Coding control device, coding control method, and coding control program

Abstract

To prevent a glimpse of a CM to be replaced and missing of a content when the CM is replaced in distribution.SOLUTION: A content start frame number as the number of a frame at which a content following a CM included in video starts is calculated based upon a CM start frame number indicative of the number of the CM start frame, and then an encoding part is so instructed as to encode the video based upon the CM start number and a content start frame number that the content start frame number indicates so that the CM start frame and the content start frame are encoded as a head frame of GOP.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a coding control device and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Programs produced by broadcasting stations are not only broadcast via airwaves, but may also be distributed via the Internet. As a general technology, program distribution via the Internet is carried out by a program distribution platform. A program distribution platform is a system that allows programs produced by broadcasting companies to be distributed so that users can watch them. Hereinafter, a program distribution platform may be referred to as a distribution platform.

[0003] The distribution platform receives an input signal containing data of a broadcast program from an encoding device of a broadcast station and outputs an output signal based on the input signal to the Internet. The broadcast program is encoded by the encoding device of the broadcast station. The input signal containing the encoded data is then input to the distribution platform.

[0004] The input signal input to the distribution platform includes a video signal, an audio signal, and commercial message (CM) replacement information. The video signal and audio signal include commercials in addition to the main content. The CM replacement information includes information indicating the start position of the CM in the input signal and information indicating the length of the CM. The CM replacement information is, for example, information in the SCTE (Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers)-35 format. The distribution platform replaces the CM in the input signal based on the CM replacement information, and outputs the replaced signal to the Internet as the output signal.

[0005] The signals input to the distribution platform of the prior art are packetized signals, for example signals conforming to the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG)-2 Transport Stream (TS) over Internet Protocol (IP).

[0006] When a distribution platform of the general technology detects commercial replacement information, it replaces commercials in units of GOPs (Groups of Pictures). That is, when the distribution platform detects commercial replacement information, it starts replacing commercials from the first frame of the GOP. Furthermore, the distribution platform ends replacing commercials before the first frame of the GOP. The first frame is, for example, an IDR (Instantaneous Decoder Refresh) frame.

[0007] Patent Document 1 discloses a reference technique for the present invention. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-078469 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] As mentioned above, distribution platforms using conventional technology replace commercials in units of GOPs. Furthermore, in general encoding devices, GOPs have a fixed frame length, so the first frame is inserted periodically regardless of the position of the commercial. Therefore, if the start frame of a commercial differs from the first frame, part of the commercial before it is replaced will remain and not be replaced. If part of the commercial before it is replaced remains, the commercial before it is replaced will be played for a moment when the video is played. This phenomenon of unintended video being played for a moment is called a "glance glimpse."

[0010] Furthermore, the length of the commercial after replacement is the same as the length of the commercial before replacement, so if the start of the replacement is not aligned with the original commercial position, part of the main program will be missing.

[0011] FIG. 12 shows examples of input and output signals to a distribution platform. In the example of FIG. 12, the start frame of "CM-A" and the first frame (IDR) of the GOP are different frames. In this way, when the start frame of the CM and the first frame of the GOP are different frames, replacement with "CM-B" occurs from the first frame of the GOP. Therefore, part of "CM-A" remains unreplaced. As a result, when the video is played back, a phenomenon occurs in which "CM-A" is played for a moment before "CM-B," which was not originally intended (a glimpse). In addition, the beginning of "Main 2" is missing.

[0012] An object of the present invention is to provide an encoding control device and the like that can prevent a glimpse of a commercial before replacement and a loss of the main content when replacing a commercial during distribution. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] In one aspect of the present invention, the encoding control device includes a main feature start frame calculation unit that calculates a main feature start frame number, which is the frame number at which the main feature following the commercial included in the video starts, based on a commercial start frame number that indicates the number of the commercial start frame, and an instruction unit that instructs an encoding unit that encodes the video to encode the commercial start frame and the main feature start frame indicated by the main feature start frame number as the first frame of a GOP based on the commercial start frame number and the main feature start frame number.

[0014] In another aspect of the present invention, an encoding control method calculates a main feature start frame number, which is the frame number at which the main feature following the commercial included in the video starts, based on a commercial start frame number indicating the number of the commercial start frame, and instructs an encoding unit that encodes the video to encode the commercial start frame and the main feature start frame indicated by the main feature start frame number as the first frame of a GOP based on the commercial start frame number and the main feature start frame number.

[0015] In another aspect of the present invention, the encoding control program causes a computer to realize a main feature start frame calculation function that calculates a main feature start frame number, which is the frame number at which the main feature following a commercial included in video starts, based on a commercial start frame number that indicates the number of the commercial start frame, and an instruction function that instructs an encoding unit that encodes video to encode the commercial start frame and the main feature start frame indicated by the main feature start frame number as the first frame of a GOP, based on the commercial start frame number and the main feature start frame number. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, when replacing a commercial in a distribution, it is possible to prevent a glimpse of the commercial before the replacement and to prevent the main content from being lost. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a coding control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation flow of the encoding control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a distribution system including an encoding control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an encoding device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a coding control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of a distribution system including an encoding control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of the encoding control device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a time chart related to the encoding control device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation flow of an encoding control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation flow of an encoding control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration according to each embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 illustrates example input and output signals to a distribution platform. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] [First embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described. A specific example of the encoding control device 10 in the first embodiment is an encoding control device 20 in a second embodiment, which will be described later.

[0019] 1 shows an example of the configuration of a coding control device 10 of this embodiment. The coding control device 10 of this embodiment includes a main content start frame calculation unit 11 and an instruction unit 12.

[0020] The main story start frame calculation unit 11 calculates the main story start frame number based on the commercial start frame number. The commercial start frame number indicates the number of the commercial start frame. The main story start frame number is the number of the main story start frame. The main story start frame is the frame at which the main story following the commercial included in the video starts. The main story start frame calculation unit 11 can calculate the main story start frame number by adding the number of frames equivalent to the length of the commercial to the commercial start frame number.

[0021] The instruction unit 12 instructs the encoding unit that encodes the video to encode the commercial start frame and the main feature start frame as the first frames of the GOP based on the commercial start frame number and the main feature start frame number.

[0022] Next, FIG. 2 shows an example of the operation flow of the encoding control device 10 of this embodiment.

[0023] The main content start frame calculation unit 11 calculates the main content start frame number based on the commercial start frame number (step S101).

[0024] The instruction unit 12 instructs the encoding unit that encodes the video to encode the commercial start frame and the main feature start frame as the first frames of the GOP based on the commercial start frame number and the main feature start frame number (step S102).

[0025] As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the encoding control device 10 includes a main feature start frame calculation unit 11 and an instruction unit 12. The main feature start frame calculation unit 11 calculates the main feature start frame number based on the commercial start frame number. The instruction unit 12 instructs the encoding unit that encodes the video to encode the commercial start frame and the main feature start frame as the first frames of a GOP based on the commercial start frame number and the main feature start frame number. This allows the commercial start frame and the main feature start frame to be the first frames of a GOP. Furthermore, a distribution platform that replaces commercials on a GOP basis can replace commercials from the commercial start frame. This makes it possible to prevent a glimpse of the commercial before replacement and loss of the main feature when replacing commercials during distribution.

[0026] [Second embodiment] Next, the encoding control device 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0027] 3 shows an example of the configuration of a distribution system 70 including the encoding control device 20 of this embodiment. The distribution system 70 of this embodiment includes an encoding device 50, the encoding control device 20, and a distribution platform 60. The encoding device 50 and the distribution platform 60 are connected to each other via a communication line 80. The encoding control device 20 is also connected to the encoding device 50.

[0028] The encoding device 50 encodes a program including video and outputs the generated packets. The encoding control device 20 controls the encoding by the encoding device 50.

[0029] The distribution platform 60 receives the packets output from the encoding device 50 and distributes them via the Internet (not shown in FIG. 3; located outside the distribution system 70). The distribution platform 60 replaces commercials included in the broadcast program as necessary and distributes them.

[0030] The distribution platform 60 detects commercial replacement information included in the packet input from the encoding device 50. Then, upon detecting the commercial replacement information, the distribution platform 60 replaces commercials in units of GOPs. Since the distribution platform 60 replaces commercials in units of GOPs, after detecting the commercial replacement information, the distribution platform 60 starts replacing commercials from the first frame of the GOP. As described above, the commercial replacement information includes information indicating the start position of a commercial in the input signal and information indicating the length of the commercial. The commercial replacement information is, for example, information in the SCTE-35 format. The commercial replacement information also includes information on the length of the commercial. The length of the replaced commercial is the same as the length of the commercial before replacement. The distribution platform 60 ends the commercial replacement when it replaces a commercial of the length indicated by the commercial length information. The distribution platform 60 replaces commercials in units of GOPs. Therefore, the distribution platform 60 ends the commercial replacement just before the first frame of the GOP. The first frame is the first frame of the GOP. The first frame is, for example, an IDR frame or an I (Intra) frame.

[0031] 4 shows an example of the configuration of an encoding device 50 according to this embodiment. The encoding device 50 includes a detection unit 51, a commercial start frame calculation unit 52, a time counter 53, an encoding unit 54, a commercial start PTS determination unit 55, a commercial replacement information generation unit 56, and a multiplexing unit 57.

[0032] The detection unit 51 receives a baseband signal. The baseband signal includes a video signal and a commercial start trigger signal. The commercial start trigger signal indicates whether the video represented by the video signal is a commercial or a main feature. The commercial start trigger signal becomes "1" a fixed number of frames before the video included in the video signal changes from the main feature to a commercial. The commercial start trigger signal also becomes "0" when the video changes from a commercial to the main feature. The detection unit 51 detects when the commercial start trigger signal changes from "0" to "1." The detection unit 51 sends a commercial start notification to the commercial start frame calculation unit 52, indicating that the commercial start trigger signal has changed from "0" to "1."

[0033] When the commercial start notification is received, the commercial start frame calculation unit 52 calculates the commercial start frame number. The commercial start frame calculation unit 52 calculates the commercial start frame number by adding a fixed number of frames to the number of the video frame that was input to the detection unit 51 at the time the commercial start notification was received. The commercial start frame calculation unit 52 then notifies the correction unit 23 of the encoding control device 20 of the calculated commercial start frame number.

[0034] The time counter 53 counts the time. More specifically, the time counter 53 counts the STC (System Time Clock).

[0035] The encoding unit 54 encodes the video signal included in the baseband signal to generate video PES (Packetized Elementary Stream) packets. When encoding the video signal, the encoding unit 54 generates a PTS (Presentation Time Stamp) based on the STC counted by the time counter 53. The encoding unit 54 then inserts the PTS into the header of the video PES packet. The encoding unit 54 also converts the video PES packet into a video TS packet in MPEG-2 TS format.

[0036] The encoding unit 54 normally performs encoding in units of GOPs. A GOP usually has a fixed length. Therefore, when there is no transition from a commercial to the main program or from the main program to a commercial, the packets generated by the encoding unit 54 periodically include a first frame. Furthermore, in response to an instruction from the instruction unit 22 of the encoding control device 20, the encoding unit 54 encodes the specified video frame as the first frame.

[0037] In this embodiment, the encoding unit 54 is instructed by the instruction unit 22 to set the commercial start frame and the feature start frame as the first frames. The instruction from the instruction unit 22 includes the commercial start frame number and the feature start frame number. Therefore, the encoding unit 54 encodes the commercial start frame and the feature start frame as the first frames.

[0038] Furthermore, if an audio signal is included in the baseband signal, the encoding unit 54 encodes the audio signal to generate audio PES packets, and converts the audio PES packets into audio TS packets in MPEG-2 TS format.

[0039] The commercial start PTS determination unit 55 determines the PTS of the commercial start based on the commercial start frame number. The commercial start PTS determination unit 55 receives the corrected commercial start frame number from the correction unit 23 of the encoding control device 20. Note that if correction by the correction unit 23 is not performed, the commercial start PTS determination unit 55 may receive the commercial start frame number from the commercial start frame calculation unit 52.

[0040] The commercial replacement information generator 56 receives the commercial information setting value and generates commercial replacement information based on the received commercial setting information and the PTS determined by the commercial start PTS determiner 55. The commercial information setting value is input from outside the encoding device 50. The commercial replacement information generator 56 then outputs the generated commercial replacement information (in SCTE-35 format) to the multiplexer 57.

[0041] The multiplexing unit 57 multiplexes the video TS packets, audio TS packets and commercial replacement information, and outputs the multiplexed packets.

[0042] 5 shows an example of the configuration of the encoding control device 20 of this embodiment. The encoding control device 20 of this embodiment includes a main content start frame calculation unit 21, an instruction unit 22, and a correction unit .

[0043] The correction unit 23 receives the commercial start frame number from the commercial start frame calculation unit 52 of the encoding device 50. Next, the correction unit 23 corrects the commercial start frame number by adding a predetermined correction setting value to the commercial start frame number. The correction unit 23 then outputs the corrected commercial start frame number to the main content start frame calculation unit 21, the instruction unit 22, and the commercial start PTS determination unit 55.

[0044] The commercial start trigger signal usually changes a fixed number of frames before the video changes from the main program to a commercial. However, depending on the broadcasting equipment, there may be an error in the timing of the change in the commercial start trigger signal. If there is an error in the timing of the change in the commercial start trigger signal, there will also be an error in the commercial start frame number received from the commercial start frame calculation unit 52. Therefore, the correction unit 23 of this embodiment corrects the error in the commercial start frame number. This error is a fixed value for each broadcasting station. Therefore, the correction unit 23 corrects the commercial start frame number based on a preset correction setting value.

[0045] The main story start frame calculation unit 21 calculates the frame number of the main story start frame (main story start frame number). The main story start frame calculation unit 21 calculates the main story frame start number according to a commercial information setting value. The commercial information setting value is input from outside the encoding control device 20. The commercial information setting value includes information about the length of the commercial. The main story start frame calculation unit 21 calculates the main story start frame number by adding the number of frames equivalent to the length of the commercial to the corrected commercial start frame number. Then, the main story start frame calculation unit 21 outputs the main story start frame number to the instruction unit 22.

[0046] The instruction unit 22 instructs the encoding unit 54 of the encoding device 50 to encode the frame with the corrected commercial start frame number and the frame with the main feature start frame number as the first frames of the GOP.

[0047] So far, we have explained the case where commercials are not consecutive. However, there are also cases where two or more consecutive commercials are included in a video. The configurations of the encoding control device 20 and the encoding device 50 in this case will be described.

[0048] The commercial start trigger signal becomes "0" when the video changes from a commercial to a main program. When commercials are consecutive, the commercial start trigger signal remains "1" even after the previous commercial ends. Therefore, the detection unit 51 of the encoding device 50 checks whether the commercial start trigger signal remains "1" when a confirmation time has elapsed since the commercial start trigger signal changed from "0" to "1." If the commercial start trigger signal remains "1," the detection unit 51 sends a commercial consecutive notification indicating consecutive commercials to the main program start frame calculation unit 21 of the encoding device 50. The confirmation time is, for example, the sum of the length of the commercial, a time corresponding to a fixed number of frames, and a predetermined margin value. The fixed number of frames is the fixed number of frames used by the commercial start frame calculation unit 52 to calculate the commercial start frame number. The detection unit 51 can also obtain the length of the commercial from the commercial information setting value.

[0049] When main content start frame calculation unit 21 receives a commercial consecutive notification, the main content start frame number calculated before receiving the commercial consecutive notification is actually the start frame number of the consecutive commercials. Therefore, main content start frame calculation unit 21 outputs the main content start frame number calculated before receiving the commercial consecutive notification to commercial start PTS determination unit 55 as the commercial start frame number.

[0050] Furthermore, main content start frame calculation unit 21 calculates a new main content start frame number. In this case, main content start frame calculation unit 21 calculates the new main content start frame number by adding the number of frames equivalent to the length of the commercials to the main content start frame number calculated before receiving the commercial consecutive notification. Then, main content start frame calculation unit 21 outputs the new main content start frame number to instruction unit 22.

[0051] The instruction unit 22 instructs the encoding unit 54 of the encoding device 50 to encode the frame with the new main feature start frame number as the first frame of the GOP. As a result, the start frames of two or more consecutive commercials and the main feature start frame are encoded as the first frames of the GOP. Therefore, even if there are consecutive commercials, it is possible to prevent flickering or loss of the main feature when replacing the commercials during distribution.

[0052] The encoding device 50 and the encoding control device 20 may be configured as a single device. Fig. 6 shows an example of the configuration of a distribution system 71. The encoding control device 20 is a device in which the encoding control device 20 and the encoding device 50 in Fig. 3 are integrated. Therefore, the encoding control device 30 includes the functions of an encoding device.

[0053] 7 shows an example of the configuration of the coding control device 30 of this embodiment. The coding control device 30 includes the configuration of the coding control device 20 and the configuration of the coding device 50. The functions of each unit are similar to those of the coding control device 20 and the coding device 50, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0054] Next, FIG. 8 shows an example of a time chart relating to the coding control of the coding control device 20 of this embodiment.

[0055] The encoding control device 20 of this embodiment instructs the encoding unit 54 of the encoding device 50 to encode the commercial start frame and the feature start frame as the first frames of a GOP. Then, as shown in the "Encoded Signal (Video)" and "Output Signal of Encoding Device 50" in FIG. 8, the encoding device 50 encodes the commercial start frame and the feature start frame as the first frames of a GOP. The distribution platform 60 replaces commercials on a GOP-by-GOP basis. Therefore, as shown in the "Output Signal of Distribution Platform 60" in FIG. 8, the distribution platform 60 can replace commercials from the start frame of the commercial "CM-A" to the final frame. As a result, it is possible to prevent glimpses of the commercial before replacement and loss of the feature, which are events that may occur when replacing commercials on the distribution platform 60.

[0056] Next, FIG. 9 shows an example of an operation flow relating to coding control between the coding control device 20 and the coding device 50 of this embodiment.

[0057] The detector 51 of the encoding device 50 detects a change in the commercial start trigger signal and sends a commercial start notification indicating that the commercial start trigger signal has changed from "0" to "1" to the commercial start frame calculator 52 (step S201).

[0058] When the commercial start notification is received, the commercial start frame calculation unit 52 calculates the commercial start frame number (step S202). The commercial start frame calculation unit 52 outputs the calculated commercial start frame number to the correction unit 23 of the encoding control device 20.

[0059] The correction unit 23 of the encoding control device 20 corrects the commercial start frame number by adding a predetermined correction setting value to the commercial start frame number received by the commercial start frame calculation unit 52 of the encoding device 50 (step S203). Then, the correction unit 23 outputs the corrected commercial start frame number to the main content start frame calculation unit 21, the instruction unit 22, and the commercial start PTS determination unit 55.

[0060] The main story start frame calculation unit 21 calculates the main story start frame number (step S204). The main story start frame calculation unit 21 calculates the main story start frame number by adding the number of frames equivalent to the length of the commercial to the corrected commercial start frame number. The main story start frame calculation unit 21 then outputs the main story start frame number to the instruction unit 22.

[0061] The instruction unit 22 instructs the encoding unit 54 of the encoding device 50 to encode the frame with the corrected commercial start frame number and the frame with the main feature start frame number as the first frames of the GOP (step S205).

[0062] In response to the instruction from the instruction unit 22 of the encoding control device 20, the encoding unit 54 of the encoding device 50 encodes the indicated frame as the first frame of the GOP (step S206).

[0063] Next, FIG. 10 shows the operation flow of the encoding control device 20 and the encoding device 50 regarding successive commercials.

[0064] After the commercial start trigger signal changes from "0" to "1" (step S201 in FIG. 9), detection unit 51 checks whether the commercial start trigger signal remains at "1" when the confirmation time has elapsed. If the commercial start trigger signal remains at "1", detection unit 51 notifies main content start frame calculation unit 21 of encoding device 50 of a consecutive commercials notification (step S301 in FIG. 10).

[0065] When the main content start frame calculation unit 21 receives a commercial consecutive notification, it outputs the main content start frame number calculated before receiving the commercial consecutive notification as the commercial start frame number to the commercial start PTS determination unit 55. The commercial start PTS determination unit 55 determines the PTS of the commercial start based on the commercial start frame number. The commercial replacement information generation unit 56 generates commercial replacement information and outputs the generated commercial replacement information (in SCTE-35 format) to the multiplexing unit 57.

[0066] Furthermore, when main content start frame calculation section 21 receives a commercial succession notification, it calculates a new main content start frame number (step S302). Then, main content start frame calculation section 21 outputs the new main content start frame number to instruction section 22.

[0067] The instruction unit 22 instructs the encoding unit 54 of the encoding device 50 to encode the frame with the new main content start frame number as the first frame of the GOP (step S303).

[0068] Then, the encoding unit 54 encodes the new main content start frame as the first frame of the GOP (step S304).

[0069] As described above, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the encoding control device 20 includes a main feature start frame calculation unit 21 and an instruction unit 22. The main feature start frame calculation unit 21 calculates the main feature start frame number based on the commercial start frame number. The instruction unit 22 instructs the encoding unit 54, which encodes the video, to encode the commercial start frame and the main feature start frame as the first frames of the GOP based on the commercial start frame number and the main feature start frame number. This allows the commercial start frame and the main feature start frame to be the first frames of the GOP. The distribution platform 60, which replaces commercials on a GOP basis, can then replace the commercials from the commercial start frame. This makes it possible to prevent a glimpse of the commercial before the replacement and loss of the main feature when replacing commercials during distribution.

[0070] The encoding control device 20 of this embodiment also includes a correction unit that corrects the commercial start frame number by adding a predetermined correction value to the commercial start frame number, thereby making it possible to correct errors in the commercial start frame number caused by errors in the timing of changes in the commercial start trigger signal.

[0071] Furthermore, the encoding unit 54 encodes the video using the commercial start frame and the feature start frame as the first frames of the GOP in response to an instruction from the instruction unit 22. This makes it possible to prevent a glimpse of the commercial before the replacement or loss of the feature when replacing a commercial during distribution.

[0072] The encoding control device 30 of this embodiment also includes a detection unit 51 and a commercial start frame calculation unit 52. The detection unit 51 receives a commercial start trigger signal that indicates whether the video is a commercial or not, and detects a change in the commercial start trigger signal. The commercial start frame calculation unit 52 calculates the commercial start frame number based on the change in the commercial start trigger signal. This makes it possible to prevent a glimpse of the commercial before the replacement or loss of the main content when replacing a commercial during distribution.

[0073] Furthermore, when a predetermined confirmation time has elapsed since the commercial start trigger signal indicated that the video has changed from a main feature to a commercial, the detection unit 51 outputs a consecutive commercial notification if the commercial start trigger signal indicates that the video is a commercial. Furthermore, when the main feature start frame calculation unit 21 receives a consecutive commercial notification indicating that there are consecutive commercials, it calculates a new main feature start frame number. Furthermore, the instruction unit 22 instructs the encoding unit 54 to encode the frame indicated by the new main feature start frame number as the first frame of the GOP. This makes it possible to prevent a glimpse of the previous commercial or a loss of the main feature when replacing a commercial during distribution, even when there are consecutive commercials.

[0074] [Hardware configuration example] An example of the configuration of hardware resources for realizing the encoding control device (10, 20, 30) in each of the above-described embodiments of the present invention using one information processing device (computer) will be described. Note that the encoding control device may be physically or functionally realized using at least two information processing devices. The encoding control device may also be realized as a dedicated device. Also, only some of the functions of the encoding control device may be realized using an information processing device.

[0075] 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device that can realize the encoding control device according to each embodiment of the present invention. The information processing device 90 includes a communication interface 91, an input / output interface 92, an arithmetic unit 93, a storage device 94, a nonvolatile storage device 95, and a drive device 96.

[0076] For example, main content start frame calculation unit 11 and instruction unit 12 in FIG.

[0077] The communication interface 91 is a communication means for the encoding control device of each embodiment to communicate with an external device via a wired or / and wireless connection. When the encoding control device is realized using at least two information processing devices, the devices may be connected via the communication interface 91 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0078] The input / output interface 92 is a man-machine interface including a keyboard as an example of an input device and a display as an output device.

[0079] The arithmetic device 93 is realized by a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, or other arithmetic processing device, and a plurality of electric circuits. The arithmetic device 93 can, for example, read various programs stored in a nonvolatile storage device 95 into the storage device 94 and execute processing in accordance with the read programs.

[0080] The storage device 94 is a memory device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) that can be accessed by the arithmetic device 93, and stores programs, various data, etc. The storage device 94 may be a volatile memory device.

[0081] The nonvolatile storage device 95 is a nonvolatile storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a flash memory, and is capable of storing various programs, data, and the like.

[0082] The drive device 96 is, for example, a device that processes reading and writing of data from and to a recording medium 97, which will be described later.

[0083] The recording medium 97 is any recording medium capable of recording data, such as an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor flash memory.

[0084] Each embodiment of the present invention may be realized, for example, by configuring an encoding control device using an information processing device 90 illustrated in FIG. 11 and supplying this encoding control device with a program capable of realizing the functions described in each of the above embodiments.

[0085] In this case, the embodiment can be realized by having the arithmetic unit 93 execute a program supplied to the encoding control device. Also, it is possible to configure some, but not all, of the functions of the encoding control device in the information processing unit 90.

[0086] Furthermore, the program may be recorded on a recording medium 97 and stored in the nonvolatile storage device 95 as appropriate when the encoding control device is shipped or when it is in operation. In this case, the program may be supplied by installing it in the encoding control device using an appropriate jig at the manufacturing stage before shipping or when it is in operation. The program may also be supplied by a general procedure such as downloading it from an external source via a communication line such as the Internet.

[0087] Some or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0088] (Appendix 1) a main content start frame calculation unit that calculates a main content start frame number, which is the number of the frame at which the main content following the commercial included in the video starts, based on the commercial start frame number that indicates the number of the commercial start frame; an instruction unit that instructs an encoding unit that encodes the video to encode the commercial start frame and the main feature start frame indicated by the main feature start frame number as first frames of a GOP, based on the commercial start frame number and the main feature start frame number; An encoding control device comprising:

[0089] (Appendix 2) a correction unit that corrects the CM start frame number by adding a predetermined correction setting value to the CM start frame number; 2. The encoding control device according to claim 1, further comprising:

[0090] (Appendix 3) The encoding unit is further provided, The encoding unit encodes the video in response to an instruction from the instruction unit, with the CM start frame and the feature start frame as first frames of a GOP. 10. The encoding control device according to claim 1 or 2.

[0091] (Appendix 4) the main program start frame calculation unit calculates a new main program start frame number when receiving a consecutive commercial notification indicating that commercials are consecutive; The instruction unit instructs the encoding unit to encode the frame indicated by the new main content start frame number as the first frame of the GOP. 4. A coding control device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 3.

[0092] (Appendix 5) a detection unit that receives a commercial start trigger signal indicating whether the video is a commercial or not, and detects a change in the commercial start trigger signal; a commercial start frame calculation unit that calculates the commercial start frame number based on a change in the commercial start trigger signal; 5. The encoding control device according to claim 1, further comprising:

[0093] (Appendix 6) a detection unit that receives a commercial start trigger signal indicating whether the video is a commercial or not, and detects a change in the commercial start trigger signal; a commercial start frame calculation unit that calculates the commercial start frame number based on a change in the commercial start trigger signal; Furthermore, The detection unit further outputs the commercial consecutive notification when the commercial start trigger signal indicates that the video is a commercial at a time when a predetermined confirmation time has elapsed since the commercial start trigger signal indicated that the video has changed from a main feature to a commercial. 5. An encoding control device according to claim 4.

[0094] (Appendix 7) Calculating a main content start frame number, which is the frame number at which the main content following the commercial included in the video starts, based on the commercial start frame number, which indicates the number of the commercial start frame; Instructing an encoding unit that encodes the video to encode the commercial start frame and the main feature start frame indicated by the main feature start frame number as first frames of a GOP based on the commercial start frame number and the main feature start frame number. Encoding control method.

[0095] (Appendix 8) The commercial start frame number is corrected by adding a predetermined correction setting value to the commercial start frame number. 8. The encoding control method according to claim 7.

[0096] (Appendix 9) The video is encoded with the CM start frame and the feature start frame as the first frames of a GOP. 9. The encoding control method according to claim 7 or 8.

[0097] (Appendix 10) When a continuous commercial notification is received, the new main program start frame number is calculated. The encoding unit is instructed to encode the frame indicated by the new main content start frame number as the first frame of the GOP. 10. A coding control method according to any one of Supplementary Note 7 to Supplementary Note 9.

[0098] (Appendix 11) receiving a commercial start trigger signal indicating whether the video is a commercial, and detecting a change in the commercial start trigger signal; Calculating the commercial start frame number based on the change in the commercial start trigger signal 11. An encoding control method according to any one of Supplementary Note 7 to Supplementary Note 10.

[0099] (Appendix 12) receiving a commercial start trigger signal indicating whether the video is a commercial, and detecting a change in the commercial start trigger signal; calculating the CM start frame number based on a change in the CM start trigger signal; When a predetermined confirmation time has elapsed since the CM start trigger signal indicated that the video has changed from the main program to a CM, if the CM start trigger signal indicates that the video is a CM, the CM continuous notification is output. 11. The encoding control method according to claim 10.

[0100] (Appendix 13) On the computer, a main content start frame calculation function that calculates a main content start frame number, which is the number of the frame at which the main content following the commercial included in the video starts, based on the commercial start frame number that indicates the number of the commercial start frame; an instruction function of instructing an encoding unit that encodes the video to encode the commercial start frame and the main feature start frame indicated by the main feature start frame number as the first frames of a GOP, based on the commercial start frame number and the main feature start frame number; An encoding control program that realizes this.

[0101] (Appendix 14) A correction function for correcting the CM start frame number by adding a predetermined correction setting value to the CM start frame number. The encoding control program according to claim 13, further comprising:

[0102] (Appendix 15) The encoding function of the encoding unit is further implemented by a computer, The encoding function encodes the video in response to an instruction from the instruction function, with the CM start frame and the feature start frame as the first frames of a GOP. 15. The encoding control program according to claim 13 or 14.

[0103] (Appendix 16) The main program start frame calculation function calculates a new main program start frame number when a continuous commercial notification indicating that commercials are consecutive is received, The instruction function instructs the encoding unit to encode the frame indicated by the new main content start frame number as the first frame of the GOP. 16. An encoding control program according to any one of appendix 13 to appendix 15.

[0104] (Appendix 17) a detection function of receiving a commercial start trigger signal indicating whether the video is a commercial or not, and detecting a change in the commercial start trigger signal; a commercial start frame calculation function for calculating the commercial start frame number based on a change in the commercial start trigger signal; 17. The encoding control program according to any one of appendices 13 to 16, further implemented by a computer.

[0105] (Appendix 18) a detection function of receiving a commercial start trigger signal indicating whether the video is a commercial or not, and detecting a change in the commercial start trigger signal; a commercial start frame calculation function for calculating the commercial start frame number based on a change in the commercial start trigger signal; We further implemented this on a computer, The detection function further outputs the commercial consecutive notification when the commercial start trigger signal indicates that the video is a commercial at a time when a predetermined confirmation time has elapsed since the commercial start trigger signal indicated that the video has changed from a main program to a commercial, 17. The encoding control program according to claim 16.

[0106] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0107] 10, 20, 30 Encoding control device 11, 21 Main story start frame calculation section 12, 22 Instruction section 23 Correction unit 50 Encoding device 51 Detection unit 52 Commercial start frame calculation unit 53 Time Counter 54 Encoding section 55 CM first PTS decision section 56 Commercial replacement information generation unit 57 Multiplexing section 60 Distribution Platforms 70, 71 Distribution System 80 Communication Lines 90 Information processing equipment 91 Communication Interface 92 Input / Output Interface 93 Arithmetic unit 94 Storage device 95 Non-volatile storage devices 96 Drive Device 97 Recording Media

Claims

1. A main content start frame calculation unit that calculates a main content start frame number, which is the number of the frame at which the main content following a commercial included in a video starts, based on a commercial start frame number that indicates the number of the commercial (commercial message) start frame; an instruction unit that instructs an encoding unit that encodes the video, based on the CM start frame number and the main feature start frame number, to encode the CM start frame and the main feature start frame indicated by the main feature start frame number as first frames of a GOP (Group Of Pictures); Equipped with the main program start frame calculation unit calculates a new main program start frame number when receiving a CM succession notification indicating that CMs are successive; The instruction unit instructs the encoding unit to encode the frame indicated by the new main content start frame number as the first frame of a GOP. Encoding control device.

2. a detection unit that receives a commercial start trigger signal indicating whether the video is a commercial or not, and detects a change in the commercial start trigger signal; a CM start frame calculation unit that calculates the CM start frame number based on a change in the CM start trigger signal; The encoding control device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

3. a detection unit that receives a commercial start trigger signal indicating whether the video is a commercial or not, and detects a change in the commercial start trigger signal; a CM start frame calculation unit that calculates the CM start frame number based on a change in the CM start trigger signal; Furthermore, The detection unit further outputs the CM consecutive notification when the CM start trigger signal indicates that the video is a CM at a time when a predetermined confirmation time has elapsed since the CM start trigger signal indicated that the video has changed from a main feature to a CM. The encoding control device according to claim 1 .

4. A detection unit that receives a commercial start trigger signal indicating whether a video is a commercial or not and detects a change in the commercial start trigger signal; a commercial start frame calculation unit that calculates a commercial start frame number indicating the number of a commercial start frame based on a change in the commercial start trigger signal; a main feature start frame calculation unit that calculates a main feature start frame number, which is the number of the frame at which the main feature following the commercial included in the video starts, based on the commercial start frame number; an instruction unit that instructs an encoding unit that encodes the video based on the CM start frame number and the main feature start frame number to encode the CM start frame and the main feature start frame indicated by the main feature start frame number as first frames of a GOP; A coding control device comprising:

5. A correction unit that corrects the CM start frame number by adding a predetermined correction setting value to the CM start frame number. The encoding control device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

6. Further comprising the encoding unit, The encoding unit encodes the video in accordance with the instruction from the instruction unit, using the CM start frame and the feature start frame as first frames of a GOP. The encoding control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. Calculating a main content start frame number, which is the frame number at which the main content following the commercial included in the video starts, based on the commercial start frame number indicating the number of the commercial start frame; instructing an encoding unit that encodes the video based on the CM start frame number and the feature start frame number to encode the CM start frame and the feature start frame indicated by the feature start frame number as first frames of a GOP; In the calculation of the main program start frame, if a CM succession notification indicating that CMs are successive is received, a new main program start frame number is calculated; Instructing the encoding unit to encode the frame indicated by the new main content start frame number as the first frame of a GOP. Encoding control method.

8. A method for receiving a commercial start trigger signal indicating whether a video is a commercial or not, and detecting a change in the commercial start trigger signal; calculating a CM start frame number indicating the number of a CM start frame based on the change in the CM start trigger signal; Calculating a main story start frame number, which is the number of the frame at which the main story following the CM included in the video starts, based on the CM start frame number; Based on the CM start frame number and the main feature start frame number, an encoding unit that encodes the video is instructed to encode the CM start frame and the main feature start frame indicated by the main feature start frame number as the first frames of a GOP. Encoding control method.

9. On the computer, a main content start frame calculation function that calculates a main content start frame number, which is the number of the frame at which the main content following the commercial included in the video starts, based on a commercial start frame number that indicates the number of the commercial start frame; an instruction function of instructing an encoding unit that encodes the video, based on the CM start frame number and the main feature start frame number, to encode the CM start frame and the main feature start frame indicated by the main feature start frame number as the first frames of a GOP; To achieve this, The main program start frame calculation function calculates a new main program start frame number when a CM consecutive notification indicating that CMs are consecutive is received, The instruction function instructs the encoding unit to encode the frame indicated by the new main content start frame number as the first frame of the GOP. Encoding control program.

10. A computer comprising: a detection function for receiving a commercial start trigger signal indicating whether a video is a commercial or not, and detecting a change in the commercial start trigger signal; a CM start frame calculation function for calculating a CM start frame number indicating the number of a CM start frame based on a change in the CM start trigger signal; a main feature start frame calculation function that calculates a main feature start frame number, which is the number of the frame at which the main feature following the CM included in the video starts, based on the CM start frame number; an instruction function of instructing an encoding unit that encodes the video, based on the CM start frame number and the main feature start frame number, to encode the CM start frame and the main feature start frame indicated by the main feature start frame number as the first frames of a GOP; An encoding control program that realizes this.

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