GB2173676A - Data recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A data recording apparatus is arranged to record, on a recording medium, a data sequence including a first binary data which consists of an (m X n) number of bits formed by sampling an information signal (m and n being integers respectively); and a second binary data which consists of numerical data of l -adic and m-figures ( l being an integer not exceeding 2<n>) and in which an n number of bits represent the most significant digit and an i number of bits (i being an integer not exceeding n) form data providing for identifying the information represented by the numerical data. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Data recording apparatus This invention relates to a data recording apparatus and more particularly to an apparatus of the kind recording, on a recording medium along with data relative to a main information signal, some data which relates to additional information and consists of the same number of bits as the data relative to the main information.

In the present specification, a multi-channel digital audio tape recorder of the kind having rotary heads arranged to record a main-information-bearing audio signal with digital modulation, in one of six areas longitudinally extending on a magnetic tape, by time-base compressing the audio signal will first be described in the following to exemplify the kind of apparatus to which this invention is applicable.

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings shows by way of example the tape transport system employed in the audio tape recorder of the above-stated kind. The illustration includes a magnetic tape 1; a rotary cylinder 2 which carries a pair of rotary heads 3 and 4. The heads 3 and 4 are thus arranged to obliquely trace the surface of the tape 1 in recording an audio signal on the tape. An audio signal tape recorder capable of exclusively recording audio signals in a total of six channels can be obtained by arranging it to record a time-base compressed audio signal in each of six areas formed on the tape 1 in the longitudinal direction thereof every time these heads 3 and 4 rotate 36 degrees.

Figure 2 shows recording tracks formed on a tape by this tape recorder. While the head 3 or 4 traces distances from a point A to a point B, from the point B to a point C, from the point C to a point D, from the point D to a point E, from the point E to a point F and from the point F to another point G, audio signals can be recorded in areas CH1 to CH6. These area CH1 to CH6 thus can be used for recording different audio signals therein respectively. An operation called azimuth-overwrite is preformed on these areas. However, the tracks of these areas CH 1 - CH6 do not have to be on the same straight line. Each of the areas CH 1 - CH6 has one pilot signal recorded therein for tracking control.Different pilot signals are thus recorded in different areas in the order of rotation f1 < f2 < f3 < f4. However, there is no correlation between them.

Referring further to Figure 1, recording or reproduction is carried out in or from these area CH1 to CH3 while the tape 1 is travelling at a predetermined speed in the direction of arrow 7 and in or from the areas CH4 to CH6 while the tape is travelling in the direction of arrow 9. Therefore, as shown in Figure 2, the inclination of the areas CH 1 to CH3 somewhat differs from that of the areas CH4 to CH6. With regard to a difference in the relative speed of the tape and the head for these groups of areas, a difference arising from the travel of the tape 1 is extremely small as compared with a difference arising from the rotation of the heads 3 and 4. Therefore, the difference in the relative speed presents no problem.

Figures 3(a) to 3(j) show in a time chart the recording or reproducing operation of the tape recorder which is arranged as described above. a phase detection pulse (hereinafter referred to as a PG signal) which is generated in synchronism with the rotation of the cylinder 2 as shown at Figure 3(a). The PG signal is of a rectangular wave of 30 Hz repeating a high level (hereinafter referred to as an H level) and a low level (hereinafter referred to as an L level) alternately with each other at intervals of 1/60 sec. Another PG signal which is of the opposite polarity to the PG signal of Figure 3(a) is shown in Figure 3(b). The first PG signal is at an H level while the head 3 is rotating from the point B to the point G of Figure 1. The other PG signal shown in Figure 3(b) is at an H level while the other head 4 is rotating from the point B to the point G.

Pulses for reading data are obtained from the PG signal of Figure 3(a) as shown in Figure 3(c). The data reading pulses are used for sampling the audio signal of a period corresponding to one field (1/60 sec).

Figure 3(d) shows by H level parts thereof periods provided for signal processing on the one field portion of the sampled audio data by adding an error correcting redundant code or by changing the arrangement thereof by means of a RAM or the like. Figure 3(e) shows a signal indicating data recording periods at H level parts thereof which represent timing for recording, on the tape 1, the recording data obtained through the signal processing operation mentioned above.

Referring to Figures 3(a) to 3(j), the temporal flow of signals are, for example, as follows: The date sampled during a period from a point of time t1 to a point of time t3, i.e. while the head 3 is moving from the point B to the point G, is subjected to a signal processing operation during a period from the point of time t3 to a point of time t5, i.e. while the head 3 is moving from the point G to the point A and are then recorded during a period from the point of time t5 to a point of time t6, or while the head 3 is moving from the point A to the point B. In other words, the data is recorded by the head 3 in the area CH1 as shown in Figure 2. Meanwhile, the data which is sampled while the PG signal of Figure 3(b) is at an H level is also processed at a similar timing before it is recorded in the area CH1 by the head 4.

Figure 3(f) shows another PG signal which is obtained by shifting the phase of the pG signal of Figure 3(a) to a predetermined degree, which corresponds to one area and is 36 degrees in this specific instance.

An audio signal recording operation using the PG signal of Figure 3(f) and a PG signal which is not shown but is of an opposite polarity to the former is performed in the following manner: The data which is sampled during a period between the points of time t2 and t4 is subjected to a signal processing operation during a period between the points of time t4 and t6 in accordance with the signal of Figure 3(g) and is recorded during a period between the points of time t6 and t7 in accordance with the signal of Figure 3(h). In other words, the data is recorded in the area CH2 of Figure 2 while the head is moving from the point B to the point C. Meanwhile, another data which is sampled during the points of time t4 and t7 is likewise recorded in the area CH2 by means of the other head during a period between the points of time f4 and t7.

The signal which is recorded in the area CH2 in the manner as described above is reproduced in the following manner: The head 3 reads the data from the tape 1 in accordance with a signal shown in Figure 3(h) during the period between the points of time t6 and t7 (and also during the period between the points of time tl and t2).

Then, during the period between the points of time t7 and t8 also (between t2 and t3), the reproduced signal is subjected to a signal processing operation which is carried out, in a manner reverse to the signal processing operation performed for recording, in accordance with a signal shown in Figure 3(i). In other words, error correction and other processes are carried out during this period. Then, during a period between points of time t8 and t9 (t3 - t6), the reproduced audio signal which has been thus processed is produced in accordance with a signal shown in Figure 3(j). The reproducing operation of the head 4 is of course performed with a phase difference of 180 degrees from the above-stated reproduction by the head 3, so that a continuous reproduced audio signal can be obtained.

For other areas CH3 to CH6, it goes without saying that the recording and reproducing operations are performed on the basis of the PG signal of Figure 3(a) by phase shifting it as much as n x 36 degrees. This is independent of the travelling direction of the tape.

An example of the data formats usable for the apparatus of the above-stated kind is arranged as follows: Figure 4 shows a data format employed in recording data in one track within each of the areas of the recording medium shown in Figure 2. In other words, the data in this format includes by way of example the PCM audio data corresponding to the audio signal of two channels for 1/60 sec.

In the data matrix of Figure 4, a column SYNC represents a data train for synchronization. A column ADDRESS represents an address data train. Columns P and Q represent redundant data trains for error correction. A column CRCC represents a CRCC check code data train. Columns D1 and D2 respectively include a plurality of columns. The plurality of columns form data trains containing audio signal information.

On the other hand, lines b(0) to b(3x - 1) represent the lines of the data matrix. Each of these lines forms one block of data, which are recorded from the left side to the right one after another. For example, the data of the column ADDRESS in the line b(0) is recorded next to the data of the column SYNC in the line b(0) and is then followed by the data of the column Pin the line b(0). The data of the last column in the line b(x) is followed by the data of the column SYNC in the line b(x + 1). Data recording for one track comes to an end with the data of the last column in the line b(3x - 1) recorded.

The six data IDO to IDS of the first column among the plurality of columns D1 in lines b(0), b(1), b(x), b(x + 1), b(2x) and b(2x + 1) correspond to additional information other than information on the audio signal. Hereinafter, they will be called ID data.

In the field of the art of recording digitized information signals on recording media, the technology for data recording in a high degree of density is advancing. The advanced technology has come to allow a greater latitude for the data format in which data is to be recorded on the medium. As a result, recording apparatuses for recording data in similar recording formats have come to coexist. For interchangeability among them, it is preferable that information about the recording format employed is recorded in some suitable form on the recording medium. Further, with high density recording having become possible, it has become possible to record an analog information signal over an extremely long period of time. Hence, it is also preferable to have information about time and programs likewise recorded.Since the information signal is to be recorded in the form of digital data, it is advantageous to have the above-stated information recorded on the recording medium also in the form of digital data consisting of the same number of bits as the information signal, because such arrangement does not hinder the high density recording arrangement. The above-stated ID data is recorded on the basis of this concept.

Meanwhile, under the above-stated circumstances, the kinds of information desired to be added in the form of the ID data are tending to increase in number. However, if an excessively large portion of the data format is occupied by the ID data, it would come to lessen the recordable amount of the main information.

This is not desirable.

Further, the multi-channel digital audio tape recorder of the above-stated kind may be arranged to record or reproduce signals by shifting the recording or reproducing area from one area to another. Such a switch-over function is extremely advantageous as it permits a continuous recording operation over a long period of time.

This function, meanwhile, calls for some arrangement to arrange an area to be switched over to another to have some data indicating a record ending point of this area, the number assigned to the other area to be used next, the direction in which the signal is to be recorded in the other area and some information required for a change in the recording tape speed. However, the area before the switch-over must have many other data required for signal reproduction therefrom also recorded including, for example, the data relative to a tape travel speed employed in recording, the direction of the tape travel, etc. Such being the situation, in cases where the number of data allocatable for ID data is limited, adequate recording has been difficult.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a data recording apparatus which is capable of at least reducing the above-stated problems presented by the prior art apparatus.

It is therefore an object of one embodiment of this invention to provide a data recording apparatus which is capable of permitting an increase in the number of kinds of additional information without decreasing the amount of the main information and that of the additional information.

In view of this, an embodiment of a data recording apparatus arranged according to this invention comprises: means for forming, by sampling a main information signal, first binary data which consists of an (m x n) number of bits, m and n being integers respectively; means for forming second binary data which consists of an (m x n) number of bits relative to additional information, the second binary data including numerical data of t-adict and Figures (t being an integer not exceeding 2n) and also including an n number of bits which represent the most significant digit and include an i number of bits (i being an integer not exceeding n) forming data for identification of the information represented by the numerical data; data sequence forming means for forming a data sequence including the first and second binary data; and recording means for recording the data sequence on a recording medium.

It is an object of another embodiment of this invention to provide a data recording apparatus which is capable of permitting switch-over from one reproducing area to another without decreasing the amount of main information.

Data recording apparatus arranged in view of this object and as another embodiment of this invention comprises: recording means arranged to record data individually in each of a plurality of areas extending in parallel with each other on a tape-shaped recording medium in the longitudinal direction thereof; means for forming first binary data of an n number of bits by sampling a main information signal; means for forming second binary data of an n number of bits relative to additional information, the second binary data including instruction data which consists of an i number of bits (i being an integer not exceeding n) for instruction the recording means to change the recording area from one to another, travelling direction indicating data for indicating the current travelling direction of the recording medium when the change of the recording area is not instructed by the instruction data and another travelling direction indicating data for indicating the travelling direction of the recording medium to be taken after the change of the recording area when the change of recording area is instructed by the instruction data; and means for forming a data sequence including the first and second binary data and for supplying the data sequence to the recording means as recording data.

A further embodiment of this invention has as its object the provision of a data recording apparatus which excels in operability for changing a reproducing area to another area.

In view of that object, that further embodiment of a data recording apparatus of this invention comprises: recording means for recording data individually in each of a plurality of areas extending in parallel on a tape-shaped recording medium in the longitudinal direction of the medium; means for forming first binary data consisting of an n number of bits by sampling a main information signal; means for forming second binary data of an n number of bits relative to additional information, the second binary data including instruction data which consists of an i number of bits (i being an integer not exceeding n) for instructing the recording means to change the recording area and position designating data for indicating a recording start position to be taken after the change in the recording area on the recording medium; and means for forming a data sequence including the first and second binary data and for supplying the data sequence to the recording means as recording data.

By way of example only, certain specific embodiments of this invention will now be described in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an illustration of the tape transport system of the conventional tape recorder.

Figure 2 is an illustration of a recording format employed by the recorder of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a timing chart showing the recording and reproducing timing of the tape recorder shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an illustration of a data matrix showing a recording format.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing in outline the arrangement of a tape recorder which is arranged according to this invention as an embodiment thereof.

Figure 6 is a block diagram showing by way of example the arrangement of a PCM audio signal processing circuit included in Figure 5.

Figure 5 shows in outline a tape recorder to which this invention is applied by way of example. In Figures, the same elements as those shown in Figures 1 and 2 are indicated by the same reference numerals. A PG signal obtained from a rotation detector 11 which detects the rotation of a rotary cylinder 2 is supplied to a cylinder motor control circuit 16. Upon receipt of the signal, the circuit 16 causes the cylinder 2 to be rotated at a given rotation speed and at a given phase of rotation. Rotation detectors 12 and 13 are arranged to detect the rotation of the fly-wheels 17 and 18 of capstans 14 and 15. Their outputs (hereinafter referred to as FG signals) are supplied to a capstan motor control circuit 20 in a selective manner through a switch 19.The output of the circuit 20 is supplied via a switch 21 to capstan motors to cause the capstans 14 and 15 to be rotated at a given speed respectively. The connecting position of each of the switches 19 and 21 is arranged to be on the side of its terminal F in causing a tape 1 to travel in the direction of arrow 7 (forward direction) and to be on the side of another terminal R in causing the tape 1 to travel in the direction of arrow 9 (reverse direction).

Meanwhile, the above-stated PG signal is supplied also to a window pulse generating circuit 22 and a gate pulse generating circuit 23 respectively.

An operation part 24 is arranged to permit designation or selection by a manual operation thereon an operation mode such as a recording or reproducing mode and designation of an area of the recording medium in or from which recording or reproduction is to be performed. This part 24 also permits a manual selection between recording solely an audio signal and recording both an audio signal and a video signal and recording both an audio signal and a video signal. In addition to such selections or designations, a recording track pitch and a tape travel direction for recording can be designated by a manual operation on this operation part 24.

In case that a reproducing area is to be changed over to another area as mentioned in the foregoing, the number assigned to the new area, the tape travel direction, the recording track pitch, etc. to be employed after the change-over also can be designated by performing a manual operation at the operation part 24.

The data thus obtained at the operation part 24 is supplied to a system controller 25. Upon receipt of the data, the system controller 25 controls the capstan motor control circuit 20, the switches 19 and 21, an area designation circuit 26, a gate circuit 27, and ID signal control circuit 51, etc. by producing data as applicable.

Then, the area designation circuit 26 supplies area designating data to a gate pulse generating circuit 23 to obtain thereby a desired gate pulse. In the event of recording a video signal along with the audio signal, it is of course the area CH1 that is to be designated.

The gate pulse generating circuit 23 is arranged to selectively supply a gate circuit 28 with window pulses generated by a window pulse generating circuit 22 as gate circuit controlling gate pulses for each of the heads 3 and 4 according to the area designating data supplied to the circuit 23.

In recording, an analog audio signal coming to a terminal 29 is supplied to a PCM audio signal processing circuit 30. The audio signal is then sampled at a timing relative to the window pulse as mentioned in the foregoing. The signal is transformed into digital data. The recording audio data thus obtained is supplied to an adder 33. To the recording audio data are added tracking control pilot signals (TPS's) which are generated in rotation from a pilot signal generating circuit 32 in the sequence of frequencies fl < f2 < f3 < f4 one for every field and other pilot signals which will be described later herein. The output of the adder 33 is gated by the gate circuit 28 in a suitable manner as mentioned in the foregoing.The gated output is written into a desired area by the heads 3 and 4.

During reproduction, signals reproduced by the heads 3 and 4 are extracted by the gate circuit 28 according to the window pulses. The output of the gate circuit 28 is supplied via the terminal A of a switch 34 to an LPF (low-pass filter) 35 and is supplied also the the PCM audio signal processing circuit 30. The PCM audio signal processing circuit 30 then performs a signal processing operation including error correction, time-base expansion, digital-to-analog conversion, etc. in a manner reverse to the processing operation performed in recording. A reproduced analog audio signal thus obtained is produced from a terminal 36.

The LPF 35 separates the above-stated TPS's from the signal received. The output of the LPF 35 is supplied to an ATF circuit 37. The ATF circuit 37 is arranged to obtain a tracking error signal in the known four frequency method. According to this method, the tracking error signal is obtained by using the reproduced tracking control pilot signals together with pilot signals which are generated by the pilot signal generating circuit 32 in rotation in the same frequency sequence as the sequence employed in recording. However, since one tracking error signal is to be obtained for every area, the error signal is arranged to be sampled and held. The tracking error signal which is thus obtained is supplied to the capstan motor control circuit 20.

Upon receipt of the error signal, the circuit 20 carries out tracking control by controlling the reproducing tape travel via the capstans 14 and 15.

The arrangement for recording or reproducing a video signal is as follows: When the system controller 25 produces an instruction for recording the video signal, the area designation circuit 26 forcedly designates the use of the area CH1 and causes the gate circuit 27 to operate according to the PG signal. The video signal comes through a terminal 38. A video signal processing circuit 39 processes the video signal into a signal form suited for recording. The processed signal is supplied to an adder 40. The adder 40 adds pilot signals obtained from the pilot signal generating circuit 32 to the video signal. The output of the adder 40 is supplied via the gate circuit 27 the the heads 3 and 4 to be recorded in an applicable part of one of the areas CH2 to CH6. Meanwhile, the PCM audio signal is recorded in exactly the same manner as the recording operation mentioned in the foregoing.

In reproducing the video signal, the video signals picked up by the heads 3 and 4 are made into a continuous signal through the gate circuit 27. This continuous signal is supplied to the video signal processing circuit 39 to be brought back into the original signal form. The reproduced video signal thus obtained is produced from a terminal 41. Further, the continuous signal obtained from the gate circuit 27 is supplied also to the LPF 35 to have its pilot signal component separated there. The pilot signal component thus separated is supplied to the ATF circuit 37. The ATF circuit 37 then produces a tracking error signal. This error signal requires no simpling-and-holding process and is therefore supplied directly to the capstan motor control circuit 20.In the meantime, a PCM audio signal is reproduced from the area CH1 and a reproduced analog audio signal is obtained from a terminal 36. In this instance, however, the tracking control is not performed with the signal from the gate circuit 28.

An ID control circuit 51 is arranged to form data IDO to IDS which will be described later by using data which is received from the system controller 25 showing the operating condition of the apparatus and the incoming audio signal. These data IDO to IDS are supplied in the form of parallel data to the PCM audio signal processing circuit 301. These data are switched over from one to another when they are produced from the control circuit 51 at a timing synchronized with the PG signal. Each of the data IDO to IDS is thus arranged to remain unchanged within a period during which recording is performed for one recording track.

Referring to Tables 1 to 5, the details of these data DO to ID5 are as follows: The data IDO which consists of eight bits is arranged to indicate information to be represented by other data ID1 to ID5. In other words, the data lD0 is main mode designating data. The data ID1 to ID4 are assumed to indicate, in each of varied modes 1 to 6, the information as shown in Table 1. More specifically, in the mode 1, the data ID1 to ID4 serve to indicate time information as a tape counter. In the mode 2, they are indicative of time information at every cut. In modes 3 and 4, they are indicative of time information.The data ID1 to ID4 in the mode 5 and the data ID2 to ID4 in the mode 8 are indicative of time information for every program. The data ID1 to ID4 in the mode 6 and the data ID2 to ID4 in the mode 7 are respectively arranged to indicate information about time from the leader part of the tape. The information in table 1 includes program numbers "Pro. No.", cut number "Cut No." and file numbers "File No.". In the case of a system arranged to replace data with data of all "0" upon occurrence of a data error in general, the system is preferably arranged to seldom generate data having its bits all become "0".Therefore, each of data is arranged to express "0" as all "1 " (11111111) and to express "1" as "11111110" thus inverting the relation of 0 and 1 of the ordinary data.

Referring to Table 1, the 8-bit data Y is arranged to indicate information which is as shown in Table 2. The data Y represents the data IDS in each of the modes 1 to 7. Referring to Table 2, the 0-th bit of the data Y indicates whether the 8-bit Y itself is valid or invalid. The first and second bits of the data Y indicate the form of the audio signal as to whether the audio information recorded in the above-stated two channels is monaural or sterephonic, etc. The third and fourth bits indicate whether the audio signal information or some other information is to be recorded in the applicable parts of the first and second channels. The fifth and sixth bits are arranged to become "1" at the beginning and end of a part having the audio signal recorded. The seventh bit is arranged to become "1" in cases where dubbing is to be prevented.

Next, the details of the ID data in the mode 7 are as shown in Tables 3 to 5. In the mode 7, the ID data are used in cases where the PCM audio signal is to be recorded and reproduced in or from each of the six channels by the apparatuses of this kind as mentioned in the foregoing. Referring to Tables 3,4 and 5, the data ID0 in the mode 7 is arranged to indicate the number of the mode 7.

The data ID1 indicates information relative to the recording format. The examples of this information are as shown in Tables 3,4 and 5. The data ID2, ID3 and ID4 are numerical data which are arranged also as shown by way of example in Tables 3,4 and 5.

In the case of Table 3, the 0-th bit of the data ID1 is indicative of the tape travel direction taken for recording. The bit is at "0" when the tape is allowed to travel for recording in the direction of arrow 7 as shown in Figure 5 and is at "1" when the tape is allowed to travel for recording in the direction of arrow 9.

The first and second bits form a data indicative of a tape travel speed, i.e. the recording track pitch employed for recording. They permit setting up to four different track pitches including, for example. A value '00" is indicative of a standard track pitch; and value "10" indicative of a long time recording, for example, at a tape speed which is 1/2 of the standard speed; and values "01" and "11" indicative of third and fourth track pitches respectively.

The third, fourth and fffth bits form next channel number designating data indicative of one of the areas CH1 and CH6 in which recording is to be performed next time. Since this data is composed of three bits, it can be correlated to up to a total of eight different kinds of information. However, a total number of channels in this case is only six. Therefore, values "100", "010", "110", "001", "101" and "011" are correlated to the areas CH1, CH2, CH3, CH4, CH5 and CH6 respectively. With the 3-bit data arranged in this manner, with the replacement data which is obtained upon detection of an error as mentioned in the foregoing assumed to be arranged to have its second third and fourth bits all become "0" or "1", the above-stated 3-bit data is clearly distinguishable from such replacement data.Further, in the event of a system wherein the replacement data is arranged to become all "0", the value "111" of the 3-bit data may be used for indicating some other information, such as information indicating no change in the recording area.

The sixth and seventh bits of the data ID1 form look-up data for searching or a look-up operation called a leader search or the like. For example, referring to Figure 5, in case that the audio data coming via the terminal 29 continues to be mute over a given period of time, say, two seconds, the look-up data is recorded as "11" at least for a given period of time, say, one second which corresponds to 60 tracks. Further, in the event that the operator wishes to play back later on a specific part of a tune by marking the part even halfway during a recording process on the tune, the operator can perform a manual operation on the operation part 24 to cause the system controller 25 to issue an appropriate instruction. Then, in response to the instruction, the look-up data is recorded as "01" at the specific part for a given period of time, say, one sec. On the other part, where an audio signal is normally recorded, "10" is recorded. In cases where such a look-up arrangement is not required, the look-up data is recorded as "00".

TABLE 1 ID Mode IDO ID1 ID2 ID3 ID4 IDS Remarks 1 1 hour min. sec. File No. Y counter 2 2 Pro.No. Cut No. min. sec. Y cut data 3 3 year month day day of week Y time 4 4 o'clock min. sec. File No. Y time 5 5 Pro.No. hour min. sec. Y program data 6 6 Pro.No. hour min. sec. Y tape data 7 7 -seeTables3,4and5 data for multiple channel TABLE 2 Bit No.Data ID 5(Y) in each of various modes 0 validity 1 the form of the audio signal 2 the form of the audio signal 3 L channel audio / other 4 Rchannel audio / others 5 beginning part of the record 6 ending part of the record 7 prevention of dubbing TABLE 3 Bit No. 0 ID No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 DO 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 ID1 tape travel tape travel next channel data for direction speed No. look-up ID2 program number ID3 Hourormin. x 1 x 10 hour or min.

ID4 sec. xl x x10 P/T IDS Y TABLE 4 BitNo. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ID No.

IDO 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 tape travel channel No. tape travel data for direction after change speed look-up or ID1 tape travel no change tape travel part changed direction speed after change after change ID2 Hour or min. x 1 x 10 hour/ min.

ID3 sec. x 1 x 10 T/M ID4 Musicorchapterx 1 x 10 M/C IDS Y TABLE 5 Bit No. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ID No.

IDO 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 tape travel tape travel tape using data for 0 direction speed method look-up ID1 tape travel change-over tape travel direction point data speed in number 1 in next next next channel channel channel ID2 Hourormin. x 1 x10 Hour/ min.

ID3 sec. xl x10 T/M ID4 Musicorchapterx 1 x 10 M/C IDS Y The data ID2 is an 8-bit data indicating a program number. The number of data recordable by this data ID2 is between 1 and 255 in binary notation and between 1 and 99 in decimal notation.

The data ID3 indicates hour or minute information. The bits from the zeroth to the third bit are arranged to indicate a unit digit between 0 and 9.

The bits from the fourth to the sixth bit are arranged to indicate a tenth digit between 0 and 7 or between 0 and Sin the case of minute information. The seventh bit of the data ID3 is arranged to indicate whether the bits from the zeroth bit to the sixth bit represent hour information or minute information.

The data ID4 indicates second information. The bits from the zeroth to the third bit of the data ID4 are arranged to indicate a unit digit between 0 and 9 while the bits from the fourth to the sixth bit are arranged to indicate a tenth digit between 0 and 5. The seventh bit of the data ID4 is arranged to indicate whether the time information indicated by the data ID3 and ID4 relates to a length of time from the end of the tape or from the head of a program represented by the program number indicated by the data ID2.

Such being the data arrangement, the meaning of the information indicated by the bits from the zeroth to the sixth bit of each of the data ID3 and ID4 is prescribable in varied manners. Further, if a length of time exceeding 79 hours is unlikely, the seventh bit may be used for the above-stated indentification purpose without affecting the information bearing amount of the numerical data of two digits.

In another conceivable modification example on the assumption that each of programs does not exceed 159 minutes and that second information is not required for information on the length from the tape end, the data arrangement may be made in the following manner: First, the data ID3 is arranged to be an 8-bit data forming two figures with every four bits indicating either hour or minute information. The No. zeroth to sixth bits of the data ID4 are arranged to form data of 3 + 4 bits indicating minute or second information. The seventh bit of the data ID4 is arranged to indicate whether this time information represents a length of time from the beginning (leader) of a program or from the end of the tape.In a further conceivable modification example, the data ID3 and ID4 are arranged to automatically indicate minute and second information when the length of time is from the beginning (or the leader) of a program and to indicate hour and minute information if the length of time is from the end of the tape. These modifications give the same advantageous effect as the effect attainable in accordance with the arrangement shown in Table 3.

The details of arrangement shown in Table 4 are described by way of example as follows: The parts of Table 4 which are similar to those of Table 3 are omitted from the description given here. The first, second and third bits of the data ID1 from 3-bit data representing an important feature of this example. The 3-bit data become "111" for normal recording. In the event of giving an instruction for change-over from one channel to another, the 3-bit data indicates one of the areas CH1 to CH6 to be used for the channel to which the change-over is to be effected.

The zeroth, fourth and fifth bits of the data ID1 form data relative to a recording format or a mode of recording. The zeroth bit indicates the tape travel direction taken for recording. The fourth and fifth bits jointly indicate the travelling speed of the tape, i.e. the track pitch employed for recording. When the first to third bits of the data 1D1 are "111" thus indicating a normal condition, they are indicating the mode of recording of the area in which this ID data is recorded. Whereas, if the first to third bits of the data ID1 correspond to any of the areas CH1 to CH6, the data ID1 indicates the mode of recording employed in the area from which reproduction is to be performed after change-over from another area to that area.

In case that the first to third bits are "111", the sixth and seventh bits of the data ID1 form data for look-up in the same manner as the data for look-up formed by the sixth and seventh bits in Table 3. In the event that the first to third bits indicate change-over to another reproducing area, the sixth and seventh bits jointly form data indicative of a changing place. If the data is "01", it instructs to move the tape to the end thereof in the direction of arrow 7 and to start reproduction there. In the event of "10", it instructs to move the tape to another end thereof in the direction of arrow 9 and to start reproduction there. In the event of "11", it instructs to begin reproduction of the record of the channel indicated by the first to third bits of the data ID1.

In the event that the channel indicated by the first, second and third bits of the data ID1 is the same channel which is in use before the change-over of the reproducing area and that the sixth and seventh bits are "10" and the zeroth bit is at "0", a so-called repeat play-back operation can be carried out by repeating a reproducing operation on one and the same channel.

The arrangement of the data ID2 and ID3 is similar to that of Table 3. However, as apparent from the data matrix of Figure 4, these data ID2 and 1D3 are closely adjacent to each other on the recording medium.

Therefore, even in cases where reproduction is performed by allowing the tape to travel at a speed different from a speed employed in recording, the data ID3 is reproduced with fail when the data ID2 is reproduced, so that the start point of the time information indicated by the data ID2 can be clearly known. The seventh bit of the data ID3 serves as data indicating whether the time information represented by the data ID3 is a length of time from the tape end or from the beginning of a music program of the music number indicated by the data ID4. In other words, by virtue of this arrangement, it can be clearly known whether the hour or minute information indicated by the data ID2 represents a length of time from the end of the tape or from the beginning part of a music program.

The data ID4 indicates a music number or a chapter number (including a number assigned to subdivided part of music such as a movement of music). In the data ID4, the zeroth to third bits are allocated to unit digits 0 to 9; the fourth to sixth bits to tenth digits 0 to 7; and the seventh bit is arranged to indicate whether other bits of the data ID4 indicate a music program number or a number assigned to one of the chapters (or movements) of the music program.

The data arrangement as shown in Table 4 enables one and the same data format to be used for recording in different modes of recording for different channels and for indicating the mode of recording used in a reproducing area after change-over from another reproducing area to that area. The arrangement permits simplification of the data reading system of the system controller 25. Further, the data ID2 to ID4 are arranged to be numerical data of two figures while the data ID1 is arranged to be of different data at every four bits thereof. That arrangement facilitates common utilization of the system.

Next, the data format shown in Table 5 is arranged as follows: Table 5 differs from Table 4 only with respect to the data ID1. Therefore, the description given here covers the data ID1 only. The seventh bit of the data ID1 serves as a one-bit data which represent a feature of this embodiment. In normal recording, the data is "0". It becomes "1" in each of several tracks immediately preceding a point at which change-over takes place from one reording channel to another. In cases where the operator wishes to change a reproducing area over to another or where it is desired to perform a repeat play-back operation, this one-bit data can be shifted to "1" by a manual operation on the operation part 24.

The seven bits from the zeroth to sixth, i.e. from No.0 to No. 6 bits, of the data ID1 are arranged to be data indicative of the mode of recording employed for the channel in which they are recorded orto be used for look-up when the seventh bit is at "0" and to be data which are required for changing one area over to another. More specifically, they are arranged in the following manner: In case that the seventh bit is at "0", the No.0 bit indicates that tape travel direction taken in recording in the same manner as in Tables 3 and 4 and the first and second bits the tape travel speed. With the seventh bit at "0", the third bit prescribes a tape using method showing whether one channel is singly used for recording or two channels are concurrently used for recording a double amount of information.In this case the area CHI is correlated with the area CH4; the area CH2 with the area CH5; and the area CH3 with the area CH6. In the event of concurrent recording in two channels the correlated areas are combined with each other.

For the two-channel concurrent recording or reproducing operation, another PCM audio signal processing circuit 30 is added to the PCM audio signal processing circuit 30 of Figure 5. In that instance, the sampling frequency, the number of quantized bits, etc. can be doubled.

With the seventh bit at "0", the fourth to sixth bits of the data ID1 serve as data for look-up. The look-up data is to be used in carrying out the so-called leader search, etc. These three bits are thus arranged to be used for two different searching or look-up functions. The first function is the conventional leader search-out function; and the second is a function of looking up a specific part designated by a manual operation by the operator of the apparatus. However, since such a look-up function is not absolutely necessary, they are arranged as an optional feature.

In case that the fourth to sixth bits are at '111", the data indicates that neither of the two look-up functions are provided. In the event of setting the first function alone, the look-up data becomes "001" and stays at that state over a given period of, say, one second if the audio data coming via the terminal 29 of Figure 5 continues to be mute for a given period of, say, two seconds. During other periods, the look-up data remains at "010".

In setting only the second look-up function, if the operator wishes to mark a specific part, the system controller 25 issues an instruction in response to a manual operation performed by the operator on the operation part 24. Then, in accordance with this instruction, the look-up data becomes and stays at "011" for a given period of, say, one second and after that stays at "100".

In the event of setting both the first and second look-up function, the look-up data is arranged to be recorded as "001" and "011" and to be "101" during a period other than the look-up period. This arrangement excludes the possibility of wastefully performing a look-up operation while no look-up function is provided. Therefore, the travel of the tape can be brought to a stop as necesssary when the absence of the look-up function is detected.

Next, in the event that the seventh bit of the data ID1 is at "1" indicating change-over from one area to another, the data ID1 of Table 5 is arranged as follows: The No. O bit, in this event, indicates the tape travel direction to be taken after change-over to another are. The first and second bits jointly form change-over point data indicating a part to which the area change-over is to be effected in the same manner as the change-over part indicating data of Table 4. The third bit serves as data indicating a speed at which the tape is to be allowed to travel after change-over from one area to another. The third bit becomes "0" to indicate the standard track pitch and becomes "1" to indicate a track pitch which is 1/2 of the standard pitch.These "0" and "1" correspond respectively to "00" and "11" of the first and second bits when the seventh bit is at "0".

With the seventh bit at "1 ", the fourth to sixth bits of the data ID1 jointly form channel number indicating data which indicates one of the areas CH1 to CH6 that corresponds to a channel to be used next for recording or to a reproducing channel to be used after change-over. This number indicating data is similar to the next channel number indicating data of Tables 3 and 4.

The data arrangement described above permits recording all the data required for reproduction from each of the channels and the data required in changing the reproducing area from one area to another in an effective manner. In each of the ID data, the seventh bit is arranged to serve as data indicative of the meaning of the data formed by other bits from No. 0 bit to the sixth bit. This arrangement permits the system controller 25 to have a simplified reading system. Further, the data ID2 and ID4 are arranged to be numerical data of two figures while, in relation to this, the data ID1 is arranged to give data which varies at every four bits thereof. This feature of the embodiment facilitates common use of the system.

The embodiment is arranged to record these ID data in a manner as briefly described below: Figure 6 shows by way of example the details of arrangement of the PCM audio signal processing circuit 30 shown in Figure 5. The circuit 30 includes a terminal 101 which is arranged to receive the incoming analog audio signal supplied to the terminal 29. Aterminal 102 is arranged to receive the data produced from the ID control circuit 51. The parellel data received at the terminal 102 is supplied to an ID generating circuit 104.

The circuit 104 then produces data which is seriated at a predetermined timing.

Meanwhile, the analog audio signal received at the terminal 101 is supplied to an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 103. The A/D converter 103 samples the analog audio signal at a predetermined frequency and, after that, quantizes it. Serial data of a predetermined timing which is thus obtained is supplied to a data selector 105. The data selector 105 supplied a RAM (random access memory) 107 with the output of the ID generating circuit 104 once in every one-field period at a timing corresponding to the data ID1. At a different timing, the data selector 105 supplied the output of the A/D converter 103 to the RAM 107.At the RAM 107, the parity word (P,Q) obtained from an error correction circuit (ECC) 106, address data obtained from an address controller 108 such as CRCC are arranged together with the data obtained from the above-stated data selector 105 in accordance with the data matrix arrangement shown in Figure 4. Time-base compressed data which is arranged in the above-stated order is supplied from the RAM 107 to a modulation circuit 109.

The modulation circuit 109 performs a digital modulation operation such as BPM (by-phase modulation), etc.

The output of the circuit 109 is produced from a terminal 111. The digital modulated audio signal thus produced from the terminal 111 is supplied to the above-stated adder 33.

In reproduction, the embodiment operates as follows: The digital modulated signal coming from the gate circuit 28 is supplied to a terminal 112 to be demodulated by a digital demodulator 113. The demodulated signal is supplied to a RAM 115. The RAM 115 performs a signal processing operation in exactly a reverse manner to the RAM 107. In other words, the data arrangement is changed on the basis of the address data obtained from an address controller 114 and also synchronizing data. Any error is corrected at an ECC 116.

As a result, the data of the columns D1 and D2 are produced from the RAM 115 and is supplied to a D/A (digital-to-analog) converter 117 and an ID rading circuit 118. The D/A converter 117 converts the input into the original analog audio signal and produces it via a terminal 119 from the terminal 36 of Figure 5.

Meanwhile, the ID reading circuit 118 picks up the above-stated ID data and supplied it to the ID detection circuit 52. The operations of all the parts of the signal processing circuit 30 shown in Figure 6 are synchronized by a timing signal generated by a timing controller 110.

The ID detection circuit 52 looks up the ID data and supplies the system controller 25 with information which is as shown in Tables 1 to 5. Then, in accordance with the input data, the system controller 25 controls the area designation circuit 26 and the capstan motor control circuit 20.

In the specific embodiment described, each of the data is arranged to be composed of eight bits; the mode designating data to be of one bit; and the numerical data to represent two figures, However, this invention is not limited to such arrangement but may be otherwise variously embodied within the scope of the following

Claims (35)

claims. CLAIMS

1. A data recording apparatus comprising: a) means for forming, by sampling a main information signal, first binary data which consists of an (m x n) number of bits, m and n being integers respectively; b)means for forming second binary data which consists of the (m x n) number of bits relative to additional information, said second binary data including numerical data of t-adict and am figures, e being an integer not exceeding 2", and also including an n number of bits which represents the most significant digit and include an i number of bits (i being an integer not exceeding n) forming identification data to be used for identifying the meaning of the information represented by said numerical data; c)data sequence forming means for forming a data sequence including said first and second binary data; and d) recording means for recording said data sequence on a recording medium.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said numerical data contains time information relative to the recording operation of said recording means.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said time information is indicative of time either in hour or in minute; and said identification data of said second binary data is one-bit data for discriminating whether said time information indicates time in hour or in minute.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said numerical data includes a program number assigned to every program included in said main information signal.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein information signal includes an audio signal; and said program number is either a music program number assigned to every music program represented by said audio signal or a chapter number assigned to each of a plurality of subdivided part of a music program.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said identifying data of said second binary data is one-bit data for finding whether said program number indicates said music program number or indicates said chapter number.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said data sequence further includes third binary data of (m x n) bits indictive of other additional information.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said third binary data includes an i number of bits which correspond to the i number of bits forming the identification data of said second binary data, said i number of bits of the third binary data forming identification data for identification of the meaning of the additional information represented by data formed by the remaining (m x n - i) number of bits of said third binary data.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said third binary data further includes numerical data of t-adict and figures; and both the numerical data of said second binary data and that of said third binary data are arranged to indicate time information relative to the recording operation of said recording means.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said time information of said second binary data is arranged to indicate time either in hour or in minute and that of said third binary data to indicate time in second.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the identification data of said second binary data in one-bit data indicating whether the time information of said second binary data indicates time in hour or in minute; and identification data of said third binary data is one-bit data indicating whether the time information of said second binary data and that of said third binary data are representing a length of recording time used for said recording medium or representing a length of recording time used for each of the programs included in said main information signal.

12. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said recording meidum includes a magnetic tape; and said recording means is arranged to record said data sequence on said magentic tape by obliquely forming recording tracks on the medium.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said third binary data is arranged to include information on the pitch at which said oblique tracks are formed on said magentic tape.

14. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said third binary data includes information on the travelling direction of said magnetic tape.

15. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said third binary data includes information designating a specific part of said main information signal.

16. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said recording means is capable of recording said data sequence individually in each of a plurality of areas extending in parallel with each other in the longitudinal direction of said magnetic tape.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the i number of bits which are included in said third binary data and correspond to the i number of bit forming the identification data of said second binary data are arranged to form instruction data for giving an instruction to change the area in which said data sequence is recorded by said recording means from one area to another.

18. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the additional information included in said third binary data varies with said instruction data.

19. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein, in case that said instruction data is instructing to change the recording area, said third binary data includes data indicating an area to be used afterthe change.

20. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein, in case that said instruction data is instruction to change the recording area, said third binary data includes data indicating the travelling direction of said magentic tape to be taken after the change.

21. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein, in case that said instruction data is instructing to change the recording area, said third binary data includes data indicating a position from which recording begins in the area to be used after the change.

22. A data recording apparatus comprising: a) means for forming a first binary data group consisting of an n number of bits by sampling a main information signal; b) means for forming a second binary data group consisting of an n number of bits including additional information, said second binary data group including first and second additional binary data, said first additional binary data including an i number of bits (i being an interger not exceeding n) forming identification data for identifying the meaning of said first and second additional binary data;; c) means for forming a data sequence including said first and second binary data groups, said data sequence forming means having the second additional binary data of said second binary data group arranged to be located most closely to said first additional binary data among all the data of said second binary data group; and d) recording means for recording said data sequence on a recording medium.

23. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said first and second additional binary data include time information relative to the recording operation of said recording means.

24. An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said identification data is one-bit data indicating whether the time information of said first and second additional binary data is representing a length of recording time used for said recording medium or representing a length of recording time for each of the programs included in said main information signal.

25. A data recording apparatus comprising: a) recording means arranged to record data individually in each of a plurality of areas extending in parallel with each other on a tape-shaped recording medium in the longitudinal direction of said medium; b)means for forming first binary data of an n number of bits by sampling a main information signal;; c) means for forming second binary data of an n number of bits relative to additional information, said second binary data including instruction data which consists of an i number of bits (i being an integer not exceeding n) for instructing said recording means to change said recording area from one to another, travelling direction indicating data for indicating the present travelling direction of said recording medium when the change of the recording area is not instructed by said instruction data and another travelling direction indicating data for indicating the travelling direction of said recording medium to be taken after the change of the recording area when the instruction data instructs to change the recording area; and d) means for forming a data sequence including said first and second binary data and for supplying said data sequence to said recording means as recording data.

26. An apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said recording means includes a rotary head which is arranged to obliquely trace the surface of said recording medium and to form oblique recording tracks one after another on said medium; and, when said instruction data is not instructing to change said recording area, said second binary data includes information indicative of the track pitch of said oblique recording tracks formed in the area on which the recording operation of said recording means is presently performed.

27. An apparatus according to claim 25, wherein, when said instruction data is not instructing to change said recording area from one to another, said second binary data includes information required for designating a specific part of said main information signal.

28. An apparatus according to claim 25, wherein, when said instruction data is instructing to change said recording area from one to another, said second binary data includes information indicative of the area to be used after the change.

29. An apparatus according to claim 25, wherein, when said instruction data is instructing to change said recording area from one to another, said second binary data includes information indicative of a recording starting position after the change.

30. A data recording apparatus comprising: a) recording means for recording data individually in each of a plurality of areas extending in parallel on a tape-shaped recording medium in the longitudinal direction of said medium; b) means for forming first binary data consisting of an n number of bits by sampling a main information signal; c) means for forming second binary data of an n number of bits relative to additional information, said second binary data including instruction data which consists of an i number of bits (i being an integer not exceeding n) for instructing said recording means to change said recording area from one to another and position designating data for indicating a recording starting position to be taken after the change of the recording area on said recording medium; and d) means for forming a data sequence including said first and second binary data and for supplying said data sequence to said recording means as recording data.

31. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein said position designating data is arranged to designate one of a plurality of starting positions relative to the longitudinal direction of said tape-shaped recording medium.

32. An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said plurality of starting positions include the recorded position of said position designating data.

33. An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said plurality of starting positions include a position at the end part of said recording medium relative to the longitudinal direction of the medium.

34. Each and every novel feature, taken in combination or singly, of the data recording apparatus described hereinbefore.

35. Data recording apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, but referring also to Figures 1 to 4, of the accompanying drawings.