Recording/reproducing apparatus and recording/reproducing method

Abstract

A recording/reproducing apparatus and a recording/reproducing method for reducing a load which must be borne when image data is obtained, enabling a title image to flexibly be processed, information for a sufficiently long time to be recorded and images to collectively be downloaded and arranged to display full information in a floppy disc. The recording/reproducing apparatus incorporates a DV recording/reproducing signal processing circuit for recording/reproducing a signal to and from a recording medium; a PCMCIA I/O/ATA I/F processing circuit for interfacing with the PCMCIA standard; a PCMCIA connector for establishing the connection with an external FDD; key blocks with which input is performed; and a control circuit for controlling the circuits.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A recording/reproducing apparatus comprising: 
 image pickup means for generating a picked-image signal;    first writing means for writing the picked-image signal on a first recording medium;    reading means for reading an image signal from said first recording medium;    second writing means for writing the image signal read by said reading means on a second recording medium; and    control means for controlling recording/reproducing between said first and second recording mediums.    
     
     
         2 . A recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising 
 identification-information detecting means for detecting identification information of the image signal read from said first recording medium, wherein 
 said control means performs control in accordance with detected identification information.  
   
     
     
         3 . A recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising 
 identification-information recording means for recording identification information together with the picked-image signal on said first recording medium when the picked-image signal is recorded on said first recording medium as a still image, and    identification-information detecting means for detecting identification information of the image signal read from said first recording medium, wherein 
 said control means controls said second writing means to write the image signal read by said reading means on said second recording medium only when identification information has been detected by said identification-information detecting means.  
   
     
     
         4 . A recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said control means performs control to cause said reading means to collectively read image signals and said second writing means to collectively write the image signals on said second recording medium.  
     
     
         5 . A recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said second writing means is able to write the picked-image signal on said second recording medium.  
     
     
         6 . A recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said recording/reproducing apparatus has an all-pixel reading mode in which said image pickup means generates a picked-image signal by reading all pixels and an interlace reading mode in which said image pickup means generates a picked-image signal by interlaced-reading, and 
 when said picked-image signal is written on said second recording medium by said second writing means, said all-pixel reading mode is forcibly selected.    
     
     
         7 . A recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said first recording medium is a tape-shape recording medium.  
     
     
         8 . A recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said second recording medium is a disc.  
     
     
         9 . A recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said second recording medium is a memory card.  
     
     
         10 . A recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said control means is able to switch the mode between a first mode in which said reading means collectively reads image signals and said second writing means collectively writes the read image signals on said second recording medium and a second mode in which said reading means reads image signals one by one and said second writing means, one by one, writes the read image signals on said second recording medium.  
     
     
         11 . A recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said control means causes said second writing means to interrupt writing an image signal on said second recording medium when said second recording medium is filled to capacity and communicates that said second recording medium has been filled to capacity.  
     
     
         12 . A recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said control means causes said second writing means to restart writing when said second recording medium has been changed in a state in which writing on said second recording medium has been interrupted because said second recording medium has been filled to capacity and said changed second recording medium has an empty capacity.  
     
     
         13 . A recording/reproducing apparatus comprising: 
 image pickup means for generating a picked-image signal;    first writing means for writing the picked-image signal on a first recording medium;    reading means for reading an image signal from said first recording medium;    converting means for subjecting the signal read by said reading means to a predetermined conversion process;    second writing means for writing the image signal supplied from said reading means and converted by said converting means on a second recording medium; and    control means for controlling recording/reproducing between said first and second recording mediums.    
     
     
         14 . A recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein said converting means converts the image signal read by said first reading means to be adaptable to a PCMCIA I/O or PCMCIA ATA I/F to supply the converted image signal to said second writing means.  
     
     
         15 . A recording/reproducing apparatus incorporating first and second recording mediums, said recording/reproducing apparatus comprising: 
 image pickup means for generating a picked-image signal;    reading means for reading a signal recorded on said second recording medium;    mixing means for mixing the signal read by said reading means with said picked-image signal;    writing means for writing a mixed signal supplied from said mixing means on said first recording medium; and    control means for controlling recording/reproducing between said first and second recording mediums.    
     
     
         16 . A recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the signal recorded on said second recording medium is frame information for title information.  
     
     
         17 . A recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the signal recorded on said second recording medium is a signal recorded by a recording apparatus different from said recording/reproducing apparatus.  
     
     
         18 . A recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 15 , further comprising second writing means for writing the picked-image signal on said second recording medium.  
     
     
         19 . A recording/reproducing apparatus incorporating first and second recording mediums, said recording/reproducing apparatus comprising: 
 image pickup means for generating a picked-image signal;    reading means for reading a signal recorded on said second recording medium;    converting means for subjecting the signal read by said reading means to a predetermined conversion process;    mixing means for mixing the signal read by said reading means and converted by said converting means with the picked-image signal with each other;    writing means for writing a mixed signal supplied from said mixing means on said first recording medium; and    control means for controlling recording/reproducing between said first and second recording mediums.    
     
     
         20 . A recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein said converting means converts the signal read by said reading means to be adaptable to the digital video standard, JPEG standard or the Motion JPEG standard so as to supply a converted signal to said mixing means.  
     
     
         21 . A recording/reproducing apparatus incorporating first and second recording mediums, said recording/reproducing apparatus comprising: 
 image pickup means for generating a picked-image signal;    first reading means for reading an image signal from said first recording medium;    second reading means for reading a signal recorded on said second recording medium;    mixing means for mixing the signal read by said second reading means with the picked-image signal with each other;    first writing means for writing a mixed signal supplied from said mixing means on said first recording medium;    second writing means for writing the image signal read by said first reading means on said second recording medium; and    control means for controlling recording/reproducing between said first and second recording mediums.    
     
     
         22 . A recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 21 , further comprising 
 identification-information detecting means for detecting identification information of the image signal read from said first recording medium, wherein 
 said control means performs control in accordance with detected identification information.  
   
     
     
         23 . A recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 21 , further comprising 
 identification-information recording means for recording identification information together with the picked-image signal on said first recording medium when the picked-image signal is recorded on said first recording medium as a still image, and    identification-information detecting means for detecting identification information of the image signal read from said first recording medium, wherein 
 said control means controls said second writing means to write the image signal read by said reading means on said second recording medium only when identification information has been detected by said identification-information detecting means.  
   
     
     
         24 . A recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein said control means performs control to cause said first reading means to collectively read image signals and said second writing means to collectively write the image signals on said second recording medium.  
     
     
         25 . A recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein said second writing means is able to write the picked-image signal on said second recording medium.  
     
     
         26 . A recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 25 , wherein said recording/reproducing apparatus has an all-pixel reading mode in which said image pickup means generates a picked-image signal by reading all pixels and an interlace reading mode in which said image pickup means generates a picked-image signal by interlaced-reading, and 
 when said picked-image signal is written on said second recording medium by said second writing means, said all-pixel reading mode is forcibly selected.    
     
     
         27 . A recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein said first recording medium is a tape-shape recording medium.  
     
     
         28 . A recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein said second recording medium is a disc.  
     
     
         29 . A recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein said second recording medium is a memory card.  
     
     
         30 . A recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 21 , said control means is able to switch the mode between a first mode in which said first reading means collectively reads image signals and said second writing means collectively writes the read image signals on said second recording medium and a second mode in which said reading means reads image signals one by one and said second writing means, one by one, writes the read image signals on said second recording medium.  
     
     
         31 . An recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein said control means causes said second writing means to interrupt writing an image signal on said second recording medium when said second recording medium is filled to capacity and communicates that said second recording medium has been filled to capacity.  
     
     
         32 . A recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein said control means causes said second writing means to restart writing when said second recording medium has been changed in a state in which writing on said second recording medium has been interrupted because said recording medium has been filled to capacity and said changed second recording medium has an empty capacity.  
     
     
         33 . A recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the signal recorded on said second recording medium is frame information or title information.  
     
     
         34 . A recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the signal recorded on said second recording medium is a signal recorded by a recording apparatus different from said recording/reproducing apparatus.  
     
     
         35 . A recording/reproducing apparatus incorporating first and second recording mediums, said recording/reproducing apparatus comprising: 
 image pickup means for generating a picked-image signal;    first reading means for reading an image signal from said first recording medium;    second reading means for reading a signal recorded On said second recording medium;    converting means for subjecting the signal read by said first reading means or said second reading means to a predetermined conversion process;    mixing means for mixing the signal read by said second reading means and converted by said converting means with the picked-image signal with each other;    first writing means for writing a mixed signal supplied from said mixing means on said first recording medium;    second writing means for writing the image signal read by said first reading means and converted by said converting means on said second recording medium; and    control means for controlling recording/reproducing between said first and second recording mediums.    
     
     
         36 . A recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 35 , wherein said converting means converts the image signal read by said first reading means to be adaptable to a PCMCIA I/O or PCMCIA ATA I/F to supply the converted image signal to said second writing means and converts the signal read by said second reading means to be adaptable to the digital video standard, the JPEG standard or the Motion JPEG standard so as to supply the converted signal to said mixing means.  
     
     
         37 . A recording/reproducing method adaptable to an image pickup apparatus which has first and second recording mediums, said recording/reproducing method comprising: 
 a first writing step for writing a picked-image signal on a first recording medium;    a reading step for reading an image signal from said first recording medium; and    a second writing step for writing the image signal read in said reading step on said second recording medium.    
     
     
         38 . A recording/reproducing method according to  claim 37 , further comprising 
 a detecting step for detecting identification information of the image signal read from said first recording medium, wherein 
 said second writing step is performed only when identification information has been detected in said detecting step.  
   
     
     
         39 . A recording/reproducing method according to  claim 37 , wherein mode switch is permitted between a first mode in which image signals are collectively read in said reading step and the read image signals are collectively written on said second recording medium in said second writing step and a second mode in which image signals are read one by one in said reading step and the read image signals are, one by one, written on said second recording medium in said second writing step.  
     
     
         40 . A recording/reproducing method according to  claim 37 , wherein said second writing step is interrupted when said second recording medium is filled to capacity in said second writing step and a fact that said second recording medium has been filled to capacity is communicated.  
     
     
         41 . A recording/reproducing method according to  claim 40 , wherein writing which is performed by said second writing means is restarted when said second recording medium has been changed in a state in which writing on said second recording medium has been interrupted because said second recording medium has been filled to capacity and said changed second recording medium has an empty capacity.  
     
     
         42 . A recording/reproducing method adaptable to an image pickup apparatus which incorporates first and second recording mediums, said recording/reproducing method comprising: 
 a first writing step for writing a picked-image signal on said first recording medium;    a reading step for reading an image signal from said first recording medium;    a converting step for subjecting the signal read in said reading step to a predetermined conversion process; and    a second writing step for writing the image signal read by said reading means and converted in said converting step on said second recording medium.    
     
     
         43 . A recording/reproducing method according to  claim 42 , wherein said converting step is performed such that the image signal read in said first reading step is converted to be adaptable a PCMCIA I/O or PCMCIA ATA I/F.  
     
     
         44 . A recording/reproducing method adaptable to an image pickup apparatus which incorporates first and second recording mediums, said recording/reproducing method comprising: 
 a reading step for reading a signal recorded on said second recording medium;    a mixing step for mixing the signal read in said reading step with a picked-image signal with each other; and    a writing step for writing a signal mixed in said mixing step on said first recording medium.    
     
     
         45 . A recording/reproducing method adaptable to an image pickup apparatus which incorporates first and second recording mediums, said recording/reproducing method comprising: 
 a reading step for reading a signal recorded on said second recording medium;    a converting step for subjecting the signal read in said reading step to a predetermined converting process;    a mixing step for mixing the signal converted in said converting step with a picked-image signal; and    a writing step for writing recording/reproducing apparatus signal mixed in said mixing step on said first recording medium.    
     
     
         46 . A recording/reproducing method according to  claim 45 , wherein the signal read in said reading step is converted to be adaptable to the digital video standard, JPEG standard or Motion JPEG standard and the converted signal is supplied to said mixing means.  
     
     
         47 . A recording/reproducing method adaptable to an image pickup apparatus which incorporates first and second recording mediums, said recording/reproducing method comprising: 
 a first reading step for reading an image signal from said first recording medium;    a second reading step for reading a signal recorded on said recording medium;    a mixing step for mixing the signal read in said second reading step with a picked-image signal;    a first writing step for writing a signal mixed in said mixing step on said first recording medium; and    a second writing step for writing the image signal read in said first reading step on said second recording medium.    
     
     
         48 . A recording/reproducing method according to  claim 47 , further comprising 
 a detecting step for detecting identification information of the image signal read from said first recording medium, wherein 
 said second writing step is performed only when identification information has been detected in said detecting step.  
   
     
     
         49 . A recording/reproducing method according to  claim 47 , wherein mode switch is permitted between a first mode in which image signals are collectively read in said reading step and the read image signals are collectively written on said second recording medium in said second writing step and a second mode in which image signals are read one by one in said reading step and the read image signals are, one by one, written on said second recording medium in said second writing step.  
     
     
         50 . A recording/reproducing method according to  claim 47 , wherein said second writing step is interrupted when said second recording medium is filled to capacity in said second writing step and a fact that said second recording medium has been filled to capacity is communicated.  
     
     
         51 . A recording/reproducing method according to  claim 50 , wherein writing which is performed by said second writing means is restarted when said second recording medium has been changed in a state in which writing on said second recording medium has been interrupted because said second recording medium has been filled to capacity and said changed second recording medium has an empty capacity.  
     
     
         52 . A recording/reproducing method adaptable to an image pickup apparatus which incorporates first and second recording mediums, said recording/reproducing method comprising: 
 a first reading step for reading an image signal from said first recording medium;    a second reading step for reading a signal recorded on said second recording medium;    a converting step for subjecting the signals read in said first and second reading steps to a predetermined conversion process;    a mixing step for mixing the signal read in said second reading step and converted in said converting step with a picked-image signal;    a first writing step for writing the signal mixed in said mixing step on said first recording medium; and    a second writing step for writing the image signal read in said first reading step and converted in said converting step on said second recording medium.    
     
     
         53 . A recording/reproducing method according to  claim 52 , wherein said converting step is performed such that the image signal read in said first reading step is converted to be adaptable to a PCMCIA I/O or PCMCIA ATA I/F and the signal read in said second reading step is converted to be adaptable to the digital video standard, the JPEG standard or the Motion JPEG standard.