JP2024100180A - Reproduction controller, receiver and program - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a device etc. that enables MPEG2-TS playback using the MSE function of a web browser.
[Solution] The playback control device includes a codec information acquisition unit, an MPEG2-Video acquisition unit, and a playback enabling processing unit. The codec information acquisition unit acquires codec information from an MPEG2-TS, and passes the acquired codec information to an MSE processing unit in a web browser to specify processing parameters for the MSE processing unit. The MPEG2-Video acquisition unit acquires an MPEG2-Video from the MPEG2-TS, and passes the acquired MPEG2-Video to the MSE processing unit. The playback enabling processing unit executes an enabling process to enable the web browser to decode and play the MPEG2-Video.
[Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a playback control device, a receiving device, and a program.

In television broadcasting, content (video, audio, subtitle text, and other information) signals are distributed using unique standards. Conventional television broadcast receiving devices are configured and realized based on a dedicated architecture specialized for viewing broadcast content.

On the other hand, video distribution services that use communication lines such as the Internet (net video) use web technologies such as MSE to play video content. As Internet-related technologies develop, it is possible to expand the scope of net video distribution services.

There are also technologies that convert content from one format to another. For example, one of the objects of the invention described in Patent Document 1 is to provide a technology that can correctly control the start and end of subtitle display under the WebVTT standard based on subtitle data that complies with the ARIB standard (described in paragraph 0008 of Patent Document 1). The invention described in the same document also aims to provide a technology that enables broadcast service content transmitted in transport stream format to be used as a source directly in a viewer on an information and communication terminal device that complies with the WebVTT standard (described in paragraph 0009 of Patent Document 1).

JP 2022-083357 A

However, conventional technology has a problem in that videos distributed as television broadcasts cannot be viewed on a general-purpose web browser. Television broadcast signals are transmitted in MPEG2-TS (TS stands for "transport stream"). However, general-purpose web browsers do not support the video encoding format (MPEG2-Video) of the broadcast signal (MPEG2-TS), and the broadcast signal cannot be played directly on a general-purpose web browser. In other words, in order to watch broadcasts, dedicated software or a browser specialized for broadcast functions is required. Browsers specialized for broadcast functions play broadcast signals using object tags, which means that there is a problem in that videos distributed by broadcast and online videos that use video tags cannot be played using the same mechanism.

The present invention was developed based on the above problem recognition, and aims to provide a playback control device, receiving device, and program that can enable MPEG2-Video playback using the MSE function of a web browser.

[1] In order to solve the above problems, a playback control device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a codec information acquisition unit that acquires codec information from an MPEG2-TS and passes the acquired codec information to an MSE processing unit in a web browser to specify processing parameters of the MSE processing unit, an MPEG2-Video acquisition unit that acquires an MPEG2-Video from the MPEG2-TS and passes the acquired MPEG2-Video to the MSE processing unit, and a playback enablement processing unit that executes an enablement process to enable the web browser to decode and play the MPEG2-Video.

[2] In one aspect of the present invention, in the playback control device of [1] above, the playback enablement processing unit performs a process of enabling support for MPEG2-TS containers in the web browser as the enabling process.

[3] In one aspect of the present invention, in the playback control device of [1] or [2] above, the playback enablement processing unit performs a process of enabling the MIME type of MPEG2-Video in the web browser as the enabling process.

[4] In one aspect of the present invention, in any of the playback control devices [1] to [3] above, the playback enablement processing unit performs the enabling process to enable a decoder unit called up in the web browser to decode MPEG2-Video.

[5] A receiving device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a tuner function unit that receives a broadcast signal, a web server that supplies MPEG2-TS output by the tuner function unit based on the broadcast signal, a codec information acquisition unit that acquires codec information from the MPEG2-TS and passes the acquired codec information to an MSE processing unit in a web browser to specify processing parameters of the MSE processing unit, and a codec information acquisition unit that acquires MPEG2-Video from the MPEG2-TS and passes the acquired MPEG2-Video to the MSE processing unit. The receiving device includes an MPEG2-Video acquisition unit that passes the MPEG2-Video to a processing unit that processes the MPEG2-Video, and a playback enablement processing unit that executes an enablement process to enable the web browser to decode and play the MPEG2-Video, where the codec information acquisition unit acquires the codec information from the MPEG2-TS provided by the web server, and the MPEG2-Video acquisition unit acquires the MPEG2-Video from the MPEG2-TS provided by the web server.

[6] Another aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to function as a playback control device that includes a codec information acquisition unit that acquires codec information from an MPEG2-TS and passes the acquired codec information to an MSE processing unit in a web browser to specify processing parameters for the MSE processing unit, an MPEG2-Video acquisition unit that acquires an MPEG2-Video from the MPEG2-TS and passes the acquired MPEG2-Video to the MSE processing unit, and a playback enablement processing unit that executes an enablement process to enable the web browser to decode and play the MPEG2-Video.

According to the present invention, broadcast signals (MPEG2-TS) can be played back using the web browser's MSE (Media Source Extensions).

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of a receiving device according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operating procedure of the receiving device according to the same embodiment, and mainly shows the processing procedure in which the playback enabling processing unit in the playback control device enables processing for playing MPEG2-Video in a web browser. This is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operating procedure of a receiving device according to the same embodiment, and shows the processing steps from playing MPEG2-Video contained in a broadcast signal on a web browser based on the broadcast signal received by the tuner function unit. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of a computer included in the receiving device according to the embodiment. FIG.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the terms used in this embodiment will be described. PC is an abbreviation for "personal computer". Smartphone is an abbreviation for "smartphone" and is an information terminal device equipped with a communication function (including telephone). URL is an abbreviation for Uniform Resource Locator. API is an abbreviation for Application Program Interface. MSE is an abbreviation for Media Source Extensions and is a mechanism that enables web-based streaming media. EM is an abbreviation for Event Message and is a method of transmitting event information in broadcasting standards. MPEG2 is a standard specification for video, audio, etc. The official name of MPEG2 is "Generic coding of moving pictures and associated audio information". "TS" in MPEG2-TS is an abbreviation for "Transport Stream" and is a stream for transmitting video, audio, etc. MPEG2-Video is data of moving images (video) coded using the MPEG2 standard. MIME type is information that indicates, for example, the type of data file being transmitted.

In this embodiment, the functionality of a general-purpose web browser is expanded to enable playback of MPEG2-TS using MSE processing functions. The receiving device 1 of this embodiment is characterized in that it includes a playback control device 50 that has the functionality for expanding the functionality of the web browser 40.

Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the general functional configuration of a receiving device according to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the receiving device 1 includes a tuner function unit 11, an MPEG2-TS file storage unit 21, a communication unit 22, a web server 30, a web browser 40, and a playback control device 50. These functions can be realized, for example, by using electronic circuits. Furthermore, each of these functions is provided with a storage device as necessary. This storage device stores information, and is realized, for example, by a magnetic hard disk device or semiconductor memory. The functions of each unit constituting the receiving device 1 are as follows:

The tuner function unit 11 (also simply called "tuner") receives a broadcast signal. The broadcast signal is a radio frequency (RF) signal that can be transmitted as radio waves or a cable television signal. The tuner function unit 11 has a channel selection function. In other words, the tuner function unit 11 can selectively receive a specific broadcast service from among a plurality (large number) of broadcast services. At least a portion of the tuner function unit 11 that handles radio frequency signals can be configured as a dedicated circuit. For example, the tuner function unit 11 turns the power on/off and selects the service (channel) to be received according to instructions from a web browser 40 or the like. In this embodiment, the format of the broadcast signal received by the tuner function unit 11 is MPEG2-TS. The tuner function unit 11 passes the received MPEG2-TS to the web server 30.

The MPEG2-TS file storage unit 21 stores MPEG2-TS files. The MPEG2-TS files stored in the MPEG2-TS file storage unit 21 can be read by the web server 30.

The communication unit 22 has a function of communicating with an external device via a communication line such as the Internet. The communication unit 22 communicates with the external device using a protocol such as the Internet Protocol (IP). The function of the communication unit 22 allows each unit in the receiving device 1 to exchange data with the external device.

For example, when the MSE processing unit 41 specifies the URL or address of an external server device (video distribution server device), the communication unit 22 can access the server device and receive video (online distribution video) distributed from the server device. In this case, the data (files) of the video distributed from the external server device are sequentially passed to the MSE processing unit 41, processed, and further decoded in the decoder unit 42, and then played and displayed by the player unit 43.

The web server 30 at least temporarily stores MPEG2-TS files acquired from the tuner function unit 11 or the MPEG2-TS file storage unit 21. The web server 30 can also pass the MPEG2-TS files to the codec information acquisition unit 52 and the MPEG2-Video acquisition unit 53. From the perspective of the web browser 40, the web server 30 functions as a server via the playback control device 50. In other words, the web server 30 provides the broadcast signal in MPEG2-TS format received by the tuner function unit 11 to the playback control device 50 and the web browser 40. In other words, the web server 30 supplies the MPEG2-TS received by the tuner function unit 11 to the playback control device 50 (i.e., the web browser 40). The web server 30 can also provide MPEG2-TS data that has been previously stored in the MPEG2-TS file storage unit 21 to the playback control device 50 and the web browser 40.

The web browser 40 appropriately decodes the content (text, web pages, video, audio, etc.) obtained from the server side and presents it to the user. A more detailed configuration of the web browser 40 will be described later. A general-purpose web browser may be used as the web browser 40. However, as will be described later, the playback enablement processing unit 51 "enables" processing such as MPEG2-Video playback in the web browser 40 so that MPEG2-Video playback is possible.

The playback control device 50 controls video playback by the web browser 40. Specifically, the playback control device 50 controls so that video (MPEG2-Video) extracted from the broadcast signal can be played in the web browser 40. A more detailed configuration of the playback control device 50 and its processing content will be described in more detail later.

Of the above functions, for example, the functions of the MPEG2-TS file storage unit 21, the communication unit 22, the web server 30, the web browser 40, and the playback control device 50 may be realized by using a computer (hardware) and a program (software). In this case, the computer 70 receives the broadcast signal (MPEG2-TS) received by the tuner function unit 11. The computer 70 can also control the operation of the tuner function unit 11. Control over the tuner function unit 11 includes control of turning the power on and off and control of tuning to receive a specific service (channel) of the broadcast signal. The computer 70 may be, for example, a PC, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or another wearable terminal. In other words, the receiving device 1 can be realized with the computer 70 to which the tuner function unit 11 is added as a main component.

The range of functions that can be realized using a computer is arbitrary. In other words, it is not limited to the range exemplified above, and it is also possible to realize only desired functions among the tuner function unit 11, MPEG2-TS file storage unit 21, communication unit 22, web server 30, web browser 40, and playback control device 50 using a computer, and connect the other functions to the computer via a wired or wireless connection.

The detailed functional configuration of the web browser 40 is as follows. As shown in FIG. 1, the web browser 40 includes an MSE processing unit 41, a decoder unit 42, and a player unit 43.

The MSE processing unit 41 receives streaming data and passes it to the decoder unit 42 so that the web browser 40 can play back the data in a streaming manner. The MSE processing unit 41 requests streaming distribution by specifying a URL. That is, when receiving broadcast content, the MSE processing unit 41 receives streaming distribution by specifying a URL corresponding to the MPEG2-Video acquisition unit 53. When receiving content via communication (network distribution), the MSE processing unit 41 receives streaming distribution by specifying a URL corresponding to that content (external content).

In this embodiment, the MSE processing unit 41 receives codec information (information on the encoding and decoding methods) from the codec information acquisition unit 52. This codec information specifies the specific values of the parameters held by the MSE processing unit 41. When the MSE processing unit 41 receives MPEG2-Video from the MPEG2-Video acquisition unit 53, the codec information that the MSE processing unit 41 receives from the codec information acquisition unit 52 is information indicating that the video is MPEG2-Video.

The decoder unit 42 decodes each of the video and audio passed from the MSE processing unit 41. The decoder unit 42 has both a video decoder function and an audio decoder function. In this embodiment, the decoder unit 42 is implemented as a part of the web browser 40. In other words, the decoder unit 42 may be realized as a part of the program of the web browser 40, and the program may be executed. However, at least one of the video decoder and audio decoder functions of the decoder unit 42 may be realized as a function that exists outside the web browser 40 and that the web browser 40 calls the external function when decoding the video or audio. In this case, the video decoder and audio decoder may be realized as software (program) or as dedicated hardware (electronic circuit). In addition, both the software and the hardware may operate in cooperation with each other.

The player unit 43 is a function on the web browser 40 for playing video, audio, and the like. In other words, the player unit 43 plays each of the video and audio decoded by the decoder unit 42. The player unit 43 displays the video to be played on the screen. The player unit 43 also outputs the audio to be played as sound from speakers, etc. (including earphones, etc.).

The detailed functional configuration of the playback control device 50 is as follows. As shown in FIG. 1, the playback control device 50 includes a playback enablement processing unit 51, a codec information acquisition unit 52, and an MPEG2-Video acquisition unit 53.

The playback enablement processing unit 51 performs processing to enable the web browser 40 to play MPEG2-Video. Specifically, the playback enablement processing unit 51 enables the web browser 40 to support MPEG2-TS containers. The playback enablement processing unit 51 also enables the web browser 40's MIME type support for MPEG2-TS and MPEG2-Video. The playback enablement processing unit 51 also enables the decoder unit 42 of the web browser 40 to apply MPEG2-Video.

In other words, the playback enabling processing unit 51 executes an enabling process to enable the web browser 40 to decode and play MPEG2-Video. The playback enabling processing unit 51 may at least perform, as the enabling process, a process to enable support for MPEG2-TS containers in the web browser 40. The playback enabling processing unit 51 may at least perform, as the enabling process, a process to enable the MIME type of MPEG2-Video in the web browser 40. The playback enabling processing unit 51 may at least perform, as the enabling process, a process to enable the decoder unit 42 called up in the web browser 40 to decode MPEG2-Video.

The codec information acquisition unit 52 acquires codec (encoding and decoding) information of the MPEG2-TS file received from the web server 30. The codec information acquisition unit 52 also passes the acquired codec information to the MSE processing unit 41 of the web browser 40, thereby specifying it as a parameter for the operation of the MSE processing unit 41. In other words, the codec information acquisition unit 52 acquires codec information from the broadcast signal (MPEG2-TS), and passes the acquired codec information to the MSE processing unit 41 in the web browser 40, thereby specifying the processing parameters of the MSE processing unit 41. The codec information is information relating to the encoding method and the decoding method.

The MPEG2-Video acquisition unit 53 receives the MPEG2-TS signal passed from the web server 30, and extracts the MPEG2-Video from the MPEG2-TS signal. The MPEG2-Video acquisition unit 53 also passes the extracted MPEG2-Video to the MSE processing unit 41 in the web browser 40. In other words, the MPEG2-Video acquisition unit 53 acquires the MPEG2-Video from the passed MPEG2-TS, and passes the acquired MPEG2-Video to the MSE processing unit 41. Note that if the MPEG2-TS signal passed from the web server 30 contains information other than video (image and audio) (for example, subtitle text or event messages (EM)), the MPEG2-Video acquisition unit 53 processes that information separately and passes it to the web browser 40. In other words, information such as subtitle text and event messages can be presented to the user in the web browser 40 as appropriate, even while a video is being played.

Figures 2 and 3 are sequence diagrams showing the flow of processing in the receiving device 1. Figure 2 mainly shows the flow of processing in which the playback enablement processing unit in the playback control device enables processing for playing MPEG2-Video in the web browser. Also, Figure 3 shows the flow of processing up to playing MPEG2-Video included in a broadcast signal on the web browser based on the broadcast signal received by the tuner function unit. These sequence diagrams are based on the premise that the player unit 43 in the web browser 40 receives a specific broadcast service and issues an instruction to play it. The player unit 43 issues an instruction to play a specific broadcast service based on an operation performed by the user. The operation of the receiving device 1 will be explained below in accordance with these sequence diagrams.

First, in step S11 of FIG. 2, the playback enablement processing unit 51 of the playback control device 50 performs processing to enable MPEG2-TS container support for the web browser 40. This enables MPEG2-TS container support in the web browser 40.

Next, in step S12, the playback enablement processing unit 51 of the playback control device 50 performs processing to enable the MIME type for the web browser 40. As a result, the MIME type identified as MPEG2-Video is enabled in the web browser 40.

Next, in step S13, the playback enablement processing unit 51 of the playback control device 50 performs processing to enable MPEG2-Video compatibility for the decoder unit 42 of the web browser 40. This enables the function of the decoder unit 42 to decode MPEG2-Video.

Next, in step S14, the receiving device 1 controls the tuner function unit 11 to be in a specified state. The control of the tuner function unit 11 includes, for example, turning the power of the tuner function unit 11 on or off, and selecting a specific service (channel) for the tuner function unit 11 to receive. In the illustrated example, the receiving device 1 controls the tuner function unit 11 to be turned on and to select a channel. The control of the tuner function unit 11 may be performed by the web browser 40 based on a user's operation via a user interface, for example. By performing the processing of this step, the tuner function unit 11 transitions to a state in which it is receiving a specified broadcast service.

In step S21 of FIG. 3, the tuner function unit 11 receives a broadcast signal, demodulates the broadcast signal, and passes the MPEG2-TS file to the web server 30. The web server 30 receives the MPEG2-TS file and stores it in a storage means.

In the procedure described here, the web server 30 sequentially receives MPEG2-TS files from the tuner function unit 11 and stores them in the storage means, but the web server 30 may hold the MPEG2-TS files in advance (store them in the storage means).

As the next processing procedure, either step S22 or step S24 may be executed first. Furthermore, these steps may be executed simultaneously in parallel.

Next, in step S22, the web server 30 passes the MPEG2-TS file to the codec information acquisition unit 52 in the playback control device 50. The codec information acquisition unit 52 receives the MPEG2-TS file.

Next, in step S23, the codec information acquisition unit 52 acquires codec information of the MPEG2-TS file received in step S22. The codec information includes information on the MPEG2-TS encoding and decoding methods, etc. Specifically, the codec information acquisition unit 52 extracts the codec information from within the MPEG2-TS file. Then, the codec information acquisition unit 52 uses the codec information to specify parameters for the MSE processing unit 41 in the web browser 40. This causes the MSE processing unit 41 to perform processing based on the codec information.

On the other hand, in step S24, the web server 30 passes the MPEG2-TS file to the MPEG2-Video acquisition unit 53 in the playback control device 50. The MPEG2-Video acquisition unit 53 receives the MPEG2-TS file.

Next, in step S25, the MPEG2-Video acquisition unit 53 extracts MPEG2-Video from the MPEG2-TS file received in step S24. The MPEG2-Video acquisition unit 53 also passes the extracted MPEG2-Video files sequentially to the MSE processing unit 41 in the web browser 40. The MSE processing unit 41 receives the MPEG2-Video files sequentially.

Next, in step S26, the web browser 40 plays the MPEG2-Video received in step S25 and presents it to the user. That is, the web browser 40 displays the video on the screen and outputs the audio of the video from a speaker or the like. In this step, the MSE processing unit 41, the decoder unit 42, and the player unit 43 process the MPEG2-Video in sequence. That is, the MSE processing unit 41 accepts the MPEG2-Video and performs the processing required for its playback. The decoder unit 42 also decodes the MPEG2-Video. The player unit 43 also presents the video and audio obtained as a result of the decoding process to the user.

The tuner function unit 11 continuously receives broadcast signals. In other words, the process shown in FIG. 3 is repeatedly and continuously performed based on the received broadcast signals.

Next, the functions of the playback control device 50 will be described in more detail.
[1] Enabling support for MPEG2-TS containers; [2] Enabling MIME type; [3] Enabling MPEG2-Video compatibility in the decoder unit 42; [4] MPEG2-Video acquisition processing in the MPEG2-Video acquisition unit 53.

[1] Enabling support for MPEG2-TS containers In order to play MPEG2-TS videos in a general-purpose web browser, support for MPEG2-TS containers is necessary. Therefore, playback enabling processor 51 performs processing to enable support for MPEG2-TS containers in web browser 40. This processing enables support for MPEG2-TS containers in web browser 40. An example of a specific method is as follows.

When building the web browser program, the playback enabling processing unit 51 enables support for MPEG2-TS containers by setting a variable value. For example, if the variable name is enable_mse_mpeg2ts_stream_parser, the playback enabling processing unit 51 specifies "enable_mse_mpeg2ts_stream_parser=true" and builds the web browser. This enables the MPEG2-TS parser function of the web browser 40. As an example, the playback enabling processing unit 51 includes the above variable setting "enable_mse_mpeg2ts_stream_parser=true" in a build script and executes the build script.

[2] Enabling MIME type When the MIME type and codec of MPEG2-Video are not supported in a general-purpose web browser, an error occurs even if a process of writing (adding) an MPEG2-TS containing MPEG2-Video to the input buffer is executed. In other words, MPEG2-Video cannot be added to the buffer. Therefore, the playback enabling processing unit 51 performs a process to add support for the MIME type and codec of MPEG2-Video.

The playback enablement processing unit 51 enables the MIME type, for example, by modifying the source code of the web browser program. Specifically, the playback enablement processing unit 51 adds a process for determining that MPEG2-TS and MPEG2-Video are valid to the logic of the process for determining support of each MIME type in the source code of the web browser. The source code can be modified, for example, by writing a patch file, but the source code may also be modified by other methods. The playback enablement processing unit 51 uses the modified source code to execute a script for building the web browser. This enables the codecs for MPEG2-TS and MPEG2-Video.

[3] Enabling MPEG2-Video Compatibility of the Decoder Unit 42 If the MPEG2-Video decoding function is disabled in a general-purpose web browser, the decoder unit 42 cannot decode MPEG2-Video.

The playback enabling processing unit 51 performs processing to enable the decoder unit 42 to support MPEG2-Video. For example, the playback enabling processing unit 51 enables MPEG2-Video in the decoder unit 42 by performing the processes of [3-1], [3-2], and [3-3] below. As an example, free software FFmpeg can be used, but the specific program used is not limited to this. The playback enabling processing unit 51 performs the processes of [3-1], [3-2], and [3-3] below, and then builds the video playback software.
[3-1] Enable MPEG2-Video in the configuration definition. [3-2] Add support for MPEG2-Video to the codec/parser/demuxer (DEMUXER) processing. [3-3] Add the source code required for MPEG2-Video processing to the build target of the video playback software (FFmpeg, etc.).

[3-1] Enabling MPEG2-Video in the configuration definition The playback enablement processing unit 51 sets the variable value set by the %define statement in the configuration file of the video playback software (e.g., FFmpeg) to a desired value. The target file may have a name such as x64/config.h or x64/config.asm, for example. The playback enablement processing unit 51 modifies these configuration files by adding, for example, a statement such as "%define CONFIG_MPEG2VIDEO_DECODER 1" (a statement that defines that MPEG2-Video is enabled in the decoder function) or "%define CONFIG_MPEG2VIDEO_PARSER 1" (a statement that defines that MPEG2-Video is enabled in the parser function).

[3-2] Adding support for MPEG2-Video to the codec/parser/demuxer (DEMUXER) processing The playback enablement processing unit 51 adds a description for making the codec, parser, and demuxer of the video playback software (e.g., FFmpeg) compatible with MPEG2-Video. The target file names may be, for example, codec_list.cc, parser_list.cc, and demuxer_list.cc, respectively.

[3-3] Add source code required for MPEG2-Video processing to the build target of video playback software (FFmpeg, etc.) The playback enablement processing unit 51 adds source code required for processing MPEG2-Video in video playback software (e.g., FFmpeg) as a build target source. The name of the target file here may be, for example, ffmpeg_generated.gni.

[4] MPEG2-Video Acquisition Processing in MPEG2-Video Acquisition Unit 53 When the MPEG2-TS parser function described in [1] above does not support MPEG2-Video, the MPEG2-Video acquisition unit 53 is made capable of performing processing to acquire MPEG2-Video from MPEG2-TS. As a specific processing, in order to pass data to the media decoder API (API to the decoder unit 42) of the general-purpose web browser, processing such as cutting out MPEG2-Video for each frame is necessary. Therefore, the MPEG2-Video acquisition unit 53 is made capable of performing processing to extract the MPEG2-Video bit stream from the MPEG2-TS data. By analyzing the MPEG2-TS and MPEG2-Video bit streams, the configuration of these data can be grasped. Specifically, the MPEG2-Video acquisition unit 53 recognizes a start code (picture start) as a frame boundary to divide the data into frames. In addition, the MPEG2-Video acquisition unit 53 acquires information on the resolution of the moving image from within the MPEG2-TS as another process.

As explained in [1] to [3] above, the playback enablement processing unit 51 rebuilds the web browser using a general-purpose web browser, thereby enabling the functions (enabling playback) so that the web browser 40 can play MPEG2-Video. However, instead of building the web browser by modifying source files and configuration files, the playback enablement processing unit 51 may enable the functions (enabling playback) of the web browser 40 by introducing a pre-built web browser program (module).

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the computer 70 of the receiving device 1. As described above, at least a part of the functions of the receiving device 1 can be realized using a computer. As shown in the figure, the computer includes a central processing unit 901, a RAM 902, an input/output port 903, input/output devices 904 and 905, and a bus 906. The computer itself can be realized using existing technology. The central processing unit 901 executes instructions contained in a program stored in the RAM 902, etc. The central processing unit 901 writes data to the RAM 902, reads data from the RAM 902, and performs arithmetic and logical operations according to each instruction. The RAM 902 stores data and programs. Each element included in the RAM 902 has an address and can be accessed using the address. Note that RAM is an abbreviation for "random access memory." The input/output port 903 is a port through which the central processing unit 901 exchanges data with external input/output devices, etc. Input/output devices 904 and 905 are input/output devices. Input/output devices 904 and 905 exchange data with central processing unit 901 via input/output port 903. Bus 906 is a common communication path used inside the computer. For example, central processing unit 901 reads and writes data in RAM 902 via bus 906. Also, for example, central processing unit 901 accesses the input/output port via bus 906.

At least some of the functions of the receiving device 1 in the above-mentioned embodiment can be realized by a computer and a program. In that case, the program for realizing the function may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded in the recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed to realize the function. Note that the "computer system" here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Furthermore, the "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as a flexible disk, an optical magnetic disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, and a USB memory, and a storage device such as a hard disk built into a computer system. In other words, the "computer-readable recording medium" may be a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium. Furthermore, the "computer-readable recording medium" may include a medium that temporarily and dynamically holds a program, such as a communication line when transmitting a program via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line, and a medium that holds a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory inside a computer system that is the server or client in that case. The above program may also be designed to realize some of the functions described above, and may also be capable of realizing the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

[Modification]
Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention can also be embodied in the following modified examples. In the above embodiment, three processes have been described as the process of enabling MPEG2-Video playback by the playback control device 50: [1] enabling support for MPEG2-TS containers, [2] enabling MIME type, and [3] enabling MPEG2-Video compatibility of the decoder unit 42. However, the playback control device 50 may perform only a part of these processes as the process of enabling MPEG2-Video playback. In other words, if any of [1], [2], and [3] is enabled from the beginning in a general-purpose web browser, the playback control device does not need to perform the process for enabling it.

According to the embodiment (including its modified examples) described above, the playback control device 50 of the receiving device 1 can play back the broadcast signal received by the tuner function unit 11 in a general-purpose web browser. In other words, the user can watch the broadcast program in a general-purpose web browser. That is, the user can play back and watch communication content (Internet-distributed video, etc.) and the broadcast program in a common browser using a common method (mechanism). In this embodiment, the MPEG2-Video included in the broadcast signal is processed and played back by the MSE processing unit 41. In the MSE processing unit 41, by simply switching the URL to be played back, the user can switch between watching the broadcast video provided via the playback control device 50 and the Internet-distributed video acquired by the communication unit 22.

In other words, according to this embodiment (including its variations), the user can watch broadcasts using a web browser. Also, the user can watch broadcasts and online videos on the same web application. Also, by using web technology to enable broadcast playback and presentation, it is possible to provide new services through broadcasting while keeping up with the evolution and development of web technology.

The above describes an embodiment of the present invention in detail with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

The present invention can be used, for example, in content distribution businesses (including broadcasting businesses and online video distribution businesses), and businesses that supply devices (or programs) that receive and play distributed content. However, the scope of use of the present invention is not limited to the examples given here.

1 Receiving device 11 Tuner function unit 21 MPEG2-TS file storage unit 22 Communication unit 30 Web server 40 Web browser 41 MSE processing unit 42 Decoder unit 43 Player unit 50 Playback control device 51 Playback enabling processing unit 52 Codec information acquisition unit 53 MPEG2-Video acquisition unit 70 Computer 901 Central processing unit 902 RAM
903 Input/Output Port 904, 905 Input/Output Device 906 Bus

Claims (6)

a codec information acquisition unit that acquires codec information from an MPEG2-TS and transfers the acquired codec information to an MSE processing unit in a web browser to specify processing parameters of the MSE processing unit;
an MPEG2-Video acquisition unit that acquires MPEG2-Video from the MPEG2-TS and passes the acquired MPEG2-Video to the MSE processing unit;
a playback enabling processing unit that executes an enabling process to enable the web browser to decode and play the MPEG2-Video;
A playback control device comprising: the playback enabling processing unit performs a process of enabling support for MPEG2-TS containers in the web browser as the enabling process;
The playback control device according to claim 1 . the playback enabling processing unit performs a process of enabling a MIME type of MPEG2-Video in the web browser as the enabling process;
The playback control device according to claim 1 . The playback enabling processing unit performs, as the enabling process, a process for enabling a decoder unit called up in the web browser to decode MPEG2-Video.
The playback control device according to claim 1 . A tuner function unit for receiving a broadcast signal;
a web server that supplies MPEG2-TS output from the tuner function unit based on the broadcast signal;
a codec information acquisition unit that acquires codec information from an MPEG2-TS and transfers the acquired codec information to an MSE processing unit in a web browser to specify processing parameters of the MSE processing unit;
an MPEG2-Video acquisition unit that acquires MPEG2-Video from the MPEG2-TS and passes the acquired MPEG2-Video to the MSE processing unit;
a playback enabling processing unit that executes an enabling process to enable the web browser to decode and play the MPEG2-Video;
Equipped with
the codec information acquisition unit acquires the codec information from the MPEG2-TS provided by the web server,
The MPEG2-Video acquisition unit acquires the MPEG2-Video from the MPEG2-TS provided by the web server.
Receiving device. a codec information acquisition unit that acquires codec information from an MPEG2-TS and transfers the acquired codec information to an MSE processing unit in a web browser to specify processing parameters of the MSE processing unit;
an MPEG2-Video acquisition unit that acquires MPEG2-Video from the MPEG2-TS and passes the acquired MPEG2-Video to the MSE processing unit;
a playback enabling processing unit that executes an enabling process to enable the web browser to decode and play the MPEG2-Video;
A program for causing a computer to function as a playback control device comprising the above.

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