WO2016208139A1

WO2016208139A1 - Reception device, reception method, transmission device, and transmission method

Info

Publication number: WO2016208139A1
Application number: PCT/JP2016/002789
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kazuyuki Takahashi
Original assignee: Sony Corp
Current assignee: Sony Corp
Priority date: 2015-06-22
Filing date: 2016-06-09
Publication date: 2016-12-29
Anticipated expiration: 2017-12-22
Also published as: JP6607373B2; JP2017011488A

Abstract

There is provided a reception device including circuitry configured to receive content, first control information, and second control information transferred according to an Internet Protocol (IP) transfer scheme. The circuitry is configured to extract the second control information transferred in a layer higher than a physical layer in a protocol stack of the IP transfer scheme based on first control information transferred in the physical layer. The circuitry is configured to control processing of the content based on the second control information. One or a plurality of physical layer pipes (PLPs) is transferred in the physical layer. For each of the one or the plurality of PLPs, the first control information includes first information indicating whether the second control information is present, second information for identifying a PLP group associated with the respective PLP, and third information indicating whether the respective PLP is a shared PLP.

Description

RECEPTION DEVICE, RECEPTION METHOD, TRANSMISSION DEVICE, AND TRANSMISSION METHOD

The present technology relates to a reception device, a reception method, a transmission device, and a transmission method, and particularly, to a reception device, a reception method, a transmission device, and a transmission method that can be used more flexibly.

<CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS>
This application claims the benefit of Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2015-124953 filed June 22, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In some digital broadcast standards, when a plurality of physical layer pipes (PLPs) can be arranged in one frequency band, information for grouping optional PLPs is defined (for example, see NPL 1). For example, NPL 1 defines a PLP group ID (PLP_GROUP_ID) as signaling information of the physical layer.

ETSI EN 302 755 V1.2.1 (2010-10)

Incidentally, when a plurality of PLPs are grouped, the PLPs include the PLPs in which signaling information transferred to a higher layer of the physical layer is present and the PLPs in which the signaling information is not present. Thus, there has been a request for use to be made more flexible by reporting whether the signaling information is present or absent.

In the present technology, more flexible use is desirable.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a reception device including circuitry configured to receive content, first control information, and second control information transferred according to an Internet Protocol (IP) transfer scheme. The circuitry is configured to extract the second control information transferred in a layer higher than a physical layer in a protocol stack of the IP transfer scheme based on first control information transferred in the physical layer. The circuitry is configured to control processing of the content based on the second control information. One or a plurality of physical layer pipes (PLPs) is transferred in the physical layer. Further, for each of the one or the plurality of PLPs, the first control information includes first information indicating whether the second control information is present, second information for identifying a PLP group associated with the respective PLP, and third information indicating whether the respective PLP is a shared PLP.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of a reception device for processing content. The method includes receiving the content, first control information, and second control information transferred according to an IP transfer scheme. The method includes extracting the second control information transferred in a layer higher than a physical layer in a protocol stack of the IP transfer scheme based on the first control information transferred in the physical layer. The method includes controlling processing of the content based on the second control information. One or a plurality of PLPs is transferred in the physical layer. For each of the one or the plurality of PLPs, the first control information includes first information indicating whether the second control information is present, second information for identifying a PLP group associated with the respective PLP, and third information indicating whether the respective PLP is a shared PLP.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a transmission device including circuitry configured to acquire content to be transferred according to an IP transfer scheme and generate first control information. The circuitry is configured to transmit the first control information in a physical layer in a protocol stack of the IP transfer scheme and second control information in a layer higher than the physical layer along with the content in accordance with the IP transfer scheme. One or a plurality of physical layer pipes (PLPs) is transferred in the physical layer. For each of the one or the plurality of PLPs, the first control information includes first information indicating whether the second control information is present, second information for identifying a PLP group associated with the respective PLP, and third information indicating whether the PLP is a shared PLP.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of a transmission device for providing content. The method includes acquiring content to be transferred according to an IP transfer scheme and generating, by circuitry of the transmission device, first control information. The method includes transmitting, by the circuitry, the first control information in a physical layer in a protocol stack of the IP transfer scheme and second control information transferred in a layer higher than the physical layer along with the content in accordance with the IP transfer scheme. One or a plurality of physical layer pipes (PLPs) is transferred in the physical layer. For each of the one or the plurality of PLPs, the first control information includes first information indicating whether the second control information is present, second information for identifying a PLP group associated with the respective PLP, and third information indicating whether the respective PLP is a shared PLP .

The first and second embodiments of the present technology enable more flexible use.

The effect described herein is not necessarily limited and may include any effect described in the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of a transfer system to which an embodiment of the present technology is applied. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the syntax of a descriptor 1 of an embodiment of the present technology. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a description example of the descriptor 1 of an embodiment of the present technology. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a system pipe model in use example 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a description example of the descriptor 1 of an embodiment of the present technology in use example 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a system pipe model in use example 2. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a description example of the descriptor 1 of an embodiment of the present technology in use example 2. FIG. 8 is a diagram for describing the concept of a layer structure. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a description example of L1-post signaling. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a relation with a technology of related art (DVB-NGH). FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a relation with a technology of related art (DVB-T2). FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a relation with a technology of related art (ISDB-S). FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a relation with the technology of the related art (ISDB-S). FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a relation with the technology of the related art (ISDB-S). FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the syntax of a descriptor 2 of an embodiment of the present technology. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a description example of the descriptor 2 of an embodiment of the present technology. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a system pipe model in use example 3. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a description example of the descriptor 2 of an embodiment of the present technology in use example 3. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a system pipe model in use example 4. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a description example of the descriptor 2 of an embodiment of the present technology in use example 4. FIG. 21 is a diagram for describing the concept of a layer structure. FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a description example of L1-post signaling. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a relation with the technology of related art (DVB-T2). FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a transmission device. FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a reception device. FIG. 26 is a flowchart for describing a transmission process. FIG. 27 is a flowchart for describing a reception process. FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a computer.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present technology will be described with reference to the appended drawings. The description will proceed in the following order.

1. Configuration of system
2. First embodiment: setting of shared PLP with bitmap structure of PLP group ID
(1) Overview of first embodiment of the present technology
(2) Use examples
(A) Use example 1: use example in which PLPs belong to one PLP group
(B) Use example 2: use example in which PLPs are shared
(3) Signaling transfer method
(4) Relations with technologies of related art
3. Second embodiment: setting of shared PLP with flag
(1) Overview of second embodiment of the present technology
(2) Use examples
(A) Use example 3: use example in which PLPs belong to one PLP group
(B) Use example 4: use example in which PLPs are shared
(3) Signaling transfer method
(4) Relations with technologies of related art
4. Configurations of devices
5. Flows of processes performed by devices
6. Configuration of computer

<1. Configuration of system>

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of a transfer system to which an embodiment of the present technology is applied. A system refers to a logical set of a plurality of devices.

Referring to FIG. 1, a transfer system 1 includes a transmission device 10 and a reception device 20. In the transfer system 1, data transfer complying with the digital broadcasting standard such as the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) is performed.

The transmission device 10 transmits content such as a television program. In other words, the transmission device 10 transmits (transfers) streams of (components) of a video, audio, and the like configuring content via the transfer path 30 as a digital broadcasting signal.

The reception device 20 receives content such as a television program transmitted from the transmission device 10 via the transfer path 30, and outputs the received content. In other words, the reception device 20 receives the digital broadcasting signal transmitted from the transmission device 10, acquires streams of (components) of a video, audio, and the like configuring content, and outputs a video and a sound of the content.

The transfer system 1 in FIG. 1 can be applied to data transfer conforming not only to ATSC but also to standards such as Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) and Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting (ISDB) and other data transfer. As the transfer path 30, not only a ground wave but also a satellite channel, a cable television network (wired circuit), or the like can be adopted.

<2. First embodiment>

(1) Overview of first embodiment of the present technology

Incidentally, in ATSC 3.0 which is currently being drawn up, link layer signaling (LLS) signaling information and service level signaling (SLS) signaling information are defined. The SLS signaling information for each service is acquired according to information described in the previously acquired LLS signaling information.

Here, for example, metadata such as a Service List Table (SLT), an Emergency Alerting Description (EAD), and a Region Rating Description (RRD) is included as the LLS signaling information. The SLT includes information indicating a configuration of a stream or a service in a broadcasting network such as information necessary for tuning of the service. The EAD includes information related to an emergency alert. The RRD includes information related to rating.

For example, metadata such as a User Service Description (USD), a Media Presentation Description (MPD), or an LCT Session Instance Description (LSID) is included as the SLS signaling information. The USD includes information such as an acquisition destination of other metadata. The MPD is information for managing reproduction of a stream of a component. The LSID is control information of the Real-time Object Delivery over Unidirectional Transport (ROUTE) protocol.

In ATSC 3.0, User Datagram Protocol (UDP)/Internet Protocol (IP) packets, that is, IP packets including UDP packets, are mainly decided to be used for data transfer rather than Transport Stream (TS) packets. In the future, IP transfer schemes using IP packets are expected to be used in broadcast schemes other than ATSC 3.0.

In ATSC 3.0, various forms of use are assumed, for example, by sharing specific components or grouping a plurality of PLPs in a plurality of services. However, there has been a request for use to be made more flexible by transferring information or the like indicating whether signaling information is present or absent with a layer (physical layer) lower than a layer with which LLS signaling information or SLS signaling information is transferred to first report whether the signaling information is present or absent.

In an embodiment of the present technology, a descriptor (hereinafter also referred to as a descriptor of an embodiment of the present technology) handling such a request is defined so that use is more flexible. To facilitate the following the description, the descriptor of an embodiment of the present technology described in the first embodiment is referred to as a “descriptor 1 of an embodiment of the present technology” and the descriptor of an embodiment of the present technology described in a second embodiment is referred to as a “descriptor 2 of an embodiment of the present technology.”

(Syntax of descriptor 1 of an embodiment of the present technology)
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the syntax of the descriptor 1 of an embodiment of the present technology.

Here, 6-bit NUM_PLP indicates the number of PLPs which can be arranged in a certain frequency band (for example, a frequency band of 6 MHz). After NUM_PLP, a 2-bit reserved region (reserved) is arranged. After the reserved region, a PLP loop is repeated according to the number of PLPs indicated by NUM_PLP.

In the PLP loop, the following content is set. That is, 1-bit LLS_EXIST_FLAG is a flag indicating whether the LLS signaling information is present in a target PLP. For example, when LLS_EXIST_FLAG = “1,” it is indicated that the target PLP includes the LLS signaling information.

Here, 7-bit PLP_GROUP_ID is an ID for identifying a group to which the target PLP belongs. Here, “bslbf (bit string, left bit first)” is designated as bit string notation (Mnemonic) and PLP_GROUP_ID is handled as a bit string.

FIG. 3 illustrates a specific description example of the descriptor 1 of an embodiment of the present technology.

ATSC 3.0 defines that a maximum of 64 PLPs can be arranged in one frequency band (for example, a frequency band of 6 MHz according to one channel). Therefore, here, a case in which NUM_PLP = “64” is set and values of 0 to 63 are set as PLP_ID for identifying the PLPs is exemplified. When “1” is set, LLS_EXIST_FLAG indicates that the LLS signaling information is present in the target PLP. When “0” is set, LLS_EXIST_FLAG indicates that the LLS signaling information is not present in the target PLP.

PLP_GROUP_ID is indicated by a bitmap structure in which a group is allocated to each bit in a 7-bit bit string. Thus, bits from a Least Significant Bit (LSB) to a Most Significant Bit (MSB) among 7 bits can be allocated to a PLP group 1 to a PLP group 7.

In FIG. 3, in the PLP identified with PLP_ID of “0,” “1” is set as LLS_EXIST_FLAG and “000 0001” is set as PLP_GROUP_ID. That is, the LLS signaling information is present and the PLP belongs to PLP group 1.

In the PLP identified with PLP_ID of “1,” “1” is set as LLS_EXIST_FLAG and “000 0010” is set as PLP_GROUP_ID. That is, the LLS signaling information is present and the PLP belongs to PLP group 2.

In the PLP identified with PLP_ID of “2,” “0” is set as LLS_EXIST_FLAG and “000 0011” is set as PLP_GROUP_ID. That is, the LLS signaling information is not present and the PLP belongs to both of PLP group 1 and PLP group 2. In other words, the PLP having PLP_ID of “2” can be said to be a PLP shared between PLP group 1 (the PLP having PLP_ID of “0”) and PLP group 2 (the PLP having PLP_ID of “1”) (hereinafter referred to as a shared PLP).

In the PLP identified with PLP_ID of “3,” “1” is set as LLS_EXIST_FLAG and “000 0000” is set as PLP_GROUP_ID. That is, since the LLS signaling information is present and the independent PLP is configured, the PLP does not belong to the PLP groups.

In FIG. 3, LLS_EXIST_FLAG and PLP_GROUP_ID are not described for the PLPs having PLP_IDs of “4” to “63.” As in the above-described PLPs, “1” is set as LLS_EXIST_FLAG when the LLS signaling information is present. When the PLP belongs to the PLP group, a bit corresponding to a target PLP group of PLP_GROUP_ID expressed with a bitmap structure is set up. PLP_GROUP_ID with 7 bits has been described. However, any number of bits allocated to PLP_GROUP_ID can be used. For example, by allocating 15 bits to PLP_GROUP_ID, 15 PLP groups can be set.

(2) Operation examples

Next, specific operation examples using the descriptor 1 of an embodiment of an embodiment of the present technology in FIG. 2 will be described.

(A) Operation example 1

(System pipe model)
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a system pipe model of an operation example 1.

In FIG. 4, a PLP (PLP 0) having a PLPID of “0,” a PLP (PLP 1) having a PLPID of “1,” and a PLP (PLP 2) having a PLPID of “2” are transferred in broadcast waves (an RF Channel) having a predetermined frequency band (for example, 6 MHz).

In FIG. 4, with PLP0 of 3 PLPs, the streams of the Network Time Protocol (NTP), a service channel (service), and the Electronic Service Guide (ESG) service are transferred on the IP/UDP.

In the PLP 0, the stream of the service channel includes the SLS signaling information and streams of a video, audio, and closed captions. The SLS signaling information is the signaling information of each the service such as the USD or the MPD. Further, content A (for example, a television program) provided by the service channel is configured with components of a video, audio, and closed captions. The NTP is time information. The ESG service is an electronic service guide.

In FIG. 4, with PLP1, the streams of a service channel (service) and the LLS signaling information are transferred on the IP/UDP. The stream of the service channel includes a stream of robust audio having high robustness. The LLS signaling information is signaling information which does not depend on a specific service such as SLT.

Here, PLP0 and PLP1 belong to the same PLP group 1. That is, in PLP group 1, the stream of the LLS signaling information is transferred with PLP1. Therefore, the reception device 20 can acquire SLT from this stream and maintain SLT as channel selection information.

When a service channel (service) of content A is selected, the reception device 20 can acquire the SLS signaling information transferred with PLP0 according to bootstrap information described in the channel selection information (SLT). Then, the reception device 20 acquires streams of a video, audio, and subtitles based on the SLS signaling information of PLP0 and reproduces content A of PLP0.

Here, since the stream of the robust audio is transferred with the stream of the service channel of PLP1, the robust audio of PLP1 may be reproduced instead of the audio of PLP0.

In this way, PLP0 and PLP1 belong to the same PLP group 1. However, the LLS signaling information is transferred with PLP1 and the SLS signaling information is transferred with PLP0. That is, the LLS signaling information and the SLS signaling information are transferred with the different PLPs.

In FIG. 4, with PLP2, the stream of the ESG service, the NTP, a service channel (service), and the LLS signaling information is transferred on the IP/UDP. With PLP2, the stream of the service channel includes a stream of the SLS signaling information, a video, audio, and subtitles. The components of the video, the audio, and the subtitles are included in content B (for example, a television program) supplied by the service channel.

Here, PLP2 does not belong to the PLP group and is configured as an independent PLP. That is, with PLP2, the stream of the LLS signaling information is transferred. Therefore, the reception device 20 can acquire SLT from this stream and maintain SLT as channel selection information.

When a service channel (service) of content B is selected, the reception device 20 can acquire the SLS signaling information transferred with PLP2 according to bootstrap information described in the channel selection information (SLT). Then, the reception device 20 acquires streams of a video, audio, and subtitles based on the SLS signaling information of PLP2 and reproduces content B of PLP2.

In this way, since PLP2 is configured as the independent PLP, both of the LLS signaling information and the SLS signaling information are transferred with PLP2. That is, the LLS signaling information and the SLS signaling information are transferred with the same PLP.

(Description example of descriptor 1 of embodiment of the present technology)
As illustrated in FIG. 5, whether the LLS signaling information is present or absent and the PLP group to which the PLP belongs are indicated for each PLP identified with PLPID by the descriptor 1 of an embodiment of the present technology in FIG. 2 in the system pipe model (see FIG. 4) of use example 1 with the configuration described above.

In FIG. 5, since the LLS signaling information (the stream of the LLS signaling information) is not transferred with PLP (PLP0) having PLPID of “0,” “0” is set as LLS_EXIST_FLAG. On the other hand, since the LLS signaling information (the stream of the LLS signaling information) is transferred with PLP (PLP1) having PLPID of “1” and PLP (PLP2) having PLPID of “2,” “1” is set as LLS_EXIST_FLAG.

Further, since the PLP (the PLP 0) having the PLPID of “0” and the PLP (the PLP 1) having the PLPID of “1” belong to the same PLP group 1, “000 0001” indicating that it belongs to the PLP group 1 is set to both of PLP_GROUP_IDs. Meanwhile, the PLP (the PLP 2) having the PLPID of “2” is an independent PLP that belongs to no PLP group, and thus “000 0000” is set to PLP_GROUP_ID.

Since only 3 PLPs (PLP0 to PLP2) are transferred in the system pipe model of use example 1 in FIG. 4, it is not necessary to describe information regarding the PLPs having PLP_ID of “3” to “63.”

In use example 1, as described above, by transferring the descriptor 1 of an embodiment of the present technology in FIG. 5 with the physical layer of the protocol stack of ATSC 3.0, for example, the reception device 20 can recognize that the LLS signaling information is transferred with PLP1 among PLP0 to PLP1 belonging to PLP group 1 when the reception device 20 acquires the descriptor 1 of an embodiment of the present technology in FIG. 5. Therefore, for example, various forms of use such as sharing of a specific component by a plurality of service channels (services) or grouping of a plurality of PLPs can also be flexibly handled.

Further, when the descriptor 1 of an embodiment of the present technology of FIG. 5 is acquired, the reception device 20 can recognize the presence of the signaling information transferred in the layer higher than the physical layer, and thus the reception device 20 can acquire the target signaling information promptly and reduce a processing time.

(B) Operation example 2

(System pipe model)
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a system pipe model of an operation example 2.

In FIG. 6, a PLP (PLP 0) having a PLPID of “0,” a PLP (PLP 1) having a PLPID of “1,” and a PLP (PLP 2) having a PLPID of “2” are transferred in broadcast waves (an RF Channel) having a predetermined frequency band (for example, 6 MHz).

In FIG. 6, with PLP0 of 3 PLPs, the streams of the service channel (service) are transferred on the IP/UDP.

In the PLP 0, the stream of the service channel includes the SLS signaling information and streams of a video, audio, and closed captions. That is, content C (for example, a television program) provided by the service channel is configured with components of a video, audio, closed captions, and the like.

In FIG. 6, with PLP1, the stream of the ESG service, the NTP, and the LLS signaling information is transferred on the IP/UDP. Here, PLP1 is considered as a shared PLP.

Here, PLP0 and PLP1 belong to the same PLP group 1. That is, in PLP group 1, the stream of the LLS signaling information is transferred with PLP1 (shared PLP). Therefore, the reception device 20 can acquire SLT from this stream and maintain SLT as channel selection information.

When a service channel (service) of content C is selected, the reception device 20 can acquire the SLS signaling information transferred with PLP0 according to bootstrap information described in the channel selection information (SLT). Then, the reception device 20 acquires streams of a video, audio, and subtitles based on the SLS signaling information of PLP0 and reproduces content C of PLP0.

In this way, PLP0 and PLP1 belong to the same PLP group 1. However, the LLS signaling information is transferred with PLP1 (shared PLP) and the SLS signaling information is transferred with PLP0. That is, the LLS signaling information and the SLS signaling information are transferred with the different PLPs.

In FIG. 6, with PLP2, the stream of a service channel (service) is transferred on the IP/UDP. With PLP2, the stream of the service channel includes a stream of the SLS signaling information, a video, audio, and subtitles. That is, the components of the video, the audio, the subtitles, and the like are included in content D (for example, a television program) supplied by the service channel.

Here, PLP2 and PLP1 belong to the same PLP group2. That is, with PLP2, the stream of the LLS signaling information is transferred with PLP1 (shared PLP). Therefore, the reception device 20 can acquire SLT from this stream and maintain SLT as channel selection information.

When a service channel (service) of content D is selected, the reception device 20 can acquire the SLS signaling information transferred with PLP2 according to bootstrap information described in the channel selection information (SLT). Then, the reception device 20 acquires streams of a video, audio, and subtitles based on the SLS signaling information of PLP2 and reproduces content D of PLP2.

In this way, PLP2 and PLP1 belong to the same PLP group2. Although the LLS signaling information is transferred with the PLP1 (shared PLP), the SLS signaling information is transferred with PLP2. That is, the LLS signaling information and the SLS signaling information are transferred with different PLPs.

PLP1 is the shared PLP shared between PLP group 1 and PLP group 2 and belongs to both of the PLP groups, PLP group 1 and PLP group 2. The stream of the ESG service, the NTP, and the LLS signaling information used for both of PLP group 1 and PLP group 2 is transferred with PLP1.

(Description example of descriptor 1 of embodiment of the present technology)
As illustrated in FIG. 7, whether the LLS signaling information is present or absent and the PLP group to which the PLP belongs are indicated for each PLP identified with PLPID by the descriptor 1 of an embodiment of the present technology in FIG. 2 in the system pipe model (see FIG. 6) of use example 2 with the configuration described above.

In FIG. 7, since the LLS signaling information (the stream of the LLS signaling information) is not transferred with PLP (PLP0) having PLPID of “0” and PLP (PLP2) having PLPID of “2,” “0” is set as LLS_EXIST_FLAG. On the other hand, since the LLS signaling information (the stream of the LLS signaling information) is transferred with PLP (PLP1) having PLPID of “1,” “1” is set as LLS_EXIST_FLAG.

Since the PLP (PLP0) having PLPID of “0” and the PLP (PLP1) having PLPID of “1” belong to the same PLP group 1, “000 0001” indicating that the PLP belongs to PLP group 1 is set in PLP_GROUP_ID of PLP0 and “000 0011” indicating that the PLP belongs to PLP group 1 is set in PLP_GROUP_ID of PLP1. That is, the least significant bit (LSB) indicating that both of the PLPs belong to PLP group 1 is set up in PLP_GROUP_ID of PLP0 and PLP1.

On the other hand, since the PLP (PLP1) having PLPID of “1” and the PLP (PLP2) having PLPID of “2” belong to the same PLP group 2, “000 0011” indicating that the PLP belongs to PLP group 2 is set in PLP_GROUP_ID of PLP1 and “000 0010” indicating that the PLP belongs to PLP group 2 is set in PLP_GROUP_ID of PLP2. That is, the second bit from the right side indicating that both of the PLPs belong to PLP group 2 is set up in PLP_GROUP_ID of PLP2 and PLP1.

The PLP1 is the shared PLP in which “000 0011” is set as PLP_GROUP_ID and which belongs to (is shared between) both of the PLP groups, PLP group 1 and PLP group 2.

Since only 3 PLPs (PLP0 to PLP2) are transferred in the system pipe model of use example 2 in FIG. 6, it is not necessary to describe information regarding the PLPs having PLP_ID of “3” to “63.”

In use example 2, as described above, by transferring the descriptor 1 of an embodiment of the present technology in FIG. 7 with the physical layer of the protocol stack of ATSC 3.0, for example, the reception device 20 can recognize that the LLS signaling information is transferred with PLP1 (the shared PLP) which belongs to (is shared between) both of PLP group 1 and PLP group 2 when the reception device 20 acquires the descriptor 1 of an embodiment of the present technology in FIG. 7. Therefore, for example, various forms of use such as sharing of a specific component by a plurality of service channels (services) or grouping of a plurality of PLPs can also be flexibly handled.

Further, when the descriptor 1 of an embodiment of the present technology of FIG. 7 is acquired, the reception device 20 can recognize the presence of the signaling information transferred in the layer higher than the physical layer, and thus the reception device 20 can acquire the target signaling information promptly and reduce a processing time.

(3) Signaling transfer method

(Layer structure)
FIG. 8 is a diagram for describing a concept of a layer structure corresponding to the ATSC 3.0.

In FIG. 8, in a layer 3 (L3), an IP packet is transferred. The IP packet includes an IP header, a UDP header, and data. In other words, the IP packet is the IP/UDP packet including the UDP packet. In the data of the IP packet (the IP/UDP packet), for example, the data of a video, audio, or the like (a component of the video, the audio, or the like) and the LLS or SLS signaling information are arranged.

In a layer 2 (L2), a generic packet is transferred as a transfer packet. The generic packet includes a generic header and a payload. One or more IP packets (IP/UDP packet) are arranged in the payload of the generic packet and encapsulated.

A BB frame of a layer 1 (L1) corresponding to the physical layer is configured with a BB frame header and a payload. A plurality of generic packets are arranged in a payload of the BB frame and encapsulated. Further, in the layer 1, data obtained by scrambling a plurality of BB frames is mapped to an FEC frame, and an error correction parity of the physical layer is added to the data.

A physical layer frame (ATSC (Physical) Frame) of the layer 1 (L1) includes a bootstrap, a preamble, and a data portion. Further, data obtained by performing a physical layer process, for example, performing bit interleaving, a mapping process, and interleaving in the time direction and the frequency direction on a plurality of FEC frames is mapped to the data portion of the physical layer frame.

Here, the above-described descriptor 1 of an embodiment of the present technology (see FIG. 2) can be arranged in the preamble of the physical layer frame. For example, the L1-post signaling information is arranged in the preamble and content of the descriptor 1 of an embodiment of the present technology can be described in the L1-post signaling information.

Specifically, in the L1-post signaling information corresponding to ATSC 3.0 illustrated in FIG. 9, 1-bit LLS_EXIST_FLAG and 7-bit PLP_GROUP_ID defined with the descriptor 1 of an embodiment of the present technology in FIG. 2 are arranged instead of 8-bit PLP_GROUP_ID arranged in the PLP loop. Accordingly, the information representing whether the LLS signaling information is present or absent and the PLP group to which the PLP belongs for each PLP identified with PLPID is transferred as signaling of the physical layer.

FIG. 9 illustrates the example in which content of the descriptor 1 of an embodiment of the present technology is arranged in the PLP loop of the L1-post signaling information, but the arrangement of the L1-post signaling information is an example, and the L1-post signaling information may be arranged at any other location.

(4) Relations with technologies of related art

(Relation with DVB-NGH)
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a relation with DVB-NGH.

As illustrated in “logical channels” of FIG. 10, STREAM_GROUP_ID is defined in DVB-NGH and the PLPs are grouped (PLP cluster). However, the PLP shared across the plurality of PLP groups may not be set. There is no regulation on reporting whether signaling information in a higher layer of the physical layer is present or absent either.

The detailed content of DVB-NGH is disclosed in the following NPL 2. Even in DVB-NGH, information corresponding to 1-bit LLS_EXIST_FLAG and 7-bit PLP_GROUP_ID defined with the descriptor 1 of an embodiment of the present technology (see FIG. 2) can be arranged in the signaling information of the physical layer. Accordingly, the information representing whether the signaling information present in the higher layer of the physical layer is present or absent and the PLP group to which the PLP belongs for each PLP identified with PLPID can be transferred as the signaling of the physical layer.

DVB Document A160

(Relation with DVB-T2)
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a relation with DVB-T2.

In the L1-post signaling information defined in DVB-T2 in FIG. 11, 8-bit PLP_GROUP_ID is arranged in the PLP loop. PLP_GROUP_ID is used to associate data PLP and common PLP having the same PLP_GROUP_ID. Accordingly, in DVB-T2 in its current state, information reporting whether the signaling information in a higher layer of the physical layer is present or absent and the PLP shared across the plurality of PLP groups is not defined.

Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 11, even in the L1-post signaling information defined in DVB-T2, 1-bit LLS_EXIST_FLAG and 7-bit PLP_GROUP_ID defined with the descriptor 1 of an embodiment of the present technology (see FIG. 2) are arranged instead of PLP_GROUP_ID arranged in the PLP loop. Accordingly, the information representing whether the LLS signaling information in the higher layer of the physical layer is present or absent and the PLP group to which the PLP belongs for each PLP identified with PLPID can be transferred as signaling of the physical layer.

The detailed content of the L1-post signaling information defined in DVB-T2 is disclosed in NPL 1 described above. As in DVB-T2, an embodiment of the present technology is also applicable to transfer in the Japanese ultra-high definition cable television standard which is currently being drawn up as a standard based on DVB-C2 (ETSI EN 302 769) and current DVB-C2.

(Relation with ISDB-S)
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a relation with ISDB-S.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, 48 slots are defined as 1 frame in ISDB-S. The slots are grouped according to relative TS/slot information in FIG. 13 and a relative TS/TS_ID correspondence table in FIG. 14. That is, in FIG. 13, the slots and the other slots having the same relative TS numbers belong to the same group. The relative TS number is associated with TS_ID according to the relative TS/TS_ID correspondence table in FIG. 14.

In this way, the slots can be grouped in ISDB-S. However, a slot shared across a plurality of groups may not be set. There is no regulation on reporting whether signaling information in a higher layer of the physical layer is present or absent either.

The detailed content of ISDB-S is disclosed in the following NPL 3. Even in ISDB-S, information corresponding to 1-bit LLS_EXIST_FLAG and 7-bit PLP_GROUP_ID defined with the descriptor 1 of an embodiment of the present technology (see FIG. 2) can be arranged in the signaling information of the physical layer. Accordingly, the information representing whether the signaling information present in the higher layer of the physical layer is present or absent and the group to which the PLP belongs can be transferred as the signaling of the physical layer.

"ARIB STD-B20 3.0 Edition," Association of Radio Industries and Businesses

<3. Second embodiment>

(1) Overview of second embodiment of the present technology

In the above-described first embodiment, by defining the PLP group ID (PLP_GROUP_ID) formed from the bitmap structure in the descriptor 1 of an embodiment of the present technology (see FIG. 2) and setting up a common bit in the PLPs belonging to the same PLP group, it is possible to set the shared PLP. In the second embodiment, by defining a flag indicating whether a target PLP is the shared PLP apart from the PLP group ID (PLP_GROUP_ID) in the descriptor 2 of an embodiment of the present technology, it is possible to set the shared PLP.

(Syntax of descriptor 2 of embodiment of the present technology)
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the syntax of the descriptor 2 of an embodiment of the present technology.

Here, 1-bit SHARED_PLP_FLAG is a flag indicating whether the target PLP is a shared PLP. For example, when SHARED_PLP_FLAG = “1,” the target PLP indicates the shared PLP.

Here, 6-bit PLP_GROUP_ID is an ID for identifying a group to which the target PLP belongs. Here, “uimsbf (unsigned integer most significant bit first) is designated as bit string notation (Mnemonic) and PLP_GROUP_ID is subjected to a bit operation to be handled as an integer.

In this way, the descriptor 2 of an embodiment of the present technology is different from the descriptor 1 of an embodiment of the present technology (see FIG. 2) described above in that SHARED_PLP_FLAG is defined. In the descriptor 2 of an embodiment of the present technology, “uimsbf” is designated as the bit string notation in PLP_GROUP_ID. However, the descriptor 1 of an embodiment of the present technology (see FIG. 2) is different in that “bslbf” is designated in PLP_GROUP_ID. Further, in the descriptor 2 of an embodiment of the present technology, the number of bits of PLP_GROUP_ID is 6 bits. However, the descriptor 1 of an embodiment of the present technology (see FIG. 2) is also different in that the number of bits of PLP_GROUP_ID is 7 bits.

FIG. 16 illustrates a specific description example of the descriptor 2 of an embodiment of the present technology.

ATSC 3.0 defines that a maximum of 64 PLPs can be arranged in one frequency band (for example, a frequency band of 6 MHz according to one channel). Therefore, here, a case in which NUM_PLP = “64” is set and values of 0 to 63 are set as PLP_ID for identifying the PLPs is exemplified.

When “1” is set, LLS_EXIST_FLAG indicates that the LLS signaling information is present in the target PLP. When “0” is set, LLS_EXIST_FLAG indicates that the LLS signaling information is not present in the target PLP. When “1” is set, SHARED_PLP_FLAG indicates that the target PLP is a shared PLP. When “0” is set, SHARED_PLP_FLAG indicates that the target PLP is not a shared PLP.

In FIG. 16, in the PLP (PLP0) identified with PLP_ID of “0,” “1” is set as LLS_EXIST_FLAG and “0” is set as SHARED_PLP_FLAG. In the PLP (PLP1) identified with PLP_ID of “1,” “0” is set as LLS_EXIST_FLAG and “0” is set as SHARED_PLP_FLAG.

In PLP0 and PLP1, “0” is set as PLP_GROUP_ID. PLP0 and PLP1 belong to the same PLP group (PLP group 1). That is, in PLP group 1, the LLS signaling information is present in PLP0, but the LLS signal information is not present in PLP1. Further, PLP0 and PLP1 are not shared PLPs.

In FIG. 16, in the PLP (PLP2) identified with PLP_ID of “2,” “0” is set as LLS_EXIST_FLAG and “1” is set as SHARED_PLP_FLAG. In the PLP (PLP3) identified with PLP_ID of “3,” “0” is set as LLS_EXIST_FLAG and “1” is set as SHARED_PLP_FLAG.

In PLP2 and PLP3, “1” is set as PLP_GROUP_ID. PLP2 and PLP3 belong to the same PLP group. That is, in this PLP group, the LLS signaling information is not present in either of PLP2 and PLP3. Further, PLP2 and PLP3 are shared as shared PLPs.

In FIG. 16, in the PLP (PLP4) identified with PLP_ID of “4,” “1” is set as LLS_EXIST_FLAG and “0” is set as SHARED_PLP_FLAG. In the PLP (PLP5) identified with PLP_ID of “5,” “0” is set as LLS_EXIST_FLAG and “0” is set as SHARED_PLP_FLAG.

In PLP4 and PLP5, “2” is set as PLP_GROUP_ID. PLP0 and PLP1 belong to the same PLP group (PLP group 2). That is, in PLP group 2, the LLS signaling information is present in PLP4, but the LLS signal information is not present in PLP5. Further, PLP4 and PLP5 are not shared PLPs.

Further, in FIG. 16, in the PLP (PLP6) identified with PLP_ID of “6,” “1” is set as LLS_EXIST_FLAG and “0” is set as SHARED_PLP_FLAG. In PLP6, “3” is set as PLP_GROUP_ID. For the other PLPs, however, there is no PLP in which “3” is set as PLP_GROUP_ID. The other PLPs are configured as independent PLPs. That is, in the independently configured PLP6, the LLS signaling information is present, but PLP6 is not the shared PLP.

Here, PLP2 and PLP3 belonging to the same PLP group are the shared PLPs and are shared with other PLPs. In the example of FIG. 16, PLP2 and PLP3 are shared between PLP group 1 to which PLP0 and PLP1 belong and PLP group 2 to which PLP4 and PLP5 belong.

That is, PLP2 and PLP3 which are the shared PLPs belong to both of the PLP groups, PLP group 1 and PLP group 2. In other words, PLP0, PLP1, PLP2, and PLP3 can be said to belong to PLP group 1 and PLP2, PLP3, PLP4 and PLP5 can be said to belong to PLP group 2. Since PLP6 is configured independently, PLP6 is not shared with PLP2 and PLP3 which are the shared PLPs.

(2) Operation example

Next, specific operation examples using the descriptor 2 of an embodiment of the present technology in FIG. 15 will be described.

(A) Operation example 3

(System pipe model)
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a system pipe model of an operation example 3.

In FIG. 17, a PLP (PLP 0) having a PLPID of “0,” a PLP (PLP 1) having a PLPID of “1,” and a PLP (PLP 2) having a PLPID of “2” are transferred in broadcast waves (an RF Channel) having a predetermined frequency band (for example, 6 MHz).

In FIG. 17, with PLP0 of 3 PLPs, the streams of the NTP, a service channel (service), and the ESG service are transferred on the IP/UDP.

In the PLP 0, the stream of the service channel includes the SLS signaling information and streams of a video, audio, and closed captions. The SLS signaling information is the signaling information of each the service such as the USD or the MPD. Further, content A (for example, a television program) provided by the service channel is configured with components of a video, audio, and closed captions.

In FIG. 17, with PLP1, the streams of a service channel (service) and the LLS signaling information are transferred on the IP/UDP. The stream of the service channel includes a stream of robust audio having high robustness. The LLS signaling information is signaling information which does not depend on a specific service such as SLT.

Here, PLP2 is configured as an independent PLP. That is, with PLP2, the stream of the LLS signaling information is transferred. Therefore, the reception device 20 can acquire SLT from this stream and maintain SLT as channel selection information.

(Description example of descriptor 2 of embodiment of the present technology)
As illustrated in FIG. 18, whether the LLS signaling information is present or absent, whether the PLP is the shared PLP, and the PLP group to which the PLP belongs are indicated for each PLP identified with PLPID by the descriptor 2 of an embodiment of the present technology in FIG. 15 in the system pipe model (see FIG. 17) of use example 3 with the configuration described above.

In FIG. 18, since the LLS signaling information (the stream of the LLS signaling information) is not transferred with PLP (PLP0) having PLPID of “0,” “0” is set as LLS_EXIST_FLAG. On the other hand, since the LLS signaling information (the stream of the LLS signaling information) is transferred with PLP (PLP1) having PLPID of “1” and PLP (PLP2) having PLPID of “2,” “1” is set as LLS_EXIST_FLAG.

Since none of the PLP (PLP0) having PLPID of “0,” the PLP (PLP1) having PLPID of “1,” and the PLP (PLP2) having PLPID of “2” is the shared PLP, “0” is set as SHARED_PLP_FLAG.

Further, since the PLP (the PLP 0) having the PLPID of “0” and the PLP (the PLP 1) having the PLPID of “1” belong to the same PLP group 1, “0” indicating that it belongs to the PLP group 1 is set to both of PLP_GROUP_IDs. Meanwhile, the PLP (the PLP 2) having the PLPID of “2” is an independent PLP, and thus “1” is set to PLP_GROUP_ID.

Since only 3 PLPs (PLP0 to PLP2) are transferred in the system pipe model of use example 3 in FIG. 18, it is not necessary to describe information regarding the PLPs having PLP_ID of “3” to “63.”

In use example 3, as described above, by transferring the descriptor 2 of an embodiment of the present technology in FIG. 18 with the physical layer of the protocol stack of ATSC 3.0, for example, the reception device 20 can recognize that the LLS signaling information is transferred with PLP1 among PLP0 to PLP1 belonging to PLP group 1 when the reception device 20 acquires the descriptor 2 of an embodiment of the present technology in FIG. 18. Therefore, for example, various forms of use such as sharing of a specific component by a plurality of service channels (services) or grouping of a plurality of PLPs can also be flexibly handled.

Further, when the descriptor 2 of an embodiment of the present technology of FIG. 18 is acquired, the reception device 20 can recognize the presence of the signaling information transferred in the layer higher than the physical layer, and thus the reception device 20 can acquire the target signaling information promptly and reduce a processing time. Further, according to a form of use, a request to reduce the number of bits of PLP_GROUP_ID is assumed, but this request can be satisfied by adopting the descriptor 2 of an embodiment of the present technology.

(B) Operation example 4

(System pipe model)
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a system pipe model of an operation example 4.

In FIG. 19, in broadcast waves (RF channel) having a predetermined frequency band (for example, 6 MHz), the PLP (PLP0) having PLPID of “0,” the PLP (PLP1) having PLPID of “1,” the PLP (PLP2) having PLPID of “2,” the PLP (PLP3) having PLPID of “3,” the PLP (PLP4) having PLPID of “4,” and the PLP (PLP5) having PLPID of “5” are transferred.

In FIG. 19, with PLP0 among 6 PLPs, the streams of the NTP, the LLS signaling information, and the service channel (service) are transferred on the IP/UDP.

With PLP1, the stream of the service channel (service) is transferred on the IP/UDP. The stream of the service channel of PLP1 includes a stream of robust audio.

Here, PLP0 and PLP1 belong to the same PLP group 1. That is, in PLP group 1, the stream of the LLS signaling information is transferred with PLP0. Therefore, the reception device 20 can acquire SLT from this stream and maintain SLT as channel selection information.

In FIG. 19, PLP2 and PLP3 are the shared PLPs shared between PLP group 1 and PLP group 2. With PLP2 and PLP3, the stream of the service channel is transferred on the IP/UDP. The stream of the service channel of PLP2 includes a stream of audio for emergency notice. The stream of the service channel of the PLP3 includes a stream of the ESG service.

That is, in addition to PLP0 and PLP1, PLP2 and PLP3 belong to PLP group 1 as the shared PLPs. Accordingly, the reception device 20 can reproduce the audio for emergency notice at the time of reproduction of content C of PLP0 by acquiring the stream of the audio for emergency notice transferred with PLP2. The reception device 20 can display an electronic service guide by acquiring the stream of the ESG service transferred with PLP3.

In this way, PLP0, PLP1, PLP2, and PLP3 belong to the same PLP group 1 and all of the LLS signaling information and the SLS signaling information are transferred with PLP0. The stream of the audio for emergency notice and the stream of the ESG service are transferred respectively with PLP2 and PLP3 which are the shared PLPs in PLP group 1. The reception device 20 processes the PLPs belonging to PLP group 1 in units of PLP groups.

In FIG. 19, with PLP4, the streams of the NTP, the LLS signaling information, and the service channel (service) are transferred on the IP/UDP.

In the PLP 4, the stream of the service channel includes the SLS signaling information and streams of a video, audio, and closed captions. That is, content D (for example, a television program) provided by the service channel is configured with components of a video, audio, closed captions, and the like.

Here, PLP4 belongs to PLP group 2. That is, with PLP4 in PLP group 2, the stream of the LLS signaling information is transferred. Therefore, the reception device 20 can acquire SLT from this stream and maintain SLT as the channel selection information.

When a service channel (service) of content D is selected, the reception device 20 can acquire the SLS signaling information transferred with PLP4 according to bootstrap information described in the channel selection information (SLT). Then, the reception device 20 acquires streams of a video, audio, and subtitles based on the SLS signaling information of PLP4 and reproduces content D of PLP4.

In FIG. 19, PLP2 and PLP3 are the shared PLPs shared between PLP group 1 and PLP group 2, the stream of the service channel of PLP2 includes the stream of the audio for emergency notice, and the stream of the service channel of PLP3 includes the stream of the ESG service.

That is, in addition to PLP4, PLP2 and PLP3 belong to PLP group 2 as the shared PLPs. Accordingly, the reception device 20 can reproduce the audio for emergency notice at the time of reproduction of content D of PLP4 by acquiring the stream of the audio for emergency notice transferred with PLP2. The reception device 20 can display an electronic service guide by acquiring the stream of the ESG service transferred with PLP3.

In this way, PLP2, PLP3, and PLP4 belong to the same PLP group 2 and all of the LLS signaling information and the SLS signaling information are transferred with PLP4. The stream of the audio for emergency notice and the stream of the ESG service are transferred respectively with PLP2 and PLP3 which are the shared PLPs in PLP group 2. The reception device 20 processes the PLPs belonging to PLP group 2 in units of PLP groups.

Further, in FIG. 19, with PLP5, the streams of the NTP, the LLS signaling information, the ESG service, and the service channel (service) are transferred on the IP/UDP. For PLP5, the stream of the service channel includes the SLS signaling information and the streams of the video and the audio. The components of the video and the audio are included in content E (for example, a television program) supplied by the service channel.

Here, PLP5 is configured as an independent PLP. That is, with PLP5, the stream of the LLS signaling information is transferred. Therefore, the reception device 20 can acquire SLT from this stream and maintain SLT as channel selection information.

When a service channel (service) of content E is selected, the reception device 20 can acquire the SLS signaling information transferred with PLP5 according to bootstrap information described in the channel selection information (SLT). Then, the reception device 20 acquires streams of a video, and audio based on the SLS signaling information of PLP5 and reproduces content E of PLP5.

In this way, since PLP5 is configured as the independent PLP, both of the LLS signaling information and the SLS signaling information are transferred with PLP5. That is, the LLS signaling information and the SLS signaling information are transferred with the same PLP.

(Description example of descriptor 2 of embodiment of the present technology)
As illustrated in FIG. 20, whether the LLS signaling information is present or absent, whether the PLP is the shared PLP, and the PLP group to which the PLP belongs are indicated for each PLP identified with PLPID by the descriptor 2 of an embodiment of the present technology in FIG. 15 in the system pipe model (see FIG. 19) of use example 4 with the configuration described above.

In FIG. 20, with the PLP (PLP0) having PLPID of “0,” the LLS signaling information (the stream of the LLS signaling information) is transferred. Therefore, “1” is set as LLS_EXIST_FLAG. On the other hand, with the PLP (PLP1) having PLPID of “1,” the LLS signaling information (the stream of the LLS signaling information) is not transferred. Therefore, “0” is set as LLS_EXIST_FLAG.

Since neither of the PLP (PLP0) having PLPID of “0” nor the PLP (PLP1) having PLPID of “1” is the shared PLP, “0” is set as SHARED_PLP_FLAG. Since the PLP (PLP0) having PLPID of “0” and the PLP (PLP1) having PLPID of “1” belong to the same PLP group 1, “0” indicating that the PLPs belong PLP group 1 is set in PLP_GROUP_ID.

Since both of the PLP (PLP2) having PLPID of “2” and the PLP (PLP3) having PLPID of “3” are the shared PLPs, “1” is set as SHARED_PLP_FLAG. Since the PLP (PLP2) having PLPID of “2” and the PLP (PLP3) having PLPID of “3” belong to the same PLP group, “1” is set as PLP_GROUP_ID.

With the PLP (PLP2) having PLPID of “2” and the PLP (PLP3) having PLPID of “3,” the LLS signaling information (the stream of the LLS signaling information) is not transferred. Therefore, “0” is set as LLS_EXIST_FLAG.

With the PLP (PLP4) having PLPID of “4,” the LLS signaling information (the stream of the LLS signaling information) is transferred. Therefore, “1” is set as LLS_EXIST_FLAG. Since the PLP (PLP4) having PLPID of “4” is not the shared PLP, “0” is set as SHARED_PLP_FLAG. Since the PLP (PLP4) having PLPID of “4” belongs to PLP group 2, “2” indicating that the PLP belongs to PLP group 2 is set in PLP_GROUP_ID.

With the PLP (PLP5) having PLPID of “5,” the LLS signaling information (the stream of the LLS signaling information) is transferred. Therefore, “1” is set as LLS_EXIST_FLAG. Since the PLP (PLP5) having PLPID of “5” is not the shared PLP, “0” is set as SHARED_PLP_FLAG. Further, the PLP (PLP5) having PLPID of “5” is configured as an independent PLP, and “3” is set as PLP_GROUP_ID.

Since only 6 PLPs (PLP0 to PLP5) are transferred in the system pipe model of use example 4 in FIG. 19, it is not necessary to describe information regarding the PLPs having PLP_ID of “6” to “63.”

In use example 4, as described above, by transferring the descriptor 2 of an embodiment of the present technology in FIG. 20 with the physical layer of the protocol stack of ATSC 3.0, for example, the reception device 20 can recognize that the LLS signaling information is transferred with PLP0 among PLPs belonging to PLP group 1 when the reception device 20 acquires the descriptor 2 of an embodiment of the present technology in FIG. 20. Therefore, for example, various forms of use such as sharing of a specific component by a plurality of service channels (services) or grouping of a plurality of PLPs can also be flexibly handled.

Further, when the descriptor 2 of an embodiment of the present technology of FIG. 20 is acquired, the reception device 20 can recognize the presence of the signaling information transferred in the layer higher than the physical layer, and thus the reception device 20 can acquire the target signaling information promptly and reduce a processing time. Further, according to a form of use, a request to reduce the number of bits of PLP_GROUP_ID is assumed, but this request can be satisfied by adopting the descriptor 2 of an embodiment of the present technology.

However, in this case, in the reception device 20, the signaling information of the PLP which is specified by LLS_EXIST_FLAG of the descriptor 2 of an embodiment of the present technology and in which the LLS signaling information is present is analyzed, and then the shared PLP (shared PLP) is selected. Therefore, a 2-step process is performed.

(3) Signaling transfer method

(Layer structure)
FIG. 21 is a diagram for describing a concept of a layer structure corresponding to the ATSC 3.0.

In FIG. 21, in a layer 3 (L3), an IP packet is transferred. The IP packet includes an IP header, a UDP header, and data. In other words, the IP packet is the IP/UDP packet including the UDP packet. In the data of the IP packet (the IP/UDP packet), for example, the data of a video, audio, or the like (a component of the video, the audio, or the like) and the LLS or SLS signaling information are arranged.

Here, the above-described descriptor 2 of an embodiment of the present technology (see FIG. 15) can be arranged in the preamble of the physical layer frame. For example, the L1-post signaling information is arranged in the preamble and content of the descriptor 1 of an embodiment of the present technology can be described in the L1-post signaling information.

Specifically, in the L1-post signaling information corresponding to ATSC 3.0 illustrated in FIG. 22, 1-bit LLS_EXIST_FLAG, 1-bit SHARED_PLP_FLAG, and 6-bit PLP_GROUP_ID defined with the descriptor 2 of an embodiment of the present technology in FIG. 15 are arranged instead of 8-bit PLP_GROUP_ID arranged in the PLP loop. Accordingly, the information representing whether the LLS signaling information is present or absent, whether the PLP is the shared PLP, and the PLP group to which the PLP belongs for each PLP identified with PLPID can be transferred as signaling of the physical layer.

FIG. 22 illustrates the example in which content of the descriptor 2 of an embodiment of the present technology is arranged in the PLP loop of the L1-post signaling information, but the arrangement of the L1-post signaling information is an example, and the L1-post signaling information may be arranged at any other location.

(4) Relations with technologies of related art

(Relation with DVB-NGH)
As illustrated in “logical channels” of FIG. 10 (diagram illustrating a relation with DVB-NGH), STREAM_GROUP_ID is defined in DVB-NGH and the PLPs are grouped (PLP cluster). However, the PLP shared across the plurality of PLP groups may not be set. There is no regulation on reporting whether signaling information in a higher layer of the physical layer is present or absent either.

Information corresponding to 1-bit LLS_EXIST_FLAG, 1-bit SHARED_PLP_FLAG, and 6-bit PLP_GROUP_ID defined with the descriptor 2 of an embodiment of the present technology (see FIG. 15) can be arranged in the signaling information of the physical layer in DVB-NGH as well. Accordingly, the information representing whether the signaling information present in a higher layer of the physical layer is present or absent, whether the PLP is the shared PLP, and the PLP group to which the PLP belongs for each PLP identified with PLPID can be transferred as signaling of the physical layer.

(Relation with DVB-T2)
FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a relation with DVB-T2.

In the L1-post signaling information defined in DVB-T2 in FIG. 23, 8-bit PLP_GROUP_ID is arranged in the PLP loop. PLP_GROUP_ID is used to associate data PLP and common PLP having the same PLP_GROUP_ID. Accordingly, in DVB-T2 in its current state, information reporting whether the signaling information in a higher layer of the physical layer is present or absent and the PLP shared across the plurality of PLP groups is not defined.

Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 23, in the L1-post signaling information defined in DVB-T2, 1-bit LLS_EXIST_FLAG, 1-bit SHARED_PLP_FLAG, and 6-bit PLP_GROUP_ID defined with the descriptor 2 of an embodiment of the present technology (see FIG. 15) are arranged instead of PLP_GROUP_ID arranged in the PLP loop. Accordingly, the information representing whether the signaling information present in a higher layer of the physical layer is present or absent, whether the PLP is the shared PLP, and the PLP group to which the PLP belongs for each PLP identified with PLPID can be transferred as signaling of the physical layer.

(Relation with ISDB-S)
As illustrated in FIG. 12 (diagram illustrating a relation with ISDB-S), 48 slots are defined as 1 frame in ISDB-S. The slots are grouped according to relative TS/slot information in FIG. 13 and a relative TS/TS_ID correspondence table in FIG. 14. That is, the slots and the other slots having the same relative TS numbers belong to the same group. The relative TS number is associated with TS_ID according to the relative TS/TS_ID correspondence table in FIG. 14.

Even in ISDB-S, information corresponding to 1-bit LLS_EXIST_FLAG, 1-bit SHARED_PLP_FLAG, and 6-bit PLP_GROUP_ID defined with the descriptor 2 of an embodiment of the present technology (see FIG. 15) can be arranged in the signaling information of the physical layer. Accordingly, the information representing whether the signaling information present in the higher layer of the physical layer is present or absent, whether it is the shared PLP, and the group to which the PLP belongs can be transferred as the signaling of the physical layer.

<4. Configurations of devices>

Next, the detailed configurations of the transmission device 10 and the reception device 20 included in the transfer system 1 in FIG. 1 will be described.

(Configuration of transmission device)
FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the transmission device 10 in FIG. 1.

In FIG. 24, the transmission device 10 is configured to include a control unit 101, a component acquisition unit 102, an encoder 103, a signaling generation unit 104, a signaling processing unit 105, a packet generation unit 106, a physical layer frame generation unit 107, and a transmission unit 108.

The control unit 101 controls operation of each unit of the transmission device 10.

The component acquisition unit 102 acquires data such as a video, audio, subtitles (components of the video, the audio, and the subtitles) included in the content (for example, a television program) supplied by a specific service and supplies the data to the encoder 103. The encoder 103 encodes the data of the video, the audio, and the like (the components of the video, the audio, and the like) supplied from the component acquisition unit 102 in accordance with a predetermined encoding scheme and supplies the data to the packet generation unit 106.

As the content, for example, corresponding content according to a period of broadcast time is acquired from a storage location of the previous recorded content, or live content from a studio or a location site is acquired.

The signaling generation unit 104 acquires plain data for generating signaling information from an external server, an internal storage, or the like. The signaling generation unit 104 generates the signaling information using the plain data of the signaling information.

Here, as the signaling information, for example, the L1-post signaling information, the LLS signaling information, and the SLS signaling information are generated. Of the signaling information, the LLS signaling information and the SLS signaling information are supplied to the packet generation unit 106 and the L1-post signaling information is supplied to the physical layer frame generation unit 107.

Here, in the L1-post signaling information, for example, the descriptor 1 of an embodiment of the present technology (see FIG. 2) and the descriptor 2 of an embodiment of the present technology (see FIG. 15) are arranged in the PLP loop. Here, in the descriptor 1 of an embodiment of the present technology, the information (LLS_EXIST_FLAG and PLP_GROUP_ID) representing whether the LLS signaling information is present or absent and the PLP group to which the PLP belongs is set for each PLP. In the descriptor 2 of an embodiment of the present technology, the information (LLS_EXIST_FLAG and SHARED_PLP_FLAG, and PLP_GROUP_ID) representing whether the LLS signaling information is present or absent, whether the PLP is the shared PLP, and the PLP group to which the PLP belongs is set for each PLP.

The packet generation unit 106 generates the IP packet (IP/UDP packet) using the data of the video, the audio, and the like (the components of the video, the audio, and the like) supplied from the encoder 103 and the LLS signaling information and the SLS signaling information supplied from the signaling processing unit 105. The packet generation unit 106 generates the generic packets by capsulating one IP packet or the plurality of IP packets and supplies the generic packet to the physical layer frame generation unit 107.

The physical layer frame generation unit 107 generates the physical layer frame, for example, by capsulating the plurality of generic packets supplied from the packet generation unit 106 and supplies the physical layer frame to the transmission unit 108. Here, the L1-post signaling information supplied from the signaling processing unit 105 is arranged in the preamble included in the physical layer frame.

The transmission unit 108 performs, for example, a process such as Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) modulation on the physical layer frame supplied from the physical layer frame generation unit 107 and transmits the physical layer frame as a digital broadcast signal via the antenna 111.

In the transmission device 10 in FIG. 24, it is not necessary to physically arrange all of the functional blocks in a single device. At least some of the functional blocks may be configured as a device physically independent from the other functional blocks.

(Configuration of reception device)
FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the reception device 20 in FIG. 1.

In FIG. 25, the reception device 20 is configured to include a control unit 201, a reception unit 202, a physical layer frame processing unit 203, a packet processing unit 204, a signaling processing unit 205, a decoder 206, a display unit 207, and a speaker 208.

The control unit 201 controls operation of each unit of the reception device 20.

The reception unit 202 receives the digital broadcast signal transmitted from the transmission device 10 via the antenna 211 and supplies the physical layer frame processing unit 203 with the physical layer frame obtained by performing, for example, a process such as ODM demodulation.

The physical layer frame processing unit 203 extracts the generic packets by performing a process on the physical layer frame supplied from the reception unit 202 and supplies the generic packets to the packet processing unit 204. The physical layer frame processing unit 203 acquires the L1-post signaling information arranged in the preamble of the physical layer frame and supplies the L1-post signaling information to the signaling processing unit 205.

The packet processing unit 204 extracts the IP packets (IP/UDP packets) from the generic packets supplied from the physical layer frame processing unit 203 to acquire the data of the components, the LLS signaling information, and the SLS signaling information. Here, the LLS signaling information and the SLS signaling information are supplied to the signaling processing unit 205 and the data of the components is supplied to the decoder 206.

The signaling processing unit 205 is supplied with the L1-post signaling information from the physical layer frame processing unit 203 and the LLS signaling information and the SLS signaling information from the packet processing unit 204. The signaling processing unit 205 appropriately processes the L1-post signaling information, the LLS signaling information, or the SLS signaling information and supplies the processed signaling signal to the control unit 201.

The control unit 201 controls operation of each unit based on the signaling information supplied from the signaling processing unit 205. For example, the control unit 201 controls the process performed by the physical layer frame processing unit 203 based on the L1-post signaling information. For example, the control unit 201 controls filtering of the packets performed by the packet processing unit 204 based on the LLS signaling information and the SLS signaling information and supplies the data of the video, the audio, and the like (the components of the video, the audio, and the like) to the decoder 206.

The decoder 206 decodes the data of the video, the audio, and the like (the components of the video, the audio, and the like) supplied from the packet processing unit 204 in accordance with a predetermined decoding scheme, supplies video data obtained as the decoding result to the display unit 207, and supplies audio data to the speaker 208.

The display unit 207 displays a video corresponding to the video data supplied from the decoder 206. The speaker 208 outputs the audio corresponding to the audio data supplied from the decoder 206. Accordingly, in the reception device 20, the video and the audio of the content (for example, a television program) supplied by a service selected by the user are output.

In FIG. 25, the configuration when the display unit 207 and the speaker 208 are internally included is illustrated when the reception device 20 is a fixed receiver such as a television receiver or a mobile receiver such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. For example, when a recorder, a set top box (STB), or the like is used, the display unit 207 and the speaker 208 are configured to be externally provided.

<5. Flows of processes performed by devices>

Next, the flows of processes performed by the devices included in the transfer system 1 in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 26 and 27.

(Transmission process)
First, the flow of a transmission process performed by the transmission device 10 in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 26.

In step S101, a component and signaling acquisition process is performed.

In the component and signaling acquisition process, the components of the video, the audio, and the like are acquired by the component acquisition unit 102. The data of the components of the video, the audio, and the like is encoded by the encoder 103. In the component and signaling acquisition process, the signaling information is generated by the signaling generation unit 104 and the signaling information is processed by the signaling processing unit 105.

In step S102, a packet frame generation process is performed.

In the packet frame generation process, the IP packets or the generic packets are generated by the packet generation unit 106 and the physical layer frame is generated by the physical layer frame generation unit 107. Here, the descriptor 1 of an embodiment of the present technology (see FIG. 2) or the descriptor 2 of an embodiment of the present technology (see FIG. 15) is arranged in the PLP loop of the L1-post signaling information arranged in the preamble of the physical layer frame.

In the descriptor 1 of an embodiment of the present technology, the information (LLS_EXIST_FLAG and PLP_GROUP_ID) representing whether the LLS signaling information is present or absent and the PLP group to which it belongs is set for each PLP. In the descriptor 2 of an embodiment of the present technology, the information (LLS_EXIST_FLAG, SHARED_PLP_FLAG, and PLP_GROUP_ID) representing whether the LLS signaling information is present or absent, whether the PLP is the shared PLP, and the PLP group to which the PLP belongs are set for each PLP.

In step S103, a digital broadcast signal transmission process is performed.

In the digital broadcast signal transmission process, the transmission unit 108 performs a process on the physical layer frame and transmits the physical layer frame as the digital broadcast signal via the antenna 111.

The flow of the transmission process has been described above.

(Reception process)
Next, the flow of a reception process performed by the reception device 20 in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 27.

In step S201, a digital broadcast signal reception process is performed.

In the digital broadcast signal reception process, the reception unit 202 receives the digital broadcast signal via the antenna 211.

In step S202, packet and frame processing is performed.

In the packet and frame processing, the physical layer frame processing unit 203 extracts the generic packets or the L1-post signaling information from the physical layer frame, and the packet processing unit 204 extracts the IP packets or the LLS signaling information from the generic packets. The packet processing unit 204 extracts the data of the components, the LLS signaling information, and the SLS signaling information from the IP packets.

Here, in the PLP group of the L1-post signaling information, for example, the descriptor 1 of an embodiment of the present technology (see FIG. 2) and the descriptor 2 of an embodiment of the present technology (see FIG. 15) are arranged in the PLP loop. Here, in the descriptor 1 of an embodiment of the present technology, the information (LLS_EXIST_FLAG and PLP_GROUP_ID) representing whether the LLS signaling information is present or absent and the PLP group to which the PLP belongs is set for each PLP. In the descriptor 2 of an embodiment of the present technology, the information (LLS_EXIST_FLAG and SHARED_PLP_FLAG, and PLP_GROUP_ID) representing whether the LLS signaling information is present or absent, whether the PLP is the shared PLP, and the PLP group to which the PLP belongs is set for each PLP.

The control unit 201 controls the packet processing unit 204, the signaling processing unit 205, and the like based on LLS_EXIST_FLAG, SHARED_PLP_FLAG, and PLP_GROUP_ID to perform, for example, a process of acquiring the LLS signaling information from a specific PLP among the PLPs belonging to the PLP group.

In step S203, signaling and component processing is performed.

In the signaling and component processing, the control unit 201 controls the operation of each unit based on the LLS signaling information and the SLS signaling information and the decoder 206 decodes the data of the components of the video, the audio, and the like. Accordingly, the video of the content is displayed on the display unit 207 and the audio of the content is output from the speaker 208.

The flow of the reception process has been described above.

<6. Configuration of computer>

The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware or can be executed by software. When the series of processes is executed by software, a program that constructs such software is installed in a computer. FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the hardware of a computer that executes the series of processes described above according to a program.

In a computer 900, a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 901, a Read Only Memory (ROM) 902, and a Random Access Memory (RAM) 903 are mutually connected by a bus 904. An input/output interface 905 is also connected to the bus 904. An input unit 906, an output unit 907, a recording unit 908, a communication unit 909, and a drive 910 are connected to the input/output interface 905.

The input unit 906 is configured as a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone or the like. The output unit 907 is configured as a display, a speaker or the like. The recording unit 908 is configured as a hard disk, a non-volatile memory or the like. The communication unit 909 is configured as a network interface or the like. The drive 910 drives a removable medium 911 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disc, a magneto-optical disc, a semiconductor memory or the like.

In the computer 900 configured as described above, the series of processes described earlier is performed such that the CPU 901 loads a program recorded in the ROM 902 or the recording unit 908 via the input/output interface 905 and the bus 904 into the RAM 903 and executes the program.

For example, the program executed by the computer 900 (the CPU 901) may be provided by being recorded on the removable medium 911 as a packaged medium or the like. The program can also be provided via a wired or wireless transfer medium, such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital satellite broadcasting.

In the computer 900, as the removable medium 911 is loaded into the drive 910, the program can be installed in the recording unit 908 via the input/output interface 905. It is also possible to receive the program from a wired or wireless transfer medium using the communication unit 909 and install the program in the recording unit 908. As another alternative, the program can be installed in advance in the ROM 902 or the recording unit 908.

Note that the processes performed by the computer according to the program does not have to be processes that are carried out in a time series in the order described in the flowcharts of this specification. In other words, the processes performed by the computer according to the program include processes that are carried out in parallel or individually (for example, parallel processes or processes by objects). Further, the program may be processed by a single computer (processor) or distributedly processed by a plurality of computers.

Embodiments of the present technology are not limited to the embodiments described above, and various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present technology.

Additionally, the present technology may also be configured as below.

(1)
A reception device including:
circuitry configured to
receive content, first control information, and second control information transferred according to an Internet Protocol (IP) transfer scheme, extract the second control information transferred in a layer higher than a physical layer in a protocol stack of the IP transfer scheme based on first control information transferred in the physical layer; and
control processing of the content based on the second control information,
wherein one or a plurality of physical layer pipes (PLPs) is transferred in the physical layer, and
wherein, for each of the one or the plurality of PLPs, the first control information includes first information indicating whether the second control information is present, second information for identifying a PLP group associated with the respective PLP, and third information indicating whether the respective PLP is a shared PLP.
(2)
The reception device according to (1),
wherein the shared PLP belongs to a plurality of PLP groups.
(3)
The reception device according to (1) or (2),
wherein the second control information is transferred for each of the PLP groups.
(4)
The reception device according to any of (1) to (3),
wherein the IP transfer scheme conforms to Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) 3.0.
(5)
The reception device according to any of (1) to (4),
wherein the first control information is included in a preamble of a physical layer frame including the preamble and a data portion.
(6) The reception device according to (4),
wherein the first control information is L1-post signaling information defined in the ATSC 3.0, and
wherein the second control information is link layer signaling (LLS) signaling information including information for selecting the content.
(7)
A method of a reception device for processing content, the method including:
receiving the content, first control information, and second control information transferred according to an IP transfer scheme;
extracting the second control information transferred in a layer higher than a physical layer in a protocol stack of the IP transfer scheme based on the first control information transferred in the physical layer; and
controlling processing of the content based on the second control information,
wherein one or a plurality of PLPs is transferred in the physical layer, and
wherein, for each of the one or the plurality of PLPs, the first control information includes first information indicating whether the second control information is present, second information for identifying a PLP group associated with the respective PLP, and third information indicating whether the respective PLP is a shared PLP.
(8)
A transmission device including:
circuitry configured to
acquire content to be transferred according to an IP transfer scheme;
generate first control information ; and
transmit the first control information in a physical layer in a protocol stack of the IP transfer scheme and second control information in a layer higher than the physical layer along with the content in accordance with the IP transfer scheme,
wherein one or a plurality of physical layer pipes (PLPs) is transferred in the physical layer, and
wherein, for each of the one or the plurality of PLPs, the first control information includes first information indicating whether the second control information is present, second information for identifying a PLP group associated with the respective PLP, and third information indicating whether the PLP is a shared PLP.
(9)
The transmission device according to (8),
wherein the shared PLP belongs to a plurality of PLP groups.
(10)
The transmission device according to (8) or (9),
wherein the second control information is transferred for each of the PLP groups.
(11)
The transmission device according to any of (8) to (10),
wherein the IP transfer scheme conforms to ATSC 3.0.
(12)
The transmission device according to any of (8) to (11)
wherein the first control information is arranged in a preamble of a physical layer frame including the preamble and a data portion.
(13)
The transmission device according to (11) or (12),
wherein the first control information is L1-post signaling information defined in the ATSC 3.0, and
wherein the second control information is LLS signaling information including information for selecting the content.
(14)
A method of a transmission device for providing content, the method including:
acquiring content to be transferred according to an IP transfer scheme;
generating, by circuitry of the transmission device, first control information; and
transmitting, by the circuitry, the first control information in a physical layer in a protocol stack of the IP transfer scheme and second control information transferred in a layer higher than the physical layer along with the content in accordance with the IP transfer scheme,
wherein one or a plurality of physical layer pipes (PLPs) is transferred in the physical layer, and
wherein, for each of the one or the plurality of PLPs, the first control information includes first information indicating whether the second control information is present, second information for identifying a PLP group associated with the respective PLP, and third information indicating whether the respective PLP is a shared PLP.
(15)
A reception device including:
a reception unit configured to receive content transferred in an Internet Protocol (IP) transfer scheme;
an acquisition unit configured to acquire second control information transferred with a higher layer of a physical layer in a protocol stack of the IP transfer scheme based on first control information transferred with the physical layer; and
a control unit configured to control operation of each unit processing the content based on the second control information,
wherein data is transferred with the physical layer for each of one or a plurality of physical layer pipes (PLPs) which are able to be grouped, and
wherein, for each of the PLPs, the first control information includes first information indicating whether the second control information is present, second information for identifying a PLP group which is a group of the PLPs, and third information indicating whether the PLP is a shared PLP.
(16)
The reception device according to (15),
wherein the shared PLP belongs to a plurality of the PLP groups.
(17)
The reception device according to (15) or (16),
wherein the second control information is transferred for each of the PLP groups.
(18)
The reception device according to any of (15) to (17),
wherein the IP transfer scheme conforms to Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) 3.0, and
wherein the first control information is arranged in a preamble of a physical layer frame including the preamble and a data portion.
(19)
The reception device according to (18),
wherein the first control information is L1-post signaling information defined in the ATSC 3.0, and
wherein the second control information is link layer signaling (LLS) signaling information including information for selecting the content.
(20)
A reception method of a reception device, the method including: by the reception device,
receiving content transferred in an IP transfer scheme;
acquiring second control information transferred with a higher layer of a physical layer in a protocol stack of the IP transfer scheme based on first control information transferred with the physical layer; and
controlling operation of each unit processing the content based on the second control information,
wherein data is transferred with the physical layer for each of one or a plurality of PLPs which are able to be grouped, and
wherein, for each of the PLPs, the first control information includes first information indicating whether the second control information is present, second information for identifying a PLP group which is a group of the PLPs, and third information indicating whether the PLP is a shared PLP.
(21)
A transmission device including:
an acquisition unit configured to acquire content transferred in an IP transfer scheme;
a generation unit configured to generate first control information transferred with a physical layer in a protocol stack of the IP transfer scheme; and
a transmission unit configured to transmit the first control information and second control information transferred with a higher layer of the physical layer along with the content in accordance with the IP transfer scheme,
wherein data is transferred with the physical layer for each of one or a plurality of PLPs which are able to be grouped, and
wherein, for each of the PLPs, the first control information includes first information indicating whether the second control information is present, second information for identifying a PLP group which is a group of the PLPs, and third information indicating whether the PLP is a shared PLP.
(22)
The transmission device according to (21),
wherein the shared PLP belongs to a plurality of the PLP groups.
(23)
The transmission device according to (21) or (22),
wherein the second control information is transferred for each of the PLP groups.
(24)
The transmission device according to any of (21) to (23),
wherein the IP transfer scheme conforms to ATSC 3.0, and
wherein the first control information is arranged in a preamble of a physical layer frame including the preamble and a data portion.
(25)
The transmission device according to (24),
wherein the first control information is L1-post signaling information defined in the ATSC 3.0, and
wherein the second control information is LLS signaling information including information for selecting the content.
(26)
A transmission method of a transmission device, the method including: by the transmission device,
acquiring content transferred in an IP transfer scheme;
generating first control information transferred with a physical layer in a protocol stack of the IP transfer scheme; and
transmitting the first control information and second control information transferred with a higher layer of the physical layer along with the content in accordance with the IP transfer scheme,
wherein data is transferred with the physical layer for each of one or a plurality of PLPs which are able to be grouped, and
wherein, for each of the PLPs, the first control information includes first information indicating whether the second control information is present, second information for identifying a PLP group which is a group of the PLPs, and third information indicating whether the PLP is a shared PLP.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

1 transfer system
10 transmission device
20 reception device
30 transfer path
101 control unit
102 component acquisition unit
104 signaling generation unit
106 packet generation unit
107 physical layer frame generation unit
108 transmission unit
201 control unit
202 reception unit
203 physical layer frame processing unit
204 packet processing unit
205 signaling processing unit
900 computer
901 CPU

Claims

A reception device, comprising:
circuitry configured to
receive content, first control information, and second control information transferred according to an Internet Protocol (IP) transfer scheme, extract the second control information transferred in a layer higher than a physical layer in a protocol stack of the IP transfer scheme based on first control information transferred in the physical layer; and
control processing of the content based on the second control information,
wherein one or a plurality of physical layer pipes (PLPs) is transferred in the physical layer, and
wherein, for each of the one or the plurality of PLPs, the first control information includes first information indicating whether the second control information is present, second information for identifying a PLP group associated with the respective PLP, and third information indicating whether the respective PLP is a shared PLP.
The reception device according to claim 1,
wherein the shared PLP belongs to a plurality of PLP groups.
The reception device according to claim 2,
wherein the second control information is transferred for each of the PLP groups.
The reception device according to claim 1,
wherein the IP transfer scheme conforms to Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) 3.0.
The reception device according to claim 1,
wherein the first control information is included in a preamble of a physical layer frame including the preamble and a data portion.
The reception device according to claim 4,
wherein the first control information is L1-post signaling information defined in the ATSC 3.0, and
wherein the second control information is link layer signaling (LLS) signaling information including information for selecting the content.
A method of a reception device for processing content, the method comprising:
receiving the content, first control information, and second control information transferred according to an IP transfer scheme;
extracting the second control information transferred in a layer higher than a physical layer in a protocol stack of the IP transfer scheme based on the first control information transferred in the physical layer; and
controlling processing of the content based on the second control information,
wherein one or a plurality of PLPs is transferred in the physical layer, and
wherein, for each of the one or the plurality of PLPs, the first control information includes first information indicating whether the second control information is present, second information for identifying a PLP group associated with the respective PLP, and third information indicating whether the respective PLP is a shared PLP.
A transmission device, comprising:
circuitry configured to
acquire content to be transferred according to an IP transfer scheme;
generate first control information ; and
transmit the first control information in a physical layer in a protocol stack of the IP transfer scheme and second control information in a layer higher than the physical layer along with the content in accordance with the IP transfer scheme,
wherein one or a plurality of physical layer pipes (PLPs) is transferred in the physical layer, and
wherein, for each of the one or the plurality of PLPs, the first control information includes first information indicating whether the second control information is present, second information for identifying a PLP group associated with the respective PLP, and third information indicating whether the PLP is a shared PLP.
The transmission device according to claim 8,
wherein the shared PLP belongs to a plurality of PLP groups.
The transmission device according to claim 9,
wherein the second control information is transferred for each of the PLP groups.
The transmission device according to claim 8,
wherein the IP transfer scheme conforms to ATSC 3.0.
The transmission device according to claim 8,
wherein the first control information is arranged in a preamble of a physical layer frame including the preamble and a data portion.
The transmission device according to claim 11,
wherein the first control information is L1-post signaling information defined in the ATSC 3.0, and
wherein the second control information is LLS signaling information including information for selecting the content.
A method of a transmission device for providing content, the method comprising:
acquiring content to be transferred according to an IP transfer scheme;
generating, by circuitry of the transmission device, first control information; and
transmitting, by the circuitry, the first control information in a physical layer in a protocol stack of the IP transfer scheme and second control information transferred in a layer higher than the physical layer along with the content in accordance with the IP transfer scheme,
wherein one or a plurality of physical layer pipes (PLPs) is transferred in the physical layer, and
wherein, for each of the one or the plurality of PLPs, the first control information includes first information indicating whether the second control information is present, second information for identifying a PLP group associated with the respective PLP, and third information indicating whether the respective PLP is a shared PLP.