JPH0580077B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to an automatic cassette supply selection and playback device. [Prior Art] A conventional tape cassette automatic supply selection and playback device (see Japanese Patent Application No. 59-37740) has a plurality of shelves each housing a tape cassette on which information signals such as advertisements and news are recorded. , comprising a plurality of playback devices into which tape cassettes are loaded, a transporter that transfers and transfers the tape cassettes between the plurality of shelves and the plurality of playback devices, and a system control device,
Desired tape cassettes stored on a plurality of shelves are transported to a playback device and played back. [Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, when using such a conventional tape cassette automatic supply selection and playback device to sequentially send out short advertisements with a broadcast time of about a few seconds, the number of tape cassettes in the playback device is Considering the playback time and the time required to change tape cassettes, if the number of playback devices is limited, sequential playback of a plurality of tape cassettes becomes impossible. In view of this point, the present invention is capable of successively reproducing a plurality of cassettes in which the recording time of unit information signals is short. This type of cassette automatic supply selection reproducing device is proposed. [Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention includes a plurality of shelves 11 for storing cassettes 1 each having one unit of information signal recorded in a built-in recording medium, and a shelf 11 for storing a plurality of cassettes 1 each having one unit of information signal recorded on a built-in recording medium. a plurality of playback devices 12a to 12c that play back information signals, a transporter 13 that transfers and transports cassettes 1 between the plurality of shelves 11 and the plurality of playback devices 12a to 12c; A storage means 46 stores a transmission list for loading the cassettes 1 in a predetermined order into a predetermined reproduction device among the plurality of reproduction devices 12a to 12c and reproducing and transmitting information signals from the recording medium. and a system control device 24 that controls the plurality of playback devices 12a to 12c and the transporter 13 based on the sending list stored in the storage means 46. Recording means 12a to 12c for recording information signals
and a calculation for calculating a variable time B from the playback end time of a certain cassette 1 to the playback start time of the next other cassette 1 in each of the playback devices 12a to 12c based on the transmission list stored in the storage means 46. Means 47, its variable time B, and reproduction device 1
2a to 12c, the cassette 1 whose reproduction has been completed is discharged from the reproducing apparatus 12a to 12c, and then the other cassettes 1 are transferred to the reproducing apparatus 12a by the transporter 13.
~12c, and the regeneration device 12a~
Discrimination means 48 for determining whether B≦A by comparing the maximum time A until the playback start point when the other cassettes 1 are loaded into the cassette 12c and playback starts.
The system control device 24 determines that the variable time B should be played by a predetermined playback device 12a among the plurality of playback devices 12a to 12c for which the variable time B is determined to be B≦A by the determining means 48. Each unit of information recorded on a predetermined cassette 1 and a recording medium built in each of the other cassettes 1 to be played back by other playback devices 12b and 12c following the playback of the predetermined cassette 1. reproducing the signal by each of the reproducing devices 12a to 12c;
After sequentially recording each reproduced information signal on the recording medium built in the common cassette 1,
The common cassette 1 is
Each one recorded on the recording medium built into the
so that the unit information signals are reproduced in sequence,
Playback devices 12a-12c and recording means 12a-1
2c is controlled. [Operation] According to the present invention, based on the transmission list stored in the storage means 46, the calculation means 47 calculates from the playback end time of a certain cassette 1 in each of the playback devices 12a to 12c to the next other playback time. The variable time B up to the playback start time of the cassette 1 is calculated, and the determining means 48 calculates the variable time B and the playback end time of a certain cassette 1 by the playback devices 12a to 12c. 1
is discharged from the reproducing apparatuses 12a to 12c, and then the other cassettes 1 are transferred to the reproducing apparatus 1 by the transporter 13.
2a to 12c, and the regenerating device 12
Maximum time A until playback starts when the other cassettes 1 are loaded into cassettes a to 12c and playback starts
It is determined whether B≦A by comparing with
12c, the predetermined cassette 1 to be reproduced by the predetermined reproduction device 12a whose variable time B is determined to be B≦A by the determining means 48, and subsequent reproduction of the predetermined cassette 1, Playback device 12
Each one unit of information signal recorded on a recording medium built in each of the other cassettes 1 to be reproduced by the reproducing devices 12a to 12c is reproduced by the reproducing devices 12a to 12c. After sequentially recording each of the information signals recorded in the recording medium contained in the common cassette 1, each one unit recorded in the recording medium contained in the common cassette 1 is reproduced by the predetermined reproduction device 12a. The reproducing device 12 is configured to sequentially and continuously reproduce the information signals.
a to 12c and recording means 12a to 12c are controlled. For this reason, even if the information signals recorded in the built-in recording media are sequentially reproduced from the recording media built in a plurality of cassettes 1 and each unit of information signal is short, the cassettes in the playback devices 12a to 12c are The information signal can be continuously reproduced without considering the reproduction time of the information signal from the recording medium built in the cassette 1 and the time required to replace the cassette 1, and without being limited by the number of reproduction devices. . [Embodiment] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. First, an example of a tape cassette used in the apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. 1 shows this tape cassette as a whole, on which video signals such as advertisements and news are recorded so as to form a slanted track. Reference numeral 1a denotes an opening/closing cover on the front of the tape, which normally remains closed to protect the tape from dirt and dust, and opens after being loaded into a VTR, allowing the tape to be pulled out from the tape cassette 1 and exposed to the rotating magnetic head. The tape is wound around a tape guide drum. A rectangular recess 4 for label positioning is formed in the cover 1a as shown in FIG. 9, and a label 2 on which a bar code 3 related to the tape recording content is printed is pasted to the recess 4. This barcode 3 is attached to the cover 1a of the tape cassette 1 along its longitudinal direction. The contents of the identification data by the barcode 3 attached to the tape cassette 1 include, for example, as shown in FIG. Story number) b, 14 is the title c of the tape recording content for characters, tape playback start time for 8 characters {hours, minutes, seconds and frames (1/30 seconds)} d, tape playback time for 6 characters ( It consists of hours, minutes, seconds and frames) e and a checksum g for one character. Next, the mechanical configuration of the device of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. First, referring to FIG. 4, reference numeral 10 indicates a shelf device including a plurality of shelves 11. As shown in FIG. This shelf 11 has multiple rows (for example, actually 20 rows),
They are arranged in a matrix of multiple rows (for example, three rows actually). Tape cassette 1 has its cover 1
Place the shelf 11 so that a faces the opening on the back side of the shelf 11.
It is manually stored in the shelf 11 from the front opening side. The tape cassette 1 stored in the shelf 11 is positioned and held within the shelf 11. On the back side of the shelf device 10, there is a recording/reproducing device.
VTRs 12a, 12b, and 12c are stacked on top of each other. And this shelf device 10
The tape cassette 1 is delivered between the VTRs 12a, 12b, 12c, and the shelf 11 and the VTR 12a,
A transporter 13 is arranged to transport between the 12b and 12c. This transporter 13 is the X of the shelving device 10,
It is movable in the Y direction, receives the tape cassette 1 from the back opening of the desired shelf 11, and loads the VTR 12.
a, 12b, or 12c, and receives the tape cassette 1 discharged from any of the VTRs 12a, 12b, or 12c;
It is transported and stored on a desired shelf 11. The VTRs 12a, 12b, 12c, the transporter 13, and the drive device for the transporter 13 are all housed in a case (not shown), and the shelf device 10 is attached to the case via a hinge so that it can be opened and closed as a single door. A transparent double door is further attached to the front surface of the shelf device 10 via a hinge. FIG. 5 shows the transporter 13 and the drive device 14 that drives it in the X and Y directions. Reference numeral 15 denotes a horizontal guide, to which a slider 16 is attached so as to be slidable in the X direction, and onto this slider 16 the transporter 13 is attached. Vertical guides 17 and 18 are arranged parallel to each other, and sliders 19 and 20 are respectively attached to them so as to be slidable in the Y direction, and the horizontal guide 15 is attached so as to span these sliders 19 and 20. Slider 16 and sliders 19, 20
are separately driven by timing belts stretched over pulleys that are driven by motors (not shown). The transporter 13 is a tunnel-shaped case having upper and lower shelves 13a and 13b. For example, the barcode 3 of the tape cassette 1 is detected at one end of the opening of the lower shelf 13b (the upper shelf 13a is also possible). A detector 21 is embedded. barcode 3 to this detector 21
When detecting this, the carrier 13 is moved in the X direction so that the detector 21 scans the barcode 3 of the tape cassette 1 stored on the shelf 11. The tape cassettes 1 are transported so that the barcodes of the tape cassettes 1 stored in all the shelves 11 of the shelving device 10 can be detected and the tape cassettes 1 can be delivered to and from all the shelves 11. The movement range of the machine 13 is set. Next, referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the operation of transferring the tape cassette 1 between the shelf 11 and the VTRs 12a, 12b, 12c and the transporter 13 will be described. First, for example, insert tape cassette 1 into VTR 12c.
To load the desired shelf 1, as shown in FIG.
1 into the shelf 13b below the transporter 13 in the direction of arrow a by a drive device such as a spring provided on the shelf 11.
The tape cassette 1 is transferred to the VTR 12c in the direction of the arrow b, and is loaded into the VTR 12c by feeding the tape cassette 1 into the VTR 12c in the direction of the arrow c using a drive device such as a belt conveyor provided on the transporter 13 from within the shelf 13b below. Next, in order to take out the tape cassette 1 that has been ejected from the VTR 12c, as shown in FIG.
2c to the shelf 13a above the transporter 13.
After the tape cassette 1 is fed in the direction of arrow c' by a driving device such as a belt conveyor provided at 3, the transporter 13 is transferred in the direction of arrow b' to the original or other shelf 11, and the tape cassette 1 is transferred to the shelf 13a above it. From there, the tape cassette 1 is sent to the shelf 11 in the direction of arrow a' by a driving device such as a belt conveyor provided on a transporter 13 and stored therein. Next, referring to FIG. 3, the electrical system of the apparatus of the present invention will be explained. 24 is a microcomputer as a system control device. A keyboard 25 serves as an input device for the computer 24. 26 is a monitor receiver serving as an output device for the computer 24. These computer 24, keyboard 25 and monitor receiver 26
is provided in a separate box from the device shown in FIG. 4, and they are connected by a cable. Reference numeral 27 denotes a tape cassette 1 presence/absence detecting device provided in the shelf device 10, which detects the number of the shelf 11 and a detection signal indicating the presence or absence of a tape cassette in accordance with the storing and ejecting of the tape cassette 1 on the shelf 11 of the shelf device 10. The signal is supplied from the detection device 27 to the computer 24 . Reference numeral 28 denotes a cassette state detection device provided on the transporter 13, which detects tape cassettes 1 from one of the shelves 11 to the transporter 13, from the transporter 13 to one of the shelves 11,
From one of the VTRs 12a, 12b, 12c to the transporter 13, from the transporter 13 to the VTRs 12a, 1
A transition state to one of 2b and 12c is detected and provided to computer 24. The detection output from the detector 21 shown in FIG. 5 is supplied to the computer 24 via the A/D converter 29, and the read data of the barcode 3 is stored in its memory. Reference numerals 30 and 31 are switchers and selectors (including special effect generators) controlled by the computer 24, and the VTRs 12a, 12b, 12
The reproduction output of c is input terminal 30a, 30b, 30c
is supplied to the switcher 30, and is switched and supplied to the channel output terminals 31A, 31B, and 31C,
The output of each channel is supplied to the selector 31 and selected, and the output from the output terminal 32 is supplied to a broadcasting device (not shown). The VTR control signal from the computer 24 is output from the output terminal 24V to the VTRs 12a, 12b in FIG.
12c to control its playback, fast forward, rewind, and stop operations. 35 and 36 are the transporting machines 13 in FIG.
These are the respective X and Y direction drive devices of the drive device 14 that drives in the directions. 39 and 40 are separate motors (step motors) of the X and Y direction drive devices 35 and 36, respectively.
Then, the X and Y direction drive signals from the computer 24 are sent to the motors 39 and 40 via drive amplifiers 37 and 38.
are supplied respectively. 41 and 42 are X and Y direction position detectors of the transporter 13 using X and Y direction drive devices 35 and 36, and their detection outputs are supplied to the computer 24. Next, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the manner in which the computer 24 controls the drive device 14 of the VTRs 12a to 12c and the transporter 13 will be further described. In Figure 1, VTR12a~12
A control means 45, a storage means 46, a calculation means 47, a determination means 48, and a search means 49 each represent the functions of the computer 24. 51 is a switching circuit that switches and connects the recording signal input terminal R and the reproduction signal output terminal P of the VTRs 12a to 12c;
Switching is controlled by a control signal from As will be described later, the storage means 46 stores the tape cassettes 1 stored on the shelf 11 in a predetermined order.
A transmission list for reproduction and transmission in 2a to 12c is stored. This transmission list includes the playback start time and playback time of each tape cassette 1,
It includes the number of the VTR used, the number of shelf 11, etc. Incidentally, in the VTRs 12a to 12c, the time required to rewind the tape cassette 1 after playback, the time required to eject the tape cassette 1 from the VTR, the time required to transfer the tape cassette 1 to the transporter 13, and the time required to move the transporter 13 to the VTR. Kararu Shelf 11
time to transport it to the same VCR and return it to the shelf 11, time to move the transporter 13 to another shelf 11 and transfer another tape cassette 1 to the transporter 13, time to move the transporter 13 again to the same VCR and transfer that tape cassette 1 to the same VCR. Let A (for example, 20 seconds) be a fixed time that is the maximum value of the sum of the time required to transfer tape cassette 1 to the VTR, load the tape in tape cassette 1 onto the tape guide drum in the VTR, and start playback. Let B be the variable time from the end time of playback of a certain tape cassette by a certain VTR to the start time of playback of the next tape cassette by the same VTR. The calculation means 47 calculates the variable time B for a certain VTR obtained from the control means 45 based on the transmission list stored in the storage means 46. The determining means 48 compares time B with time A, and
It is determined whether or not ≦A, and the determination output is sent to the control means 4.
5 and searching means 49. If B≦A, reproduction is performed on each VTR as specified in the transmission list. For example, VTR12a, 12b, 12c, 12a,
Playback is performed in the order of..., and the VTRs 12b and 12c
Since the playback time of each cassette 1 is quite short, the time B on the VTR 12a is B≦A.
If so, the search means 49 searches for a suitable free time, puts the VTR 12a into storage mode, switches the switching circuit 51, and switches the unit video signal recorded on the tape cassette 1 loaded in the VTR 12a to the unit video signal recorded therein. Subsequently, the unit video signals recorded on the tape cassettes 1, 1 loaded in the VTRs 12b, 12c are reproduced and sequentially recorded. and,
During playback, the VTR 12a sequentially plays back the three unit video signals recorded on the tape cassette 1 loaded therein. Next, a part of the operation of the device of the present invention will be explained. First, tape cassettes 1 on which news or advertisements have been recorded are stored in an arbitrary shelf 11 of the shelf device 10 through its front opening so that its barcode 3 faces the back opening of the shelf 11. When the necessary tape cassettes 1 have been stored on the shelf 11, the user operates the keyboard 25 to input the information to the computer 24. Thus, based on the detection output of the detection device 27,
By driving the drive devices 35 and 36, the transporter 13 is sequentially moved to each shelf 11 where a tape cassette 1 is stored, and the barcode 3 of the tape cassette 1 is scanned and detected by the detector 21. and supplies the detection output to the computer 24 via the A/D converter 29. Also, when detecting the barcode 3 of the tape cassette 1 with the detector 21,
X, Y from the position detectors 41, 42 in the X, Y directions
Based on the directional position detection output, the shelf number on which the tape cassette 1 is stored is detected at the same time, and the shelf number is stored in the memory of the computer 24 together with the read data of the bar code 3.
Also, if the tape cassette 1 is replaced on the shelf 11 midway through, the replaced tape cassette 1
The barcode 3 is detected by the photodetector 21 of the transporter 13, and the data read from the barcode 3 and the shelf number are simultaneously stored in the memory of the computer 24 in the same manner as described above. Next, a method of selectively transmitting reproduced video signals from a VTR will be explained. First, create a sending list. This may be created using the microcomputer 24 or may be created separately. This sending list is printed on paper. This transmission list is stored in the memory of the microcomputer 24, and is also read out and displayed on the screen of the monitor receiver 26. Items in the transmission list include, for example, transmission number, mode identification number, title, tape playback start time (hours, minutes, seconds), tape playback time (hours, minutes, seconds), cumulative tape playback time (hours, minutes, seconds). ), shelf (number corresponding to shelf 11),
Channel (any of A to C), VTR (VTR
Any one of numbers 1 to 3 corresponding to 12a to 12c), etc. Note that the order of the items is arbitrary. Among the items in the sending list, for example, the field for item ~ (some of the other items can be omitted) is initially filled with data, and the remaining fields are filled in from barcode 3 of tape cassette 1. Fill in with data obtained by considering the read data and data of other items. Note that among the items ~ in the sending list, the column for the initial item is filled with data, and the columns for the remaining items are filled in by taking into account the data read from the barcode 3 of the tape cassette 1 and the data of other items. It can also be filled in with data obtained from Between each of the above-mentioned transmission numbers, there is a blank period for playback transmission, such as when images of objects in the studio (for example, announcers, performers, etc., chart panels, etc.), live (relay) images, etc. are being broadcast. There are cases. This blank period is displayed, for example, as "BREAK" or "BK" in the sending number column of the item.
The content (title) of the item is displayed in the title column of the item. Then, when a blank period is inserted between transmission numbers, the channel changes sequentially each time.
This allows the VTR to also be switched. In this way, special effects such as fade-in and fade-out can be generated by inserting zero or very small blank time (switching period) between transmission numbers. Furthermore, during the cumulative tape playback time,
The time during this blank period is also included. For example, if the number of tape cassettes 1 required for broadcasting news, news shows, announcements, etc. in a certain time period exceeds the number of shelves 11 of one tape cassette automatic supply selection playback device, automatic supply selection of multiple tape cassettes is selected. A playback device is used to distribute tape cassettes 1 to each. The identification data of the tape cassette 1 read from the barcode 3 of the tape cassette 1 stored on the shelf 11 is stored in the memory of the computer 24, and the tape cassette 1 stored on the shelf 11 is replaced. Each time, the identification data stored in its memory is updated. This results in
The blanks in each item of the above-mentioned transmission list are filled in or corrected and displayed on the screen of the monitor receiver 26. Next, a simple example (at the time of public announcement broadcasting) of the above-mentioned transmission list (displayed on the screen of the monitor receiver 26) will be shown.

【table】

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention described above, there are a plurality of shelves for storing cassettes each having one unit of information signal recorded on a built-in recording medium, and a plurality of shelves for reproducing the information signal recorded on the recording medium when the cassettes are loaded. a transporter that transfers and transfers cassettes between multiple shelves and multiple reproducing devices; A storage means storing a transmission list loaded into the device to reproduce and transmit information signals from the recording medium, and a plurality of reproduction devices and transporters based on the transmission list stored in the storage means. In a cassette automatic supply selection reproducing apparatus having a system control device for controlling, each one unit of information signals recorded in a plurality of cassettes is sequentially recorded in a common cassette, and then
Since this is played back sequentially, even if one unit of information signal recorded on the built-in recording medium is sequentially played back and sent out from the recording media built in multiple cassettes, the cassette in the playback device Continuous reproduction can be performed without considering the reproduction time of the information signal from the recording medium built in the cassette and the time required to change the cassette, and without being limited by the number of reproduction devices.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 and 2 are block diagrams showing functional blocks of an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and a flowchart for explaining the same, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical system of an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. Figures 4 and 5 are perspective views showing a part of the mechanical structure of an embodiment of the device of the present invention, and front views showing other parts. 8 and 9 are perspective views of an example of a tape cassette used in the device of the present invention and a sectional view showing its cover, and FIG. 10 is a bar code attached to the tape cassette. FIG. 1 is a tape cassette, 3 is a barcode, 10 is a shelf device, 11 is a shelf, 12a, 12b, 12c are
VTR (playback device), 13 is a transporter, 14 is a drive device for the transporter, 24 is a microcomputer (system controller), 45 is a control means, 46 is a storage means, 47 is a calculation means, 48 is a discrimination means, 49 51 is a search means, and 51 is a switching circuit.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A plurality of shelves for storing cassettes each having one unit of information signal recorded on a built-in recording medium, and a system in which the cassettes are loaded to reproduce the information signal recorded on the recording medium. A plurality of playback devices, a transporter that transfers and transports the cassettes between the plurality of shelves and the plurality of playback devices, and a transporter that plays the plurality of cassettes stored in the plurality of shelves in a predetermined order. a storage means that stores a transmission list that is loaded into a predetermined reproduction device of the apparatus to reproduce and transmit information signals from the recording medium;
In the cassette automatic supply selection and reproducing device, which has a system control device that controls the plurality of reproducing devices and the transporting machine based on the sending list stored in the storage means, a record for recording reproduced information signals. and calculating means for calculating a variable time B from the playback end time of a certain cassette in each of the playback devices to the playback start time of the next other cassette in each of the playback devices, based on the playback list stored in the storage means. From the variable time B and the point at which the playback device finishes playing a certain cassette, the playback finished cassette is discharged from the playback device, and then the other cassettes are transported by the transporter to the playback device. a determining means for determining whether B≦A by comparing the maximum time A until the playback start point when the cassette is transported to a location, loaded into the playback device, and playback of the other cassette is started; and the system control device is configured to determine whether the variable time B is B≦A among the plurality of playback devices by the discrimination means.
A predetermined cassette to be played by a predetermined playback device that has been determined to be the same, and a recording medium contained in each of other cassettes to be played by another playback device following the playback of the predetermined cassette. Each one unit of information signal recorded in the common cassette is reproduced by each of the above-mentioned reproducing devices, and each reproduced information signal is sequentially recorded on a recording medium built in the common cassette, and then the above-mentioned predetermined The reproducing device and the recording means are controlled so that the reproducing device sequentially and continuously reproduces each unit of information signal recorded on the recording medium contained in the common cassette. A cassette automatic supply selection and playback device characterized by: