Recording operation control device

• US 5,986,700 A
• Filed: 09/20/1996
• Issued: 11/16/1999
• 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
• Assistant Examiner(s): Martin, Andrew D.
• Application Number:
  US08/717,189
• Time in Patent Office: 1,152 Days
• Field of Search: 348/231, 348/260, 348/233, 348/372, 386/117, 358/909.1, 358/906, 360/69, 360/61
• 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 device for controlling a recording operation of a still video camera includes a plurality of slot units, with a recording medium mounted in each of the plurality of slot units. A power supply circuit applies a voltage to the plurality of slot units to record an image signal to the recording medium through the plurality of slot units. A mechanism detects a remaining capacity of a recording medium to which an image signal is being recorded by one of the plurality of slot units. A control circuit controls the power supply circuit in such a manner than, when the remaining capacity reaches a predetermined amount while an image signal is being recorded through one of the plurality of slot units, a voltage is applied to another slot unit through which said image signal is not being recorded.

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:

first means for recording an image signal to a recording medium;

second means for recording said image signal to a recording medium, said first and second recording means being able to record said image signal when a voltage is applied thereto;

means for applying a voltage to said first and second recording means;

means for detecting a remaining recordable capacity of a recording medium to which an image signal is being recorded by said first or second recording means; and

,

means for controlling said applying means in such a manner that, when said remaining recordable capacity reaches a predetermined amount greater than zero while said first recording means is recording an image signal, a voltage is applied to said second recording means.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein each of said first and second recording means operates in a continuous record mode in which image signals are continually recorded to said recording medium frame by frame at a constant time interval.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined amount comprises a recording capacity corresponding to a number of frames recorded by said first recording means from when said voltage is applied to said second recording means until when said second recording means becomes able to record an image signal in said continuous record mode.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein, when said first recording medium is recorded up to a maximum capacity thereof, said control means controls said applying means to stop applying said voltage to said first recording medium.

5. A device according to claim 1, further comprising means for outputting a reset pulse for resetting one of said first and second recording medium to a recordable state when said applying means applies a voltage to said one of first and second recording means.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein said recording mediums are of the same type.

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

9. The device of claim 5, wherein said reset pulse is output when a predetermined time has passed after said applying means applies said voltage to said one of said first and second recording means.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein said control means controls said applying means to stop applying said voltage to another of said first and second recording means in response to said output of said reset pulse.

8. 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 of said plurality of slot units;

a power supply circuit applying a voltage to said plurality of slot units to record an image signal to said recording medium through said plurality of slot units;

means for detecting a remaining capacity of a recording medium to which an image signal is being recorded by one of said plurality of slot units; and

,

a control circuit that controls said power supply circuit in such a manner than, when said remaining capacity reaches a predetermined amount greater than zero while an image signal is being recorded through one of said plurality of slot units, a voltage is applied to another slot unit through which said image signal is not being recorded.