JPS5811792B2 - Electronic still image photography device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to electronic recording and display devices;
More particularly, it relates to a fully electronic apparatus for electronically recording and then displaying still life images.

More specifically, the present invention stores electronic signals from photoelectric converters and then transmits these recorded signals at the television frame frequency ( This includes detection at a frequency (velocity) synchronized with the frequency (velocity).

Modern photography currently includes cameras that use film that requires chemical processing.

Such films are not completely satisfactory, since the chemical processing requires special equipment and is therefore relatively expensive.

Furthermore, the range of colors available with commercially available films is limited.

Furthermore, if slides are desired, a separate display or grozier is required.

There is currently no suitable alternative to chemically processed film recording media for still life photographers.

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide an improved and less expensive photographic device.

Another object of the invention is to obtain a fully electronic photographic device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a photographic device useful for storing records corresponding to images on magnetic media.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electrophotographic device that uses a conventional television set to display magnetically recorded images.

The present invention provides a completely electronic recording and display photographic device.

As used herein, the term electrophotographic device does not require a light sensitive film and associated chemical processing and a separate slide projector.

It concerns electronic devices that obtain the equivalent of still image recording and display devices such as common cameras, photosensitive film and slide projectors.

The device includes an optoelectronic transducer that generates an electronic signal in response to the exposed image.

Conventional lenses, viewfinders, shutter speed controls, etc. associated with current film cameras can be used to focus the image onto the dishwasher for the required amount of time.

The image marked on the transducer is stored in a matrix of storage elements, each defining a resolution element, and each resolution element is then recorded on a permanent storage medium, such as magnetic tape.

The image is displayed by detecting the recorded signal at a frequency synchronized to the frame frequency of a visual display device, such as a conventional television set.

The portion of the storage medium containing the recording of each resolution element associated with the desired image or images is repeatedly scanned at a rate (frequency) synchronized to the television frame frequency, so that a still image of the image recorded on the television screen is obtained. able to make.

This electronic device is advantageous in that expensive film processing is completely eliminated.

Furthermore, the images are recorded on inexpensive magnetic tape, and as many as 300 images can be recorded on a tape housed in a small cassette.

This results in a cost per image that is several tens of times lower than that achieved with conventional photosensitive films.

Furthermore, most households already own a television set, providing a convenient visual display medium.

Since the colors available on commercial television sets have a wider range than the capabilities of light sensitive film, they can be edited as desired by using the television set's color controls.

Techniques for making an electronic camera with a suitable photoelectric converter target for recording a desired image are obtained as described in detail below.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

One advantage of the present electrophotographic device is that it can utilize commercially available television sets to display still images.

With this in mind, it can be seen that the interface or buffer between the medium and the display device used to store the electronic record of the images must be compatible with the television display and format.

An understanding of the present invention will be facilitated by first considering generally the requirements of current television formats.

The American TV system will be explained next.

Other television formats can be used if desired by providing the necessary interfaces.

American TV system standards are defined for a frame frequency of 30 cps, each consisting of two combined fields having a field frequency of 60 cycles per second (cps).

Line scan frequency of 15750cps is 525 to raster
Define the line of the book.

According to the invention, therefore, the electronic signal defining the recording of the image stored on the recording medium is supplied to the television set 30 times per second.

The visual display and required interfaces are explained in detail below under Visual Display.

Also, various suitable interface configurations are described.

Referring to FIG. 1, the electrophotographic apparatus of the present invention is shown in functional block diagram form.

The device includes a photoelectric converter 10 for defining an optical image and generating an electronic signal corresponding thereto.

The transducer is coupled to a recording medium 12 effective for storing the generated electronic signals.

The recording medium is preferably an inexpensive storage medium such as a magnetic tape, disk, or drum.

Following exposure of transducer 10 to the optical image, the recording medium is electrically coupled to the transducer.

An example of a suitable assembly is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

Recording medium 12 is electrically coupled to visual display interface block 14 for displaying stored recordings.

As will be explained later in the detailed description of FIGS. 12 to 15, the interface 14 is configured to ensure that the signals recorded on the recording medium 12 are provided to the visual display device 16 at a rate compatible with the display format. It operates.

Referring to FIG. 2, a more detailed functional block diagram of the apparatus generally shown in FIG. 1 is shown.

In FIG. 2, the transducer 10 includes elements 18, 20.degree. 22.

The optical system is generally designated 18.

This optical system consists of, for example, an optical system used in conventional film cameras.

Optical system 18 precisely controls exposure for a given illumination condition and focuses an image onto photosensitive target 20.

In accordance with the invention, target 20 comprises a matrix of separately addressable photosensitive storage elements.

A convenient transducer size is 1.27cm x 0.95cm
That's about it.

Target 20 is sensitive to light.

That is, the electrical characteristics of each memory element change in proportion to the incident light.

The target therefore stores analog data.

The optical system 18 focuses a desired image onto a target 20 for a period of time determined by shutter speed control, which is performed in response to illumination conditions and the like.

Suitable targets include vidicon, charge transfer device matrices, as described in more detail with respect to the description of FIGS. 6 and 7.

These targets are equipped with sequential readout of stored signals.

That is, the target 20 itself operates in such a way that it retains the stored signal for a significant period of time so that it can be read out at any desired rate.

On the other hand, the target responds to very short-duration signals, allowing the use of high-speed shutters for high-speed photography.

Scan control circuit 22 provides control signals for controlling the reading speed of analog data stored in target 20.

If a vidicon type target is used, the scan control adjusts the scan rate of the various storage elements, and the signal consists of the amount of current required to recharge the storage elements to a reference potential.

The scan control 22 then controls the matrix, i.e. the target 2
The zeroing charge coupled device adjusts the clock speed of data readout of the shift register.

A drive source 25 is coupled to recorder 26 to provide the desired recording speed.

The drive source is also coupled to scan control 22 to ensure synchronization.

When the drive source comprises a synchronous motor, the scan control signal is generated in response to motor shaft speed in the example given.

The analog data stored in target 20 is read out sequentially at 24 in the form of electrical signals.

These signals are recorded at 26.

A scan control 22 is coupled to the recorder 26 through a drive source 25 to synchronize readout and signal recording.

In the manner described above, a desired image record, or image, is recorded on, for example, magnetic tape.

In practice, recorder 26 is coupled to transducer 10 following exposure of the target.

To display an image, the medium on which the signal is recorded is removed or disconnected from the camera for playback to a suitable visual display device, such as a television receiver.

As previously explained, an interface must be provided in order for electronic records to be provided in a format compatible with the display device.

Suitable interface circuitry 14 is shown in more detail in FIG. 2 and includes frame selection 28, scanning interface 30, playbank speed control 32, and display 34.

Frame selection 23 is effective for instructing recorder 26 to perform desired recording.

Recall that a record may contain, for example, 300 or more separate images or frames.

The scanning interface provides a synchronization signal to ensure that the selected recording is repeatedly scanned 30 times per second for TV display.

The scanning interface provides control signals to a playbank speed control unit 32, which controls the speed or frequency of playback.

Television display 34 receives an open signal for each frame time corresponding to the recording selected in frame selection 28.

This record is scanned repeatedly during each frame time so that a still image is displayed on the television screen.

Proper connections to the television set are shown in Figures 13 and 14.
Illustrated in fig.

As previously explained, American TV standards are defined for a frame rate of essentially 30 frames per second, consisting of two combined fields each having a rate of 60 frames per second.

Each recorded complete frame (image) therefore contains two fields, each with an effective duration of 1/60th of a second in gray background.

A preferred tape format suitable for use in a charge coupled device optoelectronic converter for recording color images is shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, each resolving element defining a line of the television raster is They are read out sequentially in a shift register manner.

For example, in a 500 line raster, one of the combined fields would be the odd numbered lines, i.e. 1.3.5.
7, .
4.6.8,......500.

In the illustrated embodiment, a dual rad recorder is used and two lines of the raster are read out simultaneously.

For example, lines 1 and 2 of the raster are first detected and recorded on separate tracks A and B of magnetic tape 15.

The resolution element is indicated generally at 17 and contains separate signals corresponding to each of the blue, green, and red colors of the exposed image.

These signals are obtained, for example, by placing a color filter over a portion of the target as shown in FIG.

Typically, about 2 to 300 resolution elements are used per line.

Therefore, track A of tape 15 sequentially records the blue, green, and red components of the odd numbered lines, and track B records similar data corresponding to the even numbered lines of the raster.

This portion of the magnetic tape thus defines one frame or one color image.

13 to 15, such portion is scanned at a rate of 30 times per second;
When supplied to the television station, a still image is displayed.

Track C of the tape is used to obtain the synchronization signal.

A suitable method for recording electronic signals corresponding to exposed images at low frequencies and playing back the recorded data at high speeds compatible with television is shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 shows an electro-mechanical frequency conversion device using magnetic tape.

The device includes a variable speed recorder and player, generally indicated at 39.

In this embodiment, a magnetic head 40 rotates along the inside of a drum 42 around which a tape 44 is wound.

The signals generated by the aforementioned transducers are recorded on tape 44.

In this embodiment, all information regarding the image is preferably recorded during one revolution of head 40.

A convenient speed has been found to be 60-100 revolutions per minute (RPM).

For such speeds, the transducer must hold the stored signal for approximately 1 second.

That is, the target is typically exposed for only a fraction of a second.

In the illustrated preferred CCD target implementation:
Lines 499 and 500 (FIG. 3) indicate that approximately 1 second of exposure is not recorded by head 40.

As shown, one frame, or image, is stored on tape around the drum 42.

Recall that playback on a television set requires a speed of 30 frames per second.

In this embodiment, where one image (or frame) is recorded during one revolution of head 40 at 60 revolutions per second, the speed of the tape head is varied from 60 RPMs to, for example, 1800 RPMs.
The required frame rate of 30 frames per second is achieved by increasing the RPM (for tape formats in which the two fields per frame are sequentially located on the same track).

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a functional block diagram of one example of the recording portion of the electrophotographic apparatus of the present invention.

Here, the recording camera has a focal plane shutter of 50
and a camera optical system 48 having a shutter 52 and a photoelectric converter 49.

As shown, shutter 52 is actuated in response to switch 54 which is actuated to initiate exposure of the image.

Switch 54 is connected to a logic control, such as an AND gate 56, which is connected to target scanning circuitry 58 and recorder drive motor assembly 60.

A cassette recorder 62 is shown as an example.

The particular recording assembly shown as comprising a rotating drum 67 around which magnetic tape was wound was later incorporated into the 19th
It will be explained in detail with reference to the figures.

The output of the AND gate 56 is connected to the shutter 52 for driving the shutter 52, and is also connected to the recording head 65.
Also connected is a logic circuit 64 which provides respective color signals and synchronization signals.

Since the operation of camera optics is well understood by those skilled in the art, a detailed description thereof will not be given here.

For vidicon targets, the signals stored in the various elements of the photosensitive column are detected by scanning the column and measuring the recharging current.

Scanning circuit 58 controls the readout of converter 49.

As shown, the scanning circuit is connected to motor assembly 60.
is combined with

The output of AND gate 56 is coupled to logic circuit 64 to enable it to provide a signal to recording head 65.

Thus, the tape gap 66 of the cassette 62 is synchronized with the reading of data from the transducer 49.

That is, since it is guaranteed to correspond to the vertical retrace period of the scanning circuit 58, no data will be lost.

The signal corresponding to the image focused on the transducer 49 and stored in its array of photosensitive elements is detected by scanning the target and measuring the recharging current.

Separate color records are generated for each of the primary colors (in the case of a color image) and processed with a pulse width modulator 68 to improve the signal to noise ratio.

Such processing is described in Reynolds' “AHelica
l-8can Co1crVideotape Rew
Rder for the Broadbuster.”
CCtober1970, Journal of th
e SMPTE, Vol. 79.

The signal is then provided to logic circuit 64 and then recorded onto tape in cassette 62 by recording head 65.

Scanning circuit 58 and motor assembly 60 are coupled so that scanning circuit 58 can completely scan transducer 49 (excluding gap 66) during one revolution of the tape head.

Thus, one frame of information, or one image, is recorded on the magnetic tape.

At a tape head speed of 60 RPM no other images can be received for one second.

AND gate 56 eliminates shutter operation until the previous signal is recorded on tape.

After the image has been recorded, tape advance circuit 70 in conjunction with tape rotation motor 72 advances a new section of tape from the cassette by coupling 73.

When an image is taken, the signal from AND gate 56 is provided to delay circuit 74.

The signal is delayed for a sufficient time to record the image on tape, and then the signal enables tape advance circuit 70 to operate tape rotation motor 72 to send a new section of tape for the next image.

Counter 78 provides a signal when the usable tape is exhausted.

Various configurations of cameras can be used, one of which was mentioned above.

For color images, a camera with three tubes, one for each primary color, can be used.

It is also advantageous to use a single tube camera with a color rotary plate.

In this configuration, three separate records are made by rotating the color wheel.

Additionally, a color filter may be placed adjacent to the storage element to selectively create three color records.

Another photosensitive target for the vidicon described above and the preferred target of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and includes a charge transfer device shift register.

As known to those skilled in the art, charge transfer devices include insulated gate field effect transistor bucket bridges and charge coupled devices.

The charge transfer device is photosensitive and stores analog signals.

They are inexpensive, operate at low voltage levels, and are easily manufactured in integrated circuits.

The charge transfer rate can be changed simply by changing the clock voltage frequency.

A portion of the CCD target array is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

Each series of lateral columns 78 defines a charge transfer device shift register.

As is known to those skilled in the art, typically a set of three metal electrode lines 78 are used to define one bit of a CCD shift register, and the data is stored on the semiconductor substrate underlying the intermediate electrode. be done.

A vertically diffused or doped channel 79 of semiconductor material forms the target.

These diffused regions prevent lateral diffusion of the charge generated in response to the target exposed to the signal or image.

As shown most clearly in FIG. 7, a color filter 80 is placed over the surface of the target where the image imprint is to be left.

As can be seen, these color filters 80 are formed by a semiconductor substrate 8 defined by each pair of diffused channels 79.
It is adjacent to the wedge-shaped region of 1.

A typical resolution element of the target is shown at 87,
Three separate metal electrodes 78 and three column areas 83a for receiving and storing information, each corresponding to the blue, green, and red components of the exposed image.

83b and 83c.

Typically, the target consists of 500 shift register pits defining a 500 line raster, and on the order of 300-350 lateral resolution elements to provide a resolution matching the capabilities of the television.

In operation, the camera's optics focus the desired image onto the storage matrix, and each resolution element stores an analog signal corresponding to the red, blue, and green components of that portion of the image.

Next, the shutter is closed and the signals are stored until that column is read out (which takes about 1 second).

As shown, vertical clock source 85 provides a downward shift of the data, in this example two
Pit or two row shifts are performed simultaneously to data read shift registers 82 and 84.

Vertical clock 85 is then disconnected and horizontal registers 82 and 84 are simultaneously read out as field 1 and field 2 of the two combined fields (see FIG. 3) required for each television frame. Recorded on multi-track tape.

This process is repeated until the column is completely read.

Lateral shift registers 82 and 84 are controlled by a clock 86.

The operation and construction of charge transfer device shift registers are well known to those skilled in the art and need not be described in detail here.

Further details can be found in Ele, published on February 28, 1972.
Kovac et al.'s “5o
lid 5tate ImagingEmerges
You can understand this by referring to "From Charge Transport".

Various configurations of suitable optoelectronic converters for use with magnetic recorders according to the present invention have been described.

Referring to FIGS. 8-11, several examples of suitable assemblies for recording multiple images on a recorder are shown.

These configurations are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, an electronic camera is shown at 90.

Tape cassette 91 for recording electronic signals focused by the camera's optics onto a photoelectric transducer sensitive to light.
is set.

A suitable assembly (installation method not shown) is illustrated in FIG.

In FIG. 9, semiconductor target 92 comprises, for example, a CCD array as previously described.

A magnetic tape 93 is placed in a suitable holder and passes through recording heads 94A and 94B to drive and idler wheels 95.
growing above.

The tape is moved to heads 94A and 94B at a speed defined by electronics package 96 and for a time defined thereby.
Proceed above.

This package contains circuitry that controls reading of data from target 92 and synchronization of tape position.

A suitable control circuit is generally described with reference to FIG.

The control and functional circuitry shown in FIG. 5 is well known in the art and need not be described in detail here.

Referring to FIG. 10, an electronic camera includes a semiconductor matrix target illustrated at 100.

This target is, for example, the same as that described with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment of the invention, magnetic drum 102 is used to record the electronic signals generated when target 100 is exposed to an image.

The image is focused onto target 100 by lens system 104 and shutter 106.

The finder 108 allows the photographer to see what kind of image is being recorded.

The magnetic recording head is indicated at 110 and targets 1
00 (by circuitry not shown) and records the data on the rotating drum 102.

A motor 112 is coupled to drum 102 and rotates the drum at a desired speed.

A battery 114 is conveniently slid into the camera bundle to drive the motor 112 and operate the target 100 and its readout.

As shown, when the storage capacity of the drum is reached, or when it is desired to view recorded images, the drum can be removed from the rear of the camera and inserted into the playback portion of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 11, an embodiment of a camera consisting of a vidicon is shown with a power pack and a disk or drum storage unit 130.

Here, the image to be recorded is sent through a lens 132,
It is reflected to the shutter 134 by the camera's optics.

Eyepiece 136 allows the user to view the image to be recorded.

Vidicon tube 138 is conveniently housed within camera bundle 140.

Vidicon 138 is plugged into socket 142, which is connected to cable 144 by recess cap 146 and cable connector 148.

Once an image or a series of images has been recorded by the recording device associated with the camera described above, a device is needed to reproduce the recorded signal into a visual display.

A functional block diagram of a suitable playback device is shown in FIG.

The playback portion of the device detects electronic signals stored in the recording portion of the device.

The detector is indicated generally at 150 in FIG.

The function of the detector is to detect the electronic signals corresponding to an image recorded by the electronic camera and to repeatedly provide these signals to the display device 152 at a corresponding rate.

If a conventional television set is used as the display device, the required speed is 30 times per second.

Drive mechanism 154 provides the required detection speed.

Frame advance selects the desired image record to display.

Block 158 is connected to frame forwarding 156 and display interface 160.

A block 158 called the "audio" magnetic tape is provided to contain separate audio tracks illustrating the various images displayed.

Display interface 160 provides signals to the display device in the required format.

The interface can be wired as shown in Figures 13 and 16, or RF as shown in Figure 14.
By bonded radio.

Suitable detector configurations are shown in Figures 15 and 17-20.
As shown in the figure.

Referring to FIG. 15A, a suitable playback section for magnetic tape media is illustrated.

Magnetic tape 205 extends around drum 162.

The surface of the tape that contacts drum 162 is magnetically coated.

Magnetic heads A and B rotate inside the drum.

As can be seen from the cross-sectional view in Figure 15B, the tape head is in the third position.
It touches different tracks of tape 162 as shown in the tape format shown.

The tape is suitably contained in a cassette 164.

In this embodiment the head is 1800R to obtain the 30 frames per second required by the television format.
Rotates at PM speed.

Referring to FIG. 13, an embodiment of the present invention includes a connection line from the playback section 169 to the television set.

Such a configuration provides maximum efficiency.

A suitable connection to the television set is shown in Figure 16 at 163.
and 165.

Referring to FIG. 14, there is shown an embodiment of the invention that is most convenient for the user.

In this embodiment, the detected signal is connected to an RF converter 171 and transmitted through an antenna 173 to a television receiver.

All the user needs to do to display the image is to switch the set to an unused channel.

Suitable RF converters are described in the literature.

FIGS. 17-20 show four examples of detector configurations suitable for playback of signals in a format compatible with television sets.

Referring to FIG. 17, there is shown a playback method used in an embodiment where the two combined fields making up one television frame are recorded on separate tracks.

In FIG. 17, idlers 172 and 1 of the magnetic tape 170 are shown.
The portion between 74 corresponds to one frame of stored electronic recording.

Two magnetic heads 176 and 178 rotate around axis 180.
Rotates at a speed of 800 RPM.

Magnetic head 176 detects one of the combined fields and head 178 detects the other.

Since the tape is only on half of the drum 182, at this rotational speed each magnetic head is adjacent to the tape 170 for only half of each rotation.

Head 176 therefore completely traverses the tape between wheels 172 and 174 in 1/60 second.

The same is true for head 178, resulting in a television frame with a total required duration of 1/30 second.

The magnetic head continues to rotate at 1800 RPM, resulting in a static display of the image recorded on the television set.

When it is desired to view the next image recorded on the tape, the tape is physically advanced an amount corresponding to the length between wheels 172 and 174.

Referring to FIG. 18, the magnetic tape is connected to idlers 184 and 1.
86 and extends around the drum 188.

Here, two combined fields corresponding to one television frame are defined sequentially in one channel.

Therefore, only one rotating magnetic head 190 is required.

When the head 190 rotates at 1800 RPM, the frame time will be 1/30 second, as required.

Referring to FIG. 19, an embodiment using a static magnetic head is shown.

Similar to the assembly of FIG. 18, two combined fields are recorded in a single channel and only one magnetic head 192 is required.

The magnetic tape goes around idler wheels 194 and 196 and reaches drum 1.
It extends around 98.

In this embodiment, the tape storage device or cassette 20
0 is mounted inside the drum by suitable supports (not shown) and rotates with the drum.

A rotation speed of 1800 RPM still provides the required television frame format.

FIG. 20 shows an assembly similar to FIG. 19, except that the two combined fields are recorded in separate channels and two magnetic heads 202 are required. .

In this case, the rotational speed of the drum would be 3600 RPM to generate the required television format.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 18-20, where the tape extends around the drum except for the area between the two idler wheels, the gap 204 (FIG. 20) is at the longitudinal retrace time of the television set. Correspondingly synchronized, no noticeable interruptions occur in the still image.

An advantageous all-electronic still image recording and display system is thus obtained which utilizes a conventional television set for display.

The equipment is equipped to record electronic signals defining frames or images onto inexpensive magnetic tape, disks, and drums.

The recorded signal is played back or detected at a high frequency compatible with the television set frame format.

A recording of the signal is repeatedly fed to the television set for each frame time, resulting in a static display.

The display has a number of advantageous features heretofore not available with still image photography.

For example, the color of the displayed image can be modified using television set color controls.

Furthermore, by preparing a spare magnetic tape as part of the display, images recorded with an electronic camera can be edited.

That is, when the actual display of the image shows the value of the scene, pose, lighting, etc., if one wishes to preserve such an image from the entire record, it can be recorded on a spare tape.

By using magnetic tape, each image costs only about a cent compared to more expensive images using light sensitive film and chemical processing methods.

The various excellent effects obtained by the present invention are summarized as follows.

(1) Incorporating a photoelectric conversion device, an optical device, a magnetic recording device, and an electronic circuit that interconnects these into the same assembly,
By housing the magnetic recording device in a removable manner from the assembly, a compact electrophotographic device can be provided that does not use chemically processed film.

(2) The compact electronic camera is longer than the conventional 35m
It can be configured to the same size as an M camera or an 8mm movie camera, and the magnetic recording device such as a magnetic disk or magnetic tape can be removed from the assembly and the screen can be immediately played back on a television receiver using a playback device. As a result, the time and effort required from shooting to screen playback are extremely shortened and reduced.

(3) Cassette-type magnetic recording devices are not only inexpensive, but like conventional audio tapes, data can be erased and rewritten at will, allowing for repeated use, reducing costs associated with camera use. .

(4) Since the magnetic recording device is not sensitive to light and can be removed from the camera assembly at any time, it can be replaced freely depending on the purpose even during shooting.

(5) Since the speed at which optical image information is recorded from the photoelectric conversion device to the magnetic recording device is lower than the speed at which it is reproduced for a display device such as a television, the electronic circuit for recording operates at a low frequency. can be done.

This makes it possible to reduce the conditions (speed, accuracy) required for the internal parts of the machine that drive the magnetic disks, tapes, etc.

(6) Since the shutter in the optical system and the electronic circuit are activated by operating the switch, the user can use the conventional 35
It can be operated as easily as a mm camera.

(7) If a charge transfer type element that can be formed on a single semiconductor chip is used as a photoelectric conversion device, and a color filter is placed on top of it, image information for color photography can be obtained from an extremely small photoelectric conversion device. Obtainable.

For general camera users, color electrophotographic devices become attractive products.

Furthermore, compared to black and white still image recording and reproducing devices developed to record each page of documents, color electrophotographic devices can store a large amount of information in a single image, and their applications are limitless. good.

Furthermore, the color of the image can also be modified using television color control.

(8) The quality of the reproduced image is improved by dividing the electrical signal read out from the photoelectric conversion device into two fields that make up the image frame of the television receiver.

(9) If the data recorded on the magnetic recording device is recorded in such a way that it corresponds to a plurality of individual images that can be visually displayed individually and selectively using a reproducing device, each
This makes it easy to selectively read out still images.

(10) Furthermore, the magnetic recording device removed from the electronic camera assembly is placed in a reproducing device, and one optical image at a time is selectively read out and transferred to a television receiver type display device (
By including a playback device that generates the video signal to be played (by lead connection or transmission), the image can be viewed immediately after it is taken using the normal television receivers used in many homes. .

Although the invention has been described in detail with respect to various embodiments, various changes can be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 and 2 are functional block diagrams of the electrophotographic apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of a preferred magnetic tape format for recording electronic signals that define color images. FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of an electromechanical frequency conversion device suitable for use in the apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an electronic signal recording device suitable for use with the present electronic photographic device. 6 and 1 are schematic diagrams of a charge transfer photoelectric converter. FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspective views showing the configuration of a preferred electronic camera used in an embodiment of the present invention that uses magnetic tape as an electronic signal storage medium. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the invention and a convenient camera configuration using a magnetic drum as the recording medium. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention in which an electronic camera has a vidicon as a photoelectric converter and a magnetic disk as a storage medium. FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a preferred still image playback portion of the electrophotographic device. 13 and 15 are perspective views showing preferred embodiments of the playback portion shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 16 is a schematic and block diagram of a typical color television used as the visual display of the present invention, highlighting the electrical connections to the embodiment of FIG. 13. Figures 17 and 20 are plan views of preferred magnetic tape recording and playback configurations. 10...Photoelectric converter, 12...Recording medium, 14...Visual display interface, 16
...Visual display device, 18...Optical system,
20...Photosensitive electronic target, 22...
...Scan control, 24... Controlled readout, 2
5... Drive source, 28... Recorder, 2
8...Frame selection, 30...Scanning interface, 32...Gray back speed control, 34...T, V, display, 15...・Magnetic tape, 17...Resolution element, 39...
・Playback device, 40...Magnetic head, 4
2...Drum, 44・°°...Tape, 48
... Camera optical system, 49 ... Photoelectric converter, 50 ... Focal plane shutter, 52
....... Shutter, 54...Switch, 56...
・AND gate, 58...Scanning circuit, 60...
...Recorder drive motor assembly, 62...
...Cassette recorder, 64...Logic circuit, 6
5... Recording head, 66... Tape gap, 67... Rotating drum, 68...
・Pulse width modulator, 70...Tape feed circuit,
72... Tape rotating motor, 73...
Coupling, 74... Delay circuit, 78... Column, 79... Channel, 80... Color filter, 81... Semiconductor substrate, 82.84・
...Data read shift register, 83a, 8
3b, 83c...Column area, 85...Clock source, 86...Clock, 81...
・Resolution element, 90...Electronic camera, 91...
... Tape cassette, 92 ... Semiconductor target, 93 ... Magnetic tape, 94A, 94B
... Recording head, 95 ... Idle wheel, 9
6...Electronic circuit package, 100...
- Semiconductor matrix target, 102... Magnetic drum, 104... Lens system, 100...
...Shutter, 108...Finder, 11
0... Magnetic recording head, 112... Motor, 114... Battery, 130... Power back and disk storage unit, 132...
... Lens, 134 ... Shutter, 136.
...Eyepiece, 138...Vidicon tube, 1
40... Bundle, 142... Socket, 144... Cable, 146... Retraction cap, 148... Cable connector, 1
50...Detector, 152...Display, 1
54... Drive mechanism, 158... Block, 160... Display interface, 162
...Drum, 164...Cassette, 1
69...Playback part, 171...
・RF converter, 173...Antenna, 170・
...Magnetic tape, 172,174...Idle wheel, 176.178...Magnetic head, 180
...shaft, 182 ... drum, 184゜186 ... idle wheel, 188 ... drum, 190゜192 ... magnetic head, 194,1
96...-player wheel, 198...drum,
200...Cassette, 202...Magnetic head, 204...Gap, 205...
··Magnetic tape.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1 (a) a photoelectric conversion device within the assembly that generates an electrical signal corresponding to the optical image; (b) a photoelectric conversion device within the assembly that generates the optical image on the conversion device; (c) a magnetic recording device housed within said assembly so as to be removable from said assembly for reproduction by a separate reproduction device; (d) within said assembly; , first electronic circuit means for transmitting the electrical signal stored in the conversion device to the recording device and recording it at a speed lower than the playback speed by the playback device; (e) switch means within the assembly; second electronic circuit means for activating said optical device to expose a single image to said converting device in response to each actuation of said first electronic circuit means for initiating transfer of said electrical signal by said first electronic circuit means; An electronic still image photographing device having: 2(a) a charge transfer photoelectric conversion device within the assembly having a color filter disposed thereon for generating an electrical signal corresponding to an optical image and imparting color information to said electrical signal; (b) as described above; an optical device within the assembly for imaging the optical image onto the conversion device; (c) housed within the assembly so as to be removable from the assembly for reproduction by a separate reproduction device; (d) a first electronic circuit within the assembly for transmitting the electrical signal stored in the converting device to the recording device and recording it at a speed lower than the playback speed by the playback device; (e) operating said optical device in said assembly to expose a single image to said conversion device in response to each actuation of said switch means; An electronic still image photographing device comprising: second electronic circuit means for initiating the transfer of an electrical signal. 3(a) within said assembly, a photoelectric conversion device for generating electrical signals corresponding to the optical image and providing the two fields required for a television frame; (b) within said assembly, said conversion device; an optical device for imaging the optical image on a device; (c) housed within the assembly so as to be removable from the assembly for reproduction by a separate reproduction device;
a magnetic recording device for recording data corresponding to the two fields; (d) being in the assembly and transmitting the electrical signal stored in the converting device to the recording device; first electronic circuit means for recording at a low rate; (e) operating said optical device within said assembly to expose a single image to said conversion device in response to each actuation of said switch means; , second electronic circuit means for initiating transfer of the electrical signal by the first electronic circuit means; 4(a) a photoelectric conversion device within the assembly for generating an electrical signal corresponding to the optical image; (b) an optical device within the assembly for forming the optical image on the conversion device; (c) housed within said assembly so as to be removable from said assembly for reclamation by a separate reclamation device;
a magnetic recording device capable of recording data corresponding to a plurality of individual images that can be visually displayed individually and selectively using the reproduction device; (d) within the assembly; , first electronic circuit means for transmitting the electrical signal stored in the conversion device to the recording device and recording it at a speed lower than the playback speed by the playback device; (e) ζ switch means within the assembly; second electronic circuit means for activating said optical device to expose a single image to said converting device in response to each actuation of said first electronic circuit means for initiating transfer of said electrical signal by said first electronic circuit means; An electronic still image photographing device having: 5(a) a photoelectric conversion device within the assembly for generating an electrical signal corresponding to the optical image; (b) an optical device within the assembly for forming the optical image on the conversion device; (e) a magnetic recording device housed within said assembly so as to be removable from said assembly for reproduction by a separate reproduction device; (d) within said assembly and stored in said conversion device; (e) first electronic circuit means within said assembly for transmitting said electrical signal to said recording device for recording at a speed lower than the playback speed by said playback device; (f) second electronic circuit means for activating said optical device to expose a single image to said converting device to initiate transfer of said electrical signal by said first electronic circuit means; (f) said magnetic recording device; an electronic still image photographic device having: a playback device receiving the device, selectively reading out one optical image at a time, and generating a video signal to be transmitted to a television receiver type display device;