JPH0944524A - Device and method for image and speech storage - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it easy to select the latest material on the image and speech storage device which stores image and speech materials. SOLUTION: For the recording and transmission of image and speech materials, play lists for recording and transmission are used. The play lists (figures B and D) for recording shows the time when materials are recorded in 'StartTime' according to information of a DB where information on the materials is registered at the time of the recording. Further, the play lists for transmission (figures A and C) shows the range of time when materials used for the transmission should be recorded in 'Limit Start' and 'Limit End'. In case of the transmission, a CPU which controls an LMS judges whether or not the recording time of the materials to be sent out is between 'Limit Start' and 'Limit End'. When the recording time is within this range, the materials are sent out and when not, an error is indicated to a user. Consequently, it can automatically be judged whether or not the sent-out materials are the latest materials.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for accumulating image / audio material in a broadcasting station, etc. Regarding the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a broadcasting station or the like, a plurality of video cassettes containing images / sounds are stored, and materials operated by a main body or an external computer are reproduced,
A library management system (hereinafter referred to as LMS) that outputs the image / sound of the corresponding material to the outside is used. Further, depending on the model, there is a function not only for sending but also for controlling an external video tape recorder or the like from this LMS to record an image / voice in a video cassette in the LMS.

In these LMSs, for example, a sticker having a bar code printed thereon is attached to the video cassette to identify the stored video cassette. The video cassette identification information written on the barcode is called a cassette ID. This is LM
By instructing the reproduction time together with this cassette ID from the S body or an external computer,
Specify the output of the material. The cassette ID may be simply referred to as an ID.

It is also practiced to specify the material by the position of the shelf on which the cassette is placed, without using the one printed with these bar codes. The shelf on which this video cassette is placed is called a bin, and its position is indicated by the bin number. Further, in the case of an LMS having a recording function, the cassette ID for recording is previously determined by the control device side.

[0005]

However, in a program of a broadcasting station, although it is broadcast several times every day, such as a weather forecast, there are some programs that change the material itself less frequently than the frequency of broadcasting. In the case of such a material that is broadcast many times a day, in the conventional LMS, a method of determining a cassette ID for each broadcast and copying the original material to each video cassette can be considered. However, in the case of this method, there is a problem that the labor of copying is troublesome.

It is also conceivable that the same material has the same cassette ID, but even in this case, when the original material should not have been recorded although it should have been recorded, it is broadcast, for example, the day before. There is a problem that it may be broadcast with old material such as a material that needs to be checked by an operator.

Further, when the cassette ID for recording is predetermined on the control device side, the name for identifying the cassette is the cassette ID set on the control device side. Such a cassette ID is very difficult for the user to understand, and therefore there is a problem in that the handling of the cassette is not easy.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a video / audio storage device and a video / audio storage method capable of easily selecting the latest material.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a storage means for storing recorded material, a reproducing means for reproducing the stored material, and a recording date and time. A storage means for holding information on the accumulated material including information, an instruction means for designating a range for the date / time information at the time of instructing reproduction, and a comparing means for comparing the designated range with the date / time information. It is an image and sound storage device characterized by having.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention includes a step of accumulating recorded material, a step of reproducing the accumulated material, and an accumulated date and time information of recording. Image and audio storage characterized by including a step of holding information on materials, a step of designating a range for date / time information when instructing reproduction, and a step of comparing the designated range with date / time information. Is the way.

According to the above-mentioned structure, according to the present invention, the information on the accumulated material includes the date and time information of recording, and the range of the date and time information of recording is indicated at the time of the reproduction instruction. Since the designated range is compared with the date / time information of reproduction, the latest material can be easily selected during reproduction.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The image / sound storage device according to the present invention (that is, a library management system, hereinafter referred to as an LMS) is capable of not only playing back the stored material but also recording new material. In the present invention, the recorded date and time are stored in the LMS as auxiliary information in the cassette ID. Then, at the time of the instructed reproduction, the date and time corresponding to the cassette ID stored in the LMS is checked. As a result, if the corresponding material has not been recorded in advance, the latest material can be automatically selected by notifying the fact as an error.

FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a video / audio storage device (LMS) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The control of the entire device is performed by the control unit 1. The CPU 2, which is a microprocessor, controls the control unit 1. The memory 3 connected to this CPU 2 is
It is a work memory that holds temporary information necessary for the CPU 2 to operate. The cassette database 4 is for managing the information of the video cassettes stored in this LMS, and is composed of a memory.

Although not shown, the control unit 1 and the CPU 2 are provided with an interface for communication from the outside of the LMS, and can receive data and instructions created outside.

This LMS has a plurality of video tape recorders inside the device, which are called internal video tape recorders. In this example, this LMS is
The internal video tape recorder can be connected to the internal VTRs 6a, 6b,
It has four units, 6c and 6d. These internal VTRs 6a,
6b, 6c, and 6d are C through the interfaces 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d by RS-422, respectively.
It is connected to PU2. Then, these internal VTRs 6a-
6d is controlled by exchanging predetermined commands described later with the CPU 2.

A video tape recorder external to the device can also be connected to and controlled by the LMS. The video tape recorder connected from the outside of the apparatus as described above is called an external video tape recorder. In this example, the external VTR 8 is connected to the CPU 2 via the interface 7 by RS-422, for example. This external VTR 8 has the same C as the internal VTRs 6a to 6d described above.
It is controlled by exchanging a predetermined command with PU2.

The cassette transport mechanism 9 is for transporting the video cassette inside the LMS and reading necessary information from a label attached to the video cassette, and is connected to the CPU 2 via the interface 10 by RS-422, for example. It This cassette transport mechanism 9
Are controlled by exchanging predetermined commands with the CPU 2. Then, inside the LMS, the video cassette is carried to a designated video tape recorder, or a label having a bar code printed, for example, attached to the video cassette inserted from the outside is read, and necessary information is transmitted to the CPU 2.

The input / output device 11 has an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a display device such as a CRT, and displays instructions from the user to the CPU 2 and messages to the user from the CPU 2 and the like. It is performed by the input / output device 11. The input / output device 11 is connected to the CPU 2 via an interface 12 by RS-232C, for example.

The external storage device 13 is a hard disk for storing video cassette information and the like. The external storage device 13 is connected to the CPU 2 via an interface 14 of SCSI, for example, and the information of the video cassette is stored under the control of the CPU 2.

The switcher 15 switches the paths of a plurality of connected input / output signals. In this example, images of internal VTRs 6a-6d and external VTR8 /
Switcher 1 for audio input and image / audio output
5 is connected. Also, an image / audio signal to the outside is output from the switcher 15 from the LMS. In this example, this LMS has image / audio signals 17 and 1
It is possible to output 8 channels of 2 channels. The switcher 15 is controlled by the CPU 2 connected via the interface 16 by RS-232C, for example.

For example, under the control of the switcher 15 by the CPU 2, the output of the internal VTR 6a is connected to the image / audio signal output and output as the image / audio signal 17 to the outside. Also, for example, the output of the external VTR 8 is the internal VTR 6
The material is copied between the external VTR 8 and the internal VTR 6b.

In the output from the switcher 15 to the outside, the image signal and the audio signal may be physically output by using different cables, but there is also a method of sending them by one cable. Therefore, in FIG. 1, one line is shown for each channel.

FIG. 2 schematically shows an example of the structure in the actual use of the LMS according to the present invention. LMS is VT
The R rack 20 has a plurality of internal video tape recorders. In this example, there are four internal VTRs 6a to 6d. Input port 21 is a videocassette for recording image / sound material or for recording material.
Are stored in this LMS and are discharged from the output port 22 to the outside.

The storage bins 23a, 23b, 23c are so-called shelves for storing video cassettes, and a large number (about 300 to 1000) of video cassettes 24 are stored therein. The video cassettes stored here are
Under the control of the CPU 2, it is automatically carried by the cassette carrying mechanism 9 described above and mounted on the internal VTRs 6a to 6d. In addition, the LMS includes an input / output device 11
And the external VTR 8 is connected.

A bar code label 25 having a bar code for identifying the video cassette is attached to the video cassette 24 housed in the storage bins 23a to 23c. This barcode is independent of this LMS,
It is printed by the barcode writer 26 and the barcode printer 27. FIG. 3 shows an example of this printed barcode. In this example, this bar code represents the cassette ID, title, SOM, and DUR. That is, "L001505" is the ID and "LT
ST0015005 "is the title and SOM is 00:00
0:00:00, DUR is 00: 00: 15: 00 (1
5 seconds). The meaning of each item will be described later.

Recording and sending of materials in such an LMS are usually performed based on what is called a playlist. This playlist is input to the input / output device 11 by the user's direct keyboard or mouse, input of a list created at another location via a recording medium such as a floppy disk, or via a communication line. Control unit 1 in the LMS by inputting
Is supplied to. With this supplied playlist,
The sending and recording times in this LMS are designated.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a playlist for recording and a playlist for transmission. 4A and 4B show a state in which these playlists are displayed on the display device of the input / output device 11. FIG. 4A shows a playlist for transmission (Transmission), and FIG. 4B shows a playlist for recording (Record). In these displays, the part that cannot be displayed on the screen can be displayed by operating the up and down and left and right scroll bars with an input device such as a mouse to move the screen display. An example of one row of actual data in FIG. 4A is shown in FIG. 4C, and an example of one row of actual data in FIG. 4B is shown in FIG. 4D. In FIG. 4A,
The last one item in FIG. 4C is not displayed on the screen, and similarly, in FIG. 4B, the last two items in FIG. 4D are out of the screen.

The operation of the LMS by the play list for sending and recording will be described later.

The playlist can be edited on the input / output device 11. In this example, "End", "Insert", "Revise", "Delete", "Cut", "Copy", "P
The portion described as "aste" functions as a button for instructing a command used at the time of this editing. For example, in the input / output device 11, a portion to be edited of the playlist displayed by the mouse is designated, Then, by instructing the button of the desired editing function, the desired editing can be executed.

As shown in these figures, in these playlists, each program is described in units called "events". Each event is Event Type
e, sending time, cassette ID, title which is auxiliary information of cassette ID, and DUR (Duratio) indicating sending time
n), S which is the start position of the material in the video cassette
It consists of OM (Start Of Material) and time information for confirming the recorded time.

In the playlists shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D, "No." is a number assigned to each event on the display. The next "Type" indicates the type of event.
For example, in the case of LMS, especially when an event is not sent by a video cassette, it is necessary to output an image for a picture quality test called a color bar. At that time, this item is designated as "B". Also, if "F" is specified for this item in the playlist for transmission, it is instructed that this event starts next to the immediately preceding event, and the check of the allowable range of the recording time is instructed. To be done.

By checking the allowable range, it is checked whether the material to be sent is newly recorded. For example, it is assumed that the allowable range is specified as one hour before the start of transmission to 30 minutes before the start of transmission. In this case, if the material to be transmitted has been recorded before one hour before it is transmitted, an error message indicating that the material has not been newly recorded is displayed, and the user is notified of the error.

"Start Time" indicates the time when transmission or recording is started. "Event ID" and "Event Title" respectively indicate a unique ID and event title for each event in the corresponding line. "Duration" is also called DUR, and represents the time when the material is sent out, that is, the length of the material. The next item, "CH", indicates through which channel these transmissions and recordings are performed.

In the play list on the sending side in FIG. 4C, "Limit Start" and "Limit End" indicate the time zone in which the material of the event in this row is recorded. In this example, the material used for the event indicated by this line is shown at "Limit Start" to "Limit End" at 3:03.
It is supposed to be recorded from 0 to 8:30.

In the playlist on the recording side of FIG. 4D, "Source ID", "Source SOM", and "SourceDev" indicate information on the material of the recording source. "Source ID" indicates the cassette ID of the recording source, and "Source Dev" indicates the device used for recording. In the case of this playlist for recording, the device that plays back the material for recording can be specified in this way. For example, the external VTR 8 and the switcher 1 in FIG.
A line input (not shown) that can be connected to 5 is designated.

As described above, the SOM is "Start
It is an abbreviation of "Of Material" and indicates the start position of the image / audio material on the video cassette in terms of time. For the image / audio signal on the video cassette, the actually recorded image / audio. In addition to the signal, information called time code is recorded.
Information consisting of seconds / frames, which allows SO
The position of M etc. can be expressed.

The frame is used to indicate the position of the image within 1 second, and is used in NTS used in Japan and North America.
In the case of the signal form called C, one frame consists of 30 frames, so 0 to 29 are used in the frame to specify the position.

As described above, the DUR and SOM are described on the barcode label of the cassette and are also registered in the cassette database 4. This DUR and SOM
Can be described in the playlist because it is possible to send the image and the like with a value different from the SOM and DUR originally supposed on the video cassette. For example, it is possible to start one minute after the original start position of the video cassette and to send it out by 2 minutes shorter than the sending time shown on the video cassette.

In the sending example shown in FIG. 4C, PGM-
The cassette with the ID of 001 is for sending, and it is 1 from 10:00
Indicates that the transmission is scheduled to be performed from channel A for 5 seconds.
Also, this material is supposed to be recorded from 3:30 to 8:30. Also, Ty for this event
pe is "F", which indicates to start next to the previous event.

In the recording example shown in FIG. 4D, P
GM-002 is a recording cassette, and recording is performed from 11:00, and it is shown that the original material for recording exists in the external VTR 8.

FIG. 5 shows an example of video cassette information created in the CPU 2 and registered in the cassette database 4. FIG. 5A shows that this cassette information is the input / output device 11.
FIG. 5B shows an example of video cassette information actually registered in the cassette database 4.

"Use" indicated in this video cassette information
This item is identification information indicating whether or not the video cassette housed in this LMS is in use, and is a flag indicating whether or not the video cassette is recorded in this LMS. In the example shown in FIG. 5B, this flag is set to "R", and this video cassette is set to this LMS.
It is shown that it was recorded in. In addition,
If the video cassette is unused, this item is
(Blank).

If this video cassette is recorded in this LMS as in this example, the recording date and time is in the item "Date", and the bin number in which this cassette is present is " It is recorded in the item of "Bin". Here, there are a plurality of recording dates and times to be recorded, such as three, and if the recording date and time has not been recorded before that, NULL (16
The decimal number 0) is recorded.

The recording date and time is, for example, March 15, 1995.
If it was recorded at 8: 56: 38: 15 on the day, "199503315 08: 56: 38: 15"
As such, it is indicated as character information. In this way, by recording a plurality of recording dates and times, for example, if the recording of the original material has not been completed by the predetermined time, it is possible to check whether the old material can be used or not by checking the information of the recording date and time. Can help judge. In addition, since there are a plurality of recording dates and times in this way, it is also useful for analogizing the usage frequency of the video cassette.

In addition to the above-mentioned items, the video cassette information in the cassette database 4 includes a cassette ID (Event ID) and a title (E
ventTitle), and DUR (Duration) and SOM written on the barcode label attached to the cassette are recorded.

In the example shown in FIG. 5B, "T
The material with the cassette ID "ENKI-1" is currently used for transmission ("T" in the item "Use"), and this material is recorded in this LMS ("R" in the item "Type"). The recording date and time is February 12, 1995, 9: 55: 20: 12
Frame, February 13, 1995, 10:05:05, 6 frames, February 14, 1995, 10:00, and there is a video cassette containing this material.
It is shown to be the position of bin number 345 in the MS.

FIG. 6 shows the internal VTRs 6a to 6d and the external VTR 8, the cassette transfer mechanism 9, and the switcher 15.
An example of commands exchanged between the CPU 2 and the CPU 2 will be described. FIG. 6A shows commands from the CPU 2 to each device. Further, FIG. 6B shows a command returned from each device to the CPU 2. These commands are STX, BC, CMD, various information (additional information), C from the beginning.
It is configured as S.

The STX at the head is a delimiter called a start of text that indicates the start of a command having a size of 1 byte, and the content is fixed to "0x02". "0x" means that the data is expressed in hexadecimal. The next BC is 1 which is called byte count
It is byte data and indicates the number of bytes from the next CMD to the last CS. CMD is 1-byte data indicating the type of this command, and the last CS is called a checksum, and is a value that becomes 0 in addition to the lower 1 byte of the sum of each byte of BC to CS. It is used for error correction of this command.

Commands for the video tape recorder include CUEUP, PLAY, REC, and SENSE ST.
There is ATUS etc. These commands are issued from the CPU 2 to the internal VTRs 6a to 6d and the external VTR 8 to control these video tape recorders. CM
When D is "0x01", the command represents CUEUP, and the video tape recorder that received this instruction moves the tape to the instructed position. When CMD is "0x02", the command represents PLAY, and when CMD is "0x03", the command is RE.
Represents C. The video tape recorder performs reproduction and recording operations according to the instructions of these commands.

For example, by sending "0x02 02 02 0C" to the desired video tape recorder, the reproduction operation can be performed in this video tape recorder. In this case, CMD is "0x02" and CS is "0x0C".

When these commands are issued from the CPU 2 and received by the corresponding video tape recorder,
CM from this video tape recorder to CPU2
An ACK (Acknowledge) in which D is "0x04" is returned, and the reception is notified.

When the CMD is "0x60", the command is S
Represents ENSE STATUS and requests status information from a video tape recorder. This SENSE
For STATUS, from a video tape recorder, see Fig. 6B.
The status notification of CMD "0x70" shown in SENSE RE
Returned as TURN. At this time, detailed information is added as a status code to the additional information area in the command.

The commands for these video tape recorders are internal VTRs 6a-6d and external VTs.
Common to R8.

For the cassette transport mechanism 9, MOV
E, SENSE STATUS, SENSE CASE
A command such as TTE DATA is issued. CMD
Is 0x01, the command represents MOVE, and the video cassette is moved from a certain position to a certain position in the LMS. In this MOVE command, the original position and the destination position of the video cassette are added to the area of various information. When this MOVE command is received by the cassette carrying mechanism 9, ACK is returned from the cassette carrying mechanism 9 to the CPU 2.

In the command to the cassette carrying mechanism 9, by the method of designating the position shown in the area of various information,
It is possible to give instructions such as moving a cassette from an LMS input port to a certain bin, moving a cassette from a certain bin to a certain internal video tape recorder, or moving a cassette from a certain bin to an LMS output port (ejecting instruction). .

At this time, the position is represented by a 5-digit number, and the destination can be distinguished by the first 1 digit. For example, if the first digit is "0", it is a bin, if it is "1", it is an input port, "
2 "is the output port, and" 3 "is the internal videotape recorder. For example," 30000 "is the first internal videotape recorder.
In the example of FIG. 1, the video cassette is moved to the internal VTR 6a.

When the CMD is "0x60", the command is S
It represents ENSE STATUS and requests status information from the cassette transport mechanism 9. This SENSE S
The status notification of CMD "0x70" shown in FIG. 6B from the cassette transport mechanism 9 is sent to TASUS by SENSE RETU.
Returned as RN. At this time, detailed information is added to the additional information area in the command. As a result, the fact that there is a cassette in the input port and the number of video cassettes in the output port are notified.

When the video cassette is moved from the input port, the bar code label attached to the video cassette is read by the transport mechanism 9 and the cassette information is acquired. When CMD is "0x61", the command is SEN
Represents SE CASE TE DATA, CPU2,
The cassette transfer mechanism 9 is requested to obtain the acquired cassette information. This SENSE CASETTE DA
For TA, C from the cassette transport mechanism 9 shown in FIG. 6B
CASTETE DATA RETUR with MD "0x71"
N is returned. At this time, the acquired cassette information is displayed in the additional information area in the command.

For switcher 15, select
Commands such as T and SENSE STATUS are issued. When the CMD is "0x01", the command represents SELECT, and based on the information of the connection state of the switcher 15 added to the area of various information of this command, the switcher 15
The path of the input / output signal of the image / audio signal is designated. This allows, for example, an image /
The output channel of the audio signal and the transmission path of the image / audio signal output from the external video tape recorder to the internal video tape recorder are controlled.

For example, when a plurality of input / output paths which the switcher 15 has are displayed in hexadecimal, the internal VT
If the output of R6a is connected to the input "0x00" of the switcher 15 and the output channel A is connected to the output "0x0A" of the switcher, use this command to connect these "0x00" and "0x0A". By instructing, internal VT
The image / audio signal output from R6a is converted into
The audio signal 17 can be output to the A channel.

The operation of the LMS according to the present invention will be described below. In the configuration as described above, the external storage device 1
The cassette information stored in 3 is read by the CPU 2 and registered in the cassette database 4 when the power is turned on. When a video cassette is newly attached to the input port, the cassette carrying mechanism 9 reads the bar code label attached to the video cassette. Then, based on the read information, the loaded video cassette is
It is moved to the appropriate bin under the control of. Furthermore, based on the cassette ID obtained by reading the barcode label and the bin number in which this video cassette is stored,
Information on this video cassette is registered in the cassette database 4.

If, in this case, the cassette ID of the newly installed video cassette overlaps with the cassette ID already registered in the cassette database 4,
In order to avoid duplication, the CPU 2 gives an instruction to move the mounted video cassette to the output port and eject it.

It should be noted that the cassette information in the external storage device 13 is in a state without cassette information in the initial state such as at the time of shipping. Then, each time the video cassette is attached to the input port and stored in the LMS, the cassette information is registered in the cassette database 4. The information registered in the cassette database 4 is stored in the external storage device 13 when the user gives an instruction to end the operation of the LMS from the input / output device 11.

Further, when the user takes out the cassette from the bin without the control of the CPU 2, the information judged by the CPU 2, that is, the cassette information registered in the cassette database 4 and the actual video cassette are stored in the bin. There may be discrepancies with the condition. In such a case, it is possible to read all the barcodes of the video cassettes stored in the bin at that time according to an instruction from the input / output device 11 and forcibly match them with the information of the video cassettes stored in the bin. Is. In this embodiment, “Rebuild” in FIG. 5A corresponds to a command for executing this function, and the above operation can be performed by clicking this button, for example.

As described above, in the LMS, the playlists for sending and recording are read by the CPU 2 and the operation thereof is controlled. First, the control of the play list for transmission by the CPU 2 will be described.

At the time of processing the play list for sending, the CPU 2 transfers the material from the bin holding the material of the video cassette to the corresponding video tape recorder 5 minutes before the designated time for sending, from the CPU 2 to the cassette carrying mechanism 9. Instructions are sent to. Upon receipt of this instruction, the cassette transport mechanism 9 transports the video cassette used for sending to a predetermined video tape recorder. When the video cassette is carried to a predetermined video tape recorder in this way, it is called a "thread".

Immediately before this instruction is sent, whether or not the video cassette used for the sending is used for recording is confirmed by referring to the cassette database 4. If it is not used, the fact that it will be used for sending is registered in the cassette database 4.
In this example, the cassette database 4 shown in FIG.
The registration is done by setting the "Use" item to "T" among the items.

When there is no free video tape recorder for reproduction due to reproduction or use in an event before that, only confirmation is made as to whether or not there is material to be transmitted. If there is no material, an error to that effect is displayed on the input / output device 11 in order to prompt the user to mount the necessary material.
The user who sees this error display and knows that there is no material performs the operation of loading a video cassette of a predetermined material or deleting the event itself and setting it as another event as necessary. When the event is deleted in this way, the "Use" item in the cassette database 4 is registered as "", indicating that the video cassette is not used for transmission.

15 seconds before the sending, the SOM of the material
A cue instruction to the position is given. Then, at the instructed delivery time, this material is reproduced. Here, in the video tape recorder, the image is not stable immediately after the reproduction.
Therefore, in practice, the material must be SOM before the sending time.
It is cued to a position slightly before, for example, a position 3 seconds before.
Then, three seconds before the instructed time, the CPU 2 issues a reproduction instruction to the video tape recorder. It should be noted that when the delivery time comes with no corresponding video cassette attached, a signal called BB (black burst) is output.

After that, at the sending time, the CPU 2 issues an instruction to switch the path of the input / output signal to the switcher 15, and the signal path is switched. As a result, the image / audio signal output from the playback video tape recorder is output to the output channel designated by the playlist.

When the sending is completed, the cassette carrying mechanism 9 returns the video cassette to the original bin. Then, in the cassette database 4, the "Use" flag of the information of the video cassette for which the transmission has been completed is set to "" which is a value indicating unused.

Next, the control of the recording playlist by the CPU 2 will be described.

The preparation of the device to which the material is supplied is started before the preparation period determined for each device with respect to the designated recording time shown in the playlist. For example, if the material is supplied from the external VTR 8 shown in FIG. 1,
Before the designated recording time, for example, 6 minutes, a status notification command is issued to the external VTR 8 via the interface 7. This is the SENSE S shown in FIG.
This external V is a TATUS command, and the SENSE RETURN returned for this command
A determination is made whether TR8 is connected.

That is, this SENSE RETURN
Is returned within the specified time, it is determined that the external VTR 8 is connected. On the other hand, if SENSE RETURN is not returned within the specified time, it is determined that the external VTR 8 is not connected, and a message is displayed on the display device of the input / output device 11 via the interface 12.

The video tape recorder used for recording is fixed in advance. For example, the internal V shown in FIG.
Among the TRs 6a to 6d, it is decided that the internal VTR 6d is exclusively used for recording. Therefore, in recording, whether the internal VTR 6d fixed for recording is in use due to the last recording or the like is determined by the CPU.
Confirmed by 2.

In the event of the recording playlist, if the start time of the next event is simply the start time of Duration, the operation of the recording video tape recorder will be inconvenient. This is because it takes time to carry the video cassette to the video tape recorder and to take out the video cassette used for the last recording from the video tape recorder.
Therefore, the CPU 2 checks the consistency of the recording time and the duration of the recording playlist in advance.

As described above, 6 minutes before the recording start time, the instructed video cassette is mounted on the predetermined recording-dedicated video tape recorder. That is, the presence of the instructed video cassette is confirmed with respect to the cassette database 4. And if it is said that the specified video cassette exists and is unused,
Cassette database 4 for this video cassette
In the cassette information of, the "Use" flag, which indicates whether it is in use or not, is set as a value (for example, "R") indicating that it is in use during recording,
This video cassette is mounted on the video tape recorder.

On the other hand, when the corresponding video cassette is not registered in the cassette database 4, the input / output device 1
This is displayed in 1 and prompts the user to perform an operation such as recording cancellation (deletion of event). Also, database 4
Use in relevant video cassette information,
If the flag indicating unused is a value indicating transmission and in use (eg, “T”), the fact is displayed on the input / output device 11.

In this case, the corresponding recording event can be deleted up to 1 minute before the recording start time. Also,
This is also the case when the operation of the video tape recorder (external VTR 8 in this example) of the recording source is uncertain. If the event is not deleted even one minute before the recording start time, the event including the deletion cannot be changed. In such a case, the recording event is not recorded and the CPU 2 waits for the scheduled end time.

At 15 seconds before the recording start time, as in the case of the above-mentioned transmission, the external VTR 8 as the recording source is instructed to locate the SOM position in the material.

As in the case of the above-mentioned transmission, three seconds before the recording start time of the recording playlist, to the video tape recorder (external VTR 8 in this example) on the reproducing side for stabilizing the image at the time of reproduction. Playback is instructed, and recording is instructed to the video tape recorder on the recording side (in this example, the internal VTR 6d). Usually, at the time of such recording, a pattern called a color bar for image test or material confirmation is recorded in the recording video tape recorder 3 seconds before the recording start time, and the cassette ID of the recording source video cassette is recorded. The character string is generated as an image by, for example, a character generator, and the image is recorded in a video cassette.

At the recording time, the switcher 15 is controlled by the instruction of the CPU 2 and the external VTR 8 which is the recording source.
The image / audio signal path between the recording and the internal VTR 6d for recording is connected. As a result, the image / audio signal for the material reproduced by the external VTR 8 can be input to the internal VTR 6d. Then, an image / audio signal is sent from the external VTR 8 to the internal VTR 6d, and recording is performed in the internal VTR 6d.

When recording is performed for the designated time, C
PU2 issues an instruction to stop the video cassette of the original material to the external VTR 8 which is the recording source. When the video cassette is stopped in the external VTR 8 that receives this instruction, the video cassette that has been recorded is taken out in the recording internal VTR 6d and returned to the original bin. Further, in the cassette database 4, the "Use" flag of the recorded video cassette is set to a value ""
And Further, even if some kind of abnormality occurs and the recording is not actually performed, this flag is not used at the scheduled end time.

It is also conceivable that a video cassette for reproduction or recording which has not been properly initialized may be designated during recording. Since such a video cassette cannot detect the time code, the position of the designated SOM 3 seconds before is not known, and the video cassette cannot be cueed. In such a case, the CPU 2 determines that the cue cannot be performed even after waiting for a predetermined time, the corresponding video tape recorder is stopped, and an error to that effect is displayed on the input / output device 11.

In reality, the CPU 2 issues a status request command, that is, SENSE STATUS, to the corresponding video tape recorder.
SENSE RETUR returned for this command
CUE in which N command indicates CUEUP completion after a predetermined time
It is judged that it is not possible to cue because it does not become D.

FIG. 7 shows the relationship between the scheduled time of sending / recording and the change or operation of the event. At the time of sending, if there is a video cassette in which the material is recorded 5 minutes before the specified sending time, the latest recording time is judged from the cassette database 4, and this recording time is within the allowable range in the playlist. It is determined whether or not. If the video cassette is recorded within the permissible range, the video cassette is threaded to the designated video tape recorder and is ready for transmission as it is.

On the other hand, when the recording is performed before the allowable range or when the recording itself has not been performed, a mark indicating that the material is not appropriate is displayed and the user is notified.

Also, a playlist change such as an event deletion or ID change can be made up to one minute before the transmission, and any change thereafter cannot be made. If it is necessary to suddenly change the material to be transmitted within 1 minute before the scheduled transmission time in the playlist, the L
A video tape recorder different from the video tape recorder equipped in the MS is prepared, reproduction is performed from that video tape recorder, and switching is performed by a device called a master switcher (not shown in FIG. 1). The master switcher is also connected to the image / audio signals of the LMS shown in FIG. 1 and is combined with an image such as a time signal created outside the LMS to create an image for broadcasting.

When recording, a designated video cassette is threaded 6 minutes before the recording time. Event changes can be made up to 5 minutes before the scheduled recording time.
Only minutes before the event can be deleted. Also,
From 1 minute before the scheduled recording time to the scheduled recording time, it is impossible to change the event including deletion, but if it is necessary to thread the relevant video cassette for sending, the scheduled recording will be It will be terminated. At that time, the recording source, that is, the reproducing side, displays that the material is being used by another, and prompts the user to stop recording or change the schedule for reproducing or recording with another material.

These measures are to prioritize the delivery and
This is because the same material is used for both recording and sending, so that the resources of the material are mutually secured and the processing for sending and recording is prevented from proceeding.

In addition, the preparation of the material is performed 6 minutes before the scheduled start time and the transmission is performed 5 minutes before the start time in order to avoid so-called competition as much as possible, for example, the material having a length of about 30 seconds. In that case, it is possible to reproduce the material immediately after recording it. In fact, there is still a possibility of conflict, so in database 4,
The device is devised so that the determination and the setting are performed in one continuous process.

8 and 9 are flow charts showing the operation of the CPU 2 at the time of sending and recording according to the present invention. In the flowchart at the time of event transmission shown in FIG. 8, the current time is checked in the first step S801, and based on the start time of the event specified in the "Start Time" of the given playlist, the start time is 5 minutes. It is judged whether it was before.

If it is 5 minutes ago, the process proceeds to step S802, and the designated video cassette is LMS.
It is confirmed whether it exists in. This is CPU2
Is performed by accessing the cassette database 4.

If the designated cassette ID is not registered in the cassette database 4 and does not exist in the LMS, then in the next step S803, the display device of the input / output device 11 is displayed. An error is displayed and the user is notified of the error. In the case of such an error, an input error in the playlist may be the cause.

Also, even if the data is registered in the cassette database 4, but the "Use" item is set to "R" and is used for recording, it is determined that there is no video cassette, and the step In S803, the input / output device 11
Displays the error notification. If the user knows that the specified video cassette does not exist due to this error display, the user inserts the required video cassette into the LMS input port, changes the playlist, or if this video cassette is being used for recording. To deal with, stop recording. When the error notification in step S803 ends, the process proceeds to step S80.
Return to 1.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S802 that a video cassette exists, the process proceeds to step S80.
Move to 4. In this step S804, recording on this video cassette is within the designated time, that is,
"Limit Start" and "Limit E" shown in the playlist
nd ".

For example, if the cassette ID shown in FIG. 4C is PG
In the example of M-001, in the data registered in the cassette database 4 shown in FIG. 5, looking at the data of "Limit Start" and "Limit End" of the corresponding cassette ID, the time is from 8:30 to 8:30. A confirmation is made as to whether it is between the hour and 30 minutes. At this time, it is also confirmed whether or not the recording date of the corresponding cassette ID in the cassette database 4 is the same as the date of sending this event. In other words, the specification of the permissible range of recording in the reproduction playlist is controlled on the basis of the date of reproduction.

If it is determined in this step S804 that the recording has been made within the designated time, the processing shifts to the next step S805. In step S805, the data of the corresponding cassette ID in the video cassette database 4 is displayed as "Us" to indicate that it is being used for transmission.
The item "e" is marked as "T", and C to move the video cassette to the appropriate video tape recorder.
The PU 2 sends an instruction to the cassette transport mechanism 9. At the same time, the bin position (Bin number) at that time is stored in the work memory 3. Then, the process is step S80.
Return to 1 and check the time again.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S804 that the recording was not performed within the designated time, the process proceeds to step S806, and the error notification is displayed by the input / output device 11. Then, the process is step S80.
Return to 1.

The processing is from step S805 to step S8.
Returning to 01, the time is checked again. Then, if the current time is before 5 minutes before the sending start time or within 1 minute before, the processing shifts to the next step S807. In step S807, the current time is checked to determine whether it is 15 seconds before the sending start time.

If it is 15 seconds before the transmission start time,
The process proceeds to step S808, and the above step S8 is performed.
At 05, it is determined whether there is material used in this event in the videotape recorder to which the videocassette was moved. If it is determined that there is material, the process proceeds to the next step S809, and the CPU 2 sends a CUEUP instruction to this video tape recorder in order to find the position instructed in the playlist. Then, the process returns to step S801, and the time is checked again.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S808 that there is no material, the input / output device 11 displays an error notification. If an error is displayed, the process returns to step S801.

The actual determination of the presence or absence of the material in step S808 can be made efficiently by using the information there, because the same determination is made in step S804 described above.

The processing is from step S809 to step S8.
Returning to 01, the time is checked again. At this point, the time has already passed 15 seconds before the sending start time, so the process moves to the next step S807, and further to step S807.
The process moves to 811. In step S811, the current time is checked to determine whether it is 3 seconds before the sending start time.

If it is 3 seconds before the transmission start time, the process proceeds to step S812, and the above-mentioned step S80 is performed.
At 5, it is determined whether there is material used in this event in the videotape recorder to which the videocassette was moved. If you judge that there are materials,
The process proceeds to the next step S813, and the CPU 2 sends a PLAY instruction to the video tape recorder. Then, the material is transmitted in accordance with the length designated by the value indicated in the "Duration" item of the playlist.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S812 that the material does not exist in the corresponding video tape recorder, the process proceeds to step S814, and the BB signal is output instead of the material. The BB signal is transmitted for the length designated by the value indicated in the "Duration" item of the playlist.

When the material transmission in step S813 or the BB signal transmission in step S814 is started, the process proceeds to step S815. In step S815, it is determined whether the material or the BB signal has been transmitted for the length instructed by the value indicated in the "Duration" item of the playlist. This determination is performed by obtaining the time obtained by adding the transmission start time and the value indicated by "Duration", and determining whether the current time has reached that time. Then, when the transmission of the instructed length is performed and it is determined that the transmission of the material or the BB signal is completed, the process proceeds to the next step S816.

In step S816, the CPU 2 sends a STOP instruction to the corresponding video tape recorder, and the reproduction of the video tape recorder is stopped.
Then, in step S805, the CPU 2 instructs the cassette carrying mechanism 9 to return the video cassette to the original position based on the information of the bin number of the video cassette used for sending, which is stored in the work memory 3. Instructions will be sent. Then, in step S817, the cassette information used in the cassette database 4 is set to a value "" indicating that the cassette information is not used in reproduction. Then, a series of event transmission ends.

In the flowchart at the time of recording shown in FIG. 9, the current time is checked in the first step S901,
Based on the start time of the event specified in the "Start Time" of the given playlist, it is determined whether or not it is 6 minutes before the recording start time.

Note that, as described in this flowchart,
It is assumed that the video / audio signal for recording is directly supplied to the LMS by line input.

If it is 6 minutes before the recording start time,
The process proceeds to step S902, and it is confirmed whether the instructed video cassette exists in the LMS. This is performed by the CPU 2 accessing the cassette database 4.

If the instructed cassette ID is not registered in the cassette database 4 and does not exist in the LMS, then in the next step S803, the display device of the input / output device 11 is displayed. An error is displayed and the user is notified of the error. In the case of such an error, an input error in the playlist may be the cause.

Also, even if it is registered in the cassette database 4, but the "Use" item is set to "T" and it is used for transmission, it is determined that there is no video cassette, and the step Input / output device 11 in S903
Displays the error notification. The user, who knows from the error display that there is no designated video cassette, takes necessary measures such as mounting the required video cassette in the input port of the LMS or changing the playlist. When the error notification in step S903 ends, the process returns to step S901.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S902 that a video cassette exists, the process proceeds to step S90.
Move to 3. In step S903, the item of "Use" is set to "R" so that the data of the corresponding cassette ID in the cassette database 4 is used for recording. Then, the CPU 2 sends an instruction to the cassette transport mechanism 9 to move the video cassette to the recording video tape recorder (in this example, the internal VTR 6d). At the same time, the bin position (bin number) at that time is stored in the work memory 3. Then, the process returns to step S901, and the time is checked again.

The processing is from step S903 to step S9.
Returning to 01, the time is checked again, and if the current time is before 5 minutes before the recording start time or within 1 minute before, the processing moves to the next step S905. In step S905, the current time is checked to determine whether it is 15 seconds before the recording start time.

If it is 15 seconds before the recording start time,
The process proceeds to step S906 and the above step S9.
At 03, it is determined whether there is material used in this event in the videotape recorder to which the videocassette was moved. If it is determined that there is material, the process proceeds to the next step S907, and the CPU 2 sends an instruction of CUEUP to this video tape recorder in order to find the position instructed in the play list. Then, the process returns to step S901, and the time is checked again.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S906 that there is no material, the input / output device 11 displays an error notification. If an error is displayed, the process returns to step S901.

The actual judgment of the presence / absence of the material in step S906 can be made efficiently by using the information there, because the same judgment is made in the above-mentioned step S902.

The processing is from step S907 to step S9.
Returning to 01, the time is checked again. At this point, the time has already passed 15 seconds before the recording start time, so the process proceeds to the next step S907, and further step S907.
Move to 909. In step S909, the current time is checked to determine whether it is 3 seconds before the recording start time.

If it is 3 seconds before the recording start time, the process proceeds to step S910, and the above-mentioned step S90 is performed.
Internal VTR 6d with video cassette moved in 3
It is determined whether there is any material used in this event. If it is determined that the material is present, the process proceeds to the next step S911, and the CPU 2 sends REC, that is, an instruction for recording and recording to the internal VTR 6d. Also, along with that, the internal VTR for recording the line input of the material specified in the recording playlist.
An instruction to change the cross point in the switcher 15 is sent from the CPU 2 to the switcher 15 so as to connect to the input of 6d. And in the playlist "Durat
The material is recorded in accordance with the length designated by the value indicated in the "ion" item.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S910 that there is no material in the internal VTR 6d for recording, recording is not performed and a series of recording processing ends.

When the recording of the material is started in step S911, the process proceeds to step S912. In step S912, it is determined whether or not the material has been recorded for the length instructed by the value indicated in the "Duration" item of the playlist. This determination is performed by obtaining the time obtained by adding the recording start time and the value indicated by "Duration" and determining whether the current time has reached that time. Then, if it is determined that the recording for the instructed length has been performed, the process proceeds to the next step S913.

In step S913, the CPU 2 sends a STOP instruction to the corresponding video tape recorder, and the reproduction of the video tape recorder is stopped.
Then, based on the information of the bin number of the video cassette used for recording stored in the work memory 3 in step S903, the CPU 2 instructs the cassette carrying mechanism 9 to return the video cassette to the original position. Instructions will be sent.

Thereafter, in step S914, a value indicating that the "Use" item of the cassette information used for recording in the cassette database 4 is unused in reproduction "
Also, at this time, the recording start time and date and time are recorded in "Date". In this example, recording is performed up to three times per tape. Even if the data was not actually recorded due to an abnormality of the device, this step S914 is performed.
Is performed. In this way, a series of event recording processing is completed.

Although the present invention has been described as an example in which the present invention is applied to the LMS in the above-described embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, this invention
The present invention is also applicable to an image / sound storage device that stores image / sound signals using another recording medium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a rewritable magneto-optical disk.

Further, in the above-described embodiment,
Although the signal form handled by the video / audio storage device according to the present invention has been described as NTSC used in Japan and North America, the present invention is similarly applied to PAL used in Europe and other signal forms. can do.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment,
In the explanation of the flow chart at the time of recording, it is assumed that the original material for recording is supplied by line input. This can be handled even if the external VTR 8 connected to the LMS is the source of the original material for recording. In this case, C
The PU 2 controls the external VTR 8. Further, even if the original material is present in another image / sound device, it can be dealt with similarly.

Further, in the above-described embodiment,
The assumed recording time was specified only by the time, but it is also possible to specify it including the date. In addition, in the case of specifying the date and time, the time relative to the sending time (one day ago, 1
It is also possible to specify in advance).

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the information indicating time such as "Start Time" includes frame information and non-frame information. These are simply because there is no frame information when frame information is not actually needed, and all designations may include frame information. Also,
On the contrary, it is possible to use all the time information as information up to the second without including frame information.

Further, in the above-described embodiment,
Although information such as the cassette ID is written in alphabets, it goes without saying that it may be in a form including Chinese characters. It is also easy to extend in this way.

[0131]

As described above, according to the present invention, information such as the date is added to the image / sound material. As a result, there is an effect that the name can be easily identified and the material can be sent while confirming whether or not the recording is performed as scheduled based on the information of the recording time. Therefore, there is an effect that the management of the material is easy and the operation of sending and recording can be performed smoothly.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a configuration of a video / audio material storage device (LMS) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of a configuration in actual use of the LMS according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a printed barcode.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a playlist for recording and a playlist for transmission.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of cassette information created by a CPU and registered in a cassette database.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of commands and statuses exchanged between a CPU and each device.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship between a scheduled time of sending / recording and an event change or operation.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process when an event is transmitted.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process when an event is recorded.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 CPU 3 memory 4 cassette database 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d internal VTR 8 external VTR 11 input / output device 15 switcher

Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Office reference number FI technical display location H04N 5/91 Z 5/93 Z

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image / sound storage device for storing image / sound material, wherein a storage means for storing the recorded material, a reproducing means for reproducing the stored material, and the recording are performed. Storage means for holding information on the accumulated material including date / time information, instruction means for designating a range for the date / time information at the time of instructing the reproduction, and the designated range and the date / time information. And a comparing means for comparing the above. 2. An image / sound accumulation method for accumulating image / sound material, the step of accumulating the recorded material, the step of reproducing the accumulated material, and the date and time when the recording is performed. A step of holding information on the accumulated material including information, a step of designating a range for the date / time information when instructing the reproduction, and a step of comparing the designated range with the date / time information A method for accumulating image and sound, comprising: