Description

METHOD OF TRANSMITTING AND RECEIVING DIGITAL BROADCASTING SIGNAL AND RECEPTION SYSTEM

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to digital broadcasting, and more particularly, to a method of transmitting and receiving a digital broadcasting signal and a reception system. Background Art

[2] Recently, studies into apparatuses for transmitting, receiving and displaying an audio broadcasting signal, a video broadcasting signal and a data broadcasting signal using a digital method instead of an analog method are actively ongoing and some apparatuses are being commercialized.

[3] For example, a broadcasting scheme for transmitting the audio broadcasting signal, the video broadcasting signal and the data broadcasting signal using the digital method is called digital broadcasting.

[4] The digital broadcasting may be, for example, digital audio broadcasting or digital multimedia broadcasting.

[5] The digital broadcasting can provide a variety of multimedia information services inexpensively and can be used for mobile broadcasting by allocating a frequency band. The digital broadcasting can create a new earning source through an additional data transmission service and vitalize a receiver market to obtain enormous industrial effect.

[6] Conventionally, in the digital audio broadcasting, for example, seven audio services carried in a frequency band of about 1.5 MHz can be transmitted. At this time, seven audio services were compressed using a masking pattern adapted universal sub-band integrated coding and multiplexing (MUSICAM) audio coding method.

[7] In the other digital multimedia broadcasting, for example, one digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) service and three audio services carried in a frequency band of about 1.5 MHz were transmitted.

[8] At this time, the three audio services were compressed using the MUSICAM audio coding method.

[9] However, the conventional methods of transmitting the digital broadcasting signal have the following problems.

[10] First, since the conventional coding method uses a compression ratio lower than that of an audio compression technology which is recently being developed and utilized, the number of audio services which can be carried in a certain frequency band is relatively small.

[11] Conventionally, when a broadcasting stream compressed using a plurality of coding methods is transmitted, the existing broadcasting receiver cannot decode the transmitted broadcasting stream. This is because the existing broadcasting receiver can decode only a broadcasting stream compressed using a single audio coding method.

[12] Second, the conventional digital broadcasting receiver cannot output an audio signal compressed using a plurality of audio coding methods. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[13] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a method of transmitting and receiving a digital broadcasting signal and a reception system that substantially obviate one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

[14] An object of the present invention devised to solve the problem lies on a method of carrying more broadcasting signals in a certain frequency band and a reception system.

[15] Another object of the present invention devised to solve the problem lies on a method of receiving, decoding and outputting services compressed using at least one alternative coding method and a reception system thereof. Technical Solution

[16] The object of the present invention can be achieved by providing a transmission method comprising: compressing a service component using at least one alternative coding method; and carrying the service component compressed using the at least one alternative coding method to a data channel and carrying identification information for identifying the alternative coding method to a control channel.

[17] The service component may include at least one of an audio service component, a video service component and a data service component.

[18] In another aspect of the present invention, provided herein is a transmission method comprising: compressing an audio service component using at least one alternative audio coding method; and carrying the service component compressed using the at least one alternative coding method to a data channel and carrying identification information for identifying the alternative audio coding method to a control channel.

[19] In another aspect of the present invention, provided herein is a reception method comprising: receiving a service component and identification information for identifying an alternative coding method of the service component; parsing the received identification information and extracting the alternative coding method of the service component; and decoding the received service component using a decoding method corresponding to the extracted alternative coding method.

[20] In another aspect of the present invention, provided herein is a reception system comprising a tuner, an extraction unit, a controller, and a decoder. The tuner receives a

service component and identification information for identifying an alternative coding method of the service component. The extraction unit parses the received identification information and extracts the alternative coding method of the service component. The controller controls a decoder corresponding to the extracted alternative coding method to decode the received service component. The decoder decodes the received service component under the control of the controller.

Advantageous Effects

[21] A method of transmitting a digital broadcasting signal, a data structure and a broadcasting receiver according to the present invention have the following effects. [22] Since more audio services are carried into a certain frequency band, it is possible to increase data transmission efficiency. [23] Since audio services coded using at least one method can be decoded and audio services coded using a conventional MUSICAM method can be decoded, it is possible to realize compatibility with the conventional MUSICAM method.

Brief Description of the Drawings [24] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. [25] In the drawings:

[26] FlG. 1 is a view schematically showing the structure of a fast information channel

(FlC) and a main service channel (MSC) of a digital broadcasting signal according to an embodiment of the present invention; [27] FlG. 2 is a view showing the structure of a fast information block (FlB) of a digital broadcasting signal according to an embodiment of the present invention; [28] FlG. 3 is a view showing the structure of a fast information group (FlG) of a digital broadcasting signal according to an embodiment of the present invention; [29] FlG. 4 is a view showing a service organization according to an embodiment of the present invention when an FlG type is 0 and an extension field is 2; [30] FlG. 5 is a view showing the value of an audio service component type (ASCTy) field according to an embodiment of the present invention; [31] FlG. 6 is a view showing the value of an ASCTy field according to another embodiment of the present invention; [32] FlG. 7 is a view showing the value of an ASCTy field according to another embodiment of the present invention; [33] FlG. 8 is a view showing a process of decoding a service component using the value of an ASCTy field according to an embodiment of the present invention; [34] FlG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of transmitting a digital broadcasting

signal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[35] FlG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method of receiving a digital broadcasting signal according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[36] FlG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a broadcasting receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[37] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The configuration and the operation of the present invention shown in the drawings are described as at least one embodiment and the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[38] In addition, although the terms used in the present invention are selected from generally known and used terms, some of the terms mentioned in the description of the present invention have been selected by the applicant at his or her discretion, the detailed meanings of which are described in relevant parts of the description herein. Furthermore, it is required that the present invention is understood, not simply by the actual terms used but by the meanings of each term lying within.

[39] In order to obviously describe the present invention, in the present invention, a method of carrying more audio services in a main service channel (MSC) will be described in a first embodiment and the concept of a fast information channel (FlC) will be described in a second embodiment. An audio service component type (ASCTy) field added according to the present invention will be described in a third embodiment and a process of decoding a service component when the ASCTy field is added will be described in a fourth embodiment. A method of transmitting and receiving a digital broadcasting signal according to the present invention will be described in a fifth embodiment and a broadcasting receiver for receiving and decoding a digital broadcasting signal according to the present invention will be described in a sixth embodiment.

[40] In the below-described embodiments, when an audio signal is compressed using an alternative coding method, a method of transmitting a digital broadcasting signal, a data structure and a broadcasting receiver will be described.

[41] Even when a video signal or a data signal is transmitted as a broadcasting signal, the video signal or the data signal may be compressed using the alternative coding method. Therefore, in the below-described embodiments, a method of compressing and transmitting the video signal or the data signal using the alternative coding method is included in the scope of the present invention.

[42] That is, according to the embodiment of the present invention, among the audio

signal, the video signal and the data signal, the audio signal is compressed and transmitted using the alternative coding method and a reception side receives and decodes the transmitted audio signal. Alternatively, the video signal or the data signal may be compressed and transmitted using the alternative coding method and the reception side may receive and decode the transmitted video signal or data signal.

[43]

[44] First Embodiment

[45] FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing an FIC and an MSC of a digital broadcasting signal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[46] Hereinafter, a method of carrying more audio services in the MSC will be schematically described with reference to FIG. 1. The implementation methods according to the present invention can be understood through the second to sixth embodiments.

[47] As shown in FIG. 1, in the present invention, an audio service compressed using a masking pattern adapted universal sub-band integrated coding and multiplexing (MUSICAM) audio coding method and several audio services compressed using alternative audio coding methods may be carried in the MSC.

[48] For convenience of description, in the present invention, the audio service compressed using the MUSICAM audio coding method is referred to as an MUSICAM audio (MA) and the audio services compressed using the alternative audio coding methods are referred to as alternative audios (AA).

[49] The MSC indicates to a channel which is used to transmit an audio service component and a data service component. The MSC is a data channel divided into a plurality of coded sub-channels. Each of the sub-channels transmits one or more service components. At this time, an organization of the sub-channels and the service components is referred to as a multiplex configuration.

[50] The alternative audio coding method may be an advanced audio coding (AAC) method or a bit sliced arithmetic coding (BSAC) method. In a case of using the AAC method or the BSAC method, it is possible to provide more audio services compared with a case of transmitting the audio service compressed using only the MUSICAM audio coding method.

[51] In the present invention, the alternative audio coding method may be also a spectral band replication (SBR) method or a moving picture experts group (MPEG)-surround method.

[52] For example, conventionally, one DMB service and three audio services compressed using the MISICAM audio coding method can be transmitted in a frequency band of 1.5 MHz. However, in the present invention, one DMB service, one audio service compressed using the MUSICAM audio coding method and three or four

audio services compressed using the alternative audio coding method can be transmitted in the frequency band of 1.5 MHz. [53] As a result, since one or two audio service can be further transmitted in the present invention, a broadcasting station can improve audio service transmission efficiency and a user can have an opportunity for selecting more audio services. [54] As described above, new information must be added to the FlC such that a broadcasting receiver decodes and outputs the audio services compressed using the alternative audio coding methods. [55] The FlC which is changed by adding the new information will be described in detail in the third and fourth embodiment. [56] The FlC indicates a channel for allowing the broadcasting receiver to quickly acquire a variety of information related to the digital audio broadcasting. For example, the FlC is used to transmit multiplex configuration information (MCI) and service information (SI). [57] In order to facilitate the understanding of the third and fourth embodiments, a basic concept of the FlC will be described in the second embodiment. [58]

[59] Second Embodiment

[60] FlG. 2 is a view showing the structure of a fast information block (FlB) of the digital broadcasting.

[61] FlG. 3 is a view showing the structure of a fast information group (FlG) in the FlB.

[62] FlG. 4 is a view showing a service organization when an FlG type is 0 and an extension field is 2. [63] Hereinafter, the concepts of the FlC, the FlB and the FlG will be briefly described with reference to FlGs. 2 to 4 (together with FlG. 1). [64] The FlC includes the HBs.

[65] As shown in FlG. 2, the FlB has 256 bits and includes an FlB data field and a cyclic redundancy check (CRC).

[66] The FlB data field includes one or more FlGs, an end marker and a padding.

[67] Each FlG includes an FlG header including an FlG type and a length, and an FlG data field. [68] When the FlG type is 0, an FlG application may indicate information on the MCI and the SI. [69] When the FlG type is 0, the FlG data field includes a current/next (C/N) field, an other ensemble (OE) field, a program/data (P/D) field, an extension field and so on. [70] When the FlG type is 0, the extension field may be defined by 32 various uses.

[71] For example, when the FlG type is 0 and the extension field has a value of 2, a basic service organization is defined.

[72] That is, the MCI which informs of an ensemble structure, a service structure and information on the service component is carried in the FlG type 0 in the FlC.

[73] FlG. 4 shows a structure of FlG type 0 for extension 2 of the MCI information.

[74] FlG. 4 shows information on N services, each of which includes a service identifier

(SId) field, a local flag field, a conditional access identifier (CAId) field, a number of service components field, and k service component description fields.

[75] At this time, the number of bits of the SId field varies depending on whether a current service is a program service (for example, a radio) or a data service (for example, a television or data).

[76] For example, in a case of the program service (that is, in a case where the P/D field has a value of 0), the SId field has 16 bits and includes a 4-bit country identifier field and a 12-bit service reference field. In a case of the data service (that is, in a case where the P/D field has a value of 1), the SId field has 32 bits and includes a 8-bit extended country code (ECC) field, a 4-bit country identifier field and a 20-bit service reference field.

[77] The local flag field indicates whether the transmitted service can be used in only a specific area served by a specific ensemble or in all the areas.

[78] The CAId field is used to identify an access control system (ACS) used for the transmitted service.

[79] The number of service components field is used to identify the number of service components related to the transmitted service.

[80] Each service component description field has 16 bits and includes a TMId field for indicating the type of the broadcasting service according to a transmission mode in upper two bits thereof. Fields allocated to lower 14 bits and the values thereof vary depending on the value of the TMId field.

[81] For example, when the TMId field has a value of "00", the TMId field indicates an

MSC stream audio mode, and, when the TMId field has a value of "01", the TMId field indicates an MSC stream data mode. When the TMId field has a value of "10", the TMId field indicates a FlC data channel (FlDC) mode, and, when the TMId field has a value of " 11 ", the TMId field indicates a packet mode.

[82] When the TMId field has the value of "00", an audio service component type

(ASCTy) field, a sub-channel identifier (Subchld) field, a primary/secondary (P/S) field and a conditional access (CA) flag field are allocated to the lower 14 bits.

[83] Although a case where the TMId field has the value of "00" is described in the present invention, the present invention is applicable to even a case where the TMId field has the other value.

[84] That is, even when a video service component or a data service component is coded or compressed and transmitted using another alternative coding method, the

broadcasting receiver according to the present invention can decode the components. [85] The ASCTy field indicates the type of an audio service component.

[86] The SubChld field is used to identify the sub-channel for transmitting the service component. [87] The P/S field indicates whether the transmitted service component is a primary component or a secondary component. [88] The CA flag field indicates whether access control applies to the transmitted service component. [89]

[90] Third Embodiment

[91] According to one embodiment of the present invention, alternative coding information of an audio service component which is currently transmitted is defined in the ASCTy field. The ASCTy field is carried to the FIC of a transmission frame and an actual audio service component is carried to the MSC. [92] That is, the alternative audio coding method of the audio service component transmitted through the MSC can be confirmed by a value allocated to the ASCTy field. [93] The ASCTy field indicates the value for identifying the audio service component which is coded using the MUSICAM audio coding method or the other coding method. [94] Accordingly, the broadcasting receiver can decode the audio service component, which is compressed and transmitted using a variety of coding methods, by parsing the

ASCTy field. [95] FIG. 5 is a view showing the value of the ASCTy field according to an embodiment of the present invention. [96] FIG. 6 is a view showing the value of the ASCTy according to another embodiment of the present invention. [97] FIG. 7 is a view showing the value of the ASCTy according to another embodiment of the present invention. [98] According to one embodiment of the present invention, for example, by allocating a value such as 3, 4 or 5 to the ASCTy field, instead of 0, 1 or 2, it is indicated that the audio service component is compressed using the alternative audio coding method, instead of the MUSICAM method. [99] The value of the ASCTy field is only exemplary and may be set to have the other value. [100] FIGs. 5 to 7 show a variety of alternative audio coding methods and ASCTy fields allocated to the alternative audio coding methods. [101] Next, a method of coding and transmitting audio services according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGs. 5 to 7. According to the following

embodiments of the present invention, the transmission method may vary depending on the alternative audio coding method.

[102] As a first method, there is a method of transmitting service components compressed using a plurality of alternative audio coding methods through one sub channel. The plurality of alternative audio coding methods may include, for example, the AAC method, the SBR method and the MPEG-surround method. Alternatively, the other audio coding methods may be used.

[103] As shown in HG. 5, for example, when the ASCTy field has a value of 3 (000011), it is indicated that the service components foreground sound compressed using the AAC method, the SBR method and the MPEG-surround method are transmitted through one sub channel. The AAC method and the SBR method are collectively called a high efficiency-advanced audio coding (HE-AAC) method.

[104] As shown in HG. 5, when the ASCTy field has a value of 4 (000100), it is indicated that the service components background sound compressed using the AAC method, the SBR method and the MPEG-surround method are transmitted through one sub channel.

[105] As shown in HG. 5, when the ASCTy field has a value of 5 (000101), it is indicated that the service components multi-channel audio extension compressed using the AAC method, the SBR method and the MPEG-surround method are transmitted through one sub channel.

[106] At this time, the service components multi-channel audio extension may indicate additional information for having upgraded audio effect. For example, the service components multi-channel audio extension may include information related to implementation of additional service such as a 5.1 channel audio service.

[107] As a second scheme, there is a method of transmitting service components compressed using a single alternative audio coding method through one sub channel. The alternative audio coding method may be the AAC method, the SBR method or the MPEG-surround method. Alternatively, the other audio coding method may be used. This scheme indicates that, when it is assumed that the audio service components are respectively compressed using the AAC method and the SBR method, the audio service component compressed using the AAC method and the audio service component compressed using the SBR method can be transmitted through respective sub channels.

[108] As shown in HG. 6, for example, when the ASCTy field has a value of 3 (000011), it is indicated that the service component foreground sound compressed using the AAC method is transmitted through one sub channel.

[109] As shown in HG. 6, when the ASCTy field has a value of 4 (000100), it is indicated that the service component background sound compressed using the SBR method is transmitted through one sub channel.

[110] As shown in HG. 6, when the ASCTy field has a value of 5 (000101 ), it is indicated that the service component multi-channel audio extension compressed using the MPEG-surround method is transmitted through one sub channel.

[Ill] As a third scheme, there is a method of transmitting a part of the service components compressed using a plurality of alternative audio coding methods through one sub channel and transmitting the other part through another sub channel. For example, the service components compressed using the AAC method and the SBR method may be transmitted through one sub channel and the service component compressed using the MPEG-surround method may be transmitted through another sub channel. This scheme indicates that, when it is assumed that audio service components are respectively compressed using the AAC method, the SBR method and the MPEG- surround method, the audio service components compressed using the AAC method and the SBR method can be transmitted through one sub channel and the audio service component compressed using the MPEG-surround method can be transmitted through another sub channel.

[112] As shown in HG. 7, for example, when the ASCTy field has a value of 3 (000011 ), it is indicated that the service components foreground sound compressed using the AAC method and the SBR method are transmitted through one sub channel. The AAC method and the SBR method are collectively called a high efficiency-advanced audio coding (HE-AAC) method.

[113] As shown in HG. 7, when the ASCTy field has a value of 4 (000100), it is indicated that the service components background sound compressed using the AAC method and the SBR method are transmitted through one sub channel.

[114] As shown in HG. 7, when the ASCTy field has a value of 5 (000101), it is indicated that the service component multi-channel audio extension compressed using the MPEG-surround method is transmitted through one sub channel.

[115] As shown in HGs. 5 to 7, when the ASCTy field has a value of 63 ( 111111 ), it is indicated that at least one service component is carried in an MPEG-2 transport stream. Here, the value of 63 (111111) is only exemplary and another value may be used.

[116] The at least one service component may include at least one of an audio service component, an A/V service component and a data service component.

[117] That is, the present invention is characterized in that the A/V service component and the data service component can be also defined in the ASCTy field and transmitted through the digital broadcasting signal.

[118] In the fourth embodiment, a process of decoding the service component compressed using the above-described methods will be described.

[119]

[ 120] Fourth Embodiment

[121] FlG. 8 is a view showing a process of decoding the service component when the

ASCTy field and the alternative audio coding method are defined as illustrated in FlG. 6.

[122] As an embodiment of the present invention, a case where audio services are coded in one ensemble according to the value of the ASCTy field defined as illustrated in FlG. 6 will be described. A case using the ASCTy field defined as illustrated in FlG. 5 or 7 will be understood by those skilled in the art without additional description.

[123] The below-described values and names are only exemplary.

[124] In a reception system according to the present invention, when the FlG type 0 for extension 2 of the MCI in the FlC of the transmission frame is parsed, a service identifier and a coding method of the service can be confirmed.

[125] That is, when the SId field has a value of xl234 as illustrated in HG. 8, it is assumed that a service is a KBSl broadcasting service.

[126] The KBSl service may include a service component compressed using the AAC method, a service component compressed using the SBR method, and a service component compressed using the MPEG-surround method.

[127] In FlG. 8, the SubChld field indicates through which sub channel (path) the service component compressed using the AAC method, the service component compressed using the SBR method and the service component compressed using the MPEG- surround method are transmitted. The ASCTy field indicates the type of the service component. That is, when the ASCTy field is parsed, the coding method of the service component can be confirmed. The P/S field indicates whether the service component is a primary component or a secondary component.

[128] For example, in the KBSl service illustrated in FlG. 8, the service component compressed using the AAC method has the SubChld field having a value of 13, the ASCTy field having a value of 3, and the P/S field having a value of 1.

[129] At this time, a broadcasting receiver including only an AAC decoder can decode and output only the service component compressed using the AAC method. A broadcasting receiver including only an AAC-SBR decoder can decode and output the service components compressed using at least one of the AAC method and the SBR method. A broadcasting receiver including an AAC-SB R-with-MPEG-surround decoder can decode and output the service components compressed using at least one of the AAC method, the SBR method and the MPEG-surround method.

[130] When the SId field has a value of x 1235 as illustrated in FlG. 8, it is assumed that a service is a KBS2 broadcasting service.

[131] The KBS2 service may include a service component compressed using the AAC method and a service component compressed using the SBR method.

[132] At this time, when the SId field has the value of xl235, a service component

compressed using the MPEG-surround method is not included, unlike the case where SId field has the value of xl234 For example, in the KBS2 service illustrated in FIG. 8, the service component compressed using the AAC method has the SubChld field having a value of 22, the ASCTy field having a value of 3, and the P/S field having a value of 1.

[133] At this time, a broadcasting receiver including only the AAC decoder can decode and output only the service component compressed using the AAC method. A broadcasting receiver including only the AAC-SBR decoder can decode and output the service components compressed using at least one of the AAC method and the SBR method.

[134] When the SId field has a value of x5678 as illustrated in FIG. 8, it is assumed that a service is a SBSl broadcasting service.

[135] The SBSl service may include a service component compressed using the AAC method and a service component compressed using the MPEG-surround method.

[136] At this time, when the SId field has the value of x5678, a service component compressed using the SBR method is not included. For example, in the SBSl service illustrated in FIG. 8, the service component compressed using the MPEG-surround method has the SubChld field having a value of 35, the ASCTy field having a value of 5, and the P/S field having a value of 0.

[137] At this time, a broadcasting receiver including only the AAC decoder can decode and output only the service component compressed using the AAC method. A broadcasting receiver including only the AAC-MPEG-surround decoder can decode and output the service components compressed using at least one of the AAC method and the MPEG-surround method.

[138] When the SId field has a value of x5777 as illustrated in FIG. 8, it is assumed that a service is a SBS2 broadcasting service.

[139] The SBS2 service may include a service component compressed using the

MUSICAM method.

[140] When the SId field has the value of x5777 only the service component compressed using the MUSICAM method is included, unlike the above-described cases. At this time, the service component can be decoded and output by the existing MUSICAM decoder.

[141] In the present invention, the service component is transmitted using the alternative audio coding method and the ASCTy field is added such that the broadcasting receiver can decode the service component. Accordingly, the service component compressed using the existing MUSICAM method can be also transmitted and decoded.

[142] That is, in the present invention, it is possible to realize compatibility with the conventional method of transmitting and decoding the digital broadcasting signal.

[143]

[144] Fifth Embodiment

[145] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of transmitting a digital broadcasting signal according to an embodiment of the present invention. [146] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method of receiving a digital broadcasting signal according to an embodiment of the present invention. [147] Hereinafter, the method of transmitting and receiving the digital broadcasting signal will be described with reference to FIGs. 9 and 10 (together with FIGs. 1 to 8). [148] First, the method of transmitting the digital broadcasting signal according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. [149] As shown in FIG. 9, a transmission side such as a broadcasting station carries a service component compressed using an alternative coding method to the MSC and carries information indicating by which alternative coding method the service component is compressed to the FIC (S701). For example, data carried to the MSC and the FIC can be transmitted to a reception system such as a broadcasting receiver in a bit stream format (S702). [150] Here, the alternative coding method may be the alternative audio coding method, the alternative video method or the alternative data coding method. [151] The alternative audio coding methods may be, for example, the AAC method or the

BSAC method. [152] Alternatively, the alternative audio coding method may be the SBR method or the

MPEG-surround method. [153] Alternative audio coding information of the service component compressed using the alternative audio coding method may be included in the FIC, and more particularly, defined in the ASCTy field of the FIC. [154] The service component compressed using the alternative coding method may be carried to the MSC. [155] Hereinafter, the method of receiving the digital broadcasting signal according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. [156] As shown in FIG. 10, the broadcasting receiver receives the digital broadcasting signal transmitted from the transmission side (S703). [157] The broadcasting receiver may be a device for receiving the digital broadcasting signal, such as a television set, a mobile telephone or a digital multimedia broadcasting device. [158] The broadcasting receiver determines by which alternative audio coding method the audio service component of the received digital broadcasting signal is compressed and transmitted (S704). [159] For example, the determination (S704) may be performed by decoding the ASCTy

field of the me [160] As the result of determination (S704), when the received audio service component is compressed and transmitted using the alternative audio coding method, the audio service component is decoded and output by the decoder according to the embodiment of the present invention (S705). [161] The decoder according to the embodiment of the present invention may be, for example, the AAC decoder, the AAC-SBR decoder, or the AAC-

SBR-with-MPEG-surround decoder. [162] As the result of determination (S704), if the received audio service component is compressed using the existing MUSICAM method instead of the alternative audio coding method, the received audio service component is decoded and output by the

MUSICAM decoder (S706). [163]

[164] Sixth Embodiment

[165] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a broadcasting receiver for receiving a digital broadcasting signal according to an embodiment of the present invention. [166] Hereinafter, the broadcasting receiver for receiving and decoding the digital broadcasting signal according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 11 (together with FIGs. 1 to 10). [167] The broadcasting receiver 801 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a user interface 802, an FIC decoder 803, a controller 804, a tuner

805, an MSC decoder 806, an audio decoder 807, a speaker 808, a data decoder 809, a video decoder 810, and a display device 811. [168] The broadcasting receiver 801 may be a television set, a mobile telephone or a digital multimedia broadcasting device which can receive, decode and output the digital broadcasting signal. [169] When a user inputs a command such as channel control or volume control, the user interface 802 transmits the input command to the controller 804. [170] The tuner 805 specifies one ensemble under the control of the controller 804 and tunes a frequency corresponding to the ensemble to receive FIC and MSC information. [171] The FIC decoder 803 receives the FIC information from the tuner 805 and extracts and outputs MCI, SI and FIDC information to the controller 804. The HC decoder 803 extracts and outputs configuration information for classifying the service component and information on property of the service component to the controller 804. In the present invention, the FIC decoder 803 is also called an extraction unit. [ 172] The MSC decoder 806 receives the MSC information from the tuner 805 and configures a sub channel using the MCI and SI information transmitted from the

controller 804. When the sub channel is configured, data transmitted through the sub channel is decoded and output to the decoder, that is, any one of the audio decoder 807 and the data decoder 809, in a bit stream format. [173] The audio decoder 807 decodes and outputs the audio bit stream output from the

MSC decoder 806 using a decompression algorithm. [174] The audio decoder 807 may include at least one of the AAC decoder, the AAC-SBR decoder, the AAC-MPEG-surround decoder and the AAC-SBR-with-MPEG-surround decoder. Alternatively, a decoder for decoding an audio service component coded using the other compression method may be added. [175] The speaker 808 amplifies and outputs the audio service component decoded by the audio decoder 807. [176] The data decoder 809 reconfigures service information decoded by the FIC decoder

803 and necessary data from the bit stream received through the MSC decoder 806. [177] When a user of the broadcasting receiver 801 selects a video service, the video decoder 801 receives a video bit stream from the data decoder 809 and restores the video bit stream to a previous non-compression state. [178] The display device 811 displays an image restored by the video decoder 810 on a screen. [179] The controller 804 controls the functions of the user interface 802, the FIC decoder

803, the tuner 805, the MSC decoder 806, the audio decoder 807, the data decoder 809 and the video decoder 810. [180] Hereinafter, the process of implementing the present invention by the components of the broadcasting receiver will be described. [181] When the command for selecting a digital broadcasting signal is input through the user interface 802, the controller 804 controls the tuner 805 to tune the channel through which the selected digital broadcasting signal is transmitted. [182] The digital broadcasting signal may be the audio broadcasting signal including the service component compressed using the alternative audio coding method, as shown in

FIGs. 5 to 7. [183] Here, the alternative audio coding methods may include, for example, the AAC method and the BSAC method. [184] Alternatively, the alternative audio coding methods may include the SBR method and the MPEG-surround method. [185] Under the control of the controller 804, the FIC information of the audio broadcasting signal including information on the service component compressed using the alternative audio coding method is transmitted to the FIC decoder 803 and the

MSC information of the service component is transmitted to the MSC decoder 806. [ 186] The FIC decoder 803 reads the ASCTy field for defining the type of the audio

service component (for example, defining the compression method) of the FlC information and determines in which format the audio service component transmitted from the tuner 805 is compressed.

[187] The controller 804 which receives information on the compression format of the audio service component transmitted from the tuner 805 through the FlC decoder 803 controls the audio decoder 807 to determine the audio decoder corresponding to the compression format.

[188] For example, when the compression format of the audio service component transmitted from the tuner 805 is the AAC method, the controller 804 controls the audio decoder 807 such that the AAC decoder is selected. The selected audio decoder 807 receives the audio service component output from the MSC decoder 806, restores the audio service component to the previous non-compression state, and outputs the audio service component in the non-compression state to the speaker 808.

[189] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.