Imaging and recording apparatus

• US 6,677,989 B1
• Filed: 01/12/2000
• Issued: 01/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Wakabayashi, Manabu, Itoh, Shigeyuki, Aizawa, Iwao
• Primary Examiner(s): Garber, Wendy R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rosendale, Matthew L
• Application Number:
  US09/481,598
• Time in Patent Office: 1,462 Days
• Field of Search: 348/207.1, 348/207.11, 348/231.2, 348/207.99
• US Class Current: 348/207.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00541 with detachable image reading apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00925 Inhibiting an operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00973 from a remote device, e.g. receiving via the internet instructions input to a computer terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 using still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0015 Control of image communication with the connected apparatus, e.g. signalling capability
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0048 Type of connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0049 By wire, cable or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0074 Arrangements for the control of a still picture apparatus by the connected apparatus arrangements for the control of the connected apparatus by the still picture apparatus H04N2201/0013; control of image communication with the connected apparatus H04N2201/0015
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/214 Checking or indicating the storage space
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3298 Checking or indicating the storage space

Abstract

An electric camera includes an imaging device which converts an optical image focused thereon into an electric signal, a first memory which stores the electric signal, a compressor which generates compressed image data from the electric signal stored in the first memory, a second memory which stores the compressed image data, a decompressor which generates an electric signal from the compressed image data stored in the second memory, a progressive selection switch which directs the progress of reproducing an image on a monitor, a connector which is able to connect the camera with an external device, and a control circuit. The control circuit controls writing operations of the second memory according to an external data access from the external device and reading operations of the second memory according to an internal data access which occurred by an operation of the progressive selection switch. Further, the control circuit inhibits writing operations of the second memory according to an external data access independent of an external access direction from the external access device when the internal data is being executed.

Claims

1. An electric camera comprising:

an imaging device which converts an optical image focused thereon into an electric signal;

a first memory which stores said electric signal;

a compressor which generates compressed image data from said electric signal stored in said first memory;

a second memory which stores said compressed image data;

a decompressor which generates an electric signal from said compressed image data stored in said second memory;

a progressive selection switch which directs progress of a reproducing image on a monitor;

a connector for coupling the electric camera with an external device; and

a control circuit which controls writing operations of said second memory according to an external data access from the external device and reading operations of said second memory according to an internal data access which occurred by operation of said progressive selection switch and which inhibits writing operations of said second memory according to an external data access independent of an external access direction from the external device when the internal data access is being executed.