Visual and/or audio information storage and retrieval device

A monument information input, storage and output device for outputting monument information comprised of registered picture data or both registered picture data and registered sound data which comprises;

• a monument data input system including;
• (i) photographing means for video information or both photographing means for video information and sound pickup means for sound information and
• (ii) registration code input means for entering registration codes,
• a monument data storage system for storing the monument data transmitted from said monument data input system by corresponding registration code,
• a data processing system for controlling the input and output of the monument data stored by registration code in said monument data storage system, and
• an output system for referring to a selected one of said registration codes and outputting the monument data corresponding to said selected code;
• wherein:
• said photographing means in said monument data input system comprises a video camera and a TV monitor for displaying a video image from said video camera and a frame memory for selecting a given picture output from said video camera and storing it as a still picture;
• and
• said sound pickup means comprises a microphone and a PCM converter for converting sound data from said microphone to pulse code modulation signals;
• whereby
• a desired still picture or a desired still picture and a desired sound data as selected by a user is outputted to said monument data storage system for storage.

A method for storing monument information using a device having:

• a monument data input system including;
• (i) photographing means for video information or both photographing means for video information and sound pickup means for sound information,
• (ii) registration code input means for entering registration codes, and
• (iii) a start switch for selecting a still picture and a confirmation switch for establishing said still picture;
• a monument data storage system for storing the monument data transmitted from said monument data input system by corresponding registration code,
• a data processing system for controlling the input and output of the monument data stored by registration code in said monument data storage system, and
• an output system for referring to a selected one of said registration codes and outputting the monument data corresponding to said selected code;
• wherein:
• said photographing means in said monument data input system comprises a video camera and a TV monitor for displaying a video image from said video camera and a frame memory for selecting a given picture output from said video camera and storing it as a still picture;
• and
• said sound pickup means comprises a microphone and a PCM converter for converting sound data from said microphone to pulse code modulation signals;
• said method comprising the steps of:
• watching said TV monitor to select a desired picture image,
• operating said start switch to enter the selected picture as a still picture into the frame memory,
• operating said confirmation switch to store the still picture to the monument data storage system,
• optionally inputting sound data to store verbal comments together with the still picture for a certain time period during which the confirmation switch is pressed.