JP2000287105A - Program automatic transmission system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a program automatic transmission system that a device to be controlled is provided with a means that avoids an accident of broadcast in advance. SOLUTION: An automatic program transmitter 31 (41) generates control data to control devices to be controlled 32-3n (42-4n). The automatic program transmitter 31 (41) transits the control data to the devices to be controlled 32-3n (42-4n) when a program switching time approaches. The devices to be controlled 32-3n (42-4n) inform a control information comparison system 5 of a fact of reception of the control data c (d) via a communication channel e (f). The control information comparison system 5 checks whether or not reception notices e, f come from both the corresponding devices of the devices to be controlled 32-3n (42-4n) in an active/standby relation. In the case that the control information comparison system 5 receives no reception notice (e) of the control data from the active device to be controlled 32, the control information comparison system 5 selects the device to be controlled 42 for an active device by discriminating occurrence of a fault in the channel (c) or that the device to be controlled 32 cannot receive the control data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an automatic program transmission system, and more particularly to an automatic program transmission system in a television broadcasting station.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Program operation data (program operation table; queue) stored in an automatic program control unit (APS), which is a kind of computer, is based on time information from a clock device. According to the sheet), it has been a long time.

An example of a control means of a controlled device in a conventional program automatic transmission (broadcast) system is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-75.
No. 388. That is, this conventional broadcasting system in a broadcasting station includes an automatic program control device (control device) for transmitting control data based on program operation data (program operation table) that defines a transmission order and means in program broadcasting, and A transmission switcher (device for ultimately determining a broadcast program) that receives and switches and outputs a program, a VTR device that can output a broadcast program (material) (output from a sub-adjustment room in a studio, VTR; video tape recorder device, film projector) , A telecine device, etc.).

[0004] The automatic program control device creates control data for controlling the controlled device based on the program operation information input from the operation terminal. The (sending) switcher receives the control data at the broadcast time (timing), and switches the video signal and the audio signal from each VTR device or the like (program broadcast material reproducing device) also controlled by the control data to perform the broadcast program. Output (send).

In the above-mentioned conventional broadcasting system, only the controlled device is controlled by the control of a higher-level control device (automatic program control device). No preventive measures have been taken. Therefore, if the control data is delayed due to a failure of a higher-level control device or an abnormality of a data communication path, or the control data does not reach the controlled device, the program cannot be switched even at the program broadcast time. Also, when data changes due to noise or the like during data transmission, the change cannot be recognized, and control is performed using the changed data.

As shown in FIG. 5, a conventional automatic program transmission system stores and manages an input terminal 1 for inputting a program operation data (program operation table) and a program operation data input from the input terminal 1. And a data storage unit (system) 2 for performing the operation. Further, it is configured to have a program transmission system 3 or 4 constituting the working / standby system, and a monitoring console (not shown, located near the input terminal 1) for the operator to monitor the operation status of the broadcast. Furthermore, each of the program transmission systems 3 and 4
An automatic program transmission device (automatic program control device) 31 for automatically transmitting control data c and d for controlling the controlled devices 32 to 3n and 42 to 4n based on the program operation data stored in the storage unit 2. , 41. Furthermore, the controlled devices 32 to 3n, 42 to which transmit (broadcast) broadcast programs (video and audio signals) are controlled by the control data c and d.
4n.

The monitoring console is operated by an operator when a failure occurs during broadcasting, and is automatically operated by the automatic program transmission devices 31 and 41 in normal operation.

[0008] The operation of the conventional program automatic transmission system will be described. In FIG. 5, first, the program operation data input terminal 1
, The operator inputs program operation data (start time, end time, program contents, etc.) of the program. The input program operation data is sent to the data storage unit 2 via the communication channel a with a sequence number added. The data storage unit 2 stores the transmitted program operation data and transmits the same to the automatic program transmission devices 31 and 41 via the communication paths b and c. As shown in FIG. 6, it is assumed that the system 3 indicated by oblique lines is an active system and the system 4 is a standby system.

The automatic program transmission devices 31 and 41 control the controlled devices 32 to 3 to be controlled based on the received program operation data.
n, 42 to 4n, and each controlled device 32 to 3n, 4
Create control data for controlling 2-4n. When a failure occurs in the active controlled device 32, the operator manually switches the active system from the system 3 to the system 4 from the monitoring console (see FIG. 6).

[0010]

The conventional program automatic transmission system shown in FIG. 5 has a problem in that a broadcast accident (OA; on-air accident; the program does not start at a fixed time, the beginning or end of the program is cut off, And accidents such as broadcasting of audio signals). That is, the abnormality is not noticed until the abnormality of the controlled device is actually broadcasted or notified as an alarm. There is also a problem that the program broadcast can be restored only through the operator. That is, if a broadcast accident occurs, the program broadcast cannot be restored unless the operator performs an operation such as a system change. further,
The control data is 1 from the host controller (automatic program controller).
Since transmission is performed only once, if there is an abnormality in the data communication path to the controlled device or an abnormality in the controlled device, there is a problem that control data is missed and a broadcast accident occurs.

An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic program transmission system in which a controlled device has means for avoiding a broadcast accident in advance.

[0012]

An automatic program transmission system according to the present invention comprises: an automatic program transmission device for controlling program broadcasting based on time information of two current / spare systems; and an active program controlled by the automatic program transmission device. An automatic program transmission system having a plurality of controlled devices of two series / backup, wherein control data transmitting means for transmitting control data from the automatic program transmission device to the corresponding controlled device; Control data confirming means for confirming the delivery of control data by comparing data indicating that the control data has been received from the corresponding controlled device, and detecting the presence or absence of an abnormality in the working / standby controlled device; An active / standby switching unit for each of the controlled devices, which, when an abnormality is detected in the corresponding to-be-controlled device in use, sets the corresponding to-be-controlled device to be active. Automatic Program delivery system is obtained characterized by.

[0013] After the control data confirmation means detects an abnormality, the corresponding controlled device which has been spared or removed from service is recovered from the failure.
In addition, even when the operator manually switches the two-system automatic program transmission device and the controlled device between active and standby, if an abnormality is detected in the corresponding standby controlled device, the active device is switched to the active device. It is characterized in that the corresponding controlled device is used as it is.

The operation of the present invention is as follows. By providing the controlled device with an automatic system switching function, the controlled device automatically switches between active and standby before a broadcast accident occurs, thereby preventing the broadcast accident in advance. In this way, when the omission of program switching occurs in the active controlled device, the operation is performed so that the standby controlled device becomes active. Normally, as the broadcast time of a program approaches, control data is sent from a higher-level control device (automatic program transmission device; automatic program control device) to a controlled device such as a switcher. When the program broadcast time comes, the controlled device performs control to switch programs.

When the control data is sent to the controlled device, it is checked whether there is any omission in receiving the control data by performing matching between the active and the standby of the controlled device. If it is determined by the matching that the currently-controlled device cannot receive the control data, the spare-controlled device operates as the current device. By this operation,
Even if control data reception is missed in the current controlled equipment, system change control is automatically performed on the spare controlled equipment to prevent a broadcast accident in advance.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of an automatic program transmission system according to the present invention.
5 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The automatic program transmission system according to the present invention includes an input terminal 1 for inputting a program operation data (program operation table), and a data storage unit (system) 2 for storing and managing the program operation data input from the input terminal 1. Have. Also, the program transmission systems 3 and 4 constituting the working / standby system, the control data comparison system 5 for comparing the control data e and f of the systems 3 and 4, and a monitoring console (not shown) for the operator to monitor the operation status of the broadcast , Near the input terminal 1).

Further, based on the program operation data stored in the storage unit 2, the program transmission systems 3 and 4 automatically transmit control data c and d for controlling the controlled devices 32 to 3n and 42 to 4n, respectively. Automatic program transmission devices (automatic program control devices) 31 and 41 for transmitting the program. Furthermore, controlled devices 32 to 3n, 42 which are controlled by control data c and d and transmit (broadcast) broadcast programs (video and audio signals).
To 4n. The monitoring console is operated by an operator when a failure occurs during broadcasting, and in a normal operation, the automatic program transmitting devices 31 and 4 are operated.
Automatically operated by 1.

The operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described. In FIG. 1, first, program operation data (program start time, end time, program content, etc.) is input from the program operation data input terminal 1 by an operator. The input program operation data is added with a sequence number and sent to the data storage unit 2 via the communication channel a. The data storage unit 2 stores the transmitted program operation data, and stores the automatic program transmission device 31,
41 via the communication paths b and c. As shown in FIG. 2, it is assumed that the system 3 indicated by diagonal lines is the active system and the system 4 is currently the standby system (hereinafter, the system indicated by diagonal lines is active).

The automatic program transmission devices 31, 41 control the controlled devices 32 to 3 to be controlled based on the received program operation data.
n, 42 to 4n, and each controlled device 32 to 3n, 4
Create control data for controlling 2-4n. When the program switching time approaches, the automatic program transmission devices 31, 41 control the controlled devices 32-3n, 42 via the communication paths c, d.
To 4n.

The controlled devices 32 to 3n and 42 to 4n transmit control data c,
Upon receiving d, the control information comparison system 5 is notified via the communication paths e and f that the control data c and d have been received (control data has been received). The control information comparison system 5 checks whether or not control data reception notices e and f have been received from both of the corresponding controlled devices 32 to 3n and 42 to 4n in the working / standby relationship.

At this time, for example, if there is no control data reception notification e from the active controlled device 32, it is determined that a failure has occurred on the communication path c or that the controlled device 32 has not been able to receive control data. The check table is updated, and the controlled device 42 is switched to the current operation (FIG. 2).
reference). As described above, by switching the controlled device 32 to 42 (system change; switching for each corresponding controlled device), a broadcast accident can be avoided in advance.

Next, the relationship between the status check table and the system change will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, as an example, a case where a failure occurs in the controlled device 32 will be described. FIG. 3 shows a case where the recovery from the failure was easy. First, as shown in “state # 1” of FIG. 3A, the current state of the automatic program control device 31, the controlled device 32, and the controlled device 33 is all the system 3.

In this state, if a failure occurs in the controlled device 32, the status check table is set to "status # 2" by the control information comparison system 5 as described above.
(See FIG. 3B), the controlled device 42 is updated.
Becomes the current working. Thereafter, the control information comparison system 5 transmits a status check message, and outputs the controlled devices 31 to 3n and 41.
Check the status of .about.4n. When a normal response is returned to the status check message, the status table is set to “status # 3”.
The flag can be controlled by updating as shown in FIG. 3 (c). In this case, once a system change is performed by the operator, the state returns to the same state “state # 4” (see FIG. 3D) as the normal system configuration.

FIG. 4 shows a case where it takes time to recover from a failure.

First, the current state is referred to as “state #” in FIG.
1 ”, the automatic program controller 31 and the controlled device 3
2. The system 3 is currently in use with all the controlled devices 33.
In this state, if a failure occurs in the controlled device 32, the control information comparison system 5 sets the status check table to "status # 2" (FIG. 4B) as described above.
), And the controlled device 42 becomes active. After that, the control information comparison system 5 transmits a state check message to check the states of the controlled devices 31 to 3n and 41 to 4n.

If there is no response to the status check message, it is determined that the target controlled device has not been recovered yet, and the status is continued as "status # 3" (see FIG. 4C).
The controlled device 42 is operated for use. At this time, when a system change is performed by the operator, the status check table is as shown in “status # 4” (see FIG. 4D). However, since a failure has occurred in the controlled device 32 at present, when a system change is performed again by the operator, the state changes to “state # 5” (see FIG. 4E). As a result, even if a failure occurs in the controlled devices 31 to 3n and 41 to 4n, the system can be changed by the operator. After the recovery from the failure, the normal system configuration “state # 6” is performed in the same manner as described above.
(Refer to FIG. 4F).

As described above, as long as a failure does not occur simultaneously in the same active / standby corresponding controlled equipment, for example, 32, 42, the controlled equipment 32-3n, 42-4-4 automatically.
By performing a system change at n, a broadcast accident can be avoided in advance.

As described above, the case where a failure has occurred only in the controlled devices 31 to 3n has been described, but it is also possible to cope with a case in which a failure has occurred in the controlled devices 41 to 4n. Therefore, unless a failure occurs simultaneously in the same controlled device, a system change can be automatically performed between the corresponding controlled devices, and a broadcast accident can be avoided in advance.

[0029]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is an effect that a broadcast accident can be avoided in advance. In other words, even if the control data communication path or the control target device is abnormal, the control data is automatically omitted even if the control data reception omission occurs in the current control target device.
This is because broadcasting can be continued.

Further, there is an effect that a broadcast accident can be avoided without operator intervention. That is, the received control data is matched between the active and the standby of the controlled device, and when the reception of the control data occurs in the active controlled device, a system change is automatically performed. It is. Furthermore, there is an effect that the system can be changed at any time. That is, even when a failure has occurred in the controlled device, the operator can manually cope with the failure.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an outline of the operation in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a system change.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of another example of a system change.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example of a conventional automatic program transmission system.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an operation of the system in FIG. 5;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Input terminal 2 Data storage part 3, 4 Program transmission system 31-41 Automatic program transmission device 32-3n, 42-4n Controlled equipment

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An automatic program transmitting apparatus for controlling a program broadcast based on time information of two current / backup systems, and a plurality of controlled devices of two current / standby systems controlled by the automatic program transmitting device. An automatic program transmission system, comprising: control data transmitting means for transmitting control data from the automatic program transmission device to a corresponding one of the controlled devices; and receiving the control data from an active / standby control device. Control data confirmation means for confirming the delivery of control data by comparing the data of the control data and detecting the presence / absence of an abnormality in the current / standby control target device; and detecting an abnormality in the current use target control device. And an active / standby switching unit for each controlled device that uses the corresponding corresponding controlled device as a backup in the event of a failure. 2. The automatic program transmission system according to claim 1, wherein after the control data confirmation means detects an abnormality, the corresponding controlled device which has been spared or not used is recovered from the failure. . 3. Even when an operator manually switches between the active / preliminary switching of the two-series automatic program transmission device and the controlled device, if an abnormality is detected in the corresponding controlled controlled device, 3. The program automatic transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the corresponding controlled device currently in use is used as it is. 4. The automatic program transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the same program operation data is given to the two systems of automatic program transmission devices.