Data reproducing device

Abstract: A data reproducing device and method are disclosed, for example for use with a compact disk player or video disk player, in which data can be reproduced between any two designated points without disagreeable rapid cut-in or cut-off of the reproduced signal. During the reproduction of the disk (1) in a first mode, address data for first and second positions is inputted. Then, in a second reproducing mode, the main data is faded in at the first position and faded out at the second position.

Description: The present invention relates to a data reproducing method which can be suitably applied to a compact disk player, video disk player, or the like. In a compact disk or video disk, in addition to main data to be reproduced, address data is recorded so that a desired program can be reproduced by specifying the corresponding address. For instance, in a compact disk, address data are recorded as shown in Fig. 1. The address data includes track numbers (or program numbers) assigned to the various programs (pieces of music), and index numbers which divide each program into smaller parts, for instance, corresponding to the movements of a piece of music. Reproduction can be started from a desired movement of a desired program by specifying the corresponding program number and index number. With the program number and the index number utilized in the above-described manner, it is not possible, however, to specify the reproduction ending position arbitrarily, and the reproduction starting and ending position must be selected from among a plurality of reproduction starting and ending positions determined in advance. The address data further includes time data including music time and absolute time data. The music time is the time of reproduction from the top of a program, and the absolute time is the time of reproduction from the start position of the disk. Therefore, by specifying a track number and music times or absolute times, the data between two desired points can be reproduced (see for example US-A-4210785). Accordingly, reproduction of the main data is started, at a predetermined level, at one specified position, and reproduction is suspended at the other specified position. As a result sound is abruptly reproduced at the one specified position, and the sound reproduction is abruptly suspended at the other, which may be disagreeable to the listener. This difficulty is significant in the reproduction of data between two given points because, in such data reproduction, unlike data reproduction using track number and index numbers, instead of a silent lead-in part (non-data part) of the main data being specified, a sound-containing part (data part) may be specified as the reproduction starting or ending position. Further, for instance in the case where pieces of music recorded on a compact disk are reproduced so as to be recorded (dubbed) onto a cassette tape, the reproduction time of the compact disk and the length of one side (or the continuous recording time) of the cassette tape must be taken into consideration. In order that the end of the tape is not reached before a piece of music has been reproduced in its entirely, that is, so that a piece of music may be fully recorded on the cassette tape, programming (music selection) must be carried out so that the total reproduction time of a plurality of pieces of music is shorter than the continuous recording time (length) of the cassette tape. The end portion of the cassette tape thus dubbed generally has a relatively long silent part. Therefore, the tape is not suitable as a background music tape. From JP-A-61-162878 it is known to allow the user to predetermine fade-in and fade-out points in advance when dubbing from one recording medium to another. Similarly, this can be done automatically as shown in JP-A-58-41404, or by means of output amplitude control signals recorded on the recording medium along with the program data. Otherwise, if recording is continued, the tape is run completely to the end to record the piece of music. In this case, the recording of the piece of music is suspended abruptly at the end of the tape. That is, the reproduction of the audio signal is stopped abruptly, which may again be disagreeable. It is known, in dubbing from one tape to another, see for example JP-A-59-72603, to run a tape through at high speed and to select a fade out point a predefined distance before the end of the tape. Moreover, heretofore, it has been known, in reproducing the data between two desired positions, to store the two positions in memory by operating a memory switch at the first desired position in a reproduction mode, and then at the second desired position. When, at the second desired position, the memory switch is operated again, the first desired position is immediately searched for to start the reproduction of the data between the two positions. That is, in the above-described method, only the data between two desired points can be reproduced. JP-A-61 202 389 discloses a system in which a fade-out command is sent to a reproduction means after detecting that the residual amount of time remaining on the medium on which the recording is to be made is less than a prescribed amount. An object of the invention is to provide a data reproducing method in which a fade-out reproduction can be readily and positively achieved within a predetermined length of a magnetic tape. The invention is characterised over JP-A-61 202 389. According to the invention, there is provided a data reproducing device adapted for editing data from a first recording medium, such as an optical disc to a second recording medium which is a magnetic tape of a given length and corresponding recording time, the data reproducing device comprising means for controlling the reproduction of a plurality of pieces of data recorded on the first recording medium in a specified order and, when the reproduction time of the plurality of pieces of data gets close to the recording time of said length of the magnetic tape, gradually decreasing the reproduction output level such that said output level is zero when the end of the recording time of the magnetic tape is reached, the data reproducing device being characterised by operating means for inputting by the operator in advance the recording time of said magnetic tape. In the drawings:- Fig. 1 is a timing chart for a description of the operation of a conventional disk player: Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a disk player according to the invention; Fig. 3 is a flowchart used for a description of the operation of the disk player in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; and, Fig. 4 is a front view of a disk player employing the invention. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a compact disk player (disk operating device) to which the data reproducing method of the invention is applied. When a first switch, for instance, a reproducing switch of an input unit 8 including operating buttons and switches is operated, a control circuit 7 inclusive of a microcomputer controls a servo circuit 3 to start an ordinary reproduction operation. In this operation, the servo circuit 3 controls a motor 2 so that a disk 1 is rotated, and further controls a pickup 4 so that at least main data, namely, an audio signal and address data, including an absolute time code, if desired, in combination with a track number (music number), index number and music time, are reproduced. The output signal from the pickup 4 is applied to a decoder 5 where it is decoded. The decoded audio signal is applied through a level control circuit 6 to an amplifier circuit (not shown), a loudspeaker (not shown), etc. The decoded absolute time signal is applied to the control circuit 7. In the embodiment, the control circuit 7 controls the operation of the player according to a sequence shown, for instance, in a flowchart of Fig. 3. First, it is determined whether or not a reproduction (play) mode is effected. In the case of this embodiment, the inputting unit 8, as shown in Fig. 4, has at least switches 81 for setting fundamental operational modes such as a play mode and a stop mode; a ten-key keyboard for inputting certain numerical data, and a switch for setting a time fade edit mode. Inputting the numerical data may be achieved with a switch other than the ten-key keyboard 82, that is, such may be carried out by operating a track forwarding key or the edit key (switch 83). When the reproduction mode has been inputted with the switch (play key) 81, it is determined whether or not the time fade edit mode has been set with the switch 83. Where the time fade edit mode is not set, ordinary reproduction (normal play) is carried out. In this case, the pickup 4 reproduces a signal from the music region of the disk 1. The signal thus reproduced, after being decoded by the decoder 5, is supplied through the level control circuit 6 to an amplifier, loudspeaker, etc. (not shown). Where the operation mode is not the reproduction mode, it is determined whether or not the switch 83 has been keyed in . Where the switch 83 is not operated, it is determined whether or not the switch (play key) 81 is operated. If, when the switch (play key) 81 is operated, the reproduction mode has been set and the time fade edit mode has not be set, ordinary reproduction is carried out, as described above. When it is detected that the time fade edit mode has been set, the above-described first step (to determine whether or not the reproduction mode is set) is effected again. When the switch 83 is operated, it is determined whether or not the present operation mode is the time fade edit mode. When it is determined that the time fade edit mode has been set as the operation mode, the operation of the switch 83 is regarded as a releasing operation, and hence the time fade edit mode is eliminated. When it is determined that the present mode is not the time fade edit mode, the next step of determining whether or not reading TOC data is accomplished. When it is determined that the TOC data has not been read, the above-described time fade edit mode releasing operation is carried out. When it is determined that TOC data has been read, an input time can be specified (inputted) with the keyboard 82. An input time (for instance, 30 min.) corresponding, for instance, to the length of a doubling magnetic tape is inputted with the keyboard 82. The input time is stored in the memory 9. Next, it is determined whether or not a program for specifying the sequence of reproduction has been inputted. In the case where programmed music selection is not carried out, the data stored in the memory 9 are utilized so that the total performance time (accumulated time) of programs of the disk 1 is compared with the input time (30 min.). If the input time is larger, i.e., the reproduction time of the dubbing magnetic tape is longer than the total playing time of pieces of music, the time fade edit mode, being not required, is eliminated. In the case where programmed music selection is carried out, the total performance time of the selected pieces of music is compared with the input time. When the input time is larger, similarly the time fade edit mode is eliminated. When the input time is shorter than the total reproduction time, the control circuit 7 operates to reset the value X of a counter build therein and to clear the value A of addition reproduction time of the memory 9. In the case where the programmed music selection is not carried out, the performance time of a piece of music having a music number indicated by the count value X of the counter is added to the value A, and in the case where the programmed music selection is carried out, the performance time of a piece of a music having a play turn specified by the count value X is added to the value A. Next, the value A is compared with the input time (30 min.). When the value A is equal to or smaller than the input time, the value X of the counter is increased by one so that the performance time of a piece of music having a music number or play turn specified by the value thus increased is added to the value A again. When the value A becomes larger than the input time, the control circuit 7 detects where (or when) after reproduction of the top of the piece of music having the music number or play turn specified by the value X, the total playing time becomes equal to the input time and causes the display unit 10 to display that position (or time instant) so that the operator can detect where (when) the reproduction (dubbing) is ended. If the position is not suitable, then the input time may be renewed. The control circuit 7 determines a fade-out start position (time instant) earlier than the end of the input time by a predetermined period of time, for instance, five seconds, and stores that value in the memory 9. The predetermined period of time corresponds to the period of time required for the fade-out operation. Upon completion of the above-described operation, the time fade edit mode is set. Upon operation of the switch (play key) 81, reproduction is carried out. During the reproduction in the time fade edit mode, the fade-out start (address) is compared with the present time (address). When the latter is equal to or larger than the former, the control circuit 7 controls the level control circuit 6 so that the reproduction output level is decreased by one step. The reproduction output level is gradually decreased in the above-described manner, that is, a fade out operation is carried out. When the accumulated reproduction time becomes substantially equal to the input time, the fade-out operation is completed and the output level becomes zero, and hence the output is completely muted. At the same time the control circuit 7 controls the servo circuit 3 and changes the operation mode to a pause or stop mode. As described above, a predetermined input period of time is inputted in advance, a period of time which elapses from the start of that input period of time until a time instant a predetermined period of time earlier than the end of the input period of time is calculated, more than one piece of data stored in a recording medium are reproduced in an order stored or programmed, and when the total of the periods of time of reproduction of the data reaches the period of time calculated, the output level is gradually decreased until it is zeroed at the end of the input period of time. Therefore, merely by setting the input time in correspondence, for instance, to the length of a dubbing magnetic tape, the blanks part near the end of the tape can be made short, and the tape can be played back without any disagreeable sensation.

Claims: A data reproducing device adapted for editing data from a first recording medium, such as an optical disc to a second recording medium which is a magnetic tape of a given length and corresponding recording time, the data reproducing device comprising means for controlling the reproduction of a plurality of pieces of data recorded on the first recording medium in a specified order and, when the reproduction time of the plurality of pieces of data gets close to the recording time of said length of the magnetic tape, gradually decreasing the reproduction output level such that said output level is zero when the end of the recording time of the magnetic tape is reached, the data reproducing device being characterised by operating means for inputting by the operator in advance the recording time of said magnetic tape.

Inventors: HISAMATSU NOBUAKI, MASAKI NAOKI, YAMAGISHI KOJI, HISAMATSU, NOBUAKI, MASAKI, NAOKI, YAMAGISHI, KOJI, HISAMATSU, NOBUAKI PIONEER ELECTRONIC CORPORATION, MASAKI, NAOKI C/O PIONEER ELECTRONIC CORPORATION, YAMAGISHI, KOJI C/O PIONEER ELECTRONIC CORPORATION
Applicants: PIONEER ELECTRONIC CORP, PIONEER ELECTRONIC CORPORATION
Application year: 1988
Main classification: G11B27
IPC codes: G11B27, G11B20, G11B21