JP2001203935A - Reproducing device and superimposing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the cost and labor for superimposition and its burden when raw materials are sent out by using an AV server. SOLUTION: A timing signal indicating the output timing of data is supplied from a timing signal supply means 2 to a control means 6 which controls the reproduction and output of raw materials by the AV server 7 and a data generating means 5 for superimposition. The control means 6 makes the AV server 7 to raw materials specified by specifying means 1 and 2 in the timing of the supply of the timing signal. The data generating means 7 for superimposition outputs data for superimposition in the timing of the last supply of the timing signal and generates data for superimposition corresponding to the raw materials specified as raw materials to be outputted next time by the specifying means 1 and 2 according to information on raw materials.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a reproducing apparatus for superimposing character data or the like on AV data reproduced and output from a non-linearly accessible recording medium such as an AV server.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the spread of data channels due to the spread of CATV (cable television) and the like, unlike a conventional VTR (video tape recorder), a single video / audio recording / reproducing apparatus is used to provide a plurality of videos. -There is an increasing demand for recording and reproducing audio data (hereinafter referred to as "AV data") simultaneously, and reproducing while recording. In order to satisfy this requirement, a video server (or AV (Au)) that records and reproduces video and audio using a random accessible recording medium such as a hard disk is used.
devices called video and / or video and / or servers) are becoming widespread.

In general, an AV server in a broadcasting station is required to have a high data transfer rate and a large capacity for recording long-time data due to demands for image quality and sound quality. Therefore, an attempt was made to increase the data transfer rate and increase the capacity by using a plurality of hard disk (hereinafter referred to as "HD") devices capable of storing AV data and capable of parallel processing, and further recording parity data. By doing so, attempts have been made to ensure reliability even if any HD device fails.

[0004] With this, even when the number of requested channels differs depending on the content of a program to be provided by a broadcasting station or a broadcasting format, material data including a plurality of AV data is recorded in a distributed manner. Various systems such as VOD (video-on-demand) and NVOD (near-video-on-demand) can be constructed by simultaneously transmitting multiple channels or reproducing the same material data on multiple channels with different reproduction times. It is possible to realize a multi-channel AV server that can cope with usage patterns.

[0005] An HD device used for such an AV server includes a paper ('A Case for Redundant Arrays of Inexposure) published by Patterson et al.
ensive Disks (RAID) ', ACM SIGMOND Conference, Ch
icago, III, Jun. 1-3, 1988.), a hard disk drive composed of multiple HDs (hereinafter referred to as “HDD”).
RAID) (Redund)
Ant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks) technology is used.

In the above paper, RAID is RAID-1.
To RAID-5. RAID
-1 is a method of writing the same contents to two HDDs.
RAID-3 divides input data into a certain length and records the data on a plurality of HDDs, and generates parity data which is an exclusive OR of data blocks corresponding to each other in each HDD to generate another one. This is a method of writing to the HDD. In RAID-5, a data division unit (block) is enlarged, one divided data is recorded as a data block in one HDD, and an exclusive OR of data blocks corresponding to each HDD is calculated. The result (parity data) of the H
The parity block is recorded on another HDD while being recorded on the DD.
It is a method of dispersing in. For other RAIDs, see the above paper.

In order to simultaneously record and reproduce a plurality of AV data, it is necessary to simultaneously input and output AV data on a plurality of channels. Therefore, the AV server
A plurality of input / output ports that operate independently of each other are provided, and one input port and one output port respectively perform input and output for one channel.

However, each input / output port must
When the AV data is transferred to and from the ID, the AV data flows simultaneously on the bus connecting each input / output port and the RAID in the AV server, so that the processing cannot be completed. Therefore, a time slot (= time interval) for permitting use of the bus is sequentially assigned to each input / output port, and each input / output port is synchronized with the reference video signal, and the bus is only used within the assigned time slot. AV data is transferred between RAIDs via the. Therefore, strictly speaking, a plurality of AV
Although data is not recorded and played back at the same time,
Looking at the time interval longer than the time slot,
It can be said that simultaneous recording / reproduction of V data is realized.

The advantages of transmitting the material using the AV server in the broadcasting station include the advantage that the reproduction can be performed while recording, so that the transmission of the recorded material can be started quickly, and the random access is possible. ,
For example, the order of sending recorded materials can be changed arbitrarily.

When a material is transmitted in a broadcasting station, superimposing character data or the like on the material is widely performed. For example, in a music program, character data representing a song name, an artist name, or the like is superimposed on an image video of an artist.

Conventionally, in order to perform such superimposition in a broadcasting station, a superimposed material is created by combining character data and the like with the material in an editing stage before starting transmission, and the superimposed material is created. I was working on recording the imposed material.

[0012]

However, such a conventional superimposing method requires a lot of man-hours, so that the cost and labor are large.

In addition, since the conventional superimposing method requires a lot of man-hours, it takes a long time before the transmission of the superimposed material can be started. Therefore, when a material is transmitted using an AV server, if the conventional superimposing method is employed, the transmission of the recorded material can be started quickly.
The advantage of the V server cannot be fully utilized.

Further, in the conventional superimposing method, it is possible to flexibly cope with a change in the material sending order during the superimposing in accordance with the designated material sending order. Have difficulty. Therefore, when the material is transmitted using the AV server, if the conventional superimposing method is employed, the advantage of the AV server that the transmission order of the recorded material can be arbitrarily changed can be fully utilized. Can not be done.

In view of the above, the present invention reduces the cost and labor for superimposing when transmitting materials using an AV server, and fully utilizes the advantages of the AV server. The task was to make the best use of the superimpose.

[0016]

In order to solve this problem, the applicant of the present invention provides a reproducing means for reproducing video data from a non-linearly accessible recording medium, and a reproducing means for reproducing the video data from the recording medium. At least one output processing means for outputting the video data reproduced by the computer to the outside, control means for controlling reproduction and output of data by these reproduction means and output processing means, and reproduction from these reproduction means and output processing means A designating means for designating video data to be output, a superimposing data creating means for creating data for superimposing, and a control means and a superimposing data creating means for controlling data output timing. Timing signal supply means for supplying a timing signal to be displayed, and video data output from the output processing means. Synthesizing means for synthesizing the superimposing data output from the superimposing data generating means. The control means is controlled by the specifying means at the timing when the timing signal is supplied. The output processing means outputs the superimposed data generated at the timing when the timing signal was supplied at the timing when the timing signal was supplied. It is proposed to output the superimposed data corresponding to the video data based on the information of the video data specified as the video data to be output next time by the specifying means.

In this reproducing apparatus, the control means for controlling the reproduction and output of the data by the reproducing means and the output processing means and the superimposing data generating means are provided with a timing signal indicating the data output timing by the timing signal supplying means. Supplied from

The control means controls the output processing means to output the video data designated by the designation means at the timing when the timing signal is supplied.

On the other hand, the superimposing data generating means, at the timing when the timing signal is supplied,
Output the superimpose data created at the timing when this timing signal was supplied last time,
Based on the information of the video data specified as the video data to be output next time by this specifying means, superimpose data corresponding to the video data is created.
That is, the superimposition data generating means outputs the superimposition data corresponding to the video data to be output this time at the timing when the timing signal is supplied.

The superimposing data output from the superimposing data generating means is synthesized by the synthesizing means with the video data output from the output processing means.

As described above, in this reproducing apparatus, immediately before the output of the video data (the output timing of the video data immediately before the video data), the superimposition data corresponding to the video data is created, and Superimposition is performed by synthesizing superimposition data corresponding to the video data with the video data in synchronization with the output of the video data.

As a result, the number of man-hours for superimposing is greatly reduced as compared with the case where superimposing is performed at the editing stage as in the related art, so that the cost and labor burden are greatly reduced.

Further, since the number of man-hours is greatly reduced, the time required for starting transmission of superimposed video data is greatly reduced, and superimposed video data is output quickly. Will be able to do it.

Also, immediately before the output of the video data (the output timing of the video data immediately before the video data), the superimposition data corresponding to the video data is created, so that the output order of the video data is changed. Even in the case of a change, it is possible to respond flexibly until immediately before output.

Therefore, if the present invention is applied to, for example, an AV server, the cost and labor for superimposing can be reduced, and superimposing can be performed by making full use of the advantages of the AV server.

In the case where the specifying means specifies the video data to be reproduced and output from the reproducing means and the output processing means, and specifies the output start time of the video data, an example is provided in claim 2. As described in the above, every time the output start time specified by the specifying means arrives, the timing signal may be supplied from the timing signal supplying means to the control means and the superimposing data generating means.

Next, the applicant assigns a reproducing means for reproducing the video data from the non-linearly accessible recording medium, and outputs the video data reproduced by the reproducing means to the outside. At least one output processing means, control means for controlling the reproduction and output of data by these reproduction means and output processing means, and designation means for specifying video data to be reproduced and output from these reproduction means and output processing means Superimposing data generating means for generating data for superimposing; video data output from the output processing means; and superimposing data output from the superimposing data generating means. In a superimposing method for a reproducing apparatus having a synthesizing means for synthesizing, a control means and A first step of supplying a timing signal indicating a data output timing to the perimpose data generating means, and outputting the video data specified by the specifying means to the control means at the timing when the timing signal is supplied. A second step of outputting the superimposition data generated by the means at the timing when the timing signal was supplied to the superimposition data generating means at a timing when the timing signal was supplied. At the timing when the timing signal is supplied to the superimposition data generating means, based on the information of the video data specified as the video data to be output next time by the specifying means, the superimposition corresponding to the video data. 4th step to create data for Suggest those containing.

In this superimposing method, a timing signal indicating the data output timing is supplied to the control means for controlling the reproduction and output of data by the reproducing means and the output processing means, and to the superimposing data generating means. .

The control means controls the output processing means to output the video data designated by the designation means at the timing when the timing signal is supplied.

On the other hand, the superimposition data creating means outputs the superimposition data created at the timing when the timing signal was supplied last time at the timing when the timing signal is supplied, and the superimposition data creating means outputs the data using the designation means. Based on information of video data specified as video data to be output next time, superimpose data corresponding to the video data is created. That is, the superimposition data generating means outputs the superimposition data corresponding to the video data to be output this time at the timing when the timing signal is supplied.

The superimposing data output from the superimposing data generating means and the video data output from the output processing means are synthesized by the synthesizing means.

As described above, in the superimposing method, immediately before the output of the video data (the output timing of the video data immediately before the video data), the superimposing data corresponding to the video data is created. The superimposition is performed by synthesizing superimposition data corresponding to the video data with the video data in synchronization with the output of the video data.

As a result, the number of man-hours for superimposing is greatly reduced as compared with the case where superimposing is performed at the editing stage as in the related art, so that the cost and labor burden are greatly reduced.

Further, since the number of man-hours is greatly reduced, the time required for starting transmission of superimposed video data is greatly reduced, and superimposed video data is output quickly. Will be able to do it.

Further, immediately before the output of the video data (output timing of the video data immediately before the video data), the superimposition data corresponding to the video data is created, so that the output order of the video data is changed. Even in the case of a change, it is possible to respond flexibly until immediately before output.

Therefore, if the present invention is applied to, for example, an AV server, the cost and labor for superimposing can be reduced, and superimposing can be performed while fully utilizing the advantages of the AV server.

In the case where the specifying means specifies the video data to be reproduced and output from the reproducing means and the output processing means, and specifies the output start time of the video data, for example, the fourth aspect of the present invention is described below. As described in (1), in the first step, a timing signal may be supplied to the control means and the superimposition data creating means every time the output start time designated by the designating means arrives.

[0038]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An example in which the present invention is applied to an AV server system will be described below. FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of an AV server system to which the present invention is applied. This system includes an operation terminal 1, an upper terminal 2,
DB (database) terminal 3, SVM (server manager) terminal 4, super creation terminal 5, SMSGW
(Server Management System Gateway) Terminal 6
Are connected by a network such as Ethernet, for example, and the AV server unit 7
It is connected to this network via a terminal 6.

The AV server unit 7 includes a plurality of (10 in the figure) material supply units 21 to 3 external to the AV server system.
0 to the input lines INPUT_A to INPU, respectively.
Via T_J, the AV data (the material to be recorded) is simultaneously supplied to the AV server unit 7. These AV data include terrestrial broadcasting, satellite broadcasting, etc. (GTV, ETV, BS
1, BS2, etc.).

The AV data (material to be transmitted) output from the AV server unit 7 is output to at least one of a plurality of (three in FIG. 3) transmission units 31 to 33 outside the AV server system. Line OUTPUT_A ~ O
It is supplied via UTPUT_C and sent from the sending unit.

Each of the terminals 1 to 6 is composed of a personal computer that executes an application corresponding to its function. The operation terminal 1
An operator of the V server system specifies, in a GUI (graphical user interface) environment, materials to be recorded and transmitted and recording and transmission times thereof, and confirms the current state of the AV server system. Terminal.

FIG. 2 shows a screen displayed on the operation terminal 1 for designating a material to be recorded and its recording time. On this screen, the input lines INPUT_A to
AV data (GTV, ETV, BS1, BS2) supplied via any input line of INPUT_J
), A field 52 for displaying the input line selected by the icon 51, and a field for specifying the start and end times of the recording of the AV data by key input. 53 and its AV
A column 54 for attaching a program name and a subtitle to the data by key input is provided.

FIG. 3 shows a screen displayed on the operation terminal 1 for designating a material to be transmitted and its transmission time. On this screen, the column 54 of FIG.
Column 61 for selecting the AV data as a material to be transmitted by pasting the program name or subtitle input to the MV by a mouse operation such as copy and paste or drag and drop, and the start and end times of transmission of the AV data And the like are provided for designating by a key input.

For example, for a program that sends out AV data for one music piece (audio data recording the performance of the music piece and video data of an image video of the music artist), for example, the column 54 in FIG. In the column 61 of FIG. 3, the song name is input as the program name, and the artist name and the record company are input as subtitles.

The operator calls up the screen shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 for recording / sending depending on the playlist (program configuration table or the like) at the broadcasting station, and for the material for which the recording / sending time is not determined. -It is possible to specify the transmission target and the recording / transmission time.

The upper terminal 2 in FIG. 1 manages a playlist at a broadcasting station. In the upper terminal 2, the material to be recorded / transmitted and the recording / transmission time are specified based on the playlist. For example, for a program for transmitting AV data for one music as described above, the upper terminal 2
The information on the material to be recorded / transmitted specified by (1) includes the name of the song, the name of the artist, and information on the record company.

Also, as a feature of the present invention, from the upper terminal 2, each time the material is transmitted (the time specified based on the playlist, or the time specified by the operator calling the screen of FIG. 3 to the operation terminal 1). Then, a timing pulse indicating the data output timing is supplied to the SMSGW terminal 6 and the super creation terminal 5. The information on the time designated by the operation terminal 1 is acquired from the later-described DB terminal 3 to the upper terminal 2.

In the DB terminal 3, information on the material to be recorded / transmitted specified by the operation terminal 1 and information on its recording / transmission time, and the material to be recorded / transmitted specified by the upper terminal 2 and its recording / transmission time And information indicating the current state of the AV server system are registered in a database.

The information indicating the current state of the AV server system includes recorded materials, applications executed in the AV server system, materials currently being recorded and transmitted, and states of each device of the AV server unit 7. (Individual HDD
Whether the I / O port, etc. can be used
(Whether or not communication with the W terminal 6 is in progress).

FIG. 4 shows a screen display example of this database. In the left half of the screen, a list of file names of recorded materials, file names in applications executed in the AV server system, currently recorded / transmitted materials, status of each device of the AV server unit 7, and the like. Is displayed as a table.

The file “SR_Mate” in the application selected by mouse operation from this table
Various parameters for "rial (dbo)" (the file highlighted in the figure) are displayed in the right half of the screen.
The code name following “ma” in the “column name” on this screen is unique to the column name. When any of the column names is selected by operating the mouse, the code name is used as a key to set the audio setting or the like. Information such as the material editing generation and status is displayed on the screen.

In the SVM terminal 4 shown in FIG. 1, a command for instructing recording or transmission of a material is created based on information on the material to be recorded and transmitted and the recording and transmission time registered in the DB terminal 3. , The command is an SMSGW terminal 6
Sent to

More specifically, in the SVM terminal 4, D
Based on the information of the recording target, the transmission target material, the recording time, and the transmission time registered in the B terminal 3, recording is performed, respectively.
A recording manager and a transmission manager that issue macro commands and parameters for transmission, and an EZMAX that receives the macro commands and parameters from the recording manager and the transmission manager and performs device control communication by MTP communication with the SMSGW terminal 6. Is provided.

In the SVM terminal 4, the AV server unit 7
When a failure occurs in any of the devices, failure processing (creation of alarm information and assignment of processing executed by the failed device to another device) is performed.

In the SMSGW terminal 6, the AV server unit 7 is controlled based on a command from the SVM terminal 4.
The processing in the SMSGW terminal 6 is as shown in FIG.
It is roughly divided into an execution management task and a device information management task. The execution management task is a communication process between the SVM terminal 4 and the SMSGW terminal 6 and between the SMSGW terminal 6 and the AV server unit 7. The device information management task is performed by the AV server unit 7.
This is a process of creating a database and registering the device configuration and the status of each device. Based on the command from the SVM terminal 4, which device of the AV server unit 7 is operated (for example, a command to input a material to be recorded from which input / output port) is transmitted to the AV server unit 7 in a specific manner.
The execution management task that has received the command from the SVM terminal 4 transmits the device allocation request to the device information management task, and the device information management task transmits the allocation result to the execution management task, and the determination is made.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a screen display of the database of the device information management task. In the left half of the screen, a list of devices of the AV server unit 7 is displayed as a table. Various parameters for the device "disk_info (RIMT)" (device highlighted in the figure) selected by mouse operation from this table are displayed in the right half of the screen.

Note that the SMSGW terminal 6 controls the AV server 7 so that the material is output from the AV server 7 at the timing when the above-mentioned timing pulse is supplied from the upper terminal 2 when the material is transmitted.

FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the AV server unit 7 of FIG. The AV server unit 7 includes an IDC (intelligent device controller) 11, SUBIDCs (sub intelligent device controllers) 12 to 14,
It includes servers 15 and 16 and a router 17. AV
A command is sent from the SMSGW terminal 6 to the server 15 via the IDC 11 and the SUBIDC 12, and the AV server 15 sends a command via the SUBIDC 12 and the IDC 11.
The status is sent to the MSGW terminal 6. Similarly, AV
Between server 16 and SMSGW terminal 6, router 17 and SMS
IDC11 and SUBID between GW terminals 6 respectively
Commands and status are transmitted via C13, IDC11 and SUBIDC14.

The AV server 15 has three input / output ports 15a to 15c, a recording / reproduction controller 15d for controlling the operation of these input / output ports, and a recording / reproduction unit 15
e. Each of the input / output ports 15a to 15c
It is possible to simultaneously input one channel of AV data and output one channel of AV data. The recording / reproducing unit 15e employs RAID-3, and can record and reproduce a plurality of AV data simultaneously. The configuration of the AV server 16 is the same as that of the AV server 15.

Input lines INPUT_A to INPUT_
A plurality of AV data (materials to be recorded) supplied to the AV server unit 7 via J are switched by the router 17 so that a total of six input / output ports 15a to 15c and 16a to 16c of the AV servers 15 and 16 are provided. Is input to any one of. Each input / output port 15a-1
The AV data input to 5c and 16a to 16c are subjected to a compression process or the like, and then are subjected to recording / reproduction units 15e and 16e, respectively.
Is forwarded to

In the recording / reproducing units 15e and 16e, the transferred AV data is divided into blocks of a fixed length and recorded on a plurality of HDDs.
Parity data, which is the exclusive OR of the DD's corresponding data blocks, is generated and written to another HDD.

On the other hand, each of the input / output ports 15a to 15c, 1
From 6a to 16c, the AV data (materials to be transmitted) reproduced by the recording / reproducing units 15e and 16e (unifying data blocks and correcting with parity data) and transferred from the recording / reproducing units 15e and 16e are subjected to decompression processing. , Etc. are output. Each input / output port 15a to 15c, 16a
The AV data output from .about.16c are transmitted by the router 17 as shown in FIG.
33, the output line OUTPU
It is supplied via T_A to OUTPUT_C and sent out from the sending unit.

In the super-creating terminal 5 shown in FIG. 1, data for superimposing on the AV data output from the AV server unit 7 is created. As a feature of the present invention, the super creation terminal 5 outputs the superimposition data created at the timing when the timing signal was supplied last time at the timing when the above-mentioned timing pulse was supplied from the upper terminal 2 and the next time. The material to be sent (the material specified by the upper terminal 2 based on the playlist,
The information of the material (specified by the operator at the operation terminal 1) is acquired from the DB terminal 3 and superimpose data corresponding to the material is created.

The character data output from the super-creating terminal 5 is synthesized by the mixing circuit 8 into AV data supplied from the AV server unit 7 to the transmission unit 31 via the output line OUTPUT_A.

Next, the flow of the mixing operation in the AV server system will be described with reference to FIG. A timing pulse is sent from the upper terminal 2 to the SMSGW terminal 6 and the super creation terminal 5 at each transmission start time of the material (the time specified by the upper terminal 2 based on the playlist or the time specified by the operator at the operation terminal 1). It is supplied (step S1).

The SMSGW terminal 6 sends the material to be transmitted this time (the material specified by the upper terminal 2 based on the play list or the material specified by the operator at the operation terminal 1) at the timing when the timing pulse is supplied. From the AV server 7 (step S2).

On the other hand, at the timing when the timing pulse is supplied, the super creation terminal 5 generates the superimposition data created at the timing when the previous timing pulse was supplied (when the previous timing pulse was supplied, The superimpose data created in step S4 is output (step S3). At the timing when the timing pulse is supplied, the super creation terminal 5 acquires information on the material to be transmitted next time from the DB terminal 3 and creates superimpose data corresponding to the material (step S4). ). That is, the superimposition terminal 5 outputs superimposition data corresponding to the material to be transmitted this time in step S3.

The superimposing data output from the super-creating terminal 5 is combined by the mixing circuit 8 with the material output from the AV server 7 in step S2 and supplied to the transmission unit 31 (step S5). .
As a result, the superimposed material is transmitted from the transmission unit 31 (step S6).

FIG. 9 shows an example of a screen display of the material sent from the sending unit 31 in this way. This example is a program for transmitting AV data for one piece of music (audio data recording the performance of the music and video data of an image video of the music artist). At the same time as the start of
Song name "Westerday", artist name "Peat"
les ”and the record company name“ Pony Music ”
Character data representing “Record” is superimposed.

As described above, in this AV server system, immediately before the transmission of the material (timing to start the transmission of the material immediately before the material), the superimposition data corresponding to the material is created, and Superimposition is performed by synthesizing the superimposition data corresponding to the material with the material in synchronization with the start of transmission.

As a result, the number of man-hours for superimposing is greatly reduced as compared with the case where superimposing is performed at the editing stage as in the related art, so that the cost and labor burden are greatly reduced.

Since the man-hour is greatly reduced in this manner, the time required for starting the transmission of the superimposed material is greatly reduced, and the superimposed material can be output quickly. become able to.

Further, since the superimpose data corresponding to the material is created immediately before the material is sent (the start of sending the material immediately before the material), the material sending order is changed. At this time (when the playlist is changed, or when the operator redoes the specification on the operation terminal 1), it is possible to flexibly cope with immediately before the transmission.

Therefore, the cost and labor for superimposing can be reduced, and the transmission of the recorded material can be started quickly.
The superimpose can be performed by making full use of the advantage of the V server and the advantage of the AV server that the order of sending recorded materials can be arbitrarily changed.

In the above AV server system, two AV servers each having three input / output ports are used, but A / V servers each having an appropriate number of input / output ports are used.
The present invention may be applied to an AV server system using an appropriate number of V servers.

In the above AV server system, an AV server having an input / output port in which an input port and an output port are integrated is used. However, an AV server having an input port and an output port as separate bodies is used. The present invention may be applied to an AV server system.

In the above AV server system, R
Although an AV server having a recording / reproducing unit employing AID technology is used, an AV server which records AV data in HD without employing RAID technology, or a non-HD non-linear accessible recording medium (for example, a semiconductor memory or The present invention may be applied to an AV server system using an AV server that records AV data on an optical disc.

In the above example, the present invention is applied to an AV server system including a plurality of terminals and an AV server. However, the present invention is also applied to an apparatus which realizes the functions of the AV server system by itself. May be applied.

The present invention may also be applied to a reproducing apparatus other than the AV server system, which superimposes character data and the like on AV data reproduced and output from a non-linearly accessible recording medium. Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described example, and it is needless to say that various other configurations can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0080]

As described above, according to the reproducing apparatus and the superimposing method according to the present invention, the number of man-hours for superimposing is greatly reduced as compared with the prior art, so that the cost and labor burden are greatly increased. This has the effect of being reduced.

Further, since the number of man-hours is greatly reduced, the time required for starting transmission of superimposed video data is greatly reduced, and superimposed video data is output quickly. The effect that it can be obtained is obtained.

Further, since the superimposition data corresponding to the video data is created immediately before the output of the video data, even when the output order of the video data is changed, it is possible to flexibly cope with the output immediately before the output. The effect is obtained.

Therefore, for example, if the present invention is applied to an AV server, the cost and labor burden for superimposing can be reduced, and the advantage of the AV server that transmission of recorded material can be started quickly can be achieved. The superimposition can be performed by making full use of the advantage of the AV server that the order in which the materials are sent can be arbitrarily changed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an AV server system to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram exemplifying a screen displayed for specifying a material to be recorded and a recording time on the operation terminal of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram exemplifying a screen displayed on the operation terminal of FIG. 1 to specify a material to be transmitted and a transmission time;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a screen display example of a database registered in the DB terminal of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a process in the SMSGW terminal of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen display example of a database registered in the SMSGW terminal of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an AV server unit in FIG. 1;

8 is a diagram showing a flow of a mixing operation in the AV server system of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a screen display example of a material on which superimposition has been performed.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 operation terminal, 2 upper terminal, 3 DB
(Database) Terminal, 4 SVM (Server Manager) Terminal, 5 Super Creation Terminal, 6 SMSGW
(Server management system gateway) terminal,
7 AV server section, 8 Mixing circuit, 11
IDC (Intelligent Device Controller),
12-14 SUBIDC (sub intelligent device controller), 15,16 AV server, 1
5a to 15c, 16a to 16c input / output ports, 15
d, 16d recording / reproducing controller, 15e, 16
e recording / reproducing unit, 17 router, 21-30 material supply unit, 31-33 sending unit, INPUT_A-IN
PUT_J input line, OUTPUT_A to OUT
PUT_C output line

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A reproducing means for reproducing video data from a non-linearly accessible recording medium, at least one output processing means for outputting video data reproduced by the reproducing means to the outside, the reproducing means and the output processing Control means for controlling reproduction and output of data by the means; designation means for designating video data to be reproduced and output from the reproduction means and the output processing means; and superimposition for creating data for superimposition. Data generation means; timing signal supply means for supplying a timing signal indicating data output timing to the control means and the superimposition data generation means; video data output from the output processing means; For superimpose output from the pause data creation means Synthesizing means for synthesizing data with the data, wherein the control means causes the output processing means to output the video data specified by the specifying means at a timing at which the timing signal is supplied; The data creation means outputs the superimposition data created at the timing when the timing signal was supplied last time at the timing when the timing signal is supplied, and designates the superimposition data as the video data to be output next time by the designation means. A reproducing apparatus for generating superimposing data corresponding to the video data based on the information of the video data obtained. 2. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specifying unit specifies video data to be reproduced and output from the reproducing unit and the output processing unit, and specifies an output start time of the video data. And wherein the timing signal supply means supplies the timing signal to the control means and the superimposition data creating means every time the output start time designated by the designation means arrives. apparatus. 3. A reproducing unit for reproducing video data from a non-linearly accessible recording medium, at least one output processing unit for outputting the video data reproduced by the reproducing unit to the outside, the reproducing unit and the output processing. Control means for controlling the reproduction and output of data by the means; designation means for designating video data to be reproduced and output from the reproduction means and the output processing means; and superimposition data for creating data for superimposition Creating means, and a superimposing method in a reproducing apparatus comprising: synthesizing means for synthesizing video data output from the output processing means and superimposing data output from the superimposing data generating means, The control unit and the superimposing data creating unit Supplying a timing signal indicating a data output timing; and causing the control means to output the video data designated by the designation means from the output processing means at a timing at which the timing signal is supplied. 2) causing the superimposing data generating means to output the superimposing data generated in the third step at the timing when the timing signal was supplied, at the timing when the timing signal was supplied last time; Three steps, at the timing when the timing signal is supplied to the superimposing data generating means, corresponding to the video data specified as the video data to be output next time by the specifying means. To create superimpose data Superimposing method characterized by comprising a fourth step that. 4. The superimposing method according to claim 3, wherein the designation means designates video data to be reproduced and output from the reproduction means and the output processing means, and an output start time of the video data. Wherein in the first step, the timing signal is supplied to the control means and the superimposing data creating means every time the output start time designated by the designating means arrives. Superimpose method.