Abstract:
A waveform monitor comprises: means ( 35 ) for generating image data including at least waveform display data of a video signal; means ( 36 ) for displaying the image data; means ( 71 ) for generating moving image data compressed in a predetermined format from the image data; a converter ( 38 ) for packetizing the moving image data; and interface means ( 39 ) for outputting the packetized moving image data to a network. The waveform monitor can further comprise means ( 51 ) for converting a compressed video signal to uncompressed parallel data, the waveform display data is converted from the parallel data.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a waveform monitor capable of connecting to a network, more specifically, to the waveform monitor capable of compressing image data displayed on a display and outputting to the network.  
         [0002]     (Remote monitoring)  
         [0003]      FIG. 1  is a view for schematically explaining a video signal monitoring system. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the video signal monitoring system includes a computer  1 , a network  2 , and N waveform monitors  3 - 1 , ...,  3 -N. The computer  1  can remotely operate each of the waveform monitors  3  through the network  2 , and a software allowing such a remote operation is disclosed in, for example, Leader Electronics Corp., “FS 3019 (Products)”, internet &lt;URL: http://www.leader.co.jp/english/product/fs_3019_e.html&gt;to be mentioned later.  
         [0004]     For example, when the computer  1  instructs a certain waveform monitor  3 - 1  to capture an image displayed on a display of the waveform monitor  3 , the waveform monitor  3  sends a captured image in bitmap format to the computer  1  through the network  2  .  FIG. 2  is a view showing an example in which a button  4  for instructing to capture an image is displayed on a display of the computer  1 .  FIG. 3  is a view showing an example in which a window  5  displaying the captured image is displayed on the display of the computer  1 .  
         [0005]     (On-site Monitoring)  
         [0006]      FIG. 4  is a view for schematically explaining a flow of a video signal, for example, in a broadcasting station. As shown in  FIG. 4 , in a broadcasting station A, an MPEG-TS (Transport Stream) signal flows from a TS output device  11  to a digital modulator  12 ; the TS signal digital modulated, for example, to an ISDB-T (Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting-Terrestrial Transmission) format flows from the digital modulator  12  to an up-converter  13 ; and the TS signal further converted to a first predetermined frequency is transmitted from the broadcasting station A. Note that a device which outputs a DV (Digital Video) stream can be used instead of the TS output device  11 , and in this case, the DV stream signal is transmitted from the broadcasting station A instead of the TS signal. Although hereinafter, a case of a TS signal will be described, a signal compressed in another format, such as a DV stream signal, may be used instead of the TS signal.  
         [0007]     In a broadcasting station B, the transmitted TS signal is converted to a second predetermined frequency by a down-converter  21 , and this signal is further demodulated to a TS signal by a digital demodulator  22 . The TS signal output from the digital demodulator  22  is input to an analyzer  23 , where a transmission status of the TS signal is analyzed.  
         [0008]     The analyzer  23  can analyze a transmission status of a video signal compressed in MPEG format represented by a TS signal, and display analysis result thereof. Such an analyzer  23  is disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,774,497 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,650,719: Hoei Sangyo CO., LTD “DVStation (product information)”, internet &lt;URL: http://www.hoei.co.jp/japan/product/pixelmetrix/dvstation.h tml&gt;; and Tektronix, Inc., “MPEG Test System (Products)”, Internet &lt;URL: http://www.tek.com/site/ps/0, ,2A-14844-INTRO_EN,00.html&gt;,. However, the analyzer  23  cannot display a waveform of the video signal. Therefore, a user could not monitor the waveform of the video signal by using the analyzer  23 . In these circumstances, the user has been conventionally to further provide a decoder  24  and a waveform monitor  25 .  
         [0009]     The TS signal output from the digital demodulator  22  is also input to the decoder  24 , and an SDI (Serial Digital Interface) signal converted from the TS signal flows from the decoder  24  to the waveform monitor  25 . Such a decoder  24  is disclosed in, for example, a NTT Electronics Corporation, “HDTV Decoder HD1000 (Products)”, internet &lt;URL: http://www.nel-world.com/products/systems/hdtv_en_de.html&gt;to be mentioned later, and such a waveform monitor  24  is disclosed in, for example, Leader Electronics Corp., “LV 5750 (Products)” internet &lt;URL: http://www.leader.co.jp/english/product/lv — 5750_e.html&gt;to be mentioned later.  
         [0010]      FIG. 5  is a schematic functional block diagram of the waveform monitor  25 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the SDI signal is converted to parallel data by the converter  31 , and the parallel data is converted to the waveform display data by the generator  33 . The parallel data may be converted to vectorscope display data and/ or video display data by the generator  33 . The display data (for example, waveform display data, vectorscope display data and video display data) generated by the generator  33  flows to an image generator  35 , and the user can monitor data displayed on a display  36 .  
         [0011]     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the SDI signal is also converted to analysis data by an analyzer  32 ; the analysis data is converted to analysis display data by the generator  34 ; and the analysis display data flows to the image generator  35 .  
         [0012]     The image generator  35  combines the display data (for example, the waveform display data, vectorscope display data and video display data) generated by the generator  33  and the analysis display data generated by the generator  34  to generate one image (frame) data, and outputs it to the display  36 . The display  36  displays one image (frame) data. Thereby, the user can monitor the display data (for example, the waveform display data, the vectorscope display data and the video display data) generated by the generator  33  and the analysis display data generated by the generator  34 .  
         [0013]     Meanwhile, a controller  40  inputs a capture instruction from the computer  1  through the network  2 , an interface  39  and an IP converter  38 , and outputs the capture instruction to an image capturer  37 . The image capturer  37  inputs the same data as the image (frame) data inputted to the display  36 . The image capturer  37  generates still data in BMP format from the inputted image (frame) data according to the capture instruction from the computer  1 . The still data is displayed on the display of the computer  1 , thereby allowing remote monitoring.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]     When an image displayed on a display of a waveform monitor was remotely monitored, the image outputted from the waveform monitor was a still image in bitmap format. The image displayed on the display of the waveform monitor is generally a 24-bit image in XGA (1024×768 pixels) format, and has 18,874,368-bit (1024×768×24) information. Therefore, it took approximately 10 seconds for the computer to instruct to capture one image and receive the image from the waveform monitor. As a result, the computer could not timely remote-monitor the image displayed on the display of the waveform monitor.  
         [0015]     In addition, a video signal monitoring system was required to further include an analyzer and/ or a decoder to monitor a transmission status and/ or a waveform status of a compressed transmission signal (a TS signal, a DV stream signal, or the like).  
         [0016]     An object of the present invention is to provide a waveform monitor for timely remote-monitoring the image displayed on the display.  
         [0017]     Another object of the present invention is to provide the waveform monitor for timely remote-monitoring the transmission status and/ or the waveform status of the compressed transmission signal.  
         [0018]     Other objects of the present invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art by reference to claims, embodiments of the invention to be described later, and drawings.  
         [0019]     A waveform monitor of the present invention includes: means ( 35 ) for generating image data including at least waveform display data of a video signal; means ( 36 ) for displaying the image data; means ( 71 ) for generating moving image data compressed in a predetermined format from the image data; a converter ( 38 ) for packetizing the moving image data; and interface means ( 39 ) for outputting the packetized moving image data to a network.  
         [0020]     The waveform monitor may further include means ( 51 ) for converting a compressed video signal to uncompressed parallel data; and the waveform display data is converted from the parallel data. The waveform monitor may further include means ( 52 ) for analyzing a transmission status of the compressed video signal and generating analysis data; and the image data includes the analysis data.  
         [0021]     Further, a system of the present invention includes the waveform monitor, the network and a computer, in which the computer includes: means ( 94 ) for inputting the packetized moving image data from the network; means ( 93 ) for depacketizing the packetized moving image data; and means ( 91 ) for displaying the moving image data.  
         [0022]     Since an image outputted from a waveform monitor is compressed, a computer can receive the image substantially without damaging information as a moving image. Further, since the image outputted from the waveform monitor is a moving image, the computer can adequately remote-monitor the image displayed on the display of the waveform monitor. Other advantages will be apparent for a skilled person in the art by reference to claims, embodiments of the invention to be described later, and drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]      FIG. 1  is a view for schematically explaining a video signal monitoring system;  
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is a view showing an example in which a button  4  for instructing to capture an image is displayed on a display of a computer  1 ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a view showing an example in which a window  5  displaying a captured image is displayed on the display of the computer  1 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 4  is a view for schematically explaining a flow of a video signal, for example, in a broadcasting station;  
         [0027]      FIG. 5  is a schematic functional block diagram of a waveform monitor  25 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 6  is a view showing an example in which waveform display data, vectorscope display data and video display data generated by a generator  33 , and analysis display data generated by a generator  34  are displayed;  
         [0029]      FIG. 7  is a schematic functional block diagram of a waveform monitor  41  of the present invention;  
         [0030]      FIG. 8  is a view for schematically explaining a video signal monitoring system according to the present invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 9  is a schematic functional block diagram of the computer  1 ;  
         [0032]      FIG. 10  is another schematic functional block diagram of the waveform monitor  41  of the present invention; and  
         [0033]      FIG. 11  is a view showing an example displayed on a display  36  and a window in the display of the computer  1 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0034]      FIG. 7  is a schematic functional block diagram of a waveform monitor  41  of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the waveform monitor  41  includes a converter  31 , a generator  33 , an analyzer  32 , a generator  34 , an image generator  35 , a display  36 , an IP converter  38 , an interface  39  and a controller  40 , as in the conventional waveform device. Further, the waveform monitor  41  includes an image compressor  71  instead of an image capturer  37 .  
         [0035]     The converter  31  converts an SDI signal into parallel data; and the generator  33  converts the parallel data into waveform display data. The generator  33  preferably also converts the parallel data into vectorscope display data and/or video display data. Note that the generator  33  may generate other display data from the parallel data. The generator  33  outputs the display data (for example, a waveform display, a vectorscope display data and a video display data) to the image generator  35 . When the generator  33  outputs a plurality of display data, the generator  33  may combine the plurality of display data.  
         [0036]     The analyzer  32  analyzes a transmission status of the SDI signal, generates analysis data, and outputs the same to the generator  34 . The generator  34  converts (combines) the analysis data into analysis display data, and outputs the same to the image generator  35 .  
         [0037]     The image generator  35  combines the display data generated by the generator  33  (for example, the waveform display data, the vectorscope display data and the video display ) and the analysis display data generated by the generator  34  to generate one image (frame) data, and outputs it to the display  36  and the image compressor  71 .  
         [0038]     The display  36  displays the one image (frame) data, as in the conventional display (refer to  FIG. 6 ). As shown in  FIG. 6 , the waveform display (upper right), the vectorscope display (upper left), the video display (lower right), and an analysis result display (lower left) are simultaneously displayed as appropriate. However, the waveform display, the vectorscope display, the video display and the analysis result display are not necessarily displayed simultaneously. That is to say, when only a waveform display is selected by a user, the generator  33  generates only waveform display data; the generator  34  stops the function thereof; and the generator  35  inputs the display data (only the waveform display data) generated by the generator  33  as one image (frame) data and outputs the same to the display  36  and the image compressor  71 .  
         [0039]     Meanwhile, when the display  36  displays 60 images (frames) data per second, each of the generators  33 ,  34  and  35  outputs 60 data per second.  
         [0040]     The image compressor  71  inputs the same data as the image (frame) data inputted to the display  36 . The image compressor  71  generates moving image data compressed in a predetermined format (for example, an MPEG format, a DV format, an AVI format, a MotionJPEG format, or the like) from the inputted image (frame) data, according to capture instructions from a computer  1 , and outputs the moving image data to the IP converter  38 .  
         [0041]     The IP converter  38  conforms the moving image data compressed in a predetermined format to IP, and outputs the same to a network  2  through the interface  39 . The IP converter  38  generally packetizes data to be outputted, according to a TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) standard.  
         [0042]     An Ethernet is generally used as the interface  39 , and preferably the interface  39  has performance the same as or better than 100BASE-T. Although the network  2  is generally a LAN, the network  2  may be the Internet if the interface  39  has an Internet connecting function.  
         [0043]     The controller  40  inputs the capture instruction from the computer  1  through the network  2 , the interface  39  and the IP converter  38 , and outputs the capture instruction to the image capturer  37 . Specifically, the IP converter  38  outputs packetized capture instruction data from the network  2  through the interface  39 . The IP converter  38  further depacketizes the packetized capture instruction data, and outputs the same to the controller  40 . The controller  40  outputs the capture instruction data to the image compressor  71 .  
         [0044]     Although each of the generators  33 ,  34  and  35  has been herein described as a separate functional block, these generators  33 ,  34  and  35  may be configured as one CPU. Alternatively, each of the generators  33 ,  34  and  35  may be configured as one CPU. Further, the converter  31  and the analyzer  32  may also be configured as one CPU together with the generators  33 ,  34  and  35 . In addition, the compressor  71 , the converter  38  and the controller  40  also may be configured as one CPU together with the generators  33 ,  34  and  35 .  
         [0045]     By replacing at least one of a plurality of the waveform monitors  3  shown in  FIG. 1  with the waveform monitor  41  of the present invention, a system according to the present invention can be established. Preferably, all of the waveform monitors  3  shown in  FIG. 1  are replaced with the waveform monitors  41 .  
         [0046]     For example, a system, in which only the waveform monitor  3 - 1  shown in  FIG. 1  is replaced with the waveform monitor  41  of the present invention, will be described hereinafter.  FIG. 8  is a view for schematically explaining a monitoring of a video signal according to the present invention. A button  4  for instructing to capture an image is displayed on the display of the computer  1 , as in  FIG. 2 . When the computer  1  instructs the waveform monitor  41  to capture images displayed on the display  36  of the waveform monitor  41 , the waveform monitor  41  sends captured images to the computer  1  through the network  2  as moving image data compressed in a predetermined format. The computer  1  plays the moving image data in the window as in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0047]      FIG. 9  is a schematic functional block diagram of the computer  1 . The computer  1  includes a display  91 , a controller  92 , an IP converter  93  and an interface  94 . The controller  92  outputs data for representing at least one waveform monitor connected to the network  2 , and data for representing the button  4  for instructing to capture an image displayed on the display of the waveform monitor. For example, when the button  4  corresponding to the waveform monitor  41  is selected, the controller  92  outputs data for instructing to capture the images displayed on the display  36  of the waveform monitor  41  to the IP converter  93 . The IP converter  93  packetizes the capture instruction data according to, for example, the TCP/IP standard, and outputs the same to the network  2  through the interface  94  (the Ethernet, for example).  
         [0048]     Further, the IP converter  93  inputs the packetized moving image data from the waveform monitor  41  from the network  2  through the interface  94 . The IP converter  93  further depacketizes the packetized moving image data and outputs to the controller  92 . The controller  92  plays the moving image data on the display  91 .  
         [0049]     Although each of the controller  92  and the IP converter  35  has been herein described as a separate functional block, they may be configured as one CPU.  
         [0050]     Meanwhile, in a broadcasting station, for example, there exists not only an SDI signal but also a compressed transmission signal (a TS signal, a DV stream signal, or the like). Therefore, the waveform monitor  41  preferably processes the compressed transmission signal.  FIG. 10  is another schematic functional block diagram of the waveform monitor  41  of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the waveform monitor  41  inputs a compressed transmission signal at a converter  51  and an analyzer  52 , and inputs an SDI signal at the converter  31  and the analyzer  32 . Note that operations of the converter  31  and the analyzer  32  are similar to those described with reference to  FIG. 7 .  
         [0051]     The converter  51  converts the compressed transmission signal to parallel data, and outputs the same to the generator  33 . When a compressed transmission signal is selected by a user, the generator  33  converts the parallel data from the converter  51  to the waveform display data (and preferably vectorscope display data and/or video display data), and outputs the same to the image generator  35 . When an SDI signal is selected by the user, operation of the generator  33  is similar to that described with reference to  FIG. 7 .  
         [0052]     The analyzer  52  analyses a transmission status of the compressed transmission signal, generates analysis data, and outputs the same to the generator  34 . When the compressed transmission signal is selected by the user, the generator  34  converts (combines) the analysis data from the analyzer  32  to analysis display data, and outputs the same to the image generator  35 . When the SDI signal is selected by the user, the operation of the generator  34  is similar to that of the generator  53  described with reference to  FIG. 7 . Operations of other means are similar to those of the means described with reference to  FIG. 7 .  
         [0053]     When the compressed transmission signal is a TS signal, and the TS signal is selected by the user, and further, the waveform display, the vectorscope display, the video display and the analysis result display are selected by the user, the display  36  and the window in the display of the computer  1  display as shown in  FIG. 11 , for example. In  FIG. 11 , the waveform display is displayed in an upper-right portion, the vectorscope display is displayed in an upper-left portion, the video display is displayed in a lower-right portion and the analysis result (items defined by the ETR290 recommended by the ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute)) display is displayed in a lower-left portion.  
         [0054]     Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and a skilled person in the art can easily modify the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of claims of the invention.