Compact video camera recording and play-back device

Abstract

A system for, and a method of, playing a variable content video contained in a memory device, such as an optical disk, the memory device further providing user interface routines and control codes; the video having a non-sequential logical arrangement of parallel, transitional, and overlapping segments, and content information defining and linking segments of the video responsive to at least one content category, such as a rating; the segments including (1) at least one segment unique to one of at least two versions of the same variable content video, (2) at least one segment unique to the other of said at least two versions of the same variable content video, and (3) at least one segment common to said at least two versions of the same variable content video; the segment definitions each having a descriptor responsive to the at least one content category; and the content information providing, responsive to a viewer's preference with respect to the at least one content category, and by means of random access and buffering means for the seamless skipping of segments, for the playing of a version of the video different in length than the length of the video.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A compact video camera recording and play-back device comprising: 
 a plastic frame and the first printed circuit board assembled with a connecting member.    
     
     
         2 . The compact video camera recording and play-back as claimed in    claim 1   , wherein the second printed circuit board is assembled to said first printed circuit board, said second board being supported with a supporting member molded on said plastic frame in one piece.  
     
     
         3 . A compact video camera recording and play-back device, as claimed in    claim 2   , wherein said second printed circuit board is placed on said first printed circuit board, said second printed circuit board and said first printed circuit board being electrically connected with a connecting member.  
     
     
         4 . A compact video camera recording and play-back device, as claimed in    claim 3   , wherein a plastic frame and a plastic chassis on which a rotary cylinder with magnetic heads is installed, are mounted in one piece.  
     
     
         5 . A compact video camera recording and play-back device, as claimed in    claim 4   , wherein lower parts of guide rollers installed on tape guide assemblies are supported by a supporting member installed on said chassis, and the head of said guide roller is supported by an upper guide.  
     
     
         6 . A video camera recording and/or play-back device as claimed in    claim 5   , wherein said upper guide is molded in a U-shaped cutting to support the head of said guide rollers.  
     
     
         7 . The video camera recording and/or play-back device as claimed in    claim 6   , wherein said chassis and said upper guides are separately molded.  
     
     
         8 . A video camera recording and/or play-back device as claimed in    claim 4   , wherein tape guide assemblies which are connected with an upper ring gear and said lower ring gear, a rib along the internal periphery of said lower ring gear being upwardly built in one piece with said chassis, and another rib along the internal periphery of said upper ring gear being built in one piece with said lower ring gear on said lower ring gear.  
     
     
         9 . A video camera recording and/or play-back device as claimed in    claim 4   , wherein a lower ring gear is installed on a chassis so as to be inclined to the surface of said chassis; 
 a link mounted on said lower ring gear; and    a tape guide assembly pivotally installed on the tip of said link; and    a hole receiving the pin of said link mounted on said lower ring gear being shaped in a long hole.    
     
     
         10 . The video camera recording and/or play-back device as claimed in    claim 8   , wherein any one of said upper ring gear and said lower ring gear is made of plastic.  
     
     
         11 . The video camera recording and/or play-back device as claimed in    claim 8   , wherein said rib is shaped in a concentric circular arc to said ring gear.  
     
     
         12 . A video camera recording and/or play-back device as claimed in    claim 4   , wherein a mode changing switch which alters the operational mode is directly installed on the printed circuit boards.  
     
     
         13 . The video camera recording and/or play-back device as claimed in    claim 12   , wherein said mode changing switch is driven by a motor through gear mechanism.  
     
     
         14 . A video camera recording and/or play-back device as claimed in    claim 4   , wherein a metal chip is connected to an axis of the rotary head cylinder, said metallic chip being connected to a grounding circuit.  
     
     
         15 . The metal chip of    claim 14   , is connected to a ground circuit which is mounted on a printed circuit board through a connecting member.  
     
     
         16 . A video camera recording and/or play-back device as claimed in    claim 8   , wherein a hollow space which penetrates through said chassis is provided at a vicinity of the rib where the rotary head cylinder is mounted on the chassis.  
     
     
         17 . The hollow in    claim 16    is provided in between the positioning place of the tape guide and a ribbed portion receiving the base portions of said tape guide assembly.  
     
     
         18 . At least one of the ring gears in    claim 8    is partly under said ribbed portion behind said hollow space.  
     
     
         19 . A video camera recording and/or play-back device as claimed in    claim 8   , in which said lower ring gear is energized in opposing directions by an elastic member.  
     
     
         20 . A video camera recording and/or play-back device as claimed in    claim 19   , wherein said lower ring gear engages with a worm gear, said worm gear is supported by the first sliding plate, and one end of said elastic member is bridged to said sliding plate.  
     
     
         21 . A video camera recording and/or play-back device as claimed in    claim 20   , wherein one gear engaged to said upper ring gear is installed on the second sliding plate, and the other end of said elastic member is bridged to said second sliding plate.  
     
     
         22 . A video camera recording and/or play-back device as claimed in    claim 21   , wherein the first gear engaged to said lower ring gear, and the second gear engaged to the first gear, and the third gear coaxially and in one piece with the second gear are mounted on said second sliding plate.  
     
     
         23 . A video camera recording and/or play-back device as claimed in    claim 22   , wherein said second gear rotates more slowly than said first gear.  
     
     
         24 . A video camera recording and/or play-back device comprising: 
 a ring gear which drives a tape guide assembly,    a worm gear which engages to a lower ring gear and is driven by a motor,    a sliding plate supporting said worm gear and having an inclined portion,    the first swinging plate supporting said worm gear and having a stopper,    a roller installed on said first swinging plate, and contacting to said inclined portion of said sliding plate,    the second swinging plate swinging around the swinging axis of said first swinging plate, and connecting to said stopper at the tip end thereof,    a pinch roller swingably installed on said second swinging plate, and    an elastic member bridged between said first and second swinging plates.    
     
     
         25 . The video camera recording and/or play-back device as claimed in    claim 24   , wherein said sliding plate moves straight when a first swinging plate swings.  
     
     
         26 . In a video camera recording and/or play-back device revolving an upper ring gear and a lower ring gear and driving each of tape guide assemblies swingably pivoted on ring gears, the device comprising: 
 a rib shaped on said upper ring gear    the first arm member swinging with engaging to any one of the tip portion of said ribbed portion when said upper ring gear rotates in loading and unloading the tape by said upper ring gear,    a swinging plate swinging together with said first arm member in one piece and having a gear,    the second arm member having another gear engaged to the above mentioned gear installed on said swinging plate, and an inclined post.    
     
     
         27 . The video camera recording and/or play-back device as claimed in    claim 26   , wherein said first arm member is provided with two engaging portions alternatively engaged with said ribbed portion of said upper ring gear.  
     
     
         28 . The video camera recording and/or play-back device as claimed in    claim 27   , wherein said ribbed portion is shaped as a concentric circular arc to said upper ring gear.  
     
     
         29 . A video camera recording and/or play-back device characterized in that, 
 a pair of door hinges are formed by elongating both side members of the cassette holder, and a synchronous shaft is provided between said door hinges.    
     
     
         30 . The video camera recording and/or play-back device as claimed in    claim 29   , wherein said cassette holder is swingable around said synchronous shaft.