KR200212238Y1 - Digital audio cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

The digital audio cassette of the present invention has a cassette casing 8 embedded in a cassette support of a standard cassette deck 9, a storage device 2 for storing digital audio data therein, and an audio pickup device 16 for generating an audio signal input. ), A converter 5 for converting digital audio data into an analog audio output. The processing device 1 receives the audio signal input from the audio pickup device 16 by the processing device 1 and processes the audio signal input into digital audio data to store the digital audio data in the storage device 2. Can be operated in recording mode. Further, the processing device 1 is operable in a reproduction mode in which the processing device 1 retrieves the digital audio data from the storage device 2 and provides the digital audio data to the conversion device 5. A magnetic recording / playback output device 61 is mounted on the cassette casing 8 and coupled to the converter 5 to receive analog audio output therefrom and generate a magnetic field corresponding to the analog audio output so that the tape deck has analog audio. It is sensed by the magnetic head 90 of the tape deck 9 to reproduce the output.

Description

Digital Audio Cassette {DIGITAL AUDIO CASSETTE}

The present invention relates to a cassette deck, more specifically a digital audio cassette having a storage device for storing audio data.

U.S. Patent No. 5,055,947 discloses a cassette having a solid state memory arranged in a casing suitable for attaching to a conventional magnetic tape recording device. The cassette further has an electromagnetic transducing element capable of magnetic coupling with the recording / reproducing head of the recording apparatus. The recording apparatus converts the signal detected by the converting member during the recording operation into audio data and stores it in the memory. In addition, the playback apparatus converts the audio data read out from the memory into a signal to be sensed by the recording / reproducing head via the conversion member during the playback operation. The switch circuit switches between the recording and reproducing device in response to the desired operation of the recording device. Since audio data is stored in semiconductor memory, recording and playing back audio data using magnetic tape is an environment caused by disadvantages such as breaking, twisting, or jamming of the magnetic tape, which generally occur. Pollution and sudden deterioration of sound quality can be prevented.

The main disadvantage of conventional cassettes is that audio data can only be recorded and reproduced using conventional recording devices.

Accordingly, the main object of the present invention is to provide a digital audio cassette of the above-described type in which audio data can be recorded without using a conventional magnetic tape recording apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a digital audio cassette in which audio data can be reproduced without using a conventional magnetic tape recording apparatus.

Accordingly, the digital audio cassette of the present invention has a standard tape deck having a cassette support, a magnetic head, and a pair of hub engaging members disposed in the cassette support, and recording, rewinding, and fast forward operations of the tape deck. Suitable for control button use to control The digital audio cassette includes a cassette casing, a storage device, an audio pickup device, a converter, a processing device, a magnetic recording / playback output device, and a detection device.

The cassette casing fits in the cassette support. The storage device is disposed in the cassette casing to store digital audio data therein. An audio pickup device is mounted on the cassette casing to reproduce the audio signal input. An converter is arranged in the cassette casing to convert the digital audio data into analog audio output. The processing unit is coupled to the storage unit, the audio pickup unit and the converter. The processing device is operable in a recording mode in which the processing device receives an audio signal input from an audio pickup device, processes the audio signal input into digital audio data, and stores the processed digital audio data in a storage device. The processing apparatus is also operable in a reproducing mode in which the processing apparatus retrieves the digital audio data from the storage device and provides the retrieved digital audio data to the converter. The magnetic recording reproduction output device is mounted on the cassette casing so that the magnetic recording reproduction output device is disposed adjacent to the magnetic head of the tape deck when the cassette casing is fitted in the cassette support of the tape deck. The magnetic recording / playback output device is coupled to the converter for receiving analog audio output therefrom and generating a magnetic field corresponding to the analog audio output so that the tape deck can reproduce the analog audio output. The detection device is mounted on the cassette casing and coupled to the processing device. The detection device detects the desired operation of the tape deck in response to the operation of one of the control buttons and informs the processing device of the desired type of operation, so that the processing device can retrieve the appropriate digital audio data from the storage device during the playback mode.

It is preferable to mount the infrared receiver on the cassette casing and couple it to the processing apparatus. The infrared receiver wirelessly receives digital audio data from an external data source. The processing device is also operable in another recording mode in which the processing device receives the digital audio data from the infrared receiver and stores the received digital audio data in the storage device.

It is desirable to mount a computer linkage on the cassette casing and couple it to the processing device. The computer connector is connected to an external computer and receives digital audio data therefrom. The processing device is also operable in another recording mode in which the processing device receives digital audio data from a computer connection and stores the received digital audio data in a storage device.

In a preferred embodiment, an audio power amplifier is disposed in the cassette casing and coupled to the converter to amplify the analog output. An earphone jack is mounted on the cassette casing and coupled to the audio power amplifier. The earphone jack is coupled to the earphone set.

An infrared transmitting device is mounted on the cassette casing and coupled to the processing device to control wireless transmission of digital audio data when the processing device operates in a different playback mode.

Next, other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a circuit schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of a digital audio cassette according to the present invention;

2 is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment.

3 is a perspective view of the assembled state of the preferred embodiment.

4 is a schematic illustration of a preferred embodiment when a standard tape deck is fitted to a cassette support.

5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating the detection device operation of the preferred embodiment when the play control button of the tape deck is actuated.

6 (A) and 6 (B) are timing diagrams illustrating output signals generated by the detection apparatus during the fast forward and rewind operation of the tape deck.

7 is a schematic diagram illustrating how two digital audio cassettes of a preferred embodiment can be connected for data transfer between them.

1 to 4, a cassette casing 8, a storage device 2, an audio pickup device 16, a converter 5, a processing device 1, a magnetic recording / playback output device 61, detection Device (3), data decompressor (4), infrared receiver (14), computer connection device (15), audio power amplifier (62), earphone jack (63), control key (12), wireless remote controller ( 17), the present invention includes a wireless receiver 13, a display device 7, an image acquisition device 19, an acoustic synthesizer 18, an infrared transmitter 41, and a power supply 10. A preferred embodiment of a digital audio cassette is shown. The cassette casing 8 fits within the cassette support of the standard tape deck 9 (see FIG. 4). The storage device 2 is arranged in the cassette casing 8 to store digital audio data therein. In a preferred embodiment, the storage device 2 comprises a flash memory 21 serving as a data memory and a read-only memory (ROM) 22 serving as a program memory. The flash memory 21 is preferably in the form of a memory card detachably mounted in the cassette casing 8, as shown in FIG. The flash memory 21 can not only store digital audio data such as a MIDI file, but can also store digital video data therein. In the preferred embodiment, the digital audio and video data stored in the flash memory 21 is in a compressed format. The ROM 22 stores therein character fonts of different languages.

The audio pickup device 8 is disposed within the microphone 161 mounted in the cassette casing 8, the microphone signal amplifier 162 coupled to the microphone 161 and combined with the microphone 161, and the cassette casing 8. And an analog-to-digital converter 163 coupled with the microphone signal amplifier 162. The sound picked up by the microphone 161 is converted into an electric signal amplified by the microphone signal amplifier 162. The amplified output of microphone signal amplifier 162 is converted into a digitized audio signal input by analog-to-digital converter 163. Cassette casing 8 is preferably formed with a plurality of acoustic holes 1610 so that the acoustic pickup by microphone 161 is improved.

The converter 5 is arranged in a cassette casing 8 and comprises a digital-to-analog converter 51 and an audio signal amplifier 52 coupled to the digital-to-analog converter 51. The converter 5 converts the digital audio data into an analog audio output.

The processing device 1 is coupled to the analog-to-digital converter 163 of the storage device 2 and the audio pick-up device 16, and passes through the data decompressor 4 to the digital-to-analog converter of the converter 5. 51). The processing device 1 comprises a data compressor 11, in which the processing device 1 receives an audio signal input from an analog-to-digital converter 163, and the audio signal input is compressed via a data compressor 11. It is operable in a first recording mode in which the storage device 2 stores the compressed digital audio data thus processed by audio data.

An infrared receiver 14 is mounted in the cassette casing 8 and coupled to the processing apparatus 1. The infrared receiver 14 wirelessly receives digital audio data from an external data source. Further, the processing device 1 is in a second recording mode in which the processing device 1 receives digital audio data from the infrared receiver 14 and stores the received and compressed digital audio data in the storage device 2. It is possible to operate.

Computer linkage 15 is mounted in cassette casing 8 and coupled to processing device 1. In this embodiment, the computer connection device 15 comprises a complementary male and female universal serial bus (USB) respectively arranged on the transversely opposite side of the cassette casing (8). The computer connection device 15 may be connected to an external computer (not shown) to receive digital audio data therefrom. Further, the processing device 1 is in a third recording mode in which the processing device 1 receives digital audio data from the computer connection device 15 and stores the received and compressed digital audio data in the storage device 2. It is possible to operate.

By operating the processing device 1 in the third recording mode, audio data downloaded via the Internet can be stored in the storage device 2, and the contents of the storage device 2 can be changed through the operation of an external computer. have.

Further, the processing apparatus 2 receives the digital audio data from the storage apparatus 2 by the processing apparatus 1, and provides the decompressed digital audio data thus retrieved to the data decompressing apparatus 4. The decompressed digital audio data from the data decompressor 4 is provided to the digital-to-analog converter 51 of the converter 5 to generate an analog audio signal. An acoustic synthesizer 18 is disposed in the cassette casing 8 and coupled to the processing unit 1 and the digital-analog converter 51 to enhance the acoustic content of the analog audio signal in a conventional manner. The audio signal amplifier 52 amplifies the analog audio signal from the digital-to-analog converter 51 to obtain an analog audio output.

The magnetic recording / playback output device 61 is a magnetic head of the tape deck 9 when the cassette casing 8 is fitted into the cassette support of the tape deck 9 (see Fig. 5). Is mounted on the cassette casing 8 so as to be disposed adjacent to the. The magnetic recording reproduction output device 61 is coupled to the audio signal amplifier 52 of the converter 5 and receives analog audio output therefrom. The magnetic recording / playback output device 61 generates a magnetic field corresponding to the analog audio output and attaches the magnetic head 90 to the tape deck 9 so as to reproduce the analog audio output while the tape deck 9 is in recording / playback operation. Is detected.

The detection device 3 is mounted on the cassette casing 8 and coupled to the processing device 1. The detection device 3 detects a desired operation of the tape deck 9 in response to the operation of one of the control buttons of the tape deck 9, and informs the processing device 1 of the desired type of operation to thereby process the processing device 1. Can retrieve the appropriate digital audio data from the storage device 2 during the first reproduction mode.

4 and 5, the detection device 3 includes a switch disposed in the cassette casing 8 adjacent to the magnetic recording and reproducing output device 61. As shown in FIG. The switch is coupled to the processing device 1 and is operated by the magnetic recording and playback output device 61 when the magnetic recording and playback output device 61 is pressed by the magnetic head during the recording and playback operation of the tape deck 9. The switch is disposed adjacent to the magnetic recording and playback output device 61 and is generally arranged in an open circuit with the movable switch contact portion 31 movable with it, and the movable switch contact portion 31 as shown in FIG. Conductive spring contacts 32, such as compression springs. The movable switch contact portion 31, as can be seen in Figure 5, the conductive spring contact when the magnetic recording and playback output device 61 is pressed by the magnetic head 90 during the recording and playback operation of the tape deck (9) Electrically connect with (32).

In addition, the detection device 3 includes a driven gear 33 rotatably mounted on the cassette casing 8, and when the cassette casing 8 is fitted to the cassette support of the tape deck 9, Engage with a hub interlocking member (not shown) of the tape deck 9 via the cassette hub. The rotation of the driven gear 33 is detected by the sensing means coupled to the processing device 1. The sensing means comprise a first sensing member 34 disposed on the driven gear 33 and second sensing means mounted to the cassette casing 8 and coupled to the processing apparatus 1. In one embodiment, the first sensing member 34 is an optical member such as a light reflecting sheet, while the second sensing member 35 is an optical coupler. In another embodiment, the first sensing member 34 is a magnetic member such as a magnetic sheet, while the second sensing member 35 is a hall sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the first sensing member 34 comprises large and small sector portions 341, 342 provided on the driven gear 33. 6 (A) and 6 (B) are timing diagrams illustrating output signals generated by the second sensing member 35 during the tape forward 9 during the fast forward and rewind operations, respectively. The output signal of the second sensing member 35 is received by the processing apparatus 1. When analyzing the output signal, the processing unit 1 can retrieve the digital audio data for the next track during the tape deck 9 during the fast forward operation, and the tape deck 9 can retrieve the previous track during the rewind operation. Search for digital audio data.

1-4, an audio power amplifier 62 is disposed within the cassette casing 8 and coupled to the audio signal amplifier 52 to further amplify the analog audio output. An earphone jack 63 is mounted on the cassette casing 8 and coupled to the audio power amplifier 62. Earphone jack 63 is coupled to a set of earphones (not shown) for sound reproduction. Alternatively, speaker device 64 may be coupled to audio power amplifier 62 for the same purpose. In this manner, the digital audio cassette of the present invention can reproduce audio data even when there is no standard tape deck 9.

The display device 7 includes a display driver 71 and a liquid crystal display (LCD) 72. The display driver 71 is mounted in the cassette casing 8 and is coupled to the digital-to-analog converter 51 of the converter 5. The data retrieved from the storage device 2 by the processing device 1 includes compressed digital video data, which is converted by the digital-to-analog converter 51 into an analog video signal provided to the display driver 71. It is decompressed by the data decompressor 4 before conversion. A liquid crystal display 72 is mounted on the cassette casing 8 and coupled to the display driver 71. The display driver 71 may operate the liquid crystal display 72 to display text, graphics, or karaoke images thereon.

An image collecting device 19 is mounted on the cassette casing 8 and coupled to the processing device 1. The image acquisition device 19 includes a CCD camera 190, a flash lamp 191, and a camera control key 192, and generates a video signal input in a known manner. The processing device 1 receives a video signal input from the image acquisition device 19 and processes the video signal input into digital video data so that the processing device 1 can operate in the video recording mode. Is stored in the memory device 2 at the time.

An infrared transmitter 41 is mounted on the cassette casing 8 and coupled to the processing unit 1, and data compression of the compressed digital audio and / or video data when the processing unit 1 operates in the second playback mode. Controlled to transmit wirelessly from release device 4. Digital audio and / or video data transmitted by the infrared transmitter 41 may be received by the infrared receiver 14 of another digital audio cassette of the present invention.

In order to control the reproducing, fast forward, rewind, record, stop and pause operations of the processing device 1 to different recording and playback modes, a control key 12 is mounted on the cassette casing 8 and the processing device 1 ) Is combined. The control key 12 is also operable for volume, equalization and output repeat control. With the output repeat function, segments of digital audio data can be repeatedly retrieved by the processing apparatus 1. This function is ideal when the digital audio cassette of the present invention is used for language learning.

In order to start the transmission / reception of infrared data, the control button 410 on the cassette casing 8 is operated to operate the processing apparatus 1. The processing apparatus 1 may cause the status lamp 411 on the cassette casing 8 to display to the user the progress of the infrared data transmission / reception operation.

In addition, a function key may be provided to the wireless remote controller 17 to cause the controller 17 to transmit a wireless control signal. A wireless receiver 13 is mounted on the cassette casing 8 and coupled to the processing apparatus 1. The radio receiver 13 receives a control signal wirelessly transmitted by the controller 17 and provides the control signal to the processor 1 for remote control operation of the processor.

In addition, since the USB connectors 151 and 150 are disposed on the transverse opposite side of the computer casing 8, two digital audio cassettes of the present invention can be connected to each other. As shown in FIG. 7, the switch 152 on the cassette casing 8 operates to couple one cassette USB connector 150 to the other cassette USB connector 151. Since the USB connectors 151 and 150 are connected, high speed data transfer between the cassettes of the present invention is possible. For example, a song file of 5 to 7 MB in size may take 7 minutes of transmission time when infrared is used as a medium for data transmission. By using the USB connectors 151 and 150, song files of similar size may take 7 seconds or less in transmission time. The control key 12 operates to select a file transferred by one cassette, and controls the data storage operation of the processing device 1 of the other cassette.

In this embodiment, the power supply 10 is in the form of a battery removably disposed in a battery chamber (not shown) of the cassette casing 8. The cassette casing 8 has a cover 101 for supporting the power supply 10 in the battery chamber. The power supply 10 supplies electricity necessary for operating various electrical components of the digital audio cassette of the present invention.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the most practical and preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and is intended to include various arrangements within the broadly described spirit and scope in which all modifications and equivalent arrangements are implemented. .

In the present invention, since audio data is stored in a semiconductor memory device, when the audio data is recorded and played back using a magnetic tape, environmental degradation and sudden deterioration of sound quality are caused by disadvantages such as breakage, twisting or jamming of the magnetic tape. Is prevented.

Claims (22)

A standard tape deck 9 having a cassette support, a magnetic head 90 and a pair of hub linkages disposed within the cassette support, and Control button for controlling the recording playback, rewind and fast forward operation of the tape deck (9) In a digital audio cassette suitable for the purpose, A cassette casing 8 fitted in the cassette support portion, A storage device 2 arranged in the cassette casing 8 for storing digital audio data therein; An audio pickup device 16 mounted on the cassette casing 8 to generate an audio signal input, A converter 5 disposed in the cassette casing 8 for converting digital audio data into an analog audio output, A processing device 1 coupled to the storage device 2, the audio pick-up device 16, and the converter 5, wherein the processing device 1 is characterized in that the processing device 1 is connected to the audio pick-up device ( 16 is operable in a first recording mode for receiving an audio signal input from the audio signal input, and processing the audio signal input into digital audio data to store the processed digital audio data in the storage device 2, and furthermore the processing device. Operable in a reproducing mode in which (1) retrieves digital audio data from the storage device 2 and provides the retrieved digital audio data to the conversion device 5; The cassette casing 8 so that when the cassette casing 8 is fitted into the cassette support of the tape deck 9, the magnetic recording / playback output device 61 is disposed adjacent to the magnetic head 90 of the tape deck 9. A magnetic recording / playback output device 61 mounted thereon, wherein the magnetic recording / playback output device 61 is coupled to the converter 5 to receive analog audio output from the magnetic recording / playback output device 61; Is detected by the magnetic head 90 to generate a magnetic field corresponding to the analog audio output so that the tape deck 9 can reproduce the analog audio output. A detection device 3 mounted on the cassette casing 8 and coupled to the processing device 1, wherein the detection device 3 detects a desired operation of the tape deck 9 in response to the operation of one control button. And by informing the processing device 1 of a desired operation, the processing device 1 can retrieve appropriate digital audio data from the storage device 2 during a playback mode. Digital audio cassette comprising a. The method of claim 1, The digital audio data stored in the storage device 2 is compressed digital audio data, The processing device 1 comprises a data compressor 11 for generating compressed digital audio data, The digital audio cassette is connected to the processing device 1 and the converter 5, and a data decompressor 4, wherein the data decompressor 4 is connected to the storage device 1 by means of the storage device 1). Converting the compressed digital audio data retrieved from 2) into decompressed digital audio data provided to the converting apparatus 5 when the processing apparatus 1 operates in the reproduction mode. Digital audio cassette further comprising. The method of claim 1, Further comprising an infrared receiver 14 mounted on the cassette casing 8 and coupled to the processing apparatus 1, The infrared receiver 14 wirelessly receives digital audio data from an external data source, Further, the processing device 1 has a second recording mode in which the processing device 1 receives digital audio data from the infrared receiver 14 and stores the digital audio data thus received in the storage device 2. Operable Digital audio cassette. The method of claim 1, And further comprising a computer connector 15 mounted on the cassette casing 8 and coupled to the processing apparatus 1, The computer connection device 15 is connected to an external computer to receive digital audio data therefrom, The processing device 1 operates in a second recording mode in which the processing device 1 receives digital audio data from the computer connection device 15 and stores the received digital audio data in the storage device 2. possible Digital audio cassette. The method of claim 4, wherein The computer connection device (15) comprises a complementary male and female universal serial connector (151, 150). The method of claim 1, An audio power amplifier 62 disposed in the cassette casing 8 and coupled to the converter 5 to amplify analog audio output, and An earphone jack mounted on the cassette casing 8 and coupled to the audio power amplifier, where the earphone jack 63 is coupled to an earphone set; Digital audio cassette further comprising. The method of claim 6, And further comprising a plurality of control keys 12 mounted on the cassette casing 8 and coupled to the processing apparatus 1, The control key 12 is operable to control the operation of the processing device 1 Digital audio cassette. The method of claim 1, A wireless remote controller 17 operable to transmit a wireless control signal, and A radio receiver 13 mounted on the cassette casing 8 and coupled to the processing apparatus 1, wherein the radio receiver 13 receives the control signal transmitted by the remote controller 17 to receive the control signal; Providing a control signal to the processing device 1 to control the operation of the processing device 1; Digital audio cassette further comprising. The method of claim 1, wherein the audio pickup device 16 A microphone 161 mounted in the cassette casing 8, A microphone signal amplifier 162 disposed within the cassette casing 8 and coupled to the microphone 161, and An analog-to-digital converter 163 disposed in the cassette casing 8 and coupled to the microphone signal amplifier 162 and the processing unit 1. Digital audio cassette comprising a. The digital audio cassette according to claim 1, wherein said storage device (2) comprises a memory card removably mounted in said cassette casing (8). A digital audio cassette according to claim 1, wherein said storage device (2) comprises a flash memory (21) serving as a data memory and a read only memory (22) serving as a program memory. The digital audio cassette according to claim 1, wherein said storage (2) further stores digital video data therein. The method of claim 12, And a display device 17 mounted on the cassette casing 8 and coupled to the converter 5, The processing device 1 further retrieves digital video data from the storage device 2 and provides the retrieved digital video data to the converting device 5 so that the processing device 1 operates in a playback mode. A digital audio cassette for converting into an image signal to be sequentially provided to the display device (7). The method of claim 13, And further comprising an image collecting device 19 mounted on the cassette casing 8 and coupled to the processing device 1, The image collecting device 19 generates a video signal input, and the processing device 1 receives a video signal input from the image collecting device 19, and processes the video signal input into digital video data. When (1) operates in the video recording mode, the digital video data thus processed is stored in the storage device (2). Digital audio cassette. The method of claim 1, And a sound synthesizer (18) disposed in the cassette casing (8) and coupled to the processing unit (1) and the converter (5) to enhance the acoustic content of the analog audio output. The method of claim 1, Mounted on the cassette casing 8 and coupled to the processing apparatus 1 and controlled by the processing apparatus to wirelessly transmit digital audio data when the processing apparatus 1 is operating in a second playback mode. Digital audio cassette. The method of claim 1, The detection device 3 comprises a switch disposed in the cassette casing 8 adjacent to the magnetic recording reproduction output device 61, The switch is coupled to the processing apparatus 1 by the magnetic recording and playback output device 61 when the magnetic recording and playback output device 61 is pressed by the magnetic head 90 during the recording and playback operation of the tape deck. Working Digital audio cassette. 18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the detection device (3) A driven gear 33 rotatably mounted on the cassette casing 8 and engaged with the hub interlocking member when the cassette casing 8 is fitted into the cassette support of the tape deck 9, and A sensing device coupled to the processing device 1 and detecting rotation of the driven gear 33. Digital audio cassette further comprising. 19. The sensing device according to claim 18, wherein the sensing device is mounted on a first sensing member (34) disposed on the driven gear (33), and a second sensing mounted in the cassette casing (8) and coupled to the processing device (1). A digital audio cassette comprising a member 35. 20. The digital audio cassette according to claim 19, wherein said first sensing member (34) is an optical member and said second sensing member (35) is an optical coupler. 20. The digital audio cassette according to claim 19, wherein said first sensing member (34) is a magnetic member and said second sensing member (35) is a hall sensor. 18. The device of claim 17, wherein the switch is A movable switch contact portion 31 disposed adjacent to and movable with the magnetic recording and reproducing output device, and Conductive spring contacts 32 disposed generally in open circuit relation with the movable switch contacts 31. Including, The movable switch contact portion 31 is electrically connected to the conductive spring contact portion 32 when the magnetic recording reproduction output device 61 is pressed by the magnetic head 90 during the recording reproduction operation of the tape deck 9. Letting Digital audio cassette.