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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a dubbing apparatus for recording a signal
reproduced from a recording medium on an optical disc. More particularly,
the invention relates to an optical disc dubbing apparatus capable of
automatically recording additional information of each musical program,
capable of resuming the record operation even if an unrecorded area of an
optical disc becomes absent, by erasing the already recorded track area,
and capable of recording the track numbers of musical programs in the
order different from the order of the reproduced musical programs.
2. Related Background Art
There is known a mini-disc (MD) which is an optical disc in which a user
can write data. A mini-disc is formed with a pit information record area
at the central area of the disc and a recordable area at the outer area.
The recordable area includes a user's TOC (Table of Contents) area (U-TOC)
and a program area. The recordable area has no pit, but a groove is
engraved for the guidance to tracks. Information is recorded in the
recordable area along the groove.
The groove sways like wobble. The rotation of the disc is controlled by a
signal having an average frequency of 22.05 kHz and generated based on the
wobble. Absolute addresses relative to the record start position are
FM-modulated and recorded in the wobble.
Data record is achieved by magnetizing a magnetic film. Namely, the
magnetic film is heated to a Curie point or higher by a laser spot while
applying a magnetic field which reverses its polarity depending upon an
input signal. The signal is therefore recorded in the magnetic film as a
change in the magnetization direction. Such data record can be performed
even on an already recorded area, i.e., data overwrite is possible.
The record position is managed by the information recorded in U-TOC.
Recorded in the program area is information including a start time, end
time, title, and the like for each track number (TNO) which is a natural
number beginning with "1" and assigned to each musical program. If TNO and
its additional information are erased from U-TOC, the corresponding
recordable area is handled as an unrecorded area.
When an MD disc is loaded on an optical disc player, U-TOC information
recorded in the MD disc is read and copied to a RAM. Thereafter, data
recording/reproducing is managed by the U-TOC information stored in RAM.
Each time a musical program is recorded or erased, the contents of RAM are
updated and recorded in U-TOC before the disc is unloaded from the
apparatus.
In erasing a musical program recorded in such a mini-disc, TNO of the
program is keyed in to display it on a display screen and an erase key is
depressed to delete TNO information from U-TOC area.
In dubbing the contents of an optical disc to a mini-disc, a voice output
terminal of an optical disc driver is connected to a voice input terminal
of a min-disc record/reproduction apparatus, and each musical program is
recorded on a target mini-disc while reproducing each musical program from
a source optical disc. However, additional information such as the title
of each musical program recorded in the source optical disc cannot be
recorded because the voice signal does not contain the additional
information.
Moreover, if the unrecorded area of a mini-disc becomes absent during the
record operation, the record operation is stopped once and thereafter, the
already recorded area of the mini-disc is erased to resume the record
operation. In this case, however, the record state becomes discontinuous
at the record area where the record operation was stopped.
Furthermore, the mini-disc record/reproduction apparatus adds track numbers
in the order of reproduced musical programs. It is therefore impossible to
assign desired track numbers in the order different from that of
reproduced musical programs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above
circumstances. It is a principal object of the present invention to
provide an optical disc dubbing apparatus capable of automatically
recording additional information of each musical program in an optical
disc.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an optical disc
dubbing apparatus capable of continuously recording each musical program
even if the unrecorded area of an optical disc under the record operation
becomes absent, by erasing the already recorded track area.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an optical disc
dubbing apparatus capable of assigning desired track numbers in the order
different from that of reproduced musical programs.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an
optical disc dubbing apparatus wherein: a digital voice signal output
terminal of an optical disc reproduction apparatus for reproducing a
musical program from a source optical disc having a TOC area storing the
start address, end address, and additional information for each musical
program is connected to a digital signal input terminal of an optical disc
record apparatus for recording each musical program and the start address,
end address, and additional information for each musical program in a TOC
area of a target optical disc; a first microcomputer for controlling the
optical disc reproduction apparatus is connected via a digital
communication line to a second microcomputer for controlling the optical
disc record apparatus; the second microcomputer instructs the first
microcomputer to reproduce each musical program in a predetermined order,
and records a digital voice signal received from the optical disc
reproduction apparatus on the target optical disc; and the second
microcomputer receives the additional information from the first
microcomputer and stores the received additional information in a RAM, and
records the start address, end address, and the additional information for
each musical program stored in the RAM on a TOC area of the target optical
disc before the target optical disc is dismounted from the optical disc
record apparatus.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an
optical disc dubbing apparatus wherein: a digital voice signal output
terminal of an optical disc reproduction apparatus is connected to a
digital signal input terminal of an optical disc record apparatus capable
of over writing a musical program in a target optical disc; a first
microcomputer for controlling the optical disc reproduction apparatus is
connected via a digital communication line to a second microcomputer for
controlling the optical disc record apparatus; the second microcomputer
instructs the first microcomputer to reproduce each musical program, and
records the digital voice signal received from the optical disc
reproduction apparatus in the target optical disc; and the second
microcomputer makes the optical record apparatus enter a record pause
state when the second microcomputer judges that an unrecorded area of the
target optical disc becomes absent, and instructs the first microcomputer
to make the optical disc reproduction apparatus enter a reproduction pause
state at the data position when the record was intercepted, whereby after
a user erases a desired recorded track area of the target optical disc,
the reproduction and record are resumed to continue the record at the
erased recorded track area.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided
an optical disc dubbing apparatus wherein: a voice signal output terminal
of a recording medium reproduction apparatus is connected to a signal
input terminal of an optical disc record apparatus; a first microcomputer
for controlling the recording medium reproduction apparatus is connected
via a digital communication line to a second microcomputer for controlling
the optical disc record apparatus; when a user designates a desired order
of track numbers of musical programs to be recorded, supplies the desired
order to the second microcomputer, and instructs to record, the second
microcomputer instructs the first microcomputer to reproduce each musical
program from the source recording medium, and records the voice signal
received from the recording medium reproduction apparatus on a target
optical disc; and the second microcomputer stores the designated track
number added to each recorded musical program in a RAM, and records the
designated track number added to each recorded musical program on a TOC
area of the target optical disc.
According to the optical disc dubbing apparatus of the present invention
capable of recording additional information of each musical program in a
target optical disc, when the second microcomputer detects a change in the
reproduction track number based on a sub-code contained in the digital
voice signal sent from an optical reproduction apparatus, the second
microcomputer sends an additional information transmission instruction to
the first microcomputer. Upon reception of the instruction, the first
microcomputer reads the additional information of the previously
reproduced track number from a RAM which stores the TOC information, and
transmits it to the second microcomputer.
Upon reception of the additional information of the previously reproduced
track number, the second microcomputer stores it as well as the
corresponding track number in its RAM. The additional information of each
musical program and the track number recorded in the above manner stored
in the RAM is recorded in the TOC area of the target optical disc before
it is dismounted from the optical disc record apparatus.
According to the optical disc dubbing apparatus of the present invention
capable of continuously recording each musical program even if the
unrecorded track area of a target optical disc under the record operation
becomes absent, by erasing the already recorded track area, when the
second microcomputer judges from the address of a presently recorded area
and the TOC information stored in the RAM that the unrecorded area becomes
absent, the second microcomputer makes the first microcomputer enter a
pause state at the area under the reproduction operation to thereby allow
a user to erase the already recorded area of the target optical disc.
In the pause state, when the user erases the already recorded area of the
target optical disc and depresses a record key, the second microcomputer
instructs the first microcomputer to start the reproduction from the track
pause position and makes the optical disc record apparatus start the
record of the musical program from the erased recorded area. The record
data in the target disc becomes continuous because the data read address
read from a shock proof memory of the optical disc record apparatus when
the record operation resumes is managed to be continuous.
Although the record areas become discontinuous, the link state between the
record areas is stored as the TOC information in RAM and recorded in the
TOC area before the optical disc is dismounted from the apparatus. The
data in the target optical disc can therefore be reproduced continuously.
According to the optical disc dubbing apparatus of the present invention
capable of recording the track numbers of musical programs in the desired
order different from that of the reproduced musical programs, the data
reproduction from a recording medium and the data record in a target
optical disc are continuously performed so that the record time will not
become longer than the normal reproduction time. Furthermore, since the
track numbers of musical programs can be assigned in a desired order
different from that of the reproduced musical programs, the musical
programs recorded in the target optical disc can be reproduced in the
desired order.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A shows the fundamental structure of an optical disc dubbing
apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1B is a schematic block diagram showing the structure of the dubbing
apparatus of the first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a flow chart explaining the operation of the dubbing apparatus of
the first embodiment.
FIG. 3A shows the fundamental structure of an optical disc dubbing
apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3B is a schematic block diagram showing the structure of the dubbing
apparatus of the second embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flow chart explaining the operation of the dubbing apparatus of
the second embodiment.
FIG. 5A shows the fundamental structure of an optical disc dubbing
apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5B is a schematic block diagram showing the structure of the dubbing
apparatus of the third embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flow chart explaining the operation of the dubbing apparatus of
the third embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
An optical disc dubbing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the
present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying
drawings. As shown in FIG. 1A, the dubbing apparatus is constructed of a
mini-disc reproduction apparatus and a mini-disc record apparatus which
are connected by a digital voice signal line 5 and a serial communication
line 6.
As shown in FIG. 1B, the mini-disc reproduction apparatus is constructed of
an MD control microcomputer 1, an MD system 2, a key pad 3, and a display
unit 4.
The MD system 2 has an MD mechanism, a servo system, a signal processor, a
shock proof memory, a D/A converter, an A/D converter, and the like, for
the mechanical control of a mini-disc (MD) and for the signal read/write.
The MD system 2 is controlled by the MD control microcomputer 1 and
transfers an address and sub-code signal to and from the MD control
microcomputer 1.
A user enters an instruction from the key pad 3 to the MD control
microcomputer 1 like a usual MD control microcomputer. The MD control
microcomputer 1 supplies data to the display unit 4 to display it on the
screen, and transfers data to and from the serial communication line 6.
The mini-disc record apparatus is constructed of an MD control
microcomputer 7, an MD system 8, a key pad 9, and a display unit 10.
The MD system 8 has an MD mechanism, a servo system, a signal processor, a
shock proof memory, a D/A converter, an A/D converter, and the like, for
the mechanical control of a mini-disc (MD) and for the signal read/write.
The MD system 8 is controlled by the MD control microcomputer 7 and
transfers an address and sub-code signal of an mini-disc to and from the
MD control microcomputer 7.
A user enters an instruction from the key pad 9 to the MD control
microcomputer 7. The MD control microcomputer 7 supplies data to the
display unit 10 to display it on the screen, and transfers data to and
from the serial communication line 6.
As shown in FIG. 1A, the key pad 9 has a dubbing key 9a, a program record
key 9b, and ten-keys 9c.
A digital voice signal output terminal of the MD system 2 is connected to a
digital voice signal input terminal of the MD system 8. A voice signal
reproduced from an MD disc loaded on the MD system 2 is recorded on an MD
disc loaded on the MD system 8.
The operation of the dubbing apparatus will be described with reference to
FIG. 2. At Step S1, the program record key 9b is depressed to enter a
program record mode. In the program record mode, musical program numbers
and the order of the musical programs to be reproduced by the MD system 2
are entered by using the ten-keys 9c. After this setting, the dubbing key
9a is depressed to start dubbing at Step S2.
At Step S2, the MD control microcomputer 7 instructs the MD control
microcomputer 1 to reproduce the first musical program set in the program
record mode, and also instructs the MD system 8 to record the digital
voice signal inputted to the MD system 8 as TNO-1. At Step S3, the first
musical program starts recording.
At Step S4, a change in TNO is monitored from a Q code included in the
digital voice signal. When a change in TNO is detected, the operation
advances to Step S5 whereat the MD control microcomputer 7 instructs the
MD control microcomputer 1 to send additional information such as the
title of the reproduced first musical program, and stores the received
additional information into an U-TOC information storage RAM.
At Step S6, it is checked whether the last musical program has been
reproduced and recorded. If produced and recorded, at Step S9 the MD
systems 2 and 8 are turned off to terminate the dubbing operation.
If the last musical program has not been reproduced and recorded, at Step
S7 the MD control microcomputer 7 instructs the MD control microcomputer 1
to reproduce the next musical program set in the program record mode, and
also instructs the MD system 8 to record the digital voice signal inputted
to the MD system 8 as TNO-2. At Step S8, the next musical program starts
recording, and the operation returns to Step S4.
The embodiment constructed as above is not limitative. For example, the
mini-disc reproduction and record apparatuses may be housed within a
single case.
An optical disc dubbing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the
present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 3A, the dubbing
apparatus is constructed of a CD player and a mini-disc
record/reproduction apparatus which are connected by a digital voice
signal line 5 and a serial communication line 6.
As shown in FIG. 3B, the CD player is constructed of an CD control
microcomputer 11, a CD system 12, a key pad 13, and a display unit 14.
A user enters an instruction from the key pad 13 to the CD control
microcomputer 11 like a usual CD control microcomputer. The CD control
microcomputer 11 supplies data to the display unit 14 to display it on the
screen, and transfers data to and from the serial communication line 6.
The CD system 12 has a CD mechanism, a servo system, a signal processor, a
D/A converter, an A/D converter, and the like, for the mechanical control
of a compact disc (CD) and for the signal read. The CD system 12 is
controlled by the CD control microcomputer 11 and transfers an address and
sub-code signal of a CD to and from the CD control microcomputer 11.
The mini-disc record apparatus is fundamentally the same as the first
embodiment. However, in addition to the dubbing key 9a, display key 10,
and ten-keys 9c, the key pad 9 has a delete key 9d, an up-key 9f, and a
down-key 9e.
A digital voice signal output terminal of the CD system 12 is connected to
a digital voice signal input terminal of the MD system 8. A voice signal
reproduced from a CD disc loaded on the CD system 12 is recorded on an MD
disc loaded on the MD system 8.
The operation of the dubbing apparatus will be described with reference to
FIG. 4. At Step S1, upon depression of the dubbing key 9a, the MD control
microcomputer 7 instructs the CD control microcomputer 11 to reproduce
musical programs starting from the first musical program, and also
instructs the MD system 8 to record the digital voice signal inputted to
the MD system 8, to thereby starts dubbing.
At Step S2, the MD control microcomputer 7 checks, based on the contents of
a RAM which stores the record addresses and U-TOC information, whether
there is still an unrecorded area of the mini-disc. If there is an
unrecorded area, at Step S9 it is checked whether the CD reproduction has
stopped. If not, Step S2 is repeated, whereas if stopped, at Step S10 the
MD system 8 is turned off to terminate the dubbing.
If it is judged at Step S2 that there is no unrecorded area, at Step S3 the
MD control microcomputer 7 makes the MD system 8 enter a record pause
state, and instructs the CD control microcomputer 11 to set a reproduction
pause state at the data position when the record pause state was effected,
by designating the data position by a received Q code. A representation
"FULL" is displayed on the display unit 10 to inform the user of the full
state.
At Step S4, a user designates TNO of an unnecessary recorded musical
program by using the up-key 9f and/or down-key 9e to delete the
unnecessary musical program. When TNO is designated, the time and title of
the musical program are displayed for the confirmation of deletion by the
user.
At Step S5, a recordable time is displayed on the display unit 10. At Step
S6, the user judges whether the recordable time is sufficient or not. If
judged as sufficient, at Step S7 the dubbing key 9a is depressed. At Step
S8 the CD system 12 searches the unrecorded area and resumes the
reproduction from where the reproduction was intercepted. The link between
the record interception address and the record start address is stored in
RAM.
If the user judges the recordable time as insufficient at Step S6, the
operation from Step S4 is again repeated.
The embodiment constructed as above is not limitative. For example, the CD
player and the mini-disc record/reproduction apparatus may be housed
within a single case, or a mini-disc record/reproduction apparatus may be
used in place of the CD player. Furthermore, instead of the user judgement
of the recordable time, a reproduction remaining time may be transmitted
from the CD player to the MD control microcomputer 7 to allow the MD
control microcomputer 7 to judge and automatically resume the dubbing.
An optical disc dubbing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the
present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 5A and 5B, the
structure of the dubbing apparatus of this embodiment is fundamentally the
same as that of the second embodiment. However, the key pad 9 is added
with a program record key 9b.
The operation of the dubbing apparatus of this embodiment will be described
with reference to FIG. 6. First, TNOs to be added to a mini-disc are
designated in the sequential order of musical programs to be dubbed. TNOs
to be added to a mini-disc can be designated by depressing the program
record key 9b and then depressing the ten-keys 9c.
At Step S1, upon depression of the dubbing key 9a, the CD player reproduces
musical programs starting from TNO-1. The MD system 8 records the digital
voice signal to dub it.
At Step S2, a change in TNO is monitored by detecting a sub-code included
in the digital voice signal. In the case of a new TNO, at Step S3, TNO to
be added to the mini-disc is changed to TNO next designated by the program
key and ten-keys. If the order of TNOs is not designated, TNOs to be added
to a mini-disc is in the ascending order of natural numbers starting from
"1".
At Step S4 it is checked whether the reproduction has been completed. If
completed, at Step S5 the MD system is turned off to terminate the
dubbing, whereas if not completed, the operation from Step S2 is repeated.
For example, if the order of TNOs designated by the program key and
ten-keys is "3", "4", "2", "1", and "5", the musical programs TNO-1,
TNO-2, TNO-3, TNO-4, and TNO-5 of the source compact disc are recorded as
TNO-3, TNO-4, TNO-2, TNO-1, and TNO-5 which are reproduced starting from
TNO-1 as the user desired.
The embodiment constructed as above is not limitative. For example, as the
source CD player, a DAT, a cassette recorder, a mini-disc
record/reproduction apparatus, and the like may be used. In the case of a
cassette recorder, an analog voice signal is used. In this case, a renewal
of TNO may be made when the level of a monitored analog voice signal
continues to be lower than a predetermined level for a predetermined
period and thereafter changes to the predetermined level.
According to the optical disc dubbing apparatus of the present invention,
additional information of each musical program can be automatically
recorded on an optical disc.
Even if the unrecorded area becomes absent during the recording, the
recording can be resumed by erasing the recorded tracks. Accordingly, even
if the disc becomes full during the dubbing, it is not necessary to start
the dubbing from the beginning.
Furthermore, the track numbers of musical programs to be reproduced can be
arranged as desired, allowing to obtain an optical disc having a desired
track number order without the program reproduction of a source disc.
Still further, it is not necessary to search a musical program during the
dubbing, preventing intercepted sounds and reducing the record time. If a
DAT is used as the source medium, the record time can be reduced
considerably.
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