US5475441A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic camera with memory card interface to a computer
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1992-12-10
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Granted: 1995-12-12
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Expires: 2012-12-10
Abstract
Abstract An electronic camera operates with a small, portable computer having a card interface of the type used for communicating with a removable memory card. The camera includes an image sensor for converting an image into an electrical signal, an A/D converter for converting the electrical signal into a digital signal, and a signal processor for interfacing the digital signal to the card interface, ordinarily a slot receptacle, on the computer. By defining the interface to include a mechanical extender that physically interconnects the camera to the card slot on the computer, the camera and computer are linked in a high speed interface as a convenient, hand-held unit.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth Parulski
- 👤 Raymond J. Bouvy
- 👤 Timothy J. Tredwell
- 👤 David A. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 17:39
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/21; H04N1/2104; H04N1/2112; H04N1/00127; H04N1/00204; H04N7/00; H04N7/14; H04N7/141; H04N7/142; H04N2007/145; H04N2101/00; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/0008; H04N2201/0034; H04N2201/0048; H04N2201/0051; H04N2201/0077
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
An electronic camera system comprising: a computer having a card interface slot of the type used for communicating with a removable card containing a semiconductor memory, wherein the card interface slot includes an internal connector; a camera including means for converting an image into an electrical signal, means for converting the electrical signal into a digital signal, and interfacing means for interfacing the digital signal to the internal connector of the card interface slot of the computer; wherein the interfacing means includes a structural element that fits into the card interface slot of the computer, and physically connects to the internal connector to provide a link for transferring the digital signal from the camera to the computer; and wherein the card interface slot is a PCMCIA interface slot wherein said image converting means and said signal coverting means are contained within an enclosure, and wherein said interfacing means further includes a cable for connecting said structural element to said enclosure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
An electronic camera system comprising: a computer having a card interface slot of the type used for communicating with a removable card containing a semiconductor memory, wherein the card interface slot includes an internal connector; a camera including means for converting an image into an electrical signal, means for converting the electrical signal into a digital signal, and interfacing means for interfacing the digital signal to the internal connector of the card interface slot of the computer; wherein the interfacing means includes a structural element that fits into the card interface slot of the computer, and physically connects to the internal connector to provide a link for transferring the digital signal from the camera to the computer; and wherein the card interface slot is a PCMCIA interface slot wherein said image converting means and said signal coverting means are contained within an enclosure, and wherein said interfacing means further includes a cable for connecting said structural element to said enclosure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A camera system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the computer is portable and the structural element connects the computer an camera together as a hand-held unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
178 words
An electronic camera for operation with a computer having a card slot for interfacing with a removable memory card, said camera comprising: an optical system for forming an image of a scene; an image sensor for converting the image into an electrical signal; an A/D converter for generating a digital signal from the electrical signal; a signal processor for generating a processed digital signal from the digital signal; and an adaptor for conveying the processed digital signal through the card slot to the computer; wherein the adaptor includes an extender board dimensioned to fit into the card slot of the computer and a connector for physically connecting the adaptor to the card slot, wherein the adaptor provides a link for transferring the processed digital signal from the camera to the computer, wherein the card slot and said adaptor use a PCMCIA standard electrical interface specification and wherein said image converting means and said signal converting means are contained within an enclosure, and wherein said interfacing means further includes a cable for connecting said structural element to said enclosure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
178 words
An electronic camera for operation with a computer having a card slot for interfacing with a removable memory card, said camera comprising: an optical system for forming an image of a scene; an image sensor for converting the image into an electrical signal; an A/D converter for generating a digital signal from the electrical signal; a signal processor for generating a processed digital signal from the digital signal; and an adaptor for conveying the processed digital signal through the card slot to the computer; wherein the adaptor includes an extender board dimensioned to fit into the card slot of the computer and a connector for physically connecting the adaptor to the card slot, wherein the adaptor provides a link for transferring the processed digital signal from the camera to the computer, wherein the card slot and said adaptor use a PCMCIA standard electrical interface specification and wherein said image converting means and said signal converting means are contained within an enclosure, and wherein said interfacing means further includes a cable for connecting said structural element to said enclosure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electronic camera as claimed in claim 3 wherein said signal processor provides gamma correction and/or white balancing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
An electronic camera as claimed in claim 3 wherein said signal processor is a look-up memory having a transfer function that provides gamma correction and/or white balancing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
An electronic camera as claimed in claim 5 wherein said look-up memory also stores information concerning the camera, such as the camera serial number, or a sensor defect map.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electronic camera as claimed in claim 6 wherein said look-up table contains software utilizable by the computer for processing the images.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electronic camera as claimed in claim 3 wherein said extender board supports the camera against a side of the computer having the card slot.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
An electronic camera as claimed in claim 3 wherein said extender board is removable from the camera.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electronic camera as claimed in claim 3 wherein said extender board may be folded along a side of the camera.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-12-11 | 1999-06-12 | 1999-12-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-12-11 | 2003-06-12 | 2003-12-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-12-11 | 2007-06-12 | 2007-12-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |