U.S. patent application number 15/456036 was filed with the patent office on 2017-07-06 for wearable camera systems and apparatus for aligning an eyewear camera.
This patent application is currently assigned to POGOTEC, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is POGOTEC, INC.. Invention is credited to Ronald D. Blum.
Application Number | 20170195529 15/456036 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55181375 |
Filed Date | 2017-07-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170195529 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Blum; Ronald D. |
July 6, 2017 |
WEARABLE CAMERA SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR ALIGNING AN EYEWEAR
CAMERA
Abstract
A wearable camera system includes an eyewear which includes a
temple and a lens and a camera coupled to eyewear, the camera
having a field of view. The wearable camera system further includes
a marker coupled to the eyewear, the camera, or both, the marker
positionable on or in front of the lens of the eyewear at a
location such that when a wearer of the eyewear aligns the marker
with a target, the field of view of the camera includes the
target.
Inventors: |
Blum; Ronald D.; (Roanoke,
VA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
POGOTEC, INC. |
ROANOKE |
VA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
POGOTEC, INC.
ROANOKE
VA
|
Family ID: |
55181375 |
Appl. No.: |
15/456036 |
Filed: |
March 10, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14832723 |
Aug 21, 2015 |
9635222 |
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15456036 |
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14816995 |
Aug 3, 2015 |
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14832723 |
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62039997 |
Aug 21, 2014 |
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62045246 |
Sep 3, 2014 |
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62032589 |
Aug 3, 2014 |
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62045246 |
Sep 3, 2014 |
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62086747 |
Dec 3, 2014 |
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62091697 |
Dec 15, 2014 |
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62153999 |
Apr 28, 2015 |
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62048820 |
Sep 11, 2014 |
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62052910 |
Sep 19, 2014 |
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62053275 |
Sep 22, 2014 |
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62140276 |
Mar 30, 2015 |
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62154007 |
Apr 28, 2015 |
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62080437 |
Nov 17, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 5/2251 20130101;
G06F 3/013 20130101; G06F 1/1686 20130101; H04N 5/23293 20130101;
H04N 5/2257 20130101; H04N 5/335 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/225 20060101
H04N005/225; H04N 5/232 20060101 H04N005/232 |
Claims
1. A wearable camera system comprising: an eyewear including a
temple and a lens; a camera coupled to the eyewear and having a
field of view; and a marker coupled to the eyewear, the camera, or
both, wherein the marker is positioned on or in front of the lens
of the eyewear at a location to cause a visual interference within
a field of view of a wearer corresponding to a location within the
field of view of the camera such that when the wearer of the
eyewear aligns the marker with a target, the field of view of the
camera includes the target.
2. The wearable camera system of claim 1, further comprising an
alignment indicator comprising the marker, the alignment indicator
pivotably coupled to the camera.
3. The wearable camera system of claim 2, wherein the alignment
indicator comprises an arm coupling the marker to the camera and
configured to pivot between a deployed position in which the marker
is positioned in the location to a stowed position in which the
marker is adjacent to the camera.
4. The wearable camera system of claim 3, wherein the arm is
aligned with a horizontal orientation of the image capture device
when the arm is in the deployed position.
5. The wearable camera system of claim 1, further comprising a
sheet of static cling material comprising the marker.
6. The wearable camera system of claim 5, wherein the sheet
includes a camera portion comprising a camera aperture, the sheet
further including an eyewear portion comprising the marker.
7. The wearable camera system of claim 6, wherein the camera
aperture has a lateral dimension equal to or greater than a
diameter of the camera lens.
8. The wearable camera system of claim 5, wherein the sheet
includes a view finder window, and wherein the marker is located
inside the view finder window.
9. The wearable camera system of claim 5, wherein at least a
portion of the sheet is optically transparent.
10. The wearable camera system of claim 1, further comprising an
image framing apparatus removably coupled to the eyewear and
comprising the marker.
11. The wearable camera system of claim 10, wherein the image
framing apparatus includes a first image frame outline, wherein the
marker is within the first image frame outline.
12. The wearable camera system of claim 11, wherein the image
framing apparatus includes a second image frame outline enclosed by
the first image frame outline.
13. The wearable camera system of claim 11, wherein the camera is
povotably between a first orientation and a second orientation, and
wherein the first image frame outline is configured to provide an
approximation of an image to be captured by the camera when the
camera is in the first orientation, and the image framing apparatus
further comprising a second image frame outline configured to
provide an approximation of an image to be captured by the camera
when the camera is in the second orientation.
14. The wearable camera system of claim 1, wherein the camera is
movably coupled to the temple.
15. The wearable camera system of claim 1, wherein the marker
comprises a center indicator configured to provide an indication of
an approximate center of the field of view of the camera.
16. A method for capturing a digital image, the method comprising:
positioning a marker on or in front of a lens of eyewear to which a
camera is coupled; providing the marker in a field of view of a
wearer to cause a visual interference within the field of view of
the wearer corresponding to a location within a field of view of
the camera; aligning the marker with a target; and capturing an
image with the camera while maintaining the target in alignment
with the marker to include the target in the image.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein said positioning a marker
comprises attaching a sheet of static cling material to the lens,
the sheet including the marker.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the marker is provided on a
sheet of static cling material comprising a camera aperture, and
wherein said positioning a marker comprises aligning the camera
aperture of the sheet with the lens of the camera and attaching the
sheet to a front portion of the camera.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein the marker is attached to an
arm pivotably coupled to the camera, and wherein said positioning a
marker comprises rotating an arm from a first position to a second
position.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the camera is movably coupled
to the eyewear, the method further comprising rotating the camera
or a front portion of the camera relative to the eyewear to align
the arm with a horizontal direction.
21. The method of claim 16, wherein said capturing an image
includes capturing a first image in a landscape orientation, the
method further comprising rotating the camera about a pivot joint
to capture a second image in a portrait orientation.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of pending U.S.
application Ser. No. 14/832,723 entitled "WEARABLE CAMERA SYSTEMS
AND APPARATUS FOR ALIGNING AN EYEWEAR CAMERA", filed Aug. 21, 2015.
The aforementioned application is incorporated herein by reference,
in its entirety for any purpose.
[0002] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/832,723 claims the
benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119 of the earlier filing date of U.S.
Provisional Application 62/039,997 entitled "CAMERA EYEWEAR WITH
OPTIONAL PASSIVE VIEW FINDER", filed Aug. 21, 2014 and U.S.
Provisional Application 62/045,246 entitled "MULTI-USE ATTACHABLE
EYEGLASS CAMERA", filed Sep. 3, 2014. The aforementioned
provisional applications are hereby incorporated by reference in
their entirety, for any purpose.
[0003] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/832,723 is also a
continuation-in-part of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
14/816,995 entitled "WEARABLE CAMERA SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS AND
METHOD FOR ATTACHING CAMERA SYSTEMS OR OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES TO
WEARABLE ARTICLES" filed Aug. 3, 2015; which application claimed
priority to U.S. Provisional Application 62/032,589 entitled
"EYEWEAR WITH CAMERA SYSTEM AND ATTACHMENT MECHANISM", filed Aug.
3, 2014; U.S. Provisional Application 62/045,246 entitled
"MULTI-USE ATTACHABLE EYEGLASS CAMERA", filed Sep. 3, 2014; U.S.
Provisional Application 62/086,747 entitled "CAMERA SYSTEM FOR
EYEWEAR", filed Dec. 3, 2014; U.S. Provisional Application
62/091,697 entitled "EYEWEAR SYSTEM FOR CAMERA", filed Dec. 15,
2014; U.S. Provisional Application 62/153,999 entitled "CAMERA
SYSTEM CAPABLE OF WIRELESS ENERGY TRANSFER", filed Apr. 28, 2015;
U.S. Provisional Application 62/048,820 entitled "EYEWEAR WITH
TEMPLE TRACK", filed Sep. 11, 2014; U.S. Provisional Application
62/052,910 entitled "FASHIONABLE EYEWEAR COMPRISING A TRACK", filed
Sep. 19, 2014; U.S. Provisional Application 62/053,275 entitled
"EYEWEAR COMPRISING A TRACK", filed Sep. 22, 2014; U.S. Provisional
Application 62/140,276 entitled "OPTIMIZED EYEWEAR TRACK AND
ATTACHMENT MEANS FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICE," filed Mar. 30, 2015; U.S.
Provisional Application 62/154,007 entitled "EYEWEAR TRACK,
WIRELESS ENERGY TRANSFER SYSTEM AND ATTACHMENT MEANS FOR ELECTRONIC
DEVICE," filed Apr. 28, 2015; and U.S. Provisional Application
62/080,437 entitled "EYEWEAR WITH GUIDE FOR WEARABLE DEVICES",
filed Nov. 17, 2014.
[0004] The aforementioned applications are hereby incorporated by
reference in their entirety, for any purpose.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0005] The present disclosure relates to wearable camera systems
including a camera attached to eyewear, and more particularly to
apparatus and methods for visualizing an approximation of an image
captured by the camera and/or providing an indication of alignment
of the camera.
BACKGROUND
[0006] Typically, digital cameras include a display such that the
user may view an image captured by the camera prior to or after the
capture of the image. The display is typically built into the
camera. However, this may not be practical in some cases, for
example in camera systems which are miniaturized and/or which are
attached to wearable articles in a manner in which a display may
not be viewable when the camera is in use. For some digital camera
systems, the display may be provided on a remote electronic device,
for example a handheld computing device (e.g., a smart phone) or a
wearable electronic device (e.g., a smart watch). These types of
camera systems would typically require wireless communication
capability and often may result in higher power usage and/or higher
processing capability then may be practical or desirable in some
instance. Improvements to wearable camera systems may be
desirable.
SUMMARY
[0007] The present disclosure relates to wearable camera systems
which may include a camera (also referred to herein as eyewear
camera) attached to eyewear and which may further include an
apparatus for providing an indication of alignment of the camera
and/or visualizing an approximation of an image or an approximation
of a center of the image to be captured by the camera.
[0008] A wearable camera system according to sonic examples herein
may include an eyewear which includes a temple and a lens. The
wearable camera system may further include a camera coupled to the
eyewear, the camera having a field of view. The wearable camera
system may also include a marker coupled to the eyewear, the
camera, or both. The marker may be positioned on or in front of the
lens of the eyewear at a location such that when a wearer of the
eyewear aligns the marker with a target, the field of view of the
camera includes the target.
[0009] A method for capturing a digital image according to some
examples herein may include positioning a marker on or in front of
a lens of eyewear, a camera being coupled to the eyewear, aligning
the marker with a target, and capturing an image with the camera
while maintaining the target in alignment with the marker to
include the target in the image.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Features, aspects and potential advantages of the present
disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed
description of various embodiments, including the best mode
presently contemplated of practicing the invention, when taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a view of a system including a camera movably
attached to a temple of eyewear and an image framing apparatus
according to examples of the present disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a partial view of a system according to some
examples herein;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a view of the image framing apparatus in FIG.
2;
[0014] FIGS. 4A-4C are illustrations of view finder windows of
image framing apparatuses according to some examples herein;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a partial view of a system according to further
examples herein;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a view of an image framing apparatus according to
further examples of the present disclosure;
[0017] FIGS. 7A and 7B are bottom views of an eyewear camera
attached to eyewear according to examples herein, the eyewear
camera including an alignment indicator illustrated in a deployed
and stowed position;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a front view of eyewear and eyewear camera
attached thereto illustrating an alignment indicator in a deployed
position according to examples herein; and
[0019] FIG. 9 is a view of an alignment indicator according to
further examples of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Certain details are set forth below to provide a sufficient
understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that some
embodiments may not include all details described. In some
instances, well-known structures, eyewear and/or camera components,
circuits, and controls, have not been shown in order to avoid
unnecessarily obscuring the described embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0021] Examples of wearable camera systems which include eyewear
and a camera coupled to eyewear are described. Systems according to
the examples herein may include a marker which may be coupled to
the camera, the eyewear, or both. The marker may be positioned on
or in front of the lens of the eyewear at a location such that when
a wearer of the eyewear aligns the marker with a target, the field
of view of the camera includes the target. The marker may be
incorporated into an apparatus which is configured to provide an
indication of alignment of the camera and/or a visual approximation
of an image or an approximation of a center of the image to be
captured by the camera. Positioning the marker on or in front of
the lens may include positioning the marker in contact with a lens
surface (e.g., an optically transparent surface of the lens) or
adjacent to a lens surface. For example, the phrase in front of the
lens may generally include in front of or adjacent to any lens
surface including the inner lens surface (e.g., surface near
wearer's eye when the eyewear is worn) or the outer lens surface
(e.g., surface opposite the inner lens surface). In some examples,
positioning the marker on or in front of the lens may include
positioning the marker in optical alignment with a portion of the
lens.
[0022] FIG. 1 is a view of a wearable camera system 100 according
to some examples of the present disclosure. The system 100 includes
eyewear 105, camera 132 movably coupled to the eyewear 105, and an
apparatus 120, which may include a marker 121 as will be described
herein. The eyewear 105 includes an eyewear frame 110 which
includes a temple 112. Typically, an eyewear frame 110 includes a
pair of temples 112 (e.g., left and right temples one for each side
of a wearer's head. In some examples, the temples 112 are pivotably
coupled to a lens portion 117 of the frame via a hinge 113. In some
examples the temples 112 are integral with the lens portion and/or
hinged relative to the lens portion via a living hinge. The lens
portion 117 may include a pair of lenses 102, for example and
without limitation prescription lenses, non-prescription lenses,
tinted lenses, changeable tint lenses, variable focus lenses,
switchable focus lenses, or any combinations thereof. The lens
portion 117 may include a rim 104, as in the example in FIG. 1. In
some examples, the lens portion 117 may rimless or at least
partially rimless. The apparatus 120, and marker 121 included
therein, may be coupled to the eyewear 105, to the camera 132, or
both. The marker may be positioned on or in front of the lens of
the eyewear at a location such that when a wearer of the eyewear
aligns the marker with a target, the field of view of the camera
includes the target.
[0023] The camera 132 may be a miniaturized self-contained
electronic camera system. The camera 132 may be movably coupled to
the temple 112. For example, the system 100 may include an
attachment system 134 configured to movably attach the camera 132
to the temple 112. The camera 132 may be slidably and/or removably
attached to either of the left temple or the right temple. In some
examples, the attachment system may include one or more guides in
accordance with examples described in U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 14/816,995 entitled "WEARABLE CAMERA SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS AND
METHOD FOR ATTACHING CAMERA SYSTEMS OR OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES TO
WEARABLE ARTICLES, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety
for any purpose, for coupling the camera 132 to the temple 112.
[0024] In some example, the camera 132 may be devoid of a display.
The apparatus 120 may be an image framing apparatus, which may
enable the user (e.g., wearer of the eyewear) to perceive an
approximate image of the image to be captured by the camera 132.
The apparatus 120 (e.g., image framing apparatus) may provide a
mechanism for visualizing an approximation of an image to be
captured by the camera 132. The image framing apparatus may be a
passive device in that it does not require the use of power and/or
electrical coupling to the camera. In this regard, the image
framing apparatus may also be referred to as passive view finder
apparatus or simply a passive view finder. In some examples, the
apparatus 120 may be electrically and/or mechanically decoupled
from the camera 132. By electrically decoupled, it is generally
implied that the apparatus 120 may not be communicatively (e.g.,
wirelessly) coupled to the camera 132.
[0025] In some examples, the camera may be removed from the lens.
The camera may be in a location that is different from the location
of the marker. The camera may remain in one location, which may be
a location in which the camera is not optically aligned with any
portion of the lens, while the marker is positioned in the location
for targeting the object (e.g., a location such that when the
wearer of the eyewear aligns the marker with a target, the field of
view of the camera includes the target). The marker and the camera
may be separate components and may be in two different locations
during use. In some examples, the camera may not be optically
aligned with any portion of the lens but may instead be adjacent to
the lens by virtue of being coupled to a temple of the eyewear. In
some examples, the camera may be separated from the marker and/or
the lens, e.g., it may not be part of the lens and/or the
marker.
[0026] The cameras 132 according to the present disclosure may be a
miniaturized self-contained electronic device. The camera 132 may
have a length of about 8 mm to about 50 mm. In some examples, the
camera 132 may have a length from about 12 mm to about 45 mm. In
some examples, the camera 132 may have a length not exceeding 30
mm. In some examples the camera 132 may be about 12 mm long. The
camera 132 may have a width of about 6 mm to about 12 mm. In some
examples, the camera 132 may be about 8 mm wide. In some example,
the camera 132 may have a width not exceeding about 10 mm. In some
example, the camera 132 may have a height of about 6 mm to about 12
mm. In some examples, the camera 132 may be about 8 mm high. In
some examples, the camera 132 may have a height not exceeding about
10 mm. In some examples, the camera 132 may weigh from about 5
grams to about 10 grams. In some examples the camera 132 may weigh
be about 7 grams or less. In some examples, the camera 132 may have
a volume of about 6,000 cubic millimeters or less. In some
examples, the camera 132 may have a volume of about 3,000 cubic
millimeters or less. In some examples, the camera 132 may have a
volume of about 2,000 cubic millimeters or less. In some examples,
the camera 132 may be a waterproof camera. In some examples, the
camera 132 can be water resistant. In some examples, the camera 132
can be sweat resistant.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a partial view of a system according to sonic
examples herein. The system 200 may include one or more of the
components of system 100 described with reference to FIG. 1.
Accordingly, similar components may be indicated with like number
where the first numeral of the reference number corresponds to the
figure number, for example camera 232 may be similar to camera 132
and include one or more of the components of functionality of
camera 132 the description of which may not be repeated in the
interest of brevity and conciseness of the disclosure.
[0028] The system 200 may include an eyewear 205 and camera 232.
The eyewear 205 may include an eyewear frame 210, which includes a
temple and a lens portion 217. The eyewear 205 may include a lens
205 in the lens portion 217. The camera 232 may be movably coupled
to the temple of eyewear 205. In some examples, the camera 232 is
slidably coupled to the temple (not shown in FIG. 2) such that the
camera 232 may be translated along a length of the temple, e.g.,
between a first or forward position to a second of aft position. In
the forward position, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 2, a forward
portion of the camera 232 may be aligned or substantially aligned
with a forward portion of the eyewear frame 210. In some examples,
the camera 232 may be slightly ahead of the forward portion of the
eyewear frame 210 when the camera 232 is in the forward position.
The camera 232 may be positionable to a second position, which may
correspond to a location along the length of the temple in which
the camera 232 is substantially concealed from view. In the second
position, the camera 232 may be substantially concealed behind an
ear of the wearer. In some examples, the attachment system may be
configured such that the camera 232 is movable to a position near a
curved portion of the temple such that the camera 232 is
positionable adjacent to or behind an ear of the wearer. In the
second position, the camera 232 may be substantially concealed
behind an ear of the wearer.
[0029] The wearable camera system 200 may be configured to capture
a landscape image, a portrait image, or both. In some examples, the
camera 232 may be pivotably coupled to the temple, for example via
a hinge joint 211 or other type of pivotal joint, such that the
camera 232 may be rotated between a first orientation 201 and a
second orientation 203. The camera 232 may be pivotable about an
axis of the temple. In some examples, the camera 232 may be
pivotable between a first orientation, which may be an orientation
in which the camera is adjacent to the outside side of the temple,
and a second orientation, which may be an orientation in which the
camera is adjacent to another side of the temple, for example a top
or a bottom side of the temple. The camera 232 may be configured to
capture a landscape image in one or the first or second orientation
and capture a portrait image in the other one of the first or
second orientation. It will be appreciated that the camera may be
coupled to any side of the temple and pivotable to position the
camera in any orientation with respect to the temple thereby
changing a rotation angle of the image capture device with respect
to a scene to be captured.
[0030] The camera 232 according to the present disclosure may be a
miniaturized self-contained electronic device and may have one or
more of the features of any of the cameras described herein. The
camera may have a field of view. In some examples, the camera 232
may include a targeting apparatus 236 which may be positioned
proximate to a camera lens 233. The targeting apparatus 236 may be
configured to provide an indication of whether a targeted object
(or simply target) is within or outside of the field of view of the
camera and correspondingly whether the targeted object will be
included in an image captured by the camera. The targeting
apparatus may be implemented as a laser pointer 238 (e.g., a laser
diode), which may be positioned along a side of the camera, e.g.,
adjacent to a top, a side, or a bottom of the camera. In some
examples, the targeting apparatus may be incorporated into the
camera body, e.g., enclosed or partially enclosed within a housing
of the camera. The beam of the laser pointer may be generally
parallel to the line of sight of the camera and may provide an
indication of an approximate center of an image to be captured by
the camera. In this manner, the targeting apparatus may provide a
visual confirmation to the user of whether a desired object will be
included in an image captured by the camera.
[0031] In some examples, the system 200 may include an image
framing apparatus 220 and the image framing apparatus 220 may
include the marker 221 (see FIG. 3). The image framing apparatus
220 may be removably coupled to the eyewear 205. The image framing
apparatus 220 may include a view finder window 252 which is
configured to provide an approximation of an image to be captured
by the camera 232. During use, the image framing apparatus 220 may
be positioned onto or adjacent to the lens 202 of the eyewear such
that the wearer (interchangeably referred to as user herein) may
view a scene through the view finder window 252 to perceive an
approximation of the scene to be captured by camera 232. To the
user, the view finder window 252 may be perceived as a visual
disturbance or visual interference within a field of view of the
user to provide an indication of an approximate boundary of an
image to be captured by the camera. In this manner, a user may be
able to approximately frame and thereby reduce the amount of post
processing of the image (e.g., cropping the image) even in the
absence of view finder on the camera itself or on a remote
electronic device communicatively coupled to the camera.
[0032] The image framing apparatus 220 may include a body 251 which
includes a rigid portion 254. The view finder window may be defined
by the rigid portion 254. The view finder window may be implemented
as a physical aperture (e.g., an opening) in the rigid portion 254.
In some examples, as will be further described, the view finder
window may be implemented using an optically transparent
material.
[0033] The body 251 may include one or more stretchable portions
256 and one or more attachment portions 258, configured to movably
couple the image framing apparatus 220 to the eyewear 205. In this
example, the attachment portions 258 are implemented as hooks which
are shaped to fit around respective edges of the rim to secure the
image framing apparatus 220 to the eyewear 205. The stretchable
portions 256 may be formed of a stretchable plastic material such
as rubber, silicon, or any other suitable elastomer. The
stretchable portions 256 may be sufficiently stretchable to bias
the hooks towards the eyewear frame while enabling the image
framing apparatus to be movable (e.g., slidable) along a first
direction (e.g., a horizontal direction 242) for aligning of the
view finder window with the line of sight of the wearer. The rigid
portion 254 may be movably coupled to the stretchable portions 256
such that the view finder window may be adjusted in a second
direction (e.g., a vertical direction 244) for further alignment of
the view finder window with the line of sight of the wearer.
[0034] As described, the view finder window 252 may be configured
to enable the user to perceive an approximation of an image to be
captured. The view finder window 252 may include at least one image
frame outline. In some examples and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A, the
view finder window 252 may include a first image frame outline 253
which may correspond to a landscape image frame. In this manner,
the view finder window and more specifically the first image frame
outline 253 may enable the user to visualize an approximation of a
landscape image 260 as may be captured by camera 232, for example
when the camera is provided in the appropriate orientation for
capturing a landscape image such as the first orientation. In some
examples, the view finder window may include a second image frame
outline 255 which may correspond to a portrait image frame thereby
enabling the user to visualize an approximation of a portrait image
262 as may be captured by camera 232 when the camera is provided in
the appropriate orientation for capturing a portrait image such as
the second orientation. In some examples, one of the image frame
outlines may be enclosed within the other image frame outline. In
the example in FIG. 3, an image frame outline corresponding to a
portrait image frame is enclosed by an image frame outline
corresponding to a landscape image. In other examples, the image
frame outline corresponding to a landscape image frame may be
enclosed by an image frame outline corresponding to a portrait
image.
[0035] In some example, the view finder window 252 may include an
image center indicator 257. The image center indicator 257 may
enable the user to perceive an approximation of the center of the
image to be captured. The image center indicator 257 may facilitate
alignment of the image framing apparatus with the user's line of
sight, for example by enabling alignment of the view finder window
with a pupil of the user's eye. In some examples, the image center
indicator may be centered within an image frame outline of the view
finder window 252. In some examples the stretchable portion 256 may
be implemented as a single strip of optically transparent flexible
material (e.g., silicon or clear vinyl) that spans between the
attachment portions 258. The rigid portion 254 may be slidably
coupled to the stretchable portion 256. The view finder window 252
may be implemented as an opening formed in the rigid portion 254
such that a portion of the flexible material is visible through the
opening. The shape of the opening may define the first image frame
outline, for example an image frame outline corresponding to a
landscape image frame. Vertical lines may be imprinted onto the
flexible material, which vertical lines as viewed through the
opening may define the second image frame outline, for example an
image frame outline corresponding to a portrait image frame. In
some examples, the image center indicator 257 may function as the
marker 221, in that the image center indicator 257 may be
positionable (e.g., by virtue of adjustability of the view finder
window 252) to a location such that when the image center indicator
257 with a target, the field of view of the camera includes the
target.
[0036] In some examples, the view finder window 252 may not include
an image center indicator 257. In such example, the view finder
window 252 may itself function as the marker. For example, view
finder window 252 may be positioned on or in front of the lens at a
location such that when the user aligns the view finder window 252
with a target, the field of view of the camera includes the target
and the target may thereby be included in an image captured by the
camera 232.
[0037] In some examples, the image framing apparatus 220 may be
tethered to the camera 232, e.g., via a cord, a string, an elastic,
or other suitable mechanical connector. In some examples, the
camera 232 may include a storage compartment, for example on a
bottom, a top, or a side portion of the camera, such that the image
capture device 220 may be stowed therein when not in use.
[0038] FIG. 5 is a partial view of a system according to further
examples herein. The system 500 may include one or more of the
components of system 200 described with reference to FIG. 2. As
previously noted, similar components may be indicated with like
number where the first numeral of the reference number corresponds
to the figure number. For example, system 500 may include a camera
532, which may be pivotably coupled to eyewear frame 510, e.g., via
a pivot joint 511. The camera may include a targeting apparatus,
such as a laser pointer 538. The system 500 may include an image
framing apparatus 520, which may include a rigid portion 554, one
or more attachment portions 558, and one or more stretchable
portions 556 spanning between the attachment portions.
[0039] The image framing apparatus 520 may include a view finder
window 552 which may be provided in the rigid portion 554. The view
finder window 552 may include a marker within the view finder
window. In some examples, the view finder window 552 may function
as a marker as described herein. The rigid portion 554 may be
movably coupled to the stretchable portion 556. In this example,
the stretchable portion 556 may be implemented in the form of
stretchable rails 564 which may be made of a rubber or other
elastomeric material. The rails 564 may be spaced apart from one
another by a distance of at least a width of the view finder window
552. The rigid portion may include features for slidably securing
the rigid portion to the rails 564 to enable movement of the rigid
portion along the direction 244. The image framing apparatus 520
may be movable along the direction 242, for example via the
attachment portion 558 (e.g., hooks) provided at each end of the
stretchable portion 556.
[0040] FIG. 6 is a view of an image framing apparatus 620 which
includes a marker 621 according to the present disclosure. The
image framing apparatus 620 may include a view finder window 652,
which may be implemented according to any of the examples herein.
In sonic examples, the view tinder window 652 may function as the
marker, In some examples, the view finder window 652 may include an
image center indicator 657 which may function as the marker 621. In
some example, the image framing apparatus 620 may include one or
more image frame outlines 653, 655 and any of the image frame
outlines may function as the marker.
[0041] The image framing apparatus 620 may be configured to be
removably attached to the lens of eyewear, for example to lens 102
or eyewear 105 in FIG. 1. The image framing apparatus 620 may be
implemented in the form of a removable decal. The image framing
apparatus 620 may comprise a sheet 671 of flexible material
configured to attach to a lens of the eyewear via static electrical
force (also known as static cling). The sheet 671 may be made from
vinyl or any other suitable flexible plastic material as is known
in the art of cling materials. The sheet 671 may include an
optically transparent portion, which defines the view finder window
622. The image framing apparatus 620 may include a peripheral
portion 672. In some examples, the peripheral portion 672 may be
made of opaque material and may be interchangeably referred to as a
masking portion.
[0042] The view finder window 622 may include at least one image
frame outline. In the example in FIG. 6, the view finder window 622
includes a first image frame outline 653 and a second image frame
outline 655 that provide approximations of a landscape image and a
portrait image, respectively, to be captured by a camera according
to the examples herein. The image framing apparatus 620 may have a
shape which is selected to fit within the shape of the lens of an
eyewear (e.g., eyewear 105). The image framing apparatus 620 may be
of any shape or size that is sufficient to accommodate the view
finder window 622. In other words, the image framing apparatus 620
may be the size of or substantially the size of the view tinder
window 622 and may not include any peripheral portion. In some
examples, the image framing apparatus 620 may be larger than the
size of the view finder window, for example to provide additional
plastic cling material for increased adhesion to the lens. The
image framing apparatus 620 in the form of a decal may be affixed
to and removed from the lens multiple times as may be desired for
alignment and/or use of the image framing apparatus.
[0043] In some examples, the marker may be movably or removably
attached to the camera. FIGS. 7-8 illustrate examples of
apparatuses which include a marker movably attached to a camera
according to the present disclosure. FIG. 9 illustrates examples of
apparatuses which include a marker configured to be removably
attached to a camera.
[0044] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate bottom views a wearable camera
system 700 according to further examples of the present disclosure.
The system 700 may include one or more of the components of
wearable camera systems described herein, for example system 100,
200, or 500 described previously with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5
respectively. Accordingly, similar components may be indicated with
like number where the first numeral of the reference number
corresponds to the figure number, for example eyewear 705 may be
similar to eyewear 105 in FIG. 1 and include one or more of the
components of functionality of eyewear 105, the description of
which may not be repeated in the interest of brevity and
conciseness of the disclosure.
[0045] The system 700 may include eyewear 705 and eyewear camera
732. The eyewear 705 may include an eyewear frame 710 which may
include a pair of temples 712. The eyewear 705 may include a pair
of lenses 702, which may be, without limitation, prescription
lenses, non-prescription lenses, tinted lenses, changeable tint
lenses, variable focus lenses, switchable focus lenses, or any
combinations thereof.
[0046] The eyewear camera 732 may be movably coupled to the eyewear
705, for example slidably coupled to temple 712 of eyewear frame
710 using an attachment system described in U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 14/816,995 entitled "WEARABLE CAMERA SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS
AND METHOD FOR ATTACHING CAMERA SYSTEMS OR OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES
TO WEARABLE ARTICLES, incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety for any purpose. The camera 732. may be a miniaturized
self-contained electronic camera system. The camera 732 may include
one or more of the components and/or functionality of any of the
cameras described herein or described in U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 14/816,995. The eyewear camera 732 may include a camera
body 734. The camera body 734 may include an optical system 735 and
any internal electronics of the eyewear camera 732. In some
examples, the optical system 735 may include a camera lens and/or
an image capture device, such as a charge-coupled device (CCD)
image sensor. The optical system 735 may be partially of fully
enclosed within a housing of the camera 732. The eyewear camera 732
may have a field of view 706. A marker 721 may be coupled to the
camera 732 such that the marker 721 may be positioned on or in
front of the lens of the eyewear at a location such that when a
wearer of the eyewear aligns the marker 721 with a target, the
field of view 706 of the camera includes the target. The target may
be an object or a scene that the wearer may wish to photograph.
[0047] In some examples, the eyewear camera 732 may include an
alignment indicator 737, which may be configured to provide an
indication of angular orientation of the camera 732 relative to a
horizontal direction (e.g., direction 845 in FIG. 8). The alignment
indicator 737 may be pivotably coupled to the camera body 734 such
that the alignment indicator 737 may be moved between a first
position (e.g., a deployed position as shown in FIG. 7A) and a
second position (e.g., a stowed position as shown in FIG. 7B).
[0048] In the deployed position, the alignment indicator 737 or a
portion thereof may extend into the field of view of an eye of a
wearer of the system such that the wearer may perceive the
alignment indicator or a portion thereof. For example, the wearer
may perceive the marker 721 when the alignment indicator is in the
deployed position. The alignment indicator 737 may be configured to
pivot between the deployed position, in which the marker 721 is in
the field of view of the wearer, to a stowed position, in which the
marker 721 is adjacent to the camera. In the deployed position, the
marker 721 may be positioned on or in front of the lens of the
eyewear at a location such that when the wearer aligns the marker
with a target, the field of view of the camera includes the target.
The alignment indicator 737 may include an arm coupling the marker
721 to the camera 732. The marker 721, which may be located at an
end of the arm, may provide a visual disturbance or visual
interference within the field of view of the wearer such that the
wearer may be able to determine if an object he or she wishes to
photograph will be captured by the camera. In the stowed position,
the alignment indicator 737 may be partially or substantially
outside the field of view of the eye of the wearer.
[0049] Referring now also to FIG. 8, which illustrates a front view
of a system 800 according to examples of the present disclosure,
additional features of alignment indicators and cameras including
alignment indicators according to the present disclosure are
described. The system 800 may include some or all of the components
of system 700 described previously with reference to FIG. 7 or any
of the systems described herein. Accordingly, similar components
may be indicated with like number where the first numeral of the
reference number corresponds to the figure number. For example
eyewear 805 may be similar to eyewear 705 in FIG. 7 and include one
or more of the components of functionality of eyewear 705, the
description of which may not be repeated in the interest of brevity
and conciseness of the disclosure. The system 800 may include
eyewear 805 including frame 810, the frame 810 including a temple
812.
[0050] The system 800 may include a camera 832 movably attached to
temple 812. The camera 832 may include an optical system 835 which
may include a camera lens 833 and may be configured for capturing
an image. The camera 832 may include an alignment indicator 837
which may be movably coupled to camera 832. For example, the
alignment indicator 837 may be pivotably coupled to the camera 832,
for example a bottom portion of the camera. The alignment indicator
837 may be pivotable from a first position, for example a deployed
position, to a second position, for example a stowed position. In
some examples, the alignment indicator may include an arm 839 and a
center indicator 841. It will be appreciated that term center is
not meant to imply a precise center of an image to be captured;
rather the center indicator may be used to visualize an approximate
center of an image to be captured. The center indicator 841 may be
located at one end of the arm 839 while the other end of the arm
839 may be pivotably coupled to the camera body. In some examples,
the center indicator 841 may be provided at an intermediate
location along the length of the arm 839. In some examples, e.g.,
depending on a size of the camera 832 and/or eyewear 805 to which
the camera is attached, the arm 839 may be collapsible or
extendible. For example, the arm 839 may be implemented as a
telescoping arm which may extend in length for use and collapse in
length for stowage, e.g., so that the alignment indicator 837 may
fit completely within a footprint defined by a size of the camera.
In some examples, the alignment indicator may be coupled to the
camera such that when the alignment indicator is deployed, the arm
portion is in-line with a horizontal axis of the camera. In this
manner, the alignment indicator may provide an indication of the
horizontal alignment of the camera by essentially providing a way
to visualize whether the horizontal axis of the camera is aligned
with the horizontal direction 845 when the camera is worn and fully
or partially outside of the field of view of the wearer. If the
arm, which may function as an extension of a horizontal axis of the
camera into the field of view of the user, is angled relative to
the horizontal direction 845, the user may adjust the angular
orientation of the camera (e.g., by pivoting the camera or a
portion thereof relative to the eyewear frame). In some example,
the user may correct horizontal misalignment by tilting his or her
head until the arm aligns with the horizontal direction 845.
[0051] In some examples, the alignment indicator may be separate
from the camera and removably attachable thereto, e.g., as will be
described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 illustrates embodiments
of alignment indicators according to further examples of the
present disclosure. The alignment indicators 920, 920' may be
implemented in the form of a sheet 971 of flexible plastic material
(e.g., static cling material) such that the alignment indicators
920, 920' may be removably attached to the camera (e.g., camera
132), the lens (e.g., lens 102), or both. The sheet 971 or portions
thereof may be optically transparent. The sheet 971 may include one
or more markers 921, 921'.
[0052] The sheet 971 may have a generally rectangular shape and may
include a camera portion 980, 980' and an eyewear portion 982,
982'. In some examples, the sheet may be oval or generally oval in
shape or may have an irregular shape as may be appropriate for a
particular design of eyewear frame and resulting location of the
camera attached thereto. For example, the sheet may have a curved
shape such as a C shape or an S shape. The camera portion 980, 980'
may be sized and/or shaped to fit over a front portion of the
camera and attach to the front portion of the camera via static
cling. The sheet 971 may include a camera aperture 981, which may
be a physical aperture (e.g., a hole in the sheet 971) or a virtual
aperture defined by a portion of optically transparent material.
The camera aperture 981 may be located in the camera portion 980,
980' and may be sized to fit around or substantially around the
camera lens such that an image may be captured with the camera
while the sheet 971 remains affixed to the camera. The camera
aperture 981 may have virtually any shape, such as rectangular,
square, circular or oval shape, provided that the camera aperture
981 is sized and/or shaped so as to fall outside or substantially
outside a field of view of the camera such that the camera aperture
981 does not substantially interfere with the capture of an image.
In some examples, the camera aperture 981 may have a lateral
dimension (e.g., a diameter or a width) which is substantially
equal to or greater than a lateral dimension (e.g., a diameter) of
the camera lens (e.g., camera lens 233 as in FIG. 2). The eyewear
portion 982, 982' of the sheet may extend from the camera portion
980, 980' towards the user's field of view when the image framing
apparatus is in use (e.g., attached to the wearable camera
system).
[0053] The alignment indicator may include one or more markers 921,
921'. In some examples, a marker may be located in the eyewear
portion 982, 982'. The eyewear portion may include a plurality of
markers 921, 921'. The marker may have virtually any shape, for
example a cross-hair, a bull's eye, an outline having virtually any
shape such as a circle, triangle, square, or star, or any
combinations thereof. Markers according to the present disclosure
may facilitate alignment of the camera with a desired line of sight
for capturing an image. For example, the marker may enable the user
to determine whether a target (e.g., an object) would be included
in a captured image and align the field of view of the camera to
include the target in the captured image. In some examples, a
plurality of markers may be provided for use with different
settings of the camera. For example, a camera may have zoom
capability and a different marker may correspond with an
approximation of a center of the field of view of the camera at
each of the zoom settings of the camera. In some examples, the
alignment indicator may also provide the functionality of framing
an image. For example, the sheet may additionally include one or
more image frame outlines as described herein which may enable the
user to visualize an approximation of the image to be captured. It
will be further appreciated that any of the examples herein may be
used in any combination with one another.
[0054] A method for capturing a digital image according to the
present disclosure may include some or all of the following steps.
The user may position a marker on or in front of a lens of eyewear,
a camera being coupled to the eyewear. The user may aligning the
marker with a target, for example an object the user wishes to
capture, and the user may then capturing an image with the camera
while maintaining the target in alignment with the marker such that
the target is included in the image. In some example, positioning
the marker may include attaching a sheet of static cling material
to the lens, the sheet including the marker. The sheet may be sheet
671 or sheet 971 some or portions of which may be made from an
optically transparent static cling material. The method may include
repositioning the sheet by removing the sheet from the lens and
reaffixing the sheet to a new location on the lens.
[0055] In some examples, the marker may be provided on a sheet of
static cling material which includes a camera aperture and the
positioning of the marker may include aligning the camera aperture
of the sheet with the lens of the camera prior to attaching the
sheet to the front portion of the camera. In some examples, the
marker may be attached to an arm pivotably coupled to the camera,
and the positioning of the marker may include rotating an arm from
a first position (e.g., a stowed position) to a second position
(e.g., a deployed position). In some examples, the camera may be
movably coupled to the eyewear, for example pivotably coupled to
the eyewear. The user may capture an image in a first orientation,
for example a landscape orientation. The user may rotate the camera
from the first orientation to a second orientation for capturing an
image in the second orientation, for example a portrait
orientation. In some examples, the method may include aligning a
horizontal direction of the camera by rotating the camera or a
front portion of the camera relative to the eyewear to align an
alignment indicator with a horizontal direction (e.g., the
ground).
[0056] Although the present disclosure includes, by way of example,
illustration and description of some embodiments, it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that several modifications
to the described embodiments, as well as other embodiments are
possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention. It will be appreciated that any of the components,
features, or aspects from any of the disclosed embodiments may he
used in combination with one another, without limitation, and
without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
* * * * *