JPH0950364A - Voice-starting recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a voice-starting recording device which can surely and easily sets both voice-start level or recording standby level. SOLUTION: The recording device is provided with a voice-starting recording mode setting means (VCVA), a voice level detection means (digital signal processing part 5) which detects the input voice levels, a voice-starting sensitivity setting operation means (SET), a recording standby sensitivity setting operation means (STANDBY), a threshold setting means (system control part 6) which sets the threshold based on the voice level that is set at a time point when a voice-starting sensitivity setting operation or a recording standby sensitivity setting operation is carried out, a comparison means (system control part 6) which compares the set threshold with the level of a voice that is inputted later, and a judging means (system control part 6) which judges the recording start or wait based on the output of the comparison means.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a voice-activated recording device, and more particularly, to a voice-activated recording device that automatically starts or stops recording with a predetermined voice.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a voice recording apparatus, for example, a tape recorder for recording a conference, there is known a technical means for automatically starting recording in response to a voice and stopping the recording after a predetermined time when the voice is interrupted. There is. When the voice recording device inputs a voice with a predetermined activation level that can be adjusted by the user in the recording standby state, that is, when it determines that the voice is present, recording is started, and the input voice has a predetermined level. When it becomes the following, that is, when it is determined that there is no sound, the recording is stopped after a predetermined time, for example, 3 to 4 seconds.

Further, in the audio recording apparatus having such a function, the setting of the recording start / stop level is fixed in advance by the apparatus itself, or the user operates the volume or the sensitivity changeover switch in advance. I had to set it to the desired startup level.

[0004]

However, with such activation level setting means, it is difficult to catch the constantly changing input voice and set it to an appropriate level, and moreover, it is possible to perform an appropriate activation while performing trial recording in advance. There was a problem that I had to find a level.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a voice activated recording apparatus capable of reliably and easily setting a voice activated level or a recording standby level.

[0006]

To achieve the above object, a first voice activated recording apparatus of the present invention comprises a voice activated recording mode setting means and a voice level detecting means for detecting a level of an inputted voice. And voice activation sensitivity setting operation means,
From the threshold setting means for setting the threshold value based on the voice level at the time when the voice activation sensitivity setting operation is performed, the comparing means for comparing the set threshold value with the voice level of the voice input thereafter, and the comparing means. Determination means for determining the start or standby of recording based on the output of the.

In order to achieve the above object, a second aspect of the present invention
The voice-activated recording device is a voice-activated recording mode setting means, a voice level detecting means for detecting the level of an input voice, a recording standby sensitivity setting operation means, and a voice level at the time of the recording standby sensitivity setting operation. Threshold value setting means for setting a threshold value based on the above, a comparing means for comparing the set threshold value with the voice level of the voice inputted thereafter, and judging the start or standby of recording based on the output from this comparing means. And a determination means for performing the determination.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, a third aspect of the present invention is provided.
Of the voice-activated recording device, a voice-activated recording mode setting means, a voice level detection means for detecting the level of an input voice, a voice activation sensitivity setting operation means, a recording standby sensitivity setting operation means, and a voice activation sensitivity setting. Threshold setting means for setting a threshold value based on the audio level at the time of operation or recording standby sensitivity setting operation, and comparison means for comparing the set threshold value with the audio level of audio input thereafter. And a determination means for determining the start or standby of recording based on the output from this comparison means.

According to the first voice activated recording apparatus of the present invention, the threshold is set by the threshold setting means based on the voice level at the time when the voice activated sensitivity setting operation is performed, and the set threshold and the voice inputted thereafter. And the sound level of are compared by a comparison means. Then, based on the output from the comparison means, the determination means determines whether to start or wait for recording.

The second voice activated recording apparatus of the present invention sets the threshold value by the threshold value setting means based on the voice level at the time when the recording standby sensitivity setting operation is performed, and the set threshold value and the voice inputted thereafter. And the sound level of are compared by a comparison means. Then, based on the output from the comparison means, the determination means determines whether to start or wait for recording.

The third voice activated recording apparatus of the present invention sets and sets the threshold value by the threshold value setting means based on the voice level at the time when the voice activation sensitivity setting operation is performed or the time when the recording standby sensitivity setting operation is performed. The comparing means compares the threshold thus generated with the voice level of the voice inputted thereafter. Based on the output from the comparison means, the start or standby of recording is determined by the determination means.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram showing the configuration of a voice activated recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the voice activated recording apparatus according to the present embodiment has a microphone 1 for converting voice into an electric signal.
The audio output from the microphone 1 is amplified by the connected microphone amplifier (AMP) 2. The output of the microphone amplifier 2 is input to the A / D converter 4 via the low pass filter (LPF) 3, and the analog audio signal amplified by the microphone amplifier 2 is anti-filtered by the low pass filter 3. An unnecessary frequency band is cut in order to prevent the occurrence of aliasing noise, and is input to the A / D converter 4.

The audio signal, which is an analog signal in the A / D converter 4, is converted into a digital signal and then input to a digital signal processing unit (DSP) 5. The digital signal processing unit 5 is controlled by a system control unit (CPU) 6 to be described later to perform compression conversion (encoding) of audio signal data converted into a digital signal based on a predetermined format, and the compression. A process for decompressing (decoding) the extracted data is performed.

The audio signal data compressed by the digital signal processing section 5 is controlled by the system control section 6 and input to the system control section 6. on the other hand,
The audio signal data that has been subjected to a predetermined process in the system control unit 6 is expanded in the digital signal processing unit 5 and input to the D / A converter 8. The details of the configuration and operation of the system control unit 6 will be described later.

Further, the microphone 1, the microphone amplifier 2, the low-pass filter 3, the A / D converter 4, and the digital signal processing section 5 constitute a sound level detecting means.

The voice signal converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 8 is passed through a low-pass filter (not shown) that cuts unnecessary frequency bands to reduce quantization noise.
The audio signal is amplified and input to a power amplifier (AMP) 9 that drives a speaker. The sound signal amplified by the power amplifier 9 is converted into a sound and is emitted from the speaker 10 which emits sound.

The system control unit 6 is composed of a microprocessor (CPU) and serves as a control unit for controlling the operation of each unit of the voice activated recording apparatus, and also as a threshold value setting unit, a comparison unit, and a determination unit. The digital signal processing section 5 performs various processing operations on the audio signal data compressed and converted (encoded).

The system control section 6 is connected to the digital signal processing section 5 and a recording medium (memory) 7 as a data storage means. Also,
An operation input unit 14 for instructing an operation mode of the voice activated recording device is connected to the system control unit 6, and
A display device 12 for displaying an operation mode, recording time, etc. is connected via a drive circuit 11. Further, the system control unit 6 includes a power supply control unit 13 that supplies power to each circuit.
Is connected and is in control of this.

The operation section input section 14 includes various operation buttons and switches, that is, a recording button REC which is a recording mode setting operation means, a play button PLAY, a stop button STOP which is a stop mode setting operation means, a fast forward button FF,
Return button REW, button SET which is a voice activation sensitivity setting operation means, button S which is a recording standby sensitivity setting operation means
It is composed of TANDBY (STNDBY) and a switch VCVA which is a voice activation recording mode setting means.

The voice activation sensitivity setting button SET
The recording standby sensitivity setting button STNDBY is not always the button actually provided on the device, but the above-described recording button REC, play button PLAY, stop button STOP, fast forward button FF, return button REW, voice activated recording mode setting. It is also possible to use it as a switch VCVA or the like, or to substitute by simultaneously pressing a plurality of buttons.

The recording medium 7 is composed of, for example, a RAM, and when the voice activation sensitivity setting operation or the recording standby sensitivity setting operation is performed, the voice level at that time is recorded under the control of the system controller 6. It is supposed to do. Further, the system control unit 6 reads the data recorded on the recording medium 7 and supplies it to the digital signal processing unit 5.

Next, the operation of the voice activated recording device having such a configuration will be described in detail.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the basic operation of the voice activated recording apparatus of the above embodiment.

First, when the power supply control unit 13 supplies the system control unit 6, the external conditions of the system control unit 6 and the internal storage unit are initialized and displayed on the display 12 (step S1). After completing the initial setting, each circuit is placed in a standby state while detecting whether any of the operation buttons of the voice activated recording device has been pressed (step S
2).

In step S2, when it is detected that any operation button has been pressed, it is detected whether the operation button is the record button REC (step S3), and if the record button REC is pressed, the digital button REC is pressed. The signal processing unit 5 is controlled to compress the audio information input from the A / D converter 4, and the recording process of recording on the recording medium 7 is started (step S4).

On the other hand, if the operated button is not the record button REC, then the reproduction button PLAY is detected (step S5). If the play button PLAY is pressed here, the recorded data is read from the recording medium 7 and sent to the digital signal processing unit 5 to perform decompression processing.
A reproduction process for transmitting audio information to the D / A converter 8 is started (step S6).

When the play button PLAY is not pressed, whether the fast forward button FF is pressed or not is detected (step S7). If the fast-forward button FF is pressed here, a fast-forward process is performed in which the operation position is sequentially fast-forwarded at an appropriate speed, for example, 20 times the speed during reproduction (step S8).

If the fast-forward button FF is not pressed, it is detected whether the return button REW is pressed or not (step S9). Here return button REW
If is pressed, a return process for moving the operating position in the opposite direction to the case of the fast-forwarding described above is started (step S10).

If the return button REW has not been pressed, the process returns to step S2.

It should be noted that, when the stop button STOP is pressed, the processes of steps S3 to S10 are exited and the process returns to step S2.

Next, the recording processing subroutine in step S4 will be described in more detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When it is detected that the recording button REC has been pressed, the process proceeds to the recording processing subroutine, and the condition of the VCVA switch at that time is detected (step S2).
1). When the VCVA switch is off,
The digital signal processing unit 5 is controlled to compress the audio information input from the A / D converter 4, and the recording operation process for recording on the recording medium 7 is started (steps S22 and S23).

On the other hand, in step S21, the VCV
If the A switch is on, it is detected whether or not the voice activation sensitivity setting button SET is pressed (step S2).
4) If the SET button is pressed, the energy level of the voice detected by the digital signal processing unit 5 is read (step S25), and that level or a level slightly lower than that level is set as the first threshold TH1. Yes (step S26). At the same time, the digital signal processing unit 5 is controlled to compress the audio information input from the A / D converter 4, and the recording operation process for recording on the recording medium 7 is started (steps S22 and S23).

In the step S24, the SET
If the button is not pressed, it is detected whether the recording standby sensitivity setting button STANDBY is pressed (step S27). If the STANDBY button is pressed, the sound detected by the digital signal processing unit 5 is detected. The energy level is read (step S28), and that level or a level slightly higher than that level is set as the second threshold TH2 (step S29). At the same time, pause recording the compressed audio data on the recording medium 7,
Recording standby processing starts (steps S30 and S31).

In step S27, the STA
If the NDBY button is not pressed, the energy level EL of the current voice detected by the digital signal processing unit 5 is read (step S32), the EL is compared with the threshold value TH1 or TH2, and the recording process is performed. Whether to enter or to enter the recording standby state is determined (step S33).
~ S35).

As described above, in the present embodiment, the threshold value for determining the start of recording and the threshold value for determining the standby for recording can be arbitrarily set independently of each other. At this time, the threshold value for determining the start of recording and the threshold value for determining the standby for recording may be different values or may be the same value.

As described above, the SET button and S
The two thresholds were set independently with the TANDBY button, but the threshold for determining the start of recording and the threshold for determining the standby for recording are the same with one operation of any button or other buttons. May be set as a threshold value.

Further, similarly, a predetermined reference value may be set by one operation, and a threshold value for determining the start of recording and a threshold value for determining the standby for recording may be set based on the reference value.

During the recording process, the digital signal processing unit 5 simultaneously detects the voice energy level and the encoding process as shown in FIG. That is, first, the audio data input from the A / D conversion circuit 4 is decomposed into frame units (data sampled at 20 ms is defined as one frame) (step S41). Next, pre-emphasis and a Hamming windowing process are performed on the audio data for each frame (step S42). Then, a voice encoding process is performed (step S43). By this processing, the sound energy is obtained for each frame or for each preset plurality of frames (step S44). Then, this energy value is transferred to the system control unit 6 (step S4
5) Get out of this process.

As described above in detail, according to the voice activated recording apparatus of the above embodiment, the voice level at the time when the voice activated sensitivity setting button SET or the recording standby sensitivity setting button STANBY is pressed in the voice activated recording mode. It is possible to set the voice activation level or the recording standby level reliably and easily without the need for trial recording in advance, because the threshold value that is the reference for determining the start or standby of the recording operation can be set based on become able to.

In the above embodiment, setting of the threshold and
Although the comparison between the threshold value and the current voice energy level is performed by the system control unit 6, it may be performed by the digital signal processing unit 5.

Further, in the above embodiment, the threshold value and the like described above cannot be set unless the voice activated recording mode is set.
The setting is made only when the VCVA switch is turned on in No. 21, but even if the voice activated recording mode is not set, for example, a dedicated button or switch, or the recording button REC, the stop button The threshold value or the like may be set in advance by operating STOP or the like. Accordingly, when the voice activated recording mode is set, it is possible to control the activation and standby of the device based on the preset threshold value.

[Additional Remarks] According to the embodiment of the present invention described in detail above, the following configurations can be obtained. That is, (1) voice-activated recording mode setting means, voice level detection means for detecting the level of an input voice, voice activation sensitivity setting operation means, and voice level at the time of voice activation sensitivity setting operation. Threshold value setting means for setting a threshold value, a comparing means for comparing the set threshold value with the voice level of the voice inputted thereafter, and a judgment for judging the start or standby of recording based on the output from the comparing means. And a voice-activated recording device.

(2) Voice-activated recording mode setting means,
The audio level detection means for detecting the level of the input voice, the recording standby sensitivity setting operation means, the threshold setting means for setting the threshold value based on the audio level at the time of the recording standby sensitivity setting operation, and the set A voice activation characterized by comprising a comparing means for comparing a threshold and a voice level of a voice inputted thereafter, and a judging means for judging start or standby of recording based on an output from the comparing means. Recording device.

(3) Voice-activated recording mode setting means,
Voice level detection means for detecting the level of the input voice, voice activation sensitivity setting operation means, recording standby sensitivity setting operation means, when voice activation sensitivity setting operation is performed or when recording standby sensitivity setting operation is performed Threshold value setting means for setting a threshold value based on the voice level of the, the comparing means for comparing the set threshold value and the voice level of the voice input thereafter, and the start of recording based on the output from the comparing means or A voice-activated recording device comprising: a determination unit for determining a standby state.

(4) The voice activated recording device according to (3), wherein the threshold value for determining the start of recording and the threshold value for determining the standby for recording are different.

(5) The voice activated recording device according to (3), wherein the threshold value for determining the start of recording and the threshold value for determining the standby for recording are the same.

(6) The voice-activated recording device according to (1) or (3), wherein the voice activation sensitivity is set by the recording mode setting operation means.

(7) The voice activated recording device according to (2) or (3), wherein the recording standby sensitivity is set by the stop mode setting operation means.

(8) A voice activated recording device characterized in that the start or standby timing of the recording operation in the voice activated recording mode is judged based on the voice level at the time when the sensitivity setting operation means is operated.

(9) Voice-activated recording mode setting means,
The audio level detection means for detecting the level of the input audio, the sensitivity setting operation means, the threshold setting means for setting the threshold value based on the audio level at the time of the operation of the sensitivity setting operation means, and A voice activation characterized by comprising a comparing means for comparing a threshold and a voice level of a voice inputted thereafter, and a judging means for judging start or standby of recording based on an output from the comparing means. Recording device.

According to the voice activated recording apparatus described in (1) above, in the voice activated recording mode, the start of the recording operation is determined based on the voice level at the time when the voice activated sensitivity setting button is pressed. Since the reference threshold value can be set, it is possible to set the voice activation level reliably and easily without the need for trial recording in advance.

According to the voice activated recording apparatus described in (2) above, in the voice activated recording mode, the standby for the recording operation is determined based on the voice level at the time when the recording standby sensitivity setting button is pressed. Since the threshold value that serves as a reference can be set, it is possible to set the recording standby level reliably and easily without the need for trial recording in advance.

According to the voice activated recording device described in (3) above, in the voice activated recording mode, the recording operation is performed based on the voice level at the time when the voice activation sensitivity setting button or the recording standby sensitivity setting button is pressed. Since the threshold value that serves as a reference for determining the start or the standby can be set, it is possible to set the voice activation level or the recording standby level reliably and easily without the need for trial recording in advance.

According to the voice activated recording device described in (4) above, the threshold value for starting or waiting the recording operation can be arbitrarily set, so that the voice activation level or the recording standby level can be set more reliably and easily. You can

According to the voice-activated recording device described in (5) above, the voice activation level and the recording standby level can be more easily set by setting the threshold values for the start and the standby of the recording operation to be the same in one operation. Can be set.

According to the voice activated recording apparatus described in (6) and (7) above, the threshold value for starting or waiting for recording operation can be set in advance by using the existing operation buttons, so that the configuration is simpler and more reliable. In addition, the voice activation level or the recording standby level can be easily set.

According to the voice activated recording device described in the above (8), it is possible to set the recording standby level reliably and easily without the need for advance trial recording.

According to the voice activated recording apparatus described in (9) above, in the voice activated recording mode, the start or the standby of the recording operation is determined based on the voice level at the time when the sensitivity setting button is pressed. Since the reference threshold value can be set, it is possible to set the voice activation level or the recording standby level reliably and easily without the need for trial recording in advance.

[0062]

As described above, according to the voice activated recording device of the first aspect, the voice activated level can be set reliably and easily.

According to the voice activated recording apparatus of the second aspect, the recording standby level can be set reliably and easily.

Further, according to the voice activated recording device of the third aspect, the voice activated level or the recording standby level can be set reliably and easily.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram showing a configuration of a voice activated recording device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a basic operation of the voice activated recording device of the above embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a recording process in the voice activated recording device of the above embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of a digital signal processing unit during a recording process in the voice activated recording device of the above embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Microphone 2 ... Microphone amplifier 3 ... Low-pass filter 4 ... A / D converter 5 ... Digital signal processing unit 6 ... System control unit 7 ... Recording medium 8 ... D / A converter 9 ... Power amplifier 10 ... Speaker 14 ... Operation Input section REC ... Record button STOP ... Stop button VCVA ... Voice activated recording mode setting switch SET ... Voice activated sensitivity setting button STANDBY ... Recording standby sensitivity setting button

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A voice-activated recording mode setting means, a voice level detection means for detecting a level of an input voice, a voice activation sensitivity setting operation means, and a voice level at the time of the voice activation sensitivity setting operation. Threshold value setting means for setting a threshold value, a comparing means for comparing the set threshold value with a voice level of a voice inputted thereafter, and a judgment for judging start or standby of recording based on an output from the comparing means. A voice-activated recording device comprising: 2. A voice-activated recording mode setting means, a voice level detecting means for detecting the level of an input voice, a recording standby sensitivity setting operation means, and a voice level at the time of the recording standby sensitivity setting operation. Threshold value setting means for setting a threshold value, a comparing means for comparing the set threshold value with a voice level of a voice inputted thereafter, and a judgment for judging start or standby of recording based on an output from the comparing means. A voice-activated recording device comprising: 3. A voice-activated recording mode setting means, a voice level detection means for detecting the level of an input voice, a voice activation sensitivity setting operation means, a recording standby sensitivity setting operation means, and a voice activation sensitivity setting operation. Threshold setting means for setting a threshold value based on the sound level at the time when there is a recording standby sensitivity setting operation, and a comparison means for comparing the set threshold value with the sound level of the sound input thereafter, A voice-activated recording apparatus comprising: a determination unit that determines whether recording is started or waited based on the output from the comparison unit.