JP3935293B2 - Signal input / output device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention supplies video signals or audio signals to, for example, a video tape recorder (hereinafter referred to as a VTR), a cassette tape recorder, and the like, and reproduces them using the VTR, cassette tape recorder, etc. The present invention relates to a signal input / output device capable of capturing a video signal or an audio signal obtained in this way.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As the signal input / output device as described above, for example, there is a generally known video switcher device (also referred to as a video selector device). In other words, the video switcher device selects an arbitrary signal from the video signals input from a plurality of cameras, for example, and outputs it from the video output terminal. This video output terminal is connected to an external input terminal such as a monitor TV or a VTR. The video switcher device includes a video input terminal in addition to the video output terminal. The video input terminal is connected to, for example, an external output terminal of a VTR connected to the video output terminal, and a so-called playback video signal obtained by playing back the recorded video from the VTR via the video input terminal is a video switcher. Input into the device. The video switcher device displays the reproduced video signal input through the video input terminal, that is, the reproduced video, on a monitor TV connected to the video output terminal, for example.
[0003]
FIG. 2 shows a conventional example of this video switcher device, in particular, a conventional example of the portion related to the video output terminal and the video input terminal. This figure shows a state in which a plurality of, for example, two VTRs [A] and [B] are connected in series between the video output terminal 11 and the video input terminal 12 of the video switcher device 10. That is, the video output terminal 11 of the video switcher device 10 is connected to the external input terminal 2a of one VTR [A], and the external output terminal 3a of this VTR [A] is the external input terminal of the other VTR [B]. 2b. The external output terminal 3 b of the VTR [B] is connected to the video input terminal 12 of the video switcher device 10.
[0004]
Each VTR [A] and [B] has a generally known continuous recording function. That is, each VTR [A] and [B] has control output terminals 4a and 4b and control input terminals 5a and 5b, respectively. When the remaining recording time of each video tape approaches zero (0), each VTR [A] and [B] generates a recording control signal indicating that fact and outputs it to each control output terminal 4a. 4b. Each VTR [A] and [B] automatically records when the recording control signal is input from the outside via the control input terminals 5a and 5b when the VTR is in a stopped state. Start. In the configuration shown in the figure, the control output terminal 4a of VTR [A] and the control input terminal 5b of VTR [B] are connected, and the control output terminal 4b of VTR [B] and the control input terminal 5a of VTR [A] are connected. And connected. Therefore, with this configuration, when the remaining recording time of the video tape approaches zero (0) during recording of one of the VTRs [A] and [B], the other VTR [A] or [B] is automatically selected. Is automatically started, and so-called continuous recording operation is realized between the so-called VTRs [A] and [B]. Each VTR [A] and [B] automatically ends the recording operation when recording to the end of each video tape is completed.
[0005]
However, the configuration shown in FIG. 2 causes the following inconvenience. For example, it is now assumed that the recorded video is reproduced by the VTR [A] and at the same time the video signal output from the video switcher device 10 is recorded (recorded) by the VTR [B]. In this case, a playback video signal obtained by playback using the VTR [A] is input to the video switcher device 10 (video input terminal 12) via the VTR [B]. Accordingly, the VTR [B] records not the video signal output from the video switcher device 10 but the reproduced video signal of VTR [A], and thus records the video signal output from the video switcher device 10. I can't do it.
[0006]
Further, for example, it is assumed that both VTRs [A] and [B] are simultaneously performing a reproduction operation. In this case, the reproduced video signals of the VTRs [A] and [B] interfere with each other in the VTR [B]. Therefore, the recorded video of any VTR [A] and [B] is not reproduced. In other cases, for example, when video signals output from the video switcher device 10 are simultaneously recorded by both VTR [A] and [B], or video output from the video switcher device 10 by VTR [A]. When the recorded video is reproduced by the VTR [B] while recording the signal, there is no particular inconvenience.
[0007]
In order to eliminate the above inconvenience, for example, a configuration as shown in FIG. That is, the video signal output from the video switcher device 10 (video output terminal 11) is distributed by the distributor 6, and the video signals obtained by the distribution are respectively stored in the VTRs [A] and [B]. It inputs into each external input terminal 2a and 2b. Then, the external output terminals 3a and 3b of the VTRs [A] and [B] are respectively connected to the input side (left side in the figure) of the two-input switching device 7, for example. Then, the output side (right side in the figure) of the switching device 7 is connected to the video input terminal 12 of the video switcher device 10.
[0008]
According to this configuration, while the recorded video is reproduced by one of the VTRs [A] and [B], the video signal output from the video switcher device 10 is recorded by the other VTR [A] or [B]. be able to. For example, as shown in the figure, when the switching circuit 7 selects the VTR [A] side, the recorded video of the VTR [A] is reproduced (that is, the reproduction output from the VTR [A]). While inputting the video signal to the video input terminal 12 of the video switcher 1, the video signal output from the video switcher device 10 can be recorded on the VTR [B] side. Further, even when both VTRs [A] and [B] are both in a reproducing operation, the switching device 7 can reproduce the recorded video of at least one arbitrary VTR [A] or [B].
[0009]
As described above, according to the configuration of FIG. 3, the disadvantages in the configuration of FIG. 2 can be solved. However, in the configuration of FIG. 3, so-called peripheral devices called a distributor 6 and a switching device 7 are required. In addition, the number of cables connecting the devices increases accordingly. Therefore, the configuration of the entire system is complicated and expensive.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
That is, the problem to be solved by the present invention is that the conventional technique shown in FIG. 2 may cause inconvenience when reproducing each VTR [A] and [B], and the conventional technique shown in FIG. The overall system configuration is complicated and expensive.
[0011]
Therefore, the present invention has an object to provide a signal input / output device capable of eliminating the disadvantages of the prior art of FIG. 2 with a simpler and cheaper configuration than the prior art of FIG. .
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is connected to a recording / reproducing apparatus for recording a predetermined signal supplied from the outside on a predetermined recording medium, reproducing the recorded predetermined signal, and outputting the recorded signal to the outside. One or more, for example, a plurality of output terminals, capable of outputting the predetermined signal and supplying the predetermined signal to the recording / reproducing apparatus;
A plurality of the recording / reproducing devices can be connected, and a plurality of input terminals to which the respective predetermined signals obtained by reproducing from the respective recording / reproducing devices can be respectively input;
Each of the predetermined signals is input via each of these input terminals, and a selection means for arbitrarily selecting and outputting any of these signals,
It comprises.
[0013]
Note that examples of the predetermined signal mentioned here include a video signal and an audio signal. Examples of the recording / reproducing apparatus include so-called video-related apparatuses such as a VTR capable of recording / reproducing a video signal and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) apparatus capable of reading and writing data. Furthermore, the recording / reproducing apparatus can also be realized by a so-called audio-related apparatus such as a cassette tape recorder or a mini-disc (MD: MD is a registered trademark) apparatus capable of recording / reproducing an audio signal.
[0014]
According to the present invention, an individual output terminal and input terminal are provided for each recording / reproducing apparatus. Therefore, for example, predetermined signals output from the respective output terminals can be recorded individually or simultaneously by the respective recording / reproducing apparatuses. Further, for example, each predetermined signal obtained by reproduction by each recording / reproducing apparatus can also be input to each input terminal individually or simultaneously. Each predetermined signal obtained by the above reproduction that is input into the signal input / output device of the present invention through these input terminals is input to the selection means. Then, only one of the signals is selected by this selection means, that is, validated and output from the selection means. Therefore, the predetermined signals obtained by the above reproductions do not interfere with each other.
[0015]
Furthermore, each of the recording / reproducing devices includes, for example, first and second control terminals, and the recordable capacity (remaining capacity) of the recording medium is recorded while the predetermined signal is being recorded on the predetermined recording medium. When the storage capacity becomes substantially zero, a recording control signal is generated and output from the first control terminal, and when the recording control signal is input from the outside via the second control terminal, A device that automatically starts recording the predetermined signal on the predetermined recording medium may be used. In this case, among the recording / reproducing devices, the first control terminal of a certain recording / reproducing device and the second control terminal of a recording / reproducing device other than the certain recording / reproducing device are connected to each other. The recording / reproducing devices are connected in cascade (in series).
[0016]
In this way, when the recordable capacity of the recording medium of the certain recording / reproducing apparatus becomes substantially zero while the predetermined signal is being recorded by the certain recording / reproducing apparatus, Thus, a so-called continuous recording operation in which the recording operation is automatically started can be realized. Thus, in an application (system) in which a plurality of recording / reproducing apparatuses operate individually, the present invention is provided with individual output terminals and input terminals corresponding to the respective recording / reproducing apparatuses. In terms, it is very effective.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment in which the signal input / output device according to the present invention is applied to the above-described video switcher device will be described with reference to FIG.
[0018]
As shown in the figure, the video switcher apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of systems, for example, two systems, similar to the video output terminal 11 and the video input terminal 12 in FIGS. For each of these systems, VTRs [A] and [B] having a continuous recording function similar to those shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are individually connected.
[0019]
That is, the video output terminal 11a and the video input terminal 12a constituting one of the above systems are respectively connected to the external input terminal 2a and the external output terminal 3a of one VTR [A]. The video output terminal 11b and the video input terminal 12b forming the other system are respectively connected to the external input terminal 2b and the external output terminal 3b of the other VTR [B].
[0020]
The video input terminals 12a and 12b of each system are input to the switching circuit 8 in the video switcher device 1, respectively. The switching circuit 8 is input by manual operation or automatic control, that is, input from each external output terminal 3a, 3b of each VTR [A] and [B] via each video input terminal 12a, 12b. One of the signals to be output is selected and output. The output signal of the switching circuit 8 is input to, for example, a monitor television (not shown) or a VTR different from the above. Note that the same or different video signals are output from the video output terminals 11a and 11b of the video switcher device 1, respectively.
[0021]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the individual video output terminals 11a and 11b and the video input terminals 12a and 12b are provided corresponding to the respective VTRs [A] and [B]. Therefore, the recording operation and the reproduction operation can be individually executed by each VTR [A] and [B]. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, when the VTR [A] side is selected by the switching circuit 8, the recorded video of VTR [A] is reproduced (specifically, output from VTR [A]). The video signal output from the video switcher device 1 can be recorded on the VTR [B] side while the reproduced video signal is input to the monitor television or the like via the video input terminal 12a and the switching circuit 8 of the video switcher 1. . Further, even when both VTRs [A] and [B] are both in the reproducing operation, the switching circuit 8 can reproduce at least one of the recorded videos of the VTR [A] or [B]. Of course, the reproduced video signals of the VTRs [A] and [B] do not interfere with each other.
[0022]
In other words, according to the present embodiment, the disadvantages of the prior art shown in FIG. 2 can be eliminated as in the prior art shown in FIG. Further, in the present embodiment, unlike the configuration of FIG. 3 described above, it is not necessary to separately provide peripheral devices such as the distributor 6 and the switching device 7. Therefore, the cables for connecting the devices can be greatly reduced compared to the configuration of FIG. Therefore, the configuration of the entire system can be simplified and the cost can be reduced compared to the configuration of FIG.
[0023]
In the present embodiment, two video output terminals 11a and 11b and two video input terminals 12a and 12b are provided, but the number of systems may be greater than this.
[0024]
Each VTR [A] and [B] has a continuous recording function as described above. In an application where a plurality of VTRs [A] and [B] operate individually in cooperation like the continuous recording function , the present invention supports each VTR [A] and [B]. Thus, it is very effective in that it includes individual video output terminals 11a and 11b and video input terminals 12a and 12b.
[0025]
In the present embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the video switcher device 1 has been described. Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to other video-related devices. In addition, the present invention can be applied not only to video-related devices but also to audio-related devices such as an audio switcher device (or an audio selector device).
[0026]
The video output terminals 11a and 11b in the present embodiment correspond to the output terminals recited in the claims, and the video input terminals 12a and 12b correspond to the input terminals recited in the claims. The VTRs [A] and [B] correspond to the recording / reproducing apparatus described in the claims, and the control output terminals 4a and 4b and the control input terminals of the VTRs [A] and [B]. 5a and 5b correspond to the first control terminal and the second control terminal described in the claims, respectively. And the switching circuit 8 in this Embodiment respond | corresponds to the selection means as described in a claim.
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the signal input / output apparatus of the present invention, each output terminal and input terminal are provided corresponding to each recording / reproducing apparatus. Accordingly, a recording operation and a reproduction operation of a predetermined signal by each recording / reproducing apparatus can be executed individually and freely. Therefore, there is no problem as in the conventional technique shown in FIG. Further, since it is not necessary to separately provide peripheral devices such as the distributor 6 and the switching device 7 as in the prior art shown in FIG. 3, there is an effect that the configuration of the entire system can be simplified and reduced in cost.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a main part of a signal input / output device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a main part of a conventional signal input / output device.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a conventional example different from FIG . 2 ;

Claims (2)

Recording a predetermined signal supplied from the outside in a predetermined recording medium and a recording and reproducing apparatus outputs the signal obtained by recording to the external player, but are connected respectively to output the same said predetermined signal with each other A plurality of output terminals to be supplied to each of the recording and playback devices,
A plurality of input terminals to which the recording / reproducing devices are respectively connected, and to which reproduction signals obtained by reproducing from the respective recording / reproducing devices are respectively inputted ;
Selection means for inputting the reproduction signal from each of the recording / reproducing devices through each of the input terminals, arbitrarily selecting any one of the reproduction signals and outputting the selected reproduction signal ;
Equipped with,
Each of the recording / reproducing apparatuses includes first and second control terminals, and the recordable capacity of the predetermined recording medium is substantially zero while the predetermined signal is being recorded on the predetermined recording medium. The recording control signal is generated and output from the first control terminal. When the recording control signal is input from the outside via the second control terminal, the recording control signal is output to the predetermined recording medium. Starting to record the predetermined signal,
Among these recording / reproducing devices, the first control terminal of a certain recording / reproducing device and the second control terminal of the recording / reproducing device other than the certain recording / reproducing device are connected to each other. Connecting the recording / reproducing devices in cascade,
Signal input / output device. The signal input / output device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined signal is a video signal or an audio signal .

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