JP2007295337A - Abnormality monitoring device for volume adjustment device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an abnormality monitoring device which reduces the burden to an operator at abnormality for quickly restore a system by promptly detecting sending of abnormal sounds, continuation of a silent state, or the like during broadcasting. <P>SOLUTION: A communication connection part 13 between a panel fader control part 11 and a sound control part 12, which constitute a volume adjustment device 10, and an abnormality monitoring device 30 for monitoring communication control data or the like on a communication cable 21 between the volume adjustment device and a host computer 20 are provided. Transmission/reception data or the like in the communication connection part 13 and the communication cable 21 are monitored by the abnormality monitoring device, to detect abnormality and to sound an alarm. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a volume control device used to adjust and output the volume of a plurality of input audio signals, video signals, etc., for example, in a mixing console (voice table) that performs recording, editing, etc. in broadcasting or the like. In particular, the present invention relates to an abnormality monitoring device for a volume control device that monitors abnormal states such as abnormal operation due to communication abnormality or malfunction due to hardware factors.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, mixing consoles for use in various broadcasting, recording studios, and the like for processing and adjusting a plurality of audio signals and video signals to produce broadcast programs and the like are known. For this type of mixing console, for example, a plurality of audio signals or video signals from a plurality of video equipments are input from a device such as a microphone or an audio reproduction device (speaker), and the volume level of each audio signal, video signal, etc. Is used to adjust and output the sound using a plurality of corresponding sound volume adjusting means.

  The volume adjusting means in this kind of volume adjusting device is provided with a fader as a level adjusting means for designating the adjustment level of the volume, and the necessary audio signal or video signal is obtained by taking in the volume adjusting device. The volume level is appropriately adjusted (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

JP 2002-290360 A JP 2004-140531 A

  By the way, in the above-described mixing console, when a problem occurs in the volume adjusting device during broadcasting, there is a possibility that a so-called broadcast accident such as sending out an abnormal sound or continuing a silent state may be caused.

  That is, in this type of volume control device, the fader unit, the panel fader control unit that controls the panel unit and the audio control unit that controls the audio processing unit are connected to the host computer via a communication cable such as a serial or optical cable, Although necessary control processing is performed by exchanging these control signals and the like, an abnormality may be noticed when a sound is actually produced or an operator operation is performed. In particular, when such an abnormality occurs during live broadcasting, there is a possibility that it may become a big problem.

  As the cause of such an abnormality, there are various malfunction factors such as abnormal operation due to communication abnormality, malfunction due to hardware factors, software bugs of each control unit, etc., and it is difficult to eliminate them completely. Yes, if the operator actually notices an abnormality, the operator manually performs the recovery operation, but it is not easy for anyone to operate because of skill, and the adjustment operation is troublesome and cumbersome. There was also.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it quickly detects faults and abnormalities in the audio adjustment device during broadcasting, and the operator's burden at the time of abnormalities such as abnormal audio transmission or continuation of silent state. An object of the present invention is to obtain an abnormality monitoring device for a volume adjusting device for reducing the noise and enabling a quick system recovery.

  In order to meet such an object, an abnormality monitoring device for a volume control device according to the present invention (the invention according to claim 1) includes a fader unit, a control unit that controls a panel unit, a voice control unit that controls a voice processing unit, and A volume adjusting device that adjusts and outputs a volume level of an input audio signal by controlling with a host computer, communication means between control units constituting the volume adjusting device, and the volume adjusting device An abnormality monitoring device that monitors communication data with the communication means with the host computer is provided, and this abnormality monitoring device is configured to detect an abnormality by monitoring communication control data with each communication means. It is characterized by.

The abnormality monitoring device for a volume adjusting device according to the present invention (the invention according to claim 2) is a technical limitation of the abnormality monitoring device for the volume adjusting device according to claim 1, and an abnormality is detected by the abnormality monitoring device. Means is provided for notifying an alarm when this is performed.
Here, as such an alarm, there are a warning signal for notifying that an abnormality has occurred, a control signal for indicating an abnormal part and notifying the operator of the avoidance means or the like, or a host computer.

  The abnormality monitoring device for a volume adjusting device according to the present invention (the invention according to claim 3) is a technical limitation of the abnormality monitoring device for the volume adjusting device according to claim 1 or 2, and detects an abnormality. The abnormality monitoring device that performs the function of checking whether or not the voice control data of the fader unit and the panel unit in the volume control device matches the transmission data of the host computer, or whether it is valid. A function that monitors the fader position data of the part and monitors abnormalities such as no continuity in the position data, or monitors the encoder and switch control data of the panel part and monitors whether the control data is impossible. It has a function.

  The abnormality monitoring device for a volume adjusting device according to the present invention (the invention according to claim 4) is a technically limited version of the abnormality monitoring device for a volume adjusting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The abnormality monitoring device is provided separately from the host computer.

  According to the present invention, control data in each control unit of the volume control device and transmission / reception data between the volume control device and the host computer are monitored by the abnormality monitoring device, and the system configuration, the structure of communication data, and the like are monitored by the abnormality monitoring device. By inputting in advance, it is possible to check the consistency and validity of the data by the abnormality monitoring device, and it is possible to always detect abnormality such as an error. In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to detect abnormality with respect to the behavior of the fader and the panel unit by always checking the validity between the state of the panel unit and the fader unit and the state between the control unit. is there.

  As described above, according to the abnormality monitoring device for a volume control device according to the present invention, a failure or abnormality in a sound adjustment device or the like during broadcasting is detected quickly, and an abnormal time such as sending out abnormal sound or continuing a silent state is detected. There is an excellent effect that the burden on the operator can be reduced and the system can be quickly restored.

  That is, according to the present invention, when there is an abnormality in the voice control system or the like, the abnormality is often noticed by an operator's operation or the like, but the abnormality is noticed at the control point of the control unit by placing an abnormality monitoring device outside. It is possible to respond early.

  In addition, according to the present invention, since there is an abnormality monitoring device outside the host computer and each control unit, abnormality monitoring and detection can be performed without degrading the software performance of the host computer. In other words, such an abnormality monitoring device may be provided in the host computer, but by providing it separately from the host computer, not only the alarm notification becomes easier to recognize, but also for the host computer. There is also an advantage that the operation of the host computer can be appropriately performed.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, the protocol (data structure) of the volume control device and the control unit is input to the monitoring device in advance, so that it is possible to derive a response method according to the system, so that the operator can be trusted and secure. It can be given.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an abnormality monitoring device for a volume control device according to the present invention.
In the figure, a volume control device denoted by reference numeral 10 includes a panel fader control unit 11 that controls a panel unit, a fader unit, and the like, and a voice control unit 12 that controls a voice processing unit. A host computer 20 that controls the control units 11 and 12 is connected via a communication cable 21 which is a communication means having a protocol such as serial communication or optical cable communication.

  The above-described audio processing unit is configured to receive video signals and audio signals recorded in advance on a plurality of video equipment, for example, a plurality of VTRs, CDs, MDs, and the like. The control is appropriately performed by the control from 20 and the control from the panel fader control unit 11, and the required volume level adjustment is performed and output.

  According to the present invention, the communication connection unit 13 between the panel fader control unit 11 and the audio control unit 12 constituting the volume adjustment device 10 and the communication cable 21 between the volume adjustment device 10 and the host computer 20 are used. An abnormality monitoring device 30 for monitoring control data and the like is provided, and the abnormality monitoring device 30 is configured to monitor transmission / reception data and the like at each communication connection unit 13 and communication cable 21 to detect an abnormal state. ing.

  In the figure, reference numeral 31 denotes a monitoring communication cable for monitoring communication control data between the control units 11 and 12 in the volume adjusting device 10, and 32 denotes a communication cable 21 between the volume adjusting device 10 and the host computer 20. A monitoring communication cable for monitoring communication control data, and 33 is an alarm transmission communication line such as a LAN for transmitting an alarm signal when an abnormality monitoring device 30 is connected to the host computer 20 and an abnormality is detected. is there.

  That is, the abnormality monitoring device 30 provided outside with control data in the middle of communication by the control units 11 and 12 of the volume adjusting device 10 and transmission / reception data in the middle of communication between the volume adjusting device 10 and the host computer 20. In the meantime, the system configuration, the structure of communication data, and the like are input to the abnormality monitoring device 30 in advance, so that the abnormality monitoring device 30 can perform data consistency check and validity check, and always performs error detection. It can be done.

  In particular, in such a configuration, an abnormality is detected for the behavior of the fader unit and the panel unit by always performing a validity check on the state of the panel unit and the fader unit and the state between the control units 11 and 12. If necessary, the abnormal state can be notified as an alarm, or the content of the abnormality can be displayed on the host computer 20.

  Here, in the above-described abnormality monitoring, the voice control data of the fader unit and the panel unit in the volume control device 10 matches or is appropriate for the transmission data (command such as take) of the host computer 20. For example, whether the fader position and control content of the recall destination from the host computer 20 match the actual fader control position and control content. It is desirable to provide a function for checking whether or not the recall instruction data matches.

  In addition, it is possible to monitor the fader position (control) data of the fader section and to monitor the abnormality such as the position data is not continuous, or to monitor the encoder and switch control data of the panel section, and the data where there is no control data. It is preferable to have a function of monitoring whether or not an error has occurred, a function of pointing out abnormal parts with the monitoring device 30 and notifying the operator or host computer of the avoidance means.

FIG. 2 shows a processing flow showing abnormality monitoring (error monitoring) and alarm transmission processing in the abnormality monitoring device 30 in the volume adjusting device 10 having the above configuration.
Briefly explaining this, in S1, it is determined whether or not communication data in each part has been received by the monitor line (communication cables 31, 32). If received, the process proceeds to S2, and if not, the state of S1 is changed. repeat.

  In S2, it is determined whether an abnormality is detected from the monitored communication data. That is, the control data from the host computer 20 is compared with the control information from the fader unit and the control unit 11 from the panel unit to monitor whether they match. In addition, it is monitored whether or not the fader position control information is continuous in the same channel, and whether or not the control is impossible for the switch or encoder in the case of the panel unit. If an abnormality is detected, the process proceeds to S3. Otherwise, the process returns to S1 and the operations of S1 and S2 are repeated.

In S3, information such as an abnormal communication path and the content of the abnormality is displayed as an alarm on a display device of the monitoring apparatus, and at the same time, alarm information is transmitted to the host computer.
Here, if an abnormality occurs during the recall when the host computer 20 recalls the control units 11, 12, etc. of the volume control device 10, the highest level alarm may be set as a fatal abnormality. Otherwise, the alarm level may be determined according to the frequency and the degree of abnormality.

  In S4, the content of the error is analyzed from the error information described above, and it is determined whether or not the error is recoverable in S5. If the recovery is impossible, the process returns to S1 and the operations from S1 to S5 are repeated. If the recovery is possible, the process proceeds to S6.

In S6, the error avoidance method is displayed on the display device of the monitoring device 30, and the contents are notified to the operator. As a result, the operator can manually perform the necessary recovery operation and quickly recover the system.
At the same time, it may be transmitted to the host computer 20. Here, if this host computer 20 has an automatic recovery function, it is possible to automatically avoid errors.

Here, the abnormality detection process in the abnormality monitoring apparatus 30 described above is performed as follows.
That is, in the fader or encoder data operation, abnormality detection is performed by the following method using the fact that the change in the control amount is continuous.

As preconditions, the following a and b are input to the abnormality monitoring apparatus 30 in advance, and abnormality is detected by the method c.
a. Assume the fastest time when the operator operates the fader or encoder.
b. Determine the control processing interval of the fader or encoder.
c. The control speed is calculated from the change amount of the control data and the control transmission time interval, and if the control change is too early compared to the fastest operation time assumed in a, it is regarded as abnormal.

For example, in the moving fader that performs 8-bit control, it is assumed that an abnormality is detected when the following abnormality occurs. Here, the numerical representations of the following fader control data are all hexadecimal numbers.
(1) When the fader position is recalled, but the fader is not driven due to an error in the fader drive section. That is, when the fader position before the recall is 3F, the fader position after the recall is 00 If it is 3F or the like, it is determined to be abnormal.
In the case of such an abnormality, the operator operation at such a speed is impossible from the fastest time of the operator operation in which the fader position is changed from 00 to 3F in a short time after the recall. Recognize

(2) The operator moved the fader to change the control data from 3F to 00. However, the control processing time interval in which bit 4 was always read at 1 due to an abnormality in the fader position reading unit was set to 10 msec. When the next control data is output, the control data at normal time and abnormal time are as shown in FIG.

In other words, in normal times, it proceeds at a constant speed every 10 msec, but in abnormal cases, a rapid speed change occurs as indicated by X in the figure. In this way, when the control speed changes in a short time by comparing the front and rear control amount change speeds, it is considered abnormal.
In addition, in the case of an abnormality in which a certain bit is fixed to 0, a phenomenon such as skipping of control data to be output occurs, but the abnormality can be detected by the same method.

  Here, as in the above examples (1) and (2), an abnormality can be detected by a similar method for an encoder that can detect an abnormality by checking the change speed of the control amount.

The present invention is not limited to the structure described in the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that the shape, structure, etc. of each part constituting the volume adjusting device 10 and the abnormality monitoring device 30 can be appropriately modified and changed. Absent.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the abnormality monitoring device 30 is provided separately from the host computer 20 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and if the function of the host computer 20 is sufficient, the abnormality monitoring device 30 is provided therein. It is also free.

It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the abnormality monitoring apparatus for sound volume adjustment apparatuses which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the monitoring process by the abnormality monitoring apparatus for sound volume adjustment apparatuses which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating abnormality detection in the abnormality monitoring apparatus for sound volume adjustment apparatuses which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Volume control apparatus, 11 ... Panel fader control part, 12 ... Audio | voice control part, 13 ... Communication connection part (communication means), 20 ... Host computer, 21 ... Communication cable (communication means), 30 ... Abnormality monitoring apparatus, 31 32 ... Monitor communication cable 33 ... Alarm transmission communication line.

Claims (4)

In a volume adjusting device that includes a fader unit, a control unit that controls a panel unit, and an audio control unit that controls an audio processing unit, and controls and controls the volume level of an input audio signal by controlling with a host computer ,
Communication means between the control units constituting the volume adjusting device and an abnormality monitoring device for monitoring communication data in the communication means between the volume adjusting device and the host computer are provided. An abnormality monitoring device for a volume adjusting device, wherein the abnormality is detected by monitoring communication control data at The abnormality monitoring device for a volume control device according to claim 1,
An abnormality monitoring device for a volume adjusting device, comprising means for notifying an alarm when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality monitoring device. In the abnormality monitoring device for a volume adjusting device according to claim 1 or 2,
The abnormality monitoring device that detects an abnormality checks whether the voice control data in the fader unit and the panel unit in the volume control device match the transmission data of the host computer, or whether they are valid. Function, function to monitor fader position data in fader section and monitor abnormality such as position data is not continuous, or monitor encoder and switch control data in panel section and check if control data is impossible An abnormality monitoring device for a volume control device comprising a function for monitoring The abnormality monitoring device for a volume control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The abnormality monitoring device for a volume control device, wherein the abnormality monitoring device is provided separately from the host computer.

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