Broadcast Application Management via XML-AIT Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
In HBBTV-compliant terminal apparatuses, continuously monitoring broadcast AIT during VoD content reproduction is necessary to maintain the life cycle of broadcast applications, requiring simultaneous separation processing of VoD and broadcast transport streams, leading to increased hardware complexity due to the need for multiple demultiplexers.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus with a first management unit acquiring and managing broadcast application data based on first definition information, and a second data management unit acquiring and managing network data using equivalent second definition information, allowing for switching and restoration of reproduction states using a single demultiplexer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If simultaneous separation processing of VoD and broadcast transport streams is performed, then the life cycle of broadcast applications can be maintained during VoD reproduction, but hardware complexity increases due to the need for multiple demultiplexers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the broadcast AIT monitoring function and network AIT acquisition function into a single management unit. This unit can selectively switch between monitoring broadcast AIT during VoD reproduction or acquiring network AIT, eliminating the need for separate processing paths and reducing hardware complexity while maintaining application life cycle management
Solution Approach 2:
The management unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it can monitor broadcast AIT when broadcast content is being reproduced, and switch to acquiring network AIT when VoD content is being reproduced. This multi-functional design allows a single unit to handle both scenarios, avoiding the need for dedicated hardware for each function
2Loss of information
If broadcast AIT is continuously monitored during VoD content reproduction, then application life cycle can be grasped, but separation processing for both transport streams must be carried out simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches its monitoring/acquisition mode based on the current reproduction state. When broadcast content is being reproduced, the management unit monitors broadcast AIT. When VoD content is being reproduced, it switches to acquiring network AIT. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain necessary information without requiring simultaneous processing of both transport streams
3Device complexity
If a single demultiplexer is used for both broadcast and network data, then hardware scale is reduced, but switching and restoration of reproduction states becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The management unit performs preliminary actions by acquiring or monitoring AIT in advance based on the predicted or current reproduction state. Before switching from broadcast to VoD reproduction, the system prepares to switch from monitoring broadcast AIT to acquiring network AIT. This preliminary preparation simplifies the actual switching operation and ensures seamless state transitions
Data Source
AI summary
To realize processing for switching a reproduction state from broadcast data to network data and resuming the reproduction of the original broadcast data. A browser (241) acquires, via a network, an XML-AIT having a content equivalent to a broadcast AIT defining a life cycle of a broadcast application while a VoD content is reproduced after being switched from the broadcast application. The browser (241) manages the broadcast application based on the XML-AIT and resumes the reception of the broadcast application after the reproduction of the VoD content is ended. With this structure, processing of separating two transport streams at the same time becomes unnecessary, and one demultiplexer (23) only needs to be provided.