JP5269850B2 - Broadcast material reproduction apparatus and data transmission method - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a broadcast material reproducing apparatus and a data transmission method for performing transmission processing of broadcast program transmission material in a broadcasting station.

  As is well known, in a broadcast program transmission system, broadcast program transmission material is stored in advance in a video server device, and the corresponding material is reproduced in accordance with an instruction from an automatic program transmission control device (APC). Is supposed to do. In such on-air processing, normally, a material checking operation is performed in accordance with an on-air sequence before on-air.

  By the way, the video quality has improved dramatically from high definition to full high definition (2K × 1K), super high definition (4K × 2K), super high definition (8K × 4K), from terrestrial broadcasting to BS (broadcast satellite) broadcasting, CS ( (Communications satellite) Broadcasting will increase the capacity and multi-channel content. Therefore, the video server device for storing these materials also needs to have a large capacity and a large number of channels. As a result, the video server device is required to have a high processing capability, and the video server device becomes a device that is configured to share functions from a single functional unit to multiple functional units.

  In such an apparatus composed of a plurality of functional units, an apparatus capable of realizing a large amount of data transmission / reception by connecting these functional units with a high-speed bus is required. In particular, in the case of video data, it is essential to realize a large amount of data transmission / reception while maintaining frame-level real-time characteristics. Furthermore, a high-speed bus that transmits and receives a large amount of data between these boards may be configured using not only a synchronous bus but also a general-purpose high-speed asynchronous bus.

JP 2003-153207 A

  By the way, in the video server device composed of a plurality of boards using the asynchronous bus, when a large amount of data is concentrated, there is a possibility that discard or delay due to data collision occurs in the asynchronous bus. However, there is a case where a large amount of data transmission / reception with the necessary frame level real-time property is hindered.

  In order to avoid the above problem, a method of lowering the peak rate by priority, shaping or the like so that a large amount of data does not concentrate can be considered. However, since the overall performance is reduced and the delay is increased, various requests cannot be handled in real time. On the other hand, when packet transmission control is performed by assigning it to a time slot or the like, the frame loss cannot be relieved because it cannot be processed within the frame according to various processing conditions.

  An object of the present invention is to reproduce broadcast material that enables transmission / reception of a large amount of data while maintaining frame-level real-time performance without continuously generating a frame transmission delay even if a frame transmission delay occurs temporarily due to various processing delays. To provide an apparatus and a data transmission method.

  According to the embodiment, a switch unit that switches a plurality of input / output channels, a transmission side signal processing unit that is connected to each of a plurality of input channels of the switch unit, and that stores broadcast program material data in a recording medium, and a switch unit Connected to each of the plurality of output channels, the receiving side signal processing unit for receiving the material data sent from the sending side signal processing unit, and the material data stored in the recording medium provided in the sending side signal processing unit, Transmission means for transmitting to the switch unit at different transmission timing for each channel, and when the material data cannot be transmitted at the timing to be transmitted by this transmission means, a transmission method different from the transmission method by the transmission means at the next transmission timing Thus, it is possible to provide a broadcast material reproducing device including control means for transmitting material data that cannot be transmitted to the switch unit.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the broadcast program transmission system of embodiment. It is a circuit block diagram which shows the structure of the video server in a broadcast program transmission system. It is a sequence diagram which shows the video data transmission system at the time of using an asynchronous bus | bath. It is a sequence diagram which shows the video data transfer system by the 1st embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the procedure of the video data transmission operation | movement in the video server of the 1st embodiment, and its content. It is a sequence diagram which shows the video data transfer system by 2nd Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the video data transfer system by 3rd Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the video data transfer system by 4th Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a broadcast program transmission system to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a video server as a broadcast material playback device, which stores material data (herein referred to as video data) of an on-air broadcast program from the camera 12, playback deck 13, and nonlinear editing machine 14, The corresponding video data is selectively reproduced according to the on-air instruction. The reproduction data is decoded into a video signal in the video server 11 and guided to the broadcasting facility 15 for on-air output. The video signal reproduced from the video server 11 is supplied to the monitor 16.

  On the other hand, the video server 11 performs video data writing / reading control in accordance with an operation input instruction from the operation terminal 17.

FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram illustrating a configuration of the video server 11 according to an embodiment.
When the video server 11 is classified into main functions, the control unit 111 that controls the entire apparatus, the recording units 1121 to 112n that are connected to a camera, a video deck, and the like to capture and encode video signals, and the recording units 1121 to 112n Recording units 1131 to 113m that perform writing / reading processing on a recording medium such as a flash memory for recording video data, and the video data read from the recording units 1131 to 113m are decoded into video signals, and the video signal is output. 1141 to 114p and a transmission unit 115 including an asynchronous bus for transferring video data at high speed. The transmission unit 115 also executes a switching process between the input channel to which the recording units 1131 to 113m are connected and the output channel to which the reproduction units 1141 to 114p are connected.

  At the time of video recording, the control unit 111 instructs the recording units 1121 to 112n to take in video data using the control information. Then, the recording units 1121 to 112n execute encoding processing of video data into MPEG2 or the like. At the same time, the control unit 111 instructs the recording units 1131 to 113m to write video data. Then, the recording units 1131 to 113m execute video data writing processing to the recording medium. At the time of reproduction, the control unit 111 instructs the recording units 1131 to 113m to read out video data by a control signal. At the same time, the control unit 111 instructs the playback units 1141 to 114p to decode the video data. Then, the reproduction units 1141 to 114p decode the encoded video data such as MPEG2 into a video signal and output it.

  In the transmission unit 115 formed of an asynchronous bus, video data from the plurality of recording units 1121 to 112n and video data from the recording units 1131 to 113m are concentrated in the transmission unit 115, and packet discarding or temporary processing occurs due to packet collision. Delay will occur.

Next, the operation according to the above configuration will be described.
FIG. 3 shows a video data transmission method when an asynchronous bus is used.
When transferring from a plurality of recording units 1131 to 113m to the transmission unit 115 including an asynchronous bus, if each recording unit 1131 to 113m transfers at random, video data is discarded due to overflow in the buffer in the transmission unit 115 or video data due to buffer accumulation. There is a delay. Therefore, one frame of video data is divided into a plurality of transfer blocks, and the video data is transferred from the recording units 1131 to 113m to the transmission unit 115 at a determined transmission timing. The purpose of classifying a huge amount of video data into one frame of video data and one transfer block is to avoid buffer overflow of the transmission unit 115. The timing at which the recording units 1131 to 113m transfer the video data is determined based on information sent from the control unit 111 during system initialization and operation.

FIG. 4 shows a video data transfer system according to the first embodiment.
Usually, in the case of MPEG2 or the like, video data may be managed in units of GOP (Group Of Pictures), which is the minimum unit. In this case, even if one transfer block is fully configured, a surplus portion may occur at a break between GOPs. This surplus portion corresponds to, for example, padding or guard time.

  For this reason, when the video data packet transferred from the recording units 1131 to 113m cannot be transferred for some reason, the recording units 1131 to 113m detect a transfer failure and a buffer provided in the recording units 1131 to 113m or the transmission unit 115. The video data packets are accumulated at 1161 to 116m, and the video data is divided and transferred to the reproduction units 1141 to 114p using the surplus portion of one transfer block at the subsequent packet transmission timing. The reproducing units 1141 to 114p determine the order based on the sequence number in the packet of the video data divided and transferred, rearrange the order, convert it into a video signal, and output it.

  FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure of video data transmission operation in the video server 11 and its contents.

  For example, the recording unit 1131 enters a transmission start waiting state in step ST1a. When a transfer trigger due to transmission failure is received from the control unit 111 in this state, the video data for one frame stored in the recording medium is divided into a plurality of video packets (step ST1b), and a header describing the destination and sequence number Is added (step ST1c), and the surplus resources of other channels are used to transmit to the transmission unit 115 (step ST1d). In this division processing, when the video data has a GOP (Group of Pictures) structure, the material length (total number of frames) is divided in units of the number of GOP frames.

  The transmission process is repeated until the end is detected by the end determination in step ST1e.

  On the other hand, for example, the playback unit 1141 waits for reception start in step ST2a. When a transfer trigger due to transmission failure is received from the control unit 111 in this state, packet combining processing is performed based on the sequence number added to the video packet sent from the recording unit 1131 (step ST2b), and the combined video packet is converted into a video signal. (Step 2c). This reception process is repeated until the end is detected by the end determination in step ST2d.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the recording unit 1131 divides video data that cannot be transmitted into a plurality of packets, and divides the plurality of video packets into a plurality of destinations such as a guard time of video data of other channels. For example, a plurality of video packets divided by the playback unit 1141 are combined and returned to the original video signal, so that the video data that cannot be transmitted is transmitted. There is no need to provide a dedicated signal line for transmission, and a large amount of data can be transmitted and received while maintaining frame-level real-time characteristics.

(Second Embodiment)
The second embodiment is a control method based on priority.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing a video data transfer system according to the second embodiment.
Here, a case where video data is transmitted from the recording units 1131 to 113m to the reproduction units 1141 to 114p via the transmission unit 115 will be described.

  If a packet of high priority video data cannot be transferred for some reason due to a predetermined priority or playback type (normal playback, preview, etc.) for the playback unit 1141, the next low priority one transfer block is used. The high-priority video data packet is transferred to the reproduction unit 1142 via the transmission unit 115. As a result, high priority video data can be transferred without any influence. The recording unit 1132 records the same video data as the video data recorded in the recording unit 1131, and the corresponding video data is read from the recording unit 1132 in response to a control instruction from the control unit 111. It is assumed that the data is transmitted to the reproduction unit 1142 or transmitted to the reproduction unit 1141 by switching the transmission unit 115.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, for example, when high-priority destination video data cannot be transmitted, the next priority destination, that is, video data that cannot be transmitted using one transfer block is used. Therefore, based on the priority assigned to each destination, it is possible to respond relatively flexibly to the occurrence of discard or delay due to data collision.

(Third embodiment)
The third embodiment is a control method using an empty channel.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing a video data transfer system according to the third embodiment.
Here, a case where video data is transmitted from the recording units 1131 to 113m to the reproduction units 1141 to 114p via the transmission unit 115 will be described.

  When the video data packet from the recording unit 1131 to the reproduction unit 1141 cannot be transferred due to some cause, the video data packet is transferred using an empty channel from the recording unit 113m to the reproduction unit 114p. As a result, the video data can be transferred without being affected. Note that the same video data as the video data recorded in the recording unit 1131 is recorded in the recording unit 113m, and corresponding video data is read from the recording unit 113m in response to a control instruction from the control unit 111. It is assumed that the data is transmitted to the reproduction unit 114p or transmitted to the reproduction unit 1141 by switching the transmission unit 115.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, a large amount of data can be transmitted and received while maintaining a real-time property at the frame level by a simple procedure of assigning an empty channel to video data of a channel that cannot be transmitted.

(Fourth embodiment)
The fourth embodiment is a control method using an empty channel.

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing a video data transfer method according to the fourth embodiment.
Here, a case where video data is transmitted from the recording units 1131 to 113m to the reproduction units 1141 to 114p via the transmission unit 115 will be described.

  When the video data packet from the recording unit 1131 to the playback unit 1141 cannot be transferred due to some reason, the video data packet is transferred using a spare channel from the recording unit 113m allocated to the playback unit 114p in advance. . As a result, the video data can be transferred without being affected. Note that the same video data as the video data recorded in the recording unit 1131 is recorded in the recording unit 113m, and corresponding video data is read from the recording unit 113m in response to a control instruction from the control unit 111. It is assumed that the data is transmitted to the reproduction unit 114p or transmitted to the reproduction unit 1141 by switching the transmission unit 115.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to further improve the reliability in transmission / reception of a large amount of data that maintains frame-level real-time characteristics by a simple procedure of assigning a spare channel to video data that cannot be transmitted. it can.

(Other embodiments)
The control according to each of the above embodiments is performed when the playback units 1141 to 114p have a certain amount of buffer, and when the video data packet cannot be transferred for some reason by transferring the video data in advance. As long as the transfer of all the video data to be transferred is completed, the buffer of the reproduction units 1141 to 114p can be relieved unless the buffer underflows. In the transfer, the video data transfer request from the control unit is transferred in advance regardless of the one-frame video data amount. In this case, a flag or the like indicating advance transfer is set, and when there is a video switching request, the video data transferred in advance is deleted, thereby making it possible to follow the responsiveness of frame unit control.

  Furthermore, the above control can be changed by determining the priority according to the initial configuration, the configuration information, and the operation state.

  Further, the video server 11 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 2, and the number of recording units 1131 to 113m and playback units 1141 to 114p can be arbitrarily changed, for example. The video data transmission processing procedure and its contents can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  In addition, it is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and in the implementation stage, the constituent elements can be modified and embodied without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Video server, 12 ... Camera, 13 ... Playback deck, 14 ... Non-linear editing machine, 15 ... Broadcast equipment, 16 ... Monitor, 17 ... Operation terminal, 111 ... Control part, 1121-112n ... Recording part, 1131-113m ... Recording unit, 1141 to 114p... Reproduction unit, 115.

Claims (6)

A switch section for switching a plurality of input / output channels;
A plurality of signal processing units connected to each of a plurality of input channels of the switch unit and storing material data of a broadcast program in a recording medium;
A receiving side signal processing unit that is connected to each of the plurality of output channels of the switch unit and receives the material data transmitted from the plurality of sending side signal processing units;
Transmission means provided in each of the plurality of sending side signal processing units, and transmitting the material data stored in the recording medium to the switch unit at different transmission timing for each channel;
If transfer of the material data to the switch unit fails at the timing to be transmitted by this transmission means, the material data that failed to transfer is divided at the next transmission timing, and surplus resources for a plurality of destinations are used. And a control means for transmitting the respective divided data to the switch unit . The receiving-side signal processing unit, broadcast material according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises reproducing means for combining a plurality of materials data divided fed from the feed-side signal processing section is returned to the original material data Playback device.   2. The broadcast material reproduction according to claim 1, wherein the control means selects and designates a transmission method and a transmission timing of material data for the transmission means based on at least one of an initial configuration and an operation state of the apparatus. apparatus.   The broadcast material reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits the material data in units of frames.   2. The broadcast material reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission means transmits the material data in GOP (Group of pictures) units. A switch unit for switching a plurality of input / output channels, a plurality of signal processing units connected to each of a plurality of input channels of the switch unit and storing broadcast program material data in a recording medium, and a plurality of the switch units Used in a broadcast material playback device that is connected to each output channel and includes a receiving side signal processing unit that receives the material data transmitted from the plurality of sending side signal processing units,
In the plurality of sending side signal processing units, the material data stored in the recording medium is transmitted to the switch unit at a transmission timing different for each channel,
When transfer of the material data to the switch unit fails at the timing to be transmitted, the material data that failed to transfer is divided at the next transmission timing, and each divided data is used by using surplus resources for a plurality of destinations. Is transmitted to the switch unit .

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