Image signal recording/reproduction apparatus, method employed therein, and image signal recording apparatus

Abstract

A dynamic image recording button and a still image recording button are provided at the main unit of a movie camera. A magneto-optical recording medium is loaded in a slot. If the dynamic image recording button or the still image recording button is operated during a reproduction operation, the reproduction operation is interrupted in a state in which the mechanical drive (rotation) of the magneto-optical recording medium is sustained. At this point, a dynamic image signal or a still image signal obtained through a photographing operation performed at the camera unit is temporarily recorded in a buffer memory, and is written in the magneto-optical recording medium when a write in the magneto-optical recording medium becomes enabled. Instructions to record dynamic images and to record still images can be issued to the movie camera through a touch-panel provided on the screen of a liquid crystal display unit. Even when operation cannot be performed through the touch-panel, the instructions can be issued through the dynamic image recording button or the still image recording button.

Description

[0001] This is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 10 / 364,368 filed Feb. 12, 2003 which is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 09 / 318,830 filed May 26, 1999. The disclosures of the prior applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE [0002] The disclosures of the following priority applications are herein incorporated by reference: [0003] Japanese Patent Application No. 10-145818 filed on May 27, 1998 [0004] Japanese Patent Application No. 10-145819 filed on May 27, 1998 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0005] 1. Field of the Invention [0006] The present invention relates to an image signal recording / reproduction apparatus, a method of image signal recording / reproduction and an image signal recording apparatus. [0007] 2. Description of the Related Art [0008] Examples of recording media employed to record images in movie cameras in the prior art include magnetic tape. In such a movie camera employing magnetic tape, when an instr...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019] In addition, the present invention is provided with a control apparatus that updates the contents of the temporary storage device when the temporary storage device becomes full.

[0020] Furthermore, according to the present invention, if the operation apparatus is operated while a dynamic image signal or a still image signal is being reproduced by the reproduction apparatus, the control apparatus alternately implements reproduction of the dynamic image signal or the still image signal performed by the reproduction apparatus and recording of the dynamic image signal or the still image signal performed by the recording apparatus through time sharing.

[0021] Alternatively, according to the present invention, the control apparatus may simultaneously implement reproduction of the dynamic image signal or the still image signal performed by the reproduction apparatus and recording of the dynamic image signal or the still image signal performed by the recording apparatus if the operation apparatus is operated while the dynamic image signal or the still image signal is being reproduced by the reproduction apparatus.

[0022] The present invention is further provided with a stop operation apparatus that is operated to stop recording a dynamic image signal or a still image signal generated by the generating apparatus, and the control apparatus stops recording in the recording medium of a dynamic image signal or a still image signal newly generated by the generating apparatus after the stop operation apparatus has been operated in response to the operation of the stop operation apparatus and then, in succession, implements the recording of a dynamic image signal or still image signal stored at the temporary storage device in the recording medium.

Problems solved by technology

Since images cannot be captured during this time, the user may miss recording an opportunity to capture a desired scene.

However, there is a problem in that, since the motor is rotating at all times in the standby state, extra power is consumed.

In addition, there is a problem of the tape or the magnetic head becoming worn since the motor is rotating while the tape is stationary.

Furthermore, when starting recording immediately after turning on the power at the main unit, for instance, a certain length of time must elapse before the recording can start, which may cause the user to miss recording the desired scene, as explained above.

Moreover, when it becomes necessary to immediately switch to a recording operation while performing a reproduction operation in the movie camera, the recording operation cannot be started promptly for the following reason.

Thus, a significant length of time must elapse before the recording start, which may cause the user to miss recording the desired scene.

Images