JP4228402B2 - Data editing apparatus and data editing method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a data editing apparatus and a data editing method, and is applied to, for example, an authoring apparatus that edits and creates recording data consisting of video and audio to be recorded on an optical disc called a DVD (Digital Video Disc / Digital Versatile Disc). Is preferred.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, an optical disk called DVD has been put into practical use as a recording medium that compresses and encodes images, sounds, and the like. In this DVD, the MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) standardized by ISO (International Standardization Organization) etc. is adopted as a compression encoding method, and by this high-efficiency compression encoding is performed, images, sounds, etc. It is designed to record efficiently.
[0003]
In the MPEG system, a compression coding system is defined separately for each image and sound, and the image is defined by a system that combines motion compensation prediction and two-dimensional DCT (Discrete Cosine Transform). The voice is defined by a method using a subband coding method.
[0004]
The recording data to be recorded on such a DVD is digital encoding of still images such as moving images, audio, or subtitles to be recorded based on the MPEG system, etc., and these encoded data are in accordance with the DVD standard. It is generated by multiplexing in the format. Such an editing work is generally called authoring, and an apparatus used for the editing work is called an authoring apparatus.
[0005]
The authoring apparatus includes a plurality of encoders for digitally encoding the above-described moving image, sound, still image, or the like based on the MPEG system, and the like, and for multiplexing various data encoded by these encoders. Multiplexer, hard disk for storing the various encoded data and multiplexed data, a viewer for reading and confirming the data multiplexed by the multiplexer from the hard disk, and after confirmation by the viewer It comprises a tape streamer for reading the data multiplexed by the multiplexer from the hard disk and downloading it to a tape-like recording medium, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In such an authoring apparatus, each encoder encodes a video signal, an audio signal, a still image signal, or the like according to the MPEG method or the like, and sequentially stores each encoded data obtained as a result.
[0007]
The multiplexer in the authoring device interleaves encoded data such as images, audio, and subtitles stored in the hard disk, and multiplexes to create recording data called disk image data together with various format files of DVD Processing is performed. The created recording data is stored in the hard disk.
[0008]
This recording data is read from the hard disk by the tape streamer and downloaded as a cutting master onto the tape-shaped recording medium in order to create a disk stamper in the next authoring process (mastering process). Become.
[0009]
However, in the conventional authoring apparatus, when the authoring process is performed a plurality of times, for example, after the authoring process for one movie (one DVD disc) is completed, another movie (another disc) Since the authoring process was started sequentially for each authoring unit such as starting the authoring process for one sheet), it took a very long processing time as a whole, and the work efficiency per apparatus was poor. there were.
[0010]
The present invention has been proposed to solve the above-described problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a data editing apparatus and a data editing method capable of reducing the processing time as a whole and improving work efficiency. To do.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention provides a data editing apparatus that multiplexes encoded data obtained by encoding an image and / or audio signal and performs an authoring process, encodes an image and / or audio signal, and terminates the encoding process. A plurality of encoding means for generating a file indicating that the encoding process is completed as a status file, and the plurality of encoded data generated by the encoding means correspond to a recording medium. Project unit for authoring process A storage unit that is stored in a storage area divided into two and a plurality of encoded data is read from the storage area of the storage unit and multiplexed to generate multiplexed data, and when the multiplexing process ends A multiplexing unit for generating a file indicating that the multiplexing process is completed as a status file, and storing the multiplexed data in a storage area of the storage unit as recording data to be recorded on a recording medium; and the status By referring to the file above The status of the processing operation of the plurality of encoding means and the multiplexing means is determined, the presence or absence of the next processing schedule is determined for the means that has completed the processing, and the processing operation status is determined for the means that is scheduled for the next processing. Control means for starting the encoding process by the encoding means and the multiplexing process by the multiplexing means by giving a file describing information instructing start as an order file; And the control means executes an encoding process based on the order file, and it is determined by the status file that the encoding process of the project by any of the encoding means is completed, and the next project Encoding means scheduled for the encoding process starts the encoding process of the next project, and it is determined that the multiplexing process has been completed by the status file, and all data to be multiplexed are encoded. When there is a project that has completed the multiplexing process, start the multiplexing process by the above multiplexing means It is characterized by that.
[0013]
The present invention also relates to a data editing method for performing authoring processing by multiplexing encoded data obtained by encoding image and / or audio signals, and encoding image and / or audio signals by a plurality of encoding means. An encoding process for generating a file indicating the end of the encoding process as a status file at the end of the encoding process, and the plurality of encoded data generated by the encoding means correspond to a recording medium. Do Project unit for authoring process A storage step of storing in the storage area of the storage means divided into two, and the multiplexing means generates multiplexed data by reading and multiplexing the plurality of encoded data from the storage area of the storage means, When the multiplexing process ends, a file indicating that the multiplexing process is completed is generated as a status file, and the multiplexed data is stored in the storage area of the storage means as recording data to be recorded on the recording medium. By referring to the multiplexing process and the status file, the above The status of the processing operation of the plurality of encoding means and the multiplexing means is determined, the presence or absence of the next processing schedule is determined for the means that has completed the processing, and the processing operation status is determined for the means that is scheduled for the next processing. A control step for starting the encoding process by the encoding means and the multiplexing process by the multiplexing means by giving the encoding means and the multiplexing means as a file describing information instructing start to the encoding means and the multiplexing means; In the control step, the encoding process is executed based on the order file, and it is determined by the status file that the encoding process of the project by any encoding means is completed, and the next project The encoding unit scheduled to perform the encoding process starts the encoding process of the next project, and it is determined by the status file that the multiplexing process has been completed, and all the data to be multiplexed are When there is a project for which the encoding process has been completed, the multiplexing process by the above multiplexing means is started. It is characterized by that.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of an authoring apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. This authoring device generates recording data to be recorded on a DVD standard optical disc by compressing and multiplexing images and audio, and performs a plurality of authoring processes in parallel. Yes.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 1, the authoring device 10 includes a plurality of encoding devices 11 to 13 that encode a signal such as a moving image, a still image, or a voice, a storage device 14 that stores the encoded data, A multiplexing device 15 for generating recording data by multiplexing the encoded data, a decoding device 17 for inspecting the generated recording data, and a supervisor 16 for managing the operation of the entire device. And. In addition, the authoring device 10 includes a recording device 18 that records the generated recording data on a predetermined recording medium such as a tape-shaped recording medium.
[0017]
The encoding device 11 includes a video encoder 11a that encodes a moving image signal and a video encoder controller 11b that controls the operation of the video encoder 11a. The encoding device 11 sequentially compresses and encodes the video signal input to the video encoder 11a based on the MPEG system, and the resulting video encoded data is stored in a predetermined storage device 14 via a multiplexing device 15 described later. The data is sequentially stored in the storage area.
[0018]
The encoding device 11 receives various information necessary for encoding, for example, the number of moving images to be encoded and the address information of the storage area for storing the encoded data from the supervisor 16 via the network 19, and these Based on this information, the encoding process is executed, and the video encoded data obtained as a result is stored in the designated storage area of the storage device 14.
[0019]
The various information necessary for encoding is described in an order file, which will be described later in detail, supplied from the supervisor 16. Also, the encoding device 11 outputs a status file, which will be described in detail later, to the supervisor 16 according to the operation state.
[0020]
The encoding device 12 includes an audio encoder 12a that encodes a speech signal and an audio encoder controller 12b that controls the operation of the audio encoder 12a. In the encoding device 12, the audio signal input to the audio encoder 12a is sequentially converted based on the MPEG audio method or the AC-3 method (a compression encoding method combining modified discrete cosine transform (MDCT) and spectrum envelope encoding). The audio encoded data obtained as a result of compression encoding is sequentially stored in a predetermined storage area of the storage device 14 via a multiplexing device 15 described later.
[0021]
The encoding device 12 also superimposes an order file in which various information necessary for encoding, for example, the number of voices to be encoded and address information of a storage area for storing encoded data, are described via the network 19. It receives from the visor 16 and executes an encoding process based on these pieces of information, and stores the audio encoded data obtained as a result in the designated storage area of the storage device 14. Further, the encoding device 12 is also configured to output a status file, which will be described in detail later, to the supervisor 16 according to its operating state.
[0022]
The encoding device 13 includes a picture encoder 13a that encodes a signal such as a still image called a sub-picture such as a caption, and a picture encoder controller 13b that controls the operation of the picture encoder 13a. In the encoding device 13, picture signals formed from subtitles and the like are sequentially encoded by the MPEG method or other encoding methods, and the resulting picture encoded data is stored in the storage device 14 via a multiplexing device 15 described later. Are sequentially stored in the predetermined storage area.
[0023]
Similarly, the encoding device 13 stores an order file in which various information necessary for encoding, for example, the number of sub-pictures to be encoded and address information of a storage area for storing encoded data, are stored in the network 19. The encoded data is stored in the designated storage area of the storage device 14 based on these pieces of information. Similarly, the encoding device 13 outputs a status file, which will be described later, to the supervisor 16 according to the operation state.
[0024]
Note that a transmission path such as SCSI capable of high-speed transmission is used as a transmission path that connects each of the encoding devices 11 to 13 and the storage device 14.
[0025]
The storage device 14 is a so-called server and includes a hard disk array. The storage device 14 includes a hard disk array having a storage capacity of, for example, 30 gigabytes or more sufficient to store various data generated when a plurality of authoring processes are performed in parallel. The storage area is divided into authoring units. Further, the storage device 14 stores the encoded data input in one authoring in different storage areas in the divided storage areas. Further, in each divided storage area of the storage device 14, in addition to the storage area in which each encoded data is stored, multiplexed data generated by the multiplexer 15 to be described in detail later is stored. A storage area is secured, and the multiplexed data can be stored in the storage area.
[0026]
FIG. 2 shows an example of allocation of storage areas of a hard disk array (hereinafter referred to as a server) of the storage device 14. As described above, the storage area of the server is divided in units of authoring. In this example, for example, the entire server is divided into three areas A, B, and C in order to perform authoring processing three times in order to produce three DVD standard discs.
[0027]
Furthermore, each area of the divided server is divided into two areas: an elementary area for encoding and a multiplexed data storage area for multiplexing processing. FIG. 2 shows a case where half the storage capacity of the area B is allocated to the elementary area and the remaining half is allocated to the multiplexed data storage area. The same applies to the areas A and B.
[0028]
Here, in the elementary area for encoding, the encoded data from the video encoder 11a, the audio encoder 12a, and the picture encoder 13a, as shown in FIG. An audio data stream and a picture data stream such as subtitles are written. FIG. 2 shows a case where one video data stream, two audio data streams, and two subtitle data streams are written in this order. On the other hand, multiplexed data from the multiplexer 15 described below is written in the multiplexed data storage area for the multiplexing process.
[0029]
The multiplexing device 15 includes a so-called multiplexer, and sequentially reads out the video encoded data, audio encoded data, and picture encoded data from the above-described elementary area of the storage device 14 as processing target data. The data is multiplexed in the order conforming to the DVD standard, and the resulting multiplexed data is sequentially stored in the multiplexed data storage area in the same divided area of the storage device 14 as recording data. That is, when the multiplexing device 15 reads the processing target data from the elementary area of the area A of the storage device 14, the multiplexing apparatus 15 stores the generated multiplexed data in the multiplexed data storage area of the area A.
[0030]
Note that the multiplexing device 15 (hereinafter also referred to as a multiplexer 15) also has information in the elementary area in which information necessary for multiplexing, for example, video encoded data, audio encoded data, and picture encoded data is stored. An order file in which address information and address information of a multiplexed data storage area for storing multiplexed data is written from the supervisor 16 via the network 19, and multiplexing processing is executed based on these information. The multiplexed data is stored in the designated multiplexed data storage area of the storage device 14. Similarly, the multiplexer 15 outputs a status file to the supervisor 16 according to the operation state.
[0031]
The decoding device 17 is a so-called viewer, and is used to check whether or not the encoding processing of each of the encoding devices 11 to 13 and the multiplexing processing of the multiplexer 15 have been performed normally. The decoding device 17 (hereinafter also referred to as “viewer 17”) sequentially reads and decodes the multiplexed data stored in the multiplexed data storage area of the storage device 14 via the multiplexer 15, and monitors the decoded data. Is output to the monitor screen and speakers. By providing such a viewer 17, the authoring apparatus 10 can immediately and easily check whether the encoding process and the multiplexing process have been normally performed.
[0032]
The viewer 17 also receives information necessary for decoding, for example, an order file in which the address information of the storage area where the multiplexed data is stored and information on the encoding method are described from the supervisor 16 via the network 19. In response, the decoding process is executed based on these pieces of information. The viewer 17 also outputs a status file to the supervisor 16 according to the operating state.
[0033]
The recording device 18 includes a tape streamer 18a and a streamer controller 18b for controlling the operation of the tape streamer 18a. The tape streamer 18a in the recording device 18 is for recording the recording data on a predetermined tape-shaped recording medium in order to pass the recording data to a mastering process for manufacturing an optical disc.
[0034]
The streamer controller 18b of the recording device 18 also transmits an order file in which information necessary for the recording operation, for example, address information of a multiplexed data storage area in which multiplexed data is stored, information on a recording method, and the like, is recorded on the network 19. By receiving the information from the supervisor 16 via the tape streamer 16a based on these pieces of information, the multiplexed data is sequentially read from the multiplexed data storage area of the storage device 14 via the multiplexer 15. The data is recorded on a predetermined tape-shaped recording medium.
[0035]
The streamer controller 18b also outputs a status file to the supervisor 16 in accordance with the operating state of the tape streamer 18a. By providing such a recording device 18, the authoring device 10 can immediately and easily record recording data to be passed to the mastering process on a predetermined recording medium.
[0036]
Note that a transmission path such as SCSI capable of high-speed transmission is also used as a transmission path for connecting the multiplexer 15, the viewer 17, or the recording device 18 and the storage device 14.
[0037]
The supervisor 16 manages the operations of the encoding devices 11 to 13, the multiplexer 15, the viewer 17 and the recording device 18, and manages the data recording area of the storage device 14. Specifically, the supervisor 16 reads the contents of the status file output from each device, and manages each device by sending an order file described below corresponding to the content to each device.
[0038]
Here, the order file is a file that triggers the operation of each device, and is defined by a different name for each device. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, “VIDEO.ORD”, “AUDIO.ORD”, “SUBPIC.ORD”, “MUX.ORD”, “VIEWER.ORD”, and “STREAMER.ORD” are included. Uses various types of order files. Of course, the name of the order file is not particularly limited.
[0039]
Among these, “VIDEO.ORD”, “AUDIO.ORD”, and “SUBPIC.ORD” are the video encoder controller 11 b of the encoding device 11, the audio encoder controller 12 b of the encoding device 12, and the code, respectively. This is an order file sent to the picture encoder controller 13b of the encoding device 13. “MUX.ORD”, “VIEWER.ORD”, and “STREAMER.ORD” are order files that the supervisor 16 sends to the multiplexer 15, the viewer 17, and the streamer controller of the recording device 18 to the streamer controller 18b, respectively. .
[0040]
In each of these order files, the above-described various information necessary for each device to perform processing is described as its contents.
[0041]
The supervisor 16 has a so-called scheduling function, and manages the number and order of authoring processes when there are a plurality of authoring projects. The number and order of the authoring process are set by a key input operation from the operator.
[0042]
On the other hand, from the controllers 11b, 12b, 13b of the encoding devices 11 to 13, the multiplexer 15, the viewer 17, and the streamer controller 18b of the recording device 18, a status file indicating the operation state of each device as described above is obtained. Is output. This status file is defined with a different name for each device, like the order file described above. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, “VIDEO.STA”, “AUDIO.STA”, “SUBPIC.STA”, “MUX.STA”, “VIEWER.STA”, “STREAMER.STA”. 6 types of status files are used. Of course, the name of the status file is not particularly limited.
[0043]
Among them, “VIDEO.STA”, “AUDIO.STA”, and “SUBPIC.STA” are respectively operated by the video encoder controller 11b, the audio encoder controller 12b, and the picture encoder controller 13b of the encoders 11a, 12a, and 13a. It is a status file output to indicate the status. “MUX.STA” and “VIEWER.STA” are status files output by the multiplexer 15 and the viewer 17 to indicate the respective operation states. Furthermore, “STREAMER.STA” is a status file output by the streamer controller 18b of the recording device 18 to indicate the operating state of the tape streamer 18a.
[0044]
In each of these status files, as shown in FIG. 4B, one of “InProgress” indicating that the component is being processed and “Done” indicating that the process has been completed is described. Is done.
[0045]
At the start of authoring, the supervisor 16 stores the order files “VIDEO.ORD”, “AUDIO.ORD”, and “SUBPIC.ORD” in order to give instructions to the encoding devices 11 to 13 to start the encoding process. Send it out. In addition, the supervisor 16 reads the contents of the status files “VIDEO.STA”, “AUDIO.STA”, and “SUBPIC.STA”, and determines whether or not each process in each device is completed. When the supervisor 16 determines that the encoding process of each of the encoding devices 11 to 13 has been completed, the supervisor 16 sends an order file of “MUX.ORD” to give the multiplexer 15 an instruction to start the multiplexing process. When the supervisor 16 determines that the multiplexing process of the multiplexer 15 has ended, the supervisor 16 sends an order file “VIEWER.ORD” to give the viewer 17 an instruction to start the decoding process. Further, when the supervisor 16 determines that the decryption process by the viewer 17 has been completed, the supervisor 16 sends an order file of “STREAMER.ORD” to give an instruction to start the recording process to the recording device 18.
[0046]
The supervisor 16 manages a storage area in the storage device 14 of each encoded data generated by the encoding devices 11 to 13 and multiplexed data generated by the multiplexer 15. Specifically, the supervisor 16 instructs the encoding devices 11 to 13 to store different storage areas as data storage destinations, and the multiplexer 15 sets a storage area different from the encoded data as the data storage destination. Instruct. Furthermore, the supervisor 16 also instructs the multiplexer 15 to store the encoded data in order to read each encoded data. These instructions are described as the contents of each order file described above.
[0047]
Then, the order file in which the operation instruction of each device, the data storage destination, and the like are described is supplied from the supervisor 16 to each of the devices 11 to 13, 15, 17, and 18 via the network 19, respectively. . Note that the repeaters 20 to 26 shown in FIG. 1 correspond to interfaces that connect the above-described devices to the network 19.
[0048]
Accordingly, each of the devices 11 to 13, 15, 17, and 18 can execute the work assigned to it by reading the contents of the order file addressed to itself, and the storage destinations of the generated data are not duplicated. In this way, the storage device 14 can be shared among the devices.
[0049]
Here, processing performed by the encoding devices 11 to 13, the multiplexer 15, the viewer 17, and the recording device 18 (hereinafter, each of these devices is referred to as a component for convenience) will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. To do.
[0050]
In step S1, each component determines whether or not there is an order file addressed to itself. If NO, that is, determines that there is no order file, it waits until an order file addressed to itself is sent from the supervisor 16, and YES That is, if it is determined that there is, the process proceeds to step S2.
[0051]
Each component reads the contents of the order file in step S2, and starts processing according to the contents in the subsequent step S3. Accordingly, the component sends a status file in which “InProgress” indicating that processing is being performed in step S4 to the supervisor 16, and proceeds to step S5.
[0052]
In step S5, each component manages whether or not the process of step S3 is completed, waits in step S5 until this process is completed, and proceeds to step S6 when the process is completed.
[0053]
In step S6, each component sends a status file in which “Done” indicating the end of the process is described to the supervisor 16 and returns to step 1 above. Each component repeats the above-described processing from step S1 to step S6 in the same manner.
[0054]
Next, the control performed by the supervisor 16 for each component will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
[0055]
The supervisor 16 initializes each component at the start of processing, generates each order file related to encoding of the first authoring project, and transmits the generated order file to each encoder controller 11b to 13b of each encoding device 11 to 13.
[0056]
As a result, the authoring apparatus 10 performs an encoding process in the first authoring project. Specifically, in the authoring apparatus 10, video signals, audio signals, and picture signals are input to the encoding apparatuses 11 to 13, respectively, and these signals are encoded by the encoders 11a to 13a, whereby the video code Encoded data, audio encoded data, and picture encoded data are generated. Each encoded data is input to the storage device 14 via the multiplexer 15, and stored in a predetermined storage area of the elementary area for the area A shown in FIG. In the authoring device 10, the supervisor 16 performs a series of control processes of the following steps S11 to S29.
[0057]
In step S11 shown in FIG. 6, the supervisor 16 makes VIDEO.VIDEO, a status file output from the video encoder controller 11b. The contents of the STA are read out and it is determined whether or not the video encoding process has been completed. If it is determined that the processing has been completed, the process proceeds to step S12. If NO, that is, if it is determined that the current processing is being performed, the process proceeds to step S14 described later.
[0058]
In step S <b> 12, the supervisor 16 determines whether or not there is a schedule for video encoding processing for the next authoring project by the scheduling function described above. If it is determined that there is a plan, the process proceeds to step S13. If NO, that is, if there is no plan, the process proceeds to step S14.
[0059]
In step S13, the supervisor 16 makes a VIDEO. An ORD is generated, and this order file is sent to the video encoder controller 11 b of the encoding device 11. Accordingly, in the authoring apparatus 10, the video encoder controller 11b performs the VIDEO. The content of the ORD is read, and the video encoding process for the next project is started. Refer to FIG. 9 for the authoring state in step S13.
[0060]
In the subsequent step S14, the supervisor 16 makes an AUDIO.AUDIO which is a status file output from the audio encoder controller 12b. The contents of the STA are read out, and it is determined whether or not the audio encoding process is completed. If it is determined that the process has been completed, the process proceeds to step S15. If NO, that is, if it is determined that the process is currently being performed, the process proceeds to step S17 described later.
[0061]
In step S15, the supervisor 16 determines whether or not there is a plan for an audio encoding process for the next authoring project by the scheduling function. If it is determined that there is such a plan, the process proceeds to step S16. If NO, that is, if it is determined that there is no plan, the process proceeds to step S17 described later.
[0062]
In step S16, the supervisor 16 makes an AUDIO. An ORD is generated, and this order file is sent to the audio encoder controller 12b of the encoding device 12. Thereby, in the authoring apparatus 10, the audio encoder controller 12b performs the AUDIO. The content of the ORD is read, and the audio encoding process for the next authoring project is started. Refer to FIG. 9 for the authoring state in step S16.
[0063]
In the next step S17 shown in FIG. 7, the supervisor 16 makes SUBPIC., Which is a status file output from the picture encoder controller 13b. The contents of the STA are read out, and it is determined whether or not the picture encoding process for subtitles and the like is completed. If it is determined that the process has been completed, the process proceeds to step S18. If NO, that is, if it is determined that the process is currently being performed, the process proceeds to step S20 described later.
[0064]
In step S18, the supervisor 16 determines whether or not there is a plan for a picture encoding process for the next authoring project by the scheduling function. If it is determined that there is a plan, the process proceeds to step S19. If NO, that is, if there is no plan, the process proceeds to step S20 described later.
[0065]
In step S19, the supervisor 16 makes SUBPIC. An ORD is generated, and this order file is sent to the picture encoder controller 13b of the encoding device 13. As a result, in the authoring apparatus 10, the picture encoder controller 13b performs this SUBPIC. The contents of the ORD are read out and the picture encoding process for the next project is started. For the authoring state in step S19, see FIG.
[0066]
In step S20, the supervisor 16 makes a MUX. The contents of the STA are read out and it is determined whether or not the multiplexing process has been completed. If it is determined that the process has been completed, the process proceeds to step S11. If NO, that is, if it is determined that the process is currently being performed, the process proceeds to step S23 described later.
[0067]
In step S <b> 21, the supervisor 16 determines whether or not there is a project in which all encoding for video, audio, and picture has been completed by the scheduling function. If it is determined that there is such a project, the process proceeds to step S22. If NO, that is, it is determined that there is no project, the process proceeds to step S23 described later.
[0068]
In step S22, the supervisor 16 makes a MUX. An ORD is generated, and this order file is sent to the multiplexer 15. Thereby, in the authoring apparatus 10, the multiplexer 15 performs the above MUX. The contents of the ORD are read out, and the multiplexing process is started for the project in which all the encoding for video, audio, and picture has been completed. Refer to FIG. 9 for the authoring state in step S22.
[0069]
In step S <b> 23 shown in FIG. 8, the supervisor 16 changes the VIEWER. The contents of the STA are read out, and it is determined whether or not the decoding process (hereinafter referred to as “view wing”) by the viewer 17 is completed. If it is determined that the process has been completed, the process proceeds to step S24. If NO, that is, if it is determined that the process is currently being performed, the process proceeds to step S26 described later.
[0070]
In step S24, the supervisor 16 determines whether or not there is a project for which the multiplexing process by the multiplexer 15 has been completed by the scheduling function. If it is determined that there is such a project, the process proceeds to step S25. If NO, that is, it is determined that there is no project, the process proceeds to step S26.
[0071]
In step S25, the supervisor 16 makes VIEWER. An ORD is generated, and this order file is sent to the viewer 17. As a result, in the authoring apparatus 10, the viewer 17 performs this VIEWER. The contents of the ORD are read, and the data view wing for the project for which the multiplexing process has been completed is started. Refer to FIG. 9 for the authoring state in step S25.
[0072]
In step S <b> 26, the supervisor 16 reads STREAMER.NET, which is a status file output from the streamer controller 18 b of the recording device 18. The contents of the STA are read out and it is determined whether or not the stream processing is completed. If it is determined that the process has been completed, the process proceeds to step S27. If NO, that is, if it is determined that the process is currently being performed, the process proceeds to step S29 described later.
[0073]
In step S27, the supervisor 16 determines whether or not there is a project whose view wing has ended by the scheduling function. If it is determined that there is such a project, the process proceeds to step S28. If NO, that is, it is determined that there is no project, the process proceeds to step S29.
[0074]
In step S28, the supervisor 16 sets the STREAM. An ORD is generated, and this order file is sent to the streamer controller 18 b of the recording device 18. Thereby, in the authoring apparatus 10, the streamer controller 18b performs the STREAM. ORD is read out, and stream processing is started for a project whose view wing has been completed. Refer to FIG. 9 for the authoring state in step S28.
[0075]
In step S29, the supervisor 16 determines whether or not the authoring process for all the projects has been completed by the scheduling function. If YES, that is, if it is determined that the authoring process for all projects has been completed, the control process is terminated. If NO, that is, if it is determined that all the projects have not yet been completed, the process returns to step S11 described above, and the processes in steps S11 to S29 are performed. Repeat.
[0076]
By performing such control, in the authoring apparatus 10, a plurality of authoring processes are performed in parallel as shown in FIG. 9, and high authoring efficiency is obtained. That is, according to the authoring device 10, in the encoding processing in each of the encoding devices 11 to 13, instead of performing the next authoring process after waiting for the completion of the first authoring process, the video is the video, the audio is the audio, the subtitle Etc. can be processed independently with subtitles, etc., thereby eliminating the generation of wasted time resulting from waiting for the encoding process of another encoder to end. Therefore, according to the authoring device 10, the efficiency of the entire authoring is improved.
[0077]
The parallel processing of each authoring project as described above can be realized by controlling the pipeline processing technique.
[0078]
In this embodiment, the supervisor 16 sends various order files to each component, while each component outputs a status file to the supervisor 16, but the present invention is in this form. It is not limited. That is, in the authoring apparatus 10, for example, a specific directory that can be commonly used by the supervisor 16 and each component is set on the network 19, and the various order files and the respective status files described above are stored in the directory. Also good. In this case, the supervisor 16 and each component may search from time to time whether there is a status file or an order file addressed to itself in the specific directory, and read the contents if there is. .
[0079]
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the entire hard disk array of the storage device 14 is divided into three areas. However, the number of divisions is not particularly limited. What is necessary is just to set suitably according to the memory capacity of the apparatus 14. FIG. Further, in this embodiment, for the fourth and subsequent authoring processes, for example, if the area A for the first authoring process is overwritten after the completion of the first authoring process, n times shown in FIG. The value of n for the authoring project is not particularly limited.
[0080]
Further, in this embodiment, the storage device 14 having one input / output port is used and various data are read and written via the multiplexer 15, but the present invention is limited to this embodiment. It is not a thing. For example, a so-called multi-port type device having a plurality of input / output ports may be used as the storage device 14, and each component may be directly connected to each input / output port. Further speeding up of each process can be achieved.
[0081]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, the data editing apparatus according to the present invention encodes an image and / or audio signal, and when the encoding process ends, a file indicating the end of the encoding process is used as a status file. The encoded data generated by the plurality of encoding means to generate corresponds to the recording medium. Project unit for authoring process When the multiplexed data is generated by reading and multiplexing the plurality of encoded data from the storage area of the storage means stored in the storage area divided into two, and when the multiplexing process ends A file indicating that the multiplexing process has been completed is generated as a status file, and the multiplexed data is stored in the storage area of the storage means as recording data to be recorded on the recording medium. Above By referring to the status file, The status of the processing operation of the plurality of encoding means and the multiplexing means is determined, the presence or absence of the next processing schedule is determined for the means that has completed the processing, and the processing operation status is determined for the means that is scheduled for the next processing. By giving a file describing information instructing start as an order file, the encoding process by the encoding unit and the multiplexing process by the multiplexing unit are started. The control means executes the encoding process based on the order file, and it is determined by the status file that the encoding process of the project by any of the encoding means is completed, and the encoding process of the next project is performed. The encoding process for the next project is started by the encoding means that is scheduled, and it is determined by the status file that the multiplexing process has been completed, and the encoding process for all data to be multiplexed is completed. Start the multiplexing process by the above multiplexing means when there is a project Thus, a plurality of authoring processes can be performed in parallel, and each encoding unit can independently proceed with the encoding process, and wasteful time due to waiting for the end of the processes of the other encoding units can be saved. The overall time can be shortened and the efficiency of data editing can be improved.
[0082]
Further, according to the data editing method of the present invention, a file indicating that the encoding process has been completed when the encoding process is completed by encoding an image and / or audio signal by a plurality of encoding means. A plurality of encoded data generated in the encoding process for generating a status file corresponds to the recording medium in the storage process Project unit for authoring process From the storage area of the storage means stored in the storage area divided into two, in the multiplexing step, the multiplexed data is read and multiplexed by the multiplexing means to generate multiplexed data, When the multiplexing process is completed, a file indicating that the multiplexing process is completed is generated as a status file, and the multiplexed data is recorded in the storage area of the storage unit as recording data to be recorded on the recording medium. To store Per By referring to the status file, The status of the processing operation of the plurality of encoding means and the multiplexing means is determined, the presence or absence of the next processing schedule is determined for the means that has completed the processing, and the processing operation status is determined for the means that is scheduled for the next processing. By giving a file describing information instructing start as an order file to the encoding means and the multiplexing means, the encoding process by the encoding means and the multiplexing process by the multiplexing means are started. In the control step, the encoding process is executed based on the order file, and it is determined by the status file that the encoding process of the project by any encoding means is completed, and the encoding process of the next project is performed. The encoding process for the next project is started by the encoding means that is scheduled, and it is determined by the status file that the multiplexing process has been completed, and the encoding process for all data to be multiplexed is completed. Start the multiplexing process by the above multiplexing means when there is a project Thus, a plurality of authoring processes can be performed in parallel, and each encoding unit can independently proceed with the encoding process, and wasteful time due to waiting for the end of the processes of the other encoding units can be saved. The overall time can be shortened and the efficiency of data editing can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an authoring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of storage area allocation in a storage device;
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the type and contents of an order file.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the type and contents of a status file.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of each encoding device, decoding device, and recording device.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the supervisor.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the supervisor.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the supervisor.
FIG. 9 is a time chart showing a state of authoring performed by the authoring apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Authoring apparatus, 11, 12, 13 Encoding apparatus, 14 Storage apparatus, 15 Multiplexing apparatus, 16 Control apparatus, 17 Decoding apparatus, 18 Recording apparatus

Claims (4)

In a data editing apparatus for performing authoring processing by multiplexing encoded data obtained by encoding image and / or audio signals,
A plurality of encoding means for encoding an image and / or audio signal and generating, as a status file, a file indicating that the encoding process has ended when the encoding process ends;
Storage means for storing the plurality of encoded data generated by the encoding means in a storage area divided into project units for performing authoring processing corresponding to a recording medium;
A plurality of encoded data is read from the storage area of the storage means and multiplexed to generate multiplexed data. When the multiplexing process ends, a file indicating that the multiplexing process has ended is a status file. And multiplexing means for storing the multiplexed data in the storage area of the storage means as recording data to be recorded on the recording medium,
By referring to the status file, the status of the processing operation of the plurality of encoding means and the multiplexing means is determined, the presence or absence of the next processing schedule is determined for the means that has completed the processing, and the next processing Control means for starting the encoding process by the encoding means and the multiplexing process by the multiplexing means by giving a file describing information instructing the start of the processing operation to the scheduled means as an order file;
With
The control means executes an encoding process based on the order file, and it is determined by the status file that the encoding process of the project by any of the encoding means is completed, and the encoding process of the next project The encoding process for the next project is started, and it is determined by the status file that the multiplexing process has been completed, and all the data to be multiplexed are encoded. When there is a finished project, start the multiplexing process by the above multiplexing means
A data editing apparatus characterized by that. Reproduction means for performing reproduction processing for reading and reproducing the recording data stored in the storage means by the multiplexing means,
The reproducing means generates, as the status file, a file indicating that the reading process is completed along with the completion of the reading process of the recording data,
The control means determines the end of the reading process by the reproducing means by referring to the status file, determines that the reproducing process has been completed by the status file, and the project for which the multiplexing process has been completed. In some cases, if there is recording data to be read next, a file describing a read processing start instruction to the reproducing means is generated as the order file,
2. The data editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reproducing means starts a reading process for the recording data by referring to the order file. Recording means for performing recording processing for recording the recording data stored in the storage means on a predetermined recording medium;
The recording unit generates, as the status file, a file indicating that the recording process has ended with the end of the recording process,
The control means determines the end of the recording process by the recording means by referring to the status file, and there is a project in which the recording process is determined to be completed by the status file and the reproduction process has been completed. In this case, if there is recording data to be recorded next on the predetermined recording medium, a file in which an instruction to start recording processing is generated as the order file to the recording means,
2. The data editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit starts a recording process related to the recording data by referring to the order file. In a data editing method for performing authoring processing by multiplexing encoded data obtained by encoding image and / or audio signals,
An encoding step of encoding an image and / or audio signal by a plurality of encoding means, and generating a file indicating the end of the encoding process as a status file when the encoding process ends;
A storage step of storing the plurality of encoded data generated by the encoding unit in a storage area of a storage unit divided into project units for performing authoring processing corresponding to a recording medium;
The multiplexing means generates multiplexed data by reading and multiplexing the plurality of encoded data from the storage area of the storage means, and confirms that the multiplexing process is completed when the multiplexing process ends. A multiplexing step for generating a file shown as a status file and storing the multiplexed data in a storage area of the storage means as recording data to be recorded on a recording medium;
By referring to the status file, the status of the processing operation of the plurality of encoding means and the multiplexing means is determined, the presence or absence of the next processing schedule is determined for the means that has completed the processing, and the next processing An encoding process by the encoding means and the multiplexing means are provided by giving a file describing information instructing the start of the processing operation to a predetermined means as an order file to the encoding means and the multiplexing means. Control process for starting the multiplexing process by
Have
In the control step, the encoding process is executed based on the order file, and it is determined by the status file that the encoding process of the project by any encoding means is completed, and the encoding process of the next project The encoding process for the next project is started, and it is determined by the status file that the multiplexing process has been completed, and all the data to be multiplexed are encoded. A data editing method characterized by starting multiplexing processing by the multiplexing means when there is a finished project .

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