Monitoring device and monitoring method

Abstract

To monitor IP broadcast streams and an IP broadcast server in a transmission system that distributes IP broadcast streams by multicast.SOLUTION: A network interface 52 receives an IP broadcast stream from a transmission system that distributes the IP broadcast stream generated by converting broadcast signals into an IP packet, by multicast. An IP broadcast monitoring unit 51 monitors one or more channels in the received IP broadcast stream. The IP broadcast monitoring unit 51 transmits a participation request to the transmission system, with respect to each of the one or more channels. The network interface 52 receives IP broadcast streams of channels to which the participation request has been transmitted. The IP broadcast monitoring unit 51 monitors the IP broadcast streams of the channels to which the participation request has been transmitted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a monitoring device and a monitoring method.

Background Art

[0002] The CATV monitoring device in Patent Document 1 receives a broadcast signal as an RF signal obtained by modulating with a predetermined modulation method, demodulates it to extract a program, and detects an abnormality in the video in the program.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In recent years, a transmission system for multicasting an IP (Internet Protocol) broadcast stream obtained by packetizing a broadcast signal has been proposed. In such a transmission system, when a router in an IP network receives a participation request for a certain channel from a receiver, it routes the IP broadcast stream to the receiver. That is, the IP broadcast stream is not broadcast. Therefore, even if a monitoring device as disclosed in Patent Document 1 is simply connected to an IP network, it is difficult to monitor the IP broadcast stream.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a monitoring device and a monitoring method for monitoring an IP broadcast stream and an IP broadcast server in a transmission system for multicasting an IP broadcast stream.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a transmission system for distributing IP broadcast streams, which are IP packets of broadcast signals, via multicast. A monitoring device in which the broadcast signal monitoring means monitors the broadcast signal and the IP communication means receives the IP broadcast stream from the transmission system, IP broadcast stream monitoring means for monitoring one or more channels in the received IP broadcast stream. It includes an integrated monitoring system, The IP broadcast stream includes the same channels as those included in the broadcast signal, the IP broadcast stream monitoring means sends a participation request to the transmission system for each of the one or more channels, the IP communication means receives the IP broadcast stream of the channel to which the participation request was sent, and the IP broadcast stream monitoring means monitors the IP broadcast stream of the channel to which the participation request was sent. The integrated monitoring means, when an error in the IP broadcast stream is detected, compares the monitoring result of the IP broadcast stream monitoring means with the monitoring result of the broadcast signal corresponding to the same channel by the broadcast signal monitoring means, and determines, based on the result of the comparison, whether the error in the IP broadcast stream is due to an error in the broadcast signal or an abnormality in the transmission path of the IP broadcast stream. It is characterized by the following.

[0007] Furthermore, the present invention is The IP broadcast stream monitoring means is characterized by obtaining management information for the IP broadcast stream from a predetermined server and determining whether the received IP broadcast stream conforms to the management information. .

[0008] Furthermore, the present invention is The IP broadcast stream monitoring means is characterized by monitoring the predetermined server and determining whether or not the management information can be correctly obtained from the predetermined server.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention is The IP broadcast stream monitoring means is characterized by determining whether or not the IP broadcast stream conforms to the IP broadcast standard based on the management information.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention is The IP communication means is characterized by receiving a dedicated stream that transmits the management information, and the IP broadcast stream monitoring means is characterized by acquiring the management information from the dedicated stream.

[0011] Furthermore, the present invention is The system further comprises a playback means, the playback means comprising: (a) identifying the encryption or scrambling scheme of the channel from which the participation request was transmitted; (b) decrypting or descrambling the IP broadcast stream of the channel according to the identified encryption or scrambling scheme; and (c) outputting the video or audio obtained after decryption or descrambling.

[0012] Furthermore, the present invention is The IP broadcast stream monitoring means is characterized by sequentially and repeatedly sending the participation request to a plurality of channels and polling, and sequentially and repeatedly monitoring the IP broadcast stream of the channel to which the participation request has been sent.

[0013] Furthermore, the present invention is The upper limit of the number of channels monitored in parallel is set according to the bandwidth of the communication path between the transmission system and the IP communication means.

[0014] Furthermore, the present invention is A monitoring method for a transmission system that distributes an IP broadcast stream, which is an IP packetized broadcast signal, by multicast, comprising: a broadcast signal monitoring step for monitoring the broadcast signal; a receiving step for receiving the IP broadcast stream from the transmission system; an IP broadcast stream monitoring step for monitoring one or more channels in the received IP broadcast stream; and an integrated monitoring step, wherein the IP broadcast stream includes the same channels as those included in the broadcast signal; the IP broadcast stream monitoring step sends a join request to the transmission system for each of the one or more channels; the receiving step receives the IP broadcast stream for the channel to which the join request was sent; the IP broadcast stream monitoring step monitors the IP broadcast stream for the channel to which the join request was sent; and the integrated monitoring step, if an error is detected in the IP broadcast stream, compares the monitoring result in the IP broadcast stream monitoring step with the monitoring result of the broadcast signal corresponding to the same channel in the broadcast signal monitoring step, and determines, based on the result of the comparison, whether the error in the IP broadcast stream is due to an error in the broadcast signal or an abnormality in the transmission path of the IP broadcast stream.

[0015] Furthermore, the present invention is The system is characterized by obtaining management information for the IP broadcast stream from a predetermined server and determining whether the received IP broadcast stream conforms to the management information.

[0016] Furthermore, the present invention is The system is characterized by monitoring the predetermined server and determining whether or not the management information can be correctly obtained from the predetermined server.

[0017] Furthermore, the present invention The method is characterized by determining whether or not the IP broadcast stream conforms to the IP broadcasting standard based on the management information.

[0018] Furthermore, the present invention The system is characterized by receiving a dedicated stream that transmits the aforementioned management information and obtaining the aforementioned management information from the dedicated stream.

[0019] Furthermore, the present invention The system further comprises a playback step, the playback step being characterized by (a) identifying the encryption or scrambling scheme of the channel from which the participation request was transmitted, (b) decrypting or descrambling the IP broadcast stream of the channel according to the identified encryption or scrambling scheme, and (c) outputting the video or audio obtained after decryption or descrambling.

[0020] Furthermore, the present invention The IP broadcast stream monitoring step is characterized by sequentially and repeatedly sending the participation request to multiple channels and polling them, and sequentially and repeatedly monitoring the IP broadcast stream of the channels to which the participation request has been sent.

[0021] Furthermore, the present invention The upper limit of the number of channels monitored in parallel is set according to the bandwidth of the communication path between the transmission system and the monitoring device that receives the IP broadcast stream.

Advantages of the Invention

[0024] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a monitoring device and a monitoring method for monitoring an IP broadcast stream in a transmission system that distributes an IP broadcast stream by multicast.

[0025] The above or other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing a configuration example of a transmission system including a monitoring device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing an example of data transmitted and received between a receiver via an IP network in an IP broadcast transmission system. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing a detailed configuration example of the monitoring device shown in FIG. 1.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0027] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

[0028] (A) Description of the Configuration of the First Embodiment of the Present Invention Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example configuration of a transmission system including a monitoring device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The transmission system 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises a broadcast signal providing unit 11 that provides a broadcast signal obtained by modulating a carrier wave with a predetermined modulation scheme, and an IP broadcast service server 21 and an IP retransmission system 22 that provide an IP broadcast stream.

[0029] The broadcast signal provision unit 11 includes a terrestrial digital pass-through system 11a, a terrestrial digital independent broadcasting system 11b, a BS transmodulation (hereinafter referred to as "transmodulation") system 11c, a terrestrial digital transmodulation system 11d, an advanced BS transmodulation system 11e, an advanced cable independent system 11f, a Remax system 11g, an FM pass-through system 11h, a BS pass-through system 11i, a wideband CS pass-through system 11j, an advanced BS pass-through system 11k, an advanced wideband CS pass-through system 11m, and the like, and transmits broadcast signals (i.e., RF signals which are broadcast waves) obtained by modulating the carrier wave with the corresponding modulation method.

[0030] Here, the terrestrial digital pass-through system 11a and the terrestrial digital independent broadcasting system 11b transmit broadcast signals obtained by modulating the carrier wave with OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing). The BS transmodulator system 11c and the terrestrial digital transmodulator system 11d transmit broadcast signals obtained by modulating the carrier wave with 64QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation). The advanced cable independent system 11f and the Remax system 11g transmit broadcast signals obtained by modulating the carrier wave with 64QAM or 256QAM. The FM pass-through system 11h transmits broadcast signals obtained by modulating the carrier wave with FM (Frequency Modulation). The BS pass-through system 11i and the advanced BS pass-through system 11k transmit broadcast signals obtained by modulating the carrier wave with TC8PSK (Trellis Coded 8 Phase Shift Keying) or 16APSK (Amplitude and Phase Shift Keying). The broadband CS pass-through system 11j transmits broadcast signals obtained by modulating the carrier wave with QPSK (Quadrature PSK) or 8PSK. The advanced broadband CS pass-through system 11m transmits broadcast signals obtained by modulating the carrier wave with BPSK (Binary PSK) or 8PSK.

[0031] The RF mixing unit 12a mixes the broadcast signals (RF signals) from the terrestrial digital pass-through system 11a, the terrestrial digital independent broadcasting system 11b, the BS transmodulator system 11c, the terrestrial digital transmodulator system 11d, the advanced BS transmodulator system 11e, the advanced cable independent system 11f, the Remax system 11g, and the FM pass-through system 11h, as well as the CATV control signals, and transmits the mixed broadcast signal. The RF distribution unit 13a distributes the broadcast signal transmitted from the RF mixing unit 12a. Here, the RF distribution unit 13a transmits the broadcast signal to a transmission path for a broadcast viewer's receiver (not shown) and also transmits it to the monitoring device 31. The RF signal input to the monitoring device 31 may further include RF signals equivalent to the RF signals from the RF distribution units 13a and 13b, and may also include RF signals from antenna signals and RF signals provided to the broadcast signal provision unit 11 from external operators, etc.

[0032] The RF mixing unit 12b mixes the broadcast signals (RF signals) from the BS pass-through system 11i, the broadband CS pass-through system 11j, the advanced BS pass-through system 11k, and the advanced broadband CS pass-through system 11m, and transmits the mixed broadcast signal. The RF distribution unit 13b distributes the broadcast signal transmitted from the RF mixing unit 12b. Here, the RF distribution unit 13b transmits the broadcast signal to a transmission line for a receiver (not shown) and also to the monitoring device 31.

[0033] Furthermore, the IP broadcasting service server 21 transmits IP broadcast streams to IP networks 24 such as the Internet, a closed network for service provision, and cable television communication lines. The IP retransmission system 22 receives broadcast signals as RF signals or streams obtained by converting those RF signals into IP packets, converts those broadcast signals into an IP broadcasting format as needed, then converts them into IP packets to generate and transmit IP broadcast streams.

[0034] The SI server 23 stores management information for IP broadcast streams sent from the IP broadcast service server 21 and the IP retransmission system 22, and provides management information or sends out SI-dedicated streams containing management information upon request.

[0035] The IP network 24 comprises one or more routers 24a, each router 24a routing multicast IP broadcast streams according to a predetermined protocol such as IGMP (Internet Group Management Protocol) or MLD (Multicast Listener Discovery). When a router 24a receives a request to join a channel from a receiver, it routes the IP broadcast stream for that channel to that receiver. In an IP broadcast transmission system, various types of data are sent and received between the receiver and the IP broadcast stream. Figure 2 shows an example of data sent and received between the receiver and the IP broadcast transmission system via the IP network. Figure 2 shows the servers that constitute the IP broadcast and the data being sent and received. The IP broadcast stream (including IP rebroadcast streams) and SI-dedicated streams shown in Figure 2 are distributed via multicast.

[0036] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, for example, if the broadcast signal provided to the broadcast signal provision unit 11 from the external distribution platform system 26 is in the form of an IP packet, that IP packetized signal (hereinafter referred to as the IP distribution signal) may be input to the monitoring device 31 via an IP network 27 similar to the IP network 24.

[0037] Figure 3 shows a detailed configuration example of the monitoring device 31 shown in Figure 1.

[0038] As shown in Figure 3, the monitoring device 31 comprises one or more (in this case, two) OFDM / BS / CS monitoring units 41, one or more (in this case, four) QAM monitoring units 42, a level monitoring unit 43, one or more (in this case, two) FM band level monitoring units 44, and distributors 45, 46. The OFDM / BS / CS monitoring unit 41, QAM monitoring unit 42, level monitoring unit 43, and FM band level monitoring unit 44 are examples of broadcast signal monitoring means for monitoring broadcast signals (broadcast waves).

[0039] The distributor 45 receives the broadcast signals (i.e., the broadcast signals for the BS pass-through system 11i, the broadband CS pass-through system 11j, the advanced BS pass-through system 11k, and the advanced broadband CS pass-through system 11m) (BS / CS signals in Figure 3) sent from the RF mixing unit 12b and distributed by the RF distribution unit 13b, and distributes them to the OFDM / BS / CS monitoring unit 41 and the level monitoring unit 43.

[0040] Furthermore, the distributor 46 receives broadcast signals (i.e., broadcast signals from the terrestrial digital pass-through system 11a, terrestrial digital independent broadcasting system 11b, BS transmodulation system 11c, terrestrial digital transmodulation system 11d, advanced BS transmodulation system 11e, advanced cable independent system 11f, Remax system 11g, and FM pass-through system 11h, CATV signals in Figure 3) sent from the RF mixing unit 12a and distributed by the RF distribution unit 13a, and distributes them to the OFDM / BS / CS monitoring unit 41, QAM monitoring unit 42, level monitoring unit 43, and FM band level monitoring unit 44.

[0041] The OFDM / BS / CS monitoring unit 41 and the QAM monitoring unit 42 demodulate the broadcast signal to be monitored from the supplied broadcast signal into stream data (in this case, TS: Transport Stream) corresponding to the modulation scheme of the broadcast signal to be monitored, and monitor the management information (PSI information, SI information, etc.), as well as the video and audio in the stream data to detect abnormalities.

[0042] For example, the OFDM / BS / CS monitoring unit 41 and the QAM monitoring unit 42 detect anomalies based on BER (Bit Error Rate), MER (Modulation Error Ratio), etc.

[0043] Here, management information includes NIT (Network Information Table), PAT (Program Association Table), PMT (Program Map Table), ECM (Entitlement Control Message), SDT (Service Description Table), EIT (Event Information Table), TOT (Time Offset Table), PCR (Program Clock Reference), and others.

[0044] The level monitoring unit 43 monitors the level (signal strength) of each broadcast signal supplied as an RF signal and detects any abnormalities.

[0045] The FM band level monitoring unit 44 monitors the level (signal strength) of the supplied FM-modulated broadcast signal and detects any abnormalities.

[0046] Furthermore, the monitoring device 31 includes an IP broadcast monitoring unit 51 and a network interface 52.

[0047] The IP broadcast monitoring unit 51 monitors one or more channels in the IP broadcast stream received from a transmission system (in this case, an IP network 24 including an IP broadcast service server 21 and an IP retransmission system) that distributes IP broadcast streams, which are IP packets of broadcast signals, via multicast. The network interface 52 receives the IP broadcast stream from the transmission system. The IP broadcast monitoring unit 51 may be implemented as dedicated hardware or as software in the processor 62. Alternatively, the network interface 52 may receive the IP distribution signal from an external carrier via the L2 switch 28, and the IP broadcast monitoring unit 51 may also monitor one or more channels in that IP distribution signal.

[0048] In particular, the IP broadcast monitoring unit 51 sends a participation request to the transmission system for each of the one or more channels mentioned above, the network interface 52 receives the IP broadcast stream of the channel from which the participation request was sent, and the IP broadcast monitoring unit 51 monitors the IP broadcast stream of the channel from which the participation request was sent.

[0049] Furthermore, the IP broadcast monitoring unit 51 polls by sequentially and repeatedly sending participation requests to the aforementioned multiple channels, and sequentially and repeatedly monitors the IP broadcast streams of the channels to which participation requests have been sent.

[0050] When switching the monitoring target to a different channel, the IP broadcast monitoring unit 51 sends an exit request to the transmission system for the channel whose monitoring is to be terminated, and then sends a join request for the other channel.

[0051] In this case, the upper limit of the number of channels is set according to the bandwidth of the communication path between the transmission system and the network interface 52. Therefore, the number of channels monitored in parallel will be less than or equal to that upper limit.

[0052] Here, an IP broadcast stream is a stream multiplexed using formats such as TS, MMT, or MMT-TLV (MPEG Media Transport - Type Length Value).

[0053] Specifically, the IP broadcast monitoring unit 51 monitors management information (PSI information, SI information, etc.) as well as video and audio in the TLV and TS, and detects abnormalities. This management information includes NIT, PAT, PMT, ECM, SDT, EIT, TOT, PCR, etc.

[0054] Furthermore, the IP broadcast monitoring unit 51 detects flow information (IP address, port number, VLAN number, etc.) and transmission quality (transmission rate BPS, number of packets PPS, stream reception time uptime, packet loss, packet error, packet jitter, etc.) about the received IP broadcast stream, and detects abnormalities based on the detection frequency and detected values.

[0055] Furthermore, the IP broadcast monitoring unit 51 may obtain management information for the IP broadcast stream from the SI server 23, determine whether the received IP broadcast stream or SI-dedicated stream conforms to that management information, and detect any abnormalities.

[0056] In this case, the IP broadcast monitoring unit 51 may acquire the management information from the SI-dedicated stream (a dedicated stream for transmitting management information) received by the network interface 52.

[0057] Furthermore, the IP broadcast monitoring unit 51 may access various servers, such as the SI server 23, via the IP network and L2 switch 25 using a predetermined protocol, thereby monitoring and verifying the health of each server.

[0058] Furthermore, the IP broadcast monitoring unit 51 may periodically attempt to connect to the IP broadcast service server 21 via the IP network 24 and L2 switch 25 using a predetermined protocol, determine whether a connection can be established correctly or whether a response is received, and detect any abnormalities. In this case, the IP broadcast monitoring unit 51 may maintain a constant connection to the IP broadcast service server 21 using TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and detect an abnormality if the TCP connection is interrupted.

[0059] Furthermore, the IP broadcast monitoring unit 51 may acquire management data stored in the IP broadcast service server 21 or the like, determine whether or not it conforms to the IP broadcast standard corresponding to the IP broadcast stream, and detect any abnormalities.

[0060] Furthermore, the IP broadcast monitoring unit 51 may acquire clock information from the SNTP server and detect anomalies based on whether or not there is a response from the server, whether or not the SNTP protocol version information conforms to the standard, whether or not the LI (Leap Indicator) is 11, or whether or not the Stratum information is 16 or higher.

[0061] Furthermore, the IP broadcast monitoring unit 51 may obtain license information from the CAS server, decode the video and audio being broadcast via IP broadcasting, and determine whether or not the license information can be obtained correctly by correctly extracting the video and audio, thereby detecting any abnormalities.

[0062] Furthermore, the monitoring device 31 includes a TS output unit 61, a processor 62, an IC card slot 63, an ACAS chip 64, a panel display unit 65, and an SD card slot 66.

[0063] The TS output unit 61 outputs the TS obtained by demodulation in the monitoring device 31 (monitoring units 41, 42) to the outside.

[0064] Processor 62 is equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and operates as various processing units by executing programs on the CPU.

[0065] The IC card slot 63 is a reader for CAS cards. The panel display unit 65 is a display and indicator for showing monitoring results, etc. The SD card slot 66 is an SD card reader / writer for storing monitoring results.

[0066] Here, the processor 62 operates as an integrated monitoring unit 62a and a regeneration unit 62b.

[0067] The integrated monitoring unit 62a acquires the monitoring results from the IP broadcast monitoring unit and the broadcast signal monitoring units 41 and 42, and displays, stores, and outputs these monitoring results. In particular, if an error in the IP broadcast stream is detected by the IP broadcast monitoring unit 51, the integrated monitoring unit 62a compares the monitoring results from the IP broadcast monitoring unit and the monitoring results from the broadcast signal monitoring units 41 and 42 to determine whether the error in the IP broadcast stream is due to an error in the original broadcast signal.

[0068] The playback unit 62b (a) identifies the encryption or scrambling method of the channel from which the participation request was sent, (b) reads the encryption key from the CAS card, ACAS chip 64, etc. connected to the IC card slot 63 according to the identified encryption or scrambling method, and uses the encryption key to decrypt or descramble the IP broadcast stream of the channel, and (c) outputs the video or audio obtained after decryption or descrambling to the subsequent video viewing server 32 or monitoring controller 33. Here, the playback unit 62b outputs the video or audio to the subsequent video viewing server 32 or monitoring controller 33 via the network interface 67 through an L2 network (such as Ethernet®). The monitoring device 31 may not be connected via an L2 network and may be housed in the same enclosure as the video viewing server 32 or monitoring controller 33.

[0069] (B) Description of the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention

[0070] Next, the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. A broadcasting station (not shown) multiplexes stream data containing compressed encoded video and audio, which includes information for realizing a television broadcasting service, and content for realizing a content download service, based on a scheme called TS or MMT / TLV. The multiplexed stream data is transmitted as a broadcast signal.

[0071] In this case, if a carrier wave is used as the communication medium, the broadcast signal is modulated using a predetermined modulation scheme before being transmitted as a broadcast wave. If an IP network is used as the communication medium, the broadcast signal is packetized into IP packets and then transmitted to the IP network as an IP broadcast stream.

[0072] The broadcast signal provider unit 11 relays broadcast signals as broadcast waves or transmits broadcast signals independently. The IP broadcast service server 21 transmits such IP broadcast streams, and the IP retransmission system 22 converts such broadcast signals as broadcast waves into IP broadcast streams and transmits the converted IP broadcast streams.

[0073] Here, the broadcast signal transmitted by the broadcast signal provision unit 11 and the broadcast signal transmitted by the IP broadcast service server 21 or the IP retransmission system 22 contain the same content (channel).

[0074] In this way, broadcast signals are transmitted to the receiver via various transmission media.

[0075] The aforementioned broadcast signal provision unit 11, IP broadcast service server 21, and IP retransmission system 22 are located within the station building, and in this case, the aforementioned monitoring device 31 is also located within the same station building. However, the monitoring device 31 may be located in a different station building (such as a relay station) or on the receiver side. Furthermore, the aforementioned broadcast signal provision unit 11, IP broadcast service server 21, and IP retransmission system 22 may each be located in different station buildings.

[0076] The broadcast signal transmitted by the broadcast signal provision unit 11 is distributed and supplied to the monitoring device 31. In the monitoring device 31, the OFDM / BS / CS monitoring unit 41, the QAM monitoring unit 42, the level monitoring unit 43, and the FM band level monitoring unit 44 monitor this broadcast signal.

[0077] On the other hand, the IP broadcast monitoring unit 51 of the monitoring device 31 sends a join request to the transmission system (such as the IP network 24) via the network interface 52 for each of the one or more channels to be monitored, receives the IP broadcast stream of the channel from which the join request was sent via the network interface 52, and monitors the IP broadcast stream of the channel from which the join request was sent as described above. At that time, the IP broadcast monitoring unit 51 polls by sending join requests and exit requests to the above-mentioned multiple channels in order and repeatedly, and monitors the IP broadcast stream of the channel from which the join request was sent in order and repeatedly.

[0078] Furthermore, if the monitoring device 31 is installed inside the station building, ASI TS (Asynchronous Serial Interface TS) generated and transmitted within the station building, or IP content for CATV broadcasting (the IP distribution signals mentioned above) distributed via IP from outside the station building, may be supplied to the monitoring device 31. The ASI TS contains the same content (channels) as the IP broadcasting service server 21, etc.

[0079] Furthermore, in the processor 62, the integrated monitoring unit 62a acquires the monitoring results from the IP broadcast monitoring unit 51, and either displays the monitoring results on the panel display unit 65, stores them on an SD card (storage medium) connected to the SD card slot 66, or outputs them to the monitoring controller 33.

[0080] Furthermore, if the IP broadcast monitoring unit 51 detects an error in the IP broadcast stream, the integrated monitoring unit 62a compares the monitoring results of the IP broadcast monitoring unit 51 with the monitoring results of the broadcast signal monitoring units 41 and 42 to determine whether the error in the IP broadcast stream is due to an error in the original broadcast signal. The unit then displays the determination result on the panel display unit 65, stores it in the SD card (storage medium) connected to the SD card slot 66, or outputs it to the monitoring controller 33.

[0081] Furthermore, the playback unit 62b of the processor 62 identifies the encryption or scrambling method of the channel from which the participation request has been sent, decrypts or descrambles the IP broadcast stream of that channel according to the identified encryption or scrambling method, and outputs the video or audio obtained after decryption or descrambling to a subsequent video viewing server 32 or the like.

[0082] The integrated monitoring unit 62a then performs anomaly detection, such as freezing, by comparing the previously obtained video or audio with the currently obtained video or audio for each channel during polling of the IP broadcast stream, and issues an alarm if an anomaly such as freezing is detected. The integrated monitoring unit 62a may also perform anomaly detection based on the video or audio in each polling session (one session) of the IP broadcast stream (for example, detection of black screen, color bars, silence, 1kHz tone sound, etc.). If the video or audio in the broadcast signal is encrypted and / or scrambled, the video or audio after decryption and / or descrambling is used for the monitoring.

[0083] Furthermore, the integrated monitoring unit 62a determines whether the same anomaly has been detected in the broadcast signal (RF signal of the broadcast wave). If the same anomaly is detected in the broadcast signal (RF signal of the broadcast wave), it determines that the anomaly is in the original broadcast signal and not in the transmission path of the IP broadcast stream. If the same anomaly is not detected in the broadcast signal (RF signal of the broadcast wave), it determines that the anomaly is in the transmission path of the IP broadcast stream. In other words, by comparing the monitoring results of the IP broadcast stream and the monitoring results of the broadcast signal (RF signal of the broadcast wave), it is possible to isolate the location where the anomaly occurred.

[0084] As described above, IP broadcast streams are monitored. Since multiple channels' IP broadcast streams are monitored in parallel, even when there are many channels to monitor and the monitoring is repeated intermittently, the monitoring interval for each channel is short. When IP broadcast stream monitoring is performed as a software process, there is no need to allocate dedicated hardware to each channel, allowing for monitoring of many channels at a relatively lower cost than using dedicated hardware.

[0085] (C) Description of the configuration of the second embodiment of the present invention

[0086] In the second embodiment, the monitoring device 31 does not include broadcast signal monitoring units 41, 42, etc., and only monitors IP broadcasts.

[0087] Note that the other configurations and operations of the monitoring device 31 according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, so their description will be omitted.

[0088] (E) Description of modified embodiments The embodiments described above are merely examples, and it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the cases described above. [Industrial applicability]

[0089] The present invention can be applied, for example, to a monitoring device for IP broadcast streams. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 41 OFDM / BS / CS Monitoring Unit (An example of broadcast signal monitoring means) 42 QAM Monitoring Unit (An example of broadcast signal monitoring means) 43. Level Monitoring Unit (An example of broadcast signal monitoring means) 44 FM Bandwidth Level Monitoring Unit (An example of broadcast signal monitoring means) 51 IP Broadcast Monitoring Unit (IP Broadcast Stream Monitoring Method) 52 Network Interface (An example of IP communication method) 62a Integrated monitoring unit (an example of integrated monitoring means) 62b Regeneration unit (an example of a regeneration method)

Claims

1. A monitoring device in a transmission system that distributes IP broadcast streams, which are IP packets of broadcast signals, via multicast, A broadcast signal monitoring means for monitoring the aforementioned broadcast signal, IP communication means for receiving the IP broadcast stream from the transmission system, IP broadcast stream monitoring means for monitoring one or more channels in the received IP broadcast stream, Equipped with an integrated monitoring means, The aforementioned IP broadcast stream includes the same channels as those included in the broadcast signal, The IP broadcast stream monitoring means sends a participation request to the transmission system for each of the one or more channels. The IP communication means receives the IP broadcast stream of the channel from which the participation request was sent, The IP broadcast stream monitoring means monitors the IP broadcast stream of the channel from which the participation request was sent. When an error is detected in the IP broadcast stream, the integrated monitoring means compares the monitoring result of the IP broadcast stream monitoring means with the monitoring result of the broadcast signal corresponding to the same channel by the broadcast signal monitoring means. Based on the results of the comparison, determine whether the error in the IP broadcast stream is due to an error in the broadcast signal or an abnormality in the transmission path of the IP broadcast stream. A monitoring device characterized by the following.

2. The monitoring device according to Claim 1, wherein the IP broadcast stream monitoring means obtains management information of the IP broadcast stream from a predetermined server and determines whether the received IP broadcast stream conforms to the management information.

3. The monitoring device according to claim 2, wherein the IP broadcast stream monitoring means monitors the predetermined server and determines whether or not the management information can be correctly obtained from the predetermined server.

4. The monitoring device according to claim 2, wherein the IP broadcast stream monitoring means determines whether or not the IP broadcast stream conforms to the IP broadcast standard based on the management information.

5. The IP communication means receives a dedicated stream for transmitting the management information, The IP broadcast stream monitoring means acquires the management information from the dedicated stream. The monitoring device according to claim 2, characterized by the following:

6. Further comprising a regeneration means, The playback means (a) identifies the encryption or scrambling method of the channel from which the participation request was transmitted, (b) decodes or descrambles the IP broadcast stream of the channel according to the identified encryption or scrambling method, and (c) outputs the video or audio obtained after decoding or descrambling. The monitoring device according to claim 1, characterized by the following:

7. The monitoring device according to Claim 1, wherein the IP broadcast stream monitoring means sequentially and repeatedly sends the participation request to a plurality of channels and polls, and sequentially and repeatedly monitors the IP broadcast stream of the channel to which the participation request has been sent.

8. The monitoring device according to claim 7, characterized in that the upper limit of the number of channels monitored in parallel is set according to the bandwidth of the communication path between the transmission system and the IP communication means.

9. A monitoring method in a transmission system that distributes an IP broadcast stream, which is an IP packetized broadcast signal, via multicast, A broadcast signal monitoring step, which involves monitoring the aforementioned broadcast signal, A receiving step of receiving the IP broadcast stream from the transmission system, IP broadcast stream monitoring step, which involves monitoring one or more channels in the received IP broadcast stream, Includes an integrated monitoring step, The aforementioned IP broadcast stream includes the same channels as those included in the broadcast signal, In the IP broadcast stream monitoring step, a participation request is sent to the transmission system for each of the one or more channels. In the receiving step, the IP broadcast stream of the channel from which the participation request was sent is received. In the IP broadcast stream monitoring step, the IP broadcast stream of the channel from which the participation request was sent is monitored. In the integrated monitoring step, if an error is detected in the IP broadcast stream, the monitoring result in the IP broadcast stream monitoring step is compared with the monitoring result of the broadcast signal corresponding to the same channel in the broadcast signal monitoring step. Based on the results of the comparison, determine whether the error in the IP broadcast stream is due to an error in the broadcast signal or an abnormality in the transmission path of the IP broadcast stream. A monitoring method characterized by the following.

10. The monitoring method according to claim 9, characterized in that it obtains management information of the IP broadcast stream from a predetermined server and determines whether the received IP broadcast stream conforms to the management information.

11. The monitoring method according to claim 10, characterized in that it monitors the predetermined server and determines whether or not the management information can be correctly obtained from the predetermined server.

12. The monitoring method according to claim 10, characterized in that it determines whether or not the IP broadcast stream conforms to the IP broadcast standard based on the management information.

13. A dedicated stream for transmitting the management information is received, To obtain the management information from the dedicated stream, The monitoring method according to claim 10, characterized by the above.

14. Further comprising a regeneration step, In the playback step, (a) identify the encryption or scrambling method of the channel from which the participation request was transmitted, (b) decode or descramble the IP broadcast stream of the channel according to the identified encryption or scrambling method, and (c) output the video or audio obtained after decoding or descrambling. The monitoring method according to claim 9, characterized by the following:

15. The monitoring method according to claim 9, wherein the IP broadcast stream monitoring step involves sequentially and repeatedly sending the participation request to a plurality of channels and polling, and sequentially and repeatedly monitoring the IP broadcast stream of the channel from which the participation request has been sent.

16. The monitoring method according to claim 15, characterized in that the upper limit of the plurality of channels to be monitored in parallel is set according to the bandwidth of the communication path between the transmission system and the monitoring device that receives the IP broadcast stream.

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