JPH10285458A - Signal transmission device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To increase the number of output systems at a small space and at low cost. SOLUTION: A signal selected from among the input channels Ih by a plurality of input channels Ih to which input signals are respectively supplied and cross points xp respectively opened and closed at respective intersections of the input channel Ih and the plurality of output channels Oh. Output channels Oh for outputting the
And an output cascade channel CH _O for directly distributing and outputting the output of the output channel Oh, and an input cascade channel CH _I for receiving a signal from the output cascade channel CH _O of another router. The first and second output cascade channels CH _O are connected to the input cascade channel CH _I of another router.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a signal transmitting apparatus for selecting and transmitting a desired signal from a plurality of input signals such as a video signal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A so-called routing switcher (router) or video switcher is used as a signal transmission device for inputting a plurality of video signals and the like as input signals and selecting and outputting a desired signal from the plurality of video signals. Are present. In the following description, these are called routers.

FIG. 2 shows a basic configuration of the router.

The router shown in FIG. 2 uses a matrix switcher in which a plurality of switch elements (hereinafter referred to as cross points xp) are arranged in a matrix to select and output the input signal.

In the example of FIG. 2, the router 101 has N input channels (input channels Ih _{1 to} Ih _N ) and M output channels (output channels Oh _{1 to} Oh _M ). N × M cross points xp to connect / disconnect (close / open) signal lines between input / output channels
Is provided. Therefore, in this router 101, for example, when outputting a signal of the input channel Ih ₁ to output channel Oh ₃ may be closed crosspoint xp signal line output channels Oh ₃ and signal line of the input channels Ih ₁ (All other cross points are open).

Here, N × M like the router 101 is used.
Using a router with a configuration, for example, if the number of input channels is 2
In order to realize a router which is expanded to N and has M output channels (hereinafter referred to as a router having a 2N × M configuration), as shown in FIG. A router 102 is provided, and these routers 101 and 1
_One of the output channels of the router 101 or the router 102 may be selected from the output channels Oh _{1 to} Oh _M 02 (that is, the number of output channels is 2M).

That is, in the example of FIG.
By providing a selector 103 for selecting any one of the output channels corresponding to 1 and 102,
A router having an N × M configuration is realized. In addition,
In the example of FIG. 2, the router 101
Shows only the output channel Oh ₁ and the selector 103 ₁ selects one of the output channels Oh ₁ router 102. Therefore, the selector in the actual configuration is
The selector 103 ₁ to the selector 103 _M (the selector 103 from the selector 103 _{2 M} is not shown) will be the M presence of.

Further, in order to realize, for example, an increase in the number of output systems using a router having a 2N × M configuration as described above, it is necessary to select each of the M selectors 103 ₁ to 103 _M in FIG. The outputs may be distributed by the distributors 104, respectively. In the example of FIG. 2, a configuration example in which the number of output systems is doubled is given, and therefore, the distributor 104 corresponding to each selector is a two-way distributor. Therefore, the outputs DO ₁ and DO ₂ of the distributor 104 are the same signal.
In the example of FIG. 2, in order to simplify the illustration, only the distributor 104 ₁ corresponding to the selector 103 _1, distributor 104 ₂ corresponding from the selector 103 ₂ to the selector 103 _M
Shown from 104 _M are omitted.

FIG. 3 shows another configuration for realizing a router (router having a 2N × M configuration) in which the number of input channels is extended to 2N using a router having an N × M configuration as described above. Such a configuration is also conceivable.

In the example of FIG. 3, each of the routers 201 and 202 has N input channels (input channels Ih _{1 to} Ih _N ) and M output channels (output channel Oh) as in the case of FIG. _{1 to} Oh _M ), and includes a matrix switcher having N × M cross points xp for connecting / disconnecting signal lines between input / output channels, but different from the configuration of FIG. , The router 201 and the router 202 are cascaded.

That is, in the configuration of FIG.
1 of the M output channels Oh _{1 to} Oh _M
Are respectively connected to the M cascaded channels CH ₁ to CH _M. In cascade configuration of the router as shown in FIG. 3, for example in the case of sending a signal input channels Ih ₂ router 201 as the final output channel Oh _4, the signal lines of the input channels Ih ₂ of the router 201 And the cross point xp of the signal line of the output channel Oh ₄ may be closed, and the other cross points of the router 201 and all the cross points of the router 202 may be opened. Further, for example, a final output channel O signals input channels Ih ₃ router 202
When transmitted as h ₁ closes the cross point xp of the input channels Ih ₃ signal lines and the output channels Oh ₁ a signal line of the router 202, all cross other crosspoint and router 201 of the router 202 You only need to open points.

Further, in order to realize, for example, an increase in the number of output systems using a cascade-connected router as shown in FIG. 3, each output of the router 202 in FIG. What should be distributed by.
The example of FIG. 3 also exemplifies a configuration example in which the number of output systems is doubled, as in FIG. 2. Therefore, each distributor 204 corresponding to each output channel Oh _{1 to} Oh _M of the router 202 has 2 It is a distributor. Each output DO ₁ and DO ₂ of each distributor 204 is the same signal. In addition, also in the example of FIG.
For ease of illustration, distributor 204 ₁ shows only corresponding to the output channel Oh _1, output channel Oh ₂ ~ O
illustration of distributor 204 ₂ to 204 _M corresponding respectively to h _M are omitted.

In the configuration of FIG. 3, M cascade channels C between the routers 201 and 202 are provided.
Connector for connection of H ₁ to CH _M is not a connector usually divided into individual, using an integrated multi-connector, it is possible to save space.

In addition, as a method for expanding the number of input channels, a method shown in FIG. 4 can be considered in addition to the expansion method described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 shows an example in which the number of n input channels is extended to n × L.

[0015] In FIG. 4, routers 301 _1, inputs the number of channels is n number (input channels Ih ₁ ~Ih _n)
, A router having one output channel (output channel Oh), comprising a matrix switcher having n cross points xp for connecting / disconnecting signal lines between input / output channels, and for input expansion. connect the cascade channel CH _I and the signal line for the output channel and the signal line of the cascade channels CH _I as /
A cross point xp to be disconnected is also provided. In the configuration of FIG. 4, L stand router having the same configuration as the router 301 ₁ in total (router 301 ₁ from 301 _L,
However the router 301 ₃ to 301 _L is provided is omitted) shown, each router other than the router 301 ₁ 301 _2-30
Each of the 1 _L cascade channels CH _I is connected to the output channel Oh of the preceding router. Thus, the number of input channels, each input channel Ih ₁ router 301 ₁ ~Ih _n, each input channel Ih _n + 1 of the router 301 ₂ ~Ih _2n, each input channel of the router 301 ₃ Ih _2n + 1 ~Ih _3n ,... Are expanded to a total of n × L input channels.

[0016] In cascade configuration of the router as shown in FIG. 4, for example in the case of sending an input channel Ih _n-1 of the signal router 301 ₁ as the final output channel Oh is the router 301 of _the input closing the signal line of the channel Ih _n-1 and the cross point xp signal line output channels Oh, them to open all cross points of the other cross-point and the other router 301 ₂ to 301 _L of the router 301 ₁ I just need.

[0017]

By the way, in the arrangements of FIGS. 2 and 3 described above, in order to increase the number of output systems, a distributor is required for each of the M output channels. Has become. Providing a distributor for each of the M output channels is not preferable in terms of space efficiency and cost.

Further, in the configuration of FIG. 4, there is no realization example of increasing the number of output systems.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a signal transmission device that can increase the number of output systems at a small space and at low cost.

[0020]

A signal transmitting apparatus according to the present invention comprises a plurality of input signal lines and switch elements which open and close at respective intersections of the input signal lines to select and output the input signals. A plurality of output signal lines, a distribution output signal line for distributing and outputting the selected signal, and a plurality of distribution input signal lines to which the distributed output signal is input and connected to each output signal line. The above-mentioned problem is solved by cascading distribution output signal lines of a plurality of signal switching means provided and distribution input signal lines of other signal switching means.

That is, according to the present invention, when expanding the number of input channels of a router, by providing an output cascade channel in addition to a normal output channel, the output can be distributed without using a distributor. I have.

[0022]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a basic configuration of a router for realizing the signal transmission device of the present invention. In the example of FIG. 1,
Although the number of input channels is four and the number of output channels is two for simplicity of illustration and description, the number of input and output channels is not limited thereto, and may be larger. .

The router shown in FIG. 1 uses a matrix switcher in which a plurality of switch elements (cross points xp) are arranged in a matrix to select and output an input signal.

In the example of FIG. 1, the router 1 has four input channels (input channels Ih _{1 to} Ih ₄ ) and two output channels (output channels Oh ₁ and Oh ₂ ). , Connect the signal line between each input / output channel /
4 x 2 cross points x to be disconnected (closed / opened)
a matrix switcher having p. Therefore, in this router 1, when outputting a signal of the input channel Ih ₁ to output channel Oh ₂ is had by closing the crosspoint xp of the input channels Ih ₁ signal line and the output channels Oh ₂ signal lines (other All cross points are open).

In the configuration of FIG. 1, the number of the input channels is expanded by providing a router 2 having the same configuration as the router ₁ (the total number of input channels Ih _{1 to} Ih ₄ and input channels Ih _{5 to} Ih ₈ is 8). ). Incidentally, for example, in the router 2, in case of outputting the signals of the input channels Ih ₆ to the output channel Oh ₁ may be closed crosspoint xp signal lines of the input channels Ih ₆ and output channel Oh ₁ signal line ( All other cross points are open).

Further, in this embodiment, a router having a 4 × 2 configuration such as the routers 1 and 2 is used, and the number of input channels is eight and the number of output channels is two.
In order to simultaneously realize the increase in the number of output systems using the router having the 8 × 2 configuration and the router having the 8 × 2 configuration, the following configuration is provided. I have.

That is, each of the routers 1 and 2 in FIG. 1 has two input cascade channels CH _I1 and C 2 corresponding to the _two output channels Oh ₁ and Oh ₂ , respectively.
H _I2 and output cascade channels CH _O1 and CH _O2 are provided.
H _O1 and CH _O2 are output channels O of the router 1
The routers 2 are connected so as to supply the signals of h ₁ and Oh ₂ as they are to the corresponding input cascade channels CH _I1 and CH _I2 of the router 2. The output cascade channels CH _O1 and CH _O2 of the router 2 output the signals of the router 2. It is connected so that the signals of the channels Oh ₁ and Oh ₂ are supplied to the corresponding input cascade channels CH _I1 and CH _I2 of the router 1 as they are. The buffer amplifiers BA in the figure are provided for preventing signal backflow.

In the router of FIG. 1 having such a configuration,
For example the signal of the input channels Ih ₁ router 1, for example (if namely distribution output) when simultaneously outputting the two systems of output channels Oh ₁ and router 2 output channels Oh ₁ of the router 1, the router 1 is input At the same time as closing the cross point xp between the signal line of the channel Ih ₁ and the signal line Oh ₁ of the output channel, the router 2 opens all the cross points xp (that is, selects the cascade signal line). Thus, the output cascade channels CH _O1 of the router 1 from the output channel Oh ₁ of the router 1 along with the signal supplied to the input channel Ih ₁ of the router 1 is output from the output channel Oh ₁ Router 2 Then, the signal of the output channel Oh ₁ of the router 1 via the input cascade channel CH _I1 of the router 2 (that is, the signal of the input channel Ih ₁ of the router 1) is output.

For example, the input channel I of the router 2
The signal h _5, for example, output channel O of the router 2
When outputting simultaneously two systems of output channels Oh ₂ of h ₂ and the router 1 (i.e. the case of distribution output), the router 2 crosspoint xp signal line Oh ₂ output channel and the signal line input channels Ih ₅ At the same time as closing, all the cross points xp are opened for the router 1 (a cascade signal line is selected). Thus, from the output channel Oh ₂ of the router 2 with the signal supplied to the input channels Ih ₅ of the router 2 is output, the output cascade channels CH _O2 of the router 2 is the output channel Oh ₂ Router 1 And the router 2 via the input cascade channel CH _I2 of the router 1
Output channel Oh ₂ signals (i.e., signal input channels Ih ₅ of router 2) is to be output.

In order to realize this, FIG.
Each of the routers 1 and 2 in the above configuration always controls the opening / closing of the cross point xp so as to select the input cascade channel corresponding to the output channel when an input channel other than its assigned input channel is selected. ing.

That is, the above-mentioned input channel Ih ₁
Explaining with reference to an example of selecting a signal line of the output channel Oh _1, the input channel Ih ₁ is a signal assigned to the router 1, and the router 1 at this time is connected to the input channel Ih ₁ and the output channel. The cross point xp corresponding to Oh ₁ is closed. On the other hand, the other router 2
Controls the cross point xp so as to select the input cascade channel CH _I1 corresponding to the output channel Oh ₁ because the input channel Ih ₁ is not the signal assigned to itself.

Similarly, a description will be given with reference to an example of selecting the signal lines of the input channel Ih ₅ and the output channel Oh _2. The input channel Ih ₅ is a signal that is handled by the router 2. router 2 closes the crosspoint xp corresponding to the input channels Ih ₅ and output channel Oh _2. On the other hand, the other router 1
Controls the cross point xp so as to select the input cascade channel CH _I2 corresponding to the output channel Oh ₂ because the input channel Ih ₅ is not the signal assigned to it.

As described above, the crosspoint opening / closing control in each router does not have to be generated and output to each router, and only needs to be performed once for "controlling a certain input channel to a certain output channel".

As described above, according to the router of the present embodiment, the router having the 4 × 2 configuration is used,
In addition to realizing a router having the configuration, it is possible to increase the number of output systems without using a distributor as described in the above-described related art.

The router according to the embodiment of the present invention is used, for example, in a broadcasting station when editing a broadcasted program or a so-called commercial. The host computer in the editing room of the broadcasting station supplies the video material to the router as a signal of the input channel based on a predetermined editing program, and at the same time controls the signal switching in the router to perform the editing. .
Therefore, the control of opening and closing of the cross point in the router as described above is performed by a control unit (for example, a CPU: central processing unit) provided inside the router in response to an instruction from the host computer.

In addition, in the configuration of FIG. 1, if each router is designed to have two outputs, the outer shape of the connector for the output system becomes large, the size of the equipment becomes large, and the price of the connector increases. There is a possibility that the cost will increase. Therefore, the cascade connection connector shown in FIG. 1 is a multi-connector, which realizes a reduction in the price and an increase in space efficiency by reducing the size.

[0038]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, when the number of input channels of the router is expanded,
By providing an output cascade channel in addition to a normal output channel, the output can be distributed without using a distributor, so that the number of output systems can be increased with a small space and low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a basic configuration of a router according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a conventional router.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of a conventional router.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another configuration example in which the number of input channels is extended by a conventional router.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 2 router, Ih input channel, Oh output channel, CH cascade channel, BA
Buffer amplifier, XP cross point

Claims (3)

[Claims] A plurality of input signal lines to which input signals are respectively supplied, and a switch element for opening / closing at each intersection of the plurality of input signal lines, wherein A plurality of output signal lines for selecting and outputting an input signal; a distribution output signal line for distributing and outputting the signal selected by the plurality of output signal lines; Cascading the distribution output signal lines of the plurality of signal switching means and the distribution input signal lines of the other signal switching means, each having a plurality of distribution input signal lines connected to a plurality of output signal lines; Characteristic signal transmission device. 2. The signal switching means according to claim 1, wherein, when an input signal line other than the input signal line assigned thereto is specified, the signal switching means always selects a distribution input signal line corresponding to the selected output signal line. 2. The signal transmitting device according to claim 1, wherein the switching device performs opening / closing control. 3. The signal transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of output signal lines and the plurality of distribution output signal lines each include a backflow prevention element for preventing a backflow of a signal.