JP2009267648A - Video transmission measuring system, measurement signal generator, measuring apparatus, and video transmission measuring method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To measure transmission time of video images in high accuracy by using only video signals without increasing transmission information quantity. <P>SOLUTION: A measuring signal generator 1 is provided with a control means to control the generation of measuring video signals at a predetermined timing on the basis of reference time acquired from a reference time source, and a brightness modulation means which changes brightness based on the control of the control means to generate measuring video signals. The control means sets an instrumentation time point indicating transmission-side time in a measuring video signal by changing brightness of each pixel in the measuring video signal. The measuring apparatus 2 includes a brightness detection means to detect brightness of measuring video signals transmitted via a predetermined communication apparatus, and a video transmission time computation means which detects the instrumentation time point set in the measuring video signal on the basis of a change of the detected brightness, acquires a receiving-side time including the detected instrumentation time point from the reference time source and subtracts the transmission-side time from the receiving-side time so as to compute the transmission time of the measuring video signal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a system and method for measuring the transmission time of data.

  Regarding the video transmission time, Patent Document 1 discloses that the transmission side adds a time code of the current time to the data stream and transmits the data stream, and the reception side determines the transmission time from the difference between the received time code of the data stream and the reception time. It is described to measure.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 describes a method of measuring a delay time of an output video signal with respect to an output audio signal after generating an output video signal and an output audio signal and passing them through an image transmission device.
JP 2004-254149 A JP-A-8-18930

  When the time code of the current time described in Patent Document 1 is added to the data stream and transmitted, the measurement accuracy of the transmission time depends on the granularity of the video time code. An error in milliseconds may occur.

  In order to improve the measurement accuracy, it is also conceivable to superimpose a highly accurate time code with a fine granularity on the data stream. However, in order to reduce the amount of transmission information, the superimposed information may be deleted or processed in the transmission apparatus, or the superimposed information may be lost depending on the video compression method.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to measure a video transmission time with higher accuracy using only a video signal without increasing the amount of transmission information.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a video transmission measurement system comprising a measurement signal generator for generating a measurement video signal for measurement and a measurement device for measuring a transmission time of the measurement video signal. The measurement signal generator is configured to control the generation of the measurement video signal at a predetermined timing based on the reference time acquired from the reference time source, and to change the luminance based on the control of the control unit. Luminance modulation means for generating a measurement video signal, and the control means changes a luminance of each pixel of the measurement video signal to thereby indicate a measurement time point indicating a transmission side time in the measurement video signal. And the measurement apparatus is provided in the measurement video signal based on the detected luminance change and luminance detection means for detecting the luminance of the measurement video signal transmitted via a predetermined communication device. Transmitting the measurement video signal by detecting the measured measurement time point, obtaining the reception time at which the measurement time point was detected from the reference time source, and subtracting the transmission time from the reception time. Video transmission time calculating means for calculating time.

  The present invention also provides a measurement signal generator for generating a measurement video signal for measurement in a video transmission measurement system, wherein the measurement video signal is generated at a predetermined timing based on a reference time acquired from a reference time source. Control means for controlling, and brightness modulation means for changing the brightness based on the control of the control means to generate a measurement video signal, wherein the control means controls the brightness of each pixel of the measurement video signal. By changing, a measurement time point indicating the transmission side time is set in the measurement video signal.

  The present invention is also a measuring apparatus for measuring a transmission time of a measurement video signal for measurement in a video transmission measurement system, and detecting luminance of the measurement video signal transmitted via a predetermined communication device. And a measurement time point indicating a transmission side time set in the measurement video signal based on the detected luminance change, and a reception side time at which the measurement time point is detected is detected from the reference time source. Video transmission time calculating means for calculating the transmission time of the measurement video signal by acquiring and subtracting the transmission side time from the reception side time.

  The present invention is also a video transmission time measurement method performed by the video transmission measurement system, wherein the luminance of each pixel of the video signal is changed based on the reference time acquired from the reference time source, and the transmission side time is set. A generation step of generating a measurement video signal in which a measurement time point is indicated, a luminance detection step of detecting the luminance of the measurement video signal transmitted via a predetermined communication device, and the change based on the detected luminance change Detecting a measurement time point set in the measurement video signal, obtaining a reception side time at which the measurement time point is detected from the reference time source, and subtracting the transmission side time from the reception side time And a video transmission time calculating step for calculating the transmission time of the measurement video signal.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to measure a video transmission time with higher accuracy using only a video signal without increasing the amount of transmission information.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram for explaining a video transmission measurement system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

  The video transmission measurement system of this embodiment includes a measurement signal generator 1 and a measurement device 2. The measurement signal generator 1 is connected to an external signal source 91 (camera, microphone, etc.), and an external signal is input from the external signal source 91. The measurement signal generator 1 generates a measurement signal (video signal and audio signal) based on the input external signal and outputs it to the video / audio transmitter 92. The video / audio transmission device 92 transmits the input measurement signal to the video / audio reception device 94 via the network 93.

  The video / audio reception device 94 outputs the received measurement signal to the measurement device 2. The measuring device 2 measures the transmission time and lip sync of the video signal. Note that the lip sync in this specification is a difference between the arrival time of the video signal and the arrival time of the audio signal that occurs when the transmission time of the video signal and the transmission time of the audio signal are different. Further, the measuring device 2 outputs a measurement signal to the video / audio monitor 95.

  As shown in the figure, the transmission time of the present embodiment is the total time of the processing time of the video / audio transmission device 92, the propagation time of the network 93, and the processing time of the video / audio reception device 94. At the time of non-measurement, the measurement signal generator 1 outputs the video signal and audio signal input from the external signal source 91 to the video / audio transmitter 92, and the measurement device 2 outputs from the video / audio receiver 94. The video signal and audio signal of the external signal source 91 thus output are output to the video / audio monitor 95.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the measurement signal generator 1.

  The measurement signal generator 1 includes a time acquisition unit 11, a control unit 12, a video frame generation unit 13, a luminance modulation unit 14, an audio signal generation unit 15, an audio modulation unit 16, and an uninterruptible switching unit 17. And an internal clock 18.

  The time acquisition unit 11 acquires a reference common time from the reference time source 96 and outputs it to the control unit 12. The reference time source 96 may be a GPS satellite, a JJY signal, an NTP protocol in an IP network, or the like. By using these, it is possible to measure the transmission time with higher accuracy.

  The video frame generator 13 regenerates the video frame frequency (time base, frame rate) of the video signal (video frame) input from the external signal source 91 and generates a frame pulse synchronized with the video signal of the external signal source 91. Output to the control unit 12. The video frame generator 13 outputs each video frame input from the external signal source 91 to the luminance modulator 14.

  The control unit 12 outputs the timing for generating the measurement video frame to the luminance modulation unit 14 based on the reference time input from the time acquisition unit 11 and the frame pulse input from the video frame generation unit 13. The control unit 12 outputs the audio signal output timing and the polarity of the audio signal amplitude (positive or negative polarity) to the audio modulation unit 16 in synchronization with the timing of generating the measurement video frame.

  The luminance modulation unit 14 generates a measurement video frame by changing the luminance of each video frame input from the video frame generation unit 13 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 12, and generates the generated measurement video frame and other video frames. Is output to the uninterruptible switching unit 17.

  The audio signal generator 15 generates an audio signal and outputs it to the audio modulator 16. In response to an instruction from the control unit 12, the audio modulation unit 16 generates a measurement audio signal in synchronization with the measurement video frame, and further outputs the measurement audio signal to the uninterruptible switching unit 17 with the specified polarity. . The audio signal generation unit 15 and the audio modulation unit 16 correspond to audio generation means.

  The uninterruptible switching unit 17 includes a video switch 171 and an audio switch 172. When the switches 171 and 172 are connected to the measurement side, the measurement video signal and the measurement audio signal are output to the video / audio transmission device 92 and transmitted to the measurement device 2. On the other hand, when the switches 171 and 172 are connected to the non-measurement time side, external signals (video signals and audio signals) input from the external signal source 91 are output to the video and audio transmission device 92.

  In the present embodiment, the video signal input from the external signal source 91 is input to the video frame generation unit 13 and the luminance modulation unit 14 even when the switches 171 and 172 are connected to the non-measurement side. Then, it is assumed that the measurement video signal is generated by the instruction of the control unit 12, and the audio signal generation unit 15 and the audio modulation unit 16 generate the measurement audio signal.

  Thereby, in this embodiment, it changes to a measurement state instantly by switching each switch 171 and 172 to the measurement time side. That is, the external signal at the time of non-measurement and the measurement signal at the time of measurement are input to the video / audio transmission device 92 without interruption. The video / audio transmission device 92 and the video / audio reception device 94 may change in the operation state every time the input signal is interrupted, and may take time to stabilize again. In this embodiment, measurement is started without interruption. Therefore, the transmission time can be measured in a stable operating state of the video / audio transmission device 92 and the video / audio reception device 94. Therefore, a more accurate transmission time can be measured.

  Further, as described above, since the measurement video signal is generated using the video frame frequency of the external signal source 91, the video frame frequency of the signal actually transmitted and the signal generated for measurement is the same. Thus, the transmission time can be measured in a stable operation state of the video / audio transmission device 92 and the video / audio reception device 94 without causing a change in the operation state due to the difference in the video frame frequency. Therefore, the transmission time closer to the transmission time of the video signal to be actually transmitted can be measured.

  The measurement signal generator 1 includes an internal clock 18 that generates a clock signal for generating a video frame frequency and inputs it to the video frame generator 13 when no video signal is input from the external signal source 91. It is good. In addition, the measurement signal generator 1 includes a multiplex converter 19 that superimposes (multiplexes) the video signal and the audio signal output from the uninterruptible switching unit 17, and the video / audio superimposed signal is transmitted to the video / audio transmitter 92. It is good also as transmitting to.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining measurement signals (measurement video frames and measurement audio signals) generated by the measurement signal generator 1. In the present embodiment, the measurement video frames 31 and 32 and the measurement audio signals 33 and 34 are generated and measured at a predetermined period longer than a transmission time assumed in advance.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3A, a measurement signal is generated every 10 seconds without a fraction of a reference time such as Coordinated Universal Standard Time (UTC). The measurement video frames 31 and 32 are video frames composed of bright luminance (white) and intermediate luminance (such as gray).

  FIG. 3B schematically shows the screen of the measurement video frame 31 at the measurement time point 1 shown in FIG. 3A and the screen of the video frame 35 other than the measurement video frame displayed before that. It is a thing. In the present embodiment, the video frames 35 other than the measurement video frame are dark luminance (black) screens. The measurement video frame 31 includes an intermediate luminance region 36, a bright luminance region 37, an intermediate luminance region 38, and a bright luminance region 39 in order from the top of the screen based on the video luminance of FIG.

  FIG. 3C schematically shows the screen of the measurement video frame 32 at the measurement time point 2 shown in FIG. 3A and the screen of the video frame 35 other than the measurement video frame displayed before that. It is a thing. The video frame 35 other than the measurement video frame is a dark luminance (black) screen, as in FIG. The measurement video frame 32 includes an intermediate luminance region, a bright luminance region, an intermediate luminance region, and a bright luminance region in order from the top of the screen based on the video luminance in FIG. Also, when the time Ts at which the measurement time point 2 is set on the transmission side is [hh: mm: 10.0000] and the time Tr at which the measurement time point 2 is detected on the reception side is [hh: mm: 11.2340], the transmission time (Ttr = Ts−Tr) is 1.2340 seconds.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the measurement video frame in detail. FIG. 4A shows a case where the measurement time point is in the effective video area of the measurement video frame, and FIG. 4B shows a case where the measurement time point is in the invisible area of the measurement video frame. .

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the video frame 40 (video signal) has an effective video area 41 in which video is displayed and an invisible area 42 in which video is not displayed. Further, as shown in the enlarged view 49 near the measurement time point, even in the effective image area 41, the invisible portion 43 in which the image is not displayed and dark luminance is displayed for each horizontal line (scanning line), and the image is displayed. And an effective video area 44 to be displayed. The invisible part 43 is located at both ends (the first part pixel and the last part pixel) of one horizontal line. The enlarged view 49 shows that a pixel in the middle of a certain horizontal line (effective video area 44) is a measurement time point 45.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, when there is a measurement time point in the effective video area of the measurement video frame, the intermediate brightness is set up to the measurement time point, and the first half of the invalidity avoidance time Td from the measurement time point. The half time is defined as bright luminance, the latter half of the time is defined as intermediate luminance, and the luminance after the invalid avoidance time Td has elapsed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, when there is a measurement time point in the invisible region 42 of the measurement video frame, the luminance is changed from intermediate luminance to bright luminance with the measurement time point as shown in FIG. 4A. It cannot be changed. Therefore, the time point at which 1/2 hour of the invalidity avoidance time Td has elapsed from the measurement time point is regarded as the first auxiliary measurement point. Then, the brightness from the head of the effective video area to the first auxiliary measurement point is set as the bright luminance, and the intermediate luminance is set from the first auxiliary measurement point to the second auxiliary measurement point at which 1/2 of the invalidity avoidance time Td has elapsed. The brightness after the invalid avoidance time Td, which is the second auxiliary measurement point, is defined as bright brightness.

  In general, the video frame frequency of a video signal is such that an integer multiple of each video frame does not match an integer second of a reference time. For example, in the NTSC system, which is a television broadcasting system, the number of frames is 29.97 per second. For this reason, when the measurement time point in units of 10 seconds comes to the invisible region 42 as shown in FIG. 4B, an error occurs and the measurement accuracy is lowered only by changing the luminance only at the measurement time point. End up. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, within a predetermined invalidity avoidance time from the measurement time point, the luminance is repeatedly changed from the bright luminance to the intermediate luminance and from the intermediate luminance to the bright luminance. Even when the measurement time point is in an area other than the video area, the transmission time can be measured with high accuracy.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a control signal output from the control unit 12 to the luminance modulation unit 14 in order to generate the measurement video frame shown in FIG. The luminance modulation unit 14 changes (modulates) the luminance of the video frame based on the control signal from the control unit 12, and generates a measurement video frame as shown in FIG. The control unit 12 performs the process shown in FIG. 5 for each video frame based on the reference time acquired from the time acquisition unit 11 and the frame pulse input from the video frame generation unit 13.

  The control unit 12 determines whether there is a measurement time point or an auxiliary measurement point between the frame start (point) and end (point) of the frame pulse of the video frame to be processed (S11).

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between the measurement time point, the auxiliary measurement point, and the frame pulse. Based on the reference time acquired from the time acquisition unit 11, the control unit 12 generates measurement triggers (measurement time points and auxiliary measurement points) at a predetermined cycle. In this embodiment, every 10 seconds, every 10 seconds without any fraction of the reference time is set as the measurement time point 121, and the time when ½ of the invalid avoidance time (Td) has elapsed from the measurement time point 121. Is the first auxiliary measurement point 122, and the second auxiliary measurement point 123 is the time when the invalid avoidance time (Td) has elapsed from the measurement time point 121. The illustrated frame pulse is, for example, a waveform indicating the start point and end point of a video frame.

  The control unit 12 ends from the frame start (point) of the frame pulse of the processing target video frame by taking the AND condition of the measurement time point 121 of the activation trigger and the auxiliary measurement points 122 and 123 and the frame pulse. ) To determine whether there is a measurement time point or an auxiliary measurement point.

  When the measurement time point and the auxiliary measurement point do not exist (S11: NO), the control unit 12 considers that the video frame of the frame pulse is not a measurement video frame, and controls all pixels of the video frame to have dark luminance. The signal is output to the luminance modulation unit 14 (S12).

  When a measurement time point or an auxiliary measurement point exists (S11: YES), the control unit 12 regards the video frame of the frame pulse as a measurement video frame, and performs the following for each pixel in the effective video area of the video frame. Perform the process. That is, the control unit 12 outputs a control signal for setting intermediate luminance to the luminance modulation unit 14 (S14) for pixels for which the measurement time point has not elapsed (S13: NO). For pixels for which the measurement time point has elapsed (S13: YES), the control unit 12 outputs a control signal for bright brightness to the luminance modulation unit 14 when the invalidity avoidance time has elapsed (S15: YES). (S17). For pixels for which the invalidity avoidance time has not elapsed (S15: NO), the control unit 12 outputs a control signal for bright brightness when the invalidity avoidance time is less than ½ (S16: YES). When a half of the invalidity avoidance time has elapsed (S16: NO), a control signal for setting intermediate luminance is output to the luminance modulation unit 14 (S14).

  Next, the measurement sound signal generation process will be described. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the audio signals 33 and 34 are output in synchronization with the effective video areas 31 and 32 of the measurement video frame, and the silent state is set during the other periods. The measurement audio signal (audio amplitude) alternately outputs a positive sine wave 33 and a negative sine wave 34.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the control signal output from the control unit 12 to the sound modulation unit 16 in order to generate the measurement sound signal shown in FIG. The audio modulation unit 16 modulates the audio amplitude (sine wave) input from the audio signal generation unit 15 into a measurement audio signal as shown in FIG. 3 based on the control signal from the control unit 12.

  The control unit 12 performs the process shown in FIG. 6 for each video frame in parallel with the brightness control process of the measurement video frame shown in FIG. When the head of the effective video area of the video frame is dark luminance (black) (S21: NO), the control unit 12 is a video frame other than the measurement video frame, so that the audio signal synchronized with the video frame is set to the silent state. The control signal to be output is output to the audio modulation unit 16 (S22). When the top of the video frame is intermediate luminance or bright luminance (white) (S21: YES), since it is a measurement video frame, the control unit 12 further determines whether the measurement cycle is even or odd (S23). In this embodiment, in order to generate a measurement video frame at a timing of once every 10 seconds, it is determined whether it is an even number or an odd number based on the measurement time (the value of the tenth digit of the second).

  When the measurement cycle is an odd number (S23: NO), the control unit 12 outputs a control signal that outputs an audio signal synchronized with the measurement video frame as a negative sine wave to the audio modulation unit 16 (S24). When the measurement cycle is an even number (S23: YES), the control unit 12 outputs a control signal that outputs an audio signal synchronized with the measurement video frame as a positive sine wave to the audio modulation unit 16 (S25).

  As described above, the measurement signal generator 1 generates a measurement signal (video signal, measurement audio signal), and the measurement signal is measured via the video / audio transmission device 92, the network 93, and the video / audio reception device 94. Received by device 2.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the measuring device 2.

  The measuring device 2 includes a time acquisition unit 21, a luminance detection unit 22, a video transmission time calculation unit 23, an audio detection unit 24, a lip sync calculation unit 25, a video transmission time display unit 26, and a lip sync display unit. 27. Further, the measuring device 2 may include a demultiplexing unit 29.

  The time acquisition unit 21 acquires a reference common time from the reference time source 96. The luminance detection unit 22 detects the luminance of the video frame. The video transmission time calculation unit 23 acquires the reception time based on the measurement time point or the auxiliary measurement point of the measurement video frame, and calculates the transmission time of the video frame. The voice detector 24 detects the measurement voice signal. The lip sync calculation unit 25 calculates lip sync, which is a transmission time difference between the video signal and the audio signal. The video transmission time display unit 26 and the lip sync display unit 27 display the times calculated by the video transmission time calculation unit 23 and the lip sync calculation unit 25, respectively.

  FIG. 8 shows the transmission time of the measurement video signal (measurement video frame) transmitted from the measurement signal generator 1 through the video / audio transmission device 92, the network 93, and the video / audio reception device 94. It is a flowchart of the process which measures this. The video transmission time calculation unit 23 receives the luminance of each pixel in the effective video area detected by the luminance detection unit 22 for each video frame.

  The video transmission time calculation unit 23 performs the process shown in FIG. 8 on the luminance of each pixel of the input video frame. The video transmission time calculation unit 23 determines whether the luminance of the pixel to be processed has changed from the luminance of the previous pixel (S31). If the luminance has not changed (S31: NO), the processing of S31 is performed. Repeat. When the pixel to be processed is the last pixel of the video frame without changing the luminance (S32: YES), the video frame is a video frame (black screen) other than the measurement video frame. The process ends without measuring.

  If the luminance has changed (S31: YES), the video frame is a measurement video frame, so the video transmission time calculation unit 23 acquires the current time from the reference time source 96 using the time acquisition unit 21 (S33). . When the luminance change is from bright luminance to intermediate luminance (S34: YES), the video transmission time calculation unit 23 sets the time obtained by subtracting 1/2 of the invalid avoidance time from the current time as the reception time (S35). . In addition, the time of changing from bright luminance to intermediate luminance is the first auxiliary measurement point shown in FIG.

  If the luminance change is a change from intermediate luminance to bright luminance (S34: NO), and if there is bright luminance among the pixels input so far in the measurement video frame (S36: YES), the current The time obtained by subtracting the invalid avoidance time from the time is set as the reception time (S37). The point of time when the intermediate luminance changes to the bright luminance is the second auxiliary measurement point shown in FIG. If there is no bright luminance among the pixels input so far in the measurement video frame (S36: NO), the current time is set as the reception time (S38). The time point when the intermediate luminance changes to the bright luminance is a measurement time point shown in FIG.

  Then, the video transmission time calculation unit 23 subtracts the transmission time from the reception time acquired in S35, S37, or S38, and calculates the transmission time of the video signal (S39). In the present embodiment, the measurement signal is generated every 10 seconds without a fraction of the reference time. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the transmission time is a time in which all values below the first place of the number of seconds of the reception time are zero.

  In the present embodiment, the transmission-side measurement signal generator 1 and the reception-side measurement device 2 use a reference time acquired from a common reference time source 96. Thereby, even when the measurement signal generator 1 and the measurement device 2 are located between remote points (for example, international transmission), the transmission time can be calculated easily and with high accuracy.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of processing in which the lip sync calculation unit 25 calculates lip sync, which is the transmission time difference between the video signal and the audio signal. The measurement audio signal detected by the audio detection unit 24 is input to the lip sync calculation unit 25.

  When the audio signal is input (S41: YES), the lip sync calculation unit 25 acquires the polarity (positive polarity, negative polarity) of the audio signal (S42). Then, the lip sync calculation unit 25 acquires the current time (voice arrival time) from the time acquisition unit 21 (S43). Then, the lip sync calculation unit 25 determines whether or not the polarity of the audio signal acquired in S42 matches the measurement cycle (S44).

  That is, as described with reference to FIG. 6, in this embodiment, a measurement audio signal is generated every 10 seconds, and a positive audio signal is generated when the value of the tenth digit of the measurement time is an even number, and an odd number is used. Generates and transmits a negative audio signal. The lip sync calculation unit 25 extracts only the number of seconds from the voice arrival time acquired in S43, and truncates the second digit (00 seconds, 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, 40 seconds or 50 seconds). ) To get. Then, when this value is an even number cycle (00 seconds, 20 seconds, 40 seconds), and the polarity acquired in S42 is positive, the lip sync operation unit agrees that the voice polarity matches the measurement cycle. When the polarity acquired in S42 is negative, it is determined that the voice polarity and the measurement cycle do not match (S44: NO).

  Similarly, when this value is an odd cycle (10 seconds, 30 seconds, 50 seconds), the lip sync operation unit 25 matches the voice polarity with the measurement cycle when the polarity acquired in S42 is negative. If the polarity acquired in S42 is positive, it is determined that the voice polarity and the measurement cycle do not match (S44: NO).

  When the audio polarity matches the measurement cycle (S44: YES), the lip sync calculation unit 25 subtracts the video arrival time at which the measurement video frame arrives from the audio arrival time acquired in S43, and performs lip sync. Calculate (S45).

  Note that, for the video arrival time of the measurement video frame, the lip sync calculation unit 25 has the middle of the effective video area of the video frame input from the luminance detection unit 22 in each measurement cycle in parallel with the processing of FIG. In the case of luminance or bright luminance (that is, in the case of a measurement video frame), the current time (video arrival time) is acquired from the time acquisition unit 21.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the lip sync described in FIG. 9. FIG. 10A shows the measurement video frame on the transmission side and the amplitude of the measurement audio signal. In the measurement signal generator 1 on the transmission side, the measurement video frame and the measurement audio signal are synchronized.

  FIG. 10B shows the measurement video frame and the measurement audio signal that have arrived at the measuring apparatus 2 on the receiving side. When the start of the video signal and the start of the audio signal arrive at the same time, the audio signal is It shows the case where it arrives later than the video signal and the case where the audio signal arrives earlier than the video signal.

  In the lip sync calculation of S45 in FIG. 9, when the calculation result is a positive sign (+), the audio signal arrives later than the video signal, and when the calculation result is a negative sign (−), the audio signal is from the video signal. It means that we arrived early.

  FIG. 11 shows a screen display example 110 of the measurement result displayed on the display units 26 and 27 of the measuring apparatus 2. The video transmission time display unit 26 and the lip sync display unit 27 display the measurement results calculated by the video transmission time calculation unit 23 and the lip sync calculation unit 25. When the voice polarity and the measurement cycle do not match (FIG. 9: S44), the measurement result is not displayed or the measurement result is not updated.

  Note that the video / audio monitor 95 outputs a measurement video frame output from the measurement apparatus 2, a video frame other than the measurement video frame (dark luminance), and a measurement audio signal.

  As the measurement signal generator 1 and the measurement device 2 described above, a general-purpose computer including a CPU, a memory, and a communication control device can be used. In this computer, each function of each device is realized by the CPU executing a predetermined program loaded on the memory.

  In the present embodiment described above, the measurement video signal is generated by changing the luminance of the video signal to bright luminance and intermediate luminance, and the transmission time of the video signal is measured. Thereby, it is possible to measure the transmission time of the video signal using only the video signal without increasing the amount of transmission information. Further, the transmission time of the video signal can be measured regardless of the type of video to be transmitted and the video compression method.

  In the present embodiment, the measurement signal generator 1 on the transmission side and the measurement device 2 on the reception side use the reference time acquired from the common reference time source 96. That is, the measurement signal generator 1 sets the measurement time point to the video signal based on the reference time, and the measurement device 2 acquires the time when the measurement time point or the auxiliary measurement point is detected from the reference time source 96. Thereby, even when the measurement signal generator 1 and the measurement device 2 are located between remote points (for example, international transmission), the transmission time can be calculated easily and with high accuracy.

  In the present embodiment, the luminance is repeatedly changed from the bright luminance to the intermediate luminance and from the intermediate luminance to the bright luminance within a predetermined invalidity avoidance time from the measurement time point. Thereby, even when the measurement time point exists in an area other than the effective video area, the transmission time can be measured with high accuracy.

  In the present embodiment, since the measurement video signal is generated using the video frame frequency of the external signal source 91, the video / audio transmission device 92 does not generate a change in the operation state due to the different video frame frequencies. Can measure the transmission time in a stable operating state. Therefore, the transmission time closer to the transmission time of the video signal to be actually transmitted can be measured.

  In this embodiment, since the measurement is instantaneously started by switching the switch of the uninterruptible switching unit 17 to the measurement time side, the video / audio transmission device 92 includes an external signal at the time of non-measurement and a measurement time at the time of measurement. The measurement signal is input without interruption. As a result, the transmission time can be measured in a stable operation state of the video / audio transmission device 92, and a more accurate transmission time can be measured.

  In the present embodiment, the lip sync can be measured using the beginning and arrival time of the video signal and the arrival time of the beginning of the audio signal. Further, in the present embodiment, an audio signal transmission sequence abnormality can be detected by alternately generating a positive audio signal and a negative audio signal.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to said embodiment, Many deformation | transformation are possible within the range of the summary.

It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the video transmission measuring system to which one Embodiment of this invention was applied. It is a block diagram of a measurement signal generator. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the measurement signal which a measurement signal generator generates. It is explanatory drawing which showed the measurement video frame in detail. It is a flowchart of the generation process of a measurement video signal. It is a flowchart of the generation process of a measurement audio | voice signal. It is a block diagram of a measuring device. It is a flowchart of a calculation process of video transmission time. It is a flowchart of a calculation process of lip sync. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a lip sync. It is the example of a screen display of the measurement result displayed on the display part of a measuring device. It is explanatory drawing explaining the relationship between a measurement time point, an auxiliary measurement point, and a frame pulse.

Explanation of symbols

1: Measurement signal generator 11: Time acquisition unit 12: Control unit 13: Video frame generation unit 14: Brightness modulation unit 15: Audio signal generation unit 16: Audio modulation unit
17: Non-instantaneous switching unit 2: Measuring device 21: Time acquisition unit 22: Luminance detection unit 23: Video transmission time calculation unit 24: Audio detection unit 25: Lip sync calculation unit 26: Video transmission time display unit
27: Lip sync display section

Claims (9)

A video transmission measurement system comprising: a measurement signal generator for generating a measurement video signal for measurement; and a measurement device for measuring a transmission time of the measurement video signal,
The measurement signal generator is
Control means for controlling the generation of the measurement video signal at a predetermined timing based on the reference time acquired from the reference time source;
Brightness changing means for changing the brightness based on the control of the control means to generate a measurement video signal,
The control means sets the measurement time point indicating the transmission side time in the measurement video signal by changing the luminance of each pixel of the measurement video signal,
The measuring device is
Brightness detection means for detecting the brightness of the measurement video signal transmitted via a predetermined communication device;
The measurement time point set in the measurement video signal is detected based on the detected luminance change, and the reception side time at which the measurement time point is detected is acquired from the reference time source, and the reception time is Video transmission measurement system comprising: video transmission time calculation means for calculating the transmission time of the measurement video signal by subtracting the transmission side time. The video transmission measurement system according to claim 1,
The measurement signal generator is
Audio generation means for generating a measurement audio signal synchronized with the measurement video signal based on the control of the control means;
The measuring device is
Voice detection means for detecting the measurement voice signal transmitted via a predetermined communication device;
Lip sync calculation means for calculating lip sync from the difference between the audio detection time at which the measurement audio signal was detected and the video detection time at which the measurement video signal was detected based on the luminance of the measurement video signal A video transmission measurement system characterized by this. The video transmission measurement system according to claim 2,
The audio output means of the measurement signal generator alternately outputs a positive audio amplitude measurement audio signal and a negative audio amplitude measurement audio signal,
The video transmission measurement system, wherein the lip sync calculation unit of the measurement device determines whether or not the polarity of the audio amplitude of the measurement audio signal is appropriate. The video transmission measurement system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The control means of the measurement signal generator further changes the luminance of each pixel of the measurement video signal within a predetermined invalidity avoidance time from the measurement time point, thereby setting an auxiliary measurement point in the measurement video signal. Set,
The video transmission time calculating means of the measuring device detects the auxiliary measurement point, obtains the reception side auxiliary time at which the auxiliary measurement point is detected from the reference time source, and calculates the invalidity avoidance time from the reception side auxiliary time. Alternatively, a time obtained by subtracting a time smaller than the invalid avoidance time is regarded as a reception side time, and the transmission time of the measurement video signal is calculated by subtracting the transmission side time from the reception side time. Transmission measurement system. The video transmission measurement system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The measurement signal generator is
Video frame generating means for regenerating the video frame frequency of the video signal input from the external signal source and outputting to the control means;
The video transmission measurement system characterized in that the control means controls generation of a measurement video frame as a measurement video signal at a predetermined timing based on a reference time acquired from a reference time source and the video frame frequency. The video transmission measurement system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The control means of the measurement signal generator controls the brightness of the measurement video signal to bright brightness and intermediate brightness, and controls all the brightness of video signals other than the measurement video signal to dark brightness. Measuring system. A measurement signal generator for generating a measurement video signal for measurement in a video transmission measurement system,
Control means for controlling the generation of the measurement video signal at a predetermined timing based on the reference time acquired from the reference time source;
Brightness changing means for changing the brightness based on the control of the control means to generate a measurement video signal,
The control means sets the measurement time point indicating the transmission side time in the measurement video signal by changing the luminance of each pixel of the measurement video signal. A measuring device for measuring a transmission time of a measurement video signal for measurement in a video transmission measurement system,
Brightness detection means for detecting the brightness of the measurement video signal transmitted via a predetermined communication device;
While detecting the measurement time point indicating the transmission side time set in the measurement video signal based on the detected change in luminance, and acquiring the reception side time at which the measurement time point is detected from the reference time source, And a video transmission time calculation means for calculating the transmission time of the measurement video signal by subtracting the transmission side time from the reception side time. A video transmission time measurement method performed by a video transmission measurement system,
Based on the reference time acquired from the reference time source, the generation step of changing the luminance of each pixel of the video signal and generating a measurement video signal in which the measurement time point indicating the transmission side time is set;
A luminance detection step for detecting the luminance of the measurement video signal transmitted via a predetermined communication device;
An acquisition step of detecting a measurement time point set in the measurement video signal based on the detected luminance change, and acquiring a reception side time at which the measurement time point is detected from the reference time source;
A video transmission time calculating step of calculating a transmission time of the measurement video signal by subtracting the transmission side time from the reception side time.

Images