JP2003337763A - Electronic apparatus, recording/reproducing device, and connection controlling method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic apparatus capable of properly controlling connection during an operation. <P>SOLUTION: When connection to a personal computer 3 is detected, an audio microcomputer 21 acquires an operation condition of a predetermined operation in an audio device 1 (S13), and it is determined whether a reproducing operation or a recording operation is being carried out or not (S14). If it is determined that the reproducing operation is being carried out, a present music data reproduction state is acquired (S16), and after waiting for the end of the music data reproduction, a series of reproducing operations is stopped (S18). If it is determined that the recording operation is being carried out, the audio microcomputer 21 acquires a present recording operation state (S20). Subsequently, the audio microcomputer 21 transmits a descript or and the like to establish connection with the personal computer 3 (S21). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic device, a recording / reproducing device, and a connection control method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, electronic devices such as printers and modems which are used by being connected to control devices such as personal computers (personal computers) have been known. Such an electronic device includes, for example, an interface such as RS232C or Centronics, is connected to a control device via a predetermined cable, and operates according to control from the control device. Recently, USB (Universal Serial Bus) has been attracting attention as an interface standard adopted for a personal computer or the like (control device). This USB is supported by a general OS (Operating System) that is installed in personal computers, and is used for hot plug-ins that allow you to connect electronic devices with the personal computer turned on, as well as for using electronic devices. The feature is the plug and play that can automatically set.

This USB is an "Isochronous (Isoclon)" which is intended for electronic equipment classified as a multimedia device.
hronous) transfer "is supported, and for example, audio data can be transmitted in real time from a personal computer (control device) to an audio device (electronic device). At this time, since the audio data sent by the USB is digital data, it is less likely to be affected by noise and the like, and a high-quality music sound can be output by the audio device.

Such audio devices are generally C
D (compact disc) playback section, CD-R / RW (CD
A recordable / ReWritable recording / reproducing unit, an MD (mini disc) recording / reproducing unit, or the like is provided alone or in combination. Then, when it is connected to the personal computer via USB, according to the control from the personal computer, CD playback and M
It is possible to record (record) to D.

In addition, such an audio device includes a device of a type that can operate as a peripheral device of a personal computer. For example, there is known an audio device capable of operating a CD reproducing unit and a CD-R / RW recording / reproducing unit as a peripheral of a personal computer. In this case, USB
The personal computer recognizes the audio device connected via the computer as an external drive device, and can read the data from the CD-ROM or the like loaded in the audio device, and can also read any data to the CD-R / RW or the like. You can write.

[0006]

The audio device which can be a peripheral device of the personal computer described above is generally usable even if it is separated from the personal computer (even in a non-USB connected state). That is, the CD or the like can be reproduced alone, and the recording on the MD or the like can be performed. Then, even if the audio device is operating independently in this way, the user may connect the audio device and the personal computer by USB.

In such a case, the audio device is US
When the connection of B is detected, the process of establishing a connection with the personal computer is given priority, and the operation currently being performed is interrupted. That is, the music sound is suddenly interrupted during reproduction, and the music data is interrupted during recording (recording), and it is necessary to re-record. Such an interruption not only causes the user to feel uncomfortable and complicated, but also may damage the recording medium (due to sudden interruption during recording, etc.). On the other hand, to prevent such interruptions,
Although it may be considered that the USB connection is not established during the operation of the audio device, it may not only reduce the usability of the user but also be mistaken as a failure of the audio device or the personal computer.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic apparatus, a recording / reproducing apparatus, and a connection control method capable of appropriately performing connection control during operation.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, an electronic device according to a first aspect of the present invention is an electronic device which is releasably connected to an external control device via a predetermined interface. A connection detecting means for detecting a connection start via an interface with the control device; and an operation determining means for determining an operation state of a specific operation in the electronic device itself when the connection detecting means detects the connection start. When the operation determining means determines that the specific operation is stopped, the connection with the control device is directly established, and when the specific operation is determined to be in operation, the specific operation is stopped. And a connection control unit that waits for and establishes a connection with the control device.

In order to achieve the above object, a recording / reproducing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is a recording / reproducing apparatus which is connected to an external control device via a predetermined interface so as to be detachable. From the connection state, connection detection means for detecting a connection via the interface with the control device, and when the connection is detected by the connection detection means, a specific operation in the device itself is operating, or
An operation determining unit that determines whether the operation is stopped, and a connection that, when the operation determining unit determines that the specific operation is in operation, waits for the specific operation to stop and establishes a connection with the control device. And a control means.

The operation discriminating means discriminates whether or not the reproducing operation for reproducing the reproduction data recorded on the predetermined recording medium is in operation, and the connection control means has stopped the reproducing operation. If it is determined that the connection with the control device is established as it is, and if it is determined that the playback operation is in progress, even if the connection with the control device is established after the end of the playback of the playback data. Good.

The operation determination means determines whether or not a series of reproduction operations for a plurality of music data recorded on a predetermined recording medium are in operation, and the connection control means
When it is determined that a series of playback operations is stopped, the connection with the control device is established as it is, and when it is determined that a series of playback operations is in progress, playback of the current song data is terminated. After waiting, the reproduction of the subsequent music data may be stopped and the connection with the control device may be established.

The operation determining means determines whether or not the reproducing operation of the music data recorded on the predetermined recording medium is in operation, and the connection control means determines that the reproducing operation is stopped. In this case, the connection with the control device may be established as it is, and if it is determined that the reproduction operation is in operation, the reproduction of the music data may be faded out, and then the connection with the control device may be established.

The operation determining means determines whether or not a recording operation for recording data on a predetermined recording medium is in operation, and the connection control means determines that the recording operation is stopped. When the connection with the control device is established as it is and it is determined that the recording operation is in progress,
The connection with the control device may be established after the recording operation is stopped.

In order to achieve the above object, a connection control method according to a third aspect of the present invention is a connection control method in a recording / reproducing apparatus which is connected to and detachable from an external control device via a predetermined interface. If there is a connection detection step of detecting a connection through the interface with the control device from the non-connection state, and whether the specific operation in the device itself is operating when the connection is detected in the connection detection step. Alternatively, in the operation determining step of determining whether or not the operation is stopped, and when the specific operation is determined to be in operation in the operation determining step, wait for the stop of the specific operation, and then connect to the control device. And a connection control step of establishing.

The operation determining step determines whether or not a series of reproducing operations for a plurality of music data recorded in a predetermined recording medium are in operation, and the connection control step includes a series of reproducing operations. When it is determined that the operation is stopped, the connection with the control device is established as it is, and when it is determined that a series of reproduction operations is in operation, wait for the end of reproduction of the current music data, The reproduction of the subsequent music data may be stopped and the connection with the control device may be established.

In the operation determining step, it is determined whether or not a recording operation for recording data on a predetermined recording medium is in operation, and in the connection control step, it is determined that the recording operation is stopped. Alternatively, the connection with the control device may be established as it is, and when it is determined that the recording operation is in progress, the connection with the control device may be established after waiting for the stop of the recording operation.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An audio system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an audio system applied to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, this audio system is configured by connecting an audio device 1 and a personal computer (personal computer) 3 via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable C. The USB cable C is removable by the user. Also, U
The SB cable C includes a communication line (D +, D-) and a VBUS (power line) according to the USB standard.

The audio device 1 is an electronic device equipped with a USB interface, and as an example, MD (mini disk), CD (compact disk), and CD-
Play (record) R / RW (CD Recordable / ReWritable)
It is a possible recording / playback device. This audio device 1 is
As shown, a USB hub 11 and a USB I / F1
2, 13, MD control module 14, USB audio 15, selector 16, amplifier 17, speaker 18, internal bus 19, operation unit 20, audio microcomputer 21, display unit 22, and process control. Unit 23, multi-decode DSP 24, ROM 25, RAM 26
, A drive controller 27, and a CD drive unit 28.

The USB hub 11 branches and collects communication data according to the USB standard. Specifically, USB hub 1
Reference numeral 1 relays communication such as control data between the USB I / Fs 12 and 13 and the personal computer 3, and relays communication such as transfer music data between the MD control module 14 and the personal computer 3. It relays communication such as a USB audio signal between the USB audio 15 and the personal computer 3.

USB I / F (USB interface)
Reference numerals 12 and 13 denote ICs each having a communication function according to the USB standard, and transmit / receive control data (frame data) and the like to / from the personal computer 3 via the USB hub 11. And USB I / F12 (bridge) is U
It is a bridge that connects the SB hub 11 and the internal bus 19, and relays communication of each module (processing control unit 23 to drive controller 27, etc.) connected to the internal bus 19. For example, when the USB I / F 12 receives the control data (access command or the like) for the CD drive unit 28 sent from the personal computer 3, the USB I / F 12 sends the access command or the like to the drive controller 27 via the internal bus 19. Then, the personal computer 3 uses the USB I / F 12 or the like to
A music CD or CD loaded in the CD drive unit 28
-Read music data, data files, etc. from the ROM etc.

On the other hand, the USB I / F 13 (control) transmits the control data (instruction information etc.) supplied from the audio microcomputer 21 to the personal computer 3 via the USB hub 11. Also, the USB I / F 13
Control data (operation command information) sent from the personal computer 3 is received via the USB hub 11, and the received control data is supplied to the audio microcomputer 21. In addition, USB I
/ F13 determines whether or not the audio device 1 is connected to the personal computer 3 via the USB cable C by sequentially detecting the presence or absence of the power supply voltage supplied by the VBUS of the USB cable C. .

The MD control module 14 is, for example, Ne.
It is a module based on the tMD (registered trademark) standard,
Encrypted music data sent from PC 3 (PC
M data / data compressed by ATRAC3 system) or the like is received, decoded, and recorded in the MD at several times speed to several tens times speed. At that time, the MD control module 14 transmits a content hash (specific information uniquely obtained from the music data) for copyright protection to the personal computer 3. Also,
The MD control module 14 is an MD that records music data.
Is reproduced, and the audio signal A1 obtained by decoding is sequentially supplied to the amplifier 17 and the like via the selector 16.

The USB audio 15 is, for example, a USB
CODEC (COder / DE) that also has a communication function according to the standard
A USB audio signal (isochronous transfer frame or the like) supplied from the personal computer 3 via the USB hub 11 is sequentially acquired. The audio signal A2 obtained by decoding the acquired USB audio signal
Are sequentially supplied to the amplifier 17 and the like via the selector 16. Also, the USB audio 15 converts the audio signal selected by the selector 16 into a USB audio signal, and outputs the U audio signal.
Supply to the SB hub 11.

The selector 16 is composed of, for example, a 3-input 1-output selector circuit, and the like, and the MD control module 14, U
SB audio 15 and multi-decode DSP 24
Input the audio signals A1 to A3 supplied from
One of the audio signals is selected according to the switching signal or the like supplied from the audio microcomputer 21. Selector 16
Selects the audio signal from the speaker 1 via the amplifier 17.
Output to 8 mag.

The amplifier 17 is composed of an amplifier circuit and the like, and appropriately amplifies the audio signal selected and output by the selector 16 and supplies it to the speaker 18 and the USB audio 15.

The speaker 18 inputs the audio signal amplified by the amplifier 17, and emits a predetermined music sound or the like according to the input audio signal.

The internal bus 19 includes a processing controller 23, a multi-decode DSP 24, a ROM 25, and a RAM 26.
And a drive controller 27 via a common path, and mainly transmits necessary information (signals) between the processing control unit 23 and the multi-decoding DSP 24 to the drive controller 27.

The operation unit 20 is composed of, for example, a group of a plurality of key switches arranged on the front surface of the audio device, and supplies instruction information to the audio microcomputer 21 according to an operation (depression, etc.) by the user. Specifically, the operation unit 20, as shown in FIG. 2, is an MD reproduction key 20a for instructing reproduction of an MD.
(MD PLAY), a CD reproduction key 20b (CDPLAY) for instructing reproduction of a CD, and a stop key 20c (STOP) for instructing stop of MD reproduction or CD reproduction.

Returning to FIG. 1, the audio microcomputer 21
Is, for example, a one-chip microcomputer
/ F13, the selector 16, the MD control module 14, the process control part 23, etc. are controlled. Specifically, the audio microcomputer 21 controls the processing control unit 23 according to the instruction information supplied from the operation unit 20 and causes the drive unit 28 to send a CD or CD to the drive unit 28 through the drive controller 27.
-Play (record) R / RW and the like. At that time, a UART is provided between the audio microcomputer 21 and the processing control unit 23.
(Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) communication, macro commands (for example, PLAY and STOP)
Etc.) are exchanged. In addition, the audio microcomputer 21
Similarly, the MD control module 14 is controlled according to the instruction information supplied from the operation unit 20 to reproduce the music data from the MD and record the music data in the MD. At that time, macro commands are also exchanged between the audio microcomputer 21 and the MD control module 14 by UART communication.

The audio microcomputer 21 is a USB
Audio device 1 and personal computer 3 via I / F 13
The presence / absence of a connection with the USB cable C is sequentially detected. When the connection with the personal computer 3 is detected from the separated state, the operation status of the specific operation (playback operation or recording operation) in the audio device 1 is acquired, and if the operation is in progress, the descriptor is waited for after the operation is stopped. Etc. are transmitted to establish a connection with the personal computer 3.

The display unit 22 is composed of a liquid crystal display panel or the like, and displays characters, figures, or the like indicating the operation status of the audio device 1 according to the display data supplied from the audio microcomputer 21. The display unit 22 may display characters, figures, or the like indicating the connection state between the audio device 1 and the personal computer 3.

The processing control unit 23 is a CPU (Central Proc
The multi-decoding DSP 24, the drive controller 27, etc. are controlled according to a program (a program loaded in the RAM 26) stored in the ROM 25, for example. For example, the processing control unit 23
Reproduces the music data by reading the music data of a predetermined music format from the CD or the like loaded in the CD drive unit 28 through the drive controller 27 and transferring the read music data to the multi-decoding DSP 24.

The multi-decode DSP 24 is, for example, C
D-DA (CD Digital Audio), MP3 (MPEG1 Audio)
Layer-3) and WMA (Windows (R) Media Audio)
Etc. corresponding to a plurality of music formats (encoding system and compression system), music data read from a CD or the like is appropriately decoded, and an audio signal A3 is generated. The multi-decode DSP 24 supplies the generated audio signal A3 to the selector 16.

The ROM (Read Only Memory) 25 is composed of, for example, a flash ROM which is a rewritable read-only memory, and stores a program executed by the processing control unit 23 in advance.

A RAM (Random Access Memory) 26 is
For example, an SDRAM that operates in synchronization with a bus clock
ROM25 consisting of (Synchronous Dynamic RAM) etc.
Load the program stored in it. RAM
26 stores work data and the like required when the processing control unit 23 executes the program.

The drive controller 27 is, for example, A
It is composed of a controller of TAPI (AT Attachment Packet Interface) standard and controls the CD drive unit 28. That is, the drive controller 27 is a CD
The music data is read from the CD or the like loaded in the drive unit 28, and the read music data is supplied to the multi-decoding DSP 24.

The CD drive unit 28 is, for example, A
It is composed of a TAPI standard CD drive device and is controlled by the drive controller 27 to reproduce a loaded CD or the like and record predetermined data on a CD-R / RW or the like. For example, the CD drive unit 28 reads out music data in a music format such as MP3 or WMA recorded on a CD-R or the like, and supplies it to the multi-decoding DSP 24 via the drive controller 27 or the like. Note that C
The D drive unit 28 is an example, and other components such as a hard disk drive unit and a DVD (Digital Versat)
ile Disk) drive unit.

On the other hand, the personal computer 3 includes a general-purpose personal computer equipped with an arithmetic unit such as a CPU, a storage element such as a memory and a hard disk, an operating device such as a mouse and a keyboard, a display device such as a display, and a USB interface. Become. Then, the personal computer 3 has an OS (Op
erating System) and run GU on that OS
The I application 3a (GUI APP) or the like is executed.

The GUI application 3a is application software for controlling and managing the audio device 1. Specifically, while displaying a predetermined window screen on the display, the audio device 1 is controlled via the USB cable C in response to a user's operation instruction from a mouse or a keyboard. A device driver (driver program) for controlling the audio device 1 with a USB interface is installed in the personal computer 3 together with the OS.

The operation of the audio system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the control path of the audio device 1 being separated. In addition, FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a connection control process executed by the audio device 1. Then, FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the control path of the audio device 1 being connected.

First, the operation of the audio device when it is separated (not connected) from the personal computer 3 will be described with reference to FIG. When the user operates the operation unit 20, the audio device 1 operates according to the operation content. That is, when the instruction information input from the operation unit 20 is supplied to the audio microcomputer 21, as indicated by the dashed arrow in FIG. 3, the audio microcomputer 21 causes the processing control unit 23 (in accordance with the supplied instruction information). Finally, it controls the CD drive unit 28 etc.) and the MD control module 14 etc.

For example, when the user presses the MD reproduction key 20a shown in FIG.
A macro command (PLAY) is issued to the D control module 14 by UART communication to start the reproduction of the MD. When the user presses the CD playback key 20b shown in FIG. 2, the audio microcomputer 21 causes the processing control unit 2 to operate.
3, the macro command (PLAY) is issued by UART communication, and the CD drive unit 28 starts the reproduction of the CD.

That is, the audio device 1 which is separated from the personal computer 3 independently performs a reproducing operation and a recording operation. In this state, the audio device 1 (audio microcomputer 21) is executing the connection control process shown in FIG. 4 in parallel. Next, this connection control process will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the audio microcomputer 21 uses the USB
The connection status with the personal computer 3 is acquired via the I / F 13 (step S11). Then, it waits for execution of subsequent processing until the connection with the personal computer 3 is detected (step S12). That is, the audio microcomputer 21 is
By sequentially detecting the presence or absence of the power supply voltage supplied by VBUS in the B I / F 13, the audio device 1
And the connection status between the personal computer 3 and the personal computer 3 are sequentially determined, and the audio device 1 waits until the audio device 1 is connected to the personal computer 3 via the USB cable C.

When the connection with the personal computer 3 is detected, the audio microcomputer 21 acquires the operating state of the specific operation in the audio device 1 (step S13). That is, the audio microcomputer 21 operates to reproduce a CD or the like and
The operation state of a specific operation such as a recording operation of D or the like is recorded.

The audio microcomputer 21 determines whether a reproducing operation or a recording operation is in operation according to the acquired operation state (step S14). When the audio microcomputer 21 determines that it is not in operation, the process proceeds to step S21 described below. On the other hand, when it is determined that the operation is in progress, the audio microcomputer 21 determines whether or not the reproducing operation is being performed (the reproducing operation is in operation) (step S).
15).

When the audio microcomputer 21 determines that the reproducing operation is being performed, the audio microcomputer 21 acquires the current reproducing condition of the music data (step S16). For example, the audio microcomputer 21 has the MD control module 14 (during MD reproduction).
Alternatively, the current reproduction time (minutes, seconds, frames) of the track being reproduced is acquired from the processing control unit 23 (during CD reproduction). Then, the audio microcomputer 21 waits for execution of subsequent processing until the reproduction of the music data is completed (step S17). For example, audio microcomputer 2
1 waits until the acquired current playback time becomes equal to the total playback time of the track.

When the reproduction of the current music data is completed, the audio microcomputer 21 stops the series of reproduction operations (step S18). That is, the audio microcomputer 2
1 to the MD control module 14 or the processing control unit 23,
A macro command (STOP) is issued by UART communication to stop the reproduction operation of the subsequent music data.

When it is determined in the above step S15 that the reproducing operation is not being performed (the recording operation is being performed), the audio microcomputer 21 acquires the current recording operation status (step S19). That is, the audio microcomputer 21 acquires the operation status of the recording operation from the MD control module 14 or the processing control unit 23. Then, the audio microcomputer 21 waits for execution of subsequent processing until a series of recording operations is completed (step S20).

After it is determined in step S14 that it is not in operation, the reproduction operation is stopped in step S18, or the recording operation is completed in step S20, the audio microcomputer 21 Transmits a descriptor or the like to establish a connection with the personal computer 3 (step S21). That is, in order to correctly recognize the audio device 1 on the personal computer 3 side, a descriptor or the like is transmitted to the personal computer 3 via the USB I / F 13 or the like. Upon receiving the descriptor or the like sent from the audio device 1, the personal computer 3 recognizes the audio device 1 via a device driver or the like, transmits / receives predetermined information, and makes the audio device 1 usable as a peripheral device. . At this time, the audio device 1 is connected to the personal computer 3
Controlled to operate as a peripheral. That is, the control command associated with the operation of the operation unit 20 is once transmitted to the personal computer 3, and is again transmitted to the audio device 1 as a control signal from the personal computer 3. Then, the audio device 1 is controlled according to the control signal received from the personal computer 3. As a result, the audio device 1 and the personal computer 3
The recognition states of the actions of and are kept the same.

Finally, the operation of the audio device and the like while connected to the personal computer 3 will be described with reference to FIG.
When the connection with the audio device 1 is established, the personal computer 3
Can control the audio device 1 according to the GUI application 3a. Then, when the user operates the mouse or the keyboard on the personal computer 3, the personal computer 3 uses the GUI application 3a to generate control data corresponding to the operation and transmit the control data to the audio device 1. That is, as indicated by the thick arrow in FIG. 5, the control data is supplied to the drive controller 27 and the MD control module 14 via the USB hub 11 or the like, and the audio device 1 reproduces (records) a CD or MD. I do. That is, the audio device 1 connected to the personal computer 3
However, it is performing a reproducing operation and a recording operation as a peripheral device of the personal computer 3.

In this way, when the connection control processing described above detects the connection with the personal computer 3 from the separated state,
The audio device 1 determines the operating status of the reproducing operation and the recording operation. Then, when it is in operation, it waits for the end of the performance of the music data being reproduced, and after waiting for the end of the recording operation, the connection with the personal computer 3 is established. For this reason, there is no possibility that the music sound is suddenly interrupted and that recording fails and recording is restarted. As a result, connection control during operation can be appropriately performed.

In the above embodiment, in the connection control process shown in FIG. 4, when the reproducing operation is in progress, the connection with the personal computer 3 is established after waiting for the end of the music being reproduced. After fading out the currently playing song,
The connection with the personal computer 3 may be established. Specifically, steps S16 to S in the connection control process of FIG.
By replacing 18 with the process shown in FIG. 6, connection can be established after fade-out.

That is, as shown in FIG. 6, step S
When the processing proceeds from 15 (when it is determined that the reproduction operation is being performed), the audio microcomputer 21 acquires the reproduction status of the current music data (step S16). Then, the audio microcomputer 21 determines whether or not the music is being reproduced (step S31). Audio microcomputer 21
If it is determined that the reproduction is not in progress (the performance of the music has just ended), the process proceeds to step S18.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the reproduction is being performed (the music is being performed), the audio microcomputer 21
The music reproduction is faded out (step S32). For example, the audio microcomputer 21 gradually reduces the volume of the reproduced sound to finally set the output of the music sound to zero.
Then, the audio microcomputer 21 issues a macro command to the MD control module 14 or the processing control unit 23 to stop a series of reproduction operations (step S18).
After that, the audio microcomputer 21 proceeds to step S21 to establish a connection with the personal computer 3.

Also in this case, the music sound is not suddenly interrupted, and the connection between the audio device 1 and the personal computer 3 can be established without giving the user any discomfort.

In the above-described embodiment, in the connection control process shown in FIG. 4 (including the process shown in FIG. 6), displaying the image or message showing the connection status on the display unit 22 is not described. However, actually, the audio microcomputer 21 generates an image or a message according to the connection status and displays it on the display unit 22. For example, in step S12 in the connection control process of FIG.
Upon detecting the connection with the audio microcomputer 21, the audio microcomputer 21 generates an image or the like indicating that the connection is started and displays it on the display unit 22. In addition, in steps S16, S17 and steps S19, S20, the audio microcomputer 21 displays a message or the like indicating that the connection establishment is started after the operation is completed, even while waiting for the end of the music reproduction and the recording. It is generated and displayed on the display unit 22.

When the connection with the personal computer is established in step S21, the audio microcomputer 21 generates an image or the like showing that the connection is established and displays it on the display unit 22. When such an image or message is displayed on the display unit 22, the user can easily understand what kind of situation the audio device 1 is in.

In the above embodiment, the audio system in which the audio device 1 and the personal computer 3 each have a USB interface, and the audio device 1 and the personal computer 3 are connected via the USB cable C will be described. did. However, the interfaces provided in the audio device 1 and the personal computer 3 are not limited to the USB and are arbitrary. For example, an interface such as IEEE 1394 may be used, and the audio device 1
The computer and the personal computer 3 may be connected via an IEEE1394 cable. In addition, Bluetooth (Bluetoot
The audio device 1 and the personal computer 3 may be connected by an interface according to a wireless standard such as h) or IEEE802.11b.

In the above embodiment, the personal computer 3 is used.
As an example of an electronic device that can be connected to the audio device 1,
However, the present invention can be applied to various electronic devices each including an operation unit and the like. For example, the invention can be appropriately applied to printers, scanners, digital cameras, toys, and the like.

[0063]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Connection control during operation can be appropriately performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of an audio system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a specific example of an operation unit.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining a control path in an audio device that is separated (not connected) from a personal computer.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining connection control processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining a control path in an audio device connected to a personal computer.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a part of a connection control process according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 audio equipment 11 USB hub 12, 13 USB I / F 14 MD control module 15 USB audio 16 selector 17 amp 18 speakers 19 internal bus 20 Operation part 21 Audio Microcomputer 22 Display 23 Processing control unit 24 Multi Decode DSP 25 ROM 26 RAM 27 Drive controller 28 CD drive unit 3 PC 3a GUI application C USB cable

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An electronic device that is connected to an external control device via a predetermined interface in a freely attachable / detachable manner, the connection detecting means detecting a connection start via the interface with the control device, and the connection detection. When the connection start is detected by the means, the operation determining means that determines the operation state of the specific operation in the electronic device itself; and, if the operation determining means determines that the specific operation is stopped, the control is performed as it is. When a connection with the device is established and it is determined that a specific operation is in progress,
An electronic device, comprising: a connection control unit that waits for a specific operation to stop and establishes a connection with a control device. 2. A recording / reproducing apparatus which is removably connected to an external control device via a predetermined interface, and which detects connection from the non-connected state via the interface with the control device. When the connection is detected by the connection detecting unit, an operation determining unit that determines whether a specific operation in the device itself is operating or is stopped, and the specific operation is determined by the operation determining unit. A recording / reproducing apparatus comprising: a connection control unit that waits for a specific operation to stop and establishes a connection with a control device when it is determined that the operation is in progress. 3. The operation discriminating means discriminates whether or not a reproducing operation for reproducing reproducing data recorded on a predetermined recording medium is in operation, and the connection control means judges that the reproducing operation is stopped. If it is determined that it is, the connection with the control device is established as it is, and if it is determined that the reproduction operation is in operation, the connection with the control device is established after the reproduction of the reproduction data is completed. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein 4. The operation discriminating means discriminates whether or not a series of reproducing operations targeting a plurality of music data recorded on a predetermined recording medium are in operation, and the connection control means comprises a series of If it is determined that the playback operation is stopped, the connection with the control device is established as it is, and if it is determined that a series of playback operations is in progress, wait for the end of playback of the current song data. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the reproduction of the subsequent music data is stopped and the connection with the control device is established. 5. The operation discriminating means discriminates whether or not a reproducing operation of music data recorded on a predetermined recording medium is in operation, and the connection control means determines that the reproducing operation is stopped. If it is determined, the connection with the control device is established as it is.If it is determined that the playback operation is in progress, the connection with the control device is established after fading out the playback of the music data. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, which is characterized in that. 6. The operation determination means determines whether or not a recording operation for recording data on a predetermined recording medium is in operation, and the connection control means determines that the recording operation is stopped. In this case, the connection with the control device is established as it is, and when it is determined that the recording operation is in progress, the connection with the control device is established after waiting for the stop of the recording operation. Item 2. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to item 2. 7. A connection control method in a recording / reproducing apparatus which is connected to an external control device via a predetermined interface in a freely connectable / detachable manner, wherein the connection through the interface with the control device is detected from a non-connection state. Connection detecting step, and an operation determining step of determining whether a specific operation in the device itself is operating or stopped when a connection is detected in the connection detecting step, and the operation determining step In the connection control method, when the specific operation is determined to be in operation, a connection control step of waiting for the stop of the specific operation and establishing a connection with the control device is provided. 8. The operation determining step determines whether or not a series of reproduction operations targeting a plurality of music data recorded on a predetermined recording medium are in operation, and the connection control step includes a series of operations. If it is determined that the playback operation is stopped, the connection with the control device is established as it is, and if it is determined that a series of playback operations is in progress, wait for the end of playback of the current song data. The connection control method according to claim 7, wherein the reproduction of the subsequent music data is stopped and the connection with the control device is established. 9. The operation determining step determines whether or not a recording operation for recording data on a predetermined recording medium is in operation, and the connection control step determines that the recording operation is stopped. If it is determined that the recording operation is in progress by establishing the connection with the control device as it is,
The connection control method according to claim 7, wherein the connection with the control device is established after the recording operation is stopped.