Data recording apparatus and method for a semiconductor memory card

• US 5,758,321 A
• Filed: 02/29/1996
• Issued: 05/26/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Lee, Young-Man
• Primary Examiner(s): Hudspeth, David R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SAX, ROBERT L
• Application Number:
  US08/608,739
• Time in Patent Office: 817 Days
• Field of Search: 395/2.79, 395/2.84, 395/2.87
• US Class Current: 704/270
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 2207/16 Solid state audio
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 7/16 Storage of analogue signals in digital stores using an arrangement comprising analogue/digital [A/D] converters, digital memories and digital/analogue [D/A] converters

Abstract

In a data recording apparatus and method of dividing a chapter automatically and recording the same in recording data onto a semiconductor memory card. The apparatus includes means for detecting sound and sound-free sections of audio data currently being recorded; means for ending the current recording operation if a sound-free section is detected for a time set by the sound and sound-free section detecting means; means for storing a chapter number which is updated, a start address, and time data in the TOC area of the IC memory card if a sound section of audio data is detected when the recording operation ends in the recording ending means; and means for storing the chapter number, start address, and time data and recording audio data in a new chapter. Therefore, since the chapter division is automatically performed, repeated key manipulations are not necessary.

Claims

1. A data recording apparatus for a semiconductor memory card comprising:

analog/digital converting means for converting an analog audio signal input from a microphone or an external device into a digital audio signal and for outputting said digital audio signal;

digital signal processing means for detecting at least one of;

sound and sound-free sections of said digital audio signal, for producing a sound/sound-free detection signal, and for compressing and outputting said digital audio signal to produce audio data;

key input means having a recording key, an end key, and a chapter selection key for generating recording, end, and selection commands, respectively;

controlling means for generating time data corresponding to a range from a first sound-free section to a second sound-free section according to said sound/sound-free detection signal, for controlling said time data and audio data to record said time and audio in a data transmission block if said key input means generates said recording command, and for automatically generating a recording start signal according to said sound/sound-free detection signal if said key input means generates said selection command;

a data buffer for temporarily storing said audio data and a table of content (TOC) area data output to said controlling means; and

an IC memory card for reading and storing the audio data and TOC area data stored in said data buffer.

2. A data recording apparatus for a semiconductor memory card comprising:

detecting means for detecting at least one of;

sound and sound-free sections of audio data undergoing a recording operation;

means for ending said recording operation if said detecting means detects a sound-free section for a predetermined time;

means for storing an updatable chapter number, a start address, and time data in a TOC area of an IC memory card if said detecting means detects a sound section of audio data after said recording operation ends; and

means for updating said chapter number and is for restarting said recording operation and to record audio data in a new chapter.

3. A data recording method for a semiconductor memory card comprising the steps of:

detecting at least one of sound and sound-free sections of audio data undergoing a recording operation;

ending said recording operation if a sound-free section is detected for a predetermined time;

storing an updatable chapter number, a start address and time data in a TOC area of an IC memory card if a sound section of audio data is detected after said recording operation ends; and

updating said chapter number; and

generating a recording restart signal to record audio data in a new chapter.