JP2001243710A - Method and device for recording/reproducing signal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for recording/reproducing a signal and a device for recording/reproducing a signal which can reduce power consumption. SOLUTION: While performing readout of a signal from a mini disk 100 intermittently, the read signal is held temporarily in a memory 32. The signal held in the memory 32 is read and outputted as a signal with continuous time base. When recording the signal with continuous time base, the signal is held temporarily in the memory 32, then the signal held in the memory 32 is read intermittently and recorded in a recording medium. A microcomputer 40 which controls the rotation of the mini disk and the servo operation of an optical pickup is set in low power operation by lowering the frequency of a clock signal or stopping instruction processing when signal readout from, or signal writing to, the mini disk 100 is not performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a signal recording / reproducing method and a signal recording / reproducing apparatus. More specifically, the compressed data signal recorded on the recording medium is read out intermittently and held in the storage means, and the compressed data signal held in the storage means is read out and decompressed and output as a continuous signal. When a compressed data signal held in the storage means is read out and intermittently recorded on a recording medium while the compressed continuous signal is compressed and held in the storage means,
An operation control unit that controls reading of a signal from a recording medium and writing of a signal to the recording medium is configured to reduce a clock frequency or stop instruction processing during a period in which a signal is not read or a signal is not written. Thus, low power consumption operation is performed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional portable electronic device, data compression is performed by reducing the data amount of information so that a large amount of information can be recorded on a recording medium and the information can be correctly recorded and reproduced even when vibration is applied. Intermittent recording and reproduction of this data-compressed information is performed. For example, in a mini-disc device, audio data to be recorded
The amount of data is reduced by a C (Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding) encoding process and is temporarily stored in a memory, and the compressed data stored in the memory is intermittently recorded on a mini disk. When reproducing a signal recorded on a mini-disc, the data recorded on the mini-disc is read intermittently and temporarily stored in a memory, and the compressed data stored in the memory is stored in an ATRAC. Output is performed after being decompressed by a decoding process.

[0003]

By the way, in a portable electronic device, not only can a large amount of information be recorded on a recording medium, even if vibration or the like is applied, the information can be correctly recorded and reproduced, but also the device can be operated for a long time. That is also important. Therefore, the present invention provides a signal recording / reproducing method and a signal recording / reproducing apparatus which can reduce power consumption.

[0004]

According to a signal recording / reproducing method according to the present invention, a signal recorded on a recording medium is read out intermittently and stored in a storage means, and a signal stored in the storage means is read out and timed. Output as a continuous signal of the axis, or hold the continuous signal of the input time axis in the storage means and intermittently read out the signal held in the storage means and record it on the recording medium. The operation control means for controlling the signal readout processing of the recording medium or the signal recording processing on the recording medium includes the processing performed by the operation control means for a predetermined period from when the reading of the signal recorded on the recording medium or the recording on the recording medium is temporarily terminated. In this case, the frequency of the reference signal serving as the reference is lowered or the instruction processing is stopped.

Further, the signal recording / reproducing apparatus reads out a signal recorded on a recording medium or records a signal on the recording medium, and records the signal read out by the recording / reproducing means or the recording / reproducing means. Storage means for temporarily holding signals to be written, storage control means for controlling writing and reading of signals to and from the storage means, and operation control means for controlling the operation of the recording / reproducing means. The storage control means is controlled to intermittently read the signal recorded on the recording medium and to hold the read signal in the storage means, or to read and record the signal held in the storage means intermittently. The storage control means reads out the signal held intermittently in the storage means and outputs it as a continuous signal on the time axis. There is assumed to hold a continuous signal in the time axis input to the storage means, in the operation control means,
For a predetermined period from the time when the reading of the signal recorded on the recording medium or the recording of the signal on the recording medium is temporarily stopped, the frequency of the reference signal serving as the reference of the processing by the operation control means is reduced, or the instruction processing is performed. It is to stop.

In the present invention, a signal recording / reproducing device,
For example, the signal read from the mini disk is intermittently performed like a mini disk device, and the signal read from the mini disk is output as a continuous signal on the time axis.
When a signal having a continuous time axis is recorded on the mini-disc, the signal is intermittently recorded on the mini-disc, and the operation of the microcomputer for controlling the rotation of the mini-disc and the servo operation of the optical pickup is controlled by the mini-disc. During a period in which signal recording and reproduction are not performed, the frequency of the clock signal of the microcomputer is reduced or the command processing is stopped to perform a low power consumption operation.

[0007]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a signal recording / reproducing device, for example, a mini disk device 10. The mini disk device 10 is provided with an eject button 11. When the eject button 11 is slid, the lid 12 is opened and a mini disk can be mounted inside the mini disk device 10. In addition, the lid 12 is provided with an operation unit 41 for setting an operation mode of the mini disk device 10 and switching the operation state, and a display unit 42 for displaying the operation state of the mini disk device 10 and the like. . In addition, a remote control device (hereinafter, referred to as a “remote control device”) 50 and headphones 54 are connected to the mini disc device 10, and the remote control device 50 can be connected to the mini disc device without operating the operation unit 41 provided on the mini disc device 10. An operation unit 51 is provided so that the operation of the disk device 10 can be switched, and a display unit 52 is provided so that the operation state can be determined even when the mini disk device 10 is stored in a bag or a pocket.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the mini disk device 10. The mini-disc 100 mounted on the mini-disc device 10 is driven to rotate by a spindle motor unit 21. A magnetic head 22 for recording is arranged on one surface (upper surface in the figure) of the mini-disc 100, and an optical disk on the lower surface. A pickup unit 23 is provided.

The optical pickup unit 23 irradiates a laser beam of a predetermined power to the mini-disc 100 based on a laser control signal CP from a servo control unit 25, which will be described later, and reads out a read signal RS based on the reflected light from the mini-disc 100. Is generated and supplied to the RF amplifier unit 24. The RF amplifier section 24 generates a digital read data signal RE from the read signal RS supplied from the optical pickup section 23 and supplies the digital read data signal RE to the signal processing section 30. Also, the RF amplifier unit 2
4, the focus error signal F based on the read signal RS
E and a tracking error signal TE are generated and supplied to the servo controller 25.

In the servo control unit 25, the RF amplifier unit 24
A driver 26 generates a focus control signal FC and a tracking control signal TC for adjusting the position of an objective lens (not shown) of the optical pickup unit 23 based on the focus error signal FE and the tracking error signal TE supplied from To supply. The driver 26 generates the focus drive signal FD based on the focus control signal FC and generates the tracking drive signal TD based on the tracking control signal TC. By supplying the focus drive signal FD and the tracking drive signal TD to an actuator (not shown) of the optical pickup unit 23 to adjust the position of the objective lens, the laser light is focused at a desired position. . Also, the servo control unit 2
In step 5, the thread signal SSL is generated and supplied to the thread motor unit 27, and the optical pickup unit 23 is moved in the radial direction of the mini disc 100 by the thread motor unit 27 so that the irradiation position of the laser beam does not exceed the tracking control range. Let it. Further, the servo control unit 25 detects the synchronization pattern of the read data signal RE, and
A disk drive signal SSP is generated and supplied to the spindle motor unit 21 so that the rotation speed of 0 becomes a desired speed, and the rotation speed of the mini disk 100 is controlled.

In the signal processing section 30, the read data signal RE supplied from the RF amplifier section 24 is subjected to EFM (Eight
to Fourteen Modulation) and CIRC (C
Performs decoding of rossInterleaved Reed Solomon Code). The compressed data signal RD obtained by performing the decoding process is transmitted to the memory 32 via the memory controller 31.
Supplied to The memory 32 is configured using a rewritable dynamic RAM, for example, and temporarily stores the supplied compressed data signal RD. The write position and the read position of the data signal in the memory 32 are managed by the memory controller 31 and the memory controller 3
In step 1, the amount of data temporarily stored in the memory 32 is also managed, and a data amount determination signal VD indicating the amount of stored data or a comparison result between the amount of stored data and a predetermined level is generated. It is supplied to the microcomputer 40.

The compressed data signal RD stored in the memory 32 is sequentially read out by the memory controller 31 and supplied to the compression / decompression processing unit 33. In the compression / decompression processing unit 33, ATRAC (Adaptive Transform Acousti
c Coding) to decode the compressed data signal. The data signal obtained by this decoding process is supplied to the D / A converter 34 as the audio data signal Dout. In the D / A converter 34, the audio data signal Dou
t is converted to an analog audio output signal Sout and output from the signal output terminal 35. Headphones 54 are connected to the signal output terminal 35, and the headphones 54 output music reproduction sounds.

The analog audio input signal Sin supplied to the signal input terminal 36 is converted into a digital audio data signal Din by the A / D converter 37 and supplied to the compression / decompression processing unit 33.

In the compression / decompression processing section 33, the A / D converter 3
ATRA to the audio data signal Din supplied from
The encoding process of C is performed to encode the audio data signal Din. The data signal obtained by the encoding process is converted into a compressed data signal WD by the memory controller 31.
Supplied to

In the memory controller 31, the compressed data signal WD supplied from the compression / decompression processing unit 33 is stored in the memory 3.
2 sequentially. The compressed data signal WD temporarily stored in the memory 32 is read and supplied to the signal processing unit 30.

The signal processing section 30 applies a CIR to the compressed data signal WD supplied from the memory controller 31.
C encoding processing and EFM encoding processing are performed.
A signal obtained by performing the encoding process is supplied to the recording amplifier 38 as a recording data signal WS.

The recording amplifier 38 amplifies the supplied recording data signal WS and supplies the amplified recording data signal WS to the recording magnetic head 22, and generates a magnetic field corresponding to the recording data signal WS.
Generated by At this time, the mini disc 100 is irradiated with a laser beam of a predetermined power from the optical pickup section 23 by the laser control signal CP from the servo control section 25, and the mini disc 100 has a magnetic field generated by the magnetic head 22. Is formed and a signal is recorded.

The operations of the servo control unit 25, the signal processing unit 30, and the memory controller 31 are controlled by an operation control signal CT from the microcomputer 40. The microcomputer 40 includes a mini disk device 10.
An operation unit 41 for switching the operation and the like and an operation unit 51 provided on the remote control device 50 are connected, and a control signal CT is generated based on operation signals PS from the operation units 41 and 51. Further, a display unit 42 and a display unit 52 provided in the remote control device 50 are connected to the microcomputer 40, and the operation state of the mini disk device 10 is displayed by a display control signal PD from the microcomputer 40.

Here, when reproducing a signal recorded on the mini-disc 100, it is assumed that a process for irradiating the mini-disc 100 with a laser beam and reading out the recorded signal is performed intermittently. The compressed data signal RD obtained by the unit 30 is temporarily stored in the memory 32 at a transfer rate of, for example, 1.4 Mbit / sec. At the same time, the held compressed data signal RD is read out at a transfer rate of 0.3 Mbit / sec and the ATRAC decoding process is performed to obtain an audio data signal Dout having a transfer rate of 1.4 Mbit / sec and having a uniform time axis. Is converted into an audio output signal Sout and output. When recording a signal on the mini-disc 100, a compressed data signal WD obtained by converting and compressing the audio input signal Sin having a uniform time axis into a digital signal having a transfer rate of 1.4 Mbit / sec. Are sequentially stored in the memory 32 at a transfer rate of 0.3 Mbit / sec. Further, the held compressed data signal WD is read intermittently at a transfer rate of 1.4 Mbit / sec for each predetermined data amount unit, and the read compressed data signal WD is read out.
The recording data signal WS is generated by the signal processing unit 30 based on D, and the signal is intermittently recorded on the mini disc 100. As described above, by intermittently reading a signal from the mini disk 100 and writing a signal to the mini disk 100, for example, the signal is read for about 5 seconds to hold the compressed data signal RD in the memory 32 and By sequentially reading out the held signals, the audio output signal Sout can be output for about 40 seconds.

For this reason, even if vibration or the like is applied to the mini-disc device 10 and reading of signals from the mini-disc 100 is interrupted, recorded signals can be continuously reproduced. Also, when a signal is recorded on the mini-disc 100, the signal can be correctly recorded in the same manner.

The microcomputer 40 is capable of operating at low power consumption to reduce power consumption, and does not read signals from the mini-disc 100 or record signals on the mini-disc 100. During the period, the operation of the microcomputer 40 is switched to a low power consumption operation.

Next, for example, the reproducing operation of the mini disk device 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The mini disc 100 is the mini disc device 1
When the microcomputer 40 is attached to 0, the operation of the microcomputer 40 is set to a normal operation other than the low power consumption operation in step ST1. Also, TOC (Table of Control) recorded in a lead-in area provided on the inner peripheral side of the mini disc 100 is used.
ents) information and UTOC (User TOC) information recorded on the inner circumference side in a program area provided on the outer circumference side of the lead-in area of the recordable / reproducible mini-disc. Further, based on the read information, it is determined at what position in the program area what kind of music is recorded, and the process proceeds to step ST2.

In step ST2, it is determined whether or not the power saving mode selection key KM provided on the operation unit 41 or 51 is operated to set the operation mode of the mini disk device 10 to the low power consumption mode. I do. Here, when the low power consumption mode is selected, step ST
Proceed to 3.

In step ST3, when the operation section 41 or the operation section 51 is operated to start the reproduction operation, a data signal of a desired music is read out from the mini disk 100 by a predetermined amount, for example, in sector units, and the EFM or the like is read out. CIRC
And the memory controller 31 temporarily stores the compressed data signal RD in the memory 32. Further, the compressed data signal RD stored in the memory 32 is sequentially read out by the memory controller 31 and AT
The decoding process of the RAC is performed, and the process of outputting from the signal output terminal 35 as the audio output signal Sout having a uniform time axis is started.

In step ST4, it is determined whether reading of a predetermined amount of data signal is completed. If the reading of the predetermined amount of data signals has not been completed, the process returns to step ST4. If the reading of the predetermined amount of data signals has been completed and the reading of the signals from the mini disk 100 has been temporarily terminated, the process proceeds to step ST5.

In step ST5, it is assumed that the clock frequency of the clock signal, which is a reference for processing in the microcomputer 40, is lowered to switch to low power consumption operation, and the rotation of the mini disk 100 and the servo operation of the optical pickup are terminated. Proceed to step ST6.

In step ST6, the memory 32 is controlled based on the data amount determination signal VD from the memory controller 31.
The data amount of the compressed data signal RD held in
It is determined whether or not the level is lower than the level. Here, the output level of the audio output signal Sout when the compressed data signal RD held in the memory 32 is used as the audio output signal Sout (hereinafter referred to as “reproduction memory time”) is the first level. It is set to be longer than a period (hereinafter, referred to as “reading waiting time”) required for starting the rotation of the optical pickup and the servo operation of the optical pickup and starting to record the data signal read from the mini disk 100 in the memory 32. By making the reproduction memory time longer than the read waiting time in this way, it is possible to prevent the audio output signal Sout from being interrupted.

When the data signal held is not less than the first level set in this way, the process returns to step ST6, and when the data signal is less than the first level, the process proceeds to step ST7.

In step ST7, the clock frequency of the microcomputer 40 is returned to the original frequency, the operation is switched from the low power consumption operation to the normal operation, and the operation proceeds to step ST8.

In step ST8, reading of the next predetermined amount of data signal is started, and the process returns to step ST4.

When the operation mode of the mini disk device 10 is not set to the low power consumption mode in step ST2, the operation in the normal operation mode for recording and reproducing signals without operating the microcomputer 40 at low power consumption. I do.

As described above, during the period in which the data signal is not read from the mini disc 100, not only the rotation of the mini disc 100 and the servo operation of the optical pickup are terminated, but also the microcomputer 40 operates with low power consumption. By doing so, the power consumption of the mini disk device 10 can be reduced.

By the way, in the above case, the clock frequency is set to be low and the microcomputer 40 is set to the low power consumption operation. However, the low power consumption operation of the microcomputer 40 is limited to the case where the clock frequency is set to be low. Instead, for example, instruction processing may be stopped to reduce power consumption.

Next, a case where the instruction processing is stopped and the microcomputer 40 operates with low power consumption will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In step ST11, as in step ST1, TOC information and UTOC information are read out, and what kind of music is recorded is determined, and step ST12 is executed.
Proceed to.

In step ST12, similarly to step ST2, it is determined whether or not the operation mode is set to the low power consumption mode. When it is determined that the low power consumption mode is selected, the process proceeds to step ST13. In addition,
When the low power consumption mode is not selected, signal recording and reproduction are performed in the above-described normal operation mode.

In step ST13, similarly to step ST3, when the reproducing operation is started, the mini disc 10
From 0, a signal of a desired music is read out by a predetermined amount in sector units, subjected to EFM or CIRC decoding processing, and then stored in the memory 32. Further, a process of sequentially reading out the data signals stored in the memory 32 and outputting the audio output signal Sout is started.

In step ST14, similarly to step ST4, it is determined whether or not reading of a predetermined amount of data signal has been completed. If the reading of the predetermined amount of the data signal is not completed, the process returns to step ST14, and the reading of the predetermined amount of the data signal is completed.
When the reading of the signal from is temporarily terminated, the process proceeds to step ST15.

In step ST15, the display unit 42 of the mini disk device 10 or the display unit 5 of the remote control device 50
In step 2, a display is made so that the microcomputer 40 can determine that the operation is the low power consumption operation, and the process proceeds to step ST16. As a display that can be identified as the low power consumption operation, a time display or the like that is variable according to the reproduction operation is not performed, or a mark display indicating the low power consumption operation is fixed. Display. Alternatively, the display of the display units 42 and 52 may be stopped or the display may be stopped.

In step ST16, the mini disc 10
By terminating the rotation of 0 and the servo operation of the optical pickup, and stopping the instruction processing of the microcomputer 40, the microcomputer 40 is switched to the low power consumption operation, and the process proceeds to step ST17.

In step ST17, it is determined whether or not the data amount of the compressed data signal RD held in the memory 32 has become smaller than the first level based on the data amount determination signal VD from the memory controller 31. . Here, when it is not lower than the first level, the process proceeds to step ST18, and when it is lower than the first level, the process proceeds to step ST19.

In step ST18, the operation of the operation unit 41 or 51 causes the microcomputer 4 to operate.
It is determined whether an interrupt has occurred for 0. Here, when an interrupt has not occurred, the process returns to step ST17, and when an interrupt has occurred, the process proceeds to step ST19.

In step ST19, the instruction processing of the microcomputer 40 is restarted, the microcomputer 40 is switched from the low power consumption operation to the normal operation, and the operation proceeds to step ST20.

In step ST20, the display on the display unit 42 or the display unit 52 that enables the determination of the low power consumption operation is canceled, the display returns to the normal display state in which the reproduction time and the like are displayed, and the process proceeds to step ST21. .

In step ST21, the mini disc 10
Reading of the next predetermined amount of data signals is started from 0, and the process returns to step ST14.

As described above, during the period in which the data signal is not read from the mini disc 100, not only the rotation of the mini disc 100 and the servo operation of the optical pickup are stopped, but also the instruction processing of the microcomputer 40 is stopped. The power consumption of the minidisk device 10 can be reduced by causing the microcomputer 40 to operate with low power consumption.

Further, in the above case, when the data amount of the memory 32 becomes smaller than a predetermined level, or when the operation unit 41,
When the 51 is operated, the microcomputer 40 is switched from the low power consumption operation to the normal operation. However, the reading of a predetermined amount of data signals is completed, and the reading of signals from the mini disk 100 is temporarily stopped. At this time, the timing for switching from the low power consumption operation to the normal operation may be set based on the data amount of the compressed data signal stored in the memory 32.

The flowchart of FIG. 5 shows the operation when switching from the low power consumption operation to the normal operation based on the data amount of the compressed data signal stored in the memory 32.

In step ST31, as in step ST1, TOC information and UTOC information are read out to determine what kind of music is recorded, and step ST3 is executed.
Proceed to 2.

In step ST32, similarly to step ST2, it is determined whether or not the operation mode is set to the low power consumption mode. When it is determined that the low power consumption mode is selected, the process proceeds to step ST33. In addition,
When the low power consumption mode is not selected, signal recording and reproduction are performed in the above-described normal operation mode.

In step ST33, similarly to step ST3, when the reproducing operation is started, the mini disc 10
From 0, a signal of a desired music is read out by a predetermined amount in sector units, subjected to EFM or CIRC decoding processing, and then stored in the memory 32. Further, a process of sequentially reading out the data signals stored in the memory 32 and outputting the audio output signal Sout is started.

In step ST34, similarly to step ST4, it is determined whether reading of a predetermined amount of data signal is completed. If the reading of the predetermined amount of data signals is not completed, the process returns to step ST34, and the reading of the predetermined amount of data signals is completed.
When the reading of the signal from is temporarily terminated, the process proceeds to step ST35.

In step ST35, when the reading of the data signal is temporarily terminated, a reproduction memory time based on the data amount of the compressed data signal RD held in the memory 32 is calculated, and the above-described read waiting time is calculated from the reproduction memory time. Set the timer time shorter than the time obtained by subtracting. By setting the timer time in this manner, it is possible to prevent the memory 32 from becoming empty and the audio output signal Sout from being interrupted.

Next, in step ST36, step S
Similarly to T15, a display is provided on the display unit 42 of the mini-disc device 10 or the display unit 52 of the remote control device 50 so that the microcomputer 40 can determine that the operation is low power consumption, and the process proceeds to step ST37.

In step ST37, the mini disc 10
The rotation of 0 and the servo operation of the optical pickup are terminated, the microcomputer 40 is switched from the normal operation to the low power consumption operation, and the process proceeds to step ST38.

In step ST38, step ST35
It is determined whether or not the timer time set in the step has elapsed.
Here, when the timer time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step ST39, and when the timer time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step ST40.

At step ST39, the operation of the operation unit 41 or 51 causes the microcomputer 4 to operate.
It is determined whether an interrupt has occurred for 0. Here, when an interrupt has not occurred, the process returns to step ST38, and when an interrupt has occurred, the process proceeds to step ST40.

In step ST40, the microcomputer 40 is switched from the low power consumption operation to the normal operation, and proceeds to step ST41. In step ST41, it is possible to determine that the operation is the low power consumption operation in the display unit 42 or the display unit 52. And returns to the normal display state and proceeds to step ST42. In step ST42, reading of the next predetermined amount of data signal from the mini disc 100 is started, and the process returns to step ST34.

As described above, during the period when the data signal is not read from the mini disc 100, not only the rotation of the mini disc 100 and the servo operation of the optical pickup are stopped, but also the instruction processing of the microcomputer 40 is stopped. The power consumption of the minidisk device 10 can be reduced by causing the microcomputer 40 to operate with low power consumption. Further, a timer time is set from the data amount of the memory 32 before the low power consumption operation starts, and when the timer time has elapsed, the operation is automatically switched from the low power consumption operation to the normal operation. There is no need to monitor whether the amount of data in the memory 32 has dropped below a predetermined level.
Can be simplified.

In addition to reproducing the signal recorded on the mini-disc 100, the memory 32 sequentially stores the compressed data signal WD having a continuous time axis and the compressed data signal stored from the memory 32. WD
When the signal is intermittently read and recorded on the mini-disc 100, the microcomputer 40 is set to the low power consumption operation when the recording of the signal on the mini-disc 100 is temporarily stopped, so that the power consumption is reduced in the same manner as in the reproduction operation. Can be reduced.

In this recording operation, when the data amount of the memory 32 exceeds the second level, the operation is switched from the low power consumption operation to the normal operation. Here, the second level is that the period during which the audio input signal Sin can be recorded in the free space of the memory 32 (hereinafter referred to as “recording memory time”)
00 and the servo operation of the optical pickup is started, and the data signal read from the memory 32 is transferred to the mini disk 10.
The second level is set so as to be longer than the time required to start recording at 0 (hereinafter referred to as “recording wait time”). By making the recording memory time longer than the recording waiting time in this way, it is possible to prevent the audio input signal Sin from being interrupted and recorded, and to reduce the power consumption of the mini disk device 10 even during the recording operation. it can.

When the recording of a predetermined amount of data signal is completed and the recording of the signal on the mini-disc 100 is temporarily stopped, the operation is switched to the low power consumption operation, and at this time, a timer is set based on the free space of the memory 32. A time is set, and the microcomputer 40 switches from the low power consumption operation to the normal operation when the timer time has elapsed. Here, when the recording of the data signal is temporarily terminated, the memory 3
A recording memory time is calculated from the free space of No. 2 and a timer time is set shorter than a time obtained by subtracting the above-described recording waiting time from the recording memory time. in this way,
By setting the timer time, it is possible to prevent the memory 32 from overflowing and the audio input signal Sin from being interrupted and recorded, thereby reducing the power consumption of the mini disk device 10 even during the recording operation.

In the above embodiment, the case where the signal recording / reproducing device is a mini-disc device has been described. However, the signal recording / reproducing device is not limited to the mini-disc device 10, and the signal is temporarily stored in the memory. In addition, by making the transfer rate for recording a signal in the memory different from the transfer rate for reading the signal from the memory, intermittent recording and reproduction of signals on the recording medium and input / output of the signal recording / reproducing apparatus are performed. As long as the output signal is a signal having a uniform time axis, a signal recording / reproducing apparatus using an optical disk, a magnetic disk, or the like may be used.

[0065]

According to the present invention, in the operation control means for controlling the signal reading processing from the recording medium or the signal recording processing to the recording medium, the reading of the signal recorded on the recording medium or the recording on the recording medium is performed. For a predetermined period after the temporary termination, the frequency of the reference signal serving as a reference for processing in the operation control means is reduced, or the instruction processing in the operation control means is stopped. For this reason, power consumption in the operation control means is reduced, and for example, the operation time of the signal recording / reproducing apparatus driven by using a battery can be extended.

The period during which the power consumption is reduced by the operation control means is set based on the data amount of the signal held in the storage means in the reading operation of the signal recorded on the recording medium. In the operation of recording a signal on the recording medium, the period is set based on the free space of the storage unit, so that the period during which the operation control unit is set to the low power consumption operation can be appropriately and efficiently set.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a mini disk device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a mini disk device.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a first mini disc playback operation.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a second mini-disc reproducing operation.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a third mini disc playback operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 mini disk device 21 spindle motor unit 22 magnetic head 23 optical pickup unit 24 RF amplifier unit 25 servo control unit 26 driver 27 thread motor unit 30 signal processing unit 31 memory controller 32 memory 33 compression / decompression processing unit 34 D / A conversion unit 35 Signal output terminal 36 Signal input terminal 37 A / D converter 38 Recording amplifier 40 Microcomputer 41, 51 Operation unit 42, 52 Display unit 50 Remote control device 54 Headphones 100 Mini disk

Continuation of the front page F term (reference) 5D044 AB05 BC06 CC04 EF03 FG10 FG21 FG23 GK03 GK07 5D090 AA01 BB10 CC01 CC04 DD03 DD05 EE11 FF30 HH02 HH03

Claims (22)

[Claims] 1. A signal recorded in a recording medium is read out intermittently and held in a storage means, and a signal held in the storage means is read out and output as a continuous signal on a time axis or input. A signal continuous on a time axis is held in the storage means, and the signal held in the storage means is intermittently read and recorded on a recording medium. The operation control means for controlling the signal recording process, for a predetermined period from when the reading of the signal recorded on the recording medium or the recording on the recording medium is temporarily terminated,
A signal recording / reproducing method, wherein a frequency of a reference signal which is a reference for processing in the operation control means is reduced. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined period in the operation of reading a signal recorded on the recording medium is a period until a data amount of the signal held in the storage unit falls below a predetermined level. The signal recording / reproducing method according to claim 1, wherein 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined period in the operation of reading the signal recorded on the recording medium is a period of time when the reading of the signal recorded on the recording medium is temporarily terminated. 2. The signal recording / reproducing method according to claim 1, wherein the setting is performed based on a data amount. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined period in the signal recording operation on the recording medium is a period until the free space of the storage unit falls below a predetermined level. Signal recording and playback method. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined period in the signal recording operation on the recording medium is set based on a free space of the storage unit when the signal recording on the recording medium is temporarily stopped. The signal recording / reproducing method according to claim 1, wherein: 6. A signal recorded on a recording medium is read out intermittently and held in a storage means, and a signal held in the storage means is read out and output as a continuous signal on a time axis, or is inputted. A signal continuous on a time axis is held in the storage means, and the signal held in the storage means is intermittently read and recorded on a recording medium. The operation control means for controlling the signal recording process, for a predetermined period from when the reading of the signal recorded on the recording medium or the recording on the recording medium is temporarily terminated,
A signal recording / reproducing method, wherein instruction processing in the operation control means is stopped. 7. The predetermined period in the operation of reading a signal recorded on the recording medium is a period until the data amount of the signal held in the storage unit falls below a predetermined level. The signal recording / reproducing method according to claim 6, wherein 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein during the predetermined period in the operation of reading the signal recorded on the recording medium, the signal stored in the storage unit is temporarily stored when the reading of the signal recorded on the recording medium is temporarily terminated. 7. The signal recording / reproducing method according to claim 6, wherein the setting is performed based on a data amount. 9. The recording medium according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined period in the signal recording operation on the recording medium is a period until the free space of the storage unit falls below a predetermined level. Signal recording and playback method. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined period in the signal recording operation on the recording medium is set based on a free space of the storage unit when the signal recording on the recording medium is temporarily stopped. 7. The signal recording / reproducing method according to claim 6, wherein: 11. A signal recording method according to claim 6, wherein a display is provided for enabling determination that the operation is in a low power consumption state during a period in which the instruction processing by said operation control means is stopped. Playback method. 12. A recording / reproducing means for reading a signal recorded on a recording medium or recording a signal on the recording medium, and a signal read by the recording / reproducing means or a signal recorded by the recording / reproducing means. A storage unit for temporarily storing, a storage control unit for controlling writing and reading of a signal to and from the storage unit, and an operation control unit for controlling an operation of the recording and reproduction unit, wherein the operation control unit includes the recording and reproduction unit And controlling the storage control means to intermittently read the signal recorded on the recording medium and store the read signal in the storage means, or intermittently read the signal held in the storage means. The storage control means reads out a signal held intermittently in the storage means and reads the signal intermittently stored in the storage means. It is assumed that the signal is output as a continuous signal on the intermediate axis, or the input signal on the continuous time axis is stored in the storage unit, and the operation control unit reads out or records the signal recorded on the recording medium. A signal recording / reproducing apparatus characterized in that the frequency of a reference signal, which is a reference for processing by the operation control means, is reduced for a predetermined period from when recording of a signal on a medium is temporarily terminated. 13. The operation control unit according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined period in the reading operation of the signal recorded on the recording medium is performed until the data amount of the signal held in the storage unit falls below a predetermined level. 13. The signal recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the period is a period. 14. The operation control means according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined period in the reading operation of the signal recorded on the recording medium is performed when the reading of a predetermined amount of the signal recorded on the recording medium is temporarily stopped. 13. The signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the setting is performed based on a data amount of the signal held in the storage unit. 15. The operation control unit, wherein the predetermined period in a signal recording operation on the recording medium is a period until the free space of the storage unit falls below a predetermined level. The signal recording / reproducing device according to claim 12, wherein 16. The operation control unit according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined period in the signal recording operation on the recording medium is set to a free space of the storage unit when the signal recording on the recording medium is temporarily stopped. 13. The signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the setting is performed based on the setting. 17. A recording / reproducing means for reading a signal recorded on a recording medium or recording a signal on the recording medium, and a signal read by the recording / reproducing means or a signal recorded by the recording / reproducing means. A storage unit for temporarily storing, a storage control unit for controlling writing and reading of a signal to and from the storage unit, and an operation control unit for controlling an operation of the recording and reproduction unit, wherein the operation control unit includes the recording and reproduction unit And controlling the storage control means to intermittently read the signal recorded on the recording medium and store the read signal in the storage means, or intermittently read the signal held in the storage means. The storage control means reads out a signal held intermittently in the storage means and reads the signal intermittently stored in the storage means. It is assumed that the signal is output as a continuous signal on the intermediate axis, or the input signal on the continuous time axis is stored in the storage unit, and the operation control unit reads out or records the signal recorded on the recording medium. A signal recording / reproducing apparatus, wherein command processing in the operation control means is stopped for a predetermined period from when signal recording on a medium is temporarily terminated. 18. The operation control unit according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined period in the reading operation of the signal recorded on the recording medium is performed until the data amount of the signal held in the storage unit falls below a predetermined level. 18. The signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the period is a period. 19. The operation control means according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined period in the reading operation of the signal recorded on the recording medium is set to a time when the reading of a predetermined amount of the signal recorded on the recording medium is temporarily stopped. 18. The signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the setting is performed based on a data amount of the signal held in the storage unit. 20. The operation control unit, wherein the predetermined period in a signal recording operation on the recording medium is a period until the free space of the storage unit falls below a predetermined level. 18. The signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein: 21. The operation control unit according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined period in the signal recording operation on the recording medium is set to a free space of the storage unit when the signal recording on the recording medium is temporarily stopped. 18. The signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the setting is performed based on the setting. 22. A display device, wherein the display on the display device is a display that can determine that a low power consumption operation is being performed while the instruction processing by the operation control device is stopped. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein
The signal recording / reproducing device according to claim 1.