JP4088994B2 - VTR control system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a VTR control system, and in particular, a plurality of video devices {VTR (Video Tape Recorder)} are centrally managed by centralized control by a computer, the VTR is run and video / audio is selected and output to a monitor. The present invention relates to a VTR control system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a VTR control system in which a plurality of VTRs as described above are centrally managed by centralized control by a computer, travel such as fast-forwarding of a VTR, and video / audio are selected and output to a monitor.
[0003]
At the same time, in a system that can control only one VTR, video / audio switching is not performed automatically when controlling the VTR, and the VTR is selected before control, and at the same time the video / audio is simultaneously controlled. Is to be switched.
[0004]
In addition, there is a system that has nothing to do with VTR control and video / audio selection, and performs both switching. Further, in a system having operability such as an operation panel that controls a plurality of VTRs in parallel, there is no system that automatically switches between a controlled VTR and video / audio output to a monitor.
[0005]
In order to eliminate such inconvenience, a system for simultaneously switching video / audio according to a VTR to be controlled can be considered.
In such a VTR control system, the video / audio selector selects a video / audio signal from a specific VTR and outputs it to the monitor, and at this time, the control of running of another VTR is executed. This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the conventional VTR control system.
[S1] The video / audio selector selects a video / audio signal channel to be output from the VTR to the monitor.
[S2] Next, the running of another VTR is controlled.
[S3] With this control, the video / audio currently being executed on the monitor is automatically switched to a content that depends on the running of the controlled VTR in S2.
[S4] Accordingly, the desired video / audio channel in S1 is selected again.
[0006]
Next, a description will be given of a case where VTR control and video / audio switching can always be performed independently of each other with no relation, and the two are to be matched. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of another conventional VTR control system.
[S5] Control the running of a certain VTR.
[S6] The video / audio selector selects the channel connected to the VTR that controlled the running, and outputs the video / audio signal of the selected channel to the monitor.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional VTR control system, in the system described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5, when it is desired to select a video / audio signal from a specific VTR by the video / audio selector, another system is used. When the control of the VTR is executed, the selected channel of the video / audio selector is automatically switched at the same time, so that an operation for returning to the desired channel is required after that, and there is a problem that the operation procedure increases.
[0008]
In addition, there is a problem that VTR running control and video / audio switching cannot be performed independently.
In the system described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6, since the operator has to select a video / audio signal from a desired VTR by the video / audio selector after controlling the running of the VTR, There was a problem of increasing.
[0009]
According to the present invention, a video / audio signal from a specific VTR can be selected and displayed on a monitor by a simple operation, and at this time, control such as running of another VTR can be executed while the monitor display is kept as it is. The purpose is to provide a system.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention provides a VTR control system in which the operation of a plurality of video devices is controlled by a computer via switching means, and video / audio signals from the plurality of video devices are selected by the selection means and output to the display means. Operation control means for controlling recording, playback, fast forward, rewind, pause, and stop, which are the operations of the video device, an A / V select designation section that is turned on / off by a user's button operation, and A / V select Oite during on the specified unit, when the operation of other video device other than the first video device is controlled by the first video device the video / audio signal motion control means in a state in which outputs are a control It has been and outputs to the display unit through the selection means a video / audio signal of the other video devices, Oite during off a / V selector specifying unit, the first bi If the operation of the other video device other than the first video device is controlled by the operation control means in a state of outputting a video / audio signal of Deo device, the output of the video / audio signal of the first video device while continuing, VTR control system characterized by comprising a row cormorant automatic video / sound selection specifying means controls the operation of the other video device according to the operation control means.
[0011]
Here, when the operation of the predetermined video apparatus is controlled by the operation control means when the automatic video / audio selection specifying means is on, the video / audio signal of the controlled video apparatus is selected and displayed by the selection means. Even if the operation of the predetermined video apparatus is controlled by the operation control means at the time of off, the video / audio being executed on the display means does not change at this time, and the other video apparatus by the operation control means Is controlled.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the principle of the present invention.
[0013]
The VTR control system shown in FIG. 1 controls the operation of the plurality of video devices 31 to 38 via the switching unit 20 by the computer 10 and selects the video / audio signals from the plurality of video devices 31 to 38. Are selected and output to the display means 50.
[0014]
The feature is that the computer 10 has an operation control means 101 for controlling the operations of a plurality of video devices, and when the operation of the predetermined video device is controlled by the operation control means 101 when the computer 10 is turned on, The video / audio signal is selected by the selection unit 40 and output to the display unit 50. Even when the operation control unit controls the operation of a predetermined video apparatus when the video / audio signal is off, the video / audio signal is executed by the display unit 50 at this time. And automatic video / audio selection / designating means 102 which enables the operation control means 101 to control other video devices without changing the video / audio being recorded.
[0015]
In addition, the computer 10 includes a selection control unit 103 that controls the selection operation of the video / audio signal performed by the selection unit 40, an operation control unit 101, an automatic video / audio selection designation unit 102, and a selection control. There is an operation screen display control means 104 that displays on the screen of the computer 10 a number of operation panels that can be instructed by a click operation of the execution of each control performed by the means 103 on the screen of the computer 10.
[0016]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a VTR control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, portions corresponding to the respective portions of the principle diagram shown in FIG.
[0017]
The VTR control system shown in FIG. 2 includes a computer 10, a switcher 20, eight VTRs (Video Tape Recorders) 31 to 38, an A / V (Audio / Video) selector 40, and a television monitor 50. 8 units of the VTRs 31 to 38 are controlled by the single computer 10 via the switch 20 and the selection of the video / audio signals from the VTRs 31 to 38 by the A / V selector 40 is controlled. The selected video / audio signal is output to the television monitor 50.
[0018]
The computer 10 and the switch 20 are connected by one RS-232C communication control line 11 through which a serial signal is transmitted. Eight output terminals 232C-1 to 232C-8 for switching the VTR of the switch 20 and eight units. The VTRs 31 to 38 are connected by eight RS-232C communication control lines 21 to 28.
[0019]
The VTRs 31 to 38 and the input terminals INPUT1 to INPUT8 of the A / V selector 40 are connected by cables 41 to 48 for transmitting video / audio signals, and the output terminal OUTPUT of the A / V selector 40 and the television monitor. 50 are also connected by a cable 51.
[0020]
Further, in the switcher 20, the output terminals SEL1 to SEL8 from which one S / P (Serial / Parallel) converted signal of one video / audio switching signal from the computer 10 is output, and the A / V selector 40 are output. The switch control unit 49 is connected by control lines 61-68.
[0021]
Next, a configuration diagram of the VTR operation screen 70 displayed on the computer 10 is shown in FIG.
The VTR operation screen 70 is displayed on the screen of the computer 10 by operation screen display control means 104 activated in response to a keyboard operation (not shown).
[0022]
On the VTR operation screen 70, operation panels 71 to 78 corresponding to the VTRs 31 to 38 to be operated are displayed. Each of the operation panels 71 to 78 has the same configuration, and as described on behalf of the operation panel 71 for operating the VTR 31, a current time code display unit 81, a time code designating unit 82 to be searched, And a VTR travel control unit 83.
[0023]
Accordingly, for each VTR 31-38 connected to the computer 10, by pressing a button on the corresponding operation panel 71-78, control of recording, reproduction, fast forward, rewind, pause, stop, etc. Can be executed.
[0024]
In addition, the VTR operation screen 70 includes an A / V selector control switch 84 for controlling only the A / V selector 40, an all play button (ALLPLAY) 85 for making all the VTRs 31 to 38 play simultaneously, An all-stop button (ALLSTOP) 86 for simultaneously stopping the VTRs 31 to 38 and an auto A / V select designation section (AutoA / VSelect) 87 described later are provided.
[0025]
However, each part of the VTR operation screen 70 is operated by clicking with the mouse. The current time code display unit 81, time code designation unit 82, VTR travel control unit 83, all play button 85, and all stop button 86 are linked with the operation control means 101, and the auto A / V select designation unit 87 is The A / V selector control switch 84 is linked to the selection control means 103 in cooperation with the automatic video / audio selection designation means 102.
[0026]
The operation of the auto A / V select designating unit 87 will be described with reference to FIG. However, FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the functional operation of the auto A / V select designation section 87 of the VTR operation screen 70 displayed on the computer 10 shown in FIG.
[S7] It is assumed that a button in the VTR travel control unit 83 is operated.
[S8] Here, it is determined whether automatic video / audio selection, that is, whether the auto A / V select designation section 87 is on or off.
[S9] When the auto A / V select designation section 87 is on, the A / V selector 40 is controlled simultaneously with the button operation on the VTR travel control section 83, and the VTR (for example, 31) of the button operated is operated. The video / audio signal is selected by the A / V selector 40 and output to the television monitor 50.
[S10] On the other hand, when the auto A / V select designation section 87 is off, the A / V selector 40 is not controlled even when the travel control of the VTR 31 is performed. The / audio signal does not change when the button of the VTR running control unit 83 is operated, and continues to output the video / audio signal from the VTR (for example, 32) selected by the A / V selector 40 before the button operation.
[0027]
Since such designation can be performed by the auto A / V select designation section 87, the following special usage method is possible.
(1) Normally, the auto A / V select designation section 87 is turned on. In this case, a desired video position in each of the VTRs 31 to 38 is searched by operating the buttons on the operation panels 71 to 78.
(2) Next, the auto A / V select designation section 87 is turned off. Thereafter, in the above (1), all the VTRs 31 to 38 are searched at the position of the searched tape by the “GOTO” search function.
(3) With the all play button 85, all the VTRs 31 to 38 are run simultaneously. During this travel, the desired channel is switched by pressing the A / V selector control switch 84. For example, suppose that it switched to VTR31.
(4) In addition, a certain VTR is searched for another time load. That is, the VTRs 32 to 38 that are not currently displayed on the TV monitor 50 are cued to another time code position that is the “GOTO” search function. At this time, the auto A / V select designation section 87 is off. Therefore, even if the cueing operation is performed, the channel currently selected by the A / V selector 40 is not affected, that is, the display screen of the current TV monitor 50 is left as it is and is not visible. A search operation can be performed.
[0028]
Further, the present invention can be applied to an automatic program transmission apparatus that reproduces a specified position of a specified VTR at a specified time, for example. To search for a position to be transmitted at the stage of automatic transmission preparation, an auto A / It is conceivable that the automatic A / V select designation unit 87 is switched to a control method in which the V select designation unit 87 is turned on and the automatic A / V select designation unit 87 is off during automatic transmission.
[0029]
During automatic transmission, the VTR that contains the next program needs to cue the tape immediately before switching, but if the video / audio being transmitted at that time is switched, it will be difficult. In such a case, the search may be performed with the auto A / V select designation portion 87 turned on.
[0030]
According to the embodiment described above, when the auto A / V select designating portion 87 provided on the VTR operation screen 70 of the computer 10 is ON, the video / audio signal of the VTR controlled by the VTR control is displayed on the A / V selector. When the VTR control operation is performed, the A / V selector 40 is selected and executed on the TV monitor 50 at this time. Since the video / audio does not change and the other VTR can be controlled according to the VTR control operation, the video / audio signal from a specific VTR can be selected and displayed on the monitor with a simple operation. At this time, control such as running of another VTR can be executed with the monitor display as it is.
[0031]
Therefore, simple multi-roll video / audio switching can be performed even with a simple system.
Further, in the special operation described in the above (1) to (4), in the system as described with reference to FIG. 5 in the conventional example, the operation of (1) can be performed, but (3) to < In 4), the video of the controlled VTR appears on the TV monitor 50, and the intended video / audio signal cannot be selected.
[0032]
Further, in the system as described with reference to FIG. 6, when the operation (1) is performed, the channel of the A / V selector 40 must be designated by the operator according to the selected VTR. As the number increases, it takes more time and operation becomes impossible.
[0033]
Comparing such a conventional system with the system of the present embodiment, it can be seen that the operations of (1) to (4) can be performed efficiently in the system of the present embodiment.
[0034]
In this embodiment, the computer 10 is applied as a centralized controller of the VTR. However, the auto A / V select designating unit 87 is also installed in devices other than the computer 10 having similar operation panels 71 to 78. Thus, a function similar to that of the present embodiment can be realized.
[0035]
Furthermore, even in a device in which the VTR control and the A / V selector 40 are integrated, the same function as that of the present embodiment can be realized by preparing the auto A / V select designation section 87 in the same manner. is there.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the VTR control system of the present invention, automatic video / audio selection designation means is provided in a computer that centrally controls a plurality of video apparatuses, and the operation of the predetermined video apparatus is controlled by the operation control means when turned on. In this case, the video / audio signal of the controlled video apparatus is selected by the selection means and output to the display means. Even when the operation of the video apparatus is controlled at the off time, the video / audio signal is executed on the display means. The other video apparatus can be controlled without changing the video / audio.
[0037]
Accordingly, it is possible to select a video / audio signal from a specific VTR and display it on a monitor with a simple operation, and at this time, it is possible to execute control such as running of another VTR without changing the monitor display.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a principle diagram of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a VTR control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a VTR operation screen displayed on a computer.
4 is a flowchart for explaining the functional operation of an auto A / V select designating part of the VTR operation screen displayed on the computer shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a conventional VTR control system.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of another conventional VTR control system.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Computer, 20 ... Switching means, 31-38 ... Video apparatus, 40 ... Selection means, 50 ... Display means, 101 ... Operation control means, 102 ... Automatic video / audio selection designation means, 103 ... Selection control means.

Claims (4)

In a VTR control system for controlling operations of a plurality of video devices via a switching means by a computer, and selecting video / audio signals from the plurality of video devices by a selection means and outputting them to a display means.
Before type recording is the operation of the plurality of video devices, playback, fast forward, and rewind, the operation control means for controlling the pause and stop,
An A / V select designation section that is switched on / off by a user's button operation;
Oite during on of the A / V selector designating section, the operation of the other video device other than the first video device by the operation control means in a state of outputting a video / audio signal of the first video device If but controlled, the video / audio signal of the controlled said other video device to output to the display unit through the selecting means, Oite when off the a / V selector specifying unit, the first If the operation of the other video device other than the first video device is controlled by the operation control means in a state of outputting a video / audio signal of the video device, video / audio of the first video device while continuing the output of the signal, and the other rows cormorants automatic video / sound selection specifying means controls the operation of the video apparatus according to the operation control means
VTR control system characterized by comprising a. An operation panel for selecting each operation of the plurality of video devices controlled by the operation control means;
VTR control according to claim 1, wherein the selecting operation of the video / audio signal said selecting means makes to said operation panel comprises a <br/> and selection control means for controlling so as to preferentially system. The operation control means, the automatic video / audio selection designation means, and the number of operation panels that can be instructed by a click operation of each control performed by the selection control means, corresponding to the plurality of video devices, 3. The VTR control system according to claim 2, further comprising operation screen display control means for displaying on the computer screen.   2. The VTR control system according to claim 1, wherein the computer and the switching unit are connected by an RS-232C communication control line.

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