Frame-by-frame Video Image Recording Apparatus

Abstract

A recording apparatus for recording a video image on a recording medium comprises a recording mechanism including a cathode-ray tube and pressure means for pressing the recording medium against a faceplate of the cathode-ray tube, and an electronic control means for controlling the recording mechanism. The control means includes a single-frame gate means adapted to be started by a start switch thereby energizing the cathode-ray tube to reproduce the video image on a desired single-frame, and feed means governed by the start switch for actuating a feeding element of the recording mechanism so as to effect timely feeding of the recording medium. This recording apparatus thus recording a video image signal frame-by-frame as above-described, the feeding rate of the recording medium need not be synchronized with the sweeping rate of a flying-spot on the faceplate.

Description

The invention relates to a recording apparatus and more particularly to a recording apparatus utilizing a cathode-ray tube, in which a radiation sensitive recording medium is placed on a faceplate of the cathode-ray tube for recording a video image reproduced thereon.

It is desired to record on a suitable medium a video image reproduced on a faceplate of a picture tube of a television receiver. A difficulty is experienced in timely and appropriately recording such a video image because the video image is drawn by a high speed flying-spot produced in a manner that an electron beam modulated and detected by a video image signal carrying the video image is bombarded onto a phosphorous surface of the faceplate. This makes it practically impossible to use a usual camera for such recording purposes. An oscillographic recorder has been recently developed which uses a fiber optics cathode-ray tube for continuously recording high frequency signals for recording the video image. A problem is still encountered in regulating the feeding rate of the recording medium in order to synchronize it with the sweeping rate of the flying-spot. Furthermore, the recorder of the type to continuously record a video image is disadvantageous in that, where a video image is to be reproduced by interlaced scanning, the video image is recorded by "field" but not by "frame", failing to provide a satisfactory resoluting power.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide an improved video image recording apparatus which can timely and appropriately record a video image with a satisfactory resolution.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved video image recording apparatus which records a video image in a "frame-by-frame" fashion.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved video image recording apparatus which can record a TV video signal on a recording medium by a selected frame.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a video image recording apparatus which can selectively record either positive or negative video image.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a video image recorder which can selectively record either normal or horizontally inverted video image on a recording medium.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a video image recording apparatus which can record an enlarged video image on a recording medium.

The recording apparatus according to this invention utilizes a cathode-ray tube preferably having a fiber optics faceplate the inner surface of which is coated with a phosphorous material. A video image signal source is provided which produces a video image signal mixed with a synchronizing pulse signal. The video image signal is applied to a separator for separating the synchronizing pulse signal from the video image signal. The thus separated synchronizing pulse signal is applied to a deflection signal generating means which produces deflection signals to be applied to the cathode-ray tube so as to vertically and horizontally deflect an electron beam generated therein. The synchronizing pulse signal is also applied to a single-frame gate which permits the cathode-ray tube to reproduce a desired frame of video image while being manually or automatically controlled. A recording medium sensitive to radiation is pressed against the faceplate by a suitable means thereby positioning and fixing the medium to receive the radiation from the video image reproduced on the faceplate whereby the video image is recorded on the recording medium in a frame-by-frame manner. It is apparent that the above-mentioned recording system of this invention is free from the necessity of synchronizing the sweeping rate of the electron beam and the feeding rate of the recording medium and need not "skew correction".

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a video image recording apparatus according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear end view of the apparatus with its back-board taken away;

FIG. 3 is schematic cut-away view of a recording mechanism of the recording apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a control circuit for the recording mechanism shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a preferred form of a single-frame gate used in the control circuit of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing waveforms appearing in the single-frame gate of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a preferred circuit arrangement of a motor control means in the control circuit of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing waveforms appearing in the circuit of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is another form of the control circuit for the recording mechanism of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a video amplifier forming part of the circuit of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a front view of a faceplate of a cathode-ray tube of the apparatus using the circuit of FIG. 9;

FIGS. 12 to 15 are block diagrams of other forms of the control circuit for the recording mechanism;

FIG. 16 is a front view of the faceplate of the cathode-ray tube showing an enlarged reproduction of a video image signal; and

FIGS. 17 and 18 are block diagrams of still other forms of the control circuit for the recording mechanism.

In FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of a recording system or apparatus according to this invention, shown at 10, is housed within a cabinet 11. This recording apparatus 10 has as a monitor tube TV picture tube having a faceplate 12 which is exposed to the outside through an opening 13 provided in a front wall of the cabinet. A recording mechanism including a cathode-ray tube is positioned at a suitable portion within the cabinet 11. In a suitable portion of the front wall are placed a plurality of controls 14 to 17 for controlling astigmatism, sweep timing, intensity and focus, horizontal and vertical positions, for instance, of the picture tube and the cathode-ray tube. An aperture 18 is formed in the front wall of the cabinet 10 through which a recording medium 19 recorded by the recording mechanism is delivered as shown.

FIG. 2 shows a rear side of the recording apparatus 10 with a protection board taken away. The recording mechanism indicated by 20 is positioned sidewise of the picture tube 21. An electronic control means covered by suitable member 22 for controlling the recording mechanism is provided at a lower portion of the cabinet 11.

FIG. 3 shows in more detail the recording mechanism 20 housed in a frame structure 30. This mechanism comprises a recording cathode-ray tube 31 having a display device such as a fiber optics faceplate 32. This cathode-ray tube 31 is fastened onto the inner surface of the frame structure 30 through a supporting member 33. A pressure pad 34 is provided in a manner to face the faceplate 32 of the cathode-ray tube 31 for pressing against the faceplate a recording medium 35 on which a video image should be recorded. On one side surface of the pressure pad 34 facing the faceplate 32 is provided a suitable member 36 such as a plurality of stiff bristles for the purpose of protecting the recording medium 35. The pressure pad 34 is connected at the other side surface to a substantially cylindrical rod 37 which is slidably coupled with a hollow cylindrical member 38 fixed to a supporting rod 39. This supporting rod 39 is mounted on the frame structure 30 through suitable means such as screws. A coil spring 40 is provided surrounding the cylindrical rod 37 and seated on the pressure pad 34 and the hollow cylindrical member 38 for applying through the pressure pad 34 to the recording medium 35 a suitable pressure toward the faceplate 32. The area of the side surface of the pressure pad 34 may preferably be greater than that of the faceplate 32 of recording cathode-ray tube 31. The recording medium 35 is sensitive to a radiation from a video image produced on the faceplate. In the present embodiment, the recording medium 35 is provided in the form of a paper roll 41 and fed through a guide member 42 and a pair of idler rollers 43 and 43', thereby being passed between the faceplate 32 and the pressure pad 34.

The recording medium 35 passed between the faceplate 32 and the pressure pad 34 is passed between a pair of drive rollers 44 and 44' which are driven by suitable means such as an electrical motor (not shown) thereby feeding the recording medium 35 as desired. The recording medium 35 thus passed between the drive rollers 44 and 44' is then fed through a guide member 45 to a processor 46 for developing and fixing the video image recorded thereon. The thus processed recording medium 35 is then delivered to the outside through an aperture 47 formed in the frame structure 30 preferably via a roller 48 for being turned upside down for convenience in visual observation.

FIG. 4 shows a preferred circuit arrangement of the control means for the recording apparatus shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. This circuit arrangement comprises a usual tuner 50 for a TV video signal which selectively receives a TV video signal through a suitable means such as an antenna. The video image signal selected by the tuner 50 is applied through a line 51 to a high frequency amplifier 52. The amplified video image signal from the amplifier 52 is applied through a line 53 to a detector 54 for detecting the video signal therein. The thus detected video signal is applied through a line 55 to a video amplifier 56. The video signal from the amplifier 56 is applied through a line 57 to a first grid, for example, of a display device such as the cathode-ray tube 31.

In this instance, it should be noted that any video image signals other than the TV video signal, are available for the particular recording apparatus if these signals have synchronizing signal components.

To an anode of the recording cathode-ray tube is applied a high voltage from a high voltage source (not shown) so as to accelerate an electron beam emitted from an electron gun (not shown) toward the faceplate. This electron beam is intensity-modulated by the video image signal applied thereto.

The output video image signal from the video amplifier is also applied through a line 58 to the picture tube 12 which reproduces the same video image as that reproduced on the cathode-ray tube 32. The video image reproduced on the faceplate of the picture tube 12 is visually observed for selecting a suitable video image and appropriately controlling the cathode-ray tube 31. The output signal from the video amplifier 56 is further applied through a line 59 to separating means including a separator 60 which separates the synchronizing signal from the output video image signal. The thus separated synchronizing signal including horizontal and vertical synchronizing pulses is applied through a line 61 to a first deflector 62 and through a line 63 to a second deflector 64. These deflectors 62 and 64 produce vertical and horizontal deflection signals in accordance with the synchronizing signal. The deflection signals are applied to deflecting coils 65 and 66 of both of the tubes 31 and 12, respectively, so as to vertically and horizontally deflect the electron beams to reproduce on the faceplates the video image carried by the image signal applied through lines 57 and 58, respectively.

The vertical synchronizing signal, on the other hand, is applied through a line 67 to a single-frame gate controller 68 which produces a single-frame gate signal in accordance with the horizontal synchronizing signal only when it receives a start signal through a line 69 from a start switch 70. This single-frame gate signal is used for actuating an ON-OFF gate 71 provided between a d.c. voltage source 72 and a second grid, for example, of the cathode-ray tube 31. This ON-OFF gate 71 then closes its own circuit so as to supply a voltage from the source 72 through lines 73 and 74, to the second grid thereby to raise the potential of the second grid. As the potential of the second grid is raised, the electron beam is substantially permitted to pass through the second grid whereby a selected frame of a video image is reproduced on the faceplate 32 of the recording cathode-ray tube 31. On the other hand, the voltage from the source 72 is constantly applied through a line 75 to the picture tube 12 so as to constantly reproduce the video image carried by the video image signal for providing pertinently controlled contrast, intensity, focus, etc. of the video image to be recorded. A neon lamp 76 is provided, which is connected at one terminal to the line 74 and is grounded at the other terminal and glows when the gate 71 remains closed thereby to indicate the moment at which the video image is recorded.

The start switch 71 is manually or automatically operated so as to produce a start signal, which is applied through the line 69 to the single-frame gate controller 68 and through a line 77 to the feed motor controller 78 thereby starting them. The feed motor controller 78 produces a drive signal upon termination of a time duration sufficiently longer than the pulse width of the gate signal produced by the single-frame gate after the start signal has triggered the motor controller 78. The drive signal is applied through a line 79 to a feed motor actuator 80 which then actuates a feed motor to exert a feeding force on the drive rollers or other feeding elements of the recording mechanism 20 shown in FIG. 3.

If desired, the single-frame gate controller 68 and the motor controller 78 may be arranged to co-operate with each other so as to permit of repeated recording operation of the recording mechanism 20.

The fiber optics cathode-ray tube may be replaced with other types of cathode-ray tube such as a cathode-ray pin tube, if preferred.

FIG. 5 shows a preferred form of the single-frame gate controller 68 of FIG. 4, which comprises a one-half-frequency divider 90 connected to the separator 60. One output terminal of the divider 90 is connected through a line 91 to one input terminal of an AND gate 92 and the other output terminal connected through a line 93 to a set terminal of a flip-flop 94. To the other terminal of the AND gate 94 through a line 95 is connected a monostable multivibrator 96 having an input terminal which is connected to the start switch 70. An output terminal of the AND gate is connected through a line 97 to a reset terminal of the flip-flop 94 having an output terminal which is connected through a line 98 to a driver 99. The driver 99 is adapted to produce a drive signal of a current great enough to energize the ON-OFF gate 71. This ON-OFF gate 71 may be a suitable switching device such as a relay or a transistor.

FIG. 6 shows the operation of the single-frame gate controller of FIG. 5.

When a video image signal containing the synchronizing signal is received as shown at (a), the separator 70 separates the horizontal synchronizing pulse signal from the video image signal as shown at (b). This synchronizing pulse train is applied to the one-half-divider 90 which produces an output pulse signal having a repetition frequency one half lower than that of the input synchronizing pulse train, which output pulse signal is shown at (c). This output pulse signal is applied through the line 91 to the one terminal of the AND gate 92 and also applied through the line 93 to the reset terminal of the flip-flop 94. In this instance, when the start switch 70 is actuated, the switch 70 produces a start signal which is applied to the monostable multivibrator 96 whereby producing a pulse signal as shown at (d). The pulse signal shown at (d) is applied through the line 95 to the other terminal of the AND gate 92, whereby one pulse indicated by A in the pulse train (c) which happens to appear on the line 91 during the pulse signal shown at (d) is permitted to pass through the AND gate 92 and then appears on the line 97 as shown at (e). This pulse A now having appeared on the line 97 triggers the flip-flop 94 to change its state. Thereafter, the pulse indicated by B next to the pulse indicated by A is applied through the line 94 to the reset terminal thereby to return the flip-flop 94 so that a pulse signal shown at (f) having a pulse width equal to the pulse duration between the pulses A and B appears on the line 98 and is applied to the driver gate 99. The driver gate 99 which is supplied with this pulse signal acts to close the gate 71 so as to permit the voltage from the power source 72 to be impressed on the second grid of the cathode-ray tube 31.

A preferred circuit arrangement of the motor controller 78 of FIG. 4 is shown in FIG. 7. This circuit arrangement comprises a d.c. power source having positive and negative terminals respectively connected to positive and negative bus lines 111 and 112. To the positive bus line 111 is connected through a line 113 one terminal of a resistor R.sub.1 the other terminal of which is connected through a line 114 to one terminal of a capacitor C.sub.1. The other terminal of the capacitor C.sub.1 is connected through a line 115 to one terminal of a relay coil TM1 the other terminal of which is connected through a line 116 to the negative bus line 112. The other terminal of the capacitor C.sub.1 is also connected through a line 117 to an anode terminal of a diode D.sub.1 the cathode terminal of which is connected through a line 118 to the negative bus line 112. The other terminal of the resistor R.sub.1 is also connected through a line 119 to a movable contact st..sub.s of a start switch ST which is actuated by the start signal from the start switch 70. A make contact st..sub.m of the start switch ST is connected through a line 120 to the negative bus line 112.

To the positive bus line 111 through a line 121 one terminal of a second resistor R.sub.2 the other terminal of which is connected through a line 122 to one terminal of a capacitor C.sub.2. The other terminal of the capacitor C.sub.2 is connected through a line 123 to one terminal of a second relay coil TM2 the other terminal of which is connected through a line 124 to the negative bus line 112. The other terminal of the capacitor C.sub.2 is also connected through a line 125 to an anode terminal of a second diode D.sub.2 the cathode terminal of which is connected through a line 126 to the negative bus line 112. The other terminal of the resistor R.sub.2 is also connected through lines 127 and 128 to movable contacts tm1..sub.1s and tm2..sub.1s of relays TM1 and TM2. Make contacts tm1..sub.1m and tm2..sub.1m respectively corresponding to the movable contacts tm1..sub.1s and tm2..sub.1s are connected through lines 129 and 130 to the negative bus line 112.

To the positive bus line 111 through a line 131 is connected one terminal of a resistor R.sub.3 the other terminal of which is connected through a line 132 to one terminal of a third capacitor C.sub.3. The other terminal of the capacitor C.sub.3 is connected through a line 133 to one terminal of a relay coil TM3 the other terminal of which is connected through a line 134 to the negative bus line 112. The other terminal of the capacitor C.sub.3 is also connected through a line 135 to an anode terminal of a diode D.sub.3 the cathode terminal of which is connected through a line 136 to the negative bus line 112. The other terminal of the resistor R.sub.3 is connected through lines 127 and 128 to movable contacts tm1..sub.2s and tm3..sub.1s of relays TM1 and TM3. Make contacts tm1..sub.2m and tm3..sub.1m respectively corresponding to the stationary contacts tm1..sub.2s and tm3..sub.1s are connected through lines 139 and 140 to the negative bus line 112.

One terminal of a relay coil CT is connected through a line 141 to a make contact tm3..sub.2m associated with the relay coil TM3 and through a line 142 to a make contact ct..sub.1m. A movable contact tm3..sub.2s is connected through a line 143 to a break contact tm2..sub.2b. A stationary contact tm2..sub.2s is connected through a line 144 to a movable contact ct..sub.1s and through a line 145 to the positive bus line 111. The other terminal of the relay coil TM3 is connected through a line 146 to a make contact tm3..sub.3m and through a line 147 to a break contact of a switch SP which is actuated by a suitable means when the recording medium is sufficiently fed. Movable contacts tm3..sub.3s and sp..sub.s are connected through lines 148 and 149 to the negative bus line 112.

An output terminal 150 through which the drive signal is applied to the motor actuator 80 is provided, which is connected through a line 151 to a second make contact ct..sub.2m of the relay coil CT. A movable contact ct..sub.2s is connected through a line 152 to the positive bus line 111.

With reference to FIG. 8, the operation of the circuit of FIG. 7 is described herebelow.

FIG. 8 shows operations of the start switch ST, relay TM1, TM2, TM3, CT, and switch SP of the circuit of FIG. 7 in terms of time.

When the start switch ST is opened, a current flows from the positive bus line 111, resistor R.sub.1, capacitor C.sub.1, and diode D.sub.1 to the negative bus line 112 until the capacitor C.sub.1 is fully charged. The capacitors C.sub.2 and C.sub.3, on the other hand, are fully charged in similar manners.

When the start switch ST is actuated to close at a time T.sub.1 as shown at (a), the charge stored in the capacitor C.sub.1 is discharged through the start switch ST, and relay coil TM1, so that the relay coil TM1 is energized by the discharge current during a time period T.sub.1 and T.sub.2 as shown at (b). Now that the relay TM1 is actuated, the contacts t1..sub.1m are connected so that the charge stored in the capacitor C.sub.2 is discharged through the contacts t1..sub.1s and t1..sub.1m and the relay coil TM2 whereby the relay coil TM2 is energized by the discharge current therethrough during a time period T.sub.1 to T.sub.3 as shown at (c). The time period is established by selecting the capacitance of the capacitor C.sub.2 so as to be sufficiently larger than the time period of the single-frame. The contacts tm1..sub.2s and tm1..sub.2m are also connected so that the charge stored in the capacitor C.sub.3 is discharged through the contacts tm1..sub.2s and tm1..sub.2m whereby the relay coil TM3 is energized by the discharge current during a time period from T.sub.1 to TM4 as shown at (d). The time period is established to be larger than the time period T.sub.1 to T.sub.3 and the time period from T.sub.3 to T.sub.4 is large enough to actuate the relay CT. At the time T.sub.3, the relay TM2 is inoperative but the relay TM3 maintains operative so that a current flows from the positive bus line 111 through the contacts tm2.sup.1 and tm3.sup.2, the coil CT and the parallel connection SP and tm3.sup.3 to the negative bus line 112 whereby the relay CT is operated as shown at (e). Therefore, a positive voltage signal through the contacts ct.sup.2 appears at the terminal 150 and is applied to the motor actuator 80 thereby to actuate the feed motor. When the recording medium is sufficiently fed, for example, at a time T.sub.5, the stop switch SP is operated to open the contacts SP and de-energize the relay CT since the relay TM3 has been released to open the contacts t3.sup.3.

FIG. 9 shows a modified form of the circuit arrangement of FIG. 4 wherein the video amplifier 56 is replaced with a amplifier 56' having terminals 160 and 161 through one terminal 160 of which a normal image signal having the same polarity as the original signal introduced through the detector appears and through the other terminal 161 an inverted image signal having a reverse polarity relative to the normal image signal appears. The two terminals 160 and 161 are connected to break and make contacts 162 and 163 of a change-over switch 164. A movable contact 165 of the switch 164 is connected through a line 57 to a fiber optics cathode-ray tube 31. The other elements of this circuit are connected with one another as in the circuit of FIG. 4.

In operation, when the switch 164 is not actuated and the contacts 162 and 165 are connected with each other, the normal image signal is applied through the line 57 to the cathode-ray tube 31 so that a normal video image is reproduced on the faceplate 32. When the switch 164 is actuated and the contacts 163 and 165 are connected to each other, the inverted signal is applied to the cathode-ray tube 31 so that an inverted image is reproduced on the faceplate 32.

FIG. 10 shows a preferred form of the video amplifier 56' of FIG. 9, which comprises an input amplifier 170 adapted to amplify a video image signal applied thereto through the line 55. The output terminal of the input amplifier 170 is connected through a line 171 to an inverter 172 which inverts the voltage porality of its input signal.

One output terminal of the inverter 172 is connected through a line 173 to a separator 174 which separates a synchronizing signal from its input signal. Two output terminals of the separator 174 are respectively connected through lines 175 and 176 to horizontal and vertical separators 177 and 178 which respectively separate horizontal and vertical synchronizing pulse signals. Output terminals of the horizontal and vertical separator are respectively connected through lines 179 and 180 to horizontal and vertical blanking pulse generators 181 and 182 the output terminals of which are respectively connected through lines 183 and 184 to input terminals of a first mixer 185. Two output terminals of the first mixer 185 are respectively connected through lines 186 and 187 to input terminals of second and third mixers 188 and 189. The other input terminal of the second mixer 188 is connected through a line 190 to the other output terminal of the inverter 172. The output terminal of the second mixer 188 is connected through a line 191 to one output terminal 161 of the video amplifier 56'. The other input terminal of the third mixer 189 is connected through a line 192 to the line 171, and the output terminal of the third mixer 189 is connected through a line 193 to the other output terminal 160.

When, in operation, a video image signal containing synchronizing pulses is applied to the input amplifier 170, the video image signal is amplified and applied through the line 171 to the inverter which then produces on its two output terminals an inverted image signal having an voltage polarity inverse to that of the input image signal. The inverted image signal is applied through the line 173 to the separator 174 which separates the synchronizing pulses. These synchronizing pulses are then applied through the line 175 to the horizontal separator 177 and through the line 176 to the vertical separator 178. The horizontal synchronizing pulse separated by the horizontal separator 177 is applied through the line 179 to the horizontal blanking pulse generator 181 which then generates a horizontal blanking pulse then to be applied through the line 183 to one terminal of the first mixer 185. The vertical separator 178 separates the vertical synchronizing pulses which are then applied through the line 180 to the vertical blanking pulse generator 182. The blanking pulse generator 182 then produces a vertical blanking pulse which is applied through the line 184 to the other terminal of the first mixer 185. The mixed output signal from the first mixer 185 is a mixed blanking signal of horizontal and vertical blanking pulse signal which is then applied through the line 186 to one terminal of the second mixer 188. To the other terminal of the second mixer 188 is applied through the line 190 the inverted video image signal which is then mixed with the mixed blanking signal and appears on the line 191. The mixed blanking signal is also applied through the line 187 to one terminal of the third mixer 189. To the other terminal of the third mixer 189 through the line 192 is applied the supplied video signal which is then mixed with the mixed blanking signal and appears on the line 192.

In this instance, it should be noted that since the blanking pulse formed by this video amplifier 56' is derived from the synchronizing pulse, the leading edge of the thus formed blanking pulse is delayed from the leading edge of the original blanking pulse contained in the supplied video image signal. Since, furthermore, the blanking pulse is inverted, the blanking pulse has a white level so that a bright line appears at the hatched areas, indicated by character C, of the faceplate 32 shown in FIG. 11. To avoid production of such bright lines, the phosphorous layer should be deviated to a position surrounded by a broken line D.

FIG. 12 shows a modified form of the circuit of FIG. 4, wherein a gamma-corrector 200 of any known type is interposed between the switch 164 and the line 157 so as to have the intensity of the electron beam modulated in accordance with the characteristics of the recording medium pressed upon the faceplate 32.

FIG. 13 shows another modified form of the circuit of FIG. 4, wherein a repeater 201 is interposed between the switch 164 and the line 157. This repeater 201 memorizes the image signal and then delivers the memorized image signal repeatedly several times which are determined in compliance with the sensitivity of the recording medium so as to sufficiently have the recording medium exposed to the video image.

FIG. 14 illustrates a further modified form of the circuit of FIG. 4, wherein a normally-open switch is provided in parallel with the gate 71. The switch 202 is useful where a video image signal carrying a static video image should be recorded, wherein the switch 202 is kept closed even after the gate 71 has been opened. This switch 202 may be used otherwise in regulating the astigmatism, sweep timing, intensity and focus, horizontal and vertical position and so on of the recording cathode-ray tube 25.

FIG. 15 shows still further modified form of the circuit of FIG. 4, wherein the deflector 62 provided with three output contact terminals 204, 205 and 206 on which corresponding deflection signals produced having various amplitudes and bias levels. These terminals 205, 206 and 207 are selected by a movable contact 207 which is connected to the deflection coil 65. When such a video image as shown in FIG. 16 (a) is applied to this circuit, the video image is partly reproduced on the faceplate on an enlarged scale as shown in FIG. 16 (b) or (c) according to a deflection signal on either terminal 204, 205 or 206 selected by the movable contact 207.

FIG. 17 shows a still further modified form of the circuit of FIG. 4 wherein the deflector 62 has two output terminals 210 and 211 through which two deflection signals having polarities, which are inverse to each other. Through provision of such deflector 62, horizontally inverted video images can be produced by selectively switching the selecting movable contact 212 between the two positions.

FIG. 18 shows a still further modified form of the circuit of FIG. 4, wherein the recording tube 31 is provided with an additional electron gun (not shown). To a grid associated with the additional electron gun is connected a video signal generator 213 which produces a video signal carrying a piece of information such as advertising phrases when it is energized through a line 214 by the single-frame gate 68.

It should now be understood that, although only one cathode-ray tube has been used in the above-described embodiments, a plurality of recording cathode-ray tube may be used.

Furthermore, the picture tube may be replaced with any other monitoring tube or may be removed in some cases.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A video image recording system for selectively recording one or more video images comprising: means receptive in use of video signals having synchronizing pulse signals each signal corresponding in time to a discrete frame comprising a plurality of fields and in which a video image is to be displayed: separating means for separating said synchronizing pulse signals from said video signals; a display device for displaying a video image in said discrete frame when enabled comprising means receptive of said video signals for converting said video signals to video images; start switch means for selectively generating a start signal when a selected video image is to be recorded; single-frame gate means receptive of said synchronizing pulse signals and responsive to said start signal for enabling displaying of said selected video image in said discrete frame on said display device; and recording means for recording all of said plurality of fields of said discrete frame of said selected video image displayed on said display device including feed means for feeding a recording medium when enabled and feed control means receptive of said start signal for enabling said feed means after all of said plurality of fields of said discrete frame of said selected video image have been recorded.

2. A video image recording system according to claim 1, wherein said single-frame gate means comprises means co-active with said feed control means thereby to record successive video images on successive discrete frames on said recording medium.

3. A video image recording system according to claim 1, wherein said single-frame gate means comprises a one-half-frequency divider receptive of said synchronizing pulse signals for producing pulse signals having a repetition frequency one-half that of said synchronizing pulse signals, a monostable multivibrator receptive of said start signal from said start switch means for producing a trigger signal having a pre-selected pulse width, an AND gate connected to said one-half-frequency divider and said monostable multivibrator for passing said pulse signal from said one-half-frequency divider therethrough when supplied with said start signal from said monostable multivibrator, a flip-flop connected to said AND gate and said one-half-frequency divider for producing a single-frame pulse signal having a pulse width equal to a duration between the leading edges of said pulse passed through said AND gate and a succeeding pulse of said pulse passed through said AND gate, a driver gate receptive of said single-frame pulse signal from said flip-flop for producing a drive signal having a pulse width equal to that of said single-frame pulse signal, gate means receptive of said drive signal from said driver gate and a voltage source connected to said gate means for applying a voltage signal therethrough when said gate means receives said drive signal.

4. A video image recording system according to claim 1, wherein said feed control means comprises a d.c. power source having a positive and a negative terminal, a first relay timing circuit including a first resistor connected at one terminal to said positive terminal of said d.c. power source, a first capacitor, a first relay coil having a normally-closed contact pair and a normally-open contract pair and having one terminal of the first coil connected through said first capacitor to the other terminal of said first resistor and the other terminal of said first coil connected to said negative terminal of said power source, a first diode shunting said first relay coil and forward-directed from said one terminal to said other terminal of said first coil, and a normally-open switch connected to said other terminal of said first resistor and said negative terminal discharging said first capacitor therethrough when actuated by said start signal from said start switch means; a second relay timing circuit including a second resistor connected at one terminal to said positive terminal, a second capacitor, a second relay coil having four normally-open contact pairs and having one terminal connected through said second capacitor to the other terminal of said second resistor and the other terminal connected to said negative terminal, a second diode shunting said second coil and forward-directed from said one terminal to said other terminal of said second coil, and said normally-open contact-pairs associated with said first coil and one normally-open contact pair of said second coil both connected between the other terminal of said second resistor and said negative terminal for discharging said second capacitor therethrough when closed; a third relay timing circuit including a third resistor connected at one terminal to said positive terminal, a third capacitor, a third relay coil having a normally-open contact pair and having one terminal connected through said third capacitor to the other terminal of said third resistor and the other terminal connected to said negative terminal, a third diode shunting said third coil and forward-directed from said one terminal to said other terminal of said third coil, and the second normally-open contact-pair associated with said second coil and said normally-open contact-pair associated with said third coil both connected between said other terminal of said third resistor and said negative terminal for discharging said third capacitor therethrough when closed; a fourth relay timing circuit including a fourth relay coil having a normally-open contact-pair, one terminal of said fourth relay coil being connected to said positive terminal through a parallel connection of said normally-open contact-pair of said fourth coil and a series connection of the third normally-open contact-pair associated with said second coil and said normally-closed contact-pair associated with said first coil, and the other terminal of said fourth relay coil being connected to said negative terminal through a parallel connection of the fourth normally-open contact-pair associated with said second coil and switch means for opening in response to said recording medium being fed a predetermined length, and said normally-open contact-pair associated with said fourth relay coil and connected to said positive terminal for producing an output voltage signal when said fourth coil is energized.

5. A video image recording system according to claim 1, further comprising a normally-open switch connected in parallel with said single frame gate means by-passing said gate means.