Camera using a memory card with an integrated electronic imager for digital capture

摘要

A camera is adapted for electronically capturing an image by using a memory card that includes an integrated image sensor and a memory device for storing images captured by the image sensor when it is located in an optical path inside the camera. In one embodiment, the camera includes a film drive for positioning a photographic film in a first image exposure plane within the camera enclosure; an optical system defining an optical path for forming the image on the first image plane; a receptacle for receiving the removable memory card through an exterior opening in the enclosure and guiding the memory card into the optical path. The presence of the memory card in the receptacle is sensed and a camera control stage then adjusts the optical system to form the image at a second image plane on the surface of the image sensor and disables the film drive, thereby preventing the film from being advanced when the image sensor is used to capture the image.