GB2327165A - Video Glasses - Google Patents

Abstract

A CCD array and focussing lens are provided in the frame of a pair of spectacles, which frame further includes a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the video signal to a remote station which may be a battery operated recorder, advantageously held in the user's pocket, or even a computer or satellite. The recording medium may be tape, card or disc. It is suggested that the image from the camera may also be displayed on the glass in the frames of the glasses, which glass would therefore incorporate a liquid crystal layer. Night filming is also envisaged.

Description

MOv Gh > S~S This invention relates to the ting and reproduction of Still and motion pictures.

Movie-Glasses are not presently manufactured or available for the consumer trade. Cameras and Video Cameras are used extensively around the world and are easy to identify as the instrument is held up to the face. Movie-Glasses by contrast are worn on the face as the head is the steadiest part of the body, hence the name Movie-Glasses. Thovie-Glasses take the same picture, looking through the glasses. The Bens and CC (charge-coupled device are implanted into the frames. This means that where one 'looks', is what is potential for recording. Cameras and Video-Cameras contain the focussing and transmission components and the recording mechanism all in one. Novie-Glasses, however separate the functions The glasses contain the lens, ccd, transmission and microphone components. A separate unit, which is 'pocketable', contains the tape, battery and controls. This unit is called the Movie-Station.

The charge for the battery is done in the Movie Power-Station.

Novie-Glasses as a filming device are not easily identified in public which makes filming very exciting. Novie-Glasses allow both eyes the freedom of focus because the user of Movie-glasses feels and acts naturally during the filming process as there is no major effort to focus apart from looking and pressing 'record' on the Novie-Station, which holds the tape, and is in one's pocket.

Movie-Glasses do not require exceptional skill to operate, which nes this invention appealing to most age groups above 9 years of age. Most of us want to make our on movies, which unfortunately require lots of skill, patience and understanding, especially when using the existing format of 'holding' the Video/Camera and operating all those buttons at the same time.

ovie-Glasses enable us to have fun whilst filming and relax during this time, which is not the case in existing formats including the most up to date filming eqipment - there is still too much concentration and not enough immediate enjoyment. Novie-Glasses do all the work, with the head acting as the best mobile director and the body as a 'moving tripod.

'Capturing' what we film is conveniently recorded onto the wire-less Novie-Station via transmission frequency. The Movie-Station contains a sproket terminal which receives a multi functional plug which enables play back onto (F8G-5) Television and Computer for entertainment.

Re-recording onto VCR for cassette reproduction would probably be the most popular. Making 'stills' or prints would be possible by 'pausing' the tape on a computer screen, and pressing 'print' using a digital copier.

The invention consists of: The Novie-Glasses (he device responsible for filming) The Movie-Station (The device responsible for recording) The ovie-aster (The cassette, card or disk containing the recording) The Novie-Nate (The attachable sproket plug containing the terminals for Television, Computer and VCR) The Movie Power-Centre (The device responsible for recharging batteries) The Movie-Manual (The literature of how to use Movie-Glasses) A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows in prespective, the M*iovie-Glasses. The design shown in the drawing is not fixed. In other words numerous glass wear designs could be used. For example, Disney land characters, fruit, coins, faces and planets.

Existing favorite designs offer choices for everyone.

Figure 2 illustrates the hidden lens, ccd, transmitter and aerial.

Figure 3 shows the Movie-Station. The shape is not fixed which means that for instance, the sides and corners could be rounded instead of sharp.

Figure 4 illustrates the battery being charged on the Movie Power Station.

Figure 5 shows the içiovie-Mate. This is the plug that holds the wires going to Television, Computer and VCR. This Movie-Mate plug and wire ensemble get plugged into the Auxilliary sprocket on the Movie-Station.

Figure 6 illustrates the Novie-Naster as a small cassette, card or disk. (The card and disk for motion pictures is technology-pending). These are inserted into the Movie-Station.

The filming device (Movie-Glasses) Reading and Sun Glasses are used world-wioe. In the case of Thovie-Glasses, these then are the headset containing the components of focus (lens), imaging (ccd), transmition (transmitter), all in FIG. 2. The sound is recorded by the microphone FIG. 1b., which is also sent to the Movie-Station by frequency.

With present technology in Motion/Stills, the user has to look through a lens with one eye, hold all the equipment in front of the eye, and use the other eye to balance the sights around.

This applies to lens style filming. Even with liquid crystal lens, and the ability to use both eyes for filming, the anparstus is still carried instead of worn.

Novie-Glasses are sensibly hands-free thus allowing the eyes freedom of focus as the lens performs this automatically to what is seen

for recording in the Movie-Station of course, inside ones' pocket.

Indeed, Novie-Glasses make the whole concept of filming easier, more relaxing and exciting.

Essentially, the filming components implanted into the glasses make Novie-Glasses. These components are hidden quite well.

ilovie-Glasses are water resistant for wet conditions (rain) With the help of advanced technology, additions are noted which of course increase the cost price and swelling price. These additions are very exciting taking Novie-Glasses well into the 21st century.

The recording device (ovie-Sttion) The Novie-Station is contained in a pocket-sized format approximately 4cmx8.)cmx1.5cm which is not necesarily box-like shown in Fig. 3.

The technology for capturing motion picture I assume would be mecnanacal at this stage as digital cards for motion picture are technologypending. So surmising that tape is being used, the cassette, lasting 30 minutes and more (this is the Novie-Naster shown in Fig.6.) is inserted into the Movie-Station Fig.3.

The Movie-Station has a power button which sends energy from the battery into the Movie-Station. Once the Movie Glasses are comfortably positioned on the face, the record button is pressed to start recording. Notion pictures are recorded onto the Movie Master Fig.6. which is in the Movie-Station Fig.3. by way of a frequency transmission sent from the transmitter in the Movie Glasses Fig.2.

Once the Movie-Master has become full of recorded moving images Fig.6., another Movie-Master should be inserted. These Movie Masters are acproximately 30 minutes. Ideally up to one hour, but this would have to coincide with the duration of energy in the battery, hopefully also one hour.

Functions play, f.forward, rewind, pause and stop are located on the Movie-Station for 'play back' onto television or computer.

Direct recording onto VCR is also possible. See Fig's 3+5.

The batteries are charged at the Movie Power-Station. Fig.4.

The battery packs clip onto the Movie-Station, the same way they clip onto the Movie Power-Station.

Claims (1)

1. CIJAIMS

   1. Movie-Glasses in laymans terms is the new camera/video camera.

   The major difference is that the recording facility and oper ational buttons are housed separately from the focus, imaging and transmission components.

   2. Filming is performed by 'wearing' instead of 'holding' the instrument of focus. The control and recording of this is done by operating the Movie-Station discretely.

   3. Various designs of eye glass wear may be innovated. This means that the illustrations are not drawn to the exact size or shape.

   4. Further or additional components and functions can be incorporated into Movie-Glasses, which would of course affect the cost and purchase price. These have been discussed earlier.

   5. At this stage, the mechanical procedure seems immenent, but should a digital card be produced that can contain moving images of 30 minutes and longer, then tape seems to be the second option provided the product does not outprice itself. This could mean however that different 'levels' of Movie-Station could be available. This applies to the 3rd and 4th dimensional aspect incorporated into Movie-Glasses discussed earlier.

   7. In a 'nut-shell' so to speak, the invention of Movie-Glasses (including Movie-Station, Movie Power-Station, Movie-Master and Movie-Nate) is based upon still and motion picture using eye glasses as the format instead of a rectangular 'box-like' device called the camera and video cams Claims continued 8. There is a remarkable man who invented the negative, and developed the principles of photography. This was a turning point within the history of Photography A turning point as I believe and see, is a basic principle - the way in which it is used. That is: (a) Up till now, cameras and video cameras are held up to the eye (in the case of screens made of liquid crystal, up to 60 cm away from the face). Novie-Glasses take that step closer, featuring photography and filming 'off' the face.

   In other words 'wearing' the instrument in contrast to 'holding'it. A distinguished difference.

   (b) As importantly, another distinguished difference is the separation of the recording devices and controls from the Lens, focus, transmission and sound in flovie-Glasses.

   Existing instruments as in the camera and video camera bring both devices together. In Novie-Glasses, although these two departments discussed above are physically separate, in essence they are joined by frequency as the 'images' seen by the lens in Movie-Glasses are sent 'through' the air in transmission to the Movie-Station for recording.

   (c) Developments a+b is to take photography and filming into the last few years of the present century and beyond.

   The manufacture and production of Novie-Glasses will mean that previous restrictions shall fall away. For example

   Riding 2 bicycle, driving a car , rowing a boat , climbing a mountain, self filming and photography (using mirror), making movies and documentaries without being noticed, even underwater sports, surfing, skiing, wind-surfing.