JP3661201B2 - Interface unit - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to a system suitable for recording / reproduction of information device data such as a computer and recording / reproduction mixed with various data such as information device data, audio data, and video data.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Various recording media and recording / reproducing apparatuses have been developed for audio applications, and small and ultra-small ones that are easy to carry are also widespread.
For example, there is a digital audio recording tape cassette known as an NT cassette having a planar size of about 3 cm × 2 cm, and a digital audio recording magneto-optical disk known as a mini disk.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, these recording media are digital audio recording media and record audio data in a predetermined format.
Here, with the spread / development of information devices such as personal computers in recent years, there has been a demand for using a small recording / reproducing system for backup and other purposes of so-called computer use data.
Also, from the viewpoint of promoting so-called multimedia, recording and reproduction are performed in correspondence with various data such as computer use data, video data such as moving images and still images, etc., using the above-described small audio equipment. There is also a desire to do so.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  According to the present invention, a recording / reproducing system capable of recording / reproducing computer data using a digital audio recording / reproducing system, and recording / reproducing mixed various types of data in response to such a request.Interface unit inThe purpose is to provide.
[0005]
  othersTheIt has a connection part that can record / reproduce data to / from a recording medium and can exchange data and various signals.Formed separately from the drive unit,SaidConnected to the connection part of the drive unit,A first connection unit that can exchange data and various signals with the drive unit, and a second connection unit that can exchange data and various signals with an external information device; An interface that performs interface processing between the first connection unit and the second connection unitprocessingPartA third connection unit different from the first connection unit and the second connection unit capable of inputting data from the outside to the interface processing unit;Data supplied from an external information deviceOr the external data input from the third connection unitThe interface unitProcessing partThrough the drive unitCan be transferred toConfigured asThe
[0006]
  Further, the third connecting portionBeforeThe data supplied from the drive unitVia the interface unit processorIt is configured so that it can be output to the outside.
  Furthermore, the data output from the third connection unit to the outside is audio data, and has a volume control knob for adjusting the output volume of the audio data.
  The third connection unit includes an encoding unit that encodes data input from the outside and a decoding unit that decodes data output to the outside.
[0007]
  Also,The interface unit processing unitCorresponding to the data type of the data input from the first connection unit, selecting any one of the second connection unit to the third connection unit and performing the interface process, The interface process is performed by selecting the first connection unit from the data input from the second connection unit or the third connection unit.
[0008]
  further,In the recording operation on the recording medium by the drive unit, management information indicating the data type is recorded corresponding to the data to be recorded, and the interface processing unit performs interface processing based on the management information.
[0009]
[Action]
The interface unit exchanges data with an external information device such as a personal computer, and the interface unit exchanges data with the drive unit. In other words, the interface unit has data corresponding to the recording format in the drive unit. The form and the data form of the external information device are converted. As a result, recording / reproduction of data of the external information device can be executed by the drive unit.
[0010]
Therefore, a digital audio recording / playback device can be used as a drive unit, and if an interface unit is prepared for each of the various interface methods employed by various external devices, the drive unit can be used for various external devices by replacing the interface unit. Can be used in common.
[0011]
Furthermore, since the interface unit supports a plurality of types of data such as audio data and video data, a recording / reproducing system suitable for multimedia can be realized.
[0012]
【Example】
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9, and a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 7 to 13. In these embodiments, a so-called NT cassette tape known as an ultra-small tape cassette for digital audio is used as a recording medium.
[0013]
The first embodiment has a configuration in which computer-use data can be recorded / reproduced using NT cassette tape, and the second embodiment has not only computer-use data but also other data such as audio and video. A configuration in which recording / playback is possible in a mixed manner will be described. Note that there are many types of computer use data depending on the type and application of the information device. Actually, it is a file, video, text, program, audio, etc., but here is data that is exchanged with the information device. Is collectively referred to as computer use data or computer data. Other data such as audio and video mixed in the second embodiment refers to data exchanged with audio equipment and video equipment.
[0014]
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a recording / reproducing system. Reference numeral 1 denotes an NT cassette tape serving as a recording medium. Reference numeral 10 denotes a drive unit that performs recording / reproduction on the NT cassette tape 1. For this drive unit 10, for example, interface units shown as 30A, 30B, and 30C are provided.
[0015]
Each of the interface units 30A, 30B, and 30C corresponds to a specific interface method employed in an information device such as a personal computer. For example, the interface unit 30A corresponds to a parallel port interface, the interface unit 30B corresponds to a SCSI (Small Computer System Interface), and the interface unit 30C corresponds to a PCMCIA (PC Memory Card International Association) interface. The drive unit 10 can be attached to and detached from each of the interface units 30A to 30C.
[0016]
That is, in the system of this embodiment, the connector 32A of the interface unit 30A is connected to the parallel port interface type information device, and the drive unit 10 is attached to the interface unit 30A. Data recorded on the NT cassette tape 1 and reproduced from the NT cassette tape 1 can be supplied to an external information device.
[0017]
Similarly, by using the interface unit 32B for the SCSI information device, data recording from the information device to the NT cassette tape 1 and reproduction data supply from the NT cassette tape 1 to the information device can be performed. It becomes possible.
[0018]
Further, an interface unit 32C is used for a PCMCIA interface type information device as an interface to a so-called memory card, so that data recording from the information device to the NT cassette tape 1 and NT cassette tape 1 to the information device are performed. It is possible to supply reproduction data from.
[0019]
In these cases, signal recording is performed on the tape 2 in the NT cassette tape 1 as shown in FIG. The NT cassette tape 1 has an A surface / B surface, and the recording area is divided into two in the tape width direction. FIG. 2A shows a state in which various computer data supplied from a personal computer or the like are recorded. Note that the NT cassette tape 1 is sometimes used in a recording apparatus for normal audio use, and FIG. 2A also shows a state in which audio data recorded at that time is mixed.
[0020]
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the external appearance of the drive unit 10 and the interface unit 30 (30A to 30C).
First, in the drive unit 10, reference numeral 11 denotes a lid for loading / removing the NT cassette tape 1. The lid 11 is provided with a window 12 so that the user can check whether the NT cassette tape 1 is loaded therein. Reference numeral 13 denotes an eject key. When the eject key 13 is pressed, the lid 11 is opened.
Reference numeral 14 denotes a connector arranged at the bottom of the drive unit 10 as shown in FIG.
[0021]
As the interface unit 30, a connector 31 is provided on the upper surface side. This connector 31 is connected to the connector 14 of the drive unit 10. That is, the connector 14 and the connector 31 are connected in a state where the drive unit 10 is set on the upper surface of the interface unit 30.
[0022]
Reference numeral 32 (32A to 32C) denotes a connector for connecting the interface unit 30 (30A to 30C) to an external information device.
Reference numeral 33 denotes an LED light emitting unit. The LED light emitting unit 33 is turned on according to the recording / reproducing operation in the drive unit 10.
The interface unit 30 is loaded with a battery 50 such as an AA dry battery. An external DC jack for supplying power from a commercial AC power source via a DC adapter may be provided.
[0023]
FIG. 4 is a system block diagram when the interface unit 30A is connected.
Reference numeral 60 denotes a host computer serving as an external device. In this case, the host computer 60 is a device adopting a parallel port interface method.
[0024]
The drive unit 10 is loaded with the NT cassette tape 1 so that the recording / reproducing operation can be performed. Reference numeral 15 denotes a head drum in which a magnetic head is arranged at a predetermined position on a cylindrical peripheral surface. At the time of loading, the head drum 15 enters the NT cassette housing as shown in the figure, and the magnetic tape 2 is wound around the peripheral surface at a predetermined angle. When the head drum 15 is rotated as the tape travels, the magnetic head on the peripheral surface traces the track by a so-called helical scan method.
Reference numeral 16 denotes a recording / reproducing circuit system, 17 denotes an interface unit, and 18 denotes a system controller.
[0025]
In the interface unit 30 </ b> A, 34 </ b> A indicates a conversion control unit that performs interface processing between the host computer 60 and the drive unit 10.
The conversion control unit 34A has a parallel port interface established with the host computer 60 via a connector 32A as shown in the figure.
[0026]
Further, when the drive unit 10 is mounted on the interface unit 30A and the connector 14 and the connector 31 are connected, the conversion control unit 34A communicates data and various signals based on the NT cassette tape recording / reproduction format with the interface unit 17. Sending and receiving is done.
[0027]
The following operations are realized by such a configuration.
When it is desired to record data in the host computer 60 on the NT cassette tape 1, the interface unit 30A transmits data from the host computer 60 (D₀ ~ D₇ ) And control signals are transmitted and received, and the recording operation in the drive unit 10 is controlled.
First, the power supply voltage V is supplied from the interface unit 30A to the drive unit 10._D Supply.
Further, a signal (wake up) for starting the system controller 18 is output.
[0028]
Further, a mechanical control command (control) in the drive unit 10 is output to cause the system controller 18 to execute predetermined operations such as loading, tape running, and head drum rotation.
When recording / reproducing the drive unit 10, error information (error) and status information (status) are supplied from the drive unit 10 to the interface unit 30A.
[0029]
The interface unit 30A receives data D supplied from the host computer 60.₀ ~ D₇ Is converted to an NT format data format and supplied to the drive unit 10. In the drive unit 10, the supplied data is supplied to the head of the head drum 15 via the recording / reproducing circuit unit 16 and magnetically recorded on the tape 2.
[0030]
Thereby, for example, as shown in FIG. 2A, computer-use data is recorded on the NT cassette tape 1 and can be used, for example, as a data backup.
At this time, an identification code is added to the CTL signal as management information so that it can be identified at the time of reproduction that the data recorded on the tape 2 is computer-use data. This will be described later.
[0031]
Next, when it is desired to read the data recorded on the NT cassette tape 1 into the host computer 60, the interface unit 30A controls the reproduction operation in the drive unit 10 as well as the transmission and reception of control signals with the host computer 60.
[0032]
That is, the interface unit 30A outputs a mechanical control command (control) to the drive unit 10 to cause the system controller 18 to execute predetermined operations such as loading, tape running, and head drum rotation, and to execute a reproducing operation. It receives playback data (data) and error information (error).₀~ D₇) And output to the host computer 60 side.
Thereby, the host computer 60 can take in the data recorded on the NT cassette tape 1.
[0033]
FIG. 5 is a system block diagram when the interface unit 30B is connected.
In this case, the host computer 60 serving as an external device is a device adopting the SCSI system. Then, the conversion control unit 34B exchanges data and control signals by the SCSI system with the host computer 60 via the connector 32B. Further, the conversion control unit 34B has an interface similar to that in the case of FIG.
[0034]
In this case, the data from the SCSI type host computer 60 is recorded on the NT cassette tape 1 by the drive unit 10 by the interface processing of the conversion control unit 34B, and the data reproduced from the NT cassette tape 1 is supplied to the host computer 60. Is possible.
[0035]
FIG. 6 is a system block diagram when the interface unit 30C is connected.
In this case, the host computer 60 serving as an external device is a device adopting the PCMCIA interface method. Then, the conversion control unit 34C exchanges data and control signals with the host computer 60 through the connector 32C by the PCMCIA interface method. Further, the conversion control unit 34C establishes the same interface with the drive unit 10 as in the case of FIGS.
[0036]
In this case, data from the host computer 60 having the PCMCIA interface is recorded on the NT cassette tape 1 by the drive unit 10 by the interface processing of the conversion control unit 34C, and data reproduced from the NT cassette tape 1 is supplied to the host computer 60. It becomes possible.
[0037]
That is, in the case of the present embodiment, the computer unit data can be recorded / reproduced to / from the NT cassette tape 1 using the drive unit 10 by replacing the interface unit according to the interface form of various external information devices. it can. Moreover, since all data is in the NT format at the time of recording on the NT cassette tape 1 and is converted into a predetermined interface form by any of the interface units 30A to 30C, the data recorded on the tape is It can also be read into various external information devices.
Of course, in addition to the above-described three examples, the interface unit 30 may be compatible with other interface forms.
[0038]
By the way, according to recording the computer data on the NT cassette tape 1, management information is added so that it can be identified that the data is not audio data but computer data at the time of reproduction. This will be described.
The recording format for the NT cassette tape 1 is as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7A, tracks T are formed on the A and B surfaces by the helical scan method, respectively, and the configuration of one track is as shown in FIG. 7B.
One track is composed of 108 blocks, and one block is 288 bits.
[0039]
The 9th block from the 4th block to the 12th block at the beginning of the track has an inner double recording field (inner double recording area), and an outer double recording field (outer double recording field) is placed in 7 of the last 12 blocks. Area) is provided. The 92 blocks between them are used as a recording area.
[0040]
As the recording area, two 40-block data areas, four CTL areas, and two IBG areas are provided, and the central two blocks are AUX areas.
The data area is an area where actual voice and data are recorded, and management of these data is recorded as control information in the CTL area.
Based on the control information of the CTL area, the type of recorded data (audio data, computer data, and audio data, video data, etc. according to a second embodiment described later) can be determined at the time of reproduction.
[0041]
FIG. 8 shows the structure of one block in the CTL area. This one block of data is repeatedly recorded four times in the four block CTL area. Since one track has two CTL areas, the same CTL data is recorded eight times per track.
[0042]
As shown in the figure, the CTL block is first provided with an 11-bit synchronization signal and a 13-bit address, and then each 12-bit control word CW.₀ ~ CW₁₉Is recorded. Finally, a CRCC code (12 bits × 2) is recorded. Here, the control word CW₀ ~ CW₁₉Various information about the track T is recorded as the control word CW_Four ~ CW₁₇Is undefined. Thus, for example, the control word CW_Four The data type identification code may be recorded using. That is, at the time of reproduction, the interface unit 30 can determine the type of data that is actually reproduced based on CTL data supplied as reproduction data.
[0043]
Control word CW₀ Can also be used.
Control word CW₀ In FIG. 9, the recorded contents are set according to the track by so-called paging. In other words, the page increases every track, 2ⁿ It is defined to rotate in a cycle, and the data of FIG. 9 is recorded for each page. Here, 4-bit information is recorded as the mode ID. When the 4-bit is “0001”, it is defined that the track is recorded with 2-channel audio data. Here, these four bits may be used to define a certain value to indicate computer data.
[0044]
By making it possible to identify the data type by the CTL data as described above, the interface unit 30 can process so that only the computer data is supplied to the host computer 60 side when the reproduction data is taken in from the drive unit 10.
[0045]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the interface with the host computer 60 is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the interface unit 30 can further exchange audio data and video data with external audio equipment and video equipment. It is what. That is, considering the NT cassette tape 1, various types of data such as audio data, video data (still images, moving images), computer data, etc. are recorded together as shown in FIG.
[0046]
In this case, as the interface unit 30, the following configuration is added in addition to the same portion as that of the first embodiment as shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 35 denotes an audio output volume knob. An audio input terminal 36 is connected to, for example, a microphone, and receives an audio signal from the microphone. Reference numeral 37 denotes an audio output terminal, which is a headphone terminal, for example, and a reproduced audio signal from the NT cassette tape 1 is output to the headphones. Reference numeral 38 denotes a video input terminal to which a moving image signal and a still image signal are input from a video signal source. Reference numeral 39 denotes a video output terminal. For example, a monitor device is connected, and a moving image signal and a still image signal reproduced from the NT cassette tape 1 are output and displayed on the monitor device.
[0047]
FIG. 11 shows a system block diagram when the interface unit 30A corresponding to the parallel port interface type host computer 60 is connected in this embodiment.
[0048]
As shown in the figure, in addition to the configuration similar to that of FIG. 4, the interface unit 30A is provided with an audio encoder / decoder unit 40 and a video encoder / decoder unit 41. In addition, a volume control unit 35 a that is variable by the audio output volume knob 35 is provided.
[0049]
The audio signal input from the audio input terminal 36 is converted into digital data by the audio encoder / decoder unit 40, encoded into a data format conforming to the NT format, and supplied to the conversion control unit 34A. Then, recording can be performed on the NT cassette tape 1 by supplying the drive unit 10 side from the conversion control unit 34A.
[0050]
Also, audio data reproduced from the NT cassette tape 1 is supplied from the conversion control unit 34A to the audio encoder / decoder unit 40, and decoding operations such as decoding processing, analog signal processing, amplification processing, and the like are executed. Then, the sound is output from the sound output terminal 37 via the volume control unit 35.
[0051]
The video signal input from the video input terminal 38 is encoded by the video encoder / decoder unit 41 into a data format conforming to the NT format and supplied to the conversion control unit 34A. Then, recording can be performed on the NT cassette tape 1 by supplying the drive unit 10 side from the conversion control unit 34A.
[0052]
Further, the video data reproduced from the NT cassette tape 1 is supplied from the conversion control unit 34A to the video encoder / decoder unit 41 to be decoded and output from the video output terminal 39.
[0053]
Here, when supplying the recording data to the drive unit 10, the conversion control unit 34A attaches the identification code as the CTL data included in the recording data by the method described above. That is, a code indicating computer data, audio data, video data (or still image data or moving image data), for example, a control word CW in the CTL block._Four It is made to record as.
[0054]
For this reason, even if various data are mixed on the NT cassette tape 1 as shown in FIG. 2B, the interface unit 30 can perform proper processing during reproduction. That is, if the reproduction data is computer data by CTL data at the time of reproduction, it is supplied to the host computer 60 through the parallel port interface. If the reproduction data is audio data by CTL data, the data is supplied to the audio encoder / decoder unit 40. Further, if the reproduction data is video data by CTL data, the data is supplied to the video encoder / decoder unit 41.
[0055]
FIG. 12 shows the configuration when the interface unit 30B corresponding to the SCSI system is connected, and FIG. 13 shows the configuration when the interface unit 30C corresponding to the PCMCIA interface system is connected. Since audio input / output and video input / output are the same as in FIG.
[0056]
As described above, in this embodiment, the NT cassette tape 1 is used for data backup of information equipment as in the first embodiment, and the NT cassette tape 1 is used for various types of data such as computer data, audio data, and video data. It can be used as a corresponding multimedia medium.
[0057]
By the way, in this second embodiment, with regard to the video signal, the NT format transfer rate (85 Kbytes / second) is insufficient for recording and reproducing moving images. Therefore, it is preferable to use the signal compression / decompression method employed in MPEG2 or JPEG in the video encoder / decoder unit 41.
Furthermore, when it is desired to further improve the image quality of a moving image, it is conceivable to improve the data transfer rate at the NT data stage. For example, it is conceivable to double the rotation speed of the head drum.
[0058]
In each of the above-described embodiments, the drive unit 10 is used by being connected to the interface unit 30. However, the drive unit 10 may be provided with an operation unit or a power supply unit so that it can be used alone.
Furthermore, it goes without saying that various modifications can be considered for the configuration of each part of the drive unit 10 and the interface unit 30.
For example, the drive unit 10 corresponds to the NT cassette tape, but another recording medium such as a mini disk may be used.
[0059]
【The invention's effect】
  As described above, the present inventionDepends on interface unitIn the recording / reproducing system, computer data can be recorded / reproduced using an audio recording medium such as an NT cassette tape or a mini disk, and various uses such as backup of computer data can be performed. In particular, there is an effect that the drive unit and the recording medium can be used for general purposes by replacing the interface unit according to the interface method of the information device.
[0060]
Further, by enabling recording and reproduction of various data such as audio data and video data as well as computer data via the interface unit, the drive unit and the recording medium can be used as a multimedia system. is there.
[0061]
It can also be used for data transfer between different information devices, and more particularly, since a small drive unit and interface unit can be realized, it is suitable for portable use or sharing with a plurality of personal computers.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a system configuration according to an embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a recording form on a tape according to an embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of external appearances of a drive unit and an interface unit according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a system connection state according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a system connection state according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a system connection state according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an NT recording format.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a CTL area in the NT recording format.
FIG. 9: Control word CW of CTL area in NT recording format₀ It is explanatory drawing of.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of external appearances of a drive unit and an interface unit according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a system connection state according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a system connection state according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a system connection state according to the second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 NT cassette tape
2 tapes
10 Drive unit
14 Connector
15 head drum
16 Recording / playback circuit
17 Interface section
18 System controller
30 (30A-30C) Interface unit
31 connector
32 (32A to 32C) connector
33 LED light emitting part
34 (34A to 34C) Conversion control unit
35 Audio output volume knob
35a Volume control unit
36 Audio input terminal
37 Audio output terminal
38 Video input terminal
39 Video output terminal
40 Audio encoder / decoder
41 Video encoder / decoder
50 battery
60 Host computer

Claims (6)

It is formed separately from a drive unit configured to have a connection part that can record / reproduce data to / from a recording medium and can exchange data and various signals,
Sending and receiving data and various signals between an external information device and a first connecting part that is connected to the drive unit connecting portion and can exchange data and various signals with the drive unit A second connection unit capable of performing interface processing, an interface unit processing unit for performing interface processing between the first connection unit and the second connection unit, and inputting external data to the interface unit processing unit The first connecting portion and the third connecting portion that are different from the second connecting portion can be configured,
Data supplied from an external information device or data from the outside input from the third connection unit can be transferred to the drive unit via the interface unit processing unit. Interface unit. The third connecting portion interface of claim 1, the data supplied from the previous SL drive unit, characterized in that it is configured so as to be able to output to the outside through the interface unit processor unit.   3. The interface unit according to claim 2, wherein the data output from the third connection unit to the outside is audio data, and has an audio volume adjustment knob for adjusting an output audio volume of the audio data.   The interface unit according to claim 2, wherein the third connection unit includes an encoding unit that encodes data input from the outside and a decoding unit that decodes data output to the outside. . The interface unit processing unit selects one of the second connection unit and the third connection unit corresponding to the data type of data input from the first connection unit, and performs the interface processing. 3. The interface unit according to claim 2, wherein the interface processing is performed by selecting the first connection unit for data input from the second connection unit or the third connection unit. In the recording operation on the recording medium by the drive unit, management information indicating a data type is recorded corresponding to the data to be recorded, and the interface unit processing unit performs interface processing based on the management information. The interface unit according to claim 1.

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