Emergency information providing device and emergency information providing method

The emergency information adding device addresses the challenge of transmitting PMT information with emergency alerts by acquiring and multiplexing PMT and emergency information into video streams, ensuring effective emergency alert delivery.

JP2025109224APending Publication Date: 2025-07-25SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024002924
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-01-12
Publication Date
2025-07-25

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing technologies lack the capability to effectively transmit Program Map Table (PMT) information including emergency information during emergency alert broadcasts, particularly in services like terrestrial digital broadcasting.

Method used

An emergency information adding device that includes a stream receiving unit, a broadcast wave receiving unit, a PMT acquisition unit, an emergency information acquisition unit, a generation unit, and a transmission unit, which acquires and generates a packet containing PMT and emergency information, and multiplexes it into a video stream.

Benefits of technology

Enables the transmission of PMT information with emergency information in video streams, ensuring effective delivery of emergency alerts during broadcasts.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To achieve an excellent function for transmitting PMT including emergency information related to emergency alarm broadcasts.SOLUTION: An emergency information providing device includes a stream receiving unit that receives a first video stream, a broadcast wave receiving unit that receives a broadcast wave, a PMT acquiring unit that acquires a first packet including the PMT from the first video stream received by the stream receiving unit, an emergency information acquiring unit that acquires emergency information related to emergency alert broadcasts from the broadcast wave received by the broadcast wave receiving unit, a generating unit that generates a second packet including the PMT included in the first packet acquired by the PMT acquiring unit and the emergency information acquired by the emergency information acquiring unit, and a transmitting unit that transmits the second packet generated by the generating unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an emergency information adding device and an emergency information adding method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a system for transmitting a broadcast signal including content has been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-211587) discloses the following IP / RF conversion device as a device used in such a system. That is, the IP / RF conversion device includes an IP packet receiving device (32-1 to 32-n) that receives an IP packet carrying a broadcast TS packet, a broadcast TS packet processing device (34-1 to 34-n) that extracts the broadcast TS packet from the IP packet received by the IP packet receiving device and outputs it in chronological order on the transmission side, a clock extraction device (36-1 to 36-n) that extracts a synchronization clock necessary for OFDM modulation from the broadcast TS packet supplied from the broadcast TS packet processing device and synchronously outputs the synchronization clock and the broadcast TS packet, and an OFDM modulation device (38-1 to 38-n) that OFDM-modulates the broadcast TS packet from the clock extraction device in synchronization with the synchronization clock from the clock extraction device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Regarding the transmission of a PMT (Program Map Table) including emergency information related to emergency alert broadcasting, a technology capable of realizing an excellent function exceeding the technology described in Patent Document 1 is desired.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an emergency information adding device and an emergency information adding method capable of realizing an excellent function related to the transmission of a PMT including emergency information related to emergency warning broadcasts.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The emergency information adding device of the present disclosure includes a stream receiving unit that receives a first video stream, a broadcast wave receiving unit that receives a broadcast wave, a PMT acquisition unit that acquires a first packet including a PMT from the first video stream received by the stream receiving unit, an emergency information acquisition unit that acquires emergency information related to an emergency warning broadcast from the broadcast wave received by the broadcast wave receiving unit, a generation unit that generates a second packet including the PMT included in the first packet acquired by the PMT acquisition unit and the emergency information acquired by the emergency information acquisition unit, and a transmission unit that transmits the second packet generated by the generation unit.

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure can be realized not only as an emergency information adding device including such a characteristic processing unit but also as a program for causing a computer to execute steps of such characteristic processing. Further, one aspect of the present disclosure can be realized as a semiconductor integrated circuit that realizes part or all of the emergency information adding device, or can be realized as a system including the emergency information adding device.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, an excellent function related to the transmission of a PMT including emergency information related to emergency warning broadcasts can be realized.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

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Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] First, the content of the embodiment of the present disclosure will be listed and described. (1) The emergency information adding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a stream receiving unit that receives a first video stream, a broadcast wave receiving unit that receives a broadcast wave, a PMT acquisition unit that acquires a first packet including a PMT from the first video stream received by the stream receiving unit, an emergency information acquisition unit that acquires emergency information regarding an emergency warning broadcast from the broadcast wave received by the broadcast wave receiving unit, a generation unit that generates a second packet including the PMT included in the first packet acquired by the PMT acquisition unit and the emergency information acquired by the emergency information acquisition unit, and a transmission unit that transmits the second packet generated by the generation unit.

[0011] In this way, by acquiring emergency information from a broadcast wave and generating and transmitting a second packet including the PMT included in the first packet and the acquired emergency information, for example, emergency information can be added to a video stream in which the transmission of a PMT including emergency information is not performed, following the broadcast wave. Therefore, an excellent function regarding the transmission of a PMT including emergency information regarding an emergency warning broadcast can be realized.

[0012] (2) In the above (1), the emergency information adding device may further include a removal unit that removes the first packet from the first video stream, and a multiplexing unit that generates a second video stream in which the second packet generated by the generation unit is multiplexed into the first video stream from which the first packet has been removed by the removal unit, and the transmission unit transmits the second video stream generated by the multiplexing unit.

[0013] With such a configuration, for example, in a video stream in which the transmission of a PMT including emergency information is not performed, a PMT including emergency information can be multiplexed and transmitted instead of a PMT not including emergency information.

[0014] (3) In the above (2), the removal unit may remove, as the first packet, a packet in which a predetermined table ID is stored in a payload portion among the packets constituting the first video stream.

[0015] With such a configuration, after the activation of the emergency information adding device or after the re - setting of the PID of the first packet due to the restart of the device that is the source of the first video stream, and before the analysis of the PAT (Program Association Table) included in the first video stream is completed, the first packets that arrive can be removed. Therefore, the transmission of a PMT different from the broadcast wave regarding the presence or absence of emergency information can be suppressed.

[0016] (4) In the above (2) or (3), the emergency information adding device may further include an analysis unit that obtains the identifier of the first packet by analyzing the PAT (Program Association Table) included in the first video stream. When the identifier is obtained by the analysis unit, the removal unit may remove, as the first packet, the packet in which the identifier is stored in the header part among the packets constituting the first video stream.

[0017] With such a configuration, compared with the configuration of removing the first packet based on the table ID, a plurality of first packets including information in which the PMT is divided into a plurality can be more reliably removed. Therefore, the transmission of a PMT different from the broadcast wave regarding the presence or absence of emergency information can be suppressed.

[0018] (5) The emergency information adding method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is an emergency information adding method in an emergency information adding device, and includes steps of receiving a first video stream, receiving a broadcast wave, obtaining a first packet including a PMT from the received first video stream, obtaining emergency information regarding an emergency warning broadcast from the received broadcast wave, generating a second packet including the PMT included in the obtained first packet and the obtained emergency information, and transmitting the generated second packet.

[0019] In this way, by the method of acquiring emergency information from a broadcast wave and generating and transmitting a second packet including the PMT included in the first packet and the acquired emergency information, for example, emergency information can be added to a video stream in which the transmission of the PMT including the emergency information is not performed, following the broadcast wave. Therefore, an excellent function regarding the transmission of the PMT including emergency information related to emergency warning broadcasting can be realized.

[0020] (6) The emergency information adding method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is an emergency information adding method in an emergency information adding device, including the steps of receiving a first video stream, receiving a broadcast wave, acquiring a first packet including a PMT from the received first video stream, and transmitting a third packet including the PMT. In the step of transmitting the second packet, the acquired first packet is transmitted as the third packet, or the first packet with the emergency information acquired from the broadcast wave added thereto is transmitted as the third packet.

[0021] In this way, by the method of acquiring emergency information from a broadcast wave and transmitting the first packet acquired from the first video stream or the first packet with the emergency information added thereto, while transmitting the PMT, the emergency information following the broadcast wave can be added to the PMT. Therefore, an excellent function regarding the transmission of the PMT including emergency information related to emergency warning broadcasting can be realized.

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description will not be repeated. Also, at least a part of the embodiments described below may be arbitrarily combined.

[0023] [Configuration and Basic Operation] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a broadcast system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1, the broadcast system 501 includes an encoding device 211 and a modulation device 221. The encoding device 211 and the modulation device 221 can communicate with a control server 321 via a switch 311. Note that the encoding device 211 and the modulation device 221 may be integrated and provided in one housing.

[0024] The broadcast system 501 transmits content to a STB (Set Top Box) 401 provided in a user's home via a cable television network 411. The content includes, for example, audio information, video information, PSI (Program Specific Information) information, and SI (Service Information) information.

[0025] The control server 321 transmits control information regarding content transmission to the encoding device 211 and the modulation device 221 via the switch 311.

[0026] The encoding device 211 generates a stream S1 including content and transmits the generated stream S1 to the modulation device 221.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of an encoding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 2, the encoding device 211 includes a TS (Transport Stream) generation unit 21, a multiplexing unit 22, an output unit 23, and a management unit 24. The TS generation unit 21 includes an encoding unit 21A, a PSI generation unit 21B, and an SI generation unit 21C.

[0028] The management unit 24 can communicate with the control server 321 via the switch 311. The management unit 24 receives control information from the control server 321 via the switch 311 and outputs the received control information to the TS generation unit 21 and the multiplexing unit 22.

[0029] The encoding unit 21A outputs a plurality of TS packets P1 including information in which audio information and video information are divided into a plurality of parts to the multiplexing unit 22. More specifically, the encoding unit 21A receives control information indicating the content to be transmitted by the broadcast system 501 from the management unit 24, and according to the received control information, acquires a plurality of contents corresponding to a plurality of services of the independent broadcast from a storage unit inside or outside the encoding device 211. The encoding unit 21A generates a plurality of TS packets P1 including information in which audio information and video information are divided into a plurality of parts by encoding the audio information and video information included in the acquired content. The encoding unit 21A outputs the generated TS packets P1 to the multiplexing unit 22.

[0030] The PSI generation unit 21B outputs a TS packet P1 including PSI information to the multiplexing unit 22. In the TS packet P1 output to the multiplexing unit 22 by the PSI generation unit 21B, as PSI information, a PAT, a PMT, a TOT (Time Offset Table), etc. are stored. Hereinafter, the TS packet P1 including the PAT is also referred to as "TS packet P1_pat", and the TS packet P1 including the PMT is also referred to as "TS packet P1_pmt". The TS packet P1_pmt is an example of the first packet and an example of the third packet. The PID (Packet ID) of the TS packet P1_pat is "0x0000". Here, the number starting with "0x" means that the number after "0x" is represented in hexadecimal. The PID of the TS packet P1_pmt is specified in the PAT stored in the TS packet P1_pat. The PID of the TS packet P1_pmt may be changed due to a restart of the encoding device 211 or the like.

[0031] The PSI generation unit 21B generates a plurality of PMTs corresponding to a plurality of services respectively at an output timing according to a predetermined output period Ct1, and outputs a plurality of TS packets P1_pmt each including the plurality of PMTs to the multiplexing unit 22. The output period Ct1 is, for example, 100 milliseconds. The PSI generation unit 21B generates a TS packet P1_pmt including a different PID for each service.

[0032] Also, the PSI generation unit 21B generates a PAT indicating the PID of each TS packet P1_pmt at output timing according to a predetermined output period Ct2, and outputs a TS packet P1_pat including the generated PAT to the multiplexing unit 22.

[0033] The SI generation unit 21C outputs a TS packet P1 including SI information to the multiplexing unit 22. In the TS packet P1 generated by the SI generation unit 21C and output to the multiplexing unit 22, SDT (Service Description Table), EIT (Event Information Table), BIT (Broadcaster Information Table), etc. are stored as SI information.

[0034] The multiplexing unit 22 generates a stream S1 including the TS packet P1 by multiplexing the TS packets P1 received from each of the encoding unit 21A, the PSI generation unit 21B, and the SI generation unit 21C in the time axis direction. The multiplexing unit 22 outputs the generated stream S1 to the output unit 23. The stream S1 is an example of a first video stream.

[0035] The output unit 23 transmits an ASI (Asynchronous Serial Interface) signal including the stream S1 received from the multiplexing unit 22 to the modulation device 221.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 1 again, the modulation device 221 receives an ASI signal from the encoding device 211. The modulation device 221 generates a modulation signal by modulating the stream S1 included in the received ASI signal according to a predetermined modulation method such as OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing). The modulation device 221 generates an RF (Radio Frequency) band broadcast signal by up-converting the generated modulation signal, and transmits the generated broadcast signal to the STB 401 via the cable television network 411.

[0037] [Problem] A technology that can realize an excellent function related to the transmission of a PMT including emergency information related to emergency warning broadcasts is desired.

[0038] More specifically, in services such as terrestrial digital broadcasting, while a PMT including an emergency information descriptor is transmitted during the period when an emergency warning broadcast is being conducted, for example, in the service of independent broadcasting, the transmission of a PMT including an emergency information descriptor is not performed. A technology that can perform the transmission of a PMT including an emergency information descriptor in the service of independent broadcasting is desired.

[0039] Therefore, the broadcasting system 501 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure solves the above problems with the following configuration.

[0040] (Modulation device) FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a modulation device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 3, the modulation device 221 includes an ASI reception unit 31, a broadcast reception unit 32, a modulation unit 33, an output unit 34, a management unit 35, and an emergency information adding unit 101. The emergency information adding unit 101 is an example of an emergency information adding device.

[0041] The management unit 35 can communicate with the control server 321 via the switch 311. The management unit 35 receives control information from the control server 321 via the switch 311 and outputs the received control information to the modulation unit 33 and the output unit 34.

[0042] The ASI reception unit 31 receives an ASI signal from the encoding device 211. The ASI reception unit 31 outputs the received ASI signal to the emergency information adding unit 101.

[0043] The broadcast reception unit 32 receives a broadcast wave including the stream S2 via an antenna (not shown). The stream S2 includes, for example, content of terrestrial digital broadcasting. The broadcast reception unit 32 outputs the received broadcast wave to the emergency information adding unit 101.

[0044] Stream S2 includes TS packets P2 in which audio information, video information, PAT, PMT, TOT, SDT, EIT, BIT, etc. are stored. Hereinafter, the TS packet P2 including PAT is also referred to as "TS packet P2_pat", and the TS packet P2 including PMT is also referred to as "TS packet P2_pmt". The PID of the TS packet P2_pat is "0x0000". The PID of the TS packet P2_pmt is specified in the PAT stored in the TS packet P2_pat. The PID of the TS packet P2_pmt may be changed due to a restart of the device that generates the stream S2, etc.

[0045] During the period when an emergency alert broadcast is being carried out, the PMT in the TS packet P2_pmt includes an emergency information descriptor regarding the emergency alert broadcast. Further, the emergency information descriptor includes the service ID of the service of the broadcast wave on which the emergency alert broadcast is carried out. The emergency information descriptor is an example of emergency information. For example, the TS packet P2_pmt is output included in the stream S2 at the output period Ct1.

[0046] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of an emergency information adding unit in a modulation device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 4, the emergency information adding unit 101 includes receiving units 11A, 11B, FIFOs (First In First Out) 12A, 12B, extraction units 13A, 13B, removal unit 14, generation unit 15, FIFOs 16A, 16B, multiplexing unit 17, output unit 18, and storage unit 19. The removal unit 14 includes a packet filter 14A and a PMT blocking unit 14B. The receiving unit 11A is an example of a stream receiving unit. The receiving unit 11B is an example of a broadcast wave receiving unit. The extraction unit 13A is an example of a PMT acquisition unit and also an example of an analysis unit. The extraction unit 13B is an example of an emergency information acquisition unit. The output unit 18 is an example of a transmission unit. Some or all of the receiving units 11A, 11B, extraction units 13A, 13B, removal unit 14, generation unit 15, multiplexing unit 17, and output unit 18 are realized by, for example, a processing circuit (Circuitry) including one or a plurality of processors. The storage unit 19 is, for example, a non-volatile memory included in the above processing circuit.

[0047] (Receiving of Stream S1) The receiving unit 11A receives the stream S1. More specifically, the receiving unit 11A receives an ASI signal from the ASI receiving unit 31. The receiving unit 11A acquires the stream S1 from the received ASI signal and outputs it to the FIFO 12A. Note that the modulation device 221 may be configured to include a GbE receiving unit that receives a GbE (Gigabit Ethernet) signal including the stream S1 instead of the ASI receiving unit 31. In this case, the receiving unit 11A receives a GbE signal from the GbE receiving unit instead of the ASI signal, acquires the stream S1 from the received GbE signal, and outputs it to the FIFO 12A.

[0048] The FIFO 12A stores the stream S1 received from the receiving unit 11A in an internal memory (not shown). The FIFO 12A outputs the stream S1 stored in the memory to the extraction unit 13A and the removal unit 14.

[0049] (Receiving of Stream S2) The receiving unit 11B receives a broadcast wave. More specifically, the receiving unit 11B receives a broadcast wave from the broadcast receiving unit 32. The receiving unit 11B is, for example, a NIM (Network Interface Module), and generates the stream S2 by performing demodulation processing on the received broadcast wave and outputs it to the FIFO 12B.

[0050] The FIFO 12B stores the stream S2 received from the receiving unit 11B in an internal memory (not shown). The FIFO 12B outputs the stream S2 stored in the memory to the extraction unit 13B.

[0051] (Obtaining of TS Packet P1_pmt) The extraction unit 13A obtains the TS packet P1_pmt from the stream S1 received by the receiving unit 11A. More specifically, the extraction unit 13A extracts the TS packet P1_pmt from among the TS packets P1 included in the stream S1 received from the FIFO 12A.

[0052] For example, the extraction unit 13A analyzes the PAT included in the stream S1 to obtain the PID, which is the identifier of the TS packet P1_pmt. More specifically, the extraction unit 13A refers to the PID stored in the header part of the TS packet P1 included in the stream S1 received from the FIFO 12A, and extracts the TS packet P1_pat in which the PID of the TS packets P1 included in the stream S1 is "0x0000". The extraction unit 13A obtains the PAT from the extracted TS packet P1_pat, and obtains the PIDs of the plurality of TS packets P1_pmt respectively corresponding to the plurality of services specified in the obtained PAT.

[0053] When the extraction unit 13A obtains the PID of the TS packet P1_pmt, the extraction unit 13A starts to extract the TS packet P1_pmt based on the obtained PID. More specifically, the extraction unit 13A refers to the PID stored in the header part of the TS packet P1 included in the stream S1 received from the FIFO 12A, and extracts the TS packet P1_pmt among the TS packets P1 included in the stream S1. The extraction unit 13A stores the extracted TS packet P1_pmt in the storage unit 19.

[0054] In addition, when the extraction unit 13A obtains the PID of the TS packet P1_pmt, the extraction unit 13A outputs a filter instruction including the obtained PID to the removal unit 14.

[0055] (Obtaining an emergency information descriptor) The extraction unit 13B obtains an emergency information descriptor related to an emergency warning broadcast from the broadcast wave received by the reception unit 11B.

[0056] More specifically, the extraction unit 13B, in the same manner as the extraction unit 13A, refers to the PID stored in the header part of the TS packet P2 included in the stream S2 received from the FIFO 12B, and extracts the TS packet P2_pat in which the PID of the TS packets P2 included in the stream S2 is "0x0000". The extraction unit 13B obtains the PAT from the extracted TS packet P2_pat, and obtains the PID of the TS packet P2_pmt specified in the obtained PAT.

[0057] When the extraction unit 13B acquires the PID of the TS packet P2_pmt, it starts extracting the TS packet P2_pmt based on the acquired PID. More specifically, the extraction unit 13B refers to the PID stored in the header part of the TS packet P2 included in the stream S2 received from the FIFO 12B, and extracts the TS packet P2_pmt from the TS packets P2 included in the stream S2.

[0058] When the extraction unit 13B determines that the PMT in the extracted TS packet P2_pmt contains an emergency information descriptor, the extraction unit 13B acquires the emergency information descriptor and stores it in the storage unit 19, and discards the TS packet P2_pmt. On the other hand, when the extraction unit 13B determines that the PMT in the extracted TS packet P2_pmt does not contain an emergency information descriptor, the extraction unit 13B discards the TS packet P2_pmt.

[0059] (Removal process) The removal unit 14 performs a removal process of removing the TS packet P1_pmt from the stream S1. More specifically, in the removal process, the removal unit 14 removes the TS packet P1_pmt from the TS packets P1 included in the stream S1 received from the FIFO 12A, and outputs the stream S1 from which the TS packet P1_pmt has been removed to the FIFO 16A.

[0060] The FIFO 16A accumulates the stream S1 received from the removal unit 14 in an internal memory (not shown). The FIFO 16A outputs the stream S1 accumulated in the memory to the multiplexing unit 17.

[0061] (1) Removal process based on table ID The removal unit 14 removes, as the TS packet P1_pmt, the TS packet P1 whose payload part stores a predetermined table ID among the TS packets P1 constituting the stream S1.

[0062] More specifically, the table ID of "0x02" is stored in the payload part of the TS packet P1_pmt. The PMT blocking part 14B in the removal part 14 performs a removal process based on the table ID. Specifically, the PMT blocking part 14B refers to the payload part of the TS packet P1 included in the stream S1 received from the FIFO 12A, and determines that the TS packet P1 in which the table ID of "0x02" is stored among the TS packets P1 included in the stream S1 is the TS packet P1_pmt. Then, the PMT blocking part 14B removes the determined TS packet P1_pmt from the stream S1.

[0063] (2) Removal process based on PID When the PID of the TS packet P1_pmt is acquired by the extraction part 13A, the removal part 14 removes, as the TS packet P1_pmt, the TS packet P1 in which the PID is stored in the header part among the TS packets P1 constituting the stream S1.

[0064] More specifically, the packet filter 14A in the removal part 14 receives a filter instruction from the extraction part 13A, acquires the PID from the received filter instruction, and performs a removal process based on the acquired PID. Specifically, the packet filter 14A refers to the header part of the TS packet P1 included in the stream S1 received from the FIFO 12A, and determines that the TS packet P1 in which the PID acquired from the filter instruction is stored among the TS packets P1 included in the stream S1 is the TS packet P1_pmt. Then, the packet filter 14A removes the determined TS packet P1_pmt from the stream S1.

[0065] FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing an example of the removal process by the removal part in the emergency information adding part according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis indicates the time when the TS packet P1 arrives at the emergency information adding part 101.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 5, when the emergency information adding unit 101 is activated at time ts, the PMT blocking unit 14B in the removing unit 14 starts the removal process based on the table ID.

[0067] Next, at time t1 after time ts, the extraction unit 13A extracts the TS packet P1_pat included in the stream S1 received by the receiving unit 11A. The extraction unit 13A analyzes the PAT stored in the extracted TS packet P1_pat to obtain the PID of the TS packet P1_pmt. Then, at time t2 after time t1, the extraction unit 13A outputs a filter instruction including the obtained PID to the removing unit 14.

[0068] The packet filter 14A in the removing unit 14 starts the removal process based on the PID according to the filter instruction received from the extraction unit 13A at time t2. For example, when the removal process by the packet filter 14A starts, the PMT blocking unit 14B in the removing unit 14 ends the removal process based on the table ID.

[0069] (Generation of TS Packet P1_pmtEM) Referring to FIG. 4 again, the generation unit 15 generates a TS packet P1_pmtEM including the PMT included in the TS packet P1_pmt obtained by the extraction unit 13A and the emergency information descriptor obtained by the extraction unit 13B. The TS packet P1_pmtEM is an example of the second packet and also an example of the third packet.

[0070] For example, the generation unit 15 outputs the TS packet P1_pmt or the TS packet P1_pmtEM to the FIFO 16B at the generation timing according to a predetermined generation period Cg. More specifically, the generation unit 15 refers to the storage unit 19 at the generation timing according to the generation period Cg. When the TS packet P1_pmt is not stored in the storage unit 19, the generation unit 15 waits for the next generation timing.

[0071] On the one hand, at the generation timing, when the TS packet P1_pmt and the emergency information descriptor are stored in the storage unit 19, the generation unit 15 acquires the TS packet P1_pmt and the emergency information descriptor from the storage unit 19, and deletes the TS packet P1_pmt and the emergency information descriptor in the storage unit 19. The generation unit 15 rewrites the service ID in the acquired emergency information descriptor with the service ID of the self - broadcast service by the encoding device 211. The generation unit 15 generates a TS packet P1_pmtEM with the emergency information descriptor added by adding the emergency information descriptor with the rewritten service ID to the PMT in the TS packet P1_pmt acquired from the storage unit 19. The generation unit 15 outputs the generated TS packet P1_pmtEM to the FIFO16B.

[0072] On the other hand, at the generation timing, when the TS packet P1_pmt is stored in the storage unit 19 and the emergency information descriptor is not stored, the generation unit 15 acquires the TS packet P1_pmt from the storage unit 19, and deletes the TS packet P1_pmt in the storage unit 19. The generation unit 15 outputs the acquired TS packet P1_pmt to the FIFO16B.

[0073] The FIFO16B accumulates the TS packets P1_pmt and P1_pmtEM received from the generation unit 15 in an internal memory (not shown). The FIFO16B outputs the TS packets P1_pmt and P1_pmtEM accumulated in the memory to the multiplexing unit 17.

[0074] (Output of the stream S2) The multiplexing unit 17 generates a stream S1EM in which the TS packet P1_pmtEM generated by the generation unit 16 is multiplexed onto the stream S1 from which the TS packet P1_pmt has been removed by the removal unit 14. The stream S1EM is an example of a second video stream. More specifically, the multiplexing unit 17 generates a stream S1EM including the TS packet P1_pmtEM by multiplexing the stream S1 received from the FIFO 16A and the TS packets P1_pmt, P1_pmtEM received from the FIFO 16B in the time axis direction. The multiplexing unit 17 outputs the generated stream S1EM to the output unit 18.

[0075] The output unit 18 outputs the TS packet P1_pmtEM generated by the generation unit 15. More specifically, the output unit 18 receives the stream S1EM generated by the multiplexing unit 17 and outputs the received stream S1EM to the modulation unit 33.

[0076] Referring again to FIG. 3, the modulation unit 33 receives the stream S1EM from the emergency information adding unit 101. The modulation unit 33 generates a modulation signal by modulating the received stream S1EM according to a predetermined modulation method such as OFDM according to the control information received from the management unit 35, and outputs the generated modulation signal to the output unit 34.

[0077] The output unit 34 generates a broadcast signal in the frequency band indicated by the control information received from the management unit 35 by up-converting the modulation signal received from the modulation unit 33, and transmits the generated broadcast signal to the STB 401 via the cable television network 411.

[0078] [Operation flow] FIG. 6 is a flowchart defining an example of an operation procedure when the emergency information adding unit according to the embodiment of the present disclosure outputs the stream S1EM.

[0079] Referring to FIG. 6, first, the emergency information adding unit 101 starts receiving the ASI signal including the stream S1 (step S11).

[0080] Next, the emergency information adding unit 101 starts acquiring the TS packet P1_pmt included in the stream S1 (step S12).

[0081] Next, the emergency information adding unit 101 starts receiving and demodulating the broadcast wave including the stream S2 (step S13).

[0082] Next, the emergency information adding unit 101 starts acquiring the TS packet P2_pmt included in the stream S2 (step S14).

[0083] Next, the emergency information adding unit 101 starts generating the stream S1EM including the TS packet P1_pmtEM (step S15).

[0084] Next, the emergency information adding unit 101 starts outputting the stream S1EM to the modulation unit 33. More specifically, the emergency information adding unit 101 transmits the TS packet P1_pmt or the TS packet P1_pmtEM at a timing according to the generation period Cg (step S16).

[0085] FIG. 7 is a flowchart defining an example of an operation procedure when the emergency information adding unit according to the embodiment of the present disclosure extracts the TS packet P1_pmt from the ASI signal.

[0086] Referring to FIG. 7, first, the emergency information adding unit 101 waits for the arrival of the TS packet P1_pat (NO in step S21), and when detecting the TS packet P1_pat among a plurality of TS packets P1 in the stream S1 (YES in step S21), acquires the TS packet P1_pat from the stream S1 (step S22).

[0087] Next, the emergency information adding unit 101 acquires the PID of the TS packet P1_pmt by analyzing the PAT stored in the acquired TS packet P1_pat (step S23).

[0088] Next, the emergency information adding unit 101 waits for the arrival of the TS packet P1_pmt, which is the TS packet P1 in which the acquired PID is stored (NO in step S24). When detecting the TS packet P1_pmt among the plurality of TS packets P1 in the stream S1 (YES in step S24), the emergency information adding unit 101 acquires the TS packet P1_pmt from the stream S1 (step S25).

[0089] Next, the emergency information adding unit 101 stores the extracted TS packet P1_pmt in the storage unit 19 (step S26).

[0090] Next, the emergency information adding unit 101 waits for the arrival of a new TS packet P1_pmt (NO in step S21).

[0091] FIG. 8 is a flowchart defining an example of an operation procedure when the emergency information adding unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure extracts the TS packet P2_pmt from a broadcast wave.

[0092] Referring to FIG. 8, first, the emergency information adding unit 101 waits for the arrival of the TS packet P2_pat (NO in step S31). When detecting the TS packet P2_pat among the plurality of TS packets P2 in the stream S2 (YES in step S31), the emergency information adding unit 101 acquires the TS packet P2_pat from the stream S2 (step S32).

[0093] Next, the emergency information adding unit 101 acquires the PID of the TS packet P2_pmt by analyzing the PAT stored in the extracted TS packet P2_pat (step S33).

[0094] Next, the emergency information adding unit 101 waits for the arrival of the TS packet P2_pmt, which is the TS packet P2 in which the acquired PID is stored (NO in step S34). When detecting the TS packet P2_pmt among the plurality of TS packets P2 in the stream S2 (YES in step S34), the emergency information adding unit 101 acquires the TS packet P2_pmt from the stream S2 (step S35).

[0095] Next, when the emergency information adding unit 101 determines that the PMT in the extracted TS packet P2_pmt contains an emergency information descriptor (YES in step S36), the emergency information adding unit 101 acquires the emergency information descriptor and stores it in the storage unit 19 (step S37).

[0096] Next, the emergency information adding unit 101 proceeds to step S34 to wait for the arrival of a new TS packet P2_pmt.

[0097] On the other hand, when the emergency information adding unit 101 determines that the PMT in the extracted TS packet P2_pmt does not contain an emergency information descriptor (NO in step S36), the emergency information adding unit 101 discards the TS packet P2_pmt (step S38).

[0098] Next, the emergency information adding unit 101 proceeds to step S34 to wait for the arrival of a new TS packet P2_pmt.

[0099] FIG. 9 is a flowchart defining an example of an operation procedure when the emergency information adding unit according to the embodiment of the present disclosure removes the TS packet P1_pmt from the stream S1.

[0100] Referring to FIG. 9, first, the PMT blocking unit 14B in the removing unit 14 of the emergency information adding unit 101 starts the removal process based on the table ID in accordance with the activation of the emergency information adding unit 101 (step S41).

[0101] Next, the packet filter 14A in the removing unit 14 of the emergency information adding unit 101 waits for a filter instruction from the extraction unit 13A (NO in step S42), and when receiving the filter instruction (YES in step S42), starts the removal process based on the PID (step S43).

[0102] Next, the PMT blocking unit 14B in the removing unit 14 of the emergency information adding unit 101 ends the removal process based on the table ID (step S44).

[0103] FIG. 10 is a flowchart defining an example of an operation procedure when an emergency information adding unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure generates a TS packet P1_pmtEM.

[0104] Referring to FIG. 10, first, a generation unit 15 in the emergency information adding unit 101 waits for a generation timing according to a generation period Cg (NO in step S51). When the generation timing arrives (YES in step S51), the storage unit 19 is referred to (step S52).

[0105] Next, when the generation unit 15 determines that the TS packet P1_pmt is not stored in the storage unit 19 (NO in step S53), it waits for a new generation timing (NO in step S51).

[0106] On the other hand, when the generation unit 15 determines that the TS packet P1_pmt and the emergency information descriptor are stored in the storage unit 19 (YES in step S53 and YES in step S54), the generation unit 15 acquires the TS packet P1_pmt and the emergency information descriptor from the storage unit 19, and adds the emergency information descriptor with the service ID rewritten to the PMT in the TS packet P1_pmt to generate a TS packet P1_pmtEM (step S55).

[0107] Next, the generation unit 15 outputs the generated TS packet P1_pmtEM to the FIFO 16B (step S56).

[0108] Next, the generation unit 15 proceeds to step S51 to wait for a new generation timing.

[0109] On the other hand, when the generation unit 15 determines that the TS packet P1_pmt is stored in the storage unit 19 and the emergency information descriptor is not stored (YES in step S53 and NO in step S54), the generation unit 15 acquires the TS packet P1_pmt from the storage unit 19 and outputs it to the FIFO 16B (step S57).

[0110] Next, the generation unit 15 proceeds to step S51 to wait for a new generation timing.

[0111] Note that although the emergency information adding unit 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is configured to include the removing unit 14, the multiplexing unit 17, and the output unit 18, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Instead of the emergency information adding unit 101, a device external to the emergency information adding unit 101 may be configured to include the removing unit 14, the multiplexing unit 17, and the output unit 18.

[0112] Also, in the emergency information adding unit 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, although the removing unit 14 is configured to include a packet filter 14A and a PMT blocking unit 14B, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The removing unit 14 may be configured to include the packet filter 14A but not include the PMT blocking unit 14B. However, in this case, the removing unit 14 cannot perform the removing process until the analysis of the PAT in the extraction unit 13A is completed and it receives a filter instruction from the extraction unit 13A. That is, after the activation of the emergency information adding unit 101, the removing unit 14 cannot remove the TS packet P1_pmt that arrived before the TS packet P1_pat and the TS packet P1_pmt that arrived before the completion of the analysis of the PAT during the period from the time ts to the time t2 in FIG. 5. Also, even when the encoding device 211 resets the PID of the TS packet P1_pmt due to restart, the removing unit 14 similarly cannot remove the TS packet P1_pmt that arrived before the TS packet P1_pat and the TS packet P1_pmt that arrived before the completion of the analysis of the PAT after the PID reset. Therefore, in the emergency information adding unit 101 that does not include the PMT blocking unit 14B, a TS packet P1_pmt that does not include an emergency information descriptor is output during the period from the time ts to the time t2 regardless of whether an emergency alert broadcast is being performed, so a PMT different from the broadcast wave may be transmitted regarding the presence or absence of the emergency information descriptor. On the other hand, in the emergency information adding unit 101 that includes the PMT blocking unit 14B, the TS packet P1_pmt that arrived before the TS packet P1_pat and the TS packet P1_pmt that arrived before the completion of the analysis of the PAT can be removed without requiring a notification from the encoding device 211 regarding the PID setting of the TS packet P1_pmt, so the transmission of a PMT different from the broadcast wave regarding the presence or absence of the emergency information descriptor can be suppressed.

[0113] Also, in the emergency information adding unit 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the removing unit 14 may include the PMT blocking unit 14B and not include the packet filter 14A. However, in this case, the removing unit 14 may not be able to remove some of the TS packets P1_pmt in the stream S1. More specifically, when the data length of the PMT in the encoding device 211 exceeds 184 bytes, which is the payload length of the TS packet P1, the PSI generation unit 21B in the encoding device 211 outputs a plurality of TS packets P1_pmt including information in which the PMT is divided into a plurality. In this case, the table ID is stored in the 6th byte of the first TS packet P1_pmt in the output order among the plurality of TS packets P1_pmt, while the table ID is not stored in the payload part of the TS packets P1_pmt after the second in the output order. Therefore, in the emergency information adding unit 101 that does not include the packet filter 14A, since the TS packets P1_pmt after the second in the output order among the plurality of TS packets P1_pmt cannot be removed, a PMT different from the broadcast wave may be transmitted regarding the presence or absence of the emergency information descriptor.

[0114] Also, in the emergency information adding unit 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, although the PMT blocking unit 14B in the removing unit 14 is configured to end the removing process based on the table ID with the start of the removing process by the packet filter 14A, the present invention is not limited thereto. The PMT blocking unit 14B may be configured to perform the removing process based on the table ID in parallel with the removing process based on the PID by the packet filter 14A after the start of the removing process by the packet filter 14A.

[0115] The above embodiments should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of claims rather than the above description, and it is intended that all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims be included.

[0116] Each process (each function) of the above-described embodiment is realized by a processing circuit including one or more processors. The processing circuit may be configured by, in addition to the one or more processors, an integrated circuit in which one or more memories, various analog circuits, and various digital circuits are combined. The one or more memories store a program (instruction) for causing the one or more processors to execute each of the above processes. The one or more processors may execute each of the above processes according to the program read from the one or more memories, or may execute each of the above processes according to a logic circuit designed in advance to execute each of the above processes. The processor may be various processors suitable for computer control, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Note that the plurality of physically separated processors may cooperate with each other to execute each of the above processes. For example, the processors mounted on each of the plurality of physically separated computers may cooperate with each other via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), and the Internet to execute each of the above processes. The program may be installed in the memory via the network from an external server device or the like, or may be distributed in a state stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk Read Only Memory), and a semiconductor memory, and may be installed in the memory from the recording medium.

[0117] The above description includes the features appended below. [Appendix 1] A stream receiving unit that receives a first video stream, and A broadcast wave receiving unit that receives a broadcast wave, A PMT acquisition unit that acquires a first packet including a PMT from the first video stream received by the stream receiving unit, An emergency information acquisition unit that acquires emergency information related to an emergency warning broadcast from the broadcast wave received by the broadcast wave receiving unit, A generation unit that generates a second packet including the PMT included in the first packet acquired by the PMT acquisition unit and the emergency information acquired by the emergency information acquisition unit, And a transmission unit that transmits the second packet generated by the generation unit, The generation unit generates the second packet including the PMT and the emergency information with the service ID rewritten, and is an emergency information adding device.

[0118] An emergency information adding device, Comprising a processing circuit, The processing circuit, Receives a first video stream, Receives a broadcast wave, Acquires a first packet including a PMT from the received first video stream, Acquires emergency information related to an emergency warning broadcast from the received broadcast wave, Generates a second packet including the PMT included in the acquired first packet and the acquired emergency information, And transmits the generated second packet, and is an emergency information adding device.

Explanation of symbols

[0119] 11A, 11B Receiving unit 12A, 12B, 16A, 16B FIFO 13A, 13B Extraction unit 14 Removal unit 14A Packet filter 14B PMT blocking unit 15 Generation unit 17 Multiplexing unit 18 Output unit 19 Storage unit 21 TS Generation Unit 21A Encoding Unit 21B PSI Generation Unit 21C SI Generation Unit 22 Multiplexing Unit 23 Output Unit 24 Management Unit 31 ASI Receiver 32 Broadcast Receiver 33 Modulation Unit 34 Output Unit 35 Management Unit 101 Emergency Information Adding Unit 211 Encoding Device 221 Modulation Device 311 Switch 321 Control Server 401 STB 411 Cable TV Network 501 Broadcast System P1_pat TS Packet P1_pmt TS Packet

Claims

1. A stream receiving unit that receives a first video stream, A broadcast wave receiving unit that receives a broadcast wave, A PMT acquisition unit that acquires a first packet including a PMT (Program Map Table) from the first video stream received by the stream receiving unit, An emergency information acquisition unit that acquires emergency information related to an emergency warning broadcast from the broadcast wave received by the broadcast wave receiving unit, A generation unit that generates a second packet including the PMT included in the first packet acquired by the PMT acquisition unit and the emergency information acquired by the emergency information acquisition unit, An emergency information providing device comprising a transmission unit that transmits the second packet generated by the generation unit.

2. The emergency information providing device further comprises: A removal unit that removes the first packet from the first video stream, A multiplexing unit that generates a second video stream in which the second packet generated by the generation unit is multiplexed into the first video stream from which the first packet has been removed by the removal unit, The transmission unit transmits the second video stream generated by the multiplexing unit. The emergency information providing device according to claim 1.

3. The removal unit removes, as the first packet, a packet in which a predetermined table ID is stored in a payload part among the packets constituting the first video stream. The emergency information providing device according to claim 2.

4. The emergency information providing device further comprises: An analysis unit that analyzes a PAT (Program Association Table) included in the first video stream to acquire an identifier of the first packet, When the identifier is acquired by the analysis unit, the removal unit removes, as the first packet, a packet in which the identifier is stored in a header part among the packets constituting the first video stream. The emergency information providing device according to claim 2 or claim 3.

5. An emergency information providing method in an emergency information providing device, comprising: Receiving a first video stream, Receiving a broadcast wave, Acquiring a first packet including a PMT from the received first video stream, Acquiring emergency information related to an emergency warning broadcast from the received broadcast wave, Generating a second packet including the PMT included in the acquired first packet and the acquired emergency information, A method for attaching emergency information, comprising the step of transmitting the generated second packet.

6. An emergency information attaching method in an emergency information attaching apparatus, comprising: receiving a first video stream; receiving a broadcast wave; obtaining a first packet including a PMT from the received first video stream; transmitting a third packet including the PMT; and in the step of transmitting the third packet, transmitting the obtained first packet as the third packet, or transmitting the first packet with emergency information obtained from the broadcast wave added thereto as the third packet.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

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