System and method for non-invasive conversion of film cameras into digital camera
First Claim
1. A system for converting a film camera into a digital camera, comprising:
- an image sensing array;
a read-out circuit coupled to the image sensing array;
a memory coupled to the read-out circuit for storing a digital picture derived from an image read-out from the image sensing array;
an audio sensor for detecting sounds within the camera; and
an acoustic pattern recognizer that compares signals received from said audio sensor to determine if the signals correspond with acoustic patterns associated with shutter operation, said acoustic pattern recognizer having a training mode that can be used to develop a set of acoustic patterns associated with shutter operation based on signals from said audio sensor during said training mode; and
said image sensing array having a low power listening mode and an image capture mode and being configured to switch from said listening mode into said image capture mode when the pattern recognizer recognizes an acoustic pattern associated with shutter operation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for converting a film camera into a digital camera uses an electronic device placed in a space of the camera that normally contains film. The device includes an image sensing array arranged in optical communication with a lens of the camera when a shutter is open. An audio sensor is used to detect sounds within the camera, and an acoustic pattern recognizer with a built-in training mode is used to determine if the detected sounds correspond with the shutter operation. The image sensing array is switched into an image capture mode when the acoustic pattern recognizer determines that the shutter is being opened. When the shutter is opened, a read-out circuit captures multiple image frames from the image sensing array. An image processor associated with the image sensing array processes the captured images using advanced image processing algorithms.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for converting a film camera into a digital camera, comprising:
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an image sensing array; a read-out circuit coupled to the image sensing array; a memory coupled to the read-out circuit for storing a digital picture derived from an image read-out from the image sensing array; an audio sensor for detecting sounds within the camera; and an acoustic pattern recognizer that compares signals received from said audio sensor to determine if the signals correspond with acoustic patterns associated with shutter operation, said acoustic pattern recognizer having a training mode that can be used to develop a set of acoustic patterns associated with shutter operation based on signals from said audio sensor during said training mode; and said image sensing array having a low power listening mode and an image capture mode and being configured to switch from said listening mode into said image capture mode when the pattern recognizer recognizes an acoustic pattern associated with shutter operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for converting a film camera into a digital camera, comprising:
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an image sensing array; a read-out circuit coupled to the image sensing array; and a memory coupled to the read-out circuit for storing a digital picture derived from an image read-out from the image sensing array; said read-out circuit being operable to capture more than one image frame from said image sensing array during a single opening of a shutter of the film camera. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of taking a digital picture with a film camera, comprising:
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loading an electronic device comprising a memory unit and an image processor into a space vacated in the absence of film in the camera, and placing an image sensing array in optical communication with a lens of the camera when a shutter is open; detecting sounds within the camera using an audio sensor; and developing a set of acoustic patterns associated with shutter operation based on signals from the audio sensor and the image sensing array during a training mode after the electronic device is loaded into the film camera. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification