Video processing system and method for constructing subsystem

Abstract

A video processing system (100) comprises a plurality of storages (31), a plurality of information processing devices (1), and a configuration unit (5). Each information processing device (1) is connected to the plurality of storages (31) via a network (4), and controls the transmission and reception of video data to and from the storages (31) via a plurality of video channels to which a video input / output device (2) is connected. When constructing a subsystem for transmitting and receiving video data using any of the plurality of storages (31) and any of the plurality of information processing devices (1), the configuration unit (5) determines, on the basis of request information relating to at least one of recording and reproduction of the video data, at least one of the storages (31) and the information processing devices (1) to be used for the subsystem, bandwidth of the network to be allocated to each video channel, and the number of storages (31) to be allocated to each video channel.

Description

Image processing system and subsystem construction method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a video processing system that records and reads video data, and a method for constructing a subsystem for transmitting and receiving video data.

[0002] A system is known that records video data output from a video output device such as a camera in a recording device and reads the video data recorded in the recording device. A known recording device for recording video data is a recording device configured with a NAND element. This recording device is known as a solid state drive (SSD), for example.

[0003] When recording data such as video data in storage, it is known to reduce the amount of data collected if the total rate of collected data exceeds the throughput parameters of the network infrastructure (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] Special Publication No. 2020-530159

[0005] Currently, recording and playback of video data between multiple video input / output devices and multiple storage devices is being considered. In this case, when configuring a system, such as the connection relationships between the multiple video input / output devices and the multiple storage devices, if the connections are determined without any consideration of the combination of input / output devices and storage devices, video data will not be transmitted and received properly between the multiple video input / output devices and the multiple storage devices. As a result, problems such as not being able to record video data to the storage device at the required recording rate or not being able to play back video data at the required playback rate may occur.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to build a system that allows appropriate transmission and reception of video data between a video input / output device and storage.

[0007] The video processing system disclosed herein includes multiple storages, multiple information processing devices, and a configuration unit. Each of the multiple storages has a nonvolatile memory unit that allows data to be written in page-size units and data to be erased in erase block-size units consisting of multiple pages. The information processing device is connected to the multiple storages via a network and controls transmission and reception of video data with the storages via multiple video channels connected to video input / output devices. The configuration unit builds a subsystem for transmitting and receiving video data using one of the multiple storages and one of the multiple information processing devices. Based on request information related to at least one of recording and playback of video data, the configuration unit determines at least one of the storages and information processing devices to be used in the subsystem, the network bandwidth to be allocated to each video channel, and the number of storages to be allocated to each video channel.

[0008] In the video processing system disclosed herein, a subsystem is constructed for transmitting and receiving video data using one of a plurality of storages and one of a plurality of information processing devices. In this case, based on request information regarding at least one of recording and playback of video data, a system configuration is determined, including at least one of the storages and information processing devices to be used in the subsystem, the network bandwidth to be allocated to each video channel, and the number of storages to be allocated to each video channel. This makes it possible to construct a subsystem that satisfies the requirements regarding recording / playback of video data indicated in the request information.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a video processing system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing device. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a storage device. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a storage. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a recording area. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the overall operation of constructing a subsystem. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the detailed operation of constructing a subsystem. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an information processing device and a storage device included in one subsystem. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a volume configuration. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an association between a video channel and a volume. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a time slot configuration. FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing the transmission and reception of signals when transmitting and receiving video data in a subsystem. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing device when recording video data. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing device when reading video data.

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed description of already well-known matters or redundant description of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Note that the inventors provide the accompanying drawings and the following description to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and do not intend for them to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0011] In this disclosure, "video data" refers to data including video data, audio data, and metadata, data including only video data, and data including still image data.

[0012] [1. First Embodiment] [1-1. Video Processing System] Hereinafter, a video processing system 100 according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the video processing system 100. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an information processing device 1 included in the video processing system 100. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a storage device 3 included in the video processing system 100. The video processing system 100 includes multiple information processing devices 1, multiple storage devices 3, a configuration unit 5, and an arbitration unit 6, and is connected to multiple video input / output devices 2. In the video processing system 100, video data output from any of the multiple video input / output devices 2 can be recorded in at least one storage 31 of the storage device 3. When recording to multiple storages 31, the video data may be recorded across multiple storage devices 3. The video data recorded in the storage device 3 can be used, for example, for future playback or editing. Editing video data includes, for example, generating new video data by inserting a specific portion of other video data into video data.

[0013] Furthermore, in the video processing system 100 , video data read from the storage device 3 can be output to any one of the plurality of video input / output devices 2 .

[0014] In the video processing system 100, a predetermined information processing device 1 is selected from among the plurality of information processing devices 1 to satisfy a request for at least one of recording and playback of video data, and a predetermined storage 31 is selected from among the plurality of storages 31 ( FIG. 3 ) included in the plurality of storage devices 3. Furthermore, a communication bandwidth is allocated for communication between the selected predetermined information processing device 1 and the selected predetermined storage 31 to satisfy a request for at least one of recording and playback of video data. In this manner, the video processing system 100 connects the selected predetermined information processing device 1 and the selected predetermined storage 31 via the network 4, thereby constructing a system for recording / playing back video data. A system constructed in this manner, consisting of a selected portion of the plurality of information processing devices 1 and a selected portion of the plurality of storages 31 included in the video processing system 100, will be referred to as a "subsystem."

[0015] The information processing device 1 is connected to a plurality of video input / output devices 2, including a plurality of video output devices and a plurality of video input devices, via a plurality of video channels CH1, CH2, ... CHm+n (FIG. 2). The interface for the video channels is, for example, an interface for connecting video-related devices, such as an interface conforming to the Serial Digital Interface (SDI) standard. Alternatively, the video interface 14 may be a network interface. In this case, for example, transmission conforming to the ST2110 standard of the SMPTE standardization organization may be used. The interface for the video channels may also be a network interface, such as a Gigabit Ethernet (registered trademark) interface, which connects the information processing device 1 to other devices via a network, such as a Wide Area Network (WAN) or a Local Area Network (LAN).

[0016] The multiple video input / output devices 2 include multiple video output devices 2a and multiple video input devices 2b. In this embodiment, the multiple video output devices 2a are connected to m video channels CH1, CH2, ... CHm. On the other hand, the multiple video input devices 2b are connected to n video channels CHm+1, CHm+2, ... CHm+n. The number of video output devices 2a and video input devices 2b can be any number within the allowable capacity of the information processing device 1.

[0017] The video output device 2a acquires video and audio data, converts it into electrical signals, and outputs the data to the outside as video data. The video output device 2a is, for example, a video capture device equipped with a camera for capturing predetermined video, a microphone for capturing audio of the predetermined video, etc. Alternatively, the video output device 2a may be a media server that records a large number of videos. The video output from the video output device 2a is, for example, high-quality video such as uncompressed 4K video.

[0018] Video input device 2b inputs video and audio data as video data. Video input device 2b is, for example, a display (e.g., a liquid crystal display, an organic electroluminescence (EL) display, a plasma display, etc.) that plays back and displays the input video data. The video played back and displayed by video input device 2b is, for example, high-quality video such as uncompressed 4K video.

[0019] The plurality of video input / output devices 2 may include a device that has both the function of the video output device 2a and the function of the video input device 2b.

[0020] The information processing device 1 executes various information processes on video data input from a video output device 2a among the multiple video input / output devices 2. Specifically, for example, the information processing device 1 can execute a process of converting video data into compressed data. The information processing device 1 can also output video data in uncompressed format to an external device. The information processing device 1 can edit the video data in accordance with user operations.

[0021] The information processing device 1 outputs video data to the video input device 2b among the plurality of video input / output devices 2. This allows the information processing device 1 to also function as a playback device that plays back video data using the video input device 2b.

[0022] The information processing device 1 is connected to a storage device 3 via a network 4. The information processing device 1 records video data input from a video output device 2a, video data converted into a compressed format, edited video data, etc. in a storage 31 of the storage device 3. The information processing device 1 also reads out video data recorded in the storage 31 of the storage device 3 and outputs it to a video input device 2b.

[0023] When recording video data input from the video output device 2a in the storage 31, the information processing device 1 buffers the video data in a buffer area assigned to the video channel to which the video output device 2a is connected. The video data buffered in the buffer area is called "buffered data."

[0024] On the other hand, when reading video data from storage 31 and outputting it to video input device 2b, information processing device 1 buffers the video data read from storage 31 in a buffer area assigned to the video channel to which video input device 2b is connected.

[0025] The information processing device 1 transmits and receives video data between the multiple video channels and the storage 31 by sequentially transmitting and receiving video data between each of the multiple video channels and the storage 31 within a time slot having a predetermined length of time.

[0026] Specifically, when video data obtained by a certain video output device 2a is recorded in storage 31 via a video channel to which the video output device 2a is connected, the information processing device 1 buffers the video data in a buffer area allocated to the video channel and transmits the buffered data in the buffer area to storage 31.

[0027] On the other hand, when outputting video data read from storage 31 to video input device 2b, the information processing device 1 buffers the video data read from storage 31 in a buffer area assigned to the video channel to which the video input device 2b is connected, and transmits the buffered data in the buffer area to the video input device 2b.

[0028] The information processing device 1 transmits and receives the above-mentioned video data to and from the multiple video channels within one time slot. The information processing device 1 sequentially allocates multiple time slots, thereby repeatedly transmitting and receiving video data between the multiple video channels and the storage 31. In other words, after completing transmission and reception of video data in one time slot, the information processing device 1 transmits and receives video data in the next time slot, thereby repeatedly transmitting and receiving video data between the multiple video channels and the storage 31.

[0029] The storage device 3 has a plurality of storages 31. The storages 31 record video data received from the information processing device 1 in accordance with a command from the information processing device 1. The storages 31 also read designated video data in accordance with a command from the information processing device 1. As will be described later, the storages 31 are recording devices configured with NAND elements. The storages 31 are, for example, solid state drives (SSDs).

[0030] The network 4 interconnects the plurality of information processing devices 1 and the plurality of storage devices 3. The network 4 is, for example, a high-speed communication network such as 100 Gigabit Ethernet (registered trademark).

[0031] The network 4 is configured by a switching hub to which a plurality of information processing devices 1 and a plurality of storage devices 3 are connected, thereby enabling high-speed communication between any of the information processing devices 1 and any of the storage devices 3.

[0032] The component unit 5 is connected to the plurality of information processing devices 1 and the arbitration unit 6, which will be described later. Note that in Fig. 1, the component unit 5 is connected to only one information processing device 1, but this is for the sake of clarity of the drawing, and in reality, the component unit 5 is connected to all of the plurality of information processing devices 1.

[0033] The configuration unit 5 uses the plurality of information processing devices 1 and the plurality of storages 31 included in the video processing system 100 to construct a system (called a subsystem) for recording / playing back video data.

[0034] Furthermore, for one information processing device 1, the configuration unit 5 determines the size of video data that can be transmitted and received in one time slot based on the size of the erase block of the storage 31 and the recording / playback rate of the video data, and notifies this to the information processing device 1 and the arbitration unit 6. When a subsystem includes multiple information processing devices 1, the configuration unit 5 determines which time slot to assign to which information processing device 1 in the subsystem.

[0035] The component 5 is, for example, hardware configured by circuits that realize the above functions. The component 5 may be a computer system that includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a storage device, various interfaces, etc., and realizes the above functions. The component 5 may also realize some or all of the above functions by software.

[0036] The arbitration unit 6 is connected to the information processing device 1 and the configuration unit 5. When an access request to the storage 31 is made from the information processing device 1, the arbitration unit 6 determines whether or not to permit the information processing device 1 to access the storage 31, and notifies the information processing device 1 of the result of the determination.

[0037] The arbitration unit 6 is, for example, hardware configured with circuits that realize the above functions. The arbitration unit 6 may be a computer system that includes a CPU, a storage device, various interfaces, etc. and realizes the above functions. The arbitration unit 6 may realize some or all of the above functions by software.

[0038] 2, the configuration of the information processing device 1 will be described. The information processing device 1 has a CPU 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, a storage device 13, a video interface 14, a storage interface 15, and an interface 16.

[0039] The CPU 11 executes various processes in the information processing device 1. Specifically, the CPU 11 executes information processes such as video data compression, information processing related to video data editing, and video data analysis. The CPU 11 executes the above processes by executing instructions indicated in a program stored in the storage device 13. Note that some of the processes in the information processing device 1 may be realized by hardware implemented separately from the CPU 11 or by an external device. The CPU 11 generates commands for executing various processes.

[0040] The RAM 12 is a storage area that temporarily stores commands, video data, etc. generated by the CPU 11. In the RAM 12, buffer areas BF1, BF2, ..., BFm+n are assigned to the video channels CH1, CH2, ..., CHm+n, respectively. The buffer areas BF1, BF2, ..., BFm+n are temporary storage areas that buffer the video data acquired via the corresponding video channels CH1, CH2, ..., CHm+n. The size of one buffer area is set to the access size, which is the size of video data that can be transmitted and received in one time slot, with a certain margin.

[0041] The storage device 13 is composed of a ROM (Read Only Memory), a hard disk (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), etc. The storage device 13 stores programs executed by the CPU 11, settings related to processing of the information processing device 1, parameters used for the processing, etc.

[0042] The video interface 14 connects the information processing device 1 and the video input / output device 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the video interface 14 is provided with a plurality of connection terminals. One connection terminal of the video interface 14 corresponds to one video channel. The video input / output device 2 may be connected to only one connection terminal of the video interface 14 (i.e., one video channel), or may be connected to a plurality of video channels (i.e., multiple video channels).

[0043] The video interface 14 is an interface for connecting video-related devices, such as an interface conforming to the Serial Digital Interface (SDI) standard. Alternatively, the video interface 14 may be a network interface. In this case, transmission conforming to the ST2110 standard of the SMPTE standardization organization, for example, may be used.

[0044] The video interface 14 may also be a network interface such as a Gigabit Ethernet (registered trademark) interface that connects the information processing device 1 to other devices via a network such as a WAN or LAN.

[0045] The storage interface 15 is connected to the network 4. The storage interface 15 performs communication between the information processing device 1 and the storage device 3 via the network 4.

[0046] The storage interface 15 connects the information processing device 1 and the storage 31 in the storage device 3 via a direct transfer path. The storage interface 15 is, for example, a 100 Gigabit Ethernet (registered trademark) interface via a PCIe interface that complies with the PCI Express standard of the PCI-SIG standard. This allows the information processing device 1 and the storage 31 in the storage device 3 to send and receive data at high speed using a protocol dedicated to non-volatile memory (NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express)) using a PCI-Express bus.

[0047] In NVMe, the controller acquires data from the NAND memory using the NAND protocol, converts it to the PCIe protocol, and transfers it to the host. In contrast, with conventional SATA (Serial-ATA), the DMA controller that transfers data directly to the host converts data from the NAND memory to the SATA protocol, acquires it, and then converts the data to the PCIe protocol before transferring it to the host. In other words, because NVMe processing directly converts from the NAND protocol to the PCIe protocol, the data transfer processing speed is faster than conventional SATA.

[0048] The interface 16 is an interface for connecting the information processing device 1 to other devices. The configuration unit 5 and the arbitration unit 6 are connected to the interface 16. The interface 16 is a network interface such as a Gigabit Ethernet (registered trademark) interface that connects the information processing device 1 to other devices via a network such as a WAN or LAN.

[0049] At least one of the storage interface 15 and the interface 16 may be capable of directly transmitting and receiving data between the RAM 12 of the information processing device 1 and a storage device of another device by remote direct memory access (RDMA), thereby enabling high-speed data transmission and reception between the information processing device 1 and the other device.

[0050] Note that the functions of at least one of the above-described configuration unit 5 and arbitration unit 6 may be realized by the information processing device 1. In this case, at least one of the configuration unit 5 and arbitration unit 6 does not need to be connected to the interface 16. In other words, when at least one of the configuration unit 5 and arbitration unit 6 is a device separate from the information processing device 1, at least one of the configuration unit 5 and arbitration unit 6, which is a separate device, is connected to the interface 16.

[0051] 3 and 4, the configuration of the storage device 3 will be described. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a storage 31 included in the storage device 3. The storage device 3 includes a plurality of storages 31 and a network interface 32. The storage 31 is a recording device for recording video data.

[0052] The network interface 32 is an interface for connecting the plurality of storages 31 included in the storage device 3 to the network 4. The network interface 32 is, for example, a 100 Gigabit Ethernet (registered trademark) interface.

[0053] The following describes the configuration of the storage 31. The storage 31 has an access port 31a, a flash memory 31b, a controller 31c, and a storage unit 31d. The access port 31a is an interface that connects the storage 31 and the network interface 32.

[0054] The flash memory 31b is composed of multiple NAND elements. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the recording area RA of the flash memory 31. As shown in Figure 5, the flash memory 31b has a recording area RA for recording video data. In addition, the recording area RA stores a table that associates addresses (logical addresses) specified by an external device with addresses (physical addresses) of erase blocks BL corresponding to the logical addresses.

[0055] The recording area RA is divided into a plurality of erase blocks BL. Each erase block BL is a unit of erasing data in the flash memory 31b. Each erase block BL is further divided into a plurality of pages PA. Each page PA is a unit of recording data.

[0056] The recording area RA of the storage 31 is composed of a spare area and a user area. When the storage 31 starts to be used, all data in the recording area RA is physically erased, and then the entire recording area RA becomes the spare area. When a user writes data to the storage 31, the data is written to this spare area, and the area into which the data is written becomes the user area. Note that data can be written to the spare area in page PA units.

[0057] The upper limit size of the user area is a predetermined size that is smaller than the entire size of the recording area RA. In other words, the upper limit of the data writing size of the storage 31 that can be recognized by the user is the upper limit size of the user area. Furthermore, even after the user area reaches its upper limit size, a spare area remains in the recording area RA. The spare area remaining in the recording area RA is called a remaining spare area. This remaining spare area cannot be recognized by the user.

[0058] When a user deletes data from a user area on a file system, the deleted data from the user area simply becomes invalid and remains physically in the user area. In this state, when a user writes new data on the file system, the new data is written to the remaining spare area. Writing data to the remaining spare area is also done in page PA units.

[0059] When data is repeatedly deleted and new data is written in the file system, the amount of invalid data in the user area increases. The area in the remaining spare area where data can be written decreases. When the size of the area in the remaining spare area where data can be written falls below a predetermined size, the invalid data in the user area and the remaining spare area is physically erased.

[0060] As described above, data can only be erased in units of erase blocks BL in the storage 31. Therefore, the physical erasure of invalid data is performed by first moving all valid data present in the erase block BL in which the invalid data to be erased is recorded to another erase block BL to which data can be written (for example, an erase block BL in the remaining spare area to which data can be written), and then physically erasing all data (both invalid data and valid data) recorded in the erase block BL from which the valid data was moved (the erase block BL in which the invalid data to be erased was recorded) in units of erase blocks BL (garbage collection). After the data has been physically erased in this way, it becomes possible to write data in units of pages PA in the erase block BL.

[0061] As described above, in the storage 31, new data can be written in units of pages PA to unused areas and areas from which data has been erased as described above within the recording area RA. On the other hand, new data can be written to areas to which data has already been written after the data has been physically erased in units of erase blocks BL each consisting of a plurality of pages PA.

[0062] The controller 31c executes control related to the storage 31. Specifically, the controller 31c controls the recording of data to the flash memory 31b and the reading of data from the flash memory 31b. The controller 31c also executes other processes required for the solid state drive, such as garbage collection and wear leveling. The controller 31c executes the programs stored in the memory unit 31d to execute the above processes.

[0063] The memory unit 31d is provided as a memory separate from the flash memory 31b, or is part of the recording area RA, and stores various parameters related to the control of the storage 31. For example, the memory unit 31d stores the size of the page PA, the size of the erase block BL, and the number of times data is recorded in each erase block BL. The memory unit 31d also stores parameters for executing various processes.

[0064] [1-4. Operation of the Video Processing System] [1-4-1. Subsystem Construction Operation] The following describes the operation of the video processing system 100. First, the construction operation of a subsystem using a plurality of information processing devices 1 and a plurality of storage devices 3 (storage 31) included in the video processing system 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the overall operation of constructing a subsystem.

[0065] In the following description, an example will be given in which one subsystem is constructed using some of the multiple information processing devices 1 and some of the multiple storage devices 3 (storage 31) included in the video processing system 100. Multiple subsystems can also be constructed using the multiple information processing devices 1 and multiple storage devices 3 (storage 31) included in the video processing system 100. When multiple subsystems are constructed, the operations described below are repeatedly executed.

[0066] First, the configuration unit 5 receives request information regarding recording / playback of video data (step S1). The request information is input to the configuration unit 5 by, for example, a user. The request information includes, for example, the requested number of video channels, the recording rate, playback rate, and recording time of the requested video data.

[0067] The configuration unit 5 that has acquired the request information extracts candidate information processing devices 1 and storage devices 31 to be included in the subsystem, which satisfy the request of the user or the like indicated in the request information, from among the plurality of information processing devices 1 and plurality of storage devices 31 included in the video processing system 100, and presents these to the user (step S2). For example, the configuration unit 5 displays a list of candidate information processing devices 1 and storage devices 31 (storage devices 3 having the candidate information processing devices 1 and storage devices 31) on a display device of a terminal used by the user (for example, a personal computer, a mobile terminal such as a tablet terminal, etc.).

[0068] The user selects the information processing device 1 and storage 31 (storage device 3) to actually be included in the subsystem from the candidate information processing device 1 and storage 31 (storage device 3) presented by the configuration unit 5 (step S3).

[0069] The configuration unit 5 extracts candidates for the network 4 route connecting the information processing device 1 selected by the user and the storage device 3 (the storage device 3 including the storage 31 selected by the user) and presents them to the user (step S4). The configuration unit 5 displays a list of candidates for the switching hubs included in the network 4 and candidates for the network route on the display device of the terminal used by the user.

[0070] The user selects a route to be actually used for constructing the subsystem from the candidate routes (switching hubs, network routes) of the network 4 presented by the configuration unit 5 (step S5).

[0071] After selecting the information processing device 1, storage 31 (storage device 3) to be included in the subsystem, and the route of the network 4 connecting the information processing device 1 and the storage device 3, the configuration unit 5 constructs the subsystem using these (step S6). The configuration unit 5 constructs the subsystem according to the flowchart shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the detailed operation of constructing the subsystem.

[0072] First, the configuration unit 5 converts the network formed by the information processing device 1 and storage device 3 included in the subsystem into a virtual LAN (step S61). By converting the information processing device 1 and storage device 3 included in the subsystem into a virtual LAN, these devices are prevented from accessing the information processing device 1 and storage device 3 included in other subsystems.

[0073] Specifically, the configuration unit 5 assigns addresses to the information processing devices 1 and storage devices 3 included in the subsystem, with the upper part being a common value and the lower part being a different value for each device. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an information processing device 1 and a storage device 3 included in one subsystem. For example, as shown in Fig. 8, suppose that the subsystem (shown by dotted lines in Fig. 8) includes two information processing devices 1 and two storage devices 3. In this case, for example, the two information processing devices 1 and the two storage devices 3 can be assigned IP addresses of 192.168.1.11 to 192.168.1.14, respectively.

[0074] Furthermore, the configuration unit 5 sets a subnet mask that masks the upper portion of the assigned address for the information processing device 1 and storage device 3 included in the subsystem. For example, if IP addresses of 192.168.1.11 to 192.168.1.14 are set for the information processing device 1 and storage device 3 included in the subsystem, respectively, a subnet mask of "255.255.255.0" can be set for these devices.

[0075] In addition to the information processing device 1 that transmits and receives video data, the subsystem may also include a spare information processing device 1. In this case, a network connection between the spare information processing device 1 and the storage 31 (storage device 3) is also set and included in the virtual LAN. By enabling communication between the spare information processing device 1 and the storage device 3 within the virtual LAN in this way, for example, if an abnormality occurs in the information processing device 1 that transmits and receives video data and it becomes impossible to transmit and receive video data between the spare information processing device 1 and the storage 31, it becomes possible to transmit and receive video data between the spare information processing device 1 and the storage 31 instead of the information processing device 1 that is unable to transmit and receive video data.

[0076] Next, the configuration unit 5 performs volume generation on the storages 31 included in the subsystem (step S62). Volume generation on the storages 31 is a process of combining one or more storages 31 into one and treating the combined one or more storages 31 as a single recording area. The combined storages 31 are referred to as a "volume."

[0077] Specifically, when a volume includes multiple storages 31, the configuration unit 5 configures a RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) using RAID0 (striping) with the multiple storages 31 and treats this as a single volume. Configuring a volume with multiple storages 31 increases the volume capacity (capacity of one storage 31 * number of storages 31) and improves the access speed to the volume (access speed of one storage 31 * number of storages 31).

[0078] When a volume includes multiple storages 31, it is preferable that the specifications and performance of the multiple storages 31 are the same, which stabilizes the operation of the volume.

[0079] Furthermore, when a volume includes multiple storages 31, it is preferable to select multiple storages 31 with similar lifespans (similar average number of writes to page PAs). This makes it possible to prevent the entire volume from becoming unusable when one of the storages 31 in the volume becomes unusable due to its lifespan. For example, if one of the multiple storages 31 included in the volume has an extremely short lifespan and this storage 31 becomes unusable due to its lifespan, it is possible to prevent the other storages 31 included in the volume (storages 31 that are still operational) from becoming unusable.

[0080] The number of volumes to be configured, whether each volume includes multiple storages 31, and the number of storages 31 to be included in each volume are determined based on the request information requested in step S1 above. For example, the number of volumes to be configured can be the same as the number of video channels to be included in the subsystem.

[0081] Whether or not each volume includes multiple storages 31 and the number of storages 31 included in each volume are determined based on the recording rate, playback rate, recording time, etc. of the video data.

[0082] For example, when transmitting and receiving high-quality video data such as 4K uncompressed video data on a certain video channel, the access speed of a single storage 31 may not be able to satisfy the required recording rate and playback rate of the video data. In this case, the configuration unit 5 determines that the volume to be assigned to the video channel should be configured with multiple storages 31. In this case, the number of storages 31 to be included in the volume can be determined so that the product of the access speed of one storage 31 and the number of storages 31 is equal to or greater than the required recording rate / playback rate.

[0083] On the other hand, when transmitting and receiving low-quality video data such as compressed video data, the required recording rate / playback rate can be met even with the access speed of one storage 31. In such a case, a volume can be configured with one storage 31.

[0084] Furthermore, for example, when the recording time of video data is long or when there is a possibility that video data will be recorded for a long period of time, the recording capacity of one storage 31 may be insufficient. In this case as well, the configuration unit 5 determines that a volume will be configured with multiple storages 31. In this case, the number of storages 31 to be included in the volume can be determined so that the product of the recording capacity of one storage 31 and the number of storages 31 is equal to or greater than the required recording capacity (for example, recording rate * recording time).

[0085] 9 is a diagram showing an example of a volume configuration. For example, based on the request information requested in step S1, as shown in FIG. 9, volumes (V1, . . . Vi, Vj, Vk, . . . Vx) corresponding to the number of requested video channels can be configured. In the example of FIG. 9, volume V1 is configured with four storages 31. Volumes Vi and Vx are configured with one storage 31. Volumes Vj and Vk are configured with two storages 31.

[0086] After configuring the volume, the configuration unit 5 associates each video channel included in the subsystem with the volume configured in step S62 (step S63). That is, the configuration unit 5 determines in which volume the video data of each video channel will be recorded, and through which video channel the video data recorded in the volume will be played back.

[0087] At this time, the configuration unit 5 allocates, to each video channel, a bandwidth for the network connection between the information processing device 1 having that video channel and the storage device 3. For example, if the number of video channels owned by the information processing device 1 is m+n and the bandwidth for the network connection between the information processing device 1 and the storage device 3 is B (unit: Gbps), then a bandwidth of B / (m+n) (unit: Gbps) is allocated to each video channel. Note that the bandwidth B is not a best-effort value, but can be an actual measured value that takes into account performance degradation due to garbage collection, for example.

[0088] The configuration unit 5 determines which volume to associate with each video channel based on the recording rate, playback rate, and recording time of the video data required for that video channel.

[0089] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of association between video channels and volumes. For example, as shown in Fig. 10, when video channel CH1 transmits and receives video data in 4K uncompressed format, that is, when the recording rate and playback rate required for video channel CH1 are high, volume V1 made up of four storages 31 is associated with video channel CH1.

[0090] Furthermore, when compressed video data is transmitted and received on video channels CHi and CHx, i.e., when the recording rate and playback rate required for video channel CH1 are small, volumes Vi and Vx, each consisting of one storage 31, are associated with the video channels CHi and CHx, respectively.

[0091] Furthermore, when transmitting and receiving long-term compressed video data on video channels CHj and CHk, i.e., when the recording time required for video channels CHj and CHk is long, volumes Vj and Vk each consisting of two storages 31 are associated with the video channels CHj and CHk, respectively.

[0092] In this way, by executing the above steps S61 to S63, a subsystem for transmitting and receiving video data can be constructed.

[0093] After constructing the subsystem, the configuration unit 5 may merge multiple information processing devices 1 into one virtual information processing device, or may divide one information processing device 1 into multiple virtual information processing devices, or may perform both merging and division.

[0094] After constructing the subsystem, the configuration unit 5 sets a time slot TS to be used by one information processing device 1 to transmit and receive video data (step S64). The time slot TS is set as follows.

[0095] First, the configuration unit 5 requests information on the size of pages PA and the size of erase blocks BL of flash memory 31b included in the storage 31 from the storage 31 included in the subsystem. Upon receiving this request, the controller 31c of the storage 31 reads information on the size of pages PA and the size of erase blocks BL from the memory unit 31d and transmits this information to the configuration unit 5.

[0096] Thereafter, the configuration unit 5 sets the time slot TS based on the request information requested in step S1, the size of the page PA received from the storage 31, the size of the erase block BL, etc. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of the time slot TS. As shown in Fig. 11, the time slot TS is defined as a period having a predetermined time length T.

[0097] A time slot TS is composed of multiple small slots SS. A small slot SS is assigned to each video channel. In one time slot TS, video data transmitted and received on one video channel is transmitted and received within the period of the small slot SS assigned to that video channel. Hereinafter, the size of the video data transmitted and received within the period of one small slot SS will be referred to as the "access size." In other words, in the video processing system 100, data having the above access size is transmitted and received via one video channel at a period corresponding to the time length T of the time slot TS.

[0098] The configuration unit 5 can determine the access size of the small slot SS to be assigned to the video channel that records video data as a size that is equal to or greater than an integer multiple of the size of the erase block BL and that suppresses fragmentation of the video data. The size that suppresses fragmentation of the video data can be determined based on, for example, the recording rate of the video data. It is also necessary to consider the size of the sector that can be accessed by the storage 31; when the sector is 4 KB, the access size is set to an integer multiple of 4 KB.

[0099] On the other hand, the configuration unit 5 can determine the access size of the short slot SS assigned to the video channel that reads the video data to be a size that allows the video data to be reproduced without interruption for at least the duration T of the time slot TS. For example, if the reproduction rate of the video data is eMbps, the access size for reading the video data can be set to at least e*T (unit: Mbit). It is also necessary to consider the size of the sector that can be accessed by the storage 31; if the sector is 4 KB, the access size is set to an integer multiple of 4 KB.

[0100] The configuration unit 5 sets the duration of the small slots SS and the duration T of the time slots TS based on the determined access size, etc. For example, if the network bandwidth (data transfer rate) assigned to a certain video channel is b Gbps and the access size of the video channel is determined to be c MB (8 * c Mbits), the duration of the small slots SS assigned to the video channel can be determined to be 8 * c / b milliseconds. The duration T of the time slots TS can be the sum of the durations of the small slots SS assigned to (multiple) video channels used by one information processing device 1.

[0101] The time length T of the time slot TS and the access size are such that, even when video data is transmitted and received via each video channel at a period corresponding to the time length T of the time slot TS, the video data can be recorded without interruption at the set recording rate and played back without interruption at the set playback rate.

[0102] For example, if the maximum recording rate and playback rate of video data in the video processing system 100 is dMbps and the access size allocated to the video channel that transmits and receives the video data is cMB (8*cMbits), then the time length T of the time slot TS is set to 8*c / d or less.

[0103] After completing the construction of the subsystem and the setting of the time slot TS, the configuration unit 5 transmits the configuration information of the subsystem constructed by executing steps S61 to S63 and the setting information of the time slot TS set by executing step S64 to the information processing device 1, storage device 3, and arbitration unit 6 included in the subsystem (step S65).

[0104] The configuration information of the subsystem includes, for example, identification information of the information processing device 1 and storage device 3 (storage 31) included in the subsystem, information about the network path, the network address and subnet mask set for each information processing device 1 and storage device 3, configuration information of the volume (identification information of the volume, identification information of the storage 31 included in each volume, etc.), association information between each video channel included in the subsystem and the volume, etc.

[0105] On the other hand, the setting information of the time slot TS includes, for example, information such as the time length T of the time slot TS and the access size assigned to each small slot SS within the time slot TS.

[0106] The CPU 11 of the information processing device 1 receives the subsystem configuration information and the time slot TS setting information and configures the information processing device 1 based on this information. The CPU 11 configures the network of the information processing device 1 based on the subsystem configuration information. The CPU 11 also determines the reserved size of the buffer area to be allocated to each video channel based on the time slot TS setting (access size of each video channel), and reserves the buffer area in RAM 12. The reserved size of each buffer area can be determined as the access size determined for the video channel to which the buffer area is allocated, plus a predetermined margin.

[0107] The storage device 3 that has received the configuration information of the subsystem performs settings for the storage device 3 and the storage 31 included in the storage device 3 based on the configuration information of the subsystem.

[0108] The arbitration unit 6, which has received the setting information for the time slot TS, determines the timing for allocating the corresponding time slot TS to each information processing device 1 included in the subsystem based on the setting of the time slot TS. Furthermore, based on this allocation timing, the arbitration unit 6 determines the timing for allocating the small slot SS corresponding to each video channel included in the subsystem, i.e., the timing for granting access permission to the volume associated with each video channel.

[0109] [1-4-2. Video Data Recording Operation in Subsystem] The video data transmission and reception operation in the subsystem constructed as described above will be described below. First, the video data recording operation will be described using Figs. 12 and 13. Fig. 12 is a sequence diagram showing the transmission and reception of signals when transmitting and receiving video data in the subsystem. Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing device 1 in recording video data. In the following description, it is assumed that the information processing device 1 included in the subsystem has a video output device 2a connected to m video channels CH1, CH2, ... CHm, as shown in Fig. 2.

[0110] The recording operation described below is a recording operation performed within one time slot TS. In the subsystem, each time a corresponding time slot TS is assigned to an information processing device 1 included in the subsystem, the recording operation described below is performed between the video channel and the volume included in the information processing device 1 to which the time slot TS is assigned.

[0111] When a user issues a command to output video data from the video output device 2a using the information processing device 1 or the like, the video data is output from each video output device 2a (step S101 in FIG. 12). The CPU 11 of the information processing device 1 acquires the video data output from the video output device 2a via video channels CH1, CH2, ..., CHm. The CPU 11 buffers the video data acquired via each of the video channels CH1, CH2, ..., CHm in buffer areas BF1, BF2, ..., BFm assigned to the video channels CH1, CH2, ..., CHm, respectively (step S11 in FIG. 13).

[0112] While the video data is being buffered in buffer areas BF1, BF2, ... BFm, the CPU 11 determines whether or not video data equal to or greater than the access size of the small slot SS assigned to the video channel corresponding to each buffer area has been buffered in each buffer area BF1, BF2, ... BFm (step S12 in Figure 13).

[0113] For example, when recording video data acquired via video channel CHk (k=1, 2, ..., m), CPU 11 determines whether or not video data equal to or larger than the access size of the small slot SS assigned to video channel CHk has been buffered in buffer area BFk assigned to video channel CHk. Note that k starts from 1 and increases by 1 up to m by repeating steps S13 to S16 below.

[0114] If the buffer area BFk allocated to the video channel CHk does not contain video data equal to or larger than the access size of the small slot SS allocated to the video channel CHk ("No" in step S12 of FIG. 13), steps S13 to S16 described below are skipped for the video channel CHk, and step S13 is executed for the next video channel CHk+1 (i.e., after step S17, return to step S13).

[0115] That is, if the buffer area allocated to a certain video channel does not contain video data equal to or larger than the access size of the short slot SS allocated to that video channel, the CPU 11 skips recording the video data using the short slot SS allocated to that video channel and continues buffering the video data in the buffer area allocated to that video channel. As a result, the time required to record video data in the currently allocated time slot TS is reduced by the time allocated to that short slot SS.

[0116] On the other hand, if video data greater than the access size of the small slot SS assigned to video channel CHk is buffered in the buffer area BFk assigned to video channel CHk ("Yes" in step S12 of Figure 13), the CPU 11 requests the arbitration unit 6 to access the volume associated with video channel CHk in order to record the buffered data, which is the video data buffered in the buffer area BFk, in the volume (step S102 of Figure 12, step S13 of Figure 13).

[0117] The arbitration unit 6, which has received the access request, determines whether to permit the video channel CHk to access the volume based on the setting information of the time slot TS. If the arbitration unit 6 determines based on the setting information of the time slot TS that the small slot SS can be allocated to the video channel CHk at the current time (the timing at which the access request was received), it transmits an access permission to the information processing device 1 in response to the access request from the information processing device 1 (step S103 in FIG. 12).

[0118] If no access permission is received from the arbitration unit 6 ("No" in step S14 of FIG. 13), the CPU 11 of the information processing device 1 skips recording of video data through video channel CHk and executes step S13 for the next video channel CHk+1 (i.e., returns to step S13 after step S17). Note that if no access permission is received, the CPU 11 may wait for a predetermined time, and if no access permission is received even after the time has elapsed, skip recording of video data through video channel CHk.

[0119] On the other hand, if an access permission is received from the arbitration unit 6 ("Yes" in step S14 of FIG. 13), the CPU 11 determines that a small slot SS for accessing the associated volume and recording video data has been assigned to the video channel CHk. In this case, the CPU 11 transmits the buffered data buffered in the buffer area BFk to the storage device 3 having the storage 31 included in the volume, in the small slot SS assigned to the video channel CHk (step S104 of FIG. 12, step S15 of FIG. 13).

[0120] The controller 31c of the storage 31 receives the buffered data and records the received buffered data in consecutive pages PA of the flash memory 31b. As described above, the buffered data has a size that is equal to or greater than an integral multiple of the size of the erase block BL. Therefore, the buffered data is recorded across a predetermined number of consecutive erase blocks BL of the flash memory 31b. In other words, the number of erase blocks BL in which data is only partially recorded can be reduced. As a result, the occurrence of garbage collection processing in the storage 31 can be suppressed. Furthermore, by recording relatively large buffered data (video data) in consecutive pages PA (consecutive erase blocks BL), fragmentation of the video data can be suppressed.

[0121] After recording the video data (buffering data) of one video channel CHk to the volume in the small slot SS assigned to that video channel CHk, the CPU 11 of the information processing device 1 determines whether there is a video channel among the video channels CH1, CH2, ... CHm that has not finished recording video data in the current time slot TS, that is, whether recording of video data has been completed for all video channels CH1, CH2, ... CHm (whether k has increased from 1 to m) (step S16 in Figure 13).

[0122] If there is a video channel that has not finished recording video data in the current time slot TS, that is, if k is a value smaller than m ("No" in step S16 of FIG. 13), k is incremented by 1 (step S17 of FIG. 13), and steps S102 to S104 of FIG. 12 and steps S12 to S16 of FIG. 13 are executed for the next video channel CHk+1.

[0123] On the other hand, when the recording of video data has been completed for all video channels CH1, CH2, ... CHm in the current time slot TS, that is, when k becomes m (k = m) ("Yes" in step S16 of FIG. 13), the recording of video data in the current time slot TS is terminated. Thereafter, in the next time slot TS, steps S101 to S104 of FIG. 12 and steps S11 to S17 of FIG. 13 are repeatedly executed in other information processing devices 1 included in the subsystem.

[0124] In this way, in the subsystem, instead of recording multiple pieces of video data simultaneously to the volume, video data from the corresponding video channels CH1, CH2, ... CHm is buffered in each of multiple buffer areas BF1, BF2, ... BFm, and the buffered data buffered in each of buffer areas BF1, BF2, ... BFm is sequentially recorded in the corresponding small slots SS within one time slot TS. This makes it possible to monopolize the data transmission band in communication between the information processing device 1 and the volume, thereby suppressing a decrease in the recording rate of the video data.

[0125] [1-4-3. Video Data Read Operation] The video data read operation in the subsystem will be described below with reference to Fig. 12 and Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing device 1 in reading video data. In the following description, it is assumed that the information processing device 1 included in the subsystem has a video input device 2b connected to n video channels CHm+1, CHm+2, ... CHm+n, as shown in Fig. 2.

[0126] The read operation described below is a read operation performed within one time slot TS. In the subsystem, each time a corresponding time slot TS is assigned to an information processing device 1 included in the subsystem, the read operation described below is performed between the video channel and the volume included in the information processing device 1 to which the time slot TS is assigned.

[0127] When a user instructs one of the video input devices 2b to input any of the video data recorded in the volume using the information processing device 1 or the like, a request is made to the arbitration unit 6 for access to the volume for the video channel (video channel CHj (j = m + 1, m + 2, ... m + n)) to which the video input device 2b instructed to input the video data is connected (step S105 in Figure 12, step S21 in Figure 14).

[0128] 12 and steps S21 to S27 in FIG. 14, which will be described below, are not executed for a video channel to which a video input device 2b that has not been instructed to input video is connected. In other words, when video data is not input to a video input device 2b via a certain video channel, the CPU 11 skips reading of the video data using the short slot SS assigned to that video channel. As a result, the time required to read the video data in the currently assigned time slot TS is reduced by the time assigned to that short slot SS.

[0129] The arbitration unit 6, which has received the access request, determines whether to permit the video channel CHj to access the volume based on the setting information of the time slot TS. If the arbitration unit 6 determines based on the setting information of the time slot TS that the short slot SS can be allocated to the video channel CHj at the current time (the timing at which the access request was received), it transmits an access permission to the information processing device 1 in response to the access request from the information processing device 1 (step S106 in FIG. 12).

[0130] If no access permission is received from the arbitration unit 6 ("No" in step S22 of FIG. 14), the CPU 11 of the information processing device 1 skips reading of video data through video channel CHj and executes step S21 for the next video channel CHk+1 (i.e., returns to step S21 after step S27). Note that if no access permission is received, the CPU 11 may wait for a predetermined time, and if no access permission is received even after the time has elapsed, skip reading of video data through video channel CHj.

[0131] On the other hand, if access permission is received from the arbitration unit 6 ("Yes" in step S22 of FIG. 14), the CPU 11 determines that a small slot SS for accessing the associated volume and reading video data has been allocated to the video channel CHj. In this case, the CPU 11 reads the specified video data from the associated volume in the small slot SS allocated to the video channel CHj (step S107 of FIG. 12, step S23 of FIG. 14).

[0132] Specifically, when the CPU 11 receives the access permission, it commands the storage 31 included in the target volume to read the target video data. Upon receiving this command, the controller 31c of the storage 31 reads the video data specified by the CPU 11 from the flash memory 31b and transmits it to the information processing device 1.

[0133] The CPU 11 of the information processing device 1 that has received the video data from the storage 31 (volume) buffers the received video data in the buffer area BFj allocated to the video channel CHj (step S24 in FIG. 14).

[0134] When the short slot SS assigned to the video channel CHj ends, the CPU 11 transmits the buffered data buffered in the buffer area BFj assigned to the video channel CHj to the video input device 2b connected to the video channel CHj. As a result, the data is input to the video input device 2b, and the video data is reproduced and displayed on the video input device 2b, for example.

[0135] The short slot SS for reading video data is set as the time during which the video input device 2b can read and buffer an amount of data from the volume that will allow the video data to be reproduced without interruption until the video data reading starts in the next time slot TS. In other words, if video data is read from the volume in the short slot SS, it is usually possible to read and buffer an amount of data from the volume that will allow the video data to be reproduced without interruption.

[0136] On the other hand, if for some reason it is not possible to read and buffer a sufficient amount of data from the volume within the small slot SS, the CPU 11 may, for example, reduce the playback rate and input the video data to the video input device 2b, or may input video data with reduced image quality by thinning out pixels to the video input device 2b.

[0137] After inputting the video data (buffered data) of one video channel CHj to the video input device 2b connected to that video channel CHj, the CPU 11 of the information processing device 1 determines whether or not there is a video channel among the video channels CHm+1, CHm+2, ..., CHm+n for which reading of video data has not been completed in the current time slot TS, i.e., whether or not reading of video data has been completed for all video channels CHm+1, CH2, ..., CHm+n (whether j has increased from m+1 to m+n) (step S26 in FIG. 14).

[0138] If there is a video channel among video channels CHm+1, CHm+2, ... CHm+n that has not finished reading video data in the current time slot TS, that is, if j is smaller than n ("No" in step S26 of FIG. 14), j is incremented by 1 (step S27 of FIG. 14), and steps S105 to S108 of FIG. 12 and steps S21 to S27 of FIG. 14 are executed for the next video channel CHj+1.

[0139] On the other hand, when the reading of video data has been completed for all video channels CHm+1, CHm+2, ..., CHm+n in the current time slot TS, that is, when j becomes n (j=n) ("Yes" in step S26 of FIG. 14), the reading of video data in the current time slot TS is terminated. Thereafter, in the next time slot TS, steps S105 to S108 of FIG. 12 and steps S21 to S27 of FIG. 14 are repeatedly executed in other information processing devices 1 included in the subsystem.

[0140] In this way, in video processing system 100, instead of simultaneously reading multiple pieces of video data from the volume, video data to be input to video input device 2b is read from the volume sequentially within one time slot, the read video data is sequentially buffered in buffer areas BFm+1, BFm+2, ..., BFm+n assigned to video channels CHm+1, CHm+2, ..., CHm+n to which video input device 2b is connected, and the buffered data buffered in buffer areas BFm+1, BFm+2, ..., BFm+n is input to video input device 2b. This makes it possible to monopolize the data transmission bandwidth in communication between information processing device 1 and the volume, thereby suppressing a decrease in the playback rate of video data.

[0141] [2. Other Embodiments] While one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. In particular, multiple embodiments and modifications described in this specification can be combined as needed.

[0142] (A) At least one of the processing content of each step and the order of steps shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 12 to 14 can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0143] (B) The connection relationship between the multiple video input / output devices 2 and the multiple video channels CH1, CH2, ... CHm+n of the information processing device 1 is not limited to the connection relationship described using Fig. 2. In the above embodiment, for ease of explanation, an example is shown in which a video output device 2a is connected to each of the multiple consecutive video channels CH1, CH2, ... CHm, and a video input device 2b is connected to each of the multiple consecutive video channels CHm+1, CHm+2, ... CHm+n.

[0144] However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the video output devices 2a and video input devices 2b may be connected randomly to the multiple video channels CH1, CH2, ... CHm+n. Furthermore, any number of video output devices 2a and video input devices 2b may be connected, and there may be a video channel to which no device is connected.

[0145] [3. Supplementary Notes] (1) A video processing system (e.g., video processing system 100) includes multiple storages (e.g., storage device 3, storage 31), multiple information processing devices (e.g., information processing device 1), and a configuration unit (e.g., configuration unit 5). The storages include a non-volatile memory unit (e.g., flash memory 31b) that can write data in units of page size (e.g., page PA) and erase data in units of erase block size (e.g., erase block BL) consisting of multiple pages. The information processing device is connected to the multiple storages via a network (e.g., network 4) and controls the transmission and reception of video data with the storages via multiple video channels (e.g., video channels CH1, CH2, ... CHm+n) to which video input / output devices (e.g., video input / output device 2, video output device 2a, video input device 2b) are connected. The configuration unit configures a subsystem for transmitting and receiving video data using one of the multiple storages and one of the multiple information processing devices. The configuration unit determines, based on request information regarding at least one of recording and playback of video data, at least one of the storage and information processing device to be used in the subsystem, the network bandwidth to be allocated to each video channel, and the number of storages to be allocated to each video channel.

[0146] In the above video processing system, a subsystem is constructed for transmitting and receiving video data using one of a plurality of storages and one of a plurality of information processing devices. In this case, based on request information regarding at least one of recording and playback of video data, a system configuration is determined, including at least one of the storages and information processing devices to be used in the subsystem, the network bandwidth to be allocated to each video channel, and the number of storages to be allocated to each video channel. This makes it possible to construct a subsystem that satisfies the requirements regarding recording / playback of video data indicated in the request information.

[0147] (2) In the video processing system described in (1) above, the information processing device may transmit and receive video data to and from multiple video channels within one time slot (e.g., time slot TS). In this case, the configuration unit may set the time slots to be assigned to each information processing device of the subsystem based on the request information. This allows the subsystem to operate so as to satisfy the request for recording / playback of video data indicated in the request information.

[0148] (3) In the video processing system of (1) or (2), the configuration unit may group together a plurality of storages with similar write counts as a volume for transmitting and receiving video data. This prevents the entire volume from becoming unusable when one of the storages in the volume becomes unusable due to its lifespan.

[0149] (4) A method for constructing a subsystem is a method for constructing a subsystem for transmitting and receiving video data using any one of the plurality of storages and any one of the plurality of information processing devices in a video processing system that includes a plurality of storages each having a nonvolatile memory unit in which data can be written in page-size units and data can be erased in erase block-size units consisting of a plurality of pages, and a plurality of information processing devices that are connected to the plurality of storages via a network and control transmission and reception of video data to and from the storages via a plurality of video channels to which video input / output devices are connected. This construction method includes the following steps.

[0150] (a) A step of determining, based on request information regarding at least one of recording and playback of video data, at least one of storage and information processing device to be used in a subsystem constructed for transmitting and receiving video data, the network bandwidth to be allocated to each video channel, and the number of storages to be allocated to each video channel.

[0151] In the above-described construction method, a subsystem for transmitting and receiving video data is constructed using one of a plurality of storages and one of a plurality of information processing devices. In this case, a system configuration including at least one of the storages and information processing devices to be used in the subsystem, the network bandwidth to be allocated to each video channel, and the number of storages to be allocated to each video channel is determined based on request information regarding at least one of recording and playback of video data. This makes it possible to construct a subsystem that satisfies the requirements regarding recording / playback of video data indicated in the request information.

[0152] The present disclosure can be widely applied to systems that include multiple video input / output devices and multiple storage devices.

[0153] 100: Video processing system 1: Information processing device 11: CPU 12: RAM 13: Storage device 14: Video interface 15: Storage interface 16: Interface 2: Video input / output device 2a: Video output device 2b: Video input device 3: Storage device 31: Storage 31a: Access port 31b: Flash memory 31c: Controller 31d: Storage unit 32: Network interface 4: Network 5: Configuration unit 6: Arbitration unit CH1 to CHm+n: Video channel RA: Recording area BL: Erase block PA: Page

Claims

1. A video processing system comprising: a plurality of storages each having a non-volatile memory unit in which data can be written in page size units and data can be erased in erase block size units consisting of a plurality of pages; a plurality of information processing devices connected to said plurality of storages via a network and controlling the transmission and reception of video data to and from said storages via a plurality of video channels to which video input / output devices are connected; and a configuration unit that constructs a subsystem for transmitting and receiving said video data using one of said plurality of storages and one of said plurality of information processing devices, wherein said configuration unit determines at least one of the storages and information processing devices to be used in said subsystem, the network bandwidth to be allocated to each video channel, and the number of said storages to be allocated to each video channel based on request information regarding at least one of recording and playback of said video data.

2. The video processing system of claim 1, wherein the information processing device transmits and receives the video data to and from the multiple video channels within one time slot, and the configuration unit sets the time slot to be assigned to the information processing device of the subsystem based on the request information.

3. The video processing system according to claim 1, wherein the configuration unit groups together, among the plurality of storages, a plurality of storages with similar write counts, and uses this grouping as a volume for transmitting and receiving the video data.

4. In a video processing system comprising: a plurality of storages each having a non-volatile memory section in which data can be written in page size units and data can be erased in erase block size units consisting of a plurality of pages; and a plurality of information processing devices connected to said plurality of storages via a network and controlling transmission and reception of video data with said storages via a plurality of video channels to which video input / output devices are connected, said method for constructing a subsystem for transmitting and receiving said video data using one of said plurality of storages and one of said plurality of information processing devices, said subsystem comprising the step of determining, based on request information regarding at least one of recording and playback of said video data, at least one of a storage and an information processing device to be used in said subsystem constructed for transmitting and receiving video data, the network bandwidth to be allocated to each video channel, and the number of said storages to be allocated to each video channel.

Images