JP6946122B2 - Trigger signal output device, trigger signal output method, broadcast master system, and program - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a broadcast master system constructed in a virtualized environment, a trigger signal output device for outputting a trigger signal to the broadcast master system, a trigger signal output method, and a program.

Conventionally, in an actual broadcasting station, program information is distributed from a master station (mainly a station in Tokyo), which is usually called a key station, to a local slave station through a dedicated network line (hereinafter, such distribution is performed). Called "net delivery"). On the slave station side, the received program information is transmitted at the same time as the master station or at a different time.

However, for example, when a live broadcast program is distributed on the Internet, the slave station side does not know when the CM will be entered at the master station, and cannot switch to a local CM (CM sent exclusively for the slave station side) as it is.

In order to deal with this, as a signal exchanged between the master station and the slave station, an inter-station control signal set in an area called VANC is defined as a standard specification. The inter-station control signal includes a Q signal (a signal normally transmitted 3 seconds before the CM enters in order to automatically perform CM control between networks at the time of broadcasting a live program) and an S signal (video input). Signal) is included. Therefore, in order to transmit a desired signal from the master station to the slave station, a VANC separator that separates the Q signal and the S signal is used.

Then, the master station and the slave station are operated based on this signal specification, and the timing of entering the CM is also notified from the master station by the inter-station control signal.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-135171

However, in a broadcasting master system constructed in a virtualized environment (hereinafter referred to as "VTP"), since there is no environment corresponding to the master station, it is not possible to receive inter-station control signals, and functions related to this cannot be received. Cannot work.

Further, since VTP provides a test environment, it is preferable that time information (information on the timing of entering a CM) can be appropriately generated and verified within the test time rather than receiving the inter-station control signal itself.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is a trigger signal output device capable of outputting a trigger signal as an alternative to an inter-station control signal at an arbitrary timing, a trigger signal output method, and a program, and such a trigger signal. Is to provide a broadcast master system (VTP) built in a virtualized environment capable of self-generating.

The trigger signal output device of the embodiment is used to verify the state in which the inter-station control signal is transmitted from the master station to the slave station in the broadcasting master system constructed in the virtual environment. As an alternative, a trigger signal output device that outputs a trigger signal, a timing assigning unit that assigns a timing to output the trigger signal, and a signal output unit that outputs a trigger signal to a designated target device according to the assigned timing. The designated target device is considered to be a slave station .

It is a functional block diagram which shows the configuration example of the trigger signal output device to which the trigger signal output method of embodiment is applied. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the input interface provided in the trigger signal output device. It is a schematic diagram which shows another example of the input interface provided in the trigger signal output device. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the environment to which a trigger signal output device is applied when the opposite device is an internal device of VTP. It is a block diagram which shows the configuration example of the VTP which built in the trigger signal output device. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the trigger signal output device to which the trigger signal output method of this embodiment is applied.

Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration example of the trigger signal output device 10 to which the trigger signal output method of the embodiment is applied.

The trigger signal output device 10 includes a timing addition unit 12, a signal type designation unit 14, a data construction unit 16, a device designation unit 18, a signal output unit 20, and an input interface 22.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the input interface 22.

The input interface 22 includes input units 32 and 34 and a trigger notification switch 36.

The input unit 34 is an interface for the user to specify the signal type of the trigger signal G, and when the user specifies the signal type of the trigger signal G, the corresponding designation information a is output to the signal type designation unit 14. ..

The signal type designation unit 14 generates a designated signal A that specifies the signal type of the trigger signal G based on the designation information a, and outputs the designated signal A to the data integration unit 16.

Examples of the signal type of the trigger signal G include a Q1 signal corresponding to the above-mentioned Q signal and S1 to S16 signals which are a kind of the above-mentioned S signal. The user specifies a signal to be transmitted among these signals displayed in the input unit 34 as shown in FIG. In this case, for example, only the Q1 signal can be specified, or when it is desired to transmit the S1, S2, and S3 signals at the same time, all of them can be specified.

Further, the designated signal is not limited to the Q signal and the S signal, and the video mode and the audio mode may be selected as needed.

If it is not necessary to select the type of the trigger signal G, the signal type designation unit 14 and the input unit 34 are unnecessary. However, a configuration in which the signal type designation unit 14 and the input unit 34 are omitted is also included in the trigger signal output device 10 of the present embodiment.

The input unit 32 is an interface for the user to specify the output destination of the trigger signal G, and when the user inputs the IP address of the opposite device 50, the corresponding input information b is generated and output to the device designation unit 18. ..

The device designation unit 18 generates a designated signal B that specifies the opposite device 50 (for example, the opposite device 50 (# 1)) to which the IP address is input based on the input information b, and outputs the designated signal B to the signal output unit 20. .. The number of opposing devices 50 to be output to the trigger signal G is not limited to one, and may be plural.

When the opposite device 50 connected to the trigger signal output device 10 is single or fixed, the device designation unit 18 and the input unit 32 are unnecessary. However, a configuration in which the device designation unit 18 and the input unit 32 are omitted is also included in the trigger signal output device 10 of the present embodiment.

The trigger notification switch 36 is for prompting the timing giving unit 12 to issue a timing signal t, and when pressed by a user operation such as a mouse click, a signal c for prompting the issuance of the timing signal t is given. Output to unit 12.

The timing imparting unit 12 generates the timing signal t in response to the reception of the signal c. The timing signal t is a signal that gives a timing for outputting the trigger signal G from the signal output unit 20. When the timing signal t is generated, the timing imparting unit 12 outputs the timing signal t to the data construction unit 16.

The timing signal t is not limited to being issued when the trigger notification switch 36 is pressed. For example, the timing signal t is issued in response to a message received from another device. As long as the timing signal t can be issued, the method does not matter.

In the input interface 22'exemplified in FIG. 3, the input unit 34 and the trigger notification switch 36 are the same as those in the input interface 22 illustrated in FIG. 2, and therefore duplicate description is avoided.

However, the input unit 32'is different from the input unit 32 illustrated in FIG. In the input interface 22'as shown in FIG. 3, the user selects the counter device 50 to which the trigger signal G is output from the counter devices 50 listed in the input unit 32'. When selected, the input unit 32'generates the corresponding input information b and outputs it to the device designation unit 18.

The device designation unit 18 generates a designated signal B that designates the selected opposite device 50 (for example, the opposite device 50 (# 1)) based on the input information b, and outputs the designated signal B to the signal output unit 20.

Further, the configurations of the input units 32 and 32'are not limited to those exemplified in FIGS. 2 and 3, and any other method may be used as long as the opposite device 50 can be specified.

The input interfaces 22 and 22'are constructed by GUI as an example, but CUI may be used, and the form of the program does not matter.

When the data construction unit 16 generates a trigger signal G of the type specified by the designated signal A according to an arbitrary protocol defined with the opposite device 50, and the timing signal t is output from the timing imparting unit 12. , The trigger signal G is output to the signal output unit 20 together with the timing signal t.

The signal output unit 20 can communicate with a plurality of opposite devices 50 (# 1) to (# n) by an arbitrary protocol, and the trigger signal G output from the data construction unit 16 can be used when necessary. Is converted to an arbitrary protocol and then output to the opposite device 50 (for example, the opposite device 50 (# 1)) designated by the designated signal B from the device designation unit 18 according to the timing signal t.

The timing addition unit 12, the signal type designation unit 14, the data construction unit 16, the device designation unit 18, the signal output unit 20, and the input interface 22 are, for example, an FPGA (field-programmable gate array) or a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or these. It is realized by a computer having a combination of the above and a program memory (for example, a non-volatile memory such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) that can be written and read at any time), and is necessary for carrying out the present embodiment. Realize the control function. All of these control functions are realized by causing the FPGA or CPU to execute the program stored in the program memory.

The counter device 50 can be, for example, an internal device in VTP.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of an environment in which the trigger signal output device 10 is applied when the counter device 50 is an internal device of the VTP 60.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the trigger signal output device 10 and the VTP 60 are shown as independent devices, but as shown in FIG. 5, the trigger signal output device 10 is inside the VTP as one unit of the VTP. Can also be placed.

That is, FIG. 5 is a modified example of FIG. 4, and is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the VTP 70 in which the trigger signal output device 10 is built.

In either case of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the trigger signal G output from the trigger signal output device 10 is output to the designated opposite device 50 in the VTP 60.

Further, in any case of FIGS. 4 and 5, the trigger signal output device 10 and the counter device 50 are connected by a network. This network is a network (Ethernet (registered trademark), etc.) different from the dedicated line connecting the master station and the slave station, and is often connected by a unique protocol. In the present embodiment, it does not depend on a specific network protocol, and it is sufficient that the trigger signal G can be transmitted from the trigger signal output device 10 to each of the opposite devices 50 in the VTP 60 and 70, and this protocol is arbitrary. good.

Next, the operation of the trigger signal output device 10 to which the trigger signal output method of the present embodiment configured as described above is applied will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the trigger signal output device 10 is activated, for example, the input interfaces 22 and 22'as shown in FIG. 2 or 3 are displayed.

From the input unit 32 or the input unit 32'displayed on the input interfaces 22 and 22', the user inputs an input for designating the opposite device 50 (for example, the opposite device 50 (# 1)) to be the output destination of the trigger signal G. conduct. The input information b corresponding to this input is output from the input units 32 and 32'to the device designation unit 18. Based on the input information b, the device designation unit 18 generates a designated signal B that specifies the opposite device 50 that is the output destination of the trigger signal G, and outputs the designated signal B to the signal output unit 20 (ST1).

The number of opposing devices 50 to be output to the trigger signal G is not limited to one, and may be plural. The designation of the counter device 50 is made, for example, by inputting an IP address in the input unit 32 and selecting from the listed counter devices 50 in the input unit 32'.

Next, the user specifies the type of the trigger signal G from the input unit 34 in the input interfaces 22 and 22'. As a result, the input unit 34 generates the designation information a corresponding to this designation and outputs it to the signal type designation unit 14. The signal type designation unit 14 generates a designation signal A that specifies the type of the trigger signal G based on the designation information a, and outputs the designated signal A to the data construction unit 16 (ST2).

The type of trigger signal G includes, for example, a Q1 signal corresponding to a Q signal and S1 to S16 signals which are a type of S signal. The user specifies a signal to be transmitted among these signals displayed on the input unit 34. Also, there is no limit to the number of signals that you want to transmit.

Thereby, what kind of trigger signal G is output from the signal output unit 20 to which opposite device 50 is specified.

The order of the process of step ST1 and the process of step ST2 may be reversed.

Next, the user presses the trigger notification switch 36 by operating the mouse or the like. As a result, the signal c is output from the trigger notification switch 36 to the timing giving unit 12, the timing signal t is generated in the timing giving unit 12 in response to the signal c, and is output to the data construction unit 16 (ST3).

In the data construction unit 16, the trigger signal G of the signal type specified by the designated signal A output in step ST1 is generated according to an arbitrary protocol defined with the opposite device 50. Further, when the timing signal t is output from the timing giving unit 12, the trigger signal G is output from the data construction unit 16 to the signal output unit 20 together with the timing signal t (ST4).

In the signal output unit 20, the trigger signal G output from the data construction unit 16 is converted into an arbitrary protocol, if necessary, and then the counter device 50 designated by the designated signal B according to the timing signal t ( For example, it is output to the opposite device 50 (# 1)) (ST5).

As described above, according to the trigger signal output device 10 to which the trigger signal output method of the present embodiment is applied, the trigger signal G can be generated and output to an arbitrary opposing device 50.

Further, the trigger signal G can arbitrarily include a Q signal and an S signal included in the inter-station control signal according to the designation by the user.

Therefore, the trigger signal G can be used as time information (information for designating the switching timing) as a substitute for the inter-station control signal exchanged between the master station and the slave station.

Moreover, the trigger signal output device 10 can output the trigger signal G at an arbitrary timing.

Therefore, the trigger signal output device 10 outputs the trigger signal G to a predetermined internal device in the VTPs 60 and 70 designated as the opposite device 50 of the output destination, so that the inter-station control signal is transmitted from the master station to the slave station. The transmitted state can be simulated by the VTPs 60 and 70 at a desired timing. This makes it possible to verify the state in which the inter-station control signal is transmitted from the master station to the slave station using the VTPs 60 and 70.

Further, in particular, as shown in FIG. 5, if the trigger signal output device 10 is built in the VTP 70, the VTP 70 can self-generate the trigger signal G, so that the inter-station control signal is transmitted from the master station to the slave station. It is possible to verify the completed state by itself.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, as well as in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

10 ... Trigger signal output device, 12 ... Timing addition unit, 14 ... Signal type specification unit, 16 ... Data construction unit, 18 ... Device designation unit, 20 ... Signal output unit, 22, 22'... Input interface, 32, 32', 34 ... Input unit, 36 ... Trigger notification switch, 50 ... Opposite device, 60, 70 ... VTP.

Claims (8)

A trigger that outputs a trigger signal as a substitute for the inter-station control signal in order to verify the state in which the inter-station control signal is transmitted from the master station to the slave station in the broadcasting master system constructed in the virtualized environment. It is a signal output device
A timing assigning unit that assigns a timing to output the trigger signal, and a timing assigning unit.
A signal output unit that outputs the trigger signal to the designated target device according to the given timing is provided.
The designated target device is a trigger signal output device that is regarded as the slave station. The trigger signal output device according to claim 1, further comprising a device designation unit for designating the target device. A signal type designation unit for designating the type of the trigger signal is further provided.
The trigger signal output device according to claim 2 , wherein the signal output unit outputs a trigger signal of the type specified by the signal type designation unit. It is provided with an interface screen for accepting designated inputs of the target device and the type of the trigger signal.
The trigger signal output device according to claim 3 , wherein the device designation unit and the signal type designation unit designate the target device and the type of the trigger signal according to a designated input made to the interface screen. The trigger signal output device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the target device is one or more. To output a trigger signal as a substitute for the inter-station control signal in order to verify the state in which the inter-station control signal is transmitted from the master station to the slave station in the broadcasting master system constructed in the virtualized environment. , A trigger signal output method implemented by a computer,
The computer
The timing to output the trigger signal is given, and the timing is given.
The trigger signal is output to a designated internal device among one or a plurality of internal devices included in the broadcast master system according to the given timing.
The trigger signal output method in which the designated internal device is regarded as the slave station. A broadcast master system built in a virtualized environment
With one or more internal devices,
It includes a timing assigning unit that assigns a timing to output a trigger signal, and a signal output unit that outputs the trigger signal to a designated internal device among the one or a plurality of internal devices according to the assigned timing. Equipped with a trigger signal output device
The designated internal device is considered a slave station and is considered a slave station.
The trigger signal is a broadcast master system used as a substitute for the inter-station control signal for verification of a state in which an inter-station control signal is transmitted from a master station to the slave station. A program for outputting a trigger signal to a slave station in a broadcast master system built in a virtualized environment.
A function that gives a timing to output the trigger signal,
A computer is realized to have a function of outputting the given trigger signal to a designated internal device among one or a plurality of internal devices included in the broadcast master system according to the timing.
The designated internal device is considered to be the slave station and is considered to be the slave station.
The trigger signal is a program used as a substitute for the inter-station control signal for verification of a state in which an inter-station control signal is transmitted from a master station to the slave station.

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