Recording and reproducing apparatus and terminal apparatus

Abstract

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.

1. A recording and reproducing apparatus comprising:
 communicating means for transmitting data to and receiving data from an information center in which a plurality of additional information have been stored;    reading means for reading recorded data from a recording medium on which a plurality of data and index data for use in managing said plurality of data have been recorded, said recording medium being loaded in said recording and reproducing apparatus;    storing means for storing said recorded data read from said recording medium by said reading means;    control means for controlling said communicating means to transmit to said information center said index data of said recording medium from which said data are read by said reading means based on said index data and to read from said information center additional information corresponding to said transmitted index data and for writing said read additional information into said storing means as additional data of said recording medium from which said recorded data are read by said reading means; and    output means for outputting said data stored in said storing means and said additional data corresponding to said data stored in said storing means.    
     
     
       2. A recording and reproducing apparatus comprising:
 reading means for reading data recorded on a recording medium;    first storing means for storing said data read from said recording medium by said reading means;    reproducing means for reproducing said data stored in said first storing means;    control means for inhibiting said data stored in said first storing means from being further reproduced from said first storing means by said reproducing means when said data read out from said first storing means is stored into second storing means connected to said recording and reproducing apparatus; and    an operating unit operated by a user, whereby said data stored in said second storing means may be deleted based on an input from said operating unit, wherein 
 said deletion of said data stored in said second storing means is performed in accordance with an order from previous data in said data stored in said second storing means; and  
 when a storage capacity of said second storing means is larger than said amount of data supplied to said second storing means as a result of a deletion of the data stored in said second storing means, said control means reads out said data stored in said first storing means and supplies said read-out data to said second storing means.  
   
     
     
       3. The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said control means sets an inhibition flag to the data read out from said first storing means and stored in said second storing means. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said output means comprises reproducing means for reproducing said recorded data stored in said storing means. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein said output means comprises converting means for converting an output signal from said reproducing means into a sound audible to a user. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said additional information includes title data of the recorded data on said recording medium. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein when the recorded data read out from said recording medium by said reading means is recorded from said recording medium to said storing means at a high speed, said control means transmits data indicative of an execution of said high-speed recording to said information center through said communicating means. 
     
     
       8. A recording and reproducing apparatus comprising:
 an information supplying unit in which a plurality of additional information have been stored;    a recording and reproducing unit for transmitting data to and receiving data from said information supplying unit,    wherein said recording and reproducing unit includes communicating means, reading means, storing means, control means, and output means;    said communicating means transmits said data to and receives said data from said information supplying unit;    said reading means reads data from a recording medium on which a plurality of data and index data for use in managing said plurality of data have been recorded, said recording medium being loaded in said recording and reproducing apparatus, whereby 
 said data read from said recording medium by said reading means are stored in said storing means;  
 said control means controls said communicating means to read from said information supplying unit additional information corresponding to said recording medium from which said data are read by said reading means based on said index data and to write said read additional information into said storing means as additional data of said recording medium that are read by said reading means; and  
 output means for outputting said data stored in said storing means and for outputting said additional data stored in said storing means.  
   
     
     
       9. The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the index data read out from said recording medium by said reading means is transmitted to said information supplying unit through said communicating means. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein on the basis of said transmitted index data, said information supplying unit retrieves the additional information corresponding to said transmitted index data from said plurality of additional information and transmits the retrieved additional information to said recording and reproducing unit. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein said recording and reproducing unit transmits said index data read out from said recording medium by said reading means to said information supplying unit through said communicating means and transmits user identification data of said recording and reproducing unit, and
 said information supplying unit controls a retrieving operation of said information supplying unit of said additional information based on said index data transmitted on the basis of said user identification data transmitted together with said index data.    
     
     
       12. The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said output means includes a display unit providing a display based on said additional data. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus according to  claim 8 , further comprising reproducing means for reproducing the data stored said storing means. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein said output means includes converting means for converting an output signal from said reproducing means into a sound audible to a user. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said additional information includes title data of the data recorded on said recording medium. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein when the data read out from said recording medium by said reading means is recorded from said recording medium to said storing means at a high speed, said control means transmits data indicative of an execution of said high-speed recording to said information supplying unit through said communicating means. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein said information supplying unit executes an accounting process on the basis of the data indicative of the execution of high-speed recording transmitted through said communicating means. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein said recording and reproducing unit records at a high speed the data read out by said reading means from said recording medium to said storing means on the basis of data indicative of an end of said accounting process. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said storing means of said recording and reproducing unit comprises first storage means and further comprising a terminal apparatus unit having second storing means, and
 wherein the data which is read out from said first storing means of said recording and reproducing unit is stored into said second storing means of said terminal apparatus unit.    
     
     
       20. The apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein said control means inhibits the data which was read out from said first storing means from being stored in said second storing means of said terminal apparatus unit and the data stored in said first storing means of said recording and reproducing unit is further read out again from said first storing means of said recording and reproducing unit. 
     
     
       21. The apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein said control means sets an inhibition flag for the data which was read out from said first storing means and stored in said second storing means of said terminal apparatus unit in the data stored in said first storing means of said recording and reproducing unit. 
     
     
       22. The apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein when the data read out from said second storing means of said terminal apparatus unit is again supplied to said first storing means, said control mean provides control, whereby the data in said first storing means corresponding to the data supplied from said second storing means can be further read out from said first storing means. 
     
     
       23. The apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein said control means performs a comparison by comparing a storage capacity of said second storing means with an amount of the data which is read out from said first storing means and supplied to said second storing means. 
     
     
       24. The apparatus according to  claim 23 , wherein as a result of said comparison between said storage capacity of second storing means and said amount of the data read out from said first storing means and supplied to said second storing means, when said storage capacity of said second storing means is larger than said amount of data supplied to said second storing means, said control means reads out the data from said first storing means and supplies the read-out data to said terminal apparatus unit. 
     
     
       25. The apparatus according to  claim 23 , wherein as a result of said comparison between said storage capacity of said second storing means and said amount of data read out from said first storing means and supplied to said second storing means, when said storage capacity of said second storing means is smaller than said amount of data supplied to said second storing means, said control means deletes the data stored in said second storing means of said terminal apparatus unit. 
     
     
       26. The apparatus according to  claim 25 , wherein said terminal apparatus unit deletes data stored in said second storing means in accordance with an order from previous data in the data stored in said second storing means. 
     
     
       27. A The apparatus according to  claim 25 , wherein said terminal apparatus unit further includes an operating unit operated by a user, and said terminal apparatus unit deletes data stored in said second storing means on the basis of an input from said operating unit. 
     
     
       28. The apparatus according to  claim 25 , wherein when said storage capacity of said second storing means is larger than said amount of data supplied to said second storing means as a result of the deletion of the data stored in said second storing means of said terminal apparatus unit, said control means reads out the data from said first storing means and supplies said read-out data to said terminal apparatus. 
     
     
       29. The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein when the data read out from said second storing means is again supplied to said first storing means, said control means performs control so that the data in said first storing means corresponding to the data supplied from said second storing means can be further read out from said first storing means. 
     
     
       30. A recording and reproducing apparatus comprising:
 a first recording and reproducing unit including:    reading means for reading data recorded on a recording medium, said recording medium being loaded in said recording and reproducing apparatus;    first storing means for storing said data read from said recording medium by said reading means;    reproducing means for reproducing said data stored in said first storing means; and    control means for controlling operations of said reading means, said first storing means, and said reproducing means; and    a second recording and reproducing unit; and    an operating unit operated by a user, whereby the data stored in second storing means are deleted based on an input from said operating unit, wherein 
 said control means inhibits said data from being reproduced by said first recording and reproducing unit when said data have been stored in said second storing means;  
 said control means deletes said data stored in said second storing means in accordance with an order from previous data in said data stored in said second storing means; and  
 when a storage capacity of said second storing means is larger than an amount of said data supplied to said second storing means as a result of said deletion of said data stored in said seconds storing means, said control means controls said reproduction of said data from said first storing means and supplies said reproduced data to said second storing means.  
   
     
     
       31. The apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein said control means sets an inhibition flag to the data which was reproduced from said first storing means of said first recording and reproducing unit and stored in said second storing means. 
     
     
       32. The apparatus according to  claim 31 , wherein when data reproduced from said second storing means is again supplied to said first storing means, said control means performs a control so that the data in said first storing means corresponding to the data supplied from said second storing means can be further reproduced from said first storing means. 
     
     
       33. A recording and reproducing apparatus comprising:
 reading means for reading data recorded on a recording medium;    storing means for storing said data read from said recording medium by said reading means;    reproducing means for reproducing said data stored in said storing means;    communicating means for transmitting said data reproduced from said storing means; and    control means for inhibiting an operation to reproduce said data from said storing means by said reproducing means when said data have been transmitted to an other external apparatus by said communicating means, wherein 
 said storing means includes first storing means;  
 said control means sets an inhibition flag to said data reproduced from said first storing means and transmitted by said communicating means and stored in second storing means; and  
 when said data transmitted by said communicating means are again supplied to said apparatus, said control means performs a control operation such that said data in said first storing means corresponding to said data supplied to said apparatus through said communicating means can be further read out from said first storing means.  
   
     
     
       34. An audio apparatus comprising:
   a main body that includes      acoustic speakers arranged as an integral component of said main body;        a receiver configured to receive an operation command via a wireless remote control device; and        an interface component including      a single physical interface that is part of said main body and is configured to mutually correspond to a physical interface of a portable music player device for docking said portable music player device thereon, said portable music player device having music content stored therein, and        a single electrical interface that provides electrical power to said portable music player device and is configured to receive said music content from said portable music player device and to play an audible version of said music content through said acoustic speakers in response to said receiver receiving a play command as said operation command, wherein          said music content, and metadata information retrieved over a network and associated with said music content, are stored on a semiconductor non - volatile random access memory of the portable music player.        
     
     
       35. The audio apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein
   said main body does not include a tactile user interface and relies on said infrared receiver for receiving all user - initiated commands for controlling playback of said music information.      
     
     
       36. The audio apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein
   said wireless remote control device is contained in a different housing than said main body.      
     
     
       37. The audio apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein
   said main body is configured to be portable when in a normal mode of operation.      
     
     
       38. A portable audio playback system comprising:
   a docking station that includes      a main body that includes      acoustic speakers arranged as an integral component of said main body,        a receiver configured to receive an operation command via a wireless remote control device, and        an interface component including      a single physical interface that is part of said main body and is configured to mutually correspond to a physical interface of a portable music player device for docking said portable music player device thereon, said portable music player device having music content stored therein, and        a single electrical interface that provides electrical power to said portable music player device and is configured to receive said music content from said portable music player device and to play an audible version of said music content through said acoustic speakers in response to said receiver receiving a play command as said operation command; and          said portable music player device, including      a semiconductor non - volatile random access memory that stores said music content and metadata information associated with said music content,        a rechargeable battery configured to be recharged when said portable music device is docked on said physical interface of said docking station, and        a display, wherein          said metadata information is retrieved over a network.          
     
     
       39. The system of  claim 38 , wherein
   said main body does not include a tactile user interface and relies on said receiver for receiving all user - initiated commands for controlling playback of said music content.      
     
     
       40. The system of  claim 38 , wherein
   said wireless remote control device is contained in a different housing than said main body.      
     
     
       41. The system of  claim 38 , wherein
   said main body is configured to be portable when in a normal mode of operation.      
     
     
       42. A method for physically and electrically coupling a portable music player device to a music playback station comprising:
   storing music content and associated metadata information in a semiconductor non - volatile memory of the portable music player device;        physically connecting said portable music player device to said music playback station at a single physical interface configured to mutually correspond between said portable music player device and said music playback station;        electrically connecting said portable music player device to said playback music station at a single electrical interface, said electrically connecting including connecting a power source provided by said music playback station to said portable music player device to provide power to said portable music player device and connecting signal conductors provided by said music playback station to said portable music player device;        playing through an integrated acoustic speaker system, in response to a receipt of a selection control signal from a remote control wireless device, an audible version of said music content received from the portable music player device through the connected signal conductors, wherein        said metadata information is retrieved over a network.      
     
     
       43. The method of  claim 42 , further comprising:
   displaying said metadata information on a display formed in said music playback station.      
     
     
       44. The audio apparatus of  claim 34 , further comprising:
   a tactile user interface on said main body for controlling said audio apparatus.      
     
     
       45. The audio apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein
   said metadata comprises song titles, artist names, and jacket images associated with said music content.      
     
     
       46. The audio apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein
   said metadata is displayed on a display of said portable player music device.      
     
     
       47. The audio apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein
   said metadata comprises song titles, artist names, and jacket images associated with said music content.      
     
     
       48. The audio apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein
   said metadata is displayed on said display of said portable music player device.      
     
     
       49. The method of  claim 42 , wherein
   said metadata comprises song titles, artist names, and jacket images associated with said music content.      
     
     
       50. The method of  claim 49 , further comprising:
   displaying said metadata on a display of said portable music player device.