JP2000333286A - Information recording/reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information recording/reproducing device that can easily be connected to an information processor to transfer information, can hardly be lost despite of the small size and can easily be identified for left ear or right ear in the case of mount with respect to the information recording/ reproducing device that reproduces music information from an information storage device mainly storing music information. SOLUTION: The information recording/reproducing device is provided with two earphone type reproducing devices 2R, 2L of different shapes each of which incorporates a storage device storing music information such as singing and music and has a loudspeaker 80 reproducing the music information and with an information recorder 15 that receives the music information from a PC 1 and transfers the music information to the storage devices of the earphone type reproducing devices 2R, 2L contained in container sections 110R, 110L.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information recording / reproducing apparatus (including an apparatus for only reproducing information) capable of reproducing information stored in an information storage device, and mainly relates to information such as voice and music. Information recording / reproducing music information from an information storage device in which music information (hereinafter referred to as music information) is stored.
It relates to a playback device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an information recording medium of an information recording / reproducing apparatus for recording / reproducing music information, a magnetic tape, a readable / writable magneto-optical disk, a compact disk, a mini disk (hereinafter referred to as MD) and the like are generally used. However, with the recent improvement in semiconductor integration technology, a semiconductor storage device such as a large-capacity, small-size rewritable flash memory has attracted attention as a music information recording medium. Along with this, a music recording / reproducing device (music player) in which a semiconductor storage device is incorporated as a recording medium in a main body has appeared. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-134700 discloses a problem that the mechanical drive mechanism used in a conventional audio recording / reproducing apparatus has a limitation in reducing power consumption and miniaturization of the apparatus. An earphone that uses IC memory as a medium and incorporates a circuit, a power supply, and a speaker necessary for driving the IC memory and recording / reproducing of sound into a portion to be attached to an ear, and is stably operated with small size, light weight, and low power consumption. An audio recording / reproducing device having a shape is disclosed.

In addition, since the above-mentioned audio recording / reproducing apparatus does not use a recording medium such as a cassette tape or an MD for rotating to acquire information, it is not necessary to provide a rotation mechanism system and is resistant to vibration. In particular, MDs and the like have a problem of sound skipping due to vibration, and it is necessary to provide a buffer for preventing sound skipping in the device. It can be simplified and has advantages in cost.

[0004]

By the way, a magnetic disk device (hereinafter referred to as an HDD) built in an information processing device (for example, a personal computer, hereinafter abbreviated as PC).
), And music can be reproduced and listened to from a speaker or an earphone jack connected to a PC using music reproduction software. Music data is stored in WAVE (ADPCM format:
(Analog-digital pulse code modulation method) When stored as a file, for example, one minute of music requires a storage capacity of about 10 MB. Therefore, for example, MP3 (MPEG1 Audio) which is an international standard system of audio compression technology defined by ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
The music data is compressed to about 1 MB / 1 minute using ioLayer 3) or the like and stored in the HDD.

Since the storage capacity of music data can be reduced to about 1/10 by using this audio compression technique, recently, MP3 music stored in a HDD of a PC in a portable audio reproducing apparatus having a built-in flash memory or the like has been recently developed. It is becoming possible to transfer and store data and to reproduce and listen to it outdoors.

In order to use this portable audio reproducing apparatus, a PC in which MP3 music data is stored in an HDD is essential. The PC and the audio playback device are connected by a parallel interface (I / F), a serial I / F, or PCMCIA (Personal Computer).
Memory Card International
MP3 music data, which is connected by a PC card I / F or the like compliant with the Association standard and transferred on the PC, is transferred to a flash memory or the like on the playback device side using transfer software started on the PC. ing.

Here, consider the case where music data stored in the HDD of the PC is transferred to the earphone type audio recording / reproducing apparatus disclosed in the above publication and played back. Due to the physical shape and dimensions of the cables and connectors used in the interface, the earphone type audio recording / reproducing device is too small to be connected. Second, the earphone type audio recording / reproducing device is very small and easily lost. Third,
Since high-quality stereo reproduction can be obtained from music data compressed by MP3, two earphone-type sound recording / reproducing devices are prepared for both the left and right ears. There is a problem that it is difficult to discriminate between the right ear and the right ear. As described above, there are actually many difficulties in effectively utilizing the information recording / reproducing apparatus downsized to the earphone size.

An object of the present invention is to provide an information recording / reproducing apparatus which can be easily connected to an information processing apparatus to transfer information. Another object of the present invention is to provide an information recording / reproducing apparatus which is small and hardly lost. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an information recording / reproducing apparatus which can easily distinguish between a left ear and a right ear when worn on an ear.

[0009]

An object of the present invention is to provide an earphone type reproducing apparatus having a storage device for storing music information such as voice and music, a reproducing section for reproducing the music information, and an earphone type housing. A storage unit for storing the earphone-type playback device, and an information recording device for inputting the music information from the information processing device and transferring the music information to the storage device of the earphone-type playback device stored in the storage unit. This is achieved by an information recording / reproducing device which is a feature of the present invention.

In the information recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, the earphone-type reproducing apparatus for the right ear and the earphone-type reproducing apparatus for the left ear, which are different in shape from the earphone-type reproducing apparatus for the right ear, for stereo reproduction. An apparatus may be provided. Further, the information recording device may include a storage portion for the right ear for storing the earphone-type playback device for the right ear, and a storage portion for the left ear for storing the earphone-type playback device for the left ear. . Further, the storage section for the right ear has a shape that cannot store the earphone-type playback device for the left ear, and the storage section for the left ear has a shape that cannot store the earphone-type playback device for the right ear. You may make it do.

According to the information recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, an earphone-type reproducing apparatus for reproducing music information and an information recording apparatus for transferring music information taken from the information processing apparatus to the earphone-type reproducing apparatus are separately provided. With this configuration, there is no need to directly connect a small earphone-type playback device to the information processing device, and information can be easily transferred by connecting to the information processing device via the information recording device.

According to the information recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, since the information recording apparatus is provided with the storage section for storing the earphone-type reproduction apparatus, the storage section is used when the earphone-type reproduction apparatus is not used. , It is possible to prevent the small earphone-type playback device from being lost.

Further, in the information recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, the earphone type reproducing apparatus for the right ear and the earphone type reproducing apparatus for the left ear have different shapes. Can be easily identified. Further, in the information recording device, a storage portion for the right ear for storing the earphone type playback device for the right ear, and a storage portion for the left ear for storing the earphone type playback device for the left ear are separately provided. The storage section has a shape in which the left-ear earphone-type playback device cannot be stored, and the storage section for the left ear has a shape in which the right-ear earphone-type playback device cannot be stored. When the playback device is taken out of the storage portion and attached to the ear, it becomes easier to identify whether the playback device is for the left ear or the right ear.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An information recording / reproducing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
Shows the external shape of the information recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present embodiment and its use state. The configuration of the information recording / reproducing device according to the present embodiment is roughly divided into two earphone-type reproducing devices 2R and 2L and an information recording device 15 that can accommodate the earphone-type reproducing devices 2R and 2L. FIG. 1 (a)
Information recording device 15 main body and PC 1 as information processing device
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a connection state between the information recording device 15 and
FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the right-ear earphone type playback device 2R as viewed from the speaker, and FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the left-ear earphone playback device 2L as viewed from the side opposite to the speaker side. FIG.

The earphone type playback devices 2R and 2L shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C are respectively attached to both ears of a user and stored in a storage device (not shown) disposed inside the device. The reproduced music data can be output from the earphone / speaker 80. Speaker 8
On the opposite side of the audio output direction 0, for example, a cylindrical housing 100 is provided, and on the bottom surface of the housing 100, a switch 46 for turning on / off the power of the apparatus, changing the music to be played, and the like are provided. ing. The switch 46 may adopt various forms. For example, the function of the switch 46 may be changed cyclically every time a user touches the switch 46 with a touch sensor, or The function may be cyclically changed every time the switch 46 is pressed by lightly touching the finger with a mechanical switch.

On the side surface of the cylindrical housing 100,
A connector terminal 104 used for power supply from the information recording device 15 or transfer of music data is attached. Further, on a side surface of the cylindrical housing 100, a key 10 projecting in a rod shape substantially in parallel with the center line of the cylinder is provided.
2, 102 'are formed. The cross-sectional shape of the key 102 provided in the right-ear earphone-type playback device 2R in a direction orthogonal to the cylindrical center line, and the direction orthogonal to the cylindrical center line of the key 102 ′ in the left-ear earphone-type playback device 2L. Are formed differently. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the cross-sectional shape of the key 102 of the right-ear earphone-type playback device 2R is a rectangular shape whose width is longer than the height from the housing 100, while the left-ear earphone-type playback device 2R is
The cross-sectional shape of the L key 102 ′ has a rectangular shape whose height from the housing 100 is higher than that of the key 102 of the earphone-type playback device 2R for the right ear and whose width is shorter than that.

On the side surface of the housing 100, there is provided a display 36 made of, for example, an LED (light emitting diode). Although the display 36 cannot be visually recognized when worn on the ear, the earphone type playback device 2R,
When operating the switch 46 with 2L in hand,
It has the advantage that the power on / off state and music playback state can be checked.

The information recording device 15 has a lid which can be opened and closed in the same shape as a general cosmetic compact. When the lid is closed, for example, the length and width are 80 mm × 70 mm.
It has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with a thickness of 10 to 15 mm and a weight of about 20 to 50 g. Therefore, it can be easily and reliably stored in a bag or a pocket of women's clothing, and has a size that fits in the palm of the hand when held in the hand.

FIG. 1A shows a state in which the lid of the information recording device 15 is opened, and a concave shape in which the earphone type reproducing devices 2R and 2L can be inserted and stored from the housing 100 side, respectively, on the open surface. Storage units 110R and 110L, a display 6 composed of a liquid crystal display device and the like, and an information recording device 15
A switch 16 for changing the state or operation of the switch is arranged. The information recording device 15 is connected to the PC 1 and
It has a function of transferring the music data of MP3 stored in the DD (not shown) to the storage device built in the earphone type playback devices 2R and 2L. The connection with PC1 can be made by P
CMCIA compliant PC card interface and USB
(Universal Serial Bus) or various interfaces such as IEEE1394 can be adopted. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the PC 1 has a PC card slot 112, and the information recording device 15 is connected with an attached cable and a PC card 114.

Key grooves (not shown) corresponding to the keys 102 and 102 'provided on the housings 100 of the earphone type reproducing devices 2R and 2L are formed on the side surfaces of the concave portions of the storage portions 110R and 110L, respectively. Therefore, the left-ear earphone-type playback device 2R cannot be stored in the right-ear storage portion 110R, and similarly, the right-ear earphone-type playback device 2R cannot be stored in the left-ear storage portion 110L. Has become.

When the earphone-type reproducing devices 2R and 2L are respectively fitted in the concave side surfaces of the storage portions 110R and 110L, the connector terminals 104 on the side surface of the housing 100 of the earphone-type reproducing devices 2R and 2L are electrically connected. A connector terminal (not shown) to be connected is formed. By the electrical connection between the connector terminals, it is possible to supply power or transfer music data from the information recording device 15 to the earphone-type reproducing devices 2R and 2L. Also, the earphone type playback devices 2R, 2L,
Alternatively, the material of the housing of the information recording device 15 is made of a material whose color changes depending on, for example, the environment (for example, temperature).

Next, the configuration of the information recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a system block diagram showing a schematic configuration inside the information recording device 15. As shown in FIG. 2, the information recording device 15 has a first input / output interface 3 for transferring digital data to and from the PC 1.
For example, when the PC 1 has a PC card interface and a PC card slot, the first input / output interface 3 is connected to the PC card 114 shown in FIG.
Is stored inside. The PC card 114 is a PC on the PC1 side.
It has a 68-pin two-piece connector as a PC card physical layer interface physically connected to the card interface.

Further, the information recording device 15 transfers digital data between the two earphone-type reproducing devices 2R and 2L, and supplies charging power to the earphone-type reproducing devices 2R and 2L. It has two input / output interfaces 4. The second input / output interface 4
It has a physical layer interface composed of a multi-pin connector that is physically connected to the two earphone type playback devices 2R and 2L. This physical layer interface is actually a connector terminal provided on the side surface of the concave portion of the storage units 110R and 110L of the information recording device 15.

A signal line 50 is connected between the first and second input / output interfaces 3 and 4. In FIG. 2, the signal line 50 is shown by one solid line for convenience, but shows an aggregate of a plurality of signal lines. The same configuration applies to other signal lines described hereinafter. This signal line 5
At least a part of 0 is branched and connected to the system control unit 7 as a signal line 52. The system control unit 7
The first and second input / output interfaces 3 and 4 are controlled via a signal line 52. The system control unit 7 transmits / receives data to / from the PC 1 via the first input / output interface 3, or transmits / receives data to / from the two earphone type playback devices 2 via the second input / output interface 4.
The right music data and the left music data corresponding to R and 2L can be transferred. Further, under the control of the system control unit 7, the first and second input / output interfaces 3, 4 are directly connected via the signal line 50, and the PC 1 and the two earphone type playback devices 2 are connected.
Data can be directly transferred between R and 2L.

As described above, the signal lines 50 and 52 are connected to PC1,
Earphone type playback device 2R, 2L, and system control unit 7
It functions as a data / address bus line through which a data signal or an address signal to be transferred is transmitted. The signal line 52 also has a control signal line through which a control signal for controlling the first and second input / output interfaces 3 and 4 is transmitted. The system control unit 7
In addition to the control of the first and second input / output interfaces 3 and 4, the control of each circuit in the information recording device 15 is also performed.

The information recording device 15 has a display 6 composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device. The display 6 is electrically connected to the display control unit 5 and displays, for example, the title of the MP3 music data transferred from the PC 1 to the storage device in the earphone-type playback devices 2R and 2L, the remaining battery level, and the like. Has become. The system control unit 7 sends information such as a song title included in the music data transferred from the PC 1 to the display control unit 5, and necessary information is displayed on the display 6 via the indication control unit 5. The liquid crystal display device is controlled as described above.

The information recording device 15 has a DSP (digital signal processor) 8 and a codec 9 used for compressing / expanding an audio signal. The audio DSP 8 is controlled by the system control unit 7 through a signal line 54. The codec 9 is also controlled by the system control unit 7 through a signal line 56. The DSP 8 and the codec 9 are also connected by a signal line 58. These signal lines 54, 56, and 58 have data / address bus lines for transmitting and receiving music data signals or address signals between the system control unit 7, the DSP 8, and the codec 9.

The output terminal of the codec 9 is connected to the input / output terminal 14. The codec 9 includes a D / A (digital-analog) converter and an A / D converter so that music data can be output as analog data from the input / output terminal 14 and conversely, analog music data can be input and converted into digital data. / D (analog-digital) converter. The DSP 8 includes a sound ROM for reproducing MIDI and an effect D for processing Windows WAVE files by echo processing or the like.
Although a RAM and the like are connected, illustration is omitted.

The music data received by the system control unit 7 via the signal line 52 at the time of reproducing the music is transmitted to the DSP via the signal line 54 if the music data is compressed by MP3 or the like.
8 to perform the decompression process. The decompressed music data is sent to the codec 9 via the signal line 58 and output from the input / output terminal 14 as an analog music signal. Music data that has not been subjected to compression processing is directly input from the system control unit 7 to the codec 9 via the signal line 56, and is output from the input / output terminal 14 as an analog music signal. Therefore, if headphones or the like are connected to the input-side terminal of the input / output terminal 14, music reproduced from the information recording device 15 can be heard.

Next, the case where analog music data input to the input / output terminal 14 is recorded will be briefly described. First, the input music data is converted into digital data by the codec 9 and then sent to the DSP 8 via the signal line 58 when recording by performing data compression. DSP
The music data sent to 8 is subjected to compression processing based on, for example, MP3, and then sent to the system control unit 7 through the signal line 54. When recording as uncompressed data,
The system controller 7 directly from the signal line 56 without passing through the DSP 8
The data is output to The music data for recording sent to the system control unit 7 is controlled by the system control unit 7.
The PC 1 or the earphone type playback device 2R, 2R,
L and recorded.

A signal from a control switch 16 used by a user of the information recording device 15 is input to the system control unit 7. The control switch 16 is, for example, a mechanical switch provided outside the housing of the information recording device 15. The control switch 16 can be provided with various switching functions as needed. For example, the power of the information recording device 15 is switched on / off, the music data to be transferred to the earphone-type playback devices 2R and 2L is converted from the first interface 3 to the music data on the PC 1 side, or the input / output terminal 14 A signal for switching whether or not to use the analog music data on the side can be sent to the system control unit 7. The system control unit 7
Each circuit is controlled by receiving a signal from the control switch 16.

Next, the power supply of the information recording device 15 will be described. The information recording device 15 has a built-in secondary battery 11 for supplying power to each circuit in the information recording device 15. As the secondary battery 11, a nickel-metal hydride battery, lithium ion, or the like can be used. The information recording device 15 also has a built-in charging circuit 10 for charging the secondary battery 11. The charging circuit 10 is connected to the power supply line 60 and to the external AC adapter terminal 13. A predetermined voltage can be applied to the charging circuit 10 from an external power supply via the external AC adapter terminal 13 to charge the secondary battery 11.

The secondary battery 11 is capable of applying a voltage of, for example, 2.4 V to each circuit while being charged by the charging circuit 10. The output terminal of the secondary battery 11 is also connected to the booster circuit 12.
To 3.3 V can be applied to each circuit. The output voltage from the booster circuit 12 is also connected to a predetermined terminal of the second input / output interface 4 so that the output voltage is used as a power supply for charging the secondary battery 41 incorporated in the earphone-type playback devices 2R and 2L. Has become.

Next, the schematic configuration of the earphone type playback devices 2R and 2L will be described. Earphone type playback devices 2R and 2
L has basically the same circuit configuration.
Representatively, a schematic configuration inside the earphone type playback device 2R is shown in a system block diagram. As shown in FIG. 3, the earphone type playback device 2R (or 2L, hereinafter “2R,
2L ”) has an input / output interface 44 for transferring digital data to and from the information recording device 15. The input / output interface 44 is connected to the second input / output interface 4 of the information recording device 15 and is mainly used for storing music data transferred from the information recording device 15 in the storage device 90. The input / output interface 44 has a physical layer interface including a multi-pin connector that is physically connected to the second input / output interface 4 of the information recording device 15. This physical layer interface is actually a connector terminal 104 provided on the side surface of the housing 100 of the earphone type playback devices 2R and 2L.

The input / output interface 44 and the storage device 9
0 is connected by a signal line 70. At least a part of the signal line 70 is branched and connected to the system control unit 37 as a signal line 72. The system control unit 37
The input / output interface 44 and the storage device 90 are controlled via the signal line 72. Under the control of the system control unit 37, the MP3 music data input from the input / output interface 44 via the signal line 70 can be directly transferred to the storage device 90.

The signal lines 70 and 72 function as data / address bus lines through which a data signal or an address signal to be transferred between the information recording device 15 and the storage device 90 and the system control unit 37 flows. . Also,
The signal line 72 also has a control signal line through which a control signal for controlling the input / output interface 44 is transmitted.
The system control unit 37 controls the input / output interface 44 and the storage device 90, and also controls the earphone type playback device 2R,
It also controls each circuit in 2L.

Further, the earphone type playback devices 2R and 2L have a transmission / reception device 82 for grasping the mutual state. Each system control unit 37 includes a transmitting / receiving device 82
By communicating with the other party, the music information on the left and right of the speakers 80 of the two earphone-type playback devices 2R and 2L can be played back in synchronization from the start to the end of the music playback.

Each of the earphone-type reproducing devices 2R and 2L has a display 36 composed of, for example, an LED (light emitting diode). The system control unit 37 controls the display control unit 35 to turn on the display 36 when the power is turned on or during music playback.

The earphone type playback devices 2R and 2L have an audio DSP 38 and a codec 39. The audio DSP 38 is controlled by the system controller 37 via a signal line 74. The codec 39 is also controlled by the system control unit 37 via the signal line 76. Then, the DSP 38 and the codec 39
Are also connected by a signal line 78. These signal lines 7
4, 76, 78 are the system control unit 37 and the DSP 38,
It has a data / address bus line for transmitting and receiving music data signals or address signals to and from the codec 39.

The output terminal of the codec 39 is connected to a speaker 80. Music data is reproduced from the speaker 80 as analog data. Note that the DSP 38 is connected to a sound ROM for reproducing MIDI, an effect DRAM for processing a WAVE file by echo processing or the like, but is not shown.

The music data received by the system control unit 37 from the storage device 90 via the signal line 72 when the music is reproduced is sent to the DSP 38 via the signal line 74 if the music data has been compressed by MP3 or the like. The decompression process is performed. The decompressed music data is sent to a codec 39 via a signal line 78 and converted into analog data.
The music is reproduced from the speaker 80. Music data that has not been subjected to the compression processing is directly input from the system control unit 37 to the codec 39 via the signal line 76 and reproduced by the speaker 80.

A signal from a control switch 46 used by a user of the earphone type playback devices 2R and 2L is input to the system control unit 37. Control switch 4
Reference numeral 6 denotes a switch provided outside the housing of the earphone type playback devices 2R and 2L. The control switch 46 can have various switching functions as needed. For example, the power of the earphone-type playback devices 2R and 2L is switched on / off, and the earphone-type playback devices 2R and 2L are switched on and off.
A signal for selecting music data to be reproduced by L can be transmitted to the system control unit 37. The system control unit 37 receives a signal from the control switch 46 and controls each circuit.

Next, the power supply of the earphone type playback devices 2R and 2L will be described. The earphone type playback devices 2R and 2L have a built-in secondary battery 41 for supplying power to each circuit. As the secondary battery 41, a nickel hydride battery, lithium ion, or the like can be used. Also, 2
A charging circuit 40 for charging the secondary battery 41 is also provided. The charging circuit 40 is connected to the power supply line 61 and to the charging terminal 43. A predetermined voltage can be applied from the information recording device 15 to the charging circuit 40 via the charging terminal 43 to charge the secondary battery 41. The secondary battery 41 can apply a predetermined voltage of, for example, 3.3 V to each circuit via the boosting circuit 42 while being charged by the charging circuit 40.

Next, the operation of the information recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described again with reference to FIGS. First, the PC card 1 of the information recording device 15 shown in FIG.
14 is inserted into the PC card slot 112 of PC1,
The operation in a state where the earphone type playback devices 2R and 2L are stored in the storage units 110R and 110L of the information recording device 15, respectively, will be described.

The first input / output interface 3 of the information recording device 15 performs, for example, error detection / protocol processing of a data signal input from the PC 1 and controls for the PC 1 to recognize the information recording device 15 as a device. Go. At this time, the first input / output interface 3 transmits data sent from the system control unit 7 to the PC 1 in order to realize a control procedure between the system control unit 7 and the PC 1 via the first input / output interface 3. PC
Convert to data suitable for MCIA interface.
The first input / output interface 3 converts data and commands sent from the PC 1 and converted into parallel data through the first input / output interface 3 into a format that can be interpreted by the system control unit 7. To convert to an electrical interface suitable for

The second input / output interface 4 controls the system controller 7 to recognize the earphone type playback devices 2R and 2L as devices. At this time, the second
The input / output interface 4 transmits the data transmitted from the system control unit 7 to the input and output of the earphone type playback devices 2R and 2L in order to realize the control procedure between the system control unit 7 and the earphone type playback devices 2R and 2L. The data is converted into data suitable for the output interface 44. The second input / output interface 4 converts data and commands sent from the earphone-type playback devices 2R and 2L into a format that can be interpreted by the system control unit 7, and converts the data and commands into an electrical interface suitable for the system control unit 7. Perform the conversion process.

In this embodiment, the first input / output interface 3 is provided with a PCMCIA-compliant PC
Although the description has been made taking the case of having a card interface as an example, another PC card, for example, “Compact
Flash (registered trademark of SanDisk Corporation) "," Sm
all PC Card "," MiniatureCa
rd "," SmartMedia (registered trademark of Toshiba Corporation) "," MultiMedia Card ", and" Memory Stick (trademark of Sony Corporation) "are provided in the first input / output interface 3. Of course it is good. Alternatively, a USB interface or an IEEE 1394 interface may be used.

When the earphone-type playback devices 2R and 2L are stored in the storage units 110R and 110L of the information recording device 15, the system control unit 7 of the information recording device 15 and each system control in the earphone-type playback devices 2R and 2L are controlled. Device recognition information is exchanged with the unit 37. Then, at the same time as confirming the connection of the earphone-type playback devices 2R and 2L, a predetermined power pin in the connector of the second input / output interface 4 from the information recording device 15 and the charging terminal 43 of each of the earphone-type playback devices 2R and 2L. Then, a voltage is applied to the charging circuit 40 via the power supply line 61 and the charging of the secondary battery 41 is started.

Now, the PC 1 and the information recording device 15 as described above, and the information recording device 15 and the earphone type reproducing device 2
When the interface operation of R and 2L is completed, for example, MP3 stored in the HDD built in PC1 by music data transfer software started on PC1.
Select the music data. The music data of the selected MP3 is stored in the first input / output interface 3, the signal line 50,
Then, the data is recorded in the storage device 90 via the second input / output interface 4, the input / output interface 44, and the signal line 70 in this order. In addition to the music data stored in the HDD, it is of course possible to connect to the Internet using the communication function of the PC 1 and record and play back the music of the user's preference in an on-demand manner.

Next, the input / output terminal 14 of the information recording device 15
A case where analog music data is input from the input terminal of the earphone type and the music data is recorded in the storage device 90 of the earphone type playback devices 2R and 2L will be described. First, the input analog music data is converted into digital data by the codec 9. Next, data compression is performed by DSP8,
The second input / output interface 4 is activated via the system control unit 7 to output music data to the storage device 90 of the earphone type playback devices 2R and 2L. It is also possible to connect an earphone or the like to the output terminal of the input / output terminal 14 of the information recording device 15 to reproduce and listen to the music data from the PC 1 by the same procedure, but the description is omitted.

In the above operation, the system control unit 7
Controls the switching of the recording / reproducing mode from the user through the control switch 16 and the switching of the input source of the music data to the HDD of the PC 1 or the input / output terminal 14. Further, the system control unit 7 controls the display control unit 5 to cause the display 6 to appropriately display necessary information according to an instruction from the control switch 16.

During the above operation, a voltage is applied from the information recording device 15 to the charging circuit 40 via the second input / output interface 4 and the charging terminals 43 on the earphone type reproducing devices 2R and 2L. Then, the secondary batteries 41 of the earphone type playback devices 2R and 2L are charged.

Next, the storage unit 110 of the information recording device 15
An operation in a case where the earphone-type playback devices 2R and 2L are detached from the R and 110L, and the earphone-type playback devices 2R and 2L are attached to both ears of the user to play music, respectively, will be described. First, when the user operates the switch 46 of the earphone-type reproducing devices 2R and 2L to input a command to turn on the power of the earphone-type reproducing devices 2R and 2L, the respective secondary batteries 41 transmit the signals to the respective circuits. Power is supplied. At this time, control by the system control unit 37 is performed so that the function of the input / output interface 44 is substantially stopped. In addition, the transmission / reception device 82 functions to prepare for synchronizing the reproduction start of the left and right reproduction signals between the earphone type reproduction devices 2R and 2L.

By operating the switch 46, the music data recorded in the storage device 90 is reproduced. The reproduction of the music data is performed by MP3 from the storage device 90.
Is input to the system controller 7 via the signal lines 70 and 72, and then input to the DSP 38 from the signal line 74 to perform data expansion. Then, the codec 39 converts the analog data into analog music data via the signal line 78. It is converted and reproduced from the speaker 80. If the music data stored in the storage device 90 has not been subjected to compression processing such as MP3, the system control unit 37 outputs the digital music data to the codec 39 via the signal line 76 as it is. While the above operation is being performed, power is continuously supplied from the secondary battery 41 to each circuit.

As described above, according to the information recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment, the earphone-type reproducing apparatuses 2R and 2L for reproducing music information, and the earphone-type reproducing apparatus 2R Since the information recording device 15 for transferring to 2L is configured separately, there is no need to directly connect the small earphone-type reproducing devices 2R and 2L to the PC1, and it is necessary to connect the small earphone-type reproducing devices 2R and 2L to the TPC1 via the information recording device 15. Music information can be easily transferred.

Further, since the information recording device 15 is provided with the storage portions 110R and 110L for storing the earphone type reproduction devices 2R and 2L, the storage portions 110R and 110L are used when the earphone type reproduction devices 2R and 2L are not used. 110L, the small earphone type playback device 2R, 2
L can be prevented from being lost.

Further, an earphone type playback device 2R for the right ear
Since the shape is different from that of the left-ear earphone-type playback device 2L, it is easy to distinguish between the left-ear earphone and the right-ear ear when attached to the ear. In the information recording device 15,
A right ear storage unit 110R that stores the right earphone-type playback device 2R and a left ear storage unit 110L that stores the left ear earphone-type playback device 2L are separately provided. Has a shape in which the left-ear earphone-type playback device 2L cannot be stored, and the left-ear storage portion 110L has a shape in which the right-ear earphone-type playback device 2R cannot be stored. , 2L in storage section 110
When it is taken out from the R, 110L and attached to the ear, it becomes easier to distinguish between the left ear and the right ear.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be variously modified. For example, in the above embodiment, the secondary batteries 11 and 41 are fixed in the information recording device 15 and the earphone-type playback devices 2R and 2L. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the secondary batteries 11 and 41 are You may make it mount removably. When the secondary batteries 11 and 41 are made detachable, the spare secondary batteries 11 and 41 can be charged using an external AC adapter and a charger.

Further, dry batteries can be used instead of the secondary batteries 11 and 41. However, secondary battery 1
In order to use the dry batteries 1 and 41 together, it is desirable to provide a mechanism for stopping the charging function of the charging circuits 10 and 40 when the dry batteries are used.

Also, in the above embodiment, in order to correctly attach the left and right earphone-type reproducing devices 2R and 2L to the ear without mistake, the shapes of the keys provided on the earphone-type reproducing devices 2R and 2L are different. Use or information recording device 1
Earphone type playback device 2 by specifying the storage position in
The left and right sides of R and 2L are not erroneously identified. In addition to this method, a function of switching the left and right sides and allocating an appropriate sound reproduction signal to the left and right regardless of erroneous mounting may be incorporated. By mounting a gyro sensor or the like on the earphone type playback devices 2R and 2L, it is also possible to detect left and right. In addition, a determination unit that determines left and right recognition based on the motion of the head after wearing may be provided. Alternatively, the procedure of touching the switch 46 of the earphone-type playback devices 2R and 2L may include a procedure for left-right conversion. For a few minutes immediately after the switch is turned on, the left and right may be switched each time according to a simple operation such as shaking the head to the left and right, and the user may determine the correct left and right distribution and issue a determination command.

[0061]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily connect an information processing apparatus and transfer information to / from an information processing apparatus.
A playback device can be realized. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize an information recording / reproducing apparatus which is small and is not easily lost.
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize an information recording / reproducing apparatus that can easily identify whether it is for the left ear or the right ear when worn on the ear.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an external shape and a usage method of an information recording / reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information recording / reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information recording / reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 PC 2R, 2L earphone type playback device 3 First input / output interface 4 Second input / output interface 5, 35 Display control unit 6, 36 Display 7, 37 System control unit 8, 38 DSP 9, 39 Codec 10, 40 charging circuit 11, 41 secondary battery 12, 42 step-up circuit 13 external AC adapter terminal 14 input / output terminal 15 information recording device 16, 46 control switch 43 charging terminal 44 input / output interface 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 70, 72, 74, 7
6, 78 signal line 60, 61 power supply line 80 speaker 82 transmitting / receiving device 90 storage device 100 housing 102, 102 'key 104 connector terminal 110R, 110L storage section

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Kaoru Mikami 1-1-13 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Inside TDK Corporation (72) Inventor Yuyoshi Ito 1-13-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo FDC term in TDK Corporation (reference) 5D005 BB00 BB17

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An earphone-type playback device having a storage device for storing music information such as voice and music, a playback unit for playing back the music information, and an earphone-type housing, and containing the earphone-type playback device. And an information recording device for inputting the music information from the information processing device and transferring the music information to the storage device of the earphone-type playback device stored in the storage portion. Recording / playback device. 2. An information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said earphone type reproducing apparatus for the right ear and said left ear type reproducing apparatus for the stereophonic reproduction have different shapes from the earphone type reproducing apparatus for the right ear. An information recording / reproducing apparatus, comprising: the above-mentioned earphone type reproducing apparatus. 3. The information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information recording apparatus includes a storage section for the right ear for storing the earphone type reproduction apparatus for the right ear, and an earphone type reproduction for the left ear. An information recording / reproducing apparatus, comprising: a left ear storage section for storing the apparatus. 4. The information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the storage section for the right ear has a shape that cannot store the earphone type reproduction apparatus for the left ear, and the storage section for the left ear. Is an information recording / reproducing apparatus having a shape in which the earphone-type reproducing apparatus for the right ear cannot be stored.