Abstract:
A video conference system is provided having a base assembly and a loudspeaker assembly in communication with the base assembly by means of a rotable connector is provided. The rotatable connector has an array of springy contacts which are engageable with a compatible array of slide rings, which allows the loudspeaker assembly to be enabling the manually rotated independently of the base assembly, without the loss of electrical contact between the base assembly and the loudspeaker assembly.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to the field of video conference systems, and more specifically to means for rotatably connecting components of video conference systems. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Video conference systems are well-known. These systems contain a dedicated device that is positioned at each of the sites where the video conference takes place. Basically, such a device includes a video camera, loudspeaker and electronic cards, which are generally wired together. 
     The designated device may be connected to a personal computer, for example, a video conference systems which operates via the Internet. 
     An obvious drawback of the devices known in the field is their lack of flexibility in terms of the users&#39; ability to move and change the relative position of the device&#39;s elements. From the users&#39; standpoint, this is a “human engineering” problem of the system. Thus, for example, the user of an Internet-based video conference system wishing to use his portable (‘lap-top’) computer for this purpose, may find the designated device (such as the video camera) hidden behind the raised lid of his portable computer. Even after the device has been elevated, for example, by stabilizing the device and placing it on some kind of support, the device still cannot be conveniently rotated so as to face towards different participants. 
     Video conference systems containing a remote controlled mobile camera device are also known. Such a device is described, for example, in Patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,652,619. A television camera is located inside a movable casing and capable of rotation and inclination from instructions received from a distance. The system contains a gear drive, an infra-red sensor that receives the commands from a distance and a power supply and signal input/output section located at the back portion of the fixed casing. 
     Such remote-controlled mobile camera device have several disadvantages, including the complexity and expense of the gear drive and the sensor. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Thus, in the field of video conference systems, there is a need for a device that can be positioned on a surface (such as, a table) on which a computer may also be placed, so that the device supporting the video camera is not concealed by the computer. 
     There is also a need for a device that can be manually rotated and faced toward the people present at the site without having to activate any mechanical drivers for this purpose and without affecting the stability of the device&#39;s position on the surface. 
     There is thus provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a video conference system is provided having a base assembly and a loudspeaker assembly in communication with the base assembly by means of a rotatable connector is provided. The rotatable connector has an array of springy contacts which are engageable with a compatible array of slide rings, which allows the loudspeaker assembly to be enabling the manually rotated independently of the base assembly, without the loss of electrical contact between the base assembly and the loudspeaker assembly. 
     In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the system further includes a camera assembly mounted on the loudspeaker assembly so that the total height of the assemblies—the loudspeaker assembly being mounted on the base assembly, and the camera assembly being mounted on the loudspeaker assembly—are substantially at the height of a portable computer whose lid is open. 
     Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the loudspeaker assembly is mounted on the base assembly by utilizing a “snap” type connector means of the spring ring type. 
     Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the “snap” connector includes a peripheral groove formed at the end of the loudspeaker assembly and a corresponding groove formed in a sleeve located within the base assembly, the corresponding groove serving as a base for the spring ring. The end of the loudspeaker assembly is receivable within the sleeve. 
     Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the base assembly includes a housing having at least one printed circuit within it. 
     Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the array of springy contacts includes at least one pair of contacts dedicated to at least one of the slide rings thereby ensuring redundancy of the contact between them. The springy contacts are formed from a strip of springy metal, which may be a highly conductive material, such as gold. 
     Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the electrical contact comprises a shared ground contact, a minus contact to the loudspeaker, a plus contact to the loudspeaker, and a contact to the indicator lamp. The electrical contact includes in addition, an indicator contact enabling to indicate the presence of the loudspeaker assembly mounted on the base assembly. 
     In addition, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the array of springy contacts are located within the base assembly and the array of slide rings is located on the lower surface of the loudspeaker assembly. The array of springy contacts is mounted on the surface of a printed circuit within the base assembly. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the video conference system, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an elevational sectional view of the rotatable connector sued in the system of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the rotatable connector of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the array of slide rings associated with rotatable connector of FIG. 2; and 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the system of contacts associated with rotatable connector of FIG. 2; 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which is isometric view of the video conference system, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The system includes three main assemblies—a video camera assembly  10 , a loudspeaker “tower” assembly  20 , and a base assembly  30 . The video conference system is shown positioned on a surface of a table  40 , for example. The camera  10  is mounted on the loudspeaker “tower” assembly  20 , which is itself mounted on the base  30 , so that the camera is positioned at a height (H) which is configured to allow the camera a field of vision even if a portable (‘lap-top’) computer (not shown) with its lid open, is placed on the table  40  in front of the camera  10 . 
     The camera  10  can be rotated manually and inclined independently towards the photographed object, by means of a hemispherical base  15 , as shown in FIG.  1 . The camera wiring (power and image data)  18  is connected to the base  30 , and is long enough to prevent twisting when the direction of the camera  10  is changed. In the example of FIG. 1, the camera wiring (power and image data)  18  is shown as externally wired. However, It will be appreciated by persons knowledgeable in the art, that the camera wiring (power and image data)  18  may also be connected to the base  30  within and through the loudspeaker “tower” assembly  20 , so as to be hidden from view. 
     The “tower” assembly  20  includes a loudspeaker  25  and an LED type lamp indicator  28 . The loudspeaker “tower” can be rotated manually and independently in relation to the base  30  and without moving the base  30 . The wiring of the loudspeaker  25  and the indicator lamp  28  to the base  30  is connected by means of the rotatable connector, generally designated  45 , described hereinafter. 
     As hereinbefore mentioned, the base  30 , which is positioned, on the surface  40 , receives the loudspeaker “tower”  20  with the camera  10  at its top. The base  30  is wired to the computer (not shown) and to a power supply (the computer or an external means) by means of wiring  32 , for example. 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which is an elevational sectional view of the connector  45 , connecting the loudspeaker “tower”  20  to the base  30 . The loudspeaker “towed”  20  is configured with a projecting element  42  at one end which fits inside a sleeve  44  formed in the base  30 , A peripheral groove  48  is formed on the circumference of the projecting element  42 , and a corresponding groove  50  is formed in the sleeve  44  in the base  30 . The corresponding groove  50  serves as a base for a spring ring  52  located inside the groove. 
     The spring ring  52  is configured so that the projecting element  42  can only be inserted and removed by the application of force. When the peripheral groove  48  is positioned opposite the spring ring  52 , the ring is inserted into it. At this point, additional force is required to enable the extraction of the loudspeaker “towed”  20  from the base  30 . The spring ring  52  also enables the loudspeaker “tower” to be rotated with respect to the base  30  (as shown by the arrows in FIG.  1 ). 
     It will be appreciated by persons knowledgeable in the mechanical field and familiar with a “snap” type connector, that the action of this connector is sometimes also accompanied by a sound (a “click” which indicates that the male element has snapped into the female socket or become disengaged from it). 
     In the illustrated example, the lower surface of the projecting element  42  has installed on it an array of slide rings  55 —electric contacts that are wired to the loudspeaker  20  and the indicator lamps  28  (the wiring is not shown). 
     The array of slide rings  55  at the end of the loudspeaker “tower”  20  engage a compatible array of springy contacts  58  located on the base  30  in the manner described hereinafter, with reference to FIG.  3 . For purposes of illustration, only one springy contact  58  is shown in FIG.  2 . 
     In the illustrated example, the base  30  consists of a housing  60  with two printed circuits  62  and  64  installed within the housing. It will be appreciated by persons knowledgeable in art that these printed circuits can contain electronic elements (processor and the like) which are required for operating a video conference system having a computer interface (not shown), for example. 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which is an enlarged view of part of the connector (referenced C). The slide rings  55  at the end of the loudspeaker “tower”  20  engage an array of springy contacts  58  attached to the base  30 . For purposes of illustration, only one springy contact  58  is drawn. The springy contact  58  is harnessed to the printed circuit  62  and protrudes from its surface. In the illustrated example, the springy contact  68  is formed from a strip of springy metal coated with a highly conductive material (such as gold). Pressure of the slide ring  55  on the springy contact  58  causes the contact to bend while remaining in close contact with the ring and biased towards it. 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which is a sectional view of the array of slide rings according to section A—A in FIG.  3 . The array of slide rings  55  in the illustrated example includes a shared ground contact  65 , a minus contact  66  to the loudspeaker  25 , a plus contact  68  to the loudspeaker  25 , a contact to the indicator lamps  28  and an indicator contact  72  which indicates the presence of the loudspeaker “tower”  20  within base  30  (in the illustrated example—the shared ground contact  64  serves for this purpose). The wiring from the slide rings, which may be any suitable wiring by a person skilled in the art, is not described. 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which is an elevational view of the array of contacts according to section B—B in FIG.  3 . The system of springy contacts  58  is shown positioned on the printed circuit  62 . In the illustrated example, in order to ensure redundancy, two springy contacts  58  are designated for each slide ring  55  installed at the end of the projecting element  42  (see FIG.  2 ). The wiring from the springy contacts is not shown, may be any suitable wiring by a person skilled in the art, is not described. 
     In addition, any person skilled in the art will appreciate that the desirable engagement between the array of springy contacts and the array of compatible slide surfaces, can be achieved at the side of projecting element  42 , for example, by locating an array of slide rings around it, engaging an array of springy contacts located within sleeve  44  or vice versa). 
     In operation, the loudspeaker “tower”  20  is mounted on the base  30  by inserting the projecting element  42  inside the sleeve  44 . The spring ring  52  expands inside the groove  48 , and in this situation, the lower end of the projecting element  42 , with the slide rings  55  installed inside it, presses and bends the array of springy contacts  58 , thereby ensuring close contact between each slide ring and the pair of springy contacts connected to it. 
     Manual rotation of the loudspeaker “tower”  20  in relation to the base  30  does not cause the conductivity contact between the array of slide rings  55  and the array of springy contacts  58  to be severed. The slide rings  55  slide on a horizontal plane parallel to the ends of the springy contacts  58 , which therefore remain compressed by them. The spring ring  52  ensures that the assemblies will not become disconnected from one another except through the application of intentional extraction force. 
     Manual disconnection of the loudspeaker “towers”  20  from the base  30  (for example, for dismantling the device) is performed by applying an extraction force so as to overcome the resistance of the spring ring  52 , which has been urged inside groove  50 . In this way, it is possible to remove the loudspeaker “tower”  20  from inside the base, and thus, sever the contacts. 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to a specific embodiment, the description is intended to be illustrative of the invention as a whole, and is not to be construed as limiting the invention to the embodiment shown. It is appreciated that various modifications, which may occur to those skilled in the art, while not specifically shown herein, are nevertheless within the true spirit and scope of the invention.