Photography – Camera combined with or convertible to diverse art device
Reexamination Certificate
1997-06-20
2001-01-30
Gray, David M. (Department: 2851)
Photography
Camera combined with or convertible to diverse art device
C348S064000, C348S376000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06181883
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to image capture. More particularly, the present invention relates to a digital image capture module for use in a conventional still camera in place of photographic film.
2. The Prior Art
Digital cameras which capture and store a series of images as digital information using digital image sensing and semiconductor memories are known in the art. Examples of such cameras are the Color QuickCam available from Connectix, the ePhoto 307 Color digital camera available from AGFA, and the DC20, DC25, and DC120 model cameras available from Kodak. Instead of employing photographic film which must be chemically developed to produce images which are printed on transparencies or photographic paper, these cameras operate by focussing an image on a semiconductor imaging plane and then storing the image in a semiconductor memory in the camera.
Other digital cameras are available for the professional market and provide higher resolution digital images than the consumer digital cameras referred to above. These cameras are specially designed and cost in excess of several thousand dollars.
One or more images captured by the camera may be downloaded to a computer or other device through a serial or parallel interface provided in the camera using software running on the computer or other device. Once downloaded to a computer, the images may be displayed on the computer display, manipulated and used in documents generated on the computer, and even printed onto paper by a printer connected to the computer.
While such prior-art digital cameras have achieved widespread popularity, they are presently limited in several respects. Such limitations include lower image quality due to low pixel resolution and inexpensive optics and inability to change lenses and aperture settings in the case of the consumer digital cameras, and high cost in the case of the professional cameras.
It would be advantageous to employ conventional photographic film cameras to capture digital images. If traditional photographic film cameras could be so employed, a user could simply convert an existing camera into a digital one while taking advantage of the many features which such cameras provide, such as better optics, interchangeable lenses, manual aperture adjustment, autoexposure settings, etc., while retaining the option of using conventional photographic film as well.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an economical digital image capture apparatus which may be used with conventional photographic film cameras.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an economical digital image capture apparatus which may be easily used with conventional photographic film cameras from which a user can easily download images into a personal computer, a printer, a storage device, a display device, a docking station, a remote device via a modem or network interface.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a digital image capture apparatus in a package having the form factor of a standard photographic film container such as a 35 mm or other form factor cartridge.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a dual use camera which may employ conventional photographic film or the digital image capture apparatus of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A digital image capture module is provided according to the present invention for use with a photographic film camera having a defined photographic film format such as 35 mm. The digital image capture module of the present invention includes an imaging array having a focal plane, the imaging array configured to convert an optical image focused on the focal plane to electronic image signals. A digital memory is provided for storing image data. Control circuitry communicates with the imaging array for converting the electronic image signals into digital image information, for writing the digital image information into the digital memory, and for reading the digital image information from the digital memory onto an interface bus, or a port, such as a serial, parallel, SCSI, or Firewire port.
The digital image capture module of the present invention is disposed in a housing having the form factor of a photographic film holder for the defined format. The imaging array is electrically connected to and physically oriented with respect to the housing of the digital image capture module such that when the housing is disposed in a photographic film camera having the defined photographic film format, the imaging array is positioned at the focal plane of the photographic film camera as if it was a frame of photographic film ready to be exposed.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a source of electrical power for the module comprising one or more batteries is located within the housing of the module. In another embodiment of the invention, the power source for the module is located elsewhere in the camera outside of the housing and is electrically connected to circuitry disposed inside the housing.
According to another embodiment of the invention, a transparent window in the camera back is used to optically upload the contents of the module to a computer or other electronic device. RF techniques may also be used to upload the images. In other embodiments of the invention a specially adapted camera back provides controls for the module and a connector and/or an optical, infrared, RF window or other means for uploading the contents of the module.
According to another embodiment of the invention, a dual-use camera is provided which may either employ standard photographic film or the digital image capture apparatus of the present invention. Such a camera provides a physical and data interface to the digital image capture apparatus.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5055863 (1991-10-01), Lindenfelser et al.
patent: 5282040 (1994-01-01), Sapir
patent: 5561458 (1996-10-01), Cronin et al.
patent: 5570146 (1996-10-01), Collette
patent: 5619257 (1997-04-01), Reele et al.
patent: 5845166 (1998-12-01), Fellegara et al.
patent: 5847758 (1998-12-01), Iizuka
patent: 5917556 (1999-06-01), Katayama
patent: 5926215 (1999-07-01), Whipple et al.
patent: 5945977 (1999-08-01), Nishiwaki
Gray David M.
Martine Penilla & Kim LLP
PicoStar, LLC
LandOfFree
Dual purpose camera for VSC with conventional film and... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Dual purpose camera for VSC with conventional film and..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Dual purpose camera for VSC with conventional film and... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2546934