JPH0845243A - Information retrieving device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily retrieve information from a recording medium of a cassette, etc., by using a remote controller. CONSTITUTION:A remote controller main body 1 is provided with a holder 3 for holding a cassette 5 having a semiconductor memory 2. When the cassette 5 is held by the holder 3, the semiconductor memory 2 is brought into contact with a contact piece 7 connected to a processor 6 housed in the remote controller main body 1, in this state, data communication between the semiconductor memory 2 and the processor 6 via a serial data bus is executed and a communication state is displayed on a display 4.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention retrieves information from a memory attached to a recording medium on which a video signal can be recorded,
Alternatively, regarding the information retrieval device for recording information, specifically, the memory attached to the recording medium is brought into contact with the remote controller main body to read or write the information stored in the memory.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to confirm the contents of a video signal recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape, it is common to load the recording medium into a recording / reproducing apparatus such as a video deck and reproduce it. However, it is necessary to run the magnetic tape every time the video signal is confirmed, and it takes time to search the contents. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, a non-volatile semiconductor memory (2) storing information such as a desired title is attached to the rear end of the cassette (5), and the cassette (5) is loaded into the VCR. At this time, there has been proposed a method of playing back the semiconductor memory (2) on a VCR to search the contents. The semiconductor memory (2) is embedded in the cassette (5) and has a plurality of contacts (20) (2
Equipped with 1) (22) (23). Among them, the two contacts (20) and (23) are used for power supply and ground connection, respectively. Cassette (5)
In the state in which is inserted into the VCR, information is retrieved from the semiconductor memory (2) through the contacts (21) and (22).

[0003]

When the cassette (5) is inserted into the VCR, the cassette is loaded,
The semiconductor memory (2) is stored in a predetermined position and the semiconductor memory (2) is reproduced in this state. When removing the cassette (5) from the VCR, the cassette (5) is unloaded. Therefore, it takes time and effort to search the contents of a large number of cassettes (5), and the operation of loading and unloading the cassettes (5) feels complicated. An object of the present invention is to smoothly retrieve information from a recording medium such as a cassette, and specifically, to perform information retrieval by a remote control device that operates a video equipment such as a video deck.

[0004]

An information retrieval device includes a holder (3) for holding a recording medium having a semiconductor memory (2) in which desired content information is stored, and a recording medium held by the holder (3). A contact piece (7) with which the semiconductor memory (2) makes electrical contact with the semiconductor memory (2) and a processor (6) connected to the contact piece (7) by a bidirectional serial data bus so that data communication is possible. The processor (6) includes a processor (6) and a semiconductor memory.
It is equipped with a transmission means for displaying the communication information with (2) on the display (4). Further, the processor (6) is provided in the remote controller main body (1) which issues a control signal for operating the video equipment, and the holder (3) is attached to the remote controller main body (1). The processor (6) uses the serial data bus to input information input to the remote controller body (1) to the semiconductor memory.
It also has a writing function for writing to (2).

[0005]

Function: The recording medium is held by the holder (3), and the semiconductor memory (2) included in the recording medium and the contact piece (7) on the holder (3) side.
To make electrical contact. Semiconductor memory (2) and processor
Data communication is performed with (6) via the data bus, and the information read from the semiconductor memory (2) and the information to be written in the semiconductor memory (2) are displayed on the display (4). It

[0006]

Since information can be retrieved and written by holding the recording medium in the holder (3), it is possible to save the labor of inserting the recording medium into the recording / reproducing apparatus as in the conventional case, and particularly to record a large amount of data. Useful when searching for media.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a remote control device for operating the VCR will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the remote controller main body (1) includes an operation key group (8) and a display (4) on the upper part of the key group (8) showing an operation state. Above the display (4), a light emitting unit (10) for emitting a control signal composed of infrared rays or the like to the video equipment is provided.

Arms (31) (31) of a U-shaped holder (3) are pivotally supported on both sides of the remote controller body (1), and both arm parts (31) (31)
Projections (30) and (30) for sandwiching the cassette (5) respectively project inside of the. Rotate the holder (3) around the pivotal part and insert the cassette (5) into the holder (3) with the arms (31) (31) of the holder (3) being substantially horizontal. , The rear end of the cassette (5) is brought into contact with the end face of the remote controller body (1). A semiconductor memory (2) storing information such as a title of a video signal recorded on a magnetic tape is attached to the rear end of the cassette (5), and the semiconductor memory (2) is provided on the end face of the remote controller body (1). A contact piece (7) that is electrically connected to the semiconductor memory (2) is provided at a position where they contact each other.

The contact piece (7) has four terminals (70), (71), (72) and (73) as shown in FIG. Power is supplied to the terminal (70), and the terminal (73) is grounded. The terminals (71) and (72) are connected to the processor (6) provided in the remote controller main body (1) so that data communication can be performed as will be described later. When the semiconductor memory (2) is in contact with the contact piece (7), the contacts (20) (21)
The terminals (22) and (23) are in contact with the terminals (70), (71), (72) and (73), respectively. The processor (6) also includes the key group (8) and the display (4).
Besides, a memory means (9) having an address bus (96) and a data bus (97) for storing information from the semiconductor memory (2) and the key group (8), an oscillation for issuing a clock pulse at a predetermined cycle. Each child (90) is connected. The memory means (9) is provided because the transmission speed between the processor (6) and the display (4) is faster than the transmission speed between the contact piece (7) and the processor (6). This is because it is difficult to perform direct data communication between (7) and the display (4). The key group (8) is provided with a read key (80) for reading information from the memory means (9) and a write key (81) for writing information to the semiconductor memory (2). Both keys (80) (8
When 1) is operated, a LOW signal is input to the processor (6).

On the collector side of the transistor (91) base-connected to the port (60) of the processor (6), a light emitting section (10) is provided.
The light emitting diode (92) located inside is connected. A battery (93) for supplying power to the display (4) and the processor (6) is provided near the processor (6).
As shown in FIG. 4, a feedback resistor (94) is provided between the base and emitter of the transistor (91), and a noise removing capacitor (95) is connected to the battery (93). Since this is a known technique, detailed description is omitted.

The terminals (71) and (72) and the processor (6) are bus-connected so as to be bidirectionally serially communicable. Therefore, the semiconductor memory (2) of the cassette (5) and the processor (6) can perform bidirectional data communication. Here, the terminal (7
The bus connecting 2) and the processor (6) constitutes a serial clock line (hereinafter referred to as “SCL”) (62), and the terminal (7
A bus connecting 1) and the processor (6) constitutes a serial data line (hereinafter referred to as “SDA”) (63). SCL
(62), SDA (63) data communication method
It relates to a so-called I2C bus described in No. 741. The processor (6) and the semiconductor memory (2) form a mutual relationship between a master and a slave. SDA (63) and SCL (62) are
It transmits a binary signal of HIGH and LOW,
The clock pulse transmitted to the SCL (62) is the oscillator
Made by (90).

(Communication procedure) In SDA (63) and SCL (62), start conditions and stop conditions are specified. As shown in FIG. 3, when SCL (62) is HIGH, SDA (63)
Changes from HIGH to LOW, the data communication start condition is set, and when SDA (63) changes from LOW to HIGH, the stop condition is set. When SCL (62) is LOW,
Even if the SDA (63) changes, the data communication continues as it is. The data transmitted by the SDA (63) starts with the unique data of the other device called a chip address, and each data length is 8 bits. When the clock pulse does not flow to SCL (62), SCL (62) is set to HIGH by the processor (6).

(Reading out data) When operating a video device with a remote control device, direct the light emitting section (10) toward the device and set the key group.
Operate (8). The processor (6) supplies a base current to the transistor (91) and emits infrared rays or the like from the light emitting diode (92) to set the video equipment to a desired state. When performing data communication with the semiconductor memory (2) in the remote control device, first the user inserts the cassette (5) into the holder (3) and the semiconductor memory (2) is in contact with the contact piece (7). Press the read key (80). As shown in FIG.
In (6), SCL (62) is HIGH, and SDA (63) is set to H
After changing from IGH to LOW, data communication is started between the semiconductor memory (2). In addition, in FIG. 5, 1 on SDA (63)
Each square indicates 1 bit.

The processor (6) sends a clock pulse to the SCL (62), first issues a 5-bit chip address through the SDA (63), and communicates with the semiconductor memory (2). Notify the semiconductor memory (2). Following the chip address, a 1-bit Read marker signal, which is a read command for the semiconductor memory (2), is sent via the SDA (63). As mentioned above, SDA
The data length transmitted in (63) is 8 bits, and 2 bits between the chip address and the Read marker signal are
It is not used for calling information from the semiconductor memory (2). When the semiconductor memory (2) can transmit information to the outside, the semiconductor memory (2) sends back an Ack signal to the processor (6), and the semiconductor memory (2) can supply information. Inform. The processor (6) sequentially reads the information stored in the semiconductor memory (2), and the memory means
Store it in (9) once.

The number of bytes of the information sent from the semiconductor memory (2) is preset, and when the number of bytes of information sent from the semiconductor memory (2), the semiconductor memory (2) sends the information. Nac indicating the end of
The k signal is sent to the processor (6) via the SDA (63).
The processor (6) detects the Nack signal, and the SDA (63)
To LOW and SCL (62) to HIGH, then S again
DA (63) is set to HIGH and the data communication ends. The data once stored in the memory means (9) from the semiconductor memory (2) are sequentially displayed on the display (4) as shown in FIG. Here, q, t, and w in FIG. 7 represent dates recorded in the semiconductor memory (2), r, u, and x represent recorded times, and s, v, and y represent title characters. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the date and the like may be displayed at the lower end portion and the image may be displayed at the center portion as indicated by z.

(Data Writing) When writing data to the processor (6), the following procedure is performed. As shown in FIG. 6, the processor (6) causes the processor (6) to change the SDA (63) from HIGH to LOW while the SCL (62) is HIGH, and the semiconductor memory (2) ) To start data communication. The processor (6) first issues a chip address, and following the chip address, a 1-bit Wri which is a write command for the semiconductor memory (2).
emits the te marker signal. In addition, unlike reading
Two bits between the chip address and the Write marker signal are used as a write start address as described later. When the semiconductor memory (2) is in a writable state, Ac is sent after the Write marker signal is sent.
The k signal is emitted and transmitted to the processor (6) via the SDA (63).

The user operates the key group (8) to input the information to be written in the semiconductor memory (2). Processor
(6) First, via the SDA (63), the write start address that specifies the address in the semiconductor memory (2) where the data is to be written is combined with the 2 bits provided between the chip address and the Write marker signal. send. After that, the information inputted from the key group (8) is once stored in the memory means (9) and then sent to the semiconductor memory (2). Semiconductor memory
When (2) completes writing, the Ack signal is sent to the processor.
(6), and the next information to be written is issued from the processor (6). When the information to be written is completed, the processor (6) sets SCL (62) to HIGH and SDA (63) from LOW to HIGH to terminate the data communication.

The above description of the embodiments is for explaining the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the invention described in the claims or reducing the scope. The configuration of each part of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made within the technical scope described in the claims. Various modifications are conceivable for the holder (3),
For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a holder (3) may be provided so as to wrap the rear end of the cassette (5). Further, in the above description, the recording medium is shown as a cassette, but it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to, for example, a disk which records a still image and is housed in a cartridge. Further, in this embodiment, the remote control body (1) is provided with the display (4), but the display (4) is provided on the VCR.
Of course, information may be transmitted from the remote controller main body (1) through the light emitting unit (10) so that search data can be displayed on the display (4).

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a remote controller main body and a holder.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cassette.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing stop and start states of SCL and SDA.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the inside of the remote controller main body.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a signal state when reading information from a semiconductor memory.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a signal state when writing information to a semiconductor memory.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of displaying information on a display.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of displaying information on a display.

FIG. 9 is an overall perspective view of a remote controller main body and a holder according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (1) Remote control unit (2) Semiconductor memory (3) Holder (4) Display (6) Processor (7) Contact piece

Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Office reference number FI technical display location G11B 31/00 541 P 9463-5D 33/12 310 A H04Q 9/00 301 E

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A holder (3) for holding a recording medium having a semiconductor memory (2) in which desired content information is stored, and a semiconductor memory (2) with the recording medium held in the holder (3). ) Electrically contacting each other, and a processor (6) connected by a bidirectional serial data bus for data communication with the contact (7).
(6) is an information retrieving apparatus characterized by comprising a transmission means for displaying communication information with the semiconductor memory (2) on the display (4). 2. The processor (6) is provided in a remote control body (1) for issuing a control signal for operating a video device, and the holder (3) is attached to the remote control body (1). Information retrieval device. 3. The processor (6) has a writing function for writing information input to the remote controller body (1) to the semiconductor memory (2) through a serial data bus.
Information retrieval device described in. 4. A holder (3) for holding a recording medium having a semiconductor memory (2) in which desired content information is stored, and a semiconductor memory (2) with the recording medium held in the holder (3). ) Electrically contacting each other, and a processor (6) connected by a bidirectional serial data bus for data communication with the contact (7).
(6) displays communication information with the semiconductor memory (2) in the light emitting section (10).
An information retrieving device characterized by transmitting through.