CA1275500C - Mode processing circuit - Google Patents
Mode processing circuitInfo
- Publication number
- CA1275500C CA1275500C CA000539399A CA539399A CA1275500C CA 1275500 C CA1275500 C CA 1275500C CA 000539399 A CA000539399 A CA 000539399A CA 539399 A CA539399 A CA 539399A CA 1275500 C CA1275500 C CA 1275500C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- mode
- operation mode
- electronic apparatus
- final
- vtr
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B15/00—Driving, starting or stopping record carriers of filamentary or web form; Driving both such record carriers and heads; Guiding such record carriers or containers therefor; Control thereof; Control of operating function
- G11B15/02—Control of operating function, e.g. switching from recording to reproducing
Landscapes
- Television Signal Processing For Recording (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A mode processing circuit for a multi-operation mode electronic apparatus including a mode stack having a plurality of stages in which an input command signal is stored as an operation mode of the multi-operation mode electronic apparatus, wherein the operation mode inputted to the mode stack is sequentially stored and optimized and the optimized operation mode is read out from the mode stack in the sequential order and then executed after the transition of the operation mode is ended.
A mode processing circuit for a multi-operation mode electronic apparatus including a mode stack having a plurality of stages in which an input command signal is stored as an operation mode of the multi-operation mode electronic apparatus, wherein the operation mode inputted to the mode stack is sequentially stored and optimized and the optimized operation mode is read out from the mode stack in the sequential order and then executed after the transition of the operation mode is ended.
Description
MODE PROCESSING CIRCUIT
BAC~GROUND OF THE INVENTION .
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mode processing circuit for a multiple operation mode electronic apparatus such as a video tape recorder, a tape deck, a video disc player, a compact disc player and so on.
Description of the Prior Art Various operation modes, such as a playback mode, a rewind mode and the like are available i~ a known video tape recorder (hereinafter simply referred to as a VTR).
To change these operation modes, it is necessary to switch the VTR or to move its hrake and pinch roller into and out of engagement.
If a plunger is used to switch the mechanism, the change of the operation mode can be made substantially in a moment. The employment of the plunger, however, causes a large current to flow upon its actuation.
Also, in the normal operation mode, a current must flow continuously, requiring a large power supply circuit which consumes a large amount of power.
It is therefore proposed to employ a motor instead of the plunger. When a motor is used together with a qear mechanism, although it is small in size, the necessary driving power to switch the mechanism is generated. Further, the employment of the motor can reduce the power consumption and allow the power supply circuit to be small in size. However, when a motor is used to switch ,he mechanism, the transition (switching) of its mode takes a lot of time. ~or example, it takes about 2 seconds for the VTR to change ~rom the stop mode (STOP) ~o the playback mode (PB); it takes about 1.5 seconds for the VT~ to change from the playback mode ~ ~7~5~
(P3) to the stop mode (STOP); and it takes about 1.3 seconds for the VTR to change from the stop mode (STOP) to the recording mode (REC).
Accordingly, when a user intends to press a second operation key after a first operation key has been depressed, the user must not press the sec~nd operation key until the VTR finishes changing to the mode commanded by the first key.
This is very inconvenient for the user, so it is proposed to stack input commands issued by pressing the operation keys.
Let it now be assumed that as, for example, illustrated in Fig. l, the VTR is placed in the stop mode before time point t1 and that a recording key is pressed at time point t1. Then, the mode o~ the VTR
(mechanism) begins to chan~e from the stop mode to the recording mode at time point tl.
If a stop key, for example, is pressed at time point t2 during this transition period, this stop key is -20 valid for the recording mode which is the mode after the mode is changed, so that the command instructing not the reco~ding mode but the stop mode after the mode transition, is stacked in the mode stack.
When the mode transition of the VTR i5 ended at time point t3, the VTR is placed in the recording mode (REC). At that time, the stop mode command stacked in the mode stack at time point t2 is read out and the processing of this command is executedt Accordingly, the VTR begins the transfer to the stop mode at time point t3 and is placed in the stop mode at time point t4. Even though a pause key is pressed at time point t5 in ,he stop mode, the pause mode (PAUSE) is useless for the stop mode. Hence~ the command issued by pressing the pause ~ey is not executed.
~ ~75~
As described above, according to this mode stack system, it becomes possible to remove the cumbersome requirement that the user must not press the next operation key until the mode transition of the VTR is ended (even if the next key is pressed, this will be neglected). However, the above mentioned mode stack system has the following defect I~ the stop key is pressed at time point t2 and the pause key is then pressed at time point ta as, ~or example, shown in Fig. 2, since this pause key is v~lid for the recording mode, which is the mode after the mode transition (if the pause key is depressed in the recording mode, the VTR is placed in the recording pause mode (REC PAUSE)), and the mode stacked in the mode stack is changed again from the stop mode to the recording pause mode.
Accordingly, the mode of the VTR is moved to the recording pause mode at time point t3 and the VTR is placed in the recording pause mode at time point t~.
~0 Although the stop key and the pause key are pressed in the same sequential order as that of Fig. 1, the VTR
is placed in an operation mode different from that in Fig. l in this case because of the timing of the depression of the pause key vis-a-vis the actual mode shifting of the VTR.
In other words, if a plurality o~ valid operation keys are depressed during the mode transition period, the mode stacked in the mode stack is renewed to the mode suggested by the operation key that was last pressed by the user and the modes commanded by the previously-pressed operation keys are all neglected.
Accordingly, the operation mode o~ the VTR becomes di~erent depending on the timing at which the user presses tne operation keys (depending on whether the VTR
~ ~5~
mode was in the process of being changed or was already changed when the keys were pressed~.
To overcome the above mentioned shortcomings, an improved mode stack system is proposed, in which the mode stack is arranged to have a plurality of stages to sequentially stack the input modes and to execute the modes sequentially.
This mode stack system having a plurality of stages, however, must remove useless or invalid modes stacked in the mode stack by optimizing the mode stacked. This makes a program of a mode control microcomputer complicated and takes a lot of time for such removal. This defect becomes serious particularly when 8-bit mode data is processed by a CPU (central processing unit) which is capable of providing only a 4-bit comparing command. Further, an area for the mode stack must be provided in a RAM.
OBJ~CTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a general object of this invention to provide an improved mode processing circuit for a multi-operation mode electronic apparatus, such as a VTR.
A more specific object of this invention is to provide an improved mode processing circuit for a multi-operation mode electronic apparatus, by which anoperation mode can be changed in the shortest period of time to a desired operation mode when an operation key is pressed.
Another object of this invention is to provide a mode processing circuit for a multi-operation mode electronic apparatus in which the apparent time required by tha mode transition can be removed.
A furrher object OI this invention is to provide a mode processing circuit for a mu~ operation moda 5~
,_ electronic apparatus in which the VTR can be placed in the same final mode by pressing the corresponding operation key at any time.
Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a mode processing circuit for a multi-operation mode electronic apparatus in which the optimizing operation becomes unnecessary, so that the program of the mode controller is simplified, taking less time.
Still a further object of this invention is to provide a mode processing circuit for a multi-operation mode electronic apparatus which does not require a stack area.
Still a further object of this invention is to provide a mode processing circuit for use with a multi-operation mode electronic apparatus, such ~s a videotape recorder, a tape deck, a video disc pla~er, a compact disc player and so on.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mode processing ~ircui~ for a multi-operation mode electronic apparatus comprising:
a mode stack for receiving and storing operationmode commands for said multi-~peration mode electronic apparatus;
means for sequentially storing said operation mode commands received by said mode stack and for optimizing the same; and means for deriving said optimized operation mode commands from said mode stack in the sequential order and then executing the same after the transition of said operation mode is ended.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mode processing ci cuit ~or a multi-operation mode electronir apparatus comprising:
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a transition vector look-up table memory means for indicating an operation mode to which the operation mode of said multi-operation mode electronic apparatus sho~ld be shifted;
means for determining a final mode of said multi-operation mode electronic apparatus in accordance with an input command;
means for determining a new operation mode to which the operation mode of said multi-operation mode electronic apparatus is to be shifted next from said final mode and a mode to which the operation mode of said multi-operation mode electronic apparatus was shifted with reference to said transition vector look-up table memory means; and means for changing the operation mode of said multi-operation mode electronic apparatus to said operation mode thus determined and then placing said multi-operation mode electronic apparatus in said final mode.
2Q These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments that are to be read in con~unction with the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference numerals identify like elements and parts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a mode transition diagram used to explain a known mode stack system Ior a video tape recorder;
Fig~ 2 is another mode transition diagram used ~o explain the same known mode stack system for a video tape record2r;
Fig. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a mode processing circuit accordins ~o 'he present 1~755~)0 invention, illustrating hardware relating to the mode transition operation of a video tape recorder;
Fig. 4 is a mode transition diagram used to explain the present invention;
Fig. 5 is a flow chart used to exp]ain the mode transition operation in association with the mode transition diagram of Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a table used to explain an algorithm of the mode transition and the change of data stacked in a mode stack;
Fig. 7 is a diagram used to explain the mode stack of the invention;
Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 11 are respeckively diagrams used to explain the mode transition operation and the mode stack of the invention;
Fig. 12 is a mode transition table used to explain another embodiment of the mode processing circuit for a multi-operation mode electronic apparatus according to the present invention;
Fig. 13 is a transition vector table used to explain the operation of the present invention;
Fig. 14 is a mode transition diagram used to explain the operation o~ the present invention; and Fig. 15 is a flow chart used to explain the operation of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Now, the present invention will hereinalter be described in detail with referenc2 to the drawings.
Fig. 3 illustrates hardware relating to the mode transition operation of the VTR according to the present invention.
Referring to Fig. 3, there is shown a mechanism ~VTR) control section 1 which lncludes a loading motor 11 for loadlng or ~nloading a tape on or from the VTR, a 755~)0 control motor 12 for controlling th~ mode of ~he ~lR and a servo circuit 13 for controlling a drum and a capstan of the VTR.
A mode controller 2 is formed of a microcomputer whose output is supplied to the control section 1 to place the VTR in each operation mode. At the same time, a signal indicative of the state ~mode) of the VTR is supplied from the control section l to the mode controller 2.
Key input means 3 is provided with a plurality of operation keys (not shown). A receiving circuit 4 is adapted to recei~e a signal inputted by the operation key of a remote controller (not shown) when the VTR is operated by the remote controller. The key input signals from the key input means 3 and the receiving circuit 4 are both supplied to the mode controller 2.
Mode indicating means 5 visually indicates to the user, e.g. by an LCD display, the mode in which the VTR is placed, on the basis of the output signal from the mode controller 2.
The mode stack is provided within a RAM ~random access memory) of the microcomputer which forms the mode controller 2.
When the operation key of the key inputting means 3 or the operation key of the remote controller (not shown) is pressed, its command is processed ~y the mode controller 2 and the processed result or data is supplied to the control section 1, so that the control section 1 is operated so as to place the VTR in a predetermined operation mode. At the same time~ the correspond~ng mode ol the VTR is visually indicated by the mode indicating means ~.
Fig. ~ illustrates, by ~-ay or^ example~ ho~ the VTR
mode and data stacked in the mode stack are changed with s~
~he command lnputted when the operation key is pressed at a certain time point.
In the description below, "present mo~e" and "final mode" are respectively defined as follows: the "present mode" indicates the mode of the VTR at that certain time point and also indicates, during the mode transition period of the VTR, the next mode to which the VTR is to be placed; and the "final mode" indicates the mode stored last in the mode controller 2 at that certain time point. The final mode becomes the same as the present mode when no mode data is stacked in the mode stack at all. Validity of the operation key pressed is judged depending upon whether the operation key pressed is valid for the final mode or not. The mode indicating means 5 visually indicates the final mode.
In the illustrated example of Fig. 4, since the VTR
is placed in the stop mode before time point tl, the present mode is the stop mode. At the same time, no mode is stacked in the mode stack and the final mode and the visual indication thereof are the stop mode.
When the recording key is pressed at time point tl, this recording mode is valid for the final mode (stop mode), so that "REC" ~recording mode) is stacked in the first stage of the mode stack. However, since the VTR
has not yet started changing its operation mode, the VTR
immediately starts changing its mode from the stop mode to the recording mode, and "P~C" is indicated by the mode indicating means 5. Further, the "REC" mode command stacked in the mode stack is removed.
If the stop key is pressed at time point t2 while the VTR is changing its mode, the stop mode is valid for the final mode (recording mode), so that "STo~" ~stop mode) is stacked in the I irst stage OI the mode stack and the final mode and Lhe visual indication thereor are made the stop mode. ~owever, the -~TR itsell is chan~ing ~7~0() its operation mode into the recording mode (present - mode) which was designated by the key input at time point tl.
When the pause key is pxessed at time point t3, while the VTR is in the mode transition period, the pause mode is invalid for the final mode (stop mode), so that this key input is neglected, leaving the mode stack, the final mode and the visual indication unchanged.
When the rewind key is pressed at time point t4, while the VTR is in the mode transition period, the rewind mode is valid for the final mode ~stop mode), so that "REW" (rewind mode) is stacked in the second stage of the mode stack and the final mode and the ~isual indication thereof are made the rewind mode. However, the VTR itself is still in the process of changing its operation mode into the recording mode (present mode) which was designated by the key input at time point tl.
When the stop key is pressed at time point t5 while the VTR is in the mode transition period, the stop mode is valid for the ~inal mode (rewind mode)~ so that "STOP" (stop mode) is stacked in the third stage of the mode stack. At that time, since the same "STOP" ~stop mode) is also stacked in the first stage of the mode stack, "STOP" and "~EW" stacked respectively in the first and second stages of the mode stack are removed and "STOP" stacked in the third stage of the mode stack is transferred to the first stage of the mode stack.
This processing is an example OI what may be called "optimization". In that case, he final mode and the visual indication thereof are made stop mode.
When the playback key is pressed at time point t6, while the VTR is in tne mode trans-~ion period, the playback mode is valid for the f~n~l mode (stop mode), 3~ so that "PB" (playback mode) is stack~d in the second ~.2'~ SVt~
1 _ stage of the mode stack and the final mode and the visual indication thereof are made the playback mode.
When the fast forward key is pressed continuously from the time point t7 while the VTR is in the mode transition period, the fast forward mode is valid for the final mode (playback mode). At the same time, upon the playback mode, the fast forward Xey is pressed in the cue mode, so that "CUE" (cue mode) is stacked in the third stage of the mode stack and the final mode and the visual indication thereof are made the cue mode.
At time point t8, when the VTR finishes changing its operation mode into the recording mode designated by the key input at time point t1r the mode stack is checked. In this case, since "STOP" is stacked in the first stage of the mode stack, this "STOP" is set to the present mode and the VTR therefore starts changing its operation mode to the stop mode at time point tg (- t8).
When it is confirmed that the operation mode of the VTR
is to be changed to the stop mode, "PB" stacked in the second stage of the mode stack is transferred to the first stage thereof and "CUE" stacked in the third stage of the mode stack is transferred to the second stage thereof, making the third stage of the mode stack empty.
When the VTR has finished changing its operation mode to the stop mode at time point tlo, the mode stack is checked. In this case, since "PB" is stacked in the first stage o. the mode stack, this "PB" is set to the present mode, so that the VTR starts changing its operation mode to the playback mode at time point t11 (- tlo). After it is confirmed that the operation mode of the VTR was changed to the playback mode, "CUE"
stacked in the second stage or the mode stack is transferred to the first stage thereof, thus making the second stage o, the mode stack empty.
~7~iS0~
-~2-When the VTR has finished changing its mode to the playback mode at time point tl2, the mode stack is checked. Since "CUE" is stacked in the fi~st stage of the mode stack, this "CUE" is set to the present mode, so that the VTR starts changing its operation mode into the cue mode at time point tl3 (- tl2). After it is confirmed that the operation mode of the VTR was changed to the cue mode, the mode stack is made empty. In this way, the VTR is placed in the cue mode after time point tl3-While the operation mode of the VTR and mode data stacked in the mode stack are changed as described above, this will be also explained with reference to a general algorithm which is represented in the form of a flow chart in FiS- 5-This algorithm is exemplified in the flow chart(Fig. 5) of the program that the microcomputer forming the mode controller 2 (Fig. 3) executes.
The presence or absence of the command (key input) ~0 inputted by the operation key is checked, as represented at decisional step 21 in Fig. 5. If the command exists, the processing of the microcomputer (mode controller 2) goes from step 21 to decisional step 22. Then, it is checked, as represented at decisional step 22, whether or not the key input of which the presence was confirmed at step 21 is valid for the final mode. The validity of the key input relative to the final mode is checked on the basis of a mode transition look-up table which forms, for example, Fig. 6. Such a look-up table can be stored within a ROM (read only memory) which forms the mode controller 2 (Fig. 3). This mode transition look-u~ .able oî Fig. 6 reads as follows.
If the recording key ("~EC") is pressed when ,he final mode is, or example, the playback ("~BI') mode, it is judged th~t tnis recording key ls invalid for the ~;~7~
_, _ final mode, however, if the pause key-is pressed instead, it is judged that this pause key is valid for the ~inal mode and the final mode is renewed to "PB
PAUSE" (playback pause mode).
If the key input is judged to be valid as represented at decisional step 22, the processing of the microcomputer goes from step ~2 to step 23. As represented at step 23, the final mode and khe visual indication thereof are renewed at time point t4 shown, for example, in Fig. 4 and in Fig. 7 (reference letters A to E throughout Figs. 7 to 11 respectively designate operation modes) in accordance with the mode transition look-up table of Fig. 6. Then, the operation mode renewed is stacked in the mode stack.
The processing of the microcomputer goes from step 23 to the next decisional step 31. It is checked, as represented at decisional step 31, whether or not a mode which is the same as the renewed final mode is stacked in the mode stack. If not, the processing of the microcomputer goes from step 31 to decisional step 33.
If on the other hand the same mode is stacked in the mode stack, as for example shown at time point t5 in Fig. 4 and as illustrated in Fig. 8, the processing of the microcomputer goes from step 31 to the next step 32.
As represented at step 32, the modes, beginning from the mode (B mode in the second stage) which is the same as the final mode renewed in the mode stack up to the mode (D mode) just one stage before the rinal stage of the mode stack, are removed as unnecessary modes and the ~inal mode renewed is shifted to the prior stage o^ the mode stack. This processing forms a part or^
~optimization1'.
Then, the processing of the mic~ocomputer goes from step 32 (or step 31) to decisional st-p 33 wnexe it is checked whether or not a mode whicn can be changed 55~a!
directly to _he rinal mode is stacked in the mode stack, thereby omitting unnecessary intermediate modes. If not, the processing of the microcomputer gPes from step 33 to decisional step 41. If on the other hand such a mode is stacked in the mode stack, the processing of the microcomputer goes from step 33 to step 34. At step 34, as shown in Fig. 9, the modes between the mode (B mode), which can be changed to the final mode, and the final mode (E mode) are removed and the final mode (E mode) is shifted to the stage of the mode stack subsequent to the mode which can be changed to the final mode (B mode).
This processing also forms a part of l'optimization".
The processing of the microcomputer goes from step 34 (or step 33) to the next decisional step 41. Also, if the absence of a key input is determined, as represented at decisional step 21, or if the key input is invalid for the final mode, as represented at decisional step 22, the processing of the microcomputer goes directly from step 21 or 22 to the decisional step 41.
At decisional step 41 the microcomputer checks whethar the VTR is now changing its operation mode or has finished its mode changing. If the VTR i6 changing its operation mode/ the processing of the microcomputer goes from step 41 to the next decisional step 42 where the microcomputer checks whether a mode whi~h is the same as the present mode exists in the mode stack or not. If not, the processing of the microcomputer goes from step 42 to decisional step 44. I~ the same mode exists in the mode stack as represented at decisional step 42, as shown, ror example, in Fig. 10, the processing of the microcompl~ter goes from step 42 to st-p 43. As rep-esented at step 43, tne modes rrom the mode (A mode) of the first stag- to the mode (C mode) 3~ which is the same as the mode which is under transition, ~75i~
are removed and the next mode (D mode) is shifted forward (to the first stage of the mode stack). This processing also forms a part of "optimization".
Subsequently, the processing of the microcomputer goes from step 43 (or step 42) to the next decisional step 44 where it is checked whether or not there is a mode in the mode stack to which the present mode of the VTR in its transition period can be directly shifted, as for example, shown in Fig. 11 (mode A can be shifted to lo mode D). If not, the processing of the microcomputer returns from step 44 to the decisional step 21. If such a mode exists in the mode stack the processing goes from step 44 to step 45.
At step 45 the modes from the mode in the first stage to the mode (C mode) which is located just before the transferrable mode are removed and the succeeding mode (D mode) is shifted forward in the mode stack, so that "optimization" is carried out. Then, the processing of the microcomputer goes back to step 21.
If it is determined, as represented at decisional step 41, that the VTR has already finished changing its operation mode, the processing of the microcomputer goes from step 41 to decisional step 51. It is then checked, as represented at decisional step 51, whether or not any mode command remains stacked in the mode stack. If no mode is stacked in the mode stack, the processing of the microcomputer goes back from step 51 to step 21. If, on the other hand, one or more modes remain stacked in the mode stack, the processing OI the microcomputer goes from step 51 to step 52 where the present mode of the VTR begins to change into ,he mode of the r^~ rst stage in the mode stack. I~ it is confirmed that the change of the operation mode oî the VTR i3 started, ~he mode of the first stage in the mode s ack ls removed and the 3~ nex- mode is shifted ^orward. Su~sequently, th-1'~75~;0C) processing of the microcomputer goes back from step 52 to step 21.
Therefore, according to the above described processing routine, the operation mode of the VTR is changed as, for example, shown in Fig. 4.
Alternatively, the presence or absence of the key input can be checked by executing the condition determinin~ command instead of using the mode transition look-up tabl~, as represented at decisional step 21.
Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to a VT~ (mechanism) but can similarly be applied to various other kinds of multi-operation mode electronic apparatus, such as, a tape deck, a video disc player or a compact disc (CD) player and the like which re~uire a lot of time to change their operation modes.
Another embodiment o~ the mode processing circuit according to the present invention will now be described. This embodiment is similar to that shown in Fig. 3 but in this embodiment, a mode transition look-up table and a mode transition vector look-up table shown, for example, in Figs. 12 and 13 are provided within a ROM (read only memory) which forms the mode controller 2 (Fig. 3).
When the operation key of the inputting means 3 or the operation key of the remote controller ~not shown) i5 pressed~ the input data or command is similarly supplied to the mode controller 2, in which it is processed. The processed result or data therefrom is then supplied to the control section 1, whereby the control section 1 is so operated as to place, for example, the VTR in ihe predetermined operation mode and the operation mode in which the VTR is just placed is visually lndicated by the mode indicating means 5 similar to ~he first embodiment.
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Fig. 14 illustraies an example in whi~h the operation mode of the VTR is changed with the command inputted by the operation key using this second embodiment.
In the description below, "present mode" and "final mode" are respectively de~ined as follows: the "present mode" indicates the mode in which the VTR is now placed at a certain time point and also indicates the next operation mode of the VTR during the mode transition period; and the "final mode" indicates the mode stored last in the mode controller 2 at that time point~ The validity of the operation key pressed is determined depending upon whether the operation key pressed is valid for the final mode or not. The mode indicating means 5 visually indicates the final mode.
The areas in which the present mode and the final mode are stored are formed within the RAM of the microcomputer forming the mode controller 2.
In this embodiment, since the VTR is placed in the stop mode be~ore time poi~t t1, the present mode at time point t1 is the stop mode. Also, the final mode and the visual indication thereof are the stop mode.
When the reproducing key is pressed at ~ime point t1 in Fig. 14, the mode transition table in Fig. 12 is looked up by the microcomputer. This mode transition look-up table in Fig. 12 indicates whether or not, when the operation key is depressed, the key input is valid îor the linal mode at that time point or if the key input is valid for the Iinal mode, to which mode the mode is to be transîerred. Since the final mode is the stop mode at ti~e point t1 and the key input is the playback mode, it will be clear from the mode transition look-up table or Fig. 12 that the operation mode of the VTR should be "~B" (playback mode).
~7S~;OO
_3 Acc~rdingly, the final mode and the visual indication thereof are made the playback mode from time point tl. Further, the VTR (mechanism) starts changing its operation mode from the stop mode into the playback mode and the present mode is made the playback mode.
When the stop key is pressed at time point t2 while the VTR is in the mode transition period as shown in Fig. 14, the mode transition look-up table of Fig. 12 is looked up. Since this mode transition look-up table of Fig. 12 indicates that the mode should be shifted to the stop mode, the final mode and the visual indication thereof are made the stop mode. However, during this period, ths VTR i~self continues changing its operation mode to the playback mode (present mode) which was designated by the key input at time point tl.
Further, when the recording key is pressed at time point t3 during this mode transition period of the VTR, the same mode transition table (Fig. 12) is looked up.
This mode transition look-up table of Fig. 12 i~dicates ~0 that the mode should be shifted to the recording mode.
Thus, the final mode and the visual indication thereof are made the recording mode. ~owever, during this period, the VTR itself continues changing its operation mode into the playback mode which was designated by the key input at time point t1.
When at time point t4 the operation mode of the VTR
has finally changed into the playback mode, the mode transition vector table forming Fig. 13 is looXed up.
This mode transition vector look-up table of Fig. 13 indicat~s wheth~r o~ not at that time the VTR should further change its operatlon mode and the mode into which the VTR should change its operation mode. At that time (at time polnt t4 in Fig. 1.), since the present mod~ is the playback mode and the final mode is the 3~ recording mode, the mode transition vector look-up able ~27550() 1, of Fig. 13 indicates that the mode of the VTR should be "PB PAUSE" (playbac~ pause mode). Accordingly, the VTR
starts changing its operation mode to the playback pause mode from time point t4 and the present mode is changed into the playback pause mode, too.
When the mode transition to the playback pause mode is ended at time point t5, the same mode transition vector table o~ Fig. 13 is looked up. At time point t5 in Fig. 14, since the present mode is "PB pause"
lo (playback pause mode) and the final mode is "REC"
(recording mode), it will be clear from the mode transition vector look-up table of Fig. 13 that the mode should be "REC PAUSE" ~recording pause mode) next.
Accordingly, the VTR starts changing its operation mode into the recording pause mode at time point t5 and the present mode is made the recording pause mode, too.
When the mode transition of the VTR to the recording pause mode is ended at time point t6 in Fig.
14, the mode transition vector ~able of Fi~. 13 is looked up again. At time point t6 in Fig. 14, since the present mode is the recording pause mode and the final mode is the recording mode, the mode transition vector look-up table of Fig. 13 indicates that the next mode should be the recording mode. Accordingly, the VTR
starts changing its operation mode into the recording mode at time point t6, and the present mode is made the recording mode, too.
When the mode transition to the recording mode is ended at time point t7, the mode transition vector table ol Fig. 13 is looked up. At time point t7 in Fig. 14, since ~hQ present mode and the rinal mode are both the recording mode and equal to each otherl the operation ~ode or the VTR is not changed an~ more. Accordingly, the ~FR remains place~ in the recordin~ mode aIter time point t7.
55~(~
While the op~ration mode of the VTR is changed as - described above, this mode changing operation of the VTR
will be similarly explained by a general algorithm which is represented in a flow chart forming Fig. 15.
In other words, this algorithm forms the flow chart (Fig. 15) of a program that the microcomputer forming the mode controller 2 ~Fig. 3) executes.
Firstly, the presence or absence of a command inputted by pressing an operation key is checked as represented at decisional step 121. If the presence of the command is confirmed at step 121, the processing of the microcomputer (mode controller 2) goes from step 121 to the next decisional step 122. It is checked as represented at decisional step 122 by the mode transition look-up table of Fig. 12 whether or not the key input (command) whose existence was checked at step 121 is valid for the final mode.
If it is judged as represented at decisional step 122 that the key input is valid for the final mode, the ZO processing of the microcomputer goes from step 122 to step 123, in which the final mode and the mode visual indication thereof are renewed in accordance with the mode transition look-up table of ~ig. 12, as represented at time point tl in Fig. 14. Then, the processing of the microco~puter goes from step 123 to the next decisional step 131.
Also, if the absence of the key input is confirmed as represented at decisional step 121 or it is judged as represented at decisional step 122 that the key input is invalid for the final mode, the processing of the mic ocomputer goes directly from steps 121 and 122 to the next decisional st~p 131.
lt is checked, as represented at decisional step 131, whether the mode ol the VTR ls still shiftlng or it 3~ has already rinished. If ,he mode o,^ the V~R is ~;~7~
shifting, the processing of the microcomputex goes back from step 131 to step 121.
Accordingly, the steps 121 to 123 and.the step 131 are repeatedly executed during the period from -the time point tl to the time point t4.
If on the other hand it is judged, as represented at decisional step 131, that the mode transition of the VTR is already ended, the processing of the microcomputer goes from step 131 to the next decisional step 132. There, it is checked whether or not the present mode i5 equal to the final mode. If they are not equal to each other, the processing of the microcomputer goes from step 132 to step 133. As represented at step 133, the operation mode to which the mode of the VTR should be newly shifted is determined with reference to the mode transition vector look-up table of Fig. 13, whereby the present mode is renewed to the new operation mode determined.
Then, the processing of the microcomputer goes from step 133 to step 134. The VTR starts changing its operation mode to the present mode, which was renewed as represented at step 133, as represented at step 134, and the processing of the microcomputer goes back from step 134 to step 121.
Consequently, the steps 131 to 134 are executed at time points t4, t5 and t6 in the mode transition diagram forming Fig. 14, respectively.
I} iL is judged, as represented at decisional step 132, that the present mode and the -final mode are equal to each other, the processing of the microcomputer goes back rrom step 132 to step 121.
Accordingly, this processing of the microcomputer is executed at ,ime point t7.
According to the processing rou,ine in Fig. 'o as 3~ described above, ~he operation mode of the VTR is 755(30 changed as, for example, shown in the mode transition diagram of Fig. 14.
It will be appreciated that the prese~ce or absence of the command inputted by the operation key can be checked by using a condition judging command instead o~
using the above mentioned mode transition look-up table, as represented at decisional step 122 in Fig. 15.
The present invention is not limited to a VTR as mentioned above but can be applied to various kinds of multi-operation mode electronic apparatus such as a tape deck, a video disc player, a CD (compact disc) player and the like which take a lot of time to change their operation modes.
According to the present invention, since the transition mode to which the mode of the multi-operation mode electronic apparatus should be transferred is stacked in the mode stack and i5 optimized, the operation mode of the multi operation mode electronic apparatus can be changed to the desired operation mode in the shortest period of time at the time point at which the operation key is pressed.
If the key input is valid, the reception of the key input and the visual indication of the operation mode can be immediately executed and the transition of ~he operation mode o~ the multi-operation mode electronic apparatus can be carried out in the shortest period of time, so that the user never feels that the multi-operation mode electronic apparatus is taking a great deal of time to change its operation mode and thus, the apparent time required by such a mode transition can be removed. Further, the operation mode can be changed to the same rinal operation mode by pressing the operation key at any timing.
Fur~hermore, according to the present invention, as 3~ set forth above, even ~ any num~er o- operation keys ~7550() are pressed, since the operation mode to which the mode of the multi-operation mode electronic apparatus should be shifted can be made optimum in accordance with the mode transition vector look-up table, the operation mode can be changed to the desired mode in the minimum number of mode transitions at the time point at which the operation key is pressed.
In addition, since the optimization is not required, the processing program to be executed by the mode controller 2 can be simplified and the execution of the program does not take a lot of time. Also, the mode stack area becomes unnecessary.
The above description is given for the preferred embodiments of the invention but it will be apparent that many modifications and variations could be effected by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the novel concepts of the invention, so that the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims only.
BAC~GROUND OF THE INVENTION .
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mode processing circuit for a multiple operation mode electronic apparatus such as a video tape recorder, a tape deck, a video disc player, a compact disc player and so on.
Description of the Prior Art Various operation modes, such as a playback mode, a rewind mode and the like are available i~ a known video tape recorder (hereinafter simply referred to as a VTR).
To change these operation modes, it is necessary to switch the VTR or to move its hrake and pinch roller into and out of engagement.
If a plunger is used to switch the mechanism, the change of the operation mode can be made substantially in a moment. The employment of the plunger, however, causes a large current to flow upon its actuation.
Also, in the normal operation mode, a current must flow continuously, requiring a large power supply circuit which consumes a large amount of power.
It is therefore proposed to employ a motor instead of the plunger. When a motor is used together with a qear mechanism, although it is small in size, the necessary driving power to switch the mechanism is generated. Further, the employment of the motor can reduce the power consumption and allow the power supply circuit to be small in size. However, when a motor is used to switch ,he mechanism, the transition (switching) of its mode takes a lot of time. ~or example, it takes about 2 seconds for the VTR to change ~rom the stop mode (STOP) ~o the playback mode (PB); it takes about 1.5 seconds for the VT~ to change from the playback mode ~ ~7~5~
(P3) to the stop mode (STOP); and it takes about 1.3 seconds for the VTR to change from the stop mode (STOP) to the recording mode (REC).
Accordingly, when a user intends to press a second operation key after a first operation key has been depressed, the user must not press the sec~nd operation key until the VTR finishes changing to the mode commanded by the first key.
This is very inconvenient for the user, so it is proposed to stack input commands issued by pressing the operation keys.
Let it now be assumed that as, for example, illustrated in Fig. l, the VTR is placed in the stop mode before time point t1 and that a recording key is pressed at time point t1. Then, the mode o~ the VTR
(mechanism) begins to chan~e from the stop mode to the recording mode at time point tl.
If a stop key, for example, is pressed at time point t2 during this transition period, this stop key is -20 valid for the recording mode which is the mode after the mode is changed, so that the command instructing not the reco~ding mode but the stop mode after the mode transition, is stacked in the mode stack.
When the mode transition of the VTR i5 ended at time point t3, the VTR is placed in the recording mode (REC). At that time, the stop mode command stacked in the mode stack at time point t2 is read out and the processing of this command is executedt Accordingly, the VTR begins the transfer to the stop mode at time point t3 and is placed in the stop mode at time point t4. Even though a pause key is pressed at time point t5 in ,he stop mode, the pause mode (PAUSE) is useless for the stop mode. Hence~ the command issued by pressing the pause ~ey is not executed.
~ ~75~
As described above, according to this mode stack system, it becomes possible to remove the cumbersome requirement that the user must not press the next operation key until the mode transition of the VTR is ended (even if the next key is pressed, this will be neglected). However, the above mentioned mode stack system has the following defect I~ the stop key is pressed at time point t2 and the pause key is then pressed at time point ta as, ~or example, shown in Fig. 2, since this pause key is v~lid for the recording mode, which is the mode after the mode transition (if the pause key is depressed in the recording mode, the VTR is placed in the recording pause mode (REC PAUSE)), and the mode stacked in the mode stack is changed again from the stop mode to the recording pause mode.
Accordingly, the mode of the VTR is moved to the recording pause mode at time point t3 and the VTR is placed in the recording pause mode at time point t~.
~0 Although the stop key and the pause key are pressed in the same sequential order as that of Fig. 1, the VTR
is placed in an operation mode different from that in Fig. l in this case because of the timing of the depression of the pause key vis-a-vis the actual mode shifting of the VTR.
In other words, if a plurality o~ valid operation keys are depressed during the mode transition period, the mode stacked in the mode stack is renewed to the mode suggested by the operation key that was last pressed by the user and the modes commanded by the previously-pressed operation keys are all neglected.
Accordingly, the operation mode o~ the VTR becomes di~erent depending on the timing at which the user presses tne operation keys (depending on whether the VTR
~ ~5~
mode was in the process of being changed or was already changed when the keys were pressed~.
To overcome the above mentioned shortcomings, an improved mode stack system is proposed, in which the mode stack is arranged to have a plurality of stages to sequentially stack the input modes and to execute the modes sequentially.
This mode stack system having a plurality of stages, however, must remove useless or invalid modes stacked in the mode stack by optimizing the mode stacked. This makes a program of a mode control microcomputer complicated and takes a lot of time for such removal. This defect becomes serious particularly when 8-bit mode data is processed by a CPU (central processing unit) which is capable of providing only a 4-bit comparing command. Further, an area for the mode stack must be provided in a RAM.
OBJ~CTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a general object of this invention to provide an improved mode processing circuit for a multi-operation mode electronic apparatus, such as a VTR.
A more specific object of this invention is to provide an improved mode processing circuit for a multi-operation mode electronic apparatus, by which anoperation mode can be changed in the shortest period of time to a desired operation mode when an operation key is pressed.
Another object of this invention is to provide a mode processing circuit for a multi-operation mode electronic apparatus in which the apparent time required by tha mode transition can be removed.
A furrher object OI this invention is to provide a mode processing circuit for a mu~ operation moda 5~
,_ electronic apparatus in which the VTR can be placed in the same final mode by pressing the corresponding operation key at any time.
Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a mode processing circuit for a multi-operation mode electronic apparatus in which the optimizing operation becomes unnecessary, so that the program of the mode controller is simplified, taking less time.
Still a further object of this invention is to provide a mode processing circuit for a multi-operation mode electronic apparatus which does not require a stack area.
Still a further object of this invention is to provide a mode processing circuit for use with a multi-operation mode electronic apparatus, such ~s a videotape recorder, a tape deck, a video disc pla~er, a compact disc player and so on.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mode processing ~ircui~ for a multi-operation mode electronic apparatus comprising:
a mode stack for receiving and storing operationmode commands for said multi-~peration mode electronic apparatus;
means for sequentially storing said operation mode commands received by said mode stack and for optimizing the same; and means for deriving said optimized operation mode commands from said mode stack in the sequential order and then executing the same after the transition of said operation mode is ended.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mode processing ci cuit ~or a multi-operation mode electronir apparatus comprising:
~2'7~
a transition vector look-up table memory means for indicating an operation mode to which the operation mode of said multi-operation mode electronic apparatus sho~ld be shifted;
means for determining a final mode of said multi-operation mode electronic apparatus in accordance with an input command;
means for determining a new operation mode to which the operation mode of said multi-operation mode electronic apparatus is to be shifted next from said final mode and a mode to which the operation mode of said multi-operation mode electronic apparatus was shifted with reference to said transition vector look-up table memory means; and means for changing the operation mode of said multi-operation mode electronic apparatus to said operation mode thus determined and then placing said multi-operation mode electronic apparatus in said final mode.
2Q These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments that are to be read in con~unction with the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference numerals identify like elements and parts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a mode transition diagram used to explain a known mode stack system Ior a video tape recorder;
Fig~ 2 is another mode transition diagram used ~o explain the same known mode stack system for a video tape record2r;
Fig. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a mode processing circuit accordins ~o 'he present 1~755~)0 invention, illustrating hardware relating to the mode transition operation of a video tape recorder;
Fig. 4 is a mode transition diagram used to explain the present invention;
Fig. 5 is a flow chart used to exp]ain the mode transition operation in association with the mode transition diagram of Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a table used to explain an algorithm of the mode transition and the change of data stacked in a mode stack;
Fig. 7 is a diagram used to explain the mode stack of the invention;
Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 11 are respeckively diagrams used to explain the mode transition operation and the mode stack of the invention;
Fig. 12 is a mode transition table used to explain another embodiment of the mode processing circuit for a multi-operation mode electronic apparatus according to the present invention;
Fig. 13 is a transition vector table used to explain the operation of the present invention;
Fig. 14 is a mode transition diagram used to explain the operation o~ the present invention; and Fig. 15 is a flow chart used to explain the operation of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Now, the present invention will hereinalter be described in detail with referenc2 to the drawings.
Fig. 3 illustrates hardware relating to the mode transition operation of the VTR according to the present invention.
Referring to Fig. 3, there is shown a mechanism ~VTR) control section 1 which lncludes a loading motor 11 for loadlng or ~nloading a tape on or from the VTR, a 755~)0 control motor 12 for controlling th~ mode of ~he ~lR and a servo circuit 13 for controlling a drum and a capstan of the VTR.
A mode controller 2 is formed of a microcomputer whose output is supplied to the control section 1 to place the VTR in each operation mode. At the same time, a signal indicative of the state ~mode) of the VTR is supplied from the control section l to the mode controller 2.
Key input means 3 is provided with a plurality of operation keys (not shown). A receiving circuit 4 is adapted to recei~e a signal inputted by the operation key of a remote controller (not shown) when the VTR is operated by the remote controller. The key input signals from the key input means 3 and the receiving circuit 4 are both supplied to the mode controller 2.
Mode indicating means 5 visually indicates to the user, e.g. by an LCD display, the mode in which the VTR is placed, on the basis of the output signal from the mode controller 2.
The mode stack is provided within a RAM ~random access memory) of the microcomputer which forms the mode controller 2.
When the operation key of the key inputting means 3 or the operation key of the remote controller (not shown) is pressed, its command is processed ~y the mode controller 2 and the processed result or data is supplied to the control section 1, so that the control section 1 is operated so as to place the VTR in a predetermined operation mode. At the same time~ the correspond~ng mode ol the VTR is visually indicated by the mode indicating means ~.
Fig. ~ illustrates, by ~-ay or^ example~ ho~ the VTR
mode and data stacked in the mode stack are changed with s~
~he command lnputted when the operation key is pressed at a certain time point.
In the description below, "present mo~e" and "final mode" are respectively defined as follows: the "present mode" indicates the mode of the VTR at that certain time point and also indicates, during the mode transition period of the VTR, the next mode to which the VTR is to be placed; and the "final mode" indicates the mode stored last in the mode controller 2 at that certain time point. The final mode becomes the same as the present mode when no mode data is stacked in the mode stack at all. Validity of the operation key pressed is judged depending upon whether the operation key pressed is valid for the final mode or not. The mode indicating means 5 visually indicates the final mode.
In the illustrated example of Fig. 4, since the VTR
is placed in the stop mode before time point tl, the present mode is the stop mode. At the same time, no mode is stacked in the mode stack and the final mode and the visual indication thereof are the stop mode.
When the recording key is pressed at time point tl, this recording mode is valid for the final mode (stop mode), so that "REC" ~recording mode) is stacked in the first stage of the mode stack. However, since the VTR
has not yet started changing its operation mode, the VTR
immediately starts changing its mode from the stop mode to the recording mode, and "P~C" is indicated by the mode indicating means 5. Further, the "REC" mode command stacked in the mode stack is removed.
If the stop key is pressed at time point t2 while the VTR is changing its mode, the stop mode is valid for the final mode (recording mode), so that "STo~" ~stop mode) is stacked in the I irst stage OI the mode stack and the final mode and Lhe visual indication thereor are made the stop mode. ~owever, the -~TR itsell is chan~ing ~7~0() its operation mode into the recording mode (present - mode) which was designated by the key input at time point tl.
When the pause key is pxessed at time point t3, while the VTR is in the mode transition period, the pause mode is invalid for the final mode (stop mode), so that this key input is neglected, leaving the mode stack, the final mode and the visual indication unchanged.
When the rewind key is pressed at time point t4, while the VTR is in the mode transition period, the rewind mode is valid for the final mode ~stop mode), so that "REW" (rewind mode) is stacked in the second stage of the mode stack and the final mode and the ~isual indication thereof are made the rewind mode. However, the VTR itself is still in the process of changing its operation mode into the recording mode (present mode) which was designated by the key input at time point tl.
When the stop key is pressed at time point t5 while the VTR is in the mode transition period, the stop mode is valid for the ~inal mode (rewind mode)~ so that "STOP" (stop mode) is stacked in the third stage of the mode stack. At that time, since the same "STOP" ~stop mode) is also stacked in the first stage of the mode stack, "STOP" and "~EW" stacked respectively in the first and second stages of the mode stack are removed and "STOP" stacked in the third stage of the mode stack is transferred to the first stage of the mode stack.
This processing is an example OI what may be called "optimization". In that case, he final mode and the visual indication thereof are made stop mode.
When the playback key is pressed at time point t6, while the VTR is in tne mode trans-~ion period, the playback mode is valid for the f~n~l mode (stop mode), 3~ so that "PB" (playback mode) is stack~d in the second ~.2'~ SVt~
1 _ stage of the mode stack and the final mode and the visual indication thereof are made the playback mode.
When the fast forward key is pressed continuously from the time point t7 while the VTR is in the mode transition period, the fast forward mode is valid for the final mode (playback mode). At the same time, upon the playback mode, the fast forward Xey is pressed in the cue mode, so that "CUE" (cue mode) is stacked in the third stage of the mode stack and the final mode and the visual indication thereof are made the cue mode.
At time point t8, when the VTR finishes changing its operation mode into the recording mode designated by the key input at time point t1r the mode stack is checked. In this case, since "STOP" is stacked in the first stage of the mode stack, this "STOP" is set to the present mode and the VTR therefore starts changing its operation mode to the stop mode at time point tg (- t8).
When it is confirmed that the operation mode of the VTR
is to be changed to the stop mode, "PB" stacked in the second stage of the mode stack is transferred to the first stage thereof and "CUE" stacked in the third stage of the mode stack is transferred to the second stage thereof, making the third stage of the mode stack empty.
When the VTR has finished changing its operation mode to the stop mode at time point tlo, the mode stack is checked. In this case, since "PB" is stacked in the first stage o. the mode stack, this "PB" is set to the present mode, so that the VTR starts changing its operation mode to the playback mode at time point t11 (- tlo). After it is confirmed that the operation mode of the VTR was changed to the playback mode, "CUE"
stacked in the second stage or the mode stack is transferred to the first stage thereof, thus making the second stage o, the mode stack empty.
~7~iS0~
-~2-When the VTR has finished changing its mode to the playback mode at time point tl2, the mode stack is checked. Since "CUE" is stacked in the fi~st stage of the mode stack, this "CUE" is set to the present mode, so that the VTR starts changing its operation mode into the cue mode at time point tl3 (- tl2). After it is confirmed that the operation mode of the VTR was changed to the cue mode, the mode stack is made empty. In this way, the VTR is placed in the cue mode after time point tl3-While the operation mode of the VTR and mode data stacked in the mode stack are changed as described above, this will be also explained with reference to a general algorithm which is represented in the form of a flow chart in FiS- 5-This algorithm is exemplified in the flow chart(Fig. 5) of the program that the microcomputer forming the mode controller 2 (Fig. 3) executes.
The presence or absence of the command (key input) ~0 inputted by the operation key is checked, as represented at decisional step 21 in Fig. 5. If the command exists, the processing of the microcomputer (mode controller 2) goes from step 21 to decisional step 22. Then, it is checked, as represented at decisional step 22, whether or not the key input of which the presence was confirmed at step 21 is valid for the final mode. The validity of the key input relative to the final mode is checked on the basis of a mode transition look-up table which forms, for example, Fig. 6. Such a look-up table can be stored within a ROM (read only memory) which forms the mode controller 2 (Fig. 3). This mode transition look-u~ .able oî Fig. 6 reads as follows.
If the recording key ("~EC") is pressed when ,he final mode is, or example, the playback ("~BI') mode, it is judged th~t tnis recording key ls invalid for the ~;~7~
_, _ final mode, however, if the pause key-is pressed instead, it is judged that this pause key is valid for the ~inal mode and the final mode is renewed to "PB
PAUSE" (playback pause mode).
If the key input is judged to be valid as represented at decisional step 22, the processing of the microcomputer goes from step ~2 to step 23. As represented at step 23, the final mode and khe visual indication thereof are renewed at time point t4 shown, for example, in Fig. 4 and in Fig. 7 (reference letters A to E throughout Figs. 7 to 11 respectively designate operation modes) in accordance with the mode transition look-up table of Fig. 6. Then, the operation mode renewed is stacked in the mode stack.
The processing of the microcomputer goes from step 23 to the next decisional step 31. It is checked, as represented at decisional step 31, whether or not a mode which is the same as the renewed final mode is stacked in the mode stack. If not, the processing of the microcomputer goes from step 31 to decisional step 33.
If on the other hand the same mode is stacked in the mode stack, as for example shown at time point t5 in Fig. 4 and as illustrated in Fig. 8, the processing of the microcomputer goes from step 31 to the next step 32.
As represented at step 32, the modes, beginning from the mode (B mode in the second stage) which is the same as the final mode renewed in the mode stack up to the mode (D mode) just one stage before the rinal stage of the mode stack, are removed as unnecessary modes and the ~inal mode renewed is shifted to the prior stage o^ the mode stack. This processing forms a part or^
~optimization1'.
Then, the processing of the mic~ocomputer goes from step 32 (or step 31) to decisional st-p 33 wnexe it is checked whether or not a mode whicn can be changed 55~a!
directly to _he rinal mode is stacked in the mode stack, thereby omitting unnecessary intermediate modes. If not, the processing of the microcomputer gPes from step 33 to decisional step 41. If on the other hand such a mode is stacked in the mode stack, the processing of the microcomputer goes from step 33 to step 34. At step 34, as shown in Fig. 9, the modes between the mode (B mode), which can be changed to the final mode, and the final mode (E mode) are removed and the final mode (E mode) is shifted to the stage of the mode stack subsequent to the mode which can be changed to the final mode (B mode).
This processing also forms a part of l'optimization".
The processing of the microcomputer goes from step 34 (or step 33) to the next decisional step 41. Also, if the absence of a key input is determined, as represented at decisional step 21, or if the key input is invalid for the final mode, as represented at decisional step 22, the processing of the microcomputer goes directly from step 21 or 22 to the decisional step 41.
At decisional step 41 the microcomputer checks whethar the VTR is now changing its operation mode or has finished its mode changing. If the VTR i6 changing its operation mode/ the processing of the microcomputer goes from step 41 to the next decisional step 42 where the microcomputer checks whether a mode whi~h is the same as the present mode exists in the mode stack or not. If not, the processing of the microcomputer goes from step 42 to decisional step 44. I~ the same mode exists in the mode stack as represented at decisional step 42, as shown, ror example, in Fig. 10, the processing of the microcompl~ter goes from step 42 to st-p 43. As rep-esented at step 43, tne modes rrom the mode (A mode) of the first stag- to the mode (C mode) 3~ which is the same as the mode which is under transition, ~75i~
are removed and the next mode (D mode) is shifted forward (to the first stage of the mode stack). This processing also forms a part of "optimization".
Subsequently, the processing of the microcomputer goes from step 43 (or step 42) to the next decisional step 44 where it is checked whether or not there is a mode in the mode stack to which the present mode of the VTR in its transition period can be directly shifted, as for example, shown in Fig. 11 (mode A can be shifted to lo mode D). If not, the processing of the microcomputer returns from step 44 to the decisional step 21. If such a mode exists in the mode stack the processing goes from step 44 to step 45.
At step 45 the modes from the mode in the first stage to the mode (C mode) which is located just before the transferrable mode are removed and the succeeding mode (D mode) is shifted forward in the mode stack, so that "optimization" is carried out. Then, the processing of the microcomputer goes back to step 21.
If it is determined, as represented at decisional step 41, that the VTR has already finished changing its operation mode, the processing of the microcomputer goes from step 41 to decisional step 51. It is then checked, as represented at decisional step 51, whether or not any mode command remains stacked in the mode stack. If no mode is stacked in the mode stack, the processing of the microcomputer goes back from step 51 to step 21. If, on the other hand, one or more modes remain stacked in the mode stack, the processing OI the microcomputer goes from step 51 to step 52 where the present mode of the VTR begins to change into ,he mode of the r^~ rst stage in the mode stack. I~ it is confirmed that the change of the operation mode oî the VTR i3 started, ~he mode of the first stage in the mode s ack ls removed and the 3~ nex- mode is shifted ^orward. Su~sequently, th-1'~75~;0C) processing of the microcomputer goes back from step 52 to step 21.
Therefore, according to the above described processing routine, the operation mode of the VTR is changed as, for example, shown in Fig. 4.
Alternatively, the presence or absence of the key input can be checked by executing the condition determinin~ command instead of using the mode transition look-up tabl~, as represented at decisional step 21.
Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to a VT~ (mechanism) but can similarly be applied to various other kinds of multi-operation mode electronic apparatus, such as, a tape deck, a video disc player or a compact disc (CD) player and the like which re~uire a lot of time to change their operation modes.
Another embodiment o~ the mode processing circuit according to the present invention will now be described. This embodiment is similar to that shown in Fig. 3 but in this embodiment, a mode transition look-up table and a mode transition vector look-up table shown, for example, in Figs. 12 and 13 are provided within a ROM (read only memory) which forms the mode controller 2 (Fig. 3).
When the operation key of the inputting means 3 or the operation key of the remote controller ~not shown) i5 pressed~ the input data or command is similarly supplied to the mode controller 2, in which it is processed. The processed result or data therefrom is then supplied to the control section 1, whereby the control section 1 is so operated as to place, for example, the VTR in ihe predetermined operation mode and the operation mode in which the VTR is just placed is visually lndicated by the mode indicating means 5 similar to ~he first embodiment.
~X~550~:3 "
Fig. 14 illustraies an example in whi~h the operation mode of the VTR is changed with the command inputted by the operation key using this second embodiment.
In the description below, "present mode" and "final mode" are respectively de~ined as follows: the "present mode" indicates the mode in which the VTR is now placed at a certain time point and also indicates the next operation mode of the VTR during the mode transition period; and the "final mode" indicates the mode stored last in the mode controller 2 at that time point~ The validity of the operation key pressed is determined depending upon whether the operation key pressed is valid for the final mode or not. The mode indicating means 5 visually indicates the final mode.
The areas in which the present mode and the final mode are stored are formed within the RAM of the microcomputer forming the mode controller 2.
In this embodiment, since the VTR is placed in the stop mode be~ore time poi~t t1, the present mode at time point t1 is the stop mode. Also, the final mode and the visual indication thereof are the stop mode.
When the reproducing key is pressed at ~ime point t1 in Fig. 14, the mode transition table in Fig. 12 is looked up by the microcomputer. This mode transition look-up table in Fig. 12 indicates whether or not, when the operation key is depressed, the key input is valid îor the linal mode at that time point or if the key input is valid for the Iinal mode, to which mode the mode is to be transîerred. Since the final mode is the stop mode at ti~e point t1 and the key input is the playback mode, it will be clear from the mode transition look-up table or Fig. 12 that the operation mode of the VTR should be "~B" (playback mode).
~7S~;OO
_3 Acc~rdingly, the final mode and the visual indication thereof are made the playback mode from time point tl. Further, the VTR (mechanism) starts changing its operation mode from the stop mode into the playback mode and the present mode is made the playback mode.
When the stop key is pressed at time point t2 while the VTR is in the mode transition period as shown in Fig. 14, the mode transition look-up table of Fig. 12 is looked up. Since this mode transition look-up table of Fig. 12 indicates that the mode should be shifted to the stop mode, the final mode and the visual indication thereof are made the stop mode. However, during this period, ths VTR i~self continues changing its operation mode to the playback mode (present mode) which was designated by the key input at time point tl.
Further, when the recording key is pressed at time point t3 during this mode transition period of the VTR, the same mode transition table (Fig. 12) is looked up.
This mode transition look-up table of Fig. 12 i~dicates ~0 that the mode should be shifted to the recording mode.
Thus, the final mode and the visual indication thereof are made the recording mode. ~owever, during this period, the VTR itself continues changing its operation mode into the playback mode which was designated by the key input at time point t1.
When at time point t4 the operation mode of the VTR
has finally changed into the playback mode, the mode transition vector table forming Fig. 13 is looXed up.
This mode transition vector look-up table of Fig. 13 indicat~s wheth~r o~ not at that time the VTR should further change its operatlon mode and the mode into which the VTR should change its operation mode. At that time (at time polnt t4 in Fig. 1.), since the present mod~ is the playback mode and the final mode is the 3~ recording mode, the mode transition vector look-up able ~27550() 1, of Fig. 13 indicates that the mode of the VTR should be "PB PAUSE" (playbac~ pause mode). Accordingly, the VTR
starts changing its operation mode to the playback pause mode from time point t4 and the present mode is changed into the playback pause mode, too.
When the mode transition to the playback pause mode is ended at time point t5, the same mode transition vector table o~ Fig. 13 is looked up. At time point t5 in Fig. 14, since the present mode is "PB pause"
lo (playback pause mode) and the final mode is "REC"
(recording mode), it will be clear from the mode transition vector look-up table of Fig. 13 that the mode should be "REC PAUSE" ~recording pause mode) next.
Accordingly, the VTR starts changing its operation mode into the recording pause mode at time point t5 and the present mode is made the recording pause mode, too.
When the mode transition of the VTR to the recording pause mode is ended at time point t6 in Fig.
14, the mode transition vector ~able of Fi~. 13 is looked up again. At time point t6 in Fig. 14, since the present mode is the recording pause mode and the final mode is the recording mode, the mode transition vector look-up table of Fig. 13 indicates that the next mode should be the recording mode. Accordingly, the VTR
starts changing its operation mode into the recording mode at time point t6, and the present mode is made the recording mode, too.
When the mode transition to the recording mode is ended at time point t7, the mode transition vector table ol Fig. 13 is looked up. At time point t7 in Fig. 14, since ~hQ present mode and the rinal mode are both the recording mode and equal to each otherl the operation ~ode or the VTR is not changed an~ more. Accordingly, the ~FR remains place~ in the recordin~ mode aIter time point t7.
55~(~
While the op~ration mode of the VTR is changed as - described above, this mode changing operation of the VTR
will be similarly explained by a general algorithm which is represented in a flow chart forming Fig. 15.
In other words, this algorithm forms the flow chart (Fig. 15) of a program that the microcomputer forming the mode controller 2 ~Fig. 3) executes.
Firstly, the presence or absence of a command inputted by pressing an operation key is checked as represented at decisional step 121. If the presence of the command is confirmed at step 121, the processing of the microcomputer (mode controller 2) goes from step 121 to the next decisional step 122. It is checked as represented at decisional step 122 by the mode transition look-up table of Fig. 12 whether or not the key input (command) whose existence was checked at step 121 is valid for the final mode.
If it is judged as represented at decisional step 122 that the key input is valid for the final mode, the ZO processing of the microcomputer goes from step 122 to step 123, in which the final mode and the mode visual indication thereof are renewed in accordance with the mode transition look-up table of ~ig. 12, as represented at time point tl in Fig. 14. Then, the processing of the microco~puter goes from step 123 to the next decisional step 131.
Also, if the absence of the key input is confirmed as represented at decisional step 121 or it is judged as represented at decisional step 122 that the key input is invalid for the final mode, the processing of the mic ocomputer goes directly from steps 121 and 122 to the next decisional st~p 131.
lt is checked, as represented at decisional step 131, whether the mode ol the VTR ls still shiftlng or it 3~ has already rinished. If ,he mode o,^ the V~R is ~;~7~
shifting, the processing of the microcomputex goes back from step 131 to step 121.
Accordingly, the steps 121 to 123 and.the step 131 are repeatedly executed during the period from -the time point tl to the time point t4.
If on the other hand it is judged, as represented at decisional step 131, that the mode transition of the VTR is already ended, the processing of the microcomputer goes from step 131 to the next decisional step 132. There, it is checked whether or not the present mode i5 equal to the final mode. If they are not equal to each other, the processing of the microcomputer goes from step 132 to step 133. As represented at step 133, the operation mode to which the mode of the VTR should be newly shifted is determined with reference to the mode transition vector look-up table of Fig. 13, whereby the present mode is renewed to the new operation mode determined.
Then, the processing of the microcomputer goes from step 133 to step 134. The VTR starts changing its operation mode to the present mode, which was renewed as represented at step 133, as represented at step 134, and the processing of the microcomputer goes back from step 134 to step 121.
Consequently, the steps 131 to 134 are executed at time points t4, t5 and t6 in the mode transition diagram forming Fig. 14, respectively.
I} iL is judged, as represented at decisional step 132, that the present mode and the -final mode are equal to each other, the processing of the microcomputer goes back rrom step 132 to step 121.
Accordingly, this processing of the microcomputer is executed at ,ime point t7.
According to the processing rou,ine in Fig. 'o as 3~ described above, ~he operation mode of the VTR is 755(30 changed as, for example, shown in the mode transition diagram of Fig. 14.
It will be appreciated that the prese~ce or absence of the command inputted by the operation key can be checked by using a condition judging command instead o~
using the above mentioned mode transition look-up table, as represented at decisional step 122 in Fig. 15.
The present invention is not limited to a VTR as mentioned above but can be applied to various kinds of multi-operation mode electronic apparatus such as a tape deck, a video disc player, a CD (compact disc) player and the like which take a lot of time to change their operation modes.
According to the present invention, since the transition mode to which the mode of the multi-operation mode electronic apparatus should be transferred is stacked in the mode stack and i5 optimized, the operation mode of the multi operation mode electronic apparatus can be changed to the desired operation mode in the shortest period of time at the time point at which the operation key is pressed.
If the key input is valid, the reception of the key input and the visual indication of the operation mode can be immediately executed and the transition of ~he operation mode o~ the multi-operation mode electronic apparatus can be carried out in the shortest period of time, so that the user never feels that the multi-operation mode electronic apparatus is taking a great deal of time to change its operation mode and thus, the apparent time required by such a mode transition can be removed. Further, the operation mode can be changed to the same rinal operation mode by pressing the operation key at any timing.
Fur~hermore, according to the present invention, as 3~ set forth above, even ~ any num~er o- operation keys ~7550() are pressed, since the operation mode to which the mode of the multi-operation mode electronic apparatus should be shifted can be made optimum in accordance with the mode transition vector look-up table, the operation mode can be changed to the desired mode in the minimum number of mode transitions at the time point at which the operation key is pressed.
In addition, since the optimization is not required, the processing program to be executed by the mode controller 2 can be simplified and the execution of the program does not take a lot of time. Also, the mode stack area becomes unnecessary.
The above description is given for the preferred embodiments of the invention but it will be apparent that many modifications and variations could be effected by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the novel concepts of the invention, so that the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims only.
Claims (8)
1. A method for changing the operation mode of an multi-operation mode electronic apparatus during a period in which the operation mode is transferring from a present operation mode to a final operation mode, comprising the steps of:
a) receiving an input command signal;
b) judging whether said input command signal is valid or not in view of the operation mode corresponding to previously received, valid command signals;
c) redetermining the final operation mode in accordance with said valid input command signal;
d) determining a sequence of mode changes from the present operation mode to the final operation mode; and e) executing said sequence of mode changes until said present operation mode is equal to said final operation mode.
a) receiving an input command signal;
b) judging whether said input command signal is valid or not in view of the operation mode corresponding to previously received, valid command signals;
c) redetermining the final operation mode in accordance with said valid input command signal;
d) determining a sequence of mode changes from the present operation mode to the final operation mode; and e) executing said sequence of mode changes until said present operation mode is equal to said final operation mode.
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of receiving comprises storing in an electronic memory device a plurality of said input command signals and said step of determining comprises the step of optimizing said input command signals according to predetermined criteria.
3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said steps of determining and executing are performed by electronically accessing a transition vector look-up table stored in an electronic memory device.
4. A method for changing the operation mode of an multi-operation mode electronic apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of judging the validity of the input command signal comprises determining that the following input commands are invalid with respect to the following corresponding final modes:
5. A mode processing circuit for a multi-operation mode electronic apparatus comprising:
means for generating input command signals;
mode stack means having a plurality of stages for storing each said input command signal as an operation mode for said multi-operation mode electronic apparatus;
means for storing said operation modes in said mode stack means in a sequential order and for optimizing the same according to predetermined criteria; and means for deriving said operation modes from said mode stack in the sequential order and then executing the same after the transition of said multi-operation mode electronic apparatus to each operation mode is ended.
means for generating input command signals;
mode stack means having a plurality of stages for storing each said input command signal as an operation mode for said multi-operation mode electronic apparatus;
means for storing said operation modes in said mode stack means in a sequential order and for optimizing the same according to predetermined criteria; and means for deriving said operation modes from said mode stack in the sequential order and then executing the same after the transition of said multi-operation mode electronic apparatus to each operation mode is ended.
6. A mode processing circuit for a multi-operation mode electronic apparatus comprising:
transition vector look-up table means for indicating an operation mode to which the operation mode of said multi-operation mode electronic apparatus should be shifted;
means for receiving an input command signal and determining a final mode of said multi-operation mode electronic apparatus in accordance therewith;
means for determining a new operation mode to which the operation mode of said multi-operation mode electronic apparatus is to be shifted next from said final mode and a mode to which the operation mode of said multi-operation mode electronic apparatus was shifted with reference to said transition vector look-up table means; and means for changing the operation mode of said multi-operation mode electronic apparatus to said operation mode thus determined and then placing said multi-operation mode electronic apparatus in said final mode.
transition vector look-up table means for indicating an operation mode to which the operation mode of said multi-operation mode electronic apparatus should be shifted;
means for receiving an input command signal and determining a final mode of said multi-operation mode electronic apparatus in accordance therewith;
means for determining a new operation mode to which the operation mode of said multi-operation mode electronic apparatus is to be shifted next from said final mode and a mode to which the operation mode of said multi-operation mode electronic apparatus was shifted with reference to said transition vector look-up table means; and means for changing the operation mode of said multi-operation mode electronic apparatus to said operation mode thus determined and then placing said multi-operation mode electronic apparatus in said final mode.
7. A mode processing circuit for a multi-operation mode electronic apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein said transition vector look-up table means comprises an electronic memory which stores the following transition mode commands:
8. A mode processing circuit for a multi-operation mode electronic apparatus as recited in claims 6 or 7, wherein said transition vector look-up table means comprises an electronic memory which stores the following transition mode commands:
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP137996/86 | 1986-06-13 | ||
| JP61137996A JPH0831223B2 (en) | 1986-06-13 | 1986-06-13 | Electronic device and mode processing circuit of electronic device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1275500C true CA1275500C (en) | 1990-10-23 |
Family
ID=15211625
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000539399A Expired - Lifetime CA1275500C (en) | 1986-06-13 | 1987-06-11 | Mode processing circuit |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPH0831223B2 (en) |
| KR (1) | KR950003985B1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1275500C (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KR101916280B1 (en) | 2018-02-26 | 2018-11-08 | 주식회사 지앤이바이오텍 | Non-slip Cotton Sanitary Pad |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS6154061A (en) * | 1984-08-23 | 1986-03-18 | Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd | Auxiliary device for video tape recorder editing |
-
1986
- 1986-06-13 JP JP61137996A patent/JPH0831223B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1987
- 1987-06-11 CA CA000539399A patent/CA1275500C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1987-06-11 KR KR1019870005907A patent/KR950003985B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| KR950003985B1 (en) | 1995-04-21 |
| JPS62295241A (en) | 1987-12-22 |
| KR880000935A (en) | 1988-03-30 |
| JPH0831223B2 (en) | 1996-03-27 |
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