KR20010050810A - Cassette adapter - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A cassette adapter is provided to easily listen to an audio source of a memory card, etc., by a cassette deck such as a radio cassette tape player without using a player in different structure and to simply use it as a portable recorder/player. CONSTITUTION: When an audio source of a semiconductor memory card(20) inserted into a memory card socket(18) of a cassette adapter(10) is listened to by a radio cassette player, etc., the cassette adapter(10) is inserted into a cassette deck(16) and information is read out of the semiconductor memory card(20) and supplied to a magnetic head(12) through an electromagnetic converting means(22). When the cassette adapter(10) is used as a player, headphones(24) are connected to an external output terminal(26) of the cassette adapter(10) and the information is read out of the semiconductor memory card(20) and output to the headphones(24).

Description

Cassette Adapter {CASSETTE ADAPTER}

The present invention can detachably mount a semiconductor memory in which digital data is recorded, and can be mounted in a wireless cassette reproducing apparatus, a tape reproducing apparatus mounted in an automobile, and the like to reproduce digital data of a semiconductor memory, and the data of the semiconductor memory alone. It relates to a cassette adapter that can play.

Conventional cassette adapters are known as means for listening to audio sources recorded on CDs (compact discs) or MDs (mini discs) using cassette deck playback devices or radio cassette tape playback devices of automotive audio systems.

1 is a view for explaining a case where a CD or MD audio source is listened to by a cassette deck playback apparatus or a wireless cassette tape playback apparatus using a conventional cassette adapter as described above. Referring to FIG. 3, the cassette adapter 72 is formed in a generally same shape as the tape cassette, and the cassette deck portion 741 of the radio cassette tape playback device 74 or the cassette of the car audio system 76 is described. It is formed in a structure mounted to the deck portion 761.

Phone plug 80 is connected to cassette adapter 72 via cable 78. The phone plug 80 is formed to be inserted into the headphone jack 821 of the CD player 82 or the headphone jack 841 of the MD player 84.

Otherwise, the phone plug 80 may be formed to be inserted into a line out jack (not illustrated) of the CD player 82 or a line out jack (not illustrated) of the MD player 84. have.

An electromagnetic conversion section (not illustrated) contacted by the cassette deck portion 741 or the recording / reproducing head (not illustrated) of the cassette deck portion 761 is provided in the cassette adapter 72.

When the audio source recorded on the CD is listened to by the radio cassette tape playback device 74 using the cassette adapter 72 as described above, the cassette adapter 72 is connected to the cassette deck portion of the radio cassette tape playback device 74. 741, the phone plug 80 is inserted into the headphone jack 821 of the CD player 82, and the CD player 82 and the radio cassette tape reproducing apparatus 74 are in the playback state.

Accordingly, the audio signal reproduced by the CD player 82 is sent out to the cassette adapter 72 through the headphone jack 821, the phone plug 80 and the cable 78, and the internal circuit of the cassette adapter 72 is disconnected. Through the electromagnetic converter, where it is electromagnetically converted. The signal obtained by the electromagnetic conversion is supplied to the magnetic head of the cassette deck portion 741.

The magnetic head converts the electromagnetic signal into a voice signal, and outputs the voice signal to the speaker of the radio cassette tape reproducing apparatus 74 through a reproducing circuit including an equalizer, an amplifier, and the like. Accordingly, the user can listen to the audio signal recorded on the CD with the radio cassette tape playback device 74.

When listening to the audio source recorded on the MD with the radio cassette tape playback device 74, the phone plug 80 is inserted into the headphone jack 841 of the MD player 84, and the MD player 84 and the radio cassette tape playback The device 74 is in the playback mode. As a result, the user can hear the audio signal recorded in the MD with the radio cassette tape reproducing apparatus 74 in the same manner as described above.

When listening to the audio source recorded on the CD with the car audio system 76, the cassette adapter 72 is mounted to the cassette deck portion 761 of the car audio system 76, and the phone plug 80 is the CD player 82. Is inserted into the headphone jack 821, and the CD player 82 and the car audio system 76 are in a playback state. Accordingly, the audio signal reproduced by the CD player 82 is sent out to the cassette adapter 72 through the headphone jack 821, the phone plug 80 and the cable 78, and the internal circuit of the cassette adapter 72 is disconnected. It is applied to the electromagnetic conversion unit through, the electromagnetic conversion in the electromagnetic conversion unit. The electromagnetic signal is supplied to the magnetic head of the cassette deck portion 761.

The magnetic head converts the electromagnetic signal into a voice signal and outputs the voice signal to the speaker of the car audio system 76 through a reproducing circuit including an equalizer, an amplifier, and the like. As a result, the user can hear the audio signal recorded on the CD to the car audio system 76.

When listening to the audio source recorded in the MD with the car audio system 76, the phone plug 80 is inserted into the headphone jack 841 of the MD player 84, and the MD player 84 and the car audio system 76 Becomes the playback mode. As a result, the user can hear the audio signal recorded in the MD to the car audio system 76 in a manner similar to that described above.

Such cassette adapters are disclosed, for example, in US Pat. No. 5,307,326 (Patent Date: April 26, 1994) filed by the applicant of the present invention.

Recently, a semiconductor memory consisting of a fresh memory (flash memory) can be detachably mounted, and the digital content data downloaded through a communication line such as an analog line, an ISDN (Universal Information Network) or a satellite line is stored in the semiconductor memory. A portable semiconductor memory recording and reproducing apparatus capable of reproducing digital content data from a semiconductor memory has been proposed.

Also as described above, similar to the CD player 82 or the MD player 84, the portable semiconductor memory recording and reproducing apparatus can be connected to a cassette adapter, and the digital audio data of the portable semiconductor memory recording and reproducing apparatus is car audio system. (76).

However, a semiconductor memory separated from the portable semiconductor memory recording and reproducing apparatus can be inserted into the cassette adapter, and the cassette adapter into which the semiconductor memory is inserted is connected to the cassette deck portion of the radio cassette tape reproducing apparatus 74 or the car audio system 76. The wiring line of the conductor between the cassette adapter and the portable semiconductor memory recording and reproducing apparatus can be omitted when the cassette adapter is made so as to be mounted on the cassette deck portion to reproduce the semiconductor memory.

A portable semiconductor memory recording and reproducing apparatus, which is formed in the same shape as the cassette adapter, is disclosed, for example, in International Patent Publication No. WO99 / 38115 (published: July 29, 1999).

However, the cassette adapter disclosed in the above-mentioned published patent alone does not have keys such as a play key, an AMS (Auto Music Sensor) key, and a stop key, and the cassette adapter alone can perform a play function. Can not.

Especially when used outdoors, a portable semiconductor memory recording and reproducing apparatus must be carried. However, when used in a car, the semiconductor memory is separated from the portable semiconductor memory recording and reproducing apparatus, and the semiconductor memory is inserted into a cassette adapter. Should be inserted into Therefore, three devices including a portable semiconductor memory recording and reproducing apparatus, a semiconductor memory and a cassette adapter must be carried.

In addition, even when the AMS (Auto Music Sensor) key or the stop key for program selection operation of the radio cassette tape playback device 74 or the car audio system 76 is operated, the program of voice data stored in the semiconductor memory installed in the cassette adapter is used. Select operation or abort operation cannot be performed.

In particular, in response to the operation of the AMS key for the selective operation of the radio cassette tape reproducing apparatus 74 or the car audio system 74, the rotational driving direction of the reel motor of the cassette, the scanning direction of the capstan motor, and Even when the contact of the magnetic head is controlled or the stop key is operated, voice data stored in the semiconductor memory installed in the cassette adapter cannot be read-controlled.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cassette adapter which can be controlled without using a radio cassette tape reproducing apparatus, a car audio system or the like.

In order to realize the above object, the cassette adapter according to the present invention generally has a housing which is formed in a substantially same shape as a tape cassette that can be mounted to a cassette deck, and a cassette deck portion or a motor vehicle of a radio cassette tape reproducing apparatus. The digital data recorded on the memory card installed in the cassette adapter is mounted on the cassette deck of the audio system, and has a structure including a signal receiver for receiving a control command from a remote control section.

In particular, according to the present invention there is provided a cassette adapter which can be mounted to a cassette deck having a magnetic head and a reel shaft.

A housing formed generally in the same shape as the tape cassette, the housing being mountable to the cassette deck;

A memory card socket into which a memory card for storing digital data can be inserted;

Signal processing means for reading digital data stored in the memory card inserted into the memory card socket and performing predetermined signal processing on the digital data;

Electromagnetic conversion means which is provided in the housing so as to face the magnetic head of the cassette deck, and which electromagnetically converts a signal subjected to predetermined signal processing by signal processing means, and supplies a signal obtained by electromagnetic conversion to the magnetic head;

Receiving means for receiving a control command transmitted from a remote control unit and relating to recording and / or reproducing of digital data stored in a memory card;

Control means for controlling the recording and / or reproducing operation of the digital data stored in the memory card based on the control command received by the receiving means; And

External output terminal which outputs the signal which predetermined signal processing was performed by the signal processing means to the exterior

It includes.

In use, the cassette adapter is mounted in a cassette deck such as a radio cassette tape reproducing apparatus, and the information of the semiconductor memory card inserted into the memory card socket is read out and reproduced by the signal processing means. The reproduction signal is then supplied to the magnetic head via electromagnetic conversion means. Therefore, the user can listen to the audio source or the like recorded on the semiconductor memory card with the radio cassette tape reproducing apparatus or the like.

When headphones or earphones are connected to the external output terminal of the cassette adapter, the information of the memory card inserted in the memory card socket is read and reproduced by the signal processing means, and the reproduction signal is supplied to the magnetic head through the electromagnetic conversion means, The cassette adapter can be used as a portable playback machine.

When using a cassette adapter, an audio source recorded in a semiconductor memory can be easily listened to by a radio cassette tape playback device or a cassette deck of a car audio system without using a player of a separate structure. In addition, a cassette adapter can be used alone. Audio source and so on.

In addition, the key operation can be selected using the remote control of a wireless / wired system, so that the cassette adapter can be suitably used according to the user's device usage method, and the key operation selection is provided on the cassette adapter body. There is no need to do it. Since no key is provided on the surface of the cassette adapter, the size of the cassette housing is not increased, and the tolerance described in the specification of the cassette can be maintained.

The cassette adapter is installed in the housing and further includes a generator that rotates in conjunction with the reel shaft of the cassette deck to generate power, the power generated by the generator being supplied to the electromagnetic conversion means and the signal processing means. Generators installed in cassette adapters have the advantage that they do not require batteries when the cassette adapter is used mounted on a cassette deck of a radio cassette tape playback device or a car audio system.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a conventional system incorporating an audio reproducing apparatus and a cassette adapter for reproducing voice data using a cassette deck.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the outline of a cassette adapter to which the present invention is applied.

3 is a block diagram of the cassette adapter of FIG.

4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an external appearance of a radio cassette reproducing apparatus.

5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a connection scheme of a cassette adapter and a remote controller.

FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram illustrating the wiring manner of a waveguide when the cassette adapter of FIG. 2 is inserted into the cassette deck in the first insertion direction. FIG.

FIG. 6B is similar to FIG. 6A but is a schematic diagram illustrating the wiring manner of the waveguide when the cassette adapter of FIG. 2 is inserted into the cassette deck in the second insertion direction.

7A is a schematic diagram illustrating the appearance of a car audio body.

7B and 7C are schematic diagrams illustrating the wiring manner of the waveguide when the cassette adapter is inserted into the car audio body in the first and second directions, respectively.

7D is a cross-sectional view of the car audio body with the cassette adapter inserted.

8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the appearance of a cassette adapter including a generator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the following detailed description and claims, the same or different objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are clearly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like parts or members.

A cassette adapter to which the present invention is applied is illustrated in FIG. 2 together with a cassette deck portion. Generally, the cassette adapter 10 is suitable for mounting to a cassette deck 16, such as a car audio system, and the cassette deck 16 has a pair of magnetic heads 12 for tape cassettes and a reel shaft 14 for tape cassettes. Has Cassette adapter 10 has a housing 101 that is formed in a generally identical form as a tape cassette.

The housing 101 has a socket 18 for a memory card that opens to the front end side 101A. The memory card socket 18 is detachably inserted with a semiconductor memory card 20 for storing information such as an audio source.

The semiconductor memory card 20 is composed of a nonvolatile memory represented by fresh memory.

The window 101B is formed in the middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the rear end side 101F of the housing 101, and the electromagnetic converter 22 is located in the housing 101 opposite the window 101B. The electromagnetic converter 22 electromagnetically converts a voice signal or the like reproduced by a signal read out from the semiconductor memory card 20 and supplies the electromagnetic signal to the magnetic head 12 for the tape cassette.

When the cassette adapter 10 is mounted to the cassette deck 16, the electromagnetic converter 22 and the magnetic head 12 are disposed to face each other.

The front end side 101A of the housing 101 is provided with an external output terminal 26 such as a phone jack to which the headphones 24 are connected. In addition, the battery 28 may be inserted into the housing 101 through the side end surface 101C of the housing 101.

The light receiving portion 30 that receives the remote signal in the form of infrared light or the like is provided at the center position of the surface portion 101D of the housing 101.

Otherwise, the light receiving portion 30 may receive the front end side of the housing 101 so that the cassette adapter 10 can receive the remote signal transmitted from the remote controller 32 even when the cassette deck 10 is accommodated in the cassette deck 16. 101A) or the side cross-section 101C, or the like, and in other cases, the cassette adapter housing itself may be formed translucent or transparent.

When the cassette adapter 10 is mounted to the cassette deck 16, the pair of holes 101E through which the reel shaft 14 protrudes through the housing position corresponding to the reel shaft 14 of the cassette deck 16 101 is formed in the thickness direction of the housing 101.

The remote controller 32 for transmitting various remote signals to the cassette adapter 10 includes a transmitter 321 for transmitting a remote signal in the form of infrared light of a code corresponding to various operation keys 34A, 34B, ... Include.

In the surface portion of the remote controller 32, operation keys 34A and 34B are intensively used for recording and reproducing voice data, fast forwarding or fast rewinding voice data, program selection (AMS) of voice data, and stopping. Is placed.

For example, when the playback key 34A is operated, a remote command signal for playback is sent out. When operating the AMS keys 34B and 34D indicating the program selection (AMS) operation of voice data, a remote command signal for the program selection operation is sent out. When operating the recording key 34E, a remote command signal for recording operation is sent out. When operating the stop key 34C, a remote command signal for the stop operation is sent out.

When operating by pressing the AMS key 34B or 34D continuously, fast playback starts.

The remote signal transmitted from the transmitter 321 is received by the light receiver 30 of the cassette adapter 10.

The system illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a wired remote controller 46 having the same control functions as the wireless remote controller 32 described above.

The wired remote controller 46 includes keys 46A to 46E, respectively, corresponding to the keys 32A to 32E of the wireless remote controller 32.

Since the wired remote controller 46 is connected to the housing 101 of the cassette adapter 10 by the waveguide 48, the remote command signal is transmitted from the transmitter 461 of the wired remote controller 46 via the waveguide 48. It is sent out to the adapter 10.

Various keys for various operations can be arranged in the housing 101 of the cassette adapter body, but if the cassette adapter 10 is fully inserted in the cassette deck portion at this time, the keys on the housing 101 cannot be operated. Thus, the cassette adapter 10 is controlled using a wired or wireless remote controller.

An internal circuit structure of the cassette adapter 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

The internal circuit of the cassette adapter 10 has a function of allowing the cassette deck 16 to listen to audio sources or the like recorded on the semiconductor memory card 20, and a portable reproducing apparatus (or portable recording and Other functions for use as a playback device. The internal circuit of the cassette adapter 10 includes a signal processing circuit 36 which can at least reproduce the information recorded in the semiconductor memory card 20 mounted in the memory card socket 18. The battery (secondary battery or primary battery) 28 supplies power to the signal processing circuit 36, the electromagnetic converter 22, and the like.

The signal processing circuit 36 includes a CPU 361 which controls the entire signal processing circuit 36 in response to a remote signal from the remote controller 32; Connected to the CPU 361 via the bus 362 and continuously reading (or data such as an audio source) the write data of the semiconductor memory card 20 inserted into the memory card socket 18 under the control of the CPU 361. The interface 363 to continuously record; Connected to the CPU 361 via the bus 362, and determining whether to allow reproduction of data such as an audio source based on code data relating to copyrights read from the semiconductor memory card 20 under the control of the CPU 361, and A code data processing unit 364 which permits reading and reproducing of data from the semiconductor memory card 20 only for data on which reproduction is permitted; A decoding section 365 for demodulating data such as an audio source output through the code data processing section 364; And a D / A converter 366 for converting the signal demodulated by the decoder 365 into an analog voice signal.

When the digital voice data stored in the semiconductor memory card 20 is compressed data, the decoder 365 may perform a decompression process corresponding to the compression process. Compression systems include ATRAC 3 (Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding 3), MP3 (MPEG Layer 3), ACC (Advanced Audio Coding).

The electromagnetic converter 22 and the headphones 24 are connected to the D / A converter 366 through amplifiers 367 and 368, respectively.

The remote control signal transmitted from the transmitter 321 of the remote controller 32 is received by the light receiver 30, converted into a command signal by a demodulation section 369, and supplied to the CPU 361. .

In addition, the remote control signal transmitted from the transmitter 461 of the wired remote controller 46 is connected to the jack through the waveguide, and is converted into a command signal by the demodulator 369 and supplied to the CPU 361.

When the audio source recorded on the semiconductor memory card 20 is listened to, for example, by a radio cassette tape reproducing apparatus using the cassette adapter 10 having the above-described structure, the semiconductor memory card inserted into the socket 18 for the memory card. The cassette adapter 10 having the 20 is mounted to the cassette deck 16 of the radio cassette tape reproducing apparatus 40 illustrated in FIG. 2, and the radio cassette tape reproducing apparatus 40 is in a reproducing operation state.

At this time, the magnetic head 12 (see FIG. 2) on the cassette deck 42 is in contact with the electromagnetic conversion device 22 of the cassette adapter 10.

In this state, the reproducing operation key 34A of the remote controller 32 is operated to transmit an infrared light type remote signal from the transmitter 321 toward the light receiver 30 of the cassette adapter 10.

In this case, when the lid member 421 of the cassette deck 42 is transparent, the infrared signal in the form of infrared light from the remote controller 32 passes through the lid member 421 and is received by the light receiving portion, and the demodulation portion ( Demodulated by 369, taken out to the CPU 361, and sets the signal processing circuit 36 to the reproduction mode.

Therefore, the CPU 361 reads the code data recorded in the semiconductor memory card 20 through the interface 363 in response to the reproducing remote signal, and outputs the code data to the code data processing unit 364. The code data processing unit 364 determines whether to allow reproduction of the audio source based on the code data. Only when the audio source is data that is allowed to be reproduced, the code data processing unit 364 continuously reads data of the audio source recorded in the semiconductor memory card 20 and outputs this data to the decoding unit 365. The decoding unit 365 decodes this data, the D / A converter 366 converts the analog voice signal, the amplifier 367 amplifies it, and outputs it to the electromagnetic converter 22.

The electromagnetic converter 22 converts a voice signal into an electromagnetic signal and supplies the electromagnetic signal to the magnetic head 12. Thus, the magnetic head 12 converts the electromagnetic signal into a voice signal, and the speaker 44 of the radio cassette tape reproducing apparatus 40 through a reproducing circuit including an equalizer, an amplifier, and the like in the radio cassette tape reproducing apparatus 40. To output a voice signal. Therefore, the user can hear the audio signal recorded in the semiconductor memory card 20 from the speaker 44.

When the audio source recorded on the semiconductor memory card 20 is listened to by the cassette deck of the car audio system, the cassette adapter 10 is mounted on the cassette deck of the car audio system, and the car audio system is in a reproducing operation state.

In this case, when the playback operation key 34A of the remote controller 32 is operated to send a remote signal from the transmitter 321 to the cassette adapter 10, the signal processing circuit ( 36) enters the playback operation mode. Accordingly, the audio source data read from the semiconductor memory card 20 passes through the code data processor 364, the decoder 365, the D / A converter 366, and the like and is output to the electromagnetic converter 22. The electromagnetic conversion means 22 is converted into an electromagnetic signal. The electromagnetic signal is fed to the magnetic head.

Therefore, when the voice signal obtained from the magnetic head is output to the speaker of the car audio system through the reproducing circuit of the car audio system, the user can hear the audio data recorded in the semiconductor memory card 20 in the car audio system.

In this case, the light receiving portion 30 of the cassette adapter 10 is in a state similar to that of the radio cassette tape reproducing apparatus 40 illustrated in FIG. 3 so as to receive a remote signal of infrared light transmitted from the remote controller 32. desirable.

Next, the use of the cassette adapter 10 as a portable playback device will be described. In this case, the semiconductor memory card 20 is inserted into the memory card socket 18, and the headphones 24 are connected to the external output terminal 26.

In this state, as described above, when the reproducing operation key 34A of the remote controller 32 is operated to transmit a remote signal from the transmitting unit 321 to the light receiving unit 30 of the cassette adapter 10, the signal processing circuit 36 Enters the playback mode, and the CPU 361 reads the code data recorded in the semiconductor memory card 20 through the interface 363 and outputs the read code data to the code data processing unit 364.

Thus, the code data processing unit 364 determines whether or not to reproduce the audio source on the basis of the code data. Only when the audio source is judged to be data that is permitted to be reproduced, the code data processing unit 364 continuously reads data of the audio source recorded in the semiconductor memory card 20 and outputs this data to the decoding unit 365. . The decoder 365 decodes this data, and the D / A converter 366 converts this data into an analog audio signal. The amplifier 368 amplifies the analog audio signal and outputs it from the external output terminal 26 to the headphone 24.

Accordingly, the user can listen to the audio source recorded on the semiconductor memory card 20 using the cassette adapter 10 itself as a portable playback device.

Although not illustrated, when the headphone 24 is connected to the external output terminal 26, the transmission of the audio signal to the electromagnetic conversion device 22 is cut off.

In the case of using the cassette adapter 10 of the present invention having the above-described structure, the user does not use a player of a separate structure, but uses a cassette deck of a radio cassette tape reproducing apparatus or a car audio system to the semiconductor memory card 20. You can easily listen to recorded audio sources. In addition to this, the user can listen to the audio source by using the cassette adapter 10 alone as a portable playback device, that is, a playback device dedicated to semiconductor memories.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the case where the cassette adapter is remotely controlled by a wired lead system without remotely controlling the cassette adapter as described above will be described.

The wire lead type wired remote controller 46 is installed separately from the remote controller 32 and is connected to the light receiving unit 30 of the cassette adapter 10 by an infrared waveguide 48 which can be made of an optical fiber, an analog line, or the like. Connect.

The surface portion of the wired remote controller 46 has various operation keys 46A and 46B for recording and playing back audio data, fast forwarding or fast rewinding the audio data, program selection (AMS) of audio data, stopping, and the like. Are intensively deployed.

For example, when the playback key 46A is operated, a remote command signal for the playback operation is sent out. When the AMS keys 46B and 46D indicating the program selection (AMS) operation of voice data are operated, a remote command signal for the program selection operation is sent out. When the recording key 46E is operated, the remote command signal for the recording operation is sent out. When the stop key 46C is operated, a remote command signal for the stop operation is sent out.

In addition, by pressing the AMS key 46B or 46D successively, fast playback starts.

Therefore, the remote control signal of the infrared light transmitted from the transmitter 461 in response to the operation of the operation key is transmitted to the light receiver 30 of the cassette adapter 10 through the waveguide 48.

The cassette adapter 10 of the above-described wire lead remote control system is a wireless remote controller (described above) in that the wired remote controller 46 is connected to the light receiving portion 30 of the cassette adapter 10 by the waveguide 48. 32), the operation in the case where the audio source recorded in the semiconductor memory card 20 can be heard by the radio cassette tape reproducing apparatus or the car audio system, or when the cassette adapter 10 can be used as the reproducing apparatus is described above. It is the same as one wireless remote controller 32.

Also, when the receiver 30 is completely hidden when the cassette adapter 10 is mounted to the cassette deck of the car audio system, the cassette adapter 10 of the wire lead remote control system is preferable.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the waveguide 48 of the wired wired remote controller 46 described above is detachably connected to the cassette adapter 10.

A mounting portion 50 to which the waveguide 48 is connected is installed in the cassette adapter 10. The mounting portion 50 is formed by partially cutting the housing of the cassette adapter 10 and allows the cassette adapter 10 of the waveguide 48 to be connected.

A coupling portion 54 into which one end of the waveguide 48 is detachably inserted is installed in the mounting portion 50. The coupling portion 54 and the light receiving portion 30 of the cassette adapter 10 are connected to each other by a non-illustrated waveguide.

The waveguide 48 has a plug installed at one end thereof, and a jack into which the plug can be inserted is installed at the coupling portion 54. The mounting portion 50 may be covered with a removable cover member, which is not illustrated.

If the recess is provided at the corner of the cassette adapter to provide a mount for connecting with the above-mentioned wired remote controller, the cassette adapter can be used in two different ways of use. In a typical cassette reproducing apparatus especially used in automobiles, the cassette adapter can be inserted in the transverse or longitudinal direction as illustrated in Figs. 6A and 6B. However, the mount allows the cassette adapter to be used in two different directions.

When using the cassette adapter 10 of the present invention having the above-described configuration, the wired remote controller 46 is attached to the cassette adapter 10 or separated from the cassette adapter 10 according to the use situation of the cassette adapter 10. Can be.

In addition to this, when both the wired remote controller 46 of the wire lead system and the remote controller 32 of the wireless system are provided, they can be arbitrarily selected and used according to the use situation of the cassette adapter 10.

7A, 7B, 7C and 7D illustrate another embodiment of the present invention. According to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C and 7D, when the light receiver 30 of the cassette adapter 10 mounted on the cassette deck of the car audio system is hidden, the cassette adapter 10 is a remote in a wireless form. It can be remotely controlled by the controller 32.

Referring to FIG. 7A, a cassette insertion opening 561 is formed in the front wall of the car audio system body 56. The cassette adapter 10 to be inserted into the cassette insertion opening 561 has an infrared light waveguide 58 detachably fixed to the upper surface portion. As illustrated in FIG. 7B or 7C, the waveguide 58 consists of a flat, narrow shaped optical fiber and extends in the insertion direction of the cassette adapter 10. One end of the waveguide 58 faces each other with the light receiving portion 30 of the cassette adapter 10. The other end of the waveguide 58 projects outward from the top surface of the cassette adapter 10.

Accordingly, a housing 101 having a waveguide 58 fixed in the manner illustrated in FIG. 7B or 7C is mounted to the cassette deck of the car audio system body 56 through the cassette insertion opening 561 illustrated in FIG. 7D. If so, the other end of the waveguide 58 projects outward from the cassette insertion opening 561.

Therefore, when the transmitter 321 of the wireless remote controller 32 is directed to the other end of the waveguide 58 and a remote signal of infrared light is transmitted from the transmitter 321, the remote signal enters the light receiver 30 through the waveguide 58. , An operation corresponding to the operation key can be performed.

Using the embodiment having the above-described structure, when the light receiving portion 30 of the cassette adapter 10 mounted on the cassette deck of the car audio system is hidden in the cassette deck, the cassette adapter (using the wireless remote controller 32) is used. 10) can be controlled remotely.

Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 8. The cassette adapter 10 illustrated in FIG. 8 has a generator for powering internal circuitry.

A pair of small generators 60 are installed around a hole 101E into which the reel shaft 14 of the cassette deck in the housing 101 of the cassette adapter 10 is fitted, and interlocked with the reel shaft 14 Rotate

The small generator 60 supplies electric power to the signal processing circuit 36 and the electromagnetic converter 22 which are internal circuits of the cassette adapter 10. Each of the small generators 60 includes a rotor 601 made of a permanent magnet that rotates in conjunction with the reel shaft 14, and a stator 602 provided to face the rotor 601. do. When the rotor 601 rotates, the voltage induced in the rotor 602 is rectified and converted into a constant voltage and supplied to the internal circuit of the cassette adapter 10.

In the case of using the cassette adapter 10 of the embodiment having the above-described structure, since the small generator 60 that rotates in conjunction with the reel shaft 14 is installed in the cassette adapter 10, the cassette adapter 10 is a radio. No battery is required when used mounted in a cassette deck of a cassette tape playback device or a car audio system.

If the rotational speed of the reel shaft 14 necessary for power generation of the small generator 60 is not sufficient, the gear train may be configured to transmit the increased rotational speed of the reel shaft 14 to the rotor of the motor. Speed increasing gears should be provided.

In addition, since the power generated by the small generator 60 can be charged in the built-in battery, when the cassette adapter is used alone by the radio cassette tape reproducing apparatus or the car audio system after charging for a predetermined time, The accumulated power can be used to play back the audio source.

In the above-described embodiment, infrared light is used for the remote control signals of the remote controllers 32 and 46, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and radio waves or electric signals may be used instead. When radio waves are used for the remote control signal, it can be applied to a cassette deck or the like in which the receiver of the cassette adapter 10 is hidden.

In addition, although the signal processing circuit 36 illustrated in FIG. 3 has described only the case of reproducing the audio source recorded in the semiconductor memory card 20, the present invention is not limited thereto, and data such as an audio source is semiconductor. Naturally, the signal processing circuit 36 is provided so that the memory card 20 can be written to.

The above-mentioned semiconductor memory card includes Sun Disk, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., as well as a memory stick (trade name) represented by the applicant of the present invention. And SD cards (trade name) manufactured by Toshiba Corporation, and multimedia cards manufactured by Sun Disk.

While specific embodiments have been used to describe preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that this description is for illustrative purposes only and that the invention may be modified and changed without departing from the scope and spirit of the following claims. .

According to the present invention, a user can attach a cassette adapter to a cassette deck such as a radio cassette tape reproducing apparatus so that an audio source or the like recorded on a semiconductor memory card can be heard by a radio cassette tape reproducing apparatus or the like.

In addition, by connecting headphones or earphones to the cassette adapter, the cassette adapter can be used as a portable playback machine.

In the case of using the cassette adapter of the present invention, an audio source recorded in a semiconductor memory or the like can be easily heard by a radio cassette tape reproducing apparatus or a cassette deck of a car audio system without using a player having a separate structure, and the cassette adapter alone You can also listen to audio sources, etc.

Also, since the key operation selection can be made using a remote control of the wireless / wired system, the cassette adapter can be suitably used according to the user's device usage method, and there is no need to provide the key operation selection to the cassette adapter body. Since no key is provided on the surface of the cassette adapter, the size of the cassette housing is not increased, and the durability described in the specification of the cassette can be maintained.

By installing the generator in the cassette adapter according to the present invention, there is an effect that no battery is required.

Claims (11)

A cassette adapter that can be mounted to a cassette deck comprising a magnetic head and a reel shaft, A housing formed generally in the same shape as a tape cassette that can be mounted to the cassette deck; A memory card socket into which a memory card for storing digital data can be inserted; Signal processing means for reading digital data stored in the memory card inserted into the memory card socket and performing predetermined signal processing on the digital data; An electromagnetic conversion provided in the housing so as to face the magnetic head of the cassette deck, and electromagnetically converting a signal subjected to predetermined signal processing by the signal processing means, and supplying a signal obtained by the electromagnetic conversion to the magnetic head. Way; Receiving means transmitted from a remote control unit and receiving a control command relating to recording and / or reproducing of digital data stored in the memory card; Control means for controlling the recording and / or reproducing operation of the digital data stored in the memory card based on the control command received by the receiving means; And External output terminal which outputs the signal which predetermined signal processing was performed by the said signal processing means to the outside Cassette adapter comprising a. The method of claim 1, A cassette adapter in which the memory card is made of nonvolatile memory. The method of claim 1, And the remote control is a wireless remote commander. The method of claim 1, And a cassette adapter, wherein said remote control is a wired remote commander. The method of claim 1, The receiving means comprises a jack connected to a waveguide of the remote control, The jack is provided in a recess formed in the corner portion of the housing Cassette Adapter. The method of claim 5, Regardless of the insertion direction of the cassette adapter inserted into the cassette deck, the cassette adapter is formed so that the waveguide can be connected to the outside of the cassette deck. The method of claim 1, And installed in the housing, the generator being rotated by the reel shaft of the cassette deck to generate power, Power generated by the generator is supplied to the electromagnetic conversion means and the signal processing means Cassette Adapter. The method of claim 7, wherein And a battery that accumulates power generated by the generator. The method of claim 7, wherein And the generator includes a speed increasing section for increasing the speed of the reel shaft. The method of claim 1, A cassette adapter, wherein the external output terminal allows connection of headphones or earphones. The method of claim 1, The cassette adapter is translucent or transparent.