Cassette type audio data or signal recording and reproducing apparatus

• US 6,882,492 B1
• Filed: 12/23/1999
• Issued: 04/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: National Research Foundation Of Korea
• Original Assignee: ITA Incorporated
• Inventors: Lee, Do-yeal
• Primary Examiner(s): Hudspeth, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): OLSON, JASON C
• Application Number:
  US09/869,172
• Time in Patent Office: 1,944 Days
• Field of Search: 360/132, 360/134, 360/137, 360/62, 360/69, 369/2, 369/5, 369/6, 369/7, 700/94
• US Class Current: 360/69
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/049 Cassettes for special applications not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A cassette type audio signal recording apparatus comprising a recording detection sensor for generating a predetermined detection output as a recording button is pressed, a recording head for converting the applied magnetic signal to an electric audio signal and outputting the converted signal, an A/D converter for converting the audio signal output from the recording head to a digital signal, a memory for recording digital type audio data, a recording controller for controlling the encoding of the digital data converted by the A/D converter based on the detection output generated by the recording detection sensor and for storing the encoded data in the memory, and a power supply portion for supplying power to each of the components, wherein the outer shape thereof has the same size and shape as that of a cassette tape.

Claims

1. A cassette type digital audio data recording and reproducing apparatus comprising:

a speed and direction detection sensor for detecting the speed and direction of a winding reel or rewinding reel and generating a detection output corresponding to the speed and direction;

a memory where a digital audio file is recorded or stored;

a controller for controlling the reading and decoding of the digital audio file stored in the memory, or the recording of the digital audio file, based on the detection output generated from the speed and direction detection sensor;

a D/A converter for converting a digital audio file decoded by the controller to an analog audio file;

a head for converting the audio signal converted by the D/A converter to a magnetic signal;

a head pressing detection sensor for detecting the pressing of the head and supplying a detection output signal to the controller; and

a power supply portion having a battery for supplying DC power and a DC-to-DC converter for converting DC power supplied from the battery to a predetermined DC power and outputting the converted power when the detection output signal of the head pressing detection sensor is supplied to the controller,

wherein after the power is supplied from the DC-to-DC converter, the controller checks whether the winding reel or the rewinding reel rotates and is shifted to a power saving mode for minimizing power consumption of the battery if the above reels do not rotate after a predetermined time passes.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the speed and direction detection sensor comprises odd-numbered circular gears installed between the winding reel and the rewinding reel and connecting the two reels mechanically, inside structure of one of the odd-numbered circular gears being divided into four quadrants of 90°

each, wherein the facing two quadrants are a first color and the other two quadrants are a second color having a different light reflection factor from the first color, the speed and direction detection sensor comprising a first light emitting/receiving sensor which is installed above central position between the two quadrants having the first color and a second light emitting/receiving sensor which is separated more than 90°

from the position of the first light emitting/receiving sensor and disposed on the boundary position between the two quadrants having the second color and the two quadrants having the first color, so that the first and second light emitting/receiving sensors check a detection output according to the amount of light emitted to the circular gear and reflected therefrom, at intervals of 45° and

at the period of 180° and

an electric signal is generated as a speed and direction detection output.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an external data input/output device receiving the digital audio file in units of a packet suitable for corresponding protocol from an external source through a USB (universal serial bus) cable or a parallel cable, wherein the controller records the digital audio file received from the external data input/output device in the memory.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a display portion for displaying the state of various operations including the recording or reproducing of the digital audio file, wherein audio files including a audio file in an MPEG format, AAC and MSAudio which is adopted as a standard by a standard organization can be recorded or reproduced.

5. A cassette type audio signal recording apparatus having an outer shape and comprising:

a recording detection sensor for generating a predetermined detection output as a recording button is pressed;

a recording head for converting the applied magnetic signal to an electric audio signal and outputting the converted signal;

an A/D converter for converting the audio signal output from the recording head to a digital signal;

a memory for recording digital type audio data;

a recording controller for controlling the encoding of the digital data converted by the A/D converter based on the detection output generated by the recording detection sensor and the storing of the encoded data in the memory; and

a power supply portion for supplying power to recording detection sensor, the recording head, the A/D converter, the memory and the recording controller,

wherein the outer shape thereof has the same size and shape as that of a cassette.

6. A cassette type audio signal reproducing and recording apparatus comprising:

a reproduction detection sensor for generating a predetermined detection output as a reproducing button of a cassette tape player is pressed;

a speed and direction detection sensor for detecting the speed and direction of a winding reel or rewinding reel and generating a detection output corresponding to the speed and direction;

a recording detection sensor for generating a predetermined detection output as a recording button of the cassette tape player is pressed;

a recording head for converting the magnetic signal supplied by the head of the cassette tape player to an electric audio signal and outputting the converted signal;

an A/D converter for converting the audio signal output from the recording head to a digital signal;

a memory for storing digital type audio data;

a controller for controlling the reading of the audio data stored in the memory based on the detection output generated by the speed and direction detection sensor when the detection output generated by the reproduction detection sensor is applied, and controlling the encoding of the digital data converted by the A/D converter and the storing of the encoded data in the memory when the detection output generated by the recording detection sensor is applied,

a D/A converter for converting the audio data decoded by the controller to an analog signal;

a reproducing head for converting the analog signal converted by the D/A converter to a magnetic signal and outputting the converted signal; and

a power supply portion having a battery for supplying DC power and a DC-to-DC converter for converting DC power supplied from the battery to a predetermined DC power and outputting the converted power when either of the detection output signals of the reproduction detection sensor and the recording detection sensor is supplied to the controller.