JP2008033353A - Voice signal recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a voice signal recording device which prevents a click sound from being recorded by mistake even when a push-button switch with a click mechanism is employed. <P>SOLUTION: The voice recording device includes: a recording unit 10 which records a voice signal from a microphone 11 to a semiconductor memory 9; a sound recording start button 61k for indicating the start of sound recording; and a control unit 30 which controls recording 10 so that the voice signal from the microphone 11 is recorded in the semiconductor memory a prescribed time after the sound recording start button 61k is pressed according to a signal from the sound recording start button 61k. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an audio signal recording apparatus employing a push button switch with a click mechanism.

  For example, in a small-sized tape recorder for portable use and an audio signal recording device such as a writable magneto-optical disk device, a microphone for recording is built in, that is, disposed in a casing thereof. In addition, operation push button switches such as a recording start button switch and a recording stop button switch are also provided in the casing.

  These push button switches have a so-called click mechanism that allows the user to confirm that the button has been operated and to improve the reliability of the operation. Is used.

JP 7-93959 A

  Since the small audio signal recording apparatus described above is small, a distance between the microphone and, for example, the recording start button switch cannot be secured so much, and a click sound is often recorded.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7A, the recording start button switch is pressed at time t ₁ and released at time t ₂ , and the recording stop button switch is set at time t ₁ as shown in FIG. _When pressed at ₃ and released at time t ₄ , as shown in FIG. 7C, each has a maximum amplitude at times t ₁ , t ₂ , t ₃ , t ₄ , and the time T A continuous sound is generated. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7D, a sound in which a click sound is superimposed on a sound to be recorded is input to the microphone. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7E, recording starts when the recording start button switch is confirmed with a delay of time Δ ₁ from time t _1, and the recording stop button switch is delayed with a time Δ ₂ from time t _3. Finish by confirming. Thus, as shown in FIG. 7F, a sound in which the click sound is superimposed at three places is recorded.

  As described above, in a sound signal recording device incorporating a small microphone, when a push button switch with a click mechanism is used to improve the operation feeling, the click sound of the push button switch is unnecessarily recorded. was there.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the actual situation of the above-described conventional audio signal recording apparatus, and even when a push button switch with a click mechanism is employed, the click sound is prevented from being recorded erroneously. An object of the present invention is to provide an audio signal recording apparatus capable of performing the above.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an audio signal recording apparatus according to the present invention includes a microphone that inputs an audio signal, a buffer memory that delays the audio signal input by the microphone, and an output from the buffer memory. Recording means for recording the delayed audio signal on the recording medium, a first push button switch for instructing recording start of the audio signal, and when the first push button switch is pressed, When the recording means is controlled so that recording of the delayed audio signal is started on the recording medium after a predetermined time has elapsed, and when the first push button switch is released after recording of the audio signal is started, The recording means is arranged to stop recording the audio signal only for the third predetermined time after the second predetermined time has elapsed, and then restart recording the audio signal. And a Gosuru control means.

  In the audio signal recording apparatus, the audio signal from the microphone is controlled to be recorded on the recording medium after a predetermined time has elapsed after the first push button switch is pressed by the control means. Thus, the click sound generated when the first push button switch is pressed is prevented from being recorded on the recording medium.

  According to the present invention, in the audio signal recording apparatus according to the present invention, the audio signal from the microphone is recorded on the recording medium after a predetermined time has elapsed after the first push button switch is pressed by the control means. Thus, the click sound generated when the first push button switch is pressed can be prevented from being recorded on the recording medium.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of an audio signal recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. This audio signal recording device uses a semiconductor memory as a recording medium, writes an audio signal from a microphone to the semiconductor memory as audio data, reads out the stored audio data, and outputs a sound based on the audio data from a speaker. The present invention is applied to the IC recorder 1.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the IC recorder 1 includes a recording unit 10 that converts an audio signal from the microphone 11 into audio data and stores the audio data in the semiconductor memory 9, and audio data stored in the semiconductor memory 9. Is read out and converted into an audio signal to drive the speaker 24, the control unit 30 for controlling the recording unit 10 and the like, the display unit 40 for displaying the operation state and the operation procedure, the control unit 30 and the like A power supply unit 50 for supplying power to the computer and an operation unit 60 for a user to perform various operations.

  As shown in FIG. 1 described above, the recording unit 10 includes an amplifier 12 that amplifies the audio signal from the microphone 11 and an automatic gain control circuit (hereinafter referred to as “amplifier”) that sets the level of the audio signal amplified by the amplifier 12 to an appropriate level. AGC: Automatic Gain Controller) 13, an encoder 14 that converts the audio signal from the AGC 13 into audio data, and a buffer memory 15 that delays the audio data from the encoder 14.

  The microphone 11 converts the input sound into an audio signal and supplies it to the amplifier 12. The amplifier 12 amplifies the audio signal and supplies it to the AGC 13. The AGC 13 amplifies the audio signal amplified by the amplifier 12 so that the level becomes an appropriate level, and supplies the amplified signal to the encoder 14.

  Since the audio signal is strongly correlated in time, the encoder 14 encodes the audio signal with a small amount of data by, for example, adaptive differential pulse code modulation (hereinafter referred to as ADPCM), and converts the audio data into the audio data. The audio data is generated and supplied to the buffer memory 15.

  The buffer memory 15 has a capacity corresponding to a predetermined delay time, as will be described later, and supplies the audio data supplied from the encoder 14 to the semiconductor memory 9 with a predetermined time delay.

  In the semiconductor memory 9, for example, an electrically erasable (electrical erasable) programmable read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as EEPROM: Electrical Erasable / Programmable Read-Only Memory) is turned off. Even if the memory contents of the memory element are retained without being erased, the audio data supplied from the buffer memory 15 is stored and, as will be described later, in which area it is stored. Management information (hereinafter referred to as TOC information) for managing the voice data. Specifically, the semiconductor memory 9 has a capacity of 16 Mbits, for example, and the semiconductor memory 9 can store audio data corresponding to an audio signal of 200 to 3400 Hz for 8 minutes in the SP mode to be described later. In the mode, audio data corresponding to an audio signal of 200 to 1700 Hz can be stored for 16 minutes.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1 described above, the reproducing unit 20 amplifies the audio signal from the decoder 21 and filter 22 that converts the audio data read from the semiconductor memory 9 into an audio signal, and the audio signal from the filter 22 to a speaker. And an amplifier 23 to be supplied to 24.

  The decoder 21 corresponds to the encoder 14 of the recording unit 10, decodes the audio data read from the semiconductor memory 9, that is, the audio data encoded by the ADPCM method, and generates a so-called PAM signal. The filter 22 removes a high frequency component of the voice band or higher from the PAM signal and outputs a voice signal. The amplifier 23 amplifies the audio signal supplied from the decoder 21 and drives the speaker 24. Thus, the recorded sound is output from the speaker 24.

  As shown in FIG. 1 described above, the control unit 30 executes a ROM 31 storing a program for controlling the operation of the IC recorder 1 and a program stored in the ROM 31 to execute the semiconductor memory 9 or A microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a CPU) 32 that controls the recording unit 10, a timer 33 that counts time, and a random access memory (hereinafter referred to as RAM: Randam) that temporarily stores time, program execution results, and the like. 34).

  The control unit 30 is supplied with signals from various push buttons 61 provided in the operation unit 60, and when the push button 61 is pressed, the CPU 32 loads a program corresponding to the push button 61 from the ROM 31. Read and execute to control each part. For example, when a recording start button 61k, which will be described later, is pressed, the CPU 32 reads out and executes a program corresponding to recording from the ROM 31, operates the amplifier 12, the AGC 13, the encoder 14 and the like, and the audio delayed by a predetermined time in the buffer memory 15 Control is performed to store audio data in, for example, an empty area of the semiconductor memory 9. That is, the control unit 30 controls the writing and reading of audio data to and from the semiconductor memory 9 and controls to write 99 pieces of audio data to the two files A and B, respectively, with index numbers for identifying them. In addition, the audio data is read based on the index number. The CPU 32 is connected to a crystal oscillator 35 for operating a timer or the like, and for example, reads audio data recorded in the semiconductor memory 9 at a predetermined time. In addition, a display unit 40 is connected to the control unit 30, and the CPU 32 displays the operation state and operation procedure of the IC recorder 1 on the display unit 40. That is, the display unit 40 includes a low-power-consumption liquid crystal display panel 41 and a backlight 42 for illuminating the liquid crystal display panel 41. For example, when the menu / feed button 61a of the operation unit 60 is pressed, the CPU 32 Displays the date and time in order on the display unit 40, and the user can adjust the timer while viewing this display.

  Here, details of the operation unit 60 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The IC recorder 1 shown in FIG. 2 is portable, and is a printed circuit board in which an electric circuit such as the recording unit 10 and the reproduction unit 20 described above is mounted in an exterior casing configured to have a palm size. Is arranged. Further, the IC recorder 1 is formed so as to be easily grasped with the left hand so that it can be used in combination with a writing operation or the like that is usually performed by the user with the right hand. A push button 61 that constitutes the operation unit 60 is disposed in the exterior casing. Further, the push button 61 is a push button switch with a so-called click mechanism that allows the user to confirm that the button has been operated and to improve the reliability of the operation. It has been.

  The push button 61 constituting the operation unit 60 includes a menu / feed button 61a, a playback button 61b for starting playback, a return / feed button 61c for setting an index number, and a file for switching files. A switch button 61d, a stop button 61e for stopping recording, etc., an SP / LP button 61f for switching between the SP mode and the LP mode, a light button 61g for lighting the backlight 42, and a display button 61h , An index button 61i for setting an index, an erasing button 61j for erasing audio data stored in the semiconductor memory 9, and a recording start button 61k for starting recording. Of these operation buttons, the frequently used playback button 61b and the return / feed button 61c are arranged on the side surface of the cutout portion formed by cutting out the upper left in FIG. The left thumb is easy to operate. Similarly, the recording start button 61k, which is frequently used, is formed of a push button having a larger shape than the others on the main surface portion of the outer casing so that it can be operated with the thumb of the left hand.

  In addition, the above-described microphone 11, liquid crystal display panel 41, and speaker 24 are disposed on the main surface portion of the exterior casing. Since the IC recorder 1 is formed in a small size so as to be excellent for portability as described above, the microphone 11 and the recording start button 61k are provided at close positions. Therefore, although the IC recorder 1 will be described in detail later, the click sound generated when the recording start button 61k is pressed is input from the microphone 11, and in order to prevent this, the buffer memory 15 performs the sound for a predetermined time. Data is delayed.

  The operation unit 60 also includes a hold switch 62, a recording / playback lamp 63 indicating that recording or playback is in progress, a volume 64 for adjusting the volume of playback sound, and an earphone jack 65. As shown in FIG. 2, the recording / reproducing lamp 63 is disposed on the main surface of the outer casing for easy viewing during use, and the hold switch 62, the volume 64, and the earphone jack 65 are relatively infrequently used. Therefore, it is formed on the side surface of the outer casing.

  Next, the power supply unit 50 will be described. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the power supply unit 50 includes a battery 51, a DC / DC converter 52 that boosts the output voltage of the battery 51, a voltage detection circuit 53 that detects the output voltage of the battery 51, and a DC / DC converter. And a capacitor 54 charged with an output voltage of 52.

  As described above, the IC recorder 1 is of a portable palm size, and the battery 51 is composed of one AAA type dry battery in order to reduce the size of the entire apparatus. The DC / DC converter 52 boosts the output voltage of the battery 51, that is, 1.5 volts to a voltage necessary for the circuits such as the amplifiers 12, 23, and the CPU 32 to operate, and supplies the current of the voltage to each circuit. Supply.

  On the other hand, the voltage detection circuit 53 detects the output voltage of the battery 51, and stops the operation of the DC / DC converter 52 when the output voltage of the battery 51 becomes 0.8 volts, for example. Therefore, the electric power stored in the battery 51 is not consumed after the output reaches a predetermined value such as 0.8 volts. That is, even if the DC / DC converter 52 is used, it is possible to prevent the voltage of the battery 51 from rapidly decreasing due to this, and as a result, it is possible to prevent leakage.

  The capacitor 54 is connected between the power line connecting only the DC / DC converter 52 and the timer 33 of the control unit 30 and the ground, and is charged with the output voltage of the DC / DC converter 52. Therefore, when the DC / DC converter 52 is operating, the timer 33 operates with the current supplied from the DC / DC converter 52 so that the output voltage of the battery 51 decreases or the battery is replaced. When the battery 51 is taken out and the DC / DC converter 52 is stopped, it operates with the current from the capacitor 54. That is, the capacitor 54 is a so-called backup capacitor, and the backupable time is about 3 minutes, for example.

  By the way, the IC recorder 1 configured as described above is performed as shown in FIG. 4 when a recording operation is performed. That is, first, in step ST1, when the SP / LP button 61f is pressed, the recording mode is selected between the LP mode and the SP mode. Then, “SP” or “LP” is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 41. Next, in step ST2, when the file switching button 61d is pressed, the file “A” or “B” provided in the semiconductor memory 9 is selected, and the selected file is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 41.

  In step ST3, when the recording start button 61k is pressed, the recording state is started. When the user speaks into the microphone 11, audio data is written in the designated area of the semiconductor memory 9. In step ST4, the recording state is canceled by pressing the stop button 61e. At this time, the audio data is recorded in the semiconductor memory 9, and the TOC information, the file number, and the index number for displaying the recorded audio signal are recorded. If the user wants to record other audio data, the index number assigned first in the same area as the first set mode and file, if it is immediately after the first recording operation Next, audio information is recorded. That is, the mode selection operation and the file selection operation performed in step ST1 and step ST2 can be omitted.

  Next, when the recorded audio data is reproduced, for example, as shown in FIG. That is, first, in step ST1, when the file switching button 61d is pressed, the file “A” or “B” provided in the semiconductor memory 9 is selected, and the selected file is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 41. . Next, in step ST2, the index number recorded in the semiconductor memory 9 desired by the user is selected by pressing the return / forward button 61c. In step ST3, the reproduction button 61b and audio data desired by the user are reproduced. At this time, in order to stop the reproduction operation, the IC recorder 1 is stopped by pressing the stop button 61e. Further, when it is desired to proceed to the next requirement or when it is desired to return, the next or previous index number is selected and reproduced by pressing the return / forward button 61c in a state where the reproduction and recording operations are not performed.

  As described above, the IC recorder 1 starts recording when the recording start button 61k is pressed. At this time, since the IC recorder 1 is formed in a small size, the microphone 11 and the recording start button 61k are provided nearby. Therefore, in order to prevent the click sound when the recording start button 61k and the stop button 61e are pressed as described above from being recorded as sound data from the microphone 11, the IC recorder 1 receives the sound input from the microphone 11. The audio data is delayed for a certain time using the buffer memory 15.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6 (A), pressing the recording start button 61k at time _{t 11,} separated at time _{t 21,} the stop button 61e, as shown in FIG. 6 (B), the time t _When pressed at ₃₁ and released at time t ₃₃ , as shown in FIG. 6C, each has a maximum amplitude at times t ₁₁ , t ₂₁ , and t ₃₁ , and continues for time T while the amplitude is gradually attenuated. Sound is generated. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6D, the microphone 11 receives a sound in which a click sound is superimposed on a sound to be recorded.

Here, as described above, the IC recorder 1 includes the buffer memory 15 that delays audio data for a predetermined time, and supplies the audio data supplied from the encoder 14 to the semiconductor memory 9 with a predetermined time delay. Therefore, when recording is started at time t ₁₁ , the recording is performed between the delay time δ ₁ in the buffer memory 15 and the predetermined time λ ₁ that is sufficiently small to prevent the click sound from being heard by the user. delayed by the amount, as shown in FIG. 6 (E) (F), it is started from the time t _12. The delay time δ ₁ and the predetermined time λ ₁ are collectively referred to as a first predetermined time.

Also, click sound, as shown in FIG. 6 (C), occurs between times t ₂₃ from the time t ₂₁ even when releasing the recording start button 61k. Therefore, recording, when releasing the recording start button 61k, as shown in FIG. 6 (E) (F), it is interrupted between the time t ₂₂ and time t _23. That is, recording continues from time t ₂₁ when the recording start button 61k is released to time t ₂₂ delayed by the delay time δ ₂ (second predetermined time) of the buffer memory 15 and is interrupted. Then, the recording is delayed by a predetermined time λ ₂ (third predetermined time) which is sufficiently small so that the click sound generated when the recording start button 61k is released from time t ₂₂ is not heard by the user's ear. It is resumed at t _23.

Furthermore, the recording operation of the IC recorder 1 is stopped by pressing the stop button 61e as described above. Therefore, the click sound is generated as shown in FIG. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 6E and 6F, the recording is delayed by the delay time δ ₃ (fourth predetermined time) of the buffer memory 15 from the time t ₃₁ when the stop button 61e is pressed. Recording ends at ₃₂ .

As described above, audio data, as shown in FIG. 6 (G), is between from between the time t ₂₃ at time t ₂₂ recording from the time t ₁₂ of t _32. Accordingly, the semiconductor memory 9, and from time t ₁₁ to time t _12, will not be recorded during the period from time t ₂₂ to time t _23, removing the click sound when the recording start button 61k is pressed Can do. This also in the semiconductor memory 9, and from time t ₁₁ to time t _12, but the voice data from time t ₂₂ to time t ₂₃ is not be recorded, because this time is very short, the audio data There will be no inconvenience due to the lack of one part. In this embodiment, the delay times δ ₁ , δ ₂ , and δ ₃ are appropriately 10 μs to 20 μs. That is, these times are times when the click sound generated by the recording start button 61k is transmitted to the microphone 11, and the size of the IC recorder 1, the distance between the recording start button 61k and the microphone 11, the positional relationship, etc. Decided in consideration.

  Although the IC recorder 1 using the semiconductor memory 9 as a recording medium has been described in detail above, the present invention includes a microphone built in an outer casing that uses, for example, a tape-shaped recording medium or a disk-shaped recording medium as a recording medium. Of course, any audio recording / playback apparatus may be used. Also. The IC recorder 1 is configured by dividing a push button switch for starting and stopping recording into a recording start button 61k and a stop button 61e. The recording start button 61k and the stop button 61e are configured by one push button switch, Of course, the operability may be improved.

It is a block diagram of an IC recorder. It is a front view of an IC recorder. It is a block diagram of the power supply part of an IC recorder. It is a figure for demonstrating the recording operation of an IC recorder. It is a figure for demonstrating the reproduction | regeneration operation | movement of an IC recorder. It is a figure for demonstrating the click sound, the microphone, the output of a buffer memory, the recording section, and the recorded result in relation to the timing when the recording start button and the stop button are pressed and released. . It is a figure for demonstrating the click sound which generate | occur | produces when the recording start button switch and the recording stop button switch in the conventional audio | voice signal recording device are pushed, and the relationship by which this click sound is recorded.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 IC recorder, 9 Semiconductor memory, 10 Recording part, 11 Microphone, 12 Amplifier, 13 AGC, 14 Encoder, 15 Buffer memory, 20 Playback part, 21 Decoder, 22 Filter, 23 Amplifier, 24 Speaker, 30 Control part, 31 ROM, 32 CPU, 33 timer, 34 RAM, 35 crystal oscillator, 40 display unit, 41 liquid crystal display panel, 42 backlight, 50 power supply unit, 51 battery, 52 DC / DC converter, 53 voltage detection circuit, 54 capacitor, 60 Operation part, 61a-61k push button

Claims (6)

A microphone for inputting an audio signal;
A buffer memory for delaying an audio signal input by the microphone;
Recording means for recording the delayed audio signal output from the buffer memory on a recording medium;
A first push button switch for instructing to start recording an audio signal;
When the first push button switch is pressed, the recording means is controlled so that the delayed audio signal is recorded on the recording medium after the first predetermined time has elapsed, and the audio signal When the first push button switch is released after the start of recording, the recording of the audio signal is stopped for the third predetermined time after the second predetermined time has elapsed, and then the recording of the audio signal is resumed. And a control means for controlling the recording means. The first predetermined time is determined based on a delay time by the buffer memory and a time during which a click sound generated when the first push button switch is pressed is sufficiently reduced. The audio signal recording apparatus according to 1. The second predetermined time is determined based on a delay time by the buffer memory,
2. The audio signal recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third predetermined time is determined based on a time during which a click sound generated when the first push button switch is released is sufficiently reduced. A second pushbutton switch for instructing to stop recording the audio signal;
The control means controls the recording means to stop recording the audio signal after a fourth predetermined time has elapsed when the second push button switch is pressed during recording of the audio signal,
2. The audio signal recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fourth predetermined time is determined based on a delay time by the buffer memory. 5. The audio signal recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first push button switch and the second push button switch are the same push button switch. Further comprising analog / digital conversion means for converting the audio signal from the microphone into audio data;
The recording medium comprises a semiconductor memory that stores audio data,
2. The audio signal recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls recording of audio data in the semiconductor memory.

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