JP7337668B2 - Broadcasting system and broadcasting signal transmission method - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD Embodiments of the present invention relate to a broadcasting system and a broadcasting signal transmission method.

In general, each broadcasting station employs a configuration in which one master system is arranged (that is, one station, one master system configuration). The master system adopts a redundant configuration in which facilities are duplicated or tripled. Under such a configuration, each broadcasting station, especially within the same group, carries out almost the same work except for the operation of commercials.

JP-A-2002-84242

In the future, services such as 4K and Internet distribution will diversify, and Internet advertising will rise. It may not be possible to cope with the increase in costs, and it may not be possible to continue as a business.

A problem to be solved by the invention is to provide a broadcasting system and a broadcasting signal transmission method that can efficiently carry out business at low cost.

The broadcasting system of the embodiment includes a common master facility arranged in the center and transmitting at least the same signal as the main video signal of each broadcasting station to each broadcasting station as a backup, and arranged in each broadcasting station. and at least one master facility that transmits the main video signal of the broadcasting station, and the signal that is transmitted from the master facility of the broadcasting station or the signal that is transmitted from the common master facility of the center to the broadcasting station. an encoding and multiplexing facility for encoding and multiplexing.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a broadcasting system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing in detail an example of the internal configuration of the center 1, broadcasting station A, etc. shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of a certain broadcasting station. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of basic operation by the dynamic assignment method of the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of emergency operation of the embodiment.

Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In the embodiments described below, this is achieved by using, for example, SMPTE ST2110 (a standard that develops several standards for communication over IP networks) and virtualization/cloud computing. While ensuring the independence of business operation at each broadcasting station up to, we will realize diversity of equipment, low cost of equipment, efficiency of business and operation, etc.

For example, by sharing facilities among multiple stations and renovating the redundancy system, we will reduce the cost of facilities. In addition, by adopting a system that can dynamically assign broadcasting services (dynamic assignment system) and constructing a system that can provide the necessary services when necessary, we will realize the diversity of facilities. In addition, by systematizing multiple stations and consolidating redundant operations, we will realize efficiency in operations and operations. In addition, by constructing a signal transmission path in the event of a failure, it becomes possible to support BPC (Business Continuity Plan) (for example, recovery of operations of disaster-affected stations, etc.).

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a broadcasting system according to an embodiment.

The broadcasting system shown in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of broadcasting stations (edges) A, B, C and one center 1 . A center 1 is provided at a location different from the broadcasting stations A, B, and C, and is connected to the broadcasting stations A, B, and C via a WAN (Wide Area Network) or the like. Broadcasting stations A, B, and C are broadcasting stations belonging to the same affiliate, and include, for example, a key station established in Tokyo and local stations established in various places.

Broadcasting stations A, B, and C do not have duplicated master equipment (excluding coding and multiplexing equipment) responsible for the video main line, unlike the redundant configuration of a general master system. , and only one system is provided.

Specifically, each broadcasting station has duplicated coding and multiplexing equipment, and the coding and multiplexing equipment (ENC/MUX #1) 31 of system 1 (working system) and system 2 (backup system) ) is arranged, but as for the master facility, only the master facility (master #1) 21 of system 1 (active system) is arranged, A device corresponding to the master facility (master #2) of system 2 (standby system) is not arranged. However, at least part of the functions corresponding to the master facility (master #2) of the second system (standby system) is arranged on the center 1 side.

A center 1 is provided with a common master facility 11 . The common master facility 11 secures at least part of the functions corresponding to the 2-system master facility (master #2) of each broadcasting station.

FIG. 2 shows in detail an example of the internal configuration of the center 1, broadcasting station A, etc. shown in FIG.

In the configuration example of FIG. 2, for example, the following contrivances are applied.

(1) In general, the master equipment of each broadcasting station has a double or triple redundant configuration. In the embodiment, the center 1 and each broadcasting station are connected by an IP technology base, and only the master equipment 21 of system 1 (only one system) responsible for the video main line is arranged in each broadcasting station, and a backup system is installed. is placed on the center 1 side.

(2) At the center 1, instead of simply preparing a redundant configuration of the master equipment 21 for three stations, based on the simultaneity of broadcasting, any service, including the main services of each broadcasting station, can be freely selected. or service backup can be assigned on the basis of IP technology, and efficient redundancy can be achieved by adopting a configuration that allows dynamic assignment of services, etc. as needed when needed.

(3) In the master facility 21 on the side of each broadcasting station, prepare a system that can freely assign any service including the main service or a backup of the service on the IP technology base, and only when necessary. A redundant service can be formed locally even when the center 1 fails by adopting a configuration in which services and the like can be dynamically assigned.

(4) For broadcasting stations affected by the disaster, support for the affected stations can be provided through cloud services or the like.

In the example of FIG. 2, each of the broadcasting stations A, B, and C is provided with the above-described master facility 21 and duplicated encoding/multiplexing facilities 31 and 32, and an APC (automatic program transmission control facility) 51. , RTP (real-time processor) 52, duplicated IPSW (IP switcher) 53, alarm equipment 54, and the like are provided.

Broadcasting stations A, B, and C can receive predetermined cloud services from clouds A1, B1, and C1 on the Internet, respectively. (For example, a system that includes an EDPS (Equipment Data Processing System) function and a DS (Data Server) function) Broadcast progress data and CM / program data of broadcasting stations A, B, and C supplied from the function that realizes Obtainable. In addition, broadcasting stations A, B, and C own relay cars A2, B2, and C2, respectively, and each relay car is equipped with SAT communication equipment 55 and simple coding and multiplexing equipment 56.

The APC 51, for example, based on the broadcast progress data supplied from the function corresponding to the host system provided on the cloud corresponding to the broadcasting station, various equipment related to broadcasting (master equipment 21, ISPW 53, coding and multiplexing equipment 31, 32, etc.) to automatically broadcast. A function corresponding to this APC 51 may also be provided on the corresponding cloud.
The RTP 52 temporarily stores data supplied from the APC 51 .

The master facility 21 uses the video server 21a to send out at least the main video signal of the broadcast station (for example, the signal corresponding to the service "SV1"). In the configuration example of FIG. 2, the video server 21a has a storage unit for storing CM/program data and the like provided from the cloud of the broadcasting station, and four ports for multicasting signals for four services.

These four ports include a port to which the main video service "SV1" is assigned, a port to which a service "special SV" specific to the affiliated broadcasting station is assigned, and two ports that can be assigned any service. Includes auxiliary port AUX. However, this is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the service "special SV" is not necessarily required. Also, the number of ports is not limited to four.

For example, the first spare port AUX may be assigned backup "SV1'" of the main video service "SV1" as needed. Also, the second spare port AUX may be assigned with the sub-video service "SV2" or the national broadcasting service "H1" from a specific broadcasting station as needed. However, it is not limited to these examples.

The IPSW 53 is a switcher that performs path switching processing or assignment processing for data transmission conforming to IP (Internet Protocol). , an arbitrary signal is selected and sent to either one of the two coding/multiplexing facilities 31 and 32 . The IPSW 53 allows dynamic assignment of desired services as and when required.

Coding/multiplexing facilities 31 and 32 receive signals sent from the master facility 21 of the broadcasting station and sent through the IPSW 53, or signals sent from the common master facility 11 of the center 1 to the broadcasting station and sent through the IPSW 53. It encodes and multiplexes signals. The coding/multiplexing facilities 31 and 32 convert the signals sent through the IPSW 53 into service "SV1" signals, service "SV2" signals, service "1Seg" (corresponding to one-segment broadcasting) by IPGW (IP gateway). ), encoded by the corresponding encoders ENC (SV1), ENC (SV2), and ENC (1Seg), multiplexed by the multiplexer MUX, and sent to the transmitting station.

The alarm facility 54 monitors the progress of each device on a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) to which each device in the broadcasting station is connected, and when a failure occurs, alarms are sent to predetermined devices or on the corresponding cloud. to urge the IPSW 53 or the encoding/multiplexing equipment 31, 32 or the like to perform path switching processing.

Signal transmission between master facility 21 and IPSW 53 arranged in each broadcasting station, signal transmission between common master facility 11 arranged in center 1 and IPSW 43 and IPSW 53, and IPSW 53 and coding/multiplexing facility 31 , 32 is IP compliant.

On the other hand, the center 1 is provided with a common master facility 11, an APC (Automatic Program Transmission Control Facility) 41, an RTP (Real Time Processor) 42, a duplicated IPSW (IP Switcher) 43, and the like.

Further, the center 1 can receive a predetermined cloud service from the cloud 10. For example, from the function corresponding to the upper system managed on the cloud 10, the above-mentioned cloud services managed on the clouds A1, B1, and C1 It is possible to obtain the same information as the broadcast progress data and CM/program data of the broadcast stations A, B, and C. That is, the center 1 can obtain from the cloud 10 the same information as the information broadcast by the broadcasting stations A, B, and C, respectively. Furthermore, the center 1 has an IPGW (IP gateway) 44 and SAT communication equipment 45 .

The APC 41 controls various facilities (common master facility 11, ISPW 53, etc.) based on broadcast progress data and the like of broadcasting stations A, B, and C supplied from a function corresponding to a host system on the cloud 10, for example. , is a facility for automatic broadcasting. A function corresponding to this APC 41 may also be provided on the cloud 10 .

The common master facility 11 uses the video server 11a to back up at least the same signals as the signals of the main video of each broadcasting station (the signal corresponding to the service "SV1") ("SV1_A", "SV1_B", "SV1_C ”) to broadcasting stations A, B, and C respectively. In the configuration example of FIG. 2, the video server 11a has a storage unit for storing CM/program data, etc. of each broadcasting station provided from the cloud 10 or the like, and four ports for multicasting signals for four services. .

These four ports include ports to which backup "SV1_A", "SV1_B" and "SV1_C" of the main video service "SV1" are assigned, as well as an auxiliary port AUX to which any service can be assigned. However, this is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this example. Also, the number of ports is not limited to four.

Also, the common master facility 11 may further include a video server 11b. The video server 11b has a storage unit for storing arbitrary data and four ports for multicasting signals for four services. These four ports consist of four spare ports AUX that can be assigned any service as free ports. However, this is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this example. Also, the number of ports is not limited to four.

In addition, the common master facility 11 can obtain, via the IPSW 43, broadcast material corresponding to the sub-video service stored in the material server provided in each broadcasting station. As a result, for example, in broadcasting such as a relay broadcast of a baseball game from a certain broadcasting station, it is possible to transmit images of different angles from a spare port of the common master facility 11 . For example, if the capacity of the material server for broadcasting stations B and C is 8 TB, and the capacity of the material server for broadcasting station A alone is 24 TB with the material for three stations A, B, and C, then the common master equipment 11 can obtain materials of any of broadcasting stations A, B, and C simply by referring to the material server of broadcasting station A. FIG. However, it is not limited to this example. For example, the capacity of the material servers of broadcasting stations A, B, and C may each be 8 TB, and the common master facility 11 may refer to the material servers of broadcasting stations A, B, and C, respectively.

The IPSW 43 is a switcher that performs path switching processing for data transmission conforming to IP. Alternatively, signals sent from broadcasting stations A, B, and C are sent to the common master facility 11 side. The IPSW 43 allows dynamic assignment of desired services as and when required.

When the IPGW 44 receives a signal directed to one of the relay cars A2, B2, and C2 from the IPSW 43, the IPGW 44 passes the signal to the SAT communication device 45. The SAT communication device 45 sends the signal passed from the IPGW 44 to the SAT communication device 55 of the target relay car via satellite. When the SAT communication device 55 receives the signal from the satellite, it passes the signal to the simplified encoding multiplexing facility 56 . The simple coding/multiplexing facility 56 performs the same coding and multiplexing as the coding/multiplexing facilities 31 and 32 on the signal delivered from the SAT communication device 55, and then transmits the signal to a nearby transmitting station.

In the above configuration, depending on the situation, each broadcasting station may be unmanned, human resources from each broadcasting station may be gathered at the center 1, and each broadcasting station may operate jointly, and most of the staff may monitor conditions at the center 1. It is also possible to adopt a form in which the main business is performed. As a result, in addition to reducing equipment, it can contribute to reducing labor costs and improving work style reforms.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of a certain broadcasting station (for example, broadcasting station C).

As shown in FIG. 3, the single master facility 21, duplicated ISPW 53, duplicated encoding/multiplexing facilities 31 and 32, and alarm facility 54 are connected to a network such as LAN. In addition, the CPU 60 that controls each device is connected, and connection to the cloud C1 is also possible.

Note that the configuration shown in FIG. 3 may be configured to be partially different from the configuration shown in FIG. 2 as appropriate.

For example, in addition to the video server 21a described above, the master facility 21 is provided with a material sending device 21b for sending material such as sub-pictures, and is configured to be able to send video from another IP line center 21c. Alternatively, it may be configured to capture and transmit video from an external network or studio.

The duplicated ISPW 53 is composed of IPSW#1 of system 1 and IPSW#2 of system 2, a video server 53a for transmitting a video signal corresponding to service "SV1" or "1Seg", and a service "SV2". and a video server 53c for transmitting a video signal corresponding to service "H1".

Further, the duplexed encoding/multiplexing facilities 31 and 32 include encoding devices HD_ENC, 1Seg_ENC, and SD_ENC for encoding the HD signal, the 1Seg signal, and the SD signal, respectively, and multiplex these signals and, if necessary, Accordingly, a multiplexing device MUX that multiplexes SI (Service Information) transmission signals, data broadcasting signals, earthquake early warning signals, etc., and a scrambler SCR that scrambles and outputs the multiplexed signals may be provided. good.

It is assumed that signal transmission from the video server 21a, the material sending device 21b, the network/studio, etc. to the IPGW located in the latter stage conforms to TS (Transport Stream), for example. Further, signal transmission from the IPGW to the ISPW 53 (IPSW#1, IPSW#2) located in the latter stage, signal transmission from the ISPW 53 (IPSW#1, IPSW#2) to the video servers 53a, 53b, 53c, video server Signal transmission from 53a, 53b, 53c to ISPW 53 (IPSW#1, IPSW#2) and signal transmission from ISPW 53 (IPSW#1, IPSW#2) to IPSW located in the latter stage are, for example, MoIP (Mobile communication over Internet protocol). Also, the signal transmission in the latter stage from the IPGW shall comply with SDI (Serial Digital Interface) and TS.

Next, an example of basic operation by the dynamic assignment method of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, each broadcasting station has only one system of master equipment 21, and the common master equipment 11 that aggregates the standby systems (backup systems) is disposed at the center 1, and various services (including backup) are provided. A corresponding signal is multicast and broadcast (step S1).

Here, if there is no service change request (service addition change or backup request) to the master facility 21 or common master facility 11 of any broadcasting station (NO in step S2), the process described in step S1 On the other hand, if there is a request for addition or change of service or backup (YES in step S2), the assignment of the service is changed through IPSW 53 or the like according to the request, and then the broadcast is continued. Continue (step S3).

Next, an example of emergency operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

If a failure occurs in the port corresponding to the service "SV1" in the master facility 21, the failure can be dealt with if the same service "SV1'" is assigned to the backup port AUX. is. Other emergency operations will be described below.

As in the operation example described above, first, only one master facility 21 is arranged in each broadcasting station, and a common master facility 11 for consolidating the standby systems (backup systems) is arranged in the center 1. Then, various services (including backup) are multicast and broadcast (step S11).

Assume that some kind of failure occurs here.

For example, when a failure occurs in the master equipment 21 (video server 21a, etc.) of a certain broadcasting station (YES in step S12), the alarm equipment 54 detects the failure and issues an alarm notification. At this time, it is assumed that the common master equipment 11 is in a state of transmitting all the same services as those multicast by the failed master equipment 21 from one of the ports of the video servers 11a and 11b. .

When such a failure occurs, the IPSW 53 instantaneously performs data transmission path switching processing, and the broadcast from the broadcast station concerned is continued using the backup signal supplied by the common master facility 11 on the center 1 side. (Step S13).

Instead of such a failure (NO in step S12), if a failure occurs in an entire broadcasting station (YES in step S14), a backup signal supplied by the common master facility 11 on the center 1 side is used to detect the failure. Utilizing cloud services, satellites, relay vehicles, etc. without going through the broadcasting station that generated it, for example, from IPSW 43, IPGW 44, SAT communication device 45, satellite, SAT communication device 55 of target relay vehicle, simple coding multiplex Broadcasting continues via the conversion facility 56 (step S15).

If a failure occurs in the center 1 (YES in step S16) instead of the failure described above (NO in step S14), each broadcasting station does not rely on the backup from the center 1, and provides redundancy only by its own station. Therefore, a broadcasting station in which the redundancy is not ensured maintains the redundancy by assigning the necessary service to the spare port AUX, etc. in the master facility 21 (step S17). .

Further, if the failure is not the one described above (NO in step S16), but if it is a minor failure other than that, appropriate measures are taken.

According to this embodiment, equipment can be shared by a plurality of stations, and the cost of equipment can be reduced by renovating the redundancy system. In addition, by adopting a system that can dynamically assign broadcasting services (dynamic assignment system) and constructing a system that can provide necessary services when necessary, it is possible to realize facility diversity. In addition, by systematizing multiple offices and consolidating redundant operations, it is possible to improve the efficiency of operations and operations. Also, by constructing a signal transmission path when a failure occurs, it is possible to perform BPC support (for example, recovery of operations of a station affected by an earthquake).

As described in detail above, according to the embodiments, it is possible to provide a broadcasting system and a broadcasting signal transmission method that enable business to be carried out efficiently at low cost.

While several embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Center, A, B, C... Broadcasting station, A1, B1, C1... Cloud, A2, B2, C2... Mobile station, 10... Cloud, 21... Master facility, 21a... Video server, 21b... Material sending equipment, 21c...IP line center, 31, 32...coding and multiplexing facility, 41...APC, 42...RTP, 43...IPSW, 44...IPGW, 45...SAT communication facility, 51...APC, 52...RTP, 53...IPSW, 54...Alarm facility, 55...SAT communication facility, 56...Simple encoding multiplexing facility.

Claims (11)

A common master facility arranged at the center and transmitting at least the same signal as the main video signal of each broadcasting station as a backup to each broadcasting station;
One master facility that is installed in each broadcasting station and transmits at least the main video signal of the broadcasting station, and the signal that is transmitted from the master facility of the broadcasting station or from the common master facility of the center to the broadcasting station a coding and multiplexing facility for coding and multiplexing signals sent out through
A broadcasting system comprising: The coding and multiplexing facility is configured as two redundant coding and multiplexing facilities,
It is arranged in each broadcasting station, receives a signal sent from the master facility of the broadcasting station and a signal sent from the common master facility to the broadcasting station, selects an arbitrary signal, and converts the two codes. further comprising two redundant switchers feeding either of the multiplexing facilities;
Broadcast system according to claim 1. The common master facility located at the center comprises a video server having a plurality of ports for outputting a plurality of signals respectively corresponding to a plurality of services, and the plurality of ports are for each main video service of each broadcasting station. including multiple ports to which any service can be assigned, including spare ports that can be assigned
3. A broadcasting system according to claim 1 or 2. A master facility located at each broadcasting station comprises a video server having a plurality of ports for transmitting a plurality of signals respectively corresponding to a plurality of services, the plurality of ports including a port to which a main video service is assigned. In addition, including spare ports that can be assigned to any service,
A broadcasting system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The spare ports in the video server of the master facility include ports that can be allocated for backup of the main video service.
5. A broadcasting system according to claim 4. Signal transmission between the master facility located at each broadcasting station and the switcher, signal transmission between the common master facility located at the center and the switcher, and signal transmission between the switcher and the coding/multiplexing facility The signal transmission between is compliant with IP (Internet Protocol),
3. A broadcasting system according to claim 2. The master facility located at each broadcasting station and the common master facility located at the center respectively receive information managed on the Internet and send out signals;
Broadcast system according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Each broadcasting station has only one system of master equipment, and a common master equipment that aggregates the respective standby systems is arranged at the center, and signals corresponding to various services are sent out by multicast for broadcasting. ,
If there is a service change request to the master facility or common master facility of any broadcasting station, continue broadcasting after changing the service allocation according to the request;
A broadcast signal transmission method, comprising: To continue broadcasting from a certain broadcasting station using a backup signal supplied by the common master facility of the center when a failure occurs in the master facility of the broadcasting station;
9. The broadcast signal transmission method of claim 8, further comprising: In the event of a failure in a certain broadcasting station, using the backup signal supplied by the common master facility of the center, broadcasting will be performed via another facility, bypassing the failed broadcasting station. to continue,
10. The broadcast signal transmission method according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising: In the event of a failure at the center, at a broadcasting station where broadcasting redundancy is not ensured, redundancy is maintained by assigning the corresponding service to the spare port of the master equipment of the broadcasting station. ,
11. The broadcast signal transmission method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, further comprising: