JP3895953B2 - Program information conversion method, transmission server device, and recording medium recording transmission server program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a program conversion method, a transmission server device, and a transmission server for distributing program configuration information and mutual link information between contents when distributing digital programs transmitted by the MPEG2TS (MPEG2 Transport Stream) system to the Internet. The present invention relates to a recording medium on which a program is recorded.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the digital broadcasting service, a program is configured as a set of multimedia contents such as video / audio / data and provided to general viewers. Digital program content is transmitted using MPEG2TS, and in addition to each component content, PSI (Program Specific Information) describing the configuration and transmission method of the program and SI (Service Information: program describing the program content). Program information called sequence information is also transmitted.
[0003]
PSI and SI are important information for linking component contents and building an EPG (Electric Program Guide), but are encoded in a format premised on transmission by MPEG2TS. It has low compatibility with distribution on IP networks and general-purpose PC browsers. Accordingly, when a digital program distributed by MPEG2TS is redistributed on an IP-based network such as the Internet, it is necessary to convert program information in addition to conversion of each component content itself.
[0004]
There is a program that converts program information distributed in MPEG2TS into a description format that is highly compatible with the Internet. In this technique, as shown in FIG. 4, SI transmitted in the MPEG2TS system is extracted from broadcast waves, and the information content of SI is mapped to an HTML or XML markup language format based on a unique conversion rule. is there. By converting to HTML or XML, the program content information can be used by a general-purpose browser on a PC and displayed as an EPG.
[0005]
Of the technology for converting SI to HTML format and the technology for converting SI to XML format, XML conversion is more scalable in editing and displaying program content information than HTML conversion.
[0006]
These techniques are intended to easily use and display program content information transmitted as SI on a PC, and convert information content of SI as it is into HTML or XML format.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In PSI and SI, program configuration information and link information between contents are described in addition to program content information for EPC display. The program structure and link information are described using identifiers for distinguishing each content such as video / audio / data, and these content identifiers depend on MPEG2 TS transmission. Hereinafter, such an identifier is referred to as an MPEG2-dependent identifier.
[0008]
Therefore, it is impossible to describe the configuration of the entire program and the link designation between the contents in the Internet distribution of the digital program only by the conventional technology that simply converts the SI information content into the HTML or XML format as it is, There arises a problem that the user who receives the program cannot view the program as a set of a plurality of contents.
[0009]
An object of the present invention is to provide a program information conversion method, a transmission server device, and a recording medium on which a transmission server program is recorded, which solves the above-described problems.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the present invention, the transmission server extracts the identification information of each element content used at the time of MPEG2TS transmission from the program information transmitted together with the digital program, and the content identification information (URL or The distribution table of the content of the element content is created and distributed together with the program information such as the content and the EPG, so that the link information of the element content can be obtained without rewriting the information content of the program information of the element content at the time of Internet distribution. Can be distributed, and a digital program can be reconstructed at a receiving station, and is characterized by the following method, apparatus, and recording medium.
[0011]
(1) When a digital program transmitted by the MPEG2TS system is distributed over the Internet, a digital program composed of a plurality of video / audio / data component contents is held to a user station while holding link information between the contents. A program information conversion method in a transmission server device for distribution ,
An identifier for extracting each component content of each program depending on the MPEG2TS transmission method, which describes the program structure of the digital program, the transmission method, the program content, and link information between the contents, and for distinguishing each content The extraction process;
An identifier assigning process for extracting content constituting the digital program, re-encoding it into a format for Internet distribution, and assigning URL and distribution destination address as identification information on the Internet of the re-encoded content;
An identifier correspondence table generating step for generating a correspondence table between an identifier dependent on MPEG2TS of each content extracted in the identifier extracting step, and a URL and a distribution destination address of each content assigned in the identifier assigning step;
And a program distribution process for distributing the re-encoded content to a user station .
[0012]
(2) When a digital program transmitted by the MPEG2TS system is distributed over the Internet, a digital program composed of a plurality of video / audio / data component contents is held to a user station while holding link information between the contents. A transmission server device for distributing ,
An identifier for extracting each component content of each program depending on the MPEG2TS transmission method, which describes the program structure of the digital program, the transmission method, the program content, and link information between the contents, and for distinguishing each content An extractor;
An identifier adding unit that extracts the content that constitutes the digital program, re-encodes the content into a format for Internet distribution, and assigns a URL that is identification information on the Internet of the re-encoded content and a distribution destination address;
An identifier correspondence table generating unit for generating a correspondence table between an identifier dependent on MPEG2TS of each content extracted by the identifier extracting unit, and a URL and a distribution destination address of each content given by the identifier giving unit;
And a program distribution unit that distributes the correspondence table and the re-encoded content to a user station .
[0013]
(3) When a digital program transmitted by the MPEG2TS system is distributed over the Internet, a digital program composed of a plurality of video / audio / data component contents is held to a user station while holding link information between the contents. A recording medium on which a program for converting program information for distribution is recorded in a computer-readable manner,
An identifier for extracting each component content of each program depending on the MPEG2TS transmission method, which describes the program structure of the digital program, the transmission method, the program content, and link information between the contents, and for distinguishing each content Extraction procedure;
An identifier assigning procedure for extracting content constituting the digital program, re-encoding it into a format for Internet distribution, and assigning URL and distribution destination address as identification information on the Internet of the re-encoded content;
An identifier correspondence table generation procedure for generating a correspondence table between an identifier dependent on MPEG2TS of each content extracted in the identifier extraction procedure, and a URL and a distribution destination address of each content assigned in the identifier assignment procedure;
A program for recording the correspondence table and the program distribution procedure for distributing the re-encoded content to a user station is recorded on a computer.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(1) Description of Outline The outline of the present embodiment for realizing program information conversion suitable for Internet distribution of digital programs will be described with reference to FIG.
[0015]
This system
In order to realize description of program structure and description of link information between component contents, a content identifier independent of MPEG2TS (hereinafter referred to as an independent identifier) is introduced.
In the transmission server, an MPEG2TS independent identifier is assigned to component content such as video / audio / data, which is a component of a digital program transmitted in MPEG2TS,
A correspondence table of MPEG2TS-dependent identifiers used in PSI, SI, etc. and newly assigned MPEG2TS independent identifiers is transmitted together with contents and program information XML files,
The user station rewrites the information content of the program information XML file or data content by translating the MPEG2TS dependent identifier described in the content and program information XML into the MPEG2TS independent identifier described in the identifier correspondence table. And maintain the program structure and link relationship,
This is a system capable of viewing a digital program as a set of a plurality of component contents.
[0016]
(2) Description of Configuration The system configuration shown in FIG. 1 includes a transmission server 1, an Internet network 2, and a user station 3.
[0017]
The transmission server 1 extracts a MPEG2TS-dependent identifier previously assigned to each component content constituting the digital program, a function for newly assigning an MPEG2TS independent identifier to each component content, and the extracted MPEG2TS-dependent identifier. The MPEG2TS independent identifier correspondence table is created and distributed to the user station.
[0018]
The user station 3 has a function of translating the MPEG2TS-dependent identifier described in the received content or program information XML file into an MPEG2TS independent identifier described in the identifier correspondence table, and displaying and receiving the content.
[0019]
FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the transmission server. The transmission server includes a program receiver 1a, a demultiplexer 1b, a video / audio extractor 1c, a data extractor 1d, a PSI extractor 1e, an SI extractor 1f, a video / audio re-encoder 1g, an MPEG2TS-dependent identifier extractor 1h, An MPEG2TS independent identifier assigning unit 1i, an identifier correspondence table generating unit 1j, an XML converting unit 1k, and a program distributing unit 1l.
[0020]
(3) Description of functions Each function of the transmission server will be described.
[0021]
The main function of the program receiving unit 1a is a function of receiving digital program content transmitted using MPEG2TS via a satellite line, a terrestrial wave, a CATV network or the like, and is the same as the conventional function.
[0022]
The main function of the demultiplexer unit 1b is a function of filtering TS packets storing video / audio / data / program information and the like multiplexed as one program stream by packet identifiers and extracting them as individual data. Is the same.
[0023]
The main function of the video / audio extraction unit 1c is a function of extracting and decoding the video / audio stored in the TS packet, which is the same as the conventional one.
[0024]
The main function of the data extraction unit 1d is a function of extracting and decoding data stored in the TS packet, which is the same as the conventional one.
[0025]
The main function of the PSI extracting unit 1e is a function for extracting and decoding the PSI stored in the TS packet, which is the same as the conventional one.
[0026]
The main function of the SI extracting unit 1f is a function of extracting and decoding SI stored in the TS packet, which is the same as the conventional one.
[0027]
The main function of the video / audio re-encoding unit 1g is a function for re-encoding the video / audio decoded by the video / audio extraction unit into a format suitable for Internet distribution.
[0028]
The main function of the MPEG2TS dependency identifier extracting unit 1h is a function of extracting the MPEG2TS dependency identifier assigned to each component content constituting the program from the program configuration information described in the PSI.
[0029]
The main function of the MPEG2TS independent identifier assigning unit 1i is a function for assigning an MPEG2TS independent identifier to re-encoded video and audio and data contents.
[0030]
The main function of the identifier correspondence table generating unit 1j is a function of generating a correspondence table between the extracted MPEG2TS-dependent identifier and the newly assigned MPEG2TS independent identifier.
[0031]
The main function of the XML conversion unit 1k is a function of mapping information about program contents described in PSI and SI to XML description and generating a program information XML file.
[0032]
The main function of the program distribution unit 1l is a function of distributing video / audio, data, program information XML file, and identifier correspondence table based on a distribution request from a user and a distribution schedule reserved in advance.
[0033]
(4) Description of Operation FIG. 3 shows a processing flow of the transmission server in this embodiment.
[0034]
(S1) The transmission server receives a digital program transmitted in the MPEG2TS format.
[0035]
(S2, S3, S4) Contents including video, audio, and data, and PSI and SI, which are program components, are extracted from the received digital program.
[0036]
(S2) Re-encode content consisting of video, audio, and data into a format suitable for Internet distribution.
[0037]
(S5) An MPEG2TS independent identifier is assigned to each re-encoded component content.
[0038]
(S6) The MPEG2TS-dependent identifier assigned at the time of MPEG2TS transmission is extracted from the PSI.
[0039]
(S7) A correspondence table between the assigned MPEG2TS independent identifier and the extracted MPEG2TS dependent identifier is generated.
[0040]
(S8) The PSI and SI information contents are converted into an XML description format, and a program information XML file is generated.
[0041]
(S9) The video / audio, data, program information XML file, and identifier correspondence table are distributed according to a user request or a preset distribution schedule.
[0042]
With the above operation, when a digital program distributed in MPEG2TS is distributed over the Internet, the program configuration and link relationship are maintained without rewriting the information content of the program information XML file and data content, and a set of component contents is collected. As a digital program.
[0043]
In the present invention, a part or all of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 or the procedure shown in FIG. 3 is described in a computer program so that it can be executed, and the recording medium can be read by a computer. For example, it is possible to record and provide and distribute it on an FD (floppy disk: trademark registration), MO, ROM, memory card, CD, DVD, removable disk, or the like.
[0044]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, a transmission server for distributing a digital program composed of a plurality of component contents such as video / audio / data transmitted in MPEG2TS to the Internet has an identifier for identifying each component content used in MPEG2TS transmission. By generating a correspondence table with identifiers assigned to each component content at the time of Internet distribution and distributing it to the user station together with the component content and the program information file, the digital program is distributed in a state in which the cooperative relationship of the plurality of component contents is maintained. be able to.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration example of a system of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a transmission server in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a processing flow of the transmission server in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 shows a conventional program information conversion method.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Transmission server 2 ... Internet 3 ... User station 1a ... Program receiving part 1b ... Demultiplexer 1c ... Video / audio extraction part 1d ... Data extraction part 1e ... PSI extraction part 1f ... SI extraction part 1g ... Video / audio re-encoding part 1h ... MPEG2TS-dependent identifier extractor 1i ... MPEG2TS independent identifier extractor 1j ... Identifier correspondence table generator 1k ... XML converter 1l ... Program distributor

Claims (3)

When distributing a digital program transmitted by the MPEG2TS system over the Internet, a digital program composed of a plurality of video / audio / data component contents is distributed to a user station while holding link information between the contents. A program information conversion method in the transmission server device of
An identifier for extracting each component content of each program depending on the MPEG2TS transmission method, which describes the program structure of the digital program, the transmission method, the program content, and link information between the contents, and for distinguishing each content The extraction process;
An identifier assigning process for extracting content constituting the digital program, re-encoding it into a format for Internet distribution, and assigning URL and distribution destination address as identification information on the Internet of the re-encoded content;
An identifier correspondence table generating step for generating a correspondence table between an identifier dependent on MPEG2TS of each content extracted in the identifier extracting step, and a URL and a distribution destination address of each content assigned in the identifier assigning step;
A program distribution process for distributing the correspondence table and the re-encoded content to a user station;
A program information conversion method characterized by comprising: When distributing a digital program transmitted by the MPEG2TS system over the Internet, a digital program composed of a plurality of video / audio / data component contents is distributed to a user station while holding link information between the contents. Transmission server device ,
An identifier for extracting each component content of each program depending on the MPEG2TS transmission method, which describes the program structure of the digital program, the transmission method, the program content, and link information between the contents, and for distinguishing each content An extractor;
An identifier adding unit that extracts the content that constitutes the digital program, re-encodes the content into a format for Internet distribution, and assigns a URL that is identification information on the Internet of the re-encoded content and a distribution destination address;
An identifier correspondence table generating unit for generating a correspondence table between an identifier dependent on MPEG2TS of each content extracted by the identifier extracting unit, and a URL and a distribution destination address of each content given by the identifier giving unit;
A transmission server device comprising: the correspondence table; and a program distribution unit that distributes the re-encoded content to a user station . When distributing a digital program transmitted by the MPEG2TS system over the Internet, a digital program composed of a plurality of video / audio / data component contents is distributed to a user station while holding link information between the contents. A recording medium on which a program for converting program information is recorded in a computer-readable manner,
An identifier for extracting each component content of each program depending on the MPEG2TS transmission method, which describes the program structure of the digital program, the transmission method, the program content, and link information between the contents, and for distinguishing each content Extraction procedure;
An identifier assigning procedure for extracting content constituting the digital program, re-encoding it into a format for Internet distribution, and assigning URL and distribution destination address as identification information on the Internet of the re-encoded content;
An identifier correspondence table generation procedure for generating a correspondence table between an identifier dependent on MPEG2TS of each content extracted in the identifier extraction procedure, and a URL and a distribution destination address of each content assigned in the identifier assignment procedure;
A program distribution procedure for distributing the correspondence table and the re-encoded content to a user station;
A recording medium on which a program for executing the program on a computer is recorded.

Images