US 5,329,325 AGranted

Synchronized zoom electronic camera system

AssigneePhoto Control Corporation

InventorsLarry D. McClellan, Denis L. Larson, Rolf D. Ingersoll, Jerome W. Lindenfelser, Roger M. Johnson

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Abstract

The present invention is directed to a multiple camera system which captures a photo image on film and captures and stores an electronic image on a magnetic recording media. The system has two operating states. In the "compose" or "view" state the electronic image channel is operated at a first gain setting, color temperature and F-stop to provide a real time moving image on a monitor. In the capture state the electronic gain, color temperature, and F-stop of the electronic camera are altered to collect or capture an electronic image during strobe illumination. The system utilizes a pair of dedicated zoom lenses, which are mechanically corrected for parallax error and the focal length of the two lenses are matched and linked together so that their focal lengths may be altered simultaneously by the operator.

Claims5

Dependent claims

A camera system for capturing a photo image on film and an electronic image on a magnetic storage media, said camera system comprising:

a first photo camera zoom lens;
a photo camera film transport attached to said first photo camera zoom lens;
a photo camera shutter located between said photo camera zoom lens and said film transport for controlling the photo image exposure time;
a second electronic camera zoom lens;
an electronic image array attached to said second electronic camera zoom lens;
an electronic camera iris located between said electronic camera zoom lens and said electronic image array;
an electronic camera iris solenoid coupled to said electronic camera iris for reducing the aperture of said electronic camera iris in a capture state;
video gain circuit coupled to said electronic image array for providing a first gain setting in a compose state and a second gain setting in a capture state;
color temperature circuit coupled to said electronic image array for providing a first color temperature setting in a compose state and a second color temperature setting in a capture state;
a first photo camera mount arm attached to said film transport, and having a second electronic camera mount arm attached to said electronic camera;
said first photo camera mount arm attached to said second electronic camera mount arm by a parallax pivot;
whereby relative motion of said first and second arms about said parallax pivot controls the magnitude of the parallax error between said first photo camera zoom lens and said second electronic camera zoom lens;
a first photo camera zoom gear attached to said first photo camera zoom lens for adjusting the focal length of said first photo camera zoom lens;
a second electronic camera zoom gear attached to said second electronic camera zoom lens for adjusting the focal length of said second electronic camera zoom lens;
said first photo camera zoom gear engaging said second electronic camera zoom gear whereby said first zoom lens and said second zoom lens are simultaneously altered in focal length in response to rotation of either of said first photo camera zoom gear and said second electronic camera zoom gear;
a manual trip switch for activation by a user;
a controller coupled to said trip switch for generating a shutter activation signal in response to said switch activation, and for generating a capture state video gain signal, and for generating a capture state color temperature signal in response to said shutter activation signal;
whereby said electronic camera image array receives said electronic image at the same time as said film transport receives said photo image.

15 more elements

A camera system for capturing a photo image on film and an electronic image on a magnetic storage media, said camera system comprising:

a first photo camera zoom lens;
a photo camera film transport attached to said first photo camera zoom lens;
a photo camera shutter located between said photo camera zoom lens and said film transport for controlling the photo image exposure time;
a second electronic camera zoom lens;
an electronic image array attached to said second electronic camera zoom lens;
an electronic camera iris located between said electronic camera zoom lens and said electronic image array;
an electronic camera iris solenoid coupled to said electronic camera iris for reducing the aperture of said electronic camera iris in a capture state;
video gain circuit coupled to said electronic image array for providing a first gain setting in a compose state and a second gain setting in a capture state;
color temperature circuit coupled to said electronic image array for providing a first color temperature setting in a compose state and a second color temperature setting in a capture state;
a first photo camera mount arm attached to said film transport, and having a second electronic camera mount arm attached to said electronic camera;
said first photo camera mount arm attached to said second electronic camera mount arm by a parallax pivot;
whereby relative motion of said first and second arms about said parallax pivot controls the magnitude of the parallax error between said first photo camera zoom lens and said second electronic camera zoom lens;
a first photo camera zoom lens coupling means attached to said first photo camera zoom lens for adjusting the focal length of said first photo camera zoom lens;
a second electronic camera zoom lens coupling means attached to said second electronic camera zoom lens for adjusting the focal length of said second electronic camera zoom lens;
said first photo camera zoom lens coupling means for engaging said second electronic camera zoom lens coupling means whereby said first zoom lens and said second zoom lens are simultaneously altered in focal length in response to rotation of either of said first photo camera zoom lens coupling means and said second electronic camera coupling means.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/093,534Filed 16 Jul 1993
Granted: 12 Jul 1994
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

G03B 17/48
Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor: adapted for combination with other photographic or optical apparatus
G02B 7/102
By relative axial movement of several lenses, e.g. of varifocal objective lens: controlled by a microcomputer
G03B 15/05
Combinations of cameras with lighting apparatus; Flash units: combinations of cameras with electronic flash apparatus; Electronic flash units
H04N 23/63
Control of cameras or camera modules: by using electronic viewfinders