WO2001006764A1

WO2001006764A1 - Personal computer video and still camera housing having a removable lens and single pivot point for camera tilt

Info

Publication number: WO2001006764A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/019773
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joseph Pinzarrone
Original assignee: Acco Brands, Inc.
Priority date: 1999-07-19
Filing date: 2000-07-19
Publication date: 2001-01-25
Also published as: AU6356500A; WO2001006764A9

Abstract

A camera assembly (100) that uses a single swivel point to allow the camera (104) to tilt up an down while the camera base (102) remains in a stationary position. An easily removable, and replaceable lens (106) is provided. The lens (106) can be inserted into, or removed from the camera body by simply pushing, or pulling, the lens, respectively. The lens focus is adjustable by twisting the lens. A lens cap (192) for the lens is secured to the back of the camera (104) when the camera (104) is in use and can be placed over the lens to cover it, as desired.

Description

PERSONAL COMPUTER VIDEO AND STILL CAMERA HOUSING HAVING A REMOVABLE LENS AND SINGLE PIVOT POINT FOR

CAMERA TILT

CLAIM OF PRIORITY This invention claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Serial No. 60/144,600 filed 7/19/99 which is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in full in this specification.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to cameras and more specifically to a camera interfacing to a personal computer where the camera uses a swivel joint for tilt positioning and a detachable lens. It is becoming increasingly popular to connect a video camera, or still camera, to a personal computer (PC). By interfacing a camera with the computer, a user is able to capture still images and motion sequences; and store, process, transfer or otherwise manipulate the images. Although traditional PC cameras strive for extremely low-cost it is desirable to provide such cameras with as many features as possible. For example, PC cameras are often mounted onto, or adjacent to, a computer's monitor. Often this means that the cameras are stationary and cannot be easily adjusted. Usually, such cameras are provided with one degree of rotation by mounting the camera body on a base with two pivot points, or swivel joints, in-line with each other. Another desirable feature for PC cameras is that the lens be removable.

This allows replacement of the lens, substitution of different lenses, cleaning of the lens, etc. However, making the lens removable typically results in a more complicated design to allow for easy removal and replacement while keeping proper alignment of the lens with an imaging mechanism such as a charge-coupled device (CCD) or CMOS sensor. Thus, it is desirable to provide a digital camera, such as for a PC, with features as discussed above while still maintaining low cost and high reliability. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a camera, such as a digital camera for a personal computer, that uses a single swivel point to allow the camera to tilt up an down while the camera base remains in a stationary position. An easily removable, and replaceable, lens is provided. The lens can be inserted into, or removed from, the camera body by simply pushing, or pulling, the lens, respectively. The lens focus is adjustable by twisting the lens. A lens cap for the lens is secured to the back of the camera when the camera is in use and can be placed over the lens to cover it, as desired.

In one embodiment the invention provides a camera assembly comprising a base section for allowing the camera assembly to be placed on a surface; and a camera section for receiving optical images and transferring the images electronically to a processing device, wherein the camera section is pivotably coupled to the base section by a single pivot point.

In another embodiment the invention provides a camera assembly comprising a front and back surface; a camera lens coupled to the front surface; and a lens cap holder coupled to the back surface.

In another embodiment the invention provides a camera assembly comprising a front surface; and a lens removably secured to the front surface by a deformable friction ring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the camera of the present invention; Fig. 2 shows a side view of the camera;

Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of the lens assembly of the camera of the present invention;

Fig. 4 A illustrates first details of the friction ring;

Fig. 4B illustrates second details of the friction ring; Fig. 5 shows details of the lens housing for receiving the friction ring;

Fig. 6 shows details of the pivot coupling of the present invention;

Fig. 7 shows an expanded view of the retaining ring; and

Fig. 8 shows the camera in a perspective view from the rear. DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the camera assembly of the present invention. In Fig. 1, camera 100 is made up of two basic sections. Base section 102 serves as a stationary mount for camera section 104. Camera section 104 includes lens 106. Camera section 104 pivots about a horizontal axis that is located toward the top of the camera assembly as indicated by a line from A to A' prime. Fig. 2 shows a side view of the camera. In Fig. 2, the pivot point is indicated by an "X" in a circle. Note that the camera is shown with the camera section tilted upward slightly. In the Figures, identically numbered items in different Figures are used to refer to the same item. In other words, items 102, 104 and 106 of Fig. 2 correspond to the same items in Fig. 1. Namely, base section 102, camera section 104 and lens 106. Camera section 104 can pivot about the pivot point to tilt upwards (as shown in Fig. 2). Camera section 104 can also be set to a level tilt (i.e., no tilt) or be made to tilt downwards. Note that the present design uses only a single pivot point between base section 102 and camera section 104. This is discussed in more detail below. Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of the lens assembly of the camera of the present invention.

In Fig. 3, lens 106 attaches to friction ring 122. The lens attaches to the friction ring by means of a threaded coupling at 118. Thus, as lens 106 is rotated, it moves into, or out of, friction ring 122 as the threaded portion 118 fits to the interior of friction ring 122.

Friction ring 122, in turn, can be pushed inside lens housing 124. Lens housing 124 is mounted to printed circuit board 128 so that it is situated over image sensor 126. In the preferred embodiment, two screws are used through the screw holes, shown in Fig. 3, to mate lens housing 124 to put in circuit board 128. Thus, lens 106 is threaded into friction ring 122. Friction ring 122 is seated within lens housing 124 by a close-fitting friction, or tension. Lens housing 124 aligns lens 106 over imaging sensor 126. Note that any type of image sensor, such as a CCD, CMOS or MOS chip, can be used. The printed circuit board 128 is fixed within camera section 104. Lens 106 is the same lens referred to as 106 in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Figs. 4A and 4B illustrate details of friction ring 122 of Fig. 3.

In Fig. 4A, a cross-section of friction ring 122 is shown. Fig. 4B shows a cross section along the line A- A of Fig. 4A. Note the two ring grooves 140 around the body of friction ring 122. These grooves receive a ring of flexible material such as rubber, silicone, etc. to provide adequate friction between friction ring 122 and lens housing 124. This provides enough grip to keep the lens in place while also allowing for the lens to be inserted and removed from lens housing 124 with a slight amount of force by a human hand.

Fig. 5 shows details of the lens housing 124 for receiving friction ring 122. Fig. 6 shows details of the pivot coupling, or "knuckle" of the present invention.

In Fig. 6, base section 102 includes retaining catch 140. Base section 102 is shown with its surface material removed so that retaining catch 140 can be viewed. Retaining catch 140 includes two catch arms 160. Catch arms 160 are designed to insert in the space between rod 162 and ring 164 which are mounted to camera section 104.

In order to mate base section 102 with camera section 104, camera section 104 is moved so that rod 162 is inserted inside retaining catch 104. This causes arms 160 to move inside ring 164 and to grip the insides of ring 164 so that the two sections become locked together. Arms 160 are positioned so that they create an outward force against ring 164 thus allowing camera assembly 104 to rotate about retention ring 140 yet keeping the two sections together. Rod 162 acts to guide arms 160 into proper position rod 162 is inserted between the arms and also prevents camera section 104 from moving out of alignment with the pivot point when the two sections are mated.

Fig. 7 shows an expanded view of retaining ring 140 and rod 162. In Fig. 7, retaining ring 140 is shown with arms 160 which are to be inserted in the space on either side of rod 162. Ring 164 includes a rubber (or other pliable material) ring 180 to help cause friction at the pivot area to keep the camera section at a specific tilt when the camera is pivoted to that tilt angle by a human hand. That is, once retaining ring 140 and ring 164 are brought into tight contact by arms 160, the camera will stay in the tilt position to which it is moved by hand.

Fig. 8 shows the camera in a perspective view from the rear.

In Fig. 8, lens cap 192 can be fitted onto lens 106 when the camera is not being used. Also, lens cap 192 can be stored on the back of the camera by placing it onto protrusion 190. Protrusion 190 and lens 106 each have approximately the same outside diameter so that lens cap 192 can be conveniently placed at either position.

Although the present invention has been discussed with respect to specific embodiments, these embodiments are merely illustrative, and not restrictive, of the invention. The scope of the invention is to be determined solely by the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

L A camera assembly comprising a base section for allowing the camera assembly to be placed on a surface; and a camera section for receiving optical images and transferring the images electronically to a processing device, wherein the camera section is pivotably coupled to the base section by a single pivot point.

2. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the pivot point allows the camera section to tilt in a vertical direction.

3. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the pivot point allows the camera section to pan in a horizontal direction.

4. A camera assembly comprising a front and back surface; a camera lens coupled to the front surface; and a lens cap holder coupled to the back surface.

5. The camera assembly of claim 4, wherein the lens cap holder includes a cylindrical protrusion approximating the diameter of a round lens cap so that the round lens cap can be removably placed onto the cylindrical protrusion.

6. A camera assembly comprising a front surface; and a lens removably secured to the front surface by a deformable friction ring.