WO1999026411A1 - Camera video se portant sur un doigt - Google Patents

Camera video se portant sur un doigt Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1999026411A1
WO1999026411A1 PCT/US1998/024000 US9824000W WO9926411A1 WO 1999026411 A1 WO1999026411 A1 WO 1999026411A1 US 9824000 W US9824000 W US 9824000W WO 9926411 A1 WO9926411 A1 WO 9926411A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
camera
finger
holder
mountable
miniature
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1998/024000
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Ron Boudreau
Elizabeth Goodrich
Rick Shamel
Jory Tsai
Original Assignee
Aqua Communications, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Aqua Communications, Inc. filed Critical Aqua Communications, Inc.
Publication of WO1999026411A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999026411A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
    • H04N23/50—Constructional details
    • H04N23/555—Constructional details for picking-up images in sites, inaccessible due to their dimensions or hazardous conditions, e.g. endoscopes or borescopes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
    • H04N23/50—Constructional details

Definitions

  • the invention relates generally to video cameras. Specifically, the invention relates to portable miniature video cameras.
  • an individual performing maintenance on a piece of machinery may be required to access an area within the machinery itself or in an external hard-to-see place. Such access may be required to allow damage to the area to be assessed, or to remove, replace, repair, or otherwise manipulate the components.
  • An inability of the maintainer to see the area in which he is reaching his hand may subject the individual to hazards from, for example, lose electrical wires, sharp edges, gears, or hot objects.
  • the maintainer may not be able to adequately diagnose a problem if he can not view the area he is inspecting, e.g., corrosion inside a fuel tank. Additionally, he may not be able to efficiently conduct repairs on components not viewable by him, e.g., a wire harness within a car dashboard.
  • an insurance adjuster who routinely travels to a variety of locations to view and inspect property damage, may encounter situations in which certain areas are not in plain view to him. Such an area might be the interior of a demolished automobile, which cannot be adequately inspected from vantage points external to the car. However, the situation may be such that the adjuster could access with one hand the area he wishes to inspect within the demolished car. In other situations, safety may dictate that the adjuster not touch the item he is inspecting, e.g., where the item is physically unstable.
  • the inspector might want to see underneath a collapsed roof, but only has adequate access to reach his hand inside the area.
  • the need to preserve a scene may also dictate that an item remain undisturbed, although something not in plain view merits inspection.
  • the ability of the adjuster to inspect critical areas is therefore compromised in situations where he can not otherwise view critical areas.
  • the invention is a finger-mountable video camera.
  • the size of the video camera is such that it can be mounted to an individual's finger. Preferably, it is mounted such as to allow the individual to have use of that finger and his hand to perform manipulations of objects in constrained spaces. Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment, no significant dexterity of the hand or fingers is lost due to the mounting of the finger-mountable video camera to the finger.
  • the finger-mountable video camera includes a mini-camera and a camera adapter.
  • the mini-camera includes a camera housing, a camera output port, image processing electronics, and a camera lens.
  • the mini-camera also includes a light source.
  • the camera housing encases the electronics, lens, light source, and camera output port. Also, the camera housing is made of lightweight and durable materials to provide protection for the camera and light source against damage from occasional jarring and impact, which may occur from routine use.
  • the camera electronics process the video signals received by the camera lens, translate the signals into image data, and transmit the data to the camera port.
  • the camera electronics, camera lens, and light source are known in the art and will not be discussed in detail herein.
  • the light source when turned on, illuminates the area within the field of view of the camera, which is also the area accessed by the hand on which the finger video camera is mounted.
  • the light source allows the area to be visible on a display screen that receives the image data.
  • the video camera port is a standard cable connector, in the preferred embodiment, providing a mechanism by which a camera cable can carry image data from the mini-camera to a video receiver.
  • the camera port also receives a light source control signal, which turns the light source on and off. Additionally, the camera port receives a power on/off signal, which turns the camera on and off.
  • the camera adapter includes a camera holder, a camera holder base, and a finger ring.
  • the camera holder allows the mini-camera to be secured within the camera adapter.
  • the miniature video camera is removable from the camera holder.
  • the miniature video camera and the camera holder are permanently attached.
  • the finger-mountable video camera may be secured to a single finger on an individual's hand.
  • the finger ring is comprised of a base platform secured to a finger-securing element.
  • the camera holder base interconnects the camera holder and finger ring.
  • the camera holder base is maneuverable and allows the camera holder to rotate up to +60 degrees relative to the finger ring.
  • Figure 1 is a side view of the finger-mountable video camera in accordance with the preferred embodiment.
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of the mini-camera portion of the finger- mountable video camera of Figure 1.
  • Figures 3A and 3B are a front perspective view and a top perspective view, respectively, of the camera adapter of the finger-mountable video camera of Figure 1.
  • Figure 1 is an illustration, from a side view, of the preferred embodiment of the finger-mountable video camera 100.
  • the overall size and weight of the finger-mountable video camera 100 are such that the finger- mountable video camera can be mounted on an individual's finger and not significantly impair the dexterity of that finger or the hand generally.
  • the finger-mountable video camera 100 is small enough so that the individual's ability to access physically constrained areas is not significantly compromised. That is, the profile of the camera 100 is small enough that a person's hand with the camera 100 mounted on a finger would fit into nearly any space that his or her hand would fit into without the camera 100.
  • the finger-mountable video camera 100 is comprised of two primary elements, namely, a mini-camera 110 and a camera adapter 120.
  • the mini-camera 110 of the preferred embodiment is about the diameter of a typical adult's index finger and about half the length of the finger.
  • the camera adapter 120 includes a camera holder 122, to which may be secured the mini-camera 110, a camera holder base 124, and a finger ring 126.
  • the mini-camera 110 snaps into the camera holder 122 portion of camera adapter 120.
  • mini-camera 110 Use of a holder material with a sufficient degree of elasticity, such as many commercial grade plastics, allows the mini-camera 110 to be attached to and removed from the camera holder 122 without any permanent deformation of camera holder 122 occurring. Accordingly, the camera holder is expanded to allow the mini-camera 110 to be inserted and then contracts, in accordance with its elasticity, to partially encircle and securely grip mini-camera 100. While the mini-camera 110 is removable from the camera holder 122 in the preferred embodiment, mini-camera 110 could also be integrated into or immovably secured to camera holder 122 in other embodiments.
  • the camera holder 122 attaches to the camera holder base 124 which provides a maneuverable connection between the camera holder 122 and the finger ring 126.
  • Finger ring 126 includes a base platform 128 and a finger-securing element 130, which are rigidly secured together.
  • the camera holder base 124 immovably secures to the base platform 128.
  • the finger-securing element 130 and base platform 128 operate in combination to snugly attach the finger-mountable video camera to an individual's finger and, thereby, allow the camera to move with the finger.
  • FIG 2 is a perspective view of the mini-camera 110 of the preferred embodiment.
  • the mini-camera 110 is small in size and lightweight relative to a typical adult's finger, allowing the dexterity of the finger and hand to remain substantially unimpaired.
  • the mini-camera 110 includes a camera housing 112, which serves as the basic structure of the mini-camera 110 and encases and protects the components of the mini- camera 110 from damage that might otherwise occur from minor bumping during regular usage.
  • the camera housing 112 is made of a durable and rigid plastic material.
  • the camera components include a camera lens 114 and camera electronics (not shown).
  • the camera lens 114 is rigidly secured into a front portion of camera housing 112.
  • the camera electronics Internal to camera housing 112, the camera electronics, including image processing circuitry, are securely located.
  • the camera electronics translate the image received through the camera lens 114 into video image data.
  • the camera electronics then transmit the video image data out of the mini-camera 110 through a camera port 116 located at the rear of the camera housing 112 to a video receiver, e.g., a video display or video recorder.
  • camera port 116 is an electrical connector, to which a video cable 140 incorporating a compatible electrical connector 142 is attached to accomplish the transmission of video image data to the video receiver.
  • Such video cables and connectors are well known in the art and not described in detail herein.
  • a light source 118 is integrated into the front of the camera housing 112.
  • the light source 118 is a light emitting diode (LED).
  • the light source 118 is oriented, relative to the camera lens 114, in the housing 112 such that the light source 118 illuminates that area which the mini-camera 110 seeks to capture and, presumably, which the individual is manipulating with the hand or inspecting.
  • the light source 118 is controlled remotely by the reception of a light source on or off signal via the camera port 116, but could also be controlled by other means, e.g., a switch on housing 112.
  • the mini-camera 110 is turned on and off remotely by the reception of a power on/off signal via the camera port 116, in the preferred embodiment, but could also be controlled by other means.
  • the camera lens 114, light source 118, and camera electronics are known in the art and are commercially available components, which are not discussed in great detail herein.
  • the camera adapter 120 of the preferred embodiment is shown from the front view.
  • the camera adapter 120 includes a camera holder 122, a camera holder base 124, and a finger ring 126.
  • the camera holder 122 allows a mini-camera 110 to be securely affixed to the adapter 120.
  • the camera holder base 124 interconnects the camera holder 122 and finger ring 126.
  • the interconnection provided by the camera holder base 124 between the camera holder 122 and finger ring 126 is a maneuverable interconnection.
  • the maneuverable interconnection allows the camera holder 122 and a mini-camera 110 mounted therein to rotate axially up to +60° with respect to finger ring 126 and centerline 144 and about center point 146 of Figure 3B.
  • Arrows 148 and 150 depict the direction of rotation of camera holder 122 with respect to finger ring 126.
  • the rotational connection between the camera holder base 124 and finger ring 126 includes a rigid connection between the camera holder 122 and camera holder base 124 and a rotatable connection between the camera holder base 124 and finger ring 126.
  • the camera holder base 124 includes a post (not shown) which extends downwardly from the camera holder base 124 and is mounted within an opening (not shown) in the finger ring 126 at center point 146.
  • the post is rotatable within the opening, but is also secured within the opening such that the camera holder base 124 and finger ring 126 maintain their connection throughout typical operations.
  • Other similar mechanisms may also be used to achieve a rotatable connection, or, alternatively, the connection between the camera holder 122 and finger ring 126 could be a rigid, i.e., non-rotatable, connection.
  • Finger ring 126 is comprised of a base platform 128 and a finger- securing element 130.
  • the camera holder base 124 is secured to base platform 128 so that it is not removable.
  • the base platform 128 and the finger-securing element 130 are used together to secure the mini- camera 110 to an individual's finger.
  • the base platform 128 is concave to allow a secure attachment across the top of an individual's finger.
  • the finger-securing element 130 is a strap, which is capable of being tightened to adapt the finger- mountable video camera 100 to one's finger. Tightening strap 130 causes the base platform 128 to be pulled downward on to the top of the individual's finger, while the strap itself is simultaneously pulled upward from the bottom of the finger, creating a snug fit.
  • Such a mechanism allows the finger- mountable video camera 100 to be tightly secured to one's finger, so the finger-mountable video camera does not become loose during operation. While the strap is shown in the preferred embodiment, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that other types of securing elements would also suffice for securing the finger-mountable video camera 100 to one's finger.
  • the camera holder base 124 provides a maneuverable connection between the mini-camera 110 and finger ring 126, but such a maneuverable connection could be achieved in a variety of other ways as well.
  • maneuverability of the mini-camera could include motion in other directions and to other degrees.
  • video image processing is described as taking place within the mini-camera 110, it could also occur external to the mini-camera 110, e.g., at the display or an intermediate processor.
  • the mini-camera is described as a video camera in the preferred embodiment, a camera which captures still images may also be used in certain situations.
  • the present invention is described with respect to one camera embodiment, other miniature cameras may also be used with the invention, so long as they do not substantially impair one's dexterity or significantly affect one's ability to access small areas.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Studio Devices (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne une caméra vidéo (100) qui se porte sur le doigt, l'ensemble étant constitué d'une mini-caméra (110) et d'un adaptateur de caméra (120). De par ses dimensions et son poids, la caméra vidéo ne limite sensiblement pas la liberté de mouvement du doigt ou de la main de l'utilisateur, et ce, sans même faire véritablement obstacle à l'accès à des espaces limités. La mini-caméra comporte une source lumineuse et un connecteur pour caméra. La source lumineuse sert à éclairer les objets dans le champ de l'optique de la caméra. Le connecteur permet d'envoyer à un autre dispositif l'image vidéo numérique. L'adaptateur de caméra comporte un support de caméra (122), un socle de support de caméra (124), et une bague pour le doigt (126). Le support de caméra est fixé sur le socle de support de caméra. Le socle de support de caméra permet d'orienter le support de caméra de ±60° par rapport à la bague portée au doigt. Cette bague portée au doigt, qui permet de faire tenir sur le doigt d'un individu la caméra vidéo se portant sur le doigt, est constituée d'un plateau en socle et d'un élément de fixation au doigt.
PCT/US1998/024000 1997-11-13 1998-11-10 Camera video se portant sur un doigt WO1999026411A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US6524297P 1997-11-13 1997-11-13
US60/065,242 1997-11-13
US17898798A 1998-10-26 1998-10-26
US09/178,987 1998-10-26

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1999026411A1 true WO1999026411A1 (fr) 1999-05-27

Family

ID=26745377

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1998/024000 WO1999026411A1 (fr) 1997-11-13 1998-11-10 Camera video se portant sur un doigt

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO1999026411A1 (fr)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8262560B2 (en) * 2001-04-20 2012-09-11 Tyco Healthcare Group Lp Imaging device for use with a surgical device
CN107493410A (zh) * 2017-08-08 2017-12-19 上海浩创亘永科技有限公司 一种指环式无线摄像设备
WO2019234144A1 (fr) * 2018-06-08 2019-12-12 Bic Violex S.A Accessoire de rasage intelligent
WO2020102237A1 (fr) * 2018-11-13 2020-05-22 Opkix, Inc. Supports portables pour appareil photo portable
US11558538B2 (en) 2016-03-18 2023-01-17 Opkix, Inc. Portable camera system
RU2794341C1 (ru) * 2022-02-28 2023-04-17 Димитрий Сергеевич Алёшин Система визуализации для медицинских целей

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4133603A (en) * 1977-05-25 1979-01-09 Inouye Hajime Extra hand magnifying glass
US5079629A (en) * 1991-02-08 1992-01-07 Dan Oz Optical viewing device and system including same
WO1996027991A1 (fr) * 1995-03-03 1996-09-12 Helfgott & Karas, P.C. Dispositif d'observation visuelle et systeme le contenant
US5598846A (en) * 1995-12-21 1997-02-04 Hewlett-Packard Company Rotatable ultrasound transducer finger probe
WO1998000069A1 (fr) * 1996-07-01 1998-01-08 University Of Massachusetts Instruments chirurgicaux minimalement invasifs montes sur l'extremite des doigts, et procedes d'utilisation

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4133603A (en) * 1977-05-25 1979-01-09 Inouye Hajime Extra hand magnifying glass
US5079629A (en) * 1991-02-08 1992-01-07 Dan Oz Optical viewing device and system including same
WO1996027991A1 (fr) * 1995-03-03 1996-09-12 Helfgott & Karas, P.C. Dispositif d'observation visuelle et systeme le contenant
US5598846A (en) * 1995-12-21 1997-02-04 Hewlett-Packard Company Rotatable ultrasound transducer finger probe
WO1998000069A1 (fr) * 1996-07-01 1998-01-08 University Of Massachusetts Instruments chirurgicaux minimalement invasifs montes sur l'extremite des doigts, et procedes d'utilisation

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8262560B2 (en) * 2001-04-20 2012-09-11 Tyco Healthcare Group Lp Imaging device for use with a surgical device
US11558538B2 (en) 2016-03-18 2023-01-17 Opkix, Inc. Portable camera system
CN107493410A (zh) * 2017-08-08 2017-12-19 上海浩创亘永科技有限公司 一种指环式无线摄像设备
WO2019234144A1 (fr) * 2018-06-08 2019-12-12 Bic Violex S.A Accessoire de rasage intelligent
CN112088076A (zh) * 2018-06-08 2020-12-15 比克维奥莱克斯公司 智能剃刮配件
JP2021525115A (ja) * 2018-06-08 2021-09-24 ビック・バイオレクス・エス・エー スマートシェービング付属品
US11529745B2 (en) 2018-06-08 2022-12-20 BIC Violex Single Member S.A. Smart shaving accessory
CN112088076B (zh) * 2018-06-08 2023-10-10 比克维奥莱克斯公司 智能剃刮配件
WO2020102237A1 (fr) * 2018-11-13 2020-05-22 Opkix, Inc. Supports portables pour appareil photo portable
US11300857B2 (en) 2018-11-13 2022-04-12 Opkix, Inc. Wearable mounts for portable camera
RU2794341C1 (ru) * 2022-02-28 2023-04-17 Димитрий Сергеевич Алёшин Система визуализации для медицинских целей

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7758495B2 (en) Remote inspection device
US7584534B2 (en) Remote inspection device
US10009519B2 (en) Self-leveling camera heads
US7384308B2 (en) Detachable coupling for a remote inspection device
US6091453A (en) Hand held remote camera
US7369174B2 (en) Helmet-mounted thermal imaging system
US7581988B2 (en) Detachable coupling for a remote inspection device
US8773537B2 (en) Night vision system
US8471917B2 (en) Night vision camera mount quick disconnect
US7532233B2 (en) Vehicle monitoring apparatus
US20070188604A1 (en) Endoscope system
US20060215013A1 (en) Device for coupling an endoscope to a videophone
US20060158549A1 (en) Remote viewing apparatus
US20020131781A1 (en) Self-leveling camera
GB2475756A (en) Fibre optic end face inspection probe and system
US20100103267A1 (en) Night vision system
WO2020047598A1 (fr) Système de commutateur de détection de mode de fonctionnement et système de montage multi-orienté pour un dispositif de vision nocturne monté sur un casque
WO1999026411A1 (fr) Camera video se portant sur un doigt
KR101260730B1 (ko) 자동차 점검을 위한 휴대용 디지털 영상 진단세트
US20100277578A1 (en) Inspection camera
JP6727517B2 (ja) 撮像装置、システム、及びこのシステムを装備したフォークリフト
US20030090787A1 (en) Optical assembly for viewing at night or under other vision impaired conditions
JP3522766B2 (ja) 光学検視装置およびそれを含む光学検視システム
JP2002238849A (ja) 医療的な診断、特に歯科的な診断のための手持ち器具
CA2314776A1 (fr) Dispositif portatif de surveillance video

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): JP

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase