Embedding NAS Data in HDTV Vertical Ancillary Space
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital television (DTV) and high definition television (HDTV) systems lack a solution for efficiently transmitting Network Alert System (NAS) messages to affiliate stations.
Innovation Solution
Embedding NAS data into the vertical ancillary (VANC) space of an HDTV signal, using a program data server, data inserter, and transmission facility to combine network video programming with NAS data, allowing for dynamic transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If NAS messages are transmitted using traditional analog NTSC system, then NAS messages can be carried as part of the analog video signal, but digital television (DTV) and high definition television (HDTV) systems cannot efficiently transmit NAS messages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of signal format from analog NTSC to digital HDTV, and embeds NAS messages within the digital video signal structure using VANC (Vertical Ancillary Data) space. This allows NAS messages to be transmitted reliably in digital formats by utilizing unused data fields in the HDTV signal structure, specifically the vertical blanking interval where ancillary data can be inserted without affecting the visible video content.
2Productivity
If NAS data is embedded in VANC space of HDTV signal, then efficient transmission of NAS messages in HDTV format is achieved, but system complexity increases due to data inserter and extraction requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the HDTV signal structure multi-functional by embedding both video programming content and NAS messaging capability within the same signal transmission infrastructure. The VANC space, originally designed for ancillary data, is now universally used to carry both traditional ancillary information and NAS messages, eliminating the need for separate transmission channels and reducing overall system complexity despite the added embedding function.
3Reliability
If separate transmission channels are used for video programming and NAS messages, then reliable delivery of both is achieved, but transmission efficiency and bandwidth utilization decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transmission of video programming and NAS messages into a single HDTV signal by embedding NAS data within the VANC space of the video signal. This combining approach maintains reliable delivery of both content types while improving transmission efficiency and bandwidth utilization, as the NAS messages travel alongside the video content rather than requiring separate dedicated channels.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for dynamically transmitting network alert system (NAS) information from a television network to an affiliate station using information embedded in an HDTV signal includes a program data server configured to provide network alert system (NAS) data, a network video programming source configured to provide network video programming, a data inserter configured to insert the NAS data into vertical ancillary (VANC) space of a high definition television (HDTV) signal to develop a combined network video programming and NAS data signal, and a transmission facility configured to transmit the combined network video programming and NAS data signal.