U.S. patent application number 10/752553 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-14 for camera mount.
Invention is credited to Watson, Robert.
Application Number | 20050151042 10/752553 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34862395 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050151042 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Watson, Robert |
July 14, 2005 |
Camera mount
Abstract
A camera mount supports a web camera thereon. The mount includes
a bracket for supporting a light source thereon and a platform
supported on the bracket for receiving the base of the web camera
thereon. The light source may be operable in either flash or
steady-on modes to provide optimum lighting for the web camera. The
platform ensures various designs of web cameras and web camera
bases can be accommodated and supported thereon. The bracket also
readily permits the camera mount to be supported on an upright
supporting surface to remove the clutter of cords from the
workspace on a desk supporting a computer thereon.
Inventors: |
Watson, Robert; (Beausejour,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ADE & COMPANY
1700-360 MAIN STREET
WINNIPEG
MB
R3C3Z3
CA
|
Family ID: |
34862395 |
Appl. No.: |
10/752553 |
Filed: |
January 8, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/226.11 ;
348/E7.079 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16M 13/022 20130101;
F16M 11/2021 20130101; F16M 11/40 20130101; F16M 11/14 20130101;
F16M 2200/022 20130101; H04N 7/142 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/226.11 |
International
Class: |
A47K 001/00 |
Claims
1. A camera mount for supporting a web camera having a lens for
capturing a digital image to be recorded on a computer and a base
for supporting the lens thereon, the camera mount comprising: a
bracket for attachment to an upright supporting surface; a platform
supported on the bracket for receiving the base of the web camera
thereon.
2. The camera mount according to claim 1 wherein the camera is
adjustable in position relative to the bracket.
3. The camera mount according to claim 1 wherein the camera is
pivotal about two axes, oriented transversely to one another,
relative to the bracket.
4. The camera mount according to claim 1 wherein there is provided
a pair of inverted U-shaped clips on the bracket for securement to
a laptop monitor.
5. The camera mount according to claim 1 wherein there is provided
a microphone mount on the bracket.
6. The camera mount according to claim 1 wherein the platform
includes a peripheral lip for supporting the base of the camera
snugly within a perimeter of the peripheral lip.
7. The camera mount according to claim 1 wherein there is provided
a telescoping arm supporting the platform on the bracket.
8. The camera mount according to claim 1 wherein there is provided
a pair of speakers supported on the bracket.
9. The camera mount according to claim 1 wherein there is provided
a pair of lights supported on the bracket.
10. A camera mount for supporting a web camera having a lens for
capturing a digital image to be recorded on a computer and a base
for supporting the lens thereon, the camera mount comprising: a
bracket for supporting a light source thereon; and a platform
supported on the bracket for receiving the base of the web camera
thereon.
11. The camera mount according to claim 10 in combination with the
light source, wherein the light source is supported rearward of the
platform when the camera is supported on the platform to face
forwardly.
12. The camera mount according to claim 11 wherein the light source
is adjustable in position relative to the camera.
13. The camera mount according to claim 10 wherein the light source
and the camera are independently adjustable relative to the
bracket.
14. The camera mount according to claim 10 wherein the bracket is
suitably arranged for being supported on an upright supporting
surface.
15. The camera mount according to claim 10 in combination with the
light source, wherein there is provided switch means for operating
the light source on the bracket.
16. The camera mount according to claim 10 in combination with the
light source, wherein the light source includes a remotely
positioned power source connected to the light source by an
electrical cord and switch means at the power source.
17. The camera mount according to claim 10 in combination with the
light source, wherein the light source and the camera mount are
connectable to a computer and wherein there is provided software
for controlling operation of the light source.
18. The camera mount according to claim 17 wherein the software
permits operation of the light source in a flash camera mode.
19. The camera mount according to claim 17 wherein the camera and
the light source are independently controlled by the light
source.
20. The camera mount according to claim 10 wherein there is
provided a clamp member for clamping to an edge of a horizontal
supporting surface and an upright support slidably supporting the
bracket thereon for height adjustment relative horizontal
supporting surface.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a camera mount for
supporting a web camera on a supporting surface and more
particularly relates to a camera mount for supporting a light
source in combination with a web camera.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The use of a web camera with a computer is well known.
Typically the web camera has a housing supporting a lens therein
for capturing a digital image to be recorded on the computer and a
base for supporting the housing of the lens thereon. The web camera
is typically connected to the computer through a USB port of the
computer by an elongate cord. Various other multimedia related
accessories for the computer including microphones and speakers and
the like, also include elongate cords which can be messy and occupy
considerable desk space surrounding a computer. Other problems
typically associated with web cameras is poor performance as a
result of insufficient lighting.
[0003] Typically, web cameras are supported on an upper, generally
horizontal surface of the computer's monitor with tape and the
like. Many current computers make use of flat screens however which
are difficult to accommodate conventional web camera designs.
[0004] US patents U.S. Pat. No. 4,398,815 to Barzee et al and U.S.
Pat. No. 5,921,523 to South et al each disclose camera mounts for
supporting a camera thereon, however neither is suitably arranged
to support a conventional web camera thereon. Neither camera mount
would permit a web camera to be supported on an upright supporting
surface. Furthermore, the prior art relating to camera mounts
propose no means for supporting a light source suitable for
increasing performance of a web camera.
SUMMARY
[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention there is
provided a camera mount for supporting a web camera having a lens
for capturing a digital image to be recorded on a computer and a
base for supporting the lens thereon, the camera mount
comprising:
[0006] a bracket for supporting a light source thereon; and
[0007] a platform supported on the bracket for receiving the base
of the web camera thereon.
[0008] The use of a bracket for supporting a light source operable
in either flash or steady-on modes and a web camera ensures
sufficient lighting for optimum performance of the web camera. The
use of a platform ensures various designs of web cameras and web
camera bases can be accommodated and supported thereon. The bracket
also readily permits the camera mount to be supported on an upright
supporting surface to remove the clutter of cords from the
workspace on a desk supporting a computer thereon.
[0009] The camera mount may be provided in combination with the
light source, wherein the light source is supported rearward of the
platform when the camera is supported on the platform to face
forwardly.
[0010] Preferably the light source and the camera are independently
adjustable relative to the bracket.
[0011] There may be provided switch means for operating the light
source on the bracket and/or when the light source includes a
remotely positioned power source connected to the light source by
an electrical cord, switch means may be provided at the power
source.
[0012] The light source and the camera mount are preferably
connectable to a computer through USB ports. Preferably software is
provided in this instance for controlling operation of the light
source and the camera independently of one another. The software
may permit operation of the light source in various modes, for
example a flash camera mode or a strobe mode.
[0013] There may be provided a clamp member for clamping to an edge
of a horizontal supporting surface and an upright support slidably
supporting the bracket thereon for height adjustment relative
horizontal supporting surface.
[0014] According to a second aspect of the present invention there
is provided a camera mount for supporting a web camera having a
lens for capturing a digital image to be recorded on a computer and
a base for supporting the lens thereon, the camera mount
comprising:
[0015] a bracket for attachment to an upright supporting
surface;
[0016] a platform supported on the bracket for receiving the base
of the web camera thereon.
[0017] The camera is preferably adjustable in position relative to
the bracket, so as to be pivotal about two axes, oriented
transversely to one another, relative to the bracket. Additional,
there may be provided a telescoping arm supporting the platform on
the bracket for adjusting a relative spacing therebetween.
[0018] There may be provided a pair of inverted U-shaped clips on
the bracket for securement to a laptop monitor.
[0019] The bracket may also include a microphone mount, a pair of
speakers, or various light sources supported thereon.
[0020] The platform may include a peripheral lip for supporting the
base of the camera snugly within a perimeter of the peripheral lip
in a snap-fit configuration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary
embodiments of the present invention:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a first embodiment of
the camera mount.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the camera mount
according to FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a further embodiment of
the camera mount for support on a laptop monitor.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a further embodiment of
the camera mount for support above a horizontal supporting
surface.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a telescoping
embodiment of the camera mount.
[0027] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the camera mount in
combination with a desktop computer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] Referring to the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated
a camera mount generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The
camera mount is suitable for supporting a web camera 12 of the type
typically connected to a computer by suitable cable for recording
either video or still images to the computer in a digital
format.
[0029] While various embodiments of the camera are illustrated in
the accompanying figures, the common elements will first be
described herein. The camera mount 10 includes a platform 14 for
supporting the camera thereon. The camera includes a broad flat
supporting surface which readily accepts the base of various types
of commercially available web cameras 12 to be supported thereon. A
support bracket 16 is provided which can be mounted on a suitable
supporting surface such as a wall and the like or may be adapted
for attachment to a laptop screen in some embodiments. A support
arm 18 couples the platform to the support bracket for supporting
the camera 12 on the supporting surface to which the bracket is
attached. A light mount 20 is provided on the bracket 16 for
supporting a light source 22 thereon.
[0030] Turning now to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 the platform
14 includes a raised peripheral lip which snugly receives a base 26
of the camera 12 snugly within the perimeter of the lip 24 such
that the web camera can be securely snap-fit onto the platform. A
microphone mount 28 is positioned on the bracket for supporting a
microphone 30 thereon.
[0031] The support arm 18 is formed with two pivot joints 32
therein which pivot about respective axis oriented perpendicularly
to one another. Also, the platform connects to the free end of the
support arm 18 with a ball and socket joint so that the platform 14
can be freely positioned in various orientations relative to the
support bracket 16. The joints are all friction joints permitting
the joints to remain in a set position once manually adjusted while
additionally supporting the weight of the camera 12 and microphone
30 in the selected orientation of the support arm 18.
[0032] The bracket 16 generally comprises a mounting plate 34
having fastener apertures 36 formed therein to permit the use of
fasteners for attachment of the mounting plate to a wall or other
suitable supporting surface. Receptacles 38 are supported on the
mounting plate 34 for selectively supporting lights 22 thereon. A
pair of the receptacles 38 are provided at spaced positions on
opposing sides of the support arm 18 mounted to the bracket. The
mounting plate 34 also supports a pair of switches 40 thereon which
can be wired in series with the lights 22 respectively.
[0033] The lights 22 each include an elongate flexible rod 42 which
carries wiring therethrough from a base end received in the
receptacles 38 to a free end supporting a light bulb 44 thereon.
The rods 42 are flexible and are sufficiently stiff to remain in a
selected orientation once manually adjusted. Wiring delivering
power to the bulbs 44 is connected through the switches 40 to
respective power converters 46 formed in desk top units locating
additional switches 48 therein. The elongate cords connecting the
power converters 46 to the bracket 16 permits the switches 48 to be
positioned remotely from the light sources 22. Adjacent the bulb 44
of each light, a rod 50 is provided which acts as a handle for
readily positioning the bulb. A series of lenses 52 are provided
which include a snap fit socket which can be secured to the rod 50
to position the lenses to span an opening of the housing locating
each bulb 44 therein.
[0034] The bracket 16 also includes two speaker receptacles 54
formed on the mounting plate which selectively receive respective
speaker mounts. The receptacles 54 are located on opposing sides
respectively of the arm 18 mounting the camera thereon to permit
speakers 56 to be mounted on opposing sides of the camera and light
source. Each speaker mount generally comprises an elongate flexible
support arm with a bracket at a free end thereof for supporting a
respective one of the speakers 56 thereon to permit speaker
position to be manually adjusted as desired.
[0035] Turning now to the embodiment of FIG. 3, the bracket 16 is
adapted to include inverted U-shaped clips 60 which can be secured
overtop of the top edge of a lap top display monitor 62 in a snap
fit engagement therewith. The remaining features of the bracket
including the adjustable support arm 18 and light sources 22 remain
identical to the previous embodiment.
[0036] Turning now to FIG. 4 a further embodiment of the bracket 16
is illustrated for support on a horizontal desk top surface 66 and
the like. A clamp 68 adjustably clamps over an edge at a periphery
of the desk surface 66. A pair of mounting rods 70 extend
vertically upward therefrom for slidably supporting the support
bracket 16 thereon. The support bracket 16 in this instance
includes mounting apertures slidably receiving the rod
therethrough. The rod in this instance is notched at spaced
positions for cooperation with a spring loaded bearing located in
the apertures of the support bracket which receive the rods
therethrough. The bearings cooperate with the notches and the rods
70 for selectively supporting the bracket 16 at any one of the
spaced notches along the rod similar to many conventional
click-stop mounting configurations.
[0037] As illustrated in FIG. 5, in a further embodiment of the
support arm 18, the arm may be provided with telescopic sections 72
to permit the platform 14 to be extended away from the bracket as
desired. Preferably the telescopic sections 72 are located between
the pivot joints 32 of the arm and the platform to permit
telescopic extension in any desired direction as set by the joints
32.
[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 6 both the camera and the lights
supported on the bracket 16 may be coupled to the USB ports of a
computer including suitable software thereon for controlling
activation of the camera and lights independently of one another by
selecting options displayed on the monitor using a mouse. The
software control permits the light source to be activated as a
camera flash when taking still pictures with the camera, or may
cause the lights to remain in a steady on position when using the
camera for video. Independently of camera use, the lights can also
be controlled for strobe operation or for dimming and the like. In
combination with the various lenses that can be snap-fit onto the
rod of the light sources 22, various lighting configurations are
possible.
[0039] In the various embodiments described herein, the support arm
may be extendable and provided with various joints including
knuckle joints or knee joints to permit the camera or a mic to be
readily positioned in relation to the mounting bracket supporting
the camera thereon. Various platform designs are possible to
accommodate different styles of cameras. In some embodiments the
support arm 18 may be controlled by actuators to adjust the
position thereof remotely or manually as desired. Variation of the
platform may also be accomplished to support various designs of
mics thereon.
[0040] The incorporation of speakers are also possible as described
above by either providing mounting locations on the support bracket
16 or on the platform 14 in which case the position of the speakers
are adjustable with the camera.
[0041] When using software control, an icon may be provided of the
task bar of the computer desktop to permit control of the lights
including dimming functions and the like.
[0042] Installation of a chip would permit the lights to work as a
flash for still pictures powered by a computer via USB ports and
the like. The platform itself can be designed to form various
shapes representative of any desired object of which the appearance
is desirable.
[0043] By providing a camera mount according to the present
invention, much of the clutter and mess from cables and the like
are removed from the desk surface supporting the computer thereon.
Furthermore no sticky tape or other mounting configurations
including screw holes and the like are required to be attached to
the monitor. The wires operating the camera and light sources can
instead run along the wall behind a desk or other supporting
surface of the computer. The camera mount also permits a web camera
to be supported in instances where flat screens previously did not
permit support of the camera at all. The lighting is operable
independently of the camera to permit lighting of a workspace
surrounding the computer as desired. The light sources preferably
operate from twelve volt transformers which consume minimal power
while permitting operation through the computer control as
desired.
[0044] In some embodiments the platform 14 may be provided by
itself with the support bracket simply for supporting the camera
thereon out of the way of the user. It is desirable however to
provide a combination of a support for lights and for a web camera
to ensure adequate lighting when using the video mode of the web
camera. The lights in this instance are supported rearwardly of the
camera to eliminate glare on the camera lens. In some embodiments
the bracket may be adapted to support a combination of a camera, a
microphone, light sources and speakers to permit all wiring of
accessories relating to multimedia computer tools to be held out of
the way rearwardly of the computer.
[0045] While various embodiments of the present invention have been
described in the foregoing, it is to be understood that other
embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention. The
invention is to be considered limited solely by the scope of the
appended Claims.
* * * * *