Camera mount

A camera mount, comprising: a body, one or more magnets, and one or more pins. The one or more magnets located within the body and configured to connect to a magnetic portion or a ferromagnetic portion of a camera. The one or more pins that extend axially outward from the body above the one or more magnets and are configured to extend into recesses within the camera.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a camera mount that provides a quick connection to a camera where the quick connection includes magnets that releasably engage the camera to prevent the camera from disengaging from the camera mount.

BACKGROUND

Generally, image capture devices are available that are capable of capturing both images and videos. These image capture devices may be set up at a location to capture an event over a period of time. The camera is connected to a mount that supports the camera so that the camera can capture the event. The mounts that support the camera generally connect to the camera to prevent the camera from disconnecting from the mount. This connection may take several section to release such that in an action environment a shot may be missed trying to move the camera between locations, mounts, or both.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are implementations of a camera mount that connects and supports a camera relative to a structure. The teachings herein provide a camera mount that mounts a camera to a structure and quick releases the camera. The quick release is performed without any tools or manipulating any parts of the camera, the camera mount, or both. The camera mount resists shear forces (e.g., a force parallel to a face of the camera) such that the camera may only be removed by a force that is perpendicular to a face of the camera mount.

The present teachings provide a camera mount, comprising: a body, one or more magnets, and one or more pins. The one or more magnets located within the body and configured to connect to a magnetic portion or ferromagnetic portion of a camera. The one or more pins that extend axially outward from the body above the one or more magnets and are configured to extend into recesses within the camera.

The present teachings provide a camera mount comprising: a body, one or more magnets, and an outer surface. The one or more magnets located partially or entirely within the body and configured to connect the camera mount to a camera. The outer surface extending between the magnets and the camera, the outer surface configured to prevent the magnets from disconnecting from the camera when a shear force is generated against the camera mount or the camera.

The present teachings provide a camera mount comprising: a body, one or more magnets, and mount interconnect mechanisms. The body is configured to have a portion that extends partially or entirely into a recess in a camera to prevent the camera from being slidingly movable relative to the camera mount. The one or more magnets located partially or entirely within the body, the one or more magnets generating a magnetic force that secures the camera mount to the camera. The mount interconnect mechanisms extend from the body that are configured to connect the camera, the camera mount, or both to another support device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present teachings provide a camera mount configured to support an image capture device that captures videos and audio related to the video. The camera mount is a quick release camera mount that does not require any tools or manipulation of the camera or camera mount to release the camera from the camera mount. The camera mount may resist and/or prevent the camera from being removed in a direction parallel to a face of the camera mount (e.g., a shear removal). The camera mount may support the camera such that the camera resists a shock, being oriented upside down, held at a downward angle relative to the ground (e.g., a 45 degree angle), or a combination thereof.

FIGS.1A-Bare isometric views of an example of an image capture device100. The image capture device100may include a body102, a lens104structured on a front surface of the body102, various indicators on the front surface of the body102(such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), displays, and the like), various input mechanisms (such as buttons, switches, and/or touch-screens), and electronics (such as imaging electronics, power electronics, etc.) internal to the body102for capturing images via the lens104and/or performing other functions. The lens104is configured to receive light incident upon the lens104and to direct received light onto an image sensor internal to the body102. The image capture device100may be configured to capture images and video and to store captured images and video for subsequent display or playback.

The image capture device100may include an LED or another form of indicator106to indicate a status of the image capture device100and a liquid-crystal display (LCD) or other form of a display108to show status information such as battery life, camera mode, elapsed time, and the like. The image capture device100may also include a mode button110and a shutter button112that are configured to allow a user of the image capture device100to interact with the image capture device100. For example, the mode button110and the shutter button112may be used to turn the image capture device100on and off, scroll through modes and settings, and select modes and change settings. The image capture device100may include additional buttons or interfaces (not shown) to support and/or control additional functionality.

The image capture device100may include a door114coupled to the body102, for example, using a hinge mechanism116. The door114may be secured to the body102using a latch mechanism118that releasably engages the body102at a position generally opposite the hinge mechanism116. The door114may also include a seal120and a battery interface122. When the door114is an open position, access is provided to an input-output (I/O) interface124for connecting to or communicating with external devices as described below and to a battery receptacle126for placement and replacement of a battery (not shown). The battery receptacle126includes operative connections (not shown) for power transfer between the battery and the image capture device100. When the door114is in a closed position, the seal120engages a flange (not shown) or other interface to provide an environmental seal, and the battery interface122engages the battery to secure the battery in the battery receptacle126. The door114can also have a removed position (not shown) where the entire door114is separated from the image capture device100, that is, where both the hinge mechanism116and the latch mechanism118are decoupled from the body102to allow the door114to be removed from the image capture device100.

The image capture device100may include a microphone128on a front surface and another microphone130on a side surface. The image capture device100may include other microphones on other surfaces (not shown). The microphones128,130may be configured to receive and record audio signals in conjunction with recording video or separate from recording of video. The image capture device100may include a speaker132on a bottom surface of the image capture device100. The image capture device100may include other speakers on other surfaces (not shown). The speaker132may be configured to play back recorded audio or emit sounds associated with notifications.

A front surface of the image capture device100may include a drainage channel134. A bottom surface of the image capture device100may include an interconnect mechanism136for connecting the image capture device100to a handle grip or other securing device. In the example shown inFIG.1B, the interconnect mechanism136includes folding protrusions configured to move between a nested or collapsed position as shown and an extended or open position (not shown) that facilitates coupling of the protrusions to mating protrusions of other devices such as handle grips, mounts, clips, or like devices.

The image capture device100may include an interactive display138that allows for interaction with the image capture device100while simultaneously displaying information on a surface of the image capture device100.

The image capture device100ofFIGS.1A-Bincludes an exterior that encompasses and protects internal electronics. In the present example, the exterior includes six surfaces (i.e. a front face, a left face, a right face, a back face, a top face, and a bottom face) that form a rectangular cuboid. Furthermore, both the front and rear surfaces of the image capture device100are rectangular. In other embodiments, the exterior may have a different shape. The image capture device100may be made of a rigid material such as plastic, aluminum, steel, or fiberglass. The image capture device100may include features other than those described here. For example, the image capture device100may include additional buttons or different interface features, such as interchangeable lenses, cold shoes, and hot shoes that can add functional features to the image capture device100.

The image capture device100may include various types of image sensors, such as charge-coupled device (CCD) sensors, active pixel sensors (APS), complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) sensors, N-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (NMOS) sensors, and/or any other image sensor or combination of image sensors.

Although not illustrated, in various embodiments, the image capture device100may include other additional electrical components (e.g., an image processor, camera system-on-chip (SoC), etc.), which may be included on one or more circuit boards within the body102of the image capture device100.

The image capture device100may interface with or communicate with an external device, such as an external user interface device (not shown), via a wired or wireless computing communication link (e.g., the I/O interface124). Any number of computing communication links may be used. The computing communication link may be a direct computing communication link or an indirect computing communication link, such as a link including another device or a network, such as the internet, may be used.

In some implementations, the computing communication link may be a Wi-Fi link, an infrared link, a Bluetooth (BT) link, a cellular link, a ZigBee link, a near field communications (NFC) link, such as an ISO/IEC 20643 protocol link, an Advanced Network Technology interoperability (ANT+) link, and/or any other wireless communications link or combination of links.

In some implementations, the computing communication link may be an HDMI link, a USB link, a digital video interface link, a display port interface link, such as a Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) digital display interface link, an Ethernet link, a Thunderbolt link, and/or other wired computing communication link.

The image capture device100may transmit images, such as panoramic images, or portions thereof, to the external user interface device via the computing communication link, and the external user interface device may store, process, display, or a combination thereof the panoramic images.

The external user interface device may be a computing device, such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, a phablet, a smart watch, a portable computer, personal computing device, and/or another device or combination of devices configured to receive user input, communicate information with the image capture device100via the computing communication link, or receive user input and communicate information with the image capture device100via the computing communication link.

The external user interface device may display, or otherwise present, content, such as images or video, acquired by the image capture device100. For example, a display of the external user interface device may be a viewport into the three-dimensional space represented by the panoramic images or video captured or created by the image capture device100.

The external user interface device may communicate information, such as metadata, to the image capture device100. For example, the external user interface device may send orientation information of the external user interface device with respect to a defined coordinate system to the image capture device100, such that the image capture device100may determine an orientation of the external user interface device relative to the image capture device100.

Based on the determined orientation, the image capture device100may identify a portion of the panoramic images or video captured by the image capture device100for the image capture device100to send to the external user interface device for presentation as the viewport. In some implementations, based on the determined orientation, the image capture device100may determine the location of the external user interface device and/or the dimensions for viewing of a portion of the panoramic images or video.

The external user interface device may implement or execute one or more applications to manage or control the image capture device100. For example, the external user interface device may include an application for controlling camera configuration, video acquisition, video display, or any other configurable or controllable aspect of the image capture device100.

The user interface device, such as via an application, may generate and share, such as via a cloud-based or social media service, one or more images, or short video clips, such as in response to user input. In some implementations, the external user interface device, such as via an application, may remotely control the image capture device100such as in response to user input.

The external user interface device, such as via an application, may display unprocessed or minimally processed images or video captured by the image capture device100contemporaneously with capturing the images or video by the image capture device100, such as for shot framing or live preview, and which may be performed in response to user input. In some implementations, the external user interface device, such as via an application, may mark one or more key moments contemporaneously with capturing the images or video by the image capture device100, such as with a tag or highlight in response to a user input or user gesture.

The external user interface device, such as via an application, may display or otherwise present marks or tags associated with images or video, such as in response to user input. For example, marks may be presented in a camera roll application for location review and/or playback of video highlights.

The external user interface device, such as via an application, may wirelessly control camera software, hardware, or both. For example, the external user interface device may include a web-based graphical interface accessible by a user for selecting a live or previously recorded video stream from the image capture device100for display on the external user interface device.

The external user interface device may receive information indicating a user setting, such as an image resolution setting (e.g., 3840 pixels by 2160 pixels), a frame rate setting (e.g., 60 frames per second (fps)), a location setting, and/or a context setting, which may indicate an activity, such as mountain biking, in response to user input, and may communicate the settings, or related information, to the image capture device100.

A bottom surface of the image capture device100includes the interconnect mechanism136. When the interconnect mechanism136is stowed as shown interconnect recesses140are formed at opposing ends of the interconnect mechanism136. The interconnect recesses140have a complementary shape to a shape of the interconnect mechanism136. The shape of the interconnect recesses140may be crescent shaped, half circular, “U” shaped, “C” shaped, a generally round shape, or a combination thereof.

FIG.2is a block diagram of electronic components in an image capture device200. The image capture device200may be a single-lens image capture device, a multi-lens image capture device, or variations thereof, including an image capture device with multiple capabilities such as use of interchangeable integrated sensor lens assemblies. The description of the image capture device200is also applicable to the image capture device100ofFIGS.1A-B.

The image capture device200includes a body202which includes electronic components such as capture components210, a processing apparatus220, data interface components230, movement sensors240, power components250, and/or user interface components260.

The capture components210include one or more image sensors212for capturing images and one or more microphones214for capturing audio.

The image sensor(s)212is configured to detect light of a certain spectrum (e.g., the visible spectrum or the infrared spectrum) and convey information constituting an image as electrical signals (e.g., analog or digital signals). The image sensor(s)212detects light incident through a lens coupled or connected to the body202. The image sensor(s)212may be any suitable type of image sensor, such as a charge-coupled device (CCD) sensor, active pixel sensor (APS), complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) sensor, N-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (NMOS) sensor, and/or any other image sensor or combination of image sensors. Image signals from the image sensor(s)212may be passed to other electronic components of the image capture device200via a bus280, such as to the processing apparatus220. In some implementations, the image sensor(s)212includes a digital-to-analog converter. A multi-lens variation of the image capture device200can include multiple image sensors212.

The microphone(s)214is configured to detect sound, which may be recorded in conjunction with capturing images to form a video. The microphone(s)214may also detect sound in order to receive audible commands to control the image capture device200.

The processing apparatus220may be configured to perform image signal processing (e.g., filtering, tone mapping, stitching, and/or encoding) to generate output images based on image data from the image sensor(s)212. The processing apparatus220may include one or more processors having single or multiple processing cores. In some implementations, the processing apparatus220may include an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). For example, the processing apparatus220may include a custom image signal processor. The processing apparatus220may exchange data (e.g., image data) with other components of the image capture device200, such as the image sensor(s)212, via the bus280.

The processing apparatus220may include memory, such as a random-access memory (RAM) device, flash memory, or another suitable type of storage device, such as a non-transitory computer-readable memory. The memory of the processing apparatus220may include executable instructions and data that can be accessed by one or more processors of the processing apparatus220. For example, the processing apparatus220may include one or more dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) modules, such as double data rate synchronous dynamic random-access memory (DDR SDRAM). In some implementations, the processing apparatus220may include a digital signal processor (DSP). More than one processing apparatus may also be present or associated with the image capture device200.

The data interface components230enable communication between the image capture device200and other electronic devices, such as a remote control, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, or a storage device. For example, the data interface components230may be used to receive commands to operate the image capture device200, transfer image data to other electronic devices, and/or transfer other signals or information to and from the image capture device200. The data interface components230may be configured for wired and/or wireless communication. For example, the data interface components230may include an I/O interface232that provides wired communication for the image capture device, which may be a USB interface (e.g., USB type-C), a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI), or a FireWire interface. The data interface components230may include a wireless data interface234that provides wireless communication for the image capture device200, such as a Bluetooth interface, a ZigBee interface, and/or a Wi-Fi interface. The data interface components230may include a storage interface236, such as a memory card slot configured to receive and operatively couple to a storage device (e.g., a memory card) for data transfer with the image capture device200(e.g., for storing captured images and/or recorded audio and video).

The movement sensors240may detect the position and movement of the image capture device200. The movement sensors240may include a position sensor242, an accelerometer244, or a gyroscope246. The position sensor242, such as a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, is used to determine a position of the image capture device200. The accelerometer244, such as a three-axis accelerometer, measures linear motion (e.g., linear acceleration) of the image capture device200. The gyroscope246, such as a three-axis gyroscope, measures rotational motion (e.g., rate of rotation) of the image capture device200. Other types of movement sensors240may also be present or associated with the image capture device200.

The power components250may receive, store, and/or provide power for operating the image capture device200. The power components250may include a battery interface252and a battery254. The battery interface252operatively couples to the battery254, for example, with conductive contacts to transfer power from the battery254to the other electronic components of the image capture device200. The power components250may also include an external interface256, and the power components250may, via the external interface256, receive power from an external source, such as a wall plug or external battery, for operating the image capture device200and/or charging the battery254of the image capture device200. In some implementations, the external interface256may be the I/O interface232. In such an implementation, the I/O interface232may enable the power components250to receive power from an external source over a wired data interface component (e.g., a USB type-C cable).

The user interface components260may allow the user to interact with the image capture device200, for example, providing outputs to the user and receiving inputs from the user. The user interface components260may include visual output components262to visually communicate information and/or present captured images to the user. The visual output components262may include one or more lights264and/or more displays266. The display(s)266may be configured as a touch screen that receives inputs from the user. The user interface components260may also include one or more speakers268. The speaker(s)268can function as an audio output component that audibly communicates information and/or presents recorded audio to the user. The user interface components260may also include one or more physical input interfaces270that are physically manipulated by the user to provide input to the image capture device200. The physical input interfaces270may, for example, be configured as buttons, toggles, or switches. The user interface components260may also be considered to include the microphone(s)214, as indicated in dotted line, and the microphone(s)214may function to receive audio inputs from the user, such as voice commands.

The image capture devices100or200ofFIGS.1A-2may be connected to any camera mounts illustrated inFIGS.3A-9B.

FIG.3Ais a partially transparent isometric view of a camera300connected to a camera mount302. The camera300includes a camera interconnect mechanism304including recesses306therein.

The camera interconnect mechanism304functions to connect the camera300to one or more support devices and/or camera mounts such as the camera mount302. The camera interconnect mechanism304may pivot. The camera interconnect mechanism304may fold. The camera interconnect mechanism304, when in the stowed position308, may form a planar surface or a support of the camera300. The camera interconnect mechanism304may be movable between an extended connection position (not shown) where the camera interconnect mechanism304extends out of the camera300to expose the recesses306and a stowed position308(as shown) where the camera interconnect mechanism304is located within a body or depression of the camera300so that the recesses306are not accessible.

The recesses306may function to assist in connecting the camera300to another structure such as a dashboard, windshield, gimbal, bicycle, helmet, or a combination thereof. The recesses306may prevent the camera from being removed from the other structure and/or camera mount (not shown). The recesses306may be a depression (e.g., a hole with only one opening) that receives a portion of the camera mount302. The recesses306may be a through hole. The recesses306may receive a rigid member that extends into the recesses306in the camera300to form a connection with the camera mount302. The camera300may include the interconnect mechanism304with the recesses306, and the camera mount302may also include recesses327configured to receive a pin, a threaded member, a bolt, a fastener, a cotter pin, a nail, or a combination thereof so that the camera mount302fixedly attaches to a support device. The recesses306of the interconnect mechanism304in the connection position may be axially aligned, extend parallel, or both. The recesses306may be configured to receive pins310of the camera mount302as shown.

The pins310may prevent the camera mount302from being moved in a shear direction or a parallel direction with respect to a side, surface, or plane of the camera300. The pins310may extend into the recesses306to prevent the camera300from sliding in a direction parallel to the camera mount302or a direction substantially perpendicular to an axis of the pins310(e.g., 15 degrees or less, 10 degrees or less, or 5 degrees or less relative to a perpendicular direction). The pins310may prevent the camera300and the camera mount302from moving in any direction other than along an axis of the pins310. The pins310may prevent the camera300from rotating relative to the camera mount302. For example, the pins310may contact an inner wall312of the camera300and/or the recesses306so that the camera300is prevented from tipping relative to the camera mount302. In another example, if a user tips the camera300so that the camera300is positioned at a 45-degree angle to vertical or horizontal, the pins310may prevent the camera300from rotating away from the camera mount302on a first side314of the pins310while remaining in contact with the camera mount302on a second side316of the pins310. The pins310may be pyramidal, cone-like, or cylindrical in shape (as shown).

The pins310may have a shape that is configured to facilitate the pins310in extending into the recesses306. The pins310may have a flat and/or planar surface (e.g., a terminal end may be flat or planar). The pins310may have a chamfered surface318. The chamfered surface318may extend downward from a forward end and/or terminal end of the pins310. The chamfered surface318may be flat, rounded, angled, curved, or a combination thereof. The chamfered surface318on a first of the pins310may be located on a same or an opposite side as a chamfered surface318on a second of the pins310. For example, the chamfered surfaces318may be located on all exterior sides of the pins310, on all interior sides of the pins310, on some exterior sides and some interior sides, or a combination thereof. The chamfered surface318may contact a wall of the recesses306and assist in moving the pins310into the recesses306. The chamfered surface318may assist in seating a magnet320of the camera mount302against a magnetic portion322of the camera300.

The magnet320of the camera mount302may be partially or entirely located within the camera mount302. The magnet320may be free of a cover or an outer surface. The magnet320may be covered by an outer surface324. The outer surface324extends over the one or more magnets320so that the one or more magnets320are enclosed within the camera mount302. The magnet320may be made of or include a ferrous material, a rare earth material, iron, nickel, cobalt, neodymium, samarium, or a combination thereof. The magnet320may have a holding strength of about one Kg or more, two Kg or more, five Kg or more, even about ten Kg or more, about 100 Kg or less, or about 50 Kg or less. The holding strength of the magnet320in an axial direction (e.g., a perpendicular direction to a side of the camera mount302) may be greater than a holding strength in a shear direction (e.g., a direction parallel the side of the camera mount302). The holding strength of the magnet320may be dependent upon a material, size, orientation, or a combination thereof of the magnetic portion322of the camera300.

The magnetic portion322of the camera300may be a metallic portion of the camera300, a portion of a housing of the camera300, the camera interconnect mechanism136(shown inFIG.1B), a portion of the camera interconnect mechanism304of the camera300, or a combination thereof. The magnetic portion322may include one of the materials discussed above with regard to the magnets320. The magnetic portion322may include iron, nickel, cobalt, or a combination thereof. The magnetic portion322may include magnets behind the camera interconnect mechanism304, on another surface so that a magnetic field may attract the magnet320to form a connection. The magnetic portion322may be a surface located between portions of the camera interconnect mechanism304that the camera interconnect mechanism304connects to, rotates about, or both. The magnetic portion322may be centrally located between the camera interconnect mechanism304. The magnetic portion322of the camera mount302may be located on or adjacent to a surface that opposes a mount interconnect mechanism326that includes recesses327so that the camera300and the camera mount302connect together (e.g., located directly opposite).

The mount interconnect mechanism326functions to connect the camera mount302to a support structure, another camera mount, a separate device, or a combination thereof. The mount interconnect mechanism326may removably mount the camera mount302to a structure. The mount interconnect mechanism326may be fixed. The mount interconnect mechanism326may be movable, stowable, foldable, or a combination thereof. The mount interconnect mechanism326may form a rigid connection to another device and the magnets320may releasably connect the camera300to the camera mount302.

FIG.3Bis a partially transparent isometric view of the camera mount302ofFIG.3A. The camera mount302includes pins310that extend axially outward from the camera mount302. The pins310include a chamfered surface318to facilitate installation within a recess306of a camera (such as the camera300shown inFIG.3A) or a recesses327of the camera mount302. The magnet320as shown is an oversized magnet320. The magnet320has a height (H) that is substantially a same height as the height of a body328of the camera mount302. The body328houses the entire magnet320. The magnet320is located within the camera mount302and covered by an outer surface324.

The outer surface324is sufficiently thin so that the outer surface324does not interfere with forming a magnetic connection. The outer surface324seals the magnet320from an environment, prevents debris from collecting on the magnet, or both. The outer surface324may be made of or include plastic, a polymer, a polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PETE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) rubber, or an elastomer. The outer surface324may be a non-slip surface, a high friction surface, or both. The outer surface324may include pins310. The pins310may be a monolithic part of the outer surface324. The outer surface324may include rubber or silicone that prevents the camera from moving along the outer surface. The outer surface324may have a coefficient of friction of about 0.5 or more, about 0.6 or more, about 0.75 or more, or about 0.8 or more. The outer surface324may have a coefficient of friction of about 1.5 or less, about 1.2 or less, or about 1 or less. The outer surface324may lock the magnet320within the body328so that the magnet320cannot be removed from the body328.

FIG.3Cis a partially transparent side view of the camera mount302ofFIGS.3A-3B. The pins310are shown extending outward from the camera mount302. Opposing outer edges of the pins310include chamfered surfaces318to assist the pins310extending into the recesses306shown inFIG.3A.

FIG.4Ais a partially transparent isometric view of a camera400connected to a camera mount402, which has a low profile. The camera400includes a camera interconnect mechanism404with recesses406that receive pins410of the camera mount402. The pins410include chamfered418surfaces that assist in forming a connection between the camera mount402and the camera300. As the pins410extend into the recesses406the magnet420attracts the camera mount402to a magnetic portion422of the camera400.

The magnet420may be located within the camera400, the camera mount402, or both. The magnetic portion422may be part of the camera400, the camera mount402, or both. The magnet420is covered by an outer surface424that covers and protects the magnet420. The camera mount402may include a mount interconnect mechanism426that assists in connecting the camera mount402to another support structure as discussed herein. The magnet420may be sandwiched between the outer surface424and the mount interconnect mechanism426.

The magnet420is located within a body428. The magnet420has a height (H′) that substantially fills the body428. The height H′ is associated with a low profile and is a height that is less than a height H associated with the camera mount302ofFIGS.3B-3C. The height H may have a height that is about 1.5× or more, about 2× or more, about 3× or more, or about 4× or more than that of H′. The height of H′ may be about one mm or more, two mm or more, three mm or more, four mm or more. The height of H′ may be about five cm or less, about four cm or less, about three cm or less, about two cm or less, or about one cm or less.

FIG.4Bis a partially transparent close-up isometric view of the camera mount402ofFIG.4A. The camera mount402is shown in transparent so that the magnet420is shown within the body428. The magnet420has the height (H′) that is a low profile height compared to the magnet320ofFIGS.3A-3C.

FIG.5is a partially transparent close-up isometric view of a camera mount502. The camera mount502includes a pair of pins510and one or more post512extending between the pins510. The posts512has a height (Ho) that is greater than a height (Hi) of the pins510. The posts512may be a singular post512or two or more posts512. The post512may have a height (Ho) that is about 1.2× or more, about 1.5× or more, about 2× or more, about 3× or more about, 10× or less, about 7× or less, or about 5× or less the height (Hi) of the pins510. The post512prevents tipping of the camera mount502relative to the cameras100,200,300, or400shown inFIGS.1A-1B,3A, and4A. The post512extends into the camera (not shown) a sufficient distance so that when a user tips the camera downward the camera is prevented from angling away from the camera mount502. The posts512may extend into the camera a distance so that when the camera is moved from a vertical position towards a horizontal distance the post512contacts an internal wall of the camera (not shown) to prevent the camera and the camera mount502from disengaging. The post512similar to the pins510prevents the camera (not shown) form moving in a shear direction relative to the camera mount502.

The pins510include a chamfered surface518to facilitate forming a connection between the camera mount502and the camera shown inFIGS.1A-1B,3A, and4A.

The post512, as shown, extends through a magnet520. However, the post512may extend along a side of the magnet520or adjacent to the magnet520. The post512may be located entirely above the magnet520and may extend from an outer surface524that covers the magnet520. The post512may be a magnet, a magnetic metal, or both. The post512may transfer magnetism from the magnet520. The post512may be made of a plastic or polymer discussed herein regarding the outer surface524. The outer surface524may extend along a top of the camera mount502and mount interconnect mechanism526may extend from a bottom surface of the camera mount502.

The mount interconnect mechanism526connects the camera (not shown) and the camera mount502to another structure so that the camera mount502is fixedly connected but the camera may be rapidly removed. The mount interconnect mechanism526may extend outward from a body528that houses the magnet520. The post512may extend into the body528so that the post512forms a rigid connection with the camera mount502. The post512may have a height of about one mm or more, about three mm or more, about five mm or more, about seven mm or more, or about one cm or more. The post512may have a height of about ten cm or less, about seven cm or less, about five cm or less, or about three cm or less.

FIG.6is a partially transparent isometric view of a camera mount602shown in transparent. The camera mount is substantially identical to the camera mounts taught inFIGS.3A-5except for a pin610design. The one or more pins610may be configured to extend into the interconnect recesses140such as those ofFIG.1B. The pins610may be complementary in shape to a shape of the interconnect recesses140. The pins610may be crescent shaped, half circular, “U” shaped, “C” shaped, a generally round shape, or a combination thereof. The pins610may restrict movement of the image capture device100,200,300,400ofFIGS.1A-2,3A, and4A.

The pins610may prevent the camera (not shown) from shearing off of the camera mount602. For example, the pins610may prevent the camera from moving parallel to the camera mount602such that the camera slides off of the camera mount602(e.g., in a lateral direction, a longitudinal direction, twisting, and/or shearing). The pins610may prevent tipping of the camera relative to a plane612of the camera mount602. Thus, if the camera mount602is leaned downward towards the ground, the pins610may restrict a side of the camera from pulling way from the camera mount602so that contact is maintained between the camera (not shown) and the camera mount602. For example, as the camera (not shown) begins to pull away from camera mount602, a tip614of the pins610may contact the interconnect recesses140and prevent the camera in tipping away from the camera mount602.

FIG.7Ais a partially transparent isometric view of a camera700connected to a camera mount702andFIG.7Billustrates a partially transparent isometric view of only the camera mount702. The camera700includes a camera interconnect mechanism704having recesses706that are accessible in a stowed position708by pins710of the camera mount702, all of which connect in a same manner as discussed herein regardingFIGS.3A-6. The camera mount702includes one or more trays712that extend around the pins710.

The trays712extend along a first side714of the pins710and a second side716of the pins710. The trays712may extend outward from an edge of the camera mount702. An edge of the camera mount702may be a terminal portion of a side of the camera mount702. For example, an edge may be a portion of a side of the camera mount702where the side ends. The trays712prevent rotation of the camera700towards the first side714and towards the second side716so that when the camera700is angled downward the camera700does not tip relative to the camera mount702. The trays712assist magnets720in maintaining contact with a magnetic portion722regarding of an orientation of the camera700and the camera mount702. The trays712may restrict a shear movement towards the first side714in a first direction and towards a second side715in a second direction and may prevent the camera700from tipping towards the first side714and the second side716.

The trays712may extend outward from a body728of the camera mount702. The trays712and body728may form a “U” shape or a “C” shape. The trays712may extend along two opposing sides of the pins710.

FIG.8Ais a partially transparent isometric view of a camera800connected to a camera mount802andFIG.8Billustrates a partially transparent isometric view of the camera mount802. The camera mount802includes trays812that form a periphery substantially around the camera800when the camera800is connected to the camera mount802via magnets820. The magnets820of the camera mount802connect to one or more magnetic portions822of the camera800while the trays812assist in maintaining the magnetic connection. The trays812restrict a shearing motion of the camera800relative to the camera mount802. The trays812extend fully or partially along all four sides of the camera800such that the camera800is prevented from sliding in a first direction, second direction, third direction, a fourth direction, or a combination thereof (e.g., forward, backward, left, or right) relative to the camera mount802.

The trays812form a periphery around the camera mount802, the camera, or both. The trays812may have a height that is sufficient to prevent sliding, tipping, or both of the camera300relative to the camera mount802. For example, if the camera800is angled downwards towards the ground, a forward wall824of the camera800contacts the tray to prevent movement of the magnetic portion822relative to the magnet820.

The tray812may have a height that is greater relative to a forward wall824and a rearward wall826than opposing side walls828of the camera800. The tray812may be used with pins (e.g.,310,410,510, or610) or may be free of pins. The trays812may negate a need for pins to form a connection between the camera800and the camera mount802. Thus, the camera mount802may be free of pins. The trays812may prevent movement of the camera800relative to the camera mount802in any direction other than normal to the camera mount802. Stated another way, the camera800may only be vertically removed from the camera mount802.

FIG.9Ais a partially transparent isometric view of a camera900connected to a camera mount902andFIG.9Bis a partially transparent isometric view of the camera mount902. The camera900and camera mount902form a connection in a same manner as shown and described inFIGS.3A-4B. The camera mount902includes a mount interconnect mechanism926that extends from a body928in a direction adjacent to the camera900.

The mount interconnect mechanism926extending from a rear wall of the camera mount902may assist in the camera900in being connected to surfaces and/or devices where a bottom connection is not possible or a bottom connection may restrict an ability to detect and record images. For example, the mount interconnect mechanism926may assist the camera in being angled downward towards the ground.