PSIP PSI Table Consistency Remultiplexer for ATSC DTV Streams

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems lack the ability to automatically ensure consistency between Program and System Information Protocol (PSIP) tables and Program Specific Information (PSI) tables in an ATSC DTV stream, leading to inaccuracies in signal component identification by receivers.

Innovation Solution

A computer-based system and method that applies rules to reconcile inconsistencies between PSI and PSIP tables, ensuring consistent information in both table types within the ATSC DTV stream, using a remultiplexer to combine and update information from both sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If tuning information is provided in both PSI tables and PSIP tables, then receivers can access tuning information from either source, but inconsistencies between the two table types lead to inaccurate signal component identification

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereceiver configuration flexibilityVSAvoidsignal component identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary reconciliation of tuning information between PSI and PSIP tables during the stream assembly process, before the stream is transmitted to receivers. This advance action ensures consistency is built into the stream itself, eliminating the reliability problem while preserving receiver configuration flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A remultiplexer acts as an intermediary component between the sources of PSI and PSIP table data and the final ATSC stream. This intermediary automatically reconciles inconsistencies between the two table types, ensuring that tuning information is consistent across both formats without requiring changes to receiver design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If manual reconciliation of PSI and PSIP tables is performed, then consistency can be ensured, but the process is time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetuning information consistencyVSAvoidstream assembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The remultiplexer implements automated self-service functionality to reconcile tuning information between PSI and PSIP tables. The system automatically detects and resolves inconsistencies without requiring manual intervention, thereby ensuring consistency while minimizing the time and labor required for stream assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies strong automated processing capabilities to rapidly reconcile table inconsistencies, accelerating the stream assembly process compared to manual methods while maintaining high consistency standards

Inventive Principle:

Principle #38Strong oxidants (Accelerated oxidation)

3Device complexity

If receivers are configured to use tuning information from only one table type, then processing is simplified, but the other table type becomes redundant

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereceiver processing complexityVSAvoidinformation redundancy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the tuning information from both PSI and PSIP tables into a consistent set of data through the remultiplexer. This combining process eliminates redundancy by ensuring both tables contain identical tuning information, allowing receivers to use either source without loss of accuracy while maintaining simplified processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS7971220B2System, method, computer program product, and apparatus for automatically ensuring consistency between program and system information protocol tables and program specific information tables in a digital television stream

Publication Date: 2011.06.28 HARMONIC INC

AI summary

A system, method, computer program product, and apparatus for automatically ensuring consistency between program and system information protocol (PSIP) tables and program specific information (PSI) tables in a digital television (DTV) stream, for example, in ATSC DTV stream. Encoders generate MPEG streams including PSI tables. A PSIP generator generates PSIP information from program information. A remultiplexer combines the MPEG information and the PSIP information while resolving any conflicts between the PSI tables and the PSIP tables based on a set of rules. The transport stream output by the remultiplexer includes consistent information in both the PSI tables and the PSIP tables.