Digital broadcasting system, digital broadcasting apparatus, and a reception apparatus for digital broadcasts

Abstract

A broadcasting system which includes a broadcasting apparatus and a reception apparatus and which achieves interactiveness using a broadcast wave. The broadcasting apparatus includes a content storing unit for storing the plurality of contents, each content including a set of video data and a set of control information that indicates another content that is a link destination for a present content, and a transmitting unit for multiplexing a set of video data and a plurality of sets of the same control information included in a same content as the set of video data, and for transmitting the multiplexed sets of video data and control information. The reception apparatus includes an extracting unit for extracting a set of video data and a set of control information in a same content as the set of video data, a storing unit for storing the extracted set of control information, a reproducing unit for reproducing the extracted set of video data and outputting an image signal, an operation unit for receiving a user operation that indicates a content switching, and a control unit for controlling the extracting unit to extract another content indicated by the set of control information stored in the storing unit, in accordance with the user operation.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A broadcasting apparatus for broadcasting an interactive program composed of a plurality of contents that are linked to one another, the broadcasting apparatus comprising: 
 content storing means for storing the plurality of contents, each content including a set of video data and a set of control information that indicates another content that is a link destination for a present content; and    transmitting means for multiplexing a set of video data and a plurality of sets of the same control information included in a same content as the set of video data, and for transmitting the multiplexed sets of video data and control-information.    
     
     
         2 . The broadcasting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the content storing means includes: 
 first storing means for storing the sets of video data included in the plurality of contents;    second storing means for storing the sets of control information included in the plurality of contents; and    construction table storing means for storing a construction table showing correspondence between the sets of video data stored in the first storing means and the sets of control information stored in the second storing means.    
     
     
         3 . The broadcasting apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the transmitting means includes: 
 multiplexing means for reading the plurality of sets of video data stored in the first storing means and the plurality of sets of control information stored in the second storing means as respective digital data streams, and multiplexing the digital data streams to generate a multiplexed stream;    multiplexing control means for referring to the construction table and controlling the multiplexing means to multiplex the plurality of sets of video data and to repeatedly multiplex a set of control information corresponding to a set of video data; and    broadcasting means for placing the multiplexed stream generated by the multiplexing means onto a digital broadcast wave and broadcasting the digital broadcast wave.    
     
     
         4 . The broadcasting apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the content storing means further includes: 
 third storing means for storing sets of audio data that correspond to the sets of video data,    wherein the construction table storing means stores correspondence between a set of video data, a set of audio data, and a set of control information included in each of the plurality of contents,    and wherein the multiplexing means also multiplexes the sets of audio data stored in the third storing means into the multiplexed stream.    
     
     
         5 . The broadcasting apparatus of  claim 3 , 
 wherein each content includes a plurality of sets of control information, each set of control information including a set of link information showing contents that are link destinations and a set of time information indicating a valid period for the present control information within the reproduction period of the set of video data corresponding to the present set of control information,    and wherein the multiplexing control means controls the multiplexing means to repeatedly multiplex each set of control information with the corresponding set of video data during the valid period of the set of control information.    
     
     
         6 . The broadcasting apparatus of  claim 5 , 
 wherein the multiplexing control means controls the multiplexing means to repeatedly multiplex each set of control information with the corresponding video data starting from a predetermined time before the valid period of the set of control information, the predetermined time being sufficiently long to enable a reception apparatus to process a set of control information.    
     
     
         7 . The broadcasting apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the multiplexing control means appends a version number, reflecting the valid period of each set of control information, to each set of control information in a given content.  
     
     
         8 . The broadcasting apparatus of  claim 3 , 
 wherein each content includes a plurality of sets of control information,    wherein the construction table storing means includes a valid period table indicating a valid period for a set of control information within the reproduction period of the corresponding set of video data, for each of the plurality of sets of control information included in a given content,    wherein the multiplexing control means controls the multiplexing means to repeatedly multiplex a given set of control information with the corresponding set of video data during the valid period of the given set of control information, based on the valid period table, and    wherein the multiplexing control means appends a version number, reflecting the valid period of each set of control information, to each set of control information in a given content.    
     
     
         9 . The broadcasting apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein at least one set of control information includes a set of additional information representing one of text and a graphic image that is to be displayed superimposed onto the corresponding video data.  
     
     
         10 . The broadcasting apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein each set of control information stored by the second storing means includes a set of link information showing contents that are link destinations and supplementary images representing menu items for each link destination.  
     
     
         11 . The broadcasting apparatus of  claim 10 , 
 wherein at least one set of control information includes: 
 a plurality of sets of additional information representing one of text and a graphic image that is to be displayed superimposed onto the corresponding video data; and  
 a set of script information that validates one of the sets of additional information within a reception apparatus, in accordance with a user operation.  
   
     
     
         12 . The broadcasting apparatus of  claim 10 , 
 wherein at least one set of control information includes: 
 at least two groups of a set of link information and supplementary images;  
 a set of initial information showing a group of a set of link information and supplementary images that is valid at a start of reproduction by a reception apparatus for a content including the present set of control information; and  
 a set of script information that changes a valid setting in the reception apparatus in accordance with a user operation.  
   
     
     
         13 . The broadcasting apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein each group of a set of link information and supplementary image further includes a set of additional information representing one of text and a graphic image that is to be displayed superimposed onto the corresponding video data.  
     
     
         14 . A broadcasting apparatus for broadcasting an interactive program composed of a plurality of contents that are linked to one another, the broadcasting apparatus comprising: 
 first storing means for storing a plurality of sets of video data that each have an identifier, each set of video data being an element of a content that composes an interactive program;    second storing means for storing a plurality of sets of control information that each have an identifier, each set of control information being another element of a content that composes an interactive program and each set of control information including a set of link information that shows an identifier of a set of control information for a content that is a link destination;    construction table storing means for storing a construction table showing correspondence between the sets of video data stored in the first storing means and the sets of control information stored in the second storing means;    multiplexing means for reading the plurality of sets of video data stored in the first storing means and the plurality of sets of control information stored in the second storing means as respective digital data streams, and for multiplexing the digital data streams to generate a multiplexed stream;    multiplexing control means for referring to the construction table and controlling the multiplexing means to multiplex the plurality of sets of video data and to repeatedly multiplex a set of control information corresponding to an arbitrary set of video data; and    broadcasting means for placing the multiplexed stream generated by the multiplexing means onto a digital broadcast wave and broadcasting the digital broadcast wave.    
     
     
         15 . The broadcasting apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the multiplexing control means includes: 
 first determining means for determining a multiplexing start position in the multiplexed stream for each set of video data in each content given in the construction table; and    second determining means for determining a plurality of multiplexing start positions in the multiplexed stream for each set of control information included in each content given in the construction table, wherein the multiplexing start positions for a given set of control information are determined so that the given set of control information is multiplexed a plurality of times;    wherein the multiplexing means reads the sets of video data from the first storing means and the sets of control information from the second storing means in accordance with the multiplexing start positions determined by the first determining means and the second determining means.    
     
     
         16 . The broadcasting apparatus of,  claim 15 , 
 wherein each set of control information stored in the second storing means includes a set of link information showing contents that are link destinations and a set of time information showing a valid period of the set of control information to which the time information belongs, and    wherein the second determining means determines the plurality of multiplexing start positions for each set of control information so that each set of control information is repeatedly multiplexed during the valid period of the set of control information.    
     
     
         17 . The broadcasting apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the multiplexing control means further includes: 
 version appending means for appending a different version number to each of the plurality of sets of control information included in a same content, the version numbers being assigned in accordance with the valid period given in the set of time information included in each set of control information,    wherein the multiplexing means multiplexes the sets of control information with the appended version numbers in accordance with the multiplexing start positions determined by the second determining means.    
     
     
         18 . The broadcasting apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the second determining means determines the multiplexing start positions so that each set of control information is multiplexed with the corresponding video data starting from a predetermined time before the valid period of the set of control information, the predetermined time being sufficiently long to enable a reception apparatus to process a set of control information.  
     
     
         19 . The broadcasting apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the multiplexing control means further includes: 
 system information storing means for storing system information for specifying a multiplexed stream on a digital broadcast wave, wherein the system information includes a stream ID for each set of video data and a stream ID for each set of control information;    identification information appending means for converting an identifier of a set of video data and an identifier of a set of control information respectively into first identification information and second identification information, based on the system information, for appending the first identification information to the set of video data, and for appending the second identification information to the set of control information; and    link destination information converting means for converting the link information in each set of control information into the first identification information and second identification information for the set of video data and set of control information of each content that is a link destination,    wherein the multiplexing means generates the multiplexed stream using the system information, the first identification information, and the second identification information.    
     
     
         20 . The broadcasting apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the first identification information is expressed as a unique stream ID for each set of video data and the second identification information is expressed as a combination of a stream ID that is common to all sets of control information in a content and a unique parameter for each set of control information in the content.  
     
     
         21 . The broadcasting apparatus of  claim 20 , 
 wherein each content includes a plurality of sets of control information, each set of control information including a set of link information showing contents that are link destinations and a set of time information indicating a valid period for the present control information within the reproduction period of the set of video data corresponding to the present set of control information,    and wherein the multiplexing control means controls the multiplexing means to repeatedly multiplex each set of control information with the corresponding set of video data during the valid period of the set of control information.    
     
     
         22 . The broadcasting apparatus of  claim 20 , 
 wherein each content includes a plurality of sets of control information,    wherein the construction table storing means includes a valid period table indicating a valid period for a set of control information within the reproduction period of the corresponding set of video data, for each of the plurality of sets of control information included in a given content,    wherein the multiplexing control means controls the multiplexing means to repeatedly multiplex a given set of control information with the corresponding set of video data during the valid period of the given set of control information, based on the valid period table, and    wherein the multiplexing control means appends a version number, reflecting the valid period of each set of control information, to each set of control information in a given content.    
     
     
         23 . The broadcasting apparatus of  claim 21 , 
 wherein the multiplexing control means controls the multiplexing means to repeatedly multiplex each set of control information with the corresponding video data starting from a predetermined time before the valid period of the set of control information, the predetermined time being sufficiently long to enable a reception apparatus to process a set of control information.    
     
     
         24 . The broadcasting apparatus of  claim 21 , 
 wherein the multiplexing control means appends a version number, reflecting the valid period of each set of control information, to each set of control information in a given content.    
     
     
         25 . The broadcasting apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein each set of control information stored by the second storing means includes a set of link information showing contents that are link destinations and supplementary images representing menu items for each link destination.  
     
     
         26 . The broadcasting apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the multiplexing control means further includes: 
 a bandwidth assigning table that shows a bandwidth for each content, the bandwidth being for the digital data stream of the sets of control information in a content that are repeatedly transmitted and being a bandwidth that is part of a total bandwidth of the multiplexed stream,    wherein the second determining means determines the multiplexing start positions of sets of control information in accordance with the bandwidths given in the bandwidth assigning table, and    wherein the multiplexing means multiplexes the digital data streams in accordance with the bandwidth assigning table.    
     
     
         27 . The digital broadcasting apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising: 
 third storing means for storing a plurality of sets of audio data that each have an identifier, each set of audio data being an element of a content that composes an interactive program,    wherein the construction table shows a correspondence between a set of video data, a set of audio data and sets of control information in each content, and    wherein the multiplexing means additionally multiplexes the audio data into the multiplexed stream.    
     
     
         28 . A broadcasting apparatus for broadcasting an interactive program composed of a plurality of contents that are linked to one another, the broadcasting apparatus comprising: 
 image storing means storing a plurality of sets of video data and a plurality of sets of still image data;    control information storing means for storing sets of type 1 control information and sets of type 2 control information, the sets of type 1 control information being elements of contents including video images, the sets of type 2 control information being elements of contents including still images, and the sets of type 1 control information and sets of type 2 control information including sets of link information that indicate contents which are link destinations for a present content;    construction table storing means storing a first construction table showing correspondence between sets of video data and sets of type 1 control information and a second construction table showing correspondence between sets of still image data and sets of type 2 control information;    first multiplexing means for generating a first multiplexed stream by multiplexing a set of video data in the first construction table and repeatedly multiplexing a set of type 1 control information corresponding to the set of video data;    second multiplexing means for generating a second multiplexed stream by repeatedly multiplexing a plurality of sets of still image data in the second construction table with a set of type 2 control information; and    broadcasting means for placing the multiplexed stream generated by the multiplexing means onto a digital broadcast wave and broadcasting the digital broadcast wave.    
     
     
         29 . A reception apparatus for receiving a broadcast wave including an interactive program composed of a plurality of contents that are linked to one another, wherein the broadcast wave includes a multiplexed stream into which different sets of video data have been multiplexed with a plurality of sets of control information showing a link to another content, the sets of control information being repeatedly multiplexed, 
 the reception apparatus comprising: 
 extracting means for extracting a set of video data and a set of control information in a same content as the set of video data;  
 storing means for storing the extracted set of control information;  
 reproducing means for reproducing the extracted set of video data and outputting an image signal;  
 operation means for receiving a user operation that indicates a content switching; and  
 control means for controlling the extracting means to extract another content indicated by the set of control information stored in the storing means, in accordance with the user operation.  
   
     
     
         30 . The reception apparatus of  claim 29 , 
 wherein the sets of control information each include valid period information showing a valid period for the set of control information,    wherein each content has to a plurality of sets of control information which have different valid periods, and    wherein the reproducing means reproduces supplementary images in the set of control information stored in the storing means during the valid, period of the set of control information.    
     
     
         31 . The reception apparatus of  claim 29 , 
 wherein each content corresponds to a plurality of sets of control information which have different valid periods,    wherein each set of control information has a version number which reflects the valid period, and    wherein the control means controls the extracting means to extract a set of control information which has a next version number, when one set of control information has been extracted by the extracting means.    
     
     
         32 . The reception apparatus of  claim 29 , 
 wherein first identification information is appended to each set of video data and second identification information is appended to each set of control information, and wherein the sets of control information include first identification information and second identification information which express a content of a link destination,    wherein the extracting means includes: 
 first judging means for judging the first identification information appended to sets of video data in the broadcast wave;  
 second judging means for judging the second identification information appended to sets of control information in the broadcast wave;  
 obtaining means for obtaining a set of video data and when the first judging means judges that the first identification information coincides with specified identification information indicated by the control means and obtaining a set of control information when the second judging means judges that the second identification information coincides with specified identification information,  
 wherein the reproducing means reproduces the set of video data obtained by the obtaining means, and the storing means stores the set of control information obtained by the obtaining means.  
   
     
     
         33 . The reception apparatus of  claim 32 , 
 wherein a set of entry information giving first identification information and second identification information for the content to be reproduced first is multiplexed into the multiplexed stream,    wherein the control means sends an indication to the extracting means to extract the set of entry information when the operation means has received a selection operation for a multiplexed stream from a user,    wherein the extracting means further includes: 
 entry information extracting means for receiving the indication from the control means and extracting the set of entry information from the multiplexed stream; and  
 entry information storing means for storing the set of entry information extracted by the entry information extracting means,  
   wherein the control means gives the obtaining means an indication of the first identification information and second identification information included in the entry information as the specified identification information.    
     
     
         34 . The reception apparatus of  claim 32 , 
 wherein the link information includes an identifier of a set of video data and an identifier of a set of control information which show a content of a link destination,    wherein the first identification information and second identification information are IDs (identifiers) of digital data streams which represent a set of video data and a set of control information in the multiplexed stream,    wherein a correspondence table, showing correspondence between the identifiers for sets of video data and the first identification information and correspondence between the identifiers for sets of control information and the second identification information, is multiplexed into the multiplexed stream and repeatedly transmitted, and    wherein the extracting means extracts the correspondence table and the control means refers to the correspondence table, converts an identifier of the set of video data included in the link information into first identification information and an identifier of the set of control information into second identification information and informs the extracting means of the converted first and second identification information.    
     
     
         35 . The reception apparatus of  claim 32 , 
 wherein at least one set of control information includes link information showing a content of a link destination and supplementary images that include a menu item image for each link destination,    wherein the reproducing means includes: 
 video data reproducing means for reproducing the set of video data obtained by the obtaining means; and  
 image reproducing means for reproducing supplementary images stored by the storing means superimposed onto the video data,  
   wherein the operation means receives a user selection of a menu item image, and    wherein the control means determines the first identification information and the second identification information of a link destination content in accordance with the link information and the menu item image selected by the user.    
     
     
         36 . The reception apparatus of  claim 35 , 
 wherein at least one set of control information includes additional information which expresses one of a text image and a graphics image, and wherein the reproducing means additionally reproduces one of the text image and graphics image stored in the storing means superimposed onto the video data.    
     
     
         37 . The reception apparatus of  claim 36 , 
 wherein one content has a plurality of sets of control information which each have a different valid period,    wherein each set of control information in a same content has a version number which reflects a valid period of the set of control information, and    wherein when the extracting means has extracted a set of control information, the control means controls the extracting means to extract a set of control information that has a next version number.    
     
     
         38 . The reception apparatus of  claim 36 , 
 wherein each set of control information includes valid period information showing a valid period of the set of control information,    wherein each content has a plurality of sets of control information which have different valid periods,    and wherein the reproducing means reproduces supplementary images stored in the storing means only during a valid period of the set of control information stored in the storing means.    
     
     
         39 . The reception apparatus of  claim 38 , 
 wherein each of the plurality of sets of control information for a same content has a version number that reflects the valid period, and wherein the control means controls the extracting means to extract a set of control information which has a next version number, when one set of control information has been extracted by the extracting means.    
     
     
         40 . The reception apparatus of  claim 36 , 
 wherein at least one set of control information includes a plurality of sets of additional information which each express one of a text image and a graphics image to be displayed superimposed onto the video data, and a set of script information that validates one of the sets of additional information within a reception apparatus, in accordance with a user operation,    wherein the control means determines a valid set of additional information by interpreting and executing the script information stored in the storing means, and    wherein the reproducing means reproduces one of the text image and the graphics image included in the valid set of additional information based on a result of interpreting and executing by the control means.    
     
     
         41 . The reception apparatus of  claim 36 , 
 wherein at least one set of control information includes: at least two groups that each include a set of link information and a supplementary image; a set of initial information showing a valid group at a start of reproduction by the reception apparatus of a content to which the set of control information belongs; and a set of script information which changes a setting of a valid group in the reception apparatus in accordance with a user operation,    wherein the control means determines a valid group by interpreting and executing the initial information and script information stored in the storing means,    wherein the reproducing means reproduces the supplementary images in the valid group in accordance with an interpreting and executing result of the control means.    
     
     
         42 . The reception apparatus of  claim 29 , 
 wherein the multiplexed stream includes sets of audio data corresponding to the sets of video data,    wherein the extracting means extracts a set of audio data corresponding to a set of video data from the broadcast wave,    and wherein the reproducing means additionally reproduces the extracted set of audio data.    
     
     
         43 . A reception apparatus for receiving a broadcast wave including an interactive program composed of a plurality of contents that are linked to one another, 
 wherein the broadcast wave includes a multiplexed stream into which different sets of video data have been multiplexed with a plurality of sets of control information showing a link to another content, the sets of control information being repeatedly multiplexed,    wherein first identification information is appended to each set of video data and second identification information is appended to each set of control information,    wherein the sets of control information include first identification information and second identification information which express a content of a link destination,    the reception apparatus comprising: 
 extracting means for extracting a set of video data and a set of control information in a same content as the set of video data;  
 storing means for storing the extracted set of control information;  
 reproducing means for reproducing the extracted set of video data and outputting an image signal;  
 operation means for receiving a user operation that indicates a content switching; and  
 control means for controlling the extracting means to extract another content indicated by the set of control information stored in the storing means, in accordance with the user operation,  
   the extracting means including: 
 first judging means for judging the first identification information appended to sets of video data in the broadcast wave;  
 second judging means for judging the second identification information appended to sets of control information in the broadcast wave; and  
 obtaining means for obtaining a set of video data and when the first judging means judges that the first identification information coincides with specified identification information indicated by the control means and obtaining a set of control information when the second judging means judges that the second identification information coincides with specified identification information,  
   wherein the reproducing means reproduces the set of video data obtained by the obtaining means, and the storing means stores the set of control information obtained by the obtaining means.    
     
     
         44 . The reception apparatus of  claim 43 , 
 wherein the link information includes an identifier of a set of video data and an identifier of a set of control information which show a content of a link destination,    wherein the second identification information is an identifier for a set of control information,    wherein a correspondence table, showing correspondence between the identifiers for sets of video data and the first identification information and correspondence between the identifiers for sets of control information and the second identification information, is multiplexed into the multiplexed stream and transmitted,    wherein the extracting means extracts the correspondence table, and    wherein the control means refers to the extracted correspondence table, converts the identifier of the set of video data included in the link information into first identification information, and informs the extracting means.    
     
     
         45 . The reception apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein the first identification information includes a packet identifier in accordance with MPEG2 (Moving Pictures Experts Group 2) standard.  
     
     
         46 . The reception apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein the first identification information is a combination of a packet identifier in accordance with MPEG2 (Moving Pictures Experts Group 2) standard and another parameter.  
     
     
         47 . A reception apparatus in a broadcasting system for achieving interactiveness using a broadcast wave, 
 wherein the broadcast wave includes a first multiplexed stream which represents a plurality of stream-based contents that each include a set of video data and a set of type 1 control information, and a second multiplexed stream which represents a plurality of page-based contents that each include a set of still image data and a set of type 2 control information,    the first multiplexed stream having the sets of type 1 control information that show a link to another content repeatedly multiplexed with the corresponding sets of video data,    the second multiplexed stream having a plurality of sets of still image data and a plurality of sets of type 2 control information repeatedly multiplexed,    the reception apparatus comprising: 
 extracting means for extracting one of a set of video-data and a set of still image data, and one of a set of type 1 control information and a set of type 2 control information in a same content from the broadcast wave;  
 storing means for storing an extracted set of one of type 1 control information and type 2 control information;  
 judging means for judging whether a content extracted by the extracting means is one of a stream-based content and a page-based content;  
 reproducing means for reproducing, when the judging means judges that the judging means is a stream-based content, the extracted set of video data and outputting an image signal, and for reproducing, when the judging means judges that the judging means is a page-based content, the extracted set of still image data and outputting an image signal;  
 operation means for receiving a user operation that indicates a content switching; and  
 control means for controlling the extracting means to extract another content indicated by the set of control information stored in the storing means, in accordance with the user operation.  
   
     
     
         48 . A broadcasting system which includes a broadcasting apparatus and a reception apparatus and which achieves interactiveness using a broadcast wave, 
 the broadcasting apparatus comprising: 
 content storing means for storing the plurality of contents, each content including a set of video data and a set of control information that indicates another content that is a link destination for a present content; and  
 transmitting means for multiplexing a set of video data and a plurality of sets of the same control information included in a same content as the set of video data, and for transmitting the multiplexed sets of video data and control information,  
   and the reception apparatus comprising: 
 extracting means for extracting a set of video data and a set of control information in a same content as the set of video data;  
 storing means for storing the extracted set of control information;  
 reproducing means for reproducing the extracted set of video data and outputting an image signal;  
 operation means for receiving a user operation that indicates a content switching; and  
 control means for controlling the extracting means to extract another content indicated by the set of control information-stored in the storing means, in accordance with the user operation.  
   
     
     
         49 . A recording medium used by a reception apparatus that includes a receiving unit for receiving a broadcast wave including an interactive program composed of a plurality of contents that are linked to one another, an extracting unit for extracting one digital data stream from the broadcast wave, and a reproducing unit for reproducing a set of video data and outputting an image signal, the recording medium storing a program that includes the following steps: 
 an extracting step for extracting a set of video data and a set of control information in a same content as the set of video data from the broadcast wave;    a storing step for storing the extracted set of control information into a memory in the reception apparatus;    a reproducing step for reproducing the extracted set of video data and outputting an image signal;    a judging step for judging whether a user operation indicating a switching of content has been made; and    a control step for controlling the extracting unit to extract another content indicated by the set of control information stored in the memory, when the judging step judges that a user operation indicating a switching of content has been made.