Patent ID: 6041361
Filing Date: 2000-03-21
Classification: G06F,G08B,H04N

Abstract:
Apparatus for storing video signals, comprising:a first video camera;a second video camera;conversion means, connected to said video cameras, for selectively converting video signals generated by said video cameras into digital video signals;storage means, connected to said conversion means, for storing said digital video signals; andcontrol means, connected to said conversion means and said storage means, for controlling said conversion means and said storage means; wherein:said video cameras each generate video signals according to an interlaced video signal standard in which said cameras each alternately generate odd signal fields and even signal fields, said odd signal fields corresponding to odd-numbered horizontal scan lines of an image plane and said even signal fields corresponding to even-numbered horizontal scan lines of said image plane; andsaid control means controls said conversion means and said storage means so that said storage means stores digital video signals representing both odd and even signal fields generated by said first video camera, and also stores only one of:(a) digital video signals representing exclusively odd signal fields generated by said second video camera; and(b) digital video signals representing exclusively even signal fields generated by said second video camera.