Television – Camera – system and detail – Support or housing
Reexamination Certificate
1997-06-04
2001-10-09
Garber, Wendy R. (Department: 2612)
Television
Camera, system and detail
Support or housing
CD16S203000, CD16S242000, C248S187100, C248S918000, C348S014050, C348S143000, C348S211130, C396S427000, C396S428000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06300979
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to video camera mounting devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to devices for mounting and adjusting a video camera on a surface.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In recent years, the technology for video-conferencing has advanced to a level where it has become practical for office and home use. The average consumer may now be able to have equipment, such as a video-phone, in the office and home which will permit the transmission of images to a person on the receiving end of a phone line. The video-phone includes a video camera pointed at the person engaging in the conferencing, with his image being transmitted to a display, such as a television or computer monitor, at the other person's location. It is desirable that the video camera be adjustable such that the person using the conferencing equipment may move around and then adjust the camera to focus on him.
Often the video camera is placed on top of or adjacent to the display device that shows the image of the other person on the phone line. Positioning the camera next to the display device allows the user to be facing the camera at the same time as he is watching the image of the other person. This positioning is desirable for both aesthetic and practical reasons. Thus, a variety of mounting devices have been developed for mounting a camera on a display device.
Among the types of mounting devices are those which have a rectangular-shaped base which sits on the top of the display. Several of these devices have adjustable height and swivel mechanisms. Other devices include a base with a cup-shaped platform for mounting on the display and a complementary ball-shaped attachment on the video camera to allow the camera to rest on the platform while still providing for adjustability. Each of these bases adds cost to the video camera system. Typically, the more elaborate the base, the higher the cost.
Furthermore, there is concern about the stability of mounting devices, especially on supports that are not entirely flat. Many mounting devices require a flat or nearly flat support surface and rely solely on frictional contact between the mounting device and the support surface to keep the video camera steady. However, inadvertent jarring of the camera may cause it to become unsteady and frictional forces between the mounting device and either the camera or support may not be sufficient to prevent the camera from falling.
Consequently, a need exists for a mounting device and a method which overcome the aforementioned shortcomings of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One embodiment of the invention is a video camera support apparatus for mounting a video camera on a support. The apparatus includes a base and an arm projecting from the base. The arm is adapted for insertion into a recessed cavity in the support.
Another aspect of the invention is directed to a video camera mounted on the video camera support apparatus.
An additional embodiment of the invention is a method for mounting a video camera on a support. The method includes providing a video camera apparatus having a base and an arm projecting from the base. The arm is adapted for insertion into a recessed cavity of the support. The video camera is placed on the support and the arm is inserted in the recessed cavity.
The above summarizes various aspects of particular embodiments incorporating principles of the present invention. This summary discussion is not intended to summarize or describe every embodiment or every feature of the present invention.
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Photocopy of a photo of Philips Phil-D000394A.
Photocopy of a photo of Connectix QuickCam.
Crawford Robert J.
Martin Bryan R.
Parkinson Joseph L.
8x8, Inc.
Garber Wendy R.
Vu Ngoc-Yen
LandOfFree
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