JPH04336891A - Video print system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automate print operation, to reduce the cost, to simplify the circuit constitution and to make the circuit compact. CONSTITUTION:A buffer memory 65 acts like a data bus use buffer memory when a signal is digitally inputted under the control of a printer controller 67. On the other hand, when a still picture is extracted in a command timing of a key input switch 76 from an analog moving picture signal, the memory 65 can be used in common like a so-called frame memory properly with changeover.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video printing system for printing out image information stored on a videotape.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 9, a video printing system 1 is known in which an image signal from a video camera 10 can be printed out by a video printer 11.

Printout by the system 1 shown in the figure is performed as follows. First, an imaging signal from the video camera 10 is supplied to the video printer 11 as an analog signal. The supplied imaging signal, that is, the moving image, is monitored on the display 12. On the other hand, the A/D converter 110 in this video printer 11 converts the analog signal described above into a digital signal, and stores one desired screen as a still image in the field memory 111 at the timing specified by the operation key 116. do. Note that this memory screen can be displayed on the display 12 and checked at will by switching the switch 115 based on the operation of the key 116. Next, the information stored in the field memory 111 is supplied to the printing section 114, and the printing section 114 performs printout processing.

0004

However, in the conventional video printing system 1, the time required for printing one image by the video printer 11 is about one minute, and the field memory 111 is only provided for one screen. Therefore, in order to print multiple screens, it is necessary to wait for the printing of one screen to finish and then use a search operation to find the next screen on the tape, which is inconvenient for the user to print out. There was a problem with long detention times.

Furthermore, in order to connect a video tape recorder (VTR) that outputs video signals in the form of digital signals to the above-mentioned video printer, it is necessary to provide a buffer memory for digital signal processing in addition to the above-mentioned field memory. For this reason, there are problems in that the cost increases and the circuit configuration becomes complicated, making it impossible to make the entire system compact.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to solve the inconveniences of the conventional apparatus as described above, and to minimize the time constraints on the user even when printing out multiple screens. It is an object of the present invention to provide a video printing system which can automate printing operations by suppressing the limitations of video printing, and which is low in cost and has a simple circuit configuration and can be made compact.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the video print system of the present invention includes a data bus for transmitting still image information signals in the form of digital signals;
a first input means for inputting the digital signal; a buffer memory for storing data of the still image signal supplied from the data bus; a second input means for inputting an analog video signal; Selection means for selecting the first input means and the second input means, comprising a frame or field memory for extracting a still screen, wherein the buffer memory and the frame or field memory are configured with the same memory; and selection means for selecting the first input means and the second input means. and the same memory is selectively used as the buffer memory and the frame or field memory depending on which of the first input means and the second input means is selected. That is.

[0008]

[Operation] The operation of the video printing system configured as described above will be explained.

[0009] When a still image information signal, which is a digital signal, is input from the data bus through the first input means, the buffer memory serves as a data bus buffer memory; When an analog video signal is input, it is selectively used as a frame or field memory for extracting a still screen from the analog video signal. This makes it possible to automate the printing operation, and also to reduce costs, simplify the circuit configuration, and make it more compact.

0010

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a video print system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The system 100 includes a VTR unit 90, an analog image signal input terminal 20a into which an analog image signal from a video camera 20 or the like can be input, and a digital signal from the VTR unit 90 via a data bus 26 or a digital signal from the video camera 20. It is generally composed of a video printer unit 14 that captures and prints out analog signals output by the processor, a data compression/expansion unit 80 (not shown), and the like.

Under the control of the printer controller 67, the buffer memory 65 serves as a data bus buffer memory when digitally inputting signals, and converts still images from analog moving image signals to the timing specified by the key input switch 76. In the case of extraction, the configuration is such that the so-called frame memory is shared by being switched and used as appropriate.

The video camera 20 quantizes the output analog signal into a digital signal using an A/D converter 61 and outputs the digital signal to the other end of the data selector 77. The printer 91 also receives the output (image information) of the selector 77 via the buffer memory 65.

The VTR unit 90 includes a VTR main body 90a, a key input switch 46 as an input unit, a camcorder controller 42 as a search unit, etc. The print search information of the image to be printed can be recorded by inputting the input switch 46, and the digital signal of the image to be printed is sent to the data selector 77 via the interfaces 27, 64 and the data bus 26. It is sent to one end of the

Using the 8mm videotape 41 as an example, how the VTR main body 90a records various information on the tape 41 will be explained in the order in which recording tracks are formed from the bottom to the top diagonally with reference to FIG. I will explain along. This figure shows a recording track pattern on the tape 41. As shown in the figure, the information recorded on the tape 41 includes:
There is a PCM area E1, an INDEX area E2, and a VIDEO area E3.

[0017] The PCM area E1 is 0.5M to 1.5M.
This is an area where digital data is recorded at a data rate of bps. This area E1 also contains 8-bit to 16-bit quantized stereo audio or field/frame digital still image information, ID words of subcode information related to these information (for example, sound quality, image quality, shooting date, etc.), and A sink and address for data reconstruction, PQ parity for error detection, CRCC for error correction, etc. are recorded.

Next, the INDEX area E2 basically uses the same technology as the above-mentioned PCM recording, and consists of a search signal as print search information for searching and a data signal for recording various information described below. ing. The search signal is
All "0" means normal state, and all "1" means input of cue signal. The data signal is S (start/
sandwiched between block) and END (end block),
Five blocks of data blocks BL0 to BL4 are arranged, and each block has data words "WD0" to "WD4".
and "CRCC". Each word WD is 8b
Since it is possible to record using IT data, the configuration is such that the number of printouts, etc. can be set in the after-recording section of the INDEX area E2.

Further, in the VIDEO area E3, the analog video signal is a luminance FM and a low frequency converted color signal, and the analog audio signal is a monaural FM or a sum difference stereo signal (L+
R, L-R), audio multiplexed (main, sub) FM, and a 4-frequency pilot signal for tape tracking during playback (
4f) is arranged in the lowest frequency band.

Each of the above information areas E1 to E3 can be independently recorded/reproduced. For example, digital still images can be additionally recorded later on the tape 41 on which only analog information has been recorded, or PCM audio can be dubbing. Further, it is also possible to specify a cue signal for specifying a printout screen, print size, number of prints, etc. for the tape 41 that has been photographed or edited later.

Next, the schematic configuration of each part of the system 100 will be explained in more detail with reference to FIG. This figure is a schematic diagram of the information reproduction process of the present system 100.

The data compression/expansion unit 80 includes an A/D converter 21, a D/A converter 60, a frame memory 22 for storing a digital video signal, and a first compression/expansion unit for compressing/expanding the digital image signal. The circuit 23a, the second compression/expansion circuit 23b, and the mode selection circuit switch (SW1)
24, a switch (SW5) 49, a switch (SW2) 48 capable of selecting an image signal or still image information, and interfaces (I/F) 25, 44.

The VTR main body 90a of the VTR section 90 includes:
An audio processing circuit 33 performs predetermined signal processing on an input audio signal, an analog signal processing circuit 34 performs predetermined signal processing on an input video signal, and a four-frequency pilot signal (
A tracking servo circuit 38 that outputs 4f), an adder/distributor 36, a rate conversion circuit 28 that converts image data to a predetermined data rate, and a sub that generates mode information, date information, etc. as an ID word of PCM data. A code data generation circuit 30, a PCM processing circuit 29 that writes mode information etc. from this subcode data generation circuit 30 together with still image data (SV data) into the PCM area E1, and a PCM processing circuit 29 that sequentially writes each information during recording. Supplied to the heads 40a and 40b provided on the rotating drum 39,
A track pattern as shown in FIG. 4 is formed on the tape 41,
It is provided with a time-division signal distributor (SW3) 37 that distributes time-divisionally according to information content during reproduction, an index information generation circuit (INDEX) 35, and an A/D converter 75.

The video printer 14 receives an image signal input from an analog image signal input terminal 20a via an A/D converter 61 and a data selector (SW6) 77, or an image signal input via an interface (I/F) 64. a buffer memory 65 that stores the image signal as a still image, and first and second decompressors 68 and 69 that perform data decompression processing on the still image data stored in the buffer memory 65 in the opposite manner to that at the time of recording. , a frame memory 71 that stores image data subjected to data expansion processing as reproduced still image information via a selector (SW6) 70, and this frame memory 7.
1, and an interface (I/F
) 66 and an input signal from the key input switch 76 for selectively operating the selector (SW6) 70. has been done. Note that a printer 91 is constituted by first and second decompressors 68, 69, a selector (SW6) 70, a frame memory 71, a print section 72, and the like. The buffer memory 65 also sends information regarding the free capacity of the buffer memory 65 to the printer controller 67. The printer controller 67 is capable of managing the memory occupancy state of the buffer memory 65 due to data storage based on the information regarding the free space from the buffer memory 65 .

The operation of the video print system 100 of the embodiment having the above configuration will be explained below with reference to the drawings.

First, the processing at the time of information recording will be explained with reference to FIG. The image signal captured by the video camera 20 is subjected to signal processing for well-known 8 mm video in the analog signal processing circuit 34 of the VTR section 90. The audio signal collected by the microphone 31 is amplified by an amplifier 32 and subjected to signal processing for well-known 8 mm video by an audio processing circuit 33. The image signal and audio signal that have been subjected to predetermined signal processing by each circuit 33 and 34 are added with a 4-frequency pilot signal (4f) from a tracking servo circuit 38 for well-known 8 mm video in an adder 36. , is generated as a signal to be recorded in the above-mentioned VIDEO area E3, and is supplied to the time division signal distributor (SW3) 37. When information such as a calendar and a clock used for the so-called auto-date function of the video camera 20 described above is set using the key input switch 46, this information is input to the camcorder controller 42. The INDEX 35 generates information to be recorded in the above-mentioned INDEX area E2 under the control of the controller 42, and sends the information to the time division signal distributor (SW3) 3.
Supply to 7. When recording an audio signal in the PCM area E1, the camcorder controller 42 selects the input signal to the PCM processing circuit 29 as appropriate based on the operation of the key input switch 46 using a selection circuit (not shown) that outputs the output of the amplifier 32. All you have to do is switch to the still image information.

Since PCM processing of 8 mm video itself is a well-known technique, it is omitted in this embodiment for the purpose of simplifying the explanation.

The image signal captured by the video camera 20 is converted into a digital image signal by the A/D converter 21. This digital image signal is sent to the key input switch 4.
Timing specified by 6 (shutter release)
Alternatively, automatically generated interval pulses are transmitted to the frame memory 22 by the cam code controller 42, and when writing of the target screen is completed, writing to the memory 22 is prohibited, and the still image (SV) is stopped. Perform import. This captured screen can be appropriately selected and monitored by an electronic viewfinder (EVF) 45, which normally displays moving images, using a switch (SW2) 48 as needed.

This still image data is supplied to the first image data compression circuit 23a and the second image data compression circuit 23b, and is converted into three types of still image data: uncompressed and raw data (compressed 1, compressed 2). Selection circuit switch (SW1
) 24 and is switched by the camcorder controller 42 based on the operation of the key input switch 46. The image data selected here is sent to the I/F 25 in order to be sent to the data bus 26. On the other hand, the camcorder controller 42 receives the previously selected mode information (uncompressed,
The difference between compression 1 and compression 2) is determined by subcode data generation circuit 3.
Send to 0. The PCM processing circuit 29 processes the above-mentioned date information such as auto date and the like to write the still image data into the PCM area E1 as an ID word of the PCM data.

The above image data via the data bus 26 and I/F 27 is converted by the rate conversion circuit 28 to a data rate of 0.5 to 1.5 Mbps, which is equivalent to PCM audio, and is supplied to the PCM circuit 29. PCM signal processing is performed together with the above-mentioned subcode, and a time division signal splitter (SW
3) Supplied to 37.

The time division signal distributor (SW3) 37 is shown in FIG.
In order to form the recording track pattern shown in FIG.
Corresponding to the O area E3, PCM information, INDEX information, and VIDEO information are sequentially selected and supplied to the heads 40a and 40b provided on the rotary drum 39 for recording, and the tape 4 is
1, a track pattern as shown in FIG. 4 is formed.

Next, processing during information reproduction will be explained with reference to FIG.

Assume that information tracks as shown in FIG. 4 are formed on the tape 41. While tracking this track by controlling the capstan 19 and the rotating drum 39 by the servo circuit 38, the information signals recorded by the heads 40a and 40b provided on the rotating drum 39 are detected. The detected signal is sent to a time division signal splitter (SW
3) The information in the PCM area E1, INDEX area E2, and VIDEO area E3 is distributed in a time-sharing manner according to the information content by 37.

The information (analog signal) in the VIDEO area E3 is divided in terms of frequency spectrum by the adder/distributor 36, and the pilot signal 4f from the lowest one is sent to the servo circuit 38.
The color information c is supplied to the analog signal processing circuit 34, the audio information (AFM) is supplied to the audio processing circuit 33, and the luminance information Y is supplied to the analog signal processing circuit 34 in the same way as the color information c. Video signal processing is performed. As a result, images and sounds with good tracking are output to output terminals 73 and 74, respectively. Note that the image signal can be selectively displayed by the camcorder controller 42 using a switch (SW2) 48 as well as still image information described later. As another example, the well-known small screen compositing (Pictu)
Of course, image processing such as er in Picture) may also be applied.

[0035] The information in the INDEX area E2 is
35 reproduces a data group as shown in FIG. 4 and supplies it to the camcorder controller 42. The cue operation for printing is performed in this INDEX area E2.
The above-mentioned servo circuit 38 performs high-speed driving of the capstan until the search signal (ex. all "1" data) written in is detected. Servo circuit 3
When the camera 8 detects all "1"s in this search signal, it then reads the print information (number of sheets, size) set in the VIDEO area E3 and transfers it to the camcorder controller 42. These data are sent to the data bus 26 via the I/F 43 and taken into the video printer section 14 as necessary.

[0036] Regarding the information of the PCM area E1, the PCM
The processing circuit 29 reproduces the still image data as main data and the ID word as subcode data. The still image data is subjected to data rate conversion processing by the rate conversion circuit 28, which is the reverse of that at the time of recording, so that the audio rate (0.5m to 1.5Mbps) is adapted to the data rate of the data bus 26. It is sent onto the data bus 26 via F27. At this time, this still image information is
The video printer 1 is sent to the video printer 1 via the data bus 26 in the compressed state (excluding the uncompressed mode) along with the compression mode information.
It will be transferred to the 4th section.

The camcorder controller 42 uses an I/F 25 for still image information and an I/F 25 for control information for image monitoring.
/F44 to the next stage first and second compression/expansion circuits 23
a, 23b.

Switch (SW5) 49 depending on the compression mode
selects the uncompressed information and each information substantially expanded and restored to original image information by the first or second expansion processing. The selected output signal of this switch (SW5) 49 is stored as one still screen on the frame memory 22, and read out at the video rate by the D/A converter 60.
As described above, the analog image information is supplied to the switch 48. Further, if necessary, the image is displayed on an image monitor device such as the EVF 45.

Furthermore, the analog image signal can also be converted into digital data by inputting a cue signal or the like to any screen in the moving image signal to specify the still screen, and then converted into digital data by the A/D converter 75. It is possible to print out the data in the same manner as uncompressed data.

The operation of the video printer 14 will be explained below.

When an analog image signal is used as an input source, the above-mentioned digital image information, accompanying control data, and a general image signal input from the conventional analog image signal input terminal 20a are input to an A/D converter. The image data is digitized at 61 and input to the buffer memory 65 via the data selector (SW6) 77, where it is stored as a still image.

When the above-mentioned digital image signal is used as an input source, the sent image signal is sent to the video printer section 14.
Since the video printer unit 14 is on the data bus 26 on the side, the image data among these pieces of information is transferred to the I/F 64.
The control data is sent to the printer 14 via the I/F 66.
side buffer memory 65 and printer controller 6
7 respectively.

Furthermore, the output of the I/F 64 is sent to the buffer memory 65 via a data selector (SW6) 77. This buffer memory 65 transmits information regarding the free space of the buffer memory 65 to the printer controller 67 so that the memory occupancy state due to data storage can be managed by the printer controller 67.
I am sending it to First stretcher 68 and second stretcher 69
Under the control of the printer controller 67, the image data once stored is subjected to data decompression processing that is the reverse of that during recording. The selector (SW6) 70 stores the image data subjected to the data expansion process together with the uncompressed data on the frame memory 71 as reproduced still image information. The printing unit 72 is controlled by a printer controller 67,
A video print image is generated using this still image information.

Note that the data selector (SW6) 70 described above
The selection is appropriately controlled by the printer controller 67 in conjunction with the switching of input signals by the key input switch 76 or the like.

The automatic print operation will be explained with reference to the operation flowchart of FIG. 5, focusing on data exchange between the VTR section 90 and the video printer section 14.

When the operation starts, the servo circuit 38 searches the video tape 41 under the control of the camcorder controller 42 (S1). The camcorder controller 42 checks whether a cue signal is detected from the INDEX area E2 (S2), and causes the servo circuit 38 to continue the search operation until all "1"s are detected from the cue signal. If so, the capstan 19 is stopped and the process proceeds to step S3 on the YES side. Here, the printer controller 67 requests the printer status "PT/ST" in order to confirm the operating state of the printer 14 side. The printer controller 67 on the printer 14 side, which receives the request sent via the data bus 26 via the I/F 66, checks the buffer memory 65 (S4). The printer controller 67 receives the free space information from the buffer memory 65, checks whether the memory is saturated (S5), and if it is saturated, proceeds to step S6 and sets "PT/ST" to "Busy". If there is still room, "PT/ST" is set to "Free" (S7), and then "Free/Capa" is set depending on the memory occupancy state (S8). The printer controller 67 transfers the “PT/ST” information indicating the status of the printer section 14 set in this manner and the “Free/Capa (F/C)” information indicating the free capacity of the buffer memory 65 to the data bus 26. It is sent upward and transmitted to the VTR section 90 side (S9).

The camcorder controller 42 of the VTR section 90 receives "PT/ST" and "F/C" (S1
0). If “PT/ST” is “Busy” (S11)
, the process returns to step S3 and waits until the printer section 14 is free.

[0048] The printer controller 67
ST" = "Free" and there is free space in the buffer memory 65, check how much still image data corresponding to the cue signal found in step S2 has, and transfer it to D. - Set as C (data capacity) (S12).The printer controller 67 may read information on the imaging format and compression mode from the subcode and specify it as shown in FIG. 7, or set the number of bits in the subcode in advance. You may also write the capacity as .

Next, the printer controller 67
A comparison is made between the free capacity of the buffer memory 65 on the printer section 14 side and the amount of image data to be sent from the VTR section 90 side which is larger (S13). If there is not enough memory space on the printer 14 side, the process returns to step S3 and waits until extra buffer memory 65 becomes available. Conversely, in the case of YES, the image data confirmed in step S12 is reproduced (S14), and the image data is sequentially sent onto the data bus 26 (S15).

[0050] The printer controller 67 is connected to the I/F 6
4 (S16), and writes the image data to the buffer memory 65 (S17). Next, the printer controller 67 checks the data transfer (S18), and when it is completed, notifies the VTR unit 90 via the bus line 26 that the memory write operation has been completed (S19). When the camcorder controller 42 receives this and determines that the data transfer is completed (S20), the camcorder controller 42 checks whether there is a search instruction for the next cue signal, and if there are any remaining "JOBs", the above step of the search is performed. Return to S1, continue the process in the same way, and select “EN
DofJOB”, the process advances to the YES side and ends.

Regarding the operation of the video printer unit 14,
This will be explained according to the operation flowchart shown in FIG.

The printer controller 67 appropriately decompresses the still image data from the buffer memory 65.
Import it into the frame memory 71 in expanded form (S60
). The printer-side controller 67 takes in data for setting printout conditions (print size, number of sheets, etc.) via the I/F 66 (S61). The print number counter N is reset to "0" (S62). Said step S61
The number of prints taken in is set in P (S63). The printing process is started, one sheet is printed, and the process proceeds to the next step (S64). The counter N is incremented by "+1" (S65). It is determined whether the number of printed sheets N has reached the required number P (S66), and if NO, the process returns to step S64, and the printout process is continued; if YES, the process proceeds to step S66. The original data (compressed data) of the still image data that has been printed out is deleted from the buffer memory 65 (S67).

After the deletion in step S67, it is determined whether still image data to be printed still remains (S68).
), if unprocessed data remains, the process returns to step S60, and if the buffer memory 65 becomes empty, the series of processes ends.

FIG. 7 shows some examples of modes that can be set by combining the image data companding method and the imaging format. The imaging format is NTSC (or PAL) field photography and frame photography, and fields and frames of so-called high-definition TV, in which the number of scanning lines is approximately doubled. Compression formulas include sub-sampling for spatial thinning, DPCM for quantization, and DCT and JP for block coding orthogonal transformation.
EG etc. are available. The figure illustrates the above combinations as modes that can be expressed with 4 bits of mode 1 to mode 16.

Based on the uncompressed information of the HD frame image and assuming a buffer memory that can store only one screen, the following is the result of roughly calculating the amount of data corresponding to the above-mentioned modes 1 to 16 and the number of images stored in the memory. is shown in Figure 8.

As described above, it can be seen that, depending on the mode, it is possible to store data of several to several tens of still images in the same buffer memory 65.

In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the buffer memory 65 is shared as a buffer memory for digital signal processing and a frame memory for analog signal processing.
It is also possible to use it as a field memory instead of a frame memory.

According to the above-mentioned embodiment, when transferring image data from the VTR section 90 side to the printer section 14 side, the operating state of the printer section 14 side is checked, and the VTR section 90 is transferred according to the printer state. By making it possible to control the search operation, if print search information is recorded on the videotape 41 in advance, multiple types of screens can be sequentially searched (as soon as the print operation is completed) and print processing can be performed automatically. A video printer system is possible.

[0059] In this way, since complicated and time-consuming printing operations can be automated, it is possible to promote the spread of video printing culture in the home.

Furthermore, automation of printing is convenient when deploying the current photo DPE system to external print labs, and it is convenient to print video tapes with printout information input to higher quality commercial printer service shops. This has the great effect of making it possible to create an electrophotographic DPE culture.

Since the data is transferred to the buffer memory 65 on the printer section 14 side in a compressed state, the data transfer speed is fast and the number of screens that can be stored in the buffer memory 65 is increased. This has the effect of shortening the overall processing time by making it less likely that work will be delayed due to a busy state.

By having two video sources, an analog input and a digital input, it is possible to handle various input signals.

In this embodiment, the essential memory for each input stage is the same memory, and the circuit is configured to switch between the buffer memory and the frame or field memory in conjunction with the selection of the input signal. It became possible to make the scale compact. Furthermore, it becomes possible to transfer the memory capacity on the analog side to the digital side in terms of expanding the degree of freedom in design, and by fully operating the buffer memory called "printer busy" described above, the VTR section 90 side This also has the advantage that time losses due to search operation stagnation are less likely to occur, and the overall print processing time can be shortened.

[0064] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments,
Various modifications can be made without changing the gist of the invention.

In the embodiments described above, a tape-shaped medium is used as the medium, but the medium is not limited to this, and may be a disk-shaped medium or other forms such as a solid-state memory. Further, in this embodiment, a television signal is taken as an example of the video signal, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a still image such as an electronic file may be used.

[0066]

According to the present invention described in detail above, the buffer memory and the frame or field memory are constructed of the same memory, and the first input means for inputting digital signals and the second input means for inputting analog signals are configured. Since the same memory is switched between buffer memory and frame or field memory depending on the selection state of the input means, the user's time constraints can be minimized even when printing out multiple screens. It is possible to provide a video printing system that can reduce costs, automate printing operations, and can be made compact at low cost and with a simple circuit configuration.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a video printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a video printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention during information reproduction.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a video printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention during information recording.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a recording track pattern on an 8 mm videotape.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the video printing system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the video printing system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a mode that can be set based on a combination of an image data companding method and an imaging format.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between compression mode and data amount.

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional video print system.

[Explanation of symbols]

14 Video printer 20a Analog image signal input terminal 26 Data bus 41 Video tape 42 Camcorder controller (search section) 46
Key input switch (input section) 61 A/D converter 65 Buffer memory 66 Interface 67 Printer controller 90 VTR section (image recording and retrieval device) 100 Video print system

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A data bus for transmitting a still image information signal in the form of a digital signal, first input means for inputting the digital signal, and storing data of the still image signal supplied from the data bus. a second input means for inputting an analog video signal; and a frame or field memory for extracting a still screen from the analog video signal; and a selection means for selecting the first input means and the second input means, and according to which of the first input means and the second input means is selected. A video printing system characterized in that the same memory is selectively used as the buffer memory and the frame or field memory.