Abstract:
An image signal recording/reproduction apparatus having a generating apparatus that generates a dynamic image signal or a still image signal of a subject captured by an imaging apparatus; an operation apparatus that starts recording of the dynamic image signal or the still image signal generated by the generating apparatus; a recording apparatus that records the dynamic image signal or the still image signal into a recording medium through mechanical drive; a reproduction apparatus that reproduces the dynamic image signal or the still image signal recorded at the recording medium through mechanical drive; and a control apparatus that implements control so that the mechanical drive is sustained if the operation apparatus is operated while the dynamic image signal or the still image signal is being reproduced by the reproduction apparatus and so that the recording apparatus records the dynamic image signal or the still image signal in the recording medium.

Description:
[0001]    This is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 11/898,455 filed Sep. 12, 2007, which is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 10/364,368 filed Feb. 12, 2003, which is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 09/318,830 filed May 26, 1999. The disclosures of the prior applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
       INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
       [0002]    The disclosures of the following priority applications are herein incorporated by reference: 
         [0003]    Japanese Patent Application No. 10-145818 filed on May 27, 1998 
         [0004]    Japanese Patent Application No. 10-145819 filed on May 27, 1998 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0006]    The present invention relates to an image signal recording/reproduction apparatus, a method of image signal recording/reproduction and an image signal recording apparatus. 
         [0007]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0008]    Examples of recording media employed to record images in movie cameras in the prior art include magnetic tape. In such a movie camera employing magnetic tape, when an instruction to start recording an image is issued, the drive of an imaging unit constituted of a CCD or the like starts and, after sequentially performing an operation to wind the magnetic tape onto a cylinder, an operation to set the cylinder in a steady-rotating state and an operation to advance the loaded magnetic tape to a position where recording is enabled (hereafter, these operations are collectively referred to as the preparatory operations), the camera enters a state in which recording on the magnetic tape is enabled. 
         [0009]    Since it is necessary to perform a number of operations as described above before the recording-enabled state is achieved in the movie camera described above, a certain length of time elapses after, for instance, the user operates a recording start button until the actual recording of the image signal starts. Since images cannot be captured during this time, the user may miss recording an opportunity to capture a desired scene. 
         [0010]    This problem is dealt with in movie cameras in the prior art by providing a standby state in which recording of an image signal can be started any time with the tape wound at the cylinder and the cylinder in the steady-rotating state. 
         [0011]    However, there is a problem in that, since the motor is rotating at all times in the standby state, extra power is consumed. In addition, there is a problem of the tape or the magnetic head becoming worn since the motor is rotating while the tape is stationary. 
         [0012]    Furthermore, when starting recording immediately after turning on the power at the main unit, for instance, a certain length of time must elapse before the recording can start, which may cause the user to miss recording the desired scene, as explained above. 
         [0013]    Moreover, when it becomes necessary to immediately switch to a recording operation while performing a reproduction operation in the movie camera, the recording operation cannot be started promptly for the following reason. Namely, when switching from the reproduction operation to the recording operation, the operating mode at the movie camera must be switched from the reproduction operation mode to the recording operation mode by temporarily stopping the tape. When the recording operation at the movie camera is then started, the preparatory operations described earlier are performed again before the actual recording operation starts. Thus, a significant length of time must elapse before the recording start, which may cause the user to miss recording the desired scene. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    An object of the present invention is to provide an image signal recording/reproduction apparatus, a method of image signal recording/reproduction and an image signal recording apparatus that allow recording of a dynamic image signal, a still image signal, an audio signal or the like to start promptly. 
         [0015]    In order to achieve the object described above, the present invention comprises an imaging apparatus that captures an image of a subject to be taken, a generating apparatus that generates a dynamic image signal or a still image signal of the subject captured by the imaging apparatus, an operation apparatus that is operated to start recording of the dynamic image signal or the still image signal generated by the generating apparatus, a recording apparatus that records the dynamic image signal or the still image signal in a recording medium through mechanical drive, a reproduction apparatus that reproduces the dynamic image signal or the still image signal recorded in the recording medium through mechanical drive and a control apparatus that implements control whereby a dynamic image signal or a still image signal is recorded in a recording medium by the recording apparatus by sustaining the mechanical drive if the operation apparatus is operated while the dynamic image signal or the still image signal is being reproduced by the reproduction apparatus. 
         [0016]    According to the present invention, if the operation apparatus is operated while the dynamic image signal or the still image signal is being reproduced by the reproduction apparatus, the control apparatus interrupts the reproduction operation. 
         [0017]    According to the present invention, the recording medium may be a magneto-optical disk, and the mechanical drive mentioned above may contain the rotational drive of the magneto-optical disk. 
         [0018]    The present invention is further provided with a temporary storage device that temporarily stores a dynamic image signal or a still image signal until recording of the dynamic image signal or the still image signal in the recording medium by the recording apparatus is enabled. 
         [0019]    In addition, the present invention is provided with a control apparatus that updates the contents of the temporary storage device when the temporary storage device becomes full. 
         [0020]    Furthermore, according to the present invention, if the operation apparatus is operated while a dynamic image signal or a still image signal is being reproduced by the reproduction apparatus, the control apparatus alternately implements reproduction of the dynamic image signal or the still image signal performed by the reproduction apparatus and recording of the dynamic image signal or the still image signal performed by the recording apparatus through time sharing. 
         [0021]    Alternatively, according to the present invention, the control apparatus may simultaneously implement reproduction of the dynamic image signal or the still image signal performed by the reproduction apparatus and recording of the dynamic image signal or the still image signal performed by the recording apparatus if the operation apparatus is operated while the dynamic image signal or the still image signal is being reproduced by the reproduction apparatus. 
         [0022]    The present invention is further provided with a stop operation apparatus that is operated to stop recording a dynamic image signal or a still image signal generated by the generating apparatus, and the control apparatus stops recording in the recording medium of a dynamic image signal or a still image signal newly generated by the generating apparatus after the stop operation apparatus has been operated in response to the operation of the stop operation apparatus and then, in succession, implements the recording of a dynamic image signal or still image signal stored at the temporary storage device in the recording medium. 
         [0023]    Furthermore, according to the present invention, a dynamic image signal or a still image signal may be recorded so that during a reproduction operation, a dynamic image signal or a still image signal recorded in the recording medium after the stop operation apparatus has been operated is reproduced prior to reproduction of the dynamic image signal or still image signal recorded in the recording medium before the stop operation apparatus has been operated. 
         [0024]    The present invention also provides a method of image signal recording/reproduction that is adopted in an image signal recording/reproduction apparatus comprising an imaging apparatus that captures an image of a subject to be taken, a generating apparatus that generates a dynamic image signal or a still image signal of the subject captured by the imaging apparatus, an operation apparatus that is operated to start recording of the dynamic image signal or the still image signal generated by the generating apparatus, a recording apparatus that records the dynamic image signal or the still image signal generated by the generating apparatus in a recording medium through mechanical drive and a reproduction apparatus that reproduces the dynamic image signal or the still image signal recorded in the recording medium through mechanical drive. 
         [0025]    This method of image signal recording/reproduction includes a step in which the mechanical drive is sustained if the operation apparatus is operated while a dynamic image signal or a still image signal is being reproduced by the reproduction apparatus and a step in which the dynamic image signal or the still image signal is recorded in the recording medium by the recording apparatus. 
         [0026]    The present invention comprises an imaging apparatus that captures an image of a subject to be taken, a generating apparatus that generates a dynamic image signal or a still image signal of the subject captured by the imaging apparatus, a display apparatus that displays information, a first instruction device provided superimposed on the display apparatus that issues an instruction to start recording of the dynamic image signal or the still image signal generated by the generating apparatus and a second instruction device provided at a position that is different from the position at which the first instruction device is installed, which issues an instruction to start recording of the dynamic image signal or the still image signal generated by the generating apparatus. 
         [0027]    In addition, according to the present invention, a recording start may be instructed by the second instruction device regardless of whether or not a recording start can be instructed by the first instruction device. 
         [0028]    In addition, according to the present invention, the generating apparatus is capable of generating a dynamic image signal and a still image signal, and the second instruction device is provided with a third instruction device that issues an instruction to start recording the dynamic image signal and a fourth instruction device that issues an instruction to start recording the still image signal. 
         [0029]    Furthermore, according to the present invention, when the third instruction device issues an instruction to start recording in a state in which an instruction to start recording cannot be issued by the first instruction device, the still image signal is first recorded and then recording of the dynamic image signal is performed in succession. 
         [0030]    Moreover, according to the present invention, the first instruction device issues an instruction to start recording either the dynamic image signal or the still image signal, and the second instruction device issues an instruction to start recording an image signal other than the image signal the recording start for which has been instructed by the first instruction device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  is a perspective illustrating an example of the external structure of a movie camera adopting the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 2  illustrates a structural example in which a selector switch  11  is provided at the main unit  1  in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating an example of the electrical structure of the movie camera in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating the operation in which normal recording processing is performed; 
           [0035]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart continuing from  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 6  illustrates an example of the initial image display; 
           [0037]      FIG. 7  illustrates an example of the camera window display; 
           [0038]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating detection processing in which the state of the magneto-optical recording medium  28  is detected; 
           [0039]      FIG. 9  illustrates an example of the disk window display; 
           [0040]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating an example of forced-end processing; 
           [0041]      FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating an example of first dynamic image signal pre-emptive (or quick start) recording processing that is executed if the dynamic image recording button  6  is operated when the disk window is not active; 
           [0042]      FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating an example of second dynamic image signal pre-emptive recording processing that is executed if the dynamic image recording button  6  is operated when the disk window is not active; 
           [0043]      FIG. 13  is a flowchart illustrating an example of third dynamic image signal pre-emptive recording processing that is executed if the dynamic image recording button  6  is operated when the disk window is not active; 
           [0044]      FIG. 14  is a flowchart illustrating an example of forth dynamic image signal pre-emptive recording processing that is executed if the dynamic image recording button  6  is operated when the disk window is not active; 
           [0045]      FIG. 15  is a flowchart illustrating an example of dynamic image signal pre-emptive recording processing that is executed if the dynamic image recording button is operated during a reproduction operation; 
           [0046]      FIG. 16  is a flowchart illustrating another example of dynamic image signal pre-emptive recording processing that is executed if the dynamic image recording button is operated during a reproduction operation; 
           [0047]      FIG. 17  is a flowchart illustrating an example of still image signal pre-emptive recording processing that is executed if the still image recording button  7  is operated when the disk window is not active; 
           [0048]      FIG. 18  is a block diagram illustrating another structural example of the movie camera in  FIG. 3 ; and 
           [0049]      FIG. 19  is a flowchart illustrating an example of dynamic image signal pre-emptive&#39;recording processing executed in the movie camera in  FIG. 18 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0050]      FIG. 1  is a perspective illustrating an example of the external structure of a movie camera adopting the present invention. At the front surface of a main unit  1 , a liquid crystal display unit  4 A is provided. A touch-panel  43  is provided on the screen of the liquid crystal display unit  4 A. The touch-panel  4 B outputs a position signal that corresponds to a position specified through a user touch operation. The touch-panel  4 B is constituted of a transparent material such as glass or resin. The user can view through the touch-panel  4 B an image displayed on the liquid crystal display unit  4 A which is provided under the touch-panel  48 . 
         [0051]    In addition, at the front surface of the main unit  1 , a power switch (main switch)  5 , a dynamic image recording button  6  which is operated to start dynamic image recording and a zoom button  8  which is operated to change the focal length for the taking lens are provided. At the upper surface of the main unit  1 , a still image recording button  7  which is operated to start still image recording is provided. A slot  9  is provided at a side surface (the right side surface in  FIG. 1 ) of the main unit  1 . A detachable magneto-optical recording medium  28  or the like, such as an MO (magneto-optical) disk, is loaded at the slot  9 . 
         [0052]    In addition, a camera unit  2  is rotatably mounted at the main unit  1 . The camera unit  2  is capable of performing photographing at any angle position over the 360° range. Thus, the user can perform photographing at various camera angles while monitoring the subject displayed on the liquid crystal display unit  4 A. 
         [0053]    It is to be noted that a selector switch  11  that achieves selection between a state in which the dynamic image recording button  6  can be operated and a state in which it cannot be operated may be provided at the main unit  1 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In the example, when the lever at the selector switch  11  is switched to the “standby” position, operation of the dynamic image recording button  6  is enabled (i.e., the operation is accepted). In addition, when the lever is switched to the “lock” position, operation of the dynamic image recording button  6  is disabled (not accepted). This prevents the photographer from inadvertently operating the dynamic image recording button  6 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating an example of an electrical structure of the movie camera in  FIG. 1 . A lens drive unit  20  which is controlled by a signal processing unit  23  drives a taking lens  3  to achieve focus adjustment, zoom adjustment and the like. An imaging device  21  performs photoelectric conversion of a subject image which is formed via the taking lens  3  and outputs an image signal (electrical signal) to an A/D conversion unit  22 . The A/D conversion unit  22  converts the analog image signal provided by the imaging device  21  to a digital image signal. The signal processing unit  23  implements control of exposure at the imaging device  21  (including control of the aperture at the taking lens  3  and control of the gain used to amplify the image signal output by the imaging device  21 . In addition, the signal processing unit  23  performs processing such as white balance correction and gamma control on an image signal provided by the A/D conversion unit  22  and outputs the processed signal to a frame memory  24 . 
         [0055]    The frame memory  24  stores an image signal provided by the signal processing unit  23  or a data compression/expansion unit  25  in units of a predetermined number of individual frames. The data compression/expansion unit  25  compresses an image signal (a dynamic image signal or a still image signal) read out from the frame memory  24  and outputs the compressed data to a buffer memory  26 . In addition, the data compression/expansion unit  25  expands an image signal read out from the buffer memory  26  for output to the frame memory  24 . 
         [0056]    A data access unit  27  is provided with a recording/reproduction head. The data access unit  27  drives the loaded magneto-optical recording medium  28  to record an image signal or an audio signal read out from the buffer memory  26  in the magneto-optical recording medium  28 . The data access unit  27  also reads out an image signal or an audio signal recorded in the magneto-optical recording medium  28  and outputs it to the buffer memory  26 . 
         [0057]    An audio input/output unit  29 , which is provided with a microphone and a speaker (not shown), outputs sound that has been input through the microphone as an audio signal to an A/D conversion unit  31 . In addition, the audio input/output unit  29  outputs an audio signal provided by a D/A conversion unit  30  via the speaker as sound. The D/A conversion unit  30  converts a digital audio signal provided by an audio signal processing unit  32  to a an analog audio signal and outputs it to the audio input/output unit  29 . The A/D conversion unit  31  converts an analog audio signal provided by the audio input/output unit  29  to a digital audio signal and outputs it to the audio signal processing unit  32 . The audio signal processing unit  32  compresses an audio signal provided by the A/D conversion unit  31  and outputs it to the buffer memory  26 . In addition, the audio signal processing unit  32  expands the audio signal read out from the buffer memory  26  to output it to the D/A conversion unit  30 . 
         [0058]    A display image creation unit  33  creates an image that corresponds to the image signal read out from the frame memory  24  and displays the image on the liquid crystal display unit  4 A. A touch-panel input unit  35  outputs an operation signal (position signal) from the touch-panel  4 B to a control unit  34 . An operation member input unit  36  receives an operation signal from an operation member such as the power switch  5 , the dynamic image recording button  6 , the still image recording button  7  and the zoom button  8  and outputs the received signal to the control unit  34 . The control unit  34  implements control of the various units in conformance to a program stored in a ROM  37 . The control unit  34 , which is internally provided with a timer (not shown), is also engaged in a time counting operation at all times. Data and programs required by the control unit  34  to execute various types of processing are stored at a RAM  38 . 
         [0059]    It is to be noted that the data compression/expansion unit  25 , the display image creation unit  33 , the touch-panel input unit  35  and the control unit  34  may be realized as internal functions of a microprocessor  40 . 
         [0060]    Next, in reference to the flowchart presented in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the normal recording processing is explained. In step S 11 , the user operates the power switch  5  to turn on the power at the main unit  1 . Next, in step S 12 , the control unit  34  implements control of the display image creation unit  33  to display an initial image on the liquid crystal display unit  4 A.  FIG. 6  presents a display example of the initial image. In the example in  FIG. 6 , a camera button  51 - 1  and a disk button (reproduction button)  51 - 2  are displayed in the lower left corner of the screen. When the user touches the area where either the camera button  51 - 1  or the disk button  51 - 2  is displayed with a finger or the like, an operation signal is output to the touch-panel input unit  35  from the touch-panel  4 B. In the following explanation, touching the area where, for instance, the camera button  51 - 1  is displayed with a finger or the like is referred to as “operating the camera button  51 - 1 .” 
         [0061]    When the user operates the camera button  51 - 1 , display of the camera window (the camera window will be explained later in reference to  FIG. 7 ) that is utilized for recording a dynamic image or a still image starts. When the display of the camera window ends, the button  51 - 1  is displayed. When the camera button  51 - 1  is on display, the lens drive unit  20 ˜the signal processing unit  23  in  FIG. 3  are all in a state in which their operations are halted. This prevents wasteful consumption of power. Likewise, when the disk button  51 - 2  is operated, display of the disk window which is used to verify (reproduce) the contents recorded in the magneto-optical recording medium  28  starts. When the display of the disk window ends, the disk button  51 - 2  is displayed. 
         [0062]    The operation then proceeds to step S 13  in which the control unit  34  verifies the states of the respective units and, in step S 14 , the detection processing, in which the state of the magneto-optical recording medium  28  is detected (to be detailed later in reference to  FIG. 8 ), is executed. Then, in step S 15 , a decision is made as to whether or not the camera button  51 - 1  (see  FIG. 6 ) has been operated, and if it is decided that the camera button  51 - 1  has not been operated, the operation returns to step S 15 . If it is decided in step S 15  that the camera button  51 - 1  has been operated, the operation proceeds to step S 16  in which the control unit  34  starts display of the camera window. 
         [0063]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  present display examples of the camera window.  FIG. 7A  shows an example in which the camera window is displayed together with the disk window which is to be detailed later in reference to  FIG. 9 . In the example in  FIG. 7A , an image that has been taken in (or an image being recorded) is displayed in an area  61 . A mode button  62  is operated to select a mode such as an autofocus mode, a steady-cam mode or the like. The selected mode is displayed in an area  63 . A dynamic image recording button (movie recording button)  64  is operated to start dynamic image recording. A still image recording button (still recording button)  65  is operated to start still image recording. A stop button  66  is operated to stop the recording operation in progress. An end button (close button)  67  is operated to end (close) the camera window display.  FIG. 7B  presents an example in which the camera window is displayed over the entire screen. In  FIG. 7B , the same reference numbers are assigned to areas identical to those in  FIG. 7A  and their explanation is omitted. In the example in  FIG. 7B , the available recording time (the available capacity in the magneto-optical recording medium  28 ) or the like is displayed in an area  71 . 
         [0064]    Next, the operation proceeds to step S 17  in which the control unit  34  starts operations of the lens drive unit  20 ˜the signal processing unit  23  (in other words, power supply to the lens drive unit  20 ˜the signal processing unit  23  is started). With this, image signals corresponding to the subject image formed on the imaging device  21  by the taking lens  3  are sequentially stored in the frame memory  24 . Then, the operation proceeds to step S 18  in which the control unit  34  implements control of the display image creation unit  33  to start monitor display of the image signal sequentially stored in the frame memory  24  on the liquid crystal display unit  4 A. In step S 19 , the control unit  34  issues an instruction to the data access unit  27  to start rotation of the disk (the magneto-optical recording medium  28 ) and to make a seek operation to position the head at a track on the disk where recording is enabled. Thus, a state in which recording can be started any time (standby state) is set. 
         [0065]    In step S 20 , a decision is made as to whether or not the end button  67  has been operated. If it is decided that the end button  67  has been operated, the operation proceeds to step S 21  in which the control unit  34  implements control of the display image creation unit  33  to erase the camera window display and display the button  51 - 1 . In step S 22 , the control unit  34  stops the power supply to the lens drive unit  20 ˜the signal processing unit  23 . This causes the operations of the lens drive unit  20 ˜the signal processing unit  23  to stop. If a recording operation is performed concurrently during a reproduction operation as in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 16 , which is to be explained later, a decision is made in  FIG. 23  as to whether or not reproduction is in progress. If it is decided in step S 23  that a reproduction operation is in progress, the operation returns to step S 13  in which the control unit  34  executes subsequent processing. If it is decided in step S 23  that reproduction is not in progress, the operation proceeds to step S 24  in which the data access unit  27  stops the disk rotation. Then, the operation returns to step S 13  to execute the processing in step S 13  and subsequent steps. 
         [0066]    If it is decided in step S 20  that the end button  67  has not been operated, the operation proceeds to step S 25 . In step S 25 , a decision is made as to whether or not the dynamic image recording button  64  or the still image recording button  65  has been operated. If it is decided that neither the dynamic image recording button  64  nor the still image recording button  65  has been operated, the operation proceeds to step S 26 . In step S 26 , the control unit  34  makes a decision as to whether or not the length of time Ta over which the disk rotation has been sustained is equal to or greater than a threshold value T 1 , and if it is decided that the length of time Ta that rotation has been sustained is still not equal to or greater than the threshold value T 1 , the operation returns to step S 20  to execute the processing in step S 20  and subsequent steps. If it is decided in step S 26  that the length of time Ta over which the disk rotation has been sustained is equal to or greater than the threshold value T 1 , the operation proceeds to step S 27 . In step S 27 , the control unit  34  issues a command signal to the data access unit  27  to stop the disk rotation, and then the operation proceeds to step S 28 . In step S 28 , a decision is made as to whether or not the length of time Tb of non-operation (the length of time over which no operation has been performed by the user) is equal to or greater than a threshold value T 2 . If it is decided that the length of non-operation time Tb is not yet equal to or greater than the threshold value T 2 , the operation returns to step S 20  in which the control unit  34  executes the processing in step S 20  and subsequent steps. If it is decided in step S 28  that the length of non-operation time Tb is equal to or greater than the threshold value T 2 , the operation proceeds to step S 29  in which the control unit  34  executes forced-end processing (this point will be detailed later in reference to  FIG. 10 ). 
         [0067]    If it is decided in step S 25  that either the dynamic image recording button  64  or the still image recording button  65  has been operated, the operation proceeds to execute the operation in step S 30 . In step S 30 , the control unit  34  issues a command to the data compression/expansion unit  25  to compress the image signal stored in the frame memory  24  and output it to the buffer memory  26 , In step S 31 , the control unit  34  issues a command signal to the data access unit  27  to read out the image signal stored in the buffer memory  26  and record it in the magneto-optical recording medium  28 . 
         [0068]    In step S 32 , a decision is made as to whether or not there is any available capacity in the magneto-optical recording medium  28 . If it is decided that there is no available capacity, the operation proceeds to step S 33  in which the control unit  24  implements control of the display image creation unit  33  to display a warning such as “no available capacity” on the liquid crystal display unit  4 A. Then, the control unit  34  stops the recording operation (the compression of the image signal and storage of the compressed image signal in the buffer memory  26 , performed by the data compression/expansion unit  25 ) in step S 34 . In step S 35 , the control unit  34  issues a command to the data access unit  27  to stop the disk rotation. After this, the operation returns to step S 13  in which the control unit  34  executes the processing in step S 13  and subsequent steps. 
         [0069]    If it is decided in step S 32  that there is available capacity in the magneto-optical recording medium, the operation proceeds to step S 36 . In step S 36 , the control unit  34  makes a decision as to whether or not the available capacity in the magneto-optical recording medium  28  is small. If it is decided in step S 36  that the available capacity is small, the operation proceeds to step S 37 , in which the control unit  34  implements control of the display image creation unit  33  to display a warning such as “running out of available capacity” on the liquid crystal display unit  4 A before proceeding to step S 38 . If it is decided in step S 36  that there is still sufficient available capacity, the operation proceeds to step S 38 , in which the control unit  34  makes a decision as to whether or not the stop button  66  has been operated. If the control unit  34  decides in step S 38  that the stop button  66  has not been operated, the operation returns to step S 32 , in which the control unit  34  executes the processing in step S 32  and subsequent steps. If it is decided in step S 38  that the stop button  66  has been operated, the operation proceeds to step S 39 , in which the control unit  34  stops the recording operation. In step S 40 , the data access unit  27  stops the rotation of the disk constituting the magneto-optical recording medium  28 . 
         [0070]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart that illustrates the processing through which the state of the magneto-optical recording medium  28  is detected. First, in step S 51 , the control unit  34  makes a decision as to whether or not there is sufficient source voltage (i.e., whether or not there is sufficient battery power remaining). If it is decided that there is not sufficient source voltage (there is not sufficient battery power remaining), the operation proceeds to step S 52  to implement control of the display image creation unit  33  to display a warning such as “battery low.” The control unit  34  executes forced-end processing in step S 53 . If it is decided in step S 51  that the source voltage is sufficiently high (there is sufficient battery power remaining), the operation proceeds to step S 54  to input information from the data access unit  27  and make a decision as to whether or not the magneto-optical recording medium  28  is loaded. If it is decided in step S 54  that the magneto-optical recording medium  28  is not loaded, the operation proceeds to step S 55 . In step S 55 , the control unit  34  implements control of the display image creation unit  33  to display a warning such as “no disk loaded,” and then the operation proceeds to step S 66 . In step S 66 , the control unit  34  executes error recovery processing by, for instance prompting the user to load the magneto-optical recording medium  28  before returning to step S 54 . 
         [0071]    If it is decided in step S 54  that the magneto-optical recording medium  28  is loaded, the operation proceeds to step S 56 , in which the control unit  34  issues a command signal to the data access unit  27  to rotate the disk and initiate a seek operation to position the head at a track on the disk where recording is enabled. In step S 57 , a decision is made as to whether or not the magneto-optical recording medium  28  has been formatted. If it is decided in step S 57  that the magneto-optical recording medium  28  has not been formatted, the operation proceeds to step S 58 . In step S 58 , the control unit  34  implements control of the display image creation unit  33  to display a warning such as “not formatted” before proceeding to step S 66 . In step S 66 , the control unit  34  executes error recovery processing by, for instance, formatting the magneto-optical recording medium  28 , before returning to step S 54 . 
         [0072]    If it is decided in step S 57  that the magneto-optical recording medium  28  has been formatted, the operation proceeds to step S 59  to make a decision as to whether or not the magneto-optical recording medium  28  is write-protected (data write is prohibited). If it is decided in step S 59  that the magneto-optical recording medium  28  is write-protected (data write is prohibited), the operation proceeds to step S 60 . In step S 60 , the control unit  34  implements control of the display image creation unit  33  to display a warning such as “write prohibited” before proceeding to step S 66 . In step S 66 , the control unit  34  executes error recovery processing by, for instance, prompting the user to cancel the write-protect before returning to step S 54 . 
         [0073]    If it is decided in step S 59  that the magneto-optical recording medium  28  is not write-protected, the operation proceeds to step S 61  to start disk window display. With this, the disk window is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit  4 A.  FIG. 9  presents a disk window display example. In this example, the available recording time is displayed in an area  81 . In areas  82 - 1 ˜ 82 - 4 , a thumbnail of a dynamic image recorded in the magneto-optical recording medium  28 , a thumbnail of a still image recorded in the magneto-optical recording medium  28  or a scenario editing image or scenario editing data in regard to these images are displayed. It is to be noted that “scenario” in this context refers to a file that provides procedures through which specific types of processing or editing are implemented on a specific portion of an image and through which a plurality of images are linked. By utilizing the scenario, it becomes possible to perform editing processing by calling up a target image and to reproduce an image obtained through editing. A cursor  83  is displayed at the selected item among the thumbnails and the scenario in the respective areas. In the example in  FIG. 9 , the thumbnail in the area  82 - 3  is selected. A scroll button  84  is operated to scroll the display in the areas  82 - 1 ˜ 82 - 4  (to switch to the display of another thumbnail or of the scenario). An operating button  85  is operated to issue a command for the execution of processing such as reproduction, reverse reproduction, fast forward, fast rewind, pause, stop or the like, on the image corresponding to the selected thumbnail. A delete button  86  is operated to delete the selected thumbnail or the selected scenario. 
         [0074]    Then, the operation proceeds to step S 62  in which the control unit  34  detects the available capacity in the magneto-optical recording medium  28 . In step S 63 , the control unit  34  implements control of the display image creation unit  33  to display the available recording time corresponding to the detected available capacity in the area  81  of the disk window. Then, in step S 64 , the control unit  34  causes the thumbnail or the scenario corresponding to the dynamic image signal or the still image signal recorded in the magneto-optical recording medium  28  to be displayed in the area  82 - 1 ˜ 82 - 4  of the disk window. In step S 65 , the control unit  34  issues a command to the data access unit  27  to stop the disk rotation. 
         [0075]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating the forced-end processing. First, in step S 81 , the control unit  34  stores various states (e.g., the mode setting) in, for instance, a RAM (not shown). Then the operation proceeds to step S 82 , in which the control unit  34  implements control of the display image creation unit  33  to display a warning such as “turning off power.” In step S 83 , the control unit  34  makes a decision as to whether or not the length of time Tc over which the warning display has been on is equal to or greater than a threshold value T 3 , and if it is decided that the length of time Tc over which the display has been on is still not equal to or greater than the threshold value T 3 , the operation returns to step S 82 . If the control unit  34  decides in step S 83  that the length of time Tc over which the display has been on is equal to or greater than the threshold value T 3 , the operation proceeds to step S 84  to turn off the power at the main unit  1 . 
         [0076]    Next, in reference to the flowchart in  FIG. 11 , an example of the first dynamic image signal pre-emptive (or quick start) recording processing, which is executed if the dynamic image recording button  6  is operated while the camera window is not on display, is explained. First, in step S 91 , the control unit  34  starts power supply to the lens drive unit  20 ˜the signal processing unit  23 . With this, the operations at the lens drive unit  20 ˜the signal processing unit  23  are started, and image signal are sequentially stored in the frame memory  24 . In step S 92 , the control unit  34  starts camera window display. In step S 93 , the control unit  34  issues a command to the data access unit  27  to rotate the disk and initiate a seek operation to position the head at a track on the disk where recording is enabled. In step S 94 , the control unit  34  issues a command to the data compression/expansion unit  25  to compress dynamic image signals that are sequentially stored in the frame memory  24  and to store them in the buffer memory  26 . 
         [0077]    In step S 95 , a decision is made as to whether or not the camera window is on display. If the control unit  34  decides that the camera window is on display, the operation proceeds to step S 96 . In step S 96 , the control unit  34  implements control of the display image creation unit  33  to perform monitor display of the dynamic image signal in the area  61  of the camera window before proceeding to step S 97 . If it is decided in step S 95  that the camera window is not on display, the operation proceeds to step S 97 . In step S 97 , the control unit  34  makes a decision as to whether or not a write (recording) of the dynamic image signal in the magneto-optical recording medium  28  has been enabled. If the control unit  34  decides that the dynamic image signal cannot yet be written in the magneto-optical recording medium  28  (the disk constituting the magneto-optical recording medium  28  has not reached the steady-rotating state yet, or the head has not moved to a recording-enabled position), the operation proceeds to step S 98 . In step S 98 , the control unit  34  makes a decision as to whether or not the buffer memory  26  has become full, and if it is decided that the buffer memory  26  has not become full yet, the operation returns to step S 95  to execute the processing in step S 95  and subsequent steps. 
         [0078]    If it is decided in step S 98  that the buffer memory  26  has become full, the operation proceeds to step S 99  to update the contents of the buffer memory  26  (overwrites the dynamic image signal stored in the buffer memory  26  with a new dynamic image signal provided by the data compression/expansion unit  25 ) before returning to step S 95  to execute the processing in step S 95  and subsequent steps. 
         [0079]    If it is decided in step S 97  that a write of the dynamic image signal in the magneto-optical recording medium  28  is enabled, the operation proceeds to step S 100 . In step S 100 , the control unit  34  issues a command to the data access unit  27  to start a write of the dynamic image signal to the magneto-optical recording medium  28 . 
         [0080]    Then the operation proceeds to step S 101 , in which the control unit  34  makes a decision as to whether or not the stop button  66  has been operated. If it is decided that the stop button  66  has been operated, the operation proceeds to step S 102 , whereas if it is decided that the stop button  66  has not been operated, the operation returns to step S 100 . 
         [0081]    In step S 102 , write-end processing to end the write of the new dynamic image signal provided by the data compression/expansion unit  25  in the magneto-optical recording medium  28  starts. Next, in step S 103 , the dynamic image signal stored in the buffer memory  26  is copied and recorded in the magneto-optical recording medium  28 . At this point, the dynamic image signal copied from the buffer memory  26  in the magneto-optical recording medium  28  is appended to the dynamic image signal recorded in step S 100  so that they will be reproduced prior to the reproduction of the dynamic image signal recorded in step S 100 . By implementing such appending processing, the reproduced dynamic image signal can be viewed with a sense of continuity. 
         [0082]      FIG. 12  presents a flowchart illustrating an example of the second dynamic image signal pre-emptive recording processing that is executed if the dynamic image recording button  6  is operated while the camera window is not on display. In this example, since the processing performed in steps S 111 ˜S 118  is identical to the processing performed in S 91 ˜S 98  in  FIG. 11  and the processing performed in step S 120  is identical to the processing performed in step S 100  in  FIG. 11 , their explanation is omitted. When it is decided in step S 118  in the flowchart in  FIG. 12  that the buffer memory  26  has become full, the operation proceeds to step S 119 . Then, the control unit  34  returns to step S 115  without updating the contents of the buffer memory  26  (without overwriting the dynamic image signal stored in the buffer memory  26  with the new dynamic image signal provided by the data compression/expansion unit  25 ), to execute the processing in step S 115  and subsequent steps. Other aspects of the processing are identical to the processing in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0083]      FIG. 13  presents a flowchart illustrating an example of the third dynamic image signal pre-emptive recording processing that is executed if the dynamic image recording button  6  is operated while the camera window is not on display. First, in step S 131 , the control unit  34  starts power supply to the lens drive unit  20 ˜the signal processing unit  23 . Then the operation proceeds to step S 132  in which the control unit  34  starts camera window display. In step S 133 , the control unit  34  issues a command to the data access unit  27  to rotate the disk and to initiate a head seek. The operation then proceeds to step S 134 , in which the control unit  34  issues a command to the data compression/expansion unit  25  to compress a still image signal stored in the frame memory  24  and to store it in the buffer memory  26 . 
         [0084]    In step S 135 , the control unit  34  issues a command to the audio signal processing unit  32  to compress an audio signal input via the audio input/output unit  29  and the A/D conversion unit  31  and to store the compressed signal in the buffer memory  26 . In step S 136 , the control unit  34  makes a decision as to whether or not the camera window is on display, and if it is decided that the camera window is on display, the operation proceeds to step S 137 . In step S 137 , the control unit  34  implements control of the display image creation unit  33  to perform monitor display of the dynamic image signal in the area  61  of the camera window before preceding to step S 138 . If the control unit  34  decides in step S 136  that the camera window is not on display, the operation proceeds to step S 138  in which a decision is made as to whether or not a write of various types of signals in the magneto-optical recording medium  28  has become enabled. If the control unit  34  decides in step S 138  that a write in the magneto-optical recording medium  28  has not been enabled yet, the operation proceeds to step S 139 . 
         [0085]    In step S 139 , the control unit  34  makes a decision as to whether or not the buffer memory  26  has become full. If the control unit  34  decides that the buffer memory  26  has not become full yet, the operation returns to step S 136  to execute the processing in step S 136  and subsequent steps. If it is decided in step S 139  that the buffer memory  26  has become full, the operation proceeds to step S 140  before returning to step S 136  without updating the contents of the buffer memory  26  to execute the processing in step&#39;S 136  and subsequent steps. 
         [0086]    If it is decided in step S 138  that a write of various types of signals in the magneto-optical recording medium  28  has become enabled, the operation proceeds to step S 141  to issue a command to the data access unit  27  to write the contents (still image signal and audio signal) stored in the buffer memory  26  in the magneto-optical recording medium  28 . Then, the control unit  34  starts a write of the dynamic image signal and the audio signal in the magneto-optical recording medium  28  in step S 142 . 
         [0087]      FIG. 14  presents a flowchart illustrating an example of the fourth dynamic image signal pre-emptive recording processing that is executed it the dynamic image recording button  6  is operated while the camera window is not on display. In the flowchart in  FIG. 14 , the processing performed in steps S 151 ˜S 155  is identical to the processing performed in steps S 91 ˜S 95  in  FIG. 11 , and the processing performed in steps S 157 ˜S 159  is identical to the processing performed in steps S 97 ˜S 99  in  FIG. 12 . Thus, an explanation of these steps is omitted. In the flowchart in  FIG. 14 , if it is decided in step S 155  that the camera window is on display, the operation proceeds to step S 156 . In step S 156 , the control unit  34  implements control of the display image creation unit  33  to bring up a wait display such as “preparation in progress; please wait,” before proceeding to step S 157 . If it is decided in step S 157  that a write of various types of signals in the magneto-optical recording medium  28  has been enabled, the operation proceeds to step S 160 . In step S 160 , the control unit  34  implements control of the display image creation unit  33  to cancel the wait display and to start monitor display of the dynamic image signal. Then, in step S 161 , the control unit  34  issues a command to the data access unit  27  to start a write of the dynamic image signal in the magneto-optical recording medium  28 . Other aspects of the processing are identical to the processing illustrated in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0088]    Next, in reference to the flowchart in  FIG. 15 , an example of the dynamic image signal pre-emptive recording processing that is executed if the dynamic image recording button  6  is operated during a reproduction operation is explained. In this example, since the processing performed in steps S 174 ˜S 180  corresponds to the processing performed in steps S 94 ˜S 100  in  FIG. 11 , its explanation is omitted. In step S 171 , the control unit  34  interrupts the reproduction operation and starts display of the camera window in step S 172 . In step S 173 , the control unit  34  issues a command to the data access unit  27  to sustain the rotation of the disk for reproduction and to initiate a head seek to locate a position where recording is enabled. The processing that is performed subsequently is identical to that in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0089]    Next, in reference to the flowchart in  FIG. 16 , an example of the dynamic image signal pre-emptive recording processing that is executed if the dynamic image recording button  6  is operated during a reproduction operation is explained. Since the processing performed in steps S 194 -S 200  in the example illustrated in  FIG. 16  is identical to the processing performed in steps S 94 ˜S 100  in  FIG. 11 , its explanation is omitted. In step S 191 , the control unit  34  sustains the reproduction operation, and in step S 192 , it starts display of the camera window. In step S 193 , the control unit  34  issues a command to the data access unit  27  to perform a seek operation to position the head at a track on the disk where recording is enabled. While other aspects of the processing are identical to those in the processing illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the reproduction operation and the recording operation are executed alternately through time-sharing. It is to be noted that instead of executing the reproduction operation and the recording operation through time-sharing, two heads, one for recording and the other for reproduction, may be provided at the data access unit  27  to perform recording and reproduction at the same time using these two heads. 
         [0090]    Next, in reference to the flowchart in  FIG. 17 , an example of the still image signal pre-emptive recording processing that is executed if the still image recording button  7  is operated while the camera window is not on display is explained. First, in step S 211 , the control unit  34  starts supplying a source voltage to the lens drive unit  20 ˜the signal processing unit  23 . Thus, the operations at the various units start, and still image signal sampled with specific timing are stored in the frame memory  24 . In step S 212 , the control unit  34  issues a command to the data compression/expansion unit  25  to read out the still image signal stored in the frame memory  24 , to compress it and to store it in the buffer memory  26 . Then, the operation proceeds to step S 213 , in which the control unit  34  starts display of the camera window. In step S 214 , the control unit  34  issues a control signal to the data access unit  27  to rotate the disk constituting the magneto-optical recording medium  28  and to initiate a seek operation to position the head at a track on the disk where recording is enabled. In step S 215 , the control unit  34  makes a decision as to whether or not the camera window is on display and if it is decided that the camera window is on display, the operation proceeds to step S 216 . In step S 216 , the control unit  34  implements control of the display image creation unit  33  to display a still image signal in the area  61  of the camera window before the operation proceeds to step S 217 . If the control unit  34  decides in step  215  that the camera window is not on display, the operation proceeds to step S 217 . In step S 217 , the control unit  34  makes a decision as to whether or not a write of the still image signal in the magneto-optical recording medium  28  has become enabled. If the control unit  34  decides that a write in the magneto-optical recording medium  28  has not become enabled yet (the disk constituting the magneto-optical recording medium  28  has not reached the steady rotating rate or the head is not at a recording-enabled position), the operation returns to step S 215  to execute the processing in step S 215  and subsequent steps. 
         [0091]    If the control unit  34  decides in step S 217  that a write of the still image signal in the magneto-optical recording medium  28  has become enabled, the operation proceeds to step S 218 , in which the control unit  34  issues a command to the data access unit  27  to write the still image signal in the magneto-optical recording medium  28 . 
         [0092]      FIG. 18  is a block diagram illustrating another structural example of the movie camera in  FIG. 3 , with the same reference numbers assigned to components identical to those in  FIG. 3  to preclude the necessity for an explanation thereof. In the example in  FIG. 18 , the buffer memory  26  in  FIG. 3  is not included. In other words, signals are transmitted and received directly between the data compression/expansion unit  25  and the data access unit  27  or between the audio signal processing unit  32  and the data access unit  27 . Other structural features are identical to those in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0093]      FIG. 19  presents a flowchart illustrating an example of the dynamic image signal pre-emptive recording processing that is executed if the dynamic image recording button is operated while the camera window is not on display in the movie camera illustrated in  FIG. 18 . In the example illustrated in  FIG. 19 , since the processing performed in steps S 301 ˜S 305  is identical to the processing performed in steps S 91 ˜S 95  in  FIG. 11  and the processing performed in step S 307  is identical to the processing performed in step S 97  in  FIG. 11 , their explanation is omitted. If it is decided in step S 305  that the camera window is on display, the operation proceeds to step S 306 . In step S 306 , the control unit  34  implements control of the display image creation unit  33  to bring up a wait display such as “preparation for recording in progress; please wait,” before preceding to step S 307 . If the control unit  34  decides in step S 307  that a write of dynamic image signal in the magneto-optical recording medium  28  has become enabled, the operation proceeds to step S 308 , in which the control unit  34  implements control of the display image creation unit  33  to cancel the wait display and to start monitor display of a dynamic image signal stored in the frame memory  24 . In step S 309 , the control unit  34  issues a command to the data access unit  27  to start a write of the dynamic image signal in the magneto-optical recording medium  28 . Other aspects of the processing are identical to those in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0094]    It is to be noted that the explanation has been given on processing in which pre-emptive recording of dynamic images is performed in reference to the individual embodiments described above. The present invention may be adopted when implementing processing in which pre-emptive recording of still images is performed as well as dynamic images. Pre-emptive recording of still images is started when the still image recording button  7  is operated while a reproduction operation is in progress. The pre-emptive recording of still images is implemented by adopting a processing similar to that for the dynamic image pre-emptive recording described above. However, when implementing pre-emptive recording of still images, the contents of the buffer memory  26  do not need to be updated even when the buffer memory  26  has become full. In addition, when the buffer memory  26  has become full, a warning may be displayed to the effect that any further pre-emptive recording of still images cannot be performed. 
         [0095]    In addition, in each of the embodiments described above, the control unit  34  may select a signal to be stored in the buffer memory  26 , among a dynamic image signal, a still image signal and an audio signal, in correspondence to the length of time to elapse before a recording-enabled state is achieved, the capacity at the buffer memory  26  or the battery state until the magneto-optical recording medium  28  enters a recording-enabled state. 
         [0096]    In reference to the embodiments, a camera that is provided with four recording buttons, i.e., the dynamic image recording button and the still image recording button operated through the touch-panel provided on the screen of the display apparatus and the dynamic image recording button and still image recording button provided at locations other than the location of the touch-panel installation, has been explained. However, it is not necessary to provide all four of these recording buttons. For instance, the button that is operated through the touch-panel may be used as a dynamic image recording button, with a button provided at a position other than the location of the touch-panel installation made to function as a still image recording button. Or the reverse of this arrangement and a button operated through the touch-panel being a still image recording button with a button provided at a position other than the location of the touch-panel installation functioning as a dynamic image recording button may be assumed. By adopting such a structure, a reduction in the number of parts is achieved. 
         [0097]    The image signal recording/reproduction apparatus and the method of image signal recording/reproduction that have been explained in reference to  FIGS. 1-19  achieve the following advantage. Namely, when a command for recording is issued while the reproduction apparatus is engaged in reproduction of a dynamic image signal or a still image signal, a command is issued to the recording apparatus to start recording a dynamic image signal or a still image signal while sustaining the mechanical drive of the recording medium. Consequently, even while the movie camera is engaged in a reproduction operation, for instance, a pre-emptive recording of an image can be started. 
         [0098]    In addition, in the image signal recording apparatus that has been explained in reference to  FIGS. 1˜19 , an image signal recording start can be prompted by the first instruction device provided on the screen of the display apparatus or by the second instruction device provided at a position other than the installation position of the first instruction device. Thus, an image signal recording start can be instructed by either of the instruction device depending upon the operating state to achieve a prompt start of image signal recording. Furthermore, since image signal recording can be started by using the second instruction device even in a state in which a recording start cannot be prompted by the first instruction device, image recording can be started without delay.