The First Digital Camera's Core Technology
Kodak's 1978 patent on the fundamental technology for capturing, processing, and storing digital images using a CCD sensor and magnetic tape.
Original patent title: “Electronic still camera”
Kodak's 1978 patent on the fundamental technology for capturing, processing, and storing digital images using a CCD sensor and magnetic tape. Granted to Eastman Kodak Co in 1978 with 14 claims and 106 forward citations, and it is now in the public domain.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes the essential components of an early electronic still camera. It uses a solid-state device, like a Charge-Coupled Device (CCD), to capture an optical image and turn it into electrical signals. These signals are then processed quickly to separate them and slow down their rate. Finally, this slower stream of digital information is recorded onto a non-volatile medium, like magnetic tape, for later playback on a television. ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1 outlines extracting discrete signals, separating them, slowing their rate, and recording them. Claim 4 adds the step of converting these signals into multi-bit digital words in real-time before storage and slower retrieval.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover cameras that capture analog video signals instead of discrete digital signals.
- Does not cover recording methods that are not on a non-volatile medium like magnetic tape.
- Does not cover systems that do not involve a solid-state light-responsive device.
- Does not cover displaying the image on anything other than a conventional television receiver.
- Does not cover image capture using film.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The innovation was in orchestrating the entire digital image pipeline: from capturing light with a CCD, processing the raw signals rapidly, and then buffering and slowing them down for recording on inexpensive audio tape, making digital image capture feasible.
The Patent Drawing
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
The first Kodak digital camera prototype (1975)
Early digital imaging systems
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This patent covers the foundational technology for the world's first digital still camera, invented by Steven Sasson at Kodak. It represents a pivotal moment in the transition from film to digital photography, fundamentally altering the consumer electronics and media industries.
Filed
May 20, 1977
Granted
December 26, 1978
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
While this patent is foundational, the direct lineage to modern digital cameras is complex. However, the core principles of CCD/CMOS sensors, digital signal processing, and digital storage are universal across all digital imaging devices manufactured by companies like Sony, Canon, Nikon, and Apple.
Market impact
This patent's technology laid the groundwork for the digital photography revolution. It demonstrated the feasibility of electronic image capture and storage, eventually leading to the decline of film photography and the rise of digital cameras, smartphones with cameras, and widespread digital image sharing.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes the essential components of an early electronic still camera. It uses a solid-state device, like a Charge-Coupled Device (CCD), to capture an optical image and turn it into electrical signals. These signals are then processed quickly to separate them and slow down their rate. Finally, this slower stream of digital information is recorded onto a non-volatile medium, like magnetic tape, for later playback on a television. Claim 1 outlines extracting discrete signals, separating them, slowing their rate, and recording them. Claim 4 adds the step of converting these signals into multi-bit digital words in real-time before storage and slower retrieval.
The clever bit
The innovation was in orchestrating the entire digital image pipeline: from capturing light with a CCD, processing the raw signals rapidly, and then buffering and slowing them down for recording on inexpensive audio tape, making digital image capture feasible.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover cameras that capture analog video signals instead of discrete digital signals.
- Does not cover recording methods that are not on a non-volatile medium like magnetic tape.
- Does not cover systems that do not involve a solid-state light-responsive device.
- Does not cover displaying the image on anything other than a conventional television receiver.
- Does not cover image capture using film.
Patent Journey
From filing to expiry
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Moderate
Citation count
40/40
Highly cited
Claim breadth
9/20
Moderate scope
Recency
0/20
Older than 20 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$53K – $168K
Midpoint $105K · expired or expiring · industry ×1.4
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
The original legal language
Original claims
14 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Lloyd, G. A., & Sasson, S. J. (1978). The First Digital Camera's Core Technology (U.S. Patent No. 4,131,919). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4131919/digital-camera-electronic-still
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The First Digital Camera's Core Technology cover?
Kodak's 1978 patent on the fundamental technology for capturing, processing, and storing digital images using a CCD sensor and magnetic tape.
Who owns patent US 4131919?
Eastman Kodak Co owns this patent, granted in 1978.
When does this patent expire?
This patent has expired and is now in the public domain — anyone can use the invention freely.
What is patent US 4131919 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 106 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This patent covers the foundational technology for the world's first digital still camera, invented by Steven Sasson at Kodak. It represents a pivotal moment in the transition from film to digital photography, fundamentally altering the consumer electronics and media industries.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover cameras that capture analog video signals instead of discrete digital signals.
Same assignee
More from Eastman Kodak Co
Patent monitoring