Image-data recording device and image-reproduction device for an electronic still camera

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a recording device, used in an electronic still camera, for recording image data derived from a series of images of objects to be photographed, in a suitable over-writable memory means at regular predetermined time intervals.
The device being constituted such that a continuous mode of photographing can be more easily executed to obtain a series of electronic photographs of desirable images without missing the best photographing opportunities.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a reproduction device for reproducing an image from image data recorded in a suitable over-writable memory means by such a recording device.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording device, used in an electronic still camera, for recording image data derived from images of moving objects to be photographed, in a suitable over-writable memory means at regular predetermined time intervals.
The device comprising: means for setting a series of recording areas in the memory means; means for initiating a recording of image data in the recording areas of the memory means by switching the switching means ON, in such a manner that the image data are successively stored in the recording areas of the memory in order; and means for repeating the recording of the image data in the memory means in an endless manner until the switching means is switched OFF.
The recording device may further comprise means for numbering the recording areas of the over-writable memory means in the order of the recording of the image data therein.
In this case, the recording area in which the image data is recorded just after the switching means is switched OFF, may be defined as the newest recording area, and the recording area next to the newest recording area may be defined as the oldest recording area.
The recording device may further comprise means for writing reproduction-starting information data in the oldest recording area, whereby reproduction of the image is initially carried out on the basis of the image data stored in the oldest recording area