Method and apparatus for editing digital signals

Method of editing digital signals which are composed of successive frames with a plurality of words included in each frame, said method comprising the steps of:

• reproducing first digital signals from a first recording medium;
• reproducing second digital signals from a second recording medium;
• determining editing points for said first and second digital signals, respectively;
• storing either one of said first and second digital signals for a predetermined duration which includes the respective one of said editing points;
• mixing the stored digital signals and the reproduced digital signals so as to be cross-faded by gradually decreasing the value of said first digital signals while concurrently gradually increasing the value of said second digital signals commencing at their respective editing points;
• recording the mixed digital signals on said first recording medium;
• and
• recording said second digital signals on said first recording medium subsequent to said mixed digital signals which form a discontinuity-free transition between said first and second digital signals recorded on said first recording medium.

Method of editing digital signals which are composed of successive frames with a plurality of words included in each frame, said method comprising the steps of:

• reproducing first digital signals from a first recording medium;
• reproducing second digital signals from a second recording medium;
• determining editing points for said first and second digital signals, respectively;
• prerolling said first and second recording mediums for predetermined intervals before the respective editing points;
• driving the prerolled first and second recording medium so as to be synchronized as to frame during an editing operation;
• detecting the number of words constituting the difference between the editing points of said first and second recording mediums during the synchronous driving of said first and second recording mediums;
• delaying either one of said first and second digital signals in response to the detected number of words constituting said difference such that the editing point of said first digital signals is made to coincide, in time, with that of said second digital signals;
• storing either one of said first and second digital signals for a predetermined duration which includes the respective one of said editing points;
• recording the stored digital signals at least in the neighborhood of said respective editing point on said first recording medium;
• and
• recording said second digital signals on said first recording medium subsequent to said stored digital signals so that the latter form a discontinuity-free transition between said second digital signals and said first digital signals as recorded on said first recording medium.

Apparatus for editing digital signals which are composed of successive frames with a plurality of words included in each frame, said apparatus comprising:

• first means for reproducing first digital signals from a first recording medium;
• second means for recording the reproduced first digital signals on a second recording medium on which second digital signals are already recorded;
• means for determining first and second edit points for the first and second digital signals, respectively;
• memory means for storing said first digital signals reproduced from said first means for a predetermined duration which includes said first edit point;
• and
• control means for controlling said first and second means and said memory means such that the stored first digital signals, commencing at said first edit point, are recorded on said second recording medium subsequent to said second edit point of said second digital signals to provide a discontinuity-free transition between said second digital signals and the reproduced first digital signals recorded on said second recording medium.

Apparatus for editing digital signals which are composed of successive frames with a plurality of words included in each frame, said apparatus comprising:

• first means for reproducing first digital signals from a first recording medium;
• second means for recording the reproduced first digital signals on a second recording medium on which second digital signals are recorded;
• means for determining first and second edit points for the first and second digital signals, respectively;
• memory means for storing said first digital signals reproduced from said first means for a predetermined duration which includes said first edit point;
• control means for controlling said first and second means and said memory means such that the stored first digital signals, commencing at said first edit point, are recorded on said recording medium subsequent to said second edit point of said second digital signals, said control means including recording medium controlling means for prerolling said first and second recording mediums for predetermined intervals before the respective edit points, and driving the prerolled first and second recording mediums so as to be synchronized as to frame during an editing operation;
• constituting the difference between the edit points;
• and
• means for compensating for said difference by delaying said reproduced first digital signals said detected number of words.

Apparatus for editing digital signals which are composed of successive frames with a plurality of words included in each frame, said apparatus comprising:

• first means for reproducing first digital signals from a first recording medium;
• second means for recording the reproduced first digital signals on a second recording medium on which second digital signals are recorded;
• means for determining first and second edit points for the first and second digital signals, respectively;
• memory means for storing said first digital signals reproduced from said first means for a predetermined duration which includes said first edit point;
• control means for controlling said first and second means and said memory means such that the first digital signals, commencing at said first edit point, are recorded on said recording medium subsequent to said second edit point of said second digital signals;
• and
• mixing circuit means for mixing with the reproduced first digital signals supplied from said memory means to said second means a gradually decreasing value of said second digital signals while concurrently gradually increasing the value of said first digital signals.