Dual Video and Still-Film Camera

The field of this invention relates to video cameras and to still-film cameras of the single-lens reflex (SLR) type and compact types, specifically to the combination of video and still-film apparatuses in a single camera to allow switching between video and still-film operation at will, and more specifically to the incorporation of a digital image sensor and circuit board in this dual-purpose camera in order to support video photography in a still-film type of camera environment.

Digital image sensors are currently being used in several diverse applications and particularly in the camera field. The two notable applications are video recorder cameras, including the more recently invented "camcorder" type, and still digital cameras.

In both of these applications, the image sensor, located at a focal point within the camera behind the lens, converts the light image to a digital signal which is processed for color and then recorded on magnetic tape. This signal in turn can be captured or played back as a video image on a CRT-type screen or as a still computer image ultimately reproducible on film negative and positive paper print.

Almost all image sensors currently being manufactured and used in today's video and digital camera applications are one of two types of solid-state semiconductors: the charge-coupled device (CCD) or the metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS). The CCD appears to be the chip of choice for most manufacturers. Up to the present moment in time, the high-resolution image sensors being manufactured have been too expensive to consider for application in a type of camera that would combine video and still-film operation. However, available manufacturing and marketing data indicates that shortly these limitations will no longer apply.

The object of this invention, therefore, is to modify the conventional still-film camera (SLR and compact types) by combining the still-film apparatus with the video apparatus, principally the image sensor and circuit board but also the other means for video recording, such as tape deck, video eyepiece, video head drum, sound recorder and playback mechanism, and controls. In addition to porting the necessary video apparatus to a still-camera fabrication, only a few simple and economic modifications, mechanical and electrical, have to be effected in order to make a very portable and easily-controlled dual camera.

The objects and advantages of the invention are these:

1. Dual operation. The camera user can carry and use a single camera, lightweight and easily manipulated, to take both video and still-film pictures, whereas heretofore two cameras would have had to be carried if one intended to use both types of camera for the same photography session.

2. Equipment Backup. If in the middle of a photography session involving an unrepeatable event (a wedding, for example), the dual camera runs out of either video tape or film, the user can switch to the other media in order to capture something of the remaining event.

These objects and advantages will be obtained by the invention of a combination video and still-film camera which incorporates the most advanced image sensing technology (CCD) and a simple control allowing the user to easily switch from video to still-film operation or the reverse.

To more fully understand the invention, consider the detailed description which follows in conjunction with the attached drawings and reference numerals, wherein

FIG. 1 (overview) is a perspective view of the two camera types (still-film and video) being combined in this invention, which is the third camera type, a dual video and still-film camera.

FIGS. 2-6 (figure summary) comprise various views of the invention incorporating a single-lens reflex (SLR) type of still-camera apparatus.

FIG. 2 (assembled SLR) is a perspective view of the fully assembled invention incorporating a single-lens reflex (SLR) type of still-camera apparatus.

FIG. 3 (preferred SLR) is a partially exploded view of the SLR type showing the principal apparatus for switching from still-film to video operation in the preferred, vertical-plane embodiment.

FIG. 4 (alternate SLR) is a partially exploded view of the SLR type showing the principal apparatus for switching from still-film to video operation in an alternate or horizontal-plane embodiment.

FIG. 5 (sensor extended) is an exploded view of the principal parts of the SLR type as activated when the image sensor (CCD) is extended into the light image line of sight for video operation.

FIG. 6 (sensor retracted) is an exploded view of the principal parts of the SLR type as activated when the image sensor (CCD) is retracted to allow still-film operation.

FIGS. 7-11 (figure summary) comprise various views of the invention incorporating a compact type of still-camera apparatus.

FIG. 7 (assembled compact) is a perspective view of the fully assembled invention incorporating a compact type of still-camera apparatus.

FIG. 8 (preferred compact) is a partially exploded view of the compact type showing the principal apparatus for switching from still-film to video operation in the preferred, vertical-plane embodiment.

FIG. 9 (alternate compact) is a partially exploded view of the compact type showing the principal apparatus for switching from still-film to video operation in an alternate or horizontal-plane embodiment.

FIG. 10 (sensor extended) is an exploded view of the principal parts of the compact type as activated when the image sensor (CCD) is extended into the light image line of sight for video operation.

FIG. 11 (sensor retracted) is an exploded view of the principal parts of the compact type as activated when the image sensor (CCD) is retracted to allow still-film operation.

Because the invention can be embodied in either of two types of popular still-film cameras--single-lens reflex (SLR) or compact--this detailed description of the invention will discuss the two types separately.

1. Structure: Dual Camera With SLR-type Still-film Embodiment

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the combination of still-film 1 and video camera 2 apparatuses in a dual-purpose camera 3 is dependent mainly on the incorporation of a digital image sensing or CCD semiconductor device 4 in the dual camera, with, of course, a camera casing (FIG. 2) large enough to contain these and other necessary film and video components. Looking at FIG. 3, note that in the SLR-type still-film embodiment a video eyepiece 5 is required for when the video mode is active. Note also that the SLR-type lens 6 and other SLR camera still-film components will be conventional and not ported over from other technologies.

Illustrated in FIG. 3, the preferred embodiment of the video apparatus is a video components casing 10 extended vertically below the still-film casing 3. FIG. 4 shows an alternate embodiment, with the video components casing 11 extended in a horizontal plane and a small auxiliary components casing 12 extended vertically.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the principal innovation of the invention, a movable image sensor (CCD type) 4 and image-sensor circuit board 8. In these figures, the movement is managed by a switching worm gear and knob control 9. However, a feasible alternative not shown here is a motor-driven movement initiated by a button or lever control manipulated by the user.

2. Operation: Dual Camera With SLR-type Still-film Embodiment

Operation of this SLR-type embodiment of the dual video and still-film camera begins with the user's decision on which mode to use. If the user elects the video mode (FIG. 5), he or she turns the switching worm gear and knob 9 to a fixed-click position in order to extend the image sensor 4 into the path of the light image. Now an electrical contact point 7 on the leading edge of the image-sensor circuit board 8 meets a corresponding contact point on the camera body, thereby completing a circuit connection to the camera's electronic micro controller. The micro controller in turn automatically immobilizes three still-film camera parts: the focal plane shutter 16, the mirror 14, and the aperture diaphragm 17 (if the aperture diaphragm is controlled automatically). The focal plane shutter is immobilized in the closed position during video operation in order to protect the film 15 from exposure to light, and the mirror is immobilized in the down position so that it cannot collide with the CCD in the active position. The aperture diaphragm is immobilized initially at a default opening set by the factory. However, the micro controller allows the manual diaphragm control, if there is one, to override the automatic, in case the user wishes to select an alternate f-stop or aperture opening.

If the user elects the still-film mode (FIG. 6), he or she turns the switching worm gear and knob 9 in the opposite direction to a fixed-click position in order to retract the image sensor 4 completely outside the path of the light image. Now the electrical contact points 7 separate to break the circuit connection which had immobilized the focal plane shutter 16, the mirror 14, and the aperture diaphragm 17 As before, the user can manually adjust the aperture diaphragm (if this version of the camera has manual diaphragm control) or can accept the automatic setting. The shutter is freed to open when the user presses or turns the shutter release control. The mirror is freed to move to the up position when the user has completed viewing the image by means of the refracting viewfinder prism 13 and has pressed or turned the shutter release control, thereby allowing the light image to travel through the camera to strike the film.

1. Structure: Dual Camera With Compact-.type Still-film Embodiment

When the invention is embodied in a dual camera incorporating the compact-type of still-film apparatus, as with the SLR type there must be a camera casing (FIG. 7) large enough to contain the necessary still-film and video components when the video mode is active. Looking at FIG. 8, note that the compact-type lens 19 and other compact camera still-film components will be conventional and not ported over from other technologies. For the compact-type still-film embodiment, a video eyepiece 18 is a construction alternative or manufacturing option. Because the viewfinder of the compact-type apparatus yields a direct view of the image and does not require the refracting prism of the SLR-type, the video eyepiece is not needed for video operation unless the still-film viewfinder cannot produce the proper focus corresponding to the lens during video operation.

Illustrated in FIG. 8, the preferred embodiment of the video apparatus is a video components casing 22 extended vertically below the still-film casing 2. FIG. 9 shows an alternate embodiment, with the video components casing 25 extended in a horizontal plane and a small auxiliary components casing 26 extended vertically.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the principal innovation of the invention but accommodated to the compact-type of still-film apparatus, a movable image sensor (CCD type) 21 and image-sensor circuit board 23. In these figures, the movement is managed by a switching worm gear and knob control 24. However, a feasible alternative not shown here is a motor-driven movement initiated by a button or lever control manipulated by the user.

2. Operation: Dual Camera With Compact-type Still-film Embodiment

Operation of this compact-type embodiment of the dual video and still-film camera begins with the user's decision on which mode to use. If the user elects the video mode (FIG. 10), he or she turns the switching worm gear and knob 24 to a fixed-click position in order to extend the image sensor 21 into the path of the light image. Now an electrical contact point 20 on the leading edge of the image-sensor circuit board 23 meets a corresponding contact point on the camera body and completes a circuit connection to the camera electronic micro controller. The micro controller in turn automatically immobilizes the lens shutter 30 and the aperture diaphragm 31 (if this camera embodiment utilizes an aperture diaphragm). The shutter is fully opened and immobilized so that during video operation the light image is unimpeded from striking the image sensor or CCD. The aperture diaphragm is immobilized initially at a default opening set by the factory. However, the micro controller allows the manual diaphragm control, if there is one, to override the automatic, in case the user wishes to select an alternate f-stop or aperture opening.

If the user elects the still-film mode (FIG. 11), he or she turns the switching worm gear and knob 24 in the opposite direction to a fixed-click position in order to retract the image sensor 21 completely outside the path of the light image. Now the electrical contact points 20 separate to break the circuit connection which had immobilized the lens shutter 30 and aperture diaphragm 31 (if this camera embodiment utilizes an aperture diaphragm). The shutter is now freed to open when the user presses or turns the shutter release control. If this camera embodiment utilizes an aperture diaphragm and offers both automatic and manual diaphragm control, the user, before releasing the shutter, can manually adjust the aperture diaphragm or can accept the automatic diaphragm setting.

Whether embodied in a single-lens reflex (SLR) type or compact type of still-film apparatus, the invention incorporates an advanced digital image-sensing technology in a dual video and still-film camera in such a way that the user can easily switch between the video and still-film modes with the assurance that the inactive mode will not interrupt and impair the active mode. The invention overcomes the inconvenience of carrying two cameras (a video recorder and a still film camera) or the frustration of finding oneself at a photography site only to discover that one was carrying the wrong type of camera for the purpose at hand. Easily carried and easy to use, the dual video and still-film camera fills a unique need in the worlds of popular and professional photography.