TITLE OF THE INVENTION:
FLAT PANEL DIGITAL FILM RECORDER
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from United States provisional application entitled "Flat Panel LCD Film Recorder", Serial No. 60/375,005, filed April 25, 2002, which is a utility patent application, Serial No. 10/392,399 filed March 20, 2003, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
Field of the Invention:
[0002] This invention relates to film recording and video transfer devices. More particularly, this invention relates to systems and methods for recording digital images onto film from a flat panel display .
Description of the Related Art:
[0003] Advances have been made in the field of computer animation over the last quarter-century. Because of the quality and realism achievable with computer animation, the popularity and wide-spread use of computer animation in film making has gradually increased over the last decade. Computer animation tools have been used to achieve special effects for decades. Some films are digitally mastered and recorded onto film later. Some films originate in digital video and are transferred to film.
[0004] Systems and methods for transferring digital images to film are well known. Conventionally, laser film recording devices use a laser combined with moving mirrors in order to "expose" each pixel of a digital image onto a frame of film.
While such devices can record extremely high-definition images onto film with great accuracy, they are often very expensive to manufacture and maintain. Furthermore, laser recording devices take relatively long periods of time to record a single frame of film. Feature length films may be several hours in length and may include hundreds of thousands of frames. As a result, it could take weeks to finish recording a single feature length onto film using a laser film recording device. [0005] Also, electron beam recorders are used, but these devices are equally as slow and expensive as the laser recorders and are restricted to black and white film. [0006] Accordingly, there is a need for new and improved systems and methods for recording digital images onto film.
[0007] Such new and improved systems and methods should preferably be inexpensive to manufacture and maintain, and should improve the rate at which digital images may be recorded onto film without reducing the quality of the recorded image.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a digital film recorder is provided. The digital film recorder includes a film recording device, a flat panel display, and a track. The film recording device has a recording input. The track is coupled to the film recording device and to the flat panel display, and aligns the flat panel display with the recording input such that the film recording device can record images displayed onto a recording medium.
[0009] According to another embodiment of the present invention, provided is a method for recording images onto film. The method includes steps of providing a flat panel display and a film recording device; aligning a display area of the flat panel
display with a recording input of the film recording device; displaying an image on the flat panel display for a predetermined time period; and exposing a frame of film of the film recording device to the image for a specified period of time. [0010] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a digital film recorder is provided. The digital film recorder includes a film recording device, a plurality of display devices, a beam splitter, and a track. The film recording device has a recording input. The plurality of display devices each has a flat panel display. The track is coupled to the film recording device, to the plurality of display devices, and to the beam splitter. The track aligns each of the plurality of flat panel displays with the beam splitter to merge images displayed on each of the plurality of flat panel displays into a single image to be recorded onto a recording medium by the film recording device in full color.
[0011] Enhancements may include implementing each flat panel display with internal color separation filters (e.g., red-green-blue or "RGB") such as broadband filters, filters mounted inside the lens, or filters external to the lens. One will understand that the filters may be used separately or simultaneous to achieve color recordation.
[0012] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method of recording images onto film is provided. The method includes a step of providing three flat panel displays, a beam splitter and a film recording device. The display area of each flat panel display is aligned with the beam splitter. The output of the beam splitter having the combined images of each the flat panel display is aligned with a recording input of the film recording device. An image is displayed on each flat panel display for a predetermined time period. A frame of film is exposed to a combined image output of the beam splitter for the time period.
[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, each flat panel display may be backlit with a number of different arrangements: traditional backlighting, modified lamphouses, LED backlighting, stroboscopic backlighting, etc. Such backlighting may also be provided to the display panel via light guides or fiber optic arrangements.
[0014] Each image may be derived from video data, such as streaming video or stored video data. The controller may be configured to stop or parcel video data into still images for recording, and then advance the data in order to achieve the desired recording rate.
[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the film recording device may include a mini-display device disposed on or within the camera. The mini-display device may be in contact with or nearly in contract with the film. Therefore, the display device may be disposed directly onto the camera aperture and no external display is necessary.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
[0016] The objects and features of the invention will be more readily understood with reference to the following description and the attached drawings, wherein:
[0017] Figure 1 A is an illustration of a digital film recorder according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] Figure 1 B is a block diagram of a digital film recorder according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] Figure 2 is an illustration of a digital film recorder having three flat-panel displays and a beam-splitter according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] Figure 3 is a flowchart of a method for recording digital images onto film according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0021] Figure 4 is an illustration of a digital film recorder in a down-shooter configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0022] Figure 5 is a three-dimensional illustration of a digital film recorder according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] Figures 6A and 6B depict illustrations of digital film recorder with one black and white display panel and a three color internal or external filter wheel; [0024] Figs. 7A -7E show various embodiments and features of an LCD display configured with stroboscopic backlighting elements for application in film recording, according to embodiments of the present invention;
[0025] Fig. 8 is an illustration of a film recorder configuration that utilizes direct printing from a mini-display device to the film, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0026] Fig. 9 shows another configuration for lighting an LCD panel utilizing an LED lamp house and fiber optic cables, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS: [0027] A digital film recorder system is shown in Figs. 1A and 1B. Referring to Fig. 1A, system 100 may include a film recording device 102, a flat panel display 104, a track 112, and a central processing unit (CPU) 106. The track 112 may run in a Z-direction and may include support members such as rails, rods, or the like for attaching the film recording device 102 and display device 104 thereto. Devices 102 and 104 may be attached to the track in a slidable fashion such as via a movable
platform, for example, or may be permanently secured to the track by any known device or method. Preferably, the devices 102 and 104 will be adjustably attached. [0028] Film recording device 102 may be any conventional camera, such as 16- millimeter, 35-millimeter, or 70-millimeter movie cameras, and may be mounted on a movable platform 122, which may be motorized and secured to track 112, such as by wheels 122a. The movable platform may be motorized and controlled by a control unit or other device, such as CPU 106. Accordingly, the distance D and picture aspect ration from a display region of the display 104 to the lens of the device 102 may be adjusted by sliding the movable platform 122 along the track in either direction.
[0029] Cameras used as the film recording device 102 may be auto focus or manual focus cameras, and also may include an adjustment unit (not shown) for adjusting the focal length, aperture size, and other characteristics thereof. Accordingly, the adjustment unit of the film recording device 102 may be coupled to CPU 106, which may adjust any of the characteristics of the camera remotely and may control the camera motor to advance film.
[0030] Display device 104 may be a thin-film technology flat panel liquid crystal display (LCD) and may be coupled with CPU 106, which can be configured to provide the display device 104 with digital images. For example, a 23-inch thin-film transistor (TFT) active matrix liquid crystal display, having a 4000 by 2500-pixel resolution, is manufactured by ID Tech Corp™, and may be coupled with a conventional personal computer system. Device 104 may also comprise an active- matrix organic light emitting diode (OLED) panel, such as a 4000 X 2500 pixel OLED panel.
[0031] It will be understood by one skilled in the art that many desired effects may be achieved by varying the size of the display, the resolution of the display, the brightness of the display, and the distance between the display area of the display and the lens of the recording device. The camera characteristics of the recording device may be varied to achieve any effect desired.
[0032] For example, dithering techniques can be used to enhance the color of the display recorded onto the film. Display devices have a limited number of colors that may be produced. Spatial dithering may be used to create a situation where two or more pixels cannot be spatially distinguished, but they can contribute equally to the color on film in order to record a better range of colors. To do this, a display device can be employed with a greater density of pixels than the film/camera can reproduce. Alternatively, the situation can also be created if the image is smaller than the display in terms of pixels, and is scaled up accordingly. If a color is desired that lies between two colors available to the display device (and thus would be impossible to produce normally), neighboring pixels of the display device are assigned each of the possible colors. In the preferred embodiment, determining which pixel is assigned which one of the two (or more) colors would be random and weighted with the color that is closest to the desired one. Film is used as the integrating device.
[0033] A second technique referred to as temporal dithering for film may be used. This method exposes the film numerous times in order to achieve a color which the device is otherwise incapable of displaying. Each exposure may have a different image, or portion of an image, on the display device. To achieve a color not available to the display device, the film can be exposed several times with available, colors both lesser and greater in value than the target color. Because film integrates
all the exposures, the net result on film is a color that may not be duplicated by the display device.
[0034] Since even the highest quality TFT LCD may not be completely flat, a precision adjustment device 114 may be attached to the rear of the display to adjust the flatness thereof, and/or may be used to attach the display to the track 112. For example, an XYZ gimbal may be attached to the rear of a display and used to mount the display onto the track 112. Preferably, an XYZ gimbal with extremely fine adjustment capabilities should be used to orient the display area of the LCD with the lens of the recording device 102. The gimbal may be mounted on the rear of the display in such a way as to improve the flatness of the LCD. One having ordinary in the art will readily understand that other instruments may be used to measure panel flatness. Additionally, dithering may be used to achieve flawless effects on large display panels.
[0035] The focus of the display device 104 to the film plane of the recording device 102 may be achieved by projecting a test pattern on the viewing area of the LCD flat panel, and the focal distance of the lens may be adjusted accordingly. The size and resolution of the image may be adjusted by moving the display device 104 closer or farther away from the film recording device 102 along the track 112. The size of the display device 104 may be adjusted as well. [0036] An integrated controller (e.g., CPU 106) may be used to monitor and control the digital images being displayed on display 104, adjusting the distance between the display device 104 and the recording device 102, such as controlling an adjustment feature attached to the film recording device 102. For example, resolution of an image may be changed by changing the distance D between recording device 102 and display device 104, and/or by changing the display area
size (image resolution) of the image being displayed on display device 104. Accordingly, the appropriate software may be executed or CPU 106 in order to accomplish the described features.
[0037] Fig. 1B is a block diagram of system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. System 100 may include a film recording device 102, a display device 104, a controller 106, a film recorder device adjustment unit 108, and a storage device 110 (e.g., data warehouse, disk farm, etc.). These devices may be constituted as already described above with reference to Fig. 1A. The display device 104 is coupled with the controller 106, as well as with film recorder adjustment unit 108. Controller 106 is coupled with the storage device 110. The film recorder adjustment unit 108 is coupled with the film recorder device 102 and is configured to adjust the distance D between the film recording device 102 and the display device 104 and the camera characteristics of the film recording device 102, such as focal length, focus, etc. The controller 106 may be a CPU and is configured to control the display of images stored on storage device 110 onto display 104 as well as to coordinate and control the film recording device 102 via the film recorder adjustment unit 108. Accordingly, the film recorder adjustment unit 108 may include actuators and motors which may or may not be part of the film recording device 102, and which may also control the advancement of the film, opening and closing of the shutter, etc.
[0038] To achieve the desired brightness and color gamut output, system 100 may be configured to record digital images to film in several formats. In a first format, images are displayed on the display device in color and recorded onto conventional color film. To achieve the desired color gamut output, the internal color filters of each LCD display device may be used in a traditional configuration.
Alternatively, or in conjunction therewith, color backlighting may be added to each display, such as via LED backlighting or externally filtered backlighting. [0039] Controller 106 may be programmed to render images on LCD display 104 in RGB (red-green-blue) or CMY (cyan-magenta-yellow) format. Accordingly, controller 106 may be configured to project images on display 104 in separate specific color wavelengths. Alternatively, color filters may be utilized with a black and white display (please note that from here forward in the document, when referring to configurations that include color separation filters, it is to be assumed that a black and white display is being used in conjunction therewith). A filter wheel 120 may be incorporated between the display 104 (a black and white display) and the lens of the film recording device 102, between the lens and the film gate (see Figs. 6A and 6B), between a backlight and the display device (e.g., at the light guide). The filter may be controlled to adjust to the color of the image. Each color projected may require a different exposure time and therefore, when recording digital images onto film via an RGB or CMY format, controller 106 is configured to display the image in each color for the desired amount of time to record the digital image before advancing the film. Black and white displays may be used to achieve better contrast ratios and larger color gamuts. The ON-OFF state of the LCD display 104 can be configured to calculate exposures sequentially frame by frame. By filling each cell independently and using RGB or CMY separation filters, an exposure can be made from black and white data.
[0040] As mentioned above, backlighting of LCD display 104 may be adjusted to increase the gamut output of display 104. Many separate back lighting units are contemplated by the present invention and may be included with or coupled to each
display 104, and to controller 106, and can be configured to adjust the brightness and frequency of the display.
[0041] In one configuration, LED lamp houses may be used for controlling back lighting. For example, a plurality of LED lamp houses 902, each containing 1 Red, 2 Green, and 1 Blue LEDs or multiple white LEDs may be incorporated as shown in Fig. 9. An input from each LED house 902 may be fed to a display panel 910 via fiber optic cables 904 and light guides 906. In Fig. 9, a fiber optic cable 904 connects each lamp house 902 to a light guide 906, wherein two light guides 906 are disposed, one on top of the display panel 910 and one on the bottom the display panel 910. One skilled in the art will understand that two or four light guides may be used and can be disposed on any opposite sides of the display panel. Similarly, the guides 906 may be disposed on either side of a light guide 911 located near or abutting the display panel 910.
[0042] The display is preferably configured to produce a light having a wavelength of 650 nm for red, 550 nm for green, and 450 nm for blue. Alternatively, the display may be configured to produce light having a wavelength of 630 nm for red, 530 nm for green, and 445 nm for blue. The peak wavelengths are preferably the same for CMY, respectively.
[0043] To produce the desired light wavelengths, filters may be built into the panel, modifications may be made to the lamp house or light box at the rear of the panel, or band-pass filters may be added to the device to set the peak wavelengths (e.g., wideband or broadband notch filters may be incorporated on the front of the lens of the recording camera transport).
[0044] Furthermore, direct LED backlighting may be implemented. The wattage may be increased for added brightness in order to accomplish more efficient and
higher quality image transfer, and a cooling system (air and/or fluid) may be added to compensate for the added heat from the backlighting. [0045] Alternatively, cold cathodes may be replaced with xenon stroboscopic elements. An exemplary stroboscopic device is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,771 ,109, (the '109 patent) entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DIGITIZING FILMS USING A STROBOSCOPIC SCANNING SYSTEM, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The '109 patent describes a novel device configured for digitizing film, rather than recording. Therefore, the device must be reconfigured for application to the present invention.
[0046] TFT LCD lighting only provides a limited exposure range, therefore limiting overall frame recording times. Thus, the use of stroboscopic lamp houses may be incorporated to decrease exposure times and provide faster recording times. [0047] Figs. 7A and 7B show two variations of an LCD display configured with stroboscopic backlighting elements for application in film recording. A stroboscopic adaptation to an LCD display device is shown in one embodiment as cylinders 702a, 702b with approximately 95-99% reflective white or gold coating on the interior surfaces of cylinders 702a, 702b, which also have openings 705a, 705b sized to ends 701a, 701b of typical TFT LCD panels 700. At each end of the cylinders 702a, 702b are ultraviolet (UV) filtered 1-4 joule xenon strobe lamps 704, two per cylinder- two or four strobes per panel.
[0048] In the preferred embodiment, the illumination cylinders are placed at top and bottom (or left and right side) of the LCD panel 700, enabling lambertian distribution of the light over the surface of the active color LCD panel 700. The distance from the light pipe is preferably set to 3-6mm from the edge of the LCD Panel 700. Stroboscopic lamp houses produce more photonic power than
fluorescent light, enabling decreased exposure times, thereby increasing film throughput of the system. Also shown in Fig. 7A is an example holder 710 for fixably holding the position of the cylinders 702a, 702b.
[0049] As described above, with each lighting arrangement for each display device, color may be provide in a variety of ways: via color filters which may be disposed between back lights and the display, in between the display and the lens of the film recorder, or between the film and the lens of the film recorder. Color may be provided by the LCD display itself and/or via control of the digital images. Color may be provide via LED backlighting. Color may be provided by any combination of the above to achieve a desired gamut output and brightness exposure. [0050] Fig. 7B shows a second embodiment of a stroboscopic application for an LCD display device. As shown in Fig. 7B, the components and arrangement are similar to those shown in Fig. 7A, but in this variation, the openings 705a, 705b of cylinders 702a, 702b, respectively, are sized to an existing light pipe/guide 720. [0051] Figs. 7C-7E show various views of two additional embodiments of an LCD display configured with stroboscopic backlighting elements for application in film recording. Fig. 7C presents a first embodiment of an integrating light box 710, which may be used with, for example, the LCD panel 700 of Figs. 7A and 7B, in lieu of the arrangement of cylinders 702a, 702b or cylinders 702a, 702b and light guide 720, respectively. In this embodiment, one or more probe apertures 711 are configured to receive strobe lamps, such as the strobe lamps 704 shown in Figs. 7A and 7B. [0052] Similarly, Figs. 7D and 7E show side and perspective views of a second embodiment of an integrating light box 715. In one variation of this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 7D and 7E, the LCD panel 700 is contained within a frame 716. A pre-pan 718 is the sandwichably located between the LCD panel 700 and a reflector
pan 719, which includes one or more probe apertures 720 configured for receiving strobe lamps, such as the strobe lamps 704 shown in Figs. 7A and 7B. [0053] Fig. 7F is an end view of one embodiment of a light pipe/guide with prismatic ends 708, for use with the embodiment of Fig. 7B. [0054] Referring back to Fig. 1 B, controller 106 may also be configured to control the images displayed on LCD device 104 coordinated with the film advance such that multiple images may be displayed on a single frame of film in order to control various aspects of the effect of the exposed frame (e.g., overexposure, blurring, color, brightness, etc.). Controller 106 is also configured to control the resolution by adjusting the display and/or the film recorder. Exposure of the film may be performed by controlling the image display time (time modulated system) or by controlling the shutter (intensity controlled system).
[0055] Fig. 2 illustrates a digital film recorder utilizing a multiple flat panel display configuration. The components used in this embodiment may be similar to those described above with reference to Figs. 1A-1B. However, the images are recorded by utilizing three displays and a beam splitter. Thus, each of the display devices can be separated into an RGB or CMY configuration and/or each the same display configurations described above may be utilized. Accordingly, a beam splitter 202 is employed to combine the images to be recorded, and each display 104a - 104c are oriented so that the combined image is focused at the lens of the recording device 102.
[0056] In order to achieve an RGB or CMY format, black and white displays may be employed with color filters as described above. Furthermore, as described above with reference to Figs. 1A-1B, a controller or CPU 106 may be coupled with the recording device 102 and the display devices 104a-104c, and the same effects may
be achieved as already described, in order to expedite imaging, each display device is sequentially operated to shorten exposure time, using the backlight control or digitally (e.g., by controller 106). One having ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that by adjusting the distance D, the camera or video display characteristics including the backlighting of each LCD, many aspect ratios and exposure characteristics, as well as formats can be achieved. [0057] When color filters are placed between the lens and the film plane, a nano- motor controlled system may be implemented to move the filters into proper position. A close-up of an exemplary nano-device is shown in Figs. 6A and 6B, and an example of positioning of the nano-device relative to a camera lens is shown in Fig. 6C. As shown in Figs. 6A and 6B, a nano-filter ring 601 includes a number of nano- motors 602r, 602g, 602b, which control the position of RGB filters (or CMY) 604r, 604g, 604b, respectively. Each nano-motor 602r, 602g, 603b is a linear device that has a pivot and a spring to actuate an arm with the filter 604r, 604g, 604b mounted to the end of the arm, making a flag-like configuration. The pivot point is out from the motor arm and a small cable is attached. The cable is pulled or pushed by the linear motion of the nano-motor. A spring can provide the tension for the return mode of the filter 604r, 604g, 604b on the end of the arm. In a preferred embodiment, the filter 604r, 604g, 604b, is selectively pulled into the filter ON position. See Fig. 6B, which shows a filter 604b pulled over an aperture 102a. One having ordinary skill in the art of nano-science will readily understand that the dimensions and configuration of the nano-device may be varied to fit the device properly into a variety of camera lens interfaces.
[0058] Fig. 6C shows the positioning of the nano-filter ring 601 relative to a standard turret 600, lens 102b, and aperture 102a.
[0059] Fig. 3 is a flowchart of a method for recording digital images onto a film. The method includes a step S300. of providing a flat panel display and a film recording device. The flat panel display and the film recording device may be constituted as already described above with reference to Figs. 1A and 1B. Next, at step S302, the display area of the flat panel display is aligned with recording input (i.e., lens) of the film recording device. As described above, a configuration such as shown in Fig. 1 A may be used to assist aligning the display area of the flat panel display with the recording input of the film recording device. A test pattern may be displayed on the display area of the flat panel display while the recording input of the film recording device is adjusted to obtain the desired focus. [0060] Next, at step S304, desired digital images to be recorded are displayed on the flat panel display for a predetermined time period (i.e., the time period may be chosen to properly expose the film with the correct brightness). Next, at step S306, the frame of film is exposed to the image for the specified time period. A shutter may be used for exposing the film for the particular time period. Step S308, the images and the film are advanced as desired. As described above, either the display time or the shutter may be controlled to expose the film. Also, the exposure can be performed in black and white, CMY or RGB formats through the use of filters, display control, or backlighting adjustments. Three display configurations as shown in Fig. 2 may also be used in implementing the method of the invention. [0061] System 100 may also be configured in an up shooter or down shooter mode. An exemplary down shooter style digital film recording device is shown in Fig. 4. Down shooter 400 may include a recording device 102 vertically aligned over a flat panel display 104. The film recording device 102 may be adjustably aligned in order to obtain a proper focus of the display area of display 104. Display 104 may
be coupled with or include a CPU for providing digital images to be displayed thereon. The CPU of the display 104 may also be coupled with the recording device 102 in order to provide the adjustments similar to those described with reference to Figs. 1A-1B. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the down shooter device 400 may also include controls and adjustments similar to other embodiments of the present invention. Cooling units may be used to cool LCD flat panels disposed in a horizontal position, such as within display 184. [0062] Fig. 5 is a three dimensional illustration of a digital film recorder according in an embodiment of the present invention. Shown in Fig. 5 are a track 112, movable platform 122, a recording device 102 mounted thereon, another movable platform 124 for mounting a single display or three displays for single shot format, and additionally shown is a shroud or alternatively a shutter mount 125 which may be used in conjunction with the recording device 102 in order to better control exposure.
[0063] The track 112 can includes one or more cross member supports and feet. In one embodiment, the platform 124 includes one or more tie down hand bolts 126 for fixably holding the platform 124 relative to the track 112, and one or more wheels 122a or other features to facilitate movement of platform 124 via track 112. [0064] The present invention may also be configured to transfer video to film. Fig. 8 shows a block diagram of a video-to-film transfer device 800, which includes a flat panel film recorder 802 of any embodiment described above, coupled with a video capture unit 804 that receives a stream of video data from a video source 806, which may be any conventional video input (e.g., digital camera, disk or memory, etc.).
[0065] The video capture unit 804 is configured to receive video data in a variety of standards, such as in NTSCDV, 720p, 1920X1080i, 1920X1080p, etc., and divide the data into still frames for display on the flat panel(s) of the flat panel film recorder 802 in a manner appropriate for recording. Accordingly, video capture unit 804 may include a processor and/or a camera, or may be implemented with CPU 106, and may be equipped with an appropriate video capture board / card for receiving a video stream. The video data is appropriately subdivided, stopped, and displayed for recording based on the desired effect, interrupting the video stream or buffering the data if necessary. Video capture unit 804 may be configured to perform effects, such as color correction and resizing for more efficient and effective recording. [0066] Thus, an effective device is provided for recording digital images onto film and for transferring video to film, in a quick, efficient and inexpensive manner. It will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described in this document are exemplary in nature, and many other configurations of the invention are possible.
[0067] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a direct printing arrangement may be provided which utilizes a mini-display device, such as LCD chip. Referring to Fig. 8, rather than using a display device as a camera, as described in the embodiments above, system 800 includes a camera configuration wherein a mini-display device or chip disposed within a camera housing or on the face of a camera, such as where a lens would traditionally be disposed. The display device 802 may receive display data similar to the embodiments described above. This recording device 800 may be configured such that the display device 802 directly contacts, or nearly contacts the film. Accordingly, the display device 802 may be placed directly over the aperture 804 of a camera. One skilled in the art will
understand that the aperture 804 and exposure time may be adjusted to attain desired effects, such as high speed printing, and to incorporate such other variables as the brightness of the display device 802.
[0068] An exemplary mini-display device 802 may utilize the SONY Silicon Crystal [X-tal] Reflective Display (SXRD) Chip™ technology, which is a 1920X1080 pixel chip display that provides high contrast, high resolution picture quality. Currently, such chips can be made as small as 0.78 inches diagonal, in a 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio.
[0069] Thus, the present invention has been fully described with reference to the drawing figures. Although the invention has been described based upon these preferred embodiments, it would be apparent to those of skilled in the art that certain modifications, variations, and alternative constructions would be apparent, while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention. In order to determine the metes and bounds of the invention, therefore, reference should be made to the appended claims.