Recording and reproducing apparatus and terminal apparatus

A recording and reproducing apparatus has a communicating unit, a reading unit, a storing unit, a control unit, and an output unit. The communicating unit transmits and receives data to/from an information center in which a plurality of additional information have been stored. The reading unit reads out recorded data from a recording medium on which a plurality of data and index data of a plurality of data have been recorded. The data read out from the recording medium by the reading unit is stored in the storing unit. The control unit reads out the additional information corresponding to the recording medium from which the data is read out by the reading unit from the information center by the communicating unit and writes the read-out additional information into the storing unit as additional data of the recording medium which is read out by the reading unit. The output unit outputs the data stored in the storing unit and the additional data.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a recording and reproducing apparatus and a terminal apparatus. More particularly, the invention relates to a recording and reproducing apparatus having a storing unit and relates to a terminal apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

Hitherto, what is called a CD changer in which a number of CDs (Compact Disc) are enclosed and an automatic reproduction of a CD is executed has been put into practical use. In such a CD changer, tens to hundreds of CDs are enclosed in one casing and the reproduction of a CD selected by a predetermined operation is automatically executed. The reproduction of the CD can be executed every CD or a plurality of CDs are selected and the random reproduction can be also executed on a CD unit basis or a unit basis of a recorded music piece. The CD changer is mainly fixedly used, namely, it is installed in the room and is used.

On the other hand, as a portable audio data reproducing apparatus, in recent years, an apparatus using a magnetooptical disc or optical disc having a diameter of almost 64 mm is spreading. In such a portable audio data reproducing apparatus, an analog audio signal is converted into a digital signal and is compressed by a compressing technique called an ATRAC (Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding: trade name) and is recorded to a magnetooptical disc. There are advantages such that since the analog audio signal is recorded as compressed digital data, deterioration in sound quality is small and that since the disc is used as a recording medium, the random reproduction can be performed.

In the foregoing CD changer, however, even in the automatic reproduction, an exchanging time of the CD occurs, so that there is a problem such that it is difficult to realize the continuous reproduction. The CD changer in which 100 to 200 CDs are enclosed has problems such that a casing is large and heavy and it is very inconvenient to carry and install.

Even in the foregoing portable audio data reproducing apparatus, when the recording is once performed to a magnetooptical disc, in case of reproducing, the random reproduction or normal reproduction can be performed only in a range of the recorded magnetooptical disc. There is, therefore, a problem such that in the random reproduction, music piece designation reproduction, or the like in a plurality of magnetooptical discs, it is necessary to exchange the magnetooptical discs every time. There is, consequently, a problem such that the user has to always carry a plurality of magnetooptical discs or optical discs.

In the foregoing CD changer, although a number of CDs can be enclosed, there is a problem such that there is not means for automatically fetching information regarding the enclosed CDs and the titles of the music pieces or the like recorded in the CD. Hitherto, the user cannot help manually inputting those information regarding the music piece titles or the like.

Further, there are problems such that a dubbing process from the CD changer to another audio apparatus (recording medium), for example, the foregoing magnetooptical disc can be performed at only a reproducing speed of the CD and it takes a long time even to perform the dubbing of one CD.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a recording and reproducing apparatus which resolves the above-mentioned problem.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a terminal apparatus which resolves the above-mentioned problem.

According to the present invention, there is provided a recording and reproducing apparatus including a communicating unit, a reading unit, a storing unit, a control unit, and an output unit. The communicating unit transmits and receives data to/from an information center in which a plurality of additional information have been stored. The reading unit reads out recorded data from a recording medium on which a plurality of data and index data of such a plurality of data have been recorded. The data read out from the recording medium by the reading unit is stored into the storing unit. The control unit reads out the additional information corresponding to the recording medium from which the data is read out by the reading unit from the information center by the communicating unit and writes the read-out additional information into the storing unit as additional data of the recording medium which is being read out by the reading unit. The output unit outputs the data stored in the storing unit and the additional data.

According to the present invention, there is provided a recording and reproducing apparatus including an information supplying unit and a recording and reproducing unit. A plurality of additional information have been stored in the information supplying unit. The recording and reproducing unit transmits and receives data to/from the information supplying unit. The recording and reproducing unit includes a communicating unit, a reading unit, a storing unit, a control unit, and an output unit. The communicating unit transmits and receives data to/from the information supplying unit. The reading unit reads out recorded data from a recording medium on which a plurality of data and index data of such a plurality of data have been recorded. The data read out from the recording medium by the reading unit is stored into the storing unit. The control unit reads out the additional information corresponding to the recording medium from which the data is read out by the reading unit from the information center by the communicating unit and writes the read-out additional information into the storing unit as additional data of the recording medium which is being read out by the reading unit. The output unit outputs the data stored in the storing unit and the additional data.

According to the present invention, there is provided a recording and reproducing apparatus including a reading unit, a first storing unit, a reproducing unit, a second storing unit, and a control unit. The reading unit reads out data recorded on a recording medium. The data read out from the recording medium by the reading unit is stored into the first storing unit. The reproducing unit reproduces the data read out from the first storing unit. The data read out from the first storing unit is stored into the second storing unit. The control unit inhibits the further reading operation from the first storing unit of the data which has been read out from the first storing unit and stored into the second storing unit in the data stored in the first storing unit.

According to the present invention, there is provided a recording and reproducing apparatus including first and second recording and reproducing units. The first recording and reproducing unit has a reading unit, a first storing unit, a reproducing unit, and a control unit. The reading unit reads out data recorded on a recording medium. The data read out from the recording medium by the reading unit is stored into the storing unit. The reproducing unit reproduces the data read out from the first storing unit. The control unit controls the operations of the reading unit, first storing unit, and reproducing unit. The second recording and reproducing unit has a second storing unit in which the data read out from the first storing unit is stored. The control unit inhibits the further reading operation from the firs storing unit of the data which has been read out from the first storing unit and stored in the second storing unit in the data stored in the first storing unit.

According to the present invention, there is provided a terminal apparatus. Data is supplied from a recording and reproducing apparatus to the terminal apparatus. The terminal apparatus has a storing unit, a reproducing unit, and a control unit. The data supplied from the recording and reproducing apparatus is stored into the storing unit. The reproducing unit reproduces the data read out from the storing unit. The control unit deletes the data which has been read out from the storing unit and supplied to the recording and reproducing apparatus from the storing unit.

According to the present invention, there is provided a recording and reproducing apparatus including a reading unit, a storing unit, a reproducing unit, a communicating unit, and a control unit. The reading unit reads out the data recorded on the recording medium. The data read out from the recording medium by the reading unit is stored into the storing unit. The reproducing unit reproduces the data read out from the storing unit. The communicating unit transmits the data read out from the storing unit. The control unit inhibits the reading operation from the storing unit by the reading unit of the data which has been read out from the storing unit and transmitted by the communicating unit in the data stored in the storing unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An embodiment of the invention will now be described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings.FIG. 1schematically shows a music server to which the invention is applied and a system using the music server. A music server50comprises a server main body51and right and left speaker units52R and52L. A display unit53comprising, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel and a CD inserting portion54to insert a CD into the server main body51are provided for the server main body51.

Although not shown inFIG. 1, an operating unit comprising a plurality of operation switches to operate functions of the server main body51by the user is provided for the server main body51. A signal receiving unit to receive, for example, an infrared signal to remote operate the functions of the server main body51by a remote commander can be also provided. The server main body51has a controller as will be explained hereinlater. Various operations of the server main body51are controlled by the controller on the basis of a predetermined program which has previously been stored in, for instance, an ROM.

The user loads a CD55into the server main body51through the CD inserting portion54and executes a predetermined operation by using an operating unit (not shown), thereby reproducing the CD55. He can enjoy music recorded on the CD55by generating a reproduction signal reproduced from the CD55by the speaker units52L and52R. When the CD55includes text data such as music titles or the like, the music titles or the like are displayed to the display unit53on the basis of the text data.

The music server50has therein a recording medium of a large capacity by, for example, a hard disk. By executing a predetermined operation by using the operating unit (not shown), the reproduction data reproduced from the CD55loaded into the server main body51from the CD inserting portion54can be recorded to the recording medium comprising a hard disk. In this instance, either one of a method of recording at the same transfer speed as the standard reproducing speed of the CD55and a high speed recording to record at a transfer speed higher than the standard reproducing speed of the CD55can be selected. In case of recording at the high transfer speed, by executing an accounting process by a predetermined procedure, a desired CD can be selected or a desired music piece recorded on the CD can be selected and the reproduction data as music data reproduced from the CD can be recorded at a transfer speed higher than the reproducing speed of the CD.

In the music server50, the music data reproduced from the CD55is compression encoded to compression music data by a predetermined method such as a foregoing ATRAC or the like and is recorded. For example, music data of about 1000 music pieces can be memorized or stored to the hard disk having a capacity of 6 GBytes. A list of titles of the music pieces memorized or stored on the hard disk is displayed on, for example, the display unit53. The user can select an arbitrary one of the music pieces memorized or stored on the hard disk on the basis of the music title list displayed in the display unit53and can reproduce. Since a random access can be performed in the hard disk, a number of music data memorized or stored can be read out and continuously reproduced in accordance with an arbitrary order.

Although various methods can be used for compression encoding, the method as disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,717,821 is used in this embodiment of the invention. This method is a method of improving the ATRAC as a compression encoding system which is used in the foregoing portable audio data reproducing apparatus. By using a masking effect based on the nature of hearing and a frequency dependency of the minimum audible limit and by using both of a transform coding and an entropy coding, the audio data is compression encoded. The encoding/decoding can be performed at a high speed while maintaining a high sound quality by hardware of a relatively small scale.

The music server50can be connected to an external system, for example, an internet server60as a server connected to the internet through a communication line61as a public telephone line. By connecting from the music server50to the internet server60through the communication line61, various information on the internet can be obtained. The internet server60has, for example, a database such as title information of commercially available music CDs. By allocating a peculiar key to use the database to the user and operating the peculiar key when the database is used, data annexed to the CDs, for example, title information of the CDs can be obtained.

In the internet server60, an accounting process for the music server50is also executed in accordance with services which are presented to the user. When the foregoing high speed recording of the CD55is executed, the music server50communicates data indicative of the execution of the high speed recording to the internet server60, so that the accounting process for the user who performs the high speed recording is executed, the selection of the CD or music piece can be performed, and the high speed recording can be executed.

Although the accounting process is executed by the internet server60having a large quantity of additional information of the CDs here, the invention is not limited to the foregoing example. For instance, the foregoing accounting process can be also performed by another server connected to the internet. The foregoing accounting process can be also executed by another network, for example, a dedicated network different from the internet.

A portable recording and reproducing apparatus70has a storing medium comprising a hard disk or a flash memory. Any other storing medium or recording media can be also used so long as it can follow the reproducing speed of music. By connecting the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70to the music server50by a connection line71, the music data recorded in the music server50is transferred to the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70and can be recorded to the storing medium of the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70. In this instance, on the music server50side, although the music data transferred to the apparatus70exists on the storing medium such as hard disk or flash memory, it is set into a state where the data cannot be reproduced. The storing medium or recording medium which is used in the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70has a capacity of, for example, about 200 MBytes and music data of tens of music pieces can be memorized or stored. In the following description, a storing device or storing medium comprising a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory or the like and a recording medium such as a disk-like recording medium or the like such as a hard disk or the like are generally called a storing medium or storing media.

The foregoing transfer method which is used in the invention, namely, an act such that in case of transferring the music data, the music data is recorded to a storing medium on the transfer destination side, and on the storing medium on the transferring source side, although the transferred music data exists on the storing medium, it is set into an unreproducible state is called a “movement”. By moving as mentioned above, an unlimited copy of the music data can be prevented.

Although the music server50and portable recording and reproducing apparatus70are connected by the connection line71in the above embodiment, the invention is not limited to this example. For instance, it is also possible to provide mutually corresponding attaching portions for both of the music server50and portable recording and reproducing apparatus70and to directly attach the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70to the music server50, thereby enabling data to be transmitted and received between the server50and apparatus70. Besides the electric connection, for example, interfaces corresponding to IrDA (Infrared Data Association) for transmitting and receiving data by an infrared signal are provided for both the server50and apparatus70and the music data can be also transferred between the server50and apparatus70by the infrared signal.

Further, by providing a predetermined interface for the music server50, information can be exchanged for various media. For example, by providing an interface corresponding to a PC card80for the server50, music data which is distributed by the PC card80can be fetched to the music server50or data can be transmitted and received between a personal computer and the music server50. By providing a serial digital interface by an optical cable or the like for the server50, for example, music data can be transmitted and received to/from another digital music data recording and reproducing apparatus such as a disc recorder81using a small magnetooptical disc having a diameter of 64 mm. In this example, a disc cartridge82in which the foregoing small magnetooptical disc is enclosed is loaded into the disc recorder81and music data reproduced from the magnetooptical disc of the disc cartridge82is supplied to the music server50. Similarly, it is also possible to provide an interface such as an IEEE 1394 for the server50and to connect, for instance, a set top box83for a CATV (Cable Television), a satellite broadcasting, or the like.

The PC card conforms to the standard of the card type peripheral equipment for personal computers by the common enactment of the PCMCIA (Personal Memory Card International Association) of U.S.A. and the JEIDA (Japanese Electronic industry Development Association) of Japan. The IEEE 1394 is an interface standard used in Electrical & Electronics Standards Engineers Association of U.S.A.

The music server50can have a WWW (World Wide Web) browser as a built-in application. By connecting to the internet server60through the communication line61, various contents which exist on the internet and were described by, for example, HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) can be retrieved and can be displayed on the display unit53.

With the above construction, for instance, the user can reproduce the music data memorized or stored in the music server50and can listen to it by the speaker units52L and52R. The user can also load the CD55into the server50through the CD inserting portion54and can reproduce the CD55.

By communicating between the music server50and internet server60, the title information or the like of the CD55loaded into the server50through the CD inserting portion54can be automatically obtained from the server60through the communication line61. The information derived from the server60is preserved in the music server50. The preserved title information is displayed on the display unit53of the server50as necessary.

More specifically speaking, information such as user ID data of the server50or the like that is peculiar to the user (hereinafter, referred to as user information) is sent from the music server50to the internet server60. On the internet server60side, a collating process or an accounting process is executed on the basis of the received user information. Media information of the CD which is needed by the user or the CD which is being reproduced is sent from the music server50to the internet server60. In the internet server60, on the basis of the received media information, for example, the additional information such as titles of the music pieces, names of the players, names of the composers and songwriters, words, jacket image, and the like for the music data is retrieved. In the internet server60, predetermined information regarding the CD requested from the user is returned to the music server50.

For example, TOC (Table of Contents) information of the CD55is sent as media information to the internet server60. A data base in which the additional information for the music data mentioned above can be retrieved is constructed in the internet server60on the basis of the TOC information. The additional information can be also obtained by retrieving another WWW server on the internet. The internet server60retrieves the additional information of the music data by using the received TOC information as media information. For example, it can be retrieved on the basis of time information of each of the music pieces included in the TOC information and recorded in the CD55.

The additional information obtained by retrieving is sent from the internet server60to the music server50. In the music server50, the received additional information is displayed in the display unit53and is written to, for example, the hard disk drive together with the TOC information of the CD55by a CPU8, which will be explained hereinlater. By storing the retrieved additional information into an HTML file and sending from the server60, the additional information can be displayed by built-in WWW browser software in the music server50.

If another URL (Uniform Resource Locator) on the internet has been described in the additional information, it is possible to access to a homepage or the like on the internet displayed by the other URL in the music server50.

Further, the communicating the data between the internet server60and server50, the music data in the CD55loaded into the server50through the CD inserting portion54can be recorded into the storing medium of the music server50at a speed higher than the specified standard reproducing speed of the CD55, for example, the music data of one CD55can be recorded for about two minutes. When a communication is not performed between the internet server60and server50, the music data is recorded to the storing medium of the server50at the same speed as the specified standard reproducing speed of the CD55, namely, at the one-time speed.

By connecting to the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70by the connection line71, the server50can transfer and move music data memorized or stored in the music server50to the portable reproducing apparatus70. The moved music data can be reproduced by the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70and can be listened by, for example, headphones72even if the server50and apparatus70are not connected by the connection line71. The transferred and moved music data is set into a state where it cannot be reproduced in the music server50.

FIG. 2shows an example of a construction of the music server50. First, in the music server50, in a manner similar to the construction of the ordinary personal computer, an RAM5, an ROM6, a flash memory7, and a CPU8which are mutually connected by a bus are provided. The CPU8is connected to a bus40. The CPU8functions as a controller and the whole operation of this music server50is controlled.

A program to control the operation of the music server50has previously been stored in the ROM6. In the music server50, on the basis of this program, the CPU8allows the operation corresponding to the operation of input operating unit1, which will be explained hereinlater, is executed. A data area and a task area which are used when the program is executed are temporarily assured in the RAM5and flash memory7. A program loader has been stored in the ROM6and the program itself can be also loaded into the flash memory7by the program loader of the ROM6.

The input operating unit1comprises, for example, a plurality of push type and rotary type operation keys, switches which are operated by these operation keys, and the like. The input operating unit1is not limited to this type but an operation key of a rotary push type called a jog dial, a touch panel on the LCD, or the like can be also used. A switching mechanism which responds by pressing can be also used. A signal according to the operation of the input operating unit1is supplied to the CPU8through the bus40. In the CPU8, a control signal to control the operation of the music server50is formed on the basis of the signal from the input operating unit1. The music server50is operated in response to the control signal formed by the CPU8.

An infrared interface (IrDA I/F) driver3and/or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) driver4is connected to the bus40. A keyboard2can communicate or connect to the drivers3and4. By using the keyboard2, for instance, the name of music piece corresponding to the music data which is recorded, the name of artist, and the like can be easily inputted. The data can be also transferred through the infrared interface driver3or USB driver4. The infrared interface driver3and USB driver4can be also omitted.

A CD-ROM drive9is connected to the bus40. The CD55inserted from the CD inserting unit54as mentioned above is loaded into the CD-ROM drive9. In the CD-ROM drive9, the music data is read out from the loaded CD55at the specified standard reproducing speed. In the CD-ROM drive9, the music data of the CD55can be read out at a speed which is higher than the specified standard reproducing speed, for instance, which is 16 or 32 times as high as the specified standard reproducing speed.

The CD-ROM drive9is not limited to the foregoing example but can be also made correspond to another disk-like recording medium in which music data has been stored, for example, a magnetooptical disk or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc). A drive corresponding to a memory card can be also used. Further, the data which is read out from the CD-ROM drive9is not limited to the music data but image data, text data, program data, or the like can be also read out.

A hard disk drive (hereinafter, simply referred to as an HDD)10is connected to the bus40. The music data read out from the CD-ROM drive9is recorded to the HDD10. As a pre-process of the process for recording the music data to the HDD10, the music data read out by the CD-ROM drive9is supplied to a compression encoder12through the bus40and a DRAM11for audio.

In the compression encoder12, a compression encoding process of the music data is performed by the foregoing compressing method disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,717,821 or the like. As a compressing speed of the music data by the compression encoder12, two speeds of a low speed and a high speed are prepared on the basis of the control of the CPU8. The low speed compressing speed corresponds to the standard reproducing speed specified for the CD55in the CD-ROM drive9. The high speed compressing speed corresponds to a speed higher than the standard reproducing speed specified for the CD55in the CD-ROM drive9, for example, the reproducing speed of two times or more. The compressing speed is switched in accordance with, for example, the reproducing speed of the CD55by the CD-ROM drive9. In the compression encoder12, for example, an encoding algorithm according to the compressing speed is driven.

The changing method of the compressing speed in the compression encoder12is not limited to the foregoing method. For instance, it can be also changed by switching a clock frequency of the compression encoder12. A different hardware can be also prepared. Further, in the compression encoder12in which the high speed compression can be performed, it is also possible to correspond to the low compressing speed by thinning out the processes.

The compression music data which was compression encoded by the compression encoder12is recorded and accumulated to the HDD10through the DRAM11.

Although it is constructed such that the compression music data which was compression encoded by the compression encoder12is accumulated to the HDD10, the music data which is read out from the CD-ROM drive9can be also directly supplied to the HDD10and can be recorded and accumulated to the hard disk of the HDD10.

In the example, an audio signal which is inputted through an amplifier14from a microphone connected to a terminal13and an audio signal which is inputted from a line input terminal15are supplied to the compression encoder12through an A/D converter16. Those audio signals can be compression encoded by the encoder12and can be recorded to the HDD10. Further, an optical digital signal is supplied from an optical digital input terminal17to the compression encoder12through an IEC 958 (International Electrotechnical Commission 958) encoder18. The audio signal supplied as an optical digital signal can be also compression encoded by the encoder12and can be recorded to the hard disk of the HDD10.

Although the case where the compression encoder12uses an encoding algorithm as disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,717,821 has been shown above, the invention is not limited to the foregoing example. That is, in the compression encoder12, any other algorithm can be also used so long as it is an encoding algorithm by which information is compressed. For example, the compression encoder12can also use an encoding algorithm such as MPEG (moving picture coding experts group), PASC (precision adaptive sub-band coding), Twin VQ (trade name), RealAudio (trade name), or LiquidAudio (trade name).

A modem20is connected in the bus40. For example, an external network19such as public telephone line, CATV, or wireless communication is connected to the modem20. The music server50can communicate through the external network19by the modem20.

The music server50is connected to, for example, the internet through the external network19. A communication is executed between the music server50and the remote internet server60. A request signal and various information such as media information as information regarding the CD55loaded in the CD-ROM drive9, user ID data and user information which have previously been given to the music server50, accounting information to the user, and the like are transmitted and sent from the music server50to the Internet server60.

The various information such as media information, user information, and the like is transmitted to the internet server60. On the basis of the received user information such as user ID data and the like, the server60executes the collating process and accounting process. On the basis of the received media information, the additional information of the music data is retrieved and returned to the music server50.

Although the example in which the additional information of the music data is returned has been shown here, the music data can be also directly supplied from the external network19on the basis of a request by the user. That is, the user can download the music data from the internet server60by using the music server50. The music data can be also returned in correspondence to the media information. Thus, for example, a bonus track of a predetermined CD55can be obtained by the transmission.

When the compression music data which has been compression encoded by the compression encoder12and recorded and accumulated in the HDD10is read out for reproduction from the HDD10, it is supplied to a compression decoder21through the bus40. The compression encoding of the compression music data read out from the HDD10is released by the compression decoder21and the resultant data is outputted to a terminal24through a D/A converter22and an amplitude23. The data is supplied from the terminal24to the speaker units52L and52R and the music is reproduced. Although not shown inFIG. 2, as a path starting from the D/A converter22and reaching the terminal24through the amplifier23, two paths are provided in correspondence to stereophonic outputs. Similarly, two terminals24are also provided in correspondence to the stereophonic sound.

In the compression decoder21, a decoding algorithm corresponding to the encoding algorithm in the compression encoder12is used. The compression decoder21and foregoing compression encoder12can be also realized as software processes by the CPU8without having hardware.

A liquid crystal display device (hereinafter, simply referred to as an LCD)26constructing the display unit53is connected to the bus40through an LCD driving circuit (namely, LCD driver)25. A drawing control signal is supplied from the CPU8to the LCD driving circuit25through the bus40. On the basis of the supplied drawing control signal, the LCD26is driven by the LCD driving circuit25and a predetermined display is performed to the display unit53.

An operation menu of the music server50, for example, is displayed on the LCD26. For instance, a title list of the compression music data recorded and accumulated in the HDD10is displayed on the LCD26. As for the title list which is displayed on the LCD26, since the data based on the data obtained by decoding the additional information transmitted from the internet server60has been stored on the HDD10, the display is performed on the basis of the data stored on the HDD10. For example, a folder or a jacket image corresponding to the compression music data which is selected and reproduced is further displayed on the LCD26on the basis of the additional information transmitted from the internet server60.

By operating a pointing device of the input operating unit1or the keyboard2on the basis of the display on the LCD26, the CPU8performs the reproduction control of the instructed music data. The erasure of the selected music data or the control of the copy or movement of the selected music data to the external apparatus can be also performed on the basis of the display of the LCD26. For example, when the input operating unit1is a touch panel provided on the LCD26, by touching the touch panel in accordance with the display of the LCD26, the operation of the music server50can be performed. As mentioned above, the music data recorded and accumulated in the HDD10is managed and controlled by the user by using the LCD26as an interface.

In the first embodiment, the invention corresponds to the IEEE 1394 and PC card as an interface between the music server50and the external general information apparatus. An IEEE 1394 interface28is connected to the bus40through an IEEE 1394 driver29. Similarly, a PC card slot31is connected to the bus40through a PC card driver30.

Transmission and reception of data can be performed between the music server50and, for example, a personal computer by the IEEE 1394 interface28. Music data can be fetched from an IRD (Integrated Receiver/Decoder) for satellite broadcasting, a small magnetooptical disc or optical disc having a diameter of about 64 mm, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc; trade name), a digital video tape, or the like by the IEEE 1394 interface28. By loading the PC card into the PC card slot31, an expansion of an external storage device or another media drive or various peripheral devices such as modem, terminal adapter, capture board, and the like can be easily performed.

An interface34is an interface to transmit and receive music data or the like between the music server50and corresponding another recording and reproducing apparatus. For example, the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70shown inFIG. 1mentioned above is applied to the other recording and reproducing apparatus. The invention is not limited to it but another music server50can be also used as another recording and reproducing apparatus.

The interface34is connected to the bus40through an interface driver33. An interface35constructing a part together with the interface34is provided for the corresponding other recording and reproducing apparatus. By electrically connecting the interfaces34and35by the predetermined connection line71, for instance, the music data recorded and accumulated in the HDD10can be transferred from the music server50to the other recording and reproducing apparatus.

FIG. 3schematically shows a signal flow until the music data read out by the CD-ROM drive9is recorded into the HDD10. The music data read out from the CD-ROM drive9is once stored into the DRAM11as a buffer memory through the bus40. The music data is read out from the DRAM11at a predetermined timing and is supplied to the compression encoder12through the bus40. The compression encoder12is set to a predetermined compressing speed according to the reproducing speed of the CD-ROM drive9as mentioned above. The music data is compression encoded by the compression encoder12and is again once stored into the DRAM11as a buffer memory. The compression music data read out from the DRAM11at a predetermined timing is supplied to the HDD10through the bus40and is recorded to the disk of the HDD10. In this instance, the TOC information of the CD55which is reproduced by the CD-ROM drive9is transmitted to the internet server60as mentioned above and the additional information of the CD55transmitted from the server60is also recorded to the disk of the HDD10and is managed as one data by the CPU8or the like together with the compression music data based on the music data read out from the CD55.

FIG. 4schematically shows a signal flow until the compression music data read out from the HDD10is reproduction processed and is supplied to the terminal24. The compression music data read out from the HDD10is once stored into the DRAM11as a buffer memory through the bus40. The compression music data is read out from the DRAM11at a predetermined timing and is supplied to the compression decoder21through the bus40. The compression music data is decompressed by the compression decoder21, the compression encoding is released, and the resultant data is supplied as music data to the D/A converter22. The music data is converted into an analog audio signal by the D/A converter22and is amplified by the amplifier23. An amplified signal is supplied as a reproduction output to the terminal24. If the speakers are connected to the terminal24, the music reproduced by the speakers can be enjoyed. In this instance, the additional information read out from the disc of the HDD10together with the compression music data is decoded by the CPU8or the like and the music piece titles or the like are displayed on the display unit53.

FIG. 5shows an example of a construction of the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70which is used as another recording and reproducing apparatus. The portable recording and reproducing apparatus70has a construction similar to the music server50shown inFIG. 2mentioned above. As for the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70, the interface34on the music server50side and the interface35on the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70side are usually separated and are carried and used as sole units.

First, in the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70, in a manner similar to the construction of the ordinary personal computer, an RAM103, an ROM104, and a CPU105which are mutually connected by a bus are provided. A flash memory can be also provided in a manner similar to the construction of the music server50. The CPU105is connected to a bus130. The CPU105functions as a controller and the whole operation of the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70is controlled by the CPU105.

A program to control the operation of the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70has previously been stored in the ROM104. In the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70, the operation corresponding to the operation of the input operating unit102, which will be explained hereinbelow, is executed on the basis of such a program. A data area and a task area which are used when the program is executed are temporarily assured in the RAM103.

The input operating unit102comprises, for example, a plurality of push type and rotary type operation keys and a plurality of switches which are operated by those operation keys. The input operating unit102is not limited to such a type but a rotary push type operation device called a jog dial, a touch panel on the LCD, which will be explained hereinlater, or the like can be also used. A mechanical switching mechanism which responds by depressing can be also used. A signal corresponding to the operation of the input operating unit102is supplied to the CPU105through the bus130. The CPU105forms a control signal to control the operation of the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70on the basis of an output signal which is generated by operating the operation keys of the input operating unit102. The operation of the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70is switched and the operation is controlled in response to the control signal formed by the CPU105.

In the music server50, the music data which was read out from the HDD10and in which a transfer to the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70has been instructed is transferred or supplied to the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70through the interface34and35and a connection line connecting the interfaces34and35. At the same time, the additional information of the music data whose transfer has been instructed is also transmitted to the apparatus70together with the music data whose transfer has been instructed. In the case where mutually corresponding attaching units are respectively provided for the music server50and portable recording and reproducing apparatus70, the interfaces34and35are directly connected and the music data is transferred between the server50and apparatus70. Further, in the case where the interface by IrDA is provided for both of the apparatus70and server50, the music data is transferred between the server50and apparatus70by an infrared signal.

The music data transferred and supplied from the server50to the apparatus70is supplied from an interface driver101to an HDD106as a music data recording medium of the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70through the bus130and is recorded to the hard disk of the HDD106.

The music data recording medium of the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70is not limited to the HDD106but, for example, a flash memory can be also used. Any other recording medium such as a magnetooptic disk can be also used as a music data recording medium so long as it can follow the reproducing speed of the music data. As a music data recording medium of the apparatus70, for instance, tens of music pieces can be recorded by using a medium having a memory capacity of about 200 MBytes. The music data transmitted from the server50and the additional information of the music data are also recorded to the disc of the HDD106of the apparatus70.

In the example, the music data which is transferred and recorded to the HDD106is the compression music data which has already been compression encoded in the music server50. In the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70, the invention is not limited to such an example but music data which is not compression encoded is supplied and can be also recorded to the hard disk of the HDD106. For example, the music data reproduced and read out from the CD55loaded in the CD-ROM drive9of the music server50is directly supplied to the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70through the interface driver101. In case of directly supplying the data to the apparatus70, however, it will be obviously understood that the number of recordable music data is largely limited.

As a pre-process of the process for recording the music data to the hard disk of the HDD106, the supplied music data is temporarily stored into a DRAM107for audio which is connected to the bus130. The music data read out from the DRAM107is supplied to a compression encoder108through the bus130. The compression encoder108executes a compression encoding process of the music data by an encoding algorithm similar to that of the compression encoder12in the music server50. The compression music data which was compression encoded by the compression encoder108is supplied to the DRAM107and is again temporarily stored into the DRAM107. Finally, the compression music data stored in the DRAM107is read out and recorded to the hard disk of the HDD106.

As mentioned above, when the movement of the compression music data accumulated in the HDD10is instructed and the data is transmitted and transferred to the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70in the music server50, although the compression music data of the HDD10exists as data on the HDD10, it is set into a state where it cannot be read out from the HDD10and reproduced. The compression music data moved to the apparatus70is again returned to the recording medium on the moving source side, namely, to the HDD10of the server50, so that it can be reproduced on the moving source side, namely, server50In this instance, the compression music data returned to the server50is deleted from the hard disk of the HDD106of the apparatus70serving as a recording medium on the movement destination side.

In this example, an audio signal which is inputted through an amplifier110from a microphone connected to the terminal109and an audio signal which is inputted from a line input terminal111are supplied to the compression encoder108through an A/D converter112. The compression encoding process can be performed to the audio signals supplied from the A/D converter112by the compression encoder108and can be recorded to the HDD106. Further, an optical digital signal is supplied from an optical digital input terminal113to the compression encoder108through an IEC 958 encoder114. The audio signal supplied as an optical digital signal can be subjected to the compression encoding process by the encoder108and can be recorded to the hard disk of the HDD106. So long as the apparatus70is a read only portable reproducing apparatus only for reproducing the compressed music data, all of the foregoing A/D converter112, encoder108, and the like can be also omitted.

The compression music data is read out from the HDD106for reproduction and is supplied to a compression decoder115through the bus130. The music data in which the decompressing process has been performed to the supplied compression music data and the compression encoding has been released by the compression decoder115is outputted to a terminal118through a D/A converter116and an amplifier117. For example, the headphones72are connected to the terminal118. The user can listen to the reproduced music by attaching the headphones72. Although not shown inFIG. 5, as a signal path starting from the D/A converter116and reaching the terminal118through the amplifier117, two paths are provided in correspondence to the stereophonic outputs in the L channel and the R channel. Similarly, two terminals118are also provided in correspondence to the stereophonic sounds of the L channel and the R channel.

An LCD120is connected to the bus130through an LCD driving circuit (or LCD driver)119. A drawing control signal is supplied from the CPU105to the LCD driving circuit119through the bus130, the LCD120is driven on the basis of the supplied drawing control signal, and a predetermined display is performed to the LCD120. An operation menu of the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70, a title list of the music data stored on the HDD106, or the like is displayed on the LCD120. For example, a folder or a jacket image corresponding to the music data which is selected and reproduced from the music data stored in the HDD106can be also displayed on the LCD120on the basis of the additional information stored on the HDD106.

By operating the pointing device of the input operating unit102by the user on the basis of the display of the LCD120, one compression music data in the compression music data stored on the HDD106is selected and reproduced. The control of the erasure, copy, and movement of the selected compression music data can be also performed on the basis of the display of the LCD120. For example, by touching the touch panel of the input operating unit102by the user in accordance with the display of the LCD120, the operation input of the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70can be performed. As mentioned above, the compression music data recorded on the HDD106is managed by the user while using the LCD120as an interface and the recording, reproduction, and the like are controlled.

Although not shown inFIG. 5, the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70is driven by a battery. For this purpose, a power supply unit using a general secondary battery or dry cell as a power supplying source is provided and a charging unit is provided for the apparatus70. In the case where the music server50and portable recording and reproducing apparatus70are directly connected by a connection line or attaching units, the music data is transferred and an electric power is supplied from the music server50to the charging unit and the secondary battery of the apparatus70is charged. The secondary battery of the apparatus70can be also charged by an external charging power source. As a power supplying source, only either one of the power source by a dry cell and the charging power source using the secondary battery can be also used or provided.

FIG. 6shows another example of the foregoing portable recording and reproducing apparatus70. InFIG. 6, portions common to those inFIG. 5mentioned above are designated by the same reference numerals and their detailed description is omitted. In a portable recording and reproducing apparatus170shown inFIG. 6, for the construction ofFIG. 5mentioned above, a switching circuit200is inserted between an HDD (or flash memory)106a and the bus130. One selection terminal200a of the switching circuit200is connected to the bus130and another selection terminal200b is connected to the interface35. The HDD106a is separated from the bus130by the switching circuit200.

When the compression music data is transferred from the music server50, a terminal is switched to the selection terminal200b or the selection terminal200b is selected in the switching circuit200. The HDD106a and the bus40of the music server50are directly connected through the interfaces34and35. The HDD106a is seen as if it were a recording medium of the music server50when it is seen from the CPU8of the server50. The direct control of the HDD106a is enabled by the CPU8of the music server50. The movement, copy, or the like of the compression music data can be easily performed between the music server50and portable recording and reproducing apparatus70.

The operation of the system constructed as mentioned above will now be described. First, functions which are executed solely by the music server50will be explained.FIG. 7is a flowchart of an example of processes when the music data of the CD55loaded in the CD-ROM drive9is recorded to the disc of the HDD10of the music server50.

In first step S10, the apparatus waits for a recording request of the music data of the CD55to the HDD10by the user. For example, when the recording request is inputted by the user by using the input operating unit1, the processing routine advances to step S11. In step S11, a check is made to see if the recording requested by the user is the “high speed recording” or the “recording at the one-time speed”. For example, when the recording request is issued in step S10mentioned above, a recording method, namely, a mode to record at a high speed or a mode to record at the one-time speed is designated by the user. The “recording at the one-time speed” used here denotes the operation for reading out the CD55at the specified standard speed and recording data to the disc of the HDD10. The “high speed recording” used here denotes the operation to read out the CD55at a speed that is two or more times as high as the specified standard speed and to record data to the disc of the HDD10.

If the “high speed recording” is designated in step S11, the processing routine advances to step S12and an accounting system of the servers50and60is activated. Processes by the accounting system of the servers50and60will be explained hereinlater. When the accounting process by the accounting system of the server50is performed and the “high speed recording” is permitted from the internet server60or another apparatus, the processing routine advances to step S13and a high speed compressing process is activated in the compression encoder12. The processing routine advances to step S15.

When the “recording at the one-time speed” is designated in step S11, the processing routine advances to step S14and a low speed compressing process is activated in the compression encoder12. The processing routine advances to step S15.

In step S15, the CD-ROM drive9is driven at a predetermined speed on the basis of the control of the CPU8and the music data recorded in the CD55loaded in the CD-ROM drive9is read out. The read-out music data is compression encoded by the compression encoder12and is transferred to the HDD10and recorded to the disc of the HDD10.

In step S16, when it is determined that the transfer of the compression music data read out from the CD55to the HDD10has been finished, the transfer of the data from the CD-ROM drive9to the HDD10is inhibited in next step S17. The compressing process of the compression encoder12is stopped in further next step S18.

FIGS. 8A and 8Bare flowcharts showing an example of the accounting process of the accounting system in step S12of the foregoing flowchart of FIG.7. The accounting process is performed by performing a data communication between the music server50and internet server60.FIG. 8Ashows an accounting process in the account processing system in the music server50andFIG. 8Bshows an accounting process in the account processing system in the internet server60.

When the accounting process is started, in step S20inFIG. 8A, the communication is started between the music server50and internet server60by a predetermined protocol. In step S21, when the connection between the server50and server60is established and a state where the communication between the server50and server60is possible is confirmed, the processing routine advances to step S22.

In step S22, the TOC information of the CD55which is loaded in the CD-ROM drive9and is transferred and recorded to the HDD10is sent from the music server50to the internet server60. High speed recording information showing the execution of the “high speed recording” is transmitted from the music server50to the internet server60together with the TOC information of the CD55.

InFIG. 8B, on the other hand, in the internet server60, the apparatus waits until the high speed recording information and TOC information are supplied or transmitted from the music server50(step S30). When the high speed recording information and the TOC information are received by the server60, the information corresponding to the TOC information transmitted is retrieved in step S31by using the database in the server60or an external database on the basis of the transmitted TOC information. By retrieving the TOC information, the CD55is specified.

The accounting process is performed in next step S32. A money amount to be accounted is calculated on the basis of the information such as the number of music pieces which were subjected to the “high speed recording” and, for example, the accounting can be performed by drawing money from an account of the bank designated by the user on the basis of the credit card number of the user which has previously been registered. The accounting method is not limited to this method. For instance, there is also considered a method whereby a function to read a prepaid card is provided for the music server50, a set account money amount is sent to the music server50, and the user pays the account money amount by allowing the accounted money amount to be subtracted from the prepaid card. On the basis of the TOC information, the account money amount can be changed or the recording to the disc of the HDD10of the music data read out from the CD55can be also inhibited in accordance with the contents of the CD55.

In step S33, the accounting information is transmitted to the music server50. InFIG. 8A, the contents of the transmitted accounting information is confirmed on the music server50side (step S23). On the internet server60side as well, a check is made to see if the accounting information has been received by the music server50(step S34). For instance, this checking operation is performed by transmitting data indicative of the completion of the confirmation from the music server50to the server60when it is confirmed that there is no error in the accounting information received on the music server50side and the accounting information has correctly been received.

Returning toFIG. 8A, when the accounting information received on the music server50side is confirmed in step S23, the processing routine advances to step S24and the received accounting information or the like is displayed on the display unit53. In step S25, the music data is read out from the CD55at a high speed by the CD-ROM drive9. The compressing process is executed at a high compressing speed by the compression encoder12. The compression music data from the compression encoder12is supplied to the HDD10and recorded to the disk of the HDD10. Step S25corresponds to step S15inFIG. 7mentioned above.

In the embodiment, the interlocking operation can be performed between the music server50and portable recording and reproducing apparatus70. For example, when the music data is moved from the music server50to the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70, the interlocking operation between the server50and apparatus70is executed between them.FIG. 9shows a flowchart of an example of such a movement.

In first step S40, a check is first made to see if the music server50and portable recording and reproducing apparatus70have been connected by the interfaces34and35. The connection between the server50and apparatus70is detected by, for example, transmitting and receiving a predetermined signal between the interfaces34and35. The detection of the connection between the server50and apparatus70is not limited to this method but the connection between the server50and apparatus70can be also detected by using a mechanical detecting mechanism by providing a switching mechanism to the portion where the music server50and portable recording and reproducing apparatus70are connected.

When the connection between the server50and apparatus70is confirmed in step S40, a check is made in next step S41to see if the movement of the music data recorded and accumulated in the HDD10to the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70has been requested. For example, a list of the information as well as the music piece titles of the compression music data accumulated in the HDD10is displayed on the display unit53and the user selects predetermined compression music data from the list displayed in the display unit53by using a predetermined pointing device as an input operating unit1. Further, an instruction for movement to the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70is inputted from the input operating unit1to the compression music data selected by the user.

Various methods of inputting the instruction for movement using the input operating unit1are considered. For example, a button to instruct the movement is displayed on the display unit53and by designating this button by using the pointing device of the input operating unit1, the movement can be instructed. For example, the movement can be also instructed by using what is called a drag & drop such that an icon is displayed on the display unit53every compression music data and the icon displayed on the display unit53is moved onto an icon indicative of the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70on the movement destination side also displayed on the display unit53. The movement can be also instructed by the operation of the operation switch provided for the input operating unit1.

When it is determined in step S41that there is a moving request of the compression music data, a file size of the compression music data whose movement has been designated, namely, a data amount is examined by, for example, the CPU8on the server50side in step S42. In next step S43, a vacant capacity of the HDD106, namely, a recordable memory capacity is checked by, for example, the CPU105of the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70. The vacant capacity of the HDD106and the file size of the compression music data whose movement has been designated and which was examined in step S42are compared by, for instance, the CPU8of the server50(step S43). On the basis of a comparison result in step S43, the CPU8discriminates whether the compression music data in which the movement has been designated can be recorded to the HDD106. If it can be recorded to the HDD106, the processing routine advances to step S45and the transfer of the compression music data in which the movement from the server50toward the apparatus70has been designated is started.

When it is determined in step S43that the vacant capacity in the HDD106of the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70is insufficient, the processing routine advances to step S44. In step S44, the compression music data which has already been recorded to the HDD106is deleted automatically or on the basis of a procedure or method, which will be explained hereinlater, by the CPU105of the apparatus70so that the compression music data whose movement has been designated can be recorded to the HDD106. The processing routine advance to step S45.

The deletion of the compression music data in step S44is automatically performed under control of the CPU105on the basis of a predetermined parameter in the compression music data which has already been recorded in the HDD106. For example, in the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70, there is considered a method whereby the number of reproducing times is counted every compression music data recorded in the HDD106and the compression music data is sequentially deleted from the HDD106in accordance with the order from the data in which the number of reproducing times is small. The compression music data recorded on the HDD106can be also sequentially deleted from the data in which the date of recording to the HDD106is old.

There can be a situation such that when the compression music data is automatically deleted from the HDD106in step S44, the compression music data which is important to the user is deleted from the HDD106. To prevent such a situation, it is also possible to display a warning showing that the apparatus is in an operating mode in which the compression music data is automatically deleted from the HDD106, a list of data to be deleted is displayed, or the like to the display unit53of the music server50or the LCD120of the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70and to delete the compression music data from the HDD106after obtaining a confirmation of the user. It is also possible to use a method whereby a list of the compression music data which has already been recorded in the HDD106is displayed to the display unit53of the music server50or the LCD120of the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70and the user himself selects the compression music data to be deleted.

By the processes in step S43and S44mentioned above, when the apparatus is set into a state where the compression music data whose movement has been designated in the compression music data stored on the HDD10can be recorded in the HDD106, the transmission, namely, transfer of the compression music data from the music server50to the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70is started in step S45. That is, the compression music data read out from the HDD10is supplied to the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70through the bus40and interface34. In the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70, the compression music data supplied through the interface34is recorded to the HDD106through the interface35.

The transferred compression music data also exists in the HDD10on the music server50side in a manner similar to the case before the transfer to the apparatus70. In the embodiment, the reproduction of the compression music data which has already been transferred to the apparatus70, namely, the compression music data which has been moved to the apparatus70and exists in the HDD10is inhibited (step S46). For example, a reproduction inhibition flag indicative of the inhibition of the reproduction is set to the high level for the compression music data on the HDD10at a time point of the completion of the movement to the apparatus70. By the reproduction inhibition flag, the reproduction of the compression music data moved to the apparatus70is inhibited by the CPU8of the server50and the compression music data stored on the HDD10is virtually moved from the music server50to the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70. Therefore, the music data which can be reproduced by the server50or apparatus70in a plurality of compression music data is managed so that only one data always exists, and the illegal copy of the music data is prevented.

In next step S47, a check is made to see if there is a moving request of the next compression music data to the apparatus70. If the user further wants to move the other compression music data, the processing routine is returned to step S42. When there is not a moving request of music data any more, a series of moving processes of the music data is finished.

Although the explanation has been made above with respect to the case of moving one compression music data in a plurality of compression music data stored on the HDD10in steps S42to S46in the flowchart ofFIG. 9from the server50to apparatus70, the invention is not limited to this example. A plurality of compression music data can be also collectively moved from the server50to the apparatus70.

Although the description has been made in the foregoing embodiment on the assumption that, in the process in step S46, the compression music data itself exists on the HDD10of the music server50serving as a moving source side while the reproduction of the moved compression music data is merely inhibited, the invention is not limited to such an example and the moved compression music data can be also deleted from the HDD10, namely, the data itself can be also erased.

The example in which the compression music data is moved from the music server50to the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70has been described in the above embodiment. However, the movement in the opposite direction, namely, the operation such that the compression music data recorded in the HDD106of the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70is moved to the HDD10of the music server50can be also executed in accordance with processes similar to those in the flowchart shown in FIG.9.

In this instance, the compression music data moved from the music server50to the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70is again moved from the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70to the music server50, so that the reproduction inhibition flag of the compression music data serving as a moving source of the compression music data moved from the apparatus70in a plurality of compression music data stored on the HDD10is cancelled in the music server50. That is, the compression music data can be again reproduced in the music server50by cancelling the reproduction inhibition flag. At this time, as for the moved compression music data which has been stored on the HDD106of the apparatus70, the data itself is deleted from the HDD106or the management data of the moved compression music data is deleted from the management table of the HDD106.

The present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiment but many modifications and variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the appended claims of the invention.