Recording operation control device

• US 5,640,203 A
• Filed: 02/15/1995
• Issued: 06/17/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: PENTAX RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD.
• Original Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Wakui, Yoshio
• Primary Examiner(s): GARBER, WENDY RAE
• Application Number:
  US08/389,238
• Time in Patent Office: 853 Days
• Field of Search: 348/231, 348/233, 358/335, 358/906, 360/33.1
• US Class Current: 348/231.8
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 using still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2137 with temporary storage before final recording, e.g. in a frame buffer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2158 using a detachable storage unit
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/212 Selecting different recording or reproducing modes, e.g. high or low resolution, field or frame
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/214 Checking or indicating the storage space
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/216 Arrangements for recording on different types of storage medium, e.g. IC card or magnetic tape; Recording on a plurality of storage media
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 358/906 Hand-held camera with recorder in a single unit

Abstract

A recording operation control device has a plurality of slot units in which, for example, an IC memory card is mounted. IN a plural record mode, the same image signal is recorded to a plurality of IC memory cards through the slot units. An output voltage of a battery applied to the slot units is detected. When the output voltage of a battery is greater than or equal to a reference voltage in the plural record mode, the slot units are controlled in such a manner that the image signal is simultaneously recorded to the IC memory cards. When the output voltage is less than the reference voltage, the slot units are controlled in such a manner that the image signal is sequentially recorded to each of the IC memory cards.

Claims

1. A device for controlling a recording operation of a still video camera in which a plurality of recording mediums can be mounted, said device comprising:

means for recording an image signal corresponding to an object to at least one of said plurality of recording mediums; and

means for controlling said recording means, by a single recording operation, in accordance with a single record mode, in which said image signal is recorded to one of said plurality of recording mediums, or a plural record mode, in which said image signal is identically recorded in said plurality of recording mediums.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said recording means records said image signal simultaneously to said plurality of recording mediums when said still video camera is set to said plural record mode.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said recording means records said image signal sequentially to said plurality of recording mediums when said still video camera is set to said plural record mode.

4. A device according to claim 1, further comprising means for sensing an output voltage of a power source applying said output voltage to said recording means, said control means controlling said recording means in accordance with said output voltage.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein said plural record mode includes a simultaneous record mode in which said recording means records said image signal to said plurality of recording mediums at the same time, and a sequential record mode in which said recording means records said image signal sequentially to said plurality of recording mediums, said control means setting said simultaneous record mode when said output voltage is at least equal to a reference voltage, and setting said sequential record mode when said output voltage is less than said reference voltage.

6. A device according to claim 5, further comprising:

means for detecting a consumption current required for recording said image signal to each of said plurality of recording mediums;

means for calculating a sum of each of said consumption currents,

said control means setting said simultaneous record mode or said sequential record mode in accordance with said sum of each of said consumption currents.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein said control means sets said simultaneous record mode when said output voltage is at least equal to an amount corresponding to said sum, and sets said sequential record mode when said output voltage is less than an amount corresponding to said sum.

8. A device according to claim 6, wherein said recording mediums are of the same type.

9. A device according to claim 1, wherein said recording medium is selectively attachable to and detachable from said still video camera.

10. A device for controlling a recording operation of a still video camera, said device comprising:

a plurality of slot units, a recording medium being mountable in each slot unit; and

a control unit that controls said plurality of slot units to record an image signal corresponding to an object to at least one recording medium,

said control unit actuating one of said plurality of slot units to record said image signal to one recording medium, or actuating more than one slot unit to record said image signal to more than one recording medium.