JPH07254209A - Auto-changer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To shorten the response time when the reproducing request for the music in the same disk is generated by providing an output-terminal selector part, which can be controlled by a microcomputer between each disk-reproducing part and each external output terminal part. CONSTITUTION:When hosts i2, j3 and k4 specify the same disk, the reproduced data are outputted to an external output terminal i12 specified by a command 16 of the host i2. A microcomputer 11 controls an output-terminal selector part 15 and connects the external output terminal i12 to a disk reproducing part 17. Then, the microcomputer 11 reproduces a specified track of the specified disk 17. Until the reproduction of the disk 17 for the host i2 is finished, the reproductions for the host j3 and the host k4 are in the standby state.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention comprises a plurality of disc reproducing sections and a plurality of external output terminal sections for outputting reproduced data reproduced by the reproducing sections, and has a karaoke system and a CD (Compact Disc) stocker. The present invention relates to an autochanger for switching the external output terminal section for outputting the reproduction data of a CD requested by the user for reproduction.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the prior art, a plurality of hosts share an autochanger having a plurality of disk reproducing sections and a plurality of external output terminal sections for outputting reproduction data reproduced by the reproducing sections. When used, the external output terminal section for the disc playback section is in one-to-one correspondence with each disk playback section and each external output terminal section. One external output unit for each host
I used it by allocating it to one.

[0003]

When a plurality of hosts make a reproduction request to the same disk, the reproduction process for the host which first made the reproduction request is prioritized. Therefore, in the host, until the reproduction of the designated disc is completed, the designated disc is returned to the predetermined disc storage unit, and the disc is further conveyed to the disc reproduction unit assigned to the host that requested the reproduction next, Since the disc cannot be played back to the host that requested playback, and the response time to the host that requested playback after the second becomes long, rapid disk playback was not possible.

An object of the present invention is to provide an autochanger having a plurality of hosts, in which an output terminal selector section is provided between the reproduction data output sections of a plurality of disk reproducing sections and the external output terminals, and the microcomputer incorporated in the autochanger is used. , The provision of an autochanger that controls the selector unit, shortens the response time to each host that is requested to reproduce, and enables quick disk reproduction.

Another object of the present invention is to reduce interruption of reproduction by carrying the disc to another disc reproducing unit capable of reproducing and reproducing the disc when an abnormality occurs in the disc reproducing unit. Provided by the autochanger.

[0006]

In an automatic changer for selectively reproducing a predetermined disc from the stored discs and returning the disc to a predetermined disc storage portion after reproduction, a changer portion having at least two disc reproducing portions. And a plurality of hosts for instructing the changer unit to reproduce a predetermined disc, and when each host instructs at least two disc reproducing units to mount the same disc,
The auto changer is provided with an output switching means for sending a reproduction signal from the disk reproducing unit to a plurality of hosts, each of which has made a request, so that the disk reproducing unit that has previously received the disk mounting instruction has priority.

In an automatic changer for selectively reproducing a predetermined disc from the stored discs and returning the disc to a predetermined disc storage part after reproduction, a changer part having at least two disc reproducing parts and a predetermined changer to the changer part. Of the plurality of hosts for instructing the reproduction of the disc, and when at least one of the two disc reproduction units has an abnormality, the automatic changer is equipped with a control means for controlling the disc to be conveyed and mounted to another disc reproduction unit. Is.

[0008]

When a plurality of hosts request the reproduction of the same disc, the external output terminal portion designated by the host which next requests the reproduction is transmitted after the disc reproduction to the host which first requests the reproduction of the disc is completed. Since the disk is not switched by the disk transport unit, the playback data of the specified disk can be output to the host that requested the disk playback after the second, and the response time from the playback request to the playback execution Can be shortened.

According to another object of the present invention, when an abnormality occurs in the disc reproducing section during or before reproducing the disc, the disc is mounted in another disc reproducing section having no abnormality and the disc is reproduced. Therefore, the interruption of the reproduction can be prevented.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an autochanger according to an embodiment of the present invention. The changer unit 1 includes a communication unit 5 capable of receiving a disc reproduction instruction signal from the host unit (host i2, host j3, host k4), bidirectional communication such as response transmission, and a disc storage capable of accommodating a plurality of discs. There are a unit 6, a disc reproducing unit i7, a disc reproducing unit j8, a disc reproducing unit k9, and a disc conveying unit 10. The disk reproducing section has a non-volatile memory (EEPROM (Electrically Erasebl
e Programmble Read-Only Memory) is provided (not shown) to store the table of contents data of the disc, the disc number, the song being played, etc., so even if the power is cut off, the disc will be played back again. Can be resumed. The microcomputer 11 controls a series of operations such as signal analysis from the host unit, removal / transportation of a disc from the disc storage unit 6, reproduction, and return of the disc to the disc storage unit 6.

A disk reproducing section i7 and an external output terminal i12 for the host i2, a disk reproducing section j8 and an external output terminal j13 for the host j3, and a disk reproducing section k9 and an external output terminal k14 for the host k4. , Each host is provided with a disk reproducing section and an external output terminal corresponding to each one. Each of the disc reproducing units serves as an output switching unit and outputs the output terminal selector unit 15.
And is connected to each external output terminal section via. The output terminal selector unit 15 has the same number of external output terminals as the input terminals, and is provided with a switch capable of switching the output signal of the disc reproducing unit input to each input terminal to a desired external output terminal. ing. The switches are controlled by the microcomputer 11.

The microcomputer 11 has a RAM (Random Access Memory) (not shown) for storing a reservation state such as which disc reproducing section reproduces the music designated by the host and which host outputs the music. ) Is provided so that a large number of reproduction requests can be received and stored. These reserved states are displayed on a display device (not shown) such as a liquid crystal display or an LED. Furthermore,
The disc reproducing unit and the output terminal selector unit 15 are controlled by the contents of the RAM storing the reserved state. Also, in the above description, the output terminal selector unit 1 having the same number of terminals for input and output is provided.
Although the number is 5, the number may not be the same if each reproduction signal is output in a time division manner and an optical output or the like is used.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart for carrying out reservation processing from the host according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, when the changer unit 1 receives a reproduction request from the host unit (S1), when the number of reservations is more than a predetermined number of 10 songs (S2), the change is notified to the host unit (S3). If not, the designated disk number, song number and external output terminal are recorded in the RAM (not shown) provided as a memory unit in the microcomputer 11 (S4).

FIG. 3 is an embodiment of the present invention and is a flow chart for the microcomputer 11 to control the disc reproducing section, and the same processing is executed for each disc reproducing section. In FIG. 3, when the disk reproducing unit has a reservation from the host (SS1) and when the disk reproducing unit is free (SS2), the disk number to be processed is stored in the EEPROM (not shown) provided in the disk reproducing unit. Remember (SS
3) Set the designated disc in the disc playback section (S)
S4). And when it comes to the reserved order (SS5),
The designated external output terminal and the output terminal of the disc reproducing section are connected (SS6) and reproduced (SS7). When playback is completed (SS8), if the next reserved song is in the same disc, the process of checking the reservation order and the process of connecting the external output terminal and the playback process are repeated again. Is returned via the disc transport unit 10 (SS9, SS10). Then, the processing target disk number stored in the EEPROM is cleared (SS11), and the processing from the start is performed again.

In the above changer unit, assuming that the host unit makes a reproduction request in the order of host i2, host j3, and host k4, switching of the output terminal selector unit 15 will be described below. For example, when a playback request for the same disc is received from each host, each host i2, host j3, host k
4 sequentially sends a code including designation of the external output terminal to the changer unit 1 as a disc reproduction request command 16. The changer unit 1 receives these commands by the communication unit 5, and analyzes the reservation content and the priority order of the reproduction request received by the microcomputer 11. The microcomputer 11 determines the disc transport unit 10 according to the analysis result.
The CD on which the music is recorded from the disc storage unit 6
The disc 17 such as the above is selected and, for example, conveyed to the currently available disc reproducing unit i7.

As described above, the host i2, the host j3,
If the host k4 specifies the same disk, the host i2
In order to output the reproduction data to the external output terminal i12 designated by the command 16, the microcomputer 11 controls the output terminal selector unit 15 to output the external output terminal i12.
And the disc reproducing unit i7 are connected (arrow A of the output terminal selector unit 15). Next, the microcomputer 11
The designated track of the designated disc 17 is reproduced. Until the reproduction of the disk 17 for the host i2 is completed, the reproduction for the hosts j3 and k4 is in a reproduction waiting state.

Next, when the reproduction of the disk 17 to the host i2 is completed, the reproduction data is output to the external output terminal j13 designated by the host j3 which requests the second disk reproduction, so that the microcomputer 11 outputs the output terminal selector. By controlling the unit 15, the external output terminal j13 is connected not to the disc reproducing unit j8 but to the disc reproducing unit i7 (arrow B of the output terminal selector unit 15). Next, the microcomputer 11 reproduces the specified track on the specified disk 17, and the reproduction data is returned to the host j3. The reproduction process for the host k4 is the same as the above process by processing the reproduction request from the host j3 as the first request and the reproduction request from the host k4 as the third request (arrow C of the output terminal selector unit 15). The reproduced data can be sent to the host k4 only by switching the output terminal selector unit 15.

As another embodiment, when each host specifies a different disk, the microcomputer 11 causes the disk reproducing section i7 and the external output terminal i12, the disk reproducing section j8 and the external output terminal j13, and the disk reproducing section k9. The output terminal selector unit 15 is controlled so that the external output terminal k14 and the external output terminal k14 are connected. At this time, since the disc reproducing section and the external output terminal are independently connected, the three disc reproducing sections can output the reproduction outputs to the respective hosts at substantially the same time.

As still another embodiment, if the host i2 and the host k4 specify the same disk and the host j3 specifies different disks, the microcomputer 1
1 controls the external output terminal section 15 so that the disk reproducing section i7 and the external output terminal i12 and the disk reproducing section j8 and the external output terminal j13 are connected, and the two disk reproducing sections output the reproduced outputs almost simultaneously at the host i2. And sent to host j3. At that time, the reproduction for the host k4 is in a waiting state. When the disk reproduction by the disk reproduction section i7 is completed, the disk reproduction section i7 and the external output terminal k1
4 is connected, and reproduction for the host k4 is performed.

The output terminal selector section 15 can also be connected so that the reproduction output of the disk reproducing section for one host is distributed to the other hosts and simultaneously sent. For example, when an instruction including a command for reproducing and simultaneously outputting a predetermined disc is sent from the host i2 to the changer unit 1, the microcomputer 11 causes the disc reproducing unit i7 and the external output terminal i.
The output terminal selector unit 15 is controlled so that 12, j13, k14 are connected. In this case, even if another host (host j3, host k4) issues a different disk playback instruction, the other host enters a playback standby state.

According to the above-mentioned embodiment, the priority of the host has been described as the hosts i2, j3, k4, but the output terminal selector unit 15 can be similarly switched even if the priority of each host is exchanged. Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which three hosts are described has been explained, but even if there are a plurality of hosts such as the host n, the disk reproducing section n, and the external output terminal n, the same switching can be performed and the reproduced data can be sent to the host. it can.

Next, a case where an abnormality occurs in the disc reproducing section will be described below. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a disc reproducing process according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a process when an abnormality occurs in a disc reproducing unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, when the host unit receives a request for a predetermined disc and a predetermined reproduction start time of the disc from the user (ST
1) In order to inform the changer unit 1, the designated predetermined disk number is sent to the changer unit 1 (ST2). The changer unit 1 receives these requests via the communication unit 5 with the disc number, selects the designated disc, and conveys the disc to the currently usable disc reproducing unit and mounts it (ST3, ST4).

When the host unit confirms the disc transfer and mounting, it requests the changer unit 1 to read the TOC information of the disc (ST5). Then, the changer unit 1 performs TOC read (ST6), and if there is no abnormality in the disc reproducing unit at this time, the requested TOC information is sent to the host through the communication unit 5 (ST7). Next, the host unit makes a reproduction request from the designated time requested by the user. When the changer unit 1 receives this request (ST
8) Then, the pickup (not shown) is sought to the designated position (ST9), and when the designated position is reached, the reproduction (ST10) is restarted from the designated position.

Next, when an abnormality occurs in the disk reproducing section, control is performed by the control means as shown in FIG. In the figure, if an abnormality occurs in the disc reproducing section (SE
1) If there is another disc playback unit that can be used (SE
2) The designated disc is taken out from the disc reproducing unit in which the abnormality has occurred via the disc conveying unit, and the designated disc is conveyed to another usable disc reproducing unit and mounted (SE3). If there is no disc playback unit that can be used,
The host unit is notified (SE4). The host unit displays this notification on a display (not shown) or the like so that the user can confirm it.

The above processing can detect an abnormality that has occurred inside the disk reproducing portion even during TOC reading, seek execution, and reproduction. For example, this TOC
If an error occurs in the disc reproducing unit (SE1) during reading or seeking to the designated position, the process from SE2 in FIG. 5 is performed with priority even if the process shown in FIG. 4 is being executed. , The specified disc is moved to another usable disc reproducing unit where no abnormality is detected and mounted. When the mounting is completed, in FIG. 4, when an abnormality occurs, the process from ST5 is restarted, the same process as the process for the disc reproducing unit is performed, and the designated disc is reproduced. Furthermore,
Even if an abnormality that cannot be played back is detected just before playback,
Similarly, the disc is moved to another usable disc reproducing portion, and the reproduction of the disc is restarted.

In the autochanger of the present invention, when a plurality of hosts specify the same disk, the return processing and the selection processing of the specified disk, which usually takes a few dozen seconds, are not performed each time, and the output terminal selector 15 is electrically or mechanically operated. Since it is performed by switching the contact points, the response time when a disk reproduction request is issued from a plurality of hosts to the same disk can be significantly shortened. Also, host i2, host j
3 is not a reproduction request of the same disk from three hosts of host k4, but for example, each of host i2 and host j3, host j3 and host k4, host i2 and host k4
Even if two hosts make a reproduction request for the same disc, the response time for reproduction can be similarly shortened.

Further, the output terminal selector unit switches the output of one of the disc reproducing units i7 and distributes it to another external output terminal, so that the other disc reproducing units j8, k9.
, It is not necessary to mount the same disc, so that another disc can be mounted. Therefore, while the disc reproducing unit i is reproducing the disc, it is possible to take out the disc from the disc accommodating unit 6 in advance in addition to the disc that the hosts i2 and j3 have instructed to the disc reproducing units j8 and k9 in advance and prepare it. Therefore, the response time for reproduction can be shortened. In this embodiment, the output terminal selector 15 is controlled by the microcomputer 11 that controls the disc transfer of the autochanger. However, if another microcomputer (not shown) that reproduces the disc is used in the disc reproducing unit. Can control the output terminal selector unit 15 with this microcomputer.

Although the disc changer is provided in the autochanger of the present invention, a disc recorder / reproducer may be provided for a rewritable disc. Rewritable discs and discs recorded with high efficiency coding, such as mini discs, can also be applied to the present autochanger. In the above embodiment, the case where the CD is mounted on the changer has been described, but it may be a CDV, a video CD, an LD, or a CD-ROM. For example, all table-of-contents data (TO
If C data) is recorded and the data is transferred to the memory provided in the disc reproducing unit when the apparatus is started, quick reproduction can be performed when the disc is mounted.

[0029]

According to the present invention, by providing an output terminal selector section which can be controlled by a microcomputer between each disk reproducing section and each external output terminal section, a plurality of hosts issue disk reproducing requests for the same disk. In this case, the output of the disc playback unit can be connected to the host so that the disc is shared, and the response when multiple disc playback requests for the songs contained in the disc are issued to the same disc from multiple hosts. Time is shortened, and quick disk playback is possible for each host.

Further, when an abnormality occurs in the disc reproducing section, the disc is conveyed to another disc reproducing section which can be used and the abnormality is not detected, and the disc is reproduced. Therefore, an automatic changer with less interruption of reproduction can be provided. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an autochanger according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for performing a reservation process from a host according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for a microcomputer to control a disc reproducing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a disc reproducing process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process when an abnormality occurs in the disc reproducing unit in the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 changer unit 2 host i 3 host j 4 host k 5 communication unit 6 disc storage unit 7 disc reproducing unit i 8 disc reproducing unit j 9 disc reproducing unit k 10 disc conveying unit 11 microcomputer 12 external output terminal i 13 external output terminal j 14 external output terminal k 15 output terminal selector 16 disk playback request command 17 disk

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An automatic changer for selectively reproducing a predetermined disc from the stored discs and for returning the disc to a predetermined disc storage part after the reproduction, a changer part having at least two disc reproducing parts, and the changer. When a plurality of hosts instructing a unit to reproduce a predetermined disc and each of the hosts instruct at least two of the disc reproducing units to mount the same disc, the disc reproducing unit that has received the disc mounting instruction first An auto changer comprising output switching means for sending a reproduction signal to each of the plurality of hosts requested by the disk reproducing unit so that the units have priority. 2. Output switching means for transmitting a reproduction signal from each of the different disc reproducing units to each of the plurality of hosts, when the plurality of hosts instruct at least two disc reproducing units to mount different discs. The autochanger according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. When one of the plurality of hosts instructs one of at least two disc reproducing units to mount a disc and distribute the output of the disc reproducing unit, one of the at least two disc reproducing units is provided. 2. The autochanger according to claim 1, further comprising output switching means for outputting one of them to the one host in priority and transmitting a reproduction signal to another host that has made a request. 4. An autochanger for selectively reproducing a predetermined disc from the stored discs and returning the disc to a predetermined disc storage part after the reproduction, wherein a changer part having at least two disc reproducing parts, and the changer. Control for instructing a plurality of hosts to reproduce a predetermined disc, and when one of the at least two disc reproducing units has an abnormality, transporting and mounting the disc to another disc reproducing unit An autochanger comprising means. 5. A memory unit is provided for storing a reservation state such as which song is reproduced by which disc reproducing unit and output to which host, and the disc reproducing unit and the output switching means are set according to the contents of the memory of the memory unit. The automatic changer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which controls the motor. 6. The autochanger according to claim 1, further comprising means for displaying to a plurality of hosts the contents of the memory section as to which song is to be reproduced by the disk reproducing section. 7. The autochanger according to claim 1, wherein a memory section for storing at least one of the table of contents data of the disk, the disk number, and the reproduced music is provided in the disk reproducing section. 8. The autochanger according to claim 1, wherein a disc recording / reproducing unit for recording / reproducing a rewritable disc is provided in the changer unit.