JP2001014263A - Data processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To select a specific data recording/reproducing device and to make transferable data when plural data recording/reproducing devices are connectable. SOLUTION: A PC(personal computer) functioning as a data processor sends requests to a USB(universal serial bus) device of connection number N (N=0, 1, 2...) to transfer a recognition code (S12). Receiving the data from the USB device, the PC judges that the N-th USB device is connected (S14) and records additionally the connection number (N-th) and the received recognition code on a connection table (S15). This procedure is repeated to produce a list of all USB devices as the connection table. The connection number of the connected USB device (including a data recording/reproducing device) is displayed ion a monitor and the connection number inputted by an operator is accepted (S24). Then actual access is given to the USB device according to the inputted connection number.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a plurality of data recording / reproducing apparatuses capable of processing a signal input from a microphone, recording the processed signal in a semiconductor memory as a recording medium, and reproducing the recorded signal with a speaker. The present invention relates to a connectable data processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, dictation recording is one of applications of an audio recording / reproducing apparatus, that is, a tape recorder. In this dictation record, for example, the contents of the letter to be sent are recorded in advance on a tape recorder with a voice, and the recorded tape is passed to a secretary, etc., and the secretary plays the tape and reproduces the voice. There are various uses, such as typing a letter while listening, or recording the contents of a meeting, and later creating a minutes while listening to this recording.

In recent years, in audio recording / reproducing devices,
In response to a demand for downsizing of the apparatus, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-259
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 700, an apparatus using a semiconductor memory instead of a magnetic tape as a recording medium has been developed.

Some of such audio data recording / reproducing apparatuses for recording audio data in the semiconductor memory have a configuration in which the semiconductor memory cannot be attached to or detached from the main body of the apparatus.
In such a device, when it is desired that the audio data recorded in the secretary or the like in the dictation recording described above be passed and typed, that is, in another external device such as an audio reproducing device other than the device, If the user wants to use the audio data recorded in the semiconductor memory, the audio data is transferred to an external device by connecting a cable or the like.

Here, with the recent spread of personal computers (PCs), type creation is usually performed by a word processor operating on the PC. Many of these PCs have a sound function, and can reproduce and output audio data from a speaker connected to the PC. In view of this, there has been seen a usage in which audio data recorded on a PC is transferred from the audio data recording / reproducing apparatus, and the audio data is played back on the PC and typed in by a word processor.

[0006]

By the way, in recent years, PCs adopting a USB (Universal Serial Bus) conforming to a so-called plug and play function, which adopts an interface specification capable of connecting a large number of devices, have become widespread. ing.

Therefore, it is conceivable not to use this to transfer data between the audio data recording / reproducing apparatus and the PC. However, it is conceivable to use a large number of connected devices (including a plurality of audio data recording / reproducing apparatuses). In fact, how to select a specific audio data recording / reproducing apparatus from among them and perform audio data transfer has not yet been sufficiently considered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and enables a data processing apparatus to which a plurality of data recording / reproducing apparatuses can be connected to perform data transfer by selecting a specific data recording / reproducing apparatus. The purpose is to:

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a data processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises:
A data processing device to which a plurality of data recording / reproducing devices can be connected, wherein the data recording / reproducing device is connected by the connection detecting means for detecting whether or not the data recording / reproducing device is connected, and the connection detecting means. Connection number assigning means for automatically assigning a connection number when it is detected,
Identification means for identifying the data recording / reproducing apparatus connected by the connection number.

That is, according to the data processing apparatus of the present invention, when the connection detecting means detects that the data recording / reproducing apparatus is connected, the connection number assigning means automatically sets the connection number. By providing the connection number, the identification means, by the identification means, to identify the connected data recording and reproducing device, in the data processing device that can connect a plurality of data recording and reproducing device,
Data transfer can be performed by selecting a specific data recording / reproducing device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the data processing apparatus according to the first aspect,
The data recording / reproducing apparatus further includes identification information reading means for reading solid identification information of the data recording / reproducing apparatus, wherein the identifying means identifies the individual of the data recording / reproducing apparatus from the connection number and the identification information. I do.

That is, according to the data processing apparatus of the present invention, the identification information reading means reads the solid identification information of the data recording / reproducing apparatus, and the identification information is read from the identification information and the connection number. Performs identification of the individual of the data recording / reproducing apparatus.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the data processing apparatus according to the second aspect, the identification information reading means is provided in the data recording / reproducing apparatus of the data recording / reproducing apparatus. Model name information or user I
It is characterized by reading D information.

That is, according to the data processing device of the present invention, the identification information reading means reads the model name information or the user ID information of the data recording / reproducing device of the data recording / reproducing device. It is read out as the identification information of the solids possessed by the device.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2A shows a PC 10 as a data processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and an audio data recording / reproducing device as one of a plurality of USB devices connected to the PC 10. FIG.

Here, in the audio data recording / reproducing apparatus 20, the microphone (MIC) 21 is connected to the amplifier (AMP) 2
2, low-pass filter (LPF) 23, and analog /
It is connected to a system controller 25 via a digital (A / D) converter 24. This system control unit 25
Although not shown in the figure, a digital signal processing unit (DSP) as an encoding / decoding circuit for compressing / decompressing audio data is built in. This system control unit 25
Has a nonvolatile semiconductor memory 26 as a recording medium,
The power control unit 27 is connected. A speaker 31 is connected to the system control unit 25 via a digital / analog (D / A) converter 28, an LPF 29, and a power AMP 30.

Further, an operation input unit 32 is connected to the system control unit 25. This operation input unit 32
Includes a playback button, a fast-forward button, a fast-reverse button, an I-mark button, an E-mark button, an endless recording switching button, and the like (not shown), in addition to the recording button REC and the stop button STOP.

Here, the I mark and the E mark are as follows. That is, since a plurality of sentences are recorded in the semiconductor memory 26, in the audio data recording / reproducing apparatus 20 of this type, when the sentence recorder operates the I mark button at the time of recording, the speech data is recorded in the semiconductor memory 26. In addition, an instruction (I) mark indicating a priority relationship between a plurality of sentences and an index mark for an instruction for a typist or a secretary can be recorded. It is possible to specifically indicate a priority relationship. An index mark called an end (E) mark can be recorded by operating an E mark button to indicate a break between a plurality of sentences.

The system control unit 25 includes a US
A data transfer data conversion unit 33 for performing communication with the PC 10 via the B cable 40 is connected. The data transfer data converter 33 constitutes means for receiving a signal from an external device such as a PC, means for transmitting a connection confirmation completion signal to the external device, and means for transmitting data. Further, the data transfer data conversion unit 33 uses the US
When the B cable 40 is connected, the connection confirmation signal 34 is supplied to the terminal T1 of the system control unit 25.

That is, in the audio data recording / reproducing device 20,
An analog signal obtained from the MIC 21 is amplified by the AMP 22, passed through the LPF 23, and then passed through the A / D converter 24.
Into a digital signal, and the system control unit 2
5 and is encoded, and the encoded data is recorded in the semiconductor memory 26.

The data recorded in the semiconductor memory 26 is read and decoded by the system control unit 25, and the decoded read data is input to the D / A converter 828 and the LPF 29 After that, it is converted into an analog signal. Then, the signal output from the LPF 29 is amplified by the power AMP 30 and the speaker 31
It is output to the outside as more sound.

Further, the data recorded in the semiconductor memory 26 is read out by the system control unit 25, input to the data transfer data conversion unit 33, and transferred to the PC 10 via the USB cable 40. ing.

Next, the operation of the PC 10 to which a plurality of audio data recording / reproducing devices 20 having such a configuration can be connected will be described.

FIG. 1A is a flowchart of a connection routine that is called when an operator issues an access request instruction to any of the USB devices in the PC 10.

That is, in this connection routine, first, a connection confirmation subroutine for creating a connection table by checking all currently connected USB compatible devices is called (step S1).

In this connection confirmation subroutine, as shown in FIG. 1B, first, an internal counter N (not shown) is reset to 0 as an initial setting of a connection number (step S11). Thereafter, a request to transfer the recognition code is transmitted to the USB device having the connection number N indicated by the counter N (step S12). Then, it waits for reception of data (recognition code) for a predetermined time (step S13). Here, N depends on whether or not data has been received.
It is determined whether or not the second USB device is connected (step S14). If not, the connection confirmation subroutine is terminated and the process returns to the higher-level connection routine. On the other hand, if it is determined that the connection is established, the connection number (No. N) and the received recognition code are
Additional recording is performed in a connection table provided in a RAM (not shown) in the PC 10 (step S15). Here, the recognition code includes, for example, model name (connection model) information or user ID information (ID number) of the USB device.
Then, the connection number N indicated by the counter N is incremented by 1 (step S16), and the process returns to the step S12 to transmit a recognition code transfer request to the next USB device. Such steps S12 to S1
By repeating step 6, a list of all connected USB devices is created as a connection table.

After returning to the connection routine, a connection table update subroutine for updating the created connection table is called (step S2). In this connection table update subroutine, as shown in FIG. 1C, first, the recognition code is acquired again, and the corresponding recognition code (connector type and I
D number) (step S21). This is because the USB connection is confirmed in the connection confirmation subroutine.
While checking the connection of the USB device in the connection order after the device, the USB device whose connection has been confirmed may be disconnected or newly added.
This is to check whether the device is connected. Then, it is determined whether or not the connection table needs to be updated based on the result of the comparison (step S22),
If the connection table needs to be updated, the update processing is performed (step S23). Then, or if it is determined in step S22 that the update of the connection table is unnecessary, the connected USB device (connection recorder)
Is displayed on the monitor, and the input of the connection number by the operator is accepted (step S24).

Thereafter, according to the input connection number, actual access to the USB device having the connection number is performed.

On the other hand, in the audio data recording / reproducing apparatus 20, the system control unit 25 operates as a main routine shown in FIG.

That is, in response to turning on of a power switch (not shown), first, an internal work memory (not shown) and registers are initialized (step S101), and then an operation button of any operation input section 32 is operated. It is determined whether or not it has been performed (step S102). When the record button REC is pressed (step S103), a recording process is executed (step S104), and when a play button (not shown) is pressed (step S105), a reproduction process is executed (step S105). Step S106). When a fast-forward button (not shown) is pressed (step S107), fast-forward processing is executed (step S108). When a fast-return button (not shown) is pressed (step S109), fast-forward processing is performed. Is executed (step S110). These recording processing, reproduction processing, fast-forward processing, and fast-return processing are the same as those in the related art, and therefore, the details are omitted here.

If it is determined in step S102 that the operation button has not been pressed, the connection confirmation signal 34 from the data transfer data conversion unit 33 indicates that the US
It is determined whether or not the connector of the B cable 40 is connected (step S111). If the connector is not connected, the process returns to step S102. If the connector is connected, a connection processing subroutine is executed (step S112).

In this connection processing subroutine, as shown in FIG. 3B, it is determined whether there is a recognition code transfer request or a remote operation request from the PC 10 (steps S112A and S112B). Further, it is determined whether or not the connector has been disconnected (step S112C). If the connector has not been disconnected, the process returns to step S112A, and if the connector has been disconnected, the process returns to the upper main routine.

When the data transfer data conversion unit 33 receives an identification code transfer request from the PC 10 via the USB cable 40 (step S112A), the system control unit 25 sets a predetermined value in the nonvolatile semiconductor memory 26. The recorder recognition code, which is the identification information of the individual included in the audio data recording / reproducing device 20 and stored in the area in advance, is read (step S112D). Then, after transferring the read recognition code to the PC 10 (step S112E), the process returns to the step S112A.

When the data transfer data conversion unit 33 receives a remote operation request from the PC 10 via the USB cable 40 (step S112B), the system control unit 25 executes a remote processing subroutine as described later. (Step S112F), and the process returns to step S112A.

As described above, in this connection subroutine, a press input of the operation button of the audio data recording / reproducing apparatus 20 is not accepted.

The remote processing subroutine in step S112F is performed as shown in FIG.

That is, first, it is confirmed whether or not a command has been received from the PC 10 (step SF1). If the command has not been received, the process returns to the higher-level connection processing subroutine.

On the other hand, if any command is received, it is determined whether or not the command is a file transfer command (step SF2). If so, the audio data of the file requested by the PC 10 is transmitted to the semiconductor memory 26.
, And supplies the data to the data transfer data conversion unit 33, and transfers the data to the PC 10 via the USB cable 40 (step SF3). Then, the process returns to the higher-level connection processing subroutine.

The communication procedure between the PC 10 and the audio data recording / reproducing device 20 in this case is as follows. That is, first, the file number of the file to be transferred is transmitted from the PC 10 to the audio data recording / reproducing device 20 side, and accordingly, the audio data recording / reproducing device 20 side transmits the file number to the PC 10 side. Transfer file information such as the file size of the file. Next, a request is made from the PC 10 to the audio data recording / reproducing device 20 to transfer data of, for example, 1024 bytes of the packet unit of the file, and the packet data is transmitted from the audio data recording / reproducing device 20 to the PC 10 side. Data of 1024 bytes, which is a unit, is transferred. This one
The transfer request for the 024-byte data and the transfer corresponding thereto are repeated until the remaining data of the file becomes less than 1024 bytes. Finally, a request is made from the PC 10 to the audio data recording / reproducing device 20 to transfer the remaining bytes of data. The audio data recording / reproducing device 20 sends the remaining bytes of data to the PC 10. To transfer.

If the command is a file reproduction command (step SF4), the audio data of the specified file is read out and reproduced and output from the speaker 31 as described above (step SF5). Then, the process returns to the higher-level connection processing subroutine.

When the record number confirmation command is received (step SF6), the record number is confirmed with reference to the semiconductor memory 26, and displayed on a display unit (not shown) (step SF7). Alternatively, by transmitting the information on the number of records to the PC 10 via the data transfer data conversion unit 33 and the USB cable 40, the information can be displayed on the monitor of the PC 10. Then, the process returns to the higher-level connection processing subroutine.

When a PC time setting command is received (step SF8), the internal clock (not shown) is set to P.
Synchronize with the clock of C10 (step SF9), and then
The process returns to the higher-level connection processing subroutine.

When a command to set the power supply to low power is received (step SF10), the power supply control unit 27 executes processing for setting the power down, that is, the power saving mode (step SF11), and executes the upper connection processing. Return to subroutine.

When the recording process command is received (step SF12), the MIC 21
(Step SF13), and returns to the higher-level connection processing subroutine.

When executing the file transfer process in step SF3, the PC 10 executes a file transfer routine as shown in FIG. 2B.

That is, the PC 10 transmits the file number of the file requiring transfer specified by the operator to the audio data recording / reproducing device 20 via the USB cable 40 (Step S3). When the file information such as the file size (L) of the file is acquired from the audio data recording / reproducing device 20 (step S4), the PC 1
0 is a packet unit 102 in the file.
A signal requesting transfer of 4-byte data is transmitted to the audio data recording / reproducing device 20 (step S5). Subsequently, when receiving 1024 bytes of data from the audio data recording / reproducing device 20 (step S6), the PC 10
L-1024 is calculated, and the result is stored as a new file size L (step S7). Then, it is determined whether or not the newly stored file size L is 1024 bytes or more (step S8).
The PC 10 repeats the processing of steps S5 to S7. If it is determined in step S8 that the file size L is smaller than 1024 bytes, the PC 10 transmits a signal requesting the transfer of the L bytes of data to the audio data recording / reproducing apparatus 20. (Step S9) By receiving the L bytes of data, this series of file transfer processing ends.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the PC 1
0 performs a search by associating the connection order of a plurality of USB devices with an identification code and creates a table of the connection order and the identification code, thereby enabling communication with a specific USB device such as the audio data recording / reproducing device 20. To decide (select). Here, if the recognition codes are duplicated, the USB devices can be distinguished according to the connection order. Then, by instructing the audio data recording / reproducing device 20 selected based on the recognition code and the connection order to transfer the file, the audio data can be transferred.

Although the present invention has been described based on one embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and applications may be made within the scope of the present invention. It is possible.

For example, an audio data recording / reproducing apparatus for recording / reproducing audio data has been described as an example of a data recording / reproducing apparatus connected to a data processing apparatus.
It goes without saying that a device for recording and reproducing other data may be used. In addition, although the description has been made assuming that both connections are made by USB, the present invention is not limited to this.

Here, the summary of the present invention includes the following in addition to the configuration described in the claims.

(1) In a data processing device to which a plurality of data recording / reproducing devices can be connected, connection detecting means for detecting whether or not the data recording / reproducing device is connected; When it is detected that the connection has been made, an association means for creating a connection table in which the identification information of the data recording / reproducing apparatus is associated with connection order information indicating the order of connection, An identification means for identifying a data recording / reproducing apparatus connected to the data processing apparatus.

[0053]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
In a data processing device to which a plurality of data recording / reproducing devices can be connected, a specific data recording / reproducing device can be selected so that data transfer can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1A is a flowchart of a connection routine in a PC as a data processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1B is a flowchart of a connection confirmation subroutine in FIG. 1A, and FIG. It is a flowchart of the connection table update subroutine in (A).

FIG. 2A illustrates a PC and a plurality of USs connected to the PC.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an audio data recording / reproducing device as one of the B devices, and FIG. 4B is a flowchart of a file transfer routine in the PC.

FIG. 3A is a flowchart of a main routine in a system control unit of the audio data recording and reproducing apparatus;
(B) is a flowchart of a connection processing subroutine in (A).

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a remote processing subroutine in FIG. 3 (B).

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 personal computer (PC) 20 audio data recording / reproducing device 21 microphone (MIC) 22 amplifier (AMP) 23, 29 low-pass filter (LPF) 24 analog / digital (A / D) converter 25 system control unit 26 non-volatile semiconductor memory 27 power control unit 28 digital / analog (D / A) converter 30 power AMP 31 speaker 32 operation input unit 33 data transfer data conversion unit 34 connection confirmation signal 40 USB cable

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A data processing device to which a plurality of data recording / reproducing devices can be connected, wherein: a connection detecting means for detecting whether or not the data recording / reproducing device is connected; A connection number assigning means for automatically assigning a connection number when connection is detected; and identification means for identifying the data recording / reproducing device connected by the connection number. A data processing device characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The data recording / reproducing apparatus further comprises identification information reading means for reading the identification information of the data recording / reproducing apparatus. The data processing device according to claim 1, wherein identification is performed. 3. The data processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the identification information reading means reads out model name information or user ID information of the data recording / reproducing apparatus included in the data recording / reproducing apparatus.