Recording and/or reproducing apparatus and recording apparatus

Recording and / or reproducing device, and recording device

<p>1. . .IC recorder</p><p>10. . .Record area</p><p>11.. .microphone</p><p>9. . .Semiconductor memory</p><p>20.. .Regeneration zone</p><p>twenty four. .horn</p><p>30.. .Controller</p><p>50.. .Power zone</p><p>60.. .Operating area</p><p>12.. .Amplifier</p><p>14.. .Encoder</p><p>15.. .Buffer memory</p><p>13.. .Automatic Gain Controller (AGC)</p><p>twenty two.. .filter</p><p>twenty one. .decoder</p><p>twenty three.. .Amplifier</p><p>31.. .ROM</p><p>32.. .Microcomputer (CPU)</p><p>33.. .Timer</p><p>34.. .Random Access Memory (RAM)</p><p>61.. .Button</p><p>41.. .Display panel</p><p>40.. .Display area</p><p>42.. .Backlight</p><p>55.. .Lid open detection switch</p><p>1a.. .shell</p><p>61a.. .Menu-feed button</p><p>61b. .Play button</p><p>61c. .Rotary / feed button</p><p>61d. .File switch</p><p>61e. Stop button</p><p>61f.. .SP / LP button</p><p>61g.. .Light button</p><p>61h.. .Display button</p><p>61i.. .Index button</p><p>61j.. .Cancel button</p><p>61k.. .Record start button</p><p>63.. .Record and / or reproduce button</p><p>62.. .Pause switch</p><p>64.. .Volume button</p><p>65.. .Headphone jack</p><p>51.. .battery</p><p>52.. .DC / DC converter</p><p>53.. .Voltage detection circuit</p><p>5. . . .Capacitor</p><p>71.. .Battery accommodation space</p><p>72.. .cover</p><p>73a, 73b. .Connecting piece</p><p>7.. . .Protrusion</p><p>75.. .Shoulder</p>

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of an IC recorder embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a front view showing the structure of an IC recorder embodying the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a rear view showing the structure of an IC recorder embodying the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the structure of a power circuit of the IC recorder.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a recording operation of the IC recorder.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a reproduction operation of the IC recorder.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the erase operation of the IC recorder.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a change in the operation mode of the IC recorder.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing control of a backlight of the IC recorder.

[Field of Invention]

The present invention relates to a recording and / or apparatus and a recording apparatus. More specifically, it relates to a recording and / or apparatus and a recording apparatus using a semiconductor memory as a recording medium.

[Related Skills]

A tape recorder, a digital sound cassette recorder (DAT), or a device using a magneto-optical disc is widely used as a sound recording device. For example, if the recorded sound data in these devices is to be deleted, the user will specify an address of the sound data and press an erase button to erase the sound data.

In erasing the preset data signal from the recording medium, once the erase button is pressed, the content of the erasure can no longer be confirmed, so there are data signals that do not want to be erased by the user accidentally The danger of ground erasure .

[Summary of Invention]

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a recording and / or apparatus which can solve the above-mentioned problems.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a recording device which can solve the aforementioned problems.

The invention provides a recording and / or device including a microphone, a storage area, an operation area and a controller. An output signal from the microphone is written into the semiconductor memory and the written signals are read from the semiconductor memory. The operation area performs input processing to write digital signals output by an analog / digital converter, read out the digital signals stored in the semiconductor memory, and read the digital signals stored in the semiconductor memory. The signal is erased. The control area controls the writing of the output signal of the microphone in the semiconductor memory and the reading of the digital signal stored in the semiconductor memory according to an input from the operation area. The operation of the control area is such that when a signal written into the storage area is read out from the storage area, an input for erasing is inputted from the operation area and a signal read out from the storage area Is erased, and after a predetermined time has elapsed after the signal was read from the storage area, an input for erasure is again inputted from the operation area.

The invention also provides a recording and / or reproducing device, which includes a microphone, a storage area, a detection mechanism and a control area. An output signal of a microphone and management data for managing the output signal are written into the storage area. The detection mechanism detects that a lid for opening / closing the battery receiving area has been moved to a position where the battery receiving area is opened. The controller controls the microphone output signal to be written into the storage area. When the detection mechanism detects that the cover is moved to the position where the battery accommodation area is opened, the control area will manage to stop writing the microphone output signal into the storage area and write the write-proof microphone output signal Into the storage area.

The invention also provides a recording and / or reproducing device, which includes a microphone, a storage area, a detection mechanism and a control area. An output signal of a microphone and management data for managing the output signal are written into the storage area. The operation area performs input processing to write digital signals output by an analog / digital converter, read out the digital signals stored in the semiconductor memory, and read the digital signals stored in the semiconductor memory. The signal is erased. The illuminated area illuminates the display area. The control area controls the writing of the output signal of the microphone in the semiconductor memory and the reading of the digital signal stored in the semiconductor memory according to an input from the operation area. The control area also causes the lighting area to illuminate the display area based on input from the operation area.

[Detailed description of the preferred embodiment]

The recording and / or reproducing apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In describing the recording and / or reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, a recording and / or reproducing apparatus using a semiconductor memory as a recording medium and designed to record a speech in the semiconductor memory is referred to as an IC recorder And cited as an example.

Referring to FIG. 1, the IC recorder 1 includes a recording area 10 for converting an output signal from a microphone 11 into sound data stored in a semiconductor memory 9, and a recording area 10 for storing the semiconductor The reproduction area 20 in which the speech data in the memory 9 is read is converted into a sound signal for driving a speaker 24. The IC recorder 1 also includes a controller 30 to control, for example, the recording area 10, a power supply area 50 to supply power to, for example, the controller 30, and an operation area 60 for users to implement different operating.

Referring to FIG. 1, the recording area 10 includes an amplifier 12 for amplifying an output signal from the microphone 11 and an automatic gain controller (AGC) 13 for adjusting an output signal amplified by the amplifier 12 to an appropriate Level. The recording area also includes an encoder 14 for converting the output signal of the AGC 13 into audio data and a buffer memory 15 for delaying the audio data from the encoder 14.

The microphone 11 converts an input speech into an electronic signal which is then supplied to the amplifier 12. The amplifier 12 amplifies the sound data which is sent to the AGC 13. The AGC 13 amplifies the sound signal amplified by the amplifier 12 to an appropriate level and sends the resultant signal to the encoder 14.

Because the sound signal exhibits a strong correlation, the encoder 14 encodes the sound signal with, for example, an adaptive control differential pulse code module (ADPCM) with a small amount of data to generate and supply it to the buffer. Voice data of the memory 15.

The buffer memory 15 has a capacity corresponding to a preset delay time and delays the sound data supplied by the encoder 14 for a preset time to supply the delayed data to the semiconductor memory 9 . The buffer memory 15 is used to prevent noise from being recorded on the memory 9, which is generated when a switch is pressed to switch a contact when a button is actuated.

The semiconductor memory 9 includes a non-volatile semiconductor memory, such as an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and the content stored in the memory device is turned off even when the drive power of the memory is turned off. It will not be eliminated. The semiconductor memory 9 stores sound data supplied from the buffer memory 15 and data specifying a region where the sound data is stored. In particular, the semiconductor memory 9 has a capacity, such as 16 megabytes, so that it can store 8 minutes of speech data corresponding to 200 to 3400 Hz in the SP mode to be explained later, and its In LP mode, 16 minutes of audio data corresponding to speeches from 20O to 1700Hz can be stored.

The reproduction area 20 has a decoder 21 and a filter 22 for converting speech data read from the semiconductor memory 9 into a so-called PAM signal and an amplifier for amplifying a sound signal from the filter 22 The amplified audio signal is sent to a speaker 24, as shown in FIG.

The decoder 21 is a counterpart of the encoder 14 in the recording area 10 and decodes the sound data encoded according to the ADPCM system read from the semiconductor memory 9 to generate a so-called PAM signal. The filter 22 removes high-frequency components that are higher than the sound range of the PAM signal. The amplifier 23 amplifies a sound signal from the decoder 21 to drive the speaker 24. In this manner, the recorded speech is output from the speaker 24.

Referring to FIG. 1, the controller 30 includes a ROM 31 having a program stored therein to control the operation of the IC recorder 1, and a microcomputer (CPU) 32 for executing the program stored in the ROM 31. It controls the program of the semiconductor memory 9 or the recording area 10. The controller 30 also includes a timer 33 to measure the time and a random access memory (RAM) 34 to temporarily store the time or the result after the program is executed.

The controller 30 is supplied with signals from a plurality of buttons 61 from the operation area 60. If any of the buttons 61 is pressed, the program related to the button 61 will be read from the ROM 31 and executed to control different parts. If, for example, the start recording button 61k is pressed, the CPU 32 reads out a program corresponding to the recording from the ROM 31 and executes it to actuate the amplifier 12, AGC 13, or the encoder 14 to perform control so as to be memorized by the buffer The sound data of the body 15 delayed for a predetermined time will be written and stored in an empty memory area of the semiconductor memory 9 to prevent the noise generated when the button 61 is actuated from being recorded. The controller 30 controls the sound data to be written into the semiconductor memory 9 and read from the semiconductor memory 9 so that it implements the control of adding an index number to write the sound data and the cable bow number according to the The index number reads the sound data. A quartz oscillator 35 for operating the timer 33 is connected to the semiconductor memory 9 and the sound data is assigned to the two areas A and B to the semiconductor memory 9 for reading at a predetermined time. Audio data recorded in the semiconductor memory 9. A display panel 40 is also connected to the controller 30 so that the CPU 32 displays the operation status or operation sequence of the IC recorder 1 on the display area 40. The display area 40 includes a low power consumption liquid crystal display panel 41 and a backlight 42 to cover the liquid crystal display panel 41. If, for example, a menu / feed button 61a of the operation area 60 is pressed, the CPU 60 sequentially displays the date and time on the display area 40 so that the user can view the display to set the timingDevice 33. 33. The operation of the backlight 42 will be described later.

If the detection state of the pressed state of the cover card 55 is invalidated during the recording operation, the CPU 32 reads out and executes a program for terminating the recording operation or reproduction operation, and reads out and executes writing from the ROM 31 The TOC information program is entered to terminate the recording and reproduction operations and to simultaneously store management information specifying the written area of the recorded sound data. If the detection button 55 of the pressed state of the cover card opening is made effective, the CPU 32 reads from the ROM 31 a program for switching from a power consumption mode to a low power consumption mode and executes the program. The reader is used to perform the mode switching process.

2 and 3, the operation area 60 will be described in detail. The IC recorder 1 shown in Figs. 2 and 3 is a portable and has a palm-sized case, and a printed circuit board carrying a circuit of the aforementioned recording area 10 and reproduction area 20 is provided therein. The IC recorder 1 is shaped so that it can be easily held with the left hand so that the recorder can be used simultaneously with the right hand normally used for writing. The casing 1a is provided with a plurality of buttons 61 constituting the operation area 60. A tape is provided on the casing 1a for carrying the IC recorder 1, as shown in FIG.

The operation area 60 includes a menu-feed button 61a, a play button 61b to start reproduction, and a rotary / feed button 61C to set an index number. The operation area 60 also includes a file switching button 61d for file switching, a stop button 61e to stop recording, and an SP / LP button 61f to switch between SP mode and LP mode. The operation area 60 also includes a light button 61g to turn on the backlight 42, a display button 61h and an index button 61i to set the index. The operating area 60 includes a delete button 61j to erase the sound data recorded in the semiconductor memory 9 and a recording start button 61k to start recording.

Regarding these operation buttons, a playback button 61b and a rotary / feeding button 61c, which are often used, are provided on the side of the cut-out portion formed in the upper left corner of the casing 1a as shown in FIG. Use your thumb to operate these buttons. The recording start button 61k, which is also frequently used, is composed of a large-sized button mounted on the main surface of the casing 1a to facilitate the operation of these buttons with the thumb of the left hand.

The operation area 60 also has a pause switch 62, a recording and / or reproduction lamp 63 to indicate that recording or reproduction is in progress, a volume button 64 to adjust the volume of the reproduced sound, and a headphone jack 65. The recording and / or reproducing lamp 63 is installed on the main surface of the casing 1a to facilitate eye inspection during use. The less-used pause switch 62, the volume button 64 and the machine jack 65 are installed on the side of the casing 1a.

The aforementioned microphone 11, horn 24, etc. are mounted on the main surface of the casing 1a. In order to reduce the size of the IC recorder 1 to improve the portability of the IC recorder 1, the microphone 11 and the recording start button 61k are installed close to each other.

The power supply area 50 will now be explained. Referring to FIG. 4, the power supply area 50 includes a battery 51, a DC / DC converter 52 for boosting the output voltage of the battery 51 and a voltage detection circuit 53 for detecting the voltage output by the battery 51. The power supply area 50 also includes a capacitor 54 charged by the output voltage of the DC / DC converter 52 and a cover opening detection switch 55 for detecting the opening of the battery accommodation space.

The IC recorder 1 is the size of a palm to facilitate carrying as described above. The battery 51 is a single "tan-4" dry battery to reduce the size of the device and is accommodated in an electric storage space 71 formed in the back of the casing 1a sufficient to accommodate the "tan-4" dry battery, as described Figure 3 shows. The battery storage space 71 is closed by a cover 72. The connecting pieces 73 a and 73 b are installed in the battery accommodating space 71 and correspond to the positive and negative sides of the battery 51, respectively. When the battery 51 is accommodated in the battery accommodation space 71, connecting pieces 73 a and 73 b are connected to the battery 51 so that a current is supplied to the circuit of the IC recorder 1.

The DC / DC converter 52 boosts the output voltage of the battery 51, that is, 1.5 volts, to a voltage required to operate the circuits of the amplifier 12, 23 or the CPU 32 to supply voltage and current to the circuit of the IC recorder 1. The voltage detector 53 detects the output voltage of the battery 51 to stop the operation of the DC / DC converter 52 when the bead voltage of the battery 51 is equal to, for example, 50 volts. Therefore, the electric power in the lip storage battery 51 is not consumed when its output is equal to, for example, a predetermined value of 0.8 volts. That is, even if the DC / DC converter 52 is used, the voltage of the electric holder 51 can be prevented from being suddenly lowered, and thus the leakage of liquid can be prevented.

The capacitor 54 is a commonly known backup capacitor, which is connected between the ground of a timer connected only to the DC / DC connector 52 and the controller 30 and a power line. That is, if the DC / DC converter 52 is in use, that is, if it is in a general power consumption mode or, the device is operated with power from the DC / DC converter 52, or if the The DC / DC converter 52 is suspended because the output voltage of the battery 51 is reduced or the battery 51 is removed to replace the battery, that is, if it is in a low power consumption mode, the device is from the capacitor 54 Operate at current.

The lid opening detection switch 55 is used to detect the opened state of the lid 72. Referring to FIG. 3, the switch 55 is provided at a side of the battery receiving space 71. If the cover 72 is closed, the switch 55 is pressed by a protrusion 74 formed on the cover 72. If the user moves the cover 72 to open the battery accommodating space 71, the thrust state caused by the protrusion 74 will disappear so that a signal indicating that the cover 72 is opened will be sent to the controller 30.

More specifically, the protrusions 74 are formed on one end of the cover and the receiving plate, not shown, and are formed on the left and right sides of the cover 72. A shoulder 75 is formed on the back surface of the casing 1a to surround the battery accommodation space 71. Receiving recesses are formed on the left and right sides of the shoulder 75, not shown. The cover 72 is movably mounted on the housing by embedding the trays on the left and right sides of the cover 72 in the receiving recesses on the left and right sides of the shoulder 75. 1a to open or close the space 71.

The opening / closing of the cover 72 is achieved by the user sliding the support plate along the receiving recess. If the lid 72 is kept closed, the lid opening detection switch 55 will be maintained in a pushed state due to the effect of the protrusion 74, so that when the lid 72 is slid and opened, the protrusion 74 The push-in status of the switch disappears. In this state, a signal indicating that the cover 72 is opened is sent to the controller 30.

Referring to FIG. 5, the operation procedure for recording a speech in the IC recorder 1 is as follows: First, in step ST1, the SP / LP button 61f is pressed to select whether the system is in the LP mode or the SP mode. The "SP or "LP is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 41. Then, in step ST2, the file switching button 61d is pressed to select a file "A" or "B" provided in the semiconductor memory 9. The selected file name is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 41.

Then, if the recording enable button 61k is pressed in step ST3, the recording / reproducing lamp 63 is lit and the recording state is started. If the user speaks into the microphone, the sound data is recorded in a specific area of the semiconductor memory. The stop button 61e is pressed in step ST4 to turn off the recording / reproducing lamp 63 to cancel the recording state. At this time, not only the sound data, but also the TOC information, the file name, and the recorded speech data are all recorded in the semiconductor memory 9. If the user wants additional sound data and this additional sound data is immediately after the original sound data, the sound data will be recorded in the same area and file as the mode that was originally set and Has an index number that differs from the index number that was originally recorded. That is, the mode selection and file selection operations in steps ST1 and ST2 can be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 6, the operation sequence for reproducing the recorded speech data is: First, in step ST11, the file switching button 61d is pressed. This selects the files to be provided on the semiconductor memory 9 ^' A 'or' B 'and the selected file name will be displayed on the LCD panel 41. In step ST12, the rotary / feed button 61C is pressed to select a desired index number recorded in the semiconductor memory 9. In step ST13, the playback button 61b is pressed and the recording / reproducing lamp 63 is lit and the sound data selected by the user is reproduced. If it is desired to stop the reproduction operation of the IC recorder 1, the stop button 61e is pressed to stop the reproduction operation, and the recording / reproduction lamp 63 is turned off. If it is desired to advance or return to the next item, the rotary / feed button 91C is pressed without the reproduction or recording operation being performed to select a child and reproduce the next or previous index number.

Referring to FIG. 7, the operation sequence of erasing the recorded sound data from the semiconductor memory 9 is: if the sound data is recorded as shown in FIG. 6 in step ST21, the erase button 61j is erased. If it is pressed, the process is transferred to step ST22, where the CPU 32 determines whether the audio data selected by the user is being reproduced. If the erase button 61j is not pressed, the process is transferred to step ST31 to set a standby mode corresponding to the absence of the recording / reproducing operation. If, in step ST22, the sound data is reproduced, the process will be forwarded to step SE ', which will appear on the LCD panel 41 for the user to understand that the mode is ST23 to set the erasure confirmation mode. In this erase confirmation mode, 'EREA erase confirmation mode.

If the erase confirmation mode is set in step ST23, it and step ST24 are determined by the CPU 32 to determine whether an operation button 61 other than the erase button 61j has been pressed. If the stop button 61e is pressed in this erasure confirmation mode, the process is transferred to step ST31 to set the standby state. If an operation button other than the stop button 61e, such as the reproduction button 61k or the recording start button 61k, is pressed, the process is transferred to step ST31 to set the standby state. With this IC recorder 1, if the user presses an operation button 61 other than the stop button 61e by mistake in the erase confirmation mode, it will be set to a standby state in step ST31 to prevent accidentally erasing the sound data.

If the operation button 61 is not pressed in step ST24, the process is transferred to step ST25 to determine whether the sound data designated by the user and currently being reproduced continues for more than 10 seconds or more. If the reproduced data lasts less than 10 seconds, the process is transferred to step ST26, where the entire sound data is reproduced. If the reproduced data lasts longer than 10 seconds, the process is transferred to step ST27, and the first 5 seconds and the last 5 seconds of the sound data being reproduced there are reproduced. By completely reproducing the sound data to be erased in step ST26 and by reproducing the first 5 seconds and the last 5 seconds of the sound data in step ST27, the user can confirm that the sound data to be erased Sound data.

If, when the sound data is reproduced in step ST26 or step ST27, the erase button 61j is pressed again in step ST28, the processing will be transferred to step ST29, where the CPU 32 will cause storage in the An erase program in the RAM 34 is executed to erase predetermined sound data recorded in the semiconductor memory 9. If, when four speech data items are recorded in the file 'A' and correspond to the index numbers from 1 to 4, the sound data corresponding to the index number 3 is to be erased, then the sound data corresponding to the index number 4 Will be re-assigned to index number '3'. That is, if there are multiple sound data corresponding to multiple index numbers, when the middle sound data is erased, the index number will be filled forward.

If the sound data is erased, the process is transmitted to step ST31 to set the standby mode. If the erase button 61j is not pressed in step ST28, the process is transmitted to step ST30 to reproduce the sound data again for the CPU 32 to judge that the number of playbacks exceeds 10. If the sound has not been reproduced more than ten times, the process returns to step ST3 to maintain the erase confirmation mode. If the sound data has been reproduced more than ten times in step ST10, the process will be transmitted to step ST11 to set the standby mode.

The above description is about erasing the audio data from the semiconductor memory 9 item by item. If the recorded sound data is to be erased entirely, the file switching button 61d is pressed to select the 'A' or 'B' option, and then the erase button 61j and the stop button 61e are pressed simultaneously. Therefore, the IC recorder 1 performs a complicated operation of simultaneously pressing the erase button 61j and the stop button 61e to avoid accidentally erasing the sound data recorded in the file 'A' or 'B' entirely.

In the case of the IC recorder 1 described above, since the sound data that the user wants to erase from the semiconductor memory 9 is reproduced after the erase button 61j is pressed to set the erase confirmation mode, Prevents accidental erasure of all audio data recorded in the file 'A' or 'B'. If the sound data to be erased lasts more than 10 seconds, only the first 5 seconds and the next 5 seconds of the sound data will be reproduced for confirmation, so it can be easily erased The audio material will not be reproduced for longer than too long. At the same time, the IC recorder 1 can advance from the erase confirmation mode to the standby mode. Even if the stop button 61e is pressed in the erase confirmation mode, the recording start button 61k or the playback button 61b is also pressed. This is also the case, so that the audio data can be prevented from being erased by mistake.

If the IC recorder 1 is accidentally dropped by the user during recording and the cover 72 is moved to open the space 71 due to impact, and the battery 51 is detached, the cover opening detection switch 55 will detect that the cover 72 has been removed. Turn on and send the corresponding detection signal to the controller 30. If a signal specifying that the cover 72 is opened is sent to the controller 30 of the IC recorder 1, the controller 30 will cause the recording operation to be terminated and cause the TOC information to be written to specify the written sound Data is stored in that area. Therefore, with this IC recorder 1, if the current supply from the battery 51 is suddenly stopped for some reason during recording, the sound data can be read out based on the written TOC information to reproduce the recorded Speech.

If a signal indicating that the cover 72 is opened is sent to the IC recorder 1, the mode is switched from the general power consumption mode to the low power consumption mode, for example, after the process of terminating the recording operation. The low power consumption mode indicates that the power mode of the recording or reproduction operation is suspended and there is no indication on the liquid crystal display panel 41. Only the timer 33 is operated by the power supplied by the capacitor 54 for timekeeping.

The power supply mode selection of the IC recorder 1 is selected as shown in FIG. That is, it first checks whether the cover 72 covering the battery accommodation space 71 is opened at step 41. If the lid 72 is opened, it is checked at step 42 whether or not it is set to the low power consumption mode. If the low power consumption mode is not set, that is, if it is a general power consumption mode, then in step 43 it is checked whether an operation, such as a recording or reproduction operation, is in progress. If an operation, such as a recording or reproduction operation, is in progress, the operation end program is read from the ROM 31 to perform operation end processing. At the same time as the operation ends, the TOC information writing program is read from the ROM 31 and the TOC information writing is performed in step 44. When these processing operations reach a paragraph, the mode is switched from the low power consumption mode to the general power consumption mode in step 45. If the operation is not in progress in step 43, the processing in step 43 is not made and the mode is immediately switched from the low power consumption mode to the general power consumption mode.

In this IC recorder 1, the mode is switched to the low power consumption mode in this way, so that if the battery 51 is accidentally detached and the current supply from the battery is abruptly stopped, the power supply from the capacitor 54 will be As a result, the time count of the timer 33 can be maintained by the power provided by the capacitor 54 so that the time count does not cause confusion. The normal function can be restored by returning the battery 51 to the straight position within 3 minutes, and the backup power of the capacitor 54 can be maintained within the 3 minutes.

In this IC recorder 1, if the battery 51 is interrupted due to inadvertent recording during the recording, the battery 51 can be placed in place again and the battery accommodation space 71 is covered by the cover 72. At this time, the signal from the lid opening detection switch 55 is suspended. However, the program can be made so that the index number corresponding to the recorded content is automatically selected at this time to reproduce the recorded sound data that was just stopped. The recorded data is not limited to sound data but can also be dynamic data, such as animation data.

On the liquid crystal display panel 41 of the IC recorder 1, data and time are displayed based on the output of the timer 33. To set the function, the menu / feed button 61a is first pressed. This displays data on the liquid crystal display panel 41 to set the date setting mode. In this IC recorder 1, the date can be set by pressing the rotary / feed button 61C. If the rotary / feed button 61C is pressed in this state, the IC recorder 1 is switched to the time setting mode to display the time on the liquid crystal display panel 41. The rotary / feed button 61C can be pressed to set the time in the IC recorder 1. Finally, the time setting mode is terminated by pressing the stop button 61e.

The IC recorder 1 can switch the display content of the sound data corresponding to the index number designated in the liquid crystal display panel 41. When the sound data is recorded in the semiconductor memory 9, the IC recorder 1 simultaneously records the recorded time and date. When the display button is pressed, a program for changing the display content displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 41 is read from the ROM 31 and executed to change the display content displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 41. In particular, by pressing the display button 61h, the recording date, recording time, and remaining recordable time are sequentially displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 41.

If the user operates the IC recorder 1 in a dark environment, the backlight 42 can be turned on in the display unit 40. Referring to FIG. 9, if the light button 61g is pressed, the CPU 32 of the IC recorder 1 proceeds to step ST51 to check whether the backlight button 61g is pressed. If the backlight button 61g is pressed, the process is transferred to step ST52, and if not, the process is transferred to step ST56. In step ST52, the CPU 32 resets the timer 33 to start time counting. If the timer 33 is reset, the process proceeds to step ST53 to determine whether the backlight 42 has been lit for more than 10 seconds. If it is within 10 seconds, the backlight is continuously turned on, or if it has exceeded 10 seconds, the backlight 42 is turned off at step ST55.

If the backlight 42 is continuously lit in step S, the CPU 32 returns to step ST51 to determine whether the backlight button 61g has been pressed. If the CPU 32 finds that the backlight button 61g has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step ST56. In step ST56, the CPU 32 determines whether any of the buttons 61 of the timer 33 has been pressed in the lighting state in which the backlight 42 is lit. If in step ST57 the CPU 32 finds that any of the buttons 61 of the timer 33 is pressed while the backlight 42 is lit, the CPU 32 resets the timer 33 again to start Time count. If no button has been pressed, the process returns to step ST53 again. In step ST53, it is determined whether the backlight 42 has been turned on for more than 10 seconds. The lighting state is maintained for 10 seconds from the start of lighting, and if more than 10 seconds have elapsed, the backlight 42 is turned off in step ST5.

In the foregoing description, it is assumed that the timer 33 will be reset if all the buttons 61 have been pressed. Of course, it is possible to limit the buttons to buttons that the user needs to operate when checking the display content on the liquid crystal display panel 41, such as a button for a reproduction or recording operation. Since the timer 33 is not reset when the unrelated button 61 is pressed, the backlight 42 is turned off after 10 seconds to avoid wasting power.

For this IC recorder 1, if the preset button 61 is pressed during the backlight is turned on, the timer 33 is reset. Therefore, when the user inspects the liquid crystal display panel 41 in a dark environment, the backlight 42 is always in a state of measuring light. The timer 33, which is the IC recorder 1, is reset every 10 seconds, which prevents the backlight 42 from accidentally being continuously lit.

Although the foregoing description has been described based on the IC recorder of the present invention, the present invention can be naturally applied to a small-sized electronic device having excellent portability, such as a disc cartridge as a recording medium Recording and / or reproducing device, as small-sized electronic devices can be easily carried and thus often operated by users in the dark. The recorded data is not limited to sound data, but can also include dynamic data, such as animation data.

Schematic illustration

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of an IC recorder embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a front view showing the structure of an IC recorder embodying the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a rear view showing the structure of an IC recorder embodying the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the structure of a power circuit of the IC recorder.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a recording operation of the IC recorder.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a reproduction operation of the IC recorder.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the erase operation of the IC recorder.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a change in the operation mode of the IC recorder.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing control of a backlight of the IC recorder.

Explanation of main component symbols

1. . .IC recorder

10. . .Record area

11.. .microphone

9. . .Semiconductor memory

20.. .Regeneration zone

twenty four. .horn

30.. .Controller

50.. .Power zone

60.. .Operating area

12.. .Amplifier

14.. .Encoder

15.. .Buffer memory

13.. .Automatic Gain Controller (AGC)

twenty two.. .filter

twenty one. .decoder

twenty three.. .Amplifier

31.. .ROM

32.. .Microcomputer (CPU)

33.. .Timer

34.. .Random Access Memory (RAM)

61.. .Button

41.. .Display panel

40.. .Display area

42.. .Backlight

55.. .Lid open detection switch

1a.. .shell

61a.. .Menu-feed button

61b. .Play button

61c. .Rotary / feed button

61d. .File switch

61e. Stop button

61f.. .SP / LP button

61g.. .Light button

61h.. .Display button

61i.. .Index button

61j.. .Cancel button

61k.. .Record start button

63.. .Record and / or reproduce button

62.. .Pause switch

64.. .Volume button

65.. .Headphone jack

51.. .battery

52.. .DC / DC converter

53.. .Voltage detection circuit

5. . . .Capacitor

71.. .Battery accommodation space

72.. .cover

73a, 73b. .Connecting piece

7.. . .Protrusion

75.. .Shoulder