EP-4738856-A1 - A DIGITAL IMAGING SYSTEM FOR CONVERTING A FILM CAMERA INTO A DIGITAL CAMERA

EP4738856A1EP 4738856 A1EP4738856 A1EP 4738856A1EP-4738856-A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a digital imaging system for converting a film camera into a digital camera, a method for capturing a digital image 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.

Inventors

CHOI, YONG-JAE

Assignees

Tecam GmbH

Dates

Publication Date: 20260506
Application Date: 20241105

Claims (15)

A digital imaging system for converting a film camera into 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 detachable and connectable with each other by contact pins; the image sensor module comprising an image sensing array, a processing unit coupled to the image sensing array for read-out an image from the image sensing array, a first memory coupled to the processing unit for storing a digital picture derived from an image read-out from the image sensing array and processed by the processing unit, and a sensor for detecting a film advance crank lever movement; the cartridge module comprising a second memory coupled to the first memory via the contact pins for long time storing a digital picture derived from an image read-out from the image sensing array, an on/off switch being operable by a rewinding lever of a film camera, and a battery and an USB port for charging the battery; the digital imaging system comprising a sound output unit.
The digital imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the image sensor module and a cartridge module are secured together by magnetic force.
The digital imaging system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor for detecting a film advance crank lever movement comprising a thong for measuring a rotating movement of an internal take-up spool of a film camera and the thong comprises a coil for measuring a change of a magnetic field and a take-up spool of a film camera comprises a magnetic element, preferably a magnetic stripe being secured by an adhesive to the take-up spool.
The digital imaging system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the image sensor module comprises a holding magnet for fixing the sensor module to the body of a film camera, preferably to the back-side of the shutter.
The digital imaging system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the contact pins of one of the image sensor module and the cartridge module are provided on a strap, preferably the contact pins of the image sensor module are provided on a strap.
The digital imaging system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cartridge module comprising data for adjusting the ISO value and/or the image sensor module comprising data for adjusting the ISO value.
The digital imaging system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cartridge module comprising data for activation time of the image sensing array of the image sensor module and/or the image sensor module comprising data for activation time of the image sensing array of the image sensor module.
The digital imaging system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the on/off switch of the cartridge module comprises a neutral position into which the switch is returned after a rotational movement.
The digital imaging system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the on/off switch of the cartridge module comprises at least two, preferably at least three rotational positions defining at least two, preferably at least three modes of operation.
The digital imaging system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the on/off switch of the cartridge module comprises a sensor for determining an up/down movement.
A method for capturing a digital image with a film camera using a digital imaging system according to any of the preceding claims.
The method according to claim 11, wherein a rotational movement of a film advance crank lever activates the image sensing array of the image sensor module.
The method according to claim 11 or12, wherein operating a film advance crank lever of the film camera indicates the end of an image detection procedure, an image from the image sensing array is read-out and processed by the processing unit and a digital picture derived from the image read-out from the image sensing array and processed by the processing unit is stored in a first memory coupled to the processing unit for storing a digital picture, and the image sensing array of the image sensor module is reactivated for a further image and a sound indicating the readiness for an image detection procedure is restarted.
The method according to any of the preceding claims 11 to 13, wherein the image sensing array of the image sensor module is deactivated after a specified period of time.
A kit of parts comprising a digital imaging system for converting a film camera into a digital camera according to any one of the claims 1 to 14 and a cartridge dock.

Description

The present invention relates to a digital imaging system for converting a film camera into a digital camera, a method for capturing a digital image 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. Although digital cameras are widely available today, analog film cameras are still in use and many people enjoy taking pictures with them. This is mainly due to the lack of complex exposure options that digital cameras often offer, combined with the challenge of getting a good picture without the help of digital aids such as programmed scenes like portrait mode, landscape mode or fireworks mode. However, the analog film and the processing of the exposed film to obtain images is rather expensive and laborious. In fact, traditionally, the processing of an exposed film is done by professional companies so that the results are obtained a long time after the picture was taken. For solving the problems mentioned above, many proposals are provided. For examples the 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 proposals are complicated to handle and need high amount of energy and processing power to achieve a digital image with an analogue film camera. Thus, there is a high need to provide a more effective, more reliable device for converting a film camera into a digital camera. The digital imaging system should be easy to handle and easy to install. Furthermore, the digital imaging system should enable to take complex pictures which are not provided by prior art devices. Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a digital imaging system which can easily adapted to different kinds of analogue film cameras, especially film cameras having a cartridge system. These objects and further objects which are not stated explicitly but which are derivable or discernible from the connections discussed herein by way of introduction are solved by a digital imaging system for converting a film camera into a digital camera having all features of claim 1. The present invention accordingly provides a digital imaging system for converting a film camera into 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 detachable and connectable with each other by contact pins; the image sensor module comprising an image sensing array, a processing unit coupled to the image sensing array for read-out an image from the image sensing array, a first memory coupled to the processing unit for storing a digital picture derived from an image read-out from the image sensing array and processed by the processing unit, and a sensor for detecting a film advance crank lever movement;the cartridge module comprising a second memory coupled to the first memory via the contact pins for long time storing a digital picture derived from an image read-out from the image sensing array, an on/off switch being operable by a rewinding lever of a film camera, and a battery and an USB port for charging the battery;the digital imaging system comprising a sound output unit. The digital imaging system converts a film camera into a digital camera. The film camera is preferably a single-lens reflex camera that uses a 35-mm film. However, the film camera can be any other camera including a mechanical shutter. The film camera is not limited to a single-lens reflex camera, and the film is not limited to a 35-mm film. The mechanical shutter, such as a focal plane shutter or a leaf shutter, e. g. a Compur shutter, includes a mechanical component that opens and closes. Any mechanical shutter can be used as long as the shutter includes a light-shielding curtain (or a light-shielding blade) that opens and closes an opening through which light passes (an optical path open-close device). The film camera preferably includes, as main components, a camera body, a lens, a shutter button, a shutter speed dial, a film advance crank lever, a rewinding lever, a viewfinder, and a rear lid. Inside the film camera body, the film camera preferably includes a cartridge chamber, a rewinding fork and a take-up spool. The shutter button is a button used to open and close the shutter curtain. The shutter button is preferably disposed on the upper face of the camera body on the right side when the camera is viewed from the rear side. However, the shutter button can also be on any other suitable place. When the shutter button is pushed down, the shutter curtain runs at a shutter speed set by the shutter speed dial. The exposure time of the film is determined by the shutter speed. The film advance crank lever is an example of a winding operation portion for winding a film. The film advance crank lever is preferably disposed on the upper face of the camera body, besid