Abstract:
A digital miniature, flip-open pocketable camera for video teleconferencing in which the camera lens is positionable on a computer display level with the user&#39;s eyes. The camera includes a first housing and a second housing pivotally mounted to the first housing. The first housing comprises a rear lens enclosure and a front lens enclosure which together enclose a lens and a first printed circuit board. The second housing comprises a top base enclosure and a bottom base enclosure which together enclose a second printed circuit board. A flat ribbon cable is further provided for electrically connecting the first and second printed circuit boards contained in the respective housings. The pivotal interconnection permits the first and second housings to open to an angle of 90 degrees with respect to one another.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to digital image processing, and more specifically pertains to miniature digital video teleconferencing imaging systems. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Video teleconferencing cameras for personal computers are becoming very common. It is desirable to reduce the size of video cameras intended for personal and industrial use in order to increase their range of application. One major challenge for personal computer video camera designers is to locate the camera lens as close to the user&#39;s eye level as possible so that the camera is neither too high and looking above the user&#39;s forehead, nor too low and looking up the user&#39;s nose. Moreover, the ideal location for the camera should not obscure the user&#39;s vision of the computer screen. 
     It is ergonomically correct for the user to look down at the screen, so that the user&#39;s eyeballs are approximately level with the top of a computer monitor screen or at a slight distance, such as one inch, below the top. However, conventional teleconferencing cameras are generally designed to be seated on the top of a computer monitor, which means that they are placed too high. For that reason, the typical conventional cameras are designed with a very low height profile in order to place the camera lens as low as possible, for example, as shown in FIG.  1 . 
     Other conventional cameras have the lens mounted at the end of an elongated, flexible shaft, which gives them the appearance of an eye on a very long neck, as shown in FIG.  2 . This structure allows manual adjustment of the lens location with a high degree of freedom, but the design may obscure the computer monitor screen. Further, the device is not pocketable and such cameras appear visually threatening due to their shape, which is remindful of scary creatures from horror films. Moreover, the conventional teleconferencing cameras do not provide a variety of mounting options, and very few can be fixedly secured to a computer monitor or to a screen of a portable computer. 
     Furthermore, since conventional video cameras are not fixedly secured to the computer display screen, they may easily be subjected to vibrations and impacts, which are transmitted to the inner electronic elements. Additionally, in the conventional models of teleconferencing cameras, all electronic components are grouped in the same casing, which prohibits the distribution and dissipation of heat. The foregoing heat and vibration problems lead to an undesirable decrease in the reliability of video cameras. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a miniature, pocketable digital video teleconferencing camera for desktop or portable computers which has a simple and aesthetically pleasing design. Moreover, there is a need for small, low cost, digital teleconferencing cameras for consumers, which are inexpensive, suitable for mass production, durable, ergonomically comfortable, and which provide ease of handling, high fidelity images with inexpensive lenses, a wide range of uses, and a variety of mounting options. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve video cameras. 
     It is a primary object of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned shortcomings associated with the prior art and provide a miniature and pocketable digital video teleconferencing camera for provision of high quality images at low cost. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide a small video camera for desktop or portable computers in which the camera lens is level with the user&#39;s eyes and which is reasonably resistant to vibrations and impacts to which the casing may be subjected. 
     Still other objects of this invention are to minimize the space required for the camera and to enhance the distribution and dissipation of heat by the shape of the camera. 
     Yet another object of this invention is to provide a small video camera which can be fixedly secured to a computer monitor or the screen of a portable computer and which is suitable for mass production and use in a variety of consumer imaging applications. 
     These, as well as additional objects and advantages of the present invention, are achieved by a digital video teleconferencing camera including a first housing and a second housing pivotally mounted to the first housing. The first housing comprises a rear lens enclosure and a front lens enclosure which together enclose a lens and a first printed circuit board. The second housing comprises a top base enclosure and a bottom base enclosure which together enclose a second printed circuit board. Cable means is further provided for electrically connecting the first and second printed circuit boards contained in the respective housings. The pivoted interconnection permits the first and second housings to open to a predetermined angle with a respect to one another. When opened to the predetermined angle, the camera may be placed on the comer of a computer display screen such that the lens housing extends downwardly in front of the display screen level with the user&#39;s eyes. 
     The invention thus facilitates implementation of a digital miniature, flip-open, pocketable camera for video teleconferencing in which the camera lens is level with the user&#39;s eyes, and which is attachable to a desktop or portable computer display. The invention further facilitates such a camera which is inexpensive, durable, ergonomically comfortable, easy to operate, and is adaptable to a variety of mounting options. Enhanced distribution and dissipation of heat is additionally because its two part construction entirely separates the first and second printed circuit boards from one another. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The objects and features of the present invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art video camera; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a prior art video camera; 
     FIG. 3 is an a perspective view of a miniature video teleconferencing camera in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a top view of the video camera of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a front view of the video camera of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of the video camera of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the camera of FIG. 3 in the folded state; and 
     FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the video camera of FIG.  3 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the general principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide an inexpensive, readily manufactured and easily used miniature digital video teleconferencing imaging system. 
     A miniature digital video teleconferencing camera  11 , according to the preferred embodiment, is illustrated in FIGS. 3-7. The preferred embodiment camera  11  includes two main components: (1) a base housing  13  and (2) a lens housing  15 . The lens housing  15  is pivotably attached to the base housing  13  by a hinge mechanism including first and second hinges  24 . The hinges  24  include male hinge elements  56  and female hinge elements  54  (FIG.  8 ), preferably molded respectively into plastic molded exterior surfaces of the base and lens housings  13 ,  15  such that the two respective housings  13 ,  15  can be snapped together while preserving their pivotably mounted relationship. Such a built-in hinge mechanism may be referred to as an “inherent hinge.” 
     The hinges  24  permit the camera housings  13 ,  15  to be flipped open in the direction of arrow  18  to an angle of up to 90 degrees, as shown in FIG.  3  and in the side view of FIG.  6 . Thus, when opened, the camera profile is in two planes, horizontal and vertical. In the open state, the base housing  13  may rest on the top surface of a desktop computer monitor  16 , while the lens housing  15  hangs over the upper bezel of the monitor  16 , as further shown in FIG.  6 . In this position, the lens housing  15  extends down a distance “A” of about one inch below the top edge of the computer display screen. Since most computer display screens have toolbars with icons occupying the top inch of the display screen, the lens housing  15  does not significantly impair the use of the screen. 
     The hinges  24  further permit the camera  11  to be folded up and placed to stand vertically, as shown in FIG.  7 . In this configuration, the lens housing  15  folds into the base housing  13  in a generally flush relationship. In the folded-up configuration of FIG. 7, the camera  11  may be mounted to a conventional tripod (not shown). In either the open or closed state, the camera may be attached to a portable computer display or a desk top computer monitor via Velcro™ strips (not shown) for preventing axial sliding movements of the camera relative to the display screen and for securing the camera at any location where use of the video camera may be desired. 
     The base housing  13  and lens housing  15  each comprise an assembly of components,  20 ,  22 , as shown in FIG.  8 . With reference to FIG. 8, it may be seen that the lens assembly  20  includes a rear lens enclosure  32  and a front lens enclosure  34 . The lens assembly  20  further includes a printed circuit board (PCB)  40 , disposed between the lens enclosure  32  and the front lens enclosure  34 . The PCB  40  in electrical circuits for cooperating with a lens  62 . Such circuits include a digital image sensor array with attendant control and timing circuitry, an analog-to-digital converter, and a non-volatile memory. The image generating apparatus within the front and rear lens enclosures  32 ,  34  may comprise a digital camera, such as a CIF camera. 
     The base assembly  22  includes a top base enclosure  36  and a lower base enclosure  38 . A printed circuit board (PCB)  42  is disposed between the top base enclosure  36  and the bottom base enclosure  38 , and includes a plurality of electronic components mounted thereon including an image processor, a clock crystal, and a memory buffer. The PCB  42  in the base housing  13  also has a bus interface controller for controlling communications with a host computer, preferably via a Universal Serial Bus (USB). 
     The PCBs  40  and  42  in the respective lens and base assemblies  20 ,  22  are electrically connected to each other by an electrical connector, preferably a flexible flat ribbon cable  44 , inserted through an opening in the upper part of the rear lens enclosure component  32 . The flexible nature of the ribbon cable  44  allows it to bend when the camera is opened and folded. The flexible flat ribbon cable  44  conducts the image sensor array output signal to the PCB  44 . It will be appreciated that the flexible flat ribbon cable  44 , in addition to connecting the PCBs  40  and  42  also serves to electrically connect the various electronic parts mounted on both faces of each of the PCBs  40  and  42 . 
     An electrical connector  88  is also mounted on the PCB  42 . This connector  88  provides a port at which to access both the video signal of the camera and an audio signal derived from a microphone  82 . The microphone  82  resides behind a microphone opening  60  on the front lens enclosure  34  and provides voice transmission via microphone cable  84  inserted into housing  13 . 
     The base PCB  42 , the top base enclosure  36  and the bottom base enclosure  38  are held together with four screws  50 ,  52 . These screws  50 ,  52  are preferably thread-forming screws. The front two screws  52  can be tightened or loosened to stiffen or loosen the hinge mechanism comprising male pin portions  56  and female receptacle portions  54 . 
     FIG. 8 further illustrates the pins  56  of the hinge mechanism, one on each side of the front lens enclosure  34 , each projecting outward sidewise from the front lens enclosure  34 . As may be further seen in FIG. 8, the female hinge receptacles  54  are barrel-shaped and spaced apart from one another on respective sides of the top base enclosure  36 . The male pin portions  56  pivot in openings formed by the conjunction of semicircular openings  86 ,  87 . 
     Additionally, from a side perspective, the front lens enclosure  34  has a curved sloping surface  101  from which a lip  102  extends horizontally. In the open state, the lip  102  abuts the inside  103  of the bottom base enclosure  38  so as to prevent the front lens enclosure  34  from opening relative to the top base enclosure  36  by more than ninety degrees. 
     The front lens enclosure  34  further has a passageway  35  of circular cross-section extending therethrough, which provides an optical light path to the lens  62 . The lens  62  threadably inserts into a lens mounting bracket  64  and is held in position by a lens retaining cap  66 . A focus adjusting ring  70  is threadably mounted onto a threaded barrel portion  76  of the front lens enclosure  34 . The focus adjusting ring  70  is movable in an axial direction according to rotation thereof and interlocks with. retaining cap  66  via molded-in interlocking grooves. The retaining cap  66  is adhesively adhered to the lens  62 . Four screws  78  are used for securing the lens mounting bracket  69  to the lens PCB  40  and the PCB  40  is in turn screwed to the lens enclosure rear housing  32  with two screws  80 . 
     As may be appreciated, manually turning the focus ring  70  actuates the lens  62  which threads in or out of the lens mounting bracket  64 , thus controlling the distance between the lens  62  and the object and focusing the images provided by the lens  62  onto the cooperating image sensor array. The preferred embodiment may also be equipped with two privacy doors  72  manually opened and closed by holding respective protuberances  92  and sliding the privacy doors  72  apart or together, thereby exposing or covering up the lens  62 . A lens overlay  74  may also be provided which holds the privacy doors  72  in place and which may have a rear silk-screened polycarbonate label displaying an icon or logo. 
     The outside periphery of the bottom base enclosure  38  is formed with a recessed area  90  terminating in a recessed edge  91 . The recessed area  90  is dimensioned to receive the cooperating portion of the rear lens enclosure  32  and to provide for alignment of the rear lens enclosure  32  with the bottom base enclosure  38  when the camera  11  is closed as in FIG.  7 . Since the rear lens enclosure  32  and the front lens enclosure  34  exhibit a rounded bottom contour  93 , the recessed area  90  also has a conformably rounded, outer contour  95  to provide for the flush mating of two housings as shown in FIG.  7 . The bottom surface  94  adjacent the recessed area  90  is fitted on its opposite side with a rubber anti-skid pad  48 . 
     When in use, the camera  11  is either fixedly secured to the computer display monitor via Velcro™ strips, or is supported in both horizontal and vertical direction when it is opened and placed on the top of the computer display. Therefore, the camera  11  is less subject to vibrations and impacts which would be transmitted to the inner electronic elements. Additionally, since the electronic components are not grouped in the same casing, but into two completely separate housings  13 ,  15 , distribution and dissipation of heat is improved. Further, vibrations and impacts are cushioned by the resilient screws  50 ,  52 ,  78 , and  80  and are not transmitted to the PCBs  40 ,  42 . Vents may also be added in the plastic housings for heat dissipation. 
     The digital imaging system, designed according to the principles of the preferred method of the present invention is especially applicable for CIF video teleconferencing cameras and digital still cameras of mass production, usable in many consumer imaging applications. It is small in size, light, durable, ergonomically comfortable, pocketable, produces higher fidelity images and is easy to handle. As regards size, a camera  11 , according to the preferred embodiment, may have a length “L” of about 3.7″ (FIG.  5 ), the width “W” of about 2.45″ (FIG.  5 ), and thicknesses “T 1 ” and “T 2 ” of about 1.2″ and 0.91″ (FIG.  6 ). 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.