Recording and/or reproducing apparatus

• US 6,229,954 B1
• Filed: 03/12/1996
• Issued: 05/08/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Sakaegi, Yuji, Suzuki, Masao, Yamagami, Taku
• Primary Examiner(s): Chevalier, Robert
• Application Number:
  US08/614,041
• Time in Patent Office: 1,883 Days
• Field of Search: 358/335, 358/342, 358/341, 358/343, 358/909.1, 358/906, 348/207, 260/19.1, 260/32, 260/33.1, 386/117, 386/118, 386/38, 386/107, 386/46
• US Class Current: 386/200
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00236 using an image reading or reproducing device, e.g. a facsimile reader or printer, as a local input to or local output from a computer image input to or image output from a computer via a network H04N1/00209
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00241 using an image reading device as a local input to a computer input via network, e.g. network scanners H04N1/00225
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 using still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2158 using a detachable storage unit
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0034 Details of the connection, e.g. connector, interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0077 Types of the still picture apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/617 Upgrading or updating of programs or applications for camera control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/772 the recording apparatus and the television camera being placed in the same enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/781 on disks or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/9261 involving data reduction

Abstract

A recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes an optical system arranged to form an optical image, a photo-electric conversion part arranged to convert the optical imaged into an electrical signal, an A/D conversion circuit arranged to convert the electrical signal and/or an audio signal into a digital signal, a connector arranged to permit mounting and demounting a recording medium on which the digital signal obtained from the A/D conversion circuit is to be recorded, and a signal processing part for processing and converting the digital signal. The signal processing part is arranged to be mountable and demountable on and from the apparatus.

Claims

1. A recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprising:

a) an optical system arranged to form an optical image;

b) photo-electric conversion means for converting the optical image formed by said optical system into an electrical signal;

c) A/D conversion means for converting the electrical signal into a digital signal;

d) recording and/or reproducing card unit arranged for mounting and demounting directly on or from said recording and/or reproducing apparatus through a signal interface and including a recording medium on which the digital signal obtained from said A/D conversion means is to be recorded and reproduced; and

e) signal processing card unit having a program memory, a CPU and a BIOS memory for processing said digital signal to generate image signals, wherein said signal processing card unit being arranged to be directly mountable and demountable on and from said recording and/or reproducing apparatus and having a signal interface for controlling an operation of said program memory in accordance with a command of an external control apparatus.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording medium includes a semiconductor memory.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said signal processing card unit includes first communication means for communication with an external computer.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said signal processing card unit further includes second communication means for communication with a computer disposed within said recording and/or reproducing apparatus.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said signal processing card unit includes compressing means for compressing an input digital signal.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said first and second communication means is so arranged that said external computer can control an operation of said photo-electrical conversion means through said first and second communication means.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said signal processing unit is arranged in conformity with the specifications of the PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card Internal Association).

8. A recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprising:

a) conversion means for generating an electrical output signal indicative of an object image;

b) card memory for direct mounting on and demounting from said recording and/or reproducing apparatus; and

c) extended card having a program memory, a CPU, and a BIOS memory for direct mounting on and demounting from said recording and/or reproducing apparatus and having a signal interface for controlling an operation of said program memory according to a control signal from an external computer.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said expansion card is arranged in conformity with the specifications of the PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card Internal Association).

10. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said card memory memorizes an image signal.

11. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said card memory memorizes a program.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said card memory has means for transferring the program in the card memory to the extended card.

13. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the extended card processes picked-up image signal on the basis of the program in the program memory.

14. A recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprising:

a) conversion means for generating an electrical output signal indicative of an object image; and

b) extended card having a program memory, a CPU, and a BIOS memory for direct mounting on and demounting from said recording and/or reproducing apparatus and having a signal interface for controlling an operation of said program memory according to a control signal from an external computer, said extended card further having means for controlling an operation of the conversion means.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein a card memory different from the extended card is attachable.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said card memory memorizes an image signal.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said card memory has means for transferring the program in the card memory to the extended card.

18. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the extended card processes picked-up image signal on the basis of the program in the program memory.