Hitachi, Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Manabu Wakabayashi

Shigeyuki Itoh

Iwao Aizawa

Kenji Ogiro

Masahiko Yatsu

Kenji Matsumoto

Takesuke Maruyama

Yutaka Takami

Takanori Nishiyama

Tohru Sampei

Hiroshi Tomita

Kazutoshi Konno

Hiroto Takita

Hironobu Satoh

Kenji Hayashi

Atsuhiko Urushihara

Shigemitsu Higuchi

Tadashi Saito

Hiroshi Kanai

Yuhei Abe

Kaoru Harada

Yoshihiko Noro

Takeo Sonobe

Yosuke Nagano

Kihachiro Minami

Tohru Sanpei

Isao Utsugi

Tomiyoshi Satoo

An imaging apparatus connectable to an external device includes a recording instruction module which instructs a recording, an imaging module which generates an image signal from an optical image, a memory module which stores the image signal generated by the imaging module, a connecting module which enables connection of the imaging apparatus to the external device, and a control module which controls wiring into the memory module and effects control of an operation of the recording instruction module or an operation responsive thereto.

Imaging and recording apparatus controlling erasure of data in flash type memory

An imaging apparatus which is connectable to an external device includes a recording instruction module which instructs a recording, an imaging module which generates an image signal from an optical image, a memory module which stores the image signal generated by the imaging module, a connecting module which enables connection of the imaging apparatus to the external device, and a control module which controls writing into the memory module. The control module effects control so that when an image signal is written to the memory nodule from the external device connected via the connecting module, writing of a new image signal to the memory module which is responsive to an operation of the recording instruction module is inhibited.

Imaging and recording apparatus

An electric camera includes an imaging device which converts an optical image focused thereon into an electric signal, a first memory which stores the electric signal, a compressor which generates compressed image data from the electric signal stored in the first memory, a second memory which stores the compressed image data, a decompressor which generates an electric signal from the compressed image data stored in the second memory, a progressive selection switch which directs the progress of reproducing an image on a monitor, a connector which is able to connect the camera with an external device, and a control circuit. The control circuit controls writing operations of the second memory according to an external data access from the external device and reading operations of the second memory according to an internal data access which occurred by an operation of the progressive selection switch. Further, the control circuit inhibits writing operations of the second memory according to an external data access independent of an external access direction from the external access device when the internal data is being executed.

A pocket-size information transfer apparatus includes two insertion slots in which IC cards for storing electronic information are inserted and which are open on the owner's side and the other party's side and an IC card operation unit for reading and writing electronic information in the IC cards inserted into the two insertion slot. The owner's IC card is inserted into one of the two insertion slots having a deeper depth and the other party's IC card is inserted in the other insertion slot having a shallow depth.

Pocket-size information transfer apparatus having dual IC card insertion slots and IC card using the same

An imaging and recording apparatus for electrically recording an optical image of a subject as an image information signal which facilitates memory access from an external device and prevents image information from being changed. Upon manipulation of a recording trigger switch, an image outputted from a camera signal processing circuit at that time is written into a semiconductor memory, then subjected to data compression in a data compression circuit, and stored in a semiconductor memory. It is now assumed that an external device not illustrated is connected to a connector and this external device orders taking in the image of the semiconductor memory. If at this time the semiconductor memory is writing an image, a state detection circuit detects the fact and inhibits the external device from taking in the image. Furthermore, while the external device is taking in the image of the semiconductor memory, the state detection circuit detects this fact. Even if the recording trigger switch is manipulated, an AND gate turns off in response to an output of the state detection circuit and inhibits image writing into the semiconductor memory.

An upside-down image, generated when a video camera is rotated about a horizontal axis to face to substantially the same direction as a display unit does, is electrically corrected to be an upright image. A video camera unit made compact to realize a reduction in weight of a video camera rotating mechanism. An image arrangement convertor circuit is provided between the video camera unit and a liquid crystal display serving as a display unit or a recording unit. A switch is provided in a housing for detecting an angular position of the video camera unit. The video camera, which has an imager device and a lens, is pivoted on an edge of the housing for rotation about an axis parallel to the edge. The image arrangement convertor circuit is operated unitarily in accordance with an angular position of the video camera to automatically correct an upside-down image to an upright image. Since the video camera unit is composed of minimally necessary parts and is rotatably pivoted on an edge of the housing, a rotatable joining portion of the video camera unit with the housing can be reduced in size and weight. This structure also allows the user to adjust the angle of the video camera unit only with the thumb and index finger.

Imager apparatus with rotatable camera head

A computer system is provided on the front surface thereof with a connection slot into which a card type holder is inserted for connecting an electronic camera to the computer system. The holder has a connector at one end, a camera head connector at the other end, and a signal processing unit in an intermediate portion. The camera head is supported rotatably in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction relative to the holder.

Apparatus for removably mounting an electronic camera to a computer

A video camera with a VTR for recording/playback of images communicates with a camera/VTR station by means of an opto-electronic link. A first opto-electronic link operates when the camera is positioned away from the camera/VTR station, and a second opto-electronic link operates when the camera is positioned on the camera/VTR station. The first opto-electronic link operates when the video camera does not record.

Video camera

Portable electronic still camera recording optical images of subjects in

A video camera recorder having a watertight housing including a housing body, a housing bottom and a closure for closing an opening of the housing. The opening is watertightly closed by a watertight structure including an annular bead formed in the housing and a packing provided to the closure. An electronic view finder is watertightly isolated in a space defined between a partition wall, arranged within the housing, and the housing. A cover is provided between the closure and an electronic equipment, such as a video deck, disposed within the housing, and a packing is arranged between the housing and the cover so that the space surrounded by the cover and the housing is held watertightly. Alternatively, the gap between a portion of a video deck disposed in the housing and a housing is watertightly sealed, the portion of the video deck projecting from the housing the opening. A water absorbent or a water sensor is disposed in a recess formed in the housing.

Electronic apparatus with a watertight housing

A camera with a VTR communicates with a camera station by means of an opto-electronic link. A first opto-electronic link operates when the camera is positioned away from the camera station, and a second opto-electronic link operates when the camera is positioned on the camera station. The first opto-electronic link operates only when the VTR is reproducing.

Growing community of inventors

Yokohama, Japan

Manabu Wakabayashi