Video server device, decoder management method in video server device, and program

Abstract

To provide a video server device capable of reducing the number of decoders to be held, reducing costs and effectively utilizing resources by flexibly allocating the decoders to respective reproduction ports according to an operation state.SOLUTION: According to an embodiment, an video server apparatus includes a decoder group including a plurality of decoders for decoding materials to be broadcasted, a plurality of reproduction units for reproducing the materials decoded by the assigned decoders among the plurality of decoders included in the decoder group, and a management unit for executing assignment of decoders not assigned to other reproduction units from the decoders included in the decoder group at a predetermined timing before broadcasting for the reproduction units used at the time of broadcasting among the plurality of reproduction units, and canceling the assignment at the end of broadcasting.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a video server device, a decoder management method in the video server device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, video server devices used in broadcasting stations have a fixed configuration of two decoders per port in order to continuously decode program and commercial materials and broadcast them on air (hereinafter referred to as "OA").

[0003] With this configuration, while one decoder is playing the next broadcast material, the other decoder decodes it, and by switching the output when the broadcast time arrives, it is possible to broadcast consecutive programs and commercials. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-118432 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-222982 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, since the decoding and preparation process for the next broadcast can be completed a certain amount of time before the broadcast, the time that both decoders are operating simultaneously is very short. Furthermore, continuous playback is not required for preview playback (hereinafter referred to as "PV"), such as when checking material, but two decoders are reserved for the playback port for PV, which is a waste. Thus, always having two decoders reserved to perform continuous broadcasts leads to increased costs and strain on resources.

[0006] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a video server device, a method for managing decoders in a video server device, and a program that can reduce the number of decoders possessed by dynamically allocating decoders according to operating conditions rather than fixedly allocating decoders to each playback port in a video server device having multiple playback ports, thereby reducing costs and enabling effective use of resources. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The video server device of the embodiment comprises a decoder group including a plurality of decoders for decoding material to be aired, a plurality of playback units that play back material decoded by assigned decoders from among the plurality of decoders included in the decoder group, and a management unit that allocates decoders not allocated to other playback units from among the plurality of playback units to playback units that will be used when the program is aired at a predetermined timing before the program is aired, and releases the allocation when the program is aired. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a video server device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a video server device having two playback units according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B shows an operation sequence of the decoder according to the program lineup of the video server device of the first embodiment. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a typical conventional video server device. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B shows an operation sequence of a decoder according to a program lineup of a conventional video server device corresponding to FIG. 2B. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of operation (scaling up and down) of the video server device in the cloud according to the third embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing another example of operation (scale-out, scale-in) in the cloud of the video server device of the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings are schematic or conceptual, and the relationship between the thickness and width of each part, the size ratio between parts, etc., are not necessarily the same as those in reality. Furthermore, even when the same part is shown, the dimensions and ratios may be different depending on the drawing. In this specification and each drawing, elements similar to those explained in the previous drawings are given the same reference numerals, and detailed and redundant explanations will be omitted as appropriate.

[0010] (First embodiment) A video server device, a decoder management method in the video server device, and a decoder management program according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a video server device according to the first embodiment.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the video server device 10 of the first embodiment includes a recording unit 12, a decoder group 13, a plurality of playback units 14, a management unit 15, and a port 16.

[0013] The recording unit 12 records materials S1, S2, S3, etc. (collectively referred to as "material S") that are provided by the video server device 10. Note that the number of materials is not limited to three.

[0014] The decoder group 13 includes a plurality of decoders D1, ..., Dn (collectively referred to as "decoders D") (n is an integer of 2 or greater) for decoding the material S to be OA, which is recorded in the recording unit 12.

[0015] A plurality of playback units 141, 14 xEach of the decoders (collectively referred to as "playback units 14") (x is an integer of 2 or more) plays back material decoded by the assigned decoder D among the plurality of decoders D included in the decoder group 13.

[0016] Port 161, 16 x (referred to as "port 16") are each connected to a corresponding reproducing unit 141, . . . 14 x The playback units 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G, 14H, 14G ...H, 14I, 14J, 14K, 14M x sends the played material to the ports 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D, 16E, 16F, 16G, 16H, 16J, 16JH, 16J ... x It can be output for OA via

[0017] The management unit 15 manages the operation of the video server device 10. This includes management of the decoder D. The management of the decoder D performed by the management unit 15 includes, in particular, the management of the playback units 141, . . . 14 x Among the multiple playback units 14 such as those described above, for the playback unit 14 to be used during on-air, at a predetermined timing before on-air, the management unit 15 allocates a decoder D (e.g., decoders D1, ..., Dn) included in the decoder group 13 that is not allocated to other playback units 14 (i.e., is free), and when the on-air is completed, the management unit 15 releases this allocation and release of decoder D on demand based on program guide data B sent from a higher-level system 20 such as a broadcasting system.

[0018] In this way, in the video server device 10, a fixed decoder D is not assigned to each playback unit 14, but rather the management unit 15 manages which decoder D is assigned to which playback unit 14 and at what timing among the multiple decoders D included in the decoder group 13.

[0019] This allows the video server device 10 to make the number n of decoders D included in the decoder group 13 less than twice the number x of playback units 14. Therefore, the relationship between the number n of decoders D and the number x of playback units 14 is n<2x.

[0020] FIG. 2A is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a video server device having two playback units according to the first embodiment.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2A, for example, when the number x of reproduction units 14 is 2, the number n of decoders D can be set to 3, which is less than 2×2=4.

[0022] The video server device 10 can be realized by a computer such as a PC. In the computer, a CPU operates in accordance with a program stored in memory to realize the video server device 10. In Fig. 2A, typical components of a computer, such as the memory and CPU, are not shown.

[0023] The video server device 10 of the present embodiment described above has a different configuration from conventional video server devices.

[0024] FIG. 3A is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a typical conventional video server device.

[0025] Unlike the video server device 10 of this embodiment, the conventional video server device 100 has each playback unit 140 having two fixed decoders D. For example, the playback unit 1401 has two fixed decoders Da1 and Da2, and the playback unit 1402 has two fixed decoders Db1 and Db2. As a result, the video server device 100 has n decoders D, which is twice the number x of playback units 140 (n=2x).

[0026] In this way, in a conventional video server device 100, two decoders D are pre-fixed to each playback unit 140, and therefore the management unit 150 manages the overall operation of the video server device 100, but this management does not include the allocation or release of decoders D to the playback units 140.

[0027] Next, the operation sequence of the decoder according to the program lineup of the video server device 10 of this embodiment will be described.

[0028] FIG. 2B shows an operation sequence of the decoder according to the program lineup of the video server device of the first embodiment.

[0029] FIG. 2B(a) shows an example of a program lineup recognized from program guide data B, and FIG. 2B(b) shows an example of an operation sequence of the decoder corresponding to the program lineup.

[0030] Based on the program guide data B from the upper system 20, the management unit 15 recognizes the program lineup as exemplified in Fig. 2B(a). Then, based on the recognized program lineup, the necessary number of available decoders D are allocated from the decoder group 13 to a predetermined playback unit 14. As a result, for example, one decoder D is allocated to the playback unit 141, and two decoders D2 and D3 are allocated to the playback unit 142.

[0031] Thereafter, the playback unit 14 starts playing back the material S based on the program schedule using the allocated decoder D. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B(a), the schedule is such that material S5 is to be output from port 162 until 9:40 (9:40), and accordingly, as shown in FIG. 2B(b), the playback unit 142 plays back material S5 using decoder D3 and outputs it from port 162. When the output is completed, the management unit 15 releases the allocation of decoder D to the playback unit 142. Therefore, decoder D3 is released from the allocation to the playback unit 142 at 9:40.

[0032] 9:40 also marks the time when preparation for material S2, which will be output from port 161 starting at 10:00, begins. At 9:40, decoder D1 is assigned to playback unit 141 and is playing back material 1. Decoder D2 is assigned to playback unit 142 and is about to start playing back material S6. Therefore, in order to prepare for material S2, management unit 15 assigns decoder D3, which has just been released from assignment to playback unit 142 and is now free, to playback unit 141. In response, decoder D3 begins preparation for material S2, and at 10:00, playback unit 141 plays back material S2 using decoder D3 and outputs it from port 161. When output is complete, management unit 15 releases decoder D3 from the playback unit 141.

[0033] As described above, according to the video server device 10 of this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2B(b), continuous playback is realized based on the OA schedule, while each decoder D included in the decoder group 13 is dynamically assigned to the playback unit 14 on demand. This shortens the standby time of each decoder D (shaded area in the figure) and increases the availability of each decoder D, thereby reducing the number of decoders D, thereby enabling cost reduction and effective use of resources.

[0034] This effect will be explained in comparison with the prior art.

[0035] FIG. 3B shows an operation sequence of a decoder according to a program lineup of a conventional video server device corresponding to FIG. 2B.

[0036] FIG. 3B(a) shows an example of a program schedule recognized from program guide data B, and FIG. 3B(b) shows an example of the operation sequence of the decoder corresponding to the program schedule.

[0037] In a conventional video server device 100, two decoders D are fixedly assigned to each playback unit 140. That is, in the example of Fig. 3A, decoders Da1 and Da2 are assigned to playback unit 1401, and decoders Db1 and Db2 are assigned to playback unit 1402.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 3B(a), in a program configuration in which port 1601 outputs material S1 until 10:00, material 2 from 10:00 to 11:00, and material S3 from 11:00, decoder Da1 decodes material S1 until 10:00, but at 9:40, decoder Da2 begins preparing material S2. However, decoder Da2 is in standby mode until 9:40. From 10:00 to 11:00, decoder Da2 decodes material S2, but during that time, decoder Da1 is in standby mode for 40 minutes until 10:40, when preparation for the next material, material S3, begins. In this way, once each decoder Da finishes decoding a material, it is in standby mode until preparation for the next material begins. As such, in the conventional video server device 100, each decoder D's standby time (the shaded area in the figure) accounts for a large proportion of the total time, resulting in poor availability.

[0039] It can be seen that the decoder operation sequence shown in Figure 2B(b) has a significantly reduced "standby" rate compared to the decoder operation sequence shown in Figure 3B(b). In other words, the video server device 10 of this embodiment can increase the operating rate of each decoder D, making it possible to reduce the number of decoders D in use. This allows for reduced costs and more effective use of resources.

[0040] As described above, according to the video server device 10 of this embodiment, the decoder D is not assigned to each playback unit 14 in a fixed manner but is assigned in a dynamic manner, thereby increasing the operating rate of each decoder D, thereby reducing the number of decoders D and thereby enabling costs to be reduced and resources to be used more effectively.

[0041] (Second embodiment) A video server device, a decoder management method in the video server device, and a decoder management program according to the second embodiment will be described.

[0042] The configuration of the video server device of this embodiment is as shown in the above-mentioned Fig. 1. However, in the video server device of this embodiment, the management unit 15 has a function that is not provided in the management unit 15 of the video server device 10 shown in Fig. 1.

[0043] Therefore, the functions of the management unit 15 that are unique to this embodiment will be described here, and descriptions of other components will be omitted.

[0044] In the video server device of this embodiment, the management unit 15 also dynamically allocates decoders D to the playback unit 14. However, while in the first embodiment the management unit 15 did this based on an OA schedule, in this embodiment it does so when variable speed playback is performed.

[0045] For example, when the playback unit 141 used during OA plays back the material S at m times the predetermined normal playback speed (m is an integer greater than or equal to 2), the management unit 15 assigns m decoders D included in the decoder group 13 that are free (i.e., not assigned to other playback units 142) to the playback unit 141.

[0046] This allows the playback unit 141 to use m decoders D to play back the material S at m times the normal speed.

[0047] In this way, when it is necessary to perform variable speed reproduction using a plurality of decoders D, the management unit 15 flexibly allocates the necessary number of decoders D to the reproduction unit 141.

[0048] Furthermore, if the management unit 15 receives control from, for example, the upper system 20 to prepare the next material S while the playback unit 141 is using m decoders D to play back at m times the normal speed, the management unit 15 associates an available decoder D among the decoders D included in the decoder group 13 with the material S to be played back and assigns it to the playback unit 142. This makes it possible to prepare for playback of the next material S in the playback unit 142 while the playback unit 141 is playing back the material S at variable speed.

[0049] When variable speed playback in the playback unit 141 ends or when switching to a speed that does not require multiple decoders D is performed, the management unit 15 releases the link between the decoder D and the material S and also releases the allocation of the decoder D to the playback unit 141.

[0050] In this way, the video server device of the second embodiment does not fixedly assign multiple decoders D to each playback unit 14, but instead dynamically assigns the number of decoders D to each playback unit 14 as needed, thereby shortening the waiting time of each decoder D and increasing the operating rate of each decoder D, as described in the first embodiment, thereby reducing the number of decoders D, thereby making it possible to reduce costs and make effective use of resources.

[0051] Furthermore, dynamically allocating the required number of decoders D to each playback unit 14 has the following advantage: If double-speed playback is performed in a conventional video server device 100 in which a fixed number of decoders D, such as two, are assigned to the playback unit 141, the playback unit 141 uses both decoders D for double-speed playback, and therefore cannot prepare for playback of the next material S during double-speed playback. However, in the video server device 10 of this embodiment, the management unit 15 dynamically allocates the required number of decoders D for variable-speed playback, so that the next material to be played can be prepared during variable-speed playback.

[0052] As described above, according to the video server device 10 of this embodiment, the required number of decoders D are dynamically allocated to the playback unit 14 in order to perform variable-speed playback of the material S and to prepare for playback, making it possible to prepare the next material while performing double-speed playback, something that was not possible with conventional video server devices in which a fixed number of decoders D were allocated to the playback unit 14. Moreover, such dynamic allocation reduces the standby time of each decoder D and increases the availability rate, making it possible to reduce the number of decoders D, thereby enabling cost reduction and effective use of resources.

[0053] (Third embodiment) A video server device, a decoder management method in the video server device, and a decoder management program according to the third embodiment will be described.

[0054] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of operation (scaling up and down) of the video server device in the cloud according to the third embodiment.

[0055] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing another example of operation (scale-out, scale-in) in the cloud of the video server device of the third embodiment.

[0056] The video server device of the third embodiment is a cloud-based implementation of the video server devices of the first and second embodiments. Therefore, in Figures 4 and 5, the components described in the previous drawings are given the same reference numerals as in the previous drawings, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0057] FIG. 4 shows that the video server device 10A realized on the cloud can be operated so that the instance specifications can be changed according to the operating mode, etc. The left side of the figure shows the video server device 10A at low specifications. L The right side of the figure shows a high-spec video server device 10A. H In the following description, the video server device 10A L and the video server device 10A. H When referring to these collectively, they will be simply referred to as video server device A.

[0058] The configuration of the video server device 10A is the same as that of the video server device 10 described in the first and second embodiments, except for the number of decoders D included in the decoder group 13, so details will not be repeated.

[0059] The video server device 10A shown on the left side of the figure LThis is for cases where continuous playback is not required or where variable speed playback using multiple decoders D is not performed, and where the specifications are low. L The video server device 10A reserves only a minimum number of decoders D (for example, two) designated in advance as a default value. L When the specifications are low, the decoder D can be operated at a high availability rate without having more performance than necessary.

[0060] Even when the video server device 10A operates on the cloud in this manner, as described in the first and second embodiments, the decoder D is not fixed to the playback unit 14, and the required number of decoders D are assigned to the playback unit 14 on demand by the management unit 15.

[0061] In this way, the video server device 10A with low specifications L When the video server device 10A is operating, if a request for continuous playback or variable speed playback is made due to a change in the broadcast schedule or usage purpose, the video server device 10A L In this case, the management unit 15 increases the number of decoders D in response to these requests, thereby reducing the number of decoders D in the video server device 10A. H It will be made into a high-spec model like this.

[0062] Video server device 10A H Even after the specifications have been improved, if continuous playback or variable speed playback becomes unnecessary due to a change in the broadcast schedule or usage, the management unit 15 can reduce the number of decoders D accordingly, thereby reducing the number of decoders D required for the video server device 10A. L It will be reverted to a lower spec, like this.

[0063] In this way, the video server device 10A can flexibly scale up / down the specifications by allowing the management unit 15 to increase / decrease the number of decoders D according to demand.

[0064] Next, another example of operation (scale-out, scale-in) in the cloud of the video server device of the third embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.

[0065] 5, each function of the video server device 10B is realized by a plurality of instances. The left side of the figure shows the video server device 10B in a small configuration with a small number of decoder instances d (described later). s The right side of the figure shows a large-scale configuration of a video server device 10B with a large number of decoder instances d (described later). B In the following description, the video server device 10B S and the video server device 10B B When referring to these collectively, they will be simply referred to as video server device B.

[0066] That is, the video server device 10B includes a recording unit 12B in which the recording unit 12 is realized by an instance, a decoder group 13B including decoder instances d1 and d2 in which the decoder D is realized by an instance, playback unit instances 14B1 and 14B2 in which the playback unit 14 is realized by an instance, and a management unit instance 15B in which the management unit 15 is realized by an instance.

[0067] In the video server device 10B configured as above, the management unit instance 15B can also change the instance specifications in accordance with the operating mode, etc., and the left side of the figure shows the video server device 10B with low specifications. S The right side of the figure shows the high-spec video server device 10B. B The configuration is shown below.

[0068] That is, when the management unit instance 15B is operating under low specifications that do not require continuous playback or variable-speed playback using multiple decoders D, it activates only a minimum number of decoder instances d (for example, only decoder instance d1 and decoder instance d2) as shown on the left side of the figure, and when the management unit instance 15B is operating under high specifications that require continuous playback or variable-speed playback using multiple decoders D, it activates additional decoder instances d (scale-out), such as decoder instance d3, as shown on the right side of the figure. After that, when continuous playback, variable-speed playback, etc. are no longer required, the management unit instance 15B reduces the number of decoder instances d (for example, pauses decoder instance d3), thereby returning the video server device 10B to the low specifications (scale-in).

[0069] As explained above, by constructing video server devices 10A and 10B on the cloud, the number of servers and their specifications can be adjusted depending on the load situation. Therefore, since it can be realized at the minimum scale required according to demand or required performance, it is possible to reduce costs and make effective use of resources without installing extra equipment.

[0070] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 10 Video server equipment 10A Cloud-based video server device 10B Cloud-based video server device 12 Recording section Recording section realized with 12B instance 13 Decoders 13B decoders 14 Playback Department 14B Instance for playback section 15 Management Department 15B Administrative Instance 16 ports 20 Upper System 100 Conventional video server device 140 Playback Department 150 Management Department 160 port B Programme guide data d Decoder instance D decoder S Material

Claims

1. a decoder group including a plurality of decoders for decoding materials to be aired; a plurality of playback units for playing back material decoded by assigned decoders among the plurality of decoders included in the decoder group; a management unit that allocates, to a playback unit among the plurality of playback units that will be used during the on-air broadcast, a decoder that is not allocated to another playback unit from among the decoder group at a predetermined timing before the on-air broadcast, and releases the allocation when the on-air broadcast ends; A video server device comprising:

2. 2. The video server device according to claim 1, wherein said management section performs said allocation and release on demand based on a program guide.

3. 2. The video server device according to claim 1, wherein the number of decoders included in said decoder group is less than twice the number of said playback units.

4. 2. The video server device of claim 1, wherein when the playback unit used during on-air playback plays the material at m times the predetermined normal playback speed (m is an integer greater than or equal to 2), the management unit allocates m decoders included in the decoder group that are not allocated to other playback units to this playback unit.

5. a recording unit for recording the material to be aired, 2. The video server device according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of decoders decode materials recorded in said recording unit.

6. 2. The video server device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of output ports connected to said plurality of playback units, respectively, for outputting the material played by said playback units.

7. The video server device is realized on a cloud, The decoder is realized by a decoder instance provided on the cloud, 2. The video server device according to claim 1, wherein said management section increases or decreases the number of said decoders in response to demand.

8. The number of decoders included in the decoder group is a predetermined minimum number by default, 8. The video server device according to claim 7, wherein said management section increases the number of said decoders when said demand is continuous playback or variable speed playback.

9. A decoder management method in a video server device having a plurality of decoders, comprising: the video server device comprises a plurality of decoders for decoding materials to be broadcast, and a plurality of playback units for playing back materials decoded by assigned decoders among the plurality of decoders; The management method includes: A management method which allocates, at a predetermined timing before the on-air broadcast, a decoder not allocated to another playback unit from the plurality of decoders to a playback unit to be used during the on-air broadcast, and releases the allocation when the on-air broadcast ends.

10. A program for managing decoders in a video server device having a plurality of decoders, comprising: the video server device comprises a plurality of decoders for decoding materials to be broadcast, and a plurality of playback units for playing back materials decoded by assigned decoders among the plurality of decoders; The program a function of allocating, from among the plurality of decoders, a decoder that is not allocated to another playback unit to a playback unit that will be used during the on-air broadcast, at a predetermined timing before the on-air broadcast; A function of canceling the allocation when the on-air broadcast ends. A program for causing a processor of the video server device to realize the above.

Images