Abstract:
The present invention is an imaging apparatus which includes a housing that encloses, in a common cavity thereof, an arrangement comprising a pair of independent cameras constructed in combination with each other, said pair of cameras being a digital camera and a photosensitive film camera.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of Provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/179,231, filed Jan. 31, 2000. The present invention is also related to copending U.S. Design Patent Application Ser. No. 29/117,978 filed on Jan. 31, 2000. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to an improved imaging apparatus that comprises a pair of independent cameras constructed in combination with each other.  
           [0003]    Heretofore, it is known to provide multiple cameras, each one having characteristics different from the other for enabling a photographer to use each for a different purpose. One kind of dual camera arrangement is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,488,794, wherein two cameras are mounted one on top of the other with the lower camera carrying instant or self-developing film and the upper camera carrying conventional film. This dual camera arrangement is intended to be used simultaneously in capturing a common scene image and has the optical axis of both cameras facing the scene. Another known dual camera system, such as described in Japanese Patent publication No. JP 11174581-A also uses different film systems for each dual camera and allows the user to operate each camera independently and/or simultaneously following manipulation of a switching arrangement. However, there exists the possibility that the user might not effect the correct switching choices.  
           [0004]    While dual cameras of the foregoing type are acceptable, it is, nevertheless, desirable to enable a user to easily and conveniently use different ones of the dual cameras by merely reorienting the dual camera to a different spatial orientation while being held by an operator. It is also desirable to enable inexperienced photographers, such as teenagers, not having to manipulate sophisticated controls to operate the intended camera of a dual camera construction.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0005]    In accordance with the present invention, there is provided, in one illustrated embodiment, an imaging apparatus comprising a photographic camera having a housing assembly that is constructed and oriented with respect to a housing assembly of an electronic camera enable a photographer to easily grasp and reorient the imaging apparatus in different directions so as to use either the instant camera or the electronic camera.  
           [0006]    In accordance with the present invention, there is provided, in one illustrated embodiment, an imaging apparatus comprising a photographic camera having a housing assembly that is constructed and oriented with respect to a housing assembly an electronic camera so to enable a photographer to select one or the other camera without the resort manipulating controls.  
           [0007]    In one illustrated embodiment, the photographic camera housing is oriented so that an optical axis of its lens taking system is generally orthogonal to an optical axis of an electronic camera&#39;s taking system, whereby only one taking lens system is useful for purposes of capturing an image of a scene. In such illustrated embodiment, each housing has its own exposure control initiation button and flash system.  
           [0008]    In one illustrated embodiment, the photographic and electronic camera systems only share a common battery source.  
           [0009]    In another illustrated embodiment, the surfaces of the housings of both the photographic and electronic camera systems are visually differentiated in order to allow the photographer to identify which one of the cameras he/she wants to use by merely observing the housing. In this regard, the visual differentiation can be effected by different surface treatments, such as indicia, painting and surface texturing.  
           [0010]    Among the objects and features of the present invention are, therefore, the provision of an improved imaging apparatus for allowing the photographer to readily identify and thus utilize each one of the at least a pair of camera systems independently; the provision of an improved imaging apparatus for allowing the photographer to readily identify and thus utilize each one of either an electronic or conventional camera system without making reference to controls and/or effecting operation of controls to switch between the dual systems; the provision of an improved imaging apparatus, whereby the surface characteristics and orientation thereof with respect to each other allow the camera user to readily distinguish between and use either one of the electronic and photographic cameras without utilizing the other; the provision of an improved imaging apparatus that is constructed to facilitate an operator readily appreciating which camera to use under different circumstances; and, the provision of an improved imaging apparatus of the foregoing types which are compact and low-cost.  
           [0011]    Other objects and further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein as reference numerals indicate like structure throughout the several views. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one preferred embodiment of a combination imaging apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the imaging apparatus of the present invention; and,  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the imaging apparatus in another image capturing orientation. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]    Reference is made to FIGS.  1 - 4  for illustrating one embodiment of an improved dual imaging apparatus  10  of the present invention. In this regard, the imaging apparatus  10  comprises an instant self-developing camera  12  and an electronic camera  14 . The self-developing camera  12  is of a type that is commercially available from Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge, Massachusetts. The electronic camera can be of any known type. Essentially, the camera  12  includes an elongated housing  16  having a film exit flap  18  covering a film exit slot (not shown). The camera  12  is of the type that allows a self-developing film (not shown) to exit in response to an operator pulling it from the slot following an exposure. Reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 5,838,999 for describing a multiple camera system employing such a film. Since the film does not, per se, form an aspect of the present invention, a description thereof is not believed necessary. However, the description thereof in the last noted patent is incorporated herein and made a part hereof. A shutter initiation button  20  extends upwardly from the top wall  22  of the housing and is adapted to be depressed in order for an operator to commence an exposure cycle for the self-developing camera. The front wall  24  of the camera is provided with a taking lens  26  of an optical taking system that allows the scene radiation to be directed to the film for capture thereon. A strobe unit  28  and a viewfinder lens  30  of a viewfinder lens system  32  are mounted in relationship to the front wall as shown adjacent the taking lens  26 . The rear wall  34  includes viewfinder lens  30   a  and a battery compartment cover  36  for batteries (not shown). It will be appreciated that in order to initiate an exposure of the self-developing camera  12 , a user frames the scene image using the viewfinder and presses the shutter button  20  for commencing an exposure interval during which time the strobe unit  28  is fired. Following exposure the film (not shown) is manually withdrawn from the camera thereby initiating processing of a self-developing film unit. It will be appreciated that the self-developing camera  12  can be a conventional type using 35 mm or APS cameras instead of a self-developing camera. It will be appreciated that the camera  12  is normally held in a horizontal orientation for photographic purposes.  
         [0017]    Reference is now made to the electronic imaging camera  14  component of the combination dual imaging apparatus  10 . Included is a housing assembly  40  that has its longitudinal axis extending generally parallel to that of the camera housing  16 . The housing assembly  40  is securably mounted or formed on the camera housing  16  in the orientation depicted; whereby its longitudinal axis is parallel to that of the top wall of the camera housing  22 . Included in the electronic camera  14  is a taking lens  42  situated intermediate the length of the electronic camera housing top wall  44  and having its optical axis generally perpendicular to the top wall and orthogonal to the optical axis of the taking lens  26  of the camera  12 . The taking lens  42  directs the images to a suitable digital image sensor module, not shown and not forming a part of the present invention. Adjacent one longitudinal end of the housing assembly  40  and presented in the electronic camera housing top wall  44  thereof is one viewfinder lens  46  of a viewfinder system  48 . The lens  46  is recessed in the housing  40  with respect to an electronic strobe  50  of the electronic camera. An exposure initiation button  52  is provided at an opposite end of the top wall  44  on the opposite side of the taking lens  42 . It will be appreciated that the strobe  50  is operated during the exposure interval of the electronic camera. In order to use the electronic camera  14  in an ergonomic manner, the foregoing construction requires a user to hold the camera  10  in a vertical orientation with respect to the scene to be imaged, such as indicated in FIG. 4. In that vertical orientation mode, the user frames the subject to be imaged through the viewfinder and presses the exposure button  52  for digitally capturing the scene image. It will be appreciated because of the construction of the present invention, the user need merely rotate the camera  10  in his/her hands so that respective ones of the viewfinders of each camera  12  or  14  is presentable to the user, thereby allowing the user to easily and without resort to complicated control mechanisms make the change from one camera system to the other.  
         [0018]    In another embodiment, the housing assembly  40  may have its longitudinal axis extending in other directions that are not parallel to that of the camera housing  16 . For example, the housing assembly  40  may be mounted to the rear wall  34 , or the housing assembly may be mounted on an angle partially on the top wall  22  and partially on the rear wall  34 . Included in the electronic camera  14  is a taking lens  42  situated intermediate the length of the electronic camera housing top wall  44 . In this alternative embodiment, the taking lens  42  may be mounted on an angle so that its optical axis is not generally perpendicular to the top wall and orthogonal to the optical axis of the taking lens  26  of the camera  12 . The taking lens and housing assembly may be aligned in many different positions relative to the optical axis of the taking lens  26  of the camera  12 , in any case, the viewing zone of the digital camera and the film camera will not be the same. The two cameras have different viewing zones because their optical axes are not parallel. In one embodiment, the two cameras optical axes may be generally orthogonal and in other embodiments they will be at various angles to one another. The two cameras having different viewing zones makes it easy, even for children, to understand how to distinguish, position and operate each separate camera.  
         [0019]    Instead of each camera having its own battery source, it is contemplated that batteries (not shown) in the battery compartment are connected to the circuit boards (not shown) of both cameras. A known type of manual switch  60  is provided enable user selection of the power for the instant camera  12  or the electronic camera. The present invention also contemplates that the electronic housing  44  can have serial or USB ports (not shown) formed thereon to allow for connection with a PC.  
         [0020]    The present invention contemplates that the surfaces of the different housings of each camera can be differentiated visually so that a user can immediately identify which one of the cameras is to be used by this visual distinction. The present invention envisions that the surface treatment of one camera could be different as with the use of visually observable patterns, paint, shading, indicia, or symbols of any kind.  
         [0021]    Although now shown, the present invention contemplates that any two different types of cameras, such as noted above can be used within the context of the present invention. Even two different models of the same type of camera can be constructed in the manner noted above to provide the user with an indication which one of the different camera systems is being used.  
         [0022]    It is evident from the foregoing that the present invention provides for an improved imaging apparatus wherein multiple independent cameras are integrated into a common unit. Such common unit allows the user to easily flip or reorient the camera while it is being held to effect a change in which one of the cameras is to be used, wherein each is actuated independently of the others and each is constructed to readily facilitate selecting the desired one of the camera systems with a minimal likelihood of error in doing so. Consequently, the camera user is able to readily distinguish which camera is to be used for different circumstances without the need for expensive and sometimes confusing control mechanisms. This is highly advantageous when dealing with less sophisticated photographers.  
         [0023]    Since changes may be made in the above structure and process without departing from the scope of the invention described herein, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted in an illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, other alternatives and modifications will now become apparent without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.