JP2001352307A - Information transmission equipment information transmission method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize an information transmission equipment and an information transmission method by which a job efficiency of an operator can be improved and broadcast trouble can surely be prevented. SOLUTION: In the information transmission equipment and the information transmission method, information source in response to a program list is read and transmitted from 1st and 2nd storage means that respectively store information sources whose transmission is scheduled, only the information source transmitted from a selected system that is the 1st or 2nd storage means is outputted, the transmission results from the 1st and 2nd storage means are respectively and sequentially listed to generate 1st and 2nd transmission result lists, after confirmation information representing the output result of the information sources is included in the 1st or 2nd transmission result list corresponding to the 1st or 2nd storage means being the selected system, integrating the 1st and 2nd transmission result lists generated by including the confirmation information generates a 3rd transmission result list.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an information transmission method, and is suitably applied to, for example, a television broadcasting system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a television broadcasting system, what kind of program is broadcast from what time and what time, and between what time and what time and how long a CM (commercial) is broadcast, a program and a CM of a previously created program are broadcasted. The output of a program transmission device that outputs a video and audio signal of a program in accordance with a program list (hereinafter, referred to as a program scheduling list) that defines a transmission order, and a program created in advance, such as when and what kind of CM to broadcast. In accordance with a program list (hereinafter, referred to as a play list) that defines the order in which CMs are transmitted, the output of the CM transmitting device that outputs the video and audio signals of the CMs is sequentially switched and transmitted to the outside, so that the program can be interposed between programs. Television broadcasting with CMs inserted can be performed.

In this case, the CM sending apparatus has an A / V (Audio / Visual) server for storing video / audio signals of a plurality of CMs, and after preparing for sending CMs (standby) based on a playlist. , GPI (General Perpose Interf
ace) A signal is used as a trigger to read and output a video / audio signal of a corresponding CM from the A / V server.

[0004] Actually, the CM transmitting apparatus has two A / V servers, and while simultaneously transmitting the video and audio signals of the CM from both A / V servers in the transmitting order based on the playlist, one of the A / V servers. By selectively outputting only the system for on-air, even if one of the A / V servers breaks down, the other A / V server sends out the CM video / audio signal in the transmission order based on the playlist. As a result, interruption of broadcasting can be avoided beforehand.

[0005]

However, in such a television broadcasting system, as described above, the CM transmitting device outputs the video and audio signals of the corresponding CM based only on the GPI signal given from the host controller. However, no method has been proposed for the higher-level control device to confirm whether or not the CM has actually been broadcast.
If the broadcast has not been broadcast, there is a possibility that a problem may occur such that the sponsor of the CM is disadvantaged.

For this reason, in this type of television broadcasting system, it is desirable to prevent the trouble at the time of broadcasting by leaving the transmission result of the actually broadcasted CM so that the higher-level control device can confirm it. . However, in the method in which the operator checks the content of the CM that has been on-air by using the transmission monitoring console by visually checking the display on the monitor, the operator may mistakenly determine whether the CM has actually been on-air or not, so There is a possibility that a problem such as the presence of a commercial may be caused.

On the other hand, if the CM sending device has a function of listing CM sending results and sending the list to a higher-level control device, any one of the two systems of A / V servers actually sends the list. There has not yet been considered a method for reflecting whether or not a video / audio signal of an on-air CM has been transmitted in a transmission result. For this reason, the host controller
It has been very difficult to determine which A / V server is the transmission result based on the list of transmission results transmitted from the CM transmission device.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to propose an information transmitting apparatus and an information transmitting method capable of improving the work efficiency of an operator and reliably preventing a broadcast trouble.

[0009]

According to the present invention, there is provided an information transmitting apparatus for sequentially transmitting a plurality of information materials in accordance with a program list defining an order of transmitting the information materials. First and second storage means for storing the respective materials, and information materials corresponding to the program list are read out from a plurality of information materials respectively stored in the first and second storage means and transmitted, First and second transmission control means for sequentially listing the transmission results to create first and second transmission result lists, and transmission from a selected one of the first and second storage means Output only the selected information material, and send the confirmation information representing the output result to the first or second transmission control corresponding to the selected first or second storage means. A selection output means for sending to the stage, the first
And a list merging unit that merges the first and second transmission result lists created by the second transmission control unit including the confirmation information received from the selection output unit to create a third transmission result list. I made it.

[0010] As a result, in this information transmitting apparatus, when the third transmission result list is transmitted to the higher-level device, the higher-level device reads the information material actually broadcasted from either the first or the second storage means. It is possible to easily and surely recognize whether or not the information material has been output, thereby avoiding the problem that there is an unoutputted information material by erroneously determining whether or not the information material is actually output. .

Further, according to the present invention, in an information transmitting method for sequentially transmitting a plurality of information materials in accordance with a program list defining an order of transmitting the information materials, the first and second information materials each storing a plurality of information materials to be transmitted are stored. A first step of reading and transmitting information materials corresponding to the program list from the second storage means and a second step of outputting only information materials transmitted from one of the first and second storage means selected from the system. In step 2, the transmission results from the first and second storage units are sequentially listed to create first and second transmission result lists, and confirmation information indicating the output result of the information material is selected. A third step to be included in the first or second transmission result list corresponding to the first or second storage means, which is a system that has been changed, and a first and a second generated by including the confirmation information. Merges delivery result list as a third delivery results provided a fourth step of creating a list.

As a result, in this information transmission method, when the third transmission result list is transmitted to the higher-level device, the higher-level device reads the information material actually broadcasted from either the first or second storage means. It is possible to easily and surely recognize whether or not the information material has been output, thereby avoiding the problem that there is an unoutputted information material by erroneously determining whether or not the information material is actually output. .

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(1) Configuration of Television Broadcasting System According to the Present Embodiment In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a television broadcasting system according to the present embodiment as a whole, and a main control device 2 for managing a program scheduling list; A program transmission device 3 for transmitting video and audio signals S1A to S1F of programs for a plurality of channels in accordance with a composition list; and a CM transmission device 4 for transmitting video and audio signals S2A to S2F of CM in accordance with a playlist PL corresponding to each channel. And a switcher 5 for switching and outputting each output of the program transmission device 3 and the CM transmission device 4 for each channel.

In this case, the main control device 2 controls the program transmission device 3 composed of a cart machine and a video tape recorder provided corresponding to each channel based on a pre-registered program scheduling list.
Video / audio signal S1A of a program specified for each channel
To S1F.

In accordance with the program scheduling list, main controller 2 sets the GPI signals S3A to S3F for any channel when the CM transmission time comes.
Is sent to the CM sending device 4.

At this time, the CM sending device 4 sends the CM video / audio signals S2A to S2A to be sent next for each channel according to the play list PL set for each channel in advance.
Preparation for sending S2F has been completed, and
At the timing when the PI signals S3A to S3F are given, the transmission of the video and audio signals S2A to S2F of the corresponding CM is started, and this is transmitted to the switcher 5 on the corresponding channel.

At this time, the switcher 5 has selected the output of the CM transmitting device 4 for the channel under the control of the main controller 2, and thus the video and audio of the CM output from the CM transmitting device 4. The signals S2A to S2F are output to the outside via the switcher 5 in place of the video and audio signals S1A to S1F output from the program transmission device 3.

Thus, in the television broadcasting system 1, the video and audio signals S1A to S1F of the program and the video and audio signals S2A to S2F of the CM are provided for each channel in accordance with the program scheduling list and the playlist PL created in advance.
Are sequentially switched, and thus a television broadcast in which a CM is inserted between programs can be broadcast on a plurality of channels.

(2) Configuration of CM Transmitting Device Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the CM transmitting device 4 includes a data gateway 10, an active transmission control unit 11, a standby transmission control unit 12, a transmission monitoring terminal 13, a database Server 1
4, filing terminal 15, preview terminal 16, autochanger control unit 17, active SMS (Server Managem
ent System) gateway 18 and a backup SMS gateway 19 are interconnected via a network 20 such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

In the CM sending device 4, the active system A
A / V server 21 and standby A / V server 22
/ V servers, each of which has an active IDC (Intelligen
t Device Controller) 23 and are connected to the active SMS gateway 18 and the standby SMS gateway 19 via the standby IDC 24.

Actually, the CM transmitting device 4 simultaneously transmits the video and audio signals S2A to S2F of the CM from the two active A / V servers 21 and the standby A / V server 22 in the transmission order based on the playlist PL. However, by selectively outputting only one of the systems for on-air, even if one of the A / V servers is out of order, the other A / V server may fail.
/ V server sends C in the sending order based on playlist PL.
The M video / audio signals S2A to S2F are transmitted so that the interruption of the broadcast can be avoided.

Active A / V server 21 and standby A / V
The server 22 has a master switcher 25 on the output side.
Of the active system IDC23 and the standby system ID.
Video and audio based on the CM material data D1 are transmitted according to a control command given from C24. Further, the active A / V server 21 and the standby A / V server 22 are mutually connected to the autochanger 26,
CM material data D requested between the active A / V server 21 or the standby A / V server 22 and the autochanger 26 under the control of the autochanger control unit 17
1 are transmitted and received.

This CM sending device 4 is provided with CM material data D1 provided from various sponsors sent from the external upper data management device 30 at predetermined timing as needed.
The data gateway 10 receives the playlist PL set for each channel. Further, the transmission result list created for each channel is transmitted to the upper data management list 30.

The data gateway 10 sends and receives data to and from an external higher-level data management device 30 via the network 20. When the CM material data D1 is received from the upper data management device 30, temporary registration is performed in the database server 14. Upper data management device 30
When the playlist PL is received from the database server, the playlist PL is registered in the database server. Further, in response to a request from the upper data management device 30, the database server 1
4 is transmitted.

The data gateway 10 has a program for managing the date in the CM sending device 4 and notifies each application in the CM sending device 4 when the date is changed. ing. Further, the data gateway 10 has a program for collectively managing warnings and errors generated by programs in each device in the CM sending device 4, and notifies the device in which the warning or error has occurred of the fact. I have.

The database server 14 has a database as software, and receives a C provided from the data gateway 10 under the control of the filing terminal 15.
While registering the M material data D1 and the playlist PL in the database, in response to a read request from the filing terminal 15, the preview terminal 16, the active transmission control unit 11, the standby transmission control unit 12, and the transmission monitoring terminal 13, The designated CM material data D1 and / or playlist PL are transmitted to the corresponding device.

The filing terminal 15 has a program for controlling a recording operation in the active A / V server 21 and the standby A / V server 22 (hereinafter, referred to as a filing program).
After the CM material data D1 temporarily registered in the database server 14 is registered in the database in the database server 14, the material corresponding to each CM material data D1 is reproduced from the material machine 31, and the active A / V server 21 And the backup server 22.

Further, the filing terminal 15 performs the data editing operation of the filing program, so that the C registered in the database in the database server 14 is stored.
It is possible to change the contents of the M material data D1.

The active SMS gateway 18 and the standby SMS gateway 19 respond to a control command from the filing terminal 15 via the active IDC 23 and the standby IDC 24, respectively, to the active A / V server 21 and the standby A / V server 21. The recording / reproducing operation of the / V server 22 is controlled, and the reproducing operation of the material machine 31 is controlled as necessary.

The preview terminal 16 stores CMs recorded in the active A / V server 21 and the standby A / V server 22.
It has a program for previewing (previewing) video and audio based on the material data D1 (hereinafter referred to as a mother preview program), displays an image based on the CM material data D1 read from the database on a monitor, and The sound based on the CM material data D1 is output from a speaker. As a result, the operator can check the content and image quality of the CM material, the sound quality of the CM material, and the like while visually checking the video displayed on the monitor.

Before the preview terminal 16 goes on air, the active A / V server 21 or the standby A / V server 22
Has a program (hereinafter, referred to as an on-air preview program) for trial reproduction (rehearsal) of the video and audio of the CM material data D1 recorded in the program A in the broadcast order according to the playlist PL. / V server 2
1 or the standby A / V server 22 displays an image based on the CM material data D1 reproduced in the broadcast order according to the playlist PL on a monitor, and outputs a sound based on the CM material data D1 from a speaker. ing. As a result, the operator can visually confirm the contents of the CM material actually on air while visually confirming the video displayed on the monitor and listening to the sound output from the speaker.

The active transmission control unit 11 and the standby transmission control unit 12 are programs for controlling the reproduction operation of the active A / V server 21 and the standby A / V server 22 (hereinafter referred to as an on-air controller program). CM based on the CM material data D1 and the playlist PL registered in the database in the database server 14, and recorded in the active A / V server 21 and the standby A / V server 22. The video and audio of the material data D1 are reproduced in the broadcast order according to the play list PL and transmitted to the master switcher 25.

Based on the broadcast end information sent from the main controller 2, the active system transmission control unit 11 and the standby system transmission control unit 12
The master switcher 25 which is actually reproduced from the V server 22
After creating lists of CM materials (hereinafter referred to as transmission result lists) SLA and SLB, the two types of transmission result lists SLA and SL for the active system and the standby system are prepared.
B to the database server 14 via the network 20
Register with.

At this time, the master switcher 25 receives the video and audio of each CM material data D1 from the active A / V server 21 and the standby A / V server 22 in the broadcast order based on the playlist PL, and actually turns on the air. (Hereinafter, referred to as an on-air tally signal) S
10A and S10B, these two types of on-air tally signals S10A and S10B of the active system and the standby system are respectively transmitted to the active system IDC23 and the standby system IDC24 and the corresponding active SMS gateway 18 and standby SMS.
The active transmission control unit 11 and the standby transmission control unit 12 are notified via the gateway 19.

Thus, the active transmission control unit 11 and the standby transmission control unit 12 provide the active and standby on-air signals S10A and S10 generated by the master switcher 25.
B, the respective on-air tally signals S10A, S10
Send various information based on 10B to transmission result lists SLA, SL
B.

[0037] The transmission monitoring terminal 13 transmits the playlist P registered in the database in the database server 14.
It has a program for displaying and editing L (hereinafter referred to as a playlist manager program), and displays a video based on the playlist PL read from the database on a monitor. As a result,
The operator can change and edit the content of the playlist PL while visually checking the video displayed on the monitor.

The transmission monitoring terminal 13 uses the active A / V by the active transmission control unit 11 and the standby transmission control unit 12.
A program for monitoring the transmission state of the CM material data D1 reproduced from the server 21 and the standby A / V server 22 (hereinafter, referred to as an on-air monitor program)
In addition to monitoring the transmission state of the CM material data D1, it also issues a transmission control instruction accompanying a change in program scheduling and a transmission control recovery instruction when a trouble occurs.

The autochanger control section 17 is connected to an autochanger 26 adapted to selectively transport and load a plurality of video tapes to a video tape recorder 26A for recording and reproducing.
In step 6, the CM material data D1 recorded in the active A / V server 21 or the standby A / V server 22 is copied (copied) for backup, while the copied CM material data D1 is used as needed. A / V server 21
Alternatively, the data is returned (restored) to the standby A / V server 22.

In addition to this configuration, the filing terminal 1
5, the active A / V server 2 based on the playlist PL registered in the database in the database server 14 in addition to the filing program described above.
1 or a program for recording the CM material data D1 reproduced from the standby A / V server 22 on a video tape loaded in a video tape recorder 26A in the autochanger 26 as a backup (hereinafter, this program is referred to as a unified program). ) Is set.

At the stage before the actual broadcast, the filing terminal 15 activates the unified program and activates the active system S.
MS gateway 18 or standby SMS gateway 1
9 by selectively transmitting a control command to either the active SMS gateway 18 or the standby SMS gateway 18.
The MS gateway 19 is either the active IDC 23 or the standby I
Active A / V server 21 or standby A via DC 24
After reproducing the CM material data D1 from the / V server 22 in the broadcast order according to the play list PL, the CM material data D1 is sequentially output to the autochanger 26.

At this time, the filing terminal 15 issues a control command based on the unified program to the autochanger controller 17 so that the autochanger controller 17 can control the video tape loaded in the video tape recorder 26A in the autochanger 26. The current system A /
The CM material data D1 sequentially reproduced from the V server 21 is recorded in the transmission order.

As a result, the video tape loaded into the video tape recorder 26A in the autochanger 26 contains the active A / V server 21 or the standby A / V server 2
2 is backed up in the broadcast order according to the play list PL, so that the active A / V server 2 is broadcasted.
Even if some trouble occurs in the A / V server 1 or the backup system A / V server 22 and the CM material data D1 cannot be transmitted to the master switcher 25, it is reproduced from the video tape loaded in the video tape recorder 26A in the autochanger 26. The CM material data D1 can be substituted.

Further, the filing terminal 15 has the active system A
Since each recording capacity of the / V server 21 or the standby A / V server 22 has a limit, all of the CM material data D1 exceeding the respective recording capacities is loaded into the video tape recorder 26A in the autochanger 26. While recording and copying the recorded A / V server, the CM material data D1 destroyed or lost from the active A / V server 21 or the standby A / V server 22 is read from the video tape and the corresponding A / V is read. It is sent to the server and restored.

(3) Transmission result list creation processing procedure In the CM transmission device 4, based on the CM material data D1 transmitted from the active A / V server 21 and the standby A / V server 22 to the master switcher 25, Two types of transmission result lists SLA and SLB for the active system and the standby system are created, and the on-air tally signals S10A and S10B transmitted from the master switcher 25 are either the active system or the standby system actually targeted for on-air. Since the transmission result list creation processing procedure RT1 shown in FIG. 3 is performed, the two types of transmission result lists SLA and SLB of the active system and the standby system are merged and transmitted to the upper data management device 30. Can be.

First, the CM transmission device 4 starts the transmission result list creation processing procedure RT1 from step SP0 at the time of actual broadcasting, and in step SP1, the active transmission control unit 11 and the standby transmission control unit 12 execute the above-described on-air transmission. Based on the controller program,
The CM material data D1 is reproduced from the V server 21 and the standby A / V server 22 in the broadcast order according to the play list PL and transmitted to the master switcher 25.

When the master switcher 25 receives the CM material data D1 from the active A / V server 21 and the standby A / V server 22 in the broadcast order based on the play list PL, the master switcher 25 selectively selects one of the A / V servers. The CM material data D1 received from the V server is sent out as an on-air object, and the on-air tally signals S10A and S10B representing actual on-air transmission are sent to the corresponding active system sending control unit 1.
The transmission is performed only to one of the transmission control unit 12 and the standby system.

The on-air tally signals S10A and S10B
As shown in FIG. 4, the material reproduction period TT indicating the period during which the CM material data D1 is actually being reproduced is a predetermined length (for example, 1) at the beginning and end of the material reproduction period TR.
[Sec]) Permissible periods TP1, TP2 as buffers
And the on-air tally entire reception period TR.
If all of the on-air tally signals S10A and S10B are received only during the entire on-air tally reception period TR during the transmission period from the master switcher 25, the material reproduction period T
Even if all the allowable periods TP1 and TP2 at the beginning and end of T are not received, the on-air tally signals S10A and S1
OB are all determined to have been received. That is, the permissible periods TP1 and TP2 are periods set to absorb variations occurring in the transmission period of the on-air tally signals S10A and S10B transmitted from the master switcher 25.

In step SP2, the active transmission control unit 11 or the standby transmission control unit 12 transmits the on-air tally signals S10A and S10 transmitted from the master switcher 25.
It is determined whether or not B has been received, and the process proceeds to step SP3 only when a positive result is obtained.

In this step SP3, the active transmission control unit 11 or the standby transmission control unit 12 determines whether or not all of the material reproduction periods of the on-air tally signals S10A and S10B have been received from the master switcher 25. When the result is obtained, the process proceeds to step SP4, where transmission result lists SLA and SLB describing the on-air signals S10A and S10B including all the material reproduction periods are created.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP3, this means that the on-air tally signal S10A,
This indicates that a part of the material reproduction period in S10B has been received, and at this time, the active system transmission control unit 11 or the standby system transmission control unit 12 proceeds to step SP5, The transmission result lists SLA and SLB describing the signals S10A and S10B are created.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP2, this means that the active transmission control unit 11 or the standby transmission control unit 12 has not received the on-air tally signals S10A and S10B from the master switcher 25. In step SP6, transmission result lists SLA and SLB describing that the on-air signals S10A and S10B are not received are created.

Subsequently, the active transmission control unit 11 or the standby transmission control unit 12 proceeds to step SP7, and
It is determined whether or not all CM material data D1 for one day has been transmitted from the V server 21 and the standby A / V server 22 in the broadcast order based on the playlist PL, and if a negative result is obtained, a positive result is obtained. The process returns to step SP1 and the same processing as described above is repeated until it is obtained.

On the other hand, if an affirmative result is obtained in step SP7, this means that all of the CM material data D1 for one day has been broadcasted. At this time, the active transmission control unit 11 and the backup The system transmission control unit 12 proceeds to step SP8 and creates the generated transmission result list SL.
A and SLB are registered in the database in the database server 14, respectively.

Subsequently, in step SP9, the data gateway 10 reads out the two types of transmission result lists SLA and SLB of the active system and the standby system registered in the database in the database server 14 based on the data gateway program. By executing the transmission result merge processing procedure RT2 (FIG. 9) described later, the two types of transmission result lists SLA and SLB are merged (merged) into one type of transmission result list (hereinafter referred to as a reply transmission). Create an SLC (called a result list).

Next, the data gateway 10 proceeds to step SP10 and registers the created reply sending result list SLC in the database in the database server 14, and then proceeds to step SP11 to send the reply data from the higher-level data management device 30 to the server. It is determined whether a reply request for the transmission result list SLC has been received.

When a positive result is obtained in step SP11, the data gateway 10 proceeds to step S11.
Proceeding to P12, the transmission result list for reply SLC read from the database in the database server 14 is transmitted to the upper data management device 30, and then the process proceeds to step SP13.

On the other hand, when a negative result is obtained in step SP11, the data gateway 10 proceeds to step SP13 as it is, and returns the return transmission result list SLC.
Is transmitted to each operation terminal such as the filing terminal 15 and a list image corresponding to the return transmission result list SLC is displayed on a monitor (not shown) of each operation terminal. The transmission result list creation processing procedure RT1 ends.

As described above, even when two types of transmission result lists SLA and SLB of the active system and the standby system are created, the CM transmitting device 4 corresponds to the CM material data D1 actually on air from the master switcher 25. The transmission result lists SLA and SLB of the active system and the standby system are merged in consideration of that the on-air tally signals S10A and S10B are transmitted to only one of the corresponding active system transmission control unit 11 or standby system transmission control unit 12. One reply sending result list SLC can be created, and the reply sending result list SLC can be sent back to the upper data management device 30.

(4) Structure of the transmission result list Actually, the transmission result lists SLA and SL of the active system and the standby system
B defines respective record formats of a header record, a frame record, a CM record and a trailer record, and includes a transmission result of the CM material data D1, a flag indicating whether or not the on-air tally signals S10A and S10B have been received, and the like. It has been described.

As shown in FIG. 5, the header record includes a "processing type" indicating the type of processing on the data (for example, processing on a daily basis) and a "data output" indicating the date on which the data was output. "Date", "On-air date" indicating the date broadcasted, "On-air day" indicating the day of the week, "Sending line name" indicating the sending line name of the station, contained in this file "Number of frame records" indicating the number of frame records, "number of CM records" indicating the number of CM records contained in this file, and the like are described.

As shown in FIG. 6, the frame record includes
“Frame code” representing a value specified in the playlist PL,
“Frame name”, “flowing seconds” and “untime lag”, “scheduled transmission time” indicating the on-air time specified in the playlist PL, and “frame length” indicating the total time length of the CM material forming the frame. , "Pro section" and "SB / TIME section" indicating the value specified in the playlist PL, "actual transmission time" indicating the time when transmission was actually started as a station time system value, transmission normally "Actual transmission frame DUR" indicating the total time length of the material for which the
A "frame status" indicating the status of whether or not the frame has been transmitted, and an "error status" indicating the status when an error occurs at the time of transmission are described.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the CM record includes a “material code” representing a value specified in the playlist PL, a “material code” representing a value of a database for the corresponding material, and a “material name”. , “Sponsor name”, “audio control code”, “video control code”, “material classification” and “users airlines 1 to 6”, “transmission status” indicating the status of whether or not the material has been transmitted, "On-air tally status" indicating the status of whether or not the on-air tally signals S10A and S10B have been received, and "error code" indicating the content of the error when an error occurs during the transmission control operation of the material. Is described.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a "record type" having the same contents as the CM material data D1 is described in the trailer code.

(5) Transmission Result Merge Processing Procedure Subsequently, in the CM transmission apparatus 4, in step SP9 of the transmission result list creation processing procedure RT1 described above, FIG.
The transmission result merge processing procedure RT2 shown in FIG.
A and SLB can be combined to create a reply sending result list SLC.

First, in the CM sending device 4, at the end of the actual broadcast of one day, the data gateway 10 starts the sending result merge processing procedure RT2 from step SP20, and in the following step SP21, based on the data gateway program, based on the database server program. The two types of transmission result lists SLA and SLB of the active system and the standby system registered in the database in the server 14 are read, and the two types of transmission result lists SLA and SLB are compared.

Here, the playlist PL is, as shown in FIG. 10, a frame in which an event indicating the transmission timing of the CM material is displayed on a time table for one day (hereinafter, this is referred to as a frame event). And a CM material event that is continuously transmitted in the frame event and is displayed as a block (hereinafter referred to as a material event).

Therefore, in the transmission result lists SLA and SLB, the frame event actually transmitted and the material event constituting the frame event are written, and among these, the frame event is represented by the frame identification code. A certain frame ID, the time at which the frame was actually transmitted, and the transmission time length of the frame are written. The material event includes a material ID, which is an identification code of a CM material, a transmission result flag, and an on-air tally signal S10A. , S10B are written.

As a result, in step SP21,
The data gateway 10 reads out the two types of transmission result lists SLA and SLB of the active system and the standby system, and
The types of transmission result lists SLA and SLB are compared in order from the top for each frame event.

Subsequently, the data gateway 10 proceeds to step SP22, where the above-mentioned transmission result lists SLA, S
When comparing LBs for each frame event, the same frame ID
It is determined whether or not the event has an affirmative. When an affirmative result is obtained, the process proceeds to step SP23.

In step SP23, the data gateway 10 compares the transmission time periods calculated from the transmission time and the transmission time length with respect to the event having the same frame ID to determine whether or not the events have the same transmission time period. I do. At this time, even if the overlap of the transmission time zones is not completely the same, it is determined that the transmission time zones are the same as long as they are within a predetermined allowable time.

If a positive result is obtained in step SP23, the data gateway 10 proceeds to step SP23.
24, for the frame event having the same frame ID and the overlapping transmission time zone, the first material event of the frame event of the active system or the standby system is set to the on-air tally signal S1.
It is determined whether the event is a material event receiving 0A and S10B.

That is, in this step SP24,
The data gateway 10 receives the on-air tally signal S10
If the material event receiving A and S10B is included in the active frame event, the process proceeds to step SP25, and the active frame event is returned to the return transmission result list SLC.
While the on-air tally signals S10A and S10B
Is included in the standby frame event, the process proceeds to step SP26, where the standby frame event is written into the return transmission result list SLC,
On the other hand, if the material event receiving the on-air tally signals S10A and S10B is not included in any of the active system and standby system frame events, the process proceeds to step SP25, where the active system frame event is transmitted for return. Result list SLC
Write to.

Further, the data gateway 10 proceeds to step SP27, where the on-air tally signals S10A, S10A
For each material event that constitutes the frame event receiving 10B, it is sequentially determined whether the material event is a material event of the active system or the standby system in units of the material event, not in units of the frame event.

That is, in this step SP27,
The data gateway 10 receives the on-air tally signal S10
If the material event receiving A, S10B is the active material event, the process proceeds to step SP28, where the active material event is returned to the return transmission result list SL.
C, while on-air tally signals S10A, S10A
If the material event receiving 10B is a standby material event, the process proceeds to step SP29, where the standby material event is sequentially written into the return transmission result list SLC, while the on-air tally signals S10A, S10B
If the material event receiving is not a material event of either the active system or the standby system, step SP28
To sequentially write the material events of the active system into the reply transmission result list SLC. The processing from step SP27 is sequentially performed on all the material events in the frame. Then, the data gateway 10 sets a flag indicating that processing has been completed in the frame event subjected to the comparison processing of both the transmission result lists SLA and SLB.

Thereafter, the data gateway 10 proceeds to step SP30, and, for all the frame events in both the active and standby transmission result lists SLA and SLB, the transmission result list of either the active or standby system SL
A, It is determined whether or not the data has been written to the SLB according to whether or not the processed flag is set in the frame event.
Until a positive result is obtained, the process returns to step SP21 and the same processing as described above is repeated.

Eventually, when a positive result is obtained in step SP30, the data gateway 10 proceeds to step SP31 and ends the transmission result merge processing procedure RT2.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP22, this means that when the transmission result lists SLA and SLB of the active system and the standby system are compared for each frame event, the frame event having the same frame ID At this time, the data gateway 10 proceeds to step SP32, and determines whether the transmission time of any of the active and standby frame events is earlier.

In step SP32, if the data gateway 10 determines that the transmission time of the active frame event is earlier, the process proceeds to step SP33, where the active system frame event and all material events in the frame are processed. Is written in the reply transmission result list SLC, and a flag indicating that processing has been completed is set in the frame event, and then the process proceeds to step SP30.

On the other hand, in step SP32, when the data gateway 10 determines that the sending time of the spare frame event is earlier, the process proceeds to step SP34, in which the spare frame event and all the material events in the frame are started. Is written in the reply transmission result list SLC, and a flag indicating that processing has been completed is set in the frame event, and then the process proceeds to step SP30.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP23, this means that when the transmission result lists SLA and SLB of the active system and the standby system are compared for each frame event, frames having the same transmission time zone This indicates that the event is not an event.
Goes to step SP32 described above, and writes the frame event of the system with the earlier transmission time of the current system and the standby system and all the material events in the frame to the return transmission result list SLC ( (Steps SP33 and SP34), and sets a flag indicating that processing has been completed in the frame event, and then proceeds to step SP30.

As a result, in the CM transmitting apparatus 4, two types of transmission result lists SLA and SL of the active system and the standby system are provided.
B can be merged into one reply sending result list SLC.

(6) Operation and Effect of the Present Embodiment In the above configuration, the CM transmitting device 4
When the CM material data D1 reproduced from the V server 21 and the standby A / V server 22 in the broadcast order according to the playlist PL via the master switcher 25, the master switcher 25 selects one of the selected ones. Only the CM material data D1 reproduced from the A / V server 21 or 22 of the system is output for on-air, and the active system transmission control unit 11 or the standby system transmission for controlling the system reproducing the outputted CM material data D1. It outputs the on-air tally signals S10A and S10B only to the control unit 12.

At this time, the active transmission control unit 11 and the standby transmission control unit 12 transmit the transmission result of the CM material data D1 from the active A / V server 21 and the standby A / V server 22 to the master switcher 25, respectively. , The transmission result lists SLA and SLB including the on-air tally signals S10A and S10B output only from the system actually turned on by the master switcher 25, and then outputting the transmission result lists SLA and SLB to the data gateway 10. I do.

Subsequently, the data gateway 10 forms, for each of the transmission event lists SLA and SLB outputted from the active transmission control unit 11 and the standby transmission control unit 12, respectively, the frame event and the frame event. A single transmission response result list SLC is created by merging while comparing each material event, and then transmitted to the upper data management device 30.

As a result, the upper data management device 30 can easily and surely recognize the transmission result of the CM material data D1 actually aired on the basis of the return transmission result list SLC received from the data gateway 10. it can. Thus, it is possible to eliminate the complexity of combining the transmission result lists SLA and SLB of the two systems of the active system and the standby system by the operation of the operator as in the related art, and
At the time of the merging, it is possible to reliably avoid a broadcast trouble due to an operator's confirmation mistake.

According to the above configuration, this CM sending device 4
Then, at the time of on-air, CMs from the active A / V server 21 and the standby A / V server 22 to the master switcher 25
On-air territory which is included in each of the transmission result lists SLA and SLB generated as the transmission result of the material data D1 and which is output only to the system actually on air from the master switcher 25 is included. Based on the signals S10A and S10B, one system of the transmission result list SL for reply is performed while comparing the content of each frame event and each material event forming the frame event.
C, the higher-level data management device 3 receiving the reply transmission result list SLC
0 indicates that the transmission result of the CM transmission data actually aired on can be easily and reliably recognized. As a result, it is determined that an unbroadcasted CM exists due to erroneous determination whether or not the CM has actually been aired. CMs that can avoid problems beforehand, thus reducing operator work efficiency and reliably preventing broadcast troubles
The sending device 4 can be realized.

(7) Other Embodiments In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the CM transmitting device 4 of the television broadcasting system 1 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Not limited, CM
The present invention can be widely applied to various information transmitting apparatuses in which various information materials other than the video and audio signals are sequentially transmitted in accordance with a play list PL (program list) in which a transmission order is defined.

In the above-described embodiment, the active A / V server 21 and the standby A / V server 22 are respectively used as the first and second storage means for storing a plurality of information materials to be transmitted. Although the description has been given of the case where the present invention is applied, the present invention is not limited to this, and various other structures can be applied as long as the storage means can be read and controlled.

Further, in the above embodiment, the active A / V server (first storage means) 21 and the standby A / V server
The V-server (second storage means) 22 is read-out controlled, and the active A / V server 21 and the standby A / V server 21 are controlled.
The first and second transmission control means for generating transmission result lists SLA and SLB in which the transmission results of the V server 22 are respectively listed are constituted by the active transmission control unit 11 and the standby transmission control unit 12, respectively. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various other configurations may be applied as the first and second transmission control means.

In the above embodiment, the active A / V server (first storage means) 21 and the standby A / V server
Only the CM material data (information material) D1 sent from one of the selected systems of the V server (second storage means) 22 is output, and an on-air tally signal (confirmation information) S10A indicating the output result is provided. In step S10B, the active system transmission control unit (first transmission control unit) 11 corresponding to the active system A / V server 21 and the standby system A / V server 22, which are the selected systems, or the standby system transmission control unit (second system). Transmission control means)
12 is output to the master switcher 25.
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various other configurations may be applied as the selection output means.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the active transmission control unit (first transmission control unit) 11 or the standby transmission control unit (second transmission control unit) 12 is a master switcher (selection output unit) 25. Transmission result list (first and second transmission result lists) SL including the on-air tally signals (confirmation information) S10A and S10B received from
A, a description has been given of the case where the list merging means for merging the SLBs and creating the return transmission result list (third transmission result list) SLC is constituted by the data gateway 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, a list merging means having various other configurations may be applied.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the data gateway 10 as the list merging unit is configured to transmit the active transmission control unit (first transmission control unit) 11 on the air.
The two-system transmission result lists (first and second transmission result lists) SLA and SLB created by the standby system transmission control unit (second transmission control means) 12 are converted into an on-air tally signal (confirmation information) S10A. Based on S10B, the frame event and the material event including the on-air tally signals S10A and S10B are compared while comparing each frame event as the content and each material event forming the frame event (that is, for each predetermined item). Has been described, the one-response transmission result list (third transmission result list) SLC has been created by merging with priority. However, the present invention is not limited to this. If the master switcher (selection output means) 25 can create a transmission result list of one system including the transmission result of the information material output by the As merging method of delivery result list integration may be applied to other various ways.

In this case, the transmission result list of the two systems (first
And second transmission result list) when merging SLA and SLB, on-air tally signals (confirmation information) S10A, S10
B, the on-air tally signal S10A, while comparing the content for each frame event and each material event forming the frame event (that is, for each predetermined item),
While the frame event and the material event including S10B are preferentially adopted, the on-air tally signals S10A and S10B of each frame event and each material event (each item) are used.
As for those not including, the case has been described where the corresponding frame event and material event (item) of the active transmission result list (first transmission result list) SLA are preferentially adopted. The present invention is not limited to this, and the corresponding frame event and material event (item) of the standby transmission result list (second transmission result list) SLB may be preferentially adopted.

[0095]

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of information materials to be transmitted are stored in an information transmitting apparatus for sequentially transmitting a plurality of information materials in accordance with a program list defining an information material transmission order. First and second storage means, read and transmit information materials corresponding to the program list from a plurality of information materials stored in the first and second storage means, respectively, and transmit the transmission results respectively. First and second sending control means for sequentially listing and creating first and second sending result lists;
And outputting only the information material sent from one of the selected systems of the second storage means, and the confirmation information indicating the output result to the first or second storage means of the selected system. A selection output unit for transmitting to the corresponding first or second transmission control unit, and a first output unit which includes the confirmation information received by the first and second transmission control units from the selection output unit.
And a list merging means for merging the second transmission result list to create a third transmission result list,
By erroneously determining whether or not information materials have actually been output, the problem of the presence of unoutputted information materials can be avoided beforehand, thus improving operator work efficiency and reliably preventing broadcast trouble. An information transmission device capable of performing the above can be realized.

According to the present invention, in an information transmitting method for sequentially transmitting a plurality of information materials in accordance with a program list defining an order of transmitting the information materials, a first and a plurality of information materials to be transmitted are respectively stored. A first step of reading and transmitting information materials corresponding to the program list from the second storage means, and outputting only information materials transmitted from one of the first and second storage means selected from the system; In the second step, the transmission results from the first and second storage means are sequentially listed to create first and second transmission result lists, and the confirmation information indicating the output result of the information material is selected. A third step to be included in the first or second transmission result list corresponding to the first or second storage means, which is the set system, and a first and a second table created including the confirmation information. And a fourth step of creating a third transmission result list by merging the output result lists, the erroneous determination of whether or not the information material has been actually output results in the presence of an unoutputted information material. Thus, an information transmission method that can improve the work efficiency of the operator and reliably prevent the broadcast trouble can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a television broadcasting system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration of a CM transmission device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a transmission result list creation processing procedure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining an on-air tally signal.

FIG. 5 is a chart provided for explaining the description contents of a header record.

FIG. 6 is a chart provided for explaining the description contents of a frame record.

FIG. 7 is a chart provided for explaining the description contents of a CM record.

FIG. 8 is a table provided for explaining the description contents of a trailer record.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a transmission result merge processing procedure;

FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view for explaining a screen display of a playlist.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... television broadcasting system, 2 ... main controller,
3 Program transmission device, 4 CM transmission device, 5 Switcher, 10 Data gateway, 11 Active transmission control unit, 12 Backup transmission control unit, 13 Transmission monitoring terminal, 14 Database server, 15 Filing terminal, 16 Preview terminal, 17 Autochanger control unit, 18 Active SMS gateway, 19 Standby SMS gateway, 20 Network, 21 Active System A / V server, 22 standby A / V server, 23 active IDC, 24 standby IDC, 25 master switcher, 26 autochanger, 26A video tape recorder, 30
... High-order data management device, 31 ... Material machine, D1 ... CM
Material data, PL ... Playlist, SLA, SLB ...
… Sending result list, SLC …… Sending result list for reply,
RT1 ... Transmission result list creation processing procedure, RT2 ... Transmission result merge processing procedure.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An information transmitting apparatus for sequentially transmitting a plurality of information materials in accordance with a program list defining an information material transmission order, wherein a first plurality of information materials to be transmitted are stored.
And second storage means, and reads and sends out the information material according to the program list from the plurality of information materials stored in the first and second storage means, respectively, and sends out the transmission result. And a second sending control means for sequentially creating a first sending result list and a second sending result list, respectively, and a first sending means selected from one of the first and second storing means. A selection for outputting only the information material and transmitting confirmation information indicating the output result to the first or second transmission control means corresponding to the first or second storage means which is the selected system. A third transmission result list by combining output means with the first and second transmission result lists created by the first and second transmission control means including the confirmation information received from the selection output means; To Information transmitting apparatus characterized by comprising a list merging means for forming. 2. The list merging unit compares the first and second transmission result lists for each predetermined item in the transmission order based on the program list, and compares the confirmation information received from the selection output unit. 2. The information transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third transmission result list is created by preferentially adopting the item included in the third transmission result list. 3. The list merging means, for items of the first and second transmission result lists that do not include the confirmation information, correspond to the items of the first or second transmission result list. 3. The information transmitting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the item is preferentially adopted. 4. An information transmitting method for sequentially transmitting a plurality of said information materials in accordance with a program list defining an order of transmitting the information materials, wherein said first and second information materials to be transmitted are respectively stored. A first step of reading and transmitting the information material according to the program list from a storage means, and outputting only the information material transmitted from one of the first and second storage means selected from the system; A second step of creating the first and second transmission result lists by sequentially listing the transmission results from the first and second storage means, and confirmation information representing the output result of the information material. In the first or second transmission result list corresponding to the first or second storage means, which is the selected system, and A fourth step of combining the first and second transmission result lists created above to create a third transmission result list. In the fourth step, the first and second transmission result lists are compared for each predetermined item in the transmission order based on the program list, and the confirmation information received from the selection output means is compared. 5. The information transmission method according to claim 4, wherein the third transmission result list is created by preferentially adopting the item that includes the third item. 6. In the fourth step, among the items of the first and second transmission result lists, the items not including the confirmation information correspond to the items of the first or second transmission result list. 6. The information transmitting method according to claim 5, wherein items to be performed are preferentially adopted.