JP2002290833A - Video switching network system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To constitute a network which can route various video signals having different transmission rates. SOLUTION: Video switching devices 100, 200, 300, and 400 each having a function of equalizing the waveforms of input and output video signals are decentralized and arranged at respective places and also connected by a ring network 20 having through lines A to D set corresponding to the video switching devices 100, 200, 300, and 400.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video switching network system including a video switching device for selectively switching an input / output path of a video signal having a plurality of transmission rates.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the advance of digital technology, SD
Not only TV (Standard Definition TV) signal but HD
Digitalization of TV (High Definition TV) signals has been realized. Also, with the digitization of such video signals, video compression techniques such as MPEG2 (Moving Picture Experts Group 2) have been actively developed. From this,
For example, in a broadcasting station, video signals of various transmission rates have been handled in the station.

Therefore, a serial transmission line switching device is used in which a plurality of serial transmission lines in which a plurality of transmission rates are mixed are concentrated in one place and selectively switched and connected. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing such a serial transmission line switching device.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 11 denotes a matrix switch, which performs switching (signal switching) of n (n is a natural number) line input and m (m is a natural number) line output. The matrix switch section 11 is disposed in an appropriate switching control room, from which studios a, b, such as an SDTV studio, an MPEG editing room, and an HDTV studio,
Serial transmission lines are laid on c and d, and necessary connection devices are attached to the terminals at respective locations.

By the way, in the serial transmission line switching device,
For example, in studio b, if a video signal is to be received, the user must go to studios c and d. Conversely, if you want to send a video signal in Studio C,
I have to go to studios a and b. Thus, it has been difficult to handle video signals of various rates in a unified manner.

On the other hand, in a computer network, a network can be easily constructed by using a router or the like to perform signal routing based on overhead information of a predetermined signal format.

[0007] However, digital broadcast transmission equipment handles video signals on a plurality of serial transmission lines in which a plurality of transmission rates are mixed, so that a network using a router or the like, such as a computer network, cannot be easily constructed. .

[0008]

As described above, the digital broadcasting transmission equipment employs a centralized switching type using a matrix switch, so that a single studio can only transmit or receive a video signal, which is inconvenient. Was. Further, since video signals of different transmission rates are handled, a network cannot be easily formed like a computer.

An object of the present invention is to provide a video switching network system capable of configuring a network capable of routing various video signals having different transmission rates.

[0010]

A video switching network system according to a first aspect of the present invention switches video signal transmission paths of a plurality of input / output systems, and has a function of equalizing waveforms of input / output video signals. A plurality of video switching devices, a network connecting the plurality of video switching devices, and having at least one video signal transmission line corresponding to a video signal transmission line of an input system of the video switching device; Is provided in each of the video switching devices, and when a video signal transmission request using a network occurs, the video signal from the video switching device of the transmission source corresponds to the video signal transmission path of the input system of the video switching device. Video signal transmission means for transmitting the video signal to a destination video switching device via a video signal transmission path in a network.

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the invention, the video switching devices having the function of equalizing the waveform of the input / output video signal are distributed and arranged at each location, and the video switching devices are connected to each other. Since the connection is made via a network having a video signal transmission path set in association with the video signal transmission path of the input system of the switching device, transmission and reception of the video signal at one place regardless of the transmission rate of the video signal Can be performed.

Also, since a video signal transmission line in the network is fixedly prepared for each video signal transmission line of the input system of each video switching device, the transmission request of a plurality of video signals relating to different video switching devices is the same. Even in the case of occurrence during a time zone, transmission of these video signals can be performed in parallel, so that transmission control of the plurality of video signals using a network can be efficiently executed.

A video switching network system according to a second aspect of the present invention switches a plurality of input / output system transmission lines, and includes a plurality of video switching devices each having a function of waveform equalizing an input / output video signal. When a network that connects these plurality of video switching devices and has a plurality of video signal transmission paths and a video signal transmission request provided in each of the plurality of video switching devices and using the network occurs. Transmission line selecting means for selecting a vacant video signal transmission line from a plurality of systems of video signal transmission lines in a network, and a video signal transmission line in the network selected by the transmission line selection means. Video signal transmitting means for transmitting the video signal from the video switching device of the transmission source to the video switching device of the transmission destination.

Therefore, according to the second aspect, the first aspect
As in the invention of the first aspect, the video signal can be transmitted and received at one place regardless of the transmission rate of the video signal, and the video signal transmission path in the network is set only when necessary. When the video signal transmission path is shared by a larger number of video switching devices, the effective utilization rate can be increased.

A video switching network system according to a third aspect of the present invention switches transmission paths of a plurality of input / output systems, and includes a plurality of video switching devices each having a function of equalizing the waveform of an input / output video signal. A plurality of video switching devices are connected to each other, a plurality of video signal transmission lines, and a control signal transmission line for transmitting a control signal necessary to monitor a use state of the plurality of video signal transmission lines. Is provided in each of a plurality of video switching devices and a plurality of video switching devices, and when a video signal transmission request using the network is generated, a control signal is transmitted and received between the plurality of video switching devices via a control signal transmission path. After that, a transmission line selecting means for selecting a vacant video signal transmission line from a plurality of video signal transmission lines, and a video signal in the network selected by the transmission line selection means. Via a transmission path, characterized by comprising a video signal transmission means for transmitting a video signal from the sender of the video switcher in the destination of the video switcher.

Therefore, according to the third aspect, the second aspect
In addition to the functions and effects obtained by the invention, the use of the video signal transmission path in the network of each video switching device can be grasped by transmitting the control signal to all the video switching devices.

A video switching network system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention switches a plurality of input / output transmission lines. The video switching network system includes a plurality of video switching devices each having a function of equalizing the waveform of an input / output video signal. A network that connects a plurality of video switching devices with each other and has a plurality of video signal transmission paths, and is provided in each of the plurality of video switching devices, when a transmission request of a video signal using the network occurs. Routing information superimposing transmission means for superimposing routing information indicating a transmission destination on a video signal transmitted from a transmission source video switching device to a transmission destination video switching device via a network and transmitting the video signal to the transmission destination video switching device And characterized in that:

Therefore, according to the fourth aspect, the third aspect
In addition to the function and effect obtained by the invention, the routing information indicating which video switching device is to be branched is superimposed on the video signal transmitted on the video signal transmission path in the network, so that the control signal transmission path is not required. Therefore, the number of cables for connecting the respective video switching devices can be reduced, and the wiring structure of the system can be simplified.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of a video switching network system according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, this system comprises, for example, four video switching devices 100, 200, 300, 400
Are distributed in each place, and these are connected to each other by a ring network 20.

Each of the video switching devices 100, 200, 300,
The matrix switch 110 switches the transmission paths of a plurality of input / output channels, and equalizes the waveforms of the input / output video signals at different rates.
210, 310 and 410 are incorporated.

Each of the video switching devices 100, 200, 300,
400, through the ring network 20 (THR
U), an input channel for inserting a video signal (ADD), and an output channel for branching (DROP) the video signal.

On the other hand, in the ring network 20, through lines A to D corresponding to the respective video switching devices 100, 200, 300, and 400 are set.

Each of the video switching devices 100, 200, 3
When a transmission request for a video signal using the ring network 20 is issued, the video signals 400 and 400 transmit the video signal of the input channel to the transmission destination via the through lines A to D in the ring network 20 corresponding to the own device. Video signal transmission function.

The operation of the above configuration will be described below by taking as an example a case where the invention is applied to an intra-station transmission system in a broadcasting station.

Here, the video switching device 100 is disposed in an SDTV studio, the video switching device 200 is disposed in an HDTV studio, the video switching device 300 is disposed in an MPEG editing room, and the video switching device 400 is a DVC (digital video camcorder). ) Suppose it is located in the editing room.

For example, in an SDTV studio, an SDTV
The camera is connected to the input channel of the video switching device 100. Here, it is assumed that the editor of the SDTV studio has performed an operation of sending the video signal of the SDTV camera to the HDTV studio. Then, the SDTV camera output is input to the matrix switch 110. The matrix switch 110 performs waveform equalization on the output of the SDTV camera according to the output rate, and switches the output to the through line A in the ring network 20. And HDTV
The studio editor operates the video switching device 200 to connect the through line A to the output channel of the matrix switch 210, thereby receiving the video signal of the SDTV camera.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the video switching devices 100, 200, 300, and 400 having the function of equalizing the waveform of the input / output video signal are distributed and arranged at each location. And a plurality of video switching devices 10
0, 200, 300, 400, each video switching device 10
Since the connection is made by the ring network 20 having the through lines A to D set in association with 0, 200, 300, and 400, the transmission and reception of the video signal can be performed at one place regardless of the transmission rate of the video signal. Can be performed.

In the first embodiment, the through lines A to D in the ring network 20 are fixedly provided for each of the video switching devices 100, 200, 300, and 400. , 200, 30
0, 400, the transmission of these video signals can be performed in parallel, even if the transmission request occurs in the same time zone, whereby a plurality of video signals using the ring network 20 can be transmitted. Can be efficiently executed.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of the video switching network system according to the present invention. In FIG. 2, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted.

This system comprises a video switching device 100,
200, 300, and 400 are connected by a ring network 30. This ring network 30
In FIG. 2, a plurality of (four in FIG. 2) video signal through-lines (311 to 314) 31 and a control through for transmitting a control signal necessary for monitoring the use state of the plurality of video signal through-lines 31 are provided. Line 32 is set.

On the other hand, each video switching device 100, 20
0, 300 and 400 are control through lines 32
Are provided with control channels 120, 220, 320, and 420 for inputting and outputting control signals, and further have a through line selection function and a video signal transmission function.

The through-line selection function transmits / receives a control signal between the video switching devices 100, 200, 300, and 400 via the control through line 32 when a request for transmitting a video signal using the ring network 30 occurs. Thereafter, a vacant line is selected from the plurality of video signal through lines 31.

The video signal transmission function is an empty video signal through line 31 selected by the through line selection function.
For example, a video signal from the transmission source video switching device 100 is transmitted to, for example, the transmission destination video switching device 300 via the.

The operation of the above configuration will be described below by taking as an example a case where the present invention is applied to an intra-station transmission system in a broadcasting station, as in the first embodiment.

For example, if the editor of the SDTV studio is SD
It is assumed that an operation of transmitting a video signal of a TV camera to an HDTV studio is performed. Then, the SDTV camera output is input to the matrix switch 110. The matrix switch 110 performs waveform equalization on the output of the SDTV camera in accordance with the output rate, switches the control signal input together with the output of the SDTV camera to the control through line 32, and returns the control signal Is analyzed, and for example, an empty video signal through line 311 is searched based on the analysis result. Then, switching is performed so that the SDTV camera output is output to the empty video signal through line 311. And HDTV
The studio editor operates the video switching device 200 to operate the video signal through line 311 and the matrix switch 210.
Of the SDTV camera can be received.

As described above, in the second embodiment, when a request for transmitting a video signal using the ring network 30 occurs, the control signal is transmitted to all the video switching devices 100, 200, 3
To the respective video switching devices 100, 20
After grasping the usage status of the video signal through-line 31 in the ring network 30 of 0, 300, and 400, an empty through-line is selected, and the video signal of the transmission source is transmitted via the selected empty through-line, for example, to the transmission destination. Video switching device 3
00 is transmitted.

Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the video signal can be transmitted and received at one place regardless of the transmission rate of the video signal, and the video signal through line 31 in the ring network 30 Since it is set only when necessary, the effective utilization rate of the video signal through line 31 can be increased.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a third embodiment of the video switching network system according to the present invention. In FIG. 3, the same portions as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted.

This system comprises a video switching device 100,
200, 300, and 400 are connected by a ring network in which a plurality of video signal through lines (401 to 404) 40 are set.

Each of the video switching devices 100, 200, 3
00, 400 are matrix switches 110, 210,
The routing information superimposing unit 13 is assigned to each of 310 and 410.
0, 230, 330, and 430 and routing information analyzers 140, 240, 340, and 440 are provided.

The routing information superimposing units 130, 230,
When a request for transmitting a video signal using the ring network 40 occurs, for example, the video switching devices 100 and 330 transmit from the transmission source video switching device 100 to the transmission destination video switching device 300 via the video signal through lines 401 to 404. The routing information indicating the video switching device 300 is superimposed on the video signal to be transmitted.

The routing information analyzers 140, 240,
340 and 440 extract the routing information in the video signal arriving via the ring network 40, analyze the contents, output the video signal to the output channel when the destination is the own device, and output the video signal to the output channel when the destination is not the own device. Then, the video signals are passed through the video signal through lines 401 to 404 of the ring network 40 as they are.

The operation of the above configuration will be described below by taking as an example a case where the present invention is applied to an intra-station transmission system in a broadcasting station, as in the first embodiment.

For example, the editor of the SDTV studio is
It is assumed that an operation of transmitting a video signal of a TV camera to an HDTV studio is performed. Then, the SDTV camera output is input to the matrix switch 110. In the matrix switch 110, the routing information superimposing unit 130
The output of the TV camera is superimposed with routing information indicating the video switching apparatus 200 as a destination, waveform equalization is performed according to the output rate, and switching is performed so as to output to the video signal through line 401 of the ring network 40. Then, in the video switching apparatus 200, when the SDTV camera output is input to the matrix switch 210, the routing information analysis unit 240 extracts the routing information superimposed on the SDTV camera output, and determines that the routing information is addressed to the own apparatus. Output to the output channel of the matrix switch 210.

As described above, in the third embodiment, when a request for transmitting a video signal using the ring network 30 occurs, for example, the video switching The routing information 200 is superimposed by the routing information superimposing unit 130 and transmitted to the video switching device 200 via, for example, the video signal through line 401 of the ring network 40.

Therefore, the same effect as that of the second embodiment can be obtained, and the control through line described in the second embodiment can be eliminated, and each of the video switching devices 100, 200, 300 , 400 can be reduced to simplify the wiring structure of the system.

(Other Embodiments) The present invention is not limited to each embodiment. For example, in the second embodiment, an example will be described in which the use state of the video signal through line 31 in all the video switching devices 100, 200, 300, and 400 is grasped using the control line 32, and then an empty through line is selected. However, an empty through line can be detected without using the control line 32 if it has a function of monitoring the through line connected to the own device.

In addition, the configuration of the video switching device, the type and shape of the ring network, the type of the video signal to be handled, and the like can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0051]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide a video switching network system capable of forming a network capable of routing various video signals having different transmission rates.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of a video switching network system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of the video switching network system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a third embodiment of the video switching network system according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a conventional serial transmission line switching device.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 matrix switch unit 20, 30, 40 ring network 31 (311-314), 401-404 video signal through line 32 control through line 100, 200, 300, 400 video switching device 110 , 210, 310, 410 matrix switch, 120, 220, 320, 420 control channel, 130, 230, 330, 430 routing information superimposing section, 140, 240, 340, 440 routing information analyzing section.

Claims (5)

[Claims] A video signal transmission line for switching a plurality of input / output video signals, wherein a plurality of video switching devices each having a function of equalizing a waveform of an input / output video signal, And a network having at least one video signal transmission line corresponding to a video signal transmission line of an input system of the video switching device; and a network provided in each of the plurality of video switching devices and using the network. When a video signal transmission request is generated, the video signal from the video switching device of the transmission source is transmitted via the video signal transmission line in the network corresponding to the video signal transmission line of the input system of the video switching device. And a video signal transmission unit for transmitting the video signal to the video switching device. 2. A plurality of video switching devices for switching transmission paths of a plurality of input / output systems, each of which has a function of equalizing a waveform of an input / output video signal, and connecting between the plurality of video switching devices. And a network having a plurality of video signal transmission paths, and a plurality of systems in the network provided in each of the plurality of video switching devices, when a video signal transmission request using the network occurs. Transmission line selection means for selecting a vacant video signal transmission line from among the video signal transmission lines, and video switching of a transmission source via the video signal transmission line in the network selected by the transmission line selection means. A video signal transmission unit for transmitting a video signal from the device to a video switching device of a transmission destination. 3. A plurality of video switching devices for switching transmission paths of a plurality of input / output systems, each having a function of equalizing waveforms of input / output video signals, and connecting the plurality of video switching devices to each other. And a network having a plurality of video signal transmission lines, and a control signal transmission line for transmitting a control signal necessary for monitoring the use state of the plurality of video signal transmission lines, Provided in each of the video switching devices, when a transmission request for a video signal using the network occurs, after transmitting and receiving a control signal between the plurality of video switching devices via the control signal transmission path, Transmission path selection means for selecting a vacant video signal transmission path from among the video signal transmission paths of the system, and via the video signal transmission path in the network selected by the transmission path selection means, A video switching network system, comprising: video signal transmission means for transmitting a video signal from a video switching device of a transmission source to a video switching device of a transmission destination. 4. A plurality of video switching devices for switching transmission paths of a plurality of input / output systems, each of which has a function of waveform equalizing an input / output video signal, and connecting between the plurality of video switching devices. And a network having a plurality of systems of video signal transmission paths, provided in each of the plurality of video switching devices, and transmitted via the network when a video signal transmission request using the network occurs. Routing information superimposing transmission means for superimposing routing information indicating the destination on the video signal transmitted from the original video switching device to the video switching device of the transmission destination and transmitting the routing information to the video switching device of the transmission destination. Characteristic video switching network system. 5. When a video signal on which routing information is superimposed arrives via the network, the plurality of video switching devices extract the routing information and analyze the contents, and based on the analysis result, 5. The video switching network system according to claim 4, further comprising routing information analysis processing means for outputting the video signal to a transmission path of a corresponding output system.