JP2000306326A - Data recording and reproducing apparatus and operating state indicating method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To clearly indicate the operating conditions of a plurality of input/ output ports in an A/V server. SOLUTION: The A/V server having a plurality of simultaneously operable input/output ports, e.g. four ports is provided with a display 90. The display 90 has a plurality of display areas corresponding to the ports, each area indicates a port name 100, a present time code 101 of A/V data inputted/ outputted to the port, a status 103, and an audio level metal 104 of each channel of the port, together with the operating condition 102 of the port. A controller for controlling the display 90 receives a flag indicating the operating condition from each port and forms, based on the flag, indication data for the display 90. Various conditions i.e., record, reproduction, stop, still picture and forward/ reverse speed changed reproduction are shown each as an operating condition 102 with an image on the display 90. Thus the operating condition of each port can be known easily and clearly.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention has a plurality of input / output ports for inputting / outputting audio data and / or video data.
Alternatively, the present invention relates to a data recording / reproducing apparatus and an operation state display method for recording video data on a non-linearly accessible recording medium and displaying the operation states of a plurality of input / output ports.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the spread of digital broadcasting for transmitting video and audio signals in digital form in television broadcasting, the number of channels for providing information has been increased. With the increase in the number of channels, one unit of video data and / or audio data (hereinafter A / V
Depending on the recording / reproducing device, a plurality of A /
It has been required to perform parallel recording and reproduction of V data and reproduction while recording. In order to satisfy this demand, a video server that records A / V data using a randomly accessible recording medium such as a hard disk (hereinafter referred to as A / V (Audio and / or
A device called Video) is becoming widespread.

In the A / V server, the A / V
It has a plurality of inputs and outputs with data input and output. These multiple input / output ports are connected to multiple cameras, sending devices,
Editing devices and the like are respectively connected. For example, video data captured by a plurality of cameras is input from each input / output port, displayed on a monitor, and recorded on a recording medium. At the same time, predetermined A / V data is read from the recording medium, sent to an editing device via an input / output port, and edited. Further, the A / V data selected by the predetermined control is read from the recording medium and sent to the sending device via the input / output port.

[0004]

The A / V server has an interface using RS-422 or the like as a communication standard, and is connected to a dedicated editing device or personal computer via this interface. An external controller controls the operation from the outside. Alternatively, the A / V server is connected to a larger system by a predetermined interface and incorporated, and
Controlled by the system's application.
The A / V data stored in the A / V server and the A / V data input to the input port are separately provided based on the operation by the above-described control device or personal computer or control of a large-scale system application. It can be confirmed by the monitor provided.

[0005] The conventional A / V server is thus controlled by an external controller or a large-scale system application. For this reason, the conventional A / V server is not provided with a user interface for operation, and a display function indicating what operating state each input / output port is currently in (for example, recording or reproducing). Also had no. Therefore, conventionally, there has been a problem that the operation state of the A / V server was unclear from the viewpoint of the user.

On the other hand, at present, an A / V server which is provided with operating means such as a control panel in an A / V server body and which can be used independently has been proposed. It has been desired that such an independent A / V server has a function capable of displaying the operation status of each port.

At this time, if the operating state of each input / output port is simply displayed by lighting a lamp or the like, or only by using characters, it is impossible to clearly display when there are many input / output ports. There was a problem.

[0008] Furthermore, even when a large number of input / output ports are provided, it has been demanded that the operating states of all ports can be grasped at a glance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a data recording / reproducing apparatus and an operating state display method for clearly displaying the operating states of a plurality of input / output ports.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a plurality of input / output means operating in a time slot allocated to a non-linearly accessible recording medium; And control means for performing control to display the operation state of the input / output means based on the operation information of the data recording / reproducing apparatus.

[0011] The present invention also provides a plurality of input / output steps operating in a time slot allocated to a non-linearly accessible recording medium, and an input / output step based on operation information of the input / output step. And a control step of performing control for displaying an operation state.

As described above, the present invention has a plurality of input / output means operating in a time slot allocated to a non-linearly accessible recording medium, and a control means based on operation information of the input / output means. Control to display the operation state of the input / output means.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The data recording / reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment has a function of recording / reproducing, inputting / outputting, and editing AV data, and enables an editing operation to be performed by one apparatus.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a data recording / reproducing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. This data recording / reproducing apparatus has a plurality of input / output ports, and has audio data and / or video data (hereinafter A / V
(Referred to as audio and / or video data) and an A / V server capable of recording and storing the A / V data in parallel and reproducing the stored A / V data.

The data recording / reproducing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment has one housing 2. The housing 2 has a size equivalent to, for example, one VTR. On the front surface of the housing 2, a meter panel 3 is provided on an upper side, and a control panel 4 is provided on a lower side. The control panel 4 is detachable from the housing 2. The control panel 4 is detached from the housing 2 and
It can be made not to be used, or can be detached from the housing 2, connected to a circuit in the housing 2 by a cable, and used after being removed from the housing 2.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing main parts of the meter panel 3 and the control panel 4 shown in FIG. Data recording / reproducing device 1 according to one embodiment
Is an input unit for inputting A / V data or A / V data.
It has four ports as output units for outputting V data. Each port is capable of inputting or outputting video data and audio data of 4 or 8 channels, respectively.

The meter panel 3 shown in FIG. 2 has a display unit 11 for displaying the operation states of the four ports. The display unit 11 has four display areas 11A to 11D corresponding to each port. Display areas 11A-1
1D are arranged in the upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right portions of the display unit 11, respectively. Each display area 11A-
11D is an audio level meter unit 1 for displaying audio level meters for four channels.
2, a dot matrix unit 13 for displaying a time code or the like, a status display unit 14 for displaying a current operation state (reproducing, recording, etc.) of each port, and a type of a displayed time code. And an information display unit 15 for displaying various information such as

The audio level meter section 12 displays the number of the corresponding channel below the audio level meter for each channel. By operating a switch to be described later, the audio level meter unit 12 displays four audio level meters from the first channel to the fourth channel and four audio level meters from the fifth channel to the eighth channel. Either one is selectively displayed. The display is switched according to the operation of a switch (not shown).

In the data recording / reproducing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, selection of input of A / V data, adjustment of recording or reproducing level of audio data, and monitoring of audio data are performed for each port. Various operations such as selection of a channel to be performed can be performed. The meter panel 3 has four port selection switches 16 for selecting ports to be operated.
Is provided.

The meter panel 3 is further provided with four rotary encoders 17 for adjusting the level of recording or reproduction of audio data and a rotary encoder 18 for adjusting a video process.

On the other hand, the control panel 4 is provided with various switches necessary for the editing operation and an operation / display unit 21 including a display unit for displaying images and the like used for the editing operation. Similarly to the port selection switch 16, the control panel 4 is provided with four port selection switches 22 for selecting a port to be operated. The control panel 4 further includes a switch 23 for instructing recording, and a switch 2 for instructing rewinding.
4. A switch 25 for instructing reproduction, a switch 26 for instructing fast-forward, and a switch 27 for instructing stop are provided. Further, the data recording / reproducing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment can remotely control up to two external VTRs.
The control panel 4 has an external VTR that is remotely controlled.
Are provided. Further, the control panel 4 is provided with a dial 29 for instructing the speed and direction of reproduction.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the data recording / reproducing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. The data recording / reproducing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes a data bus 30A for transferring A / V data and a CPU bus 30B for transferring commands. A timing management unit 31, an information management unit 32, a recording and reproducing unit 33, data management units 34A to 34D, and a control unit 36 are connected to the buses 30A and 30B, respectively.
The data input / output units 37A to 37D are connected to the data management units 34A to 34D, respectively. A special effect unit (effector) 39 is connected to the control unit 36.
The control panel 36 is connected to the meter panel 3, and the timing management section 31 is connected to the control panel 4. Each of the units 31 to 39 is formed of, for example, a separate substrate.

The timing management section 31 has a timing pulse generator 41. Timing pulse generator 4
1 generates a timing pulse and supplies it to each circuit that requires the timing pulse. An external reference video signal Vref is input to the timing pulse generator 41. The timing management unit 31 further controls the control panel 4 and the internal bus 30.
(In the figure, described as I / F) 42 for connecting the.

The information management unit 32 holds file management information indicating a recording area of a file on the recording medium, and manages the file based on the file management information, and a file management unit 43 such as Ethernet (registered trademark). A network driver 44 is connected to the external network and inputs and outputs data to and from the external network.

The recording / reproducing unit 33 is connected to a plurality of hard disk devices (hereinafter, referred to as HDDs) 45 for recording video data, and a video disk array controller 47 for controlling these HDDs 45 and an audio data. An audio disk array controller 48 connected to a plurality of HDDs 46 for recording and controlling these HDDs 46 is provided between the disk array controllers 47 and 48 and the internal bus 30 to temporarily store data. Buffer memory 4 for performing
9.

Here, the HDD 45 for video data is used.
Are provided, nine of which are used for recording A / V data, and one is used for recording parity data.
The nine HDDs 45 and the video disk array controller 47 are connected to a RAID (Redutant Arrays of Inexpensive).
Disks) 3. On the other hand, two HDDs 46 for audio data are provided. Two HD
D46 and audio disk array controller 48
Has a RAID1 configuration.

The control unit 36 has an interface (I / F in the figure) 52 for connecting the editing unit 51 to the meter panel 3 and the internal bus 30, and a CPU 81. The CPU 81 is connected to the CPU bus 30B, and can communicate with other components connected to the CPU bus 30B. The interface 52 includes:
An external editing command CE can also be input. The editing unit 51 has functions of a matrix switcher and an audio mixer. The editing unit 51 is connected to the special effect unit 39, and has two data output paths for outputting data to the special effect unit 39 and one data input path for inputting data from the special effect unit 39. And a route. The editing unit 51 can output monitor data DM.

The special effect section 39 performs processing for obtaining special effects such as dissolve and wipe.

The data input / output units 37A to 37D are connected to terminals 61A to 61D, respectively. Here, the terminal 61A is a data input terminal, and the terminals 61B to 61D are data output terminals. Also, terminals 61A to 61D
The A / V data input / output by, for example, a serial digital interface (hereinafter referred to as SDI).
It is digital data according to the standard.

The data input / output unit 37A and the data management unit 34A constitute one port 60A, and the data input / output unit 37B and the data management unit 34B constitute one port 6A.
0B, the data input / output unit 37C and the data management unit 34C constitute one port 60C, and the data input / output unit 37D and the data management unit 34D constitute one port 60D.

The data input / output unit 37A has an encoder 62 for compressing SDI standard data and a two-input / one-output switch 64. One input terminal of the switch 64 is connected to the terminal 61A, the other input terminal is connected to the editing unit 51, and the output terminal is connected to the input terminal of the encoder 62. Note that the terminal 61A is also connected to the editing unit 51.

The data input / output unit 37B is a decoder 6 for decompressing the compressed data and converting it to SDI standard data.
3 and a switch 65 for two inputs and one output. One input terminal of the switch 65 is connected to the output terminal of the decoder 63, the other input terminal is connected to the editing unit 51,
The output terminal is connected to the terminal 61B. Note that the output end of the decoder 63 is also connected to the editing unit 51.

The data input / output unit 37C is a decoder 7 for decompressing the compressed data and converting it into SDI standard data.
It has a switch 74 for switching between two and two inputs and one output. One input terminal of the switch 74 is connected to the output terminal of the decoder 72, the other input terminal is connected to the editing unit 51,
The output terminal is connected to the terminal 61C. Note that the output end of the decoder 72 is also connected to the editing unit 51.

The data input / output unit 37D is a decoder 7 for decompressing the compressed data and converting it to SDI standard data.
It has three and two-input / one-output changeover switches 75. One input terminal of the switch 75 is connected to the output terminal of the decoder 73, the other input terminal is connected to the editing unit 51,
The output terminal is connected to the terminal 61D. Note that the output terminal of the decoder 73 is also connected to the editing unit 51.

The data management unit 34A includes a data input / output unit 3
It has a buffer memory 66 inserted between the output terminal of the 7A encoder 62 and the internal bus 30. The data management unit 34B has a buffer memory 67 inserted between the internal bus 30 and the input terminal of the decoder 63 of the data input / output unit 37B. The data management unit 34C has a buffer memory 76 inserted between the internal bus 30 and the input terminal of the decoder 72 of the data input / output unit 37C. The data management unit 34D includes the internal bus 30 and the data input / output unit 3
It has a buffer memory 77 inserted between the input terminal of the 7D decoder 73.

It should be noted that the data management section 34A has a CPU 80
A and can communicate with other components connected by the CPU bus 30B. Similarly, the data management units 34B, 34C and 34D
B, 80C, and 80D, and can communicate with other components connected by the CPU bus 30B.

The data management section 34A can receive a recording command CR from outside. The data management unit 34A responds to the terminal 61A in response to the recording command CR.
Is transferred to the recording / reproducing unit 33 to control the recording process. Data management unit 3
An external reproduction command CP can be input to 4B to 34D. Data management units 34B to 34D
Reproduces data by the recording / reproducing unit 33 in response to the reproduction command CP, and transmits the data to the terminals 61B to 61D.
Is controlled.

Each of the units 31 to 39 in FIG. 3 has a microcomputer including a CPU (central processing unit), a ROM (read only memory) and a RAM (random access memory).

The data management units 34A to 34D use time slots to access the recording / reproducing device 33 for each of the ports 60A to 60D in a time-division manner.

The data input / output units 37A to 37D and the data management units 34A to 34D can be replaced with other types of data input / output units and data management units, respectively. For example, output-type data input / output unit 37B and data management unit 34B, data input / output unit 37C and data management unit 34C, data input / output unit 3
Any set of 7D and data management unit 34D can be replaced with an input-type data input / output unit and data management unit such as a set of data input / output unit 37A and data management unit 34A. In such a case, the data recording / reproducing device 1 is a device having two input ports and two output ports.

Next, the operation of the data recording / reproducing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described. First, the operation for recording A / V data input from the outside will be described. At this time, data is input to terminal 61A. This data is input to the encoder 62 via the switch 64 in the data input / output unit 37A and is compressed.
The compressed data is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 66 in the data management unit 34A. Data management unit 34A
Accesses the recording / reproducing unit 33 during the time slot assigned to the
Is transferred to the recording / reproducing unit 33 via the internal bus 30.

In the recording / reproducing section 33, the transferred data is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 49 and then read. Of the data read from the buffer memory 49, video data is input to the video disk array controller 47, and audio data is input to the audio disk array controller 48. The video disk array controller 47 divides the input video data into predetermined units, calculates parity data, and records the divided data and parity data in a plurality of HDDs 45. The audio disk array controller 48 records the input audio data in the two HDDs 46.

Next, an operation for outputting recorded data to the outside will be described. At this time, any one of the data management units 34B to 34D determines whether the recording / reproducing unit 33
And requests the recording / reproducing unit 33 to reproduce data. In the data reproducing unit 33, the video disk array controller 47 reads the video data and parity data divided from the plurality of HDDs 45,
The video data is reproduced by unifying the divided data and performing error detection and error correction based on the parity data. The audio disk array controller 48 reproduces audio data from the error-free HDD 46 of the two HDDs 46. The reproduced video data and audio data are temporarily stored in the buffer memory 49, read out, and read via the internal bus 30 to the data management unit 34B.
To 34D.

When data is output to the outside from the terminal 61B, the reproduced data is expanded by the decoder 63 in the data input / output unit 37B through the buffer memory 67 of the data management unit 34B, and the switch 65 is set. Through,
The signal is output from the terminal 61B to the outside. Data is transferred to terminal 61
When outputting to outside from C, the reproduced data is
Decompressed by the decoder 72 in the data input / output unit 37C via the buffer memory 76 of the data management unit 34C,
The signal is output from the terminal 61C to the outside via the switch 74. When data is output to the outside from the terminal 61D, the reproduced data is expanded by the decoder 73 in the data input / output unit 37D through the buffer memory 77 of the data management unit 34D, 6
Output from 1D to the outside.

In the data recording / reproducing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, since the data management units 34A to 34D operate in a time-division manner, the same data or different data is simultaneously output from the three terminals 61B to 61D. It is possible.

Next, the operation for editing data will be described. The editing unit 51 of the control unit 36 performs data editing processing using at least one of the data input from the outside and the data reproduced by the recording / reproducing unit 33. That is, the editing unit 51 can input data input from the outside via the terminal 61A and output data reproduced by the recording / reproducing unit 33 and expanded by the decoders 63, 72, and 73. The editing unit 51 performs an editing process using at least one of these data, using its own matrix switcher or audio mixer, and using the special effect unit 39 as necessary. The editing unit 51 can perform AB roll editing for obtaining special effects such as dissolve and wipe.

The editing unit 51 can output data obtained by the editing process to any of the switches 64, 65, 74, and 75. The data output to the switch 64 is recorded on the HDDs 45 and 46 by the recording / reproducing unit 33. The data output to the switches 65, 74, and 75 are output from terminals 61B, 61C, and 61D, respectively. As described above, the editing unit 51 can perform linear editing.

The editing unit 51 can also perform non-linear editing that holds only editing information such as data at editing points without outputting the edited data.

In the data recording / reproducing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, selection of A / V data input, adjustment of audio data recording or reproducing level, audio data Various operations, such as selection of a channel for monitoring the data, can be performed. Further, the operating state of the four ports can be displayed on the display unit 11 of the meter panel 3.

Further, in the data recording / reproducing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, the control panel 4 can be used to perform operations necessary for editing work.

Next, a file system applied to this embodiment will be described. The file system is
In the server unit, that is, the recording / reproducing unit 33, this is a system for managing where the file is recorded on the HDD 45 constituting the recording / reproducing unit 33. The file management by the file system is executed by the file management unit 43.

The file system information is roughly expressed as
The information consists of (1) file entry information, (2) record entry information, and (3) free space list information. FIG. 4 schematically shows an example of the structure of each of these pieces of information. These file entry information, record entry information, and free space information are held in the information management unit 32 as, for example, file management information.

In the file entry information (1), as shown in FIG. 4A, a file name and pointer information to the first record entry information are described. Therefore, the file entry information is set for each file. File entry information indicates that the file is
Based on the link information, linking is made to record entry information described later, which is information indicating from which position in 45 and how long the data is written.

As shown in an example of FIG. 4B, the record entry information of (2) shows which of the start address information on the HDD 45 where the file was actually written to the HDD 45 and the address indicating the start position. And data length information indicating the data length of the continuous area, indicating whether or not the data length has been written continuously. Further, in the record entry information, link information to the next record entry information is described.

In the HDD 45, one file may be divided into different areas and written. In this case, record entry information is created for each divided area. The link information is, for example, pointer information, which is information indicating a link to record entry information indicating information of the next area in which the divided file is written. By sequentially tracing the pointer information indicated by the link information in the plurality of record entry information, the address information of the file divided into different areas can be grasped. If the file ends in the continuous area, for example, “EOF (End of Fi
le) "is written.

FIG. 5 schematically shows file access by this record entry information. It is assumed that a file having a file name “A” has been written in the address space of the HDD as illustrated in FIG. 5A. That is, file "A" is divided into three,
Address [50]-[100], Address [200]-
[300] and addresses [500] to [750]. In the following description, the numerical value of the address corresponds to the recording and playback time,
For example, it is described that the playback length from address [100] to address [200] for address [100] is length [100].

FIG. 5B shows an example of file entry information (FE) and record entry information (RE) corresponding to FIG. 5A. In the file entry information, the file name “A” of the file is described, and link information for linking to the first record entry information is described. The link information is, for example, the file name of the first record entry information to be linked. Alternatively, the position where the record entry information is written, for example, pointer information indicating the address may be directly used as the link information.

In this example in which the file "A" is divided into three, three pieces of record entry information are created.
First, in the first divided area, data of the address [50] to the length [50] (that is, the address is [10
0]) is written. That is, data is continuously written at addresses [50] to [100]. The file “A” has been written over the next continuous area. By tracing the link information, record entry information indicating the next continuous area in which the file “A” has been written is referred to, and data of a length [100] from the address [100], that is, addresses [100] to [200] It can be understood that the data is written in the continuous area of []. In addition, file "A"
Is written over the next continuous area. By following the link information in the same manner as described above, the record entry information indicating the next continuous area in which the file “A” has been written is referred to, and the data from the address [500] to the length [250], that is, the address [500] ~
It can be seen that data has been written in the continuous area of [750]. Since the file "A" ends at the address [750], it is not linked to the next continuous area, and the corresponding record entry information contains "EO" as link information.
F "is described.

The free space list information of (3) is HD
Information of an area where data is not written on D45 is described. The description method conforms to the above-described record entry information. That is, as shown in FIG. 4C, the area where no data is written, that is, the address information at the head of the free area and the length of the continuous free area are described. At the same time, link information to the next free space list information is described. The link information is, for example, the file name of the first free space list information to be linked. Alternatively, a position where the free space list information is written, for example, pointer information indicating an address may be directly used as link information.

FIG. 5C schematically shows a link state of the free space list information corresponding to FIG. 5A. In the example of FIG. 5A, the address

[0] to [50], address [10
0] to [200] and addresses [300] to [50]
0] is an area where no data is written. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5C, the first free space list information includes the start address of the continuous free area.

[0]
It is described that there is an empty area of length [50]. When the next free space list information is referred to by following the link information, the start address of the free area is [10
0] describes that there is an empty area having a length of 100 minutes from the start address. When the next free space information is referred by further following the link information, the start address of the free area is [300], and the length from the start address is [20].
0]. Since "EOF" is described as the link information, it is understood that there is no more free space in this HDD. In this way, by referring to the free space list information one after another based on the link information, it is possible to grasp the free space of the entire HDD.

A file system for managing files on the HDD 45 according to this embodiment is configured based on the three pieces of information of the above-described file entry information, record entry information, and free space information. For example, H in which the above-mentioned file “A” has already been written
When another file "B" is written to the DD 45, file entry information is created based on the file name "B" of the file "B" to be written. Then, referring to the free space list information, the file "B"
Is written to the HDD 45. At that time, file "B"
Record entry information is created based on the write address and the data length of the record entry. When the file “B” is written, the free space on the HDD 45 changes, and the free space list information is rewritten.

Next, an A / V data editing process according to the embodiment, which is performed based on the above-described file system, will be schematically described. In this embodiment, a virtual file (virtual file list: VFL) indicating the edited result is created without outputting the edited result as a real A / V data file. VFL
Describes information necessary for reproducing the editing result on the A / V server.

An editing device is connected to the A / V server. In the A / V server according to the embodiment, A / V
The stored A / V data can also be edited by the control panel 4 attached to the server body. Hereinafter, a case where an external editing device is connected to the A / V server will be described.

The editing device sends an editing command CE, a reproduction command CP and a recording command CR to the A / V server.
Are supplied. For example, when an attempt is made to edit a file having a file name “A” (hereinafter referred to as a file “A”) stored in the A / V server, information indicating the file “A” is transmitted from the editing apparatus to the A / V server. Output to the server. On the A / V server side, the information management unit 3
Since it is possible to know in which area of the HDD 45 the file “A” is recorded based on the file management information held in the HDD 2, the information management unit 32 issues a playback command to the recording and playback unit 33, Play "A". The reproduced file “A” is supplied to the port 60B via the bus 30A, for example, and is transferred from the port 60B to the editing device.

On the editing device side, based on the transferred file “A”, the file is displayed on a monitor connected to or built in the editing device. Editing operators who perform editing work
While checking the monitor image, an editing point indicating which part of the material stored in the A / V server is actually used is set by operating the operating means provided in the editing apparatus. The editing operation includes various processes such as setting an IN point for starting reproduction and an OUT point for ending reproduction, and applying a special effect such as wipe or dissolve to the reproduced video. Hereinafter, the case where the IN point and the OUT point are set will be described for explanation.

The editing result in which the IN point and the OUT point are set by editing is transferred to the A / V server. At this time, in this embodiment, the set IN point and OUT point are set together with the file name of the A / V file used for editing.
Only the point information is transferred to the A / V server. An actual A / V file based on the edited contents is not created.

As a result of editing, the above-mentioned VF is transferred to the A / V server. The VFL is transferred to the A / V server and stored in a memory (not shown) of the information management unit 32, thereby completing the editing operation. The A / V server reads out the A / V data stored in the HDD 45 based on the VFL, and sends out the edited material. That is, by using VFL, it is not necessary to record the editing result as a new A / V file, and it is possible to edit the material in real time and transmit the editing result.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the structure of the VFL. VF
L describes the file name of the target A / V file, the reproduction start position in the file, ie, information on the IN point, and the reproduction end position, ie, information on the OUT point. The playback start position and the playback end position are the target A
/ V is the address information for the start position of the address space in the file.

As an example, in the example shown in FIG.
With respect to the file [A] having the length [400], the position of the length [10] from the beginning of the file is set as the IN point, and the length [60] from the beginning, the length [50] behind the IN point
Is the OUT point, as shown in FIG.
The playback start position is [10], and the playback end position is [6].
0].

On the other hand, as already described, the file is H
When data is written on the DD 45, the data may be divided and written in different areas on the HDD 45. The divided files are managed as one continuous file by the file management unit 43 by successively following the link information of the record entry information and referring to the record entry information.

Similarly, in the case of the VFL, the portion from the described reproduction start position to the reproduction end position may be divided and written in different areas of the HDD 45.
FIG. 8 shows the processing in this case according to FIG. 5A described above. The file “A” is stored on the HD as shown in FIG. 8A.
D45 is divided into different areas and recorded. On the other hand, the reproduction start position and the reproduction end position in the VFL address space are as shown in FIG. 8B.

In the file management section 43, based on the file entry information and the record entry information, the VF of the file "A" is obtained from the file head position data described in the record entry information and the recording length data of the continuous area.
The reproduction start position described in L is accessed. In the example of FIG. 8A, the head position of the file “A” is the address [50] in the address space of the HDD 45. Since the reproduction start position is set to the address [10] in the address space of the file “A” by the VFL, the address space of the HDD 45 is obtained by adding the length [10] to the address [50] in the address space of the HDD 45. The reproduction is started from the address [60].

When the playback length exceeding the recording length of the continuous area described in the record entry information is designated by the playback start position and the playback end position of the VFL,
Link to the next record entry information based on the link information of the record entry information. In the example of FIG. 8A, VFL
Is the reproduction length [50], whereas the recording area indicated by the first record entry information is the HDD 4
In the address space of No. 5, address [50] to address [100]. Since the reproduction is started from the address [60], in order to reproduce the reproduction length designated by the VFL, the data having the length [10] must be reproduced. The data of the above-mentioned length [10] is reproduced from the file head position indicated by the next record entry information linked based on the link information. That is, in the address space of the HDD 45, the address [2
00] to address [210] are reproduced.

That is, the reproduction range indicated by VFL of the file “A” in the VFL address space is as shown in FIG.
As shown in B, based on the continuous area in the address space of the HDD 45, on the HDD 45, a portion of length [40] and a portion of length [10] are divided and written in different areas. Will be.

On the other hand, if the VFL is a description as shown in an example in FIG. 9, in the address space of the HDD 45, the address of the data to be actually reproduced is reproduced from the address [60], and the address [100]. The data written in the continuous area up to this point is reproduced.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the configuration of the meter panel 3 shown in FIG. The meter panel 3 has a display unit 86 for performing display, a display control unit 82 for performing display control on the display unit 86, operation switches 85, and a memory 84. The display control unit 82 receives a flag indicating the operation state of each of the ports 60A to 60D from the interface 52 via the CPU bus 30B. The display control unit 82 includes a CPU
The CPU 83 creates display data based on the received flag.

The display unit 86 includes a display 90 for displaying on the display unit 11, a driver 89 for driving the display 90, a memory 87 to which the display data created by the display control unit 82 is written, and a display from the memory 87. It has a CPU 88 for reading data and controlling the driver 89 based on the read display data.

The operation switch 85 is, for example, a level selection knob corresponding to each of a port selection button and a port. By operating the port selection button by the user, a desired port is selected from the ports 60A to 60D, and the port selection information is supplied to the display control unit 82. By operating the level setting knob, for example, the level of audio data of the corresponding port can be set. Level setting information obtained by operating the level setting knob is supplied to the display control unit 82. The port selection information and the level setting information are each used as a control command for performing predetermined control, and are output from the display control unit 82.

The display 90 comprises a fluorescent display tube in which a plurality of phosphors are arranged in a predetermined pattern on a display surface, for example.
A predetermined display is performed on the display surface by controlling the light emission of each of the phosphors in the predetermined pattern by the driver 89. Each of the patterns formed by each phosphor is called a segment.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a display made on the display screen of the display device 90. The display screen of the display device 90 includes:
It consists of four areas respectively corresponding to the ports 60A to 60D. In this example, the upper left area corresponds to the port 60A, the upper right area to the port 60B, the lower left area to the port 60C, and the lower right area to the port 60D. Note that, in FIG. 3 described above, the port 60C is described as the output port, but here, the port 60C has the same configuration as the port 60A and is used as the input port.

For example, in the upper right area corresponding to the port 60B, the port name 100, the time code 1
01 is displayed. Below the port name 100, a port operation status display 102 is displayed. Although details will be described later, each port 60 </ b> A to 60 </ b> A
60D recording, playback, fast forward (FFWD),
Display indicating various operations such as rewind (REW) and still image display is performed. Also, various status displays 103 and audio level meters 104 are displayed.

In the example of FIG. 11, the port name of the port 60B is “P1” and the current time code is “00: 0”.
5:56:22 ", and the operation state display 1
The display of 02 indicates that fast-forward playback is being performed. Various status displays 103 indicate the current port 60B
Is displayed, and the audio level meter 104 displays the level of the audio signal currently output from the output port 60B in substantially real time.

FIG. 12 shows an example of the segment configuration of the port operation status display 102. In this embodiment,
In order to express the various operations of the port as described above, seven segments of segments (seg) A to G are used. As will be described later, segments D and E indicate reproduction in the same direction in a time-series manner at the time of recording. On the other hand, the segments A and B show the reproduction in the reverse direction in the time series with the recording. Segment C indicates a still image display (still). Segment F indicates a stopped state, and segment G indicates that recording is in progress. By controlling the light emission of each of the segments A to F, the operation of the port is displayed.

As described above, the operating state of each port is indicated by the symbol, so that the operating state of each port can be clearly grasped.

The light emission of each of the segments A to G is controlled based on the display data written in the memory 87. FIG. 13 shows an example of the display data. As the display data, for example, a flag in which a bit is associated with each of the segments A to G can be used. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, one bit is provided for each of the seven segments A to G. Also,
Although not shown, information for identifying the port is included in the display data. Based on the value of the corresponding bit, the display control unit 82
Controls the light emission of the segments A to G.

In this embodiment, eight states shown in FIG. 13 are set as operating states of each port displayed on the display 90. That is, playback (PLAY), stop (STOP), recording (REC), and still image display (S
TILL) and dial 2
Using 9 or the like, the display 90 displays the four states of trick play in which playback is performed at different speeds in time series from the speed at the time of recording. Details of these eight operation states will be described later.

A segment to be displayed is determined for each of these eight operation states, and display data is created.
In this example, the segment to be displayed is indicated by setting a bit corresponding to the segment to be displayed. The display data does not need to be unique for each operation state. For example, the same display can be used in different operation states such as “PLAY” and “FWD 1 × speed or less”.

Next, using the flowchart of FIG.
An example of a display process on the display device 90 will be schematically described. FIG. 14A shows the processing of the display control unit 82,
FIG. 14B shows the processing of the display unit 86. These FIG. 14A
14B are performed in parallel.

First, the processing of the display control unit 82 shown in FIG. 14A will be described. In the first step S10, information indicating the operation states of all the ports 60A to 60D is supplied to the display control unit 82 from the interface 52 provided in the control unit 36. For example, the operation state of the port 60A is monitored at predetermined intervals by the CPU 80A that controls the port 60A. Information indicating the operation state of the port 60A is output from the CPU 80A by monitoring the port 60A at a predetermined interval by the CPU 80A.
The information is transferred to the control unit 36 via B together with the port information.
These pieces of information are transmitted from the controller 36 to the interface 52.
To the meter panel 3 from the interface 52.
Is transferred to the display control unit 82.

Similarly, in other ports 60B to 60D, the information indicating the operating states of the ports 60B to 60D output from the CPUs 80B to 80D respectively is used.
The data is transferred to the control unit 36 via the bus 30B, supplied to the interface 52, and transferred to the display control unit 82.

In the next step S11, display data is created based on the information indicating the operation states of the ports 60A to 60D supplied to the display control unit 82 in this manner. The data stored in the memory 84 is read out by the CPU 83 of the display control unit 82 at a predetermined timing. CP
In U83, display data is created based on the read data. The created display data is stored in the next step S12.
Is supplied to the display unit 86 and written into the memory 87.

On the other hand, in the display unit 86, step S20
The display data is read from the memory 87 at predetermined intervals by the CPU 88 and is converted into a control signal for the driver 89. The control signal is supplied from the CPU 88 to the driver 89, and the driver 8 is controlled based on the control signal.
9, the display 90 is driven, and a predetermined display based on the display data is performed.

Next, each operation state shown in FIG. 13 will be described. First, "PLAY", "STOP",
Four states of the normal operation “REC” and “STILL” will be described. “PLAY” is an operation of reproducing in the same direction as the time of recording at the same speed as the speed at the time of recording. “STOP” is a stop state.
“REC” is an operation for performing recording. "STILL"
Is an operation for displaying a still image. For example, "P
If this "STILL" is instructed during the "LAY" operation, the reproduction operation is temporarily interrupted, and the image at that timing is displayed as a still image on a monitor or the like.

In this embodiment, the segment D is displayed in the "PLAY" state. The segment F is displayed in the “STOP” state. Segment G in "REC" state
Is displayed. The segment C is displayed in the “STILL” state. It is more preferable that the segment G corresponding to the “REC” state indicating recording has a different color from other segments. For example, if the other segments A to F are displayed in white, the segment G is displayed in red.

The special reproduction will be described. The trick play is
As described above, this is an operation of making the time-series reproduction speed and direction different from those at the time of recording by operating the dial 29 and the like. The dial 29 selects a jog dial function, a shuttle dial function, and a variable dial function by a select button (not shown).

When the jog dial function is selected,
By rotating the dial 29, frame-by-frame playback is performed according to, for example, the rotation direction and the rotation speed. When the shuttle dial function is selected, for example, reproduction is performed in a direction and a speed corresponding to the angle of the dial 29. In the case of the shuttle dial function, playback at a speed higher than the speed at the time of recording can be performed. When the variable dial function is selected, for example, dial 2
Reproduction is performed in a direction and a speed corresponding to the angle of No. 9. In the variable dial function, reproduction is mainly performed at a speed lower than the speed at the time of recording, and noise is not generated on a display screen by displaying an image of the same frame a plurality of times, for example.

In the case of special reproduction, segments to be displayed are different depending on the time series direction and speed of reproduction. Whether to display the segments D and E or the segments A and B is determined according to the time-series direction of the reproduction. Segments D and E are displayed in reproduction in the same direction (forward reproduction) in chronological order as during recording. Also, depending on the time-series speed of playback, for example, in the case of forward playback,
It is determined whether to display both segments D and E or only one of them. In this example, when the reproduction speed exceeds the speed at the time of recording, both segments D and E are displayed. The same applies to the segments A and B.

Note that the segment configuration for displaying the operation state of each port shown in FIG. 12 is not limited to this example, and other arrangements may be used as long as the operation state becomes clear. can do. Further, the operation state to be displayed on the display 90 shown in FIG. 13 is not limited to this example, and another operation state can be displayed. Further, the display 90 is not limited to a fluorescent display, but may be an LCD (Liquid crystal display).
Other display elements such as a d Crystal Display and an LED (Light Emmiting Diode) can be used.

In the above description, the input / output port is port 6
Although the description has been made on the assumption that the number is four from 0A to 60D, this is not limited to this example. It is also possible to provide more input / output ports and display their operation states at once.

[0100]

As described above, according to the present invention, on the operation panel of an A / V server having a plurality of ports for input / output, the current operation state of all ports is represented by a symbol for each port. Is displayed. Therefore, there is an effect that the user can clearly grasp the operation states of all ports.

In addition, this has the effect that the user can easily search for an empty port, find an operation abnormality for each port, and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a data recording / reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing main parts of a meter panel and a control panel.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the data recording / reproducing device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram schematically showing respective structures of file entry information, record entry information, and free space information.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram schematically showing file access by record entry information.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the structure of a virtual file VFL.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a description of a virtual file VFL.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a process of reproducing a file divided and written in different areas using a virtual file VFL.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of a description of a virtual file VFL.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a meter panel.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a display performed on a display screen of a display device.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a segment configuration of a port operation state display.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of display data for displaying an operation state of a port.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a display process for a display device.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Data recording / reproducing apparatus, 2 ... Housing, 3 ...
Meter panel, 4 ... control panel, 11 ...
Display unit, 30 Internal bus, 31 Timing management unit, 32 Information management unit, 33 Recording / reproducing unit, 34A to 34D Data management unit, 36 Control , 37A-37D ... data input / output unit, 39 ...
.Special effect part, 41: timing pulse generator, 4
5, 46: HDD, 51: Editing unit, 60A-6
0D port, 61A-61D terminal, 82
..Display control unit, 83 ... CPU, 84 ... Memory, 86 ... Display unit, 87 ... Memory, 88 ...
CPU, 89 driver, 90 display, 10
2 ... Port operation status display

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) // H04N 5/765 H04N 5/85 Z 5E501 5/781 5/781 510C 5/85 510K 5/91 5 / 91 NF term (reference) 5B065 BA01 CA11 CA30 CE11 ZA20 5C052 AA01 AB04 AC02 AC04 AC05 AC08 DD08 EE03 5C053 FA14 FA23 HA22 HA24 HA25 HA29 KA24 KA26 LA04 LA05 LA06 5D044 AB05 AB07 BC01 CC04 CC09 HL11 AJ06A JJ06A07 DA02 EA32 EA34 FA14 FA46

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of input / output means operating in a time slot allocated to a non-linearly accessible recording medium, and an operation state of the input / output means is displayed based on operation information of the input / output means. A data recording / reproducing apparatus, comprising: control means for performing control. 2. The data recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display means for performing display under the control of said control means. 3. The data recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the display means simultaneously displays the operating states of the plurality of input / output means in one screen. apparatus. 4. The data recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation state includes a state in which a recording operation is performed on the recording medium, a state in which the operation of the recording medium is stopped, and a state in which the recording medium is stopped. A state in which the data reproduction operation is interrupted and the data reproduced from the recording medium is displayed at the time of the interruption; and the same speed as the recording speed in the same direction and at the time of recording from the recording medium. A state in which data is reproduced in the recording medium; a state in which data is reproduced from the recording medium in the same direction in time series as during recording, and at a speed equal to or lower than the recording speed at the time of recording; A state in which data is reproduced in the same direction as the time of recording and in a time series, and at a speed higher than the recording speed at the time of storage;
A state in which data is reproduced at a speed equal to or lower than the recording speed at the time of recording; and
A data recording / reproducing apparatus wherein data is reproduced at a speed higher than a recording speed at the time of recording. 5. A plurality of input / output steps operating in a time slot allocated to a non-linearly accessible recording medium, and an operation state of the input / output step based on operation information of the input / output step And a control step of performing a control of displaying the operation state.