JP2000312355A - Relay type recording system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide a relay type recording system capable of performing a long-time recording operation by connecting a plurality of units using an existing recorder such as a VTR. The recording apparatus includes at least one video camera and a plurality of recorders capable of recording video and audio captured by the video camera. Each of the recorders includes a unit for starting recording, and a unit for ending recording. Means for notifying the end of recording, and the plurality of recorders are arranged so as to activate means for starting recording of the next recorder by means of notifying end of recording.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a relay type recording system, and more particularly, to a relay type recording system capable of sequentially recording data on a plurality of recorders by utilizing the functions of an existing recorder.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to record video and audio shot by a video camera in a conventional technique for a long time, a plurality of video tape recorders (VTRs) are sequentially operated to record for a long time. I have. There are various types of methods for performing this long-time recording.

(1) First, as a first method, a timer is mounted on each of a plurality of VTRs, and the recording is set to start when a designated time comes. Therefore, it is necessary to set a different start time for each VTR, and to start recording sequentially at the designated time.

(2) As a second method, as shown in FIG. 9, a video / audio distribution device 13 is provided between an imaging device (video camera) 11 and a plurality of recorders (VTRs) 12, and Each VTR 12 is provided with a controller 14 that can monitor the recording state. The controller 14 sequentially switches the recording while monitoring the state of the VTR 12. In this method, since time can be strictly managed, no time zone in which no recording is performed between the VTRs 12 is not created at all, that is, continuous recording can be performed without a break. In addition, since the tape running can be freely controlled, detailed processing such as rewinding the tape of the VTR 12 after the recording is completed becomes possible. However, since a personal computer or the like is required as the controller 14, for example, there is a drawback in that the system is complicated and costly to construct the system.

(3) As a third method, VT is used from the beginning.
A function for sequentially recording is mounted on R itself, and relay recording is realized by connecting VTRs with a cable.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned various techniques in the prior art, the recorder (VTR) itself must be equipped with a function for sequentially recording in advance, and the recorder for sequentially recording is required. There is a problem that the setting is complicated.

[0007] For example, the method (1) has a complication that a timer recording function is required for a VTR and that a timer must be set for each VTR.

Further, in the method (2), the system of the externally provided controller becomes complicated, and it is not possible to try it easily. Also, the maximum number of connectable VTRs is governed by the capacity and scale of the controller, and there is a problem that expansion is limited.

Further, in the method (3), a function of sequentially recording data on the VTR is mounted relatively easily, and the system can be easily upgraded. However, it is necessary to mount a connector (terminal) dedicated to relay recording on the VTR. There are problems such as cost increase. Further, since such usage of the VTR is not common, there is a problem that it is useless to provide a dedicated function or a connector for a special use.

Therefore, in a relay-type recording system constructed so as to record sequentially using a plurality of recorders such as VTRs, the functions of existing equipment can be used as they are, and the recording can be easily performed irrespective of the number of connected recorders. There is a problem that must be solved to be able to connect.

[0011]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a relay-type recording system according to the present invention comprises a plurality of recorders set so that signals from the same signal source can be simultaneously inputted. Each of the recorders includes a unit for starting recording and a unit for notifying the end of recording, and the plurality of recorders are configured to activate the unit for starting recording of the next recorder by the unit for notifying the end of recording. That is, they are arranged.

Further, the same signal source is at least one image pickup device; recording of the first arranged recorder is started by means for notifying the end of the recording of the last arranged recorder. Means for activating the means; when a recording medium provided in the recorder is nearing the end of recording, recording of the next recorder is started; means for starting the recording is a foot switch. A driving circuit, and a means for notifying the end of recording is a circuit for turning on and off a tally LED; the recorder is a video tape recorder, and the video tape recorder automatically turns on when the recording on the tape is completed. It has a function of performing a rewind operation.

As described above, by sequentially recording a plurality of recorders connected using the functions of the existing switches and the like of the recorder, if the recorder has a function of recording a video or the like, For example, recorders of different models can be connected, and a system for long-time recording can be easily constructed.

[0014]

Next, an embodiment of a relay type recording system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The relay type recording system according to the present invention comprises:
A circuit (means for starting recording) for driving a foot switch generally mounted on a video tape recorder (hereinafter, referred to as a VTR) as a recorder;
Assuming that an ED circuit (means for notifying the end of recording) is provided, the means for informing the end of recording of a plurality of VTRs is arranged so as to activate means for starting recording of the next VTR, It is characterized in that a plurality of VTRs can be sequentially recorded.

As shown in FIG. 1, the foot switch and the tally LED connect a recorder (recording VTR) 12 to an image pickup device (video camera) 11 as shown in FIG.
5 can be recorded, and the recording state can be visually recognized by the lighting state of the tally LED 16.

The foot switch 15 is a switch that operates by stepping on a foot or the like. When the foot switch 15 is stepped on, the contact is simply connected to GND so that the foot switch 15 can be connected to a circuit inside the VTR. .

The tally LED 16 is an LE indicating the recording state.
It is connected to a D lighting circuit, and lights up during recording, and blinks when recording is about to end.

Such a foot switch and tally LE
As shown in FIG. 2, the circuit for driving D receives a signal from the foot switch 15 and outputs a recording state to the tally LED 16.

A signal from the foot switch 15 is sent to a control unit 18 inside the VTR 12 via a foot switch terminal 17.
And input to the input port via the input buffer 21. The foot switch terminal 17 employs a TTL level as a logic level, and is pulled up by a resistor R1 of about 47 KΩ. By being pulled up, the contact
ON / OFF switching can be easily performed.

Tally LE that can be connected to tally LED 16
The D terminal 19 is connected via a resistor to the collector side of a switching element (transistor) 20 that is turned on / off by a signal at an output port of the control unit 18. That is, the tally LED 16 is connected to the 5 through the current limiting resistor R2 of several hundred Ω.
It is connected to a power supply of about volt. Then, when the transistor 20 is turned on, a current flows to the external tally LED (light emitting diode) 16 via the resistor R2, and light can be emitted. As the tally LED 16, a "red" one for indicating "recording" is used, but in some cases, a "green" one can also be connected. In this tally LED 16, most types of LE
D emits light with a small amount of current in "red" and requires a large amount of current in "green". An LED of this type that is too small (ie, the current flows too much)
Then, there is also a tally LED in which an insufficient resistor is directly inserted into an external LED.

Next, the operation of "recording start" by turning on / off the foot switch 15 having such a structure will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, there are usually four possible operations for performing “recording start” by the foot switch 15. Which one of the four modes is set can be changed by setting a menu (not shown) or selecting a switch.

First, in the mode (A), when the foot switch 15 is depressed to turn it on, the recording is started when the L level is supplied to the control unit 18. And
Even if the foot switch 15 is stopped and the foot switch 15 is turned off, the recording operation is continued. When the foot switch 15 is turned on again by depressing the foot switch 15, the recording stops and the recording ends. Even if the foot switch 15 is released and the foot switch 15 is released, the recording is still stopped. If the recording is started when the foot switch 15 is turned ON and the recording is ended when the foot switch 15 is turned ON again, the recording can be started / stopped only by the stepping operation.

The mode (B) operates to record only when the foot switch 15 is depressed. That is, when the foot switch 15 is depressed and turned on, the L level is supplied, and the recording operation is performed only at this L level.

In the mode (C), recording starts when the foot switch 15 goes high, and ends when the foot switch 15 goes high again. That is, recording starts when the foot switch 15 is depressed and released, and ends when the foot switch 15 is depressed and released again. This is the reverse operation of the above (A).

In the mode (D), recording starts when the foot switch 15 is at the H level, and ends when the foot switch 15 is at the L level. This is suitable for a recording method in which recording is always performed and recording is temporarily stopped.

The foot switch 15, which is capable of setting these four modes, includes a switch attached to a door (not shown), an interlock with another power switch, Recording can be performed using signals from various sensors as triggers, so that an appropriate mode can be selected according to the application.

Of the four modes, the mode (A) is most frequently used. In this type,
When waiting in the stop state, the foot switch 15
Is characterized in that recording is started when the signal level becomes L level, and this is also a standard use of the foot switch 15.
This mode is provided for all VTRs. Therefore, in an embodiment to be described later, this (A) type mode is adopted. The foot switch 15 is not limited to the action of stepping on the foot, and the H level and the L level similar to those of the foot switch 15 may be supplied to the foot switch terminal 17.

Next, the tally LED having the above configuration
The operation of No. 16 will be described. The tally LED 16 is turned on in the recording state as described above. In the circuit shown in FIG. 2, when the transistor 20 is off, the tally LED
The terminal 19 is in a floating state (floating state). or,
When the transistor 20 is turned on, the power supply becomes a resistor R of 270Ω.
2 and goes to H level. If the tally LED terminal 19 is switched between the H level and the L level according to ON / OFF of the transistor 20, the recording state of the VTR 12 itself can be notified to the outside using the tally LED terminal 19. Become.

Foot switch terminal 17 and tally LED
A mode of connecting a plurality of VTRs 12a and 12b using the terminal 19 is, as shown in FIG.
Do not connect a light emitting diode (tally LED) to 9,
The configuration is such that a resistor R3 is connected between the tally LED terminal 19 and GND outside the VTR 12. This resistor R3 is approximately 3300Ω in the embodiment, and the signal of the tally LED terminal 19 is set to a resistance value that can be switched between L level and H level in accordance with ON / OFF of the transistor 20. VTR 12a having such a resistor R3,
12b is connected to the tally LED terminal 19 of the first VTR 12a and the foot switch terminal 17 of the second VTR 12b.
To the tally LED terminal 19 of the second VTR 12b.
To the foot switch terminal of the next VTR.

The switching of the signal at the tally LED terminal 19 between the L level and the H level will be described in more detail. When the transistor 20 of the first VTR 12a is off, that is, when no data is recorded, the resistor R2 is turned off. Via the foot switch terminal 17 of the next second VTR 12b
Is pulled up by the 470 KΩ pull-up resistor R1, but is at the L level, so that the recording stop state can be notified externally. Conversely, this first VTR 12a
When the transistor 20 is turned on, that is, during recording, the signal can be connected to the power supply via the 270Ω LED resistor R2, so that the signal of the tally LED terminal 19 becomes H level, I can tell you something.

Now, as shown in FIG. 4, this tally LE
In order to sequentially put the plurality of VTRs 12a and 12b into the recording state using the D terminal 19, first, (1) the first VT
R12a is manually set to the recording state (the foot switch terminal 17 is set to the H level). (2) Then, the first VTR
The signal of the tally LED terminal 19 of 12a becomes H level. (3) Accordingly, the signal of the foot switch terminal 17 of the second VTR 12b becomes H level. Therefore, the second VTR 12b outputs a signal at the foot switch terminal 17 at L level.
If the level is detected, it can be determined that the recording has started. (4) The first VTR 12a reaches the tape end, and the recording ends. (5) Then, the signal of the tally LED terminal 19 of the first VTR 12a becomes L level. (6) Along with this, the second VT of the second unit
The signal of the foot switch terminal 17 of R12b becomes L level. (7) The second VTR 12b starts recording when detecting that the signal of the foot switch terminal 17 has become L level.

The VTR 12 connected as described above
When the recording is completed in a, recording can be sequentially performed so that recording of the next VTR 12b is started.

Next, a plurality of VTRs, in the embodiment shown in FIG.
An embodiment of a relay type recording system in which two VTRs are daisy-chain connected will be described with reference to FIG.

This system comprises a video / audio distribution device 13 which can distribute captured video and audio to a single video camera (imaging device) as a signal source, for example, a monitoring camera, 7 Vs set so that video and audio signals from the device 13 can be input simultaneously
TR12. Each VTR 12
Has a configuration in which its own tally LED terminal 19 is connected to the foot switch terminal 17 of the next VTR. In such a configuration, each VTR 12 is provided with an auto-rewind mechanism, that is, a function of rewinding the tape to the beginning when the tape reaches the end during recording, and a tally LED of the last VTR 12 as shown by a dotted line in FIG. If the terminal 19 is connected to the foot switch terminal 17 of the first VTR 12, endless recording can be performed.
This system enables long-time recording using the existing VTR 12, and can realize a surveillance camera system at a low cost, for example, in a place where monitoring is performed for 24 hours. Focusing on this auto-rewind mechanism, for example, a tape capable of recording for three hours is used for eight VTs.
If endless recording is performed with the R12, it is possible to easily construct a system for monitoring around the clock for 24 hours with eight devices.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, a connection cable 22 for connecting the foot switch terminal 17 and the tally LED terminal 19 used here is a terminal 23 connected to the foot switch terminal 17. And a connector (plug 26 in the embodiment) composed of two terminals 24 connected to the tally LED terminal 19 and a ground terminal 25. As shown in FIG. 6 (A), the plug 26 has a resistor R3 (3) interposed between the ground and the terminal 24 connected to the tally LED terminal 17 in advance.
(A resistance value of about 300Ω). When the plug 26 having such a structure is used, a relay type recording system can be realized by simply inserting the plug 26 into the jack of the VTR 12.

As described above, the resistor R3 (3
A resistance R2 (a resistance value of about 3300Ω) may be provided between the tally LED terminal 19 and the ground in the circuit of each VTR 12, as shown in FIG. A structure in which a selection switch 27 that disconnects the resistor R3 and the tally LED terminal 19 may be provided. In this case, it is not necessary to use a plug as shown in FIG. 6, and it is possible to connect with a generally available plug which does not have internal resistance. The other circuit configuration is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 2, and a description thereof will be omitted.

By switching the signal of the tally LED terminal 19 in this manner, the start of recording is sequentially set to the subsequent V.
There is no limit on the number of VTRs 12 because this is a method of transmitting information to the TR 12. However, even if the recording can be performed in the relay system, the recording state recorded in each VTR 12 is the next VT.
It is not recorded continuously with the recording of R12.
Because after detecting the end of the tape, tally L
This is because the signal of the ED terminal 19 is switched and the recording of the next VTR 12 is started, so that there is a slight time difference from when the signal of the tally LED terminal 19 is transmitted to when the next VTR 12 actually starts recording. . This time difference (several seconds)
Will not be recorded. An embodiment for solving this problem will be described below with reference to FIG.

In order to perform continuous recording so that there is no lack in recording, attention was paid to a change in the lighting state of the tally LED,
That is, a precursor change. As shown in FIG. 8 (A), the lighting state of the tally LED is maintained during the recording on the tape, and slowly flashes, including the meaning of a warning, near the end of the tape (a few minutes before). When the recording is started, the light flashes quickly several seconds before the end of the tape, and remains lit when the recording of the tape is completed.

Such a change in the lighting state of the tally LED is detected to detect that the tape is near the end, and to record in a partially superposed state or to connect the VTR 1 connected to the tape.
If the actual recording time after receiving the signal No. 2 is calculated in advance, and a signal to start recording is output earlier by the calculated time, a continuous recording state without omission can be obtained.

In the embodiment, an attempt is made to detect the first single blinking start. That is, as shown in FIG. 8B, a flip-flop (D-type flip-flop in the embodiment) 28 is prepared, the set side is grounded, and a signal from the tally LED terminal is input to the clock (CLOCK). The reset terminal (RESET bar) may be connected to a reset button of a VTR (not shown), and the output set terminal Q may be connected to a foot switch terminal of the next VTR.

In such a configuration, first, the flip-flop 28 is reset by the operation of resetting the VTR 12 before recording. In this state, when the signal of the tally LED terminal performs a clock operation, that is, a blinking operation, the signal is input to the clock terminal, and the set terminal Q of the flip-flop 28 becomes H level (the signal of the next VTR foot switch terminal becomes H level). Level). When approaching the tape end in this way, the next VTR1 is automatically
If the recording of No. 2 is started, a continuous relay recording image can be realized without missing the recording.

The VTR 12 may be any recording device (recorder) as long as it is functionally similar. For example, the VTR 12 may be a tape recorder, a mini-disc deck, or a data recorder for recording experimental results. Of course.

[0044]

As described above, the relay-type recording system according to the present invention uses the function of the existing recorder so that the recording can be successively performed in a relay-type manner. This has the effect of realizing a system for recording the data.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a foot switch and a tally LED according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection state of a recorder having a function of emitting light.

FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram relating to a foot switch and a tally LED mounted on the recorder in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing various modes for recording using the foot switch.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where two VTRs as the recorder are connected.

FIG. 5 is a connection diagram showing a state where seven VTRs as the recorder are connected.

FIG. 6 shows a connector (plug) for connecting the VTR as the recorder, wherein (A) is an explanatory view showing a connection mode connected by the plug, and (B) is a terminal structure of the plug. FIG.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a structure including a resistor for switching a signal of a tally LED terminal among a foot switch terminal and a tally LED terminal provided in the recorder.

8A and 8B show a state of a signal at the tally LED terminal, wherein FIG. 8A shows a movement when the tape approaches the end of the tape, and FIG. 8B shows a state where the tally LED terminal is connected. It is the schematic circuit diagram which showed the flip-flop which detects the near tape end.

FIG. 9 illustrates a connection state for sequentially recording in a plurality of VTRs according to the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

11; imaging device (video camera); 12; recorder (V
TR), 12a; VTR, 12b; VTR, 13; distributor, 14; controller, 15;
6; tally LED (light emitting diode); 17; foot switch terminal; 18; control section; 19; tally LED terminal;
20; switching element (transistor); 21; input buffer; 22; connection cable; 23; terminal (foot switch terminal); 24; terminal (tally LED terminal);
5; terminal (GND), 26; plug, 27; selection switch, 28; flip-flop

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of recorders set so that signals from the same signal source can be simultaneously inputted, each of the recorders comprising means for starting recording and means for notifying the end of recording. The plurality of recorders are arranged so as to activate means for starting recording of the next recorder by means for notifying the end of recording. 2. The relay type recording system according to claim 1, wherein the same signal source is at least one image pickup device. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for informing the end of the recording of the last arranged recorder activates means for starting the recording of the first arranged recorder. The relay-type recording system as described. 4. The relay type recording system according to claim 1, wherein the recording of the next recorder is started when a recording medium provided in said recorder is nearing the end of recording. 5. The relay type recording system according to claim 1, wherein the means for starting the recording is a circuit driven by a foot switch, and the means for notifying the end of the recording is a circuit for turning on and off a tally LED. 6. The relay type recording system according to claim 1, wherein said recorder is a video tape recorder, and said video tape recorder has a function of automatically performing a rewinding operation when recording on a tape is completed.