Hybrid camera system with electronic album control

Abstract

A hybrid camera includes a pair of imaging systems for capturing images on contained photographic film and an electronic imager, respectively, the film having a magnetic layer. An exterior imaging display allows the user to review the captured image and an input device allows the user to selectively input album related data onto the magnetic layer of the film. The album-related data allows the photo finisher to automatically produce the images in an album-like format. The camera also allows annotated text corresponding to the image to be selectively added to an album print.

1. A hybrid camera system for effecting creation and organization of an album of photographic prints, comprising:
 a camera housing;  
 image capture means for simultaneously capturing at least one optical image onto a photographic film and an electronic imager, each disposed within said camera housing;  
 display means for displaying at least one image captured by said image capture means; and  
 input means for selectively inputting album page related instructions, relating to said at least one image displayed by said display means, said instructions relating to the orientation and formatting, including sequencing and number of images to appear on prints of album pages made upon processing said film.  
 
     
     
       2. The camera system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said photographic film includes a transparent magnetic layer having at least one magnetic track capable of receiving digital information, said input means including a magnetic head having means for writing said album-related instructions onto said at least one magnetic track. 
     
     
       3. The camera system as recited in  claim 1 , including a microprocessor having sufficient memory for storing at least one electronic image captured by said image capture means, and scroll means for selectively displaying said at least one captured image retained in memory by said microprocessor. 
     
     
       4. The camera system as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said microprocessor includes a plurality of listed options pertaining to the orientation and formatting of a displayed image in the album-like format, said options being presented by said display means, wherein said camera includes switching means for selectively choosing and enabling said options. 
     
     
       5. The camera system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said display means includes verification means for displaying said album-related instructions as input by said input means. 
     
     
       6. The camera system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said display means includes at least one liquid crystal display. 
     
     
       7. The camera system as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said display means includes a first and a second electronic display wherein said first display displays at least one captured image and said second display displays text information relating to the albuming of said image. 
     
     
       8. A method for selectively capturing images in an album-like format using a hybrid camera system including a hybrid camera having display means for displaying a captured image, comprising the steps of:
 i) simultaneously capturing an image onto a photographic film and electronic imager contained within said camera, said photographic film having a magnetic layer including at least one track sized for receiving information thereon;  
 ii) displaying said captured image on said display means; and  
 iii) selectively inputting album page related data onto the magnetic layer of film contained within said camera, said album page related data including instructions relating to the orientation and formatting, including the sequence and number of images to appear on prints of album pages made upon processing said film.  
 
     
     
       9. A method as recited in  claim 8 , including the further steps of:
 iv) unloading said photographic film from said camera; and  
 v) processing said exposed film, including arranging and orienting said prints according to said inputted data.  
 
     
     
       10. A method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said selectively inputting step includes selectively adding alphanumeric data to a selected displayed image to be arranged in an album-like format; and said processing steps includes printing said textual information relating to said image in the album format. 
     
     
       11. A camera system for effecting creation and organization of an album of photographic prints, comprising:
   a camera housing;        image capture means for capturing at least one optical image onto an electronic imager, disposed within said camera housing;        display means for displaying at least one image captured by said image capture means; and        input means for selectively inputting album page related instructions, relating to said at least one image displayed by said display means, said instructions relating to orientation and formatting, including sequencing and number of images to appear on prints of album pages made using said at least one image.     
     
     
       12. The camera system as recited in  claim 11 , including a microprocessor having sufficient memory for storing at least one electronic image captured by said image capture means, and scroll means for selectively displaying said at least one captured image retained in memory by said microprocessor. 
     
     
       13. The camera system as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said microprocessor includes a plurality of listed options pertaining to the orientation and formatting of a displayed image in the album- like format, said options being presented by said display means, wherein said camera includes switching means for selectively choosing and enabling said options.   
     
     
       14. The camera system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said display means includes verification means for displaying said album- related instructions as input by said input means.   
     
     
       15. The camera system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said display means includes at least one liquid crystal display. 
     
     
       16. The camera system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said display means includes a first and a second electronic display wherein said first display displays at least one captured image and said second display displays text information relating to the albuming of said image. 
     
     
       17. A camera system for effecting creation and organization of an album of photographic prints, comprising:
   a camera housing;        an electronic imager which captures at least one optical image, disposed within said camera housing;        a display which displays at least one image captured by said electronic imager; and        control buttons for selectively inputing album page related instructions, relating to said at least one image displayed by said display, said instructions relating to orientation and formatting, including sequencing and number of images to appear on prints of album pages made using said at least one image.     
     
     
       18. A method for selectively capturing images in an album- like format using a camera having a display for displaying a captured image, comprising the steps of:      i )  capturing an image onto an electronic imager contained within said camera;        ii )  displaying said captured image on said display; and        iii )  selectively inputting album page related data, said album page related data including instructions relating to orientation and formatting, including a sequence and number of images to appear on prints of album pages made using said captured image.