null null

US006442336B1
(12)
United States Patent
(10) Patent N0.:
US 6,442,336 B1
(45) Date of Patent:
Aug. 27, 2002
Lemelson
(54)
HAND-HELD VIDEO CAMERA-RECORDER-
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
AND METHODS FOR OPERATING
GB
1440791
*
GB
1557608
* 12/1979
(76) Inventor: Jerome H. Lemelson, Suite 286, Unit
802, 930 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village,
NV (Us) 89451_9436
( * ) Notice:
(List Continued on next page)
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
Motion Camera in Television, Raa'to Mentor, pp. 526—527
U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
(VOL 33’ Jul' 1967}
*
_
“Marsh Realty Video Set Makes Home Hunting Easy,”
Journal Messenger (Manassas, Virginia) (Apr. 10, 1972).*
Groll, “A Portable Color Camera with 1/z—in Video Recorder
_
Filed:
Funk’ D16 ZemlPe 1m Fifnsegen’ translated as The Slow
patent is extended or adjusted under 35
(21) Appl' NO" 08/483’928
22
6/1976
Jun. 7a 1995
for Electronic Journalism,” Journal 0 the SMPTE,
PP .
640—644 (vol. 83, Aug. 1974).*
Related US. Application Data
(L_
_
d
)
1st continue
(63)
Continuation of application No. 08/110,861, ?led on Aug.
_
_
on neXt page.
_
24, 1993, now Pat. No. 5,446,599, which is a division of
P 7'1mm’y Exammer—Tha1 Tran
application No. 07/818,168, ?led on Jan. 8, 1992, now Pat.
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Louis J. Hoffman
No. 5,260,837, which is a division of application No.
07/325,768, ?led on Mar. 20, 1989, now abandoned, which
is a continuation-in-part of application No. 06/877,319, ?led
(57)
0n J_11I1~ 23, 1f986,1_n0\§’ Pat N0-54,8;9,10?11, dwhichlis 5a
A portable camera and recording device capable of record
appli’ca?on No: 06/269,051 ?’led on NOV_ 21’ 1980’ now
magnetic tape and, in an embodiment thereof, still images on
abandoned,
hard copy as photographic images. A smgle assembly sup
igggmrll‘gxnijgt ‘113% 1011282
ogéliig?igza? coil?g?altlilo'nzo%
ABSTRACT
ing motion picture and still image signals on an erasable
(51)
Int. Cl.7 ......................... .. H04N 5/225; H04N 5/76
_
behind the television camera and an instant photographic
(52)
US. Cl. ..................... .. 386/117, 348/207, 358/906,
Camera below or to the Side of the television Camera. Still
(58)
_
358/9091
Fleld of Search ............................. .. 360/35 .1, 33.1,
360/31> 10:3; 358/335> 342> 906> 9091;
and motion picture images of image phenomena recorded as
fulpframe Video picture Signals on the magnetic tape and are
386/1> 38> 46> 117_121; 348/207; H04N 5/225>
5/76> 9/79> 5/92
the housing. Controls on the housing permit select still
images of frames of recorded picture information to be
_
_
_
(56)
port-S a televlslon-ce-lmera at one end’ a Videocassette record?
displayable on a miniature electronic display screen within
selectively displayed on the screen, viewed though an eye
References Clted
piece and passed through an aperture of an instant photo
U_S_ PATENT DOCUMENTS
graphic camera for photoghic reproduction. ‘Methods for
effectively operating the camera and producing magnetic
2
,
Ricard ct a1~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
,
axey
.................. ..
recordings and hard copy recordings are also provided.
.
17 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
(List continued on neXt page.)
T
INSTANT
CAMERA
DRUM
43 MANUAL SWlTCH
A10
CONVERTER
A/D
CONVERTER
POINTER
MEMORY
73
RECORDING
AMPLlFlER
CAFSTAN
51
7
124
125
131
(SPEAKER 31
_ MIlROPHONE
22
US 6,442,336 B1
Page 2
US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
3,051,777 A
3,110,764 A
8/1962 Lemelson ................. .. 178/6.6
11/1963 Barry ......... ..
178/6.6
3,404,241 A
3,742,143 A
10/1968 Streets et al. ..
6/1973 AWipi ......... ..
3,803,350
A
3,803,352 A
3,818,500 A
3,833,758 A
3,842,199 A
4/1974
Lemelson
... ..
52-14543
*
2/1977
52-58315
*
5/1977
JP
JP
52456168
54440543
179/100.2
179/1 SA
. . . . . ..
9/1974 Ferrari .... ..
178/6.8
178/6-8
360/101
Gibson ---- -
* 12/1977
* 10/1979
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
178/6
4/1974 Goldberger ............ .. 178/6.6 A
6/1974 Lemelson .................... .. 360/2
10/1974
JP
JP
_
_
R0dY,“A22—1b,141I1 Portable Color W160 Camera/Recorder
SYSWIHFJOWMIOftheSMPTE,pp- 607—609(v01-84,A11g
1975).*
Sugimoto et al., “Electronic News Gathering System,” NHK
Laboratories Note, pp. 1, 3—11 (Ser. No. 188, Aug. 1975).
3,934,268 A
1/1976 Uemufa
3,943,563 A
3/1976 Lemelson .................. .. 360/35
Okada, “ENG System: Portable Cameras Revolutionize
3,962,725 A
6/1976 Lemke et al. ............... .. 360/36
News Gathering,” IEE, pp‘ 30_31, 33_34 (Jul' 1976)'
3,974,522 A
8/1976
“
3,984,625 A
10/1976
3,991,265 A
11/1976 Fukuda et a1. .
178/5.6
Fukatsu et al.
Camras
360/14
.......... ..
178/5.6
.
.
Grundrg
Introduces V1deo—Cassette
Recorder and Camera
,,
_
for Tough Use; Electronics’ PP- 657E (SeP- 30’ 1976)
4’005’261 A
1/1977 Sam et aL _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ __ 358/83
Ima1 et al., “M1cropoWer Consumption Handy LSI TV Color
4,017,679 A
4,057,830 A
4/1977 Kemner et a1,
11/1977 Adcock ...... ..
358/111
358/127
Camera for ENG System,” NEC Research & Development,
pp. 72—82 (NO. 45, Apr. 1977).
4,057,836 A
11/1977 Munsey
358/140
4,090,223 A
5/1978
Holt - - - - - - - - - -
- - - ~~ 360/35
470977893 A
6/1978
Camras
~ ~ ~ ~~ 358/83
4,099,202 A
7/1978 Cavanaugh
~~~~~~~~
4,130,834 A
12/1978
4,131,919 A
12/1978 Lloyd et al.
Mender et al.
4,139,869 A
2/1979
4,148,072 A
4/1979 Vockenhuber
4,153,927
5/1979
A
HOlt . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Owens
_________
4,163,256 A
7/1979 Adcock
4,183,058 A
1/1980 Taylor ----- -
4,213,163 A
2
,
,
7/1980
1;;
358/85
Lemelson - - - - -
VHan (Lets/‘111k
ora
e
a.
358/127
.... .. 360/9
. . . ..
_ _ _ __
360/35
Morgan, “ What to Look for in
the NeW Video
Recorders, ,,
.
P 01ml” Mechafms> PP- 824% 178> 180 (SeP- 1978)
_
SouthWorth, “Single Frame Video: The Technology behind
362/99
UPI NeWstime,”Electro—0pticalSystemsDesign,pp.24—29
358/127
358/127
(DGC. 1978).
Spencer et al., “A Real Time Video BandWidth Reduction
- - - ~~ 360/35
System Based on a CCD Hadamard Transform Device,”
3
Proceedings of the IEEE NationalAerospace and Electronic
358/6
fgoétgerence, pp. 1218 1231 (asserted dated May 15 17,
4/1981 Erlichman
4,368,490 A
4,507,686 A *
1/1983 Takimoto
358/217
3/1985 Kimura .................... .. 358/906
4,819,101 A
“NeWsline, The State of Things to Come,” Electronic Tech
m-cian/Dea[er(V01~ 100, N0' 8, Aug' 1978)'
358/224
4,262,301 A
4,547,815 A
4,604,668 A
BaZin, “TK—760 CamerazADesign Evolution,”RCA Broad
cast News, pp. 38—42 (No. 164, asserted dated in Jun. 1978).
10/1985 Kimura .................... .. 358/335
8/1986 Lemelson ..
360/10.1
_
Hora
_
1 “
1 . h
1
d.
f
et a -’ Mu “9 an“? Rec“ mg Formal or ‘1 Sam‘
[email protected]—AI1a10g Color W160 518ml,” Research Disclosure, PP
313—316 (Jun. 1979).
4/1989 Lemelson
360/10.1
Woo et al., “SloW—Frame Video Camera/Recorder and
5,260,837 A
11/1993 Lemelson
5,379,159 A * 1/1995 Lemelson
360/35-1
358/909~1
Image—Sensing and Signal Processing Device for Use
ThereWith,” Research Disclosure (Oct. 1979).
Free, “Portable VCR’s—NeW LightWeights Tape Off the Air
or on the Go,” Popular Science, pp. 103—104 (Nov. 1979).
Service Manual for Model DXC—1640 (Sony 1979).
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
46-37339
47-43603
5 1 —40743
* 12/1971
* 12/1972
* 10/1976
* cited by examiner
U.S. Patent
Aug. 27, 2002
Sheet 1 0f 2
10
f14
\
38A
'1
US 6,442,336 B1
1/ 12
1'
“I
"i
"I
28
Q
27
17
"i
1"’
FIG. 2
38A
19A
FIG. 1
15Ew
1§D /15C
I
III
l
|' I| QOU~15F
o
l|
[T49] {Q 0 O OIOQ
27
1
38/ /
37
-
\51 \
80C
20
19
21
16
\15
U.S. Patent
Aug. 27, 2002
Sheet 2 0f 2
US 6,442,336 B1
US 6,442,336 B1
1
2
HAND-HELD VIDEO CAMERA-RECORDER
PRINTER AND METHODS FOR OPERATING
SAME
Accordingly it is a primary object of this invention to
provide a neW and improved television camera-recorder and
methods for operating same to record motion and still
picture phenomena.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
08/110,861, ?led Aug. 24, 1993, now US. Pat. No. 5,446,
599 Which is a division of application Ser. No. 07/818,168,
?led Jan. 8, 1992, now US. Pat. No. 5,260,837, Which is a
division of application Ser. No. 07/325,768, ?led Mar. 20,
Another object is to provide a television camera-recorder
Which is portable and hand holdable during its operation and
Which is de?ned by a single housing to simplify its handling
and operation.
Another object is to provide a television camera-recorder
10
capable of recording both motion picture and still image
1989, abandoned, Which is a continuation-in-part of appli
video signals on an erasable record member and selectively
cation Ser. No. 06/877,319, ?led Jun. 23, 1986, now US.
Pat. No. 4,819,101, Which is a continuation of application
Ser. No. 06/516,532, ?led Jul. 25, 1983, now US. Pat. No.
4,604,668, Which is a continuation of application Ser. No.
signal recordings Without resort to an eXternal hard copy
device.
Another object is to provides a television camera-recorder
generating hard copy as photographs of select still image
15
06/209,057, ?led Nov. 21, 1980, abandoned.
With an electronic display, such as a cathode ray tube,
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
operator of the camera to permit such operator to vieW the
picture information output by the camera or from the
recorder as the camera is hand directed and operated.
Another object is to provide a television camera-recorder
forming part of a unitary assembly and vieWable by an
The invention is in the ?eld of television signal recording
and hard copy reproduction devices Which are portable.
20
THE PRIOR ART
The prior art consists of portable television camera
recorder systems involving a number of separate units Which
are cumbersom or lack versatility. VieWing of recording
pictures and editing is accomplished off line or Wherein the
25
methods for effecting same are not ef?ciently effected. Hard
30
operating the camera and a projection system for projecting
35
television monitor and manual controls for selectively oper
ating such devices to effect electro-optical scanning of an
Another object is to provide a control system for a
toring the recorded information. The unit is operable either
40
motion picture recording mode Whereby either or both types
of recording may be effected per se or sequentially With
respect to a magnetic recording member, such as a magnetic
tape, provided as a recording medium for a recording and
playback unit supported Within the single housing of the
device.
Heretofore, it Was knoWn in the art to provide a manually
operated portable television camera in one housing, a tele
vision tape recorder in another housing located remote from
the camera and a battery located in a third housing Wherein
all three units are interconnected by means of ?exible Wires.
Such an arrangement of components and their connections
are quite dif?cult to handle and operate and are subject to
operational breakdoWn for a number of reasons including
the fact that the interconnecting Wires may be tensioned
Another object is to provide a television camera-recorder
in a unitary assembly With a projection optical system for the
video signal information output by the television camera.
magnetic recorder employing a single sWitching device for
recording either still image or motion picture image infor
image ?eld, recording of the image information and moni
in a single frame recording mode or a multiple frame or
With an electronic display Which is vieWable to a person
still or motion pictures displayed by the display.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a portable recording unit con
taining a television camera, a television signal recorder, a
camera or from the recorder of the unit Wherein such unit
includes hard copy producing means for providing prints of
select images generated on the display.
Another object is to provide a television camera-recorder
copy of still pictures requires large and expensive equipment
separate from the camera and recorder units.
unit With an electronic display With manually operable
means for causing such display to selectively display still
picture information Which is either output directly from the
mation on a single magnetic recording member in accor
dance With the manner in Which the sWitching device is
actuated.
Another object is to provide a method of operating a
magnetic tape recorder to permit it to record either still or
motion picture information.
45
With the above and such other objects in vieW as may
hereinafter more fully appear, the invention consists of the
novel constructions, combinations and arrangements of
parts, as Will be more fully described and illustrated in the
50
accompanying draWings, but it is to be understood that
changes, variations and modi?cations may be resorted to
Which fall Within the scope of the invention as claimed.
In the draWings:
FIG. 1 is a side vieW With a side Wall removed of a
55
portable, hand held television camera, recorder and monitor
during use resulting in disconnections of the couplings
device;
betWeen components Which may occur When the lines are
FIG. 2 is a top vieW of the device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a side vieW With parts broken aWay for clarity
of a modi?ed form of the device of FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 4 is a side vieW of the device of FIG. 1 having certain
tensioned.
The instant invention not only provides a unitary portable
unit containing a television camera in a single housing, but
the unit is so arranged and constructed that the single
housing also contains a magnetic tape or card recorder for
television signals, a monitor device for vieWing the recorded
information or the output of the television camera, a battery
60
Which may be easily charged While in the housing, and
suitable manual controls for properly operating the camera,
65
the recorder and the monitor.
modi?cations thereto;
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram shoWing components of the
camera device of FIGS. 1 and 4 for electrically controlling
the operation thereof in a plurality of different modes of
operation.
In FIGS. 1 to 4 is shoWn a portable television camera and
recording unit 10 having its major components supported
US 6,442,336 B1
3
4
Within a single box-shaped housing 11 formed With rigid top
as to pass a portion of the entering light upWardly through
and bottom Walls 12 and 13, side Walls 14 and 15, a front end
an opening 30 in a tubular receptacle at the end of the
housing 28 and then through a second opening 30 to a
Wall 16 and a rear end Wall 17.
second prism 35 Which directs the image light pattern along
Supported at the front end of the housing 11 on a shelf 37
extending betWeen the side Walls thereof a distance above
the elongated tubular housing de?ning unit 38 to a vieWing
eye piece 38A at the rear end thereof. Aportion of the light
the bottom Wall 13 is a miniature television camera 32 Which
may be operated to generate monochrome or color television
signals on its output. Supported beloW the camera 32 is a
passed to prism 31 enters the camera 32 Where it modulates
suitable camera electronics including a read beam contain
ing cathode ray tube or other suitable television scanning
rechargeable battery 22 having terminals 23 for receiving
rechargeable electrical energy from the exterior of the hous
ing and connected by Wires (not shoWn) through suitable
10 means.
sWitches, to be described, to the energiZing input of the
camera 32 and the other electronic units supported Within
the housing 11. Supported directly behind the camera 32 is
a television recorder 24, such as a television tape recorder 15
having an elongated opening 24A in its side Wall for
receiving a cartridge or cassette of magnetic tape. The
recorder 24 may be a scaled doWn version of a conventional
so called video cassette recorder containing suitable motor
driven mechanisms for either recording directly on magnetic
tape While it is supported Within the cartridge Which is
extending from a suitable battery charging unit for charging
the battery.
20
inserted into the opening 24A or on such magnetic tape
While a portion thereof is removed and Wound around a
rotating drum containing one or more magnetic recording
and reproduction transducers operable to helically scan
25
transverse tracks of the tape as the tape is driven past the
drum. Such mechanisms as provided in video cassette
recorders such as the so called Betamax produced by the
Sony Corporation of Tokyo, Japan, or similar types of video
cassette recorders produced, for example, by Sanyo
Company, Matsushita Electric Company, and JVC (Japan
Victor Corporation) all of Japan, may be employed in the
In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the side Wall of
the housing 11 is in place and is made up of a number of
separately removable or pivotable components including a
?rst hinged section 15A Which may be pivoted upWardly or
removed to permit access to the rechargeable battery 22 for
replacement or inspection thereof. A female receptacle 36 is
mounted on the Wall section 15A for receiving a plug
AWall section 15B is removably mounted on the housing
and contains a panel 33 supporting a plurality of controls for
adjustably controlling the television camera 32 to vary such
functions as brightness, vertical stability, color circuitry, etc.
Athird section 15C of the side Wall contains an elongated
opening 15D therein permitting a magnetic tape cassette or
cartridge to be inserted into the housing 11 and passed into
the magnetic tape or reproduction unit 24 through the
opening 24A aligned With 15D. A plurality of sWitches 51
30
are supported on the side Wall of the panel 15C and are
employed to control recording and reproduction operations
as Will be described.
A fourth panel 15E, also removable from the housing 11,
video recorder 24.
forms part of its side Wall and covers the monitor unit 26
Supported behind the recording unit 24 and having a
vieWing screen 27 is a miniature television monitor 26 35 Which may be removed from the housing When the panel
15E is removed. SWitches supported by the panel 15E may
be easily operated to control the operation of monitor 26
Which is operatively connected by Wires (not shoWn) and
suitable sWitches, to be described, to both the outputs of the
television camera 32 and the recorder 24. Extending for
supported immediately behind panel section 15E.
Wardly of the housing 11 and optically coupled to the
television camera 32 is a suitable camera lens housing 28
Also illustrated in FIG. 4 is a second trigger actuator 39
40
containing the necessary lens or lenses for directing light to
the electro-optical input of the camera 32.
operate one of the control sWitches described hereafter. For
example, When actuator 39 is manually squeeZed or pivoted,
it may be employed to close a sWitch for effecting the
recording of a single frame television picture signal on the
The housing 11 contains tWo handles, a rear handle 19
de?ning a pistol grip and having pivotally mounted near the
upper end thereof a trigger actuator 20 Which may be ?nger
pivoted in the counter-clockWise direction toWard the handle
45
tor 20, When depressed, may be employed solely to close a
actuator 20 is lightly depressed for controlling the recording
recording as Will be described. A second handle 21 is
provided near the front end of the housing 11 to permit the
housing to be supported by means of both hands and to
provide suitable support therefor so as to permit the trigger
actuator 20 and other sWitches to be described to be operated
Either actuator may also be employed to provide for instant
50
It is noted that the recorder and reproduction unit 24 may
also comprise a magnetic card recorder-reproducer device of
the types de?ned in US. Pat. Nos. 3,943,563; 3,803,350; or
55
60
Systems MagaZine. If such a magnetic card recorder/
reproducer unit is employed in the location shoWn in FIG. 1,
the openings 24A and 15D in the side Wall of the housing 11
Would be narroW enough to accomodate and guide a suitable
employed.
Also shoWn in FIGS. 1 and 2 is an optical system for
ing 28. Certain details of such optical system are shoWn in
FIG. 3 and include an optical prism 31 Which is so arranged
3,818,500 or of the type manufactured by the Sony Corpo
ration of Tokyo, Japan under the trade name Mavica as
described in the November/December 1975 issue of Video
Notation 19A refers to the bottom portion of the handle 19
optically scanning the image information entering the hous
playback of recorded information, When manually
depressed.
by the ?ngers of the hand gripping the pistol grip handle 19.
Which may include an electrical coupling device for con
necting an external source of electrical energy to the camera
in the event that the battery 22 is discharged or is not
magnetic recording member of the recording unit 24. Actua
sWitch for effecting motion picture signal recording on the
recording member of the recorder-reproduction unit 24.
19 to manually close tWo sets of contacts, one of Which sets
de?nes an over eye sWitch Which is operated When the
of a single frame of television picture information, While the
other is operated When the actuator 20 is totally depressed
and is employed to effect motion picture scanning and
supported by the front handle 21 Which may be employed to
65
magnetic card inserted therein by hand into the recorder
housing Wherein it may be poWer driven by suitable rollers
to an operative location for video signal recording and/or
reproduction scanning as described. Such movement into the
recorder housing may be effected automatically When a
sensor senses the leading edge of the magnetic card and
US 6,442,336 B1
5
6
controls a drive motor, or in response to the operation of a
manual control switch located on the side Wall of the
50 for stability and accuracy, through a single pole double
throW sWitch 51A forming part of a multiple-sWitch assem
bly 51 Which is employed to effect either a playback or
housing 11. Single and/or motion picture frames of full
frame video picture signals may be recorded With locating
recording operation, said motor drive signals being thereby
codes on the face if the magnetic card containing the
gated to a motor drive circuit 52 controlling a synchronous
magnetic recording material.
motor 53 Which drives the tape capstan Wheel 54 advancing
and driving the magnetic recording tape T past a record
Also shoWn in FIG. 1 is a microphone 87 supported at the
playback head assembly 54. The record playback head
assembly 54 contains several magnetic record-playback
front end of the housing 11 adjacent the battery 22. The
microphone 87 may also be supported on an eXtendable or
folding arm on the outside of the housing for picking up
sounds to be recorded along With video motion picture
recordings as Will be described. Aloud speaker 125 is shoWn
supported by the video recorder 24 facing one side of
housing 11 and openings 15F are provided in the side Wall
portion 15C to permit sound from the microphone to be
heard eXterior of the housing 11.
10
15
circuitry 60 de?ning control track recording electronics
ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM
In FIG. 5, the control system for the camera recording unit
10 includes a normally open manual sWitching means 31
Which is operated, per se or, When the trigger 20 is manually
20
777; and 3,803,350.
The visual or image information signals to be recorded on
the tape are derived by the electro-optical scanning means of
the television camera 32 as received through the camera lens
25
28 and are generated as full-frame video picture signals on
the output 32A of the camera Which signals are intensity
modulated in accordance With the brightness features of the
image ?eld Which is electronically scanned by the read
beam or other scanning means of the camera. The horiZontal
30
The magnetic tape or card recording unit 24 receives the
television signal or signals generated on the output of
camera 32 Which signals are converted to frequency modu
lated signals Which are applied to one or more magnetic
recording heads denoted by the general notation 56 sup
ported by a rotating drum 55 Wherein the rotating heads
Which controls the motor 57 and the recording of the output
signals of the reference signal generator 48 on a control
signal recording track of the tape so as to be available, When
reproduced therefrom to effect playback synchroniZation.
depressed Which gating from the battery or poWer supply 22
Which may comprise a rechargeable battery as described, to
all active circuits in the system 30 for all modes of operation
Which Will be described. The television tape recording and
playback unit 24 may be of the helical tape scanning type
employing such constructional details as provided in such
US. Pat. Nos. as 2,998,495; 3,404,241; 3,397,783; 3,051,
heads denoted 56A, 56B, 56C, 56D, or a single head
depending on the manner in Which the magnetic recorder is
designed and the head or heads are supported by a drum
Which rotates on a shaft 58 driven by a high speed motor 57
Which is synchroniZed to the output of the reference gen
erator 48 through motor drive circuits 59.
The output of reference generator 49 is also connected to
35
and vertical synchroniZation signals Which are utiliZed to
control the sWeep of the read-beam or ?ying spot scanner of
the camera 32 are applied to the read-beam control input 64,
are derived from a sync signal generator 65 and are syn
chroniZed to the rotational movement of the magnetic head
assembly by means of signals generated by a rotational
position sensor 66 Which may comprise a photoelectric,
scan, in a so called helical scanning operation, transverse
electro-mechanical or other form of sensor sensing the
tracks of a magnetic tape supported Within and supplied by
rotation of the shaft 58 of the motor 57 driving the drum 55
a cartridge or cassette inserted into the opening 15D in the
side Wall of the housing of the portable unit 10. One or more
stationary magnetic heads 89 are also provided for recording
audio information received from a microphone 87, along
40
of the television camera are passed to an analog-to-digital
one or more audio tracks and one or more stationary pulse
or code recording heads 61 are provided to record coding
information along a code track or tracks of the magnetic tape
45
or card.
The trigger actuator 20 located adjacent the handle 19 is
mechanically connected to a normally open multiple-pole
sWitch 43 Which is provided With tWo sWitching positions or
contact pairs one of Which, denoted 43A, is operable to
50
effect control of the television camera 32 in a manner to
cause it to full-frame sWeep its image ?eld one complete
cycle While attainment of the second sWitching position or
contact closure as de?ned by section 43B of the sWitch 43
results in operation of the television camera 32 in a con
tinuous manner to continuously generate and output televi
sion picture signals as long as the contacts of sWitch section
containing the magnetic transducting head or heads 56. The
sensing signals so generated are ampli?ed in an ampli?er 67.
The full-frame video picture signals generated on the output
55
43B are closed.
converter 68 through the contacts 51B of the single hole
double throW sWitch 51 described and the output of the
converter 68 is presented as a digital code representing the
brightness and color value associated With the video signal
output of the camera Which code signals are passed to the
Write-inputs 69 of a full-frame memory device 70. The
sWeep signals generated by sWeep signal generator 65 are
input to an analog-to-digital converter 71, the output digital
signals of Which are passed to an address pointer 72, the
outputs 73 of Which are applied to selectively activate the
proper locations of the memory 70 for recording the bright
ness levels of the digitiZed video picture signal elements
presented on the outputs 69 of the analog-to-digital con
verter 68 When a Write-enable input 74 for the memory 70
is activated.
of section 43B remain open. When trigger actuator 20 is
?rmly depressed, the contacts of sWitch section 43A are
The memory 70 is continuously sWept by the address
pointer 72 in synchroniZation With the movement of the head
assembly 55. The signals generated on the read-outputs 75
of the memory 70 thus continuously represent the informa
tion content of the memory 70. The output signals are passed
closed Which activates a sWitch debounce circuit 44 ener
to a digital-to-analog converter 76 on the outputs 75 and the
When the trigger actuator 20 is slightly depressed, the
contacts of sWitch section 43A are closed While the contacts
giZing an OR gate 45 and a second OR gate 46. OR gate 45
activates a transmission gate 47 passing motor drive signals
from a reference generator 48, Which is synchronously
locked to an oscillator 49 having a crystal feedback means
60
output of the converter is generated as analog video signals
65
Which are passed to the input 78 of a video monitor 79 such
as a cathode ray tube or other form of electronic display for
displaying the information recorded in the memory.
US 6,442,336 B1
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8
The Write-enable input 74 of the memory 70 is activated
by the output of an OR gate 46 When the contacts of switch
OR gate 45 Which is activated When it is desired to effect
video signal recording in either the motion picture or single
frame recording modes. The counter 97, Which accumulates
section 43B are closed as described.
one count for each frame actually recorded, may be reset by
means of a reset sWitch 99, Which may be manually operated
and/or automatically operated as a limit sWitch When
OR gate 46 also activates a transmission gate 81 When a
manually operated single pole double throW sWitch 82A is
closed, passing the video signal generated on the output of
engaged by a portion of the housing of the magnetic tape
the digital-to-analog converter 76 to an FM. modulator 83
Which conditions the video signal for recording by combin
ing it With the sync signal generated on the output of
ampli?er 67 Which is passed to the input 84 of the modulator
83. A manually operable double throW sWitch 51C is
cassette or magnetic card inserted into the housing of the
recorder-playback unit.
10
The output of counter 97 is connectable in addition to the
code setting input of the code generator 94, to a decoder
driver circuit 100 through sWitch 96 to provide a display of
employed to connect the recording heads 56 to the output of
the modulator 83 While the output of the ampli?er 67 is
the count on a display means 101, such as a light emitting
diode, liquid crystal diode, or other form of digital display
connected to an input 86 of an electronic sWitch 85 Which is
Which is connected to the decoder-driver circuit 100 and
Which provides a visual indication of the frame number
being recorded. The output of the code generator 94 is a
operable to connect the appropriate head 56 of the bank of
heads 56A—56D in timed synchronization to the output of
the EM. modulator 83 and the ampli?er 67 to effect the
digital code signal Which is in a form to be immediately
recorded by head 61 on the control track of the magnetic
tape or card along With the synchroniZation control signals
as described, Without interference to the operations effected
by means of said controls signals.
Time delay circuit 93 also is employed to activate a
further time delay circuit 102 providing a time delay Which
proper recording of the video picture signals on respective
transverse tracks of the tape as it is driven around the
rotating head assembly.
An audio signal of sounds generated in the vicinity of the
camera may be recorded in the conventional manner by
gating the output of a microphone 87 to a proper recording
electronic circuit 88 through a manually operated single pole
is suf?cient for the recording of the code generated just prior
double throW sWitch 51D Which is connected to an audio 25
to the generation of the full-frame video picture signal Which
is associated With said code. The time delay circuit 102 has
record-playback head 89 Which is stationarily supported in
the recorder to record along an audio track extending
an output Which eXtends to one input of an AND gate 103.
parallel to the longitudinal aXis of the magnetic tape. The
operations described above essentially de?ne recording and
playback for the motion picture mode of recording operation
of the apparatus 10.
The other input to AND gate 103 eXtends from the output of
sync signal ampli?er 67. When both inputs to gate 103 are
energiZed, a signal is generated on the output of the gate
Which sets a latch 104 Which, in turn, activates an input of
OR gate 46 energiZing the enabling circuit 74 for the
memory 70 during operation of the unit in the motion picture
SINGLE FRAME RECORDING
In order to effect single full-frame video picture signal
35
mode. The latch 104 is also employed to activate a time
delay circuit 105 having a delay Which is slightly longer than
recording of information derived from the television camera
the folloWing operational functions are noted. The ?nger
the duration of the sync pulse derived from the ampli?er 67.
operated trigger actuator 20 for the manually operated
sWitch 43 is slightly depressed Which activates the normally
Delay circuit 105 is connected to one input of an AND gate
106. The other input to AND gate 106 is derived from the
open sWitching section 43A thereof activating a sWitch
debouncing circuit 90 Which causes a pulse generator 91,
becomes energiZed, it passes a signal on its output Which is
output of sync ampli?er 67. When the AND gate 106
generated after the ?rst sync pulse indicating the beginning
such as a monostable multi-vibrator, to set the latch 92 of the
sWitch as a result of generating a very short pulse each time
sWitch 43A is so activated. The output of the latch 92 is
applied to an input of OR gate 45 resulting in the subsequent
controlled operation of the tape drive motor 53 Which drives
the tape capstan 54 and any other mechanism necessary to
effect tape drive movement against or around the head drum
as previously described.
The output 92A of the latch 92 becomes energiZed and the
signal so generated is passed to activate a code generator 94
after being delayed by means of a time delay circuit 93 for
a suf?cient time interval to permit the tape drive motor 53 to
start up and attain operating speed. The code generator 94
generates a unique code Which is determined either by the
manual operation of a bank of coded sWitches 95, for
of the neXt recorded frame and thereafter generates a second
sync pulse indicating the end of the recording frame, Which
45
and 104 thereby conditioning the system to properly effect
the recording of the neXt frame and deactivating the OR gate
46 and the enabling input 74 to the memory so as to hold the
frame information just generated Within the memory 70 until
the neXt frame is presented thereto or, in the single frame
recording monitoring mode, until the energiZing poWer to
the memory is removed or deactivated.
Provision is also made in the control system illustrated in
FIG. 5 to permit the video information generated by the
55
television camera to be previeWed on the vieWing screen of
the monitor before recording such information in the mag
netic recorder 24. To effect such previeWing, manual sWitch
eXample by employing thumb Wheel BCD sWitches, such
activation occurring When a single pole double throW
manual sWitch 96 is in its manual operational position as
shoWn or When said sWitch 96 is in its automatic operational
position and is connecting a counter circuit 97, Which
accumulates one count each time the clock is pulsed by AND
gate 98 to said code generator 94. The output of the AND
gate 98 is activated every time a signal is present on both its
inputs, one of Which inputs is connected to receive the sync
signal generated on the output of ampli?er 67 for the motion
picture mode of operation and the other to the output of the
second signal serves as a reset signal to reset both latches 92
82A is operated in a manner to inactivate transmission gate
81 and to prevent the transfer of video picture signals from
65
the digital-to-analog converter 76 to the EM. modulator 83.
SWitch 82B, Which is mechanically coupled or connected to
sWitch 82A, is also operated to a previeW position, disen
abling the OR circuit 45 and thereby terminating the passage
of motor drive signals to the tape drive motor 53 and
preventing the movement of the tape past the heads during
the previeW operation. If it decided that the visual informa
tion presented to the vieWing screen of the monitor 79,
US 6,442,336 B1
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10
Which is held in memory 70, is to be recorded, a record
switch 107, such as a momentary contact normally open
54 to insure proper head position With respect to the trans
verse recording tracks of the tape. The video picture signals
switch, is manually depressed Which activates a pulse gen
generated on the output 121 are transmitted to the analog
to-digital converter 68 and are converted to digital codes
erator 108 Which sets a latch 109 Which activates one input
of an AND gate 110. The AND gate 110 generates a control
representing the brightness and color levels of the picture
elements making up the frames of the video information.
The Write-enabling means is thus continually activated in the
signal on its output When both its inputs are activated, the
other of said inputs extending from the recording ampli?er
67. The output of the AND gate 110 is a clock pulse Which
is passed to an OR gate 111 Which is connected to a ?ip-?op
sWitch 112, the O output of Which subsequently becomes
10
activated alloWing the tape drive motor 53 to be operated
When the OR gate 45 is also activated. The O output of the
?ip-?op 112 also activates a time delay circuit 82D Which,
after suitable time delay suf?cient to alloW the motor 53 to
attain running speed from starting and the recording of the
the television camera. In this mode of operation, a control
15
track reproduction head 61 reproduces the recorded signals
from the control track of the tape and passes same through
a sWitch 51E to playback ampli?er electronic circuitry 123
frame code as described, activates transmission gate 81
passing the video signals to be recorded therethrough to the
recording heads. When the O output is activated, the Q
output of the ?ip-?op sWitch 112 is inactivated. When the
neXt sync pulse, during the single frame mode of recording,
is received from the ampli?er 67, the ?ip-?op sWitch 112
sWitches causing the O output to become inactive and
preventing the passage of video signals to the modulator 84
and the motor drive signals to the tape motor 53. The O
output is then reactivated creating a pulse on the output of
a pulse generator 113 Which is applied to reset the latch 109
readying it for the neXt recording cycle. In the motion
picture mode, the previeW operation may be attained in a
motion picture playback mode by the proper operation of a
bistable sWitch 122 through OR gate 46. The operation of the
memory 70 and its associated circuitry for controlling the
monitor 79 is effected, as described, under the recording
mode of operation Wherein the output 121 of the sync
separator 119 is substituted for the picture signal output of
of conventional design and to the reference signal generator
for subsequent application to the tape drive motor 53, as
25
previously described, to maintain the operation of said
motor in synchroniZation With the recordings provided on
the tape.
The audio signals generated by the playback circuit of the
audio reproduction head 89 in scanning the recordings of the
audio track of the magnetic recording member of the record
ing unit 24 are passed through sWitch 51D to conventional
playback-amplifying electronic circuits 124 to Which is
effected for previeWing the single frame output of the video
connected a speaker 125 supported by the housing 11 of the
portable unit 10 to accompany the motion picture video
information reproduced from the magnetic recorder and
camera With the exception that the AND gate 114 is deac
displayed on the monitor.
manner similar to that in Which the previeW operation Was
tivated by the debounce circuit 44 and the O output of
?ip-?op sWitch 112 activates the OR gate 11 preventing a
change of state of the input to the ?ip-?op sWitch 112 during
the changing output of the AND gate 110 until the manual
SELECTIVE SINGLE FRAME PLAYBACK
In order to effect the reproduction of selected full-frame
35
sWitch 43B is released and inactivates the debounce circuit
44 and also the AND gate 114 so as to alloW passage of the
a code comparator circuit 126. SWitch 115 is manually
closed and When the frame location of the magnetic tape
containing the selected frame is driven into alignment With
neXt clock pulse from the AND gate 110 through the OR gate
111 to the clock input of the ?ip-?op 112 When the described
toggling and reset functions are effected.
the reproduction heads, a decoder 132 senses the code
MOTION PICTURE PLAYBACK MODE
The motion picture playback mode may be effected When
the sWitch 51 containing the contact pairs denoted 51A, 51B,
51C and 51D is in the motion picture playback position and
45
the normally open momentary contact sWitch 115 is actuated
Without a code being set up in the coded sWitches 95. The
sWitch 115, When so operated, activates a pulse generator
116 Which sets a latch 117 activating OR gate 45 starting the
tape drive motor 53 as described. The tape then travels past
the record-playback head assembly 54 in a manner to permit
signals reproduced from the frame code recordings on the
magnetic tape adjacent the selected frame after they are
ampli?ed by means of the control track playback electronic
circuitry 123 and When the code so generated matches the
code generated on the outputs of the bank of sWitches 95, the
output of the code comparator 126 becomes activated setting
a latch 127 Which effects energiZation of the Write-enable
input 74 to the memory 70, as described, through OR gate
46. The output of latch 127 eXtends to one input of an AND
gate 128, the other input of Which extends from the output
the playback head or heads 56 to scan and pick up the
recorded signals and to transfer them through the electronic
head sWitching means 85, operating in reverse to the
described recording mode, and sWitch closed 51C to the
EM. demodulator 118, the output of Which is a composite
video picture signals from the recording unit 24, a selection
code is generated by the selective operation of the bank of
code generating sWitches 95, the output of Which eXtends to
55
video picture signal representative of the composite video
picture signal recording so reproduced, Which composite
signal is fed to a sync separator 119 Which serves to separate
the sync signals from the composite video signal and present
same on an output 120 While the video picture signal
120 of the sync separator 119 Which is activated With the
reproduced video information at the beginning of the repro
duction of the recording of the selected full-frame video
picture signal causing the AND gate 128 to transfer a clock
pulse to the J K or ?ip-?op sWitch 129, the output Q of Which
becomes inactive. Upon the subsequent generation of a sync
pulse and its application to the AND gate 128 at the end of
the reproduction of the selected frame, said AND gate
creates a second clock pulse for the ?ip-?op sWitch 129
causing the Q output thereof to be reactivated, Which causes
elements separated from the reproduced composite video
a pulse generator 130 to generate and transmit a pulse to the
picture signal are passed on a second output 121.
The sync signals generated on the output 120 are passed
to the reference generator 48 through sWitch 51A and de?ne
the means Whereby synchroniZation is effected betWeen the
movement of the tape and the rotation of the head assembly
reset input of latch 127, thus deactivating said latch and its
control devices (e.g., OR gate 46 and AND gate 128).
65
Memory 70 and monitor 79 are operated as described for
the motion picture mode and the monitor is thus energiZed
to display the selected video picture signal information as a
US 6,442,336 B1
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12
still image on its display screen in accordance With the
memory may retain its information in storage even after the
tape is disabled or removed from the unit. Such a memory
recording thereof in the memory 70. The code comparator
126, When activated, also operates to reset latch 117 a time
delay thereafter as determined by the time delay element or
circuit 131 having a delay interval Which is suf?cient to
permit the playback of the entire selected full-frame video
may comprise a static programmable serial type of memory.
It is noted that the coded sWitches 95 may include or be
replaced by an automatic code generator for generating a
different code in a progression of codes to be recorded along
With each still picture video signal recorded to permit the
selective play-back of the video signal from the recorder at
a future time as described for selectively vieWing the still
picture signal reproduced from the magnetic recorder and
said time delay-element operates to deactivate the tape drive
motor When the selected frame has been reproduced and
applied as described. The image information contained in
the selected full-frame video picture signal is thus displayed
10
If sWitch 51 is operated to gate the output of camera 32 to
as a still image and may be retained for an extended period
of time until another frame of image information is similarly
reproduced and applied to the monitor or the motion picture
mode of operation is selectively initiated or the poWer is
the AID converter 68, the video signal information output by
the camera may be simultaneously applied to the monitor 79
and the video recorder if sWitch 51C is sWitched to the
15
turned off.
A number of alternative arrangements for the system
provided in FIG. 5 are noted. For example, although a
as folloWs:
illustrated in the draWings, any other video tape, video card
or video disc recording means may be employed embodying
suitable circuit and control changes therein as required to
I. If it is desired to transmit the outputs of either or both
the television camera 32 and video recorder/reproduction
unit 24 to a remote receiver such as a video monitor, a short
effect the described operations. Video picture signal syn
Wave transmitter may be provided in housing 11 and
25
connectable, through suitable manually operate bistable
sWitching means, to either the output of the video recorder
oscillators, electro-mechanical means, microminiature pulse
generating circuits, etc.
24 or the camera 32 to transmit via short Wave to said remote
receiver Whichever signals are generated, by the camera or
Other forms of monitoring devices, such as charge
coupled devices, may be utiliZed to replace the cathode ray
tube monitor 79 and should they contain digitiZing circuits,
it may be possible to eliminate the analog-to-digital and the
digital-to-analog devices employed in the circuit diagram 80
as to simplify the electronic circuitry presented and
described.
It is also noted that the memory 70, Which is provided
recording mode, thus permitting TV camera operation to be
monitored as the camera is operated and its output is
recorded.
Modi?ed forms of the apparatus of FIGS. 1—5 are noted
four-head magnetic tape recording and reproduction unit is
chroniZation signals may be derived by means other than
that illustrated and described, such as by means of crystal
picture represented thereby.
recorder (e.g. —single full frame video picture signals or
motion picture video picture signals). Such signals may be
35
generated as described by the operator of the unit 10
actuating the described sWitches or, in another mode of
operation, generated under remote control by employing a
short Wave receiver in the housing 11, the output of Which
is connected to coded relays or logic circuits responsive to
respective control codes transmitted thereto from a short
herein as a RAM or read-Write memory may also comprise
Wave transmitter at the monitor and generated When the
any suitable type of memory such as a serial shift register,
operator thereof selectively closes code generating sWitches.
Transmission of said video signals may also be effected by
a charge coupled (CCD) device, a magnetic bubble memory,
a rotating disc or drum or any other type of pulse signal
storage device capable of storing at least a million bits of full
means of closed circuit television means employing a ?ex
ible cable connected to the outputs of the television recorder
24 and camera 32, preferably by being coupled to a con
color, high resolution, single frame picture information
Wherein the appropriate circuit modi?cations to operate such
memory Would be provided.
An alternative means for storing single frame video
picture signals may comprise a solid state memory 133
Which may be connected, as shoWn, by means of pluggable
contacts denoted 136, 137 138 and 139. For recording, such
memory 133 is connected to receive the video signal at the
output of transmission gate 81 by means of a plug contact
nector at the bottom of the handle 19 as described. Remote
control of both the camera and recorder 24 as set forth in
45 FIG. 5 may also be effected by direct remote Wire connec
tion through said cable to the various control devices
described.
II. A magnetic tape, card , disc, or solid state or bubble
memory recording unit may supplement or replace the unit
138. A recording enabling signal may be generated and
24 in the housing 11 and may also be connected as illustrated
in FIG. 5 by means of Wires extending through a ?exible
applied to the memory 133 from the control input to the
transmission gate 81 through a contact 139. Synchronization
may be provided for the memory by means of the sync
cable to the camera, monitor, battery, microphone, speaker
and control sWitches supported by or Within the housing 11.
Such recording-reproduction unit may be contained, for
signals generated on the output of the ampli?er 67 through
55
plug contact 137. Operation may be effected as described.
In order to effect playback of the single frame video
picture signal in such a mode of operation, the memory is
connected to the socket contacts 136—139. Since the record
ing input contact 136 is not energiZed due to the deactivation
of the transmission gate 81 no video picture signal Will be
present at the contact 138 Synchronization may be provided,
as described, through contact and the video picture signal
output of the memory is passed through contact 136 to the
analog-to-digital converter 68, through sWitch 51B and is
thereafter subsequently displayed as in the described repro
duction playback mode. In such modes of operation, the
example, in a harness or strap held retainer Which is held on
the belt or shoulders of the operator of the camera and may
be operated as described by means of the control sWitches
supported by the housing 11 and/or by means of similar
control sWitches supported by the housing for the recorder
and reproduction unit.
III. In yet another embodiment, it is noted that the
recorder and reproduction unit 24 supported Within the
housing 11 may be operable to receive and record single
frame and/or motion picture television signals from a remote
65
camera by employing either a short Wave receiver for such
signals Within housing 11 and having its output connected to
suitable code responsive controls for the recorder 24 or
US 6,442,336 B1
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14
direct Wire connection via cable connected to the handle 19
to said controls.
IV. If the recorder and reproduction unit 24 is a magnetic
the recorder unit 24 , beloW or therebehind or above the
housing 11 either as a permanent installation or removably
connectable thereto or may be so disposed adjacent a side
Wall 14 thereof and modi?ed such that its input lens Will
receive direct or re?ected light from the display screen 27,
card reader-reproducer or for magnetic disc recorder
reproducer, suitable receiving means for magnetic cards or
discs may be employed Wherein such record members are
inserted into slotted openings in the top Wall 12 or either of
the side Walls of the housing to bring them into operable
engagement With mechanisms for conditioning the for
recording and reproduction operations as described. Storage
located as shoWn or facing one of the side Walls 14 and 15,
or light passed to the optical system in the lens housing 28.
10
components be used to also direct light from the image
space for such cards or discs may be provided in the housing
adjacent the battery or recorder 24.
Added to the circuits of FIG. 5 either in parallel With the
screen of the television monitor 26 to such instant photo
graphic camera, modi?ed instant photographic camera may
also be removably attached to or built into the front end of
coded sWitches 95 or as a replacement therefore may be an
automatic code signal generator for generating a progressive
binary code each time a single full frame video picture signal
15
different code recording With each full frame video picture
signal recording to permit the selective reproduction of full
FIG. 5 also shoWs such an instant photographic camera 80
20
such camera and a separate videocassette recorder connected
thereto for recording the output of the camera, may also
contain an image converter tube or other form of image
25
Which push button controls is operable to trigger the shutter
of the camera to open and properly close thereafter to take
30
a picture of the image presented to the camera and, if
utiliZed, to close a sWitch connecting an image intensifying
device such as a suitable light source to be described, to a
or studied. Such image conversion means may be employed
battery such as battery 22 or an auXiliary battery (not
shoWn). Such instant camera operating and adjusting
35
mechanisms and supporting circuitry as described may he
employed in the portable camera, recording and playback
unit 10 of FIGS. 1—4. Magnetic recording and playback
denoted 80C are provided on the side Wall of housing 11 or
era variables such as aperture speed and opening, one of
generated therefrom may be easily monitored and discerned
to provide suitable images during either the single frame
recording and monitoring or the motion picture mode of
operation of the recorder and monitoring subsystems.
VII. Various videocassette recording and reproduction
Which may be attached to or supported Within housing 11,
such as in the subhousings or compartments containing
battery 22, the videocassette recorder 24 or de?ned in part
by the side Wall 15A. Mechanical or electro-mechanical
controls, such as push button or membrane sWitches,
instant photographic camera 80 for manually adjusting cam
converter for convert-video picture signals generated in
scanning phenomena at a loW light intensity to signals Which
may be applied in the manner described, to both the visual
monitor screen and the recorder unit Which signals have
been so modi?ed by the image converter that the images
housing 11 for receiving and photographically recording
picture phenomena directly from the optical system in
housing 28. Its position may be one of those de?ned by
notations 22 and 32 in FIG. 1
is generated by camera 32 and recorded so as to provide a
frame video signals as described.
VI. It is also noted that the camera 32 employed in the
hand held unit 10 of FIGS. 1—3 or in a system employing
In the latter arrangement, suitable prisms , mirrors and
lenses may be employed to direct such received light to the
input of such photographic camera as may such optical
sWitches 80C are also shoWn in FIGS. 1 and 4.
In a modi?ed form of FIG. 5, the video monitor Which the
camera operator vieWs While taking still or motion pictures
or playing back same from tape recordings thereof, may be
supported Within housing 11 and operable to pass light of
apparatus found in such videocassette recorder-player units
still or stop-frame images displayed on its screen, simulta
neously or sequentially, to either or both eyepiece 38A,
as the BetamaX SL-3000 and other videocassette recording
through housing 38, and/or to an optical system forming part
40
units made by Sony Corporation of Tokyo, Japan; the 2200
VCR, the VR 1000PW and other videocassette recording
units manufactured by Matsushita Electroc Co., Ltd. of
Tokyo, Japan; the VP-7300 manufactured by Akai of Japan
contain magnetic tape recording and reproduction transduc
ing means and cassette take handling means Which may be
employed in a unit of the type shoWn in FIGS. 1—4 and/or
modi?cations thereof.
It should be understood With respect to the circuit dia
grams de?ned in FIG. 5 of the draWings and described above
of a camera assembly BOA Which eXtends across and
45
includes the aperture of the instant camera 80. The video
monitor 79 in FIG. 5 is shoWn as an assembly Which
includes a video vieWing and image generating screen 79S
forming part of a device, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT)
or a solid state array of charge coupled diodes (CCDs) or the
like, in suf?cient density to provide a high resolution elec
50
that suitable poWer supplies having correct polarities and
connected to be energiZed by the described rechargeable
tronic image of the ?eld scanned by the video camera 10 as
such scanning occurs or from signals of recordings derived
from the videotape of the video recorder 24 as described. If
the image displayed is a still image Which is generated on the
screen 79S, it may be employed per se or after its intensi
battery or a source of line current are provided Where not 55 ?cation as input light to the instant camera for making a
included in the draWings so as to supply proper electrical
photographic hard copy thereof.
Light from the image ?eld light pattern generated on
screen 79S of video vieWing device 79V may be passed
energy for appropriately operating the various illustrated
circuits as described in the speci?cation.
VIII. Photographic or other form of hard copy printing
means may be provided Within the housing 11 or in a
60
directly to the input 80A of the instant camera 80 to generate
a photograph thereof When the instant camera is operated
housing Which is coupleable thereto for making hard copy or
thereafter by the camera operator by depressing the proper
photographic prints of images received either directly from
sWitch of sWitches 80S. Such light from screen 79S may also
be directly vieWed per se by the camera operator Without
making a print thereof. In FIG. 5, light from screen 79S is
the optical system in the housing 28 or from or from image
phenomena and light patterns generated on the video display
screen 27 of the television monitor 26. For example, an 65 re?ected from a mirror or prism 80F and other mirrors or
prisms through housing 33 to the eyepiece 38A. If device
instant photographic unit, such as a Polaroid Land Camera
unit may be provided in the bottom or rear of the housing for
80P is a mirror, it may be normally spring biased to re?ect
US 6,442,336 B1
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16
light to the eyepiece 38A and eye of the photographer and
With such a projection optical lens assembly, image inten
pivoted or otherwise moved out of the Way to allow light to
pass directly from the screen 79S directly to the lens and
si?ed light from screen 79S may be re?ected and passed
through such projection lens system in housing 28 or an
auXiliary housing connected to the camera housing 11 to
permit same to be projected and vieWed as an enlarged
shutter assembly 80A or other optically device(s) associated
With the instant camera 80 to permit instant photographs to
image against a screen or Wall a distance from the camera.
One or more light sources or lasers 80L nay be continuously
be taken, by manually or motor driving the shutter assembly
to open. Thus one of the controls 80C operating the instant
or pulse operated and/or scanned across screen 79V to
camera may mechanically and/or electrically operate both
the mirror pivoting and the shutter mechanisms simulta
neously or sequentially to permit select pictures to be taken
of the images displayed on screen 79S of video display 79.
provide suitable projection light of the displayed phenomena
such as still and motion pictures to be projected. Such light
modulated by the images generated on the display screen
79S in its re?ection therefrom, may be directed per se
The instant camera 80 may store and/or immediately
deliver each photograph taken, from an end of the camera by
the conventional motor driven means of Polaroid type
through such a projection optical system Which is part of or
replaces the camera lens assembly 28, may be projected
instant cameras or modi?ed forms thereof. If a modi?ed 15 directly onto a Wall, projection screen or other means or may
be further intensi?ed by directing same against an image
intensifying tube or solid state intensi?er input operable to
provide a neW display to a further light projection system
form of such a camera is employed, it may be secured to the
bottom Wall of housing 11 of the embodiments of FIGS. 1
and 4, as a replacement or support for one of the pistol grips
19 and 21.
operable to project same from the camera against a Wall or
projection screen.
X. Control of all or certain of the variables associated With
the operation of the television camera and the video record
Also shoWn in FIGS is a light source 80L such as a high
intensity lamp or lamps or a solid state laser Which is
energiZed by an automatic control means, such as a timer or
microprocessor, connecting same to a source of suitable
25
ers of the portable television camera-recording apparatus
described above may also be effected automatically in
response to select Words of speech spoken into the micro
35
phone 87 by the operator of the camera-recorder unit
described. Aspeech signal recognition computer, such as the
General Instruments Corporation microelectronic chip
denoted SP-1000 or speech recognition electronic circuits
manufactured by such companies as Threshold Technology
Inc. of Delran, N.J.; Dialog Systems, Inc. of Belmont,
Mass.: Scott Instruments, Inc. of Denton, TeX.; TeXas Instru
ments Corp., Dallas, TeX. (using their TNC 0820), etc. may
be employed and operatively connected to an analog-to
digital converter connected to the output of microphone 87
electrical energy such as battery 22 or an auXiliary battery
(not shoWn) causing the light thereof to ?ood and/or scan the
screen 79S to provide suitable re?ected light to the optical
input means of the instant camera 80 for eXposing instant
photographic sheet material to such light When the aperture
opens. Such automatic control means controls the operation
of the light source 80L and its scanning means, if used, and
the aperture of the camera 80 to permit suitable photographs
to me taken of image phenomena displayed on the screen
79S of the display tube or chip 79V.
In a modi?ed form of operation of the invention, elec
tronic display 79V may generate motion picture images
or an auXiliary microphone located near the rear end of the
output from videocassette recorder 24 When controllably
operated in the playback mode, Wherein the operator may
housing 11, may be employed Which the operator may speak
select speech into as he operates the camera-recorder so as
to control by means of such select speech such functions as
suddenly stop-frame control the recorder during such play
back to capture a select still image on the screen 79S Which
camera focus and Zoom, an on-off sWitch for the camera, an
may be selectively photographed or erased from the screen
by the means described. The videocassette recorder may also
be operated in a stepping mode Wherein select still image
recordings of full frame videopicture signals Which are
digitally recorded on the magnetic tape of the videocassette
recorder, may be selectively reproduced therefrom and
on-off sWitch for the video recorder, selection of playback or
recording functions for the video recorder by operating a
bistable sWitch or selected of a plurality of selection
45
selectively displayed as still images on the display screen or
audio, volume control during playback of audio including
on an auXiliary display screen such as a large screen tele
the shutting off of audio playback, the control of a motor or
motors operating a variable aperture for the camera to
vision monitor or receiver Which is connected, for eXample,
by cable to receive single frame or motion picture signals
output by the video recorder 24 during a controlled playback
mode of operation. When a still image displayed on such
large screen is selected by a person to be photographed, its
corresponding image on screen 79S may be photographed as
described.
Hard copy producing means other than a Polaroid type
instant camera, such as a Xerographic unit, may also be
provided in a housing located in the bottom of housing 11 or
sWitches, selective playback of selected information such as
selected frames of video recordings received by the recorder
from the television camera, volume control during recording
selectively and/or incrementally adjust the amount of light
entering the camera and others of the controls and sWitches
described above. Manually operable sWitches and controls
55
for effecting such functions Which are speech signal con
trolled are also preferably provided at the Wall(s) of the
housing 11 and easily accessible to the ?ngers of either or
both hands of a person operating the camera-recorder. Such
speech signal control means may also be employed to
control the operation of a hard copy printer, such as an
instant camera or Xerographic copy making means in the
therebeloW to receive image ?eld de?ning light from the
video image screen 79S.
housing to make hard copy of select images derived from the
IX. By replacing the single mirror or prism 80P shoWn in
FIG. 5 With a movable mirror and optical projection system,
video recorder’s memory or tape.
the television camera-recorders described above may also be
utiliZed as large screen motion and/or still picture projectors.
If the lens assembly 28 contains projection lenses or may be
XI. In yet another form of the instant invention, the video
cassette magnetic tape recorder units 24 employed in tele
vision camera assemblies 10 of FIGS. 1 and 4 , may be
65
replaced With erasable laser recording units employing eras
replaced by hand, such as by turning or snap-assembling and
able electro-optical recording tapes , cards or discs in Which
removing same from the endWall of the camera housing 11,
the television picture signals output by the television camera
US 6,442,336 B1
17
18
having an output for picture signals reproduced from
32 are applied to modulate and operate a scanning beam of
a record member supported in said housing,
a laser in a manner to effect motion picture and/or still
picture recordings along one or more record tracks of the
(iii) a video-signal display unit including a display
tape card or disc. Selective reading, beam scanning playback
screen vieWable from the exterior of said housing,
and
of the video electro-optical frame recordings so made may
be effected by control means and methods described above
(iv) a printer electrically coupled to the video recorder
for one or more of the purposes of directly vieWing still and
motion pictures on the vieWing screen of the camera display
27 and or through the eyepiece 38A receiving light from the
screen 795 of the internally mounted electronic image
display unit 79.
If a record disc is employed for recording video picture
signals and making same available for selective playback,
direct and projection vieWing as described, it may be sup
ported Within a magaZine or ?at housing Which is inserted
into and removed from the elongated openings 24A and 15D
of FIGS. 1 and 4 or similar openings in the top or bottom
Walls of the housings 11, Wherein the disc hub is available
and reproduction device;
10
coupled to the output of said camera and in the second
position, the video-signal display unit is coupled to the
output of said video recorder and reproduction device;
and
15
microphone supported by said housing, and Wherein said
gear motor in the housing to properly rotate the disc in such
video recorder and reproduction device is con?gured to store
magaZine for recording and reproduction purposes When
and to reproduce audio signals produced by said microphone
scanned With a suitable laser beam from a laser on a pivoted
arm Which is controllably driven across the disc as it rotates
to scan concentric tracks of the disc or a spiral track thereof
magaZine.
(c) a manually operated printing trigger that, When in a
predetermined position, causes the printer to output a
hard copy of the image displayed on the screen.
2. Aunit in accordance With claim 1 further comprising a
to be engaged by a motor or hand advanced drive shaft of a
through an elongated narroW opening in the side Wall of the
(b) a manually operated selection sWitch having tWo
positions, Wherein, Without operating any other sWitch,
in the ?rst position, the video-signal display unit is
on said record member.
3. Aunit in accordance With claim 1 further comprising a
battery supported in said housing.
25
4. Aunit in accordance With claim 1 further comprising a
digital memory supported in the housing and coupled and
XII. In yet another form of the instant invention, the
siZed to store a single frame of video picture signals, and
Wherein the memory is coupled to the printer and the
output of the recording ampli?er 88 Which ampli?es audio
signals generated by the microphone 87, may be connected
printing trigger, so that When the printing trigger is activated,
through a manual sWitch controlled by the operator of the
video picture signals are ?rst stored in the memory and then
television camera-recorder unit 24 to a microelectronic
reproduced from the memory and applied to the printer.
speech signal processing and analyZing computer Which is
operable to recogniZe select Words of speech received by the
microphone and generate respective control signals Which
5. A unit in accordance With claim 1 Wherein:
(a) said record member comprises video recording tape;
are applied, as they are generated, to control one or more of 35
the sWitching and control functions described above. For
eXample, (a) the television camera 32 may be connected to
and disconnected from battery 22, (b) camera output sWitch
51 may be selectively operated as described by a motor,
(b) said housing further includes a receptacle siZed to
receive a cassette holding a quantity of said tape;
(c) said video recorder and reproduction device includes
reproduction and recording heads; and
(d) said receptacle is positioned to dispose said tape
solenoid or other control means controlled by one or more
against said heads When a cassette is inserted therein.
control signals generated by such speech signal analyZing
6. Aunit in accordance With claim 1 Wherein said display
unit comprises a cathode ray tube.
7. Aunit in accordance With claim 1 Wherein said display
computer, (c) video recorder control sWitch 51C may also be
selectively controlled by control signals generated by such a
speech recognition computer supported Within or on housing
11 to selectively record and/or reproduce video picture
information signals, (d) the driving means for pivoting
mirror 60P for selectively passing the image ?eld light from
45
(b) a camera supported Within said housing and having an
video monitor screen 795 to the instant camera 80 or the
input for image phenomena occurring outside said
eyepiece 38A, (e) the controls 80C for selectively operating
housing;
the instant camera 80 may be selectively operated by signals
(c) a ?rst sWitch that, When activated by a camera
operator, causes said camera to generate video picture
signals on an output thereof;
generated by such computer When select speech spoken into
the microphone 87 is recogniZed as may a means for
controlling the source 80L of image intensifying or projec
tion light, etc. Additionally, sWitches 51D and 51E may be
similarly controlled by signals generated by such speech
55
recognition computer When selected speech signals are
generated and recogniZed thereby to further automatically
and having a reproduction device electrically coupled
(e) a second sWitch that, When placed by the camera
operator in a predetermined position, causes said video
recorder to record on a record member single-frame
I claim:
video picture signals received from said camera output
at the input of said video recorder;
(f) a video monitor supported Within said housing,
1. A portable video unit comprising:
(a) a hand-held, boX-like housing supporting:
(i) a camera having an output for electrical video
coupled to display video picture signals, and having a
picture signals representative of image phenomena
(ii) a video recorder and reproduction device electri
cally coupleable to the output of the camera and
(d) a video recorder supported Within said housing, hav
ing an input electrically coupled to said camera output,
to an output of said recorder;
control the operation of the camera-recorder in one or more
of the manners described above.
occurring outside said housing,
unit comprises a charge coupled device.
8. A portable video unit comprising:
(a) a hand-held, boX-like housing;
65
screen vieWable from the eXterior of said housing;
(g) a third sWitch coupled to alloW the camera operator to
sWitch the display on the video monitor betWeen said
US 6,442,336 B1
19
20
(c) applying said video picture signals to the monitor to
camera output and said recorder output Without oper
ating any other switch;
(h) a hard-copy printer supported by the housing; and
display the image ?eld;
(d) upon demand, recording said video picture signals on
a recording member supported by the housing;
(e) toggling a control sWitch, Without operating any other
(i) a fourth human-operated switch coupled to cause the
printer to print a single-frame image from the output
selected by the third sWitch.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising:
sWitch, to sWitch the signals applied to said video
monitor from the video picture signals generated by the
(a) a microphone supported by said housing;
(b) an audio recorder and reproduction device con?gured
to store and to reproduce audio signals produced by
10
said microphone on said record member, Which com
prises a quantity of recording tape;
(c) a battery supported in said housing;
(d) a digital memory supported by said housing and
(f) selectively printing a single frame of said video picture
signals, comprising either said camera-outputted sig
15
part of
picture signals and associated audio signals; and
siZed to
(ii) positioned to dispose said tape against reproduction
and recording heads of said recorder and reproduction
device When a cassette is inserted therein.
15. A method in accordance With claim 14 further com
10. The apparatus of claim 8 Wherein the hard-copy
11. The apparatus of claim 8 Wherein the fourth sWitch is
voice-responsive.
12. A method for generating, recording, and printing
image information comprising:
?rst storing said frame of video picture signals in
a digital memory in said housing.
14. A method in accordance With claim 12 Wherein (d)
comprises inserting a magnetic tape cassette in a receptacle
of the housing and recording individual frame of video
picture signals on the tape.
receive a cassette holding a quantity of said tape, and
printer is detachably connected to the housing.
nals or said reproduced signals.
13. A method in accordance With claim 12 including as
coupled and siZed to store a single frame of video
(e) a receptacle in said housing, Which is
television camera to video picture signals reproduced
from said recording member, to display on said video
monitor a previously recorded image; and
prising storing said frame along With a code signal.
25
comprises
16. A method
employing
in accordance
said code
Withsignal
claimto15reproduce
Wherein a
selected frame of video recording from said magnetic tape.
(a) hand holding and directing a portable television cam
era and recording unit de?ned by a housing that
17. A method in accordance With claim 12 including
reproducing a selected single frame of recorded video infor
mation and applying it to said video monitor instead of video
includes a television camera, a video recorder and
information generated by the television camera, to display
playback unit, a video monitor having a display screen,
and a printer;
Wherein
on said video monitor a previously recorded still image, and
comprises printing said selected still image.
(b) operating the television camera to scan an image ?eld
and to output video picture signals;
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