Description
Title of Invention
TRANSMITTING APPARATUS, TRANSMITTING METHOD, RECEIVING
APPARATUS, RECEIVING METHOD, PROGRAM, 5 AND ELECTRONIC
DEVICE
Technical Field
[0001]
10 The present technology relates to a transmitting apparatus, a transmitting
method, a receiving apparatus, a receiving method, a program, and an electronic
device, and in particular, relates to a transmitting apparatus or the like capable of
efficiently transmitting each packet contained in a transport stream to an external
device.
15
Background Art
[0002]
In the CI_Plus standard v1.3.1 released in January 2011, a function to
perform de-scramble processing of a plurality of receiving channels simultaneously
20 is not available and a viewer cannot record a program simultaneously while viewing
another program. As a precedent of standardizing the function other than CI_Plus,
the M-Card system of the US Open Cable standard is known and operated.
[0003]
In the M-Card system, MPEG-TS signals received by two tuners in a host
25 device such as a TV set or a set-top box are fully multiplexed on the time axis to
realize output from the host device to a CAM module having a de-scramble function
without changing a conventional physical interface.
[0004]
Limitations of the system include the fact that the bit rate of the multiplexed
30 MPEG-TS signal at least doubles due to multiplexing. The upper limit bit rate of
the MPEG-TS signal is 96 Mbps and 192 Mbps, which is double the bit rate thereof,
3
is the upper limit of the practicable bit rate. Therefore, multiplexing of three
MPEG-TS signals or more does not function.
[0005]
To solve the above problem, for example, the technology described in Patent
Literature 1 is proposed. According to the technology, only necessary 5 PID packets
are selected for multiplexing by matching to channel selection information of the
host device from two MPEG-TS signals or more and SI/PSI information of PMT
(Program Map Table) and the like is corrected by matching to the extracted service
channel ID number.
10 [0006]
An advantage of the technology described in Patent Literature 1 is that an
MPEG-TS stream after multiplexing can be received not only by a newly designed
CAM module corresponding to the expanded function, but also by an existing CAM
module.
15 Citation List
Patent Literature
[0007]
Patent Literature 1: US 7394834B
20 Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0008]
In the technology described in Patent Literature 1 described above, the
following problem is expected when the technology is realized.
25 [0009]
In the current standard, which service channel in an MPEG-TS stream
received by the CAM module from the host device to de-scramble is decided by a
method by which the PID number of the service channel selected by the host device
is added to a CA_PMT table after the CA_PMT table being created and the
30 CA_PMT table is output to the CAM module.
[0010]
4
Detailed information EMM (Entitlement Management Message), ECM
(Entitlement Control Message) necessary for de-scrambling is exchanged between a
sending apparatus and the CAM module. Thus, the host device mediating the
MPEG-TS signal does not know the location of EMM and ECM data. This is one
element that maintains the security strength 5 of CI_Plus.
[0011]
On the other hand, the aforementioned exchange means that the host device
cannot grasp a list of PID packet numbers containing data needed by the host device
for de-scrambling. Therefore, when, as described above, the SI/PSI information is
10 corrected, there remains a possibility of causing a problem that de-scrambling is not
performed by the CAM module.
[0012]
An object of the present technology is to effectively perform transmission of
a transport stream to an external device.
15
Solution to Problem
[0013]
According to an aspect of the present technology, there is provided a
transmitting apparatus including a stream input unit that inputs a transport stream
20 containing PID data packets of a plurality of service channels in a time-division
manner, an information addition unit that adds a time stamp corresponding to a time
of the input to PID packets remaining after the PID data packets of the service
channels that are not selected of the input transport stream are removed, and a stream
transmitting unit that successively transmits each of the PID packets to which the
25 time stamp is added to an external device.
[0014]
According to the present technology, a transport stream containing PID
packets of a plurality of service channels in a time-division manner is input by a
stream input unit. A time stamp corresponding to a time of input is added to PID
30 packets remaining after PID data packets (PID video packets, PID audio packets and
the like) of the service channels that are not selected (tuned) of the transport stream
5
are removed by an information addition unit. Then, each of the PID packets to
which the time stamp is added is successively transmitted to an external device by a
stream transmitting unit.
[0015]
For example, the stream transmitting unit may also be 5 caused to transmit
each PID packet to the external device via a digital interface. In this case, for
example, the digital interface may be a DVB-CI common interface and the external
device may be a conditional access module that performs de-scramble processing.
[0016]
10 According to the present technology, as described above, only PID packets
remaining after PID data packets of service channels that are not selected (tuned)
from among PID packets of a plurality of service channels contained in the transport
stream are removed are transmitted and so the transmission bit rate can be reduced to
a low level. Also, a time stamp corresponding to the input time is added the PID
15 packet to be transmitted and, for example, each PID packet returned from an external
device can be returned to the original time position in accordance with the added
time stamp to reconfigure a transport stream and also PCR (Program Clock
Reference) in each PID packet can correctly be brought back to a correct state.
[0017]
20 In the present technology, for example, the stream transmitting unit may
decide the clock rate needed for continuous transmission from the total amount of
data of PID packets to which the time stamp is added so that each PID packet is
continuously transmitted to the external device. By performing such continuous
transmission of PID packets, the operation of a synchronizing system of a receiving
25 circuit in the external device can be stabilized.
[0018]
Also in the present technology, when each PID packet is transmitted to the
external device, for example, the stream transmitting unit may be caused to further
transmit service channel information of the PID packet to the external device.
30 Accordingly, when PID packets remaining after PID data packets of non-selected
service channels are removed are transmitted, the external device can correctly
6
recognize packets of which service channels are transmitted without SI/PSI
information being corrected.
[0019]
Also in the present technology, for example, the stream input unit may be
caused to input a plurality of transport streams, the information addition 5 unit may be
caused to add a stream identifier that identifies the corresponding transport stream
and a time stamp corresponding to the time of input to PID packets remaining after
PID data packets of service channels that are not selected (tuned) of each of the
plurality of input transport streams, and the stream transmitting unit may be caused
10 to successively transmit each PID packet to which the stream identifier and time
stamp are added to the external device. The PID packet transmitted in this manner
has, in addition to the time stamp corresponding to the input time, stream
identification information added thereto and therefore, each PID packet returned
from the external device can easily be distributed to each stream and the
15 reconfiguration of the plurality of transport streams is facilitated.
[0020]
According to another aspect of the present technology, there is provided a
receiving apparatus including a stream receiving unit that successively receives each
PID packet to which a time stamp indicating an original time position in a transport
20 stream is added from an external device, and a stream reconfiguration unit that
reconfigures the transport stream by arranging each of the received PID packets in a
time position in accordance with the added time stamp.
[0021]
According to the present technology, each PID packet to which a time stamp
25 indicating an original time position in a transport stream is successively received by a
stream receiving unit. Then, the transport stream is reconfigured by each PID
packet being arranged in a time position in accordance with the time stamp added to
each PID packet by a stream reconfiguration unit. For example, the stream
receiving unit may also be caused to receive each PID packet from the external
30 device via a digital interface. In this case, for example, the digital interface may be
a DVB-CI common interface and the external device may be a conditional access
7
module that performs de-scramble processing.
[0022]
According to the present technology, the transport stream is reconfigured by
arranging each received PID packet in the time position in accordance with the added
time stamp and the transport stream in which PCR in each PID 5 packet is brought
back to its correct position can correctly be obtained.
[0023]
In the present technology, for example, the stream reconfiguration unit may
be caused to further insert a pseudo-PID packet distinguished from a PID packet by a
10 packet identifier (PID) into a time position where no PID packet of the reconfigured
transport stream is present. By inserting a pseudo-PID packet in this manner, the
reconfigured transport stream has continuous PID packets and the operation of a
synchronizing system of a receiving circuit of the reconfigured transport stream can
be stabilized.
15 [0024]
Also in the present technology, the stream receiving unit may be caused to
successively receive each PID packet to which the stream identifier that identifies the
corresponding transport stream and the time stamp are added from the external
device and the stream reconfiguration unit may be caused to reconfigure a plurality
20 of transport streams by distributing each PID packet to each stream in accordance
with the added stream identifier and arranging each PID packet in the time position
in accordance with the added time stamp in each stream.
[0025]
In this case, the received PID packet has, in addition to the time stamp
25 indicating the original time position in the transport stream, stream identification
information added thereto and each PID packet is distributed to each stream based on
the stream identification information and therefore, even if PID packets received
successively form a combination of PID packets of a plurality of transport streams,
each transport stream can easily be reconfigured.
30 [0026]
According to another aspect of the present technology, there is provided
8
an electronic device including:
a transmitting apparatus; and
a receiving apparatus,
wherein the transmitting apparatus includes
a stream input unit that inputs a plurality of 5 transport streams,
an information addition unit that adds, to PID packets remaining after PID
data packets of service channels that are not selected (tuned) of each of the plurality
of transport streams that have been input are removed, a stream identifier that
identifies the corresponding transport stream and a time stamp corresponding to a
10 time of the input, and
a stream transmitting unit that transmits each of the PID packets to which
the stream identifier and the time stamp are added to an external device via a digital
interface, and
wherein the receiving apparatus includes
15 a stream receiving unit that successively receives each of the PID packets to
which the stream identifier and the time stamp are added from the external device,
and
wherein a stream reconfiguration unit that reconfigures the plurality of
transport streams by distributing each of the received PID packets to each stream in
20 accordance with the added stream identifier and arranging each of the PID packets in
a time position in accordance with the time stamp added in the each stream.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0027]
25 According to the present technology, transmission of a transport stream to
an external device can effectively be performed.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0028]
30 [FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a receiving
system of digital broadcasting as an embodiment.
9
[FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of a
common interface controller constituting the receiving system.
[FIG. 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of PID packets of
transport streams that are each fetched by an input buffer and an example of PID
packets that are not unnecessary after PID data packets other 5 than those of the
selected (tuned) service channel are removed.
[FIG. 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of PID packets that are not
unnecessary of each transport stream held in a dual port memory and to which TS ID
and a time stamp are added, an example of a stream obtained by combining such PID
10 packets, and an example of each packet continuously transmitted to a CAM module.
[FIG. 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of each PID packet contained in a
stream received by a TS re-construct buffer.
[FIG. 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of each transport stream
reconfigured by a PID timing adjuster and an example of transport streams output
15 finally after pseudo-PID packets being inserted.
[FIG. 7] FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an example of a processing procedure of the
common interface controller for transmitting PID packets of each transport stream as
a stream by combining such PID packets to the CAM module.
[FIG. 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the processing procedure of the
20 common interface controller for receiving combined PID packets of each transport
stream from the CAM module.
Description of Embodiments
[0029]
25 Forms (hereinafter, called "embodiments") to carry out the invention will be
described below. The description will be provided in the order shown below:
1. First Embodiment
2. Modification
[0030]
30 <1. First Embodiment>
[Configuration example of a digital broadcasting receiving system]
10
FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a receiving system 10 of digital
broadcasting as an embodiment. The receiving system 10 includes a host device
100 and a CAM module 200. The host device 100 is a TV set, a set-top box or the
like.
5 [0031]
The host device 100 has a microprocessor 101, tuners 102-1, 102-2, 102-3,
and demodulators 103-1, 103-2, 103-3. The host device 100 also has a common
interface controller 104 and demultiplexers 105-1, 105-2, 105-3. Further, the host
device 100 has MPEG decoders 106-1, 106-2, 106-3.
10 [0032]
The microprocessor 101 controls the operation of each unit of the host
device 100. The tuners 102-1, 102-2, 102-3 receive RF modulating signals of
transport streams TS1, TS2, TS3 transmitted from a broadcasting station respectively.
Then, the tuners 102-1, 102-2, 102-3 down-convert the RF modulating signals to an
15 intermediate frequency and output for input into the demodulators 103-1, 103-2, 103-
3 respectively. The demodulators 103-1, 103-2, 103-3 demodulate IF modulating
signals down-converted to the intermediate frequency to obtain the transport streams
TS1, TS2, TS3 in the base band respectively.
[0033]
20 The common interface controller 104 exchanges with, that is, performs
transmission/reception to/from a CAM module 200 the transport streams TS1, TS2,
TS3 obtained by the demodulators 103-1, 103-2, 103-3 respectively. The common
interface controller 104 and the CAM module 200 are connected by a DVB-CI
common interface.
25 [0034]
Each transport stream contains PID packets of a plurality of service
channels in a time-division manner. The common interface controller 104
exchanges PID packets after removing PID data packets of service channels that are
not selected (tuned) from each transport stream. Accordingly, the transmission bit
30 rate is reduced. A detailed configuration of the common interface controller 104
will further be described later.
11
[0035]
The demultiplexers 105-1, 105-2, 105-3 extract PID data packets of the
selected (tuned) service channel from the transport streams TS1, TS2, TS3 obtained
by the common interface controller 104 respectively. The PID data packets are
video or audio PID data packets. The MPEG decoders 106-1, 106-5 2, 106-3 decode
elementary streams constituted of PID data packets extracted by the demultiplexers
105-1, 105-2, 105-3 to obtain video data and audio data respectively.
[0036]
The CAM module 200 is an attachment device fitted into a DVB-CI
10 common interface connector of the host device 100 to perform de-scramble
processing. The CAM module 200 is used by a card (Smartcard) such as a
magnetic card, an IC card or the like in which subscriber information, contract period
information and the like are recorded being inserted.
[0037]
15 The CAM module 200 has a microprocessor 201 and a de-scrambler 202.
The CAM module 200 receives a PID packet transmitted from the common interface
controller 104 of the host device 100 through the DVB-CI common interface and
performs de-scramble processing thereon. Then, the CAM module 200 transmits
each PID packet to the common interface controller 104 of the host device 100.
20 [0038]
The operation of the receiving system 10 shown in FIG. 1 will briefly be
described. RF modulating signals of the transport streams TS1, TS2, TS3
transmitted from a broadcasting station are received by the tuners 102-1, 102-2, 102-
3 respectively. Then, the RF modulating signals down-converted to an intermediate
25 frequency by the tuners 102-1, 102-2, 102-3 are supplied to the demodulators 103-1,
103-2, 103-3 respectively. In the demodulators 103-1, 103-2, 103-3, IF modulating
signals down-converted to the intermediate frequency are demodulated to obtain the
transport streams TS1, TS2, TS3 in the base band respectively. The transport
streams TS1, TS2, TS3 are supplied to the common interface controller 104.
30 [0039]
In the common interface controller 104, PID packets of the transport
12
streams TS1, TS2, TS3 supplied from the demodulators 103-1, 103-2, 103-3 are
combined. Then, each of the combined PID packets is transmitted from the
common interface controller 104 to the CAM module 200 via the DVB-CI common
interface. In this case, PID data packets of service channels that are not selected
(tuned) are removed from each 5 transport stream.
[0040]
In the CAM module 200, a PID packet transmitted from the common
interface controller 104 of the host device 100 via the DVB-CI common interface is
received and de-scramble processing is performed thereon. Then, each PID packet
10 is transmitted from the CAM module 200 to the common interface controller 104 of
the host device 100 via the DVB-CI common interface.
[0041]
In the common interface controller 104, a PID packet transmitted from the
CAM module 200 is received via the DVB-CI common interface. Then, in the
15 common interface controller 104, each PID packet is distributed to the respective
stream to reconfigure the transport streams TS1, TS2, TS3. The reconfigured
transport streams TS1, TS2, TS3 are supplied to the demultiplexers 105-1, 105-2,
105-3 respectively.
[0042]
20 In the demultiplexers 105-1, 105-2, 105-3, PID data packets of the selected
(tuned) service channel are extracted from the transport streams TS1, TS2, TS3
supplied by the common interface controller 104 respectively. Video and audio PID
data packets extracted by the demultiplexers 105-1, 105-2, 105-3 are supplied to the
MPEG decoders 106-1, 106-2, 106-3 respectively.
25 [0043]
In the MPEG decoders 106-1, 106-2, 106-3, demodulation processing is
performed on video and audio elementary streams constituted of video and audio
PID data packets respectively. Then, the respective video data and audio data of the
selected (tuned) service channel are output from the MPEG decoders 106-1, 106-2,
30 106-3.
[0044]
13
[Detailed configuration example of the common interface controller]
Next, a detailed configuration of the common interface controller 104 will
be described. FIG. 2 shows a detailed configuration of the common interface
controller 104. The controller 104 has input buffers 141-1, 141-2, 141-3 and dual
port memories 142-1, 142-2, 142-3. The controller 104 5 also has a TS remapper/
output rate controller 143 and a TS re-construct buffer 144.
[0045]
In addition, the controller 104 has dual port memories 145-1, 145-2, 145-3
and PID timing adjusters 146-1, 146-2, 146-3. The controller 104 also has an input
10 clock generator 151 and a local TS ID/time stamp adder 152. Further, the controller
104 has a local TS ID controller 153 and a time stamp reader 154.
[0046]
The input buffers 141-1, 141-2, 141-3 temporarily store the input transport
streams TS1, TS2, TS3 respectively. The relative time of a PID packet of each
15 transport stream incorporated into these input buffers 141-1, 141-2, 141-3 can be
managed by storing the count value of the clock generated by the input clock
generator 151.
[0047]
The local TS ID/time stamp adder 152 adds TS ID and a time stamp by
20 using the dual port memories 142-1, 142-2, 142-3. In this case, the local TS
ID/time stamp adder 152 adds TS ID and a time stamp to PID packets remaining
after PID data packets of service channels that are not selected (tuned) of the
transport streams TS1, TS2, TS3 are removed. Incidentally, TS ID is a stream
identifier to identify the transport stream to which the PID packet corresponds. The
25 time stamp is time information corresponding to the time when the PID packet is
input into the input buffer and, for example, the count value of the clock generated
by the input clock generator 151 is used.
[0048]
The TS re-mapper/output rate controller 143 successively reads PID packets
30 to which TS ID and the time stamp are added in chronological order from the dual
port memories 142-1, 142-2, 142-3 to combine these PID packets into one stream.
14
Then, the TS re-mapper/output rate controller 143 successively transmits each PID
packet of the transport streams TS1, TS2, TS3 contained in the stream to the CAM
module 200 via the DVB-CI common interface.
[0049]
In this case, the TS re-mapper/output rate controller 143 5 decides the clock
rate needed for continuous transmission from the total amount of data to
continuously transmit each packet to the CAM module 200. By performing such
continuous transmission, the operation of a synchronizing system of a receiving
circuit in the CAM module 200 can be stabilized.
10 [0050]
The TS re-mapper/output rate controller 143 also transmits, corresponding
to transmission of each PID packet to the CAM module 200, stream information and
service channel information of the PID packet. The stream information indicates to
which transport stream the PID packet belongs and the service channel information
15 indicates to which service channel the PID packet belongs.
[0051]
By transmitting stream information and service channel information of each
PID packet to match transmission of the PID packet in this manner, the following
effect can be achieved. That is, the CAM module 200 can correctly recognize PID
20 packets of which service channel are transmitted without making corrections of
SI/PSI information accompanying processing to remove unnecessary PID data
packets.
[0052]
The TS re-construct buffer 144 successively receives and temporarily stores
25 each PID packet of the transport streams TS1, TS2, TS3 from the CAM module 200
via the DVB-CI common interface. Each PID packet has, as described above, TS
ID and the time stamp added thereto.
[0053]
The local TS ID controller 153 distributes each PID packet stored in the TS
30 re-construct buffer 144 to one of the transport streams TS1, TS2, TS3 in accordance
with TS ID added thereto. Then, the local TS ID controller 153 writes PID packets
15
distributed to each transport stream to the respective dual port memories 145-1, 145-
2, 145-3.
[0054]
The time stamp reader 154 reads the time stamp added to each PID packet
written into the dual port memories 145-1, 145-2, 145-3. The 5 PID timing adjusters
146-1, 146-2, 146-3 reconfigure and output the transport streams TS1, TS2, TS3
based on the reading result of the time stamp described above respectively. That is,
the PID timing adjusters 146-1, 146-2, 146-3 read and output each PID packet
written into the dual port memories 145-1, 145-2, 145-3 so as to be arranged in the
10 time position in accordance with the time stamp added thereto.
[0055]
In this case, the PID timing adjusters 146-1, 146-2, 146-3 insert a pseudo-
PID packet having a different PID from that of a PID packet into the time position
where the PID packet is not present of the reconfigured transport streams TS1, TS2,
15 TS3 respectively. In the pseudo-PID packet, a payload portion has random data in
which the "0" value and the "1" value are not consecutive inserted thereinto. By
inserting the pseudo-PID packet, the reconfigured transport streams TS1, TS2, TS3
have continuous PID packets and the operation of a synchronizing system of a
receiving circuit of the reconfigured transport streams S1, TS2, TS3 can be stabilized.
20 [0056]
Next, the operation of the common interface controller 104 shown in FIG. 2
will be described. The transport streams TS1, TS2, TS3 supplied from the
demodulators 103-1, 103-2, 103-4 (see FIG. 1) are temporarily stored after being
supplied to the input buffers 141-1, 141-2, 141-3 respectively. The relative time of
25 a PID packet of each transport stream incorporated into these input buffers 141-1,
141-2, 141-3 is managed by the count value of the clock generated by the input clock
generator 151 being stored. FIG. 3(a) shows a configuration example of PID
packets of the transport streams TS1, TS2, TS3 incorporated into the input buffers
141-1, 141-2, 141-3 respectively.
30 [0057]
The dual port memories 142-1, 142-2, 142-3 are used by the local TS
16
ID/time stamp adder 152 to add TS ID and a time stamp. In this case, TS ID and a
time stamp are added to PID packets remaining (not unnecessary PID packets) after
PID data packets of service channels that are not selected (tuned) of the transport
streams TS1, TS2, TS3 are removed. Incidentally, TS ID is a stream identifier to
identify the transport stream to which the PID packet corresponds. 5 The time stamp
is time information corresponding to the time when the PID packet is input into the
input buffer and, for example, the count value of the clock generated by the input
clock generator 151 is used.
[0058]
10 PID packets to which TS ID and the time stamp are added of the transport
streams TS1, TS2, TS3 are held in the dual port memories 142-1, 142-2, 142-3
respectively. FIG. 3(b) shows an example of PID packets that are not unnecessary
of the transport streams TS1, TS2, TS3 to the input in FIG. 3(a).
[0059]
15 In the TS re-mapper/output rate controller 143, PID packets to which TS ID
and the time stamp are added in each transport stream are combined into one stream.
In this case, PID packets are combined by PID packets to which TS ID and the time
stamp are added in each transport stream being read in chronological order from the
dual port memories 142-1, 142-2, 142-3. FIG. 4(a) shows an example of not
20 unnecessary PID packets of each transport stream which are held in the dual port
memories 142-1, 142-2, 142-3 and to which TS ID and the time stamp are added.
FIG. 4(a) also shows an example of a stream obtained by a combination formed by
the TS re-mapper/output rate controller 143.
[0060]
25 Then, each packet of the one combined stream is successively transmitted
from the TS re-mapper/output rate controller 143 to the CAM module 200 via the
DVB-CI common interface. In this case, the clock rate needed for continuous
transmission is decided by the TS re-mapper/output rate controller 143 from the total
amount of data to continuously transmit each packet to the CAM module 200. FIG.
30 4(b) shows an example of each packet continuously transmitted to the CAM module
200 as described above.
17
[0061]
Also, corresponding to transmission of each PID packet to the CAM module
200, stream information and service channel information are transmitted from the TS
re-mapper/output rate controller 143 to the CAM module 200 via the DVB-CI
common interface. The stream information indicates to which 5 transport stream the
PID packet belongs and the service channel information indicates to which service
channel the PID packet belongs.
[0062]
In the TS re-construct buffer 144, each PID packet of the transport streams
10 TS1, TS2, TS3 is successively received from the CAM module 200 via the DVB-CI
common interface. Then, each PID packet stored in the TS re-construct buffer 144
is distributed to one of the transport streams TS1, TS2, TS3 in accordance with TS
ID added thereto by the local TS ID controller 153. Then, distributed PID packets
are written into the respective dual port memories 145-1, 145-2, 145-3.
15 [0063]
FIG. 5 shows an example of each PID packet of the transport streams TS1,
TS2, TS3 contained in a stream received by the TS re-construct buffer 144. FIG. 5
also shows a state in which each PID packet contained in this one stream is
distributed to each of the transport streams TS1, TS2, TS3.
20 [0064]
In the time stamp reader 154, the time stamp added to each PID packet
written into the respective dual port memories 145-1, 145-2, 145-3 is read. In the
PID timing adjusters 146-1, 146-2, 146-3, the transport streams TS1, TS2, TS3 are
reconfigured based on the reading result. That is, in the PID timing adjusters 146-1,
25 146-2, 146-3, each PID packet written into the dual port memories 145-1, 145-2,
145-3 is read out so as to be arranged in the time position in accordance with the time
stamp added thereto. Accordingly, the reconfigured transport streams TS1, TS2,
TS3 are output from the PID timing adjusters 146-1, 146-2, 146-3 respectively.
[0065]
30 In this case, in the PID timing adjusters 146-1, 146-2, 146-3, a pseudo-PID
packet having a different PID from that of a PID packet is inserted into the time
18
position where the PID packet is not present of the reconfigured transport streams
TS1, TS2, TS3 respectively. The pseudo-PID packet has random data in which the
"0" value and the "1" value are not consecutive inserted into a payload portion. The
transport streams TS1, TS2, TS3 reconfigured by the PID timing adjusters 146-1,
146-2, 146-3 as described above respectively are output by 5 the common interface
controller 104.
[0066]
FIG. 6(a) shows an example of the transport streams TS1, TS2, TS3
reconfigured by the PID timing adjusters 146-1, 146-2, 146-3 respectively. Then,
10 FIG. 6(b) shows an example of the transport streams TS1, TS2, TS3 output from the
PID timing adjusters 146-1, 146-2, 146-3 in the end after pseudo-PID packets being
inserted.
[0067]
The flow chart in FIG. 7 shows an example of the processing procedure
15 when the common interface controller 104 combines each PID packet of the
transport streams TS1, TS2, TS3 and transmits combined PID packets as a stream to
the CAM module 200.
[0068]
In step ST1, the common interface controller 104 starts processing and then
20 proceeds to processing in step ST2. In step ST2, the common interface controller
104 inputs the transport streams TS1, TS2, TS3.
[0069]
Next, in step ST3, the common interface controller 104 removes PID data
packets of service channels that are not selected (tuned) of each transport stream.
25 Then, in step ST3, the common interface controller 104 further adds TS ID as a
stream identifier and a time stamp corresponding to the input time to the head of
remaining PID packets (not unnecessary PID packets).
[0070]
Next, in step ST4, the common interface controller 104 rearranges and
30 combines remaining PID packets of each transport stream in chronological order.
Then, in step ST5, the common interface controller 104 successively transmits each
19
of the combined PID packets to the CAM module 200 at a clock rate needed for
continuous transmission. After the processing in step ST5, in step ST6, the
common interface controller 104 terminates the processing.
[0071]
The flow chart in FIG. 8 shows an example of the processing 5 procedure
when the common interface controller 104 receives each of combined PID packets of
the transport streams TS1, TS2, TS3 from the CAM module 200.
[0072]
In step ST11, the common interface controller 104 starts processing and
10 then proceeds to processing in step ST12. In step ST12, the common interface
controller 104 successively receives each of combined PID packets of the transport
streams TS1, TS2, TS3 from the CAM module 200.
[0073]
Next, in step ST13, the common interface controller 104 distributes each
15 PID packet to one of the transport streams TS1, TS2, TS3 based on the added TS ID
as a stream identifier.
[0074]
Next, in step ST14, the common interface controller 104 arranges the time
position of each distributed PID packet to the time position in accordance with the
20 added time stamp for each transport stream. Accordingly, the common interface
controller 104 reconfigures the transport streams TS1, TS2, TS3. Also, in step
ST14, the common interface controller 104 further inserts a pseudo-PID packet to a
position where no PID packet is present in each transport stream and outputs each
transport stream. After the processing in step ST14, in step ST15, the common
25 interface controller 104 terminates the processing.
[0075]
The common interface controller 104 performs transmission processing
shown in the above flow chart of FIG. 7 and reception processing shown in the above
flow chart of FIG. 8 in parallel and repeats the processing periodically.
30 [0076]
In the receiving system 10 shown in FIG. 1, as described above, only PID
20
packets remaining after PID data packets of service channels that are not selected
(tuned) being removed are transmitted/received (exchanged) between the host device
100 and the CAM module 200. That is, not all PID data packets of a plurality of
service channels contained in the transport streams TS1, TS2, TS3 are transmitted to
5 the CAM module 200.
[0077]
Thus, even if a plurality of transport streams is handled, PID packets can be
exchanged between the host device 100 and the CAM module 200 via the current
physical interface of CI_Plus at a bit rate allowing leeway for transmission. Also in
10 this case, only PID data packets of service channels that are not selected (tuned) are
removed and thus, stability of the system can be secured without erroneously
removing hidden data that is not released in the current CI_Plus standard and is
necessary for de-scrambling. In addition, the bit rate of stream data passing through
the current physical interface is decreased and thus, the noise level of radiation can
15 be reduced.
[0078]
In the receiving system 10 shown in FIG. 1, TS ID and a time stamp are
added to each PID packet of the transport streams TS1, TS2, TS3
transmitted/received between the host device 100 and the CAM module 200. The
20 time stamp includes time information corresponding to the input time of the common
interface controller 104 and TS ID constitutes a stream identifier.
[0079]
In the host device 100, therefore, each PID packet returned from the CAM
module 200 can easily be distributed to each stream based on the added TS ID.
25 Also in the host device 100, PCR in each PID packet can correctly be brought back
to the correct state by arranging each PID packet in the original time position in
accordance with the added time stamp for each stream. Accordingly, the transport
streams TS1, TS2, TS3 can easily be reconfigured.
[0080]
30 Also in the receiving system 10 shown in FIG. 1, when each PID packet is
successively transmitted from the host device 100 to the CAM module 200, stream
21
identification information and service channel information of the PID packet are
transmitted to the CAM module 200. Therefore, PID packets of which service
channel are transmitted can correctly be recognized by the CAM module 200 without
corrections of SI/PSI information being made accompanying processing to remove
unnecessary PID data packets and de-scramble processing can 5 appropriately be
performed.
[0081]
Also in the receiving system 10 shown in FIG. 1, when each PID packet is
transmitted from the host device 100 to the CAM module 200, the clock rate needed
10 for continuous transmission is decided from the total amount of data to continuously
transmit each PID packet. Therefore, the operation of the synchronizing system of
the receiving circuit in the CAM module 200 can be stabilized.
[0082]
Also in the receiving system 10 shown in FIG. 1, each PID packet received
15 from the CAM module 200 is distributed to one of streams and arranged in the time
position in accordance with the time stamp in the host device 100 to reconfigure each
transport stream. In this case, a pseudo-PID packet having a different PID from that
of a PID packet is inserted into the time position where the PID packet is not present
of the reconfigured transport streams TS1, TS2, TS3. Therefore, the reconfigured
20 transport streams TS1, TS2, TS3 have continuous PID packets and the operation of
the synchronizing system of the receiving circuit of the reconfigured transport
streams S1, TS2, TS3 can be stabilized.
[0083]
<2. Modification>
25 In the above embodiment, the host device 100 has the three tuners 102-1,
102-2, 102-3 to handle the three transport streams TS1, TS2, TS3. The present
technology can also be applied similarly when one, two, four or more transport
streams are handled. When one transport stream is handled, only a time stamp
needs to be added to a PID packet transmitted from the host device 100 to the CAM
30 module 200 and the need of addition of TS ID as a stream identifier is eliminated.
[0084]
22
Also in the above embodiment, an example in which each PID packet of
transport streams is transmitted from the host device 100 to the CAM module 200
connected by the DVB-CI common interface is shown. However, the present
technology can naturally be applied similarly when each PID packet of such
transport streams is transmitted to other external devices wirelessly 5 or by wire.
[0085]
Additionally, the present technology may also be configured as below.
(1)
A transmitting apparatus including:
10 a stream input unit that inputs a transport stream containing PID data
packets of a plurality of service channels in a time-division manner;
an information addition unit that adds a time stamp corresponding to a time
of the input to PID packets remaining after the PID data packets of the service
channels that are not selected of the transport stream are removed; and
15 a stream transmitting unit that successively transmits each of the PID
packets to which the time stamp is added to an external device.
(2)
The transmitting apparatus according to (1),
wherein the stream transmitting unit decides a clock rate needed for
20 continuous transmission from a total amount of data of the PID packets to which the
time stamp is added to continuously transmit each of the PID packets to the external
device.
(3)
The transmitting apparatus according to (1) or (2),
25 wherein the stream transmitting unit further transmits, when transmitting
each of the PID packets to the external device, service channel information of the
PID packet to the external device.
(4)
The transmitting apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3),
30 wherein the stream transmitting unit transmits each of the PID packets to the
external device via a digital interface.
23
(5)
The transmitting apparatus according to (4),
wherein the digital interface is a DVB-CI common interface, and
wherein the external device is a conditional access module that performs descramble
5 processing.
(6)
The transmitting apparatus according to any one of (1) to (5),
wherein the stream input unit inputs a plurality of the transport streams,
wherein the information addition unit adds, to the PID packets remaining
10 after the PID data packets of the service channels that are not selected are removed of
each of the plurality of transport streams that have been input, a stream identifier that
identifies the corresponding transport stream and the time stamp corresponding to the
time of the input, and
wherein the stream transmitting unit successively transmits each of the PID
15 packets to which the stream identifier and the time stamp are added to the external
device.
(7)
A transmitting method including:
inputting a transport stream containing PID data packets of a plurality of
20 service channels in a time-division manner;
adding a time stamp corresponding to a time of the input to PID packets
remaining after the PID data packets of the service channels that are not selected of
the input transport stream are removed; and
successively transmitting each of the PID packets to which the time stamp is
25 added to an external device.
(8)
A program causing a computer to function as:
a stream input means that inputs a transport stream containing PID data
packets of a plurality of service channels in a time-division manner;
30 an information addition means that adds a time stamp corresponding to a
time of the input to PID packets remaining after the PID data packets of the service
24
channels that are not selected of the input transport stream are removed; and
a stream transmitting means that successively transmits each of the PID
packets to which the time stamp is added to an external device.
(9)
A receiving apparatus 5 including:
a stream receiving unit that successively receives each PID packet to which
a time stamp indicating an original time position in a transport stream is added from
an external device; and
a stream reconfiguration unit that reconfigures the transport stream by
10 arranging each of the received PID packets in a time position in accordance with the
added time stamp.
(10)
The receiving apparatus according to (9),
wherein the stream reconfiguration unit further inserts a pseudo-PID packet
15 that is distinguished from the PID packet by a packet identifier into the time position
where the PID packet is not present of the reconfigured transport stream.
(11)
The receiving apparatus according to (9) or (10),
wherein the stream receiving unit receives each of the PID packets from the
20 external device via a digital interface.
(12)
The receiving apparatus according to (11),
wherein the digital interface is a DVB-CI common interface, and
wherein the external device is a conditional access module that performs de25
scramble processing.
(13)
The receiving apparatus according to any one of (9) to (12),
wherein the stream receiving unit successively receives each of the PID
packets to which a stream identifier that identifies the corresponding transport stream
30 and the time stamp are added from the external device, and
wherein the stream reconfiguration unit distributes each of the received PID
25
packets to each stream in accordance with the added stream identifier and arranges
each of the PID packets in a time position in accordance with the time stamp added
in each of the streams to reconfigure a plurality of the transport streams.
(14)
A receiving 5 method including:
successively receiving each PID packet to which a time stamp indicating an
original time position in a transport stream is added from an external device; and
reconfiguring the transport stream by arranging each of the received PID
packets in a time position in accordance with the added time stamp.
10 (15)
A program causing a computer to function as:
a stream receiving means that successively receives each PID packet to
which a time stamp indicating an original time position in a transport stream is added
from an external device; and
15 a stream reconfiguration means that reconfigures the transport stream by
arranging each of the received PID packets in a time position in accordance with the
added time stamp.
(16)
An electronic device including:
20 a transmitting apparatus; and
a receiving apparatus,
wherein the transmitting apparatus includes
a stream input unit that inputs a plurality of transport streams,
an information addition unit that adds, to PID packets remaining after PID
25 data packets of service channels that are not selected () of each of the plurality of
transport streams that have been input are removed, a stream identifier that identifies
the corresponding transport stream and a time stamp corresponding to a time of the
input, and
a stream transmitting unit that transmits each of the PID packets to which
30 the stream identifier and the time stamp are added to an external device via a digital
interface, and
26
wherein the receiving apparatus includes
a stream receiving unit that successively receives each of the PID packets to
which the stream identifier and the time stamp are added from the external device,
and
wherein a stream reconfiguration unit that reconfigures 5 the plurality of
transport streams by distributing each of the received PID packets to each stream in
accordance with the added stream identifier and arranging each of the PID packets in
a time position in accordance with the time stamp added in the each stream.
10 Reference Signs List
[0086]
10 receiving system
100 host device
101 microprocessor
15 102-1 to 102-3 tuner
103-1 to 103-3 demodulator
104 common interface controller
105-1 to 105-3 demultiplexer
106-1 to 106-3 MPEG decoder
20 141-1 to 141-3 input buffer
142-1 to 142-3 dual port memory
143 TS re-mapper/output rate controller
144 TS re-construct buffer
145-1 to 145-3 dual port memory
25 146-1 to 146-3 PID timing adjuster
151 input clock generator
152 local TS ID/time stamp adder
153 local TS ID controller
154 time stamp reader
30 200 CAM module
201 microprocessor
27
202 de-scrambler
28
CLAIMS
Claim 1
A transmitting apparatus comprising:
a stream input unit that inputs a transport stream containing PID data
packets of a plurality of service channels in a 5 time-division manner;
an information addition unit that adds a time stamp corresponding to a time
of the input to PID packets remaining after the PID data packets of the service
channels that are not selected of the input transport stream are removed; and
a stream transmitting unit that successively transmits each of the PID
10 packets to which the time stamp is added to an external device.
Claim 2
The transmitting apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the stream transmitting unit decides a clock rate needed for
15 continuous transmission from a total amount of data of the PID packets to which the
time stamp is added to continuously transmit each of the PID packets to the external
device.
Claim 3
20 The transmitting apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the stream transmitting unit further transmits, when transmitting
each of the PID packets to the external device, service channel information of the
PID packet to the external device.
25 Claim 4
The transmitting apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the stream transmitting unit transmits each of the PID packets to the
external device via a digital interface.
30 Claim 5
The transmitting apparatus according to claim 4,
29
wherein the digital interface is a DVB-CI common interface, and
wherein the external device is a conditional access module that performs descramble
processing.
5 Claim 6
The transmitting apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the stream input unit inputs a plurality of the transport streams,
wherein the information addition unit adds, to the PID packets remaining
after the PID data packets of the service channels that are not selected are removed of
10 each of the plurality of transport streams that have been input, a stream identifier that
identifies the corresponding transport stream and the time stamp corresponding to the
time of the input, and
wherein the stream transmitting unit successively transmits each of the PID
packets to which the stream identifier and the time stamp are added to the external
15 device.
Claim 7
A transmitting method comprising:
inputting a transport stream containing PID data packets of a plurality of
20 service channels in a time-division manner;
adding a time stamp corresponding to a time of the input to PID packets
remaining after the PID data packets of the service channels that are not selected of
the input transport stream are removed; and
successively transmitting each of the PID packets to which the time stamp is
25 added to an external device.
Claim 8
A program causing a computer to function as:
a stream input means that inputs a transport stream containing PID data
30 packets of a plurality of service channels in a time-division manner;
an information addition means that adds a time stamp corresponding to a
30
time of the input to PID packets remaining after the PID data packets of the service
channels that are not selected of the input transport stream are removed; and
a stream transmitting means that successively transmits each of the PID
packets to which the time stamp is added to an external device.
5
Claim 9
A receiving apparatus comprising:
a stream receiving unit that successively receives each PID packet to which
a time stamp indicating an original time position in a transport stream is added from
10 an external device; and
a stream reconfiguration unit that reconfigures the transport stream by
arranging each of the received PID packets in a time position in accordance with the
added time stamp.
15 Claim 10
The receiving apparatus according to claim 9,
wherein the stream reconfiguration unit further inserts a pseudo-PID packet
that is distinguished from the PID packet by a packet identifier into the time position
where the PID packet is not present of the reconfigured transport stream.
20
Claim 11
The receiving apparatus according to claim 9,
wherein the stream receiving unit receives each of the PID packets from the
external device via a digital interface.
25
Claim 12
The receiving apparatus according to claim 11,
wherein the digital interface is a DVB-CI common interface, and
wherein the external device is a conditional access module that performs de30
scramble processing.
31
Claim 13
The receiving apparatus according to claim 9,
wherein the stream receiving unit successively receives each of the PID
packets to which a stream identifier that identifies the corresponding transport stream
and the time stamp are added from the external 5 device, and
wherein the stream reconfiguration unit distributes each of the received PID
packets to each stream in accordance with the added stream identifier and arranges
each of the PID packets in a time position in accordance with the time stamp added
in each of the streams to reconfigure a plurality of the transport streams.
10
Claim 14
A receiving method comprising:
successively receiving each PID packet to which a time stamp indicating an
original time position in a transport stream is added from an external device; and
15 reconfiguring the transport stream by arranging each of the received PID
packets in a time position in accordance with the added time stamp.
Claim 15
A program causing a computer to function as:
20 a stream receiving means that successively receives each PID packet to
which a time stamp indicating an original time position in a transport stream is added
from an external device; and
a stream reconfiguration means that reconfigures the transport stream by
arranging each of the received PID packets in a time position in accordance with the
25 added time stamp.
Claim 16
An electronic device comprising:
a transmitting apparatus; and
30 a receiving apparatus,
wherein the transmitting apparatus includes
32
a stream input unit that inputs a plurality of transport streams,
an information addition unit that adds, to PID packets remaining after PID
data packets of service channels that are not selected of each of the plurality of
transport streams are removed, a stream identifier that identifies the corresponding
transport stream and a time stamp corresponding to a time 5 of the input, and
a stream transmitting unit that transmits each of the PID packets to which
the stream identifier and the time stamp are added to an external device via a digital
interface, and
wherein the receiving apparatus includes
10 a stream receiving unit that successively receives each of the PID packets to
which the stream identifier and the time stamp are added from the external device,
and
wherein a stream reconfiguration unit that reconfigures the plurality of
transport streams by distributing each of the received PID packets to each stream in
15 accordance with the added stream identifier and arranging each of the PID packets in
a time position in accordance with the time stamp added in the each stream.