JPH1027411A - Recording/reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording/reproducing device which is low in power consumption and, even when a battery is used as the power source section, is able to elongate the life of the battery. SOLUTION: In a CD-ROM player (recording/reproducing device) which is provided with analog signal processing blocks 5, 6 that reproduce the information recorded in a CD-DA and a digital signal processing block that reproduces the information recorded in a CD-ROM, an event detecting section 1 detects and judges it that either of the signal blocks 5, 6 operates and based on the result of this judgement, an energizing switch 3 energizes the operating signal processing block and on the other hand, suspends energization to the non- operating signal processing block so as to inhibit useless power consumption. Thus when the power source section 2 uses a battery, the life of the battery is prolonged.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording / reproducing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art CD-ROM which is one of optical recording media
Is widely used as a data memory of a computer because of its large storage capacity, low cost and high durability. The information stored in the CD-ROM is reproduced by a CD-ROM player or the like and output to an information processing device such as a computer.

[0003] By the way, CD (compact disk)
In addition to the above-mentioned CD-ROMs, CD-DAs for reproducing music and the like have become widespread. However, the basic structures of the CD-ROMs and the CD-DAs are the same, and therefore, the reproduction method is also basic. The same is true. For this reason, a conventional CD-ROM player is generally designed to be able to reproduce not only CD-ROMs but also CD-DAs.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a block diagram of a CD-ROM player having such a CD-DA reproducing function. As shown in FIG. 7, in a conventional CD-ROM player, when a CD-DA is set in the recording / reproducing block 4, information (for example, music) recorded on the CD-DA is recorded. The signal is converted into a digital electric signal by the reproduction block 4, and this digital electric signal is
D / A converter 5 (digital / analog converter)
Is converted into an analog electric signal by the
, And output to an external device (not shown) such as a speaker.

On the other hand, a CD-ROM is
Is set, the information (for example, numerical data and character data) recorded on the CD-ROM is converted into a digital electric signal by the recording / reproducing block 4, and this digital electric signal is decoded by the decoder 7. Thereafter, the data is output as digital information to an external device (not shown) such as a computer via the interface unit 8. Note that power is supplied from the power supply unit 2 to the devices 4 to 8 constituting the CD-ROM player via a power supply circuit.

[0006]

However, for example, FIG.
In a conventional CD-ROM player (recording / reproducing device) having a CD-DA reproducing function as shown in FIG.
Since a plurality of types of reproduction functions are provided, there is a problem that the number of components that consume power increases and power consumption increases accordingly. In particular, when the power supply unit 2 is a battery, there is a problem that its life is shortened, or when it is a rechargeable battery, there is a problem that it must be frequently charged. Such a problem also occurs when the recording medium is a recording medium other than a CD, for example, a magnetic recording medium.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and has low power consumption and can extend the life of a battery even when the power supply unit is a battery. It is an object to solve the problem of obtaining a recording / reproducing device capable of reducing a charging frequency.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, which is provided to solve the above-mentioned problems, a recording / reproducing block for detecting / reproducing information recorded on a recording medium and outputting it as an electric signal is provided. A plurality of signal processing blocks that perform predetermined processing on the electric signals output from the recording / reproducing blocks and output the processed signals (selectively process signals), and each of the blocks is provided with a power supply. A recording / reproducing apparatus adapted to operate with power supplied from a power supply unit, a power supply unit capable of individually supplying power output from the power supply unit to each of the signal processing blocks, Event detection means for detecting and determining which signal processing block the electric signal is processed based on the electric signal output from the reproduction block,
An energizing switch that causes the energizing unit to supply power to a signal processing block that processes the electric signal, based on the determination result of the event detecting unit, and that stops power supply to other signal processing blocks. It is characterized by being provided.

In this recording / reproducing apparatus, power is supplied to a signal processing block that operates to process an electric signal among a plurality of parallel signal processing blocks.
The power supply to other signal processing blocks that do not process the electric signal is stopped, so that power is not wasted or unnecessarily consumed. For this reason, the power consumption of the recording / reproducing apparatus is reduced, and even when the power supply unit is a battery, the life of the battery is prolonged or it is not necessary to frequently charge the battery. Also, which signal processing block operates to process the electric signal is automatically detected and determined by the event detecting means, and the power supply path is automatically switched by the energizing switch according to this determination. No operation of the operator is required, and the convenience of the recording / reproducing apparatus is improved.

In the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, instead of providing the event detecting means,
A block designating switch that can designate a signal processing block for processing an electric signal output from the recording / reproducing block is provided, and the energizing means is provided to the energizing switch based on the designation of the block designating switch, and Power may be supplied to a signal processing block that processes a signal, and power supply to other signal processing blocks may be stopped. With this configuration, the user (operator) specifies which signal processing block is to be operated, and the power supply path is switched by the power supply switch according to the specification. In this case, since there is no need to provide an event detecting means having a complicated structure, the recording / reproducing apparatus is simplified, and the manufacturing cost is reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording / reproducing block for detecting / reproducing information recorded on a recording medium and outputting it as an electric signal, and applying a predetermined processing to the electric signal output from the recording / reproducing block. And a plurality of signal processing blocks in parallel with each other are provided, and each of the blocks is operated by power supplied from a power supply unit, and at least one of the signal processing blocks is In a recording / reproducing apparatus including an interface unit for an external device (for example, a host system, a computer, etc.), a power supply unit that can individually supply power output from the power supply unit to each of the signal processing blocks. And whether the connector of the interface unit is connected to the cable for connecting external equipment When the external connection detection unit detects that the connector is connected to the cable, the external connection detection unit performs the power supply unit to supply power to the signal processing block including the interface unit. When the power supply to the other signal processing blocks is stopped, and when it is detected that the connector is not connected to the cable,
And an energizing switch for supplying power to the other signal processing blocks while stopping the power supply to the signal processing block provided with the interface unit as the energizing means. is there. Here, when the connector is connected to a cable for connecting an external device, the power supply means is used to supply power to each of the signal processing blocks (all signal processing blocks). When it is not connected to a cable, the power supply means may stop the power supply to the signal processing block provided with the interface unit and supply power to the other signal processing blocks. Conversely, when the connector is connected to a cable for connecting an external device,
The energizing means, while supplying power to the signal processing block provided with the interface unit, while stopping the power supply to the other signal processing blocks, and when the connector is not connected to the cable, Power may be supplied to each of the signal processing blocks (all signal processing blocks) by using an energizing unit.

In this recording / reproducing apparatus, power is supplied to a signal processing block which operates to process an electric signal, but power supply to other signal processing blocks is stopped, so that the signal processing block is wasted or unnecessary. No power is consumed. For this reason, the power consumption of the recording / reproducing apparatus is reduced, and even when the power supply unit is a battery, the life of the battery is prolonged, or it is not necessary to frequently charge the battery. Also,
Which signal processing block operates to process the electric signal is automatically detected and determined by the external connection detection means, and the power supply path is automatically switched by the energizing switch according to this determination, so that the user operation Is not required at all, and the convenience of the recording / reproducing apparatus is improved.

According to the present invention, the recording / reproducing block is a CD-RO
M and CD-DA can be detected and reproduced, and two signal processing blocks are provided. One of the signal processing blocks converts an electric signal reproduced from the CD-DA to an analog output. It is effectively applied to a recording / reproducing apparatus which is an analog signal processing block for converting and another is a digital signal processing block for decoding an electric signal reproduced from a CD-ROM and converting it into a digital output. The present invention is particularly effectively applied to a recording / reproducing apparatus in which a power supply unit is a battery.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below. <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a structure of a CD-ROM player having a CD-DA playback function according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the same members as those of the conventional CD-ROM player shown in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, also in the CD-ROM player according to the first embodiment, similarly to the conventional CD-ROM player shown in FIG. A block 4, a D / A converter 5, an amplifier 6, a decoder 7, and an interface unit 8 are provided. Here, the assembly composed of the D / A converter 5 and the amplifier 6 and the assembly composed of the decoder 7 and the interface unit 8 respectively correspond to a “signal processing block” described in claims. Both assemblies are alternatively adapted to process electrical signals.

When a CD-DA is set as a recording medium in the recording / reproducing block 4, the CD-DA
Is converted into a digital electric signal by the recording / reproducing block 4, and this digital electric signal is
The signal is converted into an analog electric signal by the / A converter 5, further amplified by the amplifier 6, and output to an external device (for example, a speaker or the like). On the other hand, CD-R
When the OM is set, the information recorded on the CD-ROM is converted into a digital electric signal by the recording / reproducing block 4, the digital electric signal is decoded by the decoder 7, and the digital electric signal is further transmitted through the interface unit 8. The data is output to a device (for example, a host system, a computer, or the like).

The CD-ROM player further includes a first power supply circuit 9 that can supply power to the D / A converter 5 as a power supply system for supplying power output from the power supply unit 2 to each unit. A second energizing circuit 10 that can energize the amplifier 6; a third energizing circuit 11 that can energize the decoder 7; a fourth energizing circuit 12 that can energize the interface unit 8; Fifth energizing circuit 20 that can energize
Are provided. Here, the first and second energizing circuits 9
And 10, the third and fourth energizing circuits 11 and 12, and the fifth energizing circuit 20 are independent of each other. Therefore,
A signal processing block including a D / A converter 5 and an amplifier 6 (hereinafter, referred to as an “analog signal processing block”).
), A signal processing block including a decoder 7 and an interface unit 8 (hereinafter, referred to as a "digital signal processing block"), and the recording / reproducing block 4 are individually supplied with power or stopped. You can do it.

An energizing switch 3 controlled by the event detecting unit 1 is provided for such an energizing system. Here, the event detecting unit 1 includes a recording / reproducing block 4
On the basis of the electric signal output from the first and second signal processing blocks, that is, C
Which of the information of the D-DA and the CD-ROM is reproduced can be automatically detected and determined. The energizing switch 3 energizes the energizing circuit of the signal processing block that processes the electric signal based on the determination result of the event detection unit 1, and stops energizing the other signal processing block. ing.

Hereinafter, the CD-ROM player uses a CD
An example of the operation for reproducing. CD-
When the ROM player is started, first, from the power supply unit 2,
Power is supplied to the recording / reproducing block 4 via the energizing switch 3 and the fifth energizing circuit 20, and information (data) of the CD is supplied.
Is started. Here, the power supply switch 3 always supplies power to the recording / reproducing block 4 irrespective of whether the set CD is a CD-DA or a CD-ROM.

The event detector 1 receives the electric signal output from the recording / reproducing block 4 and, based on the electric signal, determines whether the CD set in the recording / reproducing block 4 is a CD-DA or a CD-DA. It detects and determines whether it is a ROM, that is, whether the CD from which information is reproduced is a CD-DA or a CD-ROM.

The result of the judgment by the event detecting section 1 is input to the energizing switch 3. The energizing switch 3 energizes the first and second energizing circuits 9 and 10 if the CD from which information is to be reproduced is a CD-DA, and the D / A converter 5
The power is supplied to the amplifier 6 and the analog signal processing block to reproduce the audio signal, but the third and fourth energizing circuits 11 and 12 are not energized. Therefore, the decoder 7 and the interface unit 8 (digital No power is supplied to the system signal processing block). On the other hand, if the CD to be reproduced is a CD-ROM, the energizing switch 3
The third and fourth power supply circuits 11 and 12 are energized to supply power to the decoder 7 and the interface unit 8 and to send data to external devices (for example, a host system, a computer, etc.) via the interface unit 8. , The first and second energizing circuits 9 and 10 are not energized, so that D
No power is supplied to the / A converter 5 and the amplifier 6.

As described above, unlike the conventional CD-ROM player, power is not supplied to the entire apparatus at the time of operation (during use), but a CD or information (data) to be reproduced is reproduced.
The power supply to the blocks that do not operate during the operation is stopped according to the type of operation or the operation mode of each unit, so that the power consumption is reduced (power saving is achieved) and the power supply unit 2 is If it is a battery, its life will be extended,
Alternatively, the frequency of charging is reduced.

<Embodiment 2> Hereinafter, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The basic structure of a CD-ROM player according to Embodiment 2 is shown in FIG. Since the configuration is the same as that of the CD-ROM player according to the first embodiment, in order to avoid repetition of the description, points different from the first embodiment will be mainly described below.
In FIG. 2, the same members as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the second embodiment, the event detector 1 is not provided as in the first embodiment, and instead, the electric signal output from the recording / reproducing block 4 is processed. A block designating switch 16 is provided which allows a user (operator) to arbitrarily designate a signal processing block to be performed. The state (designation) of this block designation switch 16 is
Is input to Here, the energizing switch 3 energizes the first and second energizing circuits 9 and 10 and supplies power to the D / A converter 5 and the amplifier 6 if the analog signal processing block is designated. Third and fourth energizing circuits 1
1 and 12 are not energized, so that no power is supplied to the decoder 7 and the interface unit 8. On the other hand,
If the digital signal processing block is designated, the energizing switch 3 energizes the third and fourth energizing circuits 11 and 12 to supply power to the decoder 7 and the interface unit 8, but the first and second The energizing circuits 9 and 10 are not energized, so that no power is supplied to the D / A converter 5 and the amplifier 6. In other words, in this CD-ROM player, the signal processing block to be energized or to be de-energized is specified by the user himself.

In the CD-ROM player according to the second embodiment, the CD-RO according to the first embodiment
As in the case of the M player, the power consumption is reduced, and since there is no need to provide an event detection section (reproduction data discriminating circuit) having a complicated structure, the structure of the CD-ROM player is simplified. Manufacturing costs are reduced. That is, in this CD-ROM player,
Power saving and cost reduction are achieved.

Third Embodiment A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 3. The basic structure of a CD-ROM player according to the third embodiment is shown in FIG. Since the configuration is the same as that of the CD-ROM player according to the first embodiment, in order to avoid repetition of the description, points different from the first embodiment will be mainly described below.
In FIG. 3, the same members as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the third embodiment, the event detecting section 1 as in the first embodiment is not provided, and instead, the connector (interface connector) of the interface section 8 is connected to an external device. An external connection detection unit 17 for detecting whether or not a connection is made to a connection cable 18 is provided. Then, the detection result of the external connection detection unit 17 is input to the energization switch 3. Here, if the interface connector is not connected to the cable 18, the energizing switch 3 energizes the first and second energizing circuits 9 and 10 and supplies power to the D / A converter 5 and the amplifier 6. Third and fourth energizing circuits 1
1 and 12 are not energized, so that no power is supplied to the decoder 7 and the interface unit 8. On the other hand,
If the interface connector is connected to the cable 18, the energizing switch 3 is connected to the third and fourth energizing circuits 11.
And 12 to supply power to the decoder 7 and the interface unit 8, but not to the first and second power supply circuits 9 and 10, so that power is supplied to the D / A converter 5 and the amplifier 6. Not supplied. Here, when the interface connector is connected to the cable 18, all energizing circuits 9 to 12 are energized,
When not connected, only the first and second energizing circuits 9 and 10 are energized (third and fourth energizing circuits 11 and 1).
2 may be stopped). Conversely, when the interface connector is not connected to the cable 18, all energizing circuits 9 to 12 are energized,
When connected, only the third and fourth energizing circuits 11 and 12 are energized (first and second energizing circuits 9 and 10).
May be stopped).

Here, as the external connection detecting section 17, for example, one using a mechanical switch 13 as shown in FIG. 4 can be used. In this case, when the interface connector is connected to the cable 18, the mechanical switch 13 is turned on mechanically. Thus,
The ON / OFF state of the mechanical switch 13 is input to the energizing switch 3. Further, the external connection detecting unit 17 electrically detects whether the interface connector is connected to a ground signal line of an external device (for example, a host system) as shown in FIG. 5, for example.
(A pull-up resistor), or a detection circuit for electrically detecting whether the interface connector is connected to a power supply line of an external device (for example, a host system) as shown in FIG. 14 (pull-down resistor).

In this CD-ROM player,
As in the case of the CD-ROM player according to the first embodiment, power consumption is reduced, and it is not necessary to provide an event detection unit (reproduction data determination circuit) having a complicated structure. It will be relatively simple. Further, unlike the case of the CD-ROM player according to the second embodiment, no user operation is required, and the switching of the power supply path is performed automatically, thereby improving the convenience.

Although the first to third embodiments are all directed to a CD-ROM player, the present invention is not limited to such a CD-ROM player. For example, it is needless to say that the present invention can be widely applied to a recording / reproducing apparatus for reproducing information recorded on a magnetic recording medium.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a CD-ROM according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a player (recording / reproducing device).

FIG. 2 is a CD-ROM according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a player (recording / reproducing device).

FIG. 3 is a CD-ROM according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a player (recording / reproducing device).

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an external connection detection unit using a mechanical switch.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an external connection detection unit using a ground signal line.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an external connection detection unit using a power supply line.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional CD-ROM player (recording / reproducing device).

[Description of Signs] 1 event detection unit, 2 power supply unit, 3 energizing switch,
4 Recording / playback block, 5 D / A converter, 6
Amplifier, 7 decoder, 8 interface, 9
1st energizing circuit, 10 2nd energizing circuit, 11 3rd energizing circuit, 12 4th energizing circuit, 13 mechanical switch, 14 detection circuit (pull-down resistance), 15 detection circuit (pull-up resistance), 16 block designation switch,
17 external connection detecting section, 18 cable, 20 fifth energizing circuit.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. Detecting / recording information recorded on a recording medium
A recording / reproducing block for reproducing and outputting as an electric signal;
A plurality of parallel signal processing blocks for performing predetermined processing on the electric signal output from the recording / reproducing block and outputting the processed signal are provided, and each of the blocks operates with power supplied from a power supply unit. A recording / reproducing apparatus comprising: a power supply unit that can individually supply power output from the power supply unit to each of the signal processing blocks; and an electric signal output from the recording / reproducing block. An event detecting means for detecting and determining which signal processing block the electric signal is to be processed based on; an energizing means for processing the electric signal based on a judgment result of the event detecting means; A power supply switch for supplying power to the signal processing blocks and stopping power supply to other signal processing blocks is provided. Recording and reproducing apparatus to be. 2. Detecting / recording information recorded on a recording medium.
A recording / reproducing block for reproducing and outputting as an electric signal;
A plurality of parallel signal processing blocks for performing predetermined processing on the electric signal output from the recording / reproducing block and outputting the processed signal are provided, and each of the blocks operates with power supplied from a power supply unit. A recording / reproducing apparatus comprising: a power supply unit that can individually supply power output from the power supply unit to each of the signal processing blocks; and an electric signal output from the recording / reproducing block. A block designating switch capable of designating a signal processing block to be processed; and, based on the designation of the block designating switch, causing the energizing means to supply power to the signal processing block for processing the electrical signal. And a power supply switch for stopping power supply to the signal processing block. 3. Detecting / recording information recorded on a recording medium.
A recording / reproducing block for reproducing and outputting as an electric signal;
A plurality of parallel signal processing blocks for performing predetermined processing on the electric signal output from the recording / reproducing block and outputting the processed signal are provided, and each of the blocks operates with power supplied from a power supply unit. And a recording / reproducing apparatus in which at least one of the signal processing blocks includes an interface unit for an external device, wherein the power output from the power supply unit is individually applied to each of the signal processing blocks. Energizing means capable of supplying; an external connection detecting means for detecting whether or not the connector of the interface section is connected to a cable for connecting an external device; and the connector being connected to the cable by the external connection detecting means. When the connection is detected, the energizing means is turned on and the interface is turned on. While the power supply to the other signal processing block is stopped while the power is supplied to the signal processing block provided with, and when it is detected that the connector is not connected to the cable, the power supply means is turned on. A power supply switch for stopping power supply to a signal processing block having the interface unit and supplying power to other signal processing blocks. 4. Detecting / recording information recorded on a recording medium.
A recording / reproducing block for reproducing and outputting as an electric signal;
A plurality of parallel signal processing blocks for performing predetermined processing on the electric signal output from the recording / reproducing block and outputting the processed signal are provided, and each of the blocks operates with power supplied from a power supply unit. And a recording / reproducing apparatus in which at least one of the signal processing blocks includes an interface unit for an external device, wherein the power output from the power supply unit is individually applied to each of the signal processing blocks. An energizing unit that can supply the power supply; an external connection detecting unit that detects whether the connector of the interface unit is connected to a cable for connecting an external device; and the external connection detecting unit connects the connector to an external device. When it is detected that the cable is connected to the Power is supplied to the processing block, and when it is detected that the connector is not connected to the cable, the power supply unit is turned off to stop supplying power to the signal processing block including the interface unit. On the other hand, means for supplying power to other signal processing blocks is provided. 5. Detecting / recording information recorded on a recording medium.
A recording / reproducing block for reproducing and outputting as an electric signal;
A plurality of parallel signal processing blocks for performing predetermined processing on the electric signal output from the recording / reproducing block and outputting the processed signal are provided, and each of the blocks operates with power supplied from a power supply unit. And a recording / reproducing apparatus in which at least one of the signal processing blocks includes an interface unit for an external device, wherein the power output from the power supply unit is individually applied to each of the signal processing blocks. An energizing unit that can supply the power supply; an external connection detecting unit that detects whether the connector of the interface unit is connected to a cable for connecting an external device; and the external connection detecting unit connects the connector to an external device. When it is detected that the cable is connected to the When power is supplied to the signal processing block provided with the interface unit and power supply to other signal processing blocks is stopped, and when it is detected that the connector is not connected to the cable, the power supply unit is turned off. And a means for supplying power to each of the signal processing blocks. 6. The recording / reproducing block is a CD-ROM.
And the information recorded on the CD-DA can be detected and reproduced. Two signal processing blocks are provided, one of which is a CD.
An analog signal processing block for converting an electric signal reproduced from the DA into an analog output, and
6. A recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording / reproducing apparatus is a digital signal processing circuit for decoding an electric signal reproduced from the ROM and converting the electric signal into a digital output. . 7. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power supply unit is a battery.