter indicates a profile related to the content data transmitted by the server 10, and is specifically called a Profile ID. The meaning of each Profile ID will be explained below.

[0048] No1:TS_JP_UTF8 It contains character data encoded in UTF-8 and is transmitted in a content stream conforming to the TS format.

[0049] No2:TS_JP_8UNIT It contains character data encoded using 8-bit codes and is transmitted in a content stream conforming to the TS format.

[0050] No3:MMT_JP_UTF8 It contains character data encoded in UTF-8 and is transmitted in a content stream that conforms to the MMT method.

[0051] No4: TS_JP_8UNIT It contains character data encoded using 8-bit codes and is transmitted in a content stream conforming to the MMT method.

[0052] In addition, although only two character encoding methods and two transmission methods are shown in Fig. 6, other encoding methods and transmission methods may be used. Also, the Profile ID does not have to be composed of only the encoding method and transmission method as shown in Fig. 6, but may be combined with other information. Other information may be, for example, the encoding method, resolution, frame rate, etc. of the video of the content.

[0053] Returning to FIG. 5, in the associated information generating unit 15, the Profile ID is set in the ARIB.OR.JP_PN parameter based on the transmission method and character encoding method used by the server 10, and the Profile ID is output to the transmitting / receiving unit 110 as content management information. The content management information is transmitted from the transmitting / receiving unit 110 to the client 20 as a profile signal (step S53). The server 10 receives information from the client 20 about whether the client 20 can handle the character encoding method transmitted in the profile signal (S53A). If the server 10 confirms the information received from the client 20 and the character encoding method does not match between the two, the server 10 notifies the user by, for example, displaying characters such as "display not possible" on the display output unit 13 of the server 10 or outputting a voice or the like through the speaker (NO in step S54, step S55). Note that the server 10 and If the client 20 and the server 10 are compatible with multiple encoding methods, the encoding methods of the two may be adjusted to match. On the other hand, the case where the character encoding methods that the server 10 and the client 20 can use match is described below (YES in step S54). When there is encoded content data to be transmitted in the broadcast signal receiving unit 11 or the storage unit 13, the broadcast signal receiving unit 11 or the storage unit 13 inputs the encoded content data to the content stream generating unit 18. The content stream generating unit 18 generates a content stream from the input encoded content data (YES in step S56, step S57). The generated content stream is transmitted as a content stream signal from the transmitting / receiving unit 110 (step S58). When there is no encoded content data, the process ends (NO in step S56).

[0054] FIG. 7A is a flowchart showing an example of a processing operation of a client according to the embodiment.

[0055] The client 20 establishes a communication path with the server 10 in server / client communication (step S70). When the communication path is established, the server 10 and the client 20 communicate through the transmission / reception unit 110 and the transmission / reception unit 21. In the client 20, the transmission / reception unit 21 receives the profile signal transmitted by the server 10 (step S71). The transmission / reception unit 21 outputs the Profile ID extracted from the received profile signal to the analysis unit 25, and the analysis unit 25 analyzes the Profile ID (step S72). Specifically, in step S72, the analysis unit 25 recognizes the character encoding corresponding to the Profile ID and outputs the recognized character encoding to the control unit 22. The control unit 22 checks whether the input character encoding is a character encoding that can be processed by the client 20 (step S73). If the two match, the control unit 22 determines that the character encoding of the server 10 and the client 20 match, and returns a judgment result such as "compatible" to the server 10, and the transmission / reception unit 21 and the content stream processing unit 23 to execute the processing (YES in steps S73, S73A). When the transmitting / receiving unit 21 receives the content stream signal, it performs necessary processing such as demodulation and outputs the content stream (YES in step S74). The output content stream is input to the content stream processing unit 23 and processed by the content stream processing unit 23 to obtain content data (step S75). The obtained content data is output to the display output unit 24, and the video, audio and text data are output by the display output unit 24 (step S76). When the transmitting / receiving unit 21 stops receiving the content stream signal, the processing (NO in step S74).

[0056] Also, in step S73, if the control unit 22 determines that the client 20 is not compatible with the character encoding method used by the server 10, it transmits the determination result, for example, "not compatible" with the character encoding method of the server 10 to the server 10 (step S73B), and notifies the user of the alarm by causing the display output unit 24 to display text such as "not displayable" or by outputting a voice or the like through the speaker (step S77).

[0057] An operation example of the second system will be described below with reference to FIG. 5B and FIG. 7B.

[0058] This operation example is an example in which the client 20 executes a "content transmission request" to the server 10, and the client 20 checks the character encoding information in the media format profile sent by the server 10, but does not return the confirmation result to the server 10 (sends an ACK).

[0059] FIG. 5B is a flowchart showing an example of a processing operation of the server according to the second embodiment, but a description of the processing parts equivalent to those in FIG. 5A will be omitted.

[0060] The server 10 establishes a communication path with the client 20 in the server / client communication (step S500). When the communication path is established, the server 10 and the client 20 communicate with each other via the transmitting / receiving unit 110 and the transmitting / receiving unit 21.

[0061] When the client 20 issues a "content transmission request" to the server 10 and the server 10 detects the "content transmission request" (YES in step S501), similar to S52 and S53 in FIG. 5A, the server 10 executes an analysis process of the requested content data (step S502), and transmits content management information including the content associated information extracted by the analysis process from the transmission / reception unit 110 to the client 20 as a profile signal (step S503).

[0062] In the second system operation example in this embodiment, even if the client 20 checks the character encoding information sent by the server 10, it does not return the confirmation result to the server 10, but if the client 20 can handle the character encoding sent from the server 10, it sends a "content stream transmission request". When the server 10 receives a "content stream transmission request" from the client 20, the server 10 determines that the client 20 can receive the content, performs a content stream generation process, and transmits it as a content stream signal (YES in step S504, S505, S506). On the other hand, if the server 10 does not receive a "content stream transmission request" from the client 20, the server 10 determines that the client 20 cannot receive the content, and stops processing (NO in step S504).

[0063] FIG. 7B is a flowchart showing an example of a processing operation of a client according to the second embodiment, but a description of the same processing as in FIG. 7A will be omitted.

[0064] The client 20 establishes a communication path with the server 10 for server / client communication (step S700). When the communication path is established, the server 10 and the client 20 communicate with each other via the transmitting / receiving unit 110 and the transmitting / receiving unit 21.

[0065] The client 20 sends a "content transmission request" to the server 10 (step S701). As in steps S71 and S72 of FIG. 7A, the transceiver 21 in the client 20 receives the profile signal sent by the server 10, and outputs the Profile ID extracted from the received profile signal to the analyzer 25, and the analyzer 25 recognizes the character encoding of the content that the server 10 is going to output (steps S701 and S702). The analyzer 25 outputs the recognized character encoding to the controller 22, and the controller 22 checks whether the input character encoding is a character encoding that can be processed by the client 20 (step S703). If the control unit 22 determines that the character encoding can be processed as a result of the check, it sends a "content stream transmission request" to the server 10 (step S704A), and similarly to YES in step S74, S75, and S76 in FIG. 7A, causes the transceiver unit 21 and the content stream processing unit 23 to process the content stream signal and the content stream, and acquires the content data (YES in step S705, S706). The acquired content data is output as video, audio, and character data by the display output unit 24 (step S707). When the transceiver unit 21 no longer receives the content stream signal, the process ends (NO in step S705).

[0066] Also, in step S704, if the control unit 22 determines that the client 20 cannot support the character encoding method used by the server 10, the process ends (NO in step S704). At this time, the display output unit 24 may display text such as "display not possible" or output a voice or other message from the speaker to notify the user of the error.

[0067] In this embodiment, the server 10 notifies the client 20 of the character encoding of the encoded character data sent by the server 10 separately from the content stream, so that the client 20 can use the content data without garbling the character content. According to this embodiment, the server 10 can also send character content to the client 20 without converting the character encoding.

[0068] In addition, in this embodiment, since the server 10 only needs to notify the character encoding before transmitting the content data, the frequency of sending data by communication other than the content data can be reduced.

[0069] (Third embodiment) In this embodiment, the server 10 transmits control information and program-related information in the TS format. This is an example of sending a content stream by including information about the character encoding in the SIT (Selection Information Table). The client 20 extracts the SIT from the received content stream and obtains information about the character encoding of the character data sent by the server 10 from the SIT.

[0070] An example of the operation of the system according to this embodiment will be described below.

[0071] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing operation of the server according to the present embodiment.

[0072] The server 10 establishes a communication path with the client 20 (step S80), and when there is a request to transmit content data to the client 20, the encoded content data is input from the broadcast signal receiving unit 11 or the storage unit 13 to the analysis unit 14. The analysis unit 14 performs an analysis process on the associated information of the encoded content data, and extracts the character encoding method of the encoded character data (YES in step S81, step S82). The character encoding method of the encoded character data extracted by the analysis unit 14 is input to the associated information generating unit 15. The associated information generating unit 15 generates content-related information based on the input character encoding method (step S83). In this embodiment, specifically, the SIT disclosed in the ARIB STD-B21 of the ARIB standard is used as the content-related information.

[0073] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an SIT transmitted by the server in the embodiment.

[0074] Reserved area 91 and reserved area 93 are areas that are not currently defined as reserved for future use. Descriptor area 92 and descriptor area 94 are areas in which descriptors having data structures are placed.

[0075] In this embodiment, information about the character encoding of character data is placed in either the reserved area 91, the reserved area 93, the descriptor area 92, or the descriptor area 94. When placing in the reserved area 91 or the reserved area 93, the positioning of the area is not a reserved area but, for example, "character encoding identification information", and, for example, if the character encoding is UTF-8, the character encoding information identifier is set to 0, and if it is an 8-bit code, the character encoding information identifier is set to 1. When placing character encoding information in the descriptor area 92 or the descriptor area 94, a descriptor that has a data structure of a descriptor and contains information about the character encoding, for example, a "character encoding information descriptor", is defined and placed in the descriptor area 92 or the descriptor area 94. For example, if the character encoding is UTF-8, the value 0 is set, and if it is an 8-bit code, the value 1 is set.

[0076] Returning to FIG. 8, the content stream generating unit 18 generates a content stream including the SIT generated by the associated information generating unit 15 (step S84). If content protection is required for the generated content stream, the content protection unit 19 performs content protection processing on the content stream generated by the content stream generating unit 18, and outputs the protected content stream to the transmitting / receiving unit 110 (YES in step S85, step S86). If content protection is not required, The stream generation unit 18 outputs the generated content stream to the transmission / reception unit 110 (NO in step S85). The transmission / reception unit 110 transmits the content stream or the protected content stream as a content stream signal to the client 20 (step S87). When the server 10 finishes transmitting the content to the end or detects a signal such as "stop content transmission" and there is no more content transmission request, the process ends (NO in step S81).

[0077] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing operation of a client according to the embodiment.

[0078] The client 20 establishes a communication path with the server 10 in server / client communication (step S100). When the communication path is established, the server 10 and the client 20 communicate with each other via the transmission / reception unit 110 and the transmission / reception unit 21. When the transmission / reception unit 21 of the client 20 receives a content stream signal, it processes the content stream signal, obtains a content stream or a protected content stream, and outputs the content stream to the content stream processing unit 23 (YES in step S101, step S102). If content protection is applied, the content stream processing unit 23 performs a process to remove content protection from the protected content stream, and obtains a content stream (YES in step S103, step S104). If content protection is not applied, the transmission / reception unit 21 outputs the content stream to the content stream processing unit 23 (NO in step S103). Whether the content stream is content protected or not is determined, for example, by information exchanged when the server 10 and the client 20 establish a communication path. In this case, for example, the control unit 22 controls the content stream processing unit 23 to implement or not implement content protection based on the information.

[0079] The content stream processing unit 23 performs a demultiplexing process on the content stream to obtain the SIT and the encoded content data (step S105). The analysis unit 25 extracts the character encoding information identifier specified in step S83 of FIG. 8 from the obtained SIT, and detects the character encoding of the character data included in the received encoded content data (step S106). The content stream processing unit 23 decodes the encoded content data to obtain the content data. In this embodiment, the encoded character data is decoded by the character encoding method of the character data detected by the analysis unit 25 to obtain the character data (step S107). The obtained content data including the character data is output to the display output unit 24, and the display output unit 24 outputs the video, audio, character data, etc. in a form that the user can view (step S108). In addition, in step S106, if the content stream processing unit 23 cannot handle the character encoding detected by the analysis unit 25, it stops processing the character data and does not output the character data to the display output unit 24. When the content stream signal is no longer received by the transmitting / receiving unit 21, the client 20 ends the process (NO in step S101).

[0080] In this embodiment, the server 10 transmits a content stream to the client 20 by including the character encoding of the encoded character data transmitted by the server 10 in the SIT, so that the client 20 can use the content data without garbling the character content. According to this embodiment, the server 10 can also transmit character content to the client 20 without converting the character encoding.

[0081] In addition, in this embodiment, the server 10 can transmit information on the character encoding method even while transmitting content data. For example, even if the character encoding method of the content data being transmitted changes midway, the server 10 can notify the client 20 of the changed character encoding method information by the SIT, and the client 20 can use the content data without garbling the character content.

[0082] (Fourth embodiment) In this embodiment, when content protection processing by DTCP2 is applied to a content stream, an example is shown in which information about the character encoding method is included in a CMI (Content Management Information) packet, which is protection management information.

[0083] An example of the operation of the system according to this embodiment will be described below.

[0084] The server 10 has established a communication path with the client 20 and has been requested to transmit content. In addition, the server 10 and the client 20 according to this embodiment are compatible with DTCP2, and the client 20 recognizes that the server 10 will transmit content data in a method compliant with DTCP2 at the time the communication path is established.

[0085] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing operation of the server according to the present embodiment.

[0086] The server 10 establishes a communication path with the client 20 in the server / client communication (step S110). When the communication path is established, the server 10 and the client 20 communicate with each other via the transmitting / receiving unit 110 and the transmitting / receiving unit 21.

[0087] When there is a request for transmitting content data to client 20 in server 10, control unit 17 causes broadcast signal receiving unit 11 or storage unit 13 to output the encoded content data to analysis unit 14. Analysis unit 14 performs an analysis process on the associated information of the encoded content data and extracts the character encoding method of the encoded character data (YES in step S111, step S112). The character encoding method of the encoded character data extracted by analysis unit 14 is input to associated information generating unit 15. The associated information generating unit 15 generates content related information based on the encoding method of the input encoded character data (step S113). Specifically, the content related information in this embodiment is placed in a CMI packet disclosed in the specification of DTCP2 (DTCP2 Volume 1 Specification), which is a content protection standard.

[0088] 12A is a diagram showing an example of protection management information transmitted by a server in this embodiment, showing the configuration of a CMI packet. The CMI packet is composed of a Header and a Body. The Header and Body are each shown as 8-bit bit data lines, with the Header indicating information about the CMI packet to be transmitted, and the Body indicating CMI, i.e., protection management information, as a CMI field.

[0089] Fig. 12B is a diagram showing an example of a field of protection management information transmitted by the server in the embodiment, and shows an example of the configuration of the body part of Fig. 12A, i.e., the CMI field. An example is shown in which two CMI Descriptors, X and Y, are placed in the CMI field.

[0090] FIG. 12C is a diagram showing an example of a descriptor written in the field of protection management information transmitted by the server in this embodiment, and shows the contents of the CMI Descriptor in FIG. 12B.

[0091] In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the CMI Descriptor in Fig. 12C is placed in field 12B1 in Fig. 12B. Field 12B1 is placed in field 12A1 in Fig. 12A. In addition, for example, Char_encode_type is defined as an identifier indicating character encoding information, and placed in field 12C1 in Fig. 12C.

[0092] The value set in the encoding method and identifier Char_encode_type is, for example, 0000 for UTF-8 encoding, and 0001 for an 8-bit code.

[0093] Returning to FIG. 11, the content stream generating unit 18 generates a content stream from the encoded content data (step S114). The content protection unit 19 encrypts the content stream input from the content stream generating unit 18 using a method defined in DTCP2 to generate a Protected Content Packet (PCP), and outputs it to the transmitting / receiving unit 110 as a protected content stream together with the CMI packet generated in step S113 (step S115). The CMI packet is not encrypted. The transmitting / receiving unit 110 transmits the protected content stream to the client 20 as a content stream signal (step S116). The server 10 ends the process when there is no encoded content data to transmit from the broadcast signal receiving unit 11 or the storage unit 13 (NO in step S111).

[0094] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing operation of a client according to the embodiment.

[0095] The client 20 establishes a communication path with the server 10 for server / client communication (step S130). When the communication path is established, the server 10 and the client 20 communicate with each other via the transmitting / receiving unit 110 and the transmitting / receiving unit 21.

[0096] When the transmitting / receiving unit 21 of the client 20 receives the content stream signal, it processes the content stream signal to obtain a protected content stream, outputs the CMI packet to the analyzing unit 25, and outputs the PCP to the content stream processing unit 23 (YES in step S131, step S132). The analyzing unit 25 detects the setting value of Char_encode_type set by the server 10 in step S113 from the CMI packet, and outputs the detected setting value to the control unit 22. Meanwhile, the content stream processing unit 23 performs a process to remove content protection for the PCP, and obtains a content stream (step S134). The control unit 22 checks whether the client 20 supports the character encoding method corresponding to the input setting value of Char_encode_type (step S135). The control unit 22 checks whether the client 20 supports the character encoding method corresponding to the input setting value of Char_encode_type. If it is confirmed that the character encoding method corresponding to the setting value of e is supported, the content stream processing unit 23 is made to process the content stream using the character encoding method corresponding to the setting value of Char_encode_type (YES in step S135). The content stream processing unit 23 decodes the encoded content data extracted from the content stream to obtain the content data. In this embodiment, the encoded character data is decoded using the character encoding method specified by the control unit 22 to obtain the character data (step S136). The acquired content data including the character data is output to the display output unit 24, and the display output unit 24 outputs the video, audio, character data, etc. in a form that the user can view (step S137). When the client 20 stops receiving the content stream signal, the process ends (NO in step S131).

[0097] Also, in step S135, if the content stream processing unit 23 cannot handle the character encoding detected by the analysis unit 25, the processing of the character data is stopped and the character data is not output to the display output unit 24 (NO in step S135).

[0098] In this embodiment, the server 10 notifies the client 20 of the character encoding of the encoded character data sent by the server 10 in a CMI packet, so that the client 20 can use the content data without garbling the character content. According to this embodiment, the server 10 can also send character content to the client 20 without converting the character encoding.

[0099] In particular, since the CMI packet is sent every time there is a change in the contents described in the CMI packet, it is possible to quickly detect the character encoding even in content data where the character encoding changes relatively frequently.

[0100] According to at least one of the embodiments described above, it is possible to provide a content transmission device and a transmission method that enable text content to be used without garbled characters.

[0101] Of course, any of the first, second, third, and fourth embodiments may be combined and implemented. In addition, the user may be able to set or switch between enabling and disabling the functions of any of the embodiments, that is, the user may be able to switch between combinations of the embodiments.

[0102] The main points of the above-mentioned system can also be described as follows. (A1) A first broadcast receiving means for receiving a first broadcast (new 4K8K satellite broadcast) using a first character encoding method; A second broadcast receiving means for receiving a second broadcast (three preceding waves) using a second character encoding method; An analysis means for determining the character encoding method used in the video content received by the first broadcast receiving means or the second broadcast receiving means; A character data conversion means for converting the character encoding used in the video content based on the determination result of the analysis means into the first character encoding, the second character encoding, or a third character encoding that is a character encoding other than the first character encoding and the second character encoding; a transmission means conforming to the DLNA (registered trademark) standard for transmitting a video content signal including the video content whose character encoding method has been converted by the character data conversion means. (A1-1) The video content transmission device according to (A1), wherein the video content received by the first broadcast receiving means or the second broadcast receiving means is directly input to the analysis unit. (A1-2) The content transmission device according to (A1), further comprising a storage means for storing video content received by the first broadcast receiving means or the second broadcast receiving means, wherein the analysis means receives as input the video content stored in the storage means. (A2) A first broadcast receiving means for receiving a first broadcast (new 4K8K satellite broadcast) using a first character encoding method; A second broadcast receiving means for receiving a second broadcast (three preceding waves) using a second character encoding method; An analysis means for determining the character encoding method used in the video content received by the first broadcast receiving means or the second broadcast receiving means; An associated information adding means for adding information indicating a character encoding method used in the video content as content management information to the video content based on the determination result of the analysis means; a transmitting means that transmits the video content to which the content management information has been added by the associated information adding means, the transmitting means being compliant with the DLNA (registered trademark) standard. (A2-1) The video content transmission device according to (A2), in which the video content received by the first broadcast receiving means or the second broadcast receiving means is directly input to the analysis means. (A2-2) A content transmission device as described in (A2), further comprising a storage means for storing video content received by the first broadcast receiving means or the second broadcast receiving means, wherein the analysis means receives as input the video content stored in the storage means. (A2-2-1) When storing the video content received by the first broadcast receiving means or the second broadcast receiving means in the storage means, the character encoding method used in the received video content is converted to a character encoding method other than the character encoding method used, and then stored. The content transmission device according to (A2-2) (A2-2-2) The content transmitting device according to (A2-2) or (A-2-2), further comprising: a video content receiving means for receiving a first broadcast and a video content receiving a second broadcast, the video content being received by the first broadcast receiving means being combined with the video content being received by the second broadcast receiving means to form one video content; and the combined video content being stored in the storage means. (A3) A video content transmission device as described in (A2), (A2-1), (A2-2), (A2-2-1), and (A2-2-2), characterized in that the content management information added by the associated information adding means is placed in a DLNA (registered trademark) media format profile transmitted by the transmission means. (A4) A video content transmitting device as described in (A2), (A2-1), (A2-2), (A2-2-1), and (A2-2-2), characterized in that the content management information added by the associated information adding means is placed in an SIT compliant with the MPEG-2 TS standard to be included in the video content signal transmitted by the transmitting means. (A5) The video content transmission device described in (A2), (A2-1), (A2-2), (A2-2-1), and (A2-2-2) is characterized in that the video content transmission device is equipped with a content protection means conforming to the DTCP2 standard, and the content management information added by the associated information adding means is placed in a CMI packet generated by the content protection means.

[0103] (Additional Note) (Claim 1) an encoded content data input / output means for inputting first encoded content data obtained by encoding content data including at least character data transmitted by a broadcast signal and first content associated information associated with the first encoded content data, and for outputting second encoded content data obtained by encoding the content data and second content associated information associated with the second encoded content data; An analysis means for analyzing the second content associated information and extracting information on the character encoding used in the second encoded content data; a control means for comparing a first character data encoding method that can be processed by a client to which the second encoded content data is to be delivered with a second character data encoding method included in the second content accompanying information, and if the two match, outputting the first encoded content data to the encoded content data input / output means as the second encoded content data, and if the two do not match, outputting encoded content data obtained by converting the first encoded content data using the second character data encoding method to the encoded content data input / output means as the second encoded content data; A content transmission device comprising a transmission means for transmitting the second encoded content data and the extracted character encoding information to the external client. (Claim 2) The content transmitting device according to claim 1, wherein the encoded content data input / output means inputs the first encoded content data and the first content associated information obtained by processing a broadcast signal broadcasted in accordance with an MPEG2 transport stream system, and outputs the first encoded content data and the first content associated information as the second encoded content data and the second content associated information. (Claim 3) The content transmitting device according to claim 1, wherein the encoded content data input / output means inputs the first encoded content data and the first content associated information obtained by processing a broadcast signal broadcasted by an MMT system, and outputs the first encoded content data and the first content associated information as the second encoded content data and the second content associated information. (Claim 4) The content transmitting device according to claim 1, wherein the encoded content data input / output means accumulates the first encoded content data and the first content associated information transmitted by the broadcast signal, and outputs the accumulated first encoded content data and the first content associated information as the second encoded content data and the second content associated information. (Claim 5) 5. The content transmission device according to claim 4, wherein the broadcast signal is broadcast in accordance with an MPEG2 transport stream format. (Claim 6) 5. The content transmission device according to claim 4, wherein the broadcast signal is broadcast in accordance with an MMT system. (Claim 7) The encoded content data input / output means converts at least a portion of the input first encoded content data into a second character encoding method different from the first character encoding method used in the first encoded content data, stores the converted second encoded content data, and outputs the second encoded content data. The content transmission device according to claim 1. (Claim 8) 8. The content transmitting device according to claim 7, wherein the stored second encoded content data is encoded content data obtained by combining encoded content data transmitted by a broadcast signal in an MPEG2 transport stream format and encoded content data transmitted by a broadcast signal in an MMT format. (Claim 9) 9. The content transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission means complies with DLNA (registered trademark) standards. (Claim 10) 10. The content transmission device according to claim 9, wherein the transmission means transmits the information on the character encoding extracted by the analysis means by including it in a media profile of DLNA (registered trademark) standard. (Claim 11) inputting first encoded content data obtained by encoding content data including at least character data transmitted by a broadcast signal and first content associated information associated with the first encoded content data, and outputting second encoded content data obtained by encoding the content data and second content associated information associated with the second encoded content data; Analyzing the second content associated information and extracting information on the character encoding used in the second encoded content data; comparing a first character data encoding method that can be processed by a client to which the second encoded content data is to be delivered with a second character data encoding method included in the second content accompanying information, and if the two match, outputting the first encoded content data as the second encoded content data, and if the two do not match, outputting encoded content data obtained by converting the first encoded content data using the second character data encoding method as the second encoded content data; A content transmission method for transmitting the second encoded content data and the extracted character encoding information to the external client.

[0104] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These new embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. Furthermore, even if each component of the claims is expressed by dividing the components, or expressing a plurality of components together, or expressing them in combination, it is within the scope of the present invention. In addition, multiple embodiments may be combined, and examples composed of this combination are also within the scope of the invention.

[0105] In addition, in order to clarify the explanation, the drawings may be shown in a schematic manner with respect to the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each part compared to the actual embodiment. In the block diagram, data and signals may be exchanged between blocks that are not connected, or in a direction in which no arrow is shown even if the blocks are connected. The processing shown in the flowchart may be realized by hardware (such as an IC chip), software (such as a program), or a combination of hardware and software. The device of the present invention is also applied when the claims are expressed as control logic, when expressed as a program including instructions for causing a computer to execute the program, or when expressed as a computer-readable recording medium containing the instructions. In addition, the names and terms used are not limited, and other expressions are included in the present invention as long as they have substantially the same content and the same meaning. [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 10 server, 11 broadcast signal receiving unit, 12 display output unit, 13 storage unit, 14 analysis unit, 15 associated information generating unit, 16 character data conversion unit, 17 control unit, 18 content stream generating unit, 19 content protection unit, 20 client, 21 transmitting / receiving unit, 22 control unit, 23 content a content stream processing unit, 24 a display output unit, 25 an analysis unit, and 110 a transmission / reception unit.

Claims

1. an encoded content data input / output means for inputting first encoded content data obtained by encoding content data including at least character data transmitted by a broadcast signal and first content associated information associated with the first encoded content data, and for outputting second encoded content data obtained by encoding the content data and second content associated information associated with the second encoded content data; An analysis means for analyzing the second content associated information and extracting information on the character encoding used in the second encoded content data; a control means for comparing a first character data encoding method that can be processed by a client to which the second encoded content data is to be delivered with a second character data encoding method included in the second content accompanying information, and, if the two match, outputting the first encoded content data to the encoded content data input / output means as the second encoded content data, and, if the two do not match, outputting encoded content data obtained by converting the first encoded content data using the second character data encoding method to the encoded content data input / output means as the second encoded content data; A transmitting means for transmitting the second encoded content data and the extracted character encoding information to an external party; The encoded content data input / output means inputs the first encoded content data and the first content associated information obtained by processing a broadcast signal broadcasted in accordance with an MPEG2 transport stream system, and outputs the first encoded content data and the first content associated information as the second encoded content data and the second content associated information.

2. inputting first encoded content data obtained by encoding content data including at least character data transmitted by a broadcast signal and first content associated information associated with the first encoded content data, and outputting second encoded content data obtained by encoding the content data and second content associated information associated with the second encoded content data; Analyzing the second content associated information and extracting information on the character encoding used in the second encoded content data; comparing a first character data encoding method that can be processed by a client to which the second encoded content data is to be delivered with a second character data encoding method included in the second content accompanying information, and if the two match, outputting the first encoded content data to an encoded content data input / output means as the second encoded content data, and if the two do not match, outputting encoded content data obtained by converting the first encoded content data using the second character data encoding method to an encoded content data input / output means as the second encoded content data; Transmit the second encoded content data and the extracted character encoding information to an external party; a content transmission method in which the encoded content data input / output means inputs the first encoded content data and the first content associated information obtained by processing a broadcast signal broadcast in accordance with an MPEG2 transport stream system, and outputs the first encoded content data and the first content associated information as the second encoded content data and the second content associated information.

Images