JP2000306372A - Magnetic recording / reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus in which necessary control information can be memorized and stored even when the side of a VTR cannot deal with control command information on an external apparatus to be connected, by which every external apparatus can be remote- controlled in a required minimum memory capacity and by which a video tape recording operation or the like by using a timer can be performed. SOLUTION: Necessary control information is acquired via a first infrared light receiving means 12. The acquired control information is stored in a control information storage means 21. After that, by using the control information, an external apparatus 2 can be remote-controlled. As a result, it is possible to obtain this magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus by which a video tape recording operation by using a timer or the like can be performed in a required minimum control information memory capacity and by using the external apparatus 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus such as a video tape recorder which can externally control an external device, for example, a satellite broadcast receiver by infrared rays and selectively record a desired signal. It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the advancement of satellite communication technology, so-called satellite broadcasting, which distributes voice and image information to ordinary households using geostationary satellites, has been developed. TVs and video tape recorders (hereinafter abbreviated as VTRs) with built-in satellite broadcast receivers have been commercialized.

In recent years, digital broadcasting has reached the stage of practical use in conjunction with the rapid development of digital technology, and multichannel digital broadcasting using satellite broadcasting has begun in the United States, Europe and Japan. Furthermore, after satellite broadcasts, cable TV and terrestrial TV broadcasts are being studied in the direction of digitization in the future (for example, see Nikkei Electronics No. 645, pp. 107-124).

In order to receive such a new broadcast system, a receiver for digital demodulation called a satellite broadcast receiver or a set-top box is required. At present, a transmission system (modulation system) and a scramble system are required. There are a plurality of receiving systems and decoding systems due to differences (for example, the Journal of the Institute of Television Engineers of Japan, 1996 Vol.50 pp.24-
54).

In response to the changes in the broadcasting environment described above,
In recent VTRs, in order to control these externally connected satellite broadcast receivers and set-top boxes, etc., by controlling the transmission of command data for remote control using infrared rays from the VTR, a desired analog satellite Products that receive broadcasts or digital satellite broadcasts and enable timer recording have been put to practical use. This makes it possible to control the reception of not only a conventional terrestrial broadcast tuner built into the VTR but also various externally connected satellite broadcast receivers and set-top boxes. It is now possible to provide a more complete time shift function by timer recording.

A conventional magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus will be described below. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a recording system of a conventional magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus. In FIG. 3, 2
Is an external device such as a satellite broadcast receiver, for example, 4 is a VTR, 5 is a control information storage means for storing control information for controlling the external device. 14 is an infrared light emitting means, 15 is an infrared light receiving means of an external device, and 17 is a time counting means for counting a timer clock to know the current time. Reference numeral 18 denotes a mode controller, such as a system controller for controlling the mode of the VTR. 19 is a control information generating means, and 20 is for storing timer reservation information preset in the reservation information storage means.
Numeral 25 denotes a recording processing means for performing signal processing for recording the video signal on the magnetic tape.
26 is a magnetic head, 27 is a magnetic tape, and 30 is a video signal input terminal. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a control procedure when remotely controlling the external device 2 by infrared rays.

The operation of the conventional magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus configured as described above will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. A case where timer recording of a video signal from the external device 2 (for example, a satellite broadcast receiver) is described.

First, preset timer reservation information is stored in the reservation information storage means 20. This is information necessary for timer reservation, that is, information such as a recording source (equipment), a receiving channel, a recording start time, and a recording end time, and stores information necessary for executing the timer reservation. The time counter 17 counts the current time, and the mode controller 18 observes and compares whether the current time matches the recording start time stored in the reservation information storage 20. Next, when the current time counted by the time counting means 17 matches the recording start time stored in the reservation information storing means 20, the control information generating means 19 controlled by the mode control means 18 controls the external device. 2 to create control data. The control data is created based on control command data stored in the control information storage means 5 in advance, and (1) command data for turning on / off the power of the external device 2; Command data for selecting a receiving channel, (3) timing information for transmitting the command data, and the like. After transmitting this to the infrared light emitting means 14 and converting it into infrared information, it is transmitted to the infrared light receiving means 15 of the external device 2 to remotely control the external device 2.

Here, in order to control the external device 2, it is necessary to send some control commands, and the control procedure is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, in step S41, first, a command for turning on the power of the external device 2 is transmitted, and
Next, in step S42, a command to set the reception channel of the external device 2 is transmitted. The reception channel is a channel selected at the time of timer reservation, and is stored in the reservation information storage means 20 at the time of timer reservation. After the setting of the receiving channel is completed, the VTR 4 is set to the recording mode in step S43, and the video output of the external device 2 (that is, the video signal input to the video signal input terminal 30) is recorded on the magnetic tape by the recording processing means 25. After performing appropriate signal processing for recording on the magnetic tape 27, the signal is recorded on the magnetic tape 27 via the magnetic head 26.

Finally, in step S44, if the current time counted by the time counting means 17 matches the recording end time stored in the reservation information storage means 20, the recording mode of the VTR 4 is changed by the mode control means 18. Release and end recording. At the same time, in step S45, the external device 2
, A control command for turning off the power is created by the control information generating means 19, and a command for turning off the power of the external device 2 is transmitted via the infrared light emitting means 14.

As described above, when the timer recording is performed,
A remote control command using infrared rays is sent from the TR 4 to the external device 2, the power of the external device 2 is turned on, a desired reception channel is set, a timer recording is performed by the VTR 4, and the external recording is again performed at the end of the recording. Power supply O for device 2
By sending the FF command and ending the timer recording at the same time, it becomes possible to control the external device 2 as if it were a receiver built in the VTR. Further, since the power of the external device 2 does not need to be constantly turned on and is controlled to be turned on only at the time of timer recording, this is an effective method for power saving.

[0012]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, it is necessary to store control command information corresponding to each external device 2 in the control information storage means 5. While the two are diversifying,
There is a problem that the information stored in the control information storage means 5 is enormous and complicated. In addition, since this control command information is different for each device and each maker, it is practically difficult to correspond to all the external devices 2 put into practical use.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems. Even when the control command information of the external device 2 to be connected cannot be handled by the VTR, necessary control information can be stored and stored. It is another object of the present invention to provide a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus that enables remote control of each external device 2 with a minimum necessary storage capacity and that can perform timer recording and the like.

[0014]

In order to achieve this object, a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention comprises an infrared receiving means for receiving infrared information radiated from the outside, and a control based on an output of the infrared receiving means. Control information identification means for separating and identifying information, control information storage means for storing and storing the control information identified by the control information identification means, and an operation procedure for displaying the control information when storing the control information. Display means, control information generating means for generating control information for remotely controlling an external device based on the control information stored in the control information storage means, and outputting the control information generating means to an infrared signal. It has a configuration provided with infrared light emitting means for conversion.

With this configuration, even when the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus does not have control information for controlling the external device, necessary control information is acquired via the infrared light receiving means,
The acquired control information is stored in the control information storage means, and thereafter, the remote control of the external device is enabled by using the control information. Timer recording and the like using the external device can be performed by storing the minimum necessary control information. A magnetic recording / reproducing device is obtained.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention provides an infrared light receiving means for receiving infrared information radiated from the outside, and separates control information from an output of the infrared light receiving means for identification. Control information identifying means, control information storing means for storing and storing the control information identified by the control information identifying means, display means for displaying an operation procedure when storing the control information, Control information generating means for generating control information for remotely controlling an external device based on the control information stored in the control information storage means,
An infrared light emitting means for converting an output of the control information generating means into an infrared signal. The magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus is required to control an external device. Even if it does not have the control information, obtain the necessary control information via infrared receiving means,
The acquired control information is stored in the control information storage means, and thereafter, the remote control of the external device is enabled by using the control information. Timer recording and the like using the external device can be performed by storing the minimum necessary control information. This has the effect that a magnetic recording / reproducing device can be obtained.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the control information storage means is for storing control information for controlling an external device connected to the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus. Control command storage means for storing at least a control command for turning on / off the power of the external device and a control command for selecting a reception channel, and a transmission command for sequentially transmitting the control command. A transmission interval information storage unit for storing information related to the interval, and a control procedure storage unit for storing a control procedure for controlling an external device using a control command, wherein the control information storage unit includes By providing the control command storage unit, the transmission interval information storage unit, and the control procedure storage unit, only necessary information among the control information of various external devices can be efficiently stored with a small storage capacity. It has the effect of being able to store within.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the control procedure storing means, a combination of control procedures for representative devices is prepared in advance, and a control procedure suitable for an external device connected from the combination is prepared. It is characterized by being configured to be selectable, by classifying control procedures that are different for each device into representative control procedures,
This has the effect of eliminating the complexity of storing the control procedure in the control procedure storage means and making it possible to easily control the external device only by selecting a suitable control procedure.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when recording of a video signal from an external device connected to the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus is started by the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus, the video signal is stored in the control information storage means. Based on the control information, a control command for turning on the external device is transmitted from the infrared light emitting unit immediately before starting recording, and then a control command for selecting a reception channel is transmitted. Characterized in that it was configured to start recording at a later time,
Recording of a video signal from an external device can be started by the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when recording of a video signal from an external device connected to the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus is completed by the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus, the video signal is stored in the control information storage means. Based on the control information that has been recorded, after recording is completed, a control command for turning off the power of the external device from the infrared light emitting means is configured to be transmitted, thereby, After the recording is completed, the main power of the external device can be turned off, and after the recording, unnecessary power is not consumed.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a recording system of a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a remote controller for remotely controlling an external device 2, and 2 denotes an external device such as a satellite broadcast receiver. 3 is TV
A monitor, 11 is a VTR, 12 is a first infrared receiving means, and 13 is a mode setting means such as a mode selection switch. 14 is an infrared light emitting means of the VTR, 15
Denotes a second infrared light receiving means provided on the external device 2;
Is provided with a filter circuit and a waveform shaping circuit for extracting necessary control data from output information of the first infrared light receiving means 12 by a control information identifying means. 17
Is for counting the timer clock in order to know the current time by the time counting means. Reference numeral 18 denotes a mode controller, such as a system controller for controlling the mode of the VTR. 19 is a control information generating means, and 20 is for storing timer reservation information preset in the reservation information storage means. 22 is a control command storage means, 23 is a sending interval information storage means, 24 is a control procedure storage means, and 21 is a control information storage means for storing control information for controlling an external device. Means 22, transmission interval information storage means 23, and control procedure storage means 24. Numeral 25 denotes a recording processing means for performing signal processing for recording the video signal on the magnetic tape. 26 is a magnetic head, 27 is a magnetic tape, and 28 is a display means such as an on-screen display circuit for displaying character information and the like. 2
9 is a switching circuit, 30 is a video signal input terminal, and 31 is a video signal output terminal. FIG. 2 shows Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of storing and storing a control command in FIG.

The operation of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, the operation in the case where a control command required to remotely control the external device 2 is stored in the VTR 11 (hereinafter, abbreviated as a control command storage mode) will be described. When the control command storage mode is selected by the mode setting means 13 in FIG. 1, a command is sent from the mode control means 18 to the display means 28, and the display means 28 displays the necessary operation procedures and the like in the control command storage mode. Character screen information (video signal) is created. The character screen information created by the display means 28 is output from the video signal output terminal 31 to the TV monitor 3 via the switching circuit 29. The switching circuit 29 is controlled by the mode control means 18, selects the output of the display means 28 in the case of the control command storage mode, and otherwise outputs the monitor video signal output of the recording processing means 25. You have to choose. A procedure for storing the control command of the external device 2 in the VTR 11 is displayed on the TV monitor 3, and the control command is transmitted using the remote controller 1 of the external device 2 in accordance with the procedure.
Irradiate toward 2 and memorize. The irradiated control command is received by the first infrared light receiving means 12 and converted into an electric signal. The control information identifying means 16 performs a filtering process and a waveform shaping process. It is written and stored in the control information storage means 21 via the control information storage unit 21. The control information storage means 21 is classified and stored in a control command storage means 22, a transmission interval information storage means 23, and a control procedure storage means 24 according to the type of control information to be stored. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, first, a command for turning on / off the main power of the external device 2 in step S21 (FIG. 2A) or a channel selection command for selecting a reception channel in step S22 ( (FIG. 2 (b))
Are stored in the control command storage means 22 (step S25), and then the timing information for sending each of the above-mentioned commands in step S23 (for example, turning off the power supply).
After setting N, timing information such as how many seconds later a reception channel is selected) is stored in the transmission interval information storage means 23 (step S26). The control procedure storage means 24
Stores the control procedure of the external device (step S2).
7, FIG. 2 (d)). For example, when selecting a two-digit reception channel (or reception position), first "+1"
Some devices select the receiving channel using a two-digit decimal number after transmitting an identification command of “0”. On the other hand, other devices continuously transmit a two-digit decimal number to transmit a two-digit decimal number. In some cases, a different operation procedure is stored in the control procedure storage means 24 for each external device.

In general, individual control commands related to the above-mentioned control command storage means 22 are often different from each other for each device and each maker. However, the above-mentioned transmission interval information storage means 23 and control procedure storage means There are many cases where the control information relating to 24 can be roughly classified into several types. Therefore, some transmission interval information and control procedures are stored in advance in the transmission interval information storage means 23 and the control procedure storage means 24.
It is also possible to take a method of selecting a combination suitable for the external device to be used from among them. As described above, by classifying the control commands of the external device into three types, the control information can be simplified and stored with a small storage capacity.

As described above, the control command necessary for remotely controlling the external device 2 can be stored in the VTR 11.

Next, a case where a video signal from the external device 2 (for example, a satellite broadcast receiver) is recorded by a timer will be described. This operation is performed by counting the current time by the time counting means 17 and determining whether the time matches the recording start time stored in the reservation information storage means 20 as described in the description of the related art. When the current time counted by the time counting means 17 matches the recording start time stored in the reservation information storage means 20, the control information generating means controlled by the mode control means 18 At 19, control data for controlling the external device 2 is created. This control data is stored in the control information storage means 2
1 is created based on the information stored in the control information storage unit 1, and is created from the control information stored in advance in the control instruction storage mode described above. This is sent to the infrared light emitting means 14 and converted into infrared information, and then sent out to the second infrared light receiving means 15 to remotely control the external device 2.

Here, in the control procedure for controlling the external device 2, first, a command for turning on the power of the external device 2 is transmitted, and then a command for setting the reception channel of the external device 2 is transmitted. The reception channel is a channel selected at the time of timer reservation, and is stored in the reservation information storage means 20 at the time of timer reservation. After the reception channel setting is completed, the VTR 11 is set to the recording mode, and the video output of the external device 2 (that is, the video signal input to the video signal input terminal 30) is recorded on the magnetic tape by the recording processing means 25. After performing appropriate signal processing for the
Is recorded on the magnetic tape 27 via the.

Finally, when the current time counted by the time counting means 17 matches the recording end time stored in the reservation information storage means 20, the mode control means 18 sets the VT.
The recording mode of R11 is released to end the recording. At the same time, a control command for turning off the power is created for the external device 2 by the control information generating means 19, and a command for turning off the power of the external device is transmitted via the infrared light emitting means 14.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the control information of the external device 2 is written in the control information storage means 21, the remote control for the external device is performed according to the procedure displayed on the display means 28. The controller 1 emits necessary control information, the emitted infrared information is received by the first infrared light receiving means 12, and the control information is separated and identified by the control information identification means 16. By storing the identified control information, even if the VTR 11 does not have control information for controlling the external device 2, it is possible to obtain necessary control information via the first infrared receiving unit 12. By using the obtained control information, remote control of the connected external device 2 becomes possible, and timer recording and the like using the external device 2 can be performed by storing necessary minimum control information. Ukoto can.

When recording a video signal from the external device 2, based on the control information stored in the control information storage unit 21, the infrared light emitting unit 14 transmits the external device 2 immediately before starting the recording. After transmitting a control command for turning on the power of the VTR, a control command for selecting a reception channel is transmitted. Thereafter, recording is started. Means 1
By sending a control command for turning off the power of the external device 2 from the external device 2, the main power of the external device 2 can be turned off,
There is an effect that unnecessary power is not consumed after recording is completed.

In the above description, a satellite broadcast receiver is used as an example of the external device 2 and the details of the control method and control procedure storage means are described using the recording function of the VTR as an example. If control is performed via infrared information, it may be used for functions between other external devices.

Contrary to the example described in this embodiment, when the external device 2 controls the VTR 11 using infrared information, even if the VTR 11 does not correspond to the control command of the external device 2, By storing the control information of the external device 2 in advance in the control information storage means 21 via the first infrared receiving means 12, the external device 2
The VTR 11 can be controlled from the side.

In the above embodiment, the control information is transmitted to the external device 2 by using the infrared information by the infrared light emitting means 14. However, considering the reach and directionality of the infrared light, the infrared light emitting means is used. It is preferable that the light-emitting device 14 be configured to use a plurality of light-emitting elements so that light can be emitted in at least two or more different directions. Thereby, the irradiated infrared rays can be reflected in the room where the VTR 11 is installed, and can reach the external device 2 without fail.

[0035]

As described above, according to the present invention, even when the VTR has no control information for controlling the external device,
Necessary control information can be obtained via the infrared light receiving means, and by using the obtained control information, remote control of the connected external device becomes possible. An excellent effect that a function such as timer recording used can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a recording system of a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a storage operation of a control command according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a recording system of a conventional magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a conventional magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 External Equipment 11 VTR 12 First Infrared Light Receiving Means 14 Infrared Light Emitting Means 15 Second Infrared Light Receiving Means 16 Control Information Identification Means 19 Control Information Generating Means 21 Control Information Storage Means 22 Control Command Storage Means 23 Transmission Interval Information Storage Means 24 Control procedure storage means 28 Display means

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An infrared receiving means for receiving infrared information irradiated from the outside, control information identifying means for separating and identifying control information from an output of the infrared receiving means,
Control information storage means for storing and storing the control information identified by the control information identification means; display means for displaying an operation procedure when storing the control information; and control information storage means for storing the control information. Control information generating means for generating control information for remotely controlling an external device based on the control information, and infrared light emitting means for converting an output of the control information generating means into an infrared signal. A magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. A control information storage means for storing control information for controlling an external device connected to a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus. Command storage means for storing a control command for turning on / off the power supply and a control command for selecting a reception channel, and transmission interval information for storing information relating to a transmission interval when the control commands are sequentially transmitted. 2. The magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: a storage unit; and a control procedure storage unit for storing a control procedure for controlling an external device using a control command. 3. The control procedure storing means is configured to prepare a combination of control procedures for representative devices in advance, and to select a control procedure suitable for a connected external device from the combination. 3. The magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: 4. When recording of a video signal from an external device connected to the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus is started by the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus, based on control information stored in control information storage means, Immediately before the start of recording, after transmitting a control instruction for turning on the power of the external device from the infrared light emitting unit, a control instruction for selecting a reception channel is transmitted, and thereafter, recording is started. 2. The magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 5. When recording of a video signal from an external device connected to the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus is completed by the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus, based on control information stored in the control information storage means, 2. The magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a control command for turning off the power of the external device is transmitted from the infrared light emitting unit after the recording is completed.