Camera with sound recording capability
US6442350B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 4, 2000 |
| Grant date | Aug 27, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 4, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03B31/06
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A camera includes a microphone for generating audio signals, a memory separate from the film for storing the audio signals, a generator for generating for each film frame a unique identification signal that is synchronized to advance of the film in the camera, and a processor for embedding the unique identification signal with the audio signal in the memory. More specifically, the unique identification signal is a tone signal, and in particular a DTMF tone signal. Furthermore, a photofinishing system receives the audio signal together with the unique identification signal embedded in each audio signal that identifies the frame to which the audio signal pertains. A decoder decodes the unique signal embedded in each audio signal and a processor thereupon associates the audio signal with a particular frame of film by reference to the decoded unique tone signal. Finally, a transfer mechanism transfers the audio signal to an output product, such as a print, associated with each particular frame of film.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.