JP2004112338A - Apparatus and method for controlling video deck - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a supervisory video system having excellent operability and capable of easily searching a recorded monitoring image and an image searching method thereof. <P>SOLUTION: A computer 50 connected to a video tape deck 10 with an RS 232C interface function and capable of transmitting control information mounted thereon via an RS 232C bus 15 exchanges the control information with the video deck 10 via the RS232C bus 15, and controls the operations of the video deck 10 by comparing a designated date, a day of the week, time and the time code of the deck with a present date, a day of the week, time, and time code according to contents described on a sheet of a spreadsheet program having a macro language function mounted with a function of calling the functions of the operating system working on the computer 50 and, when the conditions match, transferring an instruction designated on the sheet to the video deck 10 via the bus so as to sequentially and automatically executing a plurality of the instructions. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a control device and a control method for a video deck in which the video deck is controlled by a general-purpose personal computer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Many automatic control devices for VTRs have been developed and sold so far, but most of them are relatively expensive dedicated devices or personal computers, and have unique applications. Was programmed as
[0003]
Also, a personal computer equipped with Windows (trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States) as an operating system (OS: Operating System) and installed with Excel (trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States) as spreadsheet software operating on the Windows, It is widely used as a computer device used in offices and homes. Further, a desired job is executed by a series of macro commands formed in a language that can be processed by a computer device (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-41199 (pages 3 to 5, FIGS. 1 and 6)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Conventionally provided automatic control devices for VTRs have different usages for each product, and it is necessary for a user to master usage for each product. Also, in most cases, even if the user wants to extend the function, the program source code is not released. Even if it is released, even if it is released, advanced programming knowledge and program development language are required to change the application. It was very difficult to make changes.
[0006]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a video deck control device and a control method which are excellent in operability and allow a user to easily change or expand functions in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems. is there.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, a personal computer is connected to an RS-232C control deck, and an instruction for automatic control is written on a sheet of spreadsheet software operating on the personal computer, and an operation sequentially designated in units of rows is performed. A control system for the VCR that has become possible has been realized.
[0008]
That is, the present invention is a control device which has a recording / reproducing function for recording / reproducing moving image information via a recording medium according to control information, and controls a VCR equipped with at least a bus interface function capable of transmitting control information. A computer connected to the video deck via a bus, transmitting and receiving control information to and from the video deck via the bus, and controlling the operation of the video deck. The specified date, day of the week, time, deck timecode and current date according to the contents described on the sheet of spreadsheet software with macro language function equipped with the function to call the function of the operating system running on the above , Day of the week, time, and time code are compared. In the given instruction by transferring through the bus to the VCR, and performs operation control of the VCR by sequentially automatically execute a plurality of instructions.
[0009]
In the control apparatus for a video deck according to the present invention, the computer is connected to the digital video deck equipped with, for example, an RS-232C interface via an RS-232C bus.
[0010]
In the video deck control device according to the present invention, the computer may include, for example, a macro of spreadsheet software (Excel (trademark of Microsoft Corporation)) operating on Windows (trademark of Microsoft Corporation). A function for controlling the operation of the video deck is implemented.
[0011]
Further, the present invention is provided with a recording / reproducing function for recording / reproducing moving image information via a recording medium according to the control information, and is connected via a bus to a video deck equipped with a bus interface function capable of transmitting at least the control information. A computer for transmitting and receiving control information to and from the video deck via the bus, the video deck controlling method for controlling the operation of the video deck, wherein a function of an operating system operating on the computer is Compares the specified date, day of the week, time, and deck time code with the current date, day of the week, time, and time code according to the contents described on the sheet of spreadsheet software that has a macro language function with a call function. Then, if the conditions are met, the instruction specified on the sheet is uploaded to the VCR. By transferred via the bus, and performs operation control of the VCR by sequentially automatically execute a plurality of instructions.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0013]
The present invention is applied to, for example, a video deck control system 100 configured as shown in FIG.
[0014]
The control system 100 has a recording / reproducing function for recording / reproducing moving image information via a recording medium in accordance with the control information, and has a video deck 10 equipped with an RS-232C interface function capable of transmitting the control information, and It comprises a personal computer 50 connected to the deck 10 via the RS-232C bus 15.
[0015]
A television monitor device 11 for monitoring a reproduction output is connected to the video deck 10. Further, the video deck 10 is configured so that its reproduction output is supplied to the video / audio distribution device 12.
[0016]
As the personal computer 50, a general-purpose computer which is generally sold is used, and the configuration is shown in FIG.
[0017]
That is, in the personal computer 50, a bus is connected from the CPU 51 to the memory 53 and the video card slot 54 via the bridge 52A, and further from the hard disk 55, the printer port 56, and the RS-232C port via the bridge 52B. A bus is connected to a port 57 such as a keyboard and a mouse, a USB port 59, an audio port 60, and the like.
[0018]
In the personal computer 50, the video deck 10 is connected to the RS-232C port 57 via the RS-232C bus 15, and a computer monitor device 70 is connected to the video card slot 54. A keyboard 75 is connected to the port 58.
[0019]
In the personal computer 50 of the control system 100, spreadsheet software (Excel (trademark of Microsoft Corp.)) operating on Windows (trademark of Microsoft Corp.) as shown in FIG. (VBA: Visual Basic for Applications), a function of transmitting and receiving control information to and from the video deck 10 via the RS-232C bus 15 and controlling operation of the video deck 10 is implemented. I have.
[0020]
That is, the personal computer 50 is a spreadsheet software having a macro language function equipped with a function for calling a function (API: Application Program Interface) of Windows which is an operating system (OS: Operating System) operating on the computer 50. The specified date, day of the week, time, and deck timecode are compared with the current date, day of the week, time, and timecode in accordance with the contents described in the Excel sheet. The instructions specified on the sheet are transferred to the video deck 10 via the bus 15 to automatically execute a plurality of instructions in order to control the operation of the video deck 10.
[0021]
Here, Excel is a spreadsheet program that allows a user to create a “workbook”. A workbook is a collection of data organized as different spreadsheets. A spreadsheet is simply a grid of cells, where each cell defines how one data or data value should be calculated from the values in another cell. Hold the equation. The cells appear in an ordered grid. The cells are generally configured such that the relevant data occurs in cells at a particular row or column. The tools that work on each of the cells are the same, regardless of what the data represents. Inside the workbook, any of the spreadsheets are accessible and the data in one spreadsheet can be used in another spreadsheet. Excel also includes features for defining spreadsheets and developing "applications". The appearance of the spreadsheet can be specified so that the user sees only those cells that are relevant to a particular task.
[0022]
Since Excel is a very famous software, many users are familiar with how to use it and have the advantage of flexibility in file handling and sheet printing method. Incorporation makes a lot of sense. That is, since Excel is installed in many personal computers, automatic control can be performed immediately without preparing a dedicated machine. Also, without stopping the control system, an automatic control list created by another machine can be provided as an Excel file via a flexible disk or a network.
[0023]
Here, Excel has a macro language called VBA. The VBA has the following functions.
That is, the VBA has a function of calling a Windows function (API: Application Program Interface). The API is a program interface open to the application by the OS, and the application basically performs all processing via the API. At present, the API of a general OS is in the form of a function, and an application calls a function of the API by designating appropriate parameters (arguments).
[0024]
The VBA has a function of calling a function of a DLL (Dynamic Link Library). The DLL can be created by a user using various languages, and almost all functions of Windows can be functionalized and provided to VBA. By wrapping various drivers via the DLL, almost all functions of hardware can be called from VBA. The Windows API is provided with functions for accessing hardware, such as a function that supports communication with the RS-232C port of the personal computer. In addition, the Windows API has a timer function (a function of executing a specific program routine at a certain fixed period). Further, Windows has a function of executing a plurality of threads (processes) at the same time.
[0025]
The VBA is provided with a function for acquiring information on an Excel sheet (for example, acquiring characters and numbers described in cells).
VBA has a function for selecting a cell in an Excel sheet.
The VBA has a function of preparing a variable and performing a conditional branch according to the contents of the variable (ordinary programming function).
The VBA is provided with functions for acquiring the date, day of the week, and time of the PC clock.
The VBA is provided with functions for comparing dates, days of the week, times, character strings, numbers, and the like.
The VBA has a function of creating and displaying a user-designed dialog box and various GUI components.
The VBA has a function of acquiring and changing properties (display state and the like) of various GUI components arranged by the user.
VBA has a function of receiving a user action on a GUI component as an event.
[0026]
As described above, by using VBA, it becomes possible to access all the functions of Windows with the help of API and DLL.
[0027]
Therefore, in the control system 100, RS-232C-related APIs are declared in VBA, and by using these functions, RS-232C control can be freely performed in VBA.
[0028]
Specifically, based on the above conditions, an application for exchanging control information with the video deck 10 via the RS-232C bus 15 and controlling the operation of the video deck 10 is described below. Stipulated as follows.
[0029]
To obtain the deck information, the API of the RS-232C is called using VBA to communicate with the deck.
[0030]
The information of each cell of the Excel sheet is acquired, and the branch programming is performed according to the information.
[0031]
The program selects the rows in order from the top, and branches and selects the processing according to the letters and numbers of the columns in the selected rows.
[0032]
Date, time, and time code information is displayed as numbers and characters using GUI components.
[0033]
Use the timer function to execute a specific routine at a fixed cycle.
[0034]
Then, a control program for controlling the VCR 10 by displaying a GUI screen 71 as shown in FIG. 4 on the screen of the computer monitor 70 was created by a macro program according to the following procedures 1) to 8).
[0035]
1) The Excel sheet itself was designed (setting of cell width, height, color, font, display characters, etc.).
2) In order to easily select the operation mode, only a specific command can be specified with the "list" function of "input rules" of Excel.
3) GUI parts were arranged on the Excel sheet using the function of VBA, and the parts were named.
4) A process for an event when a user performs an action on a GUI component is programmed according to a Visual Basic grammar. For example, the processing is such that a dialog box 74 is displayed when the “START” button 73 on the Excel sheet is pressed.
5) The dialog box 74 was designed (box size, placement of GUI parts, and naming of GUI parts) with the VBA editor.
6) A process for an event when a user performs an action on a GUI component is programmed in accordance with the grammar of Visual Basic. For example, the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 described below, in which the timer is started when the “START” button 75 on the dialog box 74 is pressed, is coded.
7) The processing to be performed when the timer is started is programmed in the timer function according to the Visual Basic grammar. In programming, necessary information was fetched in consideration of the above-mentioned "conditions", instructions were transferred to the deck according to the judgment conditions, and the display state of the GUI parts was changed. Specifically, programming was performed according to algorithm flowcharts shown in FIGS.
8) Debugging was performed while actually operating the macro to improve the degree of program completion.
[0036]
When the personal computer 50 in the control system 100 activates Excel, it displays a GUI screen 71 as shown in FIG.
[0037]
The GUI screen 71 is a screen in which the control functions of the video deck 10 are allocated to the Excel sheet. The contents allocated to the A column 72A to the G column 72G are described in the first line, and the actual contents are described in the second and subsequent lines. Contents are to be filled in.
[0038]
The date and the day of the week are assigned to the first column A column 72A. When a date is entered in the A column 72A, the designated mode is executed when the date is reached. In the case of specifying the day of the week, if the entry is made like Monday, the operation is performed on that day of the week.
[0039]
Time is assigned to the B column 72B in the second column. When the time is entered in the B column 72B, the designated mode is executed at the time.
[0040]
A mode for designating the operation of the video deck 10 is assigned to the C column 72C in the third column. Select the mode from the list. The list uses the Excel functions as they are. By using a list, it is possible to fill the table by simply selecting from executable instructions. If "REPEAT" is specified in the last line of the mode, control returns to the number (line number) in the time code column. If "REPEAT" is not specified, the counter display of the list execution (counter display) disappears, a "START" button 75 is displayed, and a state of waiting for restart is made.
[0041]
A time code is assigned to the fourth column D column 72D. When a time code is entered in the D column 72D, the designated mode is executed when the time code is reached.
[0042]
A mode list and a “START” button 73 are assigned to the F column 72F in the sixth column. In the mode list, POWER ON (power ON), POWER OFF (power OFF), PLAY (playback), STOP (stop), STOP (still image), and TAPE TOP (rewind) are entered as the mode of the C column 72C. ), SEARCH (search), EJECT (tape discharge), REPEAT (repeat), and other various modes (commands) are listed.
[0043]
When the "START" button 73 in the F section 72F is pressed immediately after the start of Excel, a dialog box 74 as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. Further, when the “START” button 75 of the dialog box 74 is pressed, the execution of the list is started. When the execution of the list is started, the dialog box 74 displays the current date, time, and time code in order from the top, as shown in FIG. If the day of the week is specified in the list, the day of the week is displayed together with the date. The program ends when the end button 76 provided at the upper right of the dialog box 74 is clicked.
[0044]
During the execution of the list, the line being executed is in the selected state (the state in which the color is inverted), so that it is possible to see at a glance which line is being processed.
[0045]
The G column 72G describes various instructions and the like.
[0046]
In this control system 100, the user enters the date and time at which the specified mode is executed in the GUI screen 71 in the A column 72A and the B column 72B, selects the mode in the C column 73C from the list, and By writing the time code in the column 74D, the operation of the video deck can be freely controlled.
[0047]
That is, the user:
1) When an operation is to be performed on a certain date and day of the week, the date and the day of the week are entered in the A column 72A.
2) When the user wants to operate at a certain time, write the time in the B column 72B.
3) If the user wants the next operation to be performed when the video deck 10 runs and reaches a certain time code, the time code is entered in the D column 72D.
4) For each, the mode of the VCR 10 is entered in the C column 72C. By embedding the sheets on the GUI screen 71 based on the above concept, the operation of the video deck can be freely controlled.
[0048]
In particular, only the "REPEAT" instruction performs an operation of returning to the line specified in the D column 72D when reaching the line (in this case, the fourth column is not a time code but a line number). ).
[0049]
In the “SEARCH” and “TAPE TOP” operations, after the operation is completed, the processing shifts to the instruction in the next row. For other instructions, the operation is performed immediately when the specified date, day of the week, time, and time code are reached, and the process moves to the next line.
[0050]
It is not necessary to specify all of the date (day of the week), the time, and the time code, and only the target items need to be entered. For example, a function of “executing at a designated time every day” can be realized by writing only the time, operating the program, and combining the “REPEAT” instruction.
[0051]
Here, FIG. 7 shows a setting example in which the time code is automatically repeated between 00: 01: 00: 00: 00 and 00: 02: 00: 00: 00.
[0052]
This setting example is used when you want to repeat automatically, but the color bar is recorded at the beginning of the tape and the blackness is recorded at the end. Is done.
[0053]
In addition, the playback from the tape top to the non-recording portion is performed three times at 9 o'clock, 9:30 and 10 o'clock every day. FIG. 8 shows a setting example for the above. This setting example is used when an in-house news video or the like is to be played at a specified time.
[0054]
The execution priority of instructions in this application is as follows.
[0055]
1. If the date, time, and timecode fields are all empty, the specified operation is executed immediately.
2. If there is a time code column, the operation is executed when the time code is exceeded.
3. When there is no time code column, if a time is specified, the operation is executed if the time has passed.
4. If there is no time code field, no time is specified, and a date is specified, the specified operation is executed if the date is after (including that date).
5. If there is no time code column and the date and time are specified, the operation is executed at the time after the time on that date.
Note that the day of the week can also be entered in the date field, and if the date is entered as “Monday”, “Tuesday”,..., The operation is executed on the specified day. The priority is the same as the date.
[0056]
The general flow of processing during automatic control executed by the personal computer 50 in the control system 100 is shown in the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0057]
When Excel is activated and a “START” button 73 directly arranged on the sheet is pressed, a dialog box 74 is displayed. In this dialog box 74, a portion for displaying the current date (day of the week), time, and VTR time code, and a “START” button for starting automatic control of the list are arranged. By pressing the "START" button 75 for starting the list, the timer function of the flowchart is started, and the processing is repeated at regular intervals. In this routine, always compare whether the conditions (date, time, time code) specified in the list and the current clock information or VTR time code information match, and if they match, enter them in the third column. The selected mode is converted into an RS-232C instruction by calling an API function of Windows and executed line by line. Excel's VBA is equipped with functions to obtain the values of the conditions (date, day of the week, time, time code) and the current date, day of the week, and time as standard. It is possible to specify the timing for executing the command.
[0058]
Note that the flow of detecting the “non-recorded portion” is omitted because the flowchart is complicated. As described above, the non-recording portion is designated by writing the time code “−−−−−−−−−−−−” in the D column 72D. Normally, the time code is inquired to the VCR 10 by RS-232C. However, when the “non-recording portion” is entered, the presence / absence of the time code is also inquired to the VCR 10, and “No time code” Is processed when there is a reply ".
[0059]
As described above, the personal computer 50 in the control system 100 displays the dialog box 74 by pressing the “START” button 73 immediately after starting Excel, and presses the “START” button 75 in the dialog box 74 of the dialog box 74. When the list is executed, execution of the list starts.
[0060]
Then, when the personal computer 50 starts executing the list, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9, first, in step S1, "2" is substituted for a variable TargetRow, and the second line of the Excel is designated. Also, the start button of the dialog box is hidden. Then, in the next step S2, a timer routine is started.
[0061]
In the timer routine, the timer function of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 10 to 13 is started, and the processing is repeatedly performed at regular intervals.
[0062]
In this timer routine, the conditions (date, time, and time code) specified in the list are constantly compared with the current clock information or the time code information of the VCR 10 to determine whether they match. The mode written in the eye is called into an API function of Windows, converted into an RS-232C instruction, and executed line by line. Excel's VBA is equipped with functions to obtain the values of the conditions (date, day of the week, time, time code) and the current date, day of the week, and time as standard. It is possible to specify the timing for executing the command.
[0063]
That is, in the timer routine, first, in step S11, the current date (day of the week), time, and time code are displayed in a dialog box. The date (day of the week) and the time use a function prepared in Excel VBA. The time code sends a time code inquiry command to the deck via RS-232C.
[0064]
In the next step S12, the TargetRow row is set to the selected state.
[0065]
In the next step S13, it is determined whether or not the third column of the TargetRow row is blank.
[0066]
If the result of the determination in step S13 is that the instruction line in the third column is blank, the process proceeds to step S14, where it is determined that this is the last line of the list, the start button of the dialog box is displayed, and the timer routine is executed. To end. If the result of the determination in step S13 is that the third instruction line is not blank, the process proceeds to step S15, where it is determined that there is an instruction in the middle of the list, and the instruction is a “TAPE TOP” instruction. It is determined whether or not the tape is being rewound to the tape top.
[0067]
If the result of determination in step S15 is that rewinding is in progress, the flow moves to step S16 to determine whether the tape has reached the top.
[0068]
If the result of determination in step S16 is that the tape has reached the top of the tape, TargetRow is incremented by 1 in the next step S17, and the next row is set as a control target, and the process returns to step S11. If the result of determination in step S16 is that the tape top has not been reached, the process returns to step S11 and repeats the processing of steps S11 to S16.
[0069]
Furthermore, if the result of determination in step S15 is that rewinding is not in progress, the process moves to step S18, and it is determined whether the instruction is a "SEARCH" instruction and time code search is in progress. If the result of determination in step S18 is that a time code search is in progress, it is determined in next step S19 whether or not the time code search has been completed.
[0070]
If the result of the determination in step S19 is that the time code search has been completed, TargetRow is incremented by 1 in the next step S20, and the next row is set as a control target, and the process returns to step S11. If the result of determination in step S19 is that the time code search has not been completed, the process returns to step S11 and repeats the processing in steps S11 to S19.
[0071]
Furthermore, if the result of determination in step S18 is that time code search has not been performed, processing proceeds to step S21, where it is determined whether the TargetRow instruction is a "REPEAT" instruction.
[0072]
If the result of determination in step S21 is that the instruction is a "REPEAT" instruction, then in the next step S22, it is determined whether or not a number is entered in the time code string of the "REPEAT" instruction.
[0073]
If the result of determination in step S22 is that a number has been entered in the time code string, the flow moves to step S23, sets TargetRow to the designated number, and returns to step S11. If the result of determination in step S22 is that no number is entered in the time code string, the process moves to step S24, where TargetRow is initialized to “2”, and the process returns to step S11.
[0074]
Further, if the result of determination in step S21 is that the instruction is other than the “REPEAT” instruction, the process proceeds to step S25 to determine whether any of date, time, and time code is set in the TargetRow line. .
[0075]
As a result of the determination in this step S25, if all are not set, the target row instruction is immediately executed in the next step S26.
[0076]
That is, in step S26, PLAY (playback), STOP (stop), TAPE TOP (rewind), STILL (still image), POWER ON (power on), POWER OFF (power off), EJECT according to the target row command. The command of (tape ejection) is transferred to the video deck 10 via the RS-232C.
[0077]
Then, in the next step S27, it is determined whether or not the instruction is a “TAPE TOP” instruction.
[0078]
If the result of determination in step S27 is that the instruction is a "TAPE TOP" instruction, the process returns to step S11. If the result of determination in step S27 is that the instruction is not a “TAPE TOP” instruction, TargetRow is incremented by 1 in the next step S28, the next row is set as a control target, and the process returns to step S11.
[0079]
Further, as a result of the determination in step S25, if something is specified, the process proceeds to step S29, where the time code is specified in the TargetRow line, and the time code of the current VCR, that is, the time code of the tape is set. Is determined.
[0080]
If the result of determination in step S29 is that the time code has been exceeded, the flow proceeds to step S34. If the result of determination in step S29 is that the time code has not been exceeded, in the next step S30, no time code is set in the TargetRow line, and both the date and time are specified. It is determined whether the current time is after that time.
[0081]
As a result of the determination in step S30, if it is after the above time (when the day of the week is designated, the determination is made on the day of the week), the process proceeds to step S34. If the result of the determination in step S30 is not after the time, in the next step S31, it is determined whether or not only the date is set in the TargetRow line and the current time is after that date. judge.
[0082]
If the result of this determination in step S31 is that the date is later than the above date (if the day of the week is specified, the determination is made on the day of the week). Also, as a result of the determination in step S31, if the date is not after the date, in the next step S32, it is determined whether only the time is set in the TargetRow line and whether or not the current time is after that time. judge.
[0083]
If the result of determination in step S32 is that it is after the time, the process moves to step S34. If the result of the determination in step S32 is not after the time, in the next step S33, the "SEARCH" instruction is specified in the instruction on the TargetRow line and the date or time is not set. It is determined whether or not.
[0084]
If the result of determination in this step S33 is that neither the date nor the time has been specified, the operation moves to step S34. If the result of the determination in step S33 is that the date or time has been set, the process returns to step S11 and repeats the processing of steps S11 to S33 to obtain the date or time. Wait for.
[0085]
Then, in step S34, in accordance with the execution of the specified command, that is, the command of TargetRow, PLAY (playback), STOP (stop), TAPE TOP (rewind), STILL (still image), POWER ON (power ON), POWER OFF (Power off), and the EJECT (tape discharge) command is transferred to the video deck 10 via the RS-232C.
[0086]
Further, in the next step S35, it is determined whether or not the instruction is a “TAPE TOP” instruction or a “SEARCH” instruction.
[0087]
If the result of determination in step S35 is that the instruction is a "TAPE TOP instruction" or a "SEARCH" instruction, the process returns to step S11 and repeats the processing of steps S11 to S35 to complete rewinding. Or wait until the search is completed.
[0088]
If the result of determination in step S35 is that the instruction is not a “TAPE TOP” instruction or a “SEARCH” instruction, TargetRow is incremented by 1 in the next step S36, and the next row is set as a control target. It returns to step S11.
[0089]
In the embodiment described above, an example of connection using RS-232C has been described. However, depending on the control interface of the video deck, the LANC protocol mounted on IEEE 1394 or RS-422A or a consumer VTR may be used. Can perform the same control operation.
[0090]
In the above-described embodiment, one video deck is controlled. However, when a plurality of RS-232Cs are mounted on the personal computer 50, a column for selecting a target deck is added (for example, It is also possible to control a large number of decks by sequentially assigning the deck numbers like 1, 2, 3,... In that case, it is also possible to use such that a plurality of VCRs are reproduced in order. Also, if "recording" is prepared as the mode of the VCR and a plurality of VCRs can be controlled, control for automatically dubbing at a certain timing becomes possible.
[0091]
Also, if the IEEE 1394 is used for controlling the VCR, the use of the HUB device for the IEEE 1394 allows a maximum of 62 VCRs to be connected to one bus, thereby expanding the application range. For example, an automatic transmission system such as a cable television station can be assembled with only one personal computer and an IEEE 1394 hub.
[0092]
Also, in the above-described embodiment, the designated mode can be selected only for the basic control of the VCR, but by extending the program, all functions provided in the VCR are covered, The scale can be increased so that any instruction can be executed. For example, if a "recording" function is provided, it is possible to easily specify that recording is automatically started at a predetermined date, day of the week, and time. In this case, it is applied to uses such as regular monitoring rather than video distribution.
[0093]
When a video deck is controlled using IEEE1394, video and audio can be communicated with the personal computer in addition to the control. In that case, it is also possible to display an image on Excel or output sound from a speaker or headphones of a personal computer. In this case, for example, a function can be realized by constructing a necessary function as a DLL (dynamic link library) using DirectShow function supported by DirectX and calling the DLL from Excel VBA. is there.
[0094]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a control device and a control method of a video deck with excellent operability in which a user can easily change or expand a function.
[0095]
That is, since the control can be designated only by filling in the sheet of general-purpose software called Excel, even a user who does not have knowledge of the program can set as desired and can easily perform automatic control of the VCR.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a video deck control system to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a personal computer used in the control system.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a mounted state of a function for controlling operation of a video deck in the personal computer.
FIG. 4 is a view showing a GUI screen displayed on a screen of a computer monitor device by the personal computer.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a dialog box displayed by pressing a “START” button on a GUI screen immediately after starting Excel in the control system.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display state of the dialog box when the execution of the list is started by pressing a “START” button of the dialog box 74;
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a setting example of a list for controlling operation of a video deck in the control system.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of setting a list for controlling the operation of the video deck in the control system.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process from starting execution of a list to activating a timer routine.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a timer routine.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a timer routine.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a timer routine.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a timer routine.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 10 video deck, 11 television monitor device, 12 video / audio distribution device, 15 RS-232C bus, 50 personal computer, 51 CPU, 52A, 52B bridge, 53 memory, 54 video card slot 54, 55 hard disk, 56 printer Port, 57 RS-232C port, 58 ports for keyboard and mouse, 59 USB port, 60 audio port, 70 computer monitor device, 75 keyboard, 71 GUI screen, 72A to 72G A column to G column, 73, 75 "START" Button, 74 dialog box, 76 exit button, 100 control system

Claims (4)

A control device for controlling a video deck equipped with a recording / reproducing function of recording / reproducing moving image information via a recording medium according to control information, and having at least a bus interface function capable of transmitting control information,
A computer connected to the video deck via a bus, transmitting and receiving control information to and from the video deck via the bus, and controlling operation of the video deck;
According to the contents described in the sheet of spreadsheet software having a macro language function equipped with a function to call the function of the operating system that runs on the computer, the specified date, day of the week, time, deck By comparing the time code with the current date, day of the week, time, and time code, and when the conditions match, by transferring the instruction specified on the sheet to the VCR via the bus, A video deck control device for controlling the operation of said video deck by automatically and sequentially executing instructions. 2. The video deck control device according to claim 1, wherein the computer is connected to the digital video deck equipped with an RS-232C interface via an RS-232C bus. The computer has a function of controlling the operation of the video deck as a macro of spreadsheet software (Excel (trademark of Microsoft Corporation)) that runs on Windows (trademark of Microsoft Corporation). The control device for a video deck according to claim 1, wherein It has a recording / reproducing function of recording / reproducing moving image information via a recording medium in accordance with control information, and is connected via a bus to a video deck equipped with a bus interface function capable of transmitting at least the control information. A computer that transmits and receives control information to and from the video deck, a video deck control method for controlling the operation of the video deck,
The specified date, day of the week, time, deck time code and current time are set according to the contents described on the sheet of spreadsheet software having a macro language function equipped with a function to call the function of the operating system running on the computer. By comparing the date, day of the week, time, and time code, and when the conditions match, the instructions specified on the sheet are transferred to the VCR via the bus, so that a plurality of instructions are automatically And controlling the operation of the video deck by performing the operation in a controlled manner.

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