JPH117299A - Speech data storage - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a speech data storage having a card-like shape and reproducing the speech data not only in the state connected to an external device, but also by itself. SOLUTION: A speech output unit 100 is provided with a receiving part 101 receiving an infrared signal modulated by the digital speech data read out from a memory part of a camera, a signal processing/amplifying part 102 demodulating, decoding (expansion processing), D/A converting and amplifying the signal received by the receiving part 101, a headphone terminal 103 for connecting a headphone, an operation part 104 for adjusting a level of a speech signal outputted to the headphone terminal 103 by a user and a power source part 105 containing a battery. When the camera is in a speech reproducing mode, the speech data are transmitted to the speech output unit 100, and an analog speech signal is outputted to the headphone terminal 103.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a voice data storage device having a card-like shape and storing digitized voice data in a memory.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An electronic camera which has a card type similar to a PC card standardized for a credit card or a notebook type personal computer and stores image data in a semiconductor memory has been conventionally known. JP-A-8-125962).

[0003] An electronic still camera in which audio data is stored together with image data in a memory card, although the camera itself is not of a card type (for example, JP-A-7-7647).

[0004]

However, the electronic camera described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-125962 does not have a function of recording audio data, and naturally does not have a function of reproducing audio. The electronic still camera described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-7647 can reproduce audio data stored in a memory card, but cannot reproduce audio data using only a memory card.

The present invention has been made in view of this point. An audio data storage device having a card-like shape and capable of reproducing audio data not only in a state of being connected to an external device but also independently is provided. The purpose is to provide.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage unit for storing digital audio data which has been subjected to a predetermined compression process, and an external device accessing the storage unit. A voice data storage device having a card-like shape, for reading digital voice data stored in the storage means, performing expansion processing corresponding to the predetermined compression processing, and performing the expansion processing. It is characterized by comprising audio reproducing means for converting the subsequent digital audio data into an analog audio signal and outputting it.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the audio data storage device according to the first aspect, an external mode for reading digital audio data stored in the storage means by the external device through the connection means; The digital audio data stored in the storage means is configured to be switchable to an audio mode read by the audio reproduction means,
In the external mode, a power saving means for reducing power consumption of the sound reproducing means is provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the audio data storage device according to the first or second aspect, the decompression processing, the conversion of the digital audio data to an analog audio signal, and the amplification of the analog audio signal are performed. An audio output circuit system and a storage circuit system including the storage unit are separately configured, and a power supply unit is provided for each of the audio output circuit system and the storage circuit system.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 and 2 are block diagrams showing the configurations of a card-type video camera and an audio output unit constituting an audio data storage device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The card-type video camera (hereinafter simply referred to as “camera”) 1 has a shape (thickness: 3.3 mm, long side: 86 mm, short side: 54 mm) substantially similar to the shape conforming to the PC card standard type I, and A CCD 5 which is an image pickup device for converting light into an electric signal; an optical system 2 for receiving a light beam from a subject to form a subject image on the CCD 5;
An optical viewfinder 3 for allowing a user to check a subject image, an opening end of the optical system 2 (an end opposite to the CCD 5), and an opening of the optical viewfinder 3 on the subject side. A slide cover 6 for covering the edges, a microphone 7 arranged substantially at the center of the long side of the rectangular card surface, a signal processing unit 8 for performing various signal processing, and a large capacity mainly for storing captured image information and audio information A memory unit 9 including a nonvolatile memory, a connector 10 for connecting to an external device such as a personal computer, and a power supply unit 11 including a battery and supplying power to the signal processing unit 8, the memory unit 9, and the like are provided. The memory unit 9 includes the connector 1
The external device connected via the input device 0 is configured to input a predetermined memory control signal to access (read / write).

The memory section 9 has a large-capacity nonvolatile memory, and this nonvolatile memory is constituted by a flash memory having a storage capacity of, for example, about 175 megabits.

The optical system 2 is arranged near one short side of the rectangular card surface so that the optical axis of the optical system 2 is substantially parallel to the short side.
It is composed of a PF (low-pass filter) and an infrared cut filter. For example, a CCD having a diagonal dimension of about 1/5 inch (5.1 mm) is used. The slide cover 6 also serves as a power switch SW1 of the camera 1. When the slide cover 6 is at a position covering the open ends of the optical system 2 and the optical viewfinder 3, as shown in FIG. The power is turned on when the opening end of the optical viewfinder 2 and the optical viewfinder 3 is exposed. The connector 10 includes the optical system 2
Are located on the opposite short side.

The camera 1 further transmits a digitized audio data read from the memory unit 9 to the audio output unit 100 shown in FIG.
It has.

The audio output unit 100 includes a receiving unit 1 for receiving an infrared signal transmitted from the transmitting unit 51 of the camera 1.
01 and signal processing for performing demodulation, decoding (expansion processing), D / A conversion, amplification, etc. of a signal received by the receiving unit 101.
An amplifying unit 102, a headphone terminal 103 for connecting headphones, and a user
An operation unit 104 for adjusting the level and sound quality (for example, low-frequency boost, etc.) of an audio signal to be output to the PC, and a power supply unit 105 including a battery are provided.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining signal processing by the signal processing unit 8. The signal processing unit 8
A correlated double sampling circuit (CDS) 21 to which the output signal of D5 is input, an A / D conversion circuit 22 for converting the output signal of the CDS 21 into a digital signal, an RGB signal or a luminance signal and a digital image signal. A DSP (Digital Signal Processor) 23 that converts the image signal into two color difference signals, and an information compression process including a process such as DCT (Discrete Cosine Transform) on the image signal output from the DSP 23, and a compression process. A compression processing circuit 24 for inputting the subsequent image data to the memory unit 9; an amplifier 25 for amplifying an output signal of the microphone 7;
5, an A / D conversion circuit 26 for converting the output signal into a digital signal, a DSP 27 for performing a predetermined compression process on the digitized audio data, and audio data read from the memory unit 9 (compressed and compressed). A modulation circuit 50 for modulating a drive signal of the transmission section 51 with the
A CPU 30 that performs overall control of the
7, a system bus 31 for connecting the CPU 30 and the memory unit 9 as main components. An operation unit 40 including a mode changeover switch, a photographing switch (not shown), and the like is connected to the system bus 31, and an operation state of the operation unit 40 is detected by the CPU 30. The CPU 30
It has a ROM in which a processing program is stored and a RAM used for various calculations, and controls various operations of the camera 1 according to the operation state of the operation unit 40.

A CCD 5, a CDS 21, an A / D conversion circuit 22, a DSP 23 and a compression processing circuit 24
A circuit system for processing the image signal is called an image unit 200,
Microphone 7, amplifier 25, A / D conversion circuit 26,
A circuit system that includes the DSP 27, the modulation circuit 50, and the transmission unit 51 and performs processing of an audio signal is referred to as an audio unit 300.

The signal processing unit 8 includes an image mode for recording an image, an audio mode for recording or reproducing audio, and an external mode for enabling access to the memory unit 9 from an external device connected via the connector 10. Mode. The image unit 200 and the audio unit 300 each have a CP depending on which of these operation modes it is in.
The power save mode for reducing power consumption can be set by the control of U30.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining signal processing by the signal processing / amplifying unit 102 of the audio output unit 100. The signal processing / amplifying unit 102
Demodulation circuit 111 for demodulating the received signal input from
And a DSP 112 for performing an expansion process (decoding process) corresponding to a compression process when storing the demodulated audio data in the memory unit 9, and converting the digital audio data expanded by the DSP 112 into an analog audio signal. A D / A conversion circuit 113 for converting the analog audio signal,
Amplifier 114 that amplifies so that headphones can be driven
A CPU 115 that is connected to the DSP 112 and the operation unit 104 and controls the output level and sound quality of the analog audio signal in accordance with the operation state of the operation unit 104; a counter 116 that counts the time of reproduction and displays the count value; It has.

Next, referring to FIG. 3 and FIG.
The operation of the audio output unit 100 will be described below.
The subject image formed on the CCD 5 via the optical system 2 is converted into an electric signal, and is converted into a CDS 21 and an A / D conversion circuit 22.
Is converted into a digital image signal. The digital signal is converted into an RGB signal (or a luminance signal and two color difference signals) by the DSP 23, subjected to information compression processing by the compression processing circuit 24, and stored in the memory unit 9. The audio signal output from the microphone 7 is input to the A / D conversion circuit 26 via the amplifier 25, and is converted into a digital audio signal. Then DSP
27, the information compression processing is performed, and the processed audio data is stored in the memory unit 9 via the system bus 31.

In the audio mode, when a user instructs reproduction, audio data is read from the memory unit 9 and transmitted to the audio output unit 100 via the modulation unit 50 and the transmission unit 51. You. In the audio output unit 100, the received signal received by the receiving unit 101 is demodulated by the demodulation circuit 111 and returned to the original compressed audio data. Then, a decompression process corresponding to the compression process is performed by the DSP 112, and is converted into an analog audio signal by the D / A conversion circuit 113. The analog audio signal is sent to the amplifier 1
The signal is amplified at 14 and output to the headphone terminal 103.

The external device connectable via the connector 10 includes, for example, a personal computer and a dedicated reproducing device having a display and a speaker. When a personal computer is connected, a reproduction program is started on the personal computer, image data and audio data stored in the memory unit 9 are read out via the connector 10, and decompression processing corresponding to compression processing is performed. To display on the display and output from the speaker.

When a dedicated playback device is connected,
The dedicated playback device is connected to the memory unit 9 via the connector 10.
The image data and the audio data stored in are read out, converted into, for example, a standard television signal and output.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the mode switching process executed by the CPU 30. First, in step S1, a system initialization process is performed, and then it is determined whether or not a sound mode is set by setting a mode switch (step S2). When in audio mode,
Put the image section 200 in the power save mode (step S
5) It is determined whether or not a reproduction instruction has been issued (step S12). When the reproduction instruction has not been issued, the recording operation in the audio mode is performed (step S13), and when the reproduction instruction has been issued, the audio data is reproduced (read) from the memory unit 9 and the modulation unit 50 and the transmission unit. The audio data is transmitted to the audio output unit 100 via the communication unit 51 (step S14).

If the voice mode is not set in step S2,
It is determined whether or not the mode is the image mode (step S3). If the mode is the image mode, the audio unit 300 is set to the power save mode (step S6), and the recording operation in the image mode is performed (step S9). If the mode is not the image mode in step S3, it is determined whether the mode is the external mode (step S3).
4) When in the external mode, the image section 200 and the audio section 300 are both set to the power save mode so that the external device can access the memory section 9 (step S7,
S10, S11).

In a succeeding step S15, it is determined whether or not there is a mode instruction through the operation unit 40. If there is no mode instruction, the process waits. If there is, the process returns to the step S2. During the execution of the step S14, the CPU 115 responds to the operation instruction of the operation unit 104 to change the signal processing parameters such as the output level and the sound volume to D.
This is sent to the SP 112, and the counter 116 is cleared or advanced.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the digital audio data which has been compressed and stored in the memory unit 9 is reproduced, and the headphone can be driven by performing the expansion processing, D / A conversion and amplification. The audio signal can be reproduced without connecting to an external device via the connector 10.

In the image mode, the audio section 300 is set to the power save mode, and in the audio mode, the image section 200 is set to the power save mode. Therefore, the power consumption is reduced according to the operation mode, and the continuous use time is extended. Can be.

Further, since the audio output unit 100 is provided separately from the camera 1 and a power supply unit (battery) is provided in each of them, long-term use is possible without replacing the battery. Note that transmission of audio data from the camera 1 to the audio output unit 100 is not limited to an infrared signal.
For example, a spread spectrum radio wave may be used.

(Second Embodiment) FIGS. 6 and 7 show a card type video camera 1A and an audio output unit 100 constituting an audio data storage device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of A. In the present embodiment, in the camera 1A, not only the audio data read from the memory unit 9 is transmitted to the audio output unit 100A, but also an instruction to reproduce the audio data can be issued from the audio output unit 100A. Except for the points described below,
This is the same as in the first embodiment.

The camera 1A has a transmission / reception unit 52 and a signal processing unit 8a instead of the transmission unit 51 and the signal processing unit 8 in the first embodiment (FIG. 1). Also, the audio output unit 100A includes a transmission / reception unit 121, an operation unit 104a, and a signal processing / amplification unit 102a instead of the reception unit 101, the operation unit 104, and the signal processing / amplification unit 102 in the first embodiment (FIG. 2). Having.

As shown in FIG. 8, the signal processing unit 8a of the camera 1A includes a demodulation circuit 53 for demodulating an operation signal transmitted from the audio output unit 100A according to the operation state of the operation unit 104a. A reception signal received by the transmission / reception unit 52 is input to the circuit 53. In the present embodiment, the audio unit 300a includes the microphone 7, the amplifier 2,
5, A / D conversion circuit 26, DSP 27, modulation circuit 50,
It comprises a demodulation circuit 53 and a transmission / reception unit 52.

The operation unit 104a of the audio output unit 100A includes a knob for adjusting the audio level output to the headphone terminal 103, a reproduction button for instructing reproduction of audio data, and a reproduction button for stopping reproduction. A stop button, a fast-forward button for instructing fast-forward playback, and a reverse button for instructing reverse playback are provided, and operation signals indicating the operation states of these knobs and buttons are transmitted to the signal processing / amplifying unit 102a. It is input to the CPU 115. The signal processing / amplifying unit 102a includes a modulation circuit 117 that modulates a drive signal of the transmitting / receiving unit 121 with an operation signal to be transmitted to the camera 1A. The CPU 115 controls the output sound level, the sound quality, and the like according to the operation signal input from the operation unit 104a, and supplies the modulation circuit 117 with the operation signal to be transmitted to the camera 1A.

According to the above-described configuration, the audio data read from the memory unit 9 of the camera 1A is transmitted to the audio output unit 100A and the audio output unit 1A
An operation signal corresponding to the operation state of the operation unit 104a of 00A is transmitted to the camera 1A. And C of camera 1A
The PU 30 executes the interrupt process shown in FIG. 10 in response to receiving the operation signal.

That is, when the stop button is operated, the reading and transmission of the audio data from the memory section 9 are stopped (steps S20 and S24), and when the fast forward button is operated, the fast forward mode (speed higher than usual) is set. Is performed (steps S21 and S25), and when the reverse button is operated, the reproduction in the reverse mode (mode in which the speed is higher than usual and the reproduction is performed in the reverse direction) is performed. Execute (Step S2
2, S26), when the play button is operated, the normal mode (mode for playing back at normal speed in the forward direction)
(Steps S23 and S2)
7).

As described above, in the present embodiment, the operation signal indicating the operation state of the operation unit 104a of the audio output unit 100A is transmitted to the camera 1A, and the reproduction control of the audio data according to the operation signal is executed. Therefore, it is possible to instruct the reproduction operation in the camera 1A from the audio output unit 100A side.

(Other Embodiments) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible.
For example, the audio output unit 100 and the camera 1 may be connected by a wire, and audio data may be transmitted from the camera 1 to the audio output unit 100 via the wire.
Further, a circuit included in the audio output unit 100 may be provided on the camera 1 side to form an integrated configuration.

Further, since the present invention is characterized by the audio data reproducing function, the image section 200 may not be provided, and the recording of the audio data may be executed only from an external device.

In the above-described embodiment, only recording is performed at the time of recording audio (step S13 in FIG. 5).
The recorded audio data may be reproduced (transmitted) at the same time. By doing so, it is possible to monitor the recording state and to monitor at a remote place. Further, a mode for simultaneously recording an image and a sound may be provided.

In the above-described embodiment, the shape including the memory unit 9 is substantially the same as the shape conforming to the PC card standard type I. However, as shown in FIG. Card memory 9 conforming to type I
a, the camera unit 1 a having no memory unit 9 may be connected via the flexible substrate 80. In this case, a connector 10 for connecting to an external device is provided on the memory card 9a side.

In the example of FIG. 11A, the cap 90 is mounted on the opposite side of the flexible substrate 80 in a state where the flexible substrate 50 is bent, so that the memory card 9a and the camera unit 1a can be used integrally. Good to do. When connecting to an external device, the cap 90 is removed.

FIG. 11B is a diagram showing a modification of the configuration shown in FIG. 11A. In this example, a flexible substrate 80 is shown.
And the memory card 9a are connected via a connector 81. Therefore, the memory card 9a is
a, and can be easily connected to an external device only by the memory card 9a.

FIG. 11C shows an example in which the camera unit 1a and the memory card 9a are integrated into a card having the same size. In this example, the overall shape may conform to, for example, type II of the PC card standard, and the connector 10 for connecting to an external device may be provided at the position shown in the figure.

The memory card 9a is not limited to a semiconductor memory, but may be a thin HDD (hard disk device).

[0043]

As described above in detail, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the digital audio data which has been subjected to the predetermined compression processing and stored in the storage means is read out, and the predetermined compression processing is performed. Corresponding decompression processing is performed, and the digital audio data after the decompression processing is converted into an analog audio signal and output, so that a card-type audio data storage device capable of independently reproducing audio data with headphones or the like. Is provided. In addition, the audio data can be reproduced while being recorded, and in this case, the recording state can be confirmed on the spot.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the external mode in which the digital audio data stored in the storage means is read out by an external device through the connection means, and the digital audio data stored in the storage means is reproduced by the audio reproduction means. In the external mode, the power consumption of the sound reproducing means is reduced, so that the power consumption can be reduced according to the operation mode of the device.
It can be used for a long time.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the audio output circuit system for expanding the digital audio data, converting the digital audio data to an analog audio signal, and amplifying the analog audio signal includes storage means. Since the power supply unit is provided separately from the circuit system and the power supply unit is provided for each of the audio output circuit system and the storage circuit system, the load on the power supply unit (battery) of the storage circuit system is reduced, and the usage time is reduced. Can be extended.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a card-type video camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an audio output unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration of a signal processing unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration of a signal processing / amplifying unit in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a mode switching process executed by the CPU of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a card-type video camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an audio output unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration of a signal processing unit in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration of a signal processing / amplifying unit in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an interrupt process executed by the CPU of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Card type video camera 8, 8a Signal processing part (sound reproduction means) 9 Memory part (storage means) 10 Connector (connection means) 11 Power supply part 30 CPU (power saving control means) 51 Transmission part (sound reproduction means) 52 Transmission / reception Unit (sound reproducing means) 100, 100A sound output unit (sound reproducing means) 101 receiving unit 105 power supply unit 121 transmitting / receiving unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An audio data storage device having a card type, comprising storage means for storing digital audio data subjected to predetermined compression processing, and connection means for accessing the storage means from an external device. An audio reproducing unit that reads out digital audio data stored in the storage unit, performs expansion processing corresponding to the predetermined compression processing, converts the expanded digital audio data into an analog audio signal, and outputs the analog audio signal. An audio data storage device, comprising: 2. An external mode in which digital audio data stored in said storage means is read by said external device via said connection means, and an audio mode in which digital audio data stored in said storage means is read by said audio reproduction means. 2. The audio data storage device according to claim 1, further comprising a power saving unit configured to be switchable between the external mode and the power consumption unit in the external mode. 3. An audio output circuit system for performing the decompression processing, converting the digital audio data into an analog audio signal, and amplifying the analog audio signal, and a storage circuit system including the storage means are configured separately. 3. The audio data storage device according to claim 1, wherein a power supply unit is provided for each of the audio output circuit system and the storage circuit system.