JP3170793B2 - Signal conversion device, connection cable with signal conversion function, and data recording / reproducing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a connection cable, and can be applied to, for example, a digital audio tape recorder.

B. Summary of the Invention The present invention provides various types of external equipment by providing a conversion circuit corresponding to a connector between a first connector and a second connector in a connection cable, and converting the connection cable as necessary. Can input and output signals to and from the electronic device, thereby reducing the size of the electronic device body.

C. Prior Art Conventionally, there is a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus which converts an audio signal into a digital signal and sequentially records the digital signal obliquely on a magnetic tape (hereinafter referred to as a digital audio recorder).

In this type of digital audio tape recorder, a digital audio signal (hereinafter referred to as a digital audio signal) can be directly input / output in addition to an analog audio signal.

That is, by directly inputting / outputting a digital audio signal, the digital / analog conversion processing is omitted,
As a result, audio signals can be recorded and reproduced while effectively avoiding sound quality deterioration.

D Problems to be Solved by the Invention By the way, if this kind of digital audio tape recorder can be miniaturized and driven by a battery, it is possible to carry the digital audio tape recorder and enjoy music as needed. It is thought that usability can be improved.

At this time, if the digital audio tape recorder can be easily connected to an external device such as a stereo device, the usability of the digital audio tape recorder can be further improved.

However, in input / output of digital audio signals, there is a type of input / output using an optical fiber in addition to a type of input / output using a coaxial cable.

Therefore, if a connection portion of a coaxial cable and an optical fiber is provided on the side of the digital audio tape recorder so that it can be easily connected to various external devices, the configuration of the digital audio tape recorder becomes correspondingly large, and portability is impaired. Problem.

Particularly, in the connection portion of the optical fiber, high precision is required, and thus, when the connection portion is provided in the digital audio tape recorder which is assumed to be carried in this way, the connection portion is prevented from being enlarged accordingly. I can't get it.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and effectively avoids increasing the size of a data recording / reproducing device, and connects the data recording / reproducing device to various external devices such as an optical output device and a digital reproducing device. An object of the present invention is to propose a signal conversion device, a connection cable with a signal conversion function, and a data recording / reproducing device that can be easily connected to easily control the data recording / reproducing device from the outside.

Means for Solving the Problem In order to solve the problem, in the first invention, in a signal conversion device used by connecting to a data recording / reproducing device that performs recording or reproduction, a first signal converter connected to an optical output device is used. Terminal, a second terminal connected to the digital reproducing device, a connecting portion connected to the data recording / reproducing device,
And a conversion circuit for converting an optical signal input from the optical output device through the terminal of the first digital signal into a first digital signal, and converting the second digital signal input from the data recording / reproducing device through the connection portion into an optical signal. A buffer circuit for buffering a third digital signal input from the digital reproducing apparatus via the second terminal and for buffering the second digital signal input via the connection section;
Either the first digital signal from the conversion circuit or the third digital signal from the buffer circuit is selectively output to the connection, and the second digital signal input via the connection is selectively converted. And a selection circuit for outputting to a circuit or a buffer circuit.

Further, in the second invention, in a connection cable with a signal conversion function used by connecting to a data recording / reproducing device for performing recording or reproduction, the first connector portion connected to the optical output device; A second connector unit to be connected, an optical signal input from the optical output device via the first connector unit, converted into a first digital signal, and output to the second connector unit; A conversion circuit for converting a second digital signal input from the data recording / reproducing apparatus through the connector section into an optical signal and outputting the optical signal to the first connector section; Control signal output means for outputting a control signal to be controlled is provided.

Further, in the third invention, a first terminal for inputting / outputting a digital signal and a control signal, a second terminal for inputting / outputting an analog signal, and an analog terminal input from the second terminal are provided. An analog / digital conversion circuit for converting a signal into a digital signal; recording means for recording a digital signal input via the second terminal unit and the analog / digital conversion circuit on a recording medium; and recording means for recording the digital signal on the recording medium. Playback means for playing back digital signals;
A digital-to-analog conversion circuit for converting a digital signal reproduced by the reproducing means into an analog signal;
A first selection circuit for selectively outputting a digital signal input through a terminal section of the digital signal and an analog / digital conversion circuit to a recording means in accordance with a control signal; and a control signal for converting the digital signal reproduced by the reproduction means to a control signal. And a second selection circuit for selectively outputting to the first terminal unit or the digital-to-analog conversion circuit in accordance with the above, and a connection cable with a signal conversion function for connecting the first terminal unit to an external optical output device. A connection cable with a signal conversion function, a first connector section connected to the optical output device, and a second connector section connected to the first terminal section.
And an optical signal input from the optical output device via the first connector portion into a digital signal,
And the digital signal input from the second connector unit is converted into an optical signal to output the first signal.
And a control signal output means for outputting a control signal from the second connector portion via the first terminal portion, the first selection circuit and the second selection circuit. Is controlled according to a control signal input through the first terminal of the connection cable with a signal conversion function.

Function F In the first aspect of the invention, the data converted and converted into a signal format that can be processed by the output destination can be selected and output by the selection circuit, so that the data recording / reproducing device and the optical device can be connected via the signal conversion device. An output device or a digital reproducing device can be connected to each other to freely transmit and receive digital signals or optical signals.

In the second invention, a conversion circuit for converting a digital signal and an optical signal to and from each other and a control signal output means for controlling a data recording / reproducing device are provided inside the second connector, so that the data storage Since it is not necessary to provide not only a conversion circuit but also a control signal output means inside the reproducing apparatus, the data recording / reproducing apparatus can be further reduced in size. Optical signals can be freely transmitted and received, and the data recording / reproducing apparatus can be easily controlled from the outside.

Further, in the third invention, the optical signal input from the optical output device is converted into a digital signal by a conversion circuit of a connection cable having a signal conversion function, and then is recorded on a recording medium.
The reproduction of the reproduced digital signal into an analog signal or the output of the reproduced digital signal as it is can be freely performed by the control signal output from the control signal output means of the connection cable having the signal conversion function. By this selection, it is not necessary to provide a conversion circuit and a control signal output means in the apparatus main body, so that the apparatus main body can be reduced in size correspondingly and the apparatus main body can be easily controlled from the outside.

G Example Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a digital audio tape recorder. The upper lid 2 is opened and a tape cassette is loaded.

On the top of the digital audio tape recorder 1,
Operators 4A to 4G for reproduction, recording, fast forward, rewind and the like are arranged, and a liquid crystal display panel 8 is arranged on a window 6 of the upper lid 2.

Thus, the digital audio tape recorder 1 can operate the controls 4A to 4G to record and reproduce the tape cassette, and also operates the digital audio tape recorder 1 through the liquid crystal display panel 8 to determine the remaining amount of the tape cassette and the operation of the digital audio tape recorder 1. The mode and the like can be visually checked.

Further, the digital audio tape recorder 1 has a power switch 10, an earphone jack 12, and a volume control 14 disposed on the front, and a battery connected to the rear instead of the power supplied via the power input terminal 16. It can be driven by.

With this, digital audio tape recorder 1
Is carried in a place where power cannot be obtained so that music and the like can be enjoyed.

On the left side of the digital audio tape recorder 1, there are terminals for inputting and outputting audio signals consisting of analog signals.
18 is provided so that audio signals input / output via the terminal 18 can be recorded and reproduced.

Further, a 7-pin terminal 20 for inputting / outputting a digital audio signal is arranged above the terminal 18, so that a digital audio signal can be directly input / output.

That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the digital audio tape recorder 1 converts an audio signal S1 input via a terminal 18 into a digital audio signal by an analog / digital conversion circuit (A / D) 22, and then selects a digital audio signal. To the digital signal processing circuit 26 via

Here, the digital signal processing circuit 26 interleaves the digital audio signal, temporarily stores the digital audio signal in the memory circuit 27, adds an error detection / correction code, and outputs it to a recording / reproducing amplifier circuit 28 together with a predetermined subcode and the like.

With this, digital audio tape recorder 1
Are magnetic heads 32A and 32B disposed on the rotating drum 30.
, A digital audio signal is sequentially recorded on a magnetic tape.

On the other hand, at the time of reproduction, the digital audio tape recorder 1 amplifies the reproduction signal S2 obtained via the magnetic heads 32A and 32B by the recording / reproduction amplification circuit 28, and then supplies the signal to the digital signal processing circuit 26.

Here, the digital signal processing circuit 26 performs error correction processing on the reproduced data, and then performs deinterleaving processing, thereby reproducing a digital audio signal.

Further, the digital signal processing circuit 26 outputs the reproduced digital audio signal to a digital / analog conversion circuit (D / A) 36 via a selection circuit 34, thereby converting the reproduced digital audio signal into an analog signal. Output via 18.

The system control circuit 38 outputs a control signal to each circuit block in response to the operation of the operators 4A to 4G, 10 and 14, thereby controlling the operation of the digital audio tape recorder 1.

Further, when the signal level C1 of the control line connected to the terminal 20 falls to 0 level, the system control circuit 38 switches the contacts of the selection circuits 24 and 34, thereby replacing the analog audio signal with a digital audio signal. Signals can be input and output.

That is, the system control circuit 38 switches the contact of the selection circuit 24 to supply the digital audio signal SD1 input via the terminal 20 and the buffer circuit 40 to the digital signal processing circuit 26.

As a result, a digital audio signal SD1 can be recorded in place of the audio signal S1 input from the terminal 18.

On the other hand, at the time of reproduction, the system control circuit 38 outputs the digital audio signal output from the digital signal processing circuit 26 to the terminal 20 via the selection circuit 34 and the buffer circuit 42.
The digital audio signal thus reproduced can be directly output.

Further, the system control circuit 38 switches the operation mode in accordance with the control signal CONT input via the terminal 20, thereby using the controller 46 (FIG. 1) connected to the terminal 20 to operate the digital audio tape recorder. Can be remotely controlled.

That is, the controller 46 is connected to the digital audio tape recorder 1 via a 7-pin connection section 48 corresponding to the terminal 20, and in response to the operation of the operation member arranged on the front face 50, outputs a predetermined control signal CONT to the digital audio tape recorder. Output to the tape recorder 1.

Further, the controller 46 outputs a control signal CONT at a predetermined timing by setting a built-in timer, whereby the performance can be started at a desired time, for example.

Further, the controller 46 has input and output terminals 52A and 52B for connecting a coaxial cable and input and output terminals 54A and 54B for connecting an optical fiber on a side surface.
A digital audio signal input / output via A, 52B or 54A, 54B is selected and input / output to / from the connection unit 48.

That is, the digital audio signals input / output via the input and output terminals 52A and 52B are connected to the connection section 48 via a built-in buffer circuit and a selection circuit (not shown).
Input and output between

On the other hand, digital audio signals input / output via the input / output terminals 54A and 54B are input / output to / from the connection unit 48 via a built-in photoelectric conversion circuit and a selection circuit.

Further, at this time, the controller 46 lowers the signal level C1 of the control line to the 0 level in response to the operation of the user, whereby the controller 46 is replaced by the controller 46 instead of the audio signal directly input / output to the digital audio tape recorder 1. The digital audio signal SD1 input / output via the terminal can be recorded and reproduced.

Further, in this embodiment, instead of the controller 46, the connection cable 60 or 61 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is selectively connected to the terminal 20, so that it can be connected to various external devices as necessary. It can input and output digital audio signals.

That is, the connection cable 60 has a coaxial cable connection portion 62 at the end, and inputs a digital audio signal from an external device of an output terminal corresponding to the connection portion 62.

As shown in FIG. 5, the connection cable 60 has a connection portion 64 having a 7-pin terminal 63 corresponding to the terminal 20 at the other end.
And an impedance conversion circuit is housed in the connection section 64.

That is, the connection cable 60 terminates the digital audio signal input via the connection section 62 with the resistor R1, thereby achieving impedance matching.

Further, the connection cable 60 includes a feedback resistor R2 and a load resistor R3.
Inverter circuit 66 of the inverting amplifier circuit configuration composed of
The terminal voltage of the resistor R1 is supplied via the capacitor C1, and the output signal of the inverter circuit 66 is output to the terminal 63 via the inverter circuit 67.

Further, the connection cable 60 is provided with a switch 68 at the end face, and by switching the switch 68, the signal level C1 of the control line is lowered to 0 level, whereby the switch 68 is operated to record on the digital audio tape recorder 1. The input signal to be input can be selected.

In a normal audio device, this kind of switching switch 68 is provided on the device main body side.

However, if the digital audio tape recorder 1 is provided on the main body of the digital audio tape recorder 1, it is inevitable that the digital audio tape recorder 1 becomes larger.

In addition, by providing the connection cable 60 in this manner, the switch 68 can be used only when the connection cable 60 is connected and switching is necessary, and the erroneous operation of the digital audio tape recorder 1 can be prevented accordingly. Thus, the overall shape can be reduced in size.

Thus, in the digital audio tape recorder 1, by selectively connecting the connection cable 60, a digital audio signal can be input from an external device connected via a coaxial cable.

On the other hand, the connection cable 61 has connection portions 70A and 70B for the optical fiber at the end, and the connection portions 70A and 70B.
Input / output digital audio signals to / from an external device whose input / output terminal corresponds to.

As shown in FIG. 6, the connection cable 61 has, at the other end, a connection section 72 having a 7-pin terminal 63 similarly to the connection cable 60, and an electro-optical conversion circuit in the connection section 72. It is made to store.

That is, the connection cable 61 gives an optical signal input through the input-side connecting portion 70A to the light receiving element 73,
Is amplified and waveform-shaped by the light receiving circuit 7, and then output to the terminal 63.

Further, the connection cable 60 transmits a digital audio signal input through the terminal 63 to the light emitting diode driving circuit 75.
, Thereby driving the light emitting diode 76 based on the digital audio signal and outputting the resulting optical signal to the connection unit 70B.

Thus, in the digital audio tape recorder 1, by selectively connecting the connection cable 61 instead of the connection cable 60, a digital audio signal is input / output to / from an external device having an optical fiber input / output terminal. be able to.

Thus, only by selectively connecting the connection cables 60 and 61, digital audio signals can be input / output to / from various external devices.

At this time, in the digital audio tape recorder 1, by providing conversion circuits corresponding to the connection sections 62, 70A and 70B in the connection cables 60 and 61, digital audio can be exchanged with various external devices through the common terminal 20. Signals can be input and output, and the configuration of the digital audio tape recorder 1 can be reduced accordingly.

In the above configuration, when a digital audio signal is input / output to / from an external device having an optical fiber connection unit, the connection cable 61 is selected and connected to the terminal 20 of the digital audio tape recorder 1.

As a result, an optical signal input / output via the connection portions 70A and 70B is converted into an electric signal by the light receiving circuit 74 and the light emitting diode driving circuit 75, and the digital signal is transmitted to / from the digital audio tape recorder 1 via the terminal 63. Audio signals can be input and output.

On the other hand, when a digital audio signal is input from an external device having a coaxial cable connection, the connection cable 60 is selected and connected to the terminal 20 of the digital audio tape recorder 1.

As a result, the digital audio signal input through the terminal 62 is output to the digital audio tape recorder 1 through the impedance conversion circuit built in the connection unit 64, and the digital audio signal output from the external device is recorded. can do.

According to the above configuration, by providing a conversion circuit in the connection cable according to the shape of the connection portion, the connection cable is selectively connected as necessary, thereby effectively avoiding an increase in the size of the digital audio tape. Digital audio signals can be input / output to / from various external devices.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where a digital audio signal is input / output via an optical fiber has been described.However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an optical fiber is used to input or output a digital audio signal. Is also good.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where a digital audio signal is input using a coaxial cable has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the case where a digital audio signal is output using a coaxial cable, and furthermore, the case where a digital audio signal is output It can be widely applied to input and output of signals.

Further, the conversion circuit may be constituted by a buffer circuit, and a digital audio signal may be input / output between 7-pin connectors.

In addition, an analog digital conversion circuit as a conversion circuit,
If a digital-to-analog conversion circuit is used, a digital audio signal can be input and output to and from an external device configured to input and output an audio signal as an analog signal.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the 7-pin terminal is provided on the digital audio tape recorder side has been described. However, the terminal is not limited to this, and various terminals can be selected as necessary.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a digital audio tape recorder has been described.However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when inputting and outputting digital audio signals between various electronic devices and external devices,
Further, the present invention can be widely applied to input and output of various signals other than digital audio signals.

H Advantageous Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the first aspect, the signal conversion device can select and output a signal converted into a signal format that can be processed at the output destination by a selection circuit, thereby providing a signal conversion device. A data recording / reproducing device and an optical output device or a digital reproducing device can be connected to each other via a digital signal or optical signal to freely transmit and receive, thus effectively avoiding an increase in the size of the data recording / reproducing device. By simply connecting the data recording / reproducing device to various external devices such as an optical output device and a digital reproducing device, a signal conversion device capable of easily controlling the data recording / reproducing device from the outside can be realized.

Further, in the second invention, a conversion circuit for converting a digital signal and an optical signal to and from each other and a control signal output means for controlling the data recording / reproducing apparatus are provided, so that the converting circuit is provided inside the data recording / reproducing apparatus. In addition, since there is no need to provide control signal output means, the data recording / reproducing device can be further reduced in size, and the data recording / reproducing device and the optical output device are interconnected to freely transmit and receive digital signals or optical signals. The data recording / reproducing apparatus can be easily controlled from the outside, and thus the data recording / reproducing apparatus and various external devices such as an optical output device can be effectively avoided while effectively preventing the data recording / reproducing apparatus from being enlarged. And a connection cable with a signal conversion function that can easily control the data recording / reproducing apparatus from the outside by simply connecting them.

Further, in the third invention, the optical signal input from the optical output device is converted into a digital signal by a conversion circuit of a connection cable having a signal conversion function, and then is recorded on a recording medium.
The reproduction of the reproduced digital signal into an analog signal or the output of the reproduced digital signal as it is can be freely performed by the control signal output from the control signal output means of the connection cable having the signal conversion function. By the selection, it is not necessary to provide the conversion circuit and the control signal output means in the apparatus main body, and the apparatus main body can be reduced in size correspondingly. It is possible to realize a data recording / reproducing apparatus which can easily control the apparatus main body and various external devices and easily control the apparatus main body from the outside, while effectively avoiding the enlargement of the main body.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a digital audio tape recorder according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram thereof, FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views showing a connection cable, and FIGS. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration. 1 ... Digital audio tape recorder, 18, 20,
62, 63, 70A, 70B ... terminals, 60, 61 ... connection cables.

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. A signal converter used in connection with a data recording / reproducing device for recording or reproducing, a first terminal connected to an optical output device, a second terminal connected to a digital reproducing device, A connection unit connected to the data recording / reproducing device, and converting an optical signal input from the optical output device via the first terminal into a first digital signal, and connecting the data via the connection unit. The second input from the recording / reproducing device
A conversion circuit for converting the digital signal into an optical signal; buffering the third digital signal input from the digital reproduction device via the second terminal; and converting the second digital signal input via the connection portion to the third terminal. A buffer circuit for buffering a digital signal; and selectively outputting either the first digital signal from the conversion circuit or the third digital signal from the buffer circuit to the connection section, and connecting the connection section to the connection section. And a selection circuit for selectively outputting the second digital signal input through the conversion circuit or the buffer circuit. 2. The signal conversion device according to claim 1, further comprising control signal output means for outputting a control signal for controlling the data recording / reproducing device to the data recording / reproducing device. 2. The signal conversion device according to claim 1. 3. The signal conversion device according to claim 1, further comprising: an operation unit for a user to operate, wherein the control signal output unit transmits the data recording / reproducing device to the data recording / reproducing device in response to the user operation on the operation unit. The signal converter according to claim 2, wherein the signal converter outputs a control signal. 4. The signal conversion device according to claim 1, further comprising a built-in timer, wherein the control signal output means outputs the control signal to the data recording / reproducing device at a predetermined timing by the timer. The signal conversion device according to claim 2. 5. A connection cable with a signal conversion function used by being connected to a data recording / reproducing apparatus for performing recording or reproduction, wherein the first connector section is connected to an optical output device, and is connected to the data recording / reproducing apparatus. A second connector unit, which converts an optical signal input from the optical output device via the first connector unit into a first digital signal and outputs the first digital signal to the second connector unit; 2 which is input from the data recording / reproducing apparatus via the second connector unit.
A conversion circuit that converts the digital signal into an optical signal and outputs the optical signal to the first connector unit; and a control signal output unit that outputs a control signal for controlling the data recording / reproducing device to the data recording / reproducing device. A connection cable with a signal conversion function, comprising: 6. The connection cable with a signal conversion function, comprising: an operation unit for a user to operate; and the control signal output unit transmits the data recording / reproducing device to the data recording / reproducing apparatus in response to the user operation on the operation unit. The connection cable with a signal conversion function according to claim 5, wherein the connection cable outputs the control signal. 7. A first terminal for inputting and outputting a digital signal and a control signal, a second terminal for inputting and outputting an analog signal, and an analog signal input from the second terminal. An analog / digital conversion circuit for converting the digital signal into a digital signal; recording means for recording a digital signal input via the second terminal unit and the analog / digital conversion circuit on a recording medium; Reproducing means for reproducing the digital signal; a digital-to-analog conversion circuit for converting the digital signal reproduced by the reproducing means to an analog signal; A first selection circuit for selectively outputting a digital signal to the recording means according to the control signal; A second selector circuit for selectively outputting a reproduced digital signal to the first terminal unit or the digital-to-analog conversion circuit in accordance with the control signal; and a first terminal unit and an external optical output device. A connection cable with a signal conversion function to be connected, the connection cable with a signal conversion function comprising: a first connector portion connected to the optical output device; and a second connector connected to the first terminal portion. And an optical signal input from the optical output device via the first connector unit to a digital signal and output to the second connector unit, and input from the second connector unit. A conversion circuit that converts the digital signal into an optical signal and outputs the optical signal to the first connector; and a control signal that outputs the control signal from the second connector through the first terminal. The first selection circuit and the second selection circuit are controlled according to the control signal input through the first terminal of the connection cable with a signal conversion function. A data recording / reproducing apparatus characterized in that: