Digital camcorder

• US 7,106,954 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2001
• Issued: 09/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Yatsugi, Tomishige, Nagayama, Keiji, Inoue, Hisashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Groody, James J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Onuaku, Christopher
• Application Number:
  US09/793,528
• Publication Number:
  US 20010006579A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,023 Days
• Field of Search: 386/46, 386 68- 70, 386/109, 386/111, 386/120, 386/121, 386/97, 386/5, 386/38, 386/95, 386/112, 348/220.1, 348/552, 348/231.4, 348/222.1, 348/231.1, 348/231.5, 348/234, 715/723, 360/27, 360/72.2, 358/909.1, 358/906, 345/530
• US Class Current: 386/230
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/20 Disc-shaped record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/61 wherein solid state memory is used for storing A/V content storing computer data in solid state memories G06F
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/11 by using information not detectable on the record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/36 Monitoring, i.e. supervising the progress of recording or reproducing for digital recording G11B20/00 and s.gr.; for monitoring, testing or measuring of TV recorders of the type covered by H04N5/76 and subgroups, see H04N17/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00442 Simultaneous viewing of a plurality of images, e.g. using a mosaic display arrangement of thumbnails
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 using still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/212 Motion video recording combined with still video recording television signal recording H04N5/76
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2125 Display of information relating to the still picture recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/215 Recording a sequence of still pictures, e.g. burst mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2158 using a detachable storage unit
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32122 in a separate device, e.g. in a memory or on a display separate from image data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32128 attached to the image data, e.g. file header, transmitted message header, information on the same page or in the same computer file as the image for information embedded in the image H04N1/32144
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/214 Checking or indicating the storage space
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/218 Deletion of stored data; Preventing such deletion
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3214 of a date
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3215 of a time or duration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3243 : of type information, e.g. handwritten or text document
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3252 : Image capture parameters, e.g. resolution, illumination conditions, orientation of the image capture device H04N2201/3256 and subgroups take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3264 : of sound signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3273 : Display
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3295 : Deletion of stored data; Preventing such deletion
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/951 : by using two or more images to influence resolution, frame rate or aspect ratio
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/445 : for displaying additional information H04N5/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 : Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/77 : between a recording apparatus and a television camera
• 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 5/783 : Adaptations for reproducing at a rate different from the recording rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/907 : using static stores, e.g. storage tubes or semiconductor memories H04N5/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/7921 : for more than one processing mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8042 : involving data reduction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8045 : using predictive coding
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8047 : using transform coding
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8205 : involving the multiplexing of an additional signal and the colour video signal

Abstract

A digital image and speech recording and reproducing apparatus is arranged to quickly and simply retrieve, classify, and erase a great deal of data for improving the operativity in small-sized equipment. The apparatus includes a recording and reproducing unit for a moving image signal, a recording and reproducing unit for a still image signal, a recording and reproducing unit for a digital speech signal operated in synchronous to the image, a display for displaying the image for said moving image signal or said still image signal, a recording condition recording unit for recording recording conditions containing data information about recorded data for distinguishing said moving image from said still image and recording time information for recording an image or a speech. The recording conditions consisting of at least the data information and the recording time information about the recorded data are graphically and literarily displayed on the display, so that the recorded data item may be selected on the display screen.

Claims

1. An imaging apparatus comprising:

an imaging module which converts an object image into an electric signal;

a recording module which records an output signal of said imaging module on a recording medium;

a display module which displays a plurality of reduced images of said recorded output signal on a single screen, wherein said display module, when erasure of at least a selected one of the displayed reduced images is prohibited, displays on the single screen in correspondence with the selected one of the displayed reduced images that erase prohibition is set while the plurality of reduced images are displayed on the single screen.

2. An imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording module records information indicating whether the erasure of the recording signal is prohibited or not.

3. An imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said output signal is recorded as being erasable while recording the output signal.

4. An imaging apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising:

an operation module for operating a function of prohibiting erasure of said recorded output signal,

wherein said operation module permits selecting of said recorded output signal corresponding to the selected displayed reduced image and setting the selected output signal as being erasure prohibited or erasable.

5. An imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said information for indicating whether the erasure of said output signal is prohibited or not is recorded in an independent file related to said output signal.

6. An imaging apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising:

an operation module for operating a function of prohibiting erasure of said recorded output signal,

wherein said operation module permits selecting of said recorded signal corresponding to the selected displayed reduced image and setting the selected output signal as being erasure prohibited or erasable.

7. An imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said recording module records a plurality of output signals on said recording medium, and said display module displays reduced images of each of said signals recorded on said recording medium on the single screen, and displays that there is a setting of erasure prohibition to at least the selected one of the reduced images of the output signals for which erasure is prohibited.

8. An imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said display of erasure prohibition setting is a key mark.

9. An imaging apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:

an operation module for operating a function of prohibiting erasure of said recorded output signal,

wherein said operation module permits selecting of said recorded output signal corresponding to the selected displayed reduced image and setting the selected output signal as being erasure prohibited or erasable.

10. An imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said recording module records a plurality of output signals on said recording medium, and said display module displays reduced images of each of said signals recorded on said recording medium on the single screen, and displays that there is a setting of erasure prohibition to at least the selected one of the reduced images of the output signals for which erasure is prohibited.

11. An imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said display of erasure prohibition setting is a key mark.

12. An imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said output signal is recorded as being erasable while recording the output signal.

13. An imaging apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising:

an operation module for operating a function of prohibiting erasure of said recorded output signal,

wherein said operation module permits selecting of said recorded output signal corresponding to the selected displayed reduced image and setting the selected output signal as being erasure prohibited or erasable.

14. An imaging apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said recording module records a plurality of output signals on said recording medium, and said display module displays reduced images of each of said signals recorded on said recording medium on the single screen, and displays that there is a setting of erasure prohibition to at least the selected one of the reduced images of the output signals for which erasure is prohibited.

15. An imaging apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said display of erasure prohibition setting is a key mark.

16. An imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

an operation module for operating a function of prohibiting erasure of said recorded output signal,

wherein said operation module permits selecting of said recorded output signal corresponding to the selected displayed reduced image and setting the selected output signal as being erasure prohibited or erasable.

17. An imaging apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said recording module records a plurality of output signals on said recording medium, and said display module displays reduced images of each of said signals recorded on said recording medium on the single screen, and displays that there is a setting of erasure prohibition to at least the selected one of the reduced images of the output signals for which erasure is prohibited.

18. An imaging apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said display of erasure prohibition setting is a key mark.

19. An imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording module records a plurality of output signals on said recording medium, and said display module displays reduced images of each of said signals recorded on said recording medium on the single screen, and displays that there is a setting of erasure prohibition to at least the selected one of the reduced images of the output signals for which erasure is prohibited.

20. An imaging apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said plurality of output signals include both moving image and still image, said display module displays a symbol for classifying moving and still images together with said reduced image of said recorded moving picture and still picture on the single screen.

21. An imaging apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said display of erasure prohibition setting is a key mark.

22. An imaging apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said display of erasure prohibition setting is a key mark.

23. An imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said display of erasure prohibition setting is a key mark.

24. An imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said reduced images of said recorded output signal which are displayed are images which are reduced in size.

25. An imaging apparatus comprising:

an imaging module which converts an object image into an electric signal;

a recording module which records a plurality of output signals output from said imaging module on a recording medium; and

a display module which displays a plurality of reduced images of said recorded output signals on a single screen and which displays on the single screen setting of erasure prohibition setting which the plurality of reduced images are displayed on the single screen;

wherein a recorded output signal of a reduced image displayed with said erasure prohibited setting among said plurality of recorded output signals of the plurality of displayed images is prohibited to erase.

26. An imaging apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said reduced images of said recorded output signals which are displayed are images which are reduced in size.

27. An imaging apparatus comprising:

an imaging module for converting an object image into an electric signal;

a recording module for recording image data outputted from said imaging module on a recording medium;

an erasing module for erasing the image data recorded on said recording medium;

an erasure prohibition setting module for setting to prohibit said erasing module from erasing the image data recorded on said recording medium;

a displaying module for displaying respective reduced images of a plurality of image data recorded on said recording medium in a single screen; and

a control module for controlling said recording module using a file system, and also controlling said display module, when the plurality of image data recorded on said recording medium are displayed in the single screen, to display a mark indicating that erasure prohibition is set for the image data for which erasure prohibition is set by said erasure prohibition setting module.

28. The imaging apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said erasing module selects a desired reduced image from the reduced images of the plurality of image data recorded on said recording medium and being displayed in the single screen by said display module, and erases the image data corresponding to said selected reduced image.

29. The imaging apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said erase prohibition setting module selects a desired reduced image from the reduced images of the plurality of image data recorded on said recording medium and being displayed in the single screen by said display module, and sets to prohibit the erasure by said erasing module for the image data corresponding to said selected reduced image.

30. The imaging apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said erase prohibition setting module selects a desired reduced image from the reduced images of the plurality of image data recorded on said recording medium and being displayed in the single screen by said display module, and sets to prohibit the erasure by said erasing module for the image data corresponding to said selected reduced image.

31. An imaging apparatus according to claims 27, wherein said control module controls, when the image data is recorded, said erasure prohibition setting module to set to permit the erasure by said erasing module for said image data.

32. An imaging apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said control module controls said display module to display the remaining capacity of said recording medium.

33. An imaging apparatus according to claim 27, wherein:

said image data is a moving image data or a still image data; and

said control module controls said display module to display respective reduced images of the plurality of moving image or still image data in the single screen, and also to display a mark distinguishing a moving image and a still image.

34. An imaging apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said recording medium is a semiconductor memory.

35. An imaging apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said recording medium is a hard disk.

36. An imaging apparatus comprising:

an imaging module for converting an object image into an electric signal;

a recording module for recording the image data outputted from said imaging nodule on a recording medium;

a display module for displaying respective reduced images of a plurality of image data recorded on said recording medium in a single screen;

an erasing module for selecting one or more reduced images from the plurality of image data recorded on said recording medium and being displayed in the single screen by said display module, and erasing the image data corresponding to said selected reduced images;

an erasure prohibition setting module for setting to prohibit the erasure by the erasing module of the image data recorded on said recording medium; and

a control module for controlling said recording module using a file system, and also controlling said display module to display a mark indicating erasure prohibition being set in the single screen, when erasure prohibition is set by said erasure prohibition setting module;

wherein said erasure prohibition setting module selects a desired reduced image from the reduce images of the plurality of image data recorded on said recording medium and being displayed in the single screen, and sets erasure prohibition for the image data corresponding to said selected reduced image.

37. An imaging apparatus comprising:

an imaging module for converting an object image into an electric signal;

a recording module for recording the image data outputted from said imaging module on a recording medium;

a display module for displaying respective reduced images of a plurality of image data recorded on said recording medium in a single screen;

an erasing module for erasing the image data recorded on said recording medium;

an erasure prohibition setting module for selecting a desired reduced image from the reduced images of the plurality of image data recorded on said recording medium and being displayed in the single screen on said display module, and setting to prohibit the erasure by said erasing module of the image data corresponding to said selected reduced image; and

a control module for controlling said recording module using a file system, and also controlling said display module to display a mark indicating that erasure prohibition is set in the single screen when erasure prohibition is set by said erasure prohibition setting module.

38. An imaging apparatus according to claim 37, further comprising:

a function switch module for causing said display module to display a function selection display screen on which to select the erasure by said erasing module or the erasure prohibition set by said erasure prohibition setting module;

a selection switch module for selecting a desired reduced image from the reduced images of the plurality of image data recorded on said recording medium and being displayed in the single screen on said display module, and also selecting the erasure by said erasing module or the erasure prohibition set by said erasure prohibition setting module; and

a decision switch module for executing the erasure by said erasing module or the erasure prohibition set by said erasure prohibition setting module;

wherein said control module;

selects a reduced image, with said selection switch module, from the reduced images of the plurality of image data recorded on said recording medium and being displayed in the single screen on said display module, displays said function selection display screen on said display module with said function switch module, selects erasure prohibition with said selection switch module, and controls said erasure prohibition setting module to set to prohibit or permit the erasure by said erasing module for the image data corresponding to said selected reduced image with said decision switch module; and

selects a reduced image, with said selection switch module, from the reduced images of the plurality of image data recorded on said recording medium and being displayed in the single screen on said display module, displays said function selection display screen on said display module with said function switch module, selects the erasure with said selection switch module, and controls said erasing module to erase the image data corresponding to said selected reduced image with said decision switch module.

39. An imaging apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said control module controls, when the image data is recorded, said erasure prohibition setting module to set to permit the erasure by said erasing module for said image data.

40. An imaging apparatus according to claim 39, wherein said control module controls said display module to display the remaining capacity of said recording medium.

41. An imaging apparatus according to claim 40, wherein:

said image data is a moving image data or a still image data; and

said control module controls said display module to display respective reduced images of the plurality of moving image or still image data in the single screen, and also to display a mark distinguishing a moving image and a still image.

42. An imaging apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said recording medium is a semiconductor memory.

43. An imaging apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said recording medium is a hard disk.

44. A portable imaging apparatus comprising:

an imaging module for converting an object image into an electric signal;

a recording module fro recording moving image data or still image data outputted from said imaging module on a recording medium having predetermined capacity;

an erasing module for erasing moving image data or still image data recorded on said recording module;

an erasure prohibition setting module for setting to prohibit or permit the erasure by said erasing module of moving image data or still image data recorded on said recording medium;

a display module for displaying respective reduced images of a plurality of moving image data or still image data recorded on said recording medium, in a single screen;

a control module for controlling said imaging module, said recording module, said erasing module, said erasure prohibition setting module, and said display module;

a function switch module for displaying a function selection display screen on which to select the erasure by said erasing module or the erasure prohibition set by said erasure prohibition setting module;

a selection switch module for selecting a desired reduced image from the reduced images of a plurality of moving image data or still image data recorded on said recording medium and being displayed in the single screen, and also selecting, on said function selection display screen, the erasure by said erasing module or the erasure prohibition set by said erasure prohibition setting module; and

a decision switch module for executing the erasure by said erasing module or the erasure prohibition set by said erasure prohibition setting module;

wherein said control module;

controls said recording module using a file system;

controls said erasure prohibition setting module, when moving image data or still image data is recorded, to set to permit the erasure by said erasing module for said moving image data or still image data;

controls said display module to display respective reduced images of the plurality of moving image data or still image data recorded on said recording medium in the single screen, and also to display a mark distinguishing a moving image and a still image in the single screen;

selects a reduced image, with said selection switch module, from the reduced images of a plurality of moving image data or still image data recorded on said recording medium and being displayed in the single screen on said display module, selects erasure prohibition with said selection switch module, and controls said erasure prohibition setting module to set to prohibit or permit the erasure by said erasing module for the moving image data or still image data corresponding to said selected reduced image;

controls said display module to display respective reduced images of the plurality of moving image data or still image data recorded on said recording medium in the single screen, and also to display a mark indicating that erasure prohibition is set for the moving image data or still image data by said erasure prohibition setting module in the single screen;

selects a reduced image, with said selection switch, from the reduced images of the plurality of moving image data or still image data recorded on said recording medium and being displayed in the single screen on said display module, displays said function display screen on said display module with said function switch module, and controls said erasing module to erase the moving image data or still image data corresponding to said selected reduced image with said decision switch module; and

controls said display module to display remaining capacity of said recording medium.

45. A portable imaging apparatus comprising:

an imaging module for converting an object image into an electric signal;

a recording module for recording moving image data or still image data outputted from said imaging module on a recording medium having predetermined capacity;

an erasing module for erasing the moving image data or still image data recorded on said recording medium;

an erasure prohibition setting module for setting to prohibit or permit the erasure by said erasing module of the moving image data or still image data recorded on said recording medium;

a display module for displaying respective reduced images of a plurality of moving image data or still image data recorded on said recording medium in a single screen;

a control module for controlling said imaging module, said recording module, said erasing module, said erasure prohibition setting module, and said display module;

a function switch module for causing said display module to display a function selection display screen on which to select the erasure by said erasing module or the erasure prohibition set by said erasure prohibition setting module; and

a selection switch module for selecting a desired reduced image from the reduced images of the plurality of moving image data or still image data recorded on said recording medium and being displayed in the single screen on said display module, and also selecting the erasure by said erasing module or the erasure prohibition set by said erasure prohibition setting module;

wherein said control module;

controls said recording module using a file system;

controls said erasure prohibition setting module, when moving image data or still image data is recorded, to set to permit the erasure by said erasing module for said moving image data or still image data;

controls said display module to display respective reduced images of the plurality of moving image data or still image data recorded on said recording medium in the single screen, and also controls to display a mark distinguishing a moving image and a still image in the single screen;

selects a reduced image, with said selection switch module, from the reduced images of the plurality of moving image data or still image data recorded on said recording medium and being displayed in the single screen on said display module, displays said function selection display screen on said display module with said function switch module, selects the erasure prohibition with said selection switch, and controls said erasure prohibition setting module to set to prohibit or permit the erasure by said erasing module for the moving image data or still image data corresponding to said selected reduced image;

controls said display module to display respective reduced images of the plurality of moving image data or still image data in the single screen, and also controls said display module to display a key mark indicating that erasure prohibition is set for the moving image data or still image data by said erasure prohibition setting module in the single screen;

selects a reduced image, with said selection switch module, from the reduced images of the plurality of moving image data or still image data recorded on said recording medium and being displayed in the single screen on said display module, displays said function selection display screen on said display module with said function switch module, and controls said erasing module to erase the moving image data or still image data corresponding to said selected reduce image; and

controls said display module to display remaining capacity of said recording medium.

46. An imaging method for an imaging apparatus, comprising:

an imaging step for converting an object image into an electric signal;

a recording step for recording the image data outputted in said imaging step on a recording medium, using a file system;

an erasing step for erasing the image data recorded on said recording medium;

an erasure prohibition setting step for setting to prohibit said erasing module from erasing the image data recorded on said recording module; and

a display step for displaying respective reduced images of a plurality of image data recorded on said recording medium in a single screen, and also displaying a mark indicating that erasure prohibition is set for the image data in said erasure prohibition setting step in the single screen.

47. An imaging method for an imaging apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said erasing step is a step for selecting a desired reduced image from the reduced images of the plurality of image data recorded on said recording medium and being displayed in the single screen on said display module, and erasing the image data corresponding said selected reduced image.

48. An imaging method for an imaging apparatus according to claim 47, wherein said erasure prohibition setting step is a step for selecting a desired reduced image from the reduced images of the plurality of image data recorded on said recording medium and being displayed in the single screen on said display module, and setting to prohibit the erasure in said erasing step for the image data corresponding to said selected reduced image.

49. An imaging method for an imaging apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said erasure prohibition setting step is a step for selecting a desired reduced image from the reduced images of the plurality of image data recorded on said recording medium and being displayed in the single screen on said display module, and setting to prohibit the erasure in said erasing step for the image data corresponding to said selected reduced image.

50. An imaging method for an imaging apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said imaging apparatus comprises:

a function switch module for displaying a function selection display screen on which to select the erasure in said erasing step or the erasure prohibition in said erasure prohibition setting step;

a selection switch module for selecting a desired reduced image from the plurality of image data recorded on said recording medium and being displayed in the single screen in said display step, and selecting the erasure in said erasing step or the erasure prohibition in said erasure prohibition setting step on said function selection display screen; and

a decision switch module for executing the erasure in said erasing step or the erasure prohibition in said erasure prohibition setting step;

wherein;

said erasure prohibition setting step is a step for selecting a reduced image, with said selection switch module, from the reduced images of the plurality of image data recorded on said recording medium and being displayed in the single screen in said display step, displaying said function selection display screen with said function switch module, selecting erasure prohibition with said selection switch module, and setting to prohibit or permit the erasure in said erasing step for the image data corresponding to said selected reduced image; and

said erasing step is a step for selecting a reduced image, with said selection switch module, from the reduced images of the plurality of image data recorded on said recording medium and being displayed in the single screen in said display step, displaying said function selection display screen with said function switch module, and erasing the image data corresponding to said selected reduced data with said decision switch module.

51. An imaging method for an imaging apparatus according to claim 46, wherein, in said recording step, said image data is set to be erasable in said erasing step.

52. An imaging method for an imaging apparatus according to claim 46, further comprising a step for displaying remaining capacity of said recording medium.

53. An imaging method for an imaging apparatus according to claim 46, wherein:

said image data is moving image data or still image data; and

said display step is a step for displaying respective reduced images of the plurality of moving image data or still image data recorded on said recording medium in the single screen, and also displaying a mark distinguishing a moving image and a still image in the single screen.

54. An imaging method for an imaging apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said recording medium is a semiconductor memory.

55. An imaging method for an imaging apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said recording medium is a hard disk.

56. An imaging method for an imaging apparatus comprising:

an imaging step for converting an object image into an electric signal;

a recording step for recording the image data outputted in said imaging step on a recording medium, using a file system;

a display step for displaying respective reduced images of a plurality of image data recorded on said recording medium in a single screen;

an erasing step for selecting one or more reduced images from the reduced images of the plurality of image data recorded on said recording medium and being displayed in the single screen in said display step, and erasing the image data corresponding to said selected one or more reduced images; and

an erasure prohibition setting step for setting to prohibit the erasure in said erasing step of the image data recorded on said recording module;

wherein said display step is also a step for displaying, if erasure prohibition is set in said erasure prohibition setting step, a mark indicating that erasure prohibition is set in the single screen;

wherein said erasure prohibition setting step is a step for selecting a desired reduced image from the reduced images of the plurality of image data recorded on said recording medium and being displayed in the single screen in said display step, and setting to prohibit the erasure in said erasing step for the image data corresponding to said selected reduced image.

57. An imaging method for an imaging apparatus, comprising:

an imaging step for converting an object image into an electric signal;

a recording step for recording the image data outputted in said imaging step on said recording medium, using a file system;

a display step for displaying respective reduced images of a plurality of image data recorded on said recording module in a single screen;

an erasing step for erasing the image data recorded on said recording medium; and

an erasure prohibition setting step for selecting a desired reduced image from the reduced images of the plurality of image data recorded on said recording medium and being displayed in said display step in the single screen, and setting to prohibit the erasure in said erasing step for the image data corresponding to said selected reduced image;

wherein said display step is also a step for displaying, if erasure prohibition is set in said erasure prohibition setting step, of a mark indicating that erasure prohibition is set in the single screen.

58. An imaging method for an imaging apparatus according to claim 57, wherein said imaging apparatus comprises:

a function switch module for displaying a function selection display screen on which to select the erasure in said erasing step or the erasure prohibition in said erasure prohibition setting step;

a selection switch module for selecting a desired reduced image from the plurality of image data recorded on said recording medium and being displayed in the single screen in said display step, and selecting the erasure in said erasing step or the erasure prohibition in said erasure prohibition setting step on said function selection display screen; and

a decision switch module for executing the erasure in said erasing step or the erasure prohibition in said erasure prohibition setting step;

wherein;

said erasure prohibition setting step is a step for selecting a reduced image, with said selection switch module, from the reduced images of the plurality of image data recorded on said recording medium and being displayed in the single screen in said display step, displaying said function selection display screen with said function switch module, selecting erasure prohibition with said selection switch module, and setting to prohibit or permit the erasure in said erasing step for the image data corresponding to said selected reduced image; and

said erasing step is a step for selecting a reduced image, with said selection switch module, from the reduced images of the plurality of image data recorded on said recording medium and being displayed in the single screen in said display step, displaying said function selection display screen with said function switch module, and erasing the image data corresponding to said selected reduced data with said decision switch module.

59. An imaging method for an imaging apparatus according to claim 58, wherein, in said recording step, said image data is set to be erasable in said erasing step.

60. An imaging method for an imaging apparatus according to claim 59, further comprising a step for displaying remaining capacity of said recording medium.

61. The imaging method for an imaging apparatus according to claim 60, wherein:

said image data is moving image data or still image data; and

said display step is a step for displaying respective reduced images of the plurality of moving image data or still image data recorded on said recording medium in a single screen, and also displaying a mark distinguishing a moving image and a still image.

62. An imaging method for an imaging apparatus according to claim 61, wherein said recording medium is a semiconductor memory.

63. An imaging method for an imaging apparatus according to claim 61, wherein said recording medium is a hard disk.

64. An imaging method for a portable imaging apparatus, comprising:

an imaging step for converting an object image into an electric signal;

a recording step for recording moving image data or still image data outputted in said imaging step on a recording medium having predetermined capacity, using a file system;

a step for displaying remaining capacity of said recording medium;

an erasing step for erasing the moving image data or still image data recorded on said recording medium;

an erasure prohibition setting step for setting to prohibit or permit the erasure of the moving image data or still image data recorded on said recording medium; and

a display step for displaying respective reduced images of a plurality of the moving image data or still image data recorded on said recording medium in a single screen;

wherein said portable imaging apparatus comprises;

a function switch module for displaying a function selection display screen on which to select the erasure by an erasing module or the erasure prohibition set by an erasure prohibition setting module;

a selection switch module for selecting a desired reduced image from the reduced images of a plurality of moving image data or still image data recorded on said recording medium and being displayed in the single screen, and also selecting, on said function selection display screen, the erasure by said erasing module or the erasure prohibition set by said erasure prohibition setting module; and

a decision switch module for executing the erasure by said erasing module or the erasure prohibition set by said erasure prohibition setting module;

wherein;

in said recording step, the moving image data or still image data is set to be erasable in said erasing step;

said display step is a step for displaying respective reduced images of the plurality of moving image data or still image data recorded on said recording medium in the single screen, and also displaying a mark distinguishing a moving image and a still image in the single screen;

said erasure prohibition setting step is a step for selecting a reduced image, with said selection switch module, from the reduced images of the plurality of moving image data or still image data recorded on said recording medium and being displayed in the single screen in said display step, displaying said function selection screen with said function switch module, selecting the erasure prohibition with said selection switch module, and setting to prohibit or permit the erasure in said erasing step of the moving image data or still image data corresponding to said selected reduced image with said decision switch module;

said display step is a step for displaying respective reduced images of the plurality of moving image data or still image data recorded on said recording medium in the single screen, and also displaying a key mark indicating that erasure prohibition is set for the moving image data or still image data in said erasure prohibition setting step in the single screen; and

said erasing step is a step for selecting a reduced image, with said selection switch module, from the reduced images of the plurality of moving image data or still image data recorded on said recording medium and being displayed in a single screen in said display step, displaying said function selection display screen with said function switch module, selecting the erasure with said selection switch module, and erasing the moving image data or still image data corresponding to said selected reduce image with said decision switch module.

65. An imaging method for a portable imaging apparatus, comprising:

an imaging step for converting an object image into an electric signal;

a recording step for recording the moving image data or still image data outputted in said imaging step on a recording medium having predetermined capacity, using a file system;

a step for displaying remaining capacity of said recording medium;

an erasing step for erasing the moving image data or still image data recorded on said recording module;

an erasure prohibition setting step for setting to prohibit or permit the erasure of the moving image data or still image data recorded on said recording medium;

a display step for displaying respective reduced images of a plurality of moving image data or still image data recorded on said recording medium in a single screen;

wherein said portable imaging apparatus comprises;

a function switch module for displaying a function selection display screen on which to select the erasure by an erasing module or the erasure prohibition set by an erasure prohibition setting module; and

a selection switch module for selecting a desired reduced image from the reduced images of the plurality of moving image data or still image data recorded on said recording medium and being displayed in a single screen, and also selecting, on said function selection display screen, the erasure by said erasing module or the erasure prohibition set by said erasure prohibition setting module;

wherein;

in said recording step, the moving image data or still image data is set to be erasable in said erasing step;

said display step is a step for displaying respective reduced images of the plurality of moving image data or still image data recorded on said recording medium in the single screen, and also displaying a mark distinguishing a moving image and a still image in the single screen;

said erasure prohibition setting step is a step for selecting a reduced image, with said selection switch module, from the reduced images of the plurality of moving image data or still image data recorded on said recording medium and being displayed in the single screen in said display step, displaying said function selection screen with said function switch module, selecting the erasure prohibition with said selection switch module, and setting to prohibit or permit the erasure in said erasing step of the moving image data or still image data corresponding to said selected reduced image with said decision switch module;

said display step is a step for displaying respective reduced images of the plurality of moving image data or still image data recorded on said recording medium in the single screen, and also displaying a key mark indicating that erasure prohibition is set for the moving image data or still image data in said erasure prohibition setting step in the single screen; and

said erasing step is a step for selecting a reduced image, with said selection switch module, from the reduced images of the plurality of moving image data or still image data recorded on said recording medium and being displayed in the single screen in said display step, displaying said function selection display screen with said function switch module, selecting the erasure with said selection switch module, and erasing the moving image data or still image data corresponding to said selected reduce image.