Electronic apparatus with generic memory storing information characteristic of, and information not characteristic of, functions of the apparatus

Claim 1

A video camera equipped with a functional information memory, comprising: lens means for condensing light from a subject being shot; a charge-coupled device for converting into an electric signal the light obtained from said lens means; a video signal processing circuit for converting the electric signal from said charge-coupled device into a video signal; an EEPROM for storing a plurality of predetermined functional information including information relating to functions of said video camera and information relating to functions of other video cameras in addition to said video camera, said information relating to functions of said video camera and said information relating to functions of said other video cameras being distinguished by pre-programmed flags; means including a menu item storage RAM and a display data producer for extracting said information relating to functions of said video camera distinguished by said pre-programmed flags from said EEPROM for producing a fixed menu image and for storing said menu image in said RAM, wherein said menu image includes one of a self-introduction of said video camera and a menu for mode setting, and wherein said means for extracting is connected to said EEPROM; an on-screen display controller for controlling display of said menu image; a mixer for combining outputs of said on-screen display controller and said video signal processing circuit; and a view finder for displaying thereon an output of said mixer.

Claim 3

A method for displaying menu information relating to a particular one of a plurality of different video cameras for use in a video camera including a functional information EEPROM memory, a menu item storage RAM memory, a display data producer, an on-screen display controller, a charge-coupled device, a mixer, and an electronic viewfinder, said method for displaying menu information comprising the steps of: storing functional information relating to all possible functional modes of said plurality of different video cameras including said particular one in said functional information EEPROM memory; pre-programming flags by annexing flags to a particular plurality of functional modes relating to said particular one of said plurality of different video cameras in said functional information EEPROM memory; reading said particular plurality of functional modes having flags annexed in said pre-programming flags step from said functional information EEPROM memory and storing it in said menu item storage RAM memory; producing a fixed menu image using said display data producer based on said information stored in said menu item storage RAM memory, wherein said menu image includes one of a self-introduction of said video camera and a menu for mode setting; and displaying said menu image on said electronic view finder using said on-screen display controller.

Claim 4

A method for displaying menu information relating to a particular one of a plurality of different video cameras for use in a video camera including a functional information EEPROM memory, a menu item storage RAM memory, a display data producer, an on-screen display controller, a charge-coupled device, a mixer, and an electronic viewfinder, said method for displaying menu information comprising the steps of: storing functional information relating to all possible functional modes of said plurality of different video cameras including said particular one in said functional information EEPROM memory; pre-programming flags by annexing flags to a particular plurality of functional modes relating to said particular one of said plurality of different video cameras in said functional information EEPROM memory; reading said particular plurality of functional modes having flags annexed in said pre-programming flags step from said functional information EEPROM memory and storing it in said menu item storage RAM memory; producing a fixed menu image using said display data producer based on said information stored in said menu item storage RAM memory, wherein said menu image includes one of a self-introduction of said video camera and a menu for mode setting; and displaying said menu image on said electronic view finder using said on-screen display controller.