Television – Camera – system and detail – Combined image signal generator and general image signal...
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-08
2001-06-19
Ho, Tuan (Department: 2712)
Television
Camera, system and detail
Combined image signal generator and general image signal...
C348S333080, C348S376000, C358S906000, C386S349000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06249313
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a digital electronic still-video camera for imaging a subject, converting the video signal thus obtained into digital image data and recording the image data in a memory cartridge capable of being loaded and ejected at will, and to a playback apparatus for playing back and displaying the image data resulting from the imaging operation of the digital electronic still-video camera. The memory cartridge mentioned here has the shape of a case or a card incorporating a semiconductor memory and this term intended to cover means such as a memory card.
2. Description of the Related Art
A camera of the kind described in the specification of Japanese Patent Publication (KOKOKU) No. 62-21310 is a known example of a recent electronic still-video camera. This known electronic still-video camera is adapted to convert a video signal representing the image of a subject into a digital quantity and to store the digital quantity as image data in an internal memory incorporated in the body of the camera. At playback, the image data is read out of the internal memory and sent to a playback apparatus via a connector. The playback apparatus converts the provided image data into a video signal and applies the video signal to a display unit. As a result, a still picture is displayed on the display unit.
In another example of an electronic still-video camera described in the specification of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (KOKAI) No. 59-183582, the image data is recorded in a memory cartridge capable of being loaded in and ejected from the camera body at will.
The first example of the electronic still-video camera mentioned above is convenient because it is unnecessary for the user to carry about a separate memory cartridge. However, the number of frames capable of being photographed is limited by the storage capacity of the internal memory of the camera, and it is not possible to perform photography beyond the number of frames decided by the storage capacity of the internal memory. Using an internal memory having a large storage capacity permits more photography but raises the cost of the camera. In addition, there is a limit upon the storage capacity of the internal memory, and therefore in practical use there is no assurance that the internal memory will always have the capacity to preserve all of the frames desired to be shot.
In the second example of the electronic still-video camera described above, an advantage is that preparing the necessary number of memory cartridges makes it possible to perform photography without any limitation being imposed on the number of frames that can be shot. However, the user must carry about a memory cartridge even if the number of frames planned on being shot is small. Furthermore, after a memory cartridge has been filled to capacity with the image data, photography cannot be performed unless the memory cartridge is exchanged for a new one.
Further, with the first example of the electronic still-video camera, a separate playback apparatus is necessary in order to read and reproduce the image data from the internal memory of the camera. Likewise, the second example of the electronic still-video camera requires a separate playback apparatus in order to read and reproduce the image data obtained by the camera and stored in the memory cartridge.
A disadvantage encountered above is that the playback apparatus for the first example of the electronic still-video camera and the playback apparatus for the second example of the electronic still-video camera have connectors of different types, and therefore the cameras cannot share the same playback apparatus. Accordingly, in a case where two types of electronic still-video cameras are used for photography, two types of playback apparatus also are required. This is inconvenient and disadvantageous in terms of handling and storage space. In addition, the fact that two types of playback apparatus must be purchased is costly and is a serious drawback economically speaking.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an easy-to-carry electronic still-video camera capable of performing photography without any limitation upon the number of frames.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic still-video camera in which, even if the number of recordable frames left in a memory cartridge has become zero, at least one more frame can be shot without replacing the memory cartridge.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a playback apparatus capable of being used to reproduce image data stored in both the internal memory and external memory (a memory cartridge) of an electronic still-video camera.
An electronic still-video camera according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises image pick-up means for picking up an image of a subject and outputting a video signal representing the image of the subject obtained, recording signal processing means for converting the video signal outputted by the image pickup means into digital image data suited for storage in a memory, an internal memory for storing the image data, a first connector in and from which a memory cartridge is capable of being loaded and unloaded at will, the memory cartridge incorporating an external memory for storing the image data, and write control means for writing the image data, which has been outputted by the recording signal processing means, in either the internal memory or the external memory.
In an embodiment of the invention, the image data is written first in the internal memory until the internal memory is filled to capacity, and then in the external memory, by the write control means.
In another embodiment of the invention, the electronic still-video camera further comprises memory selecting means for selecting either the internal memory or the external memory. The image data is written in the memory selected by the memory selecting means.
The electronic still-video camera also comprises means for displaying the number of recordable frames left in the internal memory or the external memory, and means for displaying the number of frames of image data stored in the internal memory or external memory.
In a preferred embodiment, the electronic still-video camera according to the first aspect of the present invention further comprises read control means for reading out the image data stored in the internal memory or the external memory, playback processing means for converting the image data read out by the read control means into a video signal suited for display, and outputting this video signal, and a second connector, to which an external display unit is capable of being connected, for supplying the display unit with the video signal outputted by the playback processing means.
In another preferred embodiment, the electronic still-video camera according to the first aspect of the present invention additionally comprises read control means for reading out the image data stored in the internal memory or the external memory, and a third connector, to which an external playback apparatus is capable of being connected, for supplying the playback apparatus with the image data read out by the read control means.
An electronic still-video camera according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises an internal memory for storing image data, a first connector, in and from which a memory cartridge is capable of being loaded and unloaded at will, the memory cartridge incorporating an external memory for storing the image data, read control means for reading out the image data stored in the internal memory or the external memory, playback processing means for converting the image data read out by the read control means into a video signal suited for display, and outputting this video signal, and a second connector, to which an external display unit is capable of being connected, for supplying the display unit with the video signal outputted by the playback processing means.
In another
Fuji Photo Film Co. , Ltd.
Ho Tuan
Vu Ngoc-Yen
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