Image data transmission device, image data transmission method, and image data receiving device

An image data transmission method comprising:

• a data output step arranged to output first image data, a predetermined number of second image data and/or meta data relating to this first image data;
• and
• a data transmission step arranged to transmit a transport stream;
• wherein said transport stream includes the packets obtained by packetizing a first elementary stream including first image data, and a predetermined number of second elementary streams including said predetermined number of second image data and/or meta data respectively;
• and wherein said data transmission step inserts stream association information for associating said first elementary stream with said predetermined number of second elementary streams into said transport stream.

An image data reception device comprising:

• at least a data reception unit configured to receive a first transport stream and a second transport stream in a time-sharing manner;
• and
• a data obtaining unit configured to obtain data from said first transport stream and said second transport stream received at said data reception unit;
• wherein said first transport stream includes the packets obtained by packetizing a first elementary stream including first image data, and a predetermined number of second elementary streams including a predetermined number of second image data and/or meta data associated with said first image data respectively, and further includes stream association information for associating said first elementary stream with said predetermined number of second elementary streams;
• and wherein said second transport stream includes a packet obtained by packetizing a third elementary stream including third image data;
• and wherein said data obtaining unit obtains, when receiving said first transport stream at said data reception unit, said first image data from this first transport stream, and further obtains, based on said stream association information, said predetermined number of second image data and/or meta data from said first transport stream, and obtains, when receiving said second transport stream at said image data reception unit, said third image data from this second transport stream.