Patent ID: 7668441

Claim:
An image recording and reproducing apparatus comprising: an encoder for compressing input digital image data using a first compression rate, thereby generating and outputting a first compressed data; a storage part for storing the first compressed data; a decoder for expanding the first compressed data of the storage part to restore a digital image data, and outputting the digital image data; a key input part which outputs a re-compression command signal for conversion of the first compressed data into a second compressed data, wherein the key input part comprises a main power switch which outputs one of a power-on signal for supplying power and a power-off signal for blocking the power supply, such that the data re-compression is performed when the image recording and reproducing apparatus is not in use; an on-screen display for displaying an edit menu with options of combining, dividing, deleting, partial deleting and recompressing digital image data; and a controller for controlling the decoder, the encoder, and the storage part such that the digital image data output from the decoder is transmitted to the encoder, wherein the digital image data output from the decoder is received and compressed by the encoder at a second compression rate into second compressed data, and stored in the storage part of the image recording and reproducing apparatus upon receiving the power-off signal after the re-compression command signal.