Combined still camera and video camera device utilizing optics to simultaneously provide the same view to both cameras

• US 6,714,192 B1
• Filed: 02/16/1999
• Issued: 03/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Antonio Agustin Checa Torres
• Original Assignee: Antonio Agustin Checa Torres
• Inventors: Torres, Antonio Agustin Checa
• Primary Examiner(s): HO, TUAN V
• Application Number:
  US09/249,759
• Time in Patent Office: 1,869 Days
• Field of Search: 348/207.99, 348/207.2, 348/272.1, 348/231.99, 348/239, 348/335, 348/337, 348/340, 348/343, 348/344, 348/64, 348/220.1, 359/822, 359/823, 359/831, 396/77, 396/429
• US Class Current: 348/220.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/00 Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/55 Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/60 Control of cameras or camera modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/667 Camera operation mode switching, e.g. between still and video, sport and normal or high- and low-resolution modes

Abstract

Device for the alternate or simultaneous filming of still and video pictures or multipurpose camera, characterized by the combination of a video camera and a still camera in one single device which is equipped with a single interchangeable lens, an optical assembly, in addition to a system of prisms, mirrors or other similar reflecting components, which transmit the virtual image, understood as being the image which has not undergone any electrical, magnetic or digital processing, duplicated to a video mechanism and to a still picture mechanism for its individual, alternate or simultaneous processing.

Claims

1. A device adopted for the alternate or simultaneous filming of still and video pictures, comprising a video camera and a still camera in a single unit that is equipped with a single interchangeable lens, a system for doubling an initial image, and a switch arranged to select one of the following four operating modes:

a) device off or disabled;

b) video camera operating mode;

c) still camera operating mode; and

d) simultaneous video camera and still camera operating mode, wherein the system for doubling the initial image into first and second duplicate images comprises an initial prism and a second prism to produce the first duplicate image for the video camera, and a combination of said initial prism, a third prism, a rhomboid prism and a right-angle prism for obtaining the second duplicate image for the still camera.

2. A device for taking still and video pictures comprising:

a) a still camera for taking the still pictures;

b) a video camera for taking the video pictures;

c) an optical system for producing first and second duplicate images from an original image;

said optical system including a first prism operably aligned and positioned so as to produce said first and second duplicate images from said original image and then direct said first duplicate image to said still camera and said second duplicate image to said video camera;

d) said optical system including a second prism receiving said first duplicate image from said first prism and transferring said first duplicate image therethrough to a rhomboid prism and thereafter to a right-angle prism and finally to said still camera; and

e) said optical system including a third prism for receiving said second duplicate image from said first prism and thereafter transferring said second duplicate image to said video camera.

3. The device according to claim 2 including:

a) a switch allowing a user to select between an off mode, a first on mode wherein said still camera operates only, a second on mode wherein said video camera operates only and a third on mode wherein both said still and video cameras operate.

4. The device according to claim 2 wherein:

a) said initial prism is an equilateral prism.