JP7702271B2 - Digital broadcasting receiver - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a digital broadcast receiving device.

Digital broadcasting services began in many countries in the late 1990s to replace traditional analog broadcasting services. Digital broadcasting services have achieved improvements in broadcast quality using error correction technology, multi-channel and HD (High Definition) using compression coding technology, and multimedia services using BML (Broadcast Markup Language) and HTML5 (Hyper Text Markup Language version 5).

In recent years, advanced digital broadcasting systems have been under study in many countries with the aim of further improving frequency usage efficiency, and achieving higher resolution and functionality.

JP 2016-144020 A

More than 10 years have passed since the current digital broadcasting service started, and broadcast receiving devices capable of receiving the current digital broadcasting service are widely available. For this reason, when starting the advanced digital broadcasting service that is currently under consideration, it is necessary to consider compatibility with the current digital broadcasting service. In other words, it is preferable to realize UHD (Ultra High Definition) video signals while maintaining the viewing environment of the current digital broadcasting service.

The system described in Patent Document 1 is a technology for achieving UHD broadcasting in digital broadcasting services. However, the system described in Patent Document 1 is intended to replace current digital broadcasting and does not take into consideration the maintenance of the viewing environment for current digital broadcasting services.

The object of the present invention is to provide a technology that can more suitably transmit or receive advanced digital broadcasting services with higher functionality while also taking into account compatibility with current digital broadcasting services.

The technology described in the claims is used as a means to solve the above problems.

To give an example:
A digital broadcast receiving device comprising one or more receiving units that receive one or more broadcast waves including a plurality of digital broadcast services transmitted over a plurality of different networks, a display unit that displays a program of the digital broadcast service received by the receiving unit, an operation input unit that inputs a control signal from a remote controller, a control unit, and a memory, wherein when a program of a digital broadcast service transmitted over one of the plurality of networks is displayed on the display unit, when a signal indicating that a button on the remote controller that indicates that the network receiving the program to be displayed on the display unit is switched to another network has been pressed, the control unit is configured to control changing the channel selection operation for the service of the other network depending on whether the service or program transmitted over the other network includes a service or program that transmits the program displayed on the display unit or a service or program that is a simulcast of the program.

The present invention provides a technology for more optimally transmitting or receiving advanced digital broadcasting services.

1 is a system configuration diagram of a broadcasting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of a broadcast receiving device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a detailed block diagram of a first tuner/demodulation unit of a broadcast receiving device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of a second tuner/demodulation unit of a broadcast receiving device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a detailed block diagram of a third tuner/demodulation unit of a broadcast receiving device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a detailed block diagram of a fourth tuner/demodulation unit of a broadcast receiving device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of a first decoder unit of a broadcast receiving device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a detailed block diagram of a second decoder section of a broadcast receiving device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a software configuration diagram of a broadcast receiving device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a configuration diagram of a broadcasting station server according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a service provider server according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of a portable information terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a software configuration diagram of a portable information terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a segment configuration related to digital broadcasting in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating hierarchical allocation in hierarchical transmission related to digital broadcasting in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a generation process of an OFDM transmission wave related to digital broadcasting in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a basic configuration of a transmission path coding unit related to digital broadcasting in an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating segment parameters of an OFDM system related to digital broadcasting in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating transmission signal parameters related to digital broadcasting according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of pilot signals in a synchronous modulation segment related to digital broadcasting in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of pilot signals in a differential modulation segment related to digital broadcasting in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating bit allocation of a TMCC carrier for digital broadcasting in one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating bit allocation of TMCC information related to digital broadcasting in one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating transmission parameter information of TMCC information related to digital broadcasting in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating system identification of TMCC information related to digital broadcasting in one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a carrier modulation mapping method for TMCC information related to digital broadcasting in one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating frequency conversion processing identification of TMCC information related to digital broadcasting according to one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating physical channel number identification of TMCC information related to digital broadcasting in one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating main signal identification of TMCC information related to digital broadcasting in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. A diagram explaining 4K signal transmission layer identification of TMCC information related to digital broadcasting in one embodiment of the present invention. A diagram explaining additional layer transmission identification of TMCC information related to digital broadcasting in one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating identification of the coding rate of the inner code of TMCC information related to digital broadcasting in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating bit allocation of an AC signal related to digital broadcasting in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration identification of an AC signal related to digital broadcasting in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating earthquake motion warning information of an AC signal related to digital broadcasting according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating signal identification of earthquake motion warning information of an AC signal related to digital broadcasting according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating earthquake motion warning detail information of earthquake motion warning information of an AC signal related to digital broadcasting according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating earthquake motion warning detail information of earthquake motion warning information of an AC signal related to digital broadcasting according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating additional information related to transmission control of modulated waves of AC signals in digital broadcasting according to an embodiment of the present invention. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating additional information of transmission parameters of an AC signal related to digital broadcasting according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating an error correction method for an AC signal related to digital broadcasting in one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a constellation format of an AC signal related to digital broadcasting in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a dual-polarized transmission system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a system configuration diagram of a broadcasting system using a dual-polarized transmission method according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a broadcasting system using a dual-polarized transmission method according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a frequency conversion process according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a pass-through transmission method according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a pass-through transmission band according to one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a pass-through transmission method according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a pass-through transmission band according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a pass-through transmission band according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a single polarization transmission method according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a broadcasting system using a single polarization transmission method according to one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hierarchical division multiplexing transmission method according to one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a broadcasting system using a hierarchical division multiplexing transmission method according to one embodiment of the present invention. 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating a frequency conversion and amplification process according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a broadcasting system using a hierarchical division multiplexing transmission method according to one embodiment of the present invention. A diagram explaining the protocol stack of MPEG-2 TS. A diagram explaining the names and functions of tables used in MPEG-2 TS. A diagram explaining the names and functions of tables used in MPEG-2 TS. A diagram explaining the names and functions of descriptors used in MPEG-2 TS. A diagram explaining the names and functions of descriptors used in MPEG-2 TS. A diagram explaining the names and functions of descriptors used in MPEG-2 TS. A diagram explaining the names and functions of descriptors used in MPEG-2 TS. A diagram explaining the names and functions of descriptors used in MPEG-2 TS. A diagram explaining the names and functions of descriptors used in MPEG-2 TS. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a protocol stack in an MMT broadcast transmission path. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a protocol stack in an MMT communication line. A diagram explaining the names and functions of tables used in MMT TLV-SI. A diagram explaining the names and functions of the descriptors used in MMT TLV-SI. A diagram explaining the names and functions of messages used in MMT-SI of MMT. A diagram explaining the names and functions of tables used in MMT-SI of MMT. A diagram explaining the names and functions of descriptors used in MMT-SI of MMT. A diagram explaining the names and functions of descriptors used in MMT-SI of MMT. A diagram explaining the names and functions of descriptors used in MMT-SI of MMT. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between data transmission in the MMT method and each table. 5 is an operational sequence diagram of a channel setting process of a broadcast receiving device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of a network information table. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the data structure of a terrestrial distribution system descriptor. 11 is a diagram illustrating the data structure of a service list descriptor. 11 is a diagram illustrating the data structure of a TS information descriptor. 1 is an external view of a remote controller according to an embodiment of the present invention. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating a banner display when a channel is selected in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transmission configuration of control information according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transmission configuration of control information according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transmission configuration of control information according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transmission configuration of control information according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transmission configuration of control information according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transmission configuration of control information according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a channel setting process according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a channel setting process according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the data structure of a service descriptor. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a list of service format types. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the data structure of a service group descriptor. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a list of service group types. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a channel setting process according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation sequence of a network switching process. FIG. 1 is an external view of a remote controller equipped with a "simul-switching key." FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation sequence when the "simul-switching key" is pressed. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a message display when there is no simulcast.

Below, examples of embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the drawings.

Example 1
[System configuration]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of a broadcasting system.

The broadcasting system is composed of, for example, a broadcast receiving device 100 and an antenna 200, a broadcasting station radio tower 300 and a broadcasting station server 400, a service provider server 500, a mobile telephone communication server 600 and a base station 600B of a mobile telephone communication network, a mobile information terminal 700, a broadband network 800 such as the Internet, and a router device 800R. In addition, various server devices and communication devices may be further connected to the Internet 800.

The broadcast receiving device 100 is a television receiver equipped with a receiving function for an advanced digital broadcasting service. The broadcast receiving device 100 may further be equipped with a receiving function for an existing digital broadcasting service. Furthermore, the broadcast receiving device 100 can be adapted to a broadcasting and communication linkage system that links a digital broadcasting service (an existing digital broadcasting service or an advanced digital broadcasting service) with a function using a broadband network, and combines the acquisition of additional content via a broadband network, arithmetic processing in a server device, and presentation processing in cooperation with a mobile terminal device with the digital broadcasting service. The broadcast receiving device 100 receives digital broadcast waves sent from a radio tower 300 via an antenna 200. The digital broadcast waves may be directly transmitted from the radio tower 300 to the antenna 200, or may be transmitted via a broadcasting satellite or a communication satellite (not shown). The broadcasting signal retransmitted by a cable television station may be received via a cable line or the like. The broadcast receiving device 100 can also be connected to the Internet 800 via a router device 800R, and can transmit and receive data by communicating with each server device on the Internet 800.

The router device 800R is connected to the Internet 800 by wireless or wired communication, and is also connected to the broadcast receiving device 100 by wired communication and to the mobile information terminal 700 by wireless communication. This allows each server device on the Internet 800, the broadcast receiving device 100, and the mobile information terminal 700 to transmit and receive data to and from each other via the router device 800R. The router device 800R, the broadcast receiving device 100, and the mobile information terminal 700 form a LAN (Local Area Network). Note that communication between the broadcast receiving device 100 and the mobile information terminal 700 may be performed directly using a method such as BlueTooth (registered trademark) or NFC (Near Field Communication) without going through the router device 800R.

The radio tower 300 is the broadcasting equipment of the broadcasting station, and transmits digital broadcast waves including various control information related to digital broadcasting services and content data of broadcast programs (video content, audio content, etc.). The broadcasting station also includes a broadcasting station server 400. The broadcasting station server 400 stores the content data of broadcast programs and metadata of each broadcast program, such as the program title, program ID, program summary, cast, broadcast date and time, etc. The broadcasting station server 400 provides the content data and metadata to the service provider based on a contract. The content data and metadata are provided to the service provider through an API (Application Programming Interface) provided by the broadcasting station server 400.

The service provider server 500 is a server device prepared by a service provider to provide services through the broadcasting and communication cooperation system. The service provider server 500 stores, manages, and distributes the content data and metadata provided by the broadcasting station server 400, and the content data and applications (operating programs and/or various data, etc.) created for the broadcasting and communication cooperation system. It also has a function of searching for and providing a list of available applications in response to inquiries from television receivers. The storage, management, and distribution of the content data and metadata and the storage, management, and distribution of the applications may be performed by different server devices. The broadcasting station and the service provider may be the same or different providers. A plurality of service provider servers 500 may be prepared for each different service. The functions of the service provider server 500 may also be provided by the broadcasting station server 400.

The mobile telephone communication server 600 is connected to the Internet 800, and is also connected to the mobile information terminal 700 via a base station 600B. The mobile telephone communication server 600 manages telephone communications (calls) and data transmission/reception of the mobile information terminal 700 via the mobile telephone communication network, and enables data transmission/reception through communication between the mobile information terminal 700 and each server device on the Internet 800. Note that communication between the mobile information terminal 700 and the broadcast receiving device 100 may be performed via the base station 600B, the mobile telephone communication server 600, the Internet 800, and the router device 800R.

[Hardware configuration of broadcast receiving device]
FIG. 2A is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the broadcast receiving device 100.

The broadcast receiving device 100 is composed of a main control unit 101, a system bus 102, a ROM 103, a RAM 104, a storage (accumulation) unit 110, a LAN communication unit 121, an expansion interface unit 124, a digital interface unit 125, a first tuner/demodulation unit 130C, a second tuner/demodulation unit 130T, a third tuner/demodulation unit 130L, a fourth tuner/demodulation unit 130B, a first decoder unit 140S, a second decoder unit 140U, an operation input unit 180, a video selection unit 191, a monitor unit 192, a video output unit 193, an audio selection unit 194, a speaker unit 195, and an audio output unit 196.

The main control unit 101 is a microprocessor unit that controls the entire broadcast receiving device 100 according to a predetermined operating program. The system bus 102 is a communication path for transmitting and receiving various data, commands, etc. between the main control unit 101 and each operating block within the broadcast receiving device 100.

ROM (Read Only Memory) 103 is a non-volatile memory that stores basic operation programs such as an operating system and other operation programs, and may be a rewritable ROM such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) or a flash ROM. ROM 103 also stores operation setting values and the like required for the operation of broadcast receiving device 100. RAM (Random Access Memory) 104 serves as a work area when the basic operation programs and other operation programs are executed. ROM 103 and RAM 104 may be integrated with main control unit 101. ROM 103 may not be an independent configuration as shown in FIG. 2A, but may use a portion of the storage area in storage unit 110.

The storage (accumulation) unit 110 stores the operation program and operation setting values of the broadcast receiving device 100, personal information of the user of the broadcast receiving device 100, etc. It can also store operation programs downloaded via the Internet 800 and various data created by the operation programs. It can also store content such as videos, still images, and audio acquired from broadcast waves or downloaded via the Internet 800. A portion of the storage (accumulation) unit 110 may replace all or part of the functions of the ROM 103. The storage (accumulation) unit 110 must retain the stored information even when power is not being supplied from an external source to the broadcast receiving device 100. Therefore, for example, devices such as flash ROM, semiconductor element memories such as SSDs (Solid State Drives), and magnetic disk drives such as HDDs (Hard Disc Drives) are used.

The operating programs stored in the ROM 103 and the storage unit 110 can be added to, updated, and have their functions expanded by downloading from each server device on the Internet 800 or from broadcast waves.

The LAN communication unit 121 is connected to the Internet 800 via the router device 800R, and transmits and receives data to and from each server device and other communication devices on the Internet 800. It also acquires program content data (or a part of it) transmitted via a communication line. The connection to the router device 800R may be a wired connection, or a wireless connection such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The LAN communication unit 121 includes an encoding circuit, a decoding circuit, and the like. The broadcast receiving device 100 may also include other communication units such as a BlueTooth (registered trademark) communication unit, an NFC communication unit, or an infrared communication unit.

The first tuner/demodulator 130C, the second tuner/demodulator 130T, the third tuner/demodulator 130L, and the fourth tuner/demodulator 130B each receive broadcast waves of a digital broadcast service, and perform channel selection processing (channel selection) by tuning to a channel of a specified service under the control of the main control unit 101. Furthermore, they perform demodulation processing and waveform shaping processing of the modulated wave of the received signal, as well as frame structure and hierarchical structure reconstruction processing, energy despreading processing, error correction decoding processing, etc., to reproduce a packet stream. They also extract and decode a transmission TMCC (Transmission Multiplexing Configuration Control) signal from the received signal.

The first tuner/demodulator 130C can receive digital broadcast waves of the current terrestrial digital broadcast service received by the antenna 200C, which is an antenna for receiving current terrestrial digital broadcasts. The first tuner/demodulator 130C can also receive a broadcast signal of one of the horizontal (H) and vertical (V) polarization signals of the dual-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting described below, and demodulate a hierarchical segment that employs the same modulation method as the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service. The first tuner/demodulator 130C can also receive a broadcast signal of the single-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting described below, and demodulate a hierarchical segment that employs the same modulation method as the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service. The first tuner/demodulator 130C can also receive a broadcast signal of the hierarchical division multiplexed terrestrial digital broadcasting described below, and demodulate a hierarchical segment that employs the same modulation method as the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service.

The second tuner/demodulator 130T inputs the digital broadcasting waves of the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service received by the antenna 200T, which is a dual-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting receiving antenna, via the converter 201T. The second tuner/demodulator 130T may also input the digital broadcasting waves of the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service received by a single-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting receiving antenna (not shown). When the second tuner/demodulator 130T inputs the digital broadcasting waves of the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service from a single-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting receiving antenna (not shown), the converter 201T may not be used. The antenna 200T that receives the digital broadcasting waves of the dual-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting includes an element that receives a horizontally polarized signal and an element that receives a vertically polarized signal. The single-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting receiving antenna (not shown) includes either an element that receives a horizontally polarized signal or an element that receives a vertically polarized signal. The single-polarized terrestrial digital broadcast receiving antenna (not shown) may be used in conjunction with antenna 200C, which is the current terrestrial digital broadcast receiving antenna.

The third tuner/demodulator 130L inputs the digital broadcasting waves of the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service received by the antenna 200L, which is an antenna for receiving hierarchical division multiplexed terrestrial digital broadcasting, via the converter 201L.

The fourth tuner/demodulator 130B inputs digital broadcast waves of an advanced BS (Broadcasting Satellite) digital broadcast service or an advanced CS (Communication Satellite) digital broadcast service received by an antenna 200B, which is a BS/CS common receiving antenna, via a converter 201B.
The expression "tuner/demodulation section" refers to a component having a tuner function and a demodulation function.

In addition, antenna 200C, antenna 200T, antenna 200L, antenna 200B, conversion unit 201T, conversion unit 201L, and conversion unit 201B do not constitute part of broadcast receiving device 100, but belong to the facility side, such as the building in which broadcast receiving device 100 is installed.

The current terrestrial digital broadcasting mentioned above is a broadcast signal for a terrestrial digital broadcasting service that transmits video with a maximum resolution of 1920 pixels horizontal by 1080 pixels vertical.

The details of dual-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting (advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting using dual-polarized transmission method) and single-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting (advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting using single-polarized transmission method) will be described later, but they are broadcast signals of a terrestrial digital broadcasting service capable of transmitting video with a maximum resolution of more than 1920 pixels horizontally by 1080 pixels vertically. Dual-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting is terrestrial digital broadcasting that uses multiple polarized waves, horizontal (H) and vertical (V) polarization, and transmits a terrestrial digital broadcasting service capable of transmitting video with a maximum resolution of more than 1920 pixels horizontally by 1080 pixels vertically in some divided segments in both of the multiple polarized waves. Single-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting is terrestrial digital broadcasting that uses either horizontal (H) or vertical (V) polarization, and transmits a terrestrial digital broadcasting service capable of transmitting video with a maximum resolution of more than 1920 pixels horizontally by 1080 pixels vertically in some divided segments.

In the description of each embodiment of the present invention, when the expression "multiple polarized waves" is used for dual-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting, it means two polarized waves, horizontal (H) polarized waves and vertical (V) polarized waves, unless otherwise specified. In addition, even when the expression "polarized waves" is simply used, it means a "polarized signal". In addition, in one or both of the multiple polarized waves, the above-mentioned current terrestrial digital broadcasting that transmits video with a maximum resolution of 1920 pixels horizontal x 1080 pixels vertical can be transmitted using the same modulation method in some divided segments. In other words, in dual-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting, it is possible to simultaneously transmit the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service that transmits video with a maximum resolution of 1920 pixels horizontal x 1080 pixels vertical and the terrestrial digital broadcasting service that can transmit video with a maximum resolution of more than 1920 pixels horizontal x 1080 pixels vertical in different segments of the multiple polarized waves in each embodiment of the present invention. In addition, single-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting can transmit the above-mentioned current terrestrial digital broadcasting, which transmits video with a maximum resolution of 1920 horizontal pixels by 1080 vertical pixels, using the same modulation method in some of the divided segments. In other words, in single-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting, different segments in each embodiment of the present invention can simultaneously transmit the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service that transmits video with a maximum resolution of 1920 horizontal pixels by 1080 vertical pixels, and the terrestrial digital broadcasting service that can transmit video with a maximum resolution of more than 1920 horizontal pixels by 1080 vertical pixels.

In addition, the details of hierarchical division multiplexing terrestrial digital broadcasting (advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting using a hierarchical division multiplexing transmission method) will be described later, but it is a broadcast signal of a terrestrial digital broadcasting service capable of transmitting video with a maximum resolution of more than 1920 pixels horizontally x 1080 pixels vertically. Hierarchical division multiplexing terrestrial digital broadcasting multiplexes multiple digital broadcasting signals with different signal levels. Note that digital broadcasting signals with different signal levels mean that the power for transmitting the digital broadcasting signals is different. In the hierarchical division multiplexing terrestrial digital broadcasting of each embodiment of the present invention, as the multiple digital broadcasting signals with different signal levels, the broadcast signal of the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service that transmits video with a maximum resolution of 1920 pixels horizontally x 1080 pixels vertically and the broadcast signal of a terrestrial digital broadcasting service that can transmit video with a maximum resolution of more than 1920 pixels horizontally x 1080 pixels vertically can be hierarchically multiplexed and transmitted in the frequency band of the same physical channel. In other words, in the hierarchical division multiplexing terrestrial digital broadcasting of each embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to simultaneously transmit, on multiple hierarchical layers with different signal levels, the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service that transmits video with a maximum resolution of 1920 pixels horizontal by 1080 pixels vertical, and the terrestrial digital broadcasting service that can transmit video with a maximum resolution of more than 1920 pixels horizontal by 1080 pixels vertical.

The broadcast receiving device in each embodiment of the present invention may be configured to be able to receive advanced digital broadcasts favorably, and does not necessarily have to include all of the first tuner/demodulation unit 130C, the second tuner/demodulation unit 130T, the third tuner/demodulation unit 130L, and the fourth tuner/demodulation unit 130B. For example, it is sufficient to include at least the second tuner/demodulation unit 130T or the third tuner/demodulation unit 130L. Furthermore, in order to achieve more advanced functions, in addition to the second tuner/demodulation unit 130T or the third tuner/demodulation unit 130L, one or more of the above four tuner/demodulation units may be included.

In addition, antenna 200C, antenna 200T, and antenna 200L may be used in common as appropriate. In addition, among first tuner/demodulator 130C, second tuner/demodulator 130T, and third tuner/demodulator 130L, multiple tuner/demodulators may be used in common (or integrated) as appropriate.

The first decoder unit 140S and the second decoder unit 140U respectively input packet streams output from the first tuner/demodulator unit 130C, the second tuner/demodulator unit 130T, the third tuner/demodulator unit 130L, and the fourth tuner/demodulator unit 130B, or packet streams acquired from each server device on the Internet 800 via the LAN communication unit 121. The packet streams input to the first decoder unit 140S and the second decoder unit 140U may be packet streams in formats such as MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group)-2 TS (Transport Stream), MPEG-2 PS (Program Stream), TLV (Type Length Value), and MMT (MPEG Media Transport).

The first decoder unit 140S and the second decoder unit 140U each perform conditional access (CA) processing, multiplexing and demultiplexing processing to separate and extract video data, audio data, and various information data from the packet stream based on various control information contained in the packet stream, decoding processing of video data and audio data, acquiring program information and generating an EPG (Electronic Program Guide), playing data broadcast screens and multimedia data, etc. In addition, they perform processing to superimpose the generated EPG and played multimedia data with the decoded video data and audio data.

The video selection unit 191 inputs the video data output from the first decoder unit 140S and the video data output from the second decoder unit 140U, and performs appropriate processing such as selection and/or superimposition based on the control of the main control unit 101. The video selection unit 191 also performs appropriate scaling processing and superimposition processing of OSD (On Screen Display) data. The monitor unit 192 is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel, and displays the video data selected and/or superimposed by the video selection unit 191 and provides it to the user of the broadcast receiving device 100. The video output unit 193 is a video output interface that outputs the video data selected and/or superimposed by the video selection unit 191 to the outside.

The audio selection unit 194 inputs the audio data output from the first decoder unit 140S and the audio data output from the second decoder unit 140U, and performs processing such as appropriate selection and/or mixing based on the control of the main control unit 101. The speaker unit 195 outputs the audio data selected and/or mixed by the audio selection unit 194 and provides it to the user of the broadcast receiving device 100. The audio output unit 196 is an audio output interface that outputs the audio data selected and/or mixed by the audio selection unit 194 to the outside.

The digital interface unit 125 is an interface that outputs or inputs a packet stream including encoded digital video data and/or digital audio data. The digital interface unit 125 can directly output the packet stream input by the first decoder unit 140S or the second decoder unit 140U from the first tuner/demodulator unit 130C, the second tuner/demodulator unit 130T, the third tuner/demodulator unit 130L, or the fourth tuner/demodulator unit 130B. In addition, the digital interface unit 125 may control the packet stream input from the outside via the digital interface unit 125 to be input to the first decoder unit 140S or the second decoder unit 140U, or to be stored in the storage unit 110. Alternatively, the digital interface unit 125 may output the video data or audio data separated and extracted by the first decoder unit 140S or the second decoder unit 140U. In addition, video data and audio data input from the outside via the digital interface unit 125 may be input to the first decoder unit 140S and the second decoder unit 140U, or may be controlled to be stored in the storage (accumulation) unit 110.

The expansion interface unit 124 is a group of interfaces for expanding the functions of the broadcast receiving device 100, and is composed of an analog video/audio interface, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface, a memory interface, etc. The analog video/audio interface inputs analog video/audio signals from external video/audio output devices, outputs analog video/audio signals to external video/audio input devices, etc. The USB interface connects to a PC or the like to send and receive data. A HDD may be connected to record broadcast programs and other content data. A keyboard or other USB device may also be connected. The memory interface connects to a memory card or other memory medium to send and receive data.

The operation input unit 180 is an instruction input unit that inputs operation instructions to the broadcast receiving device 100, and is composed of a remote control receiving unit that receives commands transmitted from a remote control (remote controller) not shown in the figure, and an operation key with an array of button switches. Only one of them may be used. The operation input unit 180 can also be replaced by a touch panel or the like placed on top of the monitor unit 192. It may also be replaced by a keyboard or the like connected to the extended interface unit 124. The remote control can be replaced by a mobile information terminal 700 equipped with a remote control command transmission function.

When the broadcast receiving device 100 is a television receiver or the like, the video output unit 193 and the audio output unit 196 are not essential components. The broadcast receiving device 100 may also be an optical disk drive recorder such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) recorder, a magnetic disk drive recorder such as a HDD recorder, an STB (Set Top Box), etc. It may also be a PC (Personal Computer) or a tablet terminal equipped with a function for receiving digital broadcast services. When the broadcast receiving device 100 is a DVD recorder, an HDD recorder, an STB, etc., the monitor unit 192 and the speaker unit 195 are not essential components. By connecting an external monitor and an external speaker to the video output unit 193 and the audio output unit 196 or the digital interface unit 125, the same operation as a television receiver or the like is possible.

Figure 2B is a block diagram showing an example of a detailed configuration of the first tuner/demodulator unit 130C.

The channel selection/detection unit 131C inputs the current digital broadcast wave received by the antenna 200C and selects a channel based on the channel selection control signal. The TMCC decoding unit 132C extracts the TMCC signal from the output signal of the channel selection/detection unit 131C and acquires various TMCC information. The acquired TMCC information is used to control each process in the subsequent stages. Details of the TMCC signal and TMCC information will be described later.

The demodulation unit 133C inputs a modulated wave modulated using a method such as QPSK (Quadrature Phase Shift Keying), DQPSK (Differential QPSK), 16QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation), or 64QAM based on TMCC information, and performs demodulation processing including frequency deinterleaving, time deinterleaving, and carrier demapping processing. The demodulation unit 133C may also be capable of supporting modulation methods different from the above-mentioned modulation methods.

The stream playback unit 134C performs layer division processing, inner code error correction processing such as Viterbi decoding, energy despreading processing, stream playback processing, outer code error correction processing such as RS (Reed Solomon) decoding, etc. Note that the error correction processing may be a method other than those described above. Also, the packet stream played and output by the stream playback unit 134C is, for example, MPEG-2 TS, etc. Other formats of packet streams may also be used.

Figure 2C is a block diagram showing an example of a detailed configuration of the second tuner/demodulator unit 130T.

The channel selection/detection unit 131H inputs the horizontal (H) polarized signal of the digital broadcast wave received by the antenna 200T, and performs channel selection based on the channel selection control signal. The channel selection/detection unit 131V inputs the vertical (V) polarized signal of the digital broadcast wave received by the antenna 200T, and performs channel selection based on the channel selection control signal. Note that the operation of the channel selection process in the channel selection/detection unit 131H and the operation of the channel selection process in the channel selection/detection unit 131V may be controlled in conjunction with each other, or may be controlled independently of each other. That is, it is possible to treat the channel selection/detection unit 131H and the channel selection/detection unit 131V as one channel selection/detection unit and control them to select one channel of a digital broadcasting service transmitted using both horizontal and vertical polarization, or it is possible to treat the channel selection/detection unit 131H and the channel selection/detection unit 131V as two independent channel selection/detection units and control them to select two different channels of a digital broadcasting service transmitted using only horizontal polarization (or only vertical polarization).

In addition, the horizontally (H) polarized signal and the vertically (V) polarized signal received by the second tuner/demodulation unit 130T of the broadcast receiving device in each embodiment of the present invention may be polarized signals of broadcast waves whose polarization directions differ by approximately 90 degrees, and the horizontally (H) polarized signal and the vertically (V) polarized signal described below and the configuration related to their reception may be reversed.

The TMCC decoding unit 132H extracts a TMCC signal from the output signal of the tuning/detection unit 131H to obtain various TMCC information. The TMCC decoding unit 132V extracts a TMCC signal from the output signal of the tuning/detection unit 131V to obtain various TMCC information. Only one of the TMCC decoding unit 132H and the TMCC decoding unit 132V may be present. The obtained TMCC information is used to control each process in the subsequent stages.

The demodulation units 133H and 133V each input a modulated wave modulated using a method such as BPSK (Binary Phase Shift Keying), DBPSK (Differential BPSK), QPSK, DQPSK, 8PSK (Phase Shift Keying), 16APSK (Amplitude and Phase Shift Keying), 32APSK, 16QAM, 64QAM, 256QAM, 1024QAM, etc. based on TMCC information, etc., and perform demodulation processing including frequency deinterleaving, time deinterleaving, carrier demapping processing, etc. The demodulation units 133H and 133V may also be capable of supporting modulation methods different from the above-mentioned modulation methods.

The stream reproduction unit 134H and the stream reproduction unit 134V each perform hierarchical division processing, inner code error correction processing such as Viterbi decoding and LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) decoding, energy despreading processing, stream reproduction processing, outer code error correction processing such as RS decoding and BCH decoding, etc. Note that the error correction processing may be a method other than those described above. The packet stream reproduced and output by the stream reproduction unit 134H is, for example, MPEG-2 TS, etc. The packet stream reproduced and output by the stream reproduction unit 134V is, for example, MPEG-2 TS or TLV including an MMT packet stream, etc. Each may be a packet stream of another format.

When the second tuner/demodulation unit 130T inputs a digital broadcast wave of a single-polarized terrestrial digital broadcast, the channel selection/detection unit 131V, the TMCC decoding unit 132V, and the demodulation unit 133V do not have to be provided. Also, when a current terrestrial digital broadcast service and an advanced terrestrial digital broadcast service are simultaneously transmitted in different segments, among the signals output from the demodulation unit 133H, the signal of the segment transmitting the current terrestrial digital broadcast service is input to the stream reproduction unit 134H, and the signal of the segment transmitting the advanced terrestrial digital broadcast service is input to the stream reproduction unit 134V.

Figure 2D is a block diagram showing an example of a detailed configuration of the third tuner/demodulator unit 130L.

The channel selection/detection unit 131L inputs digital broadcast waves that have been subjected to layered division multiplexing (LDM) processing from the antenna 200L, and selects a channel based on a channel selection control signal. The digital broadcast waves that have been subjected to layered division multiplexing processing may be used to transmit different digital broadcast services (or different channels of the same broadcast service) in which the modulated waves in the upper layer (Upper Layer: UL) and the lower layer (Lower Layer: LL) are different. In addition, the modulated waves in the upper layer are output to the demodulation unit 133S, and the modulated waves in the lower layer are output to the demodulation unit 133L.

The TMCC decoding unit 132L receives the modulated wave of the upper layer and the modulated wave of the lower layer output from the tuning/detection unit 131L, extracts the TMCC signal, and obtains various TMCC information. The signal input to the TMCC decoding unit 132L may be either the modulated wave of the upper layer or the modulated wave of the lower layer.

Since demodulation unit 133S and demodulation unit 133L perform the same operations as demodulation unit 133H and demodulation unit 133V, detailed explanations are omitted. Furthermore, since stream reproduction unit 134S and stream reproduction unit 134L perform the same operations as stream reproduction unit 134H and stream reproduction unit 134V, detailed explanations are omitted.

Figure 2E is a block diagram showing an example of a detailed configuration of the fourth tuner/demodulator unit 130B.

The channel selection/detection unit 131B inputs the digital broadcasting waves of the advanced BS digital broadcasting service or the advanced CS digital broadcasting service received by the antenna 200B, and selects a channel based on the channel selection control signal. Other operations are similar to those of the channel selection/detection unit 131H and the channel selection/detection unit 131V, so detailed explanations are omitted. In addition, the TMCC decoding unit 132B, the demodulation unit 133B, and the stream reproduction unit 134B perform the same operations as the TMCC decoding unit 132H and the TMCC decoding unit 132V, the demodulation unit 133H and the demodulation unit 133V, and the stream reproduction unit 134V, respectively, so detailed explanations are omitted.

Figure 2F is a block diagram showing an example of a detailed configuration of the first decoder unit 140S.

The selection unit 141S selects and outputs one of the packet streams input from the first tuner/demodulation unit 130C, the second tuner/demodulation unit 130T, and the third tuner/demodulation unit 130L under the control of the main control unit 101. The packet streams input from the first tuner/demodulation unit 130C, the second tuner/demodulation unit 130T, and the third tuner/demodulation unit 130L are, for example, MPEG-2 TS. The CA descrambler 142S performs decryption processing of the encryption algorithm of a specified scrambling method based on various control information related to limited reception superimposed on the packet stream.

The demultiplexing unit 143S is a stream decoder, and separates and extracts video data, audio data, superimposed text data, subtitle data, program information data, etc., based on various control information contained in the input packet stream. The separated and extracted video data is distributed to the video decoder 145S, the separated and extracted audio data to the audio decoder 146S, and the separated and extracted superimposed text data, subtitle data, program information data, etc. to the data decoder 144S. The demultiplexing unit 143S may receive a packet stream (e.g., MPEG-2 PS, etc.) acquired from a server device on the Internet 800 via the LAN communication unit 121. The demultiplexing unit 143S can also output the packet streams input from the first tuner/demodulation unit 130C, the second tuner/demodulation unit 130T, or the third tuner/demodulation unit 130L to the outside via the digital interface unit 125, and can receive a packet stream acquired from the outside via the digital interface unit 125.

The video decoder 145S performs a process of decoding the compressed and encoded video information, a process of colorimetry conversion and a process of dynamic range conversion on the decoded video information, etc., for the video data input from the demultiplexing unit 143S. In addition, the video decoder 145S performs a process of resolution conversion (up/down conversion) etc. based on the control of the main control unit 101, and outputs the video data at a resolution such as UHD (3840 pixels horizontal x 2160 pixels vertical), HD (1920 pixels horizontal x 1080 pixels vertical), or SD (720 pixels horizontal x 480 pixels vertical) as appropriate. Video data output at other resolutions may also be performed. The audio decoder 146S performs a process of decoding the compressed and encoded audio information. In addition, the audio decoder 146S performs a process of downmixing etc. based on the control of the main control unit 101, and outputs the audio data with a number of channels such as 22.2ch, 7.1ch, 5.1ch, or 2ch. Note that a plurality of video decoders 145S and audio decoders 146S may be provided in order to simultaneously perform a plurality of processes of decoding the video data and the audio data.

The data decoder 144S performs processes such as generating an EPG based on program information data, generating a data broadcast screen based on BML data, and controlling an integrated application based on a broadcast communication integration function. The data decoder 144S has a BML browser function that executes BML documents, and the data broadcast screen generation process is executed by the BML browser function. The data decoder 144S also performs processes such as decoding superimposed data to generate superimposed information and decoding subtitle data to generate subtitle information.

The superimposing unit 147S, the superimposing unit 148S, and the superimposing unit 149S each perform a superimposing process of the video data output from the video decoder 145S and the EPG or data broadcast screen output from the data decoder 144S. The synthesis unit 151S performs a process of synthesizing the audio data output from the audio decoder 146S and the audio data reproduced by the data decoder 144S. The selection unit 150S selects the resolution of the video data based on the control of the main control unit 101. Note that the functions of the superimposing unit 147S, the superimposing unit 148S, the superimposing unit 149S, and the selection unit 150S may be integrated with the video selection unit 191. The function of the synthesis unit 151S may be integrated with the audio selection unit 194.

Figure 2G is a block diagram showing an example of a detailed configuration of the second decoder unit 140U.

The selection unit 141U selects and outputs one of the packet streams input from the second tuner/demodulation unit 130T, the third tuner/demodulation unit 130L, and the fourth tuner/demodulation unit 130B under the control of the main control unit 101. The packet streams input from the second tuner/demodulation unit 130T, the third tuner/demodulation unit 130L, and the fourth tuner/demodulation unit 130B are, for example, MMT packet streams or TLVs including MMT packet streams. They may also be MPEG-2 TS format packet streams that employ HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) or the like as the video compression method. The CA descrambler 142U performs decryption processing of the encryption algorithm of a predetermined scrambling method based on various control information related to limited reception superimposed on the packet stream.

The demultiplexing unit 143U is a stream decoder, and separates and extracts video data, audio data, superimposed text data, subtitle data, program information data, etc., based on various control information contained in the input packet stream. The separated and extracted video data is distributed to the video decoder 145U, the separated and extracted audio data to the audio decoder 146U, and the separated and extracted superimposed text data, subtitle data, program information data, etc. to the multimedia decoder 144U. The demultiplexing unit 143U may receive a packet stream (e.g., MPEG-2 PS or MMT packet stream, etc.) acquired from a server device on the Internet 800 via the LAN communication unit 121. The demultiplexing unit 143U can also output the packet streams input from the second tuner/demodulation unit 130T, the third tuner/demodulation unit 130L, or the fourth tuner/demodulation unit 130B to the outside via the digital interface unit 125, and can input a packet stream acquired from the outside via the digital interface unit 125.

The multimedia decoder 144U performs processes such as generating an EPG based on program information data, generating a multimedia screen based on multimedia data, and controlling an integrated application based on a broadcast/communication integrated function. The multimedia decoder 144U has an HTML browser function that executes HTML documents, and the multimedia screen generation process is executed by the HTML browser function.

The video decoder 145U, the audio decoder 146U, the superimposition unit 147U, the superimposition unit 148U, the superimposition unit 149U, the synthesis unit 151U and the selection unit 150U are components that have the same functions as the video decoder 145S, the audio decoder 146S, the superimposition unit 147S, the superimposition unit 148S, the superimposition unit 149S, the synthesis unit 151S and the selection unit 150S, respectively. If the S at the end of the reference numbers is replaced with a U in the explanation of video decoder 145S, audio decoder 146S, superimposition unit 147S, superimposition unit 148S, superimposition unit 149S, synthesis unit 151S, and selection unit 150S in FIG. 2F, the explanation becomes that of video decoder 145U, audio decoder 146U, superimposition unit 147U, superimposition unit 148U, superimposition unit 149U, synthesis unit 151U, and selection unit 150U in FIG. 2G, and a separate detailed explanation will be omitted.

[Software configuration of broadcast receiving device]
2H is a software configuration diagram of the broadcast receiving device 100, and shows an example of the software configuration in the storage (accumulation) unit 110 (or ROM 103, the same below) and RAM 104. A basic operation program 1001, a receiving function program 1002, a browser program 1003, a content management program 1004, and other operation programs 1009 are stored in the storage (accumulation) unit 110. The storage (accumulation) unit 110 also includes a content storage area 1011 for storing content data such as moving images, still images, and audio, an authentication information storage area 1012 for storing authentication information used when communicating or cooperating with an external mobile terminal device or server device, and a various information storage area 1019 for storing various other information.

The basic operation program 1001 stored in the storage (accumulation) unit 110 is expanded in the RAM 104, and the main control unit 101 executes the expanded basic operation program to form a basic operation control unit 1101. The receiving function program 1002, browser program 1003, and content management program 1004 stored in the storage (accumulation) unit 110 are each expanded in the RAM 104, and the main control unit 101 executes each of the expanded operation programs to form a receiving function control unit 1102, a browser engine 1103, and a content management unit 1104. The RAM 104 also includes a temporary storage area 1200 that temporarily holds data created when each operation program is executed as necessary.

In the following, for ease of explanation, the process in which the main control unit 101 controls each operation block by expanding the basic operation program 1001 stored in the storage unit 110 into the RAM 104 and executing it will be described as the basic operation control unit 1101 controlling each operation block. Similar descriptions will be used for the other operation programs.

The reception function control unit 1102 performs basic control of the broadcast reception function and broadcast communication cooperation function of the broadcast receiving device 100. In particular, the channel selection/demodulation unit 1102a mainly controls channel selection processing, TMCC information acquisition processing, demodulation processing, etc. in the first tuner/demodulation unit 130C, the second tuner/demodulation unit 130T, the third tuner/demodulation unit 130L, the fourth tuner/demodulation unit 130B, etc. The stream playback control unit 1102b mainly controls hierarchical division processing, error correction decoding processing, energy despreading processing, stream playback processing, etc. in the first tuner/demodulation unit 130C, the second tuner/demodulation unit 130T, the third tuner/demodulation unit 130L, the fourth tuner/demodulation unit 130B, etc. The AV decoding unit 1102c mainly controls the demultiplexing process (stream decoding process), video data decoding process, audio data decoding process, etc. in the first decoder unit 140S and the second decoder unit 140U, etc. The multimedia (MM) data reproducing unit 1102d mainly controls the BML data reproducing process, superimposed text data decoding process, subtitle data decoding process, and communication linked application control process in the first decoder unit 140S, and the HTML data reproducing process, multimedia screen generation process, and communication linked application control process in the second decoder unit 140U, etc. The EPG generating unit 1102e mainly controls the EPG generating process and the display process of the generated EPG in the first decoder unit 140S and the second decoder unit 140U. The presentation processing unit 1102f controls colorimetry conversion processing, dynamic range conversion processing, resolution conversion processing, audio downmix processing, etc. in the first decoder unit 140S and the second decoder unit 140U, as well as controlling the video selection unit 191 and the audio selection unit 194, etc.

The BML browser 1103a and HTML browser 1103b of the browser engine 1103 interpret BML documents and HTML documents during the aforementioned BML data playback process and HTML data playback process, and perform data broadcast screen generation process and multimedia screen generation process.

The content management unit 1104 performs time schedule management and execution control when recording or viewing reservations for broadcast programs, copyright management when broadcast programs and recorded programs are output from the digital interface unit 125 or LAN communication unit 121, etc., and expiration date management of linked applications obtained based on the broadcast communication linkage function.

The operating programs may be stored in the storage unit 110 and/or ROM 103 before the product is shipped. After the product is shipped, the operating programs may be acquired from a server device on the Internet 800 via the LAN communication unit 121 or the like. In addition, the operating programs stored in a memory card, optical disk, or the like may be acquired via the extended interface unit 124 or the like. The operating programs may be newly acquired or updated via broadcast waves.

[Broadcast station server configuration]
3A shows an example of the internal configuration of the broadcast station server 400. The broadcast station server 400 is made up of a main control unit 401, a system bus 402, a RAM 404, a storage unit 410, a LAN communication unit 421, and a digital broadcast signal transmission unit 460.

The main control unit 401 is a microprocessor unit that controls the entire broadcasting station server 400 in accordance with a predetermined operation program. The system bus 402 is a communication path for transmitting and receiving various data, commands, etc. between the main control unit 401 and each operation block within the broadcasting station server 400. The RAM 404 serves as a work area when each operation program is executed.

The storage unit 410 stores a basic operation program 4001, a content management/distribution program 4002, and a content transmission program 4003, and further includes a content data storage area 4011 and a metadata storage area 4012. The content data storage area 4011 stores content data of each broadcast program broadcast by a broadcast station. The metadata storage area 4012 stores metadata such as the program title, program ID, program summary, cast, broadcast date and time, etc., of each broadcast program.

The basic operation program 4001, content management/distribution program 4002, and content sending program 4003 stored in the storage unit 410 are each expanded in the RAM 404, and the main control unit 401 executes the expanded basic operation program, content management/distribution program, and content sending program to form a basic operation control unit 4101, a content management/distribution control unit 4102, and a content sending control unit 4103.

In the following, for simplicity, the process in which the main control unit 401 controls each operation block by expanding the basic operation program 4001 stored in the storage unit 410 into the RAM 404 and executing it will be described as the basic operation control unit 4101 controlling each operation block. Similar descriptions will be used for the other operation programs.

The content management/distribution control unit 4102 manages the content data, metadata, etc. stored in the content data storage area 4011 and metadata storage area 4012, and controls the provision of the content data, metadata, etc. to the service provider based on a contract. Furthermore, the content management/distribution control unit 4102 also performs authentication processing of the service provider server 500 as necessary when providing the content data, metadata, etc. to the service provider.

The content transmission control unit 4103 performs time schedule management when transmitting the content data of the broadcast program stored in the content data storage area 4011 and the stream including the program title, program ID, and copy control information of the program content of the broadcast program stored in the metadata storage area 4012 via the digital broadcast signal transmission unit 460.

The LAN communication unit 421 is connected to the Internet 800, and communicates with the service provider server 500 and other communication devices on the Internet 800. The LAN communication unit 421 includes an encoding circuit, a decoding circuit, and the like. The digital broadcast signal sending unit 460 performs processing such as modulation on a stream composed of content data and program information data of each broadcast program stored in the content data storage area 4011, and sends it out as a digital broadcast wave via the radio tower 300.

[Configuration of service provider server]
3B shows an example of the internal configuration of the service provider server 500. The service provider server 500 is composed of a main control unit 501, a system bus 502, a RAM 504, a storage unit 510, and a LAN communication unit 521.

The main control unit 501 is a microprocessor unit that controls the entire service provider server 500 in accordance with a predetermined operation program. The system bus 502 is a communication path for sending and receiving various data, commands, etc. between the main control unit 501 and each operation block in the service provider server 500. The RAM 504 serves as a work area when each operation program is executed.

The storage unit 510 stores a basic operation program 5001, a content management/distribution program 5002, and an application management/distribution program 5003, and further includes a content data storage area 5011, a metadata storage area 5012, and an application storage area 5013. The content data storage area 5011 and the metadata storage area 5012 store content data and metadata provided by the broadcasting station server 400, or content produced by a service provider and metadata related to the content. The application storage area 5013 stores applications (operating programs and/or various data, etc.) required to realize each service of the broadcasting/communication cooperation system, for distribution in response to requests from each television receiver.

The basic operation program 5001, content management/distribution program 5002, and application management/distribution program 5003 stored in the storage unit 510 are each expanded in the RAM 504, and the main control unit 501 executes the expanded basic operation program, content management/distribution program, and application management/distribution program to form a basic operation control unit 5101, a content management/distribution control unit 5102, and an application management/distribution control unit 5103.

In the following, for ease of explanation, the process in which the main control unit 501 controls each operation block by expanding the basic operation program 5001 stored in the storage unit 510 into the RAM 504 and executing it will be described as the basic operation control unit 5101 controlling each operation block. Similar descriptions will be used for the other operation programs.

The content management/distribution control unit 5102 acquires content data, metadata, etc. from the broadcasting station server 400, manages the content data, metadata, etc. stored in the content data storage area 5011 and metadata storage area 5012, and controls the distribution of the content data, metadata, etc. to each television receiver. The application management/distribution control unit 5103 manages each application stored in the application storage area 5013, and controls the distribution of each application in response to a request from each television receiver. Furthermore, when distributing each application to each television receiver, the application management/distribution control unit 5103 also performs authentication processing of the television receiver as necessary.

The LAN communication unit 521 is connected to the Internet 800, and communicates with the broadcast station server 400 and other communication devices on the Internet 800. It also communicates with the broadcast receiving device 100 and the mobile information terminal 700 via the router device 800R. The LAN communication unit 521 includes an encoding circuit, a decoding circuit, etc.

[Hardware configuration of mobile information terminal]
FIG. 3C is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the portable information terminal 700.
The portable information terminal 700 is composed of a main control unit 701, a system bus 702, a ROM 703, a RAM 704, a storage unit 710, a communication processing unit 720, an expansion interface unit 724, an operation unit 730, an image processing unit 740, an audio processing unit 750, and a sensor unit 760.

The main control unit 701 is a microprocessor unit that controls the entire portable information terminal 700 in accordance with a predetermined operating program. The system bus 702 is a communication path for transmitting and receiving various data, commands, etc. between the main control unit 701 and each operating block within the portable information terminal 700.

The ROM 703 is a non-volatile memory in which basic operation programs such as an operating system and other operation programs are stored, and may be a rewritable ROM such as an EEPROM or flash ROM. The ROM 703 also stores operation setting values and the like required for the operation of the portable information terminal 700. The RAM 704 serves as a work area when the basic operation programs and other operation programs are executed. The ROM 703 and the RAM 704 may be integrated with the main control unit 701. The ROM 703 may also use a portion of the storage area in the storage unit 710, rather than being an independent configuration as shown in FIG. 3C.

The storage unit 710 stores the operating program and operating setting values of the portable information terminal 700, personal information of the user of the portable information terminal 700, etc. It can also store operating programs downloaded via the Internet 800 and various data created by the operating programs. It can also store content such as videos, still images, and audio downloaded via the Internet 800. A portion of the storage unit 710 may replace all or part of the functions of the ROM 703. The storage unit 710 must also retain the stored information even when the portable information terminal 700 is not receiving power from an external source. Therefore, for example, devices such as flash ROM, semiconductor element memory such as SSD, and magnetic disk drive such as HDD are used.

The operating programs stored in the ROM 703 and the storage unit 710 can be added to, updated, and have their functions expanded by downloading them from each server device on the Internet 800.

The communication processing unit 720 is composed of a LAN communication unit 721, a mobile telephone network communication unit 722, and an NFC communication unit 723. The LAN communication unit 721 is connected to the Internet 800 via the router device 800R, and transmits and receives data to and from each server device and other communication devices on the Internet 800. The connection to the router device 800R is made via a wireless connection such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The mobile telephone network communication unit 722 transmits and receives telephone communication (calls) and data through wireless communication with the base station 600B of the mobile telephone communication network. The NFC communication unit 723 performs wireless communication when in close proximity to a corresponding reader/writer. The LAN communication unit 721, the mobile telephone network communication unit 722, and the NFC communication unit 723 each include an encoding circuit, a decoding circuit, an antenna, etc. In addition, the communication processing unit 720 may further include other communication units such as a BlueTooth (registered trademark) communication unit and an infrared communication unit.

The expansion interface unit 724 is a group of interfaces for expanding the functions of the portable information terminal 700, and in this embodiment, is composed of a video/audio interface, a USB interface, a memory interface, etc. The video/audio interface inputs video signals/audio signals from external video/audio output devices, outputs video signals/audio signals to external video/audio input devices, etc. The USB interface connects to a PC or the like to send and receive data. It may also be used to connect a keyboard or other USB devices. The memory interface connects to a memory card or other memory medium to send and receive data.

The operation unit 730 is an instruction input unit that inputs operation instructions to the mobile information terminal 700, and in this embodiment is composed of a touch panel 730T arranged on top of the display unit 741 and an operation key 730K with an array of button switches. Only one of them may be used. The mobile information terminal 700 may be operated using a keyboard or the like connected to the extended interface unit 724. The mobile information terminal 700 may be operated using a separate terminal device connected by wired or wireless communication. In other words, the mobile information terminal 700 may be operated from the broadcast receiving device 100. The touch panel function may also be provided in the display unit 741.

The image processing unit 740 is composed of a display unit 741, an image signal processing unit 742, a first image input unit 743, and a second image input unit 744. The display unit 741 is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel, and provides image data processed by the image signal processing unit 742 to the user of the mobile information terminal 700. The image signal processing unit 742 is equipped with a video RAM (not shown), and the display unit 741 is driven based on the image data input to the video RAM. The image signal processing unit 742 also has a function of performing format conversion, superimposition processing of menus and other OSD (On Screen Display) signals, etc. as necessary. The first image input unit 743 and the second image input unit 744 are camera units that input image data of the surroundings or the object by converting the light input from the lens into an electrical signal using electronic devices such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor.

The audio processing unit 750 is composed of an audio output unit 751, an audio signal processing unit 752, and an audio input unit 753. The audio output unit 751 is a speaker, and provides the audio signal processed by the audio signal processing unit 752 to the user of the mobile information terminal 700. The audio input unit 753 is a microphone, and converts the user's voice, etc. into audio data and inputs it.

The sensor unit 760 is a group of sensors for detecting the state of the mobile information terminal 700, and in this embodiment, is composed of a GPS receiver unit 761, a gyro sensor 762, a geomagnetic sensor 763, an acceleration sensor 764, an illuminance sensor 765, and a proximity sensor 766. These sensors make it possible to detect the position, inclination, direction, and movement of the mobile information terminal 700, as well as the brightness of the surroundings, the proximity of surrounding objects, and the like. The mobile information terminal 700 may also be equipped with other sensors, such as an air pressure sensor.

The portable information terminal 700 may be a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like. It may also be a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or a notebook PC. It may also be a digital still camera, a video camera capable of recording video, a portable game machine, a navigation device, or other portable digital device.

The example configuration of the mobile information terminal 700 shown in FIG. 3C includes many components that are not essential to this embodiment, such as the sensor unit 760, but the effect of this embodiment is not diminished even if these components are not included in the configuration. In addition, components not shown, such as a digital broadcast receiving function and an electronic money payment function, may be added.

[Software configuration of mobile information terminal]
3D is a software configuration diagram of the portable information terminal 700, and shows an example of the software configuration in the ROM 703, the RAM 704, and the storage unit 710. A basic operation program 7001 and other operation programs are stored in the ROM 703. A linkage control program 7002 and other operation programs are stored in the storage unit 710. The storage unit 710 is also assumed to include a content storage area 7200 for storing content data such as moving images, still images, and audio, an authentication information storage area 7300 for storing authentication information and the like required for accessing a television receiver or each server device, and various information storage areas for storing various other information.

The basic operation program 7001 stored in ROM 703 is expanded in RAM 704, and the main control unit 701 executes the expanded basic operation program to form a basic operation execution unit 7101. Similarly, the cooperative control program 7002 stored in the storage unit 710 is expanded in RAM 704, and the main control unit 701 executes the expanded cooperative control program to form a cooperative control execution unit 7102. The RAM 704 also includes a temporary storage area for temporarily holding data created when each operation program is executed, as necessary.

In the following, for simplicity, the process in which the main control unit 701 loads the basic operation program 7001 stored in the ROM 703 into the RAM 704 and executes it to control each operation block will be described as the basic operation execution unit 7101 controlling each operation block. Similar descriptions will be used for the other operation programs.

The linkage control execution unit 7102 manages device authentication and connection, sending and receiving of data, and the like, when the mobile information terminal 700 performs linkage operations with the television receiver. The linkage control execution unit 7102 also has a browser engine function for executing applications that link with the television receiver.

The operating programs may be stored in advance in the ROM 703 and/or the storage unit 710 at the time of product shipment. After product shipment, the operating programs may be obtained from a server device on the Internet 800 via the LAN communication unit 721 or the mobile telephone network communication unit 722. In addition, the operating programs stored on a memory card, optical disk, etc. may be obtained via the expansion interface unit 724, etc.

[Digital broadcasting waves]
Here, an example of a digital broadcast wave received by the broadcast receiving device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The broadcast receiving device 100 can receive terrestrial digital broadcast services that share at least some specifications with the ISDB-T (Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting for Terrestrial Television Broadcasting) system. Specifically, dual-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting and single-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting that the second tuner/demodulator unit 130T can receive are advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting that share some specifications with the ISDB-T system. In addition, hierarchical division multiplexed terrestrial digital broadcasting that the third tuner/demodulator unit 130L can receive is advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting that shares some specifications with the ISDB-T system. The current terrestrial digital broadcasting that the first tuner/demodulator unit 130C can receive is terrestrial digital broadcasting of the ISDB-T system. In addition, the advanced BS digital broadcasting and advanced CS digital broadcasting that the fourth tuner/demodulator unit 130B can receive are digital broadcasting that differ from the ISDB-T system.

Here, the dual-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting, single-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting, and hierarchical division multiplexed terrestrial digital broadcasting according to this embodiment adopt, as in the ISDB-T system, OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing), which is one of the multi-carrier systems, as the transmission system. Since OFDM is a multi-carrier system, the symbol length is long, and it is effective to add a redundant portion in the time axis direction called a guard interval, which makes it possible to reduce the effects of multipath within the range of the guard interval. This makes it possible to realize a SFN (Single Frequency Network), enabling effective use of frequencies.

In the dual-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting, single-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting, and hierarchical division multiplexing terrestrial digital broadcasting according to this embodiment, the OFDM carrier is divided into groups called segments, as in the ISDB-T system, and as shown in FIG. 4A, one channel bandwidth of a digital broadcasting service is composed of 13 segments. The center of the band is the position of segment 0, and segment numbers (0 to 12) are assigned sequentially above and below it. The transmission path coding of the dual-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting, single-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting, and hierarchical division multiplexing terrestrial digital broadcasting according to this embodiment is performed in units of OFDM segments. For this reason, it is possible to define hierarchical transmission, and for example, within the bandwidth of one television channel, some OFDM segments can be assigned to fixed reception services and the rest to mobile reception services. In hierarchical transmission, each layer is composed of one or more OFDM segments, and parameters such as the carrier modulation method, the coding rate of the inner code, and the time interleave length can be set for each layer. The number of layers can be set arbitrarily, for example, up to a maximum of three layers. FIG. 4B shows an example of hierarchical allocation of OFDM segments when the number of hierarchical layers is 3 or 2. In the example of FIG. 4B(1), the number of hierarchical layers is 3, with the A hierarchical layer consisting of 1 segment (segment 0), the B hierarchical layer consisting of 7 segments (segments 1 to 7), and the C hierarchical layer consisting of 5 segments (segments 8 to 12). In the example of FIG. 4B(2), the number of hierarchical layers is 3, with the A hierarchical layer consisting of 1 segment (segment 0), the B hierarchical layer consisting of 5 segments (segments 1 to 5), and the C hierarchical layer consisting of 7 segments (segments 6 to 12). In the example of FIG. 4B(3), the number of hierarchical layers is 2, with the A hierarchical layer consisting of 1 segment (segment 0), and the B hierarchical layer consisting of 12 segments (segments 1 to 12). The number of OFDM segments and transmission line coding parameters of each layer are determined according to the organization information and are transmitted by a TMCC signal, which is control information for assisting the operation of the receiver.

Note that the following is an example of a possible use case for the segment hierarchical allocation of (1), (2), and (3) in Figure 4B.

For example, the hierarchical allocation in FIG. 4B(1) can be used in the dual-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting according to this embodiment, and the same segment hierarchical allocation can be used for both horizontal and vertical polarization. Specifically, the above one segment of horizontal polarization can be used to transmit the current mobile reception service of terrestrial digital broadcasting as hierarchical A. (Note that the same service for the mobile reception service of the current terrestrial digital broadcasting may also be transmitted as the above one segment of vertical polarization. In this case, this is also treated as hierarchical A.) In addition, the above seven segments of horizontal polarization can be used to transmit a terrestrial digital broadcasting service that transmits video with a maximum resolution of 1920 pixels horizontally by 1080 pixels vertically, which is the current terrestrial digital broadcasting, as hierarchical B. (Note that a terrestrial digital broadcasting service that transmits video with a maximum resolution of 1920 pixels horizontally by 1080 pixels vertically may transmit the same service using the above 7 segments of vertical polarization. In this case, this is also treated as hierarchical layer B.) Furthermore, a configuration may be made in which an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service capable of transmitting video with a maximum resolution of more than 1920 pixels horizontally by 1080 pixels vertically is transmitted using the above 5 segments of both horizontal and vertical polarization, totaling 10 segments, as hierarchical layer C. Details of this transmission will be described later. The transmission wave with this segment hierarchical allocation can be received, for example, by the second tuner/demodulator 130T of the broadcast receiving device 100.

The hierarchical allocation of FIG. 4B(1) can be used in the single-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting according to this embodiment. Specifically, the A hierarchical allocation can be used to transmit the current terrestrial digital broadcasting mobile reception service in the one segment. The B hierarchical allocation can be used to transmit a terrestrial digital broadcasting service that transmits video with a maximum resolution of 1920 horizontal pixels by 1080 vertical pixels, which is the current terrestrial digital broadcasting, in the seven segments. Furthermore, the C hierarchical allocation can be used to transmit an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service that can transmit video with a maximum resolution of more than 1920 horizontal pixels by 1080 vertical pixels in the five segments. In this case, the C hierarchical allocation can use a carrier modulation method, an error correction code method, a video coding method, etc. that are more efficient than those of the current terrestrial digital broadcasting. Details of the transmission will be described later. The transmission wave of the segment hierarchical allocation can be received, for example, by the second tuner/demodulator 130T of the broadcast receiving device 100.

As an example not shown, in the single-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting according to this embodiment, one segment of the A hierarchical layer may be used to transmit the current terrestrial digital broadcasting mobile reception service, eight segments of the B hierarchical layer may be used to transmit the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service that transmits video with a maximum resolution of 1920 pixels horizontal by 1080 pixels vertical, and four segments of the C hierarchical layer may be used to transmit an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service that can transmit video with a maximum resolution of more than 1920 pixels horizontal by 1080 pixels vertical. In this case, the C hierarchical layer may use a carrier modulation method, an error correction code method, a video coding method, etc. that are more efficient than those of the current terrestrial digital broadcasting. Details of the transmission will be described later. The transmission wave of the segment hierarchical allocation may be received, for example, by the second tuner/demodulator 130T of the broadcast receiving device 100.

For example, the hierarchical allocation in FIG. 4B(2) can be used as an example different from FIG. 4B(1) in the dual-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting according to this embodiment, and the same segment hierarchical allocation can be used for both horizontal and vertical polarization. Specifically, the above one segment of horizontal polarization can be used to transmit the current mobile reception service of terrestrial digital broadcasting as the A hierarchical layer. (Note that the same service of the current mobile reception service of terrestrial digital broadcasting may be transmitted by the above one segment of vertical polarization. In this case, this is also treated as the A hierarchical layer.) Furthermore, the above five segments of both horizontal and vertical polarization, totaling 10 segments, may be configured to transmit an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service capable of transmitting video with a maximum resolution of more than 1920 pixels horizontally by 1080 pixels vertically as the B hierarchical layer. In addition, the above seven segments of horizontal polarization can be used to transmit the terrestrial digital broadcasting service that transmits video with a maximum resolution of 1920 pixels horizontally by 1080 pixels vertically, which is the current terrestrial digital broadcasting. (Note that a terrestrial digital broadcasting service that transmits video with a maximum resolution of 1920 pixels horizontal by 1080 pixels vertical may transmit the same service using the above seven segments of vertical polarization. In this case, this is also treated as hierarchical layer C.) Details of this transmission will be described later. The transmission wave with this segment hierarchical allocation can be received, for example, by the second tuner/demodulator 130T of the broadcast receiving device 100 of this embodiment.

The hierarchical allocation of FIG. 4B(2) can be used as an example different from FIG. 4B(1) in the single-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting according to this embodiment. Specifically, the A hierarchical allocation can be configured to transmit the current terrestrial digital broadcasting mobile reception service in the one segment. Furthermore, the B hierarchical allocation can be configured to transmit an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service capable of transmitting video with a maximum resolution of more than 1920 pixels horizontally by 1080 pixels vertically in the five segments. In this case, the B hierarchical allocation can use a carrier modulation method, an error correction code method, a video coding method, etc. that are more efficient than those of the current terrestrial digital broadcasting. In addition, the C hierarchical allocation can be configured to transmit a terrestrial digital broadcasting service that transmits video with a maximum resolution of 1920 pixels horizontally by 1080 pixels vertically, which is the current terrestrial digital broadcasting, in the seven segments. Details of the transmission will be described later. The transmission wave of the segment hierarchical allocation can be received, for example, by the second tuner/demodulator 130T of the broadcast receiving device 100 of this embodiment.

For example, the hierarchical allocation in FIG. 4B (3) can be used in the hierarchical division multiplexing terrestrial digital broadcasting according to this embodiment or in the current terrestrial digital broadcasting. Specifically, when used in the hierarchical division multiplexing terrestrial digital broadcasting, it is sufficient to transmit the current terrestrial digital broadcasting mobile reception service in one segment in the figure as the A hierarchical layer. Furthermore, it may be configured to transmit an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service capable of transmitting video with a maximum resolution of more than 1920 pixels horizontally by 1080 pixels vertically in the 12 segments in the figure as the B hierarchical layer, or a current terrestrial digital broadcasting service that transmits video with a maximum resolution of 1920 pixels horizontally by 1080 pixels vertically. The transmission wave of the segment hierarchical allocation can be received, for example, by the third tuner/demodulation unit 130L of the broadcast receiving device 100 of this embodiment. When used in current terrestrial digital broadcasting, the current terrestrial digital broadcasting mobile reception service can be transmitted in one segment in the figure as hierarchical layer A, and the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service that transmits video with a maximum resolution of 1920 pixels horizontally by 1080 pixels vertically can be transmitted in 12 segments in the figure as hierarchical layer B. The transmission wave of the segment hierarchical allocation can be received, for example, by the first tuner/demodulator 130C of the broadcast receiving device 100 of this embodiment.

Figure 4C shows an example of a broadcasting station system that realizes the generation process of OFDM transmission waves, which are digital broadcast waves of dual-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting, single-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting, and hierarchical division multiplexing terrestrial digital broadcasting according to this embodiment. The information source coding unit 411 encodes video/audio/various data, etc. The multiplexing unit/limited reception processing unit 415 multiplexes the video/audio/various data, etc., encoded by the information source coding unit 411, and further performs processing corresponding to limited reception as appropriate to output as a packet stream. The information source coding unit 411 and the multiplexing unit/limited reception processing unit 415 can exist in parallel in multiple units, and generate multiple packet streams. The transmission path coding unit 416 re-multiplexes the multiple packet streams into one packet stream, performs transmission path coding processing, and outputs as an OFDM transmission wave. The configuration shown in Figure 4C is common to the ISDB-T system as a configuration that realizes the generation process of OFDM transmission waves, although the details of the information source coding and transmission path coding methods are different. Therefore, among the multiple information source coding units 411 and the multiplexing unit/conditional reception processing unit 415, some may be configured for ISDB-T type terrestrial digital broadcasting services, and some may be configured for advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting services, and the packet streams of the multiple different terrestrial digital broadcasting services may be multiplexed by the transmission path coding unit 416. When the multiplexing unit/conditional reception processing unit 415 is configured for ISDB-T type terrestrial digital broadcasting services, it is sufficient to generate MPEG-2TS, which is a stream of TSP (Transport Stream Packet) defined by MPEG-2 systems. Also, when the multiplexing unit/conditional reception processing unit 415 is configured for advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting services, it is sufficient to generate an MMT packet stream or a TLV stream including MMT packets, or a stream of TSP defined by other systems. Naturally, all of the multiple information source coding units 411 and the multiplexing unit/limited reception processing unit 415 can be configured for advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting services, and all packet streams multiplexed by the transmission path coding unit 416 can be packet streams for advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting services.

Figure 4D shows an example of the configuration of the transmission line coding unit 416.

First, FIG. 4D (1) will be described. FIG. 4D (1) shows the configuration of the transmission line coding unit 416 when only the OFDM transmission wave of the digital broadcasting of the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service is generated. The OFDM transmission wave transmitted in this configuration has, for example, the segment configuration of FIG. 4B (3). The packet stream input from the multiplexing unit/limited reception processing unit 415 and subjected to re-multiplexing processing is added with redundancy for error correction, and various interleaving processes such as byte interleaving, bit interleaving, time interleaving, and frequency interleaving are performed. After that, the pilot signal, TMCC signal, and AC signal are processed by IFFT (Inverse Fast Fourier Transform), and after a guard interval is added, the signal is converted into an OFDM transmission wave through orthogonal modulation. Note that the outer code processing, power dispersal processing, byte interleaving, inner code processing, bit interleaving, and mapping processing are configured to be processed separately for each layer such as the A layer and the B layer. (Note that while the current digital broadcasting service for terrestrial digital broadcasting has two layers for operational purposes, up to three layers can be transmitted, so an example of three layers is shown in FIG. 4D(1).) The mapping process is a carrier modulation process. Also, the packet stream input from the multiplexing unit/limited reception processing unit 415 may be multiplexed with information such as TMCC information, mode, and guard interval ratio. As mentioned above, the packet stream input to the transmission path coding unit 416 may be a TSP stream defined by MPEG-2 Systems. The OFDM transmission wave generated by the configuration of FIG. 4D(1) can be received, for example, by the first tuner/demodulation unit 130C of the broadcast receiving device 100 of this embodiment.

Next, FIG. 4D(2) will be described. FIG. 4D(2) shows the configuration of the transmission line coding unit 416 when generating OFDM transmission waves for dual-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting according to this embodiment. The OFDM transmission waves transmitted in this configuration have, for example, the segment configuration of FIG. 4B(1) or (2). In FIG. 4D(2), the packet stream input from the multiplexing unit/limited reception processing unit 415 and subjected to re-multiplexing processing is subjected to various interleaving processes such as byte interleaving, bit interleaving, time interleaving, and frequency interleaving in addition to adding redundancy for error correction. After that, IFFT processing is performed together with the pilot signal, TMCC signal, and AC signal, and after guard interval addition processing, it is converted into an OFDM transmission wave through orthogonal modulation.

In the configuration example of FIG. 4D(2), the outer code processing, power dispersal processing, byte interleaving, inner code processing, bit interleaving processing, mapping processing, and time interleaving are configured so that processing can be performed separately for each layer, such as layer A, layer B, and layer C. However, in the configuration example of FIG. 4D(2), not only horizontally polarized (H) OFDM transmission waves but also vertically polarized (V) OFDM transmission waves are generated, and the processing flow branches into two systems. When branching from the horizontally polarized (H) processing system to the vertically polarized (V) processing system, whether the same data as the horizontally polarized (H) processing system is branched to the vertically polarized (V) processing system, data different from the horizontally polarized (H) processing system is branched to the vertically polarized (V) processing system, or no data is branched to the vertically polarized (V) processing system can be made different for each layer in accordance with the segment configuration described in FIG. 4B(1) or (2).

The processing of the outer code, inner code, mapping, etc. shown in the configuration of FIG. 4D(2) can use processing compatible with the configuration of FIG. 4D(1), as well as more advanced processing not adopted in each processing of the configuration of FIG. 4D(1). Specifically, in the configuration of FIG. 4D(2), in the part where processing is performed for each layer, in the layer where the current terrestrial digital broadcasting mobile reception service and the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service that transmits video with a maximum resolution of 1920 pixels horizontal x 1080 pixels vertical are transmitted, processing of the outer code, inner code, mapping, etc. is performed in a manner compatible with the configuration of FIG. 4D(1). In contrast, in the configuration of FIG. 4D(2), in the part where processing is performed for each layer, in the layer where the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service that can transmit video with a maximum resolution of more than 1920 pixels horizontal x 1080 pixels vertical is transmitted, processing of the outer code, inner code, mapping, etc. can be configured to use more advanced processing not adopted in each processing of the configuration of FIG. 4D(1).

In addition, in the dual-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting according to this embodiment, the allocation of the hierarchical layers and the terrestrial digital broadcasting services to be transmitted can be switched by the TMCC information described later, so it is desirable to configure the processing such as the outer code, inner code, and mapping applied to each layer to be switchable by the TMCC information.

For layers transmitting advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting services capable of transmitting video with a maximum resolution exceeding 1920 pixels horizontally by 1080 pixels vertically, byte interleaving, bit interleaving, and time interleaving may be performed in a manner compatible with current terrestrial digital broadcasting services, or different, more advanced processing may be performed. Alternatively, for layers transmitting advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting services, some interleaving may be omitted.

In addition, in the configuration of FIG. 4D(2), the input stream that is the source of the layer in which the current terrestrial digital broadcasting mobile reception service and the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service that transmits video with a maximum resolution of 1920 pixels horizontal by 1080 pixels vertical are transmitted may be a TSP stream defined by the MPEG-2 Systems adopted in the current terrestrial digital broadcasting among the packet streams input to the transmission path coding unit 416. The input stream that is the source of the layer in which the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service in the configuration of FIG. 4D(2) is transmitted may be a stream defined by a system other than the TSP stream defined by the MPEG-2 Systems, such as an MMT packet stream or a TLV including an MMT packet, among the packet streams input to the transmission path coding unit 416. However, a TSP stream defined by the MPEG-2 Systems may be adopted in the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service.

In the configuration of FIG. 4D(2) described above, until the OFDM transmission wave is generated from the input stream, the stream format and processing compatible with the current terrestrial digital broadcasting are maintained in the layer where the current terrestrial digital broadcasting mobile reception service and the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service that transmits video with a maximum resolution of 1920 pixels horizontal x 1080 pixels vertical are transmitted. As a result, even if a receiver for an existing terrestrial digital broadcasting service receives one of the horizontally polarized OFDM transmission waves or the vertically polarized OFDM transmission waves generated in the configuration of FIG. 4D(2), it is possible to correctly receive and demodulate the broadcast signal of the terrestrial digital broadcasting service in the layer where the current terrestrial digital broadcasting mobile reception service and the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service that transmits video with a maximum resolution of 1920 pixels horizontal x 1080 pixels vertical are transmitted.

In addition, in the configuration of FIG. 4D(2), in a hierarchy that uses segments of both horizontally polarized OFDM transmission waves and vertically polarized OFDM transmission waves, it is possible to transmit an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service capable of transmitting video with a maximum resolution exceeding 1920 pixels horizontally by 1080 pixels vertically, and the broadcast signal of the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service can be received and demodulated by the broadcast receiving device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In other words, the configuration of FIG. 4D(2) can generate digital broadcast waves that can be suitably received and demodulated by broadcast receiving devices compatible with advanced terrestrial digital broadcast services, as well as by receiving devices for existing terrestrial digital broadcast services.

When generating an OFDM transmission wave for single-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting according to this embodiment, the transmission path coding unit 416 shown in FIG. 4D(2) may be configured with only one of a system for generating a horizontally polarized (H) OFDM transmission wave and a system for generating a vertically polarized (V) OFDM transmission wave. In this case, the OFDM transmission wave transmitted in this configuration has, for example, the segment configuration of FIG. 4B(1) or (2), but unlike the case where the OFDM transmission wave for the above-mentioned dual-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting is generated, only one of the horizontally polarized OFDM transmission wave and the vertically polarized OFDM transmission wave is sent out. The other configurations and operations are the same as those when generating the above-mentioned dual-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting OFDM transmission wave.

Next, FIG. 4D(3) will be described. FIG. 4D(3) shows the configuration of the transmission path coding unit 416 when generating OFDM transmission waves for hierarchical division multiplexing terrestrial digital broadcasting according to this embodiment. In FIG. 4D(3) as well, the packet stream input from the multiplexing unit/limited reception processing unit 415 and subjected to re-multiplexing processing is subjected to various interleaving processes such as byte interleaving, bit interleaving, time interleaving, and frequency interleaving in addition to adding redundancy for error correction. After that, IFFT processing is performed together with the pilot signal, TMCC signal, and AC signal, and after a guard interval is added, it is subjected to orthogonal modulation to become an OFDM transmission wave.

However, in the configuration of FIG. 4D(3), the modulated wave transmitted in the upper layer and the modulated wave transmitted in the lower layer are generated, and then multiplexed to generate an OFDM transmission wave, which is a digital broadcast wave. The processing system shown on the upper side of the configuration of FIG. 4D(3) is a processing system for generating the modulated wave transmitted in the upper layer, and the processing system shown on the lower side is a processing system for generating the modulated wave transmitted in the lower layer. The data transmitted through the processing system for generating the modulated wave transmitted in the upper layer of FIG. 4D(3) is the current terrestrial digital broadcasting mobile reception service or the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service that transmits video with a maximum resolution of 1920 pixels horizontal x 1080 pixels vertical, and the various processes in the processing system for generating the modulated wave transmitted in the upper layer of FIG. 4D(3) are the same as or compatible with the various processes in FIG. 4D(1). The modulated wave transmitted in the upper layer of FIG. 4D(3) has, for example, the segment configuration of FIG. 4B(3) like the transmission wave in FIG. 4D(1). Therefore, the modulated waves transmitted in the upper layer of FIG. 4D(3) are digital broadcast waves compatible with the current terrestrial digital broadcast mobile reception service and the current terrestrial digital broadcast service that transmits video with a maximum resolution of 1920 pixels horizontal by 1080 pixels vertical. In contrast, the data transmitted through the processing system for generating the modulated waves transmitted in the lower layer of FIG. 4D(3) is an advanced terrestrial digital broadcast service that can transmit video with a maximum resolution of more than 1920 pixels horizontal by 1080 pixels vertical, and can be configured to use more advanced processing than that used in the configuration of FIG. 4D(1) for processing such as outer coding, inner coding, and mapping.

The modulated wave transmitted in the lower layer of FIG. 4D(3) may be assigned to an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service capable of transmitting video with a maximum resolution exceeding 1920 pixels horizontally by 1080 pixels vertically, with all 13 segments as layer A. Alternatively, the segment configuration of FIG. 4B(3) may be used to transmit a current terrestrial digital broadcasting mobile reception service in layer A with one segment, and an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service capable of transmitting video with a maximum resolution exceeding 1920 pixels horizontally by 1080 pixels vertically in layer B with 12 segments. In the latter case, as in FIG. 4D(2), the configuration may be such that processing can be switched for each layer, such as layer A and layer B, from outer code processing to time interleaving processing. As in the explanation of FIG. 4D(2), in the layer transmitting the current terrestrial digital broadcasting mobile reception service, processing compatible with the current terrestrial digital broadcasting must be maintained.

In the configuration of FIG. 4D (3), an OFDM transmission wave is generated, which is a terrestrial digital broadcast wave that is multiplexed with a modulated wave transmitted in an upper layer and a modulated wave transmitted in a lower layer. The technology for separating the modulated wave transmitted in the upper layer from the OFDM transmission wave is also installed in the receivers of existing terrestrial digital broadcast services, so that the broadcast signals of the current terrestrial digital broadcast mobile reception service and the current terrestrial digital broadcast service that transmits video with a maximum resolution of 1920 pixels horizontal x 1080 pixels vertical, which are included in the modulated wave transmitted in the upper layer, are correctly received and demodulated by the receivers of existing terrestrial digital broadcast services. In contrast, the broadcast signals of advanced terrestrial digital broadcast services that can transmit video with a maximum resolution of more than 1920 pixels horizontal x 1080 pixels vertical, which are included in the modulated wave transmitted in the lower layer, can be received and demodulated by the broadcast receiver 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In other words, the configuration of FIG. 4D(3) can generate digital broadcast waves that can be suitably received and demodulated by broadcast receiving devices compatible with advanced terrestrial digital broadcast services, as well as by receiving devices for existing terrestrial digital broadcast services. Also, unlike the configuration of FIG. 4D(2), the configuration of FIG. 4D(3) does not require the use of multiple polarized waves, and can generate OFDM transmission waves that can be received more easily.

In the OFDM transmission wave generation process according to Fig. 4D(1), Fig. 4D(2), and Fig. 4D(3) of this embodiment, three modes with different numbers of carriers are prepared, taking into consideration the suitability to the distance between SFN stations and the resistance to Doppler shift in mobile reception. It is also possible to prepare other modes with different numbers of carriers. In a mode with a large number of carriers, the effective symbol length becomes longer, and if the guard interval ratio (guard interval length/effective symbol length) is the same, the guard interval length becomes longer, making it possible to provide resistance to multipath with long delay time differences. On the other hand, in a mode with a small number of carriers, the carrier interval becomes wider, making it possible to reduce the influence of inter-carrier interference due to Doppler shift that occurs in mobile reception, etc.

In the OFDM transmission wave generation process according to this embodiment, shown in FIG. 4D(1), FIG. 4D(2), and FIG. 4D(3), parameters such as the carrier modulation method, the coding rate of the inner code, and the time interleave length can be set for each layer consisting of one or more OFDM segments. FIG. 4E shows an example of transmission parameters for each OFDM segment identified by the mode of the system according to this embodiment. Note that the carrier modulation method in the figure refers to the modulation method of the "data" carrier. The SP signal, CP signal, TMCC signal, and AC signal adopt a modulation method different from the modulation method of the "data" carrier. Since these signals are signals for which resistance to noise is more important than the amount of information, a modulation method is adopted that maps to a small-value constellation (BPSK or DBPSK, i.e., two states) with fewer states than the modulation method of the "data" carrier (both QPSK or more, i.e., four states or more), thereby improving resistance to noise.

In addition, the numerical values of the carrier numbers are those when the carrier modulation method is set to QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM, etc. on the left side of the diagonal line, and those when the carrier modulation method is set to DQPSK on the right side of the diagonal line. In the figure, the underlined parameters are parameters that are not compatible with the current terrestrial digital broadcasting mobile reception service. Specifically, the modulation methods of the "data" carrier, 256QAM, 1024QAM, and 4096QAM, are not adopted in the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service. Therefore, in the processing at the layer that requires compatibility with the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service in the OFDM broadcast wave generation processing related to Figures 4D (1), 4D (2), and 4D (3) of this embodiment, the modulation methods of the "data" carrier, 256QAM, 1024QAM, and 4096QAM are not used. For "data" carriers transmitted at a level corresponding to advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting services, in addition to modulation methods such as QPSK (4 states), 16QAM (16 states), and 64QAM (64 states) that are compatible with current terrestrial digital broadcasting services, it is also acceptable to apply even higher-level modulation methods such as 256QAM (256 states), 1024QAM (1024 states), and 4096QAM (4096 states). It is also acceptable to adopt modulation methods different from these modulation methods.

The modulation method for the pilot symbol (SP and CP) carriers can be BPSK (2 states), which is compatible with current terrestrial digital broadcasting services. The modulation method for the AC carrier and TMCC carrier can be DBPSK (2 states), which is compatible with current terrestrial digital broadcasting services.

In addition, the LDPC code is not used as an inner code processing method in the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service. Therefore, in the OFDM broadcast wave generation processing according to FIG. 4D(1), FIG. 4D(2), and FIG. 4D(3) of this embodiment, in the processing in the layer that requires compatibility with the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service, the LDPC code is not used. For data transmitted in the layer corresponding to the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service, the LDPC code may be applied as an inner code. In addition, the BCH code is not used as an outer code processing method in the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service. Therefore, in the OFDM broadcast wave generation processing according to FIG. 4D(1), FIG. 4D(2), and FIG. 4D(3) of this embodiment, in the processing in the layer that requires compatibility with the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service, the BCH code is not used. For data transmitted in the layer corresponding to the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service, the BCH code may be applied as an outer code.

In addition, FIG. 4F shows an example of transmission signal parameters for one physical channel (6 MHz bandwidth) in the OFDM broadcast wave generation process according to FIG. 4D(1), FIG. 4D(2), and FIG. 4D(3) of this embodiment. In the OFDM broadcast wave generation process according to FIG. 4D(1), FIG. 4D(2), and FIG. 4D(3) of this embodiment, in order to maintain compatibility with the current terrestrial digital broadcast service, the parameters in FIG. 4F are basically compatible with the current terrestrial digital broadcast service. However, when all segments in the modulated wave transmitted in the lower layer of FIG. 4D(3) are assigned to an advanced terrestrial digital broadcast service, it is not necessary to maintain compatibility with the current terrestrial digital broadcast service in the modulated wave. Therefore, in this case, parameters other than those shown in FIG. 4F may be used for the modulated wave transmitted in the lower layer of FIG. 4D(3).

Next, the carriers of the OFDM transmission wave according to this embodiment will be described. The carriers of the OFDM transmission wave according to this embodiment include carriers that transmit data such as video and audio, carriers that transmit pilot signals (SP, CP, AC1, AC2) that are the basis for demodulation, and carriers that transmit TMCC signals, which are information such as the carrier modulation format and convolutional coding rate. For these transmissions, a number of carriers equivalent to 1/9 of the number of carriers per segment are used. In addition, a concatenated code is used for error correction, and a shortened Reed-Solomon (204,188) code is used for the outer code, and a punctured convolutional code with a constraint length of 7 and a coding rate of 1/2 is used for the inner code. Both the outer code and the inner code may use coding different from the above. The information rate varies depending on parameters such as the carrier modulation format, the convolutional coding rate, and the guard interval ratio.

Furthermore, 204 symbols make up one frame, and each frame contains an integer number of TSPs. Transmission parameters are switched at the boundaries of these frames.

Pilot signals that serve as the basis for demodulation include SP (Scattered Pilot), CP (Continual Pilot), AC (Auxiliary Channel) 1, and AC2. Figure 4G shows an example of an arrangement image of pilot signals, etc., in a segment in the case of synchronous modulation (QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM, 256QAM, 1024QAM, 4096QAM, etc.). SP is inserted into a segment of synchronous modulation and is transmitted once every 12 carriers in the carrier number (frequency axis) direction and once every 4 symbols in the OFDM symbol number (time axis) direction. Since the amplitude and phase of SP are known, it can be used as a basis for synchronous demodulation. Figure 4H shows an example of an arrangement image of pilot signals, etc., in a segment in the case of differential modulation (DQPSK, etc.). CP is a continuous signal inserted at the left end of a segment of differential modulation and is used for demodulation.

AC1 and AC2 carry information on the CP, and in addition to serving as pilot signals, are also used to transmit information for broadcasters. They may also be used to transmit other information.

The layout images shown in Figures 4G and 4H are examples for mode 3, with carrier numbers ranging from 0 to 431, but in modes 1 and 2, the carrier numbers are 0 to 107 and 0 to 215, respectively. The carriers transmitting AC1, AC2, and TMCC may be determined in advance for each segment. The carriers transmitting AC1, AC2, and TMCC are arranged randomly in the frequency direction to reduce the effects of periodic dips in the transmission path characteristics due to multipath.

[TMCC signal]
The TMCC signal transmits information (TMCC information) related to the demodulation operation of the receiver, such as the hierarchical structure and transmission parameters of the OFDM segment. The TMCC signal is transmitted by a carrier for TMCC transmission defined in each segment. FIG. 5A shows an example of bit allocation of the TMCC carrier. The TMCC carrier is composed of 204 bits (B0 to B203). B0 is a demodulation reference signal for the TMCC symbol, and has a predetermined amplitude and phase reference. B1 to B16 are synchronization signals, and are composed of 16-bit words. Two types of synchronization signals, w0 and w1, are defined, and w0 and w1 are sent alternately for each frame. B17 to B19 are used to identify the segment format, and identify whether each segment is a differential modulation section or a synchronous modulation section. B20 to B121 describe TMCC information. B122 to B203 are parity bits.

The TMCC information of the OFDM transmission wave according to this embodiment may be configured to include information for assisting the demodulation and decoding operations of the receiver, such as, for example, a system identification, a transmission parameter switching index, a start control signal (start flag for emergency warning broadcast), current information, next information, frequency conversion processing identification, physical channel number identification, main signal identification, 4K signal transmission layer identification, additional layer transmission identification, etc. The current information indicates the current layer configuration and transmission parameters, and the next information indicates the layer configuration and transmission parameters after switching. The transmission parameters are switched on a frame-by-frame basis. FIG. 5B shows an example of bit allocation of the TMCC information. FIG. 5C shows an example of the configuration of the transmission parameter information included in the current information/next information. The connected transmission phase correction amount is control information used in cases such as ISDB-TSB (ISDB for Terrestrial Sound Broadcasting) that uses a common transmission method, and detailed explanations are omitted here.

Figure 5D shows an example of bit allocation for system identification. Two bits are allocated to the system identification signal. In the case of the current terrestrial digital television broadcasting system, "00" is set. In the case of a terrestrial digital audio broadcasting system with a common transmission method, "01" is set. In addition, in the case of an advanced terrestrial digital television broadcasting system such as dual-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting, single-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting, or hierarchical division multiplexing terrestrial digital broadcasting according to this embodiment, "10" is set. In the advanced terrestrial digital television broadcasting system, 2K broadcast programs (broadcast programs with images of 1920 pixels horizontal x 1080 pixels vertical, which may include broadcast programs with images of lower resolution) and 4K broadcast programs (broadcast programs with images exceeding 1920 pixels horizontal x 1080 pixels vertical, and not limited to broadcast programs with images of 3840 pixels horizontal x 2160 pixels vertical) can be transmitted simultaneously within the same service by broadcast wave transmission using the dual-polarized transmission method, single-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting, or hierarchical division multiplexing method.

The transmission parameter switching index is used to notify the receiver of the switching timing by counting down when switching transmission parameters. This index is normally set to a value of "1111", and when switching transmission parameters, it is decremented by one for each frame starting from 15 frames before the switching. The switching timing is the next frame synchronization when "0000" is sent. After "0000", the index value returns to "1111". A countdown is performed when switching one or more parameters such as the system identification of the TMCC information shown in FIG. 5B, the transmission parameter information included in the current information/next information, the frequency conversion processing identification, the main signal identification, the 4K signal transmission layer identification, and the additional layer transmission identification. A countdown is not performed when switching only the start control signal of the TMCC information.

The start control signal (start flag for emergency alert broadcast) is set to "1" when start control is being performed on the receiver for emergency alert broadcast, and is set to "0" when start control is not being performed.

The partial reception flag for each current information/next information is set to "1" if the segment in the center of the transmission band is set for partial reception, and is set to "0" otherwise. When segment 0 is set for partial reception, its hierarchical layer is defined as hierarchical layer A. When next information does not exist, the partial reception flag is set to "1".

Figure 5E shows an example of bit allocation for the carrier modulation mapping method (data carrier modulation method) in each hierarchical transmission parameter for each current information/next information. When this parameter is "000", it indicates that the modulation method is DQPSK. When this parameter is "001", it indicates that the modulation method is QPSK. When this parameter is "010", it indicates that the modulation method is 16QAM. When this parameter is "011", it indicates that the modulation method is 64QAM. When this parameter is "100", it indicates that the modulation method is 256QAM. When this parameter is "101", it indicates that the modulation method is 1024QAM. When this parameter is "110", it indicates that the modulation method is 4096QAM. When there is no unused hierarchical layer or next information, this parameter is set to "111".

The coding rate, time interleaving length, and other settings may be set according to the organization information of each layer for each current information/next information. The number of segments indicates the number of segments in each layer using a 4-bit value. If there are no unused layers or next information, set "1111". Note that settings such as the mode and guard interval ratio are detected independently on the receiver side, so they do not need to be transmitted using TMCC information.

Figure 5F shows an example of bit allocation for the frequency conversion process identification. The frequency conversion process identification is set to "0" when the conversion unit 201T or 201L in Figure 2A performs the frequency conversion process (in the case of a dual-polarized transmission method) or the frequency conversion amplification process (in the case of a hierarchical division multiplexing transmission method) described below. If the frequency conversion process or the frequency conversion amplification process is not performed, it is set to "1". For example, this parameter may be configured to be set to "1" when sent from the broadcast station, and to be rewritten to "0" in the conversion unit 201T or 201L when the frequency conversion process or the frequency conversion amplification process is performed in the conversion unit 201T or 201L. In this way, if the bit of the frequency conversion process identification is "0" when received by the second tuner/demodulation unit 130T or the third tuner/demodulation unit 130L of the broadcast receiving device 100, it can be identified that the frequency conversion process or the like was performed after the OFDM transmission wave was sent from the broadcast station.

In the dual-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting according to this embodiment, the frequency conversion process identification bit may be set or rewritten for each of the multiple polarized waves. For example, if both of the multiple polarized waves are not frequency converted by the conversion unit 201T in FIG. 2A, the frequency conversion process identification bit included in both OFDM transmission waves may be left as "1". If only one of the multiple polarized waves is frequency converted by the conversion unit 201T, the frequency conversion process identification bit included in the OFDM transmission wave of the frequency-converted polarized wave may be rewritten to "0" in the conversion unit 201T. If both of the multiple polarized waves are frequency converted by the conversion unit 201T, the frequency conversion process identification bit included in the OFDM transmission wave of both of the frequency-converted polarized waves may be rewritten to "0" in the conversion unit 201T. In this way, the broadcast receiving device 100 can identify whether or not frequency conversion has been performed for each of the multiple polarized waves.

The frequency conversion process identification bit is not defined in current terrestrial digital broadcasting, and is therefore ignored by terrestrial digital broadcasting receivers already in use by users. However, this bit may be introduced in a new terrestrial digital broadcasting service that transmits video with a maximum resolution of 1920 pixels horizontal by 1080 pixels vertical, which is an improvement over current terrestrial digital broadcasting. In this case, the first tuner/demodulator 130C of the broadcasting receiver 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention may also be configured as a first tuner/demodulator compatible with the new terrestrial digital broadcasting service.

As a modified example, this parameter may be set to "0" in advance when sent from the broadcasting station, on the assumption that the conversion unit 201T or conversion unit 201L in FIG. 2A performs frequency conversion processing or frequency conversion amplification processing on the OFDM transmission wave. If the broadcast wave being received is not an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service, this parameter may be configured to be set to "1."

Figure 5G shows an example of bit allocation for physical channel number identification. The physical channel number identification is composed of a 6-bit code and identifies the physical channel number (13 to 52ch) of the broadcast wave to be received. If the broadcast wave to be received is not an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service, this parameter is set to "111111". The physical channel number identification bits are not defined in the current terrestrial digital broadcasting, and the current terrestrial digital broadcasting receiving device cannot obtain the physical channel number of the broadcast wave specified by the broadcasting station from the TMCC signal, AC signal, etc. In the broadcast receiving device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the physical channel number set by the broadcasting station for the OFDM transmission wave can be grasped by using the physical channel number identification bits of the received OFDM transmission wave without demodulating carriers other than the TMCC signal and AC signal. Note that the physical channels 13ch to 52ch are pre-allocated to the frequency band of 470 to 710MHz with a bandwidth of 6MHz per channel. Therefore, the fact that the broadcast receiving device 100 can determine the physical channel number of an OFDM transmission wave based on the physical channel number identification bit means that it can determine the frequency band in which the OFDM transmission wave was transmitted over the air as a terrestrial digital broadcast wave.

In the polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting according to this embodiment, in the generation process of the OFDM transmission wave on the broadcasting station side, the physical channel number identification bit is placed on each of the pairs of multiple polarized waves in the bandwidth that originally constitutes one physical channel, and the same physical number is assigned to each pair. Here, depending on the installation environment of the broadcasting receiving device 100, the conversion unit 201T in FIG. 2A may convert only the frequency of one of the multiple polarized waves. As a result, if the frequencies of the multiple polarized waves pairs when received by the broadcasting receiving device 100 are different from each other, the broadcasting receiving device will not be able to demodulate advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting using both polarized waves of the polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting unless it can somehow grasp that the multiple polarized waves with different frequencies were originally a pair. Even in such a case, if the above-mentioned physical channel number identification bit is used, when transmission waves with the same value of the physical channel number identification bit exist at multiple different frequencies in the broadcasting receiving device 100, it can be identified as a transmission wave that was originally transmitted as a polarization pair that constituted one physical channel on the broadcasting station side. This makes it possible to achieve advanced demodulation of dual-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting using multiple transmission waves that show the same value.

Figure 5H shows an example of bit allocation for main signal identification. In this example, the bit for the main signal identification is placed in bit B117.

When the OFDM transmission wave is a dual-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting transmission wave, this parameter is set to "1" in the TMCC information of the transmission wave transmitted with the primary polarization. It is set to "0" in the TMCC information of the transmission wave transmitted with the secondary polarization. Note that a transmission wave transmitted with the primary polarization refers to a polarized signal, either a vertically polarized signal or a horizontally polarized signal, that has the same polarization direction as the polarization direction used for the transmission of the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service. That is, in areas where the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service uses horizontally polarized transmission, the horizontal polarization is the primary polarization and the vertical polarization is the secondary polarization for the dual-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting service. Also, in areas where the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service uses vertically polarized transmission, the vertical polarization is the primary polarization and the horizontal polarization is the secondary polarization for the dual-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting service.

In the broadcast receiving device 100 that receives the transmission wave of the dual-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting according to the embodiment of the present invention, the main signal identification bit can be used to identify whether the received transmission wave was transmitted in the main polarization or in the secondary polarization at the time of transmission. For example, by using the process of identifying the main polarization and the secondary polarization, it becomes possible to perform an initial scan of the transmission wave transmitted in the main polarization first during the initial scan described below, and then perform an initial scan of the transmission wave transmitted in the secondary polarization after the initial scan of the transmission wave transmitted in the main polarization is completed.

Details of the hierarchy and segments of the dual-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting according to this embodiment and the configuration example of the digital broadcasting service to be transmitted will be described later, but when transmitting the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service using a hierarchy consisting of segments included only in the primary polarization and transmitting the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service using a hierarchy including segments included in both the primary and secondary polarizations, it is possible to first perform an initial scan of the transmission wave transmitted in the primary polarization to complete the initial scan of the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service, and then perform an initial scan of the transmission wave transmitted in the secondary polarization to perform an initial scan of the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service. In this way, the initial scan of the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service can be performed after the initial scan of the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service is completed, and the settings from the initial scan of the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service can be reflected in the settings from the initial scan of the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service, which is preferable.

Note that the definition of the main signal identification bits "1" and "0" may be reversed from that explained above.

In addition, instead of the main signal identification bit, the polarization direction identification bit may be used as one parameter of the TMCC information. Specifically, the polarization direction identification bit may be set to "1" on the broadcasting station side for transmission waves transmitted with horizontal polarization, and the polarization direction identification bit may be set to "0" on the broadcasting station side for transmission waves transmitted with vertical polarization. In the broadcasting receiving device 100 that receives the transmission waves of the dual-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting of the embodiment of the present invention, the polarization direction identification bit may be used to identify in which polarization direction the transmission waves being received were transmitted at the time of transmission. For example, by using the polarization direction identification process, it is possible to perform an initial scan of the transmission waves transmitted with horizontal polarization first during the initial scan described below, and then perform an initial scan of the transmission waves transmitted with vertical polarization after the initial scan of the transmission waves transmitted with horizontal polarization is completed. The effect of this process can be explained by replacing "primary polarization" with "horizontal polarization" and "secondary polarization" with "vertical polarization" in the section relating to the initial scan in the explanation of the main signal identification bits above, so a repeated explanation will be omitted.

Note that the definition of the polarization direction identification bits "1" and "0" may be reversed from that explained above.

In addition, instead of the above-mentioned main signal identification bit, the first signal/second signal identification bit may be used as one parameter of the TMCC information. Specifically, one of the horizontally polarized and vertically polarized waves is defined as the first polarization, the broadcast signal of the transmission wave transmitted in the first polarization is defined as the first signal, and the first signal/second signal identification bit is set to "1" on the broadcast station side. Also, the other polarization is defined as the second polarization, the broadcast signal of the transmission wave transmitted in the second polarization is defined as the second signal, and the first signal/second signal identification bit is set to "0" on the broadcast station side. In the broadcast receiving device 100 that receives the transmission wave of the dual-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting of the embodiment of the present invention, the first signal/second signal identification bit can be used to identify in which polarization direction the transmission wave being received was transmitted at the time of transmission. Note that the first signal second signal identification bit is simply a change from the concepts of "primary polarization" and "secondary polarization" in the definition of the main signal identification bit described above to "first polarization" and "secondary polarization." The processing and effects in broadcast receiving device 100 can be understood by simply replacing "primary polarization" with "first polarization" and "secondary polarization" with "secondary polarization" in the parts related to the processing of broadcast receiving device 100 in the explanation of the main signal identification bit described above, so a repeated explanation will be omitted.

Note that the definition of the meaning of "1" and "0" in the first and second signal identification bits may be reversed from that explained above.

The above-mentioned main signal identification, polarization direction identification, and first and second signal identification are not required when the broadcast wave is the single-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting service according to this embodiment or is not an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service, and these parameters can be set to "1."

Next, in the transmission waves of the hierarchical division multiplexing terrestrial digital broadcasting according to this embodiment, the upper and lower layer identification bits may be used as one parameter of the TMCC information instead of the main signal identification bits described above. Specifically, in the TMCC information of the modulated waves transmitted in the upper layer, the upper and lower layer identification bits described above may be set to "1", and in the TMCC information of the transmission waves transmitted in the lower layer, the upper and lower layer identification bits described above may be set to "0". Also, if the broadcast wave is not an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service, this parameter may be set to "1".

In the hierarchical division multiplexing terrestrial digital broadcasting according to this embodiment, in the generation process of the OFDM transmission wave on the broadcasting station side, the conversion unit 201L in FIG. 2A may perform frequency conversion and signal amplification for the lower layer of the multiple modulated waves originally transmitted in the upper and lower layers of one physical channel, depending on the installation environment of the broadcast receiving device 100. When the broadcast receiving device 100 receives a transmission wave of hierarchical division multiplexing terrestrial digital broadcasting, it is possible to identify whether the modulated wave was originally transmitted in the upper layer or the lower layer based on the above-mentioned upper and lower layer identification bits. For example, this identification process makes it possible to perform an initial scan of an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service transmitted in the lower layer after the completion of an initial scan of a current terrestrial digital broadcasting service transmitted in the upper layer, and it becomes possible to reflect the settings by the initial scan of the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service in the settings by the initial scan of the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service. In addition, in the third tuner/demodulation unit 130L of the broadcast receiving device 100, the identification result can be used to switch between the processing of the demodulation unit 133S and the demodulation unit 133L.

In the following description of the dual-polarized transmission system in each embodiment, unless otherwise specified, an example will be described in which the horizontal polarization is the primary polarization and the vertical polarization is the secondary polarization. However, the primary and secondary relationship between the horizontal polarization and the vertical polarization may be reversed.

Figure 5I shows an example of bit allocation for 4K signal transmission hierarchy identification.

When the broadcast wave to be transmitted is the transmission wave of the dual-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting service according to the present embodiment, the bit of the 4K signal transmission layer identification may indicate whether or not the 4K broadcast program is transmitted using both the horizontally polarized signal and the vertically polarized signal for each of the B and C layers. One bit is assigned to each of the B layer setting and the C layer setting. For example, when the bit of the 4K signal transmission layer identification for each of the B and C layers is "0", it may indicate that the 4K broadcast program is transmitted using both the horizontally polarized signal and the vertically polarized signal for that layer. When the bit of the 4K signal transmission layer identification for each of the B and C layers is "1", it may indicate that the 4K broadcast program is not transmitted using both the horizontally polarized signal and the vertically polarized signal for that layer. In this way, the broadcast receiving device 100 can use the bit of the 4K signal transmission layer identification to identify whether or not the 4K broadcast program is transmitted using both the horizontally polarized signal and the vertically polarized signal for each of the B and C layers.

In addition, when the broadcast wave to be transmitted is the transmission wave of the single-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting service according to this embodiment, the bit of the 4K signal transmission layer identification may indicate whether or not a 4K broadcast program is to be transmitted for each of the B and C layers. One bit is assigned to each of the B and C layers. For example, when the bit of the 4K signal transmission layer identification for each layer is "0" for the B and C layers, it may indicate that a 4K broadcast program is to be transmitted for that layer. When the bit of the 4K signal transmission layer identification for each layer is "1" for the B and C layers, it may indicate that a 4K broadcast program is not to be transmitted for that layer. In this way, the broadcast receiving device 100 can use the bit of the 4K signal transmission layer identification to identify whether or not a 4K broadcast program is to be transmitted for each of the B and C layers.

In addition, if the broadcast wave to be transmitted is a broadcast wave of the hierarchical division multiplexing terrestrial digital broadcasting service of this embodiment, the bit of the 4K signal transmission layer identification may indicate whether or not a 4K broadcast program is to be transmitted in the lower layer. If this parameter B119 is "0", the 4K broadcast program is transmitted in the lower layer. If this parameter B119 is "1", the 4K broadcast program is not transmitted in the lower layer. In this way, the broadcast receiving device 100 can use the bit of the 4K signal transmission layer identification to identify whether or not a 4K broadcast program is to be transmitted in the lower layer. Note that, if the broadcast wave to be transmitted is a broadcast wave of the hierarchical division multiplexing terrestrial digital broadcasting service of this embodiment, the parameter B118 may be undefined.

When this parameter is "0", in addition to the basic modulation method shown in Figure 5E, the NUC (Non-Uniform Constellation) modulation method can be used as the carrier modulation mapping method. In this case, the current/next information of the transmission parameter additional information related to the B/C layers can be transmitted using AC1, etc.

Also, if the broadcast waves being transmitted are not an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service, these parameters may be set to "1."

Note that the definitions of the bits "0" and "1" of the 4K signal transmission layer identification described above may be reversed.

Figure 5J shows an example of bit allocation for additional layer transmission identification. The additional layer transmission identification bit may indicate whether the broadcast wave being transmitted is the dual-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting service of this embodiment, and whether layers B and C of the transmission wave transmitted in the secondary polarization are to be used as virtual layers D and E, respectively.

For example, in the example shown in the figure, the bit placed in B120 is the D hierarchical layer transmission identification bit, and when this parameter is "0", the B hierarchical layer transmitted with the secondary polarization is used as the virtual D hierarchical layer. To be precise, this means that among the segments transmitted with the secondary polarization, a group of segments having the same segment number as a segment belonging to the B hierarchical layer transmitted with the primary polarization are treated as the D hierarchical layer, which is a different layer from the B hierarchical layer transmitted with the primary polarization. When this parameter is "1", the B hierarchical layer transmitted with the secondary polarization is not used as the virtual D hierarchical layer, but is used as the B hierarchical layer.

For example, the bit placed in B121 is the E hierarchical layer transmission identification bit, and when this parameter is "0", the C hierarchical layer transmitted with the secondary polarization is used as the virtual E hierarchical layer. To be precise, this means that among the segments transmitted with the secondary polarization, a group of segments having the same segment number as a segment belonging to the C hierarchical layer transmitted with the primary polarization is treated as the E hierarchical layer, which is a different layer from the C hierarchical layer transmitted with the primary polarization. When this parameter is "1", the C hierarchical layer transmitted with the secondary polarization is not used as the virtual E hierarchical layer, but is used as the C hierarchical layer.

In this way, the broadcast receiving device 100 can use the additional layer transmission identification bits (layer D transmission identification bit and/or layer E transmission identification bit) to identify the presence or absence of layers D and E transmitted in the secondary polarization. That is, in the terrestrial digital broadcasting of this embodiment, by using the additional layer transmission identification parameters shown in Figure 5J, it is possible to operate new layers (layers D and E in the example of Figure 5J) beyond the number of layers currently limited to three (layers A, B, and C) in terrestrial digital broadcasting.

When this parameter is "0", it is possible to make the parameters shown in FIG. 5C, such as the carrier modulation mapping method, the coding rate, and the length of time interleaving, different between the virtual D layer/virtual E layer and the B layer/C layer. In this case, if the current/next information for parameters such as the carrier modulation mapping method, the convolutional coding rate, and the length of time interleaving for the virtual D layer/virtual E layer are transmitted using AC information (e.g. AC1), the broadcast receiving device 100 can grasp parameters such as the carrier modulation mapping method, the convolutional coding rate, and the length of time interleaving for the virtual D layer/virtual E layer.

As a modified example, when the bit of the additional layer transmission identification (layer D transmission identification bit and/or layer E transmission identification bit) is "0", the transmission parameters of layers B and/or C of the current information/next information of the TMCC information transmitted by the secondary polarization may be switched to the meaning of the transmission parameters of the virtual layer D and/or virtual layer E. In this case, when the virtual layer D and/or virtual layer E are used, layers A, B, and C are used in the primary polarization, and the transmission parameters of these layers may be transmitted in the current information/next information of the TMCC information transmitted by the primary polarization. In addition, layers A, D, and E are used in the secondary polarization, and the transmission parameters of these layers may be transmitted in the current information/next information of the TMCC information transmitted by the secondary polarization. Even in this case, the broadcast receiving device 100 can grasp parameters such as the carrier modulation mapping method, convolutional coding rate, and time interleaving length related to the virtual layer D/virtual layer E.

In addition, if the broadcast wave being transmitted is not an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service, or if the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service uses a single polarization transmission method or a hierarchical division multiplexing transmission method, this parameter may be configured to be set to "1."

The parameters for additional layer transmission identification may be stored in both the TMCC information for the primary polarization and the TMCC information for the secondary polarization, but as long as they are stored in at least the TMCC information for the secondary polarization, all of the above processes can be realized.

In addition, the definitions of "0" and "1" in the bits of the additional layer transmission identification described above may be reversed from that described above.

Note that, if the above-mentioned 4K signal transmission layer identification parameter indicates that a 4K broadcast program is to be transmitted on layer B, even if the above-mentioned D layer transmission identification bit indicates that layer B is to be used as the virtual D layer, the broadcast receiving device 100 may be configured to ignore the D layer transmission identification bit. Similarly, if the above-mentioned 4K signal transmission layer identification parameter indicates that a 4K broadcast program is to be transmitted on layer C, even if the E layer transmission identification bit indicates that layer C is to be used as the virtual E layer, the broadcast receiving device 100 may be configured to ignore the E layer transmission identification bit. By clarifying the priority of the bits used in the judgment process in this way, it is possible to prevent conflicts in the judgment process in the broadcast receiving device 100.

In addition, in the broadcast waves to be transmitted, the above-mentioned frequency conversion process identification bits, physical channel number identification bits, main signal identification bits, 4K signal transmission identification bits, additional layer transmission identification bits, etc., may be set as a general rule to all bits set to "1" if the above-mentioned system identification parameter is not "10". Even if the system identification parameter is not "10" but, due to some problem, the frequency conversion process identification bits, physical channel number identification bits, main signal identification bits, 4K signal transmission identification bits, and additional layer transmission identification bits are exceptionally not "1", the broadcast receiving device 100 may be configured to ignore the bits that are not "1" and determine that all of these bits are "1".

Figure 5K shows an example of the "coding rate" bits shown in Figure 5C, i.e., the bit allocation for identifying the coding rate for error correction.

In the current terrestrial digital broadcasting system for 2K broadcasting, an identification bit is transmitted that transmits a coding rate dedicated to the "convolutional code". However, in the digital broadcasting according to this embodiment, the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service for 4K broadcasting can be broadcast in a mixed manner with the terrestrial digital broadcasting service for 2K broadcasting. And, as already explained, in the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service for 4K broadcasting, an LDPC code can be used as the inner code.

Therefore, unlike the current 2K terrestrial digital broadcasting system, the error correction coding rate identification bits in this embodiment shown in Figure 5K are configured to be compatible with LDPC codes, rather than being coding rate identification bits dedicated to convolutional codes.

Here, whether the inner code of the target terrestrial digital broadcasting service is a convolutional code or an LDPC code, the number of bits can be saved by using the bits that are placed in a common range as the identification bits for the coding rate transmission. Furthermore, even if the same identification bits are used, by setting the coding rate independently for when the inner code of the target terrestrial digital broadcasting service is a convolutional code and when it is an LDPC code, the digital broadcasting system can adopt a selection of coding rates that are suitable for each coding method.

Specifically, in the example of FIG. 5K, when the identification bits are '000', it indicates that if the inner code is a convolutional code, the coding rate is 1/2, and if the inner code is an LDPC code, the coding rate is 2/3. When the identification bits are '001', it indicates that if the inner code is a convolutional code, the coding rate is 2/3, and if the inner code is an LDPC code, the coding rate is 3/4. When the identification bits are '010', it indicates that if the inner code is a convolutional code, the coding rate is 3/4, and if the inner code is an LDPC code, the coding rate is 5/6. When the identification bits are '011', it indicates that if the inner code is a convolutional code, the coding rate is 5/6, and if the inner code is an LDPC code, the coding rate is 2/16. When the identification bits are '100', it indicates that if the inner code is a convolutional code, the coding rate is 7/8, and if the inner code is an LDPC code, the coding rate is 6/16. When the identification bits are "101", if the inner code is a convolutional code, it is undefined, and if the inner code is an LDPC code, it is indicated that the coding rate is 10/16. When the identification bits are "110", if the inner code is a convolutional code, it is undefined, and if the inner code is an LDPC code, it is indicated that the coding rate is 14/16. If there is no unused layer or next information, this parameter is set to "111". The above coding rate of 2/3 may be substituted for the coding rate of 81/120. The coding rate of 3/4 may be substituted for the coding rate of 89/120. The coding rate of 5/6 may be substituted for the coding rate of 101/120. Also, coding rates of 8/16 and 12/16 may be assigned.

The identification of whether the inner code of the target terrestrial digital broadcasting service is a convolutional code or an LDPC code may be performed using the result of identifying whether the terrestrial digital broadcasting service is a current terrestrial digital broadcasting service or an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service. The identification may be performed using the identification bit described in FIG. 5D or FIG. 5I. Here, if the target terrestrial digital broadcasting service is a current terrestrial digital broadcasting service, the inner code may be identified as a convolutional code. Also, if the target terrestrial digital broadcasting service is an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service, the inner code may be identified as an LDPC code.

As another example of identifying whether the inner code of the target terrestrial digital broadcasting service is a convolutional code or an LDPC code, the identification may be based on an error correction method identification bit, which will be described later in FIG. 6I.

The error correction coding rate identification bits shown in Figure 5K described above are advantageous because they can accommodate multiple inner code methods while preventing an increase in the number of identification bits.

In addition, in an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service using a dual-polarized transmission method, the TMCC information of the transmission wave transmitted with horizontal polarization and the TMCC information of the transmission wave transmitted with vertical polarization may be the same or different. Similarly, in an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service using a hierarchical division multiplexing transmission method, the TMCC information of the transmission wave transmitted in the upper layer and the TMCC information of the transmission wave transmitted in the lower layer may be the same or different. In addition, the aforementioned frequency conversion processing identification parameters, main signal identification parameters, additional layer transmission identification, etc. may be written only in the TMCC information of the transmission wave transmitted with the secondary polarization or the transmission wave transmitted in the lower layer.

In the above description, an example has been described in which the frequency conversion process identification parameter, the main signal identification parameter, the polarization direction identification parameter, the first signal/second signal identification parameter, the upper and lower layer identification parameter, the 4K signal transmission layer identification parameter, and the additional layer transmission identification parameter are included in a TMCC signal (TMCC carrier) and transmitted. However, these parameters may also be included in an AC signal (AC carrier) and transmitted. In other words, these parameters may be transmitted in a signal of a carrier (TMCC carrier, AC carrier, etc.) modulated by a modulation method that performs mapping with a smaller number of states than the modulation method of the data carrier.

[AC signal]
The AC signal is an additional information signal related to broadcasting, and includes additional information related to the transmission control of modulated waves or earthquake motion warning information. The earthquake motion warning information is transmitted using the AC carrier of segment 0. On the other hand, the additional information related to the transmission control of modulated waves can be transmitted using any AC carrier. FIG. 6A shows an example of bit allocation of an AC signal. The AC signal is composed of 204 bits (B0 to B203). B0 is a demodulation reference signal for the AC symbol, and has a predetermined amplitude and phase reference. B1 to B3 are signals for identifying the configuration of the AC signal. B4 to B203 are used to transmit additional information related to the transmission control of modulated waves or earthquake motion warning information.

Figure 6B shows an example of bit allocation for AC signal configuration identification. When transmitting earthquake motion warning information using B4 to B203 of the AC signal, this parameter is set to "001" or "110". The configuration identification parameter ("001" or "110") when transmitting earthquake motion warning information is the same code as the first three bits (B1 to B3) of the TMCC signal synchronization signal, and is sent alternately for each frame at the same timing as the TMCC signal. Also, if this parameter has a value other than the above, it indicates that additional information related to the transmission control of the modulated wave is being transmitted using B4 to B203 of the AC signal. In this case, the AC signal configuration identification parameter is sent alternately between "000" and "111", or "010" and "101", or "011" and "100" for each frame.

AC signals B4 to B203 are used to transmit additional information regarding the transmission control of modulated waves or to transmit earthquake motion warning information.

The transmission of additional information related to the transmission control of the modulated wave may be performed using various bit configurations. For example, the frequency conversion process identification, physical channel number identification, main signal identification, 4K signal transmission layer identification, additional layer transmission identification, etc. described in the description of the TMCC signal may be transmitted by allocating bits to additional information related to the transmission control of the modulated wave of the AC signal instead of or in addition to the TMCC signal. In this way, the broadcast receiving device 100 can perform various identification processes already described in the description of the TMCC signal using these parameters. In addition, the current/next information of the transmission parameter additional information related to the transmission layer of the 4K broadcast program when any parameter of the 4K signal transmission layer identification is "0", or the transmission parameter related to the virtual D layer/virtual E layer when any parameter of the additional layer transmission identification is "0" may be assigned. In this way, the broadcast receiving device 100 can obtain the transmission parameters of each layer using these parameters, and the demodulation process of each layer can be controlled.

The earthquake motion warning information may be transmitted according to the bit allocation shown in FIG. 6C. The earthquake motion warning information is composed of a synchronization signal, a start/end flag, an update flag, a signal identification, earthquake motion warning details, a CRC, a parity bit, etc. The synchronization signal is composed of a 13-bit code, and is the same code as the 13 bits (B4 to B16) of the synchronization signal of the TMCC signal excluding the first 3 bits. When the configuration identification of the AC signal indicates that earthquake motion warning information is to be transmitted, the 16-bit code combining the configuration identification and the synchronization signal becomes a 16-bit synchronization word that is the same as the synchronization signal of the TMCC. The start/end flag is composed of a 2-bit code as a flag for the start timing/end timing of the earthquake motion warning information. The start/end flag is changed from "11" to "00" at the start of the transmission of the earthquake motion warning information, and is changed from "00" to "11" at the end of the transmission of the earthquake motion warning information. The update flag is composed of a 2-bit code, and is incremented by 1 with the initial value being 00 each time a change occurs in the content of the series of earthquake warning detail information transmitted when the start/end flag is 00. After 11, it returns to 00. If the start/end flag is 11, the update flag will also be 11.

Figure 6D shows an example of bit allocation for signal identification. Signal identification is composed of a 3-bit code and is used to identify the type of earthquake motion warning detail information. When this parameter is "000", it means "earthquake motion warning detail information (applicable area)". When this parameter is "001", it means "earthquake motion warning detail information (no applicable area)". When this parameter is "010", it means "test signal for earthquake motion warning detail information (applicable area)". When this parameter is "011", it means "test signal for earthquake motion warning detail information (no applicable area)". When this parameter is "111", it means "no earthquake motion warning detail information". When the start/end flag is "00", the signal identification is "000", "001", "010", or "011". When the start/end flag is "11", the signal identification is "111".

The earthquake motion warning detail information is composed of an 88-bit code. When the signal identification is "000", "001", "010", or "011", the earthquake motion warning detail information transmits information related to the current time when the earthquake motion warning information is sent, information indicating the area that is the subject of the earthquake motion warning, and information such as the latitude/longitude/seismic intensity of the epicenter of the earthquake that is the subject of the earthquake motion warning. An example of bit allocation of the earthquake motion warning detail information when the signal identification is "000", "001", "010", or "011" is shown in Figure 6E. Also, when the signal identification is "111", it is possible to transmit a code for identifying the broadcasting company using the bits of the earthquake motion warning detail information. An example of bit allocation of the earthquake motion warning detail information when the signal identification is "111" is shown in Figure 6F.

The CRC is a code generated using a predetermined generating polynomial for B21 to B111 of the earthquake motion warning information. The parity bit is a code generated by a shortened code (187, 105) of the difference set cyclic code (273, 191) for B17 to B121 of the earthquake motion warning information.

The broadcast receiving device 100 can perform various controls to deal with emergency situations using the parameters related to earthquake motion warnings described in Figures 6C, 6D, 6E, and 6F. For example, it is possible to perform control to present information related to earthquake motion warnings, control to switch low-priority display content to display information related to earthquake motion warnings, and control to end the display of an application and switch to a display related to earthquake motion warnings or broadcast program video.

Figure 6G shows an example of bit allocation of additional information related to the transmission control of modulated waves. The additional information related to the transmission control of modulated waves is composed of a synchronization signal, current information, next information, parity bit, etc. The synchronization signal is composed of a 13-bit code, and is the same code as the 13 bits (B4 to B16) excluding the first 3 bits of the synchronization signal of the TMCC signal. The synchronization signal does not have to be the same code as the 13 bits (B4 to B16) excluding the first 3 bits of the synchronization signal of the TMCC signal. When the configuration identification of the AC signal indicates that additional information related to the transmission control of modulated waves is transmitted, the 16-bit code combining the configuration identification and the synchronization signal becomes a 16-bit synchronization word conforming to the TMCC synchronization signal. It may be a 16-bit synchronization word different from the TMCC synchronization signal. The current information indicates the current information of the transmission parameter additional information when transmitting a 4K broadcast program on the B or C layer, and the transmission parameters related to the virtual D or E layer. The next information indicates additional transmission parameter information when transmitting a 4K broadcast program on hierarchical layers B or C, and information after switching regarding transmission parameters related to virtual hierarchical layers D or E.

In the example of FIG. 6G, B18 to B30 of the current information are the current information of the B layer transmission parameter additional information, and indicate the current information of the transmission parameter additional information when transmitting a 4K broadcast program on the B layer. Also, B31 to B43 of the current information are the current information of the C layer transmission parameter additional information, and indicate the current information of the transmission parameter additional information when transmitting a 4K broadcast program on the C layer. Also, B70 to B82 of the next information are the information after the transmission parameters of the B layer transmission parameter additional information are switched, and indicate the information after the transmission parameters of the transmission parameter additional information when transmitting a 4K broadcast program on the B layer. Also, B83 to B95 of the next information are the information after the transmission parameters of the C layer transmission parameter additional information are switched, and indicate the information after the transmission parameters of the transmission parameter additional information when transmitting a 4K broadcast program on the C layer. Here, the transmission parameter additional information is a transmission parameter related to modulation that is added to the transmission parameters of the TMCC information shown in FIG. 5C to expand the specifications. The specific contents of the transmission parameter additional information will be described later.

In the example of Figure 6G, current information B44 to B56 is current information on the transmission parameters for the virtual D hierarchical layer when the virtual D hierarchical layer is being operated. Current information B57 to B69 is current information on the transmission parameters for the virtual E hierarchical layer when the virtual E hierarchical layer is being operated. Next information B96 to B108 is information after the transmission parameters for the virtual D hierarchical layer are switched when the virtual D hierarchical layer is being operated. Current information B109 to B121 is information after the transmission parameters for the virtual E hierarchical layer are switched when the virtual E hierarchical layer is being operated. The parameters stored in the transmission parameters for the virtual D hierarchical layer and the transmission parameters for the virtual E hierarchical layer may be the same as those shown in Figure 5C.

The virtual D layer and virtual E layer are layers that do not exist in current terrestrial digital broadcasting. Since the TMCC information in FIG. 5B needs to maintain compatibility with current terrestrial digital broadcasting, it is not easy to increase the number of bits. Therefore, in an embodiment of the present invention, the transmission parameters for the virtual D layer and virtual E layer are stored in the AC information as shown in FIG. 6G, rather than in the TMCC information.

This makes it possible to transmit modulation-related information for the new virtual D and E layers to the receiving device while maintaining compatibility of the TMCC information with the current terrestrial digital broadcasting. This makes it possible to set the transmission parameters of the virtual D and E layers of the transmission waves transmitted in the secondary polarization to be different from the transmission parameters of the B and C layers of the transmission waves transmitted in the primary polarization when using the B and C layers of the transmission waves transmitted in the secondary polarization as the virtual D and E layers of the broadcast waves of the dual-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting service according to this embodiment.

In addition, when the virtual D layer or the virtual E layer is not used, the information on the transmission parameters for the unused layers can be ignored by the broadcast receiving device 100. For example, when the additional layer transmission identification parameter of the TMCC information in Fig. 5J for the virtual D layer or the virtual E layer indicates "1" (indicating that the virtual D layer/virtual E layer is not used), the broadcast receiving device 100 may be configured not to ignore any value contained in the transmission parameters shown in Fig. 6G for the unused virtual D layer or virtual E layer.
Next, the transmission parameter additional information described with reference to FIG. 6G will be described in detail.

Figure 6H shows a specific example of the transmission parameter additional information. The transmission parameter additional information can include parameters for an error correction method, parameters for a constellation format, etc.

The error correction method indicates the setting of what coding method is used as the error correction method for the inner code and outer code when transmitting a 4K broadcast program (advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service) on the B or C layer. Figure 6I shows an example of bit allocation for the error correction method. If this parameter is "000", a convolutional code is used as the inner code and a shortened RS code is used as the outer code when transmitting a 4K broadcast program on the B or C layer. If this parameter is "001", an LDPC code is used as the inner code and a BCH code is used as the outer code when transmitting a 4K broadcast program on the B or C layer. Other combinations may also be set and selected.

In addition, when transmitting a 4K broadcast program in the B or C layer, it is possible to adopt not only a uniform constellation but also a non-uniform constellation (NUC) as the carrier modulation mapping method. Figure 6J shows an example of bit allocation in the constellation format. If this parameter is "000", the carrier modulation mapping method selected by the transmission parameters of the TMCC information is applied in a uniform constellation. If this parameter is any of "001" to "111", the carrier modulation mapping method selected by the transmission parameters of the TMCC information is applied in a non-uniform constellation. Note that when applying a non-uniform constellation, the optimal value of the non-uniform constellation differs depending on the type of error correction method and its coding rate, etc. Therefore, when the parameter of the constellation format is any of "001" to "111", the broadcast receiving device 100 of this embodiment may determine the non-uniform constellation to be used in the demodulation process based on the parameters of the carrier modulation mapping method, the parameters of the error correction method, and the parameters of the coding rate. This determination can be made by, for example, referring to a specific table that is pre-stored in the broadcast receiving device 100.

[Transmission method 1 for advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting services]
In order to realize 4K (3840 pixels horizontal x 2160 pixels vertical) broadcasting while maintaining the viewing environment of the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service, a dual-polarized transmission method will be described as an example of a transmission method for advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting services according to an embodiment of the present invention. The dual-polarized transmission method according to an embodiment of the present invention is a method that shares some specifications with the current terrestrial digital broadcasting method. For example, 13 segments within a band of about 6 MHz corresponding to one physical channel are divided, and 7 segments are assigned to the transmission of 2K (1920 pixels horizontal x 1080 pixels vertical) broadcast programs, 5 segments are assigned to the transmission of 4K broadcast programs, and 1 segment is assigned to mobile reception (so-called one-segment broadcasting). Furthermore, the 5 segments for 4K broadcasting use not only horizontally polarized signals but also vertically polarized signals to ensure a transmission capacity of a total of 10 segments by MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) technology. In addition, 2K broadcast programs maintain image quality by optimizing the latest MPEG-2 Video compression technology, etc., so that they can be received by current television receivers, and 4K broadcast programs ensure image quality by optimizing HEVC compression technology, which is more efficient than MPEG-2 Video, and by multi-value modulation, etc. In addition, the number of segments assigned to each broadcast may be different from that described above.

Figure 7A shows an example of a dual-polarized transmission method for an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service according to an embodiment of the present invention. A frequency band of 470 to 710 MHz is used to transmit broadcast waves for the terrestrial digital broadcasting service. There are 40 physical channels in the frequency band, from 13 to 52 ch, and each physical channel has a bandwidth of 6 MHz. In the dual-polarized transmission method according to an embodiment of the present invention, both horizontally polarized and vertically polarized signals are used within one physical channel.

Figure 7A shows two examples of allocation of 13 segments, (1) and (2). In the example (1), a 2K broadcast program is transmitted using segments 1 to 7 (layer B) of the horizontally polarized signal. A 4K broadcast program is transmitted using a total of 10 segments, segments 8 to 12 (layer C) of the horizontally polarized signal and segments 8 to 12 (layer C) of the vertically polarized signal. Segments 1 to 7 (layer B) of the vertically polarized signal may be used to transmit the same broadcast program as the 2K broadcast program transmitted by segments 1 to 7 (layer B) of the horizontally polarized signal. Alternatively, segments 1 to 7 (layer B) of the vertically polarized signal may be used to transmit a broadcast program different from the 2K broadcast program transmitted by segments 1 to 7 (layer B) of the horizontally polarized signal. Alternatively, segments 1 to 7 (layer B) of the vertically polarized signal may be used to transmit other data or may be unused. Identification information on how to use segments 1 to 7 (B layer) of the vertically polarized signal can be transmitted to the receiving device side using the 4K signal transmission layer identification parameter of the TMCC signal and the additional layer transmission identification parameter, as already described. In the broadcast receiving device 100, these parameters can identify how to handle segments 1 to 7 (B layer) of the vertically polarized signal. In addition, a 2K broadcast program transmitted using the B layer of the horizontally polarized signal and a 4K broadcast program transmitted using the C layer of both horizontally and vertically polarized signals may be simulcasts that transmit broadcast programs of the same content at different resolutions, or may transmit broadcast programs of different content. Segment 0 of both horizontally and vertically polarized signals transmits the same OneSeg broadcast program.

The example (2) in FIG. 7A is a modified example different from (1). In the example (2), a 4K broadcast program is transmitted using a total of 10 segments, segments 1 to 5 (layer B) of the horizontally polarized signal and segments 1 to 5 (layer B) of the vertically polarized signal. A 2K broadcast program is transmitted using segments 6 to 12 (layer C) of the horizontally polarized signal. In the example (2), segments 6 to 12 (layer C) of the vertically polarized signal may be used to transmit the same broadcast program as the 2K broadcast program transmitted by segments 6 to 12 (layer C) of the horizontally polarized signal. Segments 6 to 12 (layer C) of the vertically polarized signal may be used to transmit a different broadcast program from the 2K broadcast program transmitted by segments 6 to 12 (layer C) of the horizontally polarized signal. Segments 6 to 12 (layer C) of the vertically polarized signal may be used to transmit other data transmissions or may be unused. These identification information are also the same as in the example (1), so a repeated explanation will be omitted.

Note that in both of the examples (1) and (2) in Figure 7A, the horizontal polarization is the main polarization, but depending on the operation, the horizontal and vertical polarization may be reversed.

Figure 7B shows an example of the configuration of a broadcasting system for an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service using a dual-polarized transmission method according to an embodiment of the present invention. This shows both the transmitting system and the receiving system of an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service using a dual-polarized transmission method. The configuration of a broadcasting system for an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service using a dual-polarized transmission method is basically the same as the configuration of the broadcasting system shown in Figure 1, but the radio tower 300T, which is a facility of the broadcasting station, is a dual-polarized transmitting antenna that can simultaneously transmit horizontally polarized signals and vertically polarized signals. Also, in the example of Figure 7B, only the tuning/detection unit 131H and tuning/detection unit 131V of the second tuner/demodulation unit 130T of the broadcast receiving device 100 are shown, and other operating units are omitted.

The horizontally polarized signal sent from the radio tower 300T is received by the horizontally polarized receiving element of the antenna 200T, which is a polarized dual-receiving antenna, and is input from the connector 100F1 to the channel selection/detection unit 131H via the coaxial cable 202T1. On the other hand, the vertically polarized signal sent from the radio tower 300T is received by the vertically polarized receiving element of the antenna 200T, and is input from the connector 100F2 to the channel selection/detection unit 131V via the coaxial cable 202T2. An F-type connector is generally used for the connector that connects the antenna (coaxial cable) to the television receiver.

Here, the user may mistakenly connect the coaxial cable 202T1 to the connector unit 100F2 and the coaxial cable 202T2 to the connector unit 100F1. In this case, there is a possibility that the tuning/detection unit 131H and the tuning/detection unit 131V may have a problem such as being unable to identify whether the input broadcast signal is a horizontally polarized signal or a vertically polarized signal. In order to prevent the above-mentioned problem, it is possible to use a connector unit with a different shape from the F-type connector of the connector unit of the coaxial cable 202T1 and the connector unit 100F1 that transmits a horizontally polarized signal, for example, one of the connector units that connect the antenna (coaxial cable) and the television receiver, which is the coaxial cable 202T2 and the connector unit 100F2 that transmits a vertically polarized signal. Alternatively, the tuning/detection unit 131H and the tuning/detection unit 131V may be controlled to identify whether the input broadcast signal is a horizontally polarized signal or a vertically polarized signal by referring to the main signal identification of the TMCC information of each input signal, and operate accordingly. Also, instead of the two coaxial cables, coaxial cable 202T1 and coaxial cable 202T2, a single multi-core coaxial cable may be used to connect antenna 200T and broadcast receiving device 100.

Figure 7C shows an example of a configuration example of a broadcasting system for advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting services using a dual-polarized transmission method according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is different from the above. The configuration shown in Figure 7B, in which the broadcasting receiver 100 has two connectors for inputting broadcasting signals and uses two coaxial cables to connect the antenna 200T and the broadcasting receiver 100, may not necessarily be suitable in terms of equipment costs and handling during cable wiring. Therefore, in the configuration shown in Figure 7C, the horizontally polarized signal received by the horizontally polarized receiving element of the antenna 200T and the vertically polarized signal received by the vertically polarized receiving element of the antenna 200T are input to the conversion unit (converter) 201T, and the conversion unit 201T and the broadcasting receiver 100 are connected by a single coaxial cable 202T3. The broadcasting signal input from the connector unit 100F3 is split and input to the tuning/detection unit 131H and the tuning/detection unit 131V. The connector unit 100F3 may have the function of supplying operating power to the conversion unit 201T.

The conversion unit 201T may belong to the equipment of the environment in which the broadcast receiving device 100 is installed (for example, an apartment building). Alternatively, it may be configured as an integrated device with the antenna 200T and installed in a house or the like. The conversion unit 201T performs frequency conversion processing on either the horizontally polarized signal received by the horizontally polarized wave receiving element of the antenna 200T or the vertically polarized signal received by the vertically polarized wave receiving element of the antenna 200T. This processing makes it possible to separate the horizontally polarized signal and the vertically polarized signal transmitted from the radio tower 300T to the antenna 200T using horizontally polarized waves and vertically polarized waves of the same frequency band into different frequency bands and transmit them to the broadcast receiving device 100 simultaneously through a single coaxial cable 202T3. If necessary, frequency conversion processing may be performed on both the horizontally polarized signal and the vertically polarized signal, but in this case, the frequency bands of the two signals after frequency conversion must be different from each other. In addition, the broadcast receiving device 100 only needs to be equipped with one broadcast signal input connector unit 100F3.

Figure 7D shows an example of frequency conversion processing. In this example, frequency conversion processing is performed on a vertically polarized signal. Specifically, of the horizontally polarized signal and vertically polarized signal transmitted in the frequency band of 470-710 MHz (corresponding to UHF ch13-52), the frequency band of the vertically polarized signal is converted from 470-710 MHz to 770-1010 MHz. This processing allows signals transmitted using horizontally polarized and vertically polarized waves of the same frequency band to be simultaneously transmitted to the broadcast receiving device 100 via a single coaxial cable 202T3 without mutual interference. Note that frequency conversion processing may also be performed on the horizontally polarized signal.

Furthermore, it is preferable to perform the frequency conversion process on the signal transmitted in the secondary polarization depending on the result of referring to the main signal identification in the TMCC information. As explained using FIG. 5H, the signal transmitted in the primary polarization is more likely to include the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service than the signal transmitted in the secondary polarization. Therefore, in order to more appropriately maintain compatibility with the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service, it is preferable to frequency convert the signal transmitted in the secondary polarization while not frequency converting the signal transmitted in the primary polarization.

In addition, when a signal transmitted in the secondary polarization is frequency converted, it is desirable to make the frequency band of the converted signal higher than that of the signal transmitted in the primary polarization. This allows the initial scan of the broadcast receiving device 100 to be performed before the initial scan of the signal transmitted in the primary polarization by starting from the low frequency side and proceeding to the high frequency side. This makes it possible to more suitably perform processes such as reflecting the settings from the initial scan of the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service in the settings from the initial scan of an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service.

Frequency conversion processing may be performed on all physical channels used in advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting services, or only on physical channels that use a dual-polarized transmission method for signal transmission.

It is preferable that the frequency band after the frequency conversion process is between 710 and 1032 MHz. That is, when trying to simultaneously receive terrestrial digital broadcasting services and BS/CS digital broadcasting services, it is possible to mix the broadcast signal of the terrestrial digital broadcasting service received by antenna 200T and the broadcast signal of the BS/CS digital broadcasting service received by antenna 200B and transmit them to the broadcast receiving device 100 via a single coaxial cable. In this case, since the BS/CS-IF signal uses a frequency band of about 1032 to 2150 MHz, if the frequency band after the frequency conversion process is set to be between 710 and 1032 MHz, it is possible to avoid interference between the horizontally polarized signal and the vertically polarized signal, while also avoiding interference between the broadcast signal of the terrestrial digital broadcasting service and the broadcast signal of the BS/CS digital broadcasting service. In addition, when taking into consideration the reception of retransmitted broadcast signals by cable television (Community Antenna TV or Cable TV: CATV) stations, since the frequency band below 770 MHz (the band equivalent to UHF ch 62 or less) is used for television broadcast distribution by cable television stations, it is more preferable to set the frequency band after the frequency conversion process to between 770 and 1032 MHz, which is above the band equivalent to UHF ch 62.

In addition, it is preferable to set the bandwidth of the area between the frequency band before and after the frequency conversion process (part a in the figure) to be an integer multiple of the bandwidth of one physical channel (6 MHz). This has the advantage that frequency setting control is easier when, for example, the broadcast receiving device 100 performs frequency scanning of the broadcast signal of the frequency band before and after the frequency conversion process all at once.

As described above, in the dual-polarized transmission method according to the embodiment of the present invention, both horizontally polarized and vertically polarized signals are used to transmit 4K broadcast programs. Therefore, in order to correctly play back 4K broadcast programs, it is necessary for the receiving side to correctly grasp the combination of physical channels of broadcast signals transmitted with horizontal polarization and broadcast signals transmitted with vertical polarization. Even if frequency conversion processing is performed and broadcast signals transmitted with horizontal polarization and broadcast signals transmitted with vertical polarization for the same physical channel are input to the receiving device as signals of different frequency bands, the broadcast receiving device 100 of this embodiment can correctly grasp the combination of broadcast signals transmitted with horizontal polarization and broadcast signals transmitted with vertical polarization of the same physical channel by appropriately referring to the parameters of the TMCC information shown in Figures 5F to 5J (e.g., main signal identification and physical channel number identification). As a result, the broadcast receiving device 100 of this embodiment can appropriately receive, demodulate, and play back 4K broadcast programs.

Note that while the examples in Figures 7B, 7C, and 7D all explain cases where horizontal polarization is the primary polarization, the horizontal and vertical polarizations may be reversed depending on the application.

As described above, the terrestrial digital broadcasting waves transmitted by the dual-polarized transmission method described above can be received and played back by the second tuner/demodulator 130T of the broadcast receiving device 100, but can also be received by the first tuner/demodulator 130C of the broadcast receiving device 100. When the terrestrial digital broadcasting waves are received by the first tuner/demodulator 130C, the broadcasting signals of the terrestrial digital broadcasting waves that are transmitted at the layer of the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service are ignored, but the broadcasting signals that are transmitted at the layer of the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service are played back.

<Pass-through transmission method for advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting services>
The broadcast receiving device 100 is capable of receiving signals transmitted by a pass-through transmission method. The pass-through transmission method is a method in which a broadcast signal received by a cable television station or the like is sent to a CATV distribution system in the same frequency as the signal method, or after frequency conversion.

There are two types of pass-through methods: (1) a method in which the transmission signal band of each digital terrestrial broadcasting signal output from the terrestrial receiving antenna is extracted and its level is adjusted, and the signal is transmitted to the CATV facility at the same frequency as the transmission signal frequency; and (2) a method in which the transmission signal band of each digital terrestrial broadcasting signal output from the terrestrial receiving antenna is extracted and its level is adjusted, and the signal is transmitted to the CATV facility at a frequency of the VHF band, MID band, SHB band, or UHF band set by the CATV facility manager. The equipment constituting the receiving amplifier for performing signal processing of the first method, or the equipment constituting the receiving amplifier and frequency converter for performing signal processing of the second method, is an OFDM signal processor (OFDM-SP).

Figure 7E shows an example of a system configuration when the first pass-through transmission method is applied to an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service using a dual-polarized transmission method. Figure 7E shows a cable television station's head-end equipment 400C and a broadcast receiving device 100. Figure 7F shows an example of the frequency conversion process in this case. The notation (H・V) in Figure 7F indicates the state of a broadcast signal in which both a horizontally polarized broadcast signal and a vertically polarized broadcast signal exist in the same frequency band, the notation (H) indicates a broadcast signal transmitted with horizontal polarization, and the notation (V) indicates a broadcast signal transmitted with vertical polarization. The notations in the following Figures 7H and 7I have the same meaning.

When the pass-through transmission of the first method is applied to the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service of the dual-polarized transmission method of the embodiment of the present invention, the broadcast signal transmitted with horizontal polarization is subjected to signal band extraction and level adjustment in the cable television station's head-end equipment 400C, and is sent out at the same frequency as the transmission signal frequency. On the other hand, the broadcast signal transmitted with vertical polarization is subjected to signal band extraction and level adjustment in the cable television station's head-end equipment 400C, and is sent out after frequency conversion processing similar to that described in FIG. 7D (processing of converting the broadcast signal transmitted with vertical polarization to a frequency band higher than the frequency band of 470 to 770 MHz, which is the band corresponding to UHF 13ch to 62ch). This processing prevents the frequency bands of the broadcast signal transmitted with horizontal polarization and the broadcast signal transmitted with vertical polarization from overlapping, making it possible to transmit the signal over a single coaxial cable (or optical fiber cable). The transmitted signal can be received by the broadcast receiving device 100 of this embodiment. In the broadcast receiving device 100 of this embodiment, the process of receiving and demodulating the broadcast signal transmitted with horizontal polarization and the broadcast signal transmitted with vertical polarization contained in the signal is the same as that described in FIG. 7D, so a repeated description will be omitted.

Figure 7G shows an example of a system configuration in which the second pass-through transmission method is applied to an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service using a dual-polarized transmission method. Figure 7G shows a cable television station's head-end equipment 400C and a broadcast receiving device 100. Figure 7H also shows an example of the frequency conversion process that is performed in this case.

When the pass-through transmission of the second method is applied to the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service of the dual-polarized transmission method of the embodiment of the present invention, the broadcast signal transmitted with horizontal polarization is subjected to signal band extraction and level adjustment in the cable television station's head-end equipment 400C, and frequency conversion processing to the frequency set by the CATV facility manager is performed before transmission. On the other hand, the broadcast signal transmitted with vertical polarization is subjected to signal band extraction and level adjustment in the cable television station's head-end equipment 400C, and frequency conversion processing similar to that described in Figure 7D (processing of converting the broadcast signal transmitted with vertical polarization to a frequency band higher than the 470 to 770 MHz frequency band, which is the UHF 13ch to 62ch band) is performed before transmission. The frequency conversion process shown in FIG. 7H is different from that shown in FIG. 7F in that the broadcast signal transmitted with horizontal polarization is not limited to the frequency band of 470 to 770 MHz, which is the band of UHF 13ch to 62ch, but is expanded to a lower frequency band and rearranged in the range of 90 to 770 MHz. This process prevents the frequency bands of the broadcast signal transmitted with horizontal polarization and the broadcast signal transmitted with vertical polarization from overlapping, making it possible to transmit the signal using a single coaxial cable (or optical fiber cable). The transmitted signal can be received by the broadcast receiving device 100 of this embodiment. The process of receiving and demodulating the broadcast signal transmitted with horizontal polarization and the broadcast signal transmitted with vertical polarization contained in the signal in the broadcast receiving device 100 of this embodiment is the same as that described in FIG. 7D, so a repeated description will be omitted.

As another modification of the frequency conversion process of the cable television station's head-end equipment 400C in FIG. 7G, the broadcast signal at the time of pass-through output after frequency conversion may be changed from the state shown in FIG. 7H to the state shown in FIG. 7I. In this case, the signal band extraction and level adjustment may be performed on both the broadcast signal transmitted with horizontal polarization and the broadcast signal transmitted with vertical polarization, and the frequency conversion process may be performed to the frequency set by the CATV facility manager before transmission. In the example of FIG. 7I, frequency conversion is performed so that both the broadcast signal transmitted with horizontal polarization and the broadcast signal transmitted with vertical polarization are rearranged in the range of 90 to 770 MHz (VHF1ch to UHF62ch), and since the frequency band beyond UHF62ch is not used, the frequency band utilization efficiency of the broadcast signal is higher than that of FIG. 7H.

In addition, since the band in which the broadcast signals are rearranged is wider than the 470-710 MHz frequency band, which is the band of UHF 13ch-52ch during antenna reception, it is also possible to alternately rearrange broadcast signals transmitted with horizontal polarization and broadcast signals transmitted with vertical polarization, as shown in the example of FIG. 7I. In this case, as shown in the example of FIG. 7I, if pairs of broadcast signals transmitted with horizontal polarization and broadcast signals transmitted with vertical polarization that were on the same physical channel during antenna reception are rearranged alternately in the order of the physical channels during antenna reception, when the broadcast receiving device 100 of this embodiment performs an initial scan from the low frequency side, it is possible to sequentially perform initial settings for pairs of broadcast signals transmitted with horizontal polarization and broadcast signals transmitted with vertical polarization that were originally on the same physical channel in units of the originally same physical channel, and the initial scan can be performed efficiently.

Note that the examples in Figures 7E, 7F, 7G, 7H, and 7I all describe cases where horizontal polarization is the primary polarization, but depending on the application, the horizontal and vertical polarizations may be reversed.

As described above, the terrestrial digital broadcasting waves of the dual-polarized transmission method using the pass-through transmission method described above can be received and played back by the second tuner/demodulator 130T of the broadcast receiving device 100, but can also be received by the first tuner/demodulator 130C of the broadcast receiving device 100. When the terrestrial digital broadcasting waves are received by the first tuner/demodulator 130C, the broadcasting signals of the terrestrial digital broadcasting waves that are transmitted at the layer of the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service are ignored, but the broadcasting signals that are transmitted at the layer of the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service are played back.

[Transmission method 2 for advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting services]
In order to realize 4K broadcasting while maintaining the viewing environment of the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service, a single-polarized transmission method will be described as an example of an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service transmission method according to an embodiment of the present invention that is different from the above. The single-polarized transmission method according to the embodiment of the present invention is a method that shares some specifications with the current terrestrial digital broadcasting method, and is a method that transmits data using SISO (Single-Input Single-Output) technology using either a horizontally polarized signal or a vertically polarized signal. For example, 13 segments within a band of about 6 MHz equivalent to one physical channel are divided, and 8 segments are assigned to the transmission of 2K broadcast programs, 4 segments to the transmission of 4K broadcast programs, and 1 segment to mobile reception. In addition, 2K broadcast programs maintain image quality by optimizing the latest MPEG-2 Video compression technology, etc., so that they can be received by current television receivers, and 4K broadcast programs adopt HEVC compression technology or VVC compression technology, which is more efficient than MPEG-2 Video, and furthermore, image quality is ensured by adopting modulation multi-value, NUC, etc. In addition, the number of segments assigned to each broadcast may be different from that described above.

Figure 7J shows an example of a single polarized transmission method for an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service according to an embodiment of the present invention. A frequency band of 470 to 710 MHz is used for transmitting broadcast waves for the terrestrial digital broadcasting service. There are 40 physical channels in the frequency band, from 13 to 52 ch, and each physical channel has a bandwidth of 6 MHz. In the single polarized transmission method according to an embodiment of the present invention, a 2K broadcasting service and a 4K broadcasting service are transmitted simultaneously within one physical channel.

Figure 7J shows two examples of allocation of 13 segments, (1) and (2). In the example (1), a 4K broadcast program is transmitted using segments 1 to 4 (B layer). A 2K broadcast program is transmitted using segments 5 to 12 (C layer). A 4K broadcast program transmitted using B layer and a 2K broadcast program transmitted using C layer may be simulcasts in which the same broadcast program is transmitted at different resolutions, or may transmit broadcast programs with different contents. Example (2) is a different variation from (1). In the example (2), a 2K broadcast program is transmitted using segments 1 to 8 (B layer). A 4K broadcast program is transmitted using segments 9 to 12 (C layer).

Figure 7K shows an example of the configuration of a broadcasting system for an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service using a single-polarized transmission method according to an embodiment of the present invention. This shows both the transmitting system and the receiving system of an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service using a single-polarized transmission method. The configuration of a broadcasting system for an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service using a single-polarized transmission method is basically the same as the configuration of the broadcasting system shown in Figure 1, but the radio tower 300S, which is a facility of the broadcasting station, is a single-polarized transmitting antenna capable of transmitting either a horizontally polarized signal or a vertically polarized signal. Also, in the example of Figure 7K, only the tuning/detection unit 131H of the second tuner/demodulation unit 130T of the broadcast receiving device 100 is shown, and other operating units are omitted.

The single polarized signal sent from the radio tower 300S is received by the antenna 200S, which is a single polarized receiving antenna, and is input to the channel selection/detection unit 131H from the connector unit 100F3 via the coaxial cable 202S. An F-type connector is generally used for the connector unit that connects the antenna (coaxial cable) to the television receiver. In the configuration of a broadcasting system for an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service using a single polarized transmission method, it is possible to connect the antenna 200S and the broadcast receiving device 100 with a single coaxial cable 202S, which is preferable because it does not require frequency conversion processing (conversion unit).

As mentioned above, the terrestrial digital broadcasting waves transmitted by the single polarization transmission method described above can be received and played by the second tuner/demodulator 130T of the broadcast receiving device 100, but can also be received by the first tuner/demodulator 130C of the broadcast receiving device 100. When the terrestrial digital broadcasting waves are received by the first tuner/demodulator 130C, the broadcasting signals of the terrestrial digital broadcasting waves that are transmitted at the layer of the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service are ignored, but the broadcasting signals that are transmitted at the layer of the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service are played.

[Transmission method 3 for advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting services]
In order to realize 4K broadcasting while maintaining the viewing environment of the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service, a hierarchical division multiplexing transmission method will be described as an example of an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service transmission method according to an embodiment of the present invention that is different from the above. The hierarchical division multiplexing transmission method according to an embodiment of the present invention is a method that shares some specifications with the current terrestrial digital broadcasting method. For example, the broadcast waves of a 4K broadcasting service, which has a low signal level, are multiplexed and transmitted on the same channel as the broadcast waves of a current 2K broadcasting service. Note that the reception level of the 4K broadcasting is suppressed to a required C/N or less, and the 2K broadcasting is received as usual. For 4K broadcasting, the transmission capacity is expanded by modulation multi-value, etc., and the 2K broadcasting wave is canceled using a reception technology corresponding to LDM (hierarchical division multiplexing) technology, and reception is performed with the remaining 4K broadcasting wave.

Figure 8A shows an example of a hierarchical division multiplexing transmission method in an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service according to an embodiment of the present invention. The upper layer is composed of modulated waves of the current 2K broadcasting, and the lower layer is composed of modulated waves of the 4K broadcasting. The upper layer and the lower layer are multiplexed and output as a composite wave in the same frequency band. For example, the upper layer may use 64QAM or the like as a modulation method, and the lower layer may use 256QAM or the like as a modulation method. Note that the 2K broadcast program transmitted using the upper layer and the 4K broadcast program transmitted using the lower layer may be simulcasts that transmit broadcast programs of the same content at different resolutions, or may transmit broadcast programs of different content. Here, the upper layer is transmitted at high power, and the lower layer is transmitted at low power. The difference (power difference) between the modulated wave level of the upper layer and the modulated wave level of the lower layer is called the injection level (IL), which is a value set by the broadcasting station. The injection level is generally expressed as a logarithmic relative ratio (dB) of the difference in modulated wave levels (power difference).

Figure 8B shows an example of the configuration of a broadcasting system for an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service using a hierarchical division multiplexing transmission method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of a broadcasting system for an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service using a hierarchical division multiplexing transmission method is basically the same as the configuration of the broadcasting system shown in Figure 1, but the radio tower 300L, which is a broadcasting station facility, is a transmitting antenna that sends out a broadcast signal that is a multiplex of 2K broadcasting on the upper layer and 4K broadcasting on the lower layer. Also, in the example of Figure 8B, only the tuning/detection unit 131L of the third tuner/demodulation unit 130L of the broadcast receiving device 100 is shown, and other operating units are omitted.

The broadcast signal received by the antenna 200L is input from the connector 100F4 to the channel selection/detection unit 131L via the conversion unit (converter) 201L and the coaxial cable 202L. Here, in the above configuration, when the broadcast signal is transmitted from the antenna 200L to the broadcast receiving device 100, the conversion unit 201L may perform frequency conversion and amplification processing on the broadcast signal, as shown in FIG. 8C. That is, if the antenna 200L is installed on the roof of an apartment building or the like, and the broadcast signal is transmitted to the broadcast receiving device 100 in each room via the long coaxial cable 202L, the broadcast signal may be attenuated, and the channel selection/detection unit 131L may be unable to properly receive the 4K broadcast waves, especially in the lower hierarchical layers.

Therefore, in order to prevent the above-mentioned problem, the conversion unit 201L performs a frequency conversion and amplification process on the 4K broadcast signal of the lower layer. The frequency conversion and amplification process converts the frequency band of the 4K broadcast signal of the lower layer from a frequency band of 470 to 710 MHz (a band corresponding to UHF 13ch to 52ch) to, for example, a frequency band of 770 to 1010 MHz, which exceeds the band corresponding to UHF 62ch. Furthermore, a process is performed to amplify the 4K broadcast signal of the lower layer to a signal level at which the effects of attenuation in the cable are not a problem. By performing such a process, it is possible to avoid the effects of attenuation of the broadcast signal during transmission over the coaxial cable while avoiding interference between the 2K broadcast signal and the 4K broadcast signal. Note that when the effects of attenuation are not a problem, such as when the length of the coaxial cable 202L is short, the conversion unit 201L and the frequency conversion and amplification process may be unnecessary.

Also, as shown in FIG. 8D, the channel selection/detection unit provided in the third tuner/demodulation unit 130L of the broadcast receiving device 100 may be configured with a channel selection/detection unit 131L1 that performs processing such as channel selection/detection on the modulated wave of the upper layer (2K broadcast) and a channel selection/detection unit 131L2 that performs processing such as channel selection/detection on the modulated wave of the lower layer (4K broadcast). With such a configuration, it becomes possible to simultaneously perform processing such as channel selection/detection on the 2K broadcast signal and the 4K broadcast signal sent from the broadcast station using the same physical channel for the signal that has been frequency converted and amplified in the conversion unit 201L, and it is possible to perform processing that is particularly suitable for simulcasting, etc.

Furthermore, the frequency band after the frequency conversion and amplification process is preferably between 710 and 1032 MHz, which exceeds the band corresponding to UHF 52ch, or between 770 and 1032 MHz, which exceeds the band corresponding to UHF 62ch (in the case of retransmission by a cable television station, etc.), the bandwidth of the area between the frequency band before the conversion and the frequency band after the conversion by the frequency conversion and amplification process is preferably set to an integer multiple of the bandwidth of one physical channel (6 MHz), and the frequency conversion and amplification process may be performed only on physical channels that use signal transmission by the hierarchical division multiplexing transmission method. All of these are the same as the explanation of this embodiment related to frequency conversion already explained, so a repeated explanation will be omitted.

The broadcast receiving device 100 of this embodiment can identify whether the received broadcast signal is a broadcast signal transmitted in a lower layer or an upper layer by using the upper/lower layer identification bit of the TMCC information described in FIG. 5H. The broadcast receiving device 100 of this embodiment can also identify whether the received broadcast signal is a broadcast signal that has been frequency converted after antenna reception by using the frequency conversion processing identification bit of the TMCC information described in FIG. 5F. The broadcast receiving device 100 of this embodiment can also identify whether the received broadcast signal transmits a 4K program in a lower layer by using the 4K signal transmission layer identification bit of the TMCC information described in FIG. 5I. These identification processes can be performed by demodulating the data carrier and referring to the control information contained in the stream, but this requires demodulation of the data carrier, which makes the process complicated. Identification by referring to the parameters of the TMCC information described above is simpler and faster, so it is possible to speed up the initial scan of the broadcast receiving device 100, for example.

As already explained, the channel selection/detection unit 131L of the third tuner/demodulation unit 130L of the broadcast receiving device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention has a receiving function compatible with LDM (hierarchical division multiplexing) technology, so the conversion unit 201L shown in FIG. 8B is not necessarily required between the antenna 200L and the broadcast receiving device 100.

As mentioned above, the terrestrial digital broadcasting waves transmitted by the hierarchical division multiplexing transmission method described above can be received and played by the third tuner/demodulator 130L of the broadcast receiving device 100, but can also be received by the first tuner/demodulator 130C of the broadcast receiving device 100. When the terrestrial digital broadcasting waves are received by the first tuner/demodulator 130C, the broadcasting signals of the terrestrial digital broadcasting waves that are transmitted at the hierarchical level of the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service are ignored, but the broadcasting signals that are transmitted at the hierarchical level of the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service are played.

[MPEG-2 TS method]
The broadcasting system of this embodiment is compatible with MPEG-2 TS, which is adopted in current terrestrial digital broadcasting services, etc., as a media transport method for transmitting data such as video and audio. Specifically, the method of the stream transmitted by the OFDM transmission wave of FIG. 4D(1) is MPEG-2 TS, and the method of the stream transmitted in the hierarchical layer where the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service is transmitted among the OFDM transmission waves of FIG. 4D(2) and FIG. 4D(3) is MPEG-2 TS. Also, the method of the stream obtained by demodulating the transmission wave in the first tuner/demodulator 130C of the broadcasting receiving device 100 of FIG. 2 is MPEG-2 TS. Also, the method of the stream corresponding to the hierarchical layer where the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service is transmitted among the stream obtained by demodulating the transmission wave in the second tuner/demodulator 130T is MPEG-2 TS. Similarly, among the streams obtained by demodulating the transmission wave in the third tuner/demodulator 130L, the format of the stream corresponding to the layer at which the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service is transmitted is MPEG-2 TS.

MPEG-2 TS is characterized by multiplexing the video, audio, and other components that make up a program together with control signals and a clock into a single packet stream. As the clock is also treated as a single packet stream, it is suitable for transmitting a single piece of content over a single transmission path with guaranteed transmission quality, and is therefore adopted in many current digital broadcasting systems. It is also possible to achieve two-way communication via two-way networks such as fixed and mobile networks, and is compatible with broadcasting and communication linkage systems that link digital broadcasting services with functions that utilize broadband networks, and combine digital broadcasting services with the acquisition of additional content via broadband networks, calculation processing in server devices, and presentation processing in linkage with mobile terminal devices.

Figure 9A shows an example of a protocol stack for a transmission signal in a broadcasting system that uses MPEG-2 TS. In MPEG-2 TS, PSI, SI, and other control signals are transmitted in section format.

[Control signal for broadcasting system using MPEG-2 TS format]
The control information in the MPEG-2 TS format includes tables used mainly for program sequence information and tables used for other purposes. Tables are transmitted in section format, and descriptors are placed within the tables.

<Tables used in program service information>
9B shows a list of tables used in the program sequence information of the MPEG-2 TS broadcasting system. In this embodiment, the following tables are used for the program sequence information.

(1) PAT (Program Association Table)
(2) CAT (Conditional Access Table)
(3) PMT (Program Map Table)
(4) NIT (Network Information Table)
(5) SDT (Service Description Table)
(6) BAT (Bouquet Association Table)
(7) EIT (Event Information Table)
(8) RST (Running Status Table)
(9) TDT (Time and Date Table)
(10) TOT (Time Offset Table)

(11) LIT (Local Event Information Table)
(12) ERT (Event Relation Table)
(13) ITT (Index Transmission Table)
(14) PCAT (Partial Content Announcement Table)
(15) ST(Stuffing Table)
(16) BIT (Broadcaster Information Table)
(17) NBIT (Network Board Information Table)
(18) LDT (Linked Description Table)
(19) AMT (Address Map Table)
(20) INT (IP/MAC Notification Table)
(21) Tables set by business operators

<Tables used in digital broadcasting>
9C shows a list of tables used for information other than program sequence information in the MPEG-2 TS broadcasting system. In this embodiment, the following tables are used for information other than program sequence information.

(1) ECM (Entitlement Control Message)
(2) EMM (Entitlement Management Message)
(3) DCT (Download Control Table)
(4) DLT (Download Table)
(5) DIT (Discontinuity Information Table)
(6) SIT (Selection Information Table)
(7) SDTT (Software Download Trigger Table)
(8) CDT (Common Data Table)
(9) DSM-CC Section (10) AIT (Application Information Table)
(11) DCM (Download Control Message)
(12) DMM (Download Management Message)
(13) Tables set by operators

<Descriptors used in program service information>
9D, 9E, and 9F show a list of descriptors used in program sequence information of an MPEG-2 TS broadcasting system. In this embodiment, the following descriptors are used in the program sequence information.

(1) Conditional Access Descriptor
(2) Copyright Descriptor
(3) Network Name Descriptor
(4) Service List Descriptor
(5) Stuffing Descriptor
(6) Satellite Delivery System Descriptor
(7) Terrestrial Delivery System Descriptor
(8) Bouquet Name Descriptor
(9) Service Descriptor
(10) Country Availability Descriptor

(11) Linkage Descriptor
(12) NVOD Reference Descriptor
(13) Time Shifted Service Descriptor
(14) Short Event Descriptor
(15) Extended Event Descriptor
(16) Time Shifted Event Descriptor
(17) Component Descriptor
(18) Mosaic Descriptor
(19) Stream Identifier Descriptor
(20) CA Identifier Descriptor

(21) Content Descriptor
(22) Parental Rating Descriptor
(23) Hierarchical Transmission Descriptor
(24) Digital Copy Control Descriptor
(25) Emergency Information Descriptor
(26) Data Component Descriptor
(27) System Management Descriptor
(28) Local Time Offset Descriptor
(29) Audio Component Descriptor
(30) Target Region Descriptor

(31) Hyperlink Descriptor
(32) Data Content Descriptor
(33) Video Decode Control Descriptor
(34) Basic Local Event Descriptor
(35) Reference Descriptor
(36) Node Relation Descriptor
(37) Short Node Information Descriptor
(38) STC Reference Descriptor
(39) Partial Reception Descriptor
(40) Series Descriptor

(41) Event Group Descriptor
(42) SI Transmission Parameter Descriptor
(43) Broadcaster Name Descriptor
(44) Component Group Descriptor
(45) SI Prime TS Descriptor
(46) Board Information Descriptor
(47) LDT Linkage Descriptor
(48) Connected Transmission Descriptor
(49) TS Information Descriptor
(50) Extended Broadcaster Descriptor

(51) Logo Transmission Descriptor
(52) Content Availability Descriptor
(53) Carousel Compatible Composite Descriptor
(54) Conditional Playback Descriptor
(55) AVC Video Descriptor
(56) AVC Timing and HRD Descriptor
(57) Service Group Descriptor
(58) MPEG-4 Audio Descriptor
(59) MPEG-4 Audio Extension Descriptor
(60) Registration Descriptor

(61) Data Broadcast Id Descriptor
(62) Access Control Descriptor
(63) Area Broadcasting Information Descriptor
(64) Material Information Descriptor
(65) HEVC Video Descriptor
(66) Hierarchy Descriptor
(67) Hybrid Information Descriptor
(68) Scrambler Descriptor
(69) Descriptors set by carriers

<Descriptors used in digital broadcasting>
9G shows a list of descriptors used for information other than program sequence information in an MPEG-2 TS broadcasting system. In this embodiment, the following descriptors are used for information other than program sequence information.

(1) Partial Transport Stream Descriptor
(Partial Transport Stream Descriptor)
(2) Network Identification Descriptor
(3) Partial Transport Stream Time Descriptor
(Partial Transport Stream Time Descriptor)
(4) Download Content Descriptor
(5) CA EMM TS Descriptor
(6) CA Contract Information Descriptor
(7) CA Service Descriptor
(8) Carousel Identifier Descriptor
(9) Association Tag Descriptor
(10) Extended Association Tag Descriptor
(Deferred Association tags Descriptor)
(11) Network Download Content Descriptor
(Network Download Content Descriptor)
(12) Download Protection Descriptor
(13) CA Startup Descriptor
(14) Descriptors set by carriers

<Descriptors used in INT>
A list of the descriptors used in the INT of the MPEG-2 TS broadcasting system is shown in Fig. 9H. In this embodiment, the following descriptors are used in the INT. Note that the above-mentioned descriptors used in the program sequence information and descriptors used for other than the program sequence information are not used in the INT.

(1) Target Smartcard Descriptor
(2) Target IP Address Descriptor
(3) Target IPv6 Address Descriptor
(4) IP/MAC Platform Name Descriptor
(5) IP/MAC Platform Provider Name Descriptor
(IP/MAC Platform Provider Name Descriptor)
(6) IP/MAC Stream Location Descriptor
(7) Descriptors set by carriers

<Descriptors used in AIT>
Fig. 9I shows a list of the descriptors used in the AIT of the MPEG-2 TS broadcasting system. In this embodiment, the following descriptors are used in the AIT. Note that the above-mentioned descriptors used in the program sequence information and descriptors used for purposes other than the program sequence information are not used in the INT.

(1) Application Descriptor
(2) Transport Protocol Descriptor
(3) Simple Application Location Descriptor
(Simple Application Location Descriptor)
(4) Application Boundary Authority Setting Descriptor
(Application Boundary and Permission Descriptor)
(5) Autostart Priority Descriptor
(6) Cache Control Info Descriptor
(7) Randomized Latency Descriptor
(8) External Application Control Descriptor
(External Application Control Descriptor)
(9) Playback Application Descriptor
(10) Simple Recording/Playback Application Location Descriptor
(Simple Playback Application Location Descriptor)
(11) Application Expiration Descriptor
(12) Descriptors set by carriers

[MMT method]
The broadcasting system of this embodiment can also support the MMT method as a media transport method for transmitting data such as video and audio. Specifically, among the OFDM transmission waves in FIG. 4D(2) and FIG. 4D(3), the method of the stream transmitted in the layer where the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service is transmitted is the MMT method in principle. Also, among the streams obtained by demodulating the transmission wave in the second tuner/demodulation unit 130T of the broadcast receiving device 100 in FIG. 2, the method of the stream corresponding to the layer where the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service is transmitted is the MMT method in principle. Similarly, among the streams obtained by demodulating the transmission wave in the third tuner/demodulation unit 130L, the method of the stream corresponding to the layer where the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service is transmitted is the MMT method in principle. Note that, as a modified example, an MPEG-2 TS stream may be used in the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service. Also, the method of the stream obtained by demodulating the transmission wave in the fourth tuner/demodulation unit 130B is the MMT method.

The MMT method is a newly developed media transport method because the MPEG-2 TS method has limitations in its functionality in response to changes in the content distribution environment, such as the recent diversification of content, the diversification of devices that use content, the diversification of transmission paths for distributing content, and the diversification of content storage environments.

The video and audio signals of a broadcast program are encoded as MFU (Media Fragment Unit)/MPU (Media Processing Unit), loaded onto the MMTP (MMT Protocol) payload, packetized as MMTP packets, and transmitted as IP packets. In addition, the signals of data content and subtitles related to the broadcast program are also in MFU/MPU format, loaded onto the MMTP payload, packetized as MMTP packets, and transmitted as IP packets.

To transmit MMTP packets, UDP/IP (User Datagram Protocol/Internet Protocol) is used on the broadcast transmission path, and UDP/IP or TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) is used on the communication line. In addition, the TLV multiplexing method may be used on the broadcast transmission path for efficient transmission of IP packets.

Figure 10A shows the MMT protocol stack on a broadcast transmission path. Figure 10B shows the MMT protocol stack on a communication line. The MMT method provides a mechanism for transmitting two types of control information: MMT-SI and TLV-SI. MMT-SI is control information that indicates the configuration of a broadcast program, etc. It is formatted as an MMT control message, placed on the MMTP payload, packetized as an MMTP packet, and transmitted in an IP packet. TLV-SI is control information related to multiplexing of IP packets, and provides information for channel selection and information on the correspondence between IP addresses and services.

[Control signal of broadcasting system using MMT method]
As mentioned above, in the MMT method, TLV-SI and MMT-SI are prepared as control information. TLV-SI is composed of tables and descriptors. Tables are transmitted in section format, and descriptors are placed in tables. MMT-SI is composed of three layers: messages that store tables and descriptors, tables with elements and attributes that indicate specific information, and descriptors that indicate more detailed information.

<Tables used in TLV-SI>
Figure 10C shows a list of tables used in the TLV-SI of the MMT broadcasting system. In this embodiment, the following tables are used as TLV-SI tables. In addition, tables equivalent to the tables shown in Figures 9B and 9C may also be used.

(1) Network Information Table for TLV
(2) Address Map Table
(3) Tables set by operators

<Descriptors used in TLV-SI>
Fig. 10D shows a list of the descriptors used in the TLV-SI of the MMT broadcasting system. In this embodiment, the following descriptors are used as the TLV-SI descriptors. In addition, the same descriptors as those shown in Figs. 9D, 9E, 9F, 9G, 9H, and 9I may be used.

(1) Service List Descriptor
(2) Satellite Delivery System Descriptor
(3) System Management Descriptor
(4) Network Name Descriptor
(5) Remote Control Key Descriptor
(6) Descriptors set by operators

<Messages used in MMT-SI>
10E shows a list of messages used in MMT-SI of the MMT broadcasting system. In this embodiment, the following messages are used as MMT-SI messages.

(1) PA (Package Access) message (2) M2 section message (3) CA message (4) M2 short section message (5) Data transmission message (6) Message set by the carrier

<Tables used in MMT-SI>
Figure 10F shows a list of tables used in MMT-SI of the MMT broadcasting system. In this embodiment, the following tables are used as MMT-SI tables. In addition, tables equivalent to the tables shown in Figures 9B and 9C may also be used.

(1) MPT (MMT Package Table)
(2) PLT (Package List Table)
(3) LCT (Layout Configuration Table)
(4) ECM (Entitlement Control Message)
(5) EMM (Entitlement Management Message)
(6) CAT (MH) (Conditional Access Table (MH))
(7) DCM (Download Control Message)
(8) DMM (Download Management Message)
(9) MH-EIT (MH-Event Information Table)
(10) MH-AIT (MH-Application Information Table)

(11) MH-BIT (MH-Broadcaster Information Table)
(12) MH-SDTT (MH-Software Download Trigger Table)
(13) MH-SDT (MH-Service Description Table)
(14) MH-TOT (MH-Time Offset Table)
(15) MH-CDT (MH-Common Data Table)
(16) MH-DIT (MH-Discontinuity Information Table)
(17) MH-SIT (MH-Selection Information Table)
(18) DDM table (Data Directory Management Table)
(19) Data Asset Management Table (DAM Table)
(20) DCC Table (Data Content Configuration Table)
(21) EMT (Event Message Table)
(22) Tables set by business operators

<Descriptors used in MMT-SI>
Figures 10G, 10H, and 10I show a list of descriptors used in MMT-SI of the MMT broadcasting system. In this embodiment, the following descriptors are used as MMT-SI descriptors. In addition, descriptors synonymous with the descriptors shown in Figures 9D, 9E, 9F, 9G, 9H, and 9I may also be used.

(1) Asset Group Descriptor
(2) Event Package Descriptor
(3) Background Color Descriptor
(4) MPU Presentation Region Descriptor
(5) MPU Timestamp Descriptor
(6) Dependency Descriptor
(7) Access Control Descriptor
(8) Scrambler Descriptor
(9) Message Authentication Method Descriptor
(10) Emergency Information Descriptor

(11) MH-MPEG-4 Audio Descriptor
(12) MH-MPEG-4 Audio Extension Descriptor
(MH-MPEG-4 Audio Extension Descriptor)
(13) MH-HEVC Descriptor
(14) MH-Linkage Descriptor
(15) MH-Event Group Descriptor
(16) MH-Service List Descriptor
(17) MH-Short Event Descriptor
(18) MH-Extended Event Descriptor
(19) Video Component Descriptor
(20) MH-Stream Identifier Descriptor

(21) MH-Content Descriptor
(22) MH-Parental Rating Descriptor
(23) MH-Audio Component Descriptor
(24) MH-Target Region Descriptor
(25) MH-Series Descriptor
(26) MH-SI Parameter Descriptor
(27) MH-Broadcaster Name Descriptor
(28) MH-Service Descriptor
(29) IP Data Flow Descriptor
(30) MH-CA Startup Descriptor

(31) MH-Type Descriptor
(32) MH-Info Descriptor
(33) MH-Expire Descriptor
(34) MH-CompressionType Descriptor
(MH-Compression Type Descriptor)
(35) MH-Data Component Descriptor
(36) UTC-NPT Reference Descriptor
(37) Event Message Descriptor
(38) MH-Local Time Offset Descriptor
(39) MH-Component Group Descriptor
(40) MH-Logo Transmission Descriptor

(41) MPU Extended Timestamp Descriptor
(42) MPU Download Content Descriptor
(43) MH-Network Download Content Descriptor
(MH-Network Download Content Descriptor)
(44) Application Descriptor (MH-Application Descriptor)
(45) MH-Transport Protocol Descriptor
(46) MH-Simple Application Location Descriptor
(MH-Simple Application Location Descriptor)
(47) Application Boundary Authority Setting Descriptor
(MH-Application Boundary and Permission Descriptor)
(48) MH-Autostart Priority Descriptor
(49) MH-Cache Control Info Descriptor
(50) MH-Randomized Latency Descriptor

(51) Linked PU Descriptor
(52) Locked Cache Descriptor
(53) Unlocked Cache Descriptor
(54) MH-DL Protection Descriptor
(55) Application Service Descriptor
(56) MPU Node Descriptor
(57) PU Structure Descriptor
(58) MH-Hierarchy Descriptor
(59) Content Copy Control Descriptor
(60) Content Usage Control Descriptor

(61) Emergency News Descriptor
(62) MH-CA Contract Info Descriptor
(63) MH-CA Service Descriptor
(64) MH-External Application Control Descriptor
(MH-External Application Control Descriptor)
(65) MH-Recording/Playback Application Descriptor
(MH-Playback Application Descriptor)
(66) MH-Simple Recording and Playback Application Location Descriptor
(MH-Simple Playback Application Location Descriptor)
(67) MH-Application Expiry Descriptor
(MH-Application Expiration Descriptor)
(68) Related Broadcaster Descriptor
(69) Multimedia Service Descriptor
(70) MH-Stuffing Descriptor
(71) MH-Broadcast ID Descriptor
(72) MH-Network Identification Descriptor
(73) Descriptors set by carriers

<Relationship between data transmission and each control information in the MMT system>
FIG. 10J shows the relationship between data transmission and representative tables in an MMT broadcasting system.

In an MMT broadcasting system, data can be transmitted via multiple routes, such as a TLV stream via a broadcast transmission path and an IP data flow via a communication line. The TLV stream includes TLV-SI such as TLV-NIT and AMT, and an IP data flow, which is a data flow of IP packets. The IP data flow includes video assets including a series of video MPUs and audio assets including a series of audio MPUs. It may also include subtitle assets including a series of subtitle MPUs, superimposition assets including a series of superimposition MPUs, and data assets including a series of data MPUs. These various assets are associated on a package-by-package basis by the MPT (MMT package table) stored in the PA message and transmitted. Specifically, the package ID and the asset ID of each asset included in the package can be associated and described in the MPT.

The assets constituting the package can be only assets in the TLV stream, but as shown in Fig. 10J, they can also include assets transmitted by IP data flows on communication lines. This can be achieved by including location information of each asset included in the package in the MPT, so that the broadcast receiving device 100 can grasp the reference destination of each asset. The location information of each asset is as follows:
It is possible to specify various types of data transmitted via various transmission paths, such as (1) data multiplexed into the same IP data flow as the MPT, (2) data multiplexed into an IPv4 data flow, (3) data multiplexed into an IPv6 data flow, (4) data multiplexed into the MPEG2-TS of a broadcast, (5) data multiplexed in MPEG2-TS format within an IP data flow, and (6) data at a specified URL.

MMT broadcasting systems also have the concept of an event. An event is a concept that indicates a so-called program that is handled by the MH-EIT that is included in the M2 section message and sent. Specifically, in a package pointed to by an event package descriptor stored in the MH-EIT, a series of data included in a period of time from the disclosure time stored in the MH-EIT is the data included in the concept of the event. The MH-EIT can be used in the broadcast receiving device 100 for various processes on an event basis (for example, program guide generation process, control of recording and viewing reservations, copyright management process such as temporary storage, etc.).

[Channel setting process for broadcast receiving device]
<Initial scan>
In the current terrestrial digital broadcasting, the network ID is different for each sending master, and the NIT generally does not include information on other stations. Therefore, the broadcast receiving device 100 of the embodiment of the present invention, which has compatibility with the current terrestrial digital broadcasting, needs to have a function of searching (scanning) all receivable channels at the receiving point for the terrestrial digital broadcasting of the embodiment of the present invention (advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting, or terrestrial digital broadcasting in which advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting and current terrestrial digital broadcasting are simultaneously transmitted in different layers), and creating a service list (receivable frequency table) based on the service ID. In addition, in areas where the same network ID can be received on different physical channels by MFN (Multi Frequency Network), it is sufficient to basically operate to select a channel with a good reception C/N or BER (Bit Error Rate) and store it in the service list.

In addition, in the case of advanced BS digital broadcasting or advanced CS digital broadcasting received by the fourth tuner/demodulator 130B of the broadcast receiving device 100 in the embodiment of the present invention, it is sufficient for the broadcast receiving device 100 to acquire and store the service list stored in the TLV-NIT, and there is no need to create a service list. Therefore, for advanced BS digital broadcasting or advanced CS digital broadcasting received by the fourth tuner/demodulator 130B, initial scanning and rescanning, which will be described later, are not required.

<Rescan>
The broadcast receiving device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention has a rescanning function in preparation for cases where a new station opens, a new relay station is installed, the receiving point of a television receiver is changed, etc. When changing existing information, the broadcast receiving device 100 can notify the user of this fact.

<Example of initial scan/rescan operation>
11A shows an example of an operation sequence of the channel setting process (initial scan/rescan) of the broadcast receiving device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Note that while the figure shows an example in which MPEG-2 TS is used as the media transport method, the process is basically the same when the MMT method is used.

In the channel setting process, the reception function control unit 1102 first sets the residential area (selects the area where the broadcast receiving device 100 is installed) based on the user's instruction (S101). At this time, instead of the user's instruction, the residential area may be automatically set based on the installation location information of the broadcast receiving device 100 acquired by a predetermined process. As an example of the installation location information acquisition process, information may be acquired from the network to which the LAN communication unit 121 is connected, or information on the installation location may be acquired from an external device to which the digital interface unit 125 is connected. Next, the initial value of the frequency range to be scanned is set, and an instruction is given to the tuner/demodulator (when the first tuner/demodulator 130C, the second tuner/demodulator 130T, and the third tuner/demodulator 130L are not distinguished, this is described. The same applies below) to tune to the set frequency (S102).

The tuner/demodulator performs tuning based on the instruction (S103), and if it is successful in locking onto the set frequency (S103: Yes), it proceeds to processing of S104. If it is not successful in locking (S103: No), it proceeds to processing of S111. In processing of S104, it checks the C/N (S104), and if a C/N of a predetermined level or higher is obtained (S104: Yes), it proceeds to processing of S105 and performs reception confirmation processing. If a C/N of a predetermined level or higher is not obtained (S104: No), it proceeds to processing of S111.

In the reception confirmation process, the reception function control unit 1102 first obtains the BER of the received broadcast wave (S105). Next, the NIT is obtained and compared to confirm whether the NIT is valid data or not (S106). If the NIT obtained in the process of S106 is valid data, the reception function control unit 1102 obtains information such as the transport stream ID and original network ID from the NIT. In addition, it obtains distribution system information related to the physical conditions of the broadcast transmission path corresponding to each transport stream ID/original network ID from the terrestrial distribution system descriptor. In addition, it obtains a list of service IDs from the service list descriptor.

Next, the reception function control unit 1102 checks whether the transport stream ID acquired in the process of S106 has already been acquired by checking the service list stored in the receiving device (S107). If the transport stream ID acquired in the process of S106 has not already been acquired (S107: No), the various information acquired in the process of S106 is associated with the transport stream ID and added to the service list (S108). If the transport stream ID acquired in the process of S106 has already been acquired (S107: Yes), the BER acquired in the process of S105 is compared with the BER when the transport stream ID already listed in the service list was acquired (S109). As a result, if the BER acquired in the process of S105 is better (S109: Yes), the service list is updated with the various information acquired in the process of S106 (S110). If the BER acquired in the process of S105 is not better (S109: No), the various information acquired in the process of S106 is discarded.

In addition, when creating (adding/updating) the service list described above, a remote control key ID may be obtained from the TS information descriptor, and a representative service for each transport stream may be associated with a remote control key. This process enables one-touch channel selection, which will be described later.

When the reception confirmation process is completed, the reception function control unit 1102 checks whether the current frequency setting is the final value of the frequency range to be scanned (S111). If the current frequency setting is not the final value of the frequency range to be scanned (S111: No), the frequency value set in the tuner/demodulator is increased (S112) and the processes of S103 to S110 are repeated. If the current frequency setting is the final value of the frequency range to be scanned (S111: Yes), the process proceeds to S113.

In the process of S113, the service list created (added/updated) in the above process is presented to the user as a result of the channel setting process (S113). In addition, if there is duplication of remote control keys, the user may be notified of this and prompted to change the remote control key settings (S114). The service list created/updated in the above process is stored in a non-volatile memory such as the ROM 103 or storage (accumulation) unit 110 of the broadcast receiving device 100.

Figure 11B shows an example of the data structure of an NIT. In the figure, "transportrt_stream_id" corresponds to the transport stream ID mentioned above, and "original_network_id" corresponds to the original network ID. Also, Figure 11C shows an example of the data structure of a terrestrial distribution system descriptor. In the figure, "guard_interval", "transmission_mode", "frequency", etc. correspond to the distribution system information mentioned above. Figure 11D shows an example of the data structure of a service list descriptor. In the figure, "service_id" corresponds to the service ID mentioned above. Figure 11E shows an example of the data structure of a TS information descriptor. In the figure, "remote_control_key_id" corresponds to the remote control key ID mentioned above.

The broadcast receiving device 100 may be controlled to change the frequency range to be scanned as appropriate depending on the broadcast service being received. For example, when the broadcast receiving device 100 is receiving broadcast waves of the current terrestrial digital broadcast service, it is controlled to scan a frequency range of 470 to 770 MHz (corresponding to physical channels 13ch to 62ch). That is, the initial value of the frequency range is set to 470 to 476 MHz (center frequency 473 MHz), the final value of the frequency range is set to 764 to 770 MHz (center frequency 767 MHz), and in the process of S112, the frequency value is increased by +6 MHz.

In addition, when the broadcast receiving device 100 is receiving broadcast waves including an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service, it is controlled to scan the frequency range of 470 to 1010 MHz (because there is a possibility that the frequency conversion process shown in FIG. 7D or the frequency conversion amplification process shown in FIG. 8C is being performed). That is, the initial value of the frequency range is set to 470 to 476 MHz (center frequency 473 MHz), the final value of the frequency range is set to 1004 to 1010 MHz (center frequency 1007 MHz), and in the process of S112, it is controlled to increase the frequency value by +6 MHz. Note that even if the broadcast receiving device 100 is receiving an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service, if it is determined that the above-mentioned frequency conversion process or frequency conversion amplification process is not being performed, it is sufficient to control to scan only the frequency range of 470 to 770 MHz. The selection control of the frequency range to be scanned can be performed by the broadcast receiving device 100 based on the system identification and frequency conversion process identification of the TMCC information.

In addition, when the broadcasting system according to the embodiment of the present invention has the configuration shown in FIG. 7C, for example, and the broadcast receiving device 100 is receiving an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service using a dual-polarized transmission method, one of the tuning/detection unit 131H and the tuning/detection unit 131V may scan the frequency range of 470 to 770 MHz, and the other may scan the frequency range of 770 to 1010 MHz (when the transmission wave is subjected to frequency conversion processing with the polarization detected by the other tuning/detection unit). By controlling in this way based on the system identification and frequency conversion processing identification of the TMCC information, it is possible to omit scanning in unnecessary frequency ranges, and to reduce the time required for channel setting. Furthermore, in this case, the operation sequence of FIG. 11A may be performed in parallel in both the tuning/detection unit 131H and the tuning/detection unit 131V, and the loop of frequency up S112 in the operation sequence of FIG. 11A may be synchronized. In this case, if the pair of horizontally polarized and vertically polarized signals transmitted on the same physical channel is configured to be received in parallel in the frequency-up loop of the operation sequence of FIG. 11A at the same timing, the control information and the like within the packet stream of the advanced terrestrial digital service transmitted by the pair of horizontally polarized and vertically polarized signals can be decoded and acquired during the loop processing. This is preferable because it allows for efficient scanning and the creation of a service list.

Similarly, if the broadcast receiving device 100 has the configuration shown in FIG. 8B and further has a so-called double tuner configuration with multiple tuner/demodulator units (channel selection/detection units) (for example, a configuration with multiple third tuner/demodulator units 130L, or the configuration shown in FIG. 8D), and is receiving an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service using a hierarchical division multiplexing transmission method, one of the double tuners may scan the frequency range of 470 to 770 MHz, and the other may scan the frequency range of 770 to 1010 MHz (if frequency conversion amplification processing has been performed). By controlling in this way, it is possible to reduce the time required for channel setting, as described above.

As explained in Figures 8A, 8B, and 8C, in the configuration shown in Figure 8B, the terrestrial digital broadcasting service transmitted on either the upper or lower hierarchical layer is the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service. Therefore, for example, the first tuner/demodulator 130C may scan the frequency range in which the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service is transmitted, between the frequency range of 470 to 770 MHz and the frequency range of 770 to 1010 MHz, and the third tuner/demodulator 130L may scan the other frequency range in parallel. In this case, as with the parallel scanning by the double tuners of the third tuner/demodulator 130L described above, it is possible to reduce the time required for channel setting. Whether the current terrestrial digital broadcasting service or the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service is being transmitted in the 470-770 MHz frequency range or the 770-1010 MHz frequency range can be identified by receiving signals at two points (one point for each frequency range, for example, 470-476 MHz (center frequency 473 MHz) and 770-776 MHz (center frequency 773 MHz)) using the third tuner/demodulator 130L before starting the initial scan/rescan operation sequence, acquiring the TMCC information transmitted at each frequency, and referencing the parameters (for example, system identification parameters) stored in the TMCC information.

In the case of an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service using a dual-polarized transmission method, for example, in the case of a channel having a broadcast program that transmits using both horizontally polarized and vertically polarized signals, such as a 4K broadcast program on the C hierarchical division example (1) shown in FIG. 7A, the same transport ID is detected by scanning both the 470-770 MHz frequency range and the 770-1010 MHz frequency range, and this is recorded in the service list as one channel. In the case of a 2K broadcast program on the B hierarchical division example shown in the same figure, if the same broadcast program is transmitted on the B hierarchical division example of the horizontally polarized signal and the B hierarchical division example of the vertically polarized signal, even if the same transport ID is detected, it is sufficient to store it in the service list as one channel. In other words, if the same broadcast program is transmitted on the same hierarchical division example that transmits with different polarizations, it is recognized as being merged into one channel and not as separate channels. In this way, it is possible to avoid user confusion caused by the existence of the exact same broadcast program on different channels in the channel selection process using the service list.

In contrast, in an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service using dual-polarized transmission, if different broadcast programs are transmitted on layer B of the horizontally polarized signal and layer B of the vertically polarized signal (when layer B of the vertically polarized signal is treated as a virtual layer D), they are stored in the service list as different channels. Whether the same broadcast program is transmitted on layer B of the horizontally polarized signal and layer B of the vertically polarized signal can be identified by the broadcast receiving device 100 by referring to the additional layer transmission identification parameter of the TMCC information, etc.

[Channel selection process of broadcast receiving device]
The broadcast receiving device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention has a program channel selection function, such as one-touch channel selection using a one-touch key on a remote control, channel up/down channel selection using a channel up/down key on a remote control, and direct channel selection by directly inputting a three-digit number using a numeric keypad on a remote control. Any of the channel selection functions may be performed using information stored in the service list generated by the initial scan/rescan described above. After channel selection, information on the selected channel (three-digit number used for direct channel selection, branch number, TS name, service name, logo, video resolution information (such as distinction between UHD, HD, and SD), presence or absence of video resolution up/down conversion, number of audio channels, presence or absence of audio downmix, etc.) is displayed by a banner display or the like. In this way, the user can visually obtain information on the channel after selection and can confirm whether the desired channel has been selected. An example of processing in each channel selection method is described below.

<Example of one-touch channel selection processing>
(1) By pressing a one-touch key on the remote control, the service with the "service_id" specified by the "remote_control_key_id" is selected.
(2) Set the last mode and display channel information after channel selection.

<Example of up-down channel selection using channel up-down buttons>
(1) By pressing the channel up/down keys on the remote control, channels are selected in the order of the three-digit numbers used for direct channel selection.
(1-1) When the up key is pressed, the adjacent service with the three-digit number above is selected. However, if the current three-digit number is the maximum value in the service list, the service with the minimum number is selected.
(1-2) When the down key is pressed, the adjacent service with the three-digit number below is selected. However, if the current three-digit number is the minimum number in the service list, the service with the maximum number is selected.
(2) Set the last mode and display channel information after channel selection.

<Example of direct channel selection processing>
(1) When direct channel selection is selected, the device waits for the input of a three-digit number.
(2-1) If the input of the three-digit number is not completed within a predetermined time (approximately five seconds), the mode returns to normal and channel information for the currently selected service is displayed.
(2-2) When the input of the three-digit number is completed, a check is made to see if the channel exists in the service list of the receivable frequency table, and if not, a message such as "This channel does not exist" is displayed.
(3) If the channel exists, a channel selection process is performed, the last mode is set, and the channel information after the channel selection is displayed.

The channel selection operation is performed based on the SI, and if it is determined that a broadcast is out of service, the device may have a function to notify the user by displaying that fact.

<Remote control for broadcast receiver>
FIG. 12A shows an example of the external appearance of a remote control (remote controller) used to input operation instructions to the broadcast receiving device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The remote control 180R includes a power key 180R1 for turning the power of the broadcast receiving device 100 on/off (standby on/off), cursor keys (up, down, left, right) 180R2 for moving the cursor up, down, left, and right, a decision key 180R3 for deciding the item at the cursor position as the selected item, and a back key 180R4.

The remote control 180R also has a network switching key (advanced digital terrestrial, digital terrestrial, advanced BS, BS, CS) 180R5 for switching the broadcast network received by the broadcast receiving device 100. In the figure, the respective network switching keys are written as "high altitude", "digital terrestrial", "high BS", "BS", and "CS". The remote control 180R also has one-touch keys (1 to 12) 180R6 used for one-touch channel selection, channel up/down keys 180R7 used for channel up/down channel selection, and a 10 key used for inputting a three-digit number when directly selecting a channel. In the example shown in the figure, the 10 key is also used as the one-touch key 180R6, and when directly selecting a channel, a three-digit number can be input by operating the one-touch key 180R6 after pressing the direct key 180R8.

The remote control 180R also includes an EPG key 180R9 for displaying a program guide, and a menu key 180RA for displaying a system menu. The program guide and system menu can be operated in detail using the cursor keys 180R2, the enter key 180R3, and the back key 180R4.

The remote control 180R also includes a d key 180RB for use with data broadcasting services, multimedia services, etc., a link key 180RC for displaying broadcasting and communication linkage services and a list of compatible applications, and color keys (blue, red, green, yellow) 180RD. For data broadcasting services, multimedia services, broadcasting and communication linkage services, etc., detailed operations are possible with the cursor keys 180R2, the enter key 180R3, the back key 180R4, and the color keys 180RD.

The remote control 180R also has a video key 180RE for selecting a related video, an audio key 180RF for switching between audio ES and two languages, and a subtitle key 180RG for switching subtitles on/off and switching subtitle languages. The remote control 180R also has a volume key 180RH for increasing/decreasing the volume of the audio output, and a mute key 180RI for switching the audio output on/off.

<Processing example 1 of network switching using advanced digital terrestrial key>
The remote control 180R of the broadcast receiving device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an "advanced terrestrial digital key", a "terrestrial digital key", an "advanced BS key", a "BS key" and a "CS key" as the network switching key 180R5. Here, the "advanced terrestrial digital key" and the "terrestrial digital key" may be configured so that, for example, in the case where simulcast of 4K broadcast programs and 2K broadcast programs is carried out in different layers in an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service, when the "advanced terrestrial digital key" is pressed, the selection of the 4K broadcast program is prioritized when selecting a channel, and when the "terrestrial digital key" is pressed, the selection of the 2K broadcast program is prioritized when selecting a channel. By controlling in this way, for example, when there are many errors in the transmission wave of a 4K broadcast program in a situation where a 4K broadcast program can be received, it is possible to perform control such as forcibly selecting a 2K broadcast program by pressing the "terrestrial digital key". In addition, when 4K and 2K broadcast programs are being simulcast on different hierarchical levels, if there are many errors in the transmission waves of the 4K broadcast program even when reception of the 4K broadcast program is possible, the 2K broadcast program (simulcast of the selected 4K broadcast program) may be selected even when the "advanced terrestrial digital key" is pressed.

<Screen display example when selecting a station>
As described above, the broadcast receiving device 100 of an embodiment of the present invention has a function of displaying information about the selected channel by displaying a banner or the like when a channel is selected by one-touch channel selection, channel up/down selection, direct channel selection, or the like.

FIG. 12B shows an example of a banner display when selecting a channel. Banner display 192A1 is an example of a banner display displayed when a 2K broadcast program is selected, and may display, for example, the program name, the program start time/end time, the network type, the number of the direct channel selection key on the remote control, the service logo, and a three-digit number. Banner display 192A2 is an example of a banner display displayed when a 4K broadcast program is selected, and may display, for example, the same information as in banner display 192A1 described above, as well as a symbolic mark for "advanced" indicating that the program being received is a 4K broadcast program. In addition, when resolution conversion processing, downmix processing, etc., have been performed, a display indicating this may be displayed. In the example of banner display 192A2, as an example, it is displayed that downconversion processing from UHD resolution to HD resolution and downmix processing from 22.2ch to 5.1ch have been performed.

By displaying these on the broadcast receiving device 100, when the same content is being broadcast simultaneously as broadcast programs of different quality, such as a 2K broadcast program and a 4K broadcast program, through simulcasting or the like, the user can easily understand which broadcast program is being displayed.

According to a system for an advanced digital broadcasting service having some or all of the functions according to the embodiments of the present invention described above, it is possible to provide transmission and reception technologies for an advanced digital broadcasting service with higher functionality that also takes into account compatibility with current digital broadcasting services. In other words, it is possible to provide technology for more optimally transmitting or receiving an advanced digital broadcasting service.

Example 2
The following describes the second embodiment of the present invention. Note that the configuration, processing, effects, and the like of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment unless otherwise specified. Therefore, the following mainly describes the differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment, and omits as much as possible the description of the common points to avoid duplication.

In addition, unless otherwise specified, the control process, identification process, specification process, etc., performed by the broadcast receiving device 100 in this embodiment are executed by the main control unit 101 in FIG. 2A.

[Simultaneous broadcasting using the same physical channel]
In the terrestrial digital broadcasting service of this embodiment, simulcasting of 2K broadcasting service and 4K broadcasting service using a hierarchical structure is possible on the same physical channel. In the simulcasting service, broadcast programs of the same content can be transmitted simultaneously at different resolutions. The main control information for carrying out the simulcasting may be sent as follows. In the following description, the expressions "strong hierarchical layer" and "strong hierarchical layer" refer to a layer that employs a relatively strong modulation method, and the expressions "weak hierarchical layer" and "weak hierarchical layer" refer to a layer that employs a relatively weak modulation method. In addition, the expression "middle hierarchical layer" refers to a layer that employs a modulation method that is weaker than the modulation method employed in the "strong hierarchical layer" and stronger than the modulation method employed in the "weak hierarchical layer".
(1) The NIT transmits both 2K and 4K service-related data at the strongest layer.
- The PAT transmits both 2K service-related and 4K service-related information at the 2K service layer.
・Of the ESs specified in the PMT transmitted in the 4K service layer,
ES related only to 4K services is transmitted in the 4K service layer.
(2) NIT transmits 2K services at the strongest layer.
Anything related to 4K services will be transmitted at the 4K service layer.
- PAT transmits 2K service-related data at the 2K service layer.
Anything related to 4K services will be transmitted at the 4K service layer.
・Of the ESs specified in the PMT transmitted in the 4K service layer,
ES related only to 4K services is transmitted in the 4K service layer.
(3) NIT transmits 2K services at the strongest layer.
Anything related to 4K services will be transmitted at the 4K service layer.
- PAT transmits 2K service-related data at the 2K service layer.
Anything related to 4K services will be transmitted at the 4K service layer.
・ES specified in the PMT transmitted in the 4K service layer is
All will be transmitted at the 4K service layer.

Figure 13A shows an example of a transmission configuration for control information when simulcasting 2K broadcasting services and 4K broadcasting services using the hierarchical structure shown in Figure 7A (1) or Figure 7J (2) is carried out, and the main control information transmission standard is in accordance with (1) above.

The transmission configuration shown in FIG. 13A is an example of a terrestrial digital broadcasting service that employs a dual-polarized transmission method and simulcasts 2K and 4K broadcasting services using the hierarchical division example (1) of FIG. 7A, or a terrestrial digital broadcasting service that employs a single-polarized transmission method and simulcasts 2K and 4K broadcasting services using the hierarchical division example (2) of FIG. 7J, where a partial reception service is provided on hierarchical layer A (strong hierarchical layer), a 2K broadcasting service for fixed reception is provided on hierarchical layer B (medium hierarchical layer), and a 4K broadcasting service for fixed reception is provided on hierarchical layer C (weak hierarchical layer).

In this case, the NIT can be transmitted at layer A, and the PAT can be transmitted at layer B. As for the PMT, the PMT mainly related to the partial reception service can be transmitted at layer A, the PMT mainly related to the 2K broadcasting service can be transmitted at layer B, and the PMT mainly related to the 4K broadcasting service can be transmitted at layer C. As for the partial reception service, the ES mainly related to the partial reception service can be transmitted at layer A. As for the 2K broadcasting service, the ES mainly related to the 2K broadcasting service can be transmitted at layer B, and the ES related to the partial reception service can refer to layer A. As for the 4K broadcasting service, the ES mainly related to the 4K broadcasting service can be transmitted at layer C, the ES related to the partial reception service can refer to layer A, and the ES related to the 2K broadcasting service can refer to layer B.

By configuring the transmission of control information in this way, it is possible to obtain service information for both 2K broadcast services and 4K broadcast services simply by referring to the A layer.

Figure 13B shows an example of a transmission configuration for control information when simulcasting 2K broadcasting services and 4K broadcasting services using the hierarchical structure shown in Figure 7A (1) or Figure 7J (2) is carried out, and the main control information transmission standard is in accordance with (2) above.

The transmission configuration shown in FIG. 13B is an example of a terrestrial digital broadcasting service that employs a dual-polarized transmission method and simulcasts 2K and 4K broadcasting services using the hierarchical division example (1) of FIG. 7A, or a terrestrial digital broadcasting service that employs a single-polarized transmission method and simulcasts 2K and 4K broadcasting services using the hierarchical division example (2) of FIG. 7J, in which a partial reception service is provided on hierarchical layer A (strong hierarchical layer), a 2K broadcasting service for fixed reception is provided on hierarchical layer B (medium hierarchical layer), and a 4K broadcasting service for fixed reception is provided on hierarchical layer C (weak hierarchical layer).

In this case, the NIT related to the 2K broadcasting service may be transmitted on layer A, and the NIT related to the 4K broadcasting service may be transmitted on layer C. The PAT related to the 2K broadcasting service may be transmitted on layer B, and the PAT related to the 4K broadcasting service may be transmitted on layer C. As for the PMT, the PMT mainly related to the partial reception service may be transmitted on layer A, the PMT mainly related to the 2K broadcasting service may be transmitted on layer B, and the PMT mainly related to the 4K broadcasting service may be transmitted on layer C. As for the partial reception service, the ES mainly related to the partial reception service may be transmitted on layer A. As for the 2K broadcasting service, the ES mainly related to the 2K broadcasting service may be transmitted on layer B, and the ES related to the partial reception service may refer to layer A. As for the 4K broadcasting service, the ES mainly related to the 4K broadcasting service may be transmitted on layer C, the ES related to the partial reception service may refer to layer A, and the ES related to the 2K broadcasting service may refer to layer B.

By configuring the transmission of control information in this way, conventional broadcast receiving devices that do not support 4K broadcast services can avoid needlessly acquiring information about 4K broadcast services by only referring to layers A and B.

Figure 13C shows an example of a transmission configuration for control information when simulcasting 2K broadcasting services and 4K broadcasting services using the hierarchical structure shown in Figure 7A (1) or Figure 7J (2) is carried out, and the main control information transmission standard is in accordance with (3) above.

The transmission configuration shown in FIG. 13C is an example of a terrestrial digital broadcasting service that employs a dual-polarized transmission method and simulcasts 2K and 4K broadcasting services using the hierarchical division example (1) of FIG. 7A, or a terrestrial digital broadcasting service that employs a single-polarized transmission method and simulcasts 2K and 4K broadcasting services using the hierarchical division example (2) of FIG. 7J, in which a partial reception service is provided on hierarchical layer A (strong hierarchical layer), a 2K broadcasting service for fixed reception is provided on hierarchical layer B (medium hierarchical layer), and a 4K broadcasting service for fixed reception is provided on hierarchical layer C (weak hierarchical layer).

In this case, the NIT related to the 2K broadcasting service is transmitted on layer A, and the NIT related to the 4K broadcasting service is transmitted on layer C. The PAT related to the 2K broadcasting service is transmitted on layer B, and the PAT related to the 4K broadcasting service is transmitted on layer C. As for the PMT, the PMT mainly related to the partial reception service is transmitted on layer A, the PMT mainly related to the 2K broadcasting service is transmitted on layer B, and the PMT mainly related to the 4K broadcasting service is transmitted on layer C. As for the partial reception service, the ES mainly related to the partial reception service is transmitted on layer A. As for the 2K broadcasting service, the ES mainly related to the 2K broadcasting service is transmitted on layer B, and the ES related to the partial reception service can refer to layer A. As for the 4K broadcasting service, all ES mainly related to the 4K broadcasting service are transmitted on layer C, and layers A and B are not referred to.

By configuring the transmission of control information in this way, conventional broadcast receiving devices that do not support 4K broadcast services can obtain information about 2K broadcast services by referencing only the A and B layers, and can avoid needlessly obtaining information about 4K broadcast services. Furthermore, when referring to a 4K broadcast service with a broadcast receiving device that supports 4K broadcast services, it is possible to obtain information about the 4K broadcast service by referencing only the C layer.

In the example of the control information transmission configuration in FIG. 13C, the same audio ES, etc. is transmitted for the 4K broadcast service and the 2K broadcast service, but in this case, the PID may be the same as shown in the figure, or different PIDs may be set.

Figure 13D shows an example of the transmission configuration of control information when simulcasting 2K broadcasting services and 4K broadcasting services using the hierarchical structure shown in Figure 8A is carried out, and the main control information transmission standard is in accordance with (1) above.

The transmission configuration shown in Figure 13D is a terrestrial digital broadcasting service that employs a hierarchical division multiplexing transmission method, and is an example of a case where 2K broadcasting service and 4K broadcasting service are simultaneously broadcast using the hierarchical division shown in Figure 8A, in which a partial reception service is provided on the A layer (strong layer) of the upper layer, a 2K broadcasting service for fixed reception is provided on the B layer (middle layer) of the upper layer, and a 4K broadcasting service for fixed reception is provided on the Lower Layer (weak layer).

In this case, the NIT may be transmitted at layer A in the upper layer, and the PAT may be transmitted at layer B in the upper layer. As for the PMT, the PMT mainly related to the partial reception service may be transmitted at layer A in the upper layer, the PMT mainly related to the 2K broadcast service may be transmitted at layer B in the upper layer, and the PMT mainly related to the 4K broadcast service may be transmitted at the lower layer. As for the partial reception service, the ES mainly related to the partial reception service may be transmitted at layer A in the upper layer. As for the 2K broadcast service, the ES mainly related to the 2K broadcast service may be transmitted at layer B in the upper layer, and the ES related to the partial reception service may refer to layer A in the upper layer. As for the 4K broadcast service, the ES mainly related to the 4K broadcast service may be transmitted at the lower layer, the ES related to the partial reception service may refer to layer A in the upper layer, and the ES related to the 2K broadcast service may refer to layer B in the upper layer.

The lower hierarchical layer may transmit 4K broadcast services with all segments as hierarchical layer A, or may transmit a partial reception service (which may be the same as the partial reception service in the upper hierarchical layer) with one segment as hierarchical layer A, and transmit the remaining segments as hierarchical layer B with 4K broadcast services.

By configuring the transmission of control information in this way, it is possible to obtain service information for both 2K broadcast services and 4K broadcast services simply by referring to the upper layer, hierarchical layer A.

Figure 13E shows an example of the transmission configuration of control information when simulcasting 2K broadcasting services and 4K broadcasting services using the hierarchical structure shown in Figure 8A is carried out, and the main control information transmission standard is in accordance with (2) above.

The transmission configuration shown in Figure 13E is a terrestrial digital broadcasting service that employs a hierarchical division multiplexing transmission method, and is an example of a case where 2K broadcasting service and 4K broadcasting service are simultaneously broadcast using the hierarchical division shown in Figure 8A, in which a partial reception service is provided on the A layer (strong layer) of the upper layer, a 2K broadcasting service for fixed reception is provided on the B layer (middle layer) of the upper layer, and a 4K broadcasting service for fixed reception is provided on the Lower Layer (weak layer).

In this case, the NIT related to the 2K broadcasting service may be transmitted on the upper layer A, and the NIT related to the 4K broadcasting service may be transmitted on the lower layer. The PAT related to the 2K broadcasting service may be transmitted on the upper layer B, and the PAT related to the 4K broadcasting service may be transmitted on the lower layer. As for the PMT, the PMT mainly related to the partial reception service may be transmitted on the upper layer A, the PMT mainly related to the 2K broadcasting service may be transmitted on the upper layer B, and the PMT mainly related to the 4K broadcasting service may be transmitted on the lower layer. In the partial reception service, the ES mainly related to the partial reception service may be transmitted on the upper layer A. In the 2K broadcasting service, the ES mainly related to the 2K broadcasting service may be transmitted on the upper layer B, and the ES related to the partial reception service may refer to the upper layer A. In the case of 4K broadcast services, ESs related to 4K broadcast services are primarily transmitted in the lower hierarchy, ESs related to partial reception services refer to the upper hierarchy A, and ESs related to 2K broadcast services refer to the upper hierarchy B.

The lower hierarchical layer may transmit 4K broadcast services with all segments as hierarchical layer A, or may transmit a partial reception service (which may be the same as the partial reception service in the upper hierarchical layer) with one segment as hierarchical layer A, and transmit the remaining segments as hierarchical layer B with 4K broadcast services.

By configuring the transmission of control information in this way, conventional broadcast receiving devices that do not support 4K broadcast services can avoid needlessly obtaining information about 4K broadcast services by referencing only the upper hierarchical layers.

Figure 13F shows an example of the transmission configuration of control information when simulcasting 2K broadcasting services and 4K broadcasting services using the hierarchical structure shown in Figure 8A is carried out, and the main control information transmission standard is in accordance with (3) above.

The transmission configuration shown in Figure 13F is a terrestrial digital broadcasting service that employs a hierarchical division multiplexing transmission method, and is an example of a case where 2K broadcasting service and 4K broadcasting service are simultaneously broadcast using the hierarchical division shown in Figure 8A, in which a partial reception service is provided on the A layer (strong layer) of the upper layer, a 2K broadcasting service for fixed reception is provided on the B layer (middle layer) of the upper layer, and a 4K broadcasting service for fixed reception is provided on the Lower Layer (weak layer).

In this case, the NIT related to the 2K broadcasting service is transmitted on the upper layer A, and the NIT related to the 4K broadcasting service is transmitted on the lower layer. The PAT related to the 2K broadcasting service is transmitted on the upper layer B, and the PAT related to the 4K broadcasting service is transmitted on the lower layer. As for the PMT, the PMT mainly related to the partial reception service is transmitted on the upper layer A, the PMT mainly related to the 2K broadcasting service is transmitted on the upper layer B, and the PMT mainly related to the 4K broadcasting service is transmitted on the lower layer. In the partial reception service, the ES mainly related to the partial reception service is transmitted on the upper layer A. In the 2K broadcasting service, the ES mainly related to the 2K broadcasting service is transmitted on the upper layer B, and the ES related to the partial reception service refers to the upper layer A. In the 4K broadcasting service, all ES mainly related to the 4K broadcasting service are transmitted on the lower layer, and the upper layer is not referred to.

The lower hierarchical layer may transmit 4K broadcast services with all segments as hierarchical layer A, or may transmit a partial reception service (which may be the same as the partial reception service in the upper hierarchical layer) with one segment as hierarchical layer A, and transmit the remaining segments as hierarchical layer B with 4K broadcast services.

By configuring the transmission of control information in this way, in the case of a conventional broadcast receiving device that does not support 4K broadcast services, it is possible to refer only to the upper hierarchical layers to obtain information about 2K broadcast services, and to avoid needlessly obtaining information about 4K broadcast services. Furthermore, when referring to a 4K broadcast service on a broadcast receiving device that supports 4K broadcast services, it is possible to obtain information about the 4K broadcast service by referring only to the lower hierarchical layers.

In the example of the control information transmission configuration in FIG. 13F, the same audio ES, etc. is transmitted for the 4K broadcast service and the 2K broadcast service, but in this case, the PID may be the same as shown in the figure, or different PIDs may be set.

Note that the examples of the transmission configuration of the main control information using Figures 13A to 13F are illustrated for the case where both the 2K broadcast service and the 4K broadcast service use the MPEG-2 TS method as the media transport method, but a similar transmission configuration of control information is possible even if the media transport method of the 4K broadcast service is the MMT method. In this case, each table placed in the weak hierarchy (C hierarchy or lower hierarchy) in the figure is synonymous with each of the above-mentioned tables and can be replaced with the respective tables prepared in the MMT method standard. For example, the NIT, PAT, PMT, etc. in the MPEG-2 TS method can be replaced with the TLV-NIT, AMT, MPT, PLT, etc. in the MMT method.

The examples of the transmission configurations of the main control information in Figures 13A to 13F can also be applied to cases where the 4K broadcast service and the 2K broadcast service are independent services, rather than simulcast services using the same physical channel.

[Channel setting process for broadcast receiving device in simulcast service]
In current terrestrial digital broadcasting, the network ID is different for each sending master, and it is common that information about other stations is not recorded in the NIT, but when providing a simulcast service, by describing information about the 2K broadcast program and information about the 4K broadcast program that are paired with the simulcast service together in the NIT, it is possible to improve processing efficiency in channel scanning processing (initial scan/rescan) in the broadcast receiving device 100 and service list creation processing, etc.

<Operation example 1 during initial scan/rescan>
14A and 14B show an example of an operation sequence of a channel setting process (initial scan/rescan) for a terrestrial digital broadcasting service including simulcasting, in the broadcast receiving device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that, although the figure shows an example in which the MPEG-2 TS method is adopted as the media transport method for the 4K broadcasting service, the process is basically the same when the MMT method is adopted.

In the channel setting process, the reception function control unit 1102 first sets the residential area (selects the area where the broadcast receiving device 100 is installed) based on the user's instruction (S201). At this time, instead of the user's instruction, the residential area may be automatically set based on the installation location information of the broadcast receiving device 100 acquired by a predetermined process. As an example of the installation location information acquisition process, information may be acquired from the network to which the LAN communication unit 121 is connected, or information on the installation location may be acquired from an external device to which the digital interface unit 125 is connected. Next, an initial value of the frequency range of the 2K broadcast service to be scanned is set, and an instruction is given to the tuner/demodulator (when the first tuner/demodulator 130C, the second tuner/demodulator 130T, and the third tuner/demodulator 130L are not distinguished, this is described. The same applies below) to tune to the set frequency (S202).

The tuner/demodulator performs tuning based on the instruction (S203), and if it is successful in locking onto the set frequency (S203: Yes), it proceeds to processing of S204. If it is not successful in locking (S203: No), it proceeds to processing of S211. In processing of S204, it checks the C/N (S204), and if a C/N of a predetermined level or higher is obtained (S204: Yes), it proceeds to processing of S205, where it performs reception confirmation processing (2K). If a C/N of a predetermined level or higher is not obtained (S204: No), it proceeds to processing of S211.

In the reception confirmation process (2K), the reception function control unit 1102 first acquires the BER of the received broadcast wave (S205). Next, the NIT is acquired and compared to confirm whether the NIT is valid data or not (S206). If the NIT acquired in the process of S206 is valid data, the reception function control unit 1102 acquires information such as the transport stream ID and original network ID from the NIT. It also acquires distribution system information related to the physical conditions of the broadcast transmission path corresponding to each transport stream ID/original network ID from the terrestrial distribution system descriptor. It also acquires a list of service IDs from the service list descriptor.

Next, the reception function control unit 1102 checks whether the transport stream ID acquired in the process of S206 has already been acquired by checking the service list (2K) stored in the receiving device (S207). If the transport stream ID acquired in the process of S206 has not already been acquired (S207: No), the various information acquired in the process of S206 is associated with the transport stream ID and added to the service list (2K) (S208). If the transport stream ID acquired in the process of S206 has already been acquired (S207: Yes), the BER acquired in the process of S205 is compared with the BER when the transport stream ID already listed in the service list was acquired (S209). As a result, if the BER acquired in the process of S205 is better (S209: Yes), the service list (2K) is updated with the various information acquired in the process of S206 (S210). If the BER obtained in the process of S205 is not better (S209: No), the various information obtained in the process of S206 is discarded.

If the channel being tuned in and referenced in the process of S203 is a channel that is providing simulcast services, and information regarding 4K broadcast services can also be obtained from the NIT referenced in the process of S206, the process of adding/updating the service list (2K) is performed in the process of S208 or S210, and at the same time, the process of adding/updating the service list (4K) is also performed.

In addition, when creating (adding/updating) the service list (2K) described above, a remote control key ID can be obtained from the TS information descriptor, and a representative service for each transport stream can be associated with a remote control key. This process enables one-touch channel selection.

When the reception confirmation process (2K) is completed, the reception function control unit 1102 checks whether the current frequency setting is the final value of the frequency range of the 2K broadcast service to be scanned (S211). If the current frequency setting is not the final value of the frequency range of the 2K broadcast service to be scanned (S211: No), the frequency value set in the tuner/demodulator is increased (S212) and the processes of S203 to S210 are repeated. If the current frequency setting is the final value of the frequency range of the 2K broadcast service to be scanned (S211: Yes), the process proceeds to S221 in FIG. 14B.

In the process of S221, information about the simulcast service is acquired (S221). The information about the simulcast service is described later. Next, an initial value of the frequency range of the 4K broadcast service to be scanned is set, and the tuner/demodulator is instructed to tune to the set frequency (S222).

Next, based on the information about the simulcast service acquired in the process of S221, a determination is made as to whether the 4K broadcast service transmitted on the physical channel of the frequency set in the process of S222 is in a simulcast relationship with any of the channels of the 2K broadcast service acquired in the reception confirmation process (2K) shown in FIG. 14A (S223), and if it is a simulcast (S223: Yes), the process proceeds to S232. If it is not a simulcast (S223: No), the process proceeds to S224. In other words, if the 4K broadcast service transmitted on the physical channel of the frequency set in the process of S222 is a simulcast of the 2K broadcast service, the reception confirmation process (4K) described below is skipped, and if it is not a simulcast, the reception confirmation process (4K) is executed.

The tuner/demodulator performs tuning based on the instructions in the process of S222 (S224), and if it is successful in locking onto the set frequency (S224: Yes), it proceeds to the process of S225. If it is not successful in locking (S224: No), it proceeds to the process of S232. In the process of S225, the C/N is checked (S225), and if a C/N of a predetermined level or higher is obtained (S225: Yes), it proceeds to the process of S226, where a reception confirmation process (4K) is performed. If a C/N of a predetermined level or higher is not obtained (S225: No), it proceeds to the process of S232.

In the reception confirmation process (4K), the reception function control unit 1102 first acquires the BER of the received broadcast wave (S226). Next, the NIT is acquired and compared to confirm whether the NIT is valid data or not (S227). If the NIT acquired in the process of S227 is valid data, the reception function control unit 1102 acquires information such as the transport stream ID and original network ID from the NIT. In addition, it acquires distribution system information related to the physical conditions of the broadcast transmission path corresponding to each transport stream ID/original network ID from the terrestrial distribution system descriptor. In addition, it acquires a list of service IDs from the service list descriptor.

Next, the reception function control unit 1102 checks whether the transport stream ID acquired in the process of S227 has already been acquired by checking the service list (4K) stored in the receiving device (S228). If the transport stream ID acquired in the process of S227 has not already been acquired (S228: No), the various information acquired in the process of S227 is associated with the transport stream ID and added to the service list (4K) (S229). If the transport stream ID acquired in the process of S227 has already been acquired (S228: Yes), the BER acquired in the process of S226 is compared with the BER when the transport stream ID already listed in the service list was acquired (S230). As a result, if the BER acquired in the process of S226 is better (S230: Yes), the service list (4K) is updated with the various information acquired in the process of S227 (S231). If the BER obtained in the process of S226 is not better (S230: No), the various information obtained in the process of S227 is discarded.

In addition, when creating (adding/updating) the service list (4K) described above, a remote control key ID may be obtained from the TS information descriptor, and a representative service for each transport stream may be associated with a remote control key. This process enables one-touch channel selection.

When the reception confirmation process (4K) is completed, the reception function control unit 1102 checks whether the current frequency setting is the final value of the frequency range of the 4K broadcast service to be scanned (S232). If the current frequency setting is not the final value of the frequency range of the 4K broadcast service to be scanned (S232: No), the frequency value set in the tuner/demodulator is increased (S233), and the processes of S223 to S231 are repeated. If the current frequency setting is the final value of the frequency range of the 4K broadcast service to be scanned (S232: Yes), the process proceeds to S234.

In the process of S234, the service list (2K) and the service list (4K) created (added/updated) in the above process are combined to create a service list (composite) (S234). Furthermore, the created service list (composite) is presented to the user as a result of the channel setting process (S235). Also, if there is duplication of remote control keys, the user may be notified of this and prompted to change the remote control key settings (S236). The service list (composite) created in the above process is stored in a non-volatile memory such as the ROM 103 or storage (accumulation) unit 110 of the broadcast receiving device 100.

The processes of S221 and S223 are not essential. In other words, the processes of S224 to S233 may be performed for all physical channels in the frequency range of the 4K broadcast service without acquiring information about the simulcast service.

In addition, the process of presenting the service list (composite) as a result of the channel setting process performed in the process of S235, and the process of displaying the remote control key settings for changing the settings when there is duplication of remote control keys performed in the process of S236 may display only information related to the 2K broadcast service or only information related to the 4K broadcast service depending on whether the internal setting of the broadcast receiving device 100 is set to the 2K broadcast service reception mode or the 4K broadcast service reception mode. That is, if the most recently pressed key out of the "digital terrestrial" key and the "advanced digital terrestrial" key of the network switching key 180R5 of the remote control 180R is the "digital terrestrial" key and the internal setting of the broadcast receiving device 100 is set to the 2K broadcast service reception mode, only information related to the 2K broadcast service is displayed, and if the most recently pressed key is the "advanced digital terrestrial" key and the internal setting of the broadcast receiving device 100 is set to the 4K broadcast service reception mode, only information related to the 4K broadcast service is displayed. Alternatively, information relating to the 2K broadcast service and information relating to the 4K broadcast service may be displayed simultaneously, regardless of whether the internal setting of the broadcast receiving device 100 is set to the 2K broadcast service reception mode or the 4K broadcast service reception mode.

Note that the example of channel setting processing of a broadcast receiving device in a simulcast service using Figures 14A to 14B is illustrated for a case where both the 2K broadcast service and the 4K broadcast service use the MPEG-2 TS format as the media transport format, but a similar control information transmission configuration is possible even if the media transport format of the 4K broadcast service is the MMT format. In this case, each table referenced in the figure is synonymous with each of the above-mentioned tables and can be replaced with the respective tables prepared in accordance with the MMT format standard. For example, the NIT in the MPEG-2 TS format can be replaced with the TLV-NIT in the MMT format.

<Information about simulcast services>
When simulcasting a 2K broadcast service and a 4K broadcast service, it is preferable to place the following descriptor in at least one or both of the services that make up the simulcast pair. By referring to the following descriptor in the process of S221 in Fig. 14B described above, it becomes possible to determine in the process of S223 whether the 4K broadcast service transmitted on the physical channel having the frequency set in the process of S222 is in a simulcast relationship with any of the channels of the 2K broadcast service acquired in the reception confirmation process (2K) shown in Fig. 14A.

Figure 14C shows an example of the data structure of a service descriptor. Figure 14D shows an example of a list of service format types. A service descriptor is a descriptor that is transmitted in an SDT, and indicates the name of the channel and its operator along with the service format type. In the data structure of the service descriptor, "service_type" is a parameter that indicates the type of service. If this parameter is "0x03", it indicates that the service is a digital TV simulcast service, which means a 2K broadcast service that is paired with simulcast. If this parameter is "0xAE", it indicates that the service is an ultra-high definition 4K simulcast service, which means that the service is a 4K broadcast service that is paired with simulcast.

Figure 14E shows an example of the data structure of a service group descriptor. Figure 14F shows an example of a list of service group types. A service group descriptor is a descriptor that is transmitted in the NIT, and indicates that multiple services are grouped when there is a relationship between those services. In the data structure of the service group descriptor, "service_group_type" is a parameter that indicates the type of services that make up the group. If this parameter is "0x2", it indicates that the service is a broadcast-type simulcast service.

By referring to these descriptors, the broadcast receiving device 100 can determine that the service being received is a simulcast service and that there is a service that is paired with the service being received. Note that a different descriptor from the above-mentioned descriptor may be used to indicate that the service being received is a simulcast service and that there is a service that is paired with the service being received.

Examples of the use of control information such as these descriptors in the broadcast receiving device 100 include the channel setting process (initial scan/rescan) for terrestrial digital broadcasting services, including the simulcast mentioned above, as well as the following:

First, the broadcast receiving device 100 may perform the process of identifying whether or not simulcasting is being performed on the currently received physical channel by determining whether or not control information indicating whether or not the 4K broadcast service being received is a simulcasting paired with a 2K broadcast service is stored. Specifically, if the "service_type (service format type)" of the above-mentioned service descriptor contains "0xAE", which indicates that the 4K broadcast service in question is a 4K broadcast service that is a simulcasting paired with a 2K broadcast service, the broadcast receiving device 100 may determine that simulcasting is being performed on the currently received physical channel. Alternatively, if the "service_group_type (service group type)" of the above-mentioned service group descriptor contains "0x2", which indicates that multiple services constitute a broadcast-type simulcast service, the broadcast receiving device 100 may determine that simulcasting is being performed on the currently received physical channel. The presence or absence of simulcasting on the corresponding physical channel may be determined by combining these two determinations.

Next, the process of identifying a service that will be paired with the simulcast in the broadcast receiving device 100 will be described. It has already been described that the broadcast receiving device 100 can identify whether or not simulcast is being performed on the currently received physical channel by determining whether or not control information indicating whether or not the 4K broadcast service being received is a simulcast that will be paired with a 2K broadcast service transmitted on the same physical channel is stored. In this case, in the broadcasting system according to the present embodiment, when simulcasting of a 2K broadcast service and a 4K broadcast service is performed on the same physical channel, the 2K broadcast service transmitted on the same physical channel is limited to only one, and the 4K broadcast service transmitted on the same physical channel is limited to only one. In this way, in the above-mentioned identification process, simply by identifying whether or not simulcasting is being performed on the currently received physical channel, the 2K broadcast service and the 4K broadcast service that will be paired with the simulcast transmitted on the physical channel can be identified. In other words, this identification process is an identification process that, if a 4K broadcast service is identified as a 4K broadcast service that is a simulcast pair based on the identification information, identifies the 2K broadcast service as one of the simulcast pair, regardless of the value indicated by "service_type" in the 2K broadcast service transmitted within the same physical channel.

As another example of the identification process, a process may be performed to determine whether or not there is a 2K broadcast service transmitted within the same physical channel that is associated with identification information of the same or corresponding definition as the "digital TV simulcast service" of "0x03" in the "service_type" of the above-mentioned service descriptor. In this case, if there is a 2K broadcast service indicating "digital TV simulcast service" of "0x03" in "service_type," the 2K broadcast service is identified as one of a simulcast pair, and a 4K broadcast service indicating "ultra-high definition 4K simulcast service" of "0xAE" in "service_type" is identified as the other of the simulcast pair. In addition, in this other processing example, even if a 4K broadcasting service indicating "ultra-high definition 4K simulcast service" with "service_type" of "0xAE" exists on the same physical channel, due to some malfunction such as an error or a malfunction in the transmitting side processing, a 2K broadcasting service indicating "digital TV service" with "service_type" of "0x01" exists, but a 2K broadcasting service indicating "digital TV simulcast service" with "service_type" of "0x03" does not exist. In this case, in the above-mentioned other processing example, it may be determined that the 4K broadcasting service with "service_type (service format type)" of "0xAE" indicating "ultra-high definition 4K simulcast service" and the 2K broadcasting service with "service_type (service format type)" of "0x01" indicating "digital TV service" are not a simulcast pair. (The result of this determination can also be said to be an identification result that determines that no 2K broadcasting service can be found to be paired with the 4K broadcasting service "ultra-high definition 4K simulcast service.")

The broadcast receiving device 100 described above uses the process of identifying whether or not simulcasting is being performed and/or the process of identifying a service that will be paired with the simulcasting, and stores information on whether or not simulcasting is being performed and/or information on the service that will be paired with the simulcasting for each service stored in the service list together with the above-mentioned synthesized service list or includes the information in the service list in a non-volatile memory such as the ROM 103 or the storage (accumulation) unit 110. By using the information on whether or not simulcasting is being performed and/or information on the service that will be paired with the simulcasting stored by the process of identifying whether or not simulcasting is being performed and/or the process of identifying a service that will be paired with the simulcasting, the broadcast receiving device 100 can execute the process related to the service that will be paired with the simulcasting in the program information (EPG information) such as the EIT in the above-mentioned [Program information acquisition process] of this embodiment. Similarly, by using information on whether the simulcast is being carried out and/or information identifying the service paired with the simulcast, the broadcast receiving device 100 can control the display of the EPG screen related to the service paired with the simulcast in the above-mentioned [Display example of EPG screen during simulcast] of this embodiment.

<Operation example 2 during initial scan/rescan>
FIG. 14G shows an example of an operational sequence of the channel setting process (initial scan/rescan) for terrestrial digital broadcast services including simulcasts, in the broadcast receiving device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is different from the above example.

This operation example is an operation example in the case where the digital broadcasting waves of the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service received by the dual-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting receiving antenna 200T or the single-polarized terrestrial digital broadcasting receiving antenna (not shown) in FIG. 2A are input to the broadcast receiving device 100, then distributed, and input to the first tuner/demodulation unit 130C and the second tuner/demodulation unit 130T. Also, in FIG. 2A, it is also an operation example in the case where the digital broadcasting waves of the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service received by the hierarchical division multiplexing terrestrial digital broadcasting receiving antenna 200L are input to the broadcast receiving device 100, then distributed, and input to the first tuner/demodulation unit 130C and the third tuner/demodulation unit 130L. This operation example is also an example of a case where channel setting (scanning) of a 2K broadcast service and channel setting (scanning) of a 4K broadcast service are performed simultaneously by simultaneously controlling multiple tuner/demodulators (first tuner/demodulator 130C and second tuner/demodulator 130T, or first tuner/demodulator 130C and third tuner/demodulator 130L).

Note that while the diagram shows an example in which the MPEG-2 TS format is used as the media transport format for the 4K broadcasting service, the process is essentially the same when the MMT format is used.

In the channel setting process, the reception function control unit 1102 first sets the residential area (selects the area where the broadcast receiving device 100 is installed) based on the user's instruction (S301). At this time, instead of the user's instruction, the residential area may be automatically set based on the installation location information of the broadcast receiving device 100 acquired by a predetermined process. As an example of the installation location information acquisition process, information may be acquired from the network to which the LAN communication unit 121 is connected, or information on the installation location may be acquired from an external device to which the digital interface unit 125 is connected. Next, the initial value of the frequency range of the 2K broadcast service to be scanned is set and the first tuner/demodulator unit 130C is instructed to tune to the set frequency (S302). At the same time, the initial value of the frequency range of the 4K broadcast service to be scanned is set and the second tuner/demodulator unit 130T (or the third tuner/demodulator unit 130L) is instructed to tune to the set frequency (S312).

The first tuner/demodulator 130C performs tuning based on the instruction (S303), and if it succeeds in locking onto the set frequency (S303: Yes), it proceeds to processing S304. If it does not succeed in locking (S303: No), it proceeds to processing S306. In processing S304, it checks the C/N (S304), and if a C/N of a predetermined level or higher is obtained (S304: Yes), it proceeds to processing S305 and performs reception confirmation processing (2K). If a C/N of a predetermined level or higher is not obtained (S304: No), it proceeds to processing S306. In the reception confirmation processing (2K), it performs the same processing as S205 to S210 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 14A.

Meanwhile, the second tuner/demodulator 130T (or the third tuner/demodulator 130L) also performs tuning based on the instruction (S313), and if it succeeds in locking onto the set frequency (S313: Yes), it proceeds to processing of S314. If it does not succeed in locking (S313: No), it proceeds to processing of S316. In processing of S314, the C/N is checked (S314), and if a C/N of a predetermined level or higher is obtained (S314: Yes), it proceeds to processing of S315, where a reception confirmation process (4K) is performed. If a C/N of a predetermined level or higher is not obtained (S314: No), it proceeds to processing of S316. In the reception confirmation process (4K), the same processes as S226 to S231 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 14B are performed.

When the reception confirmation process (2K) is completed, the reception function control unit 1102 checks whether the current frequency setting in the first tuner/demodulation unit 130C is the final value of the frequency range of the 2K broadcast service to be scanned (S306). If the current frequency setting is not the final value of the frequency range of the 2K broadcast service to be scanned (S306: No), the frequency value set in the first tuner/demodulation unit 130C is increased (S327), and the processes of S303 to S305 are repeated. If the current frequency setting is the final value of the frequency range of the 2K broadcast service to be scanned (S306: Yes), the process proceeds to S338.

On the other hand, when the second tuner/demodulator 130T (or third tuner/demodulator 130L) also finishes the reception confirmation process (4K), the reception function control unit 1102 checks whether the current frequency setting is the final value of the frequency range of the 4K broadcast service to be scanned (S316). If the current frequency setting is not the final value of the frequency range of the 4K broadcast service to be scanned (S316: No), the frequency value set in the second tuner/demodulator 130T (or third tuner/demodulator 130L) is increased (S327), and the processes of S313 to S315 are repeated. If the current frequency setting is the final value of the frequency range of the 4K broadcast service to be scanned (S306: Yes), the process proceeds to S338.

In the process of S338, the service list (2K) created (added/updated) in the reception confirmation process (2K) of S305 and the service list (4K) created (added/updated) in the reception confirmation process (4K) of S315 are combined to create a service list (composite) (S338). Furthermore, the created service list (composite) is presented to the user as a result of the channel setting process (S339). In addition, if there is duplication of remote control keys, the user may be notified of this and prompted to change the remote control key settings (S340). The service list (composite) created in the above process is stored in a non-volatile memory such as the ROM 103 or storage (accumulation) unit 110 of the broadcast receiving device 100.

In this case, similar to the above-mentioned operation example 1, a process for identifying whether or not simulcasting is being performed and/or a process for identifying a service that is paired with the simulcasting is used, and information on whether or not simulcasting is being performed and/or information on identifying a service that is paired with the simulcasting for each service stored in the service list is stored in a non-volatile memory such as ROM 103 or storage (accumulation) unit 110 together with the above-mentioned synthesized service list or included in the service list. As with the above-mentioned operation example 1, the stored information on whether or not simulcasting is being performed and/or information on identifying a service that is paired with the simulcasting can be used for EPG-related processing.

According to the initial scan/rescan operation sequence of the operation example of Figure 14G, by performing scanning processing in parallel on multiple different tuners/demodulation units, the 2K service list and the 4K service list can be added/updated in parallel, so that the time required to obtain the combined service list can be reduced compared to the initial scan/rescan operation sequences in Figures 14A and 14B.

<Processing example 2 of network switching using advanced digital terrestrial key>
The remote control 180R of the broadcast receiving device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an "advanced digital terrestrial key", a "digital terrestrial key", an "advanced BS key", a "BS key", and a "CS key" as the network switching keys 180R5. In the first embodiment, an example (processing example 1) of the network switching process using the "advanced digital terrestrial key" has been described.

Figure 15 shows an example of a more detailed operational sequence of the network switching process of the broadcast receiving device 100 when the network switching key on the remote control 180R of an embodiment of the present invention is pressed.

In the example of FIG. 15, when the "terrestrial digital key" of the remote control 180R is pressed while the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service is being received and displayed in the broadcast receiving device 100, that is, when an attempt is made to switch from receiving and displaying the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service to receiving and displaying the terrestrial digital broadcasting service, this is an example of the starting point of this diagram. In addition, when the "advanced terrestrial digital key" of the remote control 180R is pressed while the terrestrial digital broadcasting service is being received and displayed in the broadcast receiving device 100, that is, when an attempt is made to switch from receiving and displaying the terrestrial digital broadcasting service to receiving and displaying the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service, this is another example of the starting point of this diagram. In other words, the operation sequence of FIG. 15 can be applied to any switching between receiving and displaying the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service and receiving and displaying the terrestrial digital broadcasting service in the broadcast receiving device 100 by pressing the "terrestrial digital key" or the "advanced terrestrial digital key" of the remote control 180R.

First, using FIG. 15, we will explain an example of what happens when the "terrestrial digital key" on the remote control 180R is pressed while the broadcast receiving device 100 is receiving and displaying an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service, i.e., when an attempt is made to switch from receiving and displaying an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service to receiving and displaying a terrestrial digital broadcasting service.

When the "digital terrestrial key" on the remote control 180R is pressed while the broadcast receiving device 100 is receiving and displaying a program of one of the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting services, the broadcast receiving device 100 checks whether or not there is a service or program that will be simulcast in terrestrial digital broadcasting for the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service or program being received and displayed (S1501). The presence or absence of a service or program that will be simulcast can be determined based on the above-mentioned identification process for identifying whether or not simulcasting is being carried out, or on information on whether or not simulcasting is being carried out that is stored together with or included in the service list based on the results of the identification process.

If it is determined in S1501 that there is no service or program that is simulcast in terrestrial digital broadcasting for the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service or its program that was received and displayed before the "terrestrial digital key" was pressed, the service stored in non-volatile memory such as ROM 103 or storage unit 110 when a terrestrial digital broadcasting service program was last received and displayed (the service equivalent to the so-called last memory channel) is selected as the channel selection destination after the network switching, and the program currently being broadcast on that service is received (S1502) and displayed (S1504). S1502 is a typical process for network switching in conventional broadcast receiving devices.

In contrast, if it is determined in S1501 that there is a service or program that will be simulcast in terrestrial digital broadcasting for the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service or its program that was received and displayed before the "terrestrial digital key" was pressed, then the service or program that will be simulcast in terrestrial digital broadcasting that was determined to be simulcast in S1501 is selected as the channel to be selected after the network switch, rather than the service that corresponds to the so-called last memory channel, and the program currently being broadcast on that service is received (S1503) and displayed (S1504). In this case, the channel to be selected after the network switch may be determined based on the above-mentioned process of identifying a service that will be paired with the simulcast, or on information identifying a service that will be paired with the simulcast that is stored together with or included in the service list based on the result of that process. That is, even if the service (service equivalent to the so-called last memory channel) of the last terrestrial digital broadcasting service program received and displayed at the time of S1501 is stored in a non-volatile memory such as ROM 103 or storage (accumulation) unit 110, this is ignored and the simulcast program of the terrestrial digital broadcasting is given priority for reception and display. As a result, when there is no simulcast program of the program the user was watching at the time the "terrestrial digital key" is pressed, the broadcast receiving device 100 performs channel selection by conventional network switching processing, and can provide the user with channel selection by conventional network switching processing that does not feel strange, and when there is a simulcast program of the program the user was watching at the time the "terrestrial digital key" is pressed, the broadcast receiving device 100 selects the simulcast program and transitions the display screen, thereby realizing a suitable network switching process that ensures the continuity of the user's viewing.

Next, using the same FIG. 15, an example will be described in which the "advanced terrestrial digital key" of the remote control 180R is pressed when the terrestrial digital broadcasting service is being received and displayed in the broadcast receiving device 100, that is, an example of attempting to switch from receiving and displaying the terrestrial digital broadcasting service to receiving and displaying the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service. In this case, in a series of explanations of the processing and effect of the example in which the "terrestrial digital key" of the remote control 180R is pressed when the above-mentioned advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service is being received and displayed, the "advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service" should be read as the "terrestrial digital broadcasting service", the "terrestrial digital broadcasting service" should be read as the "advanced terrestrial digital key", the "terrestrial digital key" should be read as the "terrestrial digital key", and the "terrestrial digital key" should be read as the "advanced terrestrial digital key". Therefore, since detailed processing can be explained by the above-mentioned replacement, repeated explanations will be omitted.
According to the network switching process of the broadcast receiving device 100 and the channel selection process after the network switching process when the network switching key on the remote control 180R of the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 15 is pressed as described above, it is possible to provide the user with more suitable network switching process and channel selection process depending on whether or not there is a simulcast program for the broadcast program being viewed.

The example of the operational sequence in FIG. 15 describes network switching between an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service and a terrestrial digital broadcasting service as an example, but it may be performed in other combinations of networks as long as simulcasting is possible between the networks. For example, it may be performed between a terrestrial digital broadcasting service and an advanced BS digital broadcasting service, or between an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service and a BS digital broadcasting service.

<Example of network switching using the SimulSwitch key>
Next, Fig. 16 shows an example in which the remote control 180R of the broadcast receiving device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided with a new key, a "simulcast switching key" 180RJ. In the example of Fig. 16, the "simulcast switching key" 180RJ is a key simply labeled "simulcast". Here, when the "simulcast switching key" 180RJ is pressed, it performs an identification process to determine whether or not a simulcast of a program currently being received and displayed by the broadcast receiving device 100 is being carried out on another network, or it refers to information stored in a non-volatile memory such as the ROM 103 or the storage (accumulation) unit 110 as to whether or not a simulcast of the program is being carried out, and switches the reception process and display process of the broadcast receiving device 100 according to the result of the identification process or the reference process.

Here, FIG. 17 shows an example of an operation sequence for the reception process and display process of the broadcast receiving device 100 when the "simulcast switching key" 180RJ of the remote control 180R of the embodiment of the present invention is pressed.

In the example of Figure 17, an example of the starting point of this figure is when the "simulcast switching key" 180RJ on the remote control 180R is pressed while the broadcast receiving device 100 is receiving and displaying an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service, i.e., when an attempt is made to switch from receiving and displaying a broadcast program of the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service to receiving and displaying a broadcast program of the paired simulcasting service. Another example of the starting point of this figure is when the "simulcast switching key" 180RJ on the remote control 180R is pressed while the broadcast receiving device 100 is receiving and displaying a terrestrial digital broadcasting service, i.e., when an attempt is made to switch from receiving and displaying a broadcast program of the terrestrial digital broadcasting service to receiving and displaying a broadcast program of the paired simulcasting service. In other words, the operational sequence of FIG. 17 can be applied when switching to receiving and displaying a simulcast service or broadcast program using the "simulcast switch key" 180RJ on the remote control 180R while the broadcast receiving device 100 is receiving and displaying a terrestrial digital broadcast service or an advanced terrestrial digital broadcast service.

First, using FIG. 17, we will explain an example of what happens when the broadcast receiving device 100 is receiving and displaying a program of one of the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting services and the "simulcast switching key" 180RJ on the remote control 180R is pressed, i.e., when an attempt is made to switch from receiving and displaying the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service to receiving and displaying a service or program that is simulcast.

When the "simulcast switch key" 180RJ on the remote control 180R is pressed while the broadcast receiving device 100 is receiving and displaying a program of one of the advanced terrestrial digital broadcast services, the broadcast receiving device 100 (e.g., the reception function control unit 1102, the same below) checks whether or not the advanced terrestrial digital broadcast service or its program being received and displayed has a service or program that is simulcast on another network such as terrestrial digital broadcasting (S1701). The presence or absence of a service or program that is simulcast can be determined based on the above-mentioned identification process for identifying whether or not simulcast is being carried out, or on information on whether or not simulcast is being carried out that is stored together with or included in the service list based on the results of the identification process.

When the broadcast receiving device 100 determines that there is a service or program that is simulcast on another network, such as terrestrial digital broadcasting, for the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service or program that was being received and displayed before the "simulcast switch key" 180RJ was pressed (S1701: Yes), it proceeds to S1702.

In S1702, the broadcast receiving device 100 selects a service or program that will be simulcast on another network, such as terrestrial digital broadcasting, for which it was determined in S1701 that there is a simulcast, as the selection destination after the network switching, and receives the program currently being broadcast on that service. The broadcast receiving device 100 then displays the received program (S1704). At this time, the selection destination after the network switching may be determined based on the above-mentioned specification process for specifying a service that will be paired with the simulcast, or on information that specifies a service that will be paired with the simulcast and that is stored together with or included in the service list based on the results of the specification process.

On the other hand, if the broadcast receiving device 100 determines in S1701 that there is no service or program that is simulcast on another network, such as terrestrial digital broadcasting, for the advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service or its program that was received and displayed before the ``simulcast switch key'' 180RJ was pressed (S1701: No), it proceeds to S1703.
In S1703, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 performs a process of displaying a message to inform the user that "there is no simulcast of the program in question." In this case, the channel selection process is not performed. A specific example of the message display in S1703 is shown in FIG.

Figure 18 shows an example in which a message 1801 stating "there is no simulcast for the program" is displayed on the monitor unit 192 of the broadcast receiving device 100 in S1703. Figure 18 shows an example in which the message 1801 is displayed superimposed on the program video. Since no channel selection process is performed in S1703, the message 1801 is displayed superimposed on the program video of the program that was received and displayed before the "simulcast switch key" 180RJ was pressed. As a variant, the display of the program video may be stopped when the message 1801 is displayed.

Next, using the same Figures 17 and 18, an example will be described in which, when the broadcast receiving device 100 is receiving and displaying a program of one of the terrestrial digital broadcast services and the "simulcast switch key" 180RJ on the remote control 180R is pressed, that is, an attempt is made to switch from receiving and displaying the terrestrial digital broadcast service to receiving and displaying a service or program that is simulcast.

In this case, in the series of explanations of the processing and effects in the example of pressing the "simulcast switching key" 180RJ on the remote control 180R while the above-mentioned advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service is being received and displayed, "advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service" should be read as "terrestrial digital broadcasting service" and "terrestrial digital broadcasting service" should be read as "advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service." Therefore, since a detailed explanation of the processing is possible by this replacement, repeated explanations will be omitted.

According to the network switching process, the channel selection process after the network switching process, the simulcast program display process, and the message display process of the broadcast receiving device 100 when the "simulcast switching key" 180RJ on the remote control 180R of the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 16, 17, and 18 is pressed as described above, if there is no simulcast service or program even when the "simulcast switching key" 180RJ is pressed, the user can be informed of this, and the simulcast program display process and message display process can be provided in a more suitable manner for the user depending on whether there is a simulcast program for the broadcast program being viewed.

The example of the operation sequence in FIG. 17 describes the process when the "simulcast switching key" 180RJ is pressed when receiving an advanced terrestrial digital broadcasting service or when receiving a terrestrial digital broadcasting service as an example, but it can also be applied when the "simulcast switching key" 180RJ is pressed when receiving other broadcasting services. For example, it may be applied when receiving a BS digital broadcasting service and when receiving an advanced BS digital broadcasting service.

Although examples of the embodiment of the present invention have been described above using Examples 1 and 2, the configuration for realizing the technology of the present invention is not limited to the above examples, and various modifications are possible. For example, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of one example with the configuration of another example, and it is also possible to add the configuration of another example to the configuration of one example. All of these fall within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the numerical values and messages that appear in the text and figures are merely examples, and the effect of the present invention will not be impaired even if different ones are used.

The functions of the present invention described above may be realized in part or in whole by hardware, for example by designing them as integrated circuits. They may also be realized by software, with a microprocessor unit or the like interpreting and executing an operating program that realizes each function. Hardware and software may also be used in combination.

The software that controls the broadcast receiving device 100 may be stored in the ROM 103 and/or storage unit 110 of the broadcast receiving device 100 at the time of product shipment. It may be acquired from a server device on the Internet 800 via the LAN communication unit 121 after product shipment. The software stored in a memory card, optical disk, etc. may be acquired via the extended interface unit 124, etc. Similarly, the software that controls the mobile information terminal 700 may be stored in the ROM 703 and/or storage unit 710 of the mobile information terminal 700 at the time of product shipment. It may be acquired from a server device on the Internet 800 via the LAN communication unit 721 or mobile telephone network communication unit 722 after product shipment. The software stored in a memory card, optical disk, etc. may be acquired via the extended interface unit 724, etc.

The control and information lines shown in the diagram are those considered necessary for explanation, and do not necessarily represent all control and information lines on the product. In reality, it is safe to assume that almost all components are interconnected.

100: Broadcast receiving device, 101: Main control unit, 102: System bus, 103: ROM, 104: RAM, 110: Storage (accumulation) unit, 121: LAN communication unit, 124: Expansion interface unit, 125: Digital interface unit, 130C, 130T, 130L, 130B: Tuner/demodulation unit, 140S, 140U: Decoder unit, 180: Operation input unit, 191: Video selection unit, 192: Monitor unit, 193: Video output unit, 194: Audio selection unit, 195: Speaker unit , 196: Audio output unit, 180R: Remote controller, 200, 200C, 200T, 200S, 200L, 200B: Antenna, 201T, 201L, 201B: Conversion unit, 300, 300T, 300S, 300L: Radio tower, 400C: Cable television station head end, 400: Broadcast station server, 500: Service provider server, 600: Mobile telephone communication server, 600B: Base station, 700: Portable information terminal, 800: Internet, 800R: Router device.

Claims (5)

A digital broadcast receiving device,
one or more receiving units for receiving one or more broadcast waves including a plurality of digital broadcast services transmitted through a plurality of different networks;
a display unit that displays a program of the digital broadcasting service received by the receiving unit;
an operation input unit for inputting a control signal from a remote controller;
A control unit is provided,
when a program of a digital broadcasting service transmitted through one of the plurality of networks is displayed on the display unit, and a signal indicating that a button of the remote controller for switching the network transmitting the program displayed on the display unit to another network is pressed is input to the operation input unit, the control unit performs control to change a channel selection operation for a service of the other network depending on whether or not a service transmitting the program displayed on the display unit or a service or program that is a simulcast of the program is included in the service or program transmitted through the other network.
Digital broadcast receiving device. 2. The digital broadcast receiving device according to claim 1,
When the services or programs transmitted through the other network include a service transmitting the program displayed on the display unit or a service or program that is a simulcast of the program, the control unit controls the channel selection operation so that the service or program that is the simulcast of the program transmitted through the other network is displayed after channel selection.
Digital broadcast receiving device. 3. The digital broadcast receiving device according to claim 2,
Equipped with memory,
When the services or programs transmitted through the other network do not include a service transmitting the program displayed on the display unit or a service or program that is a simulcast of the program, the control unit controls the channel selection operation so that the service or program of the other network that was last displayed on the display unit and stored in the memory is displayed after channel selection.
Digital broadcast receiving device. 2. The digital broadcast receiving device according to claim 1,
When the services or programs transmitted through the other network received by the digital broadcast receiving device include a service transmitting the program displayed on the display unit or a service or program that is a simulcast of the program, the control unit controls a display process of the display unit so that the service or program that is the simulcast of the program transmitted through the other network is displayed after channel selection.
Digital broadcast receiving device. 2. The digital broadcast receiving device according to claim 1,
When the services or programs transmitted through other networks received by the digital broadcast receiving device do not include a service transmitting the program displayed on the display unit or a service or program that is a simulcast of the program, the control unit controls the display unit to display a message indicating that there is no service or program that is a simulcast of the service or program transmitting the program displayed on the display unit.
Digital broadcast receiving device.

Images