Clock output device, clock output method, and program for clock output

Abstract

To make it possible to reduce the labor required for packet size setting.SOLUTION: An input signal is received from a signal output device, a packet size of a packet included in the input signal is detected, a clock used for outputting the input signal in the signal output device is output to the signal output device at the clock rate according to the detected packet size. Also, an input signal is received, packet size information indicating the packet size of the packet included in the input signal is detected from the input signal, and the packet size of the packet is changed according to the packet size indicated by the packet size information without changing the data amount of the data portion of the packet, and an output signal containing the changed packet is output.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a clock output device, a clock output method, a program for clock output, a receiving device, a receiving method, and a program for reception.

Background Art

[0002] A standard for the transmission of broadcast materials has been established by DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting). DVB-ASI (Asynchronous Serial Interface) is a standard for transmitting MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group)-2 TS (Transport Stream) including broadcast materials between broadcast devices and the like. Note that the broadcast material is information corresponding to broadcast content including, for example, video, audio, and ancillary data. Also, hereinafter, MPEG-2 TS will be simply referred to as TS.

[0003] A DVB-ASI signal transmits TS in the form of TS packets. A TS packet is a packet of a total of 204 bytes, to which a 4-byte TS header and a 16-byte RS (Reed Solomon) code are added to TS data divided every 184 bytes. Note that the number of bytes in one packet is referred to as the packet size.

[0004] Also, in ARIB (Association of Radio Industries and Businesses) STD-B71 (hereinafter referred to as the new standard), LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) codes and BCH codes are to be used. Therefore, in the new standard, the addition of a 16-byte RS code becomes unnecessary, and the packet size of the TS packet becomes 188 bytes.

[0005] As described above, in a DVB-ASI signal, TS packets are transmitted with a packet size of 188 bytes or 204 bytes.

[0006] In addition, Patent Document 1 describes that when a TS packet with a packet size of 188 bytes is input, it is converted into a TS packet with a packet size of 204 bytes.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] Since the method described in Patent Document 1 converts an 188-byte TS packet into a 204-byte TS packet, its application to the new standard is not considered.

[0009] In addition, regarding whether to transmit TS using a TS packet with a packet size of 188 bytes or 204 bytes, it is conceivable to enable a user to set the broadcast device. However, if the user sets the packet size for each broadcast device, it is troublesome for the user.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a clock output device, a clock output method, a clock output program, a receiving device, a receiving method, and a receiving program that can reduce the labor involved in setting the packet size.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] In one aspect of the present invention, a clock output device includes a receiving unit that receives an input signal from a signal output device, a detecting unit that detects the packet size of a packet included in the input signal, and a clock output unit that outputs a clock used for output of the input signal in the signal output device to the signal output device at a clock rate corresponding to the detected packet size.

[0012] In another aspect of the present invention, a receiving device includes a receiving unit that receives an input signal, a detecting unit that detects packet size information indicating the packet size of a packet included in the input signal from the input signal, and an output unit that changes the packet size of the packet according to the packet size indicated by the packet size information without changing the data amount of the data part of the packet, and outputs an output signal including the changed packet.

[0013] In another aspect of the present invention, a clock output method includes receiving an input signal from a signal output device, detecting the packet size of a packet included in the input signal, and outputting a clock used for output of the input signal in the signal output device to the signal output device at a clock rate corresponding to the detected packet size.

[0014] In another aspect of the present invention, a receiving method includes receiving an input signal, detecting packet size information indicating the packet size of a packet included in the input signal from the input signal, changing the packet size of the packet according to the packet size indicated by the packet size information without changing the data amount of the data part of the packet, and outputting an output signal including the changed packet.

[0015] In another aspect of the present invention, the clock output program causes a computer to realize a receiving function of receiving an input signal from a signal output device, a detecting function of detecting a packet size of a packet included in the input signal, and a clock output function of outputting, to the signal output device, a clock used for output of the input signal in the signal output device at a clock rate corresponding to the detected packet size.

[0016] In another aspect of the present invention, the reception program causes a computer to realize a receiving function of receiving an input signal, a detecting function of detecting, from the input signal, packet size information indicating the packet size of a packet included in the input signal, and an output function of changing the packet size of the packet according to the packet size indicated by the packet size information without changing the data amount of the data part of the packet, and outputting an output signal including the changed packet.

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the labor involved in setting the packet size.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] [First Embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0020] First, FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a clock output device 10 of the present embodiment. The clock output device 10 of the present embodiment includes a receiving unit 11, a detecting unit 12, and a clock output unit 13.

[0021] The receiving unit 11 receives an input signal from a signal output device. The detecting unit 12 detects the packet size of a packet included in the input signal. The clock output unit 13 outputs, to the signal output device, a clock used for outputting the input signal in the signal output device at a clock rate corresponding to the detected packet size.

[0022] By configuring the clock output device 10 in this way, the clock output device 10 outputs, at a clock rate corresponding to the packet size of a packet included in the input signal received from the signal output device, a clock used for outputting the input signal in the signal output device. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the labor involved in setting the packet size.

[0023] Next, FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of a receiving device 40 of the present embodiment. The receiving device 40 of the present embodiment includes a receiving unit 41, a detecting unit 42, and an output unit 43.

[0024] The receiving unit 41 receives an input signal. The detecting unit 42 detects, from the input signal, packet size information indicating the packet size of a packet included in the input signal. The output unit 43 changes the packet size of the packet in accordance with the packet size indicated by the packet size information without changing the data amount of the data part of the packet, and outputs an output signal including the changed packet.

[0025] By configuring the receiving device 40 in this way, the receiving device 40 detects packet size information from the input signal. Then, the receiving device 40 changes the packet size of the packet in accordance with the packet size indicated by the packet size information without changing the data amount of the data part of the packet, and outputs an output signal including the changed packet. As a result, the receiving device 40 can change the packet size of the packet included in the output signal in accordance with the packet size information detected from the input signal. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the labor involved in setting the packet size.

[0026] Next, FIG. 3 shows an example of the operation of the clock output device 10 of the present embodiment.

[0027] The receiving unit 11 receives an input signal from the signal output device (step S101). The detecting unit 12 detects the packet size of a packet included in the input signal (step S102). The clock output unit 13 outputs, to the signal output device, a clock used for outputting the input signal in the signal output device at a clock rate corresponding to the detected packet size (step S103).

[0028] By operating in this way, the clock output device 10 outputs a clock used for outputting the input signal in the signal output device at a clock rate corresponding to the packet size of the packet included in the input signal received from the signal output device. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the labor involved in setting the packet size.

[0029] Next, FIG. 4 shows an example of the operation of the receiving device 40 of the present embodiment.

[0030] The receiving unit 41 receives an input signal (step S201). The detecting unit 42 detects packet size information indicating the packet size of a packet included in the input signal from the input signal (step S202). The output unit 43 changes the packet size of the packet according to the packet size indicated by the packet size information without changing the data amount of the data part of the packet, and outputs an output signal including the changed packet (step S203).

[0031] By operating in this way, the receiving device 40 detects packet size information from the input signal. Then, the receiving device 40 changes the packet size of the packet according to the packet size indicated by the packet size information without changing the data amount of the data part of the packet, and outputs an output signal including the changed packet. Thereby, the receiving device 40 can change the packet size of the packet included in the output signal according to the packet size information detected from the input signal. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the labor involved in setting the packet size.

[0032] As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the clock output device 10 outputs a clock used for outputting an input signal in the signal output device at a clock rate corresponding to the packet size of a packet included in the input signal received from the signal output device. Further, the receiving device 40 detects packet size information from the input signal, changes the packet size of the packet according to the packet size indicated by the packet size information without changing the data amount of the data part of the packet, and outputs an output signal including the changed packet. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the labor involved in setting the packet size.

[0033] [Second Embodiment] Next, the clock output device 20 and the receiving device 50 in the second embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described.

[0034] First, FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of a system including the clock output device 20 and the receiving device 50 of the embodiment. A signal output device 70 is connected to the clock output device 20.

[0035] The signal output device 70 outputs a signal. The signal output device 70 outputs, for example, a DVB-ASI signal including TS packets. The signal output device 70 outputs a signal including TS packets having a packet size set in the signal output device 70. The packet size is 188 bytes or 204 bytes.

[0036] The signal output device 70 outputs a DVB-ASI signal using the clock input from the clock output device 20. The operation of the signal output device 70 when no clock is input from the clock output device 20 is arbitrary. When no clock is input from the clock output device 20, the signal output device 70 outputs a DVB-ASI signal using, for example, the clock generated by the signal output device 70. Also, the signal output device 70 may be, for example, an encoder that generates a DVB-ASI signal.

[0037] The clock output device 20 outputs to the signal output device 70 the clock used for outputting the DVB-ASI signal in the signal output device 70. Also, the clock output device 20 of the present embodiment is a transmitting device that transmits a signal including TS. The clock output device 20 is used inside or outside a broadcasting station. The clock output device 20 is, for example, an FPU (Field Pickup Unit).

[0038] The receiving device 40 receives the signal including TS transmitted by the clock output device 20. The receiving device 40 is used inside or outside a broadcasting station. The receiving device 40 is, for example, a device that receives broadcast materials transmitted from an FPU at a broadcasting station.

[0039] For the interface for transmitting and receiving TS signals between the clock output device 20 and the receiving device 40, any interface can be used. For example, a wired or wireless interface such as a modulated radio wave, DVB-ASI, IP (Internet Protocol), etc. can be used for the interface between the clock output device 20 and the receiving device 40.

[0040] Next, FIG. 6 shows a configuration example of the clock output device 20 of the present embodiment. The clock output device 20 of the present embodiment includes a receiving unit 11, a detecting unit 12, a clock output unit 23, a setting unit 24, an ASI output unit 25, a display control unit 26, and a transmitting unit 27.

[0041] The receiving unit 11 receives an input signal from the signal output device 70. The input signal received from the receiving unit 11 is, for example, a DVB-ASI signal including TS packets.

[0042] The detecting unit 12 detects the packet size of the packets included in the input signal. When the input signal includes TS packets, the packet size of the TS packets is 188 bytes or 204 bytes. The detecting unit 12 can use any method for detecting the packet size. The detecting unit 12 can detect the packet size of the TS packets, for example, by observing the detection period of the sync byte (0x47) included in the TS header. Also, the signal output device 70 may transmit packet size information indicating the packet size to the clock output device 20 by some method. For example, the signal output device 70 may store the packet size information in the free bits of the TS packets.

[0043] The setting unit 24 sets the packet size for the clock output unit 23, the ASI output unit 25, and the display control unit 26. When the setting information regarding the packet size input according to the user's operation indicates the packet size (188 bytes or 204 bytes), the setting unit 24 sets the packet size indicated by the setting information. Further, when the setting information indicates following the signal output device 70, the setting unit 24 sets the packet size detected by the detection unit 12. Note that the setting unit 24 may perform independent settings for each of the clock output unit 23, the ASI output unit 25, and the display control unit 26 according to the setting information input according to the user's operation.

[0044] Note that the setting unit 24 may store the packet size information in a storage unit (not shown) instead of setting the packet size for the clock output unit 23, the ASI output unit 25, and the display control unit 26. In this case, the clock output unit 23, the ASI output unit 25, and the display control unit 26 perform operations according to the packet size information stored in the storage unit.

[0045] The clock output unit 23 outputs, to the signal output device 70, a clock used for output of the input signal in the signal output device 70 at a clock rate corresponding to the packet size set by the setting unit 24. The clock output unit 23 has grasped in advance the clock rate corresponding to the packet size. The clock rate corresponding to the packet size may be a fixed value, or may be calculated based on the clock rate of the input signal, the packet size, and the packet size set by the setting unit 24.

[0046] The ASI output unit 25 outputs a DVB-ASI signal including a TS included in the data portion of the packet included in the input signal received by the reception unit 11. The output destination of the DVB-ASI signal is an arbitrary device. When the set packet size is the same as the packet size detected by the detection unit 12, the ASI output unit 25 outputs the DVB-ASI signal input to the reception unit 11.

[0047] When the set packet size is 204 bytes and the packet size detected by the detection unit 12 is 188 bytes, the ASI output unit 25 outputs from the sync byte of the TS packet input to the reception unit 11 up to the 188th byte. Also, after the ASI output unit 25 outputs up to the 188th byte of the TS packet, it outputs 16 bytes of dummy bytes.

[0048] When the set packet size is 188 bytes and the packet size detected by the detection unit 12 is 204 bytes, the ASI output unit 25 outputs from the sync byte of the TS packet input to the reception unit 11 up to the 188th byte. In this case, the ASI output unit 25 does not output the 16 bytes from the 189th byte to the 204th byte of the TS packet.

[0049] Also, when the set packet size and the packet size detected by the detection unit 12 are different, the ASI output unit 25 may change the clock rate of the output DVB-ASI signal so that the effective rate of the input TS and the effective rate of the output TS are the same.

[0050] For example, the reception unit 11 stores the TS packets included in the input signal in a buffer (not shown). Then, the ASI output unit 25 outputs the TS packets acquired from the buffer at a clock rate such that the effective rate of the TS included in the signal input to the reception unit 11 and the effective rate of the TS included in the signal output by the ASI output unit 25 are the same.

[0051] For example, assume that the packet size detected by the detection unit 12 is 188 bytes and the set packet size is 204 bytes. In this case, the ASI output unit 25 outputs the TS packets at a clock rate that is 204 / 188 times the clock rate of the input signal.

[0052] Also, for example, assume that the packet size detected by the detection unit 12 is 204 bytes and the set packet size is 188 bytes. In this case, the ASI output unit 25 outputs a TS packet at a clock rate that is 188 / 204 times the clock rate of the input signal.

[0053] Further, the clock output device 20 may cause a storage unit (not shown) to store a clock rate such that the effective rate of the TS when the packet size is 188 bytes is the same as the effective rate of the TS when the packet size is 204 bytes. In this case, the clock output device 20 may use the clock rate stored in the storage unit in the clock output unit 23, the ASI output unit 25, and the display control unit 26.

[0054] If the effective rate of the TS included in the signal input to the receiving unit 11 is different from the effective rate of the TS included in the signal output by the ASI output unit 25, inconveniences may occur.

[0055] For example, assume that the packet size of the TS packet input to the receiving unit 11 is 188 bytes, and the ASI output unit 25 transmits a TS packet with a packet size of 204 bytes at the same clock rate as the TS packet input to the receiving unit 11. In this case, since the ASI output unit 25 adds 16 bytes to the input TS packet, the output of the next TS packet will be delayed by 16 bytes. As a result, the input TS packets will accumulate in the buffer, and the buffer may overflow.

[0056] Conversely, assume that the packet size of the TS packet input to the receiving unit 11 is 204 bytes, and the ASI output unit 25 transmits a TS packet with a packet size of 188 bytes at the same clock rate as the TS packet input to the receiving unit 11. In this case, since the ASI output unit 25 discards 16 bytes of the input TS packet, the transmission bandwidth from the signal output device 70 to the clock output device 20 cannot be utilized effectively.

[0057] By outputting the TS packet acquired from the buffer by the ASI output unit 25 at a clock rate such that the effective rate of the TS included in the signal input to the reception unit 11 is the same as the effective rate of the TS included in the signal output by the ASI output unit 25, it becomes possible to reduce the above-mentioned inconvenience.

[0058] The display control unit 26 causes a display means (not shown) to display the rate of the output signal transmitted by the transmission unit 27. The display means may or may not be included in the clock output device 20. The display control unit 26 changes the rate to be displayed on the display means according to the packet size set by the setting unit 24. The rate displayed by the display control unit 26 may be the clock rate of the signal transmitted by the transmission unit 27 or the effective rate of the TS included in the signal transmitted by the transmission unit 27.

[0059] The transmission unit 27 transmits an output signal including the TS included in the input signal input to the reception unit 11 by an arbitrary transmission method such as radio waves. Note that the packet size of the TS included in the signal transmitted by the transmission unit 27 is the packet size set by the setting unit 24. When the packet size set by the setting unit 24 does not match the packet size of the input signal input to the reception unit 11, the transmission unit 27 outputs the signal at a clock rate such that the effective rate of the TS included in the signal input to the reception unit 11 is the same as the effective rate of the TS included in the signal output by the transmission unit 27.

[0060] Also, the transmission unit 27 transmits information on the packet size set for the transmission unit 27 by the setting unit 24. For example, the transmission unit 27 stores the packet size information in the free bits of the signal transmitted by the transmission unit 27 and transmits it. The free bits are, for example, the free bits of the TS packet, the free bits of the auxiliary data, or the free bits of the TMCC (Transmission and Multiplexing Configuration and Control).

[0061] By configuring the clock output device 20 in this way, the clock output device 20 outputs a clock used for outputting an input signal in the signal output device 70 at a clock rate corresponding to the packet size of the packet included in the input signal received from the signal output device 70. Therefore, it becomes possible to reduce the labor involved in setting the packet size.

[0062] Further, the clock output device 20 of the present embodiment further changes the packet size of the packet according to the packet size of the packet included in the input signal received from the signal output device 70, and outputs a DVB-ASI signal including the changed packet. Also, the clock output device 20 of the present embodiment causes the display means to display a clock rate corresponding to the packet size of the packet included in the input signal received from the signal output device 70. Therefore, it becomes possible to further reduce the labor involved in setting the packet size.

[0063] Next, FIG. 7 shows a configuration example of the receiving device 50 of the present embodiment. The receiving device 50 includes a receiving unit 41, a detection unit 42, an output unit 53, a setting unit 54, and a display control unit 55.

[0064] The receiving unit 41 receives an input signal (the output signal output by the clock output device 20). The detection unit 42 detects packet size information indicating the packet size of the packet included in the input signal from the input signal. The detection unit 42 detects, for example, the packet size information included in the spare bits of the input signal from the input signal. Also, the detection unit 42 may detect the packet size of the TS packet by observing the detection period of the sync byte included in the TS header.

[0065] The setting unit 54 sets the packet size for the output unit 53 and the display control unit 55. When the setting information of the packet size according to the user's operation indicates 188 bytes or 204 bytes, the setting unit 54 sets the packet size indicated by the setting information. Also, when the setting information indicates following the packet size information detected by the detection unit 42, the setting unit 54 sets the packet size indicated by the packet size information detected by the detection unit 42.

[0066] Note that the setting unit 54 may store the packet size information in a storage unit (not shown) instead of setting the packet size for the output unit 53 and the display control unit 55. In this case, the output unit 53 and the display control unit 55 perform operations according to the packet size information stored in the storage unit.

[0067] The output unit 53 changes the packet size of the packet included in the input signal according to the packet size set by the setting unit 54 without changing the data amount of the data part of the packet. When the packet size set by the setting unit 54 is the same as the packet size detected by the detection unit 42, the output unit 53 does not need to change the packet size. Then, the output unit 53 outputs an output signal including the packet whose packet size has been changed.

[0068] The output signal output by the output unit 53 is, for example, a DVB-ASI signal. Also, the output destination of the DVB-ASI signal is an arbitrary device.

[0069] When the set packet size is 204 bytes and the packet size detected by the detection unit 42 is 188 bytes, the output unit 53 outputs 16-byte dummy bytes after outputting the 188th byte from the sync byte of the TS packet input to the reception unit 41.

[0070] When the set packet size is 188 bytes and the packet size detected by the detection unit 42 is 204 bytes, the output unit 53 outputs from the sync byte of the TS packet input to the reception unit 41 up to the 188th byte. In this case, the output unit 53 does not output the 189th byte to the 204th byte of the TS packet.

[0071] Also, when the set packet size and the packet size detected by the detection unit 42 are different, the output unit 53 may change the rate of the output DVB-ASI signal so that the effective rate of the input TS and the effective rate of the output TS are the same.

[0072] The display control unit 55 causes a display means (not shown) to display the clock rate of the signal output by the output unit 53. The display means may or may not be included in the receiving device 50.

[0073] By configuring the receiving device 50 in this way, the receiving device 50 detects packet size information from the input signal. Then, the receiving device 50 changes the packet size of the packet according to the packet size indicated by the packet size information without changing the data amount of the data part of the packet, and outputs an output signal including the changed packet. Thereby, the receiving device 50 can change the packet size of the packet included in the output signal according to the packet size information detected from the input signal. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the labor involved in setting the packet size.

[0074] Next, FIG. 8 shows an operation example of the clock output device 20 of the present embodiment.

[0075] The reception unit 11 of the clock output device 20 receives an input signal from the signal output device 70 (step S301). The input signal received from the reception unit 11 is, for example, a DVB-ASI signal including TS packets. Next, the detection unit 12 of the clock output device 20 detects the packet size of the packets included in the input signal (step S302).

[0076] When the setting information input in response to the user's operation indicates following the signal output device 70 (YES in step S303), the setting unit 24 sets the detected packet size for the clock output unit 23, the ASI output unit 25, and the display control unit 26 (step S304). When the setting information indicates 188 bytes or 204 bytes, the setting unit 24 sets the packet size indicated by the setting information when the setting information is input. Therefore, when NO in step S303, the packet size indicated by the setting information is set for the clock output unit 23, the ASI output unit 25, and the display control unit 26. Note that the setting unit 24 may store packet size information indicating the packet size in a storage unit (not shown) instead of setting the packet size for the clock output unit 23, the ASI output unit 25, and the display control unit 26.

[0077] The clock output unit 23 outputs a clock used for output of the input signal in the signal output device 70 to the signal output device 70 at a clock rate corresponding to the packet size set by the setting unit 24 (step S304). The clock output unit 23 grasps in advance the clock rate corresponding to the packet size.

[0078] Also, the ASI output unit 25 outputs a DVB-ASI signal. When the set packet size is the same as the packet size detected by the detection unit 12, the ASI output unit 25 outputs the DVB-ASI signal input to the reception unit 11. When the set packet size is different from the packet size detected by the detection unit 12, the ASI output unit 25 changes the packet size of the packets included in the DVB-ASI signal input to the reception unit 11 to the set packet size and then outputs the DVB-ASI signal.

[0079] Also, the display control unit 26 causes a display means (not shown) to display the rate of the output signal transmitted by the transmission unit 27.

[0080] The transmission unit 27 transmits an output signal including the TS contained in the input signal input to the reception unit 11 by an arbitrary transmission method such as radio waves. Note that the packet size of the TS contained in the signal transmitted by the transmission unit 27 is the packet size set by the setting unit 24. Further, the transmission unit 27 transmits information on the packet size set for the transmission unit 27 by the setting unit 24.

[0081] By operating in this manner, the clock output device 20 outputs a clock used for output of the input signal in the signal output device 70 at a clock rate corresponding to the packet size of the packet contained in the input signal received from the signal output device 70. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the labor involved in setting the packet size.

[0082] Next, FIG. 9 shows an operation example of the reception device 50 of the present embodiment.

[0083] The reception unit 41 receives an input signal from the clock output device 20 (transmission device) (step S401). The detection unit 42 detects packet size information indicating the packet size of the packet contained in the input signal from the input signal (step S402).

[0084] When the setting information input according to the operation of the user indicates following the packet size information detected by the detection unit 42 (YES in step S403), the setting unit 54 sets the detected packet size for the output unit 53 and the display control unit 55 (step S404). When the setting information indicates 188 bytes or 204 bytes, the setting unit 54 sets the packet size indicated by the setting information when the setting information is input. Therefore, when NO in step S403, the packet size indicated by the setting information is set for the output unit 53 and the display control unit 55. Note that the setting unit 54 may cause a storage unit (not shown) to store the packet size information indicating the packet size instead of setting the packet size for the output unit 53 and the display control unit 55.

[0085] The output unit 53 changes the packet size of the packet according to the set packet size without changing the data amount of the data part of the packet, and outputs an output signal including the changed packet (step S405).

[0086] In addition, the display control unit 55 causes a display means (not shown) to display the clock rate of the output signal output by the output unit 53.

[0087] By operating in this way, the receiving device 50 detects packet size information from the input signal. Then, the receiving device 50 changes the packet size of the packet according to the packet size indicated by the packet size information without changing the data amount of the data part of the packet, and outputs an output signal including the changed packet. Thereby, the receiving device 50 can change the packet size of the packet included in the output signal according to the packet size information detected from the input signal. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the labor involved in setting the packet size.

[0088] As described above, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the clock output device 20 outputs a clock used for outputting an input signal in the signal output device at a clock rate corresponding to the packet size of the packet included in the input signal received from the signal output device. Further, the receiving device 50 detects packet size information from the input signal, changes the packet size of the packet according to the packet size indicated by the packet size information without changing the data amount of the data part of the packet, and outputs an output signal including the changed packet. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the labor involved in setting the packet size.

[0089] [Hardware Configuration Example] A configuration example of hardware resources for realizing the clock output devices (10, 20) and receiving devices (40, 50) (hereinafter referred to as clock output devices, etc.) in each of the above-described embodiments of the present invention using a single information processing device (computer) will be described. Note that the clock output device may be realized by using at least two or more physical or functional information processing devices. Further, the clock output device may be realized as a dedicated device or a general-purpose device may be used. Also, only some functions of the clock output device may be realized using an information processing device.

[0090] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing a hardware configuration example of an information processing device capable of realizing the clock output device of each embodiment of the present invention. The information processing device 90 includes a communication interface 91, an input / output interface 92, an arithmetic unit 93, a storage device 94, a non-volatile storage device 95, and a drive device 96.

[0091] For example, the receiving unit 11 and the clock output unit 13 in FIG. 1 can be realized by the communication interface 91 and the arithmetic unit 93, and the detection unit 12 can be realized by the arithmetic unit 93.

[0092] The communication interface 91 is a communication means for the clock output device in each embodiment to communicate with an external device by at least one of wired and wireless means. Note that when the clock output device is realized using at least two information processing devices, they may be connected so as to be able to communicate with each other via the communication interface 91.

[0093] The input / output interface 92 is a man-machine interface such as a keyboard as an example of an input device and a display as an output device.

[0094] The arithmetic unit 93 is realized by, for example, an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a microprocessor, or a plurality of electric circuits. The arithmetic unit 93 can, for example, read various programs stored in the non-volatile storage device 95 into the storage device 94 and execute processing according to the read programs.

[0095] The storage device 94 is a memory device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) that can be referenced by the arithmetic unit 93, and stores programs, various data, and the like. The storage device 94 may be a volatile memory device.

[0096] The non-volatile storage device 95 is, for example, a non-volatile storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a flash memory, and can store various programs and data.

[0097] The drive device 96 is, for example, a device that processes reading and writing of data recorded on a recording medium 97 described later.

[0098] The recording medium 97 is, for example, an arbitrary recording medium capable of recording data, such as an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor flash memory.

[0099] Each embodiment of the present invention may be realized, for example, by configuring a clock output device with the information processing device 90 illustrated in FIG. 10 and supplying a program capable of realizing the functions described in the above embodiments to this clock output device.

[0100] In this case, the embodiments can be realized by the arithmetic unit 93 executing the program supplied to the clock output device. Also, it is possible to configure not all of the clock output device but some of the functions with the information processing device 90.

[0101] Furthermore, the above program may be recorded on a recording medium 97 and configured to be appropriately stored in the non-volatile memory device 95 at the shipping stage or the operation stage of the clock output device. In this case, as the method for supplying the above program, a method of installing it into the clock output device using an appropriate jig may be adopted at the manufacturing stage before shipping or the operation stage. Also, as the method for supplying the above program, a general procedure such as a method of downloading it from the outside via a communication line such as the Internet may be adopted.

[0102] Note that each of the above-described embodiments is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0103] Some or all of the above embodiments can be described as follows in the appended claims, but are not limited thereto.

[0104] (Appended Claim 1) A receiving unit that receives an input signal from a signal output device, A detection unit that detects the packet size of a packet included in the input signal, A clock output unit that outputs, to the signal output device, a clock used for outputting the input signal in the signal output device at a clock rate corresponding to the detected packet size A clock output device comprising:

[0105] (Appended Claim 2) The input signal is a DVB-ASI signal The clock output device according to Appended Claim 1, characterized in that:

[0106] (Appended Claim 3) The signal output device generates the input signal The clock output device according to Appended Claim 1 or Appended Claim 2, characterized in that:

[0107] (Appended Claim 4) A transmission unit that transmits an output signal including the detected packet size information and the data included in the received input signal The clock output device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 3, further comprising the above

[0108] (Appendix 5) The transmission unit transmits the packet size information using the spare bits of the output signal The clock output device according to Appendix 4, characterized by the above

[0109] (Appendix 6) The spare bits of the output signal are any of the spare bits of the packet, the spare bits of the auxiliary data, and the spare bits of the TMCC The clock output device according to Appendix 5, characterized by the above

[0110] (Appendix 7) An ASI output unit that outputs a DVB-ASI signal including the packet according to the detected packet size, including the data included in the data part of the packet included in the input signal The clock output device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 5, further comprising the above

[0111] (Appendix 8) The ASI output unit changes the clock rate of the output DVB-ASI signal so that the effective rate of the data included in the input signal is the same as the effective rate of the data included in the output DVB-ASI signal The clock output device according to Appendix 7, characterized by the above

[0112] (Appendix 9) A display control unit that causes the display means to display the rate of the output signal The clock output device according to any one of Appendices 4 to 6, further comprising the above

[0113] (Appendix 10) A receiving unit that receives an input signal, A detection unit that detects packet size information indicating the packet size of a packet included in the input signal from the input signal; An output unit that changes the packet size of the packet according to the packet size indicated by the packet size information without changing the data amount of the data part of the packet, and outputs an output signal including the changed packet; A receiving device comprising:

[0114] (Appendix 11) The output signal is a DVB-ASI signal The receiving device according to Appendix 10, characterized in that:

[0115] (Appendix 12) A display control unit that causes a display means to display the clock rate of the output signal; The receiving device according to Appendix 10 or Appendix 11, further comprising:

[0116] (Appendix 13) The detection unit detects the packet size information included in the spare bits of the input signal; The receiving device according to any one of Appendices 10 to 12, characterized in that:

[0117] (Appendix 14) Receiving an input signal from a signal output device, Detecting the packet size of a packet included in the input signal, Outputting, to the signal output device, the clock used for output of the input signal in the signal output device at a clock rate corresponding to the detected packet size; Clock output method.

[0118] (Appendix 15) The input signal is a DVB-ASI signal The clock output method according to Appendix 14, characterized in that:

[0119] (Appendix 16) The signal output device generates the input signal; The clock output method according to appendix 14 or appendix 15, characterized in that...

[0120] (Appendix 17) Transmit an output signal including the information on the detected packet size and the data included in the received input signal. The clock output method according to any one of appendix 14 to appendix 16, characterized in that...

[0121] (Appendix 18) Transmit the information on the packet size using the free bits of the output signal. The clock output method according to appendix 17, characterized in that...

[0122] (Appendix 19) The free bits of the output signal are any of the free bits of the packet, the free bits of the auxiliary data, and the free bits of the TMCC. The clock output method according to appendix 18, characterized in that...

[0123] (Appendix 20) Output a DVB-ASI signal including the packet according to the detected packet size, including the data included in the data part of the packet included in the input signal. The clock output method according to any one of appendix 14 to appendix 18, characterized in that...

[0124] (Appendix 21) Change the clock rate of the output DVB-ASI signal so that the effective rate of the data included in the input signal is the same as the effective rate of the data included in the output DVB-ASI signal. The clock output method according to appendix 20, characterized in that...

[0125] (Appendix 22) Cause the display means to display the rate of the output signal. The clock output method according to any one of appendix 17 to appendix 19, characterized in that...

[0126] (Appendix 23) Receive an input signal, Detect packet size information indicating the packet size of the packet included in the input signal from the input signal, Change the packet size of the packet according to the packet size indicated by the packet size information without changing the data amount of the data part of the packet, and output an output signal including the changed packet. Receiving method.

[0127] (Appendix 24) The output signal is a DVB-ASI signal The receiving method according to Appendix 23, characterized in that.

[0128] (Appendix 25) Cause a display means to display the clock rate of the output signal The receiving method according to Appendix 23 or Appendix 24, characterized in that.

[0129] (Appendix 26) Detect the packet size information included in the spare bits of the input signal The receiving method according to any one of Appendices 23 to 25, characterized in that.

[0130] (Appendix 27) On a computer, A receiving function for receiving an input signal from a signal output device, A detection function for detecting the packet size of the packet included in the input signal, A clock output function for outputting, to the signal output device, a clock used for output of the input signal in the signal output device at a clock rate corresponding to the detected packet size A program for clock output that realizes.

[0131] (Appendix 28) The input signal is a DVB-ASI signal The program for clock output according to Appendix 27, characterized in that.

[0132] (Appendix 29) The signal output device generates the input signal The clock output program according to Appendix 27 or Appendix 28, characterized in that

[0133] (Appendix 30) A transmission function for transmitting an output signal including information on the detected packet size and data included in the received input signal The clock output program according to any one of Appendices 27 to 29, characterized in that the computer further realizes the transmission function

[0134] (Appendix 31) The transmission function transmits information on the packet size using free bits of the output signal The clock output program according to Appendix 30, characterized in that

[0135] (Appendix 32) The free bits of the output signal are any of the free bits of the packet, the free bits of the auxiliary data, and the free bits of the TMCC The clock output program according to Appendix 31, characterized in that

[0136] (Appendix 33) An ASI output function for outputting a DVB-ASI signal including the packet according to the detected packet size, including the data included in the data part of the packet included in the input signal The clock output program according to any one of Appendices 27 to 31, characterized in that the computer further realizes the ASI output function

[0137] (Appendix 34) The ASI output function changes the clock rate of the output DVB-ASI signal so that the effective rate of the data included in the input signal is the same as the effective rate of the data included in the output DVB-ASI signal The clock output program according to appended note 33, characterized by the following.

[0138] (Appended note 35) A display control function for causing a display means to display the rate of the output signal The clock output program according to any one of appended notes 30 to 32, further causing a computer to realize the above.

[0139] (Appended note 36) In a computer, A reception function for receiving an input signal, A detection function for detecting packet size information indicating the packet size of a packet included in the input signal from the input signal, An output function for changing the packet size of the packet according to the packet size indicated by the packet size information without changing the data amount of the data part of the packet, and outputting an output signal including the changed packet A reception program for realizing the above.

[0140] (Appended note 37) The output signal is a DVB-ASI signal The reception program according to appended note 36, characterized by the above.

[0141] (Appended note 38) A display control function for causing a display means to display the clock rate of the output signal The reception program according to appended note 36 or 37, further causing a computer to realize the above.

[0142] (Appended note 39) The detection function detects the packet size information included in the idle bits of the input signal The reception program according to any one of appended notes 36 to 38, characterized by the above.

Explanation of symbols

[0143] 10, 20 Clock output device 11 Receiver 12 Detection unit 13, 23 Clock output unit 24 Setting unit 25 ASI output unit 26 Display control unit 27 Transmission unit 40, 50 Receiving device 41 Receiving unit 42 Detection unit 43, 53 Output unit 54 Setting unit 55 Display control unit 70 Signal output device 90 Information processing device 91 Communication interface 92 Input / output interface 93 Arithmetic unit 94 Memory device 95 Non-volatile memory device 96 Drive device 97 Recording medium

Claims

1. A receiving unit that receives an input signal from a signal output device, A detection unit that detects the packet size of the packets included in the input signal, A clock output unit that outputs, to the signal output device, the clock used for output of the input signal in the signal output device at a clock rate corresponding to the detected packet size, An ASI output unit that outputs a DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting)-ASI (Asynchronous Serial Interface) signal including the detected packet corresponding to the detected packet size and including the data included in the data part of the packet included in the input signal A clock output device comprising.

2. The ASI output unit changes the clock rate of the output DVB-ASI signal so that the effective rate of the data included in the input signal is the same as the effective rate of the data included in the output DVB-ASI signal The clock output device according to claim 1, characterized in that.

3. A receiving unit that receives an input signal from a signal output device, A detection unit that detects the packet size of the packets included in the input signal, A clock output unit that outputs, to the signal output device, the clock used for output of the input signal in the signal output device at a clock rate corresponding to the detected packet size Comprising, The input signal is a DVB-ASI signal, Clock output device.

4. A transmission unit that transmits an output signal including information on the detected packet size and data included in the received input signal The clock output device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising.

5. The transmission unit transmits the information on the packet size using the free bits of the output signal The clock output device according to claim 4, characterized in that.

6. Receives an input signal from a signal output device, Detects the packet size of the packets included in the input signal, Outputs, to the signal output device, the clock used for output of the input signal in the signal output device at a clock rate corresponding to the detected packet size, Outputs a DVB-ASI signal including the detected packet corresponding to the detected packet size and including the data included in the data part of the packet included in the input signal Clock output method.

7. Receiving an input signal from a signal output device, detecting the packet size of a packet included in the input signal, outputting, to the signal output device, a clock used for output of the input signal in the signal output device at a clock rate corresponding to the detected packet size, wherein the input signal is a DVB-ASI signal, a clock output method.

8. On a computer, a receiving function for receiving an input signal from a signal output device, a detecting function for detecting the packet size of a packet included in the input signal, a clock output function for outputting, to the signal output device, a clock used for output of the input signal in the signal output device at a clock rate corresponding to the detected packet size, and an ASI output function for outputting a DVB-ASI signal including the packet corresponding to the detected packet size and including data included in a data portion of the packet included in the input signal a program for clock output for realizing the above.

9. On a computer, a receiving function for receiving an input signal from a signal output device, a detecting function for detecting the packet size of a packet included in the input signal, a clock output function for outputting, to the signal output device, a clock used for output of the input signal in the signal output device at a clock rate corresponding to the detected packet size are realized, wherein the input signal is a DVB-ASI signal, a program for clock output.

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