JPH08147947A - Recording medium reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To make the assigument of media to be discharged unnecessary and to save the time for exchange by automatically discharging the media with priority information at the time of exchanging the housed recording media. CONSTITUTION: An MD 11 of a low reproduction frequency or old reproducing time and the low priority is discharged from a discharge port when an automatic exchange mode is set by operating a mode changeover switch 26 and an exchange switch 25 is operated. The desired MD 11 is thereafter housed into the empty part of a magazine 12 and the MD exchange operation ends when the desired MD 11 is inserted from a discharge port. One time is added to the number of reproduction times stored corresponding to the MD number of the MD 11 when the reproduction of the arbitrary MD 11 is completed at the time of setting a reproduction frequency as the priority information. This time is determined as the priority information at the time of discharging. The reproduction time of the MD number is updated to the reproduction completion time and is determined as the priority when the reproduction of the MD 11 is completed at the time of setting the reproduction time as the priority information. All these processings are executed by a system controller 27.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a reproducing apparatus for selecting a desired recording medium from a plurality of recording media and reproducing a signal recorded on the recording medium. The present invention relates to a recording medium reproducing apparatus that realizes suitable operability when replacing recording media.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a recording medium reproducing apparatus having an automatic changer function for accommodating a plurality of recording mediums in which signals are recorded and capable of selecting and reproducing a desired recording medium has been widely used. In such a recording medium reproducing apparatus, when a recording medium desired to be reproduced is selected by a switch operation, the recording medium selected from the magazine storing a plurality of recording media is automatically mounted at the reading position. And
The recording medium mounted at the reading position, for example, a signal recorded on the recording medium is read by an optical pickup,
After various processes such as demodulation are performed, the D / A converter (Digita
l To Analog Converter) converts a digital signal into an analog signal, and then the signal is amplified by an amplifier and reproduced as sound from a speaker.

[0003]

However, in such a recording medium reproducing apparatus, when a new recording medium is added in a state where the magazine has a sufficient number of recording mediums stored therein, it is currently stored. One of the existing recording media is taken out, and a new recording medium is inserted in the empty space. At this time, it is necessary to examine which recording medium is to be taken out by examining one title, one title, and the like, which takes time and labor, and is very troublesome.

The present invention solves such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to easily replace a recording medium.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention achieves the above object, and is a recording medium reproducing method for accommodating a plurality of recording media on which signals are recorded, and selecting and reproducing the desired recording medium. The apparatus is characterized by comprising storage means for storing priority order information and discharge means for discharging the recording medium from the storage section according to the priority order information stored by the storage means.

Further, the priority information is the number of times of reproduction of each recording medium. Further, the priority information is the latest reproduction time (day and time) of each recording medium. Further, an operation selection switch for selecting whether or not the ejecting operation of the recording medium according to the priority information by the ejecting unit is performed is provided.

[0007]

According to the present invention, the recording medium accommodated in the accommodation section is ejected by the ejecting unit according to the priority information stored by the storage unit. Further, since the number of times of reproduction of the recording medium is used as the priority order information, the recording medium having the smaller number of times of reproduction is preferentially ejected.

Further, since the latest reproduction time of the recording medium is used as the priority information, the recording medium which has not been reproduced for a long time is preferentially ejected. Further, since it is possible to select whether or not to eject the recording medium according to the priority order information by the operation selection switch, it is possible to select the method of directly instructing the recording medium to be ejected by the user.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a recording medium reproducing apparatus having an autochanger function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
This is an example of using an MD (mini disk), which is a type of optical disk, as a recording medium.

As shown in the figure, 11 is a plurality of MDs (minidiscs) on which music signals and the like are recorded, and 12 is a plurality of MDs 1.
1 is a magazine for storing 1; 13 is an MD changer mechanism unit for inserting / removing the MD 11 stored in the magazine 12 to reproduce the MD 11 stored in the magazine 12; It is an outlet. Reference numeral 15 is a spindle motor that rotationally drives the MD 11 set at the reading position by the MD changer mechanism unit 13, and 16 is an optical system that reads the signal of the MD 11 rotated by the spindle motor 15. Reference numeral 17 is a demodulation unit for demodulating the compressed and modulated MD11 signal, and 18 is a DRAM (Dynamic Randum Accor) for storing the signal read and demodulated by the optical system 16.
ess Memory) and the like. Reference numeral 19 is a decompression unit that decompresses the compressed and stored MD11 signal, 20 is a D / A converter that converts a digital signal into an analog signal, and 21 is an amplifier that amplifies the analog signal output from the D / A converter 20. An amplifier 22 is a speaker that converts the signal amplified by the amplifier 21 into sound and outputs the sound.

Reference numeral 23 is an operation unit provided with various operation switches, 24 is a reproduction switch for instructing reproduction of a desired MD 11, 25 is an exchange switch for instructing exchange of MD 11, 2
6 does MD11 automatic exchange or manual exchange (M to eject
This is a mode changeover switch for selecting whether or not to directly instruct D to replace it. Reference numeral 27 is a system controller composed of a microcomputer or the like for controlling reproduction, replacement, etc. of the MD 11 based on an instruction from the operation switch of the operation unit 23.

In the MD changer reproducing apparatus having such a structure, the MD 11 desired to be reproduced can be selected from the plurality of MDs 11 housed in the magazine 12 by operating the reproduction instruction switch 24 and controlling the system controller 27. . The selected MD 11 is set to the reading position by the MD changer mechanism section 13 and can be reproduced. At the time of this reproduction, the MD number (the storage position in the magazine 12), the number of times of reproduction, or the reproduction time is stored in the memory 18.

When the MD 11 stored in the MD changer reproducing device is to be replaced, the mode changeover switch 26 is operated to enter the manual replacement mode, and then the replacement switch 25 is operated and the MD number is designated. Then, the MD 11 having the designated number is ejected from the insertion / ejection opening 14.
After operating the mode changeover switch 26 to set the automatic exchange mode, the exchange switch 25 is operated. Then
The MD 11 having a low reproduction frequency (or an old reproduction time) is ejected. After that, if the desired MD 11 is inserted from the insertion / ejection port 14, this new M is inserted in the empty portion of the magazine 12.
D11 is stored.

Next, the operation of the microcomputer (system controller 27) of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the system controller 27 according to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the MD exchange operation in the MD reproduction device starts this process when the exchange switch 25 is operated, and proceeds to step S1. In step S1, it is determined whether or not it is the automatic exchange mode. If it is the automatic exchange mode, the process proceeds to step S2, and if it is not the automatic exchange mode, the process proceeds to step S3. This exchange mode can be determined based on the operation status of the mode changeover switch 26. In step S2, the MD 11 having the lowest priority (the lower the priority, the easier the ejection) is ejected, and the process proceeds to step S4. Note that the priority includes the number of times of reproduction (the number of times of reproduction from the latest to a predetermined number of times in the past) and the reproduction time of the most recently reproduced. In the case of the reproduction time, the one with the older reproduction time has a lower priority. Step S4
Then, the MD 11 newly inserted from the insertion / ejection port 14 is stored in the empty portion of the magazine 12, and the process proceeds to step S5.
That is, when the MD 11 to be newly inserted is inserted from the insertion / ejection port 14, the new MD 11 is inserted in the empty position of the magazine 12.
Is stored, and the MD exchange operation is completed.

In step S5, an initial process (initial process of priority order information: process contents vary depending on the type of priority order information) is completed. For example, processing such as erasing the number of times of reproduction or the entire reproduction time is performed. Further, in this initial process, for example, in the number of reproductions, the latest reproduction information may be slightly different (for example, in the past 10 times).
There is also a method in which the reproduction time is set to the insertion time of the MD 11 that is newly replaced without being erased at the reproduction time.

If it is determined in step S1 that the automatic exchange mode is not in effect, the process proceeds to step S3, the MD 11 having the MD number designated by the user is ejected, and the process proceeds to step S4. That is, in step S3, the MD replacement is not automatically replaced, and the MD 11 directly specified by the user is ejected. Next, a method of storing the priority order information according to this embodiment will be described. FIG.
6 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the system controller 27 when the number of times of reproduction is used as priority order information. As shown in the figure, when the reproduction of an arbitrary MD 11 housed in the magazine 12 is completed, the process is started and the process proceeds to step S8 to reproduce the MD number (n) of the MD 11.
Is added to the number of times of reproduction (An) stored corresponding to
n + 1). Then, this number of times of reproduction is used as priority order information when the MD 11 is automatically ejected.

As described above, in this example, the number of times of reproduction stored in correspondence with the MD number of the reproduced MD11 is updated every time the reproduction of the MD11 is performed, and the number of times of reproduction is minimized in the automatic exchange with the new MD11. MD11 (frequently) is automatically ejected. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the system controller 27 when the reproduction time is used as the priority order information. As illustrated, when the reproduction of an arbitrary MD 11 is completed, the process proceeds to step S9, and the reproduction time (Tn) stored corresponding to the MD number of the reproduced MD 11 is updated to the current time (reproduction completion time). Then, this reproduction time is used as priority information when the MD 11 is automatically ejected.

As described above, in this example, the reproduction time stored in association with the MD number of the reproduced MD11 is updated every time the MD11 is reproduced, and the reproduction time becomes the oldest in the automatic exchange with the new MD11 ( Not used for a long time) M
D11 is automatically ejected. As described above, in the present embodiment, the user wants to discharge M according to the priority information.
Since D11 is estimated and automatically discharged, M
The replacement work of D11 becomes easy.

In the present embodiment, M, which has the lowest priority,
Although one D11 is used, it is also possible to automatically discharge the upper designated number of sheets in the priority order by designating the number of ejected sheets.

[0020]

As described above, according to the present invention, when a recording medium stored in the storage portion is exchanged, the recording medium is ejected in accordance with the priority order information. Since it is not necessary to consider whether or not to eject the recording medium and it is not necessary to specify the recording medium to be ejected, it is possible to easily replace the recording medium, saving time and labor.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a recording medium reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the system controller 27 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the system controller 27 when the number of times of reproduction according to the present embodiment is used as priority order information.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the system controller 27 when the reproduction time according to the present embodiment is used as priority order information.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 ... MD (mini disc) 12 ... Magazine 13 ... MD changer mechanism section 14 ... Insert / eject port 15 ... Spindle motor 16 ... Optical system 17 ... Demodulation section 18 ...・ Memory 19 ・ ・ ・ Extension section 20 ・ ・ ・ D / A converter 21 ・ ・ ・ Amplifier 22 ・ ・ ・ Speaker 23 ・ ・ ・ Operating section 24 ・ ・ ・ Playback switch 25 ・ ・ ・ Replacement switch 26 ・ ・ ・ Automatic Exchange switch 27 ... System controller

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A recording medium reproducing apparatus for accommodating a plurality of recording media on which signals are recorded, and selecting and reproducing the desired recording medium, a storage unit for storing priority information, and the storage unit. A recording medium reproducing apparatus, comprising: a discharging unit configured to discharge the recording medium from the storage unit according to the priority order information stored by the storing unit. 2. The recording medium reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the priority information is the number of times of reproduction of each recording medium. 3. The recording medium reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the priority information is the latest reproduction time of each recording medium. 4. The recording medium reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operation selection switch for selecting whether or not to perform an ejecting operation of the recording medium according to the priority information by the ejecting unit. .