KR880002666B1 - Audio/video program - Google Patents

Abstract

By measuring selected parameters of portions of input signal, feeding signal to unit under test and monitoring output to be compared with input, this method automatically evaluate the audio characteristics of selected parts in the audio and video program. A segmented signal train is recorded, in real time, on lead-in and lead-out areas of a pre-mastering tape. The recorded test signals are played back, in real time, and a representation is stored in a memory of each test signal. The selected test signal is recirculated repeatedly through the memory. A continuous representation is produced of the selected test signal. A signal analysis is performed of the continuous representation of the selected test signal.

Description

Method and apparatus for automatically evaluating audio characteristics of selected portions of an audio-video program recorded on a reservoir member

1 is a block diagram illustrating a complete audio / video quality control device in which a conventional central control device is intended to operate with multiple interface subsystems and multiple audio / video test subsystems connected thereto.

FIG. 2 is a variant block diagram of FIG. 1 adapted to operate under its control by connecting an audio and video testing subsystem to a separately actuating interface subsystem instead of a central controller.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the audio / video quality control device of FIG. 1 in more detail, focusing on the interaction relationship between the central control unit and one of a number of interface subsystems and one of the audio and video test subsystems connected thereto.

4 is a more detailed block diagram of the subsystem for testing audio and video of FIG.

5 is a longitudinal explanatory diagram of a video tape showing the positions of the inlet and outlet of the program material, the position and control of the audio track and the position of the cue track.

The upper half of FIG. 6 is a spatial explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of audio test tones at the introduction and derivation sections of a video tape or video disc, and the lower half is an explanatory diagram showing signals corresponding to each part of the upper half.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the logic of an audio test tone generating device for generating an audio test tone for placement at the inlet and outlet of a videotape or video disc. FIG.

8 is a general block diagram showing the audio analysis logic portion of the audio test subsystem.

9 is a more detailed diagram of audio analysis logic, in particular the audio control portion of the logic.

10 is a block diagram detailing the audio analysis logic, in particular the audio / video selector, the 6734 detector, and the time code selector.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing details of the multiple programmer portions of the audio analysis logic shown in FIG. 8. FIG.

FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing the relationship between signals for performing audio analysis according to the logic diagram shown in FIG.

13 is a block diagram showing the operation of the video test subsystem in the video test subsystem.

14 is a waveform diagram showing a theoretically flat portion in a waveform of a rear porch of a horizontal blanking pulse immediately after a hue burst signal.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a distribution of points where noise characteristics are to be measured on a video disc; FIG.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a circuit for measuring the amount of noise in the rear porch of the horizontal blanking pulse shown in FIG.

17 is a general block diagram showing video analysis logic coupled to a video testing subsystem.

18 is a general block diagram showing an audio / video data evaluation subsystem.

19 is a block diagram of the overall process showing how tape evaluation according to the present invention is performed.

Fig. 20 is a general process block diagram showing how disc evaluation in accordance with the present invention is performed.

Figure 21 is an overall process block diagram showing how a processor evaluation in accordance with the present invention is performed.

22 is an overall process block diagram illustrating how digital signature evaluation is performed in accordance with the present invention.

* Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

1: Central control unit 2: Sub system for audio / video test

3: Subsystem for interface test 4: Device under test

5: Subsystem for Audio Test 7: Subsystem for Video Test

19: data evaluation subsystem 21: audio control device

23: multiple program device 25: audio analyzer

27: Introductory / Derived Spectrum Analyzers 43: Activity Program Spectrum Analyzers

53: Audio / Video Selector 62: Mono / Bmono Signal Checker

91: comparator

The present invention relates to automatically evaluating the audio characteristics of selected audio portions of an audio-video program. That is, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for evaluating the audio characteristics of an audio portion when recording or playing back on a recording medium or when transferring audio and / or video information through an information handling apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a processing apparatus). It is about. Accordingly, the present invention relates to the evaluation of the recording medium itself, or to the evaluation of the quality of information when passing information contained on one recording medium to a similar recording medium or another recording medium, or to the passage of audio and / or video information. It is very effective for evaluation of electronic processing devices such as amplifiers and other signal processing devices.

Techniques for performing various audio and / or video tests in various electronic information handling devices are already known. In addition, by performing specific audio and / or video tests on a recording medium such as an unused magnetic tape to evaluate the characteristics of the tape, the quality and grade of the tape is determined, that is, the grade is classified according to the quality of the tape in the production process. Techniques for doing so are also known.

However, the sample test on the unused blank tape during the production process is only for evaluating the magnetic properties of the recording medium, which is also performed under ideal recording and reproducing conditions to show only the nature of the recording medium itself. .

Since the above test is only for evaluating the recording medium itself, there is still no known method for evaluating a recording medium that has already been recorded, or for comparing the evaluation results with each other after copying it to another medium. none.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for evaluating the audio characteristics of a selected audio portion of a program recorded on a reservoir member. A number of audio and video measurements are performed electronically on the device under test to determine the deviation of the device's tolerances, thereby determining whether the device will pass or fail during the manufacturing process. According to the present invention, there is provided a device evaluation method and means capable of increasing reliability by eliminating subjective evaluation in a device class test.

According to the present invention, an input signal of known content is generated, the selection variables are measured at a selected portion of the input signal, and the input signal is sent to the device under test, and then the input signal is output from the output signal from the device under test. The " device evaluation " can be performed by measuring the same variables in the same part as the selected part of < RTI ID = 0.0 >, < / RTI >

The term "device" as used herein in "evaluation of devices" refers to tapes, disks, audio records, electronic storage devices, and everything from simple integrated or printed circuit boards to large amplifiers or other complex information handling devices. The term means the electronic circuit of.

Since the present invention is particularly useful for the evaluation of video discs, a special form of term "device evaluation" will be used throughout this specification, so the term "disc evaluation" is used to analyze the recording medium (generally). The information of the recording medium recorded on the disk will be copied. Therefore, while "disk evaluation" refers to information retrieved from a duplicate disk, "tape evaluation" will be used to evaluate the contents of the one tape.

The specification also uses the term "signature". The term "signature" has conventionally been used to refer to a series of variables compared to the device to be tested.

The term "signature" herein refers to the degree of identity of the device under test, or "as long as the" signature "consists of a number of test parameters, each having a range that includes comparable measurements of the device under test. Characteristic ". Thus, the "signature" used in the present invention represents a practical, non-theoretical model compared to all other devices.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

1 shows a central control unit 1 and an interface subsystem 3, each of which is under test 4 connected to an audio / video demonstration subsystem 2 and an audio testing subsystem 2; A complete audio / video quality control with multiple terminals configured is shown. A memory device 13, a keyboard 70, a data evaluation subsystem 19, and a data reading device 64 are connected to the periphery of the central controller 1.

In FIG. 1 a number of interface subsystems 3 are connected to one central control unit 1, while FIG. 2 is less sophisticated in each interface subsystem 3 as an alternative to such a 'centralized' device. Control device is included, and there is also a memory device 13, a keyboard 70, and a data reading device 64. Also shown in FIG. 2 is a more detailed view of the connections between the various devices, such as the interface subsystem, the test subsystem, and the data evaluation subsystem.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the arrangement of FIG. 1, which is a central control unit connected to one interface subsystem 3, an audio testing subsystem 5, a video testing subsystem 7 and the device under test 4 (1) and its peripheral devices are shown in detail. Up to now, the device under test 4 has been strictly treated as a playable device capable of reproducing audio and video signals from tapes or discs already recorded. However, the term " device under test " in this specification is intended to refer to the tape recorder / player 11, disc player 9, audio / video selector 53 as shown in the block of device 4 under test in FIG. It has a more complex array of backs. The disc player 9 can export video and audio signals to the audio / video selector 53 via the leads 147 and 151, respectively. Similarly, the tape recorder / player 11 outputs a video signal through the lead 149 and an audio signal through the lead 153, respectively. As will be described later, the audio signal leads 151 and 153 have two audio signal leads for stereophonic or two channel signals.

Operational control, i.e., stop, motion, reverse, fast forward, rewind, etc., is performed in the interface subsystem 3 via the cable 133, [shown as a single conductor in FIG. 3 for simplicity]. By the control device 117. This operation control is also used to select one audio channel, or both audio channels, and one video channel or both video channels from the disc player 9 or the tape recorder / player 11. do. This audio signal and the video signal are output from the audio / video selector 53 through the conductors 58 and 118, respectively.

The tape position signal is output through the data channel output line of the tape player 11, and audio test tones are applied to the tape by the tape recorder 11, which will be described later in more detail with reference to the drawings. Will be explained.

Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the function of the audio test subsystem is as follows.

Once the original tape has been obtained, it is copied, which is called a copy, or as a ready tape for the manufacture of finished discs. In all cases, the first processing step is to transfer the program from the original tape onto a copy, ie a preparation tape. As such, while delivering the video portion of the program to the preparation tape, the appropriate video test signal is inserted onto the horizontal scan lines 19 and 20 of the vertical spacing of the NTSC format video signal. A series of audio test signals with a predetermined timing are recorded at predetermined positions on the inlet and outlet of the preparation tape. These signals are for analyzing the audio quality of the tape and the signals recorded on the disc to be produced from the tape. Audio testing in the introduction and derivation sections will be described later in detail.

3 and 4, the data channel signal from the tape player 11 is output through the conductor 34 and transmitted to the time code selector 51, which has a keyboard. The time code signal set by 70 and transmitted from the time code register 116 via the central controller 1 is input as another input. The operator rewinds the tape on the tape recorder 11 to position it upstream of the starting position for the test tone, and operates the operation controller 117 via the lead 133 to set the tape recorder as the recording mode. . When the time code signal on the data channel line 34 matches the time code signal from the time code register 116, the time code selector 51 sends an output comparison signal to the audio controller 21, The audio controller 21 starts the test tone generator 49 through the lead wire 30 so that the test tone is applied to both channels 1 and 2 of the tape recorder 11.

In the same way, after the test tone is applied to the inlet of the tape, the operator winds the tape at high speed and positions it to the point corresponding to the end of the active program, at least 150 frames away from the end of the program within the tape's lead. That is, to the point where the second test tone is to be generated. If, under the control of the central control unit 1, the tape is returned to normal speed by the operator before passing the end of the active program, it is again matched by the time code selector 51 at least 150 frames away from this end of the program. The tape recorder is found and the recording mode is switched, and the test tone generator 49 is operated by the audio controller 21 to apply the test tone to channels 1 and 2 of the tape recorded by the tape recorder 11. do.

In the present invention, attempts have been made to insert audio test tones between isolated program parts and within the lead-in and lead-out parts.

In all cases, the method of characterizing the information transfer characteristics of the recording medium is to record at least one test signal of known content on the recording medium, at the same time as making a first measurement on the signal and then reproducing the recording content of the recording medium. A second measurement is made on the test signal recorded. Deviation from the first measurement result in the method of determining the "signature" as a term indicating the characteristic of signal transmission, not just to indicate the measurement characteristic of the recording medium (for example, the magnetic characteristic of the video tape) as in the conventional method. The range is set to the defined tolerance level for the second measurement described above and by comparing the result of the first measurement with the result of the second measurement, it is determined whether the second measurement result is located within the above tolerance limits from the first measurement result.

When inspecting processing devices (e.g. amplifiers, printed circuit boards, microelectronic chips, etc.), i.e. generally applying the principles of the present invention, it is possible to generate an input signal of known content so as to generate a selection variable in the selection of this input signal. Measure the selection variables in the selection of the input signal, send this input signal to the signal processing device, and output the input signal from the signal processing device in the same selection as in the input signal. After measuring the variables, it is possible to analyze the signal transmission characteristics of the signal processing apparatus by comparing the selected variables of the input signal with the corresponding variables of these output signals. The allowable limit in the variable measurement of this output signal is also induced to the deviation range from the measured value of the corresponding variable in the selected portion of the input signal.

The method of analyzing the signal transmission characteristics of the signal processing apparatus described later is a slight modification of the method, and by installing an information storage device, information collected quickly from the device under test can be stored for later information analysis. The advantage is that it can. Indeed, this latter method generates an input signal of known content, measures the selection variables in the selected portion of the input signal, stores the measurement results of this input signal and stores them as a selection variable in the selected portion of this input signal. The input signal storage signature, and sends the input signal to the signal processing apparatus, and measures the variables in the portion corresponding to the selected portion of the input signal in the output signal from the signal processing apparatus, Comparing the output signal variable with the corresponding input signature variable. After that, when the actual result of the measurement of the output signal is to be evaluated, the analysis method may be supplemented with the evaluation step. That is, prior to comparing the output signal measurement result with the stored selection input signature variables, the measurement result of this output signal is stored to make an output signal storage signature consisting of the selection variables in the part of the output signal, and then The comparing step consists of comparing the stored output signal signature with the stored input signal signature.

Reference is made to FIGS. 3 and 4 to further illustrate this feature of the invention.

6734 Initial pitch is recorded and retrieved from only one channel (e.g., channel 2 in a two channel audio program). This initial tone confirms the beginning of the audio test tone sequence, and the audio signal on the lead 58 (FIG. 3) or the lead 58-2 (FIG. 4) from the audio and video selector 51 6734 is sent to detector 41. The output from the 6734 detector 41 is sent to the audio controller 21 via the lead 82, which is subjected to all timing to the rest of the audio testing subsystem 5 under internal processing control. Give a function.

The audio controller 21 inputs a program into the audio subsystem in preparation for the system to recognize the 6743 tone burst by the operator and sends a request from the audio subsystem to operate the audio test subsystem. 70, the central control unit 1 and the interface subsystem (3).

When an audio test signal is generated and applied to the tape, the tape operator adds an SMPTE start code to indicate the start of the active program in hours and minutes. Similarly, the SMPTE end sign applied by the tape operator indicates the end of the active program in hours and minutes. Thus, when the operator issues a command to perform a tape or disk evaluation, the central control unit 1 sends an " enabled " signal to the lead 18 via the interface subsystem 3, thereby providing a sub-test 5 for audio testing. Activate the audio control device 21 therein.

The central control unit then instructs the operator to rewind the tape or disk to operate from the beginning. The central control unit applies a signal to the interface subsystem 3 that is 25 seconds smaller than the SMPTE start code and imposes it on the time code register 116. In the same manner as described above for placing the test tone train on the preparation tape, the time code selector 51 alerts the audio control device 21 via the lead 76 that the inlet of the tape or disk is being read. Send to) Thus, when the audio control device 21 is enabled, timing strings for various analysis functions of the audio test sub-system through the wire 30 are detected by starting the audio control device 21 by detecting the 6734 tone bursts. To lose. One of the output control signals coming out of the conductive wire 30 is applied to the multiple program device 23 as control and trigger signals. When the multi-programming device 23 receives this control and trigger signal, the multi-programming device 23 digitalizes the segmented audio test tone on the lead 58 and stores the digitalized test tone in the memory as described above. Under the control of the audio controller 21, the selected segment of the audio test tone is converted into a continuous analog representation and sent to the audio signal analyzer 25 through the lead 46 to perform general analysis, and also to the inlet / outlet. It is also sent to the spectrum analyzer 27 to perform spectral analysis on the introduction and derivation portions of the test tone. The audio signal coming from the audio / video selector 53 through the lead 58 is directed to an active program spectrum analyzer 43 and a mono / non mono signal checker 62, the former active program spectrum analyzer 43 Performs spectral analysis on the selected portion of the active program material, and the latter mono / bimonograph checker 62 determines whether two audio signals from two audio channels are equal to or different from each other so that the audio portion of the program is mono Indicates whether it is phonic or nonmonophonic. Since the present invention is suitable for analyzing audio signals on two channels in the form of monophonic, stereophonic, or audio tracks that are completely separated from each other, the term "stereo" refers to the mono / bimonograph checker 62. It does not indicate operation.

The output from each signal analysis block in the audio test subsystem is sent to a data evaluation subsystem 19, which is responsible for the results of the audio analysis in accordance with the operator's instructions through the central control unit 1. Is compared with the normal result (i.e., the signature comparison is followed), and the evaluation result is output to the printer 15 or the visual display 17.

Referring to FIG. 3, the video signal coming from the audio / video selector 53 through the lead 118 is directed to the video test subsystem 7, which is analogized by the A / D converter 123. The digital signal is converted into a digital form, and the digital signal thus converted is stored by the digital storage device 124 and selectively processed or analyzed by the video processing device 125. Thus, the output of the video processing apparatus 125 is sent to the data evaluation subsystem 19 through the lead 126 as a video "signature" of the recovered video signal, and the output "signature" thus obtained is the data evaluation subsystem. After comparison with the signatures stored in (19), the results of these comparisons are printed on the printer 15 or displayed on the display device 17.

The program start and end signals through the lead 76 from the time code selector 51 and the start evaluation signal through the lead 78 enable the audio controller 21 to start and start the lead 118. Active audio is periodically checked as a result of decoding the frame time code from the vertical interval of the video signal received from the audio / video selector 53.

Referring to FIG. 5 for purposes of explanation and to match the terminology used herein with terms conventionally used, FIG. 5 includes a video having an introduction, a derivation, and a program material portion therebetween. The tape is schematically shown in its longitudinal direction. Assuming the tape moves to the right in FIG. 5, at the start end of the tape 55 there is an introduction 57, a test tone 59 on the introduction 57 and a protection 65 for the introduction thereafter. Program material portion 67 is followed. The test tone portion 59 on the introduction portion is composed of two tracks of audio test tone, that is, the first track 61 and the second track 63.

Symmetrically to this, after the program material portion 67 there is a lead-out protection portion 65 'and thereafter a trial consisting of a first audio track 61' and a second audio track 63 '. There is a tonal portion 59'and a lead portion 57 ', which is connected to the tape end portion.

The dotted line 66 is a control track, which is a control track used for synchronizing the drive of the cue track 68 and the playback new tape recorder for recording various signals including time-coded frames, edit data, additional audio signals, and the like. It is shown.

Referring to FIG. 6, in order to make common measurements for determining the quality of an audio signal, a segmented signal sequence of an appropriate test signal is recorded in both the inlet and the outlet of the preparation tape. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, audio test tones are recorded in both audio channels of the tape and occupy 12 vertical frame times in corresponding portions of the two audio channels as indicated by the vertical dashed lines in FIG. The test tone, which runs for 12 frames on channel 2, is the 6734 test tone position signal.

6 shows two audio channels 61 and 63, in which the signals of the type contained in each audio channel during each frame time are displayed in letters. The lower half of FIG. 6 shows the approximate waveform of the signals appearing in the upper half.

When analyzing the contents of the first segment of an audio test tone sequence, measurements of phase, amplitude, signal-to-noise ratio (SN ratio) and harmonic distortion are taken. In segments 2 and 3, a signal of 1 KHZ appears on one of the two channels, and a DC signal (i.e., no signal) appears on the other side at the same time, so that crosstalk measurements are taken in segments 2 and 3.

In segments 4 and 7, each channel has a DC level, so noise level measurements are taken during these time periods.

In Segments 5 and 6, the sum of the 60HZ tones and the 7KHZ tones as described above is shown, and when the analysis is performed on an appropriate test apparatus, intermodulation distortion can be detected through the recording and reproducing process.

In addition, segments 8 to 12 include audio tones that sweep continuously over a wide range of frequencies (ie, 20HZ-20KHZ). By analyzing the test tones recovered from these portions, the frequency response of the transmission characteristics can be seen. .

For the purposes of the present invention, it is considered that the influence on the electronic device related to the recording / reproducing process can be ignored.

Fig. 7 shows a schematic diagram of generating tones for audio testing. The test tone generator 49 has a number of function generators consisting of a 6734 generator 73, a 1KHZ tone generator 75, a 60HZ tone generator, a 7KHZ tone generator, a sweep generator 81, and a DC power source 83.

In the recording process of the test tone, the enable signal is sent to the audio controller 21 through the lead 18 according to the command of the keyboard operator. The tape is rewound and enters the operating state, whereby the SMPTE code transmitted from the central control unit 1 is transmitted to the inlet position register 87 and sent to the comparator 91 through the lead 86. As the tape proceeds to operation, the locator 85 reads the SMPTE time code from the data channel tape recorder 11 and sends the detected position information to the comparator 91 via the lead 84 as well. . After the audio control unit 21 is enabled, the audio control unit 21 receives the current position detected by the position detector 85 and a predetermined position to which the tone test signal for the introduction test is to be applied (from the introduction position register 87). Obtained position information]. If a comparison result is shown, the output of the comparator 91 through the lead 28 then follows the operation of the multiplexer under the control of the audio controller 21. Basically, the audio controller 21 enables one or two function generators to feed the multiplexer 71 selectively via the lead 72 and at a video vertical repetition rate. The multiplexer 71 then adds the outputs of the selected function generators, and outputs the desired combination as shown in FIG. 6 to input channel 1 of the tape recorder 11 via leads 76 and 78. And two.

At the same time the comparison signal is detected on the lead wire 28, the audio controller 21 outputs a recordable signal to the tape recorder 11 via the lead wire 80, so that the recorder changes from the operation state to the recording state. This places an audio test tone on the respective audio channel as shown in FIG.

Control of the forward, backward, operation and stop operations of the tape recorder 11 is made under the control of the audio control apparatus 21 through the conductors in the cable 133. 7 shows between the central control unit 1, the interface subsystem 3, and the audio test subsystem 5, which transmit the operator's keyboard commands to the audio control unit to indicate various operating functions of the tape recorder 11. Although not shown, they are possible in various forms of control connection as known.

8 shows a general block diagram of the audio analysis logic. In the manner as described with reference to FIG. 3, the disc player 9 and the tape recorder / player 11 are both connected to an audio selector 53 [audio portion of the audio / video selector 53], where the disc The two audio outputs of the player 9 go through the lead 32 and the two channel signals from the tape player 11 go through the lead 16. The audio channel 1 and 2 signals from the audio selector 53 are through the leads 58-1 (channel 1) and the leads 58-2 (channel 2). At this time, all the frames of the audio channel # 12 that match the waveform of FIG. 6 are recorded in the digital tone test tone storage device 33 in 0.4 seconds at a rate of 30 frames per second.

In order to analyze each segment of the continuous form of the audio test tone sequence in the inlet and the derivation unit, the program store 35 retrieves each selected segment of the audio test tone sequence in turn under the control of the audio controller 21 and recycles it. Recirculation through lead 80 under control and control of clock 99 allows certain segments of the selected continuous form to be routed to lead 38. The transducer 39, timing-adjusted by the timer 103, sends out the lead 46 to the selected continuous analog type audio test tone segment, so that the audio signal analyzer 25 and the leads shown in FIGS. 4 and 8 are shown. Analysis by the spectrum analyzer 27 is performed.

The function of the audio testing subsystem has been described with signal paths between circuit blocks in the figure. 12 illustrates the signal path in more detail, and illustrates timing analysis for the various signals described so far. FIG. 12 schematically shows an audio signal waveform 90 of channel 1 and an audio signal waveform 92 of channel 2. FIG. The beginning of the tape or disk is to the left of FIG. Shown in the channel 1 and channel 2 signal waveforms are the test tones at the introduction and then the program material, and the test tones at the derivation thereafter.

Only introductory and lead-out test tones are obtained from recording media that are too fast to be suitable for analysis, so only these test signals are digitized, stored and retrieved for subsequent analysis. Accordingly, the waveform 94 of the digital audio signal indicates that the multiple programmer 23 performs the digital function under the control of the audio controller 21 only in the region of the inlet and the outlet. As described above, the analysis of the program material is carried out in real time, and there is no need to apply a technique for digitization.

The "program start" signal waveform 96 is generated as one pulse at the beginning of the program material. As described above, this pulse is sent to the audio controller 21 to clear and reset the internal audio processor, thereby preparing for the analysis of active audio samples.

On the other hand, waveform 98 of the " start evaluation " signal occurs periodically through the entire program material (only four pulses are shown in FIG. 12 as one example). Since the longest analysis time is about 65.5 seconds, it is clear that the "start evaluation" signal waveform can be generated at this rate or slightly lower.

Figure 12 shows the "start of evaluation" pulse at the beginning of the program material, with the result that the coefficients from the mono / mono counter 101 (Figure 8) begin to accumulate. The mono / non-mono counter signal waveform 100a represents a number of coefficients occurring at the 1 KHz frequency, and if a monophonic signal is theoretically recorded on both audio channels 1 and 2, then most or all of the 65536 samples will appear. This indicates that a monophonic program exists on the two audio channels. On the other hand, the mono / non-mono counter signal waveform 100b shows the effect of acquiring and analyzing a non-mono audio program on two channels, and the number of count pulses accumulated after 65.536 seconds was small because there was almost no 1 KHz pulse. Notice that there is a nonmonophonic program on the two audio channels. It should be understood that the pulses 102a, 102b in the mono / mono counter signal waveforms 100a, 100b are merely schematic representations of the actual waveforms displayed on the oscilloscope for convenience of illustration.

The audio controller 21 generates a waveform 104 of the "coefficient cumulative preservation and clear coefficient" pulse 106 applied to the mono / bimono counter 101 via the lead 80, so that the accumulated coefficient Output through 54 to be analyzed in the audio analysis memory 47 (see FIG. 8).

In a similar manner, the audio controller 21 generates an active program spectrum analyzer of about 45 seconds, such as cumulative spectrum printing 108 in increments of 200 Hz on the channels 1 and 2 shown. 43) and during the relaxation time after 45 seconds of operable pulse 110, pulse 114 of spectral print integrity waveform 112 in channel 1 and 2 shown causes active program spectrum analyzer 43 to Results are exported, which are described as "spectrum printing" which is part of the post-evaluation signature.

Figure 13 shows a video test subsystem. This video test subsystem 7 consists essentially of two logic devices: an acquisition device 119 and a video processing device 125. The acquisition apparatus 119 acquires a video signal in a controlled manner, converts the analog signal into a digital value in the A / D converter 123, and converts the digital signal through the wire 130 to the digital memory device 124. Have the ability to store In general, the digital memory device 124 has an acquisition memory capacity of 32K bytes, and thus the analog-to-digital conversion has an 8-bit byte unit. One of the 525 lines in the frame is represented by 910 conversions or bytes and is converted in real time, with each recalled horizontal line having a duration of 63.5 milliseconds. The video test signal is encoded in the vertically spaced horizontal scanning line 19 and the horizontal scanning line 20 and selected lines from one frame or from successive frames under program control of the video processing apparatus 125 or these Part of the line is converted and stored until 32K bytes of acquisition storage is full.

The control of the acquisition apparatus 119 and the calculation of the acquired data are performed by the video processing apparatus 125. The video processing apparatus 125 is composed of a microprocessor computer 120, a processing storage 121, and a real time clock 122. After acquiring and storing the selected video test signal, control of the video processing apparatus 125 is performed from the interface subsystem 3 via the control lead 135. In a similar control to the audio test subsystem described above, the microprocessor computer 120 calls the digitally stored video test signal through the lead 128 to be transmitted from the digital memory 124 via the lead 127. do. Based on the time from the real-time clock 122 through the lead 129, the microprocessor computer 120 and the processing reservoir 121 interoperate to process the analog evaluation video test signal or the signal to be processed. A portion is output via lead 126, and this signal is passed to the data evaluation subsystem to be part of the "signature" of the tape or disk being evaluated.

The horizontal scanning line 19 and the horizontal scanning line 20 which reproduce the video image information in a normal NTSC video signal can contain the above-described video test signal. The synthesized VITS test signal is located in each frame in field 1, horizontal scan line 20, and about 15 different video parameters can be measured with a suitable measuring device.

The combination VITS video test signal is located on each frame in field 2, horizontal scan line 20, and there are about 11 kinds of measurable parameters.

The test signal is also located in each frame at the horizontal scan line 19 in both vertical fields, and there are about nine other measurable parameters. Modern video testers can be used to measure virtually all VITS and VIRS test signals.

An exception is the noise test, which is usually performed during the vertical interval of a broadcast program.

A common test method for evaluating noise levels is to theoretically measure the inter-minus amplitude value of the noise drift during the horizontal sync pulse holding for DC levels for about 4 microseconds. On video discs, especially on video discs using the form of constant acceleration (CAV), if a noise test was performed only during the vertical interval, only a very small percentage of the disk surface area would contribute to the noise measurement.

This fact is illustrated in FIG. 15, in which FIG. 15 schematically shows two V-shaped portions 207 corresponding to the vertical spacing, and the dashed line 208 assumes that the disk rotates counterclockwise. The point at which noise measurements are normally made, i.e., the point on a given horizontal sync tip at a given bow within each vertical interval. Although the noise test is conducted during each vertical gap between the fields, one can see that only the very thin part of the disc is evaluated by the noise test. Thus, and to meet one of the objectives of the present invention for performing evaluation on a video disc, the noise test according to the present invention is conducted for each horizontal blanking pulse of that portion in any desired portion of the video program.

As shown in FIG. 14, the rear porch 201 of the horizontal retrace pulse following the hue burs table 180 has a theoretically flat shape during the western section 202. According to the present invention, a noise evaluation is performed during the time interval 202, and this evaluation is performed on each horizontal blanking pulse, so that the noise is tested for almost the entire area of the disc, where the noise form is the fifteenth. It is taken from each dashline 209 rather than the radial dashed line 208 in the figure. Although only two rows of dashlines 209 are shown in FIG. 15, in practice, dashed lines 209 of about 54, 000 revolutions are shown, so no matter what defects exist on the disc outside the vertical interval, this is a noise measurement. Can be considered sufficiently. This fact is a substantial advance in verifying video quality compared to conventional noise testing methods where noise testing was performed only with a single horizontal sync tip 200 as shown in FIG. 14 and only when the vertical spacing occurred. To indicate.

FIG. 16 shows a block diagram of a circuit for performing the original noise test of the present invention by the method described above. In FIG. 16, the same reference numerals are used for the same parts as in FIG. In the noise test apparatus of FIG. 16, the video signal received through the lead 118 is digitized by the A / D converter 123 and directed to the sample / hold circuit 137. The sample / hold circuit 137 forms the waveform portion 202 (see FIG. 14) into eight samples, and stores the result in the digital memory device 124. FIG. The processing of the noise test data is performed in separate fields of the video signal. At this time, since the same part of adjacent horizontal blanking signals needs to be sampled for sampling of the sample / hold circuit 137, the noise test is performed only on the horizontal blanking signal outside the vertical interval. Thus, for noise test measurements, approximately 480 lines are sampled per frame.

The video signal of field 1 is sent to the average detector 139-1, which calculates the average of eight samples, while the difference detector 141-1 captures the variation from this average. The output is sent to the averaging circuit 152. Similarly, noise samples in field 2 are sent to difference detector 139-2, and variations from this mean are detected by difference detector 141-2 and sent to averaging circuit 152. The average value from these two noise forms is sent out through the lead 126 as transmitted measurement data, which is sent to a data evaluation subsystem (which will be described later).

17 shows a video analysis logic diagram. Since testing of different video program materials requires measurement by controlling the sample points differently, a memory 138 is provided which contains a list of frames to be measured. When the control device 142 receives a " enabled " signal from the interface subsystem 3, the control device 142 advances, reverses, stops and operates the disc player 9 or the tape recorder / player 11. Initiating the function ultimately allows one of these devices to export the video information to the video selector 53 via the leads 147 and 149, respectively. In the meantime, the controller 142 clears the contents of the counter 140 through the lead 161, and the first frame number to be measured is sent from the memory 138 to the comparator 136 through the lead 169. . When the video signal output through the lead 118 from the video selector 53 is decoded by the frame decoder 134 in the number of frames, the "measurement" signal is sent after the comparison is performed in the comparator 136. It is transmitted to the control unit 142 through. At this time, the control device 142 initiates a test operation of the video test sub-system 7 by sending a "enabled" signal through the lead 175. At the same time, the controller 142 enables the memory write gate 144 so that video test data output through the lead 126 from the video test subsystem 7 is analyzed through the lead 167. To be stored in the memory device 146. The position in the video analysis memory 146 where each test analysis signal is to be recorded is controlled by the address bus 165 matching the number of frames under test.

When the storage of one sample of the video test signal is completed, the second signal in the frame list to be measured is sent out to the memory 138 via the conductor 169 to match the current number of frames in the comparator 136. Another comparison of is performed, whereby a "take measurement" signal is again transmitted to the control device 142 via the lead 157. The controller 142 enables the memory write gate 144 to write new test data from the counter 140 to a location in the video analysis store 146 addressed via the address bus 165. In addition, the controller 142 increases the coefficient of the counter 140 through the lead 163 so that the next frame number to be measured is read by the memory 138.

This process continues until all test samples have been analyzed by the video test subsystem and recorded in the video analysis storage 146.

The output from the video analytics storage 146 is directed to the data evaluation subsystem through the leads 126 as described above.

18 is a block diagram showing a data evaluation subsystem. As described in conjunction with FIGS. 3, 4, 8, 13, and 16, all audio and video analysis data from the tape or disk or processing unit is sent to the data evaluation subsystem. Analytical processing performed by electronic devices before processing within the data evaluation subsystem 19 has been referred to as "analysis" until now. As used herein, the term "evaluation" has a special meaning, that is, the processing of "analysis" information to "evaluate" the device under test and, in particular practical applications of the present invention, this "evaluation". Plays the same role as determining whether the device under test passes or fails.

Although the foregoing descriptions have already described that the processing units can be evaluated using the inventive concept, FIG. 18 shows a typical audio and video evaluation scheme in a duplicate copied from the original program. Block 211 represents audio analysis data from the original program material, and block 212 represents corresponding analysis data from a replica made from the original product. Likewise, block 213 is video analysis data from the original product and block 214 represents video analysis data from the replica. The audio comparator 215 compares the analytical data of the original and the replica and sends the differences to the printer 15 so that the differences can be stored both visually and permanently by the printer 15. Similarly, the video comparator 216 sends the differences in the video analysis data between the original product and the replica to the printer 15 to print a list of the differences. As can be seen in the following figure, the audio comparator 215 and the video comparator 216 not only compare the signals from the original product and the replicas with a sequential line, but also the " signal " It is to carry out the unique concept of the present invention to compare.

19 through 22 schematically illustrate various "evaluation" schemes using the concepts of the present invention. The first figure, or FIG. 19, relates to "tape evaluation", which is a preparatory video tape by recording the image and / or sound from the image and / or sound program source 143 on the program tape recorder 145. 154 is fabricated. Generally, image and sound program sources are obtained from videotape originals or from active photographic films. In any case, the preparatory video tape 154 is made from a raw tape or film program source and ultimately used as a preparatory tape for use in manufacturing the disc finished product. When a program is recorded on the preparatory video tape 154 by the program tape recorder 145, the appropriate video test signal from the test signal generator 148 is recorded during the vertical interval of the program. When preparing the preparatory video tape 154, sufficient time is allowed on the tape before and after the program material so that the intro and lead audio test tones can be inserted in this portion. That is, when a program is recorded on the preparatory video tape 154, or if necessary thereafter, the audio test tone is recorded on the test tape recorder 150 (or, if necessary, on the program tape recorder 145). In addition, the generated preparation video tape 154 includes the introductory test tone, the program material, and the derived test tone.

The player 156 exports audio and video signals to their respective analyzers 158, and the characteristics of the test variables measured by the analyzer 158 are made into a variable list 164 so that they can be read visually. . At this point, the "tape analysis" has been completed, not the application of the audio test tone during the lead-in and lead-out periods, and the characteristics of this tape are reflected in the analysis of the variable under test listed in the variable list 164. This type of analysis is not known in the tape manufacturing art. However, the present invention goes beyond simple analysis of signal sources in that deviation limits of these variables are set manually from the variable list 164 or by computer control from the limit setter 166. The range of variable deviations allowed by the threshold setter 166 is achieved by applying a% ratio to the measured variables in the variable list 164 and thus storing the derived deviation limits in the signature store 168. do. Preferably, before enumerating the analyzed variables in the variable list 164, a confirmed standard table 162 is used as a conventional (i.e., NTSC, PAL or SECAM) standard to compare the output of the analyzer 158 with a comparator. It is better to compare within 160. For example, if the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC), SMPTE, EIA, or any other standard group has correctly set tolerances for variables for audio and video signals, then the variables listed in the variable list 164 are listed above. The comparator 160 verifies that it is within the industrial standard range of. On the other hand, the limit setter 166 sets the allowable limit allowed in the specific process included in the recording process of the specific manufacturer.

That is, when a replica is made from the prep tape 154, the corresponding signals from the original product and the replica are analyzed in the analyzer 158, and the output of the analyzer 158 and the signals in the signature reservoir 168. The evaluation is made in the evaluation apparatus 171 by comparing the results. As such, the quality of the replica is essentially subjected to a comparison of the two standards, i.e. the manufacturer's own standard set by the industrial standard and the limit setter 166 according to the standard chart 162. As a result, the signal evaluated by the evaluator 171 is not merely evaluated for the industrial standard as in the prior art, but for the " signature " representing the characteristic of the recording process repeatedly performed within a certain limit. The comparison is also performed. In this way, the degradation of the copying process can be evaluated against more realistic reference values, i.e. signals already recorded using the same signal source as the same kind of tape and the same recorder, and thus the tape described above. And the effects of recorders and signal sources can be eliminated.

Unlike the analytical process, where the recovered tape signal is evaluated against an already established (or calculated) standard, evaluating a duplicate or similar recorded program for "signature" is responsible for any minor deviations outside the acceptable limits. It is possible to check, and thus can solve the problems of the conventional process and the correct operation can be made. Similarly, a comparison of "signature" characteristics can reveal process degradation even when the signal recovered from the second and subsequent records is within acceptable limits for a definite standard. In other words, it is conceivable that in some recording processes, the results of analytical testing of a particular variable are within a very narrow range, with values that are more suitable than the industrial reference requires. As a result, the signature will reflect the unusual standard of high for this particular variable. This is because the thresholds are based on previous test results, not on industry standards. That is, as a deterioration occurs in some of the recording processes, such as in the manufacture of the tape itself, for example, a deviation from the limit set by the limit setter 166, even if any variable is within an industrial standard according to the standard chart 162, may occur. As a result, the evaluation apparatus 171 may not be able to perform a complete test of the apparatus. Knowing the relationship between the manufacturing process for the tape and the specific variable under test, an immediate corrective action can be taken. Otherwise, such a defect (particularly a defect in combination with other defects) will render the product (tape in this case) unusable, and the manufacturer will not know until after hearing numerous complaints from the consumer.

The evaluation device 171 compares each of the plurality of variable values from the analyzer 158 with two limit values (upper limit and lower limit for the variables to be evaluated) for each variable value stored in the signature store 168. It can also function as a sophisticated comparator in many forms. The evaluation output signal at this time is a printed list indicating a list of variables, an allowable range set by the threshold setter 166, a value of each variable evaluated by the evaluation apparatus 171, and information on variables outside the allowable range. It takes the form of a data chart. One example of the diagram thus produced is shown in the following Tables I, II and III, which are more closely related to the "disc evaluation" shown in FIG.

TABLE I

TABLE II

TABLE III

Audio / video quality control system

Analyzing video data on disk

20 shows a schematic diagram of "disc evaluation". In this figure, it will be appreciated that the same device as in FIG. 19 is used, and additional elements include a disc mastering recorder 173 and some devices functionally connected thereto. In this configuration, the evaluation apparatus 171 evaluates the tape signature stored in the signature reservoir 168 with respect to the corresponding disk signature stored in the signature reservoir 231. When the preparatory video tape 154 is operated in the player 156, assuming that the tape " signature " has been obtained as in FIG. 19, the program material and the test tone are generated by the disc mastering recorder 173. Delivered to video disk 177. The inlet and lead signals are also transmitted to the video disk 177 together with the program material, so that the disk analysis can be performed using the same test signal source as the preparation tape. Blocks 217-223 represent the major processing steps in the manufacture of a video disc from exposure and development step 217 to step 223 of applying the adhesive to glue both sides of the disc together to form a complete double sided disc. . Thus, the disc player 224 plays the completed disc, and the result is analyzed in the analyzer 226 in a manner similar to that of the analyzer 158. Again, it is also desirable to compare the output of the analyzer 226 with the established standard of the standard plot 227 in the comparator 225. This preliminary inspection allows the removal of discs with defects caused by parameters that deviate significantly from the industry standard tolerances. In addition, as with all of Figures 19-20, conducting this initial analysis of the "global" standard is a test of the quality of the original program material, which is the initial of the "global" standard. Performing the analysis is a test of the quality of the original program material, which is very advantageous as it can detect deviations from the "global" standard early (eg before disc mastering begins).

In each case, if the results of the analyzer 226 are acceptable for a confirmed industrial standard, the output of the analyzer is sent to the signature table 229 and stored in the signature store 231.

When the introductory and derivation part test tones are accumulated in real time within 0.5 seconds and recalled by manual control or computer control that some kind of audio and video test is being performed on the active program material, the evaluation apparatus 171 sends a signal. Tape signatures from capture store 168 and disk signatures from signature store 231 are recalled to compare these two signatures for each variable. At this point, the visually readable print result can also be used to find out how well a disc is performing for its corresponding preparatory disc (see Tables I, II and III above).

The importance of measuring the counterparts of the original product and the replica has already been explained, and the logic for this is rather clear. Thus, in addition to "signatures" that include variable analysis results and acceptable threshold ranges, it is essential that "tape signatures" include in their construction the specific number of frames on which video and audio activity program analysis is to be performed. As such, the “characteristic” of “signature” is, for example, the point A where the main disk has a photoresist, the point where it is exposed and developed (B), the point where it is metalized (C), and the point where it is stamped in the process of FIG. 20. (D), the point E to be a single-sided plastic replica, the point F to which the reflective coating is applied, the point G to which the protective coating is applied, and the two single-sided disks are combined to form a double-sided finished disk. It is entirely characterized by all the information that can be compared at any time and at any stage, such as point H.

As with all replication processes, a slight degradation of the program material may be expected at points A-H during each step of the FIG. 20 process. In addition, the expected degradation between point A and point B may be less than the expected degradation between point B and point C, and this estimate is the point between each step. The same can be applied in. Thus, the application of the present invention involves operating the disc at every point in the process to establish a "signature" for each point between points A-H.

That is, the present invention correlates the evaluation of "real time" with the "in-process" operation, allowing the supervisor to shut down or modify the installation without wasting material and time. In addition, it is easy to detect the tendency for variables to deviate from their tolerances, and information can be obtained by comparing process signatures at each stage of the process, thus providing the very accurate and repeatable provided by the "signature" test. Phosphorus testing ability can improve the manufacturing process or process steps. According to the above trend information, it is possible to anticipate the potential problem even if the variables tested are necessarily within acceptable limits on an absolute scale. In addition, changing the processing parameters as temperature, pressure, treatment time, etc., change at each major step in the process allows for improved product quality by comparison of these "signatures."

Considering "disc evaluation" in that a video disc player is a recent development, the present invention can be used to evaluate the consistency of the player. For example, instead of swapping discs in FIG. 20, the same disc may be played on multiple disc players 224 to generate "signatures" from these players, and this "signature" is already known as a good player. It can be compared with signatures from the player.

The use of the present invention for audio and video amplifiers or " processing " devices, including for example special effects devices such as echo devices, distribution amplifiers, limiters and the like, has already been described above, the configuration of which is shown in FIG. Is shown.

In the evaluation step, it is necessary to generate a "signature" of the treatment reference device 234, so that the individual paths to the treatment device 235 under test are shown in FIG. Each device under test has its own unique analyzer 226, signature diagram 229 and signature reservoir 231. Of course, for economical purposes, the analyzer 158 may be time-divided into the processing reference device 234 and the processing device 235 under test, and may be used in the structure as shown in FIG. In this case, no analyzer 226, signature diagram 229 and signature reservoir 231 are needed.

Similarly, instead of sending the output of the analyzer 158 directly to the evaluation device 171 as shown in FIG. 19, a separate analyzer, signature chart, and signature reservoir as shown in FIG. It is also possible.

22 shows how digital signature evaluation is performed. Until the signature is formed in the signature reservoir 168 as in the above description. However, whether the signal to be evaluated is audio or video, the player (shown as the device under test 238 in the drawing) sends the signal to the A / D converter 237 so that the digital form of the signal is stored in the digital memory 233. Are stored in If necessary, as in the case of the audio test tone during the introduction and derivation sections, the selected digital portion of this stored signal is fed back by the recycle controller 240 to convert the continuous form of the stored signal into the D / A converter 239. May be exported as). The analog signal thus obtained is analyzed in the analyzer 226 to generate a signature chart, and the analysis result is then stored in the signature storage 231 for use in subsequent evaluation in the evaluation apparatus 171. do.

Table I prints the results of the "signature" evaluation at the beginning of the video disc. The analysis parameters selected for the disc used are listed on the left, and the "signature" comparison is shown in two groups of three columns each, the former group being for audio channel 1 and the latter group for audio. It is about channel 2. The middle column of the three columns for each channel represents the disk analysis measurements for each variable, with the columns on either side of the column representing the "signature" thresholds set by the threshold setter 166 of FIG.

Table II shows the results of a similar evaluation of the draws of the disc under test.

Similarly, Table III shows the results of the video evaluation test. Table III shows additional columns of information, i.e., additional columns of actual tape analysis measurements to determine the upper and lower limits in threshold setter 166 in the "signature" comparison.

At this time, 12 segments from the audio inlet tones are recovered at a rate of 30 segments per second (vertical frame rate), and in order to measure a given variable within 2.5 seconds or less, for example, Hewlett Packard 8903A (Hewlett A device such as Packard 8903A) Audio Analyzer can be used. Because each segment of the introductory test tone is used for one or more audio measurements, this segment is recycled as described above, so that this segment measures all audio by the analyzer before the analyzer retrieves and subsequently uses the second test segment. Maintain a continuous form for a time sufficient to perform the operation.

Multiple measurements can be made in one test frame, and the analyzer as described above can perform its analysis function in a time of 2.5 seconds or less, so that the analyzer makes 11 measurements in test frame 1, for example. The time required is about 27.5 seconds at maximum. Thus, the recirculation control and clock 99 shown in FIGS. 8 and 11 only needs to recycle the tonal segments for a maximum time of 27.5 seconds. And although the invention is not limited to the specific tests listed above, a time of 57.5 seconds or less is sufficient to complete all 23 audio test measurements. That is, the repetition rate at which a complete audio measurement cycle is repeated is one cycle per minute, no matter how generous. At this point, the longest active program test is a mono / bimono test, which completes in 65.5 seconds, so a few minutes of recording / play time is sufficient to remove defective discs from the audio / video quality control system. This has the advantage. This concept is accomplished in minutes by allowing defective discs to be found at any point in the process for video discs produced by the method shown in FIG. 20 (not directly read after recording). do. Of course, defects that are not included in proximity to the beginning of the disc to be evaluated are not found instantaneously, but process defects that cause a constant degradation of the entire video disc are captured at the beginning of the play time. In addition, the rate at which information is analyzed by the audio / video quality control system of the present invention is much shorter than in conventional visual observation and / or manual measurement techniques. In addition, all subjective evaluations of the disc are excluded.

In the above, only some embodiments of the present invention have been described. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that video signal measurements may be performed in a manner similar to audio signal measurements according to the methods shown in FIGS. 7-11. That is, the part labeled "audio" only needs to be marked accordingly according to the method of multiplexing and subsequent analysis of the introductory and derivation quality of the video. will be).

Similarly, the video parameter analysis and evaluation methods described herein may be applied to the analysis and evaluation of audio variables through the above-described changes.

Claims (4)

A method of automatically evaluating audio characteristics of a selected audio portion of a program recorded on a storage member, wherein a video portion of an audio-video program includes a picture frame code number, the audio evaluation of the audio portion of the program. Setting a predetermined number of image frames at which the start is started; Receiving and detecting a picture frame code number from the video portion of the program; Comparing the detected number of picture frames with the predetermined number of picture frames; And initiating audio evaluation of the audio portion of the program when the detected picture frame number matches the predetermined picture frame number. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said audio evaluation comprises performing spectral analysis on said audio portion for a predetermined length of time. An apparatus for automatically evaluating audio characteristics of a selected portion of a program recorded on a storage member, wherein a video portion of an audio-video program includes a picture frame code number, wherein the audio evaluation of the program audio portion is started. Means (111) for storing a predetermined number of image frames; Means (85) for receiving and detecting picture frame code numbers from the video portion of the program; A comparator (95) for comparing the detected number of picture frames with the predetermined number of picture frames; And analyzing means (43) for evaluating the audio portion of the program between the detected number of picture frames and the predetermined number of picture frames. 4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said analyzing means (43) comprises a spectrum analyzer (43, 113, 115) for performing spectral analysis on said audio portion for a predetermined length of time.

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