JP2001351328A - Recorder-reproducer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recorder-reproducer which can prevent omission of the image/voice data to be recorded on a recording medium before and after the recording medium is replaced with another and also can record some of these image/voice data on both recording media with duplication. SOLUTION: The image/voice recorder-reproducer includes an area to store data when the area of a recording medium is deficient and the image/voice data are continuously recorded in the area when the area of recording medium is deficient or the recording medium is replaced with another. When the recording medium is replaced with a recordable one, the data recorded on the said area are also recorded on the recordable recording medium. Then the same data are recorded on both recording media before and after they are replaced with each other.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for recording and reproducing image / audio data, and more particularly to a recording / reproducing apparatus suitable for a recording medium for recording this data, which is suitable when a recordable free area is insufficient. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional VTR (VTR) is used as a recording medium for recording image / audio data subjected to digital signal processing.
A tape-shaped recording medium such as an image tape recorder, and a medium that can be randomly accessed, such as a memory or a hard disk, are used. Recording / reproducing devices using these recording media include, for example, digitally recordable VTRs, video cameras, optical disk devices, and the like.

In the image / audio recording / reproducing apparatus, when the recording time of the image / audio data to be recorded is predetermined, the recording / reproducing area on the recording medium and the remaining recording time of the image / audio data to be recorded are determined. If the information and the image / audio data for the specified recording time cannot be recorded on the recording medium, the method of digital signal processing is changed, and the specified image / audio data is recorded by increasing the compression ratio, for example. Processing is performed during recording so that it fits in the medium.

[0004]

However, the recording time of the image / audio data is determined by the user's intention of the recording / reproducing apparatus, or the above-mentioned digital signal processing method is changed. In the case where the recordable free space in the recording medium is lacking, not all the image / audio data desired by the user can be recorded as instructed. If the recording medium runs out of recordable free space during recording by the image / audio recording / reproducing apparatus, recording is stopped, and after replacing with another recordable recording medium, recording must be started again. It is not possible to record continuously, and even in this case, it is impossible to record completely continuous image / audio data. Further, the recording medium cannot be replaced without stopping the recording, and the recording must be stopped.

In view of the above-mentioned problems, it is an object of the present invention to continue recording in a recording / reproducing apparatus even when a recordable empty area of a recording medium is lacking or when a recording medium is replaced.
Furthermore, when the recording medium is replaced with a recording medium having a sufficient recordable free area, the image / audio data recorded at the time of lack of the recordable free area or when the recording medium is replaced is recorded on the replaced recording medium. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording / reproducing technique which enables desired image / audio data to be recorded as instructed.

Another object of the present invention is to record the image / audio data before the lack of the recordable empty area on the exchanged recording medium, thereby making it possible to record the image / audio data on the recording medium lacking the empty area. An object of the present invention is to provide a recording / reproducing technique which can indicate that the audio data is continuous, so that the user can easily identify the recording medium and improve the identification of the recording medium.

[0007]

In order to achieve the object of the present invention, an HDD (Hard Disk Dr.) is used as a recording medium for image / audio data which has been subjected to digital signal processing.
ive) discs and DVD-RAM (Digital)
Versatile Disc-Random A
(Access Memory) A medium that can be randomly accessed, such as a disc, is used. Further, the recording medium can be arbitrarily exchanged by a user. Further, the recording / reproducing apparatus includes a memory for writing image / audio data to the recording medium, and records the image / audio data recorded when the recordable free area of the recording medium is lacking in the memory. The memory is at least one or more, and the image /
The memory for writing audio data and the memory for writing image / audio data when the recordable free area is lacking can be realized in the same memory area, or can be completely different memories. is there. The recording / reproducing apparatus monitors a recordable free area of the recording medium used at the time of recording, and records image / audio data in the memory means even when the recordable free area of the recording medium is lacking. I do. Further, when the recordable free area is replaced with a sufficient recording medium, the image / image recorded in the memory means is deleted.
Record audio data.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail. First
According to the invention, a recording / reproducing apparatus that records data on a recording medium and reproduces data from the recording medium includes a data storage unit that stores data to be recorded, and a data control unit that controls the data storage unit. Under the control of the data control unit, the data stored in the data storage unit is output to the recording medium, and when the recording area of the recording medium is lacking, the data is not output to the recording medium. The data is stored in the data storage unit. In the first invention, the data stored in the data storage unit is output to another recording medium without outputting to the recording medium.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in a recording / reproducing apparatus for recording data on a recording medium and reproducing the data from the recording medium, a data storage section for storing data to be recorded and a data storage section for controlling the data storage section A control unit, under the control of the data control unit, outputs the data stored in the data storage unit to the recording medium, and when the recording area of the recording medium is lacking, stores the data in the recording medium. The data is stored in the data storage unit without being output, and the data to be recorded on the recording medium is held in the data storage unit at an arbitrary recording time until the recording area of the recording medium runs out. Second
In the invention, the data stored in the data storage unit and the data stored in the data storage unit at the arbitrary recording time are output to another recording medium without outputting to the recording medium.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a recording / reproducing apparatus which records image data and audio data on a recording medium, reads recording information on the recording medium, and reproduces data recorded on the recording medium based on the recording information. In the apparatus, a recording data storage area for recording image / audio data is provided, and image / audio data to be recorded on the recording medium is recorded in the recording data storage area, and is recorded in the recording data storage area. Data is recorded on the recording medium. In the third invention, an arbitrary area of the recording data storage area is used as a data storage area when a recordable area is lacking in a recording medium, and the recording is possible for an arbitrary period before and after the recording medium lacks a recordable area. Image / audio data is recorded in the data storage area when the area is lacking. When the recording medium is replaced with another recordable recording medium, the data recorded in the data storage area when the recordable area is lacking is recorded on the other recording medium. Further, in addition to the recording data storage area for storing data to be recorded on the recording medium, a data storage area when a recordable area is not provided is provided, and at the time of recording, the data is recorded in the recording data storage area. Is also recorded in the data storage area when the recordable area is lacking. The data storage area when the recordable area is lacking includes a data storage area on the recording medium before the recordable area is lacking, and a data storage area on the recording medium after the recordable area is lacking. Further, in the third invention, when the recording medium is replaced with the other recordable recording medium, the image / audio data recorded in the data storage area when the recordable area is lacking is recorded on the other recording medium. The data being recorded in the recording data storage area is recorded on the other recording medium. When the recording medium is replaced with another recordable recording medium, the data recorded in the data storage area at the time of lack of the recordable area is recorded on the other recording medium, and then recorded on the recording data storage area. Is recorded on the other recording medium. Further, before replacing the recording medium with the other recording medium, of the image / audio data recorded on the recording medium, the same data as an arbitrary data area is duplicated on the other recording medium after the exchange. Record. Further, the duplicate image / audio data is recorded in the data storage area when the recordable area is lacking. The recording before and after the recordable area of the recording medium is lacking is performed for an arbitrary time or an arbitrary data amount. Further, in the third invention, information indicating that the recordable area is missing is displayed during an arbitrary period before the recordable area of the recording medium is lacking. In addition, during an arbitrary period before the recordable area of the recording medium is lacking, information indicating that recording is started is displayed in the data storage area when the recordable area is lacking. OSD
The information for providing and displaying the synthesizing means is converted into an OSD signal by the OSD synthesizing means and displayed. Further, in the third invention, an arbitrary period before the recordable area of the recording medium is lacking can be arbitrarily changed. Further, it is possible to change an arbitrary period before the recordable area of the recording medium is lacked by a user's instruction.

As described above, the present invention uses a recording medium such as an HDD disk or a DVD-RAM disk which can be randomly accessed and which can be replaced by a user. Is recorded in the recording / reproducing apparatus, and the image / audio data desired by the user can be recorded as instructed. Further, by recording the image / audio data that could not be recorded on the recording medium before the exchange on the recording medium after the exchange, the image / audio data recorded on the recording medium before and after the exchange is replaced.
It is possible to indicate that the audio data is continuous, and it is possible to improve the user's identification of the recording medium.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings using examples. First, image / audio data is recorded on a recording medium,
A method for reproducing data recorded on the recording medium will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, a recording / reproducing apparatus 1 includes a control unit 11, an encoding unit 12, a writing control unit 13,
The read control unit 14, the recording medium 15, the memory unit 16, the decoding unit 17, and the OSD (On Screen Display)
y) It is composed of the synthesizing unit 18, the input terminal 1a, the output terminal 1b, and the like.

The recording medium 15 is, for example, a DVD-RAM disk, an HDD disk, or the like, and records image / audio data and information on data, for example, recording date and time, recording time, and the like. The recording medium 15 can be read / written by being inserted / attached to the recording medium storage location of the recording / reproducing apparatus 1. Reading / writing may be performed via the interface.

Image / audio data input from the input terminal 1a is digitally encoded by the encoding unit 12. The encoding unit 12 performs encoding according to an instruction from the control unit 11. The image / audio data includes moving image / still image / audio data. As a method of digitally encoding the moving image data, for example, MPEG-2 (Moving Picture) is used.
eExperts Group 2).
It is described in the specification of SO / IEC 13818-2. As a method of digitally encoding still image data, for example, JPEG (Joint Photographic C) is used.
Oding Experts Group), which is described, for example, in the specification of ISO / IEC 10918. When digitally encoding audio data, the digital encoding method includes, for example, MPEG-1 Audio.
(Moving Picture Experts G
group 1 Audio) or, for example, MPEG-2
AAC (MPEG-1 Advanced Audio)
Coding), and MPEG-1 Audio is described in, for example, the specification of ISO / IEC 11172-3, and MPEG-2 AAC is described in, for example, IS.
It is described in the specification of O / IEC 13818-7.

The writing control unit 13 records the image / audio data encoded by the encoding unit 12 on a recording medium 15 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 11. The read control unit 14
In accordance with an instruction from the control unit 11, the encoded image / audio data recorded on the recording medium 15 is read, and the read image / audio data is transferred to the decoding unit 17. The decoding unit 17 decodes the image / audio data transferred from the read control unit 14. Decoding is performed based on the encoding method. The OSD synthesizing unit 18 synthesizes the decoded image data and graphics according to an instruction from the control unit 11. The decoded image data transmitted from the OSD synthesizing unit 18 is output to an external display device, for example, a television monitor or a liquid crystal display, via the image terminal of the output terminal 1b. The audio data decoded by the decoding unit 17 is output to an external output device, such as a speaker or a headphone, via the audio terminal of the output terminal 1b.

In the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, an external display device and an external output device are shown as having an external device. For example, a liquid crystal monitor and a speaker are incorporated in the device, and the decoded image data is stored in the liquid crystal monitor. It is also possible to display and output the decoded audio data to the speaker. Further, the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 in FIG. 1 assumes input of image / audio data from an external input device. For example, the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 has a camera function and a microphone function.
And the recording / reproducing device alone stores the image / image on the recording medium 15.
It is also possible to record and reproduce audio data. In this case, the image / audio data input from the camera function or the microphone function is input to the encoding unit 12 and recorded on the recording medium 15 via the writing control unit 13. The method of reproducing / outputting the image / audio data recorded on the recording medium 15 is the same as the method shown in the embodiment of FIG.

Further, by incorporating a receiver for receiving terrestrial broadcasting and satellite broadcasting, for example, terrestrial television broadcasting can be digitally recorded. For example, in the case of recording a satellite digital broadcast, digital recording is possible by inputting the output of the satellite digital broadcast receiver via the input terminal 1a. Also, as with the camera function, digital recording becomes possible by incorporating a receiving function for receiving satellite digital broadcasting. In this manner, the image / audio data is digitally encoded by the encoding unit 12 and recorded on the recording medium 15 via the writing control unit 13. Also, the recording medium 15
Are read out via the readout control unit 14 and subjected to decoding processing in the decoding unit 17, and in particular, in the case of image data, are combined with the OSD according to an instruction from the control unit 11. , Displayed / reproduced.

Next, in the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, when the recording medium 15 has run out of the recordable free area, or when the recording medium is replaced during recording, the image / image is reproduced.
A method for recording audio data will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the write control unit of FIG. FIG. 2 shows a write control unit 13 in the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 of FIG.
Is an example of a block diagram showing in detail, in the figure,
The write control unit 13 includes a data control unit 21, a write data storage unit 22, and a data storage unit 23 when there is no area.

The data control unit 21 is controlled by the control unit 11 and controls the encoded image / image input from the encoding unit 12.
The audio data is recorded in the write data storage unit 22 or in response to an instruction from the control unit 11, in the data storage unit 23 when the area is missing. The write data storage unit 22 includes:
The data to be written to the recording medium 15 is recorded. When the input image / audio data is to be written to the recording medium 15 in real time without delay, the recording medium 15
A comparison is made between the time required for the writing process to write data to the time required for the encoding process in the encoding unit 12 and the time required for the data transfer process to the writing control unit 13. If the time required for the former is longer than the latter, the encoded data Writing may be delayed or data that cannot be written may occur. Therefore, the write control unit 13 has a write data storage unit 22 for temporarily recording the write data so as to perform the delayed write and write all the data, and overcomes the slow processing speed of the write to the recording medium 15. . That is, when the write control unit 13 does not have the write data storage unit 22, the write speed to the recording medium 15 is
If the time is longer than the time required for the encoding process and the data transfer process to the control unit 13, data to be recorded overflows. To prevent this, a write data storage unit 22 is provided as a buffer.

The data storage unit 23 when the area is lacking is encoded by the encoding unit 12 when recording is continued, for example, when the recordable free area in the recording medium 15 is insufficient or when the recording medium 15 is replaced. Recorded image / audio data. When recording is started in response to a user's instruction, the control unit 11 controls the encoding unit 12 to encode the image / audio data, and controls the writing control unit 13 to transmit the encoded image / audio data. The information is recorded on the recording medium 15. In accordance with an instruction from the control unit 11, the write control unit 13 records the encoded image / audio data in the write data storage unit 22, and records the encoded image / audio data in the recording medium 15. The control unit 11 further controls the write control unit 13 to monitor a recordable free area in the recording medium 15. Here, when the recordable empty area is lacking, the data storage unit 23 is generated in the write data storage unit 22 when the area is lacking, and the recording of the encoded image / audio data is further continued. As described above, even when the recording medium 15 is running out of free space, or even when the free space in the recording medium 15 is completely gone, it is possible to continuously record the image / audio data desired by the user. Becomes Note that the data storage unit 23 at the time of the lack of the area may be constituted by a memory separate from the write data storage unit 22.

Next, a description will be given of a method for recording the encoded image / audio data recorded in the data storage unit 23 when the area is missing on the recording medium 15 having a sufficient recordable free area. A recording medium lacking a recordable free area (hereinafter referred to as a recording medium before replacement for convenience of explanation,
a) from the data control unit 21 when the recording medium is replaced with a recording medium having sufficient new recordable free space (hereinafter, referred to as a replaced recording medium and represented by 15b). While the encoded image / audio data is recorded in the write data storage unit 22 in accordance with the instruction of the above, the encoded image / audio data recorded in the data storage unit 23 when the area is missing is replaced with the exchanged recording medium 15b. To record.
The writing control unit 13 stores all the image / audio data recorded in the data storage
b, and then a new write data storage 2
2 is recorded on the exchanged recording medium 15b. The amount of encoded image / audio data to be recorded in the data storage unit 23 when the area is missing as described above can be determined in advance by the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 according to the present invention, and can be determined by the user. It is possible.

An example in which the user sets the operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus when the recordable free area on the recording medium runs short will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a front view showing an embodiment of a recording time setting screen of the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, in which a user is allowed to set a recording time of image / audio data to be recorded in the data storage unit 23 when an area is missing. , External display device and recording / reproducing device 1
7 is an example of a display of a recording time setting screen on a display device provided in the computer. In the figure, reference numeral 3 denotes a display frame indicating a displayable area of the display device. 31 is a recording medium 15a before replacement
Shows the recording time before the recordable free area completely disappears. In FIG. 3, this time indicates that the coded image / audio data is recorded in the data storage unit 23 at the time of the lack of the area from 60 seconds before the lack of the free area. In other words, this time indicates the time for overlapping recording on the recording medium 15a before replacement and the recording medium 15b after replacement. Reference numeral 32 denotes a data storage unit 2 when the recordable empty area in the recording medium 15a before the exchange is completely lacking and then the area is lacking.
3, the recording time is shown. In FIG. 3, as an example,
This indicates that the image / audio data is recorded in the data storage unit 23 when the area is missing until 120 seconds have elapsed since the lack of the free area.

The control unit 11 controls the OSD synthesizing unit 18 when the user instructs to set the recording time in the data storage unit 23 when the area is missing, and is provided in the external display device or the recording / reproducing device 1. A screen for setting the recording time is displayed on the display device. The instruction from the user is transmitted by, for example, a remote control key or a main body key provided on the recording / reproducing apparatus 1. After displaying the recording time setting screen, the control unit 11 waits for a time setting instruction from the user. The user sets the recording times 31 and 32 when there is no area using, for example, a remote control key or a main body key. The control unit 11 records the set recording time in the memory unit 16.

At the time of recording, the control unit 11 compares the information on the recordable free area from the write control unit 13 with the recording time 31 before the lack of the area, and compares the recording medium 1 before replacement.
When the free area 5a becomes equal to or less than the area of the image / audio data with respect to the recording time 31 before the lack of the area, the writing control unit 13 generates the data storage unit 23 at the time of the lack of the area, and the encoded image / audio data. Is controlled to be recorded. In accordance with an instruction from the control unit 11, the write control unit 13 records the coded image / audio data sent from the encoding unit 12 in the data storage unit 23 when there is no area, and records the encoded image / audio data in the write data storage unit 22. The recorded image / audio data is recorded on the recording medium 15a. Further, the control unit 11 sets the recording time 32 after the lack of the area when the user does not give an instruction to stop the recording after the lack of the area, or when the current time has not reached the recording end time set before the recording. Sign part 1 until elapse
2, the input image / audio data is encoded, and the encoded image / audio data is continuously recorded in the data storage unit 23 when the area is missing.

In the method described above, the control unit 11 compares and monitors the free area and the recording time 31 before the lack of the area at the time of recording, but another method is also possible. For example,
At the start of recording, the control unit 11 transmits the recording time 31 before the lack of the area to the writing control unit 13, and the writing control unit 13 holds the recording time 31 sent from the control unit 11,
When the free area of the recording medium 15a becomes equal to or less than the area for the recording time 31, the write control unit 13
To start recording image / audio data in the data storage unit 23 when the area is missing. Also in this method, the recording can be started before the recordable empty recording area in the recording medium is lacking.

Further, it can be realized by other methods. At the start of recording, the control unit 11 generates an area-missing data storage unit 23 from the information on the recordable free area of the recording medium received from the writing control unit 13 and the recording time 31 before the area lack, and starts recording. The required time is calculated, and data is stored in the data storage unit 2 at the time of lack of an area from the start of recording.
Then, the elapsed time until the start of recording on No. 3 is calculated. Control unit 1
1. After the lapse of the elapsed time, the writing control unit 13 sends an instruction to the writing control unit 13 to generate the data storage unit 23 at the time of lack of an area and record the image / audio data. Also in this method, the recording of the recording medium 15b after the replacement can be started before the recordable empty recording area in the recording medium 15a is lacking.

In the above-described example, the control unit 11 calculates the recording time until the start of recording in the data storage unit 23 when the area is lacking, but the write control unit 13 calculates the recording time 31 received from the control unit 11. It is also possible to calculate the elapsed time until the start of the recording, and start the recording in the data storage unit 23 at the time of the lack of the area after the elapse of the elapsed time.

As described above, the recording time 31 in the case where the recordable free space in the recording medium 15a before replacement is lacking.
Can be arbitrarily set by the user. Further, this recording time 31 can be recorded in the recording medium 15b after replacement in an overlapping manner.

Next, a method of controlling the write data storage section 22 in the above-described data storage method when an area is missing will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of a write data storage section for image / audio data to be recorded on a recording medium. The write data storage section 22 is configured by a memory mounted on the recording / reproducing apparatus 1.
It is assumed that image / audio data is recorded in the write data storage unit 22 from left to right in FIG. 4
Reference numerals 1 and 42 are pointers indicating arbitrary positions in the write data storage unit 22. Reference numeral 41 denotes a recording medium pointer indicating a position where image / audio data to be recorded on the recording medium 15 is recorded, and when recorded on the recording medium 15, indicates a position of image / audio data to be recorded next. That is, the recording medium 1
5, the recording medium pointer 41 moves to the right. Reference numeral 42 denotes a write pointer indicating a current recording position when recording image / audio data in the write data storage unit 22.
When recording audio data, it is recorded from this position.

At the time of recording, the write control unit 13
In accordance with an instruction from the control unit 11, the encoded image / audio data is recorded from the position indicated by the write pointer 42, and after the recording, the write pointer 42 is moved to the right. When the write data storage unit 22 is filled with the encoded image / audio data, that is, when the write pointer 42 moves to the right end in FIG.
Stores the write pointer 42 in the write data storage 22
To the beginning and continue recording. Then, since the writing control unit 13 records the image / audio data recorded at the position indicated by the recording medium pointer 41 on the recording medium 15a in accordance with the instruction from the control unit 11, the recording medium pointer 41 is recorded. Move to the right by the amount of image / audio data.

By repeating the above, the write control unit 13
The image / audio data is recorded in the write data storage unit 22, and the image / audio data is recorded on the recording medium 15a. In FIG. 4, the recording medium pointer 41 and the write pointer 42 indicate different positions, which are different from the processing speed of encoding the image / audio data to be recorded and recording the encoded data in the write data storage unit 22. This indicates that the processing speed of recording image / audio data on the medium 15 is low. These two processing speeds are the same, or the recording medium 15
In the case where the recording processing speed for a is faster, two pointers 4
1 and 42 indicate the same position.

Next, the contents of the write data storage section 22 for explaining the write data recorded on the recording medium 15b after the replacement when the recordable free area in the recording medium 15a before the replacement is lacking are shown in FIG. This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a write data storage unit for image / audio data recorded on a recording medium before and after replacement. In the figure, reference numeral 51 denotes a pointer indicating a lack of a recordable free area, that is, a lack of area indicating a position where image / audio data is recorded in the recording time 31 before the lack of the area. The hatched area 5a is an area delimited by the area lack pointer 51 and the recording medium pointer 41, and is the area lack data storage unit 23. The image / audio data in the area 5a is an area recorded on both the recording medium before the exchange and the recording medium 15b after the recording.

When recording is started, the control unit 11 controls the encoding unit 12 to encode the input image / audio data. The encoded image / audio data is transmitted to the writing control unit 13. The writing control unit 13 includes the control unit 11
According to the instruction from, the coded image / audio data to be transmitted is recorded in the write data storage unit 22 from the position indicated by the write pointer 42, and is written to the recording medium 15a. The image / audio data recorded at the position indicated by the recording medium pointer 41 is sequentially recorded on the recording medium 15a.

Next, a description will be given of a method of recording coded image / audio data when the recordable free area of the recording medium 15a is lacking. In FIG. 5, when the recordable free area of the recording medium 15a becomes equal to or less than the data amount of the recording time 31 (see FIG. 3) before the lack of the area, the write control unit 13 indicates the position indicated by the recording medium pointer 41 at that time. , The pointer 51 is set at the time of lack of an area, and the recording of the image / audio data in the write data storage unit 22 and the recording medium 15a is continued. When the recordable free area in the recording medium 15a is completely lacking, the write control unit 13 stops recording on the recording medium 15a.
Stop moving.

Here, the area 5a between the pointer 51 when the area is missing and the recording medium pointer 41 is a part of the data storage 23 when the area is missing. It comprises a data storage unit 5a and a data storage unit 5b after lack of area. The size of the data storage unit 5a in the data storage unit 5a before the lack of the area and the data storage unit 5b after the absence of the area is determined by the recording time 31 before the absence of the area, the recording time 32 after the absence of the area, and the encoding processing speed in the encoding unit 12. Is determined based on When the recording medium 15a is completely replaced with a newly recordable recording medium 15b after the recording medium 15a is completely lacking, the writing control unit 13 resets the recording medium pointer 41 to the position of the area lacking pointer 51. From the position indicated by the recording medium pointer 41, the encoded image /
The audio data is recorded on the recording medium 15b.

In the above method, the data storage unit 5a before the area lacking recorded in the data storage unit 23 when the area lacks,
Although the image / audio data after encoding in the data storage unit 5b after the lack of an area is sequentially recorded on the recording medium 15b, the recording order on the recording medium 15b does not have to be this order. Data storage unit 5 after the region lacks in the unit 23
b, the image / audio data recorded on the recording medium 1 first.
5, it is also possible to record the image / audio data recorded in the data storage unit 5a before the lack of area later.

When the recording medium 15b is replaced with a new recordable recording medium 15b, the write control unit 13 sets the position indicated by the write pointer 42 as an end pointer when the area is missing, and further sets the recording medium pointer 41 to the write pointer. Move to the position indicated by 42. The writing control unit 13
After securing an area for the data recorded in the data storage unit 23 at the time of the lack of the area on the recording medium 15, the image / audio data is recorded on the recording medium 15b from the position indicated by the recording medium pointer 41, and indicated by the write pointer 42. The image / audio data is recorded in the write data storage unit 22 from the position. Then, after the recording control unit 13 sends a recording end instruction from the control unit 11 or during the recording process on the recording medium 15b, the writing / control unit 13 controls the image / audio data recorded in the data storage unit 23 when the area is missing. Data, that is, image / audio data in the areas 5a and 5b is recorded on the recording medium 15b as needed. Here, the area between the position indicated by the area-missing pointer 51 and the position indicated by the area-missing end pointer corresponds to the area-missing data storage unit 23. According to the above method, even when the recordable free area of the recording medium 15a is completely lacking, it is possible to continue recording the image / audio data desired by the user.

Next, a recording medium created by the above-described method will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of the image / audio data structure recorded on the recording medium before and after replacement obtained according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 15a denotes a recording medium before replacement, and 15b denotes a recording medium after replacement. Reference numeral 6 denotes the encoded image / sound data, and shows how time elapses from left to right. 6a to 6e are arbitrary positions in the image / audio data, 6a is a recording start position, 6b is a position to start recording in the data storage unit 23 when an area is missing, and 6c
Is a position where the recordable empty area of the recording medium 15a before replacement is completely absent, 6d is a position where the recording medium is replaced, and 6e is a recording end position. 6 shaded
Reference numerals 3a and 63b denote image / audio data recorded in the data storage unit 23 when an area is missing. 63a is the image / audio data recorded on the recording medium 15a before the exchange, and 63b is the image / audio data recorded on the recording medium 15b after the exchange.
3b is the same data.

As described above, in the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 according to the present invention, the image / audio data immediately before the end on the recording medium 15a before the exchange and the image / audio data immediately after the recording on the recording medium 15b after the exchange are exchanged. It is possible to record duplicates. As described above, since the data is redundantly recorded on the recording medium 15a and the recording medium 15b, the user can record the recording medium 15a before the exchange and the recording medium 1 after the exchange.
5b can easily recognize that continuous image / audio data is recorded, so that the identification of the recording medium is improved. If the data before the lack of the area is not recorded on the recording medium 15b after the exchange according to the user's preference, the data is recorded on the exchanged recording medium 15b from the position 6c in FIG. It is possible to

Next, when recording of image / audio data is started in the data storage section before data loss in the data storage section 23 when the data is not stored, for example, an external display device or a display device provided in the recording / reproducing device 1 is used. An example of a screen display to be displayed will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a front view showing an embodiment of a screen displayed on the display device when the recordable free area on the recording medium runs short. In the figure, reference numeral 7 denotes a display frame of an external display device or a display device provided in the recording / reproducing device 1. 71 is a data storage unit 23 when an area is missing
Is an example of a warning sentence when recording is started. At the time of recording, the control unit 11 sets the OSD synthesizing unit 18 to an arbitrary time before recording in the data storage unit 23 before the lack of area, for example, 5 seconds before.
And synthesizes the recorded image data with the OSD,
The warning text is output to an external display device or a display device provided in the recording / reproducing device 1. According to the above method, when the recordable free area in the recording medium is running short, the user can be alerted, and the degree of recognition of the remaining amount of the recording medium by the user can be improved.

Next, the flow of processing in the above-described embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is an example of a flowchart showing processing before and after the image / audio data is recorded and the recordable free area in the recording medium is lacking. In the figure, when there is a recording start instruction, the control unit 11 controls the encoding unit 12 to encode the input image / audio data, controls the writing control unit 13, and The information is recorded on the recording medium 15a. In step 81, the control unit 11 controls the recording medium 1
The recordable free area 5a is compared with the recording time 31 before the lack of the area. In step 82, when the recording free area approaches the area corresponding to the recording time 31, the control section 11 controls the OSD synthesizing section 18 to record the recording medium on an external display device or a display device provided in the recording / reproducing device 1. 51
It indicates that the recording area in a is being lacked.
Thereafter, in step 83, when the recording free area becomes an area corresponding to the recording time 31, the control unit 11 controls the write control unit 13 to record the image / audio data in the data lacking area storage unit 23. If the empty area in the recording medium 15a is completely lacking in step 84, the process proceeds to step 85, where the control unit 11 controls the writing control unit 13 to store the image / audio data in the data storage unit 23 when the area is lacking. Record. Then, in step 86, the control unit 11 sets the recording medium 15b to be newly recordable.
It is monitored whether or not the data has been replaced. If the data has been replaced, the write control unit 13 is controlled in step 87 to transfer the image / audio data recorded in the data storage unit 23 when the area is lacking to the recording medium 15b after the exchange. The recording is performed, and the image / audio data recorded in the write data storage unit 22 is recorded on the recording medium 62 after the exchange. Note that, in this flowchart, recording stop processing by a user's recording stop instruction and recording processing when the recording end time is determined before the start of recording, such as timer recording, for example, are omitted. are doing.

In the recording end processing in this flowchart, the control unit 11 controls the encoding unit 12 to stop encoding of the input image / audio data, controls the writing control unit 13, and controls the writing data storage unit 22. Then, the recording on the recording medium 62 is stopped. Data storage unit 23 when area is missing
If there is unrecorded image / audio data in the recording medium 15b, the control unit 11 controls the writing control unit 13 to continue recording on the recording medium 15b, and when all image / audio data have been recorded, The process ends.

As described above, according to the present invention, the image / audio recording / reproducing apparatus is provided with the data storage section when the area is lacking. When the recording in the storage unit is continued and the recording medium is replaced with a recordable recording medium, the image / audio data recorded in the data storage unit is recorded on the recording medium when the area is lacking, so that the recording medium can be recorded in the free space. Even when the area is lacking or when the recording medium is replaced, it is possible to record the image / audio data desired by the user. In addition, when the recording medium before replacement has no free recording area, the image / audio data can be redundantly recorded on the recording medium before and after replacement, so that the continuous use of the recording medium can be easily performed. It is possible to judge, and the user's identification of the recording medium can be improved.

[0044]

As described above, according to the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to continuously record image / audio data on the recording medium before and after replacement without any data loss.

Further, since part of the image / audio data can be redundantly recorded on the recording medium before and after the exchange, the identification productivity of the recording medium can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a write control unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view showing an embodiment of a recording time setting screen of the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a write data storage section for writing image / audio data to be recorded on a recording medium.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a write data storage section for image / audio data recorded on a recording medium before and after replacement.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of an image / audio data structure recorded on a recording medium before and after replacement obtained according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing an example of a screen displayed on the display device when a recordable free area on a recording medium runs short.

FIG. 8 is an example of a flowchart showing processing before and after recording of image / audio data and absence of a recordable free area in a recording medium.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Recording / reproducing apparatus, 1a ... Input terminal, 1b ... Output terminal,
11 control unit, 12 code unit, 13 write control unit,
14: read control unit, 15: recording medium, 15a: recording medium before exchange, 15b: recording medium after exchange, 16: memory unit, 17: decoding unit, 18: OSD synthesis unit, 21: data control unit, 22 ... Write data storage section, 23. Data storage section when area is missing, 3 ... Display area, 31 ... Recording time before area is missing, 32 ... Recording time after area is missing, 33a ... <Enter> button, 33b ... <Return> Button, 41: Recording medium pointer, 42: Write pointer, 5: Encoded image / audio data, 51: Pointer when area is missing, 5a ...
Data storage unit when area is missing, 6: encoded image / audio data, 6a to 6e: arbitrary position of image / audio data,
63a: recording data before the lack of the area recorded on the recording medium before the exchange, 63b: recording data before the lack of the area recorded on the recording medium after the exchange, 7: display area, 71: when there is no empty recording area Display screen.

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Shimizu 292 Yoshida-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture F-term in the Digital Media Development Division, Hitachi, Ltd. 5C052 AA03 AB02 CC11 CC20 DD06 5C053 FA20 FA23 FA25 FA27 FA30 GB11 GB12 GB38 JA01 JA16 KA04 LA01 LA04 LA06 LA07 5D044 AB05 AB07 BC08 CC01 CC04 DE72 EF10

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. A recording / reproducing apparatus for recording data on a recording medium and reproducing the data from the recording medium, comprising: a data storage unit for storing data to be recorded; and a data control unit for controlling the data storage unit. Outputting the data stored in the data storage unit to the recording medium under the control of the data control unit, and outputting the data to the recording medium when the recording area of the recording medium is lacking. Recording / reproducing apparatus, wherein the data is stored in the data storage unit. 2. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said data stored in said data storage section is outputted to another recording medium without being outputted to said recording medium. apparatus. 3. A recording / reproducing apparatus for recording data on a recording medium and reproducing the data from the recording medium, comprising: a data storage unit for storing data to be recorded; and a data control unit for controlling the data storage unit. Under the control of the data control unit, the data stored in the data storage unit is output to the recording medium, and when the recording area of the recording medium is lacking, the data is not output to the recording medium. A recording / reproducing apparatus which stores data to be recorded on the recording medium in the data storage unit at an arbitrary recording time until the recording area of the recording medium runs out, while storing the data in the data storage unit. 4. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the data stored in the data storage unit without being output to the recording medium and the data stored in the data storage unit at the arbitrary recording time. Recording / reproducing apparatus for outputting the same to another recording medium. 5. A recording / reproducing apparatus which records image data and audio data on a recording medium, reads recording information on the recording medium, and reproduces data recorded on the recording medium based on the recording information. Providing a recording data storage area for recording / audio data, recording image / audio data to be recorded on the recording medium in the recording data storage area,
A recording / reproducing apparatus for recording data recorded in the recording data storage area on the recording medium. 6. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein an arbitrary area of the recording data storage area is used as a data storage area when the recording medium lacks a recordable area, and the recordable area of the recording medium lacks. A recording / reproducing apparatus for recording image / sound data in a data storage area when the recordable area is lacking for an arbitrary period before and after. 7. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein when the recording medium is replaced with another recordable recording medium, the data recorded in the data storage area when the recordable area is lacking is transferred to the other recording medium. A recording / reproducing apparatus for recording information on a recording medium. 8. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: a data storage area for storing data to be recorded on the recording medium, a data storage area when there is no recordable area, and Recording in the recording data storage area and recording the data also in the data storage area when the recordable area is lacking. 9. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the data storage area when the recordable area is lacking is a data storage area before the recordable area is lacking in the recording medium. A recording / reproducing apparatus comprising: a data storage area after the recordable area in the recording medium is lacking. 10. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein
When exchanged for the other recordable recording medium, the image / audio data recorded in the data storage area at the time of lack of the recordable area is recorded on the other recording medium and recorded on the recording data storage area. A recording / reproducing apparatus for recording data in the other recording medium. 11. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
When the recording medium is exchanged for another recordable recording medium, the data recorded in the data storage area when the recordable area is lacking is recorded on the other recording medium, and then the image recorded in the recording data storage area is recorded. / Recording / reproducing apparatus for recording audio data on the other recording medium. 12. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 7, 8, 10 or 11, wherein the image / audio data recorded on the recording medium is replaced before the recording medium is replaced with another recording medium. A recording / reproducing apparatus wherein the same data as an arbitrary data area is redundantly recorded on the other recording medium after the exchange. 13. A recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said duplicated image / audio data is recorded in a data storage area when said recordable area is lacking. 14. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein
A recording / reproducing apparatus characterized in that recording before and after lack of a recordable area of the recording medium is performed for an arbitrary time or an arbitrary data amount. 15. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein
A recording / reproducing apparatus for displaying information indicating that the recordable area is missing during an arbitrary period before the recordable area of the recording medium is lacking. 16. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein recording is started in a data storage area when the recordable area is missing during an arbitrary period before the recordable area of the recording medium is lacking. A recording / reproducing apparatus characterized by displaying the following information: 17. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein an arbitrary period before the recordable area of the recording medium is lacking can be arbitrarily changed. Recording and playback device. 18. A recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein an arbitrary period before the recordable area of the recording medium is lost can be changed by a user's instruction. Playback device. 19. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising an OSD synthesizing means, wherein the information to be displayed is converted into an OSD signal by the OSD synthesizing means and displayed. Recording / reproducing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned.