Real-time image recording/producing method and apparatus and video library system

A real-time image recording/reproducing apparatus comprising:

• image input means for receiving an image signal;
• compression means for compressing the image signal so as to produce compressed data;
• storing means for storing the compressed data, including a plurality of blocks having the same size connected with each other in a ring manner;
• control means for judging whether or not a sufficient number of empty blocks required for storing the compressed data exist in the storing means, and storing the compressed data in the storing means if a sufficient number of empty blocks exist, or allocating a required number of empty blocks by releasing oldest data among the compressed data stored in the storing means and storing the compressed data in the allocated empty blocks if a sufficient number of empty blocks does not exist;
• instruction input means for receiving a replay instruction;
• expansion means for expanding the compressed data stored in the storing means in response to the replay instruction input from the instruction input means so as to produce image data;
• and
• output means for outputting the image data.

A real-time image recording/reproducing method for an apparatus including storing means for storing data, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) inputting a image signal;
• b) compressing the image signal so as to produce compressed data;
• c) judging whether or not a sufficient empty space required for storing the compressed data exists in the storing means, and storing the compressed data in the storing means if a sufficient empty space exists, or allocating a required empty space by releasing oldest data among the compressed data stored in the storing means and storing the compressed data in the allocated empty space if a sufficient empty space does not exist;
• d) inputting replay instruction;
• e) expanding the compressed data stored in the storing means in response to the replay instruction so as to produce image data;
• and
• f) outputting the image data.

A real-time image recording/reproducing method for an apparatus including storing means for storing data, the storing means including a plurality of blocks having the same size connected with each other in a ring manner, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) inputting a image signal;
• b) compressing the image signal so as to produce compressed data;
• c) judging whether or not a sufficient number of empty blocks required for storing the compressed data exist in the storing means, and storing the compressed data in the storing means if a sufficient number of empty blocks exist, or allocating a required number of empty blocks by releasing oldest data among the compressed data stored in the storing means and storing the compressed data in the allocated empty blocks if a sufficient number of empty blocks does not exist;
• d) inputting replay instruction;
• e) expanding the compressed data stored in the storing means in response to the replay instruction so as to produce image data;
• and
• f) outputting the image data.