JP3358320B2 - Recording / reproducing apparatus and timer reservation method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording / reproducing apparatus for performing recording and reproduction using a cassette having a memory, for example, and a timer reservation method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A digital VCR for digitizing video data and recording it on a magnetic tape has been developed. Since the transmission band of digital video data is very wide, the digital video data is recorded on a magnetic tape after, for example, DCT conversion, variable length coding, and the like.

For example, when a timer recording reservation is made using such a digital VCR, it is necessary to find a correct recording start position by fast-forwarding, rewinding, or reproducing the tape when setting a cassette tape. If this operation is neglected, there is a case where a part that is not desired to be erased is accidentally erased.

[0004] When a plurality of persons are watching a recorded tape, only a specific person stands in the middle, and when the person who stands in the middle tries to watch the subsequent playback screen of the tape,
The user must search for the next screen after rewinding or playing back the tape. In this case, the position can be remembered using the counter reset button.
However, this method assumes that the tape being played is not ejected, and if another person loads another tape and plays that tape, the counter reset button function is disabled. Will be.

Further, in a camera-integrated VCR, if the tape is rewound and played back after shooting, and recording is continued from the last recording position, it takes time and effort to find the position. 2. Description of the Related Art A conventional video camera is provided with an edit search function that allows a user to play back and forth from a tape position and search for a place for performing next recording from a tape position in a standby state in a camera shooting mode. However, when this edit search function is used, the tape speed is high, and it is difficult to return to the original position unless the tape speed is close to the tape search mode. Close to. Then, it is necessary to repeat the complicated operation of switching to the camera photographing mode again and searching for the position by the edit search. In addition, if another person thinks that the tape that was rewound and played back after being shot by a specific person is the last recording position without knowing it, and if you continue recording as it is, the important recorded part will be erased May be done. Therefore, the applicant of the present application stores the recording start position and the reproduction start position in the memory mounted on the tape cassette, and at the time of timer recording reservation, etc.
Regardless of the position of the tape, at the start of recording or reproduction, the position stored in the memory is searched for, and recording and reproduction can be started from that position. No. filed.

However, even in this case, for example, when a timer recording of a serial drama to be broadcast every week is performed, it is necessary to continuously record and save it on a tape or to record it without any intention to save it. After playing back, the user's willingness to repeatedly record at a specific position on the tape cannot be reflected in the timer reservation. At the same time, if the playback start position is stored in the memory mounted on the cassette, specify whether to update the next playback start position to the position after playback after playback or to keep the playback start position before playback. I can't.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a recording start position and a reproduction start position for performing recording and reproduction. In addition to providing a recording / reproducing device that can specify whether or not to update the position after recording or reproducing, when repeatedly setting a timer, it is necessary to continuously record and save on tape, or to always start from a specific position It is an object of the present invention to provide a timer reservation method that can reflect a user's will to record.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a recording / reproducing apparatus for performing timer recording using a cassette containing a recording medium and a memory for storing information relating to recording, and generating write data for data in the memory. And an MIC microcomputer 3 for processing readout data, an interface 3a for communicating data between the memory and the MIC microcomputer 3, a timer circuit 4 for supplying date and time information to the MIC microcomputer, and inputting a user operation command. And a user input unit 1 for supplying to the MIC microcomputer 3 according to the information input by the user input unit 1. Specify whether to save the position information of the The identification information stored in the memory, after the timer recording in accordance with the position information on the recording medium stored timer recording start time information, MIC
The microcomputer 3 is a recording / reproducing apparatus characterized in that the start position information of the next recording is stored in a memory according to the identification information.

Further, the present invention provides a cassette in which a recording medium is stored, a memory, a memory for storing information relating to timer reservation, and a cassette mounted in a recording / reproducing apparatus.
In a timer reservation method in which a timer reservation is made according to timer reservation information stored in a memory, at least a timer start time information, a position information on a recording medium on which the timer reservation is executed, and a next timer Identification information for identifying whether the reservation operation is performed continuously on the recording medium or the next timer reservation operation is performed at the same location on the recording medium is stored, and the stored timer recording start time information and the recording medium are stored. A timer reservation method characterized in that after a timer reservation operation is performed according to the above position information, start position information of the next timer reservation is stored in a memory according to the identification information.

[0010]

The REC flag and the HL flag are provided in the RP start position pack and the tag pack, respectively. If the REC flag is 0, the absolute track number stored in the pack indicates the reproduction start position, and if the REC flag is 1, the absolute track number indicates the recording start position. If the HL flag is 0, the recording (reproduction) start position is not updated. If the HL flag is 1, the recording (reproduction) start position is updated. By combining these flags, MI
By storing in C, a recording start position and a reproduction start position when performing recording and reproduction can be set. Also, when making continuous timer reservations such as weekly reservations and daily reservations, it is possible to reflect the user's willingness to record data continuously on tape and save it or to always record from a specific position it can. Further, the user's position, such as whether the user wants to watch the content once after playing it back or want to watch it repeatedly from the playback start position, can be reflected.

[0011]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital VCR to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a user input unit. The user input unit 1 includes keys and a touch panel. Data such as a recording start position input by the user input unit 1 is supplied to a memory-in-cassette (MIC) microcomputer 3 via a user interface 2. In the MIC microcomputer 3, information (recording date and time, title, etc.) relating to signals recorded on the magnetic tape and information necessary for realizing the timer function are formed. In the MIC microcomputer 3, the user input unit 1
Are assembled into a predetermined format (pack configuration). Further, a mode processing microcomputer 5 is connected to the MIC microcomputer 3, and positional information (for example, an absolute track number) on the tape is supplied to the MIC microcomputer 3. The timer circuit 4 is connected to the mode processing microcomputer 5 and supplies date information and time information. The output data of the MIC microcomputer 3 is transmitted to the tape cassette 7 via the interface 3 a and the MIC contact 6.
Is supplied to the MIC 8 provided in the MIC. MIC
Is a memory provided in the tape cassette. By storing data relating to recording and reproduction in the MIC, recording / reproduction can be assisted.

The tape cassette 7 has a shape as shown in FIG. In the tape cassette,
2A and 2B show small tape cassettes, and FIGS. 2C and 2D show standard tape cassettes, respectively. The small tape cassette is
It is suitable for use in a camera-integrated VTR or the like. The basic structures of the small tape cassette and the standard type tape cassette are equivalent. Hereinafter, the small tape cassette will be described.

The small tape cassette 11a has a reel shaft insertion opening 12a. This reel shaft insertion port 12a
, The magnetic tape is wound. When the small tape cassette 11a is loaded into the main body of the VCR, the tape protection shutter 16a provided on one surface in the longitudinal direction is opened, and the magnetic tape is pulled out from the tape cassette 11a. At one corner of the tape cassette 11a, a reference hole 13a and an erroneous erasure prevention hole 14a are provided. A plurality of terminals 1 are provided on the side of the tape cassette 11a.
5a are provided. Through these terminals 15a, communication with the MIC provided in the tape cassette 11a is enabled from outside.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a data structure of the MIC. The MIC area includes a main area, an optional area, and an unused area. Further, the data area in the MIC is divided into a main area and an optional area, and all of the data area except for the first byte is described in a pack structure (described later) shown in FIG. The start address of the main area of the MIC is APM (APplication ID of MIC).
3 bits and 5 bits of BCID (Basic Cassette ID) are stored. The APM defines the data structure of the MIC. When these three bits are all 1, for example, it indicates that the tape cassette is a new tape cassette. Therefore, at the time of shipment from the factory, shipment is performed with APM = 111. When all 0s, the tape cassette is a recorded tape cassette and a cassette tape for a consumer digital VCR. The BCID is a basic cassette ID and stores data such as a tape thickness, a tape type, and a tape grade.

Following the head address, three packs of a cassette ID, a tape length, and a title end are stored. The cassette ID pack contains a more specific value of the tape thickness and MI.
Memory information on C is stored. In the tape length pack, the tape maker stores the tape length of the cassette by the number of tracks, and determines the remaining amount of the magnetic tape from the next title end pack (recording end position information is stored as an absolute track number). Can be calculated. Further, the recording end position information provides convenient usability when reproducing the recorded information partway and returning to the final recording position or at the time of timer reservation.

Data is recorded in the optional area in a pack structure shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the pack will be described. A pack is a minimum unit of a data group, and related data is collected to form one pack. The pack consists of a 1-byte header (PC0) and 4
It consists of byte data (PC1 to PC4). The 8 bits of the header are divided into upper 4 bits and lower 4 bits. The upper four bits are an upper header, and the lower four bits are a lower header. Note that the data can be extended to a lower layer by bit assignment of data as necessary (see FIG. 5). By adopting such a hierarchical structure, the contents of the pack can be clearly organized, and the pack can be easily expanded. Then, 256 spaces of the upper header and the lower header are prepared as a pack header table together with the contents of each pack. In the optional area, data is stored for each event.
The events include a program event for storing the recording start / end position, a timer reservation event for storing timer reservation information, a text event for storing character information, and the like. One event starts with the event header pack and ends with the pack before the next event header pack.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing details of the recording system of the MIC microcomputer. The serial data (such as the absolute track number) supplied from the mode processing microcomputer 5 is S / S
The data is converted into parallel data by the P conversion circuit 21. Of the parallel data, main area data (described later) such as the APM at address 0 and the absolute track number are supplied to the main area data collection and generation circuit 22. In the main area data collection and generation circuit 22, data is assembled in accordance with the operation of the MIC and written into the MIC 8. When writing the title end pack, pack header 1F
The switch 23 is switched to the pack header output circuit 29 only when h is supplied. Then, data is supplied to one terminal of the switch 24.

On the other hand, among the parallel data output from the S / P conversion circuit 21, for example, in the case of a timer reservation event, optional area data such as recording date, recording time, minute, second, and channel number (described later). Is supplied to the optional area data collection / generation circuit 25 from the user interface 2 or the like. The data assembled by the optional area data collection / generation circuit 25 is supplied to the other terminal of the switch 24 via the switch 27. At the same time, a pack header corresponding to the assembled data is set by the pack header setting circuit 26. This pack header is supplied to the other terminal of the switch 24 via the switch 27. When the switch 24 is switched at a predetermined timing, data for the main area or data for the optional area is supplied to the interface 3a. Interface 3a
Is converted to the MIC communication protocol by
It is supplied to the MIC 8 via the C contact 6. The switching timing of the switches 23, 24 and 27 is performed by a timing adjustment circuit 28.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an RP (Rec / Pb) start position pack. This pack has the header "00000
101 ". In the RP start position pack,
The absolute track number of the recording start position or playback start position on the tape is the MSB of PC3 from the second least significant bit of PC1.
Up to the area is written in binary. The REC flag is described in the MSB of PC4. The REC flag is a flag indicating whether the absolute track number stored in the pack is at the recording start position or at the reproduction start position. When the REC flag = 1, the above-mentioned absolute track number indicates the recording start position. On the other hand, R
When the EC flag is 0, the absolute track number indicates the reproduction start position. The HL flag is a flag indicating whether or not the stored absolute track number is to be held after reproduction or recording. When the HL flag is 1, the entire track number is updated, and when the HL flag is 0, the entire track number is held.

The designation of the recording start position and the reproduction start position is as follows.
The tag pack shown in FIG. 8 can be used. This pack is defined when the header is “00001011”. In the tag pack, the absolute track number of the recording start position or the reproduction start position on the tape is written in a binary number in an area from the lower second bit of PC1 to the MSB of PC3. The tag ID is written in the lower 4 bits of PC4. The tag ID indicates whether the absolute track number stored in the pack is the recording start position or the reproduction start position, similarly to the REC flag described above.
D. When the tag ID is 1010, the above-described absolute track number indicates the recording start position, and the tag ID = 1010.
1011 indicates a reproduction start position. Since this pack also serves as an event header, it can exist alone as an event. PC
The HL flag of No. 4 is the same as the HL flag of the above-described RP start position pack, and thus the description is omitted. However, this flag is valid only when the tag ID is 1010 or 1011.

The difference between the tag pack and the REC start position pack regarding recording is whether or not an event can exist alone as an event. For example, if it is OK to delete a certain screen or later while reproducing the tape, the MIC stores the position of the screen on the tape as a tag pack. afterwards,
Even if the position of the tape that can be erased is changed by performing playback or the like, this tag pack is searched when recording starts or in the recording standby state, and recording can be started from the position of the tag pack. .

When a timer recording reservation is made, a timer recording reservation event is set. When the recording start position is not set at the time of setting the event, a tag event can be found and recorded from there. Further, when no tag event exists, the above-described processing can be performed by extracting the absolute track number from the title end pack and storing it in the recording start position pack.

The difference between the tag pack and the PB start position pack regarding the reproduction is whether or not the tag pack and the PB start position pack can exist independently as an event as in the case of recording. For example, the tag pack is stored in the MIC while a certain tape is being played, and the tape is interrupted. After that, even if another person advances the tape or replaces the tape cassette itself, the MIC of the original tape cassette stores the position of the tag pack. You can immediately return to the original tape cassette playback position.

FIG. 9 is a diagram used to explain the case where the reproduction start position and the recording start position are specified by the tag pack. 9A is used for explaining a reproduction start position, and FIG. 9B is used for explaining a recording start position.

Referring to FIG. 9A, when the tape cassette is played back, the user stands at the point a on the tape, and when the user wants to play back from the continuation of the point a later, for example, it is provided on the apparatus main body. Press the "I saw here" button. Thus, a
The absolute track number of the position of the point is stored in the tag pack (the tag ID is 1011) and stored in the MIC. As described above, since the MIC is provided in the tape cassette, the tape cassette may be taken out of the device main body. When viewing from the middle of the tape or after ejecting the tape, the absolute track number at that position is read from this tag pack by pressing the "Continue" button on the main unit, and then moved to that position by high-speed search and played. Is started.

On the other hand, referring to FIG. 9B, if a part that can be deleted from a certain screen during playback is found, the “record from here” button on the main body of the device is pressed to display the part. The absolute track number at the time is stored in the tag pack (the tag ID is 1010) and stored in the MIC. Then, the next time the recording button is pressed, if this pack is present in the MIC, it immediately moves to that point and recording starts. In addition, at the time of recording standby, it moves to that point and stands by.

Next, a case where a timer reservation event is stored in the MIC will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a pack configuration when a timer reservation event is stored in the MIC. In FIG. 10, the timer reservation includes three packs (timer recording date, timer REC start / stop, and VAUX source). The timer recording date pack stores data of the reproduction mode (SP / LP) and the genre in addition to the timer recording reservation date data. The timer REC start / stop pack stores time data for starting and ending the timer recording. The VAUX source pack contains TV channels,
Data such as a broadcast system (SD / HD, 50 Hz / 60 Hz) is stored. When only these three packs are stored in the MIC, recording is started from the current head position.

Next, when the RP start position pack (REC flag is 1) storing the recording start position information is added to the above three packs, and the tag pack generated by the "record from here" button in the MIC (FIG. A procedure for performing timer recording when the tag ID 1010) is stored will be described with reference to FIG. If the tag pack is stored in the MIC, its absolute track number is copied into the RP start position pack and added to the end of the VAUX source pack. By using these four packs, timer recording reservation that specifies the recording start position can be made. Also,
When timer recording reservation is made with these four packs, another screen of the tape may be reproduced and watched. That is, when the user sets the VCR to the timer recording reservation standby state, the user can automatically move to the position of the absolute track number stored by the REC start position pack and perform recording. In the above description, the absolute track number of the tag pack is copied into the RP start position pack. However, if the tag pack (the tag ID is 1010) exists in the MIC without copying, the absolute track number Recording may be started from the position. When the tag pack is not stored, the RP start position pack may be generated by key input or the like.

Next, timer reproduction reservation will be described with reference to FIG. In this case, unlike the timer recording, the VAUX source pack is not required. There is no pack dedicated to reproduction reservation, and the timer recording date pack and the timer REC start / stop pack shown in FIG. 10 are shared. Since timer recording is performed more frequently than timer playback, preparing a new pack only for timer playback reservation wastes limited space in the pack header table. Also, when playback is started from the current head position, the position is simply set to RP
Substitution is possible simply by setting the REC flag of the start position pack (see FIG. 7) to 0. Then, the tag pack generated by the button “see here” (tag ID = 1011)
Is copied to the RP start position pack (REC flag = 0) using the timer RE.
Add after C start / stop pack. As described above, when the tag pack (tag ID = 1011) is stored in the MIC, the absolute track number is set to the RP.
By copying the start position pack (PB start position pack) and adding it after the VAUX source pack, timer playback reservation can be easily performed. Further, as described for the timer recording, the reproduction may be started from the position of the absolute track number of the tag pack without copying the absolute track number. When no tag pack is stored, an RP start position pack may be generated by key input.

When making a reservation every week or every day, it is possible to specify whether to perform recording or playback from the same position on the tape, or to update the recording start position or playback start position at the end of recording or playback. . Hereinafter, this specification will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between the value of the HL flag and the recording start position on the tape. If the timer reservation event is a weekly reservation or a daily reservation, the HL flag = 1
In this case, as shown in FIG. 13A, the recording start position of the RP start position pack or the tag pack is updated to the recording end position of the previous recording, and is continuously recorded on the tape.
On the other hand, when the HL flag is 0, as shown in FIG. 13B, the recording start position is not updated at the end of recording, and is recorded from the same position on the tape every time recording is started. Therefore, in this case, it is premised that the user reproduces and views the recording every time recording is executed.

In the case of a timer recording reservation for only one time, as shown in FIGS. 13C and 13D, the recording is performed regardless of whether the recording is performed with the HL flag = 1 or the HL flag = 0. At the end, the timer recording reservation event is deleted from the MIC. However, if necessary, at the end of recording, the recording start position can be determined based on the HL flag, and the next recording start position can be stored in the MIC as a tag event. That is, when the HL flag = 1, the absolute track number of the recording end position is stored in the tag pack. Thus, the next recording can be started after the content of the previous recording. When the HL flag is 0, the recording start position of the completed recording is stored in the tag pack as it is, and the next recording is performed by deleting the previous recording. The tag pack saved in this way is
It can be used when the next recording is executed or when timer recording reservation is set.

Further, when a recording start position is stored in the MIC, it is automatically moved to that position in response to a recording or recording standby instruction, and is set to a recording start or recording standby state. If recording is to be started immediately after the recording instruction, the difference between the current absolute track number and the absolute track number at the specified recording start position is checked, and if it is too far away, recording starts from the current position. Alternatively, a warning may be issued before recording.

At this time, the HL flag is set as shown in FIG.
Similarly to the case shown in D, at the end of recording, if the tag pack is to be stored, a value according to the instruction of the HL flag is stored. In FIG. 13, the HL flag has been described for the recording reservation, but the same applies to the reproduction reservation.

In the above description, the pack for timer reservation is stored in the MIC. However, various packs such as recording on the memory of the VCR body or tape, or using these together with the MIC are described. There is a method.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart in the case of making a timer reservation such as a weekly reservation or a daily reservation. Step 3
At 1, it is determined whether it is one minute before the timer start time. The setting “one minute before” is, for example, a time set for cueing the tape. If not a minute ago,
Step 31 is repeated. On the other hand, if one minute ago, the MIC RP start position pack is read in step 32.
Then, in step 33, the absolute track number of the tape corresponding to the absolute track number stored in the RP start position pack is searched, and the tape is searched. In step 34, it is determined whether or not it is the set timer start time. If it is not the timer start time, step 3
Repeat 4.

On the other hand, if it is the timer start time, it is determined in step 35 whether or not timer recording is performed. If timer recording, recording is started in step 36. Step 3
At 7, it is determined whether or not it is the timer end time, and if not, the step 37 is repeated. On the other hand, if it is the timer end time, the recording is ended in step 38. Thereafter, in step 39, it is determined whether or not the HL flag is 1. If the HL flag is 1, the recording start position is updated at the end of the recording as described above. Therefore, in step 40, the absolute track number of the RP start position pack is rewritten. Then, the process proceeds to step 46. on the other hand,
In step 39, if the HL flag is 0, step 40 is skipped and the routine proceeds to step 46.

If it is determined in step 35 that the recording is not timer recording, this timer reservation is timer reproduction. In step 41, timer playback is started,
In step 42, it is determined whether or not it is the timer end time.
If it is not the end time, step 42 is repeated. On the other hand, if it is the end time, the reproduction is ended in step 43. Thereafter, in step 44, it is determined whether the HL flag is 1 or not. If the HL flag is 1, RP
Since the start position is updated at the end of reproduction, step 45
, The absolute track number of the RP start position pack is rewritten. Then, the process proceeds to step 46. On the other hand, if the HL flag is 0 in step 44,
Skip to step 46.

In step 46, it is determined whether or not the executed timer reservation is the last timer reservation among a plurality of timer reservations. If it is not the last timer reservation, the processing from step 31 is performed again. On the other hand, if it is the last timer reservation, a series of processing is ended.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are flow charts in the case of making a timer reservation only once. Step 51
In, it is determined whether or not one minute before the timer start time. The setting “one minute before” is, for example, a time provided for cueing the tape, as described above. If not one minute ago, step 51 is repeated. On the other hand, if it is one minute before, the MIC RP start position pack is read in step 52. Then, in step 53, the absolute track number of the tape corresponding to the absolute track number stored in the RP start position pack is searched, and the tape is searched. In step 54, it is determined whether or not it is the set timer start time. If it is not the timer start time, step 54 is repeated.

On the other hand, if it is the timer start time, it is determined in step 55 whether or not timer recording is performed. If timer recording, recording is started in step 56. Step 5
At 7, it is determined whether or not it is the timer end time, and if not, the step 57 is repeated. On the other hand, if it is the timer end time, the recording is ended in step 58. Thereafter, at step 59, it is determined whether or not the HL flag is 1. If the HL flag is 1, step 6
At 0, the current absolute track number is stored in the MIC using the tag pack. Then, the process ends.
On the other hand, if the HL flag is 0, in step 61,
The absolute track number of the RP start position pack in the MIC is stored in the MIC using the tag pack. Then, the process ends. Since the recording mode is set, the tag ID of the tag pack in steps 60 and 61 is 1010.

If it is determined in step 55 that the recording is not timer recording, the timer reservation is timer reproduction. In step 62, timer playback is started,
In step 63, it is determined whether or not it is the timer end time.
If it is not the end time, step 63 is repeated. On the other hand, if it is the end time, the reproduction is ended in step 64. Thereafter, at step 65, it is determined whether or not the HL flag is 1. If the HL flag is 1, the reproduction start position is updated at the end of reproduction as described above.
, The current absolute track number is stored in the MIC using the tag pack. On the other hand, if the HL flag is not 1, the tag pack is used to store the absolute track number of the RP start position pack in the MIC,
Store it in the IC. At this time, since the playback mode is set, the tag ID of the tag pack used in steps 66 and 67 is 1011. Steps 66 and 6
When the processing in step 7 is performed, a series of processing ends.

[0042]

According to the present invention, when timer recording is reserved, a recording start position and a reproduction start position at the time of performing recording and reproduction can be set by using the RP start position pack. Therefore, there is no possibility that a recorded tape is accidentally erased. Also, for example, when making timer reservations such as weekly reservations and daily reservations, do you want to continuously record and save data on tape or always record from a specific position? It can reflect the user's will to see repeatedly. Further, by using the tag pack, the absolute track number of the screen currently being viewed is stored, and by searching this tag pack, it is possible to immediately return to the original screen.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital VCR to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram used for describing a tape cassette.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a data structure of an MIC.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a pack structure.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a hierarchical structure of a pack.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing details of an MIC microcomputer.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of an RP start position pack having an HL flag.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a tag pack having an HL flag.

FIG. 9 is a diagram used to describe a reproduction start position and a recording start position specified by a REC start position pack of a tag pack.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a pack configuration of a timer recording reservation event.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a timer recording reservation event.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a timer reproduction reservation event.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a value of an HL flag and a recording start position on a tape.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart in the case of making a timer reservation a plurality of times.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart in a case where timer reservation is performed only once.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart in the case of performing timer reservation only once.

[Description of Signs] 3 MIC microcomputer 4 Timer circuit 7 Tape cassette 8 MIC 22 Data collection and generation circuit for main area 25 Data collection and generation circuit for optional area

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A recording / reproducing apparatus which performs timer recording by using a cassette which houses a recording medium and has a memory for storing information relating to recording, generates write data of the memory and processes read data. Processing means; interface means for performing data communication between the memory and the processing means; means for supplying date and time information to the processing means; input of a user's operation command and supply to the processing means Operation command input means, and in accordance with information input by the operation command input means, the processing means includes at least timer recording start time information, position information on a recording medium for starting timer recording, and timer recording. Is stored in the memory, and the identification information for specifying whether or not to perform the next recording is stored in the memory. After performing the timer recording according to the stored timer recording start time information and the position information on the recording medium, the processing unit causes the memory to store the next recording start position information according to the identification information. A recording / reproducing apparatus characterized in that: 2. The processing means according to claim 1, wherein said identification information specifies that the timer-recorded information is to be stored and that the next recording is to be performed. If the identification information specifies that the next recording is to be performed without saving the information on which the timer recording has been performed, the start position information of the timer recording that has been completed is stored in the memory. 2. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 3. A memory which is mounted on a cassette for storing a recording medium, stores information relating to timer reservation in the memory, and the cassette is mounted on a recording / reproducing apparatus, and a timer is set according to timer reservation information stored in the memory. In the timer reservation method for making a reservation, at least the timer start time information, the position information on the recording medium on which the timer reservation is performed, and the next timer reservation operation are continuously performed on the recording medium in the memory. Or identification information for identifying whether to perform at the same location on the recording medium is stored, after performing the timer reservation operation according to the stored timer recording start time information and the position information on the recording medium, A timer reservation method, wherein start time information of a next timer reservation is stored in the memory according to the identification information. 4. When the identification information specifies that the next timer reservation operation is to be continuously performed on the recording medium, position information at the time when the timer reservation operation is completed is stored in the memory. If the identification information specifies that the next timer reservation operation is to be performed at the same location on the recording medium, the position information stored in the memory is stored as it is as the next timer reservation start position information. 4. The timer reservation method according to claim 3, wherein the timer is reserved.