Polaroid Corporation

Paul W Ernest

John C Ostrowski

Allan C Green

Massimo A Russo

An electronic still camera is disclosed which adjusts focus to an object image by mechanically moving an electronic sensor within the electronic still camera. The electronic sensor is moved along an optical path of the electronic still camera. In this way, the sensor follows the focal plane of the image, thus tracking a focused image.

Electronic still camera having mechanically adjustable CCD to effect

A color component separation camera is provided with a shutter blade mechanism in which the different color exposing filters are integrated to provide a quick series of succeeding color component exposure intervals. The blade mechanism comprises two overlapping independently driven lightweight shutter blade elements comprising filtered and unfiltered apertures arranged in side-by-side relation for selective movement into the image light path in a manner whereby a plurality of different color component separation exposure intervals may be implemented in rapid succession. In one embodiment, one shutter blade element includes three aligned apertures wherein the middle aperture is unfiltered and the end apertures are filtered at different wavelengths. The other shutter blade element comprises two aligned spaced apart apertures in which one aperture is filtered at still another wavelength and the other aperture is unfiltered. The space between the apertures operates to block scene light at the end of the exposure interval and when the filtered apertures of the other blade element are moved. In another embodiment, one shutter blade element includes three aligned apertures each filtered at different wavelengths. The other blade element includes a single unfiltered aperture and an opaque portion adjacent the aperture which operates to block scene light at the end of the exposure interval and when the filtered apertures of the other blade element are moved.

Camera with two-bladed shutter mechanism with multiple filter apertures

A method and apparatus for exposure control of electronic imaging cameras capable of video and still modes of operation and having an automatic variable aperture diaphragm to control image light passing to a sensor during the video mode of operation. Relatively short exposure time intervals are attained in the still mode of operation by attenuating light passing to the sensor during the video mode so that the aperture to which the variable aperture diaphragm is set is increased over that to which it would normally be adjusted during video operation. Upon conversion to the still mode, the filter attenuation is rapidly removed resulting in a correct aperture setting for the relatively shorter still mode exposure time intervals. In the video mode, electronic shutter operation is effected in the conventional manner. In the still mode of operation, the exposure time interval is established either by a combination of electronic shutter operation and mechanical shutter operation or by mechanical operation alone. A shutter mechanism is disclosed in which the light attenuating and exposure terminating functions are combined.

Growing community of inventors

Arlington, MA, United States of America

Paul W Ernest