JP4363690B2 - Audio recording / playback device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an audio recording / reproducing apparatus having a communication function.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, a portable audio recording / reproducing apparatus that converts an audio signal into digital data, stores it in a flash memory as a rewritable storage medium, and reproduces the audio data stored in the flash memory in an analog manner is put into practical use. It has become.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, for example, in the case of an audio recording / reproducing apparatus that operates on a battery, if the battery is inadvertently removed (removed) during recording, the audio data recorded so far cannot normally be reproduced normally. Therefore, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-91540 proposes that when the battery cover is opened, the recording sequence being executed is immediately terminated.
[0004]
That is, before the battery is removed and the sequence control completely goes down, at least the audio data and management information necessary for reproducing the audio data are written in the semiconductor memory, so that the audio data recorded so far can be reproduced. I am doing so.
[0005]
By the way, in the case of an audio recording / reproducing apparatus having a communication function, for example, if a battery is accidentally removed (removed) while audio data is being loaded into a storage medium of a personal computer, Audio data sent to cannot be played normally. For this reason, normally, after the removal of the battery is completely recovered, it is necessary to discard and reload all the audio data before the communication interruption. Such poor operability causes great anxiety and stress on the operator.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and even if a battery is inadvertently removed (removed) during communication, the audio recording / reproduction that can restore the communication contents executed so far normally. An object is to provide an apparatus.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an audio recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage medium having at least an audio data area and an index information area, audio data converted into a digital signal for the storage medium, and the audio data The control means for controlling the writing of the index information relating to the audio data and the reading of the audio data based on the index information relating to the audio data stored in the storage medium, and the lid of the battery accommodating portion for accommodating the battery are opened. A lid opening detection means for detecting the fact that the lid has been opened from the lid opening detection means in a communication mode for communicating with the external communication device. when a signal indicating that is supplied to said control means, Ri entrance to exit the communication operation in the low current consumption mode Wherein during the low current consumption mode during the communication mode and the communication mode unreleased state is characterized that you prohibit the execution of the detection and a predetermined sequence associated with this switch input.
[0009]
Further, when a signal indicating that the lid is opened from the lid opening detection means is supplied to the control means, the shift to the communication mode is prohibited.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a block configuration of an audio recording / reproducing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “IC recorder”) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0011]
The IC recorder of this embodiment includes a microphone 1 that converts sound into an electrical signal, and the sound output from the microphone 1 is amplified by a connected microphone amplifier (AMP) 2. . The analog audio signal amplified by the microphone amplifier 2 is input to an A / D converter (A / D) 4 after an unnecessary frequency band is cut by a low-pass filter (LPF) 3. In the A / D converter 4, the audio signal converted into a digital signal is input to a digital signal processing unit (DSP) 15. The digital signal processing unit 15 compresses and converts (encodes) the audio signal, which is controlled by the system control unit 12 at the time of recording and converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 4 into data of a certain format in units of frames. The encoded data is temporarily stored as audio data in a buffer memory (not shown) of the system control unit 12.
[0012]
On the other hand, the digital signal processing unit 15 at the time of reproduction is controlled by the system control unit 12 to perform a process of decompressing and converting (decoding) audio data from a buffer memory (not shown) of the system control unit 12 in units of frames. The converted digital signal is output to a D / A converter (D / A) 5. The audio signal converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 5 is amplified by a power amplifier (AMP) 7 after an unnecessary frequency band is cut by a low-pass filter (LPF) 6. Then, the sound is output from the speaker 8. The system control unit 12 includes a CPU, and in addition to the digital signal processing unit 15, a storage unit (memory) 14, an operation unit 13, a display unit 11, and a communication interface unit 10 are connected. The storage unit 14 is composed of a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, such as a flash memory, and the audio data encoded by the digital signal processing unit 15 is recorded via a buffer memory (not shown) of the system control unit 12 during recording. Remember. At this time, index information related to the audio data is also stored. The operation unit 13 includes various switches such as a recording switch (REC), a playback switch (PLAY), a stop switch (STOP), a fast forward switch (FF), a fast reverse switch (REW), a menu switch (MENU), and the like. Has been.
[0013]
The display unit 11 displays an operation mode when a predetermined sequence starts or a subsequent operation state by any switch operation of the operation unit 13. For example, when the recording switch (REC) is pressed, the elapsed recording time, the remaining recording time, the file number, etc. are displayed. When the menu switch (MENU) is pressed, display related to function selection such as microphone sensitivity (high / low), recording mode (standard / long), and alarm (on / off) is performed. Further, when the system control unit 12 has a clock function, the current date and time are also displayed.
[0014]
The communication interface unit 10 is connected to each of the system control unit 12 and the PC (personal computer) 9, and when the IC recorder 16 is connected to the PC 9 as described above, the IC recorder 16 enters the slave state. The PC 9 connected to the communication interface unit 10 of the IC recorder 16 can read and write data in the storage unit 14 via the system control unit 12. Further, after the voice input to the microphone 1 is converted into voice data through the above-described compression conversion process, it is directly stored in a storage medium (not shown) of the PC 9 via the system control unit 12, or conversely, the PC 9 is not shown. Audio data stored in the storage medium can be output as audio from the speaker 8 through the above-described expansion conversion processing.
[0015]
Next, the operation of the IC recorder of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a main operation of the IC recorder of the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an interrupt process when the battery cover is open during communication of the IC recorder of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, when the IC recorder is powered on, the system control unit 12 executes predetermined initial settings (S1) and timer start (S2). This timer measures the time for the IC recorder to enter the standby mode (low current consumption mode) from the normal operation mode after a predetermined time has elapsed. Then, it is determined whether or not the communication connector is connected (S3). If the communication connector is not connected, a normal IC recorder single operation mode is entered.
[0016]
Incidentally, whether or not the communication connector is connected can be easily determined by detecting the voltage level (H or L level) of a predetermined signal pin of a connector (not shown). When the normal IC recorder single operation mode is entered, the recording switch (REC), the playback switch (PLAY), the fast forward switch (FF), and the fast reverse switch (REW) are detected by the switch detection operation shown in steps (S4) to (S9). ), A stop switch (STOP), and a menu switch (MENU). If the turned-on switch is the recording switch (S4), a recording processing subroutine (S12) is executed. Similarly, if the turned-on switch is the reproduction switch (S5), the reproduction process subroutine (S13) is turned on, and if the turned-on switch is the fast-forward switch (S6), the fast-forward process subroutine (S14) is turned on. If the switch is a fast-return switch (S7), a fast-return processing subroutine (S15), if the turned-on switch is a stop switch (S8), a stopped processing subroutine (S16), and the turned-on switch is a menu switch. If (S9), the menu change processing subroutine (S17) is executed. After execution of the subroutine, the timer is restarted (S18) and the process returns to the main loop.
[0017]
The recording process, the playback process, the fast forward process, the fast reverse process, the stop process, and the menu change process are performed using known technical means and are not directly related to the contents of the present invention. Detailed description is omitted.
[0018]
When all the switches are off, the comparison judgment (S10) between the time measured by the timer and a predetermined time is repeated in the main loop, and waits when the time exceeds the predetermined time. The mode subroutine (S11) is entered.
[0019]
On the other hand, when the communication connector is connected, it is determined in the communication connector connection determination (S3) that the connection is in progress, and the normal operation mode of the IC recorder alone is automatically switched to the communication mode. Subsequently, when a command is sent from the personal computer (S19), communication processing corresponding to the command is executed (S21), and the command waits again. While waiting for a command, comparison judgment (S20) between the time measured by the timer and a predetermined time is repeatedly performed, and the standby mode subroutine (S11) is entered when the time exceeds the predetermined time. When the standby mode is entered, the IC recorder 16 shown in FIG. Specifically, the microphone amplifier (AMP) 2, the low-pass filter (LPF) 3, the A / D converter (A / D) 4, the digital signal processing unit (DSP) 15, the D / A converter 5 of FIG. A chip enable terminal provided in an IC (not shown) that cuts off the power of the low-pass filter (LPF) 6, the power amplifier (AMP) 7, the display unit 11, the storage unit 14, and the communication interface unit 10 or constitutes each block. In addition, by outputting a non-selection signal from the system control unit 12, a low current consumption state is obtained. At this time, the CPU of the system control unit 12 switches itself to a low-speed clock with the least current consumption and enters a low current consumption state. In some cases, the operating clock is switched from the main clock (for example, 9.28 MHz) to the sub clock (for example, 32.768 kHz), and then the main clock is completely stopped until communication is resumed or switch input is detected. May be.
[0020]
Next, as shown in FIG. 4, when the battery cover is opened during the communication mode, the system control unit 12 immediately executes a communication end process (S30) and starts a low current consumption operation (S31). The detection of the battery lid opening will be described in detail later.
[0021]
Then, until the battery cover is closed (S32), the low power consumption operation is kept in a standby state. Thereafter, when the battery cover is completely closed and it is determined that the connection is being established in the communication connector connection determination (S33), the communication is resumed (S34), and this state is maintained until some command is sent from the personal computer. When communication is resumed, the normal operation mode (returned from the low current consumption operation) is set (S36), and the process returns to the main loop. If the connection of the communication connector is released in the loop in which the communication connector is connected, the switch input wait (S35) is maintained, and this state is maintained until any operation switch in the operation unit is turned on. Thereafter, when the switch is turned on, the normal operation mode is set (S36) and the process returns to the main loop in the same manner as when the communication is resumed.
[0022]
FIG. 2 shows a power supply unit (not shown in the block diagram of FIG. 1) in the IC recorder of the present embodiment.
In the figure, power for the system control unit 20 is supplied by a DC / DC converter 21 that boosts the output voltage of the battery 23 to a predetermined voltage. The output voltage at the terminal Vb is supplied to analog power supplies such as a microphone amplifier (AMP) 2 and a power amplifier (AMP) 7. Similarly, the output voltage of the terminal Vcc is supplied to power sources such as the digital signal processing unit (DSP) 15, the storage unit 14, and the communication interface unit 10. The switch 22 that is turned on / off in conjunction with the opening / closing of the battery cover must be detected with priority over any process, and is therefore input to the interrupt port of the system control unit 20.
[0023]
By the way, as a power source of the IC recorder as in the present embodiment, a dry battery is often used as a standard because of easy replacement and availability. Therefore, normally, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, a space of a size that can accommodate two AAA batteries in series is provided in a concave shape on the back surface of the exterior housing 30, and the accommodated battery is in use. A battery cover 34 that completely covers the partially exposed recess is provided so as not to easily fall off due to an impact such as vibration drop. In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, the latching recessed part is formed in the part which fits the battery cover 34 of the exterior housing | casing 30. As shown in FIG. In addition, the battery lid 34 is formed with a locking piece that matches the locking recess, and the battery lid 34 is slid in the lateral direction to cover a partially exposed recessed portion of the exterior housing 30. The locking piece of the battery lid 34 is fitted into the locking recess of the outer housing 30.
[0024]
Further, a convex portion 33 is formed at the fitting portion of the battery lid 34, and the switch 31 disposed inside the outer casing 30 when the battery lid 34 is completely fitted into the outer casing 30. The protrusion 32 that forms is pushed. Further, when the battery lid 34 is slid and opened, the pressing state by the convex portion 33 is released.
[0025]
That is, the switch 31 is turned on / off in conjunction with the opening / closing of the battery lid 34. Actually, if the switch 22 in FIG. 2 is turned on when the battery cover is opened and turned off when the battery cover is closed, for example, the operator accidentally dropped the IC recorder during communication and the battery cover was removed. At this time, the system control unit 20 immediately detects that the switch 22 is turned on and executes a communication end process. Communication end processing here refers to writing of management information indicating in which storage area of the personal computer storage medium the audio data transferred from the storage medium of the IC recorder to the personal computer storage medium before the communication interruption It is processing. Thereby, the personal computer can reproduce the audio data transferred at least before the communication interruption based on the management information.
[0026]
Thus, according to the IC recorder of the present embodiment, even if the IC recorder is dropped during the communication operation or the battery is inadvertently removed, the data read or written so far can be restored normally. Therefore, the operability is remarkably improved.
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, even if the voice recording / reproducing device is dropped during the communication operation or the battery is inadvertently removed, the data read or written up to that time can be restored normally. Is significantly improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing a configuration of an IC recorder according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a power supply unit (not shown in the block diagram of FIG. 1) in the IC recorder of the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a main operation of the IC recorder of the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an interrupt process when the battery cover is opened during communication of the IC recorder of the present embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a power supply of the IC recorder of the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Microphone 2 ... Microphone amplifier 3 ... Low pass filter 4 ... A / D converter 5 ... D / A converter 6 ... Low pass filter 7 ... Power amplifier 8 ... Speaker 9 ... Personal computer 10 ... Communication interface part 11 ... Display part 12 , 20 ... System control unit 13 ... Operation unit 14 ... Storage unit 15 ... Digital signal processing unit 16 ... IC recorder 21 ... DC / DC converters 22, 31 ... Switch 23 ... Battery 30 ... Exterior housing 32 ... Projection 33 ... Convex Part 34 ... Battery cover

Claims (2)

A storage medium having at least an audio data area and an index information area;
Controlling writing of audio data converted into digital signals and index information related to the audio data to the storage medium, and reading of audio data based on the index information related to the audio data stored in the storage medium Control means for controlling;
Lid opening detection means for detecting that the lid of the battery storage unit for storing the battery has been opened;
A communication means for communicating with an external communication device, and a signal indicating that the lid has been opened is supplied from the lid opening detection means to the control means during a communication mode for communicating with the external communication device. when I is Ri entrance to exit the communication operation in the low current consumption mode,
Wherein during the communication mode and the low current consumption mode of the communication mode unreleased state, audio recording and reproducing apparatus characterized that you prohibit the execution of the detection and a predetermined sequence associated with this switch input. A storage medium having at least an audio data area and an index information area;
Controlling writing of audio data converted into digital signals and index information related to the audio data to the storage medium, and reading of audio data based on the index information related to the audio data stored in the storage medium Control means for controlling;
Lid opening detection means for detecting that the lid of the battery storage unit for storing the battery has been opened;
A communication means for communicating with an external communication device, and a signal indicating that the lid has been opened is supplied from the lid opening detection means to the control means during a communication mode for communicating with the external communication device. when I is Ri entrance to exit the communication operation in the low current consumption mode,
The cover opening when the signal indicating that the lid is opened from the detecting means being supplied to said control means, audio recording and reproducing apparatus characterized that you prohibit the shift to the communication mode.

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