Receiving device, broadcast communication system, receiving method, and program

Abstract

To efficiently and as much as possible avoid blocking content.SOLUTION: A broadcast receiving unit receives a broadcast signal that includes broadcast content and replacement content information indicating whether there is replacement content presented in place of the broadcast content, and a content acquisition unit determines whether there is need to acquire the replacement content via communication during broadcast of the broadcast content according to the presence or absence of the replacement content. This embodiment can be implemented in any of a receiving device, a broadcasting communication system, a receiving method, and a program.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a receiving device, a broadcast communication system, a receiving method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] The integration of television broadcasting and communications is being considered as part of the advancement of next-generation terrestrial broadcasting. The adoption of CMAF (Common Media Application Format) is being considered for video distribution. CMAF is an international standard for a data format used for streaming video images. CMAF is expected to be used for simultaneous broadcast and communications distribution. In this case, it is being considered to replace commercial messages (CMs) distributed via broadcast with separate commercials (so-called online commercials) distributed via communications. The advertisements distributed via communications can be differentiated based on user attributes.

[0003] For example, in the advertising distribution system described in Patent Document 1, when a program is distributed in parallel via broadcasting and a communication network, first advertising identification information capable of identifying an advertisement extracted from the broadcast signal of the program and information indicating the timing at which the advertisement is inserted in the program are received, second advertising identification information is determined based on the first advertising identification information and predetermined criteria, and advertising material indicated by the first advertising identification information at that timing in the communication signal distributing the program via the communication network is replaced with advertising material indicated by the second advertising identification information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-141520 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, there is a risk that content distribution may be unexpectedly interrupted due to the communication environment or communication restrictions. It is also possible to receive and store content distributed via communication in advance in a receiving device. The more content that is distributed via communication in advance, the more prepared the device is for interruptions. On the other hand, viewers may not necessarily continue watching a program. When a viewer stops watching a program, content scheduled to be replaced after that point will no longer be used. Receiving and storing unused content can increase the load on the receiving device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and one aspect of the present invention is a method for providing a broadcast content and a replacement content information indicating whether or not there is a replacement content to be presented in place of the broadcast content. Control information including an information table describing the above is multiplexed using the MPEG Media Transport-Type Length Value (MMT-TLV) method. The broadcast receiving unit receives a broadcast signal, and a content acquiring unit determines whether or not it is necessary to acquire the replacement content by communication while the broadcast content is being broadcast, depending on whether or not the replacement content is present. The replacement content information indicates a presentation period of the replacement content immediately after the current time, and is transmitted at a cycle shorter than the interval of the presentation period. It is a receiving device.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is a receiving method for a receiving device, the receiving device receiving broadcast content and replacement content information indicating whether or not there is replacement content to be presented in place of the broadcast content. Control information including an information table describing the above is multiplexed using the MPEG Media Transport-Type Length Value (MMT-TLV) method. A first step of receiving a broadcast signal and a second step of determining whether or not the replacement content needs to be acquired by communication while the broadcast content is being broadcast, depending on whether or not the replacement content is present. The replacement content information indicates a presentation period of the replacement content immediately after the current time, and is transmitted at a cycle shorter than the interval of the presentation period. The receiving method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this embodiment, it is possible to efficiently avoid blocking of content. It is possible. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1]1 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a broadcast communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a receiving device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of an MPT. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of a replacement content descriptor according to the embodiment; FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a first example of a content replacement process according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a first example of a replacement content receiving process according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of an MH-EIT. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a second example of the content replacement process according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a second example of the replacement content receiving process according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first setting example of a replacement time according to the present embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second example of how replacement times are set according to the present embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a display image in a comparative example. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of acquiring replacement content in a comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, an overview of a broadcast communication system 1 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a broadcast communication system 1 according to this embodiment. The broadcast communication system 1 comprises a broadcast device 10, a distribution device 20, and a receiving device 30. The broadcast device 10 transmits a broadcast signal to a broadcast transmission path BT. The broadcast transmission path BT is a transmission path capable of transmitting various signals unidirectionally to unspecified destinations. Some or all of the individual broadcast transmission paths BT are composed of broadcast waves having components in a specified frequency band. A communication network may be included in part of the broadcast transmission path BT. The receiving device 30 is connected to the network NW so that various data can be transmitted and received.

[0011] The network NW constitutes a communication transmission path. The network NW is a communication network that includes one or a combination of the Internet, a public wireless network, a wireless local area network (LAN), etc. In this application, the use of a broadcast transmission path BT in transmitting various signals, data, etc. is sometimes referred to as "broadcasting." The use of a communication transmission path in transmission is sometimes referred to as "communication." Although FIG. 1 shows one broadcasting device 10, one distribution device 20, and one receiving device 30, in general, there may be more than one distribution device 20 and more than one receiving device 30.

[0012] The broadcasting device 10 acquires a package containing element content that is the material for a program as the program content. The broadcasting device 10 sets a broadcast time for transmitting the acquired content for each program. For example, the broadcasting device 10 acquires, from an external device, configuration information indicating the configuration of the content used in the program and the broadcast time. The broadcasting device 10 may determine the configuration information and broadcast time according to a predetermined rule or program, or according to an operation during editing work. The broadcasting device 10 multiplexes the content of the program whose broadcast time falls within the current time and control information related to the program using a predetermined multiplexing method (e.g., MMT-TLV (MPEG Media Transport-Type Length Value) method) to generate multiplexed data (e.g., a TLV stream). The broadcasting device 10 modulates the generated multiplexed data using a predetermined modulation method (e.g., 64QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) or 256QAM) and converts it into a baseband broadcast signal. The broadcasting device 10 transmits the converted broadcast signal to the broadcast transmission path BT. The broadcasting device 10 is primarily used by broadcasters.

[0013] In the MMT-TLV method, the broadcasting services to be provided and control information for multiplexing are described using MMT-SI, and then transmitted as part of the broadcast signal. MMT-SI is composed of various information tables, messages, descriptors, etc. The information tables include the MPT (MMT Package Table). The MPT is an information table that describes the configuration information of the content packages that make up a program. The information that makes up the package includes a list of assets, the attributes and location of each asset, etc. Assets correspond to the elemental content (components) that make up a program.

[0014] In this application, content included in a broadcast signal and transmitted by broadcasting may be referred to as "broadcast content." A broadcast content package may include audio-video (AV) data as one asset, or may include audio data and video data separately. AV data is configured to include both audio data and video data. AV data may be configured as a CMAF container in accordance with the Common Media Application Format (CMAF) as a data type. A broadcast content package may also include data broadcast content. The following description will focus on the case where AV data is included as an asset in the broadcast content. In this case, replacement content information may be described in association with the AV data asset. Furthermore, a "program" may refer to a main program that is not primarily intended for advertising.

[0015] The control information includes the configuration of the broadcast content package as well as replacement content information indicating whether or not replacement content for that program is available. The replacement content information is transmitted as part of the broadcast signal. If the replacement content information indicates the presence of replacement content, it includes the replacement time as element information. The control information conveying the replacement time is transmitted prior to the start time of that replacement time. If the replacement content information indicates the presence of replacement content, the replacement content information may further include a URL indicating its location as element information.

[0016] The distribution device 20 stores the replacement content and makes it transmittable via the network NW. When the distribution device 20 receives a replacement content request from the receiving device 30, it transmits the replacement content specified in the replacement content request to the distribution device 20 that is the sender of the replacement content request as a response to the replacement content request via the network NW using a predetermined transmission method. For example, the MPEG-DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP) method can be used as the transmission method. The distribution device 20 may store one type of replacement content or two or more types of replacement content. The locations of two or more types of replacement content can be specified using different uniform resource locators (URLs). The distribution device 20 may be configured as a web server. The distribution device 20 is used, for example, by a broadcasting company, a producer of the replacement content, a client, or a facility management company that receives such requests. The replacement content that is made transmittable may be updated periodically or irregularly.

[0017] The receiving device 30 receives a broadcast signal transmitted via the broadcast transmission path BT. The receiving device 30 demodulates the broadcast signal and separates the broadcast content and control information from the multiplexed data. The receiving device 30 separates the broadcast content into elemental content according to the control information and presents the video and audio of the separated elemental content. The receiving device 30 determines whether replacement content is required via communication based on the presence or absence of replacement content indicated in the replacement content information included in the control information. If the receiving device 30 determines that replacement content is required, it transmits a replacement content request via the network NW to the distribution device 20, which stores the replacement content. The receiving device 30 receives the replacement content from the distribution device 20. The receiving device 30 presents the received replacement content in place of the broadcast content. If the replacement content information indicates a presentation period for the replacement content and reception of the replacement content is completed by the start of the presentation period, the receiving device 30 presents the replacement content during that presentation period. The receiving device 30 is primarily used by general viewers. The receiving device 30 may be configured as a dedicated television receiving device, or may be configured as a general-purpose electronic device having a broadcast signal receiving function and a communication function. The receiving device 30 may be configured as, for example, a personal computer (PC), a tablet terminal device, a mobile phone, etc.

[0018] Next, an example of the functional configuration of the receiving device 30 according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the receiving device 30 according to this embodiment. The receiving device 30 includes a broadcast receiving unit 312, a demodulating unit 314, a separating unit 316, a communication unit 320, a control unit 330, a presenting unit 340, and an input unit 350.

[0019] The broadcast receiving unit 312 receives a broadcast signal transmitted via the broadcast transmission path BT and outputs the received broadcast signal to the demodulating unit 314. The broadcast receiving unit 312 is, for example, a tuner and is connected to an antenna. The antenna receives the broadcast signal, and the broadcast receiving unit 312 is instructed of an organization channel by the reception control unit 332 of the control unit 330. The broadcast receiving unit 312 receives a broadcast wave of a carrier frequency corresponding to the instructed organization channel as a broadcast signal, down-converts the received broadcast signal, and outputs a broadcast signal of the base frequency to the demodulating unit 314.

[0020] The demodulation unit 314 demodulates the broadcast signal input from the broadcast receiving unit 312 using a predetermined demodulation method and converts it into multiplexed data. The demodulation unit 314 outputs the converted multiplexed data to the separation unit 316. The demodulation method used is a method corresponding to the modulation method used to modulate the transmitted multiplexed data.

[0021] The demultiplexer 316 demultiplexes the multiplexed data input from the demodulator 314 into broadcast content and control information related to reception of the program. The demultiplexer 316 detects the MPT from the demultiplexed control information and, by referring to the detected MPT, demultiplexes the AV data that constitutes the broadcast content from the multiplexed data. The demultiplexer 316 outputs the demultiplexed AV data to the content acquisition unit 334 of the control unit 330. The demultiplexer 316 outputs the detected MPT to the content acquisition unit 334.

[0022] The communication unit 320 is connected to the network NW and transmits and receives various data to and from other devices via the network NW. The communication unit 320 includes, for example, a communication interface. The control unit 330 executes processing for realizing and controlling the functions of the receiving device 30. The control unit 330 includes a reception control unit 332, a content acquisition unit 334, a content storage unit 336, and a presentation processing unit 338. The control unit 330 may be configured to include dedicated components, or may be configured to include a general-purpose computer system. The computer system includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor executes processing instructed by various commands written in a predetermined program, and realizes the functions in cooperation with a storage medium and other devices.

[0023] The reception control unit 332 performs processing related to reception of broadcast signals in accordance with an operation signal input from the input unit 350. For example, the reception control unit 332 notifies the broadcast reception unit 312 of the organization channel designated by the operation signal (channel selection).

[0024] The content acquisition unit 334 acquires content transmitted via broadcasting and communication. More specifically, the content acquisition unit 334 acquires AV data of the broadcast content input from the separation unit 316 and stores the acquired AV data in the content storage unit 336. The content acquisition unit 334 extracts replacement content information associated with the AV data from the MPT input from the separation unit 316. The content acquisition unit 334 determines whether or not it is necessary to acquire the replacement content via communication, depending on whether or not there is replacement content indicated in the extracted replacement content information.

[0025] When content acquisition unit 334 determines that replacement content needs to be acquired, it transmits a replacement content request to distribution device 20 using communication unit 320. Content acquisition unit 334 receives the replacement content from distribution device 20 as a response to the replacement content request. Content acquisition unit 334 stores (caches) the received replacement content in content storage unit 336 in association with replacement content information.

[0026] The content acquisition unit 334 can identify the distribution device 20 or its storage area from which the replacement content is to be acquired by referring to preset acquisition source information. The acquisition source information may be written in a pre-stored manifest file. The acquisition source information may be indicated by an address (for example, a URL (Universal Resource Locator)) that differs for each programming channel. An MPD file whose format is defined in the MPEG-DASH format can be used as the manifest file. The replacement content information may include information on where to acquire the replacement content. If a URL is included in the replacement content information as the acquisition source information, the content acquisition unit 334 may identify the distribution device 20 that is the acquisition source indicated by the URL. The acquisition source information may vary depending on the replacement time, the main program, the time period, the day of the week, etc.

[0027] The content storage unit 336 temporarily stores (caches) the content acquired by the content acquisition unit 334 and various information related to the content. The content storage unit 336 is configured to include, for example, a cache memory. The content storage unit 336 may erase the stored information if the stored information is not accessed continuously for a certain period of time (for example, several hours) or more, or if the power supply is stopped (for example, power is cut off).

[0028] The presentation processing unit 338 executes processing to cause the presentation unit 340 to present the content stored in the content storage unit 336. The presentation processing unit 338 includes a content decoding unit 338a and a content editing unit 338b.

[0029] The content decoding unit 338a decodes the element content stored in the content storage unit 336 and outputs the decoded element content to the content decoding unit 338a. The content decoding unit 338a reads the AV data of the broadcast content from the content storage unit 336 and decodes the encoded AV data using a predetermined decoding method. The decoding methods for the video data and audio data that make up the AV data may be any decoding methods that correspond to the encoding methods used for the encoding, respectively. The content decoding unit 338a outputs the video data and audio data that make up the decoded AV data to the content editing unit 338b. The content decoding unit 338a decodes the replacement content stored in the content storage unit 336, and outputs the video data and audio data constituting the decoded replacement content to the content editing unit 338b. Note that when the broadcast content or replacement content is transmitted using the MPEG-DASH method, the content decoding unit 338a may use a decoding method and decoding-related parameters that are previously described in an MPD file for the decoding process.

[0030] The content organizing unit 338b organizes the individual element contents input from the content decryption unit 338a into presentation content. The content organizing unit 338b outputs presentation data indicating the presentation content to the presentation unit 340. The content organizing unit 338b, for example, arranges the video of the video data of the decrypted broadcast content or replacement content in a preset display area and organizes it as a display video. The content organizing unit 338b adjusts the audio volume of the audio data of the decrypted broadcast content or replacement content to a volume set in the content organizing unit 338b and organizes it as a playback audio. The content organizing unit 338b can refer to the replacement content information stored in the content storage unit 336 and determine whether or not replacement content is present.

[0031] If it is determined that there is replacement content, the content organizing unit 338b organizes presentation content by prioritizing the replacement content over the broadcast content, and outputs the presentation content to the presentation unit 340. If a replacement time is described in the replacement content information, the content organizing unit 338b starts outputting presentation content based on the replacement content in place of the broadcast content at the start time of the replacement time, stops outputting the presentation content based on the replacement content at the end time of the replacement time, and resumes outputting the presentation content based on the broadcast content.

[0032] When the broadcast content or replacement content is transmitted using the MPEG-DASH format, the content editing unit 338b may use parameters previously described in an MPD file to edit the video or audio to be displayed that constitutes the presentation content. For example, the display area and volume may be described in the MPD file. The functions of the content compilation unit 338b may be realized by executing a browser as a program. That is, the functions of the content compilation unit 338b may be realized by the computer system of the receiving device 30 analyzing the commands written in the data broadcasting content and executing the processes instructed by the analyzed commands as the processes instructed by the commands written in the browser program.

[0033] The presentation unit 340 includes a device for presenting content based on the presentation data input from the presentation processing unit 338. The presentation unit 340 includes, for example, a display and a speaker. The display functions as a display unit that displays a display image based on the display data input from the presentation processing unit 338. The speaker functions as a playback unit that plays a playback sound based on the playback data input from the presentation processing unit 338. The presentation unit 340 may include an output interface instead of or in addition to the display and speaker. One or both of another display and speaker may be further connected to the output interface.

[0034] The input unit 350 receives a user operation and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the received operation to the control unit 330. The input unit 350 may include, for example, a general-purpose component such as a mouse or a touch panel, or may include a dedicated component such as a button, a lever, or a knob. The touch sensor used as the input unit 350 and the display used as the presentation unit 340 may be integrated so as to overlap each other and configured as a touch panel. The input unit 350 may include an operation signal sensor that detects an operation signal from another device (for example, a remote control device, a smartphone, etc.). The operation signal sensor outputs the detected operation signal to the control unit 330.

[0035] Next, examples of tables and descriptors for describing control information will be described. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of an MPT. The MPT has an MPT descriptor area (MPT_descryptors_byte). The MPT descriptor area describes the entire program package or common attributes. In this embodiment, a replacement content descriptor (Replacement_Content_descriptor()) is described in the MPT descriptor area. Replacement content information is described in the replacement content descriptor. The replacement content may also be composed of AV data in the same format as the AV data of the main program. In this case, the replacement content descriptor may be described in the asset descriptor area (asset_descriptors_byte) in association with the asset of the AV data, instead of the MPT descriptor area of ​​the MPT.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of a replacement content descriptor. The replacement content descriptor (Replacement_Content_descriptor()) has the following fields: descriptor tag (descriptor_tag), descriptor length (descriptor_length), replacement content availability (content_available), replacement start time (replacement_start_time), and replacement end time (replacement_end_time). The descriptor tag field describes a tag value indicating that the descriptor is a replacement content descriptor. The descriptor length field describes the number of bytes indicating the amount of information in the descriptor. The replacement content availability field describes a value of 1 or 0 indicating the presence or absence of a replacement item. 1 and 0 indicate that replacement content is present and that replacement content is not present, respectively. The replacement start time field describes the replacement start time, which is the starting point of the replacement time. The replacement end time field describes the replacement end time, which is the end point of the replacement time. The replacement time can be set by the broadcaster or the content provider to be the same as the broadcast time of the broadcast content to be replaced (sometimes referred to as "replaced content" in this application).

[0037] If the replacement content cannot be acquired in time for the replacement start time, the content editing unit 338b stops the process of acquiring the replacement content and continues presenting the broadcast content during the replacement time. As an example, assume that a commercial for general viewers and a commercial for specific viewers are applied as the content to be replaced and the replacement content, respectively. If the commercial for specific viewers that will be used as the replacement content cannot be acquired in time for the replacement start time, the commercial for general viewers will be presented. Since there is no switch from the commercial for general viewers to the commercial for specific viewers during the replacement time, it is possible to avoid any sense of discomfort for the viewer.

[0038] Multiple types of replacement content may be set as candidates for each main program or replacement time. The content organizing unit 338b may use any one of the multiple types of replacement content for replacement. A manifest file indicating the location of one type of replacement content or rules for selecting the location may be set in the content organizing unit 338b, and the content organizing unit 338b may select one type of replacement content by referring to the manifest file. The content organizing unit 338b may select the type of replacement content based on the viewing history using a known content recommendation method. Furthermore, multiple types of replacement content may be associated with user attributes. The content organizing unit 338b may refer to user attributes indicated in user information previously set in the receiving device 30 and select the type of replacement content corresponding to the user attributes. For example, the user attributes may be any one or combination of items such as region (postal code), age group, gender, and preferred genre.

[0039] Next, an example of how to set a replacement time will be described. When programming broadcast programs, commercial broadcasters allocate a portion of each program's broadcast time to commercials and the remaining time to the main program. The broadcasting standards of the Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association (JBA) stipulate that commercial broadcast time should be within 18% of the total broadcast time. In the example of FIG. 6, the commercial broadcast time is periodically set to 1 / 6 of the total broadcast time. One cycle is 90 seconds, with the main program allocated the first 75 seconds and the remaining 15 seconds to commercials. The 15-second commercial broadcast time is set as the replacement time for the replacement content. More specifically, the broadcasting device 10 of broadcasting station 1 broadcasts broadcast content including program 1 as the main program. In this broadcast content, commercials 1a, 1b, and 1c are allocated in that order. In this example, the receiving device 30 switches the programming channel from the channel of broadcasting station 1 to the channel of broadcasting station 3 after commercial 1b ends, in response to a user operation. The broadcasting device 10 of the broadcasting station 3 broadcasts broadcast content including Program 3 as a main program. In the broadcast content, CM 3c and CM 3d are allocated in that order.

[0040] The content acquisition unit 334 simply acquires the replacement content via communication and caches it by the replacement start time. The replacement start time is described as part of the replacement content information in the MPT included in the control information multiplexed into the broadcast content. The replacement time of the current cycle is described in the MPT transmitted from the replacement start time of the cycle immediately before the cycle (current cycle) that includes the current time point to the replacement start time of the current cycle. Initially, the replacement content information received from the broadcast station 1 describes that there is replacement content for CM 1a, the start time of replacement with replacement content CM 1a', and the end time of replacement.

[0041] On the other hand, the transmission cycle of the MPT is usually much shorter than the period of the replacement time, let alone the replacement time itself. The transmission cycle of the MPT is, for example, 100 ms. The MPT describes, for example, the replacement time immediately following that point. When the channel is changed, a new MPT describing replacement content information is received immediately after the channel change. The replacement content information received from broadcast station 3 immediately after the channel change describes that replacement content exists for broadcast content CM 3c, the start time of replacement with replacement content CM 3c', and the end time of the replacement.

[0042] However, a certain processing delay (e.g., 1 to 3 seconds) occurs between the multiplexing of the control information in broadcast device 10 and the presentation of the replacement content in receiving device 30. Therefore, a compensation (offset) time equivalent to the processing delay is preset in broadcast device 10, and a time going back from the replacement start time by a period equivalent to the compensation time is set as the reference time for the replacement content information, and control information including an MPT describing the replacement time is repeatedly transmitted until the reference time. After the reference time, broadcast device 10 begins transmitting control information including an MPT describing the next replacement time as replacement content information. This reduces or eliminates the possibility that the replacement content will not be obtained by the replacement start time.

[0043] Next, a first example of the content replacement process according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a first example of the content replacement process according to this embodiment. (Step S102) The content acquisition unit 334 waits for the MPT separated from the received broadcast signal by the separation unit 316. If the MPT is input (step S102 YES), the process proceeds to step S104. If the MPT is not input (step S102 NO), the process of step S102 is repeated. (Step S104) The content acquisition unit 334 detects the replacement content descriptor from the MPT and determines whether or not there is replacement content based on the setting value for whether or not there is replacement content. If it determines that there is replacement content (step S104 YES), it proceeds to the processing of step S106. If it determines that there is no replacement content (step S104 NO), it proceeds to the processing of step S114.

[0044] (Step S106) The content acquisition unit 334 determines whether or not acquisition of the replacement content has started. If acquisition of the replacement content has not started (step S106 YES), the content acquisition unit 334 starts acquisition of the replacement content by sending a replacement content request to the distribution device 20. If acquisition of the replacement content has started (step S106 NO), the process returns to step S102.

[0045] (Step S108) The content acquisition unit 334 stores (caches) the replacement content transmitted from the distribution device 20 in the content storage unit 336 in response to the replacement content request. (Step S110) The content editing unit 338b monitors the content storage unit 336 and determines whether storage of the replacement content has been completed. If it is determined that storage has been completed (YES in step S110), the process proceeds to step S112. If it is determined that storage has not been completed (NO in step S110), the process proceeds to step S108.

[0046] (Step S112) When the current time reaches the replacement start time and enters the replacement time, the content compilation unit 338b causes the presentation unit 340 to replace the broadcast content that it has been presenting with the replacement content and present it. The content compilation unit 338b switches the broadcast content decoded by the content decoding unit 338a to the replacement content and outputs it to the presentation unit 340. When the current time passes the replacement end time and leaves the replacement time, the content compilation unit 338b causes the presentation unit 340 to restore the replacement content that it has been presenting to the broadcast content and present it. (Step S114) The reception control unit 332 waits for an operation signal to be input from the input unit 350 by a user operation, and determines whether or not to continue reception. If reception is to be continued (step S114 YES), the process proceeds to step S102. If reception is not to be continued (step S114 NO), the process of FIG. 5 ends.

[0047] 4 to 6 show an example in which replacement content information is described in the MPT, but this is not limiting. Replacement content information may be described in the MH-EIT, and multiple replacement times may be described. When a new program starts, the content acquisition unit 334 may begin acquiring replacement content to be presented during a presentation period set within the broadcast period of that program. The start of a new program can be a program that starts when a currently broadcast program ends without changing the channel, or a program that is provided on a new channel after a channel change. The content acquisition unit 334 can, for example, refer to the MH-EIT and compare the broadcast time set for each program with the current time to detect the start of a new program over time, i.e., a program change. The content acquisition unit 334 can also monitor the organization channel specified by an operation signal input from the input unit 350 and detect a change from the organization channel currently receiving a broadcast signal as the start of a new program.

[0048] FIG. 9 assumes a case where commercials are allocated to programs 1 and 3 broadcast from broadcasting stations 1 and 3, respectively, at intervals of 15 seconds in a 90-second cycle, and the channel is switched in the middle of the third cycle, similar to FIG. 6. However, the substitution content information is described in MH-EIT instead of MPT, and indicates all substitution times within the broadcast time of one program.

[0049] In the substitution content descriptor illustrated in FIG. 9, instead of the presence / absence of substitution content (content_available) (see FIG. 4), an item for the number of substitution contents (Number_of_count) and a loop (for (i = 0; i < N; i++)) are included. In the item for the number of substitution contents, an integer value corresponding to the number of substitution contents provided in the program, that is, the number of substitution times, is described. The number of substitution contents also serves as information on the presence / absence of substitution content. That is, when the described number of substitution contents is 0 or less, the content acquisition unit 334 can determine that there is no substitution content, and when the described number of substitution contents is 1 or more, the content acquisition unit 334 can determine that there is substitution content. The loop includes items for the substitution start time and the substitution end time. The number of substitution contents is substituted for N in the loop, and the substitution time for each substitution content related to the program being received is described.

[0050] In the example of FIG. 9, the number of substitution contents for program 1, the substitution start time, and the substitution end time for each substitution content are described in the substitution content descriptor acquired at the beginning of the broadcast of program 1. Therefore, the content acquisition unit 334 can refer to the substitution content information described in the MH-EIT separated by the separation unit 316 and obtain the substitution time for the entire program. Then, the content acquisition unit 334 can prepare for the acquisition of substitution content for each substitution time obtained at the beginning of the broadcast of program 1. In addition, the replacement content descriptor obtained after channel switching describes the number of replacement contents for Program 3, the replacement start time, and the replacement end time for each individual replacement content. The content acquisition unit 334 can refer to the replacement content information and be prepared to acquire the replacement content for each individual replacement time obtained immediately after switching to Program 3.

[0051] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of MH-EIT. MH-EIT has an event loop (for (i = 0, i < N; i++)) and information related to an event, that is, a program is described within the event loop. The replacement content descriptor is described in the descriptor area of the event loop (for (j = 0; j < M; j++) {descriptor ()}). With such a configuration, the replacement content information is notified in program units. Therefore, MH-EIT tends to have a larger amount of information than MPT that shows information about the program being broadcast.

[0052] The transmission period of MH-EIT is longer than the transmission period of MPT. The transmission period of MH-EIT is, for example, 1 to 3 minutes. This transmission period is longer than the typical broadcast time of a CM that becomes the replacement content (for example, 15 to 30 seconds). Therefore, depending on the relationship between the transmission period of MH-EIT and the channel switching time, it is necessary to wait until the first MH-EIT is detected immediately after the channel is switched. The waiting time is at most equivalent to the transmission period of MH-EIT. During that time, the replacement content cannot be used. Therefore, the content acquisition unit 334 may refer to MPT and extract the replacement content information from MPT until the first MH-EIT is detected immediately after the channel is switched. Therefore, the replacement content distributed by communication can also be used immediately after the channel is switched.

[0053] Next, the second example of the content replacement process according to the present embodiment will be mainly described in terms of differences from the first example. Regarding the common points with the first example, the description in the first example will be incorporated. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the second example of the content replacement process according to the present embodiment. The process in FIG. 8 includes steps S106, S108, S110, S112, S114, S122, S124, and S126, but does not include steps S102 and S104.

[0054] (Step S122) The content acquisition unit 334 waits for the MH-EIT separated from the received broadcast signal by the separation unit 316. If the MH-EIT is input (YES in step S122), the process proceeds to step S124. If the MH-EIT is not input (NO in step S122), the process of step S122 is repeated. (Step S124) The content acquisition unit 334 detects a replacement content descriptor from the MH-EIT and determines whether or not there is replacement content based on whether the number of replacement contents described is one or more. If it determines that there is replacement content (step S124 YES), the content acquisition unit 334 identifies the replacement time for each replacement content in the program from the replacement content descriptor and executes the processes of steps S106, S108, S110, and S112. After completing the process of step S112, the process proceeds to the process of step S126. If it determines that there is no replacement content (step S124 NO), the process proceeds to the process of step S114.

[0055] (Step S126) The content editing unit 338b determines whether presentation of all replacement content in the program has been completed and there is no more unprocessed replacement content. If it is determined that presentation is completed (step S126 YES), the process proceeds to step S114. If it is determined that presentation is not completed (step S126 NO), the replacement content to be processed advances to the next unprocessed replacement content, and the process proceeds to step S108.

[0056] Next, an example of setting replacement times for a program will be described. In each program, one or more commercials are set as content to be replaced, forming part of the broadcast content. The broadcast time of each commercial corresponds to the replacement time. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a first setting example of replacement times according to this embodiment. In the example of Fig. 10, the replacement times are all 15 seconds, and are set at 90-second intervals. The total broadcast time of the commercials in each program is roughly 1 / 6 of the total broadcast time, and the broadcast time of the main program is 5 / 6 of the total broadcast time. Program 1 has a total broadcast time of 60 minutes and 40 commercials. Program 2 has a total broadcast time of 30 minutes and 20 commercials. Program 3 has a total broadcast time of 5 minutes and 3 commercials. The receiving device 30 acquires the replacement content via communication at the latest by the start time of each replacement, and presents the acquired replacement content at the replacement time in place of the commercials. The receiving device 30 then resumes presenting the broadcast content.

[0057] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a second example of how replacement times are set according to this embodiment. In the example of FIG. 11, individual replacement times are set aperiodically. The broadcast time of the commercials assigned to each program is 15 seconds or 30 seconds. This example, like the example of FIG. 10, is organized so that the broadcast time of the entire commercials is 1 / 6 of the total broadcast time. That is, the broadcast device 10 sets a broadcast time for the main program corresponding to each commercial, with a duration five times the broadcast time of the commercial, with the end point being the start time of that commercial. The broadcast device 10 receives replacement content corresponding to that commercial from the distribution device 20 via communication and stores it in the content storage unit 336 by the replacement start time.

[0058] In the example of FIG. 11, the broadcast times of the first three commercials and the fifth commercial are each 15 seconds. The broadcast times of the fourth and sixth commercials (corresponding to the replacement time) are each 30 seconds. The broadcasting device 10 sets the start points of the broadcast times of the first, second, third, and fifth main programs to be 75 seconds before the start time of the replacement immediately following them. In contrast, the broadcasting device 10 sets the start points of the broadcast times of the fourth and sixth main programs to be 150 seconds before the start time of the replacement immediately following them. From another perspective, if 32 of the 36 commercials in Program 1 have a broadcast time of 15 seconds, then 4 of the commercials will have a broadcast time of 30 seconds. If 16 of the 18 commercials in Program 2 have a broadcast time of 15 seconds, then 2 of the commercials will have a broadcast time of 30 seconds.

[0059] In the comparative example, information about the presence or absence of replacement content distributed via communication and the replacement time is not transmitted to the receiving device 30. Therefore, the receiving device 30 cannot know whether or not the broadcast content needs to be replaced and the replacement time. If a failure occurs during reception of the replacement content and only part of the replacement content is acquired but not all of it, only the acquired part of the specified replacement time is presented, and the part of the replaced content that makes up the broadcast content is presented for the remaining part that has not been acquired.

[0060] 12, it is assumed that the broadcast content from broadcast station 1 is provided in the order of a main program, CM1, CM2, and CM3, and that CM2' is provided as replacement content during the broadcast of CM2. When the communication state is normal, the images displayed are expected to be the main program, CM1, CM2', and CM3 in that order. However, if a communication failure occurs during the replacement time of replacement content CM2', the display of CM2' is interrupted and then replaced with the image of the broadcast content CM.

[0061] In contrast, in this embodiment, the receiving device 30 is notified of the presence or absence of replacement content distributed via communication and, if replacement content is available, the replacement time. If the receiving device 30 has not completed acquiring the replacement content by the replacement time, it can present the substituted content without presenting the replacement content. Therefore, the replacing content is not switched to the substituted content in the middle of the replacement time. This prevents viewers from feeling uncomfortable when the replacement content is switched in the middle of the replacement time.

[0062] As another comparative example, it is also possible to receive and store replacement content for each receivable channel in advance. Because only one channel can be selected at a time, receiving and storing replacement content for programs broadcast on channels that are not selected would be unnecessary. The more replacement content that is stored in advance, the higher the resilience to communication failures, but the more unused and wasted content there is. In the example of FIG. 13, replacement content CM1'-CM4' corresponding to programs 1-4 broadcast by broadcast stations 1-4, respectively, is acquired in advance. Assume, on the other hand, that a viewer initially selects the channel for program 1, then switches to the channel for program 3 and ends viewing. In this case, programs 2 and 4 are not viewed, and replacement content CM2' and CM4' corresponding to programs 2 and 4 are wasted.

[0063] In contrast, in this embodiment, the receiving device 30 is notified of whether or not replacement content is distributed via communication, and, if replacement content is available, information on the replacement time. The receiving device 30 can acquire the replacement content via communication by the replacement time on the selected channel. Since more replacement content than necessary is not received and stored, the risk of interruption due to deterioration of communication conditions can be reduced without placing an excessive load on the processing.

[0064] As described above, the receiving device 30 of this embodiment includes a broadcast receiving unit 312 that receives broadcast signals carrying broadcast content and replacement content information indicating whether or not replacement content is present in place of the broadcast content, and a content acquisition unit 334 that determines whether or not replacement content needs to be acquired via communication while the broadcast content is being broadcast, depending on whether or not replacement content is present. With this configuration, the presence or absence of replacement content to be presented in place of broadcast content is detected, and whether or not to acquire the replacement content via communication is determined based on the presence or absence of the replacement content. If the replacement content is not available, the replacement content is not acquired via communication. This prevents an increase in load due to unnecessary acquisition of replacement content, and prevents interruptions by acquiring the replacement content in advance.

[0065] The replacement content information may indicate a presentation period (e.g., a replacement period) for the replacement content. The receiving device 30 includes a presentation processing unit 338 that, when acquisition of the replacement content is completed by the start of the presentation period, presents the replacement content in place of the broadcast content during the presentation period. According to this configuration, the replacement content is presented when acquisition of the replacement content is completed by the start of the presentation period of the replacement content. If acquisition of the replacement content is not completed, the replacement content is not presented during the presentation period, so that the viewer can avoid feeling uncomfortable due to the replacement content being blocked.

[0066] The presentation period may be synchronized with the broadcast time of the broadcast content (e.g., the replaced content) that will be broadcast during the presentation period. If acquisition of the replacement content has not been completed by the start of the presentation period, the presentation processing unit 338 may present the broadcast content during the presentation period. According to this configuration, if the acquisition of the replacement content is completed, the replacement content is completely presented during the presentation period, and if the acquisition of the replacement content is not completed, the broadcast content is presented during the presentation period. If the acquisition of the replacement content is not completed, it is possible to avoid the viewer feeling uncomfortable when the replacement content is switched to the broadcast content during the presentation period.

[0067] When a channel (e.g., an organization channel) receiving a broadcast signal is changed, the presentation processing unit 338 may update the replacement content information to the replacement content information received on the changed channel. The content acquisition unit 334 starts receiving the replacement content related to the broadcast content received on that channel. According to this configuration, when a channel is switched, replacement content related to the broadcast content to be broadcast on the switched channel is acquired via communication. The replacement content related to the channel related to viewing of the broadcast content is acquired, and there is no need to acquire replacement content related to other channels. By avoiding the acquisition of unnecessary replacement content, an increase in load can be suppressed.

[0068] The replacement content information indicates the presentation period of the replacement content immediately following the current time, and may be transmitted at a cycle shorter than the interval of the presentation period. This configuration provides an opportunity to acquire the immediately following replacement content prior to the presentation time, preventing the acquisition of more replacement content than necessary. Even if the channel is changed, the presentation time of the immediately following replacement content can be known immediately after the change. Therefore, replacement content can be acquired more reliably while minimizing the load increase.

[0069] When a new program starts, the content acquisition unit 334 starts acquiring replacement content to be presented during a presentation period set within the broadcast period of the program. With this configuration, when a new program starts, acquisition of replacement content to be presented in place of the broadcast content of that program begins, so the replacement content can be acquired early, making it possible to prepare for the interruption of replacement content due to communication failure.

[0070] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the present invention also includes designs that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention. The configurations described in the above-described embodiments can be combined in any manner.

[0071] For example, one or both of the presentation unit 340 and the input unit 350 of the receiving device 30 do not necessarily have to be configured integrally with other parts of the receiving device 30, and may be separate units as long as they can transmit and receive various types of data wirelessly or via a wired connection. In the above explanation, the replacement content is mainly commercials, but it is not limited to this. It can also be applied to information that does not necessarily have the primary purpose of advertising a specific product or service, such as public relations from the government, local governments, or other public institutions.

[0072] Alternatively, a program for implementing some or all of the functions of each of the broadcasting device 10, the distribution device 20, and the receiving device 30, such as the reception control unit 332, the content acquisition unit 334, the content storage unit 336, and the presentation processing unit 338, may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program may be loaded into a computer system and executed to implement the functions of each unit. Here, "loading a program recorded on a recording medium into a computer system and executing it" includes installing the program into a computer system. The term "computer system" here includes hardware such as a processor, memory, and peripheral devices. The term "computer system" may also include multiple computers connected via a network, including the Internet, a WAN, a LAN, a dedicated line, or other communication line. The program for implementing the functions of the reception control unit 332 and the presentation processing unit 338 may be a browser. Some or all of the received content may be configured as a markup document written in a markup language. The presentation processing unit 338 may implement its function by analyzing the markup document and executing the processing specified by the commands written in the markup document.

[0073] Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, as well as storage devices such as hard disks built into computer systems. Thus, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Recording media also include internal or external recording media accessible from a distribution server for distributing the program. The program code stored on the recording medium of the distribution server may be different from the program code in a format executable by a terminal device. In other words, the format in which the program is stored on the distribution server is not important, as long as it can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in a format executable by a terminal device.

[0074] The program may be divided into multiple parts, downloaded at different times, and then integrated on a terminal device, or each divided program may be distributed by a different distribution server. Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" also includes a storage medium that stores a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory (e.g., RAM (Random Access Memory)) within a computer system that serves as a server or client when a program is transmitted over a network. The program may also be a program that realizes part of the above-described functions. Furthermore, the program may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can realize the above-described functions in combination with a program already stored in the computer system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1...broadcast communication system, 10...broadcast device, 20...distribution device, 30...receiving device, 312...broadcast receiving unit, 314...demodulation unit, 316...separation unit, 320...communication unit, 330...control unit, 332...reception control unit, 334...content acquisition unit, 336...content storage unit, 338...presentation processing unit, 338a...content decoding unit, 338b...content compilation unit, 340...presentation unit, 350...input unit

Claims

1. a broadcast receiving unit that receives a broadcast signal in which broadcast content and control information including an information table describing replacement content information indicating whether or not there is replacement content to be presented in place of the broadcast content are multiplexed using an MPEG Media Transport-Type Length Value (MMT-TLV) format; a content acquisition unit that determines whether or not it is necessary to acquire the replacement content by communication while the broadcast content is being broadcast, depending on whether or not the replacement content is present; The replacement content information indicates a presentation period of the replacement content immediately after the current time, and is transmitted at a cycle shorter than the interval of the presentation period. Receiving device.

2. the replacement content information indicates a presentation period of the replacement content; a presentation processing unit that, when acquisition of the replacement content is completed by the start of the presentation period, causes the replacement content to be presented in place of the broadcast content during the presentation period.

2. The receiving device according to claim 1.

3. The presentation period is synchronized with a broadcast time of the broadcast content that is broadcast within the presentation period, and the presentation processing unit If acquisition of the replacement content is not completed by the start of the presentation period, the broadcast content is presented during the presentation period.

3. The receiving device according to claim 2.

4. When the channel receiving the broadcast signal is changed, the presentation processing unit updates the replacement content information to replacement content information received on the changed channel; The content acquisition unit starts receiving replacement content related to the broadcast content received on the channel.

4. The receiving device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. the replacement content information indicates a presentation period of the replacement content set within a broadcast period of the program to be broadcast; The content acquisition unit When a new program starts, the acquisition of replacement content to be presented during the presentation period set within the broadcast period of the program begins.

4. The receiving device according to claim 2 or 3.

6. To the computer A program for causing the receiving device according to claim 1 to function.

7. a broadcasting device that transmits a broadcast signal including the broadcast content and the replacement content information; and a server device that transmits the replacement content via communication. The receiving device according to claim 1 Broadcasting and communication systems.

8. A receiving method in a receiving device, The receiving device: a first step of receiving a broadcast signal in which broadcast content and control information including an information table describing replacement content information indicating whether or not replacement content is to be presented in place of the broadcast content are multiplexed using an MPEG Media Transport-Type Length Value (MMT-TLV) format; a second step of determining whether or not the replacement content needs to be acquired by communication while the broadcast content is being broadcast, depending on whether or not the replacement content is present; Run The replacement content information indicates a presentation period of the replacement content immediately after the current time, and is transmitted at a cycle shorter than the interval of the presentation period. Receiving method.

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