Patent · US Expired

Electronic camera

US4589023A · kind A · utility

23Cited by
2References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 20, 1983
Grant dateMay 13, 1986
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 20, 2003

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S358/906
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An electronic camera having both bright viewfinder image and a minimal effect of dark current on the image output signal. A quick-return mirror, normally positioned in the path of the flux of light from the object image, guides the flux of light into the optical viewfinder system. The quick-return mirror is retractable to allow the flux of light to fall onto an image pickup device. A vertical synchronizing signal generator issues a signal for discharging electric charges stored in the image pickup device after the release switch has been turned on and before the quick-return mirror begins its movement out of the light flux path and issues a signal for reading out electric charges which have been stored in the image pickup device while the shutter is open after an exposure operation has been completed. The frequency of scanning for discharging the electric charges is higher than the frequency for scanning for reading out the electric charges subsequent to the photographing operation.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.