Convertible video camera/projector

• US 5,528,297 A
• Filed: 08/25/1994
• Issued: 06/18/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Deutsche Thomson-Brandt Gmbh (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: Deutsche Thomson-Brandt Gmbh (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Lei, Fang, Seegert, Bernhard, Spruck, Manfred, Probach, Dieter
• Primary Examiner(s): GARBER, WENDY RAE
• Application Number:
  US08/296,082
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 348/219, 348/341, 348/744, 348/750, 348/751, 348/756, 348/758, 348/333, 348/335, 352/131, 352/138, 354/77, 354/219, 354/223
• US Class Current: 348/333.1
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/48 adapted for combination with other photographic or optical apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/54 with projector
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/006 using LCD's
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/53 of electronic viewfinders, e.g. rotatable or detachable
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/671 in combination with active ranging signals, e.g. using light or sound signals emitted toward objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/64 Constructional details of receivers, e.g. cabinets or dust covers furniture aspects of television cabinets A47B81/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/7441 the modulator being an array of liquid crystal cells
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3176 wherein the projection device is incorporated in a camera details of cameras adapted for combination with a projector not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B17/54

Abstract

A video camera which is convertable into a projector includes a detachable view finder having an eye-piece for viewing a scene to be recorded and an opto-electrical converter which converts the scene into an electronic image. A coupling supports the view finder during use as a camera or a light source during use as a projector. A display screen receives the electronic image and converts the electronic image into a visible image. A switch selectively connects the display screen to input terminals during use as a camera and to output terminals during use as a projector. The opto-electronic converter is pivotable away from the display screen when the camera is used as a projector.

Claims

1. A video apparatus for selectively operating in a camera mode of operation and in a projector mode of operation, comprising:

a viewfinder including an eye piece;

a display screen;

an opto-electronic converter for generating a first video signal that is selectively applied to said display screen in said camera mode of operation;

a background light source that is selectively applied to said display screen in said camera mode of operation for producing a first light beam in a first beam path between said screen and said eyepiece to form a first image that is viewable via said eyepiece when said first video signal is applied to said screen;

means for generating a second video signal that is selectively applied to said screen in said projector mode of operation; and

a projection light source that is selectively applied to said display screen in said projector mode of operation for producing a second light beam in a second beam path forming a second image that can be projected when said second video signal is applied to said screen, said second beam path extending between said projection light source and said projected, second image, said projection light source being applied to said screen, in said projector mode of operation, via a region of said second beam path that is common to a region of said first beam path located between said screen and said eyepiece wherein said converter and said background light source are pivotally removed in said projector mode of operation, relative to their respective positions in said camera mode of operation, and are placed entirely outside of said second beam path of said second light beam.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means disposed in said first beam path of said first light beam for adjusting one of zoom, focusing and aperture for said camera mode of operation, wherein said adjusting means is also utilized in said projector mode of operation.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a projection screen that is mountable on a housing of said apparatus.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one of flip-up mirrors and prisms is provided and is displaceable in an axial direction defined as a direction of said first beam path for switching over a beam from one of said camera mode of operation and said projector mode of operation to the other one.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a lens is disposed in one of said first and second beam paths for matching formats of picture dimensions.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein for the matching of a format of said opto-electronic converter and a format of said display screen, a lens which is displaceable between two positions in an axial direction, defined as a direction of one of said first and second beam paths, is disposed in said first and second beam paths.