Broadcast signal transmission method

Abstract

To execute business operation efficiently at a low cost.SOLUTION: A broadcast signal transmission method of an embodiment is a broadcast signal transmission method in a broadcast system provided with common master equipment that is arranged in a center and is allocated with arbitrary broadcast services of broadcast stations connected on an IP technology base or backup of the broadcast services, and broadcast station master equipment that is arranged in each of the broadcast stations and transmits a main image signal by using the broadcast services or backup of the broadcast services allocated to the common master equipment in the center, and the method includes: performing multicast / broadcast of signals corresponding to the broadcast services or backup of the broadcast services; and if there is a request for changing the broadcast services to the common master equipment or the broadcast station master equipment, changing the allocation of the broadcast services according to the request before performing the broadcast.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a broadcast signal transmission method. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, each broadcasting station has one master system (i.e., one master system per station). The master system has a redundant configuration with duplicated or tripled equipment. With this configuration, each broadcasting station, especially within the same network, carries out almost the same operations except for commercials. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-84242 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As services such as 4K and online streaming diversify and internet advertising becomes more prominent in the future, if the company continues to operate in the manner described above, the current advertising revenue model may no longer be able to keep up with the diversification of services and the resulting increase in equipment costs, and the business may no longer be viable.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the invention is to provide a broadcast signal transmission method that can carry out business efficiently at low cost. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The broadcast signal transmission method of an embodiment is a broadcast signal transmission method in a broadcasting system that includes a common master facility located at a center and that is assigned any broadcast service or backup of a broadcast service of each broadcast station connected via an IP technology platform, and broadcast station master facilities that are located at each broadcast station and that transmit a main video signal using the broadcast service or backup of the broadcast service assigned to the common master facility at the center, and includes multicasting and broadcasting a signal corresponding to the broadcast service or the backup of the broadcast service, and if a request to change the broadcast service is made to the common master facility or the broadcast station master facility, changing the allocation of the broadcast service in accordance with the request and then broadcasting. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a broadcasting system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing in detail an example of the internal configuration of the center 1 and the broadcasting station A shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the main internal configuration of a broadcasting station. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a basic operation according to the dynamic assignment method of the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an emergency operation of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] In the embodiment described below, for example, by utilizing the SMPTE ST2110 standard (a standard that is an evolutionary consolidation of several standards for communication over IP networks) and virtualization and cloud computing, it is possible to achieve equipment diversity, low equipment costs, and increased business and operational efficiency while maintaining the independence of each broadcasting station's operations.

[0010] For example, by sharing equipment among multiple stations and implementing a new redundancy system, equipment costs can be reduced. Also, by adopting a system that can dynamically assign broadcasting services (dynamic assignment system) and building a system that can provide the necessary services when needed, equipment diversity can be achieved. Furthermore, by systematizing multiple stations and consolidating overlapping operations, business and operational efficiency can be improved. Furthermore, by building a signal transmission path in the event of a failure, it becomes possible to comply with the Business Continuity Plan (BPC) (for example, to recover operations at a station affected by an earthquake).

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a broadcasting system according to an embodiment.

[0012] The broadcasting system shown in Fig. 1 includes multiple broadcasting stations (edges) A, B, and C and one center 1. Center 1 is located in a different location from broadcasting stations A, B, and C, and is connected to broadcasting stations A, B, and C via a WAN (Wide Area Network) or the like. Broadcasting stations A, B, and C are broadcasting stations that belong to the same affiliation, and include, for example, a key station located in Tokyo as well as local stations located in various locations.

[0013] Unlike the redundant configuration of a typical master system, broadcasting stations A, B, and C do not have duplicated master equipment (excluding the encoding and multiplexing equipment) that handles the main video line, but instead have only one system.

[0014] Specifically, each broadcasting station has a duplexed coding and multiplexing facility, with a 1-system (active system) coding and multiplexing facility (ENC / MUX#1) 31 and a 2-system (standby system) coding and multiplexing facility (ENC / MUX#1) 32. However, as for the master facility, only the 1-system (active system) master facility (master #1) 21 is installed, and no equivalent to the 2-system (standby system) master facility (master #2) is installed. However, at least a part of the functions equivalent to the 2-system (standby system) master facility (master #2) is installed on the center 1 side.

[0015] The center 1 is equipped with a common master facility 11. The common master facility 11 ensures at least part of the functions equivalent to the master facilities (master #2) of the two systems of each broadcasting station.

[0016] FIG. 2 shows in detail an example of the internal configuration of the center 1 and the broadcasting station A shown in FIG.

[0017] In the configuration example of FIG. 2, for example, the following measures are taken.

[0018] (1) Generally, the master equipment of each broadcasting station has a redundant configuration of two or three. However, in recent years, the reliability of the equipment in the master equipment has increased, and malfunctions have become rare. In view of this, in this embodiment, the center 1 and each broadcasting station are connected via an IP technology platform, and only one system of master equipment 21 (only one system) that handles the main video line is placed at each broadcasting station, and a backup system is placed on the center 1 side.

[0019] (2) Center 1 will not simply provide a redundant configuration of master equipment 21 for three stations, but will provide a system that allows any service, including the main services of each broadcasting station, to be freely assigned or a backup service to be assigned using IP technology, taking into account the simultaneity of broadcasting. This will achieve efficient redundancy by providing a configuration that allows for dynamic assignment of services, etc., as needed, when needed.

[0020] (3) Within the master equipment 21 on the side of each broadcasting station, a system is prepared that allows any service, including the main service, or a backup service to be freely assigned using an IP technology platform, and by configuring it so that services can be dynamically assigned as needed, when needed, it becomes possible to set up a redundant service locally even in the event of a failure at Center 1.

[0021] (4) Support will be provided to affected broadcasting stations through cloud services, etc.

[0022] In the example of Figure 2, each of broadcasting stations A, B, and C is provided with the above-mentioned master facility 21 and duplicated encoding and multiplexing facilities 31 and 32, as well as an APC (automatic program transmission control facility) 51, an RTP (real-time processor) 52, a duplicated IPSW (IP switcher) 53, an alarm facility 54, etc.

[0023] Broadcasting stations A, B, and C can receive predetermined cloud services from clouds A1, B1, and C1 on the Internet, respectively, and can obtain broadcast progress data and commercial and program data for broadcasting stations A, B, and C supplied from a function that realizes a higher-level system (for example, a system including an Equipment Data Processing System (EDPS) function and a Data Server (DS) function) managed on clouds A1, B1, and C1, respectively. Furthermore, broadcasting stations A, B, and C own relay vans A2, B2, and C2, respectively, and each relay van is equipped with SAT communication equipment 55 and simple encoding and multiplexing equipment 56.

[0024] The APC 51 is a facility for automatically broadcasting by controlling various broadcasting-related facilities (master facility 21, ISPW 53, encoding / multiplexing facilities 31, 32, etc.) based on broadcast progress data, etc., supplied from a function equivalent to a host system provided on the cloud corresponding to the broadcast station. Note that the function equivalent to this APC 51 may also be provided on the corresponding cloud. The RTP 52 temporarily stores the data supplied from the APC 51 .

[0025] The master facility 21 transmits at least the main video signal of the broadcast station (for example, a signal corresponding to the service "SV1") from the video server 21a. In the configuration example of Fig. 2, the video server 21a has a storage unit that stores commercial and program data provided from the cloud of the broadcast station, and four ports that transmit signals for four services by multicast.

[0026] These four ports include a port to which the main video service "SV1" is assigned, a port to which a service "Special SV" specific to the affiliated broadcasting station is assigned, and two auxiliary ports AUX to which any service can be assigned. However, this is just an example and is not limited to this example. For example, the service "Special SV" is not necessarily required. Also, the number of ports is not limited to four.

[0027] For example, the first auxiliary port AUX may be assigned a backup "SV1'" of the primary video service "SV1" as needed. The second auxiliary port AUX may be assigned a secondary video service "SV2" or a national broadcast service "H1" from a specific broadcast station as needed. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0028] The IPSW 53 is a switcher that performs path switching or assignment processing for data transmission conforming to the IP (Internet Protocol), and, for example, receives a signal sent from the master facility 21 of the broadcasting station and a signal sent from the common master facility 11 to the broadcasting station, selects an arbitrary signal, and sends it to either of the two encoding and multiplexing facilities 31, 32. The IPSW 53 makes it possible to dynamically assign desired services as needed, when needed.

[0029] The encoding and multiplexing facilities 31 and 32 encode and multiplex signals sent from the master facility 21 of the broadcasting station and transmitted through the IPSW 53, or signals sent from the common master facility 11 of the center 1 to the broadcasting station and transmitted through the IPSW 53. The encoding and multiplexing facilities 31 and 32 use the IPGW (IP gateway) to distribute the signals transmitted through the IPSW 53 into signals for service "SV1," service "SV2," and service "1Seg" (corresponding to one-segment broadcasting), encode these signals using the corresponding encoding devices ENC(SV1), ENC(SV2), and ENC(1Seg), multiplex them using the multiplexing device MUX, and then transmit them to the transmitting station.

[0030] The alarm equipment 54 monitors the progress of each device on a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) to which each device within the broadcasting station is connected, and in the event of a failure, issues an alarm notification to specified devices or the corresponding cloud, prompting path switching processing by the IPSW 53 or the encoding and multiplexing equipment 31, 32, etc.

[0031] Signal transmission between the master equipment 21 located at each broadcasting station and the IPSW 53, signal transmission between the common master equipment 11 located at the center 1 and the IPSW 43 and IPSW 53, and signal transmission between the IPSW 53 and the encoding and multiplexing equipment 31, 32 are in accordance with IP.

[0032] On the other hand, the center 1 is provided with a common master facility 11, as well as an APC (automatic program transmission control facility) 41, an RTP (real-time processor) 42, a duplicated IPSW (IP switcher) 43, and the like.

[0033] Furthermore, the center 1 can receive predetermined cloud services from the cloud 10, and can obtain, for example, from a function equivalent to a higher-level system managed on the cloud 10, the same information as the broadcast progress data and commercial / program data of the aforementioned broadcast stations A, B, and C, which are managed on the clouds A1, B1, and C1, respectively. In other words, the center 1 can obtain all of the same information as the information broadcast by the broadcast stations A, B, and C, from the cloud 10. Furthermore, the center 1 has an IPGW (IP gateway) 44 and SAT communication equipment 45.

[0034] The APC 41 is a facility for automatically broadcasting by controlling various facilities (common master facility 11, ISPW 53, etc.) based on broadcast progress data of broadcasting stations A, B, and C, etc., supplied from a function equivalent to a host system on the cloud 10. Note that a function equivalent to this APC 41 may also be provided on the cloud 10.

[0035] The common master facility 11 uses the video server 11a to send at least the same signals as the main video signals (signals corresponding to the service "SV1") of each broadcast station as backups ("SV1_A", "SV1_B", "SV1_C") to broadcast stations A, B, and C. In the configuration example of FIG. 2, the video server 11a has a storage unit that stores data such as commercials and program data of each broadcast station provided from the cloud 10, etc., and four ports that send signals for four services by multicast.

[0036] These four ports include ports to which backups "SV1_A," "SV1_B," and "SV1_C" of the main video service "SV1" are assigned, as well as an auxiliary port AUX to which any service can be assigned. However, this is just an example and is not limited to this example. Also, the number of ports is not limited to four.

[0037] The common master facility 11 may further include a video server 11b. The video server 11b has a storage unit for storing any data and four ports for transmitting signals for four services by multicast. These four ports include four auxiliary ports AUX that can be used as free ports to which any service can be assigned. However, this is just an example and is not limiting. The number of ports is not limited to four.

[0038] Furthermore, the common master facility 11 can obtain broadcast materials corresponding to the sub-video service stored in the material servers installed at each broadcast station via the IPSW 43. This allows, for example, a broadcast station to broadcast video from a different angle from a spare port on the common master facility 11 during a baseball game broadcast, for example. For example, if the material servers for broadcast stations B and C have a capacity of 8 TB, and the material server for broadcast station A has a capacity of 24 TB, storing materials for all three stations, the common master facility 11 can obtain materials from any of broadcast stations A, B, and C simply by accessing the material server for broadcast station A. However, this example is not limiting. For example, the material servers for broadcast stations A, B, and C may each have a capacity of 8 TB, and the common master facility 11 may access the material servers for each of broadcast stations A, B, and C.

[0039] The IPSW 43 is a switcher that performs path switching processing for IP-compliant data transmission, and for example, selectively sends individual signals sent from the common master facility 11 to broadcast stations A, B, and C or to the IPGW 44 side, or sends signals sent from broadcast stations A, B, and C to the common master facility 11 side. The IPSW 43 makes it possible to dynamically assign desired services as needed, when needed.

[0040] When IPGW 44 receives a signal from IPSW 43 directed to one of relay vans A2, B2, or C2, it passes that signal to SAT communication device 45. SAT communication device 45 transmits the signal passed from IPGW 44 to SAT communication device 55 in the destination relay van via a satellite. When SAT communication device 55 receives a signal from the satellite, it passes that signal to simple encoding and multiplexing equipment 56. Simple encoding and multiplexing equipment 56 encodes and multiplexes the signal passed from SAT communication device 55 in the same manner as encoding and multiplexing equipment 31 and 32, and then transmits the signal to a nearby transmitting station.

[0041] In addition, with the above configuration, it is possible in some cases to automate each broadcasting station, gather the personnel of each broadcasting station at Center 1, and have each broadcasting station operate jointly, with most of the staff performing tasks such as status monitoring at Center 1. This will not only reduce the amount of equipment, but also contribute to reducing personnel costs and improving work style reforms.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the main internal configuration of a certain broadcasting station (for example, broadcasting station C).

[0043] As shown in Figure 3, the aforementioned master equipment 21, duplicated ISPW 53, duplicated encoding / multiplexing equipment 31, 32, and alarm equipment 54 are connected to a network such as a LAN, and a CPU 60 that controls each device is also connected, and connection to cloud C1 is also possible.

[0044] The configuration of FIG. 3 may be configured to be partially different from the configuration shown in FIG. 2 as appropriate.

[0045] For example, the master facility 21 may be provided with, in addition to the video server 21a mentioned above, a material sending device 21b for sending materials such as sub-videos, or may be configured to be able to send video from another IP line center 21c, or may be configured to be able to import and send video from an external network or studio.

[0046] In addition, the duplicated ISPW 53 may consist of a 1-system IPSW #1 and a 2-system IPSW #2, and may be equipped with a video server 53a that sends video signals corresponding to the service "SV1" or "1Seg," a video server 53b that sends video signals corresponding to the service "SV2," and a video server 53c that sends video signals corresponding to the service "H1."

[0047] Furthermore, the duplicated encoding / multiplexing facilities 31, 32 may include encoding devices HD_ENC, 1Seg_ENC, SD_ENC that encode HD signals, 1Seg signals, and SD signals, respectively, a multiplexing device MUX that multiplexes these signals and, as necessary, multiplexes SI (Service Information) transmission signals, data broadcasting signals, emergency earthquake warning signals, etc., as appropriate, and a scrambler SCR that scrambles the multiplexed signals before transmitting them.

[0048] Signal transmission from the video server 21a, material output device 21b, network / studio, etc. to the downstream IPGW conforms to, for example, TS (Transport Stream). Signal transmission from the IPGW to the downstream ISPW 53 (IPSW#1, IPSW#2), signal transmission from the ISPW 53 (IPSW#1, IPSW#2) to the video servers 53a, 53b, 53c, signal transmission from the video servers 53a, 53b, 53c to the ISPW 53 (IPSW#1, IPSW#2), and signal transmission from the ISPW 53 (IPSW#1, IPSW#2) to the downstream IPSW conforms to, for example, MoIP (Mobile communication over Internet Protocol). Signal transmission from the IPGW to downstream stages conforms to SDI (Serial Digital Interface) and TS.

[0049] Next, an example of the basic operation of the dynamic assignment method of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0050] First, one master facility 21 is installed at each broadcasting station, and a common master facility 11 that aggregates each of the backup systems (backup systems) is installed at center 1. Then, signals corresponding to various services (including backups) are multicast and broadcast (step S1).

[0051] Here, if there is no request for a service change (a request for an additional service change, etc. or a backup) to the master equipment 21 of any broadcasting station or the common master equipment 11 (NO in step S2), the broadcast described in step S1 will continue as is.On the other hand, if there is a request for an additional service change, etc. or a backup (YES in step S2), the service assignment will be changed, etc. via IPSW 53, etc. in accordance with the request, and the broadcast will continue (step S3).

[0052] Next, an example of operation in an emergency will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0053] If a failure occurs in the port corresponding to the service "SV1" in the master facility 21, the failure can be handled if the service "SV1'" with the same content is assigned to the backup port AUX. The following describes other emergency operations.

[0054] As in the example of operation described above, first, only one master facility 21 is installed at each broadcasting station, and a common master facility 11 that aggregates each of the standby systems (backup systems) is installed at center 1, and signals corresponding to each type of service (including backup) are multicast and broadcast (step S11).

[0055] It is assumed that some kind of failure has occurred.

[0056] For example, if a failure occurs in the master facility 21 (such as the video server 21a) of a certain broadcasting station (YES in step S12), the failure is detected and an alarm is issued by the alarm facility 54. At this time, the common master facility 11 is in a state where it is transmitting, from one of the ports of the video servers 11a and 11b, all the same services that were multicast by the master facility 21 where the failure occurred.

[0057] When such a failure occurs, the IPSW 53 instantly switches the data transmission path, and the broadcast from the broadcast station continues using the backup signal supplied by the common master facility 11 on the center 1 side (step S13).

[0058] If there is no such failure (NO in step S12), but a failure occurs in an entire broadcasting station (YES in step S14), broadcasting can continue using a backup signal supplied by the common master equipment 11 on the center 1 side, bypassing the broadcasting station where the failure occurred, and utilizing cloud services, satellites, relay vehicles, etc., for example, from IPSW 43, IPGW 44, SAT communication device 45, satellite, SAT communication device 55 in the target relay vehicle, and simple encoding and multiplexing equipment 56 (step S15).

[0059] Furthermore, if a failure other than that described above (NO in step S14) occurs in center 1 (YES in step S16), each broadcasting station must ensure redundancy within itself without relying on backup from center 1. Therefore, in a broadcasting station where redundancy is not ensured, the necessary services are assigned to a backup port AUX, etc. in the master facility 21 to maintain redundancy (step S17).

[0060] Furthermore, if the fault is not one of the above-mentioned types (NO in step S16) but is a minor fault, then the necessary measures are taken as appropriate.

[0061] According to this embodiment, by sharing equipment among multiple stations and innovating the redundancy method, it is possible to reduce the cost of equipment. Also, by adopting a method that can dynamically assign broadcasting services (dynamic assignment method) and building a system that can provide the necessary services when needed, it is possible to achieve equipment diversity. Furthermore, by systematizing multiple stations and consolidating overlapping operations, it is possible to achieve efficiency in business and operations. Furthermore, by building a signal transmission path in the event of a failure, it is possible to respond to BPC (for example, to recover the operations of a station affected by an earthquake).

[0062] As described above in detail, according to the embodiments, it is possible to provide a broadcasting system and a broadcasting signal transmission method that can carry out business efficiently at low cost.

[0063] 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 novel embodiments can be embodied 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, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1...Center, A, B, C...Broadcast station, A1, B1, C1...Cloud, A2, B2, C2...Mobile station, 10...Cloud, 21...Master equipment, 21a...Video server, 21b...Material transmission equipment, 21c...IP line center, 31, 32...Encoding multiplexing equipment, 41...APC, 42...RTP, 43...IPSW, 44...IPGW, 45...SAT communication equipment, 51...APC, 52...RTP, 53...IPSW, 54...Alarm equipment, 55...SAT communication equipment, 56...Simple encoding multiplexing equipment.

Claims

[Claim 1] A common master facility is located at the center and can assign any broadcasting service or backup broadcasting service of each broadcasting station connected via IP technology infrastructure. a broadcasting station master facility provided in each broadcasting station for transmitting a main video signal using a broadcasting service or a backup broadcasting service assigned to the common master facility of the center; A broadcast signal transmission method in a broadcasting system comprising: multicasting and broadcasting a signal corresponding to the broadcast service or a backup of the broadcast service; If a request to change the broadcasting service is made to the common master facility or the broadcasting station master facility, the allocation of the broadcasting service is changed in response to the request, and then broadcasting is carried out. A broadcast signal transmission method, comprising:

Images