NL1037442C2

NL1037442C2 - An apparatus for holding an electronic device, comprising a camera and a method for using same.

Info

Publication number: NL1037442C2
Application number: NL1037442A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Arthur Postmus; Max Pierey
Original assignee: Gaudit B V
Priority date: 2009-11-04
Filing date: 2009-11-04
Publication date: 2011-05-10

Description

An apparatus for holding an electronic device, comprising a camera and a method for using same

The present invention relates to an apparatus for holding an electronic device according to the. preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a method for using said apparatus.

Such apparatuses are generally known in the art. For example, 5 they are used for holding a navigation device, cell phone, PDA or the like and attaching same to a windshield of a car. Some of those apparatuses should be placed on the dashboard of a vehicle. These apparatuses are generally engineered to fulfil only said purpose of holding the electronic device.

10 In this respect, the term vehicle relates to any kind of moving object, like a car, a motorbike, a floating object like a vessel or speedboat, or a flying object like an airplane.

The term "apparatus for holding" relates in a general aspect to mounts for cell phones, PDA's, navigation devices et cetera. Examples 15 are the Travelmount by Arkon Resources Inc., which is a windshield mount for a cell phone, the windshield mount for a TomTom navigation device by TomTom Inc., or the TomTom car kit, specifically developed for an Apple iPhone.

The invention has as a goal to provide an apparatus as indi-20 cated above that can be used for multi purposes.

Furthermore, the invention has as a goal to provide an apparatus that can be used for adding an extra value to an apparatus as indicated in the preamble.

So as to obtain at least one of these goals the invention pro-25 vides an apparatus that is characterized in that the apparatus comprises a camera at one of said frame and sub-frame. Such an apparatus can be used for providing image data, especially image data from the front side of a car. It is especially preferred that the camera is provided at the frame of the apparatus. According to the present in-30 vention, the frame of the apparatus is the part that provides for contact with the windshield or dashboard of the vehicle. As a consequence, the frame will be subjected least to distortion due to vibrations and other movements because of vehicle movement. According to this preferred embodiment, images are recorded with high quality, 35 since the camera is also subjected least to distortion.

1 0 3 7 4 4 2 2

The electronic device is to be connected to the sub-frame of the apparatus. According to a preferred embodiment, the said sub-frame for holding said device is provided at a first side of said apparatus and said camera is provided at a second, opposite side of 5 said apparatus. For then, a driver will be able to maintain a good view of said device whereas the camera will record image data from the outside of the car, especially the front side of the car.

Preferably, the frame comprises one of: - a suction cup for connecting said apparatus against a windshield of a vehicle, and — a 10 base stand for positioning said apparatus on a dashboard of a vehicle. By this means, the electronic device will be positioned safely and firmly in the car.

It is especially preferred that said sub-frame is connected hingedly to said frame. By such connection, the orientation of the 15 electronic device in the car can be adapted to the orientation of the windshield, which improves visibility of the electronic device and enhances safety.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the camera comprises a calibration means for changing the position of said camera 20 with respect to said apparatus in at least one of a horizontal and vertical axis. This enables a user to have the camera focused in any direction. It is preferred that the calibration means can be actuated from the outside of the apparatus. The angle of the camera for directing the camera to a preferred direction and for placing it hori-25 zontally can then be adjusted relatively easily.

It is further preferred that the apparatus comprises a power supply for powering said camera, comprised of at least one of a connection with a power supply of the vehicle, a power supply of the electronic device. Furthermore, the apparatus may comprise an on/off 30 button for activating and inactivating, respectively, said camera. It may also comprise image processing means for processing image data recorded with said camera; and a storage means for storing image data recorded with said camera or for storing processed images.

It is preferred that said storage means comprise a replaceable 35 memory storage card, since such cards provide for a small medium that can store large amounts of data and that can be easily transported to a device for viewing or for processing said recorded image data. Such card can be taken out of the apparatus according to the invention and then be inserted in a memory card slot of a navigation device, a cell 3 phone, a PDA, a computer, a television and the like, so as to view the images remote from the an apparatus.

According to another embodiment, the camera is connected to the electronic device, whereas the electronic device provides for record-5 ing and optionally processing and displaying said images. Then, the apparatus according to the present invention preferably comprises connecting means for connecting said apparatus with a display, said connecting means being chosen from at least one of wireless connecting means and wired connecting means, said display being chosen from 10 for example a navigation device, a cell phone, a PDA, a computer with display, and a television. The display may also be a built-in display in a car. A direct viewing of the recorded images can be obtained, if the apparatus comprises image-processing means for processing image data obtained by said camera.

15 So as to be able to easily view the recorded images, it is pre ferred that said apparatus comprises transfer means for transferring image data or processed images from said camera to said electronic device for storing, processing or displaying said data, said transfer means being chosen from wired transfer means and wireless transfer 20 means, for example from any of bluetooth, wifi, USB, firewire, hdmi or the like.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the apparatus according to the invention is embodied as a windscreen holder or a base stand of an electronic device. The electronic device 25 is preferably chosen from a navigation device, a cell phone, a PDA, a computer with display, and a television.

So as to be able to directly view the recorded images, it is preferred that the apparatus comprises image processing means for processing image data recorded with said camera. Such processed im-30 ages can be viewed directly on an electronic device like a navigation device, a cell phone, or any other electronic device as indicated above.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the camera is comprised of any of a still camera and a video camera, for example a 35 high-definition camera, a night-view camera and a standard definition camera. Images obtained from such formats are highly standardized and can be viewed on nearly all electronic devices comprising a display. To be able to make pictures of high quality, it is preferred that the 4 chip has at least 3 megapixels, preferably at least 5 megapixels, more preferably at least 8 or even 10 or more megapixels.

The invention also relates to the use of an apparatus comprising a camera according to the present invention, comprising the 5 steps, in any order, of: - providing a vehicle with at least one of a windshield and a dashboard, - positioning said apparatus by means of a suction cup against the windshield or by means of a base stand on said dashboard, - connecting an electronic device to a sub-frame of said apparatus, and - coupling the camera of said apparatus with said 10 electronic device.

The apparatus according to the present invention, embodied as a mount for an electronic device, can easily replace an original mount (if any) supplied for such device. As a matter of fact, the apparatus of the present invention and such device should have co-operating 15 connecting means. For example, the apparatus may be supplied with exchangeable connecting means, such that a user can choose which connecting means to apply, depending on the device he owns. Optionally, a connecting means for connecting any device, for example a navigation device, a cell phone, a PDA, or the like may be provided. The 20 invention has as an advantage that a user can easily upgrade his originally supplied mount (if any), for example for exchanging a standard windscreen holder or dashboard stand without a camera for the apparatus according to the present invention with a camera, or for exchanging a mount with a standard definition camera for one with a 25 high definition camera.

The invention will now be further explained with the help of the following schematic drawing, in which: - fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of an apparatus according to the present invention, 30 - fig. 2 shows a schematic side view of an alternative embodi ment of an apparatus according to the present invention, - fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of the camera comprising a calibration knob, and - fig 4 shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of an 35 apparatus according to the present invention.

In the drawing, same parts are indicated with same reference numerals. However, not all parts that are required for a correct functioning of the apparatus are shown in the drawing, for reason of simplicity.

5

Fig. 1 shows a schematic embodiment of an apparatus 1 according to the present invention. The apparatus 1 comprises a frame 2 and a sub-frame 3. The frame 2 and sub-frame 3 are hingedly connected by means of an articulated joint 4. The frame 2 is by means of a suction 5 cup 5 connected to a windshield 6 of a vehicle. The sub-frame 3 comprises provisions 7, 8 for holding an electronic device 9.

A camera 10 is provided in the joint 4. Since the joint 4 is firmly connected to the frame 2, the camera 10 will nearly not suffer from any additional vibrations or movements, other than movements of 10 the vehicle itself.

An alternative embodiment is shown in Fig. 2, wherein the apparatus 1' comprises a differently embodied sub-frame 3'. The sub-frame 3' comprises an arm 11 and a mounting cradle 12 for an electronic device 9. The arm 11 is connected to the frame 2, whereas the cradle 12 15 is hingedly connected to said arm 11 by means of joint 13.

The joint 13 may be embodied as a ball joint, which provides for a 3-dimensional rotational movement of the cradle 12 with respect to the arm 11.

The apparatus 1' as shown in Fig. 2 comprises a camera 10' 20 which is connected to the sub-frame 3', more in particular to the arm 11 of the sub-frame 3'. The camera 10' may be connected to the sub-frame 3' by means of a ball joint, such that a calibration of the camera can be easily performed. A calibration of the camera 10, 10' is generally required, for directing the camera such that an adequate 25 view is obtained.

For example, if the apparatus 1, 1' is connected to a wind shield 6, the direction of the camera 10, 10' should be adapted to the angle under which said windshield 6 is positioned. Generally, it is required to position the camera 10, 10' such that a forward view 30 is obtained, i.e. in the direction of the front side of the vehicle, and wherein the camera 10, 10' is positioned generally horizontally. The camera may be positioned horizontally both in lateral and longitudinal direction.

A calibration means is schematically shown in Fig. 3. The cam-35 era 10, 10' (not shown) is placed with at least one rotational freedom in a frame (not shown) and connected to a calibration knob 14. The calibration knob 14 comprises an indicator 19 indicating the view direction of the camera 10, 10'.

6

If the camera 10' is connected to the sub-frame 3' as shown in Fig. 2, the connection may be embodied as a ball joint 16. Such ball joint 16 provides for a generally 3-dimensional rotational calibration of the camera 10'.

5 The camera 10, 10' is connected to the electronic device 9 by means of a wired connection 17. Such wired connection 17 may consist of a data transport cable as well as a power connector for withdrawing electricity from the electronic device or from a vehicle's battery.

10 An alternative embodiment of an apparatus according to the in vention is shown in Fig. 4. The apparatus is embodied as a base stand to be placed on a dashboard of a vehicle, or on a like surface. The base 19 may be connected to the dashboard or be placed thereon. From the base 19, a frame 2 extends upwards and comprises a joint 13 to 15 which a cradle 12 is connected, analogous to the fig. 2. Said frame 2 may be embodied as a leg.

As shown in fig. 4, a navigation device 9 is placed in said cradle 12. The navigation device comprises a memory card 18. Image data, obtained by means of the camera 10 may be stored on said memory 20 card 18. To that end, the camera is suitably connected to said navigation device 9 by means of a wired connection 17. Alternatively, the wired connection 17 may consist of a data transport cable as well as a power connector for withdrawing electricity from the electronic device or from the vehicle's battery.

25 The apparatus 1 according to the invention is placed at the inside of the vehicle. It may be connected to the windshield or it may be placed on the dashboard or another suitable surface inside the vehicle. The camera 10, 10' comprises a lens and a light sensitive chip (for example a CCD or CMOS chip, not shown). The lens is di- 30 rected to the windshield 6 of the vehicle and hence directed to the outside of the vehicle. A memory card 18 for storing image data made with said camera 10, 10' is provided in the apparatus 1 or in the electronic device 9 (as shown in the schematic drawing). The electronic device 9 is connected to the wired connection 17 for receiving 35 image data from the camera 10, 10'. The electronic device 9 may comprise an apparatus for viewing said image data or for storing the data. The camera's operating commands can be integrated in an interface of the electronic device 9. The interface could be based on a touch screen or on speech-recognition as is generally known for cell 7 phones and navigation devices. A plurality of cameras 10, 10' taking images of the outside of the vehicle in different directions and all provided with transmission means, designed to cooperate with receiving means in the electronic device or another receiving station, can 5 be embodied such that recorded image data are transmitted (wired or wireless) to the electronic device or another receiving station for storing and optionally processing said image data.

The images can be transferred by a wired connection 17 through the sub-frame 3, 3' and optionally the cradle 12 to the electronic 10 device 9. The electronic device 9 may be connected to the connection 17 in the cradle 12 or provision 7, through a USB or the like socket and plug connection.

The recorded images can be sequentially written to the memory-card. The oldest images recorded will be overwritten by new images 15 using the FIFO algorithm (First-in First-out).

When the user connects the Navigation unit to a receiving station, like a personal computer, a television or the like, a software program copies the recorded images to said receiving station. A generally accepted format for storing said image data, like MPEG, H264 20 or HD, is preferred.

As the apparatus 1 is detachable from the electronic device 9, it can be replaced by a replacement model. For example, a camera with a different light sensitive chip, for example with night-vision or higher definition than the original chip, might be used as a replace-25 ment. This provides the advantage that an electronic device can be upgraded with an improved camera, without having to replace the electronic device itself.

As a matter of fact, all cameras available on the market can be used in the present invention, as far as the camera can be incorpo-30 rated inside the apparatus 1. The size and weight of the camera should preferably be as small and low, respectively, as possible.

Since the windshield 6 of a vehicle is not completely flat, and windshields of cars and trucks in general are embodied differently, the camera is provided with a calibration knob 14 allowing a user to 35 adjust a positioning of the camera for a proper view of the road ahead. Most cars have a windshield angle between 30 and 40 degrees. In trucks and buses the windshield can be almost entirely vertical (90 degrees). A vertical variation range of preferably at least 60 degrees therefore will be sufficient.

8

Apart from adjusting the vertical angle of the camera, the calibration knob 14 may be embodied such as to enable an adjustment in the horizontal direction of the camera, as well. This enables an attachment to a left corner of the windshield or a right corner of 5 the windshield. Generally, a horizontal variation range of maximally about 30 degrees will be sufficient.

Rotating (R) the knob 14, as shown in Fig. 3, will provide in a variation of the vertical angle of the camera 10. A sliding movement (F) of the knob 14 in the slit 15 will provide for a variation of the 10 horizontal viewing angle of the camera 10. As shown in Fig. 3, the camera 10 is in an almost vertical position, directing upwards in the plane of drawing of fig. 3.

As a matter of fact, an adjustment of the viewing angles of the camera may be obtained by means of a calibration knob that is pro-15 vided inside the housing and that can be reached at by means of a screw driver or the like. Then, a smooth appearance of the apparatus 1 is obtained.

Furthermore, a calibration means may be provided for a variation of the camera's horizon angle, by adjusting the calibration 20 knob 14 in a vertical direction. Then, positioning the apparatus 1 exactly horizontally to the windshield 6 is of minor importance. By adjusting the horizon angle of the camera 10 pictures taken by the camera 10 will be level at all times. In such a case, the slit 15 may be provided as a circular hole for enabling such movement of the knob 25 14.

The camera of the present invention provides the possibility of collecting images of the roads in a central server. For example, the camera or the navigation device may be provided with a wireless or wired connection with a telephone, preferably one with a UMTS or 30 other high speed wireless connection, for example LTE (long term evolution) or LTE2. Every fixed or dynamically calculated time period, an image can be sent to the central server. Especially in case of traffic congestion, images of vehicles in front of the said congestion may provide images so as to enable traffic controllers to deter-35 mine the reason of said congestion. In case of an accident, police and paramedics may be ordered to go to the specific location. Providing a gps-system in the camera or using the navigation device's gps-system, will help further in determining the exact location of the vehicle and hence of the accident.

9

The central server may be provided with control means to instruct the camera or navigation device to amend the send frequency. Such is useful in case of normal traffic circumstances where a low frequency is sufficient. In case of congestion or an accident, a 5 higher frequency may be useful.

In case of car theft or the like search for a specific car, the cameras may be used to identify the identity of cars in the vicinity of said vehicle containing the camera. Image processing may be performed centrally.

10 The apparatus, comprising wireless communication functionality, may include first and second antennas, a receiver, a driver circuit, an image sensor, a correlated double sampling (CDS) unit, a gain control unit, a transmitter and a power source. Of course, the apparatus may also include various other or different components as will be 15 known to those skilled in the art. The apparatus may be in communication with a video receiver unit that is configured to transmit signals recorded by the wireless camera over a communications network, and to receive a series of video signals for display on a screen. As a matter of fact, the electronic device may be embodied such so as to 20 comprise these functional components.

The images taken from the image sensor, which may consist of still or video images, is a so-called raw analog output from the image sensor which is fed into a CDS unit, as is generally applied for converting analog to digital images. The CDS unit takes a first 25 sample and a second sample of the raw analog output. The CDS unit then generates a filtered output that corresponds to the difference between said first and second samples. The purpose of this step is to remove low frequency noise and any offsets common to both samples.

The filtered output of the CDS unit is then fed into a so-30 called gain control unit, which controls the gain of the filtered output in order to prevent later stages from being overloaded. Gain-controlled output of the gain control unit is fed into a transmitter for modulation. The modulated image signals are then transmitted to a receiver unit.

35 A person skilled in the art will recognize that the above func tional components may be implemented in a variety of ways. For example, the image sensor may take the form of a charge-coupled device (CCD), CMOS sensor, or the like. The transmitter, receiver, and antennas may operate according to a variety of protocols, including the 10 IEEE 802.11 RF wireless standards (i.e., 802.11, 802.11a, b, g or n), Bluetooth, HiperLan, and HiperLan/2. The CDS may take the form of two parallel sample-and-hold circuits. The gain control unit may be either an automatic or manual gain control circuit, both of which are 5 well known in the art. And the power source may take the form of a battery, examples of which are well known in the art.

Finally, the camera according to the invention may be used as a surveillance camera. It may have a direct connection with a memory card for storing the images.

10 1037442

Claims

An apparatus for holding an electronic device, comprising a frame for placement near a windscreen in a vehicle, which further comprises a sub-frame for holding the device, characterized in that the device comprises a camera near one of the 5 frame and the sub-frame.

The device of claim 1, wherein the sub-frame for holding the device is provided on a first side of the device and the camera is provided on a second, opposite side 10 of the device.

3. Device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the frame comprises of: - a suction cup for coupling the device to a windscreen of a vehicle, and - a basic standard for placing the device on a dashboard of a vehicle.

Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the sub-frame is hingedly connected to the frame.

Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the camera comprises directing means for changing the position of the camera relative to the device in at least one of a horizontal and vertical axis.

Apparatus as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the directing means can be operated from the outside of the apparatus.

7. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, which further comprises at least one of: a power supply for supplying the camera, selected from at least one of a connection to a power supply of the vehicle, a power supply of the electronic device , a battery and a solar cell which is optionally suitably connected to a rechargeable battery for charging thereof; an on / off button for activating and inactivating, respectively, the camera; image processing means for processing image data captured with the camera; 1037442; and storage means for storing image data captured with the camera or for storing processed images.

8. Device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the storage means comprise a replaceable memory storage card.

An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus comprises transfer means for transferring image data or processed images from the camera to the electronic device 10 for storing, processing or displaying the data, the transfer means being selected from wired transfer means and wireless transmission means, for example from one of Bluetooth, WiFi, USB, firewire, HDMI or the like.

Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device is a windscreen holder or a basic standard of an electronic device.

11. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the electronic device is selected from a navigation device, a mobile telephone, a PDA, a computer with a screen, and a television.

12. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the device comprises image processing means for processing image data captured with the camera.

13. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the camera is one of a photo camera and a video camera, for instance a high-definition camera, a night vision camera or a standard definition camera.

14. Use of an apparatus comprising a camera as claimed in any of the claims 1-13, comprising the steps, in any order, of: - providing a vehicle with at least one of a windscreen and a dashboard, - placing of the device using a suction cup on the windshield or using a basic standard on the dashboard, - connecting an electronic device to a sub-frame of the device, and - connecting the camera of the device to the electronic device. 10 * 7442 '