JP2000207838A - Digital recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a melody desired to record to be recorded from the heading part in an air check. SOLUTION: Inputted voice and data are outputted from a speaker 16 and also compressed in a data compressing part 17, and a compressed voice and data column is stored in a memory 18 once. When the contents desired to record from the speaker 16 are heard, the compressed voice and data column is read from the memory 18 in the state retroacting τ0 to the part extended in a data extending part 26 and outputted from the speaker 16 when operating a retroactive reading key in an input operating part 27. At what timing recording is started is judged by hearing it, when a record starting key is operated in a just good timing, the contents desired to record are sent to a recording part 22 at a first time from the compressed voice and data read from the memory 18 in the timing and stored into a recording medium 50. Thus, the contents desired to record are recorded from the heading part without including the other unnecessary contents.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital recording apparatus for digitally recording input data such as audio data on a recordable / reproducible recording medium such as a mini disk (MD). The present invention relates to a digital recording device having a function capable of coping with a case where a data source flows randomly from one to another, such as a broadcast program. In the case of a broadcast program, it is difficult to know in advance at what timing data to be recorded is to be input, but the present invention relates to a technique for enabling recording to be started at an appropriate timing. The digital recording device according to the present invention is suitable when applied to an audio recording device in which data to be recorded is compressed audio data. However, the data to be recorded does not need to be compressed data and does not have to be audio data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A mini disk (MD), which is one type of magneto-optical disk, is a package medium for music that can be recorded and reproduced, and has a small sound or masking effect (frequency components close to loud sounds) that cannot be heard by human ears. ATRAC (Adaptive TRans) that removes the sound that works when it is difficult to hear
Using an audio compression technique called form Acoustic Coding, the signal amount is recorded in a state where the signal amount is compressed to about one fifth of the original amount.

In recent years, individual users have been actively recording desired music on the mini-disc (MD). It is convenient for creating a personal music library. Assume that the audio signal to be recorded is music. When the original is a CD (compact disk) or the like, only the music is reproduced and output, and a plurality of music are clearly reproduced and output. There is no particular problem when recording from such a source, but it flows randomly from source to source, such as a radio broadcast program, where music, announcer's voice and commercials are mixed. As is well known, it is difficult to record only the music portion with good timing. However, when you think it's a song to be recorded, it's already too late, and it's easy for anyone to experience recording from the middle.

Therefore, recently, a digital recording device (audio recording device) equipped with a retrospective recording function has been developed. This will be described below.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a digital recording device (audio recording device) having a retrospective recording function according to the prior art. The data compression unit 17 is required for compressing and recording the audio data, and the data decompression unit 26 is required for reproducing the compressed data.

First, the operation in the reproduction mode will be described. The flow of signals and data in the reproduction mode is indicated by dotted arrows. Recording medium 5 which is a mini disk (MD)
0 is temporarily stored in the memory 18 via the amplifier / servo circuit 24 and the signal processing unit 25, and is stored in the memory 18 through the FIFO unit.
The data is read out by an O (First in First out) method, input to the data decompression unit 26 via the memory output control unit 20, and after the data is decompressed there, via the output switching unit 13 switched to the terminal b side. The reproduced sound is output from the speaker 16 via the D / A converter 14 and the amplifier 15.

The data is temporarily stored in the memory 18 at the time of reproduction even if the audio data cannot be instantaneously read from the recording medium 50 which is a mini-disk by the optical pickup due to the vibration of the reproduction unit 23. By storing it and reading it continuously from there, you can “skip”
This is to prevent

Next, the operation in the recording mode will be described. The flow of signals and data in the recording standby state in the recording mode is indicated by solid arrows. An audio signal received by the radio receiver is input from an input terminal 10 to an A / D converter 11, converted into digital audio data, and branched into two via a branching unit 12. One of the branches is input to a D / A converter 14 via an output switching unit 13 switched to the terminal a side, converted into an analog audio signal by the D / A converter 14, and amplified by an amplifier 15. The monitor sound is output from the speaker 16. The other is compressed by the data compression unit 17 and stored in the memory 18 under the control of the memory controller 19. The method of storing the compressed audio data in the memory 18 is to store the audio data per unit time in association with time data.
When the memory is full, new data is written while discarding the oldest data.

In the recording standby state, an input audio signal from a radio broadcast or the like is output from the speaker 16 as monitor audio, and the corresponding compressed audio data is stored in the memory 18. In the recording standby state, the output switching unit 21 in the memory output control unit 20 is in the OFF state, and no compressed audio data is output from the memory 18 to the recording unit 22. Therefore, recording on the recording medium 50, which is a mini disk, is not performed. Not done.
The user measures the timing to be recorded while listening to the monitor sound output from the speaker 16.

In the recording standby state, the A / D converter 11 supplies the audio signal strings "A, B, C" as shown in FIG.
... M ”are input in chronological order, the monitor sound of the same audio signal sequence is output from the speaker 16, and in the memory 18 in FIG.
The audio data string "a, b, c ... compressed as shown in FIG.
.. M ”is stored.
The user listens in real time to the monitor sound output from the unit 6 and air-checks whether the song is to be recorded. Now, it is assumed that the monitor sound by the sound signal “M” has just been output from the speaker 16. Then, at the next timing, the audio signal “N” is input, and when the monitor audio based on the audio signal is output from the speaker 16, the user determines that the music is to be recorded, and It is assumed that a retroactive read command is given to the microcomputer 28 through a retroactive read key operation. This timing is defined as t90.

The flow of signals and data after the key operation of retroactive reading in the input operation unit 27 is performed is shown by a two-dot chain line arrow in FIG. Microcomputer 2
Reference numeral 8 gives a read command to the memory controller 19 and switches the output switching section 21 of the memory output control section 20 to the ON state. Memory controller 1
Reference numeral 9 controls the memory 18 to perform retroactive reading control at a timing t80, which is a predetermined retroactive time τ0 from the timing t90 on the memory 18 as a retroactive reading start timing. This timing t80 corresponds to, for example, audio data "d" as audio data on the memory 18. Therefore, the compressed audio data strings “d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k...” Are sequentially read from the memory 18, and the output switching section 2 in the memory output control section 20.
1 through the recording unit 22 and are recorded on the recording medium 50 as a mini disk as shown in FIG.

The memory 18 used for sound skip guard in reproduction is used for the above-mentioned retroactive recording, that is, "retrospective recording". If the retrospective recording function is not provided, it becomes very difficult to record various songs that flow in real time in a radio broadcast music program received by a radio receiver with good timing. In other words, the recording opportunity is missed, and the tune to be recorded cannot be recorded in a state including the head portion thereof. Even if the recording is started in a hurry, the tune is recorded from the middle of the tune. However, if you have the function of retroactive recording as described above, even if the song you want to record is playing and you notice it, it will not be delayed within a certain time, and the recording will be performed retroactively, so the beginning of the song It is possible to record in a state including.

[0013]

The above-mentioned prior art has the following problems. By starting retrospective reading based on a key operation of retrospective reading from the input operation unit 27,
The compressed voice data sequence “d, e, f,
g, h, i, j, k... ”are sequentially recorded on the recording medium 50. This compressed audio data string includes the head portion of the music desired to be recorded, but the recorded audio data The beginning of the column is not the beginning of the song, which means that the retrospective time τ0 has been set with a margin to prevent it from being missed, so that it can be recorded immediately before the song that you want to record in the radio broadcast. It often happens that other songs, voices, and commercials are mixed in the compressed audio data sequence "h, i,
j, k... ", and another content immediately before the compressed audio data sequence is" d, e, f, g ". For the user, the compressed audio data sequence" d, e, f, g " Is unnecessary, the unnecessary compressed audio data sequence "d, e, f, g" must be removed from the recording medium 50 by an editing operation after the end of a series of recording operations of the radio broadcast.

The editing work for the removal is performed on the recording medium 5.
0, the compressed audio data sequence “d, e, f, g” and the compressed audio data sequence “h, i, j, k...
e) work to be performed and the divided compressed audio data sequence “d,
e, f, and g "are required to be erased. These division and erasing operations involve many steps and are rather troublesome.

As for the division, the compressed audio data string "d, e,
f, g, h, i, j, k... ”are reproduced, and the end of the last audio data“ g ”of the unnecessary compressed audio data sequence“ d, e, f, g ”and the compressed audio data sequence to be retained "H, i,
j, k... ”and the beginning of the audio data“ h ”at the beginning. It is generally difficult to perform this check and the division operation at once. Play back, perform the division operation based on the memory of the timing in the checked song flow, adjust the subtle time adjustment with the jog dial, find the exact timing of the division boundary, and finally divide (divide)
Execute Erasing is performed after division, but it is necessary to leave the one that should be left and the one that should be erased, so try playing it again and pay enough attention to erase the compressed sound The data string "d,
e, f, g "is checked very carefully, and then the erasure is finally performed. The operation of dividing and erasing is very troublesome and requires a lot of time. Need.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0017]

A digital recording apparatus according to the present invention is adapted to a case where a source of data desired to be recorded is such as a broadcast program that flows randomly one after another. It is assumed that the digital recording device has a function that can be performed. It is difficult to know in advance when data to be recorded is input. Rather, knowing the content of the broadcast program that is flowing,
For the first time, this is what we want to record. In other words, you do not know in advance whether you want to record. In such a case, it is difficult to perform recording.

Therefore, in the digital recording apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, when digitally recording input data on a recording medium, the input data is not stored immediately but is always temporarily stored in a memory. Keep it. This is so that you can always retrieve it later. That is, while continuously input data is monitored and output, it is temporarily stored in the memory at the same time. While confirming the monitor output (air check), the user performs a retroactive read operation on the memory when it is determined that the content is desired to be recorded. By this retroactive reading operation, reading of data from the memory is started by going back a predetermined time from the timing of the operation, and
Playback output. The reproduction output from the memory is checked to determine at what timing the recording is to be started so that the content desired to be recorded can be recorded from the head portion. Since the confirmation of the content is the second time, it is relatively easy to determine the correct timing with a margin.
The user performs an operation of starting recording at this timing, and when the operation is performed, records the data read from the memory on the recording medium. As a result, the content to be recorded is recorded on the recording medium from the very beginning.

A digital recording apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention performs thinning of data when reading out from a memory retroactively for a predetermined time and reproducing and outputting the data. According to this, the waiting time from the start of reading data to the reproduction and output of the head portion of the content desired to be recorded is reduced.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the digital recording apparatus, when data is read out from the memory in a state of going back the predetermined time and reproduced and output, if the user repeatedly performs the reading operation, the data goes back from the memory again. Is read out and reproduced and output. The time at which the saturation goes back may be the same as the previous time or may be shorter. If the playback output from the memory is only one time, there is a possibility that it may be confusing when deciding the timing of starting the recording to start recording the content desired to be recorded from the very beginning, but the playback output from the memory Is repeated, the timing can be accurately measured, and the possibility of starting to record the content desired to be recorded from the very beginning is increased.

The present invention is most suitably applied when data stored in a memory and recorded on a recording medium is compressed and audio data.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a digital recording apparatus (audio recording apparatus) according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. This digital recording device may be built in the radio receiver, or may be a device independent of the radio receiver or the like, and connected to the external input terminal (AUX IN) of the radio receiver or the like via a connection cable. It may be connected to an audio output terminal.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a digital recording apparatus (audio recording apparatus) according to a first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the input side of the A / D converter 11 is connected to the input terminal 10 of the audio signal,
The output side of the A / D converter 11 is connected to the input side of the branching unit 12. One output side of the branch unit 12 is connected to a terminal a of an output switching unit 13 of a switching switch type. The terminal b of the output switching unit 13 is connected to the output side of the data decompression unit 26. The common terminal c of the output switching unit 13 is connected to the input side of the D / A converter 14, the output side of the D / A converter 14 is connected to the input side of the amplifier 15, and the output side of the amplifier 15 is connected to the speaker 16. It is connected. The other output side of the branching unit 12 is connected to the input side of the data compression unit 17, and the output side of the data compression unit 17 is connected to the input side of the memory 18. The output side of the memory 18 is connected to the input side of the data decompression section 26 via the memory output control section 20 and is connected to the input side of the recording section 22 via an output switching section 21 of a changeover switch type. . The recording unit 22 faces the recording medium 50 whose optical head and magnetic head are mini disks (MD) as magneto-optical disks. Playback part 2
Reference numeral 3 denotes an optical head which also serves as an optical pickup for picking up audio data from the recording medium 50, the output side of which is connected to the input side of the amplification / servo circuit 24, and
The output side of the servo circuit 24 is connected to the input side of the signal processing unit 25, and the output side of the signal processing unit 25 is connected to the input side of the memory 18 together with the data compression unit 17. The microcomputer 28 operates the input operation unit 27 by key operation or the like.
From the memory controller 19, the output switching unit 13 between the branching unit 12 and the data decompression unit 26, the output switching unit 21 in the memory output control unit 20, the data compression unit 17 and the data Extension part 26
And the recording unit 22 and the reproducing unit 23 are controlled. The digital recording apparatus according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 has the same components as those of the prior art shown in FIG. However, the types of keys of the input operation unit 27 and the programs in the microcomputer 28 are different. Although not shown, the wiring between the blocks is also different. The specific aspect will become clear in the description of the operation described below.

Next, the operation of the digital recording apparatus according to the first embodiment configured as described above will be described.

(1) Reproduction Mode First, the operation of the reproduction mode will be described with reference to FIG. The flow of signals and data in the reproduction mode is indicated by dotted arrows. When a key operation for reproduction is performed on the input operation unit 27, a reproduction command is output to the microcomputer 28, and the microcomputer 28 switches the output switching unit 13 to the terminal b side, and reproduces the reproduction unit 23, the memory controller 19, and the data decompression unit. Activate 26.
Output switching unit 21 in memory output control unit 20 is OFF
It is in a state. The optical head (optical pickup) of the reproducing unit 23 reads out the compressed audio data recorded on the recording medium 50 which is a mini disk, and amplifies the compressed audio data via the amplification / servo circuit 24 and the signal processing unit 25 into the memory 18. Output to Memory controller 19
Temporarily stores the audio data from the signal processing unit 25 in the memory 18 and stores the audio data in the FIFO (Firs
Compressed audio data is read out by a t in First out method. In the memory 18, when the memory is full, new data is written while discarding the oldest data. The read compressed audio data is input to the data decompression unit 26 via the memory output control unit 20. Since the output switching unit 21 is in the OFF state, the compressed audio data is not output to the recording unit 22. The input compressed audio data is subjected to data expansion in the data expansion unit 26, and is input to the D / A converter 14 via the output switching unit 13 switched to the terminal b, and the converted analog audio signal is amplified by the amplifier. The audio signal is input to the speaker 16 via the speaker 15, and the reproduced sound is output from the speaker 16. The compressed audio data output from the signal processing unit 25 is not directly input to the data decompression unit 26, but is temporarily input to the memory 18 and temporarily stored there, so that the compressed audio data from the memory 18 Read-out and data expansion unit 2
The input to 6 is always continuous, and "skip" is prevented.

(2) Normal Recording Mode Next, the operation in the normal recording mode will be described. FIG.
, The flow of signals and data in the recording mode is indicated by solid arrows. When a key operation for normal recording is performed by the input operation unit 27 while a sound signal is being input to the input terminal 10, a normal recording instruction is given to the microcomputer 28, and the microcomputer 28 switches the output switching unit 13 to the terminal a side. And the data compression unit 17, the memory controller 19, and the recording unit 22 are activated, and the output switching unit 21 in the memory output control unit 20 is switched to the ON state. An input audio signal from a radio broadcast or the like is input from an input terminal 10 to the A / D converter 1.
1, is converted into digital audio data, and is branched into two via a branching unit 12. One of the branched audio data is supplied to the D / A via the terminal a of the output switching unit 13.
The signal is input to the converter 14, converted into an analog audio signal by the D / A converter 14, amplified by the amplifier 15, and the monitor audio is output from the speaker 16. The other audio data is data-compressed by the data compression unit 17, and is temporarily stored in the memory 18 in a state where the audio data per unit time is associated with time data. In the memory 18, when the memory is full, new data is written while discarding the oldest data. The memory controller 19 controls the memory 18 and reads out the compressed audio data from the memory 18.
Is output from the output switching unit 21 in the ON state in the memory output control unit 20 to the recording unit 22, and the compressed audio data is converted by the optical head and the magnetic head of the recording unit 22 into a mini disk. Is recorded on the recording medium 50. In this normal recording operation, the input audio signal is output as monitor audio from the speaker 16 and, at the same time, the corresponding audio data is recorded on the recording medium 50 in a compressed state. In this normal recording operation, the data decompression unit 26 is inactive and does not operate.

(3) Retrospective Recording Mode Next, the operation of the retrospective recording mode will be described with reference to FIG. This retrospective recording mode is divided into three stages.

(3-1) Recording Standby State Signal and data flows in the recording standby state in the retrospective recording mode are indicated by solid-line arrows. When a key operation for selecting a retrospective recording mode is performed by the input operation unit 27, a retrospective recording mode selection command is given to the microcomputer 28, and the microcomputer 28 outputs the branch unit 12 so that the branch unit 12 is connected to the D / A converter 14. The switching unit 13 is switched to the terminal a side, the data compression unit 17 and the memory controller 19 are activated, and the output switching unit 21 in the memory output control unit 20 is switched to the OFF state. An input audio signal from a radio broadcast or the like is supplied to an input terminal 10.
The signal is input to the A / D converter 11, is converted into digital audio data, and is branched into two via the branching unit 12.
One audio data is input to a D / A converter 14 via a terminal a of an output switching unit 13, converted into an analog audio signal by the D / A converter 14, amplified by an amplifier 15, and monitored by a speaker 16. Sound is output. The other audio data is data-compressed by the data compression unit 17 and output to the memory 18. The memory controller 19 controls the memory 18 so that the compressed audio data input to the memory 18 is temporarily stored in the memory 18 in a state of being associated with time data in units of audio data per unit time. In the memory 18, when the memory is full, new data is written while discarding the oldest data.

Immediately after the key operation for selecting the retrospective recording mode, the apparatus is in a recording standby state, in which an input audio signal is output in real time as a monitor audio from the speaker 16 and the corresponding audio data is compressed. Is stored in the memory 18. In the recording standby state, the output switching unit 21 of the memory output control unit 20
Since the memory is in the FF state, no data is output from the memory 18 to the recording unit 22, and therefore, no recording is performed on the recording medium 50 which is a mini disk. The user has a speaker 16
The recording timing while listening to the monitor sound output from the monitor.

In the recording standby state, the A / D converter 11 supplies the audio signal trains "A, B, C ..." as shown in FIG.
.. M ”are input in chronological order, and the same audio signal sequence is output from the speaker 16.
Assume that the audio data string “a, b, c... M” compressed by the data compression unit 17 is stored in the memory 18 as shown in FIG. The user listens to the monitor sound output from the speaker 16 in real time, and air-checks whether or not the song is a song to be recorded.

(3-2) Retrospective reading Now, the monitor sound by the sound signal “M” is output from the speaker 1.
6 is just output. Then, when the audio signal “N” is input at the next timing and the monitor audio based on the audio signal is output from the speaker 16 (although this is not so severe, However, the user may determine that the song is to be recorded, and the user may read the song retroactively to the microcomputer 28 through the key operation of the retrospective reading at the input operation unit 27. Is given.

The flow of signals and data in the state where a command for retroactive reading is given is indicated by a dotted arrow in FIG. This timing is defined as t30. The microcomputer 28 gives a retroactive read command to the memory controller 19, activates the data decompression unit 26, and connects the output switching unit 13 to the terminal b in order to connect the data decompression unit 26 to the D / A converter 14. Switch to. The memory controller 19 sends the memory 1
8, retroactive read control is executed using timing t10, which is a predetermined retroactive time τ0 preceding timing t30, as the retrospective read start timing. This timing t10 corresponds to, for example, audio data "d" as audio data on the memory 18. Therefore, the compressed voice data sequence "d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k..."
Are sequentially read out by a FIFO (First in First out) method and output to the data decompression unit 26. At this time, the output switching unit 21 in the memory output control unit 20 remains in the OFF state.
2 is not output.

The compressed audio data sequence "d, e, f, g, h,
are input to the data decompression unit 26 via the memory output control unit 20. The compressed audio data is decompressed in the data decompression unit 26. The expanded voice data sequence is input. The compressed audio data sequence “d,
e, f, g, h, i, j, k...
"D ', E', F ', G', H ', I',
J ', K'... The expanded audio data strings "D ', E', F ', G', H ', I', J ', K',.
.. "Are input to the D / A converter 14 via the output switching unit 13 switched to the terminal b side, and the converted analog audio signal is input to the speaker 16 via the amplifier 15, In place of real-time monitoring audio output of input audio signals from broadcasting, etc., memory 1
The monitor sound of the compressed sound data from the monitor 8 is reproduced and output from the speaker 16.

The user listens to the monitor sound reproduced from the memory 18 and output from the speaker 16, and determines at which timing the final recording start execution should be commanded. The audio data strings "D ', E', F ',
Up to G '"is another tune, a voice, a commercial, etc. immediately before the tune desired to be recorded, and if this is recorded, it is troublesome to edit the divide and erase later. At this time, the timing is carefully measured, and the sound by the sound signal “F ′” is now output from the speaker 16.
It has just been output from. The user recognizes that the unnecessary voice data portion is about to end.

(3-3) Execution of Recording Start Next, the sound by the sound signal "G '" is output from the speaker 16, and immediately before the sound ends (the sound signal "H'" is output at the next timing). Immediately before (immediately before), the user decides the timing to instruct the execution of the recording start now, and gives a recording start instruction to the microcomputer 28 through the final recording start key operation on the input operation unit 27. This timing is defined as t20. The flow of signals and data in a state after the start of recording is indicated by a two-dot chain line arrow in FIG. The microcomputer 28 activates the recording unit 22 and further activates the memory output control unit 2
The output switching unit 21 at 0 is switched to the ON state. Subsequently, a read command is given to the memory controller 19. The memory controller 19 operates at timing t20.
., "" Are sequentially output from the memory 18 to the recording unit 22 via the output switching unit 21 which has been switched to the ON state. It is recorded on the recording medium 50 which is a mini disk. In parallel with this, a monitor sound corresponding to the expanded sound data string “H ′, I ′, J ′, K ′...” Is continuously output from the speaker 16. The user weighs the timing of the key operation at the start of recording that he / she finally performed and the flow of the time-series monitor sound output from the speaker 16 to check whether or not the timing of the operation was justified. be able to.

With such a retroactive recording function, it is possible to record various songs flowing in real time in a radio broadcast music program received by a radio receiver in a timely manner without missing an opportunity. In this case, the retrospective time τ0 is set large in consideration of a margin so that the tune to be recorded can be recorded in a state including the head portion surely, so that the reproduction sound from the memory 18 in the retroactive recording mode is set. This means that unnecessary voice data that is not intended to be recorded is also included, although temporarily. However, the tune to be recorded can be recorded on the recording medium 50 in a state including the head and starting from the head while excluding the unnecessary audio data part at an appropriate timing. More specifically, a song that the user desires to record is a compressed audio data sequence “h, i, j, k...”, And another content immediately before the compressed audio data sequence is “d, e, f, g”. ", Recording of unnecessary compressed audio data strings" d, e, f, g "is avoided, and necessary compressed audio data strings" h, i, j, k "as shown in FIG. ... Are recorded on the recording medium 50. Therefore, there is no need to perform the cumbersome editing work of dividing and erasing after a series of recording operations of a radio broadcast, which is unavoidably performed in the case of the conventional technology, which is extremely efficient. Only the tunes that one wishes to record well can be selectively recorded.

(4) Continuous Retrospective Recording FIG. 3 shows the data output state from the start of the retrospective reading in (3-2) described above in chronological order. 2 (c) and 2 (d) are shifted in time axis from FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b). The timings t10 and t20 are time data recorded in the memory 18. The retroactive reading start at the timing t10 is actually temporally later than the key operation of the retroactive reading at the timing t30. Later in time. However, the time axis is common in the timing chart of FIG. FIG. 3A shows an input audio signal sequence “N, O, P... U, V, W...” From a radio broadcast or the like, and FIG. "N, o, p ... u, v, w ..."
(C) shows the compressed audio data sequence “d, e, f... M...” Read retroactively from the memory 18 at the synchronized timing.
FIG. 3 (d) shows the voice data sequence "D ', E', F '...
M ′..., And FIG. 3E shows a compressed audio data sequence “h, i,
j, k ... m ".

(5) Stopping Retrospective Recording Next, stopping the recording in the retroactive recording mode will be described.
Assume that the audio data “m” of the compressed audio data sequence “h, i, j, k... M” read from the memory 18 for the music desired to be recorded is the final audio data of the music. The time-series compressed audio data sequence "h, i, j, k... M" read from the memory 18 is also expanded by the data expansion unit 26, and the expanded audio data sequence "H ', I',
J ', K'... M '"
It is output as monitor sound. In parallel with this, the input audio signal “R, S...
.., U, V, W ”are sequentially stored in the memory 18 by the audio data“ r, s... U, v, w ”compressed by the data compression unit 17. At the moment when the monitor audio corresponding to the audio data M 'after the final expansion has been heard, a key operation for stopping recording is performed by the input operation unit 27. Then, the microcomputer 28 causes the output switching unit 21 in the memory output control unit 20 to operate. Is switched to the OFF state, and the recording unit 22 is switched to the inactive state.Therefore, the recording operation for the recording unit 22 is a recording of the compressed audio data sequence “... K”. The recording is stopped immediately after “m” is recorded, or at the same time or immediately thereafter, the microcomputer 28 is connected to the data decompression unit 26 and the D / A converter 14.
With the branch unit 12 and the D / A converter 1 instead.
The output switching unit 13 is switched to the terminal a in order to connect the terminal 4 with the terminal 4. At the same time, the memory 1
8 and the data decompression unit 26 is switched to inactive.

An input audio signal from a radio broadcast or the like is continuously compressed by a data compression unit 17, and the compressed audio data sequence is stored in a memory 18. From the speaker to the D / A converter 14 via the output switching unit 13 as a real-time monitor sound.
Output. In this case, the monitor audio output from the speaker 16 corresponds to the compressed audio data sequence “x, y...”, And therefore, the compressed audio data sequence “n, o, p... U, v, w”. Has lost the opportunity to be output as monitor audio. However, from the compressed audio data sequence “q, r...” Of the missing compressed audio data sequence “n, o, p.
If you want to record at the same time, if you use the same retro-recording function as above, successive songs will not lose the chance and output the monitor sound from the time zone before the beginning of the song. Retroactive recording can be performed in the same manner as described above.

In the above operation example, the compressed audio data sequence recorded on the recording medium 50 is “h, i, j, k...
m ", but this is merely a model-like expression. The compressed audio data sequence for one song is actually longer. The data length of one compressed audio data, for example, the compressed audio data" h " Is 30 msec, and one song has a length of 3 minutes, the number of compressed audio data recorded on the recording medium 50 per song is 6000 (60 × 3６0.03). In this case, the number of compressed audio data “h” to “m” is 60
That is, 00.

[Second Embodiment] A second embodiment is to speed up the output of monitor sound. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a digital recording device (audio recording device) according to the second embodiment. Since the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 for the first embodiment indicate the same components in FIG. 5 for the second embodiment, the description is omitted here. The configuration of the second embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that a thinning unit 29 is inserted in a line connecting the memory output control unit 20 and the data decompression unit 26. Four arrows in FIG. 5,
,, Indicate the flow of signals and data in the same retrospective recording mode as shown in FIG. 1 of the first embodiment. Specifically, solid arrows indicate recording standby states, and dotted arrows indicate arrows. Retrospective reading indicates the execution of recording start, and the two-dot chain line arrow indicates execution of recording start.

In the retrospective recording mode, the compressed audio data sequence "d, e, f, g, h,
i, j, k ... "are as shown in Fig. 6B.
(A) shows an input audio signal sequence “D, E, F, G,
H, I, J, K... "Are shown for reference to the data length. The length of FIG. 6B is approximately one third of the length of FIG. But a mini disk (MD)
Is actually about one-fifth. The compressed audio data string read from the memory 18 shown in FIG. 6B is subjected to the thinning processing in the thinning unit 29, and the thinned audio data string "d ', e', f 'is displayed as shown in FIG. 6C. , G ′,
h ', i', j ', k'.... The data length of each decimated voice data is shorter than the data length of the compressed voice data read from the memory 18. Therefore, the sound quality is inferior, but the speed is high. The thinned-out voice data sequence "d ', e', f ', g', h ', i', j ', k', etc.
.. "Are expanded by the data expansion unit 26 in FIG.
The decompressed audio data sequence “D ′,” shown in FIG.
Since the individual audio data of E ', F', G ', H', I ', J', K '... "Are thinned out, they are shorter than the original audio data of FIG. ing.

The data length of FIG. 6A is T10, and FIG.
6 is T01, the data length of FIG. 6C is T02, and FIG.
Assuming that the data length of (d) is T20 and the thinning rate by the thinning unit 29 is α, T02 = (1−α) T01, and T02
20 = (1−α) T10. By such a thinning process, the output time of the monitor sound is shortened, and the waiting time from the start of the retrospective reading to the execution of the recording start is shortened. The thinning process is performed on the compressed audio data sequence read from the memory 18, and
, A compressed audio data sequence that is not thinned out is transmitted, so that the compressed audio data sequence recorded on the recording medium 50 is the same as that in the first embodiment. Other operations are the same as those in the first embodiment (FIG. 1), and thus description thereof is omitted.

[Third Embodiment] The third embodiment is also intended to speed up the output of monitor sound. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a digital recording device (audio recording device) according to the third embodiment. Since the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 for the first embodiment indicate the same components in FIG. 7 for the third embodiment, the description is omitted here. The configuration of the third embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that the memory controller 19 reads the compressed audio data string from the memory 18 in two systems. Line 3 from the memory 18 to the output switching unit 21 in the memory output control unit 20
0 is separated from the data decompression unit 26. Memory 18
The line 31 extending from the output to the data decompression unit 26 is the output switching unit 2
1, the memory controller 19 thins out the compressed audio data from the memory 18 and outputs it to the line 31. As in the first embodiment, the compressed audio data from the memory 18 is output as it is to the line 30 connecting the output switching unit 21 connected to the recording unit 22 and the memory 18 as in the first embodiment. . The operation is similar to that of the second embodiment. 7, four arrows indicate the flow of signals and data in the same retroactive recording mode as shown in FIG. 1 of the first embodiment. Specifically, solid arrows indicate recording standby. The state, the dotted arrow indicates retroactive reading, and the two-dot chain line indicates execution of recording start.

[Fourth Embodiment] In the fourth embodiment, retrospective reading is repeated. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a digital recording device (audio recording device) according to the fourth embodiment. Since the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 for the first embodiment indicate the same components in FIG. 8 for the fourth embodiment, the description will be omitted here. The configuration according to the fourth embodiment is the same as that according to the first embodiment.
The difference is that the voice synthesizer 32 is controlled by the microcomputer 28, and the output side of the voice synthesizer 32 is connected to the input side of the D / A converter 14. . This voice synthesizer 32 generates a beep sound (warning sound). 8, four arrows indicate the flow of signals and data in the same retroactive recording mode as shown in FIG. 1 of the first embodiment. Specifically, solid arrows indicate recording standby. The state, the dotted arrow indicates retroactive reading, and the two-dot chain line indicates execution of recording start.

Next, the operation of the digital recording device (audio recording device) according to the fourth embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. The timing of the key operation for retroactive reading is t70. In response to the retroactive read command given by the microcomputer 28, the memory controller 19 controls the memory 18 to perform retroactive read control on the memory 18 at a timing t40, which is a predetermined retroactive time τ0 from the timing t70 and a retroactive read start timing. Execute. The timing t40 corresponds to, for example, audio data "c" as audio data on the memory 18. Therefore, the compressed audio data sequence “c, d, e, f, g, h... P, q.
Sequentially read out by the O (first in first out) method,
The data is output to the data decompression unit 26. At this time, since the output switching unit 21 in the memory output control unit 20 remains in the OFF state, the output is not output to the recording unit 22.

The compressed audio data sequence “c, d, e, f, g, h” read from the memory 18 by the memory controller 19
.., P, q,... ”Are input to the data decompression unit 26 via the memory output control unit 20. The data decompression unit 26 decompresses the compressed audio data. The compressed audio data sequence "c,
d, e, f, g, h... p, q.
"C ', D', E ', F', G ', H' ... shown in FIG.
.. P ', Q'... The expanded audio data strings "C ', D', E ', F', G ', H'... P ', Q'
.. "Are input to the D / A converter 14 via the output switching unit 13 switched to the terminal b side, and the converted analog audio signal is input to the speaker 16 via the amplifier 15, In place of real-time monitoring audio output of input audio signals from broadcasting, etc., memory 1
A monitor sound for the compressed sound data reproduced from the speaker 8 is output from the speaker 16.

The user listens to the monitor sound output from the speaker 16 and determines at which timing the final recording start command should be issued. It is assumed that the sound signal sequence "C ', D', E '... P'" is another tune, speech voice, commercial, etc. immediately before the desired tune. Now, it is assumed that the sound by the sound signal “P ′” has just been output from the speaker 16. The user recognizes that the unnecessary voice data portion is about to end.

Next, when the sound by the sound signal "Q '" is output from the speaker 16, the user decides the timing to instruct the execution of the recording start now, and as a preparation stage, the input operation unit 27 Is given to the microcomputer 28. This timing is defined as t60. The key operation of the repeated reading is within the time of the audio signal "Q '" corresponding to the head of the music to be recorded, but it is generally difficult to operate the key at such timing. As shown by the upward arrow in parentheses, the time may be within the time of the audio signal "R '", or may naturally be at other times. The memory controller 19 controlled by the microcomputer 28 executes the repetitive reading control on the memory 18 with the timing t50, which is a predetermined repetition retrospective time .tau.1 from the timing t60 on the memory 18, as the start timing of the repetitive reading. . Retrospective time τ
1 is set sufficiently shorter than the retrospective time τ0 from the timing t70 to t40. The timing t50 corresponds to, for example, the compressed audio data "g" as the compressed audio data on the memory 18. .., P,... Are sequentially read out from the memory 18 by the FIFO (first-in first-out) method and output to the data decompression unit 26 through the path. Data decompression unit 2
6, the compressed audio data is expanded, and the expanded audio data sequence "G ', H'... P ', Q'... The analog audio signal input and converted by the D / A converter 14 is input to the speaker 16 via the amplifier 15, and the monitor audio is output from the speaker 16.

On the other hand, the microcomputer 28 starts the built-in timer at the timing t50. Timing t51 when timer time-up time τ2 has elapsed
The microcomputer 28 controls the voice synthesizer 32 to output a beep sound (warning sound). This beep sound is output from the speaker 16. The time-up time τ2 of the timer is set shorter than the repetition retrospective time τ1, and the timing t
The time is up before 60. That is, the beep starts to sound at a time before the timing t60. Although the output time of the beep sound is t3, when execution of recording start is not instructed by the input operation unit 27,
When the timing t60 is reached, the process goes back to the timing t50 again by the repetition retrospective time τ1. In FIG. 9, (d) to (g) enclosed by a two-dot chain line are repeated until a command to start recording is issued.

By such repetition, the user can obtain the relative timing correlation between the monitor sound output from the speaker 16 of the expanded audio data string "G ', H'... P ', Q'" and the beep sound. To learn at which timing the recording start execution command should be issued. That is, if a command to start recording is given at a timing t52 when a certain time τx has elapsed from the timing t51 at which the beeping sound starts to be heard, it can be understood that the tune to be recorded can be recorded from the very beginning. Based on such recognition, the user can determine the timing t
At 52, a command to start recording is given to the microcomputer 28 by key operation on the input operation unit 27.

The flow of signals and data in the state of execution of recording start is indicated by a two-dot chain line arrow in FIG. The microcomputer 28 activates the recording unit 22, and further outputs the output switching unit 2 in the memory output control unit 20.
1 is switched to the ON state. Subsequently, a read command is given to the memory controller 19. The compressed audio data sequence “q, r” sequentially read from the memory 18 by the memory controller 19 starting from timing t52.
..., x, y ... "are output to the recording unit 22 via the output switching unit 21 switched to the ON state, and these are recorded on the recording medium 50 which is a mini disk. From 16, monitor sound corresponding to the expanded sound data string “Q ′, R ′... X ′, Y ′...” Is continuously output.

In the first embodiment, the user instructs to start recording at timing t20 in FIG. 2, but retrospective reading is performed only once,
Practically, it is difficult to instruct to start recording by key operation of the input operation unit 27 at the timing t20 which coincides with the beginning of the music to be recorded.
In other words, there is a small possibility that a part of the audio data "G '" is mixed or a part of the audio data "H'" is missing. However, since the time width is very short, for example, within 30 msec,
It is certainly not a problem in practical use.

On the other hand, in the fourth embodiment, the monitor sound corresponding to the unnecessary sound data before the head of the music to be recorded is repeatedly reproduced and output from the speaker 16, and the beep is generated at the timing immediately before the head. It is designed to sound and presents the relative timing correlation between the flow of unnecessary audio data and the beep sound to the user, so at what timing to start recording the song you want to record from just the beginning Of the song to be recorded is just (just a few milliseconds at most even if there is an error).
c) (in the range of c)
It can be recorded at zero. Other operations are the same as those in the first embodiment (FIG. 1), and thus description thereof is omitted.

By devising the control of reading from the memory 18 by the memory controller 19, reading from the memory 18 is interrupted for a certain period of time immediately after the command to start recording is given, and during this time, the recording unit is stopped. By performing recording on the recording medium 50 via the recording medium 50, that is, by recording silence data on the recording medium 50, a silent portion can be inserted at the beginning of a music piece. That is, recording can be performed in a state where there is a space between songs.

The technique of the fourth embodiment may be applied to the second and third embodiments.

The repetition may be one or more times. The repetition retrospective time τ1 may be the same as the retrospective time τ0.
A beep may not be emitted. In this case, the voice synthesizer 32 is omitted.

In each of the first to fourth embodiments, the recording medium 5
0 is a mini-disc (MD), but the recording medium 50 may be a compact writable compact disc (CD) CD-R or a DVD-R (DVD is a
(tal Versatile Disk), MO disk, hard disk, floppy disk, etc. Further, a memory card composed of a semiconductor memory may be used. Therefore, the data to be recorded does not necessarily have to be compressed data.
Further, the data to be recorded is not limited to audio data, but may be video data. Video data may be video-only data or mixed data of video and audio.

[0059]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital recording apparatus for digitally recording inputted data on a recording medium. Sometimes, the contents temporarily stored in the memory are reproduced and output retroactively, including the top part, and the user can check again when to execute the recording. The content that the user wants to record on the recording medium can be recorded just from the beginning.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the data is thinned in the reproduction output from the memory going back a predetermined time, the data from the start of the data reading until the head of the content desired to be recorded is reproduced and output. The waiting time can be reduced.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the reproduction output from the memory is repeated for a predetermined time, so that the timing can be accurately measured, and the recording of the content desired to be recorded can be started from the very beginning. Can be.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is not necessary to perform troublesome and time-consuming editing work of divide and erase, and it is possible to record from the beginning of the content to be recorded very smoothly and It can be realized smartly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration and retrospective recording operation of a digital recording device (audio recording device) according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of retroactive recording according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of retroactive recording according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a reproducing operation and a normal recording operation according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a digital recording device (audio recording device) according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of retroactive recording according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a digital recording device (audio recording device) according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a digital recording device (audio recording device) according to a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of retroactive recording according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a digital recording device (audio recording device) according to a conventional technique.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 input terminal, 11 A / D converter, 12 branching unit, 13 output switching unit, 14 D / A converter, 1
5 ... amplifier, 16 ... speaker, 17 ... data compression unit, 18 ... memory, 19 ... memory controller, 2
0: memory output control unit, 21: output switching unit, 22:
... Recording unit, 23 ... Reproducing unit, 24 ... Amplification / servo circuit, 25 ... Signal processing unit, 26 ... Data decompression unit, 27
..., Input operation unit, 28, microcomputer, 29
... Thinning-out part, 32 Voice synthesis part, 50 Recording medium (mini-disc (MD)), τ0… Retrospective time, τ1
… Repetition retrospective time

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A digital recording device for digitally recording input data on a recording medium, wherein the input data is stored in a memory before the recording, and is performed when a retroactive reading operation is performed. A digital recording device configured to read data from a memory retroactively from a timing and reproduce and output the data, and to record the data read from the memory on a recording medium when a recording start operation is performed. 2. The digital recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein data is decimated at the time of reading / reproducing output from a memory which goes back a predetermined time. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when a read operation is repeatedly performed at the time of reading / reproducing from the memory going back for a predetermined time, data is read out from the memory going back again and reproduced / output. The digital recording device according to claim 2. 4. The digital recording device according to claim 1, wherein the data stored in the memory and recorded on the recording medium is compressed audio data.