JP2000299835A - Data recording and reproducing device and method for using time slot - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To conduct processing that cannot be conducted at the same time of transfer of data between a port and a RAID without preparing a time slot other than a time slot assigned to each port even when all input output ports of an AV server are busy. SOLUTION: An AV server 1 is provided with an assignment means 7 that assigns a time slot to only input output ports 2-5, control means 2C-5C that transfer data between the ports 2-5 and a RAID 6 at a transfer rate higher than a conventional rate and discriminate whether or not each time slot is used for data transfer on the basis of a data storage amount of buffers 2B-5B of the ports 2-5, and a control means 9 that uses a time slot not used by the ports 2-5 but for data transfer between an asynchronous transfer section 10 and the RAID 6, but for data transfer of status data for the RAID 6 for maintenance and for rebuild in the RAID 6.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention has a recording / reproducing means for recording / reproducing data using a non-linearly accessible recording medium, such as an AV server, and a plurality of input sections and output sections are respectively assigned. The present invention relates to a data recording / reproducing apparatus for transferring data to / from a recording / reproducing means within a designated time slot. The present invention also relates to a method of using a time slot in such a data recording / reproducing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the spread of information provision due to the spread of CATV (cable television) and the like, the conventional V
Unlike a TR (Video Tape Recorder), a single video / audio data recording / reproducing device simultaneously records, reproduces, and records a plurality of video / audio data (hereinafter referred to as “AV data”). Demands for reproduction and the like are increasing. In order to satisfy this demand, a video server (or an AV server) that records and reproduces video and audio using a randomly accessible recording medium such as a hard disk.
(Also referred to as an audio and / or video server) is becoming widespread.

In general, an AV server in a broadcasting station is required to have a high data transfer rate and a large capacity for recording long-time data due to demands for image quality and sound quality. Therefore, an attempt has been made to increase the data transfer rate and increase the capacity by using a data recording / reproducing apparatus including a plurality of hard disks (hereinafter, referred to as “HD”) apparatuses capable of storing AV data and capable of performing parallel processing. Attempts have been made to ensure that even if one of the HD devices breaks down, the reliability can be ensured by recording parity data.

[0004] With this, even when the number of requested channels differs depending on the content of a program to be provided by a broadcasting station or a broadcasting format, material data including a plurality of AV data is recorded in a distributed manner. Various systems such as VOD (video-on-demand) and NVOD (near-video-on-demand) can be constructed by simultaneously transmitting multiple channels or reproducing the same material data on multiple channels with different reproduction times. It is possible to realize a multi-channel AV server that can cope with usage patterns.

A data recording / reproducing apparatus used in such an AV server includes a paper ('A Case for Redundant Array) published by Patterson et al.
s of Inexpensive Disks (RAID) ', ACM SIGMOND Confe
rence, Chicago, III, Jun. 1-3, 1988.), and a hard disk drive composed of a plurality of HDs (hereinafter referred to as “HDD”).
AID (Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks)
Technology is used.

In the above paper, RAID is RAID-1.
To RAID-5. RAID
-1 is a method of writing the same contents to two HDDs.
RAID-3 divides input data into a certain length and records the data in a plurality of HDDs, and generates parity data which is an exclusive OR of data blocks corresponding to each other in each HDD to generate parity data of another HDD. This is a method of writing to the HDD.
RAID-5 is a data division unit (block).
And one divided data is recorded as a data block in one HDD, and the result (parity data) of the exclusive OR of the data blocks corresponding to each other in each HDD is used as a parity block (parity data) in another HDD.
In this method, the parity blocks are recorded in the HDD and the parity blocks are distributed to other HDDs. For other RAIDs, see the above paper.

In order to record and reproduce a plurality of AV data simultaneously with the AV server, it is necessary to simultaneously input and output AV data through a plurality of channels. Therefore, the AV server is provided with a plurality of input / output ports that operate independently of each other, and one input port and one output port respectively perform input and output for one channel.

However, if each input / output port transfers AV data to and from the data recording / reproducing device at exactly the same time, A
Since those AV data simultaneously flow on the bus connecting each input / output port and the data recording / reproducing device inside the V server, the processing cannot be completed. Therefore, a time slot (= time interval) that permits use of the bus is sequentially assigned to each input / output port, and each input / output port
AV data is transferred to and from the data recording / reproducing apparatus via the bus only in the assigned time slots. Therefore, strictly speaking, a plurality of AV data are not simultaneously recorded and reproduced, but when viewed at a time interval longer than a time slot,
It can be said that simultaneous recording / reproduction of a plurality of AV data is realized.

In the AV server, apart from an input / output port for inputting / outputting AV data that requires real-time properties, for example, A that does not require real-time properties using, for example, Fiber Channel or Ethernet is used.
Means for performing input / output of V data and transfer (asynchronous transfer) with a data recording / reproducing device (in this specification,
Some of these means are referred to as "asynchronous transfer means" or "asynchronous transfer units." In such an AV server, a bus is connected between the asynchronous transfer unit and the data recording / reproducing device in addition to the time for transferring the AV data between each input / output port and the data recording / reproducing device via the bus. Transfer of AV data through
It is necessary to secure time for sending.

[0010] Further, in order to perform maintenance such as version upgrade for a data recording / reproducing apparatus configured using the RAID technology, data indicating status (for example, log data indicating an error) is transmitted from the data recording / reproducing apparatus. It is necessary to obtain. Therefore, AV
In the server, in order to transfer data indicating this status from the data recording / reproducing device via the bus other than the time for transferring the AV data between each input / output port and the data recording / reproducing device via the bus. It is also necessary to secure time.

Further, in a data recording / reproducing apparatus configured using the RAID technology, after one of the HDs has failed and the HD has been replaced with a new HD, the data and parity data reproduced from the non-failed HD are transferred. Then, the data of the failed HD is restored to the new HD, and the restored HD is re-recorded on the new HD, thereby performing the rebuilding process of reconstructing the failed HD data. During the rebuilding, AV data cannot be transferred between the data recording / reproducing device and the input / output port. Therefore, in the AV server, the AV input / output port and the data recording / reproducing device are connected via the bus.
In addition to the time for transferring data, it is also necessary to secure time for the data recording / reproducing device to perform this rebuild.

Therefore, in the conventional AV server, in addition to the time slot assigned to each input / output port, a management slot, which is a time slot assigned for managing the entire AV server, is prepared. AV between the asynchronous transfer unit and the data recording / reproducing device described above.
Processing that cannot be performed simultaneously with data transfer between input / output ports and data recording / reproducing devices, such as status data transfer from the data recording / reproducing device for data transfer and maintenance, and rebuilding of the data recording / reproducing device. I'm trying to do it.

FIG. 9 shows an example of such a conventional AV server time slot when the number of input / output ports is four. Each port P1, P2, P3, P
4 assigned to time slots SL1 and S
Following L2, SL3 and SL4, the management slot SL5
Is prepared. Each slot SL1, SL2, SL
3, SL4 and SL5 are each a time interval of 4 frames, and the slot period T is therefore 20 frames.

[0014]

However, if such a management slot exists, the slot period becomes longer by that amount. Therefore, a time slot is allocated to one port and then a time slot is allocated to the same port. The waiting time until assignment is longer.

In particular, when performing slow reproduction, variable speed reproduction, or shuttle search, an AV that can be transferred within one time slot is caused by frequent loss time caused by seeking a discontinuous area on the HD. Since the amount of data is restricted, if the waiting time becomes long in this manner, the frame update rate, which is the speed from the end of the transfer of the AV data of one frame to the end of the transfer of the AV data of the next frame, is reduced. Will drop. Therefore,
The conventional AV server has a disadvantage that responsiveness particularly during slow reproduction, variable speed reproduction, and shuttle search deteriorates.

Also, for example, without preparing such a management slot, the asynchronous transfer unit / data recording / reproduction described above can be performed in a time slot allocated to an input / output port that is not currently operating among a plurality of input / output ports. Simultaneous with data transfer between input / output ports and data recording / reproducing devices, such as transfer of AV data between devices, status data transfer from data recording / reproducing devices for maintenance, and rebuilding of data recording / reproducing devices. A method of performing processing that cannot be performed is also conceivable. However, this method has a disadvantage that these processes cannot be performed at all while all the input / output ports are operating.

In view of the above, the present invention provides an input / output port / data port without preparing a time slot other than the time slot assigned to each input / output port even when all the input / output ports are operating. An object of the present invention is to enable processing that cannot be performed simultaneously with data transfer between recording and reproducing devices.

[0018]

In order to solve this problem, the applicant of the present invention provides a recording apparatus for recording and / or reproducing data using a non-linearly accessible recording medium. A reproducing unit, at least one input unit for inputting data from the outside and transferring the data to the recording and reproducing unit, and at least one output unit for outputting the data transferred from the recording and reproducing unit to the outside; An input unit and an output unit each include an input / output processing unit including a storage unit for temporarily storing data transferred to and from the recording / reproducing unit. Allocating means for allocating a time slot for transferring data between the input unit and the recording / reproducing means in the time slot allocated to the input unit by the allocating means. Control for judging whether or not to perform data transfer based on the data storage amount of the storage means in the input part and transfer of data from the recording / reproducing means to the output part in the time slot allocated to the output part by the allocating means And a control unit for performing at least one of control based on the data storage amount of the storage unit in the output unit.

In this data recording / reproducing apparatus, it is determined whether or not the data transfer from the input unit to the recording / reproducing unit is performed within the time slot allocated to the input unit by the allocating unit.
A control for judging the data to be transferred to the recording / reproducing means on the basis of the data storage amount of the storage means for temporarily storing the data in the input section, and the recording / reproducing means to the output section in the time slot allocated to the output section by the allocating means. Control to determine whether or not to perform the data transfer based on the data storage amount of the storage means for temporarily storing the data transferred from the recording / reproducing means in the output unit. A control means for performing the control is provided.

Therefore, even when all the input units and the output units are operating, the control of the control unit can control the amount of data stored in the storage unit in the input unit or the output unit.
Any one of the time slots of each slot cycle assigned to the input unit or the output unit may not be used for data transfer between the input unit or the output unit and the recording / reproducing means. .

Thus, the time slot not used for the input section or the output section is used for processing that cannot be performed simultaneously with the data transfer between the input section or the output section and the data recording / reproducing apparatus. So that when all the input and output units are operating,
A process that cannot be performed simultaneously with data transfer between an input unit or an output unit and a data recording / reproducing device can be performed without preparing a time slot other than a time slot assigned to each input unit and an output unit. Become like

The control means includes, for example,
As described in the above, among the time slots allocated to the input unit, the data storage amount of the storage unit in a predetermined slot cycle is included in a time slot in which the data storage amount of the storage unit in the input unit is equal to or more than a certain amount. Causes the data transfer from the input unit to the recording / reproducing means to be performed at a transfer rate that is less than the fixed amount. 4. A time slot in which the data storage amount of the storage means in the output unit is less than a certain amount, among the time slots assigned to the output unit, wherein the control is performed so as not to perform the data transfer. Within this period, the data transfer from the recording / reproducing unit to the output unit is performed at a transfer rate at which the data storage amount of the storage unit becomes equal to or more than the predetermined amount at every predetermined slot cycle. Time slot data storage amount of the storage means is the predetermined amount or more, it is preferable to perform control not to perform the data transfer from the recording and reproducing means to the output unit.

Thus, the time slot allocated to the input section or the output section is not used for data transfer between the input section or the output section and the recording / reproducing means every predetermined slot period. Processing that cannot be performed simultaneously with data transfer can be performed periodically.

Further, in the data recording / reproducing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, for example, as described in the fourth aspect, the control means controls the data to or from the recording / reproducing means to either the input section or the output section. A second control unit for performing processing that cannot be performed simultaneously with the data transfer between the input unit and the output unit and the recording / reproducing unit within the time slot determined not to perform the transfer. Is preferred.

According to this, in the time slot not used for data transfer between the input or output unit and the recording / reproducing means, the control of the second control means allows
Processing that cannot be performed simultaneously with this data transfer is performed.

Here, the input section and the output section are for inputting and outputting data requiring real-time property, and the data recording / reproducing apparatus is capable of inputting and outputting data not requiring the real-time property except for the input section and the output section. When an asynchronous transfer unit for performing transfer between the output unit and the recording / reproducing unit is provided, for example, the data between the input unit or the output unit and the recording / reproducing unit is set as described in claim 5. In a time slot that is not used for the transfer of
It is preferable to transfer data between the asynchronous transfer means and the recording / reproducing means.

Alternatively, when the recording / reproducing means is a disk array system using RAID technology, for example, as described in claim 6, data transfer between an input section or an output section and the recording / reproducing means. In the time slot which is not used for recording, the second control means transfers the data indicating the status from the recording / reproducing means to perform the maintenance of the recording / reproducing means, or the recording data of the failed HD in the recording / reproducing means. Or at least one of them is preferably performed.

[0028] Thereby, in a time slot not used for data transfer between the input or output unit and the recording / reproducing means, data transfer between the asynchronous transfer means / recording / reproducing means and recording for maintenance are performed. Transfer of status data from the reproducing means and rebuilding by the recording / reproducing means are performed.

In the data recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the allocating means allocates a time slot only to the input section and the output section. .

As a result, time slots other than the time slots allocated to the input unit and the output unit are not prepared, so that the slot period is shortened and the waiting time of the time slot of each input unit and output unit is shortened. Therefore, in the AV server, for example, during slow reproduction, variable speed reproduction, and shuttle search, the frame update rate is improved, so that the responsiveness is improved.

Next, according to the present invention, the applicant has a recording / reproducing means for recording and / or reproducing data using a non-linearly accessible recording medium, and externally inputting data. It has at least one input section for transferring to the recording / reproducing means and at least one output section for outputting data transferred from the recording / reproducing means to the outside, and the input section and the output section are respectively provided between the recording / reproducing means. In a method of using a time slot in a data recording / reproducing apparatus including an input / output processing unit including a storage unit for temporarily storing data to be transferred, an input unit and an output unit are connected to the recording / reproducing unit, respectively. Step of allocating a time slot for transferring data in the input section, and recording and reproducing means from the input section within the time slot allocated to the input section in the first step. The data transfer from the recording / reproducing unit to the output unit in the time slot allocated to the output unit in the first step. A second step of performing at least one of determining whether to perform the transfer based on the data storage amount of the storage unit in the output unit.

In this method of using time slots, the first
Whether to transfer data from the input unit to the recording / reproducing means in the time slot allocated to the input unit in step, and the amount of data stored in the storage means for temporarily storing data to be transferred to the recording / reproducing means in the input unit And whether or not to transfer the data from the recording / reproducing means to the output section within the time slot allocated to the output section in the first step is to determine whether or not the data transferred from the recording / reproducing means is in the output section. Determining based on the amount of data stored in the storage means for temporarily storing the data in the second step.
I do it in steps.

Therefore, even when all the input sections and the output sections are operating, the time slot of each slot cycle assigned to the input section or the output section depends on the data storage amount of the storage means in the input section or the output section. May not be used for the transfer of data between the input or output unit and the recording / reproducing means.

Thus, as in the data recording / reproducing apparatus according to the first aspect, the time slot not used for the input section or the output section can be transferred between the input section or the output section and the data recording / reproducing apparatus. Can be used for processing that cannot be performed at the same time, so when all input units and output units are operating,
A process that cannot be performed simultaneously with data transfer between an input unit or an output unit and a data recording / reproducing device can be performed without preparing a time slot other than a time slot assigned to each input unit and an output unit. Become like

In the second step as well, for example, the data storage amount of the storage means in the input unit among the time slots allocated to the input unit in the first step is equal to or more than a certain amount. During a time slot, data is transferred from the input section to the recording / reproducing means at a transfer rate at which the data storage amount of the storage means is less than the fixed amount at predetermined slot periods. The time slot that is less than a certain amount is set so that data transfer from the input unit to the recording / reproducing unit is not performed, or as described in claim 10, of the time slots allocated to the output unit in the first step, During a time slot in which the data storage amount of the storage means in the output unit is less than a certain amount, the data storage amount of this storage means becomes smaller than this certain amount at every predetermined slot cycle. Data transfer from the recording / reproducing means to the output unit is performed at a transfer rate such that the data slot from the recording / reproducing means to the output unit is not performed in a time slot in which the data storage amount of the storage means is equal to or more than the certain amount. It is preferred that

Thus, as in the data recording / reproducing apparatus according to the second and third aspects, processing which cannot be performed simultaneously with data transfer between the input / output unit and the recording / reproducing means is periodically performed. Will be able to do it.

In the method of using a time slot according to any one of the eighth to tenth aspects, for example, as described in the eleventh aspect, in the second step, any one of the input unit and the output unit is connected to the recording / reproducing means. A third step of performing processing that cannot be performed simultaneously with data transfer between the input unit and the output unit and the recording / reproducing means within the time slot in which it is determined that the data transfer is not performed. It is suitable.

[0038] Thus, as in the data recording / reproducing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, this data transfer is performed within a time slot not used for data transfer between the input section or the output section and the recording / reproducing means. Is performed at the same time.

Here, the input section and the output section perform input / output of data requiring real-time property, and the data recording / reproducing apparatus inputs and outputs data which does not require the real-time property except for the input section and the output section. In the case where an asynchronous transfer means for performing transfer between the output and the recording / reproducing means is provided, even in the third step, for example, as described in claim 12, the input / output unit and the recording / reproducing means are provided. In time slots that are not used to transfer data to and from
It is preferable to transfer data between the asynchronous transfer means and the recording / reproducing means.

Alternatively, when the recording / reproducing means is a disk array system using RAID technology, in the third step, for example, the input / output unit and the recording / reproducing means are connected to each other. Transferring the data indicating the status from the recording / reproducing means for maintenance of the recording / reproducing means in a time slot not used for data transfer between the recording / reproducing means; It is preferable to perform at least one of the restructuring.

Thus, as in the data recording / reproducing apparatus according to the fifth and sixth aspects, the asynchronous operation can be performed within a time slot not used for data transfer between the input / output unit and the recording / reproducing means. Data transfer between the transfer means and the recording / reproducing means, status data transfer from the recording / reproducing means for maintenance, and rebuilding of the recording / reproducing means are performed.

In the method of using a time slot according to any one of the eighth to thirteenth aspects, it is preferable that, in the first step, the time slot is allocated only to the input part and the output part. It is.

As a result, similarly to the data recording / reproducing apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the waiting time of the time slot of each input section and output section is shortened, so that each input section and output section responds to a recording / reproducing operation instruction. Responsiveness is improved. Therefore, in the AV server, for example, during slow reproduction, variable speed reproduction, and shuttle search, the frame update rate is improved, so that the responsiveness is improved.

[0044]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An example in which the present invention is applied to an AV server will be described below. FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration of an AV server having one input port and three output ports to which the present invention is applied. This AV server 1 has one input port 2,
Three output ports 3, 4, 5, a recording / reproducing unit 6, a timing management unit 7, a file system 8, a controller 9
And an asynchronous transfer unit 10.

The input port 2, output ports 3, 4, 5 and the asynchronous transfer unit 10 are connected to the recording / reproducing unit 6 via the down bus 11 and the up bus 12, respectively. Also,
Input port 2, output ports 3, 4, 5 and asynchronous transfer unit 1
0 is connected to the controller 9 via the control bus 13.

The input port 2 is provided with a compressor 2A, a buffer memory 2B, and a controller 2C. The compressor 2A includes a device (for example, VT) external to the AV server 1.
R and devices connected via a network)
V data (for example, SDI (Serial Digital Interface:
Standardized as SMPTE-259M) and SD
TI (Serial Digital Transfer Interface: SMPT)
AV data) transmitted in a transmission format such as)) standardized as E-305M) is input through an input terminal D1.

The controller 2C receives a control signal (for example, a control signal according to RS-422, which is a standard for a serial interface) from a host device (for example, a host computer) of the AV server 1 for instructing the operation of the input port 2. Is provided through the control terminal C1.

The compressor 2A compresses AV data by a predetermined encoding method (for example, MPEG). The AV data compressed by the compressor 2A is stored in a buffer memory 2A.
Sent to B. Although the AV data is compressed by the compressor 2A in the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the AV data may be sent to the buffer memory 2B without being compressed.

The controller 2C controls the entire input port 2, and is composed of, for example, a microprocessor. When a control signal instructing the start of operation is given, the controller 2C temporarily stores the AV data sent from the compressor 2A to the buffer memory 2B in the buffer memory 2B.

As will be described later, the controller 2C is assigned a time slot SL1 for permitting the use of the downstream bus 11 and the upstream bus 12, based on a time slot signal provided from the timing management unit 7. The timing management section 7 generates this time slot signal based on a reference video signal (REF signal) supplied from outside the AV server 1 through the input terminal R.

When the input port 2 operates, the controller 9 acquires information indicating a free area in the recording / reproducing unit 6 from the file system 8. Then, a signal indicating the empty area is sent from the controller 9 to the controller 2C via the control bus 13.

The controller 9 controls the entire AV server 1, and is composed of, for example, a microprocessor. The file system 8 manages the file name of the AV data currently recorded in the recording / reproducing unit 6 in association with the address of an area in the recording / reproducing unit 6 where the AV data of the file name is recorded, and A control circuit (for example, a CPU) for creating the management information (file system information) of the current free area of the recording / reproducing unit 6, and a file system information created by the control circuit. A storage circuit for storing (for example, RA
M).

The file system information created by the file system 8 is roughly classified into three items: a file entry, a record entry, and a free space list. Among them, one file entry is created for each file, and the file name and pointer information to the address of the head position of the first record entry for the file (that is, link information to the first record entry) ) Is written.

The record entry is H in the recording / reproducing unit 6.
D is created for each continuous area where one file is recorded. One file is frequently recorded in a plurality of continuous areas separated from each other on the HD due to the length and location of the free area on the HD, so that a plurality of record entries are usually created. The record entry for the first continuous recording includes head position data indicating the address of the head position of the continuous area (that is, the address of the first recording position of the file on the HD), and the length of the file from the head position. Data indicating whether the data is continuously recorded and pointer information (that is, link information to the next record entry) to the address of the head position of the next record entry are written.

In the record entries for the second and subsequent continuous recordings, the start position data indicating the address of the start position of the continuous area and the length of the file continuously recorded from the start position. Data to show,
The pointer information to the address of the head position of the next record entry is written. Then, instead of the pointer information, data indicating that the recording of the file has been completed in the continuous area is written in the last record entry.

The free space list is for indicating an empty area where data on the HD in the recording / reproducing unit 6 has not been recorded, and is created for each individual empty area. In each free space list, start position data indicating the address of the start position of the free area, data indicating how long data from the start position can be written continuously, and data indicating the next Pointer information to the address of the head position of the free space list (that is, link information to the next free space list) is written.

As will be described later, the controller 2C of the input port 2 transmits data from the input port 2 to the recording / reproducing unit 6 of the time slot SL1 assigned by the time slot signal.
The AV data temporarily stored in the buffer memory 2B is read out from the buffer memory 2B in the time slot used for transferring the AV data to the buffer memory 2B.
The recording / reproducing unit 6 transmitted from the controller 9 to the AV data
A command for instructing writing of AV data into a free area in the storage is added and transferred to the recording / reproducing unit 6 via the down bus 11.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the recording / reproducing section 6. The recording / reproducing unit 6 is constructed using RAID technology, and includes a plurality of HDDs 21 for recording video data, a disk array controller 22 for controlling these HDDs 21, and a plurality of HDDs 23 for recording audio data. And a disk array controller 24 for controlling these HDDs 23, and a buffer memory 25.

The disk array controller 22 adopts, for example, RAID-3. The disk array controller 22 divides input video data into blocks of a fixed length based on a write instruction command added to AV data, and HD
D21 is recorded in an empty area indicated by the command, and parity data which is an exclusive OR of the data blocks corresponding to each other in the HDDs 21 is generated to generate an empty space indicated by the command in another HDD 21. Write to area. In addition, the disk array controller 22 reads video data and parity data from the area indicated by the command in each HDD 21 based on a read instruction command described later, and uses the parity data after unifying those video data. The video data is reproduced by error correction.

On the other hand, the disk array controller 24
Adopts, for example, RAID-1, and writes the input audio data into the free space indicated by the command in the two HDDs 23 based on the write instruction command added to the AV data. In addition, the disk array controller 24, based on a command of a read instruction, which will be described later, from the output ports 3, 4, 5
(If there is a failure in one HDD 23, the audio data is reproduced from the area indicated by the command in the remaining one HDD 23).

The buffer memory 25 has a role of temporarily storing the AV data transferred from the input port 2 to the recording / reproducing unit 6 via the down bus 11, and the AV data read from the buffer memory 25. Among them, video data is input to the disk array controller 22 and audio data is input to the disk array controller 24. The buffer memory 25 has a role of temporarily storing the AV data reproduced by the disk array controllers 22 and 24. The AV data read from the buffer memory 25 is output to the output port via the upstream bus 12. Transferred to 3, 4, and 5. Note that a buffer memory having the former role and a buffer memory having the latter role may be separately provided.

The AV data transferred from the input port 2 to the recording / reproducing unit 6 via the down bus 11 passes through the buffer memory 25 and is sent to the disk array controllers 22 and 2.
4 is recorded in a free area indicated by the command added to the AV data on the HD of the HDDs 21 and 23.

As shown in FIG. 1, the output port 3 is provided with a decoder 3A, a buffer memory 3B, and a controller 3C. The output ports 4 and 5 have the same configuration as the output port 3, and are provided with decoders 4A and 5A, buffer memories 4B and 5B, and controllers 4C and 5C, respectively.

Controllers 3C, 4 of output ports 3, 4, 5
As will be described later, the downstream buses C and 5C are also transmitted by the time slot signal given from the timing management unit 7.
And a time slot SL permitting use of the upstream bus 12
2, SL3 and SL4 are respectively assigned. Also,
The controller 3C, 4C, 5C of each of the output ports 3, 4, 5 also sends the output ports 3, 4, 4
5 are control terminals C2 and C2, respectively.
It is provided through C3 and C4.

When the output ports 3, 4, and 5 operate, a control signal designating a file name of the AV data to be output from the output ports 3, 4, and 5 is controlled by a host device external to the AV server 1. The signal is supplied to the controller 9 through the terminal C5. This control signal may be a content specifying a different file name for each of the output ports 3, 4, 5 or a content specifying the same file name for all the output ports 3, 4, 5 with a time delay. Sometimes.

The controller 9 acquires from the file system 8 information on the recording area in the recording / reproducing section 6 corresponding to the file name specified by the control signal. Then, a signal for transmitting the recording area is sent from the controller 9 to the controllers 3C, 4C, and 5C via the control bus 13.

The controllers 3C, 4C and 5C control the entire output ports 3, 4 and 5, respectively, and comprise, for example, a microprocessor. Controllers 3C, 4C,
5C, when a control signal instructing the start of operation is given, among the time slots SL2, SL3, and SL4 assigned by the time slot signal, from the recording / reproducing unit 6 to the output ports 3, 4, 5 as described later. Reading AV data from the recording area transmitted from the controller 9 in the time slot used for transfer of the AV data to the corresponding time slot SL2, SL3 and SL4
A command for instructing the transfer of AV data to the output ports 3, 4, and 5 within the device is sent to the recording / reproducing unit 6 via the down bus 11.

Then, the controllers 3C, 4C and 5C reproduce the data in the recording / reproducing section 6 based on the command and put the output ports 3 and 4 in the time slots SL2, SL3 and SL4 to be used through the upstream bus 12. AV transferred to, 5
Data (disk array controllers 22, 24 in FIG. 2)
Are reproduced from the HDDs 21 and 23 and temporarily stored in the buffer memory 25, and the AV data read from the buffer memory 25 in the time slots SL2, SL3 and SL4 to be used are stored in the buffer memory 3 respectively.
B, 4B, and 5B.

The controllers 3C, 4C, and 5C respectively store the AV data stored in the buffer memories 3B, 4B, and 5B.
The data is sequentially read, and the read AV data is sent to the decoders 3A, 4A, and 5A, respectively. The decoders 3A, 4A, and 5A decompress AV data in the same encoding scheme as the compressor 2A of the input port 2, respectively. The AV data decompressed by the decoders 3A, 4A, and 5A are output through output terminals D2, D3, and D4, respectively, and output to devices (for example, a VTR) external to the AV server 1.
Or devices connected via a network). In this manner, in the AV server 1, simultaneous input / output of AV data on four channels is performed by the input port 2 and the output ports 3, 4, and 5.

The input port 2 and the output ports 3, 4, and 5 are for inputting and outputting AV data requiring real time, whereas the asynchronous transfer unit 10 uses, for example, Fiber Channel or Ethernet. Then, it is for performing input / output of AV data and transfer to / from the recording / reproducing unit 6 (for example, input / output and transfer of an AV data file) which do not require real-time processing.
The asynchronous transfer unit 10 includes an encoder 10A, a decoder 10B, a buffer memory 10C, a controller 10D
Are provided.

At the time of recording AV data using the asynchronous transfer unit 10, data in a transmission format of Fiber Channel or Ethernet including AV data is transmitted from an external device using Fiber Channel or Ethernet, and input terminals are used. Encoder 10A through D5
Is input to At this time, the asynchronous transfer unit 10
A control signal instructing the transfer of AV data from the AV server 1 to the recording / reproducing unit 6 is provided from the host device of the AV server 1 to the controller 9 through the control terminal C5. The controller 9 acquires, from the file system 8, information indicating an empty area in the recording / reproducing unit 6 based on the control signal. Then, the controller 9 sets the time slot S used for the transfer of the AV data between the asynchronous transfer unit 10 and the recording / reproducing unit 6 to be described later.
The signal for communicating with the LA is sent to the controller 1 via the control bus 13.
Send to 0D.

The encoder 10A extracts AV data from data input in a fiber channel or Ethernet transmission format. The AV data extracted by the encoder 10A is sent to the buffer memory 10C.

The controller 10D controls the entire asynchronous transfer unit 10, and is composed of, for example, a microprocessor. The controller 10D causes the buffer memory 10C to temporarily store the AV data sent from the encoder 10A to the buffer memory 10C. Then, the AV data temporarily stored in the buffer memory 10C is read from the buffer memory 10C within the time slot SLA transmitted from the controller 9, and the recording / reproducing unit 6 transmitted from the controller 9 to this AV data is read. A command instructing writing of AV data to an empty area of the
Is transferred to the recording / reproducing unit 6 via the.

The AV data transferred from the asynchronous transfer unit 10 to the recording / reproducing unit 6 via the downlink bus 11 passes through the buffer memory 25 shown in FIG. Is recorded in a free area indicated by the command added to the AV data.

On the other hand, when reproducing the AV data using the asynchronous transfer unit 10, a control signal for designating the file name of the AV data to be reproduced and instructing the transfer of the AV data from the recording / reproducing unit 6 to the asynchronous transfer unit 10. Is provided to the controller 9 from the host device of the AV server 1 through the control terminal C5. The controller 9 acquires from the file system 8 information on the recording area in the recording / reproducing unit 6 corresponding to the file name specified by the control signal. Then, the controller 9 sends a signal for notifying the recording area and the time slot SLA,
The controller 10D of the asynchronous transfer unit 10 via the control bus 13
Send to

The controller 10D instructs the reading of the AV data from the recording area transmitted from the controller 9 in the time slot SLA and the transfer of the AV data to the asynchronous transfer section 10 in the time slot SLA. The command is sent to the recording / reproducing unit 6 via the down bus 11.

Then, the controller 10D reproduces the time slot SL by the recording / reproducing unit 6 based on the command.
The AV data transferred to the asynchronous transfer unit 10 via the upstream bus 12 in A is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 10C.

Further, the controller 10D controls the buffer memory 1
The AV data stored in 0C is sequentially read, and the read AV data is sent to the decoder 10B. The decoder 10B converts AV data into data in a transmission format of Fiber Channel or Ethernet. The data converted by the decoder 10B is output from the AV server 1 through the output terminal D5, and sent to an external device using Fiber Channel or Ethernet.

The host device of the AV server 1
For example, when data indicating the status of the recording / reproducing unit 6 (for example, log data indicating an error) is required to perform maintenance such as version upgrade, the transmission of the status data is instructed. Is supplied to the controller 9 from the host device through the control terminal C5.

Based on this control signal, the controller 9 instructs acquisition of status data from the recording / reproducing unit 6 and transmits a signal notifying a time slot SLB used for transfer of status data from the recording / reproducing unit 6. , Input ports 2, output ports 3, 4, 5 controllers 2C, 3C,
4C or 5C (here, as an example, the controller 2C of the input port 2 but may be the controller 3C, 4C or 5C) via the control bus 13.

Based on the signal, controller 2C transmits a command instructed to transfer status data in time slot SLB to input port 2 transmitted from controller 9 via buffer memory 2B and downlink bus 11. To the recording / reproducing unit 6. Then, based on the command, the up / down bus 1 is sent from the recording / reproducing unit 6 into the time slot SLB.
The status data transferred to the input port 2 through the control port 2 is sent to the controller 9 through the buffer memory 2B and the control bus 13. The controller 9 sends the status data to the host device of the AV server 1 through the control terminal C5.

After one of the HDs has failed in the recording / reproducing unit 6 and the HD has been replaced with a new HD, a control signal instructing execution of rebuilding in the recording / reproducing unit 6 is given by:
It is given to the controller 9 from the host device of the AV server 1 through the control terminal C5.

Based on this control signal, the controller 9 instructs execution of rebuilding in the recording / reproducing unit 6 and inputs a signal notifying a time slot SLC used for execution of rebuilding in the recording / reproducing unit 6. One of the controllers 2C, 3C, 4C, and 5C of the port 2 and the output ports 3, 4, and 5 (here, as an example, the controller 2C of the input port 2)
But may be the controller 3C, 4C or 5C)
Via the control bus 13.

The controller 2C sends a command instructed to execute rebuilding in the time slot SLC transmitted from the controller 9 to the recording / reproducing unit 6 via the buffer memory 2B and the down bus 11 based on the signal. Forward. In the recording / reproducing unit 6, the time slot S
In the LC, the data of the failed HD is restored by using the data and parity data reproduced from the non-failed HD,
By re-recording the restored data on the new HD, the data on the failed HD is reconstructed.

Next, in this AV server 1, time slot allocation, input port 2, output port 3, 4,
The transfer rate of the AV data between the recording and reproducing unit 5 and the recording / reproducing unit 6 and the use of the time slot will be described. FIG.
1 shows an example of a time slot assigned to each unit of the AV server 1 by a time slot signal generated by the timing management unit 7 in FIG. The input port 2, the output ports 3, 4, and 5 have time slots SL one by one in order.
1, SL2, SL3, and SL4 are assigned, and immediately after SL4 assigned to the output port 5, SL1 assigned next to the input port 2 follows.

That is, depending on the time slot signal from the timing management unit 7, time slots other than the time slots assigned to the input port 2 and the output ports 3, 4, and 5 (management slots as shown in FIG. 9) Not prepared. Therefore, for example, each slot SL1, S
If L2, SL3, and SL4 are set to a time interval of four frames as in the example of FIG. 9, the slot period T is 16 frames, which is four frames shorter than the example of FIG.

FIG. 4 shows input ports 2, output ports 3,
An example of the transfer rate of AV data between the buffer memories 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B of 4 and 5 and the buffer memory 25 of the recording / reproducing unit 6 is shown. 4A shows a transfer rate of AV data from the buffer memory 2B of the input port 2 to the recording / reproducing unit 6. Controller 2C of input port 2
Among the time slots SL1 allocated by the time slot signal, a compressor used in a time slot used for transferring AV data to the recording / reproducing unit 6, which will be described later, has a period of 1.5 times the slot cycle T. The AV data having the data amount sent from the buffer memory 2B to the buffer memory 2B and stored in the buffer memory 2B is read from the buffer memory 2B and transferred to the recording / reproducing unit 6 via the down bus 11.

FIG. 4A shows the transfer rate of AV data from an input port to a recording / reproducing unit in a normal AV server.
FIG. 5A shows the same as in FIG. Normal AV
In the server, for each time slot SL of each slot cycle assigned to the input port, the amount of AV data transmitted from the compressor to the buffer memory and stored in the buffer memory during the period of one slot cycle T is stored in the buffer memory. And transferred to the recording / playback unit.

As described above, in the AV server 1, the transfer of the AV data from the input port 2 to the recording / reproducing unit 6 is performed at a transfer rate 1.5 times the normal transfer rate. Thus, the transfer of the AV data from the input port 2 to the recording / reproducing unit 6
It suffices to use only the time slot SL1 of the two-slot cycle of the three-slot cycle, and the remaining time slot SL1 of the one-slot cycle (the time slot SL1 shown by hatching in FIG. 4A) is recorded from the input port 2. There is no need to use it for transferring AV data to the playback unit 6.

The time slot SL1 of the unnecessary slot cycle is provided in the buffer memory 2B.
Is smaller than the data amount DT1 sent from the compressor 2A to the buffer memory 2B during a period 1.5 times the slot period T. Therefore, whether or not the time slot SL1 of each slot cycle needs to be used for transfer of AV data from the input port 2 to the recording / reproducing unit 6 depends on the data storage amount of the buffer memory 2B. It can be determined based on whether or not DT1 or more.

On the other hand, FIG. 4B shows the transfer rate of AV data from the buffer memory 25 of the recording / reproducing unit 6 to the output ports 3, 4, and 5 (the output port 3 is shown as a representative in the figure, The same is true for 4, 5). Controllers 3C, 4C, 5 of output ports 3, 4, 5
C is 1.5 times the slot period T in a time slot used for transferring AV data from the recording / reproducing unit 6 to be described later among time slots SL2, SL3, and SL4 allocated by the time slot signal. During the period from the buffer memories 3B, 4B and 5B,
A, 4A, and 5A, commands for reading the amount of AV data sent to the buffer memory 25 from the buffer memory 25 are used as part of the above-described read instruction commands, respectively.
1 to the recording / reproducing unit 6.

Thus, from the buffer memory 25 of the recording / reproducing unit 6, the time slots SL2, S
The AV data of the data amount read from the buffer memories 3B, 4B, 5B and sent to the decoders 3A, 4A, 5A during the period 1.5 times the slot period T is read into L3, SL4, and the upstream bus The data is transferred to output ports 3, 4, 5 through 12 respectively.

The transfer rate of the AV data from the recording / reproducing unit to the output port in a normal AV server is shown in FIG. 4B.
FIG. 5B shows the same as in FIG. Normal AV
In the server, for each time slot SL of each slot cycle assigned to the output port, AV data of the data amount read from the buffer memory in the output port and sent to the decoder during the period of one slot cycle T is stored in the recording / reproducing unit. From the buffer memory and transferred to the output port.

As described above, in the AV server 1, the transfer of the AV data from the recording / reproducing unit 6 to the output ports 3, 4, and 5 is also performed at a transfer rate 1.5 times the normal transfer rate. Thereby, the AV from the recording / reproducing unit 6 to the output ports 3, 4, 5
It is sufficient that the data transfer is performed using only the time slots SL2, SL3, and SL4 of the two-slot cycle of the three-slot cycle, and the remaining time slots SL2, SL3, and SL4 of the one-slot cycle (for the output port 3). In FIG. 4B, the time slot SL2) indicated by oblique lines does not need to be used for transfer of AV data from the recording / reproducing unit 6 to the output ports 3, 4, and 5.

In the time slots SL2, SL3, and SL4 of the unnecessary slot periods, the data storage amount of the buffer memories 3B, 4B, and 5B is 1.5 times the slot period T. 3B, 4
B, 5B and the data amount DT2 to be sent to the decoders 3A, 4A, 5A is equal to or larger than DT2. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the time slots SL2, SL3, and SL4 of each slot cycle need to be used for transfer of AV data from the recording / reproducing unit 6 to the output ports 3, 4, and 5. , 4B, and 5B can be determined based on whether or not the data storage amounts are smaller than the data amount DT2.

FIG. 6 shows each input port 2, output port 3,
4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by controllers 4C, 3C, 4C, and 5C regarding use of time slots SL1, SL2, SL3, and SL4 assigned by a time slot signal from a timing management unit 7. In this process, first, it is determined whether or not a time slot is assigned to a port immediately before its own port by a current time slot signal (for example, the input port 2 is assigned to the current output port 5 by a time slot). It is determined whether or not SL4 is assigned, and the output port 3 determines whether or not the time slot SL1 is currently assigned to the input port 2 (step S).
1).

If no, the determination in step S1 is repeated while waiting for each time slot (step S2). When a time slot is assigned to a port one port before its own port, the result of the determination in step S1 is YES, and the process proceeds to step S3 to detect the amount of data stored in the buffer memory in its own port (for example, The input port 2 detects the amount of data stored in the buffer memory 2B).

Subsequently, based on the detected data storage amount (or the data storage amount in the next time slot calculated from the data storage amount), a time slot to be allocated to the next port is recorded / reproduced. Then, it is determined whether or not it is used for transferring AV data to and from the PC 6 (step S4). That is, the input port 2 makes this determination based on, for example, whether or not the data storage amount of the buffer memory 2B when the time slot is next allocated to the input port 2 is equal to or larger than the data amount DT1. , 4, 5 are output ports 3, 4,
This determination is made based on whether or not the data storage amount of the buffer memories 3B, 4B, 5B when the time slot is allocated to the data slot 5 is less than the data amount DT2.

If it is determined in step S4 that it will be used (as described with reference to FIG. 4, it is determined that it will be used in two of the three slot periods).
Next, a signal indicating that the own port uses the time slot allocated to the own port is transmitted to the control bus 13.
(Step S5).

Subsequently, during the next time slot, AV data is transferred to and from the recording / reproducing unit 6 (step S).
6). That is, as described with reference to FIG. 4, the controller 2C of the input port 2 transfers the AV data from the buffer memory 2B to the recording / reproducing unit 6 at a transfer rate 1.5 times the normal rate, and , 4, 5 controllers 3C, 4C, 5
C transfers AV data from the recording / reproducing unit 6 to the buffer memories 3B, 4B, 5B at a transfer rate 1.5 times the normal transfer rate. Then, returning from step S6 to step S1,
Step S1 and subsequent steps are repeated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 not to be used (as described with reference to FIG. 4, it is determined not to be used in one of the three slot periods), then its own A signal indicating that the time slot assigned to the port is not used is sent to the controller 9 via the control bus 13 (step S7). Then, the process returns from step S7 to step S1, and repeats the steps from step S1.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing an example of the processing executed by the controller 9 regarding the use of the time slots SL1, SL2, SL3 and SL4. In this process, first, as shown in FIG.
It is determined whether or not a control signal for instructing the transfer (asynchronous transfer) of the AV data between the recording / reproducing units 6 has been given from the host device of the AV server 1 through the control terminal C5 (step S11).

If yes, proceed to step S12,
Controller 2C of each input port 2, output port 3, 4, 5
Based on the signals sent from 3C, 4C and 5C in step S5 or S7 of the process of FIG.
It is determined whether or not L1, SL2, SL3, and SL4 are used by the input port 2 and the output ports 3, 4, and 5 for transferring AV data to and from the recording / reproducing unit 6.

If it is used, while waiting for one time slot at a time (step S13), step S12
Is repeated. And the next time slot SL
If the input ports 2 and the output ports 3, 4, and 5 do not use 1, SL2, SL3, and SL4, it is determined as YES in step S12, and the process proceeds to step S14. Time slot S used for transfer of AV data to / from playback unit 6
Determined as LA.

Subsequently, the asynchronous transfer unit 10 is instructed to transfer AV data between the asynchronous transfer unit 10 and the recording / reproducing unit 6 within the time slot SLA determined in step S14 (step S15). That is, as already described for the asynchronous transfer unit 10, the asynchronous transfer unit 10
When the AV data is recorded by using the control unit 10D, a signal for transmitting the free space in the recording / reproducing unit 6 and the time slot SLA determined in step S14 is sent to the controller 10D, so that the asynchronous transfer unit is provided in the time slot SLA. 10
To transfer the AV data to the recording / reproducing unit 6 via the down bus 11. When reproducing the AV data using the asynchronous transfer unit 10, the recording / reproducing unit 6 of the AV data to be reproduced is used.
The controller 10D sends a signal for transmitting the recording area within the slot and the time slot SLA determined at step S14 to the controller 10D. To transfer AV data.

Following step S15, the asynchronous transfer unit 10
It is determined whether the transfer of AV data between the device and the recording / reproducing unit 6 has been completed (step S16). If not completed, steps S13, S12, S14,
By repeating S15 and S16, the input port 2,
Time slot S not used for output ports 3, 4, 5
L1, SL2, SL3 and SL4 are converted to time slots SL
Continue to use as A. When the transfer of the AV data between the asynchronous transfer unit 10 and the recording / reproducing unit 6 is completed,
Returning from step S16 to step S11, step S11
Repeat steps 11 and below.

If the result of the determination in step S11 is NO, the process proceeds to step S17, where a control signal instructing the transmission of status data of the recording / reproducing unit 6 for maintenance of the recording / reproducing unit 6 is sent to the upper level of the AV server 1. It is determined whether or not it has been provided from the device through the control terminal C5.

If yes, the flow advances to step S18 to make the same determination as in step S12. The next time slots SL1, SL2, SL3 and SL4 are connected to the input port 2, and the output ports 3, 4, and 5 are connected to the recording / reproducing unit 6. If it is used for transfer of AV data between the two, the process waits for one time slot at a time (step S19), and the process proceeds to step S18.
Is repeated.

Then, the next time slot SL1, SL
2, SL3 and SL4 are connected to input port 2, output port 3,
If not used, the determination at step S18 is affirmative, and the process proceeds to step S20, where the time slot is used as the time slot SL used for transferring status data from the recording / reproducing unit 6 for maintenance.
B is determined.

Subsequently, an instruction is issued to transfer status data from the recording / reproducing unit 6 within the time slot SLB determined in step S20 (step S21). That is, as described above, the transmission of the status data for maintenance of the recording / reproducing unit 6 is instructed to acquire the status data from the recording / reproducing unit 6, and the signal for notifying the time slot SLB determined in step S20 is transmitted. By sending the data to the controller of one of the input ports 2, output ports 3, 4, and 5, status data is transmitted from the recording / reproducing unit 6 to the port via the up bus 12 in the time slot SLB. Transfer.

After step S21, it is determined whether the transfer of status data from the recording / reproducing unit 6 has been completed (step S22). If not completed, steps S19, S18, S20, S21, S22 are repeated until completed, so that input port 2, output port 3,
Time slots SL1, SL2 not used for 4, 5
SL3 and SL4 continue to be used as time slots SLB. When the transfer of the status data from the recording / reproducing unit 6 is completed, steps S22 to S1 are performed.
The process returns to 1 and repeats step S11 and subsequent steps.

If the determination is NO in step S17, the process proceeds to step S23 in FIG. 8, and a control signal instructing execution of rebuilding in the recording / reproducing unit 6 is sent from the higher-level device of the AV server 1 through the control terminal C5. Determine if it has been given.

If yes, the flow advances to step S24 to make the same determination as in step S12. The next time slots SL1, SL2, SL3, and SL4 are connected to the input port 2, and the output ports 3, 4, and 5 are connected to the recording / reproducing unit 6. If it is used for transfer of AV data between steps S24 and S24 while waiting for one time slot at a time (step S25).
Is repeated.

Then, the next time slot SL1, SL
2, SL3 and SL4 are connected to input port 2, output port 3,
If 4 and 5 are not used, the determination is YES in step S24, and the process proceeds to step S26, and the time slot is determined as the time slot SLC to be used for executing the rebuild in the recording / reproducing unit 6.

Subsequently, an instruction is issued to execute a rebuild in the time slot SLC determined in step S26 (step S27). That is, as described above with respect to the rebuild in the recording / reproducing unit 6, the execution of the rebuild in the recording / reproducing unit 6 is instructed and the step S26 is executed.
Is transmitted from the controller 9 to the controller of one of the input ports 2, output ports 3, 4, and 5 so that the time slot SLC is recorded and reproduced in the time slot SLC. The rebuild is executed in the section 6.

Following step S27, it is determined whether or not the execution of the rebuild in the recording / reproducing unit 6 has been completed (step S28). If not completed, steps S25, S24, S26, S27, S28 are repeated until completed, so that time slots SL1, SL2, SL3, SL not used for input port 2, output ports 3, 4, 5 are not used.
4 continue to be used as time slot SLC. When the execution of the rebuild is completed, the process returns from step S28 to step S11 in FIG. 7, and repeats the steps from step S11. Also, in the case where it is determined NO in step S23, the process returns from step S23 to step S11 and repeats the steps from step S11.

As described above, in the AV server 1, the time slots SL1, SL2, SL3, and SL4 assigned to the input port 2, the output ports 3, 4, and 5, depending on the time slot signal generated by the timing management section 7, Other than that, no management slot as in the related art is prepared. Then, the transfer of the AV data between the input port 2, the output ports 3, 4, 5 and the recording / reproducing unit 6 is performed at a transfer rate of 1.5 times the normal rate, so that one of the three slot periods is achieved.
Time slot SL1, SL2, SL of the slot cycle
3, SL4 does not need to be used for transfer of AV data between the input port 2, output ports 3, 4, 5 and the recording / reproducing unit 6, and the input port 2, output port 3,
Time slots SL1, SL2 not used for 4, 5
SL3 and SL4 are converted into time slots SL for transferring AV data between the asynchronous transfer unit 10 and the recording / reproducing unit 6.
A, a time slot SLB for transferring status data from the recording / reproducing unit 6 for maintenance, and a time slot SLC for executing a rebuild in the recording / reproducing unit 6.
We use as.

Thus, even when all the input ports 2, output ports 3, 4, 5 are operating, the time slots SL1, SL2, SL3 allocated to the input ports 2, output ports 3, 4, 5 are allocated. , SL4, transfer of AV data between the asynchronous transfer unit 10 and the recording / reproducing unit 6,
The transfer of status data from the recording / reproducing unit 6 for maintenance and the rebuilding by the recording / reproducing unit 6 can be performed periodically.

Also, as much as the management slot is not prepared,
The slot cycle is shortened, and the waiting time of the time slot of each input port 2, output port 3, 4, 5 is shortened. Therefore, the frame update rate is improved even when performing a playback operation such as slow playback, variable speed playback, or shuttle search, in which a loss time due to seeking a discontinuous area on the HD is high. As a result, this A
In the V server 1, the responsiveness at the time of slow reproduction, variable speed reproduction, and shuttle search is improved.

In the above example, the transfer of AV data between the input port 2, the output ports 3, 4, 5 and the recording / reproducing unit 6 is performed at a transfer rate 1.5 times the normal transfer rate. However, the transfer is not limited to this, and this transfer may be performed at an appropriate transfer rate higher than usual (for example, a transfer rate of 1.1 times). Time slots SL1, SL2, SL3, SL4 every 11 slot periods when the transfer rate is doubled).
To input port 2, output ports 3, 4, 5 and recording / reproducing section 6
It is not necessary to use AV data to transfer AV data between the asynchronous transfer unit 10 and the recording / reproducing unit 6 or to send status data from the recording / reproducing unit 6 for maintenance. Data transfer and rebuilding in the recording / reproducing unit 6 can be performed periodically.

In the above example, the transfer rate is set higher than usual for all the input ports 2 and the output ports 3, 4, and 5 so that it is not necessary to use a time slot for each predetermined slot cycle. , Only some of the input ports 2, the output ports 3, 4, and 5 have the transfer rate higher than usual so that it is not necessary to use a time slot every predetermined slot period, and the remaining As for the port, all the time slots of every slot period may be used at a normal transfer rate.

In the above example, the time slots SL1 and SL not used for transfer of AV data between the input port 2, the output ports 3, 4, and 5, and the recording / reproducing section 6 are used.
Transferring AV data between the asynchronous transfer unit 10 and the recording / reproducing unit 6, transferring status data from the recording / reproducing unit 6 for maintenance, and rebuilding the SL3, SL4 Use for. But,
Not limited to this, the unused time slots SL1,
SL2, SL3, and SL4 are used for appropriate processing that cannot be performed simultaneously with transfer of AV data between the input port 2, the output ports 3, 4, 5, and the recording / reproducing unit 6. Good.

Further, the present invention relates to an AV system having the configuration shown in FIG.
It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the server, and may be applied to an appropriate type of AV server. For example, the present invention may be applied to an AV server having 2, 3, or 5 or more input / output ports. Also, for example, if an encoding method other than MPEG
The present invention may be applied to an AV server that compresses / decompresses data. Further, for example, the present invention may be applied to an AV server in which one port has both a function as an input port and a function as an output port. Further, for example, the present invention is applied to an AV server that records AV data on an HDD that does not use the RAID technology and an AV server that records AV data on a non-HD non-linearly accessible recording medium (for example, a semiconductor memory or an optical disk). Is also good. Also, for example,
The present invention may be applied to an AV server having a function of editing AV data in addition to a function of recording and reproducing AV data.

The present invention also relates to a method for recording / recording data using a non-linearly accessible recording medium other than the AV server.
The present invention is also applicable to an appropriate type of data recording / reproducing device which has a recording / reproducing means for reproducing and transfers data between the recording / reproducing means in a time slot to which a plurality of input sections and output sections are respectively allocated. Good. Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described example, and it is needless to say that various other configurations can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0125]

As described above, according to the data recording / reproducing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the recording / reproducing operation is performed between the input section or the output section of the time slots allocated to the input section and the output section. Time slots not used for data transfer to and from the means can be used for processing that cannot be performed simultaneously with data transfer between the input or output unit and the data recording / reproducing device. Therefore, even when all the input and output units are operating,
A process that cannot be performed simultaneously with data transfer between an input unit or an output unit and a data recording / reproducing device can be performed without preparing a time slot other than a time slot assigned to each input unit and an output unit. Is obtained.

According to the data recording / reproducing apparatus of the second and third aspects, the time slot allocated to the input section or the output section is changed by the input section or the output section and the recording / reproducing means at every predetermined slot cycle. Since data is not used for data transfer between the data transfer, an effect that a process that cannot be performed simultaneously with the data transfer can be periodically performed can be obtained.

According to the data recording / reproducing apparatus of the fourth aspect, the time slot not used for data transfer between the input / output unit and the recording / reproducing means includes:
It is also possible to obtain an effect that data transfer between the input unit or the output unit and the recording / reproducing unit is performed at the same time, which cannot be performed simultaneously.

Further, according to the data recording / reproducing apparatus of the fifth aspect, the time slot not used for data transfer between the input / output unit and the recording / reproducing means includes:
The effect that data transfer between the asynchronous transfer means and the recording / reproducing means is performed is also obtained.

According to the data recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, the time slot not used for data transfer between the input / output unit and the recording / reproducing means includes:
There is also obtained an effect that status data is transferred from the recording / reproducing means for maintenance and rebuilding is performed by the recording / reproducing means.

According to the data recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, no time slot is prepared other than the time slot allocated to the input section and the output section. The effect that the waiting time of the time slot of the unit and the output unit can be shortened is also obtained. Therefore, for example, in the AV server, at the time of slow reproduction, variable speed reproduction, and shuttle search, the frame update rate is improved, so that the responsiveness can be improved.

Next, according to the method of using the time slot according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, as in the data recording / reproducing apparatus according to the first aspect, all the input sections and the output sections operate. Data transfer between the input unit or the output unit and the data recording / reproducing device cannot be performed simultaneously without preparing a time slot other than the time slot allocated to each input unit and the output unit. The effect that processing can be performed is obtained.

According to the method of using the time slot according to the ninth and tenth aspects, similarly to the data recording / reproducing apparatus according to the second and third aspects, the input / output unit and the data recording / reproducing apparatus can be used. An effect is also obtained that processing that cannot be performed simultaneously with data transfer between the two can be performed periodically.

According to the method of using the time slot according to the eleventh aspect, similarly to the data recording / reproducing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the data between the input unit or the output unit and the recording / reproducing means is provided. In a time slot not used for transfer, there is also obtained an effect that processing that cannot be performed simultaneously with data transfer between the input unit or the output unit and the recording / reproducing means is performed.

According to the method of using the time slot according to the twelfth aspect, similarly to the data recording / reproducing apparatus according to the fifth aspect, data between the input unit or the output unit and the recording / reproducing means can be used. An effect is also obtained in that data transfer between the asynchronous transfer means and the recording / reproducing means is performed within a time slot not used for transfer.

According to the method of using the time slot according to the thirteenth aspect, similarly to the data recording / reproducing apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the data between the input unit or the output unit and the recording / reproducing means is provided. There is also obtained an effect that status data is transferred from the recording / reproducing unit for maintenance and rebuilt by the recording / reproducing unit in a time slot not used for the transfer.

According to the method of using the time slot according to the fourteenth aspect, similarly to the data recording / reproducing apparatus according to the seventh aspect, a time slot is prepared in addition to the time slot allocated to the input part and the output part. Therefore, the slot period can be shortened accordingly, and the waiting time of the time slot of each input unit and output unit can be shortened. Therefore, for example, AV
In the server, at the time of slow reproduction, variable speed reproduction, and shuttle search, the responsiveness can be improved because the frame update rate is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an AV server to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a recording / reproducing unit 6 in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a time slot based on a time slot signal from a timing management section 7 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows an input port 2 and output ports 3, 4, 5 of FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a transfer rate of AV data between a device and a recording / reproducing unit 6.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a transfer rate of AV data between an input port and an output port of a conventional AV server and a recording / reproducing unit.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by controllers 2C, 3C, 4C, and 5C in FIG. 1 regarding use of a time slot.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by the controller 9 of FIG. 1 regarding use of a time slot.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process executed by the controller 9 of FIG. 1 regarding use of a time slot.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a time slot of a conventional AV server.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 AV server, 2 input port, 2A compressor,
2B, 3B, 4B, 5B, 10C, 25 buffer memory, 2C, 3C, 4C, 5C, 9, 10D controller,
3, 4, 5 output ports, 3A, 4A, 5A decoder, 6 recording / reproducing unit, 7 timing management unit, 8
File system, 10 Asynchronous transfer unit, 10A
Encoder, 10B decoder, 11 downlink bus, 12 uplink bus, 13 control bus, 21,
3 HDD, 22, 24 disk array controller

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Yoichiro Asato 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation F-term (reference) 5D044 AB05 AB07 CC09 EF03 FG10 GK11 HL11

Claims (14)

[Claims] A recording / reproducing means for recording and / or reproducing data using a non-linearly accessible recording medium; at least one input unit for inputting data from outside and transferring the data to the recording / reproducing means; At least one output unit for outputting data transferred from the recording / reproducing means to the outside, wherein the input unit and the output unit each temporarily store data transferred between the recording / reproducing means. An input / output processing unit including a storage unit for performing the data transfer; an allocation unit that allocates a time slot for transferring data between the input unit and the output unit to and from the recording / reproducing unit; In the time slot allocated to the input unit, it is determined whether or not the data is transferred from the input unit to the recording / reproducing unit. Control based on the data storage amount, and whether or not to transfer data from the recording / reproducing unit to the output unit within the time slot allocated to the output unit by the allocation unit. And a control means for performing at least one of the control based on the data storage amount of the storage means. 2. The data recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines that a data storage amount of the storage unit in the input unit among time slots allocated to the input unit by the allocation unit. In a time slot that is equal to or more than a certain amount, the data is transferred from the input unit to the recording / reproducing unit at a transfer rate at which the data storage amount of the storage unit is less than the fixed amount for each predetermined slot cycle. A data recording / reproducing apparatus, wherein data transfer from the input section to the recording / reproducing means is not performed in a time slot in which the data storage amount of the storage means is less than the fixed amount. 3. The data recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit stores data in the storage unit in the output unit among time slots allocated to the output unit by the allocation unit. Data transfer from the recording / reproducing unit to the output unit is performed at a transfer rate at which the data storage amount of the storage unit is equal to or more than the predetermined amount in a predetermined slot period during a time slot in which the amount is less than the predetermined amount. A data recording / reproducing apparatus, wherein data transfer from the recording / reproducing means to the output unit is not performed in a time slot in which the data storage amount of the storage means is equal to or more than the predetermined amount. 4. The data recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means transfers data to the recording / reproducing means to one of the input unit and the output unit. In the time slot determined not to be performed, a second control unit for performing a process that cannot simultaneously perform data transfer between the input unit and the output unit and the recording / reproducing unit is further provided. A data recording / reproducing device comprising: 5. The data recording / reproducing device according to claim 4, wherein the input unit and the output unit perform input / output of data requiring real-time property, and input / output of data not requiring real-time property. The recording / reproducing unit further includes an asynchronous transfer unit that performs transfer between the recording unit and the recording / reproducing unit. A data recording / reproducing apparatus for causing the asynchronous transfer means to transfer data to / from the recording / reproducing means within a time slot in which it is determined that the data cannot be transmitted in the data recording / reproducing apparatus. 6. The data recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the recording / reproducing unit is a disk array system using a RAID technology, and the second control unit is configured to perform the input by the control unit. A time from the recording / reproducing means to perform maintenance of the recording / reproducing means within a time slot in which it is determined that data cannot be transferred between any one of the unit and the output unit and the recording / reproducing means. A data recording / reproducing apparatus which performs at least one of transferring the indicated data or causing the recording / reproducing means to reconstruct the recorded data of the failed hard disk. 7. A data recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said allocating means allocates a time slot only to said input section and said output section. 8. A recording / reproducing means for recording and / or reproducing data using a non-linearly accessible recording medium; at least one input unit for inputting data from outside and transferring the data to the recording / reproducing means; At least one output unit for outputting data transferred from the recording / reproducing means to the outside, wherein the input unit and the output unit each temporarily store data transferred between the recording / reproducing means. A method of using a time slot in a data recording / reproducing apparatus including an input / output processing unit including a storage unit for performing the transfer of data between the input unit and the output unit to and from the recording / reproducing unit. A first step of allocating a time slot to be performed, and the recording / reproducing from the input unit in the time slot allocated to the input unit in the first step. Judging whether or not to transfer data to the means based on the data storage amount of the storage means in the input unit; and performing the recording / reproducing in the time slot allocated to the output unit in the first step. Determining whether or not to transfer data from the means to the output unit based on the data storage amount of the storage means in the output unit. A method for using a time slot in a data recording / reproducing apparatus, characterized by the following. 9. The method of using a time slot in the data recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein in the second step, among the time slots allocated to the input unit in the first step, the time slot in the input unit is used. During a time slot in which the amount of data stored in the storage means is equal to or more than a certain amount, the data is transferred from the input unit to the recording / reproducing means at a transfer rate at which the amount of data storage in the storage means becomes less than the certain amount every predetermined slot period. In the data recording / reproducing apparatus, data is transferred, and in a time slot in which the data storage amount of the storage means is less than the fixed amount, data transfer from the input unit to the recording / reproducing means is not performed. How to use time slots. 10. The method of using a time slot in the data recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, of the time slots allocated to the output unit in the first step in the second step, the time slot in the output unit is used. In a time slot in which the data storage amount of the storage means is less than a certain amount, the recording / reproducing means outputs data from the output unit at a transfer rate at which the data storage amount of the storage means becomes equal to or more than the certain amount every predetermined slot period. Data is transferred from the recording / reproducing means to the output section in a time slot in which the data storage amount of the storage means is equal to or more than the predetermined amount. How the device uses time slots. 11. The method of using a time slot in a data recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein in the second step, a time slot is provided between one of the input unit and the output unit and the recording / reproducing unit. A third step of performing processing that cannot simultaneously perform data transfer between the input unit and the output unit and the recording / reproducing means in a time slot in which it is determined that data transfer is not to be performed. A method of using a time slot in a data recording / reproducing apparatus, further comprising: 12. The method of using a time slot in the data recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the input unit and the output unit perform input / output of data that requires real-time processing. The apparatus further includes an asynchronous transfer unit that performs input / output of data that does not require real-time processing and transfer between the input / output unit and the recording / reproducing unit. In a third step, the input unit and the output unit are used in the second step. In the time slot determined not to transfer data between any of the units and the recording and reproducing means,
A method of using a time slot in a data recording / reproducing apparatus, wherein data is transferred between the asynchronous transfer means and the recording / reproducing means. 13. The method of using a time slot in a data recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said recording / reproducing means is a disk array system using a RAID technology, In the time slot determined not to transfer data between any of the input unit and the output unit and the recording / reproducing unit in the step,
Transferring data indicating a status from the recording / reproducing means to perform maintenance of the recording / reproducing means;
A method of using a time slot in a data recording / reproducing apparatus, wherein the recording / reproducing means performs at least one of reconstructing recording data of a failed hard disk. 14. The method of using a time slot in the data recording / reproducing device according to claim 8, wherein in the first step, a time slot is assigned only to the input unit and the output unit. How to use a time slot in a data recording / reproducing apparatus.