Image data recording system including memory card

A video data recording system, comprising:

• housing means;
• optical means arranged at least partly in said housing means for forming an optical image on a predetermined plane in said housing means;
• image data processing means arranged in said housing means for receiving said optical image as a still image and for producing electronic image data representative of said still image;
• a detachable semiconductor memory card mounted to said housing means and electrically coupled to said image data processing means when mounted to said housing means, for storing a limited plural number of independent electronic image data supplied from said image data processing means;
• output terminal means arranged on said housing means and coupled to said detachable semiconductor memory card for outputting said electronic image data derived from said detachable semiconductor memory card when said detachable memory card is mounted to said housing means;
• control means arranged in said housing means for controlling a writing operation and a reading operation of said electronic image data to and from said detachable semiconductor memory card;
• video data storage means provided outside of said housing means and coupled to said output terminal means, for storing a large number of independent image data representative of still images, said large number being substantially greater than said limited number;
• said control means including transferring means for repeatedly transferring to said output terminal means at least one of said electronic image data for a predetermined time period, each electronic image data being representative of the still image stored in said detachable semiconductor memory card;
• and
• said video data storage means including magnetic recording means for recording magnetically said repeatedly transferred electronic image data from said output terminal means and means for reproducing said same electronic image data of said same still image stored in said video data storage means as a still image for the predetermined time period.

A video data recording system, comprising:

• still image data storing means for storing a limited number of digital image data each representing an independent still image;
• video data storage means for storing a large number of digital image data each representing an independent still image, said large number being substantially greater than said limited number, and including magnetic recording means for recording magnetically said large number of digital image data;
• and
• control means coupled to said still image data storing means and to said video data storage means for repeatedly transferring digital image data stored in said still image data storing means to said video data storage means for a predetermined time period and for causing said video data storage means to store said transferred digital image data, such that said transferred digital image data stored in said video data storage means is used for reproducing as a still image for the predetermined time period;
• and
• wherein said still image data storing means includes a detachable semiconductor memory card for storing a limited plural number of the digital image data, said detachable semiconductor memory card being mountable to a housing of the video data recording system so as to be electrically coupled to said control means and to said video data storage means when said detachable semiconductor memory card is mounted to the housing.

A video data recording system, comprising:

• still image data storing means for storing a limited number of digital image data each representing an independent still image;
• video data storage means for storing a large number of digital image data each representing an independent still image, said large number being substantially greater than said limited number, and including magnetic recording means for recording magnetically said large number of digital image data;
• and
• control means coupled to said still image data storing means and to said video data storage means for repeatedly transferring at least one of said limited number of digital image data stored in said still image data storing means to said video data storage means for a predetermined time period, said control means including means for causing said video data storage means to store said transferred digital image data;
• and
• wherein said still image data storing means includes a detachable semiconductor memory card for storing a limited plural number of the digital image data, said detachable semiconductor memory card being mountable to a housing of the video data recording system so as to be electrically coupled to said control means and to said video data storage means when said detachable semiconductor memory card is mounted to the housing.

A still camera capable of being coupled to a video data storage means provided outside of a housing of said still camera for storing a large number of electronic image data, each representing a still image, said still camera comprising:

• optical means for forming an optical image on a predetermined plane in the housing of said still camera;
• image data processing means for receiving said optical image as a still image and for producing electronic image data representative of said still image;
• still image data storing means for storing a limited number of electronic image data each representing an independent still image supplied from said image data processing means;
• and
• control means coupled to said still image data storing means and to said video data storage means, and including means for repeatedly transferring one of said limited number of electronic image data stored in said still image data storing means to said video data storage means for a time period to store said repeatedly transferred electronic image data, such that said repeatedly transferred electronic image data stored in said video data storage means is used for reproducing as a still image for said time period.

A still camera capable of being coupled to a video data storage means provided outside of a housing of said still camera including magnetic recording means for recording magnetically a large number of electronic image data, each representing a still image, said still camera comprising:

• optical means for forming an optical image on a predetermined plane in the housing of said still camera;
• image data processing means for receiving said optical image as a still image and for producing electronic image data representative of said still image;
• a detachable semiconductor memory card mounted to said housing and electronically coupled to said image data processing means when mounted to said housing means, for storing a limited plural number of electronic image data each representing an independent still image supplied from said image data processing means, said large number being substantially greater than said limited number;
• and
• control means coupled to said detachable semiconductor memory card and to said video data storage means, and including means for repeatedly transferring for a predetermined time period one of said limited number of electronic image data stored in said detachable semiconductor memory card to said video data storage means to store said transferred electronic image data, such that said repeatedly transferred electronic image data stored in said video data storage means is used for reproducing as a still image for the predetermined time period.

A still camera capable of being coupled to a video data storage means provided outside of a housing of said still camera for storing a large number of electronic image data, each representing a still image, said still camera comprising:

• housing means;
• optical means arranged at least partly in said housing means for forming an optical image on a predetermined plane in said housing means;
• image data processing means arranged in said housing for receiving said optical image as a still image and for producing electronic image data representative of said still image;
• a detachable semiconductor memory card mounted to said housing and electrically coupled to said image data processing means when mounted to said housing, for storing a limited plural number of independent electronic image data supplied from said image data processing means, said large number being substantially greater than said limited number;
• output terminal means arranged on said housing means and coupled to said detachable semiconductor memory card for outputting said electronic image data derived from said detachable semiconductor memory card when said detachable semiconductor memory card is mounted to said housing;
• and
• control means arranged in said housing for controlling a writing operation and a reading operation of said electronic image data to and from said detachable semiconductor memory card, and including transferring means for repeatedly transferring for a predetermined time period to said output terminal means at least one of said electronic image data each being representative of the still image stored in said detachable semiconductor memory card;
• and
• wherein said video data storage means includes magnetic recording means for magnetically storing said repeatedly transferred electronic image data from said output terminal means, and means for reproducing said electronic image data as a still image for the predetermined time period.