Broadcast CM material bank system and its control method

Abstract

To provide a broadband CM material bank system which makes it easy to file CM materials, alleviating collation work of the CM materials, and a control method thereof.SOLUTION: A broadcast CM material bank system which is provided in a broadcasting station and which files CM materials carried thereinto in response to a filing instruction from an upper level system and sends out the individual CM materials while performing confirmation of the materials includes: a bank control unit which controls filing processing and collation processing of the CM materials on the basis of filing instruction data of the CM materials stored in a database; a video server which, in response to an instruction from the bank control unit, takes in an MXF file stored in an NAS, performs input of a CM confirmation code shown in the filing instruction data of the CM materials, and returns the MXF file with the CM confirmation code superimposed thereon to a memory unit; and a bank terminal which reads out the MXF file of the CM materials stored in the NAS and performs a software preview with application software.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a broadcast CM (Commercial Message) material bank system and a control method thereof.

Background Art

[0002] Commercial television broadcasters employ a CM material bank system for managing broadcast CM materials in the broadcast system. In this CM material bank system, CM material files are managed collectively separately from program material files.

[0003] At this time, filing instruction data regarding CM materials distributed from a higher-level system such as an operation and management system is stored in a filing instruction database, and CM materials imported from advertising agencies are stored in a video server. The filing instruction data includes a CM confirmation code referred to as a 10-digit CM code, which is a combination of a CM material code for identifying the CM material, an advertiser code (4 digits) issued by the common code management center, and a material code (6 digits) uniquely issued by the advertiser.

[0004] Here, in commercial television broadcasters, when sending out CM materials, it is confirmed that the CM materials have been correctly sent from the television station at the transmission time of the CM slots purchased by the sponsors of the CM materials and certified to the sponsors. As a method, in the video server, when playing and outputting a specified CM material, the CM confirmation code pre-assigned to the CM material is superimposed on the ancillary (hereinafter referred to as ANC) area in the video signal of the CM material. Then, a dedicated device after the master switch prepared in the master facility extracts the CM confirmation code from the video signal of the CM material and collates it with the CM confirmation code assigned to each CM material. At the same time, the transmission monitor of the master facility visually confirms that CM materials for the number of seconds of the CM slots purchased by the sponsor have been sent from the television station.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-14829 Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] As described above, in the conventional broadcast CM material bank system, in the filing of CM materials, a CM confirmation code is superimposed on a predetermined area of the video signal by a dedicated device, and a dedicated device extracts the CM confirmation code from the video signal to perform a verification operation of code verification, a cumbersome verification operation such as a visual confirmation operation of the CM frame transmission time, etc. is forced.

[0007] The problem of the embodiment according to the present invention is to provide a broadcast CM material bank system and its control method that can easily execute the verification of the CM confirmation code during the filing operation of CM materials and can automatically check the verification of CM materials by application software. Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The CM material bank system for broadcasting according to the embodiment is a system that is provided in a broadcasting station, files CM materials carried in according to a filing instruction from a higher-level system, and sends them out while checking individual CM materials. It includes a database, a control unit, a storage unit, a video server, and a bank terminal. The database stores filing instruction data of CM materials including CM confirmation codes distributed from the higher-level system and assigned to each CM material. The control unit controls the filing process and collation process of the CM materials based on the CM material filing instruction data stored in the database. The storage unit stores the MXF file of the CM material according to an instruction from the control unit. The video server takes in the MXF file stored in the storage unit according to an instruction from the control unit, inputs the CM confirmation code indicated in the filing instruction data, superimposes the CM confirmation code on the MXF file, and returns it to the storage unit. Here, the storage unit creates and saves a low-resolution file from the MXF file. Also, it extracts the CM confirmation code superimposed on the ANC area of the MXF file and saves it as a separate file. The bank terminal reads out the MXF file or low-resolution file of the CM material stored in the storage unit and performs a software preview using application software. The bank terminal compares the CM confirmation code saved as a separate file in the storage unit with the CM confirmation code included in the corresponding CM material filing instruction data in the database according to an instruction from the control unit, and presents the comparison result of match or mismatch.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a broadcast CM material bank system (hereinafter referred to as the bank system) according to an embodiment.

[0012] The bank system 11 shown in FIG. 1 is provided in a broadcasting station, stores (files) CM materials carried in from advertising agencies or the like, and sends them out while checking individual CM materials. Specifically, when receiving the CM material, the CM material filing instruction data distributed from a higher-level system 12 such as a broadcasting operation system is stored in a database 112 in the bank control unit 111. The CM material filing instruction data includes a CM material code and a CM confirmation code (so-called 10-digit CM code).

[0013] The above bank control unit 111 controls a NAS (Network Attached Storage) 113, a video server 114, and a bank terminal 115.

[0014] The above NAS 113 stores an MXF (Material eXchange Format) file of a CM material carried in from an advertising agency or the like in response to an instruction from the bank control unit 111, and sends the stored MXF file to the video server 114.

[0015] The video server 114 takes in the MXF file sent from the NAS 113 in response to an instruction from the bank control unit 111, inputs the CM confirmation code shown in the filing instruction data, superimposes the CM confirmation code on the MXF file, and sends it to the NAS 113.

[0016] NAS113 inputs the MXF file with the CM confirmation code superimposed from the video server 114 to create a low-resolution file, and extracts the CM confirmation code superimposed on the MXF file.

[0017] The bank terminal 115 has a software preview display function by application software. It takes in the MXF file of the CM material or the low-resolution file and the CM confirmation code from NAS113, reads the CM confirmation code from the filing instruction database 112, compares it with the CM confirmation code from NAS113, and performs the display of the CM material preview and error display according to whether they match or not.

[0018] In the above configuration, the CM material filing processing method and the consistency check method will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0019] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the CM material filing processing procedure in the bank control unit 111 of the bank system 11 shown in Figure 1.

[0020] First, when the bank control unit 111 receives the input of the MXF file of the CM material from an advertising agency or the like and receives the CM material filing instruction data including the CM material code and the CM confirmation code from the upper system 12 (step S11), it stores the CM material filing instruction data in the database 112 (step S12). The storage status of this instruction data shall be displayable on the monitor. Here, it is judged whether the MXF file of the CM material that has received the CM material filing instruction data has been input (step S13). If there is an input, the MXF file of the CM material is temporarily saved in NAS113 (step S14).

[0021] Subsequently, the MXF file of the CM material stored in the NAS 113 is transferred to the video server 114 (step S15). The video server 114 superimposes the CM confirmation code on the ANC area of the MXF file of the CM material and transfers it to the NAS 113 for storage (step S16). Further, the NAS 113 creates a low-resolution file for monitoring from the MXF file (step S17), extracts the CM confirmation code from the ANC area of the MXF file, creates and stores a separate file for monitoring (step S18), and ends a series of filing processes.

[0022] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the verification processing procedure at the time of CM material transmission in the bank control unit 111 of the system shown in Figure 1.

[0023] First, when the bank control unit 111 receives an instruction to execute CM material preview (step S21), it reads out the CM confirmation code of the specified CM material from the database 112 (step S22). On the other hand, it reads out the MXF file (or its low-resolution file) of the specified CM material from the NAS 113 and the CM confirmation code stored as a separate file (step S23), and executes preview display of the specified CM material MXF file (or low-resolution file) (step S24). Here, the CM confirmation code read from the NAS 113 is compared with the CM confirmation code read from the database 112 (step S25).

[0024] As a result, when both match, the matching of the CM confirmation code is displayed on the monitor screen, and the corresponding CM material is previewed (step S27). If they do not match, the non-matching of the CM confirmation code is displayed on the monitor screen, and a preview error is displayed (step S28).

[0025] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a screen for displaying the collation processing result of the CM confirmation code in the CM material shown in FIG. 3, the video of the CM material, and a preview in the form of a time bar, etc. (a) is the display screen during the collation operation of the CM material, and (b) and (c) show examples of displays when the collation is successful and when it fails, respectively, which are displayed in the CM material confirmation display area of the display screen shown in (a).

[0026] First, as shown in FIG. 4(a), the display screen during the CM material collation process includes a CM material confirmation display area A1 and a preview display area A2. In the CM material confirmation display area A1, the CM confirmation code in the filing instruction data is compared and displayed with the CM confirmation code extracted from the MXF file.

[0027] Here, when the two match, as shown in FIG. 4(b), "Match" is displayed. This makes it possible to monitor and display that the CM confirmation code is correctly filed (superimposed) in the MXF file of the CM material to be sent. At this time, by playing the MXF file or its low-resolution file and displaying it in the preview display area A2, it is also possible to visually confirm the content.

[0028] On the other hand, when the two do not match, as shown in FIG. 4(c), "Mismatch" is displayed. This makes it possible to monitor and display that the CM confirmation code in the MXF file of the CM material to be sent is different from or not superimposed on the CM confirmation code of the CM material specified in the filing instruction data. At this time, the MXF file or its low-resolution file is not played, and by displaying a preview error in the preview display area A2, it is possible to visually confirm the error situation due to the collation mismatch.

[0029] As described above, in the banking system according to this embodiment, it is possible to easily execute the collation of the CM confirmation code during the filing operation of the CM material, and the collation of the CM material can be automatically checked by the application software, thus reducing the cumbersome collation work of the operator.

[0030] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and at the implementation stage, the components can be modified and embodied without departing from the gist thereof. Further, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiments. Furthermore, components from different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0031] 11…Bank system, 111…Bank control unit, 112…Filing instruction database, 113…NAS, 114…Video server, 115…Bank terminal, 12…Upper-level system (business release system).

Claims

1. A broadcast CM material bank system provided in a broadcasting station, which files CM (Commercial Message) materials carried in response to a filing instruction from an upper system and sends them out while checking individual CM materials, comprising: a database that stores filing instruction data of CM materials distributed from the upper system and including CM confirmation codes assigned to each CM material; a control unit that controls the filing process and verification process of the CM materials based on the filing instruction data of the CM materials stored in the database; a storage unit that stores the MXF (Material eXchange Format) file of the CM material according to an instruction from the control unit; a video server that, according to an instruction from the control unit, captures the MXF file stored in the storage unit, inputs the CM confirmation code indicated in the filing instruction data of the CM material, superimposes the CM confirmation code on the MXF file, and returns it to the storage unit; a bank terminal that reads out the MXF file of the CM material stored in the storage unit and performs a software preview by application software and comprising: the storage unit extracts the CM confirmation code superimposed on the MXF file returned from the video server and saves it as a separate file; the bank terminal, according to an instruction from the control unit, compares the CM confirmation code saved as a separate file in the storage unit with the CM confirmation code included in the filing instruction data of the corresponding CM material in the database, and presents a comparison result of match or mismatch; a broadcast CM material bank system.

2. the storage unit creates a low-resolution file from the stored MXF file of the CM material according to an instruction from the control unit; the bank terminal reads out the low-resolution file of the specified CM material and displays it for preview; the broadcast CM material bank system according to Claim 1.

3. The bank terminal according to Claim 1, wherein when the CM confirmation codes match, the MXF file of the CM material is displayed for preview, and when the CM confirmation codes do not match, an error is displayed instead of the preview display.

4. It is applied to a broadcast CM material bank system that is provided in a broadcasting station, files CM (Commercial Message) materials carried in according to a filing instruction from a higher-level system, and sends them out while checking individual CM materials. A control method that stores filing instruction data of CM materials including CM confirmation codes distributed from the higher-level system and assigned to each CM material in a database, and controls the filing process and collation process of the CM materials based on the filing instruction data of the CM materials stored in the database. Stores the MXF (Material eXchange Format) file of the CM material in a storage unit. Takes in the MXF file stored in the storage unit, superimposes the CM confirmation code indicated in the filing instruction data of the CM material, and saves it in the storage unit. In response to an instruction to perform a software preview by application software, when preview-displaying the MXF file of the CM material stored in the storage unit, reads out the CM confirmation code superimposed on the MXF file as a separate file, compares it with the CM confirmation code included in the corresponding CM material filing instruction data in the database, and presents the comparison result of match or mismatch. A control method for a CM material bank system.

Images