JPH04132979A - Apparatus for recording and reproducing - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a recording and reproducing apparatus for recording video signals on a recording medium and/or reproducing video signals recorded on the recording medium.

[Prior Art] In recent years, small-sized video devices such as electronic still cameras and video cameras have been commercialized, and these small devices naturally use batteries as a power source.

Batteries include, for example, alkaline manganese batteries of the same shape that can be used for only -degrees even if they are torn, and rechargeable NiCd batteries.

In this way, in devices that use batteries as a power source, one must always pay attention to the battery life. For example, a minimum voltage that allows stable operation is set in advance, and when the output voltage of the battery falls below that minimum voltage, a message to replace the battery is displayed and the device is prohibited from operating to prevent malfunctions. is normal.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] As described above, conventional devices are configured to display the above-mentioned battery replacement display when the battery voltage falls below a certain reference value, regardless of the type of battery. However, for example, an alkaline manganese battery and a NiCd battery have different discharge characteristics. For example, NiCd batteries have a voltage close to the end-of-discharge voltage of alkaline manganese batteries, where the battery capacity can be used effectively.
It has a discharge characteristic in which the battery voltage drops rapidly.

Therefore, if a NiCd battery is used in a device that uses the above-mentioned end-of-discharge voltage of an alkaline manganese battery as the reference voltage for battery replacement, the battery voltage of the NiCd battery will suddenly drop around this reference voltage, resulting in malfunction. There is. Conversely, if an alkaline manganese battery is used in a device that uses the end-of-discharge voltage of a NiCd battery as the reference voltage for battery replacement, there is a drawback that a message to replace the battery will be displayed even though the battery can still be used.

An object of the present invention is to provide a recording/reproducing device that eliminates such inconveniences.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The recording/reproducing device according to the present invention includes a detection means for detecting the output voltage of the battery used, and a type of battery used according to the detection results of the detection means at different times. and determining means for determining the life of the battery used based on the final voltage corresponding to the determined type of battery.

[Action] By the above means, depending on the type of battery used,
Since the battery life is determined, it is possible to display instructions for replacing the battery depending on the type of battery being used, and to make effective use of the battery.

[Example code] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention applied to an electronic still camera. 10 is an imaging circuit that includes a photographing optical system and an image sensor and converts an optical image into an electrical signal;
12 is an imaging signal processing circuit that processes the output signal of the imaging circuit and outputs a video signal; 14 is a recording processing circuit that performs recording processing such as FM modulation on the video signal; 16 is a recording amplifier; and 18 is connected to the a contact point during recording. 20 is a magnetic head; 22 is a magnetic disk as a recording medium; 24 is a motor that rotates the magnetic disk 22; and 26 is a switch that moves the magnetic head 20 in the radial direction of the magnetic disk 22. Head moving mechanism, 28 is head moving mechanism 26
This is a step motor that provides driving force. 30 is a reproduction amplifier, 32 is a reproduction signal processing circuit, 34 is an output amplifier,
36 is an output terminal for a reproduced video signal.

40 is a liquid crystal display device 42 and a battery 44 as its power source.
A switch 46 is connected between a battery 44 and a power input terminal of a liquid crystal display device 42. Further, 48a is an input terminal for a video signal, 50a is a connection terminal for the output voltage of the power supply 44, 52a is a ground connection terminal, and 54a is an input terminal for the opening/closing control signal of the switch 46. Terminals 48b, 50b
.

52b and 54b are provided.

56 is a detection circuit that detects the output voltage level of the battery 44 of the monitor device 40 via the contact pair 50a, 50b; 58 is a battery built into the camera body; 60 is the output of the battery 58;
or a switch for selecting the output of the battery 44 via the contact pair 50a, 50b; 61 is a power supply circuit that supplies power voltage to each part of the camera body from the output voltage of the battery 44.58 selected by the switch 60; 62; is an A/D converter that digitizes the voltage selected by switch 60. The switch 60 is normally connected to the a contact side,
When the detection circuit 56 detects a voltage equal to or higher than a predetermined value, it switches the switch 60 to the b contact side.

64 is a system control circuit that controls the entire system, and 66 is a mode switch that instructs switching between recording mode and playback mode. 68 is a first release switch that is closed by pressing the release button half a stroke; 70 is a second release switch that is closed by pressing the release button fully.
This is the release switch. Reference numerals 72 and 74 are head movement switches through which the user instructs the movement of the magnetic head 20 by the head movement mechanism 26;
Switch 74 instructs reverse feed.

First, a recording operation in a state where the monitor device 40 is not connected will be described. By setting the switch 66 to the recording mode side, the system control circuit 64 operates in the recording mode,
The power supply circuit 61 is controlled to supply power to the recording system.

Since the monitor device 40 is not connected, the switch 60
is connected to the a contact side, and the output of the battery 58 is supplied to necessary circuits of the camera body via a power supply circuit 61.

Further, the output voltage of the battery 58 is digitized by the A/D converter 62 and supplied to the system control circuit 64, so that the system control circuit 64 monitors the output voltage of the battery being used. .

When the release switch 68 is first turned on by the release operation, the system control circuit 64 checks whether the battery voltage is above a predetermined value based on the output of the A/D converter 62, and if it is above the predetermined value, drives the motor 24. The magnetic disk 20 is rotated at a predetermined speed. When the release button is further pressed and the release switch 70 is turned on,
The imaging circuit 10 converts the optical image into an electrical signal. The switch 18 is connected to the a contact point at a predetermined timing during one rotation period of the magnetic disk 22, and the output signal of the imaging circuit 10 is connected to the magnetic field via the imaging signal processing circuit 12, the recording signal processing circuit 14, the recording amplifier 16, and the switch 18. The signal is applied to the head 20 and recorded on the magnetic disk 22. magnetic disk 22
After recording to the magnetic head 20 is completed, the system control circuit 64 moves the magnetic head 20 by the step motor 28 and the head moving mechanism 26.
is moved in the radial direction of the magnetic disk 22.

Next, a reproduction operation in a state where the monitor device 40 is not connected will be explained. When switch 66 is set to playback mode,
The system control circuit 64 enters the playback mode and controls the power supply circuit 61 to supply power to the playback system. The system control circuit 64 checks whether the battery voltage is above a predetermined value based on the output of the A/D converter 62, and if it is above the predetermined value, drives the motor 24 to rotate the magnetic disk 20 at a predetermined speed. The switch 18 is connected to the b contact side, and the output of the magnetic head 20 is applied to the reproduction signal processing circuit 32 via the switch 18 and the reproduction amplifier 30, and is demodulated.

The reproduced video signal output from the reproduced signal processing circuit 32 is amplified by the output amplifier 34 and sent to the output terminals 36, 48b.
supplied to The system control circuit 64 moves the magnetic head 20 by the step motor 28 and the head moving mechanism 26 in response to the operations of the forward switch 72 and reverse switch 74 . This allows you to select the track to play.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5,
The operation in a state where the monitor device 40 is connected will be explained.

The terminals 48a and 48b1, the terminals 50a and 50b, the terminals 52a and 52b1, and the terminals 54a and 54b are connected to each other.

The operation during recording will be explained with reference to FIG. switch 6
6 enters the recording mode (SO), the motor 24 is stopped (SL, 2) unless the release switch 68 is on.
), when the release switch 68 is turned on (Sl)
, it is determined whether the battery voltage is appropriate based on the output of the A/D converter 62 (S2). At this time, the b contact of the switch 60 is connected to the monitor device 4 via the contacts 50a and 50b.
0 voltage of the battery 44 is applied, the detection circuit 56 detects the output voltage of the battery 44, and if it reaches a predetermined value, the switch 60 is connected to the B contact side, and the battery 44 is used as the battery to be used. select.

If the power supply voltage is low (S3), a display device (not shown) indicates that battery replacement is required and the process ends (818).If the power supply voltage is above a predetermined value (S3), the motor 24 is driven to move the magnetic disk 20 at a predetermined speed. Rotate it (S4), check the power supply voltage again (S5), and if it is low, stop the motor 24 (S6), display the battery replacement and end the process (518).
). If the battery voltage is above the predetermined value, the controller waits until the release switch 70 is turned on (S7), and during that time the battery voltage is checked (S5). If the release switch 68 is turned off without the release switch 70 being turned on (S
8) Since it is time to stop shooting, stop the motor 24 (S
2), return to Sl. When the release switch 70 is turned on (S7), the video signal is recorded on the magnetic disk 22 (S9), as described above. After recording ends, power supply to the recording system is cut off.

After the recording is completed, the system control circuit 64 checks whether the switch 60 is connected to the a or b contact based on the output of the detection circuit 56 (SIO). When using the battery as a power source, wait for a predetermined period (for example, 100 m5) (
S13), if the release switch 70 is turned on (S14) and the power supply voltage is above a predetermined value (S13),
16) Supply power to the reproduction system, close the switch 46 of the monitor device 40, and reproduce the video just recorded and display it on the liquid crystal display device 42 of the monitor device 40.
7) If the release switch 70 is off or the power supply voltage is low, turn off the switch 46, cut off the power supply to the reproduction system (S15), and proceed to S11.

When the switch 60 is connected to the a contact, that is, when the built-in battery 58 is used, the magnetic head 20 is moved to the next track, the motor 24 is stopped (511), and the release switch 68 is turned off. Wait for (S12
), return to So.

Next, the operation during reproduction will be explained with reference to FIG.

As described above, when the switch 66 is set to the play mode side (S20), the system control circuit 64 is placed in the play mode. The system control circuit 64 checks whether the battery voltage is above a predetermined value based on the output of the A/D converter 62 (S21), and if it is below the predetermined value, a message indicating battery replacement is displayed and the process ends (522).
, when the value is above a predetermined value, the motor 24 is driven to rotate the magnetic disk 20 at a predetermined speed, and the power supply circuit 61
Electric power is supplied to the reproduction system from the source (S23). The power supply voltage is checked again (S24), and if it is not sufficient, the motor 24 is stopped and the power supply to the regeneration system is cut off (530), and a battery replacement message is displayed and the process ends (S22).

If the power supply voltage is sufficient (S24), the connection state of the switch 60 is checked (S25). When the switch 60 is connected to the b contact, that is, when the battery 44 of the monitor device 40 is used as a power source for the circuit inside the camera body (
S25), turn on the switch 46 and turn on the liquid crystal display device 42.
The power supply voltage is also supplied to the terminal (S26-1). This results in
The video reproduced from the magnetic disk 22 is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 4.
Displayed by 2. Further, when the switch 60 is connected to the a contact (S25), the switch 46 is turned off (S26-1).

The switch 66 is checked again (S27), and if it is the reproduction mode, the magnetic head 20 is moved according to the head movement switch 72, 74 (828, 29). If it is not the regeneration mode (S27), the motor 24 is stopped, the power supply to the regeneration system is cut off, and the switch 46 is turned off to complete the process (S31).

In this way, in the playback mode with the monitor device No. 40 connected, the battery 44 inside the monitor device 40 is used preferentially as a power source for the circuit inside the camera body, and the liquid crystal display device 42 does not display the playback image. Power is supplied only when it should be displayed.

Next, a method for determining the battery 44 built into the monitor device 40 will be described. Batteries include manganese batteries, alkaline manganese batteries, NiCd batteries, and the like, even if they are of the same size and have the same shape, for example, and each battery has a different capacity and internal resistance.

By adding the battery type determination process to the battery voltage determination process shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the battery capacity can be determined more accurately.

For example, as the battery 44, an alkaline manganese battery and a NiC
An example in which a d battery is used will be explained. Figure 4 shows the second
A flowchart of processing performed subsequent to Sl in the figure is shown. After Sl, the battery voltage is compared to a constant value E regardless of the type of battery (541), and if it is greater than E, it is 818;
If it is less than E, the battery voltage value is stored in the variable xO (542), the motor 24 is driven (543), and the battery voltage at that time is stored in the variable X1 (S44). Variable XO
It is checked whether the difference between and variable x1 is greater than a predetermined value DE. This is because the type of battery can be determined by the change in battery voltage before and after rotating the motor 24, which is a large load on the battery. When Xo-Xi≧DE, flag B is set to 0 (S46), and the battery voltage is compared with a predetermined value EO.
7) When Xo-Xi<DE, set flag B to 1 (
S48), compare the battery voltage with a predetermined value E1 (S49)
).

If each is less than EOEl (S47, 49), S6
If it is larger than EO, El, it is checked whether the release switch 70 is on or not (S7). If it is on, the process goes to S9; if it is off, the release switch 68 is checked (S5).
0), if the switch 68 is off, the process proceeds to S2; if it is on, the process proceeds to S47 or S49, respectively, depending on the flag B.

In this way, the type of battery is determined by detecting the magnitude of internal resistance from the difference in battery voltage under different load conditions, and comparisons are made according to the type of battery. In addition, 8 in Figure 2
The determination process No. 16 may be changed to the process shown in FIG.

Next, the battery voltage determination process in the reproduction mode will be explained with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the process following 820 in FIG. It is basically the same as in FIG. 4 except that the comparison reference values are changed, such as DE to DEp, EO to EOp, and El to Elp.

Furthermore, if the battery is determined from the difference in battery voltage before and during track movement at 829 in FIG. 3, that is, when the step motor 28 is a load,
Battery type can be determined more accurately. That is, in general, N
The internal resistance of iCd batteries is smaller than that of alkaline manganese batteries, but alkaline manganese batteries also have very low internal resistance at the beginning of their use (there is not much difference from NiCd batteries. When determining the type of battery based on the difference in battery voltage before and after power is supplied to the regeneration system, there is a possibility that an alkaline manganese battery may be mistaken for a NiCd battery. There is no problem because the voltage is sufficiently high, but when used continuously for a long time in playback mode, etc., even alkaline manganese batteries, which initially have a small internal resistance, will increase in internal resistance as they are used.

This can be detected by the difference in battery voltage before and during truck movement. That is, the type of battery is determined every time the truck is moved, and this prevents a battery replacement display from being displayed prematurely due to misidentification of an alkaline manganese battery as a NiCd battery.

Also, during continuous playback, the type of battery can be determined by detecting changes in battery voltage.

FIG. 7 shows the discharge characteristics of an alkaline manganese battery and a NiCd battery. In this way, alkaline manganese batteries and NiC
Since the discharge characteristics are significantly different from those of the D battery, the type of battery can be determined by detecting this. Of course, the type of battery can also be determined from the amount of change in battery voltage over a certain period of time.

The power source of the monitor device 40 may be a power source other than a battery, for example, a circuit that converts an AC power source into a DC power source. Also,
To determine the type of battery: alkaline manganese battery and NiCd battery
The battery is not limited to batteries, and may include manganese batteries, lead batteries, and the like. The timing to detect the difference in battery voltage is when in recording mode, when the shutter is operating and not operating, when power is supplied to the recording system and when the power is cut off, and in playback mode, when power is supplied to the reproduction system and when the power is turned off. Any timing may be used as long as there is a difference in the amount of load, such as when the load is cut off. Further, the control signal for the switch 46 of the monitor device 40 may also be used as a signal for controlling power supply/cutoff to the reproduction system of the camera body.

[Effects of the Invention] As can be easily understood from the above explanation, according to the present invention, the type of battery being used is determined and an indication for battery replacement according to the type is displayed, so that the battery can be effectively used. Available for Also, since no special detection circuit is required,
Can be provided at low cost.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an operational flowchart during recording, FIG. 3 is an operational flowchart during playback, FIG. 4 is a flowchart for battery voltage determination in recording mode, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for battery voltage determination at 316 in FIG. 2, FIG. 6 is a flowchart for battery voltage determination in regeneration mode, and FIG. 7 is a discharge characteristic diagram of an alkaline manganese battery and a NiCd battery.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A detection means for detecting the output voltage of the battery used, and the type of battery used is determined according to the detection results of the detection means at different times, and the terminal voltage according to the determined type of battery is used. 1. A recording/reproducing device comprising: determination means for determining the lifespan of a battery used. (2) The recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the different times are when a step motor used in the recording and reproducing apparatus is energized and when it is not energized.