JP2010239400A - Sending out server, video server, video server system, material management method and material management program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and promptly change a parameter of material, without performing re-recording or control from a controller of a host system, even if a parameter of an audio channel or the like is changed. <P>SOLUTION: A sending out server includes: a storage means 51 for storing material; and a control means 52 which makes the storage means 51 store material. The control means 52 creates index information indicating a predetermined parameter relating to material, adds the index information to the material and makes the storage means 51 store the material. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a transmission server for transmitting video material, a video server having functions of a transmission server and a material server, a video server system including the transmission server or the video server, a material management method for managing the video material, and the The present invention relates to a material management program for executing a material management method, and more particularly, to a transmission server, video server, video server system, material management method, and material management program installed in a broadcasting station or the like for managing video, audio, and ancillary data. .

Generally, a video server system for distributing video materials is constructed in a broadcasting station or the like.
As a general configuration, this video server system includes an editing machine, a material server, a transmission server, a switcher, and a host system (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The editing machine is an apparatus for receiving or inputting recorded or file-transferred materials, editing these materials, and creating video content. These editing machines include a linear editing machine and a non-linear editing machine. In recent years, non-linear editing machines are mainly used.
The material server receives the material from the editing machine and stores / manages it.
The transmission server accumulates video content produced by the editing machine and transmits the video content to the outside according to a request from the user.

The switcher performs content selection switching and network connection destination switching.
The host system creates a broadcast program schedule (program configuration table), provides this content to the editing machine, and controls the transmission server and switcher. This host system is installed in the program production department or the like.

  In the video server system having such a configuration, adjustment and editing of video and audio are performed by an editing machine or controlled from a host controller during transmission from the transmission server.

JP 2008-059096 A

However, when the adjustment and editing of video and audio are performed as described above, the following problems have occurred.
For example, when the transmission server attempts to transmit material data, when the audio channel is changed, the audio data with the changed audio channel is generated, and the material data including the generated audio data is generated by the editing machine. I had to re-record.
Even if re-recording is not performed, it is necessary to control the material sent from the sending server from the controller of the host system, which is troublesome.

  The present invention has been considered in view of the above circumstances. It is an object of the present invention to provide a transmission server, a video server, a video server system, a material management method, and a material management program capable of changing parameters.

  In order to achieve this object, the sending server of the present invention includes storage means for storing a material and control means for storing the material in the storage means, and the control means stores index information indicating a predetermined parameter related to the material. The index information is created, added to the material, and stored in the storage means.

  Further, the video server of the present invention includes a first storage means for storing the material before editing, a second storage means for storing the material after editing, and a control means for storing the material after editing in the second storage means. The control means creates index information indicating predetermined parameters relating to the edited material, adds the index information to the edited material, and stores the index information in the second storage means.

  The video server system according to the present invention further includes a transmission server for transmitting the material to the outside, and the transmission server includes a storage unit for storing the material and a control unit for storing the material in the storage unit. The means creates index information indicating a predetermined parameter related to the material, adds the index information to the material, and stores it in the storage means.

  Further, the video server system of the present invention includes a video server for storing the material before editing and the material after editing, and the video server stores a storage means for storing the edited material and a storage means for storing the edited material. Control means for storing the index information, creating index information indicating a predetermined parameter relating to the edited material, and adding the index information to the edited material and storing the index information in the storage means. .

  Further, the material management method of the present invention is a method having a process of creating index information indicating a predetermined parameter related to a material, and a process of adding index information to the material and storing it.

  In addition, the material management program of the present invention is configured to cause the sending server to execute processing for creating index information indicating predetermined parameters related to material and processing for adding the index information to the material and storing it.

  According to the transmission server, the video server, the video server system, the material management method and the material management program of the present invention, the index information is added to the material and stored, and the index information can be edited. Even if the parameters are changed, the parameters of the material can be changed easily and quickly without re-recording or control from the controller of the host system.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the video server system in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the transmission server in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the other structure of a sending server. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the raw material and index information which are memorize | stored in the memory | storage means of a sending server. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of material index information. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the index information regarding an image | video. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the index information regarding an audio | voice. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the index information regarding ancillary data. It is a figure which shows the parameter of the reproduction | regeneration order after edit and after edit. It is a figure which shows the parameter of the reproduction range before edit and after edit. It is a figure which shows the parameter of the YC level and hue before edit and after edit. It is a figure which shows the parameter of "LINE_NO of the ancillary data to superimpose" before edit and after edit. It is a figure which shows the audio | voice parameter after an edit and after an edit. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the transmission server in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the other structure of a video server system.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a transmission server, a video server, a video server system, a material management method, and a material management program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Embodiment]
First, an embodiment of a transmission server, a video server system, a material management method, and a material management program according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the video server system of this embodiment.

(Video server system, transmission server)
As shown in FIG. 1, the video server system 1 a includes an editing machine 10, a material server 20, a switcher 30, a host system 40, and a transmission server 50.

Here, the editing machine 10 receives or inputs the material recorded by the ENG (Electronic News Gathering) camera 11 or the material transferred by the file via the line 12, and edits these materials, A device for producing video content. That is, for example, the editing machine 10 can perform an editing operation to cut out necessary portions of the materials and connect them to produce a desired video content.
The editing machine 10 includes a linear editing machine for magnetic tapes and a non-linear editing machine for HDDs (Hard Disk Drives).
Further, the material photographed by the ENG camera 11 can be recorded on a medium such as a VTR (Video Tape Recorder) tape and reproduced by the editing machine 10.

The material server 20 receives the material before editing from the editing machine 10 and stores and manages it.
The switcher 30 performs content selection switching and network connection destination switching.

The host system 40 is a computer installed in a program production department or the like. The host system 40 creates a broadcast program schedule (program configuration table), provides the contents to the editing machine 10, and controls the switcher 30 and the transmission server 50.
Strictly speaking, the host system 40 is connected to a network belonging to a work group of a system different from the video server system 1a, and the network and the video server system 1a are connected to each other so-called WAN (Wide Area Network). Is building.
The host system 40 includes, for example, a news report support system 41 and an OTC (One Touch Controller) system 42.

The sending server 50 is a computer that operates under program control, and can be composed of a personal computer (PC) or the like. The sending server 50 accumulates video content (material after editing) produced by the editing machine 10 and receives it from the user. The video content is transmitted to the outside according to the request.
As shown in FIG. 2, the sending server includes a storage unit 51 and a control unit (CPU (Central Processing Unit)) 52. As shown in FIG. 3, the sending server 50 can further include an encoder 53, a decoder 54, a display unit 55, and an input unit 56.

The storage unit 51 has a predetermined storage area, and stores programs and data for realizing various functions of the transmission server 50.
The storage means 51 stores the material compressed by the encoder 53 and the material transferred as a file. For this reason, the storage means 51 can be configured by a mass storage device (for example, a flash memory) that can be accessed at high speed.
The material stored in the storage means 51 includes video data, audio data, ancillary data, and the like.
In the present embodiment, the material (material 01) stored in the storage means 51 is, for example, “video data A”, “video data B”, “audio data C”, “ancillary” as shown in FIG. It is assumed that it is constituted by “redata D”.

Further, the storage unit 51 stores index information.
The index information is information for setting parameters related to material, video data, audio data, and ancillary data.
As shown in FIG. 4, the index information includes “material index information” (material 01_index), “video index information” (video index_A), “audio index information” (audio index_C), and “ancillary data”. Index information ”(ancillary data index_D).

As shown in FIG. 5, “material index information” includes information such as video, audio, ancillary data (“use data”), “playback order”, and “playback range” to be used.
As shown in FIG. 6, the “video index information” has information such as “YC level” and “hue”.
As shown in FIG. 7, “voice index information” includes information such as “CH information”, “voice level”, “MUTE”, and “number of voice CHs” of voice for each voice CH.
As shown in FIG. 8, “ancillary data index information” includes information such as designation information (“LINE number”) such as a LINE number of ancillary data to be superimposed at the time of transmission.

  The control unit 52 sends the material input to the network (the material transferred by the file) or the material compressed by the encoder 53 to the storage unit 51 for storage. At this time, the control unit 52 creates “index information” and “material index information” for material management from the host system 40, adds them to the material, and stores them in the storage unit 51.

Here, the control means 52 takes out the format of “index information” or “material index information” from the storage means 51.
Next, the control means 52 sets an initial value for each item of the “index information” or “material index information”, and sets a predetermined parameter for the item to be adjusted.
The control means 52 refers to an MXF (Material eXchange Format) file sent together with the material from the editing machine 10 for the contents related to the material parameter, and is stored in the MXF file (index table of the file header). Is set to a predetermined item of “index information” or “material index information”.
Further, when the material is sent from another system via the network (network input in FIG. 3), the control means 52 receives each parameter constituting “index information” from the other system. These “index information” can be created.

Further, when an operation for starting editing of index information is performed by the input unit 56, the control unit 52 performs the specified material, and “index information” and “material index information” added to the material. Is taken out from the storage means 51 and sent to the display means 55 for display.
Further, the control means 52 adds the edited “index information” or the like to the material and causes the storage means 51 to store it.

When the control means 52 receives a material transmission request by a signal input from the host system 40, the material indicated in the transmission request, and “material index information” and “index information” added to the material. Are taken out from the storage means 51.
Next, the control means 52 selects necessary video, audio, ancillary data, and “index information” based on the “use data” of the “material index information”, and sends them to the decoder 54.

  The encoder 53 performs digital compression processing in real time on a material sent from the editing machine 10 (a material input from “external input” in FIG. 3) using a moving image encoding technology such as MPEG-2. Do. This digitally compressed video moving image information is accumulated in the storage means 51 via the control means 52.

The decoder 54 performs digital decompression processing on the material sent from the control means 52 in real time using a moving image encoding technique such as MPEG-2. The decompressed material is sent to the outside.
Here, the decoder 54 edits the video parameters according to the “video index information” and transmits the material when converting into an output signal such as SDI (Serial Digital Interface).

Further, when converting the audio data into an output such as AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) or SDI, the decoder 54 edits the audio parameters according to the “audio index information” and transmits the material.
Furthermore, the decoder 54 superimposes and transmits the ancillary data of the LINE number designated for the SDI output based on the “ancillary data index information”. Thus, by editing the index information, the LINE number of the ancillary data to be superimposed can be specified and transmitted.

The display means 55 is a monitor that displays predetermined information. For example, the display means 55 can reproduce and display the material. The display means 55 can display each item and parameter of “index information” and “material index information”.
The input means 56 can be configured by an MMI (Man Machine Interface) such as a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, or the like. This input means 56 is operated by the user and is used, for example, when editing “index information” or the like.

(Edit index information)
Next, editing of “index information” and “material index information” will be described.
In editing “index information”, the display means 55 displays a screen for starting index information editing, and the user performs an operation for starting editing of “index information” using the input means 56. Start by doing.
Next, the user operates the input unit 56 to specify a material to which “index information” or the like to be edited is added.
The control means 52 takes out the designated material and “index information” added to the material from the storage means 51 and sends the “index information” etc. to the display means 55 for display.

The user refers to the parameters of each item such as “index information” displayed on the display means 55 and, if necessary, edits the “index information” or the like by changing the set value.
The control means 52 adds the edited “index information” etc. to the material and sends them to the storage means 51 for storage.

Examples of editing performed by editing processing such as “index information” are shown in FIGS.
For example, with respect to the “reproduction order” of “material index information”, as shown in FIG. 9, the parameters for “reproduction frame”, “material”, and “start address” are changed from “before editing” to “after editing”. >> can be changed. Specifically, in the example of FIG. 9, the playback order is changed from “A” → “B” to “B” → “A”.

As for the “playback range” of the “material index information”, as shown in FIG. 10, the parameters for the “IN point” and “OUT point” items are changed from “before editing” to “after editing”. Can be changed. Specifically, in the example of FIG. 10, the parameter of “IN point” is changed from “0 frame” to “278 frame”. In addition, the parameter of “OUT point” is changed from “3002 frame” to “2564 frame”.
Furthermore, as for the “YC level” and “hue” of the “index information” of the video, the parameters can be changed as shown in FIG. Specifically, in the example of FIG. 11, the “YC level” parameter is changed from “1 ×” to “0.98 ×”. In addition, the parameter of “hue” is changed from “0 DEG” to “30 DEG”.

As for “LINE_NO” of “index information” of ancillary data, parameters can be changed as shown in FIG. Specifically, in the example of FIG. 12, “LINE_NO” is changed from “ALL” to “19 LINE”.
Further, regarding “reproduction AUDIO_CH” of the “index information” of the audio, as shown in FIG. 13, the parameters can be changed for each item of “MUTE flag”, “audio level adjustment”, and “material audio CH”. it can. Specifically, in the example of FIG. 13, the “MUTE flag” parameter of “Reproduction AUDIO_CH4” is changed from “OFF” to “ON”. In addition, the “audio level adjustment” parameter of “reproduction AUDIO_CH3” is changed from “0 dB” to “−5 dB”.

  As described above, the transmission server according to the present embodiment adds the material parameters to the material as “material index information” and “index information”, stores them in the storage unit 51, and stores them at an arbitrary timing. “Material index information” and “index information” can be edited by operating the input means 56 in the transmission server 50. This eliminates the need to record the material again or control it from the controller of the host system in order to change the material parameter. For this reason, it is possible to easily and quickly change the material parameters.

(Material management method)
Next, the operation (material management method) of the sending server of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the sending server of this embodiment.
The storage means 51 of the sending server 50 stores the format of each item of “index information” and “material index information” to be added to the material.
As shown in FIG. 14, the transmission server 50 inputs a material (video content) from the editing machine 10 (step 10). The input material is digitally compressed by the encoder 53. Further, the sending server 50 inputs a material transferred from outside via a network (not shown).

The control means 52 creates “index information” and “material index information” when trying to store the compressed material or the file transferred material in the storage means 51 (step 11).
Here, the control means 52 takes out the format of each item of “index information” and “material index information” from the storage means 51. Next, the control means 52 sets initial values for the parameters of these items. In addition, the parameter of the item to be adjusted is set to a predetermined value. Further, the contents related to the parameters of the material are set by extracting necessary parameters from the recording settings stored in the MXF file sent from the editing machine 10.
Then, the control means 52 adds the created “index information” and “material index information” to the material (step 12), and causes the storage means 51 to store the material to which the “index information” and the like are added (step 12). 13).

Next, when the user performs an operation for starting editing index information with the input means 56 (input of index information editing start instruction, step 14), the control means 52 The “index information” and “material index information” added to the material are taken out from the storage means 51 and displayed on the display means 55 (step 15).
When the user operates the input unit 56, “index information” and “material index information” are edited.
The control means 52 adds the edited “index information” or the like to the material and stores it in the storage means 51 (step 16).

Subsequently, when receiving a transmission request from the host system 40 (step 17), the control means 52 includes the material indicated in the transmission request, and “material index information” and “index information” added to the material. Is taken out from the storage means 51 (step 18).
Next, the control means 52 selects necessary video, audio, ancillary data, and “index information” based on the “use data” of the “material index information”, and sends them to the decoder 54.

The decoder 54 performs digital decompression processing on the material sent from the control means 52 and sends it out.
At this time, the decoder 54 compiles and sends out video parameters according to the “video index information” when converting to an output signal such as SDI. In addition, the decoder 54 edits and transmits the audio parameters according to the “audio index information” when converting the audio data into an output such as AES or SDI. Furthermore, the decoder 54 superimposes and transmits the ancillary data of the LINE number designated in the SDI output based on the “ancillary data index information” (steps 19 and 20).

(Material management program)
Next, the material management program will be described.
The material management function (function for executing the material management method) of the computer (transmission server, video server system) in the above embodiment is stored in storage means (for example, ROM (Read only memory), hard disk, etc.). Realized by a material management program.

The material management program is read by a computer control means (CPU or the like) to send commands to each component of the computer and perform predetermined processing, for example, material input processing, index information and material index information of the control means of the sending server. Creation processing, index information addition processing, index information editing start instruction input processing, material specification processing, index information editing processing, material index information editing processing, transmission request reception processing, storage means material storage processing, encoder material compression processing, Decoder material decompression processing, parameter adjustment processing, etc. are performed.
Thus, the material management function is realized by the cooperation of the material management program that is software and each component of the computer (transmission server, video server system) that is hardware resources.

A material management program for realizing the material management function is stored in a computer ROM, hard disk, or the like, or may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as an external storage device or a portable recording medium. it can.
The external storage device is a memory expansion device that incorporates a storage medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact disk-Read only memory) and is externally connected to the material management device. On the other hand, the portable recording medium is a recording medium that can be mounted on a recording medium driving device (drive device) and is portable, and refers to, for example, a flexible disk, a memory card, a magneto-optical disk, and the like.

The program recorded on the recording medium is loaded into a RAM (Random Access Memory) of a computer and executed by the CPU (control means). By this execution, the function of the material management apparatus of the above-described embodiment is realized.
Furthermore, when a material management program is loaded by a computer, the material management program held by another computer can be downloaded to its own RAM or external storage device using a communication line. The downloaded material management program is also executed by the CPU, and realizes the material management function of the material management apparatus according to the embodiment.

As described above, according to the transmission server, the video server system, the material management method, and the material management program of the present embodiment, the material parameters are created as “index information” and “material index information” in the transmission server, Since these are added to the material and stored, the parameters of the material can be easily and quickly changed by editing the “index information” or the like.
This eliminates the need to re-record the material or control it from the controller of the host system in order to change the material parameter.

  The preferred embodiments of the transmission server, video server system, material management method, and material management program of the present invention have been described above. However, the transmission server, video server, video server system, material management method, and material management program according to the present invention are Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the transmission server and the material server are configured separately, but they are not limited to different configurations, and may be provided as a video server 60 as one configuration as shown in FIG. In this case, the video server 60 has a function as a transmission server and a function as a material server. That is, the video server 60 creates index information and material index information and adds them to the first storage means for storing the material before editing, the second storage means for storing the material after editing (video content), and the index information and material index information. And control means for storing in the second storage means. Thereby, the video server 60 has the functions (index information creation function, index information editing function, etc.) of the transmission server 50 in the above-described embodiment. And the same effect as the effect at the time of implementing the sending server 50 can be show | played.

Further, the decoder of the sending server can have a color correct function. In this case, the sending server edits the parameters of the color information such as the hue of the index information based on the color correction parameter information adjusted at the time of previewing the video material, and stores it in the storage means. Can be sent out.
Furthermore, the video server system can also include an archive device for storing on-air material.

  Since the present invention is an invention relating to management of video material, it can be used for an apparatus and a device for managing video material.

1a, 1b Video server system 50 Sending server 51 Storage means 52 Control means 54 Decoder 55 Display means 56 Input means 60 Video server

Claims (14)

Storage means for storing the material;
Control means for storing the material in the storage means,
The transmission server, wherein the control means creates index information indicating a predetermined parameter related to the material, adds the index information to the material, and stores the index information in the storage means. Input means for performing a predetermined operation;
Display means for displaying predetermined information,
When an operation for starting editing of the index information is performed by the input unit, the control unit takes out the index information from the storage unit and displays the index information on the display unit.
2. The transmission server according to claim 1, wherein when the index information is edited by an operation of the input means, the control means adds the edited index information to the material and stores it in the storage means. . A decoder for decompressing the compressed material;
When receiving a transmission request from the outside, the control means takes out the material and index information added to the material from the storage means and sends it to the decoder,
The transmission server according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the decoder changes the parameter of the material based on index information. The transmission server according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the index information indicates a predetermined parameter related to one or more of video data, audio data, and ancillary data constituting the material. . First storage means for storing the material before editing;
Second storage means for storing the edited material;
Control means for storing the edited material in the second storage means,
The control means creates index information indicating predetermined parameters relating to the edited material, adds the index information to the edited material, and stores the index information in the second storage means. . Input means for performing a predetermined operation;
Display means for displaying predetermined information,
When an operation for starting editing of the index information is performed by the input unit, the control unit takes out the index information from the second storage unit and displays the index information on the display unit.
The index information is edited by an operation of the input means, and the control means adds the edited index information to the material and causes the second storage means to store the index information. Video server. Equipped with a sending server to send materials to the outside,
A storage means for storing the material;
Control means for storing the material in the storage means,
The video server system, wherein the control means creates index information indicating a predetermined parameter related to the material, adds the index information to the material, and stores the index information in the storage means. The sending server is
Input means for performing a predetermined operation;
Display means for displaying predetermined information,
When an operation for starting editing of the index information is performed by the input unit, the control unit takes out the index information from the storage unit and displays the index information on the display unit.
8. The video server according to claim 7, wherein when the index information is edited by an operation of the input means, the control means adds the edited index information to the material and stores it in the storage means. system. It has a video server that stores the material before editing and the material after editing.
This video server
Storage means for storing the edited material;
Control means for storing the edited material in the storage means,
The video server system, wherein the control means creates index information indicating predetermined parameters relating to the edited material, adds the index information to the edited material, and stores the index information in the storage means. The video server is
Input means for performing a predetermined operation;
Display means for displaying predetermined information,
When an operation for starting editing of the index information is performed by the input unit, the control unit takes out the index information from the storage unit and displays the index information on the display unit.
10. The video server according to claim 9, wherein when the index information is edited by an operation of the input means, the control means adds the edited index information to the material and stores it in the storage means. system. Processing for creating index information indicating predetermined parameters related to the material;
And a process of adding the index information to the material and storing it. When an operation for starting editing of the index information is performed, a process of displaying the index information;
The material management method according to claim 11, further comprising a process of adding the edited index information to the material and storing the edited index information when the index information is edited. Processing for creating index information indicating predetermined parameters related to the material;
A material management program for causing a sending server to execute processing for adding the index information to the material and storing it. When an operation for starting editing of the index information is performed, a process of displaying the index information;
14. The material management program according to claim 13, wherein when the index information is edited, the sending server executes a process of adding the edited index information to the material and storing it.

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