JP2009294318A - Recording device, control method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a user to appropriately acknowledge the occurrence of peak-over level while reducing user's burden during operation by solving the problem that, in a mobile recording device 10, a user can manually sets a recording level, and a peak-over LED 21 is turned on when a recording signal becomes a peak-over level, but the user has to concern about a recording object and a surrounding state, and perception of the peak-over LED 21 is complicated and becomes burden. <P>SOLUTION: When it is detected that the recording level is more than 0 dB (S53, Yes), sound for informing that the signal becomes the peak-over level, for example, predetermined effect sound, beep sound or guide speech is mixed with monitor sound, and it is output from a headphone 23. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, a control method, and a program that allow a user to record while listening to a monitor sound.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an audio recording apparatus (paragraph 0031 of Patent Document 1). The audio recording apparatus is equipped with a level display function for displaying the peak level of an audio signal in a bar graph by controlling the number of lighting segments from the left end in the arrangement of a plurality of segments (FIG. 5 of Patent Document 1). .

On the other hand, in a portable recording device that is carried by the user and records various sounds such as natural sounds and performance sounds as well as conference sounds, the user can arbitrarily set the recording level as well as automatic. There is what I did. In the portable recording device, normally, when a peak over level exceeding 0 dB occurs, a “peak over level” character is displayed on the display, or an LED (Light Emitting Diode) indicator is lit. To inform the user. While listening to the monitor sound (recorded or collected sound) with the headphones, the user records the sound collected with the built-in or external microphone in the memory and checks the indicator or LED indicator to check the peak over level. In the case of occurrence, the recording level setting is changed.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-65509

  During recording, the user may have to pay attention not only to the monitor sound and peak over level, but also to other surrounding conditions. Paying attention to the display is cumbersome and increases the burden. Patent Document 1 merely displays the peak level of the audio signal on the display, and does not mention any specific configuration that reduces the user's monitoring burden on the display on the display or the like during the recording operation.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus and a control method that allow a user to properly recognize the necessity of changing a setting that affects recording, such as a recording level, while reducing the burden during recording work. And providing a program.

  According to the present invention, the user can confirm that the current recording situation is a situation that requires changing the recording setting such as the recording level by sound from the monitor sound emitter (eg, headphones or speakers). Be informed. The sound is, for example, a predetermined sound effect, a beep sound, or a guidance sound. The sound is output from the monitor sound emitter, for example, mixed with or interrupted by the monitor sound.

The recording apparatus of the present invention includes the following.
Situation judging means for judging whether or not the recording situation is a situation requiring a change in the setting related to the recording, and when the situation judging means judges that the situation requires a change in the setting Is a notification sound output means for outputting a sound to that effect from the sound emitter for monitoring.

The recording device control method of the present invention includes the following steps.
A situation determination step for determining whether or not a recording situation is a situation that requires a change in settings related to recording; and if it is determined that a situation in which the setting change is required in the situation detection step And a notification sound output step for outputting a sound to that effect from the monitor sound emitter.

  The program of the present invention causes a computer to function as each means of the recording apparatus described above.

  According to the present invention, when the user listens to the monitor sound from the monitor sound emitter and the current recording state requires a change in the recording setting, this is indicated as such. Can be heard from the vessel. Therefore, the trouble of paying attention to the display on the display or the like can be omitted, and occurrence of a peak overlevel can be recognized appropriately. .

  FIG. 1 is a front view of the portable recording device 10. The portable recording device 10 also serves as a DAP (Digital Audio Player). The portable recording device 10 is equipped with a total of three microphones, a central microphone 11 and left and right microphones 121 and 12r. The central microphone 11 is provided on the upper end surface of the portable recording device 10. The left and right microphones 12 l and 12 r are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the upper end portion of the portable recording device 10. The display unit 13 and the operation unit 14 occupy substantially the upper half and the lower half of the front surface of the portable recording device 10, respectively. The display unit 13 includes a liquid crystal display, and displays various types of information related to recording and reproduction.

  The operation unit 14 includes a recording key 17, a play / stop key 18, an up movement key 19u, a down movement key 19d, a volume increase key 20u, a volume decrease key 20d, and the like. The recording key 17 is disposed on the upper side of the operation unit 14 and is pressed at the start of recording. The play / stop key 18 is arranged at substantially the center of the operation unit 14 and is switched alternately between play and stop each time the user presses it. The play / stop key 18 is also pressed to stop recording. The up movement key 19u and the down movement key 19d are the upper and lower parts of the frame surrounding the play / stop key 18. The frame is configured such that the user selects and presses one of the upper, lower, left, and right portions. The up movement key 19u and the down movement key 19d are pressed when, for example, cursor movement, hierarchy movement, and increase / decrease of set values such as recording level. The volume increase key 20u and the volume decrease key 20d are arranged on the right side of the operation unit 14, and each time the volume increase key 20u and the volume decrease key 20d are pressed, the playback volume increases and decreases in stages. Yes.

  The peak over LED 21 is provided between the display unit 13 and the operation unit 14 and lights red when a peak over level occurs. The headphone 23 can be plugged into a jack (not shown) provided on the lower end surface of the portable recording device 10. The portable recording device 10 has a built-in flash memory and can be loaded with an SD card from a slot on the lower end surface. The user attaches the left and right sound emission parts of the headphones 23 to the left and right ears, respectively, and listens to the reproduction sound and the monitor sound from the sound emission part during reproduction and recording.

  FIG. 2 shows a display example on the display unit 13 during recording. In FIG. 2, “REC Level” at the top indicates the recording level set by the user. In the portable recording device 10, the recording level can be arbitrarily set by the user in the range of 0 to 64. In FIG. 2, the recording level is set to 10. On the back of the portable recording device 10, there is a slide type changeover switch for automatically adjusting the recording level or manually setting by the user. The manual setting of the recording level by the user is performed manually by the changeover switch. This is possible only if Also, manual recording level setting by the user is adjusted in the range of 0 to 64 by pressing the up movement key 19u and the down movement key 19d after selecting the recording level setting from the menu screen.

  The bars extending to the right from the white “L” and “R” in FIG. 2 are level meters, and indicate the levels of the recording signals for the sounds collected by the left and right microphones 121 and 12r. The volume of the sound recorded in the memory 42 (FIG. 3) corresponds to the recording signal level. The level meter displays the recording signal level in the range of -40 dB to 0 dB. If the level of the recording signal exceeds 0 dB, it is a peak over level and causes so-called sound cracking. In order to avoid sound cracking, it is necessary to lower the recording level setting level. Also, if the recording level setting level is too low, there will be a problem that the reproduced sound of the recorded sound is too low.

  When the upper and lower square marks of “PEAK” in FIG. 2 are filled, it means that the level of the left or right recording signal is higher than 0 dB. In FIG. 2, only the level meter and “PEAK” of the recording signal related to the left and right microphones 121 and 12r are displayed, but the level meter and “PEAK” of the recording signal related to the central microphone 11 are also shown on the left and right sides. It can be displayed in the same manner as the microphones 12l and 12r.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the recording processing unit 28 of the portable recording device 10. The microphone 30 is a general term for the center microphone 11 and the left and right microphones 121 and 12r. Actually, the level converting unit 31, the amplifier 32, and the signal level detecting unit 33 are individually prepared for the central microphone 11, the left and right microphones 12l and 12r. The audio signal generated by collecting the sound from the microphone 30 is supplied to the level conversion unit 31, and the level conversion unit 31 changes the audio signal to a level corresponding to the recording level set by the user. The output of the level converter 31 is supplied to the amplifier 32 and the signal level detector 33. The amplifier 32 amplifies the audio signal from the level conversion unit 31 and supplies it to the A / D converter 34. The A / D converter 34 converts the audio signal from an analog format to a digital format and supplies the converted signal to the DSP 35.

  The signal level detection unit 33 detects the level of the output signal of the level conversion unit 31 and sends the detection signal to the microcomputer 39. The microcomputer 39 generates level information and peak over level generation information in the level meter and “PEAK” of FIG. 2 based on the detection signal from the signal level detection unit 33, and supplies a signal for displaying them to the display unit 13. To do. The display unit 13 performs the display of FIG. 2 based on the data signal. In addition, when a peak over level occurs, the microcomputer 39 sends a control signal to the DSP 35 to notify the user with a sound.

  The DSP 35 generates, for example, WMA file data based on the audio signal from the A / D converter 34, supplies a digital signal related to the file data to the memory 42, and creates a WMA recording file in the memory 42. The DSP 35 also generates a monitor sound signal based on the audio signal from the A / D converter 34 and supplies it to the headphones 23. When the DSP 35 receives the peak over level generation information from the microcomputer 39, the DSP 35 mixes the sound corresponding to the peak over level generation with the monitor sound and supplies it to the headphones 23. Specific sounds corresponding to the occurrence of the peak over level include a predetermined sound effect, a beep sound, or a guidance voice (eg, “peak over level has occurred”).

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the peak over level notification method 50 using the monitor sound. In S51, it is determined whether the user has issued a recording start instruction. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to S52, and if not, the peak over level notification method 50 is terminated. The user issues a recording start instruction to the portable recording device 10 by pressing the recording key 17. In S52, it is determined whether or not the user has issued a recording end instruction. If the determination is positive, the peak over level notification method 50 is terminated. If not, the process proceeds to S53. The user issues a recording end instruction to the portable recording device 10 by pressing the play / stop key 18.

  In S53, it is determined whether or not the recording level exceeds 0 dB, that is, whether or not a peak over level has occurred. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to S54, and if not, the process returns to S52. In S54, the peak over LED 21 is turned on. In S55, the sound effect, the beep sound or the guidance sound for notifying the occurrence of the peak over level is mixed with the monitor sound. Typically, the sound effect, the beep sound, or the mixed sound of the guidance sound and the monitor sound is output from both the left and right sound emitting portions of the headphones 23 of the portable recording device 10, but from the left and right sound emitting portions. Only the monitor sound may be output from the other sound output unit.

  The sound source in FIG. 4 means the current recording target, and the microphone 30 collects the sound of the sound source. The recording signal is generated by changing the level of the audio signal output from the microphone 30 according to the recording level set by the user, and the digital signal related to the recording signal is supplied to the drive of the memory 42 to correspond to the level of the recording signal. The sound to be recorded is recorded in the memory 42. The monitor sound corresponds to the recording signal, and after being mixed with the sound effect, the beep sound or the guidance sound in S55, the monitor sound is supplied to the headphones 23.

  The user of the portable recording device 10 can know the occurrence of the peak over level not only from the lighting of the peak over LED 21 and the PEAK filling display on the display unit 13 but also from the sound effect of the headphones 23 and the like. The user may be busy working during recording and may not have time to view the display unit 13 or the peak over LED 21 or may not want to see it. In this case, the burden of sound effects and the like from the headphones 23 is reduced. .

  In S56, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has passed since the start of mixing of the sound effect or the like to the monitor sound. In S57, the mixing of the sound effect, the beep sound or the voice guidance to the monitor sound is finished. Therefore, thereafter, the sound emitted from the headphones 23 is only the monitor sound. After S57, the process returns to S52. In S56, instead of determining whether or not a certain time has passed since the start of mixing of the sound effect or the like to the monitor sound, it is determined whether or not the recording level has returned to 0 dB or less. As soon as possible, it is also possible to return to S52.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the recording device 60. A specific example of the recording device 60 is the portable recording device 10 (FIG. 1). The recording device 60 may not be portable. The recording device 60 includes a situation determination unit 61 and a notification sound output unit 62. The recording device 60 can further include setting change means 63.

  The situation determination means 61 determines whether or not the recording situation is a situation that requires a change in the settings related to recording. When the situation determination unit 61 determines that the setting needs to be changed, the notification sound output unit 62 outputs a notification sound to that effect from the monitor sound emitter 67.

  The recording setting is, for example, a recording level setting. Typically, the notification sound output means 62 mixes or interrupts the notification sound into the monitor sound. In the mixing of the monitor sound and the notification sound, it is assumed that the volume of the monitor sound may be reduced from that before mixing during the mixing period. The notification sound output from the monitor sound emitter 67 by the notification sound output means 62 is not limited to during recording. For example, the recording standby period of the recording device 60 may be used as long as the monitor sound is output from the monitor sound emitter 67. The recording device 60, together with the output of the notification sound from the monitor sound emitter 67, generates a peak over level, such as the peak over LED 21 in FIG. 1 of the portable recording device 10 or “PEAK” in FIG. Visual display is also possible.

  A specific example of the monitor sound emitter 67 is the headphones 23, but the monitor sound generator 67 may be a speaker. In that case, it is necessary to take measures to prevent the microphone from picking up monitor sound or notification sound from the speaker. For example, the microphone is sufficiently separated from the monitor speaker so that the microphone does not pick up the output sound of the monitor speaker (only when the monitor speaker and / or the microphone are externally attached), or the output of the monitor speaker. Decrease the volume of the sound sufficiently. A vibrator may be added to the headphone as the monitor sound emitter 67, and when the peak over level occurs, the vibrator may be activated instead of the notification sound, so that the user recognizes the occurrence of the peak over level by the vibration of the ear. .

  Thus, the user can know the occurrence of the peak over level only by listening to the sound from the monitor sound emitting device 67 without looking at the display unit or LED of the recording device 60 during the recording operation. It is possible to properly recognize the occurrence of peak overlevel while reducing the above.

  Typically, one notification sound output means 62 exists for each of the left and right channels. When the situation determination means 61 determines that the setting needs to be changed, only the notification sound output means 62 for the left and right channels outputs a sound to that effect, The channel notification sound output means 62 outputs only the sound to be recorded (monitor sound). The notification sound output means 62 for one of the left and right channels may output only the sound to be notified to that effect, or may output the mixing sound of the sound to be notified to that effect and the sound to be recorded. Thus, the user can properly grasp the monitor sound from one ear.

  Preferably, the setting changing unit 63 automatically changes the setting to an appropriate value after outputting the notification sound from the monitor sound emitter 67. The notification sound output means 62 outputs a sound (for example, a predetermined sound effect, beep sound, or guidance sound) notifying that the setting has been changed after the setting change by the setting changing means 63 from the monitor sound emitter 67. It is preferable that the user sets in advance whether to permit or prohibit such automatic change.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the recording device control method 70. The recording device control method 70 is applied to the recording device 60. In S71, it is determined whether or not the recording situation is a situation that requires a setting change relating to recording. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to the next S72, and if not, the recording device control method 70 is determined. Exit. In S <b> 72, a sound for notifying that the recording situation is a situation that requires changing the setting related to recording is output from the monitor sound emitter 67.

  The processes of S71 and S72 correspond to the functions of the status determination unit 61 and the notification sound output unit 62 of the recording device 60 (FIG. 5), respectively. Therefore, the specific modes described for the functions of the situation determination unit 61 and the notification sound output unit 62 can also be applied as specific modes for the processing of S71 and S72. In the recording device control method 70, a step of executing processing corresponding to the function of the setting change means 63 of the recording device 60 can be added as appropriate. The step corresponding to the setting change means 63 is added after S72. Further, a step of outputting a notification sound indicating that the setting has been automatically changed from the monitor sound emitter 67 is further added after the step.

  The program to which the present invention is applied causes a computer to function as each unit of the recording device 60. Another program to which the present invention is applied causes a computer to execute each step of the recording device control method 70.

  This specification discloses various ranges and levels of the invention. The present invention is not limited to the various technical scopes and specific levels of the devices and methods described in the present specification. Extracting one or more elements to be played, one or more elements changed within a self-evident range, and a combination of one or more elements between devices and between methods Including things.

It is a front view of a portable recording device. It is a figure which shows the example of a display in the display part at the time of recording. It is a block diagram of the recording process part of a portable recording device. It is a flowchart of the peak over level notification method using monitor sound. It is a block diagram of a recording device. It is a flowchart of a recording device control method.

Explanation of symbols

60: recording device, 61: status determination means, 62: notification sound output means, 63: setting change means, 67: monitor sound emitter, 70: recording device control method.

Claims (7)

Situation judging means for judging whether or not the recording situation is a situation requiring a change in the setting related to the recording, and when the situation judging means judges that the situation requires a change in the setting Is a notification sound output means for outputting a sound to that effect from the sound emitter for monitoring,
A recording apparatus comprising: The notification sound output means exists one by one corresponding to the left and right channels,
When the situation determination means determines that the setting needs to be changed, only the notification sound output means for the left and right channels outputs a sound to that effect from the monitor sound emitter. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification sound output means for the left and right channels outputs only the sound to be recorded. A setting changing means for automatically changing the setting to an appropriate value after outputting a notification sound from the monitor sound emitter;
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting includes a recording level setting.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification sound output unit mixes or interrupts the notification sound with a monitor sound. A situation determination step for determining whether or not a recording situation is a situation that requires a change in settings related to recording; and if it is determined that a situation in which the setting change is required in the situation detection step , A notification sound output step for outputting a sound to that effect from the sound emitter for monitoring,
A recording apparatus control method comprising:   A program that causes a computer to function as each unit of the recording device according to claim 1.

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