GB2535505A

GB2535505A - A handheld device for recording digital images

Info

Publication number: GB2535505A
Application number: GB1502765.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Leahy Brian
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-02-19
Filing date: 2015-02-19
Publication date: 2016-08-24
Also published as: GB201502765D0

Abstract

A handheld device (10) for recording digital images, particularly self-photography, comprises a housing (11), an extendable arm (12) attached, at one end (13) thereof, to the housing (11), the extendable arm (12) being movable between a stored position and an extended position and the extendable arm (12) being rotatable around the longitudinal axis thereof. A camera lens mount (14) is attached to the other end (15) of the extendable arm (12), a camera lens (16) is mounted on the camera lens mount (14), and means are provided on the camera lens mount (14) for tilting the camera lens (16) relative to the longitudinal axis of the extendable arm (12). The titling means may be a motor and remotely controlled.

Description

A handheld device for recording digital images.

This invention relates to a handheld device for recording digital images and, in particular, to a handheld device which allows a person to take photographic and video recordings at an extended position relative to the user.

Extendable digital image recording devices are known. These devices can be used in combination with a user's mobile device or camera to allow the user to take self-portraits or elevated images without straining to hold the mobile device or camera steady.

US Patent Publication Number US 2014/0003802 Al discloses an elongated camera support which may extend between the hand of the user and the camera. The document describes a telescoping camera support which is provided with a friction surface on the back of the camera attachment to permit the user to place the camera against a wall or the like for support when taking pictures.

However, in order to provide stability for the camera when the device is in the extended position, the device relies on the support of a vertical surface against which to rest the camera steadying device.

A Selfie stick, marketed by SelfiePodsTM, Plymouth Science Park, 20 Plymouth, PL6 8BX, UK, is currently available in the UK. The Selfie PodTM Selfie Stick consists of a handle attached to an extendable arm with an adjustable mobile device mount on its end.

In use, a mobile device is first attached to the mobile device mount or camera mount and is secured in place at the end of the extendable arm. The mobile device mount is manually adjusted to face towards or away from the user. The extendable arm is extended away from the handle, providing a wider background for a user's self-portrait, or an elevated view of the user's surroundings. When the Selfie stick is in its extended position, the user's mobile device is out of reach of the user, which affects the user's ability to record digital images. Various embodiments of the Selfie PodTM Selfie stick provide different ways of recording digital images. In one embodiment, the user can set a countdown timer on his mobile device. In another embodiment, the user can use a Bluetoothl' or Wi-Fi® enabled button on the handle of the device which is paired to the mobile device. In another embodiment, the user can use a separate Bluetooth-(ui or Wi-Ft-remote, which is also paired to the mobile device.

However, when in its extended position, the user's ability to move the mobile device on the Selfie PodTM Selfie stick is limited to the movement allowed through the relationship between the user's arm and the Selfie stick. Also, it has been found that, at a concert or public event, using a mobile device in an elevated position above people's heads creates glare and obstructs the view of the people behind the user. The Selfie sticks have been banned from many venues as a result.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the devices hereinbefore described.

Thus, the invention provides a handheld device for recording digital images, the device comprising a housing, an extendable arm being attached, at one end thereof, to the housing, the extendable arm being movable between a stored position and an extended position and the extendable arm being rotatable around the longitudinal axis thereof, a camera lens mount attached to the other end of the extendable arm, a camera lens attached to the camera lens mount, and means on the camera lens mount for tilting the camera lens relative to the longitudinal axis of the extendable arm.

An advantage of the device according to the invention is that, when the device is in the extended position, the camera lens mount is movable, thus providing extra range for the field of vision of the camera lens.

A further advantage of the device according to the invention is 15 that the device acts independently of a mobile device, thus eliminating any glare or unwanted obstruction to the view of others when at a public event or venue.

Another advantage of the device according to the invention is that the camera lens is light and compact, and does not rely on any additional 20 support when being used in its extended position.

Preferably, the tilting means of the device causes the camera lens mount to tilt through an angle of 0-45°.

An advantage of this aspect of the device is that the user has an additional movement to the movements allowed through the relationship between the user's arm and the device, which provides a greater range for self-portraits and elevated images.

In one embodiment of the device, the tilting means is a tilting motor located within the housing.

An advantage of this aspect of the device is that the camera lens mount can be conveniently adjusted without the user having to stretch to the end of the extendable arm when in the extended position.

In a further embodiment of the device, the tilting means is manually operated.

An advantage of this aspect of the device is that the camera lens mount can remain stationary when the extendable arm is in an extended position without causing any obstruction to the view of others.

in a further embodiment of the device, movement of the extendable arm between the stored and the extended positions is driven by an extending motor located within the housing.

An advantage of this aspect of the device is that the device can be extended and retracted quickly and simply, thus reducing both the setup 20 time required for recording digital images at an extended position and the time to return the device to a stored position.

hi a further embodiment of the device, movement of the extendable arm between the stored and the extended positions is manually operated.

An advantage of this aspect of the device is that it can be easily set 5 up and stored away, thus the device is easily transported.

In a further embodiment of the device, the extendable ann comprises concentric sections which telescope together.

An advantage of this aspect of the device is that, in its stored position, the device is compact, thus the components of the device are 10 protected when the device is not in use.

hi a further embodiment of the device, rotation of the extendable ann is driven by a rotating motor located within the housing.

An advantage of this aspect of the device is that the user can set up the device for a particular shot without having to manually adjust it.

In another embodiment of the device, rotation of the extendable arm is manually operated using a twist mechanism mounted on the housing.

An advantage of this aspect of the device is that it can be rotated quickly and simply. Thus, the user can quickly change between taking 20 self-portraits or elevated images of the view around the user. Furthermore, no power supply is required.

In a further embodiment of the device, movement of the tilting, extending and rotating motors is controlled by a control unit mounted on the housing.

An advantage of this aspect of the device is that the movement of 5 the camera lens mount can be controlled by the user without the user having to stretch to adjust the camera lens mount.

In a further embodiment of the device, a Bluetooth module is mounted within the housing, whereby the device can cooperate with a mobile device associated therewith.

to An advantage of this aspect of the device is that a Bluetooe enabled mobile device can act as a. viewing system and storage system for the camera lens, separate to the device. Thus, the device eliminates glare and provides little obstruction to the view of others when using the device at public events or in venues.

in a further embodiment of the device, a Wi-Fr) module is mounted within the housing, whereby the device can cooperate with a mobile device associated therewith.

An advantage of this aspect of the device is that a Wi-Fi8 enabled mobile device can act as a viewing system and storage system for the camera lens. Thus, the device eliminates glare and provides little obstruction to the view of others when using the device at public events or in venues.

In a further embodiment of the device, when the image to be taken is of the user, indicators are mounted on the camera lens mount inline with the camera lens, whereby correct alignment of the indicators, when observed by the user, provides a visual reference that the user is centred in the image to be taken.

An advantage of this aspect of the device is that, having indicators on the camera lens mount, when the user is taking a self portrait, means that the user has a quick visual reference that he is centred in the image to be taken.

to In a further embodiment of the device, a Secure Digital (SD) memory card slot is mounted in the housing.

An advantage of this aspect of the device is that the device has its own memory and can be used independently of a mobile device.

Preferably, an SD memory card memory indicator is mounted on the housing.

An advantage of having an SD memory indicator on the telescopic camera device is that the user can readily view the status of the memory of the device.

in a further embodiment of the device, a battery unit is mounted 20 within the housing.

An advantage of having a battery unit in the device is that the device can function independently.

Preferably, a battery power indicator is mounted on the housing.

An advantage of having a battery power indicator on the telescopic camera device is that the user can readily view the status of the battery power of the device.

In a further embodiment of the device, the extendable arm, when in the stored position, is located within the housing.

An advantage of this aspect of the device is that the device is readily transportable and all components of the device are protected by the housing when the device is in its stored position.

to In a further embodiment of the device, the housing is in the shape of a hand grip, having means thereon for attaching a mobile device thereto.

An advantage of this aspect of the device is that a mobile device can be mounted to the housing, providing a viewing system for the camera lens that does not obstruct the view of others when in use, and that can be held comfortably by the user.

The invention will be further illustrated by the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a front elevation view of a handheld device for recording digital images in accordance with the invention in the extended position; Fig. 2 is a front elevation view of the handheld device of Fig. 1 in the stored position; and Fig. 3 is a side elevation view of the handheld device of Fig. 1 in the extended position.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is illustrated generally at 10, a handheld device for recording digital images in accordance with the invention. The handheld device 10 consists of a housing 11, an extendable arm 12 is attached, at one end 13 thereof, to the housing 11, a camera lens mount 14 is attached to the other end 15 of the extendable arm 12, and a camera lens 16 is attached to the camera lens mount 14.

The extendable arm 12 is telescopic in form, consisting of concentric sections 17, 18, 19, 20.

A tilting motor, an extending motor and a rotating motor (all not shown) are mounted within the housing 11. The motors are powered by a is battery unit (not shown) which is mounted within the housing 11.

A control unit 21 is mounted on outer surface 22 of the housing 11. The control unit 21 acts as a thumbstick to allow the user to adjust the movement of the camera lens 16 by controlling the tilting, extending and rotating motors.

A battery power indicator 23 is mounted on the outer surface 22 of the housing 11. The battery power indicator 23 provides an indication of the remaining power of the battery unit (not shown).

An SD card slot (not shown) is mounted on the housing 11. An SD memory indicator 24 is mounted on the outer surface 22 of the housing 11. The SD memory indicator provides a view of the remaining memory of the SD card slot.

Referring to Fig. 2, the handheld device 10 is shown with the extendable arm 12 in the stored position.

The concentric sections 17, 18, 19, 20 of the extendable arm 12 are nested within the housing 11.

indicators (not shown) are mounted on the camera lens mount 14 10 in line with the camera lens 16, whereby correct alignment of the indicators, when observed by the user, provides a visual reference that the user is centred in the image to be taken.

Referring to Fig. 3, the handheld device 10 is shown with the extendable arm 12 in the extended position.

The housing 11 is in the shape of a hand grip 25, which has means thereon (not shown) for attaching a mobile device thereto. A mobile device can cooperate with the handheld device 10 using a Bluetooth' module or a Wi-Fi-tit module (both not shown) mounted within the housing 11.

Claims

Claims: - 1. A handheld device for recording digital images, the device comprising a housing, an extendable arm being attached, at one end thereof, to the housing, the extendable ann being movable between a stored position and an extended position and the extendable arm being rotatable around the longitudinal axis thereof, a camera lens mount attached to the other end of the extendable ann, a camera lens attached to the camera lens mount, and means on the camera lens mount for tilting the camera lens relative to the longitudinal axis of the extendable arm.
2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein the tilting means causes the camera lens mount to tilt through an angle of 0-45°.
3. A device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the tilting means is a tilting motor located within the housing.
4. A device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the tilting 15 means is manually operated.
5. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein movement of the extendable arm between the stored and the extended positions is driven by an extending motor located within the housing.
6. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein 20 movement of the extendable ann between the stored and the extended positions is manually operated.
7. A device according to Claim 5 or 6, wherein the extendable arm comprises concentric sections which telescope together.
8. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein rotation of the extendable arm is driven by a rotating motor located 5 within the housing.
9. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein rotation of the extendable arm is manually operated using a twist mechanism mounted on the housing.
10. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein 10 movement of the tilting, extending and rotating motors is controlled by a control unit mounted on the housing.
11. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein a Bluetooth® module is mounted within the housing, whereby the device can cooperate with a mobile device associated therewith.
12. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein a Wi-Fi n module is mounted within the housing, whereby the device can cooperate with a mobile device associated therewith.
13. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein, when the image to be taken is of the user, indicators are mounted on the camera lens mount inline with the camera lens, whereby correct alignment of the indicators, when observed by the user, provides a visual reference that the user is centred in the image to be taken.
14. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein a Secure Digital (SD) memory card slot is mounted in the housing.
15. A device according to Claim 14, wherein an SD memory card memory indicator is mounted on the housing.
16. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein a battery unit is mounted within the housing.
17. A device according to Claim 16, wherein a battery power indicator is mounted on the housing.
18. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the 10 extendable arm, when in the stored position, is located within the housing.
19. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing is in the shape of a hand grip, having means thereon for attaching a mobile device thereto.
20. A device according to Claim 1 for recording digital images, substantially as hereinbefore described with particular reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.