Camera-integrated video recorder apparatus having a concealable operation member

A camera-integrated type recorder apparatus comprising:

• a) a camera part;
• b) a recorder part arranged to record an image pickup signal outputted from said camera part;
• c) a casing arranged to house said camera part and said recorder part therein;
• d) a package mounting part arranged to mount and demount a package housing a recording medium on and from said recorder part;
• e) a cover arranged to be lockable in a state of covering said package mounting part and to inhibit the package from being mounted and demounted when said package mounting part is covered by said cover;
• f) first locking means for locking said cover;
• g) second locking means different from said first locking means;
• and
• h) an operation part having operation keys for reproducing recorded image information, said operation part being arranged such that, when said apparatus is in a shooting state, said operation part is locked to said cover by said second locking means to be kept in a position in which said operation keys are concealed.

A camera-integrated type recorder apparatus comprising:

• a) a camera part;
• b) a recorder part arranged to record an image pickup signal outputted from said camera part;
• c) a casing arranged to house said camera part and said recorder part therein;
• d) a package mounting part arranged to mount and demount a package housing a recording medium on and from said recorder part;
• e) grip means including:
• a first grip part arranged to be capable of opening and closing a package insertion/removal opening at said package mounting part at a first position adjacent to said package mounting part;
• second grip part arranged to be openable and closable at a second position adjacent to said package mounting part and having a plurality of operation keys for operating said recorder apparatus, said second grip part concealing said operation keys when said second grip part is in a closed condition and being arranged to permit operating said operation keys when said second grip part is in an open condition;
• said first and second grip parts being arranged to be in a closed condition to permit holding said recorder apparatus when said recorder apparatus is operated to record the image pickup signal outputted from said camera part;
• and
• f) a cover arranged to be formed a part of a surface of the apparatus, movable with the package mounting part.

An integrated video camera and video recorder apparatus, using a package having a recording medium comprising:

• a) a camera portion;
• b) a recording portion connected to the camera portion for recording on a package a video signal provided by the camera portion, the package being selectively insertable in and removable from the apparatus;
• c) a casing for housing therein the camera and recording portions, the casing having formed therein a package access opening for accommodating insertion and removal of the package into and from the apparatus;
• and
• d) a remote control unit having operating buttons for operating the apparatus from a distance by wireless transmission of operation signals;
• wherein the casing includes means for selectively attaching the remote control unit to the apparatus in a position such that the remote control unit covers at least a portion of the package access opening.

An integrated video camera and video cassette recorder apparatus using a package housing a recording medium comprising:

• a) a camera portion;
• b) a recording portion connected to the camera portion for recording on a package a video signal provided by the camera portion, the recording portion including a packing mounting mechanism movable between an operation position for mounting the package for operation with the recording portion and an ejection position for inserting the package in or removing the package from the apparatus;
• c) a casing for housing therein the camera and recording portions, the casing having formed therein an access opening for accommodating movement of the mounting mechanism between the operation position and the ejection position;
• and
• d) a remote control unit having operating buttons for operating the apparatus from a distance by wireless transmission of operating signals;
• wherein the casing includes means for selectively attaching the remote control unit to the apparatus in a position such that the remote control unit covers at least a portion of the access opening.