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CN-122002107-A - Digital imaging system for converting film camera into digital camera

CN122002107ACN 122002107 ACN122002107 ACN 122002107ACN-122002107-A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a digital imaging system for converting a film camera into a digital camera, a method of capturing digital images with a digital imaging system via a film camera, and a kit of parts comprising a digital imaging system for converting a film camera into a digital camera.

Inventors

  • Cui Rongzai

Assignees

  • 泰科姆有限责任公司

Dates

Publication Date
20260508
Application Date
20251105
Priority Date
20241105

Claims (15)

  1. 1. A digital imaging system for converting a film camera to a digital camera, the digital imaging system comprising an image sensor module and a cartridge module, wherein the image sensor module and the cartridge module are separable and connectable to each other via contact pins; The image sensor module includes an image sensing array, a processing unit coupled to the image sensing array for reading out images from the image sensing array, a first memory coupled to the processing unit for storing digital pictures derived from images read out from the image sensing array and processed by the processing unit, and a sensor for detecting film advance crank rod motion; The cassette module includes a second memory coupled to the first memory through the contact pin for long-term storage of digital pictures derived from images read out of the image sensing array, an on/off switch operable by a rewind lever of a film camera, and a battery and a USB port for charging the battery; The digital imaging system includes a sound output unit.
  2. 2. The digital imaging system of claim 1 wherein the image sensor module and the cassette module are secured together by magnetic force.
  3. 3. The digital imaging system of claim 1, wherein the sensor for detecting film advance crank rod motion comprises a strip for measuring rotational motion of an inner take-up shaft of a film camera, and the strip comprises a coil for measuring magnetic field variations, and the take-up shaft of the film camera comprises a magnetic element, preferably a magnetic strip secured to the take-up shaft by an adhesive.
  4. 4. The digital imaging system of claim 1, wherein the image sensor module comprises a holding magnet for fixing the sensor module to a body of a film camera, preferably to a back face of a shutter.
  5. 5. The digital imaging system of claim 1, wherein a contact pin of one of the image sensor module and the cassette module is disposed on a strap, preferably the contact pin of the image sensor module is disposed on a strap.
  6. 6. The digital imaging system of claim 1 wherein the cassette module includes data for adjusting an ISO value, and/or The image sensor module includes data for adjusting an ISO value.
  7. 7. The digital imaging system of claim 1 wherein the cassette module includes data for activation time of the image sensing array of the image sensor module, and/or The image sensor module includes data for an activation time of the image sensing array of the image sensor module.
  8. 8. The digital imaging system of claim 1 wherein the on/off switch of the cassette module includes a neutral position, the switch returning to the neutral position after rotational movement.
  9. 9. The digital imaging system of claim 1 wherein the on/off switch of the cassette module comprises at least two, preferably at least three rotational positions defining at least two, preferably at least three modes of operation.
  10. 10. The digital imaging system of claim 1 wherein the on/off switch of the cassette module includes a sensor for determining up/down motion.
  11. 11. A method of capturing a digital image with a film camera, the method utilizing the digital imaging system of claim 1.
  12. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein rotational movement of a film advance crank lever activates the image sensing array of the image sensor module.
  13. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein a film advance crank lever operating the film camera indicates an end of an image detection process, an image from the image sensing array is read out and processed by the processing unit, a digital picture derived from the image read out of and processed by the image sensing array is stored in a first memory coupled to the processing unit for storing digital pictures, and the image sensing array of the image sensor module is reactivated to acquire another image, sound indicating readiness of the image detection process is reissued.
  14. 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the image sensing array of the image sensor module is deactivated after a specified period of time.
  15. 15. A kit of parts comprising a digital imaging system and cassette mount for converting a film camera to a digital camera according to claim 1.

Description

Digital imaging system for converting film camera into digital camera Technical Field The present invention relates to a digital imaging system for converting a film camera into a digital camera, a method of capturing digital images with a film camera using a digital imaging system, and a kit of parts comprising a digital imaging system for converting a film camera into a digital camera. Background Although digital cameras are widely used today, analog film cameras are still in use, and many people still prefer to take pictures with them. This is mainly due to the challenge of taking good quality pictures without the help of digital aids such as programmed scenes like portrait, landscape or firework modes, without the complex exposure options that digital cameras typically offer. However, the process of simulating film and processing the exposed film to acquire an image is quite expensive and laborious. In fact, conventionally, the processing work of an exposed film is done by a professional company, so that the result is obtained long after the photograph is taken. In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, many proposals have been made, for example, documents CN 2901369, WO 2023/228593 A1 and US 11,233,950 provide electronic devices for converting a film camera into a digital camera. However, these schemes are complex to handle and require a significant amount of effort and processing power to implement digital images with analog film cameras. Disclosure of Invention Technical problem Accordingly, there is a strong need to provide a more efficient, reliable means for converting a film camera to a digital camera. The digital imaging system should be easy to operate and easy to install. Further, the digital imaging system should be able to capture complex images that cannot be provided by prior art devices. Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a digital imaging system that can easily adapt to different types of analog film cameras, particularly film cameras with cassette systems. These objects, as well as further objects not explicitly stated but which can be derived or discerned from the connection discussed herein by way of introduction, are solved by a digital imaging system for converting a film camera into a digital camera having all the features of claim 1. Technical proposal The present invention accordingly provides a digital imaging system for converting a film camera to a digital camera, the digital imaging system comprising an image sensor module and a cassette module (CARTRIDGE MODULE), wherein the image sensor module and the cassette module are separable from and connectable to each other by contact pins; The image sensor module includes an image sensing array ((IMAGE SENSING ARRAY)), a processing unit coupled to the image sensing array for reading out images from the image sensing array, a first memory coupled to the processing unit for storing digital pictures derived from images read out from the image sensing array and processed by the processing unit, and a sensor for detecting film advance crank rod motion; The cartridge module includes a second memory coupled to the first memory through a contact pin for long term storage of digital pictures derived from images read out of the image sensing array, an on/off switch operable by a rewind lever (REWINDING LEVER) of the film camera, and a battery and a USB port for charging the battery; the digital imaging system includes a sound output unit. The digital imaging system converts the film camera to a digital camera. The film camera preferably uses a single lens reflex camera of 35mm film. However, the film camera may be any other camera including a mechanical shutter. Film cameras are not limited to single lens reflex cameras, nor are films limited to 35mm film. A mechanical shutter, such as a focal plane shutter (focal plane shutter) or an inter-lens shutter (leaf shutter), for example a Compur shutter, includes a mechanical component that can be opened and closed. Any mechanical shutter may be used as long as the shutter includes a shade (or a shade blade) for opening and closing an opening (optical path opening and closing device) through which light passes. The film camera preferably includes a camera body, a lens, a shutter button, a shutter speed dial, a film advance crank lever (FILM ADVANCE CRANK LEVER), a rewind lever (REWINDING LEVER), a viewfinder (VIEW FINDER), and a rear cover as main components. The film camera preferably includes a cartridge magazine (CARTRIDGE CHAMBER), a rewind fork (REWINDING FORK), and a take-up spool (take-up spool) inside the camera body. The shutter button is a button for opening and closing the shutter curtain. The shutter button is preferably located on the upper surface of the camera body, on the right side when the camera is viewed from the back. However, the shutter button may be located at any other suitable position. When the shutter button is pressed, the shutter curtai