Image data recording system including memory card

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A video data recording system, comprising:

housing means;

optical means arranged at least partly in said housing means for forming an optical image on a predetermined plane in said housing means;

image data processing means arranged in said housing means for receiving said optical image as a still image and for producing electronic image data representative of said still image;

buffer memory means coupled to said image data processing means for storing the electronic image data derived from said image data processing means;

detachable memory means detachably mounted to said housing means and electrically coupled to said buffer memory means when mounted to said housing means, for storing a limited number of independent electronic image data which are supplied from said buffer memory means;

output terminal means arranged on said housing means and coupled for outputting said electronic image data derived from said detachable memory means via said buffer memory means when said detachable memory means is mounted to said housing means;

write control means arranged in said housing means for controlling a writing operation of said electronic image data supplied from said buffer memory means into said detachable memory means when said detachable memory means is mounted to said housing means;

read-out control means arranged in said housing means for controlling a reading out operation of said electronic image data to said output terminal means via said buffer memory means when said detachable memory means is mounted to said housing means; said read-out control means including:

transfer means for repeatedly transferring to said output terminal means, said electronic image data representative of one of the still images stored in said detachable memory means via said buffer memory means, such that said electronic image data representative of said one still image is repeatedly transferred to said output terminal means a plurality of times over a given time period;

transfer time sensing means for sensing whether or not said given time period during which said electronic image data of said one still image is repeatedly transferred by said transfer means, corresponds to a predetermined time period; and

transfer control means for stopping the electronic image data transfer of said electronic image data of said one still image by said transfer means responsive to said given time period during which said transfer means repeatedly transfers said electronic image data of a same still image exceeding said predetermined time period; and

peripheral memory means outside of said housing means and detachably coupled to said output terminal means and capable of storing a large number of independent image data, for storing said repeatedly transferred electronic image data, corresponding to a plurality of a same still image, output from said output terminal means, said large number being substantially greater than said limited number;

said peripheral memory means including reproducing means for continuously and sequentially reproducing said same electronic image data of said same still image stored in said peripheral memory means, whereby each said same still image stored in said peripheral memory means is sequentially reproduced for such predetermined time period.

2. A video data recording system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said image data processing means further includes:

image sensing means for producing electronic signals in response to said optical image;

video signal producing means for producing a video signal based on said electronic signals produced by said image sensing means; and

analog-to-digital converting means for converting said video signal produced by said video signal producing means into digital electronic image data which corresponds to said received optical image.

3. A video data recording system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said detachable memory means comprises a memory card containing at least one semiconductor memory chip.

4. A video data recording system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said detachable memory means comprises a detachable semiconductor memory means.

5. A video data recording system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said image data processing means includes:

image sensing means for producing electronic signals in response to said optical image; and

analog-to-digital converting means for converting said electronic signals produced by said image sensing means into digital electronic image data which corresponds to said received optical image.

6. A video data recording system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said detachable memory means comprises a memory card containing at least one semiconductor memory chip.

7. A video data recording system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said detachable memory means comprises a detachable semiconductor memory means.

8. A video data recording system as claimed in claim 5, further comprising:

video signal producing means coupled to said detachable memory means when said detachable memory means is mounted to said housing means, and also coupled to said output terminal means, for producing a video signal based on said digital electronic image data output from said detachable memory means and for outputting said video signal to said output terminal means.

9. A video data recording system as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

said detachable memory means stores said digital electronic image data output from said analog-to-digital converting means; and

said video data recording system further comprises:

digital-to-analog converting means, coupled to said detachable memory means, for converting said digital electronic image data read out from said detachable memory means into a corresponding analog electronic image signal; and

output control means, for supplying to said output terminal means, one of said digital electronic image data output from said detachable memory means and said analog electronic image signal produced by said digital-to-analog converting means.

10. A video data recording system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transfer means comprises:

one-frame memory means for storing said electronic image data representative of one still image previously recorded on said detachable memory means; and

address designating means for repeatedly and sequentially designating an address of said one-frame memory means.

11. A video data recording system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

synchronizing signal generating means, arranged in said housing means, for generating a synchronizing signal; and

synchronizing signal output means for outputting a predetermined number of said synchronizing signals generated by said synchronizing signal generating means to said output terminal means.

12. A video data recording system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said synchronizing signal is a vertical synchronizing signal of a video signal.

13. A video data recording system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said means for controlling said reading out operation includes means for commencing the read out operation of said electronic image data from said detachable memory means after a predetermined number of said synchronizing signals are output from said output terminal means.

14. A video data recording system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said peripheral memory means comprises a magnetic tape recorder means.

15. A video data recording system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said magnetic tape recorder means comprises a digital video tape recorder means.

16. A video data recording system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said display means comprises a liquid crystal television means, mounted on said housing means, for displaying an image in response to said electronic image data output from said detachable memory means.

17. A video data recording system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said detachable memory means comprises a detachable semiconductor memory card.

18. A video data recording system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said memory card is maintained in a fixed stationary position in said housing means.

19. A camera apparatus capable of coupling to a peripheral memory means for storing a large number of independent image data supplied from an output terminal means of the camera apparatus, comprising:

housing means;

optical means arranged at least partly in said housing means for forming an optical image on a predetermined plane in said housing means;

image data processing means arranged in said housing means for receiving said optical image as a still image and for producing electronic image data representative of said still image;

buffer memory means coupled to said image data processing means for storing the electronic image data derived from said image data processing means;

detachable memory means detachably mounted to said housing means and electrically coupled to said buffer memory means when mounted to said housing means, for storing a limited number of independent electronic image data which are supplied from said frame memory means, said limited number being substantially smaller than said large number;

output terminal means arranged on said housing means and coupled for outputting said electronic image data derived from said detachable memory means via said buffer memory means when said detachable memory means is mounted to said housing means;

write control means arranged in housing means for controlling a writing operation of said electronic image data supplied from said buffer memory means into said detachable memory means when said detachable memory means is mounted to said housing means; and

read-out control means arranged in housing means for controlling a reading out operation of said electronic image data to said output terminal means via said buffer memory means when said detachable memory means is mounted to said housing means;

said read-out control means including:

transfer means for repeatedly transferring to said output terminal means, said electronic image data representative of one of the still images stored in said detachable memory means via said buffer memory means, such that said electronic image data representative of said one still image is repeatedly transferred to said output terminal means a plurality of times over a given time period;

transfer time sensing means for sensing whether or not said given time period during which said electronic image data of said one still image is repeatedly transferred by said transfer means, corresponds to a predetermined time period; and

transfer control means for stopping the electronic image data transfer of said electronic image data of said one still image by said transfer means responsive to said given time period during which said transfer means repeatedly transfers said electronic image data of a same still image exceeding said predetermined time period.

20. A camera apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein said image data processing means includes:

image sensing means arranged on said predetermined plane in said housing means, for producing electronic signals in response to said optical image;

video signal producing means for producing a video signal based on said electronic signals produced by said image sensing means; and

an along-to-digital converting means for converting said video signal produced by said video signal producing means into digital electronic image data which corresponds to said optical image.

21. A camera apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein said detachable memory means comprises a memory card containing at least one semiconductor memory chip.

22. A camera apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein said detachable memory means comprises a detachable semiconductor memory means.

23. A camera apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein said image data processing means includes:

image sensing means arranged on said predetermined plane in said housing means for producing electronic signals in response to said optical image; and

analog-to-digital converting means for converting said electronic signals produced by said image sensing means into digital electronic image data which corresponds to said optical image.

24. A camera apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein said detachable memory means comprises a memory card containing at least one semiconductor memory chip.

25. A camera apparatus as claimed in claim 23, further comprising:

video signal producing means coupled to said detachable memory means when said detachable memory means is mounted to said housing means, and also coupled to said output terminal means, for producing a video signal based on said digital electronic image data output from said detachable memory jeans and for outputting said video signal to said output terminal means.

26. A camera apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein said detachable memory means stores said digital electronic image data output from said analog-to-digital converting means; and

said camera apparatus further comprises:

digital-to-analog converting means coupled to said detachable memory means for converting said digital electronic image data read out from said detachable memory means into a corresponding analog electronic image signal; and

analog output terminal means coupled to said digital-to-analog converting means for outputting said analog electronic image signal produced by said digital-to-analog converting means.

27. A video data recording system as claimed in claim 19, wherein said detachable memory means comprises a detachable semiconductor memory card.

28. A video data recording system as claimed in claim 27, wherein said memory card is maintained in a fixed stationary position in said housing means.

29. A method of recording and storing image data in a video data recording system, wherein the video data recording system comprises housing means; optical means at least partly in said housing means for forming an optical image on a predetermined plane in said housing means; image data processing means arranged in said housing means for receiving said optical image as a still image and for producing electronic image data representative of said still image; buffer memory means for storing the electronic image data derived from said image data processing means and output terminal means for outputting said electronic image data;

the method comprising:

detachable mounting a detachable memory means capable of storing a limited number of independent electronic image data to said housing means and electrically coupling said detachable memory means to said buffer memory means when said detachable memory means is mounted to said housing image data via said buffer memory means;

controlling a writing operation of said electronic image data supplied from said buffer memory means into said detachable memory means when said detachable memory means is mounted to said housing means;

repeatedly transferring to said output terminal means, said electronic image data representative of one of the still images stored in said detachable memory means, such that said electronic image data representative of said one still image is repeatedly transferred to said output terminal means a plurality of times over a given time period;

sensing whether or not said given time period during which said electronic image data of said one still image is repeatedly transferred, corresponds to a predetermined time period;

stopping the image data transfer of said electronic image data of said one still image responsive to said given time period during which said electronic image data is repeatedly transferred exceeding said predetermined time period;

detachably coupling a peripherally memory means capable of storing a large number of independent image data, located outside of said housing means, to said output terminal means for storing said repeatedly transferred electronic image data, corresponding to a plurality of a same still image, output from said output terminal means, said large number being substantially greater than said limited number; and

continuously and sequentially reproducing said same electronic image data of said same still image stored in said peripheral memory means, whereby each said same still image stored in said peripheral memory means is sequentially reproduced for said predetermined time period.

30. The method of claim 29; wherein said image data processing means further includes image sensing means for producing electronic signals in response to said optical image;

the method further comprising;

producing a video signal based on said electronic signals produced by said image sensing means; and

analog-to-digital converting said produced video signals into digital electronic image data which corresponds to said received optical image.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein said image data processing means includes image sensing means for producing electronic signals in response to said optical image;

the method further comprising:

analog-to-digital converting said electronic signals produced by said image sensing means into digital electronic image data which corresponds to said received optical image.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein said image data processing means produces digital electronic image data in response to said optical image, said digital electronic image data being stored in said detachable memory means.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

digital-to-analog converting said digital electronic image data read out from said detachable memory means into a corresponding analog electronic image signal; and

supplying to said output terminal means, one of said digital electronic image data output from said detachable memory means and said corresponding analog electronic image signal.

34. The method of claim 29, wherein said electronic image data is digital electronic image data.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein said step of repeatedly transferring comprises:

storing, in a one-frame memory means, said digital electronic image data representative of one still image previously stored in said detachable memory means; and

repeatedly and sequentially designating an address of said one-frame memory means.

36. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

generating synchronizing signals in said housing means; and

outputting a predetermined number of said synchronizing signals to said output terminal means.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein said synchronizing signals are vertical synchronizing signals of a video signal.

38. A video data recording system, comprising:

housing means;

optical means arranged at least partly in said housing means for forming an optical image on a predetermined plane in said housing means;

image data processing means arranged in said housing means for receiving said optical image as still image and for producing electronic image data representative of said still image;

buffer memory means coupled to said image data processing means for storing the electronic image data derived from said image data processing means;

detachable memory means mounted to said housing means and electrically coupled to said buffer memory means when mounted to said housing means, for storing a limited number of independent electronic image data which are supplied from said buffer memory means;

output terminal means arranged on said housing means and coupled for outputting said electronic image data derived from said detachable memory means when said detachable memory means is mounted to said housing means;

control means arranged in said housing means for controlling a writing operation and reading operation of said electronic image data to and from said detachable memory means; and

video data storage means provided outside of said housing means and coupled to said output terminal means, for storing a large number of independent image data representative of still images;

said control means including transferring means for repeatedly transferring to said output terminal means for a predetermined time period, said electronic image data representative of one of the still images stored in said detachable memory means; and

said video data storage means including means for storing said repeatedly transferred electronic image data, corresponding to a plurality of same still image from said output terminal means and means for continuously and sequentially reproducing said same electronic image data of said same still image stored in said video storage means, whereby each said same still image stored in said video storage means is sequentially reproduced for the predetermined time period.

39. The video data recording system according to claim 38, wherein said detachable memory means comprises a detachable semiconductor memory means.

40. The video data recording system according to claim 38, wherein said video data storage means comprises a magnetic tape recorder.

41. A video data recording system, comprising:

still image data storing means for storing a limited number of electronic image data each representing an independent still image;

video data storage means for storing a large number of electronic image data each representing an independent still image; and

control means coupled to said still image data storing means and to said video data storage means for repeatedly transferring one of said limited number of electronic image data stored in said still image data storing means to said video data storage means for a predetermined time period, and for causing said video data storage means to store said repeatedly transferred electronic image data, such that said repeatedly transferred electronic image data stored in said video data storage means will be used for reproducing as a still image for the predetermined time period;

said still image data storing means comprising a still camera apparatus, said still camera apparatus including:

optical means for forming an optical image on a predetermined plane in a showing of said camera apparatus;

image data processing means for receiving said optical image as a still image and for producing electronic image data representative of said still image;

buffer means coupled to said image data processing means for storing the electronic image data derived from said image data processing means;

detachable memory means mounted to said housing and electrically coupled to said buffer means when mounted to said housing, for storing a limited number of independent electronic image data which are supplied from said buffer means;

output terminal means arranged on said housing and coupled to an interface for outputting said electronic image data derived from said detachable memory means via said interface when said detachable memory means is mounted to said housing; and

said control means including a control device arranged in said housing for controlling a writing operation and a reading operation of said electronic image data to and from said detachable memory means and said control device including means for repeatedly transferring to said output terminal means for a predetermined time period, said electronic image data representative of one of the still images stored in said detachable memory means.

42. The video data recording system according to claim 41, wherein said still image data storing means includes detachable memory means for storing a limited number of the electronic image data and capable of being mounted to a housing of the video data recording system so as to electrically coupled to said control means and to said video data storage means.

43. The video data recording system according to claim 42, wherein said detachable memory means includes a detachable semiconductor memory means.

44. The video data recording system according to claim 41, wherein said video data storage means comprises a magnetic tape recorder.

45. The video data recording system according to claim 41, wherein said detachable memory means includes a detachable semiconductor memory means.

46. The video data recording system according to claim 41, wherein said video data storage means includes means for storing said repeatedly transferred electronic image data, corresponding to a plurality of same still image from said output terminal means and means for continuously and sequentially reproducing said same electronic image data of said same still image stored in said video storage means is sequentially reproduced for the predetermined time period.

47. The video data recording system according to claim 46, wherein said video data storage means comprises a magnetic tape recorder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to an image data recording system for receiving an optical image incident upon an image recording system through a lens, for converting the received optical image into electronic image data, and for storing the electronic image data therein. More specifically, the present invention is directed to an image data recording system utilizing memory cards to store the electronic image data.

Description of the Related Art

As an image data recording system, a so-called "electronic still camera" has been practically marketed. In the commercially available electronic still cameras, still images are optically and electrically processed to be stored in a recording medium, for instance, a magnetic disk.

More specifically, in the conventional electronic still camera, a semiconductor imaging element, e.g., a charge-coupled device (referred to as a "CCD") is employed to optically receive a still image and convert it into a corresponding electronic image signal. After the electronic image signal is processed to have a signal format suitable for a television signal, the processed image signal is modulated into an FM (frequency modulation) image signal. Then, the FM image signal is recorded onto a magnetic disk in an analog signal form. If such an electronic still camera records the FM image signals with a field recording format, 50 still pictures or complete images can be recorded on a magnetic disk.

In such a conventional magnetic disk type electronic still camera, miniaturization of the electronic still camera meets with practical difficulties, because there is a size limitation to manufacture of a compact driving mechanism for driving the magnetic disk.

Accordingly, to solve these difficulties of the conventional magnetic disk type electronic still camera, another type of electronic still camera employing a built-in semiconductor memory (referred to as a "RAM") has been recently developed, in which an analog still image signal is processed to obtain a digital still image signal. The digital still image signal, or digital image data is stored in the built-in semiconductor memory (RAM).

However, the semiconductor memory type electronic still camera has another drawback. In general, when a single still image is stored into a semiconductor memory, a memory capacity of more than 2 M bits (mega bits) is required for each still image. Therefore, to store 50 still pictures (or images) in such a semiconductor memory type still camera, which is similarly performed in the magnetic disk type still camera, a semiconductor memory having a memory capacity of more than 100 M bits is required. However, a semiconductor memory type still camera having such an extremely high memory capacity is not practically available.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished in an attempt to solve the problems mentioned above. An object of the invention is therefore to provide a still image recording system wherein a compact camera body can be realized and a relatively large quantity of still images can be temporarily or permanently stored in a detachable memory unit.

To achieve the above-described object of the invention, an image data recording system of the present invention comprises: a housing means; optical means arranged at least partly in the housing means, for forming an optical image on a predetermined plane in the housing means; image data processing means arranged in the housing means for producing digital electronic image data in response to the optical image; memory means detachably mounted to the housing means and electrically coupled to the image data processing means when mounted to the housing means, for storing the digital electronic image data therein; output terminal means arranged in the housing means and being coupled for outputting the digital electronic image data derived from the detachable memory means when the detachable memory means is mounted to the housing means; and control means arranged in the housing means, for controlling a writing operation of the digital electronic image data into the detachable memory means when the detachable memory means is mounted to the housing means, and for controlling a reading out operation of the digital electronic image data to the output terminal means from the detachable memory means when the detachable memory means is mounted to the housing means.

According to a further feature of the invention, a peripheral memory means, arranged outside of the housing means, is detachably coupled to the output terminal means, for storing the digital electronic image data therein which was read out from the detachable memory means and which was output from the output terminal means.

A display means is preferably coupled to at least one of the output terminal means and the peripheral memory means, for displaying an image representative of the digital electronic image data which was stored in the detachable memory means.

After the digital electronic image data is read out from the detachable memory means and stored in the peripheral memory means (such as a video tape recorder), the detachable memory means can be re-used or erased and stored for late re-use.

The detachable memory means may be memory cards each containing at least one semiconductor memory chip, or other detachable memory card-like devices.

With the above-described arrangements of the still image recording systems according to the present invention, a compact and portable electronic still camera can be obtained, since a disc drive mechanism is not needed. In addition, the effective memory capacity of the system using detachable semiconductor memory units is equal to, or higher than, that of the conventional electronic still camera using RAM memory in the conventional manner or using the conventional disc drive arrangement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically shows a block diagram of an electronic still camera system according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a still camera apparatus employing the electronic still camera system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a circuit arrangement of the camera apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a circuit arrangement of the video tape recorder shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate recording formats of an image memory employed in a memory card shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a time chart for illustrating output signal conditions of major circuit portions in the circuit arrangement shown in FIG. 3 while a signal transfer operation is performed;

FIGS. 8 to 10 show recording formats of the video tape recorder illustrated in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of another circuit arrangement for the camera apparatus shown in FIG. 2 according to a second embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

OVERALL ELECTRONIC STILL CAMERA SYSTEM

In FIG. 1, there is shown an electronic still camera system utilizing an image data recording system according to the invention. The electronic still camera system includes a camera apparatus 10 which is shown in FIG. 2.

The camera apparatus 10 includes a housing 11. An optical unit 12 having lenses, a diaphragm and other optical components (not shown in detail), is mounted to a front surface portion of the housing 11. A release or shutter switch 13 is provided, for example on an upper surface of the housing 11, and an insertion opening 14 for a memory card 24 is formed for example on an upper surface of the housing 11. The memory card 24 is a detachable memory card containing an image data storage memory, and will be discussed hereinafter. On a rear surface of the housing 11, there are provided a view finder 15, an operation mode selecting switch 16, an output mode selecting switch 17 and a liquid crystal display panel 18. The output mode selecting switch 17 functions to selectively feed the output signal to a video tape recorder 25, or a monitor 27, in analog signal form, or in digital signal form when the image data stored in the memory card 24 is transferred to the video tape recorder 25, or to the monitor 27.

A signal output terminal 19 is provided on one side surface of the housing 11, for example the right side as viewed in FIG. 2. This signal output terminal 19 comprises a digital image output terminal 19a, an analog image output terminal 19b, a synchronizing (referred to as a "sync") signal output terminal 19c, and a recorder control signal terminal 19d.

SIGNAL PROCESSING SYSTEM IN CAMERA APPARATUS

Referring now to FIG. 1, an internal signal processing system of the electronic still camera apparatus 10 will be described in detail.

A control unit 20 is provided for controlling the overall operation of the electronic still camera apparatus 10 in response to switching operations of the various switches 13, 16 and 17. An optical/photoelectric converting unit 21 is connected to the control unit 20. The optical/photoelectric converting unit 21 converts an optical image incident upon converting unit 21 through the optical unit 12 into an electrical signal and outputs the electrical signal as an electrical image signal. A signal processing unit 22 is connected to the optical/photoelectric converting unit 21 and also to the control unit 20 so as to perform a predetermined signal processing operation on the electrical image signal input from the optical/photoelectric converting unit 21. The signal processing unit 22 transfers the processed electrical image signal to the memory card 24 which is detachably connected to the camera apparatus 10, and transfers a television video signal to a liquid crystal television unit 23 after the image data (i.e., the processed image signal) is converted into a television video signal, and furthermore, transfers either the above-described television video signal or a digital image signal to the video tape recorder 25. The liquid crystal television unit 23 is connected to the signal processing unit 22 and to the control unit 2