Memory cartridge and digital electronic still video camera in which said memory cartridge is freely loadable/unloadable

• US 4,887,161 A
• Filed: 05/27/1988
• Issued: 12/12/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co Limited (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Shimanuki, Koji, Watanabe, Mikio, Nishi, Seiki
• Primary Examiner(s): Ng, Jin F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Brinich, Stephen
• Application Number:
  US07/199,705
• Time in Patent Office: 564 Days
• Field of Search: 358/209, 358/909, 358/44, 358/224, 358/906, 364/167.1, 364/900, 360/33.1
• US Class Current: 348/231.7
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00397 Switches, knobs or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0044 for image preview or review, e.g. to help the user position a sheet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00458 Sequential viewing of a plurality of images, e.g. browsing or scrolling
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00496 Constructional details of the interface or console not otherwise provided for, e.g. rotating or tilting means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 using still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2125 Display of information relating to the still picture recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2129 Recording in, or reproducing from, a specific memory area or areas, or recording or reproducing at a specific moment
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2158 using a detachable storage unit
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 358/906 Hand-held camera with recorder in a single unit

Abstract

A memory cartridge having a semiconductor memory for storing digital image data is provided with a D/A converter for converting digital image data read out of the memory into an analog video signal, and a display device for displaying an image represented by this video signal provided in a first embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment, a memory cartridge having a semiconductor image memory for storing a plurality of frames of digital image data is provided with an image display device and a frame feed switch. Predetermined image data is read out of the image memory and the image represented by the data is displayed on the display device. Displayed images are shifted sequentially in response to imputs from the frame feed switch. Also disclosed is a digital still video camera which includes a memory cartridge having the display device that may be loaded. The camera has an opening which allows an image displayed on the display device to be seen from the outside when the cartridge is loaded in the camera. If the camera is arranged so that a picture just imaged by the camera is displayed on the display device, the user can check whether the desired picture has been properly taken. This arrangement also allows the display device to be utilized as a viewfinder.

Claims

1. An apparatus for storing and displaying an image, comprising:

a digital still video camera for developing digital video signals representative of the image; and

a cartridge for storing and displaying said digital video signals of the image including,

connection means for selectively connecting said cartridge to said digital still video camera,

memory means for storing said digital video signals of the image received through said connection means,

converting means for converting said digital video signals of the image from said memory means to analog video signals,

display means for displaying the image responsive to said analog video signals, and

power means for supplying power to said cartridge.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said memory means comprises a semiconductor memory.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said power means comprises a solar battery for driving said display means.

4. An apparatus for storing a plurality of frames of image data and selectively displaying an image corresponding to one of the plurality of frames of the image data, comprising:

a still video camera for developing the image data; and

a cartridge for storing a plurality of frames of image data in a predetermined sequence and selectively displaying one of the plurality of frames including,

connection means for selectively connecting said cartridge to said still video camera,

memory means for storing the plurality of frames in said predetermined sequence,

frame selection means for selecting the image data corresponding to one of the plurality of frames,

control means for reading the image data of said one frame from said memory means in response to said frame selection means,

display means for displaying the image data of said one frame, and

power means for supplying power to said cartridge.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said power means comprises a solar battery for driving said display means.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said memory means comprises a semiconductor memory.

7. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said frame selection means comprises a frame feed switch for shifting the plurality of frames of image data displayed on said display means sequentially in a forward direction or reverse direction of said predetermined sequence.

8. An apparatus for storing and displaying an image, comprising:

a still video camera for developing video signals representative of the image; and

a cartridge for storing and displaying said video signals of the image including,

connection means for selectively connecting said cartridge to said still video camera,

memory means for storing said video signals of the image received through said connection means,

display means for displaying the image in response to said video signals being read from said memory means, and

power means for supplying power to said cartridge;

said still video camera having means for loading said cartridge, said means for loading said cartridge having an opening for viewing said display means of said cartridge.