U.S. patent application number 11/481527 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-09 for recording apparatus, reproducing apparatus, and recording and/or reproducing apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sony Corporation. Invention is credited to Eiichi Yamada.
Application Number | 20060253211 11/481527 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 17152092 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060253211 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yamada; Eiichi |
November 9, 2006 |
Recording apparatus, reproducing apparatus, and recording and/or
reproducing apparatus
Abstract
An apparatus has a microphone, an analog to digital converting
circuit, a semiconductor memory, an input device, and a controller.
The analog to digital converting circuit converts an output signal
from the microphone into a digital signal. The semiconductor memory
stores the digital signal. The input device at least carries out
input of a record start instruction and a record end instruction.
The controller, according to the instruction input from the input
device, controls the start and stop of writing the digital signal
into the semiconductor memory. When the input device is operated
and a predetermined time interval has passed, the controller
controls to start writing the digital signal from the
analog/digital converting circuit into the semiconductor
memory.
Inventors: |
Yamada; Eiichi; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LERNER, DAVID, LITTENBERG,;KRUMHOLZ & MENTLIK
600 SOUTH AVENUE WEST
WESTFIELD
NJ
07090
US
|
Assignee: |
Sony Corporation
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
17152092 |
Appl. No.: |
11/481527 |
Filed: |
July 6, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09905137 |
Jul 13, 2001 |
7103430 |
|
|
11481527 |
Jul 6, 2006 |
|
|
|
08925126 |
Sep 8, 1997 |
6311092 |
|
|
09905137 |
Jul 13, 2001 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
700/94 ;
G9B/31.003 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 5/023 20130101;
G11B 2220/60 20130101; G11C 2207/16 20130101; G11C 7/16 20130101;
G11B 2020/10546 20130101; G11B 31/02 20130101; G11B 20/10527
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
700/094 |
International
Class: |
G06F 17/00 20060101
G06F017/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 14, 2000 |
JP |
2000-179002 |
Sep 18, 1996 |
JP |
P08-246684 |
Claims
1. A reproducing apparatus, comprising: a storage unit configured
to store at least two files into which data is stored; a
reproducing unit configured to reproduce the data; a time setting
unit configured to set a time; a memory configured to store time
data corresponding to the set time; and a controller configured to
control the reproducing unit to reproduce predetermined data from
the storage unit according to the time data stored in the memory,
wherein a plurality of units of data are stored in each of the
files and the predetermined data is stored in one of the files.
2. The reproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising: an input unit configured to input instructions from a
user, wherein the predetermined data is designated based on the
input instructions.
3. The reproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the one
of the files is designated based on the input instructions.
4. The reproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
time setting unit sets a desired day of the week.
5. The reproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
controller includes a clock section, and when the clock section
coincides with the time data stored in the memory, the controller
controls the reproducing unit to reproduce the predetermined data
from the storage unit.
6. The reproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising: a digital/analog converter configured to reproduce the
predetermined data as analog data.
7. The reproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
data is selected from the group consisting of audio data and image
data.
8. The reproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
storage unit is a disc-type recording medium or a semiconductor
memory-type recording medium.
9. A recording apparatus, comprising: a storage unit configured to
store at least two files into which data is stored; a recording
unit configured to record inputted data; a time setting unit
configured to set a time; a memory configured to store time data
corresponding to the set time; and a controller configured to
control the recording unit to record the inputted data into the
storage unit according to the time data stored in the memory,
wherein a plurality of units of data are recorded in each of the
files and the inputted data is recorded in one of the files.
10. The recording apparatus as claimed in claim 9, further
comprising: an input unit configured to input instructions from a
user, wherein a file into which the inputted data is recorded is
designated based on the input instructions.
11. The recording apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the time
setting unit sets a desired day of the week.
12. The recording apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the
controller includes a clock section, and when the clock section
coincides with the time data stored in the memory, the controller
controls the recording unit to record the inputted data into the
storage unit.
13. The recording apparatus as claimed in claim 9, further
comprising: an analog/digital converter configured to record the
inputted data as digital data.
14. The recording apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the data
is selected from the group consisting of audio data and image
data.
15. The recording apparatus as claimed in claim 9, further
comprising: a microphone configured to provide the inputted data to
the recording unit.
16. The recording apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the
storage unit is a disc-type recording medium or a semiconductor
memory-type recording medium.
17. A method of reproducing data, comprising: providing at least
two files into which data is stored, the data being stored as a
plurality of units of data in each of the files; setting a time and
storing time data corresponding to the set time; controlling the
reproduction of predetermined data from one of the files according
to the stored time data.
18. The method of reproducing data as claimed in claim 17, further
comprising: inputting instructions from a user; and designating the
predetermined data based on the input instructions.
19. The method of reproducing data as claimed in claim 18, further
comprising: designating the one of the files based on the input
instructions.
20. The method of reproducing data as claimed in claim 17, wherein
the step of setting the time includes setting a desired day of the
week.
21. The method of reproducing data as claimed in claim 17, wherein
the controlling step includes reproducing the predetermined data
when a current time coincides with the stored time data.
22. The method of reproducing data as claimed in claim 17, further
comprising: converting the predetermined data from digital data to
analog data.
23. The method of reproducing data as claimed in claim 17, wherein
the data is selected from the group consisting of audio data and
image data.
24. The method of reproducing data as claimed in claim 17, wherein
the data is stored on a disc-type recording medium or a
semiconductor-type recording medium.
25. A method of recording data, comprising: providing at least two
files into which data is stored, the data being stored as a
plurality of units of data in each of the files; setting a time and
storing time data corresponding to the set time; and controlling
the recordation of inputted data into one of the files according to
the stored time data.
26. The method of recording data as claimed in claim 25, further
comprising: inputting instructions from a user; and designating a
file into which the inputted data is recorded based on the input
instructions.
27. The method of recording data as claimed in claim 25, wherein
the step of setting the time includes setting a desired day of the
week.
28. The method of recording data as claimed in claim 25, wherein
the controlling step includes recording the inputted data when a
current time coincides with the stored time data.
29. The method of recording data as claimed in claim 25, further
comprising: converting the inputted data from analog data to
digital data for recordation.
30. The method of recording data as claimed in claim 25, wherein
the data is selected from the group consisting of audio data and
image data.
31. The method of recording data as claimed in claim 25, wherein
the inputted data is inputted through a microphone.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 09/905,137, filed on Jul. 13, 2001, which is a division of U.S.
application Ser. No. 08/925,126, filed on Sep. 8, 1997, now U.S.
Pat. No. 6,311,092, the disclosures of which are hereby
incorporated by reference herein, which claim priority from
Japanese Patent Application Nos. 08-246684 filed on Sep. 18, 1996,
and 2000-179002 filed on Jun. 14, 2000.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, a
reproducing apparatus, and a recording and/or reproducing apparatus
and particularly to a recording apparatus, a reproducing apparatus,
and a recording and/or reproducing apparatus having a storage
device.
[0003] A voice signal recording apparatus such as a portable,
small-size tape recorder and an optical magnetic disc apparatus
capable of writing normally has a built-in microphone for recording
in a cabinet thereof. The cabinet also has operation pushbutton
switches such as a recording start pushbutton switch and a stop
pushbutton switch.
[0004] These pushbutton switches are usually provided with a click
mechanism so that a user can feel when a pushbutton switch is
depressed, which assures the operation.
[0005] The above-mentioned small-size voice signal recording
apparatus has a problem that a click sound is also recorded because
it is impossible to assure a sufficient distance between a
microphone and, for example, a recording start pushbutton
switch.
[0006] FIG. 1 (A) through FIG. 1 (F) show a concrete example. If a
recording start pushbutton switch is depressed at time t.sub.1 and
released at time t.sub.2 as shown in FIG. 1 (A), and a stop
pushbutton switch is depressed at time t.sub.3 and released at time
t.sub.4 as shown in FIG. 1 (B), then, as shown in FIG. 1 (C), a
voice is generated at each of these operations. The voices have the
maximum amplitude at t.sub.1, t.sub.2, t.sub.3, and t.sub.4,
respectively, and the amplitude is gradually attenuated for a time
interval T. Consequently as shown in FIG. 1 (F), the click sounds
are inputted over a voice to be recorded. On the other hand, as
shown in FIG. 1 (E), recording starts with a delay of .DELTA.1
after time t.sub.1 when the recording start pushbutton switch is
specified and the recording terminates with a delay of .DELTA.2
after time t.sub.3 when the recording stop pushbutton switch is
specified. That is, as shown in FIG. 1 (F), three click sounds are
recorded over a voice to be recorded.
[0007] Thus, a small-size voice signal recording apparatus having a
built-in microphone has a problem that if a pushbutton switch
provided with a click mechanism is used for improving operation
feeling for a user, the click sound of the pushbutton switch is
also unnecessarily recorded.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a recording apparatus which resolves the above-mentioned
problem.
[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
reproducing apparatus which resolves the above-mentioned
problem.
[0010] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
recording and/or reproducing apparatus which resolves the
above-mentioned problem.
[0011] According to the present invention, there is provided a
recording apparatus including a microphone, an analog to digital
converting circuit, a storage device, an input device, and a
controller. The analog to digital converting circuit converts an
output signal from the microphone into a digital signal. An output
signal from this analog to digital converting circuit is written in
the storage device. The input device is capable of entering at
least a recording start and recording stop. The controller,
according to the operation of the input device, controls the start
and stop of writing into the storage device of a digital signal
produced from the analog to digital converting circuit. The
controller controls so as to start writing the digital signal from
the analog to digital converting circuit into the storage device
when a predetermined time interval has passed after the input
device is operated.
[0012] According to the present invention, there is provided a
reproducing apparatus including a storage device, time setter, a
memory, and a controller. At least one dynamic data is written into
the storage device. The time setter is used for specifying a time.
The memory stores a time data specified by the time setter. The
controller reads out the dynamic data from the storage device
according to the time data stored in the memory.
[0013] According to the present invention, there is provided a
recording and/or reproducing apparatus including a microphone, an
analog to digital converting circuit, a semiconductor memory, a
digital to analog converting circuit, an input device, a
controller, and a cabinet. The analog to digital converting circuit
converts an output signal from the microphone into a digital
signal. The semiconductor memory stores an output signal from the
analog to digital converting circuit. A digital signal read from
the semiconductor memory is converted into an analog signal by the
digital to analog converting circuit. The input device at least
enters a recording start, recording stop, and reproduction start.
The controller, according to an operation of the input device,
controls writing of a digital signal from the analog to digital
converting circuit, into the semiconductor memory, and reading of a
digital signal from the semiconductor memory. The cabinet is
provided with the microphone, the analog to digital converting
circuit, the digital to analog converting circuit, and the input
device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIGS. 1 (A) to (F) are to be used to explain the
relationship between a click sound generated when a recording start
pushbutton or a recording stop pushbutton is depressed and a result
of recording.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an IC
recorder as a recording and/or reproducing apparatus according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a front external view of the IC recorder according
to the embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a power
section of the IC recorder.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of recording by
the IC recorder.
[0019] FIGS. 6 (A) to (G) are to be used to explain the
relationship between a click voice generated by the recording start
pushbutton or recording stop pushbutton, and a recording
procedure.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of reproducing by
the IC recorder.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of alarm
reproduction by the IC recorder.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] Hereinafter, a recording and/or reproducing apparatus
according to the present invention will be explained in detail with
reference to the attached drawings. The recording and/or
reproducing apparatus will be explained as a recording/reproducing
apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as an IC recorder) in which a
signal from a microphone is stored in a semiconductor memory, and a
signal read from the semiconductor memory is outputted from a
speaker.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, for example, the IC recorder 1 has:
[0024] a recording section 10 which converts a voice signal from a
microphone 11 into a voice data and stores it in a semiconductor
memory 9;
[0025] a reproducing section 20 which reads out the voice data from
the semiconductor memory 9, converts it into a voice signal, and
drives a speaker 24;
[0026] a controller 30 which controls the recording section 10;
[0027] a display section 40 which displays an operation state and
an operation procedure;
[0028] a power source 50 for supplying power to the controller 30
and others; and
[0029] an input device 60 for a user to carry out operations.
[0030] The recording section 10, as shown in FIG. 2, has: an
amplifier 12 for amplifying a voice signal from the microphone 11;
a automatic gain controller 13 (hereinafter, referred to as AGC)
for adjusting the voice signal amplified by the amplifier 12 to be
at a proper level; an encoder 14 for converting a voice signal from
the AGC 13 into a voice data; and a buffer memory 15 for delaying
the voice data from the encoder 14.
[0031] A voice entered to the microphone 11 is converted into a
voice signal by the microphone 11 and supplied to the amplifier 12.
The amplifier 12 amplifies the voice signal and supplies a
resultant signal to the AGC 13. The voice signal which has been
amplified by the amplifier 12 is further amplified by the AGC so as
to obtain an appropriate level, which is then supplied to the
encoder 14.
[0032] Because a voice signal has an intimate correlation with
time, the encoder 14, for example by way of adaptive differential
pulse code modulation (hereinafter, referred to ADPCM), encodes a
voice signal with a small amount of data so as to generate a voice
data, which is supplied to the buffer memory 15.
[0033] The buffer memory has a capacity sufficient to store the
voice data from the encoder 14 for a predetermined time interval,
and temporarily stores the voice data from the encoder 14 and then
supplies the data to the semiconductor memory 9.
[0034] The semiconductor memory 9 is made of an involatile memory
in which contents of a storage device will be held without
disappearing even if a power source of a memory, for example,
electrical erasable/programmable read-only memory (hereinafter,
referred to as EEPROM), is turned off. The semiconductor memory
stores the voice data supplied from the buffer memory 15 as well as
a control data (hereinafter, referred to as TOC data) which
controls a voice data, by indicating in which area the voice data
is stored. For example, the semiconductor memory 9 has a storage
capacity of 16 M bytes and can store for 8 minutes a voice data
corresponding to a voice signal of 200 to 3400 Hz at an SP mode
which will be explained later, and for 16 minutes a voice data
corresponding to a voice signal of 200 to 1700 Hz at an LP mode
which will be explained later.
[0035] On the other hand, the reproduction section 20, as shown in
FIG. 2, includes: a decoder 21 for converting the voice data from
the semiconductor memory 9 into a voice signal; a filter 22; and an
amplifier 23 which amplifies the voice signal from the filter 22
and supplies the signal to a speaker 24.
[0036] The decoder corresponds to the encoder 14 of the recording
section 10. The voice data which has been read out of the
semiconductor memory 9, i.e., the voice data which has been encoded
by the ADPCM method, is decoded by this decoder so as to generate a
so-called PAM signal. The filter 22 eliminates a high frequency
component exceeding a voice zone from this PAM signal, and outputs
a voice signal. The signal from the decoder 21 is supplied to the
amplifier 23, which amplifies the voice signal and drives the
speaker 24. The voice which has been recorded is outputted from the
speaker 24.
[0037] The controller 30, as shown in FIG. 2, includes: a ROM 31
which stores a program used for controlling operation of the IC
recorder; a microcomputer (hereinafter, referred to as CPU) which
executes the program stored in the ROM 31 for controlling the
semiconductor memory 9 and the recording section 9; a timer 33 for
time count; and a random access memory 34 (hereinafter, referred to
as RAM) which temporarily stores a time, a result of program
execution or the like.
[0038] The controller is supplied with signals from various
pushbuttons 61 arranged in the input device 60. When one of the
pushbuttons 61 is depressed, the CPU 32 reads out a corresponding
program from the ROM 31 and executes the program for controlling a
necessary section. For example, if a recording start pushbutton 61k
which will be detailed later is depressed, the CPU 32 reads out a
program corresponding to recording from the ROM 31 and executes the
program so as to operate the amplifier 12, the AGC 13, and the
encoder 14. The voice data temporarily stored in the buffer memory
15 is stored in an empty storage area of the semiconductor memory
9. The controller 30 controls writing and reading of a voice data
to/from the semiconductor memory 9. Up to 99 cases of voice data
can be written into each of two files A and B, each case being
identified with an index number. According to an index number, a
voice data is read out, or a voice data can also be read out when a
specified time has come. This will be detailed later. The CPU 32 is
connected to a quartz oscillator 35 for operating the timer 33. As
will be detailed later, a voice data stored in the semiconductor
memory 9 is read out at a predetermined time. This is also
controlled by the CPU 32. The controller 30 is connected to a
display section 40, and the CPU 32 displays various information
such as an operation state and operation procedure of the IC
recorder 1, on the display section 40. The display section 40
includes a liquid crystal display (hereinafter, referred to as LCD)
panel 41 and a back light 42 for illuminating this LCD panel. For
example, when a menu/feed pushbutton 61s of the input device 60 is
depressed, the CPU 32 successively displays a date and a time on
the display section 40 so that the user can set the timer, looking
at this display.
[0039] Description will now be directed to a configuration of the
input device 60 with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 3 shows a
portable IC recorder having an external cabinet formed in the size
of a palm. The cabinet contains a printed circuit board of the
aforementioned recording section 10, the reproduction section 20 or
the like. This IC recorder 1 is formed in such a manner that it can
easily be held by a left hand of a user so that the user can
operate this IC recorder simultaneously with a writing work by the
right hand. The IC recorder 1 has an external cabinet 1a, where
pushbuttons 61 of the input section 60 are arranged. As shown in
FIG. 3, the external cabinet 1a is provided with a hand strap 1b
which is used by the user when the user carries the IC recorder
1.
[0040] The input section is composed of the following pushbuttons:
the menu/feed pushbutton 61a, a reproduction pushbutton 61b for
starting a reproduction, a return/feed pushbutton 61c for setting
an index number, a file select pushbutton 61 for switching between
the aforementioned two files A and B, a stop pushbutton 61e for
terminating recording or the like, an SP/LP pushbutton 61f for
switching between an SP mode and an LP mode, a light pushbutton 61g
for turning the back light 42 on, a display pushbutton 61h, an
index pushbutton 61i for setting an index, an erase pushbutton 61j
for erasing a voice data stored in the semiconductor memory 9, and
a recording start pushbutton 61k for starting a recording. Among
these pushbuttons, those which are used most frequently, i.e., the
reproduction pushbutton 61b and the return/feed pushbutton 61c, are
arranged in the notched portion of a side surface at the upper left
of the external cabinet 1a in FIG. 3, so that the user can easily
operate these pushbuttons with his/her left thumb. The recording
start pushbutton 61k which is also used frequently is formed larger
than the other pushbuttons and arranged at the center of the main
surface of the external cabinet 1a so that the user can easily
operate this pushbutton with his/her left thumb. When one of these
pushbuttons is operated, a corresponding mechanical switch located
below the depressed pushbutton is operated. At this time, a click
sound is generated. The click sound will be detailed later.
[0041] The aforementioned microphone 11, the LCD panel 41 and the
speaker 24 are also arranged on this main surface of the external
cabinet 1a. Because the IC recorder is formed small so as to be
convenient for carrying, the microphone 11 is located near the
recording start button 61k.
[0042] The input device 60 includes: a hold switch 62; a
record/reproduce lamp 63 which indicates recording or reproduction
is in progress; a volume switch 64 for adjusting volume of the
reproduced voice; and an earphone jack 65. As shown in FIG. 3, the
record/reproduce lamp 63 is arranged on the main surface of the
external cabinet 1a so that it can easily be seen while using. The
hold switch 62, the volume switch 64, and the earphone jack 65 are
used less frequently and arranged on the side portion of the
external cabinet 1a. When the hold switch 62 is operated, operation
of the operation pushbuttons of the input device 60 is invalidated
so as to prevent malfunction of the IC recorder while carrying.
[0043] Subsequently, description will be directed to the power
source section 50. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the power
source section includes: a battery 51; a DA/DA converter 52 for
increasing an output voltage of the battery 51; a voltage detecting
circuit 53 for detecting an output voltage of the battery 51; and a
capacitor 54 for charging with an output voltage of the DC/DC
converter 52.
[0044] As has been explained, the IC recorder 1 is for portable use
and formed in the size of a palm. Consequently, the battery 51
should also be small and is composed of a single cell of SUM-4
type. The output voltage of the battery 51, i.e., 1.5 volts is
increased by the DC/DC converter 52 to a voltage required for
operation of the amplifiers 12, 23, CPU 32 and others, and current
of the resultant voltage is supplied to each of the circuits.
[0045] The voltage detecting circuit 53 detects an output voltage
of the battery 51 and, when the output voltage of the battery 51
becomes, for example, 0.8 volts, terminates operation of the DC/DC
converter. Electric power in the battery 51 will not be consumed
after its output has reached a predetermined value, for example,
0.8 V. This prevents rapid decrease of the voltage of the battery
51 due to the DC/DC converter 52, thus preventing liquid leak of
the battery 51.
[0046] The capacitor 54 is connected between the ground and a power
cable which connects the DC/DC converter 52 with the timer 33 of
the controller 30, and is charged by an output of the DC/DC
converter 52. The timer 33 is operated with current supplied from
this DC/DC converter 52 while the DC/DC converter 52 is operating;
and with current from the capacitor 54 when the output voltage of
the battery 51 is lowered or the DC/DC converter 52 is not
operating when the battery 51 is taken out for replacement with a
new one. That is, the capacitor 54 is a so-called back-up capacitor
capable of, for example, about 3 minutes of back up.
[0047] In the IC recorder 1 of such a configuration, a recording is
carried out according to a procedure, for example, as shown in FIG.
5. Firstly, the user depresses the SP/LP pushbutton 61f so as to
select the LP mode or the SP mode as a recording method (step 1).
The LCD panel 41 shows "SP" or "LS". Next, the user depresses the
file select pushbutton 61d so as to select file A or file B
provided in the semiconductor memory 9, and the selected file is
indicated on the LCD panel 41 (step 2).
[0048] When the recording start pushbutton 61k is depressed, a
recording state starts in the IC recorder 1. When the user speaks
toward the microphone section 11, a corresponding voice data is
written in a specified area of the semiconductor memory 9 (step 3).
When the stop pushbutton 61e is depressed, the IC recorder 1
releases the recording state (step 4). When the voice data is
recorded in the semiconductor memory, the following are also
recorded: TOC data, file number, index number which indicates the
voice signal which is being recorded. When the user wishes to
record another voice data immediately after the first recording
operation, the voice data is recorded in the same mode and the same
file area specified first, with an index number following the first
index number. That is, step 1 of mode selection and step 2 of file
selection can be omitted.
[0049] As has thus far been described, the IC recorder 1 starts
recording when the recording start pushbutton 61k is depressed.
Because the IC recorder 1 is of a small size and the microphone 11
is located near the recording start pushbutton 61k, it is necessary
to prevent recording of a click sound generated when the recording
start pushbutton 61k or the stop pushbutton 61e is depressed. For
this, a voice data entered from the microphone 11 is temporarily
stored in the buffer memory and then supplied to the semiconductor
memory 9. This click sound is considered to be caused by the
changeover of a contact of a mechanical switch which is operated by
the operation pushbutton arranged on the PC board of the IC
recorder 1.
[0050] For example, FIG. 6 (A) shows that the recording start
pushbutton 61k is depressed at time t.sub.11 and released at time
t.sub.21, whereas FIG. 6 (B) shows that the stop pushbutton 61e is
depressed at time t.sub.31 and released at time t.sub.33. In this
case, as shown in FIG. 6 (C), a sound is generated having a maximum
amplitude at times t.sub.11, t.sub.21, and t.sub.31, and enduring
for time T while attenuating its amplitude. Consequently, a sound
to be recorded through the microphone 11 is overlapped with the
click sound generated when the recording start pushbutton 61k or
the stop pushbutton 61e is operated.
[0051] In the IC recorder according to the embodiment of the
present invention, a click sound generated when the recording start
pushbutton 61k or the stop button 61e is operated is not recorded
because a voice data is supplied through the buffer memory 15 to
the semiconductor memory 9. FIGS. 6 (A) and (B) show that the
recording start pushbutton 61k is operated at time t.sub.11, i.e.,
the mechanical switch arranged below the pushbutton 61k is operated
by a first half, and the fact that the recording start pushbutton
61k has been depressed is assured by the CPU 32 at time t.sub.12.
Then, read out of a voice data from the buffer memory 15 is started
by a control signal from the CPU 32 at a time t.sub.13 when a
predetermined time .lamda.1 has passed from time t.sub.12. The
voice data is written into the semiconductor memory 9 according to
an address specified by the CPU 32, thus starting the recording
operation. At this time, the voice data which is read out from the
buffer memory 15 is a data which is read out from an address
corresponding to a time after a lapse of time from t.sub.11 to
t.sub.13. The aforementioned predetermined time .lamda.1 is a time
required for attenuation to an unhearable level of a click sound
generated when an operation pushbutton such as a recording start
pushbutton is depressed. As shown in FIG. 6 (D), the microphone 11
outputs a signal containing a click sound generated when the
recording start pushbutton 61k is depressed. However, as shown FIG.
6 (E), the buffer memory 15 outputs a signal not containing a
component of the click sound which can be heard by the user.
Consequently, there is no problem that the signal is written into
the semiconductor memory 9 as it is. Whether or not the
aforementioned predetermined time .lamda.1 has passed is counted by
a timer function provided in the CPU 32 or by using the timer
33.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 6 (C), the aforementioned click sound is
also generated when the user has released the recording start
pushbutton 61k, i.e., when the pushbutton 61 is restored. That is,
at time t.sub.21, the user's finger leaves the recording start
pushbutton 61k, i.e., the mechanical switch arranged below the
pushbutton 61k is operated by the second half; and at time
t.sub.22, the fact that the finger has left the recording start
pushbutton 61k is confirmed by the CPU 32. Then, the recording
operation is temporarily stopped at a data corresponding to time
t.sub.21, and is re-started at time t.sub.23 when the predetermined
time .lamda.1 has passed from time t.sub.22. When the fact that the
user's finger has left the recording start pushbutton 61k is
confirmed at time t.sub.22, writing into the buffer memory 15
starts with a voice data from an address corresponding to time
t.sub.21, whereas read out starts with a voice data from an address
corresponding to a moment when the predetermined time .lamda.1 has
passed and the data is written into the semiconductor memory 9 at
an address specified by the CPU 32. As a result, in the same way as
the aforementioned click sound generated when the recording start
pushbutton 61k is depressed, the buffer memory 15 outputs a voice
data containing a component of the click sound which cannot be
heard practically by the user. Thus, substantially no problem is
caused. According to the present embodiment, the click sound
generated by operation of the recording start pushbutton or the
like has a length measured to be about 10 msec. Consequently, the
aforementioned time required for reducing the noise generated by
the click sound can be very short. Therefore, practically no
problem is caused if the recording operation is interrupted as
shown in FIG. 6 (F).
[0053] The recording operation can be terminated by depressing the
stop pushbutton 61e. The click sound is also generated twice when
the stop pushbutton 61e is operated: as shown in FIG. 6 (C), when
the pushbutton 61e is depressed and when the pushbutton 61e is
released. The stop pushbutton 61e is depressed at time t.sub.3l,
i.e., the mechanical switch arranged below the pushbutton 61e is
operated by the first half, and the fact that the stop pushbutton
61e has been depressed is confirmed by the CPU 32 at time t.sub.32.
Then, the recording operation is stopped with a data corresponding
back to time t.sub.31. The recording operation is terminated at the
moment when the data in the buffer memory 15 at addresses
corresponding to a time lapse between t.sub.31 and t.sub.32 has
been written into the semiconductor memory 9.
[0054] As has been described above, the voice data written in the
semiconductor memory 9 actually contains a component of the click
sound as shown in FIG. 6 (G), but the click sound has been
attenuated sufficiently to an unhearable level. Consequently, there
is no practical problem when reproducing the voice data from the
semiconductor memory 9.
[0055] It should be noted that the aforementioned predetermined
time .lamda.1 is a time which passes while a click sound generated
by operation of the recording start pushbutton 61k travels to the
microphone 11. Consequently, its value is determined by a distance
between the recording start button 61k and the microphone 11.
[0056] Description will now be directed to reproduction of a voice
data which has been recorded. The reproduction proceeds, for
example, as shown in FIG. 7. Firstly, when the file select
pushbutton 61d of the IC recorder 1 is depressed by a user, file
"A" or "B" is selected in the semiconductor memory 9, and the one
selected appears on the LCD panel 41 (step 11). Next, the user
depresses the return/feed pushbutton 61c so as to select an index
number recorded in the semiconductor memory 9 (step 12) When the
reproduce pushbutton 61b is depressed, the IC recorder reproduces
the voice data desired by the user (step 13). In order to stop the
reproduction, depress the stop pushbutton 61e. To proceed to
another job or return back to a preceding job, confirm that no
reproduction or recording is in progress and depress the
return/feed pushbutton 61c so as to select the following or the
preceding index number, data of which is reproduced when the
reproduce pushbutton 61b is depressed.
[0057] Moreover, the controller 30 of the IC recorder 1 is provided
with a crystal oscillator 35. By using this crystal oscillator 35
and the timer 33, a date and time are displayed on the LCD panel
41. The date and time can be set as follows. When the menu/feed
pushbutton 61a is depressed, a date appears on the LCD panel and a
date setting mode is set in. The IC recorder 1 can set a date by
pressing the return/feedpushbutton 61c. When the
menu/feedpushbutton 61a is depressed in this state, the mode is
switched to a time setting mode, and the time appears on the LCD
panel. The IC recorder 1 can set a time by depressing the
return/feed pushbutton 61c. The IC recorder 1 terminates the time
setting mode when the stop pushbutton 61e is depressed.
[0058] Furthermore, the IC recorder 1 is capable of so-called alarm
reproduction, i.e., reading out a voice data from the semiconductor
memory 9 at a predetermined time which has been set by the timer
33. This alarm reproduction can be set, for example, as shown in
FIG. 8. Firstly, in step 21, a user depresses the file select
pushbutton 61d and the return/feed pushbutton 61c so as to select a
file and index number to be read out. The necessary data is written
in the RAM 34. Then, in step 22, the IC recorder 1 sets the alarm
reproduction mode when the menu/feed pushbutton 61a is depressed.
"ON" or "OFF" appears on the LCD panel. One of these is selected by
depressing the return/feed pushbutton 61c. When "ON" is selected
and the menu/feed pushbutton is further depressed as step 23, the
alarm function enters ON state. The IC recorder 1 proceeds to step
24 when the menu/feed pushbutton 61a is depressed. In step 24, the
user can select a desired day of the week by pressing the
return/feed pushbutton 61c. If the return/feed pushbutton 61c is
further depressed after selecting the day of the week, a day data
concerning this day is written into the RAM 34, and the IC recorder
proceeds to step 25. In step 25, the user can select a desired time
by pressing the return/feed pushbutton 61c. When the user depresses
the stop pushbutton 61e, the IC recorder writes a day data
concerning this day into the RAM 34, terminating the alarm
reproduction mode setting. In the IC recorder 1 in which the alarm
reproduction mode has been set, when the timer 33 counts the same
time as the alarm setting, the CPU 32 reads out the data which has
been written in the RAM 34, i.e., file data, index number, day data
and time data to be executed. Thus, the voice data corresponding to
the RAM 34 is read from the semiconductor memory 9 for
reproduction.
[0059] The IC recorder 1 having the aforementioned configuration
enables a user to store an aural memorandum as a voice data instead
of writing the memorandum on paper. The IC recorder 1, by using the
buffer memory 15, makes it possible that reproduced data is not
affected by noise due to a click sound generated by depressing
operation pushbuttons at recording start and stop. The IC recorder
1 is capable of reproducing a voice data at a predetermined time by
setting the timer 33. For example, the IC recorder 1 can prevent
the user from forgetting something which is reproduced as a voice
data at a necessary moment. Because the IC recorder 1 is of a small
size and can be placed in a user's pocket, the user can carry it
any time anywhere. Moreover, because data can be reproduced at a
specified time, i.e., alarm reproduction time, the user will not
miss a necessary memorandum.
[0060] The present invention thus far explained as an example of a
voice recording and/or reproducing apparatus having a semiconductor
memory as a recording medium is not limited to this, but is also
applicable to a recording and/or reproducing apparatus for
recording image data instead of voice data or to a voice
recording/reproducing apparatus using a tape or disc as a recording
medium and having a microphone built in an external cabinet. The IC
recorder which employs two separate pushbutton switches for a
recording start pushbutton and a stop pushbutton can also be
realized as an IC recorder having a single pushbutton switch for
both of the recording start and stop pushbuttons.
[0061] Although the invention herein has been described with
reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that
these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and
applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be
understood that numerous modifications may be made to the
illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *