MX2007008670A - Content storage system, storage apparatus for use in the system, and method of controlling storage of content . - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a content storage system in which contents stored in all storage apparatuses are previewed at a time even when the identical content is stored in a plurality of storage apparatuses, and errors are detected within a short period of time.

Description

CONTENT STORAGE SYSTEM, STORAGE DEVICE FOR USE IN THE SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING STORAGE OF CONTENT REFERENCE TO RELATED REQUESTS This application is based on and claims the priority benefit of the above Japanese Patent Applications Nos. 2006-198460 , presented on July 20, 2006, No. 2006-201204, filed on July 24, 2006, and No. 2007-185741, filed on July 17, 2006, the complete contents of all of which are incorporated herein as reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a content storage system that encodes content such as video signals and audio signals to be used, for example, in broadcast stations to broadcast programs. , and stores this content in a plurality of storage devices, a storage apparatus for use in the system and a method for controlling the storage of content. 2. Description of the Related Branch The broadcast system of air programs in any broadcast station has video servers (storage devices). Each video server encodes and stores content, such as video signals and audio signals that will be used in the programs. In response to an air request for the program, the video server decodes the content. The decoded content is read from the video server and transmitted. To respond to the air request in a secure manner, two video servers, ie an active video server and a backup video server, are operated in parallel. If any problem develops in the active video server, the output is instantly changed from the output of the active video server to the output of the backup video server. In some cases, another backup video server can be used, whereby all three video servers are operated at the same time. The video servers used in the aforementioned broadcast program air system are operated in parallel, receive the same content, encode the content and store the encoded content, in order to transmit the same content stored in accordance with the program schedule of diffusion. The methods are available to store the same content in a plurality of video servers. In one method, the same content is input to the video servers at the same time, or in parallel. In another method, the video servers are connected to the source of the content, one after the other, so that the content can be stored on one server at a time. In order to copy the content data files, such as video data, into a plurality of storage devices such as video servers, a plurality of playback heads can read the same contents of a recording medium and the read content in this way it can be stored in the storage devices (eg, video servers) at the same time. (See, for example, Japanese Patent Application KOKAI Publication No. 5-210909, page 5, and Figure 1). Any video server used in the broadcast station must be designed in such a way that no video data containing noise resulting from errors made during storage is broadcast and reproduced. In many cases, the video and audio signals stored on video servers with data, such as Mobile Image Expert Group (MPEG) data, which have been compressed and encoded to contain data for broadcast. If the compressed and coded data stored in the video servers contains an error, which may be only a one-bit error, the decoding of the compressed codes will be greatly influenced, greatly damaging the quality of the reproduced image. With a data storage device of the ordinary type, it is sufficient to compare the digital data input thereto with the digital data output thereof., in order to confirm that the entry data and the output data are identical to each other. In any video server used in the broadcast station, however, the process of storing data involves admitting the above. Therefore, not only the stored data, but also the encoded data and the decoded data must be checked and confirmed. In other words, all the decoded signals on each video server, which will be broadcast, must be monitored to determine if they can be converted into images and sounds similar to the original images and sounds. In this way, the data stored in each video server is previewed to check if the data has no errors, or if the data has high enough quality to be disseminated. The greater the number of used video servers, which operates in parallel with the active video server, the longer the time spent on reviewing the data on the video servers, the longer the data (ie, the content). ), remain stored on all video servers. In addition, the burden of engraving on the operators who review the video servers will inevitably increase. As described above, with the content storage system used, for example, in any broadcast station, the accumulated data in storage devices operating in parallel must be reviewed again and again as long as the data remains stored in the storage devices. It takes a lot of time to review the content in the storage devices, and the work load is large on the part of the operators who check the data. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a content storage system, in which the content stored in all the storage devices can be edited at a time even when the content is identical, and errors, if the There are, therefore, can be detected within a short time. Another object of the invention is to provide a storage apparatus for use in this system and a method for controlling the storage of content. A content storage system according to the present invention is characterized in that it comprises. First to N storage devices (N is 2 or a larger natural number), each of which is configured to store content that contains at least any of a video signal and an audio signal; a supervisory apparatus that reviews the content stored in each of the first N storage devices; and a control apparatus that controls the storage of data in which the first to the N storage devices and the processing of the review outputs of the supervisor apparatus, wherein each of the first N storage devices comprises: a unit of encoding that receives and encodes the content; a memory unit to which the coded data obtained by the coding unit is written; a decoding unit that decodes the read coded data from the memory unit, back to the original content; and an input-output unit that receives data from the outside, writes the data to the memory unit, reads the data from the memory unit and outputs the data to the outside, the input-output units from the first to N devices. control are connected in series, the control apparatus causes the first storage device to receive the content and causes the memory unit 'of the first storage device to store the coded data generated by the coding unit of the first storage device, the The control device causes the storage device i (i to be any of the natural numbers 1 to Nl) to output the coded data from the memory unit of the storage device to the input-output unit thereof, the device of the storage unit. control causes the storage device (i + 1) to receive the encrypted data from the storage device i and write the encoded data to the memory unit of the storage device ( i + 1), thus copying and storing the coded data, the control device causes the storage device to read the coded data of the memory unit of the storage device N and cause the decoding unit to encode the data again to the original content, and the control apparatus causes the supervising apparatus to check the output of the contents of the storage device. A storage apparatus for use in a content storage system that first comprises N storage devices (N is 2 or a larger natural number), each of which is configured to store content containing at least any of a signal of video and an audio signal, a supervisory apparatus that reviews the contents stored in each of the first N storage devices, and a control device that controls the storage of data in each of the first N storage devices and review processing outputs of the supervising apparatus, the storage apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that it comprises: a coding unit that receives and encodes the content; a memory unit to which the coded data obtained by the coding unit is written; a decoding unit that decodes the coded data read by the memory unit, back to the original content; and an input-output unit that receives data from the outside, writes the data to the memory unit, reads the data from the memory unit and outputs the data to the outside, and which is connected in series with the input unit- output of the next stage storage apparatus provided in the content storage system. A method for controlling the storage of content in a content storage system, in accordance with the present invention, is characterized in that it first comprises N storage devices (N is 2 or a larger natural number), each of which is configured to store content containing at least any of a video signal and an audio signal and supervisor apparatus that reviews the content stored in each of the first and N storage devices, each of the first and N storage devices comprising a unit of encoding that receives and encodes the content, a memory unit to which the coded data obtained by the coding unit is written, a decoding unit that decodes the read coded data of the memory unit, again to the original content, and an input-output unit that receives data from the outside, writes the data to the memory unit, reads the data from the memory unit and outputs the data to the outside, the input-output units of the first and N storage devices being connected in series, the method understanding; causing the first storage device to receive the content and cause the memory unit to store the encoded data generated by the encoding unit, in the memory unit; making the storage device i (i is any of the natural numbers 1 through N-1) of output to the encoded data of the memory unit of the input-output unit; causing the storage device (i + 1) to receive, in the input-output unit, the coded data of the storage device i and write the coded data to the memory unit, thereby copying and storing the coded data; causing the storage device to read the coded data from the memory unit and cause the decoding unit to decode the coded data back to the original content, and cause the monitoring apparatus to check the content output of the storage device. Additional advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention can be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations noted particularly below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DIVERSE VIEWS OF THE DRAWING The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the modalities provided below, they serve to explain the principles of the invention. - Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the first embodiment of a content storage system according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a block diagram of function of one of the video servers used in the first mode; Figures 3A and 3B are system diagrams, each showing a specific connection of the data line 8; Figure 4 is a table showing the input-output relationship that the video servers have in the first mode with respect to a video-audio signal (content signal); Figure 5 is a flow chart explaining the output commands to the video servers provided in the first mode and a sequence of operations performed in response to the commands; Figure 6 is a flow chart explaining the second embodiment of the content storage system according to the invention and also explaining a sequence of operations performed in response to commands; Figure 7 is a graph explaining the timing of the input and output of signals to and from the servers provided in a third embodiment of the content storage system according to the present invention; Figure 8 is a table showing the input-output relationship that the video servers have in the third mode with respect to an audio-video signal (content signal); and Figure 9 is a flow chart that explains the output commands to the video servers provided in the third mode and a sequence of operations performed in response to the commands. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The embodiments of this invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. (First Mode) Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a content storage system according to the first embodiment of this invention. As shown in Figure 1, the system has a VTR / DVD 1, which provides original video-audio signals (content) that will be used in broadcast programs. Two or more VTR / DVDs (No. 1 to No. n), not a VTR / DVD 1, can be used in some cases. If a plurality of VTR / DVDs are used, the output of any of the VTR / DVDs can be selected by operating a switch 21. Note that the VTR / DVD 1 is an example of an original video-audio signal source. The VTR / DVD 1 can be replaced by another type of a signal source, such as a communications apparatus or an electronic device that supplies an original video-audio signal through a network (not shown). The system first comprises N servers 31 to 3N of video (N is 2 or a larger natural number). For simplicity of explanation, it is assumed that the first video server 31 is the server in action and that the other video servers 32 to 3N are backup servers. The video servers 31 to 3N are essentially identical in configuration. Each video server receives an input video-audio signal, encodes the signal, generates content data and writes (stores) the content data to the internal memory unit. In response to a request for the video-audio signal, the video server reads the contained data of the internal memory unit, decodes it again to the video-audio signal and outputs the video-ji audio signal . The video servers 31 to 3N are connected in series by a data line 8. The data line 8 is a transmission path that can transmit data at a rate, for example, gigabit. The data line 8 is used to transmit the coded content data stored in the first video server 31 to the second video server 32 and store the same, as copied data, in the second server 32. Similarly, line 8 data is used to transmit the coded content data stored in the video server i (i is any natural number from 1 to N) to the video server (i + 1) and store it, as copied data, in the server of video (i + 1). The video-audio signal output from the first to N video servers 31 to 3N can be selected by operating a switch 22. The video-audio signal selected by the switch 22 has output as a broadcast video-audio signal. The signal is supplied to a video-audio supervisor 5, also, in accordance with a request. The video-audio supercomputer 5 is an apparatus that displays the video signal and the audio signal contained in the video-audio input signal and check them for errors, either together or independently. The above-mentioned system comprises a console 4. The console 4 receives the operator inputs for the VTR / DVD 1, switches 21 and 22 and video servers 31 to 3N. The console 4 then generates control signals such as commands, which correspond to the operator inputs. The control signals are supplied from the console 4 to the other components of the system through a local area network (hereinafter referred to as a LAN) 7. The control signals control the components, respectively. For example, a control signal supplied to the video servers 31 to 3N controls the storage and reading of data to and from the servers 31 to 3N, and a control signal supplied to the switch 22 causes the switch 33 to select the output of broadcast video-audio signal from one of the video servers 31 to 3N and output thereto to the video-audio supervisor 5. More specifically, console 4 is connected by LAN 7 to the automatic program controller (APC) provided in the master apparatus (not shown) that is installed in a broadcast station. When operated by the operator, console 4 generates various control commands to play programs. Console 4 transmits commands (i.e., control signals) to VTR / DVD 1, switches 21 and 22 and video servers 31 to 3N. The console 4 can be a dedicated button pad or switch pad, an input device such as a keyboard, a display device, or a dedicated device that has an interface with the LAN 7, even though it is not shown in detail. Alternatively, the console 4 can be an information terminal such as a personal computer or a work station. The content data obtained by encoding a video-audio signal and stored in any of the video servers 31 to 3N (hereinafter referred to as the encoded content data) is transferred through the data line 8 to the video server of the video server. next stage connected in series. In this way, the encoded content data stored in the video server 31, for example, is transferred through the data line to the video server 32. The LAN 7 can be a network dedicated to the transmission of control signals in the broadcast station. In addition, LAN 7 can be replaced by a bus such as GP-IB or a network such as a process control network. The network I does not need to be a bus-connected. It can be a game of i links that connect devices in a one-to-one relationship. VTR / DVD 1, switches 21 and 22 and video servers 31 and 3N, all connected to LAN 7, each have an input / output signal interface. The signal input / output interface is connected to the LAN 7. j Figure 2 is a function block diagram of the video server 31. The other servers 32 to 3N video; they will not be described, because they are identical in configuration to the video server 31. As shown in Figure 2, the video server 31 comprises an internal bus 315 and a control bus 318. To the internal bus 315, a coding unit 311, a decoding unit 312, a memory unit 314, a I / O unit 317i and a 37 ° I / O unit are connected. The 1 I unit 317i of 1/0 is an input interface, and the 37 ° unit of I / O is an output interface. To control bus 318,; a coding unit 311, a decoding unit 312, a CPU 313, a memory unit 314, a control interface unit 316, 317i and 317 ° control I / O units, and an operation unit 319 are connected . The control interface unit 316 is connected to the LAN 7 and functions as an input / output interface for the control signals. The control I / O units 317i and 317 °, both shown in Figure 2, can be replaced by a single interface that works as both, an input interface and an output interface through timing control. For simplicity of explanation, however, it is assumed that two control interface units are used in the present embodiment. The video server 3 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. In the content storage system according to this embodiment, the VTR / DVD 1 reproduces the original video-audio signal upon receiving a storage command from the console 4 through the LAN 7. The video-audio signal has input to the video server 31. In the video server 31, the original video-audio signal has input to the coding unit 311. The coding unit 311 encodes the original video-audio signal to an MPEG signal at a coding rate of 18 Mbps. This coding is compression coding. Instead, it can be digital encoding in which the data is not compressed or encoded to write data to the memory unit 314. The content data obtained by encoding the original video-audio signal is supplied to the memory unit 314 via the internal bus 315 and is written (stored) to the memory unit 314. Up to now, the coding of signal and writing of data is a process of copy that is repeated in each video server. This is why the data stored in each video server must be checked to determine if the data has been copied correctly. In the present embodiment, the encoded content data is transferred between the video servers 31 to 3N through the data line 8 and is copied when the internal bus 315 is input and output on each of the servers 31 to 3N of video. In cadea video server, a storage command-start / end, a command that designates the copy source / copy destination, a playback command and the like, which are control signal transmitted from the console 4 through the LAN 7 are supplied to the control interface unit 316. In each of the video servers 31 to 3N, the operation unit 319 is, for example, a switch or marker. The operator can operate the operation unit 319, instead of the console 4, to thereby provide control signals, such as commands, to the control bus 319, either directly or through the control interface unit 316. The CPU 313 writes or reads the coded content data of the unit 311 or of the memory, coding unit 314 and writes or reads the coded content data to and from the memory unit 314, in accordance with the command input to through the control bus 318 and designating the storage, copying or revision of the data. If a playback command is input to the control interface unit 316, the encoded content data is read from the memory unit 314 and the decoding unit 312 is input through the internal bus 315. The decoding unit 312 decodes the content data to a broadcast video-audio signal. This signal is supplied to the switch 22. The data reproduced in the video server 31 is supplied through the switch 22 to the video-audio supervisor 5. In this way, the operator can review the data in the video-audio supervisor 5. As described above, the video server 31 has the control I / O units 317i and 317 °. The control I / O unit 317ik receives the content data coded at high speed and supplies the same to the internal bus 315.

The control unit 1/0 317 ° receives the encoded content data from the internal bus 315 at high speed and outputs it from the video server 31. When a copy control of the console 4 is supplied, the coded content data stored in the memory unit 314 is read and supplied to the control unit 1/0 which is provided at the input of the second video server 32. When the video server 32 receives a copy command, the coded content data received in the control unit 1/0 is written to the memory unit 314i, whereby the data is copied completely. Figures 3A and 3B are system diagrams, each showing a specific connection of the data line 8. More precisely, Figure 3A is a system diagram showing the data lines 8, each achieving the one-to-one link between the video server i (i is one of the natural numbers 1 to Nl), and the server of video (i + 1), so that the data can be transmitted at the speed of gigabits. In this case, the data line 8 connects the video server 3i to the video server 3 (i + 1). The operator can operate console 4, generating a command that designates the video server in which the data must be copied. This command is supplied to video servers 31 to 3N. The number of data lines 8 used is (N-1), where N is the number of video servers provided in the system. Figure 3B is a system diagram showing the data lines 8, to which the input side 1/0 unit 37i and the output side 37 ° 1/0 unit of each of the video servers 31 at 3N are connected by a common bus. In this case, the operator can operate console 4, subordinating the address of any copy destination (to which the data must be transferred) to the address of the copy source. Therefore, the copy destination is logically connected to the serial copy source, even when physically connected in parallel. Figure 4 is a four T that shows the input-output relationship between the video servers with respect to the video-audio signal. The operator operates console 4, designating the coded content data shown in table T and inputting the ID number of the video server to which the data must be copied, in the input menu shown in the presentation provided in the console 4. The data items entered in console 4 in this way are input, as commands, from console 4 to servers 31 to 3N video and switches 21 and 22 through LAN 7. Using these items of data, the data is written, read, transferred and copied as described above. In each of the video servers 31 to 3N, the address data for transmitting data through the data line 8 and the data number of the video server Id are handled in association. The video server from which a packet must be transmitted through a data line 8 and the video server to which the packet is to be transmitted via the data line 8 are determined from the address of the packet. As seen from Figure 4, the content article name "ABN1" (symbol "of the original video-audio signal accumulated on the VTR / DVD 1 is recorded in the" content "row. content is common to VTR / DVD 1 and video servers 31 to 3N Strictly speaking, each original video-audio signal has a content article name, eg, "ABN1-1 before it is encoded, and another content article name, e.g., "ABN1-2", after it has been coded, that is, the signal is handled under a name before it is coded and under another name after it has been coded. Then, however, "ABNl" will be used as the content article name of the original video-audio signal, so as not to complicate the description.The numbers shown in the row of "0 system", row "1 system", and row "2 system" of the T box shown in Figure 4 are the serial numbers distributed to the video servers, which are designated as active server, a backup server and another backup server, respectively. Each serial number can correspond to "31", "32", or "3N". For simplicity, however, it is assumed here that only three video servers 31, 32, and 33 are used for system 0, system 1, and system 2, respectively. The source of the original audio-video signal or encoded content data is recorded in the "entry" row. The destination of the original audio-video signal or encoded content data is recorded in the "output" row. The original video-audio signal is first input to the video server 31 from the VTR / DVD 1 and leaves the video server 31 to the video server 32, and then leaves the video server 32 to the video server 33. In Figure 4, the "*" mark registered in the "monitor" row for system 2 means that the video server 33 is the server in the final stage in this case. Therefore, the broadcast video-audio signal generated from the video-audio signal read from the VTR / DVD 1 has output to the video-audio monitor 5. The monitor 5 presents the image represented by the broadcast video-audio signal and generates the sound represented by this signal. To make the monitor 5 present the image represented by the data stored in an intermediate video server 3i and generate the sound represented by this data, it is sufficient to put the "*" mark against the video server 31. Figure 5 is a flow chart that explains the handshake to the three video servers 31 to 33 in the first mode and an example of the sequence of operations performed in response to these commands. It is assumed that the operator operates the keyboard in console 4, giving input to the data items shown in table T (Figure 4) to store the content article "ABN1" and a "GO" command to start storing the article of content "ABN1". Then, the console 4 generates various commands, which are transmitted to the video servers 31 to 33, the VTR / DVD 1 and the switches 21 and 22 through the LAN 7. the video server 31 receives a command instructing to instruct that the server 31 must store an original video-audio signal (content article name) and transmit the stored data to the video server 32. The video server 32 receives a command that instructs the server 32 to receive a coded file from the video server 31, k a copy of the encoded file and transmit the encoded file to the video server 33. The video server 33 receives a command instructing that the server 33 should receive the encoded file from the video server 32 and copy the encoded file. In the row for the video server 31, included in the T box, it is described that the content article "ABNl" must be purchased from the VTR / DVD 1 and stored in the video server 31. Therefore, a selection command is transmitted to the switch 21, instructing that the switch 21 must connect the video server 31 to the VTR / DVD 1 ((Step SI) .The console 4 transmits a command to the VTR / DVD 1 through from LAN 7, which causes the VTR / DVD 1 output to content article "ABN1." Console 4 then transmits a storage recoding to server 31 of video through LAN 7, causing server 31 to code the content article "ABN1" stores the encoded content in the memory unit 314, provides a transmission notification to the video server 32 and transmits the content article "ABN1" to the video server 32 (Step S2). the console 4 transmits a first copy command to the video server 32 through the LAN 7, causing the server 32 to receive the content article "ABN1", from the video server 31, copy the content article "ABN1" into the unit 314 of memora, provides a transmission notification to the video server 33 and transmits the content article "ABN1" to the video server 33. The console 4 transmits a second copy command to the video server 33 through the LAN 7, causing the server 33 to receive the content article "ABN1" from the video server 32 and copy the content article "ABN1" (Step S3). On the video server 31, the CPU 313 continues to monitor the control bus 318, reads the re-encoding command coming through the LAN 7, and writes the coded content article "ABN1" of the encoding unit 311 to the memory unit 314 (in this way, storing the content data) (Step S4). The video server 31 gives a transmission notification to the video server 32 through the LAN 7 or the data line 8 and transmits the coded content article "ABN1" to the video server 32 through the data line 8 (Step S4-1). In video server 32, CPU 313 initiates monitoring of LAN 7 or data line 8 when video server 32 receives the first copy command sent through LAN 7. After receiving a transmission notification , the video server 32 receives the coded content article "ABN1" that follows the notification. The encoded content is copied or written to the memory unit 314 (Step S5). The video server 32 then transmits a transmission notification to the video server 33 through the LAN 7 or the data line 8 (Step S5-1). In the video server 33, the CPU 12 initiates the monitoring of the LAN 7 or the data line 8 when the video server 33 receives the second copy command sent through the LAN 7. After receiving a transmission notification , the video server 33 receives the coded content article "ABNl" that follows the notification. The encoded content is copied or written to the memory unit 314 (Step S6). After the second coded content article "ABN1" has been copied to the video server 33, the operator operates the console 4, generating a playback command, which has output to the video server 33 through LAN 7 ( Step S7). The playback control contains a knob which causes the switch 22 to connect the output of the video server 33 to the video-audio monitor 5. Therefore, in the video server 33 that has received the playback command, the coded content article "ABN1" is read from the memory unit 314 and decoded by the decoding unit 312, and the content data is decodes has output to video-audio monitor 5 through switch 22 (Step S8). The first mode of the content storage system can have two video servers only. If this is the case, the system operates without the second video server 32. (Second Mode) A second mode of the content storage system in accordance with this invention will be described, with reference to Figure 6. The second mode is identical to the first modality in terms of system configuration. Therefore, your system configuration will not be described. Only a sequence of operations performed in the second mode will be explained, because the sequence differs from the sequence of operations performed in the first mode. Figure 6 is a flow chart that explains the output commands to three video servers 31 to 33 provided in the second mode and that explains a sequence of I operations performed in response to the commands. 1 Assume that the operator operates the keyboard in console 4, giving input to the data items shown in the T box (Figure 4) and a "GO" ("IR") command to start the data storage. Then, console 4 generates three commands, which are transmitted to video servers 31, 32 and 33, respectively, through LAN 7. The command | transmitted to the video server 31 instructs that the server 31 must encode an original video-audio signal (name j of content article), store the content data! obtained by coding the signal, reads the content data j encoded and outputs the data content read. The command transmitted to the video server 32 instructs that the server 32 must receive the encoded content data from the video server 31, copy or store this content data, read the content data and output the read content data. The command transmitted to the video server 33 instructs that the server 33 should receive the encoded content data from the video server 32 and copy or store this content data. The console 4 also generates a reproduction loop and two switching controls. The playback control is transmitted to the VTR / DVD 1 via the LAN 7. the switching commands are transmitted to the switches 21 and 22, respectively, through the LAN 7. In the row for the video server 31 ( that is, system 0), included in the T box, it is described that the transmitted content of VTR / DVD 1 must be stored in the video server 31. Therefore, the console 4 transmits a selection knob to the switch 21, instructing that the switch 21 must connect the video server 31 to the VTR / DVD 1 (Step SI). Next, a playback command is transmitted to the VTR / DVD 1 through the LAN 7 so that the content article "ABN1" can receive output to the video server 31, and a recoding control is transmitted to the server 31 of video over the LAN 7 so that the content article "ABN1" can be encoded and stored in the video server 31 (SO Step). A first copy command to download the content article "ABN1" of the video server 31 is transmitted to the video server 32 through the LAN 7, and a second copy command to download the content article "ABN1" of the server 32 of video is transmitted to the video server 33 through LAN 7 (Step S30). In the video server 31, the CPU 313 keeps monitoring the control bus 318, reads the re-encoding command coming through the LAN 7, and writes the coded content article "ABNl" of the coding unit 311 to the memory unit 414, in this way storing the content data (Step S40). In the video server 32, the CPU 313 initiates the monitoring of the internal timer (not shown) when it receives a copy command coming through the LAN 7. During the lapse of a redetermined time (for example, ti) within the that the content article "ABN1" must be stored in the video server 31, or in the timing of starting the copying of the content article "ABNl" in response to the copy command, the video server 32 has access to the server 31 video over the LAN 7. Then, the encoded content article "ABNl" is downloaded from the memory unit 314 of the video server 31 to the video server 32 through the data line 8. In the video server 32, the coded content article "ABN1" is written to the memory unit 314 via the internal bus 315, thereby copying the coded content article "ABN1" (Step S50). If the coded content article "ABN1" has not been fully stored in the video server 31, the video server 32 will have access to the video server 31 again during the above predetermined time lapse in order to copy the content article. encoded "ABN1". In the video server 33, the CPU 313 initiates the monitoring of the internal timer (not shown) when receiving a copy command that comes through the LAN 7. During the period of a preset time (for example, 2 x ti or more) within which the content article "ABN1" must be stored in the video server 31, or at the start time of the copying of the content article "ABN1" in response to the copy command, the video server 32 has access to video server 31 through LAN 7. Then, the coded content article "ABN1" is downloaded from memory unit 314 of video server 32 to video server 32 through line 8 of data. In the video server 33, the coded content article "ABN1" is written to the memory unit 314 via the internal bus 315, thereby copying the coded content article "ABN1" (Step S60).

If the coded content article "ABN1" has not been fully stored in the video server 32, the video server 33 will have access to the video server 32 again during the time period readjusted in order to copy the coded content article " ABN1". In the video server 33, when the encoded content is completely copied, a copy termination notification may be transmitted to the console 4 through the LAN 7 and displayed, for example, in a presentation. After the encoded content is completely copied to the video server 33, the operator operates the console 4, which generates a playback command. The playback command has output to the video server 33 through LAN 7 (Step S7). This playback command contains a knob which causes the switch 22 to connect the output of the video server 33 to the video-audio monitor 5. Therefore, in the video server 33 that has received the playback command, the content article "ABN1" is read from the memory unit 314 and decoded by the decoding unit 312, and the decoded content data has output to video-audio monitor 5 through switch 22 (Step S8).

In the video servers 32 and 33 of the first and second embodiments described above, the video-audio signal has no input to the coding unit 311, and the encoded content data is copied into the digital data form and transferred. to the next stage video server through line 8 of data. If any error is developed in the copying process in the next stage video server (eg, server 32), the video-audio signal output of the final stage video server 33 will represent an image or sound which is abnormal in quality. In this way, whether errors have been developed in the copying process can be determined by checking the video-audio signal on the video-audio monitor 5. It can be determined on which video server the copying error has occurred, only if the switch 33 is operated, thereby supplying the outputs of the servers 31 to 33 to the video-audio monitor 5, one after the other and then reviewing them one by one. As described above, the error control is performed before and after copying the digital data and during the data transfer. The probability of registering content data containing error in the final stage video server 33 is therefore very low. In view of this, the coded content data accumulated in the end stage video server 33 is supplied to the video-audio monitor 5 through the switch 22 and is reviewed on the video-audio monitor 5. If the reproduced image and sound of the encoded content data are almost identical in quality to the original image and sound represented by the original video-audio signal, it is confirmed, by a single revision, that the encoded content data is stored, in normal way, in all video servers connected in series. If errors are found in the content data stored in the final stage video server, a console 4 command is input through the switch 22 to the video server 3 immediately upstream (e.g., the server). 32 of video in the case described above). The output of the content data of the video server is checked, determining if the normal data has been reproduced. In this way, you can save by confirming if the copy error has been developed. With the content storage system in accordance with the present invention, the operator needs to perform the revision only a few times. This greatly reduces the workload on the operator.

(Third Mode) A third embodiment of the content storage system according to this invention will be described, with reference to Figures 7 to 9. The third embodiment is identical to the first embodiment in terms of system configuration. Thus, your system configuration will not be described. Only a sequence of operations performed in the second mode will be explained, because the sequence differs from the sequence of operations performed in the first mode. The time required to store any content data is equal to the time required to disseminate the corresponding program. This is the time required to review the content data. However, the content data can be read while it is being written, or it can be stored and reviewed at the same time. The time required to store and revise the dat, therefore, may be the same as the time required to disseminate the corresponding program. In this case, the efficiency of use of devices and devices can be raised in the content storage system. That is, the video servers 31 to 3N of this mode of the content storage system have a memory unit 314 each, from which the data can be read and output while the data is being written to it. The memory unit 314 may be a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory, or any other recording means. The prior art of reading and outputting data is magnetic tape recording, in which a recording head and a reproduction head are used. For any means of registration, a registration-reproduction method is now available, in which the data can be read while the same data is being written. Here, a method called "fish reproduction", which uses a semiconductor memory and can perform copying and revision almost at the same time, will be explained. Figure 7 is a graph that explains the time to input and output signals to and from video servers 31 to 33. Suppose that an article of content (a broadcast program) has a duration of T minutes. The video-audio signal for the content is encoded in units of frames. Each frame has a duration of F. { msec } . To achieve breeding fishing, a frame of the video signal is supplied from a video server to the video server of the next stage within time p. { msec } shorter than the duration of a frame F. { msec } . Times ti to tlO, which are shown in Figure 7 and will be explained, are operation times. In the NTS television system, the duration of a picture is around 33. { msec } . An audio-video signal is input from the VTR / DVD 1 to video server 31 (ti). During the time period di. { msec } to encode about three frames, the video-audio signal is written to the memory unit 314 as a coded content data (t2). The reading of the coded content data of the memory unit 314 starts immediately (several milliseconds to tenths of milliseconds later) (t3). Then, the transfer of the encoded content data to the next stage video server 32 is started (t4). In the video server 32, the received encoded content data is written to the memory unit 314 in the same manner as in the video server 31 (t5). Immediately after the data is written 8 milliseconds to tenths of milliseconds later), it is read from memory unit 314 (t6). The data read in this way is transferred to the video server 33 (t7). In the video server 33, the same process is performed as in the video server 32 (t8). However, the read coded content data of the memory unit 314 (t9) is not transferred to the next stage video server. Instead, the encoded content data is decoded and output to the video-audio monitor 5 (tlO). At this point, the video server 3N outputs the encoded content data within the decoding time d2. { msec } . The read start time (t2), during which the encoding content data is read from the memory unit 314, was indicated as being within a period ranging from several milliseconds to tenths of milliseconds. Depending on the recording method in use, however, the read start time (t2) may be several seconds. If the process sequence described above is performed, the time between the input of the video-audio signal from the VTR / DVD 1 and the presentation of the image represented by the signal is sufficiently long in units of seconds. The encoded video data is stored and edited at almost the same time even when this data is copied and stored on three video servers. Therefore, the two processes, that is, store and review, can be done at the same time, spending almost the same time as the storage time or review time.

Figure 8 is a T-box showing the input-output relationship that the video servers have in the third mode with respect to a video-audio signal (content signal). The items shown in this table T will not be explained, because they are similar to those shown in Figure 4. This T | box is characterized in the mode rows. The register mode in each of these rows is a combination of four operation symbols, that is, coding-storage "C", copying-storage "W", transferring "S" and reproduction (outputting the encoded data) "R " That is, the mode is "C" if the video servers 31 to 3N perform the encoding-storage only. The mode is "CS" if the video servers 31 to 3N read and transfer the data while they write and store the data. The mode is "WS" if the video servers 31 to 3N transfer the data while copying and storing the data (or reading the data as it is written). The mode is XWR "if the video servers 31 to 3N decode and output the data while copying and storing the data (or reading the data as it is written.) The video server 31 is dedicated to" CS ", the video server 32 to "R", and video server 33 to "RW." Mode is "CR" if the data must be decoded and output while it is being stored. Console 4 generates commands in accordance with the name of content article, the source and destination from which each video server receives and outputs the content data.The commands generated in this way are transmitted to the video servers through LAN 7. The Figure 9 is a flow chart that explains the output monos to the video servers provided in the third mode and a sequence of operations performed in response to the commands.Note that Figure 7 shows the data reading time while the data it is being written, on each server that has been in waiting mode shortly before and has received the command. Assume that the operator operates console 4, giving input to the data items shown in table T (Figure 8) about the content article name "ABN1" and a "GO" command to start data storage. Then the console 4 generates three commands, which are transmitted to the video servers 31, 32 and 33, respectively, through the LAN 7. The command transmitted to the video server 31 instructs that the server 31 must store a video signal - original audio (content article name) and must transmit the signal to the video server 32. The command transmitted to the video server 32 instructs that the server 32 must receive the encrypted content data from the server 31 of video, you must copy this content data and you must transmit the data to the video server 33. The command transmitted to the video server 33 instructs the server 33 must receive the encrypted content data from the server 32 of video and you must copy or store this content data. Console 4 also generates commands, which are transmitted to VTR / DVD 1 and switches 21 and 22 via LAN 7, so that each content article can be transmitted from VTR / DVD 1 and switches 21 and 22. In the row for the video server 31 (ie, system 0), included in the T box, it is described that the transmitted content of the VTR / DVD 1 must be encoded and stored in the video server 31. Therefore, the console 4 transmits a selection command to switch 21, instructing switch 21 to connect video server 31 to VTR / DVD 1 (Step S101). Console 4 transmits a command to VTR / DVD 1 through LAN 7, causing VTR / DVD 1 output to content article "ABN1". The console 4 also transmits a command to the video server 31 through the LAN 7, causing the server 31 to encode the article of; "ABN1" content in the coding unit 311 and write j the encoded content to the memory unit 314, and provide a transmission notification to the video server 32. Console 4 transmits a copy command to the server 32 of video through LAN 7, causing server 31 to read and transmit the content article "ABN1" to server 32, while this data is being written (Step S102). In addition, the console 4 transmits a first command of i I copy to the video server 32 through the LAN 7, causing the server 32 to receive the content article "ABN1" of the video server 31, copy the content article "ABN1" j in the memory unit 314, provides a transmission notification to the video server 33 when the | write data, and read and transmit the content article "ABN1" to the video server 33, while the content article "ABN1" is being written. The console 4 transmits a second copy command to the video server 33 through the LAN 7, causing the server 33 to receive the content article "ABN1" from the video server 32, copy the article of content "ABN1" in the memory unit 314, read the content article "ABN1", while article i of content "ABN1" is being written and decoded and output to the content article "ABN1" (Step S103). In the video server 31, the CPU 313 continues to monitor the control bus 318, reads the re-encoding command that comes through the LAN 7 and encodes the encoded content article "ABN1" of the coding unit 311 to the memory unit 314, thus storing the content data. The server ! 31 then transmits a transmission-notification signal to the video server 32 through LAN 7 or data line 8, notifying the start of transmission of data (Step S104). i l Subsequently, the CPU 313 of the video server 31 reads the encoded data to the memory unit 314, j while the coded data is being written from the memory unit 314. The data encoded in this way I read is transmitted to the video server 32 through the data line 8 (Step S104-1). In the video server 32, the CPU 313 initiates the monitoring of the LAN 7 or the data line 8 when it receives the first copy command coming through the LAN 7. on receiving the transmission-notification signal, the server 32 of video receives the coded data "ABN1" that comes through line 8 of data. The data is copied to the memory unit 314. The video server 32 also transmits a transmit-notify signal to the video server 33 through the LASN 7 or data line 8, notifying the start of the data transmission (Step S105). Subsequently, the CPU 313 of the video server 32 reads the coded data of the memory unit 314, while the coded data is being written to the memory unit 314. The coded data read in this way is transmitted to the video server 33 through the data line 8 (Step S105-1). In the video server 33, the CPU 313 initiates the monitoring of the LAN 7 or the data line 8 when it receives the second copy command through the LAN 7. On receiving the transmission-notification signal, the server 33 of video receives the coded data "ABN1" that comes through the line 8 of data. The data is copied or written to the memory unit 314. The data is read from the memory 341 and decoded by the decoding unit 312. The decoded data has output to video-audio monitor 5 through switch 22 (Step S106). The present embodiment of the content storage system can have two video servers only.

If this is the case, the system operates without the second video server 32. On video servers 32 and 33, no video-audio signals enter the As as described above, the coding unit 311. Instead, the encoded content data is copied into the digital data form and merely transferred to the next stage video server through the data line 8. If any error in the copying process is developed in the next stage video server (e.g., server 32), the video-audio signal output of the final stage video server 33 will represent an image or sound which is abnormal in quality. However, the probability of registering content data containing error in the final stage video server 33 is very low because the error control is done before and after copying the digital data and during the data transfer. In view of this, the coded content data accumulated in the end stage video server 33 is supplied to the video-audio monitor 5 through the switch 22 and is reviewed on the video-audio monitor 5. If the reproduced image and sound of the encoded content data are almost identical in quality to the original image and sound reproduced by the original video-audio signal, a single revision can confirm that the encoded content data is stored, in a normal way, on all video servers connected in series. In addition, the time required to store the data, including the review time, is only a few seconds longer than the time required to output the original video-audio signal. This is because the data is checked while it is being recorded. If any error is found in the output data of the final stage video server 33 while it is being reviewed, a console 4 command is input through the switch 22 to the video server immediately upstream (v.gr). ., the video server 32 in the case described above). The content data output of this video server is reviewed, determining if the normal data has been reproduced. In this way, you can save time in confirming where the copy error has developed. As described, in the content storage system according to the present invention, the content stored in all the storage devices can be checked at the same time. Therefore, the greater the number of video servers provided to store broadcast video-audio signals, and the longer the broadcast time of each video-audio signal, the more time the review can be decreased. This greatly reduces the workload on the operator. Advantages and additional modifications will easily occur to those experienced in the field. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims (17)

1. CLAIMS 1.- A content storage system that includes. first to N storage devices (N is 2 or a larger natural number), each of which is configured to store content containing at least any of a video signal and an audio signal; A monitor apparatus that reviews the content stored in each of the first N storage devices; and a control apparatus that controls the data storage in each of the first N storage devices and the output review processing of the monitor apparatus, wherein each of the first N storage devices comprises: a coding unit that receives and encodes the content; a memory unit to which the encoded data contained by the coding unit is written; a decoding unit that decodes the read coded data from the memory unit, back to the original content; and an input-output unit that receives data from the outside, writes the data to the memory unit, reads the data from the memory unit and outputs the data to the outside, the input-output units from the first to N devices of storage are connected in series, the control device causes the first storage device to receive the content and causes the memory unit of the first storage device to store the encoded data generated by the coding unit to the first storage device, the device control means that the storage device i (i is any of the natural numbers 1 to Nl) of output to the encoded data of the memory unit of the storage device ia the input-output unit thereof; the control device causes the storage device (i + 1) to receive the coded data from the storage device i and write the coded data to the memory unit of the storage device (i + 1), copying and storing in this way the coded data, the control apparatus causes the storage apparatus N to read the coded data from the storage unit memory unit N and causes the decoding unit of the storage apparatus N to decode the coded data back to the original content, and the control apparatus causes the monitor apparatus to check the content output of the storage device N.
2. 2. - The content storage system according to claim 1, wherein the first to N storage devices have a function of reading the encoded data, while they write the coded data, and the control device causes the device of storage and read the coded data of the memory unit and output to the encoded data to the outside, while writing the coded data to the memory unit, and causes the storage device (i + 1) to receive the coded data of the storage unit. storage device i and write the encoded data to the memory unit.
3. 3. - The content storage system according to claim 1, wherein the first N storage devices have an output interface and an input interface, and the output interface of the storage device i is connected to the input interface of the storage device (i + 1). j
4. 4. - The content storage system according to claim 1, wherein the input-output units of the first N storage devices I have an input interface and an output interface, and the output interface of the storage device i is connected to the input interface of the storage device (i + 1).
5. 5. - The content storage system according to claim 1, further comprising a switch that selects any of the decoded outputs of the storage devices first to N and supplies the decoded output, which has been selected, to the monitor apparatus, and wherein the control apparatus causes the switch to select the decoded output of any designated storage device.
6. 6. - The content storage system according to claim 1, wherein the control device transmits a storage command to the first storage device, instructing that the first storage device must encode and store the content in the storage unit. memory, it must provide a transmission notification to the second storage device after storing the content, it must read the encoded data of the memory unit and transmit the encoded data to the second storage device.; the control apparatus transmits a copy command to the storage device (i + 1), instructing that the storage device (i + 1) must receive the transmitted coded data from the storage device i, it must write the coded data to the unit memory, thus copying the encrypted data, must provide a transmission notification to a storage device (i + 2), if there is one, after the encoded data has been copied, it must read the coded data of the unit of memory and must transmit the encoded data to the storage device (i + 2); and the first to N storage devices carry out processes in accordance with transmitted controls of the control device.
7. 7. The content storage system according to claim 1, wherein the control apparatus transmits a storage command to the first storage device, instructing that the first storage device must encode the content and must write the content to the memory unit, thus storing the content; the control apparatus transmits a copy command to the storage device (i + 1), instructing that the storage device (i + 1) must download the encrypted data from the storage device i and write the encoded data to the memory unit, 'copying the coded data in this way; and the first N storage devices perform processes in accordance with commands transmitted from the control device.
8. 8. The content storage system according to claim 2, wherein the control device transmits a storage command to the first storage device, instructing that the first storage device must encode the content, must write the encoded content to the memory unit, thus storing the encoded content, must provide a transmission notification to the second storage device after the storage of the content has started, it must read the encoded content of the memory unit, while the Coded content is being written to the memory unit; the control apparatus transmits a copy command to the storage device (i + 1), instructing that the storage device (i + 1) must receive the coded data of the storage device i, it must write the coded data to the unit of storage. memory, thus copying the encrypted data, must provide a transmission notification to the storage device (i + 1), if any, after the storage of the content has started, it should read the encrypted data of the storage unit. memory, while the coded data is being written to the memory unit, and must transmit the coded data to the storage device (i + 2) and the first to the N storage devices carry out processes in accordance with transmitted controls of the control device .
9. 9. The content storage system according to claim 2, wherein the control device transmits a storage command to the first storage device, instructing that the first storage device must encode the content and must write the content to the memory unit, thus storing the content; the control apparatus transmits a copy command to the storage device (i + 1), instructing that the storage device (i + 1) must download the encrypted data from the storage device i and write the encoded data to the memory unit, copying the coded data in this way; and the first to N storage devices perform processes in accordance with transmitted controls of the control device.
10. 10. A storage device for use in a content storage system that first comprises N storage devices (N is 2 or a larger natural number), each of which is configured to store content containing at least any of a video signal and an audio signal, a monitoring device that reviews the contents stored in each of the first N storage devices, and a control device that controls the storage of data in each of the first N storage devices and the processing of review outputs of the apparatus monitor, the storage apparatus comprising: a coding unit that receives and encodes the content; a memory unit to which the coded data obtained by the coding unit is written; a decoding unit that decodes the read coded data from the memory unit, back to the original content; and an input-output unit that receives data from the outside, writes the data to the memory unit, reads the data from the memory unit and outputs the data to the outside, and which is connected in series to the input unit- output of the next stage storage apparatus provided in the content storage system.
11. 11. - The storage apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the memory unit has a function of outputting the encoded data, while storing the encoded data.
12. 12. - A method to control the storage of content in a content storage system that first comprises N storage devices (N is 2 or a larger natural number), each of which is configured to store content it contains when less any of a video signal and an audio signal and monitor apparatus that reviews the content stored in each of the first N storage devices, each of the first N storage devices comprising a coding unit that receives and encodes the content, a memory unit towards which the coded data obtained from the coding unit is written, a decoding unit decodes the read coded data from the memory unit, back to the original content, and an input-output unit which receives data from the outside, writes the data to the memory unit, reads the data from the memory unit and outputs the data to the outside, the s input-output units from the first to the N storage devices being connected in series, the method comprising: causing the first storage device to receive the content and cause the memory unit to store the coded data generated by the encoding unit, in the memory unit; causing the storage device i (i to be any of the natural numbers 1 to Nl) to output the coded data from the memory unit to the input-output unit, causing the storage device (i + 1) to receive , in the input-output unit, the coded data of the storage device i and write the coded data to the memory unit, copying in this way and storing the coded data, causing the storage device to read the coded data of the storage unit. memory unit and causing the decoding unit to decode the encoded data back to the original content, and cause the monitor apparatus to check the content output of the storage device.
13. 13. - The method according to claim 12, wherein if the first N storage devices have a function of reading the encoded data, while they write the coded data, the storage device i is made to read the coded data and output to the coded data, while writing the coded data, and the storage device (i + 1) is made to receive the coded data of the storage device i, and write the coded data to the memory unit.
14. 14. The method according to claim 12, wherein, in order to make the storage apparatuses first to N perform conformity processes with commands, a storage command is transmitted to the first storage apparatus, instructing that the first storage device of the first storage apparatus. storage must encode and store the content in the memory unit, thus storing the content, must provide a transmission notification to the second storage device after the content has been stored and should read the encoded data from the memory unit and transmitting the encoded data to the second storage device; and a copy command is transmitted to the storage device (i + 1), instructing that the storage device (i + 1) must receive the encrypted data of the storage device i, it must write to the memory unit, copied from this way the coded data must provide a transmission notification to a storage device (i + 2), if there is one, after the encoded data has been copied, it must read the coded data of the memory unit and must transmit the encoded data to the storage device (i + 2).
15. 15. - The method according to claim 12, wherein, to make the first to N storage devices conduct processes in accordance with commands, a storage command is transmitted to the first storage device, giving instructions that the first The storage device must encode the content and write the encoded content to the memory unit, thus storing the decoded content; and a copy command is transmitted to the storage device (i + 1), instructing that the storage device (i + 1) must download the coded data from the memory unit to the storage device i and must write the coded data to the memory unit.
16. 16. - The method according to claim 13, wherein, in order to make the storage apparatuses first to N perform conformity processes with commands, a storage command is transmitted to the first storage device, instructing that the first apparatus storage must encode the content, you must write the encrypted data to the memory unit, thus storing the encrypted data, you must provide a transmission notification to the second storage device after the storage of the content has started, you must read in sequencing the encoded data of the memory unit and must transmit the encoded data to the second storage device; and a copy command is transmitted to the storage device (i + 1), instructing that the storage device (i + 1) must receive the encrypted data of the storage device i, it must write the coded data to the memory unit, copying the encrypted data in this way, you must provide a notification of transmission to a storage device (i + 2) if there is one, after the copying of the content has begun, you must read the encoded data of the unit in sequence. memory and must transmit the encrypted data to the storage device (i + 2).
17. 17. The method according to claim 13, wherein, in order to make the first N storage apparatuses perform processes in accordance with commands, a storage command is transmitted to the first storage device, instructing that the first storage device of the storage device. storage must encode the content, you must write the encrypted data to the memory unit, thus storing the encrypted data, you must provide a transmission notification to the second storage device after the storage of the content has started, you must read in sequence the coded data of the memory unit and must transmit the coded data to the second storage device; and a copy command is transmitted to the storage device (i + 1), instructing that the storage device (i + 1) must receive the encrypted data of the storage device i, it must write the coded data to the memory unit, copying the encrypted data in this way, you must provide a notification of transmission to a storage device (i + 2) if there is one, after the copying of the content has started, you must read the encoded data of the unit in sequence. memory and must transmit the encrypted data to the storage device (i + 2). 17. The method according to claim 13, wherein, in order to make the first N storage apparatuses perform processes in accordance with commands, a storage command is transmitted to the first storage device, instructing that the first storage device of the storage device. storage must encode the content and write the encoded data to the memory unit, thus storing the encoded data; and a copy command is transmitted to the storage device (i + 1), giving instructions that the storage device (i + 1) must download in sequence and write the coded data to the memory unit, while the coded data is being read from the memory unit of the storage device i.