Supports – Stand – To hold a particular article
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-06
2002-04-02
Ramirez, Ramon O. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Stand
To hold a particular article
C248S177100, C396S419000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06364259
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tripod plate, a tripod, a portable camera, a connection element for connecting a portable camera to a tripod plate and an interface system for mechanically fastening a camera. Portable cameras can be fixedly connected to a tripod or a pan head of a camera via such a mechanical interface, the so-called tripod plate.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Tripod plates serve, in particular, to mechanically fix portable cameras within a short period of time. A rapid mechanical fixation of a camera is needed for the flexible use of portable cameras.
As a rule, the demands made on portable cameras are contradictory. On the one hand, they should have a weight that is as small as possible to be suited for mobile use. This, however, additionally requires a separate recording device and a separate power supply for the cameras. Portable video cameras for professional uses, the so-called broadcast cameras, normally have a weight ranging from 5 to 12 kilograms.
In contrast to the portable cameras used in the consumer field, very high demands are made on the image quality, in particular the resolution of the recorded video signal, in broadcast cameras. As for the quality of the video signals to be recorded, a rough distinction can be made between the following levels: VHS quality, distribution quality and contribution quality. In the consumer field the attempt is made to achieve—with a minimum number of means—a video signal quality that, if possible, should be better than that of VHS video recorders.
In the professional field a distinction is made between distribution and contribution quality. While video signals used for “distribution”, i.e. for broadcasting to TV viewers, have a much better picture quality than the VHS quality, video signals suited for “contribution” have to meet even higher demands. An important use for portable professional video cameras is ENG (electronic news gathering). In ENG shots are taken by camera teams on the spot, for instance for newscasts. These are later compiled or edited for a newscast and then broadcast. A further application for portable video cameras with high quality demands is EFP (electronic field production). In both cases, high demands are made on the quality of the video signals, in particular the resolution, because the video signals have often to pass through several image processing stages after shooting. Normally, in post-production stages image sequences are newly edited, cross-faded, cut, subtitled, etc. As a rule, each of these stages will deteriorate the quality of the image signal. To guarantee a specific minimum quality level for the image signals which are broadcast to the TV viewer in the end, i.e. the distribution quality, special demands must be made on the shots.
The enhanced image quality produces a considerably larger video signal flow than is standard with image signals in the consumer field. As a rule, the recording methods used in consumer devices for the video signal are not suited for the professional field. Special recording formats have become accepted as magnetic recording methods for the broadcasting field. These derive from four basic forms: 1. analog composite, 2. analog components, 3. digital composite, 4. digital components. Digital recording formats are increasingly used. The digital composite signal is a digitalization of the analog composite color video signal. To this end the video signal is normally scanned and quantized with a multiple of the color subcarrier frequency. Such digital magnetic recording formats include, e.g., the D
2
format (of Ampex and Sony) and the D
3
format (of Panasonic). An improved image quality can be achieved with the digital component technique. The analog component signals (RGB) are here encoded digitally. Such magnetic recording standards include, e.g., the Digital Betacam format (of Sony) or the magnetic recording format D
6
(of Panasonic).
The recording of video signals on magnetic disks, in particular hard disks, as are used in every PC, gains more and more importance because of its increased storage capacity. This recording medium has the advantage that it can be used much more easily together with electronic post-production devices, for instance computer-aided cutting devices (non-linear editing).
The great variety of recording formats often requires a conversion into one or several of the other recording formats, depending on the respective use.
The recording capacity of the recording device within the portable camera is limited, in particular because of the small dimensions of the camera. During mobile use, coupling to an external recording device is virtually impossible. During stationary use, however, an external recording device is often used. That is why portable video cameras have external connections to provide the video signal for external recording.
During the mobile use of such a camera, the camera requires not only a recording device of its own, but also its own power supply. However, since the capacity of accumulators is limited, an external power supply is also connected to the camera during stationary operation, if possible. A portable camera comprises additional electrical connections for this purpose.
As a rule, there are provided not only electrical connections for an external power supply and an external recording device, but also for a number of additional signals. These signals include, for instance, a separate viewfinder signal, an audio signal or a control signal for camera operation. Such control signals are inter alia a control signal for focus, aperture and a camera on/off signal. With the help of such signals, it is e.g. possible to realize a remote control of the camera so that shots are also possible without an operator being on the spot.
To be suited for both mobile and stationary use, broadcast cameras are provided on their bottom side with a shoulder support formed by an indentation in the central portion on the bottom side of the camera housing.
FIG. 1
shows such a broadcast camera
2
which in the lower portion comprises a shoulder support
4
. At the front and rear end of the bottom side of the camera housing, i.e. in front of and behind the indentation formed for receiving a shoulder, there are provided the sections which are mountable on a tripod plate and fixedly connectable to said plate. A broadcast camera is thereby suited for both mobile and stationary use.
To enable the camera to change very rapidly between a mobile use and a stationary use in the case of on-the-spot shooting, quick-action clamping plates are nowadays used as a rule for mechanically fixing the camera onto the plates very rapidly, but also for disconnecting the same again.
The tripod plate serves here as a mechanical interface between the camera and a pan head of the camera. Normally, such pan heads are positioned on a tripod, but can just as well be secured to a camera crane or another mechanical support device. The rotatable pan heads permit camera pans and tilts in a controlled manner.
With conventional (quick-action clamping) tripod plates, a portable camera can rapidly be mounted on and fixed to a pan head and also be detached therefrom again. Whenever the camera is mounted, it must be connected to all external lines in addition to its mechanical fixation to the tripod plate. Accordingly, when the camera is removed, it is not only the mechanical mounting that has to be detached, but all of the connected lines have to be disconnected again for a mobile use of the camera.
For securing a camera a conventional tripod plate is provided in its front portion with a dovetail guide into which an insertion member formed complementary thereto is introduced during mounting of the camera on the tripod plate. The camera is subsequently fixed onto the tripod plate with the help of a locking means. Such a tripod plate is e.g. known from DE-U1 256 13 027. In view of the size of the camera and its weight, a person can only introduce the insertion member at the bottom side of a portable camera under great difficulties. The reason i
Darby & Darby
Ramirez Ramon O.
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