CA2111872C - Modular camera with expandable or interchangeable functionalities - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronically and mechanically expandable camera in which a tubular metal casing (10) having removable front (11) and back (12) plates has a CCD image sensor (17) mounted on a secondary front plate (23) removable received within the casing for a direct thermal path to the casing. A driver board (13) is removably receivable at a position between the secondary front plate (23) and the back plate (12). A logic board (18) is removably receivable at a position between the driver board (13) and the back plate (12). The camera's functions may be expanded or altered by adding option electronic board (19) modules between the logic board (18) and the back plate (12) of the camera, or by reconfiguring the logic board or by adding a different image sensor. All of the components within the camera, all of the enclosure elements and all of the mounting hardware used in the camera can be easily and conveniently changed as desired.

Description

WO 93/03575 P~/CA92/00338 211187~
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r camera with e~ e or inLe~ ~e;~hle functionalities.
Bacl-4L c>ul,d of the Invention This invention relates generally to electronic cameras and more specifically to an image sensing, electronically expAn~Ahle modular CCD camera which can be adapted to a wide range of uses by the addition or '~ variation of its electronic board components.
Summary of the Invention CCD (or charged coupled device) electronic image sensor cameras are known. in the art. For ~Amrle, EG&G
~Reticon describes Solid-State Camera Products in their Solid State Camera ~Lo~Ct 1989 Catalog, 345 Potrero Avenue, ~ v~le~ Q 94086. Also ~airchild Weston CCD
Data book 1989, 1801 McCarthy Blvd., Milpitas, CA 95035, describes CCD cameras. In addition Sierra Scientific and 15 ~ others ha~e commercially available CCD cameras. Such cameras can be used in a wide range of applications such a-~gauging; sc~ ng;of~bar codes on products when they ,are;~u~ quality ~v~ ol in the production of plastic,,MYIAR~(tràde~arkl-~or other films or webs;- ' 20~ quality~ LLol of~;colors-in the printing industry: and high~speed-docu~ent r~nn1ng and processing.
- The camera of the present invention comprises a substantially tubular~casing ~eans having a front plate--means removably attached at one end o~ the casing means, 25 , and a back plate means removably attached at the opposite end thereof. The front plate means has a hole therein . . :

:' -- 2111g72.~...

for receiving an optical means such as a lens. An electronic driver board mèans is le~lv~ably receivable within the casing means, at a position disposed between the front and back plate m~n~ and adjacent the front plate. A CCD sensor or other solid-state imager means is receivable within the electronic driver board means. An electronic logic board m~n~ is lel..ovably receivable within the casing means, at a position between the said electronic driver board means and said back plate means and adjacent~ the said electronic driver board (driver board~ means.
The casing means, the front plate ~eans, and the back plate means are designed to allow for expansion of the camera through the addition of option electronic board means. This allows for the customization of the camera~for specific uses or function of the camera in ,; .
areas which may not have been originally envisioned in the primary design process.
;Additionally, any one of a plurality of different 20~ ~ck-plate means-~may be attached to the--casing means, depPnAing on the use to-which the ~amera~ is to be put.
The back~plate means has a plurality of output ports ~; ~ disposed therein so that the user can obtain the required electronic ~u~L signals from the camera. If the oamera is to be used in a~ different process or to obtain different output, the back plate means can simply be detached and the appropriate new back plate means attached to the casing.

WOg3/03575 PCT/Ch92/00338 '~11187~ i -i .- -Similarly, any of a plurality of solid-state sensor means can be inserted into the driver board means to , adapt the camera to different uses. The electronic driver board means is withdrawn from the casing and an electronic driver board means with a different sensor means is installed to allow the camera's functions to be altered.
The camera~may comprise option electronic boards means for specific operating f,unctions of the camera.
Examples of option electronic boards are an analog to dig;ital converter board, a-multiplexer~board, a signal ~ processing board and~other electronic function boards.Any f~ of~a~plurality of~option electronic boards may be inserted into~the camera between the logic board means i5~ and~the back plate means to~change the camera's functions and~to achieve~desired~operation. The option electronic boards~are linke'~ to~each other~and to the sensor by a ,n~ew and novel~"option~bus"~means located on the electronic logi,c board~-means. ~The option ele~Gllic 20~ boards are also in~thermal-~c~ntact with the driver board ;means, and this allows for heat-to be transferred from the~electronic;boards to the driver board means. The driver board means lies in contact with the front plate means; the f~ront~plate means and the driver board means 25~ ~being so ~isroced in relation to one another that heat transfer from the driver board plate means to the front :,~: ,,~

WO 93/03S7~ PCr/CA92/00338 plate means is possible. It is therefore possible for heat to be transferred from the inside of tha camera to the front plate means. The front plate means can then be cooled in any suitable manner.
In order to accommodate the varying numbers of option electronic boards usable in the camera, different lengths of casing means may be utilized. Various adapters are also receivable within the hole in the front ~; plate means to allow a range of optical devices to be connected to~the camera.
Unlike previously known devices which required that a new customized~camera be purchased in order to perform new functions or processes, the camera of the present nvention may be ~p~n~ by simply changing the various 15~; option electronic boards to adapt the camera for new uses and to perform new functions. One of the advantages of ~ :
the camera over~the prior art is the interchangeability and replacement of not only the components within the came~a, but of-all the enclosure systems and mounting ~ :
20~ hardware used~in the~-camera.
Furthermnre,~the~arrangement of the interconnection of the various~functioning parts of the camera are unique to the camera and provides for enhanced operation. The ;~ camera comprises three novel buses for electronic ~-~ 25 interconnect, namely a "driver bus", an l'option bus" and a "user bus".

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WQ93~3575 21118 7 2 PCT/CA92~00338 " ~ ~

All three buses originate and can be founa on the logic board ~n~, their orientation being such that each bus occupies a separate side of the logic ~ard means.
The driver board means is connected to the driver bus.
The option bus m~Anc allows each option el ctronic board to be placed vertically next to each other and to connect to each other. Vertical electrical connectors allows each option electronic board to be inserted vertically and connected to the logic board means through 10~ the option bus. ~
The user bus means connects the logic board means to the back plate means.
; The unique protocol, or signals and pin arrangement,~of each bus and the orientation of the said 15~ buses allows for an electroni ally e~r~n~hle CCD camera with enh~ce~ operational capabilities without "noise"
cont~inAtion ~of the~analog video signal by the digital electronics. Improved photosensitivity and improved dyna-ic range and spatial resolution are, therefore, 20~;possible.-~Brief Descri~tion of the Drawinas i -The preferred embodiment of the~present in~entionwill now be described with the aid of the following drawings, in which: ~
25~ - Fig.l is a perspective view of an electronically xpandable modular CCD camera in accordance with the present invention;
~,, .: .

:, W093~03575 PCT/CA92/~338 ., . ~ , , , 2111~72' ' 6 - Fig.2 is an exploded perspective view of the electronically exp~n~hle modular CCD camera;
- Fig.3 is a:side view of the front plate;
~ Fig.4 is a rear ~iew of the front plate;
- Fig.S is a front ~iew of the driver board;
- Fig.6 is a cross section of the driver board :
: through line:AA~of Fig.5;

Fig.7 is a~rear view of the driver board;

Fig.8 is a rear view of a first embo~ nt of the lo~ back plate;

Fig.9 is~:a~cross section through line BB of Fig.8;

~-: - Fig.lO is:a rear view of a second embodiment of the :
back~plate;~

Fig~ a~cross~section through line CC of Fig.12 is~a~:rear view through a third embodiment of :the~:back~pIate Fig.~13~is~ a cross:section through line DD of 20~ Fig.14~ is~a~rear~view through a fourth embodiment of the~back::plate; ~

Fig.lS~;Is~a~cross section through line EE of : Fig.14;
, Fig.16 is a partial side ~iew of the camera showing ~ ~ the buses connecting a plurality of electronic boards~

~, . i ~ ::

' WOg3/03575 PCT/CA92/00338 - Fig.17 is a block diagram of the components of an electronically expandable CCD camera according to this inventîon.
~ Detailed DescriPtion of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to Figs.1 and 2, the preferred embodîment of the present invention comprises a camera casîng 10, whîch is substantially tubular when viewed în cross sectîon, a front plate 11 removably attached at one end of the casîng, and a back plate 12 removably attached to the opposite end thereof. A drîver board means 13 is removably recelvable wîthin the casîng 10 at a position disposed between the front plate 11 and ba~k plate 12, and adjacent the front plate means.
The front plate 11 has a hole 14 therein to rcmovably receive dn optical device, su~h as a lens 15, and~arious adapters (not sho~n) may be connected to the hol~ 14 to allow dîf~erent optîcal devîces to be attached to:the camera~. The:front plate 11 îs secured to the casing 10 by way of a plurality of threaded holes 16.
!~
20",.. ~ The d~iver~:board means;-i3iis:adapted to rèceive any ;of~a pluralîty of image sensors 17 thereîn, the image sen~or 17 can be changed if the camera îs requîred to perform eîther a different function, or the same functîon : în a dîfferent manner. Alternatively, the drîver board means 13 with a different îmage sensor 17 may be . changed.

21118 7~ ~ ~
; .. , , . ~

Logic board means 18 is removably receivable within the casing 10 at a position disposed between driver board 13 and ~he back plate 12 and adjacent the driver board means.
; S Option electronic~board means 19 ~Figs.2 & 16) may be disposed between the logic board means 13 and back plate 12, the option electronic board means 19 being connected to the logic board means 18 by means of the option bus 27.
l0 ~ The image sens~or 17 may be structured with either single or multiple electronic outputs. Any of a plurality of option electronic boards 19 may be mounted within the casing lO to allow the camera to perform desired functions. The addition of option electronic 15~';boards 19 may ~res'sitate the use of a longer casing l0.
A variet~of different back plates 12 can be used to allow the~user to~obtain the required ou~uL from the camera. If the c~mera is to be transferred from one processing;or manufacturing function to another~, the back 20 ~; pla~t~e~;l2~can~b-~ch~ed-by the user to pro~ide the new desired ~u~
The various~components of the camera of the present ~ invention can be readily changed to allow the user to m utilize the~camera to monitor di~ferent manufacturing or 25 ~processing systems~or to have it ~er~orm different ; functions or proauce different ouLyu~s for the end user~

~ . ~

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,~

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2~ 7:2 In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the camera casing 10 is basicàlly a square tube when ~iewed in cross eection. A basic camera design uses a 3 inch long casing, but the internal ~r~ndability of the electronics of the camera may require that a longer casing be used. Casings up to 8 inches have been utilized, but it is conceivable that even longer casings : can be used.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the 10 ~ front plate 11 is~ a:3~ inch by 3~ inch aluminum component which is 3/8" thick and which serves as the main mounting area of the camera. If the camera is mounted to other systems by way of suitable attachment means dispose~
: through holes:l6 in:the front plate 11. The front plate 15 ~ has a threaded mounting hole 14 for the mounting of a lens 15 or any~other optica1 component. This permits a higher accuracy~of: alignment to allow the user to optically align their system to the image sensor 17 within~the camera.~
20~ Thetdriver board means-13 receives~all the -electrical connections of the image~sensor 17 it~elf and : the:clock drivers. ::The image sensor 17 is mounted ~rom : the front 20 of the second plate through milled slots 21 :in~the se~on~ plate~and held in place by means of imager 25;' clamp 17a by~connectors such as screws, not shown. This :: :
~ ~ permits a thermal contact area between the back 23 of the ''~ :

~:
:: ~

W093J0357~ PCT/CA92/00338 2 1 1 i 8 7 2 1 o second plate means 20 and the image sensor 17 itself.
The image sensor 17 generates a large propsrtion of the heat within the camera, so it i~ important to conduct that heat away from the image sensor 17 to maintain optimum performance of the image sensor. In addition, all the heat generating components on the option electronic boards 1~ are in thermal contact with the second plate means 20. This thermal contact separates the heat generating components (not shown) from the remainder of the circuitry (not shown) and also directs the heat generating from those components away from the inside of the camera. Th~ second plate means 20 mounts directly on to the front plate 11 of the camera (this means again that there is a thermal path from the second , ~ .
plate means 20 to the front plate 11). Thus the user wh~

will be using the front pIate 11 to mount the camera to ~ his system (not shown~ has a direct method t~ cool all '~ the:critical heat generating components in the camera.

Su~stantially all the~heat generated within th~ camera is 20 : ao:oled through~the~surface o~-the front plate and th~
: - .
hou~ing to which:it is connected.- Cooling is through one surface only, thu ~making the camera cooling much simpler for the user.

. , ~: The direct contact b~tween the front plate 11 and -the second pIate means 20 allows for improved optical alignment. The image sensor 17, which is the optical ~'' W093/03~75 PCT/CA92/0033X

image sensor in the camera and which may comprise for example a time delay and integration sensor, an area scan sensor, or a wide dynamic range sensor, is rigidly attached to the second plate means 20 and cannot move S with respect to the second plate means 20. However, the second plate means 20 has a somewhat loose fit to the front plate 11 during the building-of the camera. This loose fit allows the second plate means 20 to be moved with respec~ to the front plate 11 using high precision tooling ~ixtures. It is this feature which allows for the optical alignment of the camera. In other previously known cameras there is little or no optical alignment of ~;~ the image sensor 17 itself. In the present invention, through the use of this optical alignment procedure, the lS optical centre is coincident with the mec~n;cal centre of;the front plate means 11. This is important for replacement of products in the field: a user can replace portions of the camera or change the camera's functions :
~ and still have~ the same level of optical alignment , ~
520~ without having to ad~ust his system-~~
The back~plate 12 has a st~ ~d outside dimension, 3~ inches square. On tha back plate are all the connectors 24 for the ùser. There are several differsnt types of back plates (see Figs.8-15), but with the exception of different numbers of signal o~L~Ls, the mech~n;~al fit of all back plates is identical. Xn ., W093/03~75 PCT/CA92/0033~

'~111872 12 the preferred embodiment of the invention there are approximately 4 or 5 different back plate connector configurations which are utilized in over 50 different camera designs. Any camera that is built can have the back plate replaced to allow the connector configurations to be changed without having to change any of the rest of the camera mechanics. This allows for the camera electronics to be upgraded or modified without having to replace entire scctions of the camera.
The electronics of the camera is also expandable, this expandability being based on one of a series of internal buses. There are 3 internal buses. The term bus as used herein, is defined as an electrical and me~hAnical interface between two or more electronic circuit boards.~ It is as well defined in terms of the operation, timing and functionality of all the signals on the~bus.
The first bus in the camera of the present in~ention is~the~driver bus 25. This conne~ts the driver 20 ~ board means 13;that houses the~image~'sensor to the logic board means 18-~that generates all the digital timing for the image sensor 17~and the driver board means 13. This driver bus 25 has a unique arrangement of pins cal~ed a ~protocol, which provides for a critical separation of electronic fun~tions. Following is the driver bus protocol~

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WOg3~0357~ PCT/CA92/00338 211i872 PIN NO. ~AME FUNCTION

1 CLKl TTL LEVEL CLOCK ~ ~D FOR RSTB
2 DGND DIGITAL GROUND K~'l'U~N

3 CLK2 TTL ~EVEL CLOCK

4 DGND DIGITAL GROUND K~'l'UKN

6 CLK4 ~TL LEVEL CLOCK
7 ChX5 TTL LEVEL CLOCK
: 10 8. VCR SHIFT REGISTER CLOCK~H~GH DC SUPPLY

YCR ~ REGISTER CLOCK HIGH DC SUPP~Y

12 DGND DIGITAL GROUND ~'l'U~N
:~ 15 13 VCC ~: +5V SUPPLY (DIGITAL) 14 CLX8 ~:: : TTL LEVEL CLOCK
VCR~ REGISTER CLOCK HIGH DC SUPPLY
16 CLK9 ~ TTL LEVEL CLOCK
: : 17 VDD ~ DC SUPPLY FOR IMAGER
:20:::: 18 : VBB~ : NEGATIVE DC ~O~ AL FOR IMAGER
: :: 19 : CLK10:: TTL LEVE~ CLOCK
; 20 AGND ~ ~ ANALOG GROUND RETURN
The~second~bus is the option bus 27. This 25~ ~ provides intel~o~ ection between the logic board means 18 and:~one or more of the~ option eIectronic boards~l9. Each option electronic board~incorporates this option bus thereby~allowing~for interconnection between~the~various option~e.ectronic~boards. ~ ~ ~
30~ The optlon:electronic boards are arranged in a pan¢ake~fashion~:whi~h~means they are~stacked vertical~y the~one--after~the other at approximatély:l~2 inch clearance. The~camera can be expanded ~irtually infinitely in~this:manner to add features and vary the - ~ ~ 35 ~:performance to the camera through ~arious aption electronic boards.~ ~y:way of example, cameras ncorporating~:the features of the~present invention can : . j::

, ~ ~ .

:~

':

-' 2111872 14 be built without any option electronic boards having an effective thickness of about one inch. Other cameras which have been built have incorporated as man~ as 11 option electronic boards having an effective length of 6 to 8 inches. The only change required in the mechanical ~ystem of the camera is the replacement of the casing to accommodate the internal expansion.
The connectors of option bus 27 allow for vertical connection of the option electronic boards (not shown).
The option bus 27 has a unique protocol which allows for a signal sequence which allows for electronic expandability of the camera functions without degrading the performance of the camera. The protocol is designed 15~ to~r~ the likelihood of diqital signal cont~in~tion of thè analog video signal thereby redu~ing the possi~ility of "noise" which has the effect of degrading spatial~resolution,~càmera photosensitivity and dynamic range.~
20~ Following is~the protocol of a preferred embodiment of an in-line 20 pin connector for the option bus 27 according eO this invention. As further option electronic boards are developed, an expanded number of pins may be required and a variation of the protocol may result:

W0~3/03575 P~T/C~92/00338 -- - 2111872 i .

PIN NO. NANE FUNCTION
1 DGND DIGITAL GROUND R~ ~N
2 DGND DIGITAL GROUND R~lUKN
3 TTL~5V DIGITAL LOGIC ~O~K ~INE

S ANA+lSV ~lS VOLTS FOR ANALOG SIGNAL
PROCESSING
6 ANA-l5V -15 VOLTS FOR ANALOG,SIGNAL
. ~ PROCESSING

: : THE OPTION BOARDS TO CL~MP THE
VIDEO TO A REFERENCE VALUE
~: : 8 TRANSMIT RES~V~D TTL CONTROL
9 CONV~RT : TTL LEVEL SIGNAL WHICH CAUSES THE
OPTIONS TO CAPTURE THE VIDEO ON
; THE RISING EDGE
COhV~~ TTL LEVEL SIGNAL OPPOSITE TO
CONVERT

ATE
12 LINE VAL TTL LEVEL CLOCK RES~KV~V
3 MAST RST ~TTL LEVEL CLOCK RE~KV~D
14 ~ TCK :: ~ TTL LEVEL CLOCK RE~KV~V
::25~ 5 A/D CONV TTL LEVEL CLOCK DELAYED VERSION OF
CONV~
16 SPARE~ R~
7 ANA~5V~ ANALOG +5 VOLT SUPPLY FOR SIGNAL
P~OCESSING
30 ~ 18 : ANA-5V ~ ANALOG -5 VOLT SUPPLY FOR SIGNAL
PROCESSING
9 AGND~ ANALOG GROUND R~l~UKN
20~ AGND~ N~T~G ~OUNV ~rUKN
; 35 ~ he third bUS iS the USer bUS 28 WhiCh conne~ts: the logic board means 18 to the DB-25 connector 29 on~.the~back camera~plate 12~: The preferred protocol for the~u~er~bus-:.28~according to this invention is:as follows~
~ :

. ~:.:
''~ .
.,~' ~, .;,~

'7 2 ~ ' PIN NO. NAME FUNCTION

1 CLKlB RS422 LEVEL CLQCK

3 CLK3B : RS422 LEVEL CLOCK

S ~'U'l'UK~ USE
: ~ CLK5 RS422 LEVEL CLOCK
7 VSSD DI~ITAL GROUND
8. + 5V ANALOG + 5V
9 + 15V ANALOG + 15V
~'U'l'U~E USE
SSA ANA~OG GROUND
~ 12 - 5V ~ DIGITAL - 5V
:~ 15 13 + 5~ :: DIGITAL + 5V
14 CLKl : RS422 LEVE~ CLOCK
~: ~ 15 CLK2B RS422 LEVEL CLOCK
16 CLK3 :~ RS422 LEVEL CLOCK
: : ~ 17 CLK4 :~: RS422 LEVEL CLOCK
:20 ~ 18 : FU ~ USE
}9 :CLK5B :: : ~RS422 LEVEL CLOCK
20: VSSD :~ ~DIGITAL GROUND
~: : 21 + 15V 'ANALOG ~ 15V
22: - 5~ ~ : ANALOG - 5V
~ ~: 23 ~ U'l'U~E USE
24: VSSA : ANALOG GROUND
:2~5~ - 15V ~ SV TO - 15V ~- 15V WITH OPTIONS) The plaoement or location of each:bus is also an 30~ ~ important featùre~of~the design of the~camera according to~this~in~ention. ~Each bus occupies a separate side of the~logic board:~means ls with no two buses on the same si~de..-:This placement~assiets in-reducing the possibility o~:~,"noise" conta~ination~of~-the video~signal)by the -35~ ;.digital~: signal,:;~ and,~ therefore,~:~a}lows~'for~cIoserarrangement of the option electronic boards. This achieves a compact, electronically ~r~n~hle camera without sacrificing ~ ality of~perfoxmance.
Any remaining added option electronic boards 19 4~0 :in the camera provide ~urther signal processing of the ~: ~
:~: :

W093/0357~ PCT/CA92~00338 ..... -- 2111.87'2 ~ideo signal from the sensor 17. These include such options as multiplexing, analog-to-digital conversion and sample-and-hold data processing.
The option electronic boards 19 can be added to the camera at any time, either during the manufacturing ~ .
phase, at the user site, or at any phase in the development cycle.
The camera of the present invention is, therefore, electronically expandable, and functionally 10 ~ interchangable on a mechanical and electronic level .
thereby changing the functional characteristics of the : camera by the~changing of the option electronic boards : It will~be appreciated by those skilled in the 15~ art that the~se~lection of the unique protocol for each bus will require:~;a unique "architecture" or design for the appropriate~ circuit~boards. Each of the circuit boards, namely:~the driver board means 13, the logic board mèans:-18 and~the various option electronic:board means 19 20~ ~àre:uniquely désigned~to:~a~hieve the dësired functional results: according~to the unique bus:protocol selected.
Variations in the present~invention will:be o~ious to those skilled in the art and such obvious variations are contemplated to fall within the scope an~
:: 25~ nature of the~invention disclosed and claimed.

:~ :

. ~

Claims (29)

1. An electronically expandable camera comprising:
a substantially tubular metal casing;
a front plate having a rear face removably receivable at one end of said casing, said front plate having a hole therein for receiving an optical means;
a second plate mounted on the rear face of the front plate for effective heat transfer from the second plate to the front plate;
an optical means receivable in said front plate hole;
a back plate removably receivable at the opposite end of the casing from the front plate;
an electromechanical connector connected to the back plate;
a driver board means removably receivable within said casing, said driver board being disposed between said front plate and said back plate adjacent and abutting the second plate for effective heat transfer;
an image sensor removably mounted on the second plate or thermal conductivity therebetween, said image sensor being electrically connected to said driver board means;
a logic board means removably receivable with said casing, said logic board means being disposed between said driver board means and said back plate:
a driver bus means mechanically and electronically interfaced between said logic board means and said driver board means for expandability to incorporate optional electronic boards;
a user bus means mechanically and electronically interfaced between said logic board means and the electromechanical connector on the said back plate; and an option bus to allow for the incorporation of option electronic board means within said casing between said logic board means and the said back plate, whereby functionality of the camera is expanded to incorporate a plurality of optional board means.

2. An expandable camera as defined in claim 1 wherein the second plate means is mounted within said casing means in contact with said front plate to provide effective heat-transfer away from the image sensor and to permit accurate optical alignment of the image sensor.

3. An expandable camera as defined in claim 1 wherein said front plate and driver board means are disposed in relation to each other so as to allow thermal transfer from the driver board means to the front plate for cooling of the image sensor in order to improve the performance of the image sensor.

4. An expandable camera as defined in claim 1 wherein said driver bus, user bus and option bus are functionally modular to permit:
the use of a plurality of image sensors, each offering optimum performance for a specific application;
the use of a plurality of option boards, to permit custom video output processing;

customized digital timing through the replacement of a single component within the camera; and user customization of the camera;

5. An expandable camera as defined in claim 4 wherein said option electronic boards include a multiplexing board;

6. An expandable camera as defined in claim 4 wherein said option electronic boards include an analog-to-digital conversion board.

7. An expandable camera as defined in claim 4 wherein said option electronic boards include a sample-and-hold data processing board.

8. An expandable camera as defined in claim 1 wherein said camera is mechanically modular whereby the basic camera includes sufficient modularity to permit;
casing means of differing lengths may be used to accommodate more or fewer option electronic boards;
second plates of different internal machining to permit the installation one of a plurality of sensors;
and back plates with different internal machining to permit the installation one of a plurality of electromechanical connectors suitable to the option electronic board installed.

9. An expandable camera as defined in claim 1 further comprising an adapter means receivable within the hole of said front plate means, said adapter means being adapted to receive a plurality of different optical means therein.

10. An expandable camera as defined in claim 1 wherein said optical means comprises a plurality of different types of camera lenses.

11. An expandable camera as defined in claim 1 wherein one of a plurality of different image sensor means is receivable within said driver board means.

12. An expandable camera as defined in claim 11 wherein the image sensor is a CCD image sensor that is thermally connected through the second plate and the front plate to the users' system for increasing dynamic range and for reducing noise.

13. An expandable camera as defined in claim 11 wherein the image sensor means is a time delay and integration sensor.

14. An expandable camera as defined in claim 11 wherein the image sensor means is an area scan sensor.

15. An expandable camera as defined in claim 11 wherein the image sensor means is a wide dynamic range sensor.

16. An expandable camera as defined in claim 1 further comprising an imager clamp fixable to the surface of the second plate which contacts the front plate for thermal contact between the image sensor and the second plate.

17. An expandable camera as defined in claim 1, wherein the option electronic board means abuts the driver board means for thermal contact between the electronic board means and the driver board means.

18. An expandable camera as defined in claim 1 further comprising an imager clamp means fixable to the second plate thereby positioning the image sensor in an optically accurate location and permitting efficient transfer or heat away from the image sensor.

19. An expandable camera as defined in claim 1 wherein the centre of the image sensor means is alignable with the centre of the front plate means.

20. An expandable camera as defined in claim 1 wherein the casing can be selectively changed.

21. An expandable camera as defined in claim 1 wherein the front plate can be selectively changed.

22. An expandable camera as defined in claim 1 wherein the driver board means can be selectively changed.

23. An expandable camera as defined in claim 1 wherein the back plate can be selectively changed.

24. An expandable camera as defined in claim 1 wherein the option electronic board means can be selectively changed.

25. An expandable camera as defined in claim 1 wherein the orientation of the buses is designed to reduce analog noise contamination of the video signal.

26. An expandable camera as defined in claim 1 wherein the protocol of the driver bus is designed to reduce the analog noise contamination of the video signal.

27. An expandable camera as defined in claim 1 wherein the protocol of the option bus is designed to reduce the analog noise contamination of the video signal.

28. An expandable camera as defined in claim 1 wherein the protocol of the user bus is defined and implemented such that the camera in any one of its many expandable forms may interface to the same external electro-optical system without modification of the external system.

29. An expandable camera as defined in claim 1 wherein each option electronic board has an option bus to allow for vertical interconnect with the option bus on the logic board.