Abstract: An electronic still-video camera is provided capable of preserving image data having a quantity which is greater than the storage capacity of a memory cartridge (memory card) loaded in the camera. Besides being capable of receiving an external memory in a memory cartridge loaded in the camera, the camera incorporates an internal memory. Image data obtained as a result of photography is stored in either the internal memory or the external memory, depending upon which memory has been selected by a memory selection switch.

Abstract: An IC memory card has a byte rewriting type EEPROM implementing a supervisory area for storing supervisory data which should be rewritten byte by byte, and a flushing type EEPROM implementing a data area for storing picture data or similar data which are usually generated in a great amount. When an address for writing data in the supervisory area is sent from a host processor to the card, an address identifying section determines the value of the address and activates a memory controller to write the data in the supervisory area. When an address for writing picture data is sent from the host processor, the address identifying section determines the value of the address and activates another memory controller associated with the data area to thereby write the picture data in the data area.

Abstract: An electronic still-video camera is provided capable of preserving image data having a quantity which is greater than the storage capacity of a memory cartridge (memory card) loaded in the camera. Besides being capable of receiving an external memory in a memory cartridge loaded in the camera, the camera incorporates an internal memory. Image data obtained as a result of photography is stored in either the internal memory or the external memory, depending upon which memory has been selected by a memory selection switch.

Abstract: In an electronic still camera operable with a memory card or similar storage medium removably mounted thereto, a first controller causes, before a continuous shoot mode or similar mode operation begins, a memory card to develop attributes information particular to and stored in the card to a second controller. The attributes information include one representative of a storing speed available with the card. Then, the first controller selects a clock frequency of a clock signal which matches the storing speed and provides the card with a reference for operation. The first controller generates a clock signal having the clock frequency selected and sends it to the card together with image data representative of a scene. As a result, the image data are written to the card at a speed synchronous to the frequency of the clock signal.

Abstract: An IC memory card connectable to a host has a storage implemented as an EEPROM, and a control circuit for controlling the storage to write data transferred from the host to the memory card in the storage. The control circuit has latches for temporarily holding input data and an address representative of a particular storage location of the storage for storing the data which are transferred from the host, a clock input terminal for receiving from the host a first clock for causing the latches to hold the data, and a clock generator for generating a second clock for writing the data in the storage.

Abstract: A memory card is provided having a memory, in which data entered through a plurality of data input-output terminals are written. The voltage of a backup battery for supplying the memory to preserve the data therein is compared with two different reference voltages so as to detect two binary battery check signals. When the memory card is loaded in an electronic device, one of the two battery check signals is outputted to the electronic device through one of the data input-output terminals, while the other battery check signal is outputted through a battery check terminal. Alternatively, both of the battery check signals are outputted through two of the data input-output terminals. The electronic device displays a condition of the backup battery by energizing green, yellow or red LEDs to emit light, in accordance with the battery check signals.

Abstract: An image data recording apparatus is provided which includes a digital electronic still video camera for storing image data representative of a plurality of pictures. When the image data is recorded in the memory of a freely loadable/unloadable memory cartridge, a recording-finished code and recording sequence codes are stored in the memory which correspond to the image data recorded therein. Thereby, the order in which the plurality of pictures are recorded may be successively numbered even when undesired pictures are taken.

Abstract: In a combination of an electronic device and a memory cartridge loaded in the device, a direct check is performed to determine if the device and memory cartridge are properly coupled. To this end, the electronic device writes a predetermined code in a predetermined area of a memory within the memory cartridge and subsequently reads the code out of the memory. Whether or not the coupling between the device and cartridge is normal is judged by comparing the written code and the read code. Alternatively the memory cartridge is provided with checking code generating means. A checking code generated by the generating means when the memory cartridge is loaded in the electronic device is checked on the electronic device side to judge whether the coupling is normal. An example of the electronic device is an electronic still video camera in which photography is enabled only when it is judged that the coupling between the camera and the memory cartridge is normal.

Abstract: An image signal recording apparatus achieves an orthogonal transform and a compression coding on image data so as to record the resultant data in a recoding medium. There is disposed a selector to select a compression ratio for the compression coding of the data, namely, the compression ratio is selectable. The selected compression ratio data is recorded in the recording medium together with the image data. A playback apparatus reads from the recording medium the compression ratio data together with the image data undergone the compression coding so as to decode the image data by use of the compression ratio data. In consequence, according to these apparatuses, the compression ratio can be arbitrarily set. In addition, the image signal recording apparatus generates recording codes associated with the amounts of the image data and the audio data so as to write the codes in the recording medium.

Abstract: A digital electronic still camera is provided in which a video signal representing a still picture is stored in the form of digital data which includes an imaging unit having an imaging device with an array of photosensitive cells and a color filter having separated-color segments arranged thereon. An object scene is shot by use of the imaging device to produce a video signal representing the object scene. The camera includes a color balance adjusting circuit for adjusting a color balance of the video signal produced from the imaging device, a gradation correction circuit for correcting a gradation of the video signal having the color balance adjustment performed thereon, a signal converter for converting the video signal delivered from the gradation correcting circuit to produce a digital signal, and a controller for controlling the imaging unit, the color balance adjustment circuit, the gradation correcting circuit, and the signal converter.

Abstract: A digital electronic still camera to which detachably connected is a semiconductor memory module adapted for storage of video signals representing a still image in the form of digital data. The camera includes a connector for detachably and electrically connecting the semiconductor memory module, an imaging subsystem including an image pickup device and adapted for imaging a scene and producing video signals representative of the scene in a dot-sequential manner, a signal processor for converting the video signals produced from the imaging device into component signals and developing the component signals in the form of digital signals, and a control unit for controlling the imaging subsystem and the signal processor to cause the imaging subsystem to shoot the scene, the control unit causing the signal processor to convert the resulting video signals into the component video signals.

Abstract: In a combination of an electronic device and a memory cartridge loaded in the device, a direct check is performed to determine if the device and memory cartridge are properly coupled. To this end, the electronic device writes a predetermined code in a predetermined area of a memory within the memory cartridge and subsequently reads the code out of the memory. Whether or not the coupling between the device and cartridge is normal is judged by comparing the written code and the read code. Alternatively the memory cartridge is provided with checking code generating means. A checking code generated by the generating means when the memory cartridge is loaded in the electronic device is checked on the electronic device side to judge whether the coupling is normal. An example of the electronic device is an electronic still video camera in which photography is enabled only when it is judged that the coupling between the camera and the memory cartridge is normal.

Abstract: A memory cartridge having a semiconductor memory for storing digital image data is provided with a D/A converter for converting digital image data read out of the memory into an analog video signal, and a display device for displaying an image represented by this video signal provided in a first embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment, a memory cartridge having a semiconductor image memory for storing a plurality of frames of digital image data is provided with an image display device and a frame feed switch. Predetermined image data is read out of the image memory and the image represented by the data is displayed on the display device. Displayed images are shifted sequentially in response to imputs from the frame feed switch. Also disclosed is a digital still video camera which includes a memory cartridge having the display device that may be loaded.