Hybrid image and movie imaging system and method

1. A method for storing higher resolution images during capture and storage of a movie comprising lower resolution images, the method comprising:

capturing a series of images in succession with an imaging device wherein each image is captured as digital data,

continuously storing the digital data of the images in order in a FIFO buffer adapted to store a number of said images;

continuously compressing with a compressor the digital data of each image exiting the buffer; and

continuously storing the compressed digital data for each image in a memory system to enable the compressed digital data to be retrieved for playback of the images in a movie format; and

upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition, copying the digital data of the images in the buffer to the memory system separate from the compressed data to enable the digital data of the images copied from the buffer to be retrieved.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the compressor is a further compressor, and wherein the method further comprises initially compressing with an initial compressor the digital data of each image being stored in the buffer, and wherein:

the aforesaid compressing of the digital data of each image exiting the buffer is a further compressing by said further compressor;

the compressed digital data continuously stored in the memory system is the further compressed digital data, and

the digital data copied to the memory system is the digital data initially compressed by the initial compressor.

3. A method according to claim 2 , wherein the memory system comprises a single memory, and wherein the further compressed digital data and the initially compressed digital data are stored separately in the memory.

4. A method according to claim 2 , wherein the memory system comprises two memories, wherein the further compressed digital data is stored to a first of said two memories, and wherein the initially compressed data is stored in a second of said two memories.

5. A method according to claim 2 , wherein the imaging device captures X images per second, and wherein the FIFO buffer is adapted to store N seconds of said images.

6. A method according to claim 2 , wherein upon the occurrence of the predetermined condition, the digital data of the images in the buffer is copied by:

(a) copying the digital data for a first number of images to the memory system, the first number of images being present within the buffer at the occurrence of the predetermined condition, and

(b) copying the digital data for a second number of images to the memory system, the second number of images being stored to the buffer after the occurrence of the predetermined condition.

7. A method according to claim 6 , wherein the first and second numbers of images are determined based on information input by a user.

8. A method according to claim 7 , wherein the information input by the user is at least one of the group consisting of the total number of frames to be copied from the buffer, and the total amount of time over which images are captured.

9. A system for storing higher resolution images during capture and storage of a movie comprising lower resolution images, the system comprising:

an imaging device operable to capture a series of images in succession wherein each image is captured as digital data,

a FIFO buffer coupled to the imaging device for continuously storing the digital data of the images;

a compressor coupled to the FIFO buffer, the compressor being operable to continuously compress the digital data of each image exiting the buffer; and

a memory system coupled to the compressor, the memory system being adapted to continuously store the compressed digital data for each image to enable the compressed digital data to be retrieved for playback of the images in a movie format;

wherein the FIFO buffer is also coupled to the memory system to enable, upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition, copying of the digital data of the images in the buffer to the memory system separate from the compressed data, thus allowing the digital data of the images copied from the bluffer to be retrieved.

10. A system according to claim 9 , further comprising an initial compressor coupled between the imaging device and the buffer, the initial compressor being operable to initially compress the digital data of each image being stored to. the buffer, and wherein:

the aforesaid compressor is operable to compress the digital data of each image exiting the buffer is a further compressor;

the compressed digital data continuously stored in the memory system is the further compressed data, and

the digital data copied to the memory system is the initially compressed digital data.

11. A system according to claim 10 , wherein the memory system comprises a single memory.

12. A system according to claim 10 , wherein the memory system comprises two memories, wherein the further compressor is coupled to a first of said two memories for enabling storage of the further compressed digital data to the first memory, and wherein the buffer is coupled to a second of said two memories for enabling storage of initially compressed digital data to the second memory.

13. A system according to claim 10 , wherein the imaging device is adapted to capture X images per second, and wherein the FIFO buffer is adapted to store N seconds of said images.

14. A system according to claim 10 , wherein the system is configured such that, upon the occurrence of the predetermined condition, the digital data of the images in the buffer is copied by:

(a) copying the digital data for a first number of images to the memory system, the first number of images being present within the buffer at the occurrence of the predetermined condition, and

(b) copying the digital data for a second number of images to the memory system, the second number of images being stored to the buffer after the occurrence of the predetermined condition.

15. A system according to claim 14 , further comprising a user input for enabling a user to input information upon which the first and second numbers of images is determined.

16. A system according to claim 15 , wherein the user input enable the user to select at least one of the group consisting of the total number of frames to be copied from the buffer, and the total amount of time over which images are captured.

17. A method for capturing and storing images, the method comprising:

capturing a series of images in succession with an imaging device wherein each image is captured as digital data,

continuously storing the digital data of the images in order in a FIFO buffer adapted to store a number of said images;

upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition, copying the digital data of the images in the buffer to a memory system to enable the digital data of the images copied from the buffer to be retrieved.

18. A method according to claim 17 , wherein the imaging device captures X images per second, and wherein the FIFO buffer is adapted to store N seconds of said images.

19. A method according to claim 17 , wherein upon the occurrence of the predetermined condition, the digital data of the images in the buffer is copied by:

(a) copying the digital data for a first number of images to the memory system, the first number of images being present within the buffer at the occurrence of the predetermined condition, and

(b) copying the digital data for a second number of images to the memory system, the second number of images being stored to the buffer after the occurrence of the predetermined condition.

20. A method according to claim 19 , wherein the first and second numbers of images are determined based on information input by a user.