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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image reproduction apparatus and, more
particularly, to an image reproduction apparatus for reproducing and
outputting a still image.
2. Related Background Art
Some image reproduction apparatuses of this type comprise a multi-picture
function for simultaneously displaying a plurality of images recorded on a
recording medium on one screen. For example, a still video floppy can
record a maximum of 50 still images, and a reproduction apparatus
therefor, which can simultaneously display four images, 25 images, or the
like, is proposed. For example, in an apparatus capable of performing a
four-picture display operation for simultaneously displaying four images,
forward and backward track feed keys are assigned to each of four small
frames. Upon operation of these keys, four images recorded on arbitrary
tracks can be simultaneously reproduced and displayed.
However, in this prior art, the forward and backward track feed keys of
each small frame must be operated a number of times until desired images
are displayed on the four small frames, resulting in very poor
operability.
Some conventional apparatuses comprise a multi-picture function for
simultaneously displaying a plurality of images recorded on a recording
medium on one screen. For example, a still video floppy can record a
maximum of 50 still images, and a reproduction apparatus therefor, which
can simultaneously display four images, 25 images, or the like, is
proposed. For example, in an apparatus capable of performing a
four-picture display operation for simultaneously displaying four images,
forward and backward track feed keys are assigned to each of four small
frames. Upon operation of these keys, four images recorded on arbitrary
tracks can be simultaneously reproduced and displayed.
However, in this prior art, in order to sequentially check the recording
contents of the still video floppy, the forward or backward track feed key
must be operated a number of times, resulting in very poor operability.
Although the apparatus has the function for simultaneously displaying four
images, the images must be fed in units of small frames in the
multi-picture display mode, resulting in inconvenience.
In the multi-picture display mode for simultaneously displaying a plurality
of images per display frame, the following arrangement is known as a means
for designating each displayed image. That is, a cursor (i.e., a pointer)
is displayed on a screen, and is moved in the horizontal and vertical
directions on the full frame using cursor keys or a mouse.
For example, in a still video floppy reproduction apparatus, a four-picture
display mode for displaying four reproduced images on one screen, a
25-picture display mode for displaying 25 reproduced images on one screen,
and the like are proposed. Furthermore, an arrangement for superimposing a
track number and the like of each displayed image in the multi-picture
mode as index information is also known.
A video printer for printing an image displayed in the multi-picture mode
onto a paper sheet has become popular, and often constitutes a system
together with an image reproduction apparatus, and a monitor device for
displaying reproduced output images. For example, images reproduced by the
image reproduction apparatus are displayed on the monitor device, and a
desired image is printed by the video printer.
In such a method of using the conventional image reproduction system,
however, an image signal output to the video printer is a video signal
superimposed with the monitor output cursor and the index information, and
the video printer undesirably prints the cursor at its display position
together with a designated image. The same applies to a case wherein an
image reproduced by the image reproduction apparatus is recorded on
another recording medium by an image recording apparatus.
In the conventional reproduction apparatus, an electromagnetic conversion
means for recording or reproducing a video signal on or from two adjacent
tracks comprises either a single magnetic head (field head) or an in-line
head (or a frame head) obtained by integrating two magnetic heads to be
separated by one track pitch. In the case of the field head, an image
memory for storing a reproduced video signal for at least one field is
required.
Normally, a time required for moving a magnetic head to a neighboring track
is about 100 ms. However, when the in-line head is used, a track feed
operation can be substantially instantaneously realized by an electrical
switching operation.
A still video floppy recording/reproduction apparatus, e.g., an electronic
still camera, normally comprises a display means for displaying a track
number corresponding to the position of a magnetic head. In the case of
the in-line head, in a frame recording or reproduction mode, the track
number of an outer one of two tracks opposing the magnetic head is
displayed.
On the other hand, in the single magnetic head (field head), the track
number of a track opposing the magnetic head is displayed regardless of a
frame recording (or reproduction) mode or a field recording (or
reproduction) mode. For example, in the frame reproduction mode, after a
video signal in the first field is reproduced and stored in an image
memory, the magnetic head is moved to an inner track where the second
field is recorded so as to reproduce the second field. The frame
reproduction mode is realized upon repetition of the reading operation of
the video signal of the first field from the image memory, and the
reproduction/output operation of the video signal of the second field from
the inner track. Therefore, when the frame reproduction mode is executed
using the field head, the inner track number is displayed for a longer
period of time.
In this manner, the apparatuses using the in-line head and the field head
have different track numbers to be displayed in the frame recording (or
reproduction) mode. This unnecessarily confuses a user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image reproduction
apparatus in consideration of the above-mentioned situation.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an image
reproduction apparatus having improved operability.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an image
reproduction apparatus, with which a plurality of images can be visually
observed at high speed.
In order to achieve the above objects, according to one preferred aspect of
the present invention, there is disclosed an image reproduction apparatus,
which has a full display function for displaying one still image
reproduced from a recording medium on a full screen, and a multi
reproduction function for simultaneously displaying a plurality of still
images reproduced from the recording medium, comprising first designation
means for designating the multi reproduction function, switching means for
switching between a first changing mode and a second changing mode, and
control means for, when the first changing mode is selected,
multi-reproducing a predetermined number of images following images
displayed in the multi-reproduction function, and for, when the second
changing mode is selected, multi-reproducing a predetermined number of
images preceding images displayed in the multi-reproduction function.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a
reproduction apparatus allowing a high-quality print operation.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a
reproduction apparatus which does not unnecessarily confuse a user.
Other objects and features of the present invention will be apparent from
the following description of the embodiment of the present invention taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an arrangement according to the first
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front view of a wireless remote controller 36 shown in FIG. 1;
FIGS. 3A to 3D show display examples of a track number;
FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an operation in response to an operation of
a power ON/OFF key 40;
FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an operation in response to an operation of
a four-picture display key 42;
FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an operation in response to an operation of
track feed keys 44;
FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an operation in response to an operation of
cursor moving keys 46;
FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an operation in response to an operation of
a ten-key pad 48;
FIG. 9 shows a display example in response to the operation of the ten-key
pad in a full-screen display mode;
FIGS. 10A and 10B show display examples in response to the operation of the
ten-key pad in a four-picture display mode;
FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an operation in response to an operation of
an access key 50;
FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a track number display operation;
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an arrangement according to the second
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 14 is a front view of a wireless remote controller 112 shown in FIG.
13;
FIGS. 15A to 15C are explanatory views showing a transition state of
display modes;
FIGS. 16A to 16C are explanatory views of a full display mode, a
four-picture display mode, and a 25-picture display mode;
FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing an arrangement according to the third
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing a frame recording operation; and
FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing a frame reproduction operation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an arrangement of an apparatus according
to the first embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus includes a
magnetic disc 10 called a still video floppy, a motor 12 for rotating the
magnetic disc 10, a reproduction head 14, and a head travelling device 16
for travelling the reproduction head in the radial direction of the
magnetic disc 10.
The apparatus also includes a preliminary treatment circuit 18 for
executing preliminary treatments (e.g., amplification, clamping,
high-frequency removal, demodulation, deemphasis, and the like) of the
output from the reproduction head 14, an A/D converter 20 for converting
an analog output from the preliminary treatment circuit 18 into a digital
signal, a compression circuit 22 for thinning out the output data from the
A/D converter 20 to 1/2 in, e.g., both the horizontal and vertical
directions, a frame memory 24 for storing output data from the A/D
converter 20 or the compression circuit 22, a D/A converter 26 for
converting image data read out from the frame memory 24 into an analog
signal, an after treatment circuit 28 for executing after treatments
(e.g., high-frequency removal, amplification, buffering, superimposing of
an image such as a cursor, a track number, or the like (to be described
later), and the like) of the output from the D/A converter 26, and a
monitor device 30 for visually displaying the output from the after
treatment circuit 28.
The apparatus further includes a system control circuit 32 having an
internal submemory 34 for storing, e.g., reproduction track numbers (e.g.,
track numbers of tracks where images reproduced and displayed on small
frames of the monitor device are respectively recorded), a wireless remote
controller (to be simply referred to as a controller hereinafter) 36 for
supplying instructions to the system control circuit 32, and a reception
circuit 38 for receiving a radio signal from the controller 36, and
transferring it to the system control circuit 32.
FIG. 2 shows the operation panel surface of the controller 36. The
operation panel is provided with a power ON/OFF key 40, a four-picture
display key 42, track feed keys 44 including four forward feed keys and
four reverse feed keys corresponding to four small frames in a
four-picture display mode, cursor moving keys 46 for moving a cursor on
the monitor screen in the vertical and horizontal directions, a ten-key
pad 48 including "0" to "9" keys, and an access key 50 for instructing
reproduction of a track designated by one of the track feed keys 44, the
cursor moving keys 46, or the ten-key pad 48. The detailed operations of
the system control circuit 32 in response to the operations of these keys
will be described later.
FIGS. 3A to 3D show display examples when a given video signal is
frame-recorded on tracks #10 and #11 of the magnetic disc 10, and the
reproduced video signal is displayed on the monitor device 30. FIG. 3A
shows a case wherein the video signal is field-reproduced, and is
displayed on the full screen (i.e., in the full-screen reproduction mode).
FIG. 3B shows a case wherein the video signal is frame-reproduced, and is
displayed on the full screen. FIG. 3C shows a case wherein the video
signal is field-reproduced, and is displayed in the four-picture display
mode. FIG. 3D shows a case wherein the video signal is frame-reproduced,
and is displayed in the four-picture display mode. In the full-screen
reproduction mode, "10" or "10-11" on the upper left corner indicates the
number of the reproduced track. In the four-picture display mode, "10" or
"10-11" near the center of the screen also indicates the number of the
reproduced track. In the four-picture display mode, a mark "*" is a cursor
for designating a small frame of interest.
FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the system control circuit
32 in response to the power ON/OFF key 40. Upon connection of a power
supply line, the system control circuit 32 and the reception circuit 38
can operate with very low power consumption, and wait for an instruction
from the controller 36. When the power ON/OFF key 40 is depressed (S1),
the system control circuit 32 supplies power to the entire apparatus (S2),
and waits for mounting of the magnetic disc 10 as a recording medium (S3).
When the magnetic disc 10 is mounted (S3), the recording situation (the
presence/absence of recording, recording contents, field or frame
recording in the case of a video signal, and the like) of the magnetic
disc 10 is checked (S4). More specifically, the magnetic disc 10 is
rotated by the motor 12, and the reproduction head is sequentially fed
from the innermost track to the outermost track by the head travelling
device 16, thereby checking the recording situations of the respective
tracks.
When a track recorded with a video signal (to be referred to as a video
track hereinafter) is detected (S5), the reproduction head 14 is moved to
the outermost video track to reproduce a video signal therefrom. The
output from the reproduction head 14 is subjected to the preliminary
treatments by the preliminary treatment circuit 18, and is then converted
into a digital signal by the A/D converter 20. The digital signal is
frozen in the frame memory 24. Image data stored in the frame memory 24 is
read out at a video rate, and the readout data is converted into an analog
signal by the D/A converter 26. The analog signal is subjected to the
after treatments of the after treatment circuit 28, and is then supplied
to the monitor device 30.
While the video signal reproduced from the outermost video track is
displayed on the monitor device 30, the control waits for a key input
(S7). When the power ON/OFF key 40 is depressed (S8), or when the magnetic
disc 10 is ejected (S9), the power supply is turned off (S10).
When no video track is detected (S5), a message "no video recording" is
displayed (S11), and the power supply is turned off (S10) upon depression
of the power ON/OFF key 40 (S12). When the magnetic disc 10 is inserted,
i.e., replaced (S13), the flow returns to step S4 to check the recording
situation.
FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an operation when the four-picture display
key 42 is depressed during the key input waiting interval (S7). Upon
depression of the four-picture display key 42, it is checked if the
full-screen display mode or the four-picture display mode is selected
(S20). If the full-screen display mode is selected (for example, when the
four-screen display key 42 is depressed for the first time after the power
supply is turned on), a track on which a full-screen displayed image is
recorded is determined as a current track (S21). If the four-picture
display operation has already been executed (S20), i.e., if the
four-picture display key 42 is continuously operated (S22), a video track
next to a track on which the lower right-hand image in the four-picture
display mode is recorded is determined as a current track (S24); if the
four-picture display key 42 is not continuously operated (S22), a track,
on which an image where a cursor is located is recorded, is determined as
a current track (S23).
Successive four video tracks including the current track are reproduced,
and reproduced image data are written in the frame memory 24 in the order
of the upper left-hand, upper right-hand, lower left-hand, and lower
right-hand positions on the monitor screen (S25). The track numbers of the
images stored in the frame memory 24 are stored in a predetermined area of
the submemory 34 (S26).
The system control circuit 32 supplies an image signal of the cursor to the
after treatment circuit 28 to display the cursor on a split image at the
upper left-hand position on the monitor screen (S27). Similarly, as shown
in FIGS. 3C and 3D, the track numbers of the displayed four images, and
distinction between field recording (FI) and frame recording (FR) are
displayed on the small frames (S28).
Thereafter, the flow returns to step S7 to wait for a key input (S29).
According to the flow chart shown in FIG. 5, upon the continuous operation
of the four-picture display key 42, since the images are switched and
displayed in units of four frames like a set of photographs, the contents
of the magnetic disc 10 can be quickly and easily checked.
FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an operation when the forward and backward
track feed keys 44 are operated during the key input waiting interval
(S7). When the full-screen display mode is selected (S30), an image
recorded on a video track next to (in response to a forward feed key) or
preceding (in response to a backward feed key) a track on which the
currently displayed image is recorded is reproduced and displayed (S31).
When the four-picture display mode is selected (S30), in response to the
operation of the forward (or backward) feed key #1 for the upper left-hand
small frame (S32), an image on a video track next to (or preceding) a
track of an image displayed on the upper left-hand small frame is
reproduced on the basis of information in the submemory 34, and is
displayed on the upper left-hand small frame (S33). More specifically, an
image on the corresponding small frame is fed. Thereafter, the cursor is
moved to the upper left-hand small frame (S34).
Similarly, in response to the operation of the forward (or backward) feed
key #2 or #3 for the upper right-hand or lower left-hand small frame (S35
or S38), an image on the upper right-hand or lower left-hand small frame
is fed (S36 or S39), and the cursor is moved to the upper right-hand or
lower left-hand small frame (S37 or S40). When none of the forward (or
backward) feed keys #1, #2, and #3 are operated (S38), since the forward
(or backward) feed key #4 is operated, an image on the lower right-hand
small frame is fed (S41), and the cursor is moved to the lower right-hand
small frame (S42).
After step S31, 34, 37, 40, or 42, the displayed track number is updated
(S43), and the flow returns to step S7 to wait for a key input (S44).
FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an operation when the cursor moving keys 46
are operated. When the full-screen display mode is selected (S50), the key
input is ignored, and the flow returns to step S7 to wait for a key input
(S58). More specifically, the cursor moving keys 46 are effective only in
the four-picture display mode. In the four-picture display mode (S50), the
cursor is moved upward or downward or to the right or left (S53, S54, S56,
or S57) according to the up, down, right or left cursor moving key and the
current cursor position (S51, S52, or S55). Thereafter, the flow returns
to step S7 to wait for a key input (S58).
When an image designated by the cursor in the four-picture display mode is
to be displayed in the full-screen display mode, the access key 50 can be
depressed. The operation at that time will be described later.
FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an operation when the ten-key pad 48 is
operated. In the full-screen display mode (S60), as shown in FIG. 9, an
arrow ".fwdarw." and a numerical value input by the ten-key pad are
displayed after the track number of the currently displayed image (S63),
and the flow returns to step S7 to wait for a key input (S64). FIG. 9
shows the monitor screen when an image frame-recorded on the tracks #10
and #11 is frame-reproduced, and the track #20 is designated by the
ten-key pad 48.
In the four-picture display mode (S60), it is checked if the displayed
image designated by the cursor is frame (FR) reproduced or field (FI)
reproduced (S61). If the image is FR-reproduced, the innermost track
number is deleted (S62); if the image is FI-reproduced, the arrow
".fwdarw." and a numerical value input by the ten-key pad are displayed
after the currently displayed track number without deleting the innermost
track number (S63). Thereafter, the flow returns to step S7 to wait for a
key input (S64).
FIGS. 10A and 10B show display examples on the monitor device. FIG. 10A
shows a display example before the ten-key pad 48 is operated, and FIG.
10B shows a display example after the ten-key pad 48 is operated. The
cursor indicated by the mark "*" is located in the upper left-hand small
frame, and an image frame-recorded on the tracks #10 and #11 is
frame-reproduced on this frame. When "20" is input using the ten-key pad
48, the displayed track number is changed from "10-11" to "10.fwdarw.20",
as shown in FIG. 10B.
In the key input waiting state after the ten-key pad 48 is operated, when
the access key 50 is depressed, an image is reproduced from a track of the
track number input using the ten-key pad, i.e., from the track #20, and is
displayed on the small frame where the cursor is located (i.e., the upper
left-hand small frame).
FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an operation in response to the operation
of the access key 50. It is checked if a ten-key input is made immediately
before the operation of the access key 50 (S70). If a ten-key input is
made (S70), it is checked if the full-screen or four-picture display mode
is selected (S71). If the four-picture display mode is selected, an image
recorded on the key-input track is reproduced and displayed on the small
frame where the cursor is located, and the content of the submemory 34 is
updated (S73). If the full-screen display mode is selected (S71), an image
recorded on the key-input track is reproduced, and is displayed in the
full-screen display mode (S74).
If no ten-key input is made immediately before the operation of the access
key 50 (S70), it is checked if the full-screen or four-picture display
mode is selected (S75). If the four-picture display mode is selected, an
image displayed on the small frame where the cursor is located is
displayed in the full-screen display mode. More specifically, the image
displayed on the small frame where the cursor is located is reproduced
from the magnetic disc 10 again, and the reproduced image data is stored
in the frame memory 24 without going through the compression circuit 22.
In the full-screen display mode, no operation is performed in response to
the operation of the access key 50.
Thereafter, the displayed track number is updated (S77), and the flow
returns to step S7 to wait for a key input (S78).
FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a track number display operation. The track
number is displayed, as shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D, according to the
full-screen or four-picture display mode (S80) and the FR- or
FI-reproduction mode. More specifically, when the full-screen display mode
is selected, and an image is field-recorded (S80, S81), the track number
is displayed, as shown in FIG. 3A (S82); when the full-screen display mode
is selected, and an image is frame-recorded (S80, S81), the track number
is displayed, as shown in FIG. 3B (S83); when the four-picture display
mode is selected, and an image is field-recorded (S80, S84), the track
number is displayed, as shown in FIG. 3C (S85); and when the four-picture
display mode is selected, and an image is frame-recorded (S80, S84), the
track number is displayed, as shown in FIG. 3D (S86).
In the above embodiment, the still video floppy has been exemplified.
However, the present invention can be applied to any other recording
media, including a solid-state memory such as a memory card, an optical
disk, a magnetooptical disk, and the like. The shape of the cursor is not
limited to a specific shape, but may have a cross shape, an arrow-like
shape, a rectangular shape, and the like. Alternatively, the cursor may
have a frame-like shape for surrounding one of the four small frames in
the four-picture display mode, or may be expressed in a specific color or
pattern. The number of images to be simultaneously displayed is not
limited to four.
As can be easily understood from the above description, according to this
embodiment, the recording position on a recording medium can be directly
designated for each image displayed in the multi-picture display mode.
More specifically, an operation for simultaneously displaying images
requested by a user in a multi-picture reproduction mode can be
simplified.
Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, images displayed in the
multi-picture reproduction mode can be simultaneously switched, and the
contents of the recording medium can be easily checked.
The second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with
reference to FIGS. 13 to 16C.
According to this embodiment, there is disclosed an apparatus comprising
image reproduction means for outputting an image signal representing a
multi-frame image consisting of a plurality of reproduced images, and
selectively superimposing means for selectively superimposing
predetermined display data on each of the plurality of reproduced images
constituting the multi-frame image represented by the image signal output
from the image reproduction means.
In this apparatus, the selective superimposing means can select whether or
not the predetermined display data such as a cursor or a track number is
superimposed on the image signal. When the image signal is printed or
recorded on another recording medium, an image without the cursor, or the
like can be printed or recorded.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a system according to the second
embodiment of the present invention. The system of this embodiment
includes a still video floppy reproduction apparatus 110, a wireless
remote controller (to be simply referred to as a controller hereinafter)
112 for remote-controlling the reproduction apparatus 110, a monitor
device 114 for displaying an image reproduced by the reproduction
apparatus 110, and a video printer 116. The video printer 116 has a print
switch 118 for instructing a print operation. The video printer 116
freezes an input video signal in its internal memory in response to the ON
operation of the print switch 118, color-separates the frozen video signal
to cyan, magenta, yellow, and black signals, and prints these signals on a
paper sheet.
The reproduction apparatus 110 includes a system control circuit 120 for
controlling the entire system, and a still video floppy reproduction
circuit 122 for reproducing data from a still video floppy, and outputting
a full-screen or multi-picture display image signal under the control of
the system control circuit 120. An adder 124 superimposes index
information such as a track number and distinction between field
reproduction and frame reproduction, and an image of a cursor from the
system control circuit 120 on the output from the still video floppy
reproduction circuit 122. A light receiving circuit 126 receives an
infrared-ray control signal from the controller 112, and supplies the
control signal to the system control circuit 120.
The still video floppy reproduction circuit 122 freezes a predetermined
number of reproduced images from the still video floppy in its internal
memory, and repetitively reads out the frozen image data from the internal
memory, thereby outputting the full-screen or multi-picture display video
signal.
FIG. 14 shows some of the operation switches of the controller 112. The
controller 112 is provided with a cursor key 130 for moving the cursor on
the monitor screen in the vertical and horizontal directions, a display
key 132 for turning on/off a display of the cursor and the track number, a
reproduction key 134 for instructing execution of reproduction, a full
display key 136 for displaying one reproduced image on the monitor device
114 in the full-screen display mode, a four-picture display key 138 for
simultaneously displaying four frames, and a 25-picture display key 140
for simultaneously displaying 25 frames. In addition, the controller 112
has track moving keys (forward and backward feed keys) for moving a track
from which data is to be reproduced, and the like.
FIGS. 15A to 15C are explanatory views of the display key 132 in the case
of the four-picture display mode. Upon operations of the display key 132,
a display of a cursor 150 (FIG. 15A), a display of the cursor 150 and a
track number 152 (FIG. 15B), and deletion of the cursor 150 and the track
number 152 (FIG. 15C) are circulated. The cursor 150 normally blinks.
The system control circuit 120 supplies the image of the cursor 150 to the
adder 124 at a timing corresponding to the position designated by the
cursor key 130 in an initial state. The adder 124 superimposes the image
of the cursor 150 on the output from the still video floppy reproduction
circuit 122. On the monitor screen, as shown in FIG. 15A, the cursor 150
is superimposed on the reproduced image. In this state, once the display
key 132 is operated, the system control circuit 120 supplies not only the
image of the cursor 150 but also a character display image of a reproduced
track number to the adder 124. On the monitor screen, as shown in FIG.
15B, the cursor 150 and the track number 152 are superimposed on the
reproduced image. When the display key 132 is operated once more, the
system control circuit 120 supplies neither the image of the cursor 150
nor the character display image of the reproduced track number to the
adder 124. Thus, a display on the monitor screen is switched, as shown in
FIG. 15C, so that the cursor 150 and the track number 152 are deleted, and
only the reproduced image is displayed.
FIGS. 16A to 16C show display examples on the display screen of the monitor
device 114. FIG. 16A shows a display example in the full-screen display
mode, FIG. 16B shows a display example in the four-picture display mode,
and FIG. 16C shows a display example in the 25-picture display mode.
When the full display key 136 on the controller 112 is turned on, the
control signal is supplied to the system control circuit 120 through the
receiving circuit 126, and the system control circuit 120 instructs the
still video floppy reproduction circuit 122 to output a video signal for
displaying one reproduced image (a reproduced image from one track in a
field recording mode; a reproduced image from two tracks for recording
first and second fields in a frame recording mode) in the full-screen
display mode. The output video signal is supplied to the monitor device
114, and the reproduced image is displayed on the full screen.
The image displayed in the full-screen display mode at this time is an
image located at the upper left-hand position in the multi-picture display
mode before the full display key 136 is operated, an image designated by
the cursor 150, or an image recorded on a track designated by the track
moving switch (not shown).
When the four-picture display key 138 on the controller 112 is turned on,
the control signal is supplied to the system control circuit 120 through
the receiving circuit 126. The still video floppy reproduction circuit 122
reproduces four images including an image displayed in the immediately
preceding full-screen display mode, an image at the upper left-hand
position in the 25-picture display mode, or an image where the cursor 150
is located in the order of tracks according to the control signal from the
system control circuit 120, and outputs a four-picture display video
signal to the monitor device 114. The monitor device 114 simultaneously
displays the four images, as shown in FIG. 16B.
Upon operation of the 25-picture display key 140, the monitor device 114
simultaneously displays 25 images, as shown in FIG. 16C. The still video
floppy has 50 tracks, and can record a maximum of 50 images since it
records a video signal for one field per track. Therefore, in the
25-picture display mode, half of the images recorded on one still video
floppy can be simultaneously confirmed.
An operation for printing an image displayed on the monitor device 114 by
the video printer 116 will be described below. When a user wants to see a
hard copy of an image displayed on the monitor device 114, he or she turns
on the print switch 118. The video printer 116 transmits a print request
control signal to the system control circuit 120, and the system control
circuit 120 stops supply of the images of the cursor 150 and the track
number 152 irrespective of the display mode selected by the display key
132. As a result, the video signal output from the reproduction apparatus
110 is a full-screen or multi-picture display video signal consisting of
only reproduced images.
The video printer 116 fetches the video signal output from the reproduction
apparatus 110 after an elapse of a time required for changing the
operation mode in the system control circuit 120 and the adder 124,
color-separates the video signal to cyan, magenta, yellow, and black
signals, and prints these signals in units of color components. For
example, in the four-picture display mode, an image, which includes
neither of the images of the cursor 150 nor the track number 152, and
consists of only a reproduced image, as shown in FIG. 15C, can be printed.
Since the monitor device 114 receives the same video signal as that
supplied to the video printer 116, the print content can be checked on the
display screen of the monitor device 114.
In the above embodiment, the four-picture display mode has been
exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this, but
may be applied to a 16 (=4.times.4) frame display mode or a 25
(=5.times.5) frame display mode.
In the print operation, for example, when a print start switch of the
printer 116 is turned on, or when the reproduction apparatus 110 is
connected to the printer 116, the output from the reproduction circuit 122
may be directly supplied to the video printer 116 while bypassing the
adder 124. Such a circuit including a selective bypass circuit and the
adder 124 is also included in the selective superimposing means. With this
arrangement, a reproduced image which includes neither of the images of
the cursor 150 nor the track number 152, can be printed, and the quality
of the printed image can be improved. On the other hand, in the monitor
output operation, since the cursor and/or the track number are displayed,
the above-mentioned full-screen display mode can be instructed while
observing the monitor screen, resulting in convenience.
The still video floppy has been exemplified as an image recording medium.
However, the present invention can be applied to various other recording
media such as a solid-state memory, an optical disk, a magnetooptical
disk, and the like. The shape of the cursor 150 is not limited to a
specific shape, but may have a cross shape, an arrow-like shape, a
rectangular shape, and the like. Alternatively, the cursor may have a
frame-like shape for surrounding one of the four small frames in the
multi-picture display mode, or may be expressed in a specific color or
pattern.
As can be easily understood from the above description, according to this
embodiment, a display of a cursor, a track number, and the like can be
selectively turned on/off, and a print image without including images of
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