JPH11265263A - Data processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To construct a data processing system with excellent responsiveness which can be easily controlled in real time. SOLUTION: An input buffer device 40 for temporarily storing AV input data, output buffer device 50 for storing output AV data, and storage devices 60 and 70 for AV data are connected through a sub-network 59. A server controller 90 for controlling each device is connected with the sub-network. The input buffer device, output buffer device, and storage devices are connected through the sub-network so that the setting places of the devices can not be limited. The number of input and output channels is decided by the sub-network, and the sufficient number of channels can be ensured. The output buffer and the storage devices are hierarchically controlled, and a file is hierachized. Thus, the AV server device with a large capacity and excellent responsiveness can be constructed at well-balanced costs. Even at the time of using a hard disk device as the storage device, real-time property for a hard disk drive is not required.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data processing device suitable for application to an AV server device for storing and reproducing AV data and the like. Specifically, by connecting an input buffer device for temporarily storing AV data and the like and an output buffer device for outputting AV data and the like via a network, a data processing system with easy real-time control and excellent responsiveness is provided. The present invention relates to a data processing device that can be constructed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Audio data and video data (AV
A configuration as shown in FIG. 22 is known as an AV server device that is a type of data processing device that stores desired data in real time by accumulating data or the like.

In FIG. 1, a disk device (hereinafter, referred to as a disk array device) 12 that uses a plurality of hard disk drives in parallel, so-called array, is provided as AV data storage means. Internal bus 1 via
6 is connected.

An input interface 20 for AV data supplied from a terminal 18 is connected to the internal bus 16. The input AV data is stored in the disk array device 12 and output via the internal bus 16. An interface 22 is connected, and the reproduced AV data is output to an output terminal 24 of the interface 22.

[0005] A control signal interface 28 for real-time control is connected to the internal bus 16 via a terminal 26. The control signal includes a signal output from an editing device (not shown) connected to the AV server device 10 and a signal related to the application terminal 36 when the AV server device 10 is applied to, for example, a commercial transmission system. For example, a signal synchronized with the transmission timing output from a program transmission device (not shown) provided by the user may be considered.

The internal bus 16 further stores a CPU 30 for controlling the entire apparatus, a ROM 32 containing various control programs, and file management information of AV data stored in the disk array apparatus 12. The RAM 34 is connected. In addition, in this example, the network interface 4 is connected to the internal bus 16.
0 is connected, and an external application (terminal device such as a workstation or a personal computer) terminal 36 via the network 38 from the network interface 40.
It is connected to the.

Here, an example of the operation of reproducing the AV data stored in the AV server device 10 will be described below. First, the application terminal 36 is connected to the network 3
8, a file information acquisition command is sent to the AV server device 10. This file information acquisition instruction indicates information about a file in which AV data to be reproduced is stored.

Next, the CPU 30 of the AV server device 10
Transmits the file information stored in the RAM 34 to the application terminal 36 via the network 38 in response to a file information acquisition command from the application terminal 36.
Transfer to

Next, the application terminal 36 sends to the AV server device 10 a file open command which is a command for operating the corresponding file storing the AV data to be reproduced based on the received file information.

[0010] The CPU 30 of the AV server device 10 extracts the file information stored in the RAM 34 based on the received file open command, and waits for a command from the upper application terminal 36.

Next, the application terminal 36
The CPU 30 of the AV server device 10 that issues a playback command to the file for which the file open command has been issued to the V server device 10 and receives the playback command.
Issues a reproduction command of the file to the HDD array device 12 via the SCSI interface 14 from the extracted file information.

The HDD array device 12 that has received the reproduction command accesses the internal HDD, reproduces the AV data from the area where the corresponding file is stored, and transfers it to the internal bus 16 via the SCSI interface 14.

The CPU 30 controls the internal bus 16 to output the AV data transferred to the internal bus 16 to the output interface 22,
Output AV data.

[0014]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The data reproduction process is performed. In such an AV server device 10, the input interface 20,
SCSI interface 14, output interface 22
Are all connected by the internal bus 16, and the CPU 30 controls all of them. Since all of the AV data is stored in the disk array device 12, there are the following problems.

First, the number of input and output channels is limited by the transfer rate of the internal bus. This is because the input interface 20 and the output interface 22 are directly connected to the internal bus 16, so that the number of input / output channels is restricted by hardware restrictions (transfer rate of the internal bus).

For example, if the transfer rate of the internal bus 16 is 20
When MByte / sec (= 160 Mbps), AV
When the data compression rate is 20 Mbps, the total input / output is up to eight channels.

Second, since the input interface 20 and the output interface 22 are directly connected to the internal bus 16, input means, output means, storage means, and the like cannot be physically separated. This limits the design when constructing an AV server system.

Third, the reliability of the disk array device 12 is reduced because the disk array device 12 is controlled in real time when recording and reproducing AV data. For example, consider a case where there are a plurality of output interfaces 22 and the plurality of output interfaces operate simultaneously.

In order that the output AV data from each output interface is not interrupted, a certain amount of data must reach each output interface within a certain time. This requires real-time reading of the hard disk.

Since the hard disk has a seek time and a rotation waiting time that differ depending on the head position, it is necessary to design the seek time and the rotation waiting time at the worst values in order to reproduce AV data without interruption. Therefore, in order to obtain a necessary transfer rate, it is necessary to prepare a large number of hard disks and operate them in parallel.

The reliability of the hard disk is as follows.
It is obtained by retrying access to the hard disk. Therefore, if you limit the number of hard disk retries to the minimum (usually 10 or less),
The error rate is reduced by a factor of 100 to 1000. If a hard disk is arrayed and real-time performance is required, the number of retries for the hard disk must be limited, and as a result, the reliability of the disk array device decreases.

Fourth, the only way to increase the storage capacity is to add a disk array device 12. Since the hard disk drive is expensive, if a tape device with a low cost per capacity (such as a tape changer device using a large number of magnetic tapes) is to be used, this tape changer device must also be connected to the internal bus 16. As a result, the transfer capacity of the internal bus 16 is further consumed, and the number of input / output channels that can be handled decreases accordingly.

Fifth, the time from when the file open command is received from the application terminal 36 until the corresponding file can be reproduced is determined by the access time of the hard disk drive. This time is the maximum value of the seek time and the rotation waiting time of the hard disk drive (several tens mse
Since it is almost determined by c), the AV server device 1
The response performance of 0 is determined by the performance of the hard disk drive itself. As a result, high-speed response performance cannot be expected as long as a hard disk drive is used.

Therefore, the present invention solves such a conventional problem, and real-time control is easy.
In addition, the present invention provides a data processing device applicable to an AV server device or the like that is capable of constructing an AV server system with excellent responsiveness.

[0025]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a data processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: an input buffer device for temporarily storing input data; an output buffer device for storing data to be output; Each of the storage devices for storing the input data is connected via a network, and a control device for controlling each of the devices is connected to the network.

According to the present invention, an input buffer device for temporarily storing input data such as AV data, an output buffer device for storing AV data to be output, and a storage device for storing AV data are provided. Connect with a network (subnetwork). As a result, there is no need to be restricted by the installation location of the device. Since the number of input / output channels is determined by the network itself, a sufficient number of channels can be secured as compared with the conventional case.

The output buffer device has a capacity for several files, and is connected via a network to a storage device storing a large amount of AV data and the like. In this way, the output buffer device and the storage device have a difference in storage capacity. That is, the files are hierarchized.

Thus, a large-capacity and highly responsive A
A data processing device such as a V server device can be constructed with good cost balance. With this configuration, even when a hard disk device is used as the storage device, real-time performance of the hard disk device is not required.

[0029]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which a data processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied to an AV server apparatus will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present invention, an AV server device is constructed based on the following concept.

For example, in the case of an AV server device for transmitting a commercial broadcast, the AV server device is not operating when an original program is being transmitted. Conventionally, since real-time AV data flows through the internal bus 16, the number of simultaneously output channels depends on the transfer rate of the internal bus 16, although the utilization efficiency of the internal bus 16 is not high on average. I have.

Therefore, a device (configured as a primary storage device, a secondary storage device, etc.) capable of storing a large amount of AV data by providing an output buffer device with a capacity for several files to be transmitted from now on is called a network (sub-device). Network). If a semiconductor memory or the like is used as the output buffer device, the response will be faster.

On the other hand, if necessary AV data is transferred from the AV data storage means to the output buffer device for several files at any time, even if a disk array device is used as the storage device, access to the hard disk device can be prevented. As a result, real-time performance is no longer required, so that the responsiveness of the AV server device is not impeded even if a hard disk device is used.

When an output buffer device, a primary storage device, and a secondary storage device are used as the AV data storage means, the storage capacity is reduced in this order, and the existence of the AV data file is hierarchized. In other words, by controlling hierarchically so that all files in the output buffer device also exist in the primary storage device and all files in the primary storage device also exist in the secondary storage device, a large capacity and response can be achieved. A good AV server device can be constructed with good cost balance.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an AV server device 10 to which the present invention is applied. This AV server device 10
Are connected to each other by a network, and include an input buffer device 40 for temporarily storing input AV data, an output buffer device 50 for temporarily storing output AV data, and a storage device for AV data. ,
In this example, a primary storage device 60 and a secondary storage device 70 are provided, and these are mutually connected by a network (called a subnetwork) 59.

A server control device 90 for controlling these devices is connected to the sub-network 59, and the server control device 90 is connected to a higher-level application via another network (external network (main network)) 38. Connected to terminal 36.

The application terminal 36 may be a workstation, a personal computer, or the like as described above. AV server device and application terminal 3
6 is used as a commercial transmission device, a control signal (real-time reproduction start command) is transmitted to the terminal 2 in synchronization with a transmission timing (operation schedule) managed by a commercial scheduler (not shown).
7, the commercial material stored in the output buffer device 50 is output in synchronization with the operation schedule. The accumulation of the commercial material itself is supplied to the input buffer device 40 from the terminal 18 or from a VTR or the like. At this time, the control signal supplied to the terminal 26 includes:
A control signal for recording a commercial material in real time is supplied.

Next, the configuration of each unit will be described in detail. The input buffer device 40 is a device for temporarily storing AV data input from the external terminal 18 in real time,
Capacity of several files handled by the AV server device 10 (for example, storage capacity equivalent to several minutes to tens of minutes in time)
It has. Under the control of the server control device 90, a file (AV data) is transferred to the primary storage device 60, the secondary storage device 70, and the output buffer device 50 via the sub-network 59 by a standard transfer protocol.

As a standard transfer protocol, for example, a TCP / IP protocol (Transmission Control Protocol)
ftp (file transfer p) on col / Internet Protocol
rotocol) and rcp (remote copy) can be used.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the input buffer device 40. The input buffer device generally includes an input interface 41, an internal bus 42, a memory 43, a control signal interface 44, a CPU 45, a ROM 46, a RAM 47, and a network interface 48.

The input interface 41, the control signal interface 44, the memory 43, the CPU 45, the ROM 46,
The RAM 47 and the network interface 48 are connected via the internal bus 42, and the network interface 48 is connected to the server control device 90 via the sub network 49.

The input interface 41 is AV data to which a synchronizing signal supplied via the terminal 18 is added (here, AV data is data mainly including audio and / or video signals, hereinafter referred to as AV data). To extract AV data.

A output from the input interface 41
The V data is supplied to the memory 43 under the control of the CPU 45. As the memory 43, a semiconductor memory or the like capable of storing AV data for several frames is used, and temporarily stores AV data. The operation of storing the AV data and the operation of transferring the stored AV data to the secondary storage device 70 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

A control signal is supplied to the control signal interface 44 via the terminal 26, and a recording operation and a transfer operation for the AV data with the synchronization signal supplied to the terminal 18 and a reproducing operation of the AV data stored in the memory 43 are performed. A control signal for controlling is supplied. The CPU 45 controls these recording and transfer, and executes various control commands transferred from the upper level through the sub-network 59.

The ROM 46 stores a control program for executing these control operations. RAM47
Indicates that the file in which the AV data is stored is actually
3, which is used as a working memory for storing file management information and the like indicating which area is stored, and for storing data and the like when the above-described control operation is executed.

The network interface 48 is an interface for outputting the AV data stored in the memory 43 or the AV data transferred from the direct input interface 41 to the sub-network 59.

Next, the recording and reproducing / transferring operation of the AV data of the input buffer device 40 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. First, the recording operation of the AV data will be described with reference to FIG. First, a file open command supplied from the subnetwork 59 via the network interface 48 is received (step 101). The file open command is a permission command for operating a file storing AV data.
The file open command in step 101 is a file open command for executing a file recording operation.

Next, the processing moves to step 102, where CP
U45 takes out the file information stored in the RAM 47, and the recording start command is
Or via the control signal interface 44.

Next, the routine proceeds to step 103, where a control signal indicating a recording start command is transmitted from the control signal interface 44 to C
PU 45 receives. In this step 103, the control signal of the recording start command is a control signal transferred from the terminal 26 via the control signal interface 44, but may be a control signal transferred from the sub-network 59 via the network interface 48. .

A control signal indicating this recording start command is sent to the CPU
After the reception at step 45, the process proceeds to step SP104.
Internal bus 42 from input interface 41 to memory 43
Is controlled to record AV data. This recording operation is continued until a control signal indicating a recording end command instructing the end of the recording operation is received.

When the recording of the necessary AV data in the memory 43 is completed, the CPU 45 receives a control signal indicating a recording end command via the control signal interface 44 (step 105). In this case, as described above, a control signal indicating the end of recording transferred from the upper layer via the sub-network 59 and the network interface 48 may be used.

A control signal indicating this recording end command is sent to the CPU
When the data is received by the CPU 45, the CPU 45
The recording operation to the file is terminated (step 106), and a file close command for instructing the end of the operation of the file is received from the upper layer via the sub-network 59 and the network interface 48 (step 107).
The operation of the file storing the AV data recorded in No. 3 is completed (step 108). Then, the operation of recording the input AV data into the memory 43 of the input buffer device 40 ends.

Next, the operation of transferring the AV data stored in the input buffer device 40 will be described with reference to FIG. A
When the transfer operation of the V data from the input buffer device 40 is started, a control signal indicating a file transmission command, which is a control command for transmitting a file via the sub-network 59 and the network interface 48, is received from the upper level (step 111). ). This file transmission command is issued from, for example, the server control device 90 and transferred to the input buffer device 40 via the sub network 59. Of course, it may be transmitted from the upper application terminal.

When the CPU 45 receives the control signal instructing the file copy, the process proceeds to step 112, where
The file information is acquired from the AM 47 so that the operation of the file to be transferred can be started (file open).

Next, the process proceeds to step 113, where the data stored in the memory 43 is transferred to the internal bus 42 and controlled to be transmitted to the network interface 48. The network interface 48 transmits the transferred A
The V data is transmitted to the sub-network 59 (step 114). The AV data output from the network interface 48 is transferred to a secondary storage device 70, a primary storage device 60, or an output buffer device 50 to be described later via a sub network 59.

When the transmission of the desired file is completed, the CPU
In step 45, the file is closed to end the file operation (step 115), and the file transfer process ends.

Next, the configuration and operation of the output buffer device 50 will be described in detail. First, the configuration of the output buffer device 50 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The output buffer device 50 mainly includes a memory 51, an internal bus 52, a control signal interface 53, an output interface 54, a CPU 55, a ROM 56, a RAM 57, and a network interface 58.

Memory 51, control signal interface 5
3, output interface 54, CPU 55, ROM5
6, RAM 57, and network interface 5
8 is connected via an internal bus 52, and a network interface 58 is connected via a sub-network 59 to a server control device 90 and the like.

The memory 51 is composed of, for example, a semiconductor memory, and has a storage capacity of about several files and a time corresponding to several minutes to tens of minutes. Recording and transfer of AV data in the memory 51 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

The control signal interface 53 is connected to the terminal 27
Is an interface for transferring a control signal supplied through the internal bus 52 to the CPU 55 and the like.
The output interface 54 is an interface for outputting the AV data transferred via the internal bus 52 to the outside via the terminal 24. Here, the input A
A synchronization signal is added to the V data and output to the outside. Further, it is also possible to subject the AV data to a decompression process as required and return the signal to a baseband signal for output.

The CPU 55 controls the control signal interface 5
3, various controls are executed based on control signals for instructing recording, reproduction, and the like transferred via the network interface 3, the sub-network 59, and the network interface.

Various programs for operating the CPU are stored in the ROM 56. For example, a control program is stored, and the CPU 55 executes the various controls described above based on the control programs. The RAM 57 stores data management information indicating in which area of the memory 51 the AV data stored in the memory 51 is stored.
5 is also used as a working memory for storing data when performing various controls.

The network interface 58 is an interface for converting control commands transferred via the sub-network 59 and AV data transferred via the sub-network 59 into a format which can be handled in the output buffer device 50.

Next, the operation of the output buffer device 50 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. First, the operation of recording AV data (transferring AV data) to the output buffer device 50 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. AV
When the recording process of the file storing the data is started, a file copy command is received from the sub-network 59 via the network interface 58 (step 121).

When CPU 55 receives the file copy command, the processing moves to step 122, where CPU 55
The file information stored in M57 is taken out so that the operation of the target file can be started (file open).

Next, the network interface 58
Receives the AV data transferred from the sub-network 59 (step 123), and transmits the AV data input to the network interface 58 to the internal bus 5
Then, the data is transferred to the memory 51 via the memory 2 and stored in the AV data memory 51 (step 124). When the storage of the file to be received in the memory 51 is completed, the file is closed so that the operation of the file is completed (step 125), and the file transfer process is completed.

Next, the output operation of the AV data of the output buffer device 50 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. To output the AV data stored in the memory 51 to the outside, the reproduction process of the AV data shown in FIG. 7 is started, and the output target of the output data transferred from the sub-network 59 through the network interface 58 in step 131 is started. The CPU 55 receives a file open command for starting a file operation.

Next, the processing shifts to step 132, where C
The PU 55 takes out the file information stored in the RAM 57 and waits for the next command. Next, the process proceeds to step 133, in which the CPU 55 receives a playback start command instructing a playback command of the AV data stored in the memory 51 from the terminal 27 via the control signal interface 53.

When the CPU 55 receives the reproduction start command, it reproduces the AV data recorded in the memory 51,
Output to the output interface 54 (step 134),
Upon receiving a reproduction end command from the control signal interface 53 (step 135), the reproduction operation is ended (step 1).
36), a file close command indicating the end of the file operation is received from the subnetwork 59 via the network interface 58 (step 137). Then, the operation of the desired file is closed (step 13).
8), the output operation of the output buffer device 50 ends.

Next, the detailed configuration and operation of the primary storage device 60 will be described. FIG. 8 shows the configuration of a primary storage device 60, which includes a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) array device 61 for storing AV data as a whole, and an SCS.
I interface 62, internal bus 63, CPU 64
, A ROM 65, a RAM 66, and a network interface 67.

The HDD array device 61 uses a plurality of HDD devices to form a so-called RAID (Redundant Arrays of
Inexpensive Disks). For example,
RAID-1 configured to write the same AV data to two HDDs, or input AV data divided into a fixed length and recorded on a plurality of HDDs,
RAID-3 configured to generate parity data, which is an exclusive OR of mutually corresponding data blocks, and write the parity data to another remaining HDD, and a division unit (block) of input AV data And increase 1
One divided data is recorded as a data block in one HDD, and the result (parity data) of the exclusive OR of the data blocks corresponding to each HDD is recorded as a parity block in another HDD and the parity block is recorded. A RAID-5 or the like configured to write data so as to be distributed to other HDDs may be considered, but the present invention does not depend on this RAID configuration.

The SCSI interface 62 is an interface between the HDD array device 61 and the internal bus 63. The internal bus 63 is a bus for data transfer in the primary storage device 60. The SCSI bus 62, the CPU 64, the ROM 65, and the RAM 6 are connected via the internal bus 63.
6. The network interface 67 is connected.

The CPU 64 controls the HDD array device 6 for the AV data transferred via the sub-network 59.
1 and the AV stored in the HDD array device 61.
It controls various operations of the entire primary storage device, such as data reproduction and transfer to the outside.

The ROM 65 stores a control program for causing the CPU 64 to execute control. RAM66
Is also used as data management information (file system) indicating in which area of the HDD array device 61 the AV data is actually stored, and as a working memory when the CPU 64 executes a control program stored in the ROM 65. Used.

The network interface 67 is an interface between the primary storage device and the sub-network 59. The network interface 67 takes in the AV data transferred from outside via the sub-network 59 into the primary storage device 60, and further stores the primary storage. This is an interface for outputting from the device 60 to the sub-network 59.

Next, the operation of the primary storage device 60 will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described in detail with reference to FIG. First, a transfer operation from transfer of AV data through the sub-network 59 to storage of the data in the HDD array device 61 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, when the transfer operation is started, the file storing the AV data is copied via the sub-network 59 and the network interface 67 (that is, until a command to receive the file is received). (Wait) (step 141).

When a file copy command is received, CP
U64 takes out the file information stored in RAM 66 and starts operating the file (file open) (step 142). In this step, preparation for file copying is completed, and the process waits until AV data is actually transferred.

Next, the processing shifts to step 143 to execute AV
The CPU 64 waits for data to be transferred to the network interface 67 via the sub-network 59, and when the AV data is actually transferred to the network interface 67, the CPU 64 transfers the received AV data to the network interface 67 to the internal bus 63. Via HDD
The network interface 67 is controlled so as to be transferred to the array device 61 (step 144). The transferred AV data is actually input to the HDD array device 61 via the SCSI interface 62 and accumulated. CP
Upon completion of the transfer process, the U64 ends the operation of the corresponding file (file close) (Step 14).
5).

Next, referring to FIG.
The operation of transmitting the AV data stored in the external device to the outside will be described in detail. When the AV data transfer process (file transfer process) is started, a file copy command from the sub-network 59, that is, a command to transmit the AV data stored in the HDD array device 61 to the outside is received (step 151). Next, the CPU 64
The file information stored in the file 66, that is, the information of the area where the file is stored, is taken out, and an instruction to permit access to the file, a reproduction command, etc.
(Step 152).

Next, the HDD array device 61 reproduces the corresponding file and the corresponding AV data based on the above-mentioned reproduction command, and transfers it to the SCSI interface 62. SCS
The AV data transferred to the I interface
Is controlled to be transferred to the network interface 67 via the internal bus 63 (step 15).
4).

The AV data to be transmitted to the outside transferred to the network interface 67 is transferred to the outside, for example, the input buffer device 40, the output buffer device 50, the secondary storage device, etc. of FIG. Is done. When the transmission of the file ends, the operation of the file ends (file close) (step 15).
5), the transfer process of the AV data ends.

Next, the configuration and operation of the secondary storage device 70 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11, 12 and 13.
The secondary storage device 70 has a larger storage capacity than the primary storage device 60, and the primary storage device 60 has a larger storage capacity than the output buffer device 50. That is, the secondary storage device 7
The files stored in the output buffer device 50 when the file is transferred between the primary storage device 60 and the output buffer device 50 are all stored in the primary storage device 60. All the files stored in the storage are stored in the secondary storage device 70.

The recording medium of the primary storage device 60 is HD (Hard
Although the recording medium is a recording medium that can be accessed randomly, such as a disc, the tape medium is used as the recording medium of the primary storage device 60 because of the capacity limitation, and all the files are stored in the secondary storage device 70. Will be. Therefore, after the file to be transmitted is once stored in the secondary storage device, the file is transferred to the primary storage device constituted by a randomly accessible recording medium, where the file is edited and processed. Since the data is transferred to the output buffer device 50 and is a recording medium such as a semiconductor memory, a predetermined file can be transmitted to the outside at a precise transmission time.

The configuration of the secondary storage device 70 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The secondary storage device 70 includes a cassette autochanger 71 containing a plurality of tape cassettes, a SCSI interface 76, an internal bus 77, a CPU 78, and a ROM for increasing the storage capacity.
79, RAM 80, and network interface 8
1 mainly.

The cassette autochanger 71 includes a data recorder 72, a tape shelf 73, and a tape exchanging means 74.
And a tape exchange means control device 75. The data recorder 72 is a recording / reproducing device for recording data on a cassette tape and reproducing data recorded on the cassette tape. The tape shelf 73 is a shelf for accommodating cassette tapes used in the data recorder 72, and includes a plurality of shelves so that a large amount of cassette tapes can be accommodated.

The tape exchanging means 74 selects the cassette tape stored in the tape shelf 73 selectively to the data recorder 72.
A transport device for selectively transporting the cassette tape used in the data recorder 72 to the tape shelf 73.

The tape exchanging means control device 75 controls the operation of the tape exchanging means 74. For example, the tape exchanging means 74 controls the operation of the tape exchanging means 74 from a specific data recorder 72 to a specific tape shelf 73 to Tape exchanging means 7 for conveying the cassette tape to the tape shelf 73
4 is controlled. Alternatively, it controls the tape exchanging means 74 so that a certain cassette tape is taken out from the tape shelf 73 and is conveyed to a certain data recorder 72. The control of the tape exchanging means 74 is executed by a control command from the upper application terminal 36 shown in FIG. Further, it may be executed by control from a control terminal (not shown) directly connected to the tape exchanging means control device 75.

The SCSI interface 76 exchanges data output from the data recorder 72 with the format of the internal bus 77 or converts data transferred from the internal bus 77 into a format that can be recorded by the data recorder 72. And an interface with the data recorder 72.

The CPU 78 executes various controls such as recording and reproduction of data in the secondary storage device 70 based on control signals transferred via the network interface 81. The ROM 79 stores a control program for the CPU 78 to execute control. The RAM 80 stores management information of data recorded on the cassette tape of the cassette autochanger 71, and stores data when the CPU 78 executes various controls, and is also used as a working memory.

The network interface 81 stores control commands transferred via the sub-network 59 and data transferred via the network in the secondary storage device 70.
Convert to a format that can be handled within
This is an interface for converting data in the next storage device 70 into a format that can be transferred to the sub-network 59.

Next, the operation of the secondary storage device will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a process of recording the AV data transferred via the sub-network 59 in the secondary storage device 70. When the recording process of the AV data transferred by the secondary storage device 70 is started, the sub-network 59 sends the AV data to the CPU 78 via the network interface 81.
A command for recording a file in which data is stored in the secondary storage device 70 (file copy command) is received (step 1).
61).

Next, the CPU 78 takes out the file information stored in the RAM 80 and starts operating the corresponding file (file open). Next, the process proceeds to step 163, in which the CPU 78
5 to search the cassette tape containing the file from the file information, and control the tape exchanging means 74 to move the cassette tape containing the file from the tape shelf 73 to the data recorder 72.

After moving the cassette tape to the data recorder, the internal bus 7 is connected to the network interface 81.
AV data transferred via the internal bus 77, SC
The data is transferred to the data recorder 72 via the SI interface 76, and the data recorder 72 records the AV data (steps 164, 165).

When the reception of the desired file is completed and the recording of AV data on the tape cassette by the data recorder 72 is completed, the operation of the file is completed (file close).
This recording process ends.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a file transfer process in which a file stored in the tape shelf 73 is reproduced by the data recorder 72 and output to the outside. When the file transfer process is started, the CPU 78 receives a transmission command (file copy command) of the file storing the AV data to the outside of the secondary storage device 70 from the sub network 59 via the network interface 81. (Step 171).

Next, the CPU 78 takes out the file information stored in the RAM 80 and starts operating the corresponding file (file open). Next, the processing shifts to step 173, where the CPU 78
5 is searched for the cassette tape containing the file from the file information, and the tape exchanging means 74 is controlled to move the cassette tape containing the file from the tape shelf 73 to the data decoder 72.

After the cassette tape is moved to the data recorder, the file storing the AV data is reproduced from the data recorder 72 and transferred to the network interface 81 via the SCSI interface 76 and the internal bus 77 ( Step 174). The network interface 81 outputs the transferred file to the sub-network 59 (Step 175), and ends the file operation (Step 176).

Next, the configuration and operation of the server control device 90 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. The server control device 90 receives a control command from the application terminal 36, and receives an input buffer device 40,
File transfer is controlled among the primary storage device 60, the secondary storage device 70, and the output buffer device 50, recording of AV data in the input buffer device 40, and recording of AV data in the output buffer device 50, respectively. This is a device for controlling reproduction and the like. That is, the AV server system 1
0 is a device that controls recording, transfer, reproduction, etc. of a file storing the entire AV data.

The server controller 90 includes a network interface 191 and a network interface 293, a CPU 94, a ROM 95, a RAM
96 mainly.

I / O buffer devices 40, 50, primary and secondary
Since the subnetwork 59 of the next storage devices 60 and 70 and the network 38 of the application terminal 36 are different networks to avoid congestion, the server control device 90 has respective interfaces.

The network interface 191 is an interface between the sub-network 59 for connecting the devices and the internal bus 92 of the server control device 90. The network interface 293 is for the network 38 connecting the application terminal 36 and the server control device 90. This is an interface with the internal bus 92.

The CPU 94 has two networks 59,
Control commands transferred from the server control device 90
And executes a control command or the like input from an input means (not shown) connected to the CPU. The ROM 95 stores a control program for control executed by the CPU 94. RAM9
Reference numeral 6 stores the file information of the input / output buffer devices 40 and 50 and the primary and secondary storage devices 60 and 70. Based on this file information, the server control device 90 can confirm what file is stored in each of these devices.

Next, the operation of the server control device 90 will be described with reference to FIG. 15 and FIG. 16. Since the server control device 90 is a control device for controlling the entire AV server system 10, the server control device 90 Of the AV server system 10 will be described.

Here, the output buffer device 50 has a high responsiveness for reproduction because a memory such as a semiconductor is a recording medium, but its capacity is limited. Therefore, not all files and data can be stored in the output buffer device 50.

On the other hand, the primary storage device 60 has a higher response than the output buffer device because the HD is a recording medium, but has a larger capacity than the output buffer device 50. Further, the cost per unit storage capacity is smaller than that of a semiconductor.

Further, the secondary storage device 70 is the primary storage device 6
Since a magnetic tape whose cost per unit storage capacity is lower than 0 is used, the responsiveness is lower than that of the primary storage device 60. However, the capacity is larger than that of the HD or the semiconductor memory, and by increasing the number of tape cassettes, the capacity can be easily increased without concern for the cost.

That is, the capacity of the three types of storage devices is 2
Each device of the AV server system 10 is configured so that the following storage device 70> primary storage device 60> output buffer device 50.

In other words, the file stored in the secondary storage device 70 is copied (transferred) to the primary storage device 60 or the primary storage device 6
0 is copied (transferred) to the output buffer device 50, and necessary materials (files) are
The information is accumulated hierarchically in the entire server system 10. That is, all of the materials stored in the output buffer device 50 are stored in the primary / secondary storage devices 60 and 70, and all the materials stored in the primary storage device 60 are stored in the secondary storage device 70. By accumulating in a hierarchical manner as described above, it is possible to construct an entire AV server system having excellent capacity and responsiveness.

When the files stored in the primary storage device 60 are copied to the output buffer device 50, if the storage capacity of the output buffer device 50 is not sufficient, the files stored in the output buffer device 50 must be stored. Delete files that are not relevant. At this time, control is performed such that all the files stored in the output buffer device 50 exist in the primary storage device 60, and the files stored in the primary storage device 60 exist in the secondary storage device 70 (hierarchical). File management control).

For example, this AV server system 10
When a commercial (CM) material is transmitted in the above manner, the CM material (about 10 minutes) to be broadcast in a certain program is stored in the output buffer device 50, and the primary storage device 60
Stores a week's worth of CM material (about 2 hours)
Broadcast (broadcast) in the next storage device 70 for one year
Hierarchical control is performed so that all CM materials (about 100 hours) are accumulated.

Including this hierarchical control, FIGS.
6, the control operation of the server control device 90, that is, the control operation of the entire AV server system 10 will be described in detail.

First, the output buffer device 5 will be described with reference to FIG.
The operation of reproducing a file from 0 will be described. FIG.
5 is a flowchart showing the reproduction operation. When the reproduction operation is started, the CPU 94 of the server control device 90 receives a reproduction command (file open) of a desired file from the application terminal 36 (step 181).
The CPU 94 of the server control device 90 searches the file information stored in the RAM 96 to determine whether the specified file exists in the device (step 182).

If the desired file to be reproduced has been stored in the output buffer device 50, the server control device 90 transmits a file open command to cause the output buffer device 50 to output the desired file. At 50, a file open for starting operation of the designated file is started (step 183). Next, the designated file is taken out of the memory and a desired file is outputted from the output buffer device 50 (step 184).

On the other hand, if the desired file to be reproduced is searched for and does not exist in the output buffer device 50 but is stored in the primary storage device 60, the server control device 9
0 determines whether there is enough recording capacity to accumulate the specified file in the output buffer device 50 that is the transfer destination (step 185).

When there is no room for the recording capacity (NO)
Deletes a predetermined file in the output buffer device 50 (step 186) to secure the recording capacity of the output buffer device 50, and then copies the designated file from the primary storage device 60 to the output buffer device 50. Control is performed (step 187). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 183, where the file is opened in the output buffer device 50 as described above, and then the specified file is actually reproduced from the output buffer device 50 (step 184).

If the output buffer device 50 has room for storing the designated file (YES in step 185).
), The processing moves to step 185 and the primary storage device 6
From 0, the designated file is copied to the output buffer device 50. After the file is opened in the output buffer device 50, the designated file is reproduced from the output buffer device 50 (steps 183, 184).

In step 182, the specified file is searched by the server control unit 90 and the output buffer unit 50 is searched.
If the data is not stored in the primary storage device 60 but is stored in the secondary storage device 70, the process proceeds to step 191.
It is determined whether the output buffer device 50 has sufficient capacity to copy and store the specified file.

If the capacity is not in the output buffer device 50 (NO), the process proceeds to step 192, deletes a predetermined file in the output buffer device 50, and proceeds to the next step 193.

If the output buffer device 50 has a capacity (Y
In the case of ES), the processing moves to step 193, and this time 1
It is determined whether there is sufficient capacity to copy and store the designated file in the next storage device 60.

In step 193, the capacity of the primary storage device 6
If it is not 0 (NO), the predetermined file stored in the primary storage device 60 is deleted (step 194), and the process proceeds to step 195.

If the capacity is in primary storage device 60 (YES
), The process proceeds to step 195, and controls to copy the designated file stored in the secondary storage device 70 to the primary storage device 60.

Next, the reproduction process proceeds to step 196, in which the designated file copied to the primary storage device is copied to the output buffer device 196 this time. Then, an instruction to open the designated file is transmitted from the CPU 94 of the server control device 90 to the output buffer device 50 so as to output the designated file stored in the output buffer device 50 to the outside, and the designated file is output from the output buffer 50. (Steps 183, 184).

By such a reproducing operation, the hierarchical file management control described above, that is, when a file is stored in the output buffer device 50, the file is stored in the primary storage device 60 or the secondary storage device 70. Can be controlled.

In the above-described processing of the reproducing operation, various methods can be considered as to a method of selecting a file to be deleted with respect to deletion of the file in the output buffer device 50 or the primary storage device 60. For example, the frequency of use is stored for each file for a certain period of time among the files stored in each storage device, and the stored frequency of use is deleted from the least frequently used one, or stored in each device. The date and time of the file that was actually used (copied or sent) is stored, and the file with the oldest date and time is deleted or the protection level is set in advance to determine the importance of the file. For example, files may be deleted in order from the file having the lowest protection level, or the files may be deleted in the order in which they were copied to each storage device (in the order of the most recent copy or the last copy). Although algorithms are conceivable, any of these algorithms can be applied to the present invention and is not limited by the algorithm.

These deletion file selection algorithms are stored in the ROM 95 of the server control device 90 together with the control program. The file is copied from the primary / secondary storage devices 60 and 70 to the output buffer device 50 immediately before the broadcast. The file output of the output buffer device 50 requires real-time performance, but between the primary storage device 60 and the output buffer device 50,
Since data transfer between the secondary storage device 70 and the primary storage device 60 is not required to be real-time, data transfer to the output buffer device 50 is completed before a file is transmitted from the output buffer device 50. The data transfer speed between the output buffer device 50 and the primary / secondary storage devices is not so required.

Next, the recording operation of the server control device 90 on each device, that is, the recording operation on each device of the entire AV server system 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing this recording operation. Here, an example is shown in which the file stored in the input buffer device 40 is controlled so as to be stored in both the secondary storage device 70 and the primary storage device 60. .

When the process of the recording operation is started, first, a control command for instructing the application terminal 36 to store AV data in the AV server system 10 is input to the server control device 90. This command is transferred to the CPU 94 via the internal bus input into the server control device 90 via the network interface 2.
Based on the control command, the CPU 94 transmits a file open command for starting and recording a file storing AV data from the network interface 1 to the input buffer device 40 via the sub-network 59 (step 201). The input buffer device 40 that has received the file open command from the server control device 90
An area for recording is recorded so that the input AV data can be recorded (step 202). After the area is secured, the AV data is actually recorded (step 203).

When the recording of the AV data in the input buffer device 40 is completed (step 204), the file storing the AV data stored in the input buffer device 40 is deleted.
Transfer (copy) control to the next storage device 70 is performed (step 205). The file transferred (copied) to the secondary storage device 70 is copied to the primary storage device 60 or the output buffer device 50 as needed by the above-described hierarchical file management control.

After the copy recording of the file from the input buffer device 40 to the secondary storage device 70 is completed, the copy recording of the file from the input buffer device 40 to the primary storage device 60 is performed (step 206). The input buffer device 40 is controlled to delete the file stored in the input buffer 40 because it is unnecessary, and the recording operation of the input AV data ends.

Next, various modifications of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 17 shows the AV server system 10 when only the primary storage device 60 is configured as the storage device. Although the capacity is limited as compared with the AV server system 10 shown in FIG. 1, it can be constructed in a broadcasting station or the like which can take up a relatively small place.

FIG. 18 shows the AV server system 10 when the storage device is constituted only by the secondary storage device.
A storage device configured by a cassette autochanger using a magnetic tape as a recording medium has been introduced in a broadcasting station, and the AV server system 10 can be constructed by using this.

In FIG. 19, the primary storage device 60 and the secondary storage device 70 are connected via an internal bus, and the AV server system 10 is configured as a composite storage device 210. This does not require the above-described real-time property for both the primary and secondary storage devices 60 and 70, and there is no problem in connecting these two storage devices via the internal bus.

FIG. 20 shows a specific configuration of the composite storage device 210. As shown in FIG. 20, H of the primary storage device 60
In this configuration, a DD array device 61 and a cassette autochanger 71 of a secondary storage device 70 are connected by an internal bus 63. The internal bus 63, the HDD array device 61 and the cassette autochanger 71 are connected by SCSI interfaces 62 and 76, respectively, and there is no change in other configurations. The ROM 65 stores various control programs for both the primary storage device 60 and the secondary storage device 70 described above.

FIG. 21 shows the AV server system 10
Shows a specific configuration of the output buffer device 50 when is applied to NVOD (Near Video On Demand). Depending on the number of channels to be handled, a plurality of control signals are sent to terminals 26a, 26
b,..., 26n via the control signal interface 5
3 and a plurality of output interfaces 5
4A, 54B,..., 54N, from which a plurality of identical AV data are repeatedly reproduced and output with a time delay. Since the output of one program is shifted and the output is plural, the memory 51 can be saved with the configuration of FIG.

In the above configuration, the sub-network 59
The primary storage device 6 is connected to the primary storage device 6.
0 or the capacity of the secondary storage device 70 can be changed without affecting other devices. The output buffer devices 50, 1
By appropriately adjusting the capacities of the secondary storage device 60 and the secondary storage device 70, an inexpensive and large-capacity AV server device 10 can be constructed.

As another modified example, although not shown, in addition to connecting the input buffer device 40, each of the storage devices 60 and 70, and the output buffer device 50 with a normal network, the AV data and the control data are transmitted through different networks. May be connected. This is to take into account the load on the network for AV data, especially video data.

The control data is transferred to the sub-network 59 shown in FIG. 1 and the like. Although not shown, the input buffer device 40, the storage devices 60 and 70, and the output buffer device 50 are standardized by SMPTE-259M. Done S
The AV data may be transferred in a DI (Serial Data Interface) signal format on a network different from the network 59 (for example, a coaxial cable). Further, the data may be transferred between the devices in an SDTI (Serial Data Transfer Interface) signal format standardized by SMPTE-305M. Fiber Channel (Fibre Channel), which has attracted attention as an interface between devices, for example, as an ultra-high-speed serial interface
l) may be connected.

[0138]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The following effects can be obtained. 1. Since the input buffer device, output buffer device, storage device, etc. are constructed on a network, the number of input channels and the number of output channels can be determined without hardware limitations. There is no such fear. 2. Since the input buffer device, the output buffer device, the storage device, and the like are connected via the network, the physical arrangement distance is not restricted when these devices are arranged. Thus, a discrete arrangement is possible. 3. Data transfer between the storage device and the input buffer device or output buffer device is realized as communication on a normal network, and data is reproduced in real time from the output buffer device. The real-time property between the storage device and the output buffer device is not required. Therefore, this means that measures can be taken to ensure the reliability of the storage device. For example, when a disk array device is used, the number of retries can be set higher. Thus, the reliability of the disk array device can be greatly improved.
4. Also, since the AV data or the like stored in the output buffer device is used by the reproduction command, the responsiveness to the reproduction command can be greatly improved. Therefore, the data processing device according to the present invention
It is suitable for application to an AV server system that handles data.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system diagram of a main part showing an embodiment of an AV server device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a system diagram of a main part showing one embodiment of an input buffer device.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a recording example of AV data.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of file transfer from an input buffer device.

FIG. 5 is a system diagram of a main part showing an embodiment of an output buffer device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of file transfer in the output buffer device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of reproduction of AV data in the output buffer device.

FIG. 8 is a system diagram of a main part showing an embodiment of a primary storage device.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of file transfer at the time of reception in the primary storage device.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of file transfer at the time of transmission in the primary storage device.

FIG. 11 is a system diagram of a main part showing an embodiment of a secondary storage device.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of file transfer at the time of reception in the secondary storage device.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of file transfer at the time of transmission in the secondary storage device.

FIG. 14 is a system diagram of a main part showing an embodiment of a server control device.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an operation state during reproduction of AV server data.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an operation state when recording AV server data.

FIG. 17 is a modification (1) of the AV server device.

FIG. 18 is a modification example (2) of the AV server device.

FIG. 19 is a modification (3) of the AV server device.

FIG. 20 is a system diagram illustrating an embodiment of a composite storage device.

FIG. 21 is a modified example of the output buffer device.

FIG. 22 is a system diagram of a conventional AV server device.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 AV server device, 36 application terminal, 38 network (main network), 40 input buffer device, 50 output buffer device, 59 network (subnetwork) , 60 ... primary storage device, 70 ... secondary storage device, 90 ... server control device

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification symbol FI H04N 5/765 H04N 5/91 L (72) Inventor Masakazu Yoshimoto 6-35 Kita Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Satoshi Katsuo 6-35, Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Tsutomu Yamamoto 6-35, Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation ( 72) Inventor Jun Yoshikawa 6-35, Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Shintaro Mizutani 6-35, Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Satoshi Aburaya 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Koichi Sato 6-35-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Tomohisa Shiga 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Kyoto Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Gentaro Okayasu 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Hiroshi Shimizu Shinagawa, Tokyo 6-7-35 Kita Shinagawa, Ward

Claims (17)

[Claims] An input buffer device for temporarily storing input data, an output buffer device for storing data to be output, and a storage device for storing the data are connected by a network. A data processing device, wherein a control device for controlling each of the above devices is connected to the control device. 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control device is connected to an application terminal device via a main network, and can control an input / output state of the data by a command from the terminal device. 1
The data processing device according to claim 1. 3. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage device is a primary storage device and / or a secondary storage device. 4. When a primary storage device and a secondary storage device are used as the storage device, the relationship between the respective storage capacities and the storage capacity of the input buffer device is determined by an input buffer device, a primary storage device, 4. The data processing device according to claim 3, wherein each storage capacity is selected so as to increase in order of the secondary storage device. 5. The data processing device according to claim 3, wherein a hard disk device is used as the primary storage device, and a recording / reproducing device using a magnetic tape is used as the secondary storage device. 6. The input buffer device comprises a CPU, a data memory, and a network interface for connecting to the network, and input data is temporarily stored in the data memory via an internal bus. 2. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said data stored in said data memory is transferred to said network via said network interface. 7. The data processing device according to claim 6, wherein said input buffer device has control input means for real-time control. 8. The output buffer device includes a CPU, a data memory, and a network interface for connecting to the network, and the data memory stores data transferred from the network interface. 2. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data stored in the data memory is output via an output interface. 9. The data processing device according to claim 8, wherein said output buffer device has control input means for real-time control. 10. The primary storage device has a CPU, a network interface connected to the network, and storage means. Data transferred via the network is stored in the storage means. 2. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said data stored in said storage means is transferred to said network via said network interface. 11. The data processing device according to claim 10, wherein said storage means is a disk array device in which hard disk devices are arrayed. 12. The secondary storage device has a CPU, a network interface connected to the network, and a tape changer. The tape changer houses a plurality of magnetic tapes, and is connected via the network. 4. The data processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the transferred data is stored on the magnetic tape, and the data stored on the magnetic tape can be transferred to the network via the network interface. 13. The control device comprises a CPU and a network interface connected to the network, receives a command from a terminal device connected to the network, receives the input buffer device, the output buffer device, and the storage device. 2. The data processing device according to claim 1, wherein data transfer between the devices is controlled. 14. The control device according to claim 1, wherein, in accordance with an instruction from the terminal device, a process of recording data in the input buffer device is executed, and a process of reproducing data from the output buffer device is executed. The data processing device according to claim 13, wherein 15. When data is transferred between the input buffer device, the output buffer device, and the storage device via the network by the control device, all data in the output buffer device exists in the storage device. 14. The data processing device according to claim 13, wherein the data storage state is controlled so as to perform the operation. 16. When the storage device includes a primary storage device and a secondary storage device, all data in the output buffer device exists in a file in the primary storage device. 14. The data processing device according to claim 13, wherein the data storage state is hierarchically controlled so that all data in the storage device is present in the secondary storage device. 17. The data processing device according to claim 1, wherein the data is AV data, and the control device is a server control device.