Abstract:
The present invention discloses a festive camcorder comprising a camcorder and a decorative sealed vessel. The decorative sealed vessel is coupled to the main base of the camcorder. The decorative sealed vessel has at least one liquid type and a decorative structure.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a camcorder with a decorative sealed vessel, and more particularly, to a small sized camcorder with a decorative sealed vessel.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     Several patents have been granted regarding the combination of a decorative sealed vessel with other objects to create a decorative effect; for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,380,926 several embodiments are disclosed, such as a cup having with a decorative sealed vessel, or a toothbrush box with a decorative sealed vessel.  
         [0005]     However, no prior art discloses a camcorder with a decorative sealed vessel. Camcorders have been in use for over 20 years, and have become a necessary device for many people. Many design shapes for camcorders are developed each year, but none of the designs contain decorative sealed vessels.  
         [0006]     Small sized camcorders, such as a PC camera (or a web camera), are increasingly popular; they are usually placed next to a display, but are infrequently used, unlike the display or a mouse. Therefore, finding a way to increase the functionality of the camcorder is desirable, for example, by adding a decorative element to the camera.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     A main objective of the present invention is to provide a camcorder with a decorative sealed vessel, which causes the camcorder to be more enjoyable and interesting.  
         [0008]     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a camcorder with a decorative sealed vessel, which has a decorative sealed vessel capable of moving automatically.  
         [0009]     In order to achieve the above mentioned objectives, the present invention comprises a camcorder and a decorative sealed vessel. The decorative sealed vessel is coupled to a main base of the camcorder. The decorative sealed vessel has at least one type of liquid and a decorative structure. The camcorder further comprises a first magnet and an electric motor.  
         [0010]     In order to cause the decorative sealed vessel to move automatically, a second magnet is mounted on the decorative structure, so that when a base of the camcorder provides a varying magnetic field, the decorative structure moves accordingly. The varying magnetic field can be provided by the electric motor or by an electromagnet.  
         [0011]     Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates a first embodiment according to the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a second embodiment according to the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the second embodiment according to the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates a third embodiment according to the present invention, and includes a partial cross-sectional drawing.  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a side view of an electric motor shown in  FIG. 4  according to the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  illustrates a fourth embodiment according to the present invention, and includes a partial cross-sectional drawing. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0018]     Four embodiments are described in the following description.  
         [0019]     Please refer to  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  illustrates a first embodiment according to the present invention. A camcorder with a decorative sealed vessel  90  comprises a camcorder  10  and a sealed vessel  30 .  
         [0020]     The camcorder  10  comprises a lens  12  and a base  11 . Circuitry (not shown) is installed in the base  11  to provide the photographic functionality of the camcorder  10 . The base  11  may have several different parts, and some parts may rotate with the leans  12 . The camcorder  10  can be a PC camera (web camera) or a monitor camera, which is basically a small sized camera. Most PC cameras require an external power source, which is achieved by utilizing a cable  14  (with a USB interface) to connect to a computer. The present invention can also be applied to a wireless camera, which has its own power source, such as a battery (not shown) in the base  11 . However, since the camcorder  10  is a very common product and not the key point of the present invention, no additional description is required.  
         [0021]     The decorative sealed vessel  30  is combined with the base  111  of the camcorder  10 . The decorative sealed vessel  30  comprises at least one type of liquid and a decorative structure  40 . According to the embodiment, there are two types of liquids: a first liquid  31  and a second liquid  32 . The second liquid  32  is less dense than the first liquid  31 , and they usually have different colors. The decorative structure  40  is insoluble and floats between the first liquid  31  and the second liquid  32 . Many methods may be used to combine the decorative sealed vessel  30  with the base  111 , including the use of adhesives or clamps.  
         [0022]     Please refer to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a second embodiment according to the present invention.  FIG. 3  is a side view of the second embodiment according to the present invention. In the second embodiment, the decorative sealed vessel  30  is not necessarily below the base  11 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the camcorder  10  appears to be embedded in the decorative sealed vessel  30 , which provides a more interesting appearance.  
         [0023]     Please refer to  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 4  illustrates a third embodiment according to the present invention, and includes a partial cross-sectional drawing. In this embodiment, an electric motor  20  is installed below the base  11   a . The electric motor  20  may be any device that converts electrical power to mechanical power. For example, the electric motor  20  may be a common rotational-style motor, a motor for a clock, a solenoid, etc. The electric motor  20  receives electrical power from the cable  14 , or from a battery in the base  11   a . Please refer to  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 5  is a side view of the electric motor shown in  FIG. 4  according to the present invention. A first magnet  21  is mounted on a shaft  23  (which is a transfer means) of the electric motor  20 . Thus, the electric motor  20  rotates the first magnet  21  to generate a varying magnetic field. Many different mechanical designs may be employed to move the first magnet  21  in order to generate a varying magnetic field. The manner of moving the first magnet  21  could be actual rotation as mentioned above, or could also be an oscillatory movement, vibration, or other types of movement. The transfer means between the electric motor  20  and the first magnet  21  may be the shaft  23 , but may also include gears, linkages, etc. Therefore, it is not necessary that the electric motor  20  and the first magnet  21  be directly connected, but simply that the electric motor  20  provides power to move the first magnet  21 .  
         [0024]     In this embodiment, a second magnet  41  is mounted on the decorative structure  40 . The first magnet  21  is positioned around the decorative sealed vessel  30 . Consequently, when the first magnet  21  moves, the second magnet  41  also moves, causing the decorative structure  40  to move accordingly. Because of the characteristics of the varying magnetic field and the liquid, the decorative structure  40 , in fact, will tend to make unpredictable movements (shaking), and the first liquid  31  and the second liquid  32  will also shake accordingly.  
         [0025]     Please refer to  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 6  illustrates a fourth embodiment according to the present invention, and includes a partial cross-sectional drawing. The major difference of the fourth embodiment is the use of an electromagnet  20   a , instead of using the first magnet  21  and the electric motor  20  shown in the first embodiment. The electromagnet  20   a  is a standard electronics component, which generates a magnetic field when an electric current is provided (i.e. when the electric current passes through a coil, an electromagnet&#39;s major element, a magnetic field is generated). Therefore, it is easy to make the electromagnet  20   a  generate a varying magnetic field by providing the electromagnet  20   a  with a correspondingly varying electric current. For example, by changing the amount of current, or the direction of the current, a varying electric current is produced.  
         [0026]     In the third and fourth embodiments, the electrical power is provided to the electric motor  20  or the electromagnet  20   a  to generate a varying magnetic field, as mentioned above. The electric current provided to the electric motor  20  or the electromagnet  20   a  can be continuous, discontinuous, or provided under other pre-set conditions.  
         [0027]     Although the present invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.