JP2001218145A - Signal input and output device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a signal input/output device with a simple configuration that allows plural sets of video tape recorders to relay reproduction or recording. SOLUTION: The signal input output device is provided with a microprocessor 1 that discriminates a state signal received from a VTR 1 or 2 connected to the outside via terminals 4 and 7 and switches the control of the VTR 1 or 2 based on a discrimination signal. Since the signal input output device continuously controls the VTRs 1 and 2, the signal input output device can allow the VTRs to relay recording or reproduction with a simple configuration.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention can be applied to, for example, a signal input / output device for relay reproduction or recording on a plurality of video tape recorders.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, video tape recorders (hereinafter, referred to as video tape recorders)
"VTR". ) Itself has a relay recording or relay playback function, and has its own terminal, or a bidirectional serial interface such as RS-232C,
The relay reproduction or the relay recording is performed by using RS-422 or LANC to perform fairly complicated control.

As an example of the above-described VTR with a relay recording or relay reproduction function, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 61-243978 discloses that a setting switch is used to set continuous recording or continuous reproduction of a plurality of video tapes. There is disclosed a video tape recorder which performs recording or reproduction without a tape loading time when the recording / reproduction of the mechanism section is completed and a tape end is detected and the pause of the next recording / reproducing mechanism section is released.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-299687 discloses that a video signal output terminal of each playback device is connected to a video signal input terminal of another playback device, and a video signal output terminal of one playback device is connected to the video signal output terminal. By simply connecting to the monitor television, the video signal from the reproducing device being reproduced is supplied to the monitor television by switching the switches of the respective reproducing devices, and automatic continuous reproduction can be easily performed without using a switching device. A playback device is disclosed.

[0005]

The above-mentioned conventional VTR
Then, for relay recording, VT without remaining capacity display function
In R, a tape to be used for recording is specified, the end time is predicted by the recording time (time code), or the system is shifted to the next VTR after the recording is completed. There was an inconvenience.

[0006] With respect to relay reproduction, a VTR without an auto-repeat function needs to constantly monitor the operating state of the VTR and perform control in accordance with the position of the tape, which requires a complicated configuration and control. There was an inconvenience.

A VT described in JP-A-61-243978 or JP-A-63-299687.
R has a disadvantage that a complicated configuration and control are required.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to propose a signal input / output device for performing relay reproduction or relay recording on a plurality of video tape recorders with a simple configuration.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve such problems, a signal input / output device according to the present invention is configured as follows.
It works as follows. This signal input / output device outputs a control signal from a signal processing unit to a plurality of external recording / reproducing units via a transmission line, and based on each state signal input from each of the external recording / reproducing units. The present invention is applied to a signal input / output device capable of controlling each of a plurality of external recording / reproducing units.

[0010] In particular, a discriminating means for discriminating a state signal input from a certain recording / reproducing unit among a plurality of external recording / reproducing units via a transmission line, Switching means for switching the control of the other recording / reproducing unit of the reproducing unit, and continuously controlling the plurality of recording / reproducing units.

Thus, the determining means determines a state signal input from a recording / reproducing section of the plurality of external recording / reproducing sections. Relay control or relay recording is performed by switching the control of the other recording / reproducing units of the recording / reproducing units and alternately and continuously controlling the plurality of recording / reproducing units.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The signal input / output device of the present embodiment is applied to a VTR.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic hardware configuration (when two VTRs are connected) of an adapter for relay reproduction or relay recording to which a signal input / output device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, two V
Two connector connection terminals of the interface are mounted so that the TR can be connected.
The number of R can be increased as much as there is room for the ports of the microprocessor 1. FIG. 1 shows the case of two units for the sake of simplicity.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a microprocessor for controlling various operations for an external VTR. Reference numeral 2 denotes an interface driver for the VTR 1, reference numeral 3 denotes a receiver, reference numeral 4 denotes a terminal for the VTR 1, and the terminal 4 is connected to the VTR 1 via an interface cable. Reference numeral 5 denotes a driver for an interface with respect to the VTR 2, reference numeral 6 denotes a receiver, reference numeral 7 denotes a terminal for the VTR 2,
Is connected to the VTR 2 via an interface cable.

In FIG. 1, VTR1 and VT
In order to be able to perform both functions of relay recording and relay reproduction using R2, switches 11, 1
2 and 13 are connected to the mode setting terminal of the microprocessor 1 so that the operation modes of the VTR 1 and VTR 2 can be switched by the switches 11, 12 and 13.

The switches 11, 12, and 13 are
It is provided in the sense of allowing the user to explicitly determine the mode, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the microprocessor 1 can use the VTR 1 or the VT via the operation state signal of the interface.
The running mode of R2 may be determined, and the mode may be automatically switched to one of the relay recording and the relay reproduction using software.

For example, when the VTR 1 is in the reproduction mode, the mode is switched to the relay reproduction mode, and when the VTR 1 is in the recording mode, the mode is switched to the relay recording mode.

In FIG. 1, the VTR1 terminal 4 is connected to the anode of a diode 9 and the cathode of the diode 9 is connected to an interface power supply 10, while the VTR2 terminal 7 is connected to the anode of a diode 8. Are connected, and an interface power supply 10 is connected to a cathode of the diode 8. Here, the interface power supply 10 is connected to a power supply terminal of the microprocessor 1 that controls relay recording and relay reproduction.

In this manner, the power is supplied to the microprocessor 1 constituting the adapter using the power supply 10 supplied to the interface cable. Can be configured.

Here, as the above-mentioned interface, for example, a LANC (registered trademark of Sony Corporation, also referred to as "Control-L") interface may be used. LANC interface is a camera-integrated V
A method in which a TR is used as a master and a peripheral device is used as a slave to perform bidirectional communication control with one line. This makes it possible to easily connect a camera, VTR, tuner, and the like, and operate the VTR on the camera or on the tuner. Also, two VTRs can be controlled by connecting an editing machine. In addition, a personal computer can be connected to execute user-specific application software.

First, the relay reproduction will be described. FIG.
Is the algorithm (VTR2
FIG. 3 shows a connection in the relay reproduction mode (an example of two VTRs).

In general, a commercial VTR has a so-called "auto-repeat" function for repeatedly reproducing a specific section. Here, the auto-repeat is a function to repeat between a tape top, a tape end, a non-recording portion, or an index recording portion.

Therefore, since the above-described section is automatically repeated by the auto-repeat, it can be understood that whether or not the section is an auto-repeat section only needs to determine whether or not the VTR is "reproducing". .

Also, it can be seen that it is only necessary to determine whether or not the auto-repeat can be started by determining whether or not the VTR is "rewind complete".

As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the configuration of the adapter
A reproduction instruction unit 37 for instructing reproduction to the TR1 (33) or the reproduction VTR2 (35); and a reproduction VTR1 (33).
Alternatively, the playback determination unit 38 for determining whether or not the playback VTR2 (35) is "playing" or not, and whether the playback VTR1 (33) or the playback VTR2 (35) is "rewind complete".
And a rewind determining unit 39 for determining whether or not the rewind is performed.

Note that the adapter control section 31 corresponds to the microprocessor 1 in FIG.

In FIG. 3, the adapter controller 31
Is a playback VTR via the interface cable 32.
1 (33) and the interface cable 34
Is connected to the playback VTR 2 (35). The output of the playback VTR 1 (33) is connected to the monitor TV 36 via the playback VTR 2 (35),
The output of 5) is directly connected to the monitor TV 36. The playback VTR1 (33) and the playback VTR2 (35)
Have an auto-repeat function 33a and an auto-repeat function 35a, respectively.

The adapter control unit 31 thus configured
The operation of the relay regeneration will be described. In FIG. 2, reproduction of the first VTR is started in step S1. In particular,
The playback instruction unit 37 of the adapter control unit 31 shown in FIG.
It instructs the start of reproduction of TR1 (33) or reproduction VTR2 (35). If necessary, the playback VTR 1 (3
Both 3) and the playback VTR 2 (35) may be rewound to the tape top first.

In step S2, it is determined whether or not the first VTR is being reproduced. Specifically, the playback determination unit 38 of the adapter control unit 31 shown in FIG. 3 analyzes the status signal via the interface cable 32 or 34, and thereby the playback VTR1 (33) or the playback VTR2 (3
It is determined whether or not 5) is being reproduced. In this way, by using the auto-repeat function, the process automatically waits until the tape playback section ends.

When the reproduction of the first VTR has been completed in step S2, the process proceeds to step S3, and the reproduction of the second VTR is started in step S3. Specifically, the reproduction instruction unit 37 of the adapter control unit 31 shown in FIG.
Alternatively, it instructs the start of reproduction of the reproduction VTR1 (33).

In step S4, it is determined whether rewinding of the first VTR has been completed. Specifically, the rewind determination unit 39 of the adapter control unit 31 shown in FIG. 3 analyzes the status signal via the interface cable 32 or 34, and thereby the playback VTR1 (33) or the playback VT
It is determined whether or not R2 (35) has completed rewinding.
For example, it can be determined based on whether the VTR is in a rewind (REW) mode.

When the rewinding of the first VTR is completed in step S4, the process proceeds to step S5, where 1
The unit VTR is stopped at the tape top and put on standby.
Specifically, the adapter control unit 31 shown in FIG.
1 (33) or an instruction to stop at the tape top of the reproduction VTR 2 (35) and wait. If it is,
Immediately after rewinding, the reproduction is started again. Therefore, a stop (STOP) command is sent from the adapter control unit 31 to the reproduction VTR1 (33) to stop the reproduction.

In step S6, it is determined whether or not the second VTR is being reproduced. More specifically, the playback determination unit 38 of the adapter control unit 31 shown in FIG. 3 analyzes the status signal via the interface cable 34 or 32, and thereby the playback VTR 2 (35) or the playback VTR 1 (3
It is determined whether 3) is being reproduced. In this way, by using the auto-repeat function, the process automatically waits until the tape playback section ends.

When the reproduction of the second VTR has been completed in step S6, the process proceeds to step S7, and the reproduction of the first VTR is started in step S7. Specifically, the reproduction instruction unit 37 of the adapter control unit 31 shown in FIG.
Alternatively, the reproduction VTR 2 (35) is instructed to start reproduction.

In step S8, it is determined whether the rewinding of the second VTR has been completed. More specifically, the rewind determination unit 39 of the adapter control unit 31 shown in FIG. 3 analyzes the status signal via the interface cable 34 or 32, and thereby the playback VTR 2 (35) or the playback VT
It is determined whether or not R1 (33) has completed rewinding.

If the rewinding of the second VTR has been completed in step S8, the process proceeds to step S9, and the process proceeds to step S9.
Stop the unit VTR at the tape top and make it stand by,
It returns to step S2. Specifically, the adapter control unit 31 shown in FIG.
2 via the playback VTR2 (35) or playback VTR1
An instruction is made to stop at the tape top in (33) and wait, and then return to step S2. If it is left as it is, the playback will be started again immediately after rewinding. Therefore, the adapter control unit 31 stops to the playback VTR2 (35) side (STO
P) Send the command and stop it in the stop state. Thereafter, the processes and determinations of steps S2 to S9 are repeated, and the relay regeneration is executed.

As described above, the operation state of the VTR is analyzed and determined through the interface, and it is only necessary to determine whether the reproduction is being performed and whether the rewinding is completed. Has an auto-repeat function of automatically repeating the reproduction of a specific section.

Accordingly, relay reproduction of two VTRs can be performed by the simple control described above. By similarly adding the increasing VTR procedure to the algorithm of the two VTRs, three, four, or more VTRs can be similarly connected as long as the program capacity of the adapter control unit 31 permits. Relay connection can be performed by increasing connection.

The connection shown in FIG. 3 shows an example in which two VTRs are connected in cascade. Reproduction VTR1
When displaying the video of the tape of (33) on the monitor TV 36, the playback VTR 2 (35) is set to EE (Electric).
c to Electric) mode (stop (stop), FF (fast forward), REW, etc., and a mode in which a recording signal is transmitted from an electronic circuit to an electronic circuit as a monitor output without passing through a tape or a magnetic head). Playback VTR
When the video of the tape 2 (35) is displayed on the monitor TV 36, the reproduction VTR 2 (35) is reproduced. In the case of two units, by connecting in this way, an external video / audio switching device is not required, and a relay reproduction system can be configured more easily, and costs can be reduced.

Next, the relay recording will be described. FIG.
Is the algorithm (VTR2) in the relay recording mode.
FIG. 5 shows a connection in a relay recording mode (an example of two VTRs).

Not only business VTRs but also some VTRs have a remaining amount notification function that displays the remaining amount of tape on a counter and outputs the value as counter information on communication data through an interface, depending on the type of VTR. The remaining capacity notification function is a function of notifying the remaining capacity or the remaining recording time with respect to the entire recording capacity or the recording time of the cassette tape.

By using a VTR having such a function, a relay recording system using a plurality of VTRs can be configured relatively easily irrespective of the type (length) of the tape used.

In the case of relay recording, it is necessary to prevent a "gap (blank time)" in which no data is recorded at the switching between the first and second units. In particular, when configuring such a relay recording system for monitoring, an important event occurs at the time of recording replacement,
Moreover, if the video and audio are not recorded, the meaning of monitoring is lost. Therefore, in the relay recording, it is important to always provide a margin and to relay the recording operation while overlapping the data recording at the switching of the recording.

In consideration of the above, in order to confirm the start of recording of the second unit of the relay recording using the remaining amount notification function, it is necessary to determine whether or not the remaining amount of the tape of the VTR is small. It can be understood that it is only necessary to judge whether or not.

Further, it can be seen that the confirmation as to whether or not the rewinding to the tape top can be started only needs to determine whether or not the VTR is "recording completed".

As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the configuration of the adapter
A recording instructing unit 57 for instructing recording on the TR1 (53) or the recording VTR2 (55); and a recording VTR1 (53)
Alternatively, a rewind instructing unit 58 for instructing rewinding of the recording VTR 2 (55), and “is the remaining amount of the tape of the recording VTR 1 (53) or the recording VTR 2 (55) low”?
And a recording remaining VTR 1 (5).
3) or the recording VTR 2 (55) includes a recording completion determining unit 60 for determining whether or not “recording is completed”. Note that the adapter control unit 51 corresponds to the microprocessor 1 in FIG.

In FIG. 5, the adapter control unit 51
Is a recording VTR via the interface cable 52.
1 (53) and the interface cable 54
Is connected to the recording VTR 2 (55). The output of the recording VTR1 (53) is connected to the recording VTR2 (55), and the output of the video camera 56 is connected to the recording VTR1 (5).
3) and the recording VTR 2 (55). In addition,
The recording VTR 1 (53) and the recording VTR 2 (55) have a remaining amount notification function 53a and a remaining amount notification function 55a, respectively.

The adapter control unit 51 thus configured
The operation of relay recording will be described. In FIG. 4, recording of the first VTR is started in step S11. Specifically, the recording instruction unit 57 of the adapter control unit 51 shown in FIG.
Indicates the start of recording of the recording VTR1 (53) or the recording VTR2 (55) via the interface cable 52 or 54.

In step S12, it is determined whether or not the remaining tape amount of the first VTR is small. Specifically, the remaining amount determination unit 59 of the adapter control unit 51 shown in FIG. 5 analyzes the state signal of the remaining tape amount by the remaining amount notification function 53a or the remaining amount notification function 55a via the interface cable 52 or 54. Then, it is determined whether the remaining tape (recording time) of the recording VTR 1 (53) or the recording VTR 2 (55) is small (about 1 minute).

If it is determined in step S12 that the remaining amount of the tape of the first VTR is small, the process proceeds to step S13, and the process proceeds to step S1.
At 3, the recording of the second VTR is started. Specifically, FIG.
The recording instruction unit 57 of the adapter control unit 51 shown in FIG.
2 (55) or the start of recording of the recording VTR 1 (53).

In step S14, it is determined whether or not recording of the first VTR has been completed. Specifically, the recording completion determination unit 60 of the adapter control unit 51 shown in FIG. 5 analyzes the status signal via the interface cable 52 or 54, and thereby the recording VTR 1 (53) or the recording VTR 1
It is determined whether recording 2 is completed (55). In addition,
The algorithm is simplified because a method of automatically waiting for the end of the recording at the tape end is used to ensure that the recordings overlap.

When the recording of the first VTR is completed in step S14, the process proceeds to step S15, where the first VTR is rewound to the tape top in step S15. Specifically, the rewind instructing unit 58 of the adapter control unit 51 shown in FIG. 5 is connected to the recording VTR 1 (53) or the recording VTR 2 (5) via the interface cable 52 or 54.
Instruct 5) to rewind to the tape top.
Immediately after the end of rewinding, the recording VTR 1
(53) can be powered off, or the tape can be automatically ejected to prepare for tape replacement.
In the recording VTR 1 (53) having a function of rewinding the tape after recording up to the end of the tape, this processing is automatically performed, so that the algorithm can be simplified.

In step S16, it is determined whether or not the remaining tape amount of the second VTR is small. Specifically, the remaining amount determination unit 59 of the adapter control unit 51 shown in FIG. 5 analyzes the state signal of the remaining amount of tape by the remaining amount notification function 55a or the remaining amount notification function 53a via the interface cable 54 or 52. By doing so, it is determined whether or not the remaining tape (recording time) of the recording VTR 2 (55) or the recording VTR 1 (53) is small (about one minute).

If it is determined in step S16 that the remaining amount of tape of the second VTR is small, the process proceeds to step S17, and the flow proceeds to step S1.
At 7, the recording of the first VTR is started. Specifically, FIG.
The recording instruction unit 57 of the adapter control unit 51 shown in FIG.
1 (53) or the start of recording of the recording VTR 2 (55).

In step S18, it is determined whether or not recording of the second VTR has been completed. Specifically, the recording completion determination unit 60 of the adapter control unit 51 shown in FIG. 5 analyzes the status signal via the interface cable 54 or 52, and thereby, the recording VTR 2 (55) or the recording VTR 2
It is determined whether or not 1 (53) is the completion of recording.

When the recording of the second VTR is completed in step S18, the process proceeds to step S19, where the second VTR is rewound to the tape top in step S19. Specifically, the rewind instructing unit 58 of the adapter control unit 51 shown in FIG. 5 is connected to the recording VTR 2 (55) or the recording VTR 1 (5) via the interface cable 54 or 52.
Instruct 3) to rewind to the tape top,
An instruction to return to step S12 is issued. Then, step S
The processes and determinations in steps 12 to S19 are repeated to execute the relay recording.

Depending on the type of the VTR, if it has a function of automatically rewinding to the tape top when recording is completed to the tape end, the rewind control unit 58 of the adapter control unit 51 in FIG. The process of rewinding to the top of the first tape in step S15 and the process of rewinding to the top of the second tape in step S19 in FIG. 4 can be omitted, so that the configuration and processing can be simplified.

Since the remaining amount notification by the remaining amount notification function 53a or the remaining amount notification function 55a of the recording VTR 1 (53) or the recording VTR 2 (55) has some allowance, for example, "00: 00 (00:00) "
In the example of the algorithm described above, when the remaining amount of one VTR becomes “00:00”, the recording of the other VTR is performed because the remaining time in real time is about 1 minute in the state of FIG. Has begun. In one minute, it is possible to turn on the power of the standby VTR and enter the recording state, which is enough to provide a margin of several tens of seconds.

As described above, after rewinding,
It is also possible to automatically eject the cassette tape for tape replacement or to turn off the power of the standby VTR for energy saving.

In the case of standby in the power-off state, there is a configuration in which power is not supplied to the interface terminal during the power-off depending on the type of the VTR. Therefore, as shown in FIG. The OR circuit can be configured as described above, and if at least one of the VTRs is powered on, the power supply voltage can be supplied to the adapter from the VTR.

In both the relay reproduction algorithm shown in FIG. 2 and the relay recording algorithm shown in FIG. 4, since the control is simple, there is an effect that the adapter does not need to communicate with a plurality of VTRs at the same time. .

The function of the microprocessor 1 is not limited to a general-purpose one without a hardware configuration for communication through a predetermined interface, but is not limited to this. By software processing, a general I / O (input / output) port can be applied to communication for a predetermined interface.

Finally, FIG. 6 shows a configuration of a simple interface adapter. A microcomputer (microcomputer) 61 shown in FIG. 6 is a one-chip microcomputer, for example, a RISC (Reduce
d Instruction Set Compute
r) It is a microcomputer. This one-chip microcomputer has 13 I / O ports 63 in spite of its small size and a small number of pins of 18 pins in total.

The I / O port 63 is, for example, an LED
(Light-emitting diode), etc., has the driving capability to directly light it up, and is connected as a function (for eight terminals) to switch the input / output of the I / O port 63 by connecting the internal pull-up resistor as software. Output switching unit 6
I have four. The I / O port 63 and the input / output switching unit 64 constitute an interface circuit 62.

For example, the LANC interface is an open collector connection, half-duplex start-stop synchronization type (UART).
Communication, I / O port input / output can be switched at high speed, and relatively large current (about 20 mA)
If it can be transmitted, there is no need to have a special driver or receiver outside, and communication is possible even with a simple connection.

Since such an adapter is usually arranged in the immediate vicinity of the VTR, a short communication cable can be applied. Therefore, by configuring the interface circuit 62 as shown in FIG. A simple interface can be configured using a one-chip microcomputer that does not require a drive capability that conforms to the format.

The adapter of the simple interface shown in FIG. 6 has a very simple configuration of driving the I / O port of the one-chip microcomputer and switching the input / output direction by enabling / disabling the built-in pull-up resistor. The interface circuits 62 (1) to 62 (1)
Communication between (12) and VTR1 to VTR12 can be performed on a one-to-one basis.

Further, since the control is simple as in the above-described relay reproduction algorithm of FIG. 2 and the relay recording algorithm of FIG. 4, there is no need to communicate with a plurality of VTRs 1 to 12 at the same time. The function can be realized and a general-purpose I / O port can be used for LANC communication.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, a maximum of 12 VTRs can be provided even though the microcomputer is an 18-pin one-chip microcomputer.
Can be connected.

Since the control algorithm is very simple as described above, the program capacity is also limited to the ROM (Read Only Memory) of this one-chip microcomputer.
y) can be contained within 1K word.

Since the one-chip microcomputer also has a built-in oscillation circuit 66 (4 KHz) for clock CK, an adapter can be created with a very small number of parts.

Further, the remaining I / O ports among the thirteen can be used for the mode switching switch 67 for relay reproduction or relay recording.

Since a maximum of 12 VTRs can be connected, 5 hours 30 minutes × 12 units = 54 hours for a consumer DV (digital video) format VTR, and 3 hours for a commercial DV format VTR. × 12
It can be seen that continuous operation for 36 hours is possible.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, relay reproduction and relay recording can be performed with a simple configuration.

For example, if the control is limited to six or less, there is a series of the same one-chip microcomputer having an 8-pin configuration. By using this, the cost can be further reduced. The package size is small, and the adapter can be realized at lower cost.

Further, by using the adapter of the present embodiment, continuous tape reproduction without interruption and relay recording for a long time, which cannot be performed with one VTR, can be realized.

Note that continuous tape playback is performed by C
It is required that M (commercial) be reproduced in, for example, shops and streets, and used for reproducing guidance videos in various facilities, for example, public facilities.

The relay record is required for monitoring, experiment record, and the like. In each of the above-described situations, a compact and simple control such as the adapter of the present embodiment is more suitable than a large-scale control device.

Further, as for the size of the adapter, in the case of the adapter having the minimum connection of two VTRs, all the circuits can be incorporated in a minimum volume of, for example, a fingertip or one caramel.

Further, the cost for parts can be reduced to, for example, several hundred yen, so that the cost can be reduced as compared with the conventional control device.

In the above-described embodiment, the LANC interface has been described as an interface system. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a state signal of an arbitrary interface may be determined.

[0082]

The signal input / output device of the present invention outputs a control signal from a signal processing unit to a plurality of external recording / reproducing units via a transmission line, and inputs a control signal from the plurality of external recording / reproducing units, respectively. In the signal input / output device capable of controlling each of the plurality of external recording / reproducing units based on each state signal to be transmitted, there is provided one of the plurality of external recording / reproducing units via the transmission path. Determining means for determining a state signal input from the recording / reproducing section; and switching means for switching control of the certain recording / reproducing section or another recording / reproducing section of the plurality of recording / reproducing sections based on the determination signal. Since the control of the plurality of recording / reproducing units is performed continuously, there is an effect that relay reproduction or relay recording can be performed with a simple configuration.

In the signal input / output device of the present invention, when the reproduction control of the plurality of recording / reproduction units is continuously performed, the determination means determines whether or not the reproduction operation is being performed. And a rewind judgment unit for judging whether or not a rewind operation is being performed, so that relay reproduction can be performed only by confirming whether or not a reproduction section is in progress and confirming the start of reproduction. This has the effect that it can be performed.

In the signal input / output device of the present invention, the plurality of recording / reproducing units have an auto-repeat function of repeatedly reproducing a tape top and a specific section. It is possible to perform the relay reproduction simply by confirming and confirming whether or not the auto-repeat can be started.

In the signal input / output device of the present invention, when the recording control of the plurality of recording / reproducing units is performed continuously, the discriminating means determines whether or not the remaining tape recording amount is small. Since there is a remaining amount determining section for determining and a recording completion determining section for determining whether or not the recording operation is completed, it is possible to confirm the start of recording of the second relay recording and to start rewinding to the tape top. The effect is that relay recording can be performed only by confirming whether or not there is any.

Further, in the signal input / output device of the present invention, since the plurality of recording / reproducing units have a tape recording remaining amount notification function in the above, the second recording unit of the relay recording is performed by using the remaining amount notification function. The relay recording can be performed only by confirming the start and confirming whether or not the rewinding to the tape top can be started.

In the signal input / output device of the present invention, a power supply voltage is supplied from any one of the external plurality of recording / reproducing units to the signal processing unit via the transmission path. Some types of recording / reproducing units do not supply power to the interface terminals while the power is off. For example, an OR circuit is configured with a diode or the like, and at least one of the power-on recording / reproducing units is used. If there is, there is an effect that the power supply voltage can be supplied to the signal input / output device therefrom.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic hardware configuration (when two units are connected) of a relay reproduction / relay recording adapter to which a signal input / output device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an algorithm (an example of two units) in a relay reproduction mode.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a connection in a relay reproduction mode (an example of two units).

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an algorithm in a relay recording mode (an example of two units).

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a connection in a relay recording mode (an example of two units).

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a simple interface.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Microprocessor, 2 ... Driver, 3 ... Receiver, 4 ... VTR1 terminal, 5 ... Driver, 6 ...
... Receiver, 7 ... Terminal for VTR2, 8,9 ... Diode, 10 ... Power supply, 11, 12, 13 ... Mode switch, 31, 51 ... Adapter control unit, 37 ...
... reproduction instructing part, 38 ... reproduction judging part, 39 ... rewinding judging part, 57 ... recording instructing part, 58 ... rewinding instructing part, 59 ... remaining amount judgment part, 60 ... recording completion judgment Department

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A control signal from a signal processing unit is output to a plurality of external recording / reproducing units via a transmission path, and based on each state signal input from the plurality of external recording / reproducing units. In a signal input / output device capable of controlling each of a plurality of external recording / reproducing units, a status signal input from one of the external recording / reproducing units via the transmission path Determining means for determining whether or not the recording / reproducing section or the other recording / reproducing section among the plurality of recording / reproducing sections is controlled based on the discrimination signal. A signal input / output device characterized in that the control of the signal is performed continuously. 2. The signal input / output device according to claim 1, wherein, when performing the reproduction control of the plurality of recording / reproducing units continuously, the determination unit determines whether or not a reproducing operation is being performed. A signal input / output device comprising: a reproduction determining unit; and a rewind determining unit for determining whether or not a rewind operation is being performed. 3. The signal input / output device according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of recording / reproducing units have an auto-repeat function for repeatedly reproducing a tape top and a specific section. 4. The signal input / output device according to claim 1, wherein, when recording control of the plurality of recording / reproducing units is continuously performed, the determination unit determines whether the remaining tape recording amount is small. A signal input / output device comprising: a remaining amount determining unit for performing the recording operation; and a recording completion determining unit for determining whether the recording operation is completed. 5. The signal input / output device according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of recording / reproducing units have a function of notifying a remaining amount of tape recording. 6. The signal input / output device according to claim 1, wherein a power supply voltage is supplied from any one of said plurality of external recording / reproducing units to said signal processing unit via said transmission path. Signal input / output device.