JPH11144072A - Processor and method for information processing, and system and method for editing - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To construct an editing system by using an AV(Audio/Visual) server. SOLUTION: An AV server 1 is connected to a PCs(personal computer) 3A and 3B functioning as a CG(computer graphics) generating device through a network 4 such as Ethernet, and has an interface for sending and receiving image data recorded on a RAID(Redundancy Array Inexpensive Disks) part 2 to and from the PCs 3A and 3B through the network 4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an editing system and an editing method. More particularly, for example, an AV (Audio / Visual) server capable of transmitting images in real time, Like A
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing method suitable for use in a case where an editing system is constructed using a V server, and an editing system and an editing method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, editing such as superimposing computer graphics on an image has been performed by a VTR (Video Ta
Using a pe recorder, a CG (Computer Graphics) creation device that plays back a video tape on which image data serving as a material is recorded and creates computer graphics is superimposed on the material played back by a VTR. It was done.

[0003]

However, VTRs
In the case of using the video recording material, only the user who is currently editing the material recorded on the video tape reproduced by the VTR can be used. That is, in order to use the material by a plurality of users, it is necessary to perform an operation such as transferring the material to a hard disk built in the CG creation device in advance, which is troublesome.

[0004] Therefore, the material is recorded in a file server which can randomly access data, and the CG is stored.
A method in which the creation apparatus accesses the file server, reads out the material, and performs editing is conceivable. However, since the file server is not created for broadcasting, it is difficult to directly send (broadcast) the edited image in real time from the file server, for example. there were.

By the way, recently, with the improvement of hardware processing speed, A capable of transmitting images in real time has been developed.
A server called a V server (video server) is realized. An editing system using this AV server (in the present specification, an "editing system" is a system in which a plurality of devices are logically aggregated to perform editing-related processing, and devices of each configuration are included in the same housing. Irrespective of whether or not it is included), for example, a configuration as shown in FIG. 13 can be considered.

In FIG. 13, an AV server 101 stores image data for broadcasting, and transmits the image data via a switcher 103.
A PC (personal computer) 102 is a computer functioning as a CG creation device (a computer in which an application program for performing CG-related processing is installed), creates a CG, and creates a switcher 1
03 is supplied. Switcher 103
Is configured to superimpose (superimpose) the CG supplied from the PC 102 on the image supplied from the AV server 101 and output the CG as necessary.

In the editing system configured as described above, image data recorded (stored) in the AV server 101 is read out and sent out via the switcher 103. When a CG is superimposed on the image data, the CG is created in the PC 102 and supplied to the switcher 103. Switcher 10
In 3, the CG from the PC 102 is superimposed on the image from the AV server 101 and output.

Accordingly, a CG to be superimposed on an image output by the AV server 101 transmitted in real time is created in advance, and the PC is not updated until the timing of superimposing the CG.
It has to be stored in a memory or the like built in the 102.

Further, in the editing system having the configuration shown in FIG. 13, it is not possible to superimpose a previously created CG on an image recorded on the AV server 101 and to use the image on which the CG is superimposed as an object to be edited. It was difficult.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to construct a flexible editing system using a server capable of real-time transmission.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus which is connected via a network to an editing apparatus which performs editing using data recorded on a recording medium, and which is connected to the editing apparatus. And a communication means functioning as an interface for exchanging data via a network.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the information processing method is connected via a network to an editing device that performs editing using data recorded on a recording medium, and exchanges data between the editing device and the network. A communication unit functioning as an interface for exchanging data via the network exchanges data with the editing device via a network.

In the editing system according to the present invention, the information processing apparatus is connected to the editing apparatus via a network, and exchanges data recorded on a recording medium with the editing apparatus via the network. Communication means functioning as an interface for performing the operation.

An editing method according to a thirty-first aspect is connected to an editing apparatus via a network, and serves as an interface for exchanging data recorded on a recording medium via the network with the editing apparatus. It is characterized in that a functioning communication means of an information processing apparatus exchanges data with an editing apparatus via a network.

[0015] In the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the communication means is connected via a network to an editing apparatus which performs editing using data recorded on the recording medium,
It functions as an interface for exchanging data with the editing device via a network.

In the information processing method according to the tenth aspect, an editing apparatus for editing using data recorded on a recording medium is connected via a network, and data is transferred between the editing apparatus and the network. Communication means functioning as an interface for exchanging via
Data is exchanged with an editing device via a network.

In the editing system according to the present invention, the communication means of the information processing device is connected to the editing device via a network, and exchanges the data recorded on the recording medium with the editing device. It is designed to function as an interface for communicating over a network.

In the editing method according to the thirty-first aspect,
The communication unit of the information processing device, which is connected to the editing device via a network and functions as an interface for exchanging data recorded on a recording medium via the network between the editing device and the editing device, Data is exchanged with a device via a network.

[0019]

FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of an embodiment of an editing system to which the present invention is applied.

This editing system is installed in, for example, a broadcasting station that performs television broadcasting. AV server 1
(Information processing device) is a RAID (Redundancy Array Inexpensi) that records image data and is randomly accessible.
ve Disks) unit 2, and the image data recorded in the RAID unit 2 is transmitted to the switcher 5 in real time. The AV server 1 and the switcher 5 are, for example, compliant with the D1 standard SDI (Serial D
digital interface).

The AV server 1 is connected to PCs 3A and 3B via a network 4,
In response to a request from A or 3B, image data recorded in the RAID unit 2 is read, and image data from the PCs 3A and 3B is written in the RAID unit 2.

In the present embodiment, the RAID unit 2 is composed of four RAIDs 2A to 2D. Under the control of the AV server 1, a RAID unit 2 has a built-in hard disk or other randomly accessible recording medium (not shown). Image data is written, and the written image data is read. Note that the R that constitutes the RAID unit 2
The AID is not limited to four.

An application program is installed in each of the PCs 3A and 3B (editing device) so as to function as, for example, a CG creating device that creates a CG and superimposes it on the image data recorded in the RAID unit 2. Computer connected to the network 4 to which the AV server 1 is connected. Note that the number of PCs connected to the network 4 as the CG creation device is not limited to two, but may be only one.
There may be three or more.

The network 4 is, for example, an Ethernet (Ethernet), and in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the AV server 1, the PCs 3A, and 3B are mutually connected.

The switcher 5 is connected to the
Switching control for outputting image data supplied from another device to this device. The VTRs 6 _{1 to} 6 _N are connected to the switcher 5,
Image data supplied from a video tape (not shown)
And reproduces the image data recorded on the video tape and outputs it to the switcher 5. The editor 7 is connected to the switcher 5, performs an effect (special effect) or other image processing on the image data supplied from the switcher 5, and outputs the processed image data to the switcher 5. The video camera 8
The switcher 5 is connected to the switcher 5 and supplies an image obtained by shooting in a studio or the like to the switcher 5. The encoder 9 includes the switcher 5
To the image data from the switcher 5,
Modulation and other processes required for transmission are performed, and the processed data is supplied to the antenna 10. The antenna 10 emits an output signal of the encoder 9 as a radio wave of a television broadcast signal. The switcher 5
Are also connected to a switcher of an editing system in another broadcasting station (not shown).

In the editing system configured as described above, for example, broadcasting is performed as follows. That is, in the switcher 5, the output of the AV server 1, the VTRs 6 _{1 to} 6 _N , the editor 7, the video camera 8, and the image transmitted from another broadcasting station (other station) are selected. Then, the switcher 5 transmits the selected image to another broadcast station or outputs the selected image to the encoder 9. The encoder 9 performs necessary processing on the image from the switcher 5 and outputs the processed image from the antenna 10.

In the editing system of FIG. 1, for example,
In the following manner, the image recorded in the RAID unit 2
Editing for superimposing G is performed.

Here, it is assumed that uncompressed image data is recorded in the RAID unit 2. Where R
The AID unit 2 includes, for example, an MPEG (Moving Picture E)
It is also possible to record image data that has been encoded according to a standard such as xperts Group).

The PCs 3A and 3B access the AV server 1 via the network 4 and transmit a read command requesting transfer of image data recorded in the RAID unit 2. In response, the AV server 1 reads out the requested image data from the RAID unit 2 and transmits the read command via the network 4 to the PC.
(Here, the PC 3A or 3B).

Here, in the present embodiment, the AV server 1
Is a protocol for virtually showing a remote file as a local file for exchanging image data between the PC 3A and 3B, for example, NFS (Ne
twork File System) is used.

That is, the PCs 3A and 3B are connected via the network 4 to the NFS mounted on a network board 13 (FIG. 2), which will be described later, built in the AV server 1.
The file system exported by the server is NFS
Mounted using a client. in this case,
From the PCs 3A and 3B, the RAI managed by the AV server 1
The file recorded in the D unit 2 becomes visible as a local file (PCs 3A and 3B
The D unit 2 can be used virtually as a so-called local disk of the device itself).

For this reason, by transmitting an NFS read command from the PCs 3A and 3B, the image data recorded in the RAID unit 2 is read out and transmitted to the PCs 3A and 3B.
Transfer via the network 4 becomes possible.

Specifically, a read command issued by the PC 3A or 3B is transmitted via the network 4 to the AV server 1
Is received by the NFS server installed in the server. When the NFS server receives the read command, the image data designated to be read by the read command is written to a file system 12A mounted on the main board 12 (FIG. 2) described later, which is built in the AV server 1. Inquiry about the sector number of the RAID unit 2. When the NFS server obtains the sector number, the NFS server transmits the sector number to the RAID unit 2. The RAID unit 2 reads out the image data recorded in the sector corresponding to the sector number and transmits it to the AV server 1 (NFS server). The AV server 1 transfers the image data from the RAID unit 2 to the PC (NFS client) that issued the read command via the network 4.

When the PCs 3A and 3B receive the image data from the AV server 1, they generate a CG to be superimposed on the image data.
The CG is superimposed on the image data from the AV server 1. Then, the PC 3A or 3B transfers the image data on which the CG is superimposed to the AV server 1 via the network 4, and writes the image data in the RAID unit 2.

That is, when image data is read from the RAID unit 2, a file for writing a CG superimposed thereon is opened in the RAID unit 2 in advance. By doing so, PC3A or 3B
However, after the CG is superimposed, the image data on which the CG is superimposed (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as edited image data) is referred to as RAI.
When a write command requesting writing to the D unit 2 is transmitted, the edited image data is written to a file on the RAID unit 2 that has been opened for writing in advance.

Specifically, an NFS write command is transferred from the PC 3A or 3B to the AV server 1 via the network 4 together with the edited image data. Upon receiving the write command, the AV server 1 obtains a sector number to which the edited image data is to be written from the file name of the previously opened file in the same manner as when reading the image data. The edited image data transferred via the network 4 is written in the sector of the sector number.

As described above, the CG created by the PC 3A or 3B is superimposed on the image data recorded in the RAID unit 2, and the image data (edited image data) on which the GC is superimposed is displayed. Recorded again in section 2.

Next, FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the AV server 1 of FIG.

The AV server 1 has an IOP (Input / Output P
rocessor) board 11 _{1 to} 11 _M , main board 12
(Management means), network board 13 (communication means),
It comprises a communication bus 14, a downstream data bus 15, and an upstream data bus 16.

The IOP boards 11 _{1 to} 11 _M write the image data from the switcher 5 to the RAID unit 2 via the downstream data bus 15, and write the image data from the RAID unit 2 via the upstream data bus 16. Read out,
Output to switcher 5. Specifically, IOP board 1
1 ₁ to 11 _M is the image data from the switcher 5, R
The same number as the number of RAIDs constituting the AID unit 2, that is,
In the present embodiment, the stream is divided into four streams and output to the downstream data bus 15. The downstream data bus 15
Consists of four bus connected to each of the four RAID2A through 2D constituting the ID unit 2, and supplies the respective four streams supplied to RAID2A through 2D from IOP board 11 ₁ to 11 _M. This allows
In RAID2A to 2D, IOP boards 11 _{1 to} 1
Stream obtained by 4 dividing the image data in 1 _M are recorded respectively.

Similarly to the downlink data bus 15, the uplink data bus 16 also includes four buses connected to the four RAIDs 2A to 2D, respectively.
Or stream 4 divided image data recorded in the 2D is read through each of the four buses constituting the uplink data bus 16, IOP board 11 ₁ to 1
It is supplied to the 1 _M. On the IOP boards 11 _{1 to} 11 _M ,
The four streams supplied via the upstream data bus 16 are multiplexed into one stream, that is, returned to the original image data and output to the switcher 5.

[0042] Incidentally, IOP board 11 ₁ through 11 _M has input and output ports of the image, between the switcher 5, via the input-output port, for exchanging image data.

[0043] In addition, the IOP board 11 ₁ to 11 _M,
In order to realize real-time transmission of image data to the switcher 5, a real-time OS is used as an OS (Operating System).

A file system 12A is mounted on the main board 12, and the main board 12 manages a file recording position on the RAID unit 2 by the file system 12A. Also, main board 1
2, for example, via the communication bus 14, such as a VME bus, IOP11 ₁ to 11 _M and the network board 1
3 is connected. The RAID unit 2 includes IOPs 11 _{1 to} 11 _M , a main board 12, and a network board 13.
Of the RAID unit 2 via the communication bus 14.
We also manage to prevent contention for access to. That is, here, access to RAID unit 2, IOP11 ₁ to 11 _M, the main board 12, are made as given by time division for the network board 13, respectively. Specifically, the main board 12
Generates a time slot signal (for example, a time slot signal of about 100 ms unit) which is sequentially given to each block on the communication bus 14 including itself.
4 is output. The access right to the RAID part 2 is
It is given to the block represented by the time slot signal.

The data exchange between the main board 12 (file system 12A) and the RAID unit 2 for obtaining the sector number as described above is performed by the downstream data bus 15 or the upstream data bus. The processing is performed via a bus 16.

The network board 13 is a PC 3A or 3
B via the network 4 and the PCs 3A and 3B
It functions as an interface for exchanging image data with the RAID unit 2 via the network 4. That is, the network board 13, in response to a request through the network 4, as in the IOP11 ₁ to 11 _M, to read and write image data to the RAID unit 2. However, the network board 13 has IOP1
1 ₁ does not have the input and output ports, such as having the 11 _M, the image data subject to the reading and writing are transmitted and received through the network 4 (hence, PC 3A or 3B
Is sent and received between).

As described above, the NFS server is mounted on the network board 13, and the network board 13 uses the NFS server to provide the PCs 3A and 3B (NFS client) on the network 4.
Is controlled.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the network board 13 of FIG.

When the PCs 3A and 3B read image data from the RAID unit 2, the read command supplied via the network 4 is SIO (Serial Input / Outpu).
t) received at the interface and via bus 28
It is transferred to a CPU (Central Processing Unit). CP
When U21 receives the read command, it transfers it to the buffer 27 via the bus. Buffer 27
Transmits a read command from the CPU 21 to the RAID unit 2 (via the downlink data bus 15 (FIG. 2)).
When receiving the read command, the RAID unit 2 reads the corresponding image data and transfers the read image data to the buffer 26 (via the upstream data bus 16 (FIG. 2)). Buffer 26
Receives image data from the RAID unit 2 and transfers the image data to the SIO interface 25 via the bus 28. In the SIO interface 25,
The image data from the buffer 26 is transferred via the network 4 to the PC that has transmitted the read command.

On the other hand, when the PCs 3A and 3B write image data (edited image data) to the RAID unit 2, the image data to be written and the write command are transmitted from the PCs 3A and 3B via the network 4. The image data and the write command transmitted to the network board 13 are also received by the SIO interface 25. SIO interface 2
5 transmits the received image data and the write command to the RAID unit 2 via the buffer 27, whereby the RAID unit 2 writes the image data.

When reading / writing image data from / to the RAID unit 2, since the sector where the reading / writing is performed is managed by the file system 12A of the main board 12 as described above, it is necessary to access the file system 12A. However, this access is performed via a buffer 24 connected to the communication bus 14.

An application program for implementing the above-described functions is recorded in the ROM (Read Only Memory) 22 on the network board 13, and the CPU 21 executes the application program to execute the application program. , The above-described processing is performed.

A RAM (Random Access Memory) 2
Numeral 3 stores data necessary for the operation of the CPU 21.

As described above, the network board 13
Is equipped with an NFS server, and the network 4
It can be accessed from one or more NFS clients (corresponding to PCs 3A and 3B in the embodiment of FIG. 1) existing above. That is, thereby, the AV server 1 and the PCs 3A and 3B on the network 4 are connected by NFS, and the PCs 3A and 3B transmit R
The file on the AID unit 2 can be accessed in the same manner as the file on the local disk owned by the AID unit 2.

It is not always necessary to connect the AV server 1 to the PCs 3A and 3B by using a protocol such as NFS for making a remote file virtually look like a local file. However, in that case, P
It is necessary to incorporate a special driver for accessing the RAID unit 2 managed by the AV server 1 into an application program for causing the C3A or 3B to function as a CG creation device.

Here, referring to FIG. 4, RAID in the file system 12A of the main board 12 in FIG.
A method for managing files on the unit 2 will be described.

The file system 12A manages files on the RAID unit 2 by storing an entry table including the following file entries and record entries in a flash memory (not shown) on the main board 12 or the like. I have.

That is, a file entry is created for each file, and the file entry for one file is, as shown in FIG. 4A, a file name, the number of record entries, and a pointer are sequentially arranged from the beginning. Be composed. The file name of the file managed by the file entry is arranged in the “file name” column. In the column of “number of record entries”, the number of record entries managed by the file entry is arranged. That is, RAID
In the section 2, when a file recorded on the built-in hard disk is erased, an empty area may be generated, so to speak. After that, recording is performed using this free space, so that one file is, for example, as shown by hatching in FIG.
There is a case where the data is divided and recorded separately. In this case, an area in which a group of data is continuously recorded is called a record, and the “record entry number” field indicates how many records the file managed by the file entry is divided into. The number of records to be placed. In the “pointer” column, a pointer (address) to a record entry that manages the record is arranged.
Record entries are created for each record,
If the number of record entries is P (if the file is divided into P records), P pointers are arranged in the “pointer” column.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the record entry is constituted by sequentially arranging a start sector, a data length, and other necessary data from the beginning. In the “start sector” column, the sector number of the first sector of the record managed by the record entry is arranged. In the column of “data length”, the number of sectors constituting the record managed by the record entry is arranged.

The file system 12A finds the file entry (FIG. 4A) from the file name of the file, and recognizes the number of pointers to the record entry from the number of record entries. Then, a record entry (FIG. 4B) for managing the first record is found from the first pointer arranged in the file entry, and the position where the first record is recorded is determined from the start sector and the data length. The range is recognized. This allows access to the first record. Access to the second and subsequent records is performed in the same manner.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
The processing of the network board 13 (NFS server) in FIG. 3 will be described.

In the network board 13, first, in step S1, the PC 3A or 3B (NF
S client), it is determined whether or not an open command for opening a file on the RAID unit 2 has been received.
The determination is made by the PU 21. In step S1,
If it is determined that an open command has been received,
When an open command is transmitted from the PC 3A or 3B via the network 4 and is received by the SIO interface 25, the process proceeds to step S2, where C
The PU 21 accesses the file system 12A of the main board 12 via the buffer 24 and the communication bus 14, and acquires a file handle (opens a file). Then, step S3
The CPU 21 sets the file handle to SI
It returns to the PC (NFS client) that sent the open command via the O interface 25 and the network 4, and returns to step S1. The PC that has received the file handle thereafter accesses the opened file using the file handle.

If it is determined in step S1 that an open command has not been received, the process proceeds to step S1.
Proceeding to 4, the CPU 21 determines whether a close command for closing a file opened on the RAID unit 2 has been received from the PC 3A or 3B. If it is determined in step S4 that the close command has been received, the process proceeds to step S5, where the CPU 21
Accesses the file system 12A, destroys the corresponding file handle (closes the file), and returns to step S1. That is, since the close command is transmitted together with the file handle given to the file to be closed, the CPU 21 causes the file system 12A to discard the file handle.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that the close command has not been received, the process proceeds to step S4.
6, the CPU 21 determines whether a read command for reading image data from a file opened on the RAID unit 2 has been received from the PC 3A or 3B. If it is determined in step S6 that the read command has been received, the process proceeds to step S7,
U21 accesses the file system 12A and acquires the sector number of the sector where the file is recorded.
That is, the read command is transmitted together with the file handle given to the opened file, and this file handle is given to the file system 12A. In the file system 12A, the sector number of the sector in which the file is recorded is recognized from the file name of the file to which the file handle is allocated, as described above, and is returned to the CPU 21.

When the CPU 21 receives the sector number from the file system 12A, the process proceeds to step S8, where the RA
Access the ID part 2, that is, along with its sector number,
The received read command is transmitted to the R through the buffer 27.
Transmit to AID unit 2. As a result, the RAID unit 2 reads out and transmits the image data recorded in the sector of the sector number.
Received in buffer 26.

Here, after the RAID unit 2 receives the sector number together with the read command, it accesses the built-in hard disk and reads out the corresponding image data for a certain period of time (for example, in two time slots). Corresponding time). Therefore, the CPU 21
It is necessary to wait a predetermined time after transmitting a read command to the RAID unit 2 until receiving image data.

Thereafter, when the image data from the RAID unit 2 is stored in the buffer 26, the process proceeds to step S9.
The CPU 21 thins out, for example, the image data stored in the buffer 26 based on the extension of the file name when the file was opened (when the file is opened, the file name is transmitted together with the open command). Thus, an image having a predetermined resolution is formed. Note that the image is reduced like this,
Reduction of the image resolution by this will be described later.

Then, the process proceeds to a step S10, wherein the CPU 2
1 transmits the image processed in step S9 to the PC that has transmitted the read command, and returns to step S1.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S6 that the read command has not been received, step S1
In step 1, the CPU 21 determines whether a write command for writing image data to a file opened on the RAID unit 2 has been received from the PC 3A or 3B. If it is determined in step S11 that a write command has not been received, the process returns to step S1.

If it is determined in step S11 that a write command has been received, the process proceeds to step S12, where the image data to be written transmitted with the write command is transmitted to the SIO interface 25.
Via the buffer 27.

Thereafter, in step S13, the CPU 21 accesses the file system 12A, and acquires the sector number of the sector in which the file for storing the image data is to be recorded in the same manner as in step S7. Then, the process proceeds to step S14, where the CPU 21
The AID unit 2 is accessed, that is, the acquired sector number and the received write command are transmitted to the RAID unit 2 together with the image data stored in the buffer 27, and the process returns to step S1. As a result, in the RAID unit 2, the image data is written in the sector of the sector number.

Next, in the present embodiment, the NFS server mounted on the network board 13 has a file generation mechanism 31 as shown in FIG. Then PC3
A or 3B), when a file recorded in the RAID unit 2 is accessed, for example, a file structure as shown in FIG. 7 is generated and provided to the NFS client.

FIG. 7 shows a file structure generated by the file generation mechanism 31 when a file having a file name of abc and a file having a file name of xyz are actually recorded in the RAID unit 2. ing.

In this case, the file generating mechanism 31 generates a directory whose directory name is the file name of the file actually recorded. Furthermore, in the directory, 001 to 10 are added to the directory name.
100 files with file names each having 0 as an extension are generated.

Therefore, for a file abc that actually exists, a directory named abc is
100 files with file names abc.001 to abc.100 belonging to the directory are generated. For the file xyz that actually exists, a directory with the directory name xyz and xy belonging to that directory
100 files with file names z.001 to xyz.100 are generated. Note that these directories and files do not actually exist, but the NFS server merely makes it appear to the NFS client as if they actually existed.

PC 3A or 3 as NFS client
When B accesses a file recorded in the RAID unit 2, the file name is specified by the file generation mechanism 3
1 provided with the extension as described above. In this embodiment, the extension is A
The V server 1 is connected to the PC 3A or 3 via the network 4.
B is a value corresponding to a reduction ratio representing the resolution of the image data when the image data is transmitted.
That is, for example, if the extension is 001, the image data is
This indicates that the image is reduced to 1% of the original image. Therefore,
An extension of 100 indicates that image data recorded in the RAID unit 2 is transmitted as it is.

The reduction of the image data based on the extension is performed in step S9 in FIG.

As described above, when transmitting the image data to the PCs 3A and 3B via the network 4, the AV server 1 can specify the resolution (reduction rate) of the image data. This was done for the following reasons. That is, for example, when the network 4 is formed of Ethernet, if one frame of image data is transmitted as it is, the transmission takes about several seconds.
As described above, it takes a long time to transmit the image data, which greatly reduces the work efficiency of the editing work in the PCs 3A and 3B. Therefore, by allowing the resolution of the image data to be specified as described above, for example, in the initial stage of editing, the image is efficiently edited by using an image having a low resolution, and finally, is edited. It is possible to perform finishing using a high-resolution image (original image).

Here, when the extension of the file name corresponds to the resolution of the image, the resolution can be designated from the PC using a standard NFS protocol. The designation of the resolution can be performed using a dedicated protocol. However, in that case, a driver or the like that supports the dedicated protocol is required on the PC side.

Next, FIG. 8 shows that the PCs 3A and 3B
An editing window displayed when an application program for causing them to function as a CG creation device is executed is shown.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, icons 61 to 64 as GUIs (Graphical User Interface), scroll bars 65, check boxes 66 and 67, an end button 68, and an AUTO button 69 are arranged in the editing window. ing.

The icon 61 indicates a CG created in the PC 3A or 3B as a CG creating device.
The reduced screen of G is displayed. The icon 62 represents, among the frames of the image data transferred from the AV server 1 (RAID unit 2), a frame of interest as a frame on which CG is superimposed (hereinafter referred to as a frame of interest as appropriate).
A reduced screen of the frame of interest is displayed. Icon 6
3 shows a reduced screen of the image, which represents an edited image obtained by superimposing the CG represented by the icon 61 on the frame of interest represented by the icon 62. Icon 64
Represents the edited image represented by the icon 63 in the RAID unit 2
And recording on a local disk of the PC 3A or 3B as a CG creation device.

The scroll bar 65 is operated when changing the frame of interest. That is, in the present embodiment, image data (file) for 600 frames is designated as the image data to be edited, and the scroll bar 6
5 is the first frame or the 60th frame.
Each frame corresponds to 0 frame. The position of the cursor 65A on the scroll bar 65 corresponds to the frame of interest. Therefore, the frame of interest can be changed by, for example, dragging and moving the cursor 65A. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the 300th frame is set as the frame of interest.

The check boxes 66 and 67 are checked when the edited image represented by the icon 63 is saved on the local disk or the RAID unit 2, respectively. The check boxes 66 and 67 are configured to alternately switch between a checked state and an unchecked state by repeatedly clicking.

The end button 69 is operated to close the editing window and end the application program that causes the PC to function as a CG creation device. A
The UTO button 69 is used to superimpose the corresponding CG on the frame of the image data transferred from the AV server 1 and save the resulting edited image from the first frame to the last frame. Operated when performing sequentially.

FIG. 9 shows changes in the images displayed on the icons 61 to 63 when the frame of interest is changed. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the first frame, the 100th frame, the 200th frame, the 300th frame, the 400th frame, the 500th frame, the 60th frame,
The image at frame 0 is shown.

FIG. 9A shows a PC as a CG creation device.
5 shows a CG created by. Here, a cylindrical CG that rotates 180 degrees over 600 frames is prepared.

FIG. 9B shows an image transferred from the AV server 1. Here, at the bottom right of each frame,
This is an image in which a number indicating the number of the frame is displayed.

FIG. 9C shows the CG of FIG.
The image after editing obtained by being superimposed on the image of (B) is shown.

At the time of editing, the cursor 65A of the scroll bar 65 is operated to change the frame of interest. In this case, the cylindrical CG in the icon 62 is also
Since it changes according to the change of the frame of interest, the position, the color, the rotation speed, and the like of the cylindrical shape are adjusted while observing the change.
When the adjustment is completed, the image from the AV server 1
A cylindrical shape as CG is superimposed, and the image after the superimposition is A
The data is transferred to the V server 1 and recorded in the RAID unit 2.

Next, processing of the PCs 3A and 3B functioning as a CG creation device will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In the CG creation apparatus, first, in step S21, a file of image data to be transferred from the AV server 1 (RAID unit 2) is specified, and processing for opening the file is performed. That is, the file name of the file to be opened is specified, and
When the open command is transmitted to the AV server 1, the file handle is acquired from the AV server 1 as described above.

After acquiring the file handle, step S
Go to 22, and scroll bar 65 (cursor 65A)
Is moved to a position where the first frame of the image data recorded in the opened file is set as the target frame, whereby the first frame is set as the target frame. Then, the process proceeds to step S23, where an editing process described later is performed on the frame of interest, and the process proceeds to step S24. In step S24, it is determined whether the scroll bar 65 has been operated. If it is determined that the scroll bar 65 has been operated, the frame corresponding to the position of the scroll bar 65 after the operation is set as the frame of interest, and the process returns to step S23. Therefore, in this case, the editing process is performed on the frame newly set as the target frame.

If it is determined in step S24 that the scroll bar 65 has not been operated, the flow advances to step S25 to determine whether the AUTO button 69 has been operated. In step S25, AUTO
If it is determined that the button 69 has been operated, step S
The process advances to step S26, where an AUTO process described later is performed, and the process returns to step S24.

On the other hand, in step S25, AUTO
If it is determined that the button 69 has not been operated, the process proceeds to step S27, and it is determined whether the end button 68 has been operated. In step S27, the end button 6
If it is determined that No. 8 has not been operated, step S2
Return to 4. If it is determined in step S27 that the end button 68 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S28, the file opened in step S21 is closed, and the process ends.

Next, the editing process in step S23 in FIG. 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

In the editing process, first, in step S3
At 1, a CG to be superimposed on the frame of interest is created,
Proceeding to step S32, the image data of the frame of interest is
It is read from the AV server 1. Then, step S3
Then, the process proceeds to step S3.
The CG created in step 1 is superimposed, thereby generating an edited image (an image on which the CG is superimposed).

Then, the process proceeds to a step S34, where it is determined whether or not the check box 66 is checked. If it is determined in step S34 that the check box 66 is checked, the process proceeds to step S35.
And the edited image generated in step S33 is
Local disk (PC3A or 3 as CG creation device)
B is written to the local disk (not shown) of the B, and the process proceeds to step S36. Also, in step S34,
If it is determined that the check box 66 is not checked, step S35 is skipped and step S35 is skipped.
Proceeding to 36, it is determined whether the check box 67 is checked. If it is determined in step S36 that the check box 67 has been checked, the process proceeds to step S37, where the edited image generated in step S33 is transferred to the AV server 1, and RAID
It is written to the section 2 and returns. Step S
If it is determined in step 36 that the check box 67 is not checked, the process skips step S37 and returns.

Next, the AUTO processing in step S26 in FIG. 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

In the AUTO process, first, in step S41, the scroll bar 65 (the cursor 65
A) is moved to a position where the first frame of the image data recorded in the file opened in step S21 of FIG. 10 is set as the target frame, whereby the first frame is set as the target frame. Then, the process proceeds to step S42, where the same editing processing as that described with reference to FIG. 11 is performed, and the process proceeds to step S43. In step S43, it is determined whether or not the frame of interest is the last frame of the image data recorded in the file opened in step S21 of FIG. Step S43
If it is determined that the frame of interest is not the last frame, the process proceeds to step S44, the frame next to the frame that is currently the frame of interest is newly set as the frame of interest, and the process returns to step S42. If it is determined in step S43 that the frame of interest is the last frame, the process returns.

As described above, the random access R
A PC 3A or 3B as a CG creation device is provided to the AV server 1 which manages the AID unit 2 and can transmit images in real time.
And a network board 13 which is connected to the CG creation apparatus via the network 4 and functions as an interface for transferring image data via the network 4. Editing such as superimposition of CG is performed on the edited image data, and the edited image can be transmitted in real time. As a result, until the image is sent,
The CG to be superimposed on the image need not be stored in the CG creation device. In other words, from a different point of view, it is considered that a CG that has conventionally only been stored in the CG creation device can be stored in the RAID unit 2 in a state of being superimposed on an image. be able to.

The AV server 1 has a network 4
, The image data stored in the RAID unit 2 can be used by a plurality of persons at the same time. That is, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, it is possible for both the PCs 3A and 3B to simultaneously edit images stored in the RAID unit 2.

Furthermore, the image on which the CG is superimposed as described above is stored in the AV server 1 (RAID unit 2), and the image can be further edited.

That is, by providing the network board 13 in the AV server 1, a so-called flexible editing system using the AV server can be easily constructed.

In this embodiment, the network board 13 is provided as an independent board. However, for example, if the processing capacity of the main board 12 has a margin, the network board 13 Processing can also be performed. In this case, since the network board 13 does not need to be provided as an independent board, the size of the AV server 1 can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, the extension of the file name is added in accordance with the resolution (reduction ratio) of the image data. It is also possible to make it reflect on.

Further, in this embodiment, the data to be edited is image data. However, the present invention can be applied to a case where other than image data, for example, audio data, is to be edited. .

Further, the present invention is applicable to servers capable of real-time transmission other than AV servers.

Further, in the present embodiment, the editing for superimposing the CG on the image is performed, but the present invention can be applied to the case of performing other editing.

In the present embodiment, the AV server 1 manages a disk-shaped recording medium. However, the AV server 1 can also manage a tape-shaped recording medium. .

[0111]

According to the information processing apparatus described in claim 1 and the information processing method described in claim 10, the editing system described in claim 22, and the editing method described in claim 31, the editing apparatus and Connected via a network, and between the editing device, data recorded on a recording medium,
In communication means functioning as an interface for exchanging data via a network, data is exchanged between the editing device and the network.
Therefore, it is possible to edit data recorded on the recording medium.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an embodiment of an editing system to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the AV server 1 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a network board 13 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a file management method by the file system 12A of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the network board 13 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a method of providing a file from an NFS server to an NFS client.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a file structure generated by a file generation mechanism 31 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an editing window.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing changes in images displayed on icons 61 to 63 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining processing of PCs 3A and 3B as CG creating apparatuses.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating details of a process in step S23 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating details of a process in step S26 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an editing system using an AV server.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 AV server, 2 RAID unit, 2A to 2D
RAID, 3A, 3B PC, 4 networks,
5 switcher, 6 _{1 to} 6 _N VTR, 7 editor, 8 video camera, 9 encoder, 10
Antenna, 11 _{1 to} 11 _M IOP board, 12 main board (management means), 12A file system,
13 network board (communication means), 14 communication bus, 15 downlink data bus, 16 uplink data bus, 21 CPU, 22 ROM, 23 RA
M, 24 buffers, 25 SIO interface, 26, 27 buffers, 31 file generation mechanism, 61 to 64 icons, 65 scroll bar, 65A cursor, 66, 67 check box, 68 end button, 69 AUTO button

Claims (42)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus capable of transmitting data in real time, comprising: management means for managing at least one or more recording media which are randomly accessible; And a communication unit that is connected via a network to an editing device that performs editing using the device and that functions as an interface for exchanging the data via the network with the editing device. Information processing device. 2. The network is connected to two or more editing devices, and the communication unit is configured to edit each data when a request for data is received from a plurality of the two or more editing devices. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the requested data is simultaneously transferred to the apparatus. 3. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein the communication unit performs a process for exchanging data with the editing device using a protocol for virtually making a remote file look like a local file. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. 4. The data recorded on the recording medium is image data, and the communication means is configured so that a plurality of files storing the image data of a plurality of resolutions are recorded on the recording medium. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus also performs processing for making the editing apparatus virtually look. 5. The editing device is capable of designating a resolution of the image data to be transferred to the communication unit, wherein the communication unit converts the image data recorded on the recording medium into 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the information is converted to a resolution specified by the editing apparatus and transferred. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein file names of the plurality of files correspond to resolutions of the image data. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein extensions of file names of the plurality of files correspond to resolutions of the image data. 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein file names of the plurality of files correspond to a reduction ratio indicating a resolution of the image data. 9. The data recorded on the recording medium is image data, the editing device creates computer graphics,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the computer graphics is superimposed on the image data. 10. An information processing method for an information processing apparatus capable of transmitting data in real time, the information processing apparatus comprising: a management unit that manages at least one or more recording media that are randomly accessible. An editing device that performs editing using data recorded on the recording medium is connected via a network, and functions as an interface for exchanging the data with the editing device via the network. An information processing method comprising: a communication unit; and causing the communication unit to exchange the data with the editing device via the network. 11. The network is connected to two or more editing devices. When a plurality of the two or more editing devices request data from the plurality of editing devices, each of the editing devices is edited. 11. The information processing method according to claim 10, wherein requested data is simultaneously transferred to the device. 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the communication unit performs a process for exchanging data with the editing device by using a protocol for virtually making a remote file look like a local file. The information processing method according to claim 10, wherein 13. The data recorded on the recording medium,
Image data, and also causes the communication unit to perform processing for virtually showing the editing device as if a plurality of files storing the image data of a plurality of resolutions were recorded on the recording medium. The information processing method according to claim 10, wherein: 14. The editing apparatus is capable of designating a resolution of the image data to be transferred to the communication means, and the communication means transfers the image data recorded on the recording medium to the communication means. 14. The information processing method according to claim 13, wherein the data is transferred after being converted to a resolution specified by the editing device. 15. The file name of the plurality of files is:
15. The information processing method according to claim 14, wherein the method corresponds to a resolution of the image data. 16. The information processing method according to claim 15, wherein extensions of file names of the plurality of files correspond to resolutions of the image data. 17. The file name of the plurality of files is:
16. The information processing method according to claim 15, wherein the method corresponds to a reduction rate indicating a resolution of the image data. 18. The data recorded on the recording medium,
Image data, the editing device creates computer graphics,
11. The information processing method according to claim 10, wherein the computer graphics is superimposed on the image data. 19. When a command to open a file is received from the editing device, the file is stored on the recording medium.
When the command to open the file and receive a command to close the file opened on the recording medium from the editing device is received, the file is closed, and the file opened on the recording medium from the editing device. When a command to read data is received, a command to read the data, transfer the data to the editing device via the network, and write data from the editing device to a file opened on the recording medium. 11. The information processing method according to claim 10, further comprising, when receiving the information, causing the communication unit to perform a process of writing data transferred from the editing device via the network. 20. The data recorded on the recording medium,
Image data, the editing device opens a file on the recording medium, reads the image data of the frame of interest from the opened file, and creates computer graphics to be superimposed on the frame, 11. The information processing method according to claim 10, wherein the created computer graphics is superimposed on the image data of the frame of interest. 21. The editing apparatus reads image data of a frame of interest from the opened file, creates computer graphics to be superimposed on the frame, and writes the created computer graphics to the 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the superimposing is performed on all frames of the image data stored in the opened file.
0. The information processing method according to 0. 22. An editing system, comprising: an information processing device capable of transmitting data in real time; and an editing device for performing editing by using data transferred from the information processing device. A processing unit that manages at least one or more recording media that can be randomly accessed, is connected to the editing device via a network, and exchanges data recorded on the recording medium with the editing device. ,
A communication unit functioning as an interface for exchanging data via the network. 23. The network, wherein two or more editing devices are connected to each other, and the communication unit is configured to edit each data when a request for data is received from a plurality of the two or more editing devices. 23. The editing system according to claim 22, wherein the requested data is simultaneously transferred to the device. 24. The communication device according to claim 23, wherein the communication unit performs a process for exchanging data with the editing device using a protocol for virtually making a remote file look like a local file. The editing system according to claim 22, which performs the editing. 25. The data recorded on the recording medium,
Image data, and the communication unit also performs processing for virtually showing the editing device such that a plurality of files storing the image data of a plurality of resolutions are recorded on the recording medium. The editing system according to claim 22, characterized in that: 26. The editing device, wherein the editing device is capable of designating a resolution of the image data to be transferred to the communication unit, wherein the communication unit converts the image data recorded on the recording medium into 26. The editing system according to claim 25, wherein the data is converted to a resolution specified by the editing device and transferred. 27. The file name of the plurality of files is:
The editing system according to claim 25, wherein the editing system corresponds to a resolution of the image data. 28. The editing system according to claim 27, wherein extensions of file names of the plurality of files correspond to resolutions of the image data. 29. The file name of the plurality of files is:
28. The editing system according to claim 27, wherein the editing system corresponds to a reduction ratio indicating a resolution of the image data. 30. Data recorded on the recording medium,
Image data, the editing device creates computer graphics,
23. The editing system according to claim 22, wherein the computer graphics is superimposed on the image data. 31. An editing method for an editing system, comprising: an information processing device capable of transmitting data in real time; and an editing device for editing using data transferred from the information processing device. The information processing device is a management unit that manages at least one or more recording media that is randomly accessible, is connected to the editing device via a network, and is recorded on the recording medium between the editing device and the editing device. Data
Communication means functioning as an interface for exchanging data via the network, wherein the communication means causes the data to be exchanged with the editing device via the network. Method. 32. The network is connected to two or more of the editing devices. When the communication unit receives a data request from a plurality of the two or more editing devices, each of the editing devices is edited. 32. The editing method according to claim 31, wherein requested data is transferred to the device at the same time. 33. The communication means, wherein a process for exchanging data with the editing device is performed by using a protocol for virtually making a remote file look like a local file. 32. The editing method according to claim 31, wherein: 34. The data recorded on the recording medium,
Image data, and also causes the communication unit to perform processing for virtually showing the editing device as if a plurality of files storing the image data of a plurality of resolutions were recorded on the recording medium. 32. The editing method according to claim 31, wherein: 35. The editing device is capable of designating a resolution of the image data to be transferred to the communication unit. The communication unit transmits the image data recorded on the recording medium to the communication unit. 35. The editing method according to claim 34, wherein the data is converted to a resolution specified by the editing device and transferred. 36. A file name of the plurality of files,
The editing method according to claim 35, wherein the editing method corresponds to a resolution of the image data. 37. The editing method according to claim 36, wherein an extension of a file name of the plurality of files corresponds to a resolution of the image data. 38. The file name of the plurality of files is:
37. The editing method according to claim 36, wherein the editing method corresponds to a reduction ratio indicating a resolution of the image data. 39. The data recorded on the recording medium,
Image data, the editing device creates computer graphics,
The editing method according to claim 31, wherein the computer graphics is superimposed on the image data. 40. When a command to open a file is received from the editing device,
When the command to open the file and receive a command to close the file opened on the recording medium from the editing device is received, the file is closed, and the file opened on the recording medium from the editing device. When a command to read data is received, a command to read the data, transfer the data to the editing device via the network, and write data from the editing device to a file opened on the recording medium. 32. The editing method according to claim 31, further comprising, when receiving the data, causing the communication unit to perform a process of writing data transferred from the editing device via the network. 41. Data recorded on the recording medium,
Image data, the editing device opens a file on the recording medium, reads image data of a frame of interest from the opened file, and creates computer graphics to be superimposed on the frame; 32. The editing method according to claim 31, wherein the created computer graphics is superimposed on the image data of the frame of interest. 42. The editing device reads image data of a frame of interest from the opened file, creates computer graphics to be superimposed on the frame, and writes the created computer graphics to the 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the superimposing is performed on all the frames of the image data stored in the opened file.
1. The editing method according to 1.