SI sending device and SI sending method

Abstract

To transmit Service Information (SI) concerning a content distributed from each of IP distribution devices in a broadcast system, to a subscriber's house with a simple constitution, even when the number of the IP distribution devices increases.SOLUTION: An SI transmission device comprises: a reception unit which receives a stream to be transmitted to an IP distribution device for distributing a content; an extraction unit which extracts, from the stream received by the reception unit, Other information being SI information concerning a content other than the content which has to be distributed by the IP distribution device; and a generation unit which generates SI stream including SI information based on the Other information extracted by the extraction unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an SI sending device and an SI sending method. [Background technology]

[0002] A so-called IP retransmission service, in which digital broadcast signals sent from broadcasting facilities operated by broadcasters are transmitted to receivers in subscribers' homes via transmission facilities and IP multicast networks operated by IP retransmission service providers, is beginning to become widespread.

[0003] For example, IPTVFJ STD-0009 Version 1.3, “BS Digital Broadcasting IP Retransmission Operational Regulations,” IPTV Forum, General Incorporated Association, September 13, 2017 (Non-Patent Document 1), discloses operational regulations regarding IP retransmission services for BS digital broadcasting.

[0004] Furthermore, Patent Document 1 (JP Patent Publication No. 2020-10199A) discloses an IP retransmission device as follows: That is, the IP retransmission device is an IP retransmission device used in an IP retransmission system that retransmits digital broadcast signals of multiple channels received from an antenna to multiple receivers via an IP multicast network, extracts SI information from the digital broadcast signals, stores the SI information in packets with an SI identification value added to part of the header information, and transmits the packets to the IP multicast network together with the broadcast stream or separately from the broadcast stream. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-10199 A [Non-patent literature]

[0006] [Non-Patent Document 1] IPTVFJ STD-0009 1.3 edition, "BS digital broadcasting IP retransmission operation regulations", IPTV Forum, September 13, 2017 [Non-Patent Document 2] JLabs SPEC-035 2.1, "Advanced Cable Independent Broadcasting Operation Specification", Japan Cable Laboratories, December 25, 2018 [Non-Patent Document 3] JLabs SPEC-003, "Digital Broadcasting Remax Operation Specification (Independent Broadcasting)", Japan Cable Laboratories [Non-Patent Document 4] JLabs SPEC-017, "Digital Broadcasting Advanced Remax Operation Specification (Independent Broadcasting)", Japan Cable Laboratories Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] According to the technology described in Patent Document 1, in an IP retransmission system for BS digital broadcasting, a receiver at each subscriber's home can easily extract packets containing SI (Service Information) information by distinguishing them from broadcast streams. Therefore, each receiver can efficiently obtain SI information for multiple channels, reducing the processing load on each receiver.

[0008] On the other hand, as an example of a conventional broadcasting system, for example, a broadcasting system is known that includes multiple IP distribution devices installed in a cable television station that distributes independent broadcasting contents, and each IP distribution device distributes contents by IP multicast broadcasting. In such a broadcasting system, even if the number of IP distribution devices increases, a technology is desired that can transmit SI information related to the contents distributed from each IP distribution device to a receiver in a subscriber's home with a simple configuration.

[0009] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a broadcasting system When there are multiple IP distribution devices The present invention aims to provide an SI sending device and an SI sending method that can send SI information related to contents distributed from each IP distribution device to a receiver in a subscriber's home with a simple configuration even in such a case. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The SI sending device of the present disclosure is an SI sending device that sends SI information contained in a stream, and is equipped with a receiving unit that receives the stream transmitted to an IP distribution device that distributes content, an extraction unit that extracts Other information, which is SI information regarding content other than the content to be distributed by the IP distribution device, from the stream received by the receiving unit, and a generation unit that generates a stream for SI including SI information based on the Other information extracted by the extraction unit.

[0011] The SI transmission method disclosed herein is an SI transmission method in an SI transmission device that transmits SI information contained in a stream, and includes the steps of receiving the stream to be transmitted to an IP distribution device that distributes content, extracting Other information from the received stream, which is SI information regarding content other than the content to be distributed by the IP distribution device, and generating a stream for SI including SI information based on the extracted Other information.

[0012] One aspect of the present disclosure may be realized not only as an SI sending device having such a characteristic processing unit, but also as a semiconductor integrated circuit that realizes part or all of the SI sending device, or as a program for causing a computer to execute processing steps in the SI sending device, or as a broadcasting system having an SI sending device, or as a semiconductor integrated circuit that realizes part or all of the broadcasting system, or as a method in which the processing in the broadcasting system is steps, or as a program for causing a computer to execute processing steps in the broadcasting system. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present disclosure, even if the number of IP distribution devices in a broadcasting system increases, SI information regarding content distributed from each IP distribution device can be transmitted to a receiver in a subscriber's home with a simple configuration. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a broadcasting system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an example of a TSID and a service ID in a broadcasting system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a headend device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an SI sending device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a receiving unit in the SI sending device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a format of a TS packet in the broadcasting system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of format conversion by a sectioning unit in the SI sending device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an extraction unit in the SI sending device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an SDT extracted by an SDT extraction unit in an extraction unit of an SI sending device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an SDT extracted by an SDT extraction unit in an extraction unit of an SI sending device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an EIT extracted by an EIT extraction unit in the extraction unit of the SI sending device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of an EIT extracted by an EIT extraction unit in the extraction unit of the SI sending device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a generating unit in the SI sending device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of multiplexing of section data by an SDT multiplexing unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of multiplexing of section data by an EIT multiplexing unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a TS packetization process and a CC rewriting process performed by a TS packetization unit in the SI sending device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a flowchart defining an example of an operation procedure when the SI sending device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure transmits an SI stream. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an extraction unit in an SI sending device according to a modified example of an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a generating unit in an SI sending device according to a modified example of an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] First, the contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0016] (1) An SI sending device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an SI sending device that sends out SI information contained in a stream, and includes a receiving unit that receives the stream transmitted to an IP distribution device that distributes content, an extraction unit that extracts Other information, which is SI information relating to content other than the content to be distributed by the IP distribution device, from the stream received by the receiving unit, and a generation unit that generates a stream for SI including SI information based on the Other information extracted by the extraction unit.

[0017] In this way, by extracting SI information about contents other than the contents to be distributed by a certain IP distribution device from a stream transmitted to the IP distribution device and generating an SI stream, it is possible to obtain SI information about contents distributed from a large number of IP distribution devices from fewer streams and generate an SI stream. Therefore, even if the number of IP distribution devices in the broadcasting system increases, it is possible to transmit SI information about contents distributed from each IP distribution device to a receiver in a subscriber's home with a simple configuration.

[0018] (2) Preferably, the extraction unit further extracts Actual information from the stream, which is SI information regarding the content to be distributed by the IP distribution device, and the generation unit generates the SI stream further based on the Actual information extracted by the extraction unit.

[0019] With this configuration, for example, SI streams for content distributed from all IP distribution devices in a broadcasting system can be generated based on SI information extracted from one stream, thereby simplifying the configuration of transmission paths, etc. for receiving the stream in the SI sending device.

[0020] (3) Preferably, the receiving unit receives a plurality of the streams respectively transmitted to a plurality of the IP distribution devices, the extracting unit extracts the Other information from each of the plurality of streams received by the receiving unit, and the generating unit generates the SI stream by integrating the Other information extracted from each of the plurality of streams by the extracting unit.

[0021] With this configuration, for example, SI streams for content distributed from all IP distribution devices in the broadcasting system can be generated based only on Other information. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which SI streams are generated based on Actual information and Other information, there is no need to perform processing to match the transmission periods of Actual information and Other information, and SI information can be transmitted to receivers in subscribers' homes with a simple configuration.

[0022] (4) More preferably, the receiving unit receives a first stream transmitted to a first IP distribution device and a second stream transmitted to a second IP distribution device, and the extracting unit extracts the Other information from the first stream received by the receiving unit and extracts the Other information corresponding to SI information regarding the content to be distributed by the first IP distribution device from the second stream received by the receiving unit.

[0023] With this configuration, SI streams for content distributed from all IP distribution devices in the broadcasting system can be generated based on Other information extracted from each of the two streams, making it possible to efficiently generate SI streams with the minimum necessary configuration and processing.

[0024] (5) An SI sending method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an SI sending method in an SI sending device that sends SI information contained in a stream, and includes the steps of receiving the stream to be transmitted to an IP distribution device that distributes content, extracting Other information from the received stream, which is SI information related to content other than the content to be distributed by the IP distribution device, and generating a stream for SI including SI information based on the extracted Other information.

[0025] In this way, by extracting SI information about contents other than the contents to be distributed by a certain IP distribution device from a stream transmitted to the IP distribution device and generating an SI stream, it is possible to obtain SI information about contents distributed from a large number of IP distribution devices from a smaller number of streams and generate an SI stream. Therefore, even if the number of IP distribution devices in the broadcasting system increases, it is possible to transmit SI information about contents distributed from each IP distribution device to a receiver in a subscriber's home with a simple configuration.

[0026] 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 the description thereof will not be repeated. In addition, at least some of the embodiments described below may be arbitrarily combined.

[0027] [Configuration and basic operation] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a broadcasting system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. With reference to Fig. 1, the broadcasting system 401 includes a plurality of head-end devices 201, a plurality of IP distribution devices 251, an SI sending device 101, a hub 151, an edge router 162, and a plurality of STBs 301 (Set Top Boxes). The STB 301 is an example of the above-mentioned receiver. In Fig. 1, as an example, the broadcasting system 401 includes N head-end devices 201 and N IP distribution devices 251. N is an integer equal to or greater than 1, for example, 200.

[0028] The IP distribution device 251 and the SI transmission device 101 are installed in, for example, a cable television station. The cable television station can broadcast a plurality of independent channels. Each of the N IP distribution devices 251 distributes one or a plurality of services, i.e., the contents of the channels. The STB is installed in, for example, a subscriber's home.

[0029] One or more channels are assigned to the head-end device 201 in advance. The head-end device 201 generates a stream ST storing content belonging to the channel assigned to itself, and transmits it to the corresponding IP distribution device 251. More specifically, each of the head-end devices 201 generates a stream ST storing content acquired from a content provider, content generated at a cable television station, or content acquired from a broadcast wave received via an antenna (not shown), and transmits it to the corresponding IP distribution device 251. The head-end device 201 transmits the stream ST to the IP distribution device 251 in accordance with the standards described in, for example, Non-Patent Documents 2-4.

[0030] In the broadcasting system 401, a TSID, which is an ID of the stream ST, is assigned to the stream ST transmitted from the head-end device 201. In addition, a service ID, which is an ID of a service, is assigned to a channel assigned to the head-end device 201.

[0031] Fig. 2 is an example of TSID and service ID in the broadcasting system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Fig. 2, the TSID of the stream ST1 transmitted from the head-end device 201_1 to the IP distribution device 251_1 is "1100", the TSID of the stream ST2 transmitted from the head-end device 201_2 to the IP distribution device 251_2 is "1200", and the TSID of the stream ST3 transmitted from the head-end device 201_3 to the IP distribution device 251_3 is "1300".

[0032] Moreover, the channels assigned to the head-end device 201_1 are the channels whose service IDs are "110" and "111." The channels assigned to the head-end device 201_2 are the channels whose service IDs are "120" and "121." The channel assigned to the head-end device 201_3 is the channel whose service ID is "130."

[0033] The stream ST includes contents, i.e., program information, etc. Program information includes, for example, audio information, video information, PSI information (Program Specific Information), SI information, and subtitle information. SI information is a signal used for the purpose of displaying an EPG (Electronic Programming Guide). There are multiple types of information in the SI information. Specifically, for example, the SI information includes table information such as an NIT (Network Information Table), a BIT (Broadcaster Information Table), an SDT (Service Description Table), and an EIT (Event Information Table). In addition, the EIT includes EITpf and EITsch (schedule basic).

[0034] The EIT includes a service ID of any channel to which the content stored in the stream ST in which the EIT is included belongs. The SDT includes a TSID of the stream ST in which the SDT is included, and a list of service IDs of all channels to which the content stored in the stream ST in which the SDT is included belongs.

[0035] Moreover, the stream ST transmitted from the head-end device 201 to the IP distribution device 251 includes Actual information, which is SI information related to the content to be distributed by the IP distribution device 251, and Other information, which is SI information related to the content other than the content to be distributed by the IP distribution device 251. By referring to the table ID of the SI information, it is possible to identify whether the SI information is Actual information or Other information.

[0036] 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a head-end device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 3, head-end device 201 includes program data output unit 211, common data output unit 212, SI / EPG data output unit 213, multiplexing unit 221, and scrambler 231.

[0037] The program data output unit 211 outputs a plurality of TS (Transport Stream) packets including information in which audio information and video information are divided into a plurality of pieces to the multiplexing unit 221. More specifically, the program data output unit 211 generates a plurality of TS packets including information in which audio information and video information are divided into a plurality of pieces by encoding audio information and video information included in content acquired from a content provider, content generated by a cable television station, or content acquired from a broadcast wave received via an antenna (not shown). Then, the program data output unit 211 outputs the generated TS packets to the multiplexing unit 221 by including them in one or a plurality of IP packets.

[0038] The common data output unit 212 outputs a plurality of TS packets including information obtained by dividing update data used to update the STB 301 in the subscriber's home into a plurality of packets to the multiplexing unit 221. More specifically, the common data output unit 212 generates a plurality of TS packets including information obtained by dividing the update data into a plurality of packets by encoding the update data acquired from a server (not shown). The common data output unit 212 then outputs the generated TS packets to the multiplexing unit 221 by including them in one or a plurality of IP packets. Note that some of the N headend devices 201 may be configured not to include the common data output unit 212.

[0039] The SI / EPG data output unit 213 outputs a plurality of TS packets including information in which SI information on each content distributed by the N IP distribution devices 251 is divided into a plurality of pieces to the multiplexing unit 221. More specifically, the SI / EPG data output unit 213 acquires, from a content provider or a broadcasting provider, SI information of content to be distributed by the IP distribution device 251 corresponding to its own head-end device 201, and SI information of content to be distributed by the IP distribution device 251 corresponding to a head-end device 201 other than its own head-end device 201. The SI / EPG data output unit 213 generates a plurality of TS packets including information in which SI information is divided into a plurality of pieces by encoding the acquired SI information. Then, the SI / EPG data output unit 213 outputs the generated TS packets to the multiplexing unit 221 by including them in one or a plurality of IP packets.

[0040] The multiplexing unit 221 multiplexes the TS packets received from each of the program data output unit 211, the common data output unit 212, and the SI / EPG data output unit 213, and outputs the multiplexed TS packets to the scrambling unit 231. More specifically, the multiplexing unit 221 acquires TS packets from the IP packets received from each of the program data output unit 211, the common data output unit 212, and the SI / EPG data output unit 213. The multiplexing unit 221 multiplexes the acquired TS packets in the time axis direction, and outputs the multiplexed TS packets to the scrambling unit 231 by including them in one or more IP packets.

[0041] The scramble unit 231 encrypts the TS packets received from the multiplexing unit 221, and transmits a stream ST including a plurality of encrypted TS packets to the corresponding IP distribution device 251. More specifically, the scramble unit 231 acquires TS packets from the IP packets received from the multiplexing unit 221. The scramble unit 231 encrypts the acquired TS packets, and generates a stream ST including a plurality of encrypted TS packets. The scramble unit 231 then generates a modulated signal by modulating the generated stream ST using a predetermined modulation method such as 64QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) and 256QAM, and transmits the generated modulated signal to the corresponding IP distribution device 251.

[0042] Referring again to FIG. 1, the IP distribution device 251 receives a modulated signal from the corresponding head-end device 201 and obtains a stream ST by demodulating the received modulated signal. The IP distribution device 251 generates a broadcast stream including a content based on the obtained stream ST and transmits the generated broadcast stream to an IPTV transmission network (CDN: Content Delivery Network) 152 via a hub 151. More specifically, the IP distribution device 251 generates a TTS (Timestamped TS) packet by adding transmission time information such as a timestamp indicating the transmission timing of the TS packet to a TS packet included in the obtained stream ST. Then, the IP distribution device 251 generates an IP packet in which one or more generated TTS packets are stored and in which a multicast address different for each IP distribution device 251 is stored as a destination address, and transmits the generated IP packet to the IPTV transmission network (CDN: Content Delivery Network) 152 via the hub 151. In the IPTV transmission network 152, the IP packet is transmitted according to, for example, an IP protocol. The IP distribution device 251 may be configured to transmit an IP packet in which the address of an edge router is stored as the destination address.

[0043] The SI sending device 101 receives a stream ST transmitted from the head-end device 201 to the IP distribution device 251. For example, a distributor D1 (not shown) is provided in front of the IP distribution device 251_1, i.e., on the input side. The SI sending device 101 receives a modulated signal transmitted from the head-end device 201_1 and branched by the distributor D1, and obtains a stream ST1 from the received modulated signal. Also, for example, a distributor D2 (not shown) is provided in front of the IP distribution device 251_2, i.e., on the input side. The SI sending device 101 receives a modulated signal transmitted from the head-end device 201_2 and branched by the distributor D2, and obtains a stream ST2 from the received modulated signal.

[0044] The SI sending device 101 sends out SI information included in the received streams ST1 and ST2. In detail, the SI sending device 101 generates an SI stream based on the received streams ST1 and ST2, and transmits the generated SI stream to the IPTV transmission network 152 via the hub 151. More specifically, the SI sending device 101 generates a plurality of TS packets including information obtained by dividing the SI information included in the received streams ST1 and ST2 into a plurality of pieces. Then, the SI sending device 101 generates an IP packet in which the generated one or a plurality of TS packets are stored and a multicast address is stored as a destination address, and transmits the generated IP packet to the IPTV transmission network 152 via the hub 151. The SI sending device 101 may be configured to send an IP packet in which the address of an edge router is stored as a destination address.

[0045] The edge router 162 is provided between the IPTV transmission network 152 and a plurality of STBs 301. The edge router 162 receives IP packets from the N IP distribution devices 251 and the SI sending device 101 via the hub 151 and the IPTV transmission network 152. The edge router 162 receives a viewing request from an STB 301, and transmits to the STB 301 a broadcast stream of a channel corresponding to a multicast address included in the received viewing request, and also transmits an SI stream to the STB 301.

[0046] The STB 301 acquires content from the broadcast stream received from the edge router 162 and plays back the acquired content on a television device (not shown). Further, the STB 301 acquires SI information from the SI stream received from the edge router 162 and displays an EPG generated based on the acquired SI information on a television device (not shown).

[0047] <SI transmission device> FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of an SI transmission device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 4, the SI transmission device 101 includes a reception unit 10, an extraction unit 20, a generation unit 30, and a transmission unit 40.

[0048] The reception unit 10 receives the stream ST transmitted to the IP distribution device 251. For example, the reception unit 10 receives a plurality of streams ST respectively transmitted to a plurality of IP distribution devices 251 and outputs them to the extraction unit 20.

[0049] The extraction unit 20 extracts Other information, which is SI information regarding content other than the content to be distributed by the IP distribution device 251 that is the destination of the stream ST, from the stream ST received by the reception unit 10. For example, the extraction unit 20 extracts Other information from each of the plurality of streams ST received by the reception unit 10 and outputs it to the generation unit 30.

[0050] The generation unit 30 generates an SI stream including SI information based on the Other information extracted by the extraction unit 20. For example, the generation unit 30 generates an SI stream by integrating the Other information extracted from each of the plurality of streams ST by the extraction unit 20 and outputs it to the transmission unit 40.

[0051] The transmission unit 40 transmits the SI stream generated by the generation unit 30 to the hub 151.

[0052] (Reception unit) Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a receiving unit in an SI sending device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Fig. 5, receiving unit 10 includes demodulation units 11A and 11B, PID separation units 12A and 12B, and sectioning units 13A and 13B. Hereinafter, each of demodulation units 11A and 11B will also be referred to as demodulation unit 11, each of PID separation units 12A and 12B will also be referred to as PID separation unit 12, and each of sectioning units 13A and 13B will also be referred to as sectioning unit 13.

[0053] For example, the receiving unit 10 receives a stream ST1 transmitted to the IP distribution device 251_1 and a stream ST2 transmitted to the IP distribution device 251_2.

[0054] More specifically, the demodulation unit 11A receives a modulated signal from the head-end device 201_1, demodulates the received modulated signal to obtain a stream ST1, and outputs the TS packets constituting the obtained stream ST1 to the PID separation unit 11A. Also, the demodulation unit 11B receives a modulated signal from the head-end device 201_2, demodulates the received modulated signal to obtain a stream ST2, and outputs the TS packets constituting the obtained stream ST2 to the PID separation unit 11B.

[0055] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a format of a TS packet in a broadcasting system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Fig. 6, a TS packet has a data length of 188 bytes and includes a header, an adaptation field, and a payload. The header includes a synchronization byte, a transport error indicator, a payload unit start indicator, a transport priority, a PID (Packet Identification), a transport scrambling control, an adaptation field control, and a continuity indicator, i.e., a CC (Continuity Counter) value.

[0056] The PID is an identifier of a TS packet. The PID is an identifier expressed by 13 bits, and is set to a value according to the contents of the payload of the TS packet. The payload unit start indicator is 1 bit of data indicating whether the SI information, etc. contained in the payload starts from the payload. The CC value is a 4-bit counter value that indicates the continuity of TS packets and is incremented for each TS packet with the same PID. By detecting discontinuity in the CC value on the receiving side of the TS packets, it is possible to detect the loss of TS packets.

[0057] Referring again to FIG. 5, the PID separation unit 12 receives TS packets from the corresponding demodulation unit 11, and classifies the received TS packets into table information of NIT, BIT, SDT, and EIT.

[0058] More specifically, the PID separation unit 12A receives TS packets included in the stream ST1 from the demodulation unit 11A, and classifies the TS packets into table information of NIT, BIT, SDT, and EIT by referring to the PID of the received TS packets. The PID separation unit 12A outputs the NIT and BIT of the classified TS packets to the extraction unit 20, and outputs the SDT and EIT to the sectioning unit 13A. The PID separation unit 12B receives TS packets included in the stream ST2 from the demodulation unit 11B, and classifies the TS packets into table information of NIT, BIT, SDT, and EIT by referring to the PID of the received TS packets. The PID separation unit 12B outputs the SDT and EIT to the sectioning unit 13B.

[0059] Here, the PID has an NIT of 0x0010, a BIT of 0x0024, an SDT of 0x0011, and an EIT of 0x0012. Here, a number beginning with "0x" means that the number after "0x" is expressed in hexadecimal.

[0060] The sectioning unit 13 receives TS packets from the corresponding PID separation unit 12, and converts the data format of the TS packets into the data format of the section data.

[0061] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of format conversion by a sectioning unit in an SI sending device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. With reference to Fig. 7, the section data has a data length of, for example, a maximum of 1024 bytes or a maximum of 4096 bytes. The section data includes a table ID field, a section length field, a data section field, and a CRC32 field. The table ID indicates the table to which the section data belongs. The section length indicates the total data length of the data section and the CRC32. The CRC32 is a checksum for CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) of the data section.

[0062] Sectioning unit 13A receives TS packets from PID separation unit 12A and combines data stored in the payloads of the TS packets for each type of table information to generate various section data included in stream ST1. Specifically, sectioning unit 13A receives TS packets SDT and EIT from PID separation unit 12A and generates section data SDT#1 and EIT#1. Sectioning unit 13B receives TS packets from PID separation unit 12B and combines data stored in the payloads of the TS packets for each type of table information to generate various section data included in stream ST2. Specifically, sectioning unit 13B receives TS packets SDT and EIT from PID separation unit 12B and generates section data SDT#2 and EIT#2. Sectioning unit 13 outputs the generated section data to extraction unit 20.

[0063] (Extraction part) 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of an extraction unit in the SI sending device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 8, the extraction unit 20 includes an NIT acquisition unit 21, a BIT acquisition unit 22, SDT extraction units 23A and 23B, EIT extraction units 24A and 24B, and an extraction designation unit 25.

[0064] The NIT acquisition unit 21 receives the NIT included in the stream ST1 from the PID separation unit 12A in the receiving unit 10, and outputs the received NIT to the generating unit 30. In other words, the NIT acquisition unit 21 passes the NIT, which is a TS packet output from the PID separation unit 12A, to the generating unit 30.

[0065] The BIT acquisition unit 22 receives the BIT included in the stream ST1 from the PID separation unit 12A in the receiving unit 10, and outputs the received BIT to the generating unit 30. In other words, the BIT acquisition unit 22 passes the BIT, which is a TS packet output from the PID separation unit 12A, to the generating unit 30.

[0066] The extraction specification unit 25 receives SDT#1 contained in stream ST1 from the sectioning unit 13A in the receiving unit 10, and obtains from the received SDT#1 the TSID of stream ST1 and a list of service IDs of all channels to which the content stored in stream ST1 belongs.

[0067] More specifically, the SDT#1 that the extraction designation unit 25 receives from the sectioning unit 13A includes SDT_Actual, which is an SDT related to the content stored in the stream ST1, and SDT_Other, which is an SDT related to the content stored in the stream ST other than the stream ST1. SDT_Actual is an example of Actual information, and SDT_Other is an example of Other information. Here, the table ID of the SDT is "0x42" when the SDT is SDT_Actual, and "0x46" when the SDT is SDT_Other.

[0068] The extraction designation unit 25 refers to the table ID of the SDT#1 received from the sectioning unit 13A, and extracts the SDT with the table ID "0x42" from the SDT#1 as the SDT_Actual. The extraction designation unit 25 obtains the TSID "1100" of the stream ST1 and the list of service IDs "110" and "111" from the extracted SDT_Actual.

[0069] Then, the extraction designation unit 25 outputs an extraction instruction to the SDT extraction unit 23B to extract an STD having a TSID of "1100". The extraction designation unit 25 also outputs an extraction instruction to the EIT extraction unit 24B to extract an EIT having a service ID of "110" or "111".

[0070] The SDT extraction unit 23A extracts SDT_Other, which is an SDT related to content other than the content to be distributed by the IP distribution device 251_1, from the stream ST1 received by the receiving unit 10. More specifically, the SDT extraction unit 23A receives SDT#1 included in the stream ST1 from the sectioning unit 13A in the receiving unit 10, and extracts SDT_Other from the received SDT#1.

[0071] 9 is a diagram showing an example of an SDT extracted by an SDT extraction unit in an extraction unit of an SI sending device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 shows SDT_Other extracted by the SDT extraction unit 23A. Referring to FIG. 9, the SDT extraction unit 23A refers to the table ID of SDT#1 received from the sectioning unit 13A, and extracts an SDT with a table ID of "0x46" from SDT#1 as SDT_Other. The SDT extraction unit 23A outputs the extracted SDT_Other to the generation unit 30.

[0072] The SDT extraction unit 23B extracts SDT_Other corresponding to the SDT related to the content to be distributed by the IP distribution device 251_1 from the stream ST2 received by the receiving unit 10. More specifically, the SDT extraction unit 23B receives SDT#2 included in the stream ST2 from the sectioning unit 13B in the receiving unit 10, and extracts SDT_Other corresponding to the SDT_Actual of the stream ST1 from the received SDT#2.

[0073] 10 is a diagram showing an example of an SDT extracted by an SDT extraction unit in an extraction unit of an SI sending device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 shows SDT_Other extracted by an SDT extraction unit 23B. Referring to FIG. 10, the SDT extraction unit 23B receives an extraction instruction from the extraction designation unit 25 to extract an STD with a TSID of "1100". Then, the SDT extraction unit 23B refers to the TSID of the SDT#2 received from the sectioning unit 13A, and extracts an SDT with a TSID of "1100" from the SDT#2 as SDT_Other corresponding to the SDT_Actual of the stream ST1. The SDT extraction unit 23B outputs the extracted SDT_Other to the generation unit 30.

[0074] The EIT extraction unit 24A extracts EIT_Other, which is an EIT related to content other than the content to be distributed by the IP distribution device 251_1, from the stream ST1 received by the receiving unit 10. More specifically, the EIT#1 received by the EIT extraction unit 24A from the sectioning unit 13A includes EIT_Actual, which is an EIT related to content stored in the stream ST1, and EIT_Other, which is an EIT related to content stored in the stream ST other than the stream ST1. EIT_Actual is an example of Actual information, and EIT_Other is an example of Other information. The EIT extraction unit 24A receives EIT#1 included in the stream ST1 from the sectioning unit 13A in the receiving unit 10, and extracts EIT_Other from the received EIT#1.

[0075] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an EIT extracted by an EIT extraction unit in an extraction unit of an SI transmission device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 11 shows EIT_Other extracted by an EIT extraction unit 24A. Referring to Fig. 11, the table ID of an EITpf is "0x4E" when the EITpf is EITpf_Actual, and is "0x4F" when the EITpf is EITpf_Other. Furthermore, the table ID of an EITsch is "0x50" to "0x57" when the EITsch is EITsch_Actual, and is "0x60" to "0x67" when the EITsch is EITsch_Other. The EIT extraction unit 24A refers to the table ID of EIT#1 received from the sectioning unit 13A, and extracts EITpf with a table ID of “0x4F” from EIT#1 as EITpf_Other, and extracts EITsch with a table ID of “0x60” to “0x67” as EITsch_Other. The EIT extraction unit 24A outputs the extracted EITpf_Other and EITsch_Other to the generation unit 30.

[0076] The EIT extraction unit 24B extracts EIT_Other corresponding to an EIT related to the content to be distributed by the IP distribution device 251_1, from the stream ST2 received by the receiving unit 10. More specifically, the EIT extraction unit 24B receives EIT#2 included in the stream ST2 from the sectioning unit 13B in the receiving unit 10, and extracts EIT_Other corresponding to EIT_Actual of the stream ST1, from the received EIT#2.

[0077] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an EIT extracted by an EIT extraction unit in an extraction unit of an SI transmission device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 12 shows EIT_Other extracted by an EIT extraction unit 24B. Referring to Fig. 12, the EIT extraction unit 24B receives an extraction instruction from the extraction designation unit 25 to extract an EIT with a service ID of "110" or "111". Then, the EIT extraction unit 24B refers to the service ID of EIT#2 received from the sectioning unit 13A, and extracts EITpf with a service ID of "110" and EITpf with a service ID of "111" from EIT#2 as EITpf_Other corresponding to EITpf_Actual of stream ST1. Furthermore, the EIT extraction unit 24B refers to the service ID of EIT#2 received from the sectioning unit 13A, and extracts, from EIT#2, an EITpf having a service ID of "110" and an EITsch having a service ID of "111" as EITsch_Other corresponding to EITsch_Actual of the stream ST1. The EIT extraction unit 24B outputs the extracted EITpf_Other and EITsch_Other to the generation unit 30.

[0078] (Generation part) Fig. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of a generation unit in an SI transmission device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. With reference to Fig. 13, the generation unit 30 includes an SDT multiplexing unit 31A, an EIT multiplexing unit 31B, TS packetization units 32A and 32B, and a TS packet multiplexing unit 33. Hereinafter, each of the TS packetization units 32A and 32B will also be referred to as a TS packetization unit 32.

[0079] The SDT multiplexing unit 31A receives section data SDT_Other from the SDT extraction units 23A and 23B in the extraction unit 20, and multiplexes the received SDT_Other. The EIT multiplexing unit 31B receives section data EIT_Other from the EIT extraction units 24A and 24B in the extraction unit 20, and multiplexes the received EIT_Other.

[0080] 14 is a diagram showing an example of multiplexing of section data by the SDT multiplexing unit according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 14, the SDT multiplexing unit 31A receives SDT_Other with a TSID of "1300" and SDT_Other with a TSID of "1200" from the SDT extraction unit 23A. The SDT multiplexing unit 31A also receives SDT_Other with a TSID of "1100" from the SDT extraction unit 23B. The SDT multiplexing unit 31A multiplexes SDT_Other by completing each section so that other section data is not mixed in the middle of the section. The SDT multiplexing unit 31A outputs the multiplexed SDT_Other to the TS packetization unit 32A.

[0081] Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of multiplexing of section data by an EIT multiplexing unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Fig. 15, the EIT multiplexing unit 31A receives EITsch_Other with a service ID of "130", EITsch_Other with a service ID of "121", EITsch_Other with a service ID of "120", EITpf_Other with a service ID of "130", EITpf_Other with a service ID of "121", and EITpf_Other with a service ID of "120" from the EIT extraction unit 24A. In addition, the EIT multiplexing unit 31A receives EITsch_Other with a service ID of "111", EITsch_Other with a service ID of "110", EITpf_Other with a service ID of "111", and EITpf_Other with a service ID of "110" from the EIT extraction unit 24B. The EIT multiplexing unit 31A multiplexes the EITsch_Other and EITpf_Other by completing each section so that other section data is not mixed in the middle of the section. The EIT multiplexing unit 31B outputs the multiplexed EIT_Other to the TS packetizing unit 32A.

[0082] 13 again, the TS packetizer 32 performs TS packetization processing to convert the section data into the data format of the original TS packet. More specifically, as part of the TS packetization processing, the TS packetizer 32A converts SDT_Other received from the SDT multiplexer 31A into the data format of a TS packet. Also, as part of the TS packetization processing, the TS packetizer 32B converts EIT_Other received from the EIT multiplexer 31B into the data format of a TS packet.

[0083] The TS packetization unit 32 performs a CC rewriting process to rewrite the CC value of the TS packet generated by the TS packetization process.

[0084] 16 is a diagram showing an example of TS packetization processing and CC rewriting processing by a TS packetizer in an SI transmission device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 16, the TS packetizer 32 performs TS packetization processing by dividing section data and generating TS packets in which the section data is stored in the payload. The TS packetizer 32 sets the payload unit start indicator of the TS packet that stores the beginning of the section data to "1" to provide information to a downstream device such as the STB 301 that the section data starts from the payload of the TS packet. The TS packetizer 32 also sets a PID corresponding to the type of table, i.e., the table ID, in the TS packet.

[0085] As the CC rewriting process, the TS packetizer 32 rewrites the CC value of the TS packet generated by the TS packetizer 32 to an incremented value. More specifically, the TS packetizer 32 first sets the CC value of the generated TS packet to a fixed value such as zero. Then, the TS packetizer 32 outputs the CC value of each TS packet to the TS packet multiplexer 33 while incrementing the CC value of each TS packet in order.

[0086] The TS packet multiplexing unit 33 receives the NIT from the NIT acquisition unit 21 in the extraction unit 20. The TS packet multiplexing unit 33 also receives the BIT from the BIT acquisition unit 22 in the extraction unit 20. The TS packet multiplexing unit 33 also receives the SDT from the TS packetization unit 32A. The TS packet multiplexing unit 33 also receives the EIT from the TS packetization unit 32B. The TS packet multiplexing unit 33 multiplexes the received TS packets of the various tables on a TS packet basis and outputs the multiplexed packets to the transmission unit 30.

[0087] (Transmitter) 4 again, the transmitting unit 30 transmits an SI stream including the TS packets received from the TS packet multiplexing unit 33. More specifically, the transmitting unit 30 includes the multiple TS packets received from the TS packet multiplexing unit 33 in one or multiple IP packets, generates an Ethernet frame storing the IP packets, and transmits the Ethernet frame to the hub 151.

[0088] [Operation flow] Each device in the broadcasting system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a computer including a memory, and a processor such as a CPU in the computer reads out from the memory and executes a program including some or all of the steps in the following flowcharts and sequences. Each of the programs in the multiple devices can be installed from the outside. Each of the programs in the multiple devices is distributed in a state in which it is stored in a recording medium.

[0089] FIG. 17 is a flowchart defining an example of an operation procedure when the SI sending device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure transmits an SI stream.

[0090] 17, first, the SI sending device 101 receives the streams ST1 and ST2 from the headend devices 201_1 and 201_2 (step S102).

[0091] Next, the SI sending device 101 generates various types of section data by dividing the SDT and EIT in the TS packets constituting the stream ST1, and the SDT and EIT in the TS packets constituting the stream ST2 into sections (step S104).

[0092] Next, the SI sending device 101 extracts Other information from the generated section data. More specifically, the SI sending device 101 extracts SDT_Other from SDT#1, and extracts SDT_Other corresponding to SDT_Actual of stream ST1 from SDT#2. The SI sending device 101 also extracts EIT_Other from EIT#1, and extracts EIT_Other corresponding to EIT_Actual of stream ST1 from EIT#2 (step S106).

[0093] Next, the SI sending unit 101 multiplexes the extracted Other information. More specifically, the SI sending unit 101 multiplexes the extracted SDT_Other, and multiplexes the extracted EIT_Other (step S108).

[0094] Next, the SI sending unit 101 performs a TS packetization process to convert the section data into a data format of a TS packet (step S110).

[0095] Next, the SI sending device 101 performs a CC rewriting process to rewrite the CC value of the TS packet generated by the TS packetization process (step S112).

[0096] Next, the SI sending unit 101 multiplexes the TS packets on a TS packet basis (step S114).

[0097] Next, the SI sending unit 101 transmits the SI stream including the multiplexed TS packets (step S116).

[0098] Although the SI sending device 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is configured to receive streams ST1 and ST2, the present invention is not limited to this. The SI sending device 101 may be configured to receive three or more streams ST. More specifically, the receiving unit 10 receives three or more streams ST that are respectively transmitted to three or more IP distribution devices 251. In this case, for example, the extracting unit 20 extracts Other information from each of the three or more streams ST received by the receiving unit 10. Then, the generating unit 30 generates an SI stream by integrating the Other information extracted by the extracting unit 20 from each of the three or more streams.

[0099] Moreover, the SI sending device 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured to receive one stream ST transmitted to a certain IP distribution device 251. More specifically, the receiving unit 10 receives a stream ST1 transmitted to, for example, the IP distribution device 251_1. The SI sending device 101 includes an extracting unit 50 and a generating unit 60 described below, instead of the extracting unit 20 and the generating unit 30.

[0100] 18 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an extraction unit in an SI sending device according to a modified example of an embodiment of the present disclosure. Compared to the extraction unit 20, the extraction unit 50 includes an SDT extraction unit 23C instead of the SDT extraction unit 23B, and includes an EIT extraction unit 24C instead of the EIT extraction unit 24B. Also, compared to the extraction unit 20, the extraction unit 50 does not include an extraction designation unit 25.

[0101] The SDT extraction unit 23C extracts SDT_Actual, which is an SDT related to the content to be distributed by the IP distribution device 251_1, from the stream ST1 received by the receiving unit 10. More specifically, the SDT extraction unit 23C receives SDT#1 included in the stream ST1 from the sectioning unit 13A in the receiving unit 10, and extracts SDT_Actual from the received SDT#1. The SDT extraction unit 23C outputs the extracted SDT_Actual to the generating unit 60.

[0102] The EIT extraction unit 24C extracts EIT_Actual, which is an EIT related to the content to be distributed by the IP distribution device 251_1, from the stream ST1 received by the receiving unit 10. More specifically, the EIT extraction unit 24C receives EIT#1 included in the stream ST1 from the sectioning unit 13A in the receiving unit 10, and extracts EIT_Actual from the received EIT#1. The EIT extraction unit 24C outputs the extracted EIT_Actual to the generating unit 60.

[0103] 19 is a diagram showing a configuration of a generating unit in an SI sending device according to a modified embodiment of the present disclosure. Compared to the generating unit 30, the generating unit 60 includes conversion units 34A and 34B and period adjustment units 35A and 35B. Hereinafter, each of the conversion units 34A and 34B will also be referred to as a conversion unit 34, and each of the period adjustment units 35A and 35B will also be referred to as a period adjustment unit 35. The generating unit 60 generates an SI stream further based on the Actual information extracted by the extracting unit 50.

[0104] The conversion unit 34 converts the Actual information received from the extraction unit 50 into Other information.

[0105] More specifically, the conversion unit 34A receives SDT_Actual from the SDT extraction unit 23C in the extraction unit 50, converts the received SDT_Actual to SDT_Other by rewriting the table ID of the received SDT_Actual from "0x42" to "0x46", and outputs the SDT_Other to the cycle adjustment unit 35A.

[0106] The conversion unit 34B receives EITpf_Actual from the EIT extraction unit 23C in the extraction unit 50, rewrites the table ID of the received EITpf_Actual from "0x4E" to "0x4F" to convert the received EITpf_Actual to EITpf_Other, and outputs the EITpf_Other to the cycle adjustment unit 35B. The conversion unit 34B also receives EITsch_Actual from the EIT extraction unit 23C in the extraction unit 50, rewrites the table ID of the received EITschf_Actual from "0x50" to "0x57" to "0x60" to "0x67" to convert the received EITsch_Actual to EITsch_Other, and outputs the EITsch_Other to the cycle adjustment unit 35B.

[0107] The cycle adjustment unit 35 adjusts the transmission cycle of the Other information received from the corresponding conversion unit 34. More specifically, Non-Patent Document 3 describes a standard regarding the transmission cycle of Other information and Actual information in the SI transmission device 101, and specifies that the transmission cycle of Other information should be set longer than the transmission cycle of Actual information. In addition, the BIT contains one piece of information on the transmission cycle of Other information and one piece of information on the transmission cycle of Actual information for the same type of SI information, and cannot contain information on two or more transmission cycles for the same type of Other information, so it is necessary to match the transmission cycle of each piece of Other information of the same type to the transmission cycle indicated by the BIT.

[0108] The cycle adjustment unit 35 receives Other information from the corresponding conversion unit 34 at a timing that conforms to the transmission cycle of the Actual information, and by holding the received Other information for a predetermined period of time, outputs the Other information at a timing that conforms to the transmission cycle of the Other information.

[0109] More specifically, the cycle adjustment unit 35A receives SDT_Other from the conversion unit 34A, and holds the received SDT_Other for a predetermined period of time, thereby outputting the SDT_Other to the SDT multiplexing unit 31A at a timing in accordance with the transmission cycle of SDT_Other.

[0110] The cycle adjustment unit 35B receives EITpf_Other from the conversion unit 34B and holds the received EITpf_Other for a predetermined time, thereby outputting the EITpf_Other to the EIT multiplexing unit 31B at a timing conforming to the transmission cycle of EITpf_Other. Also, the cycle adjustment unit 35B receives EITsch_Other from the conversion unit 34B and holds the received EITsch_Other for a predetermined time, thereby outputting the EITsch_Other to the EIT multiplexing unit 31B at a timing conforming to the transmission cycle of EITsch_Other.

[0111] The SDT multiplexing unit 31A multiplexes SDT_Other received from the SDT extraction unit 23A in the extraction unit 50 and SDT_Other received from the period adjustment unit 35A. The EIT multiplexing unit 31A multiplexes EITpf_Other received from the EIT extraction unit 24A in the extraction unit 50 and EITpf_Other received from the period adjustment unit 35B, and multiplexes EITsch_Other received from the EIT extraction unit 24A in the extraction unit 50 and EITsch_Other received from the period adjustment unit 35B.

[0112] However, even if the number of IP distribution devices in a broadcasting system increases, a technology is desired that enables SI information regarding content distributed from each IP distribution device to be transmitted to receivers in subscribers' homes with a simple configuration.

[0113] More specifically, for example, in an IP retransmission system for BS digital broadcasting, an SI sending device receives streams from approximately 10 IP retransmission devices installed in the IP retransmission system, and transmits the SI information contained in the received stream by including it in an SI stream.

[0114] On the other hand, in a broadcasting system that includes multiple IP distribution devices installed in a cable television station that distributes independent broadcasting contents, and each IP distribution device distributes contents by IP multicast broadcasting, a larger number of IP distribution devices, for example 200, than the IP retransmission devices in the above IP retransmission system may be used. Thus, in a broadcasting system that includes a large number of IP distribution devices, it is difficult to receive streams from all the IP retransmission devices and transmit the SI information contained in the received streams by including it in the SI stream.

[0115] In contrast, in the SI sending device 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the receiving unit 10 receives a stream ST to be transmitted to the IP distribution device 251. The extracting unit 20 extracts Other information, which is SI information related to content other than the content to be distributed by the IP distribution device 251, from the stream ST received by the receiving unit 10. The generating unit 30 generates an SI stream including SI information based on the Other information extracted by the extracting unit 20.

[0116] In this way, by extracting SI information on contents other than the contents to be distributed by a certain IP distribution device 251 from the stream ST transmitted to the IP distribution device 251 and generating an SI stream, it is possible to obtain SI information on contents distributed from a large number of IP distribution devices 251 from a smaller number of streams ST and generate an SI stream. Therefore, even if the number of IP distribution devices 251 in the broadcasting system increases, the SI information on the contents distributed from each IP distribution device 251 can be transmitted to a receiver in a subscriber's home with a simple configuration.

[0117] The above-described embodiments should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0118] The above description includes the following additional features. [Appendix 1] An SI sending device that sends SI (Service Information) information included in a stream, a receiving unit for receiving the stream transmitted to an IP distribution device that distributes content; an extracting unit that extracts, from the stream received by the receiving unit, other information that is SI information related to content other than the content to be distributed by the IP distribution device; a generating unit that generates an SI stream including SI information based on the Other information extracted by the extracting unit, The receiving unit receives the first stream transmitted to the first IP distribution device and the second stream transmitted to the second IP distribution device, The extraction unit extracts the Other information from the first stream received by the receiving unit, and extracts the Other information corresponding to SI information related to the content to be distributed by the first IP distribution device from the second stream received by the receiving unit; The extraction unit extracts the Other information from the second stream based on a TSID and a service ID indicated by an SDT extracted from the first stream. [Explanation of symbols]

[0119] 10 Receiving section 11, 11A, 11B Demodulation section 12,12A,12B PID separation section 13, 13A, 13B Sectioning section 20,50 Extraction part 21 NIT Acquisition Department 22 BIT Acquisition Department 23A, 23B, 23C SDT extraction part 24A,24B,24C EIT extraction part 25 Extraction specification part 30,60 generator 31A SDT multiplex section 31B EIT multiplex section 32, 32A, 32B TS packetization unit 33 Multiplex section 34, 34A, 34B conversion unit 35,35A,35B Period adjustment section 40 Transmitter 101 SI sending device 151 Hub 152 IPTV network 162 Edge Router 201 Headend Equipment 211 Program data output unit 212 Common data output unit 213 SI / EPG data output section 221 Multiplex section 231 Scramble Club 251 IP distribution device 301 STB 401 Broadcasting System

Claims

1. An SI (Service Information) sending device that sends SI information included in a stream, a receiving unit for receiving the stream transmitted to an IP distribution device that distributes content; an extracting unit that extracts, from the stream received by the receiving unit, Other information, which is SI information related to content other than the content to be distributed by the IP distribution device; a generating unit that generates an SI stream including SI information based on the Other information extracted by the extracting unit.

2. The extraction unit further extracts, from the stream, actual information, which is SI information related to the content to be distributed by the IP distribution device; The SI sending device according to claim 1 , wherein the generation unit generates the SI stream further based on the actual information extracted by the extraction unit.

3. The receiving unit receives a plurality of the streams to be respectively transmitted to a plurality of the IP distribution devices, The extraction unit extracts the Other information from each of the plurality of streams received by the reception unit, 3. The SI sending device according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit generates the SI stream by integrating the Other information extracted from each of the plurality of streams by the extraction unit.

4. the receiving unit receives a first stream transmitted to a first IP distribution device and a second stream transmitted to a second IP distribution device; The SI sending device of claim 3 dependent on claim 1, wherein the extraction unit extracts the Other information from the first stream received by the receiving unit, and extracts the Other information corresponding to SI information regarding the content to be distributed by the first IP distribution device from the second stream received by the receiving unit.

5. 1. An SI transmission method in an SI transmission device that transmits SI information included in a stream, comprising: receiving said stream transmitted to an IP distribution device which distributes the content; extracting, from the received stream, Other information, which is SI information relating to content other than the content to be distributed by the IP distribution device; and generating an SI stream including SI information based on the extracted Other information.

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