Processing device, distributed processing device, broadcasting system, and processing method for the processing device.

Abstract

To reduce the possibility that the audio from the previous audio source will be output from the speaker when switching audio source data used for broadcasting and outputting it through the speaker. [Solution] The processing unit 1 comprises a communication unit 12 and a control unit 10. The communication unit 12 can communicate with a distributed processing unit 2 which comprises an output unit 23. The output unit 23 outputs an audio signal to speaker SP2 of a broadcasting equipment system S1 which has a speaker SP2 for broadcasting. The control unit 10 causes the communication unit 12 to transmit first information and second information to the distributed processing unit 2. The first information is information about the sound source data selected from among a plurality of sound source data as the audio signal to be output to speaker SP1. The second information is information about the switching timing of the sound source data to be used as the audio signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a processing device, a distributed processing device, a broadcast system, and a processing method for a processing device. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a processing device that communicates with a distributed processing device that outputs an audio signal to a speaker, a distributed processing device, a broadcast system, and a processing method for a processing device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a disaster prevention facility in which a fire receiver provided in a fire notification facility and an emergency broadcast device provided in an emergency broadcast facility are connected by a transfer line or the like. When the fire receiver receives a reporting signal from a fire detector and outputs a fire alarm, the fire receiver transmits a reporting area identification signal to the emergency broadcast device to cause the detector reporting broadcast to be performed. Further, when the fire receiver detects a fire confirmation after receiving the reporting signal, the fire receiver transmits a fire confirmation signal to the emergency broadcast device to cause the fire broadcast to be performed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a processing device, a distributed processing device, a broadcast system, and a processing method for a processing device capable of reducing the possibility that the audio of the sound source data before switching is output from a speaker when switching the sound source data used for broadcasting and outputting it from the speaker.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A processing device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a communication unit and a control unit. The communication unit is capable of communicating with a distributed processing device which comprises an output unit. The output unit outputs an audio signal to a speaker of a broadcasting system which comprises a speaker for broadcasting. The control unit causes the communication unit to transmit to the distributed processing device first information relating to the sound source data selected from among a plurality of sound source data as the audio signal to be output to the speaker, and second information relating to the switching timing of the sound source data to be used as the audio signal.

[0006] A broadcasting system according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises the processing unit and the distributed processing unit.

[0007] A distributed processing device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a slave-side communication unit, an output unit, and an output control unit. The slave-side communication unit is capable of communicating with the communication unit provided by the processing device. The output unit outputs the audio signal to the speaker of the broadcasting system. The output control unit controls the output operation of the audio signal by the output unit based on the second information received by the slave-side communication unit.

[0008] A processing method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes communication processing that communicates with a distributed processing unit having an output unit. The output unit outputs an audio signal to a speaker in a broadcasting system having a speaker for broadcasting. In the communication processing, first information relating to the sound source data selected from among a plurality of sound source data as the audio signal to be output to the speaker, and second information relating to the switching timing of the sound source data to be used as the audio signal are transmitted to the distributed processing unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to this disclosure, when switching audio source data used for broadcasting and outputting it from speakers, the possibility of the audio from the previous audio source data being output from the speakers can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1]Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of a broadcasting system including a processing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram of the same processing unit. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram of the distributed processing unit included in the broadcasting system described above. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows the data structure of one sample of transmission data sent by the same processing unit. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of the transmission data sent by the same processing unit. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of the transmission data sent by the same processing unit. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a graph showing the time change in the amount of buffer stored in the buffer of the distributed processing unit described above. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows an example of the second information transmitted by the modified processing device. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows an example of sound source data and control information output by a modified distributed processing unit. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Hereinafter, the processing unit, the distributed processing unit, and the emergency broadcasting system equipped with the processing unit and the distributed processing unit according to the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The configurations described in the following embodiments are merely examples of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications are possible depending on the design, etc., as long as the effects of the present disclosure can be achieved.

[0012] (Embodiment) (1) Overview Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of a broadcasting system A1 equipped with the processing unit 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a block diagram of the processing unit 1 included in the broadcasting system A1, and Figure 3 is a block diagram of the distributed processing unit 2 included in the broadcasting system A1.

[0013] The processing device 1 (hereinafter, may also be referred to as a receiver) includes a communication unit (hereinafter, may also be referred to as a second communication unit) 12 and a control unit 10.

[0014] The communication unit (second communication unit) 12 can communicate with a distributed processing device 2 (hereinafter, may also be referred to as a distributed processing board) including an output unit 23. The output unit 23 outputs an audio signal to the speaker SP2 of a broadcast system A1 having a speaker SP2 for broadcast.

[0015] The control unit 10 causes the communication unit (second communication unit) 12 to transmit first information and second information to the distributed processing device 2. The first information is information regarding the sound source data selected as the audio signal to be output to the speaker SP2 from among a plurality of sound source data. The second information is information regarding the switching timing of the sound source data to be used as the audio signal (hereinafter, this information may also be referred to as control information).

[0016] Also, the broadcast system A1 of the present embodiment includes the processing device 1 and the distributed processing device 2.

[0017] Also, the distributed processing device 2 of the present embodiment includes a slave unit side communication unit (hereinafter, may also be referred to as a second communication unit) 22, an output unit 23, and an output control unit (hereinafter, may also be referred to as a control unit) 20. The slave unit side communication unit (second communication unit 22) can communicate with the communication unit 12 included in the processing device 1. The output unit 23 outputs an audio signal to the speaker SP2 of the broadcast system A1. The output control unit (control unit) 20 controls the output operation of the audio signal by the output unit 23 based on the second information received by the slave unit side communication unit (second communication unit) 22.

[0018] In the present embodiment, the distributed processing device 2 can switch the sound source data at the timing when the switched sound source data can be output based on the second information regarding the switching timing of the sound source data. Therefore, when switching the sound source data of the audio signal output from the distributed processing device 2 to the speaker SP2, the possibility that the sound source data before switching is output from the speaker SP2 can be reduced.

[0019] (2) Details Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. Note that the specific arrangements, usage methods, etc. of various devices and equipment included in the following description are examples and can be changed as appropriate.

[0020] The broadcast system A1 is applied, for example, to a building B1 with (n + 1) floors (see FIG. 1). Note that n is an integer of 1 or more. The building B1 may be a residential building such as an apartment building, or a non-residential building such as an office building or a commercial facility.

[0021] The broadcast system A1 is, for example, a system that uses a broadcast equipment system S1 to perform business broadcasts, emergency broadcasts, or disaster broadcasts (e.g., emergency earthquake broadcasts, etc.) within the building B1. In addition, the broadcast system A1 of the present embodiment combines the functions of an emergency telephone system S2 and a fire alarm system S3. Equipment groups 3 of the broadcast equipment system S1, the emergency telephone system S2, and the fire alarm system S3 are arranged on each floor Fx (x = 0 to n) of the (n + 1)-story building B1. Note that it is not essential for the broadcast system A1 to have the functions of the emergency telephone system S2 and the fire alarm system S3, and the emergency telephone system S2 and the fire alarm system S3 can be omitted as appropriate.

[0022] Here, when the operations of the equipment groups 3 of the broadcast equipment system S1, the emergency telephone system S2, and the fire alarm system S3 arranged on each of the plurality of floors Fx are controlled by one processing device (receiver) 1, there is a problem that the control load on the processing device 1 becomes large. Therefore, in the present embodiment, for example, a processing device (receiver) 1 serving as a master unit is arranged in a management room or the like provided on the first floor F0, and distributed processing devices (distributed processing boards) 2 serving as slave units are arranged on each floor Fy (y = 2 to n + 1) from the second floor to the (n + 1)-th floor. Note that when the distributed processing devices 2 arranged one by one on each floor Fy from the second floor to the (n + 1)-th floor are to be separately described, they may be referred to as distributed processing devices 2a to 2n.

[0023] Each of the processing unit 1 and the distributed processing units 2a to 2n is connected to a group of devices 3 consisting of a broadcasting equipment system S1, an emergency telephone system S2, and a fire alarm system S3, all located on the same floor.

[0024] The master unit, processing unit 1, controls the group of equipment 3, which consists of a broadcasting equipment system S1, an emergency telephone system S2, and a fire alarm system S3, all connected to processing unit 1. Furthermore, processing unit 1 communicates with the distributed processing unit 2, causing the distributed processing unit 2 to control the group of equipment 3 connected to the distributed processing unit 2. In this way, processing unit 1 indirectly controls the operation of the group of equipment 3 located on floor Fy, where the distributed processing unit 2 is located, via the distributed processing unit 2. That is, processing unit 1 controls the operation of the group of equipment 3 located on floor Fy, which is different from floor F0 where processing unit 1 is located, by having the distributed processing unit 2, located on the same floor Fy, execute the control process. By distributing the processing of controlling the group of equipment 3 to the distributed processing unit 2, the processing burden on processing unit 1 can be reduced.

[0025] The following describes the processing unit (receiver) 1 and distributed processing unit (distributed processing panel) 2, etc., of the broadcasting system A1 with reference to the drawings.

[0026] (2.1) Processing apparatus As described above, the processing unit (receiver) 1 comprises a control unit 10 and a second communication unit 12. The processing unit 1 further comprises a first communication unit 11, an input / output unit 13, a third communication unit 14, an emergency broadcast sound source generation unit 15, a broadcast audio conversion unit 16, and a call audio conversion unit 17.

[0027] The control unit 10 primarily consists of a computer system having one or more processors and memory. The functions of the control unit 10 are realized when the processor of the computer system executes a program recorded in the memory of the computer system. The program may be recorded in memory, provided via a telecommunication line such as the Internet, or provided on a non-temporary recording medium such as a memory card.

[0028] The control unit 10 controls the operation of, for example, the first communication unit 11, the second communication unit 12, the input / output unit 13, the third communication unit 14, the emergency broadcast sound source generation unit 15, the broadcast voice conversion unit 16, and the call voice conversion unit 17.

[0029] The first communication unit 11 is connected to one or more detectors 31, which are part of the group of devices 3 of the fire alarm system S3, via a communication line L11. The one or more detectors 31 are, for example, heat-sensing or smoke-sensing fire detectors. When one or more detectors 31 detect the occurrence of a fire, they output a fire detection signal. The first communication unit 11 receives the fire detection signal from one or more detectors 31 by communicating with them, for example, using a digital communication method.

[0030] The second communication unit 12 is connected to one or more (multiple in this embodiment) distributed processing units 2 via the communication line L0. The second communication unit 12 communicates with each of the one or more distributed processing units 2 via the communication line L0.

[0031] The emergency broadcast sound source generation unit 15 generates a digital broadcast audio signal for emergency broadcasts. For example, the storage device provided by the processing unit 1 stores multiple sound source data to be used as digital broadcast audio signals, and the emergency broadcast sound source generation unit 15 outputs the sound source data selected by the control unit 10 from among the multiple sound source data to the broadcast audio conversion unit 16 as a digital broadcast audio signal.

[0032] The broadcast audio conversion unit 16 performs conversion between digital broadcast audio signals and analog broadcast audio signals. Specifically, the broadcast audio conversion unit 16 converts the digital broadcast audio signal generated by the emergency broadcast sound source generation unit 15 into an analog broadcast audio signal and outputs it to the input / output unit 13. The broadcast audio conversion unit 16 also outputs the digital broadcast audio signal generated by the emergency broadcast sound source generation unit 15 to the second communication unit 12, which then transmits it to the distributed processing units 2a to 2n. Furthermore, the broadcast audio conversion unit 16 converts the analog audio signal input from the input / output unit 13 into a digital audio signal and outputs it to the second communication unit 12, which then transmits it to the distributed processing units 2a to 2n.

[0033] The input / output unit 13 is connected to the speaker SP1 and microphone MC1, which are part of the equipment group 3 of the broadcasting equipment system S1, via the communication line L12. In this embodiment, the input / output unit 13 has multiple channel (e.g., 8 channel) output circuits, and one or more speakers SP1 are connected to each of the multiple channel output circuits. The input / output unit 13 outputs the analog broadcasting audio signal input from the broadcasting audio conversion unit 16 to a predetermined output circuit, thereby causing one or more speakers SP1 connected to that output circuit to output sound. The input / output unit 13 also outputs the analog audio signal input from the microphone MC1 to the broadcasting audio conversion unit 16. For example, when the manager of building B1 speaks into the microphone MC1 to make an announcement within building B1, the voice spoken by the manager is converted into an analog audio signal by the microphone MC1 and input to the broadcasting audio conversion unit 16. At this time, the broadcast audio conversion unit 16 converts the analog audio signal input from the microphone MC1 into a digital audio signal and outputs it to the second communication unit 12, which then transmits the digital audio signal to the distributed processing units 2a to 2n.

[0034] The third communication unit 14 is connected to the master telephone unit 32, which is part of the equipment group 3 of the emergency telephone system S2, via communication line L13, and communicates with the master telephone unit 32 using an analog communication method. The third communication unit 14 is also connected to the emergency telephone repeater 34, which is part of the equipment group 3 of the emergency telephone system S2, via communication line L13. The emergency telephone repeater 34 is connected to the handset 33, which is part of the equipment group 3 of the emergency telephone system S2, via communication line L13. The third communication unit 14 communicates with the handset 33 using an analog communication method via communication line L13 and the emergency telephone repeater 34. Therefore, the master telephone unit 32 and the handset 33 can communicate using an analog communication method via the third communication unit 14 and the emergency telephone repeater 34. The third communication unit 14 is also connected to the voice conversion unit 17.

[0035] The call voice conversion unit 17 converts the analog audio signal received by the third communication unit 14 into a digital audio signal and outputs it to the second communication unit 12. The call voice conversion unit 17 also converts the digital audio signal received by the second communication unit 12 into an analog audio signal and outputs it to the third communication unit 14. For example, when a call is made between a master unit 32 or a sub-unit 33 connected to the processing unit 1 and a sub-unit 33 connected to the distributed processing unit 2, when an analog audio signal is input from the third communication unit 14 to the call voice conversion unit 17, the call voice conversion unit 17 converts the analog audio signal into a digital audio signal and outputs it to the second communication unit 12. Also, when a call is made between a master unit 32 or a sub-unit 33 connected to the processing unit 1 and a sub-unit 33 connected to the distributed processing unit 2, when a digital audio signal is input from the second communication unit 12 to the call voice conversion unit 17, the call voice conversion unit 17 converts the digital audio signal into an analog audio signal and outputs it to the third communication unit 14. Furthermore, the processing unit (receiver) 1 may include a communication unit that transmits and receives analog audio signals to and from the distributed processing panel 2. In this case, the voice conversion unit 17 does not need to perform the process of converting analog audio signals into digital audio signals.

[0036] (2.2) Distributed Processing Apparatus The distributed processing unit 2 is provided to distribute and execute the processing performed by the processing unit 1. The distributed processing unit 2 has the same configuration as the processing unit 1, but with the third communication unit 14 and the emergency broadcast sound source generation unit 15 removed. Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram of the distributed processing unit 2a, but distributed processing units 2a to 2n have the same configuration.

[0037] As described above, the distributed processing unit (distributed processing panel) 2 includes an output unit 23 (see Figure 3). The distributed processing unit 2 also further includes a control unit 20, a first communication unit 21, a second communication unit 22, a broadcast audio conversion unit 26, and a call audio conversion unit 27.

[0038] The control unit 20 primarily consists of a computer system having one or more processors and memory. The functions of the control unit 20 are realized when the processor of the computer system executes a program stored in the memory of the computer system. The program may be stored in memory, provided via a telecommunication line such as the Internet, or provided on a non-temporary recording medium such as a memory card.

[0039] The control unit 20 controls the operation of, for example, the first communication unit 21, the second communication unit 22, the output unit 23, the broadcast audio conversion unit 26, and the call audio conversion unit 27.

[0040] The first communication unit 21 is connected to one or more detectors 31, which are part of the equipment group 3 of the fire alarm system S3, via a communication line L21. The first communication unit 21 receives fire detection signals from one or more detectors 31 by communicating with them, for example, using a digital communication method.

[0041] The second communication unit 22 is connected to the receiver 1 via the communication line L0. The second communication unit 22 communicates with the receiver 1 via the communication line L0.

[0042] The broadcast audio conversion unit 26 performs conversion between digital broadcast audio signals and analog broadcast audio signals. Specifically, the broadcast audio conversion unit 26 converts the digital broadcast audio signal input from the second communication unit 22 into an analog broadcast audio signal and outputs it to the output unit 23.

[0043] The output unit 23 is connected to the speaker SP2, which is part of the equipment group 3 of the broadcast equipment system S1, via the communication line L22. In this embodiment, the output unit 23 has multiple channel (for example, 8 channel) output circuits, and one or more speakers SP2 are connected to each of the multiple channel output circuits. The output unit 23 outputs the analog broadcast audio signal input from the broadcast audio conversion unit 26 to a predetermined output circuit, thereby causing one or more speakers SP2 connected to that output circuit to output audio.

[0044] The call voice conversion unit 27 is connected to the emergency telephone repeater 34, which is part of the equipment group 3 of the emergency telephone system S2, via the communication line L23. The emergency telephone repeater 34 is connected to the call handset 33, which is also part of the equipment group 3 of the emergency telephone system S2, via the communication line L23. The call voice conversion unit 27 converts the digital voice signal input from the second communication unit 12 into an analog voice signal and outputs it to the call handset 33 at the destination via the emergency telephone repeater 34. The call voice conversion unit 27 also converts the analog voice signal input from the call handset 33 via the emergency telephone repeater 34 into a digital voice signal and outputs it to the second communication unit 22, which then transmits it to the processing unit 1 or distributed processing unit 2 at the destination.

[0045] For example, when an analog audio signal is input to the call voice conversion unit 27 from a call handset 33 connected to the distributed processing unit 2 via the emergency telephone repeater 34, the call voice conversion unit 27 converts the analog audio signal to a digital audio signal and outputs it to the second communication unit 12. Also, when a digital audio signal is input to the call voice conversion unit 27 from the second communication unit 22, the call voice conversion unit 27 converts the digital audio signal to an analog audio signal and outputs it to the call handset 33 via the emergency telephone repeater 34. Note that the distributed processing panel 2 may also be equipped with a communication unit that sends and receives analog audio signals to and from the processing unit (receiver) 1. In this case, the call voice conversion unit 27 does not need to perform the process of converting the analog audio signal to a digital audio signal.

[0046] (3) Operation Description This document will explain the operation of the broadcasting equipment system S1, which is part of broadcasting system A1. The operation of the emergency telephone system S2 and the fire alarm system S3 will not be explained.

[0047] For example, when a detector 31 of the fire alarm system S3 connected to the distributed processing unit 2a detects a fire, the detector 31 outputs a fire detection signal to the first communication unit 21. When the first communication unit 21 receives the fire detection signal from the detector 31, the control unit 20 causes the second communication unit 22 to transmit a fire detection signal to the processing unit 1.

[0048] When the second communication unit 12 of the processing unit 1 receives a fire detection signal from the second communication unit 22 of the distributed processing unit 2a, the control unit 10 instructs the emergency broadcast sound source generation unit 15 to output sound source data for emergency broadcasts to be performed when a fire is detected as a digital broadcast audio signal to the broadcast audio conversion unit 16.

[0049] When the broadcast audio conversion unit 16 receives a digital broadcast audio signal from the emergency broadcast sound source generation unit 15, it converts the digital broadcast audio signal into an analog broadcast audio signal and outputs it to the input / output unit 13. The input / output unit 13 outputs the analog broadcast audio signal received from the broadcast audio conversion unit 16 to an output circuit of a predetermined channel, and causes the speaker SP1 connected to that output circuit to output an emergency broadcast message. For example, the input / output unit 13 outputs an analog broadcast audio signal to the output circuit of the channel to which speaker SP1 located in the area where the fire has occurred is connected, and causes the speaker SP1 connected to that output circuit to output an emergency broadcast message.

[0050] Furthermore, the broadcast audio conversion unit 16 outputs the digital broadcast audio signal input from the emergency broadcast sound source generation unit 15 to the second communication unit 12, which then transmits it to the distributed processing unit 2. At this time, the second communication unit 12 communicates with the distributed processing unit 2 using the RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol) method. The second communication unit 12 transmits transmission data to the distributed processing unit 2 that includes first information DA1 regarding the sound source data selected as the audio signal to be output to the speaker SP2, and second information DA2 regarding the switching timing of the sound source data to be used as the audio signal. In other words, the control unit 10 causes the communication unit (second communication unit 12) to transmit transmission data including first information DA1 and second information DA2 corresponding to first information DA1 to the distributed processing unit 2.

[0051] Then, when the second communication unit 22 of the distributed processing unit 2 receives the transmission data sent from the second communication unit 12 of the processing unit 1, the control unit 20 outputs the first information DA1 and the second information DA2 contained in the transmission data to the broadcast audio conversion unit 26. The broadcast audio conversion unit 26 converts the digital audio signal contained in the first information DA1 into an analog audio signal. Based on the second information DA2, when the timing for switching the sound source data arrives, the control unit 20 causes the analog audio signal converted by the broadcast audio conversion unit 26 to be output from the output unit 23 to the speaker SP2, and then outputs sound from the speaker SP2.

[0052] In this embodiment, since the output unit 23 has an 8-channel output circuit, the first information DA1 includes audio signals for 8 channels, and the second information DA2 includes control information indicating the switching timing of sound source data for each channel. The sound source data is data obtained by sampling audio at a predetermined sampling frequency. The sound source data is an audio signal obtained by sampling audio and then compressing it using an analog-to-digital conversion process called a codec. The sampling frequency of the audio is, for example, 44.1 kHz, but the sampling period can be changed as appropriate.

[0053] Figure 4 shows the data structure of the transmitted data, which includes the first information DA1 and the second information DA2 for one sample. The first information DA1 contains eight audio signals SD1 to SD8. The second information DA2 contains control information CT1 to CT8, which correspond to each of the eight audio signals SD1 to SD8. The audio signals SD1 to SD8 are, for example, 16-bit data. The control information CT1 to CT8 are, for example, 8-bit data (0 to 255). The control unit 10 sets the values ​​of the control information CT1 to CT8, which correspond to each of the audio signals SD1 to SD8, so that the value is incremented by one at the timing of switching the sound source data to be output as audio signals SD1 to SD8.

[0054] Here, the control unit 10 has the communication unit (second communication unit 12) transmit the transmission data, which includes the first information DA1 and the second information DA2, to the distributed processing unit 2 for each sample of the first information DA1. The control unit 10 creates a single-frame RTP packet in which the transmission data, which includes the first information DA1 and the second information DA2, consisting of multiple samples (for example, 20 msec worth) of audio signals SD1 to SD8, is stored in the payload portion, and has the second communication unit 12 transmit the created RTP packet to the distributed processing unit 2 at a predetermined transmission cycle. Furthermore, the control unit 10 adds an IP (Internet Protocol) header to the RTP packet to create an IP packet, and has the second communication unit 12 transmit the created IP packet to the distributed processing unit 2 using the TCP / IP communication method. In this way, the control unit 10 has the communication unit (second communication unit 12) transmit the IP packet containing the first information DA1 and the second information DA2 to the distributed processing unit 2, so it can transmit the first and second information using the TCP / IP communication method.

[0055] Next, the operation of the processing unit 1 when switching the sound source data to be output as an audio signal will be explained based on Figure 5.

[0056] Figure 5 shows an example of an audio signal SD2 output to the output circuit of channel ch2, and control information CT2 associated with the audio signal SD2. Here, Figure 5 shows the audio signal SD2 and control information CT2 when switching the sound source data selected as the audio signal SD2 from the first sound source data ORG1 to the second sound source data ORG2.

[0057] The control unit 10 selects the first sound source data ORG1 as the audio signal SD2 during the first period TA1 from time t0 to time t1, and selects the second sound source data ORG2 as the audio signal SD2 during the second period TA2 after time t1. The control unit 10 outputs control information CT2 for each sample of the audio signal SD2, which is the first information DA1, and increments the value of the control information CT2 from "1" to "2" at time t1 when switching the audio signal SD2 to the second sound source data ORG2.

[0058] When such transmission data is sent from the processing unit 1 to the distributed processing unit 2, the control unit 20 of the distributed processing unit 2 outputs the audio signal SD2 from the output unit 23 to the output circuit of channel ch2 when the value of the control information CT2 increments by one from "1" to "2". The output circuit of channel ch2 then outputs the audio of the audio signal SD2 from the speaker SP2 connected to that output circuit. At the moment when the value of the control information CT2 increments by one from "1" to "2" (time t2), the audio signal SD2 has switched from the first sound source data ORG1 to the second sound source data ORG2. Therefore, the possibility of the audio of the first sound source data ORG1 being output from the speaker SP2 of channel ch2 before the switch is reduced. As a result, the control unit 20 of the distributed processing unit 2 can output the audio of the second sound source data ORG2 after the switch from the speaker SP2 of channel ch2 during the second period TA2 after time t1.

[0059] Furthermore, when the control unit 10 switches the audio signal SD2 from the first sound source data ORG1 to the second sound source data ORG2, it may provide a buffer period BUF1 between the first period TA1 and the second period TA2 (see Figure 6). The first period TA1 is the period during which the first sound source data ORG1 is output as the audio signal SD2, and the second period TA2 is the period during which the second sound source data ORG2 is output as the audio signal SD2. The buffer period BUF is set to be longer than the internal processing time DT1 required for internal processing such as switching the speakers that output audio in the distributed processing panel 2. In the buffer period BUF1, the control unit 10 outputs buffer sound data BS1 as the audio signal SD2, which has a lower volume from speaker SP2 compared to the first period TA1 and the second period TA2. In other words, the buffer period BUF1 is the period during which the volume from speaker SP2 is lower compared to the first period TA1 and the second period TA2.

[0060] The control unit 10 outputs the first sound source data ORG1 as the audio signal SD2 during the first period TA1 from time t10 to time t11. The control unit 10 outputs the buffer sound data BS1 as the audio signal SD2 during the buffer period BUF1 from time t11 to time t13. The control unit 10 outputs the second sound source data ORG2 as the audio signal SD2 during the second period TA2 from time t13 onward. The control unit 10 then outputs control information CT2 for each sample of the audio signal SD2, which is the first information DA1. At time t12, which is part of the buffer period BUF1, the value of the control information CT2 is incremented by one, from "1" to "2". Here, the time from time t11, when the buffer period BUF1 starts, to time t12, when the value of the control information CT2 is incremented by one, is set, for example, to the internal processing time DT1 described above.

[0061] Thus, the control unit 10 increments the value of the control information CT2 from "1" to "2" at the time t12, when the internal processing time DT1 has elapsed from the time t11 when the buffer period BUF1 begins. Therefore, in the processing unit 1 of this embodiment, the possibility of the beginning of the audio being cut off, such as the audio being output from the middle of the second sound source data ORG2, due to delays caused by internal processing such as switching the speaker that outputs the audio can be reduced. Then, after switching from the buffer period BUF1 to the second period TA2, the control unit 20 of the distributed processing unit 2 can output the audio of the switched second sound source data ORG2 from the speaker SP2 of channel ch2.

[0062] Furthermore, the control unit 10 may output first information DA1 in which a silent signal is used as the audio signal SD2 during the buffer period BUF1. By using a silent signal as the buffer sound data BS1 output as the audio signal SD2 during the buffer period BUF1, the possibility of a sound other than the second sound source data ORG2 being output from the speaker SP2 at time t12 when the value of the control information CT2 is incremented can be reduced.

[0063] Incidentally, the control unit (output control unit) 20 of the distributed processing unit 2 performs jitter buffer control, storing the first information DA1 and the second information DA2 received by the slave-side communication unit (second communication unit 22) from the communication unit (second communication unit 12) of the processing unit 1 in a buffer. The buffer is composed of, for example, memory provided by the control unit 20. Here, the control unit (output control unit) 20 controls the amount of second information DA2 stored in the buffer according to the amount of first information DA1 stored in the buffer.

[0064] The control unit (output control unit) 20 of the distributed processing unit 2 performs jitter buffer control so that the slave-side communication unit (second communication unit 22) stores a predetermined amount of the first information DA1 and second information DA2 received from the processing unit 1's communication unit (second communication unit 12) in the buffer. As a result, even if a communication delay occurs between the slave-side communication unit (second communication unit 22) and the processing unit 1's communication unit (second communication unit 12), the audio signal of the first information DA1 stored in the buffer is output to the speaker SP2, thereby reducing the possibility of audio interruption.

[0065] In this case, if a communication failure occurs between the processing unit 1 and the distributed processing unit 2, the amount of data of the first information DA1 and the second information DA2 stored in the buffer of the distributed processing unit 2 may decrease. Also, if the operating clock frequency of the distributed processing unit 2 is lower than the operating clock frequency of the processing unit 1, the amount of data of the first information DA1 and the second information DA2 stored in the buffer of the distributed processing unit 2 may increase.

[0066] Figure 7 is a graph showing the time change in the amount of data (buffer amount) of the first information DA1 stored in the buffer of the distributed processing unit 2. Assuming that the distributed processing unit 2 is started at time t20, the control unit 20 stores the first information DA1 until the buffer amount reaches the target value Lv2, and thereafter discards old first information DA1 and stores new first information DA1 so that the buffer amount matches the target value Lv2. If a communication failure occurs between the processing unit 1 and the distributed processing unit 2 at time t21, the buffer amount will decrease from the target value Lv2, but if the communication failure is resolved at time t22, the buffer amount will recover to the target value Lv2.

[0067] On the other hand, if the buffer amount exceeds the upper limit Lv3 at time t23 due to reasons such as differences in operating clock frequency, and this state of the buffer amount exceeding the upper limit Lv3 continues for a predetermined time DT2, the control unit 20 discards the data of the first information DA1 accumulated in the buffer at time t24 until the buffer amount matches the target value Lv2. The control unit 20 also discards the second information DA2 corresponding to the discarded first information DA1, leaving only the second information DA2 corresponding to the first information DA1 accumulated in the buffer.

[0068] Furthermore, if the buffer amount falls below the lower limit Lv1 at time t25 due to a communication failure between the processing unit 1 and the distributed processing unit 2, and this state of the buffer amount being below the lower limit Lv1 continues for a predetermined time DT3, the control unit 20 will store the first information DA1 in the buffer at time t26 until the buffer amount matches the target value Lv2. The control unit 20 will also store the second information DA2, which is associated with the first information DA1, in the buffer. Alternatively, the control unit 20 may restore the buffer amount to the target value Lv2 by creating the first information DA1 and the second information DA2 based on the first information DA1 and the second information DA2 stored in the buffer.

[0069] This increases the buffer size of the first information DA1 and the second information DA2 stored in the buffer to the target value Lv2, thereby reducing the possibility of problems such as interruptions in the sound output from speaker SP2.

[0070] Furthermore, if some of the multiple audio signals transmitted by the communication unit (second communication unit) 12 of the processing unit 1 to the slave unit communication unit (second communication unit) 22 are not received by the slave unit communication unit (second communication unit) 22, the output control unit (control unit) 20 may perform a restoration process. In the restoration process, the output control unit (control unit) 20 restores some of the unreceived audio signals based on the audio signals received by the slave unit communication unit (second communication unit) 22, and restores the second information DA2 corresponding to some of the audio signals in accordance with the restoration process of some of the audio signals. For example, in the restoration process, the output control unit (control unit) 20 complements the unreceived audio signals (hereinafter sometimes referred to as unreceived audio signals) based on audio signals that were received before and after the unreceived audio signals. Then, the output control unit (control unit) 20 restores the second information that was received immediately before as the second information corresponding to the unreceived audio signals. As a result, even if the slave unit's communication unit (second communication unit) 22 is unable to receive some audio signals due to poor communication conditions, the output control unit (control unit) 20 can perform a restoration process to recover the unreceived audio signals and control information (second signal D2).

[0071] (4) Variations The above embodiments are merely one of many embodiments of this disclosure. The above embodiments can be modified in various ways depending on the design, etc., as long as the objectives of this disclosure are achieved. Furthermore, functions similar to those of the processing unit 1 may be embodied in processing methods performed by the processing unit 1, computer programs, or non-temporary recording media on which the program is recorded. One embodiment of the processing method includes communication processing that communicates with a distributed processing unit 2 equipped with an output unit 23. The output unit 23 outputs an audio signal to speaker SP2 of a broadcasting system A1 having a speaker SP2 for broadcasting. In the communication processing, first information concerning sound source data selected from among multiple sound source data as an audio signal to be output to speaker SP2, and second information concerning the switching timing of sound source data to be used as an audio signal are transmitted to the distributed processing unit 2. One embodiment of the (computer) program is a program that causes a computer system to execute the first process and the second process.

[0072] The following lists some modifications of the above embodiment. The modifications described below can be combined and applied as appropriate.

[0073] The processing unit 1 or processing method execution entity, or the distributed processing unit 2 in this disclosure, includes a computer system. The computer system mainly consists of a processor and memory as hardware. The processor executes a program recorded in the memory of the computer system, thereby realizing the functions of the processing unit 1 or processing method execution entity, or the distributed processing unit 2 in this disclosure. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, provided via a telecommunications line, or provided on a non-temporary recording medium such as a memory card, optical disk, or hard disk drive that can be read by the computer system. The processor of the computer system consists of one or more electronic circuits including semiconductor integrated circuits (ICs) or large-scale integrated circuits (LSIs). The integrated circuits such as ICs or LSIs referred to here are named differently depending on the degree of integration, and include integrated circuits called system LSIs, VLSIs (Very Large Scale Integration), or ULSIs (Ultra Large Scale Integration). Furthermore, FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) that are programmed after the manufacture of LSIs, or logic devices that allow for the reconfiguration of junction relationships or circuit compartments within LSIs, can also be used as processors. Multiple electronic circuits may be integrated onto a single chip or distributed across multiple chips. Multiple chips may be integrated onto a single device or distributed across multiple devices. The computer system referred to here includes a microcontroller having one or more processors and one or more memories. Therefore, the microcontroller also consists of one or more electronic circuits, including semiconductor integrated circuits or large-scale integrated circuits.

[0074] Furthermore, it is not essential for the processing unit 1 or the distributed processing unit 2 to have multiple functions integrated into a single enclosure; the components of the processing unit 1 or the distributed processing unit 2 may be distributed across multiple enclosures. Moreover, at least some of the functions of the processing unit 1 or the distributed processing unit 2 may be implemented by the cloud (cloud computing), etc.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the control unit 20 of the distributed processing unit 2 switches the sound source data when the value of the control information is incremented by one. However, the control unit 20 of the distributed processing unit 2 may also switch the sound source data when the value of the control information is decremented by one. Alternatively, the control unit 20 of the distributed processing unit 2 may switch the sound source data when the value of the control information changes to a predetermined state.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the control unit 10 may compress the amount of data of the transmission data including the first information DA1 and the second information DA2 and have it transmitted from the communication unit (second communication unit) 12 to the distributed processing unit 2. In the above embodiment, the control unit 10 sets one piece of control information corresponding to one sample of sound source data, but one piece of control information may be set for multiple samples of sound source data included in one frame. Figure 8 shows the data structure of control information CT1 set, for example, corresponding to the sound source data of channel ch1. Control information CT1 includes the number (value) of control information CT1 before change, the number (value) of control information CT1 after change, and the sample number when changing the number (value) of control information CT1. The sample number is a number that indicates the transmission order of multiple samples included in one frame. In Figure 8, the number of control information CT1 before change is set to "1", the number of control information CT1 after change is set to "2", and the sample number when changing the number of control information CT1 is set to 12. Furthermore, it is assumed that the audio source data for audio signal SD1 is switched from the first audio source data ORG1 to the second audio source data ORG2, for example, at the 12th sample. It is also assumed that there is no buffer period for outputting buffer sound data between the first period for outputting the first audio source data ORG1 and the second period for outputting the second audio source data ORG2.

[0077] When control information as shown in Figure 8 is transmitted from the processing unit 1 to the distributed processing unit 2, the control unit 20 of the distributed processing unit 2 changes the value of the control information CT1 from "1" to "2" when outputting the sound source data for the 12th sample (see Figure 9). Then, at the moment the value of the control information CT1 is changed from "1" to "2", the control unit 20 of the distributed processing unit 2 outputs the audio signal SD1 of channel ch1 from the output unit 23 to the speaker SP2. Here, since the sound source data of the audio signal SD1 is switched to the second sound source data ORG2 in the 12th sample, the possibility of the sound of the first sound source data ORG1 before the switch being output from the speaker SP2 can be reduced. In addition, the possibility of the beginning of the audio being cut off, such as the audio being output from the middle of the second sound source data ORG2, can be reduced.

[0078] In this way, the control unit 10 assigns one control information CT1 to multiple sound source data samples contained in one frame, which allows for a reduction in the amount of control information compared to assigning one control information to each sample of sound source data.

[0079] If a buffer period is set between the first and second periods, the sample number used when changing the control information CT1 should be set in the middle of the buffer period.

[0080] Furthermore, since the sound source data, which is the first information DA1, is compressed using the CODEC method, the control unit 10 can compress the amount of data in the transmission data, including the first information DA1 and the second information DA2, and transmit it to the distributed processing unit 2 from the second communication unit 22. As a result, the processing unit 1 can compress the amount of data in the transmission data and reduce communication traffic between the processing unit 1 and the distributed processing unit 2.

[0081] (summary) Based on the embodiments described above, the following aspects are disclosed.

[0082] The first embodiment of the processing device (1) comprises a communication unit (12) and a control unit (10). The communication unit (12) is capable of communicating with a distributed processing device (2) which comprises an output unit (23). The output unit (23) outputs an audio signal to a speaker (SP2) of a broadcasting system (A1) which has a broadcast speaker (SP2). The control unit (10) causes the communication unit (12) to transmit first information (DA1) and second information (DA2) to the distributed processing device (2). The first information (DA1) is information about the sound source data selected from among a plurality of sound source data as the audio signal to be output to the speaker (SP2). The second information (DA2) is information about the switching timing of the sound source data to be used as the audio signal.

[0083] According to this embodiment, the distributed processing unit (2) can switch the sound source data based on the second information (DA2) regarding the timing of switching the sound source data, at the timing when the switched sound source data becomes available for output. Therefore, when switching the sound source data of the audio signal to be output to the speaker (SP2), the possibility of the previous sound source data being output from the speaker (SP2) can be reduced.

[0084] In the second embodiment of the processing device (1), in the first embodiment, the control unit (10) causes the communication unit (12) to transmit transmission data, which includes first information (DA1) and second information (DA2) corresponding to the first information (DA1), to the distributed processing device (2).

[0085] According to this embodiment, the processing unit (1) can transmit the first information (DA1) and the second information (DA2) as a set to the distributed processing unit (2).

[0086] In the third embodiment of the processing device (1), as in the second embodiment, the sound source data is data obtained by sampling speech at a sampling frequency. The control unit (10) causes the communication unit (12) to transmit transmission data, which includes first information (DA1) and second information (DA2), to the distributed processing device (2) for each sample of first information (DA1).

[0087] According to this embodiment, the first information (DA1) and the second information (DA2) can be transmitted on a sample basis.

[0088] In the fourth embodiment of the processing device (1), in the first embodiment, the control unit (10) causes the communication unit (12) to transmit an IP packet containing the first information (DA1) and the second information (DA2) to the distributed processing device (2).

[0089] According to this embodiment, the first information (DA1) and the second information (DA2) can be transmitted in IP packets.

[0090] In the fifth embodiment of the processing unit (1), in the fourth embodiment, the control unit (10) compresses the amount of data of the transmission data, which includes the first information (DA1) and the second information (DA2), and has the communication unit (12) transmit it to the distributed processing unit (2).

[0091] According to this configuration, the amount of data transmitted can be reduced.

[0092] In the processing device (1) of the sixth embodiment, in any of the first to fifth embodiments, the plurality of sound source data includes first sound source data (ORG1) and second sound source data (ORG2). When the control unit (10) switches the audio signal from first sound source data (ORG1) to second sound source data (ORG2), a buffer period (BUF1) is provided between the first period (TA1) and the second period (TA2). The first period (TA1) is the period during which the first sound source data (ORG1) is output as an audio signal. The second period (TA2) is the period during which the second sound source data (ORG2) is output as an audio signal. The buffer period (BUF1) is the period during which the volume from the speaker (SP2) is lower than that of the first period (TA1) and the second period (TA2).

[0093] According to this embodiment, when switching the audio signal from the first sound source data (ORG1) to the second sound source data (ORG2), the possibility that the sound of the first sound source data (ORG1) before the switch will be output from the speaker (SP2) can be reduced.

[0094] In the seventh embodiment of the processing device (1), in the sixth embodiment, the control unit (10) outputs first information (DA1) in which a silent signal is used as an audio signal during the buffer period (BUF1).

[0095] According to this embodiment, when switching the audio signal from the first sound source data (ORG1) to the second sound source data (ORG2), the possibility that the sound of the first sound source data (ORG1) before the switch will be output from the speaker (SP2) can be reduced.

[0096] The eighth aspect of the broadcasting system (A1) comprises a processing device (1) according to any of the first to seventh aspects and a distributed processing device (2).

[0097] According to this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, when switching the sound source data of the audio signal output to the speaker (SP2), the possibility that the sound source data before the switch will be output from the speaker (SP2) can be reduced.

[0098] The distributed processing unit (2) of the ninth embodiment comprises a slave-side communication unit (22), an output unit (23), and an output control unit (20). The slave-side communication unit (22) can communicate with the communication unit (12) of the processing unit (1). The output unit (23) outputs an audio signal to the speaker (SP2) of the broadcasting system (A1). The output control unit (20) controls the output operation of the audio signal by the output unit (23) based on the second information (DA2) received by the slave-side communication unit (22).

[0099] According to this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, when switching the sound source data of the audio signal output to the speaker (SP2), the possibility that the sound source data before the switch will be output from the speaker (SP2) can be reduced.

[0100] In the distributed processing device (2) of the tenth embodiment, as in the ninth embodiment, the output control unit (20) performs jitter buffer control to store the first information (DA1) and the second information (DA2) received by the slave-side communication unit (22) from the communication unit (12) of the processing device (1) in a buffer. The output control unit (20) controls the amount of second information (DA2) stored in the buffer according to the amount of first information (DA1) stored in the buffer.

[0101] According to this embodiment, when the amount of stored first information (DA1) is increased or decreased by jitter buffer control, the amount of stored second information (DA2) can be controlled according to the amount of stored first information (DA1).

[0102] In the distributed processing device (2) of the 11th embodiment, if, in the 9th embodiment, some of the multiple audio signals transmitted by the communication unit (12) of the processing device (1) to the slave unit communication unit (22) are not received by the slave unit communication unit (22), the output control unit (20) performs a restoration process. In the restoration process, the output control unit (20) restores some of the audio signals based on the audio signals received by the slave unit communication unit (22), and restores second information (DA2) corresponding to some of the audio signals in accordance with the restoration process of some of the audio signals.

[0103] According to this embodiment, second information (DA2) corresponding to the restored audio signal can be restored.

[0104] The processing method of the twelfth embodiment includes communication processing that communicates with a distributed processing unit (2) equipped with an output unit (23). The output unit (23) outputs an audio signal to a speaker (SP2) of a broadcasting system (A1) having a broadcast speaker (SP2). In the communication processing, first information (DA1) concerning sound source data selected from among multiple sound source data as an audio signal to be output to the speaker (SP2), and second information (DA2) concerning the switching timing of sound source data to be used as an audio signal are transmitted to the distributed processing unit (2).

[0105] According to this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, when switching the sound source data of the audio signal output to the speaker (SP2), the possibility that the sound source data before the switch will be output from the speaker (SP2) can be reduced.

[0106] Not limited to the above embodiments, various configurations (including modifications) of the processing apparatus (1) according to the above embodiment can be embodied in processing methods performed by the processing apparatus (1), (computer) programs, or non-temporary recording media on which the programs are recorded.

[0107] The configurations relating to the second to seventh aspects are not essential to the processing unit (1) and can be omitted as appropriate. The configurations relating to the tenth to eleventh aspects are not essential to the distributed processing unit (2) and can be omitted as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 1 Processing Unit 2 Distributed Processing Units 10 Control Unit 12. Second Communications Department (Communications Department) 20 Control Unit (Output Control Unit) 22. Second Communication Unit (Slave Unit Communication Unit) 23 Output section A1 Broadcasting System BUF1 buffer period DA1 First Information DA2 2nd information ORG1 First Audio Data ORG2 Second Sound Source Data SP2 Speaker TA1 Period 1 TA2 Second Period

Claims

1. A broadcasting system having speakers for broadcasting, a distributed processing unit having an output unit that outputs an audio signal to the speaker, and a communication unit that can communicate with the distributed processing unit, The system includes a control unit that causes the communication unit to transmit to the distributed processing unit first information relating to the sound source data selected from among multiple sound source data as the audio signal to be output to the speaker, and second information relating to the switching timing of the sound source data to be used as the audio signal. Processing device.

2. The control unit causes the communication unit to transmit transmission data, which includes the first information and the second information corresponding to the first information, to the distributed processing unit. The apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned sound source data is data obtained by sampling audio at a sampling frequency. The control unit causes the communication unit to transmit the transmission data, which includes the first information and the second information, to the distributed processing unit for each sample of the first information. The apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The control unit causes the communication unit to transmit an IP packet containing the first information and the second information to the distributed processing unit. The apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The control unit compresses the amount of data of the transmission data, including the first information and the second information, and transmits it from the communication unit to the distributed processing unit. The apparatus according to claim 4.

6. The aforementioned plurality of sound source data includes a first sound source data and a second sound source data, When the control unit switches the audio signal from the first sound source data to the second sound source data, it provides a buffer period between the first period during which the first sound source data is output as the audio signal and the second period during which the second sound source data is output as the audio signal, during which the volume from the speaker is lower than that of the first and second periods. The apparatus according to claim 1.

7. The control unit outputs the first information, in which the silent signal is the audio signal, during the buffer period. The apparatus according to claim 6.

8. The processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The distributed processing apparatus comprises, Broadcasting system.

9. A communication unit on the slave side that can communicate with the communication unit of the processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The output unit outputs the audio signal to the speaker of the broadcasting system, The system includes an output control unit that controls the output operation of the audio signal by the output unit based on the second information received by the slave unit's communication unit, Distributed processing unit.

10. The output control unit performs jitter buffer control, which stores the first information and the second information received by the slave unit's communication unit from the processing unit's communication unit in a buffer. The output control unit controls the amount of the second information stored in the buffer according to the amount of the first information stored in the buffer. The distributed processing apparatus according to claim 9.

11. If some of the audio signals among the multiple audio signals transmitted by the communication unit of the processing device to the slave unit communication unit are not received by the slave unit communication unit, the output control unit restores the some audio signals based on the audio signals received by the slave unit communication unit, and restores the second information corresponding to the some audio signals in accordance with the restoration process of the some audio signals. The distributed processing apparatus according to claim 9.

12. The broadcasting system includes a broadcasting system having speakers, and a distributed processing unit that has an output unit that outputs an audio signal to the speakers, and communicates with the distributed processing unit that communicates with the speakers, In the aforementioned communication process, The distributed processing unit transmits to the distributed processing unit first information relating to the sound source data selected from among multiple sound source data as the audio signal to be output to the speaker, and second information relating to the switching timing of the sound source data to be used as the audio signal. Processing method.

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