US 5,345,260 AGranted

Video transfer device

AssigneeRecoton Corporation

InventorSalvatore C. Petralia

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Abstract

Apparatus which transfers photos, motion picture films and slides to videotape (or other video recording media) by means of a video camera and recorder, such as a camcorder, is operable in three modes: first for film or slide to video transfer using a movie or slide projector to present images from motion picture film or slides to the camcorder; second to illuminate a photo or other print and present the image therefrom to the camcorder; and third to illuminate with concentrated light a slide or transparency to present an image projected by the illumination to the camcorder thereby enabling direct transfer of images from slides or transparencies. The apparatus includes a box with openings on opposite ends and on a side thereof. A dual internal mirror is movable across the box to positions where light projected from the movie or slide projector is deflected by the mirror to the camcorder through openings at one end and the side of the box in the first mode of operation of the device and light from the illuminating source is concentrated on the slide or transparency for obtaining the third, direct transfer mode of operation. In the second mode of operation, the dual mirror is movable to a position where it does not block light from a photo to the camcorder so that the camcorder can receive the image on the photo when the camcorder and photo are located adjacent to the openings at the opposite ends of the box.

Claims15

Dependent claims

Apparatus for transferring images on motion picture film, prints and transparencies to video signals recorded on a video record medium which apparatus comprises a box having a plurality of openings, first and second ones of said openings being along a first axis and another of said openings being along a second axis transverse to said first axis, a first mirror mounted in said box for reciprocal movement between first and second positions along a linear path which is inclined to both said first and second axes for reflecting, when in said first position, images projected from said motion picture film or transparencies through said third opening to said first opening adjacent to which and outside said box a video camera which provides the video signals can be disposed, a lamp in said box disposed between said path and said second opening for illumination of a region outside of said box through said second opening when activated, said first mirror being moveable to said second position out of blocking relationship of an image reflected along said first axis from a print disposed outside said box adjacent to said second opening in said region through said first opening to the video camera when it is disposed outside said box adjacent to said first opening, a second mirror reciprocally movable with said first mirror along said path between said first and second positions, said second mirror facing said second opening when in said first position and being inclined with respect to said first axis to reflect and concentrate light from said lamp through said second opening to project directly an image on a transparency disposed adjacent said second opening to the video camera when it is disposed outside said box in the path of said image from said transparency, whereby obviating the need for an external slide projector to provide back lighting of said transparency.

A video transfer box-like device for use with a video recording camera, said box-like device having a front wall aperture for alignment with the lens of a video recording camera;

a side wall aperture for receipt of images into said device from a film or slide projector;
a movable first mirror means in said device capable of two positions, an operative position reflecting film or slide images projected thereon through said side wall aperture to said front wall aperture, and a non-reflecting image position;
a rear wall aperture, opposed to said front wall aperture;
means capable of holding photographs at said rear wall aperture to transfer images of photographs to a video recording camera located at said front wall aperture when said mirror means is moved to its non-reflecting image position, and further comprising a lamp for back-illuminating a transparency held at said rear wall aperture to enable the transfer of an image from said transparency to a video camera located at said rear wall aperture, said mirror means further including back light recapture means for enhancing the illumination of said image of said transparency with light from said lamp, said recapture means including a second mirror secured to said first mirror positionable adjacent to and behind said lamp, facing said rear wall aperture for redirecting and concentrating light directed from said lamp in the direction away from said transparency back towards said transparency, whereby said transparency is lit by direct light from said lamp and by the redirected light from said lamp to allow direct transfer of said image from said transparency to a video camera.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.