Abstract: An electronic device includes a display having a memory function and a communications capability. Display functions are controlled based on a state of the operation of the device and/or based on a state of received data. Also disclosed is a method of selectively displaying advertising information based on a state of the device where the advertising can be maintained on the display without requiring any power consumption.

Abstract: A data distributing system wherein an electronic book data storage center which is stored with a plurality of pieces of book data is capable of communicating with electronic book vending machines 2 via a communication line and/or a communication satellite. In each of the vending machines, a storage medium can be inserted. The vending machine selects a piece of book data, which may be desired by the user, based on data stored in the storage medium as data to be to recorded into the storage medium. The user himself or herself can select a piece of book data. Also, the recorded data can be deleted from the storage medium in compliance with the user's request. These vending machines may have a function of casting accounts.

Abstract: A metallic sliding cover that covers an image taking lens system when an image taking apparatus is not in use is attached at the front side of the image taking apparatus, and an IC tag of a type that has an internal power supply and an IC tag of a type that has not an internal power supply are stuck to the front side of the image taking apparatus. A plural number of IC tags are alternatively covered with the sliding cover by movement of the cover. Thereby, communication only by one IC tag becomes possible when the image taking apparatus is in use; meanwhile, communication only by the other IC tag becomes possible when the image taking apparatus is not in use. As a result, interference between a plurality of IC tags having mutually different characteristics can be prevented.

Abstract: A still video camera or apparatus which eliminates possible erasure in error of a picture image to be maintained and wherein a picture image recorded in an internal memory can be reproduced readily. The camera comprises image pickup means, recording means for recording a picture image signal obtained by the image pickup means into a record medium which may be an internal memory or a removable IC card, manually operable means, protect signal recording means operable in response to an operation of the manually operable means for recording into the record medium a protect signal representative of inhibition of erasure of a picture image signal recorded in the record medium, and controlling means for inhibiting erasure of a picture image signal at a portion of the record medium corresponding to the thus recorded protect signal.

Abstract: An electronic still camera which transmits taken images to a printer connected to the camera to print the images is provided with a microcomputer for generating image data for printing and communicating with the printer. When start of printing is directed, the microcomputer obtains information on characteristics of the printer from the printer, generates image data whose number of pixels differs between when the printing density is a predetermined value or more and when it is less than the predetermined value, and transmits the image data to the printer. A connector is provided for attaching a cable of the printer to the electronic still camera, and a switch for detecting whether the cable is attached or not is provided in the connector. When the cable is attached to the connector, only transmitting images to the printer to print the images is permitted even if taking of images or reproduction display is directed by a manual operation.

Abstract: An image processing device gives an alarm if deletion of image is directed in a state that the image has not yet been transferred from an image recording medium into a storage medium having a larger capacity. Also, when a deletion operation is performed for image, the image processing device compresses and stores the corresponding image file in accordance with an evaluation rank based on history data for the image. Therefore, the image processing device allows effective use of the storage medium having a limited capacity by contriving compression processing of the image file.

Abstract: When the IC tag starts communication with an external device, which one of an image capturing mode and a playback mode is selected is determined. In the case where it is determined that the image capturing mode is selected, the IC tag is covered with a slide cover to thereby prohibit the IC tag from communicating with the external device. Since the radio communication with the external device of the IC tag becomes impossible by the prohibition, an influence of an electric wave of radio communication exerted on a captured image at the time of image capturing can be avoided.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus receives subject information stored in an IC tag provided for a subject by performing radio communication with the IC tag, and controls an image capturing operation on the basis of the acquired subject information. For example, the image capturing apparatus sets a color correction parameter and controls white balance on the basis of information on colors of the subject included in the subject information stored in the IC tag.

Abstract: A radio frequency IC tag is attached to an image capturing apparatus. The radio frequency IC tag stores access information for permitting access to the image capturing apparatus through a network. In this state, a reproducing apparatus (e.g., a digital TV or a printer) transmits a predetermined command to the image capturing apparatus based on the access information received from the radio frequency IC tag. In response to the predetermined command, the image capturing apparatus transmits image data to the reproducing apparatus. The reproducing apparatus then receives the image data from the image capturing apparatus, and visibly outputs the image data.

Abstract: A metallic sliding cover that covers an image taking lens system when an image taking apparatus is not in use is attached at the front side of the image taking apparatus, and an IC tag of a type that has an internal power supply and an IC tag of a type that has not an internal power supply are stuck to the front side of the image taking apparatus. A plural number of IC tags are alternatively covered with the sliding cover by movement of the cover. Thereby, communication only by one IC tag becomes possible when the image taking apparatus is in use; meanwhile, communication only by the other IC tag becomes possible when the image taking apparatus is not in use. As a result, interference between a plurality of IC tags having mutually different characteristics can be prevented.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a display having a memory function and a communications capability. Display functions are controlled based on a state of the operation of the device and/or based on a state of received data. Also disclosed is a method of selectively displaying advertising information based on a state of the device where the advertising can be maintained on the display without requiring any power consumption.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a display having a memory function and a communications capability. Display functions are controlled based on a state of the operation of the device and/or based on a state of received data. Also disclosed is a method of selectively displaying advertising information based on a state of the device where the advertising can be maintained on the display without requiring any power consumption.

Abstract: An information display device which is structured as an electronic book with liquid crystal displays which display information stored in a storage medium. The information display device further has a first driving section which drives the liquid crystal displays and a second driving section which drives the recording medium, and while the displays are reset, the second driving section is inhibited from driving the storage medium. Also, the information display device has a speaker, and when a mode to display information on the liquid crystal displays at a high speed is selected, the speaker is inhibited from reproducing sound.

Abstract: An image retrieval system for retrieving a plurality of images recorded in a recording medium, records data concerning operations and processing for image files as history data. A desired image is found based on the history data. Further, an image is found based on a combination of photographing condition in a photographing operation, and the history data of the operations executed for the image file. Therefore, the image retrieval system allows the image to be efficiently, exactly, and conveniently found without a trouble of assigning key information to the image file.

Abstract: A compact film player has a picture reproducing unit and an information reading unit capable of reading a photographing information on each frame of the film. When a developed film is fed in an inlet of the picture reproducing unit in a prescribed direction, a scan mirror scans a picture provided on the film perpendicularly to the feed direction, so that a line sensor takes the picture every line. The line sensor and the scan mirror read two-dimensional pictures provided on the film. When the picture of the frame previously read is on display, the scan of the next frame is effected.

Abstract: An image recording and reproducing system includes a recording device having an image recorder for recording an image of a subject on a recording medium, a detector for detecting information about deterioration of the subject image recorded on the recording medium, an information recorder for recording the detected deterioration information, and a reproducing device having an image reproducer for reproducing the subject image, a calculator for calculating a function indicative of a deterioration characteristic of the recorded subject image based on the recorded deterioration information, and a corrector for correcting the recorded subject image in accordance with the calculated deterioration characteristic.

Abstract: An electronic still camera in which taken images are recorded onto a memory card has an LCD for image display, a RAM for image storage and a switch for image selection. Photographing is started before a direction to start recording is provided by the user. Photographing is continued even after the direction is provided and a predetermined number of images taken over a period spanning before and after the direction to start recording is provided are stored in the RAM. The images stored in the RAM are successively displayed on the LCD and the images which the user determines to be necessary and specifies by operating the switch are recorded onto the memory card.

Abstract: A still video camera which eliminates possible erroneous erasure of a picture image recorded in an internal memory of the camera. The camera has an image pickup apparatus and a recorder for recording a picture image signal obtained by the image pickup apparatus into a record medium which may be an internal memory or a removable IC card. Further, the camera has a manually operable switch and a protect signal recording apparatus operable in response to the operation of the manually operable switch for recording a protect signal into the record medium. The protect signal will inhibit the erasure of a picture image signal recorded in the record medium. The camera also has a controller for inhibiting erasure of a picture image signal at a portion of the record medium corresponding to the protect signal.

Abstract: An image information display device, such as an electronic book, that displays contents stored in a recording medium on a first screen and a second screen in which liquid crystal is used. The device includes means for paging through image information and means for screen selection. The means for screen selection is used to select a two-screen mode in which the contents are displayed on both the first and second screens or a one-screen mode in which an image is displayed on either of the screens. By selecting the one-screen mode, energy consumption may be reduced.

Abstract: A compact film player has a picture reproducing unit and an information reading unit capable of reading a photographing information on each frame of the film. When a developed film is fed in an inlet of the picture reproducing unit in a prescribed direction, a scan mirror scans a picture provided on the film perpendicularly to the feed direction, so that a line sensor takes the picture every line. The line sensor and the scan mirror read two-dimensional pictures provided on the film. When the picture of the frame previously read is on display, the scan of the next frame is effected.