DE19829247B4 - Recording, processing and transmission device - Google Patents

Abstract

Recording, processing and transmission device (1) for storing, processing and transmitting audio signals, with
an analog audio signal input (9; 11), namely a microphone or a microphone input port (11),
a conversion device (29) for processing analog audio signals into digital audio data and
a storage medium (43) for storing the digital audio data,
in that the storage medium (43) is provided for permanent retention in the device (1) and the device (1) has an interface (45) for transferring the digital audio data to a device-external processing device,
characterized in that the recording device is constantly in the recording mode and also records audio signals when a designated recording input device has not yet been operated.

Description

The The invention relates to a recording, processing and transmission device of a first type for storing, processing and transmitting Audio signals, with an analog audio signal input, in particular a microphone or a microphone input terminal, a Conversion device for processing analog audio signals in digital audio data and a storage medium for storing the digital audio data.

It Such devices are known in which analog signals digitized and then stored on a digital storage medium. Such devices can usually also digitally fed audio data directly on to record the digital storage medium. In addition, such devices in which the digitally stored audio data after a Digital / analog conversion via an analog audio output, in particular a headphone or headphone jack reproduced can be.

such Devices are with different functional effort, for example used in the hi-fi area. Depending on the equipment of the device such hi-fi devices are suitable for recording, processing and / or playback of the audio signals. Dependent on The recording standard used becomes different storage media needed. With the DAT standard (Digital Audio Tape) and the DCC standard (Digital Compact Cassette) is the storage medium for storage the digital and data-reduced audio data is a magnetic tape. at another standard, the MD (mini-disc), become magneto-optical disks as a storage medium for storing the digital, under psychoacoustic Data-reduced audio data is used.

at the generic recording, Processing, transmission and playback devices become the audio signals in digitized form stored on the storage medium and can be played by at the same time reprocessing processed by means of another device and / or edited. The storage medium on which the audio data can be removed from the device and for later use if the stored audio data is not currently stored needed become. By deleting and dubbing no longer needed Audio data or the use of an unused storage medium can new audio data get saved.

In the case, that the stored audio data needed at a different location becomes prevalent the storage medium, such as the cassette or disc the wished Place brought. Once there, the storage medium is in a corresponding Playback device inserted so that the stored digital Audio data processed or after a digital / analog conversion as analog Audio signals can be played.

As state of the art, reference is made to the following publications or literature references: US 5359698 . EP 0786774 A2 . DE 4401853 A1 . DE 4002646 C2 , Funkschau 1977, Issue 18, pages 847 to 851; DE 3520275 C2 . JP 05-324000 A . WO 95/28702 A1 . DE 19741503 A1 . DE 3820835 A1 . WO 98/47252 A2 , "Philips shows no computer for Windows CE", Heise online News of 10.03.1997, "Philips' new Velo 1 ...", Byte, Review April 1997.

task The present invention is the generic devices in such a way that in particular the processing and transmission accelerated audio data and facilitates the operation of the device becomes.

The Task is in the recording, processing and transmission devices and in the reproducing apparatus of the type mentioned in the present invention solved, that this Storage medium for a permanent one Whereabouts are provided in the respective device and the device one interface each for a transfer of digital audio data to a device external processing device having.

The Advantages of the invention are, in particular, that the audio data on the Interface can be transmitted in a simple manner. The digital Audio data can be included in a first step to be transferred to a computer to subsequently in a second step over a remote data transmission line or by means of an electronic mail system to more distant Places submitted to become. It is therefore advantageously no longer necessary, the To transport storage medium itself from one place to another. The time span from the time of recording an audio signal, for example by means of a device of the first or second Type until the time of playback of the recorded audio signal, for example by means of a device of the third type considerably reduced. Furthermore There is no longer the risk that the storage medium during the Transport of the audio data is damaged or lost.

The inventive design can with a wireless or wired interface.

In addition, in the invention According to the device numerous precision mechanical components saved, which allow replacement of the storage medium in the known devices. By saving the fine mechanical components, the manufacturing cost of the device is reduced. At the same time, the reliability of the device increases, since in particular the fine mechanical components of a device cause failures and problems.

In a preferred embodiment has the device according to the invention of the first type, a high-level analog input terminal and / or a digital input terminal for audio signals on. These connections enable, that the device according to the invention also signals from conventional record analogue or digital recording and playback devices, process and transmit can.

Especially preferred in the inventive devices of the first and second type conversion means for processing digital audio data into analog audio data provided to a Playback of the stored digital audio data as analog audio signals to enable.

In an appropriate training have the devices of the invention a headphone or at least one headphone output port, with it the stored audio data after a digital / analog conversion play acoustically.

Of the needed Storage space for storing the digital audio data can be stored particularly preferably by reducing the digital audio data be converted into a data-reduced format. For this purpose, the Devices according to the invention a converting device for converting the digital audio data to a data reduced one Format, e.g. B. according to the MPEG, AC3 or ATRAC standard on.

The described below, preferred embodiments relate both on the intake, Processing and transmission devices of the first and second types as well as the reproducing apparatus according to the invention.

at the devices of the invention the storage medium preferably a flash RAM or a dynamic R.A.M. The use of such RAM modules are further fine-mechanical Saved components. This increases reliability the devices for the reasons mentioned above on. About that In addition, the use of RAM chips is a use a motor for transporting a magnetic memory tape or a magneto-optical disk unnecessary, so that during the Operating as well energy is saved.

The Interface for a wireless transmission the digital audio data to a device external processing device is particularly preferred for a bidirectional data transmission intended. It is thus not only digital data from the Transferring devices to external processing facilities, but also from the external processing facilities the devices of the invention.

Prefers is the interface an infrared interface, which a high data transfer rate offers at the same time good transmission quality.

at a further preferred embodiment the devices are the digital audio data in the data reduced Format stored in the storage medium. This allows for a better one Utilization of the storage capacity present in the storage medium. Especially Preferably, the digital audio data is also in the data reduced Format over transmit the wireless transmission interface. This will cause the transfer the audio data to a device external processing device significantly accelerated.

Furthermore is preferably at the devices an analog high-level output terminal and / or digital output terminal for audio signals intended. this makes possible a data transfer in analog or digital form to known recording and playback devices.

Prefers have the devices of the invention also a conversion device for decoding data-reduced Audio data on, in addition to the data reduction before saving the audio data also decodes the data-reduced audio data possible is before this to the digital output terminal or on the digital / analog processing unit are transmitted.

For an input of control commands for controlling the devices have the Devices according to the invention preferably over an input device. To corresponding status or control information display, the devices also preferably have a display device.

Thus, the recording, processing and transmission devices and the reproducing apparatus according to the invention are versatile, they are advantageously portable, running in a compact and lightweight housing.

advantageous Further developments of the invention are characterized by the features of the subclaims.

in the The invention will be explained by way of example with reference to the drawing. It demonstrate:

1 a block diagram of the device according to the invention;

2 a schematic representation of an input device of the device according to 1 ; and

3 a time representation diagram of an audio recording.

In the 1 illustrated device 1 comprises three device areas, namely an analog signal processing area 3 , a digital signal processing area 5 and a digital interface area 7 ,

The analog signal processing area 3 includes a line-in input terminal 9 , a microphone input connection 11 , which with a microphone preamp 13 connected, a first switch 15 with which a subsequent input amplifier 17 is connected to either the microphone preamplifier or the line-in input terminal, a second switch 19 with which a source for a subsequent headphone amplifier 21 or line-out output terminal 23 can be selected and a headphone output port 22 ,

On at the microphone input terminal 11 applied microphone signal is through the microphone preamplifier 13 raised to the level which is for the line-in input terminal 9 typical. The first switch 15 selects whether the microphone signal or the line-in input terminal 9 lying signal is forwarded as an input signal. The first switch 15 is through a microcontroller 25 controlled, which functional the digital interface area 7 is to be assigned. The input amplifier 17 is used for leveling the input signal, wherein the level of the input signal by means of a in the input amplifier 17 provided level control 18 via the microcontroller 25 he follows. A downstream peak LED 27 can be in front of an override of a downstream, to the digital signal processing area 5 belonging, analog / digital converter 29 to warn.

The second switch 19 which also has the microcontroller 25 is controlled, selects which analog signal the headphone amplifier 21 and at the same time the line out output terminal 23 is supplied. This can either be from the input amplifier 17 incoming signal or the analog signal of a digital / analog converter 31 which is also part of the digital signal processing area 5 is.

The headphone amplifier 21 is used to power a connected external headphone (not shown), the volume by means of a headphone amplifier integrated level control 20 also through the microcontroller 25 he follows.

The digital signal processing area 5 includes the analog-to-digital converter 29 , the digital / analog converter 31 , a digital input terminal 33 , a digital output terminal 34 , the digital signal processor 25 (DSP) and a third switch 37 ,

The analog-to-digital converter converts this from the input amplifier 17 incoming signal into a linear digital signal which is sent to the digital signal processor 35 is transmitted. The digital / analog converter 31 converts from the digital signal processor 35 derived linear digital signal, which also at the digital output terminal 34 is present, in an analog output signal to which a terminal of the second switch 19 is supplied. As analog / digital converter 29 and digital / analog converter 31 For example, Crystal's 24-bit converters can be used. The digital input terminal 33 and the digital output terminal 34 correspond in their properties to the consumer-derived Sony / Philips standard.

The digital signal processor 35 is responsible for the conversion of and into a data-reduced format. In particular, the MPEG audio format is favored, since this represents an already widely used audio format. As a digital sign processor 35 For example, the Motorola 56302 DSP device is suitable. The third switch 37 connects the signal input of the digital signal processor 35 either with the output of the analog / digital converter 29 or with the digital input terminal 33 , A control of the third switch 37 takes place in turn by the microcontroller 25 ,

The digital interface area 7 includes a display device 39 , an input device 41 , a storage medium 43 , as a wireless interface an infrared interface 45 and the microcontroller 25 , The execution of an interface with cable is of course possible.

The display device 39 can be implemented by an IC-Compact display with a dot matrix, for example, by the PG12232-D from Actron. The control of the display device 39 takes place directly through the microcontroller 25 , The input device may consist of push buttons, which via a matrix to the microcontroller 25 are connected. The storage medium 43 , which is either a flash RAM or a dynamic RAM (SD-RAM), should have at least a memory capacity of 30 megabytes. The storage medium 43 is firmly integrated into the device, with a subsequent expansion is not provided or possible. An extension of the storage capacity of the storage medium 43 However, this can be done by subsequent insertion of other memory modules by suitable personnel.

The infrared interface 45 is used for loading and unloading the audio data and works directly with an external processing device such as a personal computer (PC) (not shown). The infrared interface preferably corresponds to the IrDA 1.1 standard and has a data transmission rate of 115 kbit / s to 4 Mbit / s. When connected via a PC, the device has 1 the status of a slave device. The connection establishment initiative always takes place from the PC, ie the interface is always ready to receive, but only sends when requested. While the device communicates with the PC, it is controlled from the PC using a suitable computer program. For example, the Sharp RY5HD01 IrDA Communication Unit can be used as a component for the infrared interface.

The microcontroller 25 controls the different components of the device 1 , As a building block is suitable for the microcontroller 25 For example, a type of 8051 series (8-bit microcontroller) to the Motorola 16-bit controllers of the 68000 series.

As a power supply (not shown) is in the device 1 a (rechargeable) battery provided. When using dynamic RAM devices, the battery also powers them in stand-by mode. In order to prevent a voltage failure during a replacement of the battery, in the case that dynamic RAM devices are used, an additional battery, such as a button cell, is provided. When using flash RAM devices, this measure is not required. Furthermore, on the device 1 provided a means to supply power via an external power supply. When selecting all components, attention is always paid to the lowest possible energy consumption. Components for a supply voltage of 3 V are preferred.

In the recording mode, depending on the switch position of the third switch 37 either the digital audio data of the digital input connector 33 or the digital audio data from the analog to digital converter 29 to the input of the digital signal processor 35 connected. The digital audio data is transmitted through the digital signal processor 35 converted into a data-reduced format, for example into an MPEG data stream, and via an output of the digital signal processor 35 to the microcontroller 25 forwarded and from this in blocks in the storage medium 43 stored. Thereby, the free storage capacity of the storage medium 43 constantly checked and in the display device 39 shown.

If audio data is to be played, the audio data is first removed from the storage medium in blocks 43 read out and through the microcontroller 25 to the digital signal processor 35 to hand over. An output of the audio data now takes place via the digital output connection 34 and after a digital / analog conversion as analog audio signal also via the line out output terminal 23 and the headphone output terminal 22 ,

When sending and receiving data via the infrared interface 45 The digital audio data is transmitted in the data-reduced format, for example in MPEG format, to a connected PC or received by this.

2 schematically shows an input device 41 which also in the device 1 out 1 can be used. The input device consists of push buttons, which are connected via a matrix to a microcontroller. The input device comprises, in the illustrated embodiment, an REC, STOP, PLAY, PAUSE, NEXT, PREV, SET MARKER, LOCK, UP, DOWN, and SELECT keys. In the functional sequence of the device 1 In essence, each button is assigned a mode indicating the operating state in which the device is located after the corresponding button has been depressed. In particular, the device can assume a REC, STOP, PLAY, REC-PAUSE, PLAY-PAUSE, NEXT, PREV, SET MARKER, LOCK, UP, DOWN or SELECT mode in its functional sequence. Other modes are possible when the device is operated by means of a menu control. Depending on the current mode, only certain pushbuttons are activated and can be used to control the device.

The REC button can be pressed in REC-PAUSE or STOP mode and used to start a recording. Each new recording will be marked as a new post. While the recording is running, the device is located 1 in REC mode. In REC mode, the STOP button and the SET MARKER button can be pressed. Pressing the STOP button ends the current recording; the device enters the STOP mode. Pressing the SET MARKER button, which is also possible in PLAY mode, marks the point being recorded by the device (REC mode) or played back (PLAY mode). Such set mark is stored together with the audio data in the memory device and is used to easily retrieve the corresponding marked locations.

One Pressing the PAUSE button interrupts the recording and brings the Device in the REC-PAUSE mode. This mode can be the device also occupy when in STOP mode at the same time the REC and Press the PAUSE button. In this mode, the recording is idle, but it is possible an input signal a desired one Level out. By pressing the STOP button will enter the STOP mode by pressing the REC button or the PAUSE key returned to REC mode. When jumping from the REC-PAUSE mode to the REC mode, no new contribution will be made but the recording of the current contribution continues.

The PLAY button can be pressed in PLAY-PAUSE or STOP mode and used to start playback. While playback is in progress, the device is located 1 in PLAY mode. In PLAY mode, you can press the STOP button and the SET MARKER button as described above. Pressing the STOP button stops playback; the device returns to STOP mode. Pressing the PAUSE button interrupts playback and puts the device in the PLAY-PAUSE mode. Pressing the STOP button returns to the STOP mode, pressing the PLAY button or the PAUSE button to return to PLAY mode.

The The NEXT button and the PREV button are activated in STOP, PLAY and PLAY PAUSE modes and serve from one saved post to the next or previous one to jump. In PLAY mode, you can also press the PLAY button a fast forward with acoustic control be provided where every nth audio frame is played.

The LOCK button, which can also be designed as a latching switch can, serves all functions and the infrared interface to lock.

With The UP, DOWN, and SELECT buttons become other functions, such as the level control, the delete single or all contributions, jumping to individual markers, deleting individual or all Marking and setting or changing a time monitor for individual posts actuated. The selection of the individual functions is carried out essentially menu-controlled.

The Pushbuttons are divided into three groups, each group a priority level assigned. In the first group Prio_1 are the push buttons, found and operated while operating 'blindly' become. These are the RECORD, STOP and SET-MARKER buttons. The second group Prio_2 includes the pushbuttons, which are assigned a fixed function. among them fall the PLAY, PAUSE, NEXT, PREV and LOCK buttons. The third group Prio_3 form the multifunction pushbuttons, which dependent on the operating status of the system or the menu control different Functions are assigned. The functions currently assigned to these pushbuttons are displayed accordingly in the display device. To this Counting group the UP, the DOWN and the SELECT button. Instead of the UP and DOWN buttons could also an angle encoder operating wheel can be used.

Around to ensure, that the Pushbuttons of group Prio_1 'blind' found and operated can be are these for a user easily accessible arranged on the device. Also the size and shape of these pushbuttons can be an easy finding and pressing facilitate. The pushbuttons of the groups Prio_2 and Prio_3 are arranged so that this not accidentally pressed can or can electronically deactivated. Also a mechanical cover of this Keys can be provided.

It is also possible and expedient if the recording, processing and transmission device according to the invention is already set to the recording state prior to actuation of the recording input device designed as a REC button. This means that audio signals are recorded and stored according to the FIFO principle (Fist-In-First-Out) for a predetermined period (pre-recording time) if the REC key has not yet been actuated. For example, it can be provided that always the audio information of a predetermined past period, for. B. the last five minutes, recorded and held in the memory. If you now press the REC button, the audio data recorded during the period before the REC button was pressed will be stored and will form part of the entire recording as determined by the REC button. The above measure has the advantage that then, if the user of the recording device should have pressed the REC button too late, yet it is ensured that the entire desired recording comes about and thus despite late pressing the REC button no audio information of the desired recording will be missed. Of course, it is also possible that the lead time, so the time unit of the constantly stored information from the user is also individually adjustable by means of the input means. Regularly, the pre-recording time is considerably shorter than the time for which audio signals can be stored in the recording device. For example, if audio signals can be stored in the recording device for one hour, the pre-recording time may be in the range of 30 seconds to 5 minutes. In 3 It shows how the content of several recordings is displayed in chronological order when several recordings have been made at different times by pressing the REC button.

From the 3 As a result, if the REC key has been operated at different times, the recording will always be the same as the actual recording piece T (track) even before a short period of time has elapsed before the REC key VT lead time (still recorded) remains. The recording, which lies before the lead time, is deleted according to the FIFO principle. FIFO means here that the incoming audio data of a certain period are stored and deleted according to the first-in-first-out principle.

Either the times and periods VTL, VT as well as REC can provided with a mark (index) by means of the input means so that they can be found again and also the actual track beginning is editable.

When Another feature of the recording, processing and transmission device is a fast forward / reverse intended. It is also possible, different levels a fast forward / reverse provided. When fast forward / rewind only every nth Frame, where n is a number greater than 2. When fast Flow and return receives Also, the decoder has a faster power stroke, so the audio signal in a higher pitch is played. But it is also possible to and return the pitch to maintain the reproduction or the pitch of the audio signal not below Sampling of the original pitch adapt.

Finally, with the input means of the recording and transmission device, it is also possible to input the audio signals to be recorded information about address data, such as ISDN or e-mail data, so that this address data information associated with the audio signals to be recorded, from the microcontroller 25 or the external processing device can be evaluated so that, for example, the recorded recording information is automatically sent to the desired address.

The described recording, processing and transmission device is suitable in a particularly good way as a recorder for journalists, which the audio recording with the best possible recording quality quickly and sure to send to their editor, so the post so as soon as possible can be published in the media.

Claims (21)

Recording, processing and transmission device ( 1 ) for storing, processing and transmitting audio signals, with an analog audio signal input ( 9 ; 11 ), namely a microphone or a microphone input connection ( 11 ), a conversion device ( 29 ) for processing analog audio signals into digital audio data and a storage medium ( 43 ) for storing the digital audio data that the storage medium ( 43 ) for a permanent stay in the device ( 1 ) is provided and the device ( 1 ) an interface ( 45 ) for a transmission of the digital audio data to a device external processing device, characterized in that the recording device is constantly in the recording mode and also records audio signals when a recording input device provided for this purpose has not yet been operated. Device according to claim 1, characterized by a high level analog input terminal ( 9 ) and / or a digital input terminal ( 33 ) for audio signals. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a conversion device ( 31 ) for processing digital audio data into analog audio signals. Device according to Claim 3, characterized by a headphone or a headphone output connection ( 22 ). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a conversion device ( 35 ) for converting the digital audio data into a data reduced format. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage medium ( 43 ) is a Flash RAM or a dynamic RAM. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interface ( 45 ) is provided for bidirectional data transmission. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interface ( 45 ) is an infrared interface. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the digital audio data in the data-reduced format in the storage medium ( 43 ) get saved. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the digital audio data in the data-reduced format via the wireless transmission interface ( 45 ) be transmitted. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an analogue and / or a digital audio output connection ( 23 . 34 ). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a conversion device ( 35 ) for decoding data-reduced audio data. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an input device ( 41 ) for inputting control commands for controlling the device ( 1 ). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a display device ( 39 ) for displaying control information. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device ( 1 ) is portable. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that that long the recording input device has not yet been operated for a predetermined past Period audio signals are recorded and cached and for the case that the Recording input device operated already recorded audio is part of the overall recording form, which by the actuation the recording input device is determined. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that Device means for input and storage of electronic address information, for example, ISDN or e-mail data, and that the recorded audio signals associated electronic address information be evaluated by the device or the device external processing device as intended is. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that Device a single-stage or multi-stage fast forward and / or returns in which only every nth data frame is played and n greater than 1 is. Device according to claim 18, characterized in that that the Decoder clocked faster or works faster than the Normal playback and the sound is played with a higher pitch. Device according to claim 18, characterized in that that at fast forward and / or reverse the tone signal of the decoder works faster or faster is considered usual and the pitch the audio signal is adjusted by subsampling the original pitch. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interface ( 45 ) is designed as a wireless or wired interface.