JPH11167437A - Information device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress wasteful power consumption even if a recording medium continuously holds information of data unless it is installed in a device by providing a control means controlling the start of power supply to an information device when the installation of the recording medium is detected. SOLUTION: A power source part 7 supplying power to various circuits in the device is provided. It is connected to respective circuits through a recording medium detection means (detection switch 8). Recording medium I/F 17 being a recording medium installation means to which the recording medium 6 constituted of a semiconductor memory is freely attachably/detachably installed is connected to a system control part 9. The system control part 9 is constituted of a micro processor (CPU) and plays a role as the control means controlling the operation of the respective parts in the information processor and controls the start/stop of power supply to the information device in accordance with the operation when the installation/discharge of the recording medium 6 are detected by the detection switch 8.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information device, and more particularly to an information device for recording or reproducing information using a removable recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an information apparatus for recording or reproducing information using a removable recording medium, a so-called tape recorder type recording / reproducing apparatus for recording audio or the like is known. In such a recording / reproducing apparatus, the progress of the tape is detected by a photoreflector or the like, the detection result is calculated by a microcomputer or the like, and the result is displayed as a tape counter on an LCD or the like, or the recording state is measured by a real time counter. It is a well-known technical means to store these count values in a microcomputer or the like at the same time as the display.

There is also known a technical means for recording an index number or the like during recording and storing the recorded information in a microcomputer or the like.

[0004] It has also become known to reset such information by ejecting the recording medium.

In order to reduce battery consumption,
In the STOP state where the apparatus is not operating, there is also known a technical means for controlling the power supply to the apparatus by setting the microcomputer in a power saving mode or providing a power switch.

[0006]

However, the above-mentioned tape counter or real-time counter is used for the LCD.
Some recording / reproducing apparatuses having a function of displaying an index signal or recording / reproducing apparatuses having a function of recording an index signal require the microcomputer to hold signal recording information of a counter value and an index. Therefore, it is necessary to continue to supply power to the microcomputer even when the apparatus is not operating and in a stopped state.

In this case, when the stop state continues for a predetermined time or more, the microcomputer is set to a power saving mode, or a power switch is provided to intentionally perform the transition to the power saving mode so as to minimize battery consumption. Is well known, but there is still a problem that a minute amount of current continues to flow, or in some cases, a current that cannot be ignored must be continued to flow.

Usually, when a recording medium on which recording is currently performed is ejected, the recording information is no longer necessary and is often reset. However, for the above reasons, power is continuously supplied to the microcomputer irrespective of the ejection of the recording medium, wasteful power is consumed, and the life of the battery is shortened.

Further, when the power switch is not provided, the apparatus is always in a standby state for transition to an operation mode. Therefore, when carrying the apparatus in a bag or the like, even if the recording medium is not in the apparatus, The device may start to move due to an unexpected impact.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an information apparatus for suppressing wasteful power consumption even when data recording information is continuously held as long as a recording medium is mounted in the apparatus. The purpose is to provide.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, a first information device of the present invention is an information device for recording or reproducing information by using a detachable recording medium. A recording medium mounting means for enabling conduction of an electric signal between the recording medium and the information device; a recording medium detecting means for detecting mounting of the recording medium on the recording medium mounting means; Power control means for controlling the supply of power, and control means for controlling the power supply to the information device by the power control means when the mounting of the recording medium is detected by the recording medium detection means. , Are provided.

[0012] To achieve the above object, a second aspect of the present invention is provided.
Is an information device that records or reproduces information by using a removable recording medium, in which a recording medium is mounted, and a recording medium that allows electrical signals to flow between the recording medium and the information device is mounted. Means, a recording medium detecting means for detecting the removal of the recording medium from the recording medium mounting means, a power control means for controlling the supply of power to the information device, and the recording medium being detected by the recording medium detecting means. And control means for controlling the power supply means to stop power supply to the information device when the power supply is detected.

[0013] In order to achieve the above object, a third aspect of the present invention is provided.
The information device according to the first or second information device, wherein a battery as a power supply source, a remaining power measuring unit for measuring a remaining power of the battery, and a measurement result of the remaining power measuring unit. And a power remaining amount displaying means for displaying the power remaining amount, wherein the controlling means controls the power remaining amount displaying means to perform a display following the start of power supply by the power controlling means.

[0014]

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an audio recording / reproducing apparatus as an information apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described along the flow of signals.

The information device of this embodiment includes a system control unit 9 for controlling various electric circuits. On the other hand, the device has a microphone (MI) for converting sound into an electric signal.
C) 1 and an audio output from the microphone 1 is amplified by a connected microphone amplifier (AMP) 2. The output of the microphone amplifier 2 is input to a signal processing unit (DSP) 5.

The signal processing unit 5 includes a low-pass filter (not shown), an A / D converter, a D / A converter, and the like. The analog audio signal amplified by the microphone amplifier 2 is subjected to a low-pass filter to reduce aliasing noise. Unnecessary frequency bands are cut to prevent generation, and audio signals that are analog signals are converted into digital signals by an A / D converter, and then predetermined digital signal processing is performed.

In the signal processing unit 5, A /
The audio signal converted into a digital signal by the D converter is compression-converted (encoded) into data of a certain format. The coded data is temporarily recorded in a data I / O buffer, and then transmitted to the system control unit 9 as audio data.

On the other hand, at the time of reproduction, the system control unit 9
To perform the extension conversion (decryption) of the data from. The audio data of the decoded digital signal is converted to an analog signal by a D / A converter, and the converted audio signal is passed through a low-pass filter that cuts unnecessary frequency bands to reduce quantization noise. The audio signal is amplified and output to a power amplifier (AMP) 3 that drives a speaker 4.

The audio signal amplified by the power amplifier 3 is converted into a sound and is emitted from a speaker 4 which emits the sound.

The system control section 9 is constituted by a microprocessor (CPU) and serves as a control means for controlling the operation of each section of the information device, and also includes a recording medium detection means (detection switch 8) to be described later. When the attachment or ejection of the recording medium 6 is detected, it also functions as a control unit that controls the start and stop of power supply to the information device in accordance with the operation.

The system control unit 9 is connected to an operation input unit including a plurality of operation buttons and switches, which will be described later.

On the other hand, the system control section 9 is connected to a recording medium I / F 17 which is a recording medium mounting means on which the recording medium 6 composed of a semiconductor memory is removably mounted. When the recording medium 6 is mounted, the system control unit 9 and the recording medium 6 are electrically connected via the recording medium I / F 17.

That is, the recording medium I / F 17 and the recording medium 6 both have electrical contacts, and when the recording medium 6 is mounted on the recording medium I / F 17, these contacts come into contact with each other and the electrical signal Can be conducted. Thus, the recording medium I / F 17 functions as a recording medium mounting unit.

In the recording medium 6, an address which is information indicating a recording position of the audio information may be stored in the recording medium 6 which is constituted by a detachable semiconductor memory. May be stored in a semiconductor memory (internal storage unit) (not shown) attached to the address control circuit provided.

As described above, the operation input unit composed of various switches is connected to the system control unit 9, and the display unit 10 for displaying the operation mode, the ID code setting status, etc. is connected via a drive circuit (not shown). Connected.

The operation input section includes various operation buttons, that is, a record button REC11, a play button PL12, a stop button ST13, a fast forward button FF14, a fast rewind button REW15, an index button 16 for recording a predetermined index mark, and the like. It is configured.

Further, the information device of the present embodiment includes a power supply section 7 for supplying power to various circuits of the information device, and is connected to each circuit of the information device via a detection switch 8. On the other hand, the detection switch 8 is connected to the recording medium 6.
It operates in conjunction with the attachment / detachment of the recording medium 6, that is, also functions as a switch for detecting the attachment / detachment state of the recording medium 6. The detection switch 8 controls power supply to each circuit of the information device in accordance with the mounting state of the recording medium 6.

As described above, the detection switch 8 serves as a recording medium detecting means for detecting the state of the recording medium 6 inserted into and removed from the information device, and also controls the power supply for controlling the power supply to the information device. Serve as a means.

Here, the operation of the information device during recording and reproduction will be briefly described. When the system control unit 9 detects that the recording button REC11 has been pressed, the system enters a recording state. At the time of recording, an analog signal input from a microphone (MIC) 1 is amplified by an amplifier (AMP) 2 and input to a signal processing unit 5. In the signal processing unit 5, unnecessary high-frequency components of the input audio signal are removed by a filter, and the analog signal is converted into a digital signal by an A / D converter and sent to the system control unit 9 as audio data.

The system control unit 9 records the received audio data on the recording medium 6. At this time, the system control unit 9 counts the recording time and displays a real-time count on the display unit 10. When the index button 16 is pressed during recording, the data recording position at the time the index button 16 is pressed is stored, and is used as index data for index detection during reproduction and the like.

On the other hand, when the system control section 9 detects that the play button PLAY12 has been pressed, the system enters a playback state. At the time of reproduction, the system control unit 9 controls the recording medium 6
And reads out the recorded audio data and sends it to the signal processing unit 5. In the signal processing unit 5, the audio data is input and D / A
And convert the digital signal to an analog signal. The converted analog signal is filtered by a filter to remove unnecessary high-frequency components, amplified by the amplifier 3, and output from the speaker 4 as sound.

Here, when the recording medium 6 is discharged from the apparatus, the detection switch 8 is turned off, the power supply from the power supply unit 7 to the apparatus is stopped, and the power consumption of the system is eliminated.

Next, the operation of the information device of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The presence or absence of the recording medium 6 is detected by the detection switch 8 (step S1). When the recording medium 6 is inserted into the apparatus, the detection switch 8 is turned on, and power supply to the apparatus is started. (Step S2). In the system control unit 9, a power ON reset (step S3) occurs due to the start of power supply. After the reset, initialization (step S4) is performed.

After the initial setting, a change in the state of each mode setting button is detected (step S5), and the processing of the selected mode is performed (step S6).

On the other hand, when the detection switch 8 detects that the recording medium 6 has been ejected from the information device (step S).
7), power supply to the device is stopped (step S8), and power is not supplied to the device.

As described above, according to the information apparatus of the first embodiment, as long as the recording medium 6 is mounted on the information apparatus, even if the apparatus needs to keep the record information of the data, By stopping the power supply to the information device in conjunction with the ejection of the medium 6, wasteful power consumption after the data is reset can be eliminated.

Further, when the recording medium 6 is not mounted, malfunction due to careless operation can be prevented.

In the first embodiment, the power supply to the information device is automatically started or stopped in response to the insertion or removal of the recording medium 6, but the present invention is not limited to this.
That is, for example, the power supply is automatically started when the recording medium 6 is loaded, but the power supply stop control may not be performed when the recording medium 6 is ejected. The power supply may be automatically stopped when the recording medium is ejected, and the power supply start control may not be performed when the recording medium 6 is loaded.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The information device according to the second embodiment further includes a battery remaining amount detection unit 21 as a remaining power measuring unit that measures the remaining power of the power supply unit 7 in addition to the information device according to the first embodiment. It is characterized by having.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The remaining battery level detecting section 21 is connected to the system control section 9 and detects the remaining battery level (remaining power level) of the power supply section 7 and outputs the detection result to the system control section 9.
To send to. The battery remaining amount detection unit 21 detects the approximate value of the voltage of the power supply unit (battery) 7 by comparing the voltages using a plurality of comparators, and estimates the remaining amount of the power supply unit 7 from this voltage value. It is configured.

Here, the operation at the time of recording and reproduction by the information device of the second embodiment will be briefly described. When the system control unit 9 detects that the recording button REC11 has been pressed, the system enters a recording state. At the time of recording, an analog signal input from the microphone 1 is amplified by the amplifier (AMP) 2 and input to the signal processing unit 5. In the signal processing unit 5, unnecessary high-frequency components of the input audio signal are removed by a filter, and the analog signal is converted into a digital signal by an A / D converter and sent to the system control unit 9 as audio data.

The system control section 9 records the received audio data on the recording medium 6. At this time, the system control unit 9 counts the recording time, and displays the real-time count on the display unit 10 as the remaining power display unit of the power supply unit 7. When the index button 16 is pressed during recording, the data recording position at the time the index button 16 is pressed is stored, and is used as index data for index detection during reproduction or the like.

On the other hand, the system control section 9
When the system detects that AY12 has been pressed, the system enters a playback state. At the time of reproduction, the system control unit 9 reads out the recorded audio data from the recording medium 6 and sends it to the signal processing unit 5.
In the signal processing unit 5, the input audio data is D / A converted, and the digital signal is converted into an analog signal. The converted analog signal is output as sound from a speaker 4 amplified by an amplifier 3 after unnecessary high-frequency components are removed by a filter.

Here, when the recording medium 6 is ejected from the information device, the detection switch 8 is turned off, and the power supply unit 7 is turned off.
The power supply to the apparatus is stopped, and the power consumption of the system is eliminated. Thereafter, when the recording medium 6 is inserted into the apparatus again and the power supply is started, the system control unit 9 checks the remaining battery level by the battery remaining level detecting unit 21,
The remaining amount is displayed on the display unit 10.

Next, the operation of the information device according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In FIG. 4, steps S1 to S4 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

Following the initial setting in step S4,
Under the control of the system control section 9, the remaining battery level of the power supply section 7 is checked by the remaining battery level detection section 21 (step S1).
1) Display the remaining amount on the display unit 10 (step S1)
2).

After the remaining battery level is checked, a change in the state of each mode setting button is detected (step S5), and processing of the selected mode is performed (step S6).

Hereinafter, steps S7 and S8 in FIG. 4 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, according to each of the above-described embodiments, as long as the recording medium is mounted on the apparatus, even if the apparatus needs to keep the recording information of the data, the apparatus is linked to the ejection of the recording medium. As a result, the power supply to the device is stopped, so that unnecessary power consumption is not consumed after the data is reset.

Further, when the recording medium is not loaded, malfunction due to careless operation can be prevented.

[0055]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided an information apparatus which suppresses useless power consumption even when data recording information is continuously held as long as a recording medium is mounted on the apparatus. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of the information device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the information device of the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Microphone 2 ... Amplifier 3 ... Power amplifier 4 ... Speaker 5 ... Signal processing part 6 ... Recording medium 7 ... Power supply part 8 ... Detection switch 9 ... System control part 10 ... Display part 17 ... Recording medium I / F 21 ... Battery remaining Quantity detector

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An information device for recording or reproducing information using a removable recording medium, wherein the recording medium is mounted, and a recording medium is mounted so that electrical signals can be conducted between the recording medium and the information device. Means, a recording medium detecting means for detecting mounting of a recording medium on the recording medium mounting means, power control means for controlling supply of power to the information device, and mounting of the recording medium by the recording medium detecting means. Control means for controlling the power supply means to start supplying power to the information device when detected. 2. An information device for recording or reproducing information using a removable recording medium, wherein the recording medium is mounted, and a recording medium is mounted to enable conduction of an electric signal between the recording medium and the information device. Means, a recording medium detecting means for detecting removal of a recording medium from the recording medium mounting means, a power control means for controlling supply of power to the information device, and a recording medium detecting means for removing the recording medium by the recording medium detecting means. Control means for controlling the power supply means to stop supplying power to the information device when detected. 3. A battery as a power supply source, remaining power measuring means for measuring the remaining power of the battery, and remaining power displaying means for displaying a measurement result of the remaining power measuring means. The information apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a control unit that controls the power remaining amount display unit to perform a display after the start of power supply by the power control unit. 4.