JPS62264483A - Automatic image sending device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatize the quality control of a reproducing image by providing a deciding means to decide the deterioration of recording media and a dubbing device which is operated by the output of the deciding means and dubs the contents of a cassette to a new recording media cassette. CONSTITUTION:In the recording and reproducing of a digital image, a completely corrected image signal is outputted at the time of the scope in which an error correction can be executed. When an error rate exceeds a certain value, a correcting capacity drops drastically. The error rate of the correcting limit is uniquely specified by a data format, and a CPU 10 periodically reads the error rate for respective cassettes written in a memory 11 and decides whether or not the error rate of the correcting limit exceeds the set value to consider a safe margin. When the read error rate exceeds the value, the CPU 10 decides that the tape of the cassette is deteriorated up to the using limit and outputs a dubbing command. Thus, in the limit where the error of a reproducing digital signal can be detected and corrected, the quality of respective cassettes can be kept and the energy-saving of a quality control work can be executed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an automatic image transmission device, and in particular to a digital VT
It is preferable to apply it to an automatic department program transmitting device using R.

[Summary of the invention]

When selectively automatically playing a large number of recording media cassettes,
The error rate of the digital image reproduction signal is stored in memory to manage media deterioration for each cassette, and when it is determined that the error rate has exceeded the set upper limit, dubbing is performed to a new cassette, thereby improving the quality of the reproduced image. This is an automatic image sending device that saves labor in quality control by automatically maintaining quality above a certain level.

[Conventional technology]

At TV broadcasting stations, automatic program transmission is equipped with multiple VTRs, a cassette storage that accommodates several thousand bidet cassettes, and a supply means (transporter) that supplies the cassettes in this storage to the VTRs. The device is in use. This program transmission device is controlled by a computer, and programs are transmitted according to a predetermined schedule.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

If the cassette used for broadcasting programs is used frequently (if
The reproduced image gradually deteriorates. For this reason, it is necessary to check the number of times each cassette has been used and the quality of the reproduced images, and to rebuild the video source (dubbing from the master) before the deterioration becomes noticeable. However, performing such quality control on thousands of video cassettes is not easy and requires a large amount of personnel, time, and equipment.

In view of this problem, it is an object of the present invention to automatically perform quality control of reproduced images.

[Means for solving problems]

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the automatic image sending device of the present invention is equipped with a digital playback device (VTR 2) that selectively takes out and plays back a number of recording medium cassettes in which digital image signals are recorded. .

The error rate of the reproduced digital signal is stored in the memory 11 for each recording medium cassette. A determining means is provided for determining whether the stored error rate exceeds a set value and managing deterioration of the recording medium of each cassette. The dubbing device is activated by the output of the determination means, and the contents of the corresponding cassette are dubbed onto a new recording medium cassette.

[For production]

It effectively utilizes digital (PCM) recording and reproducing technology, which allows the reproduced signal to be completely restored by error detection and correction if the error rate is below a certain level. By managing the error rate for each cassette, the quality of the transmitted image is maintained above a certain level.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an automatic program transmitting device for local stations using the automatic image transmitting device of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of its main parts.

In FIG. 1, several thousand volumes of video cassettes are housed in a cassette/soto console 3 serving as a cassette storage. On the other hand, VTR console 1 has multiple VTRs 2
is installed. Between the inboard port 4 and outport 5 of the cassette console 3 and the VTR console l, remove the desired cassette from the console 3 and
An automatic cassette supply device (transporter) is provided for supplying the cassette to the cassette console 2 and returning it to the cassette console 3 after playback. A plurality of Naori set consoles 3 are usually provided.

The VTR 2 is of a digital recording/reproducing type, and video signals are recorded in the form of digital signals on each cassette. According to the usual digital recording and reproducing technology of this kind, the digital signal has an error detection and correction code added to it.
The playback section within the VTRZ has a function of detecting and correcting errors when they occur.

As shown in the main block diagram of FIG. 2, the system of FIG.
is controlled by CPtJlo to operate the program transmission device.

Each VTR 2 has a playback circuit 7 and an error detection/correction circuit 8.
Even if an error occurs in the reproduced digital signal, it is corrected. If an error occurs during reproduction, this is notified to the error rate determination circuit 9, and the error rate is calculated based on the frequency of error occurrence with respect to the reproduction bit rate. The error rate determination circuit 9 may be, for example, a counter that counts the number of times an error occurs per unit time. The calculated error rate is sent to the memory 11 attached to the CPU 10 and written into a cassette data storage area provided for each cassette. In the set data storage area, the error rate may be updated and recorded every time each cassette is played back, or may be recorded one after another as a history every time the cassette is played back.

As is well known, in digital image recording and playback, a completely restored image signal is output within the range where error correction is effective. However, when the error rate exceeds a certain value, the correction ability drops rapidly. This correction limit error rate is uniquely determined by the data format. Therefore CPU10
The error rate for each cassette written in the memory 11 is periodically read out, and it is determined whether or not the error rate of the correction limit exceeds a set value in consideration of a safety margin.

If the read error rate is this value, for example 1O-4(1
cput.

determines that the tape in the corresponding cassette has deteriorated to the limit of its use, and outputs a dubbing command. As a result, the contents of the corresponding cassette are dubbed onto a virgin tape using the two VTRs 2 of the VTR console 1. At the time of dubbing, the reproduced digital signal is almost completely restored by error correction.

As a result, the playback quality of the cassette in the cassette console 3 is automatically maintained at a certain level or higher, creating a maintenance-free system. In addition, dubbing is done using two V units.
Analog video signals may be transmitted between TRs, but
Digital signals may also be directly dubbed.

Note that the virgin tape cartridge is housed in a predetermined portion within the cassette console 3. Further, the degraded cassette that has been dubbed is ejected from the recording boat 5. The dubbing process may be performed automatically using a vacant VTR between program transmissions (or it may be performed semi-automatically by an operator's initiation operation).

Furthermore, in addition to the above-mentioned embodiments, there is provided a warning lamp to notify the shortage of virgin tape, a display lamp or screen display to notify the operator to perform dubbing, an operator to read the error rate display for each cassette to determine tape deterioration, An execution button or the like may be provided for executing dubbing at any time.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, since a cassette whose recording medium has deteriorated is dubbed into a new one by managing the error rate for each cassette, the quality of each cassette is maintained within the limits that can detect and correct errors in the reproduced digital signal. This eliminates the need for quality control work to maintain high quality images at all times.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an automatic program transmitting apparatus to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of its main parts. In addition, in the symbols used in the drawings, 1. V
T R3--・---m-------Cassette console 4--------------- Inboard 5-----
・・−・・−・−Out port 7−・−・−・−−1−
−−−−−−−−Reproduction circuit 8・・−−−−−−−・−
...-Error detection/correction circuit 9--...--
...-Error rate judgment circuit 10-----
------CP Ull-----Memory. Figure 111Figure 2

Claims (1)

[Claims] An automatic image transmission device equipped with a digital playback device that selectively takes out and plays back a large number of recording medium cassettes on which digital image signals are recorded, a memory that stores an error rate of the played digital signal for each recording medium cassette; determining means for determining deterioration of the recording medium of each cassette based on whether the stored error rate exceeds a set value;
and a dubbing device which is activated by the output of the determining means and dubs the contents of the corresponding cassette to a new recording medium cassette.