JPH0684331A - Recording/reprducing device for tape-like recrding medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To immediately judge the effectivity of index data at the time of loading a cassette by recording the newest data corrected at the time of ejecting the cassette including the mark of an ejecting point in a subcode recording area. CONSTITUTION:Before ejecting the cassette or cutting off a power source, the newest index (TOC) data including the mark of the ejecting point in the index memory of an index signal processing circuit 6 is recorded on the subcode recording area of a tape T by a recording/reproducing head H1 through a recording/reproducing circuit 7 at that position. Then, the presence or absence of the mark of the ejecting point is detected by a system controller 8 at the time of loading the cassette, and only when the mark of the ejecting point is present, the TOC data is read out, displayed 20 and stored in the index memory of the circuit 6, then the mark of the ejecting point is erased. When the mark is absent, the fetch of the TOC data is stopped. Thus, whether it is the effective TOC data or not is immediately judged at the time of loading the cassette, and appropriate processing is performed even when the position of the tape is changed.

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 a tape-shaped recording medium, and more particularly to recording not only video signals and audio signals but also subcodes such as TOC data on a magnetic tape contained in a cassette. The present invention relates to a recording (and / or) reproducing device (hereinafter also simply referred to as “device” or “VTR”) for a tape-shaped recording medium having a function of reproducing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a recording medium such as a video tape used for a VTR, one capable of recording several hours per roll (3 hours or more in a standard mode) has been developed and put on the market due to technological progress. Moreover, if you record in a long time mode such as triple mode, you can record for a longer time.
It is common knowledge to record and save a TV program or a plurality of programs such as camera shooting (dubbing) by a user on a volume video tape.

At a later date, in order not to forget (mistake) the recording (recording) contents of these cassette tapes, the user manually writes the recording contents, recording time, counter number, etc. on an index label, etc. The labels were attached to the label attachment surface of the cassette or the cassette case. Actually, this work is troublesome, and if you forget to put the index label on the cassette (case) or forget to write the counter number etc., it will be troublesome to check the recorded contents of the tape and search the start part later. It took a considerable amount of time to access the beginning and end positions of the recording program, especially.

On the other hand, the concept of "directory" has been used for a long time in computer-related storage media such as FD (floppy disk), and a user records one file (corresponding to one program in a video tape). Then, the information necessary for searching later, such as its name, number, and capacity, is recorded in a special fixed area (area) called a directory area. Therefore, if the fixed area is applied to the video (cassette) tape, the video tape must be rewound to the directory area or fast-forwarded, which takes much time as compared with the area search in the FD. .

Therefore, when the directory information is recorded every time the video tape is used (recorded or reproduced), the directory information obtained when the tape is used next is recorded at which time when which directory information is recorded. It was difficult to determine if it was a mistake. Therefore, such a directory concept is not applicable to VTRs.
It was considered from the past.

However, in recent years, in the Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 64-53391 and 64-53392, an epoch-making VTR in which such a directory concept can be applied to a VTR is also introduced.
(Information signal recording or reproducing device) was announced. This VT
R is recorded in a specific portion other than the main information signal recording area immediately after the directory information storage section for storing the directory information relating to the main information signal recorded on the recording medium such as a magnetic tape and the cassette of the recording or reproducing apparatus. Means for transferring directory information to the directory information storage unit, means for recording the main information signal on the magnetic tape and adding directory information relating to the main information signal in the directory information storage unit, and magnetic tape just before taking out the cassette. A means for recording the stored directory information is provided in a specific portion other than the main information signal recording area above. The directory information is formed to include data that can identify the old and new.

An example of using the VTR will be described below with reference to FIG.
Will be described with reference to. In FIG. 7, (I) shows the recorded contents of the video tape, and (II) shows the contents of the directory RAM (Random Access Memory) provided in the VTR. Shall be used. In addition, it is assumed that the cassette containing the tape T is provided with a known brake mechanism in order to prevent winding slack when not in use.

First, the program A is recorded in the section of positions a to b on the tape T, and the EJ (eject) key or the P-OFF (power off) key is operated at the position of b.
As shown in (A), the contents of the directory information (A ') are saved (recorded) in s1 of the tape T. When the EJ key is operated, the tape cassette is ejected from the VTR immediately after saving, and when the P-OFF key alone is operated, the tape cassette is V
The tape is still loaded in the TR, but in both cases, the tape T is stopped at the position of b, so this is again set to the VTR.
When the tape is loaded into the tape or the power is applied (P-ON key operation) in the loaded state, the part b of the tape T is automatically reproduced, and
As shown in (B), the directory information (A ') is loaded into the directory RAM.

Program B is then moved to position b on tape T.
When the video is recorded in the section of ~ c and the STOP key is operated at the position of c, the directory information is updated from the contents of (A ') to the contents of (B'). When the EJ key or P-OFF key is operated at the position of c, the contents of the directory information (B ') are saved in s2 of the tape T, as shown in FIG. 7 (B). Next, when the cassette is loaded into the VTR or the power is applied in the loaded state, the contents of the directory information (B ') are loaded into the directory RAM at the position c on the tape T as shown in FIG. 7C. Then, the program C is recorded on the section of the tape T at positions c to d, and when the STOP key is operated at the position of d, for example,
The directory information is updated from the contents of (B ') to the contents of (C').

Next, when the REW (rewind) key is operated, the tape is rewound to the position of the tape starting end a, and when the EJ key or P-OFF key is operated there, the directory information (C The contents of ') are saved in s3 of the tape T. After that, when the cassette is loaded or the power is applied in the loaded state, FIG.
As shown in (D), the contents of the directory information (C ') are loaded into the directory RAM at the position a of the tape T. And play all of Program A and the middle of Program B,
When the EJ key or P-OFF key is operated at the position of e after the STOP key is operated, the contents of the directory information are not updated as shown in FIG. 7 (D '), and are saved in s4 at the position of e on the tape T. To be done.

When the cassette is loaded or the power is input in the loaded state, the directory information (C ') is displayed as shown in FIG. 7 (E).
Contents of the tape at position e on the tape T are loaded into the directory RAM. When program B is played from the middle and the STOP key is operated at the position f of the tape T and the EJ key or the P-OFF key is operated, the contents of the directory information are not updated, and s5 is set at the position f of the tape T. Save it.

Thus, when the user mounts (loads) the cassette tape T on which the directory information is also recorded in the VTR, the directory information is always automatically displayed on the display screen of the CRT or the like before recording or reproducing. Since it is displayed on the screen, the contents of the program recorded on the magnetic tape can be immediately recognized, and even when searching for the program to be watched, the beginning portion of the program can be quickly reached. A number, date and time, etc. are used as information for identifying the old and new of the directory information, and comparison (identification) of the old and new directory information is performed by software by a dedicated system controller provided in the VTR,
Or directly in hardware.

Specifically, when the subcode information is loaded into the subcode buffer including the directory RAM, a system controller such as a CPU monitors the directory number included in the directory information, and the old and new numbers are monitored by the number. A comparison is made and only newer directory information is stored in the directory RAM. Then, when the directory number decreases, that is, when the new information moves to the old information, or when the new information disappears, the subcode information loading operation is ended, so that a large number of directory information are contiguous and mixed. Even if it is, it always tries to get the latest directory information.

[0014]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention
In the prior art disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication, since the old and new identification methods as described above are used, when a large number of directory information are saved (recorded) adjacent to each other, which is the new information is identified. You can judge the effectiveness. However, if the tape position changes significantly, for example, by mounting the cassette tape on another VTR that does not have the function of writing directory information such as TOC and playing it, or by mounting it on a tape rewinding dedicated machine, etc. However, unless all the directory information on the tape is reproduced and compared, which directory information is the latest and valid is unknown, so it takes a long time to make a correct determination. There is also a problem that old directory information may be mistakenly judged to be valid unless it is taken time to search.

[0015]

A tape-shaped recording medium recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention includes a memory for temporarily storing data relating to a main information signal recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape, and a cassette recording / reproducing apparatus. Transfer means for transferring the data recorded in the sub-code recording area of the recording medium to the memory at the time of loading, the correcting means for correcting the data stored in the memory, and the discharging of the cassette from the recording / reproducing apparatus,
Prior to the discharge operation, the read / write means for reading the latest data corrected by the correction means from the memory and recording the discharge data in the sub-code recording area, and the recording medium when the cassette is loaded into the recording / reproducing apparatus. A detection means for reading out the data recorded in the table to detect whether or not the discharge mark is included in the data; and when the discharge mark is detected, this data is stored in the memory and the discharge mark is also stored. And a means for invalidating the read data when the discharge point mark is not detected.
This is a solution to the above problem.

[0016]

EXAMPLE A recording / reproducing apparatus (VTR) for tape-shaped recording medium according to the present invention focuses on the fact that a tape cassette to be used is provided with a brake mechanism in order to prevent winding slack when not in use, As long as only the recording / reproducing apparatus realizing the idea of the present invention is used, the fact that the tape is stopped at the position where the latest directory information is recorded is used.

A specific embodiment of the device of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block system diagram of an apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 3 is an input / output interface, and 4 to 6 are audios.
A signal processing circuit for signals, video (video) signals and index signals, 7 a recording / reproducing circuit including an encoder and a decoder, 8 a system controller such as a microcomputer, 9 an operating system consisting of a plurality of operation keys, 11 a mechanical controller / Servo circuit (mechanical system drive, control circuit) 12 is a timer, 13
Is a tape counter, and 14 is a mechanical section (mechanical system). In addition, the tuner 2 via the input / output interface 3
(And the antenna A) and a display screen 20 such as a CRT are used to exchange signals.

The operation system 9 includes a power switch (P-ON, P-OFF
Key), record button, play button, fast forward button, rewind button, stop button, pause (pause) button, eject button (EJ key), and the like. Further, it is more convenient to provide a numeric keypad for inputting a title and the like, an alphabet key, a kana, a kanji conversion key and the like.

H ₁ is a recording / playback head for video, audio, and index signals, which, as is well known, comprises a pair of rotary heads mounted on the side of a rotary drum (not shown) in a point-symmetrical position. Become. In the case of a magnetic layer division method such as the HiFi-VHS method (registered trademark), the audio signal is not recorded by time division as described below or frequency division such as the β method (registered trademark). A pair of rotary heads are provided for audio and audio. Furthermore, depending on the model, 3
Another pair of rotary heads for video is provided for double mode, and the radius of the rotary drum is set to 2/3 of the standard size.
Each of the VTRs described above is provided with twice as many rotary heads, but in order to avoid complexity, it is represented by _one recording / reproducing head H _{1 as} shown in the figure.

The magnetic tape T is attached to this rotating drum.
In many cases, the video signal is wound more than 180 °, and the pair of recording / reproducing heads H ₁ continuously record and reproduce a video signal with almost no break. The audio signal is recorded as a time-axis-compressed digital signal in the recording area AUDIO. However, the audio signal is not limited to this and is recorded by frequency division multiplexing together with the video signal in the recording area VIDEO. Further, it is also possible to provide another rotary head and perform deep recording at the positions of the video track VIDEO and the audio track AUDIO. H ₂ is LTC
/ CTL head, which is generally composed of two fixed heads.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing in detail the specific configuration of the index section (index signal processing circuit) 6 together with the specific operation contents of the system controller 8. In the figure, 15 is an address counter and 16 is an index memory. is there. From the input terminal In2 is through the upper recording reproducing head H ₁ and the recording and reproducing circuit 7, past the index data recorded on the tape T is fed. The detailed operation of the index unit 6 and the system controller 8 will be described later.

The tape format (recording pattern of the magnetic tape T) has a video track area (VIDEO), an audio track area (AUDIO), as schematically shown in FIG.
Also, a large number of index track areas (INDEX) are formed at the time of recording (only one of them is shown), and both are formed by the recording / reproducing head H ₁ . It is assumed that both video and audio signals are digitally time-axis compressed and recorded, and as shown in the figure, a space area SE is formed between each area, so each video, audio, and index area is In addition, it is possible to post-record independently. The index data (directory information) is not recorded in the entire track area, but is partially recorded as shown in FIG. 7 in accordance with the operation described later.

Incidentally, the tape format is not limited to the contents shown in FIG. 3, but the same format as each of the above-mentioned conventional systems can be used as long as the index track area (INDEX) is formed independently. In that case, the upper edge of the magnetic tape T, is usually longitudinally analog audio signal is recorded in a fixed head (not shown), the address code (Longitude T to that part (or near) in LTC head H ₂
ime Code) is also recorded. Therefore, if the audio signal is recorded in an area other than the address track (LTC), the S / N of the address code is improved. A control track (CTL) is formed on the lower edge of the magnetic tape T by the CTL head H ₂ . In addition, in this part, the well-known VI
The SS and VASS signals may be multi-recorded by the CTL head H ₂ .
In this way, dedicated heads for LTC and CTL are used respectively, but as described above, in FIG. 1, both are collectively shown as one for convenience.

On the index track (INDEX),
For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a header part for synchronizing,
An eject point mark (ejection point mark recording) portion, a tape address portion indicating the absolute address (address code) of the tape T, a directory portion indicating the contents of recorded data, and other contents are recorded in the order shown. Further, in the directory portion, the program number, the recording date and time, and other contents are recorded in the order shown. In addition, the presence or absence of the eject point mark is actually 1
It is judged whether it is (Yes) or 0 (No).

As other specific contents recorded in the directory portion, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, TOC data such as Ch (channel) classification, start address, end address, recording mode, program title, etc. of
Contents; table of contents = index data or directory information). This title is manually input by pressing the alphabet key of the operation system 9. By providing the system controller 8 with a kana / kanji conversion function, a title can also be input and recorded using kana and kanji as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 1, the video signal and the audio signal supplied from the video / audio input terminal In1 and the tuner 2 through the input / output interface 3 are FM-recorded by the recording / reproducing circuit.
Predetermined signal processing such as modulation, A / D conversion, and coding is performed, and the recording / reproducing head H ₁ records the tape T in time series in a pattern as shown in FIG. that time,
The operation of the entire device 1 is controlled by the mechanical controller / servo circuit 11 via the system controller 8.

On the other hand, the address track (LT
On the control track (C) and the control track (CTL), a predetermined signal (absolute address or the like) is recorded by the head H ₂ simultaneously with the video signal and the audio signal. At this time,
Since the count signal from the tape counter 13 is supplied to the servo circuit 11, the absolute position (address) of the tape T during tape running is always known.

Here, the specific usage of the device 1 of the present invention,
The operation will be described with reference to the block diagrams of FIGS. 1 and 2 and the flowchart of FIG. Note that when an unrecorded video tape T is used for the first time,
In the case of continuous recording as in (B), since it is the same as the conventional device, an already recorded tape is used. Further, as described above, the tape cassette to be used is provided with the brake mechanism for preventing winding slack, so that not only the tape loaded in the device but also the tape ejected from the device can be wound. An index portion is formed (a portion where the tape is attached to the recording / reproducing head H ₁ ) when the tape is mounted (the directory information is recorded). Further, when the power of the device 1 is off, when the user inserts the tape cassette from the predetermined insertion port, the power switch of the device 1 main body is automatically closed (ON).

First, when the tape T to be used is mounted on the apparatus 1 (steps 1 and 2), the system controller 8, the mechanical controller / servo circuit 11, the mechanical section 14 and the like automatically work,
As in the conventional device, the directory information saved in the index portion (INDEX) of the tape T is read. Alternatively, the system controller 8 first automatically detects whether or not the eject point mark (ejection point mark) is present in the eject point mark section in the index section (step 3), and if there is, the index point (INDEX) is detected. The recorded TOC data (index data) shown in FIG. 5 is read (step 4), displayed on the screen 20 such as a CRT, stored in the index memory (directory RAM) 16 shown in FIG. Only the data is erased by software (step 5), the tape T is rewound by the required amount, and the TOC data without the ejection point mark is recorded in the same index part (INDEX) as the reproduced part.

Next, when the user makes a request for displaying a table of contents by pressing a table of contents display request button (not shown) in the operation system 9, the system controller 8 detects it and detects the index memory. The 16 TOCs are displayed on the screen 20 as shown in FIG. 5 (steps 6 and 7). In addition, when the user tries to select a desired title from a plurality of titles displayed on the screen 20 and requests a cue for the desired title by pressing a predetermined button in the operation system 9, The system controller 8 calculates the current tape position and the beginning tape position of the title that has been designated, and based on the calculation result, the mechanical unit 1 via the mechanical controller / servo circuit 11.
4 is operated to fast forward or rewind the tape T (steps 8 and 9).

Then, when each mode key such as a play button (not shown) is pressed (step 10), the mode is shifted to the designated mode (step 11). Various operations such as recording and reproducing are the same as those of the conventional device. That is, when you want to record a normal TV program, connect the circuit to the tuner 2 side of FIG.
If you want to record from a video disc or other prerecorded videotape, connect it to the video / audio input terminal In1.
Further, fast-forwarding (+ reproduction), rewinding (+ reproduction), still reproduction and the like can be performed in the same manner as in the conventional apparatus, and they can be easily performed by the key operation on the operation system 9.

When recording a new tape or an already recorded tape of the tape T from the middle (may include an unrecorded portion), in addition to a normal video signal, the address track LTC
The absolute address is recorded on the tape, and when it is recorded up to the end of the tape, it automatically rewinds and stops (step 14 above). When new recording is performed or TOC is added or corrected, the TOC data in the index memory 16 is corrected and the latest TOC data is always stored in the index memory 16 (step 14). When recording from the middle of an already recorded tape, there is no problem because the number of addresses is recorded following the absolute address read by the operation of step 4, but when recording on an unrecorded part of the tape. If you do not continue recording at the already recorded location, the absolute addresses will not be continuous.

When the user operates the stop button (STOP key) for the reason such as the recording of the desired program is completed, the TOC
The data is updated and the latest TOC data including the discharge point mark (eject point mark) is written in the index memory 16 (at the time of STOP in step 12). When the reproduction is stopped, the TOC data is naturally not updated, and the discharge point mark is added with the same content {written in the eject point mark portion in the index memory 16}.

Next, the eject button or power switch (PO
When the FF key) is operated (step 12), the latest TOC including the above ejection point mark in the index memory 16 at that position is preceded by the ejection operation of the tape T or the power-off operation.
Data (see FIG. 4) is recorded on the tape T by the recording / reproducing head H _1.
It is recorded on the upper index track INDEX (step 12). After that, the cassette tape T is ejected from the main body of the apparatus 1 or the power is turned off while the cassette tape T is loaded in the apparatus. Note that "LDG" and "ULD" in step 12
G ″ means loading and unloading of the tape T, respectively.

Thus, when the cassette is discharged or the power is turned off
Prior to this, the latest TOC data including the discharge point mark is recorded in the index track INDEX, and the presence or absence of the discharge point mark is detected when the cassette is installed (when the cassette is loaded and the power is turned on). If there is, the TOC data is judged to be the TOC data at the time of the previous cassette ejection, the TOC data is transferred to the index memory 16 of FIG. 2, and the TOC data is automatically reproduced and displayed (step 14). ), The discharge point mark is erased from the TOC data. if,
When it is determined that there is no discharge point mark when the cassette is mounted, it is determined that the tape position has changed due to the following reasons, and the TOC data acquisition is stopped. This makes it possible to immediately determine whether or not the TOC data is valid when the cassette is loaded, and even if the tape position changes for some reason, it can be recognized and appropriate measures can be taken.

By using a VTR or a rewinding machine other than the device of the present invention, if the TOC data (directory information) does not have a discharge point mark, neither reading nor displaying is performed. If it is not stored in the index memory 16, the directory information may be displayed on the CRT 20 including a comment that there is no discharge point mark. In that case, the information content is not updated, and the tape T is not saved thereafter.

Although the index track INDEX is recorded and reproduced by the recording / reproducing head H ₁ in the above description, the present invention is not limited to this, and another rotating head may be provided for recording and reproducing. good. In that case, in addition to time-sequentially recording on the part of the tape T shown in FIG.
Video track VIDEO and / or audio track AU
It is also possible to perform surface recording at the DIO position. Alternatively, in addition to the head H ₂ , a fixed head may be provided and, for example, a track may be formed adjacent to the control track CTL to perform recording, and any means may be used as long as it is dubbable.

Further, the tape T has a function of recording an absolute address (address code) at the upper edge, for example, but the control signal recorded in the control track CTL is counted, and the counted number or based on this is counted. The technical idea of the present invention can be applied to an apparatus having no LTC head H ₂ if the numerical value is displayed instead of the address code.

[0039]

Since the recording / reproducing apparatus for a tape-shaped recording medium of the present invention is constructed as described above, whether or not the directory information (TOC data) is valid can be surely judged immediately when the cassette is mounted, and for some reason. When the tape position changes, it has an excellent feature that it can be recognized and appropriate action such as canceling TOC data can be taken.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing a main part of an embodiment of a recording / reproducing apparatus for a tape-shaped recording medium of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a specific block diagram of an index unit and a system controller of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a tape recording pattern created by the device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of an index area formed by an index portion.

FIG. 5 is a detailed diagram showing a specific example of a directory section in the index area.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining specifications recorded and saved on a tape by a conventional device.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 recording / reproducing apparatus 3 input / output interface 4 audio signal processing circuit 5 video signal processing circuit 6 index signal processing circuit 7 recording / reproducing circuit 8 system controller 9 operation system consisting of a plurality of operation keys 11 mechanical controller / servo circuit 12 timer 13 tape counter 14 Mechanical part 15 Address counter 16 Index memory 20 Display screen H ₁ Recording / playback head H ₂ LTC / CTL head T Magnetic tape

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Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A function of recording a main information signal such as video and audio or reproducing a recorded signal on a tape-shaped recording medium housed in a cassette, and a subcode such as TOC data which can be post-recorded. In a recording / reproducing apparatus having a reproducing function, a memory for temporarily storing data relating to a main information signal recorded in the recording medium, and a subcode recording area of the recording medium when the cassette is loaded in the recording / reproducing apparatus A transfer means for transferring the data recorded in the memory to the memory, a correction means for correcting the data stored in the memory, and a correcting means for discharging the cassette from the recording / reproducing apparatus prior to the discharging operation. Read-out recording means for reading out the latest data corrected by the above from the memory and recording it in the sub-code recording area including the discharge point mark; A detection unit that reads out the data recorded on the recording medium at the time of loading in the reproducing apparatus and detects whether or not the data includes a discharge point mark, and the data when the discharge point mark is detected. And a means for erasing the discharge point mark and invalidating the read data when the discharge point mark is not detected. .