JPH04351738A - Magnetic tape reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable spuriously automatically reverse reproducing even in the magnetic tape reproducing device of a digital system of an R-DAT, etc. CONSTITUTION:When a repeat key on an operation panel 33 is pressed a prescribed number of times, a reproducing mode is set as a pseudo reciprocation reproducing mode by a microcomputer 27. Now, when a reproducing key is pressed, reproducing under an ascending order mode is commenced, and programs P1-PN on a magnetic tape 12 are reproduced in turn in ascending order. Upon arrival of an end part of the tape, the reproducing mode is changed over to a descending order mode by the microcomputer 27, and the programs PN-P1 are reproduced in turn in descending order by repeating an operation of rewinding the tape by two programs and reproducing one program. Then, upon arrival of the beginning of the tape, the mode is changed over again to the ascending order mode, and the programs P1-PN are reproduced in ascending order.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a magnetic tape reproducing apparatus for reproducing digital information such as music recorded on a magnetic tape.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Devices for digitally recording data on predetermined tracks of magnetic tape have been put into practical use, such as R-DAT (
known as a rotary digital audio tape recorder) system. Unlike conventional analog recording, this digital magnetic tape device suffers little signal deterioration during recording and playback, allowing for high-density recording, as well as easy follow-up recording, high-speed searches using subareas, and various editing operations such as song selection. It has the advantage of being able to Therefore,
Such a digital magnetic tape device is based on the above-mentioned R-D.
It can be applied not only to audio recording like AT, but also to recording and reproducing graphics and other digital data.

[0003] In a digital magnetic tape device such as R-DAT, a so-called helical scan method is usually used in which a rotating head is scanned obliquely with respect to a running magnetic tape. In this method, a long straight track is formed on the magnetic tape, which is slightly inclined with respect to the tape running direction. For this reason, there is an advantage that the magnetic tape can be brought into reliable contact with the head while maintaining stable tape running, and that the rotational speed of the rotary head can be relatively low by using a large diameter drum.

Tracks in such a helical scan system generally have a tape format consisting of a PCM (main) area for digitally recording data and a subarea for digitally recording subcode signals indicating the characteristics of this data. By continuously forming these tracks on the magnetic tape, predetermined data can be recorded. Further, each data is managed by a subcode signal of a subarea provided in each track. For example, if the data to be recorded is a plurality of pieces of music, information regarding the content of each song, such as the program number, playback time, start code signal, or priority code signal, will be recorded in the subarea of the required track.

[0005] Here, program numbers are sequentially written into subareas of necessary tracks for each data segment, and a desired program can be selected by sequentially searching these numbers. In addition, a random high-speed search is also possible in cooperation with a program memory that stores these recording orders. The start code signal is called a start ID and is one of the most important subcode signals. This start ID is usually recorded for 9 seconds at the beginning of the song and is used during playback or high-speed search. For example, when this signal is detected during normal playback, a start indicator lamp provided on the operation panel, for example, lights up during that time to indicate that the beginning of the song is being found.

[0006]

[Problem to be solved by the invention] Such R-DAT
Magnetic tape playback devices, such as the It's not something you do. In other words, in conventional analog devices, since reciprocating tracks are formed parallel to the tape running direction, playback of the opposite side (return track) can be started immediately after the playback of one side (outward track) is completed. R-DA
Since the tape recording method of devices such as T is configured as described above, even if repeat mode is specified, it is not possible to reverse the tape running direction and perform playback, and a series of program playbacks is not possible. After finishing, rewind the tape and
The tape is repeatedly played back from the beginning. As a result, playback is interrupted for a considerable amount of time required to rewind the entire tape, making continuous playback impossible. Therefore, there is a problem in that it is unsuitable for applications that require continuous playback, such as when used as BGM (background music), for example.

[0007]Therefore, there is a problem that the above problems must be solved.

The present invention has been made to solve this problem, and aims to provide a digital magnetic tape playback device that can perform an auto-reverse playback operation like a normal analog magnetic tape playback device. purpose.

[0009]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention provides an apparatus for reproducing a magnetic tape on which a plurality of program information such as musical pieces and start signal information indicating the start position of these programs are sequentially recorded. i) a storage means for storing a reproduction procedure in an ascending order mode for reproducing a program in ascending order and a reproduction procedure in a descending order mode for reproducing a program in a descending order; (iii) a repeat mode selection means for selecting a repeat mode for repeatedly playing a program; and (iv) a playback means when a repeat mode is selected by the repeat mode selection means. and an instruction means for giving an instruction to alternately repeat the two modes.

0010

[Operation] In the magnetic tape playback device according to the present invention, a descending order playback mode is provided in addition to the normal ascending order tape playback mode, and by alternately repeating these modes, a pseudo round-trip playback operation is performed. becomes possible.

[0011]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be explained in detail with reference to Examples below.

FIG. 1 shows the main parts of a magnetic tape reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In this figure, a magnetic head (11) carried on a rotating drum (not shown) is in contact with a magnetic tape (12) whose running is controlled by a drive motor (not shown).
Helical scanning is performed across this at a predetermined angle with respect to the direction of travel. This results in
Data is sequentially read from each track formed at this angle on the magnetic tape (12) and input to a reproduction amplifier (13).

FIG. 2 shows tracks formed on a magnetic tape (12). As shown in this figure, tracks 14 are continuously formed on the magnetic tape (12) at an angle θ with respect to the tape running direction T. Each track consists of a PCM area (15) provided in the center, an ATF (auto track following) area (16) provided on both sides of the PCM area, and sub-areas (17) provided on both sides. Ru. Of these, the PCM area (15) is an area where the song data itself is recorded, the ATF area (16) is an area where information necessary for tracking is recorded, and the sub area (17) is an area where the song data itself is recorded.
is an area for recording the program number, start ID, playback time information, etc.

Now, the signal amplified by the reproduction amplifier (13) (FIG. 1) is subjected to equalization processing by the equalizer (21) after demodulation, and then input to the digital signal processing circuit (22). The reproduced signal input to the digital signal processing circuit (22) is subjected to predetermined signal processing, and the digital output terminal (
In addition to being directly output as a digital signal from 23), D/
The signal is output as an analog signal from an analog output terminal (25) via an A converter (24).

[0016] This digital signal processing circuit (22) includes:
A subcode detection section (26) is connected to detect various subcode signals from the reproduced signal input to the digital signal processing circuit (22) and send them to the microcomputer (27). Microcomputer (27
) controls operations such as playback, recording, high-speed search, and selects various playback modes based on instructions input from the operation panel (33). Based on this, the display control section (31) is controlled to display predetermined information on the display (32). Also, this microcomputer (27)
A memory (29) is connected to which stores various programs and data related to playback and recording operations.

FIG. 3 shows the external appearance of this magnetic tape reproducing apparatus. The operation panel (33) of this device has an insertion slot (34) for loading and unloading a magnetic tape cassette.
), power switch (36) for turning on the device
, a display (32) for displaying various information, and a plurality of other operation buttons. These operation buttons include, for example, a playback key (41), a repeat key (43) for selecting a repeat mode, a stop/eject key, a recording key, or a high-speed search key.

Further, as the display (32), for example, a liquid crystal display or an LED display is used, and the following display is performed.

■ "PLAY": Indicates that the tape is being played back.

■First 8-segment display section (38): Displays the program number being played back, etc. Here, two digits can be displayed.

■Second 8-segment display section (39): Displays playback time, etc. Here, 5 digits can be displayed.

First, an overview of the operation of this apparatus will be explained with reference to FIG. Now, assuming that N music programs are recorded on the magnetic tape (12) as shown in FIG. 4, reproduction is performed in ascending order mode in normal reproduction mode. That is, reproduction is performed in ascending order from the first program P1 to the Nth program PN, and the operation ends. On the other hand, in the case of repeat mode, reproduction in ascending order mode and descending order mode is performed alternately. That is, program P
Programs 1 to PN are played back in normal ascending order mode, but when this playback ends, the playback mode is switched and playback is performed from program PN to program P1 in descending order mode. That is, when reproduction up to program PN is completed in the ascending order mode, the tape is rewound to the beginning position (arrow (45)) of program PN-1, and program PN-1 is reproduced. When this playback is finished, the program PN
The tape is rewound to the beginning position of PN-2 (arrow (46)), and this program PN-2 is reproduced. Thereafter, in the same manner, each time one program is played back, the tape is rewound to the beginning of the previous program and the playback is performed up to the program P1. When the playback in descending order is completed up to program P1, the mode is switched again to the first ascending order mode, and playback is performed sequentially up to program PN. Such an operation (hereinafter referred to as pseudo reciprocating playback) will be repeated until the stop key on the operation panel is pressed.

The above operation will be explained in more detail. When the operator sets a desired magnetic tape through the insertion slot (34), the apparatus is set to an auto-repeat mode in which programs P1 to PN are repeatedly played back only in ascending order. At this time, the operation panel (33) (Figure 3)
When the upper repeat key (43) is pressed one or more times, the microcomputer (27) (Fig. 1) detects this and changes the playback mode to the following by referring to the predetermined program address in the memory (29). Set to various modes as shown below.

[0024] When the repeat key (43) is pressed once: The playback mode becomes a one-song repeat mode in which only one song is played repeatedly.

[0025] When the repeat key (43) is pressed twice: A selection mode is entered in which a program is reproduced in a preset combination pattern in a predetermined area in the memory (29).

[0026] ■ When the repeat key (43) is pressed three times: A one-cycle mode is entered in which programs from program P1 to program PN are reproduced only once.

[0027] When the repeat key (43) is pressed four times: The pseudo reciprocating playback mode, which is the greatest feature of this device, is activated.

■When the repeat key (43) is pressed five times: The original all repeat mode is restored.

Now, after the playback mode has been set in this way, when the playback key (41) is pressed, the microcomputer (27) detects this and starts the playback operation in the respective set mode. . Here, the operation in the pseudo reciprocating playback mode (2) will be explained with reference to FIG.

When the playback key (41) is pressed (step S101; Y), the microcomputer (27) instructs the drive unit (not shown) and the digital signal processing circuit (22) to output playback and starts playback. At this time, the subcode detection section (26) extracts the subcode signal from the reproduced signal of the digital signal processing circuit (22) and sends it to the microcomputer (27). Microcomputer (27)
sends the program number and playback time information of the input subcode signal to the display control section (31). As a result, the display control unit (31) sets the program number to the first
At the same time, the playback time information is displayed on the second 8-segment display section (39).

In this way, programs P1 to PN are reproduced in ascending order mode (step S102). During this time, microcomputer (27)
monitors the magnetic tape (12) and detects reaching the lead-out part (step S103; Y) or detects reaching the end of the tape (step S10).
4; Y), check the current playback mode. When this is the pseudo reciprocating playback mode (step S105; Y), the playback operation is performed in the descending order mode as shown in steps S106 to S114 below.

In the case of the pseudo reciprocating playback mode, the microcomputer (27) switches the playback mode to the descending order mode. That is, the counter value C is set to "0" (step S106), and the rewinding operation is started (step S107). Then, without detecting that the tape reaches the lead-in part or the beginning of the tape (step S1
08; N, step S109; N), when the start ID is detected (step S110; Y), the count value C is incremented by 1 (step S111), and if this value C is less than "2" (step S112; N), the rewinding operation continues as is (step S107). In this way, when the count value C becomes "2", the tape position is set to the beginning position of program PN-1 (Fig. 4; arrow (
45)), but here the microcomputer (27
) stops rewinding, searches for the beginning of the program PN-1 from the subcode signal (step S113),
It is played back (step S114). When the playback of this program is finished and the start ID at the beginning of the next program PN is detected (step S115; Y), the counter value C is set to "0" again (step S1
06), a rewinding operation is performed (step S107)
.

Similarly, by repeating the operation of rewinding two programs each time one program is reproduced, reproduction is performed in descending order from program PN to program P1. Although the time required to rewind two programs depends on the length of the program, it can generally be kept to several seconds or less. Therefore, there is no particular sense of discomfort for the listener.

In the above-described repeated operations, when it is detected that the tape has reached the lead-in part or the beginning of the tape (step S108; Y, step S10
9; Y), the mode is switched back to the original ascending order mode, and programs P1 to PN are sequentially reproduced in the ascending order direction (step S102). These ascending order mode and descending order mode are alternately repeated until the stop key is pressed (step S116; Y).

[0035]

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention,
In addition to the normal ascending order tape playback mode, a descending order playback mode is provided, and these modes are alternately repeated, so that a pseudo round-trip playback operation can be performed. Therefore, there is no need for a long rewind period as in the conventional repeat mode, and the present invention has the advantage that it can be sufficiently used for applications that require continuous endless playback without interrupting music, such as BGM.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main parts of a magnetic tape playback device in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a recording format of a magnetic tape played back by this magnetic tape playback device.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of this magnetic tape playback device.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the general operation of this magnetic tape reproducing device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining in detail the operation of this magnetic tape playback device.

[Explanation of symbols]

(12) Magnetic tape (14) Truck (15) PCM area (16) ATF area (17) Sub area (22) Digital signal processing circuit (26) Subcode detection section (27) Microcomputer (29) Memory (33) Operation panel (41) Play key (43) Repeat key

Claims (1)

[Claims] [Claim 1] A device for reproducing a magnetic tape on which a plurality of digital program information such as music songs and start signal information indicating the start position of these programs are sequentially recorded, and the program is reproduced in ascending order. a storage means for storing a reproduction procedure in an ascending order mode and a reproduction procedure in a descending order mode for reproducing the program in a descending order; a reproduction means for reproducing the magnetic tape according to the reproduction procedure stored in the storage means; a repeat mode selection means for selecting a repeat mode for repeated reproduction, and when the repeat mode is selected by the repeat mode selection means, giving an instruction to the reproduction means to alternately repeat the two modes; 1. A magnetic tape playback device comprising: instruction means.