JP2007104646A - Material transfer system and element transfer method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To transfer the baseband signal requiring synchronous transfer under the control similar to the file transfer control in an asynchronous system. <P>SOLUTION: On the occasion of transmitting and receiving the baseband signal of the material between a recording and reproducing apparatus 1b and an AV server 3, a cart controller 2 for controlling the recording and reproducing apparatus 1b previously receives a material information file indicating the information of the material requested to be transferred from a control computer 4 via LAN7 and returns an execution start information file indicating the time for recording and reproducing the material with the recording and reproducing apparatus 1b. The control computer 4 instructs the cart controller 2 and the AV server 3 to start transmission or reception of material at the time based on the execution start information file received via LAN7. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a material transfer system, and in particular, transmits and receives as a file using a baseband signal of audio or video (AV) material transmitted / received by SDI (Serial Digital Interface) or the like, or a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The present invention relates to a material transfer system and a material transfer method for transferring a material to be transferred between a plurality of devices.

  In a broadcasting station that handles a large amount of AV material, it is necessary to quickly search for a necessary material for editing from among a large amount of stored material when producing a program. For this reason, information on recorded materials (program data, code numbers, etc.) has been stored separately from the materials themselves, and the necessary materials can be retrieved by referring to the information on a computer screen, for example, when searching. I was searching for. There is also a search system that records a part of still images and moving images of the material separately when recording the material, and can determine whether the material is the target material by referring to these image data when searching. It is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  By the way, recent AV materials have been moved to MPEG (Moving Picture Coding Experts Group). In particular, MPEG2 compression coding is used for digital broadcasting, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) -Video, etc., and in broadcast program production sites. Has also been used. Furthermore, in recent years, MXF (Material eXchange Format) has been changed to SMPTE (Society) as a format for exchanging files between broadcasting devices of different models or manufacturers on a TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) / IP (Internet Protocol) network. of Motion Picture and Television Engineers).

  MXF is a format in which data in MPEG format or DV (Digital Video) format, and metadata (information such as compression encoding method, video content, type, shooting location, etc.) can be integrated and transmitted and streamed. It also supports functions. By using MXF, for example, using a LAN in a broadcasting station, a simple operation on a screen such as drag and drop in a GUI (Graphical User Interface) environment can be used to transfer material files between devices on the LAN. , Playback and recording are becoming possible. The file transfer on the network is controlled by a protocol normally used for asynchronous transfer such as CIFS (Common Internet File System) or FTP (File Transfer Protocol).

  On the other hand, conventional tape materials still need to be used as valuable resources. Baseband signals of these materials can be transferred by controlling the synchronous system by connecting devices using SDI or the like.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional material transfer system.
The material transfer system is a system that is applied, for example, at a program production site of a broadcasting station, and includes a cart device 11, an AV server 12, a control computer 13, a VTR (Video Tape Recorder) 14, and a LAN 15. The cart device 11, the AV server 12, and the control computer 13 are connected to the LAN 15.

The cart device 11 includes a storage shelf 11a for storing a plurality of portable storage media (not shown) and a plurality of recording / reproducing devices 11b.
A plurality of recording / reproducing devices 11 b are mounted in the cart device 11. Each recording / reproducing apparatus 11b includes an interface such as SDI for transmitting / receiving a baseband signal that cannot be transferred as a file, an interface of IEEE (the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394 standard, in addition to an interface connectable to the LAN 15. It has. Then, under the control of the control computer 13, the material is recorded on the optical disk taken out from the storage shelf 11 a by a robotic function (not shown), or the material recorded on the optical disk is reproduced.

  The AV server 12 functions as a file server and stores, for example, AV material for producing broadcast programs. The material that can be transferred as a file is converted into, for example, an MXF file, and transmitted / received between the cart apparatus 11 and the AV server 12 via the LAN 15 by CIFS or FTP.

  The control computer 13 is a computer that controls the transfer of material, and the user uses this control computer 13 to search for a desired material, and to make a reproduction or recording request for the material. Further, the robotics function (not shown) of the cart device 11, the recording / reproducing device 11 b in the cart device 11, and the VTR 14 are controlled by a control signal from, for example, an RS-422A terminal.

Under the control of the control computer 13, the VTR 14 transmits / receives material to / from the recording / reproducing apparatus 11 b using, for example, SDI.
Japanese Patent No. 2952908

  However, in the conventional material transfer system, when transferring a baseband signal by SDI or the like, it is necessary to synchronize between devices, and therefore, control based on control other than asynchronous control such as CIFS and FTP is used. I had to. In other words, it is inconvenient because it is necessary to transfer the material that can be transferred as a file and the material that is not so, under different control.

  The present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a material transfer system capable of transferring a baseband signal that requires synchronous transfer by the same control as the asynchronous file transfer control. To do.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a material transfer method capable of transferring a baseband signal that requires synchronous transfer by the same control as the asynchronous file transfer control.

  In the present invention, in order to solve the above problem, in a material transfer system for transferring video or audio material between a plurality of devices, a communication means for transmitting and receiving a baseband signal of the material is provided, and the material is stored in a portable storage medium. A recording / reproducing apparatus that performs recording or reproduction of the material recorded on the portable recording medium and a control unit that controls the recording / reproducing apparatus, and when the communication unit transmits and receives the baseband signal, a transfer request is made in advance. A recording / reproduction control device that receives a material information file indicating information on the material via a network and returns an execution startable information file indicating a time at which the recording or reproduction of the material can be performed by the recording / reproducing device; A material transmitting / receiving device for transmitting / receiving the baseband signal to / from the communication means of the recording / reproducing device; and In addition to transmitting to the control device, the recording / playback control device and the material transmitting / receiving device are instructed to start transmitting or receiving the material at a time based on the execution startable information file received via the network. There is provided a material transfer system including a material transfer control device.

  According to the above configuration, the recording / reproducing apparatus includes the communication unit that transmits / receives the baseband signal of the material, and records the material on the portable storage medium or reproduces the material recorded on the portable recording medium. The recording / reproducing control apparatus controls the recording / reproducing apparatus, and when the communication means transmits / receives a baseband signal, the recording / reproducing apparatus receives a material information file indicating information on the material requested to be transferred in advance via the network. An execution startable information file indicating the time at which the material can be recorded or played back is returned. The material transmission / reception device transmits / receives a baseband signal to / from the communication means of the recording / reproducing device. The material transfer control device transmits a material information file to the recording / playback control device, and at the same time, informs the recording / playback control device that transmission or reception of the material starts at a time based on the execution startable information file received via the network. And instruct the material transmitting / receiving apparatus.

  According to the present invention, when a baseband signal of a material is transmitted / received between the recording / reproducing device and the material transmitting / receiving device, the recording / reproducing control device that controls the recording / reproducing device is previously provided with material information indicating information of the material requested to be transferred. The file is received from the material transfer control device via the network, and an execution startable information file indicating the time when the recording or reproduction of the material by the recording / reproducing device can be executed is returned. The material transfer control device instructs the recording / playback control device and the material transmitting / receiving device to start transmission or reception of the material at a time based on the execution startable information file received via the network. Transfer of a baseband signal of a material that requires transfer control can be performed by the same control as asynchronous file transfer control.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a material transfer system according to the present embodiment.
The material transfer system of the present embodiment is a system that is applied, for example, at a broadcast station program production site, and includes a cart device 1, a cart control device 2, an AV server 3, a control computer 4, a router 5, and time code generation. A container 6 is provided. The cart device 1, the cart control device 2, the AV server 3, and the control computer 4 are connected to the LAN 7.

  The cart device 1 includes a storage shelf 1a for storing a plurality of portable storage media (not shown) and a plurality of recording / reproducing devices 1b. Although not shown, the robotics function such as a transporter that takes out the portable storage medium from the storage shelf 1a and carries it to the recording / reproducing apparatus 1b, and the identification of the portable storage medium inserted in the storage shelf 1a. A device for reading information, for example, a bar code reader is provided.

  The portable storage medium is, for example, an optical disc that employs high-density recording using blue-violet laser light, and has a capacity of 23.3 GB, for example. The storage shelf 1a stores, for example, about 600 optical disks. Further, a barcode label indicating its own ID (IDentification) is attached to the optical disc.

  A plurality of recording / reproducing apparatuses 1b are mounted in the cart apparatus 1. Each recording / reproducing apparatus 1b includes an interface such as SDI for transmitting and receiving a baseband signal that cannot be transferred as a file, an interface of the IEEE 1394 standard, and a time code generated by the time code generator 6, in addition to an interface connectable to the LAN 7. It also has an interface to input. Then, under the control of the cart control device 2, the material is recorded on the optical disk (not shown) taken out from the storage shelf 1a by the robotics function (not shown), or the material recorded on the optical disk (not shown) is reproduced.

  The cart control device 2 is a computer that controls a robotics function (not shown) of the cart device 1 and a recording / reproducing device 1b in the cart device 1 by, for example, a control signal from an RS-422A terminal. It has an interface that can be connected to the LAN 7, and can transfer materials (materials that can be transferred as files) to and from the AV server 3 and the control computer 4 via the LAN 7, material information files to be described later, execution Send and receive startable information files. The material received via the LAN 7 is supplied to the recording / reproducing apparatus 1b through, for example, an IEEE 1394 standard interface.

  The AV server 3 functions as a file server and stores, for example, AV material for production of broadcast programs. The material that can be transferred as a file is, for example, converted into an MXF file, and transmitted / received between the cart apparatus 1 and the AV server 3 via the LAN 7 by CIFS or FTP. In addition, a baseband signal of a material that cannot be transferred as a file is transmitted / received to / from the recording / reproducing apparatus 1b by SDI, for example. In addition, an interface for inputting the time code generated by the time code generator 6 is provided.

  The control computer 4 is a computer that controls the transfer of the material, and the user uses this control computer 4 to search for a desired material and to make a reproduction or recording request for the material. Detailed operation will be described later.

The router 5 selects a transfer destination of the baseband signal.
The time code generator 6 generates a time code for synchronizing each device.
Hereinafter, the operation of the material transfer system of the present embodiment will be described.

First, an operation when recording a material in the recording / reproducing apparatus 1b in the cart apparatus 1 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a part of the directory structure configured in the storage device of the cart control device.

  First, when the optical disk is stored in the storage shelf 1a of the cart apparatus 1, the ID of the optical disk is read from the barcode label attached to the optical disk, and below the "DISCS" directory in the recording apparatus of the cart control apparatus 2, A directory of the read optical disc (for example, “00000001” directory in FIG. 2) is created.

  As described above, there are two types of materials that can be handled by the recording / reproducing apparatus 1b in the material transfer system of the present embodiment: materials that can be transferred as files and materials that cannot be transferred as files. The material that can be transferred as a file is transferred by asynchronous control by CIFS or FTP, as in the prior art. That is, the control computer 4 displays a directory in the cart control device 2 as shown in FIG. 2 on its display device. The user drags and drops the material file (for example, MXF file) of the AV server 3 into the directory with, for example, a mouse. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the “B00000001.MXF” file is placed in the “Entry” directory below the “Root” directory.

  As a result, the material file is downloaded via the LAN 7 to a storage device (for example, a hard disk drive) (not shown) of the cart control device 2. The cart control device 2 controls the cart device 1 to take out a recordable optical disc from the storage shelf 1a, and selects a recordable recording / reproducing device 1b. Then, the optical disk taken out from the storage shelf 1a is inserted into the selected recording / reproducing apparatus 1b. When the recording preparation is completed, the material file downloaded to the cart control device 2 is transmitted to the recording / reproducing device 1b through, for example, an IEEE 1394 standard interface and recorded on the optical disc. In the example of FIG. 2, the “B00000001.MXF” file is recorded in the “Clip” directory under the directory of the optical disc “00000002”. When the recording of the material file is completed, the cart control device 2 puts a file indicating the ID of the optical disk on which the material file is recorded, for example, “B00000001.STS” as shown in FIG. 4 is notified.

On the other hand, recording of a material that cannot be transferred as a file from the AV server 3 is performed by the following control.
FIG. 3 is a communication sequence diagram showing the operation of the material transfer system when recording a material in the recording / reproducing apparatus.

  The control computer 4 transmits, for example, a material information file (FileID.SDI) that specifies information of a material to be transferred by SDI to the cart control device 2 via the LAN 7 (T1). At this time, similarly to CIFS or FTP, for example, the user can drag and drop the material information file onto the directory in the cart control device 2 displayed on the screen of the control computer 4, so that the material information The file is transmitted to the cart control device 2.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a material information file “A0000100.00” having a file ID “A0000100.0” is placed under the “Entry” directory of “Root” of the recording device of the cart control device 2 by the user's drag and drop operation. SDI "is placed. In addition to the ID of the material requested to be recorded or reproduced, the material information file includes information indicating whether recording or reproduction is requested, a recording time (Duration) of the material, a recording format, and the like.

  Upon receiving such a material information file (T2), the cart control device 2 causes the cart device 1 to select a recordable optical disc from the storage shelf 1a and to select a recordable recording / reproducing device 1b. Then, the selected optical disk is moved to the recording / reproducing apparatus 1b. The cart control device 2 generates an execution startable information file (FileID.POT) indicating the time at which recording can be performed in consideration of the time required for recording preparation by the recording / reproducing device 1b as shown in FIG. In the “Entry” directory and transmitted to the control computer 4 via the LAN 7 (T3). The execution startable information file includes information on the time at which the recording / reproducing apparatus 1b can start recording, and an ID for specifying the recording / reproducing apparatus 1b to be used.

  When the control computer 4 receives the execution startable information file (T4), the start time for designating the time for reproducing the material to the AV server 3 based on the received information of the execution startable information file A notification file (FileID.TIM) is transmitted (T5). When receiving the start time notification file (T6), the AV server 3 reproduces the baseband signal of the material to be transferred at the time (T9) specified in the start time notification file and records it via the router 5 by SDI. Transmit to the playback device 1b.

  On the other hand, the control computer 4 also transmits to the cart control device 2 a start time notification file (FileID.TIM) for designating the time to record the material based on the execution startable information file (FileID.TIM). T7). When receiving the start time notification file (T8), the cart control device 2 places the start time notification file in the “Entry” directory as shown in FIG. Then, at the time (T9) specified in the start time notification file, the recording / playback apparatus 1b receives and records the baseband signal of the material transmitted from the AV server 3 by SDI. The cart control device 2 refers to the “Duration” of the material information file, and when the “Duration” time has elapsed, stops the recording of the recording / reproducing device 1b (T10). The cart control device 2 causes the cart device 1 to return the recorded optical disk to the storage shelf 1a. Further, the cart control device 2 adds information indicating that the recording of the material has ended to the above-described start time notification file (FileID.TIM) and transmits it to the control computer 4 as an end information file (T11). The end information file includes information indicating whether the recording has ended normally or an abnormality has occurred. In addition, the cart control device 2 places a file indicating the ID of the optical disc on which the material file is recorded, for example, “A00000100.STS” as shown in FIG. 2 in the “Entry” directory and notifies the control computer 4 of the file.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the baseband signal of the recorded material may be converted into the MXF format and placed, for example, in the “Clip” directory under the directory of the “00000001” optical disc.

Next, the operation in the case of transferring material from the recording / reproducing apparatus 1b to the AV server 3 will be described.
As in the case of the recording operation, the material that can be transferred as a file is performed by CIFS or FTP as in the conventional case. That is, the control computer 4 displays the directory in the cart control device 2 on its display device. The user drags and drops a material file (for example, MXF file) to be transferred to a desired directory of the AV server 3 with, for example, a mouse. As a result, the optical disk storing the selected material file is inserted into the recording / reproducing apparatus 1b and reproduced. The reproduced material is transferred from the recording / reproducing apparatus 1b to the AV server 3 via the LAN 7 and recorded.

On the other hand, recording of a material that cannot be transferred as a file to the AV server 3 is performed by the following control.
FIG. 4 is a communication sequence diagram showing the operation of the material transfer system when recording the material of the recording / reproducing apparatus on the AV server.

  The control computer 4 transmits a material information file (FileID.SDI) for designating material information to be transferred by SDI to the cart control device 2 via the LAN 7 (T20). At this time, similarly to CIFS or FTP, for example, the user can drag and drop the material information file onto the directory in the cart control device 2 displayed on the screen of the control computer 4, so that the material information The file is transmitted to the cart control device 2.

  When the cart control device 2 receives the material information file (T21), the cart device 1 causes the cart device 1 to select an optical disk (not shown) on which the specified material is recorded from the storage shelf 1a, and to record and reproduce the optical disc. Select. Then, the selected optical disk is moved to the recording / reproducing apparatus 1b. The cart control device 2 generates an execution startable information file (FileID.POT) indicating the time at which playback can be performed in consideration of the time required for playback preparation by the recording / playback device 1b, as shown in FIG. In the “Entry” directory and transmitted to the control computer 4 via the LAN 7 (T22). The execution startable information file includes information on the time at which the recording / reproducing apparatus 1b can start reproduction, and an ID for identifying the recording / reproducing apparatus 1b to be used.

  When the control computer 4 receives the execution startable information file (T23), the control computer 4 notifies the AV server 3 of the start time for designating the time for recording the material based on the received execution startable information file. The file (FileID.TIM) is transmitted (T24), and the AV server 3 receives the file (T25).

  On the other hand, the control computer 4 also transmits to the cart control device 2 a start time notification file (FileID.TIM) for designating the time to reproduce the material based on the execution startable information file (FileID.TIM). T26). When receiving the start time notification file (T27), the cart control device 2 places the start time notification file in the “Entry” directory as shown in FIG. Then, at the time (T28) designated in the start time notification file, the reproduction of the material by the recording / reproducing apparatus 1b is started. At the same time, the AV server 3 receives the baseband signal of the material transmitted by SDI from the recording / reproducing device 1b of the cart device 1 and starts recording.

  The cart control device 2 refers to the “Duration” of the material information file, and when the “Duration” time elapses, stops the reproduction of the recording / reproducing device 1b (T29). The cart control device 2 causes the cart device 1 to return the reproduced optical disk (not shown) to the storage shelf 1a again. Further, the cart control device 2 adds information indicating that the reproduction of the material has ended to the above-described start time notification file (FileID.TIM) and transmits it to the control computer 4 as an end information file (T30). Note that the end information file includes information indicating whether the reproduction has been completed normally or whether an abnormality has occurred, the ID of the reproduced optical disk, and the like.

  As described above, according to the material transfer system of the present embodiment, even a material that cannot be transferred as a file and that is transferred by a baseband signal can be transferred by the same control as CIFS or FTP. become able to. As a result, the user can easily transfer the material without worrying about the type of material.

  The above is only one embodiment of the present invention, and is not particularly limited to the above. For example, in the above description, the case where the baseband signal is transmitted / received using the SDI has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to the transmission / reception of the baseband signal using the analog component terminal, the analog composite terminal, or the like.

Further, there may be a plurality of cart devices 1 and cart control devices 2.
Further, a WAN (Wide Area Network) may be used instead of the LAN 7.
Further, the AV server 3 may have the function of the control computer 4 described above.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the baseband signal may be transmitted / received to / from the recording / reproducing apparatus 1b using a device such as a VTR instead of the AV server 3. In that case, the control computer 4 may control the VTR by a control signal from the RS-422A terminal and perform the same processing as the transmission / reception of the baseband signal between the AV server 3 and the recording / reproducing apparatus 1b described above. it can.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the material transfer system of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows a part of directory structure comprised in the memory | storage device of a cart control apparatus. It is a communication sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of the material transfer system at the time of recording a material in a recording / reproducing apparatus. It is a communication sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of the raw material transfer system at the time of recording the raw material of a recording / reproducing apparatus to AV server. It is a figure which shows the structure of the conventional material transfer system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Cart apparatus, 1a ... Storage shelf, 1b ... Recording / reproducing apparatus, 2 ... Cart control apparatus, 3 ... AV server, 4 ... Control computer, 5 ... Router, 6 ... Time code generation 7 、 LAN

Claims (5)

In a material transfer system that transfers video or audio material between multiple devices,
A recording / reproducing apparatus comprising a communication means for transmitting / receiving a baseband signal of a material, and recording the material on a portable storage medium or reproducing the material recorded on the portable recording medium;
When the communication unit controls the recording / reproducing device and the communication means transmits / receives the baseband signal, the material information file indicating the information of the material requested to be transferred is received via the network in advance, and the recording / reproducing device A recording / playback control device that returns an execution startable information file indicating a time at which recording or playback of the material can be performed;
A material transmitting / receiving device for transmitting / receiving the baseband signal to / from the communication means of the recording / reproducing device;
The recording / reproduction control device indicates that the material information file is transmitted to the recording / reproduction control device, and transmission or reception of the material is started at a time based on the execution startable information file received via the network. And a material transfer control device that instructs the material transmitting / receiving device;
A material transfer system characterized by comprising:   The material information file includes information on the recording time of the material, and the recording / playback control device ends recording or playback after the recording time elapses when recording or playback by the recording / playback device starts and ends. 2. The material transfer system according to claim 1, wherein an end information file indicating the completion is transmitted to the material transfer control device.   2. The material transfer system according to claim 1, wherein the communication means is a serial digital interface.   The material transfer system according to claim 1, wherein the material information file and the execution startable information file are transmitted and received on the network using FTP or CIFS. In the material transfer method that transfers video or audio material between multiple devices,
When transmitting / receiving a baseband signal of a material between the recording / reproducing device and the material transmitting / receiving device, the recording / reproducing control means for controlling the recording / reproducing device includes a material information file indicating information on the material requested to be transferred in advance. Is transmitted from the material transfer control means via the network, and an execution startable information file indicating the time at which the recording or reproduction of the material can be performed by the recording / reproducing device is returned.
The material transfer control means instructs the recording / playback control means and the material transmitting / receiving apparatus to start transmission or reception of the material at a time based on the execution startable information file received via the network. A material transfer method characterized by that.

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