Still video camera with a playback function and sound recording feature

• US 5,146,353 A
• Filed: 11/20/1990
• Issued: 09/08/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Konica Corporation (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Konica Corporation (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Inventors: Isoguchi, Seiichi, Ohta, Yoshitaka, Tsuchida, Masaaki, Tamura, Tomoaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Razavi, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): GARBER, WENDY RAE
• Application Number:
  US07/616,100
• Time in Patent Office: 658 Days
• Field of Search: 358/906, 358/209, 358/210, 358/409, 354/219, 360/35.1
• US Class Current: 386/225
• 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: H04N 2201/0075 by a user operated remote control device, e.g. receiving instructions from a user via a computer terminal or mobile telephone handset
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0077 Types of the still picture apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3264 of sound signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/9204 using frequency division multiplex
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 358/906 Hand-held camera with recorder in a single unit

Abstract

A still video camera provided with a mode selector to select an operation mode, a trigger generator to generate a trigger signal and a video recorder to record a visual image of the subject and to reproduce the recorded image. When the record-play mode is selected by the mode selector, the video recorder responds to the trigger signal from the trigger generator to record a frame of the visual image of the subject. The recorded frame of the visual image of the subject is then played back. This sequence can be repeated at the direction of the operator, at predetermined time intervals, or in response to a sound amplitude greater than a predetermined level. The still video camera is also capable of recording and playing back sound to accompany the still picture.

Claims

1. A still video camera, comprising:

selecting means for selecting an operation mode from a plurality of operation modes including a record-play mode;

trigger means for generating a trigger signal which automatically repeats at selected predetermined time intervals; and

video means responsive to each trigger signal for recording a frame of a subject image and playing back the recorded frame of the subject image subsequent to each recording at times when the record-play mode is selected.

2. The still video camera of claim 1, wherein the trigger means generates the trigger signal in response to a sound amplitude level greater than a predetermined amplitude level.

3. The still video camera of claim 1, further comprising:

a remote controlling means for generating and transmitting a remote control signal; and

a receiving means for receiving and applying the remote control signal to the trigger means, whereby the trigger means generates the trigger signal in response to the remote control signal.

4. The still video camera of claim 1, further comprising:

an audio recording means for recording and playing back an audible signal synchronized with the recording and playing back of the subject image

5. The still video camera of claim 2, further comprising:

a remote controlling means for generating and transmitting a remote control signal; and

a receiving means for receiving and applying the remote control signal to the trigger means, whereby the trigger means generates the trigger signal in response to the remote control signal.

6. A still video camera, comprising:

selecting means for selecting an operation mode from a plurality of operation modes including a record-play mode;

trigger means for generating a trigger signal in response to a sound amplitude level greater than a predetermined amplitude level;

video means responsive to each trigger signal for recording a frame of a subject image and playing back the recorded frame of the subject image subsequent to each recording at times when the record-play mode has been selected; and

audio recording means for recording and playing back an audible signal synchronized with the recording a playing back of the subject image.

7. The still video camera of claim 6, wherein the trigger means generates the trigger signal at selected predetermined time intervals.

8. The still video camera of claim 7, further comprising:

a remote controlling means for generating and transmitting a remote control signal; and

a receiving means for receiving and applying the remote control signal to the trigger means, whereby the trigger means generates the trigger signal in response to the remote control signal.

9. The still video camera of claim 6, further comprising:

a remote controlling means for generating and transmitting a remote control signal; and

a receiving means for receiving and applying the remote control signal to the trigger means, whereby the trigger means generates the trigger signal in response to the remote control signal.

10. A still video camera, comprising:

selecting means for selecting an operation mode from a plurality of operation modes including a record-play mode;

trigger means for generating a trigger signal generating the trigger signal in response to a sound amplitude level greater than a predetermined amplitude level; and

video means responsive to each trigger signal for recording a frame of a subject image and playing back the recorded frame of the subject image subsequent to each recording at times when the record-play mode has been selected.

11. The still video camera of claim 10, further comprising a remote controlling means for generating and transmitting a remote control signal;

and

a receiving means for receiving and applying the remote control signal to the trigger means, whereby the trigger means generates the trigger signal in response to the remote control signal.

12. A still video camera, comprising:

selecting means for selecting an operator mode from a plurality of operation modes including a record-play mode;

trigger means for generating a trigger signal at selected time intervals in response to a sound amplitude level greater than a predetermined amplitude level; and

video means responsive to each trigger signal for recording a frame of a subject image and playing back the recorded frame of the subject image subsequent to each recording at times when the record-play mode is selected.